Phuong Thao

REVIEW ENGLISH 5

TEST 1
1. Choose the correct option.

The company has expanded into Australia and sales there have been very promising over the past
three months. 1Previously, / First of all, / Then, the newest product line sold out in the first month.
2
In addition, / As well as / While there is a growing demand for more retail outlets in the main
cities. 3Although / To start with / Then we only sold our products in the biggest chain store but it
now seems that customers would like to see a wider presence, 4previously / however / for instance,
in supermarkets 5as well as / although / recently online. 6For example, / And / While I was in
Australia last week, I had some very positive meetings with the largest supermarket chain. 7While
/ However, / Earlier in the year, they have some concerns, I have no doubt that we will reach a
mutually satisfactory agreement. 8When / In recent years, / In addition, this deal is agreed, we will
have to increase production. 9In recent years / Previously / First of all, I mentioned the possibility
of moving into a new factory. First, we expand our retail presences, 10previously / recently / then
we start producing more.

2. Read the presentation and write one word which best fits each space.

Why work for BWZ?

Welcome to our company. Firstly, let me introduce myself. I’m Brian Willoughby, founder of
BWZ Furniture, a company which designs and produces stylish office furniture for some of the
most prestigious offices in the world. Let’s begin 1 with why we’re a good company to
work for. Thanks to a number of new clients, we are expanding faster than expected. If you can
2
take a look at this slide, you can see how fast sales have increased. This is why we
are looking to recruit two graduates for full-time posts to join our Design team, two production
managers and three sales executives. As I 3 said earlier, we’re expanding fast so there
will be many more opportunities coming up in the future. If you would like to work for us, please
come and see us at our stand in the conference hall. Please 4 feel free to ask any
5 listening
questions and thank you for .

3. Choose the correct option a, b or c.

Dear Mr Stone,
As you are one of our most valued customers, we are 1 to invite you to the opening of our new
factory on 6th June at 6 p.m. Drinks and refreshments will be 2 .We hope you will be able to
come and see our new facilities, which will allow us to deliver more goods, more quickly.
Please 3 your attendance by 4th June.
4
We much look forward to seeing you.
Kind 5 ,
Lesley White
1 a sorry b delighted c willing
2 a provided b delivered c brought
3 a reply b respond c confirm
4 a hardly b unfortunately c very
5 a sincerely b regards c best

1
 Phuong Thao

4. Read the article and choose the correct answer a, b or c.

H&M launches new brand in effort to lift slow sales growth.
Hennes & Mauritz is launching its eighth brand and investing heavily to get its clothes faster into
shops as the Swedish fashion retailer responds to slow sales.
Arket will be launched this autumn, starting with a shop in London, and will offer more
expensive clothes than H&M for men, women and children as well as in-store cafes based on the
new Nordic cuisine.
The new brand will offer ‘quality in simple, timeless and functional designs’ as well as
homeware but will also sell clothes from other brands.
‘The aim with it is to grow globally,’ said Karl-Johan- Persson, chief executive, despite the
initial store launches being in European cities such as Copenhagen, Brussels and Munich.
H&M has been squeezed by ultra-cheap retailers such as Primark as well as online fashion sites
such as Zalando. It was overtaken several years ago by Inditex – the Spanish owner of Zara – as
the world’s biggest clothing retailer.
The Swedish group has responded by launching a range of new brands, including more upmarket
stores such as Cos and & Other Stories, as well as making a big push into online sales.
Mr Persson confirmed that the retailer was working on the launch of its ninth brand – probably
next year – as well as standalone versions of its H&M Home stores next year. H&M has other,
more youth-orientated brands such as Monki, Cheap Monday and Weekday.
The new launch comes against a backdrop of weaker sales growth than expected. H&M blamed
tough market conditions in the USA and Central and Eastern Europe for the poor sales growth,
which seem set to continue.
Investors took fright at a sharp rise in stock levels but Mr Persson tried to reassure them that ‘the
composition [of the stock] is good’ with a ‘clear majority’ in classic styles. H&M’s shares were
down 5.1 per cent to SKr225 in afternoon trading on Thursday at their lowest level in almost four
years.
Mr Persson said that H&M also needed to improve its supply chain, becoming faster to market
with its clothes. ‘The world has changed a lot with people buying digitally. At the same time the
H&M group has become more complex with different markets, different needs, online sales. We
see a great opportunity and necessity to improve the supply chain to become more speedy.’

1 H&M is launching its eighth brand because

a it is worried about a slow-down in sales.
b it has invested in more shops.
c Swedish customers want new styles faster.

2 The new brand, Arket,

a offers a cheaper range of clothing.
b will first appear in a London shop.
c was inspired by Nordic food.

3 Mr Persson hopes that the new brand will

a help the company develop internationally.
b be launched in every major European city.
c offer designer clothes to other companies.

2
 Phuong Thao

4 H&M’s has previously reacted to its main rivals by

a producing an ultra-cheap brand.
b opening shops selling an upmarket brand.
c restricting online sales.

5 Next year, Mr Persson plans to

a launch the first brand aimed at the youth market.
b sell homeware in most of its stores.
c produce another new brand.

6 H&M said poor sales

a were caused by difficult conditions worldwide.
b were largely the result of problems in the USA.
c will delay the new launch.

7 Investors were worried about

a the high levels of stock the company has.
b some investors wanting to sell their shares.
c the company selling classic styles.

5. WRITING
Read this email inviting Mr Hennes to an event.

Dear Mr Hennes,
We are holding a launch party for the new product and I am writing to invite you to join us on this special day.
The event takes place on Wednesday 6th October at 6 pm at the Museum of Design and refreshments will be served.
Ms Kellerman, who collaborated with us on the new designs, will give a brief talk on the history of modern design.
Please could you let us know as soon as possible if you can join us.
We look forward to seeing you at the event.
Kind regards,
Jake Underfield
Marketing Director
Write a reply to Jake Underfield’s email:
• thanking him for the invitation.
• apologising and saying why you cannot attend.
• suggesting your assistant takes your place.
• expressing a desire to see the new product on your next visit to the company
Model answer

Dear Mr Underfield,
Thank for your email inviting me to the launch party for your new product on Wednesday 6th
October at the Museum of Design.

3
 Phuong Thao

Unfortunately, I already have another appointment that evening and am unable to attend.
However, my assistant, Elise Deviers is free that evening and would be happy to take my place.
I very much look forward to seeing you and the new product when I next visit your company.
Your sincerely,
Hennes

TEST 2
1. Choose the correct option a, b or c.

I’m looking for a new job. Currently I am 1 for selling insurance to new customers and
because I’m a very 2 person, I meet and sometimes exceed my monthly sales targets.
However, I don’t enjoy selling directly to customers anymore and am going to apply 3 a job as
a Customer Services Manager. I’ve 4 a lot of experience over the last year working here and
feel that the skills I’ve acquired will transfer well to customer services. My boss says that I come
5
well on the phone and that customers respond positively to me. My greatest strength is
6
out problems quickly and ensuring that the client is happy with what they have bought.
When I was at university I did a six-month 7 with a major retailer and I would like to find a
job in retail now.
I worked on my CV over the weekend and I think that it will 8 out from those of other
9
when I send it to potential 10 .

1 a in charge b responsible c head

2 a competitive b responsible c clichéd
3 a to b for c with
4 a earned b received c gained
5 a from b across c out
6 a dealing b solving c sorting
7 a internship b placing c appointment
8 a stand b make c present
9 a characters b employees c jobseekers
10 a candidates b employers c positions

4
 Phuong Thao

2. Choose the correct option a, b or c.

Dear Mr Gregory,
I would like to apply 1 the design position as advertised on your website. Please find my CV
2
.
I worked for a local company during the summer and I am 3 that I have the skills to make a
good designer and I feel that I would be a suitable 4 for your company.
I would therefore very much 5 the chance to have an interview.
I look forward to hearing from you.

1 a with b to c for
2 a considered b attached c advertised
3 a concerned b considered c confident
4 a asset b fit c vacancy
5 a appreciate b love c enclose

3. Choose the correct option a, b, c or d.

Large or small
Surviving in today’s global market is a challenge for companies of all sizes as they
1
strategies to 2 with the major 3 and to produce innovative products. Thanks to digital
technology, businesses are able to target customers anywhere in the world. The 4 markets are
providing opportunities for both new and established companies to expand their customer bases.
These companies certainly do not want to 5 these opportunities created by new technologies.
6
Cautious companies which are not willing to risks are the ones that will be left behind.
Furthermore, profit 7 can be high for those online businesses who do not have to have to
invest in expensive premises. The successful businesses will be the ones who can 8 any
problems they meet and 9 up with plans to deal with the fast-changing face of global supply
and demand in today’s global economy. Consequently, they may then become targets for
takeover 10 by larger competitors.

1 a. grow b. develop c. acquire d. expand

2 a. compare b. contrast c. compete d. contest
3 a. players b. participants c. delegates d. partners
4 a. performing b. merging c. competing d. emerging
5 a. miss b. take c. fail d. lose
6 a. make b. challenge c. take d. tackle
7 a. lines b. takeover c. risk d. margins
8 a. deal b. tackle c. cope d. succeed
9 a. grow b. expand c. come d. rise
10 a. bids b. proposals c. schemes d. pitches

5
 Phuong Thao

4. Read the article and label the paragraphs (1–5) with the correct heading
(a–f).
Advice for Jobseekers

1 _____
E
It can be quite scary when it comes to marketing yourself. Although you may have had careers
advice, this probably focused on which career is most suited to your skills and qualities rather
than on the practicalities of looking for a job. However, you will be pleased to know there are
several useful tips for jobseekers to help them get that all-important position.
2 _____
A
First of all, you will need to search online newspapers and job sites for suitable openings. When
you find a position to apply for, you have to mould your experience to fit the job description.
Many people don't get interviews because their curriculum vitae is not directly relevant to the
job. Play up the skills you have that are needed for the job.
3 _____
C
Find out as much as you can about the company you are applying to. Look at their website and
find out more about what the company does and the current issues it is facing. If you know
someone who already works for the company, ask how they feel about their job.
4 _____
D
Think about the questions you could ask in your interview. Interviewees are always asked if they
have any questions and these should not just be about pay and holidays. You need to show that
you are eager to work for that company in particular and are interested in it. Your questions
should demonstrate that you have thought about your interview. This will impress the
interviewers who will look more favourably on you than on other candidates for the job who are
not as well prepared. You need to stand out from all the other applicants.
5 _____
F
Don't lie. Employers will check. These days they may even look at social media accounts. You
might want to delete anything they might consider inappropriate. Don't neglect to do this.
6 _____
B
Finally, the more you can demonstrate how eager you are based on the research you have done
and the questions you have prepared, the better your chances of landing the job you want.

a Tailor your CV d Prepare for the interview

b Show some enthusiasm e Overcoming fears
c Do your research f Tell the truth

Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 6

6
 Phuong Thao

Choose the correct option.

1.Why doesn't careers advice always help people find work?
a Because it doesn't focus on how to look for a job.
b Because people don't always follow the advice.
c Because it only focuses on practicalities.
2.Where should you look for jobs, according to the text?
a In print newspapers.
b Online.
c In an agency.
3.Why don't some suitably qualified people get an interview?
a Because they are too old.
b Because they play up their skills.
c Because their curriculum vitae is not matched to the job.
4.What should you do before an interview?
a Research the company.
b Send a letter to the company.
c Visit the company.

5. What should you avoid focusing on in your interview questions?

a Details of the new role.
b Pay and holidays.
c Other applicants.
6. How can you show you have prepared for an interview?
a By preparing relevant questions.
b By buying new clothes.
c By being eager.
7. Why must you always tell the truth?
a Because it is illegal to tell lies in an interview.
b Because you can't delete private information online.
c Because the company will find out if you don't.

7
 Phuong Thao

5. WRITING: Covering letter

Complete the covering letter with the words and phrases below.

advertised asset confident degree

Enclosed experience grateful vacancy

Dear Ms Denver,
Re: Position of Sales Assistant
vacancy
I am writing to apply for the 1 …………………………of advertised
sales assistant as2……………………
… on the Careers website last week. Please find 3 …………………my curriculum vitae for your
enclosed
information. As you will see from my CV, I have a first-class 4 ……………….. degree

in Sales and feel that I would be a suitable fit for your company.
I have been working in a similar position for two years, where I have developed my skills and ex
pertise. I am a valued member of the sales team, I work hard to make
sure that I am fully up to date with current trends in the sales sector and I
consistently achieve my sales targets in my current position. I am now ready to take the next step
confident
in my career and I am 5 …………….that experience
my 6……………….. would be a(n)
asset
7 ………………… to your company.
I would be 8 ………………………to
grateful have the opportunity to attend an interview to find out mor
e about the role and demonstrate my skills.
Yours sincerely,
Anne Brown

8
 Phuong Thao

WRITING A REPORT

Writing: Reporting reasons and results

Write a report extract of around 180 words outlining the problems your company has at the
moment. Use the table below to help you.

Include the following:

▪ Outline the problems.

▪ Give the reasons.
▪ State the result.

PROBLEM REASON RESULT

Sales have fallen. Economic recession Loss of jobs as some stores
must be closed.

More competition Customers are shopping in Profit loss

discount stores.

Unemployment figures Technological advances have People have less disposable

have increased. meant that there is less need income so sales have fallen.
for manual workers.

Model answer :

Report on Current Problems

Our supermarket chain has faced considerable problems this year. This report aims to outline the
main ones.

Main Problems and Reasons

Our sales figures have fallen considerably. Our current poor financial outlook is mainly due to
the national economic recession. New government policies and taxes are making it difficult for
businesses. Therefore, there will have to be some store closures and, as a consequence, the loss
of a number of jobs.
Moreover, we are now faced with more competition from discount stores which are offering
consumers prices which we cannot compete with. This has led to a loss of revenue. However, it
is our belief that these customers will return once the novelty of discounted food has worn off.
The third factor in the downturn is that unemployment levels have increased recently. Technical
advances have meant that there is less need for manual labour. As a result, people have less
money to spend at our stores. This, in turn, has had an adverse effect on our sales figures.