REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

Paix – Travail – Patrie Peace – Work - Fatherland

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UNIVERSITE D‘EBOLOWA THE UNIVERSITY OF EBOLOWA
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ECOLE SUPERIEURE DE TRANSPORT, DE HIGHER INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT,
LOGISTIQUE ET DE COMMERCE LOGISTICS AND COMMERCE
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DEPARTEMENT DES ENSEIGNEMENTS DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL TEACHINGS
GENERAUX ---------------
--------------- PO Box : 22 AMBAM
BP. 22 AMBAM Phone : (+237) 222 482 412
Tél.: (+237) 222 482 412 E-Mail: [email protected]
E-Mail: [email protected] Web site: www.estlc.unv-ebolowa.cm
Site web: www.estlc.unv-ebolowa.cm

SYLLABUS ET SUPPORT DE COURS

Code EC/Course code: GLTCO 112 : ANGLAIS 1

Crédit/Credits: 2; CM: 16h; TD: 10h; TP: 00h; TPE: 4h; Total; 30h; Semestre 1.
Enseignants/Teaching staff: Prof. BANGA AMVENE ; Dr. MVOGO AHANDA JOSEPH J.B. ; Mme MBAIKEW
PACHELLE

OBJECTIFS GENERAUX / GENERAL OBJECTIVES

• Global comprehension : Anglais 1 is an introductory course oriented pronunciation and speaking. This
is a composition course focusing on academic writing, the writing process, and critical reading.
Emphasis will be on essays that incorporate readings. Grammar exercises will supplement writing
instruction to provide you a review of current usage;
• Integration and coordination : The purpose of Anglais 1 is to support students’ development as
college-level critical readers and as academic writers. This course prepares students for source-based
writing in Anglais 2 and for a variety of other college courses that require critical reading, academic
writing, and research;

OBJECTIFS SPECIFIQUES / SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

This is a four skills course that teaches listening, speaking, reading, and writing with a focus on communication.
During this course you will learn how to talk about your friends and family, your courses, your living situation, and
your leisure-time activities in English.

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FICHE DE PROGRESSION / FOLLOW UP FORM

SEQUENCES THEMES DEVELOPPES / THEME, UNIT AND TOPICS DUREE /

DURATION
/SESSIONS
SESSION 1 : PART 1 : GETTING STARTED
CM : 4h
UNIT1: Revising part of speech and tenses
PART 1 : GETTING STARTED
CM : 2h
SESSION 2 : UNIT2: Revising Relative clauses, Direct speech and reported
speech, Passive and active structures, Conditionals, Comparisons TD : 2h
with adjectives and adverbs
PART 2 : ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE READING AND WRITING
CM : 2h
SESSION 3 : UNIT3: Describing the Function of an item, writing an informal
TD : 2h
email to a friend, and a Business correspondence
PART 2 : ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE READING AND WRITING CM : 2h
SESSION 4 :
UNIT4: Prediction (Will, May, Might), An opinion Essay TD : 2h
PART 2 : ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE READING AND WRITING CM : 2h
SESSION 5 :
UNIT5: Writing a report TD : 2h
PART 3 : COLLABORATIVE WORK
CM : 2h
SESSION 6 : UNIT6: Critical reading, Summarising a scientific or a Technical
TD : 2h
report
PART 3 : COLLABORATIVE WORK
SESSION 7 : UNIT 6: Critical reading Summarising a scientific or a Technical TPE: 4h
report
PART 3 : COLLABORATIVE WORK
SESSION 8 : UNIT 6 : Critical reading Summarising a scientific or a Technical TD : 2h
report

SOURCES DOCUMENTAIRES / USEFUL DOCUMENTS AND WEB

SITE
1). Livre/Book : " PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH FOR STUDENTS OF LOGISTICS " Author: Yulia Stukalina .
• Description : This textbook is intended for students of Logistics. The aim of the textbook is to enlarge
students’ knowledge of special terms, to enhance their skills of comprehension, writing and reading, and
to develop their communication abilities in professional aspects. The textbook contains ten units (Themes),
each dealing with a key logistics concept, a Glossary of Logistics Terms, and some reference materials.
The textbook comprises texts from the authentic sources; the texts are adapted to suit the educational
needs. The reading passages are followed by an assortment of comprehension-checking tasks to ensure
that students have understood the most important ideas contained in each text. Thematically linked to the
topic of each unit are a variety of exercises designed to focus on professional lexis and difficult points of
grammar.
• ISBN 978-9984-818-67-2

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2) Livre/Book : " FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR ", Teacher’s Guide, Third Edition, Author:
Betty Schrampfer Azar, Barbara F. Matthies, and Shelley Hartle
• Description : This Teacher’s Guide is intended as a practical aid to teachers. You can turn to it for notes
on the content of a unit and how to approach the exercises, for suggestions for classroom activities, and
for answers to the exercises.
• ISBN: 0-13-013634-4
3). Site Web/Web Site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd4j_FA9BwA:
• Description/Description : A day in the live of logistic engineering
4). Site Web/Web Site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4EHZJ8vl24:

• Description/Description : A day in the live of a logistic manager

5). Site Web/Web Site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzQ3Xso7sLA:

• Description/Description : A day in the live of a project manager

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 Code EC : GLTCO 112 || Niveau : 1 || Statut : Obligatoire || Crédit : 2 || CM : 16 ||

TD : 10h || TPE : 4h

Intitulé :

ANGLAIS 1

Course objectives:
Anglais 1 is an introductory course oriented pronunciation and speaking. This is a composition course
focusing on academic writing, the writing process, and critical reading. Emphasis will be on essays that
incorporate readings. Grammar exercises will supplement writing instruction to provide you a review of
current usage. The purpose of Anglais 1 is to support students’ development as college -level critical
readers and as academic writers. This course prepares students for source -based writing in Anglais 2
and for a variety of other college courses that require critical reading, academic writing, and research.
This is a four skills course that teaches listening, speaking, reading, and writing with a focus on
communication. During this course you will learn how to talk about your friends and family, your courses,
your living situation, and your leisure-time activities in English.

Part one: Getting started

UNIT1: Revising part of speech and tenses

Activity 1: Reading
1) Check the meaning of the following key words in the dictionary: goods, flow, consumer, user,
product, producer, storage, retailer, inventory, warehouse, destination, re-engineering, customs, taxes,

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duties, logistician, to consume, to handle, to include, to require, to comprise, to produce, to manufacture,
to manage, to purchase, to implement, to perform, to ensure, to increase, to decrease, to pack.

2) Read the text below and answer to the review questions.

What is Logistics?

Logistics can be defined as the management of the flow of goods, information and other resources, energy
and people between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet the requirements of
consumers. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing,
material-handling, packaging and security. Logistics may have an internal focus (inbound logistics), or
external focus (outbound logistics). If the company manufactures a product from parts purchased from
suppliers, and those products are then sold to customers, one can speak about a supply chain. Supply
Chain can be defined as a network of facilities and distribution options that performs the function of
procurement of materials, transformation of these materials into intermediate and finished products, and
the distribution of these finished products to customers. Logistics management is part of supply chain
management. Logistics management plans, implements, and controls the efficient flow and storage of
goods, services and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order
to meet customers’ requirements.

Successful supply chain operators work in close partnerships with their customers; they jointly explore
the opportunities for increasing efficiency of the supply chain and improving service levels by using the
latest systems and techniques. This approach is also referred to as logistics re-engineering. The re-
engineering process considers the following factors: the nature of the product, the optimal or preferred
location of source or manufacture, freight and transport costs and the destination market, seasonal trends,
import and export regulations, customs duties and taxes, etc.

A professional working in the field of logistics management is called a logistician. The main functions of a
qualified logistician include, among other things, inventory management, purchasing, transportation,
warehousing, consultation and organizing and planning of these activities. Logisticians are responsible
for the life cycle and supply chain operations of a variety of products. They are also responsible for
customs documentation. They regularly work with other departments to ensure that the customers’ needs
and requirements are met.

Review questions

2.1) What does the term “logistics” imply?

2.2) What does the term “supply chain” imply?

2.3) What is logistics management?

2.4) What do service providers do in order to increase efficiency of the supply chain?

2.5) What process is called “logistics re-engineering”?

2.6) What factors does this process consider?

2.7) What are the main functions of a qualified logistician?

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2.8) What are professional logisticians responsible for?

Activity 2: Recognising nouns, pronouns and verbs

Notes 2.1: A part of speech is also called a word class. It is a category that describes the role word plays
in a sentence. Understanding the different parts of speech can help you analyse how words function in a
sentence and improve your writing. The parts of speech are classified differently in different grammars,
but most traditional grammars list eight parts of speech in English: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives,
adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections. Some modern grammars add others, such as
determiners and articles.

Notes 2.2: The words goods, resources, logistician and customs are examples of Nouns. A noun is a
word that refers to a person, concept, place, or thing. Nouns can act as the subject of a sentence (i.e.,
the person or thing performing the action) or as the object of a verb (i.e., the person or thing affected by
the action). For instance the word goods and resources refer to thing, while logistician and customs refers
to persons. In the following sentence the noun Logistic acts as the subject “Logistics involves the
integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material-handling, packaging and
security”. However, in this other sentence, the noun logistician acts as the object of the verb to call “A
professional working in the field of logistics management is called a logistician”.

3) Read the text and identify twelve nouns.

4) From the list of nouns; find those that act as the subject of a sentence

Notes 2.3: There are numerous types of nouns, including Common nouns which are used to refer to
nonspecific people, concepts, places, or things. Proper nouns used to refer to specific people, concepts,
places, or things. Collective nouns used to refer to a group of people or things. For instance,
transportation, Supply chain, logistic and customs are example of common nouns. The words goods,
resources, logistician and customers are example of collective nouns.

5) From the list of 12 pronouns above, identify (if possible) common nouns, proper nouns and
collective nouns.

Notes 2.4: Some time to avoid repeating a giving noun in a sentence, use pronouns. A pronoun is a
word used in place of a noun. Pronouns typically refer back to antecedent (a previously mentioned noun)
and must demonstrate correct pronouns antecedent agreement. Like nouns, pronouns can refer to
people, places, concepts, and things. There are numerous types of pronouns, including personal
pronouns and interrogative pronouns. For example, I, It, We, They,…, are personal pronouns. The
words Who, What, are interrogative pronouns.

6) Read the text again and identify pronouns and the nouns it refers back.

Notes 2.4: In the sentence “Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory,
warehousing, material-handling, packaging and security”, the word involves is a verb (the verb to involve).
A verb is a word that describes an action (e.g., “jump”), occurrence (e.g., “become), or state of being (e.g.,
“exit”). Verbs indicate what the subject of a sentence is doing. Every complete sentence must contain at

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least one verb. Other types of verbs include auxiliary verbs (to be, to have), linking verbs, modal verbs,
and phrasal verbs.

7) Read the text again and identify sixteen verbs. Check the meaning on those verbs in the
dictionary.

Activity 3: Revise tenses (Present simple, Present progressive, Present Perfect, and
Present perfect continuous tenses)
Notes 3.1: In the sentence “Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory,
warehousing, material-handling, packaging and security.” the word involves is a verb written in the
Present Simple Tense. As you can observe, the whole sentence enumerates the actions or activities
included in logistic practice, that is the sentence describe logistic practice. We use the Present Simple for
repeated actions and for permanent states and situations:

For instance in the sentence “Logistics management plans, implements, and controls the efficient flow
and storage of goods, services and related information between the point of origin and the point of
consumption in order to meet customers’ requirements” there are 3 verbs in the present simple tense
plans, implements, and controls. In the sentence “Bank customers use a lot of services every day” the
verb use is in the present simple tense, because the action (use) of the subject Bank customers is
repeated (because of the time adverbial every).

The following time adverbials are used with the present simple: usually, always, sometimes, rarely,
often, regularly, every day/week/month/year.

8) From the list of sixteen verbs above, identify those written in the present simple tense

Notes 3.2: When the action of the subject is in progress at the moment it is described or reported, or
when the action is unfinished, the Present Progressive is used. To write a verb in the present progressive
form the following rule is used: Auxiliary verb be + verb ending with “ing”.

For example: Tabeta the logistic manager is writing and algorithm able to localize a product in the
warehouse. In this sentence, the verb to write is in the present progressive tense, because the action
write is ongoing at the moment it is reported. In the sentence “I am working for a logistics company now”,
the subject I is a worker for a logistic company at the moment he is speaking.

Notes 3.3: When the action or event of the subject is passed at the moment it is reported, with results or
consequences in the present, we use the Present Perfect Simple. For example, the following sentences
are in the present perfect simple tense: (1) They have already sold a lot of cars; (2) Tom has not passed
his exams yet; (3) I have just had my lunch.

The Present Perfect Simple is also used for the action, which continues from the past to the present. For
example: (1) George has known Tom for many years; (2) We have been friends since I left school; (3) I
have been a good manager since my first University year.

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To write a verb in present perfect simple form the following rule is used: Auxiliary verb have + pass
participle of the verb. The following time adverbials are used with the present perfect simple:
already/yet, just, ever/never, so far.

Notes 3.4: Sometime when the action or the event continues from the past to the present and we want to
emphasize the fact that the action is long we use the Present Perfect Continuous. For example: (1)
Tabeta has been working on his algorithm for a long time; (2) We have been studying economics since
two months;

To write a verb in present perfect continuous form the following rule is used: Auxiliary verb have + been
+ verb ending with “ing”.The following time adverbials are used with the present perfect continuous:
since, for.

9) Fill the blank with the correct form of the verb (Present simple, Present progressive, Present
Perfect, and Present perfect continuous tenses)

9.1) Since two weeks, customers ________ (to buy) the new accounting program.

9.2) I think there is no point in________ (to use) this video system in the warehouse.

9.3) Now, logistics companies________ (to look) for the right products at the right time.

9.4) Since two years, the company ABC Logistics________ (to expand) new terminals throughout
Louisiana.

9.5) Supply chain management continuously________ (to evolve) with the ever changing supply and
demand.

9.6) ABC Logistics________ (to be) a part of the history of logistics for over 20 years.

9.7) Shipping documents are the key to international trade, and they________ (to use) for thousands of
years.

9.8) The commercial invoice________ (to require) usually by both the exporter and importer.

9.9) Shipping containers________ (to be) currently the major way of global trading

9.10) The supply chain________ to start) and ________ (to end) with the supplier.

Activity 4: Revise tenses (Pass simple, Pass Continuous, and Pass Perfect)
Notes 4.1: We use the Past Simple for actions in the past when we know when they happened. For
example in the sentence ‘They sold a lot of cars last week’ the action ‘sold’ is in the past simple because
we know the moment the action happened ‘last week’. Another example: The manager worked on the
semester report yesterday. In this example, the action ‘worked’ is in the pass simple tense because the
moment the action happened ‘yesterday’ is known.

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The following time adverbials are used with the Past Simple: yesterday, the day before yesterday, last
week/month/year, a week/month/year ago.

Notes 4.2: We use the Pass Continuous in three main situations:

1-We use the Past Continuous for actions in progress at a time in the past. For example: Scientists were
conducting an important experiment at 9 o’clock this morning. In this sentence, the action ‘conduct’ is in
progress at 9 o’clock in the morning. Another example: Tom was reading his book from three to five
o’clock. Here the action ‘Read’ is in progress from three to five o’clock.

2- Sometimes the Past Continuous action is interrupted. For example: I was watching TV when my
brother came into the room. In this sentence, the action ‘watch TV’ is interrupted by the other action ‘came
into the room’. Another example: A client was asking a question when my supervisor entered into the
office. Here the action ‘ask’ is interrupted by the action ‘enter into the office’.

3- We also use the Past Continuous for actions in progress during other actions or events. For
example: (1) I was watching TV while my brother was reading a newspaper; (2) It was raining as we were
walking down the hill. In those two examples, there is two actions going on at the same time.

To write a verb in the past continuous form the following rule is used: Auxiliary verb be in the past (was
or were) + verb ending with “ing”.

Notes 4.3: We use the Past Perfect for actions or events in the past, which happened before other past
events. For example: When we came into the classroom, they had already finished their work. In this
sentence the verb ‘finish’ is in the Past Perfect tense because, the action ‘to finish’ happens and ends in
the past before the other action in the past ‘to come’.

To write a verb in the past perfect form the following rule is used: Auxiliary verb have in the past (had)
+ past participle of the verb ending with “ing”.

10) Fill the blank with the correct form of the verb (Past simple, Past continuous or Past perfect)

10.1) Since two weeks, customers ________ (to buy) the new accounting program.

10.2) Thomas ________ (to study) Logistics at TTI for two years

10.3) Last year, ABC Ltd. terminal service ________ (to certify) by the System Alliance Europe.

10.4) We ________ (to have) not ________ (to shippe) the goods yet

10.5) A year ago, our experts ________ (to test) new devices after we________ (to purchase) it online.

Activity 5: Revise tenses (Future simple, Future Continuous, and Future Perfect)
Notes 5.1: We use the Future Simple for actions in the future. For example: (1) Banks will offer many
new services next year. (2) Tomorrow you will write the report of the meeting.

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To write a verb in the Future simple form the following rule is used: Will + verb. The following time
adverbials are used with the present simple: tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, next
week/month/year.

Notes 5.2: We use the Future Continuous for actions which will be in progress at a certain time in the
future. For example: (1) At 2 p.m. on Monday, students will be analysing an important document. (2)
Tomorrow from 9 o’clock to 11 o’clock I will be working on the semester activities report.

To write a verb in the Future continuous form the following rule is used: Will + Auxiliary verb be + verb
ending with “ing”.

Notes 5.3: We use the Future Perfect for actions which will be completed before a certain time in the
future. For example: (1) By the end of the week, managers will have completed their research. (2)
Tomorrow before the end of the meeting at 11 o’clock I will have finished to write my semester activities
report.

To write a verb in the Future perfect form the following rule is used: Will + Auxiliary verb have + Past
participle of the verb.

Activity 6: Self-Assessment
12) Read the text and fill the blank with the correct form of the verb

Terms of payment in international trade

Cash-in-Advance (Pre-Payment):

Cash-in-Advance is a pre-payment method________ (to utilize) for paying for goods for export. With cash-
in-advance payment terms, the exporter can eliminate credit risk, since payment ________ (to receive)
before the ownership of the goods________ (to transfer). Wire transfers and credit cards________ (to
be) the most frequently employed cash-in-advance options available to exporters. Cash-in-advance
method of payment (to create) many risk factors for the importers. Nevertheless, this method of payment
is inexpensive, because it________ (to involve) direct importer–exporter interaction without commercial
bank involvement.

Letter of Credit:

Letters of Credit________ (to be) among the most secure tools available to international traders. The
Letter of Credit (LC) ________ (to be) a document issued by a financial institution, or a similar party.
This________ (to be) a promise made by the buyer’s bank (the opening bank) to send a certain sum of
money to the seller’s bank (the advising bank) to be credited to the seller (beneficiary). The
buyer________ (to pay) its bank for rendering this service. A LC is useful when reliable credit information
about a foreign buyer is difficult to obtain, but you________ (to satisfy) with the creditworthiness of your
buyer’s foreign bank. A LC also________ (to protect) the buyer, since no payment obligation arises until
the goods have been shipped or delivered as promised.

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12) Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tenses: Present Simple, Present Perfect, or Past Simple

12.1) Since the day the Wright Brother invented the first airplane in the world, our lives (to change) so
much

12.2) As human settlements increased in size, the need for improving the circulation of goods and people
(to become) more important.

12.3) Sea transport (to be) the largest carrier of freight throughout recorded history.

12.4) Transportation greatly (to improve) during the 20th century

12.5) Main maritime routes (to include) oceans, coasts, seas, lakes, rivers and channels.

12.6) John Loudon McAdam (to design) the first modern highways.

12.7) The modern history of road transport (to involve) the development of new vehicles such as new
models of bicycles, motor cars, motor trucks and electric vehicles.

12.8) Modern rail transport systems first (to appear) in England in the 1820s.

12.9) An airline is a company that (to provide) air transport services for traveling passengers and freight

12.10) In the 1960s a new innovation – containers – radically (to change) the way cargo was transported.
Shippers (to begin) to pack goods of all kinds in standardized steel boxes.

12.11) Railway stations (to provide) services for passengers and loading facilities for cargo.

12.12) Once we already (to send) the items, we are unable to change the delivery address.

12.13) Water (to enable) more efficient travel compared to going over land.

13) Match the names of the verb forms with the underlined structures in the sentences below.
Explain the choice of the verb tense

Present simple; Present perfect; Past simple; Past perfect; Present continuous;
Past continuous

13.1) UPS, the world’s largest package delivery company, was founded in 1907.

13.2) Since 1999 UPS has expanded the scope of its capabilities primarily through the acquisition of
more than 40 companies.

13.3) As a result, UPS’s relationships with many of its customers have deepened to include much more
than basic transportation services.

13.4) Now, logistics companies are looking for the right products at the right time.

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13.5) Over the next 45 years, ABC Logistics continued to expand, establishing terminals throughout
Louisiana.

13.6) Supply chain management continuously evolves with the ever changing supply and demand.

13.7) Rome developed a highly efficient logistic system to supply its legions.

13.8) ABC Logistics has been a part of the history of logistics for over 20 years.

13.9) In the mid 1950’s, commodity manager agencies were established to buy and store supplies.

13.10) The commercial invoice is required by both the exporter and importer.

13.11) These documents are prepared by the exporter and then are processed by a Freight Forwarder.

14) Choose the correct alternative in the following sentences.

14.1) Nowadays many young people are _________ in business logistics (interesting/interested).

14.2) Some employers are __________ in encouraging their employees into e-learning
(interesting/interested).

14.3) Ann is very _________ with her progress in studying Logistics, but she is a little _______ about her
last exam (pleasing/pleased; worrying/worried).

14.4) I was ___________that our new video monitoring system didn’t work well
(disappointing/disappointed).

14.5) We tried to do our best, but the result was __________ (disappointing/disappointed).

14.6) We were very ____________ to hear that online education on the job is available to all employees
of our company (surprising/surprised).

14.7) Shopping online can become so ___________ (exciting/excited)!

14.8) I tried to concentrate on my task, but the noise became ___________ (annoyed/annoying).

14.9) The quality of these goods is ___________ (surprising/surprised).

14.10) I am so ___________ (exciting/excited) about the trip to New-York!

15) Complete the passage below with the words from the box below.

service; chain; origin; activities; Technology; outbound; operational

Logistics management is that part of supply 1) _____________ management that plans, implements, and
controls the effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services and information between
the point of 2) _________ and the point of consumption. Logistics management activities usually include

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inbound and 3) ___________ transportation management, fleet management, warehousing, materials
handling, order fulfilment, logistics network design, inventory management, supply/demand planning, etc.
The logistics function also includes sourcing and procurement, production planning and scheduling,
packaging and assembly, and customer 4) _____________. It is involved in all levels of planning and
execution – strategic, 5) __________ and tactical. Logistics management is an integrating function, which
coordinates all logistics 6) ____________, as well as integrating logistics activities with other functions
including marketing, sales manufacturing, finance, and information 7) ______________.

16) Which of the following words are nouns?

Internal, management, procure, distribute, information, involve, manufacturer, produce, consume,

manage, consumption, requirement, develop, consumers, production, integration, transportation,
manufacture, purchaser, suppliers, option, sell, distribution, internal, efficiently, consumer, partnership,
efficiency, improvement, consider, location, fast, regulation, include, activity, responsible, quickly,
radically, performance, systematically, development, worker, operator.

17) Read the passage below. Translate it into French. Use the dictionary if necessary

Use the dictionary if necessary. In business, Third-Party Logistics (3PL) has a broad meaning that can be
applied to any service contract that involves storing or shipping goods. A 3PL service may be a single
service such as transportation or warehouse storage or it can be a system-wide bundle of services
capable of managing the entire supply chain. Third-Party Logistics is the function, by which the owner of
goods (The Client Company) outsources various elements of the supply chain to one 3PL company. Third-
party logistics providers usually specialize in warehousing and transportation services that can be
customized to customers’ needs based on market conditions and delivery service requirements for their
products and materials. Often, these services go beyond logistics and include value-added services
related to the production or procurement of goods, for example, services that integrate parts of the supply
chain. Then the provider is called third-party supply chain management provider (3PSCM) or supply chain
management service provider(SCMSP).

UNIT2: Revising Relative clauses, Direct speech and reported speech, and Passive
and active structures, Conditionals, Comparisons with adjectives and adverbs

Activity 1: Reading
1) Check the meaning of the following key words in the dictionary: prerequisite, environment, speed,
precision, origin, transportation, network, production, competition, inventory, freight, solutions, costs,
order, demand, customer, benefit, performance, market, retailer, to succeed, to lower, to gain, to move,
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to grow, to operate, to execute, to schedule, to compete, to centralize, to broaden, to improve, to distribute,
to fulfil, to rely on.

2) Read the text below and answer to the review questions.

The importance of logistics in business

Today, efficient logistics and transportation system are important prerequisites of the development of any
economy. In modern competitive environment, it is not enough to offer a product that meet customers’
requirements. The way of its delivery is also very important. The art and science of delivering goods with
speed and precision can help businesses operate more efficiently, lower costs and gain new customers.
Logistics has evolved throughout centuries to become an integral part of every business. Logistics has
been performed since the beginning of civilization. Raw materials and finished products had always to be
moved, though on a small scale. Gradually, people began moving from rural to urban areas; the
geographical distance between the point of production and the point of consumption increased
considerably. There was a time when companies used to develop a product range, plan their distribution
channels, schedule marketing campaigns and deliver the finished product to their retailers themselves.
However, since the early 1990’s logistics operations have become much more complex. The global
logistics market has grown radically over the years.

The major benefits of efficient logistics operations can be summarized as follows:

• Cost savings by centralizing inventory management.

• Faster order fulfilment by relying on a global transportation network.
• Improved cash flow.
• Flexibility to change distribution patterns for new products based on ever-changing customer
demands.
The main customer groups (market segments) served by the logistics industry are the following:

• Parcel and documents express delivery services.

• Freight by air, ocean, road or rail.
• Warehousing and distribution.
• Supply chain solutions.
Logistics is one of the spheres, which still have potential as far as improving performance is concerned.
There are large unused capacities in logistics processes in terms of costs reduction and quality of service

Review questions

2.1) Are efficient logistics and transportation system important prerequisites of the development of any
economy? Why?

2.2) Why have logistics operations become much more complex recently?

2.3) How has technology changed transportation?

14
2.4) What are the major benefits of efficient logistics operations?

2.5) What are the main customer groups served by the logistics industry?

2.6) What potential does logistics have?

Activity 2: Revising Relative clauses

Study these examples:

1-Supply Chain can be defined as a network of facilities and distribution options.

2-Supply Chain performs the function of procurement of materials, transformation of these materials into
intermediate and finished products, and the distribution of these finished products to customers.

We can joint these two sentences like this:

Supply Chain can be defined as a network of facilities and distribution options that performs the function
of procurement of materials, transformation of these materials into intermediate and finished
products, and the distribution of these finished products to customers.

In the resulted sentence, the part in bold is a relative clause and the other part is the main clause. It
adds important information – defining or telling us exactly the actions in supply chain.

Notes 2.1: We use a relative clause as a means of joining two pieces of information together within one
sentence. In relative clauses, we use the relative pronouns who when a subject is a person, or which
when a subject is an object (device). Also, some other relative pronouns may be used to join the main
clause and the relative clause: where for places, when for times, whose for possessions (it means “of
which or of who”).

Notes 2.2: There are two types of relative clauses: defining and non-defining:

• Defining relative clause: This tells us information about an object (device) or a person that
identifies them. For example:
• Non-defining relative clause: This tells us supplementary information about an object (device)
or person. The relative pronoun who or which is always preceded by a comma. For example:

Activity 3: Direct speech and reported speech

Study these two examples:

1- Direct speech: Bill Gates said: “Robotics and other combinations will make the world pretty fantastic
compared with today”.

Reported speech: Bill Gates said that robotics and other combinations would make the world pretty
fantastic compared with that day.

15
2- Direct speech: “Our work suggests a way of designing sensors that contribute not only as sensing
elements for robotic applications but also as active functional materials to provide better control of the
whole system without compromising its dynamic behaviour”, says Prof. Xie.

Reported speech: Prof. Xie said that their work suggested a way of designing sensors that contributed
not only as sensing elements for robotic applications but also as active functional materials to provide
better control of the whole system without compromising its dynamic behaviour..

Note 3.1: We can report people’s words by reported speech. Reported speech is the exact meaning of
what someone said, but not the exact words. We do not use quotation marks in reported speech. We can
either use the word that after the introductory verb (say, tell, etc.) or we can omit it.

Verb tenses and time expressions change in reported speech:

• Present simple (in direct speech) – Past simple (in reported speech):
For example: “The rapid progress of robotic technique provides new opportunities for biomedical
engineering”, George said – George said (that) the rapid progress of robotic technique
provided new opportunities for biomedical engineering;
• Present continuous (in direct speech) – Past continuous (in reported speech):
For example: “She is conducting a research at the moment” Paul said – Paul said (that) she was
conducting research at the moment;
• Present perfect (in direct speech) – Past perfect (in reported speech);
For example: “I have already made a ward round”, a doctor said – A doctor said (that) he had
already made a ward round.
• Past simple (in direct speech) – Past simple or past perfect (in reported speech):
For example “Scientists proposed a new study method”, he said. – He said (that) scientists
(had) proposed a new study method;
• Past continuous (in direct speech) – Past continuous or past perfect continuous (in reported
speech):
For example “I was working on a new project”, Tina said. – Tina said (that) she was
working/had been working;
• Will (in direct speech) – Would (in reported speech):
For example “They will go to the lab after an operation”, a manager said. – A manager said (that)
they would go to the lab after an operation;
The verb tenses can either change or remain the same in up-to-date reporting and when reporting is a
general truth or law of nature.

Note 3.2: Some words and time expressions change according to the meaning of the sentence:

• Now – then, at that time, immediately;

• Today, tonight – that day, that night;
• Yesterday – the day before, the previous day;
• Tomorrow – the next day, the following day;
• This week – that week;
• Last week – the week before, the previous week;
• Next week – the week after, the following week;

16
 • Ago – before;
• Here – there.
4) Transform the quotes from the text into reported speech.

4.1) Bruce Dickinson: “Engineering stimulates the mind”.

4.2) Elon Musk: “I don’t spend my time pontificating about high-concept things; I spend my time-solving
engineering and manufacturing problems”.

4.3) Jeffrey Abrams: “Robotics are beginning to cross that line from absolutely primitive motion to motion
that resembles animal or human behaviour”.

4.4) Colin Angle: “The way that the robotics market is going to grow, at least in the home, is that we’ll
have a number of different special purpose robots”.

4.5) Colin Angle: “The reason it has taken so long for the robotics industry to move forward is that people
keep trying to make something that is cool but difficult to achieve rather than trying to find solutions to
actual human problems. Technology can be extremely expensive if you don’t focus”.

4.6) John Glenn: “I think sometimes we will go to Mars and I think we’ll explore it with humans sometimes,
but I think it’s really wise to do all the robotic exploration ahead of time and learn as much as possible”.

Activity 4: Passive and active structures

Study these examples:

1- Scientists conducted many experiments (active structure).

2- Many experiments were conducted by scientists (Passive structure).

In the first sentence, the object is scientists and the object is experiments, whereas in the second
sentence the subject is experiments while the object is scientists. In passive sentences the subject of
the passive verb corresponds to the object of the active verb.

Note 4.1: We form the passive with the verb to be and the past participle of the main verb.

We use the passive when:

• The person who carries out the action is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from the context.
(Example: Artificial organs are designed specifically for the patient.).
• When the action itself is more important than the person who carries it out, as in news headlines,
newspaper articles, formal notices, instructions, advertisements, processes, etc. (Example:
Another method to create new tissue uses an existing scaffold. The cells of a donor organ are
stripped and the remaining collagen scaffold is used to grow new tissue.)
Passive structure for different active verb tenses
Present simple am, is, are + Verb
New discoveries in medicine are made
Present continuous am, is, are + being + Verb
New discoveries in medicine are being made

17
 Past simple was, were + Verb
New discoveries in medicine were made
Past continuous was, were + being + Verb
New discoveries in medicine were being made
Future simple will + be + Verb
New discoveries in medicine will be made
Present perfect have, has + been + Verb
New discoveries in medicine have been made
Past perfect had + been + Verb
New discoveries in medicine had been made
Future perfect will + have + been + Verb
New discoveries in medicine will have been made
Modal verbs modals + be + Verb
New discoveries in medicine should be made

5) Write the following active sentences into the passive form.

5.1) The manager wrote the semester report, yesterday.

5.2) Tomorrow Tom will clean the office.

5.3) Efficient logistics enable cost savings by centralizing inventory management.

5.4) Logistics industry serves the following customer groups: Supply chain solution and Warehousing and
distribution.

Activity 5: Conditionals
Study these examples:

1- If the manager had not written a report, it wouldn’t have been possible to organise the meeting.

2- Nanotechnology will produce stronger and lighter wind turbines, if the government decides to use it.

The two sentences are conditionals. Each of them has two parts, the part in bold is known as the if
clause and the other part is the main clause.

Note 5.1: Conditionals are clauses introduced with if. Conditional clauses consist of two parts: the if-
clause (hypothesis) and the main clause (result). When the if-clause comes before the main clause, the
two clauses are separated with a comma. When the main clause comes before the if -clause, then no
comma is necessary.

The main types of conditionals are Type 0, Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.

• Type 0 Conditionals (general truth): They are used to express something which is always true.
If-clause – If + present simple
Main clause – present simple
Example: If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
18
 • Type 1 Conditionals (real present): They are used to express real or very probable situations
in the present or future.
If-clause – If + present simple/present continuous/present perfect/present perfect continuous
Main clause – future/can/may/must/should/could + present bare infinitive
Example: If the students work hard, they’ll become highly qualified transportation engineers.
• Type 2 Conditionals (unreal present). They are used to express imaginary situations which are
contrary to facts in the present and, therefore, are unlikely to happen in the present or future.
If-clause – If + past simple or past continuous
The main clause – would/could/might + present bare infinitive
Example: If you read scientific journals, you would know how to genetic engineering works.
• Type 3 Conditionals (unreal past). They are used to express imaginary situations which are
contrary to facts in the past. They are also used to express regrets or criticism.
If-clause – If + past perfect/past perfect continuous
The main clause – would/could/might + perfect bare infinitive
Example: If the patient had known about the side effects of these drugs he would never buy them.
We can form conditionals by using words/expressions such as unless, providing / provided that, so / as
long as, on condition (that), what if, suppose / supposing, but for, otherwise (=if not), in case of, etc.

6) Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense.

6.1) She would have come to the conference about the future of logistics if we _____ (invite) her.

6.2) If scientists _____ (not develop) a new semiconductor, it wouldn’t have been possible to manufacture
solar panels that double the amount of sunlight.

6.3) Joan_____ (not be able to) prepare a presentation about Supply chain if she doesn’t work hard.

6.4) Had I heard the news about new nanomaterial, I _____ (tell) you immediately.

6.5) She would have stayed at home if she _____ (know) that lecture about inbound logistics would be so
boring

Activity 5: Comparisons with adjectives and adverbs

Study the following three sentences:

1-Computers were less powerful in the past.

2-Computers are faster today.

3-This report is more realistic.

The three sentences are comparison sentences. The first sentence compare the powerful (the calculation
capacity) of the today and computer with the past versions. The second sentence compare the speed of
the today and computer with the past versions. It uses the adverb less for comparison. The adjective fast
is used for comparison. The last sentence compare the quality of the report with the previous version. The
adverb more is used for comparison.

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Note 5.1: For comparison, adjectives and adverbs have got two forms: the comparative and the
superlative. We use the comparative form + than to compare two people, things, etc.

For example: (1) With the advances in speech synthesis, TTS technology is more and lifelike than ever.
(2) Certification is a faster way for current teachers to qualify to teach this growing population.

We use the + superlative form to compare one person, thing, etc. with more than one person, thing, etc.
in the same group.

For example, FM systems are the best choice for children with sensorineural hearing loss.

7) Read the text is 2) and underline all comparative sentences

8) Complete the sentences with an appropriate comparative or superlative form of the adjective
and adverb in brackets

8.1) Assistive technology may also make your job as a caregiver_____ and _____ (easy, enjoyable)

8.2) _____ devices are often easier to use, less expensive, and easier to repair and maintain than _____
devices are. (simple, complex)

8.3) Rehabilitation engineering is_____ recognised overseas, Brown said, particularly in North America.
(widely)

8.4) As these technologies become_____ ,and as they are connected through wireless communication,
more possibilities than we could have ever have imagined will open up to advance the science. (smart)

Activity 6: Self-assessment
9) Read the sentences given below and identify the tense form used in each of them. Translate the
sentences.

9.1) Last year, the U.S. business logistics industry continued to grow at an unprecedented rate.

9.2) Global competition began to spread in the 1970s and accelerated in the 1990s.

9.3) Logistics has evolved throughout centuries to become an integral part of every business.

9.4) Globalization is still moving forward today.

9.5) Since 2000, the rail freight industry has undergone a remarkable transformation.

9.6) Logistics has been playing a fundamental role in global development for almost 5,000 years.

9.7) Since the construction of the pyramids in ancient Egypt, logistics has made a remarkable progress.

9.8) Recently, innovations have become vital to meet customer expectations.

9.9) Now, the company is working on a new project.

20
9.10) Usually, freight forwarders organise shipping of various goods.

9.11) Now, the ABC Company is expanding its production facilities to include a new product line.

10) Choose the correct answer

10.1) The most /more important method used to restore the diminished functions and increase joint
mobility is physical therapy, which includes active and passive movements.

10.2) Probably the uniquest/most unique advantage of these devices arises from their versatility.

10.3) Wearable sensors combined with the software allow the patient to perform exercises in a motivated
and with correct form, ensuring a more effective and fastest/faster recovery.

10.4) North America was the larger/largest market for rehabilitation products with a share of 34.2%
in 2016

21
22
 Part two: Elements of effective reading and writing
UNIT3: Describing the Function of an item, writing an informal email to a friend and
a Business Correspondence

Activity 1: Reading
1) Check the meaning of the following key words in the dictionary: mode, infrastructure, type,
vehicle, consigner, consignee, consignment, route, container train, tonnage, rail, conveyance, distance,
crane, trans-shipment, to refer to, transport, to transfer, to move, to carry, to compare, to recognize, to
power, to deliver, to load, to unload, to haul

2) Read the text below and answer to the review questions.

Mode of transportation in logistics

Logistics refers to the transportation of merchandise – raw materials or finished products – from
the point of production to the point of final consumption. Different modes of transportation –road, rail,
water and air – can be used for the effective management of merchandise. Every mode of transportation
requires a different set of infrastructure, type of vehicles, technological solutions and regulations. All
modes of transportation have different costs, service and transit times.

There are the following types of cargo (freight): a) general cargo (goods packed in boxes); b) bulk
cargo (large quantities of cargo, e.g. sand); c) bulky cargo(large individual items, e.g. cars). A consigner
(someone who ships goods) chooses how to send the consignment (these goods) to the consignee
(someone who receives these goods) by water, road, railway, air.

(1) Road

Road transportation is one of the most basic and historical means of transportation. Road
transport is the principal means of transport in the European Union for both passengers and goods. Today,
the European Union has almost one vehicle for every two residents, and road freight traffic represents
more than two thirds of the total tonnage. There are many different types of vehicles, although trucks are
typically used for carrying or delivering freight. Road transportation offers a relatively lower cost compared
to other logistic forms and has a widely recognizable and flexible route. However, transportation by road
takes a relatively longer period of time than other means of transportation. Besides, it offers a limited
capacity. Road transport is most often used for comparatively inexpensive, non-perishable items or for
shorter distances.

(2) Rail

Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running
on rails. It is also commonly referred to as train transport. Rail transport uses freight trains for the delivery
of merchandise.

Freight trains are usually powered by diesel, electricity and steam. A freight train hauls cargo
using freight cars specialized for the type of goods. Freight trains are very efficient, with economy of scale

23
and high energy efficiency. However, their use can be reduced by lack of flexibility, if there is need of
trans-shipment at both ends of the trip due to lack of tracks to the points of pick-up and delivery. Container
trains have become the dominant type in the US for non-bulk haulage. Containers can easily be trans-
shipped to other modes, such as ships and trucks, using cranes.

Passenger trains are part of public transport; they can perform a variety of functions including
long distance intercity travel and local urban transit services.

Review questions

2.1) What modes of transportation can be used for the effective management of merchandise?

2.2) What does every mode of transportation require?

2.3) What types of cargo do you know?

2.4) What is one of the most basic and historical means of transportation from one place to another?

2.5) What are the main advantages of road transportation?

2.6) What vehicles are normally used for carrying or delivering freight?

2.7) What capacity does road transport offer?

2.8) What is road transport most often used for?

2.9) What does rail transport use for the delivery of merchandise?

2.10) What trains have become the dominant types in the US for non-bulk haulage? Why?

2.11) What functions can passenger trains perform?

Activity 2: Describing the Function of an item

Observe the following sentences taking from the text above:

(1) Different modes of transportation –road, rail, water and air – can be used for the effective
management of merchandise.

(3) Passenger trains are part of public transport; they can perform a variety of functions including long
distance intercity travel and local urban transit services.

The two sentences describes the function (the usage) of a given item. The first sentence describes the
function of the four mode of transportation, whereas the last sentence describes the function of
passenger trains.

Notes 2.1: We can describe the function of an item in a number of ways. Study these examples.

Using the Present simple

Container is a less bulky freight haulage mean.

24
Conventional X-ray imaging generates an image of a localised part of the body, which will be analysed
for anatomical abnormalities.

Using Used to–infinitive or used for + –ing

There are many different types of vehicles, although trucks are typically used for carrying or delivering
freight.

A crane is used to tranship containers from a ship to a truck.

Emphasizing the function (The function of _______ is to ___)

The function of a crane is to tranship containers form a ship to a truck

3) The observe the pictures below and describe (using the three ways) the function of the item
presented

A forklift A boxe A warehouse Cargo electric flat bed car

Activity 3: Writing an informal email to a friend

Read the following informal email between Linda and Helga:

1-Linda writing to Helga

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Linda,
How’s it going?
Sorry I haven’t been in touch for such a long time but I’ve had exams so I’ve been studying every free minute.
Anyway, I’d love to hear all your news and I’m hoping we can get together soon to catch up. We just moved to a
bigger flat so maybe you can come and visit one weekend? How’s the new job?
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Helga
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2- Helga responding
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Helga,
I’ve been meaning to write to you for ages now so don’t worry! How did your exams go? When will you know your
results? I’m sure you did brilliantly as always! As for me, I’ll have been in the new job three months by the end of
next week so I’m feeling more settled in. At first I felt like I had no idea what I was doing but now I realise it’s normal
to feel like that. There was a lot to learn – there still is actually – and I soon had to get used to the idea that I can’t
know everything. I used to work late a lot and at weekends but I’m slowly getting into a normal routine. Which

25
means I’d love to come and visit! We really need a good catch up! I can’t believe we haven’t seen each other since
Carl’s wedding. How does next month sound? Anyway, I’d better get back to work.
Congratulations on the new flat! Can’t wait to see you!
Love,
Linda
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 3.1: Here are some Tips for writing and informal email to a friend:

1. You can start an informal email with Hi…

2. Make sure you answer any questions that were asked (in the case of a previous email).
3. Use informal vocabulary like phrasal verbs (e.g. to get together, to catch up, to go out, to get in
touch,…) to create a friendly tone.
4. Before you sign off, close the email with a phrase like Looking forward to seeing you! Or Good
luck with your exams! Or Can’t wait to see you! Or looking forward for your replay! …
5. End with Love, (for close friends and family) or Take care, before signing your name on the
next line.
4) Are the sentences true or false?

4.1) Hi … is less formal than Dear … , .

4.2) How’s it going? is an informal way to say How are you ?

4.3) It’s important to give the reason for writing in the first sentence.

4.4) Phrasal verbs like catch up make your writing sound more formal.

4.5) How does ... sound? is an informal way of suggesting something.

4.6) People don’t write in paragraphs in informal emails.

5) Match the sentences (5.1-5.6) with the replies (a-f)

Sentences Reply
5.1) …… I was wondering if you want to go for dinner. a) Things have been good and …
5.2) …… I’m really sorry I’ve not been in touch. b) Sorry to hear that!
5.3) …… How are you doing? c) Don’t worry! I’ve been super busy too.
5.4) …… Just to let you know I passed my exams! d) I’d love to. How about Tuesday?
5.5) …… I’ve been ill for most of the month so I couldn’t e) Happy to help any way I can.
come to your party. f) So good to hear your news
5.6) …… I was hoping you could do me a favour

6) Write one word to fill each gap.

6.1) Sorry I haven’t been ……………………………… touch for such a long time.

6.2) I’ve been meaning to write to you ……………………………… ages.

26
6.3) How did your exams ……………………………… ?

6.4) I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing ……………………………… first!

6.5) Anyway, I’d better ……………………………… back to work.

6.6) Can’t wait ……………………………… see you!

6.7) We really need a good catch ……………………………… !

6.8) I can’t believe we haven’t seen each other ……………………………… Carl’s wedding.

7) Write an informal email (150-180 words) to your foreign friend and tell him/her about the
profession you have chosen and your university studying. These questions can help you to write.

Expected answers

4) Are the sentences true or 5) Match the sentences (5.1- 6) Write one word to fill each
false? 5.6) with the replies (a-f) gap.
1. True 1. d 1. in
2. True 2. c 2. for
3. False 3. a 3. go
4. False 4. f 4. at
5. True 5. b 5. get | go
6. False 6. e 6. to
7. up
8. since

Activity 4: Writing a business correspondence

Read the following two correspondence between a client and a seller:

1-Letter of enquiry
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Sirs,
With reference to your advertisement in this month’s edition of Computer World, would you please send
us a catalogue of your hardware. Would you also indicate how much time should be allowed for delivery and
include details of your export prices and quantity discounts.
We look forward to receiving your reply.
Yours faithfully
L. Brown
2-Solicited Offer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attn. Mr. L. Brown
Dear Mr. Brown,
Many thanks for your enquiry of ______ regarding our new hardware. In reply to your enquiry we have
pleasure in enclosing the catalogue requested and details of our export models.
Sincerely yours
M. Smith

27
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 4.1: Below is the layout of a business letter:

Contact Information (of the sender)

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email Address
(space)
Date
(space)
Contact Information (of the receiver)
Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code
(space)
Salutation
(space)
Body of Business Letter
(space between paragraphs)
Closing
(space)
Signature

Note 4.2: Below are useful vocabulary when writing a business letter:

We are writing to enquire about _______

With reference to your letter of 23 January, we _________

Having seen your advertisement in ____, we would like to ______

We would be interested in ______

We would like to place an order with your company for ________

We would like to cancel our order ______

Could you please send us your price list.

You will find enclosed our catalogue and price list.

Our terms of payment are as follows: _________

Enclosed is the information you requested.

28
Thank you for your letter of 25 May.

Thank you for your e-mail (letter) regarding _________

I am pleased to confirm receipt of your order No 5577L.

In reply to your request, _______

In reply to your letter of 15 April, ________

We would appreciate (be grateful) it if you would (could) _______

If you require any further information, feel free to contact me.

We would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.

Unfortunately these items are no longer available.

I am writing to complain about ________

Please note that our order No 5577Lhas not yet arrived.

We would like to query the transport charges which seem unusually high.

Our records show that we have not yet received payment of __________

I look forward to hearing from you.

8) Insert the following words in the gaps to complete the two business letters

look forward to; appreciate; thank you; enclosed; confirm; to accept; Sincerely; confirmed L/C;
order No 5577L.

Placing and order

Dear Mr. Smith,

Please find _______ our order No 5577L. We have decided _______ the 10% trade discount
you offered and your terms of payment. We would ________ delivery within the next five weeks, and
___________ your acknowledgement.
_________ yours
L. Brown

Confirmation of order

Dear Mr. Brown,

________ for your letter of order placement.
We hereby _______ your Purchase ________ for 150 Intel
Pentium processors, total price € 57500, FOB U.K., payment to be
made by_________.

29
 Sincerely yours
W. Black

9) Insert the following words in the gaps to complete the two business letters

are sure; pleased to inform; supplier; from you; will appreciate; purchase order; forwarded; have
received; defective parts;

Complain

Dear Sirs
Our Purchase Order No 5577L
We ______ the documents and taken delivery of above order which arrived in Riga on the
m.v. Rosemary. We regret to advise you that on checking the goods we found out that the spare
parts in crate No 5 were in an unsatisfactory condition.
You _______ that we are unable to install the ________ in our equipment. This, in turn, has
caused delays in delivery for our customers. We therefore need 500 replacements in perfect
condition immediately.
If there is any further repetition of this we will be forced to look for an alternative________.
Yours faithfully
G. Smith

Advice of Dispatch

Dear Sirs,
We are _________ you that your order has been shipped on board m.v. “Astra” per above
mentioned_________, and should reach you within next two weeks. Meanwhile our bank has ______
the relevant documents and sight draft for € 57500 to the CityBank Birmingham.
We _______ that you will be pleased with the consignment and look forward to hearing ____.
Yours faithfully
M. Black

10) Insert the following words in the gaps to complete the two business letters

discovered that; have just; therefore placing; quote us; our equipment; on 20 August; the transport;

Insurance Claim

Dear Sirs
We ________ taken delivery of a consignment of 2,000 spare parts for ________, which was
insured by yourselves. The goods were shipped on m.v. “Rising Sun”, which docked in Riga ______.
When our agents inspected the load they ______ crate No 5 had been damaged, and the spare parts
in crate No 5 were in an unsatisfactory condition.
We are _________ a claim for the damaged goods with you, the details of which are as
follows:

30
 Sea-damage 500 spare parts
€ 50 per unit Total € 25, 000 Total € 25,000
We trust you will be able to settle the matter swiftly.
Yours faithfully
M. O’Sallivan

Enquiry about Freight Rates

Dear Sirs,
Please ______ your most favourable freight rates for ________ of 20 tonnes of fertilizers, net
weight 0.5 tonne _______, for shipment from Riga to Rotterdam.
Yours ________
T. Barlow

Expected answers

8) 9) 10)
Placing and Confirmation Complain Confirmation of Insurance Claim Enquiry about
order of order order Freight Rates
enclosed; Thank you; have received; pleased to inform; have just; quote us;
to accept; confirm; will appreciate; purchase order; our equipment; the transport;
appreciate; order No 5577L; defective parts; forwarded; on 20 August; per unit;
look forward to; confirmed L/C; supplier; are sure; discovered that; faithfully;
Sincerely; from you; therefore placing;

31
UNIT4: Prediction (Will, May, Might), An opinion Essay

Activity 1: Reading
1) Check the meaning of the following key words in the dictionary: challenge, pallet, label, stamp,
container, transportation, representation, surveyor, waybill, to process, to complete, to represent, to
administer, to weigh, to lash, to palletize, load, to reload, to sort, to stick, to label, to wrap, to mark, to
pack, to repack, to secure

2) Read the text below and answer to the review questions.

]Custom and warehousing services.

The main challenge for logistics companies is to offer various services at a competitive price. Logistics
companies usually provide various services including the following.

1. Custom services

Processing of documents required for customs procedures.

• Completion of CMR (road transport waybill) and TIR Carnet.

• Administering of documents required for sanitary border inspection and presentation of goods
for control.
• Presentation of documents and procedure execution in the customs.
• Consultation of customs duties and tariff issues.
• Representation of the client interests in the customs.
• Processing of sanitary border documents.
• Provision of convoy services.
• Information on freight transportation.
• Freight weighing, inspection and other services in accordance with the customs requirements.
2. Warehousing services

• Long-term and short-term storage in warehouses.

• Storing of special and non-standard cargoes and containers.
• Reloading, weighing of cargo and containers.
• Cargo lashing and securing within containers.
• Palletisation / depalletisation, wrapping, marking.
• Cargo sorting, damage and quantity inspection.
• Repacking of cargo content, pre-packing, labelling or sticking stamps.
• Cargo consolidation.
• Photo and video monitoring documentation upon the customer’s request.
• Surveyor services.

Review questions: Complete the following statements

2.1) Logistics company may provide various …

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2.2) Customs services include processing of documents required for customs …

2.3) Special documents are required for sanitary border …

2.4) The company provides information on freight …

2.5) The company offers consultation concerning customs … and tariff …

2.6) The company is responsible for provision of convoy …

2.7) Customs services incorporate freight weighing and inspection in accordance with the …

2.8) The company is also responsible for reloading, weighing of cargoes and complete …

2.9) Photo and video monitoring documentation is performed upon the …

2.10) Warehousing services include long-term and short-term storage in …

2.11) They also include storing of special and non-standard cargoes and …

Activity 2: Prediction (Will, May, Might),

Study these examples:

1-Recent and future advances in logistics engineering will continue to impact both goods transportation
and human mobility.

2- Logistics companies may provide various services including custom and warehousing services

3-But it might also give rise to ‘super supply chain’ which is optimised for certain characteristics.

These three sentences are prediction sentences, that is, sentences that prevent certain or uncertain
events.

Note 2.1: When we are talking about future developments, we use will for things that are certain. We use
may and might when we are less certain about future developments, i.e. when we think that something
is possible rather than definite. May is more formal than might, but there is a little difference between may
and might in written English.

Note these short forms used in spoken English:

won’t = will not

mightn’t = might not

3) Complete the sentences using modal verbs will, may/might, or their negative forms. The
phrases in brackets will help.

3.1) People ________ also want to implement genetic engineering for increased nutrition by adding
vitamins by creating agriculture, such as golden rice. (It’s possible.)

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3.2) There ________ be industrial applications with genetically engineered microbes in contained
systems producing everything from medicines to biofuels. (I’m certain.)

3.3) Within 30 years, it ________ be possible to make essentially any kind of change to any kind of
genome . (I’m certain.)

3.4) Today’s gene therapies __________ have serious psychological or metaphysical side effects. (It’s
very unlikely.)

3.5) Genome editing _________ one day treat or prevent disorders that involve up to hundreds of genes,
including obesity, heart disease, and psychiatric illness. (It’s possible.)

3.6) Implants ________ get smarter with artificial intelligence playing an ever -greater role. (I’m certain.)

3.7) A gene therapy _______ erase a person’s propensity for depression. (It’s very unlikely).

Expected answers

3.1) may; 3.2) will; 3.3) will; 3.4) may not / might not; 3.5) might / may; 3.6) will 3.7) may not / might not;

Activity 3: An opinion Essay

The reed the following text which is an opinion essay for the question: Information will soon be so easy
to find on the internet that people will not need to remember anything. Do you agree?

Preparation task

Tick the four ideas that are most relevant to this question.

• You can find information about everything on the internet.

• Not everyone has access to the internet all the time.
• Internet banking is very popular now.
• People use the internet to commit crimes.
• It is quicker to remember something than to look it up online.
• Not everything you read on the internet is true.
• The internet is an important tool for marketing.
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Essay:

Nowadays all the information we could ever need is available online and some people say that means the
end of having to learn anything.

It is true that these days everything you want to know is a few clicks away as long as you have internet
access. However, not everyone has working internet all the time, for example in certain buildings or remote
locations, so we do need to be able to remember information. Moreover, it takes time to look up everything
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you need to know online, whereas remembering something is immediate. The human memory is a much
more efficient system.

Another problem is the quality of the information online. How do we know if it is accurate or reliable? We
need to think about other facts we know and remember how to compare information from different
websites. Knowing (and remembering) how to find certain information will be more important than knowing
the information itself.

Finally, the internet is a good tool but it is not a useful replacement for our brains. If we did not remember
anything, we would all spend even more time on our phones and computers than we already do, which is
not good for society.

In conclusion, the internet offers us many things but it is still important to use our knowledge and
memories. We need our memories to function without the internet and we also need to know how to use
the internet properly.

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Note3.1: One way to organise an opinion essay is as follows:

• An introductory paragraph – state the topic and give your opinion.

• The main body of the essay (two or three paragraphs). When you make a point, give a reason
and/or example.
• A conclusion – you restate your opinion using different words.
• Use the following linking words and phrases in an opinion essay: firstly, to start with, in the first
place, secondly, thirdly, furthermore, for example, as an example, in contrast, this shows, this
proves, as opposed to this, instead, in my opinion, to conclude, to sum up.

4) Write a number (1–5) to put the essay paragraphs in order.

___________ Main point – the advantages of using memory over searching online

___________ Main point – the negative social effects of internet use

___________ Introduction – an explanation of the essay question in other words

___________ Conclusion – the internet cannot replace memory

___________ Main point – the difficulty of finding good quality information online

5) Write the linking words and phrases in the correct group.

To sum up; On the other hand; However; What’s more; Moreover As well as; Whereas; Finally; In
conclusion;

Contrasting Adding ideas Finishing

… … …

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6) Complete the sentences.

other hand; Moreover; Finally; Nowadays; However; whereas; more; conclusion; As well as;

6.1) ……………………………… , people are living longer and staying active until later in their lives.

6.2) Most people agree that living longer is a good thing. ……………………………… , an ageing
population presents some challenges for society.

6.3) In the past, people lived on average 14 years past retirement age, ……………………………… now
they can expect to live 30.

6.4) People’s retirement savings have to last longer. ……………………………… , there may be little or
no support available from a state pension.

6.5) On the ……………………………… , many companies can benefit from the experience and expertise
of older workers. What’s ………………………………, many retired people say they enjoy working
occasionally on one-off projects.

6.6) ……………………………… contributing to the workplace, older members of society can spend
valuable time with their children and grandchildren.

6.7) ……………………………… , caring for the elderly is also an issue. Financial and practical support
should be available to help people look after their loved ones.

6.8) In ……………………………… , living longer can bring many opportunities but also some challenges.
People need to plan for the future and the government should provide financial and practical support for
people’s retirement and medical care.

7) Discussion

What do you think about the question? Would it be better or worse if we never learned anything and just
used the internet instead?

Expected answers

4)

4.1) Introduction – an explanation of the essay question in other words

4.2) Main point – the advantages of using memory over searching online

4.3) Main point – the difficulty of finding good quality information online

4.4) Main point – the negative social effects of internet use

4.5) Conclusion – the internet cannot replace memory

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5)

Contrasting Adding ideas Finishing

On the other hand What’s more To sum up
However Moreover Finally
Whereas As well as In conclusion

6)

1. Nowadays; 2. However; 3. Whereas; 4. Moreover; 5. other hand | more; 6. As well as; 7. Finally;
8. conclusion

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UNIT5: Writing a report

Activity 1: A report on a research study

Before reading, do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the definitions (a–h) with the vocabulary (1–8).

Vocabulary Definitions
1. …… a correlation a. A research study with a small group of people who are
2. …… employee retention invited to give their opinions about something.
3. …… a focus group b. The feeling of being involved in an activity or motivated
4. …… the principal objective to do it.
5. …… employee turnover c. The primary or main goal.
6. …… engagement d. The ability of a company to satisfy and keep its employees.
7. …… the participants e. The rate at which employees leave a company.
8. …… the majority of those f. The people who participated in a research study.
surveyed g. Most of the people who responded to a survey.
h. A relationship between two things where if one
changes, the other one does too.

Report on staff engagement at Girox Foods

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Introduction

At Girox Foods, we are experiencing an annual employee turnover of about 12 per cent. Although this
might not seem high at first glance, the industry standard is seven per cent. The principal objective of this
report is to investigate the causes of employee engagement within the firm and, based on those, offer
recommendations to improve the employees’ experience of the workplace and increase employee
retention.

Research methods

This study was conducted with over 500 employees of Girox Foods between March and August 2018,
with the aim of understanding their experience and expectations of the workplace. The study covered the
80 branches of Girox Foods located in 20 European countries. In addition to the 500 questionnaires filled
out by Girox employees, 120 also participated in ten separate focus groups where participants took part
in discussions about their levels of engagement in Girox and their hopes for the future.

Key research findings

• The top reason for employee disengagement, given by 35 per cent of those surveyed, is the lack
of challenging work, followed by having too many working hours (34 per cent).

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 • 43 per cent of those surveyed said that the top reason for employees quitting their jobs was a
lack of recognition, while 31 per cent stated that it was due to bad management. There was no
correlation between salaries and level of employee engagement.
• 47 per cent stated that their levels of engagement would improve if they felt more ownership of
their work. 45 per cent wanted more flexibility both in terms of working hours and locations. 42
per cent were keen to see the company investing more in their career development.
• 59 per cent felt that their commitment to the company would improve if they were given training
opportunities to improve their business skills. 64 per cent rated social and cross-cultural
intelligence as the most important skill needed in the workplace.
• 41 per cent of respondents felt that there should be increased transparency in company
communications, as this would lead to increased trust and more informed decision making.
Recommendations

On the basis of these findings, we recommend that Girox Foods adopt a more people-oriented
management style. As part of this, we should explore ways of offering more flexible working hours to our
employees and consider how we can enable employees to work from their chosen locations. Managers
need to consider a variety of ways to challenge our staff and provide more positive reinforcement and
recognition of the work they do. Increased investment in professional development, especially in the area
of social and intercultural communication, could also contribute to creating a positive environment for
employees to produce their best work.

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Note 1.1: Tips

1. Organise your report in sections and give each section a heading.

2. The wording of the headings may differ. For example, you could title the third section Findings or Main
findings. However, the structure of all reports is generally the same:

• a description of the background situation and purpose of the report

• details of how the study was conducted
• the main findings
• recommendations based on those findings.
3. State practical details such as where the research was conducted, how many people participated and
which methods were used (questionnaires, focus groups, interviews, etc.).

4. Use bullet points where appropriate to present points clearly.

5. Provide statistics or evidence to back up your claims.

6. Use an impersonal style of writing in order to sound objective. Using the passive voice helps to do this.
Avoid using the pronoun I (but we is sometimes used).

7. Support your recommendations by explaining the benefits they would bring. Alternatively, warn what
may happen if the recommendations are not implemented.

39
1) Are the sentences true or false?

1.1) Every month, 12 per cent of Girox employees quit.

1.2) The study was conducted using three methods: questionnaires, focus groups and individual
interviews.

1.3) The main reason employees quit is that they feel that their work goes unrecognised.

1.4) The study found that the more employees were paid, the more engaged they were.

1.5) Girox needs to adopt a stricter and more rigid management style.

1.6) To improve engagement, Girox should provide employees with options for more flexible working,
make them feel appreciated for the work they do and offer more training.

2) Put the tips in the correct groups.

Write in an informal style; State the purpose of your report; Use bullet points; Give headings for sections;

Structure it: background ➔findings ➔ recommendations; State details of how the data were collected;
Use the pronouns ‘I’, ‘me’ or ‘mine’;

Do Do not
… …

3) Put the words or phrases in the correct order to make sentences.

3.1) our most recent marketing campaign.; provides; This report ; an assessment of the effectiveness
of;

3.2) an online questionnaire about; responded to; employee; engagement.; 500 people

3.3) their opinions of; were invited; to attend a focus group; 15 customers; to discuss; our new product
line.

3.4) from home.; the survey,; to work; the results of; According to; the majority of employees prefer;

3.5) they; stated that; wanted; A significant proportion; more training.; of the respondents;

3.6) In light of; to increase; it would appear that; our investment in training.; the most viable solution is;
the key findings,

Expected answer

1)

1. False; 2. False; 3. True; 4. False; 5. False; 6. True

40
2)

Do Do not

Give headings for sections Use the pronouns ‘I’, ‘me’ or ‘mine’
Structure it: background ➔ findings ➔ Write in an informal style
recommendations
State details of how the data were collected
State the purpose of your report
Use bullet points

3)

1. This report provides an assessment of the effectiveness of our most recent marketing campaign.

2. 500 people responded to an online questionnaire about employee engagement.

3. 15 customers were invited to attend a focus group to discuss their opinions of our new product line.

4. According to the results of the survey, the majority of employees prefer to work from home.

5. A significant proportion of the respondents stated that they wanted more training.

6. In light of the key findings, it would appear that the most viable solution is to increase our investment
in training.

Activity 2: A report on working abroad

Before reading, do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Write the words in the correct group.

a disadvantage; a benefit; a plus; a drawback; a minus; an advantage

Good things Bad things

… …

Reading text: A report on working abroad

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The principal of a local college has asked you to write a report on the advantages and disadvantages of
working abroad in the summer holidays. She would like to know if the college should recommend ‘working
holidays’ to its students.
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Introduction

Currently, approximately 25 per cent of Hawthorne College students work abroad during the summer
break. This report aims to show the benefits and drawbacks of working overseas in order to decide
whether the college should recommend the experience to its students.

To prepare for this report, a sample of 100 students were interviewed, 23 of whom had worked abroad.
This is a summary of their comments.

Benefits

According to the students interviewed, working overseas during the summer holidays can bring several
benefits. Most of all, students can improve their foreign language skills by working in a non-English
speaking country. This may help them get a better job in the future.

Additionally, learning about a different culture and way of life makes people more open-minded. A further
advantage is that students may become more confident when they learn practical skills to help them live
independently later in life, for example, finding accommodation and cooking for themselves.

Drawbacks

However, a large number of interviewees mentioned drawbacks as well. Students who need to study over
the summer will find it difficult to do so while working abroad. Most significant of all are finance issues:
only a minority of students are able to afford travel expenses, accommodation and visas. In addition,
students may have to take low-income jobs if they are not fluent in the local language, so they may
struggle to cover their expenses.

Conclusion and recommendation

Working abroad may improve students’ language skills and confidence. However, students often need to
earn money during the holidays to support their studies and working abroad may not provide the
opportunity to save. Also, the cost of travel means that only students who are able to afford it have the
chance to do this. Therefore, the college should only recommend working abroad if there is financial
support from the college for students that need it.

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Note 2.1: Tips

1. The basic structure of a report is usually the same:

• Introduction (including the purpose of the report and how the data was collected)
• Findings (including benefits and drawbacks if appropriate)
• Conclusion and recommendations.
2. Use headings for each section.

3. Use formal vocabulary (e.g. Currently, ... / in order to ... / Therefore, ...) to give the report a formal style.

42
4. The ideas and conclusions should be objective. Use non-personal subjects (e.g. This report aims to …)
and passive structures (e.g. 100 students were interviewed).

5. You can also use may to show that something is not certain (e.g. This may help them get a better job
in the future)

4) Match the sentences (1–4) with the sections of the report (a–d).

Sentences Sections of the report

1. …… Therefore, this is not a good idea for all students. a. Introduction
2. …… The main objective of this report is to … b. Advantages
3. …… Students can improve their chances of … c. Disadvantages
4. …… Students may have problems getting visas. d. Conclusion

5) Match the phrases with the same function.

Sentences Sections of the report

1. …… The majority of the students interviewed said a. The main objective of this report is to ...
that … b. To prepare for this report, 100 students
2. …… Given the points made above, it is were interviewed.
recommended that … c. According to the students interviewed, ...
3. …… This report aims to … d. Taking all these factors into account, it is
4. …… This report is based on information from 100 suggested that ...
interviews with students.

6) Complete the report conclusion with words from the box.

if; However; Also; so; Therefore

Volunteering can develop a range of new skills for students. (1)……………………………… , there may

not be many local volunteering opportunities (2)……………………………… some students would need

personal transport to attend. (3)……………………………… , individuals may have specific training needs

and gaps in their skill set that only certain volunteering opportunities can fulfil.

(4)……………………………… , careers advisers should only recommend volunteering

(5)……………………………… the right role and transport is available.

Expected answer

4) 5) 6)
1.d; 2.a; 3.b; 4.c 1. c; 2. d; 3. a; 4. b 1. However; 2. so; 3. Also;
4. Therefore; 5. if

43
 Part Three: Collaborative work
UNIT6: Summarising a scientific or a technical report

Activity 2: Structure of a scientific or technical report

Scientific papers (also known as a "journal articles") are a special type of written work that have particular
characteristics:

• They are usually published in a periodical called a journal whose purpose is to publish this kind
of work. Generally, journals differ greatly from general interest writing on scientific topics such
as magazine articles and science news (e.g. those in National Geographic, Scientific American,
Discover, etc.) although some journals also have a section devoted to general interest
writing. Occasionally scientific papers are compiled in book form but this is not the norm.

• They are peer reviewed. That means that the paper has been subjected to the scrutiny of several
experts in the field who verify the quality of the writing and the accuracy of the analysis and
conclusions drawn by the authors.

• They are citable. This means that: the content is stable, the journal is readily available in libraries
and (usually) through the Web, and there are standardized methods of identifying a particular
article. Thus an author can refer to a paper with confidence that a reader can easily look up that
reference at any point in the future.

• They include citations. This means that the paper frequently makes reference to previous
publications that are relevant to the work being discussed. All cited works are listed in a reference
section at the end of the paper. Footnotes at the bottom of each pager are not used to make
citations.

• The general outline/flow is as follows

o Title : The “take home” message of the entire project, according to the authors.

o Author(s) : These people made significant scientific contributions to the project. Fields
differ in the standard practice for ordering authors. For example, as a general rule for
biomedical sciences, the first author led the project’s implementation, and the last author
was the primary supervisor to the project.

o Abstract : A brief overview of the research question, approach, results, and

interpretation. This is the road map or elevator pitch for an article.

o Introduction : Several paragraphs (or less) to present the research question and why it
is important. A newcomer to the field should get a crash course in the field from this
section.

o Methods : What was done? How was it done? Ideally, one should be able to recreate a
project by reading the methods. In reality, the methods are often overly condensed.

44
 Sometimes greater detail is provided within a “Supplemental” section available online
(see below).

o Results : What was found? Paragraphs often begin with a statement like this: “To do X,
we used approach Y to measure Z.” The results should be objective observations.

o Discussion : What do the results mean and how do they relate to previous findings in
the literature? This is the perspective of the author(s) on the results and their ideas on
what might be appropriate next steps. Often it may describe some (often not all!)
strengths and limitations of the study: Pay attention to this self-reflection of the author(s)
and consider whether you agree or would add to their ideas.

o References/Literature cited : A list of previously published papers, datasets, or

databases that were essential for the implementation of this project or interpretation of
data. This section may be a valuable resource listing important papers within the field
that are worth reading as well.

• They follow a standardized style of writing and data presentation.

During this course you will be examining some published work on a topic. We will analyse parts of these
papers, such as examining the results between the papers. After that, you will be given a sample paper
to critique/revise.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7392212/

https://researchguides.library.vanderbilt.edu/c.php?g=69346&p=831584

45
46
 Activity 2: Reading a scientific or technical report

Read the following article and answer the review questions:

1) Read the Abstract of the scientific article.

1.1) What is Logistics?

1.2) What is the aim of the paper? (or what is the research question?)

1.3) What is the meaning of the term Logistics 4.0?

1.4) What is Smart Logistics Zone?

1.5) Set one example of new solution derived by Logistic 4.0 to do right things in an efficient way?

2) Read the Introduction and the Methodology of the scientific article.

2.1) What is the objective of science in logistics?

2.2) What are the relevant knowledge areas in Logistics 4.0?

2.3) What is the role of a model in Logistics 4.0?

2.4) Summarise the method used in this article

3) Read the rest of the article

3.1) How many groups of solutions are presented in the article

3.2) List out the technical components used in the first group

3.3) What is the common objective of proposed solution of the second group?

3.4) Summarise solutions of the fourth group

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