PRACTICE YOUR VOCABULARY, PRONUNCIATION & GRAMMAR

PHONETICS. Before you start doing the exercises 1, 2 and 3 do the following tasks:
A)
 listen to the pronunciation of the words below in the recording N1 in the telegram chat.
 practice and learn the correct pronunciation of the following words
 pay attention to the big “O-s” (they demonstrate the stressed syllables)

1 ambition oOo
2 dependable oOoo
oooO
3 determination
o
ooOo
4 flexibility
o
5 integrity oOoo
6 reliable oOoo
7 motivated Oooo
8 organised Ooo
9 passionate Ooo
10 resourcefulness oOoo

B) Fill in the table below using the words above as in the example:

TABLE 1. WORD STRESS

Word & translation Synonyms Your own sentences with the words from
column 1
1.
2. dependable trustworthy, reliable, Everyone respects reliable and empathetic
robust people.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Exercise 1. Task 1:
Complete these comments by interviewers using the following words and phrases:

 can-do attitude
 communication skills
 critical thinking
 determination
 integrity
 set goals
  team player
 think outside the box
1. His ideas were creative and really innovative so he can obviously ……………
2. I liked the way she worked with the other candidates so she is clearly a(n)……..
3. He has excellent…………………… The presentation was first class and he answered the questions
really clearly.
4. She used…………………….. brilliantly. I thought she evaluated the three options in the case study
carefully before deciding which one to choose.
5. She has a lot of…………………. This is the third time she’s applied for a position in Marketing so she
hasn’t stopped trying
6. I like the way she has monthly objectives for herself which shows she can…………. .
7. I don’t think he will complain about work. He seems prepared to try anything. He has a
real…………….
8. They all seemed to have…………………… . They answered the interview questions on attitudes
towards work very well.
Exercise 2. Task 2:
Choose the correct option in italics; underline and highlight them.
1. Our consultants need to be independent / confident because they often have to work alone.
2. My manager is really ambitious / passionate about customer service.
3. In an interview you need to show adaptability / confidence in your abilities.
4. After four years in the job her motivation / passion was quite low and she started to look for a new
one.
5. Our budgets are not high so we need to be very resourceful / ambitious when planning travel.
6. We get lots of different projects in our company so staff have to show
great adaptability / authenticity.
Exercise 3. Task 3:
Complete the sentences using the correct word ending.
1. Jason can deal with most people and all the managers trust him – he is very depend ………..
2. Things change so often in our industry. We have to be very flex…………….
3. Anna really enjoys working on her own from home. She shows great independ……………..
4. Henri loves his job and is really keen. It’s good to see such enthus……………...
5. My manager is always really hon……………. with me. He always tells me what he thinks.
6. Maria wants to become a manager in the next two years – she has a lot of amb………………..
Exercise 4. Task 4:
Match the beginnings of the sentences with the correct ending.

1. Why don’t you

2. How about asking

3. You should always

 4. You could do

5. You shouldn’t

6. Why not try

7. You ought

 keep your profile updated.

 contacting a recruitment agency?

 get a better photo for your online profile?

 people to endorse your profile?

 put false information on your profile.

 some online courses to improve your CV.

 to rewrite your introduction.

Exercise 5. Task 5 :

Complete the table using the problems and advice/suggestions in the box.

 How about looking for a new one?

 I've got too many online connections.
 Why don't you go travelling until then?
 You should try thinking about something completely different.
 I don't find my job very challenging.
 It takes me two hours to get to work.
 You ought to go on a course.
Problem Advice / Suggestion
My computer skills are not very good. 
 Why not try speaking to your manager?
I really don't earn enough in my present job.  ?
My new job starts in three months.  ?
 You could apply for a transfer to another branch.
 You shouldn't accept everybody.
I get so nervous before interviews. 

Exercise 6. Task 6:
Put the dialogue in the correct order (1–8). The first line has already been done for you.

1. How’s it going?
2. Why don’t you apply for a working visa for Australia or New Zealand?
3. I haven’t got enough money. Those courses are expensive.
4. I tried that but no luck. They said I need to improve my English.
5. Not too bad but I’m still looking for a job.
6. That’s a good idea. I could get a job and learn English at the same time.
7. You could go on an intensive course.
8. How about contacting a recruitment agency?

1) A: How’s it going?
B:.
2) A:
B:
3) A:
B:
4) A:
B:

READING
Exercise 7. Task 7:
a) Read the blogpost and decide if these statements are true (T), false (F) or doesn’t say (DS).
b) Write down the abbreviations (T), (F), (DS) next to the sentences.

1. You set your own goals when you’re studying and when you start working.

2.The best graduates might manage people in their first job.

3. Subject knowledge is important in sales.

4. Graduates in non-customer facing jobs need to be good at solving problems.

5. Candidates with much better online profiles usually get the jobs they apply for.

6. Graduates looking for work should consider additional studying.

FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE
Exercise 8. Task 8: Put the words in the correct order to make follow-up questions.

A: I hear you speak fluent English. Where did you learn it?

B: My parents worked in the UK. We lived in a town called Abingdon. (it / you / do / know/?)

A: Yes, I do actually. I studied near there for two years at the European School.

B: Really? Me too. (in / Abingdon / how / for / long / were / you/?)

A: Three years. From 2012 to 2014. (stay / long / how / you / did?)

B: From 2008 to 2012. My mother worked in Oxford.

A: My father worked there, too. (live / exactly / where / you / did/?)

B: We lived in a small village called Burcot. Then we moved to London.

A: That’s interesting. (there / do / what / you / did/?)

B: I went to university. Did you like England? (visit / which / you / places / did/?)

A: London, Bath and parts of Scotland.

B: (it / what / about / you / did / like/?)

A: I loved everything – the green hills, the grand buildings and all my friends!

B: Me, too. I miss it now!

Exercise 9. Task 9: Which of these answers is NOT an appropriate response? Highlight it.
1. Starting a conversation: ‘Sorry, could I just ask you a few questions about your company?’
a. Sure, go ahead.
b. Oh, really?
c. Yes, of course.
2. Showing interest: ‘After college, I went to Salamanca to study Economics.’
a. That’s interesting.
b. Uh-huh.
c. Here’s my card
3. Closing a conversation: ‘Enjoy the rest of the event.’
a. I really appreciate your time, thank you.
b. That sounds exciting.
c. It’s been nice talking to you.

Exercise 10. Task 10: Complete the conversations using the words in the box.
 appreciate
 call
 detail
 exciting
 explain
 minute
 questions

A: Can I talk to you for a…….. ?

B: Of course, how can I help?

A: Thank you for your time. I really…………………….. it.

B: Thank you, too. It was a pleasure talking to you.

A: I’ve got some great news about our sales!

B: Have you? That sounds………………….. .

A: I’d like to ask you a few…………………….. .

B: Sure. Go ahead.

A: Do you have a few minutes to……………………… your new service?

B: Absolutely.

A: We need to discuss the report in more……………. .

 B: We do. Could I give you a …………. this afternoon?

Exercise 11. Task 11: Complete the emails using the phrases in the box.

 Best wishes
 Dear
 I very much look forward to
 I was a
 I would like to introduce myself
 I'm Emily Jones and
 Please feel free
 Kind regards
 Perhaps we can meet up

A)

To: Sales consultants

From: Harry Kaufmann
Subject: Hello!

(1)……………. colleagues,
(2)………………………as the new Social Media Communications Manager. Before I joined this company, I
was working in a similar position for a German company. I have always wanted to work in Australia, so I am
delighted to have this opportunity.
(3)……………………to contact me by email or phone if you have any questions. (4)…………….meeting you
all in person over the next few weeks.
(5)………………….,

Harry Kaufmann

B)
To: Marketing team
From: Emily Jones
Subject: Morning!

Hi everyone,

(1)……………………and I want to introduce myself to you. I’ve just started work here to do maternity cover
for Sally Jackson for the next six months. I’ll be working mainly on social media projects.
(2)………………….. receptionist before, so I am really excited about the change.
(3)…………………..over lunch today. Or call me or message me if you want to meet up for coffee.

(4)……………… ,

Emily

Read the two emails again.

Which is less formal?
Harry's mailEmily's email
Exercise12. Task12:
a) Write a short email of about 80 words introducing yourself to your new classmates or colleagues.
b) Decide whether to write a formal or informal email.
• Begin and end appropriately.
• Introduce yourself.
• Say what you were doing previously.
• Offer the chance to meet people.