Curso gratuito CPE Proficiency English, OM Personal English, Aprender ingles gratuito multimedia en Internet

Now listen again while you check the audio transcription. Then check the answers below.

MAN: So, how's your new job, Cath? WOMAN: Oh, don't ask! MAN: I thought it was supposed to be this 'excellent opportunity for advancement' and 'a challenge' and all that. WOMAN: Well, yeah, it was supposed to be. MAN: So what happened, then? WOMAN: Well, in the first place it turns out that the timetable's a nightmare. MAN: What do you mean? WOMAN: Half six every morning, including Saturdays. And I have to do a split day twice a week, which means I start at half six and finish at about nine, with a sort of black hole in the middle. It's ludicrous! MAN: Can't you go home in between, or do some shopping or something? WOMAN: Go home? Tell me another one! You see, when l applied I thought, okay, it's a commute, but it's doable, right? Then I find out It's another branch where they needed someone, miles further than I expected, which they 'accidentally' forgot to mention before I agreed to take the job. What could I do? MAN: Say, "Sorry, no go." That's what I'd have done. WOMAN: Oh, would you? When you'd been on the dole for nearly a year and totally desperate to get a foot in any door? Anyway, they promised me I'd be first in line for a transfer when an opening came up, so I just smiled and nodded and that was that. MAN: So how's the work itself? WOMAN: Definitely not what I expected. 'Exciting challenge' it's not – in fact, it's a total drag. I mean, picture this – I answer the phone, somebody wants to order something, so I ask them for the number, right? Well, they don't know the number, do they? So I have to wait for them to find the right page in the catalogue, and then they say, "Oh, that's not what I wanted after all. Sorry, bye!" And if somebody does know the number, all I have to do is type it into the computer, get their name and address and stuff – I'm surprised half of them even know that – and ask them if they want anything else. MAN: That's it? WOMAN: Yeah. 'Challenging sales position' my foot! Of course I've heard you can move up if you're motivated and can prove yourself and all that, but it's a pretty cutthroat place. MAN: What are the other people like, then? WOMAN; Oh, charming. My supervisor for one – I mean, if looks could kill ... you'd think I was trying to steal her husband or something. And you know the first thing she said to me? She just sort of looked me over, right, and then she said, "Your wardrobe could do with some upgrading, dear." Can you believe it? MAN: That's a bit blunt. WOMAN: Well, some of the other people seem okay, but the manager's such a dragon that people are practically afraid to smile, let alone have a nice friendly chat. And nobody even makes an effort to be polite on the phones – I mean, the atmosphere in the office is so down that it even leaks out over the phone lines. MAN: So what are you planning to do? WOMAN: Oh, stick it out, for the moment. You won't catch me on the dole again after only a month. But I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for something better. I want to get out of there before I turn into a dragon lady myself!