Supply
Describing product features
1. Listening Listen to the phone call about the supply of some office shelving systems. As you listen fill in the missing information on the specification sheet.
Listening task
A：Good morning. I'm phoning to enquire about your office shelving system...code number SS007.
B：Oh yes, what would you like to know?
A：Well. I'd like to check on the dimensions first-make sure that they'll fit. First of all, how wide are they?
B：Jst a moment, sir, I'll get the specifications... you asked about the width... yes, the standard unit is 3.5 meters wide.
A：And the height?
B：They're 2 meters high with flexible positins for the shelves.
A：How many shelves can actually be fitted?
B：Really as many as you like, but normally five.
A：I see. I need to know how much they stick out-in other words, how deep are they?
B：They're 30 centimeters deep.
A：Thanks, that's the dimensions. Now, what about delivery?
B：Well, it depends how far you are from our warehouse.
A：We're about ten miles from the center.
B：I see-well, that's in our free delivery area, so there'll be no extra charge for delivery.
A：Good. Actually, what I meant was how long does it take after I place an order?
B：I see, sir. We guarantee delivery within two weeks.
A：Good. Well, we're interested in ten of your standard units for a suite of offices. How much do you charge?
B：Well, the unit cost is ₤98 but in view of the size of the order, we can offer 5 per cent discount... just a moment, I'll just do the figures... yes, that comes to ₤931-let's round it off and call it ₤930.
A：That sounds reasonable. Finally, what sort of guarantee do you offer?
B：Well, these units ar extremely sturdy and reliable. There's the usual one-year guarantee but they have an average life of at least 20 years...
Dimensions
Width ____________________________
Height _____________________________
Depth _____________________________
Delivery
Cost ______________________________
Time ______________________________
Price
Unit price ___________________________
Discount price for 10 units ______________
Guarantee Period _____________________
Average life _________________________
2. Presentation In the telephone conversation the speakers discussed.
# dimensions
# time
# cost
Here is some of the language you heard.
2.1 Dimensions
Questions: How wide are they? (note the adjective form)
What's the width? (note the noun form)
How high are they?
What's the height?
Answers: They're 3.5 meters wide. (note the position of the adjective)
The width is 3.5 meters.
They're 2 meters high.
The height is 2 meters.
2.2 Time
Question: How long does it take after ordering? (note the verb)
Answer: It takes two weeks.
2.3 Cost
Questions: Howmuch is it?
How much does it cost?
How much do you charge?
Answers: It's ₤98.
It costs ₤98.
We charge ₤98.
