Instructions: Working
with the people in your group, discuss the following vocabulary and complete
the chart.
|
Vocabulary |
Word Form |
Definition/Explanation |
|
Obstacle |
Noun |
A barrier which must be overcome. |
|
Embrace |
|
|
|
Corporate |
|
|
|
Striving |
|
|
|
Plummet |
|
|
|
Globalized |
|
|
|
Tendency |
|
|
|
Breeds |
|
|
|
Loyalty |
|
|
|
Devote |
|
|
|
Cornerstone |
|
|
|
Duplication |
|
|
Independent Task
Instructions: Read the
following question. On a piece of paper, take notes on the main points of a
response. Then respond to the question.
----- Preparation Time: 15 seconds
----- Response Time: 45 seconds -----
Some people believe
that teamwork breeds success.
Others feel that success is solely based on an individual’s ability to work
hard.
In your opinion, which approach is more likely to lead to success?
Note to instructor:
For a variation on this activity, assign the students 10 minutes to formulate
their answer to this question on a piece of paper. Have the students share
their responses with the rest of the class/group. As a follow-up, select two
students to write their responses on the board for peer/instructor editing.
Integrated Task Part 1
Instructions: Read the
following excerpt from a newspaper article. On a piece of paper, take notes
on the main points of the reading passage.
----- Reading Time: 90 seconds -----
The 2005 fiscal year ended a familiar sore note
for the American automobile industry. The U.S. automakers are continuing to
lose significant market share to their Asian competitors. Japanese
automakers, such as Toyota, have made great strides in every category.
Combined U.S. market share for General Motors
Corp., Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group plummeted to
an unprecedented low of 56.9 percent, down from 61.7 percent three years
ago, according to Autodata Corp. Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor
Co., Nissan Motor Co. and other Asian brands witnessed a steady growth in
their U.S. market share which now sits at 36.5 percent.
All in all, the Big Three U.S. automakers'
sales were down 2 percent, while Asian brands' sales climbed 7 percent and
European brands fell 3 percent. The total number of vehicles sold in the
United States remained relatively unchanged at nearly 17 million.
NOTES:
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Integrated Task Part
2
Instructions: Listen
to the following lecture given
in a Macroeconomics Class. The professor is discussing Japanese corporate
culture. On a piece of paper, take notes on the main points of the lecture.
NOTES:
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¤ Now
answer the following question:
----- Writing Time 20 minutes -----
How does the information presented in the listening
passage add to the ideas presented in the reading passage?
Follow-up Task
Instructions: Read the text and answer the questions which follow.
[1]
In an increasingly globalized society,
staying one step ahead of the competition is not only profitable but also
essential. When envisioning
what such an approach might look like, one needs to look no further than to
Toyota’s management style. Toyota is comprised of self-motivating and
self-directing employees who embrace the company’s ethos. With 580 companies
spanning the globe, 51 factories outside Japan, and a presence in the auto
markets in more than 170 countries, Toyota is a giant in the auto industry.
How has Toyota, a relative newcomer in the market, managed to
usurp the Big 3
and become the industry leader? The answer can be found in its corporate
culture composed of a five-point plan known simply as The Toyota Way.
[2]
First, Kaizen which embodies the Japanese
practice of continuous improvement. Toyota employees, from the factory worker
on the floor all the way to the executives in the corporate offices, arrive at
work each day determined to become a little better than they were the day
before. Striving to improve both the product and themselves leads to
innovation and competitiveness.
[3]
Second, Genchi Genbutsu (known as GG
for short), means “go to the source.” Second-hand information is considered
worthless; thus, employees are encouraged to find the source of the problem
whether it’s technical or human in origin. Toyota believes that most western
companies spend too much time discussing and defining obstacles rather than
quickly identifying and solving problems.
[4]
Third, embrace the concept of challenge.
A problem is seen as an opportunity not an obstacle. By facing difficulties
head on, employees grow individually and the company grows as a whole.
Brainstorming and problem-solving lead to creativity and
innovation,
two elements which are critical in remaining competitive in the auto
industry.
[5]
Next, is teamwork or putting the
corporation’s interests ahead of the individual’s. In many western companies,
coworkers do not share their knowledge
amongst
departments or even themselves, because they aspire to maintain a ‘competitive
edge’. Toyota devotes huge resources to breaking this human tendency from its
workforce. Ultimately, this breeds loyalty and dependability in the corporate
culture.
[6]
Finally, the cornerstone of the Toyota Way
is respect both for an individual’s knowledge and his/her position in
the company. Toyota has adopted the unique approach in that if two employees
always agree, one of them is deemed
redundant and should be assigned to another
task or department. This approach to management eliminates duplication and
time wasted; two elements which lead to unnecessary duplication and lower
profit margins.
1. The word “envisioning”
(in paragraph one) could be replaced by: (a) developing (b) imagining
(c) encompassing (d) devoting
2. An antonym for the word
“valuable” can be found in paragraph ______ . The word is: ____________ .
3. The word “amongst” (in
paragraph five) is: (a) a noun (b) an infinitive (c) a participle (d) a
preposition
4. Based on the context of
this passage, the phrase “the cornerstone of the Toyota Way is respect
both for an individual’s knowledge and his/her position in the company” (in
paragraph six) most probably means: (a) Toyota is a company where workers
can readily seek promotion. (b) Workers should respect the company more than
fellow workers. (c) Toyota was founded on the concept of respect. (d) Toyota
respects the rights of its individual workers.
5. Provide your own synonym for the word “innovation”
(in paragraph 4) _________________.
Can you provide an antonym? ______________________
6. Use the word “redundant”
(in paragraph six) in your own sentence.
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7. What does the word “usurp” (in paragraph one) mean
and why would the author choose to use this word in this context? (Write
your answer using sentence format.)
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8. Go through the text and
circle all of the transitional words and phrases.
Independent Writing
Task
?
TWE
(Test of Written English)
top
----- Writing Time 30 minutes -----
In your opinion, which is more important: job
satisfaction or salary?
Use specific reasons and examples to defend your
response.
top | Answer Key
