University of Economics, HCMC

School of Foreign Languages for Economic Purposes End of Unit Test.U6.M3

Division of English for General Purposes

EXAM IN ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATION (75 minutes)

Section 1: Language knowledge (40 marks)

I. Choose the best answer for each blank.
The best start-up ideas are often the simplest, but entrepreneurs often need to experiment (1)
…………….. business models as their ventures grow. Christian Rucker, founder of The White Company,
(2) …………….. made pre-tax profits of £2.2m the year before last, is a classic example.
While working (3) …………….. an editor at fashion magazine Harper’s, Ms. Rucker spotted a gap in the
market for stylish white bed linen and accessories priced midway between designer labels and
mass-market lines. After finding £20,000 from a local government grant and shares (4) …………….. from
her grandmother, she launched her business in 1994, initially through mail order. Last year, The White
Company (5) …………….. sales of £49.5m, up by almost £10m on the previous year.
‘Offering choice is part of great customer service,’ says Ms. Rucker, (6) …………….. company owns 14
shops, plus space in department stores and franchises in Dubai. “One channel feeds another. Someone
might see something in a store then (7) ……….. an order online. (8) …………….. will spend more
because you are making it easy for them.’
Ms. Rucker, who aims for sales of £110m by 2011, believes the (9) …………….. is to improve quality.
There comes a point (10) …………….. it’s easy to drop the quality a little and take a higher profit margin.

1. A. for B. to C. with D. about

2. A. who B. whom C. which D. that
3. A. as B. for C. in D. with
4. A. inherit B. inherited C. inheriting D. to inherit
5. A. made B. did C. created D. gave
6. A. who B. which C. whom D. whose
7. A. put B. place C. send D. make
8. A. Entrepreneurs B. Customers C. Suppliers D. Editors
9. A. status B. solution C. offer D.
problem
10. A. which B. when C. where D. that

II. Choose the best answer.

11. ……………… is when a person or organization is unable to pay their debts.
A. Bankruptcy B. Annual Turnover C. Pre-Tax Profits D. A Dividend
12. ……………… is the amount of money which a business obtains (in a year) from customers by selling goods
or services.
A. Turnover B. Sales C. Annual Turnover D. Sale
13. ……………… are the money a business makes before payment to the government.
A. Profits B. Pre-Tax Profits C. Profit D. Return

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14. A part of a company’s profits paid to the owners of shares is ……………… .
A. a dividend B. pre-tax profits C. annual turnover D. sales
15. The difference between the price of the product or service and the cost of producing it is
………………
A. profit margin B. profits C. a dividend D. turnover
16. Money which people or organizations put into a business to make a profit is………………
A. equity stake B. debt C. asset D. interest
17. There was a further downturn in the economy this month as the ………………continues.
A. recovery B. recession C. upturn D. growth
18. There is heavy trading on the ………………, with big losses in the share values.
A. market B. market share C. market segment D. stock market
19. The ……………… for the near future is not good, as market confidence remains low.
A. forecast B. stock market C. shares D. equity stake
20. The hotel is seeking new investment to avoid ………………. . It currently has a debt of $ 5 billion.
A. bankruptcy B. debt C. recession D. downturn
21. There was a ……… imposed on the volume of goods we were able to ship as the tax situation was a
burdensome.
A. limitation B. limit C. limited D. unlimited
22. The CEO gives a brief …………… of the present economic situation that influenced the company
performance.
A. analyze B. analysis C. analyzing D. analyzed
23. The Board of Directors was ……………… at the candidate’s knowledge of South American
cultures.
A. amazing B. amazed C. amaze D. to amaze
24. It is not easy managing ……………… of any size for the high –powered trading machine.
A. investors B. investments C. investing D. to invest
25. The former head of equity trading has enormous respect for Prior’s …………….
A. determined B. determine C. determination D. determinations
26. Turnover at Stormgard increased almost 14 percent last year, with demand ………… insulation
products rising.
A. for B. about C. of D. in
27. The sales of Dupont have gone up ……………… $19.6 billion……………… $27.4 billion.
A. between / and B. from / to C. up / to D. A & B
28. The graph represents a decrease ……………… 16.4% from the first quarter.
A. of B. by C. at D. to
29. The average retail gasoline price stood ……………… $4.11 a gallon yesterday.
A. of B. by C. at D.to
30. Sales rose ……………… 20% over the holiday period.
A. of B. by C. at D. to
31. The figures ……………… to a gloomy picture for a Japanese growth.
A. paint B. put C. point D. pin
32. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, orders from Brazil have……………… off.
A. levelled B. taken C. got D. shut
33. If the price of petrol ……………… further, we will make a loss.
A. rises B. raises C. will rise D. will raise

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34. If the machinery had not been replaced by the robots, the unemployment ……………… .
A. would not have increased C. could not have increased
B. might not have increased D. All are correct.
35. If our market share ………………, we would invest in the new product.
A. felt B. falled C. has fallen D. fell
36. 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
37. ……………… the physical limitations, he is thriving on the trading desk winning the admiration of
colleagues.
A. Despite B. In spite of C. Despite the fact that D. A & B
38. Gary Williams, the former head of European equity trading ……………… hired Prior 8 years ago,
has enormous respect for his determination.
A. who B. that C. whose D. ,who
39​.​ Since joining Goldman, Prior has risen from performing basic research analysis to …………….. a
$50m group of European equities and derivatives.
A. running B. run C. making D. make
40​.​ Prior joined Goldman just four days after he graduated ……………… university.
A. from B. at C. in D. out of

Section 2: Language use (60 marks)

I. Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow.
Wal-Mart profits reach $13bn
​by Jonathan Birchall
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, beat expectations after its US discount stores accounted for about
50 per cent of all US retail growth last year - while ​its full-year global sales passed $400bn (€318bn) for
the first time and profits hit $13.4bn.
Mike Duke, Chief Executive, said the fourth quarter and full-year results showed that Wal-Mart had
gained 'momentum' during the year in all of its markets, in spite of the tough economic environment. 'We
are doing all the right things to continue our momentum and to widen the gap between the competition
and us. We finished January strong, and February is off to a good start.'
The results again underlined the retailer's ability to generate cash in a recession and to use the money to
invest in its business at a time when most of its rivals are cutting back. Wal-Mart has been able to make
acquisitions, concluding a $2.6bn deal in January for a controlling share of D&S, the largest retailer in
Chile.
It is continuing to invest in its stores with a big remodelling programme, called Project Impact, now
underway in the US. With this programme, Wal-Mart expects to significantly boost the sales per square
foot of its more than 3,000 supercentres and discount stores.
Total net sales at Wal-Mart USA rose 6 per cent on the last quarter to $71.5bn, although higher than
expected expenses, including healthcare costs, led to its operating income growing more slowly than
sales, up 2.2 per cent to $5.4bn.
Internationally, the strong dollar weighed on earnings, with the value of sales down 8.4 per cent from the
last quarter to $24.7bn and operating income down 14.3 per cent at $1.5bn. At constant currencies,
international operating income would have been up 5.1 per cent and net sales up 9 per cent.

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The retailer highlighted the performance of its Asda stores in the UK, ​which gained market share
with increased customer traffic and average purchases made.
In Japan, Wal-Mart reported that comparable sales at its Seiyu stores fell 0.5 per cent from the last
quarter, but were positive in November and December.

Choose the best answer.

1. In its latest financial year, Wal-Mart .............................................................
A.​ performed worse than had been expected.
B.​ was responsible for half the growth of all US retailers.
C.​ had profits of less than $10 billion.
D.​ had good sales in January, but less good in February.
2. In the last three months of its financial year, there was (a) an ……………………………………
A.​ 8.4 per cent decline in international sales in dollar terms.
B.​ 2.2 per cent increase in international sales in dollar terms.
C.​ 6 per cent rise in international sales in dollar terms.
D.​ 0.5 per cent falls in international sales in dollar terms.
3. Sales at Seiyu stores ……………………………………………………………………………
A.​ rose 6 per cent on the last quarter to $71.5bn
B.​ went down 0.5 per cent compared to last year, but were high in November and December.
C. decreased 0.5 per cent in relation to the previous quarter, but were higher in November and
December.
D.​ fell 0.5 per cent on the same quarter last year, but were positive in November and December.
What does each of the following underlined words / phrases refer to?
4.​ ………while ​its​ full-year global sales passed $400bn (€318bn) for the first time …… (paragraph 1)
5​. …the performance of its Asda stores in the UK, ​which​ gained market share … (paragraph 7)
Which words in the passage mean the following?
6.​ ……………… = increase a difference in performance
7.​ ……………… = the act of buying a company, piece of land, etc.
8​. ​……………… = the total value of goods and services sold, minus expenses such as transport, returned
goods, etc.

Fill in each blank with ONE suitable word from the passage. Put it in its correct form or tense.
9.​ Around 80% of our sales are …………………. by 30 stores.
10.​ Inflation is now at a rate …………………. with that in other European countries.
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
see what is happening to the current marketing campaign. One of the most important parts of your
​ nd here is what you need to complete. ​(20 marks)
report is ​Findings. A

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The aim of this report is to ​________________________(1) for the failure of the launch of our new
range of ​Spring Balm toiletries. ​________________________(2) from over 500 interviews with
consumers.

I shall begin with my findings about the products themselves. About one fifth of the consumers who
have tried ​________________________(3) said they were dissatisfied with the taste of the ​Spring
Balm toothpaste. ​_____________________(4), 47 people ​____________________(5) skin irritation
after using our deodorant spray.

________________________(6), as regards the price, almost 90% ​________________________(7)

our products are overpriced ​________________________(8)​ well-established brands.

Thirdly, with regard to promotion and place, ​________________________(9)​ the name ​Spring Balm
still means nothing to most consumers.

On the other hand, many of those who have heard about the ​Spring Balm​ collection
______________________(10)​ they cannot find our product anywhere.

III. Listening:

PART 1: Listen and choose the best answer to each question.

1. What announcement is being made?

A. Old machines will be replaced. B. A renowned photographer has been invited.
C. New printers will be installed next week. D. Financial statements have been released.

2. What are the listeners told to do?

A. Read an e-mail. C. Print some documents.
B. Order some supplies. D. Use the new models manually.

3. What is the purpose of the talk?

A. To explain some new policies C. To discuss a new show
B. To analyze market trends D. To greet a speaker

4. What is Mr. Banner well-known for?

A. Writing a best-selling book C. Winning a prestigious award
B. Hosting a talk show D. Founding a TV station

5. What is the topic of Mr. Banner's talk?

A. His new line of products C. His principles of leadership
B. His personal investment strategy D. His advice for future business people
PART 2: Listen and complete notes.
+ Government officials of Trent City: a proposal for using the $1.4 million surplus in the (6) ………………
……………… (building nearly 100 more miles of hiking paths)

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+ Supporters: ​ ​attract more tourists & help Trent City (7) ……………… its ……………… for
natural beauty. + Those against ​ ​actually reduce (8) ……………… ……………… (long-term
construction could discourage visitors from vacationing in the area).
+ Mayor Wendy Duncan: the (9) ……………… ……………… for this Friday's city council meeting: too
soon ​ ​ pushing back to the April 14 meeting, (10) ……………… ……………… to look into the matter
further.

The end

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 KEYS - EOU TEST.U6.M3

Section 1 (40 m)
I.
1. C
=> experiment with sth means literally, to use something as a component in research or tests, nghĩa là
thử nghiệm với
2. C
=> which: relative clause, dùng để cung cấp thêm thông tin về danh từ đứng trước đó “The White
Company”
3. A
=> as: với vai trò là
4. B
=> ​inherited from​: thừa kế từ
5. A
=> make sales is the act of selling sth
6. D
=> whose: relative clause, nói về sự sở hữu của danh từ đứng trước đó “Ms. Rucker”
7. B
=> place an order means to submit an order
8. B
=> customers: khách hàng
9. B
=> solution: giải pháp
10. B
=> when: trước đó có từ point → chỉ thời gian → dùng when
II.
11. A
=> Bankruptcy: phá sản (khi 1 người hay 1 doanh nghiệp không thể trả hết nợ)
12. C
=> Annual Turnover: doanh thu hàng năm
13. B
=> Pre-Tax profits: lợi nhuận trước khi tính thuế
14. A
=> a dividend: cổ tức

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15. A
=> profit margin: biên lợi nhuận
16. C
=> asset: tài sản
17. B
=> recession: suy thoái vì phía trước có từ “downturn” mang nghĩa là đi xuống
18. D
=> stock market: thị trường chứng khoán
19. A
=> forecast: dự báo vì phía sau có “for the near future”
20. A
=> bankruptcy: phá sản, vì câu sau có ghi là đã nợ 5 triệu đô
21. A
=> limitation: sau “a” cần 1 danh từ, nghĩa: sự giới hạn
22. B
=> analysis: sau a brief cần 1 danh từ, nghĩa: sự phân tích
23. B
=> amazed at: ngạc nhiên về, sau “was” cần 1 tính từ mà “The Board of Directors” là nhóm người →
dùng amazed
24. B
=> investments: sự đầu tư, cấu trúc It + be + Adj + doing sth → sau managing cần sanh từ →
investments
25. C
=> determination: sự quyết tâm, sau tính từ sở hữu cần 1 danh từ, determination là danh từ không
đếm được nên không có “s”
26. A
=> demand for là đòi hỏi, yêu cầu về 1 thứ gì đó
27. B
=> gone up from...to…: tăng từ 1 số lên 1 số, from-to là 1 cặp thường đi với nhau
28. A
=> khi decrease là danh từ thì giới từ theo sau nó phải là of, có nghĩa là giảm xuống bao nhiêu
29. C
=> at: “the...gasoline price stood at $4.11” nghĩa là giá xăng dầu đứng lại ở $4.11

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 30. B

=>khi rise là động từ thì theo sau đó sẽ là by/to, rise by là tăng thêm bao nhiêu, rise to là tăng lên đến
bao nhiêu. Trong trường hợp này nói về doanh số tăng nên sẽ dùng rise by nghĩa là tăng thêm 20%
31. A
=> paint a picture (of something): mô tả hoặc hiển thị một cái gì đó theo một cách cụ thể
32. A
=> level off: ngừng tăng hoặc giảm/ ở yên tại một mức
33. A
=> raise là một ngoại động từ, thì phải có một tân ngữ. Còn rise (nội động từ) thì không cần có tân
ngữ; câu điều kiện loại 1: If + S + V(s/es), S + will/can/shall + V(nguyên mẫu)
34. D
=> Câu điều kiện loại 3: If + S + had + V3, S + would/could/might + have + V3
35. D
=> Câu điều kiện loại 2: If + S + V(quá khứ), S + would/could/might + V(nguyên mẫu)
36. B
=> twenty-something: một người từ 20 đến 29 tuổi
37. D
=> despite và in spite of đứng trước một danh từ, đại từ (this, that, what…) hoặc V-ing để chỉ sự
tương phản
38. D
=> Dấu phẩy hay dấu ngoặc đơn luôn luôn được sử dụng để ngăn cách mệnh đề quan hệ không xác
định với các phần khác của câu; chủ ngữ chỉ người dùng who
39. A
=> run something: quản lý, điều hành thứ gì đó
40. A
=> graduate from: tốt nghiệp từ trường nào đó

Section 2 (60 m)
I. Reading
1. B
=> line 1 & 2: “accounted for about 50 per
cent of all US retail growth last year” 2. A

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 => line 17 & 18: “Internationally, the strong => line 1
dollar weighed on earnings, with the value 5. (its) Asda stores (in the UK)
of sales down 8.4 per cent from the last => line 20
quarter”
6. widen the gap
=> line 6
7. acquisition
3. C => line 9
=> line 22 & 23: “fell 0.5 per cent from the 8. net sales
last quarter, but were positive in November => line 14
and December.” 9. generated
4. Wal-Mart’s / of Wal-Mart 10. comparable

II. Writing:​ Suggested answer

The aim of this report is to ​determine the reasons ​(2marks) ​for the failure of the launch of our new
range of ​Spring Balm toiletries. ​It is based on information gathered ​(2marks) ​from over 500
interviews with consumers.

I shall begin with my findings about the products themselves. About one fifth of the consumers who
have tried ​our new products ​(2marks) ​said they were dissatisfied with the taste of the ​Spring Balm
toothpaste. ​Also ​(2marks)​, 47 people ​complained of ​(2marks) ​skin irritation after using our
deodorant spray.

Secondly ​(2marks)​, as regards the price, almost 90% ​remarked that ​(2marks) ​our products are
overpriced ​in comparison with​ ​(2marks)​ ​well-established brands.

Thirdly, with regard to promotion and place, ​it is clear that​ ​(2marks) ​the name ​Spring Balm​ still
means nothing to most consumers.

On the other hand, many of those who have heard about the ​Spring Balm collection ​complain that
(2marks)​ ​they cannot find our product anywhere.

III. Listening
PART 1: PART 2:
1. A 6. city budget
2. A 7. establish ... reputation
3. D 8. tourism spending
4. B 9. vote scheduled
5. B 10. allowing members

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SCRIPTS:
PART 1:

Questions 1 to 2 refer to the following talk.

Welcome to the monthly staff meeting. We'll start with some good news - the financial department has
finally given the green light to buy some new photocopiers. From what we've heard, they'll be installed
next week. This decision comes after months of complaints that the old copiers were terribly noisy, which
created a bad working environment. Hopefully, with the new copiers in place, it will be easier for us all to
concentrate. However, the new models operate differently from the old ones, so be sure to check the
operating manual. I've sent a copy of it to your e-mail accounts.

Questions 3 to 5 refer to the following talk.

It's an honor for me to introduce tonight's guest, Mr. Isaac Banner, a founder of the prestigious
investment company Kilburn and Banner. For five straight years, Mr. Banner's company has achieved
incredible average returns. You might also recognize him from CNT's weekly finance show Money Talks,
where he leads a panel of experts. In a few moments, Mr. Banner will introduce the principles of his
famous "real value" investment strategy, which has brought him much success. Please give him a warm
welcome.

PART 2:

And in local news, government officials of Trent City announced today a proposal for using the $1.4
million surplus in the city budget. The funds would go toward building nearly one hundred more miles of
hiking paths in Pearl Mountain Park. Supporters believe this could attract more tourists and help Trent
City establish its reputation for natural beauty. However, those against the measure say it could actually
reduce tourism spending, as long- term construction throughout the park could discourage visitors from
vacationing in the area. Mayor Wendy Duncan said that the vote scheduled for this Friday's city council
meeting is too soon. She suggested pushing it back to the April 14 meeting, allowing members to look
into the matter further.

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