Exercises

1.Choose a suitable prepositional phrase given in the list to begin each of the following sentences with.

To our great regret

To my disappointment

To our great dissatisfaction

To our satisfaction

To my pleasure

To my surprise

Examples:

To our great regret,the business between us has failed to develop.

To my great satisfaction,they have agreed to our prices.

1) The goods have failed to arrive on time.

2) Your prices have gone up again.

3) The goods are selling well in spite of higher prices.

4) Everything has come off smoothly.

5) You have agreed to offer us a larger quantity.

6) The quality of your first shipment is not in conformity with the specifications.

7) Markets have at last come down.

8) We’ve come to an agreement on the prices.

9) I have plenty of time to enjoy the sights in and around Beijing.

10) I have had the chance of discussing the matter with you personally.

2.Fill in the blanks with appropriate words or expressions.

1) The shipment will be made______schedule.

2) Our prices remain unchanged______the recent rise of the market.

3) We’re sure that you’ll have no difficulty______pushing the sales.

4) I hope you’ll take______consideration the conditions______our market.

5) To be frank______you,a discount ______2%______your prices wouldn’t help very much.

6)______our friendly relations,we’ll give you a 2% commission______all our sales.

7) We have to keep our prices______the rising cost of production.

8) Sometimes it makes things easier______the seller to arrange the shipping space.

9) Your price is higher ______some of the quotations we have received from other sources.

10) To be frank with you,if it hadn’t been______the longstanding relationship______us,we’d hardly be willing to make you a firm offer______this price.

3.Compose a dialogue on the following situation.

Mr.Johnson,an American businessman,makes an inquiry for plaited straw articles.We make him an offer for straw baskets and bags which enjoy popularity in the US.He counter-offers at a lower price.We stick to our quotations,give him a 2% commission and in the end conclude the transaction.

Name:straw bag

Item Code:zy-9712

Material:straw and cornhusk

Lining:Nylon and rayon

Handle:paper straw with bead or synthetic leather

Minimum order:200 bags

FOB price:US $1-8/bag depending on style

4.Translate the following dialogue into English.

A：老实说，你们所报价格使我们很惊讶。我们原来期望的价格要比这低得多。

B：今年的价格比去年高些。然而我们的价格还是比你们从其他方面所能得到的开价要低。

A：这一点，我恐怕不能同意。我可以拿出比你们更低的报价给你看。

B：在比较价格的时候，你必须考虑到各个方面。我们的货物质量高，而你从其他方面所得到报价是一般质量的货物。

A：我承认你们的质量比较好。但是我们仍然认为我们无法说服我们的客户会以这样的高价来购买。

B：如果我是你的话，这一点我不担心。把各个方面都考虑在内，我可以向你保证我们所报的价格是十分优惠的。我不认为你们推销会有什么困难。

A：可是市场经常有变化。我怎能肯定在货物低达我们口岸之前，市场会不下跌呢？

B：不，肯定不会的。这交易得由你们决定。

A：倘若你方答允2021年7月以前交货，我就能做出决定，看样子市场在那以前还不至于下跌。

B：可是，8月份交货是我们能为你方办到的最早日期了。我们产品的需要量日益增长，如果你今天询价，连8月份交货都办不到。你是三天前询价的，我努力想法在8月份交货。

A：你方报价有效期多少天？

B：和往常一样，有效期三天，希望你早日打定主意。