2. Sharpening reading skills.

Context Clues

On each blank line, write the letter of the correct phrase to complete the sentence.

1. On the contrary means .

a. for this reason

b. just the opposite

2. In spite of the gains that unions have made means .

1. because of the progress of unions

b. although unions have made progress

3. Organized labor refers to .

1. employees who organize their work well

2. unionized employees

4. Workers may choose to retire means .

a. they may quit working permanently

b. they may go to sleep on the job

5. The U.S. economy was booming means .

1. there was a big explosion

2. there was prosperity

2. Understanding idioms and expressions

On each blank line, write the letter of the correct phrase to complete the sentence.

1. The idiom carry out is used here to mean ___.

1. take something outside

b. do or accomplish something

2. The expression time-and-a-half refers to ____ .

1. a higher rate of pay for working overtime

2. working half the usual time

3. Minimum wage means _ .

1. the lowest hourly rate that most employers are allowed to pay b. the lowest annual salary that any worker can be legally paid

4. Give in means ________.

1. refuse to accept

b. stop arguing and do what someone else wants

5. Blue-collar workers __.

1. wear blue suits and ties to work

2. often do physical work

6. White-collar workers ________ .

1. are all highly educated professionals

2. usually work in offices

7. Workers get laid off when they ________ .

a. behave badly on the job

b. are not needed on the job

8. One's standard of living is related to ________ .

1. one's moral values

b. what one can afford to buy

9. Purchasing power means ________ .

1. the right to buy a lot

b. the value of money in terms of how much it will buy

10. A workaholic is a person who __________ .

1. can't stop working and works too much

2. drinks alcohol on the job

2. Taking words apart

On each blank line, answer the questions about the word parts.

1. The prefix de- has several meanings, including "down," "removal," or "separation." Which meaning does de- have in deduct, decline, and decrease?

_________________________________

2. What does auto- mean in automation and automobile?______________

What does –mobile mean? _________________

2. Practising sentence patterns

Notice the use of for example in the following excerpt: In most states, children under the age of 14 are not allowed to hold jobs, though there are some exceptions to this restriction. For example, children are allowed to work part time to deliver newspapers or work as entertainers.

Write your own complete sentences after for example.

1. Most American employees enjoy many benefits. For example, ________

___________________________________________________________

2. Workers may collect Social Security for several different reasons. For example, _____________________________________________________