Access to the World of Business and Professional Communication. Study Guide for Blended Learning. Step I (Modules I and II). Учебное пособие-1

Раздел 3. Чтение / Section 3. Reading

2.Most people are classified according to their occupations, falling into two broad groups, as in other industrialized societies, the middle class (or white-collar workers) and the working class (or bluecollar workers). The kind of work done does not only indicate education and how much is earned, but also the kind of social contact that is usual. Most people generally mix socially with the same kind of people as those with whom they work.

3.This description looks like a static picture, but in fact there is major movement between classes. The working class is declining while the middle class is constantly growing, embracing a range of people from senior professionals to clerical workers. Beyond the middle class lies a small and powerful upper class, which survives from one generation to another.

4.The present British legal system forms the basis of the Judiciary — the third branch of government. It has been conditioned by two basic concerns. The first has been that the law should be administered by the state so that it could be applied evenly over the whole country in order to satisfy its two main functions of control and service. The second concern was that the judiciary should be independent and separate from the executive and legislative branches of government.

5.In England the most basic distinction is between the criminal law system and the civil law system. Civil law covers disputes about rights, duties and obligations between people or organizations. Criminal law is concerned with acts punishable by the state. Its primary objective is to protect society by punishing those who are considered to have broken the law and done something wrong to society in general. For this reason, criminal charges are brought against the accused in the name of the Queen.

6.Less serious crimes, for example shoplifting, driving offences or vandalism, are dealt with in a Magistrates’ Court. The more serious offences are mostly tried by the higher court — the Crown Court. The judge decides on the sentence: there are limits for each type of crime, and the maximum penalty is life imprisonment. The judge does not decide whether the person is guilty; that is done by a jury of twelve ordinary citizens. This ensures that the law cannot be dominated by a small group of professionals, and it gives the public confidence. Very importantly, it makes it very difficult for criminals to avoid punishment by bribery.

7.It is often said that the English legal system looks fair in theory. But in practice it is very difficult for ordinary people to use it. Firstly, a good lawyer is very expensive. However poor defendants are given free aid. Secondly, it is very formal and there are all sorts of old-fashioned rules in court. Finally,

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МОДУЛЬ II. ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ЭТАП / MODULE II. TRANSITION STAGE (COUNTRY STUDY)

lawyers use a lot of legal jargon and Latin expressions. The law is based on tradition, and this language has survived for hundreds of years.

7.2. Read the text again. For each question (1–7), mark one letter (А, В or С) to choose the correct answer.

(1) The British society is

А. a democracy without visible class division. В. ruled by the old aristocracy.

С. organised on a class basis.

(2) The British typically

А. demonstrate their education and earnings. В. socialize with people like their colleagues. С. mix socially with different groups of people.

(3)The main feature of the British social structure is that А. it never changes.

В. the middle class is steadily increasing. С. more people do manual jobs.

(4)The British legal system is based on the following principles: А. it should be controlled by the government.

В. it should be applied equally to all citizens. С. it is a part of executive branch of power.

(5)The main purpose of criminal law

А. is to guarantee protection of the society. В. to punish people.

С. resolve disputes between people.

(6)The biggest punishment in the UK is А. corporal punishment.

В. death penalty. С. life sentence.

(7)The English legal system is difficult to use for ordinary people because А. they never receive free advice from lawyers.

В. new rules are constantly introduced.

С. the language of court is difficult to understand.

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Раздел 3. Чтение / Section 3. Reading

7.3. Read the last paragraph of the text without any connectors. What can you say about it? Fill in the blanks with appropriate words and word combinations given in the box.

It is often said that the English legal system looks fair in theory. 1) … it is very difficult for ordinary people to use it. 2) …, a good lawyer is very expensive. 3) … poor defendants are given free aid. 4) …, it is very formal and there are all sorts of old-fashioned rules in court. 5) …, lawyers use a lot of legal jargon and Latin expressions. The law is based on tradition, and this language has survived for hundreds of years.

7.4. Read the second paragraph of the text again. Try to use more connectors in it. Some variants of connectors are given in the table below.

Most people are classified according to their occupations as in other industrialized societies. They fall into two broad groups: the middle class (or white-collar workers) and the working class (or bluecollar workers). The kind of work done does not only indicate education and how much is earned. It also shows the kind of social contact that is usual. Most people generally mix socially with the same kind of people as those with whom they work.

7.5. Read the text again and analyse the information of each paragraph. Find its key idea and write out the key words which convey the main idea. Fill in the table below.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

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МОДУЛЬ II. ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ЭТАП / MODULE II. TRANSITION STAGE (COUNTRY STUDY)

7.6. Make up a detailed analytical retelling of the text using the table. Stick to the following structure given below:

Analytical part:

5.The text to be discussed is entitled “…”.

6.The problem tackled upon in the text refers to the area of ….

7.The main idea conveyed by the author is that ….

8.Structurally the text falls into … Parts.

In the first part the author focuses on ….

The second part deals with ….

In the third part the author dwells on ….

Rendering:

I. Introduction

II. Main body

III. Conclusion

7.7.Make up a summary of the text using the key ideas given in the first column of the table (exercise 6.4).

7.8.Read the text with blanks and the sentences given below. Choose one sentence (A–F) to fill in each blank (1–6).

Quality of living

When introducing the Europe 2020 strategy, the members of the European Commission pointed out that: The last two years have left millions unemployed. It has brought us a burden of debt that will last for many years.

1) ….

The financial crises transformed the real economy with highly visible redundancies, bankruptcies and restructuring across Member States. 2) …. It resulted in falling GDP and rising unemployment in many Member States. It has brought new pressures on our social life.

3) …. In particular, falling GDP and rising unemployment has been manifest in southern Europe, where the Eurozone debt crisis is part of the public debate. Even if by the mid-2010 there were signs of economic improvement notably in northern and eastern Europe, the overall picture was still one of great difficulty.

The economic and labor market crisis have driven changes in patterns of employment and working conditions with, for example, limits on employment

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Раздел 3. Чтение / Section 3. Reading

in the public sector and freezing or even reducing salaries. 4) …. Austerity measures have become more widespread, involving reductions in the funding of public services and changing conditions for social benefits.

The financial and economic crisis has led to deterioration in living and working conditions, with negative impact on the everyday lives of some citizens, most evidently those who have become unemployed. It is against this background that the European institutions have been developing new policies and strategies to maintain and improve the quality of life. There is a generally accepted opinion that politics holds the economic system of a country together. 5) ….

Even with political and economic turbulence, Western European cities continue to enjoy some of the highest quality of living worldwide. Most European cities remained stable in the ranking, Brussels and Rome being the only exception. Istanbul fell from the 122nd to the 133rd place as a result of the severe political turmoil in Turkey during the past years.

6)….

A.It ensures the prosperity and well-being of society and its members.

B.Ranking lowest across Europe are Sarajevo (the 171st place) and Tirana (the 188th place).

C.Some companies in the private sector have responded with restructuring, reducing working hours, laying off employees or reducing pay.

D.What is clear is that the impact of the economic crisis has been more devastating in some Member States than others.

E.In other words, the crisis has wiped out years of economic and social progress.

F.This has caused a marked increase in the numbers of deprived and disadvantaged people across the EU.

8.Economy and Business

8.1.Read the article divided into paragraphs (1–7) and choose the best title (A–G) for each paragraph. Use each letter only once.

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МОДУЛЬ II. ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ЭТАП / MODULE II. TRANSITION STAGE (COUNTRY STUDY)

Economy

1.During the heyday of the British Empire, the UK was the largest and most influential economy in the world. As the birthplace of the industrial revolution, the UK was at the forefront of technological advances during the 18th to 19th century. However, the damage received during two World Warsand disintegration of the British Empire severely weakened the UK economy. Although it has since recovered, Britain is unlikely to reclaim its former position as the top economic power in the world. Today, the economy of the United Kingdom is the 9-th largest national economy in the world measured by gross domestic product (GDP) comprising 3,9 % of world GDP.

2.There has been a marked postwar shift in economic power from manufacturing to services. In 1948, British industry accounted for 41 % of the British economy. By 2013, it was just 14 %. At the same time the services sector’s share of the economy has risen from 46 % to 79 %. The changing makeup of the UK economy is in line with other major economies. All G7 economies (UK, US, Canada, Germany, France, Italy and Japan) have seen roughly the same change.

3.Britain’s financial services sector grew rapidly between 2006 and 2009.The UK economy has long been a dominant player in financial services, along with the US. By 2009, the sector accounted for 10 % of UK GDP, the highest of all G7 economies. London is one of major centres for international business and commerce. There are over 500 banks with offices in London, and it is the leading international centre for banking, insurance, foreign exchange trading and energy futures.

4.For a very long time Britain has been a trading nation — importing, exporting, investing abroad and receiving foreign investment. One change in recent decades is the list of Britain’s trading partners. Joining the UE had meant a major move away from old markets and suppliers in the Commonwealth (members of Britain’s ex-empire) and towards new markets closer at hand, though the US is just as important as ever. Britain imports most goods from Germany, China, the USA and the Netherland. The top four export destinations are the same.

5.The population for the UK in 2012 was 63,2 million. The UK has the 20th largest labour force in the world, with 32 million workers. Currently, 1,4 percent of working population are employed in agriculture, 18,2 percent in industries and 80,4 percent in services. Unemployment in the United Kingdom is measured by the Office for National Statistics and in the three months to May 2017 the unemployment rate stood at 4,5 %. This is much lower than average unemployment rate in the European Union (7,8 %).

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Раздел 3. Чтение / Section 3. Reading

6.The United Kingdom is a developed country with social welfare infrastructure. The poverty line in the UK is commonly defined as being 60 % of the median household income. In 2007–2008, this was calculated to be £115 per week for single adults with no dependent children; and £279 per week for couples with two dependent children under 14. In 2016, 13,4 million people, or 21 % of the population, lived below this line.

7.As a member of the European Union, the UK has negotiated and agreed to numerous EU trade and market policies. According to the 2014 report, the majority of the EU trade policies have been beneficial for the UK, despite the proportion of the country’s exports going to the EU falling from 54 percent to 47 percent over the past decade. In June 2016 the UK voted to leave the EU in a national referendum on its membership of the EU. The long-term consequences of this vote are unclear at present.

8.2. Read the text again. For each question (1–7), mark one letter (А, В or С) to choose the correct answer.

(1)British economy А. is booming.

В. has restored its position.

С. is prospering in spite of previous shocks.

(2)In the recent decades

А. Britain has largely given up producing goods in favour of other kinds of economic activity.

В. Britain has increased its manufacturing.

С. the British economy is moving in a different direction compared to other developed countries.

(3) British financial sector is

А. one of the biggest in the world.

В. less important than in other developed countries. С. rapidly shrinking.

(4) Trading partners of the UK

А. have changed in the recent decades.

В. are mainly countries of the Commonwealth. С. remain the same for many decades.

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МОДУЛЬ II. ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ЭТАП / MODULE II. TRANSITION STAGE (COUNTRY STUDY)

(5) Situation with unemployment in Britain

А. is monitored by non-governmental organizations. В. is a serious problem for the government.

С. is much better than in the UE.

(6) Poverty in the UK

А. has fallen dramatically.

В. has reached slightly above one fifth of population.

С. is defined as being half of the median household income.

(7) The UK membership in the EU А. was positive for the British trade. В. led to decline of British economy.

С. will bring benefits beneficial in the future.

8.3. Match the figures (1–6) mentioned in the text with their explanations (A–F).

8.4. Using the information given in the text fill in the table below:

Britain after the industrial revolution

Britain today

Compare the economic development of Britain in two different historical periods: the period of the industrial revolution and the present-day period. Make use of the following language structures:

More / higher / faster / slower than …

In comparison with / compared to

The same as; different from; similar to

To match; to resemble; to look like; to correspond to

As … as; not so … as

To differ from; to vary; to deviate; to diverge

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Раздел 3. Чтение / Section 3. Reading

8.5. Read the text again and analyse the information of each paragraph. Find its key idea and write out the key words which convey the main idea. Fill in the table below.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.6. Make up a detailed analytical retelling of the text using the table. Stick to the following structure given below:

Analytical part:

9.The text to be discussed is entitled “…”.

10.The problem tackled upon in the text refers to the area of ….

11.The main idea conveyed by the author is that ….

12.Structurally the text falls into … parts.

In the first part the author focuses on ….

The second part deals with ….

In the third part the author dwells on ….

Rendering:

I. Introduction

II. Main body

III. Conclusion

8.7.Make up a summary of the text using the key ideas given in the first column of the table (exercise 6.4).

8.8.Read the text with blanks and the sentences given below. Choose one sentence (A–F) to fill in each blank (1–6).

Keys to Success in Business

Success is known to be the key to any developing business. When you are able to show that your business is helpful for your clients, that is where you gain more than half of your success. But, what are the keys to success itself? Well, right from the idea of a business plan to promoting it and later

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МОДУЛЬ II. ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ЭТАП / MODULE II. TRANSITION STAGE (COUNTRY STUDY)

reaping the turnover, there are various keys that will guide you to being a successful entrepreneur. 1) …. If you have the right attitude to support your business, there is no turning back for you!

The first key to starting and maintaining a business is the passion for your work. As mentioned earlier, before coming up with a plan, you need to have the knowledge and skill for the business, after which you can involve helpers in it. 2) …. You can guide others, correct errors, continue your research and gain experience related to every aspect of the business.

The next important key to success is a vision or a goal of reaching a certain level in a particular duration of time. Most successful businessmen of today started with absolutely nothing, faced a number of failures and then reached the highest point in their careers. 3) …. When you have a business plan, the next thing you need is a goal to reach, using that plan.

Every business, big or small, has to have a purpose, without which it is of no significance. The business plan is designed to provide your product to the clients. When the clients are convinced that your product fulfills their requirements, they will purchase it. 4) …. Thus, be clear with the purpose of your plan in order to make it successful in the market.

The right attitude towards your business, employees, coworkers, clients and the entire staff is very important for achieving success. Being professional with people around you and guiding them with your knowledge about the business could surely fetch you their hard work and trust. When you have a particular attitude towards your work, the results are expected to be positive. 5) ….

Every business has to face losses and failures. 6) …. Adaptability is therefore important to be successful in business. Doing your research about the market, could also help you make decisions for when to invest and when not to, in turn helping you to avoid losses.

A.As a result, the purpose of your business is fulfilled as well.

B.Hence, you need to be prepared for the worst phase in your business, and have a backup plan to help you get over it.

C.Though you have the passion for your work, you need to implement it and bring it before people for acceptance.

D.These keys are very effective for entrepreneurs and small businessman, who are struggling for success and growth.

E.So, make sure you are absolutely professional with your work.

F.Therefore, when you start a business that includes your talent, you know the plan inside out.

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