31.10.2024

 https://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/mixed_prepositions_15.htm  

https://app.engxam.com/cae/reading/1/

  

  

 

  

https://app.engxam.com/cae/listening/1/

22.10 (17.10.2024 c)

   

  

https://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/mixed_prepositions_12.htm

  

https://app.engxam.com/cpe/reading/1/  

Hugo Boss

Wikimedia CommonsSS uniforms produced by Hugo Boss.

In 1931, two years before the Nazi Party took control of the German government, Hugo Boss started his fashion label in Metzingen, Germany.

Even before then, Boss had numbered among Germany’s Nazi collaborators, producing early Nazi uniforms in a factory he’d bought in 1924.

   

In 1933, Hugo Boss was producing the uniforms for the SS and Hitler Youth, as well as the standard Nazi brownshirts. When Germany began to more intensely remilitarize in 1938, Hugo Boss began to produce uniforms for the Nazi armed forces.

https://allthatsinteresting.com/major-brands-nazi-collaborators/4

15.10.2024

   

 https://app.engxam.com/cpe/reading/1/   

Stonehenge Monument

Stonehenge is an ancient monument situated about ten miles north of Salisbury in England. It was built about 4500 years ago, but by whom and for what purpose remains a mystery. The builders must have known of geometry. They may have been influenced by the Mycenaeans, whose architecture was similar. Some of the stones must have been brought from West Wales, over 135 miles away. These stones weigh more than fifty tons. They may have been brought on rafts and rollers. Experts say that it must have taken 1500 men more than five years to transport them. Stonehenge was probably built in three stages. First, settlers from continental Europe built a temple for sun worship. Later the "Beaker" people added the stone circles. Finally, people of the Wesse Culture transformed Stonehenge into an observatory. They could calculate the exact time of Midsummer and Midwinter and of equinoxes.

1. We understand from the passage that the construction of the Stonehenge ----.

A) began 135 miles away from Salisbury
B) is thought to have taken place in more than one stage
C) was first documented by the Mycenaeans
D) is not a mystery that needs to be solved
E) was completed in less than five years

2. It is pointed out in the reading that the Stonehenge ----.

A) was built by the Mycenaeans, who were very advanced in geometry
B) probably has religious origins, possibly for worship of the sun
C) had no astrological purposes
D) was erected thousands of years ago in West Wales
E) is still used to calculate the changes of the seasons

3. According to the passage, there is no certainty about ----.

A) where the Stonehenge was built
B) what kind of stones were used in the construction of the Stonehenge
C) how to calculate the exact time of Midsummer and Midwinter and of
        equinoxes
D) how the stones used in the construction of the Stonehenge were
        transported
E) whether some of the stones are in position to reflect the movements of
        the sun and the moon  

https://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/mixed_prepositions_10.htm  

10.10.2024

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-video-lessons/listening-comprehension/basic-listening-focus-on-hearing/ability/you-cant-outsmart-stupidity-key-peele/1045379

TOEFL® Practice 12

Choose the appropriate options to complete the sentences.

1. You ---- your medicines promptly, and you ---- sick.

A) used to take / ought not to have gotten
B) must have taken / shouldn't have gotten
C) would have taken / hadn't better gotten
D) would rather take / must have gotten
E) should have taken / wouldn't have gotten

2. I can't find my house keys, I ---- it at the office.

A) should have left
B) have to leave
C) could leave
D) must have left ,
E) used to leave

3. Last time he paid for food, so now I ---- for it.

A) have had to pay
B) will have to pay
C) should have paid
D) would be paying
E) was paying

4. The horrific tragedy ---- if the architect ---- more careful with the way buildings were constructed.

A) ought to be avoided / was going to be
B) must have avoided / used to be
C) may have avoided / has been
D) will be avoided / will have been
E) could have been avoided / had been

5. I failed all my finals, I ---- the whole weekend instead of partying.

A) should have been studying
B) could have be studying
C) must have been studying
D) had been studying
E) will have been studying

6. One ---- as hard as one can at a young age before it becomes too late.

A) might have worked
B) would work
C) will have worked
D) must have worked
E) ought to work

7. Children now have a lot less play time with their friends than they ---- because of all the smart devices developed.

A) should have
B) must
C) ought to
D) could have
E) used to

8. The show ---- longer so that we ---- more time together.

A) should have lasted / could spend
B) had better last / were able to spend
C) might be lasting / can spend
D) would rather last / spend
E) used to last / have been spending

9. Natalia hasn't responded to any of our messages, she ---- to be with us.

A) couldn't have wanted
B) shouldn't want
C) must not want
D) ought not to have wanted
E) doesn't have to want

10. The boat ---- but the waves weren't that big.

A) must have capsized
B) will capsize
C) had to capsize
D) would have capsized

E) would rather capsize 

Seller:'So, we can offer you 40,000 components at a unit cost of $4.35 per unit.'

Buyer:'$4.35 per unit. Hmm.'

Seller:'You don't seem entirely pleased. Could I ask you what the issue is?'

Buyer:'We weren't expecting the price to be so high.'

Seller:'It's an extremely competitive price for the quality of the component that you'll be getting.'

Buyer:'As you are aware, we've had a number of different offers and in comparison with those, the price that you're offering us is a lot higher.'

Seller:'I can understand why you're looking around other companies for offers. I would do the same. I recently concluded a negotiation for microcircuits and I was in your position. I visited so many different suppliers. It's a very time-consuming process. At times it feels like it'll never end.'

Buyer:'Yeah. I've been very busy with negotiating for this order for the last couple of weeks. This is the third meeting this week that I've had with a supplier about it. It's tiring.'

Seller:'I can appreciate how you feel.'

Buyer:'It's what we're paid for.'

Seller:'True. Let's have a break.'

5 minutes later

Seller:'Although you see the price is high, what I'd like you to consider is the quality of the product that you're obtaining. This component is not only the best built and most reliable on the market, it's also the most innovative and advanced. In fact, it won first prize at this year's Berlin TV component fair. So, what this gives you is the confidence that this component in two years time will still be at the cutting edge. Unfortunately, with some of the components on the market from other manufacturers, in six months they'll be obsolete.'

Buyer:'It's something that we have taken into consideration, but the price you're asking is very high.'

Seller:'Let's put the question of money to one side for the moment. You know that our company has one of the best reputations in the industry for not only the quality of the product and innovation, but also the quality control system in our factories. We have the lowest rate of returns of any company in the sector. So you know what you're getting, a cutting edge quality product with a negligible risk of failure.'

Buyer:'The quality and innovation of the product is not in doubt. But the price is higher than we're willing to pay.'

Seller:'I understand that you see the price as a little high, and I'm sure that you've been offered less. But how much do you spend each year replacing faulty components? What would you say if we guaranteed each of the components not for the standard 3 years but for 5 years. Plus, if one of your televisions breaks down due to a failure of one of our components, we'll not only replace the component for free, but also cover your labour costs of repair.'

Buyer:'So, if I understand correctly, you offering a 5 year guarantee and you'll pay for all labour costs where one of your components has caused a television to break down?'

Seller:'Yes.'

Buyer:'Hmm.'

Seller:'Don't give me an answer straight away. Think about it and get back to me.'  

1. A phrase that is used when you feel it is better for the negotiation to talk about something different with the other person, is
   I understand that you see the price as a little high What would you say if Don't give me an answer straight away Let's put the question of money to one side for the moment             

2. A different way to say that you don't have any problem with them getting quotes/offers from other companies, is
  we've had a number of different offers I can understand why you're looking around time-consuming process I can appreciate how you feel             

3. A phrase that suggests that the other person should think about an offer you have made to them before deciding, is
  what I'd like you to consider So you know what you're getting Don't give me an answer straight away Could I ask you what the issue is             

4. A phrase used to enable you to then explain to the other party/side the positive benefits of your product or service, is
  what this gives you we've had a number of different offers What would you say if Let's put the question of money to one side for the moment             

5. A phrase which is used to show that you appreciate how they must feel about how much you are asking them to pay, is
  I understand that you see the price as a little high time-consuming process Could I ask you what the issue is I can understand why you're looking around             

6. A way to say that something 'takes a long time' and in this context is used to show empathy for the other person, is
  we've had a number of different offers So you know what you're getting what I'd like you to consider time-consuming process             

7. A phrase that is used to introduce a new offer or concessions to what you have said before, is
  I can appreciate how you feel I understand that you see the price as a little high What would you say if Don't give me an answer straight away             

8. A phrase a buyer uses to say they are 'actively looking at other companies for the contract', is
  we've had a number of different offers So you know what you're getting Could I ask you what the issue is I can understand why you're looking around            

9. A phrase used to connect personally and empathise with the other person for a difficult situation they are in, is
  what this gives you Let's put the question of money to one side for the moment I can appreciate how you feel Don't give me an answer straight away            

10. A phrase used to reassure the buyer that means they 'can trust the product or service that you will obtain' from your company, is
  I can understand why you're looking around So you know what you're getting I understand that you see the price as a little high What would you say if            

11. A polite way to get the other person to tell you what their problem is with an offer you have made to them, is
  Don't give me an answer straight away we've had a number of different offers time-consuming process Could I ask you what the issue is            

12. A phrase which is used to persuade the buyer where after it you start talking about the benefits of your product or offer to them, is
  What would you say if I can appreciate how you feel what I'd like you to consider I can understand why you're looking around             

   

Human Development

When early humans hunted and gathered food, they were not in control of their environment. They could only interact with their surroundings as lower organisms did. When humans learned to make fire, however, they became capable of altering their environment. To provide themselves with fuel they stripped bark from trees, causing the trees to die. Clearings were burned in forests to increase the growth of grass and to provide a greater grazing area for the wild animals that humans fed upon. This development led to farming and the domestication of animals. Fire also provided the means for cooking plants which had previously been inedible. Only when the process of meeting the basic need for food reached a certain level of sophistication was it possible for humans to follow other pursuits such as the founding of cities.

1. This passage is mainly concerned with ----.

A) the evolution of farming techniques
B) the role of hunting as a source of food
C) how the discovery of fire changed the development of mankind
D) basic food-gathering techniques of early humans
E) how people supplied themselves with food prior to the discovery of how
        to make fire

2. One can infer from the passage that the discovery of how to make fire ----.

A) improved the hunting skills of early humans
B) caused early humans to interact with their surroundings as lower
        organisms did
C) taught early humans how to live with lower organisms
D) increased alimentary options for early humans
E) made easier for early humans to gather food

3. As we understand from the passage, early humans ----.

A) didn't eat plants before they learned how to control fire
B) used fire as a tool to alter their surroundings
C) gained better control of their environment when they learned to live
        with lower organisms
D) started to maintain their food supply by hunting and gathering food
        when they started cooking with fire
E) were the prey of many predators