• 2) Choose the correct answer to the questions:

a) Why does the interviewer thank Brad? (for visiting him; for taking time off; for telephoning)

b) What is Brad? (a polyglot; an editor of a magazine; a freelance writer)

c) What is Brad writing now? (“The Pleasure of Being a Polyglot;” “The Adventures of Polyglots;” “Reflections of a Polyglot”)

d) What does he do in the afternoon? (he goes to the local library; he goes to the gym; he goes to the private library)

e) When does he like going out? (at night; on Sundays; at weekends)

2.13 What’s in your office?

• 1) Answer the questions:

a) What is your profession? Do you work? Do you enjoy your work?

b) Where do you work? Have you got an office? What is your office like?

c) What furniture is there in your office?

• 2) Read the dialog and say if you would like to have an office similar to Maria’s.

David: I’ve got a new office now… Maria: That’s great! Congratulations.

David: I’ll need a desk and some cabinets. How many cabinets are there in your office? Maria: I think there are four cabinets in my office.

David: And do you have any furniture in your office? I mean other than the chair at your desk. Maria: Oh yes, I’ve got a sofa and two comfortable armchairs.

David: Are there any tables in your office? Maria: Yes, I’ve got a table in front of the sofa.

David: Is there a computer in your office? Maria: Oh yes, I keep a laptop on my desk next to the phone.

David: Are there any flowers or plants in your office? Maria: Yes, there are a few plants near the window.

David: Where’s your sofa? Maria: The sofa is in front of the window, between the two armchairs.

David: Thanks a lot for your help, Janet. This gives me a good idea of how to arrange my office. Maria: My pleasure. Good luck with your decorating!

• 3) Draw a plan of Maria’s office.

• 4) Choose the best answer (true, false or doesn’t say) to the questions:

a) David has just received a new job.

b) David is sure he will need some cabinets in his new office.

c) Maria thinks it is a good idea to have comfortable furniture in an office.

d) David is surprised that Maria keeps coffee on her table.

e) Maria keeps a computer next to her telephone.

2.14 A typical manager’s desk and a typical secretary’s desk

• 1) Answer the questions:

a) Do you work much at the desk?

b) What is there on your desk?

Managers often have desks that are surprisingly empty! These empty desks can show that the manager often travels and is out of the office most of the time. An empty desk can also demonstrate how powerful the manager is by its representative status.

Sometimes, in the United States of America, you can see footmarks on the desk because some managers like to put their feet up on the desk when they are talking on the telephone! In the USA, managers put their feet up on the desk to show that they are in control in their office.

Managers usually have a laptop computer on their desk. In fact, this laptop computer is their true desk. These days, most managers do almost all their work on their laptops. Another thing you might find is a cell phone – another sign of the mobility most managers demand.

Secretaries usually have an older computer and a telephone on their desk. They usually have an older computer because the managers are often the first to receive the latest technological equipment. Secretaries’ desks are often tidy because they are usually tidier than their bosses. You will also find an agenda of some sort on secretaries’ desks because secretaries need to make appointments for their bosses. Secretaries’ desks often have pictures of their children and family that they look at from time to time during the day.

In the past, secretaries were usually women. Today, however, more and more men are becoming secretaries as more and more women become managers and the workplace becomes more equal.