Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Business Communication & Negotiation

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de utilizar estructuras gramaticales avanzadas, como las cleft sentences, para enfatizar puntos clave durante una negociación o una presentación de negocios. Deberías haber pasado de un lenguaje descriptivo básico a uno persuasivo y profesional, permitiéndote dirigir la atención del interlocutor hacia aspectos específicos de un acuerdo o propuesta.

Asimismo, habrás consolidado un léxico especializado en comunicación corporativa, incluyendo colocaciones de nivel C1 y la capacidad de ajustar el registro según el contexto (formal vs. semiformal). Al terminar este repaso, deberías sentirte preparado para manejar situaciones de tensión comunicativa, proponer soluciones con diplomacia y defender posturas con claridad y autoridad.

Grammar consolidation

Part 1: Sentence Transformation Rewrite the sentences using the word in brackets so that the meaning remains the same. Do not change the word provided.

1. We need to focus on the budget deficit. (WHAT) ____________.

2. The main problem was the lack of communication between departments. (IT) ____________.

3. I only realised my mistake when the contract was signed. (THE) ____________.

Part 2: Error Correction Identify and correct the error in each sentence. Some sentences may have more than one error.

4. It is the deadline that we must to meet by Friday. ____________.

5. What I am suggesting is to increase the marketing budget. ____________.

6. It was during the meeting which we reached a consensus. ____________.

Part 3: Controlled Rewriting Rewrite the following sentences using cleft sentences to create emphasis as instructed.

7. (Emphasise 'the CEO'): The CEO made the final decision, not the board. ____________.

8. (Emphasise 'negotiating terms'): We spent three hours negotiating terms. ____________.

9. (Emphasise 'the delay'): The delay caused us to lose the client. ____________.

10. (Emphasise 'your input'): Your input was vital to the project's success. ____________.

Vocabulary activation

Part 1: C1 Collocations Complete the sentences with the correct word: leverage, rapport, consensus, deadlock, friction.**

1. After hours of debate, the committee finally reached a ___ on the new policy.
2. It is crucial to build ___ with your clients to ensure long-term cooperation.
3. The negotiations hit a ___ when neither side would budge on the price.
4. We need to use our market position to ___ a better deal with suppliers.
5. Minor ___ between team members can derail an entire project if not addressed.

Part 2: Word Formation Use the word in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap.

6. The ___ of the merger was much higher than initially anticipated. (PROFIT)
7. We need to find a ___ solution that satisfies both parties. (NEGOTIATE)
8. There was a significant ___ in communication during the transition. (BREAK)

Part 3: Register Choice Rewrite the following informal sentences into professional, C1-level business English.

9. We need to talk about the money problem soon. ____________.

10. I'll tell you what we decided later. ____________.

11. Sorry, I didn't hear what you said. ____________.

12. Let's make the deal happen. ____________.

Integrated skills task

Reading Text

The shift towards remote work has fundamentally altered the landscape of professional negotiation and communication. In a traditional office setting, much of the negotiation process relies heavily on non-verbal cues—body language, eye contact, and physical presence—which help in building rapport and gauging the sincerity of an interlocutor. However, in a digital-first environment, these subtle signals are often lost or distorted.

This technological gap has led to increased misunderstandings and a sense of detachment. While digital tools allow for unprecedented flexibility, they lack the "human element" that often facilitates compromise. To succeed in this new era, professionals must develop "digital emotional intelligence." This involves being more explicit in communication, setting clear expectations through written documentation, and mastering the art of virtual presence. The challenge lies in maintaining the nuance of high-stakes negotiation through a screen, where silence can be misinterpreted and tone can be easily misread.

Writing Task

Instrucciones: Basándote en el texto anterior, escribe una respuesta de entre 180 y 220 palabras. Debes redactar un correo electrónico formal dirigido a un Director de Recursos Humanos (HR Director) expresando tu opinión sobre los desafíos de la comunicación remota. Debes: 1) Analizar cómo la falta de lenguaje no verbal afecta las negociaciones, 2) Proponer dos estrategias para mitigar estos problemas y 3) Utilizar al menos dos estructuras de "cleft sentences" para enfatizar tus puntos.

Speaking checkpoint

Instrucciones: Responde a estas preguntas de forma oral. Intenta hablar durante 2 minutos por cada respuesta, utilizando un lenguaje avanzado y estructurado.

1. Compare: Compare the advantages and disadvantages of face-to-face negotiations versus virtual meetings.
2. Speculate: How do you think AI-driven communication tools will change the way we negotiate in the next decade?
3. Evaluate: "Empathy is more important than logic in a successful business negotiation." To what extent do you agree?
4. Justify: If a deal is falling through due to a misunderstanding, would you prioritise honesty or diplomacy? Justify your choice.
5. Evaluate: Evaluate the importance of "small talk" in establishing professional rapport. Is it a waste of time in high-stakes environments?
6. Speculate: Imagine a company is undergoing a massive restructuring. How might communication strategies change during such a period?

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. What we need to focus on is the budget deficit. 2. It was the lack of communication between departments that was the main problem. 3. The only thing I realised was when the contract was signed. (OR: It was only when the contract was signed that I realised my mistake.) 4. It is the deadline that we must meet by Friday. 5. What I am suggesting is increasing the marketing budget. (OR: ...is that we increase...) 6. It was during the meeting that we reached a consensus. 7. It was the CEO who made the final decision, not the board. 8. It was negotiating terms that we spent three hours doing. (OR: What we spent three hours doing was negotiating terms.) 9. It was the delay that caused us to lose the client. 10. It was your input that was vital to the project's success.

Vocabulary activation 1. consensus 2. rapport 3. deadlock 4. leverage 5. friction 6. profitability 7. negotiable 8. breakdown 9. We need to address the budgetary issues/deficit shortly. 10. I will inform you of our decision in due course. 11. I beg your pardon / I'm afraid I didn't quite catch that. 12. Let us proceed with the finalisation of the agreement.