A Visit to the Factory

Phrase list

Listen to the tape and practise the pronunciation of the following words and word combinations, quote the sentences in which they are used in the unit. Consult a dictionary and translate them into Russian.

to have somebody on the phone to make somebody’s fortune

to take somebody / to see round the factory to get (to fix) an appointment

an office block

the administrative department the Sales department

the Accounts department the Personnel department

the Market Research department the warehouse

to store (the items of) equipment

to keep a stock of the faster-moving items to meet (urgent orders) from the stock Works Manager

to come in different sizes (about steel sheets and bars) to be unloaded on to the delivery bank

a spot welder

to install a conveyor belt to double (treble) output assembly shop

to compare favourably with something (about prices) to furnish the office

to depend on the line

to supply from the stock requirement(s) artificial fertilisers

to give a quotation delivery charges

to be somebody’s deadline to honour a date

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PRE-LISTENING

Task I

Consider the introduction to the unit. Answer the following questions and be ready to give a story line. Use the word combinations in brackets.

1. What is the purpose of Mr. Duncan’s telephone call to Harper & Grant?

(to get a telephone call from somebody; to have an introduction from a mutual acquaintance; to stay in London for a few days; to telephone to fix an appointment to see somebody)

2.What is Mr. Duncan’s reaction to the suggestion of a later date of his appointment with Mr. Grant?

(to be very busy; to suggest a later date; to be rather short-tempered; to expect to have an appointment whenever somebody wants one; to see over the factory; to see how some of the office furniture is made)

3.What proves that Elizabeth is a very good secretary?

(to have a good secretary’s sixth sense; to be a valuable customer; to fix an appointment for somebody)

4. How did it happen that Elizabeth showed Mr. Duncan round the factory?

(to tell somebody about the appointment; to suggest that somebody should do something; to show the customer round the factory)

5.Why was Mr. Grant reluctant to see G. Duncan?

(the mutual acquaintance; to be a great talker; to waste a lot of time and then buy very little; to be the same; to warn somebody to interrupt the interview after a short time; to do something with the excuse)

6.What was the reason of Mr. Grant’s sudden change of attitude towards Mr. Duncan?

(to indicate that someone wishes to do something; to place a large order for office furniture for one’s new office block; to complete construction in Scotland; to be interested in escaping from one’s visitor; to know one’s boss very well; to be surprised by something)

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Task 2

Give the English equivalents for the following word combinations:

LISTENING

Exercise 1

You are going to hear a talk between Elizabeth and Hector Grant. Before you listen to the conversation look at these statements. After you have listened to the tape determine whether these statements are true (T) or false (F). Explain why.

1.Mr. Macpherson recommended a Mr. George Duncan from Glasgow to come to see Elizabeth Corby.

2.In Mr. Grant’s opinion it is doubtful that any friend of Mr. Duncan’s will make the company’s fortune.

3.Mr. Duncan said he would like Mr. Grant to take him round the factory.

4.H.G. thought that J. Macpherson would take up the whole day and then order one chair.

5.Elizabeth suggested that she could take a new customer round the factory.

6.H.G. said that he would see Mr. Duncan first and then Elizabeth would take him round the factory.

7.H.G. asked his secretary to interrupt his interview with G. Duncan after fifty minutes.

8.H.G. asked his secretary to remind him that he had another appointment.

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