Time: 45minutes
Notes: Note writing is very easy. Just write as you speak to another person face to face. You write a note when you want to speak to the person who is now absent. You write it in a very informal style: the language is simple and easy, and only a few sentences are needed.
Write down the date first (sometimes you can even drop this down when it is not important).
Then spell his or her name, usually the first name, since it is very friendly and intimate.
Next begin the message at another line and finish it to the end.
Finally end the note with your name, also first name.
(For further reference, see Student Book Page 78.)
Messages: (For further reference, see Student Book Page 14.)
E-mails: (For further reference, see Student Book Page 37.)
Memos: A few words should be said about the format of memos. Generally they have all the features of letters in format. But they usually have more formalities and features that will make them easy to be recognized and filed. These features are:
A typed or printed heading
Date
File or reference numbers
Reader’s full name
Writer’s full name
Subject line
A distribution list
You may not need to include all of these items in every memo. What features should be included depend on the memo you are writing.
(For further reference, see Student Book Page 109.)
Reports: Directions are available in Student Book. See Page 81-82.
Letters: Directions are available in Student Book. See Page 79-80.
Appendix:
BEC商务信件写作部分攻略
以下是商业信函的写法：
第一章 格式问题
1. 格式问题：
请同学们在BEC的写作中采用平头式的写法。
收信人的姓名和地址置于信纸的左上方
地址、称呼和结束礼词后没有标点符号
日期在右上方
段落从定格开始，段落之间的行距为两行（但在考试中由于受答题卡限制，请同学们酌情考虑）
写信人的名字和头衔在签名下方
2. 称呼和结束礼词的注意事项：
称呼的写法遵循下列原则：
称呼与结束礼词存在对应的关系，请同学们特别注意：
以下均为错误用法：
Dear Mr John
Dear Mr John Smith
3. 日期：
在英国英语中，天在前，但是在美国英语中，月份在前。所以某些特别的时期容易引起误解。例如：12 06 2003
在英国指的是：6月21日
在美国指的是：12月6日
因此日期要写成：12 June 20##
注释：在BEC考试中同学们可以采用恩波所推荐的用法。但是12 06 20## 的用法仍然是可以使用的，因为BEC为英版考试。
在使用恩波推荐的用法时，要记住月份使用大些字母开头。天后不必写th、rd、nd或者st。
第二章 写法问题
预备参加bec考试的同学们由于缺乏商务写作的实际经验，对于写作部分都比较郁闷。恩波结合历年考试实际，为大家准备了15类共计50个经典的实战句型，供大家在考场上使用。我们对每一个句型都模拟了一种环境：
1. 信件的开头：
环境：
You want to know the prices of some air conditioners.
We are interested in your air conditioner and we would like to know the prices of some air conditioners.
You saw an advertisement in the newspaper yesterday and you want further information.
We are writing in connection with the advertisement in the newspaper yesterday.
You want to know if the company you are writing to organizes holidays to Africa.
We are writing to inquire about the holidays to Africa that your company organizes.
2. 回信的开头：
环境：
A company wrote to you on 23 July. They wanted to know if you sell photocopiers.
Thank you for your letter of 23 July, asking if we sell photocopiers.
A man wrote to you on 18 December. He wanted employment with your company. He also sent his curriculum vitae.
We have received your letter of 18 December, enclosing your curriculum vitae.
A company sent you a fax on 3 June. They wanted to know if you were going to the marketing conference in London.
Thank you for your fax of 3 June, asking if I was going to the marketing conference in London.
A woman telephoned you this morning. She wanted to know if her order No. 599 had arrived.
Thank you for your telephone call this morning concerning the order No. 599.
3. 信件的结尾：
一般结尾：
如果你在信件中提供了信息：
4. 引入主题：
注：引入主题的句子可以被写在信件的开头，但with regard to 不能用于信件的开头。
环境：(How would you start a letter about each of the following?)
an invoice (No. 679) for a photocopier
With reference to Invoice(清单) No. 679, we regret to tell you that the product arrived in bad condition.
a meeting you had with the addressee on Jan. 16th
Further to the meeting on 16 January, I am delighted to tell you that we are now able to give you a special offer for our Peach Series computer.
an advertisement in the times newspaper
I am writing in connection with the advertisement in the times newspaper yesterday.
an application for a post as secretary in your company
I am writing in connection with your application for a post as secretary in our company.
a fax order for six computers that you received today
with reference to your fax order for six computer, I regret to tell you that they are out of stock at present.
5. 告知好、坏消息：
好消息：
坏消息：
环境：（complete these sentences using phrases for referring and giving good or bad news.）
a. ___________________________ your order for some cupboards, _____________________ we have had to increase the price.
b. ____________________________ your application for a post as secretary, ______________________________ that we would like you to start work as soon as possible.
c. _________________________________ your application for a post as secretary, ______________________________ that you were not successful.
d. _________________________________ our telephone conversation this morning, ______________________________ that your car is now ready for you to collect.
6. 说明你所能做的和不能做的：
环境：
You cannot lower your prices.
We regret that we are unable to reduce out prices.
You have had to raise your prices because the government has increased the sales tax.
We have been forced to raise our prices because the government has increased the sales tax.
However, you can give them a discount of 5% if their order is for more than $8,000.
We are able to give you a discount of 5% if your order is more than $8,000.
With regard to their second question, you cannot accept payment in Egyptian pounds but you can accept US dollars or Euros.
We are sorry that we are unable to accept payments in Egyptian pounds but we are able to accept US dollars or Euros.
7. 说明原因：
注：owing to 通常用于不好的消息。如果想在原因中使用动词，请加上the fact that的从句。
环境：
increase prices --- fall of the dollar
We have been force to increase our prices. This is owing to the fall of the dollar.
Delay the delivery of the goods --- strike by airline pilots
We have been forced to delay the delivery of the goods. This is owing to the strike by airline pilots.
Increase all salaries by 10% --- rise in sales
We are able to increase all salaries by 10%. This is the result of a big rise in sales.
Cut all salaries by 10% --- fall in sales
We have been forced to cut all salaries by 10%. This is due to the fact that there has been a fall in sales in the past ten months.
Cannot deliver your new order --- we have not received your payment fro the last order
We regret that we are unable to deliver your new order immediately. This is owing to the fact that we have not received your payment for the last order.
Cancel the meeting --- a lot of staff have been ill
We have been forced to cancel the meeting. This is because some members of our staff have been ill.
8. 请求采取行动：
注：please could you … 是最直接的方式。在要求一些一般性的事情时，可以使用这种表达。
环境：
You have seen an advertisement in the newspaper for a post as office manger. You want an application form.
I would appreciate it if you could send me an application form.
The photocopier in your office has broken down. You want to have it repaired, quickly.
We would be grateful if you could send a repairman to fix our photocopier as soon as possible.
You have moved your office and you want the post office to forward your letters to your new address.
Please could you forward my letters to my new address.
You want the telephone company to put another telephone in your office. You need it urgently.
We would appreciate it if you could put another telephone in our office immediately.
You have written to a company and you want them to reply quickly.
I would be grateful if you could give us a reply quickly.
9. 抱歉：
注：以上句型后请使用动词ing形式。
以上句型中的for可以换成that，然后用从句表达。
一般来说，解释产生问题的原因，然后在信的结尾处再次表达歉意。
再次抱歉：
10. 要求提供信息：
注：如果需要特别重要的信息，可以在以上句型前使用：in particular。
环境：
You wrote a letter to someone and they haven’t replied. You want to know if they received the letter.
We would be grateful if you could let us know if the letter has reached you.
A businessman is going to your country. He wants you to get a visa for him. You need all the details about his passport (his nationality, date of birth, where his passport was issued, and when it expires).
Please could you give details about your passport. I would like to know your nationality, date of birth, where your passport was issued and when it expires.
You want to know about the same businessman’s flight (flight number, date and time of arrival).
In particular, I would like to know your flight number, date and time of arrival.
11. 轻度抱怨：
环境：
A company has sent you a bill for the wrong goods.
Unfortunately you sent us a bill for the wrong goods. Please could you send us a correct bill as soon as possible.
Your new photocopier has broken down. You have to write to the company who sold it to you.
Unfortunately our new photocopier has broken down. Please could you send a repairman to fix it for us as soon as possible.
Two temporary secretaries do not speak English. You have to write to the agency who sent them to you.
Unfortunately two temporary secretaries you recommended to us do not speak English. We would be grateful if you could recommend two more who could speak English.
You keep receiving letters for someone else. You have to write to the post office.
Unfortunately I keep receiving letters for someone else. Please could you make the address clear before you deliver letters every day.
12. 提醒某人对某事的注意：
如果你提醒的事情对方已经知道（你想表达你的生气）：
环境：
One of your staff keeps parking his car in front of the main door, the space which is reserved for the MD.
I should like to remind you that the space in front of the main door is reserved for the MD.
Someone is interested in purchasing a large quantity of your simplex cameras. Tell him about 25% discount for large orders.
I should like t draw your attention to the fact that we offer about 25% discount for larger orders.
One of your staff arrives half an hour late for work every day. (She should start at 9.30.)
I hope that it is not necessary to remind you that work start at 9: 30 every day.
Someone is interested in your products. Tell him that you guarantee that your prices are the largest in the country.
I should like to point out that we guarantee that all prices are the lowest in the country.
13. 要求某人采取行动：
注：请注意这一句型和句型8的区别。
环境：
We must insist that you deliver the goods immediately.
14. 警告：
环境：(What warnings would you give these people?)
A company that has not paid your bill
Unless you pay the bill, we will be forced to take legal actions.
Another company that is using your company’s car park
If you do not move your car away from our park, we will be forced to turn to the police.
An employee who always arrives late for work
Unless you come to work on time, we will be forced to fire you.
A builder who has left a lot of their tools in your office
If you do not take your tools from our office, we will be forced to throw them away.
15. 强烈抱怨：
注：
强烈抱怨遵循以下步骤：
a. 阐述发生的问题：it is now over nine months since we placed this order and we are still waiting for the cabinets.
b. 使用句型12：I should like to point out that we have already paid for these cabinets.
c. 使用句型 13：we must insist that you deliver them immediately.
d. 使用句型14：unless we hear from you within 7 days we will take legal action.
趋 势 的 比 较
1. 表示相似的句型 (实例) ：
Both share prices rose sharply in January.
Neither company has made a profit yet.
Like X, Y fell in June.
X rose just as sharply as Y.
2. 表示差异的句型（实例）：
X fell sharply whereas/while Y remained steady.
X fell quickly compared to Y.
Unlike Y, X rose by 10%.
X rose far more dramatically than Y.
3. 表示倍数的句型：
the …… doubled/tripled in …… compared with those in ……
4. 客观比较的句型：
…… is …… in contrast to ……
Exercise One
Part One
Questions 44
You are the Manager of a small printing company. A new employee, Mark McCabe, is joining your company on 10th May.
Write a short memo to your office administrator:
Saying who is starting work and when;
Telling him what Mark McCabe’s job will be;
Suggesting where Mark McCabe’s desk should be put;
Write 30-40 words on your answer sheet.
Part Two
Question 45
You were sent on a residential training course for five days. Unfortunately the course was very badly run and there were a lot of problems with it. The advert below shows the details of the course, together with your comments.
Write a report for your manager on the course (100-120 words). Describe the problems with the course and suggest what your company should do.
Write on your answer sheet.
Improve your computing skills
Join our 5-day course
LTE Business Computing Courses
For the young professional
Our 5-day courses have been developed over the last three years and have been designed specially for all levels of office personnel.
We provide:
Highly experienced and qualified trainers (only one teacher – this was his first course)
The most up-to-date software running on the latest hi-tech personal computers
Groups of no more than six students ( nine students – some of us had to share computer terminals )
Opportunities for individual instruction every evening ( the one around in the evening )
Comfortable teaching rooms in a modern hotel
By the end of the course you will be an expert in using a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database, and electronic mail. ( only did word – processing )
Phone Jane on 122 2323 for more details. ( & not enough food! )
Exercise Two
Part One
Question 44
Your company has just opened a new office in the United States. You have agreed to go and work there for six months.
Write a memo of 30-40 words to all your colleagues:
Explaining why you will be absent;
Saying when you are leaving the office;
Expressing your wish to keep in touch;
Write on your answer sheet.
Part Two
Question 45
You work for RCT, a company which sells business stationery. RCT is interested in becoming an agent for Novestat, a company which manufactures paper products.
Read Novestat’s advertisement below, on which you have made some notes.
Then, using all your notes, write a letter to James Dowling at Novestat.
Do not include postal addresses.
Write 100-120 words.
Write on your answer sheet.
Novestat
Agents required
For a new paper product
Novestat, a leading manufacturer of business stationery, is delighted to announce its exciting new range of designer paper products. This range allows customers to create their own business stationery to the highest professional standards, using their own computer printers.
We are looking for companies world-wide to distribute the NOVESTAT DESIGNER PAPER range.
If your company has:
Minimum 5 year’s relevant experience;(10 years; say what RCT does)
Dynamic, motivated salesforce;(national sales award last year)
Excellent distribution network;(tell them about our retail outlets)
Then please write to: James Dowling, Novestat, Unit 3, Basing Estate, Hampton, Middlesex, TW135SA, U.K.
(arrange a meeting with them next month?)
Exercise Three
Part One
Question 44
You are the training manager of a company which has won a large export order. You have been asked to organize foreign language training for some of your staff.
Write a memo of 30-40 words to staff:
Explaining why the courses are necessary;
Saying which members of staff should attend;
Announcing when the courses will start;
Write on your answer sheet.
Part Two
Question 45
Your company exports to a number of countries around the world. The company is looking for new agents for international freight.
Read the two advertisements below, on which you have made some notes.
Then using the notes, write a short report for the Export Sales Manager, covering all your points and saying which agent you recommend.
Write 100-120 words.
Write on your answer sheet.
Globelink
25 years’ experience in sea freight
worldwide destinations
air freight also available (may need for urgent orders)
all documentation provided (they complete all customs forms – FTD don’t)
competitive rates – quotes available on request
tel. 0208 344 879
FTD Shipping Agents
Freight agents to many major ports (mainly in Europe)
Refrigerated shipping
Containers available
No quantity too small (could be useful for small orders)
Contact Martin Taylor on 0207 234 576 for further information and details of charges
(a bit higher than Globelink)
Exercise Four
Part One
Question 44
You are Head of Research for an international car manufacturer. You have to make an urgent trip tomorrow to visit Pierre Blanco, a colleague who works for a subsidiary.
Write a memo of 30-40 words to your secretary.
Telling her who you are going to see and when;
Asking her to book flight tickets and accommodation;
Telling her what work you would like her to do in your absence;
Write on your answer sheet.
Part Two
Question 45
You are the manager of a TV and radio repair workshop. One of your employees has received the letter below about a faulty cassette player which he inspected. He has written his comments on the customer’s letter and asked you to write a reply.
Write a letter of 100-120 words to the customer, using the employee’s comments and explaining why your company cannot repair the cassette player.
Do not include addresses.
Write on your answer sheet.
Mr D. Mason
Radio World
6 Adelaide Park
London w6
Dear Mr Mason
Re: repair of Tashita Cassette Player
You returned our cassette player to us on 5th September, after having it in your shop for over a month, (sorry! Technician off sick) saying that you could not repair the following faults:
1. a problem with the volume control (needs replacing; part not available)
2. difficulty operating the on/off switch. (possible to replace but very expensive)
I was very surprised to hear this, because the equipment is not all that old.(manufactured in 1985)
Therefore I would be grateful if you could explain in writing why the equipment is, in your opinion, beyond repair, so that I can discuss this matter with the manufacturers.(out of business since 1990)
Yours sincerely,
Paul Johnson
Exercise Five
Part One
Question 44
You are a manager in a company which manufactures office furniture. Next month you are going to London to discuss an important contract.
Write a note of 30-40 words to your assistant:
1. saying when you want to leave and return
2. asking him to book flights
3. telling him which hotel to book
Part Two
Question 45
You recently attended a one-day training course on health and safety. You were disappointed with the course.
Read the advertisement below, which gives the details of the course. You have written some notes on the advertisement.
Then using your handwritten notes, write a letter to the company, complaining about the course.
Do not include postal address.
Write 100-120 words.
Write on your answer sheet.
GBG Certification Services
Good for business, good for you.
Regardless of whether you are in a manufacturing or service industry, you are required by law to operate your business in a manner which is safe and healthy for your workforce. Our courses will help you provide a safe and legally sound working environment for your staff.
Our one-day courses include:
Experienced and highly-qualified trainers (trainer was sick --- replacement poor)
High-quality information packs (pile of loose photocopies)
Small groups (maximum 8 people) (not true)
Price includes lunch and refreshments (explain what was wrong with lunch)
All one-day courses run Monday – Friday from 9:30 – 17:00 (started late)
For more information contact:
Moira Geddings
GBG House
Summerfield Road
Oxford OX8 4DN