The

The World
World of
of Work
Work There are 52 questions in this paper.
PRACTICE PAPER 4A — READING Time allowed: 1 hour
Text 1 Read the recruitment advertisement below for Oriental Airlines flight attendants and then answer
questions 1 – 15. (17 marks)

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a flight attendant?

Then come and join us!

Fly the dream with Oriental Airlines!

Oriental Airlines is a young, dynamic and rapidly expanding regional airline. Since our
foundation in 1995 we have introduced 15 popular routes from our home in Shenzhen. We
currently fly to ten cities in China and to key cities in five other Asian countries. We have
built up a well-deserved reputation for top-class service at competitive prices. Our fleet of
Boeing Next Generation 737s is state-of-the-art.

At present we are further expanding our services between Shenzhen and other
destinations in the region. To help us achieve our objective of becoming the Number One
airline in Asia, we are looking for enthusiastic young men and women to join our team of
flight attendants.

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 25, and should have a minimum of three ‘A’
level passes. In addition to Cantonese, they must be able to speak one other language to a
reasonable level. We are particularly interested in speakers of Japanese, Korean and Russian.
It is not necessary to have any previous work experience in the airline business. Successful
applicants will undergo a full training programme.

Applicants must have a neat appearance and a lively personality. The ability to
communicate effectively and to remain calm and polite when under pressure is essential.

Being a flight attendant is a glamorous but demanding job. It requires skills which not
everybody has. You must be physically fit, and be willing to work hard for long hours. Above
all, you must be able to work effectively as a member of a team.

Hard work brings great rewards. We offer an attractive salary package with numerous
additional benefits. On top of this, you will have the opportunity to travel the world and visit
all those exotic places which most people can only dream of!

If you would like to become a part of Oriental Airlines, and you think you have the
skills we need, write a letter of application to our Human Resources Manager, Madeleine Lau
at the address below. In your letter, give details of your educational background, work
experience, positions of responsibility you have held, your skills and interests, and your
reasons for applying for the post. Please enclose a c.v. and the name of a referee. If we think
you are suitable candidate, we will send you an application form to complete. After that, we
will arrange a date for an interview and /some preliminary psychological and medical tests.

Write to: Madeleine Lau, Human Resources Manager (Recruitment), Oriental Airlines,
26th Floor, Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

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Answer the following questions using information from the Oriental Airlines advertisement. Write the
paragraph number(s) next to each question. The first has been done for you as an example. (3 marks)

Which paragraph explains the application procedure? 7

1. Which paragraph of the advertisement explains why the

airline is recruiting new staff? 1. 2

2. Which three paragraphs describe the skills and qualities 3 4 5

that the job demands? 2. and and

3. Which paragraph mentions the negative aspects of the job? 3. 5

Decide whether these statements are True, False or the information is Not Given. Put a tick in ONE box
only for each statement. (6 marks)

True False Not Given

4. Oriental Airlines has been operating for 15 years. 4

5. One of its existing routes is to Korea. 4

6. It is based in Hong Kong. 4

7. Job applicants must have had the experience of flying as a passenger. 4

8. The most important quality of a flight attendant is to remain calm 4

under pressure.

9. All applicants will be interviewed. 4

The advertisement tries to present a flight attendant’s job at Oriental Airlines in a very positive way.
Which adjectives are used in connection with the following to achieve this? (5 marks)

any one of: young, dynamic, rapidly-expanding

10. the Oriental Airways company
well-deserved
11. the company’s reputation

12. the aircraft state-of-the-art

glamorous
13. the job of flight attendant
attractive
14. the pay of a flight attendant

15. Your cousin is called Peter. He is 19, and he has ‘A’ level passes in Geography, History and Economics.
He speaks Cantonese of course, and his English is good. He knows nothing about the airline business
and has never travelled outside Hong Kong. Could he apply for this flight attendant’s job? Give
reasons why, or why not. (3 marks)
He could apply for te job because he has 3 ‘A’ Level passes and he has English as a

second language. (Experience of flying is not a requirement)

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 Text 2 Read the following article and then answer questions 16 – 35. (21 marks)

Polytechnic University introduces successful on-the-job training programme

A five-week spell in the fast-food industry taught a group of 44 students a great deal
about the restaurant business — and about dealing with people. The youngsters are first-year
students with the Department of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic
University. They were participants in an on-the-job training course organised by the university in
5 co-operation with fast-food restaurants. The youngsters, some of whom may never have cooked a
meal at home, learnt how to clean and prepare food behind the scenes, and deal with customers
out in front. They also learnt how to make decisions, from ordering stock to handling people.

Kwok Yan-yan and Monica Ng Shuen-shuen are regular visitors to Kentucky Fried Chicken
outlets, but never realised the amount of hard work that goes on in a fast-food restaurant. “Working
10 in a fast-food restaurant isn’t as easy as I imagined. I never thought mashed potato could be so
heavy until I had to serve it!” Yan-yan said.

Edith Kwok Ka-man and Larry Ching Ka-wai worked at a McDonald’s restaurant. Their
internship coincided with the restaurant’s month-long McKitty promotion, which made their
training especially difficult. The promotion meant that the restaurant was extremely busy, and so
15 customers sometimes had to wait longer than usual to get served. There were also problems with
the McKitty items, with some customers being dissatisfied with the gifts they received. All of this
added to the pressure on the students. “We were working at the busiest McDonald’s outlet.
Our workload kept increasing during the promotion. But it was a great learning experience!” Edith
said. She and Larry found that dealing with difficult customers was equally ‘educational’. “I was
20 impressed at the way our manager made a customer who had jumped the queue get back in line,”
Larry said. “He was much more effective and tactful than I would have been.”

Besides gaining valuable working experience, the students came away from the training
with some vivid memories and some amusing stories. Edith explained how she turned out an
excess of filet-o-fish burgers when there were hardly any customers. “I wasn’t thinking, and I
25 ended up making 30 filet-o-fish in non-peak time,” Edith said. “Once the burgers are cooked, they
are kept for only 15 minutes. If they are not sold in that time, they are discarded. I was so scared
I would get into trouble if all 30 fish-burgers had to be thrown away. But my colleagues came to
my rescue. They urged the customers to try the filet-o-fish. Some even helped by eating the
burgers themselves! I was so relieved when we finally sold the lot!”

30 Although the programme was tough and challenging, the students were grateful for the
experience. “This has been an excellent training for my next internship in the hotel industry,” said
Monica. “I’m only sorry the programme was so short.”

Dr. Pine, the Head of the Department of Hotel and Tourism Management said that he
was very pleased with the on-the-job programme. “This programme will bring mutual benefits for
35 all parties concerned. It will not only help the students bridge the gap between theory and practice,
but also give the employer a chance to recruit, train and evaluate potential future managers. In
addition, we expect through this programme that we will produce highly-qualified and well-trained
graduates who are ready to ‘hit-the-ground-running’.”

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16. Which of the following is the correct definition of ‘spell’ in line 1?
spell v 1. to say or write the letters of a word in the correct order, e.g.
How do you spell your name? spell n 2 words which when spoken have
a magical power, e.g. The wizard cast a spell. 3 [sing] a very attractive
quality in sb or sth, e.g. He was under the spell of her beauty. 4 a period
of time, e.g. I needed to rest for a short spell.
4
16.

17. According to paragraph 1, some of the students knew very little about cooking before they started
their training. (Tick the appropriate box.)
4 True False Not stated

18. In paragraph 2, when Yan-yan talks about mashed potato, she is giving an example of what aspect of
work in a fast-food restaurant? It is hard/is harder work than she thought.

19. What does ‘coincided’ in line 13 mean? happened at the same time

20. In line 16, what does ‘All of this’ refer to? problems with the McKitty promotion

21. Larry says the experience was ‘educational’ because ....

A. he dealt very well with a queue jumper.
B. he learnt how to deal politely with difficult customers.
C. he learnt how to cook for the first time.
B
D. he learnt how to handle staff and keep them happy. 21.

22. In line 22, ‘Besides’ means ....

A. next to.
B. after.
C. on the other hand. D
D. as well as. 22.

23. Explain in your own words what Edith did wrong, according to paragraph 4.
she cooked too many filet-o-fish at a quiet time of the day

24. Which word in paragraph 4 means ‘thrown away’?

discarded

25. In what two ways did Edith’s colleagues help her? (2 marks)
a) they persuaded customers to buy filet-o-fish

b) they bought some themselves

26. According to paragraph 5, Monica found the training to be useful but difficult. (Tick the appropriate box.)
4 True False Not stated

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 27. According to paragraph 6, Dr Pine is _______________ about the programme.
A. optimistic
B. pessimistic
C. unsure
D. worried 27. A

28. In line 38, ‘hit-the-ground-running’ means ....

A. have an accident.
B. start working effectively at once.
C. be promoted.
D. motivate junior staff. 28. B

29. The best alternative title for this article is ....

A. Polytechnic University students have fun.
B. Fast-food restaurants provide great work experience.
C. Students learn how to cook on training programme.
D. McKitty promotion is tough challenge for students. 29. B

Below is a summary of the problems thrown up by the McKitty promotion . However, there are some
missing words. Read paragraph 3 of the article and then fill in each blank with ONE word only which best
completes the sentence, keeping the meaning of the original text. Note that the most suitable word may or
may not appear in the article. You should also make sure that your answers are grammatically correct.
The first two have been done for you as examples. (6 marks)

The McKitty promotion created a great (a) of extra work for (a) deal

Larry and Edith, who were working at the (b) McDonald’s (b) busiest

outlet in Hong Kong. In the first place, the (30) attracted a 30. promotion

quickly/promptly
great many extra people, so customers were not served as (31) . 31.
jump
as usual. Some customers tried to (32) the queue and the 32.
was
manager had to deal firmly with them. Another problem (33) 33.
out
that the supply of some McKitty gifts ran (34) , with the result 34.

that a number of customers complained because they were not satisfied/happy/

pleased
(35) with the gifts they received. 35.

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 Text 3 Read the following account and then answer questions 36 – 52. (20 marks)

My first day at work

I did my first day at work when I was sixteen. It started as a complete nightmare, but
it ended in a dream.

My dad had arranged the job for me. He used to play mahjong with Mr Lai, one of our
neighbours, who was an engineer at a factory in Kwun Tong that made industrial sewing
5 machines. Mr Lai told my dad that there would be a vacancy in the factory stores for four
weeks in the summer holidays, while two of the storemen went on holiday. My dad decided
that I would be perfect for the job and immediately fixed it up for me. But when to my
surprise I found out about it that evening, I was not so sure. However, I needed the cash, so
I agreed to give it a go.

10 The stores were in a hot, dark stuffy corner of the factory. They were lined with
thousands of shelves, groaning with millions of boxes containing the different oily
components of sewing machines. Every box was labelled with a code number, which was
fortunate, because all the components looked exactly the same to me.

The main problem with the job was that there was practically nothing for me to do.
15 Most of the workers were on holiday and the factory machinery was being repaired and
cleaned. As a result, nobody wanted any stores. On the morning of the first day, only one
worker came to get some components. He wanted 500 special screws, but I couldn’t find
the right box anywhere. After ten minutes of me searching vainly, he told me tiredly that it
didn’t matter and wandered off.

20 After a couple of hours of idleness, I was so bored that my mind kept repeating the
same dull thoughts again and again. I started feeling physically sick. I looked at my watch.
Unbelievably, there was still an hour until lunch. In desperation, I took a magazine out of my
bag and started to read. Immediately Mr Li the store manager put his head out from his
office. He must have been secretly watching me.
25 “Put that magazine away and do some work,” he screamed.
“But there’s nothing to do,” I exclaimed.
“I don’t care,” he said angrily. “You must always look busy — I don’t want the factory boss
coming round here and seeing you reading. He’ll blame me for it.”
Reluctantly, I put away my magazine. I looked at my watch again. Still 45 minutes to lunch
30 — and this was only my first day. Four long weeks to go. How would I ever survive it?

I ate my lunch in the sunshine on the roof. It was hot but at least I could see the sky.
Then, with a heavy heart, I made my way back towards the stores. My route took me past
the manager’s office. As I passed by I glanced inside.

To me the office looked like heaven. It was bright. It was clean. It was air-conditioned.
35 And in it there was an angel staring intently at a computer. As I watched, the girl looked up
and saw me. For a moment I thought she’d tell me to go away, but she didn’t. Instead she
smiled and gave a little wave. I waved back vigorously. It was the first nice thing that had
happened to me all day. The girl looked around the office carefully, then stood up and walked

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 briskly to the door. As she opened it, a glorious wave of cool air and perfume washed over me.
40 “You’re new, aren’t you?” she said.
“Yes, it’s my first…”
“Celia! Get in here at once!” a man’s harsh voice interrupted us.
The girl shrugged apologetically and turned back. “See you tomorrow?” she whispered.
“Yeah. Great!” I replied quickly.

45 I strolled back to work, walking on air. The stores looked completely different now. The
girl’s name was Celia and she’d smiled at me! And I’d be able to see her every day! Suddenly,
four weeks did not seem long enough.

36. According to paragraph 2, the writer’s father knew about the job vacancy because his

neighbour/fellow mahjong player, Mr Lai told him about it

37. Which of the following is true about the writer’s attitude to getting the job?
1. The news of the job was unexpected.
2. He was keen to obtain some work experience.
3. He was not very enthusiastic about it.
4. He took the job because he wanted to earn some money.
5. He was confident he could do the job.
A. 1, 2 and 3.
B. 1, 2 and 4.
C. 1, 2 and 5.
D. 1, 3 and 4.
E. 2, 3 and 4. 37. D

38. In line 10, ‘stuffy’ means ....

A. full of stuff.
B. lacking fresh air.
C. smelly.
D. damp. 38. B

39. Look at the word ‘groaning’ in line 11. Now look at the dictionary entry for ‘groan’ below. Which
meaning corresponds to the meaning in line 11? Write the correct number in the box provided.
groan v 1 to make a deep, sad sound, e.g. She groaned with pain. 2 ~ (about
sth) to complain, e.g. She’s always groaning about how much work she has
to do. 3. PHR V groan under sth to suffer because of the pressure of
something, e.g. For years people groaned under the cruelty of the Emperor.
4 PHR V groan with sth to be loaded with sth, e.g. The tables groaned with
food for the buffet. 4
39.

40. In line 13, what was ‘fortunate’ and why? (2 marks)

a) the fact that the boxes are coded

b) the components all looked the same

41. According to paragraph 4, the factory was not busy because most of the workers were on
holiday and the machinery was being maintained

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 vainly
42. In paragraph 4, which word means ‘unsuccessfully’?

43. The writer thinks that Mr Li has been secretly watching him (line 24) because he shouts at him
as soon as he picks up a magazine.

44. Mr Li tells the writer to look busy because ....

A. the writer has a lot of work to finish.
B. Mr Li wants the writer to help him finish his work.
C. Mr Li will be in trouble if the writer is not kept busy.
D. the writer will lose his job if the factory manager realises there is no work for him. 44. C

45. In paragraph 6, how does the writer feel as he returns to work after lunch?
A. lonely
B. angry
C. worried
D. depressed 45. D

46. Give two reasons from paragraph 7 why the office looked like ‘heaven’ to the writer. (2 marks)
a) two from: it was bright; clean; air-conditioned; there was an angel working in it.
b)

47. In paragraph 7, which word means ‘energetically’? vigorously

48. How do we know from paragraph 7 that the girl is worried that she is being watched?

day
49. In line 41, what word is the writer going to say before he is interrupted?

50. In line 42, what does ‘harsh’ mean? rough-sounding

51. In line 45, ‘walking on air’ means ....

A. very happily.
B. dangerously.
C. dizzily.
D. carefully. 51. A

52. In the first sentence, the writer says that his first day at work ‘started as a complete nightmare, but
ended in a dream’. Explain briefly what he means. (2 marks)
a) His first day at work started as a nightmare because the job was very boring.

b) It ended in a dream because he meets the girl Celia who is kind to him.

END OF PAPER
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 PRACTICE PAPER 4B — WRITING

Complete both tasks. Time allowed: 11/2 hours

Task 1 (100 words)

You have started to write an application letter in answer to the following job advertisement. Proofread the
first two paragraphs and correct the mistakes underlined by your teacher. She has put in some correction
symbols to help you. Write about 100 words. Sign yourself ‘Chris Wong’.
W = choice of word or part of speech
T = tense
S = spelling
N = number
= missing word

Fly the dream with Oriental Airlines!

Oriental Airlines is looking for clerical assistants. Applicants should be at least 16

years old and have good written skills in English and Chinese. They should also be
able to use Word, Powerpoint and Excel or similar office software programs.

If you would like to become a part of Oriental Airlines, and you think you have the
skills we need, write a letter of application to our Human Resources Manager,
Madeleine Lau at the address below. In your letter, give details of your educational
background, work experience, positions of responsibility you have held, your skills
and interests, and your reasons for applying for the post.

Write to: Madeleine Lau, Human Resources Manager (Recruitment), Oriental Airlines,
26th Floor, Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

Dear Ms Lau
S advertisement
I saw the advertisment for Clerical Assistants with Oriental Airlines in yesterday’s
Wapply
‘Hong Kong News’ and I would like to application for the job.
T am attending / attend S taking
I am aged sixteen and I am attend North Kowloon Secondary School. I am takeing my
W completing to
HKCEE examinations this summer. After completion Secondary 5, I intend leave
up W much
school and take full-time work. I very well enjoy English and Chinese, and my teachers
N expect N these
expects me to do well in this subjects.

108
 Chirs Wong

Task 2

Write about 250 words on ONE of the following topics.

1. ‘My first day at work’. Write an interesting story about this for your school magazine.

2. ‘All S4 and S5 students should have part-time jobs — you can learn a lot from a job.’ Do you agree
with this statement? What are the advantages and disadvantages of part-time jobs for students of your
age?

END OF PAPER

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