BEC中级真题(第二辑)答案及听力原文
BEC中级真题（第二辑）答案及听力原文
Test 1
Reading
Part 1
1 C
2 A
3 B
4 D
5 A 6.B 7 C
Part 2
8 D 9 C 10 E 11B 12 F
Part 3
13 D 14 A 15 C 16 B 17.B 18.C
Part 4
19B 20 A 21 D 22 A 23 C 24 C 25 D 26 A 27 B 28 C
29 D 30 B 31 C 32 B 33 B
Part5
34 ITSELF 35 IN 36 CORRECT 37.WHILE 38 SEEN 39 FROM 40 CORRECT 41 THOSE 42 FOR 43 WITH 44 THAT
45 CORRECT
Writing
Part 1
To: P. Jones
From: Luisa Gambon
Date: 21 November 2002
Subject: Lateness
Mr Jones,
I have noticed that you often arrive late for work, especially on Monday mornings. As your colleagues are starting to complain about that, you understand that unless this habit changes, I will take disciplinary action against you. Come and see me tomorrow at 9 a.m. in my office. Thank you
Part 2
Report on customer complaints
INTRODUCTION
This report has the purpose of presenting the reasons for customer complaints in 2002. FIELDINGS
The customer complaints received in 2002 were 300 in January. Then they increased to 540 in February because of the computer system's breakdown.
In March they fell to 230 because an improved order system was introduced.
The reasons for complaints from January to March were analysed:
●firstly the companv received complaints for incorrect orders delivered. These errors
were fewer in March.
●secondly the time taken to deliver is too high. but the company has planned to recruit
new agents.
●Finally customers complain for the poor product quality. In order to solve this problem
more quality controls are making.
CONCLUSIONS
At the moment all customers aren't satisfied but many measures have been taken to improve their satisfaction.
Listening
Part 1
1. JAYE
2. CUSTOMER SERVICES
3. OFFICE ASSISTANT
4. 457.60
5. EUROPE HOLIDAYS
6. BUSINESS CARDS
7. MARKETING EXECUTIVES
8 (THE) (COMPANY) EOGO
9 INFORMATION PACK
10. PARK HOTEL
11. FRONT GATE
12. NEW DESIGNS
Part 2
13 E 14 B 15 G 16 F 17 A 18 C 19 G 20 H
21 E 22. B
Part3
23 B 24 B 25 C 26 A 27 C
28 B 29 A 30 C
Tapescript
Listening Test 1
This is the Business English Certificate Vantage 2, Listening Test 1.
Part One. Questions 1 to 12.
You will hear three telephone conversations or tnessages.
Write one or two u'ords or a number in the numbered spaces on the notes or forms
below.
After you have listened once, replay each recording.
Conversation One.
Questions 1 to 4.
Look at the form below.
You will hear a man asking a colleague for information about a former employee.
You have 15 second's to read through the form.
[pause]
Now listen, and fill in the spaces.
Woman: Personnel . . .
Man: Hello, it's Tim here, from Finance.
Woman: Hi, Tim.
Man: I've had a letter from the tax office about a student who worked here last summer – I wonder if you could look him up in your records.
Woman: Sure, what's the name?
Man: The surname's Jaye. First name Stephen.
Woman: How does he spell his surname?
Man: J-A-Y-E. Got that?
Woman: Oh yes, here we are . . . lives at a hundred and eighty-three School Road, Barnfield . . .
Man: Yes, that's the one.
Woman: And you say he was working in Finance?
Man: Uhm, Customer Services, actually.
Woman: Aah - they had lots of students working for them last summer.
Man: Well, the tax people want to know his exact job title - I'm not sure why.
Woman: Mm, let me see . . . He was an office assistant.
Man: Right, got that. They also want to know about his monthly earnings.
Woman: Let's have a look . . . five hundred and thirty-eight pounds seventy a month . . .
Oh, sorry, he was a scale one, so that's four hundred and fifty-seven pounds sixty.
Anything else?
Man: That's fine, thanks. I'll send them the information today . . .
[pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
Conversation Two.
Questions 5 to 8.
Look at the note below.
You will hear a man describing a problem with an order.
You have 15 seconds to read through the note.
[pause]
Now listen, and fill in the spaces.
Woman: Hello, Blackwell Printers. Julie Davidson speaking. How may I help you?
Man: Hello. This is Mark Jones from Europe Holidays. I was hoping to speak to Steven Kirby about the stationery you're printing for us.
Woman: I'm afraid Steven's away until Friday.
Man: Oh - you see I'm not very happy with the business cards and I wanted to see if I could make a couple of changes to the paper too.
Woman: Would you like me to pass on a message?
Man: Yes, please. The thing is, I've just received your proofs - the cards themselves are fine, but you seem to have misunderstood the quantities. I'm sure I asked for five
hundred for each of the marketing executives and seven hundred and fifty for me but you've put everyone down for seven hundred and fifty.
Woman: Right, I've made a note of that. Is there anything else?
Man: Yes, well this is my mistake really. Could you ask Steven to move the company logo further to the left? It's too close to the address at the moment. I think that's all for now.
Thanks.
[pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
Conversation Three. Questions 9 -12
Look at the notes below.
You will hear a woman making the arrangements for a delegation who are going to visit her company.
You have 15 seconds to read through the notes.
[pause]
Now listen, and fill in the spaces.
Woman: Geoff?
Man: Yes?
Woman: I just want to finalise the preparations for the delegation next week.
Man: Certainly. It's Thursday, isn't it?
Woman: Yes. Now, can you make sure that each of them gets a name badge and an information pack. The badges are done, but you'll need to prepare the packs with all the relevant information.
Man: Ok, that shouldn't take too long. What about catering?
Woman: Coffee's organised for eleven and three, but lunch - it's at one - we need to reserve it for twelve people . . . The office restaurant is closed next week . . . can you ring the Park Hotel? The Grand Hotel was a bit disappointing last time.
Man: I'll get onto that.
Woman: Now, they'll be coming straight from the station, and their taxi will bring them to the front gate, so make sure you're there to greet them. That'll be about ten.
Man: Ten. And then . . .
Woman: Into Reception, I think. Make sure the new designs are on display, I want them to see those first.
Man: OK.
Woman: Let me know when it's all finalised. Bye.
[pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
That is the end of Part One. You now have 20 seconds to check your answers. [pause]
Part Two. Questions 13 to 22.
Section One. Questions 13 to 17.
You will hear five short recordings
[pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
That is the end of Part One. You now seconds to check your answers.
[pause]
Part Two. Questions 13 to 22. Section One.
Questions 13 to 17.
You will hear five short recordings.
For each recording, decide which type of document the speaker is talking about.
Write one letter (A-H) next to the number of the recording.
Do not use any letter more than once.
After you have listened once, replay the recordings.
You have 15 seconds to read the list A-H.
[pause]
Now listen, and decide which type of document each speaker is talking about. [pause] Thirteen
Woman: Well no wonder the bank's returned it unpaid. Look, the figures don't match the amount in words. I expect someone was filling it in in too much of a hurry. Let's see, we'd better issue another one straight away to pay Mrs Burton, because it'll be another three weeks if we wait for the next cycle of payments. Her expenses on that sales trip were pretty high, and it wouldn't be fair to keep her waiting much longer. [pause] fourteen
Man: Some of the suppliers are already asking about the increases. I'll check, but I seem to remember from last week's meeting that in the end we agreed on three per cent. So what I'll do is go down each column and calculate the new amounts, and then it can be printed in time to be inserted into the new brochures. Can you check the figures for me, though, before it goes to the printers?
[pause] fifteen
Woman: We've just received the paperwork from you about cleaning our premises, and I have to say that it doesn't reflect what we agreed in our conversation last week. For one thing, it says that we have to supply our security code, and for another it specifies monthly payment in advance, and I told you both of those were out of the question. I'm afraid I really can't sign this. Could you send me a revised one?
[pause] Sixteen
Man: Of course, this only gives a very general picture. But as you can see, cash is a particularly healthy area. That's even when we take into account regular outgoings on loans and leasing equipment, which are included in the final totals. And even more significantly, unpaid orders are actually excluded from the final calculation. These represent a sum of approximately thirty thousand pounds. With that in mind, we can say that the company's overall position is still strong.
[pause] Seventeen
Woman: I've just asked the Arden Conference Centre about availability for our next training seminar, and they said they still haven't been paid for the one before last, which should have been dealt with six months ago. I've had to ask them to send a duplicate! We really must be careful. Arden give us very favourable prices, but we haven't got a contract with them - Can you deal with it straight away so we stay in their good books? [pause]
.Vow listen to the recordings again.
[pause]
Section Two. Questions 18 to 22.
You will hear another five recordings.
For each recording, decide what the speaker's purpose is.
Write one letter (A-H) next to the number of the recording.
Do not use any letter more than once.
After you have listened once, replay the recordings.
You have 15 seconds to read the list A-H.
[pause]
Now listen, and decide what each speaker's purpose is.
[pause] Eighteen
Man: Hello. This is Guy Cooper from Centron Electronics here. I believe you rang for some advice about your alarm system, which isn't functioning properly. The message I got said you weren't sure if you needed someone to come and sort it out, or if we could advise you over the phone. Well perhaps you'd like to get back to me as soon as it's convenient and tell me exactly what the problem is, and I'll see what I can do. [pause] Nineteen
Woman: Well, as you say, Redlon has been supplying us for years but, quite honestly, two-thirds of the complaints we receive about our products are actually due to faults in components we've had from Redlon. So I talked to the Production Manager and he agreed that I should look at some alternatives. Future World's range is fine for us, and one of their customers who I spoke to recommended them highly, so that's why we've changed to using them.
[pause] Twenty
Woman: The competition's getting tougher, and you know we're facing serious problems.
We need to see more benefit from the undeniably hard work we're putting in, and this means saying no to jobs which aren't profitable. It would be much more beneficial to put all our efforts into winning higher-margin contracts. So the way I feel you can help most is by identifying the types of contacts which will bring in the income we need in order to ensure our future.
[pause] Twenty-one
Man: John Woods here, phoning about the project we discussed earlier. Could you give me a ring so that we can talk about it a bit more? I've done a few calculations and I'm beginning to wonder whether it's really a practical proposition. 1 still think the project's got potential, but there are significant additional costs which we hadn't taken into account. So could you get back to me as soon as you can, please?
[pause] Twenty-two
Woman: Hello, Sally here, from Pagwell Paints, returning your call. I'm very sorry you aren't happy with the latest consignment you've had from us. It's rather strange, because following your complaint about the last delivery, we did in fact take action to change the specifications in the way you suggested. So it isn't quite fair to say that we ignored your advice. I know it's important to achieve the consistency that you require, but perhaps your recommendation wasn't exactly what's needed.
[pause]
Now listen to the recordings again.
[pause]
This is the end of Part Two.
[pause]
Part Three. Questions 23 to 30.
You will hear the chairman of a business institute making a speech about new business awards that his institute has sponsored.
For each question 23-30. mark one letter (A, B or C) for the correct answer.
After you have listened once, replay the recording.
You have 45 seconds to read through the questions.
[pause]
Now listen, and mark A, 6 or C.
[pause]
Man: Who are the managers of the best innovation developments in British industry? That was the question which the first Business Today Innovation Awards set out to answer. This project is all about rewarding good practice and performance. So, rather than simply recognising excellence in the design of specific products, or analysing their financial impact on profits, the awards set out to take an objective look at exactly how companies manage the development process itself.
Over three hundred and fifty organisations entered the competition and were initially reduced to about forty. Then, after further careful checking, a short list of just fourteen of them was arrived at. These finalists, all manufacturers, were then visited by the competition judges, a panel of four chief executives from leading companies. The panel toured the finalists' facilities, received presentations on the companies and their projects, and interviewed the key development team members. The products varied enormously in their scale, function and degree of technology - from bread for a supermarket chain to a printer inside an automatic cash dispenser
Initially the organisers were concerned that this range could create difficulties in the assessment process. But this fear proved baseless, as most elements in the innovation process are shared by all manufacturers.
Interestingly, the finalists broke down into two distinct and equal groups: large firms with one thousand employees or more and small firms with two hundred and fifty employees or fewer. With both groups the judges decided to concentrate on two of the clearest indicators of a successful innovation process, which are: how well the new product is combined with the company's existing business, and secondly, how-well the innovation methods are recorded and understood. Small firms naturally tend to do well in the first category since they have fewer layers of management and thus much shorter communication lines. But they seem to put less emphasis on creating formal development methods which would be repeatable in future innovations.
Large firms, on the other hand, have difficulty integrating the new development within their existing business for reasons of scale. But they tend to succeed in achieving well-documented and repeatable development methods. This is because larger companies, with their clear emphasis on training, fixed management structure and administrative systems, require more formal, daily record-keeping from their staff.
So what were the key questions the judges had in mind when assessing the finalists? One of the most important areas concerned how thoroughly a company checks what is happening in other fields in order to incorporate new ideas into the development process. Many of the finalists impressed in the area. Xatura, for example, had demonstrated genuine energy in searching for new ways of producing their range of specialitv breads. They had looked at styles of home cooking in different countries, as well as the possibility of exploiting new production technologies in order to achieve equally good results but on a high-volume production line.
What then occupied much of the judges' thoughts was the quality of the links which the development team established with senior management, suppliers, the market and manufacturing. The best examples of the first category were found in small firms, where the individual entrepreneur at the top was clearly driving the innovation forward
Links with suppliers were also seen as an important factor, but not all supplier experiences were positive. Occasionally serious problems had to be solved where suppliers were working hard to meet specifications, but the companies that the suppliers were using to adapt their machinery were not so efficient. This, led to disappointing faults or fluctuations in quality.
But in conclusion the awards demonstrate that innovation isn't just for high-tech internet companies. You can also be successful in mature markets with determination and skill. [pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
That is the end of Part Three. You now have ten minutes to transfer your answers to your Answer Sheet.
Note: Teacher, stop the recording here and time ten minutes. Remind students when there is one minute remaining.
[pause]
That is the end of the test.
Test 2
Reading
Part 1
I. B 2 C 3 A 4 D 5 D 6 B 7 C
Part 2
8 C 9 B 10 E 11 A 12 D
Part 3
13 D 14 C 15 A 16 A 17 C 18.B
Part 4
19.D 20 D 21 A 22 C 23 A 24 C 25 B 26 A
27 A 28 D 29 C 30 A 31 C 32 D 33 B
Part 5
34 THAT 35 CORRECT 36 ONLY 37 SO 38 CORRECT 39
THE 40 HOW 41 CORRECT 42 OUT 43 CORRECT 44 WILL 45 BE
Test 2 Writing
Part 1
To: All Staff
From: Managing Director
Date: 7 December
Subject: Staff reward
I would like to thank you for the contribution in increasing the company's profit. The profit increased due to very hard work and long working hours. Each of the staff will receive an envelope with a reward on Tuesday. The reward is a trip to Hawaii, and I hope that this will be the perfect reward. Enjoy!
Thank you
Part 2
Introduction.
The purpose of this report is to assess and recomend a taxi firm that will become our regular transporter. We will need them especially during next year trade fair and conferences. There are two firms to assess.
Findings:
As regards to Telecars we have a good references on them. It is very experienced traditional firm and is also very reliable. They provide 24-hours service that is useful during night meetings and negotiations. StreetlightCabs is brand new company and there are no references on them. But they provide long distance routes which we use
very often and they are also cheaper. On the other hand they don't have web page and so internet booking isn't available.
Conclusion:
I recommend to choose Telecars because of their reliability, long tradition and well trained staff.
Listening
Part 1
1TAKING MINUTES
213(TH) OCTOBER
3CERTIFICATE
4CUSTOMER SERVICE
5WORLDNET/WORLD NET
6OUTSIDE LINES
7TRANSFER CALLS
8(THE) EQUIPMENT
9. TRADE FAIR
10AFTER LUNCH
11REVISED BUDGETS
12HEAD OFFICE
Part 2
13 H 14 E 15 F 16 A 17 D 18 G
19 E 20 C 21 B 22 H
Part3
23 C 24 A 25 A 26 C 27 A 28 C 29 B 30 B
Tapescript
Listening Test 2
This is the Business English Certificate Vantage 2, Listening Test 2.
Part One. Questions 1 to 12.
You will hear three telephone conversations or messages.
Write one or two words or a number in the numbered spaces on the notes or forms below.
After you have listened once, replay each recording.
Conversation One. Questions 1 to 4.
Look at the form below.
You will hear a woman calling about training courses.
You have 15 seconds to read through the form. [pause]
Now listen, and fill in the spaces.
Man: Good morning, Oakleaf Business Training. How can I help you?
Woman: Hello, my name's Enid Stevens, of Appleyard Smith. I've booked two one-day courses, but now I need to change one of them.
Man: Let me get your details up on the screen. Right, you've booked Report Writing next month . . .
Woman: Yes, that one's OK. It's Taking Minutes that I can't manage, on the eighth of July.
Do you know when it's running again?
Man: Let me see. Not until the eighteenth of September, I'm afraid.
Woman: That sounds fine. Oh, I think I'll be abroad then.
Man: Then there's the first and the thirteenth of October.
Woman: I'd like the later date, please.
Man: Fine, I'll change your booking.
Woman: Another thing; it says in your brochure, everyone attending a course gets a certificate, but I haven't received one from a course I took last January.
Man: I'm sorry about that. Which course was it?
Woman: Something to do with dealing with the public . . . ?
Man: That must have been Customer Service.
Woman: Sounds familiar.
Man: OK, I'll put it in the post today.
Woman: Thank you very much. Goodbye.
Man: Goodbye.
[pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
Conversation Two. Questions 5 to 8.
Look at the note below.
You will hear a woman ringing about problems with a new telephone system.
You have 15 seconds to read through the note.
[pause]
Now listen, and fill in the spaces.
Man: Hello, Swinburn Telecoms.
Woman: I'd like to speak to Tony Wilson, please.
Man: I'm afraid Tony isn't available. Can I take a message?
Woman: Yes please. I'm Sheila Dallas, from Worldnet.
Man: Right.
Woman: I'm ringing about the telephone system your firm installed here yesterday. We're not happy with it.
Man: Oh dear. What seems to be the problem?
Woman: First of all, your engineer said that with the number of extensions we've got, six outside lines would be enough, but we asked for eight, and anyway you've charged us for the larger system.
Man: Right, we'll look into that.
Woman: Then, whenever we try to transfer calls from one extension to another we lose them. We're following the instructions, but it just doesn't work.
Man: I see.
Woman: And finally, could you ask Tony to check the invoice, please? He promised us a discount on installation, which is shown, and one on the equipment, but that isn't there.
Man: Right. I'm sorry about all that. I'll get Tony to contact you as soon as he's free. Woman: Thank you. Goodbye. Man: Goodbye.
[pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
Conversation Three. Questions 9 to 12.
Look at the note below.
You will hear a woman calling about the arrangements for a meeting.
You have 15 seconds to read through the note.
[pause]
Now listen, and fill in the spaces.
Man: Good morning. Marketing Department. Peter Menzies speaking.
Woman: Hello. Could I speak to John Fitzgerald, please?
Man: I'm afraid he's not in the office at the moment.
Woman: Well, this is Elizabeth Parnell calling. I wanted to talk to John about the meeting next week. You see, I only get back on Tuesday night from a trade fair in the States. Man: So, would you like me to give him a message?
Woman: Yes, could you ask him if we can postpone Wednesday's meeting? Till after lunch.
That would be easier. It was originally going to be at ten a.m.
Man: OK. I'll ask him to change it. I'll get back to you with a time.
Woman: Thanks. And could you also ask him to add another item for discussion at the meeting? I thought we were going to talk about the revised budgets - but I can't see this on the agenda.
Man: OK. I'd better ask him to call you . . .
Woman: Yes, please. I'm at Head Office at the moment. Can he phone me here today - I won't be back at my own desk until tomorrow afternoon.
Man: Right, I'll give him the message.
Woman: Thanks.
Man: Bye.
Woman: Goodbye.
[pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
That is the end of Part One. You now have 20 seconds to check your answers. [pause]
Part Two. Questions 13 to 22.
Section One. Questions 13 to 17.
You will hear five short recordings. Five people are talking about different business books they have read.
for each recording, decide which book the speaker is talking about.
Write one letter (A-Hi next to the number of the recording.
Do not use any letter more than once.
After you have listened once, replay the recordings.
You have 15 seconds to read the list A-H.
[pause]
Note listen, and decide winch book each speaker is talking about.
[pause] Thirteen
Woman: Yes, it was interesting . . . some of it was rather obvious, of course, like dressing smartly, making sure you arrive on time, that sort of thing . . . but there was also quite
a lot I'd never really considered . . . like ways to interpret what the advertisement is
really asking for, reading between the lines . . . and a section which lists some of the harder questions they tend to ask you, with effective answers you can give [pause] Fourteen
Man: Invaluable, I'd say . . . certainly helps prevent you making some of the more
embarrassing mistakes. It gives you a kind of timescale to follow through. For example, they stress that you need to get publicity up and running a good six months before you want to stage the event. And get your main speakers booked earlier than that. They say you must make sure you've got a good assistant to support you, check the details.
[pause] Fifteen
Woman: Actually, although it was a bit long, it was definitely useful. The trouble often is, when the management take on new staff, they don't necessarily really know what skills or qualities are needed. I want someone who's more than just a secretary typing out letters every day . . . I'm looking for a right hand, someone to do everything . . . and this book spells out what that means . . . it's helped me to draw up
a jo
b description.
[pause] Sixteen
Man: Well, I wish I'd read it years ago! That would have saved me from some of my worst inefficiencies. I'd recommend it to anyone. It shows you how to produce a perfect schedule for getting through your workload . . . Once you've got yourself organised, made lists of tasks and priorities, you can make best use of each and every day . . .
otherwise you're just constantly confusing your PA with endless requests, all terribly urgent . . .
[pause] Seventeen
Woman: Certainly, a lot of the book was very specialised . . . but it did give me an idea of how7 the agencies do the job. Of course, they're the people with the creative ideas, the expertise, so I'm happy to trust the image development work to them . . . but I read the book so I could talk to them on equal terms about what we're trying to do, and how it fits in with our overall business strategy.
[pause]
Now listen to the recordings again.
[pause]
Section Two. Questions 18 to 22.
You will hear another five recordings, five people are talking about why they decided to use a particular company to supply their office
equipment.
for each recording, decide what reason each person gives.
Write one letter (A-H) next to the number of the recording.
Do not use any letter more than once.
After you have listened once, replay the recordings.
You have 15 seconds to read the list A-H.
[pause]
.Vow listen, arid decide what reason each person gives.
[pause] Eighteen
Man: We were having problems with the company we normally use so we looked at a number of other companies and decided to give this one a try. They're just new in the business and we were impressed as they promised they would deliver the goods we wanted within two days and they did. We had to pay more than we would have liked but the results were worth it. Since then, I've told a lot of other people about them.
[pause] Nineteen
Woman: Apparently they're an established company in Scotland with an excellent reputation, but I didn't know that at the time. I found them through the internet. I was just browsing through the list of suppliers one day and I noticed their name. I looked them up and found that they had this fantastic discount available that particular month. We ordered various things and the quality was so good we've continued using them. [pause] Twenty
Man: We like to try out different suppliers to make sure we're always getting the best deal. This particular company was running a big publicity campaign. I'd seen the ads on TV and they really put me off. I just couldn't see the
appeal. But then someone I met at a training day told me we should use them. His company had used their service for years with no complaints so we followed his advice.
[pause] Twenty-one
Woman: We'd looked round the market to find the cheapest deal possible but to be honest there wasn't much to choose, in terms of cost, between any of the local suppliers. However, we had a visit from a sales representative from one company and we asked him to make up some complimentary printed letterheads for us. They were exactly what we wanted so that was the deciding factor. I think that personal touch gives a company far better results than advertising ever can.
[pause] Twenty-two
Man: Obviously there are many different factors to consider when you choose a new supplier. We always used a local company because they were relatively near and we could even pick things up ourselves if necessary. But unfortunately they just became too expensive. Now that express delivery services are widely available, distance is no longer a consideration and we've been able to choose someone who can give us the best package for the lowest cost.
[pause]
Now listen to the recordings again.
[pause]
That is the end of Part Two.
[pause]
Part Three. Questions 23 to 30.
You will hear a radio report about the London stock market.
For each question 23—30, mark one letter (A, B or C) for the correct answer.
After you have listened once, replay the recording.
You have 45 seconds to read through the questions.
[pause]
Now listen, and mark A, B or C.
[pause]
Woman: Hello. I'm Jane Bowen with our regular Friday look at the week just finished on the London stock market.
The general picture is pretty mixed. Shares in the major banks are trading down, while mining companies have surprised analysts with a small rise. Overall, it's been
a week of considerable movement, with the highest level reached at the close two
days ago and a sharp fall yesterday. A strong recovery saw most of those losses being made up today, but the closing figure still fell short of Wednesday's. Now here's Charles Wrighton with some company news.
Man: Thanks Jane. And first, clothing retailer, Brownlow. Having finally found a buyer for
their loss-making sports footwear subsidiary, Hi-form, they've rejected a take-over bid from a leading French retail chain which has been looking to buy into the British market for some time. This activity has moved Brownlow's shares up by twenty per cent to ninety-six pence.
There's a lot of interest in the Lek energy group, which recently bought Wesrwales Electricity. To the relief of Wesrwales managers. Lek haven't brought in their own people to run the company. Despite predicted job cuts of something like a third of the engineering staff, no announcement has been made, and indeed, Lek's comprehensive training scheme has been opened to all grades of staff in Wesrwales.
Back to you, Jane.
Woman: We've had a number of emails from investors asking what to do with their shares in gas and electricity companies after their consistently poor performance recently.
Many of you might be thinking of getting rid of yours as quickly as possible. But financial experts are fairly optimistic about the outlook for the power sector, and investors may do better to see what happens over the next few months. With so many other investors deciding to cut their losses and sell now, interest in this sector may increase. and that, of course, would push share prices up.
Pharmaceutical companies have done well today. Recently we've seen several periods of rapid expansion in this sector, only for it to be overtaken a short time later by the strong financial institutions. But I actually think the recent performances of pharmaceuticals companies has hidden a steep drop in the share prices of many other companies. All other sectors have lost considerable amounts, but this simply has not been reflected in the overall value of the market, because pharmaceuticals companies are keeping the value high
Looking next at the sectors whose troubles have been in the news recently: supermarkets, having suffered a downturn in business for over a year, at last have some reason for optimism. The leisure industry, which has suffered even more than supermarkets, is also showing signs of a turnaround. The same cannot be said of the building sector, though, which expects little relief for at least another six months.
Charles . . .
Man: One company in the news is Freewaves, which owns a chain in internet cafes. Like other new companies, Freewaves has tended to pay low dividends to investors, preferring to re-invest profits in research and development. Although Freewaves was able to turn in a healthy profit in the first quarter, taking everyone by surprise, the company has now declared operating losses close to a million pounds. This, of course, will make shareholders think about whether to keep their shares.
And news from Simpson's, the big retail group. For years Simpson's have been acquiring other chains, giving them a strong market position, and they now sell everything from make-up to computers. But today Simpson's announced that they are to consolidate their three home improvement chains into one, under the Fresca name.
Woman: Now for the figures . . .
[pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
That is the end of Part Three. You now have ten minutes to transfer your answers to your Answer Sheet.
[pause]
Note: Teacher, stop the recording here and time ten minutes. Remind students when there is one minute remaining.
That is the end of the test.
Test 3 Reading
Part 1
1C 2 D 3 A 4 B 5 A 6 B
7 C
Part 2
8 D 9 F 10 C 11 E 12 A
Part 3
13 D 14 B 15 C 16 A 17 B
18 C
Part 4
19 D 20 C 21 A 22 C 23 D 24 C 25 A
26 C 27 A 28 B 29 D 30 A 31 A 32 B 33 B
Part5
34 TOO 35 CORRECT 36 RESULTS 37 BY 38 CORRECT 39 SO 40 CONCERNING 41 CORRECT 42 ONES
43 THAT 44 ABOUT 45 CORRECT
Writing
Part 1
Dear colleagues,
As I adviced you in our last meeting, there will be a visit from health and safety inspectors on Monday, 1st April from 9 a.m. until 15 p.m.
The inspection is necessary for our quality management certificate.
Please be prepared for the inspection by telling the staff to tidy up their workplace. Regards
Part 2
Report on efficiency of different advertising methods
Introduction
This report aims to evaluate different advertising methods Norlec is currently using. Findings
The key findings are summerised bellow. Direct mails to customers did not achieve the expected results because not many people read them.
The number of prospectivs who learnt about Norlec from its website is likely to increase due to the new link to some wholesaler's sites.
Printed advertisings are very effective particularly those in specilised magazines.
For this reason the number of magazines should be
increased.
The other methods are similar to last year's results.
Conclusion
It was concluded that radio and magazin advertisements are still the leaders. Recommendations
Inspite of the high annual costs for radio advertising this method is suggested to be continued because most customers were reached by it.
Due to expected increase of prices for billboard advertising it is recommended to give this up.
Test 3
Part 1
Listening
1CUSTOMER DATABASE
2COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
3PRODUCT DEMONSTRATION
4MEDIUM
5RACING WEAR/RACING CLOTHES
6. SPECIFICATIONS
7. PRICE LISTS
8SPARE PARTS
9RETAIL PARK
10LOADING AREA
11RECEIPT
12. (OLD) PHOTOCOPIER
Part 2
13. E 14. F 15. C 16. A 17. H 18. E 19. A 20. D
21. H 22. C
Part3
23. C 24. A 25. B 26. B 27. C 28. A 29. C 30. B Tapescript
Listening Test 3
This is the Business English Certificate Vantage 2, Listening Test 3.
Part One. Questions 1 to 12.
You will hear three telephone conversations or messages.
Write one or two words or a number in the numbered spaces on the notes or forms below.
After you have listened once, replay each recording.
Conversation One. Questions 1 to 4.
Look at the form below.
You will hear a conversation between two salespeople at B-A-S, a software company. You have 15 seconds to read through the form.
[pause]
Now listen, and fill in the spaces.
[pause]
Man: Hi, Janet. This is Alan. I've just had an interesting conversation with a man from Electrolin. It should really be followed up with a visit or something - but I'm on holiday from tomorrow, so could you do it for me?
Woman: Sure. Is he interested in the accountancy package?
Man: I wish he were! For the time being, he's only asking about a customer database.
Something to keep a record of contacts and action taken.
Woman: OK. Who's the contact person? Is it the sales manager?
Man: Not this time. It's the new communications director, Steve McCormack.
Woman: OK. The first thing they'll want to do is look at it, so I'll give him a ring and suggest he comes here for a product demonstration.
Man: That's a good idea. Can you arrange it before I get back?
Woman: I should think so. How urgent is it? Should I contact him immediately?
Man: I wouldn't say it's top priority. More like medium, I'd say. Get in touch with him when you've got time. Anyway, uh, thanks. Bye for now. I'll talk to you again soon. [pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
Conversation Two. Questions 5 to 8.
Look at the notes below.
You will hear a sales representative phoning a colleague at Head Office.
You have IS seconds to read through the notes.
[pause]
Now listen, and fill in the spaces.
Man: Whiteway Cycles. Phil Moore, Sales.
Woman: Hello, Phil. It's me - Sandra.
Man: Hi, Sandra. What can I do for you?
Woman: We've just got the sales literature for the Paris trade show next week, and there's some problems. Can you get it sorted out for me?
Man: Go ahead.
Woman: First of all, we need some more catalogues for racing wear. There's a lot of
interest in it, especially fhe shorts and shoes.
Man: OK. Er, thirty enough?
Woman: That should do it. And you know the little pull-out leaflet for the new children's cycles? Well, there's a mistake on the third page. The specifications for the wheels are wrong.
Man: Oh, that's bad. We'll change that and get you new copies by the weekend. Anything else?
Woman: Erm . . . Yes, the touring cycles - the lightweight ones - I can't find any price lists for them. Please ask if they've been sent out.
Man: OK. And are you all right for order forms?
Woman: No! Thanks for reminding rne. We're short of forms for spare parts. Could you send us some more?
Man: Right, got that.
Woman: Ah, that's it then. Thanks, Phil.
[pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
Conversation Three. Questions 9 to 12.
Look at the form below.
You will hear a customer telephoning a company about a delivery.
You have 15 seconds to read through the form.
[pause]
Now listen, and fill in the spaces
Woman: Hello, A-P-T Office Equipment.
Man: Hello. This is John Raymond, from Planet Design Shops. I'm calling about our order for a security camera. It's being dispatched tomorrow and the driver will need delivery instructions.
Woman: OK ...
Man: Address first - the order confirmation gave the retail park as the delivery address, but your invoice has our central branch.
Woman: Oh ...
Man: That's not where we want it to be delivered. The confirmation was right.
Woman: OK.
Man: Now, parking . . . the spaces opposite the shop are for disabled drivers only, so your driver should use the loading area while he sets up the equipment.
Woman: I've got that.
Man: We'll have payment ready for you.
Woman: That's fine. Thanks. I'll make out a receipt for the driver to give you when he makes the delivery. Will you be paying by cheque?
Man: Yes.
Woman: And you have something for the driver to collect, I understand.
Man: Yes. We've come to the end of the rental period on our photocopier - we've bought a new model, so the old one's to be returned.
Woman: Right, the driver will call you tomorrow with a definite time . . .
[pause]
Now listen to the recording again.
[pause]
That is the end of Part One. You now have 20 seconds to check your answers. [pause]
Part Two. Questions 13 to 22.
Section One. Questions 13 to 17 .
You will hear five short recordings.
For each recording, decide what action the speaker is proposing.
Write one letter (A-H) next to the number of the recording.
Do not use any letter more than once.
After you have listened once, replay the recordings.
You have 15 seconds to read the list A-H.
[pause]
Now listen, and decide what action each speaker is proposing.
[pause] Thirteen
Man: We've looked at various measures and we'll be making recommendations to senior management next week. We think the company should consider introducing an evening shift to maintain seventy per cent capacity on all the machines. We're also aware of the hold-ups on the packaging line, and we'd like to bring in an additional machine and split the line in two. That'll speed things up. We did consider bonus schemes for certain categories of employee, but decided that this wouldn't have sufficient impact.
[pause] Fourteen
Woman: When we first acquired the factory premises, the rent was well within our means. But because that area of the city has developed more quickly than others, it's now a prime site and the cost of retaining it has risen accordingly. In fact, we would make considerable savings by relocating to the industrial estate on the other side of town, which would improve product distribution, anyway. A second suggestion is to vacate the top floor of the building - we do have fewer staff now. [pause] Fifteen
Man: As you know, we adopted various measures three years ago with the aim of boosting sales. We managed to increase output and cut costs by introducing new machines. We also cut our profit margins still further. But even though we were able to lower prices as a result, I'm afraid we still didn't meet targets. The demand for this particular commodity just isn't there any more, so we should stop production as soon as current contracts expire.
[pause] Sixteen
Woman: I think your analysis of the situation is correct. The product is already doing very well, but demand hasn't peaked yet, by any means. And if we want to take full advantage of a boom, we've got to step up our promotion and have mechanisms in place to increase manufacturing capacity if necessary. And that means we'll need additional funding before long
So, let's start approaching people who've expressed an interest in us in the past. [pause] Seventeen
Man: Two or three years ago there were ten, or even twenty, applicants for every job we advertised, but things have changed. Unemployment in general is right down and everyone's competing for workers now, especially skilled labour. If we want to get