tests anglais evaluation 2010 2011
The job of check‐in clerk at Heathrow, or any other airport, is not a particularly satisfying one.
The work is mechanical and repetitive: inspect the ticket, check it against the passenger list on the
computer terminal, check the baggage weight, tag the baggage, ask Smoking or Non‐smoking,
allocate a seat, issue a boarding pass. The only variation in this routine occurs when things go wrong,
when flights are delayed or cancelled because of bad weather, or strikes, or technical itches. Then
the checker bears the full brunt of the customers’ fury without being able to do anything to
alleviate(1) it. For the most part the job is a dull and monotonous one, processing people who are
impatient to conclude their brief business with you, and whom you will probably never see again.
Cheryl Summerbee, a checker for British Airways art Heathrow, did not, however, complain
of boredom. Though the passengers who passed through her hands took little notice of her, she took
a lot of notice of them. She injected interest into her job by making quick assessments (2) of their
characters and treating accordingly. Those who were rude or arrogant or unpleasant she put in
uncomfortable or inconvenient seats, next to the toilets, or besides mothers with crying babies.
Those who made a favourable impression she rewarded with the best seats.
David Lodge, Small World.
(1)to alleviate: to make less
(2) assessment: judgement.
A.
