How to approach Reading Test Part Two
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In this part of the Reading Test you read a text with gaps in it, and choose the best
sentence to fill each gap from a set of seven sentences.
First read the text for the overall meaning, then go back and look for the best
sentence for each gap.
Make sure the sentence fits both meaning and the grammar of the text around the
gap.
Questions 8-12
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Read the article below about doing business in Brazil.
Choose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill each of the gaps.
For each gap 8-12, mark one letter (A-G).
Do not use any letter more than once.
There is an example at the beginning, (0).
BUSINESS PROTOCOL IN BRAZIL
First things first: North Americans should never refer to their country as ‘America’.
(0) …...G.......... . South Americans, particularly Brazilians, find North Americans arrogant
when they refer to back home as ‘America’. After all, Brazilians live in America too.
Brazilians take pride in their Portuguese heritage, so to call locals Spanish-Americans
would be insulting. On the same note, Brazil’s official language is Portuguese, not Spanish.
Frequently, the spelling of Portuguese words is exactly the same as Spanish, but the
pronunciation differs greatly. (8) …............. .
If your business destination is Rio de Janeiro, land of carnival and the samba, expect
a somewhat casual environment. (9) …............. . Bring comfortable semi-casual clothes
for business in Rio, and conservative dark suits or dresses for Sao Paulo. Time is important
in Sao Paulo and lateness is considered rude and unbusinesslike. (10) …............. . If you
called a meeting at four, a Rio citizen may interpret gathering time as around four (like
maybe four-fifteen or so). Whatever you do, don’t be put off or indicate that you were
concerned about the late arrival; your South American counterpart won’t understand.
Shaking hands and exchanging business cards begins any first business meeting in
Brazil. At that time, introductions are made. Formalize your contact’s first name by
preceding it with Senhor, Senhora or Senhorita (Mr, Mrs or Miss). The surname is not
generally used. (11) …............. . In that manner, once you’ve become friendly with
Senhora Astrud, you would be expected to simply call her Astrud.
If you are indicating approval on a business matter, never give the OK sign of a ring
formed by the thumb and index finger. (12) …............. . Instead, close the fist and shoot
the thumb up. During the business day you will most likely be offered cafezinho, a very
strong Brazilian coffee. Accept it graciously so as not to offend your host. If you don’t like
coffee, sip it slowly.
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B
C
D
the
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F
G
In Rio, on the other hand, your host may not always be so punctual.
So, before opening your mouth in this country, learn to speak a few words and avoid
committing a cultural offence.
This is a very impolite gesture in Brazil and likely to cause great offence.
However, when scheduling meetings in Sao Paulo, you’ll find business settings just
opposite: quite formal.
Good manners and polite behaviour are highly valued in business dealings in Brazil.
Soon after this formality, the title is usually dropped at the request of your host.
It is better to say you’re from the United States.
The key
8
9
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11
12
B
D
A
F
C