BA (HONS) ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE, UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE

BA (HONS) BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE

BA (HONS) EVENT MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING,
UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
BA (HONS) FINANCE, UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
BA (HONS) MARKETING, UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE

ENL2219: ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS STUDIES 1

JANUARY 2022 SESSION

MOCK TEST 1 (10%)

DURATION: 2 HOURS ONLY

Test : 1 hour 30 minutes
Submission : 30 minutes

1. This paper contains THREE sections.

2. Answer ALL questions on foolscap paper, scan and upload your answers to the correct submission point
in BB.
3. All answers should be HAND WRITTEN in BLACK OR BLUE INK.
4. Student ID should be written at the top of EACH answer sheet.
5. All answer sheets must be SCANNED and submitted in proper order/sequence.
6. Only SINGLE file submission is allowed.
7. Late submission will strictly NOT be accepted.
8. Scanned file/document must be re-named with the module code and student ID. For example,
ENL2219(T1)_J12345678

SECTION A: READING COMPREHENSION (30 MARKS)

Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow.

Passage 1
 1 What are the problems caused by compulsive shopping and spending? Many of us would
no associate anything negative with these two popular Malaysian activities. However,
compulsive shopping or spending may result in interpersonal and occupational problems. They
may also result in family or relationship and financial problems in a person’s life. In many ways,
the consequences of this behaviour are similar to that of any other addiction. 5
Relationships may be adversely affected as a result of excessive spending and efforts to
2
cover up debts or purchases. Those who engage in compulsive shopping may become
preoccupied with that behaviour. Thus, they may spend less and less time with the important
people in their lives. They may even experience anxiety or depression as a result of spending or
shopping, which may interfere with work or performance in school.
Financial problems may occur if money is borrowed or these is excessive use of credit 10
3 cards to make purchases. Often the extent of the financial damage is discovered only after the
shopper or spender has accumulated a large debt and the situation has become critical. When
this happens, it would of course be necessary for a drastic change in lifestyle to take place before
the situation can be resolved.
What makes compulsive shopping and spending addictive? There are many social and 15
4 cultural factors that tend to increase its addictive potential. One of them is easy availability of
credit, which supports the materialistic focus of society in general. People are thus encouraged
to accumulate possessions now and worry about financial responsibility later.
Society places a strong emphasis on one’s appearance, and many media personalities
5 promote spending money to achieve a certain look that will bring about happiness. This is 20
another reason for the increase in the addictive potential of shopping. In addition, purchasing

has been made easier with the arrival of online shopping and television programmes devoted to selling
goods 24 hours a day. Items can be purchased and quickly delivered without the buyer
having to leave home or personally interact with anyone else. 25
6 The shopping and spending activity itself is associated with a feeling of happiness and a
power which is immediately gratifying. Once this has worn off, the spender feels compelled to
purchase again to achieve that brief but intense emotional high. Research has shown that many
compulsive shoppers and spenders also suffer from mood disorders. As with many addictions,
the person becomes dependant on the behaviour to relieve negative feelings that cause them
distress and discomfort.

1. The writer mentions interpersonal and occupational problems to illustrate …

A. the problems in a person’s life
B. two popular Malaysian activities
C. the consequences of compulsive shopping and spending
D. why compulsive shopping happens

2. Compulsive shopping is considered similar to an addiction because of the … I. resulting financial problems
II. interpersonal problems caused
III. drastic change in lifestyle that takes place
A. I & II
B. II & III
C. I & III
D. None of the above

3. Relationships may be adversely affected… (line 6). This occurs when …

A. there is anxiety
B. new relationships are formed
C. less time is spent with loved ones
 D. work or performance in school is interrupted

4. The word They in line 3 indicates…

A. interpersonal problems
B. interpersonal and occupational problems
C. negative activities in Malaysia
D. compulsive shopping and spending

5. The word Thus in line 8 indicates…

A. reason
B. result
C. example
D. method

6. Which of the following is not a cause of financial damage?

A. borrowing money
B. excessive use of credit cards
C. delayed awareness of critical financial situation
D. adversely affected relationships

7. … the situation has become critical (line 13) when …

A. a large debt has accumulated
B. the financial damage is noticed
C. relationships have been adversely affected
D. efforts are made to cover up anxiety

8. What is needed before financial problems that result from compulsive shopping can be resolved? A. a
drastic change in lifestyle
B. improved relationships
C. a gradual increase in income
D. a new source of income

9. The best title for this passage would be… A. The Dark Side of Shopping
B. The Effects of Shopping
C. Detrimental Compulsive Shopping
D. Managing Compulsive Shopping
10. The word compulsive in line 1 also means… 13. The word devoted in line 22 also means…
A. careful and thoughtful A. to be reflective
B. uncontrollably addictive B. to be dedicated C. to be a believer
C. shrewd and thorough D. to be neglective
D. a feeling of completion
14. The word gratifying in line 26 also means…
11. The word associate in line 2 also means… A. A. a sense of commitment
to befriend B. a sense of completion
B. to connect C. a sense of superiority
C. networking D. a sense of fulfilment
D. relationship
15. The terms mood disorders in line 28 can be
12. The word adversely in line 6 also means… illustrated as…
A. to have little or no effect A. a thorough thought processes
B. in a positive manner B. a lack of financial foresight
C. in a neutral manner C. a muddled state of mind
D. in a negative manner D. a proper bookkeeping attitude

Passage 2

1 When people think about environmental activism, they probably don't think about hand lotion and
lip-gloss. But The Body Shop, a multi-million dollar cosmetics company, has shown the world how a
company can help consumers look good, smell good, and do good at the same time. The Body Shop
sells natural products, recycles its packaging, and actively fights to protect the environment. But when
Anita Roddick, The Body Shop's founder, opened her tiny cosmetics 5
shop in Brighton, England, in 1976, she had no idea that it would grow into an enormously successful
business and a symbol of social responsibility.
2 In 1976, Roddick had to find a way to take care of her two small children. So she opened a small
cosmetics store to make some money. She sold a handful of natural products in inexpensive recyclable
containers. Roddick asked her customers to bring back their empty 10
containers for refills rather than throw them away. This recycling not only kept costs down, but
also was environmentally sound.
 3 The Body Shop quickly became popular and stores opened all over England. When it went
public in 1984, Roddick realized that her company not only had the power to protect the
environment, but also had a responsibility to do so. The company continued to make and sell 15
natural products and to recycle containers, but it also went a step further. The Body Shop devoted
itself to social and environmental change.
As a result, the company got involved in many environmental causes. For example, during
4
the Greenpeace "Save the Whales" campaign, the company introduced a new product, jojoba
oil, which could be used in place of sperm whale oil. The Body Shop was also involved in the
"Stop the Burn" campaign to save Brazilian rainforests, the Friends of the Earth effort to stop 20
acid rain pollution, and the Greenpeace effort to stop toxic waste dumping in the North Sea. And
5 recently, the company's head offices and more than one hundred of its stores started using
renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, to cut down on the production of harmful
carbon dioxide.
Many of The Body Shop's customers feel good knowing that the money they spend for a 25
6 bottle of shampoo or a tube of hand cream might be used for a good cause. Over the years,
Roddick has seen the positive impact that one company's actions can have on the environment.
In 1992, she helped to form Business for Social Responsibility. The organization tries to
7 encourage companies to manufacture products in an environmentally safe way and to use their
influence to educate consumers about the environment. Maybe other business owners will follow 30
Roddick's lead and use their power and influence to protect the environment while making a
dollar—or a million.

1. _____, The Body Shop became committed to social change.

A. When it went public
B. Before it went public
C. Sometime before 1984
D. In 1976, when the business was started

2. The Body Shop worked with Greenspace … A. to save rainforests and stop acid rain pollution
B. to save whales and use renewable energy
C. to save whales and stop toxic waste dumping
D. to manufacture renewable cosmetics containers

3. The Body Shop sells …

A. recycled packages
B. environmental protection
C. cosmetics for women
D. natural cosmetics

4. ‘Business for Social Responsibility’ encourages…

A. companies to make millions of dollars
B. environmentally sound manufacturing
C. consumers to be environmentally responsible
D. companies to be profit oriented

5. Anita Roddick opened her first store… A. to start an environmentally sound business
B. to support her two young children
C. to be a symbol of social responsibility
D. to create awareness about business and the environment
6. The Body Shop’s head offices and many of its stores… A. use solar and wind power for energy
B. use carbon dioxide for energy
C. produce carbon dioxide for energy
D. All of the above

7. The Body Shop has participated in or worked with the following EXCEPT…
A. Save the Whales
B. Stop the Burn
C. Brazilian Government
D. Friends of the Earth

8. The Body Shop fulfilled its responsibility towards the environment in the following ways, EXCEPT…
A. Kept up with producing natural products
B. Continued to use and reuse recycled containers
C. Stopped using Sperm Whale Oil in their products
D. Committed its resources to social and environmental change

9. “…follow in Roddick’s lead…” refer to other businesses…

A. providing financial support to Greenpeace
B. assisting Friends of the Earth with publicity
C. stopping the killing of whales for whale oil
D. developing an active consciousness towards the environment

10. The word activism in line 1 also means… A. to

participate in a team activity
B. to believe in an ideology
C. to entertain a group of people
D. to advocate an ideology 13. The word sound in line 12 also means…
A. a loud noise
11. The word founder in line 5 could mean all the B. a particular type of noise
following EXCEPT… C. a safe option
A. originator D. an announcement on safety
B. finder
C. initiator 14. The word causes in line 18 also means…
D. creator A. methods
B. effects
12. The expression a handful in line 9 also C. centres
means… D. undertakings
A. a dozen
B. a complete list 15. The word impact in line 28 can be nest
C. a few replaced with… A. results
D. part of the list B. strengths
C. hits
D. strikes

SECTION B: SUMMARIZING & PARAPHRASING (10 MARKS)

1. Summarize the contents of Paragraph 5 taken from Passage 1 in less than 25 words.
 Society places a strong emphasis on one’s appearance, and many media personalities promote
spending money to achieve a certain look that will bring about happiness. This is another reason for the
increase in the addictive potential of shopping. In addition, purchasing has been made easier with the
arrival of online shopping and television programmes devoted to selling goods 24 hours a day. Items can
be purchased and quickly delivered without the buyer having to leave home or personally interact with
anyone else.
(5 marks)

2. Paraphrase (and summarize) these sentences taken from Paragraph 3 of Passage 2 in less than 25 words.

The Body Shop quickly became popular and stores opened all over England. When it went public in
1984, Roddick realized that her company not only had the power to protect the environment, but also had
a responsibility to do so. The company continued to make and sell natural products and to recycle
containers, but it also went a step further. The Body Shop devoted itself to social and environmental
change.
(5 marks)

SECTION C: BUSINESS VOCABULARY (10 MARKS)

Fill in the text with the given words. Write your answers on the Answer sheet. Use one word only once.

topic intelligent understanding smiling title

communication corresponding proverb conceived debate
observe associated expectations knowledge education
differently prolonged maintained eye miscommunication
Much of today's business is conducted across international borders, and while the majority of the global
business community might share the use of English as a common language, the nuances and expectations of
business communication might differ greatly from culture to culture. A lack of __(1)__ of the cultural norms
and practices of our business acquaintances can result in unfair judgements, misunderstandings and
breakdowns in __(2)__. Here are three basic areas of differences in the business etiquette around the world
that could help stand you in good stead when you next find yourself working with someone from a different
culture.

When discussing this __(3)__ in a training course, a German trainee and a British trainee got into a hot __(4)__
about whether it was appropriate for someone with a doctorate to use the __(5)__title on their business card.
The British trainee __(6)__ that anyone who wasn't a medical doctor expecting to be addressed as 'Dr' was
disgustingly pompous and full of themselves. The German trainee, however, argued that the hard work and
years of __(7)__ put into earning that PhD should give them full rights to expect to be addressed as 'Dr'.

This stark difference in opinion over something that could be __(8)__ as minor and thus easily overlooked
goes to show that we often attach meaning to even the most mundane practices. When things that we are used
to are done __(9)__, it could spark the strongest reactions in us. While many Continental Europeans and Latin
Americans prefer to be addressed with a __(10)__, for example Mr or Ms and their surname when meeting
someone in a business context for the first time, Americans, and increasingly the British, now tend to prefer
using their first names. The best thing to do is to listen and __(11)__ how your conversation partner addresses
you and, if you are still unsure, do not be afraid to ask them how they would like to be addressed.
A famous Russian __(12)__ states that 'a smile without reason is a sign of idiocy' and a so-called 'smile of
respect' is seen as insincere and often regarded with suspicion in Russia. Yet in countries like the United
States, Australia and Britain, __(13)__ is often interpreted as a sign of openness, friendship and respect, and
is frequently used to break the ice.
In a piece of research done on smiles across cultures, the researchers found that smiling individuals were
considered more intelligent than non-smiling people in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, China and
Malaysia. However, in countries like Russia, Japan, South Korea and Iran, pictures of smiling faces were rated
as less __(14)__ than the non-smiling ones. Meanwhile, in countries like India, Argentina and the Maldives,
smiling was __(15)__ with dishonesty.

An American or British person might be looking their client in the __(16)__ to show that they are paying full
attention to what is being said, but if that client is from Japan or Korea, they might find the direct eye contact
awkward or even disrespectful. In parts of South America and Africa, __(17)__ eye contact could also be seen
as challenging authority. In the Middle East, eye contact across genders is considered inappropriate, although
eye contact within a gender could signify honesty and truthfulness.

Having an increased awareness of the possible differences in __(18)__ and behaviour can help us avoid cases
of __(19)__, but it is vital that we also remember that cultural stereotypes can be detrimental to building good
business relationships. Although national cultures could play a part in shaping the way we behave and think,
we are also largely influenced by the region we come from, the communities we associate with, our age and
gender, our corporate culture and our individual experiences of the world. The __(20)__ of the potential
differences should therefore be something we keep at the back of our minds, rather than something that we
use to pigeonhole the individuals of an entire nation.

~ End of Test 1 ~