Đề trắc nghiệm Reading Unit 7 (Work) - Life A2-B1

Reading passage 1 (1-10): A Modern Office Job

Maria is a computer programmer for a large technology company. She has worked there for three years, and she really enjoys her job. Her office is in a modern building in the city centre. Every morning, she takes the lift to the tenth floor. She works in a team with five other programmers. They are all very friendly, and they often have lunch together in the company canteen on the ground floor. Maria thinks her job is challenging but also very rewarding. It is a full-time position, and the salary is well-paid, which is much better than her previous part-time job as a shop assistant.

In the past, office jobs were very different. People didn't have computers, and they wrote everything by hand. The offices were often smaller and less comfortable. Maria's grandfather was an accountant, and he has told her many stories about his work life. He worked in the same office for over forty years and never used a computer. Maria can't imagine her job without her laptop. She believes technology has made work more efficient and interesting. However, her grandfather thinks that people communicated more with each other in the past, as they didn't have emails to hide behind.

Reading passage 2 (11-20): A Change of Career

For over ten years, David worked as a marketing manager for a big company in London. He had a very good salary and his position was secure. Every day, he wore a suit, sat in a comfortable office, and attended many meetings. He made important decisions and managed a team of ten people. From the outside, his life seemed perfect. However, David wasn't happy. He felt bored with the routine and tired of the city life. He hasn't felt excited about his work for a long time. He wanted to do something completely different, something more physical and connected to nature.

So, two years ago, David made a very brave decision. He quit his job and moved to a small village in the countryside. He used his savings to buy a small piece of land and became a farmer. His life now is the opposite of what it was before. He gets up early to feed the animals and works outdoors all day, no matter the weather. The work is hard and physically demanding, and he makes much less money than before. Many of his former colleagues thought he was crazy to give up such a good career.

But David has never been happier. He enjoys the freedom of being his own boss and the satisfaction of growing his own food. He says, "I don't make a lot of money, but I make a good life. Job satisfaction is more important than a big salary." He has learned many new skills since he became a farmer, and he feels healthier and less stressed than when he lived in London. He has found a new purpose and a better quality of life.

Reading passage 3 (21-30): The Gig Economy Generation

Welcome to the world of the "gig economy," a growing part of the job market where people work on a short-term, freelance basis instead of having a permanent, full-time job. Two people who are part of this trend are Chloe, a fashion designer, and Ben, a delivery driver. They have never had a traditional nine-to-five job and prefer the flexibility their work provides.

Chloe has worked as a freelance fashion designer since she graduated from university five years ago. She doesn't have a boss. Instead, she finds projects online or through her network of contacts. She can work from her home studio and choose her own hours. This allows her to travel and find inspiration in different places. "I've completed projects for clients in New York, Paris, and Tokyo, all from my laptop," she says. "The variety is exciting. I never do the same thing every day." However, there are disadvantages. Her income is not stable; some months she makes a lot of money, but other months are very quiet. She also has to do her own accounting and marketing, which can be tiring.

Ben has been a delivery driver for a food delivery app for two years. He enjoys the freedom of his job. He turns on the app when he wants to work and turns it off when he's finished. He gets to explore the city on his scooter and listen to music. "It's a simple job," he explains, "but it's perfect for me right now because I'm also a student." The main challenge for Ben is the lack of benefits. He doesn't get paid holidays or sick pay. If he doesn't work, he doesn't earn. The work can also be physically demanding, especially in bad weather. Despite these challenges, both Chloe and Ben agree that the freedom to be their own boss outweighs the negatives.

Reading passage 4 (31-40): A Career in the Emergency Services

Working in the emergency services is not just a job; it's a calling. It requires a special kind of person who is brave, calm under pressure, and has a strong desire to help others. Let's look at the lives of two people who have chosen this challenging path: Sarah, a police officer, and Tom, a nurse in a hospital's emergency room.

Sarah has been a police officer for six years. Her work is unpredictable. One day, she might be directing traffic, and the next, she could be responding to a dangerous situation. She works long hours, including nights and weekends. "You never know what to expect," she says. "It's physically and emotionally tiring, but it's also incredibly rewarding." Sarah had to go through intensive training to learn how to deal with difficult people and make quick decisions. She works in a team, and she says that trusting her colleagues is essential for safety. They often have to go into dangerous buildings or situations, so teamwork is everything.

Tom has worked as a nurse since he left university. His workplace, the emergency room (ER), is a place of constant activity. He sees everything from children with broken bones to elderly patients with serious illnesses. Like Sarah, his job is very demanding. He has to be skilled in many medical procedures and must stay calm during chaotic moments. "The hardest part of my job is giving bad news to a family," Tom admits. "But the best part is seeing a patient recover and go home. That makes all the hard work worth it." Tom believes that compassion is the most important quality for a nurse. He often does small things to make his patients feel more comfortable, like bringing them a warm blanket or just listening to their worries.

Both Sarah and Tom have stressful and often low-paid jobs compared to other professions. However, neither of them would choose to do anything else. For them, the sense of achievement that comes from helping people in their time of need is the greatest reward of all.

Reading passage 5 (41-50): Behind the Scenes at The Grand Palace Hotel

When guests walk into the entrance of The Grand Palace Hotel, they see a beautiful reception area, polite staff, and a luxurious environment. What they don't see is the huge team of people working 'behind the scenes' to make their stay perfect. Running a five-star hotel is a complex operation that requires many different skills and positions.

On the ground floor, the hotel receptionist is often the first person a guest meets. This job requires excellent communication skills and patience. Next to reception is the office of the marketing manager, who has worked for the hotel for over a decade. Her job is to attract new guests and manage the hotel's public image. Deep in the basement, which guests never see, is the kitchen. Here, the head chef and his team of cooks work tirelessly. They start their day before sunrise to prepare breakfast. The chef has to make many decisions every day, from choosing fresh ingredients to creating new menus.

Moving up the building, each floor has a team of housekeepers. They are responsible for cleaning the rooms and making sure everything is perfect for the next guest. This is a very physical job that requires great attention to detail. In case of an emergency, there are clear signs for the emergency exits on every corridor. The hotel also employs a team of engineers to fix any problems, from a broken lift to a faulty air conditioner. They have an office in the basement, too.

Many of the staff are part-time, such as students who work in the hotel's canteen or as waiters in the restaurant. The hotel provides training for all new employees because they believe good service is essential. To apply for a position, a candidate usually needs to send a CV and then attend an interview. While the guests enjoy their holiday, this small army of workers collaborates to create a seamless and memorable experience, proving that teamwork is the true secret to the hotel's success.