SPEAKING LESSON 1: WORK AND STUDY

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

● understand and apply vocabulary items about the topic Work and Study;
● grasp the format of the IELTS Speaking Test;
● extend answers for Part 1 questions using complex and compound sentences;
● pronounce -s / -es ending and /ʃ/ & /dʒ/ more precisely.

A Thematic vocabulary: Work and Study

❶ Following are four people talking about their work and study. Complete their talks with
one of the words / phrases given in the boxes below. Then listen and check your answers. 🔊1-5

1. The school system in Anna’s homeland

majoring in • college • nursery school • secondary school

• university • vocational training • primary school • undergraduate

I was born and raised in England. In my country, almost all children aged
between 3 and 5 attend (1) ______. After that, everyone starts (2)______
and then goes on to (3______ usually at 11. At the end of their secondary
education, pupils need to take GCSE exams. Subsequently, they can opt
for (4)______ like hotel management and tourism courses or stay at school
for two more years, take the ‘A’ level exams and study at a
(5)______(6)______ Now I am an (7)______at the University of
Birmingham, (8)______ Business Administration.

2. Nam’s school timetable

break • break up • divided into • do • semesters • take exams

My typical school day is (1) ______ five periods. We (2)______more than
10 subjects, including English, Maths, History, Science, etc. There’s
usually a short break between periods for around 10 minutes.
There are two (4)______in the school year, with each one lasting for
around 16 weeks. At the end of the school year, pupils usually
(5)______ before they break up for a long summer holiday.

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 3. Barbara’s exam results

exam preparation • passed • achieved • made progress

• do some revision • with flying colors • fail

I (1) my Maths exam (2) . I (3) the

highest score in the class: 95. In my country, if your test score is lower than
50, it means that you (4) it.
I am happy that I have (5) in my Maths this year. Before
any Maths tests, I always (6) , because I think the most
important thing is to get some (7)

4. Alexander’s job as a business consultant

work overtime • degree • set up • responsible for

• for a living • make • income • nine-to-five • deal with

I had a (1) in Economics, and I’m now working as a business

consultant (2) _______________. I advise people who want to
(3)__________ a business, especially in health and fitness. I mainly
(4)_____________ the marketing, though sometimes I am
(5)_____________ administration as well.
I can (6) about 120,000 dollars a year, which is a pretty high
(7) to be honest. I usually work (8) and hardly
(9)

5. Karolina’s internship

experience • interviews • training

• employed • applied for • CVs • intern

When I left school with a degree in Accounting, I (1) _______________ jobs

in different companies, and finally, after sending out lots of (2)
_______________ and having some (3) _______________, a small company
(4) _______________ me as an (5) _______________. I didn’t earn a lot, but
the company gave me some (6) _______________, which was good. I
gained a lot of useful (7) _______________ and skills.

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 B Introduction to the IELTS Speaking Test
❷ How well do you know about the IELTS Speaking Test? Work in groups and complete the
quiz below.
What do you know about the IELTS Speaking Section?
1. The test lasts about __________.
A. 4 minutes B. 14 minutes C. 24 minutes
2. There are __________ parts to the test.
A. 3 B. 4 C. 5
3. In the first part, you will be asked questions on __________.
A. everyday topics B. academic subjects C. news topics
4. In the next part of the test, you will __________.
A. choose your own topic to talk about
B. choose between 2 topics you are given to talk about
C. be given 1 topic to talk about
5. In this part, you will have __________ to prepare.
A. no time B. 30 seconds C. 60 seconds
6. You will then talk for a maximum of __________.
A. 1 minute B. 2 minutes C. 3 minutes
7. In the last part of the test, you will __________.
A. discuss questions based loosely on the Part 2 topic
B. discuss your reasons for taking IELTS
C. discuss your plans and ambitions
8. The test is recorded __________.
A. so you can have a copy
B. because it is always marked twice
C. in case it needs to be re-marked

Exam Info The structure of the IELTS Speaking Test

The IELTS Speaking Test consists of 3 parts and lasts for around 11 to 14 minutes. Following
is the procedure of the test.
Part 1: questions on personal / everyday topics (4-5 minutes)
Part 2: a 2-minute talk on a given topic with 1-minute preparation time (3-4 minutes)
Part 3: a discussion based on the topic in Part 2, in which candidates will be expected to
express opinions, to speculate and to discuss on a more abstract level (4-5 minutes)

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 The test is recorded in case the candidate’s performance needs to be re-marked, and for
monitoring examining standards.

C Speaking Part 1: Questions and Extending answers

❸ Following are some questions about the topic of Work. Which of the following questions
will be asked in Part 1? Pick them out of the list given below.
1. Do you work or study?
2. What is your job now?
3. Do you think job satisfaction is more important than salary when choosing a job?
4. Why did you choose that job?
5. How has technology changed the way we work?
6. Do you enjoy your job?
7. What jobs do you think are most valuable to society?
8. Would you like to change your job in the future?

❹ Listen to three students answering the question Do you work or study? and answer the
following questions. 🔊6
1. Which student’s answer was too short?
2. Which student didn’t answer the question?
3. Which student’s answer was the best?

Exam Tip In Speaking Part 1:

● keep to the topic

● extend your answers
● don’t speak too much (Three sentences is plenty)
● do not try to memorize answers to questions.

❺ Below is the conversation between a candidate and the examiner in Speaking Part 1 about
the topic Work. Complete the answers below with phrases given in the box and role-play this
exchange with your partner.

Examiner: Do you work or study?

Candidate: I graduated a few years ago, and (1) __________.

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 Examiner: What is your job now?

Candidate: I am currently an English language teacher. Actually, (2) __________.

Examiner: Why did you choose that job?

Candidate: I’m not sure, but I guess (3) __________. It is also because my parents were
former teachers as well. They encourage me to follow their footsteps.

Examiner: Would you like to change your job in the future?

Candidate: If (4) __________, I would love to be a tennis player. Although (5) __________,
the average income for this job is too low, so (6) __________.

A. the reason was my admiration for my high school English teacher, who is so
knowledgeable about English language and culture
B. I am working at a high school for the Gifted in Hanoi City
C. I am in full-time employment
D. I had the opportunity to shift my job
E. teachers are one of the most precious jobs in life
F. it depends on how much money I earn

❻ Read the conversation in exercise 5 again and find the linking word highlighted in bold
above that is used to
1. link two ideas together. __________
2. introduce your opinion (e.g. I think). __________
3. introduce a reason for something. __________
4. introduce the result of something. __________
5. introduce a contrast to what’s being said / will be said. __________
6. introduce a fact. __________
7. show that you are not certain about something. __________
8. refer to the previously mentioned person. __________
9. introduce a hypothesis. __________
Can you add some more words / phrases that have the functions listed above?

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Exam Tip

There are many ways to extend your answers in Part 1. The table below summarizes some of
the common techniques and linking words / phrases for each of them.

Te Lin
ch kin
niq g
ue wo
rds
/
ph
ras
es

pr an
ovi d,
als
din
o,
g etc
an .

ot
her
ide
a

ad be
din ca
us
ga
e,
rea as,
so sin
ce,
n
etc
.

intr so,
od the
uci ref
ng ore
the ,
eff etc
ect .
s/

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co
ns
eq
ue
nc
es

me act
nti ual
oni ly,
ng in
a fac
fac t,
t etc
.

intr but
od ,
uci alt
ng ho
a ug
co h,
ntr ho
ast we
ver
,
etc
.

intr if
od
uci
ng
a
hy
pot
he
sis

ad rel
din ati
g ve
ext cla
ra us
inf es

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 or
ma
tio
n
ab
out
a
per
so
n/
a
pla
ce
/
etc
.
Being able to extend your answers for Part 1 questions helps improve your fluency, coherence
and grammatical range.

❼ Use one of the words in the box to help you complete the sentences with ideas of your
own. Try to use a different word from the box in each sentence.

and • but • also • because • although • if • so • I’m not sure • actually

1. I am currently a university student …
2. Natural sciences are not my strengths, …
3. English is my favorite subject …
4. I chose English as my major …
5. I would love to study abroad …
6. The best thing about my university is ..
7. I hope I can become an English teacher …
8. Examinations at my school are usually difficult …
9. Now I’m an intern for a tech company …

❽ Work in pairs and answer the following Part 1 questions about the topics Work and Study.
Remember to extend your answers, using the techniques given in Exercise 6.
Topic: Work
1. Do you work or study?
2. What is your job?

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 3. Why did you choose this job?
4. What do you like the most about your job?
5. Would you love to change anything in your job?
6. Do you have good relationships with your colleagues?
7. Would you like to change your job in the future?

Topic: Study
1. Do you work or study?
2. Where do you study?
3. What do you study?
4. Why did you choose to study that major / these subjects?
5. What do you like most about your school?
6. Would you like to change anything about your school?
7. Do you have good relationships with your friends at school?

D Pronunciation
❾ Listen to Anna’s talk in Exercise 1. Pay attention to plural nouns and verbs conjugated in
the third person singular. Listen carefully and categorize these words into three groups below
according to how the ending is pronounced. 🔊1

/s/ /z/ /iz/

❿ Listen and put the following words into three following columns. Then repeat them. 🔊7

watches • passes • schooldays • works • studies • graduates • learns

• does • prepares • tests • teaches • courses • places • types • reports

/s/ /z/ /iz/

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⓫ Listen to Anna’s talk again. Find words that feature consonants /ʃ/ and /dʒ/ and put

them in the table below. 🔊1

/ʃ/ /dʒ/

⓬ Read the following sentences aloud. Pay attention to the sounds learned in this lesson.
Then listen and check your pronunciation. 🔊8
1. My brother is an undergraduate majoring in Business Administration, while my sister
studies Special Education.
2. The library at my college has a lot of international books and studies in hundreds of fields.
3. My friend works overtime in a language center to cover his tuition fees and living
expenses.

E Homework (individual)

Exercise 1: Listen to the pronunciation of the following words that feature the sounds learned
in Lesson 1. Then record yourself repeating them. 🔊1

Exercise 2: Listen to two test candidates answering Part 1 questions about the topic Work
and Study. Complete their answers with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the
recordings. 🔊2
Candidate 1
1. Do you work or study?
I am currently a student (1) _____________ in English Teacher Education. I am also (2)
_____________ as an English teacher at the moment.
2. Why did you choose this major?
Since I was a (3) ______________ student, I have always dreamed of being a teacher,
standing in front of a lot of students and teaching new knowledge. That’s why I chose a
(4) ____________ that is (5) _____________ in English teaching.
3. Do you like your major?

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 As a second-year (6) ______________ of this major, I would say yes. The (7)__________
provides me with a lot of useful knowledge about the English language and the job of
teaching.
4. Can you briefly describe your curriculum at school?
My school curriculum? It is (7) _______________ eight (8) ____________, at the end of which
we have to (8) _____________. Between two terms, we usually take a (9) ______________
for around 3 months.
5. Are the examinations at your school difficult?
Yes. To be honest, I have to do a lot of (10) _______________ every time I (11) _____.
Fortunately, most of the time, I passed the test (12) ______________. I am happy that I
always (13) _________ in my score after each exam.
Candidate 2
1. Do you work or study?
I am currently working as a business consultant (14) _______________. I am mainly (15)
_______________ counseling a company’s marketing strategies.
2. Why did you choose that job?
The reason why I chose this profession was because I have a (16) _______________ in
Business Administration. I (17) _______________ a position in a Business Consultation
company and was accepted.
3. Do you enjoy your job?
I would say I am pretty (18) _______________ with my current job. I earn a quite (19)
_______________ of around 100,000 dollars a year, and gain a lot of useful (20)
_______________ from working with my seniors.
4. What would you like to change about your job?
The working schedule, definitely. I not only have to work (21) _______________ but also
(22) _______________ on a regular basis. Sometimes, the work gets quite stressful, to be
honest.

Exercise 3: Choose one candidate and record yourself reading his / her answers aloud.

Exercise 4: Record your answers for the following Part 1 questions about the topic Work and
Study.
Topic: Work

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 1. Do you work or study?
2. What is your job?
3. Why did you choose this job?
4. What do you like the most about your job?
5. Would you love to change anything in your job?
6. Do you have good relationships with your colleagues?
7. Would you like to change your job in the future?

Topic: Study
1. Do you work or study?
2. Where do you study?
3. What do you study?
4. Why did you choose to study that major / these subjects?
5. What do you like most about your school?
6. Would you like to change anything about your school?
7. Do you have good relationships with your friends at school?

Exercise 5 [PREP]: Which of the following activities are good for the environment? Which
ones are bad? Put them in the corresponding column.

purchasing disposable items using private vehicles using biofuels

recycling deforestation using plastic bags

using pesticides & herbicides burning fossil fuels using public transport

promoting renewable energy holding green campaigns afforestation

Environmentally friendly Environmentally unfriendly

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Exercise 6 [PREP]: Read the text below about the topic Environment and complete the table
below.
Our Polluted World
Pollution is one of the major problems in all countries in the world today. This is mostly caused by
human activity on our planet. There is a view by scientists that the situation is getting even worse
and there is a necessity for it to be reduced. Is it possible for this problem to be solved?
Firstly, one of the major causes is exhaust fumes from petrol and diesel vehicles. This is affecting
the health of people that work and live there. In recent times, there have been steps to change to
electric vehicles, but this switch has been very slow-moving.
Another factor is deforestation, or the fact that many trees are being cut down. The reason for this
is in order to provide space for building major infrastructures such as roads and motorways.
However, it would be better if people were encouraged to start using more public transportation
or bicycles rather than cars. In that way, there will be a reduction in traffic jams and a decrease in
air pollution in our cities.
Finally, there are concerns that the majority of our water sources, such as rivers and seas, are
being polluted with industrial waste and sewage from populated areas. This is having an impact
on marine life by destroying their habitat. Therefore, there is a need to stop this practice of using
seas and rivers as a dumping ground for our waste.
In conclusion, Earth is the only home that we have and it is our responsibility to keep it clean. We
must stop destroying our planet. This should start by using it in an environmentally friendly way
for our future generations to live healthier lives.
adapted from [Link]

Pollution - Causes and Solutions

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 Causes Solutions

(1) ___________ from fuel-based Encouraging (2) __________, though

1 vehicles, having detrimental effect the shift is (3) ___________
on human health

(4) __________ for space to Promoting (5) __________ and

2 bicycles to reduce (6) __________
construct roads and motorways
and air pollution

(7) __________ and sewage into Stopping the use of seas and rivers
3 water bodies, destroying (8) as a (9) __________
__________

F Homework (group work)

Make a group call. Practice the following Part 1 topics. As you listen to your partners,
complete the feedback form on page 13 and 14. Send the evidence to the class group.
Topic: Work
1. Do you work or study?
2. What is your job?
3. Why did you choose this job?
4. What do you like the most about your job?
5. Would you love to change anything in your job?
6. Do you have good relationships with your colleagues?
7. Would you like to change your job in the future?
Topic: Study
1. Do you work or study?
2. Where do you study?
3. What do you study?
4. Why did you choose to study that major / these subjects?
5. What do you like most about your school?
6. Would you like to change anything about your school?
7. Do you have good relationships with your friends at school?

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 PEER FEEDBACK FORM
I am giving feedback to _______________.
Tick the boxes that feature the statements that are true for your partner’s answers.
They are relevant to the questions.

They are well-extended. If yes, write down some of the words he / she used to extend his / her

answers:

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________

They feature topic-related vocabulary. If yes, write down some of the words / phrases in his / her

answers that you like:

___________________________________________________________________________

___________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
____
His / Her pronunciation is clear enough.

His / Her speaking pace is suitable, neither too fast nor too slow.
How can your partner improve his / her answers? Write down some advice for your friends.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
________
Circle the emoji that expresses your feeling about your friend’s answers.

😐 😄 😁

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