Refresh your memory 1

Open and closed questions

1. Read six short conversations between people who have just met at a conference and answer the questions:

1) What types of questions do people ask?

2) In which conversations do people ask open questions?

3) In which conversations do people responding sound interested and friendly?

Conversation 1.

A: Which company do you work for?

B: Oh, it’s just a small company. You probably haven’t heard of it.

Conversation 2.

A: Which talk are you going to this afternoon?

B: Oh, I’m going to one called ‘A merger of cultures’. It’s especially

interesting for me because my company’s recently merged with a

US company and we’re finding that there are quite a lot of differences

in the management style.

A: Oh, really? How interesting! What kind of differences have you noticed?

Conversation 3.

A: I see from your badge that you’re on the Planning Committee.

B: Yes, I am.

A: And what does that committee do exactly?

B: Oh, just planning next year’s expenditure really.

Conversation 4.

A: Have you been to this conference before?

B: Oh, yes, several times. I think this one is one of the best, don’t you?

A: Well, actually, it’s my first conference but I’ll definitely be here next year

Conversation 5.

A: The food’s good, isn’t it?

B: Hmm. Yes, it is.

A: Do you know what those things are – the ones that look like little cakes?

B: They are fishcakes. They’re quite hot and spicy. Very nice if you like spicy food!

A: I’m not very keen on spicy food.

Conversation 6.

A: What kind of job are you in?

B: I’m a geologist. I work for a gold-mining company.

A: Gold mining!

B: Yes, I carry out surveys to find out where the best gold deposits are likely to be.

2. Rendy Hemp from the US is visiting a customer in Taiwan. He is talking to the Production Manager of a manufacturing plant in Taipei. Read the extract of their conversation and answer the question:

“What is wrong with what the production manager says? ”

Manager: Is this your first visit here?

Hemp: No, in fact the first time I came was for a trade fair. We

began our East Asian operations here at the 2003 Exhibition.

Manager: Shall we have a look around the plant before lunch

a) What is wrong with what the production manager says?

(The answer is that it breaks a “rule” of conversation. Generally, if you ask a question you should comment on the answer or ask a supplementary

question. Remember to use open questions and respond with interest.)

(1 ) question

(2) answer

(3) comment

or

supplementary question

b) Now suggest a better version of the same conversation. (in writing)

c) Compare your version with a model version given below.

Manager: Is this your first visit here?

Hemp: No, in fact the first time I came was for a trade fair. We

began our East Asian operations here at the 2003 Exhibition.

Manager: Ah, yes, I remember the exhibition well. So it was very successful for you, wasn’t it?

Hemp: Well, we made a lot of useful contracts, not least yourselves.

Manager: Of course…. now, shall we have a look round the plant before

lunch?

VOCABULARY OF CHARACTER

1.Answer the following questions about your character.

1. Are you generally aware of other people’s feelings? ……………. …

2. Do you find it difficult to meet new people? …………… ….

3. Do you frequently make people laugh? …………… ….

4. Does your mood change often and suddenly? …………… …

5. When decisions have to be made, do you think first of

yourself? …………….. …

6. Can your friends trust you and depend on you? ……………. …

7. Do you generally like other people’s company? ……………...

8. Are there lots of things you want to do in your professional

life? …………….....

9. Can you usually understand other people’s point of view? …………....

10. Do you worry and think too much about detail? ……………..

11. Are you usually quite a happy, smiling person? ……………..

12. Are you interested in other people and their business? ……………..

13. Do you sometimes not tell the truth because you

Don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings? ………………

14. Are you interested in money? ………………

Match these adjectives with the questions above.

tolerant ……. witty …………..

sociable ……. selfish ………....

reliable …….. ambitious ……...

sensitive…… moody …………

tactful …….. inquisitive ……...

fussy………. cheerful…………

2 Translate the following questions into the English language.

1) Вы умеете работать самостоятельно?

……………………………………………………………………………...

2) Как Вы общаетесь с людьми?....................................................................

…………………………………………………………………………….

3) Вы хороший организатор? ………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………...

4) Насколько Вы хороший работник? ……………………………………………………………………………...

5) Вы способны самостоятельно принимать решения?

………………………………………………………………………………

6) Вы умеете рисковать? …………………………………………………….

7) Будут ли деньги для Вас основным стимулом работать лучше?

………………………………………………………………………………

8) Как Вы реагируете на критику? …………………………………………………………………………….

9) Вам можно доверять? ………………………………………………….

10) Вы человек. который умеет слушать,?

……………………………………………………………………………

11)Как Вы относитесь к стрессу? Как Вы преодолеваете стресс?

………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………

12) Как Вы расцениваете свои шансы на успех? ……………………………………………………………………………………….