Make a list of all the different factors that would
influence your choice of transport method for a shipment. Complete the diagram
below:
Question 2: complete the sentences with the words from the
box. Then listen again to check.
If you like, recommend, an alternative, could you, how much,
also consider, calling about, would be, more suitable, suggest that
1. I’m
______ the train options described on your website.
2. ______
tell me a bit more about them?
3. What
______ the best rail option for us?
4. Ro
large volumes, I would ______ using block train transport.
5. If
you want to ship smaller quantities, the singe-wagon option would be ______.
6. If
flexibility is important, I would ______ you book the flexitrain block train
option.
7. As
______ , I can suggest single-car transport, which is even more flexible.
8. In
that case we should ______ the other
block train options.
9. ______
time would we have for loading ?
10. At
least 7 hours, but we could arrange longer loading times ______.
Making Inquiries:
When asking for information we always use polite language.
We often start with a more general request for information before we ask more
specific questions. Indirect questions such as Could you tell me how much it
would cost? Are more polite that direct questions e.g. How much would it cost?
I’d like to ask/ enquire abou………
I’m call about … (on the telephone)
I’m writing about/with regard to ….. (in an email or letter)
Could you tell me how much/many/long/often …?
ADVISING THE CUSTOMER
Customers may need advice on transport options, freight and
insurance rates, shipping and backing details, the route, details regarding
weight, dimensions, and measurements.
For
this consignment I would recommend/suggest using air transport.
I
recommend/suggest that you ship the goods by road.
We/you should also
consider air transport for ….
That depends on
your specific requirements.
OFFERING ALTERNATIVES
Sometimes you need to provide the customer with several
alternatives before a decision can be made.
Another
options would be to …..
Of course it would
also be possible to … (instead).
Alternatively,
you/we could …….
Question 3: Here are some more phrases. Sort them under the
correct heading.
|
A.
Customer
enquiries
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B.
Advice and recommendations
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C.
Offering alternatives
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|
|
|
|
I (would) need some information regarding …..
In that case I recommend/suggest that you use/ship …..
I think the best option would be to ….
If you prefer …., we could also arrange ..
Could you let me have some information about …?
We can provide/arrange/ship …. If you like.
As an alternative, we can offer you ….
What would be the cheapest/fastest/safest/most convenient
way/option?
Question 4: Match the beginnings of the sentences (1-6) with
the endings (a-f).
1. I
would need some information
2. Could
you let me know
3. In
that case I suggest that you
4. For
a consignment this size I
5. Of
course it would also be
6. We
can also arrange transport
a. Would
recommend rail transport.
b. By
courier if you prefer.
c. Regarding
loading times.
d. What
the transit times are?
e. Possible
to ship by express service instead.
f.
Use the cheaper sea freight option.
Question 5: Work with a partner. Follow the steps below and
practice making enquiries and giving advice. Use phrases from this section.
(Here, there will be 2 persons, A & B.
Direction to A: Tell B what you would like to enquire about.
Direction to B: Ask A to be more specific.
Direction to A: Give B some details of your shipment.
Direction to B: Recommend one or two options.
Direction to A: Tell B you are not sure you want this
option.
Direction to B: Offer another alternative.
Direction to A: Ask B about order/cancellation deadlines.
Direction to B: Answer B’s question. Tell B you will give
him/her a quotation within the next hour.
Direction to A: thank B for help.
Question 6: Listen to a shipping agent describing one to the
containers available. Complete the missing details and label the drawing with
the words from the box.
Height, payload, length, tare weight, width, gross weight
Type of container: 40 ft open top
1. _____
: 4,030 kg
2. _____
: 43,500 kg
3. Maximum
_____ : 28,470 kg.
Internal measurements:
4. _____
: 12.02 m
5. _____
: 2.35 m
6. _____
: 2.32 m
Question 7: Listen again and note the non-metric
measurements the agent mentions.
1. Tare
weight: _____
2. Internal
length: _____
3. Internal
height: _____
Question 8: Rewrite the sentences.
Example: The container is 6 metres long.
The length of the
container is six metres. (or: the container’s length is 6 meters)
1.
The package weighs 45 kg.
2.
This seagoing vessel is about 30 m wide.
3.
The case we need to ship is 1m long, 50 cm
wide and 35 cm high.
4.
Its depth is nearly 3 cm.
5.
The ship’s length is more than 65m.
6.
The open container’s door height is 7 ft 10
in.
Question 9: What do these abbreviations stand for?
1. Ft
: _____
2. Kg:
_____
3. Oz:
_____
4. Cm:
_____
5. Lb:
_____
6. Cu
yd : _____
7. M2
8. 1”
9. Pt
10. Gal
Question 10: Put the words from
above into the correct column in the table. Complete the table with other
measures and weights you can think of.
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|
Metric
|
Non-metric
|
|
Length
|
|
Yard (yd)
|
|
Weight
|
Gram (g)
|
|
|
Surface
|
Square millimeter (mm2)
|
|
|
Volume
|
|
|
|
Capacity
|
|
Fluid ounce (fl oz)
|
Question 11: Describe the
measurements and weight of a container to your partner. Use phrases from this
section.
|
TALKING ABOUT NUMBERS, SIZE, WEIGHT, AND DIMENSIONS
|
|
NUMBERS
When dealing with consignment details it is often necessary to talk
about numbers.
We write a comma to show thousands (but we don’t say it!):
235,000 two hundred and thirty-five thousand
We use a point to show decimals:
1.5 one point five
We use the word and after hundreds:
185 one hundred and eight-five
When arranging transport, we need to give details about the size and
weight of the consignment to be shipped.
SIZE
Our consignment is 3 by 2.5
meters
This box measures 2 by 1.5
by 2.5 meters
Its measurements are 20 by 85 by 60 centimeters.
WEIGHT
The box is 40 cm
high/long/wide/deep/
Its/the height/length/width/depth is 40 cm
Remember:
This container is almost six meters/feet long (not six meter/foot!)
But: it’s a twenty-foot container. (not feet)
|
Question 12: Listen
to the dialogue between a forwarder and a customer asking for a shipping
quotation. Then say whether the statements are true or false according the dialogue.
1. Karla
Hanssen need a quotation for air freight to the United Arab Emirates
2. They
want to ship cooling units to Abu Dhabai.
3. The
consignment consists of 18 boxes.
4. They
want to ship from Sweden.
5. The
units should be picked up on August 6th.
6. Martin
will call back within the next two hours.
Question 13: Listen and complete the missing details in the
online quotation form:
Company Name: _________________________________________________________________
Contact: Karla
Hanssen
Tel No. 0046890265030
Shipping Information:
Point of origin: ______________________________________________
Destination: ______________________________________________
Method of transport: Air
Number of units/items: ______________________________________________
Pick-up date: ______________________________________________
Delivery date: ______________________________________________
Freight information:
Volume (m3): 30.31 m3
Total weight (kg): ______________________________________________
Type and nature of goods: ___________________________________________
Special requirements
Hazardous: ______________________________________________
Other must
arrive by __________________________________
