EAP 3: UNIT 9b READING - THE SHARING ECONOMY

Why does the writer mention BlaBlaCar?

• It has been the most financially successful new small business.

• It is representative of the new approach to earning money.

• It recruits employees from countries all over the world.

• It was the first example of an internet 'sharing platform'.

Why does the writer say the 'sharing economy' is a possible solution to the current employment crisis?

• It has the potential to be more efficient than old ways of trading.

• It could eventually guarantee people a more predictable source of income.

• It promises to provide better working conditions for many employees.

• It might open up different kinds of work to the unemployed.

What is Carl Frey's opinion of the 'sharing economy'?

• It may have a negative effect on people who are still in traditional jobs.

• It will become popular because of the savings to be made in the work force.

• It may compensate for the inevitable loss of jobs to scientific progress.

• It will benefit the economy to have people working independently with different companies.

Jeremy Rifkin believes that

• there is still a chance that new inventions will generate employment.

• most young people are reluctant to work for established businesses.

• young people are already accustomed to working in a variety of different ways.

• governments have a responsibility to decide on a policy for future job losses.

In the last paragraph, Rifkin makes the point that

• freedom is no longer something to be valued in the way it once was.

• there has been a change in perception about what it means to be free.

• younger people need to learn to disconnect from one another if they are to feel free.

• there is now less freedom for the younger generation to choose what they want to do.

A combination of circumstances contributed towards BlaBlaCar's breakthrough.

• YES

• NO

• NOT GIVEN

BlaBlaCar is regarded as a threat to an established business.

• YES

• NO

• NOT GIVEN

Many people choose to leave their permanent jobs in order to sell their services online.

• YES

• NO

• NOT GIVEN

The sharing economy is already having a dramatic effect on the economy.

• YES

• NO

• NOT GIVEN