B) Match the idioms with their definitions.
| 1. be in fix 2. be in a tight corner 3. be in a muddle 4. get our act together 5. get to the bottom of things 6. get sb to sit up and take notice 7. turn the tide 8. get a grasp of sth 9. see the light at the end of the tunnel 10. come to a dead end 11. reach the turning point | a. organize ourselves to respond b. be in difficulty c. make him pay attention d. have the signs that a difficult period will soon end e. be in a situation that is hard to get out of f. be confused/mixed up g. reach a point when an important change takes place in a situation, especially for the better h. find the real cause of the problem i. reach the situation in which no further progress is possible j. change a situation, especially so that you begin to win instead of losing k. get the ability to understand sth |
C) Make use of the idioms, describing the situation in business, introduced in the lists above. Sometimes more than one alternative are possible.
1. I had …………….in the production of this film, and it was sometimes difficult not to give my opinion.
2. When horrors happen, the company ……… PR ………..its clients’………………..
3. Rosing, known for…………………………, declined to discuss specific products or his company’s intended customers.
4. The president is sure ………………..over his latest plans for welfare spending.
5. She could be an excellent manager, if only she ………………….a bit more.
6. It’s been a hard few months, but we’re finally beginning……………………………………..
7. The negotiations have……………………………..
8. Finally you seem to have……………………...the subject.
3. The article focuses on new businesses. Businesses can go up or down or probably show no changes at all. Read the following example from the article “Risky Business” and explain the meaning of the underlined word.
Donald Trump’s status as a star of reality TV’s “the Apprentice” soars even as one of his listed companies announces impending bankruptcy.
Look at the table. Identify at least one word or expression in each column that does not describe the trend indicated.
| Upward movement | Downward movement | Little or no change |
| Climb Drop Go up Improve Pick up Rise Rocket Soar Take off | Come down Decrease Fall Go down Hold steadily Plummet Plunge Sink Slip | Bounce back Even out Hold Level off Peak Remain constant Remain stable Slide Stabilize |
F. Creative Consolidation
1. Make a synthetic review of the article “Risky Business, supporting it with the information from Russian sources.
Write an article about entrepreneurship in Russia and viable ways to improve the situation.
Project-Making
Make a 350-word project on one of these issues. (If it is point 2, choose only one item.)
1. Excessive red tape is a serious detriment to national entrepreneurship. Why? What should be done to relieve the economy from it?
2. Such reprehensible practices as (a) black market, (b) money laundering, (c) copyright infringement, (d) industrial piracy, (e) industrial espionage - have often been berated. Why? Speak about their detrimental effect on national and global economy. What are the optimum measures to counteract them? Support your choice with convincing arguments.
Raise the Issue
➢ Have you ever tried to find solace from your problems and troubles in shopping? Has it helped?
➢ What do you know about shopaholics? Can you attribute yourself to this group?
A. Words in Context
1. Tick the word closest in meaning to that of the each boldfaced word. Use the context of the sentences to help you figure out each word’s meaning.
euphoric (adj)Thelocal businesses were euphoricwhen the basketball team they subsidized won the citywide championship.
Euphoric means a. very happy b. boastful c. sentimental
impetuous (adj)Whenever I make an impetuous purchase, I
end up being dissatisfied: shoes are not comfortable, the shirt the wrong color, the jacket costs too much. From now on, I intend to be more careful before I buy.
Impetuous means a. considerate b. impulsive c. imaginative
inane (adj)Our conversation in the shopping area was
inane– it mainly consisted of “awesome”, or “just look at it”.
Inane meansa. silly b. interesting c. shocking
instigate (v)Many people believe that excessive advertising only instigates strive for possession.
Instigate means a. to prevent b. to predict c. to cause
oblivious (adj)The chatty, slow moving clerk at the checkout
counter seemed oblivious to the fact that the line of impatient customers was growing longer and longer.
Oblivious means a. angry about b. not noticing c. worried by
ostentation (n)The ostentation of the manager’s office –
fancy furniture and a thick rug – meant to impress customers. The rest of the department looks cheap and shabby.
Ostentation means a. cleanliness b. show off c. humility
relinquish (v)Donna had to relinquish her share in the
business after her husband’s premature death.
Relinquish means a. to buy b. to yield c. to enjoy
replete (adj)Mr.Steven’s technique was replete with
numerous maneuvers to make his customers
buy more enthusiastically.
Replete means a. replaced b. filled c. followed
sensory (adj) Sensory experiences are related to our sight,
hearing, smell, taste and touch all of which are mercilessly exploited to dupe us into
wasting our money on the things we don’t need at all.
Sensory means a. of the senses b. social c. intellectual
solace (n)Though Nancy spent enormous sum of money
on charity it gave her some solace to think that it was for a noble deed.
Solace means a. excitement b. perfection c. relief
squander (v) Why do you want to squander your money on the tickets for that silly movie?
Squander means a. to earn b. to count c. to spend carelessly
tantamount (adj)Our local supermarket is so expensive that
shopping there is tantamount to throwing
your money away.
Tantamount to means a. the result of b. just like c. independent of
veneration (n)The former veneration of cultural values has
given way to more practical approach to life.
Veneration meansa. disrespectb. respect c. loyalty