IELTS SPEAKING-WORK

If you’re employed, getting the necessary qualifications for a job, or still trying to decide
what kind of career you’re interested in, you’ll need to be able to tell the examiner
about this if you’re asked questions about work.

Do you work or study? Are you working/studying?

Part 1

Your work

1. What's your job / What do you do (for a living)?

2. How long have you been doing your job?
 I’ve been working (as a ….) for number of year/since date Present
perfect continuous(duration from past until now)
 I’ve worked (as a …) for number of years/since date Present perfect
(accomplishments/experiences)
3. What do you enjoy most about your job?
 The best part of my job is… /the best thing about my work
 I really like …
4. Is there anything you find difficult about your job?
 The most challenging thing about my job/work is…
 I find that… is the most difficult part of my work/job
5. Why did you choose that job?
 I chose (field)/wanted to be a (job title)…. Past simple
6. Is it a popular job in your country?
7. Do you like your job?
8. Do you work full-time or part-time?
9. What are the main tasks/duties in your job? What responsibilities do you have
at work?
 My duties include/are …
10. Is there anything you would like to change about your job?
 If I could I would alter…
11. What would be your ideal job?
12. Would you like to do a different job in the future? If you had the chance,
would you change your job?
  Yes, I am thinking about changing my career. I would like to try/go into
…. Present continuous(near future events/at time of talking)
13. Do you plan to continue with your job in the future?
14. What do you see yourself doing in 10 years’ time?
15. Did you always want to do this job when you were growing up?
 Yes, I’ve always wanted …. it has always been my dream job from
childhood. Present perfect
16. Where would be your ideal place to work?
 I would like/love/enjoy working at/for..
 If I had the choice I would love to work at ….
 If I could choose I would ideally like to work at …
17. What was your first day like?
18. What is the most interesting thing about your work?
19. Do you get on well with your colleagues?
20. Do you prefer to work in the morning or evening?
21. What are the ways that you can improve your skills at work?
22. Has your job changed a lot in the past years?
23. Can any technology be used in your job?
24. What technology would you like to have in your job?

Try to use a variety of verb tenses in your Part 1 answers to demonstrate a wider range of
grammatical structures, synonyms, paraphrase

Part 2

Describe your ideal job. You should say:

 what this job is

 whether you would need any qualifications
 whether it would be easy to find work
 why you would enjoy this job in particular.

Same question as above

Describe the job you would most like to have.

• what this job would be

• where you would work
• which qualifications you would need
and explain why you would like to have this job.
Part 3

1. Which jobs would you say are most respected in your country?
2. Some people say it's better to work for yourself than be employed by a
company. What's your view?
3. Do you agree that some jobs are still more suited to either men or women?
4. Do you think schools provide enough advice and support to students about
their future careers?
5. What changes in employment have there been in recent years in your
country?
6. Do you think more people will work from home in the future?
7. Can you think of any disadvantages of working from home?
8. If there are a limited number of jobs available who should be given priority,
young people or older people with more experience?
9. What are some of the important things a candidate should find out before
accepting a job?
10. What are the advantages of having your own business rather than working for
someone else?

Difficult thing
Part 2
Describe a difficult thing you did
You should say:
 what it was
 how you did it
 why it was difficult
 and how you felt about doing it.

Part 3
1. What kinds of jobs require people to be confident?
2. On what occasions should children be encouraged? How?
3. How do you help children stay focused?
4. What challenges do young people face today?

Work & Life Balance

Part 2
Describe an activity you usually do that wastes your time
You should say:
 what it is
 when you usually do it
 why you do it
 and explain why you think it wastes your time.

Part 3
1. How do you balance life and work?
2. Will you continue doing something when you are aware that it's a waste of time?
 3. What kinds of things make people feel pressured?
4. Why do some people refuse to abide by rules?

Working in a group
Part 2
Describe a time when you worked in a group.

You should say:

 what it was
 when you did it
 who you worked with
 and explain why you worked in the group.

Part 3

1. Do you think people enjoy doing things in groups?

2. Can you tell me about different jobs that people do either themselves or do in
groups?
3. Do you think some people don't like each other in the workplace? Why?
4. Is the role of a leader important in a group?
5. What personalities should a good leader have?
6. What are the effects of group influences on human behaviour in the workplace?

Short term job

Part 2
Talk a short term job you would like to do in a foreign country.

You should say:

 what the job is

 which country is
 how you knew the country
 and explain why you like to do it.

Part 3

1. What things should be considered before going to foreign employment?

2. What kinds of jobs are easy to get in a foreign country?
3. In your country, do parents encourage their children to work abroad? Why?
4. Do you think it is good for young adults to experience life in a foreign country? Why?

Ideal Job
Part 2
Describe an ideal job you'd like to do in the future.
You should say:
 what it is
  how you will get this job
 what you would do for getting the job
 and explain why you want to have it.

Part 3
1. What are the most popular jobs in your country?
2. What occupations are children more likely to choose?
3. Do people regret their career choices when they're old?
4. Do children like to choose the same profession as their parents?
5. What are other factors, besides money, should people consider when choosing a
career path?

Social work
Part 2
Describe a person who loves to do social work.

You should say:

 who the person is
 what he/she does
 why he/she loves to do social work
 and explain how you felt about it.

Part 3
1. Do you love being a social worker?
2. What do social workers do?
3. What are social work values?
4. What type of person would make a good social worker?

Activity after school/work

Part 2
Describe an activity that you do after school/work.
You should say:

 what it is
 where you do it
 who you do it with
 and how you felt about it.

Part 3

1. What is the most popular outdoor activity in your country?

2. What activities do young people usually do after school or work in your country?
3. What do young people usually do in groups?
4. Do you think people prefer movies over books? Why?
5. How do you think books can help people over movies?
Company that employs a lot of people

Part 2

Describe a company where you live that employs a lot of people. You should say

 What it does?
 How many people it employs?
 What kind of people work there?
 How you feel about it?

Part 3

1. Is it easy to find a job in your country?

2. What should the government do if there is unemployment?
3. Is a high salary important?
4. Is it ok to do a job you like with a low salary?
5. Are there many big companies in your country?
6. How can a small company grow big?
7. Should big companies donate more to charities?
8. Should big companies be punished more seriously if they break the law?
9. What are the good things about working for a big company?
10. What are the differences between big companies and small companies?

Part 2

Describe a job you would not like to do. You should say:

 what the job is

 how you know about it
 whether it is an easy or difficult job
 and explain why you would not like to do it.

Part 3

 How do you think AI (artificial intelligence) will affect people’s work?

 What would you say are the important factors to consider when choosing a career?
 That technology will make some people lose their jobs. How do you think this
problem should be handled?
 Would you ever move to work and live in another city?
Is it common in your country for people to move to other cities because of work?
 When young people choose their jobs, which do you think is usually more important,
the salary or their interest in the work?
Part 2

Describe an unpleasant job that you did.

You should say:

 what the job was

 how long you stayed at the job
 And explain why you didn't like that job.

Part 3

1. How do modern technologies influence people?

2. Are people work now less than in the past because of technological progress?
3. Will people work less in the future?
4. What makes people successful? Why?
5. Are successful people have different abilities?
6. Is the genotype of successful people different from others?

https://www.newsweek.com/genetic-test-children-success-1016656

AI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence_in_healthcare#:~:text=Artificial
%20intelligence%20in%20healthcare%20is,complicated%20medical%20and%20healthcare
%20data.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gilpress/2019/07/15/is-ai-going-to-be-a-jobs-killer-new-
reports-about-the-future-of-work/?sh=775e2203afb2

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/06/automation-destroy-millions-
jobs-change

Links for Intermediate to Advanced Level

https://engoo.com/app/lessons/ielts-speaking-test-preparation-level-4-describing-work/
tBdwWNq1EeikRJfSSsd_Vw?category_id=P6-
s6hpMEemrUL__RArmKw&course_id=UgaLcBpMEem1s-sX9S23gg

https://engoo.com/app/lessons/ielts-speaking-test-preparation-level-4-discussing-work/
RUJfWOTxEeil6-8QCeANgA?category_id=P6-
s6hpMEemrUL__RArmKw&course_id=UgaLcBpMEem1s-sX9S23gg

https://engoo.com/app/lessons/ielts-speaking-test-preparation-level-4-discussing-work/
RUJfWOTxEeil6-8QCeANgA?category_id=P6-
s6hpMEemrUL__RArmKw&course_id=UgaLcBpMEem1s-sX9S23gg
https://engoo.com/app/lessons/ielts-speaking-test-preparation-level-6-talking-about-your-
job/-vQGZukCEeijGlPxCGQ0og?category_id=P6-
s6hpMEemrUL__RArmKw&course_id=4hFd2IXdEemzVfOPfFiPpA

https://engoo.com/app/lessons/ielts-speaking-test-preparation-level-8-discussing-work/
1tGi2Oz1Eei12AdazreE_Q?category_id=P6-
s6hpMEemrUL__RArmKw&course_id=drH4urLREemum0PLgTsKcw

https://engoo.com/app/lessons/ielts-speaking-test-preparation-level-8-discussing-future-
employment/dmx3-PvuEei2EG-4C_D3mA?category_id=P6-
s6hpMEemrUL__RArmKw&course_id=drH4urLREemum0PLgTsKcw

https://engoo.com/app/lessons/ielts-speaking-test-preparation-level-8-discussing-changes-
in-employment/uRn2zvvvEeiFyvs1gGfa7A?category_id=P6-
s6hpMEemrUL__RArmKw&course_id=drH4urLREemum0PLgTsKcw

Vocabulary, phrases & collocations

Jobs https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/topic/jobs?level=selectall

to apply for a job / post / promotion

to get / have a part-time/full-time job
to work in [field / place]
to work for [a company]
to specialise in [field]
to be a qualified [job]
to work shifts / unsociable hours
to get / have an interview
to be shortlisted for an interview/job/post
to be demoted / promoted
to be transferred / to put in for/request a transfer
to be fired / sacked / dismissed
to be made redundant
to get/take voluntary redundancy
to retire / to be retired
to get a pension / to be a pensioner
the perks of a job (benefits)
to work from home (home-working)
to be self-employed / to work for yourself
to work/do flexi-time / overtime
salary/wage(s)
income
public / private sector
to be called for an interview: to be invited to attend an interview
to be your own boss: to have your own business
a dead-end job: a job with no promotional opportunities
to do a job-share: to share the weekly hours of work with another person
a good team player: somebody who can work well with other people
full-time: the number of hours that people usually work in a complete week
a heavy workload: to have a lot of work to do
a high-powered job: an important or powerful job
holiday entitlement: the number of days holiday allowed
job satisfaction: the feeling of enjoying a job
manual work: work that requires physical activity
maternity leave: time off work given to a woman about to have a baby
to meet a deadline: to 8nish a job by an agreed time
a nine-to-five job: a normal job that consists of an 8 hour day (approximately)
one of the perks of the job: an extra bene8t you get from a job
part-time: working less than full-time
to run your own business: see ‘to be your own boss’
to be self-employed: see ‘to be your own boss’
sick leave: time allowed off work when sick
to be stuck behind a desk: to be unhappy in an of8ce job
to be/get stuck in a rut: to be in a boring job that is hard to leave
to take early retirement: to retire early (retire: to reach an age when you are allowed to
stop working for a living)
temporary work: work done for a limited time only
voluntary work: to work without pay
to be well paid: to earn a good salary
working conditions: the hours, salary and other entitlements that comes with the job
to work with your hands: to do manual work

Idioms

Hiring and firing

take on = hire someone: “They’re taking on more than 500 people at the canning factory.”
get the boot = be fired: “She got the boot for being lazy.”
give someone the sack = fire someone: “He was given the sack for stealing.”
give someone their marching orders = fire someone: “After the argument, he was given his
marching orders.”

How do you work?

get your feet under the table = get settled in: “It only took him a week to get his feet under
the table, then he started to make changes.”
burn the candle at both ends = work day and night at something: “He’s been burning the
candle at both ends to finish this project.”
knuckle under = stop wasting time and start working: “The sooner you knuckle under and
start work, the better.”
put pen to paper = start writing: “She finally put pen to paper and wrote the letter.”
work all the hours that God sends = work as much as possible: “She works all the hours that
God sends to support her family.”
work your fingers to the bone = work very hard: “I work my fingers to the bone for you.”
go the extra mile = do more than is expected of you: “She’s a hard worker and always goes
the extra mile.”
pull your weight = do your fair share of the work: “He’s a good team worker and always
pulls his weight.”
pull your socks up = make a better effort: “You’ll have to pull your socks up and work harder
if you want to impress the boss!”
put your feet up = relax: “At last that’s over – now I can put my feet up for a while.”

Office politics and relationships

get on the wrong side of someone = make someone dislike you: “Don’t get on the wrong
side of him. He’s got friends in high places!”
butter someone up = be very nice to someone because you want something: “If you want a
pay rise, you should butter up the boss.”
the blue-eyed boy = a person who can do nothing wrong: “John is the blue-eyed boy at the
moment – he’s making the most of it!”
get off on the wrong foot = start off badly with someone: “You got off on the wrong foot
with him – he hates discussing office politics.”
be in someone’s good (or bad) books = be in favour (or disfavour) with someone: “I’m not
in her good books today – I messed up her report.”
a mover and shaker = someone whose opinion is respected: “He’s a mover and shaker in
the publishing world.”
pull a few strings = use your influence for something: “I had to pull a few strings to get this
assignment.”
take the rap for something = take the blame for something: “They made a mistake, but we
had to take the rap for it.”
call in a favour = ask someone to return a favour: “I need a holiday – I’m going to call in a
few favours and ask the others to cover for me.”
put your cards on the table = tell people what you want: “You have to put your cards on the
table and tell her that you want a pay rise!”
beat around the bush = not say exactly what you want: “Tell me – don’t beat around the
bush!”
sit on the fence = be unable to decide about something: “When there are arguments, she
just sits on the fence and says nothing.”
pass the buck = pass on responsibility to someone else: “The CEO doesn’t pass the buck. In
fact, he often says “the buck stops here!”
take someone under your wing = look after someone: “When he was taken on, Sarah took
him under her wing.”
show someone the ropes = show someone how things are done: “My predecessor showed
me the ropes, so I felt quite confident.”
be thrown in at the deep end = not get any advice or support: “He was thrown in at the
deep end with his new job. No-one helped him at all.”
a them and us situation = when you (us) are opposed to “them”: “The atmosphere between
the two departments is terrible. There’s a real them and us situation.”