Speaking Springboard

1. (a) I detected an …(ed) criticism of the way he was treated. (b)What do you… from her refusal? (infer/imply) 2. (a) I know Johnson finished … in the race, but who was second to …? (b) Have you seen her … movie? (last/latest) 3. (a) Workers at the plant are threatening … action. (b) She's extremely competent and … . (industrious/industrial) 4. (a) I've still got some … left before the end of the year. (b)"We need teachers who regard their profession as a …, not just a job," said the Minister. (vocation/vacation) 5. (a) The city's transport system is one of the most … in Europe. (b) This method is a little slower, but just as …. (effective/efficient) 6. (a) He told me he was on a diet and then …(ed) to eat a plateful of chips! (b) It would be helpful if you were to … the report with an introduction. (precede/proceed) 7. (a) The competition … to anyone over the age of sixteen. (b)He is very methodical. The window of his study … at exactly 9am and closed at 7pm sharp.(is open/is opened) 8. (a)The company is on the cutting edge of … . (b)The ice-skaters will be judged on … and creativity. (technique/technology) 9.(a) Swedish industrial … has fallen steadily this year. (b) Local people come to the market each day to sell their … . (produce/production) 10. (a) He opened his own … practice. (b) It is said that the spring water has … properties.( medical/medicinal)

OPEN-COLLAR WORKER

I t’s an open secret that white- and blue-collar workers …1… are consumed with a twinge of envy today. But why? And who is the object of this envy? It’s teleworkers or telecommuters or open-collar workers as they are also called.

If the twentieth-century industrial revolution gave rise to the …2… from farms to factories, the cyber revolution is bringing jobs and families back together. Currently, the fastest-growing …3… is home-based. Firm’s headquarters are now in smallish offices used for meetings, get-togethers and customer demonstrations. As a result overheads have fallen, staff are more productive and …4… is higher.

The advertisements for telework have become familiar: picture a large house with a swimming pool; at a table by the pool sits our teleworker with a laptop computer, cell phone and a case of files. No more traffic jams, no more clocking in, infinitely …5… schedule.

Sociologists, however, point out that the reality is often a far cry from this idyllic but yet …6… scene as the working conditions of open-collar workers can hardly be called optimal. Many have their home office set up in a bedroom or in a specially designed cupboard which opens out into a pseudo-office.

Open-collar workers are often more productive …7… of working long hours. When you work in a central office you have a clear exit time; at home the tendency is to work on and off and quite often all weekend in an attempt to …8… the deadline.

Loneliness and a lack of self-pride are two other factors psychologists say …9… open-collar workers. The absence of daily interaction with colleagues produces a feeling of isolation. No need to …10… to office dress codes is liberating only initially, but working in pajamas all day long can be dangerous from the psychological point of view. Psychologists and sociologists seem to agree that the open-collar worker needs to plan and …11… so as not to fall into the pitfalls of this type of employment.

First and …12… one should see telework as a job, not a lifestyle. Secondly, one needs to build in discipline. When structure doesn’t exist it is necessary to impose your own discipline …13… a clear line between work and personal space. Home working is all about flexibility, but it is counterproductive if you cannot …14… a good work/life balance. It is also essential to take social breaks. Fight off isolation by joining professional bodies, attending workshops and keeping in touch with your colleagues. Meet friends for lunch. Arrange for suppliers to come to you. Do not …15… holidays for fear of missing out on that “big job”. Last but not least: keep weekends sacrosanct.

1.

a. both

b. alike

c. also

d. either

2.

a. transformation

b. evolution

c. transition

d. progress

3.

a. workforce

b. power

c. might

d. labor

4.

a. authority

b. behavior

c. conduct

d. morale

5.

a. fragile

b. persistent

c. instant

d. flexible

6.

a. competitive

b. orderly

c. deceptive

d. illustrative

7.

a. at the expense

b. in the course

c. in charge

d. in abundance

8.

a. expire

b. meet

c. impose

d. break

9.

a. fail

b. affect

c. appeal

d. dominate

10.

a. adhere

b. handle

c. promote

d. ignore

11.

a. claim

b. assign

c. prioritize

d. acknowledge

12.

a. least

b. of all

c. off

d. foremost

13.

a. commencing

b. drawing

c. dividing

d. passing

14.

a. toil

b. achieve

c. change

d. tackle

15.

a. neglect

b. attain

c. commit

d. appreciate