UNIT 3: Language and skills test

Name:_________________________________

Lesson 3.2 Grammar

LANGUAGE 2 Complete the second sentence so that it has
Lesson 3.1 Vocabulary a similar meaning to the first sentence. Use the
BECV/BULATS word in CAPITALS.
1 Choose the correct option a, b, c or d.
1 It seems like we won’t have enough money for the
The economy was in a severe 1 and many expansion. PROBABLY
smaller companies were 2 bankrupt. We enough money for
Thousands of people were losing their jobs and the expansion.
discovered they were no longer able to pay the 2 They will definitely cut staff numbers. CERTAIN
3 they had taken out on their properties. Many They staff numbers.
people lost everything they owned and found
themselves in a state of 4 . They had to use 3 I don’t think prices will rise much this year.
SIGNIFICANTLY
all their 5 if they had any and there was no
Prices this year.
institution offering to 6 them out. The
7 market crashed, wiping millions off share
4 We don’t expect costs to decrease this year.
values, and interest rates shot up. The credit UNLIKELY
8 meant that there was no borrowing as the Costs this year.
banks were refusing to lend anyone anything.
However, our company was lucky during this time 5 A new factory is going to be built next year. DUE
because the 9 we made in new technology A new factory next year.
helped us to 10 from a critical financial
situation. 6 There’s a strong possibility that sales will increase
this quarter. PROBABLY
1 Sales this quarter.
a crunch b bankruptcy c depression d drop
2 7 We might sponsor a football team in the future.
a looking b heading c making d going LIKELY
3 We a football team in
a savings b investment c mortgages d interest
the future.
4
a mortgage b bankruptcy c depression d credit
8 It is certain we will increase our revenue at the
5
same time. ALSO
a savings b losses c investments d stocks
We are increase our
6
revenue at the same time.
a bail b recover c lend d invest
7
9 The company will open a new office in Madrid next
a interest b credit c loan d stock
year. DEFINITELY
8
The company are a new
a loan b crunch c recovery d loss
9 office in Madrid next year.
a savings b investment c losses d loans
10 10 They are going to open one in Delhi, too. DUE
a bail b boom c save d recover They one in Delhi, too.
__/10 __/10

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 UNIT 3: Language and skills test
Name:_________________________________

Lesson 3.3 Functional language

3 Complete the sentences with ONE word in
each gap.
SKILLS
Short listening
1 I’m sure that we can the situation BECV
around if we all work together.
6 [BP_B2_Test_03_002.mp3] You will hear two
telephone conversations. For each question,
2 We’re very disappointed last year’s
write one or two words or a number.
results. They could have been better.
Listening 1
3 We just haven’t enough progress in
the key areas. Melia’s notes
4 We have to find a new to the way The following confirmed by Ken:
we do things.
1
– India: 2,165 &
2
N America
5 I really think it’s to look at other Sales figures
options, otherwise we may lose the contract. N America: $80 million S America: $45 million
__/5 To note
Lesson 3.4 Functional language Lower 3 in S America.
Next year, expect the new product line to have a
4 [BP_B2_Test_03_001.mp3] Listen to the 4
on S America figures.
speaker and choose the correct answer a, b or c.
Listening 2
1a b c
2a b c
3a b c Phone log
4a b c Called FDG Bank for appointment about increasing
5a b c our 5 .
__/5 Meeting arranged 9.30 Thursday, 17th with
Laura 6 .
Lesson 3.5 Functional language
BULATS Need to take audited accounts and business plan to show
how 7 can be improved by property
5 Complete the text with ONE word in each gap.
purchase.
2018 was a year 1 mixed results and We also need to provide info on 8 .
challenges. The main challenges were
2 by the global economic downturn. Our
gross profit was down by 8 percent, with sales __/8
revenues falling steadily over the last quarter.
However, 3 these challenges, we were
able to maintain our annual dividend and we expect
things to improve. The launch of our new product line
onto the global market gives us 4 to be
optimistic. So, the forecast for the
5 year looks very promising.
__/5

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 UNIT 3: Language and skills test
Name:_________________________________

Reading family businesses with little spare cash realise they cannot
BECV/BULATS survive for long if the staff are unhappy and unable to work
collaboratively. In these businesses, management is still
7 Read the article and choose the correct answer closely involved with the staff, but as a business grows
a, b, c or d. managers tend to lose touch with the people who have built
up the company and keep it going.
Boosting profitability
Therefore, in order to move forward, companies would be
Companies both large and small are concerned about
well advised to maximise the use of their skilled staff and
profitability and yet they seem to manage to waste
focus on the value of employee contribution to the overall
resources in every area. Small businesses are often so busy
success of the business. By building talented teams and
that they have no time to keep an eye on savings; and
creating an environment of support and reward for
although huge multinationals can afford accountants to
employees, the company will achieve its goals, which
keep track of spending, their companies often overlook
will in turn lead to improved profitability.
small amounts of wastage. But these small amounts are
multiplied many times and therefore can become extremely
large sums of money. 1 In the first paragraph, we learn that
a managers of smaller companies watch savings closely.
It is therefore necessary to regularly reassess expenditure b large organisations focus on profitability more than
and look for ways to cut costs in order to boost profits. small businesses.
The changes required can seem obvious to outsiders, but c large companies might ignore what seems like
not to those busy running the company. Often the first thing insignificant waste.
companies look at are overheads (indirect costs, i.e. money d small amounts of waste are unimportant.
that a business has to spend on rent, electricity, etc) and
direct costs (costs relating to a particular product or 2 The writer suggests that companies
service). One overhead cost for most companies is the a often fail to see what is obvious.
premises it uses. So, the first question is: are the premises b usually pay far too much for overheads.
being used efficiently or do they need to be smaller? c need to be busy all the time.
Alternatively, could unused space be rented out to other d work with other companies to find space.
businesses?
3 When reducing overheads, the article also advises
Other areas where overhead savings could be made are a implementing more processes.
within the common processes and procedures, which can b checking how staff are coping with new practices.
become disorganised across large organisations, and which c giving staff lots of practice with new systems.
should therefore be standardised wherever possible. d operating different systems across the globe.
However, once a system or practice has been standardised,
the company must monitor how it is working and ensure 4 In the fourth paragraph, the writer warns about
that employees are following any new procedures. a repaying expensive financial deals too quickly.
b agreeing to suppliers’ new terms and conditions.
Reviewing supplier contracts can also help to identify ways c damaging quality by cutting supplier costs.
of reducing costs. A company should have the best deal d borrowing from banks with cheaper rates.
available from all its suppliers and needs to regularly
renegotiate terms with each one. However, a word of 5 To improve turnover, the writer suggests companies
warning! Companies should be careful of cutting costs a increase sales to their best customers.
at the expense of quality. Using a cheaper supplier is the b consider limiting the product line.
quickest way to disaster if the quality is affected. c offer premium versions of new products.
A reassessment of any finance deals and loans is also wise d market products to new customers.
because cheaper deals may have become available.

Cost-cutting ideas are not the only way to improve profits, 6 According to the article, employees
and increasing turnover and sales is vital. This can be done a prefer to work in smaller companies.
by re-evaluating the product or service and discovering new b are happier in larger organisations.
ways of getting the most out of existing sales. For example, c are always distant from management.
could a premium version of those products be added or the d are extremely important to success.
product range extended? Another way to increase turnover
is to focus on selling more to your most loyal customers. 7 To ensure a successful future, companies should
Knowing your customer base well and having a good a employ as many staff as possible.
rapport with them is very important. Finally, companies b only employ the most skilled staff.
should try to remember their most valuable asset. c provide a motivating environment.
Employees are often forgotten in the everyday operations d set more challenging goals for staff.
__/7
of a business, especially in larger companies. Smaller

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 UNIT 3: Language and skills test
Name:_________________________________

Writing
BULATS Part 2
8 You work for an international retail company
which has stores worldwide. You have been
asked to write an executive summary of the
annual report.

Write the report summary.

Write about:

• the overview of the past year.

• positive and negative aspects of the past year.
• the future outlook and plans for the company.
and any other points which you think are important.

Write 180–200 words.

__/10

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