PART I BUSINESS TOPICS

MODULE 1 BUSINESS AND BUSINESSES

LESSON 1
Text: Business Organization
Grammar: Present Simple and Present Continuous

Terms to remember:

needs  потреби
satisfy (v)  задовольняти
survive (v)  вижити; продовжувати існувати
depend on (v)  залежати від
consumption  споживання
business  бізнес, комерційна діяльність, торгове
підприємство, фірма, справа, заняття
firm  фірма
company  компанія, фірма
vary (v)  відрізнятися; змінюватися
profit  прибуток
provide services (v)  надавати послуги
corporation  корпорація
multinational  міжнародна, мультинаціональна
корпорація
enterprise  підприємство, фірма, корпорація
set up a business (v)  створювати бізнес
establish a business (v)  створювати бізнес
start-up  нещодавно створена компанія
be in business (v)  займатися торгівлею, займатися
бізнесом
run a business (v)  керувати підприємством
do business (v)  вести бізнес, займатися бізнесом
trade (v)  торгувати
deal with (v)  займатися (чимось); бути клієнтом,
купувати (у когось)
go out of business (v)  ліквідувати підприємство
expand a business (v)  розширювати бізнес
specialize (in something) (v)  спеціалізуватися
diversify (v)  урізноманітнити, варіювати
owner  власник
affect (v)  діяти на

Business Organization
 The economic system is made up of people with basic needs that they must satisfy to
survive. As most people cannot produce all the goods and services they need, we depend on
other persons or businesses to make them for our consumption.
Business is the activity of producing, buying and selling goods and services.
A business organization is a firm, a company or a business that makes, buys or sells
goods, or provides services, to make a profit.
Businesses vary in size.
Large companies are referred to as corporations. Many consider the corporation the ideal
way to organize business. Large companies operating in many countries are multinationals.
Big business can refer to large business organizations or to any business activity that
makes a lot of money.
Small companies which do not employ many people and earn relatively little money
are referred to as small businesses or small firms. We can also call a small business a small –
to medium – sized business, or SMB.
An enterprise is a company or business often a small one. It may be called so to
emphasize its risk-taking nature.
Commerce refers to the activities and procedures involved in buying and selling
things.
When we start a business we talk about setting up a business or establishing a
business. New businesses are called start-ups. Once a business has been established we talk
about being in business or running a business.
To do business means to trade or deal with a company or country. It’s not easy to
organize a business and to operate it successfully. When a company is not successful, it may
go out of business.
The economic situation, as well as decisions taken by the owners of a company, affect
how it grows and changes. You may expand your business, specialize in something, you
may also diversify your business.

Exercises in Word Study

Ex.1. Form verbs and adjectives from the following nouns:

profit, operation, economy, decision, change, expansion, activity, success, diversity,
dependence, corporation.

Ex.2. The following diagram shows some very commonly used

nouns with the adjective «corporate». Study the diagram,
consult your dictionary and translate these word
combinations into Ukrainian. Make up sentences with
them.

profits culture

image corporate ladder

logo headquarters
 Ex.3. Give the English for:
купувати і продавати товари; надавати послуги; отримувати прибуток; заробляти
гроші; створювати бізнес; керувати підприємством; торгувати; економічна ситуація;
рішення; власник компанії; діяти на; розширювати бізнес; спеціалізуватися з чогось;
задовольняти потреби; залежати від; споживання; нещодавно створена компанія.

Ex.4. Match words from list A with words from list B that
have a similar meaning.
A B
depend on necessities of life
firm gain
set up a business sell out a business
go out of business establish a business
run a business enlarge a business
expand a business operate a business
affect company
profit influence
needs rely on

Ex.5. Find suitable opposites to the following words and

phrases:
to buy, loss, to close down a business, to set up a business, unsuccessful.

Ex.6. Find three words in the list that are synonyms for
«a usiness» and one word that is a synonym for
«business»:
 company
 commerce
 firm
 enterprise

Ex.7. Match the nouns in the left hand column with the
verbs in the right hand column.
business buy
make
profit sell
provide
goods set up
satisfy
needs organize
run
 do
money diversify
affect
decision expand
establish
services

Ex.8. Study the following diagram and fill in the blanks with
suitable words from the diagram.

be in the fashion/ mean business

advertising/computer/
insurance

do business important
with smb. pressing
go into business urgent
business risky
run a serious
business

get down to funny

business monkey
tricky

1. I have a few contracts in the ... business.

2. It was a mistake to ... with my brother.
3. After talking about the weather, we ... about the contract details.
4. Sheryl’s parents ... a small clothing business.
5. That house has strange people coming and going. I think there is ... business there.
6. For Jack, golf is a ... business.
7. They really ... If you don’t pay them by next week, they are going to take you to court.
8. She has been in ... business for 10 years.

Ex.9. Use the terms in the box to complete the sentences.

Big business / start-ups / firm / commerce /

small businesses / corporations
 1. Business ________ are common in the IT and bio-technology areas where recent
graduates from universities have ideas for new products and want to set up their own
companies to make and sell their ideas.
2. A business, company or _______ is an organization that sells goods or services.
3. Business is also referred to as __________.
4. Large companies are referred to as _________.
5. The term ____ can refer to large business organizations or to any business activity that
makes a lot of money.
6. Small companies are referred to as _________ or small firms, or sometimes SMBs.

Ex.10. The words in the box frequently occur after «business».

Find combinations that mean:

1) a small card showing a person’s name, position and company name;
2) a visit to clients, suppliers or other business contacts which takes you away from home;
3) a document showing details of how someone aims to run the company, expand,
introduce new product lines, and so on;
4) the people who own a business together;
5) the process of running a company;
6) a college or part of university where courses on business subjects are taught;
7) the organizations and people involved in business;
8) a meeting with lunch to talk about work or to entertain clients;
9) the ability to encourage or predict commercial activity;
10) a gathering of people to discuss work topics;
11) a letter about a business transaction, often following a certain form;
12) a private investor who invests money in the establishment of new often risky,
companies.

Ex.11. Look at the words and phrases in the box. Match them
with the correct definition from the list below.

1) a very large organization that owns companies in more than one country in order to
obtain cheap raw materials and make efficient use of a local workforce;
2) the money gained in a business deal, esp. the difference between the amount earned and
the amount spent;
3) a person or business that owns something;
4) two or more people in business to make a profit by selling goods or services;
5) commercial activities in general;
6) a large group of companies;
 7) to enter new types of businesses;
8) a nation’s system for allocating its resources among its citizens;
9) a business that is just being started.

Ex.12. Write the appropriate word or phrase in the following spaces.

Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.
1. It’s been a pleasure … with you.
2. My wife is a doctor, but I am … .
3. Small shops … very quickly.
4. She … her own company and proved to be a very good businesswoman.
5. They work for an engineering … .
6. When a … becomes bankrupt, its stock is of no value anymore.
7. The company … its sales force from 10 to 20 representatives.
8. … of that car bought it at an auto dealer.
9. Have you ever … with this company before?
10. He has no idea how … a successful business.
11. An increasing number of European firms are … with Japan.
12. Very hot weather … how people feel and act.
13. She … her hunger by eating a steak.
14. … of alcohol in that country is forbidden.
15. That computer company is a …; all it has are few employees and a good idea.
16. We tried to diversify revenues by expanding into online ….

Commerce, go out of business, in business, to do business,

company, corporation, the consumption, the owner, dealt, trading,
set up, start-up, expanded, to run, affects, satisfied.
Ex.13. These words are often confused:
economic – economical, economics – economy

Economy – the organization of a country’s wealth-producing

commerce and industry;
– the deliberate saving of money through carefully-controlled
spending.
Economics – the scientific study of a society’s money, industry and trade.
Economic – related to the economy
– cost-effective
Economical – if something is economical it does not require a great
deal of money to operate
– an efficient way of doing things

Complete these sentences using the correct form of one of

the words above. Make sentences of you own to show that you
understand the difference in their meaning.
1. The government’s … policy has created a lot of problems.
2. It may be … to use a cheaper form of fuel.
3. Consultation will focus on the … and diplomatic issues.
4. … is one of the major subjects which future economists study.
 5. We are looking for more … production methods.
6. The country is in a state of … crisis.
7. The new heating system proved … to use.
8. The government is attempting to reduce inflation and strengthen the … .
9. Industrial production has slowed down in all the world’s major … .
10. This machine is no longer … to run.
11. The IMF helps the … of the developing world.
12. Investors watch the rate of … growth closely.
13. My friend studies … .
14. Buying second-hand equipment can be a false … .

Ex.14. Build your vocabulary. Learn phrasal verbs for business!

to branch out (into something) – to diversify (into something)

If a company or person branches out they start doing different work from the work they
usually do.

Read these sentences carefully and translate them into

Ukrainian.

1. The travel company has branched out and bought its own hotels.
2. Bookstores are branching out into new areas such as CD’s and gifts.
3. He wanted to branch out from accounting into marketing.
4. She decided to branch out on her own and start a new company.
5. For business reasons we decided to branch out into selling videos and DVDs.
6. If you branch out, you need to be careful that customers still know your service is
good.
7. We decided to branch out into computer games.
8. We have now branched out into sportswear.
9. I have worked for the company for ten years and I would like to branch out on my
own.
10. They have branched out into new areas to increase their overseas business.

Exercises in Comprehension

Ex.1. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the economic system made up of?
2. Why do people depend on businesses?
3. What is business?
4. What is a business organization?
5. Do businesses vary in size?
6. What are corporations?
7. Where do multinationals operate?
8. What do we call «big business»?
9. What does «to do business» mean?
10. When may a company go out of business?
11. What affects a company development?
12. What can a company do to improve its business?
Ex.2. Sum up what you remember about:
а) corporations and multinationals,
б) big business and small business,
в) doing business.

Grammar Revision

Present Simple and Present Continuous

We use the Present Simple:
for routines and habits
I go to the bank twice a month.
for permanent situations
My friend works in a bank.
for facts
Water boils at 100o centigrade.
for timetables or fixed events in the future, that are usually beyond the
speaker’s control:
The train leaves in 10 minutes.
We use the Present Continuous:
for actions happening now
I am working on my report at the moment.
for temporary actions or situations
I am staying with my friends till I find a new flat.
for changing or developing situations
The economic situation is getting worse in this country.
to talk about something that happens often and is unplanned or irritating
(with always)
She is always grumbling and complaining.
to talk about future arrangements and plans:
I am leaving at four on the first flight to London.

Ex.1. Choose the correct variant.

1. All the guides here speak/are speaking at least two foreign languages, because a lot of
foreign tourists come/are coming every year.
2. Look! The meeting starts/is starting. We’d better go in.
3. I work/am working for Midmark, a firm that makes/is making medical equipment.
4. I go/am going to the supermarket. Do you want anything?
5. The train is arriving/arrives at 7 a.m.
6. They always make noise/are making noise next door.
7. Our meetings usually are starting/start at 4 p.m.
8. When a company is not successful, it is going/goes out of business.
9. I work/am working overtime this week.
10. Tom is a very reliable person, everybody is trusting/trusts him.
11. He usually is coming/comes to his office on time.
12. The sun is setting/sets in the West.
13. Great Britain becomes/is becoming more popular as a location for international
business.
14. He earns/is earning over $ 20,000 a year.
[Link] often spend/are spending a lot of their money on cigarettes.

Ex.2. Complete these sentences using the correct form

(Present Simple or Present Continuous) of the verbs in
brackets.
1. I never (work) at the weekend.
2. He (smoke) 30 cigarettes a day but at the moment he (try) very hard to cut down.
3. What you (think) about?
4. Business (become) more international and secretaries (need) international
communication skills.
5. He (make) paper products.
6. The speaker (wait for) a telephone call.
7. The manager (check) the production levels every day.
8. They (sign) the contract in the conference room. Don’t trouble them.
9. Multinationals (compete) for a market share.
10. The express train always (arrive) on time.
11. The delegation (to come) at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
12. She (run) her own business.
13. I feel that we (make) too much noise.
14. The firm (specialize) in green tourism.
15. At present we (do) business with Japanese companies.

Ex.3. True or false? Correct where necessary.

1. Although we sometimes go to a restaurant, we usually are eating at home.
2. Most American families has at least one automobile.
3. I am usually going to the supermarket on Fridays.
4. My friend often go on business trips abroad.
5. Any businessman is wanting to make a profit.
6. Multinationals now operate in every sector of industry.
7. The largest bank in the country plans to close some of its branches.
8. The firm makes excellent progress this week.
9. My friend has collected necessary information about markets and now he establishes his
own business.
10. The South is depending more on small businesses for jobs than on large corporations.
11. Women run 25 per cent of existing small businesses.
12. I can’t talk now. I make a report.
13. Due to expansion, we are looking for new business partners to join our company.

Ex.4. Translate into English.

1. Ця компанія виготовляє найсучасніші телевізори.
2. Не заважай мені! Я працюю над перекладом економічної статті.
3. Мультинаціональні корпорації працюють у багатьох країнах світу.
4. Мій брат займається малим бізнесом.
5. Економічна ситуація в країні впливає на розвиток бізнесу.
6. Багато європейських компаній торгують з Японією.
7. Нині уряд намагається знизити ціни на продовольчі товари.
 8. Мій приятель вивчає економіку.
9. Моя фірма зараз шукає нових партнерів по бізнесу.
10. Він заробляє $ 15, 000 на рік.
11. Мене не цікавить ваша пропозиція. Я розширюю свій власний бізнес.
12. Власники торгових підприємств зустрічаються завтра о 9 годині.
13. Ця фірма завжди надає якісні послуги.
14. Він не має жодного уявлення про те, як керувати підприємством.

Speech and Discussion

Ex.1. If you start a business of your own, your aim is to do well, in

other words – to succeed. Every person understands the
word «success» in his own way. And what does «success»
in business mean for you? Choose the suitable answer and
explain why you have chosen it.

Success is
 When you are popular with your customers
 when your products cost a lot
 a lot of money earned
 when you win all the competitions among other companies specializing in the same
area
 when your reach all your goals
 when your company is constantly expanding
 when the staff is working as a good team.
Ex.2. What are the most important reasons for people to choose
a particular profession?

Ex.3. Talk to your groupmates:

 which is the most interesting to work in:
a bank, a computer company, a hotel, a restaurant, a supermarket;
 choose one of the places and speak about the advantages and the disadvantages of
working there;
 what are the most popular jobs among young people in Ukraine.

Ex.4. If you were to choose where to work, would you prefer small
business or big business? Why?
Ex.5. Talk to someone who has their own business. Find out how
they started it. Was it easy or difficult? Is their company
profitable?

Ex.6. Familiarize yourself with the following idioms. Consult

your dictionary and translate the sentences into Ukrainian.
Think of situations where you could use them:
1. I will make it my business to see that he gets the job finished in good time.
2. On his arrival he was robbed of all his money; a bad business!
3. He must mean business. He has paid ₤ 500.
4. You mind your own business and stay out of mine!
5. You have no business reading my mail!

Ex.7. Comment on the following proverbs and sayings. Think of

situations where you could use them:
«Everybody’s business is nobody’s business.»
«Business before pleasure.»