Exercises

I. Define the meaning of these words and phrases. Make up sentences using them.

surveyor, quick work, subsidence, to hold things up, on account of smth., in writing, to go ahead with arrangements, the outstanding work, to have a free hand, to put it in hand, to be at one's disposal, to carry on, with any degree of cer­tainty, to stand up to the stress, to get smth. in the post, to get things moving, emergency delivery, to be on the telex, what with that and this, to be up to one's ears in work, to get smth. off, to count on smb., to let smb. down, round fortyish, heavy-going, to get one's head screwed on the right way, to hold smb. up, to get things on hand, to be a bit short-handed on smth.; to work like the clappers, to make it tricky, to bung the whole lot into one lorry, to push off, all laid on.

II. Rephrase these sentences.

1. You've taken a load off my mind.

2. That brings us to Thursday morning.

3. I'll put it in hand straight away.

4. I'm not keeping you from anything?

5. I'll call in a building expert and get him to examine the chimney.

6. I can get that in the post this evening.

7. I'll get things moving here.

8. You mean the one they wanted delivered by the 25th.

9. They've been on the telex about it to us this morning.

10. What with that and this big French order we've got coming up, I've been up to my ears in it.

11. Then we'd better get it off pretty soon.

12. Haven't we got all the things we want on hand?

13. We're a bit short-handed on the packing side.

14. What about offering the boys in despatch a spot of overtime over the week-end?

15. I must push off now.

III. Reproduce the telephone conversations as dose to the text as possible.

IV. Make up telephone conversations considering these assignments.

1. Brown & Co. for some reason or other have not delivered the goods in the stipulated time. Phone the Company and let them know that they are responsible for the delay and have either to make emergency delivery within a week or to pay you a penalty.

2. You are decorating your apartment. The work is progres­sing very slowly. Phone the manager of the Company and ask him to offer his workmen a spot of overtime over the week-end so that they could finish off all the outstanding work within two days.

3. You've been up to your ears in work over the past two weeks and failed to send a book on Soviet art to your colleague. Phone him, offer your apologies and say that you do remember your promise and that you will get the book in the post this afternoon.

TELEPHONE CONVERSATION

Read the dialogues and make some dialogues as in models.

1. Leaving a message.

A: Hello! This is Richard Baker. May I speak to Mr. Reeds, please?

B: I’m sorry, Mr. Baker. He has just left. Any message? A: Will you tell him to call me back?

B: Yes, certainly. Does he know your telephone number?

A: Well… I’m not sure. Will you put it down, just in case?

B: Yes, what is it?

A: 340-1906. Thanks a lot.

B: No trouble. Good-bye.