An Unexpected Offer

Yesterday, a headhunter offered me a new job. The headhunter emailed me a message about

an opening at startup company. I already had a job that I liked very much. But the offer intrigued me.

The headhunter described the job skills to me. The headhunter told me details about the

position. The headhunter promised me a much better salary. I told her that I already had a job. The headhunter suggested keeping an open mind to me.

The headhunter asked me a few questions about my availability. The headhunter gave me an invitation to visit the company offices. The headhunter introduced me to the group that I would work with.

I thought about the pros and the cons. I owe money for my house. I have four "mouths" to feed (my family). The higher salary would be useful. The work would be interesting.

Today, I accepted and they are hiring me.

availability (n.) – being available, having an opening in one's calendar to do something or schedule an appointment;

headhunter (n.) a person (male or female) who searches for skilled, new employees for a corporation; a personnel recruiter;

intrigue (v.) – interest very much; cause to be curious, fascinated by something new and

unusual;

pros and cons (expression) – the good points and the bad points;

recruit (v.) – to actively search for new people to join a group, corporation, or military.

Note that when a person is contacted regarding a new job opportunity, it is customary to keep the communications private. The name of the company and the recruiter is not mentioned. The employee usually says very little while considering the new position so that he or she does not compromise his or her existing job.

Change sentences so that the focus is on the employee not the personnel recruiter.

1. Yesterday, a headhunter offered me a new job.

2. The headhunter emailed me a message about an opening at a startup company. The offer intrigued me.

3. The headhunter described the job skills to me.

4. The headhunter told me some details about the position.

5. The headhunter promised me a much better salary.

6. The headhunter suggested keeping an open mind to me.

7. The headhunter asked me a few questions about my availability.

8. The headhunter gave me an invitation to visit the company offices.

9. The headhunter introduced me to the group that I would work with.

10. Today, I accepted and they are hiring me.

Ex.12. Correct the mistakes in these passive voice sentences.

1. All bottles was frozen before transportation.

2. Everything are forbidden.

3. Everything is going be forgotten.

4. Everything that had is overheard remained a secret.

5. I have not be given the money.

6. It had not been knew for years.

7. It are said that learning English is easy.

8. South Florida and Hawaii has been hit by a hurricane.

9. The battles for liberation had been fighted before the liberation of the Iron Curtain.

10. The best way will been found.

11. The money have not been given to me.

12. The picture is beeing lent to a famous museum.

13. The treasure must has been hidden.

14. Peter and Tom was hurt in an accident yesterday.

15. The thing could not been kept secret.

Ex.13. Change from passive into active.

1. Your test should be checked before handing in.

2. He was offered a new bank loan by my cousin.

3. Mobile phones are used by many young people.

4. My wallet has been taken by Amanda.

5. The packtes are being packed into the plastic boxes.

6. Who was the prize won by?

7. Harry is being questioned by the police.

8. Will a new decision be made soon?

9. My jewellery has been stolen!

10. The portrait was painted by an unknown artist.

11. I was told by my mum to get ready to the flight.

12. Has it been decided by the school authorities that Mr. Anderson will come back?

13. The form will have to be filled in.

14. She was found two weeks ago.

15. Where was he seen?

Ex.14. Active or passive. Choose the correct tense.

1. They often … (listen to) music.

2. She … (read) an e-mail at the moment.

3. Houses … (build) few months ago.

4. Boys … (play) soccer every weekend.

5. This room … (paint) blue now.

6. Cricket … (play) in Australia every summer.

7. I … (give) a prize by president right now.

8. We … (do) our homework last Sunday.

9. The report … (complete) last Friday at 5 o’clock.

10. They … (sing) a song yesterday at 5.00.

11. A letter … (write) to her a month ago.

12. The bike … (repair) at the moment.

13. You … (see) dolphins here in two weeks.

14. The telephone … (invent) by Alexander Graham Bell.

15. The electricians … (test) the fire alarm yesterday.

Ex.15. Translate into English.

1. Ці питання зазвичай обговорюються після роботи.

2. Багато будинків будується в вашому місті?

3. Чи знаєте ви, що ця книга була перекладена на англійську мову тільки два роки тому?

4. Мене попросили допомогти йому закінчити цю роботу сьогодні, тому я повинен був залишитися в установі після

роботи.

5. Йому можуть дати журнал у понеділок вранці.

6. Вам показали все, що ви хотіли подивитися?

7. Його треба зараз же знайти,

8. Про цей фільм багато говорять.

9. Лекції Петрова слухають з інтересом.

10. Треба зараз же послати за товаришем Івановим.

_{TEST 1}

Task 1. Put into passive.

1. I'm glad that all my friends … (accept) by my parents.

2. My cousin … (offer) a new job last week.

3. Tom can … (expel) from school now.

4. The grass in my garden … (cut) at the moment.

5. My resignation … (hand) in tomorrow.

6. A new law about smoking in public may … (introduce) soon.

7. I … (give) a present from Jane before I invited her to my birthday party.

8. Our project can’t … (finish) two weeks ago.

9. Five letters of application … (send) by my brother so far.

10.A new road … (build) by next month.

Task 2. Correct the mistakes in these passive voice sentences.

1. We were meet at the railway station.

2. We were hold up in the traffic.

3. This song have been known for years.

4. They put out all the candles that had been lighted.

5. The passports must not been lost.

6. The parcel will be send today.

7. The bills could be payed.

8. Some products can hardly be selled.

9. It are said to be important.

10. A decision must made today.

Task 3. Change from passive into active.

1. I was misunderstood by the audience.

2. The factory has been completely destroyed.

3. The concert has been given by a young pianist.

4. Who was the light bulb invented by?

5. The menu wasn't prepared by the cook.

6. I will be given a reward tomorrow.

7. Sam has been rescued by a dog.

8. An investigation is being carried out by 2 detectives.

9. Who was it invented by?

10. She wasn’t informed about the meeting.

Task 4. Translate into English.

1. Дітям веліли бути вдома в восьмій годині.

2. Ким була написана ця стаття?

3. Коли принесуть (будуть принесені) листи і газети? - Я думаю, тільки через годину.

4. Нас запитали, чи викладають французску мову в нашій школі.

5. Коли буде відправлена ця телеграма?

6. Його запитали, коли буде відправлена телеграма.

7. У перший раз мене повели в театр, коли мені було п'ять років.

8. Після лекції було задано багато питань.

9. Мені сказали, що ви завтра їдете.

10. Я думаю, що про цю книгу будуть багато говорити.