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Joy English · Level B2 · Careers and changejoy-english.com

Test 1: Careers and change

Name:Date:

A mixed grammar and vocabulary test about changing careers: choose the right word, write missing words and build new words.

Part 1: Multiple-choice gaps

Choose the word or phrase that best completes each sentence.

  1. After twelve years in banking, Lena decided it was time to ___ a complete change of direction.
    • a) do
    • b) make
    • c) take
    • d) give
  2. Many people stay in jobs they dislike because they are afraid of ___ risks.
    • a) making
    • b) doing
    • c) putting
    • d) taking
  3. Kofi's new role involves a ___ learning curve, but he is enjoying the challenge.
    • a) steep
    • b) high
    • c) deep
    • d) tall
  4. Sofia spent a year retraining as a nurse, and her hard work ___ off when she was offered a permanent post.
    • a) turned
    • b) gave
    • c) paid
    • d) set
  5. ___ having no formal qualifications in design, Tomás was hired because of his impressive portfolio.
    • a) In spite
    • b) Even though
    • c) Nevertheless
    • d) Despite
  6. Mina handed in her ___ on Friday and will start her new job next month.
    • a) resignation
    • b) retirement
    • c) dismissal
    • d) redundancy
  7. If Ravi ___ the advice of his careers adviser, he would never have become an architect.
    • a) followed
    • b) would follow
    • c) had followed
    • d) has followed
  8. Employers increasingly value ___ skills, such as teamwork and communication.
    • a) light
    • b) soft
    • c) weak
    • d) mild

Part 2: Open gaps

Type one word in each gap.

  1. ___ I known how much I would enjoy teaching, I would have changed careers years ago.
  2. ___ he enjoys his current job, Jamal feels he needs a new challenge.
  3. The company offers training to employees ___ want to move into management.
  4. Working long hours did not bother her ___ all, because she loved the job.
  5. It's never ___ late to learn new skills, whatever your age.
  6. Aiko's experience in customer service turned ___ to be very useful in her new sales role.
  7. For many people, a career change brings ___ greater sense of purpose.
  8. ___ matter how successful you are, it is normal to have doubts before a big change.

Part 3: Word formation

Use the word in CAPITALS at the end of each sentence to form a word that fits the gap. Type one word.

  1. In today's job market, ___ is often more valuable than a single specialist skill. (FLEXIBLE)
  2. Leaving a well-paid job without another offer may seem ___, but Sofia had saved enough to support herself for a year. (RESPONSIBLE)
  3. The rapid ___ of new technology is changing many traditional jobs. (DEVELOP)
  4. Tomás had expected the job to be easy, but he found the first few months ___ challenging. (SURPRISE)
  5. Most career coaches agree that job ___ comes from doing work that matches your values. (SATISFY)
  6. Mina's ___ as a project manager were rewarded with a promotion. (ACHIEVE)
  7. When the factory closed, hundreds of workers suddenly found themselves ___. (EMPLOY)
  8. Retraining can be expensive, but some employers offer ___ support to staff who want to change roles. (FINANCE)

Answer key

Part 1: Multiple-choice gaps

  1. b) makeThe collocation is make a change. We do not say do or give a change.
  2. d) takingThe collocation is take a risk; after the preposition of we use the -ing form: taking.
  3. a) steepA steep learning curve means you have to learn a lot very quickly.
  4. c) paidPay off means bring a good result after a lot of effort.
  5. d) DespiteDespite is followed directly by an -ing form. In spite needs of, even though needs a clause, and nevertheless links two sentences.
  6. a) resignationYou hand in your resignation when you choose to leave a job. Dismissal and redundancy are decided by the employer.
  7. c) had followedThis is the third conditional about an unreal past: if + past perfect, would have + past participle.
  8. b) softSoft skills are personal and social skills, as opposed to technical skills.

Part 2: Open gaps

  1. hadThis is an inverted third conditional: Had I known means If I had known.
  2. although / though / while / whilstWe need a word that introduces a contrasting clause. Although, though, while and whilst all work.
  3. who / thatA defining relative clause about people takes who or that.
  4. atNot ... at all makes a negative stronger.
  5. tooThe fixed expression is it's never too late to do something.
  6. outTurn out to be means prove to be, often in a way you did not expect.
  7. aSense is countable here, so a singular noun phrase needs the article a.
  8. noNo matter how means however: it does not change the situation.

Part 3: Word formation

  1. flexibilityThe gap is the subject of the sentence, so we need a noun: flexibility.
  2. irresponsibleBut shows a contrast with the fact that she had saved money, so the adjective is negative: irresponsible.
  3. developmentAfter the rapid we need a noun. Develop + -ment gives development.
  4. surprisinglyHe expected it to be easy, so the difficulty was a surprise. We need an adverb before challenging: surprisingly.
  5. satisfactionJob satisfaction is a common noun phrase meaning the good feeling you get from your work.
  6. achievementsThe verb were shows that we need a plural noun: achievements.
  7. unemployedThe factory closed, so they lost their jobs. We need the negative adjective unemployed.
  8. financialBefore the noun support we need an adjective. Financial support means help with money.

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