Part Ⅰ Situational Dialogues

Practice 1

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

L: Would you like to have a look at our exhibits?

B: Yes, I'd love to.

L: Look at this graceful cloth. As you can see, this rose and heart design would lend a gay, festive air to any party.

B: Yes, it looks like it would.

L: And yet, this cloth gives the most practical service.

B: Does it?

L: Sure. You know, this cloth is an easy-to-care-for blend of cotton and tetoron. It offers not only extra strength but drip-dry laundering ease.

B: How is that?

L: You can simply dip it in soapsuds, rinse and allow it to drip dry. Of course, it dries quickly and smoothly without wrinkles. So you never need to iron it.

B: Ah, I see.

L: Besides, this charming cloth is economically priced, and so practical for family use.

B: That's rather impressive. May I have a copy of your sales literature?

L: Sure, here you are.

Practice 2

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

(On the phone.)

Liu: Nice talking to you Mr.Evans. This is Liu Jing, sales representative of TEC Co. Ltd. To meet our appointment, I've brought samples of our newly developed product Fastock to show you.

Evans: Yes, come to Room 316; you're expected there.

(Minutes later in room 316.)

Evans: Ms. Liu, please start if you do not mind.

Liu: Thank you, Mr.Evans. Our company has developed a new building material which we call Fastock. We regard it as a revolutionary new building material. In reality, it's a mixture of high-molecule compound and crop stocks.

Evans: What kind of end users does Fastock go into?

Liu: Fastock is shaped under high pressure and temperature into boards for walls, doors, and windows, home and office furniture, etc. It is easy to fabricate and cut to suit your specific needs.

Evans: I read about it in a trade journal but I haven't seen any details about it.

Liu: Besides, Fastock is environmently-friendly and raw materials can be found everywhere. For this reason, Fastock is low priced.

Evans: It seems like a promising item.

Liu: We believe that Fastock has good potential in the market and that your company has the best marketing capabilities to bring it to success.

Evans: We are always interested in expanding our business especially in new areas. We would be interested in exploring with you now that such a business offers a good opportunity. But I am curious why you selected us.

Liu: We made careful study and analysis and came to the conclusion that you are our first choice. OK, here is the introductory brochure and test report for your perusal.

Evans: That is an honor. Thank you.

Practice 3

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

Robert: Research shows that market potential for our new products is great. All we need now is a good promotional push.

Jane: You said it. We should draw more customers' attention to our new products.

Robert: We may let them try out our new products free for some time.

Jane: We may also offer them a discount.

Robert: And we may use coupons. The customers may tear off the coupon attached to the product and use it to get $10 off their next purchase of the same product.

Jane: And there is often a buy-one-get-one-free promotion in the supermarket.

Robert: Right! Is there any other aspect in the campaign?

Jane: Yes. Another important aspect is advertising through media, such as advertising on radio.

Robert: Have you thought about advertising in newspapers and magazines?

Jane: But it is said that advertising on radio is cheaper.

Robert: I see what you mean. But we cannot advertise very long on radio because it is expensive. Time is very limited. Only very well established companies can successfully advertise through radio.

Jane: That makes sense.

Part Ⅲ Workplace Practice

Ⅰ. Complete the following dialogue.

M: The product's selling point is its advanced technology.

F: Unfortunately, it's just too expensive for majority of consumer to afford.

M: Why is the price so high?

F: It's not just that the price is high; it's that the overhead to update an entire computer system to be compatible is costly.

M: Model of computers aren't compatible?

F: Most current computer systems simply can't handle it because this model truly has extraordinary capabilities.

M: Maybe after the next generation of technology comes out, the price of this model will become more affordable.

F: But by then, the technology will be outdated.

M: True, but our focus has never been affordability anyway. Cost-wise, we may not be very competitive, but quality-wise, we definitely have an edge.

F: That's right, no one else has a product on the market now that is comparable.

M: This model has advanced technology, superior components, it is compact, and it's a top-quality product.

F: I guess you get what you pay for.

Ⅱ. Translate the following dialogue into English.

Tony: I understand your company is in need of some new computer equipment?

Amy: Yes, we're doing an overhaul of the office and all its equipment.

Tony: Well, I might be able to help you there; the company I represent is a major provider of a wide range of quality computer equipment.

Amy: Oh yeah? There are 500 other computer companies out there; what makes your products so special?

Tony: Because not only do we custom-build the equipment to your requirements but our computers and aftersales service are first class.

Amy: Really? You can custom-build to our needs?

Tony: Certainly. We have our own computer specialists and engineers that can not only build your required systems, but also install all the necessary software and networks.

Amy: That sounds great. I haven't heard that offered before.

Tony: I assure you that you won't find better. Can I give you a few brochures that will further explain what we can offer?

Amy: Sure.

Ⅲ. Make a short speech (3 minutes).

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to present you the latest model of our mobile phone, Smart Voice 2013.I intend briefly to run through the 3 “P”s for the new model —the product, the place and the price. Please feel free to interrupt me wherever you've got a question.

To start with, we focus on the features of this new model. If you look at the screen behind me, showing a picture of Smart Voice 2013 and the animation and its functions, you'll see that it is small enough to fit writing into the palm of your hand. It has a decent weight and internal Internet. The phone is inclusive of web browser and you can connect it into the Internet. There is a 100-name internal phonebook. In addition to those, you can store on the same card and there is a space for up to 12 voice-style notes which serves as the selling point of this model. The 2013 model comes with 38 ring tones with space for 9 more for downloading the ring tone from the Internet. Close the ring tone composer, and a vibrating alert discretely informs you of the incoming calls and messages while 5 games will stop you from getting bored. Of course, it has all the common features such as alarm clock, reminders, stop watch, countdown timer, calculator, currency converter etc. I hope that all makes sense. In any case, I'll leave this detailed specification with you, which you can study at your leisure.

OK, now, let's move on to the next point: the place. By place, I mean, how we are going to distribute the product. The launch day for the Smart Voice 2013 will be January 1st, next year, since it will definitely be a season to buy new mobile phones as presents for the new year or the spring festival. It will then be in stock in all registered retailed outlets throughout the country. We'll also be making the phone available by mail order and online order with the guarantee of 6 days' delivery.

Pricing comes along with the product going on the market. At present, the new model will retail at approximately 3,000 yuan. It should be quite a reasonable price considering the quality and the advanced features.

Right. I'll stop here.

I hope you have a clearer picture of the new model, Smart Voice 2013. I am sure that you now share my enthusiasm for the product and hopefully you will be 100% behind this model. Thank you for your time and attention.

Ⅳ. Make a workplace interpretation (3 minutes).

H：杰克逊先生，您是否看过上次我给您的那些资料？

W：Yes, I did. As I said before, your level of quality is very high. However, I'm afraid I can't accept these prices.

H：我懂了。请别介意我直说，如果您要好的品质，就得付一点代价。

W：That's true. However, with this line of tennis rackets, you have stiff competition against you.

H：这怎么说？

W：Well, although your competitors' products are not as good as yours, they're cheaper and more attractive, which will bring in quicker profits in the short term.

H： 可是到目前为止，我们的产品在北美的市场一向销得很好。

W： Uh, but your new rackets are not well-known, and the look isn't attractive enough. The higher prices may push away customers.

H：更清楚地说，您觉得我们的球拍不容易吸引新顾客是因为价钱和外观设计？

W：That's right. Though I understand you have a solid line, I have to look for a dependable profit.

H：我了解。如果您大量订购，我们将给予更多折扣。

W：I really think it would be better at first for you to sell this new line of rackets at a lower price.

H：我不认为这样可行。原料的价格已经突然上涨，所以这个价钱的弹性不大。您想订多少？

W：Probably around a thousand items to begin. At the prices you gave me, a fifteen percent discount would be good.

H：打九折, 您看怎么样？

W：I'll tell you what. Let me take your samples back to my boss. We'll think it over and contact you later.