B2 English Vocabulary Story: Stories of Motivation, Challenges, and Personal Growth in the Workplace
- 3 de nov. de 2024
- 6 min de leitura
Happy Monday! I wish you all a great start to the week! Here is your list of vocabulary for the week along with three stories to improve your comprehension.
Vocabulary
In vain
Definition: Without success or a positive result; uselessly or unsuccessfully.
Examples:
She tried in vain to convince him to stay, but he had already made up his mind.
He searched for his lost wallet all over town, but it was in vain.
The rescue team worked in vain to save the trapped animals from the flood.
The least
Definition: The smallest amount or degree of something.
Examples:
She put in the least amount of effort and still managed to pass the test.
At the very least, we should call to let them know we’ll be late.
He didn’t seem the least bit worried about the upcoming exam.
Prompt
Definition: To cause someone to take action; done without delay.
Examples:
Her quick response prompted him to take action immediately.
The teacher's question prompted a lively discussion among the students.
He is known for being prompt with his work, always finishing on time.
Outsource
Definition: To obtain goods or services from an external source or company, often from a different country.
Examples:
The company decided to outsource its customer support to a team in another country.
Many businesses outsource their IT services to cut costs.
Some companies outsource manufacturing to countries with lower labor costs.
Overhear
Definition: To hear something unintentionally, especially a private conversation.
Examples:
She happened to overhear them talking about the surprise party.
I accidentally overheard my boss discussing potential layoffs.
He overheard their conversation about the new project and wanted to join in.
Passive-aggressive
Definition: Showing indirect resistance or hostility rather than directly expressing it.
Examples:
Her passive-aggressive comments made it clear she wasn’t happy with the decision.
He didn’t say anything, but his passive-aggressive sighs showed his frustration.
Leaving a note instead of talking directly was a passive-aggressive way to handle it.
Hinder
Definition: To create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction.
Examples:
His constant interruptions hindered our progress during the meeting.
Bad weather can hinder the progress of construction projects.
Personal problems sometimes hinder students from focusing on their studies.
Rush hour
Definition: The times during the day when traffic is busiest, usually morning and late afternoon.
Examples:
It’s almost impossible to get a taxi during rush hour.
She tries to avoid rush hour traffic by leaving home early.
Taking public transportation during rush hour can be very crowded.
Brainwash
Definition: To manipulate someone’s thoughts or beliefs through repetitive influence or pressure.
Examples:
The cult leader tried to brainwash his followers into believing his ideas.
Some people worry that certain media outlets are trying to brainwash the public.
The children were brainwashed into thinking their family was the enemy.
Slow down
Definition: To reduce speed or become less active.
Examples:
He had to slow down when he saw the roadblock ahead.
The doctor advised her to slow down and avoid stress.
Sales usually slow down after the holiday season.
1. Jenna’s Journey to Success
Jenna had always been a go-getter, but lately, everything she tried seemed to be in vain. She’d been trying to launch her own small business, and after putting in countless hours, she wasn’t seeing the results she expected. To make matters worse, she’d chosen to outsource her website development to save time, but the company had missed every single deadline.
One night, while stuck in rush hour traffic on her way to a networking event, Jenna thought about slowing down, even if just for a while. Maybe she needed to take a step back to see what was hindering her progress. Lost in thought, she accidentally overheard a conversation between two people on the bus. They were discussing how important it was to "move forward, even if you have to go slowly."
Inspired, Jenna decided she would continue her journey, but this time, she’d prompt herself to take things one step at a time. Maybe, just maybe, her hard work wouldn’t be in vain.
Questions:
Why did Jenna feel that her efforts were in vain?
How did overhearing a conversation on the bus change Jenna’s perspective?
What lesson did Jenna learn about pacing herself in her journey toward success?
2. An Honest Talk About Work Frustrations
Tom: "I feel like I’m working in vain! No matter how much I do, the boss just keeps piling more work on me."
Lisa: "I get it. I tried asking for a day off, but I got a passive-aggressive email about ‘not meeting expectations.’"
Tom: "That’s annoying! Do you think he’s doing this because he wants us to quit?"
Lisa: "Maybe. It could be his way of brainwashing us into believing we’re the problem, not the insane workload."
Tom: "Or maybe he’s just too cheap to hire more people. I overheard him talking about outsourcing, but I don’t think he wants to spend the money."
Lisa: "Well, in the meantime, I think I’m going to slow down. No point in rushing through things if it’s not even appreciated."
Tom: "Good idea. I’ll do the least amount I can until he starts noticing."
Questions:
Why do Tom and Lisa feel unappreciated at work?
How does Lisa interpret her boss’s passive-aggressive email?
What do you think Tom and Lisa can do to feel more satisfied with their work?
Sarah’s Decision to Slow Down
At the end of a long week, Sarah sat on her couch and reflected on the changes she wanted to make in her life. Work had been a constant source of stress, with endless rush hour traffic making her daily commute even more unbearable. She couldn’t help but feel passive-aggressive toward some colleagues who, she felt, did the least but always got the most credit. She wondered if it was time to take things into her own hands.
“Maybe I need to outsource some of my responsibilities,” she thought, scrolling through an ad about virtual assistants. But even as she considered it, she realized that her true goal was to slow down—not to add more work by managing others.
This realization prompted her to finally take control of her time, cut back on unnecessary tasks, and prioritize her own happiness. It wasn’t going to be easy, but she promised herself that this time, her efforts wouldn’t be in vain.
Questions:
What makes Sarah realize she needs to slow down?
How does Sarah’s reflection help her decide to make changes in her life?
Why is prioritizing personal happiness important in stressful work environments?
Answers
1. Jenna’s Journey to Success
Why did Jenna feel that her efforts were in vain?
Jenna felt her efforts were in vain because she put in countless hours trying to launch her business but wasn’t seeing the results she expected. She felt frustrated by the delays and missed deadlines from the company she outsourced her website development to.
How did overhearing a conversation on the bus change Jenna’s perspective?
Jenna overheard two people talking about how it’s important to keep moving forward, even if progress is slow. This reminded her that taking things one step at a time could still lead to success, inspiring her to stay committed to her goals.
What lesson did Jenna learn about pacing herself in her journey toward success?
Jenna learned that she didn’t have to rush to see results. By slowing down and taking it step by step, she could make meaningful progress without getting discouraged. This new mindset helped her stay focused and positive.
2. An Honest Talk About Work Frustrations
Why do Tom and Lisa feel unappreciated at work?
Tom and Lisa feel unappreciated because, despite their hard work, their boss keeps assigning them more tasks without recognition. Lisa’s passive-aggressive email from her boss made her feel even less valued.
How does Lisa interpret her boss’s passive-aggressive email?
Lisa interprets her boss’s email as a way of indirectly telling her that she isn’t meeting expectations. It made her feel frustrated, as if her efforts were being dismissed.
What do you think Tom and Lisa can do to feel more satisfied with their work?
To feel more satisfied, Tom and Lisa could consider setting boundaries and pacing themselves. They might also have an open conversation with their boss to clarify expectations and seek recognition for their efforts.
3. Sarah’s Decision to Slow Down
What makes Sarah realize she needs to slow down?
Sarah realizes she needs to slow down after reflecting on the stress her job and commute bring her. She feels that trying to do everything herself is exhausting and that she should focus on her wellbeing.
How does Sarah’s reflection help her decide to make changes in her life?
Sarah’s reflection makes her realize that prioritizing her happiness and slowing down can help her manage stress better. She decides to cut back on unnecessary tasks and focus on what truly matters to her.
Why is prioritizing personal happiness important in stressful work environments?
Prioritizing personal happiness helps people feel more balanced and reduces burnout. When stress is high, taking time to slow down can improve overall satisfaction and make work more manageable.
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