Part 7
You are going to read an article about four young people having unusual jobs abroad. For questions 43 – 52, choose from the four people (A-D). The options may be chosen more than once.
Which teenager…
43. wants to set a good example for others?
44. mentions getting paid?
45. will have to take a lot of equipment?
46. will carry out general maintenance work?
47. is going to be travelling in difficult conditions?
48. is planning to spend money to do more travelling?
49. will need to work at night?
50. says previous training is not a requirement?
51. will gather information for climate experts?
52. is unlikely to see any exotic wildlife?
Opportunities to broaden your horizons!
If you’re looking for a job that enables you to travel, there are lots of opportunities for those with an adventurous spirit. Let’s hear from four teenagers who are taking time out to do some truly inspiring jobs.
A Sally
I’m going to spend the next few months on the magical Perhentian Islands, just a few miles off the coast of Malaysia. It’s a paradise of white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters and tropical fish. I’ll spend my days working in the shop, helping with the essential everyday tasks of running a dive shop, like cleaning equipment and filling air tanks. However, in the evenings, I’ll be taking part in the turtle research project. I’ll be recording vital information about the turtles as they come onto the beach in the moonlight, so there will be some magical moments. The job requires long hours and physical labour, so it’s going to be hard work. Still, I’m very excited. I’ll let you know how it goes!
B Jonah
As you might imagine, the wilderness of Arctic Svalbard, halfway between Norway and the North Pole, is a place where there are no roads, just miles and miles of snowy mountains. And that’s where I’m going next March. As part of a three-month expedition, I’ll be carrying out research to look into the effects of global warming on the Arctic. I’m meeting the expedition team in Longyearbyen to start our journey. From there, we’ll travel on foot across a frozen sea, pulling our belongings behind us on sledges. In spring the weather becomes a little kinder; we’ll probably come across polar bears making their way to the sea. We’ll be collecting data along the way for a team of scientists to look through when we return to civilisation. By the end of May, we’ll have travelled hundreds of miles through one of the last true wildernesses on Earth. It’ll be tough, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’m certain will stay with me for the rest of my life.
C Maria
What am I doing this summer? I’m moving to New York City! For me, it’s always been a dream, and now I have an amazing opportunity to live and work in the world’s most exciting metropolis. I’m going to spend the next six months there, working as an au pair. I’m staying with a host family, and I’ll have to look after their two young children. I’ll get a taste of what it’s really like to live there. In return, the family will provide all my meals and some spending money every week. Of course, I won’t be working every day, and I’ll have enough time off to do some sightseeing tours of the city, look round the museums and see a Broadway show or two. At the end of my stay, I’ll get a cash bonus, which I’m going to use to explore the USA more.
D Martin
I’m one of those people who’s just crazy about sports, so the chance to volunteer as a sports coach in Ghana was too good an opportunity to miss. The camp begins on 15th June and ends in August. I don’t have much experience coaching, but I’ll get some training before I start from local coaches in the area I’ll be working in. It’s a lot of responsibility for me. I will be training boys and girls between 13 and 16 years old. I’m sure we will have a lot of fun together, but at the same time I hope I’ll be a good role model and that they’ll look to me for help and guidance. I’m sharing an apartment in the centre of Accra with other volunteers. When I have days off, I’m going to take some trips to explore other parts of the country, such as Lake Volta, or go on safari in the Kakum National Park.
For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary