All posts by weblio

【TOEICビジネス問題対策】商品開発の問題1

「商品開発」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 1

To: Deborah Miles
From: Bob Selander
Date: October 4
Subject: New product presentation

Regarding the decision reached last week at our department’s monthly meeting—we are scheduled to make a presentation to Marketing in mid-November for a new home disinfectant. Having assessed customer needs through the market research conducted this summer, it is clear that customers want an effective yet safe product with several choices of scent. The prototype we now have can be arranged in several ways to cater to customer demands, so not much work is needed there. However, the presentation itself must be attractive; otherwise it will be impossible to persuade Marketing to buy our idea. I suggest that we, and at least three others in Product Development, meet at the earliest possible date to brainstorm.

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】商品開発

新しい製品を販売するにあたっては、まず、商品開発部(Product Development Department)のプロジェクトチームが情報を収集・検討して、商品のコンセプトを考えます。次に、コンセプトや商品仕様、採算性などをまとめた企画書(proposal)を上司や会社の経営幹部に提出し、社内会議でプレゼンテーション(presentation)を行うのが一般的です。この会議で商品化するかどうかが決まります。続いて、製造部門と協力して、商品仕様をもとに試作品の改良を重ねます。同時に、その製品を販売するための販売戦略も考えなければなりません。テストでは、これらの段階での社員の会話や社内文書が出題されるので、商品開発の流れを把握しておきましょう。

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】納期・支払いの問題2

納期・支払い」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 2

Norfolk Pool Service
2355 Venice Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95429

September 9

Mary Murdoch
9021 Elm Street
Sebastopol, CA 95477

Dear Ms. Murdoch,

This is to inform you that payment for Invoice #40293 dated August 10 is now overdue. If payment in full is not received by September 15, a late charge of 8% will be added to your bill. We would appreciate receiving your payment as soon as possible. Payment may be made by check or bank transfer. The information you need when writing the check or making the transfer can be found on the invoice. You may also make your payment at our offices on Venice Avenue.

Please disregard this notice if payment has already been made. Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
Cindy Kato
Accounts

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】納期・支払いの問題1

「納期・支払い」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 1

TO: Jack Loomis, Boyd Corporation
FROM: Rhonda Li, Dome Electronics
DATE: May 18
SUBJECT: Request for new deadline

I am sorry to have to report that we experienced difficulty implementing the changes you made last week to the specifications for the BX350 bike lamp. As a result, production of the first batch of lamps is running behind schedule. We can deliver 100 lamps by the initial deadline of May 25, but must ask for a new deadline for the remaining 400. At this point, June 5 would be a realistic date to aim for. I realize this gives you only five days to fit your new line of bikes with the lamps before the launch date of June 10. Needless to say, the lamps are far better with the specification changes, and we hope for your understanding concerning this matter.

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】納期・支払い

「納品日」は商品・製品の受け渡し時だけに設定されるものではなく、ビジネスはすべて、「納める期日=納期」を軸に進行します。出版業界を例に取ると、原稿執筆者→出版社の編集者→印刷データ作成者→印刷所→製本所→流通業者→書店のような流れを経ますが、矢印の部分には必ず「いつ相手方に納めるか」が、あらかじめ設定されます。同時に、納品期日を基点に、納品したものへの対価が支払われる「支払い日」も設定されます。ビジネスをする人は、作業の進行に常に注意を払いながら約束の期日を守り、約束の支払い日にお金を払ってもらえるように努力をします。

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】商品の発注・発送の問題2

「商品の発注・発送」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 2

TO: JOAN POWERS, DRESSES BY DESIGN
FROM: BURT TRAN, EXOTIC TEXTILES
DATE: AUGUST 13
SUBJECT: SHIPPING AND DISCOUNTS

Thank you for your inquiry concerning our products. I understand you are particularly interested in our silk textiles. As a service to our customers, we offer free shipping and/or quantity discounts depending on the size of the order. Shipping is free for orders of $500 or more. For orders totaling $1,000 or more, discounts of up to 40% are available. If you subscribe to our monthly newsletter, you will also be informed of seasonal and limited-timeonly discounts. For price quotes on specific items, please inquire by e-mail. We look forward to serving you.

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】商品の発注・発送の問題1

「商品の発注・発送」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 1

To: Peter See
From: Master Headphones
Date: February 4
Subject: Order #92044

Thank you for your recent order of two sets of R2 Master Headphones. This is to let you know that your order has been forwarded to our factory. As the R2 headphones are made-to-order, it will be approximately three weeks before they are shipped. An additional $15.00 per set will be added to the total amount for two headphones since you requested the zero-static cord. Also, we are prepared to ship the headphones to the two separate locations you designated in your order. Since one of the locations is overseas, $12.00 over and above the domestic shipping charge of $10.00 is necessary for one of the headphones. A total of $282.00 will be charged to your credit card at the time of shipment. Feel free to contact us with any questions. In that event, kindly provide us with your name and order number.

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】商品の発注・発送

購入したいものを注文する(place an order)ことを「発注」と言います。注文を受けた側は「受注」と言います。発注と受注は商品・製品だけでなく、工事・建築から調査・研究に至るあらゆる仕事上の取引関係に使われる用語です。商品・製品の場合、発注する側は「何を」「 どのくらい」「 いつまでに」「 いくらで」といった条件を明確にして、発注書(purchase order)を取引先に送ります。その発注書を受け取った取引先=受注者は条件を満たす品物を準備し、期日に到着するよう発送し、その旨を連絡します。テストでは、この受注・発注に関する会話、文書がよく出題されるので、関連する語句をしっかり覚えましょう。

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【英語】連発注意、相手を苛立たす多用禁物の英語表現5選

普段よく使われる便利な表現は、あまりに多用すると聞く人をイラつかせることがあります。それ自体は自然だし問題ないけれど、耳につく程度に連発されるとどうしても気にかかる(気に障る)たぐいの表現。日本語でいえば「それヤバくない?」とか「ご存じのように」とか。「とか」も該当するかもしれません。

英語にも、あまり連発すると聞き手の心がささくれ立ちやすいタイプの表現があります。とくにスラングめいた表現は要注意です。スラングを使いこなせると抜群にこなれた感が出せますが、使い過ぎればクドい野郎に成り下がってしまいます。何事もほどほどが肝心です。
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【英語】NYTimes紙の「頻出のわりに難解」な英単語トップ5

米国紙ニューヨークタイムズ(The New York Times)が「50 Fancy Words」と題したデータを公開したことがあります。これはオンライン版 NYTimes.com 上で、読者が多く調べた単語のリストです。つまり、同紙が好んで用いる(=比較的頻出である)ものの、多くの人が意味をよく把握していない(=比較的難解な)単語といえます。

2010年と少し古い情報ですが、時事的なキーワードは特になく、数年を経た今でも通用しそうです。

英字新聞を読む習慣はリーディングのよい訓練にもなり、海外の世相を知る点でも有益です。はなから「単語の意味や記述内容を全て理解する」ような完璧な読み方に挑むことは必要ありません。NYT を読むなら、この Fancy Words を知っておけば《読める度合い》もまた違ってくるでしょう。

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】契約書・請求書の問題2

「契約書・請求書」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 2

BRADFORD AND SONS
294 Roosevelt Avenue
Coopersville, WY 82060

Invoice #29496
Date: August 21

Client: Robertson Dental Clinic
4127 6th Avenue S.E.
Coopersville, WY 82059

List of services:

August 5 General lawn maintenance (mowing, fertilizing) $ 250.00
Pruning and fertilizing of existing flower beds $ 215.00
August 6 Design and installation of rear garden $1,750.00
Subtotal: $2,215.00
Tax (5.28%): $116.95
Amount due: $2,331.95

Pay no later than: August 30*

* Please pay promptly. A late charge of 5% will be added to the amount due if payment is not received by this date.

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】契約書・請求書の問題1

「契約書・請求書」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 1

TO: Morris Santini
FROM: Chie Minami
DATE: October 17
SUBJECT: Contract

Thank you for sending the contract for the Jones account. However, the copy I received did not include the revision I requested concerning the delivery deadline. In case there is a misunderstanding, I would like to make it clear in this e-mail that the initial delivery date of January 10 was changed to January 5 during our final negotiations on October 12. As far as I can see, this is the only revision that needs to be made to conclude the agreement, and hereby request that you send us a new contract with the correct delivery deadline. We will sign and return the contract as soon as we receive the amended version from you.

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】契約書・請求書

企業間で取引を始めるにあたっては、取引内容、納期、予算、支払い日などを明記した契約書を交わします。まず、草案(draft)と呼ばれる原案を作り、それに何度か修正を加えて最終版を作成します。この最終版は2 部用意し、契約を結ぶ両企業の代表者の署名を入れ、それぞれが1部ずつ保管します。

請求書は、取引先に納めた品物やサービスの代金を請求するための書類で、請求対象となる品名、個数、単価などの明細と、手数料、消費税などを加えた請求総額を記載します。テストでは、契約書や請求書の修正や誤りの指摘に関するやりとりが出題されるので、関連語句を覚えましょう。

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】在庫の問題2

「在庫」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 2

July 17

Ms. Patricia Sinclair
254 Interlaken Avenue
Seattle, WA 98203

Dear Ms. Sinclair:

Thank you for your order of July 14. Of the three items you ordered, the two-drawer file cabinet (Item # 34-210) and handy desk vacuum (Item # 5202) were shipped on July 15. However, the miniature easel (Item # 4277) is currently out of stock. We have contacted the manufacturer to back-order and have been told that the item will become available around the end of this month. Would you like to wait? Or would you like to cancel your order for this item? We charge credit cards or issue invoices only when items are shipped, so you have not been charged for the easel.

Please let us know what you would like us to do. We sincerely appreciate your patience and look forward to hearing from you.

Noel Mitchell
Customer Service
Sunshine Offices

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】在庫の問題1

「在庫」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 1

To: All store staff
From: Adriana Loris, Store Manager
Date: December 8
Subject: Clearance sale

Now that our year-end inventory is complete, we’re ready for our annual clearance sale. The sale will run for a week from Sunday. There is a considerable amount of surplus stock of the SnoWiz line of ski wear—everything in the line will be sold for half price except for the after-ski boots which will be marked down 30%. The winter sports season is still in full swing and all of you are encouraged to recommend the line to customers during the sale so we can clear as much stock as possible while the sale is on. Sale prices for other merchandise will vary with some items going for as low as 70% off. As usual, sunscreens and cosmetics will not be discounted.

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】在庫

企業や店舗が、販売目的で社内に抱えている品物を在庫と言います。英語ではstockとinventoryが「在庫」にあたりますが、stockは製品になっているものの在庫を指し、inventoryは製品だけでなく、まだ製品になっていない原材料の在庫も含めた全在庫を指します。「在庫一掃セール」は、売れ残った在庫品を安価で販売し、売上に結びつけるために行われます。大量の在庫は経営上のマイナス要因になりますが、在庫が不足していると客に迷惑をかけたり、品切れで販売チャンスを失ってしまったりすることになります。テストには在庫に関する詳細な話題は出題されませんが、stockやinventoryに関連した会話や文書はよく出題されます。

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】企業の寄付活動の問題2

「企業の寄付活動」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 2

MEMO

To: All staff
From: Bruno Smith
Subject: Walk for Pets
Date: April 20

This is to let you know that the annual Walk for Pets will be held on May 15 from 8:30 A.M. to 3 P.M. at Oceanview Park. In addition to the usual adult walk, there will be a half-mile mini walk for 5 to 12-year-olds. Entry in the adult walk is $30 per person and $50 dollars per couple; entry in the miniwalk is $10 per child. We will have a barbecue at the park after the walk. Food will be provided but everyone is requested to bring drinks.

Half of the proceeds from the event will go toward Home for Pets, a foster home facility for abandoned pets, and the remainder will be divided among various animal welfare associations. Everyone, come out and walk for the welfare of our furry friends!

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【TOEICビジネス問題対策】企業の寄付活動の問題1

「企業の寄付活動」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。

問題 1

INGLIS MUSEUM
Perth WA

Mr. Jonathan Watford
Commonwealth Industries
17 Bridge Street, West Perth WA

January 15

Dear Mr. Watford,

Thank you for your company’s ongoing support of Inglis Museum. It is only through the aid of corporate donors such as yourself that we are able to continue to serve the city of Perth as an art organization.

It is once again time for our annual fund drive. This year’s contributions will mainly go toward repair costs of the Patrona Wing that was badly damaged in December’s storm.

To make a contribution, please fill out the enclosed form and send it to the museum accompanied by a check. As a patron of the museum, all Commonwealth Industries employees will be entitled to half off on admission fees.

Very truly yours,

Gayle Meisner
Curator
Inglis Museum

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