Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Consulting, Strategy & Decision-Making

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de utilizar un vocabulario sofisticado y preciso para discutir temas de consultoría, planificación estratégica y procesos de toma de decisiones. Habrás aprendido a diferenciar entre matices sutiles en términos de gestión y a utilizar adjetivos extremos para proyectar autoridad y profesionalismo en un entorno de negocios.

Asimismo, habrás consolidado el uso de modificadores extremos (extreme modifiers) para acompañar adjetivos no graduables, una habilidad esencial para alcanzar el nivel C1. Deberías sentirte cómodo/a expresando opiniones complejas, justificando decisiones estratégicas y analizando escenarios hipotéticos con la fluidez necesaria para un entorno profesional de alto nivel.

Grammar consolidation

Complete the following tasks. Pay close attention to the distinction between gradable and non-gradable adjectives.

Part A: Sentence Transformation Rewrite the sentences using the word in bold so that the meaning stays the same. Do not change the word provided.

1. The consultant's advice was very surprising to the board. ASTONISHED The board members were ________ by the consultant's advice.

2. It is vital that we implement these changes immediately. ESSENTIAL It is ________ that we implement these changes immediately.

3. The company's failure was very bad and caused a lot of damage. CATASTROPHIC The company's failure was ________.

Part B: Error Correction Identify and correct the error in each sentence. Some sentences may be correct.

4. The strategic plan is absolutely perfect for our current market position.
5. It was a slightly terrifying decision to merge with our main competitor.
6. The results of the audit were incredibly huge, leaving no room for doubt.

Part C: Controlled Rewriting Rewrite the sentences using an appropriate extreme modifier (e.g., utterly, completely, absolutely, profoundly) and the non-gradable adjective provided.

7. (exhausted) The team worked for 48 hours straight; they were very tired.

8. (ridiculous) The idea of outsourcing our core R&D was very silly.

9. (devastated) The loss of the contract left the department very sad.

10. (enormous) The scale of the merger was very big.

Vocabulary activation

Task 1: Word Formation Complete the sentences by changing the form of the word in brackets.

1. The CEO provided a clear ____ of the company's long-term goals. (VISION)
2. We need to conduct a ____ analysis before committing to this merger. (FEASIBLE)
3. The consultant's ____ was instrumental in turning the company around. (GUIDE)
4. There is significant ____ regarding the new tax laws. (UNCERTAIN)

Task 2: Collocations Match the verbs (1-4) with the correct noun phrases (A-D) to form professional collocations.

5. We need to ____ to ensure we stay ahead of the market.
6. It took several hours of negotiation to ____.
7. The management team worked hard to ____ involved in the new project.
8. The primary goal is to ____ in the global market.

Task 3: Register Choice Select the most appropriate professional term to complete the sentence.

9. After the crisis, the board decided to ____ the company's structure. a) shake up / b) mess around / c) change

10. We must ____ the pros and cons of the proposed acquisition. a) weigh / b) balance / c) measure

11. The consultant was hired to ____ the company's operations. a) streamline / b) clean up / c) make faster

12. The sudden shift in market trends caught the leadership ____ . a) off guard / b) by surprise / c) unexpectedly

Integrated skills task

Source Text: The Pitfalls of Rapid Expansion

In the current era of hyper-growth, many startups feel pressured to scale operations at an unprecedented rate. While rapid expansion can lead to a dominant market position, it often masks underlying structural weaknesses. When a company grows too quickly, it may outpace its own ability to maintain quality control, corporate culture, and financial stability.

Strategic decision-making requires a delicate balance between aggressive growth and sustainable development. Many leaders fall into the trap of 'growth at all costs,' neglecting the necessity of robust infrastructure. This often results in operational inefficiencies that become catastrophic once the initial momentum fades. Consultants frequently warn that a strategy lacking a solid foundation is merely a house of cards. To mitigate these risks, companies must implement scalable processes and ensure that their leadership can manage increased complexity. Ultimately, the goal is not just to be larger, but to be more resilient.

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 equipo directivo (Board of Directors) en el que: 1. Resumas los riesgos principales de la expansión rápida mencionados en el texto. 2. Propongas dos medidas estratégicas para evitar que la empresa se vea afectada por estos riesgos. 3. Utilices un registro formal y vocabulario de nivel C1 (incluyendo adjetivos no graduables y términos de negocios).

Speaking checkpoint

Instrucciones: Responde a estas preguntas de forma oral. Intenta hablar durante 1-2 minutos por cada una, utilizando estructuras complejas y un vocabulario preciso.

1. Compare: Compare the advantages of a cautious, slow-growth strategy versus an aggressive, rapid-expansion strategy.
2. Speculate: How might the integration of AI affect the decision-making processes of large corporations in the next decade?
3. Evaluate: Evaluate the importance of 'company culture' when two large corporations decide to merge.
4. Justify: Some argue that consultants are an unnecessary expense for established firms. To what extent do you agree?
5. Compare: Compare the role of a CEO with the role of a strategic consultant.
6. Speculate: If a company ignores market trends for too long, what are the most likely consequences?

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. astonished by 2. essential 3. catastrophic 4. The strategic plan is absolutely perfect... (Correct) 5. It was a slightly terrifying... (Correct - Note: 'slightly' is used with gradable adjectives, but 'terrifying' is non-gradable. However, in natural English, we often use 'a bit' or 'rather' with extreme adjectives to downplay them. In strict grammar exercises, 'slightly' might be flagged. A better correction: "It was a terrifying decision" or "The decision was quite terrifying".) -> Correction for exercise: "The decision was terrifying" or "It was a somewhat terrifying decision". 6. The results... were incredibly huge... (Incorrect: 'huge' is non-gradable. Correct: "The results were absolutely huge" or "The results were enormous".) 7. The team was utterly exhausted. 8. The idea... was utterly ridiculous. 9. The department was profoundly devastated. 10. The scale... was absolutely enormous.

Vocabulary activation 1. vision 2. feasibility 3. guidance 4. uncertainty 5. B (formulate a strategic plan) 6. C (reach a consensus) 7. A (gain a competitive advantage) 8. D (mitigate the risks) 9. a) shake up 10. a) weigh 11. a) streamline 12. a) off guard