Unit 4. Current Activities.

Grammar in Focus – Present Continuous Tense

Text 1.

Read and translate the dialogue. Pay attention to the use of Present Continuous Tense. Answer the questions that follow.

Linda: Linda Dawson.

Michael: Hi, Linda. It's Michael.

Linda: Michael! How's it going? Where are you?

Michael: I'm in Sydney. I'm calling from the hotel.

Linda: What time is it in Sydney?

Michael: It's half past eight, in the evening. Actually, I'm having dinner right now. I'm calling from the restaurant.

Linda: Is it urgent, Michael? I'm rather busy.

Michael: No. Just a few questions. It can wait.

Linda: Sorry, Michael. I'm getting ready for the sales meeting. What are you having?

Michael: Having?

Linda: For dinner. What are you eating?

Michael: Oh! Lobster.

Linda: Enjoy your lobster. Can I call you in a couple of hours?

Michael: Sure. That's fine.

Linda: Great. Bye.

Michael: Bye.

Ex. 1

Answer the questions.

1. Who is calling Linda?

2. Where is Michael calling from?

3. What is Linda doing at the moment?

4. What is Michael eating?

Text 2.

Philips is a multinational company with a quarter of a million employees and there are over a hundred and twenty subsidiaries worldwide. The group has a turnover of thirty one thousand six hundred and twenty million ECUs and its holding or parent company is located in the Netherlands. Philips manufactures and sells over a million different electrical products. The group is also working in joint ventures with other partners. For example, the company is expanding its activities in China at the moment, developing business ventures with the People’s Republic.

Text 3.

IBM is the market leader in micro electronics, communications and many other fields. The company manufactures and sells advanced information processing products and its turnover is over sixty-two billion dollars and there are two hundred and fifteen thousand employees rowldwide. It’s the most exiting industry in the world and it is changing fast. The company is changing too. They are developing a new company culture. They are introducing new systems that encourage risk taking and personal leadership.

Complete the sentences. Use Present Continuous.

1. Philips _____ (expand) their activities in China.

2. Our research department _____ (develop) a new drug.

3. They _____ (stay) at the Hilton Hotel.

4. Someone _____(wait) for you in your office.

5. We _____(build) a new factory in Barcelona.

6. I _____ (call) about order no. AB/236.

7. The dollar _____ (go up).

8. The IT department _____ (spend) a lot of money on new equipment at the moment.

9. I’m sorry, but you _____ (speak) too quickly for me.

Could you slow down a little?

Unit 5. Company information. Comparing sales figures. Text 1.

Read and translate fashion retailer’s report on sales.

Global Retail Group. Sales Report.

We sold a larger quantity of our more expensive items. This was because we had a wider variety of suits and dresses in stock for the Christmas party season. Cheaper items also did well but items in the mid-price range were more difficult to move and sales were lower than in October.

There was a large increase in sales of darker colors such as black and navy blue. Red and green were more popular than in October. Overall, sales in November were better than sales in October but worse than last year when trading conditions were easier. We hope to see an improvement in December.