Английский язык. Higher education

What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?

Telesales! You have to telephone people and try to sell them doors and windows. Work conditions are terrible – you can’t have a break, and if you want to go to the toilet, you have to ask for permission, and then they time you! Nightmare.

Rob: an actor

What’s the worst thing that has ever happened in your job?

So many bad things happened – but I think my worst moment was when I read my best bad review in the newspaper. They wrote terrible things about me, and I was so upset. Now I don’t read my reviews any more.

Have you ever done any other jobs?

Oh, yes. I’ve done hundreds of jobs over the years. Before I got my first big part, I was working as a waiter.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?

The worst job I’ve ever done was at an egg-packing factory. I stood for hours and hours at the end of a conveyor belt, putting eggs into boxes. It was noisy, boring and worst of all, the smell was disgusting – I’ve never eaten an egg since.

Read the article again and find words to complete the sentences below. The first letter of each word has been given to you.

The boss had a very n____ temper and he was and he was always shouting at me.

I never had any time o____: I even had to work at weekends!

I had to work non-stop from nine to six without having a proper b____ .

I wasn’t allowed to do anything at all without asking the boss for p____ .

The machines were so ____ that I couldn’t hear myself speak.

The conditions were d____ ! I had a shower every day as soon as I got home.

Work with a partner. Discuss these questions.

Do you know anybody who has had to work under conditions like these?

What are the worst conditions you’ve had to work under?

What do you think is the worst job in the world?

PART II

DIRECTIONS:

Is the job you have chosen the right job for you? Find out by doing this quiz. Tick (_ˇ) the statements you agree with and also guess what statements your partner might choose. After everybody is ready see whether your guess was right.

Job Quiz.

I'd love to do a parachute jump.

I don't like telling people what to do.

I prefer spending time on my own rather than in a crowd.

I find it easy to set myself objectives.

I have difficulty making decisions.

I find it difficult getting to know new people.

I'd love to travel abroad.

Friends sometimes complain that I order them around.

I like to have the advice and support of people more experienced than myself.

I don't like volunteering opinions in case they are unpopular.

I like to try to find new solutions to old problems.

I would prefer to be team captain than team member.

I get embarrassed easily.

I don't mind where I go with my friends as long as they are happy.

I like the latest fashions.

I like to be fully responsible for anything that I do.

Now add up your ticks and check your scores. Three or four ticks in any category indicates personality characteristics you should take account of when choosing a job.

Scoring A 1 7 11 15

B 2 5 9 14

C 3 6 10 13

D 4 8 12 16

Personality types:

A characteristics

The entrepreneur. You are the adventurous type. You enjoy new challenges and taking risks. You could find success in stock market dealing rooms or anywhere you can put your flashes of genius to good use.

B characteristics

The team worker. You work well with others but dislike having responsibility for other people, preferring to implement other people's plans rather than your own. You would probably do well in the armed forces or the Civil Service.

C characteristics

The backroom worker. You are a little shy, and find it difficult to mix with new people. You would do well in any behind the scenes job where you don't have to come face to face with strangers every day, such as a researcher or librarian.

D characteristics

The leader. You are confident in your abilities and you prefer to be in charge rather than to take orders. You enjoy having lots of people around you and would do well in a managerial post or any job which involves selling.

ACTIVITY H

SUPPLEMENTARY READING:

PART I

DIRECTIONS: Read the text.

TEXT 2 My future career