Mastering Formal Business English and Professional Correspondence

1. Constructing Questions from Answers (1.5 points)

1. Answer: Mrs. Smith told me I should get in touch with you.
   Question: Who told you that you should get in touch?
2. Answer: We'll probably be staying till Friday.
   Question: How long are you staying here?
3. Answer: IBM
   Question: Who do you work for?
4. Answer: Usually twice a year for financial meetings.
   Question: How many times do you come here?

2. Converting Informal to Formal Language (1.5 points)

Transform the following informal sentences into a formal style:

1. Informal: Want to wait.
   Formal: Can you wait a moment, please?
2. Informal: Who are you?
   Formal: May I ask you to introduce yourself?
3. Informal: Tell him I called.
   Formal: Excuse me, could you please tell him to call me?
4. Informal: Galaxy Computers. What do you want?
   Formal: Good morning, thank you for calling Galaxy Computers. How may I assist you?

3. Formal Business Communication Scenarios (1.5 points)

Create sentences based on the orders, using the most formal language possible:

1. Order: Introduce yourself. Say you have an appointment with Sandra Bates.
   Response: Hello, my name is [AP]. I have an appointment with Ms. Sandra Bates.
2. Order: Explain that she is out of the office for a few days. Offer to take a message.
   Response: At this moment, she is out of the office for a few days. Would you like to leave a message for her?
3. Order: Ask when you can contact her.
   Response: When could I contact her?

4. Formal Responses in Professional Situations (1.5 points)

Determine the most formal response for the following situations:

1. Situation: You have to propose a toast.
   Response: I would like to propose a toast.
2. Situation: You have to refuse an invitation to dinner with a supplier.
   Response: I would like to apologize, but I will not be able to have dinner with the supplier. I have to travel to London.
3. Situation: Someone says, "Pleased to meet you."
   Response: It was a pleasure.

5. Identifying and Correcting Common Errors (1.5 points)

Find and correct the mistakes in the following lines:

1. Original: Thank you for your letter from Feb 9 and for your interest in the Xenon digital comunication system.
   Corrections: from should be of or dated. comunication should be communication.
2. Original: Actualy, it´s good news.
   Corrections: Actualy should be Actually. it´s should be it's.
3. Original: I look foward to see you soon.
   Corrections: foward should be forward. (Note: The correct idiom is "I look forward to seeing you soon.")
4. Original: I attach a copy of our latest catalogue and prize list (in a letter).
   Corrections: prize should be price.

6. Constructing Grammatically Correct Questions (1 point)

Use the prompts to form complete, grammatically correct questions:

1. Prompts: Where / from originally?
   Question: Where are you from originally?
2. Prompts: Giving / presentations?
   Question: Are you giving a presentation?
3. Prompts: Can / get / drink?
   Question: Can I get a drink?
4. Prompts: Who / work for?
   Question: Who do you work for?

7. Key Components of a Standard Business Letter (1.5 points)

Identify the numbered sections of a standard business letter:

1. Receiver’s Name and Address (Nombre del destinatario y dirección)
2. Company Logo (Logotipo de la empresa)
3. Date (Fecha)
4. Subject Line (Tema)
5. Opening Sentence (Oración de apertura)
6. Main Body of Text (Cuerpo principal del texto)
7. Closing Sentence (Oración final)
8. Closing Paragraph Example: I look forward. (Espero con ansias)
9. Complimentary Close: Yours. (Tuyo)
10. Signature (Firma)
11. Sender’s Name (Nombre del remitente)
12. Sender’s Title (Leyenda del remitente)
13. Indication of an Attachment (Indicación de un archivo adjunto)