Đề Thi Toeic Mini - Practice Mini Test TOEIC Reading - BD2- Test 02

______(141)______ the economy beginning to slow down, the hourly wage for workers has declined a little. The drop is notable since productivity -the amount that an average worker produces in an hour and the basic source of a nation’s living standards - has risen steadily over the same period. As a result, wages and salaries now make up the lowest proportion of the nation’s gross domestic product, while corporate earnings have climbed to their highest level since the 1990s. Over the past few years, stagnating wages were somewhat _____ (142) _____ by the rising value of benefits such as health insurance, which caused overall compensation for workers to continue increasing. Since last year, however, the value of a worker’s benefits has also failed ____(143)_____ pace with inflation, according to government data. Moreover, polls show that rising house and stock values have lifted the net worth of many families over the last few years, and interest rates remain fairly low.

To whom it may concern, I am writing to inquire about the openings in the help-wanted advertisement that you placed in the China Times for a marketing department manager at West China Supermarkets. I have attached my resume and cover letter ____(144)____ you to review. I recently graduated from Shanghai University, with a degree in marketing. In addition to my solid academic record, I spent the last 3 years working as a marketing consultant and I am ready to draw on my experience to use in a management position.I’ve been involved in retail food sales since I was a child. I ____(145)____ work at my parents’ fruit stand, where I first became familiar with the food industry. As China’s economy has opened and expanded, I have become convinced that the retail food industry has significant potential for development and modernization. I hope that my working experience and education can be of _____(146)____ to West China Supermarkets. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss how I can contribute to your organization’s success in this expanding market. Best Regards, Poll Hu.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 8, 2007 the Walnut County Road Committee will ____(147)____ a lane closure on Witt Road, from Ellido Street to Jean Paul Avenue, for utility installation. There could be significant delays. Therefore, motorists are advised to seek an alternate route. It is anticipated that this project ____(148)____ and all lanes will be reopened to traffic by approximately 5 a.m. on Friday, October 12, 2007. However, please note that all dates are tentative and ____(149)____ to change. To maintain the safety of road crews, please reduce speed and drive cautiously when you pass through the work zone. The Road Committee thanks you in advance for your patience. If you have any questions concerning this project, please contact Nick Estrin, Project Engineer at 555-802-2547 or via email at [email protected]

As the largest and fastest ____(150)____ community development group, we invite qualified professionals for our urban ____(151)____ project. Your mandate is to set the overall strategic direction for housing development, including sales and marketing. The ideal candidate must have a passion to deliver results in a dynamic market environment.You must have at least 5 years of relevant industry experience. You will be able to demonstrate an excellent record of successful implementation and sustainable growth. This leadership position is expected to attract candidates of the highest ____(152)____. Successful candidates will live in Indonesia and enjoy a highly competitive remuneration package, including traveling allowances. To apply for the position, please submit your resume along with a cover letter by November 17, 2007 to [email protected].

"From: Hazel Irwin To: Lindsey Monotail Subject: Speech Request Date: May 23 Hi Lindsey, As you know, Robert Hulking will be awarded the CSG Excellence in Sales Prize at a special ceremony at the Persian Hotel this Saturday. Mr. Hulking recently informed me that you were his supervisor when he first came to CSG five years ago, and that you and your business advice have greatly contributed to his recent success. To honor both your work as Senior Sales Supervisor and Mr. Hulking’s recent achievement, I would like to ask you to present the award this Saturday. As part of the presentation ceremony, you will be asked to give a brief speech about Mr. Hulking. It would be a good idea to include some personal anecdotes as well as professional stories to help highlight Mr. Hulking’s character. Please contact Sara Benhunt, my secretary, before 2 p.m. today and let her know if you can attend the event. Her extension is 3125. 1 hope you will join us. Sincerely,Hazel Irwin Director of Public Relations

Do you enjoy working outdoors? Do you thrive in a physically demanding work environment? Then Gateway Contractors has the perfect job for you! We're looking for young, energetic individuals to work on Gateway's latest construction project: the Maplewood Gymnasium. Successful candidates will be responsible for unloading supply trucks and distributing supplies to various key points around the site. No previous construction experience is necessary, but applicants must be able to work well with other people. Applications are available at www.gatewaycontractors.com. To schedule an interview, contact Bruno Morton, the Construction Site Supervisor, at 245-698-7895. Please, no calls after 9 p.m.

Deloit Industries to Open Another Factory Deloit Industries, a leading producer of construction equipment, plans to open another factory in 2007. The new factory will be built in Rayong, Thailand, where a number of other large-scale manufacturing companies are located. The company’s decision was criticized by many local officials, who claim that Deloit Industries plans to exploit local laborers. In the last decade, many companies have migrated to Thailand because the country’s average wages are significantly less than those in North America and Europe. By operating in Thailand, companies are able to decrease their annual expenditures and increase profitability. Unfortunately, these profits do not always benefit the local communities. According to a company spokesman, however, Deloit Industries will implement a couple of strategies that will benefit the local laborers and their families. Among these “positive plans” are providing health insurance for employees and their families, and giving academic scholarships to employees’ children. The company has implemented similar strategies for employees working at its mines in South Africa, processing plants in the Philippines, and packaging facilities in Brazil. In each place, the company has attempted to hire local workers and integrate itself into the local community, in July, the company hosted a charity event in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to raise money for local schools.

"Rollins University is looking for an energetic, personable individual to teach a marketing class for students in the honors program during the fall semester. The class, Advanced International Marketing 402, will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. This is a part-time position. Rollins University is one of the top business schools in the world, and has campuses in Los Angeles, Paris, Tokyo, and Geneva. This position will be at the university's campus in Tokyo, Japan, so the successful applicant will be expected to relocate if necessary. The successful candidate will have some teaching experience (at least 1-2 years in an academic setting) and have worked extensively in the marketing industry. Additionally, individuals without a PhD need not apply. The incumbent will be required to work during regular class hours, and spend two to three hours preparing for each class. A private office will be provided. Since this is a short-term contract, compensation is negotiable and will be determined based on the candidate's work experience and professional history. For more information, or to request an application, contact James Stewart at 1-541-265-6987.

TR Exhibition to beheld Tyler Remington, President of Tyler Remington Inc., announced that the company would be hosting its fifth annual TR Programming Exhibition in July. The event is held every year to give professional computer programmers a chance to test new software developed by TR Inc. The event is also a means for the company to consult with some of the world's most talented programmers about technology trends. The event attracts programmers from around the world, and most of the individuals who attend are self-employed, or own their own web design and consulting company. Since the exhibition began five years ago, it has become known as the single most important programming event of the year. In the past, it has been hosted in Seattle, Sydney, Berlin, and Moscow. This year's event is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad, India, as it is rapidly becoming the technology capital of the world. To register, simply fill out the online form which can be downloaded from the company's website at www.trindustries.com. Or, you can request a paper application by calling 1-800-265-8795. A registration fee of $195 must also be paid by June 25 with the application. Only credit card payments are accepted.

"Waldorf Books is excited to announce it will be offering a new print-on- & demand publishing service. The company has created a database of all the major and minor book titles in the world and developed a program that can access electronic versions of these books. If a customer is unable to find a book in paperback or hardcover in the store, he can go to the Print-OnDemand kiosk and with the push of a button print a copy of the book without ever leaving the store! This new technology has a couple of advantages: customers can choose from a more extensive selection of books, and the final product is cheaper. The service is especially useful for individuals who are most interested in less popular titles by relatively unknown authors. The print-on-demand service will be available at all Waldorf Books stores starting this September

"32 Turtle Rd. Wilmont, WI 20548 August 23 Dear Mrs. Malloy, We recently discovered that your subscription to Gourmet Chef Monthly will expire in September and you have not decided to renew it. To encourage you to reconsider your decision, we’d like to offer you a special, one-time-only offer: if you choose to renew your subscription, we will give you a fifty percent discount on each monthly issue from October to March. According to our database, you were paying $6 per issue; with this discount you would only have to pay $3.00. This offer is only valid if you apply to renew your subscription before September 15th. We’re offering to cut the cost of your subscription in half. Can you really ask for a better deal? To accept our offer, please call us at 1-800-254-9864. Our office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity; call one of our helpful customer service agentstoday. We look forward to your business. Warmest Regards, Ross Cather Sales Director, Gourmet Chef Monthly

This month, Rockford Sports has experienced an unexpected increase in the sale of running shoes. Executives feel that this was due in large part to the new ad campaign released in February. The campaign was orchestrated by Albert Sterling, the Director of Advertising. Mr. Sterling has dedicated twenty years of his life to Rockford Sports; he started as a shoes salesman and has been steadilyworking his way up the corporate ladder ever since. He has held his current position for the last five years. Unfortunately, Mr. Sterling will be retiring in March so the Hiring Committee has spent the past year trying to find a suitable replacement. Just last week, a candidate was chosen for the position: RoyPortsmouth. For the past ten years, Mr. Portsmouth has been the Executive Advertising Assistant at Famous Feet's corporate headquarters in Milan. Mr.Portsmouth is respected for his keen marketing sense and strategic planning skills. In particular, he is famous for introducing ad campaigns that helped increase Famous Feet's international brand power, and boosted its total retail profits by 25 percent. Clearly, Mr. Portsmouth will be a powerful addition to our company, and we hope all employees make him feel welcome.

Jerry Walker has been the head coach for the Chicago Islanders for the last eight years. On August 23, 2007, Mr. Walker will be inducted into the prestigious Basketball Hall of Fame. Mr. Walker agreed to sit down with Sports World to discuss his remarkable career. Interviewer: So, what does it take to be a professional coach? Mr. Walker: Actually, a lot of people ask me that, and I always tell them the same thing: work, work, and more work. People are always surprised by my answer. Interviewer: Most people probably think that your job is pretty easy, am I right? Mr. Walker: They see me on TV and get the impression that my life is glamorous. The reality of being a professional coach, however, is that you have to be able to multi-task and perform under pressure. I’m like a business manager and athletic trainer, all in one package. I develop training programs for my athletes, investigate other teams’ training habits, hire staff, fire staff, schedule practice sessions, consult with injured players, and negotiate contracts with new players. Interviewer: That does sound like a lot of work for one man. What does your wife think of your career? Mr. Walker: Well, she wants me to teach in a university like she does rather than work as a coach. She worries about my health and doesn’t like the fact that we can’t spend much time together. I just love to see athletes excel, and to know that I had something to do with their success. That’s what I want the most. Interviewer: What would you change about your job, if you could? Mr. Walker: I wish I had more time to coach amateur players, like high school and college athletes. I think it’s important to develop the skills of up-and-coming athletes, not just ones who sign a contract with us.

From: Howard Hilton To: Margaret Willow Subject: Defective Printer Dear Mrs. Willow, My company, Pip Imaging, purchased an Easy Jet 1435 printer from your company four weeks ago. Three weeks ago, an employee reported that the printer turned off every time she tried to print on both sides. A week after the problem was reported, a repairman came to the office to fix the problem. After spending an entire day taking apart the machine, he determined that the printer was missing an important screw. It is critical that we have a functioning printer in order to provide our customers with quality photocopies. Therefore, it is important that we fix this problem as soon as possible. We will be closing temporarily in two weeks from June 23rd to July 2nd, while we change locations, and we would like to resolve this problem before then. Sincerely, Howard Hilton Technical Director ---- To: Howard Hilton From: Margaret Willow Dear Mr. Hilton, First, I would like to apologize for the problem you encountered with your printer. This is the first defective product that we have ever been made aware of, and we have already contacted the Director of Production, Glen Milton, to investigate the current production practices for all Easy Jet 1435 printers. We certainly want to resolve this problem as quickly as possible. We are happy to pay for all repair costs, as well as all shipping fees. Please put the printer in its original box and send it to the Product Repair Department. The address for this department is provided in the Owner's Instruction Manual that came with the printer. We will have a specialist take a look at the machine immediately. You should have a working printer within three to four weeks. Please feel free to contact me at any time, should you have questions or comments. Sincerely, Margaret Willow Director, Customer Relations, Easy Jet Office Supplies

Job OpeningsatFelton Insurance Position 1: Assistant Financial Officer Requirements: A minimum of five years experience in a managerial position. Applicants will have extensive knowledge of accounting systems, and significant experience developing budgets and offering financial advice. Position 2: Project Manager Requirements: A minimum of 4 years experience organizing and executing projects. A strong ability to plan new projects and lead people to complete them. Candidates will also be required to relocate to our offices in Paris. Position 3: Media Consultant Requirements: At least 3 years of experience in a related field. Applicants will have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience writing press releases and holding press conferences is preferred. Position 4: Sales Copy Writer Requirements: A Master’s degree in either Business Communications or Journalism is a must. Extensive marketing or advertising experience is also required. To Apply: Send a cover letter, resume, and at least two letters of reference to the HR Department at Felton Insurance: Human Resources Department Felton Insurance 145 Liberty Rd. Seattle, WA Qualified candidates will be contacted by phone to schedule an interview. Please do not contact the company directly. __________________ To whom it may concern: My name is Justin Thimble and I’m writing in response to the Project Manager position you advertised recently. I feel that my professional background and personality make me the ideal candidate for the job. I have over six years of experience working with a small team to plan and carry out new projects. Additionally, I can speak and write French fluently, and would be very excited to live abroad. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to work for such a prestigious international company. The enclosed resume further details why I would make an excellent choice for this position. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Justin Thimble

From: Gail Rogers To: John Harlow Date: June 21 Subject: Problems with the network Dear Mr. Harlow, I don’t know if you’ve received other complaints already this morning, but at the moment I’m being denied access to the company’s network. I’ve never experienced something like this before. My co-worker, Jim Stevens, said he was having the same problem. When I enter my employee ID and password, I receive this message: Employee ID invalid. I’m positive that I’m entering the correct ID, so I don’t know why I can’t access the network. I tried to contact the Computer Technician, but he hasn’t replied to my emails. I was hoping that you would be able to help me, since you’re the Technology Supervisor. I would really appreciate any assistance you can provide at this time. Thanks. From:John Harlow To: Gail Rogers Date:June 21 Subject: Re: Problems with the network Hi Gail, I’m sorry that I did not reply sooner, but one of the computers on the fifth floor unexpectedly shut down and I had to investigate the cause. Our Computer Technician, Thomas Benson, has the flu and will not be in the office for the rest of the week. I have heard from many other employees today, and they all mentioned the same error message. I think the problem might be that we updated our computer security system, but I can’t be certain until I do a little more research. I’m not sure why, but we seem to be having a lot of problems with our computers lately. This is the tenth complaint I’ve received this morning. I have scheduled a meeting with the Administrative Supervisor, Philip Downs, at 3 p.m. He should be able to tell me how to fix the problem. Usually, the kind of error message you describe appears when there is something wrong with the security settings. In the meantime, I recommend that you save all of your current files on a hard disk because there is a possibility that we will have to erase your hard drive. If you have any questions before 5 p.m., you can reach me at ext. # 5498. John Harlow Technology Supervisor

HMG Computer Innovation Conference Lauren Hunt Watson and Rye Media 125 Dobson Ave. Atlanta, GA 54897 Dear Ms. Hunt, I am pleased to inform you that the eighth annual Computer Innovation Conference will take place from July 22-23 at the Henderson Hotel in Park County, Colorado. This year, we expect to receive as many participants as in previous years: over 3,000 computer specialists from all over the world, including some of the most highly respected individuals in the field. As always, it is our sincerest hope that Watson and Rye Media will participate in the Publisher’s Showcase for displaying your latest electronic publishing products, including journals, software, and any other relevant materials. The exquisite Boulder Room, which will be set up with tables, shelves, electronic equipment and Internet access, will be available for you to display multi-media products. The adjoining Silver Springs Room will be reserved for showcasing printed media, like books and magazines. If you would like to reserve a space to set up a display, please fill out the registration form enclosed with this letter. Please remember to indicate which room you would like to reserve, and the times that you would like to reserve it for. Also, I should inform you that, due to problems we had last year, all fees must be paid at the time of registration. You should submit everything by June 15th. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 514-698-9874, or email me at [email protected]. com. Sincerely, Thomas Orson Conference Organizer ________________ From: Lauren Hunt To: Thomas Orson Date: Tuesday, June 8 Subject: Exhibits for HMG Conference Dear Mr. Orson, I was very excited to receive your invitation to attend the HMG Computer Innovation Conference.Before I submit the application and fee, however, I would like to ask you an important question about the rules for setting up an exhibit. Since our company handles both electronic and print media products, we would prefer to display our product lines together. Is there any possibility that we would be able to set up both of our exhibits in the Boulder Room? Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Lauren Hunt

To: All staff members From: Jenny Lee, HR Director Subject: Vacation days Some changes regarding our company vacation policy here at Johnson and Johnson Incorporated have been made. It is now mandatory for everyone to submit a completed vacation request form at least 2 weeks in advance to get the vacation days you want. This, of course, is the result of the problems we had last year when too many employees took time off in June to see the World Cup. As you know, June was a very busy time for us, and we ran into big problems The form is available at the Human Resources Department. You are to fill it out and submit it to your immediate manager to get approval. Once it has been approved, it will also be sent up to me to get my approval. Once it has been approved, it will also be sent up to me to get my approval. In case your manager feels that the timing of your request is not proper, then he will have the authority to deny your request. Therefore, I suggest that everyone hand in your requests early. Thank you for your cooperation