Vietnam Vocational College of Industry and Comerce Exercises – Teacher: Nguyen Quoc

Huy
UNIT 8. ORDERS
Business communication – Making requests
Activity 2. Listen and answer questions
A man is collecting a package from a shop. Listen to all three parts of the conversation.
+ ____________________________________
- What does the customer ask for? + ____________________________________
+ ____________________________________
+ ____________________________________
+ ____________________________________
- What does the shopkeeper ask the + ____________________________________
customer? + ____________________________________
+ ____________________________________
+ ____________________________________
Activity 3. With a partner, take turns to make and respond the requests. Ask your partner:
MAKING REQUESTS
For their phone number To drive you to the airport
A: _______________________________ A: _______________________________
B: _______________________________ B: _______________________________
If you can leave work early If you can open the window
A: _______________________________ A: _______________________________
B: _______________________________ B: _______________________________
For an order reference For the same other reference (you’ve lost it!)
A: _______________________________ A: _______________________________
B: _______________________________ B: _______________________________

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Vietnam Vocational College of Industry and Comerce Exercises – Teacher: Nguyen Quoc
Huy

Activity 4. Matching
A B
1. Could I send you the email tomorrow?
2. Do you mind if I take this box?
3. Could you just sign here, please?
4. Would you mind waiting a few
minutes?
5. Do you think I could leave early?
6. I need a quotation as soon as possible.
7. Is it all right if I phone back later?
8. Could I ask you to deliver on Saturday?
Keys: 1. ____ 2. ____ 3. ____
a. No problem: How many do you need?
b. No, not at all. Go ahead.
c. Yes, sure, if you have finished everything.
d. Yes, of course. I’ll be here until 7 p.m.
e. I’m sorry, but I need it before the end of the
day.
f. I’m afraid not. Our drivers don’t work that day.
g. No, that’s fine. I’m not in hurry.
h. Certainly. Could I use your pen?
4. ____ 5. ____ 6. ____ 7. ____ 8. ____

Activity 5. Filling
of course just sorry show ask go ahead could afraid would mind
A: Are you here to pick up a parcel?
B: Yes, I am. But I’m (1) _______________. I don’t have the confirmation email.
A: Don’t worry, but (2) _______________ I have your name, please?
B: Yes, it’s Mrs. Denton. Marina Denton.
A: And could you (3) _______________ me some ID, please?
B: Yes, (4) _______________. Here’s my driving licence.
A: OK, that’s fine. Could I (5) ______ you to wait just a moment – your package is in the back
office.
B: Yes, of course. Do you (6) _______________ if I look at this catalogue while I’m waiting?
A: No, (7) _______________. You can take it with you if you like.
B: Thanks.
(Two minutes later)
A: So here’s your parcel. Can you (8) _______________ sign here, please?

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Vietnam Vocational College of Industry and Comerce Exercises – Teacher: Nguyen Quoc
Huy
B: Sure. I’m (9) _______________ but it looks a little heavy and I have a bad back. (10)
_______________ you mind taking it to my car for me?
A: No problem.

KEY EXPRESSIONS
Requesting action Asking permission
Can/Could you …? Can/Could I …?
I need … Is it all right if I …?
Could I ask you to …? Do you mind if I …?
Would you mind + Ving …? Do you think I could …?
Do you think you could …?
Accepting Rejecting
Yes, sure. I’m afraid not.
Yes, of course. I’m sorry, but …
Certainly. I’m afraid that’s not possible.
Go ahead.
No, not at all.
No problem.