 General English

 Business English
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John-Simon-English Teacher
 Contents

Frequency Adverbs ........................................................................................................04

Articles – A, An, Some, Any or Nothing ..........................................................................05
Verb TO BE Complete .....................................................................................................06
Adjectives used with verb TO BE ....................................................................................07
08
Verb TO BE- Dialogue ........................................................................................................
Verb TO BE – Practice Sentences ....................................................................................10
Verb To be – Revision .................................................................................................... 11
TO BE revision & practice ...............................................................................................12
There is / There are .........................................................................................................13
Numbers in English ..........................................................................................................15
Auxiliary DO complete ....................................................................................................16
18
Dialogue - Do / Does (1) ....................................................................................................
20
Dialogue – Do / Does (2) ...................................................................................................
22
Do/ Does – Exercises ..........................................................................................................
24
Tenses & Examples – Context / wait here .........................................................................
Present Simple / Present Continuous- Exercises ........................................................... 25
Conversation – Sentence construction ......................................................................... 26
Conversation- Questions & Info-Requests ................................................................... 27
Typical IELTS questions ...................................................................................................29
Present Perfect- Explained in Portuguese .......................................................................33
35
Present Perfect – Explained in English ..............................................................................
Present Perfect / Past Simple – exercises .......................................................................39
43
Typical Negotation terms & Phrases ..................................................................................
The 100 most useful phrases for business meetings ..................................................... 45
The 100 most usefull telephoning phrases ........................................................................Most 52 common
Modal Verbs ..................................................................................................................
58
Can / Can´t – Could / Couldn´t ...................................................................................
59
2
Should .............................................................................................................................
60
Must .............................................................................................................................61
Might ............................................................................................................................62
Would (conditional 2) ........................................................................................................
63
General Terms ..................................................................................................................
64
Frequently Used Sentences ..........................................................................................
67
Question words- Different Auxiliaries...........................................................................
69
Conditionals & Reported Speech ....................................................................................
72
Prepositions- Place / Time ...........................................................................................74
Conjunctions within sentences .........................................................................................
75
Irregular Verbs List .............................................................................................................
77
So / Too / Very ..................................................................................................................
81
So / Such ............................................................................................................................
82
Sentence Construction – Learning & Practice .................................................................
84
Word Order Exercise .......................................................................................................
85
If / Unless (conditionals).................................................................................................
87
For / To / So/ So that ........................................................................................................
89
During / While ..................................................................................................................
91
Different pronunciations of OUGH ..................................................................................
92
Sentence construction (translate) ....................................................................................
93
Meaningful conversation ..............................................................................................
94
Describing a Company ...................................................................................................
95
Apologizing ......................................................................................................................
96
Analysing Problems .........................................................................................................
97
Import-Export Documentation – Some examples .........................................................
98
Import-Export costs – some examples ...........................................................................
100
Strong Leaders encourage emplyess (group discussion topic) .......................................
102
2 Intermediate level articles for discussion .................................................................104
Understand your competition (article for group discussion) .......................................108

3
 FREQUENCY ADVERBS
(Students create sentences referring to their daily lives, daily routines)

Always = Sempre
-
-
-

Usually = Geralmente
-
-
-

Often = Frequentemente
-
-
-

Sometimes = As vezes
-
-
-

Never = Nunca
-
-
-

4
 Complete the gaps using A, AN,
SOME, ANY or nothing.

1. Have you got orange crayon? - No, I haven't, but I've got red one.
2. There are children in the garden.
3. Helen has got long fair hair with fringe and big blue eyes.
4. He is wearing blue jeans and yellow T-shirt.
5. Are there computers in your classroom?
6. She' s got egg and rice on her plate.
7. Do you like vegetables?
8. James lives in big house by the sea.
9. Is there park near your house?
10. I don't wear glasses.
11. lions live in Africa.
12. elephant is beautiful animal.
13. Cars have got wheels and .windows.
14. I don't want chocolate, thank you.
15. Do you like potatoes?
16. There aren't olives on my plate!
17. Is there sugar in your milk? - No, there isn't sugar, but there is honey.
18. She hasn't got friends in London.
19. She doesn't work in bank, she works in office.
20. Does your father drive blue car?
21. There is orange juice in the fridge, but there aren't oranges
22. Have they got new mobile phone?
23. There aren't trees in the garden, but there are flowers on the balcony.

5
VERB TO BE / COMPLETE

( Affirmative )

I AM / I WAS / I WILL BE
YOU ARE / YOU WERE / YOU WILL BE
SHE IS / SHE WAS / SHE WILL BE
HE IS / HE WAS / HE WILL BE
IT IS / IT WAS / IT WILL BE
THEY ARE / THEY WERE / THEY WILL BE
WE ARE / WE WERE / WE WILL BE

( Negative )

I AM NOT / I WAS NOT / I WILL NOT BE

YOU ARE NOT / YOU WERE NOT / YOU WILL NOT BE
SHE IS NOT / SHE WAS NOT / SHE WILL NOT BE
HE IS NOT / HE WAS NOT / HE WILL NOT BE
IT IS NOT / IT WAS NOT / IT WILL NOT BE
THEY ARE NOT / THEY WERE NOT / THEY WILL NOT BE
WE ARE NOT / WE WERE NOT / WE WILL NOT BE

( Interrogative )

AM I ? / WAS I ? / WILL I BE ?
ARE YOU ? / WERE YOU ? / WILL YOU BE ?
IS SHE ? / WAS SHE ? / WILL SHE BE ?
IS HE ? / WAS HE ? / WILL HE BE ?
IS IT ? / WAS IT ? / WILL IT BE ?
ARE THEY ? / WERE THEY ? / WILL THEY BE ?
ARE WE ? / WERE WE ? / WILL WE BE ?

6
Adjectives used with auxiliary verb ‘TO
BE’

 HAPPY = Feliz

 TIRED = Cansado/a

 BUSY = Atarefado/a

 WORRIED = Preocupado/a

 NICE = Legal / Bom

 EXPENSIVE = Caro

 EARLY = Cedo

7
 TO BE - DIALOGUE

Good morning! How are you?

I am fine, thankyou.
Where were you yesterday?
I was in Londrina with my friends.
Were Paulo and Angela with you in Londrina?
Yes they were.
What are you doing today?
Well, today I am very busy because it is Monday.
And what exactly are you doing?
I am preparing material for a class.
Is Angela preparing material for classes too?
Yes, she is.
Is Angela going to Londrina tomorrow?
Yes, I think she is.
Was she in Londrina last week?
I don’t think she was.
When are you going to have the meeting?
We are going to have it tomorrow at 10am.
Is Felipe going to be at the meeting?
Yes, he is always at the meetings.
I am worried about the problem, are you?
Yes, actually I am. It is serious.
Why is it serious?
Because if the delivery is late we will not finish the project on-time.
When is the delivery arriving?
We think that it is arriving tomorrow morning.
What are you expecting in the delivery?

8
We are expecting 10 boxes of printing paper.
Is 10 boxes of paper enough?
I hope it is, but if it isn’t we can order more.
Is the paper expensive?
My goodness yes. It is very expensive.
Is it white paper or yellow paper?
It is yellow paper.
I see, that is why it is expensive. Yellow paper is more expensive than white paper.
By the way, why are you opening the window?
Because I am feeling hot and I need some fresh air.
Excuse me, what is this?
Oh, that is a stapler.
And where are the clips?
They are on my desk in my office.
Where is your office?
It is on the third floor. It is room number 321.
Is it the room with a green door?
Yes, that is my office.
Where is my cellphone? I left it here after breakfast.
There it is, on the bookshelf.
I am always forgetting my phone!
I am too. It is so easy to forget.

9
TO BE - PRACTICE SENTENCES / Please
translate..

Você estava com fome?

Nós estamos com fome.
Nós não estamos com fome.
Você é Brasileiro?
Eles são Brasileiros.
Eu sou alemão.
Onde você estava ontem as 14.00?
Ela esta em São Paulo.
Porque ele esta no Rio de Janeiro?
Você esta atarefado?
Eles estão caminhando para escola.
Ele esta na cozinha?
O frango esta na cozinha.
Este suco de laranja é muito bom.
Aquele carro é dele.?
Eles estavam pensando sobre o trabalho deles.
O que você esta fazendo?
Porque você estava trabalhando em Londrina ontem?
Quando você esta indo para São Paulo?
Ele esta em casa agora?
Nós estamos no centro de Curitiba.

Porque você esta chorando?

Não estou chorando, estou com frio.

10
 TO BE / REVISION

Ele esta feliz porque ele está jogando tênis.

Eles não estão atarefados porque eles não estão trabalhando.

Quando estou trabalhando eu não estou com fome.

Não estamos preocupados porque ele está OK.

Quando estou dirigindo meu carro eu estou sempre feliz.

Por que você está fazendo um bolo agora? É seu aniversario?

Eles não estão indo para Recife hoje porque eles estão atarefados em Curitiba.

Ele está fechando a porta. Porque ele está fazendo isto?

Estou indo para meu escritório agora porque hoje estou trabalhando lá.

As crianças estão cantando e brincando no jardim.

Make more sentences...

11
 TO BE / REVISION & PRACTICE

Você está com fome?

Eu estou com fome.
Eles não estão com fome.
Ela está com fome?
Ele não está com fome.
Você está com fome.
Eu não estou com fome.
Eles estão com fome?
Eles não estão com fome?

Ele está cansado.

Ela não está cansada.
Você está cansada?
Eles estão cansados.
Ele está cansado?
Você está cansado.
Eles estão cansados?
Você não está cansado?
Eu não estou cansado.

Você está dirigindo?

Você está dirigindo.

12
 There is or There are

Choose the correct answer.

Q1 - ____ two.

There is

There are

Q2 - There ____ a lot of people coming.

is

are

Q3 - There ____ a lot of water on the carpet.

is

are

Q4 - There ____ a lot of noise coming from next door.

is

are

Q5 - There ____ a lot of traffic in the rush hour.

are

is

Q6 - There ____ only one possible answer.

is

are

Q7 - There ____ two possible answers.

is
are
Either could be used here.

Q8 - There ____ never enough time to finish it.

13
 is

are

Q9 - There ____ some people to see you.

are

is

Q10 - There ____ nobody there.

is

are

Q11 - There ____ little information available.

are

is

Q12 - There _____ little time left.

is

are

Q13 - There ____ no time like the present.

are

is

Q14 - There ____ some stuff left.

is
are

Q15 - There _____ much to say on the subject.

is

are

14
 (Comfort with Numbers in English..)

I have an apartment on Rua Castro Alves and I live in a city with 1,600,000 people in it. My car has
space for 5 people. It, my car, has approximately 62,324 KM on the dial and it cost me 21,213 reais. I
have 12 colleagues and 11 friends and 112 acquaintances. My mother spends 172 reais each week on
shopping and she has 22 favourite shops. I live on the 17th floor of my building and I have a lovely
view when the weather is good.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
101, 110, 112, 117, 119, 120, 130, 140, 150, 156, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 274, 288
1000, 1020, 1111, 1996, 1500, 1050, 1555, 1652, 1667, 1999, 2000, 2012, 2921
100.000 / 101.425 / 223.197/ 233.876/ 954.553/ 754.998 /782.657 / 676.912/ 232.891
1.000.000 / 1.323.100 / 2.034.323 / 5.676.500 / 5.555.555/ 9.000.342/ 10.000.300

15
 Verbo ‘DO – auxiliar’
{ DO = FAZER }
{ NOTE; In the ‘affirmative’ we don’t normally ‘say’ the ‘DO’. BUT, it IS used in the Negative
and in the Interogative..}

{Presente}
I DO / I DO NOT / DO I ?
you DO / you DO NOT / DO you ?
she - he – it- DOES / she – he – it DOES NOT / DOES she – he –it ?
they DO / they DO NOT / DO they ?
we DO / we DO NOT / DO we ?

{Passado}
I DID / I DID NOT / DID I ?
You DID / you DID not / DID you ?
She-he-it DID / she-he-it DID NOT / DID she-he-it ?
They DID / they DID NOT / DID they
We DID / we DID NOT / DID we ?

Examples ( you)
( afirmativo-presente ) You see the tree
(Neg-presente) You DO NOT see the tree.
(Neg-passado ) You DID NOT see the tree
( Interrogativo – presente ) DO you see the tree ?
( Int errogativo– Passado ) DID you see the tree

16
 Examples ( she – he –it )

She-he-it SEES the tree

She-he-it DOES NOT see the tree
She-he-it DID NOT see the tree
DOES she-he-it see the tree ?
DID she-he-it see the tree ?

Examples ( WE & THEY )

They SEE the tree.
They DO NOT see the tree.
They DID NOT see the tree.
DO they see the tree ?
DID they see the tree ?

Practical examples ;
I SEE the car but I DON’T know how to drive it. She LIKES driving on highways but she
DOESN’T like driving in the city. Her parents WANT to go to Italy but they DO NOT want to
go to Egypt. DO YOU like cooking Feijoada ? DOES he like cooking Feijoada ? I LOVE Mangos
but I DON’T like papayas. DO you want to watch a film ? I know you DON’T want to watch a
documentary. We HAVE a television but we DON’T have a DVD player.

17
 Auxiliary verb DO / DIALOGUE

Do you have a pen?

No, I don’t have a pen.
Why don’t you have a pen?
Because I don’t need a pen.
Yes you do need a pen. To write letters.
No I don’t. I write letters on my computer.
OK then, I will buy a pen.
Didn’t you buy one yesterday?
No, I didn’t.
Did you buy one last week?
Yes, I bought one last week but I lost it.
Does your brother have a pen?
Yes he does. He bought one last month.
Does he use it at work?
Yes he does. He writes reports.
Did he buy his pen at the supermarket?
No he didn’t. He bought it in a small shop.
Doesn’t your sister have a small shop in the centre?
Yes, she does. She has a nice little office-supplies shop.
Does she work there every day?
No, she doesn’t. She has two staff who mind the shop for her.
Does she have a second job then?
Yes she does.
Do you have a second job?
No, I don’t have a second job yet.
Do you want a second job?
Yes, I do.
Didn’t you have a second job last year?
Yes, I did.
18
Why don’t you look for one in the newspapers.
Good idea. I didn’t look in the newspapers this week but I did last week.
Can you make some coffee please?
I could, but we don’t have much time.
OK then. We can get a coffee in a cafe in the centre.
Yes, or we could go to the canteen.
That’s true. But they don’t always have fresh coffee there.
Don’t they?! My goodness.
Why don’t they have fresh coffee?
I don’t know. Maybe they don’t buy enough.
Do they have nice coffee in England?
Well, in general they don’t. English people don’t drink much coffee.
Don’t they drink tea instead of coffee?
Yes, that’s right, they do.
Does your sister like tea or coffee better?
She doesn’t like coffee at all. She doesn’t use it.
Doesn’t she have any at her house then?
Oh yes, she probably has some for guests.
Do you want to go and visit her now then?
Yes, I do. Let’s go.

19
 Auxiliary verb DO / DIALOGUE

Do you live in Curitiba?

Yes, I do.
Where in Curitiba do you live?
I live in Pilarzinho.
Oh really. So does my brother.
Does your brother like living in Pilarzinho?
Oh yes, he does. He says that it’s very nice there.
It is. They have lovely views of the city from there, don’t they?
They do. It’s lovely at night.
Do you drive to work or do you get the bus?
I get the bus, but my wife drives.
Oh does she? I didn’t know she can drive.
Yes, she does. She drives every day..
I didn’t know how to drive until last year.
Did you learn to drive here in Curitiba?
No I didn’t. I learned in Londrina.
Did you do the test at night or during the day?
I did it at night. In fact I didn’t like doing it in the dark.
I did it at night too. I didn’t like it either.
Do you enjoy driving?
Most of the time I do, but sometimes I don’t.
Do you drive a lot?
Yes, quite a lot. My job involves travelling.
So does my sisters job. She travels to a new city every week.
Does she like it?
No, she doesn’t . Actually she wants to find a new job.
What does she do?
She’s an engineer.
Does she speak English?
20
She used to study English, but she doesn’t anymore.
Why doesn’t she?
She doesn’t use it in her work so she decided that she didn’t need to study anymore.
Where does she want to work?
She likes working in Curitiba but she doesn’t like working in São Paulo.
Pedro doesn’t like Sao Paulo either.
But didn’t he live there for three years.?
He did, when he was in university, but he really didn’t like it.
Why didn’t he like it?
He said the city was too big and too chaotic.
And, what do you think of Sao Paulo.?
I don’t know. It has good sides and bad sides.
Does it have more good sides or more bad sides?!
Probably more good sides. I just don’t like living in such terrible traffic.
Neither do I. I don’t like traffic at all.
By the way, do you want a coffee?
No, I don’t thanks. I had 2 coffees in the last hour. That’s more than enough..!
OK.
By the way, do you put milk in your coffee?
I used not to, but now I do.
Me too. I didn’t used to like milk at all but now I do. I don’t know what happened..!

21
 DO – auxiliar / EXERCISES
{translate into English}

Ele gosta de Feijoada mas ele não gosta de arroz.

Ela dirige para o trabalho mas ela não gosta de dirigir.

Ela faz bolos todos os dias, mas ela não faz pão nas quintas feiras.

Eles falam Português mas eles não falam Polonês. ( Polonês = Polish )

Nos caminhamos para escola nas Segundas mas nas Quartas nos não caminhamos.

Eu gosto de assistir TV mas eles não gostam. ( assistir = watch )

Eu compro pão toda ( every) manhã, mas hoje não comprei.

Ontem ela não fechou (close) a janela.

Onde você comprou o carro. ? Você comprou ele (it) em são Paulo?

Eu não liguei para Felipe hoje. Voce ligou ? ( Ligar = ring/call )

Você pagou a conta ? ( conta=Bill) Porque eu não paguei.

Você visitou os museus em Londres? Sim, eu visitei 3 deles.

Eu aprendi o Inglês em New York. Onde você aprendeu?

Você sabe como fazer (make) bolos. Ela não sabe.

Você quer ajuda? Eu não tenho tempo talvez ela tem.
22
Não gosto de esperar pelo ônibus.

MAKE MORE SENTENCES....

23
 TENSES & EXAMPLES
Context = wait here

PRESENT SIMPLE I wait here every morning for the bus.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS I am waiting here for the bus.

PAST SIMPLE I waited here for the bus

PAST CONTINUOUS I was waiting here for the bus when..

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE I have waited here for the bus every day since January 2012.

PRESENT PERFECT CONT I have been waiting here for three hours, and I’m tired of waiting.

PAST PERFECT I had waited there for two hours when Paul passed by in his car and gave me a
lift.

PAST PERFECT CONT I had been waiting there for 30 minutes when Pedro drove by and asked me
if I needed a lift.

24
 EXERCÍCIOS PARA TRADUÇÃO
Present Simple & Present Continuous
PRES SIMPLE
Você gosta de laranjas?
Eu não gosto da chuva forte, e prefiro quando esta ensolarado.
Onde está meu caderno? O deixei naquela mesa.
Você sabe onde fica a cozinha?
Hoje o tempo esta legal, mas ontem estava terrível
Normalmente me levanto as 08.00 horas mas nos Domingos me levanto as 10.00.
Eu sempre trabalho no final de semana.
Eu sou Brasileiro e adoro o samba e football e gosto de ir pra praia!
No Brasil adoramos feijão e arroz.

PRES CONTINUOUS
Estou tentando de consertar a impressora.
Priscila esta fazendo uma tradução do Português ao Inglês.
Pedro esta comendo pipoca mas em 5 minutos ele vai trabalhar.
Porque você está dirigindo o carro naquela maneira?
Paulo esta falando no telefone.
Olha, Paula esta preparando as aulas para amanhã.
Pedro esta escrevendo um email para seu pai sobre a vida na Itália.
Você está estudando agora?
Pedro esta pensando sobre suas férias.

25
CONVERSATION / SENTENCE CONSTRUCTION

When do you..?
Why do they..?
If we..
I always..
We don’t..
Do you think that..?
He said that..
You left..
We don’t have..
If we had..
Where will we..?
I like..
They have..
I am busy, so..
We need to..
We should..
She bought..
I want to..
Can you..?
They can’t..
When he was 8 he..
Why are you..?
You shouldn’t..
I might..

26
 CONVERSATION QUESTIONS &
INFO-REQUESTS..

What did you do yesterday afternoon?

What will you do tomorrow afternoon?
What do you think your father is doing right now?
What do you do when it rains?
Tell me how you get to work> Do you go by car or by bus?
What type of car do you have?
What were you doing an hour ago?
What did you think of the World-Cup in2014?
Tell me about the best countries for food..
Which country makes the best beer..?
Is it healthy to drink milk? Why?
Is it healthy to drink beer?!
How long did it take you to get here from your house?
Tell me, in detail, what you did today after you left your house..
Would you like to live in Paris? Why?
Would you like to visit Sao Paulo next week?
Will it be possible for human-beings to fly in 100 years? Explain..
Why is it better to eat at regular times each day?
Why is routine important?
Tell me about the last long-walk you had..where was it? and what was it like..?
How long does it take to get to Sao Paulo from here?
Where do you normally have lunch?
Did you have a nice time on your last holiday? Tell me about it..
Why are you happy today?
What makes you sad?
Why are houses cold in Brazil?
Tell me why it’s not good to eat too many fatty-foods..

27
Why is it so hot in the north-east of Brazil?
Please explain to me about the word ‘’have’’..how & when can I use it?
Why does it rain so much in Curitiba?
Tell me about some (any) European food you have eaten..
Which is the nicest foreign country you have visited? Why..?
Which is the nearest bakery to your house? Tell me how you get there from your house..
Tell me where the best beaches in Brasil are..
Do you agree with people say that the world’s atmosphere is heating up too much..?
Do you like football? Why?
Have you been to the dentist recently? What was it like..?
Please describe the different supermarkets in Curitiba..
Do you enjoy travelling by train or by bus more? Why..?
Are Brasilians fatalists? Describe..
Is it safe to leave the windown of your apartment open at night in Curitiba?
Where did you meet your girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife?
If you had 10,000,00 dollars , where would you choose to live?
Tell me some advantages of living in Curitiba instead of in the interior?
How long do you think it would take to walk from Curitiba to Rio de Janeiro?
Please tell me which shops sell reasonably-priced clothes in Curitiba..what are their names and where
are they..?
Should Brasil accept to take more refugees?
How often should you change your computer/laptop? Why..?

28
 TYPICAL IELTS QUESTIONS FOR
CONVERSATION CLASSES

IDENTITY
1. Could you tell me your (full) name please?

2. Can I check out how to pronounce/ spell your name?

3. What would you like me to call you?/ What should I call you?
4. Which part is your first name?
5. So, it says here that your name is ________________ Did I pronounce that okay?
6. Would you prefer me to use your first name or your family name?
7. Is it okay if I use your first name?
8. Should I call you _____________ or ______________?
9. Do you prefer Mrs, Miss or Ms?

Work and studies

10. Are you working or are you a student?
11. What do you do?
12. Do you enjoy your studies/ work? (What makes you say that/ Why?)/ What is the most interesting
aspect/ part of your studies/ work?
13. Is there anything you dislike about your work/ studies?
14. What job would you like to do in the future? / What job do you hope to be doing in ten years’
time?
15. Do you want to study anything in the future? / Is there anything you’d like to study in the future?
16. Why did you choose this subject/ job?
17. Is it a difficult job/ subject?
18. What was your favourite subject at school? What did you like about that?
19. Are you studying anything at the moment?
20. What are/ were the best things about your job/ studies?
21. What do you do for a living?
22. Who was your favourite teacher at school? (Why?)
23. Are you working at the moment? (Have you had a job before?)
24. Is there anything you want to study in the future?
25. What is your typical day like at work/ at school/ in college?

Hometown
26. Are you from (Seoul)? / Are you from round here?
27. How long have you been in (Seoul)? (Is Seoul the only place you have lived in?)
28. Where were you born?
29. Where did you grow up? / Where did you live when you were a child?
30. What kind of place is your hometown? / Tell me a little about where you come from. (Would you
rather live here or there/ in __________ or in _____________? Why?)
31. Where are you from?
32. Are you from the country or the city?
33. What’s the most interesting part of your town/ village?
34. What kind of jobs do people in your town/ village do?
35. Would you say your hometown a good place to live? (Why?)
36. Can you tell me something about your hometown?

29
37. Do you think _________ is a good place to live in?
38. How is your hometown changing?
39. What changes would you like to make to your hometown?
40. Would you like to live in your hometown when you retire/ get older?
41. When are you next going back to your hometown?
42. Do you often visit your hometown?
43. Where is your family from?
44. How often do you go back to your hometown?
45. Is your hometown famous for anything?
46. What is the name of your hometown?
47. What kind of transport do people usually use in your hometown?

Hobbies and free time

48. What do you like doing in your free time?
49. What are your hobbies? / Do you have any hobbies? / Have you got any interests or hobbies?
50. Are there any new leisure activities you would like to take up?
51. Do you prefer to go out or stay at home in the evenings? (Why?)
52. How do you usually spend your weekends/ days off?
53. What do you usually do in the evening?
54. Do you prefer going out or staying at home? Why?
55. What did you do last weekend?
56. How much free time do you have?
57. Do you enjoy playing sports? (What sports do you like?)
58. What type of music do you enjoy most?
59. What type of films do you like?
60. When was the last time you went out? What did you do?
61. What do you do when you meet your friends? Do you prefer going out with a large or small group
of friends? Why?
62. What are your leisure time activities?
63. Do you play any musical instruments? Did you learn to play as a child?

Family and friends

64. Do you have a large family?
65. How many brothers and sisters do you have? What do they like doing in their free time?
66. Can you tell me about your family?
67. Did you get on well with your parents/ brothers or sisters when you were a child?
68. Do you get on well with your family? How/ Why?
69. Which of your parents do you most resemble/ take after? Why do you say that?
70. What do your parents do?
71. Do you have many friends? (How about close friends?)
72. When was the last time you met your extended family? What was the occasion?
73. Would you like to have a large family?
74. Do you live with your family?

Language studies and IELTS

75. Do you speak any other languages? / How many languages do you speak?
76. Why are you taking the IELTS exam?
77. Do you have any plans for after you take the IELTS exam?
78. What will you do if you pass the IELTS exam?

30
79. How long have you been studying English?
80. Why is it important for you to learn English?
81. Did you enjoy English at school?
82. Do you enjoy studying English?
83. What do you find most difficult about learning English?
84. What activities do you find most useful for learning English? / What do you think the best way to
study a language is?
85. How much time do you spend studying English every week?

Festivals and celebrations

86. How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
87. How did you celebrate your last birthday?
88. How do you think you will celebrate your next birthday?
89. What is the most important day of the year for you? (Why?)
90. What is the next big celebration in your family? (What are you going to do?)
91. What is the most important festival in your hometown/ country?
92. Are there any festivals you would like to go to?
93. When did you last go to a festival?
94. Does your hometown have any famous festivals?

Accommodation
95. Do you live in a house or a flat? / What sort of home do you live in? What kind of accommodation
do you live in?
96. Where do you live now? How long have you been living there?
97. Where are you living now?
98. Do you live near here?
99. What do you like about your home? Is there anything you would like to change/ improve about
your home?
100. What would your dream house be like?
101. Can you tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in? What do you like about living
there?
102. What is your local area like?
103. What sort of accommodation would you most like to live in?
104. Do you still live in your family home?
105. Can you tell me about where you are living at the moment?
106. Would you like to move house? Why/ why not?
107. What is your favourite room in your house? Why?
108. How long do you think you will continue living in your present accommodation?
109. Who do you live with? / Do you live on your own?
Future plans
110. What are your plans for your next holiday? / Do you have any plans for your next holiday?
111. What are you going to do at the weekend/ on your next days off?
112. What do you think you will be doing in ten years’ time?
113. Do you have any plans or ambitions for the future?
114. Do you have any plans to travel or live abroad?

Transport and travel

115. Have you visited many foreign countries? What was your favourite place? Why?
116. What countries would you like to visit (in the future)?

31
117. Would you like you live abroad? Why/ Why not?
118. What things would you recommend a foreign tourist to do in your country?
119. Have you ever had any problems while you were travelling?
120. When do you think you will next travel abroad? (Where would you like to go?)
121. Have you been to any English speaking countries? (What do you think about it/ them?)
122. Have you travelled much?
123. Have you visited any foreign countries?
124. What part of the world would you most like to travel in?
125. If you could live in any country/ travel anywhere, where would you choose?

Food and drink

126. Can you cook?
127. Who does the cooking in your family/ house?
128. What is the most famous dish from your country? Can you describe it?
129. What is your favourite dish?
130. What kind of food do you like?
131. What is your main meal of the day?
132. Do you prefer eating at home or in a restaurant?
133. On what occasions do you eat special meals?

32
 PRESENT PERFECT / Explained in
Portuguese;
1. Conjugação (verbo de exemplo ‘stop'):

I/you/we/they have stopped

He/she/it has stopped

As contrações são:

I've, you've, we've, they've

he's, she's, it's

2. Usamos o "Present Perfect Tense" para nos referirmos a algo que aconteceu no passado, mas que
mantém algum tipo de conexão com o presente. O verbo principal encontra-se no "Past Participle".
Quando usamos o "Present Perfect", estamos pensando no passado e no presente ao mesmo tempo,
tanto que podemos modificar uma sentença no "Present Perfect", transformando-a em uma frase no
"Simple Present" sem alterar seu sentido. Veja:

I've broken my arm. (=My arm is broken now.)

3. O "Present Perfect Tense", porém, não é usado quando não nos referimos ao presente:

I missed the bus yesterday. ( e não I have missed the bus yesterday)

4. O "Present Perfect Tense" também é usado quando nos referimos às consequências que ações
consumadas têm no presente:

Suzy has had a baby. [Isto significa que, agora (em virtude de uma ação passada), Suzy tem um filho.]
George has shot his girlfriend. [Isto significa que, agora (em virtude de uma ação passada), a
namorada de George está morta.]

5. Também usamos o "Present Perfect Tense" para afirmarmos e/ou perguntarmos/negarmos se algo já
aconteceu alguma vez, se já aconteceu antes, se nunca aconteceu, se aconteceu até certa data, se não
aconteceu até certo período, se algo ainda não aconteceu. Alguns exemplos (note que a tradução dos
exemplos é impossível de ser feita conservando-se as nuances do tempo, particular à língua inglesa):

Have you ever seen Elvis Presley? (=você já viu, alguma vez, o Elvis?)
I've never seen Elvis Presley. (=eu nunca vi Elvis Presley)
33
I think I've already done it. (=eu acho que eu já fiz isso)
He has written ‘shut up' for one hour. (=ele escreveu ‘shut up' durante uma hora)
Has Lyndon come yet? (=o Lyndon já veio?)

6. O "Present Perfect Tense" pode indicar ações que tiveram início no passado e vêm acontecendo até
o presente:

I've studied mathematics for years. (=eu venho estudando matemática por muitos anos)
I've tried to call you since two o'clock. (=tenho tentado te ligar desde as duas horas)
She's known him since 1897. (e nunca She knows him since 1897)

7. Nunca usamos o "Present Perfect Tense" em sentenças em que existam advérbios de tempo definido,
tais como yesterday, last week, then, twenty years ago, in 1764 etc.

8. Quando queremos nos referir a ações que começaram no passado e ainda continuam acontecendo,
podemos lançar mão de um outro tipo de construção, além do próprio "Present Perfect Tense",
chamada "Present Perfect Progressive". Sua forma se dá da seguinte maneira:

We've been studying since eight o'clock in the morning. (=estamos estudando desde as oito horas da
manhã)

Porém, damos preferência ao "Present Perfect Tense" quando nos referimos a ações mais permanentes
e/ou duradouras. O "Present Perfect Progressive" é preferível quando as ações são mais efêmeras:

That man's been standing there all day long.

That huge castle's stood there for 1200 years

34
 PRESENT PERFECT / EXPLANATION &
EXAMPLES
Present Perfect

FORM

[has/have + past participle]

Examples:

 You have seen that movie many times.

 Have you seen that movie many times?
 You have not seen that movie many times.

Complete List of Present Perfect Forms

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact
time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as:
yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day,
one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never,
once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, recently, since, lately, etc.

Examples:

 I have seen that movie twenty times.

 I think I have met him once before.
 There have been many earthquakes
 in California.
 People have traveled to the Moon.
 People have not traveled to Mars.
 Have you read the book yet?
 Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
 A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?

The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate
Present Perfect with the following topics:
35
TOPIC 1 Experience

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the
experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The
Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

 I have been to France.

THIS SENTENCE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING IN FRANCE. MAYBE YOU
HAVE BEEN THERE ONCE, OR SEVERAL TIMES.
 I have been to France three times.
YOU CAN ADD THE NUMBER OF TIMES AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE.
 I have never been to France.
THIS SENTENCE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO FRANCE.
 I think I have seen that movie before.
 He has never traveled by train.
 Joan has studied two foreign languages.
 A: Have you ever met him?
B: No, I have not met him.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.

Examples:

 You have grown since the last time I saw you.

 The government has become more interested in arts education.
 Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies
program was established.
 My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

TOPIC 3 Accomplishments

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot
mention a specific time.

Examples:

 Man has walked on the Moon.

 Our son has learned how to read.
 Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
 Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the
Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.
36
Examples:

 James has not finished his homework yet.

 Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
 Bill has still not arrived.
 The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past
at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.

Examples:

 The army has attacked that city five times.

 I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
 We have had many major problems while working on this project.
 She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.

Time Expressions with Present Perfect

When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our lives
before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with
expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc.

Examples:

 Have you been to Mexico in the last year?

 I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
 They have had three tests in the last week.
 She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different
companies so far.
 My car has broken down three times this week.

NOTICE

"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before now,
and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the last year" means from 365 days
ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.

37
Examples:

 I went to Mexico last year.

I WENT TO MEXICO IN THE CALENDAR YEAR BEFORE THIS ONE.
 I have been to Mexico in the last year.
I HAVE BEEN TO MEXICO AT LEAST ONCE AT SOME POINT BETWEEN 365 DAYS AGO AND NOW.

USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Present Perfect to
show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two
weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect.

Examples:

 I have had a cold for two weeks.

 She has been in England for six months.
 Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Although the above use of Present Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-
continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in
this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

38
 PRESENT PERFECT or PAST
SIMPLE ( Exercises..)

Q1 - He ..... there when he was a child

has lived
lived
Q2 - I ........ her since last year
haven't seen
didn't see
Q3 - They ......... a few minutes ago
left
have left
Q4 - She .......... unemployed since she left school
has not been
was not
Q5 - They ....... the contract last week
finalised
have finalised
Q6 - The film .......... yet
hasn't started
didn't start
Q7 - She ........ ill since Thursday
was
has been
Q8 - I ........ the project last night
have finished
finished
Q9 - Look- someone ....... their handbag in the room
left
has left
Q10 - ............ to Rome?
Did you ever go
Have you ever been
Q11 - I can't get into my house because I ........ my keys
lost
have lost
Q12 - Nobody ....... the phone when it rang
answered
has answered
Q13 - I ......... up smoking last year
gave
have given

39
Q14 - You can't see her because she ......... home
has gone
went
Q15 - ............... to the United States?
Did you ever go
Have you ever been
Q16 - I never ......... my grandmother as she died before I was born
knew
have known
Q17 - It's the first time I ........ caviar
ate
have eaten
Q18 - The first time we ......... was just the other day
spoke
have spoken
Q19 - It stinks in here; someone ........... smoking
was
has been
Q20 - He's in hospital because he ............. leg
has broken
broke
Q21 - I've known her since we ......... at school together
were
have been
Q22 - It's ages since we ........
spoke
have spoken
Q23 - It's been ages since we ........ from Dave
have heard
heard
Q24 - The last time I saw Fran ........ ages ago
was
has been
Q25 - I ........ from her lately
haven't heard
didn't hear
Q26 - I just ........ the time to go to the cinema recently
didn't have
haven't had
Q27 - I ........ just Meg and Brian at the party
have seen
saw
Q28 - I ........ busy for the past fortnight

40
 was
have been
Q29 - She ......... away for the last two weeks
has been
was
Q30 - ......... to the concert on Friday?
Did you go
Have you been
Q31 - This is the first time I ........ here
have been
was
Q32 - I ....... them since my schooldays
have known
knew
Q33 - He ......... yet
hasn't arrived
didn't arrive
Q34 - They ........... the contract yet
didn't sign
haven't signed
Q35 - The newspaper ......... very successful lately
hasn't been
wasn't
Q36 - He ...... during the war
died
has died
Q37 - I ......... breakfast before leaving home this morning
haven't had
didn't have
Q38 - I ....... a taxi so I came on the bus
haven't found
didn't find
Q39 - John's nervous because he .......... such a difficult test before
has never taken
never took
Q40 - My stereo ....... working last night
stopped
has stopped
Q41 - Two people ....... at the game on Saturday
were arrested
have been arrested
Q42 - I .......... a holiday for ages
didn't have
haven't had

41
Q43 - We ....... out on Saturday night
haven't gone
didn't go
Q44 - I ....... it last week
bought
have bought
Q45 - She hasn't ........ here for ages
been
gone
Q46 - I .......... to water-ski in 1993
learnt
have learnt
Q47 - She ....... an absolute fortune last year
has earned
earned
Q48 - The weather ....... dreadful for the whole two weeks we were there
was
has been
Q49 - No one ...... to do it yet
has managed
managed
Q50 - I ...... the dog for a walk because it was raining
haven't taken
didn't take
Q51 - I ........... finished the exam in time yesterday
only just finished
have only just finished
Q52 - The weather ..... dreadful at the weekend
has been
was

42
 TYPICAL NEGOTATION TERMS &
PHRASES

Negotiation Phrases for Making Proposals

 We would like to propose that …

 We propose / suggest …
 Regarding your proposal, our position is …
 How do you feel about …


Responding to Suggestions

 Maybe it would be better to …

 Perhaps a better idea would be …
 May we offer an alternative? We propose that …
 We think that ‘xyz’ would be a fairer price because..

Agreeing – Reacting to a Negotiation Proposal

 I think we can both agree that…

 I agree with you on that point.
 I think that would be acceptable
 Yes, I think that is a good solution..

Giving a Reason in Negotiations

 The reason for that is …

 This is because …
 It’s because in our company we always..
 At the moment we are..
 We never...
Prioritising Interests

 The most important issue for us is …

 Our intention is …
 Our main priority is … We might like to …

43
Giving Clarification in Negotiations

 If I understood you correctly …

 Are you suggesting that …
 Do you mean …
 What exactly do you mean by …?
 I’m not sure I fully understand your point.
 Could you clarify one point for me?
 Could you be more specific?
 Can we summarize your position up to this point?
 Am I right in thinking that …?

Negotiation Phrases for Compromising

 If you were prepared to …, we might be able to…

 We are ready to accept your offer; however, there would be one condition.
 Would you be willing to accept a compromise?
 In return for this, would you be willing to …?

Accepting a Negotiation Proposal

 This agreement is acceptable to us.

 I think we have reached an agreement here.
 That sounds reasonable.
 I think we have a deal.
 I believe we have an agreement.
 I can agree to that

Negotiation Phrases for Concluding

 Let’s just summarise our agreement?

 I think you’ve covered everything.
 Let’s just confirm the details, then.
 Have I left anything out?

44
 The 100 most useful phrases for business
meetings
Essential phrases for being able to communicate in English during meetings. For similar lists of
vital telephoning language and emailing language, see here:

(https://www.usingenglish.com/articles/100-most-useful-telephoning-phrases.html)

The most useful phrases for the beginning of meetings

Meeting people for the first time

(We’ve emailed many times but/ We’ve spoken on the phone but) it’s so nice to finally meet you (face
to face).

You must be (name).

Here’s my business card.

Small talk at the beginning of a meeting

Did you have any trouble finding us?/ Did you have any trouble getting here?

How was your journey?/ How was your flight?

Is this your first time (here) in (name of place)?

Nice day/ Lovely day/ Horrible weather/ Rather hot/ A bit humid (today), isn’t it?

Ending the small talk and getting down to business phrases

Transitions phrases for moving smoothly from one stage to another

Well (then),…/ Okay (then),…/ Right (then),…/ So,…/ Anyway,…/ Anyhow,…

Saying something nice about the small talk

…I’d love to chat more, but…

…you must tell me more about that later, but…

…it’s been lovely to catch up, but…

45
Giving a reason for finishing the small talk

…we have a lot to get through today, so…

…we have to be out of here by 12, so…

…I have another meeting at 11, so…

Getting down to business phrases

… let’s get down to business/ I think we should make a start/ shall we get started…

Language after the suggestion to make it softer and prompt a reaction

…, if you don’t mind/ if that’s okay (with you).

Responding to getting down to business phrases

Of course./ Sure. (Let’s.)

Polite language at the beginning of a meeting

Thanks for coming (all the way here/ so far) today (so early in the morning/ on such a cold day).

Dealing with practicalities of the meeting

Talking about the agenda

Does everyone have a copy of the agenda?

Introducing the topic of the meeting

As you (all/ should/ probably/ might) know,…

As I wrote in my email (yesterday/ about this meeting/ sending the agenda),…

The main reason for this meeting is…

What we need to decide/ talk about/ think about today is…

The (main) topic/ subject/ aim/ objective/ purpose/ goal of this meeting is…

46
The most useful phrases for the body of a meeting

Getting other people to speak/ Asking for ideas/ Asking for opinions/ Getting people
involved

(Do you have/ Does anyone have) any (other/ particular) thoughts/ comments/ opinions/ views (on
this)?

What do you think (about this/ about that)?

Giving strong opinions

I really think…

I strongly believe/ I really believe/ I firmly believe…

I’m (absolutely/ completely/ 100%) certain/ convinced/ positive that…

Giving weak opinions

I’m no expert on this, but…

(I’m not sure/ certain, but) I would guess/ I would imagine/ I would suppose…

This is only my opinion, but…

I would probably say that…

In my limited experience,…

Strongly agreeing

I totally agree.

(That’s/ You’re) exactly right./ Exactly!

(You are/ That’s) absolutely right!/ Absolutely!

I feel exactly the same way./ I feel just the same way.

Weakly agreeing/ Reluctantly agreeing

You might be right./ You could be right./ You may be right.

I suppose you’re right./ I guess you’re right.

47
Strongly disagreeing

(I’m sorry but) I really don’t agree.

(I’m afraid) I have to disagree.

Weakly disagreeing/ Politely disagreeing

(I’m afraid) I don’t really agree.

I’m not sure that I agree.

I mostly agree, but…

(That’s a) good point, but…

I feel almost the same way, but…

Making suggestions/ Coming up with ideas (when brainstorming etc)

I would suggest/ I would recommend/ I would advise…

My (main) suggestion/ recommendation/ advice would be to…

The best solution/ The best course of action would probably be…

We should (probably) consider/ think about…

Asking for evidence/ Asking for support for opinions/ Asking for reasons

What makes you say that?

The most useful turn taking (interrupting, etc) phrases

Interrupting

Sorry to interrupt, but…

Can I come here (for a moment)?

(Before you go on,) can I just say…?

48
If I can just (interrupt) (for a moment),…

Allowing people to speak/ Inviting people to speak/ Allowing people to interrupt

(Of course/ Sure), (please) go ahead. (What would you like to say?/ Please have your say.)

Stopping the other person interrupting/ Keeping the turn

Sorry, can I just finish this one point (first)?/ Sorry, can I just what I’m saying (first)?

Sorry, just one (more) thing before you have your say,…

Getting the turn back/ Getting the discussion back on track

(Now) where were we? Oh yes,…/ (Now) where was I? Oh yes,…

(Anyway/ Well), as I was saying…

Requesting

Could you (possibly) give me a hand with/ lend me a hand with…?

Checking/ Clarifying/ Dealing with communication problems

Sorry, what do you mean by…?

(By…) do you mean…?

So (in other words), what you’re saying is… Sorry, did you say… (or…)?

Helping come to an agreement (when people can’t agree)

Maybe we can decide this with a show of hands.

Please raise your hand if…

I think I can suggest a compromise.

Can anyone suggest a (possible) compromise?

49
Delaying a decision/ Continuing the discussion later

We don’t seem to be making much progress (on this), so let’s continue this discussion by
email, shall we?

Maybe we can come back to that later/ in a later meeting (if we have time).

Maybe we should sleep on this and try again next week.

Changing topic/ Moving on

Okay, we’ve still got a few points to get through, so…

Right, I think we’ve covered that, so…

…let’s move on to the next point/ topic on the agenda, shall we?

…let’s turn our attention to…

The most useful phrases for ending meetings

Checking agreement (by everyone/ about everything)

Are we (all) agreed?

Summarising what you have discussed and agreed, and responding to that

So, to summarise our discussion/ So, to sum up our agreement,…

Checking there’s nothing left to talk about, and replying to that

Is there anything else that we need to discuss (before we finish)?

No, I think we’ve covered everything, thanks.

Actually, there is just one more thing (that I’d like to discuss/ that we need to discuss).

Smoothly finishing/ Giving reasons for finishing the meeting, and responding to that

Anyway, I’m afraid I have another meeting in 10 minutes, so we’ll have to stop there (if you don’t
mind).

50
Well, I think someone is waiting for this room, so shall we call it a day (if that’s
okay)?

So, I’d like to be able to discuss this more, but I know (name) has to be somewhere, so we’ll have to
come back to it another time, I’m afraid.

Bringing the actual meeting to a close

So/ Okay/ Right (then), let’s call it a day/ wrap it up there (and continue…) (, shall we?)

Polite and friendly language at the end of a meeting

Thanks, that was very useful./ Thanks, that was very productive.

Thanks for (all) your (great) contributions/ ideas. (They were very helpful).

Thanks for making the time to meet us./ Thanks for taking the time to meet us.

Thanks for inviting us.

It was great to see you (again).

It was (so) nice to (finally) meet you.

Have a good weekend/ a good trip/ fun/ a good time/ a safe journey.

Talking about future contact

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

(As I said) I’ll (check with my boss and) get in touch/ be in contact/ email you (about)…

See you at…/ See you next…/ See you on…/ See you soon./ See you, then./ See you then./ See you
later.

Good small talk questions at the end of a meeting

Do you have to go (straight) back to your office?

(Do you have) any more meetings today?

(Are you) finished for today?

(Do you have) any plans for the weekend?

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 The 100 most useful telephoning phrases
Summary: A carefully chosen list of the most important phrases for making and receiving
business and personal telephone calls, including lots of useful language for starting and ending
calls, dealing with communication problems, taking and leaving messages, etc.

Telephoning can be one of the biggest challenges in another language, but memorising and
practising the most important telephoning phrases below can make it really manageable.

The most useful phrases for starting phone calls

Answering the phone

Good morning/ afternoon/ evening. ABC Limited. Alex Case speaking. How can I help you?
Saying who you are (caller)

My name is Francis Cripps. I work for JUPG PLC.

This is Francis Cripps (again), (calling) from JUPG PLC.

Hi Alex. It’s Francis Cripps (from Finance/…) (again).

Small talk/ Being friendly at the beginning of the phone call

How’s it/ the conference/ your week/ your project/… going?

Did you have a good weekend/ trip/ holiday/…?

How’s business?

I heard that the weather there is much cooler/ that…

I guess that you are really busy/ that…

I’m (so) glad/ sorry/ happy/ relieved/ … to hear that.

(That) sounds great/ terrible/ awful/ interesting/ nice/ encouraging/ fun/ …

How about you?

Being polite at the beginning of the phone call

Thanks for calling me back.

Thanks for getting back to me (so quickly).

Sorry to phone so early in the morning (but…)

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Sorry it took me so long to get back to you.

Sorry to ring again so soon (but…)

Sorry to trouble you again (but…)

Ending the small talk/ Smoothly getting down to business/ Moving towards the topic

So, what can I do for you today?

Anyway, have you got a minute (to talk)?

Talking about the reason for the phone call

I just got your message.

I’m returning your call.

Someone phoned me from this number.

Anyway, I’m phoning about the meeting next week/ about…

I’m calling to ask about the meeting next week/ to…

So, did you see my email about the delivery/ about…?

Well, just a quick call to say…

Well, I was given your number by…

I found your number…

Asking to speak to someone

Can I speak to Kim Smith (in the Sales Department), please?

Is Kim (Smith) there?

I’d like to speak to someone about replacing our photocopiers/ about…

I need to speak to someone in the shipping department/ in…

Asking about the caller’s name

Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.

May I ask who is calling?

Asking about the receiver

Sorry, who am I speaking to, please?

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Is that Kim (Smith)?

Is this the right number for the HR department/ for…?

Is that the… department/ division/ section/ team?

Are you the right person to speak to about…?

The most useful phrases for the body of a phone call

Connecting the caller to the right person

Can I ask what it is concerning?

Of course. I’ll (just) check if he’s available.

Okay. I’m putting you through.

I’ll connect you to… She should be able to help.

Negative answers to requests to speak to someone

I’m sorry but she’s away from her desk/ out of the office/ out of the country/ not in today. (She should
be back…)

I’m afraid he’s on another line/ her line is busy/….

Leaving messages/ Dictating

Can I leave a message?

Can you tell her that…?

Can you ask her to send me six hundred and fifty HYDV765s/ to…?

My office number/ work number/ landline/ mobile (number)/ home phone is oh one double six treble
one.

My (postal) address is twenty three black new word bird park new line midtown capital b capital b
capital p capital m.

The URL is http colon double slash high dash life dot com slash alex underscore case.

My (work/ personal) (e)mail address is alexcase all one word at outlook dot com.

Taking messages/ Taking dictation

Does she have your number?

Can I take a message?

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Shall I ask her to call you back?

(Okay.) Got it (now) (,thanks).

Other responses to someone not being there

No, that’s okay, thanks. I’ll (just) call again later. (Do you know when she will be available?)

Actually, it’s quite urgent. Could you give me his mobile number?

Is there anyone else I can speak to about…?

Can I help you at all?

Asking people to wait

Please hold the line. I’ll connect you to a member of our customer service staff/ I’ll check if she’s
available/ I’ll…

Just a moment while I get a pen and some paper/ while I find the file/ while I…. Okay, please go
ahead.

Just a minute. I’m (just) getting your account up on the screen/ I’m (just)…

Checking/ Clarifying/ Not understanding/ Dealing with communication problems

Can I check that back?

Sorry, could you say that again (a little more slowly)?

Sorry, can you repeat the first word/ the last part/…?

… Is that right?

Sorry, could you spell your family name/… (for me), please?

Just to (double) check,…

Sorry, is that B for Bobby (or V for virgin)/ one five (or five oh)/ two words (or all one word)/ ….
(or…)?

Talking about written sources (documents, webpages etc)

Do you have the information in front of you now?

I’m sending you the document/ … right now.

If you turn to page (number) three and look at the second paragraph,…

The most useful phrases for ending phone calls

55
Ending taking messages

Okay, I’ll make sure (that) he gets your message. (I’m sure he will get back to you soon.)

Checking that the other person has finished and responding to that

So, is there anything else (that I can help you with) (today)?

(Okay then,) was there anything else (that you’d like to ask)?

No, that’s all (for now), thanks.

Actually, there is just one more thing….

Smoothly ending a phone call (giving reasons for finishing the call, etc)

Anyway, it’s been great to talk, but I’m afraid I have a meeting in a few minutes/ I’m afraid I… (so…)

I’d like to talk more about this but I’m afraid someone has just come in/ I’m afraid… (so…)

That seems to have covered everything, thanks.

That’s been really helpful, thanks.

Okay, I won’t keep you any longer, then.

Talking about the next contact between you/ Talking about the future

Can I call you back (a little) later?

Could you possibly call again (a little) later?

I’ll email you by the end of business today/ later (today)/ in the next couple of days/…

(I can’t hear you very well). Shall we hang up and try again?

I’ll check (…) and call you (right) back.

Could you (possibly) find out and call me back?

Please call again if you have any other questions/ problems/...

I look forward to your call.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Speak to you then/ tomorrow/ soon/ later/… (, then).

See you then/ tomorrow/ soon/ on Monday/ there/… (, then).

Polite and/ or friendly language at the end of the call

56
Thanks for (all) your help.

Thanks for calling/ your call.

Sorry I couldn’t be more help.

Have a good evening/ day/ weekend/….

Bye (for now)

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 MOST COMMON MODAL VERBS

The most common modal auxiliaries in English are:

can may might must
could should will would

Notice the usage of modals in the following sentences:

I pay my taxes. General declaration of fact. Paying

taxes is something I normally do.
I can pay my taxes. Expresses ability. I have the means
(funds) to pay.
I might pay my taxes. Expresses possibility, but not
certainty. Maybe I will pay; maybe I
won't.
I will pay my taxes. Expresses future intent. I resolve to do
it at some later time.
I should pay my taxes. Expresses mild obligation. It is
required, and I expect to comply.
I could pay my taxes. Expresses possibility. If I have
nothing else to do with the money, I
might pay taxes.
I would pay my taxes. (In this case), expresses reservation. If
I had the money (but I don't). . .
Expresses strong obligation. I am
required and have to comply
Expresses strong obligation

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 CAN / CAN’T - COULD /COULDN’T

( Modal Verb PRACTICE )

Eu quero falar Japonês mas não consigo. Você quer?

Eu não consigo tocar o piano, mas minha Irma consegue.
Não posso fazer café agora, porque não tenho tempo suficiente. (enough time)
Pode você mostrar para mim (show me) o caminho (the way) para o museu?
Você conseguia falar Português o ano passado? Eu não conseguia.
Pode você abrir a porta para mim?
Minha esposa (my wife) falou que ela não consegue fazer feijoada.
Minha esposa falou que vocês não podem abrir a janela.
Você pode ajudar Pedro, porque ele não consegue abrir a porta?
Quando você vai para o shopping center, pode você comprar três laranjas.?
Não consigo ligar o (turn on) computador. Você pode me ajudar?
O ano passado eu podia me levantar (get up) as 08.00 porque não estudava, mas este ano preciso me
levantar as 07.00. (MUST or HAVE TO..)
Nesta semana eu não posso chegar (get to, or arrive) para o trabalho antes das 08.30
Quero comer lasanha, mas eu não sei (how to) como cozinha-lo.
Você sabe como cozinhar lasanha? (how to)
Eu poderia ajudar você, se eu tivesse tempo suficiente. (passado do verbo ‘Have’)
Você poderia ajudar sua Irma a escrever (write) o email? Ela não consegue faze-lo sozinha. (alone)
Quando eu vivia na Inglaterra, eu não podia ir para escola toda manha.
Agora eu posso ir para escola quando eu quiser. (when I want to )

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 SHOULD
( Modal Verbs / Explanation & Practice )
( Lembrar que o verbo que SEGUE o Modal Verb vai sempre estar no INFINITIVO..e, o ‘to’
NUNCA vai depois do verbo modal..)

Examples;
You should LISTEN to your mother.
She should not DRIVE so fast.
It’s raining. I should BUY an umbrella.

Please translate..
Você não deveria assistir tanto televisão.
Se você esta com fome, você deveria comer um pãozinho.
Eles deveriam parar de brincar na cozinha.
Deveríamos comprar arroz enquanto estamos no mercado?
Ela não deveria caminhar para escola todo dia.
Você deveria fazer aulas de Português.
O dia esta ensolarado. Você deveria estar feliz!
Eles deveriam levantar-se mais cedo nas Segunda Feiras.
Eu deveria me preocupar sobre o problema?

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 MUST = Strong Obligation
( Modal Verbs / Explanation & Practice )
{ Lembrar que o verbo que segue o Modal Verb vai sempre estar no INFINITIVO..e, o ‘to’
NUNCA vai depois do verbo modal..}

Examples;
I must BUY Bread for lunch.
You must not DRIVE so fast.
He must GO to school every day.

Please translate;
Você deve comer três vezes por dia.
Devemos sempre (lock) trancar a porta de noite.
Devo ligar para minha mãe hoje a tarde. (this afternoon)
Devemos pagar agora ou podemos pagar amanha?
Vocês devem pagar agora.
Devo colocar (PUT) gasolina no meu carro.
Ela esta muito cansada e ela deve dormir. (sleep)
Devo fazer um bolo, porque amanha é o aniversario (birthday) do Pedro.
Students create more sentences..

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 MIGHT
( Modal Verbs / Explanation & practice )
( Lembrar que o verbo que SEGUE o Modal Verb vai sempre estar no INFINITIVO..E o ‘to’
NUNCA vai depois do verbo modal..)

Examples;
It might RAIN this afternoon.
She might MAKE a cake tomorrow.
Pedro might ARRIVE before 12pm.

Please translate..
(sempre começar a frase com o ‘pronome’; eg, ‘’he might..etc..’’)
Talvez não chova hoje à tarde.
Talvez ela não faça um bolo amanhã.
Pedro talvez não chegue antes de 12pm.
Talvez ele dirija o carro.
Talvez ele não dirija o carro.
Talvez eu vá para São Paulo amanhã.
Talvez eles irão para São Paulo amanhã.
Talvez ela compre pão (bread) as 2pm.
Talvez ela não compre pão as 2pm.

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 WOULD ( = conditional..)
( Modal Verbs / Practice )
{ Lembrar que o verbo que segue o Modal Verb vai sempre estar no INFINITIVO..}
{ would = ‘’VERB + RIA + SE/MAS’’ }
Examples;
You would LIKE rice and beans if you were Brazilian.
I would BUY a hat if the weather was hot.
If I had a pen I would WRITE a letter.

Please translate;
Ela faria um bolo se ela tivesse uma cozinha.
Se eu estivesse no Rio de Janeiro eu iria para a praia Copacabana.
Se você gostasse de feijoada eu te levaria (bring) para um restaurante.
Ele estudaria comercio (TRADE) mas não há uma escola aqui.
Se você pode me ajudar, eu gostaria cozinhar feijoada.
Eu compraria um telefone novo mas eu já (already) tenho um.
Nós gostaríamos de ir para Argentina mas nós não temos tempo este mês.
Ela fecharia a janela se estivesse frio. (IT)

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 GENERAL TERMS

ACTUALLY = DE FATO / NA VERDADE

AGAIN = NOVAMENTE

ALMOST = QUASE

ALSO = TAMBÉM

DIFFICULT TO (VERB) = DIFÍCIL + VERBO

DIFFICULT WHEN = DIFÍCIL QUANDO

DIFFICULT IF = DIFÍCIL SE

DISCUSS ABOUT = CONVERSAR / DISCUTIR SOBRE

EACH = CADA

FOR = PARA O BEM DE (ALGUMA COISA/PESSOA)

FROM A-B = DE UM PONTO ESPECÍFICO PARA OUTRO PONTO ESPECÍFICO.

KEEP ON = (VERB + ING) = CONTINUAR (VERBO + ING)

MAIN = PRINCIPAL

MOST OF = MAIORIA DE
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MANAGE THE = GERENCIAR A/O AS/OS

MANY = USAR PARA COISAS CONTAVEIS

MUCH = USAR PARA COISAS NÃO CONTAVEIS

MATTER (TOPIC / PROBLEM) = ASSUNTO / PROBLEMA

MAYBE (WE) + VARIED CAN/COULD/SHOULD/WOULD/DO/ARE

I / ME – THEY / THEM (SUJEITO OU OBJETO NA FRASE?)

NECESSARY TO / NECESSARY IF

EITHER & NEITHER

PLAN TO (VERB) / PLAN THE (NOUN)

READY TO (VERB) / READY FOR (NOUN)

REALLY = VERY MUCH

REMEMBER TO (VERB) / REMEMBER THAT (FACT)

SIGN: SIGN THE DOCUMENT/FORM

SITUATION: DIFFICULT SITUATION, NICE SITUATION, TERRIBLE SITUATION,

AWKWARD SITUATION

SOMETHING: SOMETHING IS / SOMETHING SHOULD / SOMETHING COULD

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THAN = COMPARATIVE TERM (COFFEE IN NICER THAN TEA!)

THAT: THAT IS / THAT CAN / THAT SHOULD / THAT DOES / THAT WOULD..

THEN: DESCRIBING SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

THERE IS / THERE ARE (HÁ / EXISTE /TEM)

WHILE = ENQUANTO

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 FREQUENTLY USED SENTENCES

I DON’T REALLY (VERB)

DO YOU THINK THAT (SUBJECT)..?

THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT..(IDENTIFY PRIORITY)

I THINK WE/I SHOULD (VERB)

THAT’S A GREAT IDEA! WE CAN/SHOULD/COULD/MUST (VERB)

MY GOODNESS! THAT’S A TERRIBLE IDEA! WE SHOULDN’T/MUSTN’T (VERB)

WELL, LET ME SEE. (GAIN TIME TO FORMULATE YOUR THOUGHTS)

REALLY? THAT’S STRANGE/FUNNY/INTERESTING.

IT’S (THE THING/PROJECT) NOT WORKING-OUT. MAYBE WE SHOULD/COULD (VERB)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS/THAT?

THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE/THEY/IT/THE (IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM/OBSTACLE)

IT’S INCREDIBLE HOW SHE/THEY/THE (COMMENT)

DO YOU OFTEN (VERB)

I LIKE TO (VERB)

WE/THEY ALWAYS – SOMETIMES – USUALLY – OFTEN – NEVER (VERB)

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IT’S COMPLICATED BUT..(PROPOSE SOLUTION)

IT’S UNUSUAL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. (EXPAND REASON)

I / WE WILL (VERB)

I / WE ARE GOING TO (VERB)

DON’T WORRY! (PROPOSE SOLUTION)

I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW / WHY (MENTION FACT)

I THINK IT’S POSSIBLE TO (VERB)

I DON’T THINK IT’S POSSIBLE TO (VERB)

WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO (VERB)

I WILL DEAL WITH THIS. (IDENTIFY PROBLEM AND ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT)

I HAVE AN IDEA! (PROPOSE SOLUTION / POSSIBILITY)

I / WE DIDN’T (VERB)

WHAT IS THE PLAN? / WHAT’S HAPPENING? (FINDING OUT STATUS-QUO)

STUDENTS TO PRACTICE USING THESE SENTENCES IN OTHER CONTEXTS!

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QUESTION WORDS WITH DIFFERENT
AUXILIARIES
(WHAT WITH AUXILIARIES)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?
WHAT IS SHE THINKING ABOUT?
THIS IS WHAT WE CAN DO TODAY.
THIS IS WHAT WE COULD DO TOMORROW.
WHAT SHOULD THEY BUY FOR LUNCH?
THIS IS WHAT WE MUST DO FOR HOMEWORK!
WHAT WILL YOU DO IF IT RAINS?
THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO IF I WAS IN PARIS RIGHT NOW!

(WHEN WITH AUXILIARIES)

2PM IS WHEN WE USUALLY HAVE LUNCH!
WHEN DO YOUR FRIENDS NORMALLY ARRIVE?
WHEN CAN WE HAVE LUNCH? I’M HUNGRY!
WHEN COULD I SEE THE DENTIST?
WHEN SHOULD WE CALL MUM?
MONDAY IS WHEN WE MUST ARRIVE AT THE HOTEL!
10AM IS WHEN WE WILL START THE GAME.
WHEN WOULD YOU START THE PROJECT IF YOU COULD CHOOSE?

(WHERE WITH AUXILIARIES)

MILAN IS WHERE MY PARENTS LIVE.
WHERE DO YOU USUALLY PARK YOUR CAR?
THIS IS WHERE WE CAN BUY SOME FOOD!
THAT IS WHERE WE SHOULD START OUR WALK!
WHERE MUST WE MEET PABLO?
WHERE MIGHT WE FIND A SUPERMARKET?
THIS IS WHERE I WILL BUY MY NEW SHOES!
WHERE WOULD YOU GO ON HOLIDAY IF YOU HAD TIME?
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 (WHICH WITH AUXILIARIES)
WHICH IS YOUR CAR? THIS ONE OR THAT ONE?
THIS IS THE OFFICE WHICH I DON’T USE.
THIS IS THE COMPUTER WHICH SHE CAN USE.
WHICH ONE OF YOU COULD HELP ME LATER?
WHICH CAR SHOULD WE BUY?
THAT IS A FILM WHICH YOU MUST SEE!
WHICH COUNTRY WILL YOU VISIT NEXT?
WHICH SUBJECT WOULD YOU STUDY AT COLLEGE IF YOU WERE STARTING THIS
YEAR?

(WHO WITH AUXILIARIES)

WHO DOESN’T WANT TO GO TO THE PARK NOW?
SHE IS THE ONE WHO LIVES IN MADRID.
WHO CAN HELP ME CARRY THIS? IT’S HEAVY!
WHO COULD OPEN THE SCHOOL TOMORROW?
JACK IS THE ONE WHO SHOULD GO TO LONDON.
IT’S YOU WHO MUST ORDER THE MATERIAL. YOU KNOW THE SALES-PERSON!
WHO WILL DESIGN THE WEBSITE?
WHO WOULD MAKE THE DINNER IF WE HAD 10 GUESTS COMING TONIGHT?

(WHY WITH AUXILIARIES)

WHY DO YOU ALWAYS ARRIVE EARLY?
THAT IS WHY THEY ARE WAITING HERE.
WHY CAN’T WE LEAVE NOW?
THAT’S WHY WE COULDN’T GET THE TICKETS TODAY.
WHY SHOULD WE START AFTER 2PM?
WHY MUST WE DO OUR HOMEWORK NOW?
WHY WILL THEY NOT BE HAPPY ABOUT IT?
THAT IS WHY THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MEETING THIS MORNING!

70
 (HOW WITH AUXILIARIES)
HOW DO YOU TURN ON THE PRINTER?
HOW IS YOUR SISTER TODAY?
HOW CAN WE FINISH THE PROJECT ON TIME?
HOW COULD THAT HAPPEN? IT’S VERY STRANGE.
HOW SHOULD HE NEGOTIATE THE SITUATION?
HOW MUST WE BEHAVE DURING THE MEETING?
HOW WILL WE PAY FOR THE COURSE?
HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM?

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 ( Conditionals & Reported Speech )
Put the verbs in brackets into the gaps. Form a Conditional sentence - type I. Only use the will-
future in the main clauses.

Example: If I __ (to go) to the cinema, I ________ (to watch) an interesting film.

Answer: If I go to the cinema, I will watch an interesting film.

1) If I (to study), I (to pass) the exams.

2) If the sun (to shine), we (to walk) to the town.
3) If he (to have) a temperature, he (to see) the doctor.
4) If my friends (to come), I (to be) very happy.
5) If she (to earn) a lot of money, she (to fly) to New York.
6) If we (to travel) to London, we (to visit) the museums.
7) If you (to wear) sandals in the mountains, you (to slip) on the rocks.
8) If Rita (to forget) her homework, the teacher (to give) her a low mark.
9) If they (to go) to the disco, they (to listen) to loud music.
10) If you (to wait) a minute, I (to ask) my parents.

Put the verbs in brackets into the gaps. Form a Conditional sentence - type II.

Example: If I __ (to go) to the cinema, I ________ (to watch) an interesting film.

Answer: If I went to the cinema, I would watch an interesting film.

1) If I (to come) home earlier, I (to prepare) dinner.

2) If we (to live) in Rome, Francesco (to visit) us.
3) If Tim and Tom (to be) older, they (to play) in our hockey team.
4) If he (to be) my friend, I (to invite) him to my birthday party.
5) If Susan (to study) harder, she (to be) better at school.
6) If they (to have) enough money, they (to buy) a new car.
7) If you (to do) a paper round, you (to earn) a little extra money.
8) If Michael (to get) more pocket money, he (to ask) Doris out for dinner.
72
9) If we (to hurry), we (to catch) the bus.
10) If it (to rain), Nina (to take) an umbrella with her

Finish the sentences using Reported speech. Always change the tense, although it is sometimes not
necessary.

Example: Peter: "I clean the black shoes."

Peter told me that ____________________________

Answer: Peter told me that he cleaned the black shoes.

1) John: "Mandy is at home."

John said that .
2) Max: "Frank often reads a book."
Max told me that .
3) Susan: "I'm watching TV."
Susan said to me that .
4) Simon: "David was ill."
Simon said that .
5) Peggy: "The girls helped in the house."
Peggy told me that .
6) Richard: "I am going to ride a skateboard."
Richard said to me that .
7) Stephen and Claire: "We have cleaned the windows."
Stephen and Claire told me that .
8) Charles: "I didn't have time to do my homework."
Charles remarked that .
9) Mrs Jones: "My mother will be 50 years old."
Mrs Jones told me that .
10) Jean: "The boss must sign the letter."
Jean said that .

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 IN – AT – ON – OF - INTO
( Time & Location Prepositions / Practice..)

I live __ Queens street __ number 2732

I didn’t put the book __ the table __ the classroom.
There is a cake __ the table __ the kitchen __ my house
She is sitting __ the sofa __ the living-room.
She bought 12 bags __ Rice __ the supermarket __ Fortaleza.
__ 10am tomorrow morning I will be __ the medical clinic __ my dentist’s surgery sitting __ a big
chair.
I normally arrive __ work __ 08.00am. But today I arrived __ 08.15.
My sister is __ the kitchen. My brother is __ school.
I like living __ Brasil. Especially __ Curitiba because there are lots of buses __ the city.
Yesterday when I was __ my friend’s house, he said that there was mineral water __ the fridge.
Maria lives __ the 2nd floor of the white apartment block __ King street. At this moment she is __ the
kitchen preparing lunch.
She is __ the post-office buying stamps. After that she will be going ____ the hairdressers salon
My clothes are all __ my wardrobe __ my house. Tomorrow I will put some of them ____ my suitcase
for our holiday.
When I saw her __ the supermarket this afternoon she was __ the 3rd floor __ the perfume shop.
I don’t usually do my shopping __ Carrefour. I prefer to do it __ Condor.
You can buy your ticket __ the bus-station __ the tourist office. The staff __ there are very nice.

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 CONJUNCTIONS WITHIN SENTENCES

I think that is a good Idea although the other idea is good too!
I like apples although I prefer oranges.
Please bring me the report as soon as you have finished it.
As soon as you have time I would like to speak with you.
Even if Mary doesn’t buy the bread we can still make sandwiches because we have some rolls.
I’m going to Sao Paulo even if I really should stay here.
She bought a new cooker in order to bake cakes more quickly.
In order to arrive there on time I think we should leave at 9 am.
In order that I can go to ‘Little England’ next week I need to complete my reports.
Please buy some coffee in order that we can make coffee for classes.
Instead of printing the document here why don’t you do it at the internet cafe ?
I’m printing the document here instead of at the internet cafe.
The meat was lovely. Just as I ordered it.
I met Mark just as I was arriving at work.
She did a very good job. Just as I asked her.
Walk on the pavement lest a car hits you.
Bring an umbrella lest you get wet.
Now that we have all the material we can start the project.
Now that Luciane has arrived we can start the meeting.
Once Luciene arrives we can start the meeting.
Since Luciene isn’t here yet, I think we should wait for a few minutes before starting.
We have been waiting here since 10 am.
Can we go to Sao Paulo tomorrow ? Yes, provided that there is an early morning flight we can go.
Provided that we have all the information we need, let’s finish the report today.
Rather than the feijoada I’m going to have the spaghetti.
I suggest that rather than sending the document today you wait until tomorrow.
Let’s telephone Anne so that we can tell her about the new table.
Hurry up so that you have time to get everything done.
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Supposing we didn’t go to work tomorrow. What would happen ?
Supposing it rains. Do you think we would get very wet ?
Supposing that it stops raining. Will we leave then ?
This is better than that.
Red is nicer than blue.
It’s nice to live in Brasil though I would like to visit Chile as well.
He’s not a friendly person. I like him though.
Unless you disagree I’m going to close the door now.
I’m going to close the door now unless you disagree.
I will wait here until 10 pm and then I’m leaving.
The material won’t be here until 8 am.
Whenever I go to the centre I stop for a coffee at Pedro’s place.
Wherever she goes she always brings an umbrella with her.
Where will I put this chair ? Wherever you like.
Paul is coming to the party but I don’t know whether Peter is.

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 Irregular Verbs List
This is a list of some irregular verbs in English. Of course, there are many others, but these are the
more common irregular verbs.

Infinitive Past Simple Past Participle

awake awoke Awoken
be was, were Been
beat beat Beaten
become Became Become
begin Began Begun
bend Bent Bent
bet Bet Bet
bid Bid Bid
bite Bit Bitten
blow Blew Blown
break Broke Broken
bring Brought Brought
broadcast broadcast Broadcast
build Built Built
burn burned/burnt burned/burnt
buy Bought Bought
catch Caught Caught
choose Chose Chosen
come Came Come
cost Cost Cost
cut Cut Cut
dig Dug Dug
do Did Done
draw Drew Drawn
dream dreamed/dreamt dreamed/dreamt

77
drive Drove Driven
drink Drank Drunk
eat Ate Eaten
fall Fell Fallen
feel Felt Felt
fight Fought Fought
find Found Found
fly Flew Flown
forget Forgot Forgotten
forgive Forgave Forgiven
freeze Froze Frozen
get Got got (sometimes gotten)
give Gave Given
go Went Gone
grow Grew Grown
hang Hung Hung
have Had Had
hear Heard Heard
hide Hid Hidden
hit Hit Hit
hold Held Held
hurt Hurt Hurt
keep Kept Kept
know Knew Known
lay Laid Laid
lead Led Led
learn learned/learnt learned/learnt
leave Left Left
lend Lent Lent
let Let Let

78
lie Lay Lain
lose Lost Lost
make Made Made
mean Meant Meant
meet Met Met
pay Paid Paid
put Put Put
read Read Read
ride Rode Ridden
ring Rang Rung
rise Rose Risen
run Ran Run
say Said Said
see Saw Seen
sell Sold Sold
send Sent Sent
show Showed showed/shown
shut Shut Shut
sing Sang Sung
sit Sat Sat
sleep Slept Slept
speak Spoke Spoken
spend Spent Spent
stand Stood Stood
swim Swam Swum

take Took Taken

teach Taught Taught
tear Tore Torn
tell Told Told

79
think Thought Thought
throw Threw Thrown
understand understood Understood
wake Woke Woken
wear Wore Worn
win Won Won
write Wrote Written

80
 SO / TOO / VERY..?

Q1 - The coffee was ____ hot that I couldn't drink it.

so
too
very
Q2 - The coffee was ____ hot to drink.
so
too
very
Q3 - The bus was ____ crowded.
too
very
Either could be used here.
Q4 - There were far ____ many people there.
too
very
Either could be used here.
Q5 - It was ____ good that I rushed out and bought it.
so
too
very
Q6 - It cost ____ much.
so
too
very
All of them could be used here.
Q7 - ____ many people think the way I do.
So
Very
Either could be used here.
Q8 - He was ___rude that I lost my temper.
so
too
very
All of them could be used here.
Q9 - Was it ____ expensive to buy?
so
too
very
All of them could be used here.
Q10 - It cost ___ much that I didn't buy it.
so
too
very
All of them could be used here.

81
 SO or SUCH

Q1 - It was ....... a lovely day

such
so

Q2 - There was ..... a lot of trouble that the police were called
so
such

Q3 - I've never seen ..... many people at a concert

so
such

Q4 - I've never seen ...... a dirty kitchen

such
so

Q5 - It's ..... expensive

such
so

Q6 - It took ..... much time to do

so
such

Q7 - She works ...... quickly

such
so

Q8 - It looks ...... nice

such
so

Q9 - The film was ...... dull that we left halfway through

so
such

Q10 - The car is ..... uneconomical

so
such

Q11 - She's ...... a kind person

such
so

Q12 - I told him not to be .... stubborn

so
such
82
Q13 - They tried ...... hard, but still didn't succeed
so
such

Q14 - Don't be .... silly

such
so

Q15 - I didn't know that it was ...... a long way from my house
so
such

Q16 - She's ..... cool

such
so

Q17 - Nobody thought that he would be ..... a good president

such
so

Q18 - I wasn't expecting ...... many people to be there

so
such

Q19 - They did it ..... well

such
so

Q20 - .... far so good

such
so

Q21 - So far ...... good

so
such

Q22 - They told him not to be ..... an idiot

so
such

Q23 - It cost ...... a lot of money

so
such

Q24 - He's ....... an unfriendly guy

83
 SENTENCE CONSTRUCTION /
LEARNING & PRACTICE

O carro não esta no estacionamento.

Meu carro tem estado no estacionamento desde segunda- feira. (pres perf..)
Eu não comprei batatas mas comprei 12 kilos de arroz na Quinta feira
Você poderia ajudar o Pedro estacionar o carro dele.
Quem estacionou teu carro quando você chegou ao Hotel ?
Eu não sei como fazer pão.
Pode você explicar isto para mim? É complicado.
Em vez de ir ao cinema, nos decidimos de ir jantar naquele restaurante novo.
Se você esta indo para São Paulo amanhã, o Pedro gostaria de ir com você.
Paulo não quer ir, porque ele tem muitas coisas para fazer aqui em Fortaleza.
Eu comprei quatros malas novas para nossa viagem para Europa este verão.
Se você tiver tempo suficiente, podemos conversar sobre teus planos.
Na verdade, não tenho muito tempo. Mas tenho tempo para tomar um café, se você gostaria?
Estou pensando em ir para Rio na próxima semana. O que você acha da minha ideia?
Eu li 3 livros no verão passado. Estou lendo um livro no momento, e normalmente leio um livro cada
3mêses.
Eu deveria levar meu telefone para a loja, para ver por que ele não está funcionado.
O caminhão deveria já esta aqui. Deve haver algum problema.
Onde ele está? Está no carro dele, o qual está estacionado de frente ao Restaurante Mineiro.

84
 CONSTRUCTION EXERCISE
PUT THE WORDS IN ORDER ;

CAR MY IS WHERE ? ( onde está meu carro ?)

SISTER THIS MY IS ( este é minha Irma. )

LIKES HE IN LIVING BRAZIL. ( ele gosta de viver no Brasil.)

NEW BOUGHT SHE YESTERDAY SHOES. ( ela comprou sapatos novos ontem )

GO SÃO PAULO YOU DID TO YESTERDAY ? ( você foi para São Paulo ontem ?)

NEED I COFFEE A. ( eu preciso d’um café.)

HE COFFEE LIKE DOES ? ( Ele gosta de café ?)

CAR IS THAT NOT MY. ( aquilo não e meu carro.)

PLAY SHE NOT FOOTBALL DOES. ( ela não joga a bola )

HELP YOU ME CAN ? ( você pode me ajudar?)

MOUNTAIN SEE CANNOT I THE. ( eu não consigo ver a montanha. )

BUSY ARE THEY VERY. (eles estão muito atarefados.)

YOU OPEN DOOR THE WHEN DO ? ( quando você abre a porta?)

EVERY SHE DOES GO WEEK SÃO PAULO TO ? ( ela vai para S.P. toda semana ?)

EVERY DOES’NT COFFEE MAKE HE DAY. ( ela não faz cafe todo dia.)

85
DON’T MAKE WHY YOU CAKE A EVERY TUESDAY ? ( porque vocé não faz
um bolo cada terça feira ?)

WERE IN THEY LONDRINA YESTERDAY. ( eles estavam em Londrina ontem.)

YOU WHERE WERE YESTERDAY ? (onde você estava ontem ?)

NOT YOU HERE WERE YESTERDAY. ( você não estava aqui ontem.)

WORK START YOU TIME WHAT DO ? ( a que horas você começa o trabalho/serviço?)

APPLES BUY SHE DID ? (ela comprou maças?)

SPEAK TO DID PAUL YOU TODAY ? ( você conversou com Paulo hoje?)

DIDN`T I BUT NO DID YESTERDAY I. ( não conversei, mas ontem eu conversei.)

WEATHER REALLY IS THE TODAY BEAUTIFUL. ( hoje o tempo esta realmente lindo.)

FORGOT I BUY TO BOOK A. ( eu esqueci de comprar um livro.)

86
 IF or UNLESS ( CONDITIONALS
Cont’..)

Q1 - ___ you are caught drinking and driving, you will lose your licence.
If
Unless

Q2 - ____ you stop smoking, you'll be seriously ill.

If
Unless

Q3 - I won't be able to do it ____ you help me.

if
unless
Either could be used here.

Q4 - ____ you stop making that noise, I'll call the police.
If
Unless
Either could be used here.

Q5 - ____ you're late, I'll leave without you.

If
Unless
Either could be used here.

Q6 - ___ he gets caught, he'll make a fortune.

If
Unless

Q7 - ____ he gets caught, he'll go to jail.

If
Unless

Q8 - I won't do it ____ you agree to help me; I'm not doing it alone.
if
unless

Q9 - ___ she pays up, we're going to be in real trouble.

If
Unless

Q10 - ____ we get the cheque today, we must bank it.

If
Unless
Q11 - He'll never agree to that ____ you accept his suggestions.
if
unless

87
Q12 - ____ they're late again, I'll be furious.
If
Unless

Q13 - I don't want to go out ____ it's raining- I hate getting wet.
if
unless

Q14 - We'll be in trouble ____ it goes wrong.

if
unless

Make more sentences..

88
 FOR / TO / SO / SO THAT --
PRACTICE

Q1 - I invited them both ____ they wouldn't feel left out.

for
to
so
Q2 - She's going there ____ finalize the contract.
for
so that
to
Q3 - Shall we have a break ____ lunch?
for
to
so
Q4 - What do I need to get ____dinner?
for
to
so
Q5 - I sort my rubbish ____ recycling.
for
to
so
Q6 - I took it back to the shop___ get a replacement.
for
to
Q7 - We left early ____ we wouldn't be late.
for
to
so that
Q8 - He's gone travelling ____ find himself.
so
to
for
Q9 - Take some sandwiches ____ eat on the way.
to
for
so
Q10 - You need a licence ____ drive.
so
so
that
to
for
Q11 - I'm leaving a bit early today ____ avoid the rush hour queues.
so
so
that

89
 for
to
Q12 - I phoned them ____ complain.
so
to
for
Q13 - She's gone outside ____ a cigarette.
for
to
so
Q14 - I'm going to town ____ buy a pair of shoes.
for
to
so
so that
Q15 - We took the train ____ we could work on the way.
so that
to
for
Q16 - They're going to Spain ____ a holiday.
For
To
so
that

Make more sentences..

90
 DURING or WHILE..? / PRACTICE

Q1 - We met ___ the Xmas holidays.

during
while

Q2 - I learned French ____ I was working in a wine bar in Paris.

during
while

Q3 - It happened ____ I was out.

during
while

Q4 - It happened ____ my lunchbreak.

during
while

Q5 - It happened ___ the flooding.

during
while

Q6 - It happened ___ the floods.

during
while

Q7 - I fell alseep _____ the film.

during
while

Q8 - I fell alseep _____ I was watching the film.

during
while

Q9 - We had a lot of trouble ____ the journey.

during
while

Q10 - ____ working there, I met some really nice people.

During
While

91
 Different pronunciations of ‘ough’

There are actually ten different pronunciations of 'ough' in British speech, though there are only eight
in standard English.

lough – (Irish) lake.

hiccough – alternative spelling of ‘hiccup’.
hough – (Scottish) the ankle.

Here is a list of the most common ‘ough’ words, sorted into their respective pronunciation groups:

uff oo oh ow aw

through dough plough thought

rough though bough bought
tough although drought sought
enough ought to

brought
fought

ah ochh off up ock

borough loch cough hiccough hough

thorough

92
Sentence Construction ( Please translate..)

Estou indo para o Shopping Centre as 10.00

Se você quer, poderíamos abrir a janela

Talvez hoje a tarde eu lerei um livro

Eu gostaria de comprar um dicionário

Talvez eles ligarão antes do almoço

Eles nunca ligam antes do almoço

Porque você fechou a porta?

Você sabe quem fechou a porta?

Nunca compro leite na terça-feira

Eu sempre compro leite na quinta-feira as 12.00

Ele gostaria de ir para Recife.

93
 MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION

I agree with --- because....

I disagree with ----- because....
I’d like to go back to what ---- said about..
I’d like to add that...
I noticed that...
Another example is...
Let me see...
Well, I really don’t think that...
Yes, I think that ----....
So, what you’re saying is...
Can you give an example of that?
Do you think that..?
Couldn’t it also be that...?
Why do you think that...?
Where can I find that in a book?
Can you explain what you mean?
Can you tell me more?
If that is the case then...
Do you think ----- could..?
I just can’t understand why......
Do you think it’s possible that...?

94
 DESCRIBING A COMPANY

What company do you work for?

Which company are you with?
Who do you represent?
I work for ABC Company.
I'm with ABC.
I represent (the) XYZ (company).
What is the name of your company?
Where are you located?
The name of our company is . . . .
Our company is located in . . . .
Our headquarters is in . . .
What (type of business) do you do?
What business are you in?
We are in the computer business.
We're in computers
We sell . . .
We produce . . .
We manufacture . . .
Our major products are .

95
 Apologizing

(making an apology..)
I'm sorry.
I made a mistake.
Please accept my apologies.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to . . .
Please understand that it was’nt our intention to..
Sorry. I didn't realize that . . . .
I regret that this happened. It’d never happened before. I have no idea how..

(accepting an apology..)
That's okay.
There is no need to worry, it happens all the time.

Please don’t worry, it’s not important.

No problem.
Not at all, it does’nt matter.
Don’t worry about it. We can..

Prefacing bad news

I'm sorry (I have) to tell you this, but . . .

I hate to tell you this, but . . .
I don't know how to tell you this, but . . .
I have some bad news.

96
 ANALYSING PROBLEMS
Focusing on the main problem/issue

What is the main problem?

What is the real issue (here)?
(I think) the major problem is . . .
Our primary concern is . . .
The crux of the matter is . . .
(As I see it), the most important thing is . . .
The main problem we need to solve is . . .
We really need to take care of . . .
It all comes down to this:

Asking for input

What should we do about it?

What needs to be done?
What do you think we should do?
What are we going to do about it?
Do you have any suggestions?
Any ideas?

Making Recommendations

I recommend that . . .
I suggest that . . .
I would like to propose that . . .
Why don't we . .

97
 How do you ensure you send the right
export documentation to a freight
forwarder?
In the second part of a 2-part interview we ran with Sue Wright from the Institute of Export &
International Trade’s Shipping Office, we discuss how exporters can ensure the right export
documentation is completed before shipping goods overseas.

Who is responsible for completing the documentation for goods to be sent overseas?

Freight forwarders don’t have a responsibility to generate the export paperwork for a shipment. It has
to come from the Exporter. Shipping something to Brazil, an Exporter will need to make sure that all
paperwork was right for the freight forwarder to work with the airline or shipping line to get the goods
to their destination. The Exporter also ensures that by having the correct paperwork for the country of
arrival that the customer receives his products without delay.

The freight forwarder is the middleman. All he is doing is liaising with the airline and shipping line
because they get better freight rates to be able to ship in bulk, whereas going directly to a shipping
line, unless the Exporter is moving full container loads, they wouldn’t necessarily get a good price.

Any errors that appear in the documentation upon Customs Entry, or that the freight forwarder might
make on behalf of the shipper, is ultimately the responsibility of the Exporter.

How does the exporter find out what export documentation they need to complete?

You would normally get this from a freight guide. Something like Tate’s or Croner that provide
information for every country. They provide information on documentation needs amongst other
things specific to the country.

Do they also include templates and examples of these documents?

They don’t give you templates to our knowledge. The only way you get something like that is by
contacting a specialist such as our Shipping Office and I’ll then put you in the right direction or supply
you with the right paperwork or the templates of documents. They can explain the boxes that are
required to be completed too. This can also be an indication of training needs.

We’re technical specialists at the Institute so we’re able to say what you need to do to sell into a
particular country.

Could a company have a checklist of what export documentation they need to complete?

We could supply this if required. We can supply checklists for many processes including Letters of
Credit where people want to double check all the documentation they have generated and they need to
make sure that they have covered everything. The issue is that documentation can be country specific.

Typically, when people run into difficulties that they come to us for help. Those problems can be
anything from the paperwork not matching what customs expect, to the weights not being consistent
between invoices and packing lists for example.

98
It might be something as simple as you not realising that the customer actually needed
to have an import license, he didn’t know he needed it, and now you’ve tried to ship it
and it’s stuck in customs because they can’t get it any further than customs.

Usually what happens is people only come to us because they’ve got an issue – they’re being reactive
rather than proactive.

How can companies be proactive rather than reactive?

Training is the big key, and getting out to events and listening to what is being said in the market
place. Going to the IOE’s special interest groups and listening to the people that go to them to speak
and share information.

What impact will Brexit have?

Very difficult to say because we don’t know anything yet.

If we go back to where we were before joining the EU then we’re going to need formal export
documentation for every country we ship to. Exporters are going to have to send invoices with every
shipment and to have to work with Customs Entries for everything.

It depends what comes out of the negotiations. It’s hard to know how it’s going to pan out. Trade
agreements – how are they going to stand? Are we going to part of the existing trade agreements
anymore? Nobody knows.

99
 What costs should I include?
Lesley Batchelor OBE is an expert on international trade and a passionate champion of UK exporters.
She is Director General of the Institute of Export, the professional membership body for everyone
involved in international trade. Here she talks you through the essential steps when determining your
export price strategy should be.

There are a few things that need to be taken into consideration when pricing your offering.

What is your unit cost price?

This is the key to any export price and once this is understood you can use it as your starting point for
any additional costs you may incur when exporting as part of your international pricing strategy.

So, to explain, a very basic unit cost = (total fixed costs + total variable costs) divided by your total
units produced.

This will find the starting point for your pricing internationally.

The variables however, will be slightly extended by adding new cost lines such as international
product liability insurance, freight costs and any product modifications for new markets.

Be careful to think through all the aspects of the price to be sure of making a profit.

This article on the different pricing strategies available provides more useful information.

Do you need to modify your existing product before starting to sell internationally?

As you will have seen from our Getting started section, you would be well advised to research any
modifications you may need to make to your products first to be successful in an overseas market.

It is also important to note that modifications can lead to awkward lead times so, in most cases, the
closer your existing product is (or can get) to a standard product that is acceptable overseas, the easier
it will be and the less impact it will have on your stock holding and labour costs.

In an ideal world, you will try and standardise your products and your style of promotion to ensure that
you are not left odd levels of stock or managing additional shifts at double time to create the right
product for each market you export to.

Read this article on modifying your product for more information.

Do you require translation or localisation?

You may well have to translate your web site or materials such as promotional literature or instruction
manuals which may impact on your pricing strategy. Allow for these costs when pricing your offering.
Open to Export has many articles on translation and localisation, including this one how important
a role translation plays when entering new markets, which may be of use.

100
What about taxes and VAT?

There may be costs of sales tax / local VAT and duties that are part of the world trade
agreements that your product might attract before it gets into the country to the buyer. Check out
this VAT guide for further guidance.

Do I need insurance?

You may need specific insurances – it’s not just covering the physical product while it’s in transit but
your ideas and the financial risk that is contained in the transaction may be something that you chose
to cover. This article on protecting your intellectual property abroad provides some important tips.

New product development costs

New product development must be considered as part of the price to enable a company to move ahead
and research the next product or variations on this product.

Costs of delivery and documentation

The costs of delivery and documentation will impact on your final export price, especially if dealing
with markets that demand certificates of origin or legalisation of documents.

You may also need additional packaging in terms of both protection and also culturally appropriate
packs for your chosen market.

It is also important to be sure that the goods are delivered and received in perfect condition. In some
cases, this may mean using an Inspection service such as SGS or Bureau Veritas to monitor the process
from start to finish. This is most likely in countries where corruption is a problem.

Read the Open to Export article on the different delivery options available for more guidance.

Finally, a word about Incoterms®

Incoterms® 2010 are the latest set of rules which define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers for
the delivery of goods under sales contracts.

Designed to minimise disputes and to reflect modern day transportation practices, they set out the
transportation costs and responsibilities associated with the delivery of goods between buyers
(importers) and sellers (exporters). Effectively, they are concerned with establishing where the risk in
the goods transfers.

It is wise to use these terms when quoting and to make your customer aware of the impact these may
have on your contract and pricing.

We have articles which go into further depth explaining what International Commerce Terms are.

The Institute of Export or the British Chambers of Commerce can help with any queries about this and
help you understand when the risk passes from the seller to the buyer.

101
 Strong Leaders Encourage Employees to
Challenge Them
By Peter Barron Stark | May 28th, 2013 | Communication / Leadership

When you think of a leader, you may think of someone who’s confident, caring, decisive, and
determined. While these are all very important attributes, leaders should also leave room for
employees to respectfully challenge their ideas.

Some of the strongest and most successful decisions are made, or talked through, in groups.
Sometimes you may think that you’ve got the answer, or covered all of your bases and then, out of left
field, an employee says, “What about…” and provides a great idea that hasn’t been considered. Be
thankful for these employees. Confident employees have the courage to speak up and provide ideas
and honest feedback that leaders need in order to make the best possible decisions.

Here are some things that great leaders do to help employees feel comfortable enough to speak up:

1. Build trust. For employees to feel comfortable speaking up, they need to trust you. Trust
creates a safe environment for speaking up and sharing new or opposing ideas.

2. Clarify the organization’s vision and goals. Because all decisions should be made with the
organization’s vision and goals in mind, it’s important to make sure that each employee
understands exactly what they are.

3. Change your goal from “being right” to finding the best solution that will work. When an
employee challenges one of your decisions, leave egos out of it and turn the focus to what’s
best for the company and the team. With egos out of the way, you’ll be open to even more
solutions than you would have otherwise been.

4. Share information. While employees may still speak up if they aren’t aware of what’s going
on in the organization, more than likely, their uninformed input won’t be very useful or
constructive. Take time to keep your employees informed about what’s happening within your
team and the organization. The more informed and included people feel, the more they want
the team to succeed, making them more confident to speak up.

5. Ask. It seems obvious, but it can be easy to overlook. When implementing decisions, tell
employees that you’re open to their input, even if it contradicts your view or decision. This
way, they’ll be more likely to provide their input.

6. Listen and respond: It’s not enough to ask your employees for their input, you must truly
listen and answer questions. Answering questions is the best way to help an employee grasp the
full picture so that they can use their understanding to frame their input.

7. Be an example. Put simply: disagree with others how you want others to disagree with you.
Realize that whenever you disagree with another person’s decision or viewpoint, your

102
 employees are taking cues. Show your employees what it looks like to
respectfully disagree with someone. When employees see the way you approach
a difficult conversation/situation like this, they’ll be more likely to model after
you in the future.

8. Find a way to say yes. Saying an outright “no” will discourage employees from sharing their
ideas. Unfortunately, some employee suggestions just won’t be able to be implemented. Instead
of saying “No,” say something like this, “Sarah, that’s a great suggestion that you have, but
unfortunately I just don’t think that xyz will work at this time because [insert reason here].
What if we did wxy instead?”

9. Thank people for their input. There is an opportunity to have an even stronger relationship
and a more successful team with people who don’t always think alike. If people have the guts
to disagree with you, indirectly, they are helping you to become a better leader. Thank the
people who are willing to speak up with an alternative opinion.

10. Take action. If an employee has provided you with feedback or an idea and you’ve told him or
her that it’ll be implemented, make sure the action is carried out. If not, this will discourage
your employees from speaking up, no matter how many times you ask.

103
 2 ARTICLES/ INTERMEDIATE {Reading &
Discussion}
By the end of the 15th century many things were changing in Europe. The population started to grow
more quickly and a new class of merchants emerged. They wanted to buy and sell expensive and
valuable products from Asia—like gold, jewels and silk.
In those days, people had no refrigerators to preserve their food. They dried meat and often used salt
to make it last longer. To make food taste better they used spices, like pepper or cinnamon.
For centuries Europeans brought these goods on a land route from Asia over thousands of dangerous
kilometres . In the 15th century the overland routes were being controlled by the Turkish Empire,
which made it even more difficult for European merchants to pass through.
As a result, some European countries, like Spain and Portugal, decided to find out if there was a sea
route to India. With the help of new kinds of ships that could sail faster and instruments like the
quadrant, they started the Age of Exploration.
Portuguese exploration
At the end of the 15th century the Portuguese started to explore the west coast of Africa. They set up
trading posts and collected gold and silver. They were convinced that by sailing around the coast of
Africa they would find a route to India.
In 1487, the Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias sailed around the southern part of the continent
and got as far as the east coast of Africa, but a storm made him turn back. On his return voyage, he
saw a piece of land that stretched out into the sea. The Portuguese named it the Cape of Good Hope
because they were hopeful of finding a passageway to India.
In 1497 Vasco Da Gama set out from Lisbon, sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and into the
Indian Ocean. He reached the west coast of India in May 1498. He took some spices and gold back
with him to prove that he had reached India.
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was probably the most famous explorer of the era. He achieved fame by
sailing west in search of a sea route to India. Instead of reaching India he discovered that there was an
unknown mass of land in between, land that the Europeans knew nothing about.
Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451 and during his early years his father took him on various
sailing trips and wanted to make a merchant out of him.
Like many navigators of that time, Columbus also wanted to sail to India and the Far East. He thought
that if he sailed west he would also reach the Spice Islands of Asia and India. When he went to the
king of Portugal to present his plan, it was rejected. Queen Isabella of Spain admired young and
brave men like Columbus and so she gave him three ships—the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria—
and a crew of 90 men.
Columbus left Spain on August 3, 1492. After two months of sailing westward, he landed on an island
of the Bahamas, San Salvador, on October 12, 1492. Because he thought he had reached the islands
near India he called the natives Indians.

All together, Columbus made four voyages to the New World between 1492 and 1504. He explored
the coasts of Cuba, Jamaica , Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. On his last two voyages, Columbus reached

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the mainland of Central and South America and travelled as far south as the mouth
of the Orinoco River.
After he came home from his fourth voyage, Christopher Columbus fell
ill and died in 1506.
Other Spanish Explorers
During the early 1500s Spanish explorers travelled across most of Central and South America. They
founded colonies and brought settlers to the New World. They also made the native Indians work for
them. The Spaniards brought new products to the Americas, like wheat, horses, cattle and sheep. In
exchange, they grew plants that were not known in Europe, like corn and potatoes and brought them
back to the Old Continent.
In 1513 the Spanish explorer Vasco de Balboa landed in Panama, the part of Central America that is
very narrow. With his men, he fought his way through 50 miles of jungle and was surprised to see a
new sea, the Pacific Ocean.
One of the most important Spanish conquistadors was Hernando Cortes. He conquered the Aztec
empire in 1521. In 1532 and 1533 Francisco Pizarro conquered the Incas. These natives ruled an
empire that expanded from Columbia to the northern parts of Argentina. The Incas had great riches,
vast amounts of gold and silver. When the Spanish got there they took all of it away from the Incas

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 2nd ARTICLE

1989 - The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe

1989 was a year that changed the face of Europe. Communism collapsed in Eastern European
countries and the Iron Curtain was dismantled.
In Poland, the largest Communist country apart from the Soviet Union, the free trade union
Solidarity got more and more support from the population. In the June 1989 national elections,
Solidarity won the majority of seats in the Senate. As a result, Poland became the first Soviet satellite
state to have a non-communist Prime Minister. A year later Solidarity leader Lech Walesa was elected
Poland's first democratic President.
In 1988 Communist Hungary started making it easier for its own citizens to travel to the west. In May
1989 it started to tear down its barbed wire and metal fences along the border to Austria. East
Germans, who were allowed to travel to Communist countries but not to the west, took advantage of
Hungary’s move. In the summer of 1989 thousands of East Germans traveled to Hungary for their
holidays. They never went back and escaped to West Germany through Austria.
In September Hungary's Foreign Minister declared that it would not stop the thousands of East
Germans who were going to Austria.
At the beginning of October Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachew visited Berlin for East Germany’s 40th
anniversary. During these celebrations East German citizens demonstrated on the streets of Berlin
and other cities. They demonstrated for freedom and the right to leave Communist Germany.
Gorbachew warned the Communist leaders not to ignore the rights of
the population.

As the protest movement got stronger East German television

announced on November 9, 1989 that all citizens were free to travel to West Germany. Within hours
thousands passed the border at the Brandenburg Gate and other official border crossings in Berlin. A
day later bulldozers started tearing down the Berlin Wall, which had been built in 1961 to stop East
Germans from escaping to the West.
East Germany's communist leader Erich Honnecker did not realize that everything was over. Within a
few months he and other communist leaders were removed from office and on October 3, 1990 East
and West Germany joined to become one nation.
In autumn of 1989 unrest and rioting spread to Czechoslovakia. The weeks of demonstrations and
protest were called the Velvet Revolution. In the end the whole communist government had to resign.
At Prague's Wenceslas Square 200 000 people celebrated freedom and the collapse of Communism.
The leader of the movement, dissident and playwright Vaclav Havel became president of
Czechoslovakia.
In December 1989 protests erupted in communist Romania. Thousands of people started
demonstrating in the streets and tearing down posters of Communist dictator Nicolai Ceausescu.
Ceausescu ordered the police and the army to crush the protests. Dozens were killed in a wave of
violence.
But as protests became even stronger the army started to support the demonstrators. Ceausescu and
his wife fled Bucharest by helicopter. They were captured a few hours later by army soldiers and kept
prisoners for three days. On Christmas Day Ceausescu and his wife were put on trial at a military
base. They were found guilty by a people's court and executed on the same day.

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Bulgaria's change to freedom occurred without violence. Its communist leader
Zhivkov stepped down after 34 years in power. In the weeks before anti-communist
protests swept throughout the country. A few months later the first free elections were
held in Bulgaria.

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 Understand Your Competition

To understand the strengths of your own business, you must understand your competition and your
positioning. Who competes with you for your customers’ time and money? Are they directly selling
competitive products and services, substitutes, or possible substitutes? What are their strengths and
weaknesses? How are they positioned in the market?

Your competitive analysis

A good competitive analysis varies according to what industry you’re in and your specific marketing
plan and situation. A comprehensive competitive analysis does have some common themes.

Begin by explaining the general nature of competition in your type of business, and how customers
seem to choose one provider over another. What might make customers decide? Price or billing rates,
reputation, or image and visibility? Are brand names important? How influential is word of mouth in
providing long-term satisfied customers?

For example, competition in the restaurant business might depend on reputation and trends in one part
of the market and on location and parking in another. For the Internet and Internet service providers,
busy signals for dial-up customers might be important. A purchase decision for an automobile may be
based on style, or speed, or reputation for reliability.

For many professional service practices, the nature of competition depends on word of mouth because
advertising is not completely accepted and therefore not as influential. Is there price competition
between accountants, doctors, and lawyers?

How do people choose travel agencies or florists for weddings? Why does someone hire one landscape
architect over another? Why would a customer choose Starbucks, a national brand, over the local
coffee house? Why select a Dell computer instead of one from H-P or Gateway? What factors make
the most difference for your business? Why? This type of information is invaluable in understanding
the nature of competition.

Compare your product or service in the light of those factors of competition. How do you stack up
against the others? For example:

 As a travel agent, your agency might offer better airline ticketing than others, or perhaps it
is located next to a major university and caters to student traffic. Other travel agents might
offer better service, better selection, or better connections.
 The computer you sell is faster and better, or perhaps comes in fruity colors. Other
computers offer better price or service.
 Your graphic design business might be mid-range in price, but well known for proficiency
in creative technical skills.
 Your automobile is safer, or faster, or more economical.
 Your management consulting business is a one-person home office business, but enjoys
excellent relationships with major personal computer manufacturers who call on you for
work in a vertical market in which you specialize.

In other words, you should know how you are positioned in the market. Why do people buy your
product or services instead of the others offered in the same general categories? What benefits do you

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offer at what price, to whom, and how does your mix compare to others? Think about
specific kinds of benefits, features, and market groups, comparing where you think you
can show the difference.

Describe each of your major competitors in terms of those same factors. This may include their size,
the market share they command, their comparative product quality, their growth, available capital and
resources, image, marketing strategy, target markets, or whatever else you consider important.

Make sure you specifically describe the strengths and weaknesses of each competitor, and compare
them to your own. Consider their service, pricing, reputation, management, financial position, brand
awareness, business development, technology, or other factors that you feel are important. In what
segments of the market do they operate? What seems to be their strategy? How much do they impact
your business, and what threats and opportunities do they represent?

Finding information on competitors

You can find an amazing wealth of market data on the Internet. The hard part, of course, is sorting
through it and knowing what to stress.

Your access to competitive information will vary, depending on where you are and who the
competition is. Competitors that are publicly traded may have a significant amount of information
available, as regular financial reporting is a requirement of every serious stock market in the world.
Wherever your target is listed for public trading, it has to report data.

Competitive information may be limited in situations where your competitors are privately held. If
possible, you may want to take on the task of playing the role of a potential customer and gain
information from that perspective.

Industry associations, industry publications, media coverage, information from the financial
community, and their own marketing materials and websites may be good resources to identify these
factors and “rate” the performance and position of each competitor..

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