PART THREE
Questions 15 - 20
· Read the following article on recruiting and managing staff and the questions on the opposite page.
· Each question has four suggested answers or ways of finishing the sentence, A, B, C and D.
· Mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet, for the answer you choose.
As a manager in the service industry sector, I've looked at hundreds of CVs in my time. They are not necessarily the bland documents some bosses might think they are! They are full of little pointers towards individuals personalities and suitability for the job. The first thing I always look at is an applicant s employment record. I check for continuity and stability. If somebody has a long list of previous jobs, all of varying length, alarm bells start ringing. Rather than an irregular route from job to job, what I hope to see is stable career progression. What does their career path look like - is it all steps forward, or are there a lot of sideways moves? And I am always pleased to find a family person with children, because in my experience they tend to be responsible and reliable.
I never rely on CVs alone. We get applicants to fill in one of our own application forms. We ask why they've applied, what their aspirations and personal goals are, and also about their interests and hobbies and any clubs they belong to. That gives you a useful insight into their personality and lifestyle. The application form also enables us to test how much people have actually been progressing in their careers, because we ask for details of the salaries they have received for each job.
It s always worth looking at CVs and designing application forms with great care. Taking on employees might be rewarding, but it is also a big investment for any business. Mistakes in choosing staff can cost companies dear, so it makes sense to spend time ensuring you get the right person.
In the service sector, one of the aims of companies is to maintain and improve customer service, and this is achieved partly through low staff turnover. You need to take on people who understand that, and will want to stay. That s why, when you've taken staff on, the next thing is getting the best out of them.
My management style comes from the days when I took over my first business, an ailing road haulage firm which I was certain I could turn into a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you d like to be treated yourself. As soon as I took over the business, I talked to everybody individually, and looked for ways to make sure their particular skills benefited the company.
I didn't have much experience then of managing people, but above all I always tried to be fair and honest with everyone. As a result, I think the staff knew that and accepted my decisions, even if they didn't agree with them all. Also, bosses must be able to communicate. You also need to create team spirit, and build on the strength of the team. I explained my plans for the company to all the staff, and let them all know what I needed from them. The lorry drivers responded brilliantly, and were the key to turning the business round. They understood that we had to develop a professional reputation, and from then on the days of poor quality deliveries were over.
Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-sharing. It takes a team to make a company work, so profits should be shared by all. Job satisfaction is important, but it doesn't pay the rent. Shared profit and bonuses help to strengthen team spirit by giving everyone a common goal that they work towards together.
15 What fact does the writer hope to learn from applicants CVs?
A that they have experience of many different jobs
B that their careers have developed steadily
C the opinion their employers had of them
D whether they are married or single
16 The writer says the application form is useful because it
A reveals something of the applicant s character.
B gives information about the applicant s family.
C explains what skills the applicant has for the job.
D shows how much the applicant wants to earn.
17 According to the writer, why are CVs and application forms so important?
A Interviewing people is an expensive process.
B They indicate whether applicants really want the job.
C They indicate whether applicants are efficient or not.
D Employing the wrong people can be disastrous.
18 One reason why the writer was successful in her first business was that
A she was used to dealing with people.
B she was open with the staff.
C the business was already doing well when she started.
D the staff agreed with all her decisions.
19 The writer believes profit-sharing is a good idea because
A it encourages a competitive spirit.
B everyone earns the same salary.
C everyone shares the same aim.
D it creates job satisfaction.
20 Which would make the best title for this text?
A Profit-sharing as motivation
B How I turned a business round
C People - the key to business success
D The importance of a well-presented CV
PART FOUR
Questions 21 - 30
· Read the article below about a method of learning languages for business people.
· Choose the best word from the opposite page to fill each gap.
· For each question 21 - 30 mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet.
· There is an example at the beginning (0).
Language learning for the busy executive
If you've ever been told by your boss to improve your knowledge of a foreign language you'll know that ……(0)…… doesn't come quickly. It generally takes years to learn another language well and constant ……(21)…… to maintain the high standards required for frequent business use. Whether you study in a class, with audiocassettes, computers or on your ……(22)…… sooner or ……(23)…… every language course finishes and you must decide what to do next if you need a foreign language for your career.
Business Audio Magazines is a new product designed to help you continue language study in a way that fits easily into your busy schedule. Each audiocassette ……(24)…… of an hour-long programme packed with business news, features and interviews in the language of your choice. These cassettes won t teach you how to order meals or ask for directions. It is ……(25)…… that you can do that already. Instead, by giving you an opportunity to hear the language as it s really spoken, they help you to ……(26)…… your vocabulary and improve your ability to use real language relating to, for example, that all-important marketing trip.
The great advantage of using audio magazines is that they ……(27)…… you to perfect your language skills in ways that suit your lifestyle. For example, you can select a topic and listen in your car or hotel when away on business. No other business course is as ……(28)…… And the unique radio-magazine format is as instructive as it is entertaining. In addition to the audiocassette, this package includes a transcript with a business glossary and a study ……(29)…… The components are structured so that intermediate and advanced students may use them separately or together ……(30)…… on their ability.
Example: A B C D
20 A gain B result C success D outcome
21 A exercise B performance C practice D operation
22 A self B individual C personal D own
23 A after B then C later D quicker
24 A consists B includes C contains D involves
25 A insisted B acquired C asserted D assumed
26 A prolong B extend C spread D lift
27 A allow B let C support D offer
28 A adjustable B flexible C convertible D variable
29 A addition B supplement C extra D manuscript
30 A according B depending C relating D basing
