Unit 4 Reading

Unit 4 Feedback Progress Test

Name: ________________________

Part 1 Reading

Task 15 pointsRead the article about performance reviews and sentences AE below.Choose the best sentence to fill each of the gaps 15. Do not use any letter more than once.

Every company has them, but the appraisal or review can often be a painful experience, dreaded by those who give them and those on the receiving end. As with everything in 21st century business, things change but human nature does not. Nobody actually enjoys hearing about their inefficiencies and weaknesses, and few bosses look forward to describing them. (1) ___ . If you cannot easily measure something, equally it is very difficult to evaluate.Feedback, when used correctly, is an essential tool for learning. (2) _ . By understanding that gap, the individual can take steps to close it. Badly delivered appraisals can undermine and damage a persons confidence in their abilities, and their position in the company. Ineffectual appraisals serve as a waste of resources in both time and money. (3) _ . One method suggested as a blueprint for giving feedback is presented in the acronym BOOST. An appraisal should be Balanced, giving positive and constructive points; Observed, using real examples; Objective, being based on facts, not feelings; Specific, using specific examples and Timely, so should be given very close to the event.Another similar model is FAST Feedback, this time signifying Frequent, Accurate, Specific, Timely. Again the importance of time is stressed, suggesting that most if not all positive learning benefits can be lost if the critique occurs too long after an event has occurred. This has also been attributed to the project-driven, results-oriented workplace of today. (4) _ . The modern just-in-time workplace needs a feedback system that reflects the same ethic.A word of warning, however, has been offered for this fast turnaround appraisal scheme. (5) . Highly charged events need to be handled with sensitivity, and it may be of benefit to let emotions cool a little before dealing with the situation head-on. If the issue is really big, it is important to handle it with a face-to-face meeting properly scheduled and attended.

A And as the workplace has evolved and become more team-oriented, so it has become tougher to measure individual performance.B It has been argued that modern feedback should shed its typical delivery mode, and instead should be incorporated into routine meetings and memos, even through email and voice mail.

C Human behaviour being what it is, a lot depends on the event which has occurred, even in the most pressured environments.D Therefore, because they are so essential in establishing good working practices, several models have been suggested for use when planning appraisals.E It is information on the gap between current and target performance.Task 2

10 points

Read the appraisal below.

Choose the best word to fill each gap (A, B, C or D). Mark is a (1) _____ individual and this helps when he is selling to customers. He seems to be (2) _ well in the department. However, other colleagues have found him a little too (3) in his approach to the business of meeting targets, and his line manager has expressed concern that he might be in danger of(4) if he continues working the way he is. In order for him to avoid getting too (5) over individual targets, it is important for him to be reminded of some of the long-term goals of the team and to encourage everyone to (6) . While his own sales targets are fine overall, the team are having problems in sticking to their (7) , which was set at the beginning of the year, and many of the excesses can be found in Marks recent expenses sheet he submitted recently. We have a difficult task ahead in maintaining our biggest client, and the contract is up for renewal imminently. That is the next (8) which we should be concentrating on, and which requires a team effort. We need to move forward in a(9) manner, and with the whole team (10) for us to succeed.1. A commandingB co-operative C cautious D confident2. A settling upB settling in C selling out D settle down

3. A single-aimedB singled-out C simple-minded D single-minded

4. A burning outB burning up C burning down D burning through5. A excited

B anxious C stressed D strained

6. A pull aroundB pull together C pull up

D pull through

7. A plans

B budget C guns

D promise

8. A project

B marker C milestone D plan

9. A decisive

B descriptive C desperate D downright

10. A getting on well B passing the buck C pulling over D pulling their weightPart 2 Writing

Task 1

15 points

Write an email based on the following brief. Write about 5060 words.

You have recently been promoted to an overseas position, but you are working for a difficult boss. The management style in the office is different to the style you are used to, and you can see that your managers personality is affecting the productivity of the department. She is bullying you and others in your company, while not actually doing much work herself. You do not see how this will help your own personal development. Write an email to your friend back home explaining the situation and asking for advice.

Task 25 pointsUsing the words in brackets, re-write these criticisms so they are more constructive, by reformulating the statements as questions. The first one has been done for you.

0 If you make this kind of mistake again, we will have no choice but to fire you. (realize)

Do you realise that this kind of mistake could have serious consequences for you?

1 If we dont find a solution, we are going to lose our best customer. (realize)

___________________________________________________________________

2 Next time you find yourself with a problem you must ask for help. (think)

____________________________________________________________________

3 I cant imagine what you did to make the customer so angry. (have)

____________________________________________________________________

4 If you could have been a little less inflexible, this wouldnt have happened. (agree)

____________________________________________________________________

5 You should have contacted me immediately. (think)

____________________________________________________________________

Part 3 ListeningTask 1 / Recording 1.31

5 points

Listen to the Project Manager giving a presentation about a construction project. What do the following numbers or dates refer to?1 The end of August

2 May of Year 2

3 12 months

4 6 months

5 September of Year 4

Task 2 / Recording 1.39

5 points

Listen to the voicemail message from Mr Wambugu about the appointment of a new sales rep.Complete the following sentences with the correct words.1 One of my sales reps, Mrs Mohamed, has just ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ .2 He is a hard-working young man with ____________ , ____________ and ____________ .

3 I need you to ____________ _____________ ____________ with the HR department in Nairobi.

4 Personally, I think Corporate should stop interfering, and let us Kenyans ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ .

5 However, since ____________ ____________ ____________ , I would appreciate it if you could deal with this matter as soon as possible.

Part 4 Speaking5 pointsPrepare a one-minute presentation on one of these topics. You have one minute to prepare your talk.A

Management: how to manage difficult people.

B

Report writing: what to include when writing a report.Subject:

Cc:

To:

The Business Upper Intermediate Tests / Unit 4 6