阅读理解。
It’s believed that a bad job is worse than no job at all. I’m not convinced, but here’s the argument anyway. Researchers at the Australian National University in Canberra compared the mental health of more
than 7,000 working age Australians. They found that those with jobs had an average score of 75 in a test
of mental well-being. Jobless people averaged 68.5. If you remained unemployed a long term it lowered
your mental health score by 1.1 points. But getting a poor quality job lowered your score ever further-by 5.6 points.
The results suggest that having a bad job may be worse for your mental health than having no job at all.
So what is a bad job? According to the study it’s one where you have little control over decision-making;
the job makes heavy demands on you; there’s no job security; and you feel underpaid.
My advice would be that if a reasonable offer of employment comes along, seize it. If you discover that you don’t like the work, that’s OK. You’ve given it your best shot and discovered that this type of work
isn’t for you.
In my own case my first job was as a trainee social worker. I very quickly learned that I was too
young, too inexperienced and innocent to become a social worker. I cut my losses and tried something
else. I worked as an economic researcher - and was miserable.
These experiences taught me that I was a person. But from my short time as a trainee social worker I
had discovered an ability for interviewing people and writing reports. That led finally to journalism. So take up that first job offer and find out about the world of work. If you realize the job isn’t what you expected,
that’s OK. Look around for something else.
So I disagree that a bad job is worse than no work at all. Remember, it’s always easier to find a job if you are already in work.
1. From the writer’s experience, we could learn that _______.
A. a poor quality job in hand is worse than no jobs at all
B. long-term unemployment got him a mental score of 75
C. you will find another more easily if you stick to a job
D. if a bad job offer comes to you, give it up immediately
2. Which of the following is TRUE when you get a bad job?
A. There is little possibility to decide for your own.
B. You can work securely if you are much devoted.
C. You get paid more than expected but you feel tired.
D. Having a bad job contributes to the mental health.
3. Which of the following best describes the organization of the text?
A. Cause and effect.
B. Time and space order.
C. Specific and general.
D. Statement and example.
4. What could be the best title of the text?
A. Hang on to that bad job for now
B. A bad job lowers mental score
C. A miserable economic researcher
D. Good jobs make heavy demands
