B2 Reading Test – The Gig Economy and Flexible Work

Read the text below and answer the multiple-choice questions.

The gig economy includes short-term jobs arranged through apps or platforms—food delivery, ride-hailing, freelance design, home repairs, and more. For many workers, the main attraction is flexibility: they can choose when to log in and which tasks to accept. This control can help students balance classes, parents manage childcare, or newcomers build a local network. Some also appreciate instant payouts and the chance to try different roles before committing to a full-time career.

However, flexibility often comes with uncertainty. Earnings can rise and fall with demand, weather, or changes to an app’s algorithm. Surge pricing may boost income on busy nights, yet quiet periods or new platform rules can quickly reduce it. Unlike traditional employees, many gig workers must cover costs such as fuel, equipment, insurance, and unpaid waiting time. Access to benefits—health coverage, paid leave, or retirement plans—varies by country and by platform, and classification debates continue.

To make gig work more sustainable, experts suggest tracking net earnings after expenses, working during predictable high-demand hours, and diversifying across platforms to avoid dependence on a single app. Clear ratings and dispute processes protect both customers and workers, while transparent fee structures help people estimate real pay before accepting a task. In the long run, the value of gig work depends on matching its convenience with predictable income, fair protections, and chances to develop skills that lead to better opportunities.