Listen to the following introductions and complete the notes about each topic. Write ONE word only.
1. you can join at university.
2. working in a small
3. jobs that involve spending a lot of time
4. employment in
5. job
6. how to find
You will hear an extract from two interviews with people about their work. Complete the notes. Write no more than TWO WORDS for each answer.
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Alice works on - grows - keeps , ducks and cows - worst part of job - going out in winter to feed - likes working outdoors in the - trucks deliver to - supplies with milk, eggs, cheese - sells directly to in farm shop. |
Wei Long works as a - graduated in - ambition - earn living through - has own - sells - looks after the office - likes making own - wouldn't like to work in a |
You will hear Khalidah talking about the patients, doctors and nurses in the Accident and Emergency Unit. Write a letter a-f next to each group of people. You will not use all the options.
What does Khalidah say about each group of people?
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1. patients - 2. doctors - 3. nurses - |
a. see the patients after they have talked to the nurse b. have had accidents in the work place c. discover what is wrong with the patients d. look after patients who are out of danger e. arrange for patients to go home in an ambulance f. have had accidents in cars or at home |
You will hear a woman talking to some students about her job. Complete the notes with words from the recording. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Job: for five years
Studied: at university
Interested in side, not theory
Accepted for after graduating
Now you will hear the next part of the talk. Choose THREE answers.
What does the speaker think are the disadvantages of police work?
Listen to the last part of the recording and answer the questions. Write no more than TWO WORDS.
1. What does the speaker think about the financial rewards of police work?
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2. What kind of people do the police sometimes have to protect?
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3. What does the speaker want to be in the future?
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Read the text.
(A) The business sections of the media tend to focus on large, traditional companies. By definition, these are high-profile businesses - the companies that are quoted in the leading share price indices. However, most economists agree that smaller businesses, particularly new and developing small businesses, are central to the long-term success of any economy. They argue that the industries of the future will originate in the small business sector. That is why the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe describes SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises, with less than 250 employees) as 'the engine of economic development'.
(B) In the UK, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that the total number of businesses, including small companies, partnerships and sole traders, rose by 260,000 in 2004 to 4.3 million (source: www.dti.gov.uk). This is up from the previous year and represents the best figures ever recorded.
(C) This is success for government policy. Successive UK governments have sought to encourage small business start-ups. Behind the policy is a belief that small businesses contribute to a stronger economic base, and that they have the ability to thrive in a competitive global business environment.
(D) The government also encourages small businesses because they are:
Business planning
(E) Policy makers recognize that it is not sufficient to simply encourage an enterprise culture. If new entrepreneurs are to succeed, if new businesses are to thrive, then it is important that they appreciate the central role of planning. A business plan is the basis of new business development, and it encourages an entrepreneur to think ahead and plan, as far as possible, for the business to be successful.
(F) Writing a business plan will not in itself ensure that a business survives. However, it is an invaluable exercise, forcing entrepreneurs to go through planning steps to make sure their business propositions are viable. A business plan draws on concepts, skills and knowledge, including:
Which paragraph mentions statistics?
In paragraph A, which word indicates that the text will not be about large businesses?
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In paragraph C, which sentence explains why new and developing small businesses are crucial to the success of the economy?
Which paragraph builds on the same idea as the one in A and C?
Reading the passage.
Setting up in the business
(A) lt takes a considerable commitment to set up and run a small business. Owners must be able to do all the tasks necessary to run the business or have sufficient funds to buy in appropriate external help, and even then they must be able to check the quality of the service they are receiving.
(B) Anyone planning to start a business must be realistic about what can be achieved, and in what time frame. Entrepreneurs often work extremely long hours, not just during 'trading' hours, but also after hours doing all the associated paperwork. If entrepreneurs overwork, they will find it difficult to make good decisions and will lack the energy to analyse and evaluate marketing and finance data. If an entrepreneur becomes over tired and over anxious, they can undermine their businesses by giving the impression that things are bad and the business is just about to close down.
(C) Many organizations provide support networks for entrepreneurs running small businesses. These networks provide training and access to experienced business mentors for little or no charge. The Business Link network, funded by Department of Trade and Industry, is one source of this kind of support. If entrepreneurs are under 30 years of age, the Prince's Trust also provides training and mentoring for business start-ups. There are various other privately fun business networking groups which can be both fun and mutually supportive.
(D) Owners need to consider four key issues: training, leadership and team development, delegation and management systems.
(E) Investment in training is necessary to ensure that staff have the skills to do their jobs efficiently and they can meet the requirements of current legislation such as health and safety. Staff may also need training to develop skills to meet internationally recognized quality standards for products and service delivery. Research shows that small and medium-sized firms often find it very difficult to organize effective training.
(F) Ideally, workplace teams should be happy, creative working groups of individuals who support each other, work to each other's strengths and work towards the business's goals. This might require the owners to undertake self-assessment and target-setting reviews to ensure that the business is staying focused on its objectives. Team development can be fostered by organizing events such as team lunches and days out walking together.
(G) Owners should delegate and employ appropriate people to do the tasks that they cannot do or do not have time to do. By freeing themselves from some of the easier day-to-day tasks of the business, owners can spend their time monitoring the overall business and thinking about where the business should be going. Certainly if the owners are passionate about the business, they need time to step back and focus on the long-term goals and vision of the organization. They also need time to network, to build up sales leads and to explore further investment opportunities for the business.
(H) In time, owners need to be able to let go of control of some aspects of the business and to develop more formal management systems. This is probably the most difficult task for any entrepreneur. Many entrepreneurs find it very difficult to trust paid employees to run their businesses.
(I) At this stage in their development, without outside help and guidance, many businesses simply reach their ‘natural’ capacity and they do not develop or grow any further. Entrepreneurs need to decide whether they want to keep their business small - so that they retain control of all decisions - or whether they want to go on growing their business and therefore accept that this will necessarily change their role in the business.
The passage has nine paragraphs A-I. Which paragraphs mention the following information? You may use any letter more than once.
1. physical and mental problems that a business owner can face -
2. leadership and team improvement ideas -
3. the advantage of not expanding in business -
4. individuals and larger groups that are available to help people who are new to business -
5. the reasons why the more basic jobs in a small company should not be carried out by employers -
6. external reasons why companies should try to keep their employee's knowledge and expertise up-to-date -