exam_20072008(1).doc

Technicum Si-Tarek of Relizane

Third Year Pupils - – S.Exp/G.Eco/TM

First Term Examination

PART ONE : Reading and Interpreting (14 points)

A FAMILIAR STORY

The boss was insistent. "We need that contract and we need it badly. You know how bad our financial situation is at the moment. I don't care how you do it, but you must get that contract." Tony Adamson put down the phone and sighed. He felt that his boss in London just did not understand how difficult things were for him in Zalesia. He knew that his company had very little chance of getting the contract, which was to supply furniture and other equipment to the new university there. There were too many other companies interested - bigger companies.

Adamson's hope was that he might be able to get the contract through a personal contact that he had inside the Ministry. He had developed a strong friendship with Elua Tahi, an official in the Ministry who was on the committee dealing with the university project. Maybe, he thought, there is a chance. It wasn't unusual for contracts in Zalesia to be given because of friendship rather than price.

The next day, Adamson went to see Tahi in his office. After they chatted about personal topics, Adamson introduced the subject of the contract explaining how important it was for his company. Tahi nodded then said, "Well, I'll see what I can do. But there are a lot of other companies interested too. Oh, by the way, there's a favor I wanted to ask you." "Sure," said Adamson. "Anything I can do." "My wife has to have an operation in England that is extremely expensive. She really needs $2,000 when she arrives there.

Adamson was so surprised. Tahi was clearly asking for a bribe. However, he knew that bribery was normal business practice in Zalesia, in spite of the strict laws against it. Any company representative caught bribing government officials risked up to five years' imprisonment. But he had always thought that Tahi was different from most of Zalesian officials - that was why they had become so friendly. So far in Zalesia, Adamson had managed never to do anything that could be considered more than a small favor to win a contract. He didn’t believe in bribery, and certainly had no wish to spend any time in a Zalesian jail.

Tahi noticed Adamson's confusion. "Don't worry," he said. "If it's a problem for you, there are others I can ask." His meaning was clear. If Eduquip didn't pay the bribe, another company would.

READING SUPPLEMENTARY

FOR THE INTERMEDIATE GROUP

compiled and edited by Deniz Atikoğlu & Pınar Tankut

A – Interpreting: (8 pts)

1.     The text is about : (0.5)

a)     A man, his diseased wife and her brother.

b)    A corruption attempt.

c)     A university in search of furniture and equipment.

2.     Say whether the following statements are true or false, according to the text. (1.5)

a)     Having a personal contact doesn't play a role in getting a contract in Zalesia.

b)    Tony was sure Tahi would ask for a bribe.

c)     Tony doesn't approve of bribery.

3.     Answer the following questions according to the text. (4)

a)     What does the company Tony works for produce?

b)    Why was the contract so important for the company?

c)     What reason did Tahi give in order to get bribery from Tony?

d)    In what way did Tony think Tahi was different from other Zalesian officials?

4.     This text is:(0.5)

a)     Descriptive.

b)    Narrative.

5.     In which paragraph it is mentioned that….(1.5)

a)     Tahi menaced that Adamson’s company could lose the contract. =§….

b)    Adamson has to succeed in winning a contract with the Zalesian government. = §….

c)     Adamson talked to a friend, who tried to ask him for corruption. = §…

B – Exploring: (7 pts)

6.     Find in the text a word which means: (1)

a)     A special group of people delegated to consider some affairs §2: …………..

b)    A place where people who infringed the law are kept §4: …………..

7.     Complete the folowing table. (1)

8.     Combine the following statements using the connector given in brackets. (2)

a)     You pay in cash. I'll give you 5% off.               (provided that)

b)    Terry speaks English fluently. I thought he was American.               (so… that)

9.     Ask questions on the underlined word(s). (2)

a)     Tahi was clearly asking for a bribe.

b)    After they chatted about personal topics, Adamson introduced the subject.

10. Underline the silent letter(s). (1)

Example: KNEW

a)     THOUGHT              b) WHY

PART TWO: Written Expression ( 5 Points)

Choose one of the following topics

1.     Tony Adamson had to write a letter to his boss to report to him the situation and ask for directions. Imagine you are Tony and write the letter.

2.     This is a phone conversation Tony had with his boss after he had left Tahi’s office. Try to complete what the boss said.

Tony: Good evening! Sorry to disturb you so late.

The boss: It doesn’t matter Tony. Any good news for me?

Tony: You know, Sir, the situation is very difficult. There are too many competitors. Their products are as good as ours.

The Boss: ………………………………………….

Tony: Yes Sir, for sure. I got in contact with a friend of mine this morning and__

The boss: ………………………………

Tony: He works in the Ministry.

The boss: ……………………………..

Tony: Yes, he can.

The Boss: ………………………………………

Tony: He tried get a bribe, arguing his wife was ill and needed to have an operation in England. I didn’t answer yet. So, what do you want me to do, Sir?

The boss:………………………………………