1.
1 ………………………When I was young, I dreamed about being a famous writer and now I am! I know I’m a very lucky person. I love my life and I love my work.2 ………………………Like most other writers, I work from home. I have a small office in the garden and every day I spend at least five hours there, writing. My dog sits beside me and all round me the garden is peaceful. When I want to break for lunch, I stop, but if I’m particularly interested in what I’m writing, I continue until it’s a good time. I organise my time myself. I don’t have to do what someone else tells me. That’s probably the biggest advantage.3 ………………………However, it’s not quite as easy as it seems. No, I don’t have to get up early and travel a long distance to work, but I have to make sure that I follow a routine or I would never manage to do everything. So, I get up at the same time each day and make sure that I’m sitting at my computer by 8:30. I try to write the same number of words every day too, and usually I do.4 ………………………One of the disadvantages of working from home is that people don’t think that I’m doing a ‘real’ job. People call me for a chat or come for a coffee and I have to be very strict with them and tell them that they mustn’t interrupt me! Another difficulty is if I don’t have any ideas. This happens quite often! There’s no one to tell me what I should or shouldn’t write. It’s all in my head and if I can’t think of anything, then I can’t write and I have to go for a walk with the dog or listen to some music to give my brain a rest. After a break like this, I can usually start writing again.5 ………………………I can’t imagine having another job. If I didn’t write, I don’t know what I’d do. So, I have to hope that people will continue to buy my books and that I continue to have good ideas!
2.
Read the article about the life of a writer. The headings are missing from the article. Choose from the headings A–E the one which fits each gap.1 ………………………When I was young, I dreamed about being a famous writer and now I am! I know I’m a very lucky person. I love my life and I love my work.
Correct Answer
C. The job of my dreams
Explanation
The correct answer is "The job of my dreams". This heading fits the gap because the writer is expressing their satisfaction and happiness with their career as a writer. They mention that they had always dreamed of being a famous writer and now they consider themselves lucky to be living their dream.
3.
2 ………………………Like most other writers, I work from home. I have a small office in the garden and every day I spend at least five hours there, writing. My dog sits beside me and all round me the garden is peaceful. When I want to break for lunch, I stop, but if I’m particularly interested in what I’m writing, I continue until it’s a good time. I organise my time myself. I don’t have to do what someone else tells me. That’s probably the biggest advantage.
Correct Answer
E. My time is my own
Explanation
The given passage suggests that the biggest advantage of the writer's job is that they have control over their own time. They can choose when to take breaks, when to continue working, and how to organize their schedule. This freedom to manage their time according to their own preferences is highlighted as the most significant aspect of their job.
4.
3 ………………………However, it’s not quite as easy as it seems. No, I don’t have to get up early and travel a long distance to work, but I have to make sure that I follow a routine or I would never manage to do everything. So, I get up at the same time each day and make sure that I’m sitting at my computer by 8:30. I try to write the same number of words every day too, and usually I do.
Correct Answer
D. The importance of routines
Explanation
The passage discusses how the speaker follows a routine in order to manage their work effectively. They mention the need to get up at the same time each day, be at their computer by 8:30, and write the same number of words every day. This implies that the passage emphasizes the importance of routines in their job.
5.
4 ………………………One of the disadvantages of working from home is that people don’t think that I’m doing a ‘real’ job. People call me for a chat or come for a coffee and I have to be very strict with them and tell them that they mustn’t interrupt me! Another difficulty is if I don’t have any ideas. This happens quite often! There’s no one to tell me what I should or shouldn’t write. It’s all in my head and if I can’t think of anything, then I can’t write and I have to go for a walk with the dog or listen to some music to give my brain a rest. After a break like this, I can usually start writing again.
Correct Answer
A. Problems of the job
Explanation
The passage describes some of the difficulties and challenges faced by the person working from home, such as the perception that their job is not 'real', the need to be strict with interruptions, and the struggle to come up with ideas. These problems highlight the potential drawbacks of working from home and suggest that it is not always easy or ideal. Therefore, the correct answer is "Problems of the job".
6.
5 ………………………I can’t imagine having another job. If I didn’t write, I don’t know what I’d do. So, I have to hope that people will continue to buy my books and that I continue to have good ideas!
Correct Answer
B. The only job for me
Explanation
The author states that they cannot imagine having another job and that they don't know what they would do if they didn't write. This suggests that writing is the only job that the author wants and is passionate about, making "The only job for me" the correct answer.
7.
Read the article again. Are these statements True (T) or False (F)?He was a famous writer when he was young.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The article does not mention anything about the person being a famous writer when he was young. Therefore, the statement is false.
8.
He doesn’t always have lunch at the same time.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement suggests that the person does not have lunch at the same time consistently. This means that sometimes they have lunch at different times. Therefore, the statement is true.
9.
He has to travel long distances for his job.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The statement "He has to travel long distances for his job" is false. This means that he does not have to travel long distances for his job.
10.
He needs to do the same things each day.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement suggests that the person mentioned in the question has a routine or a set of tasks that they repeat every day. This implies that they have a consistent schedule or habits that they follow on a daily basis. Therefore, the correct answer is True, as it aligns with the given information.
11.
He likes spending coffee breaks with visitors.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The statement suggests that he enjoys spending coffee breaks with visitors. However, the correct answer is False, which means that he does not like spending coffee breaks with visitors.
12.
Sometimes he has to take a break from writing.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement suggests that there are times when he needs to take a break from writing. This implies that writing can be mentally and physically exhausting, and breaks are necessary for him to rejuvenate and recharge. Therefore, the correct answer is true, as it aligns with the given information.
13.
He wants to stop writing in the future.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The given statement implies that "he" does not want to stop writing in the future. Therefore, the correct answer is False.