NEF Vocabulary. Work /slide 162, ex-es 1a, 2a, c, 3a

ex. 1a / Match the sentences 1-6 with A-F.

  1. My job as a divorce lawyer is very challenging. C (It tests my abilities in a way that keeps me interested.)
  2. I’m a checkout assistant in a supermarket. I really enjoy my job, but it can be a bit monotonous and repetitive. A (I have to do exactly the same thing every day.)
  3. I’m a primary school teacher. I find working with young children very rewarding. B (It makes me happy because it’s useful and important.)
  4. I work in a small graphic design company and my job’s really motivating. F (The kind of work I do and the people I work with make me want to work harder (do better).)
  5. Being a surgeon is very demanding. D (It’s very high pressure and you have to work long hours.)
  6. I work at an accounting firm. My job is incredibly tedious. E (It’s really boring and it makes me feel impatient all the time.)

ex. 2a / Complete the text with the words in the list.

What I’m really thinking — THE INTERN

I’ve just started my third internship. At the end of it, I will have been working unpaid for a year. It feels as though I’m not in control of my own life, that I’m helpless. Academic qualifications and work experience are almost irrelevant when you’re competing against people who have years of experience, many of whom are taking a step down the career ladder. I’m not choosy – I’ve spent time in a children’s charity, events management, a press office – but they haven’t got me a permanent contract. It’s demoralizing. And exhausting – job-hunting is a full-time occupation. After clocking off, most people can be free for the night. For the intern, it’s time to go home and look for work. I have no idea how many positions I’ve applied for since graduating, but it’s more than 100.

ex. c / Complete the two words which collocate with the groups below. What do the phrases mean?

  • Maternity leave is time off for a new mother after childbirth.
  • Paternity leave is time off for a new father.
  • Sick leave is time off because of an illness.
  • Compassionate leave is time off for a personal or family emergency, often for a serious illness or death.
  • Unpaid leave is time off from work without pay.
  • A freelance contract is an agreement for an independent contractor to perform specific work for a client.
  • A permanent contract is an ongoing employment agreement with no end date.
  • A fixed-term contract is an employment agreement for a specific period of time.
  • A full-time contract is an agreement to work the standard number of hours for a company, typically 35-40 hours per week.

ex. 3a / Look at the pairs of words or phrases. Write S if they have the same or a very similar meaning and D if they are different.

  • S (colleagues / co-workers)
  • S (quit (a job) / resign)
  • S (staff / workforce)
  • S (be laid off / be made redundant)
  • D (be out of work / be off work)
  • S (be sacked / be fired)
  • D (get promoted / get a rise)
  • D (skills / qualifications)
  • S (hire sb / employ sb)
  • S (perks / benefits)