Test on Business English: Grammar and Sales Skills

Question 1: The sentence 'The iPad was launched in 2010' is an example of a passive transformation of the active sentence 'Apple launched the iPad in 2010'.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The study materials show 'Apple launched the iPad in 2010' as an active sentence and 'The iPad was launched in 2010' as its corresponding passive transformation, illustrating 'WHY PASSIVE?'

Question 2: The passive voice transformation for 'We've sent your application to head office' is 'Your application was sent to head office'.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The original sentence 'We've sent your application to head office' is in the present perfect tense. Therefore, the correct passive voice transformation should be 'Your application has been sent to head office', not 'was sent', which would be past simple.

Question 3: Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first, using the passive voice:"We expect prices of raw materials will rise by 50% in the next six months.""Prices of raw materials _______ to rise by 50% in the next six months."

A. are expected

B. were expected

C. is expected

D. will be expected

Explanation: The original sentence uses 'We expect' in the present tense. When converting to the passive voice with a reporting verb and referring to a future event ('will rise'), the correct construction is 'are expected'. This matches the pattern shown in the study materials, specifically 'Turnover is expected...' and 'The project is expected...' for similar future expectations.

Question 4: Choose the correct passive voice transformation for the statement: "The Board of Directors has taken a number of important decisions this morning."

A. A number of important decisions were taken by the Board of Directors this morning.

B. A number of important decisions has been taken by the Board of Directors this morning.

C. A number of important decisions have been taken by the Board of Directors this morning.

D. A number of important decisions are taken by the Board of Directors this morning.

Explanation: The original sentence is in the present perfect active voice. To transform it into the passive voice, we need to use 'have/has been + past participle'. Since 'A number of important decisions' is plural, we use 'have been taken'.

Question 5: For the group sales activity, teams are instructed to choose only one item to focus on.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The instructions for the group sales activity state to "CHOOSE 3 ITEMS," not just one.