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Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 30–36. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 30–36, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов. Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

A sign of weakness?

What should you do when you realise that you have to apologise? Is it better to swallow your pride and say you’re sorry when somebody is waiting 30 ______ your apology? The psychologist Jack Black says that people worry that an apology will be 31 ______ as a sign of weakness, rather than as their effort to understand and make up with the opponent. But he adds that effective apologies address the person’s feelings — they don’t prove a point. As for how to do it, Professor Black has the following advice, “The right way to apologise is the way your mother taught you. Say you threw a stone at your brother. She’d have you go and 32 ______ him in the eye and say: ‘I’m sorry I threw the stone at you and I won’t do it again.’ It’s important to name what you did wrong, to show yourself as being regretful in some way and to indicate what might be different in the future.”

You should 33 ______ that the number of times you’ll need to repeat the apology may vary depending on where you live. 34 ______ to preliminary data collected by Professor Black, for a minor offence, the optimal number is a single “I’m sorry”. “If the offence is large, then making two apologies seems to be the magic number for restoring trust and liking,” Jack Black says. 35 ______, if you’re British, you may need to double that. “A single ‘Sorry’ does not 36 ______ as an apology: we have to say it so many times with a lot of adjectives,” says Professor Black.

1. 1) review 2) revise 3) remember 4) remind

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 30–36. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 30–36, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов. Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

A sign of weakness?

What should you do when you realise that you have to apologise? Is it better to swallow your pride and say you’re sorry when somebody is waiting 30 ______ your apology? The psychologist Jack Black says that people worry that an apology will be 31 ______ as a sign of weakness, rather than as their effort to understand and make up with the opponent. But he adds that effective apologies address the person’s feelings — they don’t prove a point. As for how to do it, Professor Black has the following advice, “The right way to apologise is the way your mother taught you. Say you threw a stone at your brother. She’d have you go and 32 ______ him in the eye and say: ‘I’m sorry I threw the stone at you and I won’t do it again.’ It’s important to name what you did wrong, to show yourself as being regretful in some way and to indicate what might be different in the future.”

You should 33 ______ that the number of times you’ll need to repeat the apology may vary depending on where you live. 34 ______ to preliminary data collected by Professor Black, for a minor offence, the optimal number is a single “I’m sorry”. “If the offence is large, then making two apologies seems to be the magic number for restoring trust and liking,” Jack Black says. 35 ______, if you’re British, you may need to double that. “A single ‘Sorry’ does not 36 ______ as an apology: we have to say it so many times with a lot of adjectives,” says Professor Black.

1. 1) including 2) according 3) connecting 4) regarding

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 30–36. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 30–36, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов. Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

A sign of weakness?

What should you do when you realise that you have to apologise? Is it better to swallow your pride and say you’re sorry when somebody is waiting 30 ______ your apology? The psychologist Jack Black says that people worry that an apology will be 31 ______ as a sign of weakness, rather than as their effort to understand and make up with the opponent. But he adds that effective apologies address the person’s feelings — they don’t prove a point. As for how to do it, Professor Black has the following advice, “The right way to apologise is the way your mother taught you. Say you threw a stone at your brother. She’d have you go and 32 ______ him in the eye and say: ‘I’m sorry I threw the stone at you and I won’t do it again.’ It’s important to name what you did wrong, to show yourself as being regretful in some way and to indicate what might be different in the future.”

You should 33 ______ that the number of times you’ll need to repeat the apology may vary depending on where you live. 34 ______ to preliminary data collected by Professor Black, for a minor offence, the optimal number is a single “I’m sorry”. “If the offence is large, then making two apologies seems to be the magic number for restoring trust and liking,” Jack Black says. 35 ______, if you’re British, you may need to double that. “A single ‘Sorry’ does not 36 ______ as an apology: we have to say it so many times with a lot of adjectives,” says Professor Black.

35. 1) although 2) therefore 3) otherwise 4) however

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 30–36. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 30–36, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов. Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

A sign of weakness?

What should you do when you realise that you have to apologise? Is it better to swallow your pride and say you’re sorry when somebody is waiting 30 ______ your apology? The psychologist Jack Black says that people worry that an apology will be 31 ______ as a sign of weakness, rather than as their effort to understand and make up with the opponent. But he adds that effective apologies address the person’s feelings — they don’t prove a point. As for how to do it, Professor Black has the following advice, “The right way to apologise is the way your mother taught you. Say you threw a stone at your brother. She’d have you go and 32 ______ him in the eye and say: ‘I’m sorry I threw the stone at you and I won’t do it again.’ It’s important to name what you did wrong, to show yourself as being regretful in some way and to indicate what might be different in the future.”

You should 33 ______ that the number of times you’ll need to repeat the apology may vary depending on where you live. 34 ______ to preliminary data collected by Professor Black, for a minor offence, the optimal number is a single “I’m sorry”. “If the offence is large, then making two apologies seems to be the magic number for restoring trust and liking,” Jack Black says. 35 ______, if you’re British, you may need to double that. “A single ‘Sorry’ does not 36 ______ as an apology: we have to say it so many times with a lot of adjectives,” says Professor Black.

1. 1) count 2) judge 3) matter 4) consider

You have received an email message from your English-speaking pen-friend Kendra:

Write a letter to Kendra.

In your message:

– answer her questions;

– ask 3 questions about the opera she went to.

Write 100–140 words.

Remember the rules of letter writing.

Imagine that you are doing a project on the most dangerous environmental problems. You have found some data on the subject – the results of a survey conducted among young Zetlanders (see the table below).

Comment on the data in the table and give your opinion on the subject of the project.

The survey question: What is the most dangerous ecological problem today?

Write 200–250 words.

– make an opening statement on the subject of the project;

– select and report 2–3 facts;

– make 1–2 comparisons where relevant and give your comments;

– outline a problem that can arise with the environment in your region and suggest a way of solving it;

– conclude by giving and explaining your opinion on the importance of environmental protection for young people.

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

Being with other people is definitely a key part of happiness. There is a broad agreement among happiness researchers and scientists that social relations are essential for people's happiness. Certainly, basic living standards are essential for well-being too. Still, after the baseline has been made, happiness varies more with quality of human relationships than income.

People have a basic need to feel connected with others, and close, caring bonds with other people play a major part in our motivation and behaviour. We are social creatures, and the importance of this is clearly seen when one compares the satisfaction people feel in relationships with their overall satisfaction with life. The most important social relationships appear to be the ones where you experience things together with others, sharing thoughts and feelings as well as giving and receiving support.

Task 2. Study the advertisement.

The Right Laptop, Right Now

You are considering buying a laptop in a new online shop and now you'd like to get more information. In 1.5 minutes you are to ask four direct questions to find out about the following:

1) available brands

2) tracking the order online

3) software to install

4) if warranty is included into the price

You have 20 seconds to ask each question.

You are going to give an interview. You have to answer five questions. Give full answers to the questions (2-3 sentences).

Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Imagine that you and your friend are doing a school project “Transport”. You have found some photos to illustrate it but for technical reasons you cannot send them now. Leave a voice message to your friend explaining your choice of the photos and sharing some ideas about the project. In 2.5 minutes be ready to:

• explain the choice of the illustrations for the project by briefly describing them and noting the differences;

• mention the advantages (1-2) of the two ways of getting around the city;

• mention the disadvantages (1-2) of the two ways of getting around the city;

• express your opinion on the subject of the project – which way of getting around the city you prefer and why.

You will speak for not more than 3 minutes (12–15 sentences). You have to talk continuously.

Вы услышите 6 высказываний. Установите соответствие между высказываниями каждого говорящего A–F и утверждениями, данными в списке 1–7. Используйте каждое утверждение, обозначенное соответствующей цифрой, только один раз. В задании есть одно лишнее утверждение. Прослушайте запись дважды.

Пример ответа: 123456

1. There are more cons than pros about bikes.

2. Riding a bike definitely helps to get healthier.

3. Riding a bike is a chance to enjoy nature.

4. Riding a bike can be bad for your health.

5. Riding a bike can help become slim.

6. Riding a bike can be a good way to relax.

7. You can ride a bike at home instead of outdoors.

Вы услышите диалог. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений А–G соответствуют содержанию текста (1 – True), какие не соответствуют (2 – False) и о чём в тексте не сказано, то есть на основании текста нельзя дать ни положительного, ни отрицательного ответа (3 – Not stated). Прослушайте запись дважды.

Пример ответа: 1231231

A. Lucy and Jack are university students.

B. Jack is a football fan.

C. During his summer trip to Russia Jack visited 2 cities.

D. Lucy can speak Russian.

E. It was difficult for Jack to get a Russian visa.

F. Lucy will need to get a visa to go to Moscow in December.

G. Jack and Lucy are planning to stay with Jack’s Russian friends.

Вы услышите интервью. В заданиях 3–9 запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа. Прослушайте запись дважды.

Пример ответа: 1

3. Samuel Jeffrey is NOT introduced by the presenter as

1) a teacher.

2) a traveler.

3) a patriot.

Вы услышите интервью. В заданиях 3–9 запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа. Прослушайте запись дважды.

Пример ответа: 1
4. Samuel Jeffery considers teaching abroad to be

1) a way of getting to know the world.

2) a risky experience.

3) the best way to earn one’s living.

Вы услышите интервью. В заданиях 3–9 запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа. Прослушайте запись дважды.

Пример ответа: 1
5. What encouraged Samuel Jeffrey to start teaching English?

1) The improvement of his teaching skills.

2) Desire to work abroad.

3) His work with Korean students.

Вы услышите интервью. В заданиях 3–9 запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа. Прослушайте запись дважды.

Пример ответа: 1

6. Which of the following is TRUE about Samuel Jeffrey’s teaching English in Korea?

1) It was poorly paid.

2) The students were boring.

3) It left him time for other activities.

Вы услышите интервью. В заданиях 3–9 запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа. Прослушайте запись дважды.

Пример ответа: 1
7. Which of the following does Samuel Jeffrey NOT mention as something the teacher’s salary depends on?

1) Teacher’s experience.

2) Teacher’s age.

3) Teacher’s qualifications.

Вы услышите интервью. В заданиях 3–9 запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа. Прослушайте запись дважды.

Пример ответа: 1
8. According to Samuel Jeffrey, what advantage is unique to teaching abroad and not found by simply traveling?

1) An ability to save money.

2) A better study of a new culture.

3) Feeling of belonging in a local community.

Вы услышите интервью. В заданиях 3–9 запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа. Прослушайте запись дважды.

Пример ответа: 1
9. What advice does Samuel Jeffrey give to those wishing to teach English abroad?

1) Try to learn everything there is to about the prospective school.

2) Stay away from ESL industry.

3) Learn how to recognize the tricky operators.

Установите соответствие между текстами A–G и заголовками 1–8. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 

Пример ответа: 1234567

1. A bright start
2. The first disappointment
3. Orientate yourself
4. Learning while teaching
5. The right choice
6. In one breath
7. Love at first sight
8. Having someone near

А. I was very excited about my first teaching job. I didn't plan it but I was given an opportunity to teach at an exclusive university. I was greatly challenged by my students then. They were great English speakers way ahead of me as I was not so confident, articulate, and fluent. But whew, I survived! In fact, it was a great learning experience for me. I had to do a lot of practice like talking to myself in front of the mirror or taking notes of the jokes. It was funny but it helped a lot to improve my language skills.

B. Although I could have chosen different specializations when I got my first degree in Engineering, I decided to get my Master's in Marketing. I did not know if I was prepared for that. I was only 21 when I started it up but my teachers believed that I had some natural skills. Even though I had some doubts at the beginning, choosing to do a Master's degree in this field was one of the most important decisions in my life. It shaped me the way I am now: a gleaming professor trying to contribute to the development of society,

С. I remember my first day at school; it was my mother who took me there. I had to wear a school uniform: a white polo shirt, black trousers, and black leather shoes. I had a small backpack with an exercise book, a pencil box, a bottle of water, and my lunch box inside. I was happy and very excited to see other students. That day I met my future friends and teachers. Throughout the years I learnt many subjects like English, Maths, Science, Religion, PE, Art, and Social studies. Now my first week is over, but I still remember it.

D. 33 hours a week. A dollar an hour. My first teaching job at an upcoming college in my home province showed me the realities of work life. I was a fresh graduate from university and I wanted to get a job soon enough. I accepted the offer because I felt it was somewhat prestigious to teach at a college. But it was exhausting to teach 11 classes in one week with an average of 25 students per class. The 2-hour daily commute to work and back added to the exhaustion. It wasn't as prestigious a job as I imagined.

E. Throughout the years I had many jobs but the first one was unforgettable. I loved what I did. I loved teaching English and Public Speaking classes. It was wonderful to meet new colleagues who soon became friends. The fellowship among teachers was genuine and warm. The best part for me was being in the classroom teaching real students. It was fulfilling to see them learn and grow. It's been more than 20 years since I first entered the classroom, and I'm still teaching. I guess I'll stay in the vocation for a little bit more.

F. I think it's a good idea for parents to come and stay for a night in a hotel nearby for your first day of uni. I, unfortunately, was on my own on move-in day and it was a massive hassle! It was difficult trying to carry all the stuff on my own and I ended up having to ask a stranger outside my accommodation if they could help me carry my shopping up to my room, which was super embarrassing. It's also nice to have someone there for you, all of my flatmates' parents helped them move in so it was a bit lonely for me the first couple of days while they were with their family.

G. My first day at university was very nerve-wracking, as I completely forgot what I actually meant to do when I finally got there. It was embarrassing at first when my mom roamed around the room making my bed and asking where to put my teddies. But once she left I propped the door open with a chair and made friends with each and every flatmate popping in and saying hi. I got my university ID card and went out with my friends. I tried to make the most of every second as they flew by. The next thing I knew, I was graduating!

Прочитайте текст и заполните пропуски A–F частями предложений, обозначенными цифрами 1–7. Одна из частей в списке 1–7 лишняя. 

Пример ответа: 1234567

Do you speak English?

When I arrived in England I thought I knew English. After I'd been here an hour I realized that I did not understand one word. In the first week I picked up a tolerable working knowledge of the language and the next seven years convinced me gradually but thoroughly that I A _________________ , let alone perfectly. This is sad. My only consolation being that nobody speaks English perfectly.

Remember that those five hundred words an average Englishman uses are В _________________. You may learn another five hundred and another five thousand and yet another fifty thousand and still you may come across a further fifty thousand С _________________.

If you live here long enough you will find out to your greatest amazement that the adjective nice is not the only adjective the language possesses, in spite of the fact that D _________________.

You can say that the weather is nice, the restaurant is nice, Mr. Soandso is nice, Mrs. Soandso's clothes are nice, you had a nice time, E _________________.

Then you have to decide on your accent. The easiest way to give the impression of having a good accent or no foreign accent at all is to hold an unlit pipe in your mouth, to mutter between your teeth and finish all your sentences with the question: "isn't it?" People will not understand much, but they are accustomed to that and they will get a F _________________.

1. whatever it costs

2. most excellent impression

3. you have never heard of before, and nobody else either

4. in the first three years you do not need to learn or use any other adjectives

5. would never know it really well

6. far from being the whole vocabulary of the language

7. and all this

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

In search for a graduate job

As I write this, exhausted, fingers on the keys of an equally tired laptop, closing the twenty-something open windows before me, I find myself a little sad. Sitting here, sifting through a Google search muddle of: “Graduate job Scotland”, “Graduate schemes UK”, “Graduate work, anywhere, please?”, “Soon to be extremely poor graduate, HELP!”, I realize that I might never find the elusive placement I’m after.

Melodramatic Googling aside, the job crisis is real, and it could be hitting us harder in 2017 than ever before. These attempts –– vague Internet searches, seemingly empty threads towards one highly competitive position at a company hundreds of miles away, never ending applications –– are rather disappointing. Granted, this may not apply to those smart enough who found a job from day one. But, for the rest of us, the uncertain majority, it is increasingly clear that a university education alone is not the life-affirming trip to professional work that it once was.

Where it is fair to say that degrees are still highly regarded in the working world, they are no longer a golden ticket. In fact, last year statistics stated that around 58% of graduates are in jobs deemed to be “non-graduate” positions. Another survey revealed that graduates from the wealthiest 20% of families were still earning 30% more than the rest ten years after leaving higher education. Clearly then, despite my own fruitless search on career websites, there are positions out there. But with the majority of graduates entering into jobs without a degree requirement, and the elite minority remaining the UK’s top earners, are we experiencing a turn in graduate opportunity?

Something I have found really striking about application process is simply how costly it is. I spent the past four years building a solid CV, working in and out of university to refine my own professional skills and felt rather confident in my ability to find relevant work in Scotland. However, as filling in forms leads to booking trains or planes, arranging serial interviews, checking into inns, choosing transport routes, it seems that opportunity is twinned with your financial situation. Well, my card was recently declined in the library café, so this is something that is weighing on my mind.

While the wealthiest of graduates continue to snag the high earning positions after University, the rest of us face new competition, as graduate vacancies are once again streamlined by the rise of apprenticeships. But, where does it leave us, the soon to be un-qualified, over-qualified degree holders of 2017 that have slipped through the employment net? Is it back to full-time education for the rest of our lives? Working “for now”, saving until your dream becomes financially viable? Applying anyway? Taking out another loan (or five)? Truth is, it’s probably all of these things.

It’s probably sticking it out, demanding to be listened to, building up a CV that you are proud of and staying true to your own aspirations. It’s probably all the things we were told at the Careers Fairs, in interviews, by our parents and preached ourselves. University might no longer be the only slipway into professional work, but it is a weighted way in, and that degree (which, by the way, you will get) is something you have earned and something that will open doors for you, even if you can’t see them just yet and even if, in 2017, there is a bit more of a queue.

12. How did the author feel while searching the Internet?

1) Satisfied.

2) Pessimistic.

3) Energetic.

4) Frightened.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

In search for a graduate job

As I write this, exhausted, fingers on the keys of an equally tired laptop, closing the twenty-something open windows before me, I find myself a little sad. Sitting here, sifting through a Google search muddle of: “Graduate job Scotland”, “Graduate schemes UK”, “Graduate work, anywhere, please?”, “Soon to be extremely poor graduate, HELP!”, I realize that I might never find the elusive placement I’m after.

Melodramatic Googling aside, the job crisis is real, and it could be hitting us harder in 2017 than ever before. These attempts –– vague Internet searches, seemingly empty threads towards one highly competitive position at a company hundreds of miles away, never ending applications –– are rather disappointing. Granted, this may not apply to those smart enough who found a job from day one. But, for the rest of us, the uncertain majority, it is increasingly clear that a university education alone is not the life-affirming trip to professional work that it once was.

Where it is fair to say that degrees are still highly regarded in the working world, they are no longer a golden ticket. In fact, last year statistics stated that around 58% of graduates are in jobs deemed to be “non-graduate” positions. Another survey revealed that graduates from the wealthiest 20% of families were still earning 30% more than the rest ten years after leaving higher education. Clearly then, despite my own fruitless search on career websites, there are positions out there. But with the majority of graduates entering into jobs without a degree requirement, and the elite minority remaining the UK’s top earners, are we experiencing a turn in graduate opportunity?

Something I have found really striking about application process is simply how costly it is. I spent the past four years building a solid CV, working in and out of university to refine my own professional skills and felt rather confident in my ability to find relevant work in Scotland. However, as filling in forms leads to booking trains or planes, arranging serial interviews, checking into inns, choosing transport routes, it seems that opportunity is twinned with your financial situation. Well, my card was recently declined in the library café, so this is something that is weighing on my mind.

While the wealthiest of graduates continue to snag the high earning positions after University, the rest of us face new competition, as graduate vacancies are once again streamlined by the rise of apprenticeships. But, where does it leave us, the soon to be un-qualified, over-qualified degree holders of 2017 that have slipped through the employment net? Is it back to full-time education for the rest of our lives? Working “for now”, saving until your dream becomes financially viable? Applying anyway? Taking out another loan (or five)? Truth is, it’s probably all of these things.

It’s probably sticking it out, demanding to be listened to, building up a CV that you are proud of and staying true to your own aspirations. It’s probably all the things we were told at the Careers Fairs, in interviews, by our parents and preached ourselves. University might no longer be the only slipway into professional work, but it is a weighted way in, and that degree (which, by the way, you will get) is something you have earned and something that will open doors for you, even if you can’t see them just yet and even if, in 2017, there is a bit more of a queue.

13. What does the author think about a university education?

1) Application process is very competitive.

2) Intelligent students benefit most from it.

3) It makes you sure about your future.

4) It doesn’t guarantee you a good job.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Пример ответа: 1

In search for a graduate job

As I write this, exhausted, fingers on the keys of an equally tired laptop, closing the twenty-something open windows before me, I find myself a little sad. Sitting here, sifting through a Google search muddle of: “Graduate job Scotland”, “Graduate schemes UK”, “Graduate work, anywhere, please?”, “Soon to be extremely poor graduate, HELP!”, I realize that I might never find the elusive placement I’m after.

Melodramatic Googling aside, the job crisis is real, and it could be hitting us harder in 2017 than ever before. These attempts –– vague Internet searches, seemingly empty threads towards one highly competitive position at a company hundreds of miles away, never ending applications –– are rather disappointing. Granted, this may not apply to those smart enough who found a job from day one. But, for the rest of us, the uncertain majority, it is increasingly clear that a university education alone is not the life-affirming trip to professional work that it once was.

Where it is fair to say that degrees are still highly regarded in the working world, they are no longer a golden ticket. In fact, last year statistics stated that around 58% of graduates are in jobs deemed to be “non-graduate” positions. Another survey revealed that graduates from the wealthiest 20% of families were still earning 30% more than the rest ten years after leaving higher education. Clearly then, despite my own fruitless search on career websites, there are positions out there. But with the majority of graduates entering into jobs without a degree requirement, and the elite minority remaining the UK’s top earners, are we experiencing a turn in graduate opportunity?

Something I have found really striking about application process is simply how costly it is. I spent the past four years building a solid CV, working in and out of university to refine my own professional skills and felt rather confident in my ability to find relevant work in Scotland. However, as filling in forms leads to booking trains or planes, arranging serial interviews, checking into inns, choosing transport routes, it seems that opportunity is twinned with your financial situation. Well, my card was recently declined in the library café, so this is something that is weighing on my mind.

While the wealthiest of graduates continue to snag the high earning positions after University, the rest of us face new competition, as graduate vacancies are once again streamlined by the rise of apprenticeships. But, where does it leave us, the soon to be un-qualified, over-qualified degree holders of 2017 that have slipped through the employment net? Is it back to full-time education for the rest of our lives? Working “for now”, saving until your dream becomes financially viable? Applying anyway? Taking out another loan (or five)? Truth is, it’s probably all of these things.

It’s probably sticking it out, demanding to be listened to, building up a CV that you are proud of and staying true to your own aspirations. It’s probably all the things we were told at the Careers Fairs, in interviews, by our parents and preached ourselves. University might no longer be the only slipway into professional work, but it is a weighted way in, and that degree (which, by the way, you will get) is something you have earned and something that will open doors for you, even if you can’t see them just yet and even if, in 2017, there is a bit more of a queue.

14. What does statistics show about graduate jobs?

1) The minority of students are content with their work.

2) The cleverest students ensure the best jobs.

3) Most of the graduates get low-qualified positions.

4) Graduates of elite universities get the highest salaries.

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12–18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

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In search for a graduate job

As I write this, exhausted, fingers on the keys of an equally tired laptop, closing the twenty-something open windows before me, I find myself a little sad. Sitting here, sifting through a Google search muddle of: “Graduate job Scotland”, “Graduate schemes UK”, “Graduate work, anywhere, please?”, “Soon to be extremely poor graduate, HELP!”, I realize that I might never find the elusive placement I’m after.

Melodramatic Googling aside, the job crisis is real, and it could be hitting us harder in 2017 than ever before. These attempts –– vague Internet searches, seemingly empty threads towards one highly competitive position at a company hundreds of miles away, never ending applications –– are rather disappointing. Granted, this may not apply to those smart enough who found a job from day one. But, for the rest of us, the uncertain majority, it is increasingly clear that a university education alone is not the life-affirming trip to professional work that it once was.

Where it is fair to say that degrees are still highly regarded in the working world, they are no longer a golden ticket. In fact, last year statistics stated that around 58% of graduates are in jobs deemed to be “non-graduate” positions. Another survey revealed that graduates from the wealthiest 20% of families were still earning 30% more than the rest ten years after leaving higher education. Clearly then, despite my own fruitless search on career websites, there are positions out there. But with the majority of graduates entering into jobs without a degree requirement, and the elite minority remaining the UK’s top earners, are we experiencing a turn in graduate opportunity?

Something I have found really striking about application process is simply how costly it is. I spent the past four years building a solid CV, working in and out of university to refine my own professional skills and felt rather confident in my ability to find relevant work in Scotland. However, as filling in forms leads to booking trains or planes, arranging serial interviews, checking into inns, choosing transport routes, it seems that opportunity is twinned with your financial situation. Well, my card was recently declined in the library café, so this is something that is weighing on my mind.

While the wealthiest of graduates continue to snag the high earning positions after University, the rest of us face new competition, as graduate vacancies are once again streamlined by the rise of apprenticeships. But, where does it leave us, the soon to be un-qualified, over-qualified degree holders of 2017 that have slipped through the employment net? Is it back to full-time education for the rest of our lives? Working “for now”, saving until your dream becomes financially viable? Applying anyway? Taking out another loan (or five)? Truth is, it’s probably all of these things.

It’s probably sticking it out, demanding to be listened to, building up a CV that you are proud of and staying true to your own aspirations. It’s probably all the things we were told at the Careers Fairs, in interviews, by our parents and preached ourselves. University might no longer be the only slipway into professional work, but it is a weighted way in, and that degree (which, by the way, you will get) is something you have earned and something that will open doors for you, even if you can’t see them just yet and even if, in 2017, there is a bit more of a queue.

15. What worries the author about job application process?

1) Finding suitable work is time-consuming.

2) Arranging interviews is quite difficult.

3) You have to pay to improve your CV.

4) Applying for a job turns out rather expensive.