Jobs and skills (Spotlight 2, Unit 1)
A mechanic works in a car repair shop and fixes cars; a nurse works in a hospital and takes care of patients. This English 2AC lesson covers the language of English Spotlight 2, Unit 1 (I want to be a graphic designer!): jobs, workplaces, job activities, personality traits, like, love and enjoy + verb-ing, and be good at + verb-ing. You also read a job advertisement, prepare a summer-job interview and write an email about your skills.
English 2AC · S1
The lesson as a PDF
The illustrated lesson and corrected exercises to print. The quiz stays online.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- Name common jobs, the places where people work and what they do
- Ask and answer What does she do? and Where does he work?
- Talk about job activities you like and dislike with like, love, enjoy and hate + verb-ing
- Say what you are good at, and not good at yet, with be good at + verb-ing
- Describe personality traits and match them to a job
- Read a job advertisement, answer interview questions and write an email about your skills
Before you startPresent simple statements, questions and the third-person s · Can for ability and simple adjectives
Un bon cours, ça se partage.
Which jobs and workplaces should you know?
A job is the work a person does, usually to earn money. Use a or an before a job: She is a nurse. He is an engineer. To describe a job completely, say three things: the job, the workplace and the activity. A mechanic works in a car repair shop and fixes cars.
| Job | Workplace | What the person does |
|---|---|---|
| mechanic | a car repair shop | fixes cars |
| nurse | a hospital | takes care of patients |
| chef / cook | a restaurant kitchen | cooks meals |
| cashier | a shop or a supermarket | takes money and gives change |
| hair stylist | a salon | cuts and styles hair |
| veterinarian (vet) | an animal clinic or a farm | helps sick animals |
| journalist | an office or a newspaper | writes news reports |
| computer programmer | an office or a company | writes computer programs |
| graphic designer | an office or a studio | designs posters, logos and apps |
| farmer | a farm or a field | grows food and keeps animals |
| firefighter | a fire station | puts out fires and helps people |
| police officer | a police station and the streets | keeps people safe |
| hotel receptionist | a hotel | welcomes guests and answers questions |
| flight attendant | an airport and a plane | looks after passengers |
| taxi driver | a taxi | drives people to places |
| baker | a bakery | bakes bread and cakes |
Many job names come from a verb: a baker bakes, a driver drives, a designer designs, a programmer programs. Learning the verb with the job helps you explain it. A salesperson sells things in a shop, a server brings food to the tables in a restaurant, a coach trains a sports team, a dog walker takes dogs for walks, a camp counsellor looks after children at a summer camp and an entrepreneur starts a new company.
How do you ask what someone does?
| Question | Answer | Grammar point |
|---|---|---|
| What do you want to be? | I want to be a graphic designer. | want to + base verb |
| What does your dad do? | He’s a mechanic. | a / an + job |
| Where does he work? | He works in a car repair shop. | present simple with s |
| What does a vet do? | A vet helps sick animals. | job + activity verb |
| Does she work outdoors? | No, she doesn’t. She works in an office. | does + base verb |
The question What do you do? asks about someone’s job, not about an action happening now. The answer uses be + a/an + job: I’m a teacher. The present simple describes the usual activity: She works at night. He travels a lot. Remember the third-person s: a nurse helps, a chef cooks, a mechanic fixes.
Remember
Do not forget a or an before a singular job: He is a doctor, not He is doctor. Use an before a vowel sound: an engineer, an artist. For several people, use a plural without a or an: They are farmers.
My dad is a mechanic
Sami: What does your dad do? Yassir: He’s a mechanic. Sami: Where does he work? Yassir: He works in a car repair shop near the bus station. Sami: Does he like his job? Yassir: Yes, he does. He enjoys fixing old cars.
- What does … do? asks for the job.
- Where does … work? asks for the workplace.
- The last answer gives an opinion with enjoy + verb-ing.
How do you use like, love, enjoy and hate + verb-ing?
Definition
Verb-ing after like, love and enjoy : After like, love, enjoy, don’t like and hate, a second verb takes the -ing form in this unit: I love cooking. She enjoys drawing. We don’t like working outdoors. The -ing form names the activity, so it works like a noun.
| Feeling | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| very positive | love + verb-ing | He loves cooking. |
| positive | enjoy + verb-ing | She enjoys meeting people. |
| positive | like + verb-ing | I like using computers. |
| negative | don’t / doesn’t like + verb-ing | He doesn’t like working at night. |
| very negative | hate + verb-ing | I hate getting up late. |
Questions and short answers follow the present simple: Do you enjoy working with children? Yes, I do. Does she like selling things? No, she doesn’t. After does or doesn’t, the first verb loses its s, but the -ing form stays: Does he enjoy fixing things?
How do you spell the -ing form?
| Rule | Base verb | -ing form |
|---|---|---|
| Most verbs: add -ing | cook, draw, help | cooking, drawing, helping |
| Silent e: drop the e | make, write, bake | making, writing, baking |
| Short verb ending consonant, vowel, consonant: double the last letter | swim, run, plan | swimming, running, planning |
| Verb ending in -ie: change ie to y | lie | lying |
Remember
Say I enjoy designing apps, not I enjoy to design apps. After enjoy, the -ing form is the only correct choice. After like and love, the -ing form is the pattern to practise in this unit.
How do you say what you are good at?
Use be good at + verb-ing to talk about a skill: I’m good at drawing. She is good at speaking English. For a weakness, use be not good at: We aren’t good at public speaking yet. Yet shows that you are still learning. You can also put a noun after good at: He’s good at maths.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | subject + am/is/are + good at + verb-ing | I’m good at fixing things. |
| Negative | subject + am not/isn’t/aren’t + good at + verb-ing | She isn’t good at singing yet. |
| Question | Am/Is/Are + subject + good at + verb-ing? | Are you good at working on a team? |
| Short answer | Yes, I am. / No, I’m not. | Is he good at cooking? Yes, he is. |
| With a noun | be good at + noun | They’re good at science. |
Can also describes a skill: Can you manage your time? Yes, I can. Can you speak English? A little. An adverb after the verb gives the same idea: I write well. He speaks English well. Well is the adverb of good, so say She sings well, not She sings good.
Step by step
Talk about a skill honestly
- Choose a real activity: drawing, organising games, speaking English, using computers.
- Say how well you do it: I’m good at it, I’m learning, or I’m not good at it yet.
- Give one example: I’m good at drawing. I design posters for our school club.
- Connect the skill to a job: I want to be a graphic designer because I enjoy drawing.
Which personality traits match a job?
| Personality trait | Meaning | A job that needs it |
|---|---|---|
| friendly | kind and pleasant with people | hotel receptionist |
| helpful | happy to help others | nurse |
| hardworking | works with a lot of effort | farmer |
| responsible | people can trust them to do their work | taxi driver |
| creative | has new and original ideas | graphic designer |
| calm | stays relaxed in difficult moments | flight attendant |
| brave | is not afraid in danger | firefighter |
| outgoing | enjoys meeting new people | salesperson |
| talkative | likes talking a lot | tour guide |
| serious | careful and does not joke much | police officer |
| strong | has a lot of physical power | farmer or firefighter |
Describe personality with be: She is friendly and helpful. Join two traits with and: He is calm and responsible. Personality traits describe how a person behaves, not how they look. Shy or quiet people can do many jobs very well; in a job profile, focus on what you can do and what you enjoy.
Match a profile to a job
Nadia is creative and hardworking. She is good at drawing and she enjoys using computers. She doesn’t like working outdoors. Which job suits her: farmer, graphic designer or taxi driver?
- Creative and good at drawing point to design work.
- Using computers fits an office or a design studio.
- She doesn’t like working outdoors, so farmer is unlikely. Graphic designer is the best match.
Reading: a summer-job advertisement
SUMMER HELPERS WANTED. The City Library needs two summer helpers for its Reading Camp for children aged 6 to 10. Days: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 to 12:00, in July. Tasks: read stories aloud, organise games and help children choose books. We are looking for friendly, responsible teenagers who are good at reading aloud and enjoy working with children. You don’t need experience. To apply, send a short email about your skills to Mrs Bennani, the camp coordinator, before 20 June.
This advertisement is invented for practice. A real advertisement gives the same kind of information: the job, the days and hours, the tasks, the skills and personality the employer wants, and how to apply.
Step by step
Read an advertisement for main ideas and details
- Read the title first: it tells you the job.
- Find the key details: days, hours, tasks and the skills the employer wants.
- Underline the words that describe a person: friendly, responsible, good at reading aloud.
- Check how to apply and the deadline before you answer.
How do you answer questions in a job interview?
| Interview question | A strong answer | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Why do you want to work here? | Because I love reading to children. | a reason with because |
| What are you good at? | I’m good at organising games. | be good at + verb-ing |
| Do you enjoy group work? | Yes, I enjoy working on a team. | enjoy + verb-ing |
| Are you good at time management? | Yes, I am. I always arrive on time. | a short answer and an example |
| Can you work in July? | Yes, I can. I’m free from Monday to Thursday. | can and a clear detail |
| Do you have any questions? | Yes. What time does the camp start? | a polite question at the end |
A good interview answer is short, true and supported by an example. Smile, greet the interviewer, make eye contact and speak clearly. At the end, say Thank you for your time. Practise with a partner: one person asks the questions from the table and the other answers, then you swap roles.
Writing: an email about your skills
Dear Mrs Bennani, My name is Adam Tazi and I am fourteen. I would like to be a summer helper at the Reading Camp. I am friendly and responsible, and I enjoy working with children. I am good at reading aloud and organising games. I can work from Monday to Thursday in July. Thank you for your time. Best wishes, Adam
The model email has a greeting, a sentence that says which job you want, two or three sentences about your personality and skills, a sentence about when you can work and a polite closing. Write your own email of 60 to 80 words for the advertisement above, or write a job profile that shows your skills and personality.
Global citizens: can a business help the environment?
Around the world, some teenagers start small businesses that help the planet: they repair old bikes, make bags from old clothes or grow plants for their neighbours. These businesses need creative ideas, teamwork and responsibility. Work in a group and brainstorm one idea for your town. Say what the business does, who it helps and why it is good for the environment: Our business repairs old school bags, so people throw away less.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spotlight 2 Unit 1 cover in English 2AC?
Do we say I enjoy to cook or I enjoy cooking?
How do you use be good at in English?
What is the difference between What do you do? and What are you doing?
How do you write an email about your skills for a summer job?
Which personality traits are useful in a job interview?
Quiz: 20 questions
20 questions are randomly selected from this lesson’s 24-question bank. Choose one answer for each question and get an immediate explanation.
Q1Where does a mechanic work?
Incorrect answer
A mechanic fixes cars in a car repair shop.
Correct answer: In a car repair shop
A mechanic fixes cars in a car repair shop.
Q2Who takes care of patients in a hospital?
Incorrect answer
A nurse works in a hospital and takes care of patients.
Correct answer: A nurse
A nurse works in a hospital and takes care of patients.
Q3What does a veterinarian do?
Incorrect answer
A veterinarian, or vet, helps sick animals.
Correct answer: Helps sick animals
A veterinarian, or vet, helps sick animals.
Q4Choose the correct sentence about a job.
Incorrect answer
Use an before a job that starts with a vowel sound.
Correct answer: He is an engineer.
Use an before a job that starts with a vowel sound.
Q5Complete: What … your mother do?
Incorrect answer
With a singular subject such as your mother, use does.
Correct answer: does
With a singular subject such as your mother, use does.
Q6Complete: She … in a hotel.
Incorrect answer
A present simple verb takes s after she.
Correct answer: works
A present simple verb takes s after she.
Q7What does he do? Choose the best answer.
Incorrect answer
What does he do? asks for a job, so answer with be + a/an + job.
Correct answer: He’s a journalist.
What does he do? asks for a job, so answer with be + a/an + job.
Q8Complete: I enjoy … posters.
Incorrect answer
After enjoy, the second verb takes the -ing form.
Correct answer: designing
After enjoy, the second verb takes the -ing form.
Q9Complete: He loves … .
Incorrect answer
In this unit, love is followed by verb-ing: he loves cooking.
Correct answer: cooking
In this unit, love is followed by verb-ing: he loves cooking.
Q10Choose the correct negative.
Incorrect answer
Use doesn’t with she and the base verb like.
Correct answer: She doesn’t like working outdoors.
Use doesn’t with she and the base verb like.
Q11What is the -ing form of swim?
Incorrect answer
Swim ends with consonant, vowel, consonant, so the m is doubled once.
Correct answer: swimming
Swim ends with consonant, vowel, consonant, so the m is doubled once.
Q12What is the -ing form of make?
Incorrect answer
Drop the silent e before adding -ing.
Correct answer: making
Drop the silent e before adding -ing.
Q13Complete: Are you good at … people?
Incorrect answer
After good at, the verb takes the -ing form.
Correct answer: helping
After good at, the verb takes the -ing form.
Q14Choose the correct sentence with good at.
Incorrect answer
We takes are, and good at is followed by verb-ing.
Correct answer: We are good at drawing.
We takes are, and good at is followed by verb-ing.
Q15What does yet show in I’m not good at singing yet?
Incorrect answer
Yet shows that the skill can improve with practice.
Correct answer: I am still learning.
Yet shows that the skill can improve with practice.
Q16Complete: She writes … .
Incorrect answer
Well is the adverb of good and describes how she writes.
Correct answer: well
Well is the adverb of good and describes how she writes.
Q17Which trait means not afraid in danger?
Incorrect answer
A brave person is not afraid in a dangerous situation.
Correct answer: brave
A brave person is not afraid in a dangerous situation.
Q18Which trait describes someone with new and original ideas?
Incorrect answer
Creative people have new and original ideas.
Correct answer: creative
Creative people have new and original ideas.
Q19A hotel receptionist welcomes guests all day. Which trait helps most?
Incorrect answer
A friendly person is kind and pleasant with guests.
Correct answer: friendly
A friendly person is kind and pleasant with guests.
Q20In the advertisement, who is the Reading Camp for?
Incorrect answer
The advertisement says the camp is for children aged 6 to 10.
Correct answer: Children aged 6 to 10
The advertisement says the camp is for children aged 6 to 10.
Q21When do the summer helpers work?
Incorrect answer
The days are Monday to Thursday, from 9:00 to 12:00, in July.
Correct answer: Monday to Thursday in July
The days are Monday to Thursday, from 9:00 to 12:00, in July.
Q22Do applicants need experience?
Incorrect answer
The advertisement states: You don’t need experience.
Correct answer: No, they don’t.
The advertisement states: You don’t need experience.
Q23Choose the best answer to Why do you want to work here?
Incorrect answer
A why question needs a reason, often with because.
Correct answer: Because I love reading to children.
A why question needs a reason, often with because.
Q24What should you do at the end of an interview?
Incorrect answer
A polite closing such as Thank you for your time leaves a good impression.
Correct answer: Say thank you for your time
A polite closing such as Thank you for your time leaves a good impression.
Your score
0/20
Start with the worked examples
Read the lesson in small sections. Write your own example for each rule and try the Easy exercises before returning to the quiz.
Review: 20 missed questions
Where does a mechanic work?
Correct answerIn a car repair shop
A mechanic fixes cars in a car repair shop.
Who takes care of patients in a hospital?
Correct answerA nurse
A nurse works in a hospital and takes care of patients.
What does a veterinarian do?
Correct answerHelps sick animals
A veterinarian, or vet, helps sick animals.
Choose the correct sentence about a job.
Correct answerHe is an engineer.
Use an before a job that starts with a vowel sound.
Complete: What … your mother do?
Correct answerdoes
With a singular subject such as your mother, use does.
Complete: She … in a hotel.
Correct answerworks
A present simple verb takes s after she.
What does he do? Choose the best answer.
Correct answerHe’s a journalist.
What does he do? asks for a job, so answer with be + a/an + job.
Complete: I enjoy … posters.
Correct answerdesigning
After enjoy, the second verb takes the -ing form.
Complete: He loves … .
Correct answercooking
In this unit, love is followed by verb-ing: he loves cooking.
Choose the correct negative.
Correct answerShe doesn’t like working outdoors.
Use doesn’t with she and the base verb like.
What is the -ing form of swim?
Correct answerswimming
Swim ends with consonant, vowel, consonant, so the m is doubled once.
What is the -ing form of make?
Correct answermaking
Drop the silent e before adding -ing.
Complete: Are you good at … people?
Correct answerhelping
After good at, the verb takes the -ing form.
Choose the correct sentence with good at.
Correct answerWe are good at drawing.
We takes are, and good at is followed by verb-ing.
What does yet show in I’m not good at singing yet?
Correct answerI am still learning.
Yet shows that the skill can improve with practice.
Complete: She writes … .
Correct answerwell
Well is the adverb of good and describes how she writes.
Which trait means not afraid in danger?
Correct answerbrave
A brave person is not afraid in a dangerous situation.
Which trait describes someone with new and original ideas?
Correct answercreative
Creative people have new and original ideas.
A hotel receptionist welcomes guests all day. Which trait helps most?
Correct answerfriendly
A friendly person is kind and pleasant with guests.
In the advertisement, who is the Reading Camp for?
Correct answerChildren aged 6 to 10
The advertisement says the camp is for children aged 6 to 10.
Exercises with answers
14 exercises, from easy practice to challenges. Try each one yourself, then reveal the answer and explanation.
Exercise 1
EasyWrite a sentence for each job: nurse, chef, mechanic, hair stylist. Choose the workplace from: salon, hospital, car repair shop, restaurant kitchen.
Answer and explanation
A nurse works in a hospital. A chef works in a restaurant kitchen. A mechanic works in a car repair shop. A hair stylist works in a salon. Each sentence uses works in + the workplace.
Exercise 2
EasyComplete with bake, help, take or write: A vet … sick animals. A baker … bread. A journalist … news reports. A cashier … money.
Answer and explanation
A vet helps sick animals. A baker bakes bread. A journalist writes news reports. A cashier takes money. Each verb takes s because the subject is one person.
Exercise 3
EasyComplete: She is … nurse. He is … engineer. My uncle is … taxi driver. Her aunt is … artist. They are … farmers.
Answer and explanation
She is a nurse. He is an engineer. My uncle is a taxi driver. Her aunt is an artist. They are farmers. Use an before a vowel sound and no article before a plural job.
Exercise 4
EasyWrite the -ing form of cook, make, swim, draw, write and plan.
Answer and explanation
Cooking, making, swimming, drawing, writing, planning. Drop the silent e in make and write; double the final consonant in swim and plan.
Exercise 5
EasyWrite sentences: Aya / love / draw. Omar / not like / work outdoors. I / enjoy / use computers. They / hate / get up early.
Answer and explanation
Aya loves drawing. Omar doesn’t like working outdoors. I enjoy using computers. They hate getting up early. The first verb agrees with the subject; the second verb takes -ing.
Exercise 6
IntermediateWrite a question for each answer: Her mother is a journalist. She works in an office. Yes, she enjoys writing reports.
Answer and explanation
What does her mother do? Where does she work? Does she enjoy writing reports? Use does with a singular subject and the base verb after it.
Exercise 7
IntermediateWrite sentences with be good at + verb-ing: Sami / speak English (positive). We / sing (negative, with yet). You / work on a team (question).
Answer and explanation
Sami is good at speaking English. We aren’t good at singing yet. Are you good at working on a team? The verb after at always takes -ing.
Exercise 8
IntermediateCorrect: She enjoys to cook. He is good at fix cars. Do she like working outdoors? My brother is mechanic.
Answer and explanation
She enjoys cooking. He is good at fixing cars. Does she like working outdoors? My brother is a mechanic. Use verb-ing after enjoy and at, does with she, and a before a singular job.
Exercise 9
IntermediateWhich trait does each job need most? Firefighter, hotel receptionist, graphic designer, flight attendant. Choose from brave, friendly, creative and calm.
Answer and explanation
A firefighter needs to be brave. A hotel receptionist needs to be friendly. A graphic designer needs to be creative. A flight attendant needs to be calm. Other sensible pairs are acceptable if you explain them.
Exercise 10
IntermediateRead the summer-job advertisement. Who is the camp for? Which days and hours do the helpers work? Name two tasks. Do the helpers need experience?
Answer and explanation
The camp is for children aged 6 to 10. The helpers work Monday to Thursday, 9:00 to 12:00, in July. Two tasks are reading stories aloud and organising games. No, they don’t need experience.
Exercise 11
IntermediateWhich personality traits and which skills does the library want? Write two sentences beginning with The library wants someone who…
Answer and explanation
The library wants someone who is friendly and responsible. The library wants someone who is good at reading aloud and enjoys working with children. The traits use be; the skills use good at and enjoy + verb-ing.
Exercise 12
ChallengeAnswer each question with a full sentence and a detail: Why do you want to work here? What are you good at? Do you enjoy group work? Can you work in July?
Answer and explanation
Model: I want to work here because I love reading to children. I’m good at organising games for my little cousins. Yes, I enjoy working on a team; I am in the school theatre club. Yes, I can. I am free from Monday to Thursday.
Other answers are acceptable. Check that each answer is true for you, gives a reason or an example and uses because, good at + verb-ing, enjoy + verb-ing or can correctly.
Exercise 13
ChallengeAsk a partner to read this slowly while you look away: Hello, I’m Karim. I’m a chef. I work in a hotel kitchen. I love cooking fish and I’m good at making bread. I don’t like working late at night. Write his job, his workplace, one thing he loves, one skill and one dislike.
Answer and explanation
Job: chef. Workplace: a hotel kitchen. He loves cooking fish. He is good at making bread. He doesn’t like working late at night. Ask your partner to repeat once if you miss a detail, then check with the script.
Exercise 14
ChallengeWrite 60 to 80 words to Mrs Bennani about the Reading Camp. Include a greeting, the job, two personality traits, one sentence with good at, one sentence with enjoy, when you can work and a polite closing.
Answer and explanation
Model: Dear Mrs Bennani, My name is Hiba Alaoui and I am thirteen. I would like to be a summer helper at your Reading Camp. I am calm and helpful. I am good at telling stories and I enjoy playing games with children. I can work every morning in July. Thank you for your time. Best wishes, Hiba
Other emails are acceptable. Check the seven requested parts, the -ing forms after good at and enjoy, capital letters for names and a full stop at the end of each sentence.