Correct Answer: Ontario
Passage Reference: We are an Ontario-registered distributor of solar water heating systems for residential and small business applications.
Why this is correct: Jacob's company is an Ontario-registered distributor, so Ontario is the registration province named in the opening.
Tips: Several provinces appear in this letter. Find the one joined to the word 'registered'.
Why the other options are wrong:
- Quebec: Quebec is not named as the registration province.
- Alberta: The company expanded into Alberta later. It is registered in Ontario.
- British Columbia: British Columbia is a desired distribution area, not the registration province.
Correct Answer: a distributorship
Passage Reference: We are interested in being a distributor of your Water Plus home water filtration systems in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Why this is correct: Jacob opens by saying his company wants to distribute Water Plus systems in three provinces, and he asks how to proceed. The whole letter works toward this one request, so it mainly asks for a distributorship.
Tips: To find what a whole letter asks for, ask what request every paragraph works toward. The profile and the growth figures all support it.
Why the other options are wrong:
- the purchase of the manufacturer: The proposal is distribution, not ownership.
- a merger of the two companies: No merger is proposed.
- employment within Water Plus: Jacob represents another business.
Correct Answer: solar water-heating systems
Passage Reference: We are an Ontario-registered distributor of solar water heating systems for residential and small business applications.
Why this is correct: Jacob describes the company's present products as solar water-heating systems. This is the business it already operates.
Tips: Notice the difference between what a company sells now and what it wants to add.
Why the other options are wrong:
- commercial bottled water: No bottled-water business is described.
- industrial drainage systems: The current products are solar water heaters.
- Water Plus filtration units: That is the proposed addition.
Correct Answer: 600%
Passage Reference: Ontario, we have expanded to the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, registering expansion of no less than 800% in customer base and 600% in revenues over the last five years.
Why this is correct: The letter reports revenue growth of 600%. That figure covers the last five years.
Tips: Match each percentage with both what it measures and its time period.
Why the other options are wrong:
- 800%: That is customer-base growth.
- 15%: That is the industry’s reported average growth.
- 200%: That figure is not given.
Correct Answer: its current customer base
Passage Reference: We can effectively leverage our present customers and our strength in new customer acquisition into the business.
Why this is correct: Jacob plans to build on the customers his company already serves. Those present customers form its current customer base.
Tips: Find where Jacob writes about his company's plans. Compare his words with each option, one by one.
Why the other options are wrong:
- the manufacturer’s overseas outlets: No such outlets are mentioned.
- only customers not yet acquired: Existing customers are specifically cited.
- a recently purchased customer list: No purchase is described.
Correct Answer: a meeting about distribution
Passage Reference: We invite you to go through it and to let us know if we can meet next week, to explore in greater detail our distributorship proposal.
Why this is correct: Jacob invites Mr. Thomas to meet and discuss the distributorship proposal. The purpose is a meeting about distribution.
Tips: Find where Jacob asks about next week. Read the words that follow to learn the reason.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a public launch with customers: The proposal is a business meeting.
- a confirmed first delivery: Terms are not agreed.
- a visit to repair faulty units: No faulty units are mentioned.
Correct Answer: solar water-heating systems
Passage Reference: We are an Ontario-registered distributor of solar water heating systems for residential and small business applications.
Why this is correct: Albert notes that Jacob's current business supplies solar water-heating systems and that Jacob wants to add filtration products.
Tips: Jacob mentions products he sells now and products he wants to add. Keep those two groups apart.
Why the other options are wrong:
- municipal drainage equipment: Drainage equipment is never mentioned.
- bottled drinking water: The letter is about filtration systems and solar heating, not bottled water.
- home filtration systems: Filtration is what Jacob wants to add, not what he already distributes.
Correct Answer: your company profile
Passage Reference: We are enclosing our company profile.
Why this is correct: Jacob enclosed his company profile with the proposal. Albert says this is what Water Plus will review first.
Tips: When a reply says something was included, find the attachment named in the original message.
Why the other options are wrong:
- your warranty claim: No claim is involved.
- your signed distribution agreement: No agreement is signed.
- your first order invoice: No first order exists.
Correct Answer: your existing customer relationships
Passage Reference: We can effectively leverage our present customers and our strength in new customer acquisition into the business.
Why this is correct: Jacob says his company can introduce the products through its present customers. Albert calls these your existing customer relationships in his reply.
Tips: Watch for paraphrase. The reply often says the same idea as the letter in different words.
Why the other options are wrong:
- your newly opened filtration factory: Jacob is a distributor, not a stated manufacturer.
- our confirmed purchase of your company: No acquisition is agreed.
- a government supply contract: No such contract is mentioned.
Correct Answer: a meeting next week
Passage Reference: We invite you to go through it and to let us know if we can meet next week, to explore in greater detail our distributorship proposal.
Why this is correct: Jacob suggests meeting during the following week. Albert asks for two possible times for a meeting next week.
Tips: Track both the activity and its date when a reply refers back to a suggestion.
Why the other options are wrong:
- delivery this afternoon: No delivery is proposed.
- an immediate public launch: The next step is discussion.
- a meeting next year: The proposed time is next week.
Correct Answer: commits to an agreement
Passage Reference: A meeting would allow us to explain our requirements before either company {5}.
Why this is correct: The meeting is for reviewing requirements before either company commits to an agreement. The reply keeps the proposal at an exploratory stage.
Tips: The word 'before' tells you this step has not happened yet. Ask what a first business meeting usually comes before.
Why the other options are wrong:
- starts refunding a completed order: No completed order exists.
- confirms that no discussion is needed: A meeting is clearly suggested.
- treats the proposal as already approved: The requirements still need discussion.
