1.6 The Right Job

The students are sitting in a library. One asks the other, "What are you going to do after you leave college?" The reply is, "I'm studying biology at the moment, but I'm not sure what kind of job I want to do". Many students don't know what job to choose. However, if you follow these four simple steps, you'll be closer to finding the right job for you.

Step 1: What do you like? Don't choose a "safe and practical job", choose one you know you'll enjoy doing.

Step 2: Make three lists. First list your abilities and strengths. You'll find it easier to decide if you know your own talents. Next, make the list of all the things you enjoy doing. Write down everything, whether it seems practical or not. Finally, list nine jobs you'd like to do. Don't just list jobs that pay well or that you know you can do, write down jobs you really want to do. Read all three lists and circle your favourite items in each one.

Step 3: Go to the biggest book shop you can find, and start looking at and choosing books and magazines. The things you choose to read for enjoyment say a lot about your interests and possible ideal job. If you have a special interest, you'll discover it now.

Step 4: Finally, ask yourself these questions: 1 What classes am I interested in? 2 What do I most often want to talk or read about? 3 What do my friends tell me I'm interested in? (Ask them.) 4 What talents seem to come naturally to me?

Remember, finding the right job isn't easy. Accept advice from others, but don't be too influenced. You have to decide for yourself. The most important thing is to enjoy what you do and who you do it with.

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Предложения, соответствующие тексту, отметьте +, не соответствующие - :

1. Most students decide on their careers at college.

2. It's best to choose a job which is "safe".

3. You should choose a job which you know pays well.

4. In your list of careers, you should only include jobs you can

do.

5. The kinds of magazines that you read can help you decide on your ideal job.

6. Other people can choose your career for you.

1.7 No Place Like Home

Today Vicky Samson came home from school at four o'clock. She watched TV for half an hour. Then she did her homework. She's working hard at the moment, because she' got exams soon. After dinner, while she was helping with the washing up, she talked to her parents about a problem she had at school.

It was a normal day, but it was the kind of day that makes Vicky (and her parents) very happy. "I can't believe it," says Vicky. "Four months ago I was living in a cardboard box under a railway bridge in London."

Last October Vicky had run away from home. How did it all start? "I hated school. We always had so much work to do and I didn't see the point of it all. My mum didn't understand. We only spoke to each other when we were arguing. One day I just couldn't stand it any more."

On that October day, Vicky didn't go to school. She went to the station and caught the train to London. "At first it was really exciting.

There were all the bright lights, theatres and shops and some really interesting people. I had to sleep in the streets, but I didn't mind. I was free - no school, no homework, no parents."

But soon there was no food and no money either. Vicky was cold, hungry and miserable, but she survived until one night about a week before Christmas. "I was walking down a street, when I looked into someone's front window. There was a girl there, just like me. She was decorating a Christmas tree. I thought "If I was at home, I'd be decorating our tree now." Then I couldn't help it. I just sat down on the pavement and cried and cried."

Luckily for Vicky, the man who lived at the house, Mr Robinson, came home while she was sitting there. He took Vicky into the house and Mrs Robinson gave her something to eat. "They were so kind. I told them my whole story. They offered to pay for my ticket home, but I didn't want that. I thought my parents would be angry."

But the next day she was back home. While Vicky was at their house, Mrs Robinson went next door and telephoned the police in Birmingham. Three hours later, Vicky's father arrived to collect her.

"It was the best Christmas present I'd ever had", said Mrs Samson.

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Ответьте на вопросы:

1. Why did Vicky run away from home?

2. How did she do it?

3. How did she feel when she first arrived in London?

4. What made her want to go home?

5. When did she go home?

6. How did she get home?

7. How has life changed since then?