S e c o n d e d I t I o n 1 Reading for the Real World 1

C
For the next two questions, look for the answers in the passage and 
write them on the lines provided.
 1.
How is a company’s financial performance measured?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
 2.
What is probably most important for a company when company rankings are 
made?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

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V 
ocabulary Extension
S 
ummary
147
Here are six words that are related to the topic but are not in the reading. 
Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only 
once.
assets profit monopoly bankrupt debt conglomerate
1.
Bill Gates almost has a(n) __________ on computer operating systems. 
Almost everyone uses Windows on their computer.
2.
Even after paying taxes and all expenses, Microsoft still made a huge __________.
3.
My cousin’s company is going __________. He can’t pay all the money that 
he owes.
4.
GE has many buildings, manufactured goods, and other __________ of value.
5.
Money you owe is called a(n) __________.
6.
GE is a(n) __________; that is, it is one big company that consists of many 
smaller companies in different fields.
1.
When a company is rated, it tells them where they stand in their industry.
2.
According to a kind of survey, companies can be assigned ratings on their 
performance based on the figures in their financial statements.
3.
A company can be judged by the opinions of executives and other employees.
4.
People use these rankings as an indication of the company’s reputation.