BEC Preliminary Test Paper() READING QUESTIONS 1-45 PART ONE Look at the question 1-5 In each question, which sentence is correct? For each question, mark one letter(A, B, or C)on your Answer Sheet Office Staff Required Experience essential Full training given (leading to recognized qualifications) Applicants must have a. relevant qualifi b. previous experience c recognized training SPORTMASTER Pakistan-based manufacturers of sports items wishing to do business in Europe is looking for importers TEL:925554321 Sportmaster wants to a. sell its products abroad b import products into Pakistan. c.manufacture in Europe NOTICES FOR DISPLAy ABOVE THIS PHOTOCOPIER MUST FIRST BE HANDED TO RECEPTION
BEC Preliminary Test Paper (I) READING QUESTIONS 1 – 45 PART ONE Questions 1 – 5 ⚫ Look at the question 1 – 5. ⚫ In each question, which sentence is correct? ⚫ For each question, mark one letter (A, B, or C) on your Answer Sheet. 1. Applicants must have a. relevant qualifications. b. previous experience. c. recognized training. 2. Sportmaster wants to a. sell its products abroad. b. import products into Pakistan. c. manufacture in Europe. 3. Office Staff Required Experience essential Full training given (leading to recognized qualifications) NOTICES FOR DISPLAY ABOVE THIS PHOTOCOPIER MUST FIRST BE HANDED TO RECEPTION SPORTMASTER Pakistan-based manufacturers of sports items wishing to do business in Europe is looking for importers TEL: 92 555 4321
a. You can photocopy notices at Reception for display here b. Photocopied notices can only be displayed at Reception c. Take your notice to Reception if you want it displayed here THE AIRPORT EXPRESS DEPARTS FROM PLATFORM 3 EVERY 20 MINUTES DURING THE DAY(EVERY 30 MINUTES AT NIGHT a. The train service to the airport runs 24 hours a day b. Airport trains leave Platform 3 at 20 minutes past the hour c. The airport express takes half an hour at night. Goods not normally dispatched unless paid for at time of ordering ----payment on delivery by special arrangement only Customers should normally pay for goods a. when their order is processed b. when the goods are delivered c. when they place an order PART TWO Questions 6-10 Look at the advertisement below. It shows services offered by a business consultancy. For questions 6-10, decide which service(A-H)would be suitable for each person For each question, mark one letter(A-H)on your Answer Sheet o Do not use any letter more than once THINKING OF STARTING A BUSINESS? Need expert advice and or assistance in one or more of the following areas? a Market research B Constructing a schedule C Calculating costs D Meeting legal requirements E Obtaining finance F Renting or purchasing premises G Recruiting and training staff H Promoting products and services 6. Margaret Williams needs help in choosing the business loan with the most competitive terms
a. You can photocopy notices at Reception for display here. b. Photocopied notices can only be displayed at Reception. c. Take your notice to Reception if you want it displayed here. 4. a. The train service to the airport runs 24 hours a day. b. Airport trains leave Platform 3 at 20 minutes past the hour. c. The airport express takes half an hour at night. 5. Customers should normally pay for goods a. when their order is processed. b. when the goods are delivered. c. when they place an order. PART TWO Questions 6 – 10 ⚫ Look at the advertisement below. It shows services offered by a business consultancy. ⚫ For questions 6 – 10, decide which service (A – H) would be suitable for each person. ⚫ For each question, mark one letter (A – H) on your Answer Sheet. ⚫ Do not use any letter more than once. THINKING OF STARTING A BUSINESS? Need expert advice and / or assistance in one or more of the following areas? A Market Research B Constructing a schedule C Calculating costs D Meeting legal requirements E Obtaining finance F Renting or purchasing premises G Recruiting and training staff H Promoting products and services 6. Margaret Williams needs help in choosing the business loan with the most competitive terms. Goods not normally dispatched unless paid for at time of ordering ---- payment on delivery by special arrangement only THE AIRPORT EXPRESS DEPARTS FROM PLATFORM 3 EVERY 20 MINUTES DURING THE DAY (EVERY 30 MINUTES AT NIGHT)
7. Ibrahim Shaw wants to be sure that there will be enough demand for his products 8. Maria smith would like some advice about where to advertise a new line of goods 9. King Seng wants to research new laws on constructing buildings 10. Peter Anderson needs to know whether his existing funds are enough to set up his business PART THREE Questions 11-15 The following two bar charts illustrate the employment in Someland in 1975 and 1995 Tell whether the statements 11-15 are true or False Employment in Someland by sex in 6 sectors, 1975(000) Public sector(defence) Public sector( non-defence) Wholesale retail trade banking Communications 10020030040 00 600700800900 Employment in Someland by sex in 6 sectors, 1995(000 Public sector( defence) Public sector(non-defence) inance/banking Communications Manufacturing 0 100 300400 600700800900 During the two decades between 1975 and 199 11. Women made gains in all sectors of the Someland work force 12. In three sectors, the number of women employed rose while the number of men employed 13. In the wholesale and retail trade sector, the number of women employed rose greatest
7. Ibrahim Shaw wants to be sure that there will be enough demand for his products. 8. Maria Smith would like some advice about where to advertise a new line of goods. 9. King Seng wants to research new laws on constructing buildings. 10. Peter Anderson needs to know whether his existing funds are enough to set up his business. PART THREE Questions 11 – 15 ⚫ The following two bar charts illustrate the employment in Someland in 1975 and 1995. ⚫ Tell whether the statements 11 – 15 are TRUE or FALSE. Employment in Someland by sex in 6 sectors, 1975 (,000) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 Manufacturing Communications Finance / banking Wholesale & retail trade Public sector(non-defence) Public sector(defence) Men Women Employment in Someland by sex in 6 sectors, 1995 (,000) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 Manufacturing Communications Finance / banking Wholesale & retail trade Public sector(non-defence) Public sector(defence) Men Women During the two decades between 1975 and 1995 11. Women made gains in all sectors of the Someland work force. 12. In three sectors, the number of women employed rose while the number of men employed remained unchanged. 13. In the wholesale and retail trade sector, the number of women employed rose greatest
14. In Public sector(defense), the number of men declined, while the number of women rose 15. Women appear to have made gains but not at the expense of men in the Someland work force PART FOUR Questions 16-22 Read the advertisement below for a hot drinks machine ● Are sentences16-22“ right”or“ wrong": If there is not enough information to answer “ right”or“ wrong”, choose“ doesn'tsay For each sentence 16-22, mark one letter(A, B, or C)on your Answer Sheet. ADVERTISING FEATURE Save money and keep your staff happy It can be expensive to keep the canteen open to serve drinks to your through the day. Our QVM hot drinks machine replaces this service,So that you can close the canteen between mealtimes You can install the QVM hot drinks machine anywhere in the building. One machine is suitable for a staff of ten to fifteen people. It costs 1300 pounds to buy, or ll pounds per week to rent over 60 months It is not expensive to operate: for example, the cost of power for one day 30p, nearly as cheap as the price of one hot drink from the machine Our company will carry out a weekly service, at a charge of 10 pounds. We can also refill the machine with drinks ingredients for an extra charge of 8 pounds. Some customers prefer to do this themselves, There are eight choices of hot drink available from the QvM machine, and our company offers one month's trial free of charge, so that you can estimate how popular the machine will be and see what the actual savings are 16. With a QVM machine, companies can avoid having a canteen altogether A B Wrong C. Doesn t say 17. The QVM machine provides enough hot drinks for up to fifteen people B. W 18. Most customers prefer to rent the QVm machine over sixty months A Right B Wrong C Doesnt say 19. The electricity used daily by the machine costs less than the price of a hot drink. A Right B C Doesnt say 20. The machine company empties the money from the machine as part of its service agreement A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesnt say 21. Customers can refill their machines with drinks ingredients, if they want to A B. W 22. During the trial period, the customer pays a reduced amount to rent the machine A Right B. Wrong C Doesnt say
14. In Public sector (defense), the number of men declined, while the number of women rose. 15. Women appear to have made gains but not at the expense of men in the Someland work force. PART FOUR Questions 16 - 22 ⚫ Read the advertisement below for a hot drinks machine. ⚫ Are sentences 16 - 22 “right” or “wrong”? If there is not enough information to answer “right” or “wrong”, choose “doesn’t say”. ⚫ For each sentence 16 - 22, mark one letter (A, B, or C) on your Answer Sheet. 16. With a QVM machine, companies can avoid having a canteen altogether. A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say 17. The QVM machine provides enough hot drinks for up to fifteen people. A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say 18. Most customers prefer to rent the QVM machine over sixty months. A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say 19. The electricity used daily by the machine costs less than the price of a hot drink. A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say 20. The machine company empties the money from the machine as part of its service agreement. A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say 21. Customers can refill their machines with drinks ingredients, if they want to. A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say 22. During the trial period, the customer pays a reduced amount to rent the machine. A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say ADVERTISING FEATURE Save money and keep your staff happy It can be expensive to keep the canteen open to serve drinks to your through the day. Our QVM hot drinks machine replaces this service, so that you can close the canteen between mealtimes. You can install the QVM hot drinks machine anywhere in the building. One machine is suitable for a staff of ten to fifteen people. It costs 1300 pounds to buy, or 11 pounds per week to rent over 60 months. It is not expensive to operate: for example, the cost of power for one day is 30p, nearly as cheap as the price of one hot drink from the machine. Our company will carry out a weekly service, at a charge of 10 pounds. We can also refill the machine with drinks ingredients for an extra charge of 8 pounds. Some customers prefer to do this themselves, however. There are eight choices of hot drink available from the QVM machine, and our company offers one month’s trial free of charge, so that you can estimate how popular the machine will be and see what the actual savings are
PART FIVE Questions 23-28 Read the following review of a book called The bosses speal o Choose the correct answer for each question 23-28 Mark one letter(A, B, or C)on your Answer Sheet. he Bosses Speak John Stuart is an executive recruitment specialist who has turned to writing. The result is this book, based on interviews with twenty Chief Executives Each top manager ---none of them famous names, surprisingly -- is given a short chapter, and there is some introductory material and a conclusion. This means you can jump from one person to another, in any order, which is good for people who are too busy to read a book from cover to cover. For a management book it isnt expensive, although whether its good value for money is doubtful Some of the twenty interviewees started their own businesses, while others joined a ompany and worked their way up. Some are fairly new in their position, and others have had years of experience, though, strangely, Stuart doesnt seem interested in these differences. The interviewees work in everything from retailing to airlines to softwar and it is this variety that forms the main theme of Stuarts book I have to say that Stuarts approach annoys me. He rarely stays at a distance from his interviewees, who are mostly presented in their own, positive words If this were al ways the case, at least you would know where you were. But he seems to dislike certain interviewees. As a result, I don t know whether to accept any of his opinions It also means that the book gives no clear lessons. At the very least, I expected to learn what makes a successful Chief Executive. But these people seem to share two types of qualities. Some of them are very common, suggesting that anyone can be equally successful, which is definitely not the case. And the other qualities are ones which most successful bosses I have seen definitely don't have So in the end I am no wiser about what really goes on Perhaps I am being unfair. As long as you don' t think about whether you'd like them as friends, and pay no attention to most of the advice they give, the most readable parts are where the bosses describe their route to their present position Stuart seems to think that his book would be useful for people aiming for the top, and it might even make a few want to start their own company; but, in fact, what they could learn here is very limited. Seen as light business reading for a doctor or teacher, though, this book would provide some good entertainment. 24. The book concentrates on the fact that the twenty executives who are interviewed a. work in a number of different industries c have worked for different lengths of time 25. The reviewer cannot accept Stuarts opinions because Stuart a. makes unreasonable complaints about the interviewees
PART FIVE Questions 23 – 28 ⚫ Read the following review of a book called The Bosses Speak. ⚫ Choose the correct answer for each question 23 – 28. ⚫ Mark one letter (A, B, or C) on your Answer Sheet. 23. The reviewer suggests that one advantage of this book is that a. it is better value than other management books. b. it doesn’t need to be read right through. c. it is about well-known people. 24. The book concentrates on the fact that the twenty executives who are interviewed a. work in a number of different industries. b. started their companies. c. have worked for different lengths of time. 25. The reviewer cannot accept Stuart’s opinions because Stuart a. makes unreasonable complaints about the interviewees. The Bosses Speak John Stuart is an executive recruitment specialist who has turned to writing. The result is this book, based on interviews with twenty Chief Executives. Each top manager ---- none of them famous names, surprisingly ---- is given a short chapter, and there is some introductory material and a conclusion. This means you can jump from one person to another, in any order, which is good for people who are too busy to read a book from cover to cover. For a management book it isn’t expensive, although whether its good value for money is doubtful. Some of the twenty interviewees started their own businesses, while others joined a company and worked their way up. Some are fairly new in their position, and others have had years of experience, though, strangely, Stuart doesn’t seem interested in these differences. The interviewees work in everything from retailing to airlines to software, and it is this variety that forms the main theme of Stuart’s book. I have to say that Stuart’s approach annoys me. He rarely stays at a distance from his interviewees, who are mostly presented in their own, positive words. If this were always the case, at least you would know where you were. But he seems to dislike certain interviewees. As a result, I don’t know whether to accept any of his opinions. It also means that the book gives no clear lessons. At the very least, I expected to learn what makes a successful Chief Executive. But these people seem to share two types of qualities. Some of them are very common, suggesting that anyone can be equally successful, which is definitely not the case. And the other qualities are ones which most successful bosses I have seen definitely don’t have. So in the end I am no wiser about what really goes on. Perhaps I am being unfair. As long as you don’t think about whether you’d like them as friends, and pay no attention to most of the advice they give, the most readable parts are where the bosses describe their route to their present position. Stuart seems to think that his book would be useful for people aiming for the top, and it might even make a few want to start their own company; but, in fact, what they could learn here is very limited. Seen as light business reading for a doctor or teacher, though, this book would provide some good entertainment
b. writes too positively about the interviewees c. has different attitudes towards different interviewees 26. Reading the book made the reviewer think that a. there are certain qualities which all Chief Executives need b. it is difficult to discover how people really run a company c. running a company is easier than many people think 27. Which parts of the book did the reviewer most enjoy reading? a. how the interviewees became chief executives b. what sort of people the interviewees are c the advice given by the interviewees. 28. The reviewer recommends the book for people who a. intend to set up in business b. want to become senior mangers c are outside the field of business PART SIX Questions 29-40 Read the article below about team-building. Choose the correct word to fill each gap, from A, B, or C given For each question 29-40, mark one letter(A, B, or C)on your Answer Sheet. TEAM-BUILDING THROUGH ACTVITES adays, company bosses are increasingly trying to find unusual team-building events as part of their training program. An activity park(29) Fast-track has just opened to offer( 30) events to attract the corporate entertainment market, (32) is growing all the time The park is situated just a few kilometers outside the city center(33) it provides events that (34) entertain as well as train Clients can try outdoor attractions such as sailing or climbing. (35) availability clearly depends entirely (36) weather. Activities of (37) kind are perfect team-building exercises Td(38) been to an activity park before, "explained James Black, a company manager, "Before we came, I didnt think we(39) enjoy ourselves so much and I didnt expect the huge difference that Fast-track's program has(40) Now we work better together than we did before 30. A. such B. lik C 32. A who B which C. what 33. A and B but C
b. writes too positively about the interviewees. c. has different attitudes towards different interviewees. 26. Reading the book made the reviewer think that a. there are certain qualities which all Chief Executives need. b. it is difficult to discover how people really run a company. c. running a company is easier than many people think. 27. Which parts of the book did the reviewer most enjoy reading? a. how the interviewees became Chief Executives. b. what sort of people the interviewees are. c. the advice given by the interviewees. 28. The reviewer recommends the book for people who a. intend to set up in business b. want to become senior mangers. c. are outside the field of business. PART SIX Questions 29 - 40 ⚫ Read the article below about team-building. ⚫ Choose the correct word to fill each gap, from A, B, or C given. ⚫ For each question 29 - 40, mark one letter (A, B, or C) on your Answer Sheet. 29. A. calling B. calls C. called 30. A. such B. like C. so 31. A. at B. for C. in 32. A. who B. which C. what 33. A. and B. but C. or TEAM-BUILDING THROUGH ACTIVITIES Nowadays, company bosses are increasingly trying to find unusual team-building events as part of their training program. An activity park (29) ________. Fast-track has just opened to offer (30) _____ events. It specializes (31) ______ events to attract the corporate entertainment market, (32) ______ is growing all the time. The park is situated just a few kilometers outside the city center (33) ______ it provides events that (34) ______ entertain as well as train. Clients can try outdoor attractions such as sailing or climbing. (35) ______ availability clearly depends entirely (36) ________ the weather. Activities of (37) ______ kind are perfect team-building exercises. “I’d (38) ______ been to an activity park before,” explained James Black, a company manager, “Before we came, I didn’t think we (39) ______ enjoy ourselves so much and I didn’t expect the huge difference that Fast-track’s program has (40) ______ to my team. Now we work better together than we did before
34. A ought B. will C. shall 35.A. B. although C since C. with 38.A. still C. never 39.A. must B would 40.A. made C. done PART SEVEN Questions 41-45 Read the memo and note below. Complete the claim form followed o Write a word or phrase(in CAPITAL LETTERS)or a number on lines of 41-45 on your Answer Sheet MEMO TO: Barbara sinclair FROM: Peter Rogers DATE: 25 May 2002 SUBJECT Insurance claim Could you deal with this? It's our insurance claim, for the damage at the weekend. The insurance policy is in my name, and we bought the carpet for 300 pounds, although it will cost at least 500 pounds to replace. Luckily our office carpets seem fine Thanks OWEN SMTH INSURANCE COMPANY Thank you for your recent phone call regarding flood damage in your photocopy room Could you please complete the attached form and return it to me as soon as possible Martin morris
34. A. ought B. will C. shall 35. A. because B. although C. since 36. A. on B. of C. with 37. A. a B. these C. this 38. A. still B. ever C. never 39. A. must B. would C. might 40. A. made B. had C. done PART SEVEN Questions 41 – 45 ⚫ Read the memo and note below. ⚫ Complete the claim form followed. ⚫ Write a word or phrase (in CAPITAL LETTERS) or a number on lines of 41 – 45 on your Answer Sheet MEMO TO: Barbara Sinclair FROM: Peter Rogers DATE: 25 May 2002 SUBJECT: Insurance Claim Could you deal with this? It’s our insurance claim, for the damage at the weekend. The insurance policy is in my name, and we bought the carpet for 300 pounds, although it will cost at least 500 pounds to replace. Luckily our office carpets seem fine. Thanks OWEN SMITH INSURANCE COMPANY with compliments Thank you for your recent phone call regarding flood damage in your photocopy room. Could you please complete the attached form and return it to me as soon as possible. Martin Morris
Insurance claim NAME OF POLICY HOLDER: (41) POLICY NUMBER: D4756030C ITEM(S)TO BE REPLACED: (42) LOCATION OF ITEM(S) (43) VALUE WHEN PURCHASED: (44) CAUSE OF DAMAGE DATE OF DAMAGE: unday 19 May WRITING QUESTIONS 46 and 47 PART ONE You are going to attend an engineering exhibition in Frankfurt soon. --- Explaining why you will be away Letting her know the dates you will be away. --- Saying what work she should do while you are away Write 30-40 words. Write on your Answer Sheet MEMO Date 10 March 2003 Subject: Trip to Frankfurt PART TWO Question 47 o Read this part of a letter from Mary Bennett applying for a jol
WRITING QUESTIONS 46 and 47 PART ONE Question 46 ⚫ You are going to attend an engineering exhibition in Frankfurt soon. ⚫ Write a memo to your assistant: ---- Explaining why you will be away. ---- Letting her know the dates you will be away. ---- Saying what work she should do while you are away. ⚫ Write 30 – 40 words. ⚫ Write on your Answer Sheet. PART TWO Question 47 ⚫ Read this part of a letter from Mary Bennett applying for a job. Insurance Claim NAME OF POLICY HOLDER: (41) _____________________ POLICY NUMBER: LD4756030C ITEM(S) TO BE REPLACED: (42) _____________________ LOCATION OF ITEM(S): (43) _____________________ VALUE WHEN PURCHASED: (44) _____________________ CAUSE OF DAMAGE: (45) ______________________ DATE OF DAMAGE: Sunday 19 May MEMO To: Sara Lyons From: Date: 10 March 2003 Subject: Trip to Frankfurt
With reference to your advertisement in The Times, I am writing to apply am moving to your country next month with my husband. As you will see from the enclosed CV, I have had a lot of experience in training and I feel that I have much to offer your company If I am selected for interview, please could you give me information about how to reach your offices by public transport? o write a letter to ms bennett: offering her a date and time for an interview -- requesting the names and addresses of two referees telling her the best way to reach you by public transport write Write on your Answer Sheet. Do not include any postal addresses. Writing(part two)
⚫ Write a letter to Ms Bennett: ---- acknowledging her letter. ---- offering her a date and time for an interview. ---- requesting the names and addresses of two referees. ---- telling her the best way to reach you by public transport. ⚫ Write 60 – 80 words. ⚫ Write on your Answer Sheet. Do not include any postal addresses. Writing (part two) _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________ With reference to your advertisement in The Times, I am writing to apply for the post of training assistant. I am moving to your country next month with my husband. As you will see from the enclosed CV, I have had a lot of experience in training and I feel that I have much to offer your company. If I am selected for interview, please could you give me information about how to reach your offices by public transport?
nswers 1-5: BACAC 6-10: EAHDC 11. F. Two sectors that retained stable employment numbers for both men and women were manufacturing and the public sector(non-defense) 12. T. They are the communication sector, the wholesale and retail trade sector, and finance and banking secto 13. F. It's communication sector 14.T 15.T 16-22: BACBCAB 23-28: BACBAC 29-40: CACBABBACCBA 41. PETER ROGERS 42 (A/THE/ONE) CARPET 43 PHOTOCOPIER ROOM 44. 300 Pounds 45. FLOOD/FLOODING Writing samples: I am going to attend an engineering exhibition in Frankfurt, and I am leaving on 20th March. I will be away for one week. During this week I would like you to arrange the training meeting which we have decided and make an appointment with selling manager. I would like to see him on 27th March morning 10: 30 when i come back Part two: Dear Ms bennett Thank you for applying our company. We arranged an interview for you. The date is the 14th April Please arrive at 9: 15 in the morning. The interview starts at 9: 30. Please arrive on time We also need the names and addresses of two referees The best way to reach our office is using underground. You can find the name of the street where our office is on the map. You could take the underground from train station to our company.(You don't need change train. If you have any questions, please contact us at the telephone 879 6785 rs sincerely
Answers Reading: 1 – 5: B A C A C 6 – 10: E A H D C 11. F. Two sectors that retained stable employment numbers for both men and women were manufacturing and the public sector (non-defense). 12. T. They are the communication sector, the wholesale and retail trade sector, and finance and banking sector. 13. F. It’s communication sector. 14. T 15. T 16 – 22: B A C B C A B 23 – 28: B A C B A C 29 – 40: C A C B A B B A C C B A 41. PETER ROGERS 42. (A/THE/ONE) CARPET 43. PHOTOCOPIER ROOM 44. 300 Pounds 45. FLOOD/FLOODING Writing samples: Part one: I am going to attend an engineering exhibition in Frankfurt, and I am leaving on 20th March. I will be away for one week. During this week I would like you to arrange the training meeting which we have decided and make an appointment with selling manager. I would like to see him on 27th March morning 10:30 when I come back. Part two: Dear Ms Bennett, Thank you for applying our company. We arranged an interview for you. The date is the 14th April. Please arrive at 9:15 in the morning. The interview starts at 9:30. Please arrive on time. We also need the names and addresses of two referees. The best way to reach our office is using underground. You can find the name of the street where our office is on the map. You could take the underground from train station to our company. (You don’t need change train.) If you have any questions, please contact us at the telephone 879 6785. Yours sincerely
