Unit 7

♦ Reading Job Bulletins

♦ Calling About a Job

♦ What Can You Do?

♦ Yes, I can. No, I can’t.

-45- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

 TALKING ABOUT JOBS

Gustavo, Eduardo, and Felipe are painting a beautiful house. They dream of a
better life. Someday, they won’t have to be day laborers. They will have full-time work.
When Felipe came from Mexico, he wanted to be a mechanic. Eduardo wanted to be a
plumber. Gustavo thinks that they can still get those jobs. Eduardo doesn’t believe it.
They will never get good jobs. “Forget it,” he says. “It will never happen.”
Gustavo doesn’t agree with Eduardo’s bad attitude. He wants to be a landscaper,
and he’s going to adult school. Gustavo tells Felipe that he can study auto repair in adult
school. After they study, they will be able to get the jobs that they want.

1. What are Gustavo, Felipe, and Eduardo doing?

_____________________________________________________________________

2. What job did Felipe want when he came from Mexico?

_____________________________________________________________________

3. Is Gustavo enrolled in an adult school?

_____________________________________________________________________

4. What does Gustavo want to be?

_____________________________________________________________________

5. Where can Felipe study auto repair?

_____________________________________________________________________

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -46- Unit 7

 IVAN LOOKS AT A JOB BULLETIN

Ivan is looking at the job board at school. He writes down information for a
maintenance job, but he can’t finish because his pen runs out of ink. When Amir and Min
pass by, Ivan asks them if he can borrow a pen. Min gives him her pen. Ivan works for his
cousin, but his job is terrible. He has to work too many hours. He asks Amir and Min if
they are looking for jobs. Min works in a restaurant, and Amir works in a law firm. Ivan
was a chef in the Ukraine.
Amir remembers that his office manager is looking for a maintenance person. Ivan
is excited about the possible opportunity. Amir gives Ivan the name of the office manager.
Amir and Min say goodbye to Ivan because it’s time for them to go to English class.

1. Why does Ivan want a new job?

_____________________________________________________________________

2. Does Ivan borrow Amir’s pen?

_____________________________________________________________________

3. Where does Amir work?

_____________________________________________________________________

4. What did Ivan do in his country?

_____________________________________________________________________

5. Where are Amir and Min going?

_____________________________________________________________________

Unit 7 -47- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

 VOCABULARY
Study the following definitions.
• argument a fight with angry words

• attitude a person’s actions

• borrow to take something now that you will return later

• client a person who hires a lawyer

• complain to tell someone about a problem

• enjoy like very much

• enroll to register for a class

• fold to put in order

• forget it don’t waste your time

• hug to hold somebody in your arms; to embrace

• impossible not possible

• jealous feel bad because somebody has something you want

• law firm a company of lawyers

• trust to believe that somebody is honest

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -48- Unit 7

Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with the new vocabulary.

1. There’s an excellent automobile repair class at the adult school. You have to

_______________________ before the semester begins.

2. Jose loves his wife very much. Every morning, he _________________________ and
kisses her before he leaves for work.

3. Mr. Tang is a very interesting teacher. We ________________ his class very much.

4. If you don’t have any money, you can _____________________ $20.00 from me.

5. Lee works very hard. He’s also very polite and nice to everyone. He has a very good

____________________________.

6. The lawyers at this ___________________________ are very busy right now. They

have a lot of ___________________________.

7. If you think the food is cold and the soda is warm, you should _______________
to the restaurant manager.

8. Marta has a good job, a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. I’m

________________________ of her.

9. Benjamin is my best friend. I ____________________ him with everything I have.

10. My friend and I had a big _____________________ last week. Now we’re not talking
to each other.

11. You have to ____________________ the towels before you put them in the closet.

12. It will be ______________________ to take a vacation in Paris next summer if you

don’t have any money.

13. Why are you looking for a new job here in Los Angeles when you’re going to move to

New York next month? You should _____________________________.

Unit 7 -49- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

 JOB BULLETINS

A Job Bulletin is a notice with information about a job opening. Most institutions,
schools, hospitals, public departments, etc, have job bulletin boards. To fully understand a job
bulletin, you need to know some of the vocabulary that is commonly used to give information.

* EOE (equal opportunity employer) everyone has the same opportunities to apply for
this job without discrimination
* experience preferred experience will help, but it’s not necessary

* experience required you must have experience in this kind of work

* permanent the position will continue without end

* reference someone who can give you a recommendation

* temporary the position will end at a certain time

Read the job bulletins below and answer True or False.

Nurse’s Assistant
full-time, days, $20 per hour
Monday to Friday
previous experience necessary
call Ms. Mary Williams
310-444-7542
EOE

1. _______________ This job is for women only.

2. _______________ The pay is ten dollars an hour.

3. _______________ Experience is important.

4. _______________ You will work two days a week, Mondays and Fridays.

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -50- Unit 7

 Gardener
temporary part-time, Sat. & Sun.
experience preferred
for more information
call Julio Ramos
800-444-8986
EOE

5. ________ You can work at this job for a long time.

6. ________ This is a part-time job.

7. ________ You must have experience to apply.

8. ________ Mr. Ramos can give you more information about this position.

Secretary
Monday to Friday, 9-5pm
$400 per week
experience and references required
excellent benefits
fill out application in
personnel office
EOE

9. __________ This job is full-time.

10. __________ You need someone who can give you a recommendation.

11. __________ There are good benefits.

12. __________ You need to call for more information.

Unit 7 -51- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

 CALLING ABOUT A JOB

Study this dialogue.

Mario calls about a job.

Mario: Hello. I’m calling about your ad for a maintenance man.

Is that job still open?

Man: Yes, it is. Can you fix stoves and refrigerators?

Mario: Yes, I can.

Man: Can you come in for an interview?

Mario: Yes, of course I can.

Man: What’s your name?

Mario: Mario Sanchez.

Man: Mario, can you come in at 2:00 pm today?

Mario: Yes, I can.

Man: Do you have our address?

Mario: No, I don’t.

Man: It’s 131 S. 3rd Street.

Mario: 131 S. 3rd Street. OK. See you at 2 o’ clock.

Man: Goodbye.

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -52- Unit 7

 Using the first dialogue as an example, finish this dialogue for Sue.

Now Sue is calling about a job in an Italian restaurant.

Sue: Hello. I’m calling about ____________________________________.

Manager: Can you cook Italian food?

Sue: Yes, _____________ __________________.

Manager: Can you make salads?

Sue: Yes, _____________ __________________.

Manager: What’s your name, please?

Sue: My name is ______________________________________________.

Manager: Susan, can you come in for an interview?

Sue: ____________, I _______________.

Manager: Good. How about tomorrow at 3:30 pm?

Sue: OK. Tomorrow at _______________________ pm. That will be fine.

Manager: Do you have our address?

Sue: Yes, I ________________.

Manager: OK. See you tomorrow. Goodbye.

Unit 7 -53- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

 MIN TELLS AMIR ABOUT GUSTAVO

After English class, Amir and Min go to the cafeteria to get something to eat.
Min really likes the nursing program at this school. She wants to be a nurse’s assistant,
but her parents want her to run the family restaurant. Amir really likes his job because
people are really nice and he’s learning many things.
Min tells Amir about her friend Gustavo who works as a day laborer. Two
weeks ago, Gustavo did some work, but he didn’t get paid. She wants to help her
friend. Amir knows some lawyers in his office who help people who don’t have a lot
of money. He will make an appointment for Min’s friend Gustavo.

1. Do Amir and Min have lunch together?

____________________________________________________________________

2. What kind of work does Min want to do?

____________________________________________________________________

3. Are Min and Amir talking about Gustavo?

____________________________________________________________________

4. Why does Min want to speak to a lawyer?

____________________________________________________________________

5. What is Amir going to do?

____________________________________________________________________

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -54- Unit 7

 MARTA TELLS JOSE ABOUT HER JOB — Part 1

Jose cooked dinner. He and Marta are eating. Jose wonders what Marta did in the
afternoon. She tells him that she read a book about auto mechanics. Marta finally tells
Jose that she got a job as a mechanic. Jose isn’t happy about this. He does not want his
wife to work in an auto shop with men. Marta wants to work.
Marta tries to convince Jose. She fixed cars in Mexico. They need the money.
Their new apartment will be expensive. Jose understands that she is right. When he
agrees, Marta is very happy. Jose begins to think about what they can buy with the extra
money. Maybe a new TV and DVD player?

1. Did Marta cook dinner?

_________________________________________________________________________

2. What did Marta do in the afternoon?

_________________________________________________________________________

3. Did Marta fix cars before?

_________________________________________________________________________

4. Why did Marta get a job?

_________________________________________________________________________

5. What does Jose want to buy?

_________________________________________________________________________

Unit 7 -55- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

 WHAT CAN YOU DO?

We use can to talk about abilities or skills.

I
You
He
She can cook.
It
We
They

Mario is a maintenance man. Sue is a cook.

He can fix stoves. She can bake cookies.

Jorge and Carlos are stock clerks. Joan is a secretary.

They can lift heavy objects. She can type and file.

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -56- Unit 7

 IVAN, SUE, AND JOAN TALK ABOUT THEIR SKILLS

Ivan Sue

I can fix faucets. I can cook Italian food.

I can fix stoves. I can make salads.
I can repair broken windows. I can bake cookies.
I can change light bulbs. I can prepare fast food.

Joan WHAT ABOUT YOU?

I can type.
I can take dictation. Think about things you can do.
I can use a computer. Make a list of five skills you can use on a job.
I can file.

1. I can _____________________________________

2. I can _____________________________________

3. I can _____________________________________

4. I can _____________________________________

5. I can _____________________________________

Unit 7 -57- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

 THE NEGATIVE FORM: CAN’T

The negative form of can is cannot or can’t.

I
You
He
She can’t (cannot) read.
It
We
They

I
you
he
Yes/No questions and answers with can. Yes she can.
it
we
I they
you
he
Can she read?
it I
we you
they he
No she can’t.
it
we
they

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -58- Unit 7

 CAN & CAN’T

Study these examples.

Can Marta fix cars? Can Pedro cook?

Yes, she can. No, he can’t.

Look at the pictures and answer the questions.

1. Can Fred play the guitar?

No, _____________.

2. Can Tom and Bill play soccer?

Yes, _____________.

Unit 7 -59- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

 3. Can Lisa and Maria sing? 6. Can you use a computer?

No, _______ _________. No, ______ __________.

4. Can we speak French? 7. Can Javier and Marco lift

heavy objects?
No, ________ _________.
Yes, _______ ___________.

5. Can Alfredo repair bicycles?

Yes, ______ _________.

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -60- Unit 7

 MARTA TELLS JOSE ABOUT HER JOB — Part 2

Marta is folding the laundry in the bedroom. Jose asks her about her new job. The
auto repair shop isn’t far. It’s on Alvarado near Wilshire. Marta can take the bus for now.
When she makes a little money, she will buy a used car.
Jose wants to know about her new boss. Who is he? Marta tells Jose that her boss’s
name is Roberto. Jose remembers a guy named Roberto from Mexico. Marta dated him
many years ago in Michoacan. Jose asks Marta if she kissed Roberto when they dated.
Marta says that she did. Jose is a little jealous. Then Marta tells Jose that her new boss is
from Michoacan.

1. Is Jose folding the laundry?

_________________________________________________________________________

2. Where is the auto shop where Marta got a job?

_________________________________________________________________________

3. How will Marta get to work?

_________________________________________________________________________

4. What kind of car does Marta want to buy?

_________________________________________________________________________

5. When Roberto dated Marta, did he kiss her?

_________________________________________________________________________

Unit 7 -61- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

 FOCUSED LISTENING WORKSHEET

Watch the video section called “Focused Listening.”

Then circle the correct answer.

SCENE 1
What are the qualifications Ivan must have to get the job?
a. He must have a college degree.
b. He must own his own tools and equipment.
c. He must have training and experience in air conditioning repair.

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -62- Unit 7

 UNIT 7 TEST

Circle the correct answers.

1. A ______________________ is a notice with information about a job opening.

a. job bulletin
b. complaint
c. work area

2. Most ____________________ have job bulletin boards.

a. supermarkets
b. restaurants
c. institutions

3. If a _____________________ is required, you’ll need someone who can give you a

recommendation.
a. diploma
b. license
c. reference

4. This job will end soon because it’s _______________________.

a. good
b. permanent
c. temporary

5. This company will not discriminate because it’s an ______________________.

a. EOE
b. institution
c. nice

6. John is a chef. He ____________________ cook international food.

a. is
b. can
c. can’t

7. Roberto is a police officer. He ______________________ fix stoves.

a. is
b. likes
c. can’t

8. We’re secretaries. We ____________________ type and file.

a. are
b. can
c. can’t

Unit 7 -63- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

 UNIT 7 TEST

9. They’re bakers. They can bake, but they ________________________ type and file.
a. are
b. can
c. can’t

10. Can you work weekends? Yes, I _________________.

a. can
b. am
c. can’t

11. Can they lift heavy boxes? No, they ____________________.

a. aren’t
b. can
c. can’t

12. What __________________ you do? I can fix cars.

a. can
b. have
c. are

13. Typing, filing and using computers are ______________________.

a. unnecessary
b. skills
c. exercises

14. _____________________ you speak English? Yes, I can.

a. What
b. Are
c. Can

15. Schools, hospitals, and public departments are ____________________.

a. institutions
b. companies
c. jobs

16. You can _________________ in this class in the office.

a. take
b. enroll
c. sit

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -64- Unit 7

 UNIT 7 TEST

17. Carlos always works hard and comes on time. He has a good _____________________.
a. argument
b. attitude
c. friend

18. I have a wonderful job. I ______________________ it very much.

a. enjoy
b. work
c. do

19. The client ______________________ the lawyer.

a. hugs
b. trusts
c. complains

20. If you complain too much, you will soon have an _________________________.
a. trust
b. client
c. argument

Unit 7 -65- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)

Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10) -66- Unit 7
 UNIT 7
STUDENT ANSWER KEY

VOCABULARY (page 49) FOCUSED LISTENING (page 62)

1. enroll 1. c
2. hugs
3. enjoy
4. borrow
5. attitude
6. law firm, clients
7. complain
8. jealous
9. trust
10. argument
11. fold
12. impossible
13. forget it

JOB BULLETINS (pages 50 & 51)

1. F
2. F
3. T
4. F
5. F
6. T
7. F
8. T
9. T
10. T
11. T
12. F

CAN & CAN’T (pages 59 & 60)

1. he can’t
2. they can
3. they can’t
4. we can’t
5. he can
6. I can’t
7. they can

Unit 7 -67- Putting English To Work 2 (rev. 10/10)