Preparation Test
Read
the text below and answer Questions 15-21.
Benefits
for staff of Hamberton Hospital
Our attractive benefits package is
one of the ways we acknowledge the contribution they all make in the provision
of high quality patient care. Our package is extensive and varied.
As a Hamberton employee, you’ll
enjoy both National Health Service (NHS) and locally developed schemes,
providing you with a range of benefits. These include:
Financial
Benefits
• opportunity to contribute to the NHS Pension Scheme – highly regarded
by the independent pensions and insurance sector
• Injury Benefits Scheme
• excellent occupational sick pay and maternity leave and pay
entitlements
• loans to assist with the purchase of housing for employees in the
health service
Work-Life
Balance
Here at Hamberton, we are committed to helping all employees balance their work
and home life commitments. We believe by helping people make this balance we
are able to recruit, retain and motivate the most valuable asset of the NHS –
our employees. We are committed to making this balance work for all employees
equally, not just parents.
Over 50% of our staff work part-time
in a range of flexible working options, which include:
• job sharing
• term-time-only working
• part-time working
• individually-tailored working patterns
We also support employees further
through our caring and special leave arrangements.
Health
• our own occupational health department, providing a totally
confidential service open to all staff during normal working hours
• a round-the-clock free and confidential counselling service
• policies supporting phased returns to work after long illnesses or
injuries
Other
Benefits
On-site facilities include:
• excellent food provided in our restaurant
• ample parking
• retail outlets
NHS
Discounts
All NHS employees can access the NHS Discounts scheme. This allows members of
staff free access to a number of discounted products and services. For example,
discounts are available at many high street shops and elsewhere, including
savings on toys, utility bills, days out, and much more.
Red
Guava
This is a further discount benefit, which is available to employees of
Hamberton. Red Guava provides discounts on holidays, for example, and can save
you money in many other ways too.
Questions
15-21
Complete the sentences below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet.
15. The hospital provides benefits to show its recognition
of the ………………………… of staff to its work.
16. Financial benefits include pay for staff who are ………………………… or
on maternity leave.
17. ………………………… are available for staff who wish to buy a home.
18. Helping staff with their work-life balance is not restricted to
…………………………
19. The hospital has ………………………… that are designed to help staff
return to work after a long absence.
20. The facilities on hospital premises include a large area for
…………………………
21. The cost of ………………………… is reduced by using the Red Guava
scheme.
Read the text below and answer Questions 22-27.
Performance-related
pay
There are a number of reasons why
your employer might introduce this type of pay scheme. They may:
• be keen to retain current staff
• want to compete for new talent
• be seeking a fairer way of distributing wages.
In order for performance-related
schemes to work, they should be based on clear, measurable targets agreed by
both employer and employee. You will normally find out about these targets from
your contract of employment and the performance appraisal meetings you have
with your manager.
Short-term
schemes
Short-term schemes usually offer bonus payments, or, depending on the type of
work, commission on sales achieved. Payments vary and these schemes are
normally used just to encourage staff to improve their own performance.
Long-term
schemes
Long-term schemes offer rewards like share options, and can help to encourage
loyalty to the organisation and its aims. Such schemes tend to be used as a way
of retaining senior staff.
What
to do if you have problems
If you don’t receive bonus or commission payments which you believe you are
owed, check your contract of employment or staff handbook to see how your bonus
is paid. Ask your employer if you need more information.
If you think a mistake has been
made, you should:
• speak to your employer to see if there has been a misunderstanding
• ask your employer to set out in writing how they have calculated your pay
• keep copies of any letters and notes of any meetings.
There are three ways that the law
might cover a case of unpaid bonuses:
• breach of contract
• unlawful deductions from wages
• unlawful discrimination.
Deductions
from wages / breach of contract
Any right to a bonus will normally be included in your contract of employment.
It may not always be written down. It can be verbally agreed or understood to
be there due to normal practice in your particular area of business.
Failure to pay a bonus or commission
that you are entitled to could amount to an unlawful deduction of wages.
Discrimination
Your employer must not discriminate against particular groups of people – for
example, by giving smaller bonuses to women. Ideally, your employer should have
some guidelines setting out the normal range of bonuses to give, and these must
be followed without discriminating against any specific group.
Questions
22-27
Complete
the notes below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 22-27 on your answer sheet.
Performance-related
pay
One
of the reasons for introducing performance-related pay is in order to 22 ……………………
existing employees.
Employer and employee should agree on some 23 …………………… that
can be measured.
Short-term schemes: bonus or the payment of a 24 ……………………
related to sales.
Long-term reward schemes: generally offered to employees at a 25 ……………………
level.
Details of bonus payments: may be included in a contract or a handbook for
staff.
If you think there has been a
mistake with your pay:
•
discuss the issue with your employer
• keep records of any relevant 26 ……………………
It
is illegal for employers to discriminate against any specific group, e.g. by
giving less money to 27 …………………… .
Sample 2
Read
the text below and answer Questions 15-20.
North
Sydney Council
North Sydney Council recognises the
importance of balancing the demands of your work with the demands of your
personal life.
The standard working week for
full-time council employees is 35 hours For ‘Indoor Staff’ and 38 hours for
‘Outdoor Staff’, worked over 5 days. Indoor staff are able to access the benefit
of flexi time. A number of these occasionally work from home where appropriate –
an example of an initiative that can provide flexibility at certain stages of an
employee’s career.
Staff are entitled to 3 weeks per
annum sick or carer’s leave. In addition to the normal parental leave/maternity
leave provisions, women who have completed 12 months of continuous service can
access a total of 9 Weeks’ maternity leave that can be taken either as 9 weeks
at full pay or as 18 weeks at half pay.
The annual entitlement to paid
holidays is 20 days, pro-rata for part-time. After 5 years of continuous
service, employees are entitled to 6.5 weeks Long Service Leave (LSL).
Our Financial Advice Program is
conducted in partnership with FuturePlus Financial Services. We provide the
services of advisors specialising in pensions, and all our employees are given
the opportunity to meet them as part of the induction process.
The Employee Assistance Program
(EAP) is a counselling service provided at no charge to all employees and their
families. The service is available by phone or face to face. The EAP provides
registered psychologists for employees wishing to discuss work or non-work
matters confidentially. Employees can also access information, such as articles
and self assessments, online via eapdirect.
Questions
15-20
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text
for each answer.
Write
your answers in boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet.
15. Which employees may choose not to work regular hours?
16. How much time off each year is an employee able to take to look
after a relative?
17. What kind of leave involves a choice between two alternative
periods of time?
18. How long must employees have worked without a break before
being entitled to additional holidays?
19. What does the Financial Advice Program advise staff about?
20. What kind of professional people can employees see if they want
to talk about their job in private?
Read the text below and answer Questions 21-27.
Registering
As An Apprentice
If you are keen to acquire new
skills and learn best through ‘hands-on’ experiences, then registered
apprenticeship is a good option for you. These programmes always involve work
experience as well as classroom instruction and produce workers skilled in the
occupation. There is a written contract to be signed by the apprentice and the
employer, which acknowledges their joint commitment to the training process.
This contract is approved and registered by the New York State Department of
Labor.
How
Do I Qualify?
First of all you must meet the employer’s minimum qualifications. This could be
a high school diploma or the equivalent. However, some employers will ask for
specific high school courses, prior experience, or occupationally related
courses.
What
Is My Training Like?
Training for each apprenticeable occupation is conducted according to a
training outline that has been standardized for the occupation. This assures
that apprentices across the state have the same sets of basic competencies and
skills. At the successful completion of each registered apprenticeship, the
Department of Labor awards the apprentice a ‘Certificate of Completion’, which
is a nationally recognized credential.
The length of time it takes you to
learn the skills of the occupation depends upon two things: the standard
training outline and your aptitude. Each trade has a definite term of training,
listed in years. As a registered apprentice, you may progress according to that
established training term, or you may become skilled more quickly or more
slowly. It may even be that you start your apprenticeship with credit toward
the goal. Your employer may choose to award you this for previous working
experience in the occupation, or for prior coursework related to the
occupation.
As an apprentice, you are part of
the employer’s workforce. You work full-time for the employer. A registered
apprentice works under the guidance of more experienced craft workers called
journey workers. From them, you learn the skills of the trade. As you master
each skill, you become a more productive employee.
At the same time as you are working,
you are also required to attend classes (usually in the evenings). The location
and times of these are set up by the local education agent in consultation with
the employer. Your progress is tracked by you, your employer and your education
provider.
Successful completion of all
requirements results in your certificate.
Questions
21-27
Complete
the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 21-27 on
your answer sheet.
21. You and your employer will need to sign a …………………
before training starts.
22. Employers may have different minimum requirements regarding
applicants’ ………………… and experience.
23. Each industry has its own standardised …………………of training.
24. You may be given credit for work experience or if you have done
relevant …………………
25. You will be considered as a member of the ………………… during the
apprenticeship.
26. While at work, apprentices are supervised by what are known as
………………… .
27. Employers are consulted when deciding the ………………… and
schedule for lessons.
Sample 3
SECTION 2: Questions 15 - 27
You should spend
about 20 minutes
on Questions 15-27,
which are based on Reading Passages below.
Write answers to
questions in boxes 15-27 on
your answer sheet.
GT Reading Sample
- "Marketing advice for new
businesses" & "Working Time Regulations for Mobile
Workers"
Read
the text below and answer Questions 15-20.
Marketing
advice for new businesses
If you’re setting up your own business,
here’s some advice on getting customers.
Know
where your customers look
Your customers aren’t necessarily where you think they are. So if you‘re
advertising where they’re just not looking, it’s wasted money. That’s why it
pays to do a bit of research. Every time someone contacts your company, ask
them where they found out about you. And act on this information so you’re
advertising in the right places.
Always
think like a customer
What makes your customers tick? Find out, and you’re halfway to saying the
right things in your advertising. So take the time to ask them. A simple phone
or email survey of your own customers, politely asking why they use you, what
they really like and what they don’t, is invaluable.
Make
sure customers know you’re there
If a customer can't see you, they can't buy from you. There are loads of
opportunities to promote your business — print, press, direct mail,
telemarketing, email and the internet — and using a mix of these increases your
chances of being seen (and remembered).
Ignore
your customers and they’ll go away
It sounds obvious, but companies who talk to their customers have much better
retention rates than those that don’t, so it’s worth staying in touch. Capture
your customers’ email addresses upfront. Follow up a transaction to check
they’re happy with the service and, if possible, send them updates that are
helpful, informative and relevant.
Know
what works (and what doesn’t)
Do what the professionals do, and measure all your advertising. That’ll tell
you what you’re doing right - and where there’s room for improvement. You never
know, it might just throw up some information that could change your business
for the better.
Remember
word-of-mouth: the best advertising there is
A recent survey found that consumers are 50% more likely to be influenced by
word-of-mouth recommendations than by TV or radio ads. So your reputation is
your greatest asset. If your current customers are impressed with your company,
they’ll be more inclined to recommend you to others. On the flip side, if they
experience bad service they probably won’t complain to you - but you can be
sure they will to their friends.
Questions
15-20
Complete the sentences below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from
the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes
15-20 on your answer sheet.
15. Some …………………………
will help you to discover the most effective places to advertise.
16. A
………………………… of your customers will show you how they feel about your
company.
17. A
………………………… of forms of advertising will make it more likely that potential
customers will find out about you.
18. lf you
can, provide customers with useful ………………………… about your business.
19. Measuring
the effects of your advertising can give you ………………………… that will improve
your business.
20. Success
in finding new customers largely depends on your ………………………… .
Read the text below and answer
Questions 21-27.
Working Time
Regulations for Mobile Workers
These rules apply to drivers and crew of
heavy goods vehicles or public service vehicles. The rules limit the amount of
time that can be worked.
Those defined in the Regulations as being
self-employed are currently not covered by the Regulations.
What
are the limits?
• An average of 48 hours' work per week.
• In any single week up to 60 hours can be worked so long as the 48-hour
average is maintained.
• Night work is limited to 10 hours per night, unless there is a
workforce agreement to work longer.
• Statutory annual leave and any sick leave and/or maternity/paternity
leave counts as working time.
What
counts as work?
In general, any activitie performed in connection with the transport operation
count as work, for example, driving, loading/unloading and those checks that
are the responsibility of drivers, such as checking lights, brakes, etc. There
are a number of periods of time that do not count as work, for example,
travelling between home and your normal place of work, lunch or other breaks
and periods of availability.
Periods of availability are periods of time
during which the mobile worker is not required to remain at their workstation
but is required to be available for work, the foreseeable duration of which is
known about in advance, for example:
• Delays at a distribution centre.
• Reporting for work then being informed that no duties are to be
undertaken for a specified period.
• Accompanying a vehicle being transported, for example by train.
A period of availability can be taken at the
workstation. Providing the worker has a reasonable amount of freedom (e.g. they
can read and relax) for a known duration, this could satisfy the requirements
of a period of availability.
Situations when a period of time should not
be recorded as a period of availability:
• Hold-ups due to congestion, because the driver would be stopping and
starting the vehicle.
• Frequently moving up within a queue (e.g. waiting within a queue to
load or unload) every other minute.
Questions
21-27
Complete the notes below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from
the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes
21-27 on your answer sheet.
Working
Time Regulations for Mobile Workers
These
apply to people working on lorries, buses, etc.
They don't apply to 21 …………………….……
workers.
Maximum working hours: 60 hours a week, provided the 22 …………………….……
is no more than 48 hours.
Night work can be more than 10 hours with the 23 …………………….……
of the workers.
Work includes driving, loading and unloading, and carrying out various 24 …………………….…… of
the vehicle.
Periods
of availability include:
going on a 25 …………………….…… or other
form of transport with a vehicle
a period at the workstation when the driver has some 26 …………………….……
might count as a period of availability
Periods
of availability exclude:
time spent stopping and starting the vehicle when 27 …………………….……
causes delays being in a queue, e.g. in order to load or unload.
Sample 4
SECTION 2: Questions 15-27
You should spend
about 20 minutes
on Questions 15-27,
which are based on Reading Passages below.
Write answers to
questions in boxes 15-27 on
your answer sheet.
GT Reading Sample - "Should you pay someone to
write your CV?" & "Starting a new job"
Read
the text below and answer Questions 15-20.
Should you pay someone to
write your CV?
In my view, the belief that the individual is
the best person to write their own CV is not always true. Although many people
can write their own CVs, and do it well, others struggle with a variety of
problems initially, such as not knowing how to structure a CV or how to
highlight their most relevant strengths.
Through in-depth consultation, a professional
CV writer can help identify exactly what is necessary for a particular role,
cut out unnecessary or irrelevant details, and pinpoint what makes the
individual stand out. This level of objectivity is one of the major benefits of
working with a professional writer. It’s often difficult to stand back from
your own career history to assess what’s relevant or not, or to choose the most
appropriate qualities.
If you do choose to work with a professional
CV writer, here are some tips:
Ask for a CV writer who has experience in
your sector. HR professionals and recruiters with relevant experience can also
have valuable insights into what companies are looking for.
Look for someone who’s prepared to take the
time to find out your core qualities, who can choose exactly the right words
for maximum impact and who understands what and where to edit. Ask to see
samples of their work or use personal recommendations before you choose a CV
writing service.
You’ll probably need to answer an in-depth
email questionnaire or be interviewed before any writing actually starts. The
more you can give your CV writer to work with, the better, so the promise of a
quick turnaround time isn’t always going to result in the best possible CV.
Take the time to think about and jot down your career aims, your past
successes, and the value you bring, before you start the whole process. Your CV
will probably be used as a springboard for questions at interview, so you need
to make sure you feel happy with the way it’s being written and with the choice
of words. Being involved in the writing process means your CV sounds authentic.
Questions
15-20
Complete the sentences below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from
the text for each answer.
Write
your answers in boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet.
15. Some
jobseekers have difficulty with their CV because they have not learnt which
qualities they should .................... .
16.
Professional CV writers know which .................... are best left out
of the CV.
17. CV
writers with knowledge of a particular field of work often provide useful
.................... about the skills firms expect from job applicants.
18. It is
advisable to request .................... of what a professional CV writer
has previously produced.
19.
Professional CV writers often ask jobseekers to work through a
.................... as a first step.
20. If
the jobseeker assists the professional writer, the tone of the CV will be
....................
Read the text below and answer
Questions 21-27.
Starting a new job
First impressions really do last, so it’s
important you perform well on your first day in the new job. Here are our top
tips that will help you sail through your first day with ease.
A new job is a great opportunity to hit the
reset button. If you got into the habit of skipping breakfast at your last job,
fit it in now or experiment with getting a workout in before going to the
office. Having a routine you like and sticking to it definitely impacts on your
overall happiness.
You’ve probably already been into the office
for an interview, so you’ll have some idea of what the dress code is. While you
definitely want to feel comfortable, it’s best to play it safe, leaning towards
a smarter and more polished look on your first day.
You don’t want to be late, but getting to the
office way too early can also potentially upset not only your schedule but
other people’s too. A good rule of thumb is to try and arrive 15 minutes ahead
of the agreed start time.
Accepting an invite to lunch with your boss
and co-workers will allow you to get to know the people you’ll be working with
on a more personal level. It will also help you get a handle on personalities
and work styles. To ensure the lunch goes well, have a few conversation
starters in mind. That way, if the talk dries up, you can get it going again.
One of the big outcomes of going through a
job search is you learn loads about yourself. In particular, you learn what you
want and don’t want, and what skills you bring to the table. With this
new-found understanding, take some time over the initial period to think about
what goals you have for your new role. In identifying these early on, you’ll be
one step closer to positioning yourself for success.
It’s important that you approach your new job
with an open mind, and that you’re ready to soak it all in. Be patient with
yourself as you figure out how you fit in, and make sure you understand the way
things are done before rushing into giving suggestions on improvements.
Remember they hired you for a reason, so
smile, relax a little and enjoy the first day of your next big thing.
Questions
21-27
Complete the notes below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each
answer.
Write your answers in
boxes 21-27 on your reading answer
sheet.
How best to tackle a new
job
The
first day
• Before arriving at work
- try out a different morning 21 ....................
that will create a sense of well-being.
- make sure your chosen outfit conforms to the company’s 22 ...................
.
•
If you eat with colleagues at midday:
- it will provide information on their 23 .................... and
the way they operate.
- it may be wise to prepare some 24 .................... to
help the interaction flow.
During
the first few weeks
• Work out some 25 .................... and
how to go about fulfilling them.
• Try to keep a completely 26 .................... as you settle
into the post
• Avoid making proposals at 27 .................... too soon.
Sample 5
SECTION 2: Questions 15-27
You should spend
about 20 minutes
on Questions 15-27,
which are based on Reading Passages below.
Write answers to
questions in boxes 15-27 on
your answer sheet.
GT Reading Sample - "Qualities that make a
great barista" & "Running a meeting"
Read
the text below and answer Questions 15-22.
Qualities that make a great
barista
How to become a great maker and server of
espresso-based coffee drinks.
Truly great baristas take the time to develop
the key skills that will enable them to deliver the highest possible quality of
coffee-based beverage and service. As a barista, you must make a concerted
effort to listen to your clientele and make sure the drinks you produce are
correct in all respects. This is particularly important when you consider the
sheer range and complexity of modern coffee drinks, which may start from a
single (or double) shot of espresso but can include many additional elements.
If you become distracted by the conversation that is going on nearby, you may
ultimately miss the mark from a service perspective.
One thing that separates a great from a good
barista is that the former is constantly busy and has a strong work ethic. You
will often catch a great barista rinsing out the filter in their machines, for
example, as this erodes the build-up of burnt coffee oil that can begin to
impact on the quality and taste of each espresso shot. Similarly, do not be
surprised to hear the sound of the coffee grinder at work. This highlights the
keen attention to detail that distinguishes skilled baristas, as they have the
desire and the awareness to make every drink with completely fresh ground
coffee. This type of attentiveness helps baristas to get the most from the
coffee that they use, as many of the delicate aromas found in espresso are lost
when exposed to the open air.
Timing is everything when it comes to
producing the perfect cup of coffee. A great barista knows precisely when to
finish the extraction of espresso, at the point when the balance of flavour has
reached its optimum levels. They also understand how important this is; those
who act too soon are left with a drink without flavour while those who delay
the finish risk burning the beverage and tainting it with a bitter after-taste.
When it comes to customer service, there is
so much more to a coffee shop experience than drinking perfectly roasted
blends. The atmosphere and the ambience also play a central role, and the
interaction that the customer has with their barista sets the tone for an
enjoyable experience. Great baristas ask their customers how their day is going
or what they’re going to do later; they read local newspapers and keep up with
issues that really matter, all of which make a real difference in a competitive
marketplace.
Questions
15-22
Complete the notes below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from
the text for each answer.
Write
your answers in boxes 15-22 on your answer sheet.
Notes on being a great barista
Serving
the customer
● Be sure you make drinks that are 15 ....................
for the customer
● Ignore any 16 .................... around
you
Using
the equipment
● Clean the machine 17 ....................
regularly
● Grinding
– always use ground coffee that is 18 ....................
– remember that air causes the smell to fade
Making
the coffee
● Know when to stop making the espresso
– too early reduces the 19 ....................
– too late makes the coffee 20 ....................
Giving
good customer service
● Talk to your customers
– ask about the customers’ 21 ....................
– know something about the important 22 .................... in
the area
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