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c The degree of application of expertise and experience

c ► 8.8 Eleanor and Gerry, two design engineers, are talking about the questionnaire.
Listen and write approximate values, to the nearest 10%, for Gerry’s answers to the
questions.

Gerry: Questionnaires like this drive me mad. I mean, look at this first question. What
percentage of my time do I spend doing technical tasks that use my skills extensively? How are
you supposed to put a number against that?
Eleanor: You only need to give a ballpark figure. Gerry: I know, but even so. It's difficult to say,
off the top of my head.
Eleanor: It’s easier if you compare it with the second option.
Gerry: Doing tasks that a less qualified colleague could do. Well, let's say roughly half and half.
Eleanor: Are you sure? Aren't you the least qualified person in this department?
Gerry: Do you know, I knew you were going to say that. Number two - technical tasks that add
value and tasks that don't add value, such as admin. Add value? What's that supposed to ...
Eleanor: Well, do you not do some admin? Or do you spend all of your time doing productive
things?
Gerry: Well, no. Nowhere near all of it.
Eleanor: Right. So is it fifty-fifty?
Gerry: Urn well, no. I spend more time problem solving than I do on admin. Thankfully. Let's
say somewhere in the region of two thirds. So, about a third on admin. Three - tasks that are
purely technical versus tasks that relate to technical organisation. Well, most of what I do is
organisation, isn't it? I spend pretty much all my time on that.
Eleanor: Or in your case, disorganisation.
Gerry: Nice one. What figure did you put down for added value, by the way? Was it a negative
number?

d Complete the following sentences using the words or phrases in the box.
Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
ballpark figure; off the top of my head; nowhere near; pretty much;
roughly; somewhere in the region of;
1 They asked for a ballpark figure for setting up the new system.
2 I’ve got the figures in my computer, but I couldn’t tell you .
3 The work is finished, there’s just the tidying up to do.
4 The actual cost of the stadium was the estimate at £2m over budget.
5 I think it’ll take two weeks to complete the report.
6 The development will cost $10m.

e In pairs, ask and answer the questions from the questionnaire in Exercise 11 b using the
phrases in Exercise 11 d. Note down your partner’s answers.
1 A % B %
2 A % B %
3 A % B %
12a 8.9 As part of the company’s internal review, an assessment is being made of the
hardware and software that make up the firm’s Computer Aided Design (CAD) system.
Dan, a design engineer, is talking to Beatrice, his manager, about the state of the system.
Listen and mark the following statements True (T) or False (F).
1 Most of the screens are too small.
2 a lot of time working on screen.
3 Large numbers of drawings are printed at their office.

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