A MODERN OFFICE

We arrived at Richard's main office in downtown Manhattan. It was on the twenty-fifth floor of a skyscraper. I saw a plaque in the lobby that said METEQ, Inc. I guessed that METEQ stood for METallurgical EQuipment. A man operated the elevator.

Before the meeting Richard showed me his office. I was really impressed with the state-of-the-art office equipment. I didn't see a sin­gle typewriter there. Everybody worked on a PC (personal computer). I had heard that every office worker had a dictionary because English spelling is so difficult. But I didn't see any dictionaries there. Richard explained that there were special computer programs to check spelling. Every PC was connected to a printer to print out processed documents. There was a copier, which made copies in color. The office also had telex and fax facilities. I noticed a strange-looking machine in the cor­ner. Richard explained that it was a paper shredder. I wished we had an office like that in Magnitogorsk!

The office workers were very efficient. They knew how to run every piece of equipment. And they worked very fast. I said I'd like to learn how to run everything too. Richard introduced me to the staff. They were very friendly. He asked them to give me a hand in mastering the office equipment.

Richard introduced me to Mr. Walter Cronin, a senior partner in the firm. All the company executives were there too. I met the heads of the research-and-development and manufacturing divisions and the director of marketing.

We discussed my stay with the company. Mr. Cronin suggested that I visit all their branches to explore prospects for our future collabo­ration. I was asked to present a report with my suggestions at the end of my stay. This suited me fine. They were also open-minded about my request to visit some plants to see METEQ equipment in operation. They said that it could be easily arranged. Every problem was solved on the spot. I was surprised, but Richard said it was business as usual.

Task 1. Напишите транскрипцию и выучите слова: incor­porated, typewriter, dictionary, facilities, efficient, executives, sug­gested, request, spelling, state-of-the-art, equipment.

Task 2. Ответьте на вопросы к тексту.

1. Where was Richard's main office?

2. What does METEQ stand for?

3. What equipment was there in Richard's office?

4. Who did Victor meet in the office?

5. What was the itinerary of Victor's stay in America?

Task 3. Поставьте глаголы - сказуемые предложений из текста во все временные формы Indefinite в Passive Voice, произведя все необходимые смысловые изменения.

Образец: I was asked to present a report. Меня попросили представить доклад.

I am asked to present a report. Меня просят представить доклад.

I shall be asked to present a report.

Меня попросят представить доклад.