Business/25

• English
• Special Education

Requesting information

FORMAL:

-This is a little off the subject, but do you happen to know where the sales meeting is going to be held next year?

-It's been in Boston the last two years, but as far as I know, a location hasn't been chosen yet for the next year.

INFORMAL:

-This device looks interesting, Tim. How does it work?

-Here, I'll show you, Robert. There's really nothing to it.

MORE FORMAL:

-Dr Lee, could you possibly tell us how much has been spent on research for this project?

-I don't have the exact figures, but I believe it's around 50 million dollars.

The water mill in Lyme Reigns...

...is one of the 10 000s that can be found in GB.

...was built in the 14th century.

...is visited by the reporter when it starts to produce electricity.

...used to supply electricity from 1930 till after WW2.

...will provide electricity for the town.

...will not make flour from wheat any more.

...was reconstructed from 28000 GBP.

...was reconstructed with the support of power supplier EDF.

Listening

People I work with

This is my boss, Mr Smithers. He's quite _______; he's always getting angry at us!

1. short-tempered
2. passive
3. humble
4. handsome

This is our IT Support, Ben. He loves gadgets, computers and Star Trek movies. He's a real ________!

1. deaf
2. tech
3. creep
4. geek

This is our top salesperson, Lina. She could sell ice in Alaska and sand in Saudi Arabia. She's a real __________ talker.

1. rough
2. firm
3. smooth
4. hard

These are our interns. Look how ________ they are! Just wait until they've been here a bit longer.

1. eager
2. independent
3. frank
4. disabled

This is our in-house lawyer, Brenda. She has a _________ legal mind and she uses it to sue the pants off our competitors.

1. brilliant
2. proactive
3. approachable
4. frigid

Betty is in charge of our customer support. How does she stay so ________ with so many calls from angry customers?

1. upbeat
2. proactive
3. aggressive
4. miserable

Our CEO is Mr Fairweather. He's surprisingly __________ for someone so senior.

1. rude
2. attractive
3. egotistical
4. approachable

Jenny is our receptionist. She always greets our visitors with a _________ smile.

1. subservient
2. miserable
3. ugly
4. pleasant

Fred is our accountant. He's ___________ when it comes to numbers; he never makes a mistake!

1. carefree
2. courageous
3. meticulous
4. dark

Hannah works as a project manager. She's incredibly ______ with us if we don't follow our timelines.

1. carefree
2. reluctant
3. strict
4. nervous

Frank is our office handyman. If it's broken, he can fix it! He's very _______ to have around.

1. agile
2. handy
3. powerful
4. annoying

Leonard is our assistant manager. He's very _____, so we can't badmouth the boss when he's around.

1. convenient
2. thoughtful
3. loyal
4. cheeky

Patrick is my favorite client. He's very __________ and sometimes treats us to a 'business' lunch at a posh restaurant.

1. generous
2. assertive
3. amusing
4. young

Joey is the supervisor at our factory. He's quite ______ with his opinions of the senior management. He tells it like it is!

1. frank
2. competent
3. subtle
4. anxious

Brad is an engineer. He drinks coffee like there's no tomorrow and works 15-hour days. I think he's a ________.

1. culprit
2. slacker
3. gorgeous
4. workaholic

Francine is in charge of our Public Relations. Thanks to her, our company has a _______ reputation!

1. loud
2. humble
3. crooked
4. spotless

Ted runs our training department. Last month, he made us attend a time management course. It was so _______!

1. reserved
2. tedious
3. decisive
4. alternative

Harun works as a graphic designer. You should see some of the posters he designed for us. He's so _______.

1. courteous
2. creative
3. pessimistic
4. silent

Evelyn is the office gossip. That's not an official position, of course. I've never met anyone more __________!

1. sophisticated
2. talkative
3. introverted
4. extroverted

Finally, there's Henry. No one knows what Henry does, but he always claims he's ________!

1. curious
2. underpaid
3. strong
4. superficial

Goodbye!