Lesson 3

Task 1. Complete the text with the words in the box.

1. plans	5. common features	9. fashions	13. profits	17. advantages
2. a production target	6.disadvantages	10. to comply with	14. inefficient	18. central planning
3. waste resources	7. command economies	11. incentive	15. available	19. proper
4. goods and services	8. control	12. standard of living	16. start	20. to produce

Planned economy

Planned economies are sometimes called "( 7 )" because the state commands the use of resources (such as labour and factories) that are used to produce ( 4 ), as it owns factories, land and natural resources. Planned economies are economies with a large amount of ( 18 ) and direction, when the government takes all the decisions. Planning of this kind is obviously very difficult, very complicated to do, and the result is that there is no society, which is completely a command economy. The actual system employed varies from state to state, but command or planned economies have a number of ( 5 ).

Firstly, the state decides precisely what the nation is ( 20 ). It usually ( 1 ) five years ahead. It is the intention of the planners that there should be enough goods and services for all.

Secondly, industries are asked ( 10 ) these plans and each industry and factory is set ( 2 ) to meet. A planned economy is simple to understand but not simple to operate. It does, however, have a number of ( 17 ):

► Everyone in society receives enough goods and services to enjoy a basic ( 12 ).

► Nations do not ( 3 ) duplicating production.

► The state can use its ( 8 ) of the economy to divert resources to wherever it wants. As a result, it can ensure that everyone receives a good education, ( 19 ) health care or that transport is ( 15 ).

Several ( 6 ) also exist. It is these disadvantages that have led to many nations abandoning planned economies over recent years.

► There is no ( 11 ) for individuals to work hard in planned economies.

► Any ( 13 ) are made are paid to the government.

► Citizens cannot ( 16 ) their own businesses and so new ideas rarely come forward.

► As a result, industries in planned economies can be very ( 14 ). A major problem faced by command or planned economies is that of deciding what to produce. Command economies tend to be slow when responding to changes in people's tastes and ( 9 ).

Task 2. Match each of the words or phrases on the left to an appropriate definition.

1 bargan h	a) an amount of money that sb/a bank, etc. lends you
2 brand-conscious f	b) a person who is paid to work for sb else
3 competitive j	c) a formal discussion at which people try to decide or agree sth
4 employee b	d) a system in some companies in which the profit the company has made, for example in one year, is shared out between its directors, shareholders, etc.
5 loan a	e) a person who owns part of company and receives part of the company's profits
6 negotiation c	f) aware of the different types of product made by different companies and what each one represents
7 profit share d	g) a person or a company that provides sb/sth with the things that he/she/it needs or wants
8 shareholder e	h) to discuss prices, conditions, etc. with sb in order to reach an agreement that suits each person
9 supplier g	i) the buying or selling of goods or services between people or countries
10 trade i	j) able to be as successful as or more successful than others

Task 3. Fill in the blanks using the word combinations given below, translate the letter .

Letter 1.

Thank you for ordering 15 cases of premium paper from Imperial Stationery Ltd. Your order has been shipped and ( d ) within the next five business days.

( e ) your total bill for the above order amounting to $794,85 and the check for $23,85 is ( b ). ( a ), we are giving you 3 percent cash discount and we also are paying for shipping and handling.

Imperial Stationery is pleased to ( c ). We look forward to ( f ).

a) because you paid in advance

b) your refund

c) add you to its list of customers

d) should reach you

e) find enclosed

f) your next order

Letter 2.

( e ) that you have placed for the full team kit. ( a ) the order will consist of 12 red and white striped jerseys (size large), 12 white shorts (size large) and 12 pairs of red socks with white trim (size 6-12). We envisage that ( d ) on this order will be approximately 3 weeks from the date of this letter, however please ( b ) we have experienced a slight delay on recent similar orders and there is a possibility that the order may take an additional 2 weeks ( f ).

We can confirm that you will be invoiced for the full amount of £ 195 plus VAT after the order has been received.

Once again we thank you for your custom and should there be any problems with your order then please ( c ) during office hours on 01303 123456.

a) we wish to confirm that

b) be aware that

c) do not hesitate to contact me

d) the delivery time

e) thank you for the order

f) beyond the expected date

Task 4. Choose the correct variant.

1.Our … is broad enough. There is no need to expand it.

a) research

b) segment

c) share

d) part

2. The retailer is the most expensive link between a producer and a….

a) a seller

b) a consumer

c) a wholesaler

d) people

3.She is the … manager I have ever known.

a) good

b) best

c) better

d) most

4. We … to arrange a meeting next Monday.

a) will

b) are going

c) were going

d) is going

5. The conference … from 18^th March to the 20^th.

a) hold

b) held

c) is holding

d) will be held

6.This delay … some inconvenience once again.

a) cause

b) has caused

c) would cause

d) causing

7.If you … further information do not hesitate to contact us.

a) can

b) need

c) must

d) will need

8. He said he … the work in time.

a) does

b) has done

c) had done

d) will do

9.If it happens, more Cooler’s products … from the USA.

a) will be exported

b) are exported

c) were exported

d) would be exported

10.The quality of the goods leaves much ….

a) to desire

b) to be desired

c) desiring

d) to have been desired