ALL STORIES➡

Luis works at an office. He sends out emails and chats with his coworkers. On his desk, he’s got a computer and a notebook. Around lunchtime, he grabs a sandwich. When he wraps up his work, he shuts down his computer and heads home.

This one's got a nice, productive office flow!

Luis kicks off his workday by checking through his emails. Then, he sits in on a meeting with his team. Back at his desk, he sorts through some documents and jots down notes in his notebook. During lunch, he chats with his coworkers. Before heading out, he puts together a to-do list for the next day.

Luis enjoys his job at the office. He starts off the day by going over reports and mapping out meetings. Around mid-morning, he catches up with his team to talk through strategies. Then he dives into an important project, making sure to stay on track with deadlines. During lunch, he takes a breather. Before heading out, he checks over his schedule for the next day.

This one’s packed with great business language! Luis juggles a bunch of responsibilities at the office. He kicks off the day by sorting out his priorities and getting back to urgent emails. Later, he runs a meeting about new projects. In the afternoon, he goes over documents and puts together a detailed report. Between tasks, he chats with a colleague about what’s going on in the industry. Before heading out, he tweaks his plan to stay on top of things and makes sure everything’s set for the next day.

Luis tackles his workday with a solid, organized approach. In the morning, he goes over key metrics to check in on how the team’s doing. During the strategy meeting, he shares some fresh ideas and gets useful feedback. He spends the afternoon digging into data and pulling together an executive report. During a break, he talks over market trends with a few coworkers. As he heads out, he thinks about ways to build up team dynamics.

This one's sharp, high-level, and full of great vocabulary! Luis takes on his day with a mix of sharp thinking and creative energy. In the morning, he leads an important meeting, breaking down complex info into real strategies the team can act on. He looks through financial reports and checks out the impact of recent decisions. During a break, he gets into a chat about digital transformation with a coworker. Before calling it a day, he goes over global trends to spot new opportunities and keep the company ahead of the game.

SPEAKING PRACTICE – PHOTO DESCRIPTION – Model answers (A1–C2)

🟢 A1

There are three men in the office. They are sitting and working on computers. The office is big and bright. There are some plants and a lot of light.

🔵 A2

In this picture, I can see three people working in an office. They are sitting at their desks, using computers. The office looks modern and quiet. There are big windows and some green plants.

🟡 B1

The picture shows an open-plan office where several men are working on their laptops. The environment looks professional, with clean desks, comfortable chairs, and lots of natural light. There are some decorative items like plants and a clock. It seems like a peaceful place to work.

🟠 B2

This image depicts a group of professionals working in a modern and well-lit office. The large windows allow natural light to enter, which makes the space feel open and productive. Each employee is focused on their task, suggesting a calm and efficient atmosphere. The arrangement of the office and its minimalist design indicate a contemporary work culture.

🔴 C1

The scene portrays a collaborative and structured work environment. The presence of individual workstations, organized shelves, and decorative elements like potted plants reflects an emphasis on productivity and comfort. The employees appear deeply engaged in their tasks, which suggests a culture of focus and independence. The interplay of natural light and glass walls enhances the sense of transparency and openness typical of modern corporate spaces.

🟣 C2

This image offers a striking representation of a contemporary workspace, characterized by its minimalism, order, and strategic use of natural light. The individuals, absorbed in their digital tasks, contribute to an atmosphere of professional quietude. The balance between function and aesthetic appeal—evident in the spatial layout, greenery, and clean lines—embodies current trends in workplace design that prioritize both well-being and productivity. Personally, I find such environments highly conducive to deep, focused work.

SPEAKING PRACTICE – PHOTO COMPARISON – Model answers (A1–C2)

🟢 A1
In the first picture, the men are working in an office.
In the second picture, the woman is working at home.
The office has many people, the home has only one person.
I like the office. It is big.

🟡 A2
The first picture shows some men working on computers in an office.
The second picture shows a woman working at home with her laptop.
The office looks bright and big, but the home is small and quiet.
I prefer working from home because it is more comfortable.

🟠 B1
In the first photo, we can see a modern office where several people are working at their desks.
In the second one, a woman is working from home at a small table, probably in the kitchen.
Both pictures show people working on computers, but the environments are very different.
The office looks professional and organized, while the home is cozy and informal.
I would prefer the home office because I like quiet spaces.

🔵 B2
These two pictures both show people working, but in different settings.
The first picture shows a team of men working in a bright, open office with lots of space and natural light.
The second shows a woman working alone at home, possibly in a kitchen, with a hot drink and a cat next to her.
The office appears more formal and structured, while the home seems relaxed and personal.
I’d rather work from home because I feel more productive when I'm in my own environment.

🟣 C1
Both images depict people working, but the contrast between their environments is significant.
In the first image, multiple professionals are seated at desks in a corporate office, with natural light and an organized setting.
In the second image, a woman works remotely from home, surrounded by personal items like a coffee mug and a cat, which suggests comfort.
While the office promotes collaboration and structure, working from home offers freedom and intimacy.
Personally, I’d choose the home office for its flexibility, although I recognize the value of office interaction.

🔴 C2

The juxtaposition of the two images reveals a broader narrative about contemporary work habits. In the first, we observe a professional office environment, indicative of traditional corporate structures — shared spaces, formal attire, and delineated roles.

In contrast, the second image captures the essence of remote work culture, marked by flexibility, comfort, and the blurring of personal and professional boundaries.
While both scenarios involve focused tasks and technology, they differ in contextual dynamics: one emphasizes collaboration and structure; the other suggests autonomy and self-management.
These two representations offer insight into how our definitions of productivity and workplace efficiency continue to shift in a digital age.

A Day at the Office – Bilingual English Listening Practice (A1–C2)