Is the situation with the new export market in Abraca encouraging?

(to open up a new export market; to have orders from Abraca; to have a look at the quarterly breakdown of overheads; to detail actual expenditure against budget; the amount spent on travelling and entertainment)

Why did John Martin keep quiet about an enquiry from the Abracan government?

(to have an enquiry from the government; to give a quotation; to supply office furniture for government buildings; to place the order with somebody; to be one of the largest orders the firm has ever received; to wait until the order was definite)

Did John undertake anything in anticipation of the order?

(to check something with somebody; to have the production capacity; to meet the quoted delivery dates; to propose to visit England to see the factory)

What does the inquiry from the Abracan Ministry of Public Works read?

(to see the factory; to negotiate the order; to be suitably entertained; to book a hotel for somebody; to put a car at one’s disposal; a curious reference; 'special requirements'; to be astonished; to discover something)

Task2

Give the English equivalents for the following word combinations:

§ предоставить что-либо в чье-либо распоряжение	§ иметь (соответствующие) производственные мощности
§ обратиться с просьбой об обмене валюты	§ объем продаж, предусмотренный бюджетом
§ реальные расходы по сравнению с предусмотренными бюджетом	§ ориентировочный (предвари-тельный) счет-фактура
§ комплексная сделка	§ потребительские товары
§ первоначальный запрос	§ понести расходы
§ все, что мы получим сверх затраченных средств, будет представлять прибыль	§ безотзывный аккредитив, под-твержденный Лондонским банком
§ уложиться в определенные сроки поставки	§ квартальный отчет по накладным расходам
§ разместить заказ	§ одноразовый заказ
§ иметь силу при каком-либо условии	§ снижение стоимости единицы товара

LISTENING

Exercise 1

You are going to hear a talk between Hector Grant and John Martin. Before you listen to the conversation look at these statements, which you will mark T (True) or F (False) after you have listened to the tape.

1.	Hector Grant is discouraged to find out that they haven't had a single order out of John Martin’s visit to Abraca.
2.	John Martin is optimistic about the Abracan market because a very large order has already been made - office furniture and equipment for two entire government departments.
3.	John has already sent pro forma invoices to Abraca so that the Ministry of Works can apply to the National Bank for foreign exchange.
4.	In their order the Abracan Ministry of Works want a reduction on a unit price per desk for a larger quantity than Harper & Grant Ltd. originally quoted for the price to be f.o.b. Djemsa.
5.	If Harper & Grant accept the requirements of the Abracan Ministry of Works it would be the largest single order in the history of the country.
6.	Harper & Grant hardly have the capacity to produce the order also it'd be in addition to the budgeted turnover for the year, so there will be no recovery on marginal cost.
7.	The terms of payment are conditional on the rate of exchange which prevails on the date of Harper & Grant’s quotation not fluctuating more than three per cent either way.

Exercise 2

Act as an interpreter.

Джон Мартин: Это комплексная сделка. Мы все подробно просчитали. Правда цены придется установить немного ниже обычных, ведь у нас есть серьезные конкуренты. Наши производственные мощности позволяют выполнить этот заказ, и это будет в дополнение к продукции, предусмотренной бюджетом, а все, что мы получим сверх затраченных средств, будет прибылью. Я уверен, что это приведен к другим заказам в этой стране.

Hector Grant: “A representative of our Ministry of Works will be coming to London … obliged if you would book him accommodation... glad to visit your factory and view the merchandise... special requirements...” Here what's this about 'special requirements'? What do they mean by that?

Джон: Не знаю. Это единственная загадка. Об этом говорилось и в первоначальном письме-запросе.

Grant: I don't much like the sound of that. What do they mean by 'special requirements'? I suppose we'll soon find out. What's the method of payment?

Джон: Мы потребовали безотзывный аккредитив, подтвержденный Лондонским банком. Мы указали цены в местной валюте, но это, конечно, условно. То есть при условии, что за основу берется котировка по обменному курсу на день ее предоставления, плюс-минус три процента. Мы будем защищены, даже если, например, курс валюты Абраки упадет по отношению к фунту стерлинга.

Grant: Hmm! Is Peter happy about delivery dates?

Джон: Да, мы сможем уложиться в сроки. Это потребует огромной работы по части планирования.

Grant: Well, you'll arrange some sort of meeting for us all then?

Have you booked their representative into a hotel?

Джон: Заказал. Я думаю, что надо предоставить в его распоряжение машину и немного показать ему страну.

Grant: All right. But you'd better find out more about the special requirements. It may be some condition we can't fulfil.

Exercise 3

Listen to the following extract from the conversation between Grant and John, which shows how the situation progressed after Mr. Mahawi, the government representative, arrived and was entertained royally. Try to complete the gaps, using no more than three words in each case.

 

Grant:	A mahogany desk with … … …, secret drawer … …! Leather top? Oh, really, John, what … … … does he think we are? Our business is mass-produced … … …!
John:	I said we'd … …. It's for the … … …. They are prepared … …. It would be additional to … … ….
Grant:	Don't be ridiculous. We've dropped … … of line from … …. That was part of … … ….
John:	Couldn't … … make it?
Grant:	That … …?
John:	Yes. He's … … … of the old school. Look at … … … he made … …. You said at the time we introduced … …, during … … …, that … … redundant Well, here's … … he can be … … on, and he'd be delighted to do it. He'd produce a magnificent … … …, it'd be the envy of all … … … and a splendid advertisement for us.
Grant:	Well, you have committed us to it, so we must … …, I suppose.

Exercise 4

Match the terms on the left with an appropriate explanation on the right. Five of the phrases have more than one explanation. Fill in the grid below.

 

1.	overheads	a.	overhead expenses incurred in running a business
2.	c.i.f.	b.	costs of the day-to-day running of a business or of part of a business, i.e. any cost, other than the cost of the goods offered for sale
3.	f.o.b.	c.	asking for information
4.	budget	d.	price at which one currency is exchanged for another
5.	letter of inquiry	e.	plan of income or expenditure for an exact period of time
6.	rate of exchange	f.	every quarter or three months’ analysis of statistics or figures
7.	irrevocable letter of credit	g.	this price includes all costs to a named port of shipment free alongside ship - the buyer pays for loading, onward shipment and insurance
8.	quarterly breakdown	h.	a sample list of goods supplied, with prices and charges sent to a potential buyer so that he can see clearly what total costs will be
9.	pro forma invoice	i.	a contract for the sale or buying of goods at a special all-in price, where any condition is contingent on all the others being accepted
10.	package deal	j.	the agreement to pay a certain sum of money that cannot be changed or revoked
		k.	the price of the goods includes all the charges (shipping, insurance, forwarding) until the goods reach the port
		l.	a fixed relation or proportion in value between the money used in different countries
		m.	the cost of the goods includes all charges up to the time when the goods are put on board the ship; after that, the charges must be met by the buyer
		n.	in accounting, estimate of future needs calculated for a definite period
		o.	this price covers cost, insurance and freight to a named port of destination in the buyer’s country

 

1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.	7.	8.	9.	10.
a, …

POST-LISTENING