English Lesson 25

Work and history

Your job and a typical work day, an important event in your country's history, and lessons from the past.

How to practise
  1. Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
  2. Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
  3. Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
  4. Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
  5. Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Speed

Part 1 · Interview

Work

Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.

What are your job responsibilities? Why did you choose that kind of work?

I'm an accountant in a construction company. I'm responsible for checking payments and preparing monthly reports. I chose this job because I've always been good with numbers, and it's a stable job with a good salary.

  • I'm responsible for…describe your duties
  • monthly reportsdocuments prepared every month
  • I've always been good with numbersgood with = skilled at
  • a stable joba safe job that won't end suddenly

What is a typical day like at your work?

I start at eight. First, I check my emails and plan my day. Most of the morning, I work on payments and invoices. After lunch, I usually have a meeting with my manager. I normally finish at four, unless it's the end of the month, when we're very busy.

  • First, I check my emailsstart with the first task
  • Most of the morning, …describe a big part of the day
  • invoicesbills that ask for payment
  • unless…means except if

Are there things you don't like about your job? What are they?

Yes, a few things. The work can be repetitive, because I do similar tasks every day. Also, at the end of the year, I often have to work late, which is tiring. But overall, I'm happy with my job.

  • Yes, a few things.a short answer
  • repetitivedoing the same thing again and again
  • I often have to work latework after normal hours
  • But overall, …means when you think about everything

Would you like to change your job in the future?

Maybe one day. I'd like to work as a financial adviser, helping people manage their money. It's more creative, and I could work with people more directly. But first, I need more experience and a few more qualifications.

  • Maybe one day.a soft, uncertain answer
  • financial advisera person who gives advice about money
  • more directlyface to face, without others in between
  • qualificationsofficial certificates from study or exams

Part 2 · Cue card

An important historical event in your country

You get 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Follow the four points on the card in order.

Candidate task card

Describe an important historical event in your country.

You should say:

  • when it happened
  • what happened
  • who the most important people involved were
  • and say why it was important to your country and people
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about the building of the Trans-Iranian Railway. It changed travel in my country completely.

When it happened

It was built between 1927 and 1938, so it took about eleven years to finish.

What happened

The railway connected the Caspian Sea in the north with the Persian Gulf in the south. It's about fourteen hundred kilometres long, and it goes through very high mountains. The workers had to build more than two hundred tunnels and many bridges.

Who was involved

The government started the project, and engineers from many countries, like Germany, Denmark and Italy, worked on it. But the most important people were the thousands of local workers who built it with their hands, often in dangerous conditions.

Why it was important

It was important because, for the first time, people and goods could travel across the country quickly. Before that, the same trip took weeks. It helped trade and connected many towns. Today, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I'm proud of the people who built it.

  • It changed … completelyshow a big effect
  • it took about eleven years to finishsay how long something took
  • connected … with…joined two places
  • in dangerous conditionsin an unsafe situation
  • for the first timenever before this
  • I'm proud of…proud = happy because of something good

Part 3 · Discussion

Celebrations and history

Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.

How do different cultures celebrate important events?

Every culture has its own way. Some cultures celebrate with music and dancing, like in Brazil during the carnival. Others celebrate quietly, with family meals and prayers. But most celebrations have something in common: people eat special food and spend time together.

  • Every culture has its own wayeach one is different
  • have something in commonshare a similar thing
  • spend time togetherbe with each other

What is the importance of festivals in our lives?

Festivals give us a break from our normal routine. They help us relax and feel happy. They also connect us with our culture and history. For example, during festivals, older people teach children the old songs, stories and recipes.

  • give us a break from…a rest from
  • our normal routinewhat we do every day
  • connect us with our culturehelp us feel part of it
  • recipesinstructions for cooking a dish

How have special occasions such as weddings changed in your culture?

Weddings have become much bigger and more expensive. In the past, they were held at home, and neighbours helped with the cooking. Now, most people rent a hall, hire a photographer and invite hundreds of guests. Some young couples prefer a small wedding, because it's cheaper and simpler.

  • have become much biggerdescribe a change
  • were held at homeheld = took place, for events
  • hire a photographerpay a photographer to work for you
  • young couplestwo young people in a relationship

What lessons should we learn from the past?

I think the most important lesson is that war never solves problems. It only destroys lives and cities. History also teaches us that societies grow when people work together and respect each other. If we forget the past, we'll make the same mistakes again.

  • the most important lesson is that…give your main idea
  • war never solves problemsa strong opinion
  • respect each othertreat each other well
  • we'll make the same mistakes againrepeat the same errors

What would you suggest to keep peace in the world?

First, countries should talk more and solve problems through discussion, not weapons. Second, children should learn about other cultures at school, so they don't fear people who are different. And international organisations, like the UN, should have more power to stop conflicts early.

  • through discussion, not weaponsby talking, not fighting
  • fear people who are differentbe afraid of them
  • international organisationsgroups with many countries
  • stop conflicts earlyend fights before they grow

Should history be a compulsory subject at university? Why?

I don't think it should be compulsory for everyone. University students already have a lot of work in their own field. History is very important, but students learn the basics at school. At university, it should be an optional subject for students who are interested.

  • compulsorysomething you must do
  • in their own fieldin their own subject area
  • the basicsthe simple, first things
  • an optional subjecta subject you can choose

Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.