Speaking practice: answer out loud for one minute
How would you define success?
1:00
12 conversation questions about success
- 1How would you define success?
- 2Who is the most successful person you know personally?
- 3Is success more about hard work or luck?
- 4Can you be successful without being rich?
- 5What is something you're proud of achieving?
- 6Is failure necessary for success?
- 7Does social media give a false picture of success?
- 8How important is talent compared to practice?
- 9What did your parents think success meant?
- 10Is it better to be good at many things or excellent at one?
- 11What habits do successful people have?
- 12What would make you feel successful in ten years?
Useful phrases
- To me, success means...
- It's a combination of... and...
- I'm particularly proud of...
- You learn more from failure than...
- It's easy to compare yourself to...
- What sets them apart is...
- Success looks different for everyone.
- Ten years from now, I'd like to...
Key vocabulary
- achievement
- something you succeed in doing after effort
- ambitious
- having a strong wish to be successful
- setback
- a problem that delays progress
- perseverance
- continuing to try despite difficulties
- role model
- a person others admire and copy
- fulfilling
- making you feel happy and satisfied
Sample answer
How would you define success?
To me, success means doing work I find meaningful and having enough time for the people I care about. Money matters, of course, but I know people with very high salaries who are miserable. I think success is a combination of hard work and a bit of luck, and it looks different for everyone. Comparing yourself to others rarely helps.
Practise "Success" with a real partner
Questions are easier to remember once you've answered them out loud. Start a live 1-on-1 video call and use this topic to get the conversation going.
Practise this topic liveHow to practise this topic
- Answer each question in at least two or three sentences.
- Try to use two of the useful phrases and one new word in every answer.
- With a partner, ask a follow-up question like "Why?" or "Can you give an example?"
- Alone, record your one-minute answer and listen back for one thing to improve.