II Find the English equivalents in the text.

• получить образование

• основать журнал

• отказать

• выйти в продажу

• расширяться

• предлагать конкурентные услуги высокого качества

• совместные (общие) продажи

• превзойти, превысить

• запустить (начать) кампанию

• ограничить рекламу чего-либо

• побить рекорд

III Translate the following word combinations.

• to found a mail order retailer

• to sign many superstar names

• software publishing

• video editing facilities

• long haul international airline

• first / economy class

• a trustee of charities

IV Complete the sentences with the words from Exercise III.

1. Microsoft Corp. is the world’s leading company which is involved in __________________.

2. He prefers to fly _____________________ because he likes comfort and premium quality service.

3. Virgin Atlantic is famous for its first-class service. It is the only _______________that provides massage service to the passengers on the board.

4. Henry Ford was widely involved in charitable activities. He was _____________________.

5. Ingwar Kamprad ___________Ikea as ______________________in 1946 when he was only 17.

V Answer the questions.

1. What was Richard Branson’s background?

2. When did he go into business?

3. What kind of business did he found when he was 20?

4. How did he develop his business?

5. What areas / fields of business is he involved in?

• retailing - clubs

• publishing - hotels

• airlines - education

• health care - film and video editing

• furniture production - advertising

• real estate - radio broadcasting

6. How large is the Virgin Group?

7. How is his business different from the competitors’ones?

8. What kind of charitable activities is he engaged in?

9. Why do you think he is doing his best to break all existing records?

10. Choose the adjectives which suit the best to characterize this man. Explain your choice.

• flexible

• responsible

• highly skilled

• talented

• numerate

• team player

• organized

• self-motivated

• risk-taking (entrepreneurial)

• intelligent

• energetic

• creative

Add some more adjectives to describe Richard Branson.

VII Build up your vocabulary. Adjectives describing character.

Fill in the blanks with the words below.

Ambitious adventurous easy-going

Imaginative impatient naughty

Optimistic polite sad

Selfish sensible sociable

Talkative

1. He is ______________with his little sister.

2. They are a (an) ______________family and entertain a great deal.

3. They like new places even if they are dangerous. They are _______________explorers

4. He is _____________to get through high school in three years; so he works hard.

5. I never see her upset. She seems a (an) ___________________person because always takes things as they are.

6. He’s the habit of talking a great deal. He loves to tell everybody what he’s done and where he’s been. He is too ________________.

7. The ______________child hit his baby sister.

8. I think, she is too ___________________to do anything foolish/

9. A(an) ______________person puts his own interests first.

10. A(an) _______________person always sees the bright side of things.

6. The _____________boy gave the lady his seat on the bus.

7. He has ideas like no one else’s. He can make up fairy stories. He is extremely ______________.

8. You feel ___________________if your best friend goes away.