Listening comprehension exercises

Exercise 25. Listen to the text “Fire hose couplings”.

Exercise 26. Complete the sentences.

1. Earlier hose couplings were made of … .

a) metal; b) leather; c) wood.

2. Alloys of brass, aluminum and magnesium … .

a) do not corrode easily; b) corrode easily; c) do not corrode at all.

3. It is necessary to examine couplings … .

a) every day; b) after every use; c) when hose is washed and dried.

4. Connected couplings … receive injury from being dropped or dragged.

a) never; b) often; c) seldom.

5. Today you can couple and uncouple hose couplings … .

a) without any effort; b) with much effort; c) with little effort.

Exercise 27. Answer the questions.

1. What are fire hose couplings of today made of?

2. What does the efficiency of fire hose operation depend upon?

3. What were fire hose couplings used for?

4. What are the main rules for the care of fire hose couplings?

5. How are fire hose couplings of today designed?

Exercise 28. Write if these statements are true or false.

1. Connected couplings require the most protection.

2. You must clean the couplings of tar, oil, dirt.

3. You should avoid dropping or dragging couplings.

4. Connected couplings can be bent or crushed when they are run over by heavy vehicles.

5. When the couplings are connected there is more danger of damage during common usage.

Exercise 29. Retell the text in writing.

Additional exercises

Exercise 30. Read, translate and retell the text.

At the interview

At the end of the interview you may ask some questions about your possible duties, working conditions (hours or holidays) but wait for the interviewer to mention the question of starting salary. Money is a delicate issue and being greedy will not get you a job. Think of concrete figures – you should base on the average salary of other employees with your qualification.

It’s evident that getting a job depends on many factors, among them writing a strong job application and resume. Your behaviour during an interview, however, is often the best and most important stage in getting a job. The interview is an opportunity for the applicant to project his / her personality and convince the interviewers of his / her suitability for the job.

Be ready to speak about yourself. Describe briefly your experience at previous jobs and the good results you achieved there. When speaking about your failures or mistakes be sure to emphasize the conclusion you have drawn after analyzing your failures and what they taught you. The capacity to overcome failures and analyze mistakes is valuable to any company. You should organize your thoughts logically, have self-confidence and never distort facts or try to persuade people to your way of thinking.

Never be late. If you come too early, it is better to walk around outside. Pay attention to the way you are dressed. Your clothing should meet the requirements of business style and you should feel comfortable in your suit. When you are properly dressed you demonstrate respect and consideration for those with whom you interact and you’ll have a better chance of succeeding at the interview. Your hairstyle, nails and choice of cosmetics will contribute to your appearance.

Exercise 31. Arrange the paragraphs of the text in correct order.

Exercise 32. Put different types of questions to the text.

Exercise 33. Put the correct noun form of the italicized verb in the gap to complete the sentences.

1. When you’ve decided to apply for a job, send your … with a resume as soon as possible. 2. If you achieve something at your previous work, write about your … in the resume. 3. You can say you depend on your parents financially less, or that you reduced your … on them. 4. A person who employs you is an … and you are an … . 5. If you fail to do something, it is your … . 6. Someone who trains people to do something is a … . 7. If you believe in something, then this is one of your … . 8. A person who interviews you is an … . 9. The interviewer pays much attention to how you behave at the interview, so your … is of great importance. 10. A person who assists you in something is your … .

Exercise 34. 1) Choose from these words to complete the sentences below: where, working, prefer, organized, done, applying, get, tell, relevant, clear.

1. What kinds of jobs have you … before? 2. Do you have other … experience? 3. Have you … something at school? 4. Do you have … idea of the work you would like? 5. Would you like a job … with people? 6. Would you … to be in an office environment? 7. … me, is there a job that you would not want? 8. Why don’t you try … to the local tourist information office? 9. What about jobs … you could practice your English? 10. I think you should see if you can … a job in a shop.