Match the headings A-H to the paragraphs 1-6. There are two extra headings that you do not need to use.

A. A bit of everything

B. Capital job

C. Entertain us

D. For artistic people

E. Get people to help

F. Mummy wanted

G. Strawberry fields

H. Work in sale

Complete the definitions with highlighted words from the text. Change the form of the word when necessary.

1 A _____ is another word for a job or position.

2 A ______ is a job that is available and people can apply for it.

3 _____ is time that you spend working in your job in addition to your normal working hours.

4 A ______ is a previous employer’s opinion of a candidate for ma job.

5 A _____ is one of the periods (usually day/night) into which a day’s work is divided in a hospital or factory.

6 ______ are small jobs of various kinds.

TOPICS

Read the texts and create your own topic about your job, career, working conditions, salary and colleagues.

Anna, 18

‘I work in a factory. My working hours are 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Monday to Friday. I have a one-hour lunch break at 12.30. The routine is the same every day. My job is very boring but the pay is quite good. My colleagues and I don’t really talk to each other, but I have a lot of friends outside work. My job is just a way to earn money.

Tony, 23

‘I’m a computer programmer. I work a 40-hour week. We have flexible hours so I can start and finish when I want. If we are very busy then I work overtime. I get paid extra for this. There are always problems to solve. This can be difficult, but it can also be quite creative. I earn a good salary, but my job doesn’t rule my life. I like to do different things in my free time.

Erika, 25

‘ I’m a doctor in a large hospital. I work very long hours – 60 – 70 hours a week – often in the evenings and at weekends. The work is really interesting but it can also be quite stressful. I love my job and my colleagues are also my friends. I don’t have time for a social life. When I get home, I’m too tired to do anything except have dinner and watch TV.’

NINE TO FIVE

Name: Marcus Willis

Job: Pizza delivery man

Wages: $ 6.00/hour

So you think my job is simple? You take pizza from the shop, drive around town, go back to the shop and repeat. Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy. I don’t earn much per hour so I have to work long hours – sometimes I start at 3 p.m. and finish at 2 a.m. I drive about 80 miles a night and I have to use my own car because the company doesn’t give me one. Another problem is the tips. Customers don’t have to give me extra money, but with no tips I don’t earn much. When I finish driving, I have to serve customers in the shop with the other workers. And my boss? Does he have to meet customers? No, he doesn’t. He just has to sit in his office and answer the phone before he goes home at 6 p.m. After reading this, I hope you will be nice to the drivers who deliver pizza to your house!

 

PART 2

EXAM PAPER

Read the text

Parvin Calder, a businesswoman

Parvin Calder, aged 37, decided to set up her own IT consultancy three years ago. Her brothers are businessmen, so she was able to draw on their advice and experience. The first two years were difficult, but she now has a good base of regular customers. Most large organizations would rather buy in freelance help than employ their own full-time staff. She has taken on twelve other IT specialists. At first, Parvin worked 60 hours a week and at weekends. It wasn’t a job back then, it was more a way of life,’ she says. Now the business is established, she still does a 40-hour week, but never works on Sundays. Her husband, Barry, looks after their three children. “I am only doing what many successful businessmen do – though I would never sacrifice my marriage and family to my business,’ she says. They don’t have time for long holidays, but often go away for long weekends.

 

Answer the questions.

1 How did her life change when she was 37?

2 Who could she rely on in her business?

3 What period was the most difficult?

4 Does she employ many full-time employees?

5 How many IT specialists are working for her now?

6 How much did she have to work at first?

7 How much does she work at present?

8 Does she have to pay a babysitter to look after her children?

9 Is she really to sacrifice her family to the business?

10 Does she go on long holidays?