UE 122, 218 et 536 – Anglais des affaires Cnam-Intec

DGC1 - APPLICATION 2 COMPANY GROWTH

I. PAST SIMPLE

Read the text and then write questions in the past simple for the given answers.

The history of Airbnb

In the space of just a few short years, Airbnb has grown from a small online accommodation
start-up into a global phenomenon.

Founded in 2008, the company is now said to be worth US$25 billion, with over 60 million

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guests using the service.

Co-founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia devised the idea for the business while living

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together in San Francisco.

Unable to afford their rent, they set up a simple website and hosted three people in their first
weekend, making around US$1,000.
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Airbnb is one of the major players in the so-called sharing economy, where businesses enable
millions of people to connect and share assets at minimal cost.

The Telegraph, 2016

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1.

In 2008.

2.
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Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia.

3.

Because they were unable to afford their rent.

4.

Three people.

5.

Around US$1,000.

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UE 122, 218 et 536 – Anglais des affaires Cnam-Intec

II. PAST SIMPLE AND PAST CONTINUOUS

Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form, either past simple or past continuous.

1. I……………………….(not print) the document because the printer………………………..(not work).

2. She……………………(come) up with the idea for a new product while she …………………….(run) in
the park.
3. He……………………..(be) on holiday for two weeks and he just……………………(come) back
yesterday.
4. She………………………..(wear) a visitor badge so I…………………………(know) she didn’t work there.
5. He………………………..(take) a nap when his cellphone………………………(ring).

III. USED TO

Complete the sentences using ‘used to’ + the appropriate verb.

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1. He ……………………………………..an accountant but he retired several years ago.

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2. She……………………………………hours playing video games and now she works for a famous
software company.
3. I……………………………to own a car but now I have one.
4. Computers ………………………………… so small or so fast.
5. (he)………………………………………………good at running?
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IV. USED TO / BE USED TO + ING

Rewrite the sentences using ‘used to’ or ‘be used to +ing’.

1. I lived in London when I was a kid.

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2. He cycles to work every day.

3. I phone my manager in NY once a week.
4. He ran the office on his own before hiring an assistant.

V. PREPOSITIONS IN TIME CLAUSES

Complete these sentences by writing a preposition in each gap.

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1. He has to finish the report……………Monday at the latest.

2. She worked …………..2009 ……….2015 as a marketing director.
3. The meeting was originally scheduled…………24th October.
4. Employees must switch off their computers…………..the end of each working day.
5. Our company has had offices in Spain…………….1995.
6. The conference will start……………10 am.
7. Mobile phones must be switched off………………meetings.
8. He worked for British Airways…………10 years.
9. I’ll be in the office ……..six o’clock then I’ll go home.
10. Can you arrange the meeting…………2pm?

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UE 122, 218 et 536 – Anglais des affaires Cnam-Intec

CORRIGE

I.

1. When was the company founded?

2. Who founded Airbnb?

3. Why did they set up a simple website?

4. How many people did they host in their first weekend?

5. How much money did they make in their first weekend?

II.

1. didn’t print / was not working

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2. came up / was running
3. was / came

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4. was wearing / knew
5. was taking / rang

III.

1. used to be
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2. used to spend
3. didn’t use
4. didn’t use
5. Did he use to be
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IV.

1. I used to live in London.

2. He is used to cycling to work.
3. I’m used to phoning my manager.
4. He used to run the office.
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V.

1. by
2. from…to
3. on
4. at
5. since
6. at
7. during
8. for
9. until
10. for

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