Our last post from this course is for our last homework...

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.