Cambridge English for HR Additional Activities Unit+2

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Cambridge English for

Human Resources UNIT 2 additional activities Describing graphs in presentations

a You are going to listen to the first part of Colin’s presentation to Hans again

(pages 20–21 of the Student’s Book). Before you listen, look at the graphs below (A–D) and discuss the following questions. 1 What important information is missing from the graphs? 2 What kind of information do you think each graph might be showing? 3 How might you describe the trends in each graph? 6 A5 C 46 35 24 13 02 1 0

6 5 46 35 24 13 02 1 0

B

D

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q1 Q4 Q2+Q1 Q3+Q2 Q4 +Q1 +Q2 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 +Q1 +Q2

Q2 Q3 Q4 +Q1 +Q2 b Listen Q1 to Colin’s presentation and say which graph (A, B, C or D) represents Colin’s description of:

●●

Figure 1

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Figure 2

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Figure 3

c

2.4 Complete the following extracts from Colin’s presentation with the phrases in the box. Then listen and check your answers. 20 years or more   ​ a slight drop   ​a total of   ​as the chart in   ​ for the last   ​for the last two   ​further analysis, as shown in   ​ has risen year on year by   ​past trends   ​will see sales return to

1 Labour turnover a years has been running at just 3%, and 25% of our workforce have b service. 2 However, a Figure 1 here, shows that 6% of the workforce is projected to retire next year and that b 25% of the current workforce will retire within the next five years. 3 Next, we looked at a and, apart from b three years ago, our total number of employees c around 5%. 4 But, you’ll be pleased to know that, as shown in Figure 2, wages have remained roughly in line with inflation and have been on hold six months. 5 Thirdly, we looked at projected sales, and although we’ve had two of our lowest quarters at the beginning of this year, Manuela is very optimistic that Q1 next year a last year’s levels, b Figure 3 shows.

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Professional English

Cambridge English for

Human Resources UNIT 2 additional activities

Teacher’s Notes

a Students work in pairs or small groups to answer the questions. Suggested answers

1 None of the graphs has a title so it is not obvious what the purpose of each graph is. The axes on the graphs are not labelled (A, B and C) and so it is not clear what values are being described. 3 A shows a steady decline over two time periods, after which it levels out; B shows an overall rising trend; C shows a steady increase; D shows that the category 2–9 years covers almost half of all cases (though as yet it is not clear what this refers to).

b Students listen to Audio 2.4 and answer the questions. 2.4 page 95

Answers Figure 1 is C Figure 2 is A Figure 3 is B

c Ask students to look at the ten phrases in the box and say if they can divide them into groups according to what they think their function might be. Suggested answers (various alternative answers are possible) time: for the last / for the last two trends: past trends / has risen year on year by / will see sales return to amounts: 20 years or more / a slight drop / a total of referring to the slides: as the chart in / further analysis, as shown in



Then ask students to complete the five extracts using the phrases in the box. Students listen again and check their answers. Answers 1 a for the last two 2 a further analysis, as shown in 3 a past trends c has risen year on year by 4 for the last 5 a will see sales return to

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b 20 years or more b a total of b a slight drop

b as the chart in

Cambridge University Press 2011  

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