Business  English  Test  CEF  B2  

   Your  name:     .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    

 

Class:  E ....................    

Date:   .......................................................      

READING /25

LISTENING /25

WRITING /25

SPEAKING /25

TOTAL /100

2

READING  (___  /25M)  

PART  1:  (7  Marks)     ___  /7  

Look  at  the  following  descriptions  of  events  and  the  statements  below.  Which  event  (A,  B,  C  or  D)  does  each  statement  1-­‐7  refer  to?  For  each  statement  1-­‐7,  tick  ()  one  letter  (A,  B,  C  or  D).  You  will  need  to  use  some  of  these  letters  more  than  once.    A  Personal  Assistants. This event is of particular interest to senior secretarial staff working in specialist areas, including banking, accountancy, investment and stocks and shares. Seminar topics include technical report writing, machine translation and interpreter skills. There will also be workshops in specific computer-related areas, including graphics packages and the use of spreadsheets and databases. Please note that the fee covers all seminars, one workshop and all course materials. B  Business  Communications. If you are ambitious, this course is for you! It is designed for PAs and Private Secretaries who want to improve their presentation skills, to gain added confidence through assertiveness training and to learn about the latest developments in office technology. The course also includes a session on further opportunities for professional training. Conference fees include accommodation in twin-bedded rooms, all meals and transfer to and from the conference centre. C  Senior  Secretaries. This event offers an opportunity for Executive Secretaries to keep abreast of developments in their field, to gain an insight into the changes influencing their roles, and above all to demonstrate ways of developing their careers. The key issues to be covered include: dealing with change; managing staff; setting up in-house training programmes; and personal career planning. The cost of the two-day conference includes all course notes, refreshments and lunch D  Executive  Secretaries. This event provides an opportunity to broaden your business contacts and to gain practical advice from experts in such areas as choosing the best office products, staying abreast of developments in business technology, and planning successful conferences, trade fairs and exhibitions. Experts will also be on hand to advise on effective purchasing practices and ways in which to increase the efficiency of your office. Admission is free, but you are advised to book early as places are limited. 1. There is no charge for this event. A B C D 2. You will have to share a room if you attend this event. A B C D 3. This event will be useful if you have a number of people working under you. A B C D 4. If you want to learn how to get on in your career, go to this event. A B C D 5. If your job involves documents in foreign languages, this event will interest you. A B C D 6. This event is of particular interest to people who work in financial institutions. A B C D 7. This is the course for you if you want to learn about organizing events. A B C D

3

READING  PART  2:  (5  Marks)     ___  /5  

Read  the  article  about  starting  your  own  business.  Choose  the  best  sentence  below  to  fill  each  of  the  gaps.  For  each  gap  8-­‐12,  mark  one  letter  (A-­‐F).  Do  not  use  any  letter  more  than  once.  There  is  an  example  at  the  beginning  (0  G).  

STARTING  YOUR  OWN  BUSINESS  The first two things to do if you are starting your own business are to find an

accountant and talk to your bank manager. Your accountant will help you to draw up a business plan to show what borrowings you need from your bank. (0) G.

While you are engaged in these consultations, it is a good idea to find out whether you are entitled to any government subsidies or similar financial help. (8) _____. Check too whether training grants are available for yourself or people you employ.

Once you have completed these preliminary tasks, there are a number of specific things you then need to do. Doing them in the right way and at the right time can save you a lot of money, so make sure you know what to do.

Perhaps the most important is to tell the Inland Revenue that you have left your job and have started your own business. (9) _____. The Inland Revenue will also need to amend their records to show that you are now self-employed. Next, you should think about registering for Value Added Tax (VAT). Generally, if your sales exceed a certain amount you have to charge VAT on them. (10) _____.

Consider the consequences of employing people in your business. As soon as you start to take on employees, you will need to establish proper procedures. These include drawing up proper contracts of employment. You will also need to get in touch with your local tax office to register your employees.

Lastly, as part of becoming an employer of others, you must become familiar with a number of legal issues. Once you have more than a minimum number of people on your payroll, you will need to comply with Health and Safety requirements. (11) _____. One issue that you should think about once your business expands and your staff grow in numbers is equal opportunity. In particular, you should consider drawing up a company policy on equal opportunity. (12) _____.

If you need more information on legal or other matters relating to employment, contact your local Chamber of Commerce, which will either be able to help you, or will put you in touch with organizations who can.

A It is a good idea, when considering this issue, to ask your local Fire Authority to check your work premises in order to ensure that they comply with current fire regulations.

B Even if your sales are under that figure, it may be worthwhile registering voluntarily because you could recover what you have been charged on your business purchases.

C If you are new to this, talk to your local Chamber of Commerce about placing suitable advertisements in the local press.

D For example, you might be in a less prosperous region where grants are made to encourage the start-up of small businesses.

E You may be due a repayment of income tax deducted while you were in employment, so do this as soon as possible.

F If this includes a commitment to employ disabled people, you will need to ensure that your premises are equipped to accommodate them, for example with ramps for wheelchairs, special provision of toilets, and so on.

G Once this is done, your bank manager will need to review the plan and discuss any overdraft facility you might need.

4

READING  PART  3:  (13  Marks)     ___  /13  

MEASURING  ORGANISATIONAL  PERFORMANCE  There is clear-cut evidence that, for a period of at least one year, supervision which increases the

direct pressure for productivity can achieve significant increases in production. However, such short-term increases are obtained only at a substantial and serious cost to the organisation.

To what extent can a manager make an impressive earnings record over a short period of one to three years by exploiting the company's investment in the human organisation in his plant or division? To what extent will the quality of his organisation suffer if he does so? The following is a description of an important study conducted by the Institute for Social Research designed to answer these questions.

The study covered 500 clerical employees in four parallel divisions. Each division was organised in exactly the same way, used the same technology, did exactly the same kind of work, and had employees of comparable aptitudes.

Productivity in all four of the divisions depended on the number of clerks involved. The work entailed the processing of accounts and generating of invoices. Although the volume of work was considerable, the nature of the business was such that it could only be processed as it came along. Consequently, the only way in which productivity could be increased was to change the size of the work group.

The four divisions were assigned to two experimental programmes on a random basis. Each programme was assigned at random a division that had been historically high in productivity and a division that had been below average in productivity. No attempt was made to place a division in the programme that would best fit its habitual methods of supervision used by the manager, assistant managers, supervisors and assistant supervisors.

The experiment at the clerical level lasted for one year. Beforehand, several months were devoted to planning, and there was also a training period of approximately six months. Productivity was measured continuously and computed weekly throughout the year. The attitudes of employees and supervisory staff towards their work were measured just before and after the period.

Turning now to the heart of the study, in two divisions an attempt was made to change the supervision so that the decision levels were pushed down and detailed supervision of the workers reduced. More general supervision of the clerks and their supervisors was introduced. In addition, the managers, assistant managers, supervisors and assistant supervisors of these two divisions were trained in group methods of leadership, which they endeavoured to use as much as their skill would permit during the experimental year. For easy reference, the experimental changes in these two divisions will be labelled the 'participative programme'.

In the other two divisions, by contrast, the programme called for modifying the supervision so as to increase the closeness of supervision and move the decision levels upwards. This will be labelled the 'hierarchically controlled programme'. These changes were accomplished by a further extension of the scientific management approach. For example, one of the major changes made was to have the jobs timed and to have standard times computed. This showed that these divisions were overstaffed by about 30%. The general manager then ordered the managers of these two divisions to cut staff by 25%. This was done by transfers without replacing the persons who left; no one was to be dismissed.

RESULTS  OF  THE  EXPERIMENT  Changes in Productivity

Figure 1 shows the changes in salary costs per unit of work, which reflect the change in productivity that occurred in the divisions. As will be observed, the hierarchically controlled programmes increased productivity by about 25%. This was a result of the direct orders from the general manager to reduce staff by that amount. Direct pressure produced a substantial increase in production.

A significant increase in productivity of 20% was also achieved in the participative programme, but this was not as great an increase as in the hierarchically controlled programme. To bring about this improvement, the clerks themselves participated in the decision to reduce the size of the work

5

group. (They were aware of course that productivity increases were sought by management in conducting these experiments.) Obviously, deciding to reduce the size of a work group by eliminating some of its members is probably one of the most difficult decisions for a work group to make. Yet the clerks made it. In fact, one division in the participative programme increased its productivity by about the same amount as each of the two divisions in the hierarchically controlled programme. The other participative division, which historically had been the poorest of all the divisions, did not do so well and increased productivity by only 15%. Changes in Attitudes

Although both programmes had similar effects on productivity, they had significantly different results in other respects. The productivity increases in the hierarchically controlled programme were accompanied by shifts in an adverse direction in such factors as loyalty, attitudes, interest, and involvement in the work. But just the opposite was true in the participative programme.

For example, Figure 2 shows that when more general supervision and increased participation were provided, the employees' feeling of responsibility to see that the work got done increased. Again, when the supervisor was away, they kept on working. In the hierarchically controlled programme, however, the feeling of responsibility decreased, and when the supervisor was absent, work tended to stop.

As Figure 3 shows, the employees in the participative programme at the end of the year felt that their manager and assistant manager were 'closer to them' than at the beginning of the year. The opposite was true of the hierarchical programme. Moreover, as Figure 4 shows, employees in the participative programme felt that their supervisors were more likely to 'pull' for them, or for the company and them, and not be solely interested in the company, while in the hierarchically controlled programme, the opposite trend occurred.

6

For  each  question  13-­‐15,  circle  one  letter  (A,  B,  C  or  D)  for  the  correct  answer.  13. The experiment was designed to A establish whether increased productivity should be sought at any cost. B show that four divisions could use the same technology. C perfect a system for processing accounts. D exploit the human organisation of a company in order to increase profits. 14. The four divisions A each employed a staff of 500 clerks. B each had equal levels of productivity. C had identical patterns of organisation. D were randomly chosen for the experiment. 15. Before the experiment A the four divisions were carefully selected to suit a specific programme. B each division was told to reduce its level of productivity. C the staff involved spent a number of months preparing for the study. D the employees were questioned about their feelings towards the study.

Complete  the  summary  below.  Choose  ONE  word  from  the  text  for  each  answer.  This experiment involved an organisation comprising four divisions, which were divided into two programmes: the hierarchically controlled programme and the participative programme. For a period of one year a different method of 16. __________________________ was used in each programme. Throughout this time 17. __________________________ was calculated on a weekly basis. During the course of the experiment the following changes were made in an attempt to improve performance. In the participative programme:

• supervision of all workers was 18. __________________________. • supervisory staff were given training in 19. __________________________.

In the hierarchically controlled programme: • supervision of all workers was increased. • work groups were found to be 20. __________________________ by 30%. • the work force was 21. __________________________ by 25%.

Look  at  Figures  1,  2,  3  and  4.  Choose  the  most  appropriate  label,  A-­‐I,  for  each  Figure  from  the  box  below.    

A Employees' interest in the company B Cost increases for the company C Changes in productivity D Employees' feelings of responsibility towards completion of work E Changes in productivity when supervisor was absent F Employees' opinion as to extent of personal support from management G Employees feel closer to their supervisors H Employees' feelings towards increased supervision I Supervisors' opinion as to closeness of work group

22. Figure 1 ________ 23. Figure 2 ________

24. Figure 3 ________ 25. Figure 4 ________

7

LISTENING  (___  /25M)  

PART  1:  (8  Marks)     ___  /8  

You  will  hear  a  discussion  between  two  managers,  Matthew  and  Angela,  about  some  problems  with  staff.  For  each  question  1-­‐8,  circle  one  letter  (A,  B,  or  C)  for  the  correct  answer.  

1. How many junior managers resigned in June? A one B two C four 2. Matthew thinks the junior managers are leaving because A they don't like working in the company. B they want to get wider experience. C they can earn more in other companies. 3. What does Matthew think about junior managers who resign? A They need to leave to get promotion. B They should be more patient. C They are bad at their jobs. 4. What does Angela find most annoying about hiring new staff? A reading so many CVs B interviewing applicants C training the new staff 5. Matthew was told that taking on the wrong person can A make other staff want to leave. B create extra work for the team. C cause the company to lose money. 6. What is the Personnel Department thinking about using? A employment agencies B personality tests C handwriting experts 7. Matthew thinks handwriting tests do not show if people are A intelligent. B ambitious. C confident. 8. Matthew and Angela agree that the company should A ask for more details on application forms. B review its advertisements for vacancies. C change the way candidates are interviewed.

8

LISTENING  PART  2:  (12  Marks)     ___  /12  

You  will  hear  a  director  welcoming  temporary  staff.  For  each  question  9-­‐11,  circle  one  letter  (A,  B,  or  C)  for  the  correct  answer.  

9. Which chart shows the company's sales figures for the last five years?

10. Which illustration shows the relationship of three departments this year?

Food Electrical Clothing

Food Electrical Clothing

Food Electrical Clothing 11. Which chart shows numbers of temporary staff in the company?

Complete  the  notes  below.  Write  NO  MORE  THAN  TWO  WORDS  for  each  answer.  

• Company's mission statement: '12. ______________________________ for customers'

• In case of problems, always ask your 13. ______________________________ for help

• Important for customers to have a 14. ______________________________ experience, not

just a 15. ______________________________ transaction

• Tell customers about 16. ______________________________ goods

• Read the 17. ______________________________ every month

• Must attend 18. ______________________________ on Thursdays

Circle  TWO  letters  A  -­‐  E.  19. + 20. Which TWO things must be done today?

A complete form

B get security pass

C register for discount

D show certificates

E watch information video

A B C

9

LISTENING  PART  3:  (5  Marks)     ___  /5  

You  will  hear  five  short  recordings.  Each  speaker  is  leaving  a  message  for  someone.  For  each  recording,  decide  what  the  main  reason  for  the  message  is.  Write  one  letter  (A-­‐H)  next  to  the  number  of  the  recording.  Do  not  use  any  letter  more  than  once.  

A making an apology

21. ___________ B offering to help

22. ___________ C asking for some information

23. ___________ D amending an order

24. ___________ E giving instructions

25. ___________ F cancelling an appointment

G making a complaint

H explaining a procedure

10

WRITING  (___  /25M)  

  ___  /25  

Choose  ONE  of  the  following  tasks  and  write  a  well-­‐structured  answer  of  at  least  150  words.  A You are due to start a new job next week but you will not be able to because you have some

problems. Write a letter to your new employer. In your letter • explain your situation • describe your problems • tell him/her when you think you can start.

B In some countries, it can be very difficult for people over the age of 50 to get good jobs, despite their experience. What do you think are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?

C The chart below shows the amount of leisure time enjoyed by men and women of different employment status. Write a report describing the information shown below.

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

11

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................