Switchboard Operators Worksheet | Elementary ESL Reading PDF

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Long ago, phones could not connect calls by themselves. People called switchboard operators to help them. These workers sat at big boards with hundreds of holes and wires. When someone wanted to call a friend, the operator would plug wires into the right holes to connect the two phones.

Most switchboard operators were young women. Phone companies liked to hire women because they had nice voices and were patient with customers. The women would say “Number please?” when people called. Then they would quickly find the right connection and plug in the wires. This was one of the first jobs that let women work outside their homes.

The work was hard and required fast hands. Operators had to reach across big boards and plug in many wires very quickly. They helped connect all kinds of calls – people talking to friends, businesses calling customers, and emergency calls to the police or fire department. Sometimes people shared phone lines, and operators had to make sure everyone could use them.

This job was very important from about 1880 to 1960. At the busiest times, millions of operators worked all around the world. They were the only way people could make phone calls to other cities or countries. Without these workers, the telephone system could not work.

Everything changed when new machines were invented. These automatic systems could connect calls without human help. People could dial numbers directly and the machine would make the connection. Today, computers and robots do this job. Call centers and voice assistants are like the modern version of the old switchboard operators.

Tahap: Aras C

A. Padanan Perbendaharaan Kata

Padankan setiap perkataan dengan definisinya.

B. Benar atau Salah

Tulis T (Benar) atau S (Salah) bagi setiap pernyataan.

1. Old phones could connect calls by themselves.
2. Switchboard operators were mostly young women.
3. Operators said “Number please?” to customers.
4. The job required fast hands and good reaching ability.
5. Only men were allowed to be switchboard operators.
6. Operators helped connect emergency calls.
7. The job was important from 1880 to 1960.
8. New automatic machines replaced human operators.
9. All telephone calls still need human operators today.

C. Isi Tempat Kosong

Word Bank: connect, wires, plug, reach, talking, machines, dial

1. Operators would ____________ wires into holes to connect calls.
2. The workers had to ____________ across big boards quickly.
3. People used phones for ____________ to friends and family.
4. Automatic ____________ replaced human operators.
5. Today people can ____________ numbers directly.

D. Soalan Pemahaman

1. Why did phone companies prefer to hire women as operators?
2. What did operators say when people called them?
3. What kinds of calls did operators help connect?
4. When was this job most important?
5. What replaced human switchboard operators?

E. Soalan Perbincangan

1. Would you like to have worked as a switchboard operator? Why or why not?
2. How do you think people felt when phones became automatic?
3. What jobs today are similar to the old switchboard operator job?

Kunci Jawapan

A. Perbendaharaan Kata: 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d, 5-e, 6-f, 7-g, 8-h, 9-i, 10-j

B. True or False: 1-F, 2-T, 3-T, 4-T, 5-F, 6-T, 7-T, 8-T, 9-F

C. Isi Tempat Kosong: 1-plug, 2-reach, 3-talking, 4-machines, 5-dial