07 Budget Report
07 Budget Report
2 Read the budget report on page 138. Decide if these Comparing figures
sentences are true (T) or false (F). be down/up (by) go down/up (from … to …)
1 The table at the top shows how the real figures are different be lower/higher fall/rise reduce/raise sth decline drop
be flat be unchanged be in line with
to the expected ones.
2 The company had two pieces of bad news: revenues were Vague language
less than forecast and the cost of raw materials was more a little lower a small drop around 130 considerably lower
than forecast. increase slightly less than half significantly higher
slightly more substantially less
3 The writer thinks that things will get worse by the end
of the year. Reasons
as a result of because of due to result in
Useful language Predictions
It might/may/could happen.
3 Discuss these questions, referring to the report on
page 138 and the Useful language box. It is likely/expected/forecast to happen.
1 Report structure In the report on page 138, can you identify It is likely/probable that it will happen.
the sections that deal with future investment plans and the I expect … I am optimistic that …
budget forecast (i.e. sections b and c in the Report structure
box)? Check the figures for variance – are they correct? 4 Read the report on page 138 again. Underline any
2 Vocabulary First, can you explain the difference between vocabulary or phrases that you would find useful
CapEx and OpEx? Second, if X is offset by Y, does it mean in writing a budget report.
(a) that X and Y have an opposite effect and so the final
situation remains more or less the same, or (b) that Y has a T Teacher’s resources: extra activities
greater effect?
The report contains examples of modal verbs for possibility.
3 Comparing figures Which words from the Useful language L Go to MyEnglishLab for optional grammar work.
box have a similar meaning to be down? Which words have
a similar meaning to be up?
page 118 See Grammar reference: Modal verbs: possibility
4 Vague language Most of the examples in the box come
from the report. Imagine that the vague expressions were
replaced with exact figures. What would be the impact on
the reader?
5A Work in pairs. Turn to page 139 and study
• How successfully have you achieved the lesson outcome? Give yourself a score
from 0 (I need more practice) to 5 (I know this well).
Self-assessment
• Go to My Self-assessment in MyEnglishLab to reflect on what you have learnt.
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Additional material for writing
Notes made in meeting Quarterly budget report for the period ending
30th June (in $000s)
Meeting: Project review – construction of Budgeted Actual Variance
Favourable
new plant (Unfavourable)
138