The Future of Work

The Future of Work: How Technology is Changing Jobs


The world of work is changing rapidly, and technology is the main source of these changes. In the past decade, we have seen computers and robots take over many jobs that humans used to do. This process is happening faster than ever before, and it affects workers in almost every sector of the economy.

Experts estimate that about 40 percent of current jobs will change significantly in the next twenty years. Some jobs will disappear completely, while new types of work will be created. For example, jobs like social media manager or app developer didn't exist thirty years ago. These positions only occurred after the internet became popular.

To understand this change, we need to analyze what skills will be important in the future. The data from recent studies shows that jobs requiring creativity, problem-solving, and communication will remain available for humans. Machines are good at doing repetitive tasks, but they cannot respond to emotions or think creatively in the same way people can.

Many young people are worried about finding good jobs in the future. However, there are several significant reasons to feel hopeful. First, while some jobs disappear, new opportunities always emerge. Second, people who continue learning throughout their lives will always have better chances. Third, the context of work is changing - more people can now work from home or choose flexible hours, which can improve quality of life.
Schools and governments have an important function in preparing people for these changes. They need to help students develop skills that will be useful in the future job market. This includes not just technical skills, but also the ability to work in teams, solve complex problems, and adapt to new situations. Understanding these factors can help young people plan their education and career paths more effectively.

The key message is clear: change is coming, but it also brings new possibilities. Those who are ready to learn and adapt will find their place in the economy of the future.
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Glossary
Academic Words from Sublist 1 (used in the text):

1. source (noun) - where something comes from; the origin
o Example: The sun is our main source of light and heat.

2. process (noun) - a series of actions or steps to achieve something
o Example: Learning a language is a long process.

3. sector (noun) - a part or area of business or the economy
o Example: She works in the education sector.

4. estimate (verb) - to guess the size or amount of something
o Example: I estimate the journey will take two hours.

5. percent (noun) - a part of every hundred (%)
o Example: About 60 percent of students passed the test.

6. created (verb, past tense) - made something new
o Example: The artist created a beautiful sculpture.

7. occurred (verb, past tense) - happened
o Example: The accident occurred at midnight.

8. analyze (verb) - to study something carefully to understand it
o Example: Scientists analyze blood samples in the laboratory.

9. data (noun) - information or facts
o Example: The data shows that temperatures are rising.

10. available (adjective) - able to be used or obtained; free
o Example: Is this book available in the library?

11. respond (verb) - to react or answer
o Example: Please respond to my email when you can.

12. significant (adjective) - important; large enough to matter
o Example: There was a significant improvement in his grades.

13. context (noun) - the situation or background that helps explain something
o Example: In the context of history, this event was very important.

14. function (noun) - the purpose or role of something
o Example: The function of the heart is to pump blood.

15. factors (noun, plural) - things that influence or cause a result
o Example: Many factors affect students' success at school.
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Comprehension Questions

Answer these questions about the text:
1. According to the text, what is the main source of changes in the world of work?
2. What percentage of current jobs will change significantly in the next twenty years?
3. Give two examples of jobs that didn't exist thirty years ago.
4. What types of skills will remain important for human workers?
5. What are three reasons mentioned in the text to feel hopeful about future jobs?
6. According to the text, who has an important function in preparing people for future changes?
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Vocabulary Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Gaps

Complete these sentences using words from the glossary:
1. The teacher asked us to __________ the results of the experiment.
2. The internet is an important __________ of information for students.
3. About 75 __________ of the class agreed with the proposal.
4. The accident __________ on a rainy Monday morning.
5. Several __________ influence the price of food, including weather and transportation costs.
6. The main __________ of a refrigerator is to keep food cold.
7. Making a cake is a simple __________ that anyone can learn.
8. This discovery is very __________ for medical science.
9. Scientists collect __________ before making conclusions.
10. Is the teacher __________ to meet with students after class?
11. My brother works in the technology __________.
12. How did you __________ to my question in the email?
13. To understand this word, you need to know the __________ of the sentence.
14. I __________ the repair will cost about £50.
15. New jobs are __________ by changes in technology.

Exercise 2: Match the Word to the Definition

Match each word (1-6) with its definition (a-f):
1. source
2. process
3. analyze
4. significant
5. respond
6. available

a) to study something carefully to understand it
b) important; large enough to matter
c) where something comes from
d) to react or answer
e) a series of actions or steps
f) able to be used or obtained


Exercise 4: Sentence Completion
Complete these sentences with your own ideas. Use the word given in a natural way:
1. The main source of stress for students is __________
2. Learning to drive is a process that __________
3. I estimate that I spend about __________ hours per week __________
4. The healthcare sector __________
5. In the context of modern life, __________

Exercise 5: True or False
Read these sentences and decide if they are True (T) or False (F) based on the reading text:
1. Technology is changing jobs in only a few sectors of the economy. _____
2. All jobs will disappear because of technology. _____
3. Jobs requiring creativity will remain available for humans. _____
4. More people can now work from home than in the past. _____
5. Schools have no role in preparing people for future jobs. _____
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Discussion Questions
Talk about these questions with a partner or write your answers:
1. What job would you like to do in the future? Why?
2. What factors are most important to you when choosing a career?
3. Do you think robots and computers will take most jobs in the future? Why or why not?
4. What skills do you think are most significant for success in the modern workplace?
5. In your opinion, what is the best source of information about future careers?
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Answer Key

Comprehension Questions:

1. Technology
2. About 40 percent
3. Social media manager and app developer (or similar examples)
4. Creativity, problem-solving, and communication
5. New opportunities always emerge; people who continue learning will have better chances; the context of work is changing (flexible hours, working from home)
6. Schools and governments

Exercise 1:
1. analyze 2. source 3. percent 4. occurred 5. factors 6. function 7. process 8. significant 9. data 10. available 11. sector 12. respond 13. context 14. estimate 15. created

Exercise 2: 1-c, 2-e, 3-a, 4-b, 5-d, 6-f

Exercise 5:
1.F 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. F