3. Reading for details

Read the questions. Circle the best answer. Write the number of the paragraph where you found the answer.

Paragraph

1. How did Helene McQuade feel about her job in the city?

1. She didn’t like her boss.

2. She didn’t like her job.

3. She didn’t like driving to work.

2. What new group is staying home these days?

1. People who are unemployed.

2. People who have started their own business.

3. Telecommuters.

3. What arrangements do telecommuters make with

their employers?

1. They do all their work at home.

2. They do some work at home, some in the office.

3. They do all their work in the office.

4. Which is not needed for a telecommuter’s home office?

1. Paper shredder

2. Fax machine

3. Telephone

5. Why might employees want to telecommute?

1. They don’t have to see their boss so often.

2. They can find better child-care services.

3. They can have better work schedule.

6. Why might employees not want to telecommute?

1. They make less money.

2. They don’t spend as much time with their families.

3. They may work more.

7. Why might employers dislike telecommuting?

1. They have less control over their employees.

2. They can’t easily call their employees on the phone.

3. They have face-to-face meetings.

8. Why might employers benefit from telecommuting?

1. They will need fewer employees.

2. They will keep their employees.

3. They can retrain employees more easily.

9. With telecommuting, what will happen to cars?

1. They will be more common on the highways.

2. They will use more gasoline.

3. They will produce less air pollution.

10. What is a disadvantage of telecommuting?

1. Risk of crumbling cities

2. More business meetings to attend

3. Communication with e-mail

4. Reading between the lines

1. Look back at your list of the advantages and disadvantages of telecommuting. What information did the reading have that matches your ideas? What other information did the reading have? Read the questions and discuss your answers.

2. Read the questions and possible answers. Look at Reading One again to find information to help you answer the questions. What are the most likely answers in your opinion? Discuss your answers.

1. What did Helene McQuade mean by “I felt like I was spending my life on the road?”

1. She spent too much time in her car.

2. She didn’t like to drive.

3. She was getting old too fast.

2. Why did McQuade finally want to quit her job?

1. Her husband could support the family.

2. She couldn’t find anyone to care for her child.

3. She was tired from trying both to commute and to care for her baby.

3. Why didn’t people telecommute years ago?

1. Their bosses didn’t allow it.

2. They liked living close to their work.

3. They didn’t have the necessary office equipment.

4. Why do some families have problems coping with telecommuting?

1. They get bored spending so much time together at home.

2. They don’t spend much time in family activities as they would like.

3. They don’t get enough done.

5. What kind of subtle message may not get across in a telephone discussion?

1. Looking at one’s watch because of boredom.

2. Raising one’s voice because of anger.

3. Asking thoughtful questions because of interest.

6. What is the biggest advantage of telecommuting to employers?

1. Their employees spend more time with their families.

2. It saves money for the company.

3. They don’t have to manage their employees as much.

7. Why does Helene McQuade feel isolated from her colleagues?

1. She has a new baby, and they don’t.

2. She works harder than they do.

3. She doesn’t work as closely with them on projects.

8. Who is most accepting of telecommuting today?

1. The telecommuter

2. The employer of the telecommuter

3. Society

READING TWO A. EXPANDING THE TOPIC

The following abbreviations appear in the ads in the next reading. They are typically used in '‘help wanted” ads. Try to guess their meaning. Then look at the list of vocabulary below. Choose the correct word for each abbreviation and write it in the blank.

1. Admin_

2. Asst

3. со.

4. exp. _

5. indiv. _

6. ins.

7. MGR I

8. Min. _

9. nec _

10. w/

11. WP_

12. yrs. _

m

assistant

word processing

experience

years

necessary

administrative

individual

inimum company with

i

manager

nsurance

Read the following ads from the “help wanted” section of the newspaper. Answer the questions under each ad. Then decide if the job could offer the employee the opportunity to telecommute. Circle Y (yes) or N (no). Discuss your opinions.