VOCABULARY PLUS - Use a dictionary to check the meaning of the words in blue in the text.

CRAZY CRAZES

An interview with Miley Jones, an expert on the history of crazes.

HOW DO CRAZES START?

Well, crazes generally start in the playground when we're young. We see someone doing something fun and obviously we want to join them.

WHAT WAS THE STRANGEST CRAZE?

Pole-sitting, probably. In 1924, Alvin Kelly sat on a pole for thirteen hours. Amazingly, it became popular, and people used to watch the best pole-sitters. The record was twenty-one days.

HOW DO CURRENT CRAZES DIFFER FROM PAST CRAZES?

Things like toys and card-collecting used to be popular. Now crazes often start online, when people see and copy funny ideas for photos or videos on social media.

IS THAT HOW CRAZES BECOME SO POPULAR QUICKLY?

Absolutely! Things can quickly become a craze. Before, people didn't use to have smartphones, but now we can post online games scores or photos immediately.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE CRAZE?

Pet rocks. In the 1970s, Gary Dahl started selling a pet rock in a special box with instructions.

DID PEOPLE REALLY USE TO BUY PET ROCKS?

Yes, they did. Apparently, he sold millions of them. No one really knows what the next craze will be.

Read the article. Why do some people think it is necessary to hide their tattoos when they have an interview?

Amanda recently had a colourful butterfly tattooed on her wrist. Brad had the names of his two daughters tattooed on his neck under his hair. His friend Doug had his back decorated with a large tattoo of a shield. For the people themselves, these examples of body art are meaningful and important. Nevertheless, they deliberately had them done in places that can easily be hidden. Why? Because they want to give themselves the best possible chance of getting a job, and many employers have a negative attitude towards tattoos and other forms of body art (piercings, body painting, etc.). That is because many employers do not think that decorating yourself with tattoos is acceptable. But when these employers were young themselves, back in the 1980s, they probably had their hair dyed a bright colour to shock their parents! Fashions change, but younger generations always have the desire to be different.

Fill the blank with a suitable word. There are two extras.

intend, in, of, pay, employees, for, few

yours, neither, give, number, somebody

It's always worth preparing well an interview. Don't just hope (1)_______ the best. Here are a (2)_______ tips. Practise how you say things, as well as what you (3)_______ to say. If you don't own a video camera, perhaps a friend of (4)________ does. Borrow it can make a video tape of yourself. Find (5)_________ to watch it with you and give you a (6)_________ of pieces of advice on how you appear and behave. Before the interview, plan what to wear. Find out the company expects its (7)________ to dress. At the interview, believe (8)__________ yourself and be honest, open and friendly. (9)_________ attention and keep your answers to the point. The interviewer doesn't want to waste time and (10)__________ do you.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 28 to 34.

A letter of application is a sales letter in which you are both salesperson and product, for the purpose of an application is to attract an employer’s attention and persuade him or her to grant you an interview. To do this, the letter presents what you can offer the employer, rather than what you want from the job.

Like a resume, the letter of application is a sample of your work and an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and personality. If it is written with flair and understanding and prepared with prefessional care, it is likely to be very effective. While the resume must be factual, objective, and brief, the letter is your chance to interpret and expand. It should state explicitly how your background relates to the specific job, and it should emphasise your strongest and most relevant characteristics. The letter should demonstrate that you know both yourself and the company.

The letter of application must communicate your ambition and enthusiasm. Yet it must be modest. It should be neither aggressive nor compliant: neither pat yourself on the back nor ask for sympathy. It should never express dissatisfaction with the present or former job or employer. And you should avoid discussing your reasons for leaving your last job.

Finally, it is best that you not broach the subject on salary. Indeed, even if a job advertisement requires that you mention your salary requirements, it is advisable simply to call them “negotiable.” However, when you go on an interview, you should be prepared to mention a salary range. For this reason, you should investigate both your field and, if possible, the particular company. You don’t want to ask for less than you deserve or more than is reasonable.

(Adapted from “Select Readings – Intermediate” by Linda Lee and Erik Gundersen)

What is the passage mainly about?

A. Things to avoid during a job interview

B. Advice on how to find a good job

C. Tips for writing an effective letter of application

D. Differences between a resume and a letter of application

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 28 to 34.

A letter of application is a sales letter in which you are both salesperson and product, for the purpose of an application is to attract an employer’s attention and persuade him or her to grant you an interview. To do this, the letter presents what you can offer the employer, rather than what you want from the job.

Like a resume, the letter of application is a sample of your work and an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and personality. If it is written with flair and understanding and prepared with prefessional care, it is likely to be very effective. While the resume must be factual, objective, and brief, the letter is your chance to interpret and expand. It should state explicitly how your background relates to the specific job, and it should emphasise your strongest and most relevant characteristics. The letter should demonstrate that you know both yourself and the company.

The letter of application must communicate your ambition and enthusiasm. Yet it must be modest. It should be neither aggressive nor compliant: neither pat yourself on the back nor ask for sympathy. It should never express dissatisfaction with the present or former job or employer. And you should avoid discussing your reasons for leaving your last job.

Finally, it is best that you not broach the subject on salary. Indeed, even if a job advertisement requires that you mention your salary requirements, it is advisable simply to call them “negotiable.” However, when you go on an interview, you should be prepared to mention a salary range. For this reason, you should investigate both your field and, if possible, the particular company. You don’t want to ask for less than you deserve or more than is reasonable.

(Adapted from “Select Readings – Intermediate” by Linda Lee and Erik Gundersen)

What is the passage mainly about?

A. Things to avoid during a job interview

B. Advice on how to find a good job

C. Tips for writing an effective letter of application

D. Differences between a resume and a letter of application

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 28 to 34.

A letter of application is a sales letter in which you are both salesperson and product, for the purpose of an application is to attract an employer’s attention and persuade him or her to grant you an interview. To do this, the letter presents what you can offer the employer, rather than what you want from the job.

Like a resume, the letter of application is a sample of your work and an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and personality. If it is written with flair and understanding and prepared with prefessional care, it is likely to be very effective. While the resume must be factual, objective, and brief, the letter is your chance to interpret and expand. It should state explicitly how your background relates to the specific job, and it should emphasise your strongest and most relevant characteristics. The letter should demonstrate that you know both yourself and the company.

The letter of application must communicate your ambition and enthusiasm. Yet it must be modest. It should be neither aggressive nor compliant: neither pat yourself on the back nor ask for sympathy. It should never express dissatisfaction with the present or former job or employer. And you should avoid discussing your reasons for leaving your last job.

Finally, it is best that you not broach the subject on salary. Indeed, even if a job advertisement requires that you mention your salary requirements, it is advisable simply to call them “negotiable.” However, when you go on an interview, you should be prepared to mention a salary range. For this reason, you should investigate both your field and, if possible, the particular company. You don’t want to ask for less than you deserve or more than is reasonable.

(Adapted from “Select Readings – Intermediate” by Linda Lee and Erik Gundersen)

According to paragraph 4, in a job interview, the applicant should be ready to _______.

A. mention their expected salary range

B. talk about the company’s budget

C. negotiate working conditions

D. accept and salary offered

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 28 to 34.

A letter of application is a sales letter in which you are both salesperson and product, for the purpose of an application is to attract an employer’s attention and persuade him or her to grant you an interview. To do this, the letter presents what you can offer the employer, rather than what you want from the job.

Like a resume, the letter of application is a sample of your work and an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and personality. If it is written with flair and understanding and prepared with prefessional care, it is likely to be very effective. While the resume must be factual, objective, and brief, the letter is your chance to interpret and expand. It should state explicitly how your background relates to the specific job, and it should emphasise your strongest and most relevant characteristics. The letter should demonstrate that you know both yourself and the company.

The letter of application must communicate your ambition and enthusiasm. Yet it must be modest. It should be neither aggressive nor compliant: neither pat yourself on the back nor ask for sympathy. It should never express dissatisfaction with the present or former job or employer. And you should avoid discussing your reasons for leaving your last job.

Finally, it is best that you not broach the subject on salary. Indeed, even if a job advertisement requires that you mention your salary requirements, it is advisable simply to call them “negotiable.” However, when you go on an interview, you should be prepared to mention a salary range. For this reason, you should investigate both your field and, if possible, the particular company. You don’t want to ask for less than you deserve or more than is reasonable.

(Adapted from “Select Readings – Intermediate” by Linda Lee and Erik Gundersen)

According to paragraph 4, in a job interview, the applicant should be ready to _______.

A. mention their expected salary range

B. talk about the company’s budget

C. negotiate working conditions

D. accept and salary offered

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 28 to 34.

A letter of application is a sales letter in which you are both salesperson and product, for the purpose of an application is to attract an employer’s attention and persuade him or her to grant you an interview. To do this, the letter presents what you can offer the employer, rather than what you want from the job.

Like a resume, the letter of application is a sample of your work and an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and personality. If it is written with flair and understanding and prepared with prefessional care, it is likely to be very effective. While the resume must be factual, objective, and brief, the letter is your chance to interpret and expand. It should state explicitly how your background relates to the specific job, and it should emphasise your strongest and most relevant characteristics. The letter should demonstrate that you know both yourself and the company.

The letter of application must communicate your ambition and enthusiasm. Yet it must be modest. It should be neither aggressive nor compliant: neither pat yourself on the back nor ask for sympathy. It should never express dissatisfaction with the present or former job or employer. And you should avoid discussing your reasons for leaving your last job.

Finally, it is best that you not broach the subject on salary. Indeed, even if a job advertisement requires that you mention your salary requirements, it is advisable simply to call them “negotiable.” However, when you go on an interview, you should be prepared to mention a salary range. For this reason, you should investigate both your field and, if possible, the particular company. You don’t want to ask for less than you deserve or more than is reasonable.

(Adapted from “Select Readings – Intermediate” by Linda Lee and Erik Gundersen)

According to paragraph 1, in a letter of application, the applicant tries to _______.

A. advertise a product to attract more customers

B. present what he/she wants from the job

C. persuade the employer to grant him/her an interview

D. get further information about the company

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 28 to 34.

A letter of application is a sales letter in which you are both salesperson and product, for the purpose of an application is to attract an employer’s attention and persuade him or her to grant you an interview. To do this, the letter presents what you can offer the employer, rather than what you want from the job.

Like a resume, the letter of application is a sample of your work and an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and personality. If it is written with flair and understanding and prepared with prefessional care, it is likely to be very effective. While the resume must be factual, objective, and brief, the letter is your chance to interpret and expand. It should state explicitly how your background relates to the specific job, and it should emphasise your strongest and most relevant characteristics. The letter should demonstrate that you know both yourself and the company.

The letter of application must communicate your ambition and enthusiasm. Yet it must be modest. It should be neither aggressive nor compliant: neither pat yourself on the back nor ask for sympathy. It should never express dissatisfaction with the present or former job or employer. And you should avoid discussing your reasons for leaving your last job.

Finally, it is best that you not broach the subject on salary. Indeed, even if a job advertisement requires that you mention your salary requirements, it is advisable simply to call them “negotiable.” However, when you go on an interview, you should be prepared to mention a salary range. For this reason, you should investigate both your field and, if possible, the particular company. You don’t want to ask for less than you deserve or more than is reasonable.

(Adapted from “Select Readings – Intermediate” by Linda Lee and Erik Gundersen)

According to paragraph 1, in a letter of application, the applicant tries to _______.

A. advertise a product to attract more customers

B. present what he/she wants from the job

C. persuade the employer to grant him/her an interview

D. get further information about the company