📝 Unit 11: The Right Career
Application form · letter of application · past perfect passive · job vocabulary
Task 1 — Match jobs to descriptions (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Match each job with its description. The first one is done for you.
Jobs: A — architect · B — chef · C — receptionist · D — veterinary surgeon · E — accountant · F — electrician
Descriptions:
(1) Designs houses, offices and other buildings. → A (example)
(2) Greets visitors, answers the phone, makes appointments. → ...
(3) Treats sick animals. → ...
(4) Cooks meals in a restaurant. → ...
(5) Keeps financial records and prepares tax returns. → ...
(6) Repairs lights, wires and switches. → ...
Jobs: A — architect · B — chef · C — receptionist · D — veterinary surgeon · E — accountant · F — electrician
Descriptions:
(1) Designs houses, offices and other buildings. → A (example)
(2) Greets visitors, answers the phone, makes appointments. → ...
(3) Treats sick animals. → ...
(4) Cooks meals in a restaurant. → ...
(5) Keeps financial records and prepares tax returns. → ...
(6) Repairs lights, wires and switches. → ...
(2) C — receptionist
(3) D — veterinary surgeon
(4) B — chef
(5) E — accountant
(6) F — electrician
5 marks.
(3) D — veterinary surgeon
(4) B — chef
(5) E — accountant
(6) F — electrician
5 marks.
Task 2 — Match adverts to applicants (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Read the following advertisements and match each to the most
suitable applicant.
Ads:
A — WANTED: Part-time English tutor for two children, Mon–Fri 4–6 pm. Must
have passed O/L English with at least a B.
B — Hotel chef required — full time, must have completed City & Guilds Level
1 in Cookery. Indoor work, 6-hour shifts.
C — Driver wanted — must have valid HGV licence and 3 years' experience.
D — Female office cleaner — early-morning shift only, 5 to 8 am, Mon–Sat.
Wages Rs. 18,000.
E — Wanted — IT trainee. Diploma in IT and basic Photoshop required. Full
time.
Applicants:
(1) A young woman who has finished her City & Guilds in Cookery and is
looking for indoor work. → ...
(2) A man with an HGV licence and 4 years' driving experience. → ...
(3) A retired lady who can work only early mornings. → ...
(4) A Grade 11 student who passed O/L English with an A and wants a few
hours of work after school. → ...
(5) A young man who has just finished an ICT diploma and wants his first
full-time job. → ...
suitable applicant.
Ads:
A — WANTED: Part-time English tutor for two children, Mon–Fri 4–6 pm. Must
have passed O/L English with at least a B.
B — Hotel chef required — full time, must have completed City & Guilds Level
1 in Cookery. Indoor work, 6-hour shifts.
C — Driver wanted — must have valid HGV licence and 3 years' experience.
D — Female office cleaner — early-morning shift only, 5 to 8 am, Mon–Sat.
Wages Rs. 18,000.
E — Wanted — IT trainee. Diploma in IT and basic Photoshop required. Full
time.
Applicants:
(1) A young woman who has finished her City & Guilds in Cookery and is
looking for indoor work. → ...
(2) A man with an HGV licence and 4 years' driving experience. → ...
(3) A retired lady who can work only early mornings. → ...
(4) A Grade 11 student who passed O/L English with an A and wants a few
hours of work after school. → ...
(5) A young man who has just finished an ICT diploma and wants his first
full-time job. → ...
(1) B — Hotel chef
(2) C — Driver
(3) D — Office cleaner
(4) A — English tutor
(5) E — IT trainee
5 marks.
(2) C — Driver
(3) D — Office cleaner
(4) A — English tutor
(5) E — IT trainee
5 marks.
Task 3 — Past perfect passive (had been + V3) (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Rewrite each sentence in the past perfect passive. The first one
is done for you.
(1) His uncle had told him about the vacancy.
→ He had been told about the vacancy by his uncle. (example)
(2) Somebody had taken my pen while I was away.
→ ...
(3) Mr. Perera had checked the power supply before starting.
→ ...
(4) Nisali had arranged the classroom before we went home.
→ ...
(5) The Principal had read the letter before it was posted.
→ ...
is done for you.
(1) His uncle had told him about the vacancy.
→ He had been told about the vacancy by his uncle. (example)
(2) Somebody had taken my pen while I was away.
→ ...
(3) Mr. Perera had checked the power supply before starting.
→ ...
(4) Nisali had arranged the classroom before we went home.
→ ...
(5) The Principal had read the letter before it was posted.
→ ...
(2) My pen had been taken while I was away.
(3) The power supply had been checked before starting.
(4) The classroom had been arranged before we went home.
(5) The letter had been read by the Principal before it was posted.
5 marks.
(3) The power supply had been checked before starting.
(4) The classroom had been arranged before we went home.
(5) The letter had been read by the Principal before it was posted.
5 marks.
Task 4 — Fill the application form (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Fill in the application form for the post of LIBRARY ASSISTANT,
Public Library, Kalutara. Use block capitals.
1. Post applied for : ...........
2. Name in full : ...........
3. Permanent address: ...........
4. Contact No. : ...........
5. Date of birth : ...........
6. Educational qualifications : ...........
7. Co-curricular activities : ...........
8. Experience : ...........
9. Referee : ...........
10. Signature : ...........
Public Library, Kalutara. Use block capitals.
1. Post applied for : ...........
2. Name in full : ...........
3. Permanent address: ...........
4. Contact No. : ...........
5. Date of birth : ...........
6. Educational qualifications : ...........
7. Co-curricular activities : ...........
8. Experience : ...........
9. Referee : ...........
10. Signature : ...........
1. LIBRARY ASSISTANT, PUBLIC LIBRARY, KALUTARA
2. NIMALI ANUTHARI PERERA
3. NO. 28, TEMPLE LANE, KALUTARA SOUTH
4. 077-1234567
5. 03.05.2010
6. GCE O/L 2026 — 9 As (incl. English with A)
7. School Library Prefect (3 years); English Literary Association
8. Volunteered at the school library Sat mornings, 2 years
9. Mr. S. Perera, Class Teacher, D.S. Senanayake College
10. N. A. Perera
5 marks — every field complete, formal language, clear capitals.
2. NIMALI ANUTHARI PERERA
3. NO. 28, TEMPLE LANE, KALUTARA SOUTH
4. 077-1234567
5. 03.05.2010
6. GCE O/L 2026 — 9 As (incl. English with A)
7. School Library Prefect (3 years); English Literary Association
8. Volunteered at the school library Sat mornings, 2 years
9. Mr. S. Perera, Class Teacher, D.S. Senanayake College
10. N. A. Perera
5 marks — every field complete, formal language, clear capitals.
Task 5 — Comprehension: A job interview (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Read the following passage and answer the questions.
When I was the manager of a trading company in Colombo, it was my duty to
interview young men and women for posts vacant in my department.
One of my favourite techniques in interviewing prospective salesmen was to
hand them an expensive fountain pen and say, "Try to sell this to me."
One day after interviewing several applicants who used different marketing
skills, I was surprised at the skills of an applicant. He picked up the pen
and looked at his pocket, took back it and said, "Sir, for a thousand rupees
you can have your pen back."
I was so impressed I appointed him as an assistant manager within weeks.
(1) What was the writer's job?
(2) What did he ask the applicants to do?
(3) Write the sentence which shows that the writer was unhappy with most candidates.
(4) Why did the writer appoint the special applicant as assistant manager?
(5) Underline the correct answer. The special applicant ........... .
(a) refused to take the pen.
(b) took the pen and asked for money to return it.
(c) sold the pen back to the manager for less.
When I was the manager of a trading company in Colombo, it was my duty to
interview young men and women for posts vacant in my department.
One of my favourite techniques in interviewing prospective salesmen was to
hand them an expensive fountain pen and say, "Try to sell this to me."
One day after interviewing several applicants who used different marketing
skills, I was surprised at the skills of an applicant. He picked up the pen
and looked at his pocket, took back it and said, "Sir, for a thousand rupees
you can have your pen back."
I was so impressed I appointed him as an assistant manager within weeks.
(1) What was the writer's job?
(2) What did he ask the applicants to do?
(3) Write the sentence which shows that the writer was unhappy with most candidates.
(4) Why did the writer appoint the special applicant as assistant manager?
(5) Underline the correct answer. The special applicant ........... .
(a) refused to take the pen.
(b) took the pen and asked for money to return it.
(c) sold the pen back to the manager for less.
(1) Manager of a trading company in Colombo, interviewing candidates for sales posts.
(2) Try to sell an expensive fountain pen to him.
(3) "One day after interviewing several applicants who used different marketing skills, I was surprised at the skills of an applicant."
(4) He was impressed by the applicant's clever marketing skill (creating demand by 'taking' the pen and offering it back at a higher price).
(5) (b) took the pen and asked for money to return it.
5 marks.
(2) Try to sell an expensive fountain pen to him.
(3) "One day after interviewing several applicants who used different marketing skills, I was surprised at the skills of an applicant."
(4) He was impressed by the applicant's clever marketing skill (creating demand by 'taking' the pen and offering it back at a higher price).
(5) (b) took the pen and asked for money to return it.
5 marks.
Task 6 — Notice: career talk (40–50 words)
(5 marks)
Write a notice inviting Grade 11 students to a career-guidance
talk. Use about 40–50 words.
Include:
• date, time, venue
• name and post of the resource person
• how to register
• one career theme.
talk. Use about 40–50 words.
Include:
• date, time, venue
• name and post of the resource person
• how to register
• one career theme.
CAREER GUIDANCE TALK — 'CHOOSING THE RIGHT A/L STREAM'
Grade 11 students are warmly invited to a talk by Mr. Janaka Rajapakse, Career
Guidance Officer of the Ministry of Education, on Friday, 4th March 2027 at
1.30 p.m. in the school auditorium. Register with the head prefect by
2nd March. Free entry, refreshments provided.
— Head Prefect.
50 words. 5 marks.
Grade 11 students are warmly invited to a talk by Mr. Janaka Rajapakse, Career
Guidance Officer of the Ministry of Education, on Friday, 4th March 2027 at
1.30 p.m. in the school auditorium. Register with the head prefect by
2nd March. Free entry, refreshments provided.
— Head Prefect.
50 words. 5 marks.
Task 7 — Short paragraph (50–60 words)
(5 marks)
Write a paragraph on ONE of the following. Use about 50–60 words.
(a) The career I would love to pursue
(b) What makes a good employee
(c) The job my grandparent did
(a) The career I would love to pursue
(b) What makes a good employee
(c) The job my grandparent did
MODEL — The career I would love to pursue (60 words)
The career I dream about is being a paediatrician — a doctor for children. I
love biology, and I have watched my Achchi care for sick neighbours since I
was seven. To get there I will need a high A-level mark in Bio Science and
seven years of medical school. Hard, yes. But every child I help will be
worth it.
5 marks.
The career I dream about is being a paediatrician — a doctor for children. I
love biology, and I have watched my Achchi care for sick neighbours since I
was seven. To get there I will need a high A-level mark in Bio Science and
seven years of medical school. Hard, yes. But every child I help will be
worth it.
5 marks.
Task 8 — Letter of application (~100 words, 10 marks)
(10 marks)
Write a letter applying for one of the following posts. Use about
100 words.
(a) Junior Receptionist at Family Hospital, Maharagama.
(b) Part-time English Tutor for two children (4–6 p.m., Mon–Fri).
(c) Trainee Graphic Designer at a small marketing firm in Colombo 5.
Include: reference to advertisement · your qualifications · one key strength ·
availability · polite sign-off.
100 words.
(a) Junior Receptionist at Family Hospital, Maharagama.
(b) Part-time English Tutor for two children (4–6 p.m., Mon–Fri).
(c) Trainee Graphic Designer at a small marketing firm in Colombo 5.
Include: reference to advertisement · your qualifications · one key strength ·
availability · polite sign-off.
(a) MODEL (114 words)
12, Lake Road,
Maharagama.
12th December 2026.
The Manager,
Family Hospital,
Maharagama.
Dear Sir / Madam,
APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF JUNIOR RECEPTIONIST
I write with reference to your advertisement in the Sunday Observer of 9th
December 2026. I should be grateful if you would consider my application.
I completed the GCE O/L Examination this year with eight As and hold an ICT
Diploma from Esoft Metro. I am fluent in Sinhala, Tamil and English and
have six months\' experience as a part-time receptionist at a local dental
clinic.
I shall be free for an interview on any weekday afternoon.
I remain,
Yours faithfully,
T. S. Ranathunga.
10 marks — covers all five bullets, correct layout, matched sign-off.
12, Lake Road,
Maharagama.
12th December 2026.
The Manager,
Family Hospital,
Maharagama.
Dear Sir / Madam,
APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF JUNIOR RECEPTIONIST
I write with reference to your advertisement in the Sunday Observer of 9th
December 2026. I should be grateful if you would consider my application.
I completed the GCE O/L Examination this year with eight As and hold an ICT
Diploma from Esoft Metro. I am fluent in Sinhala, Tamil and English and
have six months\' experience as a part-time receptionist at a local dental
clinic.
I shall be free for an interview on any weekday afternoon.
I remain,
Yours faithfully,
T. S. Ranathunga.
10 marks — covers all five bullets, correct layout, matched sign-off.
Task 9 — Article / essay (~200 words, 15 marks)
(15 marks)
Write on ONE of the following. Use about 200 words.
(a) An article for the school magazine: 'My dream career'.
(b) An essay on 'Why choosing the right career matters'.
(c) A speech on 'The importance of internships before a degree'.
(a) An article for the school magazine: 'My dream career'.
(b) An essay on 'Why choosing the right career matters'.
(c) A speech on 'The importance of internships before a degree'.
(a) MODEL — My dream career (216 words)
When people ask what I want to be when I grow up, I no longer say 'engineer'
just to sound clever. I say paediatrician — a doctor for children — because
for the last three years I have been quietly testing the answer against my
own life.
Three reasons keep pulling me towards it. First, my love of biology. The
day Mrs. Wijesinghe explained the human heart with two halves of a cricket
ball, I went home and read the whole chapter twice. Second, my comfort
around children. I am the eldest of three; my little brother trusts me with
his bumps and his secrets. Third, my grandmother. Every time someone in our
lane gets a fever, she is at the door with hot kanji and a calm word — and
I want to do the same on a wider scale.
The road will be long. It demands an A in Biology at A-level, six years of
MBBS, four more years of paediatric specialisation. I will graduate, by my
count, at twenty-eight.
But every child I send home with a smile instead of a fever will be one
more reason this was the right choice. The right career, I have learnt, is
the one that meets the work of your life.
15 marks — honest hook, three concrete reasons, realistic timeline, warm close.
When people ask what I want to be when I grow up, I no longer say 'engineer'
just to sound clever. I say paediatrician — a doctor for children — because
for the last three years I have been quietly testing the answer against my
own life.
Three reasons keep pulling me towards it. First, my love of biology. The
day Mrs. Wijesinghe explained the human heart with two halves of a cricket
ball, I went home and read the whole chapter twice. Second, my comfort
around children. I am the eldest of three; my little brother trusts me with
his bumps and his secrets. Third, my grandmother. Every time someone in our
lane gets a fever, she is at the door with hot kanji and a calm word — and
I want to do the same on a wider scale.
The road will be long. It demands an A in Biology at A-level, six years of
MBBS, four more years of paediatric specialisation. I will graduate, by my
count, at twenty-eight.
But every child I send home with a smile instead of a fever will be one
more reason this was the right choice. The right career, I have learnt, is
the one that meets the work of your life.
15 marks — honest hook, three concrete reasons, realistic timeline, warm close.