Exercise 9. Put the verbs in brackets into the Simple Past or the Past Perfect

1. By the time he (arrive) we (prepare) all the necessary documents

for signing.

2. Although I (study) French for two years, I still (cannot say) much

on holiday in France last summer.

3. Until yesterday I (be) not sure if they (be picked up) at the airport

by the tour company.

4. They (tell) me last week that he (be given) a pay raise/ rise.

5. We (book) the holiday before we (realize) there was an air

traffic controllers’ strike.

6. We (see) on the news yesterday that he (win) the election.

7. Why you (not tell) me that he (phone)?

Grammar in context: Student profile

Reading the following story supply the correct form of the verb in

Brackets.

“After I (equip – 1) myself with a Master of Science degree in Economics, I still felt that I (need – 2) to extend my business knowledge further. Since the company I worked for (operate – 3) throughout Europe and has several important connections in the UK, I (think – 4) I should look for an opportunity to improve my grasp of the English language. Studying for a Master of Business Administration degree was the obvious way to satisfy both needs. I previously (spend – 5) five months at a language school in London and after considering my options, I (find– 6) that the course offered by the London Institute of Technology and Research (meet – 7) my needs very closely.

The LITR provides two study options for an MBA degree – studying on campus or by distance learning. The course also (offer – passive – 8) on a full-time or part-time basis, which (mean– 9) that students have the option of combining study with employment and can finish the course at their own pace. I (opt – 10) to spend the first year on campus and then complete my dissertation at home in Russia during the second year.

When I first (come – 11) to the Institute I (find – 12) life very different from anything I (experience – 13) before. I (use – passive 14) to being one of 5,000 students back in my home country – it was odd to be attending classes comprising just two or three people! However, the advantages of studying in small groups quickly (become – 15) plain to me. You get excellent contact with your lecturers and individual help with problems (be – 16) readily available.

I very (concern – passive – 17) that my English (not to be– 18) up to the standard required to cope with the course. At the beginning the course did (present – 19) quite a challenge in this respect, although, as my understanding and fluency (improve – 20), life (get – 21) a lot easier.

The programme, which (teach – passive – 22) using theory and case studies, covers a number of core subjects. The range of courses available is huge, which (mean – 23) that students can tailor their MBA to meet their particular requirements. I was particularly interested in marketing and accounting. I already (spend – 24) two years studying the latter, but the Russian accounting system is very different from the systems used by the English and Americans and it (be – 25) interesting to compare them.

I shortly (return – 26) to Russia to begin work on my dissertation. The MBA programme already (broaden– 27) my perspective of the global business environment, as well as equipping me with new decision-making skills. It (be – 28) very hard work.

However, I think I (be – 29) pretty lucky. It isn’t easy to find an MBA programme which can offer the right combination to fulfill your individual requirements.

ANSWER KEY

READING

TEXT B

GLOBAL BRANDS

(Reading for specific information)

Read the script of a seminar class finding out information on:

· the concept of a brand

· what a global brand represents

· what contributes to the spread of a brand-product

When translating the text make use of NOTES and an ABBYY Lingvo or any other electronic dictionary. Give special attention to the underlined Present Progressive Tense forms. Consult GRAMMAR GUIDE 3 for information about their meanings.

Teacher: Global brands are the topic of today’s seminar class. To be more exact, today’s topic is Big Brands companies which see the entire world as their market. How would you define ‘a brand’?

Student A: A brand is a type of product made by a certain company that has a particular name or design. For example, “ I’m wearing Nike tennis shoes”. The world’s top corporate brand-names are Coca-Cola. Microsoft, IBM. General Electric and Ford. They are all from the USA.

Student B: I must say, more and more large Western and in particular American companies are spreading their goods to the four corners of the earth in search of new markets and, of course, bigger profits. Global branding is the key to success.

Teacher: Do you think that a ‘brand” is nothing more than a label, or name of a product, or a company? Why do customers want to buy branded goods?

Student C: I’m sure, a brand represents a set of values that the company, usually the multinational company, wants the consumers to associate with a product. Brand value is becoming increasingly important.

Student D: I agree with this idea of brand values. Besides, brand values go beyond the need for quality and durability of a product. Promoting a brand the company isactually selling a way of life, not just a product. The company and the consumer regard a brand as something that is very prestigious, as something that is the best. That is why the consumer remains loyal to this or that brand, continues to buy the brand-product. And that plays into the hands – and indeed the pockets – of the big multinational companies,

Teacher: The top companies’ market penetration is increasing. Brands are penetrating deeper into massive distribution networks. What contributes to this? What makes it easier?

Student A: I think aggressive advertising and globalization are contributing factors. All over the world people now watch the same TV channels, log on to the same websites, read and listen to the same news stories and advertisements. Companies operating globally are spending millions of dollars on advertising to build a powerful international image.

Teacher: Why do some people think that the relentless spread of big brand is posing a real threat? Of course, you know that by many people it is regarded as a possible danger?

Student E: Though a recognized brand-name may be an indication of quality as well as status, it has some disadvantages. It is quite possible to predict a future in which there will be no regional and cultural differences; young people will all dress alike, eat the same food, listen to the same music, drive the same cars, and drink the same drinks.

Teacher; You’re right. Removing cultural differences is sometimes more dangerous than making use of the advantages of the global market and the global brands. Thank you for participating in thelively discussion.

NOTES