1. False. Ronan's boss does not trust that his employees will be productive if they work from home.
Explanation: Ronan mentioned that his boss doesn't trust that they will get any work done if left to their own devices.
2. True. Ronan thinks that the performance of employees should be judged based on their task performance.
Explanation: Ronan mentioned that it is frustrating that his company monitors their work closely instead of evaluating them based on their task performance like most companies do nowadays.
3. False. Jo is paid less for her three-day work week compared to her five-day work week.
Explanation: Jo mentioned that she took a significant pay cut when she negotiated for a three-day work week after her maternity leave.
4. True. Jo feels exhausted trying to manage both a five-day workload and childcare.
Explanation: Jo mentioned that she has to take work home in order to meet deadlines and it is wearing her out trying to juggle work and looking after her children and family.
5. True. Marcus misses interacting with colleagues despite the benefits of not wasting time commuting or making idle chit-chat.
Explanation: Marcus mentioned that he sometimes feels lonely working on his own and misses sharing ideas with colleagues.
Task 2 - USE OF ENGLISH:
1. c) saying
Explanation: The correct form to complete the sentence is "I don't remember saying that I'm sure you're mistaken."
2. a) worked
Explanation: The correct form to complete the sentence is "He worked here from 1955 to 1960."
3. b) Are you coming
Explanation: The correct form to complete the sentence is "I haven't had a reply to the invitation I sent you last week. Are you coming to my party?"
4. c) has lived
Explanation: The correct form to complete the sentence is "Before she started university, Jane has lived in the States for six months working as a nanny."
5. d) un
Explanation: The correct prefix to form the word with the opposite meaning is "un." The correct form is "unpolite."
CLERK Castle Bank. How can I help you?
CALLER Hello. I'm afraid I've lost my debit card.
CLERK Okay. What were you doing when you last had it?
CALLER I was getting cash out of a machine. It wasn't stolen, though.
CLERK Right. When did this happen?
CALLER Two days ago, I think.
CLERK Okay. We'll check your account and get a new card to you within five days.
CALLER But I was hoping to go away tomorrow. Can't you send it now?
CLERK I'm sorry, but it's not possible to send it now. It will take time to process your request.
ELLA How was your day at the beach?
BEN Well, when we arrived, the sun was shining brightly and it was really warm.
ELLA Great!
BEN But then it started to rain and it didn't stop raining all day!
ELLA Oh no, that's too bad.
Explanation:
In the first conversation, the caller lost their debit card and the bank clerk is trying to gather information. The caller explains that they were getting cash out of a machine when they last had the card. The clerk asks about the timing, and the caller says it happened two days ago. The clerk then informs the caller that they will check their account and issue a new card within five days. However, the caller expresses their desire to receive it sooner because they are planning to go away soon. The clerk apologizes but explains that they cannot send the card immediately.
In the second conversation, Ella asks Ben about their day at the beach. Ben explains that when they arrived, the weather was sunny and warm. However, it started to rain and continued raining throughout the day. Ella expresses disappointment over the constant rain.
Explanation: Ronan mentioned that his boss doesn't trust that they will get any work done if left to their own devices.
2. True. Ronan thinks that the performance of employees should be judged based on their task performance.
Explanation: Ronan mentioned that it is frustrating that his company monitors their work closely instead of evaluating them based on their task performance like most companies do nowadays.
3. False. Jo is paid less for her three-day work week compared to her five-day work week.
Explanation: Jo mentioned that she took a significant pay cut when she negotiated for a three-day work week after her maternity leave.
4. True. Jo feels exhausted trying to manage both a five-day workload and childcare.
Explanation: Jo mentioned that she has to take work home in order to meet deadlines and it is wearing her out trying to juggle work and looking after her children and family.
5. True. Marcus misses interacting with colleagues despite the benefits of not wasting time commuting or making idle chit-chat.
Explanation: Marcus mentioned that he sometimes feels lonely working on his own and misses sharing ideas with colleagues.
Task 2 - USE OF ENGLISH:
1. c) saying
Explanation: The correct form to complete the sentence is "I don't remember saying that I'm sure you're mistaken."
2. a) worked
Explanation: The correct form to complete the sentence is "He worked here from 1955 to 1960."
3. b) Are you coming
Explanation: The correct form to complete the sentence is "I haven't had a reply to the invitation I sent you last week. Are you coming to my party?"
4. c) has lived
Explanation: The correct form to complete the sentence is "Before she started university, Jane has lived in the States for six months working as a nanny."
5. d) un
Explanation: The correct prefix to form the word with the opposite meaning is "un." The correct form is "unpolite."