本集介紹

Intro
Even though we often complain about our jobs, nobody wants to get fired. If you have to lose your job, it should at least be for something crazy, like having an affair with the boss’s daughter or setting fire to your cubicle. But often, when businesses start losing money, they have no choice but to lay off a bunch of their employees.

Times are tough for a lot of people right now, and Devan is worried that she might lose her job as a waitress. Listen to talk to Marni about what she should do.

Dialogue
Devan: So I think I’m getting laid off at my work.
Marni:  Oh no! Really? Why?
Devan:  ‘Cause it seems like they’re phasing me out. They’re only scheduling me two days a week, and I used to work four. And it’s been really slow lately ‘cause of the economy, ‘cause people aren’t going out to eat.
Marni:  Yeah, I think you’re, uh…Sounds like you’re gonna get the ax. It’s the recession, I mean, it’s happening, and it’s sad. It’s hitting all industries. It’s hitting people in office jobs, it’s hitting people who’re in the service industry...
Devan:  Yeah. I think I’m gonna have to file for unemployment, but unemployment checks are never for as much as you would normally make, so I’m pretty worried about it.
Marni:  Right. And there’s always the…And then you have to get a job and look for a job, and who wants to do that. So do you think you’re gonna get a pink slip or…
Devan:  I don’t know, I hope not. I open my locker at work every day hoping there’s not gonna be some pink slip waiting there for me telling me I’m not gonna have a job anymore.
Marni:  Well, best of luck to you, and hopefully…Maybe it’s a wise idea to start job-hunting now so you can be one step ahead of them.
Devan:  Yeah, I think I’m going to start looking for new jobs today.

Discussion
Devan is worried that she’s going to get fired from her job. Her boss has been giving her fewer shifts lately and she’s noticed that there’s been less business at the restaurant where she works.

Marni feels sorry for Devan. She says a lot of people have been losing their jobs lately because the economy is so bad.

If Devan does get fired, she can get unemployment benefits from the government. But those don’t last forever and they’re not worth as much as a real job. Plus, looking for a new job is really annoying. So Devan really hopes she’ll be able to keep her job, but she’s going to start looking for new jobs just in case.

Have you ever lost a job? What happened? Are you worried about the economy?

Grammar Point
Comparing Quantity: As much as
Devan is worried because she thinks she might have to file for unemployment, and unemployment checks usually aren’t for as much money as you make with a job.

As much as is a phrase we use to show that two things have the same amount or quantity. We can say, “I love skateboarding as much as surfing,” or, “I don’t get as much attention from girls as my brother.”

Remember that we only use as much as to compare quantity for non-count nouns, like love, coffee, or bread. With count nouns like apples, people, or records, we use as many as, as in, “Jessica has as many boyfriends as Heather.”

Quiz

❶　Why does Devan think she’s going to get laid off? The restaurant has had less business lately. Her boss hasn’t been asking her to work as many days as usual. She’s been a bad employee. All of the above. Just answers 1 & 2.　✓❷　Which uses “lay off” correctly? I’m afraid my boss is going to lay me off.　✓ I don’t want to lay off my job. Are you lay off at work?❸　Devan says she is going to start job-hunting. Why? She got a pink slip. She thinks she is going to get a pink slip soon.　✓ She gave her boss a pink slip. She thinks she’s going to get fired for stealing a pink slip.❹　Which of these is a non-count noun? trees soup　✓ women chocolate bars❺　Which is correct? I have as many money as my sister. John loves Taylor as many as Josephine. Corey has as much children as Tim. There is as much rain in Portland as in Seattle.　✓

Powered by Firstory Hosting