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B1 · About 10 minutes

A Flexible Start

Practise understanding workplace choices and giving a supported opinion.

Read 2 minListen 2 minAnswer 3 minSpeak 2 minSelf-check 1 min

1 · Read

A small design company recently changed its working hours. Employees may now begin anytime between 7:30 and 9:30, as long as they complete their usual hours. The company introduced the change after staff said that crowded transport and family responsibilities made a fixed start difficult.

After two months, most employees reported feeling less stressed. Meetings are now held between 10:00 and 3:00, when everyone is present. However, managers have asked staff to keep their calendars updated so colleagues know when they are available.

fixed
set and not changing
available
free and able to meet or help

2 · Listen

Listen to two employees discussing the change.

Ready to listen.

3 · Answer five questions

1. Why did the company introduce flexible starting times?

2. When are meetings normally held now?

3. What must employees keep updated?

4. Why does Daniel start at 7:30?

5. What difficulty do the speakers mention?

4 · Speak

Should workers be able to choose when they start? Give your opinion, two reasons and an example. Speak for about one minute.

Up to 60 seconds

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5 · Self-check

Continue practising

Next lesson: Working from Home

Balancing benefits and challenges and expressing a reasoned preference.

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Teacher answers · B1 A Flexible Start

  1. Staff found a fixed start difficult because of crowded transport and family responsibilities.
  2. Between 10:00 and 3:00.
  3. Their calendars.
  4. He can collect his daughter from school.
  5. Arranging team meetings.

Listening transcript: “How are the new working hours going for you, Daniel?” “Much better, thanks. I start at 7:30 and leave earlier, so I can collect my daughter from school.” “I prefer starting later because I study in the evenings. The only problem is arranging team meetings.” “That’s true, but the shared calendar has made it easier.”

Speaking: Answers will vary. Look for a clear viewpoint, two developed reasons, an example and useful linking words.