
University of Economics, HCMC
School of Foreign Languages for Economic Purposes Division of English for General Purposes
SAMPLE TEST – Module 3 – K45
EXAM IN ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATION (75 minutes)
Section 1: Language knowledge (40 marks)
I. Choose the best answer for each blank.
How Does a Hedge Fund Work?
The basic structure of a hedge fund is an investment or partnership pool where a fund manager invests in different securities and equities that match up ……………(1) the fund’s goals. One of the ……………(2) distinguishers about hedge funds is that they are almost always only available to “accredited investors”, who have a ……………(3) amount of capital.
In order to be considered an “accredited investor,” you must ……………(4) by one of the following: Have a personal annual income of $200,000 or more for yourself……………(5), not combined; i.e., if you are married, the combined income ……………(6) be $300,000 or more annually. In addition, you must have a personal net worth of over $1 million. This could be either yourself or combined with your ……………(7). What’s more, you must be a higher-up such as an executive, or director, etc. Also, you must be involved in the hedge fund, or have an employee benefit plan or trust fund ……………(8) at least $5 million, which must be made before investing.
Hedge funds got their name from investors in funds holding both long and short stocks, to make sure they made money ……………(9) market fluctuations (called “hedging”). But now, hedge funds have many different kinds of structures with different assets and ……………(10).
- A. for B. with C. to D. at
- A. most B. less C. biggest D. further
- A. certain B. few C. great deal D. 0
- A. obtain B. qualify C. gain D. reach
- A. first B. next C. all D. only
- A. ought B. would C. has to D. had better
- A. spouse B. sibling C. cousin D. lad
- A. maximum B. minimum C. approximate D. worth
- A. regardless B. despite C. as D. in spite
10. A. is B. be C. being D. securities
II. Choose the best answer.
1. ……….. is defined as a situation in which goods come into and out of a country without any controls or taxes.
A. Competition B. Free trade C. Dumping D. Unemployment
2. A market ………………… is the company or product that is second in market share.
A. leader B. challenger C. sector D. merger
3. The group’s legal advisers said they were taking the ………… to tackle online privacy issues.
A.freedom B. philosophy C. initiative D. emphasis
4. ……………… is a measure of how well a company controls its costs, which is calculated by dividing a company’s net income by its revenues.
A. Brand awareness B. Market research C. Market challenger D. Profit margin
5. Many people believe that ……… industries which are very important to the economy must be protected.
A. infant B. catering C. cottage D. strategic
6. They invited university faculty …………… to discuss their latest research.
A. on B. in C. out D. off
7. Countries which truly believe in free trade try to ……. their trade, that is to say, they take away barriers to trade.
A. change B. liberalise C. protect D. fight against
8. Another part of Google’s objective is to make its workplace ……….. fun.
A. feel B. feels C. feeling D. to feel
9. ……………… you ……………. the goods by Friday if we place the order on Monday?
Would / deliver B. Have / delivered C. Will / deliver D. Had / delivered
10. Chanel S.A. is a high fashion house ………….. specializes in haute couture and ready-to-wear clothes, luxury goods, and fashion accessories.
A. that B. which C. where D. Both A&B
11. The company was inefficient because it was highly …………….. .
A. hierarchical B. dynamic C. impersonal D. bureaucratic
12. We need to decide soon what marketing strategy we should ……………. for these new products.
A. pursue B. calculate C. produce D. demand
13. Product ……………….. is a marketing technique where brands or products are incorporated into films or television programs.
A. lifecycle B. range C. placement D. launch
14. The company has made strenuous attempts to improve its ……….. in recent years.
stretching B. image C. lifecycle D. segment
15. He rejected the job offer from our CEO, ……….. made everyone find it difficult to understand.
A. who B. that C. which D. Both B&C
16. I’m going to talk about our new range of shoes, which we’re selling ……….. the brand name Excel.
A. at B. for C. off D. under
17. Great emphasis is …………. on engaging employees.
A. done B. made C. placed D. taken
18. The company has been taking action to protect consumers …………….. high-pressure sales tactics.
A. for B. of C. against D. about
19. ……………. some technological innovations, we have doubled our production for the last two quarters.
A. Due to B. Thanks to C. Owing to D. All are correct.
20. Apple’s iPhone is a very successful ……………… , with models at a wide range of price points.
A. company logo B. product line C. sales team D. management style
21. If the price of petrol ……………… further, we will make a loss.
A. rises B. raises C. will rise D. will raise
22. Any staff reductions will be made on a(n) ………….. basis.
A. independent B. voluntary C. serious D. interactive
23. All businesses, regardless of type, must comply ……………. regulations and statutes, which come from all levels of government.
on B. in C. with D. at
24. We had invited three speakers, one of ……….. was unable to come.
them B. which C. whom D. who
25. Companies should get their employees …….. and motivated to do something in their own communities ………. respect to the environment.
A. inspiring – with B. inspiring – for C. inspired – with D. inspired – as
26. Skilled leadership involves not just ……….. but proactively and constructively reshaping events.
react B. reacting C. reacted D. reacts
27. These actions are ……….. to be painful.
A. like B. liked C. liking D. likely
28. He argues that management has to take such a task …………..
A. criticized B. serious C. seriously D. criticizing
29. Working on the noisy, frenetic trading desk, two bright and ambitious …………… from different worlds became close friends.
A. some twenties B. twenty-somethings C. twentieth-somethings D. something-twenties
30. C&C will start to stock laptops at each of its 100 stores, ……… its successful entry into the PC market last year.
A. followed B. following C. to follow D. follow
Section 2: Language use (60 marks)
- READING: Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow.
BRANDS THROUGH PEOPLE
What makes consumers choose one airline over another or one mortgage provider over its rival?
Our research shows that your reaction to a brand depends on your experience of buying, using or owning it and not just on advertising. The most important part of that experience is often your personal interaction with people. This is an area that most companies don’t understand or invest enough in. Take airlines. Satisfaction with cabin crew contributes more to people choosing the same airline again than other factors. Why do companies not spend more on their people when there are clear benefits? Here are two common reasons.
It’s too expensive
Many organizations know that people matter. But they don’t invest in this area because they think it is a luxury they cannot afford. And it’s true that some role models, such as the Four Seasons hotel group or Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, would be too expensive for most to copy.
But there are smart, affordable solutions that create a lot of brand value out of only a little customer interaction. First Direct earns the highest level of customer recommendation of any UK bank through just the telephone contact with its customers.
Customers at QVC, the market-leading television shopping channel, value their interaction with the station’s people – in this case not the call centre staff who take the shopping orders, so much as the relationship that viewers believe they have with QVC’s on-screen presenters.
The importance is not clear
Satisfaction surveys can hide the importance of people. For example, choosing a mortgage is often very influenced by counter staff in a bank or building society. Research with customers at the critical stage, where they have received a quote but not yet signed a document, shows that their interaction with the mortgage provider’s representative is the biggest single influence on their choice.
It is bigger than perceptions of the products and fees, which are often the subject of the brand’s advertising and communications. Yet in the same research conducted after the loan is given, customers may have forgotten the good customer service they received and may focus more on general brand impressions. If you conduct your research at that point – and this is often the case – the very important role that your staff have played will not be clear.
Financial Times
Choose the best answer.
1.Which of the following statements is FALSE?
A. Advertising is by far the most important way of supporting a brand’s image.
B. Companies often don’t invest enough in counter staff.
C. Customers may become loyal to an airline if they like the cabin crew.
D. Four Seasons and Virgin Atlantic have invested a lot in their people to build brand value.
2. What does brand advertising and communication often focus on?
A. customer satisfaction C. staff
B. products and fees D. their staff
3. Mortgage customers’ experience with staff is ________ influence on their decision to buy.
A. not considered a big B. almost never an
C. the most important D all are correct
What does each of the following underlined words/phrases refer to?
- “….value their interaction with the station’s people ….”(paragraph 4)
- “……where they have received a quote.. .” (paragraph 5)
Which words in the passage mean the following?
- something that happens to you that affects how you feel
- reasonably priced
- the pleasure of having everything you need or want
Fill in each blank with ONE suitable word from the passage. Put it in its correct form or tense if necessary.
- There are two common reasons why companies don’t invest enough in their personal ________with customers.
- They took out a £400,000 ____________ to buy the house.
II. Writing: Marketing report – Findings
You work in Marketing Department of Spring Balm. In the last three months, the launch of your company’s new products has not been successful. You are asked to conduct a market survey to find out what the reasons are.
After collecting data, you have to write a marketing report to submit to the management so that they can make right decisions for a new marketing campaign. One of the most important parts of your report is Findings, which are based on the following factors:
Sample size in the survey | over 500 interviews / consumers. |
Product | 1/5 of the consumers / try our new products |
Price | almost 90%/ our products / overprice / well-established brands. |
Promotion | the name Spring Balm / still mean nothing to most consumers. |
Place | many of those / heard about the Spring Balm collection / complain |
And here are the Findings that you need to complete. (20 marks)
The aim of this report is to determine the reasons for the failure of the launch of our new range of Spring Balm toiletries. (1) __________________________________________________________________. (4 marks) I shall begin with my findings about the products themselves. About (2) ________________________ (4 marks) said they were dissatisfied with the taste of the Spring Balm toothpaste. Also, 47 people complained of skin irritation after using our deodorant spray. Secondly, as regards the price, (3) ______________________________________________________. (4 marks) Thirdly, with regard to promotion and place, (4) ___________________________________________. (4 marks) |
On the other hand, (5) _______________________________________________________________ (4 marks) they cannot find our product anywhere. |
II. WRITING: Marketing report – Recommendations
You work in Marketing Department of Spring Balm. In the last three months, the launch of your company’s new products has not been successful. You are asked to conduct a market survey to find out what the reasons are.
After collecting data, you have to write a marketing report to submit to the management so that they can make right decisions for a new marketing campaign. One of the most important parts of your report is Recommendations, which are based on the following factors:
Product | the deodorant spray / temporarily withdraw |
our laboratory / develop a new flavor for the toothpaste | |
Price | look carefully/ our competitors’ policy |
Promotion | advertise more on TV / possibly the Internet |
Place | ensure / the Spring Balm collection / be available |
And here are the Recommendations you need to complete. (20 marks)
On the basis of the above findings, I would like to make the following recommendations. Regarding product, (1) _____________________________________________________________ (4 marks) and submitted to laboratory tests without delay. In addition, (2) ______________________________ (4 marks) With regard to price, (3) ___________________________________________________________ (4 marks) and make sure that our price is right because our products are targeted at consumers with medium income. As for promotion, (4) ________________________________________________________________(4 marks) in order to draw more attention from massive potential consumers. Finally, as regards place, (5) _________________________________________________________(4 marks) not only from a wider range of supermarkets, but also from more convenient retail outlets and other stores near residential areas. |
III. Listening:
AUDIO: https://tinyurl.com/tbp5vrcs
PART ONE: Listen to the following talks twice and choose the appropriate answer to each question.
Questions 1-3:
- Who is Michael Rennie?
(A) Mayor of a city (C) A factory manager
(B) President of a company (D) A news reporter
- What is Exeter Electronics going to do?
(A) Open a factory (C) Start a new product line
(B) Move their offices (D) Elect a new president
- What is expected from the new factory?
(A) It will open in April 2006. (C) Construction will begin in August.
(B) It will provide 2,000 jobs. (D) It will pump a lot of money into the local economy.
Questions 4-5:
- What is this announcement about?
(A) Parking (C) A meeting
(B) Working overtime (D) Vacation
- Where will the employees meet?
(A) In the Central Administration building (C) In the meeting hall
(B) In the cafeteria (D) In the coffee shop
PART TWO:
An expert at Hays company recommends important things to prepare for a job interview.
Listen and take notes (ONE WORD for each blank).
You will listen twice.
✔ The (6) _________________ to be successful in a job interview is _________________ ✔ A Hays consultant instructs jobseekers how to pass that interview and how to (7)__________ their __________ ✔ First, Hays recommends jobseekers to take care of (8) ______________ _______________ ✔ More importantly, job-hunters should do (9) __________ on the ___________ before going to the job interview. ✔ And it is vital to look at the responsibilities within a vacancy and match them to your (10) _______________ ______________ |
——The end——
TEST KEY BELOW.
KEY – SAMPLE TEST. M3 – K45
SECTION 1 (40 M)
I.
- B 2. C 3. A 4. B 5. D 6. C 7. A 8. D 9. B 10. D
II.
11. B 12. B 13. C 14. D 15. D 16. B 17. B 18. A 19. C 20. D 21. D 22. A 23. C 24. B 25. C 26. D 27. C 28. C 29. D 30. B 31. A 32. B 33. C 34. C 35. C 36. B 37. D 38. C 39. B 40. B
SECTION 2 (60 M)
Reading
- A. Advertising …
- B. product and fees
- C. the most important
- (of) customers at QVC
- customers
- experience
- affordable
- satisfaction
- contact
Writing: Suggested answer – Marketing report: Findings
The aim of this report is to determine the reasons for the failure of the launch of our new range of Spring Balm toiletries. It is based on information gathered from over 500 interviews with consumers. (4 marks) I shall begin with my findings about the products themselves. About one-fifth of the consumers who have tried our new products (4 marks) said they were dissatisfied with the taste of the Spring Balm toothpaste. Also, 47 people complained of skin irritation after using our deodorant spray. Secondly, as regards the price, almost 90% remarked that our products are overpriced in comparison with well-established brands. (4 marks) Thirdly, with regard to promotion and place, it is clear that the name Spring Balm still means nothing to most consumers. (4 marks) On the other hand, many of those who have heard about the Spring Balm collection complain that (4 marks) they cannot find our product anywhere. |
Writing: Suggested answer – Marketing report: Recommendations
On the basis of the above findings, I would like to make the following recommendations. Regarding product, I recommend that the deodorant spray should be temporarily withdrawn (4 marks) and submitted to laboratory tests without delay. In addition, our laboratory should develop a new flavor for the toothpaste (4 marks) like green tea, mint, or bamboo salt. With regard to price, we should look carefully at our competitors’ policy (4 marks) and make sure that our price is right because our products are targeted at consumers with medium income. As for promotion, I suggest that we should advertise more on TV and possibly the Internet (4 marks) in order to draw more attention from massive potential consumers. Finally, as regards place, it is advisable to ensure that the Spring Balm collection is available (4 marks) not only from a wider range of supermarkets but also from more convenient retail outlets and other stores near residential areas. |
III. Listening
PART 1
- B
- A
- D
- C
- A
PART 2
- key/preparation
- present/CV
- their appearance
- research/ employer (or company) 5. previous experience
AUDIO SCRIPTS
And now on to the Austin business report. There was more good news today for the local economy. The president of Exeter Electronics, Michael Rennie, and the mayor of Austin, Jeffrey Jones, announced today that Exeter Electronics will open its largest factory outside of the Silicon Valley right here in Austin. The new factory is expected to provide 1200 jobs for local residents and pump several million dollars a year into the local economy. Construction is expected to begin by the end of April, with the factory projected to open in August 2007.
Q4-5:
Attention, please. The management would like to notify you that all Lucky Diamond employees are required to attend a brief meeting this Thursday morning at a quarter past 9:00 in the Central Administration Building, Room 3C. The meeting is expected to last around half an hour. New regulations about parking, working hours, overtime rates, and vacation will be discussed. We apologize for giving you so little advance notice; however, attendance is required of all employees. Please be there on time. I repeat, there will be a meeting for all employees at a quarter past nine this Thursday, February 28th. Those employees unable to attend must inform their section chief before Wednesday. Thank you for your attention.
PART 2:
Is there any particular preparation you recommend before a job interview?
Preparation is absolutely key for any job interview. Your Hays consultant can assist you prior to that in getting that interview and presenting your CV, but ultimately, at the end of the day, during that meeting with an employer, it’s really down to you. We advise all of our prospective jobseekers to certainly look at their appearance. You need to look your best for an interview. The other aspect of preparation which is absolutely key is to research your employer. Most organizations have websites, so we always recommend that people conduct a lot of research into that company’s website anything that’s going on any press clippings, any information that you can use to prove to the employer that you have actually made an effort to research them before attending the interview. From the point of view of the actual vacancy, we would always recommend that you look at the duties within that vacancy and have a think about where in your previous experience you might be able to demonstrate your ability to do that job.