Vocabulary

Part II

to oblige to explain to assume to import to state to deliver certain message to arrange service safeguard to satisfy to include to protect matter payment to receive to exist

to do something as a favour. to make clear. to take as true. to bring in goods from a foreign country. to express in words fully and clearly. to take goods to the buyer. sure. a piece of news sent to a person. to put in order. something done to help another person. an action taken to protect. to give a person what he wants. to consider as part of the whole. to keep safe. a piece of business. money that is paid. to get something sent. to be present in a place.

Explanations

Part III

1. I will be much obliged. In this sentence obliged has the meaning of favoured. To oblige is to do something for somebody as a favour.

Can you oblige me with a few sheets of paper? = Can you give me … ?

We are much obliged to you for your help. = We are grateful for what you have done.

An obliging person is one who is willing to help.

Mr and Mrs Johnson are obliging neighbours.

Anything required to be done by law, rule or custom is said to be obligatory.

Is the attendance at the meeting obligatory?

It is obligatory for restaurant owners to keep their premises

clean.

An obligation is a duty, promise or condition that requires action to be taken.

It is the obligation of children to look after their parents.

Their hospitality is an obligation we must repay.

To obligate someone is to bind him to do something, especially legally.

As a landlord he felt obligated to help his tenant.

2. To establish credit. To establish is to set up.

He wanted to establish a branch office in Rome.

His aim was to establish a new state.

3. On behalf of is for or in the interest of.

I am speaking on behalf of my friends.

We are engaging a lawyer on his behalf.

4. To safeguard. One often has to safeguard oneself against a condition or circumstance to prevent harm.

To safeguard is also to give protection.

We must safeguard our interest in the business.

Care of the health is a safeguard against sickness.

5. Only when it receives…

Only is an adverb. Adverbs should be placed as close as possible to the word they qualify. Extra care is required in the use of only. Its position is next to, preferably before the word it qualifies.

Only John ate two buns (i.e. John and no one else ate).

John only ate two buns (i.e. John ate two buns, and no more).

If there is no ambiguity, only can take its natural place in the sentence.

John only ate one cake.

Exercises

1. Answer the following questions.

1. What details will an importer specify about the goods he wants to order?

2. How will the importer and supplier make firm arrangements?

3. How else can they communicate besides writing?

4. How will the importer pay the supplier?

5. What does the bank do for the importer and supplier?

2. Give the meanings of the following words.

1. To oblige. 2. To assume. 3. To state. 4. Service. 5. Safeguard.

3. Match the words from A with the definitions from B.

A.

1. Matter. 2. Message. 3. Payment. 4. To satisfy. 5. To exist.

B.

1. To be present in a place.

2. A piece of business.

3. Money that is paid.

4. To give a person what he wants.

5. A piece of news sent to a person.

Lesson 4

Transport and business

Part I

A transport is a means of conveyance. To transport is to carry goods or people from one place to another. Lorries, buses, cars, motor-cycles and bicycles use roads. Water-borne transport include boats, ships, submarines and hovercraft. For speedier transportation aircraft are used.

A good transport system is essential for the economic progress of the world. Container ships, tankers and smaller vessels laden with cargo ply the seas. Various types of vehicles including trucks, vans and trains are used for the same purpose on land. More companies are now using the airlines to transport their goods. We can conclude that transportation is an important business and it is vital to the economy of a country.

Oil tankers transport crude oil to petroleum refineries and container ships carry dry cargo. Other types of modern vessels include atomic-powered submarines and aircraft carriers. They carry arms, ammunition and personnel for the navies of the superpowers who own them.

In the cities motor cars are popular. Businessmen and workers often drive themselves to their offices and factories. Other city dwellers find the bus one of the cheapest means of travel. In addition major cities have airports. With good transportation facilities tourists will find it easier to travel. Businessmen will be able to trade more conveniently and profitably.

Most cities have traffic problems which include traffic jams and accidents. Some cities are providing separate lanes for buses and others are building underground railways. Pedestrian malls and overhead bridges are also used to alleviate these problems.