Lesson 5. Conferences

Lesson 5. Conferences
accommodate əˈkɒmədeɪt разместить
arrangement əˈreɪnʤmənt договоренность
association əˌsəʊsɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n ассоциация
attend əˈtɛnd посещать
get in touch gɛt ɪn tʌʧ связаться
hold həʊld держать
location ləʊˈkeɪʃən место нахождения
overcrowded ˌəʊvəˈkraʊdɪd переполненный
register ˈrɛʤɪstə регистр
select sɪˈlɛkt выбрать
session ˈsɛʃən сессия
take part in teɪk pɑːt ɪn принять участие в



Study the following definitions and examples.

 

1. accommodate v., to fit; to provide with something needed
a. The meeting room was large enough to accommodate the various needs of the groups using it.
b. Because the deadline for reserving rooms was past, the hotel manager could not accommodate our need for more rooms.

 

2. arrangement n„ the plan or organization
a. The travel arrangements were taken care of by Sara, Mr. Billings's capable assistant.
b. The arrangement of speakers was alphabetical to avoid any hurt feelings.

 

3. association n., an organization of persons or groups having a common interest; a relationship or society
a. Membership in a trade or professional association provides business contacts and mutual support.
b, Locai telephone companies formed an association to serve common goals, meet their common needs, and improve efficiency.

 

4. attend v., to go to; to pay attention to
a. We expect more than 100 members to attend the annual meeting.
b. The hotel manager attended to all our needs promptly.

 

5. get in touch v., to make contact with
a. As soon as we arrive at the hotel, we will get in touch with the manager about the unexpected guests.
b. The registration desk is a good central location for people to get in touch with each other.

 

6. hold v., to accommodate; to conduct
a. This meeting room holds at least 80 people comfortably.
b. She holds an annual seminar that is very popular.

 

7. location n., a position or site
a. The location of the meeting was changed from the Red Room to the Green Room.
b. Disney World was the perfect location for the annual meeting since many members could bring their families.

 

8. overcrowded adj., too crowded
a. As soon as the guests entered the dining room for dinner, Sue Lin could see that the room would become overcrowded.
b. To avoid being overcrowded, we limited the number of guests that members could bring.

 

9. register n., a record; v., to record
a. According to the register, more than 250 people attended the afternoon seminar.
b. Hotels ask all guests to register and give a home address.

 

10. select v., to choose from a group; adj., specially chosen
a. The conference participant selected the marketing seminar from the various offerings.
b. The winners were a select group.

 

11. session n., a meeting
a. The morning sessions tend to fill up first, so sign up early.
b. Due to the popularity of this course, we will offer two sessions.

 

12. take part in v., to join or participate
a. The format for the session is very informal, which makes it easier for people to take part in the discussion.
b. We could not get enough people to take part in the meeting, so we canceled it. 

 

WORDS IN CONTEXT

 

Read the following passage and write the words in the blanks below.

 

accommodate attending location select arrangements get in touch overcrowded sessions associations hold register take part in

 

Many (1)__________and organizations hold annual conferences so that their members can (2)__________with each other and (3)___________educational programs. When planning a conference, event coordinators try to have a variety of (4)____________so people (5)_______________can (6)____________a workshop or meeting that best suits their needs. When making (7)_______________for a conference, they look for a site that will (8)______________all their needs. The site should be able to (9)________________the number of people expected to attend, without the meeting rooms being (10)_________________. Good event coordinators tour the site beforemaking a final decision because brochures cannot show all the necessary details. Having meetings in a fun (11)______________ can really encourage people to (12)________________for the meeting.

 

WORD FAMILIES

verb

accommodate

The hotel staff was able to accommodate our many needs for the conference.

noun

accommodation

The accommodations at the hotel include swimming pool, gym, and restaurant.

adjective

accommodating

The conference center manager was extremely accommodating and tried to make our stay pleasant.

noun

arrangement

Nobody could understand the seating arrangement.

verb

arrange

We will arrange the chairs in a circle.

adjective

arranged

The arranged flowers didn’t look like those we chose from the catalog.

noun

association

Any association with the former company will put us in a negative light.

verb

associate

Do you think customers will associate the failed upstart with ours?

adjective

associated

The associated costs will put this project out of our reach.

verb

attend

Gillian attended the reception for visiting ambassadors.

noun

attendee

More than 500 attendees packed the ballroom.

noun

attendance

Attendance was low for this year’s annual meeting.

verb

select

Since there are overlapping workshops, participants will have to select which one most appeals to them.

noun

selection

His dinner selection of stuffed quail sounded better on the menu than it looked on the plate.

adjective

selective

The planning committee was very selective about who received invitations.

verb

register

He registered for his classes via the Internet.

noun

register

The hotel’s register showed that only half the members had arrived.

noun

registration

Registration is a detail-oriented and crucial part of running any meeting.

 

WORD PRACTICE

LISTENING COMPREHENSION





Part 1 Photo

 

conference1

 

 


Number 1. Look at the picture marked Number 1.

 

(A) The attendees are registering at the desk,
(B) The organizers are selecting a podium,
(C) The banquet room is overcrowded.
(D) The participants are attending a session.

 

1 A, B, C, D

 

Part 2 Question-Response

Listen to the question and the three responses. Choose the response that best answers the question.

Part 2:

 

Question-Response Number 2.

How many will attend the conference?

 

(A)                 On Thursday.

(B)                At least one hundred folks.

(C)                We’ve made the arrangements.

                                       Number 3.

Was the room overcrowded?

 

(A) No, the crowd waited.
(B) That, and hot, too.
(C) The room was number two hundred twelve.

 

2 A, B, C          3 A, B, C

 

 

Part 3 Conversation





Listen to the dialogue. Then read each question and choose the best response.

 

Part 3: Conversation

Numbers 4 through 6 relate to the following conversation.

[M] Has the committee selected a site for our conference next year?

[W] Not yet. It’s difficult to find a site that can accommodate a group of our size. We don’t want our sessions to be overcrowded.

[M] That’s true. And if our projections are correct, we can expect around 500 people to attend. But we need to have a site selected by the end of next month.

[W] We have some possibilities in mind. We’ll know soon if any of them will work out.


Why are they having difficulty arranging a site for the conference?

 

(A) it’s a busy time of year.
(B) They procrastinated.
(C) Their group is large.
(D) The coordinator has been sick.

 

When will the conference take place?

 

(A) At the end of this month.
(B) Next month.
(C) At the end of this year.
(D) Next year.

 

How many people do they expect at the conference?

 

(A) Two hundred.
(B) Four hundred.
(C) Five hundred.
(D) Ten hundred.


Part 4 Talk



Listen to the talk. Then read each question and choose the

 

 

 

Part 4: Talk
Questions 7 through 9 relate to the following recording.
All conference facilities need to provide reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. Disabled individuals need to be able to take part in every session that is being offered. In case a session is held in an off- site location, we are not responsible for providing accommodation. But for any event held at our facility, we need to make the necessary arrangements for disabled participants. Most areas of our facility are handicapped accessible, but in some situations we need to make further accommodations. For example, conference planners are asked to get in touch with us ahead of time if any attendees wili require special interpreters for the hearing impaired. To facilitate this, conference planners usually ask attendees to request interpreters at the time that they register for the conference.

 

7. What is the topic of the talk?

 

(A) Accommodating disabled people.
(B) Legal responsibility for off-site events.
(C) Arranging conferences,
(D) Preparing convention catalogs.

 

8. Where are the speakers?

 

(A) in a hospital.
(B) Off site.
(C) At a party.
(D) At a convention center. best answer.

 

9. How should attendees request a special interpreter?

 

(A) By asking for one at the time of registration.
(B) By getting in touch with the head of the facility.
(C) By registering ahead of the other attendees.

(D) By requesting one when they arrive at a session.

 

READIG

Part 5 Incomplete Sentences
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

 

10. The banquet room could up to 750 for dinner.

 

(A) accommodated
(B) accommodate

(C) accommodation

(D) accommodating

 

11. Helen made the final for use of the conference room with the hotel’s general manager.

 

(A) arranging 
(B) arrange

(C) arrangement

 

(D) arranged

 

12. For most people, Samco is with computer chip production.

 

(A) associate 
(B) associated

(C) associating

 

(D) association

 

13. We expect that fewer guests will the evening gala.

 

(A) attend 
(B) attending

(C) attention

 

(D) attendance

 

14. The association’s members were asked to for the special session well in advance because space in the lecture hall was limited.

 

(A) register 
(B) registration 

(C) registering

(D) registrar

 

15. By adding more class the staff was able to please more members.

 

(A) select 
(B) selective 

(C) selecting

(D) selections

Part 6 Text Completion
All members of the Countywide Small Business Owners Association are invited to take part in our annual conference, to be held on March 31 at the Grand Hotel in Marysville.
The conference begins at 8:30 A.M. with an address by this year’s guest, Cynthia Quinn, owner of Designs by Cynthia, Inc., and winner of numerous business and community awards. Morning small group sessions begin at 9:30. Attendees can 16 from a variety of session topics including Financing Your New Business; Selecting the Best Location; and Formulas for Success. Lunch will be served at 12:30, followed by afternoon small group sessions at
This is the Association’s most popular event, so 17 early to assure your place. Fill out the form below and send it to the Association Secretary by March 1. To arrange overnight 18 at the Grand Hotel, get in touch with the hotel
reservations clerk at 498-1231. Mention the conference
in order to get a special discount price.


16 (A) select

   (B) selection 
   (C) selective 
   (D) selectively 

17. (A) will register
   (B) must register
   (c) registering
   (D) register

 

18 (A) accommodate
    (B)accommodating
    (C) accommodations
    (D) accommodates

 

 

Part 7 Reading Comprehension

 

Questions 19-23 refer to the following two e-mails.

 

To: Max Sullivan From:

Martha Reynolds Subj:

Conference

 

Max,

 

I have been working on the arrangements for our

upcoming conference. I’ve looked into the City

Convention Center, and I think it is the most conve-

nient location. It is close to public transportation and

hotels. The accommodations are also excellent. The

rooms are large, and we can reserve up to ten mee-

ting rooms. However, die price is almost 50% more

than we agreed we could spend. The other choice is

the Mayfield Hotel. Many associations hold their con-

ventions there. It is a nice place, and the price is rea-

sonable. However, it is not close to the subway. Also,

it is much smaller than the Convention Center. I think

we could only get three meeting rooms. Would that be

enough? Please get in touch with me today to let me

know what you think. I need to reserve a place soon.

 

Martha
To: Martha Reynolds

From: Max Sullivan Subj:

Re: Conference

 

Martha,

 

In regard to selecting a location for the conference, I

think the Convention Center is better than the

Mayfield Hotel. The hotel is much too small.

Remember, we plan to hold at least five sessions at a

time. We couldn’t do that at the hotel. We expect

more people to take part in the convention this year,

so it is important to have a space that can accommo-

date everyone. About the price, I think we can

rearrange the budget a bit in order to be able to pay

for it. So go ahead and reserve the space at the

Convention Center.

Max



19. What are these e-mails about?

 

(A) The date of the conference.
(B) The conference site.
(C) The topics of the conference sessions.
(D) The number of conference attendees.

 

20. How many meeting rooms will they need?

 

(A) Only three.
(B) At least five.
(C) Up to ten.
(D) Almost 50.

 

21. What does Max prefer about the Convention Center?

 

(A) The price.
(B) The location.
(C) The size.
(D) The people.

 

22. The words get in touch in line 14 of the first e-mail are closest in meaning to

 

(A) offer
(B) discuss
(C) provide
(D) contact

 

23. The word selecting in line 1 of the second e-mail is closest in meaning to

 

(A) choosing
(B) reserving
(C) comparing
(D) seeking 

 

Word rewiew

 

Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

 

1. Although negotiating a new contract was complicated, both parties came to an that satisfied them.

 

(A) agree
(B) agreeable
(C) agreement
(D) agreeably

 

2. conferences are a good way for employees to get in touch with people in similar organizations.

 

(A) Associating
(B) Associated
(C) Associations
(D) Association

 

3. When the family decided to open a restaurant, they had to find a that would attract business.

 

(A) locate
(B) locator
(C) locating
(D) location

 

4. A company will honor the terms set forth in its warranty.

 

(A) repute
(B) reputedly
(C) reputation
(D) reputable

 

5. The goal of marketing is to customers, to persuade them to buy a product or service.

 

(A) attract
(B) attractive
(C) attraction
(D) attractiveness

 

6. Once both parties have agreed to a contract, they have also agreed to abide by every provision.

 

(A) specify
(B) specific
(C) specification
(D) specificity

 

7. Good business planning includes developing an overall , addressing likely objections, and demonstrating why potential buyers need the product or sen/ice.

 

(A) strategy
(B) strategic
(C) strategically
(D) strategize

 

8. When you register for out-of-town conferences, make room as soon as you decide to attend.

 

(A) accommodate
(B) accommodations
(C) accommodating
(D) accommodated

 

9. Marketers must avoid making promises they can’t keep while they the quality of their product or service.

 

(A) demonstrate
(B) demonstration
(C) demonstrative
(D) demonstrable

 

10. A consultant must adhere carefully to his contract if he wants to a good business reputation.

 

(A) establish
(B) establishment
(C) established
(D) establishing

 

Choose the one word or phrase that best completes each sentence.

Are you looking for a place 11 your next conference? The Littleton Convention Center offers a convenient location at an affordable price. Whether your event is big or small, our site can accommodate your needs. We offer meeting rooms, several auditoriums, and a large exhibition hall. Catering services are also available. Get 12 touch with us at 555-0964 to make arrangements for your event. We know you’ll 13 with our services.

 

11,

(A) hold
(В) holding
(С) will hold
(D) to hold

 

12.(A) on
(B) in
(C)at
(D) to

 

13. (A) satisfy
(B) satisfied
(C) be satisfied
(D) be satisfying

 

Smart 14 compare prices before they buy. That’s why nine out of ten shoppers choose Star Brand household cleaning products. Star Brand products are the most efficient cleaning products around. They are 15 enough to clean up even the toughest stains and dirt. Every Star Brand product comes with the company promise: If you are not 100% satisfied, your money will be returned with no questions asked. Next time you are shopping for cleaning products, 16 Star Brand. We know you’ll be happy you did.

 

14. (A) presumers

(B) consumers
(C) assumers
(D) resumers

 

15. (A) strong

(B) stronger

(C) strongly

(D) strongest

 

16. (A) consideration
(В) considering
(С) consider
(D) considers


When purchasing a new appliance, check to make sure that a warranty is included. This 17 important protection to you, the consumer. If you decide to return a product that is under warranty, you will have 18 that any damage was not caused by misuse or mishandling. Also, make certain that you return a damaged product before the warranty 19 , Companies do not have to accept products that are returned after the date stated in the warranty.

 

17. (A) offer 

(B) offers
(C) are offering
(D) have offered

 

18. (A) demonstration

(B) demonstrative
(C) demonstrator
(D) to demonstrate

 

19. (A) respires

(B) inspires
(C) expires
(D) perspires

 

Lesson 5 Conferences

Words in Context: 1. associations 2. get in touch 3. take part in 4. sessions 5. attending 6. select 7. arrangements

$18.  accommodate 9. hold 10. overcrowded 21. location 22. register

Word Practice: 1. D 2. В 3. В 4. С 5. D 6. С 7. A 8. D

$19.A 10.B 11.С 12, В 13. A 14. A 15. D 16.A 17. D 18. С 19. В 20. В 21. С 22. D 23. А

Word Review #1: 1. С 2. D 3. D 4. D 5. A 6. В 7. A 8. В 9. A 10. A 11.D 12. В 13.C 14. В 15.A 16.C 17.B 18. D 19. С

 

 

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