AFTER OFFICE PIN-UP

MEANING OF A WAGE A wage is an amount of money which one gets for work done during a period of time. It can be paid for work done in one day, one week, two weeks. A wage is not paid for the time or day when work is not done. An income is the total amount of money that one gets from different sources during a period of time. These can include the money or wages one is paid at work and extra money one gets as a gift or the money receives for the extra work done after office hours. THE FOLLOWING ARE OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME: 1. Transport allowances 2. Housing allowances 3. Interest from savings 4. Dividends 5. Gratuity 6. Pension Reasons why people work are as follows: 1. To remain healthy 2. To exercise the body and mind 3. To provide for himself and family 4. To pay bills (school fees, services rendered) 5. To get money for clothing and shelter

Why I'm Late Today I rushed into the school office. "Sorry I'm late. I was having breakfast with the Norbotians," I said. "Who are the Norbotians?" Mrs. Gage asked. "The aliens-well, creatures-on Norbot," I explained. "They're really very nice," I added. Mrs. Gage shook her head. "You had breakfast with aliens?" she asked. "They invited us. They felt bad after I did a belly flop into their swimming pool," I said. "Why did they feel bad?" she asked. "Because it was filled with green slime,." I said. "They love to swim in green slime, but of course, they're Norbotians," I said. "I see. Well, why did you jump in if it was filled with green slime?" Mrs. Gage asked. "Oh, I didn't jump. I flew into it when Teresa pushed the red button-it said 'eject," I explained. Mrs. Gage snorted. "I suppose this eject button was inside your spaceship?" she asked. "That's right. The eject button is only for emergencies," I said. "Teresa freaked out, though, when the Norbotians came to say hello," I explained. "I thought you said they were nice," said Mrs. Gage. "They're very nice. It's not their fault they look... like they do," I replied. "And they came to say hello because ...?" she asked. "A spaceship doesn't land in their backyard every day," I said. "What were you doing in a spaceship?" Mrs. Gage asked. "How else would we get to Norbot?" I replied. "But where did you get this spaceship?" Mrs. Gage asked. "Teresa built it in her backyard," I said. "Where is the spaceship now?" Mrs. Gage asked. "It's out on the grass. I had to either land there or on the school roof." I said. "So where is Teresa?" Mrs. Gage asked. "She's going to school on Norbot today." I said. "We're doing a student exchange," I explained. Mrs. Gage looked at me and laughed. "That's the strangest excuse I've ever heard," she said. Then Mrs. Gage jumped up and spilled her coffee. "Your backpack is alive!" she screamed. "Oh, that's not my backpack," I said. I smiled and waved at Mrs. Gage. So did Norby. Mrs. Gage waved back. "Welcome to Earth!" she said.

Going to the dentist I’m going to the dentist. I’m a little scared. A friendly woman named Jamie asks me to wait. She says I can read, play with toys, or watch a movie. After a few minutes, Dana calls my name. Dana is the dentist’s helper. Dana shows me around the office. She teaches me how to clean my teeth at home. Dana says she will make my teeth super clean. She shows me the tools she will use. Some of the tools look scary, but the cleaning doesn’t hurt. Next, Dana takes special pictures of my teeth. The dentist comes to check my teeth. She looks at the pictures of my teeth. The dentist says I need a filling. I will have to come back another day. I ask if getting the filling will hurt. The dentist says it won’t hurt much because it will be small. The dentist says it’s good we found the problem early. I’m not happy I need a filling, but I’m glad I went to the dentist!

Attendance and Absences Quiz Instructions: Choose the correct answer for each question. What is required for a student to have a lawful absence? A) A verbal excuse from the student B) A written excuse signed by a parent, guardian, or medical practitioner C) No excuse is needed D) A note from a friend Where should students submit their written excuses for absences? A) To their teacher directly B) In the basket outside the PowerSchool/Attendance clerk’s window C) To the principal's office D) In their backpack How many days does a student have to present a valid excuse for an absence? A) One day B) Three days C) Five days D) Ten days What happens if a student does not bring a valid excuse within three days? A) The absence is considered lawful B) The student will receive a detention C) The absence is considered unexcused and unlawful D) The absence is ignored What is the maximum time allowed to complete makeup work after returning to school? A) Five days B) Seven days C) Ten days D) Two weeks What kind of absences can be considered lawful? A) Absences for family vacations B) Absences due to a student's own illness C) Absences due to playing sports D) Absences for oversleeping Which of the following is NOT a lawful absence? A) Absence due to illness in the student's immediate family B) Absence for a recognized religious holiday C) Absence without the knowledge of the parent D) Absence for a medical appointment What action is taken if a student submits a false excuse? A) The student will be congratulated B) The excuse will be ignored C) The student will be referred to school administration for disciplinary action D) The student will be given a warning Which of the following is a reason for an absence that is considered unlawful? A) Absence due to a medical appointment B) Absence due to death in the family C) Absence without acceptable cause, with knowledge of the parent D) Absence due to a school-approved activity Who has the discretion to accept medical excuses beyond three days? A) The student's friends B) The teacher C) The principal D) The school nurse

Hiring Employees to Work Shifts • It's much easier to attract talents if you have established eight-hour shifts. The employee knows what to expect and can decide to accept or turn down the job based on the impact it will have on his or her family, hobbies, or other lifestyle choices. • A nurse, for example, should know what work schedule to expect before accepting a hospital job where night work is common. A nurse who can only work during the day should consider working in a doctor's office where extended patient care usually means putting in an extra hour or two after closing. • Introducing shift work into a workplace that has traditionally worked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. can be problematic. Not only are you changing the conditions of employment, but you are also disrupting families. Introducing shift work after the fact is always contentious and could result in turnover.

During the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers met to develop a government that would take over as soon as the British left. By 1777, they had written the Articles of Confederation, which created the first United States government. Under the Articles, the states joined together in an alliance of separate state powers with a very weak central government. For example, the government could not collect taxes or keep a standing military. After ten years, the Founding Fathers realized the Articles created a government that was too weak to work! They decided it was time for a change. The Founding Fathers wanted a stronger government that had more authority with the states. Representatives from each state gathered in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787 to discuss possible changes. They agreed on a federalist government, where a central power would oversee and share authority with the states. To make sure the federal government did not gain too much power, they created three branches to provide for checks and balances. The legislative branch would make the laws, the judicial branch would interpret the laws, and the executive branch would enforce the laws. This solved many problems, but one large issue remained: how would the states be represented in this new federal government? At first, the bigger states wanted the population of a state to determine the amount of representation. But the smaller states called foul! The bigger states would end up deciding the laws for everyone. The smaller states suggested that each state have an equal number of representatives. But that would end up giving smaller states too much power. Finally delegates from Connecticut submitted a solution: Why not have two houses make up the legislative branch? The Senate would have an equal number of representatives from each state. Representation in the House of Representatives would be based on the state’s population. This model is called bicameral representation and helped the delegates find a compromise. Between May and September 1787, the delegates at the Constitutional Convention compromised on many issues in order to unite and build a strong national government. They decided the office of the executive would consist of one person and that the national government would have the power to tax and to create a military. These decisions determined that the new federal government would have more authority than before. Some delegates disagreed with the new system, but many of their concerns would be addressed when the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1789. Looking Ahead At the end of the Constitutional Convention, the delegates signed the Constitution. Many saw a bright future ahead for the United States. The document guarantees a government with three branches based on a system of checks and balances. The delegates of the Convention successfully created a government that addressed the needs of small and large states alike, while providing for a federal government that would tie them together.

Make a vocabulary quiz with below.Crisis: a very difficult situation or emergency; “Investors are worried that continuing problems in the stock market might lead to another financial crisis.” Short-staffed: not having enough employees or workers; “We laid off dozens of employees to save money, but now we’re short-staffed and can’t fill orders quickly.” To drive someone nuts: to make someone upset or annoyed; “The autocorrect feature on my mobile phone really drives me nuts.” To arise: to happen or start to develop, especially for problems or situations; “Problems arose for the developers when local residents voted against construction of the new shopping mall.” To moan: to complain about something, especially in a way that bothers other people; “Every Monday morning my colleagues moan about having to come to the office so early.” Optimism: the feeling or belief that good things will happen; “Analysts are expressing optimism that the real estate market will bounce back quickly.” Pessimism: the tendancy or belief that the worst will happen. “Now is not the time for pessimism, we need to believe we can do this or we will fail.” Hurdle: a problem that must be overcome or dealt with in order to reach a goal or do something; “Lack of capital is a major hurdle for many young entrepreneurs with good business ideas.” © 2013 All rights reserved: www.businessenglishpod.com 2 To give up: to stop trying to do or achieve something; “After being rejected by over a dozen universities, Roger gave up on his plans to study for an MBA.” To keep your eye on the prize: to stay motivated and focused on your final goal or reward; “Okay folks, I know things have been really busy, but let’s keep our eye on the prize and we’ll get this done before Christmas.” Down the road: in the future; “Sales our good in our retail outlets, but 10 years down the road we’re going to have to be more competitive in the online market.” To overcome: to deal with a problem successfully; “You are going to have to overcome your lack of confidence if you want to be a good salesman.” Decisiveness: having the ability to make decisions and act firmly. “Decisiveness is a quality we look for in new managers.” Bumpy: we can use “bumpy” to describe a road or process that has many problems; “We had a pretty bumpy start-up phase, but we finally managed to turn a profit in our fifth year of operations.” To display: to show a feeling, emotion, or characteristic; “David displayed tremendous preparation and diplomacy during the negotiations.” On the fence: someone who is “on the fence” is having difficulty making a decision or taking a position; “While the executives support expansion wholeheartedly, the shareholders are still on the fence about it.” All-in: in poker, if you are “all-in” you put all your money on one bet, but we can use this expression more generally to say you are completely committed to something, especially a plan; “This sounds like a good idea, but before I go all-in I need to know more about the project partners.” To have what it takes: to have the ability or intelligence to do something; “I thought I’d enjoy law, but after a few years as a junior lawyer I realized I don’t really have what it takes.

Commas Directions: Correct the sentences by adding commas where needed. 1. After the sound of the bell we realized it was a false alarm. 2. Mr. Yoshino the head of the department resigned yesterday. 3. The gentleman with the black umbrella who is an ambassador to the United States said hello to us as we were entering the hotel. 4. Even though we won the game the players unfortunately did not play their best. 5. Heather walked quickly up to the door and knocked hoping that someone would answer. Author’s Purpose 6. An author writes a story about a boy who saves his town from a flood by using his quick thinking. The author includes exciting descriptions of the boy's bravery. What is the author’s most likely purpose for writing this story? A. To inform readers about the dangers of floods B. To entertain readers with a heroic tale C. To explain how to prevent floods D. To persuade readers to prepare for emergencies 7. Which of the following is an example of an author writing to persuade? A. A science textbook chapter explaining the water cycle B. A commercial encouraging people to adopt shelter pets C. A short story about a girl who finds a magical necklace D. A recipe for making chocolate chip cookies 8. Read the following sentence: "Studies show that students who read for 20 minutes a day score higher on tests. Reading is one of the best habits you can develop for success in school and life." What is the author’s purpose in this passage? A. To entertain readers with a fun story B. To persuade readers to read more often C. To inform readers about how books are written D. To explain how to find books to read 9. An author writes a how-to guide titled 10 Easy Steps to Plant a Garden. What is the author’s primary purpose? A. To persuade readers to grow their own vegetables B. To inform readers how to plant a garden C. To entertain readers with funny garden tips 10. Read the excerpt: "Long ago, in a village surrounded by mountains, the people discovered a secret about their water well. Every full moon, the well water turned to gold for just one night. But no one knew why. This mystery brought travelers from far and wide, hoping to uncover the truth." What is the author’s purpose in this excerpt? A. To persuade readers to visit the village B. To inform readers about a historical event C. To entertain readers with a mysterious tale D. To explain the science behind the water Main Idea When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home. I was wishing I looked like Paul Newman--- he looks tough and I don't--- but I guess my own looks aren't so bad. I have light-brown, almost-red hair and greenish-gray eyes. I wish they were more gray because I hate most guys that have green eyes, but I have to be content with what I have. My hair is longer than a lot of boys wear theirs, squared off in back and long at the front and sides, but I am a greaser and most of my neighborhood rarely bothers to get a haircut. Besides, I look better with long hair. 11. What is the main idea? The narrator likes movies. The narrator wishes he was Paul Newman. The narrator is content with his appearance. The narrator looks better with long hair. 12. The narrator believes. . . looks are important. he should get a haircut. green eyes are bad. that he has red hair. Once there were four girls who shared a pair of pants. The girls were all different sizes and shapes, and yet the pants fit each of them. You may think this is a suburban myth. But I know it's true, because I am one of them, one of the sisters of the Traveling Pants. We discovered their magic last summer, purely by accident. The four of us were splitting up for the first time in our lives. Carmen had gotten them from a secondhand place without even bothering to try them on. She was going to throw them away, but by chance, Tibby spotted them. First Tibby tried them; then me, Lena; then Bridget; then Carmen. By the time Carmen pulled them on, we knew something extraordinary was happening. If the same pants fit and I mean really fit the four of us, they aren't ordinary. They don't belong completely to the world of things you can see and touch. My sister, Effie, claims I don't believe in magic, and maybe I didn't then. But after the first summer of the Traveling Pants, I do. 13. What is the main idea? Four friends were connected through a special pair of pants. A pair of pants called the Traveling Pants. Carmen finding a pair of pants from a second-hand shop. The girls believing in magic. 14. The narrator included that the pants fit all of them to emphasize how the girls become friends. the girls are different sizes. why the pants are special. where the pants came from. If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book. In this book, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning and very few happy things in the middle. This is because not very many happy things happened in the lives of the three Baudelaire youngsters. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire were intelligent children, and they were charming, and resourceful, and had pleasant facial features, but they were extremely unlucky, and most everything that happened to them was rife with misfortune, misery, and despair. I'm sorry to tell you this, but that is how the story goes. 15. What is the main idea? description about the story to come. A warning about the story and its sad content. A declaration about the Baudelaire family. A beginning for the end of the story. 16. The narrator believes the reader does not like sad stories. likes stories with happy endings. can’t enjoy the story. will find the story unhappy. 17. Read the following sentence: Of course you can exaggerate your story, but what you say must be based on truth. Which word means the same as exaggerate? repeat reveal overstate increase 18. What is the meaning of the word inaugurated, used in the following sentence: Less than two months after Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated President in 1861, he encountered one of the most difficult tasks ever experienced by a United States leader: civil war. elected by a vote brought into office identified by name viewed as an authority 19. What does the phrase “practice your presentation so much that you could do it in your sleep” suggest in the following sentence: The best advice is to practice your presentation so much that you could do it in your sleep. get plenty of sleep the night before giving a presentation give their presentations in front of a small audience first take advice from their teachers on how to write a presentation memorize their presentations before they give them 20. Read the following sentence: The Phoenix Mars Lander is a NASA spacecraft that landed on the Red Planet in May 2009 to study the history of water and potential for life on the planet. What is another word for potential? existence situation possibility qualification

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