a) any person who signs any kind of legal document
b) a person or group of people who take part in a legal agreement or dispute.
c) one of two or more people who runs a business.
2. The investor of the public company has a right to sell the shares belonging to him....
a) only with the permission of the Board of Directors.
b) without the consent of other shareholders of the company.
c) only to the shareholders of the same company.
3. A sole/ individual proprietor is...
a) the managing director of the company.
b) an individual doing business on his own behalf.
c) a hired person in charge of the operation of the company.
Exercise 8
Replace the words in italics with expressions from the text which have the same meaning.
1. The sole proprietor may keep all the profits derived from his business.
2. A sole proprietorship is the easiest to initiate and the easiest to terminate.
3. The joint owners owe all the liabilities and pay personal income taxes on their part of the profits.
4. In the case of business failure, the responsibility of the corporation for its debts is limited.
5. The board of directors keeps part of the profits to increase the capital of the
corporation.
6. The stockholders pay personal income taxes on their profits from stock.
7. The activities of the corporation are closely watched by the government.
Exercise 9
Writing. Make a list of advantages and disadvantages of the three legal forms. Share your findings with the group.
Exercise 10
Speaking. Pair work.Work with your partner and discuss which legal form is better for what kind of business, e.g., for a flower shop, an oil company, a law firm. Give arguments to support your statement. Share your opinions with your group mates.
Exercise 11
Speaking. Role play. Work in groups (or pairs). One of you is a lawyer. Advise your clients who want to start a new business which form to choose. Give your pros and cons. Ask your clients questions about their wishes as t the size of the company, availability of capital, responsibility for decision-making, liability. Your clients should ask you about advantages and disadvantages of each of the legal forms and answer your questions and then come to the mutual decision which form to choose.