Business Social English Test – Part 2

Welcome to Business Social English Test - Part 2!

It is very important to know how to behave in any social situation. This test checks how good is your social English in a business environment.

Some of the questions have more than one correct answer.

1.

You have just bought a ticket from London to Oxford. The train leaves at 11:15 and you want to know more or less what time you’ll arrive. What do you say to the ticket clerk?

How long does it take?

What time does the train I am going to catch arrive at its destination?

What time we get to Oxford?

Is it far?

2.

You’re chatting with some business acquaintances at a conference party. You break a glass and you want to apologize. What do you say?

Excuse me.

I’m really sorry.

I’m terrible sorry.

Ups, what a mess.

3.

You’re on holiday with a friend. You’ve got a camera but you’d like a photo with both of you in it. You stop a stranger. What do you say to him/her?

Excuse me, would you mind take a photo of us?

Excuse me, do you think you could take a photo of us?

Excuse me, sir! Take a photo of us, please.

Sorry, can you take a photo?

4.

You’re with some colleagues after work. You haven’t decided what to do in the evening, so you suggest going to the cinema. What could you say?

Let’s see a film.

We’ll see a film.

Why we don’t see a film

My idea is to see a film.

5.

You’ve arranged to go out with some friends but you’re not sure where to meet. What do you say?

Where do we meet?

Where shall we meet?

Where we can meet?

So, we meet where?

6.

Sue, I haven’t seen you for ages! What were you up to?

I wasn’t in the office.

Well, actually I’ve been away a lot recently.

Things are rather busy for me lately.

We haven’t seen each other since October.

7.

So, what’s happening in Sweden these days?

I don’t talk about politics.

Why do you ask?

Very well, thanks.

Oh, nothing special really. What about here?

8.

Did you have any problems finding us?

Finding you was easy.

No, none at all. The map you faxed me was very clear.

Yes, I have.

I haven’t received the map you promised.

9.

John sends his regards, by the way.

He does?

Give him mine too, when you see him. How is he these days?

The same to him.

Very well, thanks.

10.

I think we’ve met before, haven’t we?

It’s impossible. I would have remembered.

Why should we?

In Oslo definitely.

Yes, weren’t you at the conference in London last year?

11.

It’s very nice to meet you at last.

The same to you.

Yes. We’ve spoken so often on the phone. It’s great to finally meet you in person.

Oh, hello. How do you do?

Is it?

12.

Hello. I’m Peter Morgan. I’m afraid my colleague, John Scales couldn’t make it.

Never mind. Shall we get straight down to business?

Why couldn’t he come?

Couldn’t he?

That’s a pity. Should we wait for him?

Well done! You are doing great! Keep up the good work!

13.

I hope you had a pleasant journey?

I hope too.

Oh, it was fine, thanks.

The journey was horrible.

Well, if you say so.

14.

Is this your first time in Scotland?

I have been in Scotland before.

No, Scotland is new to me.

Yes, it is, actually. Fascinating place.

Actually, I am staying in Edinburgh.

15.

What line of business are you in?

I am in marketing.

I am a sales representative.

My company is in Egypt.

Why do you ask?

16.

I really enjoyed your talk this morning.

Really?

Well, I think it was a disaster really.

Oh, thanks. Yeah, it went quite well, I think.

The pleasure is mine.

17.

Isn’t this weather awful? Half a meter of snow this morning, I heard.

Yeah, it gets pretty cold here in Oslo, that’s for sure.

I heard it was only 20 cm.

Well, it is winter, isn’t it?

The weather? I haven’t noticed.

18.

So, anyway we are getting the best results in Denmark – 13,000 units.

13,000! This is great news!

13,000? I thought we could do better.

13,000? That doesn’t sound right to me. 30,000 surely

30,000? Sorry, I need you to repeat the last figure, OK?

19.

It is high time we agreed on the deadline for phase one, John?

Can we leave that for some time?

Well, to be honest, I am not authorised to make any decisions at that stage.

I think we should postpone a decision until we get Sarah’s report.

What if we agree in September?

20.

A: How long has the company ________ in business?
B: We opened in 2001.

be

been

was

is

Well done! You're almost there!

21.

I’m afraid we can’t give you such a generous discount this time.

Perhaps we could adjourn for a little while.

Could you tell us why you feel like that?

I’m sorry, but I don’t think we’re going to agree a deal.

Why? I thought we have already agreed on the discount!?

22.

Anna, have you met John before? He’s been with us since the merger.

No, he’s a stranger to me.

Yes, we actually met each other last year in Madrid.

Has he, I thought he must be new.

No, Joanna has already introduced us.

23.

You are negotiating a deal with a new supplier. You have agreed on most things already. It is time to summarize things. What could you say?

Can we run through what we’ve agreed?

Would it be plausible if we could discuss what we have agreed on?

I’d like to check what we’ve already agreed still.

I think it is a good moment to close what we’ve negotiated.

24.

You are at a business presentation. The speaker has just said something which you do not understand fully. Interrupt to get more information.

What? That’s impossible. Please tell more.

Excuse me, may I ask for clarification on this?

I’d like to hear more about that.

Stop. I need to know what it means for my company.

25.

You are chairing a meeting. All the participants have already arrived. It’s time to start. What could you say?

We’ve all seen an agenda for this meeting, haven’t we?

Let’s call it a day.

I’d like Mr Clevis to tell us about his findings concerning entering the stock exchange.

Thank you all for coming today. It’s a busy day, so let’s get started

Business Social English Test – Part 2

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