VOL 6 Test 1 - Working for Johnson Jones IELTS Listening Answer Key & Explanations

VOL 6 Test 1 - Working for Johnson Jones

0:00

Mark: Good morning. My name's Mark Bergin. I'm a human resources manager at Johnson Jones, and I'm here to tell you about what it's like working for one of the country's best employers.

The company has 225 department stores and owns a further 150 supermarkets. At our latest store opening, we had over 9,000 applicants for 750 posts.

So why do so many people want to work for us? 1Well, the first thing that attracts them isn't so much the salary, although that is a little above average. It's the idea of getting a massive 25% off everything from washing machines to designer handbags. People are prepared to put in long hours to get those kinds of perks.

Johnson Jones has been going strong for nearly 150 years and has outlived many of its strongest competitors. Of course, this has something to do with the high-quality products that we sell and our motto, Better for Less, which means customers know they're getting good value for money. But we're not alone in that. Where we are different is in our approach to making a profit. Other companies think in the short tern whereas 2we always take a more strategic view, looking three or five years ahead.

The company isn't owned by a family or shareholders. It's a partnership, which means it's owned by its full-time employees, who are all partners and have a share in the company. In return for the very generous benefits they get, 3they're expected to put in extra effort and take an active role in running the company. It means they're involved in things like making decisions about pension, contribution, for example.

Another very attractive reason for working for us is the annual bonus, which we get as a percentage of our salary. 4Last year, it was 15%, about two months' salary, which is pretty standard. It can go down to 8%, but that's unusual. And a couple of times, it's even been above 20%. Some people use it to pay off loans. Others save it for a deposit on a house.

The most popular benefit for partners are the subsidised holiday centres, which are owned by the company. Once a year, partners can book in for up to two weeks. It's for anyone, from cleaners to directors, 5with a minimum of three months' service. After six months' service, partners are entitled to a further subsidy on the cost of their stay.

Mark: Let me just give you an idea of what's on offer at the holiday centres.

The Grange, which is the largest of the holiday centres, is used for conferences by the company, and 6the board of directors always have their annual meeting there. It's all very informal, not like a normal conference centre.

Meadow House is located in Kent, which is famous for its apples and other fruit, and it's a large country house. What's unusual about it is that 7unlike other hotels, you have access to the kitchen, so it feels more like staying with a friend.

Coombe Manor is a working farm. There are loads of cows and sheep, none of which actually end up on our supermarket shelves. 8It's a paradise for kids, as there's plenty of space to run wild and also an indoor pool. You can choose to stay in cottages, or camp by the lake.

The Barn is where I recently celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary. 9You can rent the whole place out for a large group of up to 40 friends. We got all our food delivered from the nearest Johnson Jones supermarket, so there was no cooking to be done. Perfect. All that was missing was a spa, which should be opening next year.

The Stable is often hard to get into because it's so popular. That's partly because it's right on the beach with beautiful sea views and only an hour by train from London. 10Ideal for weekends.

The Company Sailing Club is located there, which was started by the company's founder in 1885.

So, I'm sure you'll all agree that—

Answers For VOL 6 Test 1 - Working for Johnson Jones

Answers and detail explain for VOL 6 Test 1 - Working for Johnson Jones

Answer Table

Explain

VOL 6 Test 1 - Working for Johnson Jones

Questions 1–5

1What does Mark say first attracts people to working for Johnson Jones?

2Mark says the company is one of the country’s most successful retailers because it

3Mark says that because Johnson Jones is a partnership, the staff

4What is the typical annual bonus that partners receive?

5To qualify for the leisure and holiday facilities, partners must have worked for the company for

Questions 6–10

Information

6

7

8

9

10

Recommended Listening