Текст 13. THE WEEKEND IN BRITAIN (Part II)

⇐ ПредыдущаяСтр 7 из 8Следующая ⇒

During the mid-morning most people indulge in some fairly light activity such as gardening, washing the car, shelling peas or chopping mint for Sunday lunch, or taking the dog for a walk.

Another most popular pre-lunch activity consists of a visit to a " pub" – either a walk to the " local", or often nowadays a drive to a more pleasant " country-pub", the idea being to have a quiet drink and a chat, perhaps discussing the previous evening's entertainment or afternoon's sport. One additional attraction of Sunday lunchtime drinks is that men go to the pub alone, wives or girlfriends generally prefer to stay at home and prepare lunch.

Sunday has always been a favourite day for inviting people – friends, relations, collegues – to afternoon tea. In recent years television has become increasingly popular.

Such places as museums and art-galleries attract a number of visitors on Sundays. One of the most popular attractions in London on Sunday afternoons, especially in summer, is the Tower.

there is a corner of it, near Marble Arch, the like of which is not to be found anywhere else in the world for that matter. Here all kinds of men and women stand up and give their views on subjects that range from politics and religion to cures for rheumatism and the best way of getting on with your mother-in-law. Foreigners may come to Hyde Park Corner on a Sunday morning if they think the English a restrained and silent race.

NOTES:

restrained – сдержанный;

cure – лекарство;

get on with – ладить с.

TRANSLATE INTO ENGLISH:

1. Англичане любят приглашать гостей по воскресеньям.

2. Они обожают посещать пабы.

3. Такого уголка для публичных выступлений, как в Гайд-парке, нет нигде.

Текст 14. THE MONEY CARD

Before long, the average American will be able to complete almost any business transaction with nothing more than a little plastic card. At the supermarket checkout counter, the clerk will slip a plastic card into a machine that is connected to your bank's computer. The cost of the groceries will be deducted automatically from your bank balance and transferred to the store's account. With this system no cash or check will change hands.

Not everyone is so enthusiastic about the idea of electronic money. Paying by check has the advantage of letting a person stop payment if a purchase is defective. People also worry about computer's errors and turning over the responsibility of their own financial bookkeeping to a banking machine.

Many economists claim that electronic money is " the greatest innovation since paper money".

Electronic banking was inevitable because banks needed a solution to their paperwork problems. Between 30 and 45 billion checks has been written each year, and the volume is growing. Depositors in many banks now use an identification card that allows them to withdraw money from a cash machine 24 hours a day. The easy-to-use machine lessens the need to carry around a lot of cash, therefore reduce the risk of robbery.

bookkeeping – бухгалтерия;

cash – наличные;

to withdraw money – снимать деньги со счета.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. What do you think about electronic banking?

2. How is a plastic card used?

Текст 15. AN EXPERIENCED SECRETARY SPEAKS ABOUT HER JOB

I'm a secretary at a large business. I deal with people and incoming mail. Dealing with people is one of the most important parts of my job. I find it very enjoyable I also input on the computer, send telexes and faxes.

I meet people from all over the country, all over the world, and all walks of life, which is the most interesting part of my job. They can be very nice. I think the nice ones outnumber the irritating ones. It's people-oriented job. It's communication, whether it's in person or on the telephone and that can be fun. Sometimes you have problems getting through, sometimes you get a wrong number, but it's all part of the job. You don't often get annoying people face to face. You get more of them on the phone, because people feel they can say things over the phone that they perhaps wouldn't say to your face. So I don't find people too frustrating in person. As a secretary you must always be professional-looking, your clothes should be immaculate. It's better to wear skirts than trousers. Your attire should be fresh and clean. It's best to wear simple jewellery – small earings, a matching necklace and rings. Hands should be well-groomed and you can wear white or soft coloured nail-varnish. Your shoes should be clean and neat.

Heavy make-up is not recommended. You should always look fresh, and use just a little perfume.

NOTES:

all walks of life – все сферы жизни;

immaculate – безупречный;

attire – наряд.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. Do you want to be a secretary?

2. Why? (or Why not? )

ЧАСТЬ 3. КОНТРОЛЬНЫЕ ЗАДАНИЯ

Контрольное задание 1

TEAM SPIRIT

Building team spirit is always the focal point of what I try to do as a manager. When I first went to Crystal Palace, players would finish training and then go straight home. There was no atmosphere. So we brought in a pool table and fruit machines. When players choose to spend time together, it generates a better atmosphere.

The team's spirit is very important, but I don't believe in trying to motivate them as individuals. So I don't give team talks. I speak to the players individually. And I try not to put too much pressure on them. I believe players perform best when they are relaxed. If they're too tense, I can guarantee they won't play well. I also believe in giving people autonomy. I like all the people who work for me to be autonomous. I very rarely interfere. I feel people should be judged on their results. If they prove incompetent, then I'm incompetent if I keep on employing It's like that with the team. I get criticized for not interfering during a game and making more substitutions. But I feel if I've chosen those eleven players to get a result, then I should leave them alone to get on with it. If I'm dropping a player from the team, I don't feel I have to explain it to them. If they want to discuss it, I'll say 'Come and talk about it in a couple of days time'.

But I don't try to re-motivate them. It's up to them to have the character to fight back. I'm a great believer that almost everything you achieve in life is down to your attitude. If I have a player who is magnificently gifted but has a stinking attitude, I won't waste my time on them.

NOTES:

focal – главный;

pool – бильярд;

to get on – справляться;

up to them – их дело.

I. Translate the text in a written form.

II. Answer the questions:

1. Should managers encourage staff to spend time together outside work to develop a team spirit?

2. It's better to motivate workers as a team rather than trying to motivate them individually, isn't it?

3. What do you think is the manager's duty if the worker is demotivated?

III. Fill in the gaps with the words:

can you send, can I call you, can you hear, can I help you, can‟ t see,

could I speak to, could you hold, could you repeat, could you speak,

could you tell me, I‟ ll need, I‟ ll put one, I‟ ll be on, I‟ ll just go,

I‟ ll wait, I‟ ll put you through, I‟ ll get back to you:

Jon:	Good morning, the Tech Store, this is Jon speaking.
Sara:	(1) _______ someone in Customer Services, please?
Jon:	Er. Yes, of course, (2) _______.
Mark:	Customer Services, Mark speaking, how (3) _______?
Sara:	I‟ m calling about your new Samsung DVD players. (4) _______ if you have any in stock?
Mark:	5) _______ and see. (6) _______ the line please?
Sara:	Yes, no problem, (7) _______.
Mark:	Hello? I (8) _______ any on the shelves. (9) _______ to check the order status on the computer. (10) _______ back?
Sara:	Certainly. My name is Sara Hall and my telephone number is 0582 1067.
Mark:	Sorry, (11) _______ up? It‟ s a terrible line.
Sara:	Is that better? (12) _______ me now?
Mark:	Yes, that‟ s much better. (13) _______ the number please?
Sara:	Of course. It‟ s 0582 1067 (14) _______ this number all morning.
Mark:	Sorry, I can‟ t tell you if we‟ ve got any DVDs in stock right now,
Sara:	Er, yes, (16) _______ me a copy of your latest catalogue?
Mark:	Of course, (17) _______ in the post to you today. What‟ s your address?
Sara:	It‟ s 25 Ridley Lane, Lower…

Контрольное задание 2

IMPORT/EXPORT

Anyone who wishes to begin selling manufactured goods in a foreign country must first do a lot of market research. He must obtain answers to such questions as:

Is there a demand for these articles? Are they allowed to be imported? What is the import duty, if any? How does the landed price compare with other competitive products, including those locally manufactured? If the answers are favourable, the intending exporter must then decide exactly how he will market this product. Should he open his own office, or employ an agent, or many different agents? If he employs an agent, should the latter be a confirming house? Should he be a stockist? (This is particularly important when spare parts have to be supplied promptly to customers, as in the case of consumer goods such as refrigerators).

There is also the question of promotion of the new line, and whether advertising expenses should be paid by the selling agent or by the manufacturer. An experienced advertising agent is essential, for although the media chosen for advertising will vary according to the product, and according to local preferences and habits.

NOTES:

media – средства;

duty – пошлина;

⇐ Предыдущая 1 2 3 4 5 678 Следующая ⇒