A2 · Elementary · Work · 106 words · ~2 min read
💼 An Interview at the Design Agency
Language focus: Present Perfect & Past Simple · experience
Lena has just arrived for an interview at an international design agency in London. She has prepared for weeks, and this morning she turned up ten minutes early.
First, she filled in a short form at reception. Then a friendly colleague showed her round the bright, modern studio. Lena has worked on many projects before, so she felt confident.
In the meeting, she opened her portfolio and explained her best designs. The manager was impressed. “You have exactly the experience we need,” he said.
A week later, the agency rang to sort out the details. They wanted to hire her. Lena had made a brilliant impression.
Key vocabulary (8 words)
- agencynoun
- A company that provides a service for other people.
- interviewnoun
- A formal meeting where someone is asked questions for a job.
- portfolionoun
- A collection of your work that shows your skills.
- confidentadjective
- Feeling sure about yourself and your abilities.
- colleaguenoun
- A person you work with.
- impressionnoun
- The effect or feeling you give to other people.
- qualificationnoun
- A skill or certificate that shows you are trained.
- hireverb
- To give someone a job.
Phrasal verbs in this story
- turn up — To turn up means to arrive somewhere.
- fill in — To fill in a form means to write the needed information on it.
- sort out — To sort out means to deal with or organise something.
Comprehension quiz
-
Where is Lena’s interview?
- An international design agency
- A hospital
- A market
Show answer
An international design agency
-
She “turned up ten minutes early”, which means she…
- arrived early
- was late
- stayed home
Show answer
arrived early
-
What did she fill in at reception?
- A short form
- A cake
- A ticket
Show answer
A short form
-
What did she show in the meeting?
- Her portfolio
- Her lunch
- Her passport
Show answer
Her portfolio
-
The phrase “You have exactly the experience we need” uses the…
- Present Perfect
- future tense
- imperative
Show answer
Present Perfect
-
In the end, the agency decided to…
- hire her
- close down
- move abroad
Show answer
hire her
All 20 A2 stories
- 💼 An Interview at the Design Agency (this story)
- 🚲 Renting a Bicycle in Amsterdam
- 🩺 At the London Doctor’s Surgery
- 🍽️ A Misunderstanding at the Dinner Party
- ✈️ Rearranging a Flight Departure
- 💻 Negotiating a Remote-Work Schedule
- 🛍️ Returning a Damaged Product
- 🩼 An Injury at the Physiotherapist
- 🌱 Volunteering at the Community Garden
- 🏰 A Tour of the Historic Castle
- 🚙 Planning a Budget Road Trip
- 🚀 Interview with a Startup Founder
- 🏦 Opening a Bank Account
- 🏢 A Flat Viewing with an Estate Agent
- 🏋️ Signing Up for a Gym Membership
- 🧳 A Lost-Luggage Claim
- 🔊 Complaining About a Noisy Neighbour
- 🚗 A Car Breakdown on the Motorway
- 🎓 A Parent–Teacher Meeting
- 👨🍳 A Weekend Cookery Class
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