Topic: Work
1. Are you a student or do you work now?
Sample
I work full-time at the moment. I enjoy having a job because it allows me to
gain practical experience, develop new skills, and become more
independent. At the same time, I still spend time learning new things to
improve myself both personally and professionally.
Useful expressions
● work full-time
● gain practical experience
● develop new skills
● become more independent
Band 8 vocabulary
● profession (n.) – nghề nghiệp
● experience (n.) – kinh nghiệm
● responsibility (n.) – trách nhiệm
Idioms / Collocations
● earn a living (kiếm sống)
● build a career (xây dựng sự nghiệp)
2. What would you like to do in the future?
Sample
In the future, I'd like to continue developing my career while also improving
my personal skills. I hope to take on more responsibilities, learn from
experienced people, and keep challenging myself. At the same time, I'd like
to maintain a healthy work-life balance so I can enjoy both my career and
my personal life.
Useful expressions
● develop my career
● take on more responsibilities
● improve my skills
● achieve a work-life balance
Band 8 vocabulary
● ambition (n.) – tham vọng
● aspiration (n.) – khát vọng
● opportunity (n.) – cơ hội
Idioms / Collocations
● climb the career ladder (thăng tiến trong sự nghiệp)
● work towards my goals (nỗ lực để đạt mục tiêu)
3. What are the benefits of being your age?
Sample
I think one of the biggest advantages is having enough energy and
motivation to pursue new opportunities. It's also a great time to develop
new skills, build meaningful relationships, and gain valuable experience.
Although there are challenges, I believe this stage of life offers plenty of
opportunities for personal growth.
Useful expressions
● full of energy
● gain valuable experience
● personal growth
● explore new opportunities
Band 8 vocabulary
● motivation (n.) – động lực
● independence (n.) – sự tự lập
● maturity (n.) – sự trưởng thành
Idioms / Collocations
● the best is yet to come (điều tốt đẹp nhất vẫn còn ở phía trước)
● make the most of (tận dụng tối đa)
4. What do you think is the most important at the
moment?
Sample
At the moment, I think maintaining a healthy balance between work,
personal development, and family is the most important thing. Success isn't
just about having a good career; it's also about staying healthy, continuing
to learn, and spending quality time with the people you care about.
Useful expressions
● maintain a balance
● personal development
● quality time
● lifelong learning
Band 8 vocabulary
● priority (n.) – ưu tiên
● balance (n.) – sự cân bằng
● well-being (n.) – sức khỏe và hạnh phúc
Idioms / Collocations
● keep things in perspective (nhìn nhận mọi việc đúng đắn)
● strike a balance (đạt được sự cân bằng)
5. What work do you do?
Sample
I work as a border guard officer. My job involves protecting the border,
ensuring security, and supporting local communities when necessary. It's a
demanding job, but I find it meaningful because I have the opportunity to
contribute to public safety and help people.
Useful expressions
● work as a border guard officer
● protect public safety
● support local communities
● carry out my duties
Band 8 vocabulary
● security (n.) – an ninh
● duty (n.) – nhiệm vụ
● discipline (n.) – kỷ luật
Idioms / Collocations
● serve the community (phục vụ cộng đồng)
● take responsibility for (chịu trách nhiệm về)
6. Why did you choose to do that type of work?
Sample
I chose this profession because I wanted to do meaningful work that
contributes to society. I also appreciate the sense of responsibility,
discipline, and teamwork that comes with the job. Although it can
sometimes be challenging, I find it rewarding because I know my work can
make a positive difference.
Useful expressions
● contribute to society
● meaningful work
● make a positive difference
● sense of responsibility
Band 8 vocabulary
● commitment (n.) – sự cống hiến
● profession (n.) – nghề nghiệp
● contribution (n.) – sự đóng góp
Idioms / Collocations
● make a difference (tạo nên sự khác biệt)
● take pride in (tự hào về)
7. Do you like your job?
Sample
Yes, I do. Although my job can be demanding at times, I find it meaningful
and rewarding. I enjoy working with dedicated colleagues, learning new
skills, and helping other people whenever I can. Overall, it's a job that gives
me both a sense of achievement and purpose.
Useful expressions
● find my job rewarding
● enjoy working with colleagues
● sense of achievement
● meaningful career
Band 8 vocabulary
● fulfilment (n.) – sự mãn nguyện
● teamwork (n.) – tinh thần làm việc nhóm
● dedication (n.) – sự cống hiến
Idioms / Collocations
● love what I do (yêu công việc mình làm)
● job satisfaction (sự hài lòng trong công việc)
8. What requirements did you need to meet to get
your current job?
Sample
To get my current job, I had to meet several requirements, including
educational qualifications, physical fitness standards, and professional
training. I also had to pass different tests and interviews before being
accepted. Although the process was challenging, I think it was necessary to
ensure that candidates were well prepared.
Useful expressions
● meet the requirements
● pass the selection process
● professional training
● physical fitness
Band 8 vocabulary
● qualification (n.) – trình độ
● recruitment (n.) – tuyển dụng
● assessment (n.) – đánh giá
Idioms / Collocations
● rise to the challenge (đáp ứng thử thách)
● meet the standards (đáp ứng tiêu chuẩn)
9. Do you have any plans for your work in the next
five years?
Sample
Yes. Over the next five years, I'd like to improve my professional skills, gain
more experience, and take on greater responsibilities. I also hope to
continue learning so that I can perform my job more effectively and
contribute more to my organisation.
Useful expressions
● improve my professional skills
● gain more experience
● take on more responsibilities
● continue learning
Band 8 vocabulary
● promotion (n.) – sự thăng chức
● development (n.) – sự phát triển
● expertise (n.) – chuyên môn
Idioms / Collocations
● move up the ladder (thăng tiến trong công việc)
● aim high (đặt mục tiêu cao)
10. Do you want to change to another job?
Sample
At the moment, I don't have any plans to change my job because I'm
satisfied with what I'm doing. I still have many opportunities to develop in
my current position, so I'd rather focus on improving my skills. Of course,
I'm open to new opportunities if they match my long-term goals.
Useful expressions
● satisfied with my job
● career development
● open to opportunities
● long-term goals
Band 8 vocabulary
● stability (n.) – sự ổn định
● career path (n.) – lộ trình nghề nghiệp
● flexibility (n.) – sự linh hoạt
Idioms / Collocations
● stick with (tiếp tục gắn bó với)
● keep my options open (để ngỏ các lựa chọn)
11. What technology do you use at work?
Sample
I mainly use computers, smartphones, and various digital communication
tools in my daily work. These technologies help me communicate more
efficiently, manage information, and complete tasks more quickly. I think
technology has made many aspects of work much more convenient than
before.
Useful expressions
● digital communication tools
● manage information
● improve efficiency
● complete tasks quickly
Band 8 vocabulary
● software (n.) – phần mềm
● efficiency (n.) – hiệu quả
● database (n.) – cơ sở dữ liệu
Idioms / Collocations
● at my fingertips (luôn sẵn sàng để sử dụng)
● save time and effort (tiết kiệm thời gian và công sức)
12. Who helps you the most? And how?
Sample
I'd say my colleagues help me the most. They're always willing to share their
experience, give practical advice, and support me whenever I face
difficulties. Working in a supportive team makes it much easier to solve
problems and improve professionally.
Useful expressions
● supportive colleagues
● share experience
● practical advice
● work as a team
Band 8 vocabulary
● cooperation (n.) – sự hợp tác
● guidance (n.) – sự hướng dẫn
● teamwork (n.) – làm việc nhóm
Idioms / Collocations
● lend a helping hand (giúp đỡ)
● work hand in hand (phối hợp chặt chẽ)
13. What do you like best about your job?
Sample
What I like most is the opportunity to help other people while continuously
learning and improving myself. I also enjoy working with responsible
colleagues because teamwork makes difficult tasks much easier. Overall, the
sense of purpose is what motivates me the most.
Useful expressions
● help other people
● sense of purpose
● work as a team
● continuous improvement
Band 8 vocabulary
● motivation (n.) – động lực
● achievement (n.) – thành tựu
● fulfilment (n.) – sự mãn nguyện
Idioms / Collocations
● make a difference (tạo nên sự khác biệt)
● take pride in (tự hào về)
14. Do you prefer to work in the morning or
afternoon?
Sample
I definitely prefer working in the morning because that's when I have the
most energy and can concentrate better. I usually complete my most
important tasks early in the day, while I leave simpler tasks for the
afternoon. Working in the morning helps me stay productive and organised.
Useful expressions
● work more efficiently
● stay focused
● complete important tasks
● be more productive
Band 8 vocabulary
● productivity (n.) – năng suất
● concentration (n.) – sự tập trung
● routine (n.) – thói quen
Idioms / Collocations
● hit the ground running (bắt đầu làm việc đầy năng lượng)
● get an early start (bắt đầu sớm)
15. Have you changed your work before?
Sample
No, I haven't. I've been working in my current profession since I started my
career. Although the responsibilities have changed over time, I've remained
in the same field because I enjoy the work and still have opportunities to
grow professionally.
Useful expressions
● stay in the same profession
● gain experience
● professional growth
● develop my career
Band 8 vocabulary
● profession (n.) – nghề nghiệp
● experience (n.) – kinh nghiệm
● responsibility (n.) – trách nhiệm
Idioms / Collocations
● stay on the right track (đi đúng hướng)
● gain hands-on experience (tích lũy kinh nghiệm thực tế)
16. Which is more important to you – the people you
work with or the work you do? (Why?)
Sample
I think both are important, but if I had to choose, I'd say the people I work
with. Having supportive and cooperative colleagues creates a positive
working environment and makes even difficult tasks more enjoyable. Of
course, meaningful work is also important, but I believe a good team can
make a huge difference to job satisfaction.
Useful expressions
● supportive colleagues
● positive working environment
● meaningful work
● cooperate effectively
Band 8 vocabulary
● collaboration (n.) – sự hợp tác
● communication (n.) – giao tiếp
● job satisfaction (n.) – sự hài lòng trong công việc
Idioms / Collocations
● work hand in hand (làm việc cùng nhau)
● get along well with (hòa hợp với)