08.10.2024

 

  

Sunset

When the air is clear, the sunset will appear yellow, because the light from the sun has passed a long distance through air and the blue light has been scattered away. If the air is polluted with small particles, natural or otherwise, the sunset will be more red. Sunsets over the sea may also be orange, due to salt particles in the air. The sky around the sun is seen reddened, as well as the light coming directly from the sun. This is because all light is scattered relatively well through small angles, but blue light is then more likely to be scattered twice over the greater distances, leaving the yellow, red and orange colors.

1. As it is pointed out in the passage, the color of the sunset ----.

A) may be lighter than expected due to salt particles in the air
B) is red if the sky is clear
C) owes its blueness to the distance between the sun and the earth
D) is a combination of all the colors
E) depends on the weather conditions and the location where it takes place

2. One can infer from the passage that the sunset looks yellow because ----.

A) scattering does not play an appreciable role in determining the color of the transmitted light
B) the blue light is scattered on the long way through the air at that time
C) the light coming directly from the sun is blue
D) the air is polluted to such a degree that the Earth's climate is actually changing
E) sunsets generally take place on the sea

3. As it is pointed out in the passage, ----.

A) our eyes are more sensitive to light with blue frequencies
B) the red light passes easily through the air without scattering at all
C) when the sun sets, only the blue light is left
D) the sunset is likely to look orange when small particles, such as salt from sea spray, are in the air
E) by the time the light from a sunset gets to you, only red light remains

1. A phrase used for emphasis to tell somebody that you can't do anything and 'the decision is now with somebody else', is
   Could you clarify what exactly this means this is going nowhere it's out of my hands             

2. A polite way to inform somebody that they still haven't explained something well to you, is
  I'm still not clear about it I think we ought to sleep on it I'm afraid that I need to check with             

3. A politer way to say that 'this is a waste of time' when the other person is unwilling to compromise, is
  we can't do I'm afraid that I need to check with this is going nowhere             

4. A professional way to ask somebody to explain something to you, is
  I think we ought to sleep on it Could you clarify what exactly this means before we move on, we require             

5. A phrase which means that you require confirmation from somebody else whether something is acceptable or not, is
  my hands are tied before we move on, we require I'm afraid that I need to check with             

6. A polite way to say 'we should stop the negotiation for today', is
  it's out of my hands this is going nowhere I think we ought to sleep on it             

7. A phrase used to slow down a negotiation where you tell the other person you need some more information/details, is
  before we move on, we require we can't do Can you put that in writing             

8. An informal way to say that you 'not able to attend' a meeting on a day or time they have suggested, is
  this is going nowhere we can't do I'm still not clear about it            

9. A phrase that means that you don't have authority to do or agree to something they have offered, is
  my hands are tied Could you clarify what exactly this means before we move on, we require            

10. A phrase which can be used to slow down a negotiation that asks somebody to confirm something on paper or in an email they have just offered, is
  I'm afraid that I need to check with Can you put that in writing we can't do            

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