Lesson 8

Case Studies

Back to Section III
Objective: To develop oral language skills through discussing controversial issues. Listen to the following case studies.
  1. Mary Petersen has worked for the same company for five years. She has worked hard and has tried to be a good employee. One day one of the other workers named Roger is made a supervisor over Mary. The other employee has worked for the company for only two and a half years. Mary thinks she is better qualified for the position than he. What should she do?

    a. Quit her job as soon as she finds another job.
    b. Ask to be transferred to another section.
    c. Do nothing. Congratulate Roger and offer her support.
    d. Speak to the superior who made the promotion and ask why she was not promoted.
    e. Do nothing, but do not cooperate with the new supervisor.
  2. Sam Hall is a supervisor at work. One of the people he supervises is named Bill. Bill is very different from the other employees. He wears a very long mustache. He wears cowboy boots and blue jeans to the office. Most of the other people wear shirts and ties. He keeps a radio on his desk. He listens to it through an earphone because he does not like the music that everyone else listens to. Bill works very hard and his work is good, but visiting business associates are disturbed by his appearance. What do you think Sam should do about Bill?

    a. Call Bill into his office and tell him that he has to change. If he does not change, he will be fired.
    b. Do nothing.
    c. Make strict rules in the office that no one can wear blue jeans.
    d. Talk to Bill and tell him that visitors get a bad impression when they see him. Ask Bill for suggestions.
    e. Have a group discussion with Bill and the other employees about dress, music, etc.
  3. Joe Black's wife has wanted him to go to the PTA with her for weeks. He is to go next Thursday. That Thursday after work, Joe's friends tell him that they are going drinking. They invite him to come too. Joe likes to drink with his friends. What should he do?

    a. Call his wife and tell her he has to work late and then go with his friends.
    b. Tell his friends he cannot go because he has promised his wife that he will go with her to the PTA.
    c. Tell his friends he has work to do at home and then go with his wife.
    d. Go with his friends without calling his wife.
    e. Go with his friends for a short time and then go home a little late for the PTA.