Supplementary Materials for Grade 12 Students – Fast-track Programme

Unit 8. THE WORLD OF WORK

Worksheet no 1
Part I. PHONETICS
Exercise 1. Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other
three in pronunciation in each of the following questions.
1. A. advertisement B. applicant C. candidate D. management
2. A. relevant B. energetic C. enthusiastic D. engineer
3. A. organized B. prioritize C. important D. opportunity
4. A. competitive B. entrepreneur C. apprenticeship D. conscientious
5. A. challenging B. energetic C. management D. organized
Exercise 2. Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word that differs from the other three in the position
of the primary stress in each of the following questions.
6. A. experience B. apprenticeship C. administration D. prioritize
7. A. advertisement B. probation C. competitive D. relevant
8. A. organization B. enthusiastic C. compassionate D. qualification
9. A. encourage B. interview C. graduate D. organize
10. A. successful B. significant C. experienced D. challenging
Part II. VOCABULARY
Exercise 3. Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
11. He has all the right ____ for the job.
A. certificates B. degrees C. diplomas D. qualifications
12. Employers always want job ____ to be able to demonstrate their skills and qualities.
A. employees B. workers C. staff D. applicants
13. There are usually a lot of job seekers applying for one position. Only a few of them are ____ for an
interview.
A. shortlisted B. listed C. screened D. tested
14. My application was not successful; there were more than 4,000 applicants and only 20 were selected. I
realized that apprenticeship were very ____.
A. demanding B. crowding C. competitive D. difficult 104
15. When preparing a CV, university ____ can consider attaching a separate report about official work
experience during the course.
A. graduates B. leavers C. candidates D. applicants
16. An apprentice is required to do several years' ____.
A. coaching B. education C. formation D. training
17. A doctor is a member of a respected ____.
A. occupation B. profession C. trade D. work
18. You'll probably have to ____ an application form.
A. fill down B. fill in C. fill on D. fill through
19. Some of my work is interesting, but a lot of it is just ____.
A. habit B. practice C. tradition D. routine
20. If you are paid monthly, rather than weekly, you receive ____.
A. revenue B. a reward C. a salary D. wages
21. The purpose of running a business is to make a ____.
A. service B. profit C. money D. contribution
22. Many young people travel all over the world and do all kinds of jobs before they ____.

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A. lie down B. settle down C. touch down D. put down

23. You can earn more money by working ____.
A. extraordinary hours B. overhours C. overtime D. supplementary hours
24. It's difficult these days for a young person to find a well-paid ____ job.
A. eternal B. reliable C. permanent D. stable
25. She was ____ after three years with the company.
A. advanced B. raised C. elevated D. promoted
Exercise 4. Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined
word(s) in each of the following questions.
26. My work is challenging, of course, because it involves both a sales function and a technique function.
A. fascinating B. rewarding C. stimulating D. demanding
27. I've been working here for over ten years now and I'm on first-name terms with everyone, even the CEO.
A. getting on B. happy
C. having an informal/friendly relationship D. satisfied
28. Jane used to be very excellent as a child and now she's the CEO of a big multi-national company. However,
her brother is a blue-collar worker in a small local factory.
A. mental B. low-paid C. manual D. regular
29. When applying for a certain job, you'll be at an advantage if you have hands-on experience.
A. relevant B. prior C. practical D. considerable
30. When the factory closed, over a hundred people were made redundant.
A. fired B. sacked C. laid off D. appointed
Exercise 5. Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined
word(s) in each of the following questions.
31. Should you hire a full-time employee on a permanent contract?
A. long-term B. long-lasting C. temporary D. limited
32. If the candidates can perform well and impress the interviewers during the interview, they can be recruited.
A. taken on B. dismissed C. employed D. chosen
33. To become a librarian, you need to be really well-organized.
A. in order B. neat and tidy C. compassionate D. messy
34. What exactly are white collar workers? They are people who work in offices and administrative positions.
A. manual B. intellectual C. official D. desk-job
35. Most, not to say all of the employers want to look for candidates with punctuality, so make sure you make a
positive impression on them by showing up on time for the interview.
A. good time management B. ability to meet deadlines C. being late D. being in time
Part III. GRAMMAR
Exercise 6. Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
36. Bill asked me why ____ to go shopping with me.
A. I hadn't invited him B. hadn't I invited him
C. I hadn't him invited D. hadn't I him invited
37. "Don't come to the interview late," my mom said.
A. My mom told me do not come to the interview late.
B. My mom told me did not come to the interview late.
C. My mom told me not to come to the interview late.
D. My mom told me not coming to the interview late.
38. "I will help you with your CV, Mary," Peter said.

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A. Peter advised Mary to write the CV. B. Peter promised to help Mary with her CV.
C. Peter advised Mary not to write her CV. D. Peter wanted Mary to help with the CV.
39. “____,” the doctor advised his patient.
A. You had better stop drinking B. You had better to drink
C. I would like you to drink D. Please drink some more
40. The woman said she ____ in this company for over 20 years.
A. has been working B. was working C. had been working D. works
41. US scientists claim that they ____ a new vaccine against malaria.
A. were developed B. have developed C. had developed D. was developing
42. The lecturer recommended ____ a number of books before the exam.
A. reading B. to read C. we reading D. to have read
43. The boss ____ because he was always behind the deadlines.
A. threatened to dismiss him B. suggested him to dismiss
C. threatened him to dismiss D. promised him to dismiss
44. “____,” the workers refused.
A. We would like to work overtime
B. We had better work overtime
C. We're afraid that we really don't want to work overtime
D. We're willing to work overtime
45. “____,” Paul reminded me.
A. Don't forget to tailor your CV to match the job descriptions
B. I would tailor your CV if you do not mind
C. I remember to tailor the CV
D. I remember tailoring your CV
46. Ellie asked Stan ____ to look at the new catalogue.
A. did he want B. do you want C. whether he wants D. if he wanted
47. Stephen ____ me he'd bought that suit in a sale.
A. said B. spoke C. told D. claimed
48. It's about time Mrs Richards apologized to me ____ me a gossip in front of everybody.
A. to have called B. from calling C. that she called D. for having called
49. She may claim ____ a PhD but nobody's ever actually seen the certificate.
A. having B. to have C. for having D. if she has
50. Tammy responded ____ that at least she'd never lied to her parents.
A. to say B. that she said C. by saying D. with having said
51. They said they had got back ____.
A. the following day B. the day after tomorrow C. the next day D. the previous day
52. The accused denied ____ in the vicinity of the murder scene.
A. to have ever been B. have ever been C. having been ever D. ever having been
53. We complained ____ the manager ____ the poor service we received at the restaurant.
A. on - about B. at - for C. with - of D. to - about
54. The old man warned the young boys ____ in the deep river.
A. to swim B. not to swim C. don't swim D. against not swimming
55. “You must give me your essays,” Mrs. Vine said.
Mrs. Vine said we ____ give her our essays.
A. were having to B. will have to C. had to D. would have to

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Exercise 7. Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the
following questions.
56. He complained with his friends about the terrible working condition at that factory.
A B C D
57. She refused to tell me what was the director's salary was because that information was confidential.
A B C D
58. The applicant asked the head of the human resources department to tell him what the skills he needed in
A B C D
order to get that job.
59. She asked me what the most important thing to remember at an interview is.
A B C D
60. We were disappointed when the receptionist tells that the hotel was fully booked that week.
A B C D
Part IV. SPEAKING
Exercise 8. Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct response to each of the following exchanges.
61. "Hello, may I speak to the manager please?" “____”
A. No, you may not. B. That's OK. C. Hold on, please D. You're welcome.
62. "Your email was a bit of a shock: Rob trying to sell the coffee shop to Café Pronto. I couldn't believe it!”
A. Me, too. B. So could I. C. I couldn't, too. D. Me neither.
63. “Congratulations! You did a great job!” “ ____”
A. It's my pleasure. B. You're welcome. C. It's nice of you to say so. D. That's OK.
64. “What do you do?” “____”
A. What do you do? B. I work in advertising.
C. I do as an advertiser. D. I am an advert.
65. “That'new French restaurant does a fixed price menu for only £18.” “____”
A. It's very good value for money. B. l'll save a bit of money.
C. What a waste of money. D. It costs a fortune.
66. "Can I pay by credit card?" "____”
A. Well, there's 10% off if you pay cash. B. Yes, I think I've got some pound coins.
C. Yes, we take Visa and Master card. D. Not too bad.
67. "Mandy doesn't seem very happy at the moment. Is she finding the course difficult?" “____”
A. No, the course is difficult. B. No, she's going to drop out.
C. Yes, she's happy. D. Yes, I think she's going to drop out and get a job.
68. "Hi, Susie, I haven't seen you around much recently." “____”
A. No, I've been at home revising most nights. B. Me neither.
C. Well, me too. D. I haven't seen you for ages, either.
69. "What gave you the impression that Greg was depressed?" “____”
A. Mary told me. B. Oh, I don't know. He just seemed a bit down.
C. He depressed me. D. He's really depressing.
70. "What are your weaknesses?" “____”
A. I'm not weak. B. In fact, I'm very strong.
C. Well, I suppose I'm a bit of a perfectionist. D. I'm perfect
Part V. READING
Exercise 9. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or
phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

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A MORE COMMERCIAL TUNE

Roger Press, 40, has changed his career. After spending five years (71) ____ a concert pianist he has
gone into business, recently (72) ____ up his own company. "After leaving university I decided to (73)
____ myself to a career in music. I loved performing but it was very hard (74) ____. I played at concerts
in Europe and America, made recordings and got good (75) ____. But after a while I felt I had gone as
(76) ____ as I could. Unless you are one of the world's top pianists, it's difficult to earn a good (77)
____ and I wasn't one of the greatest.
When I (78) ____ up my performing career, people around me were more sad and disappointed than I
was. But I felt free and (79) ____ I knew I was getting serious about life. After getting a (80) ____ in
business administration I joined the recording company EMI and started their classical video division,
producing programs about famous artists. A year ago I left EMI and formed a new company, New
Media System, which (81) ____ in multimedia programs.
Now that I run my own business I'm in control of my life and I feel proud of my achievements.
Although the stress is high and I work (82) ____ hours, the stress involved in piano playing was much
worse. It took physical, emotional and mental skills. I prefer the pressures I live with now.'
71. A. like B. working C. how D. as
72. A. giving B. setting C. forming D. bringing
73. A. devote B. take C. assign D. employ
74. A. job B. effort C. work D. career
75. A. reviews B. critics C. reports D. praise
76. A. soon B. often C. far D. much
77. A. life B. living C. money D. payment
78. A. took B. brought C. gave D. put
79. A. lastly B. at last C. at the end D. lately
80. A. qualification B. title C. graduate D. grade
81. A. specializes B. focuses C. concentrates D. dedicates
82. A. overtime B. large C. long D. bonus
Exercise 11. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to
each of the questions.
A WRITER'S LIFE: G P TAYLOR
J. K. Rowling may be responsible for the revival of fantasy fiction. But her contemporary rivals, many
of whom have benefited from her success, seem reluctant to give her credit for starting a trend. Philip
Pullman, for example, points out that Northern Lights, the first volume in his trilogy His Dark
Materials, was published a year before Harry Potter's adventures began. So it comes as a surprise when
G P Taylor concedes that he only wrote a novel because of the enormous popularity of Harry Potter.
Taylor is the Yorkshire vicar who sold his motorbike to self-publish 2,000 copies of his first novel,
Shadowmancer, a book that was subsequently picked up by publishers Faber and got to number one in
the New York Times bestseller list. His novels conjure up dark, chilling worlds in which the super
natural threatens to take over, yet he describes his life as a writer in flatly functional terms. For example,
he is able to name the exact day that he became a novelist: March 21, 2002. 'It was one of those seminal
moments in my life. Harry Potter was becoming very popular. And I thought, “This woman's written a
book. I might write one." ’
‘I got a copy of Harry Potter, counted the number of words that were on the page, measured the width of
the margin, counted the number of chapters in the book, how many pages were in the book and set my

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computer screen up so that it would have 468 Words on the page. My chapters were the same length as
the Harry Potter chapters; I thought, “This must be how you write the book.”
The Harry Potter formula has its faults, of course. Stephen King was once asked what he thought of
Rowling's novels. Were they thought-provoking'? King thought not. But did that matter, he wondered,
in a 'fantasy-adventure aimed primarily at children and published in the heart of the summer vacation'?
His conclusion was unequivocal: ‘Of course not. What kids on summer vacation want - and probably
deserve - is simple, uncomplicated fun.'
Shadowmancer is a simple and uncomplicated fantasy - and Taylor, who is his own most effective critic,
makes few further claims for the novel. 'It's a great story, but if I'd written it now, it would be a
completely different book. In many ways, it's a clumsy classic. There are a lot of things in there that I
would get rid of. And yet, I think that's the big attraction. It's because it's an incredible adventure story,
written by a non-writer, just a storyteller.
Taylor returns to this distinction between writing and storytelling a number of times, distancing himself
from grand and lofty ideas of the novelist's purpose. He describes himself as a 'fairly uneducated,
council-house kid' who ran away to London as a teenager, ‘a bit of a chancer, with ideas above his
station’. He read Dickens, lots of Orwell - 'they were trendy books to read' - and Kerouac. But he is
uncomfortable talking at any length about favorite novels or influences beyond Rowling: 'I have not
read all that many books. I'm not, you know, a very literate person.'
Taylor was a rock-music promoter in his twenties and remains a showman, happiest in front of a crowd.
He describes the talks he gives in schools and at book festivals, dressed up as a sea captain or as an 18th-
century highwayman in a long black coat. ‘You're using your face, you're using your body, you're acting
out what you're doing.’ The business of putting his thoughts in writing can be problematic in
comparison. As a storyteller, in order to demonstrate shock or alarm to an audience he will "pause
between sentences and showed a wide-eyed, staring face. But to describe that in English ...’
This impatience with the limitation of language can be a positive asset: in Tersia, Taylor's new fantasy,
the speed of the narrative and the scale of the events that overwhelm the characters mean there is no
time for the story to get bogged down. That said, it is unusual to hear a writer speak in such a
dismissive way of his craft. Shadowmancer has been taken on by Universal Pictures, and Taylor does
nothing to hide the fact that he thinks 'the movie's more exciting than the book’.
83. The writer says that many fantasy fiction writers would not agree that ____.
A. they have copies their ideas from J. K. Rowling
B. J. K. Rowling's success has contributed to their own
C. Fantasy fiction will remain fashionable for many years
D. J. K. Rowling is a writer of fantasy fiction in the true sense
84. The writer is surprised by ____.
A. the success of Taylor's books B. the short time Taylor has been a writer
C. the number of books Taylor has published D. Taylor's reasons for writing his first book
85. What aspect of the Harry Potter books does Taylor admit to imitating?
A. the writing style B. the storylines C. the layout D. the cover design
86. What does that in paragraph 4 refer to?
A. the Harry Potter formula B. the novels' target audience
C. the timing of the novels' publication D. the novels' failure to make people think
87. What does Taylor say about Shadowmancer?
A. He is aware of its limitations. B. He did not write all of it himself.
C. He is going to write a revised edition. D. It does not deserve the praise it receives.

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88. What opinion does Taylor have of himself?

A. He is very proud of his achievement as a writer.
B. He thinks he is a better writer than J. K. Rowling.
C. He does not regard himself as a serious novelist.
D. He feels he deserves greater recognition.
89. What do we learn about the talks Taylor gives?
A. He enjoys them more than being a promoter. B. He couldn't do them without dressing up.
C. He finds them easier than writing. D. He likes shocking people.
90. What does the writer mean by there is no time for the story to get bogged down (the last paragraph)?
A. The story moves on too quickly.
B. The plot is never prevented from developing.
C. Emotions are not dealt with in sufficient detail.
D. The story is not always as exciting as it could be.
Part VI. WRITING
Exercise 12. Mark the letter A, B, C or D to choose the best sentence that can be made from the words given.
91. I/ read/ advertisement/ post/ secretary/ company's website.
A. I would like to read the advertisement for the post of a secretary on your company's website.
B. I enjoy reading the advertisement for the post of a secretary on your company's website.
C. I have just read the advertisement for the post of a secretary on your company's website.
D. I read the advertisement which is looking for a post of a secretary on your company's website.
92. I think/ I meet your requirements / I write/ apply for/ position.
A. I think I must meet your requirements so that I am writing to apply for this position.
B. Because I think I can meet your requirements so I am writing to apply for this position.
C. As I think I can meet your requirements so I am writing to apply for this position.
D. I think I can meet your requirements, therefore, I am writing to apply for this position.
93. My academic background/ BA certificate in Business Administration/ one year's experience/ work as a
personal assistant.
A. My academic background includes a BA certificate in Business Administration and I have one year's
experience of working as a personal assistant.
B. My academic background it is a BA certificate in Business Administration as well as I have one
year's experience of working as a personal assistant.
C. My academic background which has a BA certificate in Business Administration. Furthermore, I
have one year's experience of working as a personal assistant.
D. My academic background that is a BA certificate in Business Administration. Nonetheless, I have
one year's experience of working as a personal assistant.
94. My strengths/ work well under high pressure/ well-organized and punctual.
A. My strengths is to work well under high pressure, besides, I am well-organized and punctual.
B. My strengths include being able to work well under high pressure, in addition to, I am well-organized
and punctual.
C. My strengths include working well under high pressure and I am very well-organized and punctual.
D. My strengths include working well under high pressure and being very well-organized and punctual.
95. My CV/ enclose/ contact/ me/ every morning/ look forward/ interviewed.
A. My CV enclosed and contact me every morning. I look forward to be interviewed.
B. My CV is enclosed. You can contact me every morning. I am looking forward to being interviewed.

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C. My CV which is enclosed, so please contact me every morning. I am looking forward to be

interviewed.
D. My CV is enclosed. Please contact me every morning. As a result, I look forward to being
interviewed.
Exercise 13. Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the
following questions.
96. The secretary said, "Sorry, I will never work on Sunday.”
A. The secretary promised not to work on Sunday.
B. The secretary refused not to work on Sunday.
C. The secretary reminded her boss to work on Sunday.
D. The secretary refused to work on Sunday.
97. "Joanna, please come to my office immediately," the boss said.
A. The boss invited Joanna to come to his office immediately.
B. The boss warned Joanna to come to his office immediately.
C. The boss asked Joanna to come to his office immediately.
D. The boss told Joanna please come to his office immediately.
98. “Susan, can you remember to photocopy these documents for tomorrow's meeting?" said the line
manager.
A. The line manager advised Susan to photocopy those documents for the meeting tomorrow.
B. The line manager reminded Susan to photocopy those documents for the meeting the following day.
C. The line manager invited Susan to photocopy these documents for the meeting the following day.
D. The line manager reminded Susan to photocopy these documents for the meeting the following day.
99. "Go on, Mike! Apply for the job," the father said.
A. The father encouraged Mike to apply for the job.
B. The father denied applying for the job.
C. The father invited Mike to apply for the job.
D. The father forced Mike to apply for the job.
100. “I would like a cup of coffee, please,” Ms. Smith said to the waitress.
A. Ms. Smith ordered the waitress to bring her a cup of coffee.
B. Ms. Smith invited the waitress a cup of coffee.
C. Ms. Smith advised the waitress to drink a cup of coffee.
D. Ms. Smith warned the waitress not to drink coffee.
THE END