Quarterly performance memo

Reading strategy

Grasp the text's purpose first from its title and type.
Do not stop at unknown words; follow the flow. Hover the underlined key words to jump to the vocabulary track.
Find the clue each question asks about directly in the passage.

Passage

Memo: Quarterly Performance Review

This quarter has been one of the strongest in our company history. Our total revenue increased by 12 percent compared to the same period last year, largely because the sales team exceeded its targets in both the domestic and overseas markets.

Overall productivity across all departments improved as well, thanks to the new project-management software introduced in January. Employees reported that the tool, which automates routine tasks, has freed up more time for creative work.

However, not every figure was positive. Shipping expenses rose sharply because of higher fuel costs, and this trend is expected to continue into the next quarter. Management will therefore review the logistics budget and look for suppliers that can offer more stable rates.

To prepare for the upcoming planning meeting, please send your department reports to the finance team by Friday. Each report should include a short summary of your key results and any challenges you expect in the months ahead. Your input will help us set realistic goals for the next quarter, and it will be greatly appreciated.

Hover the underlined words for their definition and a link to the vocabulary track.

Sentence structure

Key sentences split into meaning units, showing the role of each part.

Our total revenue increased by 12 percent compared to the same period last year, largely because the sales team exceeded its targets.

SubjectOur total revenuesubject (revenue)

Predicateincreasedmain verb (intransitive)

Modifierby 12 percentamount of change (by ...)

Modifiercompared to the same period last yearcomparison baseline (participial)

Clauselargely because the sales team exceeded its targetsreason clause (because ...)

The verb "increased" is intransitive, so it takes no object and marks the degree with "by 12 percent" — in English, the size of a change is often written as "by + figure." "compared to ..." is a participial phrase adding the comparison baseline, and after the comma "because ..." is an adverbial clause giving the reason for the rise. The adverb "largely" signals that this reason is the main one.

Employees reported that the tool, which automates routine tasks, has freed up more time for creative work.

SubjectEmployeesmain subject

Predicatereportedmain verb (reported)

Clausethat the toolnoun clause; its subject "the tool"

Clause, which automates routine tasks,inserted relative clause

Predicatehas freed up more time for creative workclause predicate (present perfect)

The "that" clause in "reported that ..." is the object of "reported." The subject of that clause is "the tool," and right after it a comma relative clause "which automates routine tasks" is inserted to describe the tool, before the clause predicate "has freed up ..." continues. Skip the inserted clause for a moment and "the tool has freed up more time" stands out as the backbone of the clause — the key skill for reading long sentences.

Questions

Q1How did revenue change this quarter?

Q2Why did shipping expenses rise?

Q3What should staff send to the finance team by Friday?