Business_Spotlight_-_Nr.2_2020

32 Business Spotlight 2/2020 LANGUAGE TEST

3. Similar, but different (10 points)

The salespeople also have to deal with questions

from the customers. Complete the following

four dialogues. Use the words from the boxes.

Customer: How does your company

(A) that wearing this

bracelet will never change how I can be

(B)?

Salesperson: We can (C)

you that we do not pass on any information to

other organizations.

Customer: Can more than one person use the

same bracelet? What happens if I

(D) my bracelet to

someone else?

Salesperson: We really don’t recommend that

you let anyone (E) your

bracelet, as this would result in the wrong data.

Customer: I’m so confused now. How does the

premium one (F) from

the standard version? It’s hard to

(G) between the two —

apart from the price!

Salesperson: Let me show you the main diffe­

rences.

Customer: One of the tiny plastic straps on the

bracelet came (H) and,

unfortunately, I’ve (I) it.

The bracelet no longer feels secure on my wrist.

Salesperson: I can see that. You could easily

(J) the bracelet. We can

order you a new strap at no extra cost to you.

Confusing? It’s the

wrong message!

CHECK YOUR FRIENDS

It can be tempting to use an English word that sounds very

similar to the German one you would use in the same situation.

In many cases, it’s not a problem (as in Problem!). Sometimes,

however, such words can cause confusion. Make sure you know

which English words are false friends.

➻

assure

ensure

insured

differ

differen­

tiate

loose

lose

lost

borrow

lend

4. False friends (5 points)

The BeatJewels production team are discussing

some possible changes, but Sandra notices that

a German colleague often uses incorrect transla­

tions of some common German words. Replace

them with the most appropriate translations.

A. locker

We should be more locker

about making changes to the production

process.

B. genial

I’ve been looking at what our competitors do,

and I’ve just had a(n) genial

idea that will save us a lot of money on the

production costs.

C. erforderlich

In my opinion, these changes are absolutely

affordable.

D. rationell

They will lead to a much more

rational production process.

E. rentabel

And, as a result, our company will be more

rentable.