2008商务英语BEC高级课文辅导(四)

VI. Memo Writing
参考答案：
To: Alice Hu, Secretary   
From: David Guan, Manager
Date: 29 June 2001               
Subject: Arrangement for my holiday
 
I’m going on my annual holiday next Monday 2nd July for three weeks. Please keep my mail until I return. If something urgent occurs, please report it directly to our Deputy Manager or contact me on 12345678903.
 
mail noun [uncountable]
1 the letters and packages that are delivered to you
2 especially American English the system of collecting and delivering letters and packages
British equivalent: post
3 messages that are sent and received on a computer
ￚsynonym email
 
VII. Oral Practice
Career goals
l        What are your career ambitions?
参考答案：
l        I would like to become a HR manager. Then I can help the company I work for to seek best candidate and make them fulfill their ambitions.
l        I intend to be a receptionist to meet people and show the best side of our business.
l        I aim to be self-employed.
l        My career ambition is to set up my own company which can offer high quality products or services.
 
l        Do you think people should take professional advice when planning their careers?
参考答案：
Yes. Sometimes people cannot really identify where their strength and weakness lie. Therefore, it’s better to get professional advice to map out career development plans.
 
l        Do you think business people need to be flexible when planning their careers?
参考答案：
Yes. The business environment changes very rapidly. The chances are that your original career plan may not be reasonable at times and you cannot stick to your targets. Then in this case, people have to be flexible to make better achievements.
 
l        Do you think it is necessary to have long-term goals in your careers?
参考答案：
Yes. I think long-term goals can ensure that you will always have a long way away from it. It will encourage you to be tenacious and resilient to realize the goals in the end.
 
tenacious adjective
determined to do something and unwilling to stop trying even when the situation becomes difficult 固执的，百折不挠的
a tenacious negotiator 一位百折不挠的谈判者
 
resilient adjective 
able to become strong, happy, or successful again after a difficult situation or event
Children are often very resilient. 孩子们经常是在遇到困难后仍能保持开心乐观。
 
Work and holidays
 
u      Would you be influenced by the amount of paid holiday when applying for a job?
参考答案：
No. I don’t mind the length of paid holiday provided that I can get my teeth into the job and feel challenged.
 
get your teeth into something
informal to start to do something with a lot of energy and determination 专注于某事
I can't wait to get my teeth into the new course. 我简直是迫不及待地想要开始学习这门新课。
 
u      Do you think companies should be able to contact staff when they are on holiday?
参考答案：
No. Every employee will arrange his work in advance and another person can take on his responsibility to deal with any emergencies. On the other hand, a telephone may disrupt the whole holiday.
 
u      Should staff be allowed to take holidays whenever they like?
参考答案：
No. If an employee can take holidays whenever they like, then the business will be in trouble and the other staff may feel unfair of always taking on extra responsibility.
 
u      Do you think that people work more effectively after they have had a holiday?
参考答案：
Yes. After holidays, people can feel refreshed and can put more energy into their work.
 
Homework

1. Oral practice.
When you eat out, what are the criteria to choose a suitable restaurant for you?
Location?
Atmosphere?
Cleanliness?
Speed of service? ……
 
2.
You are a Project Team Leader. You have had to cancel your next project meeting because some of the member of your team will be abroad.

Write a memo of 40-50 words to your project team:
Informing them of the cancellation and giving the reason
Stating a new date and time for the meeting
Requesting suggestions for the agenda.