Unit 7: Exercise 1

In this unit, you will look at an IELTS Reading matching features task and read
a text on the topic of work and jobs.

What vocabulary from the topic of work and jobs do you already know? Match
the words with the definitions.

Automation employee employer flexibility manufacturing

Opportunity organization profit self-employed workforce

1. a person or company that employs people:

2. all the people who work in a company, industry, country, etc.:
3. another name for a company (often one that is very big):
4. money that a business earns after it has paid for everything it needs
(e.g. offices, factories, workers, etc.):
5. someone who is paid to work for someone else:
6. the ability to change or be changed easily according to the
situation:
7. the business of producing things (e.g. cars) in large numbers:
8. the chance to get a job or do something that you want to do:
9. the use of machines or robots to do the work in a factory:
10. working for yourself or having your own business:

Unit 7: Exercise 2
Read the information. Then skim read the title and the first paragraph of the text
below. Choose three statements from the list which express the main ideas of
the paragraph.

In the IELTS Reading matching features task, you read an article which contains the opinions
of different people who have knowledge or experience of the topic of the text. For example,
they may be academics or researchers.

The first paragraph of the article introduces the main ideas or topic that the people discuss.

Remember that you can predict the topic of the article from the title and that you can usually
find the main ideas at the end of the introduction.
 The Changing Face of Work

Until the 19th century, there was a fairly good chance that a young man would follow in his
father’s footsteps and work in the same profession or trade. If the plan was to become a
doctor, lawyer or engineer, he would simply take the necessary subjects at university. If he
was planning to do manual work, as a builder, miner or factory worker for example, he would
learn through practical experience. As the 20th century progressed, both men and women
moved to cities to find work, in industries such as advertising, banking and retail. They may
have started at a company at age 17 and probably wouldn’t have left until they retired at 60 or
65. Now, in the 21st century, new technology is being developed all the time, and it is having
a dramatic effect on the kind of jobs people do and the ways in which they work. The speed
of change is so great that it is almost impossible to predict how people’s careers may develop
20 years from now.

□ Women now work in all the same professions that men do.
□ In the area of work, things change more quickly now than they used to.
□ Technology has a big influence on how people do their jobs.
□ People don’t have enough free time because they work too much.
□ It’s unclear what type of jobs people might do in the future.
□ Some industries have not been affected by new technology.

Unit 7: Exercise 3
Read the information. Then read the list (1–8) below. Scan the three paragraphs
of the text. Highlight the things from the list when you find them in the article –
they are in the same order as they appear in the list.

In an IELTS Reading matching features task, you need to skim read the article to understand
the general meaning, but you also need to scan the text. When you scan an article, you look
through the text very quickly to find a specific piece of information, for example the name of
a person and what that person’s claims or views are about a topic.

1 three examples of manual work

2 the age at which older people typically used to stop working
3 the name of a person who teaches at City University
4 the number of hours that people used to work in a typical day
5 the name of a person who works for an organisation called Pro-Com Enterprises
6 the name of a person who teaches at Mapplethorpe University
7 a type of industry that has had many job losses
8 something many people are doing illegally
 The Changing Face of Work

Until the 19th century, there was a fairly good chance that a young man would follow in his
father’s footsteps and work in the same profession or trade. If the plan was to become a
doctor, lawyer or engineer, he would simply take the necessary subjects at university. If he
was planning to do manual work, as a builder, miner or factory worker for example, he would
learn through practical experience. As the 20th century progressed, both men and women
moved to cities to find work, in industries such as advertising, banking and retail. They may
have started at a company at age 17 and probably wouldn’t have left until they retired at 60 or
65. Now, in the 21st century, new technology is being developed all the time, and it is having
a dramatic effect on the kind of jobs people do and the ways in which they work. The speed
of change is so great that it is almost impossible to predict how people’s careers may develop
20 years from now.

Many people are optimistic about these changes. Patrick Carter, educational consultant at
City University, looks forward to a world where the types of jobs people do will be more
rewarding than ever before: ‘Think of the jobs many people have been forced to do
throughout history that were poorly paid and caused illness or injury,’ he says. ‘People look
back and say “the old days” were great, but they forget how difficult life was for many
employees in factories, who often had to do the same task again and again, for ten or more
hours a day.’ Carter feels that the use of robots to build and make products can only bring
positive change. However, not everyone shares this kind of optimism. Adrian Gates, a human
resources consultant at Pro-Com Enterprises, points out that, as new technologies replace
humans, there will be a huge decrease in the demand for employees: ‘Jobs for accountants
and retail workers, for example, will disappear. History proves that employers are willing to
lose workers in order to make as much money as possible. And some of those employees will
find it very difficult to retrain for a completely different career.’

Carter thinks differently: ‘If we introduce more automation, we don’t have to pay wages to so
many employees,’ he explains, ‘and then we will have more money to invest in further
learning and training for more people, so that they can qualify for jobs they really want to
do.’ So will there still be enough jobs for people if robots replace human workers? Joanna
Harding, a lecturer in music technology at Mapplethorpe University, makes an interesting
point about job creation and loss: ‘Recent developments in technology mean we can all listen
to music when and where we want. Certainly, these developments have created jobs for
people in the digital music industry, especially in engineering and in factories,’ she says.
‘However, those same developments have unfortunately caused huge job losses in the
traditional music industry. It’s this kind of dramatic change we often find hard to imagine.’
Harding explains that because of the digital music industry, and the fact that millions of
people download music illegally, many record companies can no longer afford to pay
songwriters, producers, technicians and marketing teams. ‘A large number of people
download music illegally just because everyone else seems to be doing it – but really, they
ought to consider what consequences their selfish actions could have on other people, in this
case, loss of employment.’

Unit 7: Exercise 4
Read the second paragraph of the text again and the four statements. Choose the
two statements that best match the opinions of Patrick Carter and Adrian Gates.

For an IELTS Reading matching features task, you need to match a set of statements or
pieces of information to a list of options, so it is important to be able to locate specific
information in the text.

Statements

1 .   An increasing number of employers will want employees to have the right personality.
2.    It is normal for companies to reduce the number of employees so that they can increase
their profits.
3.    Some jobs that people did in the past were boring and led to health problems.
4 .   Companies will increasingly appreciate the abilities of young people.

For an IELTS Reading matching features task, you need to match a set of statements or
pieces of information to a list of options, so it is important to be able to locate specific
information in the text.

Many people are optimistic about these changes. Patrick Carter, educational consultant at
City University, looks forward to a world where the types of jobs people do will be more
rewarding than ever before: ‘Think of the jobs many people have been forced to do
throughout history that were poorly paid and caused illness or injury,’ he says. ‘People look
back and say “the old days” were great, but they forget how difficult life was for many
employees in factories, who often had to do the same task again and again, for ten or more
hours a day.’ Carter feels that the use of robots to build and make products can only bring
positive change. However, not everyone shares this kind of optimism. Adrian Gates, a human
resources consultant at Pro-Com Enterprises, points out that, as new technologies replace
humans, there will be a huge decrease in the demand for employees: ‘Jobs for accountants
and retail workers, for example, will disappear. History proves that employers are willing to
lose workers in order to make as much money as possible. And some of those employees will
find it very difficult to retrain for a completely different career.’

Patrick Carter

o 1
o 2
o 3
o 4

Adrian Gates

o 1
o 2
o 3
o 4
Unit 7: Exercise 5
Read the information. Then complete the table with the words and phrases in
the box. The words and phrases are all taken from the Reading text ‘The
Changing Face of Work’.

In an IELTS Reading matching features task, it is important to recognise whether someone is

expressing a claim (something the person believes is true or a fact) or a positive or negative
view on a topic. This will help you match the quotes (the direct speech) in the article with the
statements (the questions).

cause (something to happen, e.g. illness) the better option

be forced to do (something) huge decrease in the demand for employees

to invest in further learning and training people can qualify for jobs they really want to do

may not be very useful welcome and value (somebody)

positive meaning negative meaning

Unit 7: Exercise 6
Read the numbered quotes in bold (1–6) from the third paragraph of the article.
Is each person expressing a positive view, a negative view or are they making a
claim? Choose the correct answers.
Carter thinks differently: (1) ‘If we introduce more automation, we don’t have to pay
wages to so many employees,’ he explains, (2) ‘and then we will have more money to
invest in further learning and training for more people, so that they can qualify for jobs
they really want to do.’ So will there still be enough jobs for people if robots replace human
workers? Joanna Harding, a lecturer in music technology at Mapplethorpe University, makes
an interesting point about job creation and loss: (3) ‘Recent developments in technology
mean we can all listen to music when and where we want. Certainly, these developments
have created jobs for people in the digital music industry, especially in engineering and
in factories,’ she says. (4) ‘However, those same developments have unfortunately
caused huge job losses in the traditional music industry. It’s this kind of dramatic change
we often find hard to imagine.’ Harding explains that because of the digital music industry,
and the fact that millions of people download music illegally, many record companies can no
longer afford to pay songwriters, producers, technicians and marketing teams. (5) ‘A large
number of people download music illegally just because everyone else seems to be doing it
– but really, (6) they ought to consider what consequences their selfish actions could have
on other people, in this case, loss of employment.’

1. expressing a positive point of view/xpressing a negative point of view/making a

claim
2. expressing a positive point of view/xpressing a negative point of view/making a
claim
3. expressing a positive point of view/xpressing a negative point of view/making a
claim
4. expressing a positive point of view/xpressing a negative point of view/making a
claim
5. expressing a positive point of view/xpressing a negative point of view/making a
claim
6. expressing a positive point of view/xpressing a negative point of view/making a
claim

Unit 7: Exercise 7
Look at the statements and read the third paragraph of the text again. Then do
the exercise

Statements
1    If more robots do manufacturing jobs, it will create opportunities for people to get a better
      education.
2    People should think more carefully about how their behaviour might affect others.
3    Some traditional jobs will continue to exist but in a different location.
4    We cannot always predict how new technology will affect jobs in a particular industry.

Carter thinks differently: ‘If we introduce more automation, we don’t have to pay wages to so
many employees,’ he explains, ‘and then we will have more money to invest in further
learning and training for more people, so that they can qualify for jobs they really want to
do.’ So will there still be enough jobs for people if robots replace human workers? Joanna
Harding, a lecturer in music technology at Mapplethorpe University, makes an interesting
point about job creation and loss: ‘Recent developments in technology mean we can all listen
to music when and where we want. Certainly, these developments have created jobs for
people in the digital music industry, especially in engineering and in factories,’ she says.
‘However, those same developments have unfortunately caused huge job losses in the
traditional music industry. It’s this kind of dramatic change we often find hard to imagine.’
Harding explains that because of the digital music industry, and the fact that millions of
people download music illegally, many record companies can no longer afford to pay
songwriters, producers, technicians and marketing teams. ‘A large number of people
download music illegally just because everyone else seems to be doing it – but really, they
ought to consider what consequences their selfish actions could have on other people, in this
case, loss of employment.’

Who said what? Match the statements with the correct person. Read the text on
page 1 again if you need to.

1. If more robots do manufacturing jobs, it will create opportunities for people to get a
better education.

o Patrick Carter
o Joanna Harding
o Neither person

2. People should think more carefully about how their behaviour might affect others.

o Patrick Carter
o Joanna Harding
o Neither person

3. Some traditional jobs will continue to exist but in a different location.

o Patrick Carter
o Joanna Harding
o Neither person

4. We cannot always predict how new technology will affect jobs in a particular
industry.

o Patrick Carter
o Joanna Harding
o Neither person

Unit 7: Exercise 8
In an IELTS Reading matching features task, you will need to use your
knowledge of synonyms and paraphrases.

Match the words on the left with the synonyms and paraphrases on the right.
The synonyms and paraphrases are all taken from the text ‘The Changing Face
of Work’.

knowledge and skills companies the next few generations working for themselves

the kind of character welcome and value decide new environments older

1. appreciate
2. choose
3. different location
4. young people
5. abilities
6. traditional
7. employers
8. personality
9. self-employed

Unit 7: Exercise 9
Read the final three paragraphs of the text. Look at the statements and the list of
researchers. Match each statement with the correct researcher, A–D.

However, many large corporations have been created in the last 20 years because of the
existence of the internet. It is the internet that allows them to sell their apps or online services
as downloads. Professor of Sociology, Sara Millington, researches employment at these
massive internet-based companies. ‘They make enormous profits but employ few people, and
thousands of applicants hope to get the same few jobs,’ she says. ‘If you decide to apply, you
need to have the right skills and qualifications, but you also need to have the exact qualities
they are looking for,’ she says. ‘More and more companies are interviewing people to find
out if they have the kind of character that fits in with their company culture – and this trend is
going to continue.’
The way that people work is also likely to change. Nadia Campbell, who works for the
Independent Professionals Group, can see this trend already developing. ‘Many people no
longer want to do a nine-to-five job every day. And in the future, they will want even more
flexibility in regards to the hours they work, and with the place they choose to work from,’
she says. ‘The idea of working for one boss will become less and less attractive, as more
people decide that working for themselves, and from home, is the better option.’ New
technology might mean new types of jobs, but it is also likely that certain ‘older’ jobs will
have to evolve to suit future needs. A recent study from researchers in Finland concluded that
‘many of these jobs won’t disappear completely … they will move into new environments,
such as into outer space – where we still need people to take care of waste, the health of
astronauts and some kinds of construction work.’ Although change in the types of work we
will do is causing anxiety for many, it must be remembered that the generation that controls
much of the workforce, people now in their fifties and sixties, may retire in the next ten to
fifteen years.

Jack McCaw, a researcher for Career magazine suggests that the next few generations will
have a completely different experience of work: ‘In the year 2020, 50% of the US workforce
will be people born after the year 2000. These people know how to connect to others, learn
and work together in a digital way. They are used to working from anywhere and using
digital tools to complete all sorts of tasks. Most organisations today will welcome and value
them as they have the knowledge and skills they need.’ These are exactly the kind of people
now taking Joanna Harding’s music technology course. She knows that some of the things
she is teaching them now may not be very useful in ten years’ time, as the technology will be
completely different.

List of researchers

A Sara Millington
B Nadia Campbell
C Researchers in Finland
D Jack McCaw

1. A An increasing number of employers will want employees to have the right

personality.

□ A
□ B
□ C
□ D

2. Some traditional jobs will continue to exist but in a different location.

□ A
□ B
□ C
□ D
 3. More and more people will choose to become self-employed.

□ A
□ B
□ C
□ D

4. Companies will increasingly appreciate the abilities of young people.

□ A
□ B
□ C
□ D

Unit 7: Exercise 10
Think about what you’ve learnt in this unit.

Complete the advice. Use the words and phrases in the box.

a negative view, a positive view or a claim examples of direct speech

expressing the same opinion main ideas paraphrased same names

underline them understanding

1. Read the first paragraph quickly to get a general ________________________ of the topic
and the ___________________________ .
2. Look at the list of names, scan the article for the ________________________ and
___________________________ .
3. Read the article more carefully, and focus on the ______________________________ .
4. Decide whether the examples of direct speech express ______________________________
.
5. Look at the statements and think how they might be _______________________________
in the article.
6. Match the statements to the people _________________________________ or factual
information in the article.