SOLUTIONREADING COMPREHENSION
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT SECOND YEAR BAC SCIENCES – 1
ST TERM -
Because of recession, many American companies have shut down, while others are reducing the number of their employees. In addition to this, advancing technology is causing more damage as computerized machines have replaced the workers. Thus, today ten men can produce as much as a hundred men did forty years ago.
Tom Brown, 44, had been working for a big New York paramedical firm when he was told they no longer needed him. « After 13 years in the company, I think I should have been treated better » He says. « They just told me that my position had been eliminated. »
Terry Cantine, 49, was product marketing manager in a Californian company, when she got the news that she was laid off because her computer experience should be improved. « My life was my job, » She explains. « Now I find that I was wrong. »
James Kantz lost his job last April because his company had to close down. At the age of fifty, his experience and higher education make him overqualified for the jobs he applies for. « At my age, » He says « I am not very hopeful about finding another good job. »
You cannot ignore the pain in the voices of these new unemployed persons, and how they describe the cruel realities of today’s job markets. For many of these people the loss of a job means the loss of self esteem as well. Personal problems such as alcoholism, depression, and broken marriages are common among the new unemployed.
COMPREHENSION
A- Answer these questions fully. (2 marks) 1- Why have the American companies shut down?
Because of recession.2- Is advancing technology beneficial to workers?
No isn’t (advancing technology is causing more damage as computerized machines have replaced the workers.)B- Answer the question by filling the chart (3 marks) 1. Why have they been laid off?
Tom Brown | They no longer needed him |
Terry Cantine | Because her computer experience should be improved. |
James Kantz | Because his company had to close down |
C- Complete the sentences from the text. ( 2 marks ) 1- Workers
have been replaced by computerized machines.
2- Tom Brown thinks that his employers
should have treated him better.
D- Decide if the following sentences are True or False and justify ( 2 marks ) 1- James Kantz was laid off because he was overqualified
True (At the age of fifty, his experience and higher education make him overqualified for the jobs he applies for.)2- Terry Cantine Still thinks that her job is her life.
False (Now I find that I was wrong. ) E- Find in the text the opposites of these words ( 1 mark ) 1- increasing :
reducing2- Hopeless :
hopeful