Check your vocabulary

Exercise 1. Translate the following words and word combinations into the Russian

language.

1)get people together ……………………………………………………………...

2) the launch pad …………………………………………………………………

3) the Post –it note ………………………………………………………………..

4) a short cut ………………………………………………………………………

5) to save time …………………………………………………………………….

6) a one-off situation ……………………………………………………………...

7) light hearted ……………………………………………………………………

8) note …………………………………………………………………………….

9) an office move …………………………………………………………………

10) complete strangers ……………………………………………………………

11) static event ……………………………………………………………………

12) time wasters …………………………………………………………………..

13) issues …………………………………………………………………………

14) to resolve in some outcome ………………………………………………….

Exercise 2 Match each item in the box to its definition below

short cut light-hearted static event complete stranger

conduit time wasters the launch pad

outcome ……..one-off situation Post-it note

1.people you have never met before …………………………………………...........

2. an event happening, done or made only once ………………………………..........

3. something that does not change or move, regular stable ………………………….

4. the final result of a process, meeting or activity ………………………………….

5. a flat hard area where rockets are launched into space …………………………...

6. a place or a system that is used for passing information

from one group of people to another …………………...…………………………

7. funny and not intended to be serious ……………………………………………..

8. a small piece of coloured paper with a sticky substance

on the back which is used for writing notes ……………………

9.something that wastes time, a way of saving time or effort

in doing something; …………………………………………………...

10. a path or route that is quicker and shorter than the usual way …………………..

.

Exercise 3. Discussing the reading.

Write down your answers to the following questions.

Then talk about your answers with your colleagues.

Use the following phrases in order to be polite in expressing your ideas, agreeing or disagreeing, or interrupting someone.

Expressing opinions: a) I think / believe / suppose

b) In my opinion

c) To my mind

d) It seems to me that

e) I feel that

f) I’m sure / convinced that

g) Well, unfortunately, I think we’ll probably have to …

Agreeing: a) Yes, that’s right.

b) I think I agree with you.

c) Exactly.

d) Good / excellent idea.

e) You are perfectly right (strong agreement)

f) You may be right there (mild agreement).

g) That’s true, I suppose (mild agreement)

h) I suppose so (mild agreement)

Disagreeing: a) I’m not sure, I agree.

b) Yes, but what about the …?

c) I really don’t agree (strong disagreement)

d) That’s not really how I see it (mild disagreement)

e) I think, you are mistaken (mild disagreement)

f) I’m afraid I can’t agree with you there (mild disagreement)

g) Of course not. That’s absurd (strong disagreement)

h) I’m sorry, but that’s out of question (strong disagreement)

Interrupting a) Can I come in here?

politely: b) Sorry to interrupt you, but ….

c) If I can just stop you for a moment …

1)What does ‘Post –it note” mean? ……………………………………………….....

2) How was the idea of ‘Post-it note’ generated?.........................................................

3) What are the reasons to hold a meeting besides getting people together?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4) Can a meeting save time? ………………………………………………………….

5) How often does a company organize meetings?........................................................

6) Who can take part in the meeting? …………………………………………………

7) How long can a meeting last? ………………………………………………………

8) Are meetings time wasters?.......................................................................................

9) What is the aim of a meeting? ……………………………………………………

10) What does the following statement mean –‘the meeting presents itself in the

right way’? ………………………….........................................................

……………………………………………………………………………………..

IV. Read the following text to find the answers to the following questions”

1) What is the formality of a meeting determined by?

2) How do formal meetings differ from informal ones?

A) Meetings can be either formal or informal, and this can be dictated by the subject or even the person, or the company holding the meeting. For example, a meeting to decide the right family to foster a child would be formal as there are legal implications – here the formality is determined by the subject. However, if you are calling a meeting to debate who should be the lead in a number of different projects, you may yourself decide the level of formality the meeting should have.

Some managers might decide that it should be formal, but some other managers might consider an informal meeting best as they like to maintain an informal atmosphere in their team.

Formal meetings are identified through:

a) a dedicated minute taker being present

b) a strong Chair

c) a fixed agenda

Informal meetings are identified through:

a) an attendee taking the minutes

b) more of a “discussion”-type atmosphere

c) a more flexible agenda

V. Read the texts about different types of meetings and define:

a) the main idea and the supporting details for each text

b) complete the table with appropriate information from the texts

The following information may be useful in order to do the task in the right way.

* The main idea tells the main point, or idea about the topic.

The main idea is often found in the first sentence of a paragraph, but

not always. The main idea can also be in the middle or at the end of the

paragraph.

The other sentences in the paragraph usually give supporting details for the

main idea.

* The supporting details are single or specific pieces of information widening

the main idea. They are some kinds of details, such as definitions, examples,

facts and reasons.