An interview with a famous person

Ø 1) Have you ever interviewed people or been interviewed?

Interviewer: Thank you for taking some time off from your busy schedule to answer a few questions about your life!

Brad: It’s my pleasure.

Interviewer: Could you tell us about an average day in your life?

Brad: Sure. To start with, I am a freelance writer which means that I can plan my day as I like it. I get up quite early - at 6 in the morning. I start my day with a cup of green tea which helps me to wake up and which boosts me with energy for the whole day. I meditate for about half an hour in the open air if the weather is good and read some motivational literature on achieving success in life while my family is still asleep. Then, around 7 a.m. I have a light breakfast prepared by my caring wife – a marmalade toast, cereal, a cup of tea. After breakfast, I go to the local gym.

Interviewer: Are you writing anything now?

Brad: Yes, I’m working on a new novel called “The Pleasure of Being a Polyglot.” I have been writing it for three months now and I am planning to bring it to the end by May.

Interviewer: What do you usually do in the afternoon?

Brad: First I have lunch, then I go to my private library again and type until my imagination is exhausted.

Interviewer: Which scene are you describing today?

Brad: I’m writing a scene about two desperate lovers. One of them is from Japan and the other is from the USA. At this point they don’t understand each other’s language and communicate using only non-verbal means.

Interviewer: That’s very interesting indeed. What do you do in the evening?

Brad: In the evening, I take my Labrador for a walk, come back home, help my wife to do the household chores like vacuum cleaning, dusting the furniture, washing the floors or the clothes, if she asks me to do it, have dinner and spend quality time with my family.

Interviewer: Do you go out at night?

Brad: Not always, I like going out at weekends.

Ø 2) Choose the correct answer to the questions:

a) Why does the interviewer thank Brad? (for visiting him; for taking time off; for telephoning)

b) What is Brad? (a polyglot; an editor of a magazine; a freelance writer)

c) What is Brad writing now? (“The Pleasure of Being a Polyglot; ” “The Adventures of Polyglots; ” “Reflections of a Polyglot”)

d) What does he do in the afternoon? (he goes to the local library; he goes to the gym; he goes to the private library)

e) When does he like going out? (at night; on Sundays; at weekends)

2.13 WHAT’S IN YOUR OFFICE?

Ø 1) Answer the questions:

a) What is your profession? Do you work? Do you enjoy your work?

b) Where do you work? Have you got an office? What is your office like?

c) What furniture is there in your office?

Ø 2) Read the dialog and say if you would like to have an office similar to Maria’s.

David: I’ve got a new office now…
Maria: That’s great! Congratulations.

David: I’ll need a desk and some cabinets. How many cabinets are there in your office?
Maria: I think there are four cabinets in my office.

David: And do you have any furniture in your office? I mean other than the chair at your desk.
Maria: Oh yes, I’ve got a sofa and two comfortable armchairs.

David: Are there any tables in your office?
Maria: Yes, I’ve got a table in front of the sofa.

David: Is there a computer in your office?
Maria: Oh yes, I keep a laptop on my desk next to the phone.

David: Are there any flowers or plants in your office?
Maria: Yes, there are a few plants near the window.

David: Where’s your sofa?
Maria: The sofa is in front of the window, between the two armchairs.

David: Thanks a lot for your help, Janet. This gives me a good idea of how to arrange my office.
Maria: My pleasure. Good luck with your decorating!

Ø 3) Draw a plan of Maria’s office.

Ø 4) Choose the best answer (true, false or doesn’t say) to the questions:

a) David has just received a new job.

b) David is sure he will need some cabinets in his new office.

c) Maria thinks it is a good idea to have comfortable furniture in an office.

d) David is surprised that Maria keeps coffee on her table.

e) Maria keeps a computer next to her telephone.

2.14 A TYPICAL MANAGER’S DESK AND A TYPICAL SECRETARY’S DESK

Ø 1) Answer the questions:

a) Do you work much at the desk?

b) What is there on your desk?

Managers often have desks that are surprisingly empty! These empty desks can show that the manager often travels and is out of the office most of the time. An empty desk can also demonstrate how powerful the manager is by its representative status.

Sometimes, in the United States of America, you can see footmarks on the desk because some managers like to put their feet up on the desk when they are talking on the telephone! In the USA, managers put their feet up on the desk to show that they are in control in their office.

Managers usually have a laptop computer on their desk. In fact, this laptop computer is their true desk. These days, most managers do almost all their work on their laptops. Another thing you might find is a cell phone - another sign of the mobility most managers demand.

Secretaries usually have an older computer and a telephone on their desk. They usually have an older computer because the managers are often the first to receive the latest technological equipment. Secretaries’ desks are often tidy because they are usually tidier than their bosses. You will also find an agenda of some sort on secretaries’ desks because secretaries need to make appointments for their bosses. Secretaries’ desks often have pictures of their children and family that they look at from time to time during the day.

In the past, secretaries were usually women. Today, however, more and more men are becoming secretaries as more and more women become managers and the workplace becomes more equal.

Ø 2) Choose the best answer to the questions:

a) Managers often have (laptop; beautiful; fax) computers.

b) Some managers in the USA like to … (talk a lot; put their feet up on their desk; work from home)

c) Many managers have (portable; cell; walkable) phones.

d) Most managers need to … (stay in the office; travel a lot; type their own letters)

e) A clean, empty desk represents … (laziness; power; indecision)

Ø 3) Say if the statements are true or false:

a) Secretaries are usually tidier than their bosses.

b) Secretaries often have pictures of their families on their desks.

c) Secretaries usually have a new computer.

d) Secretaries make appointments for their bosses.

e) Secretaries are always women.