Vocabulary Training

I. Understanding Word Meaning from Context.

Choose a word or a word group that has the same meaning as the word in bold.

1. The new trade agreement facilitates more rapid economic growth.

a. makes possible b. makes slower c. deals with d. stops

2. The company has introduced new measures to deal with fraudulent insurance claims.

a. numerous b. growing c. large d. deceitful

3. He’s worked there for nearly ten years.

a. about b. more than c. almost d. at least

4. She publicly denounced the government’s handling of the crisis.

a. demanded b. strongly criticized c. discussed d. denied

5. It’s just not feasible (=infeasible) to manage the business on a part-time basis.

a. unprofitable b. inefficient c. impossible d. not clear

6. The trial was halted after the first week.

a. handled b. stopped c. started d. continued

7. Margarine can be substituted for butter in this recipe.

a. taken b. added to c. changed d. not used

8. The original interview notes were subsequently lost.

a. obviously b. unfortunately c. long ago d. later

II. Find in the text two nouns which mean “cheating”.

III. Look up the words “account” and “draft” in a dictionary. They have many meanings which are quite different. In what meanings are they used in the text?

IV. Note that the words “file”, “suit” and “charge” can be both nouns and verbs. Look them up in a dictionary and find meanings that are new to you. In what meanings are they used in the text?

Illustrate two meanings of each word (either as a verb or a noun) with sentences of your own.

V. Make sure you understand the meaning of the word “breach”. Find three collocations with this word in the text.

Now look this word up and find three more similar collocations.

VI. Find in the text:

a) an adjective with the same root as the noun “fraud”

b) a noun with the same root as the verb “to allege”

VII. Explain the following words in English. Use an explanatory dictionary if necessary. If a word has several meanings, point out the meaning in which it is used in the text.

1) nightmare 2) to urge 3) credentials 4) to vet 5)assessment 6) negligence

VIII. Note how each of the following idioms and expressions is used in the text:

1) to fill smb in on smth (=to inform); 2) to be/put at risk; 3) in person; 4) aside from; 5) to file/bring a suit against smb.

Now use each of these idioms in an example of your own. Try to relate them to your own experience or to something you heard in the news.

IX. Vocabulary building. Find in the text and arrange in three columns words and expressions related to the following topics:

a) banking (including online banking);

b) legal procedures;

c) using a computer and going online.

Use one of the vocabulary columns to make up a short story or a report of about 100 words.

Recounting and Interpreting Details

1. What kind of business is Fan Bao running?

2. What way of wiring money does he prefer?

3. Why did Bao open an online account?

4. How did Bao learn about the fraudulent drafts sent through his account?

5. How much money did Bao lose as a result of a hacker attack and how much money did he manage to save from being transferred?

6. Why did the bank refuse to pay back?

7. Why didn’t Bao’s SafePass work at the time of the hacker attack?

8. What does Bao allege in his suit?

9. Why did the bank refuse to change the procedure of processing money transfers?

10. How can you describe the tone of the last paragraph? Whose words are those?

11. Does the writer seem to support Bao? What details does she give that help build his image as a person? How can you characterize him judging by these details?

Creative Follow-up Work

The text “Online Robbery” was written in 2010 and it is an account of real events. These events could also provide a basis for a fictional story. Tell the story shortly from Bao’s perspective. You may leave out or add any details.