English Texts A2-B1 | Pack 8

English Texts A2-B1

Everyday reading practice with short tests :
text + vocabulary + grammar/vocabulary tasks + comprehension questions

Pack 8: texts 71–80
Work routine Professional life Office progress
A normal day at work

Text 71 — A Normal Day at Work

Level: A2

A normal day at work usually starts early. I arrive at the office at about 9:00. First, I check my email and messages. Then I look at my plan for the day and pick the most important tasks. During the day, I talk to customers or colleagues, depending on the work. I also write reports and update documents. At lunchtime, I take a short break and eat something simple. In the afternoon, I continue with my tasks and try to finish everything before 17:00. After work, I feel tired, but I also feel good if I've completed everything on my list.

Vocabulary

  1. to arrive at the office — приходить в офис
  2. to check email — проверять электронную почту
  3. a plan for the day — план на день
  4. important tasks — важные задачи
  5. to write reports — писать отчёты
  6. to update documents — обновлять документы
  7. to finish before 17:00 — заканчивать до 17:00
  8. to complete everything on the list — выполнить всё из списка

Exercise 1 — True or False

1.The writer starts work at 11:00.
2.The writer checks email and messages first.
3.The writer writes reports during the day.
4.The writer never takes a break at lunchtime.
5.The writer tries to finish everything before 17:00.

Exercise 2 — Answer the questions

  1. What does the writer do first at the office?
  2. What does the writer do at lunchtime?
  3. How does the writer feel after work when everything is done?
  4. What does the writer do in the afternoon?
Talking to colleagues

Text 72 — Talking to Colleagues

Level: A2–B1

At work, communication is important. I talk to colleagues every day, not only about tasks but also about everyday things. Sometimes we start the morning with a short chat about the weather or the weekend. When someone needs help, we try to support each other. For example, last week I was working on a document, but I needed a quick idea from my colleague. I asked, and he gave me a simple explanation that helped. Later, I helped him with something too. This makes the work easier and the office atmosphere more friendly. Good communication saves time and reduces stress.

Vocabulary

  1. communication — общение, коммуникация
  2. to support each other — поддерживать друг друга
  3. a simple explanation — простое объяснение
  4. the office atmosphere — атмосфера в офисе
  5. good communication — хорошее общение
  6. to save time — экономить время
  7. to reduce stress — снижать стресс
  8. a colleague — коллега

Exercise 1 — Choose the correct answer

1. The writer talks to colleagues...
a) only once a week
b) every day
c) only on holidays
2. In the morning, they sometimes talk about...
a) the weather or the weekend
b) space travel
c) cooking recipes only
3. Last week, the writer asked for...
a) a quick idea from a colleague
b) a new computer
c) a vacation
4. Good communication helps to...
a) save time and reduce stress
b) avoid all work
c) forget deadlines

Exercise 2 — Answer the questions

  1. Why do colleagues talk at the start of the morning?
  2. What did the writer ask a colleague for last week?
  3. How does good communication affect stress?
  4. What makes the office atmosphere more friendly?
Writing emails

Text 73 — Writing Emails

Level: A2

Most days, I write emails at work. I use email to ask questions, send files, and confirm meetings. I try to write short and clear messages so people can understand quickly. For example, yesterday I sent an email to a colleague. I wrote that I couldn't attend the meeting because I had another appointment at the same time. I suggested a new time and added a short explanation. After I sent the email, I waited for a reply. If I need an answer quickly, I sometimes call instead, but only when it's really necessary. Writing clear emails helps me stay organised at work.

Vocabulary

  1. to write emails — писать электронные письма
  2. to ask questions — задавать вопросы
  3. to send files — отправлять файлы
  4. to confirm meetings — подтверждать встречи
  5. short and clear messages — короткие и понятные сообщения
  6. to not be able to attend a meeting — не мочь прийти на встречу
  7. to call instead — позвонить вместо этого
  8. to stay organised at work — оставаться организованным на работе

Exercise 1 — Complete the sentences

files clear appointment time call
1. The writer uses email to ask questions, send , and confirm meetings.
2. The writer tries to write messages that are short and .
3. The writer couldn't attend the meeting because of another .
4. The writer suggested a new .
5. When an answer is needed quickly, the writer may instead.

Exercise 2 — Answer the questions

  1. What does the writer usually do in emails?
  2. Why was the writer absent from the meeting?
  3. When does the writer call instead of email?
  4. How does writing clear emails help at work?
A meeting at work

Text 74 — A Meeting at Work

Level: A2–B1

Once a week, our team has a meeting. It usually starts at 10:00 and lasts about an hour. Before the meeting, I prepare a short summary of what I did the previous week and what I plan to do next. In the meeting, we discuss problems and share ideas. Sometimes we decide who is responsible for each task. The manager asks questions, and everyone answers calmly. When the meeting is over, we write down the important points and send them by email. This helps us remember decisions and follow the plan. Meetings can be tiring, but they're useful for teamwork.

Vocabulary

  1. to last about an hour — длиться около часа
  2. a short summary — краткое резюме
  3. to discuss problems — обсуждать проблемы
  4. to share ideas — делиться идеями
  5. to be responsible for a task — отвечать за задачу
  6. the important points — важные пункты
  7. to remember decisions — помнить решения
  8. teamwork — командная работа

Exercise 1 — True or False

1.The meeting happens every month.
2.The meeting starts at 10:00.
3.The writer prepares a short summary before the meeting.
4.In the meeting, they only talk about fun topics.
5.After the meeting, they send important points by email.

Exercise 2 — Answer the questions

  1. How long does the meeting last?
  2. What do they discuss in the meeting?
  3. Why do they send the important points by email after the meeting?
  4. What does the writer prepare before the meeting?
Looking for a job

Text 75 — Looking for a Job

Level: A2–B1

When I started looking for a job, I felt a little worried, but I didn't give up. I began with simple steps. First, I wrote my CV and made sure it was clear and easy to read. Then I searched for job offers online and saved the ones that matched my experience. I also asked friends if they knew about any vacancies. When I sent applications, I tried to personalise each message and explain why I wanted that particular job. Sometimes I got rejection emails. That wasn't pleasant, but it helped me improve my CV and cover letters. In the end, I found a job I like, and the whole experience made me more confident.

Vocabulary

  1. to look for a job — искать работу
  2. to write a CV — писать резюме
  3. to search for job offers online — искать вакансии в интернете
  4. a vacancy — вакансия
  5. to personalise a message — персонализировать сообщение
  6. a rejection email — письмо с отказом
  7. to improve a CV — улучшать резюме
  8. the whole experience — весь этот опыт

Exercise 1 — Choose the correct answer

1. The writer started job searching by...
a) searching without preparing
b) writing a CV first
c) looking only in newspapers
2. The writer searched for offers...
a) online
b) only offline
c) never looked
3. Rejection emails helped the writer...
a) improve the CV and cover letters
b) stop searching
c) delete their experience
4. The whole experience made the writer...
a) less confident
b) more confident
c) give up

Exercise 2 — Answer the questions

  1. What did the writer do first when looking for a job?
  2. Who did the writer ask for help?
  3. How did rejection emails help the writer?
  4. How did the writer improve over time?
Job interview

Text 76 — A Job Interview

Level: A2

Last month, I had a job interview for a part-time position. I prepared carefully because I wanted to speak clearly and make a good impression. I read about the company and made a few notes about my experience. On the day, I arrived ten minutes early. The interviewer asked questions about my previous work, my strengths, and my availability. I answered honestly and gave simple examples from real situations. At the end, the interviewer asked if I had any questions. I asked about the working hours and what the first week of training would look like. After the interview, I felt tired but also proud.

Vocabulary

  1. a part-time position — неполная занятость
  2. to prepare carefully — тщательно готовиться
  3. to speak clearly — говорить чётко
  4. a good impression — хорошее впечатление
  5. to arrive early — приходить заранее
  6. strengths — сильные стороны
  7. availability — доступность (когда можно работать)
  8. working hours — рабочие часы
  9. the first week of training — первая неделя обучения

Exercise 1 — True or False

1.The writer arrived late for the interview.
2.The writer prepared before the interview.
3.The interviewer asked about strengths and availability.
4.The writer didn't ask any questions at the end.
5.The writer felt proud after the interview.

Exercise 2 — Answer the questions

  1. Why did the writer prepare carefully?
  2. What did the interviewer ask about?
  3. What did the writer ask at the end?
  4. How did the writer feel after the interview?
Part-time work

Text 77 — Part-time Work

Level: A2

I work part-time in a small shop. I usually work three days a week, and I have the other days for studying. The job isn't too difficult because I received training at the beginning. My main tasks are greeting customers, putting products on shelves, and helping when people ask for something. When I start my shift, I check the task list for the day and see what needs to be done. If there's a problem, my supervisor helps me. I like this job because I'm learning responsibility and also earning some money. Part-time work is a good option for students who want to manage their time well.

Vocabulary

  1. part-time — неполный рабочий день
  2. to receive training — проходить обучение
  3. to greet customers — встречать покупателей
  4. to put products on shelves — расставлять товары на полках
  5. to check the task list — проверять список задач
  6. a supervisor — руководитель, наставник
  7. to learn responsibility — учиться ответственности
  8. to earn money — зарабатывать деньги
  9. to manage time well — хорошо управлять временем

Exercise 1 — Complete the sentences

three shelves training time responsibility
1. The writer works days a week.
2. The writer received at the beginning.
3. One task is putting products on .
4. The writer is learning from this job.
5. Part-time work helps students manage their well.

Exercise 2 — Answer the questions

  1. Why does the writer like part-time work?
  2. What does the writer do at the start of the shift?
  3. What happens when there is a problem?
  4. Why is part-time work a good option for students?
Balancing work and free time

Text 78 — Balancing Work and Free Time

Level: A2–B1

Finding a good balance between work and free time is important to me. When I'm at work, I try to finish my tasks during working hours. After work, I stop thinking about the office and focus on rest. I learned this the hard way, because when I used to check work messages at home, I felt tired all the time. To find a better balance, I plan my free time too. On work days, I study for about an hour and then go for a walk or meet friends. On my days off, I do longer things, like cleaning, cooking, or visiting the library. This way, I feel more energetic and ready for my next working day.

Vocabulary

  1. a balance between work and free time — баланс между работой и свободным временем
  2. working hours — рабочее время
  3. to focus on rest — сосредоточиться на отдыхе
  4. to feel tired all the time — чувствовать себя уставшим постоянно
  5. to plan free time — планировать свободное время
  6. days off — выходные дни
  7. energetic and ready — энергичный и готовый
  8. to learn the hard way — узнать на собственном опыте

Exercise 1 — True or False

1.The writer finishes tasks during working hours.
2.The writer felt tired because of checking work messages at home.
3.The writer never plans free time.
4.On work days, the writer studies for about an hour.
5.On days off, the writer only sleeps.

Exercise 2 — Answer the questions

  1. Why did the writer change their habits?
  2. What does the writer do after studying on work days?
  3. What does the writer do on days off?
  4. How does this balance help the writer feel?
Team project

Text 79 — Working on a Team Project

Level: A2–B1

Last month, I worked on a team project at the office. We had one goal, and each person was responsible for a different part. At the beginning, our team discussed the plan and agreed on deadlines. Then we created a simple schedule. During the project, we met online and shared updates. Sometimes there were misunderstandings, but we solved them by talking things through calmly. I wrote a short report and prepared a presentation. My colleague designed the slides, and another teammate collected the data. In the end, we finished on time, and our manager was satisfied. Team projects help me learn how to cooperate more effectively.

Vocabulary

  1. a team project — командный проект
  2. to discuss the plan — обсуждать план
  3. to agree on deadlines — договориться о сроках
  4. a schedule — расписание, план-график
  5. to share updates — делиться обновлениями
  6. a misunderstanding — недопонимание
  7. to talk things through calmly — спокойно всё обсудить
  8. to collect data — собирать данные
  9. to finish on time — завершить вовремя
  10. to cooperate — сотрудничать

Exercise 1 — Choose the correct answer

1. The project happened...
a) last week
b) last month
c) last year
2. At the beginning, they decided on...
a) the plan and deadlines
b) holidays
c) prices
3. They solved misunderstandings by...
a) shouting
b) talking things through calmly
c) ignoring the problem
4. Team projects help the writer learn how to...
a) work alone
b) cooperate more effectively
c) avoid meetings

Exercise 2 — Answer the questions

  1. What did the writer prepare for the project?
  2. How did they communicate during the project?
  3. How did they solve misunderstandings?
  4. Why are team projects useful?
Learning a new skill for work

Text 80 — Learning a New Skill for Work

Level: B1

Recently, I had to learn a new skill for work. My manager said it would help me do my tasks faster. At first, it was difficult because I had no experience with this program. So I started step by step. I watched short tutorial videos, read simple guides, and practised for about twenty minutes each day. When I had questions, I asked colleagues. They showed me how to fix mistakes and use the tool correctly. After two weeks, I could complete my tasks without any help. Now I feel much more confident, and I understand that learning at a steady pace works better than cramming everything into one long session.

Vocabulary

  1. a new skill — новый навык
  2. no experience — нет опыта
  3. step by step — шаг за шагом
  4. tutorial videos — обучающие видео
  5. to ask colleagues — спрашивать коллег
  6. to use the tool correctly — правильно использовать инструмент
  7. without any help — без чьей-либо помощи
  8. confident — уверенный
  9. a steady pace — постепенный темп

Exercise 1 — Complete the sentences

experience videos colleagues help pace
1. At first, it was hard because the writer had no .
2. The writer watched short tutorial .
3. When stuck, the writer asked .
4. After two weeks, the writer could work without any .
5. Learning at a steady works better than cramming.

Exercise 2 — Answer the questions

  1. What learning method helped the writer most?
  2. How did colleagues help?
  3. How long did it take to learn the skill?
  4. Why does the writer think steady practice is better than cramming?
English Texts A2-B1 — Pack 8 — Everyday Topics 71–80