3.

2 Reading

Parts of the sentences in the following text have been removed. They are given in the box below the
text.

They are lettered A to J. Read the text and fill in the blanks numbered 1 to 10 with the corresponding

missing parts A to J.New video examines impact of computers on human interaction by Barbara
McKenna. Through the advent of the web, we can get whatever we want online – 1 (groceries,
prescriptions, even pets)C. We can bank online, make friends online, even attend virtual concerts and
art shows online. One man in Dallas, 2 (who calls himself DotComGuy)H, has even gone so far as to
confine himself to his home for a full year, acquiring everything he needs (including a Valentine's Day
date) through the web.

Observing the increasing "realness" of virtual reality, UCSC (University of California, Santa Cruz) film
professor Chip Lord has produced a video that explores the question of how 3(the computer is affecting
the ways we interact with each other and our environment)B. The video, Awakening from the
Twentieth Century, aired recently on public television and is the winner of the Dallas Video Festival's
Latham Award for 1999. "I started working on this during a sabbatical in early 1998," Lord says. "I
wanted to look at how the computer is changing the ways in which we conduct daily life. One of my
central goals was to find out whether the Internet and virtual networking – telecommuting, distance
learning, e-commerce – have had an effect 4 (on how we use our physical space)I."To explore this, Lord
combines montages of life in San Francisco with interviews. Among those he interviews are Homer
Flynn, spokesperson for a San Francisco underground, multimedia band named The Residents; John
Sanborn, director of the online rock and roll murder mystery "Paul Is Dead"; Ellen Ullman, a software
engineer, commentator, and author of Close to the Machine; Gannon Hall, a web site designer; and
Rebecca Solnit, a social commentator and author of the just-published book, Wanderlust: A History of
Walking (Viking Press). Rather than aim to prove a point, Lord is out to 5 (explore the implications of
our emerging computer-generated culture)E. One montage opens with a view of the old-fashioned
marble-floored interior of a Wells Fargo Bank branch bank in San Francisco and fades to a nearby
Safeway, in which a Wells Fargo "mini-bank" is built into the wall. The juxtaposition continues 6 (with a
shot of a billboard advertising)J the bank's dramatic picture of racing horses pulling a stagecoach and,
over that image, in stark white, the URL www.wellsfargo.com.

"Is the physical space of the bank becoming obsolete?" Lord asks. Through his interviews Lord also
explores the impending fate of such things as the automobile, film, community. But the question that
most concerns Lord is whether the physical space of the city itself 7 - (is becoming obsolete)G.Lord gets
very different opinions from his subjects. Web designer and computing specialist Gannon Hall conducts
most of his business virtually – through e-mail, web sites, and the phone. "Gannon recognizes that 8 (an
initial face-to-face meeting with clients is necessary)A, but once he starts working on a project he does
everything virtually, via the Internet. For Gannon, because his business is virtual, he could be anywhere.
He doesn't need the city. To him, the city is like fashion. You choose it the same way you would choose
clothes. He says, 'you wear the city.' "But social commentator Rebecca Solnit feels very differently,
affirming the importance of real-life interaction at such places as the Farmer's Market, where 9 (vendors
and customers interact directly and chance encounters with friends can take place)D. To flesh out this
perspective,Lord also shows footage of two groups of San Franciscans – bicyclists and rollerbladers. The
bicycling event, called Critical Mass, is anything but virtual, drawing some 3,000 bicyclists each month
who hit the streets during a Friday rush hour. As Lord trails along with the rollerbladers, hundreds of
whom come out each Friday for the "Friday Night Skate," he comes to this conclusion: "Maybe because
of the utopian images we hear about the new technologies, I thought that broadcasting, netcasting,
wireless networks, and pagers, cellphones, and beepers all 10 (were conspiring to end the need for
public gathering)F –for celebration and the ritual rubbing of shoulders in streets, plazas, and squares.
But I was wrong. Because we still need fashion. We still need to wear the city because the city is..." Lord
trails off, letting Humphrey Bogart, in the character of San Francisco detective Sam Spade, finish his
sentence: "The stuff that dreams are made of."

A. an initial face-to-face meeting with clients is necessary

B. the computer is affecting the ways we interact with each other and our environment

C. groceries, prescriptions, even pets

D. vendors and customers interact directly and chance encounters with friends can take place

E. explore the implications of our emerging computer-generated culture

F. were conspiring to end the need for public gathering

G. is becoming obsolete

H. who calls himself DotComGuy

I. on how we use our physical space

J. with a shot of a billboard advertising

3.3 Vocabulary development

3.3.1. . Match the following words or phrases from the text with their appropriate definition

1. rollerblader (n) k a. no longer useful, because something newer

and better has been invented
2. footage (n) f b. referring to an event or situation, especially an
unpleasant one, which is going to happen very
soon
3. to flesh sth out (v) j c. the act of putting things together, especially
things that are not normally together, in order to
compare them or to make something new
4. obsolete (adj) a d. working at home using a computer connected
to a company's main office
5. stark (adj) i e. a period when someone, especially someone in
a university job, stops doing their usual work in
order to study or travel
6. impending (adj) b f. cinema film showing a particular event
7. juxtaposition (n) c g. to keep someone or something within the
limits of a particular activity or subject
8. to fade (v) l h. the time when something first begins to be
widely used
9. telecommuting (n) d i. very plain in appearance, with little or no colour
 or decoration
10. sabbatical (n) e j. to add more details to something in order to
make it clear, more interesting etc
11. to confine (v) g k. person who uses special boots with a single
row of wheels fixed under it to skate on hard
surfaces
12. advent (n) h l. to gradually disappear

3.3.2. If the word in bold is correct, put a tick. If it is incorrect, replace it with one of the words in bold
from the other sentences.

1.The Internet is a really vast console network of computers, all connected together.

2.Since we got resource broadband, we’ve been watching music videos online.

3.Early computer games seem quite nuclear primitive compared with today’s games.

4.It seems to me that primitive nuclear power is far cleaner than oil.

5.These ancient tools have been crafted with an enormous amount of skill.

6.The next generation of games technique console will have better graphics.

7.There’s a network technique in computing called ‘beta testing’, which means you test something to
see if it works properly before it becomes official.

8.This latest breakthrough will mean cheaper, faster internet access for all.

9.The computer has finished analysing all the broadband data.

10.The sea is a great natural data resource but we need the right technology to use it.

3.3.3. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the space.

We often think of ourselves as living in a time of 1 CONTINUING (CONTINUE) technological change and
development. We tend to believe that we are unique in history in dealing with a constantly 2 EVOLVING
(EVOLVE) world of gadgets, devices and innovations. However, the end of the nineteenth century and
the start of the twentieth was also a time that saw many 3 REVOLTING (REVOLT) changes. People had
needed to show 4 FLEXIBILITY (FLEXIBLE) throughout the nineteenth century, as the effects of the
Industrial Revolution meant constantly making 5 ADJUSTMENTS (ADJUST) to deal with changing working
conditions. Towards the end of the century, though, people had to become more 6 ADAPTED (ADAPT)
than ever before. The typewriter (1873), the telephone (1876) and other 7 INFLUENCED _(INFLUENCE)
developments gave people the 8 CAPABILITY (CAPABLE) to live and work in ways their grandparents
could not have imagined. Over the next 30 years, little remained 9 UNALTERED (ALTER) as the camera,
the cinema, the phonograph, the plane and radio all had an 10 ELECTRIC (ELECTRIC) effect on people
and society.
2.2 Reading Parts of the sentences in the following text have been removed. They are given in the box
below the text. They are lettered A to I. Read the text and fill in the blanks numbered 1 to 8 with the
corresponding missing parts A to I. There is one letter that you do not need. (Remember the tips?)

The Natural Productivity

Cycle In your personal life, when attending to business or working on side projects, how often do you
spend 8 consecutive hours in front of a computer? It doesn’t make sense because 1 B we lose the ability
to concentrate effectively within a few hours. Everyone goes through alternating periods of high and low
mental acuity. There are days when I work on personal projects for well over 8 hours, but the time is
always divided into multiple sessions. I might spend a few hours coding a design, a few hours writing,
and a few hours reading feeds, moderating comments, and responding to email. I work this way because
2 H it aligns with my mental energy cycle. Any more than 3 hours in front of a computer and my eyes
start hurting and I become restless. I lose the ability to do my best work. Instead of forcing myself to
continue, 3 E I switch to an activity that allows my mind to recharge. These breaks maximize
productivity by eliminating down periods. It’s counter productive to force work when the mental energy
isn’t there.

The Problem with an 8 Hour Work Day

A continuous 8 hour work day is a relic of the past. It makes sense for physical labour and
manufacturing work, but with information workers it 4 C doesn’t account for the mental energy cycle.
The ability of a factory worker to think analytically is irrelevant, he’s either cranking widgets or he isn’t.
In the case of the modern information worker, nearly all tasks involve creative or strategic thinking. The
way someone answers an email or interprets a piece of information can differ drastically depending on
his or her energy level. Nobody does their best work 5:30 in the afternoon after 5 A energy levels drop
and workers downgrade to less demanding tasks. I can’t speak for all workers, but I’ve observed that
productivity levels generally peak twice a day — first thing in the morning and shortly after lunch. The
most productive period is the beginning of the day. People are capable of creative tasks like writing and
solving complex technical problems. After a couple hours of intense work, 6 G they’ve been sucking
down coffee all day to stay awake like responding to email and tinkering with existing creations.
Towards the end of the cycle, the mind is so cluttered and drained that workers resort to “work related
activities” that appear productive but don’t contribute to the bottom line. The afternoon cycle is similar
but the productivity peak isn’t as high. For different people the peaks and valleys will vary, but 7 D
overall I’d estimate only 3-4 hours a day could be classified as highly productive. This number isn’t
caused by slacking. You can’t force an information worker to be highly productive when the energy isn’t
there. Workers can try their hardest, but the work just won’t have that creative edge. The low ratio of
highly productive hours to total hours worked is the result 8 F of the continuous 8 hour work day. When
workers reach the low energy part of the cycle, they can’t recharge with a non-work activity. The only
option is office purgatory. You can’t be highly productive because you’re mentally fatigued, but you
can’t recharge because the 8 hour work day requires the appearance of constant productivity. The result
is millions of unproductive workers trapped at their desks when they’d rather be doing something else.

A energy levels drop and workers downgrade to less demanding tasks

B we lose the ability to concentrate effectively within a few hours.

C doesn’t account for the mental energy cycle.

D overall I’d estimate only 3-4 hours a day could be classified as highly productive.

E I switch to an activity that allows my mind to recharge.

F of the continuous 8 hour work day.

G the environment has become more accommodating.

H it aligns with my mental energy cycle

I they’ve been sucking down coffee all day to stay awake

2.3 Language in use

Fill in the gaps in the following text with ONE word. (Remember the tips?)

Alternative Work Arrangements

The obvious solution 1 ___ this problem is planning around the mental energy cycle 2 ___ breaking the
work day into multiple segments. The traditional office setting doesn’t accommodate this because there
are few available recharge activities. People can’t 3 ___ household chores, run errands, or engage in
recreational activities without leaving the workplace. 18 Some companies have tried to make the work
environment 4___ accommodating by offering meals, fitness centres, and special areas 5 ___ relaxation.
Although these amenities are certainly an improvement, they’re expensive for employers and only
partially satisfy employees. The solution that 6 ___ the most sense is a remote work arrangement
because it reduces employer costs and allows employees to adjust their work schedule 7 ___ their
mental energy cycle. When a worker becomes mentally fatigued, they can go off the clock and engage 8
___ recharge activities that are personally productive like exercise or relaxation. When energy returns,
the worker can start working again 9 ___ a high level, effectively cutting 10 ___ the low productivity
period of the cycle. Employers don’t pay for unproductive time and employees get to work in a more
natural pattern that adjusts to their personal lives. Why isn’t everyone doing this already? Many workers
already are, and 11 ___ commutes get worse and communications improve, the number will continue to
increase. Of course there will always be a need 12 ___ office workers in businesses (like doctor’s offices
and law firms) that require daily customer interaction, but for most companies it really isn’t necessary.
There is also the argument that people need to collaborate 13 ___ person. This is steadily becoming less
essential. Most office communications are already done through email 14 ___ instant messenger. Face
to face meetings are certainly necessary, but for the vast majority of lower and mid level employees
meetings are the exception and could be conducted via phone/video conference or condensed into one
or two days 15 ___ week. Another common objection is that employees will abuse remote work
arrangements by slacking off. I’m inclined to believe that most adults value their employment enough
that this isn’t a problem. In cases where supervision is required, web cams and other technology can 16
___ used to monitor a worker. I suspect the real reason remote work arrangements are still the
exception is inertia. Companies are used to doing business in the office and are reluctant to change.
There is also the presence of office politics. If one person is given a remote arrangement, jealous
employees will complain. Doesn’t it make sense to give everyone what they want and save a boat load
of cash on office space? I may only be a kid in his 20′s, but I can tell when something just makes sense. I
perceive an increasing number of people are noticing the same phenomena. Forty years from now we’ll
be telling our grandchildren about the olden days when everyone’s mommy and daddy went to work in
an office.

2.4.2. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the space.

Although a certain percentage of graduates will still be 1 ___ (EMPLOY) six months after leaving
university, the majority will have found 2 ___ (EMPLOY) by then. Many of these will even have been
offered a job while at university, as a result of visiting a job fair. Job fairs are held at many universities
each year. Companies come along to advertise jobs, which are usually in 3 ___ (MANAGE), and the
career structures and benefit packages that go with them. Job fairs are an 4 ___ (EFFECT) way for
undergraduates to find out what kind of job they might be interested in. If you go to a job fair, dress 5
___ (PROFESSION). Don’t wear jeans and a T-shirt. Wear a suit! You don’t want to look 6 ___
(RESPONSIBLE) when you have your first 7 ___ (MEET) with your potential 8 ___ (EMPLOY). If you’re
interested in a job on offer, you may have to fill out an 9 ___ (APPLY) form, so it’s 10 ___ (HELP) to take
along relevant information with you. You’ll also need proof of all your 11 ___ (QUALIFY), so don’t forget
to take photocopies of all your certificates with you.

3.2 Reading Read the following text and fill in the gaps with ONE word.

Corporations – How Corporations Raise Funds For Investment

1.By investing in new issues of a company’s stock, shareholders provide the funds for a company to
begin new or expanded operations. However, most stock sales do not involve new issues of stock.
Instead, when someone 1 ___ owns stock decides to sell some or all of their shares, that stock is
typically traded on one of the national 2 ___ exchanges, which are specialised markets for buying and
selling stocks. In those transactions, the person who sells the stock – not the corporation whose stock is
traded – receives the funds from the sale.

2.An existing corporation that wants to secure funds to expand its operations has three options: It can
issue new shares of stock, using the process described earlier. That option will reduce the share of the
business that current stockholders 3 ___, so a majority of the current stockholders have to approve the
issue of new shares of stock. New issues are often approved because if the expansion proves to be
profitable, the current stockholders are likely to benefit 4 ___ higher stock prices and increased
dividends. Dividends are corporate profits that some companies periodically pay out to shareholders.

3.The second way for a corporation to secure funds is by borrowing money from banks, from other
financial institutions, or from individuals. To do this the corporation often issues bonds, which are legal
obligations to repay the amount of money borrowed, plus interest, 5 ___ a designated time. If a
corporation goes out of 20 business, it is legally required to pay 6 ___ any bonds it has issued before any
money is returned to stockholders. That means that stocks are riskier investments than bonds. On the
other hand, all a bondholder will ever receive is the amount of money specified in the bond.
Stockholders can enjoy much larger returns, if the corporation is profitable.

4.The final way for a corporation to pay for new investments is by reinvesting some of the profits it has
earned. After paying taxes, profits are 7 ___ paid out to stockholders as dividends or held as retained
earnings to use in running and expanding the business. Those retained earnings come 8 ___ the profits
that belong to the stockholders, so reinvesting some of those profits increases the value of what the
stockholders own and have risked in the business, which is known as stockholders’ equity. On the other
hand, if the corporation incurs losses, the value of what the stockholders own in the business goes
down, so stockholders’ equity decreases.

3.4.1. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the space.

1 ___ (WORK) at Shepparton Carpets Ltd voted today to continue with their industrial action. Union
leader Elaine Watkins issued a statement saying: “Although we do not envisage an all-out strike at this
stage, everyone at the plant will continue to refuse to work 2 ___ (TIME) until this dispute is settled. We
urge (3) ___ (MANAGE) to reconsider their proposals.” The industrial action, which began three weeks
ago, has affected 4 ___ (PRODUCE) at the factory. Joe Turner, Managing Director of Shepparton Carpets,
has, however, refused to bow to union demands. “If Shepparton Carpets wants to survive, it has to
become more 5 ___ (COMPETE),” he said. “It is my 21 responsibility as an 6 ___ (EMPLOY) of over 500 7
___ (EMPLOY) to ensure this company continues to make a profit. 8 ___ (PERIOD), we have to make
changes to improve efficiency. If we don’t, we’ll be all out of a job. It may not be pleasant, but it is
essential. Some of the working practices at the factory are, frankly, 9 ___ (ANTIQUE) and totally 10 ___
(APPLY) to the modern world. I just wish the unions would work with me on this, rather than fighting me
every step of the way.”

1.2 Reading

Read the text below and fill in the gaps with ONE word.

Main Recruitment Process Steps

The aim of the HRM Function is 1________ the recruitment process design as simple as possible. The HR
Recruiters should not forget about this main goal during the design phase of the recruitment process
development. The recruitment process is simple on the high level, but it contains a lot of interaction
2__________ different participants in the recruitment process. The HRM Function, the line manager and
candidates need to receive and share a lot of information and their interaction is usually the main issue
during the recruitment process.

The main steps of the recruitment process are:

1. Job Design

2. Opening Job Position

3. Collecting CVs

4. Preselection of CVs

5. Job Interviews

6. Job Offer

The job design is the most important part of the recruitment process. The job design is a phase about
design of the job profile 3___________ a clear agreement between the line manager and the HRM
Function. The Job Design is 4________ the agreement about the profile of the ideal job candidate and
the agreement about the skills and competencies, which are essential. The information gathered can be
used during other steps of the recruitment process to 5__________ it up.

The Opening of the Job Position is generally the job of the HR Recruiter. Skilled and experienced HR
Recruiters should decide 6__________ the right mix of the recruitment sources to find the best
candidates for the job position. This is another key step in the recruitment process. The next step is
collecting CVs and preselecting them. This step in the recruitment process is very important today
7__________ many organisations waste a lot of time in this step. Today, the organisation cannot wait
with the preselection of the CVs. Generally, this should be the last step done purely by the HRM
Function. The job interviews are the main step in the recruitment process, which should be clearly
designed and agreed 8_______ HRM and the line management. The job interview should discover the
job candidate who 9________ the requirements and fits best the corporate culture and the department.

The job offer is the 10__________ step of the recruitment process, which is done by the HRM Function;
itfinalises all the other steps and the winner of the job interviews gets the offer from the organisation to
join.

3.2 Reading Read the following text and fill in the gaps.

Job interview Advice

Before your interview, find 1 out everything you can about the company (read their annual report
which can be obtained 2 by telephoning them). Re-read your application, thinking through your own
career and the questions they might ask you. You should try to anticipate the general questions which
they will ask and also prepare some questions to ask them.

To do well at the interview you will need to convince the interviewer you are technically qualified to do
the job. You will 3 ___ need to show that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job 4 ___ well and
that you will fit in with the company’s organisational structure and the team in which you will work.

You should dress smartly for the interview and should leave home earlier 5___ you need to on the day
of the interview – you may de delayed by traffic or 6 ___ other reasons. Be courteous to all employees
of the company. At the interview itself you must be positive about yourself and your abilities – but do
not waffle.

When you are being interviewed it is very important that you give out the right signals. You should
always look attentive – so do not slouch in your chair. Never lie to anyone in an interview, your 7___
language and tone of voice or the words you use will probably give you 8 ___– classic body language
giveaways include scratching your nose and not looking directly at the other person when you are
speaking to them.

If you have a moustache you may want to consider shaving it off – people with moustaches can be
perceived as being aggressive. You can always grow it again once you have got the job.