Read the text about Henry Ford and complete the gaps with the correct form (passive or active) of the verbs in brackets.

HENRY FORD

Henry Ford was born in Michigan, US, in 1863. He (fascinate) by machines, and as a child (build) rudimentary steam engines. He (leave) school at 15 to work on his father’s farm, but in 1879 he (move) to Detroit to work as an apprentice at the Michigan Car Company, which (make) railroad cars. He moved home for a while, and (do) several engineering jobs, before returning to Detroit to work as an engineer for the Edison Illuminating Company. At the same time, Ford (begin) to make a gasoline-driven car, Thin Lizzie, in his garden shed. He (persuade) a group of businessmen to back him, but a lack of experience (lead) to business failure—twice. His third business—the Ford Motor Company - (form) in 1903. Its first car, the Model A, (follow) by several other models until the company (strike) gold with the Model T: “a motorcar for the multitude.” By 1925 Ford was producing 10,000 cars every 24 hours, producing 60 percent of the US’s total output of cars. His last great innovation—at the age of 69—was the V8 engine. He (die) in 1947.

• an apprentice = someone who has agreed to work for a skilled person for a particular period of time and often for low payment, in order to learn that person's skills
• strike gold (idiom) = to make large profits or to become rich

Read the text about NANOTECHNOLOGY and choose the correct form of the verbs.

NANOTECHNOLOGY

Nanotechnology (nano means extremely small) is a relatively new technology which

QUALITY. Match the adjectives to the images.

Now Read the text about 'TWO KINDS OF QUALITY' and choose the correct answer.

Source: Pixabay

WHAT ARE TWO KINDS OF QUALITY?

As I write this, I'm travelling on a plane. The executive sitting next to me has carefully unpacked his Bose headphones and iPod Nano. Both these products have associations with quality, a concept which can be misunderstood but which is of great importance to success in business. The Japanese actually have two words for quality, and an understanding of each is necessary to compete today.

Quality remains an elusive target for many Western companies, even though the craze for quality has been around for some twenty years. Yes, progress has been made. In 1980 the average car produced by Ford had twice as many product flaws as the average Japanese car. By 1986, the Japanese auto industry lead over Ford had shrunk from 100 per cent to about 20 per cent, as Ford made quality its number one priority. But since that impressive burst of progress, many companies have struggled to keep up on quality, even as the Japanese began building more of their products in the West with local workers.

The truth is, the Japanese have an unfair advantage. Japanese culture intrinsically values quality and appreciates the small details. In fact, the Japanese expression for quality is atarimae hinshitsu, which can be roughly translated as 'taken-for-granted quality'. What do the Japanese take for granted when it comes to quality? They take for granted that things should work as they are supposed to, and they even see an elegance to things working properly, whether it's cars, subway schedules, traditional flower arranging or the famous tea ceremony.

Japanese manufacturers became so obsessed with taken-for-granted quality that they created a stream of innovations that built on the concepts of Ed Deming, the renowned quality-management consultant. Their innovations included lean manufacturing, just-in-time industry, and design for quality. In today's competitive markets, manufacturers need to make quick progress towards this kind of quality. If they don't, you can take for granted that they will go out of business. This is true even for small, entrepreneurial companies. The ability to create products and services that work is no longer a source of long-term competitive advantage. It has become just the price of admission to most markets. If the stuff your competitors make works better, your customers aren't going to be customers for long.

Though much improved, our quality record still isn't what it might be. Here are two traps I've seen a lot of companies fall into on the road to quality. One is, faking a commitment. There's no way around it. Whether you're adopting total quality management (TQM), or other quality schemes, these techniques require everyone in a company to learn how to think and work differently. Too many senior executives adopt the latest fads as they come and go, without taking the time to learn what these processes are and how they work. They leave the detail of quality to the folks below them: a sure way to have a quality program fail.

At the other extreme, some companies become so quality-process obsessed that quality-management techniques cease to be a tool to improve the company's performance and instead become an end in themselves. Statistical analysis should be used for questions for which a company doesn't readily have an answer. Instead, organizations sometimes go through long analytical processes for problems that a little common sense could have solved. And nothing sours an organization on quality faster than meaningless work.

That brings us to the second of the two Japanese expressions for quality: miryoku teki hinshitsu, which means 'enchanting quality'. This kind of quality appeals not to customer expectations about reliability — that things should do what they're supposed to — but rather to a person's aesthetic sense of beauty and elegance. That's what I think Apple Computer got right with the iPod and its many offspring. The nano belonging to the man sitting next to me is a marvel, not just of miniaturization, but of rounded edges in a world of sharp corners.

And as I put on my own Bose headphones, I realize how much I appreciate being able to retreat to my Zen space amid the rumble of the aircraft engines, rattling serving carts, and chattering passengers. If these products didn't work properly when you turned them on, nobody would buy them. They would lack atarimae hinshitsu. But with the hungry competitors in most markets today, taken¬for-granted quality by itself may not get the job done. (Adapted from: The Business 2.0. Upper-Intermediate)

Write the correct answer A, B, C or D.

1. What is the main advantage the Japanese have when it comes to quality? ANSWER: 

A. Their culture intrinsically values quality and the small details.

B. They have a stronger focus on quality control.

C. They have more advanced manufacturing technology.

D. They have more experienced quality management consultants.

2. What happened to the quality gap between Ford and Japanese cars over time? ANSWER: 

A. The gap remained the same.

B. The Japanese lead over Ford decreased from 100% to 20%.

C. The Japanese cars maintained a 100% lead over Ford.

D. Ford cars completely surpassed the quality of Japanese cars.

3. Producing reliable, heavy-duty products guarantees a strong market position. 

4. What is the meaning of "atarimae hinshitsu" according to the text? ANSWER: 

A. The taken-for-granted quality that things should work as expected. 

B. Innovative quality management techniques.

C. The aesthetic appeal of a product.

D. The obsession with quality in Japanese culture.

5. What is the author's main criticism of how some companies approach quality management? ANSWER: 

A. They become too focused on the processes rather than actual performance improvement.

B. They fail to commit resources and effort to implement quality programs effectively.

C. They rely too heavily on statistical analysis instead of using common sense.

D. All of the above.

6. Quality analysis is a sensible way to solve any performance problems.

7. Which aspect of product development is the concept of "enchanting quality" most closely associated with? ANSWER: 

A. Achieving the optimal balance between cost and performance.

B. Appealing to the aesthetic sensibilities of the consumer.

C. Integrating innovative features that exceed expectations.

D. Ensuring consistent quality across all product variants. 

8. What is the key difference between "atarimae hinshitsu" and "miryoku teki hinshitsu" as described in the text? ANSWER: 

A. There is no difference, they are synonymous terms.

B. "Atarimae hinshitsu" refers to the aesthetic appeal, while "miryoku teki hinshitsu" refers to the taken-for-granted quality.

C. "Atarimae hinshitsu" refers to the taken-for-granted quality, while "miryoku teki hinshitsu" refers to the aesthetic appeal.

D. "Atarimae hinshitsu" is more important for customer satisfaction, while "miryoku teki hinshitsu" is more important for business success.

9. Which of the following best describes the author's view on the importance of quality for businesses today? ANSWER: 

A. Quality is no longer a source of competitive advantage, it is just the price of entry.

B. Quality is still an elusive target for many Western companies.

C. Quality programs often fail due to lack of commitment from senior executives.

D. All of the above.

10. How do the Bose headphones and iPod Nano mentioned in the text represent the two types of quality described? ANSWER: 

A. They only represent "atarimae hinshitsu" (taken-for-granted quality).

B. They only represent "miryoku teki hinshitsu" (enchanting quality).

C. They represent both "atarimae hinshitsu" and "miryoku teki hinshitsu".

D. They do not represent either type of quality described in the text.

11. What is the main recommendation the text makes for manufacturers seeking to succeed in today's competitive markets? ANSWER: 

A. Adopting a rigorous quality management framework like Total Quality Management.

B. Striking a balance between taken-for-granted and enchanting quality.

C. Prioritising taken-for-granted quality over enchanting quality.

D. Investing in advanced manufacturing technologies to boost efficiency.

DO YOU REMEMBER VOCABULARY FROM THE TEXT ABOUT TWO KINDS OF QUALITY? Find words and expressions in the text with the following meanings.

1. for something (one word) - sudden and widespread enthusiasm for something, often short-lived.

2.  on something (two words) - stay informed about the latest developments in a particular area.

3.  (one word) - difficult to find, catch, or achieve.

4.  (one word) - a promise or pledge to do something or support a cause.

5.  (three words) - fail to appreciate the value of someone or something.

6.  (one word) - a person's child or children.

7.  (one word)  - imperfections or weaknesses in something.

8.  (one word) - a fashion or trend that is popular for a short period of time.

9.  (two words) - a factor that gives a company an edge over its competitors.

DO YOU REMEMBER VOCABULARY FROM THE TEXT ABOUT TWO KINDS OF QUALITY? Find words and expressions in the text with the following meanings.

1. for something (one word) - sudden and widespread enthusiasm for something, often short-lived.

2.  on something (two words) - stay informed about the latest developments in a particular area.

3.  (one word) - difficult to find, catch, or achieve.

4.  (one word) - a promise or pledge to do something or support a cause.

5.  (three words) - fail to appreciate the value of someone or something.

6.  (one word) - a person's child or children.

7.  (one word)  - imperfections or weaknesses in something.

8.  (one word) - a fashion or trend that is popular for a short period of time.

9.  (two words) - a factor that gives a company an edge over its competitors.

PREPOSITIONS. Complete the gaps with ONE word. Use the correct prepositions.

1. When he's done something wrong, he retreats  his bedroom.

2. The craze health foods has become big business.

3. There was a fad wearing flares (=flared jeans) a few years ago.

4. The market their products is shrinking.

5. The disagreement trade tariffs has soured relations between the two countries.

6. She seemed to take it granted that I would go with her to London.

7. The manager was taken aback the quality auditor's sudden question about the lean manufacturing techniques at their company. 

8. We were all enchanted (=delighted) the mountain scenery.

9. He succeeded  mapping out his career early on. 

10. Parents often fall the trap of trying to do everything for their children.

11. To be competitive, they paid low wages and cut corners health and safety.

12. They refused to comply the UN resolution.

READ THE SUMMARY OF THE TEXT 'TWO KINDS OF QUALITY' AND CHOOSE THE CORRECT OPTION.

Quality remains an elusive target for many

The truth is, the Japanese have unfair

Japanese

That brings us to the second of two Japanese expressions for quality:

In today’s competitive markets, manufacturers need to make quick progress towards the taken-for-granted kind of quality. If they don’t, they will go

Now Read the text about 'TWO KINDS OF QUALITY' and choose the correct answer.

Source: Pixabay

WHAT ARE TWO KINDS OF QUALITY?

As I write this, I'm travelling on a plane. The executive sitting next to me has carefully unpacked his Bose headphones and iPod Nano. Both these products have associations with quality, a concept which can be misunderstood but which is of great importance to success in business. The Japanese actually have two words for quality, and an understanding of each is necessary to compete today.

Quality remains an elusive target for many Western companies, even though the craze for quality has been around for some twenty years. Yes, progress has been made. In 1980 the average car produced by Ford had twice as many product flaws as the average Japanese car. By 1986, the Japanese auto industry lead over Ford had shrunk from 100 per cent to about 20 per cent, as Ford made quality its number one priority. But since that impressive burst of progress, many companies have struggled to keep up on quality, even as the Japanese began building more of their products in the West with local workers.

The truth is, the Japanese have an unfair advantage. Japanese culture intrinsically values quality and appreciates the small details. In fact, the Japanese expression for quality is atarimae hinshitsu, which can be roughly translated as 'taken-for-granted quality'. What do the Japanese take for granted when it comes to quality? They take for granted that things should work as they are supposed to, and they even see an elegance to things working properly, whether it's cars, subway schedules, traditional flower arranging or the famous tea ceremony.

Japanese manufacturers became so obsessed with taken-for-granted quality that they created a stream of innovations that built on the concepts of Ed Deming, the renowned quality-management consultant. Their innovations included lean manufacturing, just-in-time industry, and design for quality. In today's competitive markets, manufacturers need to make quick progress towards this kind of quality. If they don't, you can take for granted that they will go out of business. This is true even for small, entrepreneurial companies. The ability to create products and services that work is no longer a source of long-term competitive advantage. It has become just the price of admission to most markets. If the stuff your competitors make works better, your customers aren't going to be customers for long.

Though much improved, our quality record still isn't what it might be. Here are two traps I've seen a lot of companies fall into on the road to quality. One is, faking a commitment. There's no way around it. Whether you're adopting total quality management (TQM), or other quality schemes, these techniques require everyone in a company to learn how to think and work differently. Too many senior executives adopt the latest fads as they come and go, without taking the time to learn what these processes are and how they work. They leave the detail of quality to the folks below them: a sure way to have a quality program fail.

At the other extreme, some companies become so quality-process obsessed that quality-management techniques cease to be a tool to improve the company's performance and instead become an end in themselves. Statistical analysis should be used for questions for which a company doesn't readily have an answer. Instead, organizations sometimes go through long analytical processes for problems that a little common sense could have solved. And nothing sours an organization on quality faster than meaningless work.

That brings us to the second of the two Japanese expressions for quality: miryoku teki hinshitsu, which means 'enchanting quality'. This kind of quality appeals not to customer expectations about reliability — that things should do what they're supposed to — but rather to a person's aesthetic sense of beauty and elegance. That's what I think Apple Computer got right with the iPod and its many offspring. The nano belonging to the man sitting next to me is a marvel, not just of miniaturization, but of rounded edges in a world of sharp corners.

And as I put on my own Bose headphones, I realize how much I appreciate being able to retreat to my Zen space amid the rumble of the aircraft engines, rattling serving carts, and chattering passengers. If these products didn't work properly when you turned them on, nobody would buy them. They would lack atarimae hinshitsu. But with the hungry competitors in most markets today, taken¬for-granted quality by itself may not get the job done. (Adapted from: The Business 2.0. Upper-Intermediate)

Write the correct answer A, B, C or D.

1. What is the main advantage the Japanese have when it comes to quality? ANSWER: 

A. Their culture intrinsically values quality and the small details.

B. They have a stronger focus on quality control.

C. They have more advanced manufacturing technology.

D. They have more experienced quality management consultants.

2. What happened to the quality gap between Ford and Japanese cars over time? ANSWER: 

A. The gap remained the same.

B. The Japanese lead over Ford decreased from 100% to 20%.

C. The Japanese cars maintained a 100% lead over Ford.

D. Ford cars completely surpassed the quality of Japanese cars.

3. Producing reliable, heavy-duty products guarantees a strong market position. 

4. What is the meaning of "atarimae hinshitsu" according to the text? ANSWER: 

A. The taken-for-granted quality that things should work as expected. 

B. Innovative quality management techniques.

C. The aesthetic appeal of a product.

D. The obsession with quality in Japanese culture.

5. What is the author's main criticism of how some companies approach quality management? ANSWER: 

A. They become too focused on the processes rather than actual performance improvement.

B. They fail to commit resources and effort to implement quality programs effectively.

C. They rely too heavily on statistical analysis instead of using common sense.

D. All of the above.

6. Quality analysis is a sensible way to solve any performance problems.

7. Which aspect of product development is the concept of "enchanting quality" most closely associated with? ANSWER: 

A. Achieving the optimal balance between cost and performance.

B. Appealing to the aesthetic sensibilities of the consumer.

C. Integrating innovative features that exceed expectations.

D. Ensuring consistent quality across all product variants. 

8. What is the key difference between "atarimae hinshitsu" and "miryoku teki hinshitsu" as described in the text? ANSWER: 

A. There is no difference, they are synonymous terms.

B. "Atarimae hinshitsu" refers to the aesthetic appeal, while "miryoku teki hinshitsu" refers to the taken-for-granted quality.

C. "Atarimae hinshitsu" refers to the taken-for-granted quality, while "miryoku teki hinshitsu" refers to the aesthetic appeal.

D. "Atarimae hinshitsu" is more important for customer satisfaction, while "miryoku teki hinshitsu" is more important for business success.

9. Which of the following best describes the author's view on the importance of quality for businesses today? ANSWER: 

A. Quality is no longer a source of competitive advantage, it is just the price of entry.

B. Quality is still an elusive target for many Western companies.

C. Quality programs often fail due to lack of commitment from senior executives.

D. All of the above.

10. How do the Bose headphones and iPod Nano mentioned in the text represent the two types of quality described? ANSWER: 

A. They only represent "atarimae hinshitsu" (taken-for-granted quality).

B. They only represent "miryoku teki hinshitsu" (enchanting quality).

C. They represent both "atarimae hinshitsu" and "miryoku teki hinshitsu".

D. They do not represent either type of quality described in the text.

11. What is the main recommendation the text makes for manufacturers seeking to succeed in today's competitive markets? ANSWER: 

A. Adopting a rigorous quality management framework like Total Quality Management.

B. Striking a balance between taken-for-granted and enchanting quality.

C. Prioritising taken-for-granted quality over enchanting quality.

D. Investing in advanced manufacturing technologies to boost efficiency.

Before reading the text about 'TWO KINDS OF QUALITY', match some vocabulary from the text on the right with their definitions on the left.