SOLUTION
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. ( 5 marks ) 1- Why have many American companies closed down ?
Because of recession.2- Is advancing technology an advantage or an inconvenient ? Explain
It is an inconvenient because (it is causing more damage as computerized machines have replaced the workers.) 3- Are all the unemployed people young and inexperienced ?
No they aren’t (Tom Brown 44 / Terry Cantine 49 / James Kantz overqualified4- What problems are common among the new unemployed ?
alcoholism, depression, and broken marriages5- What does the loss of a job mean to them ?
It means the loss of self esteem B- Decide if the following sentences are True or False. ( 2 marks ) 1- James Kmets was fifty when he was laid off.
True (At the age of fifty)2- Tom Brown has worked in the company for thirty years.
False (After 13 years in the company)C- Complete the sentences from the text keeping the same meaning. ( 2 marks ) 1- The number of employees
is being reduced by many American companies.
2- Terry Cantine
should improve computer experience.
D- Find in the text the opposites to these words. ( 1 mark ) 1- Deteriorating :
advancing2- To know :
ignore