LEVEL 5 - WRITTEN TASK 1 - JOBS

READING COMPREHENSION

CELEBRITIES’ FIRST JOBS

Written by Casting Frontier, October 4th, 2011

When people talk about the persistence required to succeed in acting, they are not only referring to
the criticism and rejection an actor must endure. To accomplish goals, an actor needs to pay the rent
and eat just like everyone else–in addition to paying for acting classes and seeking auditions. But,
sometimes it can feel like you are really stuck in a dead-end job. When you are feeling this way, do
not allow yourself to believe your current conditions are permanent because they certainly do not
have to be. Check out these first jobs of famous actors, and keep in mind that persistence is the
number one reason many celebrities succeed.

 As a teenager, Tom Hanks sold popcorn and peanuts at the Oakland

Coliseum.
 Johnny Depp was a telemarketer who sold ink pens.
 Jennifer Aniston was a bike messenger in New York City.
 Brad Pitt used to chauffeur a limo and work for “El Pollo Loco” on
Sunset Boulevard.
 Queen Latifah flipped burgers at Burger King and ended up getting
fired from the job after losing her temper at work.
 Julia Roberts made ends meet scooping ice cream at “Baskin
Robbins.”
 Nicolas Cage sold popcorn at the Fairfax Theater.
 Jerry Seinfeld sold light bulbs over the phone, hawked knockoff jewelry on sidewalks, and
was a waiter. “The most exciting part of my whole career was when I handed back my
waiter’s apron,” Seinfeld said. “To me, that was making it.”

Retrieved from http://castingfrontier.com/2011/10/04/celebrities-first-jobs/

Answer the following questions

According to the text, is succeeding in acting easy? Explain in your own words.
___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Why did many celebrities succeed? Do you agree? Why/ Why not?
___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________
Match words or phrases from the text with their definitions

A job in which there is no chance of progression to flip

The act of refusing to accept or be accepted a telemarketer

A person who sells or advertises by telephone a dead-end job

To turn over by or as if by tossing to hawk

To offer for sale, especially by calling out loud in public rejection

USE OF ENGLISH

Complete the sentences with an appropriate word or phrase.

1- To succeed you need to be _______________________
2- Actors usually _______________________ suffer criticism and rejection.
3- Many actors attend _______________________ and are in the hunt of
_______________________
4- Queen Latifah got _______________________ and was fired from her job.
5- Julia Roberts_______________________ money serving ice-cream.
6- Jerry Seinfeild felt relieved when he _______________________ his job as a waiter.

VOCABULARY Read these phrases. Who would say these things? A vet? A secretary? A stuntman?
All these jobs are included - but where? Write the job in the space provided.

fashion designer secretary chess player presenter air steward

dentist film director stuntman vet pilot

1. I don't like looking in mouths all day _______________________

2. Sometimes the animals bite me, though I am trying to help them _______________________

3. Landing is the most stressful part. _______________________

4. Some passengers want to drink after five minutes! _______________________

5. I don't like making coffee for him, but I like typing. _______________________

6. I look terrible in front of the camera at that time! _______________________

7. I am happy to be behind the camera thinking about the next shot. _______________________

8 These models wear these clothes for five years. I have made them
 as a career for over 30 years. _______________________

9. The famous actors make the money - but we take the risks and the pain. _______________________

10. It takes years of practice to become a Grandmaster - and a good

use of the queen! _______________________

LISTENING

LISTENING
Watch the video and complete the activity with ONE suitable
Word

If you are an IT consultant, you can choose the job………………………….. best suited for you, when
and where you want. You have the flexibility to contract with different ……………………….. on
exciting and challenging ………………………
As companies require IT skills, they often offer higher …………………………… for qualified
consultants. About one third of IT consultants from our team earn more than $50 an hour.
Consultants are in high demand. 69% of IT leaders believe that contingent work is critical to the
………………………of their organization’s business ………………………..
Moreover, if you are an IT consultant you are in control of your career path.
You can wait for opportunities to get your desired ……………………………, location and other
requirements specific to your needs.
You can get a good work-life…………………………… that meets your personal and professional
…………………………………..
At our company IT consultant quality recruiters take time to know you on a personal level so they can
better understand your career goals, …………………………. and the type of opportunities you are
looking for.
Being an IT consultant is a way of ………………………... You are constantly being .....……………..
to sharpen your skills to maintain credibility and positon yourself for the best, most exciting
opportunities in the ……………………………. The opportunity to learn new skills sets is one of the
reason consultants enjoy contingent work arrangements.

WRITING

PRE WRITING
Do you have a job? Is your job full-time or part-time? If you don’t have a job, what do you want to be in the
future?
Read the ad below.

Look at the ad. Answer the questions.

1. What is the job in the ad? _______________________________________________________

2. What is the name of the company? ________________________________________________

3. When does the job start? ________________________________________________________

4. How often do you work? _______________________________________________________

5. Where do you work? ___________________________________________________________

6. What is the pay? ______________________________________________________________

7. What skills do you need? ________________________________________________________

8. How can you contact the company? _______________________________________________

Make your own job ad for “the best job in the world”. Use the example to help you. Bring your draft to
class. Exchange it with your partner.

WRITING
Read your partner’s ad. Imagine you got the job. You are at work. Write an e-mail to a friend telling him
/ her about the job; what you do every day, what you are doing now, how you feel. Give as many details
possible.
HAPPY WRITING!!!