Du Doan de Ielts Speaking 2020

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New Insight English Hotline: 0967.946.617 Website: www.newinsightenglish.edu.vn
SPEAKING PART 1
TOPIC PAGE TOPIC PAGE

Topic 1: Study school. 7 Topic 35: 28
Borrowing/lending.
Topic 2: Home 8 29
Topic 36: Math.
(The area you live in).
Topic 3: Hometown 9 Topic 37: Smile. 30
Topic 4: Movie stars. 9 Topic 38: Visit relatives. 30
Topic 5: Tea and coffee 10 Topic 39: Social network. 31
Topic 6: Pet. 11 Topic 40: Perfume. 31
Topic 7: E-mail. 11 Topic 41: Market. 32
Topic 8: Sleep 12 Topic 42: Sky. 32
Topic 9: Crowded place. 13 Topic 43: Transportation. 33
Topic 10: Patience 13 Topic 44: Garbage 34
Topic 11: Public Holiday. 14 Topic 45: Friends 35
Topic 12: Taking Photos 14 Topic 46: Travelling 35
Topic 13: Share things. 15 Topic 47: Reading 35
Topic 14: Hand-writing. 16 Topic 48: Plan 36
Topic 15: Watch Sky. 16 Topic 49: Outdoor activities 36
Topic 16: 17 Topic 50: Countryside 36
Morning routine & Breakfast.

Topic 17: Drink water. 18 Topic 51: Opinions /Ideas 37
Topic 18: Movies. 18 Topic 52: Place 37
Topic 19: Shoes. 19 Topic 53: Numbers 37
Topic 20: Paintings & Photos. 19 Topic 54: Pen/Pencils 38
Topic 21: Cook. 20 Topic 55: Being alone 38
Topic 22: Color. 20 Topic 56: Scenery 38
Topic 23: Sunglasses. 21 Topic 57: Museums 39

Topic 24: Season & Weather. 22 Topic 58: Arts 39
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Topic 25: Park and Garden. 22 Topic 59: Cake and sweets 40
Topic 26: Transportation. 23 Topic 60: Water Sports 40
Topic 27: Music/ Instrument. 24 Topic 61: Running 41
Topic 28: City. 25 Topic 62: Science 41
Topic 29: Sports. 25 Topic 63: Haircut 42
Topic 30: Gift. 26 Topic 64: Jeans 42
Topic 31: Teachers. 26 Topic 65: Concentration 42
Topic 32: Foreign food. 27 Topic 66: Voice 43
Topic 33: Family activity & 27 Topic 67: Walking 43
Leisure time.
Topic 34: Holiday plan. 28 Topic 68: Languages 44
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TOPIC 1: STUDY SCHOOL
1. Do you work or study?

Study
I am a freshman/sophomore/junior/senior student of “ABC" University. My major is
…
Some popular major:
• (International) Business Management.
• Tourism and Hospitality.
• English Language/ Linguistic Study.
2. Which university did you go?
I’m studying at “ABC” University which is one of the most prestigious universities in
Ho Chi Minh city.
3. Why did you choose your school / university?
As I was saying, that university is very well-known and it’s a common knowledge
that only gifted students can pass the entrance exam. So winning a place at it would
make my parents proud of me.
4. Do you like your school?
Yes I do. My school offers one of the most top-ranked Business Management
program which helps equip students with necessary skills for our future career.
Besides, I can learn a lot from our prominent lecturers and professors who are not
only wise but also devoted to their students.
5. How many hours do you spend on study every week?
I can’t give you the exact number. I spend around 7 hours a day at the university and
homework takes me about 2 hours to finish every evening. So I would say study takes
up nearly one-third of my time.
6. How many hours do you spend on study every week?
I’m easily distracted by noises so I often find tranquil places such as my university
library or my local garden where I spend most of the time on study. I also have a
useful phone application called “Timetable” which can remind me of tests and
assignments.
7. Which part do you hope your school to change?/Which part of your school needs
an improvement?
You know, my university is located at the city center where the atmosphere is full of
dust and toxic chemicals. So I hope that they will invest more into the garden as well
as plant more trees in the campus. This will help increase the air quality as well as
ease the scorching heat during summer.
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TOPIC 2: HOME (THE AREA YOU LIVE IN)
1. Do you live in a house or an apartment?

I am living in a terraced/semi-detached house with a bright facade, surrounded by all
advanced and accessible facilities such as schools, hospitals, supermarkets... I am living
in a cozy 50 meters square apartment on the fourth floor with a big balcony.
2. Where are you living now?/Why do you live there?/Do you like your living place?
I’m living in District 2, HCMC and I’ve lived there since I was born until now. I love
this place a lot because my current residential area has a better infrastructure now,
besides, our neighbors here are really helpful and friendly. It’s not easy to find such a
good place like mine nowadays.
3. How is the area surrounding your home like?/Are there any good facilities nearby
you home?
My room used to offer a nice view of the surrounding with orchards and local parks
but unfortunately, they were replaced by high-rise concrete buildings.
4. What are the changes of surroundings around your living place?
Many changes have occured. My house used to be the tallest house in our
neighbourhood with two floors but now there are a myriad of high-rise apartments
and skyscrapers.
5. What changes do you think your neighborhood/living area need?
To be honest, most of the transport facilities to my place are not well-organized. The
bus service from my university to home is irregular and usually overcrowded. So I
hope that the local government will invest more into the public transportation system
in order to encourage people to use it.
6. Do you have friends living nearby?/What do people living nearby do? Do you
know some of them?
My neighbors are mostly housewives. They go shopping for ingredients on a daily
basis and cook for their family. I don’t meet their breadwinners so often as they
leaves their houses very early in the morning and I have no idea about their
occupations.
7. How long have you lived there?
I’ve lived there since I was born until now. My home brings me endless joy day by
day and reminds me of tons of precious childhood memories so I have no intention of
moving to a new house.
8. Will you move home in the near future?
No, I won’t. My current house reminds me of a lot of happy childhood memories.
Although it’s not so well-organized now, I still don’t wanna leave it.
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9. What is your favorite room?

It’s definitely the kitchen where all the family members get together every evening to
eat tasty meals and chat to each other after a long working day.
10. How do you think your room could be improved?
I’m really sick of the scorching heat of HCMC these days so I hope that I could have
an air-conditioner installed in my room.
TOPIC 3: HOMETOWN
1. Where are you from?/Which city are you living in?

I’m from Ho Chi Minh city which is considered the most energetic city of Vietnam.
2. How long have you lived in your hometown?
I’ve live here since I was born until now. You know, it’s the place my life begins and
I think it’ll be where it ends. I really love travelling to other countries but just for a
couple of days. I would say I couldn’t stay far from my hometown for a long period
of time.
3. Is your hometown suitable for children to grow up?
Yes, absolutely.
TOPIC 4: MOVIE STARS
1. Who is your favorite movie star?

Emma Watson - She became a famous actress at a very young age while shooting for
Harry Potter series. But she gains more reputation from her real life as a social activist.
2. Have you ever met a movie star in real life?
Last month when I was hanging out with my friends in a coffee-shop, I saw a famous
comedian taking photo with his fans. He looked kind of ordinary when he’s off the
stage.
3. Do you want to be a superstar?
I used to have a dream of becoming a singer but when I grow up I just realized how
complicated showbiz is and led my life as a teacher instead.
4. Are international film stars popular in your country?
Probably yes, especially among the young who contribute largely to the development
of film industry and the revenue of cinebox.
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5. Are there Vietnamese actors who are also famous in foreign countries?
I believe there are some, Ngo Thanh Van, for example is both an actress and director
who represents Vietnamese new young generation to have her movie exported to
oversea markets.
TOPIC 5: TEA AND COFFEE
1. Do Vietnamese people like to drink tea or coffee?

I guess there is no preference between these two kinds of beverages though coffee seem
to be more popular with university students or office workers, you know, just to keep
awake during their projects.
2. Do you often drink coffee or tea?
I often drink tea rather than coffee as I always experience heart palpitation even if I
have never finished a single cup of it.
3. When was the last time you drank tea or coffee?
This morning, my mother brew a tea pot almost everyday, so it has been a part of my
routine.
4. Do you prepare tea or coffee for the guests at home?
I believe tea time would be more perfect for a cozy chat, especially when you want to
extend the conversation.
5. Do Vietnamese people give others coffee or tea as a gift?
Yes, we have several kinds of very fine and high-end tea normally saved for gifting
purpose.
6. Have you gone out for a tea or coffee recently?
You know, in my country when someone ask you out for a coffee or tea, they mean a
lot more by asking to hang out or having a date with you. So, yes this is how I make
my way to coffeeshop almost every weekend to meet my friends.
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TOPIC 6: PET
1. Are there many people keeping pets in Vietnam? What kinds of pets do people
keep?
Well I can certainly point out 5 over 10 households in Vietnam raising pets ranging
from very prevalent ones such as dog, cat, fish to even rarer ones like pig, turtle,
hamster.
2. Do you have any pets? /Have you had a pet when you were young?
I adopted a fluffy puppy a couples of years ago and now she is a beautiful and wise
fully-grown dog.
3. Which animals can be good pets? Which ones cannot be?
Dogs and cats have been, domesticated for a long time, so there is no doubt they should
be the most suitable kinds while other wild species even if seem-to-be harmless ones
such as sloths or foxes should never be owned by any individual.
4. What pet would you want to keep?
I am a fan of dogs whose loyalty is considered to be the top rank, so if you ask me, my
answer will always be the same.
5. Which kinds of pets do you dislike?
same as question 3
6. Do you think children should have pets? Why?
Yes, especially when raising a dog, they will learn how to love and take care of others
which could shape their characters such as independence and altruism.
TOPIC 7: E-MAIL
1. How often do you write an email?

Writing email is a professional means of communication, so as a office worker like
everyone else, I have my emails sent almost everyday.
2. Who do you always write to?
Most of the time, the recipients I send emails to are my colleagues, partners and
clients.
3. Do you think it’s important to reply to emails quickly?
Yes, of course, especially in working environment where it shows how interactive and
professional we are to others.
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4. Do you prefer contacting others by text messages or emails?

It depends on whom I am going to contact and what purposes they are. And definitely
I wouldn’t write emails to my family or friends as it is too formal.
5. Is there an email that made you happy recently?
Lately, I received a thank you email from my partners for supporting them in these 3
years and they also promised.
TOPIC 8: SLEEP
1. How many hours do you sleep usually?

I have been used to sleeping 8 hours a day. Therefore, it would be nightmare for me to
stay up late and wake up early in the next morning.
2. How much sleep do you wish to have every day?
As I said earlier, I need 8 hours unless want to experience sleep deprivation.
3. How have your sleeping habits changed since you were young? / Do you sleep
more than you did when you were younger?
When I was a kid, my mother always tuck me in bed around 9:00 Pm and wake me up
at 6:00 being ready for school. But when I grow up, I no longer maintain this habit as
I have to stay up later for studying or working which means I sleep less than before.
4. Is enough/sufficient sleep important?
Yes, of course. A good and sufficient sleep can avoid our body experiencing uneasy
and exhausted condition which adversely affects our working efficiency and our health
in a long run.
5. Do you take naps at noon?
Just sometime when I am really tired, otherwise I would rather keep my eyes open for
work.
6. Do you like to read before bed?
Yes, I do. Bedtime story works for both children and adult in terms of self-help sleep,
I guess!
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TOPIC 9: CROWDED PLACE
1. What places are often crowded in your city?

City centre, without any doubt, since it is the place where gathers the most modern
facilities and historical sights for entertaining, visiting and trading.
2. How do you feel when you are in crowded places? Do you like being in crowded
places or quiet places?
A small crowd like in a market is just fine with me, but a multitude or a wave of people
would really terrify me. Anyhow, I would prefer a tranquil and peaceful place.
3. When was the last time you were in a crowded place?
The only/last time I was / (felt excited being) in a crowd was when I joined in a concert
with my idol on the stage although after that I was petrified with crazy fans who keep
pushing through the lines.
4. Why are metropolitan cities more crowded?
There are many reasons for this issue, one of which is that more and more people from
suburb regions flocking to urban areas to look for jobs with a hope of changing their
life.
TOPIC 10: PATIENCE
1. Are you a patient person?

I am not so sure about it, especially when I am living in one of the cities with fastest
living pace in my country.
2. Have you become more patient or less patient compared to when you were
younger?
Definitely I was more patient in the past, it's because I did not have any worries or
burdens as I am now - for the adult life
3. Do you think patience is important for study and work?
Yes, hard-work pays off and so is the patience. I believe nothing is easy at first, so
everytime I try to do or study something new, I just have to keep telling myself to be
patient a little longer.
4. How do you feel when other people are not patient?
People run out of patience all the time. I understand how it feels, so I guess I just
sympathize with them.
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5. Are you less or more patient when you are angry?

I think it is unusual to be more patient when anyone of us is livid; however, at least I
never let the anger controls my action totally; otherwise, who knows what could
happen.
TOPIC 11: PUBLIC HOLIDAY
1. How many public holidays do you have in your country?

Around 15 ones, that's why Vietnam is in the top 5 country having the most days off in
the world.
2. Which is the most popular holiday in Vietnam? Which holiday is your favorite?
Tet holiday which can take up to 10 days off and also the most important times in our
country when everyone can let their hair down and gather with their family.
3. How do you usually spend your holidays?
I just stay at home and indulge myself in recreational activities. You can't imagine how
crowded and messy the traffic could be in those days when all people streaming to the
streets whether to go back to their hometown or enjoy their time in the city.
4. Do you think people need more public holidays?
I don't think so, as for my country, people tend to be lethargic after a long holiday. For
example, there are officially only 5 days off for Tet holiday but most people use their
annual leave to extend their leave to nearly double. This causes a lot of troubles for
companies andorganizations.
TOPIC 12: TAKING PHOTOS
1. Do you like taking photos?

Yes, I take photos almost everyday whenever I feel like to keep a piece of moments in
my life.
2. Do you take photos with a cellphone or with a camera? / Which device do you
usually use to take photos?
Thanks to the advanced development of cellphone, now, anyone could be an amateur
photographer with stunning pictures on social media.
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3. What are the differences between cellphones and cameras when it comes to taking
photos?
I think each of a device has their own unique function. Cameras for cell phones could
be portable and handy for ordinary use like selfie or sharing on social media but when
it comes to special occasions such as wedding or family portrait, a professional camera
is really needed.
4. Do you want to learn some photography skills?/ Which photography skill do you
want to learn the most?
I am not alway photogenic, so it may takes me hours just to pick out a good photo of
mine and it's the same when I take picture of others. So... if possible, I would like to
learn more about light alternation, angles as well as correct posture for a beautiful
picture.
5. What do you like to take photos of?
Although I usually selfie or taking photos of my family, I still have more favor of taking
pictures of nature, especially spectacular sights of mountains, forests and sea.
6. What would you use photos for? What would you do after you took photos?
In the past I used to print and put them in family albums but now I just keep it there in
memory cards or post on instagrams/facebook for likes.
TOPIC 13: SHARE THINGS
1. Do you like sharing? Did you have anything to share with others recently?
Not everything, I like sharing knowledge, thoughts to others. That's why I am
working as a teacher and also having a blog of my own.
2. What do you like to share with your friends?
Beside some chits chats and jokes with my besties, I also often share foods with
them sometimes in a potluck at one of my friends' house.
3. Is there anything you don’t want to share with others? Why? /What kind of things
are not suitable for sharing?
I guess we all have our own secrets like our embarrassing moments, or something
in our past which we hardly can share with anyone, even family or best friend.
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4. Did your parents teach you to share when you were a child?
I still remember a story called “Sharing is Caring” my mom read to me when I was
younger. The story teaches children to be nice and criticise those who are selfish.
TOPIC 14: HANDWRITING
1. Do you like handwriting?

Yes, I might be called classic to note down anything on my notebook but the reason
I like it so much is because I am pretty mesmerized by the art of calligraphy.
2. Is your handwriting easy to read for other people?
Not too good, but legible enough to read.
3. Do you like to receive a handwritten letter / card?
I used to correspond with my friends in summers when we cannot see one another
but it's no longer our tradition for a long time. So if someone send me a letter or
card with their handwriting right now, it would be very lovely.
4. Can you tell someone’s personality from his or her handwriting?
Previous generation like my parents have strong belief that by looking at an
individual’s handwriting we can define how characteristics they are. But not in our
time where students may even type more than write and the contents are more
important than the word itself.
5. Do you like writing by hand or typing?
It depends on different circumstances. For instance, I would love to write when I
am brainstorming or seeking ideas, but I tend to type more when it comes to writing
emails or reports.
TOPIC 15: WATCH SKY
1. Do you like to watch the sky? How often? Why?

Yes sure, I usually use my telescope bought in a science fair to look at the sky
especially at night when it's not being obscured by any clouds. Why? Just to learn
more about astronomy I guess.
2. Do you prefer the sky in the morning or at night?
Call me night owl or whatever but I can't help but embracing the beauty and the
peace that the night sky could bring.
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3. Is there a good place to look at the sky where you live?

My house’s balcony is the best observatory I could ever have.
4. Do you know anything about stars or planets?
The sky is amazing; by looking at it, you can learn a lot about astronomy like
reading the stars to navigate when you are lost.
5. Can you see the moon and stars at night where you live?
Not always, but when the sky is clear, I can see all forms of moon from crescent to
full and get fascinated when stars just align.
TOPIC 16: MORNING ROUTINE & BREAKFAST
1. What do you usually do in the mornings? /What’s your morning routine?

Every morning, I kick-start my morning routine with a stretch, a cup of tea and
breakfast, then I get dressed and ride to work.
2. Do you think breakfast is important?
Breakfast is King of meal, so without breakfast, we can't have enough energy to
supply a long working and studying day.
3. What’s your morning routine in the morning when you were a child? / What’s
the difference between your morning routine in your childhood and your
morning routine nowadays?
When I was younger, I woke up earlier feeling extremely drowsy and then I hop
on my mother's scooter to have quick breakfast somewhere on the way to school.
Now, I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn and eat more at home instead.
4. What would you like to change in your morning routine?
I have been told like thousand time to step out of my comfort zone, try to wake up
earlier as when I was a kid to do physical exercises but I just can't. I wish I could
be motivated enough to do it.
5. Is your morning schedule on weekends different?
Well, I can sleep in more after my alarm rings and eat whatever I want in the
morning.
6. Do you like to do the same thing every day?
No, it could be really dull. I love to partake in something new like learning a new
language or cooking dishes from new recipes for instance.
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TOPIC 17: DRINK WATER
1. Do you like drinking water?

Not really when we have to say like it or not. But I am sure not to let myself dehydrated.
2. Do you often drink water? / How often do you drink water?
I drink around 6 cups of water on daily basis mostly in the morning, after lunch and
before bed.
3. Do you like drinking bottled water or tap water?
I enjoy drinking from a bottle more than a tap only because of the hygiene.
4. Is bottled water expensive in your city?
As I know, It is not costly like some other countries but it is not really necessary because
most households in my country can boil their own water after being filtered
5. Have you ever been thirsty but had no water to drink?
Once, when I was going on a trip with my friends to a remote area. We couldn't find
any stops or convenient stores on the road until we got to a residential area.
TOPIC 18: MOVIES
1. Do you like watching movies? What kind of movies do you like?

I am a fan of sci-fi movies; therefore I would never miss a single blockbuster ones in
the cinema.
2. How often do you watch movies?
Almost every week as it is my favorite source of entertainment
3. Do you love to go to a movie alone or with others?
Watching movie alone could be very dull as there is no one to discuss the plot or share
their point of view with me.
4. Did you often go to movie theatre when you were a child?
Not at all, when I was younger, there were not as diverse films shown in cinema for
children as they are now.
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TOPIC 19: SHOES
1. How often do you buy shoes?

I have very tight control on my budget for the outfits, so I only go shopping for these
things 3 to 4 times throughout the year.
2. Have you ever bought shoes online? /Do you like to buy shoes online?
Though I’ve been constantly advertised with both authentic and fake shoes online while
surfing on facebook, I have never paid for any of them.
3. Do you prefer fashionable or comfortable shoes?
I can’t tell which trait should be prioritized as I always aim for both criteria when opting
for any products.
4. What’s your favorite type of shoes?
I may wear high-heel shoes quite often but to be honest a pair of sandals should be my
cup of tea as they are very comfortable and also fashionable for casual wear.
TOPIC 20: PAINTINGS & PHOTOS
1. What's the difference between painting and taking a photograph?

The utmost distinction from these two is the speed of copying and generating images.
2. What’re the advantages of painting (comparing to photography)?
Unlike photograph, a painting is a product of both reality and painter’s imagination
3. Would you like someone to draw a picture of you?
Yes, I would love to have a pencil portrait drawing of myself
4. Do you like drawing?
I used to draw all day but I guess it’s just some doodles of a kid as I am not really handy
when it comes to art or doing crafts.
5. Have you ever learned drawing or painting?
Well, painting and drawing was one of the compelling subjects when I was in primary
and secondary school. Since then, I no longer practice on it.
6. What kind of paintings do you like
I like oil paintings of countryside or nature, mostly because they always arouse
nostalgic feeling when I look at them.
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7. Why do you think people hang pictures at home? (What’s the usage of hanging
pictures at home?)
I think decoration purpose is the first obvious reason. Besides, contemplating art is also
a way for us to feel calm while embracing our thoughts.
TOPIC 21: COOK
1. Do you like cooking? / How often do you cook?

Yes, I usually watch shows like Master chef or follow fine cuisine blog to add more
recipes to my cooking notebook.
2. Have you ever cooked recently? / Is it difficult to cook Vietnamese food for you?
Like I said earlier, I have a great passion for cooking and thus I prepare meals everyday
for my family.
Not really hard for us locals but it could be challenging for foreigners who are still
unfamiliar with our ingredients and spices
3. Did you have a memorable meal at home recently? /What’s the meal you really
enjoyed recently?
Last New Year's Eve, my family opened a potluck party and invited some of our
relatives to join. It was pretty fun as we can taste different kinds of foods.
4. Why do some people enjoy cooking?
Some like me might be obsessed with trying new taste, some others may just seek the
joys out of this practice.
5. Do you prefer to eat out or eat at home?
Everyone sure knows that home-cooking is more hygienic and safe but actually I can't
help but confessing that dining out is so much more appealing.
TOPIC 22: COLOR
1. What’s your favorite color? Why?

I like red which is considered as a lucky color in my country.
2. Do you like dark colors
I do prefer dark colors in terms of clothing choices though my original favorite color is
bright red.
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3. What colors did you like in your childhood?

When I was a little kid, there was nothing more fascinated to me but a room painted or
filled with blue objects.
4. When you were a child, did you like to wear clothes in bright colors?
I am not so sure about that, as my mother was the one to purchase and select outfit
styles for me. Basically, I wear whatever she wants.
5. Do you think the color of clothes shows one’s personality?
Partly true, because anyone can modify their fashion style to cover their natural traits.
6. Is color important to you when you choose a car?
It may sound a little bit superstitious but red is my lucky number and I would certainly
choose it for my car.
7. What color do you want to choose for the walls in your home?
I like blue and green which help me feel calm and chase away the anxiety, at least in
my own home.
TOPIC 23: SUNGLASSES
1. Do you like to wear sunglasses?

Yes, especially when I have to go out in a glaring sunny day.
2. How often do you wear sunglasses?
Quite often enough to have a whole collection of my own
3. What kind of sunglasses would you like to buy?
I usually pick ones with polarized lenses of course for the UV protection and also help
neutralize the glare.
4. Would you like to buy sunglasses for other people as a gift?
Yes, why not, they are also a fashionable accessory.
5. Have you ever lost your sunglasses?
Yes, once or twice I don't remember. I must admit that I have a golden fish brain.
6. Will you buy expensive sunglasses?
“You get what you pay for", so if I am affordable for the ones I like, then I just go for
it.
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TOPIC 24: SEASON & WEATHER
1. What’s your favorite season?

I like autumn, neither too hot nor too cold, just mild enough to enjoy.
2. What are the differences between sports that people do in different seasons?
I think, people are more drawn to water sports during summer, basically to cool off
while still practicing fitness.
3. What’s the weather of different seasons like in your hometown?
For those who live a long time here in Sai Gon, they would probably know that there
are only 2 seasons: sunny and rainy all year round though it rains more in summer.
4. Do you like the weather to be the same all year around or to be distinct in four
seasons?
The distinction would be great as you can feel more of the transition of time.
TOPIC 25: PARK AND GARDEN
1. Do you prefer a park or a garden?

Rarely a public garden shall be found in my place, but parks are more available and
accessible around the city. So what choice do I have!
2. Do you often go to a park or a garden? What do you usually do there
In terms of public park, most people including me go there to breathe the fresh air and
do some physical exercise.
3. When’s the last time you went to a park?
Almost a year now since the day I decided to register membership of a fitness center.
4. Describe a park you often visit. /What facilities does the park you often visit have?
Back then, I used to go to Hoang Van Thu park which is just 1 km away from my house.
It was installed with free outdoor workout equipments such as cardio-walker, upright
cycle and sit up and back extension.
5. What do you think could be done to make the park that you often visit better? /
What do you think a park should have?
Well the only reason that I no longer go to the park was because of the security. It was
way too open and there seemed to be no park-rangers. Not all human beings are good
and who knows what devastation they may cause. Therefore, I think there should be
more rules, restrictions made and also more personnel in charge of protecting the park.
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6. Do you prefer a park to have more open space or more leisure facilities?
Like I said, open but not too much; otherwise it would be out of control. If for a park
to have more leisure facilities, I suggest building a whole theme park and charge on the
tickets.
TOPIC 26: TRANSPORTATION
1. How do you travel to work or school?

I commute between destinations mostly by motorbike.
2. Will you change the way you travel to school/work?
I would always prefer the shortcut; so just in case there is a potential traffic jam shown
on google-map, I guess I should make a turn and take alternative road instead.
3. How did you go to school when you were a child?
As I still remember, my mom rode me to school on her old scooter, just like that every
morning
4. When was latest time you took a taxi?
Last month I and my friends went to a wedding so I booked a cab for 4 people of us.
5. Is the traffic in your city bad?
It's so hard to describe but I've been used to the crowd and traffic congestions in peak
time.
6. Can you drive?
I have a driving licence so yes sure.
7. Do you drive usually? /Do you often drive?
Although I can drive, I just leave that to my father or my boyfriend, I guess it's more
easy to enjoy at the back seats.
8. Do you think people need to learn how to drive?
Yes, I think people who are over 18 should take driving lesson seriously for both their
travelling and safety sake.
9. Does your family often travel by car (go on a road trip)?
You know, traffic in urban areas could be very complicated, thus, only when we have
to travel in far distance that we use car; otherwise, we would opt for motorbike as it’s
helpful to get through the crowd.
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10. What are the advantages of a road trip?

There are two benefits, firstly we can watch stunning views along the two sides of the
road; secondly we can stop wherever or whenever we wish.
TOPIC 27: MUSIC/ INSTRUMENT
1. Do you like music?

Yes, I usually listen to pop music with fast rhythm to lift up my mood.
2. Which kind of music don’t you like?
Oh, I loathe metal rock. I got recommended by a friend to listen to a rock band once on
youtube and I turned it off immediately because it was too deafening.
3. What kind of instrument can you play?
I can play guitar and ukulele which seem to be the easiest string instrument for anyone
to try on.
4. What musical instrument do you want to play in the future?
I have always wanted to learn violin but it’s expensive together with the fact that we
have to spend way much time to be able to play a full song.
5. Do you think it is hard to learn how to play an instrument?
Regardless the gifted, I believe it’s just like learning a new skill. To excel at anything,
you must overcome the conundrum on each stage before moving on to next level.
6. Have you ever been to a concert before?
Yes, once. The show was organized in a stadium and there was hundreds of young
people joining and singing along.
7. Would you like to listen to music when you are working or studying?
Yes, quite often, I just plug in my earbuds and those symphonies, sonatas and concertos
are on, helping me focus more on my work.
8. Do you think your music taste will change?
Probably, I used to only listen a lot to puppy love songs when I was a teen and now I
can’t stand those melodies anymore. Who knows if one day I will fall in love with my
grandparents taste of music.
9. Do you like to buy CDs or download music?
Frankly, CDs have been so obsolete now. As everyone else, I just use spotify or itunes
to listen to music.
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TOPIC 28: CITY
1. What kind of city do you like?

Medium-sized city is the best, still vibrant and modern but not too populated.
2. Do you want to stay in the city? When was the last time you visit a city?
I am already based in one of the biggest cities in my country. I don’t know if I should
stay more or leaving for the countryside a while.
3. Which city do you want to visit?
I heard New York is very dynamic and elegant. There is also a popular page posting
stories about Humans of New York which inspire me more to go there.
4. Do more Vietnamese people stay in cities or stay in countryside?
I really can’t tell since a lot of people flock to cities to study and work but not always
they stay in the city as they can also go back home after that.
5. Do you like to live in a city or the countryside?
I prefer living in countryside to experience the tranquil vibe of a small town or village.
TOPIC 29: SPORTS
1. What kind of sport do you like to do in the university?

I think schools should teach individual sport such as martial arts for self-defense which
would be very useful and practical especially for female students.
2. Do you like sports?
Yes, I do. I could play a wide ranges of sports from individual, dual to team sports such
as badminton, basketball, football.
3. What kinds of sports are popular in Vietnam?
I think football is deserved to be called the king sport. People of all ages could be a
great fan for it, thus, it is not so surprising if you can see a flock of people running on
the street waving flags after a victory brought by their Vietnamese team player.
4. Who is your favorite sportsman? / Who’s the most popular sportsman in your
country?
His name is Ly Duc - a Vietnamese famous bodybuilding athlete in the world.
Although he has retired a long time ago, his reputation is there to stay as he is a big
inspiration for younger generation.
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5. Do you want to take a part in Olympics? / If you have a chance to take a part in
Olympics, will you want to join it?
I am afraid not! I only consider sports as a game or a physical training for health, not a
professional career.
TOPIC 30: GIFT
1. How often do you buy others gifts?

Almost every three months, mostly for special occasions like birthday and wedding.
2. Do you like to send expensive gifts?
Yes, but not always. I usually save luxurious or costly presents for some special people
of my life.
3. What kinds of gifts are popular in your country?
Flowers definitely. People can gift flowers for whatever occasions: mother day,
valentine, birthday, graduation ceremony.
4. Why do people send gifts?
I think it's simple a gesture of gratitude and love. In some other cases, gifts can act as
a bridge to establish certain relations and cooperation to someone or organization.
TOPIC 31: TEACHERS
1. Do you want to be a teacher in the future?

Back when I was in the first and second year of university, I had a part-time job as a
maths tutor for primary students. However, I have never thought of pursuing teaching
career as it requires much of patience and care for students.
2. Do you still remember your teachers in primary school? Do you have a favorite
teacher when you were in primary (or high) school?
It's been a long time since I last visited my first school, but I can never forget my first
grade teacher who was so kind and gentle to us little kids. She was also the one to
inspire me to become teacher when I was younger.
3. What kinds of teachers do you like?
I was always impressed by motivational teachers who can empower students with the
thirst for knowledge and the trust in themselves.
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4. What’s the difference between teachers in the past and now? / What’s the
difference between your teachers and your parents’ teachers?
I guess teachers nowaday are laxer as being borned in a younger generation with
different lifestyle while teachers in the old days seem to be more conventional.
TOPIC 32: FOREIGN FOOD
1. Have you ever tried foreign food?

Yes, to be honest it’s my passion to try all kinds of signature and local foods in the
world
2. How often do you eat foreign food when you were a kid?
Quite often, it's very accessible to all kinds of food stores and restaurants from where I
lived. Therefore, I had so many opportunities to eat food from Asian to Western
nations.
3. What kinds of foreign food are popular in your country? / Do you think foreign
food become popular in Vietnam?
In terms of Asian food, Japanese and Thai cuisines are among the most prevalent ones
while French and Italian cuisines are first choices of Western cuisine fan.
4. Do you think Vietnamese people will eat more foreign food or less foreign food?
More and more Japanese or American fast-food restaurants mushroom all over the
places. So, I believe this trend reflects the increasing demands of customers nowaday.
5. What kind of new foreign food have you tried recently?
As I have tried the most common foreign foods in the city, I decided to try new one last
week and it was Mexican platter which impressed me with its unique flavor.
TOPIC 33: FAMILY ACTIVITY & LEISURE TIME
1. What is your favorite way to relax? / What do you usually do when you are free?
I usually watch movie in the cinema with my friends or alone; that's why my movie
membership card has just been upgraded to VVIP.
2. Who do you spend more spare time with, your friends or your parents?
I am workaholic and quite a loner, so I think the time I spare for most of my
relationships are equally the same.
3. Which do you prefer, hanging out with friends or being alone?
As I mentioned earlier, I am more of an introvert, so I am used to and comfortable to
do most things all by myself at home.
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4. How do you spend time with your family? / How often do you meet with your
family?
I only meet my family at weekends and in holiday as it's really hard to deal with my
workload during weekdays.
5. What is the difference in family activities when you were young and now?
When I was a child, every weekend, my family would go picnic or gather around to
have dinner at a Hongkong cuisine restaurant. But now, as my sisters have more
children, we only stay at home to cook together.
TOPIC 34: HOLIDAY PLAN
1. Where have you been before in holidays?

Holidays in my country is a nightmare as everyone make use of the time off to flock
to tourist attractions, thus causing mass crowd and congestion on the street. I'd rather
stay at home for my own sake.
2. Where will you go on your next holiday?
I am planning an oversea trip next year's holiday on a peaceful island.
3. Do you like to be alone or enjoy your holiday with friends? / What do you often
do in the holidays?
It depends on which holiday; with the short ones, I prefer staying at home to let my
hair down a bit but with the long ones, I would have dinner with friends if someone
asks me.
4. What’s your best or most impressive vacation? / Describe a vacation you like?
It's probably the luxurious stay I had at a seaside resort last year. That vacation was
amazing and helped recharge my energy.
5. Do you like to make a plan before a holiday?
Actually, no. Holiday is supposed to be the time to unwind not to burden lots of
thoughts and worries.
6. What is the most important thing when making a holiday plan?
If I were to make a plan for holiday, then what I focus first will be accomodation and
transportation which must be booked in advance.
TOPIC 35: BORROWING/LENDING
1. Have you borrowed books from others?

I would prefer buying a book if it draws my attention because borrowing is not in my
nature. But I did borrow a book which is titled “The Encyclopedia of the World history”
from my local library as it is old and I couldn’t find it in any bookstores.
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2. Have you borrowed books from others?

Yes. I had to ask my mother for money so that I could pay for this IELTS exam. It cost
me a fortune and you know, I’m just a student and still living on my budget.
3. Do you like to lend things to others?
I don’t bother in lending but I want my borrowers to return the money or whatever they
took from me within the promised returning time. If they miss the deadline, they may
not get any further help from me in the future.
4. How do you feel when prople don’t return things they borrowed from you?
It mostly happens for money. Once, I loaned a friend an amount of money and she
didn’t get that back in time. She started showing different excuses for the return and I
was to run after her to collect the money. It was really annoying and I felt down in the
dumps as it also affected our relationship.
TOPIC 36: MATH
1. Do you think mathematics is important?

Yes, although math was a nightmare when I was a school-goer, I would say it’s
definitely important as learning math is good for our brain. It helps to boost cognitive
development and horn necessary skills such as problem-solving and decision-making.
2. Do you think it is difficult to learn mathematics well?
Absolutely. I’m clueless about complex math problems. I was a low-performing student
in my class and I had to burn the midnight oil trying to learn Math to prepare for the
university entrance exam.
3. Are girls generally good at mathematics?
No, I don’t think so. In preschool and elementary school, boys and girls generally
perform similarly on math tests. However, later in high school and college, more
consistent differences start to emerge. Boys tend to perform much better.
4. Do you often use a calculator?
I’m really into using a calculator because you know, I’m not a Math lover and a
calculator will allow me to calculate numbers more quickly without having to thinking
much.
TOPIC 37: SMILE
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1. Do you like to smile?

Yes, I love smiling as this helps to generate positive emotions within me and to others
around me. I believe that smiling can lift a bad mood and that’s why I smile not only
when I’m happy but also when I’m down in the dumps and try to be optimistic in order
to feel better.
2. When do people smile at others?
There are tons of things which can make people smile. For example, people often smile
when they talk to someone who has a sense of humor or when they bump into an old
friend or acquaintance on the street.
3. Do you smile when people take pictures of you?
Yes, definitely. No matter how I feel at the time, there is always a smile flashes across
my face when somebody take a photo of me. You know, a simple smile makes you
look more photogenic and I may have a moment of joy when I look at those pictures
then.
4. Can you recognize a fake smile?
Yes, it is possible to tell a fake smile between a real one. When a person is genuinely
happy, they smile with their eyes closed and their wrinkles visible outside the edge of
their eyes. Our eyes betray our feelings a lot so just look straight into his or her eyes,
you’ll get a clue.
TOPIC 38: VISIT RELATIVES.
1. Do you often visit your relatives?

Yes, I visit my aunts wherever I have day-offs, especially on Tet or on other national
holidays. However, I avoid visiting some other distant relatives as conversations may
become awkward sometimes when we meet.
2. What do you do when visiting relatives?
We often get together in the kitchen to enjoy tasty meals and chat to each other. My
favorite parts about being with everyone at holidays is my aunt’s fried chicken and my
other aunt’s mashed potatoes. There is nothing better than those two food items on
special occasions.
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3. When was the last time you visited a relative?

On the last Reunification Day, workers and students in Vietnam were allowed to take
5 day-offs and my family went to Dalat to see my aunt. We spent 4 days there enjoying
the local specialties and visiting some places of interest.
4. Why do people visit their relatives?
The memories are the best when you’re with your family sitting around and you just
start remembering things that you've done together. Frequent visits can also help to
strengthen relationships and bring people feelings of love and protectiveness.
TOPIC 39: SOCIAL NETWORK
1. Do you often visit your relatives?

Yes, I visit my aunts wherever I have day-offs, especially on Tet or on other national
holidays. However, I avoid visiting some other distant relatives as conversations may
become awkward sometimes when we meet.
2. What do you do when visiting relatives?
We often get together in the kitchen to enjoy tasty meals and chat to each other. My
favorite parts about being with everyone at holidays is my aunt’s fried chicken and my
other aunt’s mashed potatoes. There is nothing better than those two food items on
special occasions.
3. When was the last time you visited a relative?
On the last Reunification Day, workers and students in Vietnam were allowed to take
5 day-offs and my family went to Dalat to see my aunt. We spent 4 days there enjoying
the local specialties and visiting some places of interest.
4. Why do people visit their relatives?
The memories are the best when you’re with your family sitting around and you just
start remembering things that you've done together. Frequent visits can also help to
strengthen relationships and bring people feelings of love and protectiveness.
TOPIC 40: PERFUME
1. Do you use perfume?What kind of perfume do you like?

Answer for “Yes": I have several bottles of perfume bought from fashion shops and
gifted by others. I love the sweet fragrance flowers like lavender or rose.
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Answer for “No": Actually, no, I am allergic to strong scent; therefore, I only use body
deodorant to avoid smell from sweat.
2. What does perfume mean to you?
Wearing perfume is like dressing us, which can boost your confidence.
3. Do you give perfume as a gift?
Yes, perfume is a meaningful and practical present for both men and women.
TOPIC 41: MARKET
1. What do street markets sell?

As I observe, they sell a wide range of goods, from clothes to accessories, from drinks
to foods and even rare products you could be amazed of.
2. Are there many street markets in Vietnam?
Well sure, there are many, as some street markets in VietNam could develop
arbitrarily in local residential areas.
3. What are the differences between street markets and supermarkets?
I think it is dependent on the scale and origin of products. In markets, people can sell
whatever they want as long as they are not illegal while supermarkets are more
restricted on products selection.
4. Do you often go to the supermarket?
To be honest, I like supermarket more than market as it’s more convenient and
hygienic as well.
TOPIC 42: SKY
1. How often do you look at the sky?

I only look at the sky when I curl in a corner of my room looking out of the window,
mostly to calm and immerse myself in thoughts.
2. Do you prefer the sky in the morning or the sky at night?
I love looking at the sky at night, especially when it is clear enough to reveal the
twinkle stars.
3. Can you see the moon and stars at night where you live?
Yes, sometimes when the sky is not obscured by any clouds.
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4. Is there a good place to look at the sky where you live?

My apartment is on the 5th floor so I definitely can look at it either through window
or outside at the balcony.
TOPIC 43: TRANSPORTATION
1. What’s the most popular means of transportation in your hometown?

It's scooters and motorbikes that account for the majority of traffic volume on the road.
2. Can you compare the advantages of planes and trains?
It's no doubt plans are the fastest means of transport while trains could offer passengers
memorable experiences with fantastic scenery along two sides of railway
3. How often do you take buses?
The last time I hopped on a bus was my second year of University; since then I only
use private transport to commute around as it's faster and more convenient.
4. Is driving to work popular in your country?Do you think people will drive more
in the future?
Yes, I believe so because most of the population in Vietnam prefer private vehicle to
any other public ones.
5. Would you ride bikes to work in the future?
I wish I could. You know I used to ride bike to school everyday when I was in
highschool but now the livelihood is too bustle and hustle; besides, it's boiling hot in
Ho Chi Minh city especially in daytime, so I don't think it would be a good idea.
6. Do you prefer public transportation or private transportation?
Personally, I am more into private transport as I can freely manage my time and keep
my privacy as well.
7. What will become the most popular means of transportation in Vietnam?
I don't know if my prediction is right or not, but with the gigantic investment in the
metro - the first rapid transit network to serve HCM city, I believe it will change the
habit and thinking of people about public transport. And this will soon be applied
successfully to the entire nation.
TOPIC 44: GARBAGE
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1. Why do some people throw garbage on the street?

People litter because they do not feel responsible for public areas like streets and
parks. They believe someone else will pick up after them, that it’s not their
responsibility. And the more they litter, the more it becomes a habit.
2. What do you do with garbage when you are on the street?
I will look around to see if there is any trash can available. If not, I will put it into my
bag and throw it when I can find one then. I feel a personal obligation not to litter and
will never do so.
3. How do you feel when you see people throw garbage on the street?
Some people have lack of awareness and they often throw fast food packaging,
cigarette butts or used drink bottles in places where they don’t belong to, which
portrays an extremely bad picture of an area. I really hate them and I believe the
government should impose strict litter laws to stop them.
4. Do you think your city is clean or not?
Individuals are much more likely to litter into a littered environment. And once there,
it attracts more litter. That’s why some parts of my city are very clean whereas some
others are nothing more than garbage dumps.
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TOPIC 45: FRIENDS
1. What kinds of people do you think you will make friends with?
Well, I would like to make friends with those who are loyal and sympathetic (đồng cảm)
as I enjoy spending time sharing stories and having a lot of small talks (tán dóc/ nói chuyện
phiếm) on a daily basis.
2. Do you think you are a good friend for others?

Frankly speaking, nobody is perfect. I myself don’t see myself as a perfect human being.
However, I try to be there for my friends when they need me the most; therefore, I believe
I am reliable to them.
TOPIC 46: TRAVELLING
1. Do you like travelling?

Yes, I tend to travel as much as I can when I have got some free time. I am convinced that
travelling is a great way to obtain a more open mind.
2. Which cities have you travelled to?
I have travelled to a number of different cities such as Ha Noi, Hoi An, Da Nang, Da Lat,
etc. They were all breathtaking, unique and the people were lovely.
3. What kind of cities do you like to travel to?
To be honest, I am quite a curious person. Therefore, any city with rich history or a diverse
culture would be on my bucket list of must-visit destinations (địa điểm phải đến).
4. What is the place that left you the deepest impression when travelling?
No other location is as deeply engraved into my mind (khắc vào trong tâm trí) as Hoi An:
a gorgeous ancient city that held stories almost everywhere you set foot on.
TOPIC 47: READING

1. Do you like reading?
Yes, as a matter of fact, I am quite fond of reading. I believe that books do not only hold
knowledge but also hold the key to creative minds.
2. What kind of books do you read?
To be frank, I enjoy a variety of different genres. Nonetheless, fiction books never fail to
fascinate me for the authors’ ability to create their own worlds only in a few hundred pages.
3. Do you read electronic books?
I do read books on electronic devices. In this day and age, a large number of things could
be done on smartphones and laptops, even reading.
4. Do you read books related to your profession?
Of course, I do. Personally, I am strongly convinced that books shouldn’t be for
entertainment only, but also for the sake of learning, in whichever field necessary.
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TOPIC 48: PLAN
1. Do you make plans every day?

Well, I try to plan ahead my day on a daily basis as much as possible. However, it is easier
said than done (nói dễ hơn làm) as I easily get caught up in (bị vướn mắc) many different
things.
2. Are you good at managing your time?
As a student, I have my finger in every pie (bận rộn), so time management is important.
I don’t usually plan things out, yet, I get things done most of time.
3. What is the latest plan you made?
My midterm test is just around the corner (gần tới/ sắp tới); therefore, I tried to prepare
an effective study plan to achieve the best result possible.
4. What is the hardest part about making plans?
From my perspective, the most challenging part about planning is actually sticking to it.
Once something unexpected happens, it is difficult to adjust accordingly.
TOPIC 49: OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
1. Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors?

Honestly, I enjoy being indoors since I view myself as an introvert (người sống nội tâm).
2. Did you like to go outside when you were young?
Yes, I did. As a kid, not only did I have so much energy, but I also always needed to spend
that energy on as much as outdoor activities as possible.
3. Did you often go over to your friends’ house when you were young?
Of course I did. I still do now. So many lovely memories were made from those times spent
at my close friends’ homes.
4. Is it important for children to play outdoors?
I am strongly convinced that it is essential for children to spend time outdoors. Children
need to develop both physically and mentally by being outside and exploring the world
around them.
TOPIC 50: COUNTRYSIDE

1. What do people living the countryside like to do?
From what I observe, since people in the countryside are mostly farmers, it is likely that
they love to do gardening. You know, planting some trees, some vegetables or trees.
2. What are the benefits of living in rural areas?
In my opinion, the advantages of living in rural areas are the environment, namely the clean
air, the peaceful surroundings as well as the friendly neighborhoods.
3. Do you spend much time in countryside?
At the moment, I spend most of my time studying and working in the city I live in. That’s
why I rarely spend time in the countryside, though I’d love to.
4. Do you consider living in the countryside in the future?
I have never thought about that to be honest. However, living in a quiet, tranquil (bình
yên) suburban area doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
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TOPIC 51: OPINIONS/ IDEAS

1. When children should have their own ideas/ opinions?
In my opinion, children should always be listened to. That's to say they can raise their ideas
whenever they feel like to. They need to know that their opinions matter.
2. What are the benefits when children have their own ideas/ opinions?
The most obvious advantage that children can gain from being encouraged to speak their own
thoughts is that they will learn how to form independent thinking, which may later be
developed into critical thinking when they grow up.
3. What are the responsibilities of teachers to help children develop their ideas/ opinions?
Teachers play an important role in helping children to form their own opinions and thoughts.
The most effective way is to ask them to research for the knowledge on their own rather than
spoon-feeding (mớm) them.
TOPIC 52: PLACE

1. Where do people in your local area often choose to meet?
In my opinion it really depends. For example, the younger generation. They definitely
prefer places like the mall or vibrant looking (vui mắt) coffee shops. As for the elders,
they would probably prefer staying at home or choose more elegant and quiet restaurants.
2. Do you prefer a meeting point which has an appealing beauty?
Yes, in fact, I am fascinated by locations that own unique beauty. You know, it is like a
reminder that lovely places exist all around us.
3. Do you prefer to choose stunning hotel or resort room views?
I would definitely choose resort room views for the reason that I love nature. To me, waking
up to a different view first thing in a morning in a foreign place always sounds like such a
perfect vacation.
4. What is the most breathtaking landscape you have ever been to?
I have been to a number of unbelievably beautiful sceneries, but the one that left the most
impression in me is Tam Coc Bich Dong in Ninh Binh Province. A movie was filmed there,
and I can definitely see why. It was simply stunning.
5. Do you snap photos of great views when you visit?
Absolutely. I wish to save all the amazing landscapes not only in my mind but also in
photos, which I can look back later.
TOPIC 53: NUMBERS

1. Are you good at remembering numbers?
Well I must say I don't have that much of a knack
for (năng khiếu) memorizing things, especially
numbers. I mean I can remember numbers with a few
digit (chữ số) long but cannot process anything
longer.
2. Do you often use numbers?
Well, yes, I deal with reports which are full of
numbers and statistics from time to time at work. Rather than that, I can hardly think of
any other situations where I've got to use numbers.
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3. Is there any special number you like?

I do have my favorite number, that is the number 9. I'm not sure what the reason is, I just
like it so much that whenever I have a chance to pick a number, this number is always off
the top of my head (nghĩ tới đầu tiên)
4. Are you good at math?
Well I don't exactly excel at (good at: giỏi cái gì đó) Mathematics, but I'm not terrible at
it either. During my high school years, my math scores were on the top layer of my class,
I just don't feel like I have a passion for (niềm yêu thích) this subject.
TOPIC 54: PENS/PENCILS

1. When was the last time you bought a pen or pencil?
I can't recall (nhớ) the last time I bought any types of pens in general was when.
Yes, I do use pens to note a few things down (ghi chú mọi thứ xuống) at work
but they are office supplies (văn phòng phẩm) available at workplace and I never
have to buy them on my own.
2. Do you usually use a pen or pencil?
I have a habit of using a pen to write my thoughts down from time to time,
especially during crisis time (giai đoạn khủng hoảng) when I have to reorganize
my thoughts and get things straight (hiểu mọi thứ). Also, I like to write random
things that I have just learned as a way to remember them better.
3. Which one do you use more often? Pen or pencil?
My preference would be pencils over pens for a plethora of reasons (nhiều lý do). But the
most important reason is that pencils give me room for errors. I often use pencils to write
things down, from schoolwork, to brainstorming things and during the process I often make a
lot of mistakes, and using a pencil is better when it comes to erase the mistakes.
4. What do you think if someone gives you a pen or a pencil as a gift
Receiving gifts has always been a pleasant experience. Even though I have never received a
pen or pencil as presents from anyone, but I think when I do receive one, I'll feel grateful for
the gift because as always, the act of presenting gifts is more important and valuable than the
gift itself.
TOPIC 55: BEING ALONE

1. Do you like to be alone?
I really prefer to be alone. I typically don't connect with people as I don't want to, I only
like to spend time for family or a few close friends and that's enough. I just feel so
comfortable being on my own (ở 1 mình) in a way that I never feel excluded (cảm thấy
bị bỏ rơi), lonesome or depressed about being alone at all.
2. What was the last time you were alone and what did you do?
Well, I like being alone and often spend time in solitude (việc ở 1 mình). So that said, the
last time I spent time without any companions (bạn đồng hành) was last weekend. I
often spend my weekend reading, learning a new language and reflecting on the past
week. I did exactly the same thing last week too.
TOPIC 56: SCENERY

1. Is there any beautiful scenery in your hometown?
The village that I was born in is located in the Central Highland of Vietnam, a land of
poetic scenery with super high mountains and picturesque (đẹp như tranh) and
breathtaking natural beauty. The land boasts stunning natural features such as relatively
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untouched forests (những cánh rừng còn nguyên sơ), waterfall and spectacular scenery.
2. How can you try to live in a house with a good view?
Living in a house with a beautiful view is very difficult as sometimes you get so
distracted because of the view that you ignore other activities. I remember living in a tall
building, overlooking a forest (nhìn xuống 1 khu rừng) for a relatively long period of
time and during that time, I spent just so many evenings just sitting by the window,
enjoying my favorite tea, sometimes beer and just watched the nature.
3. Do people like to take photos of beautiful scenery?
Well it depends. Some people like to capture photos of themselves and their loved ones.
Some are into landscape photography (chụp cảnh thiên nhiên). While people take
pictures of others to keep those fleeting moments that will soon be gone, they can
immerse themselves in the nature while taking photos of beautiful scenery, which might
be one of the reason why people are so in love with landscape photography.
4. Why do people prefer to use mobile phones to take photos of beautiful scenery?
The obvious reason is that mobile phones are mobile, versatile (đa năng) and convenient.
These days people can hardly go anywhere without their smartphones by their side, so
when they see a beautiful moment they can take out their phone swiftly (nhanh chóng)
and capture it. With a camera, it's much more difficult and not as fast to do so.
TOPIC 57: MUSEUMS

1. Have you ever had a field trip to
museums to learn History?
Yes, back when I was at high school, we were
taught about the Vietnam War and our history
teacher decided that we should make a trip to
the War Remnants Museum located in District
3, HCM City so he can showed us what he
mentioned in the lessons.
2. Do you learn much history at school?
I myself think that History is a very interesting subject, however, I was still at school, we
only had 1 history lesson each week. Most students find history very boring because at
school, we often only learn about history through wars and prominent figures (nhân vật nổi
tiếng). But the way I see it, history has a lot to do with our present.
3. What was the last time you read a history publication?
2 years ago, I met a friend who has an intense passion for history. Whenever, we talked the
only topic that he ever brought up was history and it was him who inspired me to read a very
remarkable history book titled Guns, Germs and Steel - one of the most important and
readable works (tác phẩm) on the human past.
TOPIC 58: ART

1. Do you like art?
I must admit that I'm not a dedicated fan of art, but when I come across art forms like music,
architecture, literature or drawing, I might stop and admire the artworks a while but not too
long.
2. Have you ever visit an art gallery?
I don't have that much of a passion for art, that's part of the reason why I never visited any art
space before. And also I think it depends on the city that you live, one offer more choices
39
than others. My city doesn't have many art gallery though.

3. Is there any artwork on the wall in your room?
Even though I don't like art very much, but as a photography buff (fan), I have got some
great shots (hình) of my friends and me hanging on my room's wall. I often had to choose
artwork that is a little interesting and goes with the room's decor (trang trí)
4. Have you ever taken any art class before?
Art was included in my primary education's curriculum (chương trình học), so it was
compulsory for me to take art classes. But other than that, I haven't taken any art courses
outside of school and unfortunately don't feel the necessity of learning art too.
TOPIC 59: CAKE AND SWEETS

1. Do you like to eat sweets?
I must admit that I have a sweet tooth (thích ăn
ngọt) and can't say no to sweets from time to time. I
am so sure why but sweets seem to make me happy.
Whenever I'm feeling a bit down, I consume a bar of
chocolate and my mood certainly will be lifted up.
2. Do you like sweets now compared with when
you were a child?
I believe my fetish (niềm yêu thích) for sweets, especially chocolate hasn't changed a bit. The
only difference is that I'm now more health-conscious (chú ý tới sức khỏe hơn) and more
successful in limiting the amount of stuff that is rich in (giàu (chất gì đó)) added sugars that
I take in to my body.
3. Have you ever tried to make sweets?
Well, my mom is a very good cook . She often makes cookies for us during weekends. 3
years back when I was so curious about how cookies are made, I asked her to show me how.
And after a lot of struggles, I made a batch of cookies (1 mẻ cookies) myself.
4. Why people like sweets?
It is apparent that too much sugar in our diet is not good for our us. However, a lot of people
still get a craving (sự ham/mê) for sweet food. I guess part of the reason is that sugar is
something indulging for people's taste buds (vị giác)
5. Do you like dessert?
Being a foodie (người thích ăn), I love desserts a lot. One of my favorite dessert is ice cream,
which can satisfy not only my sweet palate (sự thèm ngọt) but also gives me a cool sensation
to finish any meal.
6. What is the special cake in your country?
The traditional cake in Vietnam is called Banh Chung, which is made mainly from sticky
rice, fatty pork, green beans. These ingredients combine together creates special taste for this
type our cake. However, one thing I should mention is that this type of cake is not sweet, but
rather savoury ((món)mặn) and is eaten mainly during our Tet Holiday (Lunar New Year)
TOPIC 60: WATER SPORTS

1. Have you done water sports?
I'm not much a sports fan and I don't like water
as well, the only form of water sports that I ever
take up is swimming, I guess because swimming is
not just a sports, it's also a recreational activity
(hoạt động giải trí) which can help me to wind down
a lot.
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2. What water sports do you like doing?

I'm not much a sports fan and I don't like water as well, the only form of water sports that
I ever take up is swimming, I guess because swimming is not just a sports, it's also a
recreational activity, which can help me to wind down a lot.
3. Are water sports popular in Vietnam?
Vietnamese in general have a special liking for sports but water sports are not popular in
Vietnam yet. Swimming, I guess, is the most prevalent form of water sports among
Vietnamese because it's easy to learn and doesn't require a lot of equipments.
4. What kind of water sports do you want to try?
I don't like dipping myself in water too much, so I don't really like water sports. but I
have always wanted to try scuba diving (môn lặn) as I'd like to try the feeling of being
deep into the waters and experience the pressure of water on my body. Plus, it looks cool
wearing those equipments that people wear while scuba diving.
TOPIC 61: RUNNING

1. Do you like running?
Yes, I like running a lot. It is one of the
easiest activity that I can take up to feel
relaxed and stay in good shape (giữ dáng).
Plus, running as a common recreational
activity doesn't require a lot of equipment or
training and hence very convenient.
2. Have you ever taken a running class?
During my high school, I had one or two running classes as required in the curriculum.
But rather than that, I have never really taken any running courses.
3. When was your last long running?
I don't usually run long distance due to my lack of stamina, and also I consider running as
a recreational activity rather than a sports. The last time I ran a distance of 5km was
around 6 months ago in a charity running campaign to raise money for children with
heart diseases. I thought it would be exhausting (kiệt sức) but it turned out to be very
refreshing at the end.
4. Why you need to run?
Running is one of the most efficient way to burn calories and lose weight. Sometimes,
when I'm already at a healthy weight, running help me to maintain it. Plus, running is also
a great way to help let my hair down from time to time.
5. Where do you think is a good place to run?
There's no need to find a professional track to run, but the place where we choose to run
must be safe enough, which might range from suburban neighborhoods (vùng nông
thôn) to public parks as these place are designed for multiple sports activities or at least
not preventing them.
6. Do you like watching running race on TV?
Well, to be honest I don't see any sense in watching people running in a race on TV,
simply because I just don't feel the same sensation I feel with actually run myself. While I
like running, I prefer to watch more aggressive sports on TV like boxing or judo.
TOPIC 62: SCIENCE
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1. Have you ever taken science courses?

Yes, I did take a lot of science lessons during my years at high school. Even though I
wasn't much of a scientist myself and wasn't very good at science, I found the subject
very intriguing (thú vị) and informative.
2. Is science important?
It's safe to say that science in general is very crucial (quan trọng) to life. Science helps
us to understand the world and universe around us. But more than that, science helps us
to satisfy our curiosity. Science is also a way to help us boost our quality of life.
3. Should we learn science?
Well, not everyone is good at science and have a liking for this subject, but I believe that
having knowledge in this feel helps us a lot in our daily life, that's why science is seen in
most curriculum for children at school. Whether we like it or not, a few lessons of science
does no harm.
4. What kind of science do people usually study?
Science is an umbrella term for many different branches but the most common one are
biology, chemistry, physics or math. These are also subjects that most children learn
during their school years.
TOPIC 63: HAIRCUT

1. What's your favorite hairstyle?
I'm not much of a fashionista (người thích thời trang)
myself, and don't have strict requirement for my hairstyle.
The one that I have always felt comfortable with is the short
and neat (gọn gàng) one, might be curly and dyed a bit from
time to time.
2. How often do you have your hair cut?
I don't usually get my hair cut, as a rule of thumb (quy tắc thông thường), I often have
my hair trimmed (tỉa) around 3,4 times a year, especially when I notice more breakage
(tóc đứt gãy) or split ends (chẻ ngọn) so the hair can remain a healthy and tidy look.
3. Do you often change your haircut?
I don't change my hairstyle very often, probably once a year. For me, changing haircut
means to dye my hair and it's not very good for health, that's why I try to limit the
number of times I change my haircut throughout a year.
TOPIC 64: JEANS

1. Do you wear jeans?
Well, jeans is so common that I believe any young people of my
generation have at least one piece in their wardrobe (tủ quần áo).
I'm not an exception. Indeed, I'm a so much of a jeans fan that
whenever I have a chance I would wear a pair of jeans.
2. How often do you wear jeans?
I used to put on jeans every day, to work, to hang out with friends.
But now that I have moved to a new workplace, where the dress code
is very strict. Everyone is required to wear a suit at work. I only wear
jeans when I'm out with friends.
3. Why do think jeans are popular in Vietnam?
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Jeans are prevalent (phổ biến) among youngsters in Vietnam because the attire helps you
look young and energetic. Besides a pair of jeans is appropriate (phù hợp) in most
situations and jeans can easily match with other outfits (trang phục) as well.
TOPIC 65: CONCENTRATION
1. When do you need to be focused?
I believe that with everything we do in life, there
must be a certain degree of focus to put in, be it
work, schoolwork, or even recreational activities so
that the activity that we do can yield the best
result.(tạo ra kết quả tốt nhất)
2. What may distract you when you are trying to
stay focused?
The world has become more distracted than it used
to be, especially with the advent of the internet and
smartphones which can lure (cám dỗ) us away the task we are doing just by a
notification sound of one phone application.
3. What do you do to help you concentrate?

Well, I believe concentration requires discipline. I have disciplined myself to turn off all
my social network notifications whenever I'm working, so I'm not disturbed while
working. That way, I can check my social networks or email later and focus more on my
jobs.
4. Is it difficult for you to stay focused on something?
I don't usually struggle to focus on anything I want but it all depends sometimes you
know. If the thing that I try to concentrate on is very boring, it might take some efforts to
concentrate on, but for everything else, concentration comes quite natural to me.
TOPIC 66: VOICE

1. Do you like your own voice?
I must say when I was a young kid, I hated my voice
a lot because some people told me that my voice is
not as sweet as the voice a girl should have. But later
on, when I grow up, I started to embrace my own
voice because like it or not, I cannot change it.
2. Has your voice ever changed?
I noticed a long time before that as I grew older, my
voice got a little deeper. And the period when I
realized that alteration (sự thay đổi) the most vivid was when I went through puberty
(giai đoạn dậy thì). It wasn't a very easy period to pass but everything is fine now.
3. Do you enjoy recording your voice and listening to it?
Well I must say that just like the typical human being, I cringe (bực tức) when I have to
listen to the recorded version of my own voice. I'm not sure I know the reason but
obviously my voice sounds to me, at least, very different from what it sounds from the
recording.
4. Does your voice sound similar to your parents?
43
My voice resembles (giống) my mom very closely, part of the reason I guess is that
genetics play a role in how our voice shapes and a child's voice development owes
something to mimicry of their parents. That's why it's not strange for people from the
same family to sound alike (nghe giống nhau).
TOPIC 67: WALKING

1. Do you walk a lot?
I must say that unfortunately I do have quite a sedentary (hay
ngồi) lifestyle, I sit around the office all day long sometimes into
the night just to finish day to day workload. I do myself realize
that walking is a great way to improve and maintain my overall
health, but it's just a bit of a challenge for me to adjust my
white-collar life (cuộc sống của nhân viên văn phòng) to
integrate more walking.
2. Do you think people walk more than in the past?

No, I don't think so. In the past, people even walked to work, a
lot of them because there are very few means of transport to choose from. Nowadays,
things have changed, most people own their private car, motorbikes and it's very rarely
that people take a walk these day.
TOPIC 68: LANGUAGES

1. What languages can you speak?
Apart from my mother tongue, the other two languages that
I have achieved a certain level of fluency (sự trôi chảy) are
English and Chinese. English is the foreign language that
most Vietnamese students are required to study at school
and Chinese is the language of my favorite because it
sounds very poetic to me.
2. Do you think that it's difficult to learn a new language?

People say I have a knack for (có khiếu) language. And as
with anything, I believe learning a new language is easier for some than others. To me
language comes easily, I may not master a language to the degree that is close to a native,
but to achieve fluency is not much of a challenge. But for some of my friends, even
though they are hardworking, it's somehow very difficult and frustrating for them just to
use the language.
3. Will you learn other languages in the future?

I'm looking at Spanish right now. My plan is to brush up on (ôn lại) my French, the
language I learned a few years back but failed to make any use for it till recently. So after
I'm done with French, Spanish is the next target. Part of the reason why I'm so keen on
learning languages is that the process of learning itself stimulates and sharpens my brain
substantially.
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SKEAKING PART 2
1. Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person. Page 38.
2. Describe an interesting person that you have never met but would like to know more. Page 40.
3. Describe someone you would like to study or work with. Page 42.
4. A - Describe an intelligent person you know.

Page 44.
B - Describe a teenager you know.
5. A - Describe a person you have seen who is beautiful or handsome.

Page 46.
B - Decribe a perdon who helps to protect the enviroment.
6. Describe someone you wanted to be similar to when you were growing up. Page 48.
7. Describe an interesting old person you met. Page 50.
8. Describe a success your friend has had that you are proud of. Page 52.
9. A - Describe a sport you watched (on TV) and would like to try.
Page 54.
B - Describe an outdoor sport that you played for the first time.
10. A - Describe a skill that took you a long time to learn.

Page 56.
B - Describe an activity you do to stay healthy.
11. A - Describe a second foreign language you would like to learn.

Page 58.
B - Describe something you want to do but don’t have time for.
12. Describe a time that you looked for information from the internet. Page 60.
13. Describe a piece of good news you recently heard from TV or the internet. Page 62.
14. Describe something you borrowed from your friend or family. Page 64.
15. Describe a time when you received something that you need. Page 66.
16. Describe the first mobile phone that you have got. Page 68.
17. Describe a time that someone gave you money as a gift. Page 70.
18. Describe a thing made you happy recently. Page 72.
19. Describe something you bought but don’t often use. Page 74.
20. Describe a time when you had a problem with a piece of equipment
Page 76.
(for example, a TV a washing machine).
21. Describe an occasion when you received bad service from a shop or a restaurant. Page 78.
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22. Describe a complaint that you made and you were satisfied with the result. Page 80.
23. Describe a time when someone didn’t tell you the whole truth about something. Page 82.
24. Describe a family business which is successful. Page 84.
25. Describe a time you changed your plan/mind. Page 86.
26. Describe an important decision you made with the help of others. Page 88.
27. Describe a book you have read recently. Page 90.
28. Describe a book you want to write. Page 92.
29. Describe an activity you would do when you are alone in your free time. Page 94.
30. Describe an interesting part of your country. Page 96.
31. Describe a new public facility that improves the local quality of life
Page 98.
(such as a park or a cinema).
32. Describe a beautiful city that you have been to. Page 100.
33. Describe a place you would like to travel to that is far away your home. Page 102.
34. Describe a good law in your country. Page 104.
35. Describe a party that you have attended. Page 106.
36. Describe a kind of food that people eat during a special event. Page 108.
37. Describe a job your grandparent did. Page 110.
38. Describe a subject you didn’t like before but have interest now. Page 112.
39. Describe a place you like to study at (indoor or outdoor). Page 114.
40. Describe something you often do to help you study or work. Page 116.
41. Describe an ideal home (house or apartment) that you would like to live in. Page 118.
42. Describe a historical period you’d like to know more about. Page 120.
43. Describe a time you found something that someone lost. Page 122.
44. Describe a film or TV program that made you laugh a lot. Page 124.
45. Describe a game you liked to play when you were a kid. Page 126.
46. Describe a plant or flower that is famous or important in your country. Page 128.
47. Describe a water sport you would like to try in the future. Page 130.
48. Decribe a time when you got up early in the morning. Page 132.
49. Decribe a quiz program or game show on TV. Page 134.
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50. Describe a time when you solved a problem via the Internet. Page 136.
51. Describe a time when you got weong information. Page 138.
52. Describe a time when you visited family or friends to have dinner
Page 140.
at home or restaurant.
53. Describe a person who has intersting ideas or opinions. Page 142.
54. Describe a person who is good at foreign languages. Page 144.
55. Describe a person who encouraged you to achieve a goal. Page 146.
56. Describe a prize you want to get. Page 148.
57. Describe a historical building. Page 150.
58. Describe an occasion when you showed something new to younger people. Page 152.
59. Describe something you bought back from a tourist attraction. Page 154.
60. Describe a time you had to change your plan. Page 156.
61. Describe a singer that you like. Page 158.
62. Describe a game (not a sport) you enjoyed as a child. Page 160.
63. Describe a time you gave advice to others. Page 162.
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1. Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person.
You should say:

What it was?
Why you did it?
Whether it was difficult to do it?
And explain your friend or your relative’s feeling?
I’m gonna talk about a time I taught my 6-year old nephew to make a simple kite.
You know, the Mid-Autumn festival is one of the most famous festivals and it is a
traditional celebration for Vietnamese children. During the festival, flying kites is a perennial
(lâu năm) favorite among children as it’s often windy. So in the last Mid-Autumn festival, my
nephew visited me and asked me to teach him how to make a kite.
We decided on the shape first. I told him to choose a flat one because it was the most basic
structure and then I got a sheet of colored paper and instructed him to cut out the shape. After
that, he was told to find thin plastic strips and tie these strips together with a string (chuỗi),
which would be the frame (khung) of the kite. Next, we made the bridle (mắc nối) which
connected the frame to the control line and finally, he learned to glue the paper to the frame.
For my young nephew, it seemed to be an arduous (gian truân) work as it took him a
whole afternoon but you know, it turned out to be quite rewarding (xứng đáng). The kite flew
pretty well in the garden the next day and he was over the moon (cực kì hạnh phúc). Our
hard work paid off. I became a superstar in his eyes and to be honest, that really made my day.
PART 3:
1. What are the common hobbies that young people and old people have?
I think that both young people and old people like doing relaxing activities. The first one
that comes to mind is going to the movies. It’s a fun social event that doesn’t take up that
much time or energy, so people of all ages enjoy it. Another common hobby is reading.
The only difference might be how they read. Old people probably prefer paper books
while young people often read on their phone or tablet.
2. What can old people teach young people?
48
Well, old people have tons of wisdom to share with young people. For one, they can teach
them practical skills, like how to manage their time and money. Old people have had way
more experience so they can share their knowledge with the younger generations.
Another thing old people can teach young people is knowledge about the past. For
example, they can tell them about what life used to be like and pass down important family
traditions.
3. What can young people teach old people?

Well, being a young person myself, a lot of things come to mind. The first one I can think
of is that young people can help old people learn about technology. They can teach them
how to use the latest gadgets322 like tablets and cellphones. Young people can also teach
old people how to adapt to new trends in society323. Things can change pretty dramatically
within a few generations, such as dress styles and the ways of entertainment.
4. What are the differences between old people and young people when they learn
new things? I believe young people are a lot more enthusiastic about learning new things.
They don’t have as much experience as old people so they’re eager to expand their
horizons. From my own experience, it’s really exciting to learn something that you don’t
already know. But I suppose that in general, old people are more hesitant to learn new
things. They don’t like change as much, so it’s hard for them to take in new knowledge324
that might change things.
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2. Describe an interesting person that you have never met but would like to know more.
You should say:

Who this person is?
How you knew about this person?
Why you think this person is interesting?
And explain why you would like to know more about this person?
When I read this cue card, off the top of my head, I am thinking of Robert Downey Jr. -
the star of Marvel’s superhero series. I have never seen him in person but I first knew him
when I watched Iron Man 1, one of the films which helped him gain enviable (đáng ghen tị)
reputation worldwide.
Speaking about his character in “The Avengers”: "Tony" Stark - Iron Man is an eccentric
(kỳ dị) genius, billionaire and philanthropist (nhà hảo tâm) and the chairman of Stark
Industries. This characterization made him into a huge blockbuster (bom tấn) phenomena
(hiện tượng). Apart from that, he is also famous for his comedy “” I have to say that he has a
great sense of humor. His personal life is always an inspirational topic for journalists. At his
early age, he dropped out of high school in California in the pursuit (theo đuổi) of professional
acting. He had suffered decades of living under the shadow of drug abuse (lạm dụng) and
breaching (vi phạm) of law. His story has a great influence on people around the world, I
believe. As a result, Robert’s motivational quote on success left a strong impression on the
young generation, and I am no exception: “You need to know what to do when the sun is not
shining.” From the ups and downs he went through, the way he overcame those obstacles and
achieved the glory in his career, he has my admiration already. It would be my wish-come-true
if I had a chance to interview and get to know more about him - a great inspiration to me.
50
2
3. Describe someone you would like to study or work with.
You should say:

Who this person is?
How long you have known this person?
What you have done together?
And explain why you would like to work/study with this person?
I’m gonna talk about a friend of mine, Thanh, who is a real chatterbox (ba hoa).
I met him at a birthday party of a mutual friend last year and like many people in that party,
I was instantly drawn to him. Unlike other people who hold forth (nêu ra) on subjects that
make you feel bored to death, Thanh could charm strangers with his intriguing (hấp dẫn) real-
life stories.
He loves to crack the conversations with strangers irrespective of their age, gender and
status. And because of his good sense of humor (khiếu hài hước), even a new person loves to
be in his company (bạn đồng hành). He wants to give his words of wisdom on everything
being discussed around him.
To be honest, I’m sometimes envious (ghen tị) of his ability to mix well with (hòa nhập với)
people around him. He’s gregarious (hòa nhập) while I tend to be shy in front of strangers.
Many people who first met me think I’m standoffish (nổi bật) but I do want to socialize and
make friends. I would say that Thanh is soft-hearted and is a good companion (bạn đồng
hành). I would like to be close to him so that I could learn some of his ability to get on well
with other people.
3
4. A - Describe an intelligent person you know.

B - Describe a teenager you know.
You should say: (4a) You should say: (4b)

Who this person is? Who he or she is?
What this person did? How you got to know him or her?
Why you think the person is smart? What this teenager likes to do?
And explain how you feel about the person? And how you feel about this teenager?
(Note: 4a and 4b can be grouped as to describe the same person with 2 mentioned
characteristics which are “intelligent” and “teenage".)
I would like to talk about my cousin who really has the same lifestyle as I do. He’s only
17 but he’s a very knowledgeable guy. He bears a striking resemblance to his father - my
uncle (có nét tương đồng với ba tôi - chú tôi). They both have medium height, pointed face
and short cropped hair. He does lots of exercise and is quite well-built (lực lưỡng, cường
tráng). I often call him a fashion icon (biểu tượng thời trang) as he keeps up with the latest
fashion and takes a lot of pride in his appearance.
We shared our childhood with countless games, tricks, laughters and even complaints from
parents. So, I must say that he is not only cousin but also best friend to me. Even when we grow
up, as I said earlier, we still have the same lifestyle, especially when it comes to food. We all
love whole plant foods because they happen to be healthy and are full of fiber (chất xơ),
vitamins and minerals (khoáng chất).
One of the reasons why he’s my best friend is that he has inspired me to follow a healthy
diet. And as a saying goes, if you want to be better, hang out with people who are better than
you. That’s so true because I’ve been improved my diet a lot since I know him.
Not only that he’s taught me how to cook plant food. He’s a great cook by the way and
his dishes are super delicious. When being asked where he learned all the cooking skills, he
said to me that he learned all of those on Youtube. And he always shares with me all what he
knows. In other words, he doesn’t hide anything. I find him more trustful and interesting than
many other people I know. Sometimes I help him with his math homework and we really value
our family bonding.
2
5. A - Describe a person you have seen who is beautiful or handsome.

B - Describe a person who helps to protect the enviroment.
You should say: (5a) You should say: (5b)

Where you saw this person? Who this person is?
When you saw this person? How this person protects the environment?
What the person looked like? Whether it is difficult for the person to protect the environment?
Why you think this person is And explain how you felt about it?
handsome or beautiful?
(Note: 5a and 5b can be grouped as to describe the same person with 2 mentioned
characteristics which are “handsome” and “protect the environment".)
I’m going to talk about Leonardo DiCaprio who is an internationally acclaimed (được
quốc tế hoan nghênh) actor. I’m a big fan of him and I like nothing more than to be engrossed
in (bị thu hút) his blockbusters (phim bom tấn). But what really makes me respect him is
that he’s also an environmentalist. Over the last few decades, he has worked strategically to
shift public awareness on key environmental issues.
In 1998, he created the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to support organizations and
initiatives (sáng kiến) dedicated to securing a sustainable (bền vững) future for our planet.
Since then, Leo has built long-standing relationships with some of the great leaders on the
planet, staying continually engaged and active on the most pressing issues (vấn đề cấp bách)
we face such as climate change, access to clean water, protecting biodiversity (đa dạng sinh
học), oceans conservation and disaster relief.
He dedicates half of his website (www.leonardodicaprio.org) to environmental news and
content and is now building his social media channels in an effort to reach the public more
directly and to promote creative solutions to environmental problems.
Leo has always been a great source of inspiration for (nguồn cảm hứng) me as well as
millions of his fan. I’m now putting my efforts into saving our planet by reducing the use of
plastic containers, recycling waste, travelling using public transportation system and yeah,
planting.
3
6. Describe someone you wanted to be similar to when you were growing up.
You should say:

Who the person was?
How you got to know this person?
What impressed you most about this person?
And explain why you wanted to be like this person?
It would definitely be my paternal grandfather who is on the top of my head when I read
this question. I remember being told stories about how at a very young age; my gramps
(=grandfathers) took me in because both my parents hands were tied with my older brother
and their schooling. Because handling two baby boys was an arduous (gian truân) task, they
pretty much put me up for adoption for my grandparents as I spent a good amount of my
childhood with them. Being around my gramps almost every day, I became like a son to him
and he treated me as such. Although he was quite traditional with his ways during my youth,
he began to adapt to the change of society as I grew older. At first, he was your stereotypical
Asian parent, wanting me to pursue (theo đuổi) a career in the medical field or to not hang out
with friends too much. It was because of this that caused me to distance myself from him and
feel resentment (phẫn nộ) everytime I spoke to him but as time went on, he became accepting
of my choices and behaviors. He respected my decision to become a musician. He respected
my close group of friends ranging (khác nhau) from those who had aspirations to go to
college, to those who just wanted a factory job. It was with this change where I saw a different
perspective (quan điểm) about him. Because of his understanding of who I was and empathy
(đồng cảm) for how I felt, I finally felt that we had crossed the last barricade (rào cản) within
our relationship. We were now able to communicate freely without any fear of judgments or
misunderstandings.
My admiration for him became what it is today because of what we both went through
together. Everything that I did in my life, he stood behind me one hundred percent of the way.
In general, he is the greatest role model that I always wanted to become.
2
7. Describe an interesting old person you met.
You should say:

Who this person was?
How you met this person?
What you did or talked about?
And explain why you think this person was interesting?
Off the top of my head, there would be no-one else more suitable to tell than Ms.Ba - a
very close neighbor to my family.
I first knew her when my family moved to the city and she was that kind and generous old
lady living next door to us. She was also the one who welcomed and willing to support our
family when we were in need of help. It has been nearly 10 years now and even though she is
in her early 70s, she looks really young and is always full of energy. I guess the reason is that
she has a positive way of life (đời sống lạc quan) and always looks on the bright side (nhìn
vào khía cạnh tươi sáng) of the problem.
Ms.Ba’s hobby is to cook and invite friends or close neighbors to dinner. As a veteran
chef (đầu bếp kì cựu) at an acclaimed local restaurant, she excels in (xuất sắc trong việc)
cooking both traditional Vietnamese dishes and exotic Western cuisine (ẩm thực mới lạ của
phương Tây). I still remember vividly (sống động) the smell and the taste of the dishes she
cooked and how clumsy I was when I tried to help her in the kitchen once. She was so inspiring
and dedicated to helping her own grandchildren and other people to cook delicious meals.
She shows us carefully how to prepare and clean ingredients for each recipe (công thức
nấu ăn) as she tells us hygiene (vệ sinh) must be the top priority. She also gives us some
interesting cooking tricks that could make a difference in the dish. For example, she once told
me that fishy smell from seafood could be removed by using milk, which was incredible!
1
8. Describe a success your friend has had that you are proud of.
You should say:

Who your friend is?
When it happened?
How easy or difficult it was to achieve?
And explain why you thought this was a success?
I’m gonna talk about the success of my team in the Sports Competition held in my university to
celebrate Teacher’s Day. It was a special occasion for students to let their hair down (thư giãn) after the
exam season and the main purpose of it was to motivate students to do more sports.
My team participated in a wide range of (phạm vi rộng) joyful activities including the 50, 100 and
200 meter races, the field events of tug of war, long jump and high jump. We were the runners-up (á
quân) before the football match and if we won that match, we would have an opportunity to become the
champion. We had put a lot of effort in practicing playing football for about a month to prepare for the
match so all we desired was victory.
I played midfield (tiền vệ) but unfortunately, in round 2, my ankle was sprained so bad that I had to
leave the field for treatment. You know, our team had at last found a match where we could compete on
equal terms (ngang tài ngang sức) with our opponent and the situation turned worse due to my absence.
But beyond our expectation, our team became the champion with a goal scored in the last 5 minutes of the
final match.
Some of my classmates did burst into tears (bật khóc) because they thought it was impossible for us
to win but the rest of the team managed to do so and this make me very proud of them.
2
9. Describe a sport you watched (on TV) and would like to try (A)
Describe an outdoor sport that you played for the first time. (B)
You should say: (A) You should say: (B)

What sport it is? What it is?
How you have got to know it? When and where you played?
Whether it is difficult to do? Who you played it with?
And explain why you would like to try it? And how you felt about the sport?
It may sound a little bit weird but the sport I’m keen on learning is archery (bắn cung). I was quite
inspired by the Spartan longbowmen depicted by an American blockbuster (phim bom tấn) called 300
which I watched 2 years ago on HBO. 300 tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae in the year 480 B.C.
In this movie, Persians under the rule of King Xerxes have already taken over some of the Greek city-
states, and now threaten Sparta and Athens.
In this battle, Spartans were greatly outnumbered by the Persians and the longbow men were key
to their victory against the Persian. With the longbows, a small army mostly consisted of commoners could
defeat a much larger enemy army ruled by heavily armed nobility. They were so amazing.
The second reason is that just like other sports, archery keeps me fit (giữ dáng). It requires great
strength to draw a long bow and a greater focus and calmness to be able to aim accurately. Due to my
short-sightedness (cận thị), I’m not very good at aiming but it could helps train my eyes to look further
and faster and quicken my reflexes (tập phản xạ nhanh) in the long term. I believe so.
Last but not least, archery is just fun I like it when you pull the string back, release it and send off
your arrow in the air and when it hits the bullseye, it’s an amazing accomplishment. To me, it’s an effective
way to let off steam (thư giãn) after a long day at work. Now I’m practicing with my toy bow and I hope
that I would be able to afford the time, money and space to be able to take up archery more seriously in the
future.
PART 3:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing outdoor sports?

Honestly, sports really aren’t my cup of tea so I might be a little biased. But if I have to think of
advantages, I guess one is that you usually have much larger areas to play in. Another advantage is
that you get fresh air while you play. But the downsides would be that you’re subject to the weather,
which can change on a dime66. It would suck67 to be caught in a downpour.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing indoor sports?
3
Off the top of my head, I would say that the advantages are that the environment is way cleaner and
more controlled than it is outside. When you’re playing outdoors, you have to deal with inclement
weather68. But inside, you can manage the temperature and you don’t have to worry about getting too
dirty. But on the flip side, indoor sports can often get crowded since facilities tend to be small.
3. What sports involve teamwork?

There are tons of sports that require you to be a team player. I’m not exactly an expert when it comes
to sports, but I can think of a few like basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Those ones obviously require
teams. But there are also smaller-scale sports like badminton, which involves teamwork when you
play it in pairs. In all of those sports, you have to trust your teammates and make sure you work well
together.
4. What kinds of outdoor sports are popular in your country?

I’m not a giant fan of outdoor sports, but a lot of my friends are. As far as I know, badminton and
volleyball are really popular, especially in the summer. During the last summer holiday, some people
I know actually set up a badminton tournament69. It was a blast just to watch them all go at it70. I
guess another one would be soccer. It’s probably a good way to blow off steam but I’d rather just
watch.
4
10. Describe a skill that took you a long time to learn. (A)
Describe an activity you do to stay healthy. (B)

What skill it was? What you do?
How long it took you to learn it? When and where you usually do it?
How you learnt it? How you do it (whether you enjoy it)?
And explain how useful the skill was? And explain why this activity helps you stay healthy?
I’m gonna talk about my hobby, it may sound a little bit weird but it’s Latin American dancing which
I took up 7 years ago.
I’d just got over some health problems and my doctor advised me to start off with some light exercises.
It was my boyfriend who talked me into it (thuyết phục) – he’s mad keen on (cực kỳ mê) dancing. We
went to a free introductory class to try it out and loved it, so we signed up for the course. It’s really hard to
start with, but if you stick at it, you gradually pick up the steps, and one you’ve got them, the variations
come easily. I have been learning for more than 7 years, but it only took me around 4 years to dance
confidently.
Although dancing requires a lot of time and efforts, there are a host of (nhiều) reasons why I like
dancing. Dancing provides me both physical and mental refreshment and relaxation. First, dancing is a
great form of aerobic exercise since it works many muscles in the body. It helps keep me in good shape
(giữ dáng).
Second, I find dancing especially helpful whenever I’m down in the dumps (buồn chán). My life
revolves around the assignments and I’m always up to the ears in work (mệt bở hơi tai). Dancing is an
effective way to while away an afternoon. When I’m engrossed in Latin American songs, which are a great
source of inspiration and motivation, I can easily get out of stress and negative attitudes. I usually spend
an hour dancing a day. Although it’s only a short time, I do feel some of the burdens I shoulder are swept
away and am prepared to face whatever comes next.
In addition to that, I can make acquaintance with (làm quen với) many interesting people there.
We came as strangers and eventually our friendship bonds more closely thanks to the positive experiences
we've shared on the dancefloor.
5
PART 3:
1. Is motivation important for learning new things?

Yes, I believe motivation is key when it comes to9 learning new things. To be specific, when you want
to learn something new outside of work or school, the only thing that will get you to learn it is your
own will. You have to be determined and motivated because there isn’t any outside pressure for you
to learn. I suppose that people can be motivated to learn new things by focusing on the benefits that
knowledge can bring them.
2. What do people learn from parents and teachers respectively?

Well, since your parents are with you literally for your whole life, they have a huge influence on you.
I think parents teach you how to treat others, whether they’re friends or other family members. They
help shape your outlook on the world10. But teachers mainly teach knowledge related to academic
subjects, like language and science. They also teach you about the world and give you new
perspectives.
3. What skills should be taught to kids before they go to school?

It seems to me that kids should be taught interpersonal skills11. They need to know how to get along
with other kids, even if they don’t immediately like them. In that way, they can make school a more
welcome environment for all the students. They can also get the most out of 12 their education by
making friends as well as learning new things. So their parents should teach them how to be kind and
considerate towards others.
4. In general, what skills do adults need to have?

Well, from my perspective, adults should have good communication and interpersonal skills. They
need to know how to express themselves and explain what they want and expect from others. If they
don’t know how to communicate properly, they could end up stepping on someone else’s toes 13 or
cause confusion. They should also know how to get along with others, whether they’re colleagues or
coworkers. That’s an important skill you need for life.
6
11. Describe a second foreign language you would like to learn. (A)
Describe something you want to do but don’t have time for. (B)

What it is and where it is spoken? What it is?
How would you learn it? Why you would like to do it?
What difficulties you might have when learning it? How easy or difficult it is to do it?
And explain why you would choose to study this And explain why you don’t have time for it?
language?
As my university focuses on offering foreign language courses so its compulsory for students to
study at least one foreign language besides English. We could pick from a wide range of (phạm vi rộng)
Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Arabian, Thai, German, French and so on. Honestly, at first, I was clueless
about what to major in and I even seek advice from my father.
He suggested that I give Korean a try because of its easy phonetic pronunciation and simple
alphabet. It saves me more time and effort compared to the complex characters of Chinese and Japanese.
Also, when I was a teenager, my favorite genre of music (thể loại) was Korean ballad. I used to sing along
many Korean songs so I’m familiar with its sound and pronunciation.
Moreover, as South Korea has retained its position as VN's leading source of foreign direct
investment, this language may make me become a potential applicant to be employable and I believe I will
have more opportunities to get a well-paid job (công việc lương cao).
In addition to that, the Vietnamese government are encouraging students to learn Korean language
and culture in order to contribute to the understanding and enhance the strategic partnership (quan hệ
đối tác chiến lược) between the two countries. All of these reasons are what make Korean the best choice
for me.
PART 3:
1. Should everyone learn a foreign language?

Yeah, I believe it’d be a great idea for everyone to learn a foreign language. For one, having a second
language can help brain development. For another, if you travel somewhere and everyone is speaking a
different language, it could be very helpful if you happen to know it. So not only can language sharpen
your intellect, but it can also help you to immerse yourself in447 new places and cultures.
2. What can people do to learn a second language?

I suppose there are tons of ways for people to learn a second language. The first one that comes to mind
7
is taking a class. Plenty of schools have elective courses 448 where you can learn a fore gn language. But
if you’re not in school anymore, you can always take an online class or even download an app to learn
another language. Another way is to actually travel somewhere foreign and try to pick up449 the language
from the locals.
3. Why do some people learn a language well, while others don’t?

I think a lot of it comes down to memory450. And good memory definitely helps when you learn a new
language. For example, my best friend Lisa learned English faster than the rest of us because she’s a
whiz451 when it comes to memorizing things. In contrast, sometimes it’s hard for the rest of us to
remember the words, pronunciation, and grammar rules – information comes in one ear and goes out the
other452. So while Lisa was a natural in the English class, many of us struggled through most of it.
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a universal language in the world? What
are the advantages and disadvantages of only having one language in the world?
I think there are lots of pros and cons for having a universal language. For one, it would make
communication super easy since everyone would be able to understand each other. For another, it would
probably result in less prejudices because no one would say their language is superior to another’s. But
if we only had one language, we would lose all the different cultures that different languages represent.
It would be a crying shame453 for that to happen.
5. What’s the best way to learn a new language?

It seems to me that the best way to learn a new language is a combination of taking classes and working
with someone who speaks it as a first language. For example, one of my friend wanted to learn Japanese,
so she took an online class and then spent some time in Japan, where she hired a tutor to help her work
on her pronunciation. So I suppose that’s the most effective way to learn a new language.
6. What other kind of language is important besides English?

Well besides English, as far as I know, Spanish is also an important language in the world. You know,
it’s widely used all over the world; countries like Spain, Mexico and tons of South American countries
all speak Spanish. There are also many Spanish speakers living in the States and Canada. Given456 China
has international trades with so many Spanish-speaking countries, I think being able to speak Spanish
greatly enhances your resume.
8
12. Describe a time that you looked for information from the internet.
You should say:

When you looked for?
What you were looking for; How long it took?
And explain how you felt about the information (whether it is useful)?
Last week, I did some research on the internet looking for a magazine called Naked food which is
a quarterly magazine (tạp chí xuất bản theo quý) focusing on whole food plant-based nutrition.
It was recommended to me by Dr. John Watson – an internationally acclaimed expert in nutrition.
I would say he’s a very knowledgeable guy and I really admire him. He recommended this magazine to
me and millions of his followers on his Facebook.
I could find numerous helpful instructions and it just dawned on me that I had to follow them to
improve my health. I have read all the benefits of whole plant food and I’m very big on health and nutrition.
They can prevent so many leading causes of death such as heart disease, cancers, diabetes, stroke and stuff
like that. I used to believe that red meat and dairy products are staple food (thực phẩm chính) and I
consumed a large amount of prepared food, fast food and junk food like snack. Thanks to the magazine,
I’ve realized that these kinds of food jeopardize (gây nguy hiểm cho) people’s health. Therefore, I’ve
changed my diet and lifestyle and now I’m able to help others to be informed about food they get into their
bodies. Without it, I would have still believed that meat, diary and eggs were the way to go.
While in the past, people had to look for information at libraries or in their own books, in the era
of IT, we mainly access information on the Internet. Now I’m a subscriber to this magazine instead of
buying a paper version at a local newsagent. The Internet is an enormous source of information that can be
immensely helpful for students looking to broaden their knowledge( mở rộng kiến thức). I personally
benefit tremendously (rất nhiều) from the Internet and I hope that people should learn how to use it in a
proper way.
PART 3:
1. What ways can people get information these days except the internet?
There are tons of ways for people to get information nowadays, even aside from the internet. For
example, there are plenty of tried-and-true15 methods like getting info from books, magazines, or
newspapers. With the popularity of television and movies, lots of people learn a ton of information
from those mediums too.
9
2. What are the differences between getting information from a library and getting information
from a newspaper? / Given the fact that many books in libraries are often out of date, are
libraries still necessary?
Well, (even though some of the materials in libraries can be out-of-date, I still believe they’re one of
the best sources for reliable and valid information.16) When you get information from a library, you
can look at books or articles that have definitely been fact-checked and published by reputable people
and publishers. But I think in general, newspapers can be more biased and less objective about the
truth.
3. Is information found on the internet reliable? / What are the disadvantages of getting
information from the internet?
I suppose that it depends. There are tons of educational sites that are constantly fact-checked so
they’re accurate. But a lot of the internet is created by people who don’t care about being true to life,
so you can often find a lot of fake news or information when surfing the web. That’s definitely a
disadvantage of getting information from the internet; sometimes it can be a challenge to tell what’s
real and what’s fake17.
4. How do you distinguish if the information you searched online is real or not?
Well, I generally look at what kind of sources have been used, and I also judge the appearance of the
website. For example, if a website has poor graphics and lots of grammatical errors, it’s probably not
displaying information collected by professionals. But if there are reliable sources listed on the
website, then you’re probably safe to go ahead and take it at face value18 . Of course there are
exceptions to every rule. You just have to be very careful.
5. How about getting information from TV?

Well, when you get information from TV, it can be pretty easy to just take it at face value. This is
especially true if you’re watching a news program. Most of the time, the information that’s shown on
those types of shows has been fact-checked, so you can generally trust it. But it’s always better to be
safe than sorry19, so I think it’s good to double-check something when you hear it on TV.
10
13. Describe a piece of good news you recently heard from TV or the internet.
You should say:

What it was about?
When you got this news?
Where you got the news?
And explain why you think it was a piece of good news?
I’m gonna talk the a nti-smoking legislation in public places which came into force (được ban hành)
in 2019 in Vietnam. I first heard about this law on TV a year ago when the question of whether smoking
should be banned emerged as one of the most heated debates.
Smoking is believed to have detrimental effects on human’s health and it’s the primary culprit for
some of the most leading causes of death such as lung cancer, tuberculosis (bệnh lao) and other
respiratory (hô hấp) problems. However, this law was opposed by many smokers and giant tobacco
companies as this will affect their profits.
At the time the law was introduced, Facebook and other social media were flooded with the
information about it along with various contradictory opinions (ý kiến trái chiều) on such government
decisions. As a person who suffer from asthma (bệnh hen suyễn) due to the exposure to passive smoke
during my childhood, I’m very glad to know that smoking in public areas is illegal and these smokers
would be fined if they refuse to find a specific place for them.
Hopefully, this law will reduce the number of people who smoke and improve the quality of the
atmosphere as well as help prevent fatal diseases (bệnh chết người).
PART 3:
1. Which kinds of people like reading news and which don’t like it?
I suppose that people who like to stay well-informed41 enjoy reading the news. Generally speaking, I
believe businessmen are regular readers of the news because they need to focus on whether new
policies have a good or bad influence on their business. On the flip side 42, people who have a small
attention span43 or care about less serious things probably don’t like reading the news. You know,
those people aren’t that concerned with what’s going on in the world around them. They may care
more about their daily life and their own family.
2. What kind of news do people like?

I think that in general, people like news about celebrities. There are dozens of tabloid magazines44
that make money off of45 people wanting to hear all the latest gossip about their favorite stars.
Personally, I think it’s really shallow46 of people to want to know so much about strangers, but I guess
11
it can’t be helped when we live in a society that focuses so much on famous people. Everyone just
wants to know the latest goings-on.
3. Do young people and old people like the same type of news?
I don’t think so. If you ask me47, young people like news about celebrities or pop culture. For example,
lots of my friends spend hours scrolling through news articles about their favorite stars. But when it
comes to old people, I think they probably enjoy news that are focused on politics. For example, my
grandpa likes staying up to date with the latest actions of famous politicians. They’re much more
serious in that regard48.
4. Besides TV, how do people get news?

Well, when it comes to people my age, I know that getting news from social media websites is actually
pretty common. For example, I often check out sites like Sina49 so I’m in the know with what’s going
on. But I know lots of other people get news the old-fashioned way through actual newspapers. Many
old people are subscribed to a ton of newspapers that keep them informed. To each their own50.
5. Do you think children should start watching news from a young age?
I don’t really think children should start watching news from a young age. A lot of what you see on
the news or read about in the papers is pretty serious. For example, there are lots of stories about
violent acts like robberies and murders. I think kids should be allowed to be kids51 and not have to
worry about heavy stuff like that. Maybe they can start paying attention to the news when they’re
older.
6. Do you think we should pay attention to the latest news?

Yeah, I believe it’s important to pay attention to the latest news. After all, a good citizen is an
informed citizen. If you watch or read the latest news, you can know more about what’s going on in
the world. That’ll give you material for interesting and informative conversations with the people
around you. Actually nowadays, people are too focused on themselves. It’s good to branch out52 and
pay attention to stuff like that.
12
14. Describe something you borrowed from your friend or family.
You should say:

What you borrowed?
When you borrowed it?
What you used it for?
And explain why you borrowed it?
I’m gonna talk about a time I borrowed money from my father two years ago to buy a new phone.
My old phone was an essential part of my life. It held my contacts, my photos and my music collection.
Thanks to it, I could get instant access to my favorite websites. It was like having my whole life in my
pocket and I couldn’t live without it.
However, after 4 years of using, I suffer fast battery drain, slow charging and frequent apps crashes
which are indeed of the most frustrating (khó chịu) problems. Once I used it to take some pictures on my
trip, I dropped it in the pool so it got immersed (chìm) in water. I had it fixed, but from that day, my phone
was out of order sometimes.
It just dawned on me that (tôi chợt nhận ra rằng) I need to replace it. I decided to purchase an
Iphone 7, a high – spec (siêu việt) smartphone with the latest operating system. It was the latest gadget at
that time which cost an arm and a leg (rất đắt tiền), nearly a thousand dollar. Moreover, it was of vital
importance to invest in a screen protector and a case but I was a sophomore and I lived on my budget (có
nguồn tài chính eo hẹp) at that time so I had to ask for my father’s financial support.
Iphone 7 was trendy and pricey and I was over the moon (sung sướng, hạnh phúc) when I
received one. It has various innovative features including a Super Retina Display, True Depth Camera
System, wireless charging and Face ID. I took it wherever I went during the first month, even to the
bathroom. It made me very pleased to imagine that I could soon show it off (khoe) to my classmates.
Luckily, I was able to payback my loan a year after that when I found a part-time job and got my first
salary.
PART 3:
1. Why do some people like to borrow things, such as books and CDs, instead of buying them?
Well, for one, borrowing things is a lot cheaper than buying them. People nowadays can be very tight
with their budgets167. After all, money doesn’t grow on trees168. Secondly, if you’re not sure if you’ll
like something, like a book or a CD, it’s nice to just borrow it so that you aren’t stuck with it after if
it’s not your cup of tea. That’s why libraries are so popular for borrowing books.
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2. What would you do if people didn’t return the money they borrowed from you? What if the
borrower was your best friend?
Well, if someone didn’t return the money they borrowed from me, my first response would probably
be to talk to them about it. If it’s been a while and they still haven’t repaid their debt, I would try to
sit down and chat about it so that we can figure the problem out169. I would try not to blow my top170;
that doesn’t help anyone out. If they were my best friend, I honestly wouldn’t mind. I’d give them
anything, ha-ha.
3. Why are people embarrassed when they borrow money from others?
Well, I guess many people are too proud to ask for money because they think asking for it means
they’re too dependent on others. And I believe some people think borrowing money from others
makes them look desperate or foolish. For example, my sister wanted to borrow money from my
parents so she could buy a nice outfit, but she was pretty embarrassed that she hadn’t saved enough
money on her own.
4. What problems would happen when people borrow things?

Well, the first problem that comes to mind is that sometimes people can forget to return what they
borrow. For example, I lent my friend Lisa my favorite book so she could read it, and it took three
years for her to return it! Every time I asked for it back, she said she would bring it the next time we
hung out, but she always forgot. I swear she’d lose her head if it wasn’t attached to her shoulders 173!
5. What things would neighbors borrow from each other? (Things they can return)/ Is it good
to borrow things from neighbors?
Well, in my experience, neighbors usually borrow small things, like a tool for repairs or some
kitchenware when they’re in a pinch174. One time, my neighbor was baking a chicken but her baking
bowl was suddenly broken. So my parents lent her our baking pans that she needed at the time. I think
it’s nothing bad to borrow something from your neighbors as long as you can return it in time. And I
believe it helps neighbors to understand and build trust between each other. If you can help them out
when you can, they will give you a hand when you need help.
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15. Describe a time when you received something that you need.
You should say:

What it was?
Who gave it to you?
Why you want it?
And explain your feeling?
I’m gonna talk about the time I received my first salary.

Before that, my old phone started to deteriorate. It was an essential part of my life but after 4 years of
using, I suffered fast battery drain (cạn pin nhanh), slow charging (sạc chậm) and frequent apps
crashes (treo app) which are indeed of the most frustrating problems. Once I used it to take some pictures
on my trip and I dropped it in the pool so it got immersed in water. I had it fixed, but from that day, my
phone was out of order (bị hỏng) sometimes.
It just dawned on me that I had to replace it. So, I decided to buy a new one using my own money, as
I thought I couldn’t keep asking my parents to buy me all the things I want anymore. I visited some websites
to check for smartphones types, brands and prices and finally found the phone that I thought would meet
all my needs. However, at that time, it cost an arm and a leg and I still lived on my budget.
I was in desperate need of (cần tiền) money. I had to find some part-time job like working as a
private tutor and translator to earn some extra income, and tried to reduce the budget I spent on shopping
to economize as much as possible.
Finally, at the end of the month, I was paid $500 and I had enough money to buy my dream phone. At
the moment I first held that wad of cash in my hands, I felt a great sense of satisfaction (tôi cảm thấy tự
mãn vô cùng). It was not only the feeling of owning a new technology gadget but also the happiness of
making my own money.
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16. Describe the first mobile phone that you have got.
You should say:

When and where you got it?
Who bought it?
What you mostly used it for
And explain the difference/influence it made to your life?
I got my first cell phone about ten years ago. At that time, the smartphone was still a concept. That
year, I passed the entrance exam to one of the most prestigious (danh giá) high schools in HCMC so my
father bought me a cellphone as a reward.
The phone was an Iphone 4 and it was the latest gadget at that time. It was trendy and pricey and I
was over the moon (rất sung sướng hạnh phúc) and I took it wherever I went during the first month,
even the bathroom. I finally had my own cell phone, while before I could only watch others phoning or
texting. Moreover, it made me very pleased to imagine that I could soon show it off to my classmates.
My phone was an essential part of my life. It held my contacts, my photos and my music collection.
Thanks to it, I could get instant access to my favorite websites. It has various features like video, MP3
player, digital camera and games. It even has a calendar that reminds me about homework and assignments.
It was like having my whole life in my pocket and I couldn’t live without it.
Now it gets outdated and I had to replace it by a new phone, however, I still keep it as it’s not just a
phone, it’s more than that, it’s a gift from my father.
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17. GIFT
PART 2: Describe a time that someone gave you money as a gift.
You should say:

Who gave the money to you?
When you received it?
What you did?
And explain your feeling?
I’m going to talk about a time I received lucky money from my neighbor last Lunar New Year. He’s
two years older than me. He’s an application developer so he makes a lucrative income (kiếm được rất
nhiều tiền). He always gives lucky money to children and all of those who are younger than him in our
neighborhood on a yearly basis.
You know he and I we go way back. We’re best buddies. Actually, we’ve known each other for 20
years as we live next door. He really has the same lifestyle as I do, especially when it comes to food. One
of the reasons why he’s my best friend is that he has inspired me to follow a healthy diet. We all love whole
plant foods because they happen to be healthy and are full of fiber and vitamins.
He was the first person to come to my house on the first day of New Year. Usually, a person of good
temper, morality and success will be a lucky sign for the host family and be invited first into the house on
Tet. It’s common to give a red envelope during New Year in VN. Traditionally speaking, if you have
started earning money, it is time to start your experience of giving red envelopes. Giving a red packet is a
way to share your blessings.
As he got a promotion at work with a raise so my lucky money this year was much higher in
comparison with the years before. I was over the moon (vô cùng sung sướng) as I was able to buy my
dream Iphone 8 thanks to his generosity.
PART 3
1. Have you received anything that was made by the giver?

Yes, I have! For my birthday last year, my aunt gave me a gorgeous scarf that she had knitted1 herself.
It was a soft blue that looked so nice on me. I was over the moon because blue is my favorite color,
which my aunt knew. It was such a sweet way for her to show her love for me. I really appreciated it.
In fact, I wear it all the time.
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2. Do people prefer to receive handmade gifts or something bought in stores?
I suppose that generally, people prefer receiving handmade gifts. It really shows that you care when
you make something with your own two hands for someone. But I guess it depends; some people love
designer clothes or other gifts that can only be found in stores. Personally, I think it’s very sweet
when someone gives me a present they made themselves. It’s just a way of going that extra mile2.
3. What kinds of handmade gifts can be made at home? /What kinds of handcraft do people
like to make at home?
Um…you can make lots of simple gifts at home. For example, you can make cards or drawings for
loved ones. But if you have a knack for crafting, you can also make more elaborate gifts like picture
frames or little ornaments3. I know a lot of people who like knitting scarves or hats for their friends
and family. Personally, knitting isn’t my cup of tea, so I like making paintings for people as gifts.
4. Who are better at making handcrafts, boys or girls?

Well, it’s kind of a stereotype4, but I’d guess that girls are better at making handcrafts. You know,
generally girls have more patience, so they can sit for a long time and stay focused on the task. I
suppose that a lot of boys prefer being more active by running around or playing sports, so I don’t
think they’d want to make handcrafts that much. That being said5, there are always exceptions to the
rule.
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18. Describe a thing made you happy recently.
You should say:

What it was?
When it happened?
Where it happened?
And explain why you are happy?
I’m gonna talk about a time I helped a pregnant lady.

It was about a week ago when I was on a bus trip from my campus to the city center to attend a workshop
held by the US Consulate, I met a pregnant lady who got on the bus at one of the stations. At that time, the
bus was already swarming with students and many of them even had to stand as there were not enough
seats for all. In that stuffy atmosphere, the lady’s face suddenly turned pale and she had to hold onto the
handrail tightly. Sweat was rolling off (mồ hôi lắm tắm) her forehead.
Without hesitation, I stood up and asked her to take my seat. Then I quickly opened the glass window,
trying to release the heat from inside the bus. After taking a deep breath, the lady seemed to feel better and
started to have a conversation with me. She thanked me for saving her the seat as without a place to sit, she
thought she would have fainted because of dizziness.
I think anyone witnessed that moment would also do the same. If the lady had stood for a long time,
that would have affected not only her own health but also her baby inside. At the end of the day, I was still
thrilled because I had helped not only one but two people. I mean the mom and her baby.
PART 3:
1. What are the connections between money and happiness?’

Well, you know what they say – money can’t buy happiness. But I think that having money means
you can have a comfortable life, and you can afford things that make you happy. For example, for
people who are bookworms, buying books actually brings them a lot of joy. Plus, with money you
can give your loved ones gifts, which from personal experience can make you really happy.
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2. Do most people think that money is important?
Yeah, I’d say so. Actually a lot of people believe money is the key to a successful life, but as I said
just now, money can’t buy happiness. You can’t depend on having money that much175; it’ll just let
you down in the end. But in my opinion, people think money is important because it helps them lead
a comfortable life and meet their basic needs. So in that way, having enough money is definitely a
must.
3. Are rich people happier than poor people?

Well, this is definitely a tough question to answer. On the one hand, money can buy external things176,
but true happiness comes from inside. So people shouldn’t assume that the rich are happier than the
poor. But on the other hand, people are generally happier when they don’t have to worry about making
ends meet. When you’re not living paycheck to paycheck177, you can focus more on building healthy
and happy relationships, which brings you a lot of joy in the long run.
4. Does work make people feel happy?

I’d say it depends on what kind of work they’re doing. A lot of people believe that if you love what
you do, you’ll never work a day178 in your life. So if people are doing work that they’re passionate
about and really interested in, then I’m sure their work will make them feel over the moon. But if
people hate their job, it’ll just make them miserable179.
5. What are the differences between happiness from money and happiness from socializing?
I think the happiness that comes from money is very self-centered180. People tend to spend money on
themselves, so they’re the only ones who really gain anything. But happiness that comes from
socializing benefits everyone involved. For example, when people have a blast at a party, it’s because
they’re all talking to each other and sharing their experiences. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
20
19. Describe something you bought but don’t often use.
You should say:

What it is?
When and where you bought it?
What it is used for and why you bought it?
And explain why you don’t often use it?
I’m going to talk about the set of clothes that I wore to a birthday celebration.
It was about a year ago when I was invited to the party hold at a luxurious Western food establishment
(nhà hàng). I’m not a slave to fashion (nghiện mặc đẹp) and I wear casual clothes most of the time
but I love getting dressed up (ăn diện) for special occasions. You know, all of my dresses went out of
fashion at the time so I decided to buy a new one.
There were a few local shops nearby but none of the big high-street names (thương hiệu lớn) so I had
to go into town for them. There were a large number of designer labels (quần áo hàng hiệu) and of
course they were prohibitively priced. However, it’s important to look like I’m on trend at a party or
event so I decided to buy a cobalt skirt first and then I saw a lovely yellow blouse that I thought would
go with my skirt. They costed me an arm and a leg (giá rất cao) but they really suited me.
Everybody was well dressed (ăn mặc đẹp) at the party and I received several compliments on my
clothes.
But, you know, I took lots of photos with that clothing set and all of my friends have seen them on my
Facebook so I don’t want to wear it again. I’ve bought the set for more than a year but I’ve worn it only
once.
21
20. Describe a time when you had a problem with a piece of equipment
(for example, a TV a washing machine).
You should say:

What equipment it was?
What problem you had?
When you had this problem?
And explain what you did about this problem. (How you fixed or resolved the problem)?
I would like to talk about my Iphone 5 which I’ve used for about 5 years. I passed the entrance exam
to one of the most prestigious (uy tín) university in HCMC so my father bought me that smartphone as a
reward.
It was an essential part of my life. Thanks to it, I could get instant access to my favorite websites. It
has various features like video, MP3 player and digital camera and games. It was like having my whole
life in my pocket and I thought I couldn’t live without it.
However, after 4 years of using, I suffer fast battery drain, slow charging and frequent apps crashes
which are indeed of the most frustrating problems. Once I used it to take some pictures on my trip and I
dropped it in the pool so it got immersed in water. I had it fixed but from that day, my phone was out of
order sometimes. Yesterday, nothing happened when I switched it on. I guessed that maybe there was
something wrong with the home button so I took it apart (gỡ ra) to see what was wrong with it but I
couldn’t put it back again. Luckily, I’ve backed up my files (lưu file lại).
It just dawns on me that I need to replace it, maybe with an Iphone X, a high-spec smartphone with
the latest operating system nowadays. I think I should buy a glass screen protector and a sturdy case to
protect my new phone.
PART 3:
1. What are the common useful home appliances that people often use these days?
There are tons, but the first one that comes to mind is a microwave. As a student, I use a microwave day
in and day out to warm up leftovers100, whether it’s food that I made or food that I bought from a takeout
place. Plus, you can actually cook using a microwave. My favorite dish to make in a microwave is instant
noodles. And…some other helpful home appliances are toasters 101 and coffee-makers.
2. Are you good at handling problems on your own?
22
Well, that honestly depends on what the problem is. If it’s something to do with my personal life, I can
usually sort it out102 on my own. I’m pretty good at settling conflicts103 that come up between me and
my family or friends. But if it’s something that requires a lot of experience, especially if it’s a mechanical
issue, then I have to call my parents, or even an expert if the problem’s pretty bad.
3. What do people feel when they buy new equipment?

I think a lot of people feel really pleased when they buy new equipment. It’s a way of treating
themselves104, even if it’s a necessary replacement. For example, I felt really happy when I bought a new
rice cooker105. The old one made the rice too dry, so getting a new one made my day106 because it meant
better-made meals. Plus, it was nice to be able to afford a replacement. It made me feel very
accomplished107
4. Do you think modern technology makes people lazier?

Well, yes…I suppose that back in the olden days, when people had to do a lot of basic tasks themselves,
it made them more hard-working and dedicated. But now that everything is designed to be as convenient
as possible, people tend to be a lot lazier when it comes to handling business in their everyday lives108.
They don’t want to do something themselves if a machine can do it for them. It’s a real pity when you
think about it.
5. When an electronic item of yours does not work, would you repair it or buy a new one?
Well, I generally try to repair an electronic item if it doesn’t work. For example, I recently broke the
display on my laptop. Fixing it wasn’t exactly cheap, but buying a new one would’ve cost me an arm
and a leg109. So I decided that it was worth it to invest in my current laptop since it was still working
fine, other than the screen. I think in the end, that’s usually the best option.
21. Describe an occasion when you received bad service from a shop or a restaurant.
23
You should say:
When it happened?
What the situation was?
Who you were with?
And explain how you felt about the service?
I’m gonna talk about a time I bought a new laptop four years ago and in a few days of purchase I
discovered a major flaw.
At that time, I was off to university and I was in desperate need of (rất cần) a device for essays and
emails. I came to Điện Máy Xanh which is a nationally acclaimed (nổi tiếng trong nước) electronics
center in VN and I’m one of their frequent customers. I decided to buy an ASUS VivoBook – which is
considered a high-spec (nhiều chi tiết kĩ thuật) laptop with the latest operating system at that time. It cost
an arm and a leg but I wanted a reliable, hard-wearing machine.
However, as soon as I turned on the computer, I realized that Windows operating system was not
installed in it, although the offer said it was included. In addition, I chose a gray laptop and the one I
received was black. Moreover, the default language (ngôn ngữ mặc định) of the laptop was Japanese and
I wasn’t able to change it to my native language, which is Vietnamese. To make matters worse, the memory
specifications of that laptop were not the same as the ones that I read in their catalog.
I wrote an email to report the faulty and to express my dissatisfaction (bày tỏ sự không hài lòng).
I thought they would make a quick response to my request and offered me a sincere apology (chân thành
xin lỗi) but actually they did not. Although Điện Máy Xanh is a giant company but their customer service
is still definitely unsatisfying. I would recommend all of my friends not to buy any product from this
company.
PART 3:
1. What kinds of service are bad service?
Thankfully I haven’t experienced a lot of bad service in my lifetime, but I would say that bad service
is anything that makes the customer uncomfortable or upset. For example, if a staff member is
impolite or ticks you off133, then they’re not doing their job right. Service should be friendly and
helpful. Employees should assist you with your problem in the best way possible134. This also includes
being efficient and effective.
2. What would most people do when they have bad service?
24
I think most people would be impatient or even angry if they get bad service. People come to expect
professionalism and cooperation from staff members, so if they get anything less they can easily lose
their cool. And many of them would complain about the service issue to the managers or supervisors
of the place. Plus, nowadays it’s so easy to write a bad review on the internet. And tons of people,
especially young guys, would choose to share their feedback about the terrible service they had on
social media.
3. Why do some people choose to remain silent when they receive bad service?
In my opinion, some people just don’t want to get staff members in trouble. I always feel bad reporting
an employee for bad service. Even though it was their fault, I don’t like being responsible for what
may happen to them. I would feel awful if someone got fired just because I spoke up. So I guess a lot
of people think that way as well. But it’s also possible they just don’t think it’s worth the trouble.
After all, making a complaint can cost a lot of time and might not solve the problem.
4. What can a company do to promote service?

I’m no expert, but I believe there are definitely some easy ways for companies to improve their service.
The first one that comes to mind is doing employee training specifically for good service. This would
involve teaching all staff members how to be polite, friendly, and helpful when helping out customers.
Another way is having customer feedback available. If people can talk about their experiences at the
company, then the company can use those reports to improve any problem areas.
5. What kinds of jobs require good service?

I think jobs that involve working face-to-face with customers require good service. Off the top of my
head, a good example is a salesperson. Whether you’re selling clothes or cars, you have to interact
with the customer and give them any help they might need. Since all your interactions are in person,
you have to be friendly and polite. A lot of sales jobs include commissions135, so that motivates you
to step up136 your service to get good wages.
25
22. Describe a complaint that you made and you were satisfied with the result.
You should say:

When it happened?
Who you complained to?
What you complained about?
And explain why you were satisfied with the result?
I’m gonna talk about a time I bought a new laptop four years ago and in a few days of purchase I
discovered a major flaw.
At that time, I was off to university and I was in desperate need of a device for essays and emails. I
came to Điện Máy Xanh which is a nationally acclaimed electronics center in VN and I’m one of their
frequent customers. I decided to buy an ASUS VivoBook – which is considered a high-spec (nhiều chi
tiết kĩ thuật) laptop with the latest operating system at that time. It cost an arm and a leg but I wanted a
reliable, hard-wearing machine.
However, as soon as I turned on the computer, I realized that Windows operating system was not
installed in it, although the offer said it was included. In addition, I chose a gray laptop and the one I
received was black. To make matters worse, the memory specifications of that laptop were not the same as
the ones that I read in their catalog.
I wrote an email to report the faulty and to express my dissatisfaction (sự không hài lòng). They
made a quick response to my request and offered a sincere apology. They sent me the laptop I first chose
at the store, including all the specifications were shown in the offer. As Điện Máy Xanh is a giant company
earning reputation for their best customer services, it’s unsurprising that they sent me a full refund of the
payment I made. I was absolutely satisfied with the way they tried to deal with my complaint.
PART 3:
1. Do people often complain? What do they often complain about?

Yeah, I suppose people complain pretty often. Nowadays, people are used to convenience and
efficiency. So when something is slow or broken, people can blow their temper at the
inconvenience110. For example, my sister went on a giant rant111 because her phone wasn’t working
properly. Plus, I know a lot of people who just complain when things don’t go their way, like when
they don’t get a promotion they were hoping for.
26
2. Do complaints really work? Can complaints help solve problems?
Well, in some cases I believe complaints can solve problems. For example, when it comes to an issue
with a company or a manufacturer, if enough people complain about the same issue they’ll probably
work on addressing it faster112. So in those kinds of situations, complaints can actually work. But I
think for the most part, complaints are kind of unnecessary. It’s better to try and address things in a
positive manner.
3. Do young people complain more than old people?

Personally, I guess old people are more likely to complain. I think that today’s young people are more
willing to try to work through problems instead of just complaining about them. But I know tons of
old people are very quick to complain if something doesn’t go their way. They’re used to a certain
way of life and they complain when things change.
4. Which is better, a face-to-face complaint or a complaint letter?

It seems to me that a face-to-face complaint is usually better than a complaint letter. If you present
your complaint in person113, you can better explain yourself to the person you’re complaining to.
Sometimes you can get your issue resolved on the spot114 , and you can have a more positive
experience in person than getting an impersonal115 reply to a letter. But on the flip side116, you might
lose your temper117 more easily depending on how the interaction goes.
5. Why do companies need to solve customers’ complaints actively and quickly?

Well, I suppose companies need to solve customers’ complaints actively and quickly in order to
protect their reputation. After all, no one will want to do business with a company that can’t handle
issues and solve customers’ problems. You want a company that’s reliable and trustworthy to handle
your business needs. If companies can’t solve complaints, then they’ll probably experience a dip in
sales and might even go bankrupt. So companies definitely need to prioritize118 this.
27
23. Describe a time when someone didn’t tell you the whole truth about something.
You should say:

When it happened?
What the situation was?
Who you were with?
And why the person didn’t tell you the whole truth?
I’m gonna talk about a time my mom told lie about my dog four years ago.
I can remember vividly that it was in the last month before my university entrance exam. It was really
a nerve-racking (căng não) time to me as I chose the University of Foreign Trade which is the most
prestigious university in Vietnam.
The moment I got home from school one night, my mother told me that our Max, a chihuahua I had
kept since the first year of my junior high school, was sent to my aunt’s home for a while because I didn’t
have enough time to take care of Max.
You know it just dawned on me that something went wrong there as Pô was very obedient and didn’t
take much of my time, however, it didn’t bother me too much while I was studying. Two months later,
after I had taken the exam, my mother hugged me and said that she felt so sorry not to tell the truth about
Max’s accident. You know, I was in great misery (rất đau buồn) when hearing that news but I couldn’t
blame my mother for this tragedy.
I think the reason why my mother didn’t tell me the truth at the very beginning was that she wanted
me to put my whole heart into preparing for the exam. However, I always prefer to hear the truth even if
it’s good or bad.
PART 3:
1. In which circumstances do people tell white lies?

It sounds kind of funny, but I think that119 people usually only tell white lies to be polite. For example,
you might not like your friend’s outfit, but you might tell a white lie and say that you do because you
don’t want to hurt their feelings. After all, you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar 120.
Besides, some people tell white lies to their family to keep them from being worried 121. I remember
that when my parents called me to see how I was doing, I always told them I was good even though
sometimes I was not.
28
2. Is telling small lies harmful? Is telling small lies a big deal?
I like to think that I’m an honest person, but I suppose that telling small lies isn’t that bad in the right
situation. Sometimes you don’t want to hurt other people’s feelings or step on their toes122, so you try
to lie your way around it. If it’s just to be polite I don’t think it’s a big deal, but telling small lies can
add up to bigger problems. As we all know, to hide a lie, a thousand lies are needed. So it’s best to be
honest whenever you can.
3. Do you think is it okay to lie? What is the harm of lying?

Well, I don’t think it’s okay to lie in all circumstances. Sometimes it happens, but you should try to
avoid it. The harm of lying is that it can lead to people’s feelings getting hurt if they find out you
weren’t telling the truth. And telling lies not only hurts people, but also causes them to lose trust in
you. Once people know you are a liar, they can hardly believe you anymore.
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24. Describe a family business which is successful.
You should say:

What the business is?
How you know it?
Who the customers are?
And explain how you like it?
I’m gonna talk about the business that run by Dr. Tran Minh who is acclaimed (chào đón) expert in
nutrition in VN. His family own a store called Veggie. As the name implies, the store only sells plant food
and that’s what customers like best.
I’m a big fan of Dr. Tran Minh. I would say he’s a very knowledgeable guy. He recommended his
store to millions of his followers on his Facebook. He didn’t tried to sell anything at first but his fan insisted
on him opening a store selling high quality products as we couldn’t trust other stores. In the store, you will
see all kinds of plant food, mostly beans and grains.
Many people have heard of the benefits of plant food which can prevent so many leading causes of
death such as heart disease (bệnh tim) , cancers, diabetes, stroke and stuff like that. That’s why they love
going to the store so much because they know it’s doing the right thing for public health.
I may sound a little bit weird but all the products there are reasonably priced (có giá hợp lý). I hope
that Dr. Tran Minh will open more stores like this one in every Vietnamese province so that customers
living in other regions could buy products of high quality.
PART 3:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a family business?

I believe one main advantage is that you have way more control over how business is carried out.
When it’s a small, family-owned business, the day-to-day stuff is all under the family’s control.
Another advantage is that you can build the business from the ground up137 and have that satisfaction
to yourself. But the disadvantage is that you can run into personal conflicts easier. When you are
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working with the people closest to you, the disputes in business may damage your family
relationships.
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2. What qualities does a successful businessman need?
I think a successful businessman needs to have ambition and confidence. They need to have clear
goals and pursue them, which requires both of those qualities. Additionally, they have to have good
people skills. A lot of business comes from successful relationships with clients and other companies.
Plus, I believe a successful businessman also needs to have a good head for numbers139. They should
know about as many aspects of business as they can.
3. Do people like to work for a big company or a small company?

I guess people like working for small companies better. Even though the job might not come with as
many perks as a big company could offer, I think there are more opportunities to become close with
coworkers and have a more welcoming work environment. Big companies can be too concerned with
making a profit and neglect their employees in the process, but in general small companies usually
value their employees more.
4. What conditions are needed to start up a business?

I suppose you140 need to have lots of financial resources and a great team of employees. It’s very hard
to start up a business by yourself and without a lot of money. You need people you can trust to work
hard and do well. You also need a great business plan to set yourself apart from141 other companies.
I don’t think I’d be able to start up a business myself, but those are the things I think you need.
5. Do you think globalization is a positive development?

Well, I believe there are definitely pros and cons, but overall globalization seems to be a positive
development. For one, it helps expose people to new and different cultures. In this way, they can
broaden their horizons and become more sympathetic to people from other countries. Globalization
can also help boost national economies and increase a country’s international trades. But every rose
has its thorn142, one downside I know is that it may decrease the number of jobs and wages because
of a cheaper foreign workforce.
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25. Describe a time you changed your plan/mind.
You should say:

What the plan was?
Why you changed it?
What you did instead?
And explain how you felt about changing the plan?
I’m gonna talk about a time I and my friends planned to take a trip to an ecotourism destination located
on the outskirts of the city.
In fact, we decided to have a picnic to let our hair down after the nerve-racking (căng thẳng) final
term test. Everything needed such as food, clothes and even medicines was well-prepared. I was really
excited about this journey that I couldn’t sleep. Unfortunately, it was raining cats and dogs (mưa nặng
hạt) the following day and we had to cancel our plan.
Everybody was very disappointed and we decided to threw a party at a friend’s house instead. We
ordered several pizzas and hold a karaoke competition. As the karaoke could give a score for each singer,
the ones who earned the lowest scores had to pay for the food.
Surprisingly, we soon forgot all about our misfortune (rủi ro) over the picnic. By the way, we enjoyed
this party a lot, it helped us to refresh ourselves and I did feel some of the burdens I shouldered were swept
away and I was prepared to face whatever came next.
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26. Describe an important decision you made with the help of others.
You should say:

What the decision was?
Who helped you make this decision?
Whether it’s a good decision?
And explain why you think it is an important decision?
Today, I would like to talk about a time when I had to seek advice on my major at university.
The year was 2014 and I had just begun my junior year at Vietnam National University which offers
one of the most prestigious (uy tín) foreign culture programs in Vietnam. Even though I attained a
scholarship here, I was clueless about what to major in. I could pick from Chinese, Arabian, Thai,
Indonesian, Indian and Australian culture. Most importantly, I only had a couple of days to make up my
mind.
Since I did not have the stomach to settle this on my own, I picked up the phone and called my father
and quickly walked him through the whole thing. After I was finished, he asked what I thought of each
specialization. And upon hearing what I had to say, he suggested that I give Australian Studies a shot
(thử). I was completely in shock since Australia sounds more unfamiliar to me than other Eastern countries.
However, he thought that Australia is a developed country which is well worth studying and on top of that,
the national language is English so my command of English will be definitely improved. I could save much
time and effort compared to learning Chinese or Arabian.
I spent a couple of days thinking about what he had said and I eventually decided to have a crack at
(thử chọn) Australian Studies. I never regret it as during 4 years here, I have learned a lot about this
amazing country.
PART 3:
1. Why do some people like to ask for others’ help when they need to make a decision?
Well, some people aren’t as confident about making decisions on their own. They want input from people
they trust so they can feel better about any choices they might make. But sometimes it’s not about
confidence or anything like that. They might genuinely205 not know what to do in a certain situation.
They feel like they don’t have all the important experience or information to make a call206, so they turn
to others who know more about the issue.
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2. Is it better to make a decision quickly or slowly?
Um…I suppose it’s better to take your time with207 a decision and go slowly. Otherwise, you might rush
into208 something that’s not right for you. For example, my friend didn’t know what college she wanted
to go to, but actually she got accepted into two of her top choices. You know, instead of taking enough
time to think about it, she made a snap judgment209 and ended up at a school that really didn’t suit her.
It was a real pity.
3. Personal decisions or career decisions, which one do you like to ask others for advice?
Well, as for me, I think when it relates to personal issues, I won’t ask others for advice because I don't
think they can really help. For example, no one could give me objective advice about things like whether
I should marry my boyfriend or not; after all, no one knows my boyfriend better than me. But when it
comes to decisions about my career, I really like getting advice from people who are more experienced
or have been through the same situation. I think seeing a situation from different perspectives can really
open your eyes about the right choice to make.
4. What kinds of important decisions do teenagers have to make?

I think there are lots of important decisions teenagers are faced with on a day-to-day basis. The first one
that comes to mind is what career path210 they want to take. Even though they might not enter the
workforce until they’re older, they have to choose as teenagers what classes to take and interests to focus
on so that they can go to the college or university program that they want.
5. What are the differences between men and women when they make decisions? Who are more
likely to make impulsive decisions, boys or girls？
It seems to me that men are quick to make decisions while women prefer to take their time. For example,
my dad and my uncle make decisions very quickly while my mom and my aunt wait and weigh the pros
and cons211 before deciding anything. So in that respect, I think boys are more likely to make impulsive
decisions212. It’s literally been proven that girls mature faster than boys, so I guess women generally
have better decision-making abilities, which means they aren’t as impulsive.
27. Describe a book you have read recently.
35
You should say:
What kind of book it is?
Who wrote the book?
What the story of the book is?
And explain if it is a good book or not?
Well, to be completely honest with you, I’m not really a big reader. But I’m currently reading a brilliant
book by Kien Tran and I just can’t put it down.
Based off of the title, I think you’ll know right away that the book is all about IELTS or English in
general. There are so many chapters in the books. I don’t remember the exact number but it’s close to 60.
I think everyone can read this book as it’s pretty easy to understand. But the group of people that might
enjoy the book most is probably students, especially those who plan to take the IELTS exam.
There are so many reasons why I love this book. First of all, the book is not similar to many of those
IELTS books you might find in the marketplace. It’s completely different in the sense that it’s super
realistic – you will encounter many practical pieces of advice that you can apply right away in your
studying. The attractiveness of the glossy photos and the high standard of analysis are just two of its
outstanding features.
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28. Describe a book you want to write.
You should say:

What kind of book it is?
Who wrote the book?
What the story of the book is?
And explain if it is a good book or not?
I’m gonna talk about “It starts with food” which is a book on health and diet I plan to publish in the
future. I’ve decided to write this book for years but unfortunately, other responsibilities at work are
occupying almost all of my time now so I’ve just finished 30 pages.
There are many reasons why I chose this topic for my book. First of all, I’m very big on health and
writing this book requires me to do a lot of research on the Internet. This acts as an incentive (thúc đẩy)
for me to broaden my knowledge (mở rộng kiến thức) on this field. Second, there are a wide variety of
food nowadays and many people seem to be unaware of what they are eating on a daily basis. Junk food
such as fast food and canned food (thực phẩm đóng hộp) have become more and more popular and some
don’t even know that these kinds of food can put their health in jeopardy (gây hại cho sức khỏe).
In the first chapter, I will give the definition of junk food on human’s health and there second chapter
is where I would tell my readers about the benefits of whole food especially whole plant food. I haven’t
decided what the topic for chapter three, I think I would provide some exotic recipes (công thức nấu ăn)
for cooking and maybe I will ask for my mom’s help for this part.
For me, it’s not demanding to write about that topic but what I lack is time to do research and find
reference books.
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PART 3:
1. What kind of books do children read?

I think children like reading fantastical books about made-up lands213 because it lets their imagination
run free214. They also love books that have lots of adventure in them, or at least a lot of pictures. Since
kids aren’t fully developed yet, they’re more attracted to things that are very visual, so a lot of them
love reading picture books, at least until they’re old enough to like words as well.
2. What kind of books do adults read?

Well, it really depends on the person. I’ve found that idealistic people215 love reading romances or
action-packed216 books, while more down-to-earth people217 like reading biographies or nonfiction.
Generally, I guess adults like books that are about real-life topics and issues. I don’t think they’re as
interested218 in things that are completely made up, like fantasy. That being said, an adult friend of
mine loves reading about dragons. Sometimes I think he believes they’re real! He’s a little off his
rocker219.
3. When it comes to cultivating children’s reading habits, who are more important - teachers
or parents?
Well, it’s tough to say, because I believe both parents and teachers are very influential in a child’s
life. However, I suppose that parents are more important when it comes to cultivating children’s
reading habits. Teachers can show their students ways to develop habits, but the responsibility for
enforcing those habits is in the parents’ hands. The parents have more of an influence in their
children’s lives, so it’s up to them to make sure their children are reading regularly.
4. Which is more beneficial - reading books or watching TV and films?

Well, I’m a little biased because I love reading books more than watching TV and films. In my opinion,
reading books is more beneficial because it helps teach people critical thinking skills220. With TV and
films, the information is very obviously presented to you and they don’t make you think as hard. But
221
with books, you usually have more room for interpretation, and you can also exercise your
imagination more.
5. How should parents encourage their children to read books?

I suppose parents can encourage their children to read books in lots of ways. One of the easiest and
most important ways is to expose them to books at an early age. This can be done by reading them
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bedtime stories before they go to sleep. That way, the child will have a positive association with
reading because it reminds them of the time spent bonding with their parents. It definitely did the
trick222 for me!
6. What do you think about bedtime stories?

It seems to me that bedtime stories can be a very important part of someone’s childhood. For example,
I really bonded with my mom because she read me lots of stories right before I went to sleep. It was
a nice time for us to hang out and feel close to one another. So in that respect 223, I think bedtime
stories are great for children’s development. They also help them develop a sense of imagination.
7. What are the influences of modern technology on reading habits?

Well, modern technology has definitely changed the way that people read things, whether it’s books
or magazines or newspapers. With the development of technology, more and more people are reading
information online. Many newspapers have adjusted by publishing their issues on their websites,
while books are increasingly being published as e-books rather than paper books.
29. Describe an activity you would do when you are alone in your free time.
39
You should say:
What the activity is?
Where you do it?
Why you do it?
And explain how you felt about it?
I’m gonna talk about reading. I have had this hobby since grade 1. From then on, I spent a lot of money
on this hobby, and I’ve read more than 150 books, which means that I read 10 books a year on average.
As a child, I did really badly at school, but my love of reading made up for (bù cho) my lack of
formal education. You’d often find me curled up (nằm cuộn tròn) on the sofa with a book in my hand.
Dad was always going on at me for not helping Mum, but I was far happier immersed in a gripping story
than tidying my bedroom.
I feel sorry for people who don’t enjoy reading, because they are missing out on so much. A good
story captures your imagination, and the pleasure that you derive from a great book stays with you forever.
I love thrillers – when a new book comes out by John Watson or Henning Mankell, I have to get hold of
it (có được nó) right away. I’m currently reading a brilliant book by Tran Minh – I just can’t put it down.
There are two main reasons I like reading. First, books pave the way to success if used correctly. By
reading books, my knowledge is always on the rise, which I believe will help me pursue excellence.
Second, I find books especially helpful whenever I’m down in the dumps (chán nản). When I’m
engrossed in books, which are a great source of inspiration and motivation, I can easily get out of stress
and negative attitudes.
PART 3:
1. What do people like to do when they are free in your country?
I mean, I can’t really speak for everyone, but as far as I know, people like doing relaxing activities
like going for a walk around the neighborhood or watching a movie at the theater. Nowadays, we can
get so tied up with work and study that we barely have any time to just kick back and relax. Whenever
we have free time, it’s best to just chill out232 and do something with as little stress as possible.
2. Do people have more or less days off than before?

I actually think people have more days off than they used to. First of all, people dozens of years ago
didn’t have as many public holidays as we do now. My father mentioned that mid-autumn day was
not a public holiday when he was young. Plus, higher productivity in today’s society allows us to
have more holidays and free time to relax. We don't need to work day in and day out like our previous
generations.
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3. Will future technology bring people more free time?
I believe future technology can definitely bring people more free time. A lot of our time is consumed
with doing jobs that could eventually be done by robots. For example, cleaning the house can take
the better part of a day233, but if everyone had cleaning robots, they could just kick back and relax
and not have to worry about housework. On the downside234, I think that would make everyone pretty
lazy.
4. Do men and women do different things on their free days?

From my own experience, men and women like to do different kinds of activities on their days off.
Men usually like to watch sports or TV when they have free time. Lots of young guys spend their
time at the gym or playing video games. But women like doing more social activities, like shopping
or having lunch together. But actually both men and women like doing relaxing things like going to
see a movie.
5. What do children always do when they are free? Do you think parents should make plans for
their children?
From what I remember, kids just like playing with each other. Whether that means going to a
playground or just talking with each other, they enjoy spending time with one another. I think parents
can be involved with what their kids do, and they should definitely be in the know235, but I don’t think
they have to make plans for their children because only the children know what they want to do or
play the most during free time.
6. What do young people usually do during free time?

In my personal experience, young people usually do fun things together during their free time. It’s
not uncommon to see236 groups of them going to the movies or hanging out at the mall. Young people
are pretty social. They like chilling with each other237 and just shooting the breeze238. Sometimes they
also like playing on their phones and checking social media. Older generations might call them lazy,
but I suppose that they just like building friendships.
30. Describe an interesting part of your country.
You should say:
41
Where it is?
How you got to know about it?
What people do there?
And explain why you think it is interesting?
There are many interesting destinations in Vietnam and I would like to talk about the Landmark 81 as
this is a brand-new (mới toanh) building in the heart of HCMC where I live.
I’m not sure if I like the design of the building it’s just a huge glass tower but it definitely stands out.
It’s a landmark of HCMC. The bottom half of Landmark 81 includes department stores, high-end
boutiques (cửa hiệu sang trọng) and offices and the top half is apartments for rented. These apartments
are prohibitively expensive (mắt cắt cổ) because the location and views make them very desirable. The
Observation Deck on the 52nd floor is a great place to admire the stunning view of the city and the interior
of this building is equipped with state-of-the-art (hiện đại) facilities.
As Binh Thanh district is a very touristy area, the building is often frequented by many locals and
tourists. Visitors come there to experience the vibrant atmosphere (bầu không khí nhộn nhịp) and take
photos of the stunning surroundings and do shopping. You can literally find anything there, from chic
clothing to flashy sneakers.
I often go there on the weekend in order to, you know, meet some foreign friends who really enjoy
learning Vietnamese from me and teaching me English.
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31. Describe a new public facility that improves the local quality of life (such as a park or a cinema).
You should say:

What it is?
Where it is?
What people can do?
And explain how it influenced the city?
There are a myriad of brand new public facility in HCM city where I live recently and the most
outstanding one to me is the Saigon River Tunnel. It was an underwater tunnel designed to cross the Saigon
river in HCM city and it was officially opened on November 2016 to passengers. I can remember vividly
that there was a weeklong celebration that included a nightly pageant (diễu hành), fireworks and
entertainment. Everybody was over the moon (vô cùng hạnh phúc).
The tunnel connects the existing center of HCM city with the new urban area in District 2 and the local
citizens find it extremely helpful and beneficial. Without that tunnel, it took us longer hours to approach
the city center through Saigon bridge and there used to be regularly severe traffic jam. Therefore, the tunnel
plays an essential part in easing the congestion of transport in the inner city as well as from downtown to
Southern regions.
I would say that it changes my daily life in many positive ways. Now, I’m able to save my commuting
time. I used to spend about an hour everyday to my office but now the time is shortened to only 30 minutes.
Besides, as it is the first under-river tunnel in VN, it is considered the symbol of VN and HCMC. As a
citizen, I’m proud of every single achievement of the country and I would like to see more significant
developments like this in my homeland down the road (trong tương lai).
PART 3:
1. Are public facilities important?

Yes, I believe public facilities are key when it comes to a healthy and happy society. Some of them
meet our basic needs, like hospitals, while others help with our sense of security and safety, like police
stations. Without those two, it would be hard to live peacefully. Plus, some others lend a hand in
building community, like libraries. Without public facilities, it’s much harder for society to function
the way it should53.
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2. What are the public facilities near your home?
Well, I don’t live downtown, so there aren’t too many public facilities around. I know for sure there’s
a hospital nearby, which is a big relief54 in case I ever get injured. It’s good to know that help is just
a hop, skip, and a jump away55. And there might be a police station close by too, which also sets my
mind at ease. It definitely makes me feel a lot safer when I sleep at night.
3. What are the differences between public facilities used by young people and old people?
I think young people tend to use public facilities that match their lifestyles, which in their case are
very active and engaging. So they tend to use recreational centers or public gyms. Anywhere they can
work up a sweat is usually a good place for them. On the flip side56, old people use more basic
facilities like libraries. They enjoy more relaxed places where they can just wind down and enjoy
some peace and quiet.
4. Are new public facilities better than old ones?

I suppose that it’s safe to say57 new public facilities are better than old ones. Since they’re more up-
to-date, their quality is worlds away from58 that of the run-down facilities. When it comes to facilities
like hospitals in particular, quality is super important. But that doesn’t mean we should get rid of all
the old facilities. You don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater 59. Those places can still
have uses.
5. What’s the difference between facilities in the countryside and the ones in the cities?
I think facilities in the countryside are more basic. You know, you’d probably just have hospitals and
police stations but nothing more up-to-date like gyms or recreational centers. They’re probably not
as high-quality either, since there aren’t as many people in the countryside as there are in the cities so
nicer, more expensive equipment is harder to afford. But when it comes to cities, public facilities
usually need to cater to a larger number of people, so they have to be bigger in terms of both size and
quantity.
32. Describe a beautiful city that you have been to.
44
You should say:
Where it is?
How you got to know about it?
What it is famous for?
And explain why you think it is a beautiful city?
I’m going to talk about Beijing which is the capital city of China. I vacationed in this well-organized
city about 3 months ago with my mom and it was really a holiday of a lifetime (kì nghỉ đặc biệt trong
đời) to me.
Beijing is located in the Northeast of China and is about eight times bigger than Ho Chi Minh city.
Before I went on that trip, I did a lot of research on the Internet about tips and recommendations for travelers
to this city that I thought I could know it like I know the palm of my hand (hiểu rõ nó như lòng bàn
tay) but when I arrived in Beijing, I was absolutely impressed by the way the city looked.
Unlike what I heard from TV and read from newspaper about China’s polluted environment, the
streets there were incredibly clean, I could walk around the city all day and come back home without any
dirt on my shoes. During my stay in Beijing, I did some shopping and visited some well-known historical
sites such as The Great Wall, The Forbidden City and The Summer Palace.
Beijing is beautiful and well worth visiting because of many reasons. First of all, the public transport
system there is extremely reliable. The bullet train (tàu siêu tốc) is famous for the ability to reach the
speed of up to 300 km/h and it is equipped with state-of-the-art (mức độ phát triển cao nhất) facilities.
Another thing that I miss about Beijing is its multicultural nature. During the 5 days that I spent there, I
bumped into people from many different countries and it was great to get the chance to practice my English
speaking skills. Five days in China passed by so fast that I wish I could’ve stayed a bit longer.
33. Describe a place you would like to travel to that is far away your home.
45
You should say:
Where it would be?
How you would like to?
go there; What you?
Would do there?
And explain why you would like to go there?
My major at university is Australian Studies and I have a quite deep knowledge of it but I’ve never
been to the country so I always dream of an Aussie trip. And I’m planning to travel to Australia with my
family after my graduation.
It can get very busy with hordes of tourists on summer holiday or in New Year time so we decide to
go out of season in the next autumn. My parents are also very excited about the trip and are really looking
forward to it.
In Australia, everything moves at a slower pace. Life is measured by the sun, diving and festivities I
guess so. When we arrive, we will visit some of the local places of interest. We will snap some stunning
photographs with the Sydney Harbor Bridge then post them on Facebook and maybe watch some art
performances in the well-known Sydney Opera House. I also wanna give diving a shot at The Great Barrier
Reef as you know diving is a unique selling point there. My parents prefer to stay dry so they may opt to
see the reef from underwater viewing stations or glass bottom boats. Moreover, we may try some Australia
National Cakes which is called Lamingtons as I heard somewhere that these cakes are food of choice for
those who have a sweet tooth (ưa đồ ngọt).
We would love to sign up for a guided tour. Our travel agent will book a hotel and air tickets in advance
for us, and we just need to bring our swimsuits, sunscreen and summer clothes. Maybe some medicines,
just in case someone gets sick. This will be a holiday of a lifetime (kì nghỉ đặc biệt trong đời) as my
parents will accompany me.
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34. Describe a good law in your country.
You should say:

What it is?
How you know about it?
Who is affected by the law?
And explain why you think that it is a good law?
I’m gonna talk the anti-smoking legislation in public places which came into force (có hiệu lực) in
2019 in Vietnam. I first heard about this law a year ago when the question of whether smoking should be
banned emerged as one of the most heated debates.
Smoking is believed to have detrimental effects on human’s health and it’s the primary culprit for
some of the most leading causes of death such as lung cancer, tuberculosis and other respiratory problems.
However, this law was opposed by many smokers and giant tobacco companies as this will affect their
profits.
At the time the law was introduced, Facebook and other social media were flooded with the
information about it along with various contradictory opinions (ý kiến trái ngược) on such government
decisions. As a person who suffer from asthma due to the exposure to passive smoke during my childhood,
I’m very glad to know that smoking in public areas is illegal and these smokers would be fined if they
refuse to find a specific place for them.
Hopefully, this law will reduce the number of people who smoke and improve the quality of the
atmosphere as well as help prevent fatal diseases (bệnh chết người).
PART 3:
1. Do people in your country always obey the law?

No, they don’t. It would be a perfect world if everyone always obeyed the law, but sadly that’s not
always the case272. There are lots of reports in the news about people stealing from others or even
killing them. But I suppose that for the most part273, I live in a pretty peaceful part of the country;
there aren’t a lot of people stirring up trouble274 on a daily basis. So most people I know are law-
abiding citizens.
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2. Is there any unreasonable law in your country?
This is a tricky question to answer275. Um…the first one that comes to mind is definitely the law that
forbids residents in mainland China from using foreign websites like YouTube, Google and Facebook.
It’s a breach if you do so. The government even builds a firewall that literally blocks people from
accessing tons of foreign websites that they consider unsafe. As consenting adults276, we’re supposed
to have the rights to log onto whatever websites we want to see, aren’t we? That’s why I think it’s
unreasonable.
3. What law do people often break? /Are there many people in your country breaking the law?
/ What law do people dislike to obey?
Well, actually, even though the crime rate in China is actually way lower than average in the world,
it doesn't mean that everyone abides by the law perfectly. One breach that basically every young
person has done is downloading pirated277 music and movies. It’s clearly a violation of the Intellectual
Property Law278, but almost everyone does it. After all, when a law is difficult to implement, I believe
people are more likely to break it because it has no cost to them.
49
35. Describe a party that you have attended.
You should say:

What party it was?
When and where the party was held?
Whose party it was /Who attended the party?
And what you did in the party?
I’m gonna talk about a birthday party that I joined in two months ago.
The party was organized marking the birthday of Mr. Ba’s beloved dog. Holding a birthday celebration
for a pet is an interesting notion to me so we were very excited. Mr. Ba is my father’s best friend so my
father and I were invited to the party.
All of my dresses went out of fashion (lỗi mốt) so I decided to buy a new one. We got a few local
shops nearby and a few independent stores but none of the big high street names. I had to go into town for
them and luckily, I did find a dress that suited me and was reasonably priced.
The party was hold at a luxury food establishment (nhà hàng). Once I went inside, I was very
impressed by an elegant huge chandelier on the hall’s ceiling providing a cozy atmosphere. We shook Mr.
Ba’s hands and said “hi” to his little dog. He introduced us to his friends and relatives and we had a lot of
fun talks.
We began with light snacks and sparkle drinks. Then came the main course after the appetizer. The
food was out of this world (ngon không tưởng) and we polished it all off (chén sạch). Then we had the
dessert and the decaf (cà phê đã lược bỏ caffein). The decaf is served with chocolates and other small
delicacies such as the almond-flavored biscuits (bánh quy hạnh nhân). My father had some dinner spirit
(rượu) but I didn’t. We were totally full up by the end.
The eatery was elaborately decorated with candles and pure-white tablecloths and floral decorations.
Mr. Ba’s in his 40s and looks young for his age. He’s overweight.
There were a host of performances. They weren’t very good but weren’t bad either. Mediocre, I’d say.
I was dying of hunger (sắp chết đói) and I cared about nothing but food at that time. The dog is very
lucky that he has a rich owner. Only those who makes a lucrative income can afford the party like that
for a pet.
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PART 3:
1. How do children in China celebrate birthday party?

I think children usually celebrate birthday parties by giving gifts and doing a fun activity like playing
video games or visiting a zoo. At a young age, they don’t really know why birthdays are that important;
to them, it’s just a fun day where they get to pig out280 on cake and goof off281. But they like having
birthday parties, because it’s a chance for them to play with each other and enjoy each other’s
company282.
2. What do children often do in a birthday party? / What do children love to do in a party?

I haven’t taken part in a child’s party for years. But I guess children like to do party games pretty
often when it comes to celebrating birthday parties. Besides, when I was young, what children liked
the most was unwrapping283 their birthday gifts. I’m sure that’s a big deal for a lot of children, and
there’s a ton of fun in opening the gift wrap and finding out what toys are in there. Young kids are no
exception284 when it comes to getting a kick out of having many new toys.
3. Should parents spend a lot of money on children’s parties?

Well, I don’t think parents should spend a ton of money on children’s parties. It’s kind of crazy to
break the bank285 on a party that the kids probably won’t even remember when they’re grown up.
Plus, when they’re young, kids don’t need super elaborate286 or expensive things to keep them
entertained. So spending the big bucks287 on a children’s party is kind of ridiculous.
4. What are the differences between adults’ party and children’s party?
I suppose adults’ parties are a lot more serious and often have a purpose, like for a business where
it’s all about building networks or having a formal ceremony. Usually they just focus on conversation,
and there isn’t a lot in terms of entertainment. But when it comes to children’s parties, the atmosphere
is a lot crazier. After all, most parents just let their kids run around and blow off steam 288 by playing
with each other. It can get out of hand pretty quickly.
5. Do you think people can make more friends if they often join parties?
Yeah, people can definitely make more friends that way. Even though sometimes, going to parties
means stepping out of289 your comfort zone, it’s a great way to get to know new people by meeting
them face-to-face. Nowadays, so many people just stay at home and socialize with the people they
already know. It’s good to get out once in a while and make new friends.
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36. Describe a kind of food that people eat during a special event.
You should say:

What it is?
What event it was?
How it cooked?
And explain how you feel about it?
I’m gonna talk about sushi which I had at a birthday party two months ago.
This was the party organized marking the birthday of Pô, my uncle’s beloved dog and my father and
I were invited to it. The celebration was held at a luxurious food establishment. Once I went inside, I was
very impressed as the eatery was elaborately decorated with candles and pure-white (trắng tinh)
tablecloths and colourful floral decorations. There were a wide range of kinds of food served but the one
attracting our guests the most was Japanese Nigiri.
Nigiri are small rice balls with fish, shellfish on top. There were countless varieties of Nigiri such as
tuna, shrimp, eel, squid, octopus, fried egg you name it. They were served with a spicy sauce. The fresh
fish was served cold, and had a soft, tender, raw-meat texture. This was unpleasant to some old people but
almost all of our young guests really found themselves craving these balls. We had Nigiri with some dinner
spirit (rượu), all of them were out of this world (ngon không tưởng) and we polished it all off (ăn hết
sạch). We were totally full up by the end.
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37. Describe a job your grandparent did.
You should say:

What job it was?
When and where your grandparent did the job?
How long he or she did the job?
And explain how you think about the job?
My grandpa used to be a farmer when he was in his 20s but then the Vietnam War broke out and just
like many other young man at that time, he had to join the military army.
The Vietnam War was fought between the North and the South VN. In 1956, VN was divided into
two regions and it was supposed to be reunited under a single election. However, the US worried about
communism spreading throughout Southeast Asia so they entered the war.
My grandpa lived in the South but he fought for the North. Actually, he had no idea what communism
was, he chose to become a soldier because of the death of my great grandparents and other old relatives,
all of whom were civilians and mercilessly murdered by an American aerial bombing attack (cuộc tấn
công bằng bom trên không). He was in great misery and decided to take revenge (báo thù). His troop
hid under Cu Chi tunnel during daytime and fought at night. As a soldier, he fought bravely and gain
astounding achievement. The Independence Day came decades later but he was still inconsolable as he had
witnessed the death of hundreds of his beloved friends and comrades.
I’m very grateful that we can live in peace today, preventing the war from breaking out is a necessity
as I don’t wanna see any other gentle farmer forced to become a soldier like my grandpa.
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38. Describe a subject you didn’t like before but have interest now.
You should say:

What it is?
When you studied the subject?
Why you didn’t like it before?
And explain why you have interest in it now?
I’m gonna talk about English which used to be the subject I dislike the most when I was in university.
English language is a compulsory subject in Vietnam but you know, I’m from a rural areas and I didn’t
really have a chance to study English with prominent teachers nor talk to native speakers and that is the
reason why when I came to HCMC to attend university, I was very shocked as almost all of my classmates
could speak English fluently. This made me feel very uneasy during English classes because I couldn’t
understand what my friends were talking about and I often got lower scores than other students did.
However, I understand that English is an international language and it helps to communicate with
people from other countries easily. Besides, most of important documents and learning materials are
written by English so if I want to get access to the huge source of knowledge, I know I need to have a good
command of this language (có khả năng tốt về ngôn ngữ). Therefore, I have put a lot of effort in learning
English during my first and second years of university and luckily, I could see my improvement day by
day.
English brings me a whole host of benefits. You know, now I can read famous original books such as
Sherlock Holmes and The Lord of The Ring and I’m able to watch US-UK films without translation.
English has become my favorite subject and although I know I’m not as good as many other people, I’m
still very proud of my achievement.
PART 3:
1. Should students learn many subjects or learn a few subjects but learn them deeply?
I suppose that it’s best for students to learn a wide range of subjects. There are definitely benefits to
learning only a few subjects well, but students need to be exposed to a variety of things first. That
way, they can narrow down their interests347 as they grow older. They might not know they’re
interested in something until they’re taught about it. That discovery wouldn’t happen if they only got
to learn a few subjects.
2. What are the influences of teachers’ course design and teaching methods on students?
55
Teachers obviously have a huge influence on students. The courses they pick and the way they teach
them affect the subjects that students will be interested in. For example, if a teacher has a very boring
course design for history and doesn’t use effective teaching methods, students might be turned off
from348 the subject of history and not want to study it anymore. On the flip side, if a teacher can teach
children in an interesting way, I guess even those students who don't like studying might be attracted
by the course. So teachers have to balance those things in order to make every subject as appealing
as possible.
3. Should school classes be interesting? Do interesting classes help students to learn better?
I definitely think classes should be interesting. I mean, the main thing is that they should be
educational above all else349. But it really helps if classes are interesting as well. That way, students
are way more likely to pay attention, and thus they’ll study better. I don’t think anyone wants to sit
through350 a boring class. That’s about as fun as watching paint dry351. It’s much better to be in a class
that’s both educational and interesting.
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39. Describe a place you like to study at (indoor or outdoor).
You should say:

Where it was?
When you went there?
What you did there?
And explain why you like to study there?
Well when I was a school child I had no worries and it was very easy for me to focus on my study.
But now I’m a college goer and I have to deal with numerous tasks requiring great concentration. I’ve tried
a host of methods like meditating, listening to music but all my efforts were not paid off until I decided to
go to the Botanical Garden which is just a 10-minute walk away from where I live.
I’m a bit of a nature geek so naturally I have a deep fascination (đam mê mãnh liệt) with plants and
garden. This garden has a vast array of flora including 20 different orchid types which are my favorite
plants. It’s a riot of colors, from the peaceful white of the water lilies to the striking red and orange which
filled some of the flowerbeds.
My life revolves around the assignments and I’m always up to the ears at work. The garden is an ideal
getaway where I can escape from this hustle and bustle lifestyle. The entire area is filled with calmness. It
offers the ultimate seclusion and privacy for introverted people like me. Here, I can easily forget I was
right at the edge of the city.
Because it’s not a popular tourist attraction, it’s a favorite place for some locals looking for a tranquil
place to focus on their work or study. Also, it’s a good place to while away an afternoon. I usually spend
3 hours in the garden every time I visit it and although it’s only a short time, I do feel some of the burdens
I shoulder are swept away and I’m able to finish the assignments much more efficiently.
PART 3:
1. Do you like to learn on your own or with others?

I think I love learning with others more than learning on my own. When you learn with others, you
have the chance to bounce ideas off of them375 or talk about what you’re learning together. If you’re
on your own, you can get pretty caught up in your own head376 and forget the importance of relating
to other people. Plus a class is way more fun if you have other people to take it with.
2. Do you have a study routine? Will you make a study plan every day? /Will you work or study
by your plan?
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I do have a study routine. Every morning, I open my planner and I write down all the assignments I
have to do that day. I assign an amount of time for every assignment so that I can be sure I’ll get them
all done. Sometimes I slack off or get off track377, but for the most part, I stick to my study plan. It’s
worked like a charm378 for me ever since I started university a few years ago.
3. Which is better, studying in a classroom or through the internet?

It seems to me that studying in a classroom is way better than studying through the internet. For one,
there are a lot less distractions in a classroom. Even though you’re surrounded by other students who
can be loud, it’s nothing compared to379 the distractions available when you’re studying through the
internet. You can easily open a new tab and get distracted by something irrelevant. If there’s no
teacher guiding you, you can get off track very fast.
4. Do you need rest during study? How often do you take a break?
Yeah, I generally need rest during study. It’s really easy for me to blow a fuse 380 while looking through
notes because it can be very frustrating and draining381. So to avoid that, I take a break every hour.
Even if it’s just for a few minutes, it helps me recharge my batteries so I can focus on studying and
do well on assignments and tests. If I didn’t have breaks, I guess I’d lose my head382.
5. Which is more important, education background or working experience?

Well, it’s hard to say. Sometimes you can’t have one without the other. But I think that in general,
working experience is more valuable. On the one hand, your education background can help you get
great jobs. But on the other hand, having actual experience in a chosen field or specific job can be
really important in daily life. That way, you can build up your resume383 and advance in your career.
It’s a tricky call to make384 though.
6. What makes you lose your concentration on study?

Honestly, I’m easily distracted. So if I have my phone with me and I see or hear it go off with a
message or notification, I immediately drop whatever I’m doing and I go look at it. When I’m
studying, I have to put my phone on silent or else385 I won’t get anything done. All it takes is a glance
at social media to get hooked into it and spend hours scrolling386.
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40. Describe something you often do to help you study or work.
You should say:

What it is?
How you learn it?
When you do it?
And explain how you feel about the method?
Well when I was a school child I had no worries and it was very easy for me to focus on my study.
But now I’m a college goer and I have to deal with numerous tasks requiring great concentration. I’ve tried
a host of methods like meditating, listening to music but all my efforts were not paid off until I decided to
go to the Botanical Garden which is just a 10-minute walk away from where I live.
I’m a bit of a nature geek so naturally I have a deep fascination with plants and garden. It’s a riot of
colors, from the peaceful white of the water lilies to the striking red and orange which filled some of the
flowerbeds. I love to sit under the old weeping willow tree with large foliage right next to the pond while
reading books.
My life revolves around the assignments and I’m always up to the ears in work. The garden is an
ideal getaway where I can escape from this hustle and bustle lifestyle. The entire area is filled with
calmness. It offers the ultimate seclusion and privacy for introverted people like me. Here, I can easily
forget I was right at the edge of the city.
Because it’s not a popular tourist attraction, it’s a favorite place for some locals looking for a tranquil
(yên tĩnh) place to focus on their work or study. Also, it’s a good place to while away an afternoon. I
usually spend 3 hours in the garden every time I visit it and although it’s only a short time, I do feel some
of the burdens I shoulder are swept away and I’m able to finish the assignments much more efficiently.
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41. Describe an ideal home (house or apartment) that you would like to live in.
You should say:

Where it would be?
How big it would be (big or small); What type of home it would be?
And explain why you would like to live in this place?
I always dream of having a house located at Santorini which is a well-known island in Greece.
My house would be a bungalow situated on a hill where I can have a spectacular vistas of the
panoramic beach and the entire locality. I would have it painted white and blue which are the main colors
of the majority of buildings there. The house would be equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and air-
conditioning for comfort and convenience. I will also invest into some colorful flower beds as I’m a nature
geek.
I’m really tired of the hustle and bustle of HCMC and want to escape from my heavy workload. There,
I would be able to enjoy the fresh air and it would be a perfect way to relieve stress.
To be honest, having the opportunity to love in such a house and surrounded by such a breath-taking
(đẹp choáng ngợp) landscape would be a dream come true for me and I hope that one day I could be able
to build a house like that.
PART 3:
1. Do people prefer living in an apartment or a house?
I think it depends on the person, but usually people prefer living in an apartment. For one, apartments
are a lot cheaper than houses. In general, families can afford to buy an apartment, even though most
families will get saddled with a mortgage396. But it’s unrealistic to buy a house in China for an average
family397. Plus, apartment buildings, especially the high-rises, are usually located in urban areas.
Living in an apartment usually means being closer to the downtown area of a city, which means more
convenience and easy access to a lot of public services.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in an apartment or a flat?

A big advantage is that it’s a lot cheaper compared to living in a house. You don’t have to worry
about up-keep398 as much. You can also get a cooler view if you’re living on a higher floor. But on
the downside, apartments don’t have as much space as houses do. You get a small balcony instead of
a big backyard. Plus, you might have noisy neighbors that would bug399 you more in an apartment
than in a house.
42. Describe a historical period you’d like to know more about.
60
You should say:
When it was?
What happened during that period of time?
Who played an important role in this period of time?
And explain why you are interested in this period of time?
I’m going to talk about the Vietnam War which is of the most significant historical era of Vietnam
taking place from 1955 to 1975.
The war was fought between the communist North VN and the government of South Vietnam. The
North was supported by communist countries including The People’s Republic of China and the Soviet
Union while the South was supported by anti-communist countries, primarily the US. Finally, the US lost
the war. It lasted for twenty years, something the US never expected when it joined the fight. The civilian
casualties (số dân thường thiệt mạng) were especially high with estimates of 3 millions.
Ho Chi Minh was the leader of the North and he made every effort to reunite VN under one rule and
after the successful unification, the city of Saigon was renamed to Ho Chi Minh city in his honor.
You know, my grandpa used to be a soldier and he told me alot about his comrade as well as the
bloody battles he participated in during that period. Although he’s at the age of 80 now, he still remember
all the events so vividly. His thrilling stories about heroes and heroines in the war is the main reason why
I’m interested and want to know more about this era.
PART 3:
1. What can we learn from historical heritages?/Why should we protect old buildings?
Historical heritages can teach us about society and culture before our time. They’re an important part
of understanding who we are and where we came from. It can help explain why things are the way
they are now, like why we have certain traditions and beliefs. Actually nothing is set in stone403;
history is always changing, and understanding the history of our heritages can help us continue to
shape them.
2. How can we protect old buildings? (government and common people)

I think the government can protect old buildings by putting rules in place that forbid their destruction.
If they make laws about preserving old buildings because of their historic and cultural value, then
nobody can legally tear them down404 or repurpose them405. Ordinary citizens can help protect old
buildings by advocating for those kinds of laws and raising awareness about how important they are.
In the end, everyone can do their part406 to protect these buildings.
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3. Is it useful to learn history?/What can we learn from history?
Yes, I believe it’s definitely worth your while407 to learn about history. After all, history helps explain
how we got to where we are today, and why that’s important. For example, history can teach you
about the place where you live, where certain traditions and beliefs come from, and important and
inspiring figures from the past. Plus, it helps us learn from past mistakes.
4. What are the ways to learn history?

Well, we can learn about history from studying history textbooks, but there are definitely more ways
than that. For example, we can watch old documentaries to see what life was like before we were
even born. We can also watch films and look at paintings from different time periods to learn about
the culture they came from. Plus, younger people can always talk to the older generations to learn
about their lives.
5. Do people prefer learning history through books or movies?
I suppose that people prefer learning about history through movies. Most of the people I know don’t
care for reading; books just aren’t their cup of tea. Instead, they like watching movies to learn about
history. It’s much more visual and engaging408 than books are. After all, everything is shown on screen
in front of you. You don’t have to imagine it for yourself. Plus, things are easier to remember when
you see them acted out409.
6. Why are some people not interested in history?
Well, some people don’t have any interest in history mainly because they only care about what’s
happening now. They don’t want to pay attention to what happened in the past. Honestly, many people
think history is too far from their daily life and feel learning history isn’t that helpful to one’s job and
life. Another reason is that history classes can often be really boring, so they focus on other things
and get distracted very easily. They may not realize how cool history can be. Personally, I’ve never
been a big fan of history. I think learning about the present is more important.
43. Describe a time you found something that someone lost.
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You should say:
What it was?
When and where you found it?
What you did after you found it?
And explain how you felt about finding it?
This topic reminds me of a funny but embarrassed situation that my roommate encountered several
years ago.
If my memory serves me right, the incident transpired during our senior year (năm cuối) at community
college when my roommate asked me and some friends out a for dinner as to celebrate his flying score on
the last exam. When it came time to pay for the tab (Đến lúc trả tiền), he reached for his wallet (ví tiền)
which he told me he always put in his rear pocket (túi ngoài) but to his disbelief, it wasn’t there. He
promptly panicked (hoảng hốt) because not only did he not have any cash (tiền mặt) to pay with, it was
his shout (= turn: đến lượt trả tiền) this time. Slowly but surely, I began to realize what was happening
and asked him if he had brought any money, to which he replied with a dreadful, “No.” To avert anymore
awkwardness (ngượng ngùng), I covered (trả thay) for him.
As soon as we arrived our room, he frantically searched all over the place but couldn't figure out
where he put it. So, I decided to lend him a hand. After endlessly searching high and low (tìm khắp nơi)
for the wallet, I found it in the one place I never thought of looking which was the dirty laundry basket
(giỏ quần áo dơ chưa giặt). Then I handed him the wallet and told him to be more careful next time.
He was grateful to have his wallet back and constantly said thank to me. I also felt really relieved for
him as the feeling of losing something, especially if it relates to finances, can be a little heart wrenching
(nhói tim).
PART 3:
1. What kinds of things do people usually find?

Well, lots of people are forgetful these days, so I think it’s pretty common to find small objects like
sunglasses and keys lying around. Those things can easily fall out of people’s pockets. Sometimes
people even lose their phones, which is pretty unfortunate. I remember just the other day410 my friend
and I found someone’s wallet on a bench at a shopping mall. We didn't have time to contact the owner
myself so we gave it to the lost and found of the shopping mall.
2. What would normal people do when they find something doesn't belong to them?
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I think the normal response is to411 bring the item to the lost and found. Normally, people don’t take
things they find for themselves. After all, it’s rude to take something that doesn’t belong to you. So it
seems to me that the proper protocol412 is bringing the item somewhere it can be found by its owner.
Another good idea is to give it to the authorities, but usually that’s just if it’s a big-ticket item413 like
a laptop.
3. How should parents educate their children when they find something that doesn't belong to
them?
Parents should be gentle but firm414 if their children have something that doesn’t belong to them.
They have to teach them that it’s wrong to take something that isn’t yours. But the child might not
know that, so the parents should patiently explain it. If possible, maybe they can get the child to return
the item to its proper owner. When I was little, I accidentally took a toy from my friend, and my
parents corrected me right away.
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44. Describe a film or TV program that made you laugh a lot.
You should say:

What it was?
When you watched it (How often you watched it?)?
What it was about?
And explain why you laughed a lot?
I’m a huge fan of comedy and I can spent the whole day watching them without getting bored at all
so today I’m gonna talk about Mr. Bean which is an internationally acclaimed TV show. Although set in
the UK, this sitcom expanded to reach other countries, including Vietnam. The drama series went viral in
Vietnam in the early 2010s when dozens of Vietnamese people watched and imitated Mr. Bean’s oafish
behavior.
The series was aired every Sunday afternoon on Disney channel and I don’t think I missed a single
episode. The central plot revolves around Mr. Bean who is known as “a child in a grown man’s body”. In
the film, he looks so ridiculous and yet lovable at the same time.
The awkward and crazy behavior of Mr. Bean makes me laugh. Mr. Bean seems to have the best
intention but he gets himself into terrible problems and funny situations just doing normal things. He can
make you laugh without uttering a single word. The audiences laugh out loud because of his facial gestures
and body movements. This comedy doesn’t rely on smart or witty dialogue but the situation or events he’s
involved in.
PART 3:
1. Why do children like laughing? What makes children laugh?

It seems to me that children like laughing because they are easily amused 418. For example, if you tell a
kid a simple joke, they’ll probably end up busting a gut. They also love laughing when they see funny
things, like people making faces or a person falling. Even though it might seem pretty immature to us
adults, it really gets kids going and makes them laugh out loud.
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2. Is laughing good for people’s health?
Yes, laughing is definitely good for people’s health! It’s not good for you to always be downcast 422 and
serious. I’ve heard it said that423 laughter is the best medicine, which I believe has some real truth to it.
Even though it can’t heal all illnesses424, it can lower your amount of stress425. Stress is tied to lots of
different health issues, so it’s always good to try and bring your stress level down by laughing.
3. Why are some people good at telling jokes, while others are not?
Well, I guess that when it comes to telling jokes, you have to have a good memory and great comedic
timing426, plus you have to be a good storyteller. This basically means that you have to remember all the
important parts of the joke and tell it in an entertaining way. Having the right inflection427 can also be
important to tell the joke right. Some people just don’t have those qualities so they aren’t good at telling
jokes.
4. Should school classes be funny? / Should teachers be funny?

Honestly, I don’t think that’s necessary. The main goal of classes is to be educational, not to be
entertaining. So even though humor can help information go down a little more smoothly 428, I don’t
think it’s as important. It definitely shouldn’t be a requirement. As for teachers, it’s pretty much the same
idea. Humor can make a teacher more relatable429 to their students but in my opinion, it’s definitely not
a must for them to be funny.
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45. Describe a game you liked to play when you were a kid.
You should say:

What it was?
Who you played with?
Where did you play it?
And explain why you liked to play this game?
A game I liked to play when I was a child was badminton. It started when I was in 6th grade and at that
time, I was living near my uncle’s house. Every afternoon, he would pick me and my cousins up from
school and drive us to the sports center near our house.
It was actually a badminton class so we had teachers and other students too. We practiced badminton
there for an hour each day. Just like tennis, you can play badminton as a singles match or double match.
The rules are pretty much the same as tennis. The only difference is that the badminton shuttlecock (quả
cầu) is lighter than the tennis ball, thus, it requires less strength.
I really loved participating in badminton games when I was a child because a host of reasons. First, it
provides me both physical and mental refreshment and relaxation. It helped keep me fit (giữ dáng) and I
could train my eyes to look further and faster as well as quicken my reflexes. In addition, it was an
effective way to let off steam (nghỉ xả hơi) after a long day at school. Last but not least, it helped me a lot
in improving my teamwork skills at a very young age. I made friends with many interesting children there
and we did share a wonderful time of childhood.
PART 3:
1. What’s the most popular game now?

Um…off the top of my head, cellphone games are crazy popular nowadays. I’m not so obsessed with
cellphone games, but basically all my friends play games on their cellphones. Particularly, I’ve often
seen my friends and other young guys playing a shooting game called “Chi ji430” on their cellphone
recently. It seems that you can team up with people online and have a blast shooting others in this
game. It’s not my cup of tea, but as far as I know, it’s the most popular game at present.
2. Why do people play different kinds of games after they grow up?
Well, I suppose it’s mostly about their maturity and intelligence levels changing. For example, when
you’re a kid, you’re satisfied with playing simple games like tag431 or hide-and-seek432. But when you
get older and more mature, you’re generally smarter as well, so you want to play games that are more
intellectually stimulating433. For example, you might move onto something like card games or mah-
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jong434. Those are probably more up older people’s alleys435 rather than childhood games.
3. Do you think winning is the most important goal of playing games?

No, I don’t think that at all. Winning isn’t always the most important goal when it comes to playing
games. Sometimes it’s more about bonding with someone or just enjoying spending time with them.
For example, when I play games with my friends, my only goal is kicking back and relaxing with
them. I’m never upset if I lose. Honestly we should not encourage people to focus only on winning;
it results in a lot of sore losers436.
4. Do children prefer indoor games or outdoor games?

I believe children prefer outdoor games. Most of the kids I know are pretty active; they hate being
cooped up437 indoors. When they’re allowed to run free outside, they usually have a blast compared
to having to be inside. Plus, outdoor games can usually be more active than indoor ones. For example,
it’s pretty hard to play a fun game of soccer inside. That being said438, the shy kids like being inside,
so I guess it depends on their personality.
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46. Describe a plant or flower that is famous or important in your country.
You should say:

What type of plant, flower or tree it is?
Where it grows or is usually seen?
How it is used in your country?
And why it is famous or important?
I’m a bit of a nature geek (người yêu thiên nhiên) so naturally I have a deep fascination with plants.
One of my favorite types of plant is coconut tree which is considered an important plant in Vietnam.
Well, coconut tree is indigenous to Vietnam and many others South Pacific regions characterized by
the tropical climate. It’s a relatively tall tree, about 10 meters on average. It’s quite distinctive with huge
trunk and crown (thân và tán to). Coconut trees can be spotted basically everywhere in Vietnam,
especially in the countryside or in coastal areas (vùng ven biển). A lot of resorts plant them to lend some
visual interest to their space.
Coconut plays an important role as it serves a number of purposes.
First, all parts of the tree can be useful for household. The trunk can be used to make furniture. We
actually own a dining table made of coconut trunk. It’s very sturdy unlike plastic tables which are prone
to breaking (dễ vỡ). In the past, as concrete houses were only popular among the rich, our poor ancestors
used coconut leaves to build houses and bridges which have become a symbol of traditional Vietnamese
countryside. It produces fruit called coconut with milk and flesh which is a true delicacy (món ngon).
Other parts of the tree are edible (có thể ăn được) as well.
Second, it serves as a reminder of our diverse culture. It symbolizes history, strength and reliability –
probably because of its traditional role in construction. That also explains why they were mentioned in
various old songs and poems.
PART 3:
1. Do people in your country like to grow plants at home?
Yes, there are definitely people who like growing plants at home. Even though it can be hard to find
the space, it’s really lovely to have plants around because they can brighten up any living space 439.
For example, my aunt has a row of cute plants on her balcony. She doesn’t use them for food or
anything; they’re really just window-dressing. But it sets my mind at ease440 to sit with her on her
balcony and admire the greenery.
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2. Who likes growing plants more, old people or young people?
I guess old people like growing plants more. Honestly, I don’t think young people have the patience
to watch a seed grow into a plant; they like everything to be done with a snap of their fingers441. Plus,
a lot of young people I know don’t really see the point of442 growing plants at all. But on the contrary,
old people enjoy taking care of things. They have more nurturing443 personalities.
3. Are trees or plants important to cities?

Yes, I think so. For one, they provide more oxygen for citizens to breathe, so they’re essential to life
in that manner444. For another, they make cities look beautiful. You’d get pretty bored of a place with
only grey concrete and cement445; it makes a world of difference to have greenery in the area. I believe
it really brightens people’s day to see a little bit of nature around them.
4. Do children need to learn how to grow plants? (Should school set up courses about growing
plants?)
Yes, I think children need to learn how to grow plants. It helps them develop a sense of responsibility
and focus on things outside of their own needs. When kids are given a plant to take care of, they have
to pay attention to it and look after it on a daily basis, like watering it or observing its growth. Through
this process, they can also learn how to take care of others. Besides, for some children, they can
discover an interest in biology. Perhaps it would be helpful for their career choice in the future.
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47. Describe a water sport you would like to try in the future.
You should say:

What water sport is that? How is it?
Why would you like to try it in the future?
Who you would like to try with?
So earlier this year, I made a list of resolutions (dự định) one of which is trying scuba diving and to
be honest I haven't fulfilled it yet.
This is an interesting sport and it requires us to be very well-equipped (được trang bị tốt) before go
deep underwater. Basically, you will need a diving suit, normally in one piece, a snorkel, scuba tank, fins,
gloves (ống thở, bình dưỡng khí, chân vịt, bao tay) . These gears are to help divers breathe underwater
and protect them from the menace high pressure could cause.
Unlike other aquatic activities, diving is not about itself but about the factor gained afterward. For
example, the main purpose of swimming or water-skiing is to enjoy the practice from which a set of skills
are built up (nhiều kĩ năng được xây dựng) either for fitness or competition. Diving, on the other hand,
is a means for us to explore the deep seafloor ecosystem (hệ sinh thái dưới đáy biển). I usually watch
diving stories from National Geographic channel and I was completely convinced that wherever it seems
to be far-flung corners of the Earth or far-reaching from people, the beauty of nature is pure and
astoundingly magnificent (tráng lệ). Besides, through diving, we can also partake in other meaningful
activities related to marine conservation (bảo tồn hệ sinh thái dưới biển) such as sea turtle rescue (giải
cứu rùa biển) - a very common project now.
I am planning a trip soon to islands in Nha Trang where I will have a chance to try scuba diving, get
to see the coral reefs (rạn san hô) and some other colorful creatures in person, with my own eyes. I am
so excited and can't wait to talk about it.
PART 3:
1. What kind of sport can all people do?

Well, I don’t really have a good head for20 sports, so I don’t tend to keep track of21 that kind of thing.
But if I had to guess, I’d say22 swimming. You know, swimming is technically a sport even if you’re
not doing it competitively, and you don’t really have to be a specific age to go swimming. Of course
you don’t want a super young kid to go out in the water, but generally there isn’t an age barrier.
2. Is it good for athletes to endorse brands?

Yeah, I suppose that generally speaking it’s good for athletes to endorse23 brands. For one, it really
helps the company they’re supporting. If it’s a sports company that has really good values and
sportswear, then I don’t see any problem with athletes helping them become more well-known. Plus,
endorsing the brand helps the athlete out. I’m sure they make a decent buck off24 of that.
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3. Are there too many sports programs on TV?
Well, personally sports aren’t my cup of tea, so I don’t really follow sports programs on TV. But from
what I’ve seen from flipping25 through channels, I think there are too many of them out there. I don’t
get what the draw is26; you’re just watching someone else play sports instead of doing it yourself. So
it seems to me that there should be programs devoted to more helpful or interesting things.
4. Why people like watching sports rather than do sports themselves?

Well, it’s mainly because when you watch sports, you’re usually watching people who are
professionals and really have a knack for what they’re doing. So I think that in itself can be more
entertaining than actually playing sports yourself. Plus, I know a lot of people are couch potatoes 27
who only do something active once in a blue moon28. It’s a lot easier to just kick back and relax by
watching someone else play sports instead.
5. Do young people and old people like watching same kind of sports?
I believe young people and old people are at opposite poles 29 when it comes to watching sports. Young
people tend to love fast-paced and intense sports, like basketball or swimming competitions. But I
suppose old people like sports that are a lot slower and not as crazy, like golf or baseball. I think that
for young people, watching a golf game would be about as fun as watching paint dry30.
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48. Describe a time when you got up early in the morning.
You should say:

When was it?
Why did you have to get up early?
What did you do? And how did you feel?
I am going to talk about a time I went to a job interview.
It was just a couple of months ago when I was in search of a new part-time job. There was a position
in a company whose job description perfectly suited my needs and qualifications. I completed an
application form online right after I was informed there was a vacancy. To my surprise, they called me
immediately for an interview taking place the day after that.
Although I’m a night-owl (cú đêm), I went to sleep early that night so that I could spend more time
to prepare in the morning. It’s common knowledge that when you meet a potential employer for the first
time, they immediately form an opinion of you based on what you’re wearing and how you carry yourself.
So, I ironed a white shirt and black trousers. Then, I polished my shoes and filled my bag with necessary
documents and qualifications. It took a lot of time as I had to check my stuff again and again, however, I
was able to show up at the office 15 minutes before the interview. It just dawns on me that (Tôi chợt
nhận ra là) spending plenty of time to prepare for an important event will help you gain more confidence.
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49. Describe a quiz program or game show on TV.
You should say:

What quiz program or game show is that?
Why do you like it?
How often do you watch it?
I’m gonna talk about a very interesting and useful TV program on education, which is a knowledge
competition among distinguished (nổi tiếng) high school students nationwide.
The program’s name is “The way to the Olympia” broadcast on TV every Sunday morning from 10:00
– 11:30. In each competition, there are about 4 students competing together to answer questions in a range
of subjects such as Literature, Maths, English, Geography, History, etc. They will in turn answer from easy
to difficult quizzes to gain marks. If they have a wrong answer, they lose their mark and their turn to the
other one. The winner is the one achieving the highest score.
Each competition has its own unique as sometimes there are very excellent competitors. My family
and I always eagerly wait for the time of the program to watch it together. I love the moment when we
discuss and try to answer the quiz before the correct answer is given, it’s funny.
I like the program because it not only help me review things learnt from high school or even widen
my knowledge (mở rộng kiến thức) but also is the time for my family to relax and have fun together.
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50. Describe a time when you solved a problem via the Internet.
You should say:

What problem was that?
When did it happen?
What did you do to solve the problem?
There was an event happened to me last year and it was that my Facebook account was hacked.
It was totally unexpected because I remembered that I never shared my password to anyone or logged
in on any computer except mine. Frankly, I didn’t enjoy it at all because all of my important information
and contacts were on Facebook.
You know, I started wondering what would happen if the hacker used the info for his or her personal
gains? For example, he or she could pretend to be me and ask my friends for money. That would be
catastrophic if that happened because then it would be me who lost all the image (mất hình tượng) and
my friends who lost the money.
Then I had to go through (trải qua) all the verification and reporting procedures to take my account
back. I was so worried at that time and I constantly emailed Facebook staff to address my problem. And
you know what happened? They did not reply me for 5 days. That was why I was so furious at them and I
sweared to never touch Facebook again in my life! But after a few days, I created another Facebook account
and continued using Facebook to this day. Facebook is that addictive.
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51. Describe a time when you got wrong information.
You should say:

When did you get the wrong information?
Why did you get wrong information?
What did you do?
I’m gonna talk about the wrong information given to me years ago by my English teacher but still
affects my English language results till now.
When I was in grade 6, my English teacher told me that we must always put an article before a noun.
A singular noun is preceded by “a” or “an” and a plural one must be preceded by “the”. And you know,
I’d followed this instruction for years until I signed up for an IELTS course.
My Listening and Reading scores were quite high but my Speaking and Writing scores were extremely
low and I had no idea what was the reason for it. Then, my IELTS teacher helped me correct it but it just
dawns on me that it takes time for me to quit the habit of putting “the” before every plural noun. I was
down in the dumps (buồn chán) when I realized this basic grammar mistakes compromise my English
scores for such a long period of time.
However, I don’t blame that on (đổ lỗi) my old English teachers, we’re from rural areas and at that
time, it was really difficult to get access to standard English.
PART 3:
6. What ways can people get information these days except the internet?
There are tons of ways for people to get information nowadays, even aside from the internet. For
example, there are plenty of tried-and-true15 methods like getting info from books, magazines, or
newspapers. With the popularity of television and movies, lots of people learn a ton of information
from those mediums too.
7. What are the differences between getting information from a library and getting information
from a newspaper? / Given the fact that many books in libraries are often out of date, are
libraries still necessary?
Well, (even though some of the materials in libraries can be out-of-date, I still believe they’re one of
the best sources for reliable and valid information.16) When you get information from a library, you
can look at books or articles that have definitely been fact-checked and published by reputable people
and publishers. But I think in general, newspapers can be more biased and less objective about the
truth.
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8. Is information found on the internet reliable? / What are the disadvantages of getting
information from the internet?
I suppose that it depends. There are tons of educational sites that are constantly fact-checked so
they’re accurate. But a lot of the internet is created by people who don’t care about being true to life,
so you can often find a lot of fake news or information when surfing the web. That’s definitely a
disadvantage of getting information from the internet; sometimes it can be a challenge to tell what’s
real and what’s fake17.
9. How do you distinguish if the information you searched online is real or not?
Well, I generally look at what kind of sources have been used, and I also judge the appearance of the
website. For example, if a website has poor graphics and lots of grammatical errors, it’s probably not
displaying information collected by professionals. But if there are reliable sources listed on the
website, then you’re probably safe to go ahead and take it at face value18 . Of course there are
exceptions to every rule. You just have to be very careful.
10. How about getting information from TV?

Well, when you get information from TV, it can be pretty easy to just take it at face value. This is
especially true if you’re watching a news program. Most of the time, the information that’s shown on
those types of shows has been fact-checked, so you can generally trust it. But it’s always better to be
safe than sorry19, so I think it’s good to double-check something when you hear it on TV.
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52. Describe a time when you visited family or friends to have dinner at home or restaurant.
You should say:

When did you have dinner with them?
Who was there?
What did you and your family/friends do?
I’m gonna talk about a party which was held two months ago to mark my 23th birthday. The party
took place at a Western food establishment (nhà hàng) which is well-known for its luxurious decorations
and mouth-watering food.
All of my dresses went out of fashion (lỗi mốt) so I decided to buy a new one. We got a few local
shops nearby and a few independent stores but none of the big high street names. I had to go into town for
them and luckily, I did find a dress that suited me and was reasonably priced. Just like me, everybody was
well-dressed.
The eatery was elaborately decorated with candles and pure-white tablecloths and floral decorations.
They also gave me a birthday cake as a gift.
We began with light snacks and sparkle drinks. Then came the main course after the appetizer. The
food was out of this world (ngon không tưởng) and we polished it all off (chén sạch). I was very pleased
to know that the guests were totally full up (no nê) by the end.
There were a host of performances. They weren’t very good but weren’t bad either. Mediocre (tạm
được), I’d say. The party cost me an arm and a leg, however, I was definitely satisfied with their service
and I would recommend this restaurant to those who wanna find a good place for a party.
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53. Describe a person who has interesting ideas or opinions.
You should say:

When did you get the wrong information?
Why did you get wrong information?
What did you do?
I’m going to talk about my elder sister who is fortunate enough to possess a very creative mind.
She could come up with (nghĩ ra) ideas quite fast and most of which are straight out of the box
(nghĩ thoáng) and exciting.
The interesting part is that those who know her and our family keep wondering where she has got
her creativity from as it seems that her creative ability comes from neither nature or nurture
(Bẩm sinh hay nuôi dưỡng) since both our parents are super conventional (bảo thủ) and have
outrageously old-fashioned mindsets (tư tưởng cổ hủ) and ways of life. I adore and respect her a
lot even though she’s not a great role model (tấm gương) herself to me as a big sister since she’s
quite lazy and undisciplined, which is pretty understandable for a creative thinker like her. Our
parents told us that since the day she was just a toddler, the way she moved around and played with
toys was already very different from all the kids that they know and as she grows up, whenever we
have things to discuss, parties to hold, problems to solve, we all turn to her for (nhờ cô ấy)
hopefully an unusual but very effective approach to deal with stuff.
As to the reason why she has such a great power, I believe that it has something to do with her
reading habit, which possibly is the foundation to help build her imagination (tưởng tượng) and
the more she builds it, the better she gets.
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54. Describe a person who is good at foreign languages.
You should say:

Who is that person?
How do know him or her?
Do you learn anything from him/her?
I’m going to talk about one of my colleagues who is a dazzling polyglot (người biết nhiều ngôn ngữ).
This friend of mine is a very passionate language learner (người đam mê với ngoại ngữ) to the point
that she has spent almost all her spare time to learn languages.
As a sales person for an international manufacturing firm, she has to communicate with people coming
from different corners of the world both in English and French. When she was still a young girl, her
Mom sent her to a language school for gifted students for her to learn English. That’s why she has
mastered (thông thạo) this language very early in her life despite the fact that she hasn’t been to any
English-speaking country before. Three years ago, we had a French customer coming over to our year-
end party and it was that guy who inspired (truyền cảm hứng) my friend to learn French and put her
language skills to use by communicating in French with our Canadian and French customers. In spite
of being a bilingual (người nói 2 ngoại ngữ) already, she has also taught herself Chinese and Spanish
and has become very fluent in these 2 languages as well. The reason why she is remarkably good at
languages is that not only does she have passion but she is also really devoted, disciplined and serious
to be fluent (lưu loát) in any languages that she set out to (dự định sẽ học) learn.
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55. Describe a person who encouraged you to achieve a goal.
You should say:

Who is that person?
Do you learn anything from him/her?
I’m going to talk about my friend, who has been very supportive (có ích với tôi) to me and who has more
than once encouraged me to strive for my goals (nỗ lực cho mục đích).
Recently I have taken a new position as a sales person and admittedly, at the very first stage, the job was
quite a challenge to me as I couldn’t make any sales and started to feel really stressful and desperate
(chán nản và mệt mỏi). Just when I was about to give up, I talked to my friend and asked her what
motivated her. She simply and calmly asked me the reason why I took up the sales position at the outset
(ngay từ đầu). She gave me encouragement (lời động viên) instead of criticism like what some of my
colleagues gave me. She offered constructive suggestions (đưa ra lời khuyên) instead of being critical
(phán xét). I met this petit-looking but charming girl around 2 years back on a volunteer campaign
organized by an NGO in southern Vietnam.
Although we have known each other for a relatively short period of time, we seem to understand each other
quite well and come to each other’s rescue when needed. It was her positivity (sự tích cực) that has helped
to cultivate the positive outlook’s seed in me (gieo hạt giống tích cực). The reason why I always turn
to her for advice or encouragement is that she is the happy type who is upbeat (cởi mở) and open-minded
and she cares. Just by talking to her, you’ll quickly regain your positive state of mind.
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56. Describe a prize you want to get.
You should say:

What prize is it?
What do you do to get the prize?
How valuable is the prize?
This question reminds me of a contest for amateur screenwriter sponsored by CGV that has been
announced lately. The top 3 prizes are pretty appealing with the champion and runner-up's chances to
introduce their works to top film producers beside 40 - 60 million dong in cash.
The reason why I wanted to sign up for this contest was that I had a great passion for movies. I’ve
watched countless of them from all genres like action, comedy, drama and sci-fi/non-sci-fi; therefore, I can
easily guess where or when the plot-twist might appear from a typical storyline. However, watching a
movie is far from making one. By saying this, I mean the screenwriter must be a detail-oriented person
who can capture moments into words and from words to scene with their vivid imagination. They also
need to master their interpersonal skill as to depict characters' psychology linked to their actions when
they are put under such circumstances. Thus, while movie industry nowaday is rife with multiple of new
movies, hardly there are any films can touch people's heart or achieve a noble trophy recognized by Oscar,
for example.
Back to my plan for the competition, I am up to a detective-related content and I hope my endeavor
will pay off.
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57. Describe a historical building.
You should say:

What is that historical building?
How do you feel about it?
Have you ever visited it?
I’m going to talk about a historical building in my hometown, which is HCM city.
There are several buildings that hold significant meanings throughout our history, among which is
the Independence Palace. This five-storey structure whose architecture is not only impressive but also
unique is located in the heart of District 1 and have attracted hundreds of visitors each year. People can
come to the site to study about the Vietnam war or just merely to take in the view or pose for some photos.
This 12-hectare landmark used to serve as the home and workplace for the President of South Vietnam
during the war. The building made its name in global history in 1975 when an event happened at the
place led to the end of the war in Vietnam, this is also the reason why some people refer to this structure
as Reunification Palace. Because of its historical meaning, the complex is a must-see for tourists in Ho Chi
Minh City with its lush gardens , secret rooms, antique furnitures and a command bunker. There have been
several renovations made to the building but overall its distinct look remains.
PART 3:
1. Why do some people like to visit historical places?
I suppose some people like visiting historical places because it makes them feel like they’re more in
touch with the past. For example, if you visit historical buildings, you get a sense for241 what things used
to be like in the past. Some other historical places can have personal significance – for example, if your
ancestors had something to do with a historical place, it can make you feel closer to them if you visit.
2. Do you think the government should protect historical buildings?

Yes, to a certain extent, the government should protect historical buildings. Lots of historical buildings
have rich cultural significance. They can help educate today’s generation about the way things used to
be in the past. In this way, they can function as real-life history lessons. But I think that governments
should allow some historical buildings to be repurposed242 or even replaced to suit today’s needs; we
can’t always be focused on what was important in the past.
3. What can we do to stop visitors from damaging historical places?

I think we can set up certain rules and work on educating people in order to protect historical places from
damage. For example, if you’re visiting a certain building that’s already in poor shape, you can make
rules about what people are allowed to bring or how many people are allowed to visit at a time 243. Plus,
you can increase people’s awareness of why certain historical places are important so that they’ll respect
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them more.
4. Why are there more and more tall buildings in cities?

Well, I believe one part of it is definitely to give cities a unique look. But the more important reason why
there are more high-rise buildings in cities is simply because so many people live there. You need to
make sure there’s enough space, which is why tall buildings are so important. They’re more vertical 244
than horizontal245, so you can have more of them built and thus fit more people into246 the cities.
5. Are there big differences between life in cities and life in the countryside in China?
Well, lifestyle does vary in different places. The first difference I can think of is that the pace of life in
cities is way faster than it is in the countryside. It’s mainly because most city residents work nine-to-five
jobs, which is more intense than what most rural people do. Um… of course, living in the city also means
you can take advantage of247 some public services that are weak or don't even exist in villages, like
developed public transportation or entertainment facilities.
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58. Describe an occasion when you showed something new to younger people.
You should say:

Who is that younger person/people?
What did you show him/her?
How did they respond to you?
I’m going to talk about the time when I teach a new skill I have learned to my younger brother. I grow
up in a family of four with my parents and my little brother, who is 2 years old younger than me. As a boy,
he has quite energetic and adventurous. He was passionate about discovering things and then showed
me those. I must say that the majority of stuff that I learned throughout my childhood was from him, but I
remember there was one particular occasion when I was lucky enough to know how to solve a Rubik’s
cube from one of my friend and I found out the my curious younger companion didn’t know how, so he
insisted that I should teach him. I showed him the basic 5-step process to follow starting with making a
cross on one face of the cube and culminating in bringing all the cubes of a certain color to one face of
the cube. The essence of solving a Rubik’s cube is to follow and memorize a certain algorithm, which is
not difficult but requires learner to focus and remember. With a very active characteristics, cute little
brother got distracted easily as his attention span was very good so we had to take a few breaks in
between for him to recharge. I really enjoyed this first experience of teaching him as I figured out later that
by teaching him I understood the Rubik’s cube solving method even better.
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59. Describe something you bought back from a tourist atteaction.
You should say:

What was it?
Where & When did you buy it?
Why did you buy it?
Last year I had a trip to Italy where I had a chance to visit Roman Colosseum (đấu trường la mã) -
a world-famous historical sight. After taking a tour around the remnant (tàn dư) of this work of art, I went
through the exit door adjacent (kế bên) to a souvenir shop. The shop attracts visitors with the display of a
wide range of impressive mementos (kỷ vật/quà lưu niệm) one of which was a book that caught my sight
(thu hút ánh nhìn) immediately. Unlike other kinds of books, it was more of a photo-album combined with
pocket booklet (sách nhỏ bỏ túi) for inquisitive (tò mò) tourists. When I had a browse (xem qua) inside
the book, I could see that the format was very well-designed to deliberately guide readers through the
thrilling historical stories about this ancient architecture. Basically, the Colosseum was built as an
amphibian theater to serve entertainments or shows to audiences. Then for somehow, it involved killing,
first with animals, then man to man as ruthless (tàn nhẫn) as we saw on movie.
However, what made me bought the book without hesitation (không do dự) even if it costs an arm
and a leg (Idiom: rất mắc tiền)to me was the comparison picture of the the past and present time. Instead
of putting 2 pictures together on 2 pages as usual for comparison, the authors did differently. They put
present picture on the back without missing parts of Colosseum ruined by both nature and humans, then
they have another kind of transparent plastic-coated paper with the missing parts of it. Just like a puzzle,
they match perfectly and keep you flip-flapping (lật qua lật lại) constantly to see how different that mark
of time has turned them to.
And now this book is still there on top of my bookshelf - one of my favorite books and keepsakes
from my travels.
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60. Describe a time you had to change your plan.
You should say:

When did you change your plan?
What plan was it?
Why did you change it?
I would like to talk to about an occasion where I had to change my plans due to an unforeseen
circumstance (trường hợp không lường trước).
It was last year in which I experienced this incident. I had initially planned a trip to visit my best-
friend abroad in Europe who had recently graduated and had the opportunity to take an internship in Italy
as an architect. I had already bought my plane ticket to go see him the following month and everyday felt
so slow as I was anxiously awaited (lo lắng chờ đợi) the departure date to arrive.
As the last week drew near to a close, I unfortunately was slapped in the face with the news (nghe
một tin bất chợt- thường là không vui) that my grandfather had become quite ill and had a slim chance
(cơ hội mong manh) of surviving due to an infection (sự lây nhiễm). My heart sank, as I really wanted
to go visit my friend in Italy as I’ve never been there and it’s been quite some time since I last saw him.
But as for my grandfather, he was a father figure (người cha) to me as he practically raised me since
birth along with my grandmother. As hard as it was, I knew what the right decision had to be and so I
cancelled my ticket and broke the bad news (báo tin xấu) to my friend. He of course understood about
the whole situation and told me there was always next time.
To end the story, my grandfather thankfully passed the ordeal (vượt qua khó khăn) and I was able
to eventually book another flight to pay my friend a visit which will be at the end of this calendar year.
PART 3:
1. What are the main reasons that make people change their mind?
Well, it depends on the situation. Sometimes, I think that people change their mind when they receive
advice. For example, if someone wants to move out, but a friend they trust tells them it would be a
bad idea, then that person will probably change their mind about it. But sometimes, they change their
mind because the circumstances change. Those are usually outside of people’s control181.
2. What would you do if you need to convince someone to change their mind or plan?
I would try to be as logical as possible. It’s important to know and stick to facts, not feelings,
especially when you’re trying to make someone change their mind. I know a lot of people who are as
stubborn as an ox182, so it can be a real challenge to get them to listen to reason183. But reason is the
best tool to use when it comes to changing people’s minds.
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61. Decribe a singer that you like.
You should say:

Who is that singer/foreign star?
Why do you like him/her or Why do you want to meet him/her?
I am a fan of Taylor Swift - a famous pop singer from America. She was praised (tán thưởng) and
dearly named “princess of country music” since the day she impressed audiences with her angel face
(khuôn mặt thiên thần) and sweet tunes (giai điệu) she belted out (ý chỉ hát hay, to rõ) while playing
acoustic guitar on stage. Her music was appealed to (hấp dẫn đối với) fans of all ages, which catapulted
(phóng, thúc đẩy) her to the limelight (đèn sân khấu) and made her one of the most youngest successful
artist. Up until now, she has won 10 Grammy Awards along with 32 nominations (đề cử) while other big
stars could probably struggle (tranh đấu, khó khăn để có được) to achieve. Now, her image has changed
after she made a turning point (bước ngoặt) of releasing her debut album (cho ra album đầu tiên) totally
with pop songs. Although she inevitably earns widespread critical acclaims (sự chỉ trích từ dư luận), she
still manages to grow her massive fan base.
Personally, I think she is a true stardom and very talented, not only in her career but also the way she deals
with her life. Once, I watched an interview of her on a show, she shared about her obstacles on the way
achieving her biggest dream - to become a singer. She was so dedicated (quyết tâm) and I still see that
after all those years in this industry. She just simple shakes it off, live on with her passion because as she
sang “haters gonna hate" and nothing could halt (ngăn lại) her career from taking off. (ý chỉ sự nghiệp
phát triển)
PART 3:
1. What kinds of famous people do children like?

It seems to me that children are interested in famous people who act and sing. Those kinds of talents
are really easy to see and admire. For example, I have a young cousin who really loves the American
singer Taylor Swift. She’s little but she likes that kind of music, and she can recognize a Taylor Swift
song at the drop of a hat337. Besides actors and singers, I think famous magicians also have an impact
on children. Their performances can always attract children.
2. What are the changes to children’s lives compared with before? Are they positive or negative?
I suppose that children’s lives are a lot better than they used to be. The past was a lot more difficult
for basically everyone. People didn’t have the same luxuries as they do nowadays. My parents told
me that children didn't have any toys when they were young. And they even had to help parents do a
lot of chores that children today won’t do, like washing clothes and making meals. Nowadays, kids
are treated to the latest technologies and they have tons of entertainment at their fingertips338. So I
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think it’s mostly a positive change from the past.
3. Should celebrities be role models to children?

Yeah, celebrities should set a good example for kids. Even though it’s not technically their job, being
in the public eye339 means that you have a huge influence on people, no matter what their age. So I
think that celebrities should be on their best behavior340 in public. That way, they can be good role
models for kids. I wouldn’t want any child of mine to admire someone who acted really badly, even
if they were famous.
4. What are the responsibilities of celebrities to society? Why?

341
Well, it’s weird to think that celebrities have responsibilities to society. But in a way, they
definitely do. Just like everyone else, they owe it to society to be good citizens342 and help contribute
positively to the community. But since celebrities have such a huge influence on the public, I suppose
that they should use their fame to support important social movements and bring awareness to some
public issues343. It’s a way of using their status for good.
5. Is it a good thing to be famous as a child?

I actually think it’s really bad to be famous as a child. Growing up is tough enough without everyone
watching your every move344. When children are famous, they can quickly let the attention get to
their head and become really spoiled. They also run the risk of having more anxiety since they’re in
the public eye so often. So I guess fame would add too much stress to their daily life.
6. Do you think advertisements aimed at children should be endorsed by famous people?

Well… I don't think advertisements aimed at children should really exist to begin with. Advertisers
should just leave kids alone. They shouldn’t be targets of advertising; they’re too young to think about
that stuff. So in that sense, I don’t think famous people should endorse those types of advertisements.
When companies use popular actors or singers to sponsor their products, they can take advantage
of345 children easily and end up ripping off346 them.
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62. Describe a time you gave advice to others.
You should say:

When did you give advice to that person?
Who did you give your advice to?
Was your advice helpful to him/her?
I’m gonna talk about a time I helped my younger brother choosing his major at university.
Last year, my brother attained a scholarship at Vietnam National University but he was clueless about
(không biết) what to major in. He could pick from Chinese, Arabian, Indian and Australian culture and he
only had a handful of days to make up his mind (đưa ra quyết định).
Since he did not have the stomach to (không đủ tự tin để) settle this on his own, he called me and
quickly walked me through (giải thích cặn kẽ) the whole thing. And upon hearing what he said, I
suggested that he gave Australian Studies a shot (thử) as I thought that Australia is a developed country
which is well worth studying and on top of that, the national language is English so his command of English
would be definitely improved. He could save much time and effort compared to learning Chinese or
Arabian.
After a moment of hesitation, he nodded. Fortunately, he was keen on his major then and I become a
good adviser in his eyes.
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CÁC CÂU HỎI MỚI CẬP NHẬT 2020
1. PART 2
Describe a change that can improve your local area
You should say:
What it is
How it can be made
What problem it will bring
How you feel about it
The area that I reside in (= live in) is a very energetic little community located in the
northwest of the cosmopolitan city (thành phố quốc tế) of Ho Chi Minh, often referred to
as Saigon. The overall impression of most people who live there is relatively (= quite)
positive but there is one thing, I believe, most people would agree to that is for the local
council to establish a nice little green park somewhere near the center of the community
so that people would have the chance to improve their general wellbeing (sự hạnh phúc)
by doing exercises more frequently.
As of last week, we already co-signed the proposal to the authority regarding this matter
and is now awaiting (đợi) their updates on the course of action to take. As far as I'm
concerned (in my opinion), the only issue right now for the park to receive approval from
the council is the local budget. It might be that the local officials are weighing over
options to both improve public's health and save costs as we have other categories to be
taken care of, such as education, healthcare or infrastructure (hạ tầng)
Currently, the majority of people living in my town have to travel quite a distance just to
have an open-air space (1 khu thoáng mát ngoài trời) so we can immerse ourselves in the
greenery. Thinking of the prospective of having a new park situated right in the heart of
the neighborhood excites us all and as a matter of fact we are all looking forward to it
(mong đợi nó).
PART 3:
1. Why are people living in the same community friendly with others?
You know, we are all members of many communities, be it family, work or neighborhood.
And in most cases, those communities are where we live or work, where we nurture
(nuôi dưỡng) our most intimate relationships (mối quan hệ thân thiết) or even where we
find comfort in difficult times. Besides, people in any kind of community tend to share the
same sets of goals or beliefs. As a result, people are often amiable (= friendly) and
supporting of each other within the community so each individual can feel safe,
comfortable and protected.
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2. What are popular activities in communities?
Well, there are a whole lot of activities for people to enjoy in a community ranging from
pastimes (hoạt động giải trí) to skill-building activities , sometimes depending on the
kind of community it is. For instance, a community of interest might focus on activities
that help to deepen their passion for the interest like organizing workshops or trainings
like a community for programmers. More relaxed type of communities might choose to
spend a major part of their time together on pastimes like playing cards or games.
3. Do people like living in community?

The way I see it, the majority of our population belong to at least 1 kind of community
and crave (mong muốn) to be part of those communities - that is collections of people
glued on by shared beliefs (niềm tin chung), ideologies, and affection to each other. One
of the main reason for this is that communities can often provide people with security,
protection, and belongingness. A community could be intellectual or it could be fun and
open but at the end of the day it satisfies the security part of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
4. Where do people in community usually have social gathering?

Well, a social gathering(1 buổi tụ tập) provides context for social interactions where
people can expect to meet individuals of the same interests or communities. These kind of
events don't often have too high a requirement for the venue (nơi gặp gỡ) as long as it
serves the purpose right, which can be a local school, church, community center, in the
open air or even a member's private home.
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2. PART 2: Describe an occasion when weather prevented your activities
You should say
When it was
Why it prevented your activity
What you did
And how you felt about it
Well, weather seems to have been the culprit (thủ phạm) of many of my activities, but the
most recent one that I can still recall clearly is my company outing (đi chơi chung công
ty), which was around 1 year back. One thing I need to mention is that the outing wasn't
organized for the whole company to join, just our department - the largest department in
our organization in terms of number of headcount (nhân lực), the finance department.
Because the event wasn't company-scaled but rather spontaneous by our department, each
of us needed to take part in the preparation for the trip and we all were looking forward to
the trip excitedly and keenly anticipated it. Yet, unfortunately, on the day that we planned
to set out, the town experienced a torrential downpour, which was very unexpected as the
weather forecast said that we would expect a clear day that day.
As a result, instead of heading to our camping site, we decided to gather at my house and
cook together in-house and participated in a few card games, which was fun enough to
keep everybody awake the whole night and enjoy a slumber party the next morning.
I would like to wrap up (kết thúc) by telling how we felt about the sudden event. Well, at
first some of us was a little let down, but then due to the overall positivity of the whole
group, our mood began to lift and proceeded with the impromptu (tức thời/ngẫu hứng)
indoor gathering.
PART 3:
1. Does weather have any impact on people's daily activities?
As far as I'm concerned, weather affects us in a huge number of ways. Individually
speaking, weather affects what clothes we wear, the kinds of activities we choose during
the course of a day, or even a week or a month and even how long we stay in one place.
Let's take people who live in HCM city for example, a large number of people prefer to
stay longer at retail or shopping areas to avoid the searing heat (cái nóng oi bức) during
summer.
2. Why do people do different kinds of sports in different weather?

It is evident that people who play outdoor sports are the most affected if the weather
conditions are bad, which results in the fact that the majority of people, if they are not
professionals of any particular sports, opt to (chọn)take up different sports as weather
permits. For instance, people might not choose to play badminton in the open air when it's
windy, but instead go for sports that can't be affected by the wind such as swimming.
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3. What kind of weather do Vietnamese people like?
Well, it's difficult to tell. I can't account for the whole population but my best guess is that
the vast majority of Vietnamese prefer a cool type of climate, like that of Da Lat's - a
highland city in the central of Vietnam. Thanks to its hilltop location, Da Lat enjoys a
consistently mild and cool climate throughout the year. This type of weather pattern often
helps in lifting people's general mood and wellbeing.
4. Do Vietnamese people talk about weather when they meet for the first time?
Small talk is a great way to break the ice (mở đầu câu chuyện) in any cultures, I believe,
in Vietnam, even though it's not very customary (truyền thống) for people to start a
conversation by talking about the weather - you know, people only do so when there has
been a sudden change in the weather pattern recently or there has been some forms of
harsh weather going on - it, however, is acceptable and not very awkward to talk about
weather in your first meet-up with Vietnamese.
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3. PART 2: A job you would not like to do in the future
You should say
What it is?
Is it difficult or easy?
Explain why you do not want to get this job?
Well as a curious soul, if possible, I often try to get involved in way as many line of jobs I
have a chance to. Be that as it may, there are a few jobs I would rather not do in any
period of my life. One of which is job that requires me to work on night shifts (làm việc
ca đêm).
I'm not sure why I have quite a negative impression on these types of job, my speculation
is that this hatred (sự ghét) might be rooted from my brother's experience. This only
sibling of mine spent almost a year working for a bakery in the past. You know, as a baker
he had to stay up most of the nights. That was the most bizarre (kì lạ) thing about the job,
the hours, and the job was quite physically demanding for him. After just 1 year, I started
to see significant change in his appearance and an obvious deterioration (sự suy yếu) in
his health.
Since my brother's incident, I have done a lot of research online regarding how
detrimental (có hại) night shifts are to human's health, and of course the impacts vary
from individual to individual, I swear myself off any jobs that requires me to work
outside of the normal working hours.
PART 3:
1. What kind of jobs do young people prefer?
The young generation these days are faced with the nonstop development of technology
and a sharp change in their way of life. As a result, they have more options when it comes
to jobs. Although it depends on each individual as to what kinds of jobs they'd like to do,
but the majority of them are eager learners (người ham học) and hence would like to
immerse themselves in a workplace where they can learn and grow a lot.
2. Which do you prefer? Physical work or mental work?

Personally, I would rather go for professions (nghề) that are not very physically
demanding (nặng về mặt thể chất) for me, like the kind of jobs those white-collar
workers (nhân viên văn phòng) do. Well don't get me wrong as I believe any forms of
labors are equal in their level of importance of the society but as a bookworm (mọt sách)
myself, I have to say that physical works are way too taxing (quá sức) for me. These
types of jobs require one to have physical strength and stamina (sức bền), which I don't
have.
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3. Which factors should people take into consideration when choosing jobs?
Well, there are a host of factors that one should consider when picking a job. I myself
prioritize jobs that balance compensation (tiền lương) and learning opportunities. High-
paying jobs satisfy one's basic needs and at the same time the key to spend the surplus
(phần còn dư) on fulfilling many other different things. It's true that money counts, but the
opportunity to learn is no less important as it is the key for any corporate worker to climb
up the ladder.
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4. PART 2: Describe an article on health you read on a magazine or the internet
You should say
What is was
Where you read it
Why you read it
I remember the first time I became aware of my bad habit of staying up very late into the
night was 5 years back when I was just entering the job market and often burned the
midnight oil (thức khuya) to read up on things that I didn't know at work. The thing is
that the amount of knowledge that I needed to consume (take in: tiêu thụ) at that time was
way too much, and I often found myself staying awake till 2-3 a.m in the morning, and 3
months of "consistently" staying up past midnight, I felt a surge of fatigue during the day
and a clear deterioration of my overall health.
I then decided to surf through the net to see the possible reasons and came up with this
article on the degrading impacts ( tác hại) of staying up late on both our mental and
physical health from an prestigious (có uy tín, có tiếng) medical journal. The article was
around 1000 long, which took me around half an hour to devour. Thanks to this
informative piece of writing, I started to realize how devastating sleep deprivation (sự
thiếu ngủ) is and realize how counterproductive (phản tác dụng) it was to stay up late
and experienced decreased productivity the next day.
As a result of that sudden realization, I decided to adopt (áp dụng) a new habit of hitting
the pillow (đi ngủ)before 11 p.m and waking up an hour earlier than usual. This habit is
with me for 4 years already and I'm still thankful for the day I stumbled upon the
enlightening (sáng mắt) article.
PART 3:
1. What can government do to improve people's health?
The way I see it, public time managment(sức khỏe cộng đồng) is one of the sector that
the government should definitely invest in. Government's responsibility when it comes to
public health might extend from raising people's awareness of certain health issues to
assuring an adequate local public health infrastructure (cơ sở vật chất) to promoting
healthy communities. You know, there are always things to be improved in any certain
field, so the government should always be making efforts in exerting its role into the
boosting of its people's health.
2. What activities can school organize for children to keep fit?

There are a number of activities that educators usually take the advantage to help their
children to stay in shape and it depends on the age of students for schools or institutions to
organize appropriate and beneficial activities. For most primary school-age students,
activities like running, chasing and playground games are preferable. More organized
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activities like sports are suited for (phù hợp) older students to help them both maintain a
good physical form and stay healthy.
3. How can you tell whether a website is reliable or not?

This is a very challenging question to address, but from my point of view, there are a few
things to check to see how trustworthy or reliable a website or source of news is. When I
enter a website, the first thing I notice is the overall interface (giao diện) of that website, I
want to check if it's professional and yet user friendly or not, after all, professionalism
speaks for itself, I think. The second thing I like to have a look at is whether all the
information in the articles are well quoted with trustworthy sources and spelling errors-
free or not. You know, the tricky thing about the internet is that you have to always read
things with a critical mind, so hopefully after sometime, you can figure out which website
is worthy of your time and which is not.
4. Do you think people are healthier now than in the past?

Well, despite the advance of modern healthcare service and infrastructure, my view is
toward the opinion that people's health is actually getting worse today in comparison with
the past, say 10-20 years ago. The reasons might range from the increased pollution of our
habitat to the food that we consume every day, which are the direct causes for a lot of
fatal diseases (bệnh hiểm nghèo) such as cancer, diabetes or stroke. These sicknesses are
preventing people from enjoying an increased life expectancy the mankind deserve thanks
to the nonstop development of the medicine field and healthcare sector.
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5. PART 2: Describe a time when you helped someone
You should say
Where you helped him or her
Why you helped
How you helped
Well, helping someone has always been fun and rewarding to me. This question reminds
of one particular occasion when I decided to do something to help one of my close friend
to get over her fear of speaking English and started using this important foreign language
in her job and significantly improve her life thanks to it.
5 years back, we were both wet behind the ears (còn non trẻ), just got out of college and
were broke as a matter of fact. My friend was an excellent student, her academic
performance was stellar. But she couldn't find a job then just because of her fear of
speaking English. She was always frightened at the mere thought of speaking the
language.
Even though my English at the time was not very good as well but luckily I still had the
courage to start any conversations I want or express my thoughts, no matter how broken
they were. But the thing with learning a language you know is to practice until you master
it.
I remember having to force my friend to talk to me in English for at least 10 minutes a
day, and over time, I had her switch our conversations usually in Vietnamese to English,
as she familiarized herself with speaking English every day, I accompanied her to several
English groups in town so she got used to talking to strangers.
She did make a lot of improvements and me too. Till now she still sometimes thanks me
for that period of time and I'm always in cloud nine every time she does.
PART 3:
1. Should parents help their kids in their homework?
From my viewpoint, I believe that parents should help with homework to some degree.
This, of course, doesn't mean that parents get to do all the work, but just to keep your
children on task as well as provide motivation and guidance. Parental help (sự giúp đỡ
từ phụ huynh) is even more crucial especially when children are struggling in school. In
those cases parents can make a difference through warm encouragement and a positive
outlook.
2. What kind of advice should parents give to their children?

Parental guidance and advice can come in many forms and can prove to be golden (quý)
from time to time. First and foremost, parents are their own children's very first teachers
in life and their advice can range from common daily wisdom, to street smarts to life
philosophy depending on their kids' development stage.
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3. Should parents give children advice? Why?
Most parents want their kids to be successful in life so the majority of them are more than
eager to give advice of all kinds to their kids, hoping that those advice can help their kids
grow into an excellent or at least nice human being. As someone who is close to their
kids, someone more experienced and wiser, it is undeniable that parents should be there to
offer advice and guidance to their kids when they need help. The point is not to smother
kids with lots of advice and as a result make them feel under pressure and less
independent because of their parents' expectation and so-called wisdom.
4. Can kids provide any help to parents?

Many children feel guilty of making their children do household chores (việc nhà) but
never realize they learn so much via these basic skills. That said, kids can help with
household chores, by the mere action of having kids help with some of the minor
housework, parents can not only release some burden from your day to day housework
responsibility but also give their children chances to be independent and solve problems
when they arise.
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6. PART 2: Describe a team where you were a member
You should say
What it was like?
Why you joined it?
what you did in it?
How you felt about it?
Well, during the course of my professional life working as a buyer for many
manufacturing firms, I got the chance to work for multiple teams, ranging from only 2
individuals to more than a hundred of members. But the one team that I like to work with
is one that I had the opportunity to join around 2 years back.
The team was of medium size, making up of only 10 members, each one having distinct
functions ranging from Testing to Engineering to Purchasing to Planning. but the whole
team cooperated seamlessly to serve one customer only. The whole team's aim was to
make sure that we fulfilled all customer' orders in a timely manner.
Even though each of us had an immeasurable amount of workload and had to work under
great pressure to make sure than every steps of the production run smoothly and without
delay, each member was very supportive of each other. I recall that sometimes we stayed
at the factory to work together till early in the morning and despite the fatigue we all felt,
not any one of us showed up at work with a grumpy face. That not to mention the fact that
we had great time together after work just hanging out, watching movies together or
simply chit-chatting.
I'm grateful thinking of that time and thankful for the opportunity to work with such a
dynamic, energetic and extremely meticulous, talented team and have those teammates
become my lifelong friends.
PART 3:
1. Which one do you think is more important: individual development or teams'

goals?
I believe that to maintain a healthy and sustainable team, one has to balance between the
overall development of each team member and the general goals of that team. One factor
might be considered more important than the other at one point but it's evident that the
achievement of the team's goals has a lot to do with the individual performance of each
team member, who needs room to develop and grow themselves to eventually contribute
to (đóng góp vào) the wellbeing of the whole team.
101
2. Do you think it is good to have disagreement within a team?
Conflicts are inevitable in any groups of more than one person. Team members might not
see eye to eye (đồng ý) with each other in a lot of situations, ranging from how to tackle a
project to how often a meeting should be organized. From my perspective, disagreement
is healthy, even critical (quan trọng) for success especially in testing and improving new
ideas. It is, in fact, more dangerous if a team isn't disagreeing as there's a good chance the
team has a different kind of problem at hand.
3. Do you think it's good for kids to join a team?

I do believe that joining a team of any type is beneficial for kids, be it a small project team
or a sports team. Teams provide a reliable, consistent and fun way for kid to learn.
Furthermore, the ability to work together towards a common goal is an essential part of
working in a team as well as an important life skill. Joining a team also allow children to
make lasting relationships, develop communication skills, feel a sense of community and
learn to respect their teammates and people. Not only that, being part of a team teaches
children the importance of being responsible and reliable.
4. How to become a good member of a team in the workplace?

Effective teamwork in the workplace helps drive the organization towards success.
Become an outstanding team player, as a result, is very desirable. Being a team player
(đồng đội tốt) might require a host of qualities and a lot of effort, but I believe one of the
most crucial characteristics is being reliable. No matter how phenomenal one's skill sets
are, if they are wishy-washy (không dứt khoát) and don't follow through on their
promises, then they're not a good team player. Therefore, to become a great team player,
one has to prove that they are reliable and can try their best to complete their part on
schedule.
102
7. PART 2: Describe a uniform in school or company you wear
You should say
When you usually wear it
Who bought it for you
What it is like
How you feel about it
I must say that I wear uniform most of my life, from when I was young, wearing uniform
was compulsory in those schools that I went to, till now - 5 years after I graduated from
university, I'm also required to follow my company's dress code, which is very strict. The
dress code states that the company's employees are to put on dark trousers or knee-length
dress and a plain white shirt (áo sơ mi trắng trơn) at work.
I used to wear shirts to the workplace before but to wear white shirts every day forced me
to go shopping for more white outfits as there are very few white shirts in my wardrobe.
I must say that the type of outfits I wear these days has changed me substantially. We
often hear people say, look good, feel good. I never believe that until recently when I have
to dress up (ăn mặc đẹp/chỉnh chu) every day. At first, I felt a little guilty as I put in way
more time and money on clothing that I used to, but over time, it has become apparent to
me that professional looking and nice outfits (trang phục) actually have some positive
impacts on our various psychological processes like emotions, self evaluations, attitudes,
and interpersonal interactions. Wearing formal office wear (trang phục văn phòng trang
trọng) and structured clothes can truly put us in the right frame of mind.
PART 3
1. Why should students wear school uniforms?
I believe that educators have a lot of reasons for their implementation of a uniform policy.
One of the most obvious explanation is that school uniforms keep students focused on
their education, not their clothes. You know, when all students are wearing the same
outfits, they are less concerned about how they look or how they fits in with their peers, as
a result they can concentrate more on their schoolwork.
2. On what occasion should people wear uniforms?

Well it really depends on the communities that person is in. But the most common
situations that people often opt for uniforms or dress code are when the aim is to enhance
group pride, unity, and community spirit such as a team building outing trip or a gathering
of some sorts.
103
3. Should companies ask for employees' opinions about the design of uniforms?
The way I see it, choosing new company uniforms is a big decision. From custom style and
branding to comfort and safety features, it’s important to incorporate everything a business
needs to help drive their company’s success . While executives often know how they want
uniforms to represent their brand, employees are the ones who wear them every day so they
should have a say (cho ý kiến) in the type of outfits they are required to wear every day at
work. At the end of the day, if a staff looks good in their office wear, they'll be more likely
to feel good and consequently perform better at work (làm việc tốt hơn).
4. Can people tell a person's personality by his/her clothes?

I have always believed that clothes tell us what a person values and a little about personality.
In other words, clothes serve as hints to someone's sets of values but it might be very
dangerous to judge people based on their clothing. For example, the more conservative a
person is in their dress, the more likely that they have a conservative character, meaning
they are more traditional in their principles and values on life. But those are just speculations
based on stereotypes (kiểu mẫu điển hình), which might not be very accurate at times.
104
8. PART 2: Describe a performance you watched recently
You should say:
What it was
When you watched it
Who you were with
And explain why you watched it.
I’d like to tell you about a concert I went to during my university days. If I recall (nhớ)
correctly, about 3 years ago, a cultural festival was held in district 7. It wasn’t too big of an
event; however, one of my favorite bands were invited to perform. I was thrilled (vui, hồi
hộp) yet worried about how to get my hands on (lấy) the tickets since I was only a student
and I wasn’t making money at the time.
What I only found out later was that the tickets were free! My determination was high for I
didn’t know when I could come across (gặp) such a good chance again. Eventually, after a
lot of patience, I landed 2 tickets and went to the concert with a very close friend. Over the
moon (vui sướng) wouldn’t even be close to the correct phrase to express how happy and
excited I was! The performance was amazing and worth every bit of my hard work.
PART 3
1. What’s the difference between watching performance live and watching it on TV?
The biggest dissimilarity is definitely the atmosphere. Sure, watching a performance at
home is comfortable and all, but nothing could compare to watching it live, with your very
own eyes. One can only feel the heat of a song, the beauty of a dance or the sadness of a
play clearly and sharply by actually being where the performance takes place.
2. Which do you prefer? A traditional performance or a concert?

I would say I enjoy traditional performances more. It’s not that I don’t like concerts, it is
actually the opposite. Nonetheless, traditional performances hold one of the most
sophisticated (tinh tế) values of a culture or of its people, making it so much more special
and unique.
3. Should the government provide financial support to promote traditional

performance?
Absolutely. More and more traditional performances are slowly forgotten. Therefore, it is
crucial to keep these wonderful cultural values alive by properly investing in them.
4. Is learning drama or dancing helpful for children?

From my point of view, both academic and artistic lessons are necessary. Not only will they
be beneficial for the child’s creativity and mind, but these lessons will also be helpful in the
future as they may guide children in their career path.
105
9. PART 2: Describe something you bought but was difficult to use at first
You should say:
What it was
Where you bought it
How you used it successfully
And how you felt about it.
Today I am going to tell you about one thing that I found challenging to use when I first
bought it and that was my Samsung Galaxy S10. I bought it roughly 2 years ago, in July
2018, at a store called Nguyen Kim. At that time, I wanted to buy a smartphone at an
affordable price since my budget was not too high.
I used to be a huge Apple user but at the time. After a lot of research, Samsung’s price
range was the most affordable. I was excited when I bought it and the unboxing part felt
great. However, once I started using it, I realized that the interface was very different from
all of my previous smartphones. I am used to thei OS interface (giao diện) so getting used
to the Android interface is quite a challenge. I had a hard time setting up the phone,
rearranging all the apps accordingly and the worst part of all was synchronizing all the data
from my previous iPhone to this new Samsung Galaxy S10.
For some reason, I couldn’t manage to transfer all of my data to my new phone, it kept
disconnecting even though I was using a cable. I got frustrated and didn’t know what to do
next. After struggling for nearly 2 hours, I opened the box and read the manual carefully
and I came up with a solution that was using my iCloud account to sync all the data and
logged into my Samsung to download all the data from iCloud. Miraculously, it worked
like a charm (hiệu quả như có phép màu), I got all of my photos and videos, important
files, notes on the Samsung Galaxy S10. I have been using my Samsung up until now and I
am very happy that I chose to buy this phone.
106
PART 3
1. What kind of products do young people think are useful but old people might not?
From my point of view, I would say electronic products due to the fact that our society
nowadays is more technology-based than in the past. Smartphones are becoming more and
more relevant (có liên quan) among the younger generation: the usage of smartphones to
support social lives, jobs, and studies. As for people from the older generation, they tend to
be more traditional and prefer to do things manually.
2. Do you think product instructions are useful for users to use the products better?
Personally, I partly agree with the statement that instructions are useful for users to manage
the products better. However, some instructions can at times be unnecessarily lengthy and
it causes confusion to many users as well. In addition to that, sometimes you don’t really
need instruction because there are plenty of tutorial videos on Youtube showing you how
to use a product properly with great tips even.
3. What do you usually do if you don’t know how to use the things you have bought?
As I have mentioned earlier, whenever I have no idea how to use a product, I either read the
manual carefully or search for some tutorial videos with tips on Youtube to help me use it
properly. Sometimes I will ask my friends who have experience with products similar to
mine.
4. Do you think it is necessary to produce many new products nowadays?

To be honest, I would say it depends on what kinds of products they are. Based on the
supply-and-demand rate at the moment, people tend to use some products for at least 2-3
years before thinking of buying new ones. With that being said, if many companies keep
producing new products but people don’t have the need to purchase then it would be a total
loss for those companies in terms of finance and economy.
107
10. PART 2: Describe a difficult challenge you met
You should say:
What it was
When you met it
Where you met it
And explain why you think it is a challenge
One of the obstacles that I encountered during my learning journey was when I learned
Chemistry in 11th grade. It was a tough time since I was not naturally good at it and I did
not have time to go to extra classes for tutoring. Therefore, I was placed in a situation that
I had to learn it on my own. I made a great effort in doing many exercises after class and
searched for pieces of information on the internet.
As a result, my scores were improved significantly as I got 8 out of 10 for the final exam. I
found this challenge to be a test of my self-studying ability and determination to dive in an
area that I wasn't familiar with.
PART 3
1. Do you think parents should give kids challenges?
It seems to me that every child needs some challenges to develop and grow. A few difficult
tasks here and there would definitely broaden a child’s mind and strengthens his or her
problem-solving skills (kỹ năng giải quyết vấn đề), which would become crucial as they
grow up.
2. What challenges do you think children might have to face up to?

I believe that we all experience a variety of challenges at different stages of life. As regards
children, I am convinced that problem-solving related matters might be one of them. For
instance, they would ask themselves how to deal with 100 dollars they found on the side of
the road.
3. What is the most challenging thing for kids?

To be honest, it is hard to pinpoint one single most difficult problem for young children. I
believe that the issues children face may vary, and to each individual, the “most
challenging” one may differ.
4. Can parents reduce the challenges that kids have? Why?

To some extent, yes they can. No parent would want to see their own child struggling and I
believe that the need to interfere is strong. Nevertheless, I also am convinced that dads and
moms wish for their child to grow, so it is crucial to let children face and cope with matters
on their own.
108
11. PART 2: Describe an interesting animal you have ever seen
You should say:
What it was
Where you saw it
What it did
And why you think it was interesting.
“An interesting animal” – when hearing this phrase alone, I believe that a number of exotic
animals would appear in one’s mind – an albino tiger, giraffe or lion, or even a black
penguin. Nonetheless, the animal that intrigues me the most is definitely cats. This popular
pet is more than familiar to many, I believe. You can see one anywhere – out on the streets,
in someone’s house, or on a random tree. Some say cats do nothing – they are lazy. But cats
actually do a variety of things – they catch mice, which is obviously practical. Cats relieve
stress – imagine being stressed and coming home to a fluffy (lông mềm mại) cat waiting for
you at home. Cats can become one of your closest buddies. Cats just being cats is interesting
and attractive enough to me.
PART 3
1. How do you like taking care of animals?
I don’t spend as much time with animals, but if I have to take care of one, I’d like to caress
it and feed it. If it is small enough, maybe even letting it sit, sleep on my lap or nudge into
my arm.
2. Do you think it is safe for animals to live in cities?

It's clear that cities are not the places where animals are meant to be since their habitats are
in nature. Several factors in the cities may affect them adversely, such as noise pollution
and the closed environment as houses or cages that we use to keep them.
3. What problems will keeping animals bring?

There are two sides to every coin. Keeping an animal can be fun, but it also requires a lot
of commitment, responsibilities, and dedication to take good care of. Once any animals get
sick, vet bills can be high so financial can be one of the problems. Medical care is not
enough as you also need to spend time to play with it.
4. How are pets now different from those in the past?

This is an interesting question. One thing I do notice about pets nowadays is that the kind
of animals people keep vary. As far as I am concerned, in the past, people did not keep a
hedgehog, flying squirrels or komodo dragons as pets.
109
12. PART 2: Describe a time when someone apologized to you
You should say:
When it was
Who this person is
Why he or she apologized to you
And how you felt about it.
Apologizing to one another is a common thing in life, and everyone probably experiences
this quite often. I would like to tell you a story about such a simple and familiar topic. This
happened when I was in 2nd grade. My teacher appointed (chỉ định) me to be the class
monitor. You know, being the leader of the whole class, that sounded cool to a young kid,
didn’t it?
Frankly speaking (thành thực mà nói), because I didn’t know any better, I came off as
bossy toward my classmates though I never meant so. There was this particular boy annoyed
when I told him to clean up his desk since the class was coming to an end. He didn’t oblige,
we fought, and eventually, he hit me. As a result of being hit and humiliated, I cried my
eyes out (khóc nước mắt ngắn nước mắt dài) The teacher interfered and the boy sincerely
apologized to me. My anger was forgotten quickly as we talked to each other normally again
afterward.
PART 3
1. On what occasion do people usually apologize to others?

It seems to me that whenever one feels sorry, they apologize. It doesn’t have to be a very
specific event when an individual did something in the wrong, but “sorry” is also said when
someone is grateful for someone else and feels like they have taken the kindness for granted.
2. Do people in your country like to say “sorry”?

It depends, really. Personally, I hold the view that the younger generation generally says
sorry more. As for the older generation, it seems that they find it harder to apologize.
3. Do you think people should apologize for anything wrong they do?
Of course! If it is wrong, it is wrong. One should take responsibility for their mistakes and
face the consequences.
4. Why do some people refuse to say “sorry” to others?

Probably on the grounds that they find it hard to take responsibilities or face the
consequences. Another possible reason is that they believe they didn’t do nothing wrong.
In that case, some counselling might be needed.
110

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New Insight English Hotline: 0967.946.617 Website: www.newinsightenglish.edu.

TOPIC PAGE TOPIC PAGE

Topic 4: Movie stars. 9 Topic 38: Visit relatives. 30

Topic 5: Tea and coffee 10 Topic 39: Social network. 31

Topic 6: Pet. 11 Topic 40: Perfume. 31

Topic 7: E-mail. 11 Topic 41: Market. 32

Topic 8: Sleep 12 Topic 42: Sky. 32

Topic 9: Crowded place. 13 Topic 43: Transportation. 33

Topic 10: Patience 13 Topic 44: Garbage 34

Topic 11: Public Holiday. 14 Topic 45: Friends 35

Topic 12: Taking Photos 14 Topic 46: Travelling 35

Topic 13: Share things. 15 Topic 47: Reading 35

Topic 14: Hand-writing. 16 Topic 48: Plan 36

Topic 15: Watch Sky. 16 Topic 49: Outdoor activities 36

Topic 16: 17 Topic 50: Countryside 36

Morning routine & Breakfast.

Topic 18: Movies. 18 Topic 52: Place 37

Topic 19: Shoes. 19 Topic 53: Numbers 37

Topic 20: Paintings & Photos. 19 Topic 54: Pen/Pencils 38

Topic 21: Cook. 20 Topic 55: Being alone 38

Topic 22: Color. 20 Topic 56: Scenery 38

Topic 23: Sunglasses. 21 Topic 57: Museums 39

TOPIC 1: STUDY SCHOOL

1. Do you work or study?

TOPIC 2: HOME (THE AREA YOU LIVE IN)

1. Do you live in a house or an apartment?

9. What is your favorite room?

1. Where are you from?/Which city are you living in?

TOPIC 4: MOVIE STARS

1. Who is your favorite movie star?

TOPIC 5: TEA AND COFFEE

1. Do Vietnamese people like to drink tea or coffee?

1. How often do you write an email?

4. Do you prefer contacting others by text messages or emails?

1. How many hours do you sleep usually?

TOPIC 9: CROWDED PLACE

1. What places are often crowded in your city?

TOPIC 10: PATIENCE

1. Are you a patient person?

5. Are you less or more patient when you are angry?

TOPIC 11: PUBLIC HOLIDAY

1. How many public holidays do you have in your country?

TOPIC 12: TAKING PHOTOS

1. Do you like taking photos?

TOPIC 13: SHARE THINGS

TOPIC 14: HANDWRITING

1. Do you like handwriting?

TOPIC 15: WATCH SKY

1. Do you like to watch the sky? How often? Why?

3. Is there a good place to look at the sky where you live?

TOPIC 16: MORNING ROUTINE & BREAKFAST

1. What do you usually do in the mornings? /What’s your morning routine?

TOPIC 17: DRINK WATER

1. Do you like drinking water?

TOPIC 18: MOVIES

1. Do you like watching movies? What kind of movies do you like?

TOPIC 19: SHOES

1. How often do you buy shoes?

TOPIC 20: PAINTINGS & PHOTOS

1. What's the difference between painting and taking a photograph?

TOPIC 21: COOK

1. Do you like cooking? / How often do you cook?

TOPIC 22: COLOR

1. What’s your favorite color? Why?