Exercise Four

Part One

Questions 1-12

You will hear a speaker addressing a group of investors attending a dinner to celebrate a confectionery company’s one hundredth birthday.

As you listen, for questions 1 – 12, complete the notes using up to three words or a number.

You will hear the recording twice.

Rewards for shareholders

1. They will be able to try the company’s new __________ product.

2. They will also receive a ___________________________ per share.

The present situation

3. Sales have decreased in the last ________________________.

4. Shares are expected to increase in value by ______________ in the near future.

5. The company’s main rivals are enormous ____________________ companies.

Company history

6. The company was originally a ____________________ business.

7. It recently became an ____________________________.

The future

8. The company has set a high _________________________ for the future.

9. It does not intend to offer _______________________________ on its products.

10. The company will spend more money on __________________________.

11. The company anticipates trade with countries in _________________.

12. The company expects bigger sales to _________________________.

Part Two

Questions 13-22

You will hear five different people talking about a meeting they have just attended.

For each extract there are two tasks. For task one, choose the reason for each meeting from the list A-H. for task two, choose the way that each person reacted to the meeting from list I-P.

Task One – reason

For questions 13-17, match the extracts with the reasons, listed A-H.

For each extract, choose the reason for the meeting.

Write one letter A-H next to the number of the extract.

13. ___                        A    to discuss sales targets

14. ___                        B    to present a new idea

15. ___                        C    to demonstrate a new product

16. ___                        D    to elect a new chairman

17. ___                        E    to analyze a problem
                                   F    to discuss expansion
                                   G    to decide on redundancies
                                   H    to vote to issue shares

Task Two – Reaction

For question 18-22, match the extracts with the reactions, listed I-P.

For each extract, choose the way the speaker reacted.

Write one letter I-P next to the number of the extract.

18. ___                        I thought it was very interesting

19. ___                        J felt nervous about speaking

20. ___                        K was not happy with the decisions made

21. ___                        L found it confusing

22. ___                        M disagreed strongly with someone
                                   N thought it was very boring
                                   O lost his/her temper with someone

                                   P agreed with the final decision

Part Three

Questions 23 - 30

You will hear a radio presenter interviewing a businesswoman called Linda Taylor.

For each question 23 - 30 mark one letter, A, B or C. for the correct answer.

23   What do we learn about Linda Taylor?

      A  She has set up an airline.

      B  She has recently bought out an airline.

      C  She is in charge of an airline.

24   What new development has taken place at BellAir?

      A  They have installed new machinery.

      B  They have opened a new workshop.

      C  They have bought modern planes.

25   What problems did they have to resolve?

      A  New engineers had to be employed.

      B  The legal process was difficult.

      C  Some staff had to be re-trained.

26   She has formed an alliance with Sunlines in order to increase BellAir’s

      A  involvement in tourism.

      B  profit margins..

      C  number of flights.

27   BellAir ticket prices have been reduced on

      A  domestic flights.

      B  all flights.

      C  international flights.

28   What change has been made in the marketing arrangements?

      A  A new consultancy has been contracted.

      B  A new director has been appointed.

      C  The present department has been expanded.

29   Linda went into aviation to

      A  fulfill a dream.

      B  earn a high salary.

      C  follow family tradition.

30   What does Linda think is the key to success?

      A  believing in oneself

      B  the right qualifications

      C  having good luck