Lesson 18 Reports (商务报告)Key to ExercisesPractice 1Read the samples again and tick (√) the part that is included in the reports.Practice 2Read the following sentences and write P for purpose, F for findings, C for conclusions, and R for recommendations.P 1. My goal was to acquire hands-on training and to learn new techniques for electric packaging for our Telemetry Department.F 2. The main power input to the office photocopier is worn by constant contact with a filing cabinet.R 3. The motor-driven linear actuators should be purchased and installed as soon as possible.C 4. Electrical hazards in the office area are easily rectified without undue expense.F 5. Based on a projected property-holding time of eight years, the payback period is far too great and would incur investment loss.P 6. The purpose of this report is to determine the feasibility of a self-generated, high-frequency AC power source fluorescent lighting.F 7. In investigating the accident scene, I discovered that the crane-truck’s sign-face saddle was anchored to the truck-bed.C 8. An investment of $366,300.00 of new motor-driven actuators will increase production at a rate of $1,068,762.30.P 9. Beijing will start a daily report mechanism on food safety during the “Good Luck Beijing” International Tournaments officially set to kick off on Aug. 8, a test run for the food safety monitoring system designed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.C 10. Our annual report on homelessness in the six-county metro area reveals both good news and bad news.Practice 3Compare each pair of the following expressions in business reports and choose the one with proper style.1. a. We achieved impressive sales volumes in the European Region. Trading profitwas 30% up over a previous year. We opened an office in Russia as the first step into this uncovered market.b. Impressive sales volumes were achieved in the European Region, with tradingprofit 30% up over a previous year. An office was opened in Russia as the first step into this uncovered market.2. a. It is suggested that the company should consult with a reliable auditing companybefore entering into any negotiation with Décor Co.b. I suggest consulting with a reliable auditing company before we enter intonegotiation with Décor Co.3. a. The rectification of this problem can be achieved by insertion of a wedge.b. We can rectify this problem by inserting a wedge.4. a. Because people give more and more importance to reducing the time of supplychains, there are more and more cross-docking.b. The increased emphasis on time reduction in supply chains has led to growth ofcross-docking.5. a. We need to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of flextime for employees,employers, and the clients. In any event, one of the important things we should pay a lot attention to is how to motivate the employees.b. Advantages and disadvantages of flextime for employees, employers, and theclients need to be evaluated. In any event, motivational implications for the employees are among the important matters receiving major attention.6. a. Since this training is a voluntary one, the number of the clerks who are attendingthe two training sessions is not great enough. Unless this training is made compulsory, this will continue to be a problem.b. Two training sessions are not being well attended because this training is on avoluntary basis. Unless this training is made compulsory, attendance will continue to be a problem.7. a. The final accounts process is ongoing, with a targeted deadline of 14 May 2009.b. We are processing the final accounts. The deadline is expected to be on 14 May2009.8. a. If our customers can get this information, they will be able to identify trends andmake strategic decisions in accordance with their agency’s goals.b. Armed with this information, our customers will be able to identify trends andmake their strat egic decisions in accordance with their agency’s goals.9. a. Y ou authorized us to have a research on the collection-series on February 15.This report summarizes the findings of the research. Now you could see fromthis report that our last report sent to you on April 5 was very correct.b. This report summarizes the collection-series you authorized on February 15. Itconfirms the findings reported in the preliminary report sent to you on April 5. 10. a. Based on my investigation, I don’t think investment in Murphy Brothers Ltd.will be a wise one as you can see from my report that some of its performance could prove their poor management.b. In conclusion, my investigation indicates that the management and performanceof Murphy Brothers Ltd. proves to be undesirable and investment into it may not be reliable and beneficial as expected.Practice 4Correct the errors in the following sentences.1. Two-thirds of the staff were happy with their bonus.2. Nearly 20% / Sixteen percent of the staff went home early.3. Regarding the training opportunities, about 49% of the staff said that they were satisfied.4. Opportunities for promotion were important to half of the staff.5. Two-fifths of respondents are satisfied with the opportunities for promotion.6. Fewer than 30 replies were received.7. Three-quarters of the test subjects did not understand Question 10.8. Only a quarter of the test subjects completed the task successfully.9. The population of Hong Kong is about 6.7 million.10. Just over a hundred / More than a hundred people replied to the questionnaire.Practice 5The following is a report in memo format. Fill in the blanks with appropriate headings given.Practice 7Jean Elmer plans to write one-page report to the Leasing Manager at Seattle -Tacoma International Airport, explaining what she wants and why it makes sense. The following is the outline of her report. Fill in the blanks with reference to the background information about Jean attached below.Practice 8Compare each pair of sentences and choose the one with better coherence.1. b2. b3. a4. b5. a6. b7. a8. a9. b 10. b1. a. He gave reasons for the failure, but the reasons he gave were not convincing.b. He gave reasons for the failure, but none of them were convincing.2. a. Bare-phones often handle just voice and text messaging. Their sales could beexpected to grow 100% the next five years.b. Sales of bare-phones, which often handle just voice and text messaging, could beexpected to grow 100% the next five years.3. a. Although she likes school life, she is homesick for her family.b. She likes school life. She is homesick for her family.4. a. Central banks promptly cut interest rates and brought borrowing costs to theirlowest levels in decades. This helped the economy avoid a prolonged slump. b. Prompt interest rates cuts by central banks brought borrowing costs to theirlowest levels in decades and helped the economy avoid a prolonged slump.5. a. Our products sell so well on the market that the supply frequently falls short ofdemand.b. Our products sell well on the market. The supply frequently falls short ofdemand.6. a. Y ou don’t have to spend a lot of money in a hospital to treat a cold. There aremany inexpensive traditional remedies. They can help to cure your cold.b. Y ou don’t have to spend a lot of money in a hospital to treat a cold because thereare many inexpensive traditional remedies that can help you.7. a. With 5 years of relevant working experience, I am qualified to be a salesmanager.b. I have got 5 years of relevant working experience. I am qualified to be a salesmanager.8. a. Judging by the abrupt increase of the last month’s sales figure, the newpromotion approaches we recently adopted seem successful.b. There is an abrupt increase in the last month’s sales figure. The new promotionapproaches we recently adopted seem successful.9. a. We entered the store. A salesgirl greeted us. In the store, there are all kinds ofshoes on the shelves. The prices were reasonable and a lot of customers were busy trying and selecting.b. Entering the store, we were greeted by a salesgirl. We saw all kinds of shoes ofreasonable prices and a lot of customers busy trying and selecting them.10. a. To make up the losses of people engaged in related sectors, a subsidy wasannounced to be given by the government.b. It was announced that the government will give a subsidy to people engaged inrelated sectors so as to make up their losses.Practice 9Fill in the blanks to make the sentences more closely related and coherent. Capitalize the first letter if necessary.1. The new expert suggested concrete improvements as soon as she found some inefficient practices in the company.2. Protected industries such as tobacco witnessed slower growth in brand value. For example, Hongtashan, a famous cigarette brand in China, saw its brand value remain the same in the year of 2001 and 2002.3. There are now many products and services on the market, which are similar in content though produced by different companies. It is vital, therefore, for a company to distinguish itself from its competitors by having a strong and recognizable logo.4. The design of the words “Coca-Cola”has not changed since 1886, although the surrounding design has been changed from time to time.5. We are increasing our market share at over 100% annually while other computer manufactures are loosing theirs.6. The secretary got a rise in pay; furthermore, her title was changed to administrative assistant.7. The afternoon meeting was lengthy, and the discussion was mostly a repetition of what had been said in the morning. In brief, the entire afternoon meeting could be described in a few words: a waste of time and money.8. The Egyptians built huge pyramids in North Africa. Similarly, the Maya built them in North and Central America.9. During the first month of New Coke’s introduction, shipments and sales set a record, and numerous people tried the new product. However, the entire picture changed suddenly. Sales were dropping rapidly.10. In contrast with their system, ours seems to be old-fashioned and needs renovation.。
