Reading Comprehension 1

Email and letters

Dear Shareholder
Please find enclosed the agenda for the annual general meeting. We wish to take this time to remind
shareholders that your attendance and input at the meeting is vital. We value your opinions and
encourage your participation. As a shareholder, you are eligible to vote on several key issues such as
important transactions and shareholder stock options. For your benefit, please make yourself
available for this important meeting.
If you require further information, please not hesitate to contact me.
Yours truly,
JM Smythe
What to look for ?

Who will attend this meeting ? -- shareholders of the company

What will happen at the meeting ? – voting on key issues

What is the purpose at this email ? – to encourage attendance at the meeting

Back to school Savings 1

It’s our annual ‘ Back to School” event ! Buy your kids a new 14’ laptop with all the memory they will
need for only $699. That is a savings of $ 300! We have laser printers to go with that laptop starting
at just $59.99!
And to make sure they always keep in touch all smartphones are 25% off! Come on in today and stock
up on all the good stuff! Hurry because the sale ends this weekend two days before the ids have to
head back to school !
What to look for
why is the sale going on ? – because children will be back at school soon

What is the lowest price for a laser printer ? -- $59.99

When do schools in the area start ? – next week

Memo
To : Linda, James, Keiko, Fernanda, and Marc
From : Sonia

Please note that I will be away for two weeks starting next Monday as I will be at the Graphic
Designers Association Convention for the first four days and then on vacation for the rest. If you have
any questions or concerns about our current projects during my absence Jacob will be taking over for
me so please direct all questions to him. If it is an URGENT matter, you can still contact me by
voicemail or email. I will be checking messages daily during the convention and every other day after
that. Have a great couple of weeks, and I will see you all when I get back
Sonia
What to look for

Why will Sonia be away ?

Who will take over for her ?

What should you do if it is an emergency ?

The article and reports

The number of American at risk of losing their homes is rising reflecting the US economy’s continued
struggles.
In a normal market around 11% of homeowners are late in making payments or miss payments
completely. Analysts say the current increase is mainly due to high unemployment. Even in a stable
economy it is often a struggle to keep up with debts and monthly payments for many families the
highest monthly bill is their mortgage payment so they may find that the hardest to pay. Normally
homeowners could refinance debts in an attempt to lower monthly payments. However , someone
who has recently become unemployed will not be eligible and may, therefore, be unable to pay at all.
What to look for

What is increasing ?

Why are people unable to make mortgage payments ?

What is the biggest monthly bill for most people ?

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest building in the world, standing at 828 meters and over 160
stories. It is also the tallest freestanding structure and holds the records for highest number of stories
and the highest outdoor observation deck in the world. The tower consists of 37 floors of office space
over 1,000 luxury residences a world-class hotel that can serve up to 160 quests, a – star fine dining
restaurant on the 122nd floor, and the spectacular outdoor observation deck on level 124. Accessed by
an elevator that travelrs 10 meters per second , the deck provides breath – taking views of Dubai. The
Burj Khalifa took only six years to builid and had its grand opening in January of 2010. The Burj Khalifa
is surrounded by 11 hectares of greenery and water such as a forest grove, a lake , and water terrace.
The grounds are irrigated using water collected through a special system which collects condensation
from the air-conditioning system. The Burj Khalifa is both beautiful ad environmentally friendly.
What to look for

How many records does the building hold ?

What is inside the tower ?

How long did it take to build the tower ?

Chi –chi Boutique

3055 elm Street
Toronto ON
(416 ) 555-2121
www.chichiboutique.ca

September 3rd 11.23.51

Cashier : Claire store : 024
Register : 002
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10” Silver Chain ( (9076) 1@39.99 $39.99
Amethyst Bracelet ( 34430) 1 @ 125.99
 Promotion 25% discount $94.50
Amethyst Earings ( 234431) 1 @ 95.99
Promotion 50% discount $47.99
Sub total $182.48
Tax @ 12% $21.89
Total $ 204.37
Amount tendered $ 204.37
Change $0

Credit card
Account #xxx-xxx-xxx8910
Name : Mr. Carl Wright
Authorization #1422A
Expiry Date 14/12
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
THANK YOU
COME AGAIN

What to look for

What kind of store is this from ?

How much was the discount for the bracelet ?

How did the man pay ?

Big Crate Shipping

Tel : 1 – 799-745-555

Fax ; 221-745-777

Dear Mr. Singh,

Please find enclosed an invoice for your order of May 16th. We regret the delay in your shipment. Our
Cargo was held up by Customs for much longer than expected, so our international shipments were
delayed beyond our control. As such, we have couriered your shipment to you at no extra cost and hope
that our delays have not caused you too much inconvenience. As further compensation, we are offering
you a 10% discount on your next order of $1,500 or more. Once again, we apologize for the delay and
hope to do business with you again in the very near future.

Sincerely,

Gordon Smithson
1. What is the purpose of this letter ?
a. To notify Mr. Singh of a future shipment.
b. To apologize for a delay in processing
c. To explain the extra costs for shipping
d. To remind Mr. Singh to pay his bill.
2. How is the company compensating Mr. Singh ?
a. By shipping his cargo internationally
b. By paying for duties at customs
c. By doing business with him again
d. By expecting his shipment for free.
Dear Mrs. Schneider,
I am writing to ask about the 2 – bedroom apartment for rent that I saw in the
newspaper last weekend. I was wondering how many square feet the apartment is and
whether or not utilities are included in the rent. If not, how much extra would it be? You
also mentioned in the ad that it is partially furnished. Could you please tell me what
furniture there is ? the last thing I was wondering about was the location. You stated that
it is on the outskirts of town, but I want to be clear on how remote it is. Is it close to
public transportation? I don’t mind living outside the city, but I do not have a car, so I will
need to take the bus in to town for work.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Tamara
3. Why is Tamara writing ?
a. To find furniture for her house
b. To inquire about a place for rent
c. To mention the advertisement
d. To locate an apartment
4. Where is the apartment located ?
a. Close to downtown
b. Near a bus stop
c. Outside of town
d. In the next town
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I am writing to update you on your account balances:
My life savings : $ 321.22 ( in credit)
Quick access checking : -$ 332.98 ( overdrawn )
You wrote a check on August 22nd for $250. This exceeded the money in your account.
You have been charged a fee of $75 for this transaction. In addition, a daily interest rate
of 10,5% is being applied to the overdrawn sum.
I recommend that you sign up for our overdraft protection program. For a $3 monthly
fee, all future fees will be waived. Please visit your local branch, or call to make an
appointment to discuss this and other options.

Your sincerely,
 Meagan Ford
Branch Manager
5. What is the problem with Mr. Thompson’s checking account ?
a. He withdrew too much money from it
b. He has been charged too much for it
c. He was charged too many fees
d. He needs to take money out of it
6. Why is Mr. Thompson paying interest ?
a. He has saving for a house
b. He has a car loan
c. He is paying by check
d. He owes money to the bank
7. What does Ms. Ford suggest ?
a. Signing up for a special program
b. Closing his checking account
c. Depositing more money right away
d. Opening another checking account

To : Jay Thomas< Jaythoms@snacko.com >

From : Mitchel Smith < Msmith@adastyle.com>
Subject : video idea
Date : September 24th
Dear Jay,
Our team has come up with what we think is a great proposal for your new advertising campaign.
Three weeks before your new product is released, we would like to make and release an ‘amateur’
video on www.myvideo.com. We have a very clever idea, and we are sure that it will go viral. With
the free publicity from the video, the actual product launch and advertising campaign should take off
without too much trouble since everyone will have already heard of the product. Let me know what
your board says.
Regards,
Mitchell

To : Mitchel Smith < MSmith@dstyle.com >

From : Jay Thomas (jaythomas@snacko.com>
Subject : video idea feed back
Date : September 25th

Dear Mitchell,
I have talked to my board of directors, and they are a little apprehensive about the idea of spending
money on a video that you cannot guarantee will go viral. I have tried to convince them to go for your
idea, but they very conservative and would prefer to go the traditional route with just the original
advertising campaign we have discussed. I am sorry to disappoint you. I, personally, really liked the
idea. Maybe next time !
Thanks
Jay
8. What is being proposed ?
a. A website for a new product
b. A campaign to make a team
c. A clever new video product
d. A marketing campaign idea
9. What does Mithcell hope to accomplish with his idea?
a. To introduce his company
b. To launch a product
c. To describe a company
d. To cut advertising costs
10. Why was Mitchell’s idea rejected ?
a. It was too cheap
b. It was unhealthy
c. It needed further development
d. It was considered too modern
11. Who made the decision ?
a. Jay
b. Mitchell
c. The board of directors
d. Jay and Mitchell
12. What will likely happen ?
a. The video will not be made by Mithcell
b. The company will spend less money on advertisements
c. The men will make another product video
d. The company will not launch the product