16.04.24 ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS

Chapter  1 Lesson 2

Reading about bribery and corruption

Read about corruption in business

Read the email: Why doesn't Toni like Ms Black?

Dear Frank,

I'm writing to you because I'm concerned about partnering with Rocky Foundation.Я пишу вам, потому что обеспокоен возможным партнерством с Фондом Рокки.

As you know, many suspect they are a corrupt company. ! Как вы знаете, многие подозревают, что это коррумпированная компания.

Mr Greene, their CEO, certainly (несомненно) seems very sleazy (подлым)    Г-н Грин, их генеральный директор, определенно кажется очень подозрительным

When I met with him, he suggested we "give the mayor a gift" as a solution (решение) to getting the building contract.Когда я встретился с ним, он предложил "подарить мэру подарок" как решение для получения контракта на строительство.

My suggestion is that we cut ties with RF immediately!Мое предложение - немедленно прекратить отношения с ФР!

Toni                                           RF - Rocky Foundation

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"Cut ties" - это фразеологизм, который означает прекратить связи или отношения с кем-то или чем-то. Это обычно используется в контексте завершения партнерства, сотрудничества или отношений из-за различных причин, таких как недовольство, конфликт интересов или нежелание быть ассоциированным с чем-то негативным.

Why doesn't Toni like Mr Greene?

He told Toni to bribe the mayor. Mr Greene suggested giving the mayor a gift, meaning "a bribe".

Match the information from Toni's email to the descriptions.

People suspect Rocky Foundation is dishonest and illegal.

The CEO Mr Greene seems to be dishonest and immoral.

Toni describes the company as "corrupt" and the CEO as "sleazy".

Complete the sentence with one word meaning "illegal or dishonest behaviour".

Toni is worried about corruption in the company Rocky Foundation.

"Corruption" is illegal or dishonest behaviour, especially by people in authority.

Listen to Frank's phone call to Tony.

Frank: Listen Toni, I do understand your concerns about Rocky Foundation, but you'll find a bit of sleaze everywhere. If businesses don't give the occasional gift to their friends, their friends might...you know...make new friends with someone else and I - for one - want to keep my friends!

Toni: I can't believe I'm hearing this, Frank, we're not talking about a simple favor (простая услуга), this is about offering a kickback to the mayor for goodness' sake (Боже правый)! It's not just sleazy, it's totally ...

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Is Frank concerned about Rocky Foundation?

Frank: Listen Toni, I do understand your concerns about Rocky Foundation, but you'll find a bit of sleaze everywhere. If businesses don't give the occasional gift (случайный подарок) to their friends, their friends might...you know...make new friends with someone else and I - for one - want to keep my friends!

No, he thinks being sleazy is part of business. He says there's a bit of "sleaze" everywhere and speaks about offering (предоставления) gifts to officials.

Frank: Listen Toni, I do understand your concerns about Rocky Foundation, but you'll find a bit of sleaze everywhere. If businesses don't give the occasional gift (случайный подарок) to their friends, their friends might...you know...make new friends with someone else and I - for one - want to keep my friends!

Frank implies it's better to bribe someone than lose a contract. Frank mentions "giving gifts to friends" to mean "bribing" business associates.

Listen. Which word is missing from Toni's incomplete last sentence?                                                                                      Toni: I can't believe I'm hearing this, Frank, we're not talking about a simple favor (простая услуга), this is about offering a kickback to the mayor for goodness' sake (Боже правый)! It's not just sleazy, it's totally ...                 corrupt   = "Offering"a bribe to the mayor is an example of "corrupt" behaviour.                                                                                                      Mr Greene offered the mayor a kickback in exchange for the contract. Mr Greene tried to "bribe" the mayor in order to get a contract.                       Mr Greene is completely corrupt. He suggested bribing the mayor to get what he wanted. Mr Greene suggested offering the mayor a gift in order to get a contract.

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