1
What makes you feel stressed?
I suppose having too many tight deadlines really gets to me. When I've got multiple projects due at the same time at work, my mind starts racing and I find it quite hard to switch off in the evenings.
5 answers
Sample answers
2
What do you usually do when you feel stressed?
To be honest, going for a brisk walk in the local park usually does the trick. Getting some fresh air and listening to calming music helps clear my head, especially after a particularly chaotic day.
3
Do you find your work or studies stressful?
Most of the time it's manageable, but it can get pretty hectic during quarterly reviews. That's when the workload piles up, so I make a point of taking short tea breaks to keep my stress levels down.
4
Did you experience much stress when you were younger?
Not really, looking back. Life was far simpler as a child because my only real concern was finishing my maths homework before dinner. I definitely had a much more carefree routine back then.
5
Do you think people are more stressed now than in the past?
I'd say so, yes. People are constantly glued to their mobile phones nowadays, so there's this relentless pressure to be available around the clock, which makes it nearly impossible to truly unwind.
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Useful vocabulary
tight deadlines
strict limits on when tasks must be finished
switch off
to stop thinking about worries and relax
does the trick
successfully solves a problem or achieves a result
clear my head
to regain mental calmness and clarity
piles up
accumulates quickly in large amounts
carefree
free from worries or heavy responsibilities
unwind
to release tension and rest after effort
- →Use a range of natural phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions instead of repeating the word 'relax'.
- →Give concrete personal examples of coping strategies rather than speaking only in abstract terms.
- →Contrast your adult responsibilities with your childhood to demonstrate flexibility with different tenses.
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