business level ii business communication ii

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No. of pages: 13

Business Level II

Business Communication II

C S 2

May 2021

Online

Examination

Instructions to candidates

(1) Time allowed: 3 hours (2) Total: 85 marks (3) Section I - Reading: 4 questions – All questions are compulsory. Section II - Writing: 4 questions – All questions are compulsory. Section III - Listening: 2 questions – All questions are compulsory.

Section IV - Speaking: 3 questions – All questions are compulsory. (4) Answer to question 7 in Section II should be in the separate paper given

to you. Use only 1 word per box in the Summary Template given. Answers to all other questions should be in the answer booklet given

to you. (5) Begin the answer for each question on a separate page in the answer

booklet.

Business Communication II -CS 2 – May 2021 of 13

Section I: Reading

Question 1

little summary chart analyzing deployed narrower enters maintain categories same

The text book definition of accounting states that it includes recording, summarizing,

reporting and (i)…………………… financial data. The primary function of accounting is to

make records of all the transactions that the firm (ii)…………………… into. Recognizing

what qualifies as a transaction and making a record of the (iii)…………………… is called

bookkeeping. Bookkeeping is (iv)…………………… in scope than accounting and concerns

only the recording part. For the purpose of recording, accountants (v)…………………… a set

of books. Their procedures are very systematic. Nowadays, computers have been

(vi)…………………… to automatically account for transactions as they happen.

Recording transactions creates raw data. Pages and pages of raw data are of

(vii)…………………… use to an organization for decision making. For this reason,

accountants classify data into (viii)……………………. These categories are defined in the

(ix)…………………… of accounts. As and when transactions occur, two things happen, firstly

an individual record is made and secondly the (x)…………………… record is updated.

Adapted from: https://www.managementstudyguide.com/what-is-accounting.htm

Required: Read the following passage. Fill in the blanks with the words given in the box. Each word should be used only once.

(1/2 x 10 = 5 marks)

All questions are compulsory. Total marks for this Section is 32 marks. Recommended time for this section is 1 hour & 15 minutes.


Question 2

Eg: Accounting is as older as financial transactions themselves. ______old_______

i. As soon as credit was invented, humans began to using accounting to simplify

their lives.

ii. As expected, the oldest system in accounting used single entry accounting.

iii. This is the most intuitive form of accounting and is incomplete.

iv. Records have been found on clay tablets in ancient Mesopotamia that shows the

existence of single-entry accounting in that time.

v. Prior to rise of European commerce in the Medieval Ages, India is the primary

center for bustling trade and commercial activity.

vi. Although there has been no record of this fact, it is claimed which Indian

merchants had very advanced accounting systems at that time.

vii. These systems were called the Bahi-Khata system and it is rumored that the

westerners designed the double entry system based on the principles of Bahi-

Khata system but once again there is not conclusive proof.

viii. The birthplace of modern-day accounting is Venice and in the Medieval Ages,

Venice was a center of trade and commerce activity.

ix. Merchants had giant businesses and they were struggle to run these corporations

efficiently and it was then that Luca Pacioli developed the double entry accounting

system.

x. There is still debate about what he developed the double entry system himself or

just improved it and made it available to the merchants.

Adapted from: https://www.managementstudyguide.com/accounting-history.htm

Required: The undermentioned statements are about the history of accounting. In each numbered sentence, there is only one wrong word, which is in bold type face. Replace this wrong word with the correct word. You are expected to write the correct word against the corresponding sentence number as shown in the example.

(1/2 x 10 = 5 marks)


Question 3

Crush your next virtual presentation

1. While virtual platforms help us connect with one another across distance, they also

pose a challenge for leaders accustomed to presenting in person. Reading the

audience online requires more focus, and a digital environment makes it harder to

comprehend nonverbal cues like tone, pitch, and body language. For example, when

connecting with people in person, the human brain relies on micro expressions of the

human face to interpret receptivity and inform judgment while communicating. In a

virtual meeting platform, a presenter may only have access to a few faces or none at

all.

2. Virtual venues require you to transition from reading nonverbal cues in the moment

to getting curious about your participants before, during, and after presentations to

ensure your message lands. While certain video platforms can limit a presenter’s

ability to engage with audience members’ faces in real time, built in-features like polls,

chats, whiteboards, thumbs-ups, or raised hands can help you get and keep people’s

attention. Incorporate these engagement tools early in the presentation to get people

in the mood to participate.

3. Open with a story that speaks to your audience. Gather some information about your

participants beforehand and build in a personal story that will resonate with them.

Keep it short and specific to avoid meandering and losing them. Stories, anecdotes,

and metaphors are proven to increase engagement — as long as they’re delivered

with authenticity highlighting even your vulnerability and clearly reinforcing your

desired message. If you’re not sure if your story is relevant, consider running it by a

trusted colleague as you prepare for your presentation.

4. Be clear, be brief, and be quiet. Keeping your message concise, simple, and clear has

never been more important than when battling the many distractions inherent to a

virtual room. Keep lengthy monologues to a minimum, and don’t avoid silence. When

you ask a question, wait confidently for someone to answer, rather than automatically

interpreting silence as a lack of engagement. It can take longer for participants to

digest and respond to information over video, so use the extra seconds as an

opportunity to listen deeply before asking a follow-up question or calling on a

volunteer.

5. After your presentation, solicit feedback from one or two trusted participants to see

if you delivered your intended message successfully. If the meeting was recorded,

watch the video, paying special attention to how participants responded to your

attempts to engage them. Identify two or three techniques you can incorporate next

time to improve your connection with the audience.

Adapted from: https://hbr.org/2021/01/crush-your-next-virtual-presentation?

Required:

Read the following passage and answer the questions given below. (10 marks)


i. Why is it more difficult to present online rather than in person? (2 marks) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii. How can online presenters compensate for their inability to engage with the audience directly? (1 mark) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iii. What makes stories, anecdotes and metaphors more effective in a presentation? (2 marks) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iv. Why is it necessary in a virtual presentation to be more tolerant of silence? (2 marks) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

v. What makes finding feedback easier after a virtual presentation? (1 mark) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Explain the meaning of the following words (in bold type face) as they appear in the passage.

vi. receptivity (paragraph 1) (1/2 mark) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

vii. cue (paragraph 2) (1/2 mark) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

viii. vulnerability (paragraph 3) (1/2 mark) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ix. inherent (paragraph 4) (1/2 mark) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………


Question 4

The key to productivity is tapping into your flow state. Here’s how…

1. Flow is simply that optimal state of mind in which we feel and perform our best, and it doesn’t have to be mysterious or elusive. Many people have experienced a flow state without knowing that’s what it was. One of the key indicators of being in a flow state is losing the sense of time. Ask yourself: When have hours passed by without your realizing it? Another indicator of a flow state is having a sense of ease, when things feel like they just click into place. It might even come in the moments when you have new ideas and insights. A flow state often features a positive feedback loop. The more engaged you are with a task, the more positive feedback you receive, which encourages you to keep going.

2. There are some caveats, however. You may feel like you’re in the flow state during activities — like reading a book, or playing video games — because you lose all sense of time but they’re not the flow state. Those are passive activities, and something outside of you, like the book or the game, is captivating you. The actual flow state is when you’re somehow active, engaged in activities like playing the violin, writing, playing tennis, or leading a meeting.

3. Once you know when you’ve experienced that effortless feeling, you can determine how you got there by recreating the memories of when you were in flow state and examining them. First, you must observe yourself. For a few weeks, observe yourself, notice what you’re doing, and look for the key indicators of flow. Then, when you are in a state of flow, broaden your awareness: Notice and remember the activities surrounding you. Distinguish what you’re physically doing when you lose all sense of time or have a sense of ease.

4. The more you experience the rewards of the flow state, the more you’ll want to return. It’s not necessary to wait for lightning — or your flow state — to strike. Instead, easing into flow can become a repeatable routine. To get there, you need to keep noticing the physical and emotional steps that lead up to flow — Where are you? What are you doing? How are you feeling? — and repeat them.

5. Everyone gets into their flow state in a different way. You might be really good at problem solving with data on Excel sheets, and you’re best when you’re left alone to find solutions. When you make your flow state more accessible and repeatable, you’re setting the stage for your best self to show up more often. And you might just find that you can pass on these benefits to others.

Adapted from: https://ideas.ted.com/the-key-to-productivity-is-tapping-into-your-flow-state-heres-how/

Required: Read the following passage and answer the questions given below. (12 marks)


i. What makes the idea of flow a realistic and relatable one? (paragraph 1) (1 mark) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii. What are the key characteristics of a flow state? (paragraph 1) (1 marks) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iii. What activities mimic a flow state but are not in reality? (paragraph 2) (1 mark) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iv. What is an essential ingredient of an actual flow state inducing activity? (paragraphs 2) (2 marks) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

v. How can one discover the path to reaching a flow state? (paragraph 3) (2 marks) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

vi. What is meant by the expression ‘broaden your awareness’? (Explain in your own words) (paragraph 3) (1 marks) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

vii. What is key to training yourself to reach a flow state at will? (paragraph 4) (2 marks) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

viii. Why is it beneficial to be in a flow state? (paragraph 5) (2 marks)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………


Section II: Writing

Question 5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

in H

un

dre

ds

Year

Enrolment Data

Harvard Standford Yale Notre Dame

Required: The following column graph displays the annual enrolment figures of four postgraduate accounting degree programs at four universities over the last five years. Compare the enrolment figures of the same program in different years and the enrolment figures of different programs in different years and describe the most significant points depicted in the graph. Use about 150–200 words. Begin your description with an introduction. (10 marks)

All questions are compulsory. Total marks for this Section is 38. Recommended time for this section is 1 hour & 25 minutes


Question 6

Your letter should include:

The purpose of the letter

Immediate steps to be taken (dealing with guests already in the hotel, policy on reservations, changes in staff allocation, etc.)

A date and time for the meeting.

Required: Imagine that you are the Managing Director of Lucrum Hotels PLC. During the Covid-19 pandemic, your company has decided to offer several of the hotels in your chain as quarantine centres. Write a letter to the mangers of the hotels (Lucrum City Hotel, Colombo 06; Lucrum

Beach Resort, Beruwala; Lucrum Safari Resort, Habarana) informing them of this

decision and asking them to attend a meeting to discuss the particulars of this decision.

(8 marks)


Question 7

In a distracted world, solitude is a competitive advantage

Technology has undoubtedly ushered in progress in a myriad of ways. But this same force

has also led to work environments that flood people with a relentless stream of emails,

meetings, and distractions. Research reveals that our IQ drops by five to 15 points when

we are multitasking as distractions reduce the brain’s ability to filter out irrelevancy in

its working memory.

There is no silver bullet to solving the complex problems ushered in by the information

age. But there are some good places to start, and one of them is counterintuitive: solitude.

Solitude is defined as a state of mind, a space in which to focus one’s own thoughts

without distraction — and where the mind can work through a problem on its own. The

ability to focus is a competitive advantage in the world today.

If you don’t schedule and commit to solitude, something else will fill the space. Build brief

periods of solitude into your schedule. Treat them as you would any meeting or an

appointment. If we spend our entire workday sitting in meetings and answering emails,

it leaves little space in our minds to do the hard thinking that is essential to good decision

making and leadership. Analyze where your time is best spent. Most of us have meetings

that we can afford to miss, and most of us underutilize our energy because we have not

allocated time to reflect and be rigorous about our priorities.

Social media, YouTube, and the limitless possibilities of the internet hang over our heads.

They tempt us to click links that take us to another five-minute video or article.

Acknowledge the ways that the internet lures you in, and then intervene by staying clear

of everything online that distracts you. One of the biggest reasons we struggle to focus is

because we fill our schedules with too many commitments and we consistently prioritize

urgent tasks over important ones. Don’t let the tempo of work get in the way of good

development opportunities.

There are only so many hours in a day. As your to-do list grows, you cannot keep

accumulating more tasks. Solitude gives you the space to reflect on where your time is

best spent, which provides you with the clarity to decide what is important. (377 words)

Adapted from: https://hbr.org/2017/10/in-a-distracted-world-solitude-is-a-competitive-advantage?

Required: Using the template provided separately, write a summary of the following in 120 – 130 words. You are required to use your own words as much as possible.

(10 marks)


Question 8

Your report needs to have the following structure:

Appropriate heading Introduction (the purpose of the report, background information on the study) Body (data collection/methodology, findings) Conclusion (observations, recommendations).

In your report, evaluation and recommendations need to be based on:

Technical feasibility of increasing production. Availability of skilled labour Requirements for operating at full capacity Feasibility of increasing frequency of delivery runs

Required: You are the Operations Manager of Caeli Medical Suppliers PLC. The government wants your company to increase the production of medical oxygen in light of the pandemic situation. You have been asked to investigate the feasibility of increasing production immediately. In about 250 words, write a report to the Board of Directors based on the data given below.

(10 marks)


Section III: Listening

Question 9

i. Reopening the hotel was good because

a. it has 30-40% daily occupancy rate

b. it is cheaper to keep it open

c. it is more profitable to keep it open

d. it is good for the morale of the guests

ii. Guests who continue to travel want to

a. gain the full travelling experience.

b. enjoy all the amenities on offer.

c. continue to work away from home.

d. all of the above.

iii. To ensure the health and safety of everyone, the hotel

a. tests all the local and foreign guests for Covid

b. asks health questions from all foreign and local guests

c. subjects everyone to a mandatory temperature test

d. facilitates pre-travel covid testing for all foreign guests

iv. Employees are subjected to regular Covid test to give them

a. a sense of safety

b. a sense of immunity

c. a sense of duty

d. a sense of privilege

v. Rajiv predicts that the travelers

a. will return to hotels eventually

b. will be more cautious of health

c. will wait until vaccines to take effect

d. all of the above

All questions are compulsory. Total marks for this Section is 15. Recommended time for this section is 20 minutes

Required: Listen to the interview with the Sri Lankan hotelier, Rajiv Attygalle. Answer the following questions based on the recording. Select the most suitable answer from the choices given. You will hear the recording only twice.

(1 x 5 = 5 marks)


Question 10

One way to calm an anxious mind: notice when you’re doing OK

I. Our brains have evolved to be on the lookout for signs of ……………..

II. Being ……………. of all threats internal and external is harmful to us now.

III. It is the state of mind that prevents us from focusing on what ……………. to us.

IV. Living in the past and ……………. fills us with regret and fear.

V. It is possible to assure ourselves that we are ……………. at the present moment.

VI. In the ……………. of our daily struggles, we remain fundamentally alright.

VII. Not being completely happy with our lives in general does not prevent us from

feeling OK ……………..

VIII. Even when tragedy strikes, the ……………. of our being remains intact.

IX. Noticing that you are OK at a given moment is not a misguided ……………..

X. The calming effects of the belief in this fundamental okayness will improve your

……………..

Required:

Listen to the speech on calming your anxious mind. Answer the questions based on

the recording. You will hear the recording only twice. Fill in the blanks with one or

two words only.

(1 x10 = 10 marks)

business level ii business communication ii

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