Business English in Fiction. Практикум

Unit 5

equity in the hotel. In contrast, the O’Keefe terms would cast him adrift from the St. Gregory’s affairs entirely.

As to an appointment as chairman of the board, while it might be a token post only, devoid of power, he would at least be an inside, privileged spectator to whatever might ensue. Nor was the prestige to be dismissed lightly.

“That,” Emile Dumaire concluded, “is the sum and substance. As to the offer’s integrity, I have already stated that it is guaranteed by the bank. Furthermore, I am prepared to give you a notarized letter of intention, this afternoon, to that effect.”

“And completion, if I agree?”

The banker pursed his lips, considering. “There is no reason why papers could not be drawn quickly, besides which the matter of the impending mortgage expiry lends some urgency. I would say completion tomorrow at this time.”

Warren Trent sighed, then said simply, “I accept.”

Comprehension Check

Answer the following questions about the text, use the bold words and expressions.

1.What bank did Mr. Emile Dumaire represent?

2.What relationship did the St. Gregory Hotel have with the bank?

3.How did Emile Dumaire explain his reason for calling on Warren Trent without an appointment?

4.What did Warren Trent think was the purpose of E. Dumaire’s visit?

5.What did E. Dumaire know about the arrangement between O’Keefe and W. Trent?

6.How did he obtain this information?

7.How did E.Dumaire characterize the parties his bank represented?

8.What were the terms of the offer he was authorized to make to W. Trent?

9.What were the advantages of this offer as compared with that of O’Keefe’s?

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Business English in Fiction

Section II. Speaking

Roleplay

(for two participants: A, B )

Background information.

А: Вы – представитель банка. Вы пришли к официаль- ному лицу без предупреждения, не назначив встречу. Изви- нитесь, объясните причину. Например, вам стало известно, что вашему собеседнику предстоит срочно принять оконча- тельное решение по поводу сделанного ему предложения (о покупке его предприятия, акций и др.). У вас есть встречное предложение, которое вы считаете более выгодным. Обоснуй- те преимущества вашего предложения.

Вы выступаете в качестве посредника. Вы уполномочены сделать предложение от имени лица, которое вы пока не мо- жете назвать, но характеризуете как надежного партнера с безупречной репутацией.

В: Вы удивлены неожиданным визитом сотрудника бан- ка, однако любезно отвечаете на его извинения и спрашиваете о цели его посещения. Вы выражаете удивление по поводу его осведомленности относительно того предложения, которое было сделано вам раннее другим лицом и интересуетесь, как он узнал об этом. Вы делаете предположение, что эти сведе- ния передал банку кто-то из служащих компании, от которой вам раннее было сделано предложение, и кто имеет доступ к информации на высшем уровне управления.

Вы заинтересованы предложением, которое делает вам сотрудник банка от имени лица, которое он пока отказывается называть. Уточните, в каком отношении его предложение яв- ляется более выгодным. Настаивайте, чтобы он назвал лицо, от которого исходит предложение. Примите предложение или отклоните его. Обоснуйте свое решение.

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Unit 5

Section III Writing

Vocabulary Practice

Translate the following sentences into English in writing. Use the Vocabulary list for the translation of the bold

words and expressions.

1.Если вы не возражаете, я бы предпочел перейти прямо к делу.

2.Я полагаю, он получит эту должность, т.к. у него

безупречные рекомендации.

3.Какую организацию вы представляете?

4.Если вы не подготовите (составите) вовремя все доку- менты, вы рискуете потерять выгодную сделку.

5.Будьте осторожны, эти люди шпионят за вами. Они знают, что вы имеете доступ к информации, которая их ин- тересует.

6.– Мы хотели бы получить письменное подтверждение наших договоренностей. Я полагаю, эторазумное требование.

–Ну что же, если дело обстоит таким образом, мы го- товы представить вам письмо обязательство, заверенное у нотариуса.

7.Что касается вопроса о передаче акций, я хотел бы остановиться на этом более подробно.

8.Какова цель вашего визита?

9.Я знаю, что вы получили предложение, которое вас не устраивает. Я уполномочен сделать вам встречное пред-

ложение и предоставить информацию о намерениях моих

доверителей.

10.Позвольте сказать, как я сожалею, что мы не можем

выполнить вашу просьбу.

11.Известие о его отставке всех удивило.

12.Вы не знаете, кто будет назначен председателем со- вета директоров?

13.Чтобы обеспечить эффективный контроль за управлением компанией, вам придется приобрести большую часть, выпущенных в обращение обыкновенных акций.

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Business English in Fiction

Test

1.

Match the words on the left with their meanings on the right.

2.

Match the words on the left with the words they are most likely to be associated with on the right.

3.

Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the list below.

1.There is no time for niceties. Let’s get to the… .

2.What … do you represent?

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Unit 5

3.Our … is to maintain the hotel’s existing character.

4.He was going to give up his job, but the manager didn’t accept his… .

5.We don’t agree with the … your experts place upon this property.

6.I apologize for the abrupt intrusion without an … .

7. He doesn’t want to discuss this problem on the phone. He would like to make a personal … on you.

1.valuation

2.call

3.point

4.intention

5.appointment

6.resignation

7.party

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Business English in Fiction

Unit 6

Skills: Reading, Speaking, Writing

Section I. Reading

Background information to the extract from J. Archer’s novel “The Prodigal Daughter”.

Дети враждующих семейств (Florentina Rosnovsky & Richard Kane) женятся против воли своих родителей (Abel Rosnovsky & William Kane). Молодожены переезжают в Сан-

Франциско, где Флорентина решает открыть собственное де- ло. Ее отец, владелец сети гостиниц (“The Baron”), обеспоко- енный судьбой дочери, наводит о ней справки через своего помощника (George) и, сохраняя инкогнито, пытается ей по- мочь в финансовом отношении.

Vocabulary Guide

Here is the list of words and expressions commonly used in business communication. You will come across these words in the text that follows.

Look through the list carefully before you read the text. It will help you to understand the text adequately.

Learn these words and use them in the conversation you will have to make up as a business communication assignment in the Roleplay Section of the unit.

Read the Extract. Pay attention to the words and expressions in bold letters and keep them in mind. Check the Vocabulary list while reading the text.

“I would like to borrow thirty-four thousand dollars,” said Florentyna.

“What do you need the money for?” said Richard coldly.

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Unit 6

“I want to take over the lease for a building on Nob Hill to open a fashion shop.”

“What are the terms of the lease?” “Ten years, with an option to renew.”

“What security can you offer against the loan?” “I own three thousand shares in the Baron Group.”

“But that is a private company,” said Richard, “and the shares are in effect worthless as they can’t be traded over the counter”

“But the Baron Group is worth fifty million of anybody's money. Their shares represent one per cent of the company.”

“How did you come into possession of these shares?”

“My father is the chairman of the company and he gave them to me on my twenty-first birthday.”

“Then why don’t you borrow the money direct from him?” “Oh, hell,” said Florentyna. “Will they be that demanding?” “I’m afraid so, Jessie.”

“Are all bank managers going to be as tough as you? They never treated me like this in Chicago.”

“That’s because they had the security of your father's account. Anyone who doesn’t know you is not going to be as accommodating. A loan manager has to consider that every new transaction will not be repaid, so unless his risk is covered twice over it’s his job that will be on the line. When you borrow money you must always look across the table and consider the other person’s point of view. Everyone who wants to borrow money is sure they are on to a winner, but the manager knows that over fifty per cent of deals put up to him will eventually fail, or at best break even. So the manager has to pick and choose carefully to be certain he can always see a way of retrieving his money. My father used to say that most financial deals saw a return of one per cent for the bank, which didn’t allow you the opportunity to make a one hundred per cent loss more than once every five years.”

“That all makes sense, so how do I answer, “Why don’t you go to your father”?”

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Business English in Fiction

“Tell the truth. Remember, banking is based on trust, and if they know you're always being straight with them, they’ll stand by you when you are going through hard times.”

“You still haven’t answered the question.”

“You simply say: my father and I quarreled over a family matter and now I wish to succeed in my own right.”

“Do you think that will work?”

“I don't know, but if it does, at least you’ll have started with all your cards on the table.”

George always arrived at Idlewild Airport thirty minutes early whenever Abel was returning from Europe. He knew the Baron, like a newly appointed director, would be impatient to learn of any developments within the group. But this time he felt certain Abel’s opening question would be on a different subject.

As always Abel was one of the first through Customs and once he and George were seated in the back of the company Cadillac, he wasted no time on small talk.

“What news?” demanded Abel, only too aware that George would know to what he was referring.

“Some good, some bad,” said George. Florentyna continues to be in touch with her mother. She's living in a small apartment in San Francisco with some old friends from Radcliffc days.”

“Married?”

“Yes.”

Abel didn’t speak for some moments as if taking in the finality of the statement.

“And the Kane boy?” he asked.

“He’s found a job in a bank. It seems a lot of people turned him down because word got around that he didn’t complete Harvard Business School and his father wouldn’t supply a reference. Not many people were willing to employ him if as a consequence they antagonized William Kane. He was finally hired as a junior teller with the Bank of America, at a salary way below what he might have expected with his qualifications.”

“And Florentyna?”

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