《商务英语写作教程》期末考试复习资料
I. Short Questions:
1. The principles of business English writing:
①To be clear:
Good business writing is clear. It has a definite message, with no confusion about what each sentence is trying to communicate. ②To be concise:
Properly written business papers are concise, expressing ideas in just enough words as is necessary. There’s no unnecessary long-windedness and beating around the bush. ③To be complete:
A good business paper should be complete, containing all the information the recipients will need in order to effectively understand it. ④To be considerate:
Keep your reader's needs in mind as you write. Ask yourself, 'Why should my reader spend time reading this' Make it worthwhile for them to do so! We were motivated to survive, to listen and to act. Keep in mind your audience or reader might not be as receptive. ⑤To be correct:
Successfully communicate your message because all mistakes, whether mechanical or factual, have been sufficiently addressed by checking all your information is accurate and timely. Proof read it before you send it! We couldn't afford to make mistakes, our lives depended on it! ⑥To be courteous:
Good business writing takes people into account, so it’s neither callous nor insensitive. There’s a prevailing air of courtesy to everyone addressed, regardless of how high or low their job titles may be. ⑦To be concrete:
Convey your massages concretely, and they should not be abstract. ⑧To be creative:
Use different formats to communicate your message. Q & A format, graphics, Idea lists, etc. ⑨To be credible:
Strive to present yourself from a position of reliability and competence. Write to reinforce your message and make it more believable.
2. The functions of business English writing:
① to promote sales and services ② to handle routine business ③ to establish good will ④ to respond to complaints ⑤ to collect money
⑥ to place orders
⑦ to make announcement
3. The purposes of business English writing:
① to explain or justify actions already taken;
② to convey information, as in a research report or the promulgation of a new company policy.
③ to influence the reader to take some action; ④ to deliver good or bad news; ⑤ to direct action.,
II. Sentence Rewriting:
1. What we know about the recipient to whom we shall write would help us organize our material.
What we know about the recipient would help us organize our material.
2. In the vast majority of cases, our products are popular with European markets. In mostcases, our products are popular with European markets. 3. Our company has strict standards that are used to standardize quality control. Our company has strict standards ofquality control 4. Recipients of our letters will appreciate if we have taken the time to avoid wasting theirs. Recipients of our letters will appreciate our having taken the time to avoid wasting theirs. 5. The question whether it’s feasible to use this dedicated system remains. The question remainswhether it’s feasible to use this dedicated system.
6. The glossary(附录) section contains technical terms and their definitions that are selected. The glossary(附录) section contains selectedtechnical terms and their definitions.
is importantto make documents appropriate to the goals one has in mind when he or she writes them.
It is important to make documents appropriate to the goals one has in mind when writing them.
8. At this point in time, the motor housing will remain square in shape. At this time, the motor housing will remain square. 9. There is someone downstairs who wants to see you. Someone downstairs wants to see you.
10. At the time of receiving a visitor or delegation, the host should make an arrangement for them.
Receiving a visitor or delegation, the host should make an arrangement for them.
11. In spite of the fact that your price is competitive, the quality of your products is less competitive.
Although your price is competitive, the quality of your products is less competitive. 12. Content is relate to language which is used in the writing whereas from refers to the structure of the writing.
Content is relate to language used in the writing whereas from refers to the structure of the writing.
13. Redundancy, when statements are repeated needlessly, occurs.
Redundancy occurs when statements are repeated needlessly. 14. Some questions related to this issue have not yet been solved. Some relevant questions have not yet been solved.
15. Receipt of your letter of January 28 is acknowledged here with. We have received your letter of January 28. Your letter of January 28 has arrived.
16. It is difficult to explain the reason for the delayin the completion of the investigation. It is difficult to explain why we have not yet completed the investigation.
17. Despite the fact that a well-written personal statements will not overcome poor grades, a poor one will surely hurt your chances of acceptance.
Althougha well-written personal statements will not overcome poor grades, a poor one will surely hurt your chances of acceptance.
18. A decisionon this matter must be made in a prompt manner before the deadline comes and goes.
We must decide on this matter before the deadline.
19. Today we shipped your order of April 15, and you should be receiving it next week. Your order of April 15 was shipped today and should arrive next week.
20. In the business world, thank-you letters have become a must in the event that you care about your career.
In the business world, thank-you letters have become a must if you care about your career.
III. Error Correction:
Class Exercise 1:
1. The inside address is the writer’s address.
The inside address is the addressee’s / recipient’saddress. 2. When window envelopes are used, letters need to be folded so that the name and address appear in the middle.
When window envelopes are used, letters need to be folded so that the name and address appear on the left. 3. Because sales letters are effective and economic (compared with print and video advertising, for example), they are an integral part of many companies’ marketing strategies. Because sales letters are effective and economical（节约的） (compared with print and video advertising, for example), they are an integral part of many companies’ marketing strategies. 4. A company or a firm often absorbs new colleagues to extend its business. A company or a firm often absorbs new colleagues to expand its business. 5. Period reports, sometimes called activity reports, allow management to stay informing on staff progress with ongoing work and projects.
Period reports, sometimes called activity reports, allow management to stay informed on staff progress with ongoing work and projects.
6. A courtesy like Mr., Dr., or Ms. precedes the name of the addressee, and where applicable, a professional title precedes the addressee’s last name.
A courtesy like Mr., Dr., or Ms. followsthe name of the addressee, and where applicable, a professional title precedes the addressee’s last name. 7. Is there anything wrong with the following address
The Johnson Company Department Stores Credit Department 1 Broad Street
Jackson, MS 39558 One Broad Street * 1. Zip Code: 美国邮编，其他国家不能用； Postcode: 英国加拿大使用； Postal Code: 其他国家。
2. 号码为1时，要写成One, 其他可以写阿拉伯数字。
8. An itinerary is usually a plan of a journey you are going to make, which includes information about when and what you will travel.
An itinerary is usually a plan of a journey you are going to make, which includes information about when and whereyou will travel.
9. In the world of business, questionnaires are frequently used to collect statistics or as part of a report.
In the world of business, questionnaires are frequently used to collect statistics or as part of a survey.
10. It is necessary to say “references available upon request” at the end of a letter of application.
It is unnecessary/ needless to say “references（证明人） available upon request” at the end of a letter of application. Class Exercise Two:
1. It is strange how important your job is when you ask for a raise and what important it is when you want a day off.
2. The complimentary close in a letter functions as a mark of both the end of the text and the information for the addressee.
3. Therefore, language used for regulations and rules should be simple but informal. 4. Reports may be internal and external, informal or formal.
5. Public signs refer to boards and notices that are used to give informations to the public for warnings and directions and even for advertising.
Public signs refer to boards and notices that are used to give information to the public for warnings and directions and even for advertising.
6. For some sensible problems, writing a letter is more effective than a face-to-face encounter.
7. The company has done a lot of new innovations. The company has done a lot of innovations.
8. Traffic signs are set up on the each side of roads, streets and freeways.
Traffic signs are set up on the either side/ both sides of roads, streets and freeways.
9. Usually, a recipe contains the name of the dish, ingredients required, process of cooking and sometimes way of doing.
Usually, a recipe contains the name of the dish, ingredients required, process of cooking and sometimes way of taking.
10. However difficult and painful they are to write, letters of condolence and sympathy are imperative if you have a personal or business relation with the deceased’s family or friends.
However difficult and painful they are to write, letters of condolence and sympathy are imperative if you have a personal or business relationship with the deceased’s family or friends.
relationship: 私人、个人关系；relation: 公共关系（国与国之间用relations）
III. Blank-filling:
may occur in day-to-day business, and these give excuses/ causes/ reasons for complaint 2. Customers usually settle their accounts by check when payment is due. 3. placing an order is…
4. The supplier sends an order acknowledgement promptly to thank his or her customer. 5. In the case of customers of long standing, or repeat orders, the inquiry may be very a phone call or a postcard will do.
6. However, some overlook the date and have to be reminded of the account outstanding / unpaid. 总结：以able, ible结尾的形容词最好做后置定语。 . She is the only teacher available.
7. There may be good（充分的）reasons for a customer’s inability to pay. . It’s a good walk for you. 够你走的了。
8. There will often be good reason to make a counter-offer with the object of obtaining better price or terms or a shorter time of delivery.
9. Direct advertising, in the form of letters to a selected group of readers, is an effective way to promote sales.
10. The quotation in reply to inquiry may be a simple one, containing simply the prices and other information asked for.
11. When payment has not been received in reply to the reminder, the creditor will write again in a firmer tone.
12. Customer usually settle their accounts by cheque when payment is due. 13. A buyer need not accept the prices and terms offered by the seller unconditionally. 14. A firm offer is subject to certain conditions, a deadline for the receipt orders, or a special price for certain quantities.
firm order 实盘 non-firm order虚盘
15. An inquiry is sent when a businessperson wants some information.
16. Every English letters needs a salutation. Dear Sirs) and a complimentary close. . Yours faithfully)
17. A goodwill letter, as its names implies, is not written to obtain an order, or to collect outstanding/ unpaid bills.
18 As a result of the negotiations the supplier could make a concession, particularly for an introductory sale, or if the customer places a large order. 19. Almost any communication can be used as a sales letter.
20. If the debtor gives no reason for non-payment and sends no remittance, the last course is to use the services of a collection agency or to take legal action.
《商务英语写作教程》期末考试复习资料
