BEC Vantage Masterclass

Unit 5 Extra activities

Activity 1: Word puzzle

1 Answer clues 110 and fill in the words in the grid below. Find the mystery
word (). For each word, one letter has been given to help you.

Clues
1 An adjective describing communication by computer.
2 An investigation of peoples opinions, usually done by asking them
questions.
3 A small telephone that you can carry in your pocket.
4 Remove a message or file from a computer system.
5 A rough version of something written.
6 A written record of what is said at a meeting.
7 The written work that is part of a job, e.g. writing letters, filling in forms, etc.
8 A humorous way to describe the system of sending letters by post.
(2 words)
9 An official paper.
10 Meant to be kept secret.

1
R
2
S
3
O
4
E
5
T
6
M
7
W
8
L
9
U
10
F

2 What is the mystery word, and what does it mean?

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 BEC Vantage Masterclass

Unit 5 Teachers notes and key

Activity 1: Word puzzle

Key

1
1
E L E C T R O N I C
2
S U R V E Y
3
M O B I L E
4
D E L E T E
5
D R A F T
6
M I N U T E S
7
P A P E R W O R K
8
S N A I L M A I L
9
D O C U M E N T
10
C O N F I D E N T I A L

2 cyberspace = the imaginary place where electronic messages exist while they
are being sent between computers

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 BEC Vantage Masterclass

Unit 5 Extra activities

Activity 2: Short talk

1 Read the list of points below which give tips for communicating effectively in
business. Decide if they refer to e-mail or telephone communication. Label
each point E for e-mail, T for telephone, or E/T if the point applies to both
channels of communication.
a Ask the other person to repeat details or explain things in different words if
necessary.
b Check what youve written before you send it.
c Classify your incoming messages into ones that dont need a reply, ones
that need an urgent reply and ones that you can answer later.
d Dont include personal or confidential information.
e Finish by repeating what action youve agreed to take next.
f Have your diary, a pen and a notepad ready.
g Identify yourself with your name and company or department name.
h Make sure youve responded to all the points the other person raised.
i Plan what you want to say.
j Print messages out only if really necessary.
k Repeat key facts, like names, dates and telephone numbers.
l Send messages only to people who really need this information.
m Summarise the main points youve discussed briefly.
n Try to sound pleasant and relaxed even if you are stressed and busy.
o Use a pleasant greeting, but avoid lots of social questions or gossip.

2 Choose one of the topics below and prepare a short talk on it. Include relevant
points from 1 above and your own ideas.
What is important when doing business on the telephone?
making a call
responding to a call
communicating successfully
finishing a call
What is important when using e-mail for business communication?
using the medium efficiently
preparation
content
points to avoid

3 Give your talk to a partner who chose the other topic.

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 BEC Vantage Masterclass

Unit 5 Teachers notes and key

Activity 2: Short talk
This activity is a more guided version of a BEC Vantage Speaking Part 2 task.

1 Key
a T
b E
c E (and T, if answerphone/voice mail messages included)
d E
e T
f T
g T (and E if first contact/fairly formal message)
h E
i E/T
j E
k T
l E
m T
n T
o E/T

2 The students may include as many points as they wish, or ideas of their own.
The following table gives an indication of how points could be classified.

Telephone

making a call i f g o
responding g n o
communicating a k m
finishing e

E-mail

using the medium efficiently c j l

preparation c i b
content h o
points to avoid d o

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