Grammar
Communication
Proposals
Vocabulary
Russian Roulette
100
Which of these statements would be said by an optimistic businessperson? By a pessimistic businessperson? (1) If we get an investor, we can start the company this year. (2) Even if we had the money, we wouldn't succeed. (3) If we hired a new employee, we might do better. (4) We will make a big profit if we get the PNG deal.
Optimistic: 1, 4; Pessimistic: 2, 3
100
Write the following as indirect questions: (1) How old are you? (2) What is your job title? (3) Are you married?
May I ask how old you are? Can you tell me what your job title is? I would like to know if you are married.
100
Describe the layout of a proposal. What parts are essential?
Title, Introduction (purpose of the proposal), Body (key points), Recommendations (what you think is best and steps for moving forward)
100
Match the words with their definitions: land and buildings used by a business / loan for a house / money you pay for a service / fail / premises / go bankrupt / mortgage / fee
land and building used by a business = premises; loan for a house = mortgage; money you pay for a service = fee; fail = go bankrupt
200
Put the verb in the correct form to complete the conditional: (1) If we outsold the competition, we (gain) a greater market share. (2) We will make money if we (launch) our new product line in December. (3) If we decide to go with the new logo, we (need) to install a new sign for the store. (4) Our competitors would laugh if they (see) how low our sales were this month.
would gain; launch; will need; saw
200
Match the sentences that have the same meaning: We can take out a loan. / We must take out a loan. / We might take out a loan. / We should take out a loan. /Taking out a loan is a good idea. / Taking out a loan is a possibility. / We're thinking about taking out a loan. / We are required to take out a loan.
We can take out a loan = Taking out a loan is a possibility; We must take out a loan = We are required to take out a loan; We might take out a loan = We're thinking about taking out a loan; We should take out a loan = Taking out a loan is a good idea
200
Imagine that your boss has asked you to write a proposal for where the new cafeteria at LaSalle is to be located, near the entrance of the school or near the clinic. Write the introduction.
Sample answer: The current cafeteria at LaSalle is not sufficient for feeding the growing student body at the school. Therefore, a new building should be built. The purpose of this proposal is to compare the two possible locations - near the school entrance or near the clinic - and to recommend the best location and steps for moving forward.
200
Name and describe 5 things you might need for a presentation to potential investors in a new restaurant.
Projector (machine that shows data); Laptop (portable computer); Screen (where you project the image); Samples (small bits of food to be given out as tastes); Handouts (printed information for the guests to take with them)
200
What is the Cookie Dough Cafe? Would you invest in the company? Why or why not?
Own answers :)
300
Change the statements from those of a pessimistic person to an optimistic person: (1) As long as we worked hard, we would succeed. (2) If we got the deal, we would make a profit. (3) We would do better if we had more clients.
(1) As long as we work hard, we will succeed. (2) If we get the deal, we will make a profit. (3) We will do better if we have more clients.
300
Write the direct questions as indirect questions and the indirect questions as direct questions. (1) Can you tell me if you are available on January 2? (2) Do you smoke? (3) I would like to know how much money you are expecting to make.
(1) Are you available on January 2? (2) Can you tell me if you smoke? (3) How much money are you expecting to make?
300
Choose the correct word to fill in the blanks: (Although/Despite) studying psychology as an undergraduate, I believe that I am a highly qualified businesswoman. I have ten years of experience. (On the other hand/Although), I do not have deep theoretical knowledge of business. (However, Although) I lack a degree, I have been successful.
Despite; On the other hand; Although
300
Match the verbs with their complements: raise / launch / borrow / cover / carry out / finance / a business plan / expenses / money / a business
raise finance; launch a business; borrow money; cover expenses; carry out a business plan
300
Make small talk for one minute. Do not let the conversation drop!
Own answers :)
400
Complete the conditional statements: (1) If I started my own business...; (2) As long as we sell 20% of our stock...; (3) You will get a raise if...; (4) We would celebrate if...
examples: ...I would be my own boss; ...we will make a profit; ...you make the deal; ...we we made more money.
400
Complete the sentences with a modal verb: You ___ fill out this form; it is required. In my opinion, you ___ also read the information here - it's very helpful. If you want, you ___ have a seat there; this will take a minute. You ___ either wait or come back later.
must; should; can; may
400
Complete the sentences so that they are true for you: (1) I think that I will be successful despite... (2) Although I am excited about finishing the semester... (3) My career is important to me. However... (4) I like business. On the other hand...
sample answers: (1) ...having little experience. (2) ...I am sad to be leaving my friends over the holidays. (3) ...my family is more important. (4) ...it's not the thing I'm most passionate about.
400
Complete the sentences with a word beginning with the letter indicated: (1) Our first quarter p___ is $1 million; we had a t___ of $3 million but $2 million in c___. (2) As far as a___, we have the house and the car; fortunately, we have no loans or other l___.
profit / turnover / costs / assets / liabilities
400
I am thinking about buying into a franchise. Give me three pieces of advice or things to consider before buying in.
(1) Don't buy into a franchise unless you're passionate about the product. (2) Expect to spend a lot of time working as the company is starting up. (3) Check into the specifications and the restrictions that you have to follow.
500
Put the verbs in the correct forms to complete the real and unreal conditionals, based on the situation: (1) An optimist: If we (close) the deal, we (get) a 20% commission. (2) A pessimist: If they (want) to buy the product, they (call) us soon. (3) A pessimist: My clients (tell) me if they (like) my services, but I think they dislike them.
(1) close / will get; (2) wanted / would call; (3) would tell / liked
500
Rewrite the sentences using modal verbs. (1) I'd advise you to get a lawyer. (2) It's possible to raise finance by asking family and friends. (3) Cheating is not allowed. (4) It's generally the case that meetings are boring. (5) You are obliged to pay takes.
You should get a lawyer. You can raise finance by asking family and friends. You can not cheat. Meetings can be boring. You must pay taxes.
500
Correct three linking phrases that are incorrect: Despite I am a confident student, I get very nervous when I give presentations. On the other hand, tests do not make me nervous at all. Although, I make a point to study very hard before every exam. In spite of study for my exams, I don't always get a 10.
Although I am a confident student, I get very nervous when I give presentations. On the other hand, tests do not make me nervous at all. However, I make a point to study very hard before every exam. In spite of studying for my exams, I don't always get a 10.
500
Fill in the blanks with words from this list: asset / costs / fail / fee / gadget / liability / mark-up / mortgage / premises / retail / stock. At GNC, we offer you high quality products without a club membership ___. We do not ___ our products, so you don't have to pay the ___ price. Our ___ are located in the centre of town, and we ___ a wide range of products. We make just enough profit to cover our ___.
fee; mark-up; retail; premises; stock; costs
500
I am the inventor of the sleepy cats heated cat bed. My products have been selling well in Oaxaca, and I am looking for investors. I can currently produce each cat bed at a cost of $12.00 and they sell for $39.99. I sell on average 10 cat beds per week. I want $10,000 to advertise my products and to expand to Puebla and Mexico City. What 5 questions do you want to ask me before investing?
(1) Who is your target market? (2) How do you plan to target them? (3) How does your product fill a gap in the market? (4) What is your long-term goal? (5) Have you done market research in Puebla and Mexico City to find out if the product will be successful?
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