Listening Exercises B1 – Meetings

a   I think so too.

b   Do you see?

c   Could you explain what you mean?

d   Let’s move on, shall we?

e   It’s a deal.

f   Yes, I agree.

b   That’s not right at all.

c   I think we’re drifting off the point a bit.

d   Right, now let’s move on, shall we?

e   Can you explain what you mean by that?

f   Could I come in here, please?

g   Let’s get down to business, shall we?

h   What’s your opinion on this?

a   I think you’re absolutely right.

b   That’s not right at all.

c   I think we’re drifting off the point a bit.

d   Right, now let’s move on, shall we?

e   Can you explain what you mean by that?

f   Could I come in here, please?

g   Let’s get down to business, shall we?

h   What’s your opinion on this?

We might consider …ing, I propose we …

Transcript

Catherine:     OK, so let’s get started, shall we? The first item on the agenda is what are we going to do about the decline is sales? We have to do something. I’d like to start be asking Mark.

Mark:     Well, we might consider spending more money on marketing.

Catherine:     Hmm. Judie, do you have any thoughts?

Julie:     I think that’s a good idea. More marketing means more sales.

Peter:     Sorry, can I come in here?

Catherine:     Yes, Peter. Of course.

Peter:     I couldn’t disagree more with Julie and Mark. Marketing is expensive, and we have no guarantee that the costs will be worth it. Perhaps you can give us your opinion, Catherine?

Catherine:     Yes, well, I can see where Mark and Julie are coming from, but I have a problem with increasing our marketing budget for the same reason that Peter has just given. We can’t be sure of the results. I propose we hire a new sales manager. How do you feel about that, Mark?

Mark:     That sounds reasonable to me. I think some new blood would be a good thing.

Julie:     I have no problem with that, either.

Catherine:     So, Mark and Julie both think it’s a way forward. Peter?

Peter:     Well, I’m afraid that’s not how I see it, Catherine. Again, it means trying to spend our way out of this crisis and I’m not very keen on that idea at all.

a   ten percent bonus / double within six months

b   a success / reliability and pricing

c   staff redundancies / spring

a   just summarize the main points.

b   go over today’s main points.

c   sum up, then …

Transcript

a   OK, so before we finish, let me just summarize the main points. All managers are to get a ten percent bonus, in line with contractual agreements, and the sales force is to double within six months. Right, I think we’ve covered everything, so shall we call it a day?

b   And now I’ll quickly go over today’s main points. We all agree that the new product is a success. That’s good. But there are some reliability issues we need to tackle and also pricing. If we do that, I am sure it will be too profitable. Good. So it looks like we can finish early today.

c   Er … to sum up, then, it seems we need to start a programme of staff redundancies. This will probably begin next spring. Now, we’ll have to cut this meeting short, I’m afraid. I have some urgent business to attend to …