[originaltext]M: Hello, Tom Grossman’s office. How may I help you?W: Hi, Tom.

M: Hello, Tom Grossman’s office. How may I help you?
W: Hi, Tom. This is Cindy Lim from MicroMax.
M: Hey, Cindy. What’s up?
W: It’s about the last order your company placed with us.
M: Let’s see. You mean the order for six containers of chipboards?
W: Yep, that’s the one. Now I know we originally agreed on the price, but there’s a little problem. (1-1)Yesterday one of our major suppliers notified us that they are raising prices.
M: That’s never good.
W: Also, (1-2)due to recent jumps in energy prices, our shipping agent is also upping fees. I guess what I’m getting at is that we just can’t offer our product at the original price anymore.
M: Well, how much more are you asking for?
W: We need to ask for another 25% .
M: 25%! That’s a huge increase, Cindy.
W: Tom, you are one of our most valued customers. Your business is important to us, but this situation is out of our hands.
M: I understand that your company needs to make a profit. But it’s going to be very hard for me to pass on these increases to our customers.
W: I feel your pain, Tom.(2)We are also in hot water these days. The global financial crisis is hitting all of us hard.
M: Is there any way we could cut costs in other areas?(3-1)Could we find a new shipping agent?
W: Yes, we could do that.(3-2)But in the end it still comes down to protecting our bottom line.
M: Look, I understand that prices for everything are going up these days.(4)It’s a tough time to be in business. My company had to lay off over 100 employees last summer: but 25% is just too much.
W: You and I go a long way back, Tom. I’ll do everything in my power to be flexible. How about 22% ?
M: It’s still too high. Our board of directors is already going to give me a hard time over this. Can you do better?
W: Tom, seeing as I’ve known you for over 10 years and because this price increase really came out of the blue, I think I can go down to 20% . But that’s really the best I can do.
M: How about this:(5)I’ll pay 15% more for this shipment. Then for the next order we’ll boost it up to 18% .
W: I appreciate your understanding, Tom. And I’m sorry for the trouble this has caused you.
M: Ah, that’s all right. I know it’s not your fault. Prices for everything these days are insane.
W: Still, I appreciate your understanding. Let’s get together for lunch next time you’re in town.
M: Sure thing.
W: Thanks again, Tom.
1. Which is NOT the reason why the woman’s company is raising prices?
2. What does the woman say about their situation?
3. What would happen if they find a new shipping agent?
4. What happened to the man’s company last summer?
5. How much more will the man’s company pay for this shipment?