ENT503 Reading assignment PDF

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ENT503 Reading assignment FOR ENT503

READING PASSAGE 1
Read the text and answer the questions.
Brazil's highest court overturned an injunction that had suspended the collection of disputed tax claims from Vale SA (VALE5.SA), the world's largest iron-ore producer, the c...

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READING ASSIGNMENT FOR ENT503

READING PASSAGE 1 Read the text and answer the questions. Brazil's highest court overturned an injunction that had suspended collection of disputed tax claims from Vale SA (VALE5.SA), the world's largest iron-ore producer, the company said on Thursday, adding it would appeal the ruling. The miner is fighting four tax bills issued by the federal tax authority, totaling 30.5 billion reals ($15.83 billion) on its earnings abroad. Vale said this is tantamount to double taxation as it paid taxes to foreign governments. The Superior Court of Justice ruled in favor of the federal tax authority in its appeal against an injunction granted in March that suspended payment of the taxes by Vale. Vale says it will now appeal in order to reinstate that suspension. "Vale remains confident in its arguments and will continue to pursue all appropriate legal actions until a final decision on the merits is reached," it said in a statement. A statement on the court's website confirmed that the company still had the right to appeal the decision. A Vale spokesperson said the company would not have to make an immediate payment should the tax authority request it, since it planned to appeal against the latest ruling. The dispute over whether the taxes are due is waiting to be judged and is part of a run of appeals begun in the last decade, including one by the National Industry Confederation (CNI), against payment of tax on earnings on foreign operations.

1. The court ruling outlined in this article states that the company Vale SA will ______________ the almost $16 billion it owes the Brazilian government. a. not have to pay b. gladly pay c. have to pay 2. These particular taxes are on the company's earnings from projects ________________. a. abroad b. in Brazil

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c. commissioned by the Brazilian government 3. Why does Vale SA have a problem with these taxes? a. Because they're not happy with the percentage that the government wants b. Because they're not a Brazilian company c. Because they already paid taxes in the countries where the projects took place 4. According to the article, Vale SA are going to ______________. a. pay the required taxes right away b. appeal the ruling c. pay the required taxes in about two weeks 5. When was the previous injunction (which permitted Vale SA not to pay the required taxes) granted? a. In the last decade b. March c. On Thursday

READING PASSAGE 2 Read the text and answer the questions. Apple Inc plans to use a larger screen on the next-generation iPhone and has begun to place orders for the new displays from suppliers in South Korea and Japan, people familiar with the situation said on Wednesday. The new iPhone screens will measure 4 inches from corner to corner, one source said. That would represent a roughly 30 percent increase in viewing area, assuming Apple keeps other dimensions proportional. Apple has used a 3.5-inch screen since introducing the iPhone in 2007. Early production of the new screens has begun at three suppliers: Korea's LG Display Co Ltd, Sharp Corp and Japan Display Inc, a Japanese government-brokered merger combining the screen production of three companies. It is likely all three of the screen suppliers will get production orders from Apple, which could begin as soon as June. That would allow the new iPhone to go into production as soon as August, if the company follows its own precedent in moving from orders for prototypes for key components to launch. Apple's decision to equip the next iPhone with a larger screen represents part of a competitive response to Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. Samsung unveiled its top-of-the line Galaxy smartphone with a 4.8-inch touch-screen and a

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faster processor earlier this month. With consumers becoming more and more comfortable using smartphones for tasks they once performed on laptops, like watching video, other smartphone manufacturers have also moved toward bigger displays.

1. How many different suppliers will most likely be involved in the production of Apple's new iPhone screens? a. Three b. Two c. Four 2. Are all the suppliers in Japan? a. Yes b. No c. Yes, but there might be another supplier in Singapore. 3. According to the article, who is Apple competing against? a. Nokia b. LG c. Samsung 4. Why are companies making bigger display screens? a. Because big screens are fashionable b. Because consumers are using phones for things they used to do on their laptops c. Because bigger screens make dialing easier 5. How much bigger will Apple's new screen be, compared to the old one? a. 30% b. 4 inches c. 3.5 inches

READING PASSAGE 3 Read the text and answer the questions. A Scottish University has announced a world first in the field of elite academic achievement. It is offering a master degree course in computer games software engineering.

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The University of Abertay in Dundee says it could put the city at the centre of a multi-million pound industry. Over £45bn will be spent on computer software in Europe this year, with the games market making up a substantial share. There are only forty places on the course. The course leader, John Sutherland says he hopes that people will see that computer games are about people as well as machines. "Students will have to learn about how people see, feel and hear to be successful in this environment" he said "In the next five years the computer games industry will be worth more than the entire cinema industry is today." The University will be offering a Bachelors course in the same discipline in the very near future and are in the process of building a new computer laboratory. Computer games technology, particularly virtual applications, have other uses apart from entertainment. Medical simulations for training surgeons and more realistic flight simulators for pilot education are just two uses for the technology. 1. The university wants to teach people how to play games better. A. True B. False 2. There's a chance that the area might become very important for the computer game industry if this course goes ahead. A. True B. False 3. The leader of the course hopes to expand people's understanding of what computer games are about. A. True B. False

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4. There is more money now in computer games than in the entire cinema industry. A. True B. False 5. Only older, more advanced students can currently take the course. A. True B. False 6. The university is undergoing expansion to allow the course to take place. A. True B. False 7. The course is specially designed for professionals such as doctors and pilots. A. True B. False READING PASSAGE 4 Read what the people with different jobs say and match what they say to the name of their job. Write the correct letter (A-K) in each box.

A. Police Officer B. Waiter C. Teacher D. Nurse E. Sports Player F. Dentist G. Gardener H. Musician

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I. Pilot J. Author K. Architect

1. Some people treat you so badly and think that's OK as long as they give you a few dollars. 2. Many people are suspicious of us but I believe those people are the ones with something to hide. 3. It's true that I have had to put my hands into and look into some nasty places, but the money's great and everybody wants to know one of us! 4. It's not all fancy performances and globetrotting I can tell you! Without hard work, dedication and lots and lots of practice, you won't succeed. 5. We have become a lot more aware in recent years about health dangers that exist while working here and now we are even more careful. After all, I want to remain on this side of the curtain! 6. It's great seeing paper plans come to real stone and brick reality. 7. Yeah, we get paid a lot but there's always the risk of injury and our careers are pretty short. 8. The first and last five minutes are the most stressful and that goes for the members of the public as well. 9. Some days, I get blocked really badly and can't string more than two words together. 10. In this institution, a lot of it is control. When you consider their home life, that's understandable!

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11. I consider myself an artist, I really do! What I create lasts a long time and can even change throughout the year.

READING PASSAGE 5 Read the text and answer the questions. Air Rage The first recorded case of an airline passenger turning seriously violent during a flight, a phenomenon now widely known as “air rage”, happened in 1947 on a flight from Havana to Miami. A drunk man assaulted another passenger and bit a flight attendant. However, the man escaped punishment because it was not then clear under whose legal control a crime committed on plane was, the country where the plane was registered or the country where the crime was committed. In 1963, at the Tokyo convention, it was decided that the laws of the country where the plane is registered take precedence. The frequency of air rage has expanded out of proportion to the growth of air travel. Until recently few statistics were gathered about air rage, but those that have been indicated that passengers are increasingly likely to cause troubles or engage in violent acts. For example, in 1998 there were 266 air rage incidents out of approximately four million passengers, a 400% increase from 1995. In the same period American Airlines showed a 200% rise. Air travel is predicted to rise by 5% internationally by 2010 leading to increased airport congestion. This, coupled with the flying public’s increased aggression, means that air rage may become a major issue in coming years. Aside from discomfort and disruption, air rage poses some very real dangers to flying. The most extreme of these is when out of control passengers enter the cockpit. This has actually happened on a number of occasions, the worst of which have resulted in the death and injury of pilots or the intruder taking control of the plane, almost resulting in crashes. In addition, berserk passengers sometimes attempt to open the emergency doors while in flight, putting the whole aircraft in danger. These are extreme examples and cases of air rage more commonly result in physical assaults on fellow passengers and crew such as throwing objects, punching, stabbing or scalding with hot coffee.

Look at the words in the table and decide which word will fit in the reading gap fill summary. Type the word into the gap (when you have completed it you can click below to reveal and check your answers). predicted

rose

incident passenger found

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assault

established occurring hoped

increased injury

passengers

Summary The first time that an (1) __________of air rage was recorded was in the 1940’s, but the passenger was never actually charged for an offence because there were no clear rules in place to specify where to prosecute. It was later (2) __________ that it would be the country where the plane is registered. Air rage has (3) __________ significantly since this time, growing by a staggering 400% from 1995 to 1998. Air rage is (4) __________ to be a major problem in the future as air travel increases, as do levels of aggression. Angry (5) __________ can put everyone in danger including the pilots, the crew and the other passengers, with some form of (6) __________ being the most common consequence.

READING PASSAGE 6 Read the text and answer the questions. THE ROLE OF THE MODERN ZOO Initially seen purely as centers of entertainment, zoos were often heavily criticized in society for keeping animals captive. Nowadays, however, zoos have a lot more to offer than perhaps some people realize. Good zoos have changed their focus and are now responding to environmental problems, such as the decline in wildlife and loss of habitat. Indeed, scientists believe that a third of all animal and plant species on Earth risk extinction within this century. The modern zoo, therefore, has developed dramatically as a major force in conserving biodiversity worldwide. Zoos linked with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums participate in Species Survival Plan Programs, which involve captive breeding, reintroduction programs and public education to ensure the survival of many of the planet's threatened and endangered species. Captive breeding is the process of breeding animals outside their natural environment in restricted conditions such as farms, zoos or other closed areas. It is a method used to increase the populations of endangered species, in order to prevent extinction. One of the main challenges facing captive breeding programs, however, is maintaining genetic diversity. Zoo staff are fully trained in this area, and manage the programs carefully to ensure genetic variation. Another way in which zoos protect endangered species is through reintroduction programs. These programs release animals that have been in the zoo back into their natural habitats. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, many zoos now concentrate on educating the public, particularly the younger generation. These zoos educate millions of visitors each year about

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endangered species and related conservation issues. Visiting the zoo not only raises money for conservation projects, but also reminds individuals about environmental issues. Decide if the statements True, False, or Not Given. YES if the statement agrees with the views or claims of the writer NO if the statement contradicts the view of the writer NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks 1. Nowadays, the only service zoos provide is to entertain people. A. Yes B. No C. Not Given 2. Zoos have been very successful in protecting endangered species. A. Yes B. No C. Not Given 3. Putting endangered animals back into the wild to reproduce is a good way to increase their populations. A. Yes B. No C. Not Given 4. All zoos now focus on teaching people about animals facing extinction. A. Yes B. No C. Not Given 5. Zoo visits increase awareness of environmental problems. A. Yes B. No

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C. Not Given

READING PASSAGE 7 Read the text and answer the questions. Hula-hooping for human rights Wasfia Nazreen first came across a hula hoop as a young girl, when she saw a foreign child who was visiting her native Bangladesh playing with one. Wasfia reluctantly stood by and watched, as in her country it was believed that girls should not play with hula hoops or ride bikes. Now Wasfia is one of the few people in the world to have climbed the Seven Summits, including Everest and Kilimanjaro, and the first to have hula-hooped on each peak. Her reason for doing so: to empower women and girls in a country which discourages them from doing sport. Wasfia has dedicated her life to supporting human rights and has witnessed numerous international humanitarian projects in her homeland to educate and train women and girls, but once too often they have been left with nothing when such projects have stopped running. Wasfia saw that Bangladesh needed to stand up for itself and so she brought together two of her passions, mountaineering and human rights, in order to try and change attitudes towards women in her country. She originally took up climbing while working on humanitarian campaigns in Tibet and Nepal, as in a coastal, primarily flat country like Bangladesh most people have never set eyes on a mountain. Her campaign seems to be doing the trick as fellow countrymen and women are sitting up and taking notice along with the rest of the world. 1. Wasfia wanted to play with the foreign child's hula hoop. A. True B. False C. Not Given 2. Some of Wasfia’s childhood friends secretly rode bikes. A. True B. False C. Not Given 3. Wasfia hula-hooped her way up each mountain. A. True B. False C. Not Given 4. There has been little effort made to help girls and women in Bangladesh until now.

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A. True B. False C. Not Given 5. The writer believes that the people of Bangladesh are proud of Wasfia’s achievements. A. True B. False C. Not Given 6. Wasfia learned to climb in Bangladesh. A. True B. False C. Not Given

READING PASSAGE 8 Read the text and answer the questions. Consumers went back to using their credit cards in March to keep spending while student and new-car loans shot up as the value of outstanding consumer credit jumped at the fastest rate since late 2001, data from the Federal Reserve showed on Monday. Total consumer credit grew by $21.36 billion - more than twice the $9.8 billion rise that Wall Street economists surveyed by Reuters had forecast. That followed a revised $9.27 billion increase in outstanding credit in February. Analysts expressed some reservations whether the date reliably signaled a real pickup in demand, something that would normally fuel stronger growth, or just a need to rely more on credit in an economy generating anemic job growth. "The optimistic read is that consumers' improved outlook on the economy and employment prospects led them to feel comfortable spending on credit, while a more downbeat interpretation is that credit is needed for consumers to keep up," Nomura Global Economics said in a note afterward. The March rise in consumer credit was the strongest for any month since November 2001 when it soared by $28 billion. That was shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks when big automakers were offering zero-percent financing and other incentives to lure consumers back to their showrooms.

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New-car sales and production were a key influence on the 2.2 percent annual rate of economic growth posted during the first three months this year. The government estimated that about half of that growth came from increased new car production.

According to the article, the growth in consumer credit in March was ______________ economists had predicted. A. about the same as B. slightly lower than C. twice as much as 2. By using the word "anemic", the article wants to say that the current job growth numbers are ______________. A. average B. poor C. impressive 3. According to the article, does the increase in consumer credit mean that the economy is improving? A. Not necessarily B. Yes C. No, just the opposite 4. How long had it been since the consumer credit numbers increased so much in one month? A. A year B. Over 10 years C. About three years 5. According to the article, what played an important part in the economic growth at the beginning of this year (2012)? A. A record-breaking drop in unemployment B. A decrease in tax rates C. New car production and sales

READING PASSAGE 9 Read the text and answer the questions. Cultural behavior in business Much of today's business is conducted across international borders, and while the majority of the global business community might share the use of English as a common language, the nuances and expectations of business communication might differ greatly from

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culture to culture. A lack of understanding of the cultural norms and practices of our business acquaintances can result in unfair judgements, misunderstandings and breakdowns in communication. Here are three basic areas of differences in the business etiquette around the world that could help stand you in good stead when you next find yourself working with someone from a different culture. Addressing someone When discussing this topic in a training course, a German trainee and a British trainee got into a hot debate about whether it was appropriate for someone with a doctorate to use the corresponding title on their business card. The British trainee maintained that anyone who wasn't a medical doctor expecting to be addressed as 'Dr' was disgustingly pompous and full of themselves. The German trainee, however, argued that the hard work and years of education put into earning that PhD should give them full rights to expect to be addressed as 'Dr'. This stark difference in opinion over something that could be conceived as minor and thus easily overlooked goes to show that we often attach meaning to even the most mundane practices. When things that we are used to are done differently, it could spark the strongest reactions in us. Wh...