Unit 2: Reading Bank
Unit 2: Reading Bank
Unit 2: Reading Bank
Unit 2
1 Before you read, check that you know the meaning of the words in bold. Choose the
correct definition, a or b, for each word. Use a dictionary if necessary.
1 Through structured classroom teaching and a series of online activities, the course develops
strong theoretical knowledge of the topic.
a relating to the study of ideas rather than b relating to real situations and practical
practical experience experience rather than ideas
2 Specialised training allows students the opportunity to learn a range of competencies.
a degrees b skills
3 Another reason that the scheme thrives is the support it gets from the government.
a is very successful b exists
4 Most of the apprentices are loyal to the company they train with and choose to work for them
long term.
a remaining faithful to and supporting b grateful because someone has done
someone or something something kind for you
5 Vocational training is extremely important for career opportunities and growth.
a training that is based on ideas and b training that teaches you the skills you
theories rather than practical knowledge need for a particular job
6 Researchers tried to replicate the original experiment, but failed.
a copy exactly b understand
7 The company has just launched a campaign to promote awareness of environmental issues.
a help people understand something b help something to happen or develop
2 Read the text quickly and decide which section (A–E) has information to answer each question.
1 Can the programme be implemented in other countries? Section
2 How did a car company react to changing skills requirements? Section
3 Why is the programme important in today’s industry? Section
4 What is the dual vocational training programme? Section
5 How does the unemployment rate in Germany compare to the rest of Europe? Section
3 Decide if these statements are true (T), false (F) or if the text doesn’t give this information (NG).
1 The dual vocational training programme was first introduced for factory workers.
2 It is likely that a number of the tasks currently performed by workers will be performed by
machines in future.
3 The problem with BMW Group’s vocational scheme is that you can’t study for a degree.
4 Commitment to vocational schemes is one of the reasons that Germany has a lower
unemployment rate among young people.
5 Helmut Schweiger has been head of Gerresheimer’s largest plant for three years.
6 In Horsovsky Tyn, parents were more enthusiastic about the scheme than their children were.
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5 Put the letters in brackets in the correct order to complete the paragraph. The
words are from the reading text. The first letter of each word is given.
Despite concerns regarding technological advances, it is clear that the workforce of the future
will still be required when dealing with 1c (pmoelxc) products. In
factories throughout the world, robots are already being used to 2a
(bassemel) various components and put the products together. However, robots are unlikely to
completely 3r (arpecle) a skilled workforce. A more intuitive range of
skills would be required to 4m (amtianni) modern machinery in order to
keep it in top condition. This would include training employees to 5s
(sreivce) equipment regularly and to strict standards. As technology develops, workers will have
to adapt their skills, but the factories, offices and laboratories of tomorrow will still be run by
people – that is, 6q (lqueaiifd) individuals working alongside intelligent
machines.
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