Peter: Good. I've got a couple of questions, but I'll save them for later. Kate, sales have increased, but has that meant higher profits?
Kate: Yes, it has. We're waiting for the final figures, but we already know that generally, in the first three quarters of the year, profits____⑦ (rise) by 15% compared to last year, from 960,000 to 1.1 million. In fact since April, profits ______⑧ (increase) every single month and they ____⑨ (still go up).
Peter: What about next year?
Kate: Well, as you know, next year we're going to centralise distribution, so costs ______⑩ (decrease). Even if sales _____ ⑪ (level off), profits _______12 (improve).
Make your own dialogue about talking prices. Reading 1. 1. In your opinion, which of the following give the best return on your money? Which are very risky? Which are less risky? • gold • currencies • a high-interest deposit account
• precious stones • property • antiques and paintings
• stocks and shares • land/real estate • a new business venture
2. Work in three groups. Each group reads a different text: either The South Sea Bubble or Tulipomania or The Wall Street Crash. Make notes on the key points.
