In what way can Ambrose Harper’s illness effect the future of the firm?

(to be an elderly man; to own half the shares in the company; to be bought by a rival firm; to want to take over; to change the present set-up)

Task 2

Give the English equivalents for the following word combinations:

· если выбирать из двух зол меньшее	· делать взносы в пенсионный фонд
· быть непогрешимым, безупречным	· одобрить финансовые отчеты пенсионного фонда
· заседание попечительского совета пенсионного фонда	· иметь право получать пенсию в полном объеме
· воспользоваться чьей-либо изобретательностью, чтобы сделать что-либо	· компенсировать что-либо из какого-либо фонда до достижения какой-либо суммы
· спасти кого-либо от сокращения	· по приблизительным расчетам
· сделать что-либо во имя чего-то	· нет спроса на что-либо
· система выплаты пенсий	· зд. владеть долей акций
· статьи устава пенсионного фонда	· подлежать увольнению в отставку
· использовать что-либо полностью	· смена руководства в компании путем захвата власти
· убедить кого-либо внять доводам разума	· рационализировать работу компании
· стаж работы	· быть уволенным

LISTENING

Exercise 1

You are going to hear a talk between Ian Hampden and Peter Wiles. Before you listen to the conversation look at these statements. After you have listened to the tape determine whether these statements are true (T) or false (F). Explain why.

1.	Bob Hardiman's been with the firm since it started, and he's the only real craftsman they've got.
2.	Ian Hampden disagrees with H.G. that there's no call for elaborate hand-carving on desks those days; he is sure they need hand-carved desks.
3.	Peter assumes that the only chance to save the old man from redundancy may occur at the Pension Fund Trustees' Meeting, because his name's bound to come up if he's being dismissed; his pension will have to be approved.
4.	Ian doubts that Bob Hardiman can be saved from redundancy because the two of them are against H.G., Ambrose Harper and Mr. Buckhurst, company secretary.
5.	Ambrose Harper has a very soft heart and the pension scheme itself was his idea. He will agree with H.G. and Mr. Buckhurst when he comes to the Pension Fund Meeting.
6.	Hardiman left the firm for a while about two years ago because he had to look after his father. He came back to Harper & Grant Ltd. five months ago, when his father died.
7.	He left all the contributions he had paid into the pension fund in the fund and still qualifies for a pension.
8.	There is nothing to worry about because Bob Hardiman is entitled to the full pension according to the articles of the pension fund.

Exercise 2

Listen to the following extract from the recording which shows how the situation progressed at the Pension Fund Meeting. Try to complete the gaps, using no more than three words in each case.

Grant:	Well, gentlemen, this isn't going … … … very long. You've seen Mr. Buckhurst's … … … . They're impeccable as usual. So it's only a question of approving them … … … of the record. Right. Do you all … … … ? Good. Well, that's all. I presume there's no … … ?
Ian:	Well, there is one thing more, H.G. The question … … , the case of … … .
Grant:	That's … … … . He gets … … , less three years, or whatever it is. You'll see to that, won't you?
Ian:	I don't think it's quite … … … that.
Peter:	There seems to be … … … , H.G. You see, Hardiman left us … … … , as you know.
Grant:	I know very well he did. I've just said so.
Peter:	Quite so. But I felt I should look up … … of … … . Ian, of course, is already aware of this. It seems that if … … of employment is interrupted … … … six months a further period … … … has to be worked before the employee … … … a full pension. If Hardiman continues with us until he's … … … , that is, in three years' time, there is, of course, … … . He will be … … . But as things stand at present he would get, at … … … only about … … of his pension. And we … … … that situation with such an old employee. It would … … … no good at all. He will, naturally, have … … … out of the company's funds to make … … up to … … … .
Grant:	But that's preposterous!
Peter:	But it does seem to be … … … to do.
Grant:	We'll just have … … … .
Peter:	That would require … … … , of course.
Grant:	Oh dear!

Exercise 3

Listen to the following conversation between H.G., Peter and Ian. All the remarks are mixed up. Put them in the order they appear in the Unit. Supply the remarks with the names of their authors.

A …	Well, you win. We keep Hardiman on for three more years. But, Peter, I shall expect you to use your undoubted ingenuity in making full use of him.
B …	No, that would be a very dangerous precedent. No, no. I won't consider that. Ian, this is your scheme, I'm sure.
C …	Of course, sir.
D …	You don't think we could pay the remaining pension out of the company's profits?
E …	Mine, H.G.?

1.	2.	3.	4.	5.

Exercise 4

Act as an interpreter.

Ian:	Well done, Peter.
Питер:	Неплохо. Мы помогли старику Хардиману остаться на фирме. Но меня сейчас беспокоит кое-что другое.
Ian:	What's that?
Питер:	Вы слышали последнюю новость? Старик Амброуз Харпер серьезно болен. Если с ним что-нибудь случится, наша компания окажется в тяжелом положении.
Ian:	Wouldn't Grant take over as Chairman?
Питер:	Я думаю не о том, кто станет следующим председателем правления. Я думаю об акциях нашей компании, которыми владеет Амброуз Харпер.
Ian:	What percentage does he hold?
Питер:	Думаю, около 50%. Отец Гранта владел остальными 50%, но после его смерти акции были разделены поровну между его тремя детьми.
Ian:	What'll happen to Ambrose Harper's shares?
Питер:	Думаю, они достанутся его сестре. Она единственная из его оставшихся в живых родственников.
Ian:	She wouldn't be able to sell them, would she?
Питер:	Я полагаю, их прежде должны будут предложить через нашу фирму другим акционерам. Но сможет ли фирма купить их? Если нет, и если они попадут в руки фирмы, стремящейся завладеть нашей компанией, мы попадем в беду.

Exercise 5