Ex. 3 → What do you know about the following?

x Chernobyl
x The Union Carbide Company
x The Exxon Valdez
x The Shell Brent Spar oil platform
x The Kyoto Agreement

Ex. 4 → Work with a partner.

List the ways in which business harms the environment and discuss what
measures can be taken to help.

TEXT OF THE UNIT

Ex. 5 → Match each word with its correct definition.

1. track record a. находящийся в противоречии с чем-л.

2. antiquated adj b. разрушать, уничтожать, вредить
3. to crumble c. всемогущий, влиятельный
4. liability d. устаревший
5. diminish e. разваливаться, рушиться
6. to wreck sth f. долг, долговые обязательства,
ответственность
7. mighty g. репутация
8. antagonistic to sb/sth h. уменьшаться; убавляться; слабеть

Ex. 6 → Listen to the recording “Managing the Planet” again and

complete the gaps with the numbers you hear.

MANAGING THE PLANET

Nowadays, most of us are more or less aware of environmental issues. How

many of us conscientiously deposit our empty bottles at the bottle bank, save
electricity by switching off lights, or make a big thing of using recycled paper – all
in the belief that we are ‘doing our bit’ for the environment? But what impression
are we actually making on the environment by doing so?

Tragically, the answer is almost none. For even if every household in the
world recycled everything it used, solid waste would be reduced by a mere ……
per cent. In global terms, that would make absolutely no difference whatsoever,


because the real problem lies, not with the private individual, but with big business
and the $…… trillion world economy.

No Solutions Yet
Business, just like everything else, depends upon the survival of the eco-
system, and it can only be in the interests of commerce and industry to learn how
to manage Corporation Earth. But the fact is that though business is the only
mechanism powerful enough to reverse the current global trend towards
ecological disaster, it has yet to come up with a practical plan to halt the
destruction of the planet. In …… the USA, by far the world’s biggest producer of
greenhouse gases, refused to sign the Kyoto Agreement on global warming. Many
think they were pressured into rejecting it by giant corporations who simply had
too much to lose.

Poor Track Record

Certainly, the track record of the world’s companies is poor. When the full
horror of the chemical accident at Bhopal in India became apparent, the company,
quite legally, liquidated a large portion of its assets in the form of shareholders’
dividends, thereby reducing the company’s compensatory liability to its …………
victims. And when the Exxon Valdez tanker ran aground, the Exxon company
seemed more concerned to reassure the stock markets that its financial strength
was undiminished than to console the Alaskans, whose livelihoods were wrecked
by the catastrophic oil spill. Over the last …… years some …… oil tankers have
sunk, many, like the one that broke up off the north-west Spanish coast in ……,
causing irreversible environmental damage.

Large Scale Pollution

The mighty General Electric, consistently amongst the world’s …… richest
companies, has taken what some people call ‘corporate crime’ to even greater
extremes. So much so, that it actually had its contracts suspended by the Pentagon.
It stood accused, amongst other things, of bribery and insider trading, and being
one of America’s greatest toxic polluters. One of its nuclear operations in
Washington State alone has created sufficient radioactive pollution to charge …
atom bombs of the kind dropped on Nagasaki during World War Two.

Making Conservation Profitable

The situation seems hopeless. But, as ecological expert Paul Hawken, points
out if business is not only about making money, but also about sustaining life,
then perhaps it really can make conservation profitable, productive and possible.


And some say that if they wanted to, the commercial powers could actually halt
environmental degradation within as little as … years. For why must what is good
for business always be bad for nature?

Short-term Goals
The simple answer to that is that big business is by definition, antagonistic to
nature. True, some companies like Royal Dutch Shell have very publicly ‘gone
green’, introducing all kinds of environmental initiatives and renewable energy
programmes. But cynics point out that it was only after Shell’s clash with
Greenpeace over the disposal of the Brent Spar oil platform in ……, that the
company found its corporate conscience.

Appearing green may indeed be good for business, but Hawken reminds us
that ultimately “business is designed to break through limits, not to respect them”.
It is about exploring, discovering, mining, extracting, and exploiting. It is quite
definitely not about putting things back. Although, in the long term, a living rain
forest is more profitable than a dead one, the goals of big business are notoriously
short-term. And, contrary to popular belief, big business is not in decline. The
largest …… companies in the United States still account for over …… per cent of
GNP. With modern telecommunications, their global reach is almost complete.
And what can the environmentalists do when our planet’s greatest enemy turns out
to be the only force strong enough to save it?
[1, 114-115]

Ex. 7 → Now read/listen to the article again and mark the statements below as
True or False.

… 1. Environmental awareness is greater now than it used to be.

… 2. People are still largely unaware of the scare of me environmental
… problem.
3. Domestic recycling is a waste of time.
…
4. Without government support, the business community can do little to
protect the environment.
… 5. The corporations of the world only step in to put things right after the
disasters have already happened.
… 6. Commercial gain and ecological balance are incompatible.
… 7. As our business culture changes, the environment will be given a
priority.


 VOCABULARY LIST
80. household (домашнее) хозяйство
household budget — семейный бюджет
We alternate in doing the household chores. - Мы по
очереди делаем работу по дому.
All household appliances are now on sale. - Вся
бытовая техника продаётся по сниженным ценам.

household имя, известное каждой семье, известный бренд;

name узнаваемый всеми бренд
It made the company into a household name. – Это
превратило название компании в узнаваемый всеми
бренд.

81. commerce оптовая торговля, коммерция

home /domestic/internal commerce — внутренний
рынок
foreign commerce — внешняя торговля
Chamber of Commerce — торговая палата
articles of trade / commerce — номенклатура
товаров
Department of Commerce - Министерство торговли
(в США)

82. to reverse менять (на противоположный); полностью

изменять
to reverse a policy — резко изменить политику
Positions are reversed. — Позиции изменились на
противоположные.
to reverse the trend – преломить тенденцию

83. to halt станавливать; обрывать; прекращать

Security forces halted the demonstrators by blocking
the road. — Службы безопасности остановили
демонстрантов, блокировав дорогу.
The laboratory producing the vaccine was forced to
halt its activities when the United Nations Special
Commission (UNSCOM) destroyed its equipment. -
Вырабатывающая вакцину лаборатория была
вынуждена прекратить свою деятельность, когда
Специальная комиссия Организации Объединенных
Наций (ЮНСКОМ) уничтожила ее оборудование.
Committed political leadership to promote gender


 equality and challenge stigma and discrimination, to
halt and reverse the epidemic.

a halt n остановка, прекращение, приостановление

complete halt — полная остановка
to bring smth. to a halt — остановить что-л.

84. to attribute приписывать (чему-л.); объяснять (чем-л.)

[əˈtrɪbjuːt] to attribute (the) blame to smb. — возложить вину
на кого-л
to attribute importance to — придавать значение
(чему-л.)
They attributed their success to hard work. - Они
приписали свой успех упорному труду.
We attribute this saying to Shakespeare. - Мы
приписываем это высказывание Шекспиру

an attribute отличительная черта, качество, свойство

What attributes should a good manager possess? -
Какими качествами должен обладать хороший
руководитель?

85. irreversible необратимый

an irreversible decision — окончательное решение
irreversible change — необратимое изменение
He suffered an irreversible loss of vision. – У него
необратимая потеря зрения.
His reputation was irreversibly damaged by the affair.
- Из-за этой связи его репутации был нанесен
непоправимы вред.
Policies are far from irreversible. - Взятый курс
отнюдь не является необратимым.

86. to accuse обвинять, винить, предъявлять обвинения

to accuse smb. of unfaithfulness — обвинять кого-л.
в неверности
to accuse smb. of telling lies — упрекать кого-л. за
ложь
to accuse smb. of negligence — обвинять кого-л. в
халатности
Her assistant was accused of theft and fraud by the
police. - Полиция обвинила её помощника в
воровстве и мошенничестве.


87. sufficient достаточный
sufficient justification — достаточное оправдание
sufficient quantity — достаточное количество
He had not sufficient courage for it. - На это у него
не хватило смелости.
We need sufficient time to deal with the problem. - Нам
потребуется достаточное количество времени,
чтобы разобраться с этой проблемой.
to suffice быть достаточным; хватать
to suffice for smb. [for smb.'s needs] — быть
достаточным для кого-л. [для чьих-л. нужд]
a little attention will suffice to see that ... —
достаточно немного внимания, чтобы увидеть,
что ...
100 pounds will suffice him — с него хватит ста
фунтов
A very short time would suffice to teach him to read. -
Достаточно немного времени, чтобы научить его
читать.
88. sustainable 1) устойчивый; жизнеспособный
sustainable economic growth — устойчивый
экономический рост.
2) (экологически) устойчивый (не наносящий
ущерба окружающей среде)
ecologically sustainable development — экологически
устойчивое развитие
sustainable agriculture — экологически
рациональное сельское хозяйство, устойчивое
сельское хозяйство
sustainable use of natural resources — экологически
рациональное использование природных ресурсов
89. to conserve сохранять; охранять; экономить
to conserve woods — охранять лес
We need to conserve our natural resources. - Нам
необходимо бережно обращаться с ресурсами
нашей планеты.
90. notorious пользующийся дурной славой; печально
известный; пресловутый
the notorious case (of) — пресловутое дело,
прогремевший случай
The coach is notorious for his violent outbursts. –
Этот тренер известен своим буйным поведением.


 VOCABULARY PRACTICE

Ex. 8 → Explain the meaning of the following expressions from the texts of the
unit. Use a dictionary if necessary.

x to make a big thing of sth

x to do one’s bit
x so much so
x insider trading
x to go green

Ex. 9 → In his book, The Ecology of Commerce, Paul Hawken outlines

practical ways in which we might work our way back towards a sustainable
economy. Make the right forms of words from the lists of words and complete
the checklist below.

technical consume source sphere

Reduce (1) …………………… of energy and natural (2) …………………… in

the northern (3) …………………… by 75%.This is not as difficult as it sounds.
We already have the (4) …………………… to make things last twice as long
with half the resources.

sustain equal employ secure

Provide secure (5) …………………… for the whole populace. A (6)

…………………… economy without job (7) …………………… would only
lead to social (8) …………………… and civil war.

good qualified dynamic natural

Honour market principles. Since you cannot change the (9) …………………… of
the market, you have to cooperate within it. Taxing morality by charging higher
prices for environmentally-friendly (10) …………………… doesn't work. It is
basic human (11) …………………… to shop round for the cheapest goods of
comparable (12) …………………… .


 earth restore industry economy
Extensive (13) …………………… will be needed as it is simply too late to sustain
what we have. As part of our overall (14) …………………… programme, we shall
need to redesign all (15) ……………………, residential and transport systems so that
everything we use comes from the (16) …………………… and returns to it.

action waste large use

Governments alone cannot create a sustainable society. Everything (17)
…………………… depends on the daily (18) …………………… of billions of
ordinary people. Humans are not naturally (19) …………………… and predatory,
but intelligent (20) …………………… who adapt to fit in with their
circumstances. In a sustainable culture people would naturally conserve.
[1, 116]
Ex. 10 → The words below appeared in the article in the order in which they
are listed. Find as many word partnerships as possible in just five minutes?

1. environmental …………………… 12.compensatory ……………………

2. to deposit …………………… 13.financial ……………………
3. recycled …………………… 14.catastrophic ……………………
4. solid …………………… 15.environmental ……………………
5. eco-…………………… 16.toxic ……………………
6. ecological …………………… 17.radioactive ……………………
7. to halt …………………… 18.ecological ……………………
8. greenhouse …………………… 19.environmental ……………………
9. global…………………… 20.renewable ……………………
10.giant …………………… 21.corporate ……………………
11.antiquated …………………… 22.global ……………………

Ex. 11 → Choose one noun to form a strong collocation with all the verbs.
a) resources d) a goal g) an issue
b) the environment e) a promise h) a policy
c) power f) pollution

1. protect / harm / threaten 5. make / break / keep

2. control / create / cut 6. adopt / implement / abandon
3. develop / exploit / tap 7. set / achieve / reach
4. address / face / settle 8. exercise / wield / seize
[1, 117]


Ex. 12 → Form project teams. Appoint a project team leader to co-ordinate
teamwork and implement decisions.

This project is designed to help you use Attitude verbs more effectively. Attitude
verbs (must, may, might, will, would, can, could, shall, should, have to, need, etc.)
are essential when you want to express doubt, certainty, degrees of ability and
feasibility. They are also useful when you want to give advice or make suggestions.
You have just 10 minutes to solve as many of the following language problems
as you can. At the end of the project you will be asked to report your findings.
[1, 117]
1. In which of the following is spending more money an option?
¾ We mustn't spend any more money on this.
¾ We don't have to spend any more money on this.
2. Which of the following is more likely to be my opinion?
¾ We must cut down on waste.
¾ We have to cut down on waste,
3. In which of the following are you sure I finished the report?
¾ I didn't need to finish the report today.
¾ I needn't have finished the report today.
4. Which of the following is more diplomatic?
¾ That isn't enough.
¾ That wouldn't be enough.
5. What is the opposite of that can't be right!
¾ That can be right
¾ That must be right
6. What is the opposite of We should have known what would happen?
¾ We shouldn't have known what would happen.
¾ We couldn't have known what would happen.
7. Which of the following seems more certain?
¾ We could do it if we tried.
¾ We might be able to do it if we tried.
8. Which of the following seems more certain?
¾ If he calls, tell him I'm out.
¾ If he should call, tell him I'm out
9. Do either or both of the following refer to future time?
¾ You could ask her but she won't know yet
¾ You could ask her but she won't help you.


Ex. 13 → Match up the rather unnatural sentences on the left with their
natural equivalents on the right.

1. It's necessary to take action.

2. It’s not necessary to take action.
3. It would be a good idea to take a) We should ta.ke action.
action. b) We could’ve taken action.
4. It’s not possible for us to take action. c) We should've taken action.
5. It's possible we will take action. d) We must take action.
6. It would have been a good idea to e) We needn't have taken action.
take action. f) We can't take action.
7. It wasn't a good idea to take action, g) We didn’t need to take action.
but we did. h) We may take action.
8. It was possible for us to take action i) We shouldn't've taken action.
but we didn’t. j) We don't have to take action.
9. It wasn't necessary to take action, so
we didn’t.
10.It wasn't necessary to take action but
we did.
[1, 118]

Ex. 14 → Translate the sentences into English. Pay attention to the use of
subjunctive mood (underlined). Refer to the GRAMMAR LAB below.

UNREAL CONDITION (SUPPRESSED TYPE)

Non-Perfect

I would ask them for advice. Why don’t you?

Я бы попросил у них совета. Почему ты не делаешь этого?
Form

Frieda could lend you some money. Why don’t you ask her?
Фрида могла бы одолжить тебе денег. Почему ты не попросишь ее?

I would have asked them for advice much earlier. Why didn’t you?
Perfect Form

Я бы попросил у них совета гораздо раньше. Почему ты не сделал этого?

Frieda could have lent you some money at the beginning of the month. Why
didn’t you ask her?
Фрида могла бы одолжить тебе денег. Почему ты не попросил ее?


 REAL AND UNREAL CONDITION IN COMPLEX SENTENCES

condition If she passes the interview, she will become a sales manager.
Real
Если она успешно пройдет собеседование, она станет менеджером по продажам.

If I were you, I would go to that interview.

Present/
Future

На твоем месте (если бы я был на твоем месте) я бы пошел на это

Unreal condition

собеседование.

She should have gone to that interview. If she had passed the interview, she
would have become a sales manager.
Past

Ей следовала пойти на то собеседование. Если бы она тогда успешно

прошла собеседование, она стала бы менеджером по продажам.

Придаточные предложения условия также вводятся следующими словами: unless [если

не], providing, provided (that), as long as, on condition (that), but for sth/doing sth [если
бы не], supposing.
UNREAL CONDITION (MIXED TYPE)
Past Present / Future
If she had saved some money, she would be able to go traveling now / in
summer.
она бы теперь / летом могла
Если бы она накопила денег,
отправиться в путешествие.

Present Past
If she were more career-seeking, she would have agreed to work overtime
during the conference last month.
она бы согласилась работать
сверхурочно во время конференции в
Если бы она больше думала о карьере, прошлом месяце.
“BUT-FOR” PHRASE (UNREAL CONDITION)
But for his patience, he wouldn’t be such a good doctor.
(= If it were not for his patience, …)
Если бы не его терпение, он не был бы таким хорошим врачом.
But for his patience, he wouldn’t have become such a good doctor.
(= If it were not for his patience, …)
Если бы не его терпение, он не стал бы таким хорошим врачом.
But for your help, I would be out of work now.
(If it hadn’t been for your help, …)
Если бы не твоя помощь (тогда), я бы сейчас был без работы.
But for your help, I would have lost my job last year.
(If it hadn’t been for your help, …)
Если бы не твоя помощь (тогда), я бы потерял работу в прошлом году.
[4, 79-81, 86-87]


1. Компанию обвинили в причинении серьезного вреда окружающей среде.
Если суд признает эти обвинения справедливыми, сумма наложенного
штрафа может исчисляться сотнями тысяч рублей.
2. Если бы не помощь наших партнеров, нам пришлось бы полностью
остановить исследования.
3. Если бы он не вел столь расточительный образ жизни, ему хватило бы
сейчас денег на создание своего дела.
4. Продажи снижаются уже 2й квартал подряд и руководство предпринимает
максимальные усилия для того, чтобы преломить эту тенденцию.
5. Если бы на заводах было установлено более современное оборудование,
нам удалось бы избежать столь непоправимого вреда окружающей среде.
6. Если бы не то нашумевшее дело о мошенничестве, компании удалось бы
сохранить доброе имя.
7. Отличительной чертой любого социально ответственного бизнеса
является не только забота о благополучии сотрудников, но и стремление к
использованию технологий, не наносящих вреда экологии.
8. Объемы торговли между двумя странами будут и дальше расти при
условии сохранения взаимопонимания по ряду политических вопросов.

Ex. 15 → Match up the words and phrases below to make 16 common

expressions. Then listen to short extracts from two different crisis
meetings and check your answers.
[1, 118]
You can’t. … have a point there.
I can … … be wrong, of course.
There must … … agree more.
I could … … be serious!
I couldn’t … … be any pome
You must … … be a way round this
You may … … be joking!
There wouldn’t … … understand how you feel.

You can … … think so.

I might … … be certain.
We can’t … … be time.
We’ll have … … have known!
I shouldn’t … … to wait and see
There wouldn’t … … to tell me.
You don’t have … … be a problem.
That shouldn’t … … say that again!


 VOCABULARY DIARY

Now write down ❺ words/expressions you didn’t know or you want to use
more. Make your own sentences with them.

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

SPEAKING 1
RESOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Ex. 16 → Refer to S. Hawken’s suggestions in ex. 11 and discuss the

following questions. Use the transitional language.

3. What environmental problems does your country face? What are their
causes? How do you think they could be resolved?
4. Does Hawken’s blueprint for a better planet strike you as plausible or
idealistic? Where would the motivation come from for the business
community to change its attitude to ecology and commerce?

TRANSITIONAL LANGUAGE

PROBLEM CAUSE EFFECT

~ ISSUE, ~ REASON FOR ~ IMPLICATION,

DIFFICULTY RESULT, EFFECT,
IMPACT
to face ~ X is a cause of Y
to experience ~ X affects/influences Y X leads to Y
to suffer from ~ X brings about Y X results in Y
X causes/results in Y Another result of X is Y
pressing / urgent ~ Due to X, there is Y Yet another effect of X
ongoing ~ X can also be a cause is Y
widespread/common ~ of Y…


 WATCHING
BUSINESS ETHICS ON THE JOB

Ex. 17 → Here are some expressions from the video. What do you think they
mean?

1) The bottom line

2) Tough decisions
3) Ethical compass
4) In the long run
5) Paying the price
6) Veer off course
7) Stay on track

Ex. 18 → Watch the video Business ethics on the job and discuss the
questions below.

1. What are the consequences of corruption in your opinion?

2. What examples can you give of businesses behaving badly?
3. What ethical issues does the food industry face?
4. What ethical issues does the financial sector experience?
5. What ethical issues affect pharmaceutical companies?
6. Why do you think companies are becoming more interested in corporate
responsibility?
7. What can employees do to try to change the behaviour of businesses that are
behaving unethically?
8. Do you think child labour should be banned? What about if it puts them into
worse poverty?
9. Would you pay more for a product if you knew the company was more
ethical than others?
10.What can be done to stop companies behaving unethically?

Ex. 19 → Discuss this list of unethical activities. In your opinion, which are
the worst?
9 Avoiding paying tax
9 Claiming extra expenses
9 Using work facilities for private purposes (e.g. personal phone calls, social
networking)
9 Accepting praise for someone else’s work


 9 Selling a defective product
9 Using your influence to get jobs for relatives (nepotism)
9 Ringing in sick when you are not ill
9 Taking extended lunch breaks

Ex. 20 → Ethical Scenarios: discuss the following situations.

I. The best qualified person for a job is female. However, your customers
would prefer a man. If you appoint the female, you will probably lose some
sales.

II. Your company has a new advertising campaign which stresses its honesty,
fairness and ethical business behaviour. It has factories in several countries
where wages are very low. At present, it is paying workers the local market
rate.

III. A colleague working in a hospital has been making mistakes at work

recently. This is because she has a serious illness. You are her friend and the
only person at work who knows this. She has asked you to keep it a secret.
http://www.englishwithjo.com/business-english-ethics/

SPEAKING 2
BUSINESS AND ETHICS

Ex. 21 → Listen to the lecture again and complete the student’s notes.
Write one word in each gap.

Business and ethics

¾ relate to how company conducts its business to make a 1 …………………
¾ Corporate social 2 ………………… programmes help create prosperous
inclusive 3 …………………
¾ employees should be treated 4 ………………… and with respect ·
recruitment on basis of 5 ………………… opportunity
¾ 6 ………………… businesses should choose suppliers carefully
¾ companies should pay suppliers on 7…………………
¾ companies should minimize 8 ………………… consumption and waste
products
¾ can give 9 ………………… to community projects
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/professionals-podcasts/business-and-ethics


Ex. 22 → Answer the questions.

1. What is the purpose of business, in your opinion? Is it just to make money?

2. Are some jobs more ethical than others?
3. How ethical do you think these professions are? (accountant, banker, police
officer, lawyer, nurse, dentist, teacher, taxi driver, car sales executive)

PROJECT
CORPORATE ETHICS
Ex. 23 → Complete the task below.

Work in ‘think-tanks’. Each think-tank should look at one of the situations below
and decide-how to deal with the dilemma. Make sure you reach a consensus before
you make your final decision. Remember you are accountable both to the general
public and to your shareholders. So try to avoid being either too ruthless or too
idealistic. When you are ready, report the dilemma and your decision to the other
groups in your class and be prepared to defend your views. The other groups
should vote on whether they think you made the right decision.

THE TOBACCO COMPANY

You work for a multinational tobacco company. In spite of the restrictions on

tobacco advertising throughout Europe and the USA and a strong anti-smoking
lobby, your company continues to gross in excess of $30 billion every year. You
are, of course, aware of all the arguments against smoking, but you also firmly
believe in freedom of choice and realise the huge social and financial benefits the
tobacco industry has to offer, particularly in poorer countries.

The World Health Organization is proposing to put a substantial ‘green tax’ on

cigarettes to offset the $60 billion a year tobacco use costs society in terms of
medical bills, lost income and reduced productivity. This is bound to affect your
sales and may result in widespread layoffs in the Latin American countries where
most of your cigarettes are manufactured. You understand, however, that a major
political figure in the United States has promised to plead your case with the
W.H.O. in return for sponsorship in his forthcoming election campaign.

Decide your course of action.

What reasons lie behind your decision?


 THE CHEMICAL COMPANY

You work for the chemicals division of an American multinational. A recent

explosion at one of your plants in India has resulted in millions of tons of toxic
gases being released into the atmosphere. Hundreds of local workers employed at
the plant were killed. In the accident with thousands more suffering from severe
chemical burns. But, with such high levels of contamination, the threat to the local
community is even more serious. Over the next five to ten years, the fatalities
could run into tens of thousands.

Obviously, a massive clean-up programme has already been put into effect, but
there is still the matter of compensation for the victims and their families to be
settled. Although you are well aware of the scale of the tragedy, you also have your
shareholders to think of. As your Indian plant was inadequately insured, compen-
sation claims could bite deep into company funds. You might even have to pull
out of Asia altogether, which would mean thousands of job losses. Your lawyers
inform you that there is a perfectly legal way of liquidating a large part of your
assets and significantly reducing your liability.

Decide your course of action.

What reasons lie behind your decision?

THE STEEL COMPANY

You work for a large steel company in Germany which is currently planning to
set up a new processing plant, and have been informed that a suitable site in
Portugal has become available at very reasonable rates. You are also well aware
that local labour costs would be far lower than in Germany, especially as
unemployment in the region is extremely high.

Unfortunately, however, the site is one of great scenic beauty and environmental
importance. It is the natural habitat of many rare species of wildlife, which
would almost certainly be harmed, if not totally destroyed, by the building of
your plant. You would, in fact, meet very little opposition if you went ahead with
your plans to build, for job creation is much higher on the agenda of the local
government than conservation. Times are hard and your firm badly needs to cut
costs wherever it can. But company image may be affected by any adverse
publicity in the German press .

Decide your course of action.

What reasons lie behind your decision?


 THE FAST-FOOD COMP;ANY

You work for the European Division of one of the world’s biggest fast-food
chains. In recent months you have found yourself the target of a vicious
campaign by environmental groups concerning the amount of waste your
company generates. In fact, your environmental record is no worse than that of
any of your major competitors, but your international profile makes you easy to
attack. Your marketing department is particularly concerned – the vast majority
of both your customers and staff are teenagers and young adults who tend to be
the most environmentally aware members of society. Clearly, action must be
taken before the protests get out of hand.

One problem is that the polystyrene containers your company packages its meals
in may be cheap and insulate the food well but they take thousands of years to
biodegrade. Although recyclable, they are frequently taken away by your
customers and discarded elsewhere. The Environmental Defence Fund or EDF,
has become so interested in your case that the story looks set to hit the news-
stands any day now.

Decide your course of action.

What reasons lie behind your decision?

THE DRINKS COMPANY

You work for a mineral water company based in France. Chemists working in
your research labs have recently discovered minute traces of benzene in samples
routinely taken from your bottles. You know benzene has been found to have
carcinogenic properties, but frankly the amount of benzene in your mineral water
is so minute that it presents no health hazard whatsoever.

Nevertheless, if the story gets out, it could ruin you, especially as you have no
idea how the water was contaminated in the first place. You could go public and
try to limit the damage to your business or you could keep the whole thing quiet
and continue to sell your mineral water until you’ve sorted out the problem
yourself.

Decide your course of action.

What reasons lie behind your decision?

[1, 119-120]


 VOCABULARY

N –noun, N –verb, ADJ - adjective

ACCUSE v sb OF sth to say that you believe someone is guilty of a crime or of

doing something bad

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

ACTIVE adj involved in an organization or activity and doing lots of

practical things to achieve your aims

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

ADVENTUROUS adj not afraid of taking risks or trying new things

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

ADVERTISE v to tell the public about a product or service in order to

persuade them to buy it

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

ADVERTISEMENT n a picture, set of words, or a short film, which is intended

to persuade people to buy a product or use a service, or
that gives information about a job that is available, an
event that is going to happen etc

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

APPEAL to sb v if someone or something appeals to you, they seem

attractive and interesting

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

APPEAL n a quality that makes people like something or someone

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………


ASSUME v to think that something is true, although you do not have
definite proof

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

ATTRIBUTE n a characteristic, feature, or quality of a product

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

ATTRIBUTE v 1) to believe or say that a situation or event is caused by

something; 2) if people in general attribute a particular
statement, painting, piece of music etc to someone, they
believe that person said it, painted it etc

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

AWARE adj 1) if you are aware that a situation exists, you realize or
know that it exists; 2) if you are aware of something, you
notice it, especially because you can see, hear, feel, or
smell it; 3) understanding a lot about what is happening
around you and paying attention to it, especially because
you realize possible dangers and problems

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

AWARENESS n brand awareness: the degree to which people know about

a particular brand

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

BACKGROUND n someone’s family, education, previous work etc

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

BARRIER n a rule, problem etc that prevents people from doing

something, or limits what they can do

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………