Listening comprehension

1. Payment by documentary letter of credit. - 2 min. (Alex. Unit 7, p. 106)

- Why were 25% of the documents rejected?

- In what way were the documents often inconsistent with one another?

- Are facsimile signatures allowed on the documentary letter of credit?

- What other problems do bankers encounter in using letter of credit documentation? What are the consequences of these mistakes?

2. Reminding a buyer of an unpaid invoice. - 2min.40 sec. (Alex. Unit7, p. 107-108)

- Does the credit controller have any sympathy with the customer?

- What are the reasons and excuses that the customer gives for the late payment?

- What does the conversation result in? Is there any chance of a change in conditions of payment?

3. A conversation recorded at a trade exhibition. - 2 min. 10 sec. (Alex. 4. l, p.60)

- What is Mr. Brown interested in and what does he want to replace?

- What is the delivery date?

- What did you come to know about the terms of payment?

- In what way do the arrangements suggested by Norman for Mr. Brown compete with those of other participants?

4. Company organisation. - 2 min. 30 sec. (Alex. 5.3, p.76)

- What did you come to know about Biopants Inteniational?

- What is the organisational structure of Biopants International?

- What is the Finance Director responsible for?

- Is there anything mentioned about the board of directors of the company?

5. Briefing on personal taxation. (Finance., Unit 6. part 2, p. 137)

- How are the two parts of Geoff's presentation structured?

- What does Geoff suggest the majority think of British lax?

- What new legislation has recently been introduced?

- What do you think the government uses national insurance contributions for?

6. A phone conversation between Mr.Symonds and his bank. (Bank. trans. Un. 1, p.70)

- What is the purpose of Mr. Symonds' telephone call to Manara Lombard bank?

- How can the customer stop his cheque?

- What are the details about the cheque in question?

7. Marketing banking services. (Bank. trans. Unil 9, p. 77)

- What is the main aim of a marketing strategy for personal banking services in the UK?

- Why do people not do anything about finding better banks?

- What do you think might be the first priority of a marketing strategy in Barakonia?

QUESTIONS TO THE TEXTS

Text! ' What circumstances called for the establishment of the Nedernadsche Bank? What tasks was the Bank originally charged with? What made the Bank cashier to the Government? What changes did the Bank's credit policy undergo in the course of time? How did banknotes manage to win the confidence of the public at large? How did commercial banks become the most important customers of the Nederiandsche Bank?

Text 2

What is Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and what are its basic aims? What steps wil)! the introduction of EMU and the euro take? _ What euro notes and coins wil)) be available in 2002? How will)! the introduction of EMU and the euro effect the Per.ona) Bank Account of a customer?

Text 3

What details should be given by an invoice? In what way does a Pro Forma Invoice differ from an ordinary one? How is an invoice made out?

Text 4

What field is the Bi!) of Lading applied to? What does the Bill) of Lading state and what details does it give? What for can a Bill of Fading be endorsed?

Text 5

What are the two main reasons for opening a bank account? Which type of account is used by those who wish to save? What kind of savings is this type of account most suited to?) Why docs a bank sometimes need notice of intention to withdraw money from saving account? What is the most common use of current accounts?

Text 6

Why is it the best way to buy stocks and shares through a bank'.' How much does the bank charge for the investment service? ' What is the best way of keeping valuable safe? In what way may the bank help individual) tax payers? What arc the advantages of writing a will))? Why (do many people appoint the bank as the executor of their will?

Text7

In what circumstances an overdraft on current account is permissible? How are persona) loans usually repaid? Will you pay back more than you borrowed'? What will)) the difference be if any? What information will) the manager require for a personal) / business loan? What will the manager need to make the loan safe? What kind of [things might be offered as collateral) for a loan (personal) / business)?

Text8

What is capita!? What for does a new business need capita)? Where can capita! Be acquired? What is finance? Why does a company use both short-term and long-term capita!? What is a repayment period for short / long-term financing? What for might a company seek either of them?

Text 9

How did joint stock companies develop in Britain? What for? In what way do the ways in which a joint stock company can be set up differ? What are the peculiarities of setting up a private limited company?

Text 10

In what way does the private limited company differ from the public limited company? What are the advantages and disadvantages of setting up the private and the public limited companies? Why is a " take-over" bid under attack in the press?

Text 11

What is known to be near-money? Why are the bank money market accounts not considered a part of money supply? How do you account for the popularity of credit cards? What does a plastic card represent? Is it money? Why?