Topic: Occupations
Mode: Interpretive
Level: Novice
Students will read or listen to the short passages below describing people’s occupations and answer comprehension questions.
Components of this activity: Passages, comprehension activities
Instructions to the teacher
Below is a reading version and a listening version of this activity. There is no sequence to these activities. Make the necessary worksheets for your class, and make a recording of the passages for the listening activity.
Version 1: Reading
Instructions to students
Read the passages and then answer the comprehension questions.
Passage 1
Freddy is a high school teacher. He teaches math and P.E. (physical education) at East Lansing High School. He likes his job very much. He has worked there for ten years. In Math class Freddy teaches algebra to his students. In PE class Freddy and his students play different kinds of sports. He likes working with high school students, but sometimes the job is tiring and he feels tired.
1.What is Freddy’s job?
2. Where does he work?
3. What does he do his job?
4. How long has he worked there?
5. Does he like his job?
6. What doesn’t he like about his job?
Passage 2
Patrick is a seafood restaurant owner. He has worked there for fifteen years. The restaurant was his father’s before. His father retired and gave the restaurant to Patrick. He likes his job very much. His restaurant sells many different kinds of seafood. It sells fish, shrimp, oysters and other kinds of seafood. Patrick likes to be in the restaurant and serve fresh seafood to his customers, although, sometimes the seafood is a little smelly.
1. What is Patrick’s job?
2. Where does he work?
3. What does he do his job?
4. How long has he worked there?
5. Does he like his job?
6. What doesn’t he like about his job?
Passage 3
Marcia is a sales representative. She works in an office. She has worked there for seven years. She sells watches to department stores and boutiques. She talks on the telephone and meets with her customers. She likes her job very much, however sometimes her throat is sore because she has to talk a lot.
- What is Marcia’s job?
- Where does she work?
- What does she do at her job?
- How long has she worked there?
- Does she like her job?
- What doesn’t she like about her job?
Version 2: Listening
Instructions to students
Listen to the passages and then fill in the blanks below.
Passage 1
Freddy is a high school teacher. He teaches math and P.E. (physical education) at East Lansing High School. He likes his job very much. He has worked there for ten years. In Math class, Freddy teaches algebra to his students. In PE class Freddy and his students play different kinds of sports. He likes working with high school students but sometimes the job is tiring and he feels tired.
Passage 2
Marcia is a sales representative. She works in an office. She has worked there for seven years. She sells watches to department stores and boutiques. She talks on the telephone and meets with her customers. She likes her job very much, however, sometimes her throat is sore because she has to talk a lot.
The activity
Freddy is a high school_________. He teaches ______ and ______, at _________ ________ High School. He ________ his job very much. He has worked there for _______ years. In ________ class Freddy teaches________ to his students. In PE class Freddy and his students play different kinds of _________. He _________ working with high school students but sometimes the job ___ tiring and he _________ tired.
Marcia works a_____ ___________. She _________ in an office. She has worked there for s_____ ______. She _______ watches to department stores and to boutiques. She ________ on the telephone and meets with her __________. She ________ her job very much, however sometimes her _______ is sore because she has to ________ a lot.