In Company Quick Placement Test
Notes to the teacher on using the Quick Placement Test:
This test covers a range of grammar and lexis found at each level of the In Company
books. The form of the test is multiple choice which is a familiar format for many
students and easy to administer. Each student will need a copy of the test and should
write his/her answers on the test. Each correct answer receives one mark. This gives a
final score out of fifty. Here is a scoring guideline to indicate the most appropriate
book for the student:
Scoring:
1-14 Elementary
15-29 Pre-intermediate
30-44 Intermediate
45 + Upper Intermediate
Note that this Quick Placement Test provides an assessment of level in terms of
grammar and lexis. For further testing of spoken English, listening and reading use
the other placement tests provided.
In Company Quick Placement Test
Name __________________________________ Date ___________
QUICK PLACEMENT TEST
(Grammar and Lexis)
You have 20 minutes. Complete as much of the test as you can. Complete the
sentences with answer a, b, c or d. See the example.
Example:
A:
Are you Mr Jensen?
B:
Yes, I a.
a
am
b
’m not
c
do
d
are
1
A: Is this the right place for British Airways?
B: Yes, it _____.
a
isn’t
b
are
c
is it
d
is
2
Roger is _____ Switzerland.
a
with
b
from
c
not
d
a
1
In Company Quick Placement Test
3
A: Do you smoke?
B: No, I _____.
a
don’t
b
’m not
c
not
d
doesn’t
4
A: _____ does he work?
B: In a hospital.
a
Why
b
When
c
What
d
Where
5
How _____ do they play golf?
a
usually
b
every
c
often
d
time
6
Are there _____ messages for me?
a
got
b
any
c
a
d
have
7
I’m afraid I can’t _____ the meeting at three.
a
to make
b
made
c
make
d
making
2
In Company Quick Placement Test
8
He _____ in when I rang.
a
wasn’t
b
isn’t
c
weren’t
d
didn’t
9
Henry _____ school at fifteen.
a
has left
b
leave
c
left
d
leaved
10
A: When _____ he phone?
B: At around three.
a
was
b
time
c
did
d
do
11
How _____ time off do you get a year?
a
many
b
much
c
any
d
some
12
It’s hotter today _____ yesterday.
a
as
b
the
c
more
d
than
3
In Company Quick Placement Test
13
I go to work _____ foot.
a
by
b
to
c
on
d
from
14
I _____ on an important project at the moment.
a
going to work
b
worked
c
work
d
’m working
15
I _____ the report yet. I need a couple more hours.
a
didn’t finish
b
don’t finish
c
haven’t finished
d
’m not finishing
16
I _____ a profit this year.
a
set up
b
made
c
did
d
ran
17
A: Can I have extension 315?
B: I’ll just _____ you through.
a
put
b
connect
c
call
d
play
4
In Company Quick Placement Test
18
Could I _____ a message?
a
speak
b
leave
c
tell
d
say
19
A: What’s he like?
B: He _____
a
works for the National Bank of Poland.
b
’s the Public Relations Manager.
c
’s a nice man.
d
plays golf.
20
A: How do you do?
B: _____
a
Pleased to meet you.
b
I’m pleased too.
c
Nice to have met you.
d
Good to see you too.
21
Who _____ the first e-mail?
a
did send
b
did happen
c
sent
d
was sent
22
I’ll _____ with the e-mail straight away.
a
send
b
deal
c
go
d
write
5
In Company Quick Placement Test
23
It’s the _____ meal I’ve ever eaten!
a
expensive than
b
more expensive
c
expensivest
d
most expensive
24
I’ll have breakfast sent _____ to your room.
a
up
b
out of
c
in
d
at
25
Prices have remained _____ in the first quarter.
a
increase
b
stable
c
same
d
steadily
26
I’m writing to _____ the refund for damaged goods.
a
claim
b
tackle
c
take
d
book
27
35,000 people _____ in the last five years.
a
were been laid off
b
lay off
c
are laid off
d
have been laid off
6
In Company Quick Placement Test
28
It cost one hundred euros! What a complete _____ of money.
a
invest
b
spent
c
waste
d
lot
29
He _____ me that he was happy in his new department.
a
said
b
told
c
speak
d
asked
30
We _____ less time travelling, if we worked from home.
a
spend
b
’d spend
c
would spent
d
are spending
31
Does the conference centre have internet _____?
a
access
b
location
c
centre
d
transfer
32
Sorry, I didn’t _____ that. Could you say it again?
a
not with
b
explain
c
catch
d
miss
7
In Company Quick Placement Test
33
Would you mind _____ , please?
a
not to smoke
b
not smoking
c
didn’t smoking
d
if not smoking
34
You _____ be tired after your long journey.
a
can
b
let
c
must
d
ought
35
I agree with you up to a _____.
a
question
b
position
c
point
d
view
36
_____ I thought everyone knew.
a
Won’t you hear?
b
Haven’t you heard?
c
Didn’t you hear?
d
Aren’t you hearing?
37
Let’s move _____ to the next point of my presentation.
a
about
b
up
c
for
d
on
8
In Company Quick Placement Test
38
I’m sorry, but can I just _____ in here?
a
come
b
interrupt
c
move
d
speak
39
So, let’s sum _____ what we’ve discussed so far.
a about
b
up
c
with
d
for
40
I _____ from you.
a
look forward to hear
b
looking forwards to hearing
c
look forward to hearing
d
look forwards for hearing
41
How are things _____ you?
a
with
b
to
c
at
a
of
42
I think it’s _____ of fish with cream and white wine.
a
kind
b
made
c
like
d
sort
9
In Company Quick Placement Test
43
I’m sorry for the _____ in getting back to you with the quote.
a
wait
b
hold
c
late
d
delay
44
I suggested _____ the whole thing forward by a week.
a
bringing
b
to bring
c
that bring
d
we bringing
45
With _____ I think that’s a little too low.
a
frank
b
respect
c
honesty
d
unfortunately
46
_____ no see. You haven’t changed a bit!
a
Long time
b
Long wait
c
Long listen
d
Long view
47
Are you saying they’ve fallen _____ of projections again?
a
down
b
decrease
c
short
d
rapidly
10
In Company Quick Placement Test
48
It was a very _____ meeting in the end.
a
achievement
b
smoothly
c
success
d
fruitful
49
I’ve just _____ a job with Bill Gates!
a
landed
b
run
c
set
d
caught
50
Can I get hold _____ the organisers?
a
to
b
of
c
for
d
up
11
In Company Quick Placement Test Answer Key
QUICK PLACEMENT TEST ANSWERS
1 d
2 b
3 a
4 d
5 c
6 b
7 c
8 a
9 c
10 c
11 b
12 d
13 c
14 d
15 c
16 b
17 a
18 b
19 c
20 a
21 c
22 b
23 d
24 a
25 b
26 a
27 d
28 c
1
In Company Quick Placement Test Answer Key
29 b
30 b
31 a
32 c
33 b
34 c
35 c
36 b
37 d
38 a
39 b
40 c
41 a
42 b
43 d
44 a
45 b
46 a
47 c
48 d
49 a
50 b
Placement scoring
1-14 Elementary
15-29 Pre Intermediate
30-44 Intermediate
45-50 Upper Intermediate
2
In Company Speaking Placement Test
Notes to the teacher on using the speaking placement test:
The following sets of questions and discussion points provide a guide to assessing a
student’s speaking level and to choosing the most appropriate In Company course
book for their studies. They are designed to be asked by the teacher during a
conversation with the student and reflect the structures and vocabulary students will
meet in each of the In Company books. As you work through the questions, the
questions become increasingly more difficult for the student and require a higher level
of English to give a fluent and accurate response.
It isn’t necessary to ask a student ALL the questions. Begin with some basic questions
from the Elementary section such as How are you today? What do you do? If the
student gives a confident response, move straight on to questions in the Pre-
intermediate section. Eventually you will find questions or topics that a student finds
too difficult to respond to. At this point, move back down to a level where the student
is comfortable talking again. The point at which the student starts to struggle indicates
the level of course book which will provide a challenge to the learner. If on the other
hand you feel the student wants a period for revision before attempting a higher level,
you might choose the level of book which matches the questions and topics where the
student seems most relaxed.
Finally, remember that these questions only provide a guide. Feel free to add some of
your own supplementary questions, let the student divert into a topic that interests
him/her or encourage the student to ask you questions too. The test should resemble a
conversation between equals – not an interrogation! You are strongly advised to use
this speaking placement test alongside the other In Company Placement Tests in order
to ensure an accurate assessment and to choose the right In Company book.
1
In Company Speaking Placement Test
SPEAKING PLACEMENT TEST
Elementary
Business and work
• Do you work for…? (name of company) What do you do?
• What time do you start / finish work?
• How often do you use English in your job? Can you write e-mails in English? Can
you telephone in English?
• Have you got a boss? What’s his/her name? What does he/she do?
• When did you join this company?
• What are you working on at the moment?
Social and travel
• Hello. How are you today?
• What’s your name?
• Can you spell it for me?
• Are you from…? (name of country)
• What do you do in your free time? Do you like any sports?
• What do you normally do at the weekend? What are you doing this weekend?
Pre-Intermediate
Business and work
• How long have you worked for your company? Where did you work before this?
• What sort of company do you work for? What are its main activities?
• Tell me about a colleague…
• What does he/she do? Has he worked at the company longer than you?
• What does your job involve? If someone applied for your job, what qualities
would they need?
• Do you think your job will change in the future?
2
In Company Speaking Placement Test
Social and travel
• Are you married? Where did you meet your husband/wife?
• How much holiday do you get a year? Do you travel for your job? Where have
you visited? What do you think of…? (name of country visited)
• Did you like the food there?
• What kind of food did you eat? What’s a typical dish in your country? What’s it
made of/served with?
Intermediate
Business and work
• If you started again, would you have done a different job?
• What’s the hardest thing about your job? What do you like about it?
• Who are your main competitors? What are the key differences between them and
you?
• What do you think makes a good boss?
• What kind of decisions do you make at work? Which are the hardest decisions?
• What kind of meetings do you attend? How do you prepare? What makes an
effective meeting?
Social and travel
• Do you eat out much? Do you take visitors? How important is entertaining visitors
in your work? What kind of things do you talk about?
• When you go on business trips which airline do you normally fly with? Tell me
about a recent trip…
• Was it successful? Why? Why not? What was the hotel/flight like?
• Do you find travel stressful? How do cope with stress? How do you relax at the
end of a day?
3
In Company Speaking Placement Test
Upper Intermediate
Business and work
• Does your company have a logo? What does it say about your company? How do
you think your customers describe your company?
Social and travel
• How easy is it to combine your work with your family?
• When you’re out with colleagues, are there any topics you avoid?
• Have you seen any good films recently? What happened?
• What recent news story made you angry recently? Why?
4
In Company Listening Placement Test
Notes to the teacher on using the Listening Placement Test:
There are three listenings which you will need to read aloud. Practise reading them a
few times before using them so that they sound natural. Include short pauses between
the phrases to allow students time to complete their answers. When administering the
test give students time to read through the three parts and the questions. Here are the
three listenings you will read. Read each of them twice.
Listening A
Hello. This is Mr Davies.
That’s D-A-V-I-E-S.
I’m calling about our meeting.
I can’t make next Tuesday.
Can you call me back on 00 39 356 4830. That’s 00 39 356 4830.
Call me after 6.30 tomorrow night.
Listening B
Hello, my name’s Phil Davies and I run an online company which delivers gifts
around the country.
Gifts-the-same-day dot com guarantees the customer same day delivery of anything
from flowers to perfume. Whether it’s for your wife or a colleague at work we’ll
make sure they receive it when you want it.
Unlike other companies all our products are chosen from the best suppliers and gift-
wrapped with a personal message from you.
And unlike other companies who offer only a full money back guarantee for late
delivery we also pay you the value of the purchase. That’s your money back – twice!
In Company Listening Placement Test
Listening C
Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. I’d like to talk to you this morning about
negotiating and what I feel is the way to a successful negotiation. Ideally, a successful
negotiation is a kind of joint problem-solving meeting, where we identify each other’s
interests, wants and needs and then explore the different ways we could satisfy those.
I say ‘ideally’ because it hardly ever is like that. Win-win negotiation is a great idea,
but most people have a simple ‘I win-you lose’ mentality.
So what do you do with the person who simply won’t listen, who keeps interrupting,
who becomes aggressive, who makes last-minute demands, who won’t make a
decision? I must have read dozens of books on negotiation tactics. The problem is, so
has everybody else. So they don’t really work.
My advice is: don’t get personal – ever; don’t agree to anything until you’ve
discussed everything; don’t make any concessions without asking for something in
return; ask lots of questions; and don’t give in to pressure.
Remember, if the answer must be now, the answer must be ‘No’.
In Company Listening Placement Test
Name __________________________________ Date ___________
LISTENING PLACEMENT TEST
Listening A
Listen twice to the message on an answer machine. Complete the notes below.
(1) Mr ____________ called about (2)____________. He won’t be able to come on
(3) ____________. Please call him back on (4)____________________ after
(5)__________ tomorrow night.
Listening B
Listen twice to a short presentation. Answer the following questions:
6
What kind of company does the speaker describe?______________________
_______________________________________________________________
7
What can you receive with this company?_____________________________
_______________________________________________________________
8
What does the company guarantee? __________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
9
What can the customer send with the gift?_____________________________
_______________________________________________________________
10
If the delivery is late, what does the customer receive? ___________________
_______________________________________________________________
Listening C
Listen twice to a speaker talking about negotiating. In each question choose the
best statement (a, b or c) which summarises what the speaker believes.
11
The speaker believes a successful negotiation is when both sides
a
exploit each other’s problems.
b
solve each other’s problems.
c
look for differences.
1
In Company Listening Placement Test
12
The speaker believes that most people
a
want to get the best deal for themselves.
b
look for an ideal solution.
c
think negotiating is a good way to do business.
13
The speaker believes that
a
you shouldn’t do business with ‘I win-you lose’ negotiators.
b
all negotiators know the same techniques.
c
you won’t find answers to difficult negotiators in books.
14
The speaker believes that you should always
a
avoid personal questions.
b
get something in return for giving something.
c
agree to discuss everything.
15
The speaker believes that you shouldn’t agree to anything
a
immediately.
b
in a negotiation.
c
if you are under time pressure.
2
In Company Listening Placement Test Answer Key
LISTENING PLACEMENT TEST ANSWERS
1 Davies
2 the meeting
3 Tuesday
4 00 39 356 4830
5 6.30
6 an online company (that delivers gifts)
7 gifts such as flowers and perfume
8 same day delivery
9 a personal message
10 your money back and the value of the purchase
11 b
12 a
13 b
14 b
15 c
Listening placement scoring
1-4
Elementary
5-8
Pre-intermediate
9-12 Intermediate
13-15 Upper Intermediate
In Company Reading Placement Test
Name __________________________________ Date ___________
READING PLACEMENT TEST
Below are three readings with missing words. Read and choose a missing word
from answers a, b, c or d.
For Reading A:
1
a write
b read
c delete
d see
2
a he
b they
c it
d e-mail
3
a him
b us
c her
d we
4
a always
b never
c every day
d often
5
a who
b this
c these
d what
READING A
It’s easy to (1)_____ an e-mail. You type it onto a computer screen, hit a button and
off (2)_____ goes. But the speed of the process is also a problem. It doesn’t
encourage (3)_____ to think much about what we write. As a result, e-mail messages
are (4)_____ grammatically incorrect, disorganised and full of spelling and typing
errors. Badly expressed ideas are more difficult to read. They can also cause
expensive misunderstandings. Managers nowadays have to read enormous quantities
of e-mails, and (5)_____ adds to the stress of their jobs.
For Reading B:
6
a hard
b good
c offensive
d polite
7
a because
b but
c however
d and
8
a By
b As
c Unless
d If
9
a business
b place
c market
d shop
10
a cheaper
b less
c least
d same
READING B
A hard sell is often seen as (6)______ in Japan. Japanese business people may think
that you are trying to convince them (7)______ your product is no good. It is better to
1
In Company Reading Placement Test
use a low-key sale pitch and give them objective information. The Japanese are not
accustomed to aggressive American techniques that use a persuasive ‘winning’
argument. (8)____ you are not completely honest about your product, your credibility
will be damaged and what you say will lose influence. Don’t say that yours is ‘the
best on the (9)______’. It is better to say, ‘We sold more than two million units last
year. As you know our closest competitor sold (10)_____ than a million.’
For Reading C:
11
a crash
b share
c flotation
d increase
12
a broadcasted b grown
c fallen
d advertised
13
a outlets
b shirts
c middlemen d contracts
14
a logo
b service
c brand
d manager
15
a refunded
b claimed
c netted
d advertised
READING C
Manchester United stopped being just a famous football team several years ago and
became a highly successful multinational corporation. The words ‘football’ and ‘club’
were actually dropped from the players’ badges in 2000 in an effort to strengthen the
corporate image. With a successful stock market (11) _________ in 1991 and a
market value, according to City accountants Deloitte and Touche, of over £110m,
Manchester United is as much a triumph of the media as of great soccer. ‘Top clubs
have
(12) _________ on the back of Television contracts’, says Richard Baldwin of
Deloitte and Touche. With this also comes merchandising. Manchester United’s
megastore stocks 1,500 different items, is constantly packed, and merchandising (13)
_________ as far away as Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney attract thousands of
fans who couldn’t even tell you where Manchester is on the map. ‘United look and
behave very much like a traditional business from a corporate point of view,’ says
Nigel Hawkins, a financial analyst. ‘They have a strong (14)_________ and have
worked to maximise it by bringing in good people.’ They certainly have. One
sponsorship deal alone – with Vodaphone – (15)_________ Manchester £30 million.
2
In Company Reading Placement Test Answer Key
READING PLACEMENT TEST ANSWERS
1 a
2 c
3 b
4 d
5 b
6 c
7 a
8 d
9 c
10 b
11 c
12 b
13 a
14 c
15 c
Reading placement scoring
1-4
Elementary
5-8
Pre-intermediate
9-12 Intermediate
13-15 Upper Intermediate
In Company Full Placement Test
For the teacher:
Texts for Section 3: Listening
There are three listenings which you will need to read aloud. Practise reading them a few
times before using them so that they sound natural. Include short pauses between the
phrases to allow students time to complete their answers. When administering the test
give students time to read through the three parts and the questions. Here are the three
listenings you will read. Read each of them twice.
Listening A
Hello. This is Mr Davies.
That’s D-A-V-I-E-S.
I’m calling about our meeting.
I can’t make next Tuesday.
Can you call me back on 00 39 356 4830. That’s 00 39 356 4830.
Call me after 6.30 tomorrow night.
Listening B
Hello, my name’s Phil Davies and I run an online company which delivers gifts around
the country.
Gifts-the-same-day dot com guarantees the customer same day delivery of anything from
flowers to perfume. Whether it’s for your wife or a colleague at work we’ll make sure
they receive it when you want it.
Unlike other companies all our products are chosen from the best suppliers and gift-
wrapped with a personal message from you.
In Company Full Placement Test
And unlike other companies who offer only a full money back guarantee for late delivery
we also pay you the value of the purchase. That’s your money back – twice!
Listening C
Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. I’d like to talk to you this morning about
negotiating and what I feel is the way to a successful negotiation. Ideally, a successful
negotiation is a kind of joint problem-solving meeting, where we identify each other’s
interests, wants and needs and then explore the different ways we could satisfy those.
I say ‘ideally’ because it hardly ever is like that. Win-win negotiation is a great idea, but
most people have a simple ‘I win-you lose’ mentality.
So what do you do with the person who simply won’t listen, who keeps interrupting, who
becomes aggressive, who makes last-minute demands, who won’t make a decision? I
must have read dozens of books on negotiation tactics. The problem is, so has everybody
else. So they don’t really work.
My advice is: don’t get personal – ever; don’t agree to anything until you’ve discussed
everything; don’t make any concessions without asking for something in return; ask lots
of questions; and don’t give in to pressure.
Remember, if the answer must be now, the answer must be ‘No’.
In Company Full Placement Test
Name __________________________________ Date ___________
FULL PLACEMENT TEST
Section A: Grammar and Lexis
Complete the sentences with answer a, b, c or d. See the example.
Example:
A:
Are you Mr Jensen?
B:
Yes, I a.
a
am
b
’m not
c
do
d
are
1
A: Is this the right place for British Airways?
B: Yes, it _____.
a
isn’t
b
are
c
is it
d
is
2
Roger is _____ Switzerland.
a
with
b
from
c
not
d
a
1
In Company Full Placement Test
3
A: Do you smoke?
B: No, I _____.
a
don’t
b
’m not
c
not
d
doesn’t
4
A: _____ does he work?
B: In a hospital.
a
Why
b
When
c
What
d
Where
5
How _____ do they play golf?
a
usually
b
every
c
often
d
time
6
Are there _____ messages for me?
a
got
b
any
c
a
d
have
7
I’m afraid I can’t _____ the meeting at three.
a
to make
b
made
c
make
d
making
2
In Company Full Placement Test
8
He _____ in when I rang.
a
wasn’t
b
isn’t
c
weren’t
d
didn’t
9
Henry _____ school at fifteen.
a
has left
b
leave
c
left
d
leaved
10
A: When _____ he phone?
B: At around three.
a
was
b
time
c
did
d
do
11
How _____ time off do you get a year?
a
many
b
much
c
any
d
some
12
It’s hotter today _____ yesterday.
a
as
b
the
c
more
d
than
3
In Company Full Placement Test
13
I go to work _____ foot.
a
by
b
to
c
on
d
from
14
I _____ on an important project at the moment.
a
going to work
b
worked
c
work
d
’m working
15
I _____ the report yet. I need a couple more hours.
a
didn’t finish
b
don’t finish
c
haven’t finished
d
’m not finishing
16
I _____ a profit this year.
a
set up
b
made
c
did
d
ran
17
A: Can I have extension 315?
B: I’ll just _____ you through.
a
put
b
connect
c
call
d
play
4
In Company Full Placement Test
18
Could I _____ a message?
a
speak
b
leave
c
tell
d
say
19
A: What’s he like?
B: He _____
a
works for the National Bank of Poland.
b
’s the Public Relations Manager.
c
’s a nice man.
d
plays golf.
20
A: How do you do?
B: _____
a
Pleased to meet you.
b
I’m pleased too.
c
Nice to have met you.
d
Good to see you too.
21
Who _____ the first e-mail?
a
did send
b
did happen
c
sent
d
was sent
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In Company Full Placement Test
22
I’ll _____ with the e-mail straight away.
a
send
b
deal
c
go
d
write
23
It’s the _____ meal I’ve ever eaten!
a
expensive than
b
more expensive
c
expensivest
d
most expensive
24
I’ll have breakfast sent _____ to your room.
a
up
b
out of
c
in
d
at
25
Prices have remained _____ in the first quarter.
a
increase
b
stable
c
same
d
steadily
26
I’m writing to _____ the refund for damaged goods.
a
claim
b
tackle
c
take
d
book
6
In Company Full Placement Test
27
35,000 people _____ in the last five years.
a
were been laid off
b
lay off
c
are laid off
d
have been laid off
28
It cost one hundred euros! What a complete _____ of money.
a
invest
b
spent
c
waste
d
lot
29
He _____ me that he was happy in his new department.
a
said
b
told
c
speak
d
asked
30
We _____ less time travelling, if we worked from home.
a
spend
b
’d spend
c
would spent
d
are spending
31
Does the conference centre have internet _____?
a
access
b
location
c
centre
d
transfer
7
In Company Full Placement Test
32
Sorry, I didn’t _____ that. Could you say it again?
a
not with
b
explain
c
catch
d
miss
33
Would you mind _____ , please?
a
not to smoke
b
not smoking
c
didn’t smoking
d
if not smoking
34
You _____ be tired after your long journey.
a
can
b
let
c
must
d
ought
35
I agree with you up to a _____.
a
question
b
position
c
point
d
view
36
_____ I thought everyone knew.
a
Won’t you hear?
b
Haven’t you heard?
c
Didn’t you hear?
d
Aren’t you hearing?
8
In Company Full Placement Test
37
Let’s move _____ to the next point of my presentation.
a
about
b
up
c
for
d
on
38
I’m sorry, but can I just _____ in here?
a
come
b
interrupt
c
move
d
speak
39
So, let’s sum _____ what we’ve discussed so far.
a about
b
up
c
with
d
for
40
I _____ from you.
a
look forward to hear
b
looking forwards to hearing
c
look forward to hearing
d
look forwards for hearing
41
How are things _____ you?
a
with
b
to
c
at
a
of
9
In Company Full Placement Test
42
I think it’s _____ of fish with cream and white wine.
a
kind
b
made
c
like
d
sort
43
I’m sorry for the _____ in getting back to you with the quote.
a
wait
b
hold
c
late
d
delay
44
I suggested _____ the whole thing forward by a week.
a
bringing
b
to bring
c
that bring
d
we bringing
45
With _____ I think that’s a little too low.
a
frank
b
respect
c
honesty
d
unfortunately
46
_____ no see. You haven’t changed a bit!
a
Long time
b
Long wait
c
Long listen
d
Long view
10
In Company Full Placement Test
47
Are you saying they’ve fallen _____ of projections again?
a
down
b
decrease
c
short
d
rapidly
48
It was a very _____ meeting in the end.
a
achievement
b
smoothly
c
success
d
fruitful
49
I’ve just _____ a job with Bill Gates!
a
landed
b
run
c
set
d
caught
50
Can I get hold _____ the organisers?
a
to
b
of
c
for
d
up
11
In Company Full Placement Test
Section B: Reading
Below are three readings with missing words. Read and choose a missing word from
answers a, b, c or d.
For Reading A:
1
a write
b read
c delete
d see
2
a he
b they
c it
d e-mail
3
a him
b us
c her
d we
4
a always
b never
c every day
d often
5
a who
b this
c these
d what
READING A
It’s easy to (1)_____ an e-mail. You type it on to a computer screen, hit a button and off
(2)_____ goes. But the speed of the process is also a problem. It doesn’t encourage
(3)_____ to think much about what we write. As a result, e-mail messages are (4)_____
grammatically incorrect, disorganised and full of spelling and typing errors. Badly
expressed ideas are more difficult to read. They can also cause expensive
misunderstandings. Managers nowadays have to read enormous quantities of e-mails, and
(5)_____ adds to the stress of their jobs.
For Reading B:
6
a hard
b good
c offensive
d polite
7
a because
b but
c however
d and
8
a By
b As
c Unless
d If
9
a business
b place
c market
d shop
10
a cheaper
b less
c least
d same
READING B
A hard sell is often seen as (6)______ in Japan. Japanese business people may think that
you are trying to convince them (7)______ your product is no good. It is better to use a
12
In Company Full Placement Test
low-key sale pitch and give them objective information. The Japanese are not accustomed
to aggressive American techniques that use a persuasive ‘winning’ argument. (8)____
you are not completely honest about your product, your credibility will be damaged and
what you say will lose influence. Don’t say that yours is ‘the best on the (9)______’. It is
better to say, ‘We sold more than two million units last year. As you know our closest
competitor sold (10)_____ than a million.’
For Reading C:
11
a crash
b share
c flotation
d increase
12
a broadcasted b grown
c fallen
d advertised
13
a outlets
b shirts
c middlemen d contracts
14
a logo
b service
c brand
d manager
15
a refunded
b claimed
c netted
d advertised
READING C
Manchester United stopped being just a famous football team several years ago and
became a highly successful multinational corporation. The words ‘football’ and ‘club’
were actually dropped from the players’ badges in 2000 in an effort to strengthen the
corporate image. With a successful stock market (11) _________ in 1991 and a market
value, according to City accountants Deloitte and Touche, of over £110m, Manchester
United is as much a triumph of the media as of great soccer. ‘Top clubs have
(12) _________ on the back of Television contracts’, says Richard Baldwin of Deloitte
and Touche. With this also comes merchandising. Manchester United’s megastore stocks
1,500 different items, is constantly packed, and merchandising (13) _________ as far
away as Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney attract thousands of fans who couldn’t even
tell you where Manchester is on the map. ‘United look and behave very much like a
traditional business from a corporate point of view,’ says Nigel Hawkins, a financial
analyst. ‘They have a strong (14)_________ and have worked to maximise it by bringing
in good people.’ They certainly have. One sponsorship deal alone – with Vodaphone –
(15)_________ Manchester £30 million.
13
In Company Full Placement Test
Section C: Listening
Listening A
Listen twice to the message on an answer machine. Complete the notes below.
(1) Mr ____________ called about (2)____________. He won’t be able to come on
(3) ____________. Please call him back on (4)____________________ after
(5)__________ tomorrow night.
Listening B
Listen twice to a short presentation. Answer the following questions:
6
What kind of company does the speaker describe?______________________
_______________________________________________________________
7
What can you receive with this company?_____________________________
_______________________________________________________________
8
What does the company guarantee? __________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
9
What can the customer send with the gift?_____________________________
_______________________________________________________________
10
If the delivery is late, what does the customer receive? ___________________
_______________________________________________________________
14
In Company Full Placement Test
Listening C
Listen twice to a speaker talking about negotiating. In each question choose the best
statement (a, b or c) which summarises what the speaker believes.
11
The speaker believes a successful negotiation is when both sides
a
exploit each other’s problems.
b
solve each other’s problems.
c
look for differences.
12
The speaker believes that most people
a
want to get the best deal for themselves.
b
look for an ideal solution.
c
think negotiating is a good way to do business.
13
The speaker believes that
a
you shouldn’t do business with ‘I win-you lose’ negotiators.
b
all negotiators know the same techniques.
c
you won’t find answers to difficult negotiators in books.
14
The speaker believes that you should always
a
avoid personal questions.
b
get something in return for giving something.
c
agree to discuss everything.
15
The speaker believes that you shouldn’t agree to anything
a
immediately.
b
in a negotiation.
c
if you are under time pressure.
15
In Company Full Placement Test
Section D: Speaking
Elementary
Business and work
• Do you work for…? (name of company) What do you do?
• What time do you start / finish work?
• How often do you use English in your job? Can you write e-mails in English? Can you
telephone in English?
• Have you got a boss? What’s his/her name? What does he/she do?
• When did you join this company?
• What are you working on at the moment?
Social and travel
• Hello. How are you today?
• What’s your name?
• Can you spell it for me?
• Are you from…? (name of country)
• What do you do in your free time? Do you like any sports?
• What do you normally do at the weekend? What are you doing this weekend?
Pre-Intermediate
Business and work
• How long have you worked for your company? Where did you work before this?
• What sort of company do you work for? What are its main activities?
• Tell me about a colleague…
• What does he/she do? Has he worked at the company longer than you?
• What does your job involve? If someone applied for your job, what qualities would
they need?
• Do you think your job will change in the future?
16
In Company Full Placement Test
Social and travel
• Are you married? Where did you meet your husband/wife?
• How much holiday do you get a year? Do you travel for your job? Where have you
visited? What do you think of…? (name of country visited)
• Did you like the food there?
• What kind of food did you eat? What’s a typical dish in your country? What’s it
made of/served with?
Intermediate
Business and work
• If you started again, would you have done a different job?
• What’s the hardest thing about your job? What do you like about it?
• Who are your main competitors? What are the key differences between them and you?
• What do you think makes a good boss?
• What kind of decisions do you make at work? Which are the hardest decisions?
• What kind of meetings do you attend? How do you prepare? What makes an
effective meeting?
Social and travel
• Do you eat out much? Do you take visitors? How important is entertaining visitors in
your work? What kind of things do you talk about?
• When you go on business trips which airline do you normally fly with? Tell me about
a recent trip…
• Was it successful? Why? Why not? What was the hotel/flight like?
• Do you find travel stressful? How do cope with stress? How do you relax at the end
of a day?
17
In Company Full Placement Test
Upper Intermediate
Business and work
• Does your company have a logo? What does it say about your company? How do you
think your customers describe your company?
Social and travel
• How easy is it to combine your work with your family?
• When you’re out with colleagues, are there any topics you avoid?
• Have you seen any good films recently? What happened?
• What recent news story made you angry recently? Why?
18
In Company Full Placement Test Answer Key
FULL PLACEMENT TEST ANSWERS
Section A: Grammar and Lexis
1 d
2 b
3 a
4 d
5 c
6 b
7 c
8 a
9 c
10 c
11 b
12 d
13 c
14 d
15 c
16 b
17 a
18 b
19 c
20 a
21 c
22 b
23 d
24 a
25 b
26 a
27 d
1
In Company Full Placement Test Answer Key
28 c
29 b
30 b
31 a
32 c
33 b
34 c
35 c
36 b
37 d
38 a
39 b
40 c
41 a
42 b
43 d
44 a
45 b
46 a
47 c
48 d
49 a
50 b
Grammar and Lexis placement scoring
1-14 Elementary
15-29 Pre-intermediate
30-44 Intermediate
45-50 Upper Intermediate
2
In Company Full Placement Test Answer Key
Section B: Reading
1 a
2 c
3 b
4 d
5 b
6 c
7 a
8 d
9 c
10 b
11 c
12 b
13 a
14 c
15 c
Reading placement scoring
1-4
Elementary
5-8
Pre-intermediate
9-12 Intermediate
13-15 Upper Intermediate
Section C: Listening
1 Davies
2 the meeting
3 Tuesday
4 00 39 356 4830
5 6.30
3
In Company Full Placement Test Answer Key
6 an online company (that delivers gifts)
7 gifts such as flowers and perfume
8 same day delivery
9 a personal message
10 your money back and the value of the purchase
11 b
12 a
13 b
14 b
15 c
Listening placement scoring
1-4
Elementary
5-8
Pre-intermediate
9-12 Intermediate
13-15 Upper Intermediate
4
Document Outline