Unit 11 New Trends in Trade
Part Ⅰ Getting ready
In running a company, it's very important to have a well-designed chart or graph. With the help of the chart or graph, one can know clearly the amount of products manufactured or sold each month, each season, and each year, etc. With the help of the chart or graph, one can see clearly what the trends in manufacturing or selling are. And with the help of the chart or graph, one can make proper adjustments in order to make the company prosper.
A The following words and phrases will appear in this unit. Listen carefully and study the definitions.
1. level off: stop climbing higher or falling lower, and continue at a fixed height
2. fluctuate: (of levels, prices, etc.) move up and down
3. constant: fixed; unchanging
4. consensus: a general agreement; collective opinion
5. summon: order officially to come
6. sanction: an action, such as the stopping of trade, taken by one or more countries against a country which is breaking international law
7. rule out: declare that it cannot be considered, that it is out of the question
8. full-fledged: completely developed; of full rank or status
9. saturate: be unable to take more
10. merger: a joining together of two or more companies or firms
B You are going to hear ten phrases. While listening, look at the chart below. Then match the terms you've heard to the reference points marked on Chart 1.
1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____
6. _____ 7. _____ 8. _____ 9. _____ 10. _____
C In this section, a sales manager is giving a presentation about domestic and export sales. Listen carefully and complete the graph shown in Chart 2.
Part Ⅱ Trade disputes
The fight over bananas between some European nations and the United States is
not merely about bananas. It is in significant part about power ?about who will set the trading rules in an increasingly global market. Maybe it's time for both the Americans and the Europeans to give up their macho posturing and negotiate some serious remedies for a very serious set of problems.
A In this section you are going to hear a news report talking about the trade disputes between the United States and Europe. While listening for the first time, write down some key words in the notes column. After the second listening, complete the following chart.
The EU rules:
favoring banana imports from Central American bananas
_________________________ in marketed by American
________ and the Caribbean companies
The EU's trade dispute with the U.S.
over banana imports
The new U.S. tariffs:
duties on Scottish __________, Italian _____________, and
French ___________
The U.S. ambassador summoned An _______________ of the
by Britain to hear a _______ WTO's General Council
called for by the EU
The EU's possible action:
_________________ its own
tariffs against _________
_________________________
B Now try this: listen to a more authentic version of the news report. After that some statements will be read to you. Decide whether they are true or false. Put "T" or "F" in the brackets.
1. ( ) 2. ( ) 3. ( )
Part Ⅲ Our sates numbers are up
As a sales manager, you have to keep close watch on how well your salespeople are doing. If they are not doing a good job, be sure to talk to them, find out the reasons why they are not selling well, give them some useful suggestions, and encourage them to work harder than ever before.
A Michael is attending the sales meeting reporting his business performance during the second quarter of the year. While listening for the first time, don't forget to write down some key words in the notes column. After the second listening, note on the following chart Michael's actual sales for April, May, and June.
B Now listen to the dialogue again and write the reasons why Michael didn't make his sales goals.
Month Reason
April ________ supposed to do a ____________,
but went to ______________
May ___________________ in Kentucky factory
June ________ of the best salespeople ______
Part Ⅳ More about the topic: The World Trade Organization (WTO)
The WTO is the only international body dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, the legal ground-rules for international commerce and for trade policy. The agreements have three main objectives: to help trade flow as freely as possible, to achieve further liberalization gradually
through negotiation, and to set up an impartial means of settling disputes.
A The following passage is a general introduction of the World Trade Organization (WTO). While listening to it, write down some key words in the notes column.
B Now listen to the passage again and supply the missing information to complete the outline.
Outline
Ⅰ. The structure of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
A. membership
1. number of members: __________________________
2. number of negotiating members: ______________
B. decision-making system: typically by ___________
C. organization chart
Ⅱ. The WTO Secretariat
A. a brief introduction
1. location: in ______________
2. _________ number: _________
3. head: _____________________
B. ______________________________
1. supplying ______________
2. providing ______________
3. analyzing ______________
4. explaining ______________
5. providing _________ assistance in the ______________process
6. advising governments ________
C. the annual budget: _____________
Part Ⅴ Do you know ...?
The world car industry is already one of the most multinational of all industries, with the biggest firms owning subsidiaries around the world. But it is still under pressure to consolidate. At present, there are five big car companies in the world: General Motors, Ford, Daimler Chrysler, Toyota and Volkswagen. Among them only Toyota relies on one global brand name. All the others have a web of subsidiaries spanning the world.
A The following passage is about the world car industry. While listening for the first time, don't forget to take down some key words in the notes column. After the second listening, match each company in Column A with the company or companies in Column B, indicating who bought whom or who is going to buy whom.
Column A Column B
Daimler Benz Rolls-Royce
Ford Chrysler
Daimler Chrysler Nissan
General Motors Volvo
Volkswagen Saab
Fiat
B Now try this: listen to a more authentic version of the passage.
Part Ⅵ Reminder of key points in this unit
Verb & Verb Phrase Noun & Noun Phrase Other
Part Ⅰ level off plateau constant
fluctuate
dip
Part Ⅱ summon cashmere irrational
discriminate sanction full-fledged
resort to commissioner
rule out unilateralism
Part Ⅲ quit goal
Part Ⅳ account for consensus
predecessor
ambassador
delegation
headquarter
intellectual property
committee
secretariat
bureaucracy
Part Ⅴ saturate merger in return
merge horizon |