Straightforward    Business

8a T eacher’s notes &

Big Pharma 8a

answer key
This lesson could be used to replace or supplement Lesson Reading
8A (Cold comfort) on pages 76–77 of Straightforward Upper
Intermediate Second edition Student’s Book. 1
1  F    2  E    3  G    4  B    5  D    6  C    7  A
Speaking & vocabulary: research &
2
development
a  6    b  7    c  1    d  4    e  5    f  2    g  3
1 Notes
automobile 3
Many automobile companies have kept a good 1 scale
reputation, but the industry, as a whole, has suffered 2 devote
from occasional safety concerns. In countries with a 3 earners
strong green lobby, the industry has to show itself to 4 influence
be ‘clean’. 5 determine
banking 6 aware
Banking’s image took a serious blow in 2007 with the 7 justify
start of the Global Financial Crisis. Foolish and greedy
investments led to multiple bank collapses around the
world, and criticism grew of the bonuses paid to bank 1 T
bosses. 2 F (They devote them to conditions in the developed
pharmaceutical world, such as ‘Restless Leg Syndrome’.)
The pharmaceutical industry has suffered from a 3 F (They concentrate on drugs that are likely to
negative image for a long time. Further details are become big earners in the developed world.)
given in the text. 4 T
insurance 5 F (Big Pharma is happy to invest in universities if it
Insurance has long been seen as a ‘boring’ industry. can determine the research agenda.)
Since the banks have moved into this market, 6 T
however, things have changed. The spectacular 7 T
collapse of American International Group in 2008
dented people’s confidence in insurers.
oil
The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, pollution
around the world, the scandal of Enron, high level
corruption … the oil industry’s image has never been
squeaky clean.
2
1 legislation
2 revenues
3 bribes
4 R&D
5 invests
6 trialling
7 margins
8 lobbying

Acknowledgements: written by Philip Kerr. Designed by eMC Design Ltd.

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