Part-Time Jobs

B2 First · Multiple Matching · Ready for B2 First 4th Edition Workbook, Macmillan Education Limited

You are going to read an article in which four teenagers talk about their part-time jobs. For questions 1–10, choose from the teenagers (A–D). The teenagers may be chosen more than once.

Finn

Well, unlike a lot of people my age, I like my part-time job. It could be a lot worse. I don't have to work that hard and can relax when we're quiet. I'm not keen on that though because time drags when that happens. It's much better to be busy. I work in a gym and the only thing I'm not really into is doing the 6am shifts. It's so hard to get out of bed then, especially when it's cold and wet outside. We have a rota, so it's not like we get the early shift all the time. The best thing is I get on with the other guys there. We've become pretty close over the past year and hang out when we're not there. But, I must admit, it's not exactly the kind of thing I'd want to be doing when I leave school. I want to get into something more corporate. Maybe go into business like my parents.

Giovanni

I'm a dog walker. I gave up my last job at a restaurant because it was so stressful and tiring. We weren't even allowed to take a break at busy times. This is much more me. It's just around the corner, so I don't even have to take the bus. I can just walk in. Then there's the fact that I don't have the boss constantly telling me what to do. I can do my own thing. I mean, obviously they need to have a good walk, but I can choose the route and time really. I like that. Even when I have a lot on at school, it's just nice to take an hour off and get outside. Mum and Dad have their own business and are away a lot. I keep asking them to get a dog of our own. They reckon their lives are too busy right now, but I just think they don't want to get up super early before work to take it out.

Lauren

My job is OK. To be honest, I didn't go out looking for one. I'm perfectly happy relying on the bank of Mum and Dad! I'm not exactly in a rush to work a nine-to-five job. Mum just said they needed a hand with the gardening jobs. They have their own company and it was expanding, so I agreed to it for a short time. The stuff I do is outside the city mainly, so a lot of the time is spent going to and from places with Dad, which can be time-consuming. Mum mainly does the accounts and bookings in an office at the end of our garden. It's challenging because I don't want my schoolwork to suffer. It hasn't yet, but it's always at the back of my mind. And actually, my parents have such a good work ethic. They've always paid their way, even as teens, so I guess I ought to take their example.

Tara

Having a part-time job has been a big wake-up call for me. Before I worked weekends, I would lie in until midday surfing the internet or just sleeping. Looking back, it was such a waste of time. Now, I work at the bakery. It's a bit monotonous and the wages really could be better. On the other hand, the cakes and bread that they give away at the end of the day are so worth it. My parents would rather I focus on schoolwork but, you know, that's probably because my grandparents didn't let them have a job until they finished uni. I'm not planning on that and being in the kitchen every weekend is just a great way to learn things for when I go to catering college. The other people there are mainly full-time. They're OK, but I wouldn't say they're people I'd make plans with in my free time.

Part-Time Jobs

is working for the family business?

is not content with the earnings they receive?

has parents who didn't work in their teens?

is gaining work experience for their future career?

finds it hard to get up early for work?

doesn't have to travel far from home to work?

is worried about finding time for their studies?

used to be lazy and stay in bed half the day?

has made some good mates at work?

enjoys the independence of the job?

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

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