Ex.1. Complete the text with words from the box.

exchange interest labour market
plan sales tax unemployment

Private sector sets up new fund for small businesses
HTTC, a Birmingham-based telecommunications group, has set up an investment fund to help finance new businesses in the area. The area has a high (1)_ rate because of the current economic recession. Recent changes in the pound–euro (2)_ rate have made it harder for businesses that make goods for export. HTTC hopes that providing loans with a low (3)_interest_ rate will allow new businesses to grow and to create new jobs for the (4)_ force in the area. The local government has recently agreed to offer (5)_ incentives for new businesses as well.
In addition to offering funding, HTTC is also providing training and consulting for people who are considering starting a new business. The company is offering assistance with (6)_ research, product development, and (7)_ forecasting as well as developing a business (8)_ .

Ex.2 Choose the best word to complete the sentences.
1. We’ve just seen last quarter’s sales (forecast / figures) and the news is good. We performed very well in all of our markets.
2. We’re near the end of the product (lifecycle / range) for the MX-35 so we’re going to launch the MX-40 before the end of the year.
3. We’re planning an advertising (agency / campaign) that will focus on the high quality of the materials we use.
4. We’ve done a lot of research about consumer (profile / behaviour) but you can never completely predict what people will buy.
5. We started work on time and if we (keep to / implement) the schedule, we’ll launch on time.
6. I’m going to work on Saturday and Sunday so I can (meet / write) the deadline next Monday.
7. We had to (rearrange / prepare) the meeting because the Japanese team were delayed. Tokyo airport was closed because of a storm.
8. We need to (do / collect) more information about our competitors’ products before we launch our own.

Ex.3 Complete the sentences with words and phrases from the box.

as soon before going to have
having until when while

1. _ you book your ticket early, you get a discount.
2. Dan is leaving at 4:00. Try to arrive _ 3:30 so you have a chance to talk with him.
3. _ you finished preparing your presentation?
4. We’re _ start our market research next week.
5. I waited _ after he finished his meeting.
6. Telephone your office _ as you can.
7. Pietro and Christos are _ lunch with AEG tomorrow.
8. Leanne read the report _ she was waiting for her flight.

Ex.4 Complete this text with the correct prepositions.
I find it very hard working with Andy. He just doesn’t communicate 1_ people. He does his own job well enough, but he never talks 2_ what he’s doing or what he’s done. It makes it very difficult to deal 3_ problems. Sometimes I try to discuss problems with him, but he doesn’t respond 4_ my concerns. He leaves everything to me. For example, yesterday, a customer file was missing. I asked him if he’d seen it and he said ‘no’. But then I found it on his desk. And he never apologised 5_ me!

Ex.5 Write the questions that lead to each answer below. Use the question words given.
1. Which _?
I prefer the first option.
2. Who _?
Jane Moorcroft is the CEO of Binhams plc.
3. Where _?
We held the meeting in London last year.
4. Why _?
I’ve decided to resign because of stress.
5. How much _?
The new model costs $144.