Business Communications

Activity 1.

Listen to the file.




Activity 2.

Listening Comprehension. Answer the following questions.


1. Why can't Elaine Strong answer the phone?
A. She's in a meeting.
B. She's out of the office.
C. She's talking with another customer.

2. What does the caller want the secretary to send?
A. information on after-sales service
B. a picture of the newest computers
C. a list of software products

3. What time should the secretary send the material?
A. 2:30 PM
B. 3:30 PM
C. 5:00 PM

4. What is the caller's name?
A. Cordell
B. Kordel
C. Kordell

5. What is the caller's telephone number?
A. 560-1287.
B. 560-1828
C. 560-2187



Activity 3.

Listening to Details. Listen to the file for the last time and fill in the blanks with the correct answer.


Secretary: Hello, Ultimate Computers. May I help you?

Caller: Yes, this is Jack Kordell from Hunter's Office Supplies. May I (1) to Elaine Strong, please?

Secretary: I'm sorry, but she's not in right now.

Caller: Okay, do you know when she'll be (2)?

Secretary: Uh, yes, she should be here later on this afternoon maybe about 4:30. May I take a message?

Caller: Yes. Ms. Strong sent me a brochure detailing your (3) line of laptop computers with a (4) of other software products, but there wasn't any information about after-sales (5).

Secretary: Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like me to fax that to you?

Caller: Yes, but our fax is being (6)at the moment, and it won't be working until around 2:30. Hum . . . could you try sending that information around 3:30? That's should give me time to look over the (7) before I call Ms. Strong, say, around 5:00.

Secretary: Sure. Could I have your name, telephone number, and fax number, please?

Caller: Yes. Jack Kordell and the phone number is 560-1287. And the fax number is 560-1288.

Secretary: Okay. Jack Kordell. Is your name (8) C-o-r-d-e-l?

Caller: No. It's Kordell with a "K" and two "l's." K-o-r-d-e-l-l."

Secretary: All right, Mr. Kordell. And your phone number is 560-1287, and the fax number is 560-1288. Is that (9)?

Caller: Yes it is.

Secretary: All right. I'll be (10) to send you the fax this afternoon.

Caller: Okay, bye.



Activity 4

Vocabulary. Read and study the following words.


  • brochure (noun): pamphlet, small booklet
    - Could you send me a brochure of your laptop computers?

  • detail (verb, also noun): to explain 
    - The manager decided to detail his recent visit to our parent company.


Activity 5.

Discussion. Answer the following questions related to the conversation.


  • Imagine that you are opening your own clothing store or some other business. What kinds of office equipment and supplies do you think you will need to run your business? How much will this equipment cost? Will you rent the equipment or buy it? Do you create a Website for your business? Discuss your ideas.


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