Exercise 1
A. Listen to an interview with Events Manager. What things does she talk about for each category?
• The types of events she plans
• Important things to think about
• Important skills for an Events Manager
B. Listen again and decide if these sentences are true (T) or false (F). Correct the incorrect sentences.
1 She helps people plan weddings.
2 Most of her clients are businesses.
3 In the first meeting, she never talks to clients about money.
4 She says that planning a big event is like planning a circus.
5 She believes that getting details right is very important.
6 She says her job is to make her clients happy.
Answer & Audioscript
A
The types of events she plans: parties, conferences, corporate hospitality events, not weddings, events for corporate clients, parties for individual people, grand openings, welcoming new employees
Important things to consider: type of event, schedule, budget, location, theme – an original idea, entertainment, food, tables and chairs, sound system for speeches and music
Important skills for an Events Manager: attention to detail, organisation, people skills
B
1 F – She doesn’t help people plan weddings, because they’re usually done by people who only plan weddings. She helps people plan parties, conferences, corporate hospitality events, etc.
2 T
3 F – She talks about budget in the first meeting.
4 F – She once planned an event that had a circus theme.
5 T
6 T
Audioscript
A: Welcome, Alicia. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us on World of Work today.
B: It’s my pleasure, Marek. Thanks so much for inviting me on the show. It’s exciting!
A: I’d like to start by asking this: What does an Events Manager do?
B: I manage events …
A: Oh, right – OK, so the job title says it all: Events Manager.
B: Right. So what that means is that I help people plan events: parties, conferences, corporate hospitality events – that kind of thing.
A: What about weddings?
B: No – not at all. Weddings are harder than business lunches and are usually done by people who only plan weddings.
A: OK, so who are your clients?
B: I’d say about ninety percent of my work involves businesses – planning events for corporate clients. I sometimes do parties for individual people, but not very often.
A: OK. So when you plan an event, what do you do? Where do you start?
B: First, I have to find out what the client wants. That means finding out what type of event it is, and also when they want to have it. Because usually, an event is for some reason, like a grand opening, or welcoming new employees or something – so the timing is usually important.
A: OK, I see. And what about money?
B: Yes, of course. We have to talk about budget at the first meeting, because I have to think about the cost for every decision I make. I try to find the best location for each event. I can’t choose the most expensive hotel in town for an event for someone with a small budget. For a cheap event, we choose the least expensive venue possible. So we have to choose a venue – a location – carefully.
A: Sure. And for you, are some venues better than others?
B: Definitely. Planning an event outdoors is always the biggest challenge.
A: Because …
B: Because of the weather. You can’t control that!
A: Sure, of course. So after you’ve talked about schedule, budget and venue, what then?
B: They usually want me to think of something special – you know, to come up with an original idea.
A: Like …
B: Well, I did a tenth anniversary party for a software company, and we did a circus theme.
A: A circus theme?
B: Yeah – we had clowns, a guy who did magic – and the location was actually a big tent – like a circus tent – in a park. We had about five hundred people there – five hundred guests. It was amazing. Everyone had a great time.
A: Was the circus event more di‑ cult than your usual events?
B: No, not really. We usually have some kind of entertainment, but we also have to arrange food, tables and chairs …
A: Wow.
B: I usually have to organise a sound system for the speeches and music …
A: So there are a lot of details.
B: It’s all details!
A: Well, that’s a good introduction to my next question.
B: OK.
A: What skills are necessary for an Events Manager?
B: Well, we’ve already talked about attention to detail.
A: What else?
B: Organisation – the ability to organise is super important.
A: Organising what?
B: Everything: Schedules, budgets, food orders, teams of people … . Getting the right staff for an event is really important – you need the right people.
A: Ah, yes, people. Do you need people skills?
B: For sure. You really need to get on with people – you need to manage people well, because the job is all about people – about making people happy. My top priority is client satisfaction.
A: And for you, are any of the skills more important – or less important?
B: Honestly, I don’t think so. You need all of them. If you love people but you can’t organise, then you can’t do this job. If you pay attention to detail but can’t manage a budget – forget it!
A: OK, well, that makes sense. This is really useful for our listeners, thanks Alicia. Please stay with us. We’re going to take a short break. When we come back, we’ll be asking Alicia about …
Exercise 2
A. It’s Jakob’s first day in a new job. Laura, the HR Manager, is explaining the schedule. Listen and number Jakob’s tasks in the correct order (1–4).
• Set up his email account
• Go to the induction briefing
• Do the health and safety training
• Meet the team
Answer & Audioscript
1 Go to the induction briefing
2 Meet the team
3 Do the health and safety training
4 Set up his email account
Audioscript
L = Laura J = Jakob
L: How are you doing, Jakob?
J: OK so far, thanks. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.
L: Great. So, first, I’ll explain the schedule for the day.
J: Sure.
L: So, we’ll start with the induction briefing, where you learn about the company. And then you can meet the team. The health and safety training with the other interns is at 10.45. That gives us plenty of time.
J: How many other interns are there?
L: Five. They’re mostly from abroad, so it’s a really international group this year.
J: Right, OK.
L: And this afternoon you can set up your email account. Our IT technician, Sue, has created a username for you, and temporary login details are on your desk. Sue’s really helpful. Just call her if you have any problems.
Exercise 3
A. Jakob is speaking to Sue, the IT Technician. Listen and tick (✓) the things Jakob is having problems with.
1 his password
2 his user name
3 his email address
4 the company phone number
5 connecting to the company intranet
B. Listen again and answer the questions.
1 What is Jakob’s user name?
2 Why couldn’t Jakob log on to the intranet?
3 How do you spell Jakob’s family name?
4 What is Jakob’s extension number?
Answer & Audioscript
A
connecting to the company intranet
his user name
his email address
B
1 intern32
2 He couldn’t read Sue’s writing and thought his username was Intern82.
3 DAVIS
4 5182
Audioscript
S = Sue J = Jakob
S: IT help desk. Sue speaking.
J: Hello, Sue. This is Jakob Davis. I’m …
S: … one of the new interns. Hi, Jakob. How can I help you?
J: I’m having problems with the IT.
S: Ah, what kind of problems?
J: I can’t connect to the intranet. I don’t know how to log on.
S: It should be quite simple. You need to use your login details.
J: I tried my username and password, but …
S: Can you try logging on again?
J: Er, just a minute … no, it’s not working.
S: OK, no problem. Can I just check your username?
J: Intern82.
S: Are you sure? 82 or 32?
J: Er, it looks like 82.
S: Sorry, it’s my writing, it’s di‑ cult to read. Try ‘intern32’.
J: Ah, that works, thanks. The other thing … I need to get a company email address. How do I set up my email account?
S: I’ll set that up for you. Can you just remind me of your family name?
J: Davis.
S: D-A-V-I-S?
J: That’s right. And Jakob is J-A-K-O-B.
S: J-A-K-O-B, thanks. So your email address will be Jakob dot Davis at htm.com. Give me a few minutes and I’ll call you back. What’s your extension number?
J: Er … sorry, Sue, I’m having trouble finding my extension number. I was going to ask my colleague for help, but she’s just gone into a meeting and …
S: That’s OK. I can help you with that. Just a minute, er, – here we are, Jakob Davis – extension 5182.
J: 5-1-8-2 – got it.
S: I’ll call you back in a few minutes to confirm your email address.
Exercise 4
A. Junko is now planning a visit to Australia. Listen to her phone call with Sam from OzMusicNow. Complete Sam’s notes for the phone call.
1 Arrival date? ………………………..
2 How many hotel rooms? ………………………..
3 After Sydney, visit Brisbane or Melbourne? ………………………..
4 Hotel choice in second city? ………………………..
5 Departure date? ………………………..
B. Read Sam’s email to Junko. Correct the mistakes. Then listen again and check your answers.
Dear Junko,
Thanks for the call yesterday. I’m writing to confirm your travel arrangements for your Australia visit next month. Here’s the itinerary:
June 1 Osaka–Sydney flight
Hotel: Sydney Downtown (2 nights, 2 rooms)
June 2 Morning: Meet OzMusicNow in Sydney offices
Afternoon–evening: Visit Sydney music venues
June 3 Morning: Sydney–Brisbane flight
Afternoon–evening: Visit Brisbane music venues
Hotel: Brisbane town centre hotel
June 4 Brisbane–Sydney–Osaka flight
Let me know if you have any questions or comments. We can help you arrange the bookings, if necessary.
Best regards,
Sam
Answer & Audioscript
A
1 2 June 2 one 3 Brisbane
4 bed and breakfast / B&B (in Spring Hill)
5 5 June
B
Corrections
Dates are June 2–5.
In Sydney, she needs one room, not two.
In Brisbane, she wants a bed and breakfast, not a town-centre hotel.
On 5 June, she flies to Singapore, not back to Japan.
Audioscript
A: Hi, Junko.
B: Hello, Sam.
A: We need to go over a couple of the details of your visit next month before we finalise the arrangements.
B: Sure, OK.
A: You want to arrive in Sydney on the second of June, right?
B: Yes, that’s right. I’m ying from Osaka to Sydney on the second.
A: OK, good. And for the hotel, how many rooms do you need? Are you coming on your own?
B: Yes, that’s right – it’s just me this time. So I need a single room.
A: No problem. There’s a great hotel downtown – it’s next to our offices in the city centre. We’ll book one room for two nights.
B: Great. Thanks.
A: Now, after we’ve had our meeting in Sydney and seen some of the venues here, we can visit one other city. We need to choose either Melbourne or Brisbane.
B: OK, well … what’s the difference?
A: Well, Melbourne is bigger than Brisbane …
B: OK …
A: But for us, Brisbane is slightly better.
B: Why is that?
A: The venues we use in Brisbane are better than the ones we use in Melbourne. We use the two most popular live music venues – medium-sized live music venues. We have a great community there. Don’t misunderstand me – our venues in Melbourne are good, but in Brisbane, they’re the best.
B: OK, I see. So … are Brisbane audiences smaller?
A: Ah, well, that’s a great question. Brisbane audiences may be a bit smaller, but they really love music. Honestly, for me, Brisbane is probably the best place to start.
B: That sounds ne, Sam. Let’s go to Brisbane.
A: OK, great. Now, in Brisbane, you have a couple of choices of places to stay. I can recommend a hotel in the city centre very near one of our music venues, but it’s a bit expensive. If you want a cheaper place – maybe a bit quieter – we can arrange a bed and breakfast. There’s one we like in Spring Hill.
B: Oh, let’s see – actually, maybe the quieter option? The B&B?
A: OK, that’s ne. And finally, when are you returning to Japan?
B: Well, I want to depart on June fifth, but I’m not going back to Japan. I’m going to Singapore.
A: Oh, great. OK. I’ll make a note of that.
B: Sure. Is there anything else?
A: I don’t think so. We’re really looking forward to seeing you!
B: Yes, me too.
C. As she flies to Australia, Junko is connected to the wi-fi on the plane, so she can send voice messages. Listen to her exchange with Sam and answer the questions.
1 What is the problem?
2 What caused it?
3 What is Sam going to do?
Answer & Audioscript
1 Junko’s flight is going to land at Canberra, not Sydney.
2 A computer problem.
3 He is going to make new arrangements for Canberra.
Audioscript
1 Sam, there’s a serious technical problem at Sydney airport. Our flight is going to land at Canberra, not Sydney! The problem may continue until tomorrow!
2 Hi Junko. I got your message. Yes, I saw it on the news. It’s a computer problem. Don’t worry! We can make new arrangements for Canberra. I’ll send you another message soon!
Exercise 5
A. Match 1-10 with a-j to complete the sentences and questions from a conversation between Elena and Ahmed from the IT department. Listen and check.
…… 1 I’m having problems with
…… 2 I don’t know how
…… 3 You need to do
…… 4 Can you try going
…… 5 I can’t
…… 6 I’m having trouble
…… 7 Try
…… 8 I need to get a new
…… 9 How do I set up
…… 10 I’ll do that
a a new email account?
b access the intranet.
c your new password.
d my new laptop.
e for you.
f to Print Settings.
g email address.
h to Setting again?
i to connect to the network printer.
j connecting to the internet.
B. Look at the sentences in Exercise A again. Mark them ‘E’ if they are explaining a problem or ‘S’ if they are solving a problem.
Answer & Audioscript
A 1 d 2 i 3 f 4 h 5 b 6 j 7 c 8 g 9 a 10 e
B 1 E 2 E 3 S 4 S 5 E 6 E 7 S 8 E 9 E 10 S
Audioscript
A = Ahmed E = Elena
A: IT department, Ahmed speaking.
E: Hello, Ahmed. It’s Elena.
A: Hi, Elena. What can we do for you?
E: Sorry, but I’m having problems with my new laptop again.
A: What kind of problems?
E: I can’t print. I don’t know how to connect to the network printer from this computer.
A: It should be simple. You need to go to Print Settings.
E: I’ve tried lots of times and it doesn’t work.
A: Can you try going to Settings again and clicking on Printers and Scanners?
E: Just a minute … No, it’s not working. I can’t access the intranet.
A: Ok, I’ll come to your desk and help you set it up. IT department, Ahmed speaking.
E: Hello, Ahmed. It’s me again. Elena.
A: How can I help you, Elena?
E: OK, so I can print now but I’m having trouble connecting to the internet.
A: Can you try logging on again? Try your new password.
E: Oh! I didn’t know I had a new password.
A: I sent it out yesterday. Try ‘elena423’.
E: Great, that works, thanks!
A: Anything else I can help you with?
E: I need to get a new email address. How do I set up a new email account?
A: I’ll do that for you. I’ll do it after lunch and send it to you.
E: OK, great. Thanks, Ahmed.
Test
1. Listen to the speakers and choose the correct response a, b or c.
1 a b c
2 a b c
3 a b c
4 a b c
5 a b c
Answer & Audioscript
1 b 2 a 3 b 4 b 5 c
Audioscript
1 How long was your trip to Berlin?
a It was good.
b It was about two hours.
c It’s very nice.
2 What do you think about this hotel?
a It’s very nice.
b A little.
c I like them both.
3 Which do you prefer: meat or fish?
a A little.
b I like them both.
c Not much.
4 What are you doing this weekend?
a I’m from France.
b I’m visiting my parents.
c I went there on holiday last year.
5 Where do you come from?
a It’s very nice.
b Yes, I met her last week.
c I’m from Japan.
2. You will hear eight short recordings twice. For questions 1–8 choose the correct answer.
1 How is the man travelling to his meeting?
2 What time does the man’s flight leave?
a 8.30
b 3.15
c 5.40
3 What did the woman think about the induction?
a It was difficult.
b It was fun.
c It was interesting.
4 What problem does Adam have?
a He can’t access his email account.
b He can’t find login details.
c He can’t connect to the internet.
5 Where does the woman want to stay?
a at a friend’s house
b in a rented apartment
c in a business hotel
6 What is Preeya’s job?
a to plan the event
b to organise the budget
c to manage the staff
7 What does the man do in his free time?
8 What does the man want from the hotel?
a a table for work
b parking facilities
c meals included
Answer & Audioscript
1 a 2 b 3 a 4 c 5 a 6 c 7 a 8 b
Audioscript
1 How is the man travelling to his meeting?
W: Here is the information for tomorrow’s meeting.
M: Thanks. Where is it?
W: It’s in our Northern office. Shall I book a train?
M: No, it’s OK. I think I’ll take the car. But can you book me a flight next week?
W: Of course, where for?
M: This global sales conference in Geneva. It’s from Tuesday to Thursday.
2 What time does the man’s flight leave?
OK sir, so that’s all booked. Your flight to Shanghai departs tomorrow from gate 54 at a quarter past three. You need to be at the airport two hours before. The flight is just over five hours so your arrival time is about half past eight.
3 What did the woman think about the induction?
M: Hi, how was your first day at work?
W: It was a lot of fun. I met loads of new people and they were all very interesting. They took me for lunch, too!
M: That sounds great!
W: Yes, but then, after lunch, I had an induction. There was so much information! It wasn’t easy to understand everything!
4 What problem does Adam have?
Hello, is that the IT helpdesk? My name is Adam and I am a new member of staff in customer services. I’ve logged on to my computer and email, but I’m having problems getting online. Could you help me please?
5 Where does the woman want to stay?
I’m going to the marketing conference in Miami next month. My company wants to get me a hotel, but I’ve got a friend there and I’d prefer to stay with her. Hotels are always so unfriendly and the company’s apartment in Miami is too far from the conference centre.
6 What is Preeya’s job?
So we’ve got to get everything ready for the internal conference next month. There is a lot to do. I’ve got everything planned so I will manage that. Karl, can you make sure all purchases are within the budget, and Preeya, I’d like you to be the manager on the day and make sure everyone is doing their job well.
7 What does the man do in his free time?
W: So, what do you do when you’re not working?
M: Not much really. I work quite a lot of hours.
W: Nothing?
M: Well, I’ve never been really good at sports or anything like that, but I do enjoy listening to classical music.
W: I like cooking, when I’m not working, but I agree with you, it’s hard to find time for activities outside work!
8 What does the man want from the hotel?
A: Here at the Grand Tower Hotel, we have got excellent business facilities, every room has a large desk and wi-fi, so you can always work, and we’re in a quiet location.
B: Thanks, that’s useful, but can I park my car on site? That’s really essential for me.
A: Yes, I can reserve a space for you. And would you like breakfast?
B: No thanks, I’ll be eating outside the hotel.
3. Listen to a businesswoman and a travel agent arranging a flight. Fill in the information in the numbered space using a word, number or letters.
AirPro Ltd
Flight booking details
Customer name: (1) Sabine ……………..
Departure city: (2)……………..
Arrival city: (3)……………..
Departure date: (4)……………..
Flight number: (5)……………..
Departure time: (6)……………..
Company name: (7)……………..
Answer & Audioscript
1 Durand 2 London 3 Rome 4 13/07 (13th July)
5 AI6733 6 6.45 / quarter to seven 7 Newmoda
Audioscript
Listen to a businesswoman and a travel agent arranging a flight.
A: Hello, is that AirPro? I’d like to book a flight.
B: Yes, of course. Let me take your details. What’s your name, please?
A: Sabine Durand.
B: Sabine … I’m sorry, could you spell your surname?
A: Yes, it’s D – U – R – A – N – D.
B: Aha, OK, and what are the details of the flight?
A: I want to fly from London next week.
B: OK, and where are you flying to?
A: Well, I am going to central Italy so I can fly to Rome or Naples.
B: Well, there are many more direct flights to Rome, so let’s check flights there first.
A: OK.
B: And you’re flexible with your dates?
A: Yes, any time between Monday to Wednesday.
B: Well, there is a flight on Monday the twelfth of July, which is a hundred and ninety-seven pounds one way. But the next day, July the thirteenth, there’s a late afternoon flight for a hundred and thirty-two pounds. Both are business fares so you can use the airport lounge and take extra hand luggage.
A: I think I’ll take the cheaper one then, on the thirteenth.
B: OK, I´ll just give you your flight number … It’s AI67 double 3.
A: EI67 double 3?
B: No, AI. A for ‘apple’.
A: Right. Got it.
B: It’s leaving from London Heathrow, at a quarter to seven, so you need to be at the airport by five o’clock.
A: Fine.
B: How are you paying for the flight?
A: We have a company account. Could you put it on that?
B: Of course, what’s the company name?
A: Newmoda.
B: New … moda? Can you spell that?
A: Yes … N – E – W – M – O – D – A.
B: Is that two words?
A: No, just one.
B: OK … Yes, I can see your account in our system now …
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