Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Elena NISTOR
LIMBA ENGLEZ
Anul III
CONTENTS
UNIT 1. Telephone
UNIT 2. Computer
Evaluation Test
UNIT 1
TELEPHONE
Obiective: Dup parcurgerea i studiul acestui capitol, cursantul este n msur:
- s rezume, utiliznd propriile cunotine lexicale i gramaticale, un text pe o tem dat;
- s foloseasc elemente de vocabular din domeniul respectiv n diferite contexte;
- s susin o conversaie telefonic n limba englez.
Exercise 1. Read the following text carefully and then sum up the main ideas of the
text:
How many people can put their hand on their heart and say that it has not quadrupled its
beat at the prospect of making a phone call? According to experts in management and
business skills, an aversion to the telephone is a common office problem. Telephone
confidence, they say, is a special skill which can come only with lots of practice.
Dick LeHunt, of Inbucon, who designs and runs training programmes for
individual companies, says, Many people get flustered when making even routine calls,
so we use role-playing to help employees practise and improve their telephone manner.
Dick always begins with the basic tips which are essential for any business call. The
first is to smile when you dial. Smiling both before and during the call relaxes the
facial muscles and instantly makes you sound warmer and more friendly.
The second rule is to introduce yourself, greet the other person by name and say
at least one thing to establish common ground before getting on to why you have called.
This seems rather obvious, but it is astonishing how curt and abrasive many business
callers can be. Of course a brusque telephone manner can also come from nerves, hence
the third basic rule (which is easier said than done): relax. Says Dick, Be natural. And
always use the words you feel most comfortable with.
An essential part of being effective over the telephone is to be prepared for the
call. It is not possible to plan ahead for every telephone conversation, but many business
calls can be anticipated and rehearsed. Pauline Malindine, who runs her own
communications skills consultancy, encourages her clients to list in advance the
objectives of each call, to think about possible barriers to communication and work out
how to overcome them.
If you have to call a customer in Holland to tell him that the goods he was
expecting yesterday will not arrive until next week, prepare for the worst, she says.
The line will probably be bad, he may not speak English very well and he is likely to
be very upset. Work out precisely what you need to say in clear, simple English and
decide beforehand on the best strategy for coping with his irritation.
Know the facts before you pick up the phone.
Exercise 2. Look at the following table showing recent statistics concerning telephone
problems in Britain. Which are the most common problems in your own experience?
Are the percentages given below more or less valid for your country, or are there
notable differences? Are there any problems connected with phones which are common
in your country but not listed here?
8%
17%
Equipment vandalized
18%
50%
Other
7%
Exercise 3. Complete the missing part of these exchanges with suitable sentences,
according to the meaning:
A: So Ill give you the number to ring; its 4721301.
B:
A: Well, be quick, because Im in a phone box and the moneys running out!
A: Is that 4271301?
B: No, this is 4721031.
A:
Exercise 4. Write a short commentary expressing your opinions for, or against, the
ideas in the following text:
What about those problem calls which always take us by surprise? Dont answer the
telephone just to stop it ringing, advises Bob, an industrial psychologist. He warns that
you shouldnt be forced into decisions by being caught at the wrong moment by an
impatient caller. To some extent, being telephoned by someone means being under their
control, so the first priority is always to get the situation back into your grasp. If
7
someone rings when you are not prepared, say that you need time to think the problem
over and arrange to call them back.
Techniques for cutting short a telephone conversation are indispensable for
personal as well as business calls. The best idea is to use the persons name when they
pause for breath, advises Pauline Malindine. If you say firmly, Well, Anne or just
Anne, they will stop short. Dont ask me why, but it works like a charm. Then just
wind up to a quick goodbye but say it as if you mean it.
But make sure its not you who becomes the non-stop talker. When speaking to
someone face to face, we barely notice if there is a five-second pause in the
conversation, but on the telephone it plunges us into instant panic and we rush to fill in.
I also tell people to begin a call by saying why they are phoning and then leave
a pause, says Dick LeHunt, if only to give the other person a chance to grunt. The key
to getting what you want is dialogue, not monologue. Asking a question can be a
useful device to get two-way communication going if the conversation has ground to a
complete halt.
Silence can also be used for dealing with angry of abusive callers. John Riley, a
computer software specialist, often uses this technique. When a customer is unhappy
with something and rings up in a state, I usually keep silent until they stop ranting. I
then say, Right. Now we can talk.
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
An Etiquette Guide for Cellmates
Cellular phones have become so popular and their users so unpopular for disturbing
everyone from theatregoers to train passengers that the arbiters of manners have been
forced to step in. A German manual, Style & Etiquette, already has a section devoted to
proper use of a mobile phone. The book advises, for example, against taking a cell
phone to a job interview: it might ring at the wrong time and convince your prospective
boss that you are self-important and insecure. And please, the author beseeches, have
respect for the dead: turn the thing off at funerals.
Such common-sense suggestions are only the beginning, of course. Heres our
correspondents guide to going cellular without making an ass of yourself:
- Do not say anything on a mobile phone that you wouldnt like to see on the front page
of a tabloid. An eavesdropper picked up Britains Prince Charles making verbal love to
his paramour, while Princess Diana was caught in an intercepted cell-phone chat that
revealed not only an amorous liaison but also an embarrassing nickname: Squidgy.
- Do not use a mobile phone in places where people have paid big money to listen to
voices other than yours. La Scala opera house in Milan has had so many complaints that
Rule No 9 for ticketholders is, Leave telefonini in the cloakroom.
- Do not take a phone into a stuffy British mens club. The Athnaeum warns its
members that all mobile phones must be left with the porter. Whites members, the club
secretary hints, re far too well mannered even to think of carrying one inside the club,
and Gavin Rankin, who helps run Londons posh dining club Harrys Bar, says, Any
attempt to use one would be swiftly suppressed.
- Do not use one on Paris buses. Last month riders of one bus watched as a physical
therapist who took an important call from a patient was loudly berated by an elderly
woman passenger who cried, Elitism! They cant afford Rolls-Royces, so they ride the
bus with portable phones to impress people.
- Do use a mobile if you want the latest in gangster chic. Last March during the
kidnapping of German tobacco heir Jan Philipp Reemtsma in Hamburg, the bad guys
used a cell phone to direct the ransom couriers to the drop-off point. And in London
etiquette maven Mary Killen complained of the mobile phones very visible popularity
among petty criminals.
REMEMBER!
Telephone confidence is a skill which can come only with practice.
The first tip for any business call is to smile when you dial.
The second rule is to introduce yourself, greet the other person by name and say
something to establish common ground before getting on to the reason of your call.
Be prepared for the call. Know the facts before you pick up the phone.
To cut short a telephone conversation, use the persons name when (s)he pauses for
breath.
Asking a question can be a useful device to get two-way communication going.
Silence can also be used for dealing with angry of abusive callers.
The key to getting what you want is dialogue, not monologue
CHECK-UP TEST
Write some possible dialogues including the following expressions (about 10 lines):
1. Im on 4271301.
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
10
A:
B:
2. If you cant get me at home, try work number.
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
3. Hes on extension 437.
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
4. If you dont know the number, look it up in the phone book.
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
11
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
8. I think youve got a wrong number this is 4720131.
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
A: ..
B: ..
REFERENCES
Cambridge International Dictionary of English, Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, 1995
TIME, May 27, 1996 Jay Branegan, An Etiquette Guide for Cellmates
McCarthy, Michael, Alistair MacLean, and Patrick OMalley, Proficiency Plus.
Grammar Lexis Discourse, Oxford: Basil Blackwell Ltd., 1990
14
UNIT 2
COMPUTER
Obiective: Dup parcurgerea i studiul acestui capitol, cursantul este n msur:
- s rezume, utiliznd propriile cunotine lexicale i gramaticale, un text pe o tem dat;
- s foloseasc elemente de vocabular din domeniul respectiv n diferite contexte;
- s utilizeze computerul n scopuri de comunicare.
Exercise 1. Read the following text carefully and then sum up the main ideas of the
text:
A revolution is under way. Most Americans are already well aware of the wonder
gadgetry that is emerging, in rapidly accelerating bursts, from the worlds hightechnology laboratories. But most of us perceive only dimly how pervasive and
profound the changes of the next twenty years will be. We are at the dawn of the era of
the smart machine an information age that will change forever the way an entire
nation works, plays, travels and even thinks. Just as the industrial revolution
dramatically expanded the strength of mans muscles and the reach of his hand, so the
smart-machine revolution will magnify the power of his brain. But unlike the industrial
revolution, which depended on finite resources such as iron and oil, the new information
age will be fired by a seemingly limitless resource the inexhaustible supply of
knowledge itself. Even computer scientists, who best understand the galloping
technology and its potential, are wonderstruck by its implications. It is really
awesome, says L.C. Thomas of Bell Laboratories. Every day is just as scary as the
day before.
The driving force behind the revolution is the development of two fundamental
and interactive technologies computers and integrated circuits. Today, tiny silicon
chips half the size of a fingernail are etched with circuitry powerful enough to book
seats on jumbo jets (and keep the planes working smoothly in the air), cut complex
swatches of fabric with little wastage, help children learn to spell and play chess well
enough to beat all but the grandest masters.
15
The new technology means that bits of computing power can be distributed
wherever they might be useful the way small electric motors have become ubiquitous
or combined in giant mainframe computers to provide enormous problem-solving
potential. In addition, this computational plenty is making smart machines easier to
use and more forgiving of unskilled programming. Machines are even communicating
with each other. Whats next? asks Peter E. Hart, director of an internation artificial
intelligence centre. More to the point, whats not next?
There are a few clouds on the industrys horizon: capital costs are rising, and
Japan is mounting an all-out challenge to American supremacy in the field. Some
experts predict that the shape of the industry will change considerably over the next
period. But whatever shake-outs lie ahead, the world will continue to snap up chips as
fast as manufacturers can turn them out, creating an expanding information industry
that will grow into a $500 billion-a-year enterprise, by far the biggest on earth.
The transformation will not be easy, for smart machines bring with them the
seeds of widespread economic dislocation and social unrest. Eventually, for example,
they will make possible the full automation of many factories, displacing millions of
blue-collar workers with a new steel collar class. Even office workers will feel the
crunch, as smart machines do more and more of the clerical work. Traditional
businesses such as television networks and publishing companies will encounter new
competition as programmers and advertisers beam information directly into the
consumers home.
16
Exercise 2. Complete the following sentences with the suitable word or phrase:
computing, software, systems, literate, home, graphics, mail box, by computer,
programmes, on computer
1. Many people now have a
2. She works for a company that produces computer
3. Computer can be used to control aircraft.
4. We need someone who is computer- to do this job.
5. The factory has an elaborate system to control its stock.
6. The runners finishing times are recorded
7. You can get computer to check your spelling for you.
8. All our customer orders are handled
9. Computer can produce images on a video screen or directly into film.
10. An electronic is the place where the computer stores messages.
Anything NTHING
Are R
Are you OK? RUOK?
Ate 8
Be B
Before B4
Be seeing you BCNU
By the way BTW
Date D8
Dinner DNR
Easy EZ
Excellent XLNT
For 4
Great GR8
In my humble opinion IMHO
17
Late L8
Later L8R
Love LUV
Please PLS
Please call me PCM
See/sea C
See you later CU L8R
Speak SPK
Thanks THX
Thank you THNQ
To/too 2
To be 2B
Today 2DAY
Tomorrow 2MORO
Want to WAN2
What WOT
Work WRK
Why Y
You U
18
Exercise 4. Write a short commentary expressing your opinions for, or against, the
ideas in the following text:
Computers are tireless and versatile business and professional tools. Derivatives of the
major commercial applications can usually be found for the small business or home
management, such as
Word processing
Here the computer is used to create, revise and print correspondence, documents and
business forms. You load your word processing software into the computers memory.
Then you type in your letter, or any other text, using the computer keyboard. The words
appear on the display screen.
When you decide to make corrections to the text, a few key strokes are sufficient.
Instead of typing over an entire report in order to add a paragraph, you scroll through
your text until the page you want appears on the screen. You press a key or type in a
command, and proceed to add the paragraph.
Word processing is ideal for form letters, legal documents and any other text that is
repeated. You simply store any information you want to keep on a floppy disk. You call
up your form letter on the screen, make whatever changes you need, and print out as
many copies as you want.
Accounting, bookkeeping and personal finance
The computer records all your accounting information while you are creating invoices,
writing cheques or entering debits. Then the computer tabulates all your income,
expenditure and operating expenses, and organizes the results into financial statements
and reports such as a profit and loss statement. You can print out your cheques and
invoices on the printer, using business forms created for computers.
Planning, forecasting and decision-making
These applications help managers do their job to analyze trends, forecast events, plan,
schedule, create budgets and make informed decisions. The computer lets you ask,
What if? and see the results.
19
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
Etiquette on E-mail is called "netiquette." Here are a few suggested rules from the
Student Lists:
A. All the people on the lists are students like you. They are probably new to this as
well. So please don't be afraid to post messages. It will be a great learning experience.
B. Be positive. If somebody says something you like, tell him or her, either by
commenting to the whole group, or by sending him or her an individual reply. If you
disagree with the person, try to do so in a constructive rather than negative way.
C. Be polite. On a list like this, with people from many cultures, it can be easy to have
misunderstandings. Try to be polite and friendly in your postings.
D. Humor is appreciated, but again, please be polite. Avoid comments which could
offend or confuse people of other cultures.
E. Remember: if it's of individual or personal interest, send a reply to the person who
posted the message (just use the reply option on your system). If you think it might be
of general interest, post a message to the whole group.
F. Let people know what you're going to be talking about. Make sure your posting has a
clear and descriptive entry on the "Subject" line.
G. Keep it short. Some students have to pay to get their e-mail! So keep your messages
brief--no more than 2 screens. The LISTSERV will not accept messages that are longer
than 50 lines or so.
H. Don't post too often! There is a limit of two postings per day per student with a
maximum of five postings in a week.
20
I. Identify yourself. List your name, school, and e-mail address briefly at the end of your
posting. Some e-mail systems do not include the "header" so other people may not see
it.
J. If you are referring to another person's comments, it is usually a good idea to quote
that person. On some systems the "forward" feature will help you do this. However,
please EDIT out that person's header and any other information which is not relevant, to
avoid clutter and wasted space. Under no circumstances should the quoted material be
longer than your own comments!
K. Try to make the right comments to the right list. If you want to discuss movies, you
should join and post to MOVIE-SL. If you want to discuss music, join and post to
MUSIC-SL. If you want to discuss general topics, join and post to CHAT-SL or
DISCUSS-SL. BUT -- do not 'cross post.' Send your message to ONLY ONE list!
L. Keep in mind that people all over the world will be reading your comments. If your
comments will only be clear for people from your own country, provide more
background information.
M. The SL Lists are "unmoderated". This means that what members post goes directly
to the membership, unedited and uncensored. We are strongly committed to maintaining
an uncensored list. In particular, please refrain from using obscene language.
N. On e-mail, you cannot see people's faces. So people often use symbols to make their
points. *'s or capital letters can give emphasis. For example, "That was a *great*
movie". Or "That was a GREAT movie." (Or "That was a g-r-e-a-t movie.")
All in all, follow the basic guideline: Do not post to others what you would not want
posted to you!
21
REMEMBER!
We are at the dawn of the era of an information age that will change forever the way
an entire nation works, plays, travels and even thinks.
The new information age will be fired by a seemingly limitless resource the
inexhaustible supply of knowledge itself.
The driving force behind the revolution is the development of two fundamental and
interactive technologies computers and integrated circuits.
These smart machines will make possible the full automation of many factories, but will
displace millions of blue-collar workers with a new steel collar class.
CHECK-UP TEST
Starting from the following text, write an argument for or against using a computer (200
words):
I want to try to explain what its like to write with a rod processor. The nearest thing to
it is an experience you may have had as a kid: building sand castles. Sand castles are
best built on perilous oceanfronts, not on seif lakefronts. To erect a sand castle under the
threat of the waves gives uou a delectable sense of defying devastation. A similar
foreboding of doom hovers over the writer who uses a word processor. What if theres a
power failure and your work is wiped away?
And yet despite this fear, to see your castle of words start to rise fills you with an odd
sense of freedom and playfulness. The experience is like whomping together some piles
of wet sand that you want to develop into towers That is much like what you do in
producing an essay on a word processor.
22
....
REFERENCES
http://ucs.orst.edu/~healeyd/pci/netiquette.html
Kennedy, J.X., Dorothy M. Kennedy, The Bedford Reader. Second Edition, New
York: St Martins Press, 1985 J.X. Kennedy, Writing with a Decmate II: Building
Sand Castles
McCarthy, Michael, Alistair MacLean, and Patrick OMalley, Proficiency Plus.
Grammar Lexis Discourse, Oxford: Basil Blackwell Ltd., 1990
23
UNIT 3
LETTER WRITING (I):
PERSONAL AND PRIVATE LETTERS
Obiective: Dup parcurgerea i studiul acestui capitol, cursantul este n msur:
- s redacteze coresponden personal.
Key
words:
private
correspondence,
style,
colloquial,
heading,
salutation,
A) The heading, consisting of the ADDRESS of the writer and the DATE, is written at
the top right-hand corner of the pages and is spaced thus:
85
Waterloo Street,
Hackney,
London, N.E.
March
12th, 2001
Note:
- the place of the comma;
- the front position of the number of the house;
24
B) The salutation (form of address), which varies according to the degree of intimacy
existing between the writer of the letter and the receiver of it:
- for old friends and relatives:
My Dear Mary/George
Dear Uncle/Aunt
- when the degree of familiarity is not so great as in the former case:
My Dear Mr Jones/Mrs Jones/Miss Jones
- when the degree of familiarity is slight or you have no personal knowledge of the
person, use:
Dear Sir/Madam
Note: A woman, married or unmarried, is addressed as Madam or Dear Madam. Also, it
is not unusual to salute a person as My Dear Friend.
You must never use an exclamation mark after the saluation. Always use a comma.
C) The communication (the body of the letter) which should be written in paragraphs.
The first word comes under the last word of the salutation.
The style and language should be free and natural.
Do not be afraid to use the fisr and second personal pronouns. The pronoun of the third
person is kept for purely official and formal letters.
D) The ending (subscription or close) should come at the right-hand side of the page,
and should be of the same style as the salutation:
I am,
Your loving sister,
Mary
I remain,
Yours affectionately,
Charles
25
I am,
Yours very sincerely,
Frank
I remain,
Yours faithfully/truly,
E. Powell
Note: The commas, capitals and the position of the first word of each line should be
carefully observed.
CAUTION!
The foreign student must avoid three errors commonly made in letter writing:
a) I shall have much pleasure to accept your kind invite for next Saturday.
instead of: I have much pleasure in accepting your kind invitation for next Saturday.
b) I am very delighted to be able to come.
instead of: I am much delighted to be able to come.
c) Try and come early.
instead of: Try to come early.
in anticipation = in expectation
in consequence = as a result
to invite = to ask, to request the company of
I have determined = I have made up my mind
leisure = spare time, freedom from work
obliging = courteous, kind
on the outskirts = in the suburbs
progress = improvement
to permit = to allow
to recollect = to remember, to call to mind
view = aspect, look, appearance
welfare = happiness
to write a reply = to answer
98
Englefield Road,
Canonbury, N.
June
5th, 2002
Dear Madeleine,
I have not received any news from you for a week, but hope you are quite well.
My Mother and I have been talking about you, and if you could come on Sunday next
we should be very much pleased to see you. Two other friends are coming, and I am
sure we shall enjoy ourselves very much.
Let me know if you are able to come, and also the time of your arrival.
Hoping that all are well at home,
I am,
Yours affectionately,
Adrienne
27
2
196 King George Street,
Hornsey,
London, N.
28/12/02
My Dear Francis,
Many thanks for your letter, which I was so pleased to receive. You may,
however, doubt the truth of this on account of the time which has passed without
acknowledgment. I am now on my Christmas holidays, and will not wait any longer
before telling you how I spent my first Christmas in England.
First of all, I do not think it would be of any use making a comparison between the
Continental festival and the one we have over here, because there is too great a
difference between them.
I had a little feast in my room with a few English friends on Friday evening. We
quite enjoyed it, I assure you, especially as my Christams box came from home the
same evening with all our Continental delicacies, and even a small tree was included.
All these good things surprised my friends very much.
Christmas day, however, reminded me that no happiness is without alloy, for though
my business affairs are getting all right I had to do some work at home in order to settle
my yearly accounts.
I have begun taking English and Italian lessons at an evening institute here, and I feel
I am now making great improvement in my study of these languages.
I hope you, too, have had a happy Christmas, and I wish you a very prosperous New
Year.
With kindest regards to all at home,
I remain,
Yours very sincerely,
Arthur
EXERCISES
1. Write a letter to a close friend, describing your favourite pastime.
2. Write a letter inviting a friend to spend New Years Day with you.
3. Write a letter to your parents, describing your impressions of London.
28
4. Write to your brother/sister, who is abroad, telling him your first impressions on
joining a class in English for foreign students.
5. Write a letter regretting that you are unable to accept an invitation to spend the
weekend with a friend.
6. You intend sending a present to an English friend. Write a suitable letter.
REMEMBER!
In the case of private correspondence, it is not necessary to be so formal as in eassay
writing. Be quite natural in your style, taking care not to become too colloquial or
careless as to punctuation, grammar, and clearness of expression.
Private letters are arranged as follows:
A) The heading, consisting of the ADDRESS of the writer and the DATE, is written at
the top right-hand corner of the pages;
B) The salutation (form of address), which varies according to the degree of intimacy
existing between the writer of the letter and the receiver of it;
C) The communication (the body of the letter) which should be written in paragraphs.
The first word comes under the last word of the salutation. The style and language
should be free and natural.
D) The ending (subscription or close) should come at the right-hand side of the page,
and should be of the same style as the salutation
REFERENCES
Marshall, Edgar, and E. Schaap, Exercises in English for Foreign Students. Sixth
Impression, London & Paris: Librairie Hachette, 1929
29
UNIT 4
LETTER WRITING (II):
BUSINESS AND FORMAL LETTERS
Obiective: Dup parcurgerea i studiul acestui capitol, cursantul este n msur:
- s redacteze coresponden oficial.
Key
words:
business
correspondence,
index,
reference,
sender,
receiver,
A) The index, used for reference purposes, and placed in the top left-hand corner:
In your Reply
please quote
L. 96
B) the heading, arranged as in the case of private letters, except that the address is
always given in full:
85
King William St.,
London, E.C.
C) the inside name and address, placed just above the salutation and making clear to
whom the letter is written, even though the envelope has been lost or destroyed. In
official letters, it is sometimes placed under the letter in the left-hand corner:
30
H. Dowse, Esq.,
58 Gilesgate,
Durham
D) The salutation:
- the usual form of address is: Sir;
- when the sender and the receiver are of equal rank or position: Dear Sir;
- when writing to a firm or company: (Dear) Gentlemen/Sirs
E) The communication should be stated in clear and concise language. The best
business letter is the one which contains the least number of words and yet expresses
adequately the meaning of the writer.
F) The subscription (the close) must agree in style with the salutation:
- the usual form is:
I am, Sir/Madam,
Yours truly,
J. B. Roberts
- when writing to a firm or company:
We are, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servants,
E. Wilson & Co.
We are, Sir,
Yours obediently,
T. White & Son,
p.p. E.C.M.
We remain, Sir,
Yours respectfully,
pro Black & Sons,
R. South
31
Note: In signing on behalf of a firm, the employee prefixes to his own initials the
abbreviation pp (per pro, the Latin shortened form for per procurationem = on behalf of
another).
1
26 Marquess Road,
Highbury, N.
April 22nd, 2001
Sir,
I have just noticed your advertisement in todays Daily Chronicle, and I think I
may be suitable to fill the position you offer.
I am French by birth, 28 years of age, and have been in England since last March. I
have a good knowledge of the English language, and am able to translate from English
into French.
My speed in shorthand is 110 words per minute and for typewriting 55 words per
minute, the latter both in English and French. I have the best references from a Paris
office where I worked 15 months, and I enclose a copy of a testimonial received from
this house. I left this firm to come to England.
For the past eleven months I have been working in a City office, which I wish to
leave, because it is a French firm and I have no opportunity of speaking English.
33
If you would favour me with an interview, I should be pleased to wait upon you any
day between 1.30 and 2.30 PM.
Hoping to hear favourably from you,
I am, Sir,
Yours obediently,
Lucie Dutarte
27 London Wall,
Moorgate St., E.C.
January 25th, 2002
Gentlemen,
Being indebted for your address to Messrs. Needham & Son, and learning that
you are not yet represented at this place, I herewith respectfully beg to tender my
services as an agent for your esteemed house.
I would point out that I am well acquainted with your class of goods, having acted as
sole agent for Messrs. Johnson, Ltd., of Manchester, for many years. I am also in close
and constant touch with the majority of the leading Drapery firms, such as Peter
Robinson and Marshall & Snelgrove, Ltd., the buyers of most of which have been my
personal friends for years. I feel confident of introducing your lines o the London
market with every prospect of success, and of producing satisfactory results to our
mutual advantage.
In the event of your being disposed to entertain my offer, I shall be happy to receive
your propositions, terms, etc., and I might mention that I should be prepared either to
34
accept your agency ona commission basis, or to handle the distribution of your articles
on my own account.
As to my character, ability, and financial standing, I beg to refer you to the abovementioned firms, who will most willingly furnish you with any information you may
desire in this respect.
Hoping that my offer will meet with a favourable reception,
I am, Gentlemen,
Yours respectfully,
Henri Paccard
Exercises
1. Write Messrs. Brown Bros., Wall St., Leicester, complaining that an order from your
company has not been properly executed by them.
2. Write a letter acknowledging the receipt of an order and asking for forwarding
instructions.
3. You receive a letter of inquiry from a person who is thinking of buying a certain
article which you are anxious to sell. Write a reply.
4. Your luggage is damaged while being conveyed from the railway station to your
boarding house by the London Package Co., Ltd. Write a letter to them stating the
amount of the damage, and claiming compensation.
5. A complaint that the goods supplied are not according to sample is received from a
firm. After investigation, this is found to be true. Write a reply.
REMEMBER!
In business correspondence, the aim is to be as brief as possible. At the same time, the
language used must be plain, polite, carefully planned, and to the point.
Business letters are arranged as follows:
A) The index, used for reference purposes, and placed in the top left-hand corner;
B) the heading, arranged as in the case of private letters, except that the address is
always given in full;
35
C) the inside name and address, placed just above the salutation and making clear to
whom the letter is written, even though the envelope has been lost or destroyed. In
official letters, it is sometimes placed under the letter in the left-hand corner;
Messrs. Brown & Co., Ltd.,
D) The salutation;
E) The communication should be stated in clear and concise language. The best
business letter is the one which contains the least number of words and yet expresses
adequately the meaning of the writer.
F) The subscription (the close) must agree in style with the salutation;
G) The envelope.
REFERENCES
Marshall, Edgar, and E. Schaap, Exercises in English for Foreign Students. Sixth
Impression, London & Paris: Librairie Hachette, 1929
United Nations Correspondence Manual, New York: United Nations, Department of
Conference Services, 1984
36
UNIT 5
COMPOSITION TIPS
Obiective: Dup parcurgerea i studiul acestui capitol, cursantul este n msur:
- s utilizeze corect majusculele, punctuaia, anumite cuvinte care se confund n limba
englez.
Key words: capital letter, comma, semi-colon, colon, period, full stop, dash, hyphen,
inverted commas, apostrophe
(8) for the first word beginning a quotation or a speech: The professor said, You have
not answered the question correctly.
(9) for any words to call attention to their special importance: In Direct Narration if the
reporting verb is in the Present or the Future Tense, then according to the rules
governing the Sequence of Tenses
Exercises
1. Write ten sentences each containing the name of a person, a city, a town, a mountain,
a building, a lake, a country, etc.
2. Write ten proper nouns and the adjectival forms derived from them.
3. Give two names suitable for each of the following: a person, a book, an academic
title, a heading of an essay, a famous Englis building.
4. Write five suitable subscriptions and salutations for a private and a business letter.
5. Write in proper order the names for: the days of the week, the months of the year, the
principal holidays.
CHECK-UP TEST
Add a quotation or short speech to each of the following:
The Prime Minister asked,
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
38
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Punctuation
The use of punctuation is to make clear the exact meaning of a written passage by
showing to the eye the relation which exists between the different parts of a written
commentary.
In speech, we make pauses of varying lengths, in order to show the grammatical
connections between words or groups od words; and a change of voice called inflection,
to show the relation between different sentences or different parts of the same sentence.
In the written language, we indicate these pauses and the modulation of the voice by
means of punctuation marks.
If the stops are omitted ot misplaced, the meaning of the passage may become doubtful
and often mere nonsense.
39
e.g., On my journey I came across a country cottage, and a cart driven by a farmer.
(Omit the comma and it could mean that the cottage as well as the cart was
driven by
the farmer.)
the comma ,
the semi-colon ;
the colon :
the dash
the hyphen -
the apostrophe
A few simple rules on the uses of these stops are given, special attention being paid to
the comma, the most frequent of the stops:
- in writing, it is placed where a slight but distinct pause is made in reading;
- do not use too many commas (if in doubt as to whether a comma is necessary or not,
leave it out);
- never use a comma unless it does some necessary work in your sentence.
40
* A relative clause that cannot be omitted is not preceded by a comma not has it a
comma after it, if it is short; if somewhat long, it is generally followed by a comma:
The woman who spoke to me has left the city.
A boy that refuses to study is not worth paying much attention to.
* Adverbs, adverbial phrases, adverbial adjuncts, and adverbial clauses preceding the
subject of the sentence are generally marked off by commas:
The man having failed, the creditors took possession of his property.
41
The semi-colon is stronger than the comma, and indicates a longer pause; it separates
co-ordinate clauses, and thus often takes the place of the conjunction:
Reading makes a full man; conference a ready man; writing an exact man.
The colon is used to introduce a detailed list or a quotation (usually followed by a dash):
Please supply me with the following particulars: - Age, nationality, address, occupation,
and attendance of all the students.
The period, or full stop, is used to end every sentence that is not in the exclamative or
interrogative form:
B.A., Ph.D., Mr., MS., Dr., H.A.Knierim, Esq., A.D., i.e., viz., etc.
The mark of exclamation is used to express strong emotion: Bravo!, Hurrah!, Alas!,
Oh!, etc.
42
The apostrophe indicates the omission of some letter(s): its, tis = it is; dont = do not,
etc.
Exercises
A) The use of the comma:
1. She is perhaps the cleverest student in the class.
2. If you dont believe me go and see. I tell you as I am a gentleman I saw it with these
eyes and so did my friend here.
3. He speaks French German Spanish Italian and English.
4. Above the sun could be seen quite easily.
5. The arctic explorers having recovered their comrades pushed on towards the pole.
6. The doctor said his assistant was much better.
43
air ere heir eer, ail ale, base base bass, blue blew, borrough burrough,
bough bow, great grate, lane lain, root route, veil veil - vale
C) words that are often confused, owing to their similar apelling or pronunciation:
allusion illusion, bath bathe, dairy diary, genus genius, human humane, loose
lose, president precendent, suit suite, valet - valley
D) words having the same spelling, but differing in meaning according to where the
accent is placed: ccent (noun) to accnt, ffix to affx, dsert to desrt, mport
to imprt, prduce to prodce, sbject to subjct
E) words containing silent letters: honest, heir, hour, rhyme, ghost, calm, palm, balm,
half, calf, talk, chalk, folk, could, would, listen, Christmas, often, castle, mistletoe,
chestnut, sword, whole, who, wrote, wrong, wreck, housewife, knob, knife, knot,
knight, knee, know, knowledge, tomb, limb, lamb, climb, bomb, comb, debt, doubt,
sign, design, guest, biscuit, aunt, guide, buy, guard, laugh, height, flight, might, right,
fight, night, high, sigh, although, through, daughter, weight, straight, eight
Exercises
1. Compose sentences containing the following words, each of which has two distinct
meanings:
clothes
..
..
diffuse
..
..
form
..
..
house
..
..
live
..
..
use
44
..
..
wound
..
..
2. Compose sentences bringing out the full meaning of the following words of the same
pronunciation:
ark arc
..
..
aloud allowed
..
..
ball bawl
..
..
beer bier
..
..
cellar seller
..
..
choir quire
..
..
compliment complement
..
..
die dye
..
..
fare fair
..
45
..
feet feat
..
..
four fore
..
..
guest guessed
..
..
key quay
..
..
mantle mantel
..
..
moan mown
..
..
slay sleigh
..
..
3. Write sentences distinguishing clearly between the meanings of the following pairs:
accidents accidence
..
..
adapt adept
..
..
advise advice
..
..
46
corpse corps
..
..
disease decease
..
..
difference deference
..
..
except accept
..
..
excess access
..
..
omit - emit
..
..
4. Mark the accent(s) and write short sentences with the following words:
abstract
..
..
august
..
..
concert
..
..
compact
..
..
concrete
..
..
47
discount
..
..
extract
..
..
insult
..
..
increase
..
..
precedent
..
..
refuse
..
..
survey
..
..
REMEMBER!
Capitals are used:
(1) for the beginning of every sentence;
(2) for proper nouns;
(3) for adjectives derived from proper nouns;
(4) for the chief words in: the titles of persons, the headings in the written, Commentary,
the adresses on envelopes, the salutation and subscriptions of letters;
(5) for the abbreviations of titles, dregrees, etc.;
(6) for the first word in each line of poetry;
(7) for the pronoun I and the exclamation O(h);
48
The use of punctuation is to make clear the exact meaning of a written passage by
showing to the eye the relation which exists between the different parts of a written
commentary.
In the written language, we indicate the pauses and the modulation of the voice by
means of punctuation marks.
The signs used to indicate pauses are: the comma; the semi-colon; the colon; the period,
or full stop.
The signs used to indicate modulation of the voice are: the mark of interrogation; the
mark of exclamation.
In addition to these, there are: the parentheses, double dash or bracket; the dash; the
hyphen; inverted commas, or quotation marks; the apostrophe.
The English language contains many words which give difficulty not only to the foreign
student, but also to the home student, and their spelling and meaning are best
distinguished by constant practice in the formation of sentences involving the use of
these words.
CHECK-UP TEST
1. Compose sentences bringing out the full meaning of the following words of the same
pronunciation:
assent ascent
..
..
bad bade
..
..
birth berth
..
..
49
cell sell
..
..
desert dessert
..
..
flower flour
..
..
heel heal
..
..
horse hoarse
..
..
principle principal
..
..
waste - waist
..
..
2. Write sentences distinguishing clearly between the meanings of the following pairs:
envelope envelop
..
..
gentle genteel
..
..
idol idle
..
..
imminent eminent
..
..
50
proceed precede
..
..
presents presence
..
..
receipt recipe
..
..
secret secrete
..
..
3. Name the parts of speech to which the following words belong after you have
accented the different syllables, and write sentences illustrating their meanings:
comment
..
..
collect
..
..
contest
..
..
export
..
..
frequent
..
..
minute
..
..
51
object
..
..
permit
..
..
project
..
..
rebel
..
..
transfer
..
..
transport
..
..
REFERENCES
Marshall, Edgar, and E. Schaap, Exercises in English for Foreign Students. Sixth
Impression, London & Paris: Librairie Hachette, 1929
United Nations Correspondence Manual, New York: United Nations, Department of
Conference Services, 1984
52
UNIT 6
CURRICULUM VITAE
Obiective: Dup parcurgerea i studiul acestui capitol, cursantul este n msur:
- s redacteze diverse tipuri de curriculum vitae.
Key words: CV, career, job market, to boost, jobseeker, to apply, employer, job
advertisement, job description, career break
53
Whatever your choice, your CV should look clear and tidy with all the
information easy to find. Although it is tempting to make your CV stand out by using,
for example, coloured paper or an arty layout, it is best to stick to black print on good
quality white paper. Most employers will expect to find the information under clear
headings highlighted in bold or capitals, such as work experience or education. Put
dates on the left-hand side and indent information to make it easy for employers to find
their way through your history.
54
EXAMPLES OF CVs
1) Skills CV
John Slater
Ash Cottage
Church Lane
South Newall
SO2 9PO
Telephone and fax: 0123 123 4567
Area of expertise
Organisational
Introduced
effective
management
systems
which
55
Set up, managed and successfully controlled multimillion pound revenue and capital cost centres.
Negotiated, awarded and controlled major contracts.
Interpersonal
partnerships,
presentations
and
media
interviews.
led
to
performance
cost
and
Personal information
56
Development
Personal
Interests
Career history
Technica Europe SA
Danish subsidiary providing services to the oil and chemical
industries. Turnover 6 million; 85 employees.
General manager and managing director 1992-present
Seconded to develop newly acquired operation.
Polygonia
Project manager and works manager 1989-1992
Responsible for overall execution of 34 million greenfield
project from design through construction, into operation and
commercial production.
Ashdown International
Senior planning and appraisal manager 1986-1989
General advisory and consulting role covering operational
performance, master planning, manpower and infrastructure of
chemical operations (manufacturing costs 1.5 billion per
annum).
Chemiref plc
Utilities and services manager 1983-1986
Responsible for the uninterrupted provision of utilities to
refinery and chemical plants. (Assets of l80 million, costs of
48 million per annum and 108 staff)
Manager job evaluations 1982-1983
Managed
introduction
of
new
joint
participative
57
stand-alone
works
producing
and
distributing
1970 - 1978
2) Historical CV
Roger David
The Poplars
Park Lanehouse
Chestnutshire DR1 0PS
Tel: 01 123 755483 (home)
Mobile: 0573 635689
Board director who develops and turns around businesses. Team builder and team
member who enjoys challenging the status quo. Makes a 'constructive difference' by
initiating and delivering strategic solutions to business problems.
58
Invited by one client with 1.5 million sales to take 24% equity stake to
strengthen existing management team.
Initiated and chaired a strategic review of all non-sales activities. Developed and
gained agreement to new strategic plan.
59
1971-1974
Personal
Date of birth:
25 November 1953
Status:
Interests:
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
When drawing out your CV:
Make your most relevant experience and skills prominent to encourage the
employer to read on
Keep it to the point and concentrate on the quality of your achievements, not the
quantity
List other skills that could raise you above the competition such as languages,
driving licence, IT skills
Be ruthless with yourself and keep it to a maximum of two pages. Only very
senior, experienced, executives have more
Check thoroughly for correct spelling and grammar - spotting errors is a quick
and easy way of weeding out weaker candidates when faced with a mountain of
CVs to read
60
Don't:
Leave any gaps in your work record - employers may assume the worst, for
example that you were sacked
List all the one-day training courses you have ever been on
Forget it's just a tool for getting you an interview. The CV will not land you the
job alone, the rest is up to you
REMEMBER!
Your CV is an essential career document needed to present yourself effectively in the
job market.
You may need to put together more than one CV if you intend to apply for different
types of job across different sectors. This will enable you to emphasise the particular
achievements, skills, experience and personality qualities that a particular employer is
looking for.
Ensuring your CV is well presented and easy to follow is as important as including all
the relevant information.
Most people follow a historical CV format, as this is familiar to employers and is easy
to write with employment history placed in chronological order. It also gives a good
idea of career progression.
If your career history is fragmented due to career breaks or a period of unemployment,
you may consider a skills-based CV that highlights your abilities and aptitudes. It gives
you the chance to describe what you can do, rather than detailing a list of jobs.
61
CHECK-UP TEST
Draw out your Curriculum Vitae, using the following information:
NAME
Home Address:
Date of Birth:
Nationality:
Status:
Phone:
E-mail:
Education
(time length)
(town/city, institution)
Academic achievements
(time length)
Work experience
(time length)
62
Additional information
e.g., Speaking English fluently, I have carried out translation work for both English and
Romanian research periodicals.
or, During my work in Hungary, I liaised between Romanian organizations and their
Hungarian counterparts.
Or, I hold a clean driving licence and hope to buy a car soon.
etc.
REFERENCES
http://www.totaljobs.com
63
UNIT 7
APPLICATION FORMS
Obiective: Dup parcurgerea i studiul acestui capitol, cursantul este n msur:
- s completeze diverse tipuri de formulare;
- s redacteze coresponden specific pentru cutarea unui loc de munc.
Key words: to fill out, lengthy, commitment, to spot, criminal record, application,
vacancy, confidential, draft, succinct
Filling out job application forms can be time consuming and seems a little old
fashioned. However, some employers, including the BBC and many in the public sector,
still insist on it. From an employer's point of view, someone taking the time to fill out a
lengthy form shows a certain level of commitment and interest on the part of the
jobseeker, and allows the employer to extract more information from the applicant than
some people include in their CVs. It makes it easier, for example, for the employer to
pick out gaps in employment history or to spot that a box asking about a criminal record
has not been ticked.
Employers may hold your application 'on file' for the purpose of matching you
up with any suitable vacancies that may crop up in the future. Under the Data Protection
Act they are required to keep the information held in your application confidential, and
used only for the purpose of recruitment, and for no longer than is necessary.
Do:
Read the instructions before you fill in the form. It has been designed to make
life easy for the personnel team who won't waste time trying to work out where
you have gone wrong
Photocopy the form beforehand and use the copy as a rough draft
Take time drafting the section about what you would bring to the job. This is
your chance to shine in only 300 words - you need to be succinct. Concentrate
on those achievements that will be most relevant to the job in question
64
Write legibly if you cannot type in the information. The form should be easy to
read, so keep your handwriting to a decent size and don't be afraid to leave some
empty space - it looks better and is easier to read - even it if means leaving out
that third prize you won in the annual sales competition ten years ago
Use black ink - it makes for clearer photocopies at the other end
Read your completed form carefully, checking for grammar and spelling errors
and, if possible get a second opinion from someone
Don't:
Leave any questions unanswered. If a question is not applicable to you then say
so
Lie - you'll be found out and the employer will probably never deal with you
again. Many employers use information service companies to check out facts
included in application forms
24 May 1998
Rose Cottage
Rigg Lane
Stoneham
LN1 3NH
John Wellington
First Rate Recruiters
12 Drummond Street
Glasgow G3 4RF
Your reference XYZ 123
65
Dear Mr Wellington
From a varied sales and marketing career in the car industry; I would like to highlight
the following relevant skills and experience:
A lead role at Ford Cars in improving customer supply lead times and reducing
vehicle inventories
Yours sincerely
Adam Smith
Covering Letters
The main purpose of writing a covering letter is to prompt a recruiter to read your CV.
The letter gives you the chance to demonstrate that you understand the nature of the job
being advertised; allows you to explain why you want to work in that area; and show
how your skills and abilities fit the vacancy.
While your CV tells the employer about you, the letter should concentrate on the
position and the company. Remember to fully research the firm, perhaps by visiting its
web site, and use this information to help draft your letter.
The covering letter is your first contact with a potential future employer and a
great chance to market your skills.
66
Do:
Keep it short and factual - four or five paragraphs on one side of A4 paper
Tell the recruiter where you saw the ad and include any reference numbers
Refer to the CV you have attached - it might go missing and they'll think you
haven't sent one
Tailor it to each specific application - outline how your experience matches job
requirements
Concentrate on telling employers why you would be good for the job, rather than
why the job would be good for you
If the job is in a different sector from the one to which you have devoted the past
ten working years, draw links between the two
Try and show that you have done some research into the organisation already for example mention that you have read the latest annual report or visited their
web site.
Include any dates when you might be unavailable for interview. If you are able
to take calls during the day, then provide a contact number
Check that you have addressed your letter to the right person, that you have used
the correct job title and spelt his or her name correctly
You may wish to state your current salary and your salary expectations for the
job.
Don't:
Underestimate the value of the covering letter - you can use it to lift your CV if
your experience is lacking by drawing attention to your strengths
Speculative Letters
If you are not replying to an advertised position, it may be worth writing a speculative
letter to a company that you would like to work for. In this instance, begin by stating the
specific work you are seeking, say why you want to work for this particular company
and ask for your CV to be held on file for any vacancies that may come up.
67
12 Fairfax Close
Stableton
Bristol BS12 5RT
Kenneth Brown
Molson plc
14-24 Cable Street
Bristol BS2 4RT
25 July
Dear Mr Brown
Yesterday's Evening Post reported that you are expanding your sales and servicing
activities. It occurred to me that you might need additional staff for your new branches.
I am currently looking for opportunities to make use of my direct experience of working
in a service centre and would therefore be extremely interested in any potential
vacancies.
Over the past ten years I have worked in customer services initially in retail and most
recently for a major plc. This work has included: taking bookings from customers and
organising job schedules for service engineers in a service centre; training and
supervising a team of three; setting up and running a customer complaints service;
handling customer account queries.
Full details of my track record are contained in my CV which I have enclosed. I will
phone next week to establish whether a meeting would be appropriate. I would very
much like to discuss any potential opening with you.
Yours sincerely
Sally Jones
68
24 May 1998
Rose Cottage
Rigg Lane
Stoneham
LN1 3NH
John Wellington
First Rate Recruiters
12 Drummond Street
Glasgow G3 4RF
Your reference XYZ 123
Dear Mr Wellington
From a varied sales and marketing career in the car industry; I would like to highlight
the following relevant skills and experience:
A lead role at Ford Cars in improving customer supply lead times and reducing
vehicle inventories
Yours sincerely
Adam Smith
69
REMEMBER!
Filling out job application forms can be time consuming and seems a little old
fashioned.
Read the instructions before you fill in the form.
Photocopy the form beforehand and use the copy as a rough draft
Take time drafting the section about what you would bring to the job.
Write legibly if you cannot type in the information.
Use black ink.
Read your completed form carefully, checking for grammar and spelling errors and, if
possible get a second opinion from someone
Keep a photocopy of your completed form for your own records
Dont leave any questions unanswered.
Dont include a CV as well, unless it has been requested.
Dont lie - you'll be found out and the employer will probably never deal with you
again.
CHECK-UP TEST
1. Write a covering letter for a speculative / direct approach to a company.
2. Write a job application letter in response to an advertisement.
REFERENCES
http://www.totaljobs.com
70
UNIT 8
JOB INTERVIEWS
Obiective: Dup parcurgerea i studiul acestui capitol, cursantul este n msur:
- s participe la un interviu pentru ocuparea unui loc de munc.
Job interviews are never easy for an applicant. Most people get anxious about
interviews, particularly if they are seriously interested in the job. They are afraid that
they will not do well.
The style of the interviewer may vary from warm and interested to cold and
aloof or even rude. Some interviewers expect the applicant to make only brief remarks;
others encourage or expect you to do most of the talking. You should not be surprised
by occasional silence from the interviewer.
Employers and personnel officers will sometimes ask questions that you do not
expect, because they are interested in how you react and respond. Before you go to an
interview, think about the responses you would make if you were asked questions
regarding your choice of academic field, positions you are interested in, work
experience, etc.
From the point of view of the organization, an interview is conducted: (1) to
obtain information and impressions about applicants, and (2) to give applicants
information about the organization. Many interviewers seem to be most concerned
about ruling out undesirable candidates, so negative information gained from the
applicant often carries more weight than positive information.
The average interview is fairly brief, lasting about twenty to thirty-five minutes.
Decisions to employ are often based on subjective factors such as intuition, attitudes,
and ideas about a good employee. Your objective as an applicant in a job interview is to
present yourself honestly, but in such a way that the interviewer develops a positive
impression based on subjective factors unrelated to job performance. For example, the
employment interview is not the place to talk about personal problems, family
problems, or previous job problems. Never lie about leaving previous jobs, for
71
contradictions will show up when personnel officers do reference checks. If you were
fired, be honest with the interviewer and say you didnt have the skills or understand the
responsibility. Also say you are looking for ways to grow and to overcome such
problems in the future. No matter what happened, dont criticize your former employer
of the people you worked with if you do, you will probably lose the job. If the
interviewer asks about personal weaknesses, always speak of your weaknesses as
potential areas of development. You might say, for example, I havent had
management experience yet, but thats what I fiind appealing about this job. I think it
will give me the opportunity to get some experience. Or turn your weakness into a
strength, saying, for example, Im a perfectionist.
Most interviewers look for a pleasant, friendly person who has positive attitudes
toward working. They expect the applicant to be prepared to discuss his or her skills and
experiences and how he or she would fit the job being sought. The positive person who
has been involved in career planning and has some idea of where he or she wants to be
in five or ten years has a jump ahead of the person shopping for a job.
72
- If your long-range goal is to go into business for yourself, you may want to avoid
daying so. You certainly will not encourage an employer by indicating that you will
give the company the privilege of training you for a year or two, but then plan on going
on your own to compete with it.
- Be attentive. Remain standing until you are invited to sit down. Listen to what the
interviewer is saying. Talk clearly (that does not mean loudly) and directly to the
interviewer. Answer questions factually, fully, and direclty. If you do not hear
something the interviewer has said, ask him or her to repeat it. Many interviewing
experts consider communication and interpersonal skills as the single most important
factors in the interview.onverbal behaviours such as eye contact, smiling, and attentive
posture are also influential.
- Show interest. Before an employer hires you, he or she must know what you can do
and must feel confident that you can do it. Mny employers who interview young people
say that they often show no interest in the job or what it can lead to in the future. All too
often, these employers say that young people are only interested in the money and the
hours of employment. You need not and should not claim that you know everything
about the job, but you must show that you are eager to learn and improve as you go
along.
- You may be able to state your abilities more clearly if you plan beforehand how you
might describe them to an interviewer. Also show an interest in the company as a
whole, not just in the particular job. To do so, research the company before the
interview finding out what it does, its history, future plans, etc. Statements that indicate
cooperation, dependability, trustworthiness, and motivation help to counter negative
impressions. The interviewer looks for a pleasant, socially aware individual who is
enthusiastic about work and career.
- To maintain an interviewers attention on objective factors, you need to discuss your
special qualifications for the position both at the beginning and other times. Mentioning
specific and relevant skills, work epxerience, and educational background demonstrates
both your strength as a candidate and your understanding of the skills the job requires.
- Do not prolong the interview. Once the interviewer indicates that it is over, leave
promptly unless you have something relevant to say. If you do, tell the interviewer what
you want to say. Most interviewers have other appointments to keep, but they want to
be sure that you have presented everything that should be said on your behalf. Ask for
73
the privilege of returning or calling in a few days to find out whether you have the job.
Be sure to express your appreciation for the interview.
- Unless you have been told that you have or do not have the job, return occasionally to
inquire as to whether there is an opening. Do not let the firm forget you, but do not
make a nuisance of yourself. Ask your questions courteously, but do not linger after you
have a reply. If you have an unsuccessful interview, analyse the whole experience and
plan how you could present your case better next time.
If, after an interview, you fail to get the job, do not always assume that you made
a bad impression. Employers often have so many qualified applicants that they must
turn dwn many who could handle the job well. The person they finally employ may
have some chance advantage over the other applicants a personality that matches
those of the other workers in the organization, for example that you could not possibly
guess at. So if you fail to get a job, try not to worry about it. Go on to the next
interview, and do the best you can.
15. What are your ideas on salary? How much money do you want to be earning
five years from now?
16. Were you ever fired from a job? Did you ever quit? Why?
17. What can you contribute to this organization?
18. Do you have any questions you want to ask?
You can show your interest in the job and the company by asking questions. The
interview is the place to become informed about the company. Too many applicants
close up and cant remember the questions they have, so write them down and put them
in order of importance to you. Use the list to ask what you want to know.
Here are some questions you may want to ask:
1. Is there a written jos description I can see?
2. What are the usual working hours/policy on overtime?
3. Is there any probationary period for a new employee? If so, how long is it and
who makes the decision?
4. Is a pre-employment physical examination required by the company? Des the
company pay for it?
5. Is there a policy on vacation time/sick leave? How many vacation days and sick
time hours are accrued in what length of time?
6. Are there company sports teams/physical fitness facilities?
7. Does the company offer a retirement plan? Do employees contribute to it? How
long must I work before I become eligible for the plan?
8. Does the firm publish its salary schedule? Are there policies about cost-of-living
increases/merit raises/bonuses?
9. How and when will I be notified whether I have the job?
75
Image Consultants. 'A three-piece suit may be totally inappropriate for a laid-back
design agency, for example.'
Do:
Familiarise yourself with the dress code of the company you are applying to. If
this is not possible, wear a suit - it shows respect. If you get a second meeting
you can then dress more like those you observe around the company.
Try your interview outfit on in advance and make sure you have everything
cleaned, pressed and in good repair in advance. It may sound obvious but the last
thing you need on the day is a panic over clothing
Don't:
Overdress turning up in top hat and tails might be a bit over the top, especially
if everyone else is in jeans and trainers
Pick loud colours or patterns - if in doubt err on the side of caution and go muted
Wear uncomfortable garments - you won't feel relaxed. It's best to pick an outfit
you have worn before.
Body language
From the moment an interviewer sees you, they form an impression about what sort of
person you are, and what kind of employee you would make. This is because even when
we are not speaking, we are communicating.
The way we move, our gestures and what we wear, all say something about who
we are.
According to Julia Campion, from image consultancy First Impressions, during
the first 60 seconds of an interview situation, 55 per cent of interviewers' first
impressions are based on body language and appearance. Only seven per cent focus on
the words we use.
76
So how can you appear more confident, even if your knees are trembling?
Make an entrance
Traditionally a daunting place, the interview room represents hostile territory and we
tend to slow our walking pace when entering an unknown area. Slowing down however
can suggest reluctance, or a lack of confidence.
But rather than enter the room at full speed, or dawdling, Alan Pease, author of Body
Language - How to read others' thoughts by their gestures suggests that interviewees
make a point of just pausing at the door before entering at speed.
The handshake
Firm, but friendly is the best way. Nobody likes a limp, 'wet fish' handshake, which can
suggest a weak character. However, also avoid taking off the interviewer's hand at the
wrist. What Pease describes as a 'knuckle grinder' can denote over-confidence, or even
arrogance.
The eyes
Eye contact is vital, but be careful not to overdo it - you don't want to stare down your
potential boss. A trick to maintaining eye contact is to use what Pease describes as 'the
business gaze'.
'Imagine there is a triangle on the other's person's forehead. By keeping your gaze
directed at this area, you create a serious atmosphere and the other person senses that
you mean business,' he says.
The mouth
Smile - most of us can manage a smile. It helps you relax and it makes you appear
personable and approachable. 'It portrays a lack of fear. After all it's an interview, not a
trial,' says Campion.
Posture
Slouching and tipping back on the chair should be left to schoolchildren. Remember to
sit up as it makes you look attentive, while leaning forward slightly makes you look as
if you are taking an active interest.
77
Avoid crossing your arms or legs as this creates a defensive barrier. Barrier postures are
a no-no, as they can look as if you have got something to hide.
Gestures
Should be open and expansive, you want to try and involve the interviewer in what you
are saying. Keep palms up and open to suggest honesty and avoid pointing or banging
fists on the table to emphasise a point, it's too aggressive.
Try to copy some of the interviewer's gestures. Copying, or as Pease describes it
'mirroring', gestures is a way for us to tell others that we like them.
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
Interviewers' favourites
78
79
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
80
This will assist in rethinking your response to that all-important question, "Tell me
about yourself."
In order to learn how to respond to the needs of the interviewer, let's first learn
more about ourselves. We can then apply that knowledge about ourselves to knowing
how to understand and respond to the needs of others.
Most social psychologists recognize four basic personality styles: Analytical,
Amiable, Expressive, and Driver. Usually, each of us exhibits personality characteristics
unique to one of the styles; however, we also possess characteristics to a lesser degree in
the other styles. Here are the characteristics that are most commonly associated with
each of the styles:
- Analytical: Positive Traits: Precise, Methodical, Organized, Rational, Detail
Oriented / Negative Traits: Critical, Formal, Uncertain, Judgmental, Picky
- Amiable: Positive Traits: Cooperative, Dependable, Warm, Listener,
Negotiator / Negative Traits: Undisciplined, Dependent, Submissive, Overly Cautious,
Conforming
- Expressive: Positive Traits: Enthusiastic, Persuasive, Outgoing, Positive,
Communicator / Negative Traits: Ego Centered, Emotional, Exploitive, Opinionated,
Reacting
- Driver: Positive Traits: Persistent, Independent, Decision Maker, Effective,
Strong Willed / Negative Traits: Aggressive, Strict, Intense, Relentless, Rigid
Gaining an in-depth understanding of your personality style has enormous value
in your career as well as your personal life.
REMEMBER!
Job interviews are never easy for an applicant.
Employers and personnel officers will sometimes ask questions that you do not expect,
because they are interested in how you react and respond. Before you go to an
interview, think about the responses you would make if you were asked questions
regarding your choice of academic field, positions you are interested in, work
experience, etc.
Negative information gained from the applicant often carries more weight than positive
information.
The average interview is fairly brief. Decisions to employ are often based on subjective
factors such as intuition, attitudes, and ideas about a good employee.
81
CHECK-UP TEST
1. Write a one-page letter to a high-school student preparing for his/her first job
interview, giving the student advice on how to succeed at the interview.
2. Write a 300-word essay on the best/worst appearance of an applicant for a job as a
secretary of a top company.
REFERENCES
Wiener, Harvey S., Charles Bazerman, All of Us. A Multicultural Reading Skills
Handbook, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992 - Bruce Shertzer, Job
Interviews
http://www.careerbuilder.com
82
EVALUATION TEST
1. Design your curriculum vitae including all the relevant information you wish to give
about yourself.
2. Imagine a telephone conversation with a friend about the unexpected arrival of a
distant relative from abroad.
3. Imagine a telephone conversation with new employee regarding the delay of some
important business contracts.
4. Imagine a telephone conversation with a business partner complaining about not
having received the required information.
5. Write a covering letter for a speculative approach to a company.
6. Write a job application letter in response to an advertisement.
7. Write a letter thanking your cousin for a birthday present and describing how you
spent your birthday.
8. You receive an invitation to spend your summer holidays with an English family.
Write a letter accepting/declining the invitation.
83
I. Nouns
accident
area
action
argument
actor
arm
addition
army
address
arrival
advantage
art
advertisement
article
advice
artist
affair
assistant
afternoon
atmosphere
age
attention
agriculture
attraction
aid
aunt
air
authority
airport
autumn
alcohol
avenue
ambition
amount
baby
amusement
back
anger
bacon
angle
bag
animal
bakers
apparatus
balance
apple
ball
appointment
band
approval
bank
arch
barbers
architect
base
84
basin
bottle
basket
bottom
bath
box
battle
boy
beard
brain
beauty
brake
bed
branch
bedroom
bread
beef
breakfast
beer
breath
behaviour
bridge
belief
brother
bell
brush
bench
building
bill
bus
bird
business
birth
butchers
birthday
butter
biscuit
button
bit
bite
caf
blackboard
cake
blade
camera
blanket
cancer
block
candidate
blood
cap
blouse
capital
board
capitalism
boat
captain
body
car
bone
card
book
care
booking-office
carpet
boot
cart
border
cat
85
cattle
coal
centre
coast
century
coat
ceremony
coffee
chair
coin
chalk
collar
chance
colony
character
colour
chat
comb
cheat
comedy
cheese
comfort
chemists
commander
cheer
commerce
cheque
committee
cherry
communication
chest
communism
chief
communist
chicken
company
child
comparison
chimney
competition
chin
composition
chocolate
compromise
church
concert
cigar
condition
cigarette
conductor
cinema
congratulation
circle
connection
city
conservative
class
constitution
clerk
conversation
climate
co-operation
clock
copy
cloth
cord
clothes
cork
cloud
corner
86
cotton
desert
council
design
country
desire
courage
detail
court
detective
cover
development
cow
dictator
crack
difference
cream
difficulty
creation
direction
credit
discovery
crime
disturb
criminal
dining-room
crowd
dinner
cup
direction
cupboard
disarmament
current
discover
curtain
discussion
custom
disease
customer
disgust
dish
danger
dispute
date
distance
daughter
distribution
day
doctor
death
dog
debate
dollar
debt
door
decision
doubt
defence
dozen
degree
drawer
delay
dress
democracy
driver
departure
driving
desk
dust
87
ear
factory
earth
failure
east
fame
edge
family
education
farm
effect
farmer
effort
father
egg
favour
election
feeling
element
female
emotion
fever
employee
fiction
end
field
enemy
figure
energy
film
engine
fine
engineer
finger
entrance
fire
envelope
fireplace
equality
fish
error
flag
essay
flame
evening
flat
event
flight
examination
floor
example
flour
existence
flower
expansion
fog
experience
food
expert
foot
expression
foreigner
eye
fork
framework
face
freedom
fact
friend
88
friendship
guide
front
gun
frontier
fruit
hair
fuel
hairdressers
fun
half
furnace
hall
furniture
ham
future
hand
handkerchief
game
harbour
garage
harvest
garden
hat
gas
head
gate
headache
gentleman
headline
gift
health
girl
heart
glass
heating
globe
helicopter
glove
hen
goal
hill
gold
history
good-bye
holiday
government
home
governor
homework
grandfather
honey
grandmother
horse
grass
hospital
grip
hotel
grocers
hour
ground
house
group
humour
growth
husband
guest
89
ice
knife
ice-cream
knowledge
idea
illness
laboratory
improvement
labour
impulse
lady
increase
lamp
independence
land
industry
language
information
lake
initiative
law
ink
leader
insect
leaf
instrument
learning
insurance
leather
interest
leg
invention
lesson
iron
letter
island
level
liberty
jam
library
jet
licence
jewel
life
job
lift
journey
limit
joy
line
justice
linen
lip
kettle
list
key
literature
kidney
liver
kidness
lorry
king
lot
kitchen
lunch
knee
lung
90
machine
Miss
magazine
mistake
maize
model
male
moment
man
money
manager
month
manner
moon
market
morning
marmalade
motel
map
mother
masterpiece
mountain
match
mouth
material
movement
matter
Mr.
mayor
Mrs.
meal
museum
measure
music
meat
mutton
medicine
meeting
name
member
nation
memory
nature
merchant
neck
message
neighbour
metal
neutral
method
news
middle
newspaper
midnight
night
mile
noise
milk
noon
mine
north
mineral
nose
minister
notebook
minute
number
misfortune
nurse
91
nut
penny
people
observation
person
occasion
petrol
ocean
photograph
office
piano
officer
picture
oil
piece
operation
pig
opinion
pillow
opposition
pilot
orange
pin
orchestra
pipe
organization
place
origin
plane
oven
plant
owner
plate
platform
packet
pleasure
page
plum
pain
painter
poetry
palace
police
paper
politics
parcel
population
parent
pork
park
port
parliament
porter
part
position
party
post
patient
pot
pavement
potato
peace
pound
pen
poverty
pencil
powder
92
power
reason
present
record
president
refrigerator
price
relation
relief
prison
religion
problem
report
process
representative
product
republic
profit
respect
programme
restaurant
progress
result
property
revolution
proposal
reward
prose
rice
protest
ring
pump
rival
punishment
river
pupil
road
purpose
rock
pyjamas
roll
roof
quality
room
quarter
root
queen
rubber
question
ruin
rule
radio
railway
sack
range
salad
rate
salary
razor
sale
ray
salt
reaction
sand
reading
satellite
93
satisfaction
sitting-room
sausage
situation
scale
size
scenery
skill
school
skin
science
skirt
sea
sky
seaside
slope
season
soap
secretary
socialism
self-service
society
sensation
sock
sense
soda(-water)
series
soldier
servant
son
sex
song
shade
sort
shape
sound
sheep
soup
shelf
south
shelter
space
ship
speed
shirt
spirit
shoe
sponge
shop
spoon
shop-assistant
sport
shopping
spring
shore
stage
shoulder
staircase
shower
stamp
side
star
sight
state
silence
statement
silver
station
sister
steam
94
steel
telegram
stick
television
stocking
temper
stomach
temperature
stone
tendency
storm
theatre
story
theory
stranger
thief
street
thing
string
thunder
structure
ticket
student
time
subject
tin
substance
toast
success
tobacconists
sugar
ton
suggestion
tongue
suit
tool
suit-case
tooth
sum
top
summer
towel
sun
town
supper
tractor
system
trade
tradition
table
tragedy
tablet
train
tail
tray
tap
treaty
tax
tree
taxi
trial
tea
trick
teacher
trip
team
trouble
technician
trousers
95
truck
watch
truth
water
tube
wave
turkey
way
twist
weapon
typist
week
tyre
weight.
welcome
umbrella
west
underground
wheat
unemployed
weather
unemployment
wheel
unit
wife
university
wind
use
window
wing
valley
winter
value
woman
vegetable
wood
vessel
wool
victory
word
view
worker
village
works
voice
workshop
worm
wages
writer
walk
writing
wall
wallet
year
war
youth
96
Sunday
January
Monday
February
Tuesday
March
Wednesday
April
Thursday
May
Friday
June
Saturday
July
August
September
October
November
December
II. ADJECTIVES
able
brave
absent
bright
active
brilliant
actual
broad
afraid
brown
alive
busy
ancient
angry
calm
asleep
capitalist
awake
careful
central
bad
certain
beautiful
cheap
big
chemical
bitter
clean
black
clear
blind
clever
blue
comfortable
97
common
exact
cold
excited
complete
complex
fair
conscious
false
content
familiar
contrary
famous
cool
fat
cruel
fertile
curious
few
fine
damp
foggy
dangerous
foolish
dark
foreign
dead
free
deaf
frequent
dear
fresh
deep
friendly
delicate
funny
delightful
full
dependent
different
general
difficult
gentle
direct
glad
dirty
good
dull
grateful
dumb
great
dusty
greedy
green
easy
grey
economic
guilty
elastic
electric
handsome
empty
happy
equal
hard
98
healthy
heavy
main
high
many
honest
medical
hot
merry
human
mild
hungry
military
modern
ill
much
important
impossible
narrow
independent
national
industrial
natural
injured
nearby
intelligent
necessary
interesting
nervous
international
neutral
new
joint
next
nice
kind
noisy
normal
large
nuclear
last
late
old
lazy
only
left
opposite
little
oval
local
own
lonely
long
pale
loose
past
loud
peaceful
low
peculiar
lucky
perfect
99
permanent
sharp
pleasant
short
polite
sick
political
silly
poor
similar
possible
simple
powerful
sincere
pretty
sleepy
private
slow
public
small
smooth
quick
social
quiet
socialist
soft
rapid
solid
ready
sorry
real
sour
reasonable
square
red
stiff
regular
still
responsible
stormy
rich
straight
right
strange
roast
strong
rough
stupid
round
successful
sure
sad
sweet
safe
same
tall
satisfactory
terrible
scientific
thick
secret
thin
serious
tired
several
thirsty
100
traditional
wet
true
white
whole
ugly
wide
useful
wild
usual
wise
wonderful
valuable
worth
violent
wrong
warm
yellow
weak
young
wealthy
III. NUMERALS
zero
one
first
once
two
second
twice
three
third
double
four
fourth
five
fifth
six
sixth
seven
seventh
eight
eighth
nine
ninth
10
ten
tenth
11
eleven
eleventh
12
twelve
twelfth
13
thirteen
thirteenth
14
fourteen
fourteenth
15
fifteen
fifteenth
16
sixteen
sixteenth
17
seventeen
seventeenth
101
18
eighteen
eighteenth
19
nineteen
nineteenth
20
twenty
twentieth
21
twenty-one
twenty-first
22
twenty-two
twenty-second
23
twenty three
twenty third
24
twenty four
twenty-fourth
30
thirty
thirtieth
40
forty
fortieth
50
fifty
fiftieth
60
sixty
sixtieth
70
seventy
seventieth
80
eighty
eightieth
90
ninety
ninetieth
100
hundred
hundredth
1,000
thousand
thousandth
1,000,000
million
millionth
1,000,000,000
billion
billionth
IV. VERBS
accept
apologize
accuse
appear
acquire
apply
act
approve
add
arrive
advance
ask
advise
astonish
agree
attack
amuse
attempt
answer
attend
102
avoid
close
come
be
complain
beat
confirm
become
congratulate
begin
consider
behave
continue
believe
control
belong
cook
bend
correct
bind
cost
bite
cough
bleed
count
blow
create
boil
cross
borrow
cry
break
cure
breathe
cut
bring
broadcast
damage
build
dance
burn
decide
burst
defeat
bury
defend
buy
depend
describe
calculate
deserve
call
destroy
can
develop
catch
dictate
cause
die
celebrate
dig
change
disappear
choose
discuss
climb
divide
103
do
flood
draw
flow
dream
fly
drink
follow
drive
force
drop
forget
drown
form
dry
free
freeze
earn
frighten
eat
educate
gather
elect
get
encourage
give
enjoy
go
enter
govern
escape
greet
exchange
grow
excuse
guard
explain
exploit
hang
export
happen
express
hate
have
fail
hear
fall
heat
feed
help
feel
hesitate
fight
hide
fill
hit
find
hold
finish
hope
fix
hurry
flee
hurt
float
104
imagine
listen
imitate
live
import
lock
improve
look
include
lose
inform
love
inherit
inspect
make
intend
march
interfere
mark
introduce
marry
invent
may
invite
mean
meet
join
melt
joke
mention
judge
mind
jump
miss
mix
keep
move
kill
must
kiss
knock
need
know
note
notice
laugh
lay
obey
lead
object
learn
oblige
leave
offer
lend
omit
let
open
lie
oppose
light
order
like
organize
105
owe
receive
paint
recognize
reduce
pass
regret
pay
reject
permit
relate
plan
remain
play
remember
please
repair
point
repeat
poison
reply
possess
report
postpone
represent
pour
request
praise
rest
prefer
return
pretend
rise
prevent
rob
produce
rub
promise
run
pronounce
propose
sail
protect
satisfy
protest
save
prove
say
publish
search
pull
see
punish
seem
push
sell
put
send
serve
rain
settle
raise
shake
reach
shall
read
share
106
shave
suppose
shine
surprise
shock
surround
shoot
sweep
shout
swim
show
switch
shut
sign
take
sing
talk
sink
taste
sit
teach
sleep
tear
slip
telephone
smell
tell
smile
test
smoke
thank
sneeze
think
snow
threaten
speak
throw
spend
tie
spill
touch
spread
translate
stand
transport
start
travel
stay
tremble
steal
trust
step
try
stop
turn
strike
type
struggle
understand
study
unite
succeed
urge
suffer
suggest
visit
support
vote
107
win
wait
wish
want
witness
warn
wonder
wash
work
waste
worry
wear
wound
welcome
wrap
will
write
our
me
ours
my
ourselves
mine
myself
they
you
them
yours
their
yourself
theirs
yourselves
themselves
he
him
who
his
whose
himself
what
she
which
her
hers
herself
all
it
an
its
another
itself
any
we
anybody
us
anything
108
both
one
each
either
this
else
these
every
that
everybody
those
everything
except
other
former
same
latter
some
neither
somebody
no
something
nobody
such
nor
the
nothing
and
above
anywhere
abroad
around
across
as
after
aside
afterwards
at
again
away
against
ago
back
almost
because
alone
before
along
behind
already
below
also
beneath
although
beside
always
besides
among
between
109
beyond
how
but
however
by
if
certainly
immediately
chiefly
in
clearly
indeed
close
inside
into
down
instead (of)
during
just
early
enough
largely
especially
lately
even
ever
meanwhile
everywhere
more
except
moreover
fairly
naturally
far
nearly
fast
never
for
no
formerly
not
forward
now
from
nowhere
generally
of
gently
often
on
hard
once
hardly
or
here
otherwise
highly
out
110
outside
though
over
through
thus
past
till
perfectly
to
perhaps
today
probably
together
properly
tomorrow
publicly
tonight
purposely
too
towards
quickly
quite
under
unless
rather
until
really
up
recently
usually
seldom
very
simply
slowly
well
so
when
soon
where
sometimes
while
somewhere
why
still
with
suddenly
without
than
yes
then
yesterday
there
yet
111
TRECUT
(PAST SIMPLE)
to be
was, were
PARTICIPIU
(PAST
PARTICIPLE)
been
SENS
(MEANING)
to bear
bore
born(e)
a purta
to beat
beat
beat
a bate
to become
became
become
a deveni
to begin
began
begun
a ncepe
to bind
bound
bound
a lega
to bite
bit
bitten
a muca
to bleed
bled
bled
a sngera
to bless
blessed, blest
blessed, blest
a binecuvnta
to blow
blew
blown
a sufla
to break
broke
broken
a fi, a exista
sparge
to breed
bred
bred
a crete
to bring
brought
brought
a aduce
to build
built
built
a cldi, a construi
to burn
burned, burnt
burned, burnt
a arde
to burst
burst
burst
a izbucni
to buy
bought
bought
a cumpra
to cast
cast
cast
a arunca
to catch
caught
caught
a prinde
to choose
chose
chosen
a alege
to come
came
come
a veni
to cost
cost
cost
a costa
to creep
crept
crept
a se tr
to cut
cut
cut
a (se) tia
to deal
dealt
dealt
to dig
dug
dug
a spa
to do
did
done
a face, a svri
INFINITIV
(INFINITIVE)
TRECUT
(PAST SIMPLE)
to draw
drew
PARTICIPIU
(PAST
PARTICIPLE)
drawn
SENS
(MEANING)
to dream
dreamed, dreamt
dreamed, dreamt
a visa
to drink
drank
drunk
a bea
to drive
drove
driven
a conduce (maina)
to dwell
dwelt
dwelt
a locui
to eat
ate
eaten
a mnca
to fall
fell
fallen
a cdea, a scdea
to feed
fed
fed
a se hrni
to feel
felt
felt
a se simi
to fight
fought
fought
a lupta
to find
found
found
a descoperi, a gsi
to fly
flew
flown
a zbura
to forbid
forbade
forbidden
a interzice
to forecast
forecast
forecast
a prevedea, a
a trage, a desena
prezice
to forget
forgot
forgotten
a uita
to freeze
froze
frozen
a nghea
to get
got
a cpta, a obine;
a deveni, a se face
to give
gave
given
a acorda, a da
to go
went
gone
a merge, a se duce
to grind
ground
ground
a mcina
to grow
grew
grown
a crete, a se
dezvolta
to hang
hanged, hung
hanged, hung
a atrna, a
spnzura
to have
had
had
a avea, a poseda
to hear
heard
heard
a auzi
to hide
hid
hid, hidden
a (se) ascunde
to hit
hit
hit
a (se) ascunde
to hold
held
held
a ine, a susine
to hurt
hurt
hurt
a (se) rni
113
INFINITIV
(INFINITIVE)
TRECUT
(PAST SIMPLE)
to keep
kept
PARTICIPIU
(PAST
PARTICIPLE)
kept
SENS
(MEANING)
to kneel
knelt
knelt
a ngenunchea
to know
knew
known
a ti, a cunoate
to lead
led
led
a conduce
to lean
leaned, leant
leaned, leant
a se apleca
to learn
learned, learnt
learned, learnt
a nva
to leave
left
left
a pleca, a prsi
to lend
lent
lent
a mprumuta, a da
a ine, a pstra
cu mprumut
to let
let
let
a lsa, a permite
to lie
lay
lain
to light
lighted, lit
lighted, lit
a aprinde, a lumina
to lose
lost
lost
a pierde
to make
made
made
a face, a furi
to mean
meant
meant
a vrea s spun
to meet
met
met
to mistake
mistook
mistaken
a grei, a confunda
to misunderstand
misunderstood
misunderstood
a nelege greit
to pay
paid
paid
a plti
to put
put
put
a pune, a aeza
to read
read
read
a citi
to rend
rent
rent
a sfia
to ride
rode
ridden
a clri, a mna
(caii)
to ring
rang
rung
a suna
to rise
rose
risen
a se ridica, a rsri
to run
ran
run
a alerga, a fugi
to saw
sawed
sawn
a tia cu fierstrul
to say
said
said
a spune, a zice
114
INFINITIV
(INFINITIVE)
TRECUT
(PAST SIMPLE)
to see
saw
PARTICIPIU
(PAST
PARTICIPLE)
seen
to seek
sought
sought
a cuta
to sell
sold
sold
a vinde
to send
sent
sent
a trimite
to set
set
set
a aranja, a stabili
to sew
sewed
sewn
a coase
to shake
shook
shaken
a se zgudui
to shine
shone
shone
a strluci
to shoot
shot
shot
a mpuca
to show
showed
shown
a (se) arta
to shut
shut
shut
a (se) nchide
to sing
sang
sung
to sink
sank
sunk(en)
a (se) scufunda
to sit
sat
sat
to sleep
slept
slept
a dormi
to smell
smelled, smelt
smelled, smelt
a mirosi
to sow
sowed
sown
a planta, a semna
to speak
spoke
spoken
a vorbi
to speed
sped
sped
a accelera, a grbi
to spell
spelled, spelt
spelled, spelt
a silabisi
to spend
spent
spent
a cheltui, a petrece
to spill
spilt
spilt
a vrsa
to spin
spun
spun
a (se) rsuci
to split
split
split
a despica
to spoil
spoiled, spoilt
spoiled, spoilt
a strica, a rsfa
to spread
spread
spread
a (se) rspndi
to stand
stood
stood
a sta n picioare
to steal
stole
stolen
a fura
to stick
stuck
stuck
to strike
struck
struck, stricken
a izbi, a lovi
to write
wrote
written
a scrie
115
SENS
(MEANING)
a vedea
advertisement
A/C
account
A.M.
B/E
Bill of Exchange
B/L
Bill of Landing
Bros.
brothers
C.O.D.
cash on delivery
Com.
commission
Con
(contra) against
Carr. Pd.
carriage paid
Carr. Frwd.
carriage forward
Co.
company; county
Cf.
(confer) compare
C/B
cash book
Chq.
cheque
C/O
care of
C.W.O.
Cr.
credit; creditor
Curt.
current
Cwt.
hundredweight
Do.
Dis.
discount
D/B
Day Book
Dr.
debtor; Doctor
e.g.
Esq.
Esquire
Encl.
enclosure
Etc., or &c.
F.O.B.
free on board
F.O.R.
free on rails
Fo., or Fol.
G.P.O.
116
Hon. Sec.
Honorary Secretary
i.e.
ibid.
Inst.
Int.
interest
Led.
ledger
L/C
letter of credit
limited
Memo.
memorandum
Messrs.
Mr.
Mister
Mo.
month
Ms.
Miss
MS.
manuscript
MSS.
manuscripts
N.B.
Nem. Con.
Net.
number
No.
by
Per
P.M.
promissory note
P/N
P.O.
P.O.O.
Pro tem.
as a matter of form
Pro forma
for
Pro
Prox.
P.S.
added to a letter
query
Qy.
R.S.V.P.
please
117
Ult.
Via
by way of
Vide
see
Viz.
4to
8vo
The days of the week are abbreviated as follows: Mon., Tue., Wed., Thu., Fri., Sat.,
Sun.
The months of the year are abbreviated as follows: Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, Jun.,
Jul., Aug., Sep., Oct., Nov., Dec.
118