Answer these questions about the past simple tense
1 How is the reqular past simple tense formed? e.q, started, backed, opened
2 Not all verbs have a regular past simple tense. Give an example of an irregular past simple tense from the text.
3 Look at the two questions (a and b). Underline the auxiliary verb ~
and the main verb ----- for each.
a When did it all start?'
b When did it come to Britain?
4 Look at the two negative sentences and underline the negative auxiliary verb
~and the main verb ------------- for each:
Ford built the first car in 1896, but he did not form the company until 1903. The first truck didn't roll off the line until 1931 .
READING
1. The text is about the French company, Bic. Can you name three of Bic's products? Now quickly read the text to check.
2. What are the advantages of disposable or 'throwaway' products?
Bic’s success in a throwaway world
Bic is a household name, synonymous with a disposable age.
FEW companies can say that they are responsible for changing the everyday habits of billions of people throughout the world, but the French company Bic, founded in 1950 is one that can.
The ballpoint pen came first. The original biros - named after Lazlo Biro, their Hungarian inventor - were expensive and difficult to use. Baron Marcel Bich, the owner of a small office supplies company, brought together French and British scientists to refine and modify* the design. He negotiated the rights to produce and sell the pen with Biro. Production of the Bic "Crystal" began in 1953. The "Crystal" had a clear blue plastic tube and a visible ink supply which sufficient to draw a line three kilometres long.
Sales rose from around 50,000 a week in the first year to a quarter of a million a day by 195q. Today sales of Bic writing instruments total more than 20 million a day in 160 countries.
Bich was not content with a one-product business and wanted to find other throwaway ideas. In 1972 came the disposable lighter.
It is another success story which made Bic world leaders in the with daily sales of disposable lighters now numbering almost 4.million.
Bic's winning formula was a combination of simplicity of production and reliability; the company claims that its lighters will work 3,000 times compared with competing brands' 1,000.
The company used healthy profits to invest in its third major product range - the throwaway razor - in 1975. It now contests market leadership with Gillette. " Bic subsequently diversified further - into windsurfing boards and fashion - but the three original throwaway' ideas remain its success stories.
synonymous with a disposable age: [Bic] represents our fast-moving world
to refine: improve
to modify: make small changes
Gillette: major manufacturer of razors and toiletries
(“First Insights into Business”)
Read the text and complete this company history.
COMPANY HISTORY
1950The company was founded.
1950-53Lazlo Biro invented the first pen. Marcel Bich__________and _________ the design. Bich negotiated with Biro to______________.
1953Production of the___________began.
1956 Sales of the biro rose to__________.
1972Bic invented___________________.
1975Bic invented___________________.
NOWBic sells___________ballpoint pens per day. Bic sells___________disposable lighters per day. Bic and_____________ are leaders in the market for disposable razors.
Work in pairs and discuss
1.Are disposable products popular in your-country?
2.What disposable products do you use and why?
3.Are disposable products good for the environment?
WRITING
Choose three of these companies.
| BMV Coca-Cola NIKE Levi Strauss & Co. Microsoft |
Write what you know about:
1. What each company produces and provides?
2. Where the company started?
3. Where the company operate?
4. Who its main competitors?
SPEAKING
1. A logistics company moves and stores goods for other companies. You work for VBN Logistics. Work in groups. Choose your role from one of the following.
Peter Case - File 14 Alex Smith - File 28 Liz Jones - File 34
Paul Larsen - File 36
2. In a break from work you meet one of the other employees. Use the expressions from speaking to talk about what you do in your job. Begin like this:
A: Hello, I'm ".... " (name), I'm new here.
B: Me too! Pleased to meet you. I'm .... (name). What do you do?
3.Now introduce your partner to the rest of your group, as in the example.
I'd like you to meet Peter Case. Peter is the Warehouse Manager. He reports to .. ,
CAREERS AND ETIQUETTE
LEAD-IN
1Match a word from box A with a word from box B to form new words and phrases.
A
