Unit 4

Phrase list

Listen to the tape and practise the pronunciation of the following words and word combinations, quote the sentences in which they are used in the unit. Consult a dictionary and translate them into Russian.

the delivery delay (on the console control desks) steel sheets

to be a special order a penalty clause

to stand to do something overdue delivery

the Buying Department the production line

to handle something

to be a dreadful nuisance to meet the delivery date

to claim compensation (for failure to deliver on time) to offset the penalty clause

plastic coated sheets

the time limit (in the contract)

to be ordered against a special job to be wanted for stock

to honour the delivery (contract) annealing oven

to be on the line

to put somebody in a mess

to be due to deliver something by some date to share the extra cost of doing something to have half the items ready ex works

to try somebody on the public address to involve rescheduling production line to pay double time

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PRE-LISTENING

Task 1

Consider the introduction to the unit. Answer the following questions and be ready to give a story line. Use the word combinations in brackets.

1.What are Peter Wiles’ plans for the day in question?

(to be the Production Manager; to have a very hectic day; to dictate a report into a dictating machine; to type something back later)

2.Why is John Martin very worried when he comes into Peter's office?

(to receive a memo from the Production Department; a delay in delivery; special plastic coated steel sheets)

3.What are these sheets wanted for?

(an important order; to form part of a console for a computerised control system; to sit and be responsible for the production; a large fully-automatic chemical plant)

4.What will happen if Harper & Grant fail to deliver the sheets on time?

(to get the order; to promise to deliver something before a certain date; to fail to deliver on time; to lose money; a penalty clause in the contract)

5.Who is guilty in the delay?

(to need steel sheets which are covered with plastic; plastic coating; to be finished in a heat-treatment oven; an annealing oven; to supply the sheets; to be able to deliver; to promise the date; to honour the contract with somebody)

6.Will Harper & Grant Ltd. lose money in this case?

(to have a penalty clause; the contract with the suppliers; to lose money; to do something about something pretty quickly)

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Task 2

Give the English equivalents for the following word combinations:

LISTENING

Exercise 1

You are going to hear a talk between Peter Wiles and John Martin. Before you listen to the conversation look at these statements. After you have listened to the tape determine whether these statements are true (T) or false (F). Explain why.

1.Peter Wiles decided not to borrow John Martin’s tape recorder because he came to his office in person and dictated a long report to Jane.

2.The reason why Peter asked John to spare him a second was a memo Peter sent him about the delivery delay on the console control desks.

3.Peter thinks that everything has gone wrong with the steel sheets, which they need for the desks from new suppliers. These suppliers have got some trouble or other. They say they’ll be a bit late with delivery.

4.It's a very important contract because those console control desks are a special order and are wanted for one of the big computer companies.

5.The new suppliers promised delivery on Thursday week.

6.What is worse there's a penalty clause in the contract with the computer

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