Takeover
Day
Every year,
on Takeover Day, children and young people up to 18 years old have the
opportunity to run a range of organisations and businesses. Last year on
Takeover Day, 17,000 young people joined, or „took over“, 700 organisations
across the country. Many employees in schools, TV stations, newspapers and
shops, and even politicians, gave their jobs to young people for the day. On
Takeover Day, young people discover for themselves just how business and public
organisations operate. It´s also a great opportunity for adults to benefit from
the fresh ideas that kids can bring to their place of work.
One class
of 10-year-olds spent Takeover Day in a newspaper office. The editor had told
them he wanted to improve recycling in the office. Staff didn´t always use the
bins for paper, and often forgot to switch things off. The kids designed a
series of colourful posters, informing staff of ways to be more environmentally
friendly.
A group of
older pupuls were shown round their local hospital, and put questions to the
managers. They looked at designs for a new children´s building, and made
suggestions for improvements to staff uniforms. In another area, 20 teenagers
visited the central police station to take part in a discussion to help
officers to understand the attitudes of young people. One girl said later,
“They listened to us very carefully and I think we really made a difference. I
was so lucky to be chosen“.
A different
group, many of whom were not in employment or training, worked at a Housing
Organisation for the day, on the reception desk and helping the technical
services team with painting and minor repairs.
21. What is
the writer´s aim in this text?
A.
to inform readers about an annual event for young people
B. to encourage businesses to employ
more young people
C. to advise young people about
different kinds of jobs.
D. to help young people choose between
further training or employment
22. The
10-year-olds helped the newspaper by
A. writing an article about the
environment.
B. making bins for waste paper.
C. putting up notices about recycling.
D.
turning off electrical equipment.
23. On
their hospital visit, the young people
A. helped look after the patients.
B. entertained some children.
C.
studied some architects´drawings.
D. designed a new staff unirform.
24. After
her visit to the central police station, the girl felt that
A. her group had been too big.
B. police attitudes were unlikely to
change.
C. she would like to become a police
officer.
D.
it had been a very positive experience.
25. What
would an employer say about Takeover Day?
A. It´s hopeless with kids under 15 –
they´re too young to do anything helpful.
B. The young people
made some really good suggestions which we are planning to use in future.
C. It´s a pity politicians don´t join in Takeover Day – they
could learn a lot from the young people.
D. What should let the kids try doing real jobs – that would
be more useful than just talking to them.
