A Amanda, 33
I had been working in sales for six years when I suffered an ankle injury that was to change my whole life. It didn’t heal and someone suggested acupuncture, a traditional Chinese treatment for pain. I was so impressed by the treatment that I found out about classes. I had reached a point in my life where things had to change. In many ways I had it all: a company car, foreign business trips, my own house, a secure job. But at 29, I felt increasingly dissatisfied and wanted to be more adventurous. So I persuaded my boss to let me work a four-day week and did classes on the remaining day. It took four difficult years to qualify, as I was studying 25 hours a week on top of my job. It’s been worth it though, and I get on well with the people I work for now. As for BMW, I don’t miss it at all!

B Dani, 30
I trained as a doctor but I knew all along it wasn’t right for me. My parents had run their dairy farm for thirty years, and needed a long holiday, so we decided that I’d look after things for six months while they visited my brother in Australia. It gave me the career break I’d been looking for, except that I never went back. Mum and dad have emigrated, so now I’m in charge for good, which is fine by me. At the beginning, I was quite inexperienced, though it felt natural to be back on the farm and didn’t take me long to master everything. I’ve learned to be flexible – to fit in with the weather! Being in the open air is the best thing of all. I’ve just started selling my own cheese and by this time next year, I’ll have launched my own ice cream.

C Sue, 34
I’d never seen myself as academic. Hairdressing seemed glamorous and I wanted a car, so I went to work in a salon as an apprentice. I wasn’t concerned about the poor pay – I had fun! Then, all of a sudden, my husband’s job moved to London. This forced me to reconsider my own life and I decided to take English and Law at night school there. I was spending 45 hours a week cutting hair and working for exams as well. I lost ten kilos in weight, but for all the stress of studying. I knew I was doing the right thing. After leaving college I went into market research. My confidence has always been low and it was three years before I felt I could cope effectively in the role. But it was worth the wait.

D Rachel, 28
I worked for three investment banks in London, earning £60,000 a year in my last job. If I’d added up the hours I spent at my desk, it would have been huge – sometimes I was there until midnight. To begin with, I got a real buzz from the work, helped by the fact that everyone was willing to give me so much responsibility. But eventually, it got to me. At the time, the bank needed to reduce its staff and was offering a good leaving package, so I jumped at it. Now I’m working freelance, editing articles for financial magazines. I’ve set up the spare room as an office and I hope to pick up enough work. People who need certainly and structure would find my new life difficult, but a in all, I feel I’ve made the right decision.

E Eleanor, 25
I’d always loved skating and what I wanted above all was to be an ice dancer. Mum and dad spent a lot of time driving me to classes and I’m so grateful to them for that, not to mention the huge sums they’ve invested in my training. I started competing at 14 and turned professional at 16. I’ve done a lot of great shows, but I chose to hang up my skates long before most ice dancers do. For the last months, I’ve been working for a sportswear firm to gain experience in business and my dream is to set up a company before long, producing costumes for ice dancers.
Which woman:

(А,В,С,D)

1.began her studies in a new location?
2. reduced her working hours in order to study?
3.is satisfied with her new lack of routine?
4.took a long time to get on top of the job?
5.had financial support from her parents?
6.would like to start her own business?
7.travelled in her previous job?
8.felt grateful that her employers trusted her?
9.chose to be made redundant?
10.spends a lot of time outdoors?