Reading Paragraphs in Grammar

Reading:
READING
Directions:
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or
D to select the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the
next question.
Pros and Cons of Global Business

Travel
Global business travel is a successful industry these days. Business air

travelers make up a large part of ticket sales on major carriers. These
frequent fliers know how to book the best fares. They can work with flight
schedules. They have ways to recover from jet lag. Many of them can even
work well during flights. Laptops are now the most common piece of
carry-on luggage.
There are good reasons for companies to have their employees travel
overseas. Sending staff members to a new country means they can meet
with clients face to face. They can generate fresh ideas and find answers to
questions. They can also create ties in other countries. A dinner with a
client can create a valuable bond. These relationships help firms expand
their global networks.
But business travel has its downsides too. It costs money, and there's a
human toll as well. The problems include burnout and exposure to disease.
Then there's the lost time and lost luggage. Never mind the frayed nerves
and hours spent waiting in airports.
What does the future hold for business travel? Airlines are nervous. Email
and other electronic systems may soon make 15-hour trips for 3-hour
meetings things of the past. The video conference could replace air travel
as the main means of long-distance communication within the next
decade. Companies will soon invest more in video equipment than
in airfares. It's not a certainty, but it is likely. Unpack your bags and open
your laptop.
In this article, carriers refer to
__________.
(A) luggage handlers
(B) people who fly frequently
(C) people infected with disease
(D) airline companies
1 of 16
Next
The trend for the future, according to this

article, will probably be __________.
(A) increased video communications
(B)
more international air travel
(C)
business travelers being nervous
(D) more in-person meetings with

clients
2 of 16
TO:
FROM:
READING
RE:
Next
Kristin Donner, President

Louis Johnson, Personnel Manager
Computer Training
Directions:
Read
document
below.inThen
read the question.
Click A, B,will
C, or
Next the
week
the employees
the International
Loan Department
Dreceive
to select
the best
answer.
Click on system.
the arrow
button
to from
go tothe
the
training
on the
new computer
Two
trainers
next
ABC question.
Training Group will come to our office next Wednesday.
I feel that managers should also attend the training. They need to
understand how to use the new system too. However, some of them
said they don't have the time to come.
What is the problem Louis Johnson has

with
thestart
training?
We must
using this new system now, and there is not a good
time to do another training just for the managers. What do you
suggest
do to are
make
sure
that everyone
receives
(A)weThere
not
enough
people for
two the training?
training sessions.
Please
me as soon as you can. Please email any helpful
ideas or other suggestions to me directly.
Thank you for considering this problem. I hope to hear from you this
week.
(B) The two trainers don't have time do

the training on Wednesday.
(C) Some of the managers can't
attend the training on
Wednesday.
(D) The new computer system is too
difficult to understand.
3 of 16
Next
Look at the word

in the memo.
Which phrase means the same thing as
?
(A)
to agree with someone
(B)
to call someone on the telephone
(C)
to ask a question
(D)
to give useful suggestions
READING
Directions:
next question.
How to Get Reimbursed for Business Expenses

You will be paid back for any company expenses that you pay out of
pocket. For instance, if you take a taxi to a meeting with a client, the CFO
will approve a refund for the money you spend.
In order to get your money back for business expenses, you must follow
these steps:
1. Fill out the Reimbursement Form (form series 236-A). Be sure to
explain the expense in the box marked "Reason."
2. The Reimbursement Form must include your full name (printed),
your signature, and the date.
3. Your manager must approve the expense. Ask your manager to
sign and date the Reimbursement Form on page 2. If your
manager is on vacation, you may request a signature from your
manager's supervisor.
4. Submit the Current Address Form (form series 967-B). This is an
important step.
5. Write your Employee I.D. Number on both forms. Write it clearly.
6. Specify your department.
7. Compile and submit the original receipts for your expenses. Sign
and date them.
8. Make copies of the receipts and the forms.
9. Submit both forms and the receipts together.
Failure to supply any of the required information or signatures can result
in a delay in repayment. Allow six weeks for repayment. The money will
be mailed to the address you provided on the Current Address Form.
If you have any questions about these directions, please contact the
Bursar's office at extension 0812. We will be happy to answer your
questions.
In order to get reimbursed for expenses,
an employee must __________.
(A)
have a manager sign both forms
(B) visit the Bursar's office

(C) submit two different forms
(D) approve all the expenses
5 of 16
Next
In these directions, the word them refers

to __________.
(A) the photocopies
(B) the expenditures
(C) both forms
(D) the receipts
6 of 16
READING
Next
Directions:
next question.
Thank you for your fax of April 29.

Here is my new flight arrival information: AL #603 at SFO Airport
on May 15 at 9 a.m. I wanted to arrive an hour earlier, but there
were no direct flights from Boston to San Francisco at that time.
The only reservations I could get at an earlier time required a 2hour
in Chicago. I didn't want to waste time waiting at
the Chicago airport. Could you please arrange for me to pick up a
rental car at the airport in San Francisco?
Also, please change the 10 a.m. tour time to 11 a.m. because of
my later flight time. Thank you for making these changes to the
schedule.
Joseph Kolb, our Production Manager, will be coming with me. I
would like him to take a company tour with us. The tour should
not last more than an hour because we have a 12:00 noon lunch
meeting.
See you on the 15th.
Kind regards,
Ms. Natasha Gold
Look at the word

in the fax. Which
words or phrases mean the same thing as
?
(A)
a period of rest after a trip
(B)
a short stay between the parts of a

trip
interruption of plane arrival and
departure times
(C)
(D) a cancellation for mechanical

problems
7 of 16
Next
How long will the tour be?

(A) more than an hour
(B) at 10 a.m.
(C) from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
(D) one hour or less
8 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
next question.
can help you! Our staff of computer experts can fix

almost any type of computer you have.
Cost savings
You can save as much as 25% the first year.
Fixed-price contracts
Costs of computer repair and new computer equipment
will not change.
Fast response
Call anytime. Our staff will come to your office within two
hours of your call.
Discount on new software

Our staff of technical experts will advise you on new
software programs.
can install the software, and
we can offer you a very low price when you buy the
software from us.
Don't wait! Call
now at: (555) 121-1112
How quickly can the staff at Compfix be at your

workplace?
(A) immediately following your call
(B) in 3 hours or more
(C) any time
(D) in 2 hours or less
Look at the word

in the
advertisement. Who does the word
refer to?
(A) the computer technicians
(B) management staff
(C) the software designers
(D) the office workers
10 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
next question.
by Jane Gilman
When I travel on business, I don't want to waste time deciding

what to eat, where to eat, or how to get to a restaurant. The
best idea is to ask about places to eat before you leave on your
trip. Find out if friends, family, and co-workers know of any good
restaurants in the city where you will be staying. Write down the
names, addresses, and phone numbers of any restaurants that
are recommended to you. Be sure to put this list in your wallet
or purse so it's easy to find.
If you can't get any helpful
before you go, you can always ask
for advice at the hotel where you
are staying. The person you should
talk to for suggestions is usually
called the concierge. The
concierge's job is to help guests make restaurant reservations,
get tickets to theater or music events for them, or to suggest
places for them to shop.
Talk to the concierge as early as you can. Tell the concierge
what kind of food you want (I always ask for a good Italian
restaurant, as most cities seem to have one). In addition, tell
the concierge what time you want to eat, how far you want to
travel, and how much money you want to spend. This is a very
fast and easy way to find good restaurants if you didn't get
recommendations before leaving home.
Good luck and happy eating!
What is the best way to find a good restaurant?
(A) ask people about it before you travel

(B) ask the travel agents
(C) ask the front desk of your hotel
(D) ask at a good Italian restaurant
Look at the word

in the article. Which
words or phrases mean the same thing as
in this article?
(A)
restaurants or hotels
(B)
tickets and places to shop
(C)
money
(D) advice or suggestions
12 of 16
Next
Directions:
next question.
The City of Roland Hills

Memorandum - DRAFT
TO: Mayor Jackson and City Council Members
FROM: Mary Smith, Chief City Accountant
Subject: Revision to loan agreement between the city and Sunnyside Mall
Proposal: Sunnyside Mall will provide the city with space for a teen
recreation center. In exchange, Sunnyside Mall will not be required to pay
back its loan from the city for last year's renovation.
Loan Agreement: The city and Sunnyside Mall entered into a loan
agreement in August. The city loaned Sunnyside Mall $520,000. Terms
included a 2.4% interest rate and no fees on a 20-year loan. Sunnyside
Mall now agrees to provide mall space to the city in exchange for
forgiveness of this loan.
Reason for Revision: When the loan agreement was signed, the city did
not know it would need to rent space for an expansion to the existing City
Teen Center (CTC). Space in Sunnyside Mall will give the city access to
low-income youth on the city's north side. It will use the CTC expansion
to provide recreation facilities and job training.
Financial Impact: The city and Sunnyside Mall agree that rent for the
CTC expansion for one month is equal to one monthly loan payment of
$4,000. This means that city revenues will decrease by $48,000 per year
over the remainder of the loan agreement.
Recommendation: The City Manager or a member of our legal staff
should draft a new agreement between the city and Sunnyside Mall stating
that as long as the mall provides space for an expanded CTC, it will not
have to make its monthly loan payments.
In the new agreement between the city and the mall, ______.
(A) the city will receive space for the CTC and the mall will not
have to pay back its loan from the city
(B) the city will pay $4,000 per month for space to build an expansion
for the CTC
(C) Sunnyside Mall will rent space from the city for an expansion to
theCityTeenCenter
(D) Sunnyside Mall will save $4,000 per month, but the city will lose
$48,000 per month
My answer is A
In this passage, It refers to the

__________.
(A) the mall
(B) the city
(C) the loan
(D) youth
14 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
next question.
Next month, the Geo Tech Mining Inc. headquarters will relocate to
the Paris office. Two thirds of our business is in Europe now, and a
full third of this European business is in France. Therefore, it is
more convenient to have our main office where a majority of our
clients will be able to meet with us much more easily.
However, I know that many New York employees do not want to
move to Paris. When we move to Paris, some people will probably
quit and look for other jobs.
I don't want to lose our employees, but it is too expensive to keep
both locations open. Do you have any ideas about what we could
offer to our staff so that they won't
? I really don't
want them to leave the company. We want our best people on
board when we move.
Thank you for your help with this serious problem. I hope to hear
from you as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Daniel Ferrier
Why is the Geo Tech Mining Inc.
headquarters moving?
(A) to encourage European clients to visit
New York
(B) to make it easier for employees to fly
to France
(C) to be closer to more of their
business contacts
(D) to get a less expensive office
15 of 16
Next
Look at the words

in the memo.
?
(A)
get on the next boat
(B)
change staff
(C) get away from a troublesome

situation
(D) ask for a position on the board
16 of 16
Next
Reading
READING
Directions:
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select
the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next question.
Rico Rocha bought his two-bedroom hill cottage near the sea for what he thought
was a very high price. Rocha paid $250,000 for the one-bathroom place, which
needed a lot of fixing up.
Just two years later, Rocha feels pretty lucky. He thinks he can sell his tiny home for
close to $400,000.
"I can't believe it," Rocha said. "I feel like I've just made $150,000 by sitting on the
couch in my living room."

Is Rocha crazy? Not in this real-estate market, respond local experts.
"Prices in the West Bedford region have increased across the board by an
unbelievable 30 percent every year," says long-time real-estate broker Mimi Shue.
"And in my opinion, there's no trend to show that the local market is slowing down."
Rocha and Shue are not alone. Real estate in West Bedford has historically increased
no matter what is happening across the country. In this area, people are selling and
buying homes based on their love of the city and its location, not logic.
Not everyone thinks that's a great idea.
"People in the region feel that a house is the best financial risk these days," reports
Vijay Tandon, senior economist at the Schmidt Institute. "And the market scenario
has made them believe that. But prices can't continue to increase forever."
Tandon thinks that prices in West Bedord are up to 20 percent higher than they
should be.
The bottom line, he says, is "we don't know when, but the market is likely to shift
eventually--and people will get hurt. I just don't think it's going to last."
According to the article, Mr. Tandon has
the opinion that __________.
(A) Mr. Rocha is quite lucky

(B) prices could decrease 30 percent
(C) people could lose money
(D) real estate is the best risk
1 of 16
Next
In this article, eventually means ________.

(A) over a large part of West Bedford
(B) by a large amount, significantly
(C) permanently or forever
(D) sometime in the future
READING
Directions:
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C,
or D to select the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to
the next question.
To: Mr. Takeshi Hirano

From: Jaime Orozco
Subject: a few questions
Dear Mr. Hirano,
I just wanted to coordinate my trip to Nagoya with you. I am scheduled to arrive
at Narita Airport on Tuesday, the 14th. I know our meeting is not scheduled until
the 16th, but I want to give myself sufficient time to recover from jet lag.
When I get to Narita, I will take the airport bus into Tokyo. Should I stay in
Tokyo that night? If so, can you please recommend a comfortable hotel?
Also, can you please give me some advice about transportation to Nagoya? I
usually rent a car when I travel, but my friend told me that it's preferable to
travel by train in Japan. My friend also said he missed a train in Tokyo because
he couldn't locate the correct platform. So could you please advise me about
which station and platform I should use? Do I have to make any transfers? Also,
can someone from your office please meet me at the station in Nagoya?
I apologize for bothering you with these many detailed questions. This is my
first trip to Japan and I don't speak or read Japanese, so I feel considerably
nervous about traveling between Tokyo and Nagoya. Thank you in advance for
your assistance.
Best wishes,
Jaime Orozco
In this email, recommend means

__________.
(A) write a letter about

(B) make a suggestion
(C) repair something
(D) make a reservation for
3 of 16
Next
Mr. Orozco wants Mr. Hirano to

__________.
(A) meet him at Narita Airport

(B) advise him about bus travel
(C) meet him at the Tokyo station
(D) advise him about train travel
4 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Women in the Business World:

A Look into the Life of Helen Sinclair, CEO of Net
Graphics
by Ronald Marks
Women hold only 83 of the top jobs in corporate America

compared to 2,184 men who have jobs as chairmen, vice
chairmen, CEOs, presidents, or executive vice presidents. So
what kind of woman makes it to the
top?
Meet Helen Sinclair. She is one of the
most powerful CEOs in the business
world. Ms. Sinclair speaks four
languages, was educated at MIT's Sloan
School, and just set up a $3 billion
stock sale.
Her average weekly schedule is so full, most people would get
tired just thinking about
. This week, she's on a flight to
Rome for lunch with an Italian graphic designer on Monday. On
Tuesday, she is in Germany meeting with government officials
who want to set up a Web site. By Wednesday, she will be on
another plane to meet with a Japanese corporation that markets
products on the Internet. If she is lucky, she will get to see her
two children on Saturday.
"At first, it was difficult to leave my family so often. And it was
also very hard to be a woman in my position. But I stayed
positive, and as the company grew more successful, fewer
people questioned my ability, as a woman, to do the job."
Sometimes, just sometimes, there is a happy ending!
Look at the word

in the article. What or
who does the word
refer to?
(A) all the graphic designers,

government officials and corporate
lawyers
(B) Ms. Sinclair's typical job
responsibilities from Monday to
Friday
(C) the selling price of Net Graphic's
stock
(D) Ms. Sinclair's powerful position
within the corporation
Why is Ms. Sinclair "lucky" to see her

children on the weekend?
(A) She travels a lot.
(B) She balances her work and
family life easily.
(C) She gets to fly home every

Saturday.
(D) They live in Italy.
5 of 16
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READING
Directions:
Employee Relations Committee Meeting Summary

by Chris Gonzalez, Ombudsman
The Employee Relations Committee meeting was held on Thursday. The
union representatives for the six area offices and the company managers
from those same regions were present at the meeting. I sent out a copy of
the agenda before the meeting. We discussed all the items on the agenda. I
am writing this summary in my official role as the company ombudsman.
The meeting went well. We discussed the employees concerns at length.
Here is a list of the issues and the points of consensus that we reached.
These are the ideas the committee would like to put forward:
Employees know that healthcare costs are rising. Management

agrees to provide more day-care options for employees children if
employees pay a higher percentage of healthcare costs.
Employees know that no merit raises are possible at this time.

Management agrees to a 3% cost-of-living increase across the board.
Management agrees to work with employees to develop more

schedule options. These will include the 40-hour, 4-day work week.
Job sharing might also be possible if two employees can work out a
weekly schedule between them.
As ombudsman, my role is to promote understanding and fair decisions. I am

happy with these suggestions. All present at the meeting worked hard to
compromise, and the discussions were calm and helpful. I am optimistic
about the future of our company now and am hopeful about relations
between employees and management.
I will prepare the formal minutes of the meeting next week. After you read
them, please call me if you have any questions. I am always happy to talk
with you.
The person who wrote this report
__________.
(A) is very worried about the company's

future
(B) thinks that the union is being
unreasonable
(C) represents one of the six regional
offices
(D) is pleased with the outcome of the
meeting
7 of 16
Next
In the report above, the word minutes

means __________.
(A)
a unit of time (60 seconds)
(B) a written record of a meeting

(C)
time passing in a meeting
(D) a written agenda for a meeting
8 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Office Manager Needed Now!

Jetco Shipping Service needs an office manager for its New York office.
Responsibilities
supervise ten staff members
train new employees
oversee maintenance of computer records and current inventory
facilitate staff meetings

Required Experience and Education
A bachelor's degree in business or a related field from an accredited four-year university
A minimum of five years of management experience
A minimum of two recommendations that demonstrate the candidate's good judgment and
knowledge of current laws related to supervising employees
Salary and Benefits
competitive salary
paid vacation and sick leave
comprehensive medical and dental plan
employee retirement plan
health club membership
This position will require some travel, including visits to offices in Asia and South America. We
encourage bilingual candidates with experience supervising a multicultural staff.
Jetco Shipping Service is a well-known firm in the shipping industry. It has a thirty-year history of
success and a reputation for quality. The new office manager must be team oriented. This job will
be demanding but rewarding for an individual who thrives on challenges.
Email your cover letter and resume to jobs@jetco_shipping.com. Please include the names,
addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least two professional references. Email your
application without delay. We will be hiring someone within the month.
In the advertisement, the word It refers to
__________.
(A) the shipping industry

(B) Jetco Shipping Service
(C) a history of success
(D) a competitive salary
According to the advertisement, the

office manager must ________.
(A) be trained as a new office worker
(B) have two years of university
education
(C) have international shipping
experience
(D) be willing to take business trips
10 of 16
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READING
Directions:
These days there are many new theme parks worldwide. Shenzen in China has its
cultural villages and Los Angeles has Universal Studios. There are now Disney
theme parks in France, Japan, Hong Kong, Florida, and California. There are theme
parks for people who want to see cartoon characters. There are theme parks for
people who want to learn about history. There are theme parks for everyone.
But is every theme park right for you? Think about these questions before you
choose a park.
Who is going with you? Theme parks with cartoon characters are better for small
children. Parks with exciting rides, like huge roller coasters, appeal to teenagers.
Why do you want to visit a theme park? Is it for a birthday or a graduation? Are you
having a family reunion? Choose a theme park that fits your purpose.
What kind of attractions do you enjoy? Do you prefer water slides or 3-D movies?
Do you like rides better than shopping?
Finally, when will you visit the theme park? You should avoid hurricane season in
Florida and the cloudy winter season near Paris. It's no fun to go to a theme park and
stay inside all day because it's raining or cold.
Wherever you go, do some research first. You have a right to expect good food,
polite employees, and safe rides. Check the park's safety record. There should be no
risk in visiting a theme park. Each theme park is unique. You can find one that's
perfect for you.
According to this article, when choosing a
theme park it is best to __________.
(A)
go to California or Florida for

choices
(B)
look for a park that is unique
(C)
prepare for bad weather and smog
(D) look for a park that's good for

you
11 of 16
Next
In this article, the word attraction refers

to __________.
(A) pulling something out of a situation

(B) something fun to see or do
(C) a romantic interest in a person
(D) the force from a magnet
12 of 16
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READING
Directions:
A six-piece shaving set, perfect for home or travel-From WINDSOR, the number 1 name in men's fashion
Yours, with any MAGRUDER'S men's clothing purchase of
$89.95 or more
Take home a set of travel-sized Windsor shaving favorites for men.

includes a sample of Windsor's newest
aftershave scent, High Seas.
Limit one set per customer, while supplies last
The Windsor shaving set _____.
(A) now costs only $89.95 at

MAGRUDER'S
(B) includes six aftershave samples
(C) is for sale at many department stores
(D) is free after you spend a certain

amount
13 of 16
Next
Look at the word this in the

advertisement. What does the word this
refer to?
(A) the shaving set

(B)
the aftershave
(C)
your home
(D)
MAGRUDER'S department store
14 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
In many countries around the world, the New Year's holiday is a time
for getting together with friends and family to remember the past year
and to wish for a successful new year. Each country celebrates with its
own interesting customs and traditions such as parties, fireworks,
bonfires, parades, and special holiday foods and drinks.
In Japan, the New Years celebrations continue for three

days, from January 1 to January 3. Because the Japanese believe that
the new year must be completely separate from the old year and should
be the start of a new beginning, the house is completely cleaned, inside
and outside, all business is finished, and all bills are paid before New
Years Day. The Japanese eat special long noodles on New Years Eve.
The long noodles are for a long and healthy life and lots of luck for the
future. On New Years Day, many Japanese eat a special soup called
ozoni, made with rice cakes. Its a Japanese custom to relax on New
Years Day, and ozoni is perfect for the occasion. The rice cakes for the
ozoni are made before New Years Day. They stay fresh, so nobody has
to work to make the soup on New Years Day.
Italians celebrate holidays with food and rituals. So its

no surprise that during New Years, people in Italy enjoy eating many
special sweet cakes and foods, and they watch beautiful fireworks light
up the sky. The Italians take the idea of cleaning the house further than
the Japanese do. Italians throw old things out of their windows to help
them forget everything that was bad about the past year and to wish
for good luck and success in the new year.
In the U.S.A., Americans usually begin celebrating the

new year on New Years Eve. They have parties and stay awake until
midnight so that they can welcome the new year by toasting with
champagne, shaking hands, and hugging or kissing each other. At
According to the article, which statement

is NOT true?
(A) People in Japan eat a soup made

with long noodles for good luck
on New Year's Day.
(B) Italians celebrate New Year's by
watching beautiful fireworks and
eating desserts.
(C) Americans have parties on New
Year's Eve and make a lot of noise at
midnight.
(D) Americans celebrate New Year's by
drinking eggnog.
15 of 16
Next
According to the article, what do

Americans promise to do in the new year?
(A)
to welcome friends and family into

their homes for food and drink
(B)
to finish all their business and pay

their bills from the past year
(C) to make changes in their lives

and do good things in the new
year
(D) to throw old things out of the

window for good luck and success
16 of 16
Next
Reading
READING
Directions:
Are you frustrated with the boring options for business dinners? Are you hesitant to
take a client out to eat? Well, a new restaurant in town may be just what you are
looking for! Andre's has been open only three months but it's already positioned as
the "in" place to go for a special treat.
Named for its chef, Andre Dupont, the restaurant is decorated in the colors and
images of the South Pacific. "I love the Orient and the tropics," comments Dupont,
who is in charge of the menu as well as the decor and the artwork. In addition, he
selects all the wines for the wine list.
The menu features a French-Asian blend of innovative dishes. You can start with a
cocktail and a wide range of appetizers, including seafood and
salads. I had the spinach salad with hot bacon dressing. For the entree, try one of the
unique salmon dishes. Whether you prefer your fish sauteed, grilled, or steamed, all
of the sauces can be created from mild to spicy, as you prefer.
For dessert, I suggest the Hawaiian strawberry pie, with fresh strawberries and
bananas. "I like to experiment," says Dupont. "New food combinations are fun and
exciting. It is my vision to combine traditional French seafood recipes with tropical
fruits and the spices of Asia."
And at Andre's, a stylish meal doesn't have to be expensive. The prices are very
reasonable. Andre's is always crowded, so be sure to call ahead to book a table.
According to the review, at this
restaurant, Andre Dupont __________.
(A)
is the manager as well as the owner

and decorator
(B)
prefers to eat fish sauteed, grilled,

or steamed
(C)
combines some spices with bananas

and strawberries
(D) likes to experiment with new

combinations of food
1 of 16
In this article, innovative means
__________.
(A) traditional
(B) tropical
(C) expensive
Next
(D) original
2 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Look at the word

in the email.
Which words or phrases mean the same
thing as
James,
(A)
the production management
Mr. Lee will be arriving tomorrow at 7:45 a.m. on Asia Airlines. We

workers
have arranged
for him to be picked up and driven to our office. He
should get here around 8:30 a.m. or a little later. I will greet him
(B)arrives
the production
machines
when he
at the office.
We want
have
a tour
of ourand
production
. Would
(C)him
alltothe
work
places
services
you mind being
the
one
to
show
him
around?
It
should
only
take
in the production area
thirty minutes for this introductory tour.
(D) the areas outside the production
After a short
meeting with Mr. Turner, the Vice President of
department
Production, we would like to take Mr. Lee out for a very nice lunch.
I was thinking of the Italian restaurant, Primo. Would you mind
making a lunch reservation for five people at 1 p.m. tomorrow at
this restaurant?
me if there is any problem with the reservation.
3Call
of 16
Next
Thanks for your help,
How many people are going to lunch at

Primo?
Susan
(A) four, including Mr. Lee

(B) three
(C) two, just Mr. Lee and Mr.Turner
(D) five
4 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Layoffs May Be Looming!
Are you feeling worried? Anxious? Even overwhelmed? Does your career
seem limited? Are you concerned that you may be laid off? What if the
rumors about a takeover are true?
Well, your worries may be justified. Statistics show that even well-trained,
senior workers can't count on guaranteed employment these days. The
corporate world is volatile--even cut-throat. Downsizing is rampant. Says
Mitch Jones, head of Future Alternatives, Inc., "Workforces everywhere are
being reduced. Even skilled employees run the risk of losing their jobs, and
possibly their careers, if they are not flexible."
Could this happen to you? If you are over 30, you are a prime target for being
laid off. If you haven't been keeping your skills current, you also could be in
serious danger.
What can you do if you're afraid that you may lose your job? The consensus
among career counselors is that today's workers need to keep their skills up
to date and have an emergency fund in a savings account. Clare DeBout is
head of Career Choices, an Atlanta firm that helps people make a new start
after they've been laid off. She says, "It also helps to have an optimistic
outlook about the future. Anything you can do to boost your skills and
knowledge base will help you after a layoff."
Consider taking evening classes in a subject that interests you. And
remember, in the long run, it's smart to pursue more than one career option.
Don't limit your vision of the future to a narrow range of jobs. Think about
what you'd like your next job to be!

According to the article, employees should
__________.
(A) be cut-throat on the job

(B) be flexible in job choices
(C) cash their paychecks
(D) pursue one career option
5 of 16
Next
In this article, the word this refers to

__________.
(A) not being flexible at work

(B) workers losing their jobs
(C) continued employment
(D) getting a good education
6 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Which of the following is NOT a reason for

Dymo Industries' increased sales?
(A)
sales training
(B) a new international division

(C)
new markets
(D) good performance
7 of 16
Next
Look at the word

in the
sales report. Which phrase or words mean
the same thing as
(A)
increased numbers
(B)
promotion
(C)
customer satisfaction
(D)
improvement
8 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Tip Selects Chadwick and Sons

Tip of New York, the five-star restaurant owned by the Atlantic Gold Corporation,
announced yesterday that Chadwick and Sons of New York, a division of the
GlobeCom Group, is taking over the creative side of its branding initiatives.
The Tip account had been handled by Reveres in Los Angeles, part of the Capades
Group.
Tip's costs in this deal are thought to be close to US$500,000.
Tip considered four firms during a lengthy review that became quite competitive,
according to Matthew St. Michael, Public Relations Director at Tip. Potential
agencies included Reveres; Bell, Bond & Bar of New York; and Gold, Choi &
Partners of London, part of the Gold Choi Creative Outlet division of TNT Partners.
"Our primary goal is to work toward reestablishing consistency in Tip's local and
national branding," said Galina Felton, Vice President of Public Relations and
Branding at Chadwick and Sons. "Tip is an icon of purity in the preparation
and presentation of fine foods. We will capitalize on that to reinforce their image of
quality, excellent service, and luxury."
Ms. Chadwick said that clientele should remember eating at Tip as a "healthful and
seductive experience. The new branding campaign will accomplish that goal," she
said.
Chadwick and Sons holds accounts with more than 20 major restaurants in the New
England and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Tip opened in 1967 and was owned privately by Chef Remi St. Jean until 1987, when
it was sold to the Atlantic Gold Corporation for US$2.7 million. Rumors have
circulated for years that Atlantic Gold intended to open new Tip restaurants in several
major U.S. cities. The move to Chadwick and Sons is seen by some restaurant
industry insiders as an obvious first step in that direction.
According to the article, Chadwick and
Sons will __________.
(A) make the most of Tip's wealthy

customers
(B) seduce Tip customers with creative
pricing
(C) try to create the same image of
Tip everywhere
(D) help Tip improve its food

presentation practices
9 of 16
Next
In the article, that refers to __________.
(A) Tip's local and national branding

(B) an impression of a lifestyle of luxury
(C) reestablishing local branding
consistency
(D) being a symbol of purity in food
service
10 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
subscribe
sections
blog
contact
Stock: Not a Dream Come True

Penelope Lopez
Why do we never learn? People continue to get hurt financially by not following simple
investing advice from financial advisors. Take the case of investing only in stock. This
unfortunate habit goes against the first basic rule of investing: spread your risk over many
types of investments in order to avoid disaster during economic downturns.
The worst cases are those of ordinary people who believe that they can research companies
and pick a few that are going to do well. Even professional investment managers have
trouble predicting which companies will prosper and which will stumble and fall.
Investing in a few individual companies is like gambling. You may get lucky in the short
term, but over your lifetime, you will have some big losses.
A second stock trap that individual investors fall into is investing heavily in their own
companies. Many employees are able to buy stock from their own companies at a discount.
Instead of selling some of it to diversify their holdings, they keep the stock, believing that
their companies will prosper. In many cases, the companies do poorly and employees lose
their jobs and their investments.
What can you do to avoid these problems? In a word, diversify! Make a variety of
investments, like real estate, mutual funds, and bonds. Don't keep more than 25 percent of
your money invested in your company.
Mutual funds are a particularly attractive option. The big advantage of mutual funds is
that the managers of the funds buy shares of a large range of companies. This means that if
one or two of the companies have a bad year, or even go bankrupt, it doesn't hurt the fund
very much. Some mutual funds have a mix of domestic and international stocks and
bonds. Some invest in real estate or mortgages. Mutual funds are a far less risky option
than investing in individual stocks or in your company's stock. The professional fund
managers are more aware of market conditions and can react quickly to changing
economic situations than individual investors.
Diversifying can save you a lot of agony down the road.
What would be another good title for this
article?
(A) Choosing a Financial Advisor

(B) Mutual Funds: Pros and Cons
(C) Why You Should Buy Your Company's
Stock
(D) Diversifying: a Key Investment
Strategy
11 of 16
Next
In this article, prosper means

__________.
(A) go bankrupt or fail

(B) increase in value
(C) make a guess
(D) be very lucky
12 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Eighty-Year-Old Entrepreneur
Some people believe that senior citizens should retire, enjoy their free time, make
baby clothes for their grandchildren, and play mah-jong or checkers in the park. If
you're eighty years old, you've certainly earned the right to relax and do nothing.
Well, don't tell that to Nathaniel Hendersen. This octogenarian has more energy than
a team of adolescent soccer players. And he has been in on the ground floor of more
than 200 important inventions in the plastics industry.
What's the secret of his success?
Janice Aldridge, head of Luxury Lifestyles, a customized office furnishings company
based in Manhattan, says Hendersen's genius resides in his innovative designs.
"Nathaniel is a pioneer in plastics," she reported. "He once told me that he loved
imagining solutions to problems and challenges and then making them happen in his
design studio."
Hendersen's long-time business partner, Olivier Despuits, would agree. He says
Hendersen's contributions to plastics design stem from his unique ability to think
outside the box. "Nathaniel is one of the most innovative, creative thinkers I have
ever known. His designs for ergonomic keyboards transformed the industry almost
overnight."
K.L. Wong is a venture capitalist who had the foresight to invest millions in
Hendersen's ideas. From his corner office on the thirty-second floor, Wong gazes out
the window and contemplates the far-reaching impact of Hendersen's inventions.
"You asked me what makes Nathaniel so special. Look out there. He has influenced
daily life in thousands of offices. Millions of employees are using equipment for
which Nathaniel holds the patent." It was Wong who supplied the infusion of seed
capital that catapulted Hendersen's designs into the global spotlight.
What does Hendersen himself think? For him, fame and financial success are almost
irrelevant. What matters to him is doing what he enjoys. "I love thinking freely!" he
exclaims. "My talent is looking at a product that people use on the job and figuring
out how to improve it. Fortunately for me," he adds, "that's a talent with wide
applicability. And it's fun!"
With his white hair and bristling eyebrows, the diminutive Hendersen is more
energetic than many people half his age. Whatever his secret, he is a vital self-starter
whose mission in life is to solve problems through innovative designs. You certainly
won't find this creative eighty-year-old playing checkers in the park.
The author of this article probably believes
that Nathaniel Hendersen __________.
(A)
should take more time to rest and

relax
(B)
is proud of his fame and financial

success
(C)
has not significantly affected office

workers
(D) has made a good decision to

keep working
13 of 16
Next
In this article, the word them refers to

__________.
(A) solutions
(B) challenges
(C) problems
(D) designs
14 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Consumer Products Manufacturing, Inc.

Memo to: Bob Karran, Vice President of Legal Affairs
From: Mary Johnson, Director of Human Resources
Re: Next steps in the Healthways International contract
Date: September 28
Bob,
I need to express some concerns I have about the contract we are negotiating
with Healthways International. While I am quite excited about the possibilities
for an expanded product line, I am also a bit hesitant about the possible
effects on our staffing in the proposed venture.

I understand that these discussions could result in a financial benefit for our
company and an expanded product line. However, I don't want us to get
carried away by the potential infusion of capital without thinking about our
employees. What if the deal were to fall through after we've started preparing
for increased production? We need to plan for all possible outcomes.
Likewise, we shouldn't go overboard in committing funds to plant development
at this early stage in the negotiations. While it is important to build our
infrastructure--and especially the assembly line--we need to answer some
critically important questions first. For example, if we switch over to more
modern machinery to increase production for Healthways, would we have to
hire and train a large number of new employees quickly? If the answer is yes
and we can be certain about that, then we should pursue this opportunity
actively but cautiously.
Basically, I'm saying that this undertaking may turn out to be very profitable
for our company, but I want to make sure that my department is ready for any
employee-related changes.
Can we meet Tuesday morning? I want us to be clear about our strategy for
moving forward. If you and I have a chance to talk before we meet with the
CEO of Healthways, we will have a more coordinated plan of action for talking
to her. Please let me know what time is good for you. Thanks.
Mary
The person who wrote this memo
__________.
(A) is currently working for Healthways

International
(B) is opposed to working with
Healthways International
(C) has no reservations about a contract
with Healthways
(D) has some reservations about a
contract with Healthways
15 of 16
Next
Mary raises the possibility that a contract

with Healthways would mean that
__________.
(A) the company would have to

increase its production staff
quickly
(B)
the company would have to lay off

a large number of employees
(C)
many Healthways International

employees would be laid off
(D)
the company might be able to

increase its global market share
16 of 16
Next
Reading
READING
Directions:
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select the
best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next question.
by Jan Smith
How much time do you spend on business activities after work or
on the weekend? Do you take time to relax and have fun? A recent
survey of 200 American managers revealed how most of them
spend their free time. The survey results are based on the number
of managers that listed each activity.
The managers were asked to list the
kinds of business and leisure activities
that they did at least once a week after
work or on the weekend. The most
common business activity (50%) was
working on a computer at home. This
was followed by going to dinner with
business contacts (24%), telephoning
business contacts (15%), and working on
a job report (14%). A full 5 percent of
managers didn't work at home in their
free time.
On the other hand, a large percentage of these managers also took
time for some
. The survey revealed that over half
(59%) listed spending time with friends and family as their leisure
activity. Other leisure activities included reading books for fun
(41%), listening to music (41%), and playing sports (30%).
The good news is that a large percentage of the managers spend
their time doing leisure activities. While managers have traditionally
taken their work home with them, the results of the survey indicate
that this trend may be changing. Life for the average manager is no
longer all work and no play.
Look at the word

in the article.
Which phrases mean the same thing as
?
(A)
a sports activity that you do only

on the weekend
(B) an activity that you do for fun

or relaxation
(C)
an activity that involves the

creation of art
(D)
a leisure activity that you do many

times
1 of 16
What do most managers spend their free
time doing?
(A) working on the computer at their

office
(B) staying at home with their family
(C) telephoning and having dinner with
business contacts
(D) relaxing with their friends and
family
Next
2 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Two years ago, my uncle Frank was the kind of person

who never slowed down. At work or at play, he always pushed himself
harder than anyone else. People say that he didn't know how to relax.
He always got very impatient when he had to stand in line at a bank or
a movie theater because he didn't like to waste time. When he was
young, he was great at sports, not because he was a natural athlete but
because he was so competitive. He simply hated losing! As an adult, he
had the same aggressive attitude about his career. He became a highly
successful lawyer through hard work and long hours. Then suddenly, at
the age of 43, Uncle Frank had a heart attack. That was when I learned
how dangerous a stress-related disease could be.
Everyone experiences stress. Stressful experiences
are impossible to avoid. However, different people
respond to stress in different ways. Most doctors say
that you can reduce the harmful effects of stress by
doing the following things:
get regular exercise
eat good food
get plenty of sleep
give yourself time to relax
Uncle Frank did none of these things. He was always

at his desk, working. Because he was so busy, he
usually didn't eat well or missed meals completely.
He took work home with him and often worked until
late at night. As a result, he couldn't control the
effects of stress in his life.
Thanks to Uncle Frank, I learned that reducing stress might be

to living longer and avoiding many kinds of illness. Now I know how to
control the bad effects of stress. I follow my doctor's advice by eating
Look at the phrase the key in the article.

Which phrase below means the same
thing as the key?
(A)
a tool used to open a door
(B) the best way

(C)
something that causes stress
(D)
a very competitive person
3 of 16
Next
What is the lesson that the writer

learned about stress?
(A) Stress can help make you

successful in your career.
(B) Healthy living will decrease the
bad effects of stress.
(C) You should always avoid stressful
situations.
(D) There is really no relationship
between stress and health.
4 of 16
READING
Directions:
Next
How to Record Your Personal Greeting
This is the message that callers will hear on your telephone

answering machine. For example: This is George Smith. I'm not
at home right now. Please leave a message at the tone and I'll
return your call as soon as possible.
Press and hold down the RECORD button.
Speak your greeting clearly and in a strong voice into the

microphone on the answering machine.
Take your finger off of the RECORD button immediately after you
have completed your greeting. The message will automatically
repeat so you can listen to it.
Press the # if you like your greeting. If you don't like

, press
the * to erase and start with Step 1 to record your personal
message again.
When should you stop holding down the

RECORD button?
(A) before you finish your message

(B) if you don't like your greeting when
you are recording it
(C) as soon as you finish saying your
personal greeting
(D) after your personal greeting is

automatically repeated
5 of 16
Next
Look at the word

refer to?
in Step 5. What does
(A) the # button

(B) the * button
(C) the RECORD button
(d) your Greeting
6 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Protect Your Company's Information!

High-Quality Shredders -- Two Models Available
Every day companies lose information--from their trash! Someone may be stealing your secrets
from the documents you throw away.
You could be at risk as an individual too. Recently, identity theft has become a major problem.
Someone can steal your bank account number or credit card number from the papers that you
throw in the garbage.
Don't let this happen to you! If you have confidential documents that you don't need, destroy
them! Using a good shredder on a daily basis ensures that your private information won't fall into
the wrong hands.
We have two models in stock right now. Choose the one that's right for your needs.
The Melbourne Mini-Shredder
Lightweight
Shreds up to 6 pages of paper at a time
Built-in basket for paper
Hand guards
Plastic frame
One-year warranty
The Melbourne Maxi-Shredder
Heavyweight
Shreds up to 20 pages of paper at a time
Shreds CDs, DVDs, and credit cards
Built-in basket for paper
Warning light for safety
Hand guards
Reinforced plastic frame
Two-year warranty
These will go fast, so hurry down to Melbourne Office Supply to buy one today! All major credit
cards are welcome.
What is the purpose of shredders?
(A) to store confidential information

(B) to destroy private documents
(C) to ensure employees' health
(D) to communicate private information
9 of 16
Next
At the end of the advertisement, the

word these refers to __________.
(A) all private documents

(B) the pages of paper
(C) the two shredder models
(D) the hand guards
10 of 16
READING
Next
Directions:
Meet Fred Stern--The Man with a New Management

Style
by Carla Lightner
Fred Stern is the president of the second largest book

publishing company in the world, Global Books. These days,
everyone is talking about him because he has a new way of
managing his employees.
Stern believes that there shouldn't be such a big difference
between company leaders and company employees. He wants
his employees to feel free to talk with him. In fact, Stern told
us, "I read about 25 letters or email messages from my 5,000
employees every day. Sometimes, people call me on the phone
to
. I listen carefully when they talk about problems
or things that they feel unhappy about or don't like."
Don't you wish we could all have a boss like Fred Stern? Maybe
other corporate leaders will see how successful he is and try to
copy his new management style. Let's hope.
Which of the following is NOT a part of

Fred Stern's management style?
(A) to answer telephone calls from his

employees
(B) to read letters from his employees

(C) to create different jobs for his
employees
(D) to listen to his employees' problems
11 of 16
Next
Look at the word

in the magazine
article. Which phrase means the same
thing as
(A)
to talk about things that you

are not pleased about
(B)
to call someone on the telephone

to make a suggestion
(C)
to inform others about your work

day
(D)
to take care of a problem that

someone else has
12 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
FROM LUXOR CAR COMPANY
SEPT. 5 1996
FAX
03:05PM PO1
To: The Marianna Hotel (New York)

From: Elizabeth Gilbert, Luxor Car Company (Los Angeles)
Date: 9/5/96
Dear Marianna Hotel:

This fax is to confirm my room at your hotel for five nights-September 15 to September 20. I would like a single room with a
connection for my computer. I would also like a nonsmoking
room.
The room price is at a special business rate of $180 per night.
However, I may need to stay an extra night. Do you think
is
possible to arrange after I arrive? Will I still get the special price
for the additional night?
I will arrive at the hotel at about 6 p.m. I hope to hear from you
soon about adding the extra night after I arrive.
Sincerely,
What did Elizabeth NOT ask for?
(A) a single room

(B) a computer connection in the room
(C) the price of staying another night
(D) to stay for five extra nights
13 of 16
Look at the word
does the word
Next
in the memo. What
refer to?
(A) getting the special business price

(B) staying an extra night
(C) arranging things after she arrives
(D) staying in a nonsmoking room
14 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Metropolitan Bus Has Record Sales

Metropolitan Bus, Inc. reported yesterday that profits rose last year. The company is the
country's main bus manufacturer. J.M. Lee, CEO of Metropolitan Bus, said today, "We are
very proud of our workers. They have made the Metropolitan Bus brand popular with large
bus companies. They build comfortable and reliable transportation for our customers." Lee
adds, "The company's sales team is also great. Everyone focuses on our customers' needs and
provides excellent after-sales service. That's why profits rose last year. But teamwork is
really the key. All of our employees work well together!"
Angela Corno is an engineer with Metropolitan Bus. She says that there have been some
changes in production that have improved efficiency. These changes have helped the
company's global business. "We sell our products worldwide," she said. "Our buses are not
unique, but they are of very high quality. They are a
good value at a reasonable price. Other companies try to copy our products but don't
succeed. It's a good company to work for," says Corno.
Metropolitan Bus is also famous for its batteries and other automobile parts. Asia is the
biggest market for Metropolitan Bus. However, some cities in Europe purchase Metropolitan
Bus products too. This trend should continue. Mr. Lee said annual revenues will rise for the
next three years. "We are talking with a major company in Latin America about a new
contract," said Lee. "This deal involves very little risk. We know we can produce what they
need."
The CEO of Metropolitan Bus says that __________.
(A) profits rose last year and will continue to rise

(B) the company's advertising is now very efficient
(C) the company produces innovative truck parts
(D) the company is negotiating with a big company in Asia
Angela Corno says that Metropolitan Bus
__________.
(A) copies other companies' products

successfully
(B) makes unique batteries and other
parts for buses
(C) sells products that are popular in
many countries
(D) sells buses, batteries, and parts at
high prices
16 of 16
Next
Reading
READING
Directions:
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to
select the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next
question.
How Employees Rank Their Jobs

by Glen Conway
Today the economy is stronger than it has been for several

years and there are many job opportunities in the labor market.
It is not surprising then that workers' expectations and
requirements are high as they search for the perfect job. The
position, salary, and conditions of a job must meet the workers'
.
In a recent survey commissioned by
the Labor Department, fifty thousand
employees throughout the country
were asked to rank the desirability of
250 jobs in today's market. The
criteria used to rank these jobs were
environment, income, security, stress,
and physical demands.
Four of the five top-ranked jobs were connected to the high-tech
industry, namely Web site manager, computer systems analyst,
software engineer, and computer programmer. Meanwhile, jobs
involving difficult working conditions, like long hours, heavy
lifting, or an element of danger, were ranked toward the bottom
of the list; the bottom five were taxi-driver, dancer, cowboy,
construction worker, and fisherman.
Some critics argue that other criteria should have been included
in this list. However, the results of the survey indicate that more
and more people see jobs related to computers and the Internet
as the way to go in their employment search.
The article says that __________.
(A) people are interested only in

computer- and Internet-related jobs
(B) the economy is responsible for the
limited number of job opportunities
(C) experts agree on the criteria for
ranking jobs
(D) many of the most popular jobs were
high-tech
1 of 16
Next
Look at the word

in the
article. Which phrases mean the same
thing as
(A)
jobs related to the high-tech

industry
(B)
different working conditions
(C)
things that people want in a

workplace
(D)
the criteria used for ranking jobs
2 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
question.
MEMORANDUM
To: Angel Simon, Manager, Sales Department
From: Kim Sanders, Director, Production Department
Re: Notes from March 23 meeting
DATE: March 24
Thank you for meeting with me yesterday. This memo documents our
discussion and our ideas for addressing the company's current
situation.
In the long run, we must be flexible in order to deal with the problems
our company faces. But more immediately, we should show the CEO
that we can work with reduced staff to achieve our goals.
We have a great opportunity to produce a fine product even though the
number of employees on our assembly line has been reduced. As we
agreed yesterday, we want to increase our global reach while boosting
our ability to provide our products locally. This is a key balance that we
must continue to pursue.
We also agreed to meet again on Tuesday of next week to discuss
additional strategies for achieving these goals. When our two
departments have discussed our ideas, we can schedule a meeting
with the executive team to present our suggestions.
As you pointed out yesterday, we have experienced some significant
layoffs as a result of the recent merger. Like you, I'm concerned that
the remaining employees may feel overwhelmed because of their
increased workloads. But I know I can count on you and your team to
implement the new strategies for expanding our sales. I am optimistic
about the future of our company. I am sure that, working together, we
can come to a consensus about the next steps we should take.
Kim Sanders has written to Angel Simon
to __________.
(A) tell Angel exactly what to do next in

the assembly line
(B) express disapproval of Angel's ideas
about the company
(C) encourage Angel to dismiss more
employees very soon
(D) summarize the ideas that they
discussed yesterday
3 of 16
Next
In this memo, the phrase count on means

__________.
(A) rely on
(B) work with
(C) add up
(D) explain to
4 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
question.
Money: The currency of Mexico is the peso. You can

change money at banks or currency exchange booths.
The currency exchange booths may offer better
exchange rates than the banks and usually stay open as
long as the nearby stores do.
Climate: Mexico has two seasons: rainy and dry. The
rainy season lasts from June until September.
Remember, however, that Mexico is a very large country
with many different regions, and youll need to check on
the specific area you want to visit.
Health: One of the biggest health problems in Mexico is
the water. Never drink or use water that isnt bottled!
This includes using ice cubes in your drink and brushing
your teeth. You should always ask for purified water in
restaurants and hotels.
Driving: An international drivers license is not
necessary in Mexico. The
from your own country is
OK as long as its up-to-date.
Tipping: Sometimes its difficult to know when to leave
a tip in Mexico. Just to be safe, give a few pesos to
anyone who provides you with a service--the person who
carries your luggage, the hotel employee who delivers
your meals from room service, etc. Taxi drivers are not
tipped in Mexico, except in Mexico City. In restaurants,
good service deserves at least a 10 percent tip. Dont
forget to say Gracias, which is Spanish for "Thank you."
According to the brochure, which of the

following statements is true?
(A)
Banks always offer the best

exchange rates.
(B)
Few tourists visit in January since

it's the rainy season.
(C)
Never drink the water in Mexico,

even the bottled water.
(D) You should give tips to Mexico

City taxi drivers.
5 of 16
Next
Look at the word one in the brochure.

What does the word one refer to?
(A) rental car

(B) international driver's license
(C) driver's license
(D) local address
6To:
of 16Charles Varga
Tanner & Smith

Book Company
(Washington, DC)
READING
No. of pages incl. top sheet: 1
From:
Next
Peter Woods
(New York)
Time/Date:
01:00pm
3 December
Directions:
select
the Varga:
best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next
Dear Mr.
question.
We are sorry that your printer did not arrive last week. The big
snowstorm in New York made it impossible for our driver to
it. However, the weather is not so bad this week, so we
can send your order on Friday, December 7. Please let us know if
this is at
notthe
a good
day for you.in the memo.
Look
word

In addition,
? we will send you a free month's supply of paper
because you had to wait an extra week. This is our way of saying
we are truly sorry for any problems that the late delivery caused
your company.
We look forward to continuing to do business with the Tanner &
Smith Book Company in the future.
Sincerely,
Peter Woods
(A)
come to work that day
(B)
telephone the company
(C) take the product to an address

(D)
drive in bad weather conditions
7 of 16
Next
Why will PrintSmart send paper to the

Tanner & Smith Book Company?
(A)
PrintSmart is sorry that the printer

didn't arrive.
(B) PrintSmart made them wait an

extra week for the paper.
(C)
PrintSmart is sorry about the bad

weather in New York.
(D) PrintSmart couldn't deliver the

paper last week.
8 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
question.
City Club Meeting

Please join us for the next meeting of the City Club. We will meet at noon on
Friday, June 6, at the Hungry Baker Lunch Room. The address is 490 King
Street. Lunch will be at 12:30. There will be a choice of four menus.
The speaker will be Ms. Mae Smith. She is from the First Women's Bank. She
will talk about new ideas for saving money. Her talk will begin at one o'clock.
Menu
Chef's Choice
rib eye steak
French fries
sweet pears and cream
Healthy Choice
tossed green salad
cheese and fruit plate
rice with butter
Midday Meal
spicy shrimp cocktail
beef stew
fresh cole slaw
Friday Special
ham and melon
fried chicken
mashed potatoes
Dessert (choose one)

spice cake
apple pie
fresh fruit
ice cream
Drinks (choose one)
coffee
hot tea
iced tea
soft drinks
lemonade
The cost for lunch (including an appetizer, main dish, side dish, drink, and
dessert) is $30.00 per person, with $5.00 of this going to the club's general
fund. We are saving money to plant new trees in the park.
Please call 555-1324 to make a reservation. We hope you can join us.
At this lunch meeting, someone who
doesn't eat meat or fish should order
the __________.
(A)
Chef's Choice
(B) Healthy Choice
9 of 16
(C)
Midday meal
(D)
Friday Special
Next
The word this refers to __________.
(A) the dessert

(B) the lunch
(C) the cost
(D) the person
10 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
question.
Pros and Cons of Global Business Travel
Global business travel is a successful industry these days. Business air

travelers make up a large part of ticket sales on major carriers. These frequent
fliers know how to book the best fares. They can work with flight schedules.
They have ways to recover from jet lag. Many of them can even work well
during flights. Laptops are now the most common piece of carry-on luggage.
There are good reasons for companies to have their employees travel overseas.
Sending staff members to a new country means they can meet with clients face
to face. They can generate fresh ideas and find answers to questions. They can
also create ties in other countries. A dinner with a client can create a valuable
bond. These relationships help firms expand their global networks.
But business travel has its downsides too. It costs money, and there's a
human toll as well. The problems include burnout and exposure to disease.
Then there's the lost time and lost luggage. Never mind the frayed nerves and
hours spent waiting in airports.
What does the future hold for business travel? Airlines are nervous. Email and
other electronic systems may soon make 15-hour trips for 3-hour meetings
things of the past. The video conference could replace air travel as the main
means of long-distance communication within the next decade. Companies
will soon invest more in video equipment than
in airfares. It's not a certainty, but it is likely. Unpack your bags and open your
laptop.
In this article, carriers refers to
__________.
(A) luggage handlers

(B) people who fly frequently
(C) people infected with disease
(D) airline companies
11 of 16
Next
The trend for the future, according to this

article, will probably be __________.
(A) increased video communications
(B)
more international air travel
(C)
business travelers being nervous
(D) more in-person meetings with

clients
12 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
question.
When Do You Need a Consultant?
Many companies hire consultants for short-term projects. But when is it

advantageous and cost-effective to do so? There are four situations when
you should consider using a consultant.
First, if specific expertise is lacking in your own staff, hiring a consultant can
help. Bringing someone in for a short time may be better than hiring new
employees. It depends on the type of knowledge or skills you need, as well
as the nature and length of the project.
Second, if your company's market or industry has changed, someone with a
broad perspective can help you adjust to altered circumstances. In this case,
it is good to bring in a consultant with wide knowledge of your industry.
Third, if there is disagreement within your team, an experienced consultant
can sometimes help untangle problems. Staff members who seem stubborn
or unreasonable with their colleagues may be open to new ideas from an
outside expert.
Fourth, if your firm is facing a temporarily increased workload, consider
using a consultant to manage that work. A consultant can keep you from
having to pull key managers away from their own jobs to handle the new
projects.
If you do choose to pursue the option of hiring a consultant, however, keep

in mind that you'll get a better result if you clearly define your objectives
ahead of time. What is it you want this person to do? If you are not clear
about this at the outset, you run the risk of wasting time and money. You
may also offend your own employees if they feel they could have done the
job better than the consultant.
The author of this article believes that

hiring a consultant is __________.
(A) almost always quite cost-effective

(B) rarely advantageous for companies
(C) worthwhile under some
circumstances
(D) often not very cost-effective
13 of 16
Next
In the article, what does the word this

refer to?
(A) hiring a consultant

(B) a much better result
(C) wasting time and money
(D) what your objectives are
14 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
question.
Which reason below is NOT suggested by

Mr. Johnson as a good reason to use the
Internet?
(A) Using the Internet works well

in Spain.
(B)
In New York, using the internet

worked well.
(C)
It is a fast way to recruit new

employees.
(D)
It is a convenient way to receive

resumes.
15 of 16
Next
Why does Mr. Johnson want a Human

Resource Director with excellent English
skills?
(A)
The director will be working in New

York.
(B) The director will communicate

often with people in New York.
(C)
The director will need to write

reports to Ms. Gonzalez.
(D)
The director will be visiting

headquarters daily.
16 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select the best answer.
Click on the arrow button to go to the next question.
Next month, the Geo Tech Mining Inc. headquarters will relocate to
the Paris office. Two thirds of our business is in Europe now, and a
full third of this European business is in France. Therefore, it is
more convenient to have our main office where a majority of our
clients will be able to meet with us much more easily.
However, I know that many New York employees do not want to
move to Paris. When we move to Paris, some people will probably
quit and look for other jobs.
I don't want to lose our employees, but it is too expensive to keep
both locations open. Do you have any ideas about what we could
offer to our staff so that they won't
? I really don't
want them to leave the company. We want our best people on
board when we move.
Thank you for your help with this serious problem. I hope to hear
from you as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Daniel Ferrier
Why is the Geo Tech Mining Inc.

headquarters moving?
(A) to encourage European clients to visit

New York
(B) to make it easier for employees to fly
to France
(C) to be closer to more of their

business contacts
(D) to get a less expensive office
3 of 16
Next
Look at the words

in the memo.
?
(A)
get on the next boat
(B)
change staff
(C) get away from a troublesome

situation
(D)
ask for a position on the board
4 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Why is learning an important part of a

successful company?
(A) It will develop essential qualities in

management personnel.
(B) It will give the employees in a

company a chance to change jobs
more quickly.
(C) It will help a company to open
new branch offices.
(D) It will help a company to grow
quickly in a competitive world.
5 of 16
Next
Look at the word

or who does
in the article. What
refer to?
(A) those in management and the

employees of the company
(B) the essential and successful qualities
of business
(C) the various companies in
business today
(D) the organization and its branch
offices
6 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D
to select the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next
question.
To: Mariam de Grange

From: Chris Wang
Subject: Interview for documentary
Hi! I just want to follow up on our plans to interview Jason Carrington

for the documentary about craftsmanship. I think we can use some of
the ideas below. Let me know what you think.
First of all, he is a very interesting character and my impression is
that we could emphasize his distinctive work in the film. He is
certainly on the cutting edge of furniture design, and he's also a very
charismatic person.
His furniture is sleek and sophisticated. Carrington seems to blend an
unconventional approach with respect for Asian and Eastern
European heritage in his designs. His skill and imagination flow from
a certain nostalgia for the past, but he somehow manages to put a
new twist on conventional concepts. He is not so much a
revolutionary as a subtle innovator.
According to Carrington's Web site, there has been a dramatic rise in
the popularity of his designs. The distribution of the products-especially the living room ensembles and executive office suite
furnishings--is primarily in the luxury market, but he caters more to
businesses than to individuals buying furniture for their homes. In
fact, several multinational companies have commissioned Carrington
to design furniture for their major global offices. He says his primary
goal is to blend form and function, using locally grown or produced
materials to provide a distinctive style that respects the historical
heritage of a culture while looking toward its future.
I wouldn't say his furniture has universal appeal--it's too
unconventional for some tastes--but he is a pacesetter in the design
world. A champagne company recently had Carrington design four
sofas to be used in a marketing campaign. He showed me the mockups: Each photo features a woman with a champagne glass. The
models are dressed in gowns that draw on the style of the couches.
The overall impression is one of elegant simplicity.
This guy definitely thinks outside the box. I think his state-of-the art
designs will impress our viewers, but I'd like to hear what you think
before I schedule another appointment. In the meantime, he's
sending us the permission-to-film contract this week. He wanted to
have his attorney review the specifics first.
According to this email, furniture designer
Jason Carrington displays __________.
(A)
a strong commitment to traditional

local designs
(B) a blend of traditional and

modern elements
(C)
universal appeal in the design of his

office suites
(D)
a totally futuristic design sense in

his furniture
7 of 16
Next
In the email above, the word pacesetter

means that Carrington __________.
(A) is on the cutting edge of design

(B) is similar to other designers
(C) is unpopular among designers
(D) is commercially successful
8 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
question.
specialtoTheDailyBusinessNews
FailureCanMakeYouStronger:A
LookIntotheLifeofPeterHill
ByJoyceRobinson
Peter Hill is one of the most
talked about men in Silicon
Valley. However, he was not
always so successful. Hill lost
so much money in 1975 on his
first business that he had to
sell it. It was the only way to
Hill admits that in the

beginning, his management
style was difficult for some
members of his team at
Micronex. "I believe in
confrontation--getting in each
other's faces, disagreeing a
stop the bank from taking

away his
home.
little. It's a powerful tool if it

doesn't get too personal and if
it has a goal."
Today he is the
vice president
of Micronex,
one of the
world's
semiconductor
superpowers. In fact, Micronex
just exceeded revenue
estimates for the third quarter
by 12 percent when all the
other semiconductor
businesses in the Valley saw a
decrease in revenues.
However, more than anything

else, Hill believes in
innovation. He encourages his
employees to dream up new
ways to do things every day.
But he warns
that
innovation can't be scheduled
like a meeting. "Sometimes I
just don't have any idea how
to approach a particular issue.
Then suddenly, at 3:00 in the
morning, I wake up shouting,
'I've got it! I know what to
do.'"
"Although I lost my first

business, I learned a great
deal about management, cash
flow, and how to talk to
bankers," he recalls, with a
smile. "But what I really
learned was how to do things
better."
Which example does the writer use to

indicate how successful Peter Hill's
company is?
(A)
Mr. Hill didn't have to borrow

money from the bank
(B) Micronex increased revenues in

the third quarter, but other
companies didn't.
(C)
Mr. Hill sold his business for a 12

percent profit.
(D)
Micronex had higher revenues

during the first three quarters of
the year.
9 of 16
Next
Look at the word

in the newspaper
article. What or who does
refer to?
(A)
innovations that are created by

employees
(B) employees at Micronex

(C)
new ways to do things that Mr. Hill

dreams up
(D)
scheduled meetings
10 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
question.
Why did Ms. Jaimez write this letter?
(A) to encourage Ms. Limman to apply for

a credit account
(B) to get basic information about the
credit company
(C) to offer Ms. Limman a new computer
and a new telephone discount
(D) to inform Ms. Limman that L.M.
Consolidated has been accepted
for a credit account
11 of 16
Next
Look at the phrase

in
the letter. Which phrase means the
same thing as
?
(A)
during international office hours
(B)
only during the day
(C) any time during the day or

night
(D)
from 12 midnight to 12 noon
12 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
question.
Know What Youre Worth

Brent Snodgrass
Money. When you're looking for a job, that's what you want. Nevertheless,
these days--I'm sorry to say--money doesn't grow on corporate trees. You
can't clamber up the corporate ladder with the attitude that each new
employer is going to tack on 10% to your existing salary.
This means that, unless you can capitalize on your number-one product-yourself--you're out of luck.
Wake up and smell the coffee! You're going to have to do some serious
negotiating, and that takes some know-how.
"Salaries have been on a roller-coaster ride," acknowledged Abu Baquir,
CEO at Martinson and Shrift Management Consultants. "It's very difficult
to predict what a complete compensation package will include these days."
Job candidates can find out what they're worth by investigating, Baquir
added. "The strategy is to find the salaries of your high-profile peers right
on the Internet." There are several easily accessible Web sites that have
sophisticated search engines. You type in your job title or description and
your region. The Web site will give you a range of possible salaries. If you
know people in your industry, you can also talk with them. They may be
able to set up informational interviews with people who can tell you what
to expect if you change jobs. The key is to do your research before you
begin looking.
Once you've discovered what you're worth, it's time to start looking at job
postings. Remember, though you want to be properly compensated, an
enormous salary may not be the only alternative. Stop to think about the
different compensation packages you might accept and what a company
might be willing to offer.
One angle to consider is supplementing your expected salary with cash,
stocks, or bonuses, according to Sara Greenwald, a career architect at
JobBuild Magazine.
"Go into the salary negotiation expecting to adjust the equation and present
alternate scenarios," Greenwald suggested. "For example, ask for 40% in
salary and 60% in stocks and bonuses that will be based on your
performance. Make the pitch that you'll show them what you're made of
before they have to pay you."
According to the article, employees who
are considering moving to a new company
should __________.
(A)
compare companies and choose the

one that offers the highest salary
(B) research compensation ranges

for their job in a variety of
companies
(C)
think about compensation that is

based solely on their job
performance
(D)
expect to make 10% more money

when they start a new position
13 of 16
Next
At the beginning of the article, the word

this refers to __________.
(A) less money available for salaries in

corporations
(B) what compensation you want as
a job candidate
(C) trying to find a new and better job

these days
(D) taking advantage of your numberone product
Reading Section:
You will have 15 minutes to complete the 16 questions in this section. Once you have answered a question, you may not g
or change your answer.
There are three types of reading questions: General Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Pronoun Reference. The questions ar
variety of reading materials, including magazine articles, email messages, charts, and memos. Look at the examples below
begin the test. If you want to skip the examples, click here to begin the reading section.
Example 1 - General Comprehension

In this type of question, read the passage and then answer the question about the information in the reading.
Directions: Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select the best answer.
< td>
The Food and Travel Review
Question #1 - General
Comprehension
When should you order a fu

of wine?
(A) when it is the chea
wine on the menu
by Dorothy Gold
Trying to order anything in a foreign language at a restaurant can be difficult and

confusing. Ordering a bottle of wine is worse
because you have to read a long list of strange
names on the wine menu. The waiter is standing
there waiting to take your order, and your
business client is looking thirsty.
Below are some suggestions to help you get the
right kind of wine at a good price.
are not
intended to be a complete list, but they should get
(B) when everyone is e

different kinds of fo
(C) when more than on

person wants the s
wine
(D) when the waiter su

it
Explanation: Choice C is correct

article states that it is cheaper t
full bottle of wine when a few p
want the same kind of wine.
Next Example
you started.
Decide how much you want to spend. Don't let the waiter sell you
anything too expensive. The best buys on a wine list tend to fall
between $18 and $35.
Decide on the food that you're going to order and discuss your choices
with the wine waiter. If everyone is eating varied foods, order an
light red wine that complements assorted dishes, a couple
of different half bottles, or order individual wines by the glass.
Remember that when a few people want the same wine, it is cheaper to
order a full bottle.
Enjoy your wine, and cheers!
Question #3 - Pronoun Reference

Look at the word
sentence?
in the article. What does the word

(A)
suggestions
(B)
good wines
(C)
the right kinds
(D)
good prices
refer to in the previous
READING
READING
Directions:
select the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next question.
Why is learning an important part of a

successful company?
(A) It will develop essential qualities in

management personnel.
(B) It will give the employees in a company
a chance to change jobs more quickly.
(C) It will help a company to open new
branch offices.
(D It will help a company to grow
As )members
of the
department,
quickly
in amarketing
competitive
world. we have been given the
task of writing the new company brochure. The purpose of this
brochure is to appeal to potential employees. The brochure should
present this company as a great place to work.
Look
at we
theshould
wordbegin in
article.
What
orattractive
who does
I think
bythe
listing
all of the
most
qualitiesrefer to?
of our company. We shouldn't be considering just the basic
qualities, like good benefits and competitive salaries. Many other
companies have these qualities; we need something that makes us
unique or different from them.
(A)
those in management and the employees of the
company
However, we must limit the list, since we can't include everything.

Therefore, I've asked the human resources
department
assist us and successful qualities of business
(B)
thetoessential
by giving us a list of the few truly unique characteristics that they
think the brochure ought to stress.
(C)
the various companies in business today
After doing some brainstorming myself, I've come up with the

following characteristics: job security, stock options for employees,
the organization
and its branch offices
physical fitness centers on site, and (D)
open communication.
Do a little
yourself, and after thinking about all the
appealing qualities of our company, please email a limited list to
me.
Reading
See you at the meeting this afternoon,
Arthur
Directions:
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select the best answer. Click on the
arrow button to go to the next question.
How will the human resources department help?
(A)
by producing a brochure that appeals to all companies
(B)
by helping to characterize the basic qualities
(C)
by identifying some special qualities
(D)
by stressing the importance of the brochure
Look at the word
in the email. Which phrase means the same thing as
(A)
qualifying the characteristics
(B)
providing services for potential employees
(C)
contacting employees
(D)
thinking about as many ideas as possible
Reading
Directions:
specialtoTheDailyBusinessNews
FailureCanMakeYouStronger:A
LookIntotheLifeofPeterHill
ByJoyceRobinson
Peter Hill is one of the most
talked about men in Silicon
Valley. However, he was not
always so successful. Hill lost
so much money in 1975 on his
first business that he had to
sell it. It was the only way to
stop the bank from taking
away his
home.
Hill admits that in the

beginning, his management
style was difficult for some
members of his team at
Micronex. "I believe in
confrontation--getting in each
other's faces, disagreeing a
little. It's a powerful tool if it
doesn't get too personal and if
it has a goal."
Today he is the
vice president
of Micronex,
one of the
world's
semiconductor
superpowers. In fact, Micronex
just exceeded revenue
estimates for the third quarter
by 12 percent when all the
other semiconductor
businesses in the Valley saw a
decrease in revenues.
However, more than anything

else, Hill believes in
innovation. He encourages his
employees to dream up new
ways to do things every day.
But he warns
that
innovation can't be scheduled
like a meeting. "Sometimes I
just don't have any idea how
to approach a particular issue.
Then suddenly, at 3:00 in the
morning, I wake up shouting,
'I've got it! I know what to
do.'"
"Although I lost my first

business, I learned a great
deal about management, cash
flow, and how to talk to

bankers," he recalls, with a
smile. "But what I really
learned was how to do things
better."
Which example does the writer use to indicate how successful Peter Hill's company is?
(A)
Mr. Hill didn't have to borrow money from the bank
(B)
Micronex increased revenues in the third quarter, but other companies didn't.
(C)
Mr. Hill sold his business for a 12 percent profit.
(D)
Micronex had higher revenues during the first three quarters of the year.
Look at the word
in the newspaper article. What or who does
(A)
innovations that are created by employees
(B)
employees at Micronex
(C)
new ways to do things that Mr. Hill dreams up
(D)
scheduled meetings
refer to?
Reading
Directions:
Ms. Lily Kwan
Animation Plus Studios

10 Downtown Plaza
M6B 2B3 Toronto
Canada
Dear Ms. Kwan,
Thank you very much for sending us your sketches. Our design team felt that your two main cartoon characters
would be compatible with our marketing approach. In particular, the character of the witty skunk as the
intelligent partner of the teenage superhero was immensely appealing. We think we can use the concept of their
partnership in the advertising campaign for our new line of athletic shoes.
We would like to meet with you as soon as possible to see if we can set something in motion for the coming
fiscal year. We think we could incorporate the skunk as a symbol of independence. His personality is very
charismatic and we could pitch him as the visual image associated with the product line. In our assessment, the
friendship between the skunk and the teenager is an incredibly powerful image that will appeal to the
adolescent and pre-teen markets. The skunk's humorous attitude is a great complement to the teenage hero's
seriousness.
I would appreciate it if you could come to London this month and stay for two or three days. Would that be
feasible? Our design team can meet with you either Thursday and Friday, the fourteenth and fifteenth, or
Monday and Tuesday, the eighteenth and nineteenth. We would, of course, cover all your expenses and pay
your stated consulting fee. Your accommodations would be at Hotel Excelsior, which is a pleasant jaunt from
our headquarters.
Please let me know whether you will be able to join us on the dates I have proposed. We are very enthusiastic
about our innovative line and are delighted to be working with you.
Sincerely yours,
J.P. Petrakis
Product Development Unit
Mr. Petrakis wants Ms. Kwan to __________.
(A)
create two new cartoon characters for marketing
(B)
fly to London in order to work at the Excelsior Hotel
(C)
fly to London to meet Olympic Attire's design team
(D)
move to London in order to work for Olympic Attire
In this letter, the word partnership means

a __________.
(A) legal marriage pact

(B) financial agreement
(C) legal arrangement
(D stable relationship
)
READING
Directions:
Why should someone read this article?
(A) People who are prepared for

interviews frequently get jobs.
(B) It explains the two-minute employer
response.
(C) It makes a person's job qualifications
clearer.
(D) Interviewers will also read this article.
Look at the word
in the memo. What does the word
refer to?
(A)
the books available on the market for interviewing techniques
(B)
helpful tips when speaking to potential employers
(C)
the people who conduct the interview
(D)
a portfolio of work done when going for an interview
Directions:
Memo
From: President Hiram Beeker
To: All members of the Department of Information Technology and Management
Subject: Departmental Restructuring
It is with great regret that I announce the retirement of the department's dean, Dr. Martin
Johnston. He has served the department with great distinction for 25 years and we will
always remember his vast contributions.
Based on suggestions from department members, we will be restructuring the
Department of Information Technology and Management. Dr. Herbert Laveson,
currently a senior professor of information management, will assume the post of dean.
Dr. Laveson will now oversee the splitting of the department into two major divisions:
the education branch, under its new director, Dr. M.S. Ahn; and a new research and
development branch, under the internationally known researcher, Dr. C.S. Choudhury,
whom we have recruited from the Institute of Technology of Bangalore. Dr.
Choudhury's area of expertise is the development of new technological platforms that
enable businesses to handle larger amounts of data more efficiently. Aiding businesses in
their quest to handle information is an area which we hope will prove to be a lucrative
source of funding for our educational mission.
Details of our new department structure are provided in the chart below. For the near
future, we will maintain our existing structure in the education branch. In the coming
year, however, Dr. Laveson will be soliciting recommendations for departmental
evolution that will allow us to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Organizational Chart: University of the Cascades
Department of Information Technology and Management
According to the memo and organizational

chart, which people will be changing
positions?
(A) Dr. Choudhury, Dr. Ahn, and Dr.
Laveson
(B) Dr. Johnston, Dr. Beeker, and Dr. Wang
(C) Dr. Takacs, Dr. Lopez, and Dr. Laveson
(D) Dr. Wang, Dr. Takacs, and Dr. Lopez
Based on the memo and organizational

chart, which of the following statements is
true?
(A) Dr. Choudhury is currently a professor

in the department.
(B) A new program has been created in the
education branch.
(C Dr. Laveson is replacing Dr.
) Johnston as department dean.
(D) The education branch will be working
with businesses.
READING
Directions:
Ripley's
BIGGEST SALE EVER!!

Save, SAVE, SAVE!
This sale is a gold mine! You can refurnish your entire office at considerable savings! We are
shutting down our downtown branch and must liquidate our entire stock of office furniture now!
For a limited time only, we have great prices on all your office furniture needs. Come see our
huge selection of styles.
All Prices Reduced!

Task Chairs
Managers' Chairs
padded arms for comfort
padded leather or micro suede
strong, aluminum swivel base
many classic colors to choose from,

including navy, brown, grey, and tan
three traditional colors (black,

white, and tan)
high back for added comfort
collapsible
polished aluminum base for strength
Executive Chairs
Modern, Modular, L-shaped Work Stations

Must Go TOO!
desks for office workers, receptionists,

and administrative assistants
modular shelves for books, office

supplies, and photos--enormous
capacity
polished chrome base for

strength and style
movable keyboard trays for ease of

storage
sophisticated colors (ivory,

ebony, burgundy, and walnut)
locking drawers for security and privacy
luxurious genuine leather,

suitable for executive offices
high back and extra padded seat

for relaxation
We have many secretarial and receptionist desks in stock (walnut, blond oak, golden oak, and
mahogany). There are also a limited number of executive wrap-around desks available (dark
walnut, mahogany, and maple).
Call now and save! We will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for this
sale. The store is still packed with office furniture, so don't miss it!
According to the advertisement, Ripley's is

having a sale of office furniture because
__________.
(A) the company is closing its

downtown store
(B)
Ripley's wants to buy a new style

of office furniture
(C)
some liquid was spilled on the

office furniture
(D)
there are too many chairs but not

enough desks
The word "it" refers to ________.

(A) the store's furniture
(B) a price reduction
(C) the downtown store
(D) the store's big sale
9 of 16
Next
READING
Directions:
subscribe
sections
blog
contact
Stock: Not a Dream Come True

Penelope Lopez
Why do we never learn? People continue to get hurt financially by not following simple
investing advice from financial advisors. Take the case of investing only in stock. This
unfortunate habit goes against the first basic rule of investing: spread your risk over many
types of investments in order to avoid disaster during economic downturns.
The worst cases are those of ordinary people who believe that they can research companies
and pick a few that are going to do well. Even professional investment managers have
trouble predicting which companies will prosper and which will stumble and fall.
Investing in a few individual companies is like gambling. You may get lucky in the short
term, but over your lifetime, you will have some big losses.
A second stock trap that individual investors fall into is investing heavily in their own
companies. Many employees are able to buy stock from their own companies at a discount.
Instead of selling some of it to diversify their holdings, they keep the stock, believing that
their companies will prosper. In many cases, the companies do poorly and employees lose
their jobs and their investments.
What can you do to avoid these problems? In a word, diversify! Make a variety of
investments, like real estate, mutual funds, and bonds. Don't keep more than 25 percent of
your money invested in your company.
Mutual funds are a particularly attractive option. The big advantage of mutual funds is that
the managers of the funds buy shares of a large range of companies. This means that if one
or two of the companies have a bad year, or even go bankrupt, it doesn't hurt the fund very
much. Some mutual funds have a mix of domestic and international stocks and bonds.
Some invest in real estate or mortgages. Mutual funds are a far less risky option than
investing in individual stocks or in your company's stock. The professional fund managers
are more aware of market conditions and can react quickly to changing economic situations
than individual investors.
Diversifying can save you a lot of agony down the road.
What would be another good title for this
article?
(A) Choosing a Financial Advisor

(B) Mutual Funds: Pros and Cons
(C) Why You Should Buy Your Company's
Stock
(D) Diversifying: a Key Investment
Strategy
11 of 16
READING
Next
Directions:
Why should someone read this article?
(A) People who are prepared for

interviews frequently get jobs.
(B) It explains the two-minute employer
response.
(C) It makes a person's job qualifications
clearer.
(D) Interviewers will also read this article.
13 of 16
Next
Look at the word

What does the word
(A)
in the memo.
refer to?
the books available on the market

for interviewing techniques
(B) helpful tips when speaking to

potential employers
(C)
the people who conduct the

interview
(D) a portfolio of work done when going

for an interview
14 of 16
READING
Next
Directions:
What is the purpose of this chart?
(A) to give percentages of staff attending

training sessions
(B) to list information about the different
types of training and development
(C) to train and develop new employees
(D) to show which elements of
training and development are the
most effective
15 of 16
Next
What should employees do in order to

ensure the most success?
(A) test new skills at work

(B) test new skills during the training
session
(C) test new skills five times or more
(D) test new skills when required by
management
16 of 16
Next
July 14, 2000

Hi, Mom!
Greetings from Korea! Wow! Korea is such an amazing place! The city of Seoul is really interesting, and
I'm having a great time! Yesterday, I visited Kyung Bok Palace and a wonderful neighborhood called
Insadong. There are many art galleries in this neighborhood, and shops that sell traditional handmade
crafts. I bought you a present in Insadong. I think you will like it very much, but I'm not going to tell
you what it is now, OK? I want to surprise you! I went camping with some friends in Sorak National Park
for three days last week. Tomorrow, we are going to leave Seoul and go to an island called Cheju-everyone here says it's Korea's Hawaii. I'm going to go swimming first thing!
! Listen,
Mom, I'm flying back into San Francisco on the 7th at 4:00 in the afternoon. Can you pick me up at the
airport? I'll call you when I get to Cheju.
Love,
Nancy
Where is Nancy now?

(A) in Seoul
(B) in Insadong
(C) in Sorak National Park
(D) in Cheju Island
postcard. Which sentence below means

the same thing as
?
(A) I can't go swimming.
(B) I'm not waiting to go swimming.
(C) I'm excited to go swimming.
(D) I'm planning to go swimming.
Thank you for the telephone message about the meeting you had last week with the Zee Computer
Company. Please fax a copy of the notes you took during this meeting to my office. I'd like to read them
before our marketing strategy meeting tomorrow.
will really help me to understand the problems
the company is having with marketing. Don't worry about how they look! I can usually read anything
you write.
I look forward to working with you on new ways to market the Zee Computer Company's products.
How does George know that Suzanne had

a meeting with Zee Computer Company?
(A) He was at the meeting.
(B) He received a fax.
(C) He called Suzanne.
(D) Suzanne called him.
Look at the word

in the memo.
Which words or phrases mean the same
thing as
?
(A) Suzanne and George
(B) the notes from the meeting
(C) the people at the computer company
(D) the telephone messages
The Claims Division has been moved to our new location in Connecticut. This move gave us the chance
to achieve the required reduction in personnel. We have cut back the staff from 15 to 8 employees.
We were able to meet the reduction goals due to the fact that two employees retired, since they were at
the legal retirement age of 60. Furthermore, two more employees chose to take early retirement at 50
and 55 when we offered a good financial incentive. This monetary encouragement was equal to two
years of their annual salary.
Of the remaining three, one worker took a year-long leave to have a baby, another left the company to
return to university, and the third was fired for sharing company secrets. None of these workers will be
replaced.
Therefore, I am happy to report that, with very few problems and very little financial loss, we have met
our reduction goals in the Claims Division.
Next month, we will be working to meet new reduction goals in the Marketing Division as
planned move to the Connecticut location.
What is the main purpose of this report?

(A) to report that some workers are
leaving the company
(B) to report that many older employees
have retired
(C) to report that there has been a
cutback in the number of workers
(D) to report that there has been a change
of company location
Look at the word

in the report. Who or
what does
refer to?
(A) the Claims Division in the Connecticut
office
(B) goals for reducing the number of
employees
(C) the Marketing Division
makes its
(D) the plans for moving to the

Connecticut office
Percentages For Success In Staff Training and Development

The following summarizes a variety of studies about the probability of success for different types of staff
training and development activities. The chart is based on what elements are included in the training
session. Success means that, after the training session, the staff person actually uses the training as
part of his/her job, with a high degree of skill.
Element Of Training and

Development
Excellent presentation (speech, lecture,
film, etc.)
Five or more demonstrations by
presenters
Participants try out what was taught-hands-on involvement during the session
Simulations--participants act out makebelieve work situations with immediate
feedback
Participants try out new skills on the job;
cooperate in feedback sessions, support
groups, "peer coaching"
What is the purpose of this chart?

(A) to give percentages of staff attending
training sessions
(B) to list information about the different
types of training and development
(C) to train and develop new employees
(D) to show which elements of training and
development are the most effective
What should employees do in order to

ensure the most success?
(A) test new skills at work
(B) test new skills during the training
session
(C) test new skills five times or more
(D) test new skills when required by
management
Percent of Group
Likely To Be
Successful
0-10%
10%
10-20%
50%
90-100%
Can you think of a better place to have a conference? Your employees can let their imaginations sail
away on the blue waters, clean beaches, and soft winds. We will take special care of them from the time
our shuttle bus picks them up at the airport to the day we send them home.
In addition to the natural beauty and relaxing environment, our modern conference facilities provide our
guests with important equipment and services.
include multi-system VCRs, movie projectors,
computer presentation modules, electronic copier screens, excellent sound systems, and
teleconferencing services. Hotel employees are available to help maintain and operate these systems at
no extra charge.
Each room at our beachfront hotel gives your employees a view of

the ocean. Each is equipped with computer desks and modem connections. The hotel is a five-minute
drive from the many shopping areas in downtown Kihei.
When the work is finished, your employees can relax at one of our six restaurants, four bars, or our
famous Hana Hula Nightclub located inside the hotel.
This is the perfect place to work and play.
Which item below is NOT offered at the

Royal Luau Resort?
(A) rooms with a beautiful ocean view
(B) a well-known nightclub
(C) airport pick-up service
(D) a variety of places to shop
Look at the word

in the
advertisement. What does
refer to?
(A) the conference

(B) the beauty of Maui, a calm
environment, and additional rooms
(C) important equipment and services
(D) extra room service offered by hotel
employees
READING
Directions:
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select the best
answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next question.
Confidential: Interim First-Quarter Marketing Report

As announced last week, the first quarter revenues for BoostQuik did not meet
expectations. However, even though the initial reactions of consumers have not been as
positive as we might have wished, we will soon be able to capitalize on the endorsement
of our energy/vitamin drink by three up-and-coming athletes--a female tennis player, a
male cyclist, and a male soccer star--who will be featured in our advertising. (Note: Their
names cannot be released until contract negotiations have been officially concluded.)
The tennis player is particularly charismatic and well-respected in our target market.
Although the older-adult market is saturated with diet supplements, this campaign should
enable us to reach a vast younger audience using her distinctive image. Her value as a
status symbol has increased because of her success in several international competitions
over the past year.
Several recent inquiries and orders from wholesale distributors suggest that secondquarter sales will be stronger. We should try to maintain that momentum through the
third quarter, using television advertisements at major sporting events. The fitness
industry is both booming and highly competitive at this time, so we must brainstorm
some creative approaches for growing market share.
The marketing team brainstormed several strategies this morning and came up with four
recommendations:
1.
All three athletes should wear our company logo on their clothing and consume
BoostQuik publicly at sporting events.
2.
The athletes' life stories and latest accomplishments should be featured on our
Web site.
3.
The athletes' pictures should be prominently displayed on all our packaging.
4.
We should take out full-page ads in the leading tennis, soccer, and cycling
magazines. Highlighting the benefits of BoostQuik for these particular sports
enthusiasts should help us gain wider name recognition.
Our primary marketing goal is to raise the visibility of BoostQuik in the fitness industry.
For this reason, we suggest adding a fourth athlete, possibly a female gymnast, to our
group of celebrity endorsements. We should hold off on selecting a gymnast, however,
until after the annual world competition this summer. This will allow us to select a young
athlete with star appeal. For the long term, it would also be very helpful if BoostQuik
could become an official sponsor of the Olympic Games. Implementation of this
marketing strategy will greatly raise our profile in the energy/vitamin drink market and
will lead to increased sales later this year
This report indicates that sales of BoostQuik will increase because __________.
(A)
the new
marketing
campaign
will be
effective
(B)
the beverage
will be sold at
TV sports
events
(C)
the beverage's
effectiveness
will be
enhanced
(D)
wholesale
distributors
have started
using it
In the report, the word this refers to __________.
Level 7
(A)
results of the world gymnastics competition
(B)
raising the company's visibility of BoostQuik
(C)
selecting a gymnast from the competition
(D)
delaying the selection of a fourth athlete

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What are the pros and cons of global business travel discussed in the document?

What are the pros and cons of global business travel discussed in the document?

What does the future hold for business travel according to the article?

What does the future hold for business travel according to the article?

Reading:

Pros and Cons of Global Business

Global business travel is a successful industry these days. Business air

The trend for the future, according to this

more international air travel

business travelers being nervous

(D) more in-person meetings with

Kristin Donner, President

What is the problem Louis Johnson has

(B) The two trainers don't have time do

Look at the word

to agree with someone

to call someone on the telephone

to give useful suggestions

How to Get Reimbursed for Business Expenses

have a manager sign both forms

(B) visit the Bursar's office

In these directions, the word them refers

Thank you for your fax of April 29.

Look at the word

a period of rest after a trip

a short stay between the parts of a

(D) a cancellation for mechanical

How long will the tour be?

can help you! Our staff of computer experts can fix

Discount on new software

Don't wait! Call

now at: (555) 121-1112

How quickly can the staff at Compfix be at your

Look at the word

When I travel on business, I don't want to waste time deciding

What is the best way to find a good restaurant?

(A) ask people about it before you travel

Look at the word

tickets and places to shop

(D) advice or suggestions

The City of Roland Hills

In this passage, It refers to the

Why is the Geo Tech Mining Inc.

Look at the words

get on the next boat

(C) get away from a troublesome

couch in my living room."

(A) Mr. Rocha is quite lucky

In this article, eventually means ________.

To: Mr. Takeshi Hirano

In this email, recommend means

(A) write a letter about

Mr. Orozco wants Mr. Hirano to

(A) meet him at Narita Airport

Women in the Business World:

Women hold only 83 of the top jobs in corporate America

Look at the word

(A) all the graphic designers,

Why is Ms. Sinclair "lucky" to see her

(C) She gets to fly home every