Appendix

Complete the secretary’s message form for the telephone conversation:

MESSAGE FORM

For …………………………………………………………………………

From ……………………………………………………………………….

Of ………………………………………………………………………….

Tel No. …………………………………………………………………….

Message ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Date …………………………………… Time ……………………………….

Received by ………………………………………………………………….

Note:

In international calls, the spelling of names often causes difficulty. Secretaries use the official Post Office alphabetic code, and if you are spelling a word to an English-speaking person on the phone, they will understand you if you use this code.

The official Post Office alphabetical code is:

Case 2

“During 1982, the dollar rose against other major currencies to its highest level since the beginning of floating exchange rates in 1973. The strength of the dollar provided some benefits to the economy by reducing import prices and controlling inflation. On the other hand the strong dollar caused severe problems by decreasing the cost competitiveness of United States exports.The rise of the dollar was associated with a large rise in the production costs of United States firms relative to foreign competitors. This rise in relative costs has at least temporarily reduced the international competitiveness of United States industry dramatically.

Imported Japanese cars accounted for almost one-forth of all cars sold in the United States in the early 80s. During the recession from 1979 through 1982, sales of American cars declined. In 1982, sales of domestically produced cars reached a 24-year low of 5.7 million; unemployment in the American auto industry exceeded 20 per cent. As a result of declining sales, the United States asked Japanese car manufacturers to limit their exports to the United States. In April 1981, the Japanese agreed to a voluntary quota of 1.7 million cars per year for three years. In April 1984, the agreement was extended a fourth year and the quota increased to 1.85 million cars. In 1985, the agreement ended. Japanese automakers immediately announced their intention to increase car exports to the United States.

Trade restrictions on Japanese cars have been debated in the United States for over 10 years.”