Topic 1 Housing & Accommodation
1. What type of housing do you live in? II Have you always lived in this kind of housing?
2. What is the area like? II What is the neighbourhood like?
3. Is it a nice area? II Has the area changed since you have lived there?
4. How many bedrooms does it have?
5. Does it have a kitchen?
6. Who lives with you?
7. Do you like it?
8. What's the best thing about it?
9. Is there anything you dislike about it?
10. Why did you choose that kind of accommodation?
11. How long have you lived there?
12. Do you know your neighbours very well?
13. How much longer do you think you will continue to live there?
14. Would you say it's a good place to live in?
15. In the future, what kind of accommodation would you like to live in?
Helpful Ideas and Useful Expressions.
What type of housing do you live in?// Have you always lived in this kind of housing?
Well, I live in a flat near the city centre. It is in a very convenient location and it is only ten¬minute walk to my office. I have lived in this flat nearly ten years. I really like it there.
You know I live in a big house in the suburbs. It's a little bit far away from my office, but I drive to work every day; so it's only 20 minutes' drive. It's quite comfortable to live there with my family. We have a spacious living room and bedrooms. We can breathe quite fresh air and enjoy the singing of birds from time to time. The surrounding is really quiet with an open green grass field and a small lake at the foot of green hills. But I used to share a small flat with two others near the crowded street market. It was rather cramped and noisy and it was not easy for me to concentrate on doing things I like. So I managed to buy my own house and I made it.
In the future, what kind of accommodation would you like to live in?
I prefer to live further away from the city. I don't know whether it is possible, but I look forward to it. I'd like to live in a house, surrounded by trees in a quiet area. A flat in a high¬rise is an option if money is a problem.
I hope to live in a large flat on the campus of a college or university. The living environment is very important to me, you know. By living on the campus we can enjoy a quiet life and have a good cultural atmosphere, which is really ideal for my kid to grow up in.
Topic 2 Work & Ideal Job
1 Could you tell me what you do for a living?
2 What kind of company do you work for?
3 Have you always worked for this company? II Do you think you will keep that job?
4 Do you have any special responsibilities in your job?
5 How long have you been doing this job?
6 How long do you think you'll continue to do this kind of work?
7 How do you feel about your job? II Have you always felt that way?
8 Why did you choose this job? II What are your career goals?
9 What is the most interesting aspect of your job?
10 Is there anything you dislike about your job?
11 Does your job give opportunities for travel? II Has it always been that way?
12 Is your work an important part of your life? II Has it always been that way?
13 Do you often socialize with your co-workers? II Has it always been that way?
14 What kind of relationship do you have with your boss?
15 What makes a good boss to work for?
Helpful Ideas and Useful Expressions.
Could you tell me what you do for a living?
I work as a guitar teacher in a number of local schools. Well, I should make it clear first that I teach classical guitar, er, that is playing tunes on the guitar itself rather than just using the guitar to accompany a singer. I like this challenging job and it's very rewarding, although sometimes, I feel a little bit depressed.
I am working for a computer company. I am a programmer and system analyst. It is a very small company but it has been growing a lot in the past few years. I have to work overtime quite often. But I don't mind because I enjoy working out programming.
Have you always worked for this company? II Do you think you will keep that job?
No, I used to work as a salesman when I was going to school. Of course that was a job that I took just to support myself while I was studying. After I graduated, I looked for a job in my profession and I found the one that I have now. And I think I will keep that job at least for some time. It is a good job and the pay is decent. But, of course, I am single now, and I don't need too much money. Things will be different after I get married but I don't know what I will do. Perhaps there will be a way for me to advance within my present company and get a higher salary. If so, I don't see any reasons why I should leave my job, unless I find better opportunities somewhere else.
Is there anything you dislike about your job?
Well, I work as a guitar teacher in a primary school. And occasionally you come across children who are learning to play guitar because their parents want them to do it and they don't want to learn. That can be a very frustrating situation because they have no motivation at all. But on the whole I enjoy teaching children. I find it very rewarding actually, for certainly 90 percent of the time. I must admit that sometimes when you've got one beginner after another and when they haven't done as much practice as you'd like, then you find your mind wandering a bit, thinking of all the things you could be doing. But generally it is rewarding and I must say that I enjoy my work.