Name : Ainun Nasywa Zahrotulfuadah

Class/no : XI MIPA 4 / 04

I. Read the following long conversation and choose the appropriate word to
complete the passage.

The Agony of a Middle-Aged Salaryman

President: Yes, Mr. Tanaka, I understand you want to see me about something. how
can I (1. help) you?.
Tanaka : My manager has told me that I am to be (2. transferred) from the
accounting section to a job with no (3. responsibility) in the postal section.
President: Yes, that’s right. So what’s your problem?
Tanaka : Well, I expected to be promoted after my 20 years of (4. loyal) service to
the company. But this job seems to be a demotion for me, not a promotion.
President: The fact is, Tanaka, that we’re at the end of the financial year and you still
haven’t completed the accounts for your section. They should have been ready for the
company (5. balance) sheet at least ten days ago.
Tanaka : I have been working overtime every night for the past two weeks to try to get
the accounts done on time.
President: That’s not good enough. You were late with your accounts last year, too.
You’re not quick enough. You just don’t have what it (6. takes) to occupy a management
position. I’m sorry.
Tanaka: Then who is going to take my (7. place) in the accounting department?
President: I expect it will be young Kikuchi. He is very good with (8. numbers) and
he’s quick, too. I understand he offered to help you with your accounts, but you said you
didn’t need his assistance.
Tanaka: That’s right. I had my pride. Of course he is quick because he (9. works)
everything out by computer. I do every thing in my head.
President: That’s why you’re so slow. Mr. Inoue, your manager, suggested that you
(10. enroll) in a computer course, but again you refused.
Tanaka: I hate computers. Our company has managed for 30 years without them, and
we can manage 30 MORE years without them!
President: can’t you see that the (11. corporate) system is changing in Japan and it’s
changing very quickly? Your desk is piled high with files, letters and various documents.
But there’s hardly any paper on young Kikuchi’s desk. Why? It’s because he’s filed
everything away on computer disks. And what’s more, he can (12. retrieve) any piece of
information he needs in seconds.
Tanaka: I’m sorry I’m not good with computers. I’ll try to do my best in the future if
you allow me to keep my job. After all, I’m (13. due) to retire in eight years. Can’t I stay
on in the accounting section until then?

President: I’m afraid not. I’d like to explain another change to you. Up until now, our
company has been profitable every year. Last year was the first time that we operated
(14. at loss). With the current (15. depreciation) of the dollar against the yen, we expect
to lose even more money next year, as our company depends on exports.

1
 Tanaka: Yes, but how does that (16. concern) me?
President: It means that we have to reduce our staff and cut down on salaries and
bonuses.
Of course, your take-home pay will be less now. But in these hard times, we all have to
make (17. sacrifices). But now that I think about it, there may be another way out in your
case.
Tanaka: What’s that?
President: I think we can give you the (18. option) of early retirement.
Tanaka: I could not probably accept that. I just couldn’t
President: Why not? It’s very common these days. You should think about it. You’re
almost 50 years old now. We could give you a (19. lump) sum of money instead of a
pension, so that you could enjoy your leisure time. You could play a lot of golf.
Tanaka: I don’t play golf. And besides that, my wife would be very angry. We haven’t
been very happy together recently. If I were to hang around the house all day long with
nothing to do, she might divorce me. Since the children left home, she’s threatened to do
that several times. And in a way, I blame this company for the sad state of my married
life.
President. But we’ve treated you very well. Your pay and bonuses have been higher
than average for somebody your age.
Tanaka: Yes, I earned it by working late every night. I’ve only taken a few days ( 20.
off) during the last ten years, although I was entitled to more. In other words, time that I
should have spent with my family, I spent working in this office!

II. Write in more or less 150 words.

What comes up in your mind getting through the conversation between Mr.
Tanaka and his employer.

good luck