Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved
You should say:
- What it is
- Why you haven’t achieved it
- What you did
- And explain how you felt about it
Follow-up (Part 3):
- What ambitions do children usually have?
- Why do some people care a lot about being ambitious in their work?
- Why don’t some people have dreams?
- How do people balance work and life?
Part 2: Describe an ambition that you haven’t achieved
Suggested ideas for each part
- What it is: 🎓 Studying abroad / 📖 Writing a book / 🏆 Starting a business
- Why you haven’t achieved it: 💰 Lack of money / ⏳ No time / 📚 Lack of skills or knowledge
- What you did: 🏋️♀️ Took courses / 💼 Saved money / 🤝 Asked for advice
- How you felt about it: 😞 Frustrated / 💪 Motivated to keep trying / 🤔 Realistic about challenges
Useful grammar structures
- Present perfect: I have always wanted to study abroad, but I haven’t been able to achieve it yet.
- Third conditional: If I had saved enough money earlier, I would have studied in the UK by now.
- Passive voice: Many scholarships are given to students, but I wasn’t selected for one.
- Past perfect: I had planned to apply last year, but unexpected events changed my plans.
- Comparisons: It is much harder than I thought to achieve this ambition.
Collocations
- Lifelong ambition 🎯 (tham vọng cả đời)
- Personal growth 📈 (sự phát triển bản thân)
- Overcome obstacles 🚧 (vượt qua trở ngại)
- Financial constraints 💰 (hạn chế tài chính)
- Pursue a dream 🌟 (theo đuổi ước mơ)
- Long-term goal 📆 (mục tiêu dài hạn)
- Frustrating experience 😩 (trải nghiệm khó chịu)
Full spoken sample
One ambition that I haven’t achieved yet is studying abroad 🎓. Ever since I was in high school, I have dreamed of pursuing a degree in an English-speaking country like the UK or Australia 🇬🇧🇦🇺. I believe that this experience would not only help me gain academic knowledge but also contribute to my personal growth 📈 by exposing me to different cultures and perspectives.
However, I haven’t been able to achieve this goal due to financial constraints 💰. Studying abroad is extremely expensive, and although I have applied for some scholarships, I wasn’t selected 😞. Moreover, my family’s financial situation hasn’t allowed me to afford the high tuition fees and living expenses.
To work towards this ambition, I have taken several steps. I have been saving money 💼 by working part-time and cutting unnecessary expenses. I have also been improving my English skills 📝 to increase my chances of getting a scholarship in the future. Additionally, I have sought advice from people who have successfully studied abroad, hoping to learn from their experiences 🤝.
Although I sometimes feel frustrated 😩, I still believe that I can achieve this ambition one day. I have learned that some dreams take longer to come true, and I am willing to overcome obstacles 🚧 and pursue my dream 🌟 no matter how difficult it is.
Part 3: Discussion Questions
1. What ambitions do children usually have?
Ideas
- 🎭 Becoming famous (singer, actor, YouTuber)
- 🚀 Dream jobs (doctor, astronaut, pilot)
- 🏆 Winning competitions (sports, academic awards)
Grammar structures
- Past habits: When I was a child, I used to dream of becoming a doctor.
- Future possibilities: If children are encouraged, they can achieve great things.
Collocations
- Childhood dreams 🌈 (ước mơ thời thơ ấu)
- Aspire to be 🎭 (khao khát trở thành)
- Role models 🌟 (hình mẫu lý tưởng)
Sample answer
Children often have big dreams 🌈, and their ambitions are usually influenced by their role models 🌟. Some children aspire to be singers, actors, or YouTubers 🎭 because they see famous people on TV and social media. Others want to become doctors, astronauts, or pilots 🚀 because they admire people in those professions. Additionally, some children dream of winning competitions 🏆, whether in sports or academics.
2. Why do some people care a lot about being ambitious in their work?
Ideas
- 💰 Desire for financial success
- 🏆 Passion for achievement
- 📈 Career growth and promotion
Collocations
- Climb the career ladder 📊 (thăng tiến trong sự nghiệp)
- Financial stability 💵 (sự ổn định tài chính)
- Professional success 🏆 (thành công trong công việc)
Sample answer
Many people are highly ambitious at work because they want to climb the career ladder 📊 and achieve financial stability 💵. In today’s competitive world, professional success is often linked to job promotions and higher salaries. Moreover, some people are naturally driven to succeed because they are passionate about their work 🏆 and want to make a meaningful impact.
3. Why don’t some people have dreams?
Ideas
- 😔 Lack of motivation or opportunities
- 🚫 Fear of failure
- 💼 Practical mindset (focus on survival instead of ambition)
Collocations
- Limited opportunities 🚪 (cơ hội hạn chế)
- Fear of failure 😨 (nỗi sợ thất bại)
- Practical mindset 💼 (tư duy thực tế)
Sample answer
Some people don’t have dreams because they face limited opportunities 🚪 and feel that success is out of reach. Others avoid setting big goals due to their fear of failure 😨. Additionally, some individuals have a practical mindset 💼, focusing more on daily survival rather than long-term ambition.
4. How do people balance work and life?
Ideas
- ⏰ Time management (setting work-life boundaries)
- 🏃♂️ Healthy lifestyle (exercise, hobbies, vacations)
- ❤️ Spending quality time with family and friends
Collocations
- Work-life balance ⚖ (cân bằng giữa công việc và cuộc sống)
- Stress management 🧘 (quản lý căng thẳng)
- Quality time with family 👨👩👧 (thời gian chất lượng với gia đình)
Sample answer
Maintaining a good work-life balance ⚖ is essential for overall well-being. People often achieve this by practicing time management ⏰, setting clear boundaries between work and personal life. Additionally, engaging in hobbies, exercise 🏃♂️, and vacations can help with stress management 🧘. Lastly, prioritizing quality time with family 👨👩👧 strengthens relationships and brings happiness.