Unit 9.

CHOOSING A CAREER
A. PHONETICS
I. Choose the word which has the underlined part pronounced differently from the others.
1. A. twice B. flight C. piece D. mind
2. A. about B. around C. sound D. young
3. A. cover B. oven C. coffee D. company
4. A. plates B. cakes C. mates D. said
5. A. laughed B. learned C. changed D. arrived
II. Choose the words that has the different stress from the others.
1. A. geography B. evacuate C. emergency D. temporary
2. A. career B. response C. downside D. mature
3. A. scatter B. earthquake C. collapse D. mudslide
4. A. examination B. exciting C. experience D. expert
5. A. university B. managerial C. opportunity D. enthusiastic
B. VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR
I. Indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following
questions.
1. I consider myself to be trustworthy, responsible and enthusiastic.
A. worthwhile B. talented C. honest D. skilled
2. The experience from an adventurous expedition to a rainforest will broaden your horizons and teach
you new skills.
A. expand your range of interests and knowledge B. open your views
C. widen your eyes D. be an eye-opener
3. Lucy has just finished her A levels and she has got a place at university, but she would really like a
break from the academic world. Therefore, he decides to take a gap year and travel around the word!
A. a year off B. a year out C. a year away D. a year's trip
4. Finally, Amy decided to quit her job as she couldn't stand doing the same things days in days out. It's
so monotonous!
A. easy B. low-paid C. tedious D. secure
5. I am available for an interview all afternoons, except on Tuesday because I am doing a computer
course to improve my typing skills.
A. willing B. free C. impatient D. longing
6. We want to recruit the brightest and the best. If you think you fit the bill, fill in an application form
today.
A. are able to pay the bill B. are suitable C. are of the right size D. are excellent
7. As he lived in a small town outside the city, he had to commute every day.
A. take a bus to work B. drive to work
C. take a life to work D. travel a long way to and from work
8. The atmosphere at work was so bad that Brian eventually decided to hand in his notice.
A. notify the boss B. apply for another job C. give up his job D. be given a better job
9. My boss has a reputation for being such a slave-driver!
A. working overtime B. working excessively hard
C. being slave to work D. making his staff work too hard
10. There are excellent prospects for promotion, and you'll know you're doing something to benefit
society.
A. opportunities B. likelihoods C. futures D. potentials
II. Indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following
questions.
1. You are expected to ask the prospective candidates a technical question to judge their ability.
A. potential B. possible C. aspiring D. former
2. Though many scientific breakthroughs have resulted from mishaps it has taken brilliant thinkers to
recognize their potential.
A. misunderstandings B. accidents C. incidentals D. misfortunes
3. With many companies having to downsize in tough economic items, the outsourcing and contracting of
freelance workers online has become common business practice.
A. take on more staff B. lay off their employees
 C. close down their branches D. notify to break down
4. The Internet provides an infinite pool of buyers from around the world with whom freelancers can
contract their services.
A. quite a few B. many a C. a wide variety of D. a limited number of
5. Well, I want to go straight to university, but I'm also thinking of applying for a temporary job in the
summer.
A. part-time B. full-time C. permanent D seasonal
6. John was promoted last month for being such a committed worker.
A. dishonest B. irresponsible C. unenthusiastic D. unreliable
7. With so many breakthroughs in robotic science and technology, much manual work will soon be taken
over by robots.
A. intellectual work B. physical work C. monotonous work D. dull work
8. I'd go mad if I had to do a dead-end job like working on a supermarket checkout.
A. boring B. monotonous C. fascinating D. demanding
9. He's just so flexible. He'll adapt to any situation.
A. adaptable B. rigid C. intelligent D. autonomous
10. Most, not to say all, off the employers want to look for candidates with punctuality, so make sure
you make a positive impression on them by showing up on time for the interview.
A. good time management B. ability to meet deadlines
C. being late D. being in time
III. Find the one choice that best completes the sentence.
1. He ____ all his money, then closed the account.
A. took out B. took away C. paid in D. paid off
2. He was convicted of using the firm's money to pay ____ his gambling.
A. in B. off C. back D. towards
3. At the meeting, someone brought ____ the subject pre-school education.
A. in B. on C. up D. out
4. Whatever your decision, bear in mind that most people change ____ paths up to five times during their
lifetime.
A. occupation B. career C. job D. vocation
5. I got on so well with my tutor ____ I did with my elder brother.
A. so B. like C. as if D. as
6. It's taking me longer to get ____ the operation than I thought.
A. through B. by C. up from D. over
7. For careers that truly interest you, consider asking each person if you can ____ him or her at work.
A. shadow B. monitor C. follow D. search
8. If you're required to fill out an application form, you'll still need to ____ the best way to present your
skills and experience.
A. work out B. come up C. exercise D. make out
9. When the princess kissed the frog, it turned ____ a handsome prince.
A. into B. up C. out D. over
10. I really like Joe's dad but I don't get ____ with his mother at all.
A. out B. by C. on D. through
11. You shouldn't stay at home so much. Get ____ and make new friends.
A. by B. out C. over D. away
12. A fruit that is fully-ripe is an example of a fruit that has reached ____.
A. development B. maturity C. mature D. growth
13. His teenage daughter is driving him crazy. He can't ____ her moods, her music, and her constant
demand for money.
A. keep up with B. go on with C. put up with D. put up to
14. It'll take me three years to ____ up enough money to travel round the country.
A. pay B. take C. put D. save
15. As soon as she came ____ after the operation, she asked for a drink of water.
A. across B. up C. round D. under
16. Bary has come ____ some good suggestions for raising the money we need.
A. onto B. up with C. round to D. across with
17. You must walk slowly if you want the children to ____ with.
А. keep up B. go on C. keep on D. come up
18. LinkedIn, a social media, is a great way to ____ your skills and experience.
A. highlight B. attend C. focus D. respect
19. I ____ everything in my bag three times but my keys were nowhere to be found.
A. went out B. went over C. looked for D. looked at
20. Can you remember what to do, or do you want me to go ____ it again?
A. by B. into C. past D. over
21. It was the third time in six months that the bank had been held ____.
A. over B. down C. up D. out
22. Having that accident has brought ____ a complete change in his attitude to other people.
A. in B. about C. up D. out
23. The light from the car ____ as it receded into the distance.
A. faded away B. seeped out C. rolled away D. shone out
24. Don't take my advice if you don't want to. You can do ____ you like.
A. although B. but C. like D. as
25. The president has failed to ____ grips with the two most important social issues of our time.
A. take B. take to C. get D. get to
26. It was so foggy that the climbers couldn't ____ out the nearby shelter.
A. run B. take C. break D. make
27. They are thinking of bringing ____ a law to make cyclists wear helmets.
A. on B. up C. in D. round
28. I take ____ everything I said about Paul. I realize now that it wasn't true.
A. on B. over C. in D. back
29. Although I'd never made a sandwich before, my first attempt turned ____ quite well.
A. over B. up C. out D. into
30. I always run ____ of money before the end of the month.
A. out B. back C. up D. down
C. READING
I. Read the passage and choose the best answer.
It can take a long time to become successful in your chosen field, however talented you are. One
thing you have to be (1) ____ of is that you will face criticism along the way. The world is (2) ____ of
people who would rather say something negative than positive. If you've made up your (3) ____ to
achieve a certain goal, such as writing a novel, (4) ____ the negative criticism of others prevent you from
reaching your target, and let the constructive criticism have a positive effect on your work. If someone
says you're totally in the (5) ____ of talent, ignore them. That's negative criticism. If (6) ____, someone
advises you to revise your work and gives you a good reason for doing so, you should consider their
suggestions carefully. There are many film stars (7) ____ were once out of work. There are many famous
novelists who made a complete mess of their first novel - or who didn't, but had to keep on approaching
hundreds of publishers before they could get it (8) ____. Being successful does depend on luck, to a (9)
____ extent. But things are more likely to (10) ____ well if you persevere and stay positive.
1. A. alert B. clever C. intelligent D. aware
2. A. overflowing B. full C. packed D. filled
3. A. idea B. brain C. thought D. mind
4. A. don't let B. shouldn't let C. won't let D. didn't let
5. A. absentee B. shortage C. missing D. lack
6. A. hence B. however C. whereas D. otherwise
7. A. which B. whom C. they D. who
8. A. publish B. to publish C. published D. publishes
9. A. plenty B. numerous C. definite D. certain
10. A. turn out B. sail through C. come into D. deal with
II. Read the following passage, choose the best answer for each question followed.
Choosing a career may be one of the hardest jobs you ever have, and it must be done with care.
View a career as an opportunity to do something you love, not simply as a way to earn a living. Investing
the time and effort to thoroughly explore your options can mean the difference between finding a
stimulating and rewarding career and move from job to unsatisfying job in an attempt to find the right
one. Work influences virtually every aspect of your life, from your choice of friends to where you live.
Here are just a few of the factors to consider.
Deciding what matters most to you is essential to making the right decision. You may want to
begin by assessing your likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses. Think about the classes, hobbies, and
surroundings that you find most appealing. Ask yourself questions, such as "Would you like to travel? Do
you want to work with children? Are you more suited to solitary or cooperative work?" There are no
right or wrong answers; only you know what is important to you. Determine which job features you
require, which ones you would prefer, and which ones you cannot accept. Then rank them in order of
importance to you.
The setting of the job is one factor to take into account. You may not want to sit at a desk all day.
If not, there are diversity occupation - building inspector, supervisor, real estate agent - that involve a
great deal of time away from the office. Geographical location may be a concern, and employment in
some fields in concentrated in certain regions. Advertising job can generally be found only in large cities.
On the other hand, many industries such as hospitality, law education, and retail sales are found in all
regions of the country.
If a high salary is important to you, do not judge a career by its starting wages. Many jobs, such as
insurance sales, offers relatively low starting salaries; however, pay substantially increases along with
your experience, additional training, promotions and commission. Don't rule out any occupation without
learning more about it. Some industries evoke positive or negative associations. The traveling life of a
flight attendant appears glamorous, while that of a plumber does not. Remember that many jobs are not
what they appear to be at first, and may have merits or demerits that are less obvious. Flight attendants
must work long, grueling hours without sleeps, whereas plumbers can be as highly paid as some
doctors.
Another point to consider is that as you mature, you will likely develop new interests and skills
that may point the way to new opportunities. The choice you make today need not be your final one.
1. The word "them" in paragraph 2 refers to ____.
A. questions B. answers C. features D. jobs
2. The word "that" in paragraph 4 refers to ____.
A. occupation B. the traveling life C. a flight attendant D. commission
3. According to paragraph 3, which of the following fields is NOT suitable for a person who does not
want to live in a big city?
A. plumbing B. law C. retail sales D. advertising
4. The word "assessing" in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by ____.
A. discovering B. considering C. measuring D. disposing
5. The word "evoke" in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ____.
A. agree on B. bring to mind C. be related to D. differ from
6. It can be inferred from the paragraph 3 that ____.
A. jobs in insurance sales are generally not well-paid.
B. insurance sales people can earn high salary later in their career.
C. people should constantly work toward the next promotion
D. a starting salary should be an important consideration in choosing a career.
7. The author states that "There are no right or wrong answers" in order to ____.
A. emphasize that each person's answers will be different.
B. show that answering the questions is a long and difficult process.
C. indicate that the answers are not really important.
D. indicate that each person's answers may change over time.
8. In paragraph 5, the author suggests that ____.
A. you may want to change careers at some time in the future.
B. as you get older, your career will probably less fulfilling.
C. you will be at your job for a lifetime, so choose carefully.
D. you will probably jobless at some time in the future.
9. Why does the author mention "long, grueling hours without sleeps" in paragraph 4?
A. To emphasize the difficulty of working as a plumber.
B. To contrast the reality of a flight attendant's job with most people's perception.
C. To show that people must work hard for the career they have chosen.
D. To discourage readers from choosing a career as a flight attendant.
 TEST YOURSELF
I. Choose the word which has the underlined part pronounced differently from the others.
1. A. rewarding B. gap C. application D. shadow
2. A. tedious B. require C. secure D. recruit
3. A. grips B. journalist C. result D. pursue
4. A. scientist B. advisor C. architect D. applicant
5. A. applicant B. fascinating C. mature D. ambition
II. Choose the words that has the different stress from the others.
1. A. relief B. debris C. typhoon D. severe
2. A. erupt B. victim C. forest D. message
3. A. apprentice B. programmer C. dishwasher D. paperwork
4. A. volcano B. tropical C. temporary D. property
5. A. journalism B. interviewer C. government D. available
III. Choose the word or phrase that best completes each unfinished sentence below.
1. We're having terrible weather. Just can't put ____ it for much longer.
A. up B. on C. away D. up with
2. Over the past 50 years, many illnesses have been brought ____ control.
A. in B. under C. to D. over
3. When I break ____ for the summer, I'm going to Spain for three weeks.
A. up B. in C. out D. down
4. The life of a journalist can be both ____ and ____.
A. interesting - excited B. demanding - excited C. tedious - exciting D. demanding -
exciting
5. She will be ill ____ she takes a few days off.
A. as B. so that C. if D. unless
6. Can you remember the first time you ____ in love?
A. felt B. went C. fell D. found
7. She's gradually getting ____ a bad cold, which kept her off work for a week.
A. over B. up C. on D. into
8. The career may be stressful, but it can be very ____ in salary as well as in pride of accomplishment.
A. rewarding B. low C. exciting D. accepted
9. It is important to make your CV or curriculum vitae to ____ out from the crowd.
A. stand B. get C. keep D. sit
10. It's very cold in here. Do you mind if I put ____ the heating?
A. down B. away C. off D. on
11. I told him I'd prefer to walk, but he insisted ____ giving me a lift.
A. about B. on C. to D. for
12. There's a rumor that the National Bank is going to take ____ the company I work for.
A. on B. off C. over D. after
13. There's a lot more traffic than usual. There must be something ____ in the city center.
A. going on B. going off C. getting on D. getting off
14. The motor of the car won't work; we have run ____ petrol!
A. out of B. out for C. on D. out
15. Their pay was low and they had no job security or legal ____.
A. advice B. rights C. actions D. requirements
16. He wasn't sure if he'd be any good at tennis, but actually he took ____ it immediately.
A. after B. on C. in D. to
17. I've always got ____ well with old people.
A. off B. on C. in D. through
18. When they ____ for the beach the sun was shining, but by the time they arrived it had clouded over.
A. went out B. went off C. set off D. left out
19. After standing in the sun for more than an hour, two of the people in the queue passed ____.
A. out B. by C. up D. through
20. When the alarm clock went off, Tom just turned ____ and went back to sleep.
A. down B. out C. up D. over
21. I studied languages ____ I could work abroad.
 A. as B. if C. so D. so that
22. She is acting in an ____ role in the administration.
A. advisable B. advisement C. advisory D. advisor
23. I'd love to get ____ from this place for a few days. I really feel I need a break.
A. out B. away C. over D. down
24. The smell of floor polish still brings ____ memories of my old school.
A. on B. up C. back D. over
25. In their latest attack, terrorists have tempted to blow ____ the bridge.
A. up B. over C. through D. down
26. I've just spent two weeks looking ____ an old aunt of mine who's been ill.
A. at B. for C. out for D. after
27. The old farmer nodded, ____ he had understood every word.
A. as though B. although C. as D. so
28. A positive workplace ____ encourages creativity because employees feel that their ideas will
contribute to the success of the organization.
A. emotion B. position C. confidence D. attitude
29. As soon as I got home from work, I changed ____ casual clothes.
A. to B. into C. in D. for
30. The teacher carried ____ his threat to suspend Tom for his repeated absence from class.
A. on with B. on C. out D. over
IV. Choose the word (A, B, C, or D) that best fits each of the blank spaces.
Life after high school doesn't end. In fact, life begins once there are no more lockers, gym class, or
teachers nagging you about homework.
In terms of choosing the (1) ____ career, it is important to consider a career assessment test in
which you answer a series of questions designed to (2) ____ your strengths and weaknesses. While career
tests should not be your main source of decision making, you can use them as a tool to help you decide
what career might match your (3) ____.
Think about your interests and hobbies. If you enjoy science, you may want to apply to college
and pursue a career in engineering or marine (4) ____. Write a list of possible careers that match your
interests and your capabilities. If you find you are happiest when you work with others, jot down that you
are a team player. In that case, you may want to consider jobs that involve people interaction instead of
careers like computer programming or writing, which require more alone time. Speak to an adult you trust
about your ideas and be willing to receive (5) ____.
Narrow your options and look for a career with growth (6) ____. While it is important to pick a
career that will stimulate your mind, it is also important to be practical about the market. If you decide
that you want to go college, you will need to pick a career that enables you to make a living (7) ____ you
graduate.
Jump into the first step of realizing your career dreams. If you have decided that you would like to
pursue a career that requires higher education, do your (8) ____ on applying to the college or programme,
including qualifications, application deadlines, tuition fees and length of study. If you have decided on a
career that does not require higher education, start looking for ways to enter the field and (9) ____
experience. Speak to someone who already has your dream job. This person can provide a better picture
of the pros and cons of the (10) ____.
1. A direct B. right C. fast D. hard
2. A. exist B. invent C. start D. analyse
3. A. relevance B. habits C. interests D. benefits
4. A. cost B. biology C. standard D. criteria
5. A. feedback B. appearance C. direction D. expectation
6. A. friendships B. opportunities C. connections D. joins
7. A. around B. on C. before D. after
8. A. amount B. load C. research D. quality
9. A. gain B. outgrow C. outdo D. outpace
10. A. position B. control C. profession D. movement
V. Read the following passage and choose the best answers each of the questions.
Not so long ago almost any student who successfully completed a university degree or diploma
course could find a good career quite easily. Companies toured the academic institutions, competing with
each other to recruit graduates. However, those days are gone, even in Hong Kong, and nowadays
graduates often face strong competition in the search for jobs.
Most careers organizations highlight three stages for graduates to follow in the process of securing
a suitable career: recognizing abilities, matching these to available vacancies and presenting them well to
prospective employers.
Job seekers have to make a careful assessment of their own abilities. One area of assessment
should be of their academic qualifications, which would include special skills within their subject area.
Graduates should also consider their own personal values and attitudes, or the relative importance to
themselves of such matters as money, security, leadership and caring for others. An honest assessment of
personal interests and abilities such as creative or scientific skills, or skills acquired from work
experience, should also be given careful thought.
The second stage is to study the opportunities available for employment and to think about how
the general employment situation is likely to develop in the future. To do this, graduates can study job
vacancies and information in newspapers or they can visit a careers office, write to possible employers for
information or contact friends or relatives who may already be involved in a particular profession. After
studying all the various options, they should be in a position to make informed comparisons between
various careers.
Good personal presentation is essential in the search for a good career. Job application forms and
letters should, of course, be filled in carefully and correctly, without grammar or spelling errors. Where
additional information is asked for, job seekers should describe their abilities and work experience in
more depth, with examples if possible. They should try to balance their own abilities with the employer’s
needs, explain why they are interested in a career with the particular company and try to show that they
already know something about the company and its activities.
When graduates are asked to attend for interview, they should prepare properly by finding out all
they can about the prospective employer. Dressing suitably and arriving for the interview on time are also
obviously important. Interviewees should try to give positive and helpful answers and should not be
afraid to ask questions about anything they are unsure about. This is much better than pretending to
understand a question and giving an unsuitable answer.
There will always be good career opportunities for people with ability, skills and determination;
the secret to securing a good job is to be one of them.
1. In paragraph 5, 'in more depth' could best be replaced by ____.
A. more honestly B. more carefully C. using more word D. in greater detail
2. The word "prospective" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ____.
A. future B. generous C. reasonable D. ambitious
3. In the paragraph 2, "them" refers to ____.
A. abilities. B. three stages. C. careers organizations. D. available vacancies.
4. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?
A. Businesses used to visit the universities in Hong Kong to recruit graduates.
B. Until recently it was quite easy for graduates to get good jobs in Hong Kong.
C. Job seekers should consider as many as possible of the factors involved.
D. Graduates sometimes have to take part in competitions to secure a good career.
5. According to paragraph 4, graduates should ____.
A. ask friends or relatives to secure them a good job.
B. find out as much as possible and inform employers of the comparisons they want.
C. get information about a number of careers before making comparisons.
D. find a good position and then compare it with other careers.
6. In paragraph 6, the writer seems to suggest that ____.
A. it is better for interviewees to be honest than to pretend to understand.
B. interviewees should ask a question if they can't think of an answer.
C. it is not a good idea for interviewees to be completely honest in their answers.
D. pretending to understand a question is better than giving an unsuitable answer.
7. In paragraph 1, 'those days are gone, even in Hong Kong', suggests that ____.
A. in the past, finding a good career was easier in Hong Kong than elsewhere.
B. it used to be harder to find a good job in Hong Kong than in other countries.
C. nowadays, everyone in Hong Kong has an equal chance of finding a good career.
D. even in Hong Kong companies tour the universities trying to recruit graduates.
8. Which of the following sentences is closest in meaning to the paragraph 7?