1. Read the following passage and choose the best answer July 26, 2019
Ms. Matilda Wood 19 Rose Street,
Wollongong, NSW 2500 Australia
Dear Ms. Wood,
We are pleased to offer you the position of Budget Assistant at Bunnings, Inc. We would like you to start work on Monday, August 5. You will report to your supervisor, Ms. Lloyd, in room 512. We are happy to offer you the salary that we discussed in your interview. Other benefits include health insurance for you and your family. We are sorry that we cannot offer life or dental insurance at this time, but we may be able to do it in the future. You will also get 20 vacation days and 5 sick days per years.
Stock options and a pension plan are also available. I would suggest that you make an appointment to come in and speak with Joon Kim, our benefit expert, very soon, and she can explain the full benefits package to you. At the same time you can fill out some paperwork for us.
Welcome to Bunnings, Inc. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely, Clinton Mead
28 August 1, 2019
Mr. Clinton Mead
Human Resources Director Bunnings, Inc.
21 The Rocks Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia
Dear Mr. Mead,
Thank you for your offer of a position at Bunnings, Inc. Unfortunately, I have decided to take another position. I say this with real regret as I am sure that I would enjoy working at Bunnings, Inc., and the benefits are vey attractive. However, I believe my new position at Woolworths Group will be better for me. Bunnings, Inc. Has offered me a higher salary and twice as many vacation days as Woolworths, but Woolworths has offered me the same type of job and it is closer to my home. I find that location is very important. It would take me over an hour just to get to work if I had the job at Bunnings, Inc.
Because of my family and other commitments, I cannot agree to put myself in such a situation. Thank you again for the offer.
Sincerely, Matilda Wood
(Adapted from Longman Preparation Series for the TOEIC Test – Intermediate Course – 5th Edition)
1. What insurance benefit does Bunnings, Inc. offer?
A. Life insurance B. Health insurance C. Dental insurance D. Automobile insurance
2. Who is the benefits expert at Bunnings, Inc.?
29 A. Mr. Mead
B. Ms. Lloyd C. Ms. Wood D. Mr. Kim
3. Why did Ms. Wood NOT accept a new position at Bunnings, Inc.?
A. The salary is too low B. The benefits are not good C. The location is inconvenient D. The job isn’t interesting
4. What job did Ms. Wood take with Woolworths Group?
A. Budget Assistant
B. Human Resources Director C. Budget Supervisor
D. Insurance Salesman
5. How many vacation days a year will she get at Woolworths Group?
A. 5 B. 10 C. 20 D. 40
2. Read the following passage and answer the questions
Every organization has a culture which refers to its employees’ values and attitudes. The employees of a business with an unhealthy culture act as individuals, which means they perform their duties to meet their own needs, such as paycheck or health benefits. A healthy corporate culture values each employee in the organization regardless of his job duties, which results in employees working as a team to meet the company and their own personal needs. It is also fair to say that healthy corporate culture improves the performance of a business in a number of areas.
Employee Retention
Employees in a company that values them for their contribution to the business experience high morale and a positive attitude towards the organization. When they have a positive
30 attitude, they tend to be loyal to the organization, which reduces employee turnover. It is a very positive impact because worker turnover has a high cost to a business and also leads to increased costs for recruitment, hiring and training. With a healthy corporate culture, a company can retain valuable employees and reduce human resources costs.
Reputation
Companies with a healthy corporate culture can gain a good reputation among potential workers. This helps attract talented and skilled workers to the organization. Besides, a positive business reputation allows the company to charge a higher price for products and services and increases the company’s value in the financial market. Customers may also prefer to conduct business with a business which has a solid corporate reputation.
Productivity
The improved morale of employees in a company with a healthy corporate culture results in the increased productivity, which means the financial health of the organization improves and profits increase. Increases in productivity are also a measure that illustrates efficiencies and effectiveness in the company. Employees benefit from increases in productivity with higher salaries in employees benefit programs.
Quality
Workers in companies with healthy corporate cultures are encouraged to deliver quality products and services. Companies with cultures valuing the highest standards create the motivation for workers to deliver products that can meet those high standards. The cultural standards for excellence play a vital role in creating a product or service with a reputation for high quality.
(Adapted from “Importance of a Healthy Corporate Culture” in The Houston Chronicle - https://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-healthy-corporate-culture-20899.html)
6. What is the result of a healthy corporate culture?
7. Why is reduced employee turnover a positive impact?
8. What does a solid corporate reputation help attract to the organization?
9. What do increases in productivity measure?
31 10. Why do workers in companies with healthy corporate cultures deliver quality products and services?
QUESTION 3