Speaking and reading : guessing jobs	

Job 1

A lot of the time you're sitting about doing nothing. Or you could be doing nothing except that most of us like to keep fit, so we do a lot of sport - basketball, running, that kind of thing.
And anyway, we need to keep fit as we have to be fast when the bell goes. There's always
the chance you'll have to climb through a tenth-floor window.

People often ask if I worry abut the danger, but to be honest I don't give it much thought. There is danger of course. Obviously. But when the bell rings, there are too many other things to think about. And as soon as we get to the location, we're busy setting up the equipment, deciding on the  best way of entering the building, locating the hydrants and so on.	

Job 2

It's extremely hard work. I know it's a glamorous-sounding job, but it's physically very
demanding. The worst thing, I suppose, is the food. Or the lack of it! I have to keep under
fifty kilos, which is really difficult sometimes as I love my food.

We have to get up early too, as we do most of our training early, especially when the weather is warmer. The horses go better when it's cool.

You do meet a lot of other famous people, it's true. But during the season I don't party much. I can't have late nights and lots of food and drink when I have to race the next day.

Corruption? I know some people say we take bribes, but I've never heard of anyone doing it. I certainly wouldn't take money myself. We're quite well paid and I love this job.

Job 3

Well, it's certainly not a 9 - 5 job, not unless you mean nine at night to five in the morning! I guess the hours are the worst thing as it's all nights. That, and sometimes the customers can be difficult - especially when they're losing. They try to blame you for their bad luck! Of course, they love you when they're winning.

You're watched all the time. And that takes getting used to. Nobody trusts anybody in this 
sort of place! But then everybody is watched, from us, to the people watching us, to the people  counting the money, to the senior managers. There's so much cash about that it has to be that way.

Job 4

The best thing about it is the open air. When everyone else is stuck in an office all day, I'm out here - fresh air, nature, beautiful views. Of course, it's not so great when it rains! And it can be lonely sometimes, although we're usually in pairs or small teams. So you have to be able to get on with people, as you're often together for long hours with nobody else around.

We do deal with the public. Obviously, we see more of them at weekends and holidays.
And sometimes we have to use our authority - when people are dropping litter or damaging plants and trees and so on. But I wouldn't change this job for all the tea in China.