Vocabulary tasks

A Words that create an impression

1. Paul Richardson enjoyed his time in the Middle East What expressions are used in the article to indicate this positive feeling? (paras 2 and 3) deilghted to be send abroad

2. Now that he is back in England, Paul Richardson feels very negative. What expressions indicate this negative feeling? (paras 4 and 5)

3. In contrast to Paul Richardson, Andy Spriggs did not seem to enjoy his ten years abroad. What phrases give this impression? (para 6)

4. But Andy Spriggs found that his experience abroad was very useful for his career. He uses several words with the general meaning of “very good” or “excellent” to describe the benefit of those experiences. One is “enormous”. What are the other two? (para 7)

B Understanding expressions

Choose the best explanation for each of these phrases.

1. at the company's expense (line 1)

1. the company pays for everything

2. it is expensive for the company

2. a dream come true (line 2)

1. something you have always wished for

2. something that is not real

3. too good to be true (line 6)

1. it would be wonderful if it ever happened

2. something much better than you expected

4. big fish in a small pond (line 9)

1. someone who has all the power and can dominate others

2. someone who is important but on a small scale

5. count for nothing (line 13)

1. have no value

2. lose money

6. two years down the road (line 20)

1. two years as a travelling sales representative

2. two years later

C Word search

Find a word or phrase in the text chat has a similar meaning.

1. way you live (para 3) …lifestyle…

2. want to do something very much (para 3)

k…………………

3. go backwards (para 4)

r…………………

4. proud and acting superior to others (para 5)

a…………………

5. lacking experience, thinking that people will be nice (para 5)

n…………………

6. something that is not deep or interesting (para 6

s…………………

7. broad general picture of something (para 7)

o…………………

8. something that is very important (para 9)

v………………… i…………………

D Complete the sentence

Use an appropriate word or phrase from Exercise C to complete each sentence.

1. Many large companies run induction programmes for new employees to give them an …overview… of the organisation.

2. If you are using this book you are probably ………………… to improve your English.

3. When choosing a new job or position in a company it is important to make sure your career will advance and not …………………

4. Because people working abroad often have extra allowances such as free housing and low taxes, they can have a very nice …………………

5. It is ………………… for the company to win that contract; we may go out of business if we don't.

References

1. Financial Times

2. The Irish Times

3. The Economist

4. International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior, Thomson Learning 1997

5. The Independent

6. Managing Across Cultures, Pearson Education Limited

7. The Independent on Sunday

8. The Sunday Times

9. Adrian Pilbeam. International Management, 2000.