Exercise 1

Choose the TRUE statements from the list below based on the dialogue you just heard.

There may be more than one correct answer!

Shmike committed labor abuses in Asia during the 1990s.

Shmike produced sweatshirts in Asian facilities.

Shmike products were successful both nationally and internationally during the 1990s.

Shmike was accused of overpaying their workers in Asia.

Choose the TRUE statements from the list below based on the dialogue you just heard.

There may be more than one correct answer!

Shmike committed labor abuses in Asia during the 1990s.

Susie says that Shmike was "guilty" of labor abuses in China, Vietnam and Indonesia in 1999. To be "guilty" of something is to be responsible for it (legally, financially, etc). A criminal is found "guilty" or innocent by a court of law. If Shmike was revealed to be guilty of labor abuses, they committed labor abuses.

Shmike produced sweatshirts in Asian facilities.

Susie says that Shmike's facilities in Asia were essentially "sweatshops". A "sweatshop" is a factory or manufacturing plant in which workers are exploited, abused or underpaid. The term "sweatshop" is unrelated to "sweatshirts", or any type of merchandise.

Shmike products were successful both nationally and internationally during the 1990s.

Susie says that Shmike's products were "dominant", meaning they were successful (even that they dominated the market) during the 1990s. Susie adds that the products were dominant both "domestically", meaning on a national level (or within the U.S.), and "abroad", meaning "overseas" (or outside the U.S.). "Domestic" and "abroad" are synonymous with "national and international" in this context, and "dominant" shares a close meaning with the term "successful".

Shmike was accused of overpaying their workers in Asia.

On the contrary, Susie says that Shmike refused to pay their Asian workers the money they were promised. This isn't an example of "overpaying", which is to pay more than what is expected or appropriate.

Exercise 2

Select the TRUE statement(s) from the list below, according to Philip's letter.

There may be more than one correct answer!

Philip is inquiring if Mr. Shelton has received an order.

Philip has sent multiple letters to Soppy Soap on the subject of payment.

Delavigne Corp threatens to take Soppy Soaps to court.

Soppy Soaps has overpaid Delavigne for an order.

Select the TRUE statement(s) from the list below, according to Philip's letter.

There may be more than one correct answer!

Philip is inquiring if Mr. Shelton has received an order.

This is not true. Philip knows that the order has been received by Soppy Soaps. He writes "Our records indicate that you received the delivery on March 11th" and "326 days have passed since you confirmed receipt of the delivery".

Philip has sent multiple letters to Soppy Soap on the subject of payment.

This statement is correct. Philip writes "This is the third letter we have written without response." Philip has sent more than one letter to Soppy Soaps.

Delavigne Corp threatens to take Soppy Soaps to court.

This statement is correct. Philip writes that unless Soppy Soaps pays their bill "in the next five days, then Delavigne will begin legal action". "Legal action" and "taking someone to court" are synonymous: they both mean to use the law to help resolve a situation. "To threaten (to do something)" is to announce a potential danger or menace.

Soppy Soaps has overpaid Delavigne for an order.

This statement is false. In fact, Soppy Soaps has not paid Delavigne at all. Philip informs Mr Shelton that "payment is still outstanding", meaning that the bill has not been paid. To "overpay" someone is to give them too much money.

Overpay meaning in English

Definition

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