Pre-text exercises

I. Pay attention to the following words and word combinations and make up your own sentences with them.

to read a mail – знакомиться с почтой;

to receive a foreign businessmen – принимать зарубежных бизнесменов / партнеров;

to discuss prices – обсуждать цены;

to go abroad on business – ехать заграницу в командировку

to have talks – вести переговоры;

urgent business – неотложное дело.

II. Read the text and be ready to discuss it.

Mr. Lebedev's Day.

Mr. Lebedev is the President of a trade firm.

In the morning he gets up at about 6.30. His wife and children gets up later. He goes to the bathroom to take a bath. Then he has breakfast. For breakfast he has some eggs, coffee and sandwiches. He leaves for work at eight o'clock. His office hours begin at 9 o'clock but he usually comes earlier to get ready for work.

In the morning the secretary brings him letters and cables. He reads mail and sends answers to foreign firms. He often receives foreign businessmen at his office. They usually come to discuss prices, terms of payment, shipment and delivery and other business points. Sometimes he goes abroad on business to have talks with foreign customers. Lebedev can speak two foreign languages.

At 13.30 Lebedev has dinner. He finishes work at 6 o'clock in the evening, but if there is some urgent business he stays at the office later.

Lebedev usually has supper at home.

After supper he reads newspapers and magazines, listens to the radio or watches television and helps his wife about the house. He goes to bed at 11.00.

III. Answer the following questions:

1. When does Mr. Lebedev get up?

2. How does he begin his working day?

3. When does he come to his office?

4. What does the secretary bring to Mr. Lebedev in the morning?

5. What does Lebedev usually do at his office?

6. What does he go aboard for?

7. When does he finish his work?

8. What does he do in the evening?

IV. Express your opinion on the problem of a businessman working day.

I. Translate the following speech patterns and memorize them.

ü What's the telephone number of Mr. Halls office?

ü This is Mr. Dixon's office. Mr. Dixon speaking.

ü Hallo! That you Tom? – George speaking. – Say...

ü Wait a minute. Hold on! (Hold the line!)

ü Dial the number wanted.

ü Pick up the receiver!

ü We are disconnected (cut off).

ü I can't make out what you are saying. Speak louder, please.

ü Something is interfering. I can't here anything. The line (number) is engaged (busy).

II. Read the conversations and role play them.

1. Can I Take a Message?

Secretary: Good morning. Mr. Dixon's office. Can I help you?

Lebedev: Oh, good morning. My name is Alexei Lebedev. Could I speak to Mr. Dixon, please?

Secretary: I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon is in conference now. Then he'll be out for lunch. Would you like to leave a message for Mr. Dixon?

Lebedev: Yes, please. Tell him that Alexei Lebedev, from Moscow, is now in London. I'm staying at the Europe Hotel, Room 312. He can ring me up as soon as he has got time. May be I'll ring him up later in the day.

Secretary: Thank you, Mr. Lebedev. I'll let Mr. Dixon know about your call.