Ex 1. Complete the following table with the correct part of speech
| verb | noun | adjective |
| to vacate | … | … |
| … | digit | … |
| … | power | … |
| to bore | … | … |
| … | … | wonderful |
| … | trouble | … |
| … | … | persistent |
| … | nominee | … |
| … | toughee | … |
| … | … | acquisitive |
Ex 2. Add prefixes to the following adjectives to form adjectives with a negative meaning. Note that some of them characterize people who are not happy with their jobs.
| -un- ir- non- dis- in- |
| happy | interested | continuous |
| practical | valuable | lucky |
| responsible | profitable | sociable |
Word meaning
Ex. 3. Explain the expressions underlined in the text in your own words. Sort them out into those conveying a positive (+) or a negative (-) meaning. Add the others from the text.
| + | – |
| to challenge yourself | to whine about |
Ex. 4. Read the following text and try to put in the missing words and expressions.
Alan is … commercial traveller. He works for a firm … manufactures and sells different kinds of industrial glue. He … most of his time travelling, visiting customers and possible customers in various … of the country.
Alan doesn't … his job much, and he is unhappy for several reasons. First of all, he ... living out of suitcases. When he was younger he … the travelling, but now he is tired of … from one hotel room to another, spending his life visiting factories in small industrial towns. And he doesn't enjoy … with the people he meets. He gets on well enough with them, but he doesn't … they have very much in common. Alan's interested in literature and politics. Most of the … managers he meets just seem to be … in talking about work and golf. Alan doesn't find glue very interesting – in fact, he would be … if he never … a tube of glue again in his whole life.
Although the … and the conditions are good, and his firm treats him well, Alan would very much like to … his job. He … to stay in one place and see more of his … and children. Unfortunately he doesn't have much choice; it isn't easy to find … these days, and Alan is fortunate to be employed. Still, he can't wait to retire. He knows he is lucky in many …, but sometimes he … so unhappy that he wants to scream.
Ex. 5. Pick out the key words from the following passages and guess the job each person does.
A.I'm a night person. I love the hours, you know? I like going to work at around six at night and then getting home at two or three in the morning. I like being out around people, you know, talking to them, listening to their problems. Last week one of the regulars came in and asked for a Ramos gin fizz. He didn't think I knew how to make it. Hah! But I know how to make every drink in the book. Although some of the nights when I go in I just don't feel like dealing with all the noise.
B. If I had to sit behind a desk all day, I’d go crazy! I'm really glad I have a job where I can keep moving, you know? My favorite part is picking out the music – I use new music for every ten-week session. For my last class I always use the Beatles – it's a great beat to move to, and everybody loves them. I like to sort of educate people about their bodies, and show them, how to do the exercises and movements safely.
C.What do I like about my job? Money. M-O-N-E-Y. No, I like the creativity, and I like my studio. All my tools are like toys to me – you know, my watercolors, pen and inks, colored pencils, drafting table – I love playing with them. And I have lots of different kinds of clients – I do magazines, book covers, album covers, newspaper articles – so there's lots of variety, which I like.
D. Well, I'll tell you. At first, it was fun, because there was so much to learn, and working with figures and money was interesting. But after about two years the thrill was gone, and now it's very routine. I like it when we're making money, though, because I get to see all of my efforts rewarded.
Word partners
Ex. 6. Below is the list of some jobs. Can you match them with things they work with?
| Jobs | Things |
| 1) Clergy | a) Engines |
| 2) Chefs | b) Bathrooms |
| 3) Beauticians | c) Houses |
| 4) Plumbers | d) Food |
| 5) Mechanics | f) Family problems |
| 6) Social workers | g) The bible |
| 7) Architects | h) New buildings |
| 8) Estate agents | i) Make up |