Assignment Code: BEGE-104/TMA/2024-25

Course Code: BEGE-104

Assignment Name: English for Business Communication

Year: 2024-2025

Verification Status: Verified by Professor

1. The student council in your college is organising a blood donation camp in the campus. As the president of the council, write a notice for the college notice board giving the necessary information in about 100 words. 

Ans) College Notice Board 

Notice 

Date: 16th September 2024 

Blood Donation Camp 

This is to inform all students and staff that the Student Council is organizing a Blood Donation Camp on 21st September 2024 in the college auditorium from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. All eligible donors are encouraged to participate in this noble cause. Please bring your ID card and ensure you have eaten a light meal before donating. Certificates of appreciation will be provided to all donors. 

For more details or to register, please contact the Student Council Office. 

Let's come together to save lives! 

President, Student Council 

2. Complete the sentences with the correct participle forms of the verbs. Choose from the list given below. 

cook, write, prefer, move, travel, buy, rise, make, sing, spend 

a. The delicious smell coming from the kitchen is making me very hungry. What is being cooked? 

b. He has written a novel. It will be published next year. 

c. In this locality, people prefer to walk in the evening. 

d. They were trying to board a moving train. 

e. Shikha has spent many years traveling around the world. 

f. When he was a toddler, his mother bought a house. 

g. The water level is rising and it will soon reach the island. 

h. Mariam has made many plans, but I think only one will work. 

i. Leena has been singing since 2004. 

j. We have spent 5000 rupees on books this month already.. 

3. Your mobile phone is broken. Write a dialogue between you and a mobile phone technician for the purpose of repairing your phone. 

Ans) You: Good morning. My phone isn't working properly, and I need to get it fixed. 

Technician: Good morning! Sure, I can help you with that. Can you tell me what the issue is? 

You: The screen is completely unresponsive, and it sometimes restarts on its own. I’ve also noticed that the battery drains really quickly. 

Technician: I see. It could be a software issue, a faulty battery, or a problem with the screen itself. How long have you had this issue? 

You: It started a few days ago, but it’s gotten worse since yesterday. 

Technician: Alright. I'll need to check the phone to diagnose the problem. Do you mind if I run a few tests? 

You: Not at all. Please go ahead. 

Technician: (after a few minutes) It seems like the screen needs to be replaced, and the battery might also need to be changed. The software looks fine, but I recommend a system update after the repairs. 

You: How long will the repairs take? 

Technician: Replacing the screen and battery should take about an hour. If you’re okay with it, I can start right away. 

You: That would be great. How much will it cost? 

Technician: The screen replacement will cost ₹2,500, and the battery will be ₹1,000. So, the total would be ₹3,500. 

You: That sounds reasonable. Please go ahead with the repairs. 

Technician: Alright. I’ll get started now. You can pick up your phone in an hour. 

You: Thank you! I’ll be back in an hour then. 

Technician: You're welcome! See you soon. 

4. Make a telephone conversation for any one of the situations given below: 10 

a. Your uncle is visiting you. Your father has asked you to call your uncle and ask whether he has arrived or not. 

Ans) You: (Dialing the phone) Hello, Uncle! How are you? 

Uncle: Hello! I'm good, thank you. How about you? 

You: I’m doing well, thanks. I just wanted to check if you’ve arrived safely. Dad asked me to call you. 

Uncle: Yes, I’ve just reached the city. I’m on my way to your house now. 

You: That’s great to hear! How was your journey? 

Uncle: It was smooth, no issues at all. The traffic wasn’t too bad either. 

You: That’s good. Do you need any help with directions, or are you alright? 

Uncle: No, I’m fine. I’ve been to your place enough times to know the way. 

You: Alright then, Uncle. We’re looking forward to seeing you. Drive safely! 

Uncle: Thanks, I’ll be there in about 15 minutes. 

You: Perfect. See you soon! 

Uncle: See you soon! Take care. 

You: You too, Uncle. Bye! 

Uncle: Bye! 

5. Rewrite the following sentences using the passive form. First one is done for you as an example. 5 

They wrote the report in a terrible hurry. 

The report was written in a terrible hurry. 

a. We will prepare the report in the meeting. 

b. Someone sold the car to me. 

c. The committee called on Suresh to explain the modified presentation. 

d. All his friends supported his plans. 

e. You should note down all the points discussed in the meeting. 

Ans)  

a. The report will be prepared in the meeting. 

b. The car was sold to me. 

c. Suresh was called on by the committee to explain the modified presentation. 

d. His plans were supported by all his friends. 

e. All the points discussed in the meeting should be noted down. 

6. Complete these words or expressions using the words below. 5 

Across, out, over, up, above. 

a. The mountains stand _____ the clouds.. 

b. He looked _____ from his book when I entered the room. 

c. I ran ____ of milk, so I needed to go to the store. 

d. The bridge goes ______ the river. 

e. The cat jumped_______ the table 

Ans)  

a. The mountains stand above the clouds. 

b. He looked up from his book when I entered the room. 

c. I ran out of milk, so I needed to go to the store. 

d. The bridge goes over the river. 

e. The cat jumped across the table. 

7. Write short notes on any two of the following: 10 

i. Email etiquette 

Ans) Email etiquette refers to the set of guidelines and best practices that should be followed when composing and sending emails to ensure clear, professional, and respectful communication. Key points include: 

1. Subject Line: Use a clear and concise subject line that reflects the email’s content. 

2. Greeting: Start with a polite greeting, such as "Dear [Name]" or "Hello [Name]". 

3. Tone and Language: Keep the tone professional and avoid using slang or overly casual language. Be polite and considerate of the recipient. 

4. Clarity and Brevity: Be clear and to the point, avoiding long, unnecessary details. Use proper grammar and punctuation. 

5. Signature: End with a proper sign-off (e.g., "Best regards," "Sincerely") and include your name and contact information. 

6. Reply Promptly: Respond to emails within a reasonable time, ideally within 24 hours. 

7. Attachments: Mention any attachments in the body of the email and ensure they are properly attached before sending. 

ii. Essentials of a business letter 

Ans) A business letter is a formal document used for professional communication. The essentials of a business letter include: 

1. Heading: Includes the sender’s address and the date of writing. The recipient’s address is placed below this. 

2. Salutation: A polite greeting, such as "Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]," followed by a colon or comma. 

3. Body: The main content of the letter, divided into clear and concise paragraphs. The first paragraph should introduce the purpose, followed by details and any action required. 

4. Closing: A polite closing phrase, such as "Sincerely" or "Yours faithfully," followed by the sender’s name and title. 

5. Signature: The sender’s handwritten signature (in printed letters) is placed above the typed name. 

6. Enclosures: If there are any additional documents enclosed, they should be mentioned just below the closing. 

8. In the following memo the linking words and phrases are missed out. Choose the most appropriate word or phrase from the ones given. 10 

While, Also, Therefore, In addition to, Otherwise, Furthermore, At first, In conclusion, 

Namely 

Memo from: Marketing Manager 

To: Sales Team 

Date: 15th February 2024 

Ref No.: MM/24/02 

This month we're launching a new product line aimed at a younger demographic (i).________ the 

target audience is familiar with our brand, they may not be aware of these specific products. Their purchasing habits also differ, relying heavily on online reviews and social media recommendations. (ii) __________, it's crucial to develop a targeted marketing campaign to generate excitement and brand awareness. (iii) ______________a limited television advertising budget, we should focus on creating engaging social media content that resonates with this younger audience. (iv)_____________, influencer partnerships can be particularly effective in reaching this demographic. They trust the recommendations of individuals they follow online, and these partnerships can create a sense of authenticity and excitement. We can also leverage user-generated content challenges and interactive polls to build anticipation for the launch. This allows potential customers to engage with the product and brand in a fun and interactive way. (v) _______________, this targeted marketing campaign will leverage social media and influencer partnerships to create excitement and brand awareness for the new product line amongst our younger demographic. 

Ans)  

Memo from: Marketing Manager 

To: Sales Team 

Date: 15th February 2024 

Ref No.: MM/24/02 

This month we're launching a new product line aimed at a younger demographic (i) While the target audience is familiar with our brand, they may not be aware of these specific products. Their purchasing habits also differ, relying heavily on online reviews and social media recommendations. (ii) Therefore, it's crucial to develop a targeted marketing campaign to generate excitement and brand awareness. (iii) In addition to a limited television advertising budget, we should focus on creating engaging social media content that resonates with this younger audience. (iv) Furthermore, influencer partnerships can be particularly effective in reaching this demographic. They trust the recommendations of individuals they follow online, and these partnerships can create a sense of authenticity and excitement. We can also leverage user-generated content challenges and interactive polls to build anticipation for the launch. This allows potential customers to engage with the product and brand in a fun and interactive way. 

(v) In conclusion, this targeted marketing campaign will leverage social media and influencer partnerships to create excitement and brand awareness for the new product line amongst our younger demographic. 

9. Write a note on language and style of minutes of formal meetings 

Ans) Language and Style of Minutes of Formal Meetings 

1. Objective and Impartial: 

The language used in minutes should be neutral, factual, and objective. The aim is to record what transpired without personal opinions, biases, or interpretations. This ensures that the minutes are a reliable and accurate reflection of the meeting. 

2. Clear and Concise: 

Clarity and brevity are essential. The minutes should be concise, summarizing key points rather than providing a verbatim transcript. Avoid unnecessary details, focusing instead on the decisions made, actions agreed upon, and any important discussions. 

3. Formal Tone: 

The style of writing should be formal and professional. This includes using proper titles, such as "Mr.," "Ms.," or "Dr.," when referring to participants, and avoiding colloquial language or slang. 

4. Structured Format: 

1. Minutes typically follow a structured format that includes: 

2. Heading: Includes the name of the organization, type of meeting, date, time, and location. 

3. Attendance: Lists the names of those present, absent, and any guests. 

4. Approval of Previous Minutes: Notes whether the minutes of the previous meeting were approved. 

5. Agenda Items: Each agenda item is recorded, along with the discussion points, decisions made, and any actions to be taken. 

6. Adjournment: Notes the time the meeting ended. 

7. Signature: The minutes are usually signed by the person who recorded them and sometimes by the chairperson. 

   
   

5. Passive Voice: 

Passive voice is often used to maintain a formal tone and to focus on the actions taken rather than who took them. For example, “It was decided that...” rather than “The chairperson decided that...”. 

6. Action-Oriented: 

The minutes should clearly outline any actions that need to be taken, who is responsible for them, and the deadlines. This helps ensure that follow-up actions are clear and accountable. 

7. Accurate and Complete: 

Accuracy is crucial, as the minutes serve as an official record. All decisions, motions, votes, and key discussions should be recorded precisely. 

8. Use of Standard Phrases: 

Common phrases such as "The meeting was called to order at [time]," "It was resolved that...," and "The motion was seconded by..." are often used to maintain consistency and clarity. 

10. Change the words in bold into direct speech. 10 

During our interview with Sarita Jain, a candidate for the Software Engineer position, we discussed her technical skills and experience. (a) She mentioned that she had a strong background in programming languages like Java and Python, (b) and she highlighted her experience working on various web application development projects.(c) When asked about her problem-solving approach, she said that(d) she preferred a collaborative approach, working with teammates to brainstorm solutions, (e) and she emphasized her ability to think critically and break down complex problems. 

Ans) During our interview with Sarita Jain, a candidate for the Software Engineer position, we discussed her technical skills and experience. (a) She said, "I have a strong background in programming languages like Java and Python," (b) and she said, "I have experience working on various web application development projects." (c) When asked about her problem-solving approach, she responded, "I prefer a collaborative approach, working with teammates to brainstorm solutions," (d) and she added, "I am able to think critically and break down complex problems." 

11. Complete the sentences with suitable phrasal verbs: 10 

put off, ran into, catch up, set off, sign up for, turn up, hand in, run out of, look after, turn down. 

Ans)  

a) I need to catch up on some work I missed while I was on vacation. 

b) We ran into an old friend at the coffee shop yesterday. 

c) We may have to turn down his request. 

d) The train set off on time at 8:00 am. 

e) Due to bad weather, we had to put off our trip for a few days. 

f) We signed up for the online course last week and it starts tomorrow. 

g) Please hand in your assignment before the deadline. 

h) Who is going to look after your mother? 

i) We might run out of milk before the grocery delivery arrives. 

j) Did everyone turn up for the meeting this morning?