Mock Test 7.2 | General Reading

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 15-29, which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.

Section 1 (Questions 15 - 22)

Part-time jobs: how to balance work and play

A.  Whether you are currently a student looking to take on a part-time job to cover your living costs or a graduate needing cash to tide you over while you get on the career ladder, getting part-time work can be essential to keep your finances in order. [Crack IELTS with Rob] However, Q18you must not burn yourself out and become ineffective. It is easy to take on too much and suddenly find there is no time for fun.

B. We all need to stretch ourselves to reach our potential, and that includes funding our way through university and after university. This is also something that future employers wish to see. By Q19getting a part-time job you are learning important transferable skills that you can make the most of later. You will also earn yourself a bit of extra cash.

C. While stretching to reach your full potential, make sure you are realistic about what you can physically manage and what other commitments you have. Remember that the National Association of Student Employment Services suggests a sensible work limit of no more than 15 hours per week. If you are still at university, write a priorities list with how many hours you need to spend in lectures, how many you need to spend on coursework and how many you realistically need for yourself. [Crack IELTS with Rob] Whatever’s leftover can be put to good use in a part-time job – it’s certainly more productive than watching daytime TV. If you are job hunting for your graduate career then you need to put time aside to actively look for work and this can be very time-consuming. Don’t Q16lose sight of your end goal and become so engrossed in your day-to-day part-time job that you forget what you are doing it all for!

D.  Once you have a part-time job and your hours are set, Q15it can be very easy to think only about the money if you are offered extra shifts. While a little more cash might be welcome – and good for your bank account – make sure you don’t take on more than you can handle. The last thing you want is to spoil your work-life balance or miss out on a proper full-time graduate job because you couldn’t say no to another 30 pounds.

E. Taxes can get very Q17complicated as a student or part-time worker and you need to stay on top of things to get the most out of your part-time job. If you are a student and working on your holiday, you will not need to pay tax – you just have to ask for a P385 Student Employees form from your employer to prove you are exempt. However, if you are working during term time or are a graduate trying to earn some extra cash while job-hunting, you will have to pay tax, but only if you earn more than your Personal Allowance. Read our guide to taxes if you are unsure – being aware of the laws surrounding your own taxes could save you a lot of money.

F.  The most important thing about working part-time is to ensure there’s still at least some relaxation. If you are studying or looking for work all day and then having to go straight into a long evening shift, you will quickly resent the fact that you have got no free time. [Crack IELTS with Rob] If you are desperate for the cash, see if budgeting better can help to reduce overheads and free up some time. Remember those priorities!

Section 2 (Questions 23 - 29)

Top five best-paying jobs without a degree

While most people now aspire to go to university after high school, not everyone can. There are all sorts of reasons why young people choose to get into the job market sooner rather than later, and some of them are earning very healthy salaries. We have put together a list of the top five most popular careers that offer high income opportunities without you having to have letters after your name.

1. Estate agent

Annual salary – anything between 20,000 pounds and 100,000 pounds. Being an estate agent requires a licence but anyone interested needs only a fer formal qualifications. [Crack IELTS with Rob] During the property boom of the late nineties, many people became licensed estate agents and the market became very competitive. If you are dedicated, however, you can make a very good living. The downside is that you will be permanently on call, you will work weekends, and you will probably have to survive periods with little or no income.

2. Firefighter

Annual starting salary – 20,000 pounds/ annual salary for trained firefighter – 30,000 pounds. The attraction is the sense of reward and the fact that you will be seen as a hero. You will be out there saving lives and property and, what’s more, you will stay in great shape. Most firefighters have a reasonable set of exam results but a degree is not required. If you stay with a battalion, you can soon work through the ranks and take on a leadership role. However, bear in mind work can be physically draining and the risk factor is extremely high.

3. Air Traffic Controller

Annual salary – upwards of 80,000 pounds. You don’t need a degree to apply, but, if initially accepted, you will have to take classes and pass stringent tests. Both your medical history and social background will be rigorously checked. Pay can be very generous but being responsible for the safety of thousands of people every day is immensely stressful.

4. Salesperson

Annual salary – anyone’s guess! You don’t need a post-school education to be a salesperson – just an iron will and a very thick skin. The appeal is that you earn what you are worth and there are no limits. [Crack IELTS with Rob] The drawback is the lack of stability, together with constant rejection and occational disapproval of what you do for a living.

5. Electrician

Annual salary: 20,000 – 36,000 pounds. The great thing about learning a trade is that even those who failed dismally at school get a second bite at the cherry. Of course, you need basic intelligence to learn complex, potentially dangerous skills but the process of becoming an electrician is fairly painless. Not surprisingly, the queue to work with high voltage isn’t long so there is usually plenty of work around for those willing.