Writing section
You are applying for a job and need a letter of reference from someone who knew you when you were at school.
Write a letter to one of your old teachers asking for reference. In your letter
say what job you have applied to
explain why you want this job
suggest what information the teacher should include
Listening and speaking section
Look at the job advertisement below and answer the questions which follow.
a Is the above job more suitable for a younger or an older person? Give reasons for your answer.
b Why do you think the person needs to be energetic, responsible, and highly motivated?
c Would you apply for a job like this? Why? Why not?
Consider the attributes required for different jobs. Match each criterion 1-9 with a list of adjectives a-i.
1 appearance a sociable, friendly, likeable, personable
2 intellectual ability b articulate, outgoing, communicative, well-spoken
3 maturity of outlook c well-dressed, neat, well-groomed, elegant
4 interpersonal skills d conscientious, hardworking, dependable, reliable
5 communication skills e well-qualified, computer-literate, well-trained
6 willingness to learn f bright, quick, clever, intelligent
7 qualifications g skilled, able, capable, experienced
8 attitude to work h responsible, mature, grown-up, independent
9 skills and general ability i enthusiastic, eager, dynamic, adaptable, flexible
Add each of the adjectives below to the appropriate list a-i in 2.
trustworthy lively accomplished approachable smart adult
well-mannered educated
The adjectives in the list below are opposites of those in the lists in 2. Match each adjective with its opposite.
apathetic careless childish inaccurate scruffy slow uneducated
unfriendly inexperienced
Questions are often divided into open and closed categories. Closed questions can be answered yes or no, whereas open questions require a fuller answer. Divide questions below into these two categories.
a Does a young worker nowadays need to be more qualified than in the past?
b Are young people more or less interested in finding a career than in the past?
c What difficulties do young people face in the changing world we live in?
d Do you generally find job interviews difficult?
e How do you think the work environment will be changed for future generations of young people?
f What can be done to overcome these difficulties?
g How does this differ from the past?
h Why? Why not?
Decide which questions in 5 could be answered beginning with the phrases below.
There are many problems, but perhaps the greatest challenge is…..
The most likely development is that…..
By far the best way to tackle the situation is…..because…..
The main difference is…..
With a partner, ask and answer the questions in 5. Use the phrases in 6. Then develop your answers by using the following words to trigger and organize your ideas.
As a result, This is because Firstly, But perhaps the best solution is to
Another point that will stand out is This means that
Listen to three people talking about jobs and answer the questions.
a Which of them talk about working while studying?
b Which of them talk about their own full-time job?
c Which of them do not believe that working while studying is a good thing?
Answer the questions below with phrases form the list.
the minus the disadvantage with…is that weighing everything up
the plus on the other cons overall pros on balance
The great advantage is that on the one hand
First speaker
a What words does he use to refer to advantages and disadvantages?
b Which two phrases does he use to indicate a contrast?
c How does he introduce his conclusion?
Second speaker
a How does she introduce the disadvantages of her job?
b How does she introduce the advantages of her job?
c What words does she use to present her conclusion?
Third speaker
a What phrase does she use instead of the advantage?
b What phrase does she use instead of the disadvantage?
c How does she introduce his conclusion?
With a partner, ask and answer the questions.
a Is it a good idea to take a gap year after university and before starting a job?
b When people are studying at university, is it better for them to live at home or to move away from their families?
c Which is more important in a job, money or job satisfaction?