Warm-up

I. What is glass ceiling? Consult your dictionary if necessary.

II. Read the information about the glass ceiling and discuss the questions below.

A glass ceiling is an unofficial barrier which stops certain kinds of people from advancing in their careers. This means that they won't be promoted even if they deserve it. The glass ceiling is a form of discrimination which sometimes affects women or people from racial minorities.

1. How common are glass ceilings in your country?

2. What, if anything, should governments or companies do to make sure that everyone has equal opportunities in the workplace?

Active vocabulary

Lexical exercises

I. Complete the sentences using each of the words below.

1. It was really …………. of her to claim she had experience when she didn't.

2. Exporting works of art without a license is …………; you'll go to prison if they catch you.

3. You shouldn't talk about your clients' business in front of everyone, it's …………..

4. How…………! He only got promoted because he was the boss's nephew.

II. Match the situations 1-4 with the comments a-d below.

1. Without exception all staff members are obliged to retire at the age of 65.

2. Ms Spencer was dismissed for poor time-keeping.

3. A further part of the work force was made redundant when the order was cancelled.

4. He had to resign to avoid a scandal.

a) ^“I hate to tell you this, but they've laid off even more people.”

b) “Mrs. Biggs didn't want to stop work at all. She was so sad at her leaving party.”

c) “Well, apparently he had to quit. It was either that or seeing his name in the papers.”

d) “Janet's been sacked for being late all the time.”

III. Find less formal words in 2a-d above for the words in italics in 1-4. Do you have equivalents in your language?