IELTS Speaking: Work and Careers
Work and careers
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
Work & Careers (Lesson 6 of 6)
How to Use This Lesson
For Teachers:
1. Review the speaking prompts and sample answers before setting up pair work or speaking drills.
2. Listen for clear ideas and natural phrasing, and offer feedback using the four speaking points below.
For Learners:
1. Review your vocabulary and sentence patterns first before you start recording your speech.
2. Speak clearly without rushing, explain your reasons simply, and check your ideas against the samples.
Module 1: Warm Up Your Words & Ideas
Get your mouth moving and review key work words before you start speaking at length.
Exercise 1: Check Key Words
Choose the word that fits each sentence best.
1. The company posted an online notice because they have an urgent ___ for a team manager.
2. After working long shifts for three straight years, she finally received a well-deserved ___.
3. Many office workers feel stressed out when their daily ___ becomes too large to handle.
4. Modern tech companies often let staff choose ___ working hours so they can balance family life.
5. If you are deeply unhappy with your working conditions, you can formally ___ from your job.
Exercise 2: Match Natural Work Phrases
Pair each practical work expression with its plain meaning.
Exercise 3: Practical Sentence Patterns
Practice 4 simple sentence frames you can use while answering questions.
"She said she was tired after working a double shift yesterday."
Complete the sentence:
My former colleague told me that he ___ thinking about resigning soon.
"He must have worked there for years to get that senior role."
Complete the sentence:
Looking at her huge portfolio, she ___ spent months preparing for this interview.
"I would definitely go for a creative job rather than repetitive admin work."
Complete the sentence:
Given two options, I would definitely ___ flexible remote hours.
"To be honest, it really depends on what you value most right now."
Complete the sentence:
Whether people stay at one company ___ depends on the work culture.
Exercise 4: Quick Fun Facts (Guess the Number)
Guess the real data, submit your choice, and read the short explanation.
On average, how many jobs did an American born between 1957 and 1964 hold between ages 18 and 58?
In November 2021, the number of quits in the US reached a record. How many quits were there?
Module 2: Two-Minute Solo Talk
Take one full minute to gather your thoughts, then talk smoothly about your ideal work for up to two minutes.
Describe a job that you would like to do in the future.
You should say:
- what the job is
- what skills or qualifications you need for it
- why you would like to do it
and explain how you would feel doing this job.
Record your answer:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Well, to be honest, if I could pick any career path right now, I'd love to work as a freelance web designer. It's basically about building clean, friendly websites for small local businesses. To do this, you don't necessarily need a fancy university degree, but you definitely have to meet the minimum qualifications, like knowing coding basics, visual styling, and user testing. You also need solid time management because you're juggling your own deadlines.
The main reason I'm drawn to this is the freedom. I've always wanted a flexible schedule where I can choose my own clients instead of being stuck in a noisy cubicle all day. On top of that, helping neighborhood shops set up their online stores feels genuinely useful. If I managed to land steady work in this role, I'd feel really proud and relieved. It'd be tough at first without a fixed boss, but seeing something I created live on screen would give me a massive buzz.
Natural Phrase Notes:
- • meet the minimum qualifications: satisfy the basic required skills or certificates.
- • flexible schedule: working hours that you arrange yourself to fit your personal routine.
- • massive buzz: an everyday expression meaning a strong, sudden feeling of excitement or joy.
Module 3: In-Depth Discussion
Explore bigger work trends, workplace choices, and personal priorities across four real-world discussion topics.
Why do some people change jobs often?
Speak for about 30 to 45 seconds explaining common reasons.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
I think people switch jobs mainly to climb the career ladder much faster. If you stay in one company for too long, pay raises can be pretty slow, whereas moving elsewhere often brings a healthier paycheck. Another big factor is escaping a toxic team or an unreasonable heavy workload. Younger workers especially aren't willing to put up with endless overtime anymore. They'd rather move on until they find a workplace that respects their personal time and offers a clear sense of progress.
• heavy workload: a large volume of work that feels stressful.
How has technology changed the way people work?
Share your observations on remote tools, speed, or communication.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Well, the biggest shift is that work isn't tied to a physical building anymore. With online video calls and messaging tools, millions of people can collaborate smoothly from home. That creates a much more flexible working style, which saves hours of exhausting commuting. On the flip side, technology makes it harder to truly switch off. Because emails pop up on our phones late at night, many employees end up doing unpaid overtime without even realizing it. So it's definitely a double-edged sword.
• unpaid overtime: extra hours worked without additional payment.
• double-edged sword: something with both good and bad consequences.
Is a high salary more important than enjoying your job?
Balance financial stability with day-to-day satisfaction.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
To be honest, it really depends on your stage in life. When you're just starting out or have bills to pay, money matters a lot because you need financial security. But in the long run, doing something you hate every single day will quickly lead to severe burnout. Even with a generous paycheck, waking up unhappy isn't sustainable. Ideally, you want a comfortable wage that covers your living expenses, paired with everyday tasks that keep you genuinely engaged.
• genuinely engaged: honestly interested and absorbed in what you are doing.
Should people retire later than they used to?
Discuss longer life expectancy versus health and younger workers.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
I can see why governments push for people to work longer, especially since healthcare is better and people live longer. If experienced professionals stay active, that helps the economy. However, it shouldn't be compulsory for everyone. People working physical jobs like construction need to rest when their bodies wear down. A fair compromise would be offering part-time consulting roles so older staff can share valuable guidance while still enjoying a well-earned retirement after decades in the workforce.
• well-earned retirement: a deserved rest after years of dedicated work.
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