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SUJETS D’ANGLAIS AU BTS

ANGLAIS 2003

Complete each gap with a word or expression chosen from those in the bracket below.

a) They are giving …………………………………a prize, (she, its, him, they).

b) Last week the bank manager gave me………………………………… to enable me feed
my family while waiting for the end of the month ( a red carpet treatment, an overdraft,
statement).
c) I Makwetche always takes down the …………………………………of our monthly
meetings (rapport, draft, minutes).
d) …………………………man has got a moustache? (which, who, who’s, why).
e) Have you ……………………………to London? (been, gone, go, went).

II- GRAMMAR

Obey the instruction given to each question.

i) Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense.

a) I (go) to Japan for the 1992 trade fair.

b) John brought the book when the manager (to the) another one.

ii) Write a question tag for this statement

You like driving…………………………………

iii) Put the following structures in the reported speech.

1. “The wholesaler bought his goods two days ago”, the shop assistant said.
2. “John is travelling tomorrow”, said Mary.

III- COMPREHENSION

Protection and free trade

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International trade is of vital importance to ail industrialize countries.

They must sell their products abroad in order to earn enough foreign currency to
import the raw materials manufactured goods or services that they do not produce at home.
Governments have to keep a watchful eye on their countries’ balance of trade. (the ratio
between imports and exports of visible i.e. goods) and their balance payment (concerning not
only “visible” but also invisible – such as tourism and financial services). If a country’s
products are successful abroad, it can afford to import a wider variety of goods, thus offering
consumers more choice and improving leaving standards.

Because of increasingly tierce competition on the world market many countries seek to
protect domestic production by controlling imports. This may be done by applying quotas or
tariffs, by setting up custom barriers instituting stringent health and safety regulations various
other restrictions. To counteract protectionism and “economic warfare”, organizations like the
GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), WTO (World Trade organization) aim to
remove trade barriers and to eradicate all dumping measures and to ensure that each member
country can benefit from relatively free world trade.

Whereas most world trade revolved around the Western European/North America axis
before the oil crisis of 1973, a major shift occurred between the 70s and the 80s. Japan and
NIcs (Newly Industrialized Countries) like Taiwan and Hong Kong penetrated Western
markets with products that proved to be serious rivals for home produced goods. Because of
this and the subsequent attempt by organizations to apply the principles of free trade world-
wide, the number of transnationals and multinationals has increased rapidly. This has been
helped by the standardizing of manufacturing techniques and safety standards, and by a
certain degree of products as well. At the same time, socio-cultural trends are now
transnational (for example, in the fields of fast food and computerised systems). The result is
that some brand names and products are now produced and sold all over the world. A
company aiming at the world market, may either create a “global concept” and sell identical
products in each country (like coca cola) or more often, it may tailor its basic concept to the
local requirements of each market.

Breaking into Export Markets.

Before a company decides to export its products, it must assess its export potential i.e.
analyse the suitability of its products and whether it has the production capacity as well as the

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financial and human resources necessary to break into the export market. It must identify
potential partners and calculate the risks involved in such a venture. Information about the
export markets can often be obtained from government like COFACE in France which
provide assistance to exporters.

Advice can also be obtained from banks who will not only have branches abroad and
therefore know the state of market in specific countries but who can also check the credit
worthiness of potential clients or partners. Banks are also invaluable in international trade
because of the importance of the documentary credit, a means of payment for imported goods,
that is, a written undertaking from a bank that will pay the beneficiary (the exporter) so long
as he meets the condition of the credit.

QUESTIONS.

1- Why is international trade of vital importance to all industrialized countries?

2- What methods can a country use to protect domestic production?
3- What precautions must a country take before exporting its products?
4- What role do banks play in international trade?
5- What measures can be taken to counteract protectionism and “economic warfare”?

IV. TRANSLATION

A) Translate into French the first two sentences of the passage

i.e. “International trade is of vital importance ……………“ to”……………….. goods or

services that they do not produce at home.

B) Translate the following sentences Into English.

1) Les ventes étaient en plein essor lorsque notre principal concurrent lança son nouveau
produit.
2) Après cinq dures années, l’entreprise espère qu’elle est sûre de récolter le fruit de nos
efforts.
3) Nos travailleurs sont satisfaits des conditions de travail dans ma nouvelle usine.

V. ESSAY

“Market research surveys are essential for a company today”. Discuss.

Annales Brainprepa (www.brainprepa.com)