Q This is part of another magazine article about Jennifer
Bradbury.
More and more women today can be found in the top positions in business and industry. An example of this trend is Jennifer Bradbury. After a very successful career as a model, she became a clothes designer. Then, with money she had saved and borrowed, she bought part of a small company that manufactured sportswear and became one of its directors. As she says, it was then that "the real battle began". The other directors often asked her opinion about the design and the colour of the company's products, but they refused to believe she understood anything about the "hard side of business". Jennifer gives an example.
"The company sold its sportswear only through small, specialist shops. I was sure we would never increase our sales unless we sold through big department stores and even supermarkets. The other two directors didn't like the idea at all, at first. They were afraid we would lose some of our traditional customers if we did what I wanted. I think part of the trouble was they didn't take the idea very seriously simply because it came from a woman!"
Q What exactly was Jennifer's idea?
But Jennifer and her ideas are certainly taken very seriously now. Under her leadership, the company has increased its sales and the number of customers. It also manufactures a much wider variety of sportsclothes, many of them designed by Jennifer herself. One of the other two co-directors has resigned. She has far fewer problems with the one who remains. But there are still many things that annoy her about being a woman in business. "For example, I don't really like it when men compliment me about my clothes or appearance, especially at business meetings. Perhaps this sounds strange. But I know those same men wouldn't like it if their secretaries or another woman told them they liked their haircuts or the suits they were wearing, or the colour of their socks! In this respect, women still aren't treated as equals!"
Q What kind of things doesn't Jennifer want to hear at business meetings?
Jennifer Bradbury says she has found great satisfaction in business. But what about some of the other things in life that are still very important to many women? Things like marriage and children. Does she regret not having time for these things? Jennifer thought about the question for a moment and then answered very calmly. "I'm the sort of person who is happy in a serious relationship. But I don't like the idea of being tied down, and I've never really wanted children."
^ What are some of the things Jennifer hasn't had time for in her life?
Self check
I. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense. Dear Peter,
You by any chance (know) where Bob is? I (like) to find out because I just (hear) of a job that exactly (suit) him, but if he (not apply) fairly soon of course he (not get) it.
I last (see) him about a month ago, when he just (leave) his job with the film company. He (say) he (go) to France for a holiday and (promise) to send me a postcard with his French address as soon as he (find) a place to stay. But I (hear) nothing since then and (not know) even whether he (go) to France or not.
If you (know) his address I (be) very grateful if you (phone) me. I (try) to phone you several times but your phone (not seem) to be working.
Yours, Jack
II. Here are sentences about t\venty-one people travelling to work on the London Underground Just write the verbs in brackets in the correct form, using the other words given and putting in prepositions where necessary
Peter objects (start) work at 9.00 and wants to start at 9.30. Mary doesn't approve (the new typist take) such long tea breaks.
Jane wishes her boss wouldn't insist (she not eat) sandwiches in the office. John's thinking, "I hope they'll have repaired my car by the time I get home this evening. I've got no wish (travel) on the underground again tomorrow." Ann's angrily thinking about the man next to her who's smoking a pipe, "Some people seem to take a delight (spoil) the comfort of other people." Chris has just received his telephone bill, "It's far too high. I've got a good mind (not pay) it." Mr Martin is standing because he offered his seat to a lady; he takes pride (be) a gentleman. Mrs Bell is having difficulty (read) her newspaper because she forgot her glasses. Barry's going to work in spite (have) a very bad cold. Sam sitting next to Barry, is worried (catch) his cold. Philip sometimes looks up and then carries (read) his newspaper. Simon is good (do) crosswords and usually finishes the one in his paper before he gets off. Jack can't stand the underground and is thinking (go) to work by bus. Denis, who owes his bank £500, thinks, "There's no point (worry) about it." Kate's wondering whether she can afford (buy) some expensive perfume or not. Mr Caner is looking forward (his daughter get) married next week. Jenny isn't used (travel) on the underground and feels a bit ill. Mr Combes doesn't believe (be) late and always gets to work very early. Martha is very pleased because her boyfriend has invited her (go) to the opera. Ron's eating sweets because he resolved at the beginning of the year (give up) smoking. Larry's pleased because he ran for the train and just managed (get on).
III. Here s a little story of someone who decided to work on an oil rig.
Martin decided to get a job on an oil rig in the North Sea. He was fed up with working in a factory and wanted to try something completely different. He wasn't married, so there were no family problems. A month later he was working on a rig. It was hard, often dangerous work, and he had to be careful to make sure that he didn't injure himself. The men were careful and there were no accidents. In the evening there was plenty to do to stop the men getting bored. Martin usually watched films or read. The food wts top-class. No one ever complained about the food. The rooms were top-class too. The oil company had made sure that the men would be comfortable, and that was why they worked so well.
Three weeks later Martin finished his first period of work. The system was simple, three weeks' work, followed by three weeks' holiday. Three weeks on the rig was long enough. The men didn't get too tired that way. As Martin got into the helicopter to fly back to Scotland he decided that he felt satisfied with things and that life wasn't boring any more.
Now imagine that a few months later Martin is describing what happened. For each of the spaces in Martin's description below, write a few words in the past conditional.
'"I was bored with factory work. If I hadn't been bored 1(1), but I'd had enough. Of course, if I'd been married (2), but luckily I wasn't. When I started I found it was hard work. If (3) I would have injured myself. But we were all very careful. If we hadn't been careful, (4). It was nice relaxing in the evenings. We had plenty to do. If we (5) plenty to do, we (6). I usually watched cowboy films, or read. The food was marvellous. I've never eaten so well. If it (7) top-class, of course, (8). You can't do a full day's work if the food's not good. They knew how to look after us. The oil company knew that if (9) we (10). That three-weeks-on three-weeks-off is a good system. If (11) we would have got too tired. Anyway, I'm glad I changed jobs. Life would have been boring if 1(12), and I (13) as satisfied as I did when I got into that helicopter. I enjoyed that feeling."