Listening Exercises A2 – Work and Jobs

1.

A:   So you’re a teacher. Is that right?

B:   Yep

A:   Do you enjoy teaching?

B:   Yes, I do. The vacations are great, but I’ve got a really difficult class this year. I try everything but they just don’t want to learn anything. Maybe it’s the way I teach.

2.

A:   So how long have you been a flight attendant?

B:   For nearly ten years.

A:   Do you like flying?

B:   Actually I do. I love it. And I meet lots of interesting passengers. The only thing I don’t like is staying in hotels all the time. I miss home cooking.

3.

A:   So, you’re an architect. That must be interesting.

B:   Yes, it is. Right now we’re in the middle of a big project. We’re designing a new hotel.

A:   Uh-huh.

B:   The only trouble is the woman I work with and I have completely different ideas of what it should look like.

A:   is that going to be a problem?

B:   I hope not. You see, I’m her boss.

4.

A:   So, you work in an auto shop?

B:   That’s right. Bob’s Auto, on Ford Street. Do you know it?

A:   Yeah, I think so. Do you enjoy working on cars?

B:   Yeah, I really do. I love anything mechanical. The only trouble is the shop’s about an hour from my house.

A:   An hour? So what do you do? Drive?

B:   Sometimes. Sometimes I take the bus. The commute’s the worst part. But the money’s good. It kind of makes up for it.

5.

A:   Where do you work, Cindy?

B:   In a bookstore.

A:   Oh. Do you like it there?

B:   Well, the money isn’t bad.

A:   Uh-huh.

B:   But the boss is a bit strange. Not at all friendly. And he’s got a terrible temper.

A:   Oh.

6.

A:   So what do you do, Tony?

B:   I’m a hairdresser.

A:   Oh. What’s it like?

B:   Well, I love my customers. Some of them are so friendly. But it’s tiring work. I work long hours and I’m on my feet all day.

A:   Yeah. That must be tiring.

1.

A:   So where do you work now, Phil?

B:   I’m working at a night club downtown.

A:   Hey, that’s kind of interesting. Are you the manager or something?

B:   Oh, yeah! Right! Actually I play the drums in the band.

A:   Oh! How long have you been playing the drums?

B:   Well, only for two weeks! But I’m learning real fast.

2.

A:   Where do you work, Ted?

B:   At a hotel. I’m with the Grand City Towers.

A:   Oh, yeah? Do you like it?

B:   It’s pretty good. I get to meet some really interesting people.

A:   Oh, are you the manager?

B:   Well, not yet. I’m still carrying bags, but I’m sure I’ll be manager before long.

3.

A:   So you work for a TV producer. That must be interesting work.

B:   It’s okay.

A:   And what kind of work do you do?

B:   Well, I’m on the road a lot.

A:   Oh, yeah – a kind of personal secretary?

B:   Well, not quite – I drive her to work.

4.

A:   So you work in an office?

B:   That’s right.

A:   How do you like it?

B:   Well, it’s pretty boring.

A:   Oh, yeah? What do you do there?

B:   Oh, I type, answer the phone, that sort of thing. And it really doesn’t pay much.

A:   So why do you stay there?

B:   I like my co-workers.

5.

A:   Where do you work?

B:   I work for the city newspaper.

A:   Really?

B:   Yeah. I write about sports. Have you read any of my stories?

A:   Maybe. Say – what’s your name again?

B:   Ted Grant.

A:   The Ted Grant? Can I have your autograph?

6.

A:   Are you still working in a bar on the weekend?

B:   That’s right. But I’m not working as a waitress anymore.

A:   Oh?

B:   Yeah. Now I’m working the cash register.

A:   Lucky you.

1.

I work for a market research company. We do research for companies that are planning to develop new products. I call people and ask them questions about products they are using now. Sometimes I invite people to come to meetings. We discuss plans for new products with them. It’s pretty interesting work. I’ve been doing it for nearly 15 years now, and I’ve got no plans to change jobs. The thing I really like about my job is that each month I’m working on something completely different, so it never gets boring.

2.

I have my own design company. It’s very small-just me and two assistants. I design brochures, advertisements for magazines, menus, and things like that. It’s a very creative job. I started this company just two years ago after I graduated from design school. Things have gone pretty well for me. I have two big clients and most of my work is for them. Sometimes I have to work very late at night if I have a big job to finish quickly. I always have plenty of work to do and I am always busy.

3.

I’ve had my own restaurant for ten years. When I first bought this place, I thought it would be easy to run, but it’s very hard work. I work long hours. Sometimes we’re very busy and sometimes we’re very slow. We usually have a lot of customers on the weekends. During the week, it’s sometimes quiet. I never have a day off because there are always so many things to do. I don’t do any of the cooking myself. I have three very good chefs to do that. Owning a restaurant is a tough job, but I love it. I don’t want to do anything else.

4.

I’m a flight attendant. Many people think it’s a boring job, but I love it. I get to travel all over the world, and I meet lots of interesting people. I like that. The job is pretty easy, really. We don’t work nonstop for the whole flight. we have plenty of time to sit down and take a break. On long flights, we can even take a nap. Also, the money is very good because all our expenses are paid when we’re working.

1 d   2 c   3 b   4 a   5 e

Transcript

1.

A:   Where do you work, Sharon?

B:   I work at a French restaurant on Park Street.

A:   Oh, what do you do there?

B:   Well, I plan the menus and cook the meals.

2.

A:   So, where are you working now, Tom?

B:   Right now I’m working at the Oak Tree Hotel.

A:   What do you do?

B:   Well, I carry bags to people’s rooms.

3.

A:   Where do you work, Nina?

B:   I work for Better Gardens and Flowers magazine.

A:   Really? Are you a writer?

B:   No, I take photos.

4.

A:   What do you do, Bruce?

B:   I work downtown at City Hotel.

A:   Are you a bellhop?

B:   Oh no, I’m a waiter in the restaurant there.

5.

A:   Where do you work, Laura?

B:   I work for the local newspaper.

A:   What do you do there?

B:   I’m a staff writer. I write all kinds of news stories.

1 False   2 True   3 False   4 False   5 True

Transcript

I’ve been a third-grade teacher at Hudson Elementary School for ten years now. A lot of people think being a teacher is easy because you get the whole summer off for vacation, but teachers work very hard during the school year. I spend a lot of time thinking of interesting activities for my students. I want to make sure that they are never bored in my class. Most of the time the children are easygoing, but sometimes they can be loud and difficult. Teaching is not a quiet, relaxing job, but I really enjoy the variety that it offers.