Hedef English

Work-Life Balance

B2 READING WORKSHEET

Read the passage about work-life balance and answer the questions carefully.

Reading Passage

Read the passage carefully before answering the questions.

For many people, maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life has become increasingly difficult. Modern technology allows employees to communicate with colleagues and respond to messages almost anywhere and at any time. Although this flexibility can be useful, it can also make it harder to separate professional responsibilities from personal activities. One major challenge is the expectation of constant availability. Some employees feel that they should answer work messages immediately, even when they are outside working hours. Over time, this can create stress and make it difficult for people to relax. A person may be physically away from the workplace but still feel mentally connected to work. Work-life balance does not necessarily mean spending exactly the same amount of time on work and personal activities. Different people have different responsibilities and priorities. For example, a parent may need to organize work around childcare, while another person may prefer to spend more time developing a hobby or exercising. The important issue is whether a person's professional and personal responsibilities can coexist without creating excessive stress. Employers can also influence work-life balance. Flexible schedules, reasonable workloads, and clear expectations about working hours may help employees manage their time more effectively. Some companies have introduced policies that discourage employees from sending or answering work messages outside normal working hours. However, responsibility does not belong entirely to employers. Individuals can also establish boundaries. Turning off unnecessary notifications, planning tasks in advance, taking regular breaks, and protecting personal time can make it easier to disconnect from work. Learning to say no to tasks that are not urgent can also help prevent an overloaded schedule. There is no single solution that works for everyone. A successful approach depends on a person's job, lifestyle, responsibilities, and personal preferences. What matters is creating a routine in which work is important but does not completely dominate a person's life. As workplaces continue to change, work-life balance is likely to remain an important issue. Technology can make work more flexible, but flexibility is most useful when people have enough control to decide when they are working and when they are not.

Section 1 - Reading Comprehension

Choose the correct answer.

1. What is one problem caused by modern workplace technology?

It completely prevents people from communicating.It can make it difficult to separate work from personal life.It always reduces the amount of work employees have.It prevents employees from working remotely.

2. What does constant availability mean in the passage?

Employees are expected to be ready to respond at almost any time.Employees are allowed to take unlimited holidays.Employees never communicate with their colleagues.Employees only work during weekends.

3. According to the passage, what does work-life balance NOT necessarily mean?

Spending exactly the same amount of time on work and personal activities.Managing professional and personal responsibilities effectively.Reducing excessive stress.Protecting some personal time.

4. Which action can individuals take to improve their work-life balance?

Answer every message immediately.Avoid taking breaks.Turn off unnecessary notifications.Accept every task they are given.

5. What does the final paragraph suggest about flexibility?

It is useful when people have enough control over their working time.It always increases stress.It should completely replace traditional workplaces.It means employees should work whenever possible.

Section 2 - True or False

Decide whether each statement is True or False.

1. Technology can make it easier for employees to communicate outside normal working hours.

TrueFalse

2. The passage says that everyone needs exactly the same work-life balance.

TrueFalse

3. Employers can influence work-life balance through policies and workloads.

TrueFalse

4. The writer suggests that only employers are responsible for work-life balance.

TrueFalse

5. The passage suggests that work-life balance will remain an important issue as workplaces change.

TrueFalse

Section 3 - Vocabulary in Context

Choose the correct answer based on the passage.

1. What does 'flexibility' mean in the passage?

The ability to adjust arrangements according to different needs.The requirement to work longer every day.The refusal to change working conditions.The complete removal of workplace rules.

2. What does 'responsibilities' mean?

Duties or tasks that a person is expected to deal with.Free-time activities only.Unexpected holidays.Personal preferences about technology.

3. What does 'boundaries' mean in this context?

Limits that help separate different areas of life.Extra working hours.Rules about salary increases.Physical walls inside an office.

4. What does 'overloaded' mean?

Having too many tasks or responsibilities to manage comfortably.Having very little work to do.Being completely free from responsibilities.Working only a few hours a week.

5. What does 'dominate' mean in the final part of the passage?

To control or take up most of something.To completely disappear.To become less important.To happen only occasionally.

Section 4 - Complete the Sentence

Complete each sentence with the correct answer.

1. Modern technology allows employees to communicate with colleagues almost anywhere and at any ______.

2. Constant availability can create ______ and make it difficult to relax.

3. Employers can help by providing reasonable ______ and clear expectations.

4. Individuals can establish ______ between professional and personal life.

5. Learning to say no to non-urgent tasks can prevent an ______ schedule.

Section 5 - Main Idea & Deeper Understanding

Choose the best answer.

1. Why does the writer mention parents, hobbies, and exercise?

To show that different people have different responsibilities and priorities.To argue that hobbies are more important than work.To suggest that parents should not have full-time jobs.To explain why technology should be avoided.

2. What can be inferred from the passage about responsibility for work-life balance?

Both employers and individuals can play a role in creating healthier boundaries.Only employees can solve work-life balance problems.Only companies can control employees' personal lives.Work-life balance depends entirely on technology.

3. What is the main idea of the passage?

People should stop using technology at work.Work-life balance requires managing professional responsibilities while protecting personal time, and both employers and individuals can contribute.Employees should always be available outside working hours.Flexible work arrangements always create stress.

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