Crank Call

Crank

Call USEFUL ADVICE

How not to be bored

Telephone conversations to help improve your listening skills. Here are some more crank calls - those funny telephone calls that are designed to wind people up. Answers on page 38

The Job Application

For this call, we phoned up a company that was advertising for an engineer. Listen to the conversation and answer this question: Why won’t they employ the woman?

Victim: Clyde Engineering. Jim Masters speaking. Hot: Oh, hello, this is Naomi Peddle. I was just phoning with regards to the job you have advertised in the Guardian. Victim: Ah, yes, Mrs Peddle. We did receive your CV – all sixteen copies of it. Hot: And? What did you think? Victim: Well, we felt that you weren’t really qualified for the job. Hot: But I have a lot of experience in construction. Victim: Yes, so I see. Hot: Building with Lego blocks can get quite complex. So, did I get the job? Victim: No, you haven’t made it to the interview stage. Hot: But you’d really like me if you met me. Victim: I’m sure I would. But as I’ve GLOSSARY to wind someone up exp to really annoy someone with regards to exp about/concerning a CV abbr a curriculum vitae (information about your personal and professional life) qualified adj with the appropriate training, skills or qualifications the interview stage n the part of the job-application process that involves meeting the employer you aren’t suited for the job exp you aren’t the right person for the job a position n a job available adj if something is “available”, you can buy/use/have it

explained at least six times by phone, you aren’t suited for the job . Hot: Do you have any other positions available ? Victim: Erm, no. Hot: So, it’s goodbye then. Victim: Yes, goodbye. Hot: Bye. (She starts to cry.) Learn how to entertain yourself with these fun activities.

See how long you can hold a piece of burning paper. Compete with a friend. Both participants should use paper of a similar size and quality.

Have a competition to see who the most competitive is. Take turns mentioning something that you’ve done. The objective for the other player is to say something even more incredible. For example: A: Once I was attacked by two guys in the street. B: Well, I was attacked by ten guys and I sent them all to hospital. Continue until one person gives up.

Take a computer mouse and run through the streets shouting, “I caught a mouse! I caught a mouse!” See how long it takes before someone tries to stop you.

Stare at a dog until it starts barking. Try different breeds of dog and see if there is any difference in the time it takes.

What fun!

are you staring at me?

GLOSSARY burning paper n paper that has fire on it to compete with exp to have a competition with a participant n someone who takes part in a competition competitive adj someone who like to win in competitions to give up phr vb to stop participating to stare vb to look at something constantly and continuously to bark vb if a dog “barks”, it makes a loud sound from its mouth a breed of dog n a type of dog (a German shepherd, a poodle, a bulldog, etc)