Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 32 to 36.
According to recent research, nearly three-quarters of workers spend 4 to 8 hours sitting during office hours. Worryingly, 73% have had health problems such as back, neck and shoulder pain, which may all be caused by long periods without moving.
Evie Scott experienced just that after she had changed job. 'I used to work in a department store, where I was on my feet talking to customers all day,' she says, 'but I needed a higher salary so I got an office job instead. Although the challenge of the new job was quite exciting and I quickly made friends there, for a while I wondered whether I'd made a big mistake.'
So Evie, who travels into town by rail every day, decided to do something about her fitness level. She explains: 'I didn't want to move house and it took far too long by bike, but what's really helped is getting off several stations before the city centre and then walking. I'm also thinking of going to the gym opposite work, and I might also take up squash after work, too.’
She's made some small changes at work, too. 'I avoid sitting still for too long, for instance by making phone calls standing up, walking over to colleagues' desks rather than emailing them and simply standing up every ten minutes. I've even moved things like my printer so that I have to get up to use it. Over a working day all this adds up to a fair amount of extra exercise, which I'm convinced helps me work more efficiently - and happily.'
(Adapted from Complete Preliminary)
