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A K I N G T E S T :

IELTS SPE
FOREC A S T T O P I C S

JANUARY- APRIL 2022

IMAP VIET NAM


Table of Content

Speaking Part 1: .................................................................................................................... 1


Topic: Study .................................................................................................................................. 1
Topic: Major – subject.................................................................................................................. 4
Topic: Work .................................................................................................................................. 7
Topic: Accommodation - The area you live in............................................................................ 12
Topic: Hometown – Countryside ............................................................................................... 17
Topic: Mobile apps ..................................................................................................................... 20
Topic: Colour .............................................................................................................................. 21
Topic: Weather........................................................................................................................... 22
Topic: Getting lost – new places ................................................................................................ 24
Topic: Concentration .................................................................................................................. 26
Topic: Pets and Animals ............................................................................................................. 28
Topic: Public gardens and parks................................................................................................. 29
Topic: Science ............................................................................................................................. 30
Topic: Shoes ............................................................................................................................... 31
Topic: Headphones .................................................................................................................... 32
Topic: Handwriting ..................................................................................................................... 34
Topic: Barbecue.......................................................................................................................... 36

New Topics: ...................................................................................................................... 37


Topic: Weekend ......................................................................................................................... 37
Topic: Spending time with others .............................................................................................. 39
Topic: Taking photos .................................................................................................................. 41
Topic: Art .................................................................................................................................... 42
Topic: Cinema ............................................................................................................................. 43
Topic: Emails .............................................................................................................................. 44
Topic: Dreams ............................................................................................................................ 46
Topic: Mirrors ............................................................................................................................. 48

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Topic: Memory ........................................................................................................................... 49
Topic: Daily routine .................................................................................................................... 50
Topic: TV Program ...................................................................................................................... 51
Topic: Cars .................................................................................................................................. 53
Topic: Lost and Found ................................................................................................................ 54
Topic: Websites .......................................................................................................................... 55
Topic: Time management .......................................................................................................... 56
Topic: Street market .................................................................................................................. 57
Topic: Mobile phone .................................................................................................................. 58
Topic: Watching sports .............................................................................................................. 59

SPEAKING PART 2 & 3 .......................................................................................................... 60


Topic: Time-wasting ................................................................................................................... 60
Topic: Spending .......................................................................................................................... 64
Topic: Primary schools ............................................................................................................... 67
Topic: Special occasions ............................................................................................................. 70
Topic: Habits............................................................................................................................... 73
Topic: Foreigners ........................................................................................................................ 76
Topic: Decisions.......................................................................................................................... 80
Topic: Road trip .......................................................................................................................... 83
Topic: Sports............................................................................................................................... 86
Topic: Creative ........................................................................................................................... 89
Topic: Service ............................................................................................................................. 92
Topic: Vacations ......................................................................................................................... 96
Topic: Business ........................................................................................................................... 98
Topic: Friendliness.................................................................................................................... 101
Topic: Smart ............................................................................................................................. 104
Topic: Books ............................................................................................................................. 107
Topic: Café ................................................................................................................................ 110
Topic: Older people .................................................................................................................. 114
Topic: Place you want to live in ............................................................................................... 117

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Topic: Sharing ........................................................................................................................... 120
Topic: Local news ..................................................................................................................... 124
Topic: Success .......................................................................................................................... 127
Topic: Help ............................................................................................................................... 130
Topic: Quiet place .................................................................................................................... 133
Topic: Pride .............................................................................................................................. 136
Topic: Moving ........................................................................................................................... 139
Topic: Advice ............................................................................................................................ 141
Topic: Skills ............................................................................................................................... 145
Topic: Learning ......................................................................................................................... 148
Topic: Famous .......................................................................................................................... 151
Topic: Difficult problem ........................................................................................................... 156
Topic: Get up early ................................................................................................................... 159

New Topics ..................................................................................................................... 163


Topic: Preparation .................................................................................................................... 163
Topic: Ambition ........................................................................................................................ 166
Topic: Events ............................................................................................................................ 169
Topic: Cake ............................................................................................................................... 172
Topic: New place ...................................................................................................................... 175
Topic: City ................................................................................................................................. 178
Topic: Countryside ................................................................................................................... 180
Topic: Walking .......................................................................................................................... 183
Topic: Spending time................................................................................................................ 185
Topic: Rules .............................................................................................................................. 188
Topic: Place that you dislike ..................................................................................................... 191
Topic: Clothes ........................................................................................................................... 194
Topic: Job ................................................................................................................................. 197
Topic: Story .............................................................................................................................. 200
Topic: Friends ........................................................................................................................... 203
Topic: Lesson/Course ............................................................................................................... 206

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Topic: Social media’s influencer............................................................................................... 210
Topic: Song ............................................................................................................................... 213
Topic: Learning languages ........................................................................................................ 216
Topic: Products......................................................................................................................... 219
Topic: Necessity ....................................................................................................................... 222
Topic: Free ................................................................................................................................ 225
Topic: Conversation ................................................................................................................. 228
Topic: Toy ................................................................................................................................. 231

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Speaking Part 1:
Topic: Study

1. Do you work or study?

I’m currently a senior student at Hunan University, and I’m studying computer science at the
moment.

2. Which universities do you go to?

The university I go to is called XXX University, which is a top-level university in China. I’m really
proud to be a student there and honestly, I was so close to being rejected because I thought my
grade for the University Entrance Exam was subpar compared to the enrollment requirement of
the previous year.

3. How do you usually spend your school day?

I usually spend my school day with a combination of homework, class, and spending time with
friends. I also sometimes like to participate in a club or other extracurricular activity during lunch
or after school. Most of my day I spend doing schoolwork because I don’t want to fall behind.

4. What technology do you use when you study? / Which technology can help you learn better?

There are lots of websites and apps that can quiz you and test your knowledge. All you have to
do is input your terms and then you can use online flashcards. I’ve used a couple of them to
memorize important terms before an exam. They’re definitely a life-saver when you’re in a rush
to catch up on some class content.

5. Why did you choose your school I university?

Well, when I was a high school student, I heard my university has a really good undergraduate
program for Computer Science, which is really what I’m passionate about and love to study.
Besides, my parents also rooted for me to go there as they believe four years of study there
would be a big help for my future career.

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6. Is it good to study in the morning or in the afternoon? / Do you prefer to study in the morning
or in the afternoon?

I think it’s good to study in the morning. You have to wake up earlier, but when you get through
the work, you have the rest of the day off. And the afternoon is usually a better time of day to
enjoy yourself. So it’s best to get studying over with as early as possible.

7. Who is more important for you at school, teachers or students?

I think the students are more important. I mean, the teachers are obviously playing a key role at
school. But who you’re in a class with makes a world of difference. It’s much easier to be excited
about school if you’re friends with the other students. You should at least be able to get along
with them.

8. Do you like your school?

Yes, I do like my school. I mean, even though I’m often swamped with all the assignments and
exams, 1 often have a blast studying there. The teachers are all nice and cool. None of them have
ever given me a hard time. And most importantly, I have some really awesome friends at school
whom I hang out with all the time.

9. Which part of your school do you like?

I really like the campus. There are tons of really old buildings, which gives the whole place a
serious feel. But there’s also lots of nature around. There are big trees in front of some of the
buildings, and there are even a few garden areas to walk around in. It’s such a lovely place to
hang out.

10. How do you improve your study efficiency?

When it comes to studying efficiently, I try to make Slue there aren’t any major distractions
around me. For example, I turn off my phone and I avoid listening to music. It helps me focus on
my study so that I stay on track and avoid wasting all my time.

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11. Which part do you hope your school to change?/Which part of your school needs an
improvement?

Well, off the top of my head, the most urgent part of my school that needs to be improved is the
gym on our campus. I mean, the whole place should be flipped because everything in the gym is
literally worn out. The basketball court doesn't even have a hoop. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? I really
hope our school can do something about it.

12. Are you looking forward to working?

Yes, I am. I’ve been studying as a student for almost 16 years of my life. I really expect to have a
proper job after graduating from college. It will be a huge change of lifestyle and I will be able to
support myself financially, which will make my parents proud as well. I can’t wait to find a good
job.

13. Describe your education

I started school when I was 7. I finished my primary education 5 years later and I went to
secondary school at 12. Then at 16, I made it to a high school for gifted pupils in my hometown.
In my country, high school education lasts 3 years, then I went onto higher education at the
Foreign Trade University where I’m currently studying economics.

14. What kind of school did you go to as a child?

As a child, I attended a public elementary school. It’s quite a big school in my hometown which
provides both high-quality education and a supportive environment, so I think I was quite lucky.

15. Do you think your country has an effective education system?

To be honest, I don’t think so. Our system has somehow become unduly stressful, does not
promote creativity and the ability to be critical due to the fact that our society still cares way too
much about grades and schools consequently focus on an exam-driven curriculum, which I find
quite impractical.

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Topic: Major – subject

1. What is your major?

I’m studying computer science at Hunan University. It’s an undergraduate major, and it usually
takes four years to earn the degree. I feel happy being enrolled in this program because coding
is one thing that I’m passionate about. Plus, I think I have a knack for it since my math is good.

2. Do you like your major?

Yes, I do like my major. But you know… there will always be parts you like and parts you don’t
like. For example, the field training is very interesting, but the theoretical courses are about as
fun as watching paint dry because some abstract concepts are quite difficult to understand.

3. Why did you choose to study that (major)?

Well, as for the reasons why I decided to study computer science, I think the main one is that I
have lots of passion for that field. I never feel bored and I always enjoy studying and researching
things about it, and I’ve noticed that since I was still in high school. So, I told myself that if I went
to a college, I would take computer science as my major.

4. What’s the interesting part of your major?

A: I’m majoring in computer science, and I really like what I’ll! studying, especially when I take
coding courses related to game design. They give me a lot of fun through the learning curve
because becoming a game designer is kind of my dream. So I always have a blast learning about
coding.

B: I study literature, so I get to read tons of different books. It’s really interesting to see how many
different perspectives are out there. Plus, storytelling is a really big part of the culture, I like
reading books from other countries and learning about the culture there. It’s definitely expanded
my horizons.

5. What kinds of help can this major bring to your future job?

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I believe this major will help me communicate well with others in a future job. For instance,
knowing how to write well means that I can make my points to them and not create any
confusion. That helps us work together better as a team. Studying literature also helps you be
more detail-oriented, which is always helpful.

6. Will you continue doing what you’re studying in the future?

Yes, I will. It’s mainly because I have a lot of passion for computer science and Web development.
I don't think I will be bored if I make a living off of it. Plus, the income level of specialists in this
field is also higher than average, so I can have a comfortable life by working as a programmer.

7. What is your plan after finishing school?

It’s hard to say right now. Everything feels like it’s up in the air. But after I graduate from school,
I’d like to have a job that’s somehow related to my major. You know, it’s cool to apply what
you’ve learned at college in the real world. I’m not sure what kind of job I want to have, but I’m
sure I’ll figure it out soon.

8. When did you decide to choose your major?

If memory serves correctly, I chose my major in high school. As a kid, I wasn’t quite sure what I
wanted to do for a living. But after I took some science classes in high school, I found that I really
loved them and was passionate about science. So that’s when I decided to pick biology as my
major.

9. Which subjects are more difficult? Do you think your major is difficult?/ What do you dislike
about your major?

Personally, subjects in the sciences to me are more difficult. I can’t seem to wrap my head around
stuff like chemistry or physics. There are just so many facts and rules to memorize. I can’t make
heads or tails of it, honestly. Alts subjects are easier by a long shot, in my opinion.

10. What have you learned from the courses?

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I’ve basically learned how to think and Witte critically. It sounds kind of vague. But it basically
means I can explain my thoughts in a way that makes sense and is based on evidence. It’s actually
a very useful skill. It helps with communication and making your point in the best way possible.

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Topic: Work

1. Do you work or study? What work do you do?

I’m currently working full-time as a programmer at Baidu; I’ve been working there for 5 years.

2. Do you like your job?

Yes, I am really happy with what I do. Most of the time, it’s very rewarding to be able to help
people every day. Besides, it’s a really good company to work for. The pay is good and they even
hand out bonuses twice a year!

3. Do you want to change your job? Will you do the same job in the future?

No, I don't want to hop on my job right now. It’s mainly because the pay is not bad. I mean, it’s
not way higher than others but I’m pretty comfortable with it. Plus, it’s not easy to find a proper
job in today’s job market, is it? Sometimes, it’s better to appreciate what you have now.

4. What is the most interesting part of your job?

I work at a coffee shop, so I think the most interesting part of my job is the people. I get to meet
so many people dining my shift. Some of them have fascinating personalities. Sometimes I even
strike up a chat with them and learn something random. One time a customer showed me photos
of his cat.

5. What technologies do you often use at work?

I don’t use anything super complex at work. There’s an online application that we use to chat
with each other. But it’s not difficult to use. I’m not a tech wizard by any means. 1 just use
standard word- processors and other typical office software. Most of my job involves phone calls
and emails. It’s nothing fancy.

6. Which part is difficult in your job?

I think the most challenging part of my job is communication within a team. It’s often difficult to
communicate with someone who didn’t finish their part of the work in time. They may think
you’re pushing them, which can even create conflict.

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7. How do you spend your work day?

I usually arrive at the office before 9 A.M. and start my day with a morning meeting with my boss
and co-workers, which really helps me and others know the agenda of the day as well as keep
everyone on the same page. Then the long day of work begins and I need to work overtime until
8 P.M. most days.

8. Is it better to work in the morning or in the afternoon?

I think it’s better to work in the morning. Even though you have to wake up early when you get
through work you have the rest of the day off. And the afternoon is usually a better time of day
to enjoy yourself. So it’s best to get work over with as early as possible.

9. Have you ever changed your job? / Why did you choose to do that type of job?

I’ve changed my job a couple of times. Before working at this company, I had full-time jobs at an
IT company and a glass shop. But neither of them is bigger than the company I’m working for
right now in terms of business scale. And most importantly, I get paid more for my current job,
which is the main reason I job-hopped.

10. What did you gain the most from your job? /What do you learn from work?

Well...The most valuable lesson I learned from work is how to collaborate with my coworkers.
It’s not something that I really understood back in school. But in a real job, a ton of tasks need
good teamwork and can’t be done on your own. For instance, when I coordinated a marketing
event with my colleagues, it was of the essence to make Slue everyone was on the same page, or
else we might’ve messed up the whole thing.

11. Which do you think is more important, colleagues or work itself?

I think that colleagues are more important. You could be doing your dream job, but if it’s with
people you can’t stand, you aren’t going to enjoy it as much. You end up seeing your coworkers
more than anyone else in your life, so it’s important that you can get along with them.

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12. What do you do to improve your productivity?

Whenever I feel like I’ve lost focus on work and started slacking, I take a 5-minute break and
make a cup of instant coffee. It sounds simple but it works like a charm for me. After I’ve had
some coffee, I feel pumped up and have more energy.

13. Do you think your company needs to make some changes? Which part of your working
environment needs improvement?

Well... As far as I’m concerned, I really wish my company wasn’t so strict about the dress code, ft
really bugs me to have to wear a uniform day in and day out. Plus, I have to be really careful
keeping the uniform clean otherwise I might get fined at my workplace. It would be great if we
could have a casual Friday.

14. Is this job a good opportunity? / Is it good for your future development?

Yes, it’s a wonderful job. Even though I’m swamped with the tasks at work sometimes and have
to work overtime, overall, I believe it’s a good career for me. I’m very passionate about my job
and I really know what to do. Plus, doing this job right now will definitely help me build my resume
later since it requires excellent workmanship.

15. Do you miss being a student?

No, I don’t really miss being a student, ft was fun to study something that I liked. But it was also
a lot of work. Going to school isn’t exactly a piece of cake. There were tons of assignments and
exams to do. I like being more independent now that I’ve graduated.

16. What are your responsibilities?

Well, I work as a business analyst in a large software company and my responsibilities include
understanding and documenting the requirements of the clients, competitor analysis, market
research, then converting the requirements for the programmer, tracking the project, updating
the CEO about the progress, collaborating with the developers, communicating the clients for
further changes, testing the software from a high level and making sure that the software is
delivered to the clients before deadline. Those are in fact the main responsibilities I have in my

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job. However, due to the dynamic nature of the software industry, I often need to perform
additional tasks as required for making a project successful.

17. Why did you choose to do that type of work (or that job)?

Being a business analyst was not my initial career plan. I started my career as a programmer.
While I worked with another large software company, they promoted me to this position and I
found it more challenging and demanding. I started enjoying my work and then decided to work
as a business analyst. The business analyst position of a company requires these kinds of works
and the responsibilities are equally demanding and challenging. I think I chose to work in this
position initially because I was promoted to this position but I have continued this position
because I enjoy my work.

18. What do you dislike about your job?

I would say I enjoy most of the responsibilities I have in this job position. However, the part I least
enjoy is the pressure I have to take to finish a project before a deadline. Sometimes the time
estimation is too perfect due to various facts but that’s something the CEO and the clients are
adamant to listen to. Once a deadline is fixed, they want to have it religiously followed. Besides,
I often need to cancel my family programs and work in the office during holidays. This is another
part I do not like since it damages my family and personal life.

19. Is it very interesting?

Yes, I found my job challenging but rewarding. As a business analyst, I got the chance to meet up
with influential individuals in the financial world as well as cooperate with Forbes Fortune 500
companies. These were such unique experiences that other positions could hardly offer.

20. What do you dislike about your job?

I would say I enjoy most of the responsibilities I have in this job position. However, the part I least
enjoy is the pressure I have to take to finish a project before a deadline. Sometimes the time
estimation is too perfect due to various facts but that’s something the CEO and the clients are
adamant to listen to. Once a deadline is fixed, they want to have it religiously followed. Besides,

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I often need to cancel my family programs and work in the office during holidays. This is another
part I do not like since it damages my family and personal life.

21. Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?

I might try to work as a part-time web strategist for a large web development company. But I
have not given it that much thought. I would love to continue my current job role for the next
few years but won’t be interested in working in a different sector unless and until I start my own
software company.

22. Describe the company or organization you work for

I am working as a Business Analyst in a large IT company. The name of this company is IT Vista
and I joined there 2 years ago. My colleagues and superiors are extremely friendly, in fact, my
first day at work was such a unique experience that I will remember it forever. If I recall my
memory of that particular day, I was nervous. It was like being on an alien planet with no friends
or known persons. I sat at my desk and filled up some necessary forms and other employees
came to my desk to greet me. I was intimidated when the HR manager asked me for a document
that I forgot to bring. But I got back my harmony and usual myself when I found that my boss,
the HR manager, and other colleagues were amiable. My CEO called me into his room and
described my job responsibilities and tried to motivate me. That was really impressive as it
completely erased my fear and anxiety. So I would say I am one of the lucky people to have such
an amicable workplace.

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Topic: Accommodation - The area you live in

1. What kind of house or apartment did you live in when you were a child?

When I was a kid, I lived in a bungalow in the suburbs. My parents and I barely fit into it, but that
just made it cozy. I remember we filled our home with lots of antique furniture. It gave the house
a nice atmosphere. We moved to an apartment later, but I always missed our first home.

2. What kind of house or apartment are you living in right now? / Do you live in a house or an
apartment?/ What kinds of accommodation do you live in?

Right now, I’m living in an apartment near my university. It’s not that big; it only has two
bedrooms. But it’s cozy enough for me. Plus, the apartment is part of a newly developed high
rise. It has a really nice view of the city.

3. What kind of house or apartment do you want to live in in the future? / Do you want to live
in a house or an apartment in the future?

I’d really love to live in a big house in the middle of nowhere. It might sound a little lonely, but I
think having a family there would be awesome. You would have tons of privacy because you don’t
have any nosy neighbours. And if it was somewhere nice, you could probably have a great view
of the stars.

4. What’s the outside appearance of your house or your apartment?

I live in a high-rise apartment in an older part of the city. So the front of it is actually old-fashioned.
It has these really antique bricks and even some ivy growing over it. It’s so pretty and makes me
feel like I live in a castle! I love coming home to it every day.

5. Do you think the place you are living at right now is suitable for a family with children?

Yes, I do think so. I believe my neighbourhood is fairly safe and I live around the corner from a
great elementary school. It's a top-notch school district. So there are a lot of families with kids in
this neighbourhood already. I moved here when I was a child myself. There are also beautiful
parks near the neighborhood which are awesome for kids.

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6. Do you think the place you are living at right now is suitable for elders?

No. I live on a steep hill and I’m not too close to any stores. I would worry about elderly people
being able to navigate the neighbourhood safely, as the school nearby creates a lot of traffic on
weekdays and the loud kids may become a nuisance. If an elderly person decided to move here,
I’m sure they would make it work, but I think there are better alternatives.

7. Where are you living now? / Why do you live there? I Do you like your living place?

I’m living in an apartment in downtown Shanghai. I have two roommates sharing the same
apartment with me. It’s a nice place to live since the rent is dirt cheap for a young guy like me.
Plus, my workplace is literally a stone’s throw away from there, which is the main reason why
I’ve been living there for a long time. I really hit the jackpot finding this place.

8. How is the area surrounding your home like?/Are there any good facilities near your home?
/Do you like the area that you live in?

My living place is in the city’s downtown area. Well, there are several tasty restaurants around
my apartment, which is great for a foodie like me. And we also have a giant grocery store across
the street and a small park nearby. So I have to say it’s a pretty livable place.

9. What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in the
past?

Well, I used to live in a smaller city for college, but now I live in a big city. I moved to the city just
a few months ago for a job I found here. One significant advantage of this big city is that there
are more job opportunities than in the city I moved from. There are a lot more differences
between them like public facilities, traffic, and lifestyles. It’s been a big change to adjust to. But I
really like living ill the city. It’s pretty exciting.

10. Are there any shops or facilities around there? /Where do you like to go in that area?

There’s actually a mall that’s not too far from my house. It’s only a ten-minute drive for me, which
isn’t bad at all. I like going there to hang out with my friends. Other than that, there’s a gym just
down the road". I definitely don’t go there as often as I should though.

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11. What are the changes of surroundings around your living place?

Well...When it comes to the changes to my neighborhood over the past few years, I think there’ve
been more high-rise buildings built nearby so the area is denser than before. Besides, my favorite
improvement of this area is the building of an outdoor gym where I work out on a regular basis.

12. What changes do you think your neighborhood/living area needs?/Are the transport
facilities to your home very good?

Um ... my neighborhood is pretty close to perfect, but it would be better if there was a subway
station within walking distance of my home. Now the closest subway station is about 3 kilometers
away, which isn’t exactly a hop, skip, and a jump away. I heard the city has a plan of extending a
subway line to the street next to my home in the next few years. I hope it’s true.

13. Do you know any famous people in the area you live in?

No, I don’t know any famous people who live near me. It would be so cool to live near a celebrity.
But as far as I know, there aren’t any famous people around me. I’ll have to keep an eye out
though. I would definitely love to hang out with a celebrity.

14. Do you know anyone who lives nearby? /Are you familiar with your neighbors?

Yes, I’m familiar with my neighbours because they’re very friendly. And the Lees, who lives across
the hall from us, are the ones I’m most familiar with. Our families are pretty close to each other.
And I’ve been inside their apartment a lot since we moved into this home.

15. How long have you lived there?

I’ve been living there for over three years and I love it. Even though I have to share a room with
three roommates, luckily, they’re all easy-going and nice, so we get along really well with each
other.

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16. Will you move home in the near future? I Will you live there in the future? I Will you live
there for a long time? /Do you plan to live there for a long time?

Well, it’s hard to tell. Right now I live here because I go to school nearby. But after I’m done with
school, I might find a job that’s far away. If that happens, I would move without a second thought.
But I do like this area, so it might be a tough choice.

17. Please describe the place where you live.

I live in the quieter part of a big city. Meaning I can take transit downtown very easily but all the
hustle and bustle isn’t part of my normal day today. There are lots of grade schools and bakeries
in my neighborhood. And a lot of families live here too.

18. What is your favorite room?/What part of your home do you like the most? /Please describe
the room you live in.

My favorite room in my home is definitely my bedroom. I think it’s where I spend most of my
time. It has all my favorite stuff in it, like my books, and I got to decorate it myself. That really
makes me feel at home - literally! It’s important to have somewhere you can blow off steam and
just relax.

19. What are your roommates like? Who do you live with?

Well, currently, I have two roommates sharing the same apartment with me. They are pretty
cool. And I’d say I’m glad to live with them since all three of us love playing video games, so we
have a lot to talk about and do together. It’s really a blast for us to have a game night together
every Saturday.

20. What do you usually do in your flat?

Well, when I have some time to myself, 1 like hanging out in my room. It’s probably where I feel
most at home. After all, I got to decorate it myself. So everything is to my taste. I usually just sit
and read, or scroll through social media on my phone. It’s a nice way to kill time.

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21. What room does your family spend most of the time in?

I think we spend the most time in the living room. It’s a comfortable place where we all have
room to kick back and relax. My mom and dad sit on the couch together. I like sitting on the
loveseat. We all watch TV or just have quiet time as a family.

22. Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?

To me, living in a house would be much better, because, you know, I need my own space so that
I can concentrate on my work. Besides, I can change the size and design of the house in any way
I like. I can't do that if I live in a flat.

23. What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in the
past?

Let me think...I think that life in the countryside is more peaceful, and the air is so fresh, while in
a big city like Hanoi, the air is very dirty. However, living in a city is much more convenient,
because you can buy anything you want.

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Topic: Hometown – Countryside

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

My hometown is Jinan, which is a city in Shandong province. I really love it because there're tons
of amazing attractions in the inner city, and the people living in Jinan are very warm and friendly.

2. Do you like your hometown?/ Which part of your hometown attracts you the most?/ Where
is the most impressive place in your hometown?

Yes, I do. I’m from Harbin, which is a city in the northeast of China. It’s famous for the Ice & Snow
Festival there, which is a really cool annual event in my hometown. Tons of visitors come to my
city to see it every year. I love being a tour guide and showing my friends from other cities this
tourist attraction.

3. How long have you lived in your hometown?/ Do you think you will continue living there for
a long time?

I’ve been living in my hometown since I was born. I’ve never thought about leaving my hometown
because my entire social circle is there and the cost of living is pretty low. However, I also want
to work in a different city for a few years to broaden my horizons.

4. Is your hometown suitable for children to grow up?

Well, I think everything is good except the air pollution. There are tons of parks and museums in
my hometown, so children can do tons of interesting and educational activities. But the air quality
... you know, I often see the buildings outside my window looming in the smog... It really
threatens children’s health.

5. Do you prefer to live in the country or in the city?

I prefer living in the city. Don’t get me wrong, the country has beautiful views. But the city is way
more exciting to me. There are always cool things going on, and everything is convenient and
close by. Plus, there are more job opportunities and things to see and do in cities, especially big
ones.

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6. Do you want to live in the country in the future?

I’m not sure. But I don’t think I would rule out living in the country. Maybe when I’m ready to
settle down, I could move to the country and enjoy the peace and quiet there. It’s really hard to
tell where life will take me. 1 might want to just keep living in the city.

7. Is that a big city or a small place?

My hometown isn’t a major city in China but it’s not small either. As far as I know, it has a
population of 5 million people. So the urban area is always crowded with people. It’s also the
largest city of the province by land area.

8. Do you like the city you are living in now?

Yeah, I really love it. When I moved here, I thought it was overwhelming. But now I can’t imagine
living anywhere else. There are always cool things happening here. For example, a lot of singers
come to our city for their conceits. It definitely keeps me on my toes.

9. How long are you going to stay there?

I have no idea. It really depends on where I can work. I’ll stick around if I can find a decent job
after graduation. Otherwise, I won't be able to stay there and I’ll have to go back to my hometown
since living in Jinan practically costs an arm and a leg.

10. Is there anything you dislike in your city?

I love the city I live in. But of course, every rose has its thorn. Sometimes, the buses are really
slow here. So as a commuter, I often get fed up with having to wait for long periods of time. I just
want to get places on time, but the public transportation can make that easier said than done.

11. Is there anything that you dislike about your hometown?

Yes, I suppose so. One thing I’m not satisfied about with my hometown is the traffic there. Lots
of drivers don’t follow the traffic lilies and often have road rage, so road accidents in my
hometown are common and often fatal.

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12. Do you know any famous people in your area?

No, I have little correspondence or communication with my neighbours. It is my father who does
most of the talking with people in the neighbourhood, so he must know some famous people in
my area.

13. For you, what benefits are there living in a big city?

Cities generally have better infrastructure, education systems and advanced health care facilities.
You get to meet people from all walks of life, learn to coexist with people from different ethnicity,
race, caste and culture; hence you become more tolerant, open-minded and start respecting
each other differences. Whereas countryside people are less tolerant, the caste system still
prevails and the powers lie with a certain group of people. 14. Do you know much about the
history of your hometown?

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Topic: Mobile apps

1. Have you downloaded any new apps recently? Why did you download it?

I just downloaded a new photo-editing app. I don’t use it to do any big changes. I think it looks
weird when you edit too many things about your appearance. But it’s nice trying out different
filters. I like posting on social media, but I want to make sure that my pictures look good before I
share them.

2. What lands of apps do you often use?

Well, I have plenty of different kinds of apps on my smartphone. But the app I use the most is
Weibo, which is kind of the Chinese version of Twitter but way more entertaining. It’s very fun!
and easy to use. I basically check the updates on it every five minutes.

3. What was the first App you used?

I think the first app I ever used was an instant messaging app called WhatsApp. You could basically
just friend others with their WhatsApp number. I had a ton of fun friends on WhatsApp who I got
acquainted with on the internet. Back when smartphones weren’t popular, everyone, mostly
young people, used WhatsApp as their first choice for online messaging.

4. What kinds of apps are you usually interested in?

I usually like apps that involve pictures. It’s fun to edit your own photos, or to take pictures and
have the app identify what’s in them. For example, I downloaded a nature app that will tell you
what kind of plant you’ve taken a picture of. I think that’s a cool way to learn about the world
around you.

5. What kind of apps do you want to see in the future?

I want to see more apps that change the way you look at your surroundings. It would be cool if
you could open your camera and the app would project images or even videos onto what you’re
seeing. There was a version of that with Pokémon Go, which was really viral because everyone
loved seeing the Pokémon around them.

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Topic: Colour

1. Which color do you like best?

I really like blue. It’s a very calming colour, and it comes in so many different shades. Blue also
reminds me of lots of things in nature, like the sky and the ocean. Plus, it’s a good colour to wear
because it matches with a lot of different ones.

2. Are there any colors you dislike? Why?

I don’t like orange that much. I don’t think that it looks good with many other colours. And
personally, it doesn’t look good with my skin tone. So in a practical sense, orange is kind of useless
to me. But I also don’t think it’s that nice to look at.

3. What color of the room would make you feel uncomfortable?

I don’t think I would like a room that was painted lime green. To me, it’s too bright and bold. It’s
harsh on the eyes and it would be uncomfortable to see that everywhere. Another bad colour for
a room would be black. I think that would feel really dark and creepy.

4. What colors do your friends like?

My friends tend to like blight, warm colours. They like red, green, and yellow, which are usually
summery colours. Dining the fall, they like to wear clothes in neutral tones like black, brown, and
white. But they decorate their rooms with all kinds of colours. They’re not very picky when it
comes to that soil of thing.

5. What colours do you want to paint your house/room with?

I am a big fan of simplicity, so white is my go-to colour when it comes to choosing wall paint.
Scientists have proved that white can make a room seem more spacious. Plus, looking at this
colour will help us to ease our minds.

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Topic: Weather

1. What kind of weather do you like most?

I really love rainy weather. It’s so nice when it’s cool outside and there’s a little bit of rain. I also
feel so cozy staying inside and watching a storm roll in. It’s so fascinating to watch the lightning.
But I also like sunny weather. It’s really nice to just sit and soak up some rays.

2. What’s the weather like in your hometown? Do you like that?

My hometown has pretty consistent weather. It’s usually warm in the summer and cold in the
winter. Sometimes there can be dry spells, but we get a normal amount of rain and snow. I like
that we go through all the seasons. It’s nice to have a change every once in a while.

3. Do you want to live in another place with a different climate in the future?

I think it would be nice to try living in a place where it’s sunny all the time. I really love the beach,
so if I could live somewhere by the ocean, that would be amazing. I’m not sure if I’d want to stay
forever, but it could be cool for a while.

4. Have you ever been to a foreign country where the weather is different from your country?

Yes, I’ve been to a few foreign countries where the weather was really different. Last year, I went
on vacation to an island where it was constantly sunny. The city where I live often has rainy
weather, so it was a huge shock. I really enjoyed all the sunshine though!

5. Do you think people will be happy living in a place with sunny seasons?

Yeah, I think that most people would enjoy living in a sunny place. It can be really nice and relaxing
to just sit on a beach and get a tan. There are also lots of activities you can do when it’s nice and
sunny out. So I don’t think people would mind every day being warm and blight.

6. Do you prefer dry or wet weather?

A: I prefer a humid place over a dry one. Even though that weather can really get under your skin,
it’s way better than a totally dry area. I’m the type that loves rainy days, so I like living in a place
where they come more often than once in a blue moon.

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B: I prefer a dry place over a humid one. Even though low humidity can really be annoying
sometimes, it’s way better than a totally humid area. The humid weather always makes me sweat
and feel like I’m sticky, while dry days are more comfortable for me.

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Topic: Getting lost – new places

1. Have you ever been lost?

Yes, I’ve definitely been lost before. Once, I was visiting my friend in a different city. Even though
they gave me really specific directions, I ended up going the wrong way. Instead of just tinning
around, I tried to find a different route. But I got way in over my head. I had no idea where I was.

2. Have you ever helped someone who got lost?

Yes, I’ve done that a couple of times. Since I live in a major city, it’s common for tourists to ask
for directions. A few weeks ago, I helped a couple find the museum they were looking for. I could
tell they were really nervous to approach me, but I didn’t mind at all.

3. Will you read a map if you get lost (or if you go to a new place)?

I don’t usually read maps. I’m definitely used to my phone’s map app leading me places.
Whenever I feel I can’t figure out directions, I just look up the address and use my smartphone
to navigate. So technically, I won’t need to read the map, I could just follow the instructions and
get to the destination.

4. What do you do if you get lost?

The first thing I do when I get lost is to retrace my steps. I try to work backward so that I can
eventually find the place I started from. If I can’t remember where I was before, I’ll look up where
I am on my maps app. Or I might ask someone to point me in the light direction.

5. Do you feel nervous when you travel to new places?

Yes, I definitely feel nervous when I’m travelling somewhere new. If it’s a country where I don’t
speak the language, I feel really out of place. It’s hard to feel comfortable when you don’t know
what people are saying around you. But it’s really exciting to explore a new place. It’s worth
feeling uncomfortable from time to time.

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6. What places do people get lost easily?

I think people usually get lost in major cities. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the streets apart,
especially when there’s so much going on around you. They can also get lost in the countryside
since the roads aren’t always marked very clearly. It’s even harder to navigate at night.

7. What was the last new place you visited?

Tire last new place I visited was a small town an hour away from the city I live in. I decided to go
on a day trip with my friends. There were lots of little shops that we visited. They all had really
unique items. Plus, there was a beautiful park that we hung out at for a while.

8. How is it different from other places?

This town was definitely very different from the major cities close by. It wasn’t as crowded or
noisy. There were lots of little shops instead of big chain stores. And there was also a lot more
nature. I saw tons of trees and flowers, which you don’t get to see ill big cities as much.

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Topic: Concentration

1. Can you concentrate in a noisy environment?

No, it’s really hard for me to focus in a noisy environment. I prefer to work in silence. So if people
are talking around me, or if I can hear traffic noises, I won’t be able to pay attention to my work.
It’s just too tempting to focus on what’s going on around me instead of my tasks.

2. Is it difficult for children to concentrate?

Yes, I think that in general, children have a hard time concentrating. They’re just so full of energy
that they find it difficult to sit still. They would rather be running around or playing. But children
can learn to focus over time. They just need to be patient and learn how to pay attention to a
task.

3. How can we help kids focus?

I think kids can learn how to focus by getting into the habit of doing tasks. For one, unlike adults,
most children aren't capable of multitasking. So letting them do one task at a time is a good way
to improve their concentration. Besides, parents can teach children how to break big tasks into
smaller and more manageable pieces, which makes it easier for them to concentrate.

4. What do you do to help you concentrate?

I usually put on music. I try not to pick songs with words because they can be distracting. Instead,
I listen to classical music. It helps me tune out any distractions and stay focused on the task at
hand. Sometimes, if that doesn’t work, I’ll just do my work in silence.

5. Is it difficult for you to stay focused on something?

Yes, I get distracted pretty easily. I feel like nowadays, there are tons of things that steal our
focus. Even our phones can have a million things that we’d rather look at instead of the task at
hand. I can get off track if I see a text and then start a conversation instead of doing my work.

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6. What may distract you when you’re trying to stay focused?

There are so many things that distract me when I’m trying to focus. My phone is a huge
distraction. I have to turn it off so that I don’t see texts or notifications coming in. I can also be
distracted by the people around me, like my friends or family.

7. When do you need to be focused?

I need to stay focused whenever I’m preparing for an important test. For example, I had a big
exam coming up a while ago. I really had to buckle down and stay on task so I could do well.

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Topic: Pets and Animals

1. Have you ever had a pet before?

Yes, I’ve had a pet before. When I was little, my family got a cat. It was a really sweet cat that
loved getting attention. Now that I’m living on my own, I have a small dog. He only came up to
my knees. He’s really energetic and loves going for walks. I spend a lot of my day with him.

2. What animal would you like to keep as a pet?

Well, I’d like to have a pet snake. Some people are freaked out by snakes, but I think they’re cute.
It’s just hard to take care of them. They require a lot of care and effort. But it would be really cool
to have an exotic pet.

3. What is the most popular animal in your country?

I think cats and dogs are probably the most popular animals in China. They’re the most common
household pet because they’re pretty easy to take care of. Cats don’t require a lot except for food
and a place to sleep. Dogs might take up more of your time but they make great companions.

4. Where do you prefer to keep your pet, indoors or outdoors?

I prefer having my pet indoors. Some people have outdoor cats, but I would be too worried about
the cat getting stolen or lost. Having a pet inside means that it can keep you company throughout
the day. It’s so nice to bond with an animal. I really love spending time with my own dog.

5. What’s your favorite animal? Why?

Well, I’m crazy about pandas. They look like giant teddy bears, but with striking black and white
markings. And they have black eye patches that make them look pretty funny. I mean, no animals
are more adorable than pandas, are they?

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Topic: Public gardens and parks

1. What do you like to do when visiting a park? /Do you like parks?

I usually like walking around with my friends. It’s not that exciting, but it’s a nice way for us to be
surrounded by nature. Some of my friends have dogs, so we have a good time walking around
with them. It’s so cute when they get to run around the park.

2. Did you like to go to the park as a child?

Yeah, I really liked going to the park when I was a kid. My parents let me run around in the grass
and just let loose. It was a great way to get all my energy out before bedtime. Sometimes my
friends and I went together and played games. I made a lot of good memories at the park.

3. How are the parks today different from those you visited as a kid?

Well, I have to say parks today are way better than the parks I usually went to when I was a child.
I still remember the park where I used to hang out with my friends. It only had a slide and a couple
of swings. But the parks I’ve been to lately all have big playgrounds with tons of recreational
equipment.

4. Would you like to hang out in a public garden or a park?

I think I’d rather hang out in a park. Public gardens are beautiful, but sometimes it’s not easy to
relax there. I’d be worried about accidentally ruining the plants or something. Public parks are
usually more spacious. You have room to walk around. You can also do more activities, like a fun
game of catch.

5. Would you prefer to hang out in a personal garden or a public garden?

I think I’d like to hang out in a public garden. A personal garden would be nice because you’d
have a lot more privacy. But I would be too worried about accidentally messing something up.
Being in a public garden comes with less pressure. Plus, you can hang out with other people in a
public garden.

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Topic: Science

1. Do you like science? Do you think it is difficult?

I’m not a huge fan of science, to be honest. I think it’s interesting, but I can never seem to wrap
my head around the more complicated concepts. In high school, science was one of my weaker
subjects. I’m definitely glad that other people are doing important work in that field.

2. When did you start to learn about science?

Like most people, I started learning about science in elementary school. The first thing I can
remember learning about is magnets. The teacher showed us how magnets could attract and
repel each other. I remember that It was really fun! to play around with magnets and feel the
magnetic force between them.

3. Which science subject is interesting to you?

I think that out of all the subjects, biology is the most interesting to me. It’s so fascinating to learn
how the human body works. I also like hearing facts about animal biology. It’s really fun to learn
about. Plus, we have much more in common with animals than one might think!

4. What kinds of interesting things you have done with science?

Well, when I was in high school, we actually got to do a dissection of a frog. It might sound gross,
but it was helpful for educational purposes. And I actually did learn a lot about the different body
parts. I remember that my partner was really freaked out. But I found it really interesting.

5. Have you ever attended a science lecture? Do you feel it’s easy or difficult?

I took one science class in university. It wasn’t too hard to follow along with because it was about
psychology. Psychology is surprisingly easy to understand. A lot of it is common sense. But there
are definitely some parts about the human mind that are difficult to learn about. It’s a really cool
subject though.

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Topic: Shoes

1. Do you like buying shoes? How often?

Honestly, I don’t really like buying shoes that much. Finding the right style and size can take a
long time. I always feel tired after I’ve been browsing for an hour. So I don’t buy them that often,
maybe a couple of times per year. I get a few pairs and then I’m good for a long time.

2. Have you ever bought shoes online?

Yes, I’ve bought shoes online. I wouldn’t recommend it, since you can’t try on the shoes and every
website’s sizing chart can be different. It can be hard to find which shoes will actually suit you.
But a nice thing about online shoe shopping is that you have more choices.

3. How much money do you usually spend on shoes?

I want to get good-quality shoes, so I usually spend a hundred dollars on a pair. It’s worth it for
shoes that will last a long time. Cheaper shoes are more budget-friendly, but they wear out a lot
quicker. When you have to replace them pretty often, it’s actually more expensive in the long
run.

4. Which do you prefer, fashionable shoes or comfortable shoes?

I definitely prefer comfortable shoes. I don’t really care that much about fashion. So even though
it might be cool to have a certain style of shoe, I would much rather have shoes that are comfy
to walk. In the long run, comfortable shoes are better for your feet anyways.

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Topic: Headphones

1. Do you use headphones?

Yes, I use headphones pretty often. It’s a great way to help me time out any distractions. Plus,
listening to music is a much better experience when you have headphones on. You can hear
everything more clearly. When I have headphones on, I can also turn up the music as loud as I
want without bugging anyone.

2. What type of headphones do you use?

I really like using wireless headphones. When I use the ones with wires, they always get tangled
up and sometimes they fall out. So I have earbuds that I can use with Bluetooth. It’s so
convenient. I also find that the sound quality is better. They’re more expensive than I would like,
but I think it’s worth it overall.

3. When would you use headphones? What do you use headphones for?

I use headphones whenever I want to listen to music without bothering anyone. For example, I
usually commute to school, so I use headphones so that I don’t disturb the other passengers. I
also like to use headphones for phone calls. I can walk around while talking on the phone without
having to hold my phone next to my ear.

4. In what conditions will you not use headphones?

I don’t use headphones if I really need to focus. Sometimes, listening to music can be more
distracting than helpful. So I’ll take out my headphones and just work in silence. Other times, I
don’t use headphones if I’m in public because I want to be aware of my surroundings.

5. Are headphones popular in your country?

Yeah, I think that headphones are pretty popular in my country. A lot of people commute to work
and school every day So they listen to music on their way. Headphones are great because you
can listen to whatever you want, as loudly as you want, without bothering other people.

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6. How long do you wear headphones a day?

I usually wear headphones on my commute, which is an hour each way. Sometimes I use them
when I go for a walk at night. It’s nice to listen to music while I walk around the neighborhood.
So I would say that I probably spend three hours wearing headphones a day.

7. Do you think it’s healthy to wear headphones or earphones?

I don’t think you should have headphones on for too long. When you use headphones a lot, you
can get used to listening to music at a loud volume. That might eventually damage your eardrums.
You might end up having hearing problems later on. But as long as you don’t use headphones too
often, you should be safe.

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Topic: Handwriting

1. Do you like handwriting?/ When do you write by hand?

I prefer typing most of the time, but I think there’s something nice about handwriting. When I’m
trying to plan something out. I’ll always write my thoughts down in a notebook. It makes me feel
more organized. Plus, handwriting is a nice personal touch when you’re giving someone a card
for their birthday or another occasion.

2. Did you write more when you were a child?

Yes, I definitely wrote more when I was a kid. I used to write letters to my grandparents all the
time. It was really fun to write the letters and get replies back. Sometimes I wrote to my friends,
but they didn’t write as many letters as I did. It was a more old-fashioned way to talk.

3. What needs to be written by hand these days?

I think that most cards and personal letters need to be written by hand. When it comes to special
occasions like birthdays or graduation, it’s much nicer to get a handwritten card than a text or an
email. Some people even handwrite their wedding invitations, which I think is classy and
wonderful.

4. Do you think handwriting is important?

I think handwriting is somewhat important. When you’re giving someone a gift, it’s nice to
handwrite a card so they feel special. Handwritten letters are also a great way to show someone
that you care. I’ve also heard that handwriting your notes will help you memorize the content
better. So for some purposes, it’s definitely important.

5. Which do you prefer, handwriting or typing?

I usually prefer typing. I like handwriting, but for the most part, using a computer is way faster
and more convenient. For example, if I’m writing an essay for school, it would take me way too
long to try and write it out. My hand gets cramps when I try to write for that long. Typing is a lot
easier.

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6. What’s the difference between handwriting and typing?

Well, handwriting is definitely more personal. Everyone has a unique style of handwriting, so it’s
kind of like putting your personality on a page. Typing is much more efficient though. Even if
you’re slow at typing, chances are that you’ll get more done than if you were writing by hand.

7. Is your handwriting easy to read?

I’m proud to say yes, I believe my handwriting is legible. Even though I got a lot of scolding from
my teachers during my compulsory study years, I’ve been putting my maximum effort into
improving my handwriting and I am over with joy when it finally paid back years later.

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Topic: Barbecue
1. Did you have barbecues when you were a child?

Yes, my family loves having barbecues. So when I was a kid, we had them pretty regularly during
the summer. I have lots of fond memories of my family hanging out at our place. We loved to eat
great food and catch up with each other. It was always a good time.

2. What kind of food do you like to eat for barbecue?

I really love ribs. You know, it’s a pretty messy type of food. You usually eat them with your hands,
and there’s typically a lot of sauce on them. So I wouldn’t recommend eating them if you’re trying
to impress someone. But they taste amazing. The meat is always so tender and juicy.

3. Would you like to have barbeque with your family or your friends?

I prefer having a BBQ with my friends! I mean, I love my family. But I can relax a lot more when
I’m with my friends. I don’t have to worry about being proper as much. So it’s nice to kick back
and relax on the weekend with my friends.

4. Do people in your country like barbecue?

Yes, people in my country love to have barbecues in the summer. Barbecues are a great, easy
way to bring together family and friends. The food is always loved by everyone, even small
children who are picky eaters. Barbecues also encourage people to eat and socialize outside and
get fresh air.

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New Topics:
Topic: Weekend
1. What do you often do on weekends?

On weekends, I usually sleep in and try to hang out with my friends. We all get pretty busy with
work and school, so weekends are sometimes our only chance to spend time together. We like
going to the mall or seeing a movie together. It’s always a blast and makes the weekends a fun
time.

2. Did you do anything special last weekend?

No, not really. I had a pretty quiet weekend. I just hung out by myself at home. It might sound
boring, but it was actually really relaxing. I get so busy with work and school that I don’t often
have time to just kick back and relax. So I'm glad I had a chill weekend.

3. What do you want to do next weekend?

I’d really like to hang out with my friends next weekend. We haven’t seen each other in a while,
so it would be nice to have a meal together. We always have a ton of fun when we try to cook
something. Even though we’re not great at cooking, it’s the effort that counts .

4. Do you like playing alone or with others?

I like playing with others. If I'm doing a fun activity, it’s always more fun with friends. For example,
going to the beach by yourself can allow you to reflect and enjoy some quiet time. But I have way
more fun when I go with my friends. We get to bond and do lots of activities together.

5. What are the activities you want to do in the future?

I'd really like to try parasailing. It’s when you lift off in a parachute attached to a boat. It sounds
crazy, but I’ve seen pictures and videos and it looks like a blast. I also want to go hiking. I’ve never
done it before, and it seems like a really good way to burn some fat and get in shape.

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6. What do other people in your hometown usually do on weekends?

Usually, people hang out at the mall or go to bars on the weekends. Those are probably the two
most popular places to chill with friends and just shoot the breeze. Some people also like doing
outdoor activities, like Tai chi in the park. Others go for inns and exercise a lot.

7. What are the differences of family activities between now and in the past?

I think that in the past, family activities were more low-key. You know, families would just sit
around playing card games or something. But nowadays, lots of families like doing outings
together. They might go to a nice restaurant or go for a walk in the park. I think it’s a nice change.

8. Do you like working on weekends?

Well, if the work revolves around things that I love, like writing or photography then yes I do love
working on weekends. It makes working for others so much easier. But, doing things that I am
doing on weekdays even on weekends is something I try to avoid.

9. Do you think employees should have to work on weekends?

We as individuals are accountable first to ourselves and then towards others. So, working for the
company even on weekends is something I do not support. In my opinion, a person should work
on himself or herself on weekends as it will help him or her to improve their personality.

10. Do you feel that weekends now are more important to you than when you were a child?

Weekends for me have always been the source of entertainment since childhood and I remember
cherishing them for as long as I can go back down the memory lane. They are important for me
even now and so there is not much of a difference. However surely, there is more of awareness
on what different things can be done on weekends.

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Topic: Spending time with others
1. Do you like talking with people?

Yes, I do. I think that everyone has something interesting to share with you. I’ve had some really
good conversations with strangers as we waited in line. Plus, it’s always great to chat with a good
friend or a family member. I just like talking with whoever’s around. I always end up learning
something new.

2. How do you like spending time with your friends? / What leisure activities do you do with
your friends?

I like going for walks with my friends. Sometimes we go to a park and just shoot the breeze .
Other times, we go to the mall and check out the stores. We mostly just window-shop, but it’s
still a good time. It's also fun to go to the movies together. It always gives us something to talk
about afterwards.

3. What activities need teamwork or collaboration?

I think a good example is a team sport like basketball or soccer. When you're playing a sport like
that, you have to depend on your fellow teammates to win the game. Sports are great for
collaboration because it encourages people to work together to achieve a goal. It can help
improve communication as well.

4. Do you remember a time when you need to cooperate with others?


Yes, for sure. When I was in high school, I often had to do group projects. For one of them, we all
had to work together to make a model of a cell. It was pretty difficult since it required making
tiny shapes. But we did a good job by cooperating and dividing up the works equally.

5. Do you prefer to study alone or together with others?

I prefer studying alone. Sometimes it can be helpful to work in a study group, especially when it’s
for a big test. You can share your study notes and help each other out. But for the most part, I
find other people too distracting. I would rather just do my own things .

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6. What do you like to do in your spare time?

Whenever I have some free time, I really like to read or watch a movie. When I read a good book,
I can picture what’s going on in my head and get lost in a good story. Similarly, movies are a nice
way to kick back and relax. I like watching them with my friends as well.

7. Could you describe a time when you studied with others?

In my first year of university, I joined a study group for one of my classes. We had a big test
coming up, so we all brought our study notes and discussed the class materials together. It was
really great because we could help fill in what other people were missing.

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Topic: Taking photos
1. Do you like taking photos?

Yes, I really like taking photos. It’s a fun way to document my day . If I see something interesting,
like a cool flower or a pretty building, I can take a picture so I’ll remember later on. It’s also great
to take photos with friends. You can capture a lot of happy memories that way.

2. Do you like taking selfies?

Yes, sometimes I like taking selfies. When I get dressed up, I like to take a picture of myself to
capture the moment. It’s just nice to have good photos of yourself. It can make you feel more
confident. But I try not to take too many selfies. Otherwise, it makes you vain.

3. What is your favorite family photo?

I really like a family photo we took on vacation. My family and I went to a beautiful town by the
sea. We all went to the beach and someone offer to take a photo of us. In the picture, you can
see the ocean in the background. We all look very happy together.

4. Do you want to improve your photography skills?

It would be great to improve my picture-taking skills sometime. I don’t think I have the time to
hire a professional to teach me. But I think that watching some online tutorials would make a
world of difference. It’d be great to learn about different camera settings and tips for good
lighting.

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Topic: Art
1. Do you like drawing?

Yes, I really enjoy drawing. It’s a great way for me to relax and get away from the stress of work
for a while. I wouldn’t say I’m the most talented artist. But I really enjoy the pieces that I’ve made.
I put a few of them on the walls in my room. It makes the space feel special.

2. Do you like to go to the gallery?

Yeah, I like going to galleries. I don’t always understand every piece of art that I see. But I don’t
think you have to understand art in order to enjoy looking at rt. I think it’s really fun to go with a
friend and have conversations about the different paintings and sculptures. You can end up with
some interesting observations.

3. Did you want to learn more about art?

Yes, I’d love to learn more about art. I never took any art classes in high school or university. So I
would be interested in learning about different art styles and techniques. It would even be
exciting to learn about art history. It’s something I hope I have time for one day.

4. Did you learn drawing when you were a kid?

Yes, I learned to draw when I was a kid. My mom is really good at it. She taught me everything I
know. We would always spend time drawing things together. Drawing buds was my favourite. It
was a fun way for us to bond. I’m glad I got to learn from her.

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Topic: Cinema
1. Did you usually go to the cinema when you were a kid?

Yeah, as a kid I went to the cinema with my parents a lot. It was nice to go to the movies as a
family . On the way home ' we talked about our favourite parts of the movie and bonded that
way . Sometimes, they even let me invite my friends so we could all go together.

2. Do you usually go to the cinema with your friends?

Yes, I really like going to the cinema with my friends. It’s a fun bonding experience. We always
get into heated debates after the movie. We’ll argue about if the plot was good or if we liked the
acting. It’s always a good time watching the latest movie with them.

3. Do you still enjoy watching the movie you loved as a child?

There are some movies that I still enjoy. When I was a kid, I liked a lot of animated movies. Most
of them are still fun to watch. But I think it’s because I’m nostalgic about them. However, my
taste in movies has definitely changed a lot, so I've outgrown some of the movies I liked as a kid.

4. Do you prefer watching movies at home or at the cinema?

I usually prefer watching movies at the cinema. Sometimes the other audience members can be
distracting. But overall, it’s a better experience as a viewer. The sound system and the huge
screen make the movie come to life. Plus, sometimes the audience reactions actually make the
viewing experience more excitement.

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Topic: Emails
1. Do you often send emails? / How often do you write an email?

I don’t really write emails that often, to be honest. My friends and I mostly chat freely through
Facebook, or we’ll even call each other once in a blue moon. I get tons of emails as a student, but
other than asking teachers about assignments, I don’t tend to write them.

2. When would you send emails to others?

I usually send emails if it’s for professional reasons. As a student, I mostly just emailed my
teachers about assignments. And I have a part-time job, so I also email coworkers if I'm trying to
communicate with them at work. For example, I often need to report about my project to my
employer via emails.

3. Is sending emails popular in Vietnam?

No, I don’t think that sending emails is very popular in Vietnam. I think people prefer to talk over
instant-messaging, or even phone calls. It’s a lot easier, and sometimes it’s quicker too. In
general, emails are sent for professional purposes. They’re much more formal than other modes
of communication.

4. Do you think sending emails will be more or less popular in the future?

I would say sending emails will be less popular in the future. People usually just text,
instant¬message, or call each other. And I think that in the future, that’ll be even more common.
Even in the workplace, things are getting more casual when it comes to communication. So I
don’t think emails will get more popular.

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

I definitely prefer text messages. Most of my friends don’t even check their emails that often, so
it’s a lot easier to get a hold of them over text. Plus, emails are really formal. I feel like texts can
get to the point a lot quicker and they don’t have to be as serious.

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6. Do you prefer contacting others by talking on the phone or sending emails?

I prefer talking on the phone. It’s easier to connect with someone when you can hear their voice.
Sometimes, email can be too formal. It’s good for professional purposes . But if I want to talk to
a friend, I like having a conversation over the phone . So phone calls are nicer and more personal.

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Topic: Dreams
1. Can you remember the dreams you had? / Do you often remember your dreams?

Yeah, I can remember my dreams pretty often. They usually don't make any sense, though. It
always makes my friends laugh when I share the details. They definitely make for interesting
conversation topics. But usually I have to write my dreams down as soon as I wake up, or I won’t
be able to remember them in full.

2. Do you share your dreams with others?

I don’t usually share my dreams with other people. Sometimes, if I have a really weird or funny
dream, I might tell my family or friends. But in general, my dreams are pretty random. They don’t
make a lot of sense. So I don't take up people’s time by talking about my dreams.

3. Do you think dreams have a special meaning?

Yes, I think that in some cases, dreams have special meanings. They may represent people’s fears
or desires. For example, many students have dreams about failing exams during finals season.
Besides, some people have dreams of becoming rich or marrying someone they have a crush on.
Those types of dreams can be very revealing.

4. Do you want to make your dreams come true?

Well, sometimes my dreams are really weird. And they don’t make any sense. So I don't think
they should come true. I’ve had a couple cool dreams where I get to talk to celebrities. So I guess
it would be fun if those dreams came true. But otherwise, I think they should stay dreams.

5. Why do people have dreams?

Well, I don’t know a lot about the human brain. But I think that people have dreams as a way of
dealing with all the emotions and memories they have . Dreaming is just your body’s way of
expressing thoughts and feelings. A lot of people dream about things they want as well.

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6. Have you studied any subjects or courses about dreams?

No, I’ve never studied anything related to dreams. I think it would be really interesting to take a
course about dreams. I would love to know why we have dreams in the first place . It would also
be fun! to learn how to interpret dreams . It’d be great to know what my dreams mean.

7. Are you interested in other people’s dreams?

Yeah, it’s very interesting to hear about other people’s dreams. Sometimes dreams reveal hidden
secrets or desires. I think that you can learn a lot about a person depending on their dream. But
most of the time, dreams are just really funny and strange. So they’re fun to hear about.

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Topic: Mirrors
1. Do you like looking at yourself in the mirror? How often?

Well, I’m not a vain person. I don’t really like looking at myself in the minor very often. Of course,
I’ll check to make sure that I look okay before leaving the house. But I don’t spend a lot of time
looking at my own reflection.

2. Have you ever bought mirrors?

Yes, I actually bought a small compact minor a few years ago. It’s helpful for when you go out
and you want to quickly check your reflection. I also bought a tall antique mirror for my room. It
looks so fancy. It’s a very classy mirror that I really enjoy.

3. Do you usually take a mirror with you?

No, I don’t usually take a minor with me. Sometimes, if I remember, I'll bring a small compact
minor. That’s only if I think I need to check my reflection while I'm out. But most of the time, I’m
not too worried about my appearance. So I don’t need to have a minor with me.

4. Would you use mirrors to decorate your room?

Yes, I would for sure. I love having minors, especially big ones in my bedroom. I think minors can
make the room feel bigger than it actually is. Besides, I love how minors make my room brighter
since they reflect light instead of absorbing it.

5. Do you use mirrors in clothing stores when you buy clothes?

Yes, I like to look at the minor when I try on clothes. It’s important to see if the clothes fit my
body right. It’s also good to see if the colour matches your skin tone. Checking my reflection helps
me decide if I should buy the clothes or not.

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Topic: Memory
1. Why do some people have good memories while others just don't?

Well, some people keep their brains active . They like doing things like learning a new language
or playing a new instrument. That helps you keep your memory sharp. Others are really busy and
have too much going on in their brain. So they can’t remember as much as other people.

2. Why do more people rely on cell phones to memorize things?

I think it’s because cell phones are much more convenient. Unlike our brains, they don’t get
overwhelmed very easily. They can record information for much longer than we can. Also, people
are just getting more dependent on technology. We’re at risk of getting too lazy and depending
too much on our phones.

3. Are you good at memorizing things?

Well, I’m okay at memorizing things. I wouldn't say I have the sharpest memory. But I can always
remember song lyrics, even if I’ve only heard the song a couple times. But I'm terrible at
remembering people’s names, especially when I’m just getting to know them.

4. Have you ever forgotten something that was important?

Yes, I’ve done this quite a few times. I can never remember people's birthdays. My mom had an
important birthday coming up, and it totally slipped my mind. The day of, she was a little upset
that I forgot to call and wish her a happy birthday. I felt really bad.

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Topic: Daily routine
1. What is your daily study routine? / Do you have a daily routine?

Yes, I have a daily routine, in the morning, I get up and have a nice breakfast. Then I start work. I
work from home, so I can take a break and make lunch for myself. After work, I like relaxing by
watching TV or hanging out with friends. At night, I’ll read a book and then go to bed.

2. Have you ever changed your routine?

Yes, I’ve had to change my routine a lot of times. When I was a student, I changed my routine
based on my classes and how much homework I had. Then, the first time I got a job, I had to
rearrange my personal life. I had to get used to waking up early for morning shifts.

3. Do you think it is important to have a daily routine for your study?

Yes, I think it’s really helpful to make a daily routine for studies. It helps you stay focused and get
things done. If you just wing it every day, you might get distracted and unmotivated. Having a
daily routine makes your studies easier to get through. It keeps you on track.

4. What part of your day do you like best?

I think my favorite part of the day is when I'm done work. I can make a nice dinner for myself, or
maybe even go out with friends. It's just nice to know that I’m off the clock and I don’t have to
report to anyone. I can enjoy my free time before the next work day begins.

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

Well, mornings really aren’t my cup of tea, so usually I stay in bed for a while and scroll through
social media until I feel more awake. After that, I take a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, blush
my teeth, and make sure I look put together before I start the day.

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Topic: TV Program
1. Do you still watch TV?

Yes, I definitely still watch TV. After a long day of work, if s nice to sit on the couch and put a show
on. Sometimes my friends and I even watch TV together. Last year, we watched an entire show
from start to finish . We would get together one night a week until we had watched all the
episodes.

2. What kinds of TV programs do you often watch?

I like comedy television. I don’t like any serious dramatic TV shows, or daytime television. I like
to be entertained and laugh when I’m watching TV. My favourite comedy show is The Big Bang
Theory. That show always makes me bust a gut . The script is very witty and I’ve binge-watched
it several times.

3. Do you think kids are watching too much television?

Yes, I did, but my parents limited how much time I could spend watching shows. They didn’t want
my brain to rot. So they made sure that I spent more time playing outside. That being said, I had
lots of favourite TV shows that I really enjoyed.

4. What are the impacts of watching TV programs on children?

Well, I think TV programs can be very educational and informative for children, especially when
they watch cartoons and documentaries about nature and science. That’s definitely one positive
impact of children watching TV. But watching TV for a long time can be bad for their eyesight.

5. What kinds of TV programs do you think should be broadcast more? / What about the current
TV programs do you think could be improved?

I think that current TV programs should be more educational. I don’t mean that they should feel
like a lecture. But they should be focused on more serious things. There are way too many reality
TV shows. Those shows are a total waste of time and resources.

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6. Do you think children watch too much TV nowadays?

Yeah, I think kids spend too much time watching TV nowadays. It’s not healthy for them to just
sit on the couch and watch something mindlessly. They should play outside more or hang out
with their friends. That’s the best way to spend your childhood. Too much TV can make kids lazy.

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Topic: Cars
1. Did you enjoy travelling by car when you were a kid?

Yes, I really liked traveling by car when I was a kid. It always felt really exciting, especially if we
were going somewhere far away. I liked staring out the window and watching everything go by.
Sometimes I got carsick, which wasn’t that fun. But most of the time I liked going for car rides.

2. What types of cars do you like? / What type of cars would you like to buy in the future?

I really like hybrid or electric cars. I think it’s so cool that you don’t need gas. You can just charge
your car, pretty much the way you charge a phone. On the downside , those cars are super
expensive. But they’re good for the environment, so I would love to buy one.

3. Do you prefer to be a driver or a passenger?

I prefer being a passenger. Sometimes it’s nice to drive because you have control over the car.
But driving can also be very stressful, especially if there’s a lot of traffic. So I like to be a passenger
and just relax.

4. What do you usually do when there is a traffic jam?

Whenever there's a traffic jam, I usually listen to music and sing along to keep myself occupied .
Sometimes it’s embarrassing if the other drivers can see or hear me. But I think it’s a good way
to keep myself from getting too worked up. After all, there’s not much you can do when you’re
stuck in traffic.

5. Which color do you prefer for a car?

I really like dark blue or black for a car. Some people like flashier colors , like red or yellow. But I
think those are too attention-grabbing . Darker colors are better for everyday use. It's just a
matter of being practical. If you get your car dirty, it won’t be as noticeable.

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Topic: Lost and Found
1. What will you do if you find something lost by others?

It depends on the situation. If I find someone’s things in a public place like a mall, I’ll leave it with
the lost and found. Or I can give it to security. But if it’s on the street, I tend to just leave the stuff
there in case the person comes back looking for it.

2. Do you report to the police when finding something lost by others? Why?

It depends on the value of the lost items. If it's something replaceable or not that valuable, like a
key or a coin, I usually just leave it there. But if it’s something valuable, like a cellphone or a
wallet, I would definitely report it to the police. They can take care of finding and contacting the
person who lost their stuff .

3. Have you ever lost things?

Yes, I’ve lost lots of things before. Tire most frustrating thing to lose is a house key. I've lost that
a couple times and had to get it replaced. One time, I even lost my phone while I was shopping
at the mall. Luckily, someone turned it in and I got it back.

4. Will you post on social media if you lose your item?

Normally , I wouldn't post on social media if I lost something because I don’t have many followers
on social media platforms. So, if I lost something, like a wallet at a mall, I would check the lost
and found instead of asking my followers.

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Topic: Websites
1. What kinds of websites do you often visit?

I tend to use social networking sites. I also use search engines, of course. But when I’m online,
I’m usually either checking my email or looking through social media. Sometimes I like reading
online magazines, so I also like to visit sites that have articles about the newest trends and topics
in pop culture.

2. What is your favorite website?

Honestly, I spend the most time on Youtube, which is a international video sharing website. There
are so many interesting videos to check out. You can find cute animals, movie reviews, and
tutorials for pretty much anything you can think of. I could spend hours just clicking through
different videos.

3. Are there any changes about the websites you often visit?

Well, there have definitely been changes in which websites I use. For example, there are a lot
more advertisements than there used to be. Besides, video websites have all added the bullet
chatting function in recent years, which allows users to send comments that fly across the screen
like bullets. It's really entertaining.

4. What kinds of websites are popular in your country?

I think that social media sites are really popular. People spend a lot of time on sites like Facebook
and Instagram. They just want to stay connected with each other, and with everything going on
in the world . People also check the news online, so some major news sites are also pretty
commonly used.

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Topic: Time management
1. How do you plan your time in a day?

Usually, I make a list of everything I need to do. Then I decide what needs to be done first. I also
figure out how much time each task will take. Then I work my way through the list. It’s a very
helpful system . It helps me get through each day.

2. Is it easy to manage time for you?

No, it’s not always easy to manage time. Even if you have a list of things to do, you might get
distracted and end up wasting time. So you have to stay very focused and dedicated. Sometimes
things come up and you have to manage your time differently. It's not always easy to stick to the
plan .

3. When do you find it hard to allocate time?

I find it hard to allocate time when I have a lot going on. For example, when I was in university, I
was also working a part-time job. So it was hard to split my time between shifts at work and my
homework. It’s difficult to figure out what part of your life deserves the most time.

4. Do you like being busy?

For the most part, I enjoy being busy. Whenever I have too much free time, I get really bored.
Then I get lazy. I end up just lying around the house doing nothing. But when I'm busy, I feel like
I have a purpose. I have something to get me up in the morning and keep me motivated.

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Topic: Street market
1. What do people usually buy on the street market?

I think it’s common to buy special dishes at a street market. There are usually lots of food stalls
where you can try amazing snacks. People also find unique objects at a street market. You can
find antique items, as well as handmade crafts. Sometimes you can also get vintage clothing.

2. Do you prefer to go shopping in the shopping mall or on the street market?

I prefer shopping at a street market. Shopping malls may have brand-name stores, but street
markets have unique items. I love finding antique or handmade objects. Plus, you can often
barter at a street market. So you can get a good deal on your purchase. But at a shopping mall,
the prices are fixed.

3. When was the last time you went to a street market?

If my memory serves right , the last time I went to a street market was three or four years ago. I
went with my friends. We decided we wanted to try some cool snacks. So we checked out all the
food stalls. We each picked something different. Then we shared all the food. Everything was so
delicious.

4. Are there any street markets in Vietnam?

Yes, there are tons of street markets in Vietnam. Our country is a small one but we have
thousands of markets. As far as I know, even the smallest towns have more than one street
market, not to mention the major cities. You can’t imagine how many street markets there are
in total in Vietnam.

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Topic: Mobile phone
1. What was your first mobile phone? / Do you remember your first phone?

Yes, I do. I got my first phone, a Nokia 1280 , when I was a teenager. It wasn’t the newest model.
But I was really excited because I could finally text my friends. It's pretty old-fashioned by today’s
standards . But it was perfect for me at the time.

2. Do you often use your mobile phone for texting or calls?

I usually use my mobile phone for texting. I think that phone calls are more common among the
older generations. For example, my parents almost never text. They just call me when they want
to talk to me. But my friends and I always text. It feels more natural than a phone call .

3. Will you buy a new one in the future?

Yes, I think I’ll buy a new smartphone in the future. I’ve had my current phone for a few years. It
still works well, but I’d like to get a phone with a more advanced camera. Since I take most of my
photos on my phone, it would be nice to have a camera that can take higher-quality shots.

4. How has your mobile phone changed your life?

My mobile phone is basically involved with every aspect of my life. I communicate with everyone
I know by using my phone, whether I’m texting them or messaging them over social media. So
my phone has made staying in touch a lot easier. It also helps me organize my day, do online
shopping, and a million other things.

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Topic: Watching sports
1. Do you like watching sports programs on TV?

I’m not a big sports fan. But sometimes I enjoy watching basketball. It’s such an interesting, fast-
paced sport. I always prefer watching games on my big flat-screen TV over laptops or cellphones.
The resolution is way better, which means you can see a lot more details. And it’s just so cozy to
sit on my comfy couch and watch a good game.

2. Do you like to watch live sports games?

I don’t usually watch live sports games. Tickets to those kinds of events can be very expensive.
Sometimes I watch a live game if it’s streaming online or if it’s broadcasted on TV. I always have
a blast watching a game with a bunch of friends in front of a screen. But I’m sure it would be
really cool to go to a game sometime.

3. Who do you like to watch sports games with?

I really like watching sports games with my brother. He’s a huge fan of sports, so he knows all the
rules and he can explain what’s going on. He gets very passionate when he thinks the referee has
made the wrong call . It’s fun to watch him get excited about the game.

4. What kinds of games do you expect to watch in the future?

I’ve started getting more interested in football. So I think I’ll watch some games on TV. It’s fun
to pick a team to support and watch the games. Plus, the football team in my hometown has
always been one of the best players in Vietnam. So I will definitely try to watch more of their
games.

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SPEAKING PART 2 & 3
Topic: Time-wasting

Part 2: Describe an activity you usually do that wastes your time


You should say:
• What it is
• When you usually do it
• Why you do it
• And explain why you think it wastes your time

Well, I live too far away from my workplace. So I think my commute to work is the biggest time-
waster every day. This summer holiday, I found a part-time job that I can do for a long time. But
I had to move out of the student residence because the building was closed during the summer
holidays.

So I tried really hard to look for a suitable apartment. Eventually I rent a newly renovated
apartment, which has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city. But
the drawback is its distance from the workplace. I have to take a bus for 40 minutes to commute
there.

Basically, I have to get up really early every morning for work. But what’s worse is that it often
takes me over an hour to arrive at the office because of traffic jams during rush hour. I can’t do
anything except listen to some music or look at the passing crowd through the window. It’s purely
a waste of time, which is a pain I have to go through almost every single day.

In fact, when I was looking for apartments, there was another one within walking distance of the
office. But it’s practically a shoebox and the decor is pretty worn-out. The rent wasn’t cheap
either as it’s in a commercial zone, so I ruled it out. But it turned out that the huge amount of
time I’ve wasted on the commute is even more valuable than the difference in rent.

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Part 3:

1. How do you/people balance life and work?

A: Finding a work-life balance is really difficult, but I think that it comes more naturally over time.
People have to figure out what their priorities are. If work is causing them to neglect their family,
they should reassess and figure out how they can handle their responsibilities differently so they
can avoid damaging their relationships. Once you know what’s really important to you, you can
base your work-life balance around that.

B: I think balancing work and life is always a work in progress. We are always doing it, and it is
not something specific. For example, if we go on vacation with the family, we come back and
spend extra time at work to make up for the pending work. Another rather unhealthy way, we
achieve it is by cutting down on our sleep hours, but it takes a big toll on our mental and physical
health.

2. Will you continue doing something when you are aware that it’s a waste of time?

I think the adage ‘bad habits die hard’ would be the best answer to this question. I think we do
such things because we are addicted to them. I think it’s very hard to give up on such activities,
and it requires a lot of willpower. However, the realization that the activity is wasteful is the first
step, and once people have that, it becomes easier to stop.

3. What kinds of things make people feel pressured?

I think there are millions of things in today’s life that stress us- for example, financial obligations,
unreasonable work deadlines, competition with others, and maintaining relationships. The
pressure each puts varies according to the stage of life- for example, competition stress is in the
early stages when we are trying to get into universities or trying to secure a good job and financial
stress comes a little later when we have to manage the expenses for the whole family.

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4. Why do some people refuse to abide by rules?

I think there is a certain thrill in breaking the rules and doing whatever we want. In some ways,
it is exhilarating and freeing to not care about the rules and regulations. Actually, I think it is good
as long as we don’t harm others because it prevents life from becoming monotonous and boring.

5. What are the activities that people must do in their daily lives?

Well, there are the basic activities, like eating and working. Every day, you have to decide what
kind of food you’ll put in your body, and you have to figure out how you’re going to support
yourself through either a job or education. But another activity that people should do every day
is exercise. It’s important to stay fit through working out, whether it’s for twenty minutes or an
hour.

6. What wastes people’s time in daily life?

A lot of different things can waste people’s time in daily life. Mainly, having to wait on other
people is a waste of time. That includes being stuck behind a slow walker or a slow driver, waiting
in line, or waiting for a co-worker to send you a document that you need. All of these things can
waste your time and can be extremely frustrating. Another thing that wastes time is scrolling on
a cellphone. People often spend an excessive amount of time on apps like TikTok, Wechat and
Weibo. They could be more productive in life if they put down their cell phones.

7. What (time-wasting) things do people feel stressed out about?

People usually feel stressed out about their commutes. If they have to wait in traffic, they’ll get
frustrated, especially if they’re already running late. Waiting in a long line of cars is a huge waste
of time. I don’t know anyone who can sit in the middle of rush hour and not feel a little stressed.
Actually, I think people hate waiting in line in general, whether it’s on the highway or at a store.

8. Why do some people not follow their own plans?

It seems to me that some people abandon their own plans because they don’t have enough
motivation or dedication. Although they might set clear goals for themselves, they might not
follow through because things get hard and they don’t have the drive to keep going and push

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through. But in other situations, people don’t follow their own plans because they realize it’s not
the right plan, or that there’s a better choice for them.

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Topic: Spending

Part 2: Describe an item on which you spent more than expected


You should say:
• What it is
• How much you spent on it
• Why you bought it
• And explain why you think you spent more than expected

Speaking of something I spent more on than I expected, the first one that comes to mind is a
funky home karaoke machine. If memory serves correctly, last August, I happened to watch a
Livestream show hosted by a famous live-streamer named Li Jiaqi. He was selling a karaoke
machine in the Livestream. I thought it’d be great if I could sing karaoke at home. So I decide to
buy one on the live stream.

Unfortunately, there were too many people purchasing so it was sold out before I placed an
order. I had to check the online shop that Li strongly recommended. It turned out that the price
there was about 500 yuan higher. Honestly, I was having second thoughts because it was going
to cost me an arm and a leg.

But I really felt the lack of such a device at home. It’s a very useful and practical device for those
who love singing. It can connect to your TV through an HDMI cable or even WIFI. What's better,
it even has a colorful LED lighting system, which is a must-have for a cool karaoke room. I thought
it was so practical that I finally decided to buy it.

As it turned out, it wasn't just an impulse purchase. Since we bought it, having a karaoke party
has become the most popular fun event in our family. So, even though it was over my budget, I
think it was totally worth it since my family uses it from time to time.

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Part 3:

1. Do you often buy more than expected?

Yeah, I’ve found that I often buy way more things than I was planning for. I think that happens
the most often when I’m grocery shopping. Everyone says that you shouldn’t buy groceries when
you’re hungry, which I definitely agree with. Even though I always make a list before I go
shopping, I get more than I planned for because all the food looks so appealing. It’s hard to have
any self-control.

2. What do you think young people spend most of their money on?

I think that young people like to spend their money on new clothes and new technology. A lot of
young people are very concerned about what other people think of them, so they want to wear
the newest clothes and own the newest phones and devices. Plus, since they don’t usually have
other responsibilities like paying bills or covering other people’s needs, they’re free to spend their
money on luxury items as well. For example, some young people like buying designer shoes and
bags.

3. Do you think it is important to save money? Why?

Yes, it’s definitely important to save money. Even if you’re comfortable financially, you should be
thinking ahead. Anything could happen, and you might find that suddenly you need money to
pay for a damaged car or laptop, in case of emergencies, you should always have some extra
money lying around. So it’s good to make plans for your money and try to save up. It’s also good
to save money for fun things like vacations.

4. Do people buy things they don’t need?

Yes, people definitely buy things they don’t need from time to time. Even when they go grocery
shopping, it’s easy to pick up ingredients that weren’t on their list because they look really
appealing in the moment. Plus, some people go out and buy things they don’t need as a form of
therapy and relaxation - this is where the phrase retail therapy comes from.

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5. Why are some rich people reluctant to spend money on others or even themselves?

Well, sometimes, rich people don’t want to spend money because they’re very protective of their
wealth. It seems confusing since they could definitely afford to splurge, but I think that the more
money you get, the more you want to hold on to it so you can have even more. Plus, some people
become rich after being poor or middle-class, so they have the old mindset of needing to save
every penny.

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Topic: Primary schools

Part 2: Describe a person who impressed you most when you were in primary school
You should say:
• Who he/she is
• How you knew him/her
• Why he/she impressed you most
• And how you feel about him/her

Well, when I was in primary school, art class was always my favorite. So the art teacher, Mrs. Li,
really left a mark on me.

In my eyes, she was like a superhero. She could do anything! I still remember clear as day that
she taught us to draw stick figures, make paper lanterns, and even make paper cuttings. I have
to say she’s pretty skilled in paper-cutting. I remember that during one class, she took just a few
minutes to cut two butterflies. It seemed like she had magic hands. But I couldn’t keep up with
her at all.

My fingers were clumsy and I could never cut the papers well. But Mrs. Li didn’t look down on
me. She personally came to my side and helped me fold a piece of paper in half several times.
Then she asked me to draw an image on it and cut it along the lines. When I unfolded the paper,
it really looked like a butterfly. I remember I was over the moon and thanked her a lot.

Actually, I learned many art skills from Mrs. Li. She was patient and kind to every student and was
always smiling, so I was very fond of her. After so many years, my memory of primary school is
fading, but I still remember tons of moments from art class and with Mrs. Li clearly, I really miss
those days in primary school. It was the happiest and most carefree period of my life.

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Part 3:

1. Why do people always miss their childhood?

I think people miss their childhood because it’s often much more stressful and complicated to be
an adult. When you’re older, you have way more responsibilities than you did when you were a
kid. Instead of your main priority being playtime with your friends, you have to pay bills, handle
a full- time job, and in some cases take care of your own children. So compared to all the stress
of adulthood, childhood seems like a much better time of life. It’s easy for people to be nostalgic.

2. Are kids happier than adults? Why?

I suppose that in some ways, kids are happier than adults. When you’re a kid, it’s not that hard
to have all your needs met. You don’t have to worry about paying bills or working at a full-time
job like adults do. Kids are content with simple things, like hanging out with their friends. As an
adult, you have way more responsibilities and way more stress. So it’s harder to find happiness.

3. Why do people still remember many of their friends from primary school?

I think it’s because primary school is a really formative time in people’s lives. When you’re young,
you’re learning about the world for the first time. And the people that you learn with make a
huge impression on you. It seems to me that most people can remember their childhood friends
because they went through lots of important first experiences together. It’s really sweet how
those childhood bonds can last throughout your lifetime.

4. What kinds of primary school teachers will impress students?

I suppose that students are most impressed by primary school teachers who are engaging,
enthusiastic, and caring. Children in primary school are very young, and they have a short
attention span, so the teacher needs to be interesting enough and to plan enough engaging
activities to keep students focused. Teachers also need to be kind and caring so that students
feel comfortable coming to them if they have a problem.

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5. What do people generally remember about elementary school?

I would say that people usually remember the friends they made in elementary school. They
might remember some cool experiences from a class or even one interesting lesson. But as time
goes by, the thing that stands out the most is the people that they met. A lot of people might not
remember much about their time in elementary school, but they do remember the good friends
they had and keep a lifelong friendship with them.

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Topic: Special occasions

Part 2: Describe a time when you waited for something special that would happen
You should say:
• What you waited for
• Where you waited
• Why it was special
And explain how you felt while you were waiting

I’d like to talk about my experience of waiting for the result of the National Judicial examination
I took last September. It’s one of the most difficult qualification exams in Vietnam as well as in
the world since the pass rate is only about 10% every year. So passing this exam really mattered
to me and it was especially important to my career. I took lots of online classes and studied law
day in and day out. I literally dreamed about legal cases several times. To be honest, I didn’t even
know I had that kind of grit before I started preparing for the exam.

Anyway, after I finished the exam, I waited about two months to get the result. That was the
most anxious and stressful period of time I’ve ever had in my life. Sometimes my mind would
drift away from the things I was doing and I’d stall worrying about what to do if I failed the exam.
The only thing that helped me blow off some steam was chatting with other candidates in an
online chat room.

Fortunately, it turned out that I passed the exam and by a lot! I was over the moon and burst into
tears seeing my good score. I really felt like all my effort paid off at that moment. You know, I'm
finally qualified to be a lawyer!

So waiting for the judicial exam’s result really left a mark on me. It was a long, hard wait, but at
the end of the day, it was all worth it!

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Part 3:

1. On what occasions do people usually need to wait?

People usually need to wait on a number of different occasions, including when they are lining
up for something or waiting for an appointment. Sometimes people have to wait in very long
lines at stores, especially if it is a busy time to go shopping. Sometimes people need to wait in
traffic. Waiting for a medical or dental appointment can also take a long time. Most people need
to wait for things very often throughout their lives.

2. Who behaves better when waiting, children or adults?

Usually, adults behave better when waiting than children. Children often do not understand why
they have to wait for something, whereas adults know why they are waiting. Children get restless
very easily, and they usually have more energy than adults, so they don’t like when they have to
wait for a long time in one spot, not moving. Adults can wait more patiently than children because
they have more experience and they have better self-control.

3. Compared to the past, are people less patient now, why?

I suppose that people are less patient now because it is easier nowadays to do things without
having to wait at all. People have become accustomed to instant gratification. You can order
packages online that arrive the next day, and you can order food from a restaurant delivered to
your home. It is very easy to avoid waiting, so when people do have to wait for something, they
are less patient.

4. What are the positive and negative effects of waiting on society?

Well, a positive effect is that, in some cases, it can teach people patience. When they have to
wait in line for a long time, they have to learn how to manage their impatience and still be polite.
But a negative effect is that it can make people very aggressive. Not everyone can keep their
temper in check. When people have to wait in a long line on the highway, you can often get
drivers with road rage who act recklessly just to get ahead.

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5. Is it a good thing to be patient all the time? /Should people be patient all the time?

Yes, I think that for the most part, it’s good to be patient all the time. There are a few instances
where you should act instead of waiting around, like if there’s an emergency. But in general,
patience is a good trait to have. Being impatient can make you feel anxious and irritable. Plus,
you can’t control the things that happen around you. You might get stuck in a long hue of cars on
the highway, or you might have to wait a long time for your meal. But if the situation is out of
your control, it’s good to be patient instead of losing your cool.

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Topic: Habits

Part 2: Describe a habit your friend has and you want to develop
You should say:
• Who your friend is
• What habit he/she was
• When you noticed this habit
• And explain why you want to develop this habit

I’d like to talk about my roommate who has a good habit of working out on a daily basis. He
especially likes recreational cycling.

Actually, he developed this habit about two years ago when he planned to lose some weight and
get in shape. He set a goal to lose five kilos in two months. And biking worked like a charm for
him, so he decided to make it a regular fitness activity for himself.

The place where he goes biking the most is a park that was recently built near our apartment. It
has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city. And there’s a long bike
path that has been built alongside the lake. My roommate usually goes biking there about two
or three times a week. Each time he spends at least an hour there.

Since we live together, I know his habit very well. Sometimes I go biking with him. But it’s a pity
that I haven’t been able to go cycling very often because I’ve been swamped with school
assignments. I do hope that I can start riding daily and stick to it. For one, it would be a great way
for me to relieve my back pain. Besides, cycling at a beautiful place helps me blow off some
steam. It’s definitely an excellent way to stay mentally fit as well. So, for the sake of my health, I
think I’ll try cycling as a routine.

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Part 3:

1. What habits should children have?

I suppose that children should get into the habit of cleaning their rooms and picking up after
themselves. They should be aware of whatever mess they create, and they should take care of it
as much as they can. It teaches them to be responsible and proactive. They can develop these
habits by doing simple tasks, like making their bed every day. Once they have enough practice,
they’ll become cleaner.

2. What should parents do to teach their children good habits?

I think that parents should first demonstrate good habits themselves. Children learn from
observation, and if they see their parents doing things like regular flossing or eating breakfast
every day, then they’ll be motivated to do those same activities. Parents should also explain the
importance of developing good habits to their kids. If children understand the importance and
the benefits of those habits, they’ll be inclined to develop them as well.

3. What influences do children with bad habits have on other children?

Well, children are heavily influenced by what their peers do. Kids just want to fit in with their
friends. So if they see their friends developing bad habits, like skipping school or being rude to
their teachers and parents, they might pick up those habits as well. Children with good habits can
easily be swayed by children with bad habits to develop poor behaviour. Plus, if kids with bad
habits are seen as cool, children will be even more motivated to imitate them. It’s definitely a big
concern.

4. Why do some habits change when people get older?

I think that some people just outgrow their habits because they don’t support their lifestyle
anymore. For example, young people might get into the habit of staying up late and partying a
lot because they don’t have a lot of responsibilities. But as they get older and have to manage
full-time jobs and other duties, they’ll start going to bed early and staying in on the weekends.
People’s habits grow and change light along with them.

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5. What are the common habits of adults?

Well, there are some basic habits like having a good sleep schedule, eating balanced meals every
day, and having good hygiene by flossing and brushing your teeth. Most people would consider
those essential habits to develop if you really want to act like an adult. Unlike young people,
adults avoid staying out late and partying all the time. Adults also do things like exercising
regularly, budgeting and handling other responsibilities like paying bills.

6. Should adults encourage good habits in children by talking to them or by leading by example?
I suppose that parents need to do both - they should explain why having good habits are
important, and they should lead by example. Children need to see good habits in action in order
to develop their own good habits and positive routines, so it is very important that they see their
parents demonstrating good habits when they are growing up. Children often mimic their
parents’ behaviour, so parents need to be very aware of this.

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Topic: Foreigners

Part 2: Describe a foreign person who you have heard or known that you think is interesting
You should say:
• Who the person is
• How you knew him/her
• What kind of person he/she is
• And explain why you think he/she is interesting

Well, I like listening to pop songs, so most of the foreigners I know are singers from other
countries. So, I’d like to talk about an American singer-songwriter whose name is Bea Miller. She’s
a very cute and funny person.

About two years ago, one of my friends sang a beautiful song called Brand New Eyes at a New
Year’s party that my class held. I really took a liking to that song and looked it up online right
away. Then I found the original singer of it, Bea Miller. She’s only in her twenties but she definitely
has great potential with her pop-rock career.

Anyway, I think her character is way different from what she shows on stage. Whenever I put on
my headphones and listen to her songs with her sexy and raspy singing voice, I feel like the whole
world suddenly calms down. So I thought she was a quiet and cool person. But she’s actually
hilarious. You won’t find other celebs who post selfies of their big nostrils on social media. But
she does it all the time! Sometimes she posts photos of herself making faces with a funny line or
a bad joke. It cracks me up every time!

So I feel like she’s very down-to-earth. When she interacts with her fans it’s like she’s the girl next
door, which really appeals to me. Of course, I admire her talent for wilting music as well. I believe
that with her talent and interesting personality, she will go a long way in the entertainment
industry.

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Part 3:

1. Do you have any foreign friends and do you think having foreign friends is a good way to
know other countries?

Yes, I do have a few friends from other countries whom I met on the internet. Specifically, we got
to know each other through an online game called PUBG, a trendy online shooting game. Anyway,
I know them pretty well after playing dozens of games together. And I’ve learned a lot about
then- countries through our chats. One of them is from the Philippines; she’s the one who I’m
the closest with and talks the most to. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t know so many fun facts
about the Philippines.

2. Do you think it’s important to know the culture and language before going to another
country?

I think that it’s important to know a little bit about the country’s culture and to know a few
important phrases in their language before you visit. This is because some countries have very
different attitudes and customs compared to others, and you don’t want to offend someone
because you don’t know the proper attire or customs. Knowing some key phrases in the language
is also very helpful, and the locals will appreciate your effort to speak their language.

3. What do you think of people who work in international companies?

Well, it’s really cool for people to work in international companies. I respect them for it because
they probably have to take on a ton of challenges. For example, if they have a higher-up position
in the company, they might have to go on business trips to different parts of the world. They
might also have to learn about other cultures when dealing with people from different countries.
So I think that it takes a lot of tact and determination to succeed at an international company.

4. What abilities do people need to have when working in an international company?

People working in an international company need to have good language learning skills. Since
international companies normally have branches and stakeholders in more than one country,
their employees need to be able to communicate with other co-workers, suppliers and clients

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horn different countries in an effective manner. So employees who are bilingual or trilingual are
definitely assets to an international company. Besides, people skills are also essential since
communication makes up a big part of their job.

5. How do people know foreign friends?

People usually get to know foreign friends through travel. A lot of people like to travel abroad,
so they might meet new friends along the way. Sometimes it’s easier to start a friendship while
on a journey than in everyday life, despite the difference of citizenship. After all, being in a foreign
land means you are exotic, which adds your charisma somewhat. Besides, some people may meet
new friends from other countries online. When you play an online game that is open to the world,
it’s quite easy to team up with gamers from other countries and have opportunities to know
them.

6. What are the advantages of knowing foreigners?

Well, there are a lot of advantages to knowing foreigners. Firstly, knowing someone from another
country will open up your perspective since you will get to learn about a culture that is different
from your own. Secondly, you might be introduced to new food, music, languages, or traditions
that you would not have known otherwise. Finally, knowing someone from another country gives
you a good excuse to travel and visit that country someday.

7. What are the pros and cons of living abroad?

One big pro is that you get to experience a new culture. You might even be able to learn a new
language. I think that’s a great way to expand your horizons and learn more about the world, or
even yourself in the process. You can also try new food and meet new people, which is always
exciting. A con is that you might find it hard to learn a new language and fit into a new
environment. It can also be very expensive to live abroad.

8. How can we promote international cultural exchanges?

I think that a great way to promote international cultural exchanges is through study abroad
programs. When students go to another country to learn, they encounter a totally new culture

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and way of life. It helps familiarize them with another country and gives them lots of knowledge
that they can bring back to their own country. When they have formative experiences abroad,
they can also have more empathy and understanding for people from different places.

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Topic: Decisions

Part 2: Describe a difficult decision that you once made


You should say:
• What the decision was
• When you made your decision
• How long it took to make the decision
• And explain why it was difficult to make

I’d like to talk about a tough decision I made when I was choosing a rental department. This
summer holiday, I found a part-time job that I can do for a long time. But I had to move out of
the student residence because the building was closed dining summer holidays.

So I tried really hard to look for a suitable apartment. Finally, I narrowed down my choice to two
apartments. One is a newly renovated apartment, which has a really good location because it’s
next to a beautiful lake in our city. But the drawback is its distance from my workplace. I would
have to take a bus for 40 minutes to commute there.

The other apartment is practically a shoebox and the decor is pretty worn-out. Despite all that,
the rent isn’t cheap either since it’s in a commercial zone. But the good part is that it’s within
walking distance of the office.

I would’ve loved to live in a cozy place, but I was afraid of being late for work if it’s too far. So I
was really torn about which one to rent. Eventually, I signed the lease for the apartment near the
lake so I could enjoy a better lifestyle. It turns out I made the right decision. Even though I had to
get up really early every morning for work, I could have some fun biking along the lakeshore after
work, which helped me blow off some steam. So I definitely made the right call.

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Part 3:

1. What decisions do people usually make in their daily lives?

People make a number of decisions throughout the day. One of the most basic but consistent
choices is what to eat every day. Sometimes they might have to choose between cooking a meal
or ordering out. People also have to decide how they’ll spend their time, at least when they’re
not at work or school. There are lots of options for things to do during leisure time, so they have
lots to choose from.

2. Which is easier, making a decision by yourself or making a decision after group discussion?

I think that it really depends on the decision, in some situations, it’s better to make a decision by
yourself. You don’t want to have too many cooks in the kitchen. If everyone’s giving their opinion,
it might be harder to figure out what you really want. But in other cases, you might actually want
other people to weigh in, especially if the decision is something you’re unsure about or if it’s
outside your expertise.

3. Why are many young people unwilling to follow their parents’ advice?

I think that young people are unwilling to follow their parents’ advice because they want to
express their individualism. Young people grow up having to do everything their parents say, so
once they become teenagers or young adults, they are less likely to follow parental advice. They
want to prove their independence and show that they can make their own decisions about their
life. They may even try to lead a life that is completely different than the life their parents want
them to have.

4. Why would middle-aged people tend to second-guess their own decisions?

Middle-aged people usually have to make more important decisions than younger people, since
most middle-aged people have a lot of family and work responsibilities. This means that any
decision they make will affect other people, so they may spend more time doubting themselves
and second-guessing their decisions than a young person would. Plus, when you’re older, you

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realize that your instinct isn’t always right. Middle-aged people have had lots of experiences
where they’ve made the wrong call. So they know to think twice before making a decision.

5. How do people usually make decisions?

People usually make decisions by weighing the pros and cons. Whether it’s picking what to order
off a menu or choosing a job, they’ll think about what they might gain from the situation, and
then judge if it’s worth the potential risks. A lot of people also make decisions by consulting
people they trust. They might ask their friends or family for advice in order to make the right call.

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Topic: Road trip

Part 2: Describe a bicycle/motorcycle/car trip you would like to go


You should say:
• Who you would like to go with
• Where you would like to go
• When you would like to go
• And explain why you would like to go by bicycle/motorcycle/car

Well, what I like to do the most is going on a bike tour. I really love recreational cycling. Some
friends of mine who have the same interest usually talk about going on a bike tour at a fun place
together. One place we've always wanted to go to is Weihai, which is located in the easternmost
part of Shandong province.

Weihai has a really good location because it’s surrounded by the sea on three sides, and there
are many terrific attractions in the city. What’s more, there is a long bike path in the city that has
been built alongside the sea. Many people recommend visitors bike around there. Just imagine,
you can feel the soft sea breeze and even enjoy the sparkling sun on the water while riding, which
will be fantastic. Plus, when you get tired, you could lie on a nearby beach and enjoy soaking up
the sun. It’ll definitely make you feel like a million bucks.

So, I’m really looking forward to this kind of cycling tour. I bet it’ll be an exciting way to explore
a new city. If everything goes well, I hope to go there with my friends and to the city during the
National Day holiday next year. We can rent bikes and cycle around while enjoying some
breathtaking scenery. If we see street vendors, we can just stop by and try the local signature
seafood. Well, my mouth is watering just thinking of it. Anyway, it’s definitely a one-of-a-kind
experience I want to have.

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Part 3:

1. Which form of vehicle is more popular in your country, bikes, cars or motorcycles?

Well, given the traffic of most cities in China, cycling is still the most popular mode of
transportation. It’s true that a lot more Chinese families can afford cars, but driving a private car
can be a pain in the neck because of things like parking, insurance and the risk of accidents. But
if you ride, you won’t have most of those concerns, so most people still prefer using bikes to go
somewhere if it’s not too far. Plus, bike-sharing has swept across China, which means it’s easy
and dirt-cheap to rent a bike for a trip.

2. Do you think air pollution comes mostly from mobile vehicles?

No, I don’t think that mobile vehicles are the leading cause of air pollution. They definitely
contribute a lot to the problem, and we need to cut the use of mobile vehicles down wherever
possible. But I think that a lot of air pollution comes from ships and trains and other forms of
transportation as well. Factories also cause a ton of air pollution. You can see all the dark smoke
that comes out of them.

3. Do you think people need to change the way of transportation drastically to protect the
environment?

No, I don’t think it’s worth it to change a lot about how people get around. After all, even if all of
humanity stops using all kinds of transportation that consume fossil fuels, global warming won’t
get better because the damage has already been done. Besides, instead of subverting the current
transportation system, some minor improvements in people’s choices for transportation will help
reduce tons of carbon dioxide emissions, like carpooling more, taking more public transportation
and buying electric cars.

4. How are the transportation systems in urban areas and rural areas different?

As far as I know, urban and rural communities are extremely different when it comes to
transportation systems. Compared with rural areas, urban areas are densely populated and have
more developed infrastructure, so urban residents have easier access to a network of public

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transit But you’ll never see public transportation that good in villages. People who live in the
countryside normally ride a bike or just walk places within the territory as the residential area of
a rural neighborhood can be very small.

5. Why do more and more people drive private cars?

More and more people drive private cars because they are a very convenient option for
transportation. Private cars offer more flexibility because you can pack them full if you’re moving
to a new home or packing for a long trip, or you can drive multiple people at once. You can’t do
that with a motorcycle or a bike. Also, if you don’t own a private car, you may have to rely on
public transportation or taxis to get around, which can be unreliable because you need to wait
for them to come to you.

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Topic: Sports

Part 2: Describe a famous athlete you know


You should say:
• Who he/she is
• How you knew him/her
• What he/she has achieved
• And explain why he/she is famous

Well, I know tons of athletes since I’m a fan of many sports. But the one who really left a mark
on me is a sprinter who just attended the Tokyo Olympics. His name is Su Bingtian, and he’s the
first-ever Asian sprinter to break the 10-second barrier of the 100-meter event in track, which is
amazing. He’s definitely a household name in China.

Actually, he rose to fame years ago when he won the 100-meter race in the Asian Games and
broke the Asian record. He still holds the record, which means he’s literally the fastest Asian in
the world.

Anyway, before the Tokyo Olympics, just like lots of other Chinese people, I was really looking
forward to seeing his performance on the track. His first race was the men's 100-meter semi-
finals; he was so incredibly fast and finished in the first place, which blew my mind. Honestly,
before he ran in the final, I had faith in him that he could probably win a medal, or even gold. But
in the end, he came in sixth place in the final. I was a little disappointed at the beginning but on
second thought, he still made history by being the first Asian man in the Olympics’ 100 meters
final and I witnessed it!

So even though he came back without an Olympic medal, he’s my and many Chinese people’s
hero because he’s proved Asians can also fly on the track! He definitely deserves his fame and
sets an example for Asian kids.

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Part 3:

1. What kinds of exercises do people in your country like?

Chinese people usually like to exercise with others so they can socialize at the same time. Lots of
people like to mil or bike together. You can also see people doing tai-chi or going for a walk in
the public parks. It’s nice because it’s a way to stay fit while also catching up with friends or even
family. When it comes to sports, I think a lot of Chinese people enjoy football because you get to
run in a really large field as well as have a lot of fill! playing against the other team.

2. What characteristics do you think an athlete should have?

I suppose that an athlete should be hard-working, patient, and confident in themselves. They
need to be dedicated if they’re going to train and keep improving their skills as an athlete. They
also need to be patient and not give up, even if it takes a long time to achieve their goals. But
maybe most importantly, they have to believe in themselves. They have to know that they’re
capable of working hard and doing well.

3. Why are there so few top athletes?

I think it’s because the field of sports is extremely competitive. Many people want to be athletes
just because they think they’re decent at a sport. But apart from athletic talents, it takes true grit,
dedication, and hard work to make it as a professional athlete, which is so hard, in a sports game,
only one team or one athlete can be the champion. So even among professional athletes, there
are only a few who can truly rise above and perform the best.

4. What’s the best way to become a top athlete?

It seems to me that the best way to become a top athlete is to keep training and setting new
goals. If you get too satisfied with where you’re at, you might not be able to keep advancing
through the different levels. I think you should definitely get a coach as well. You need someone
with advanced expertise to guide you as an athlete and get you to stay on the right path.

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5. What’s the difference of the sports liked by young people and those liked by the old?

I think young people like more intense sports, like basketball or soccer. They like activities where
they have to constantly stay moving. Those kinds of sports require fast reflexes and lots of
endurance. But old people tend to like sports that are more relaxed, so they might play something
like golf. Badminton and tennis are good options for those who still have a lot of energy and
strength.

6. Why do some people like to work out at a gym?

I would say that some people enjoy working out at a gym because there’s professional equipment
there that they wouldn’t have in their own homes. For example, not everybody can afford to get
a treadmill. But if they get a gym membership, they can use a treadmill and other types of
workout equipment. Other people like going to the gym because they can work with personal
trainers or just enjoy other people’s company while they work out.

7. Do people often do exercises or sports nowadays?

Yeah, nowadays, people pay more and more attention to then' health. So there are actually a lot
of people who are really into exercising, whether that’s at the gym or by playing a sport. Young
people in particular like being active. They’re always looking for new ways to get fit, whether it’s
by doing some kind of diet or trying a new form of exercise. A lot of older people enjoy sports as
well, though they may pick more relaxed activities like golf.

8. What can the government do to encourage people to do exercise?

I think the government could invest more money in sports facilities and gyms. If they can make
those places appealing, more people would be interested in going to work out there. To that end,
it would be great if they could support gyms and help make memberships less expensive. The
government can also support natural spaces like public parks so people can exercise surrounded
by nature. There’s nothing nicer than doing yoga or tai-chi in the park.

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Topic: Creative

Part 2: Describe a creative person whose work you admire


You should say:
• Who he/she is
• How you knew him/her
• What creative things he/she has done
• And explain why you think he/she is creative

Speaking of people who are creative, I always think of artists and musicians first. So, I’d like to
talk about an American singer-songwriter whose name is Bea Miller. About two years ago, one
of my friends sang a beautiful song called Brand New Eyes at a New Year’s party that my class
held. I really took a liking to that song and looked it up online right away. Then I found the original
singer of it, Bea Miller. She’s only in her twenties but she definitely has great potential with her
pop-rock career.

Normally, singers only have two or three good songs on an album at most, and their songs are
mostly the same style. But Bea’s music is very diverse. I mean, every song she writes is unique
but also catchy. I really admire her creativity in music.

As for why she’s so creative, I really have no idea. But one thing I know is that she loved making
up stories when she was a child. And after she got into music, she found a new brilliant way to
tell her stories. I have to say some people are just naturally good at what they do. Her creativity
in writing songs is more like an amazing natural gift that she has, just like her calming singing
voice. It’s not something you can get from practice.

Anyway, Bea is a very talented young lady. Now, there are still tons of people who don’t know
her but I look forward to seeing her blow everyone away.

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Part 3:

1. Do you think you are a creative person?

Yes, I would say that overall I’m a creative person. I’m always coming up with new ideas and new
ways to do things because I think that is a good way to keep work interesting. I also really like
making art. It’s not my profession by any means, but it’s a really fun hobby and it helps me bling
out my creative side more. Plus, I try to be creative with interior design, by adding new decor and
furniture to my apartment to make it reflect my personality and creativity.

2. Is it good for children to learn arts?/Do drawing and music lessons in school help children
develop creativity?

Yes, it’s great for children to study the arts. Children can definitely develop their creativity
through activities like drawing and music lessons. Both of these activities teach children to
express themselves in creative ways. Withdrawing, they can use their imagination to create
pieces of art. When they take music lessons, they can use different parts of their brain to
understand music and express themselves by playing a song. Through these activities, children
can learn to see and interact with the world in new ways.

3. What kinds of jobs require people to be creative?

Many jobs require you to be creative, and I would even argue that you can be creative no matter
what your job is. Some jobs are very obviously creative, like being an artist or a writer. In those
professions, your entire livelihood depends on how creative and original you can be. Some other
examples are people who work in graphic design or marketing. They have to figure out creative
ways to advertise a product. But if you work in a job where you have to do a lot of problem-
solving, like as a manager or a business owner, you also need a lot of creativity to succeed.

4. Do you think leaders need to have the creative ability?

Yes, I would say that leaders need to be creative. This is because leaders need to take into account
every single member of then' team and come up with ideas and solutions that work for them.
This often requires the leader to think outside the box in order to come up with ideas that work

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for everyone. The more creative a leader can be, the more engaged and happier their team will
be.

5. Is children’s doodling meaningful?

Well, it depends on the child - some children doodle things that are meaningful to them, while
other children just doodle to pass the time. Either way, I think doodling is a great way for children
to practice their artistic skills and fine motor skills. They can also practice their handwriting.
Doodling is also a good option for hyperactive children who need to be doing something and
can’t focus on just one thing at a time.

6. Do you think music education at school is suitable for all children?

Yes, I suppose that all children could benefit from at least a little music education. They don’t
have to take music classes throughout school, but they should at least have one class. I think that
learning about music or learning to play an instrument is really beneficial for children’s
development. It gets them to use their brain in a different way. Studying music has also been
shown to improve children’s math skills.

7. What age should children start music lessons at school?

I think children should start music lessons when they’re six or seven. If they’re any younger, they
might not be able to grasp the basic skills you need to play an instrument. But when they’re
around that age, they can understand simple instructions and begin to read music notes on a
page. Plus, if they keep at it, they’ll be able to become a strong player in a few years. That can
help build their confidence.

8. Should teachers be creative?

Yes, I definitely think that teachers should be creative. They don’t have to be artistic, necessarily,
but they should be good at problem-solving, which requires creativity. Teachers have to deal with
a variety of unpredictable situations when they’re in the classroom. They also have to
accommodate students who have different learning styles. So teachers need to be flexible and
creative when it comes to how they deliver a lesson and help their students.

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Topic: Service

Part 2: Describe a good service you received


You should say:
• What the service was
• When you received it
• Who you were with
• And how you felt about it

I’d like to talk about the service I received at a gym I used to work out at. If memory serves
correctly, it happened about half a year ago. At the time, I was upset about failing to lose weight
again! So I decided to pay for a membership at a gym and see how it would go.

At first, I thought the gym only provided workout equipment. After all, the membership wasn’t
pricy. But their service went above and beyond. They assigned an instructor to every member of
the gym to provide advice and guidance. And they sent diet plans and recipes to me. The diet
plan luckily contained meat! I was really satisfied with that since I could still enjoy meat during
the diet.

Plus, the instructor who helped me a lot said if no one supervises you, the pain and stress might
make you want to quit. So he helped me find a companion who went through the workout and
diet every day with me. We formed a team. When we were tired or hungry, the instructor would
try to cheer us up. And he even texted and reminded us not to eat snacks at night.

Anyway, thanks to the gym, I lost 5 kilograms in a month. I have to say it’s the best service I’ve
ever come across, and I have strongly recommended this gym to others who want to keep fit.
Their service is worth every penny.

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Part 3:

1. What do you think of the relationship between companies and customers?

I think that nowadays, customers feel more entitled than ever to a good relationship with a
company. And companies definitely want to make customers feel valued because they want their
business. Companies will put in extra effort to show that they care about their customers’
business. Sometimes they send personalized cards or emails. In return, customers usually
develop loyalty to a certain company. They’ll only do business with them because they feel
important.

2. As a customer, what kinds of services would you expect to receive from a company?

I would expect to have a certain degree of familiarity. You know, it’s nice to at least get emails
addressed to my name, and not just addressed to “Dear Customer.” When companies take the
time to add personal touches, it makes me feel like my business matters more to them. I would
also expect to get great customer service. If I have a problem and need to get in touch, I should
be able to do that in a quick and efficient manner.

3. What kinds of jobs involve coping with the public?

There are lots of jobs in the public sector that involve dealing with the public head-on. For
example, if you work in emergency services as a firefighter or paramedic, you have to deal with
the public every day. People who work at hospitals or any kind of service job also have lots of
face-to-face interactions. Those jobs can often be very demanding because people can be very
unpredictable and hard to deal with at times.

4. Why should companies react quickly when customers have difficulties?

Well, companies should be quick to respond when customers are having problems because it
helps improve their brand. If they’re known for being fast and reliable, then that customer will
probably stay with them even though they’re encountering difficulties with their product or
service. Customer loyalty is super valuable to companies, so they want to make sure that they

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retain their business. If they’re slow and unhelpful, customers will probably move on to another
company.

5. What traits do people need to have if they need to provide service to the public?

I think patience is probably the number one trait that people should have if they provide service
to the public. People can be very demanding, which might make you tempted to lose your
temper. But you have to be patient and professional when dealing with difficult people. People
can also be unpredictable, so you have to be flexible. You have to stay on your toes and be able
to adapt to any situation.

6. Should people receive training before they provide service to the public?

Yes, people should definitely receive training for that kind of job. Even if you’re a people person,
you probably won’t be prepared for how demanding working with the public is. Providing services
to the public requires a lot of patience and flexibility. You need to be able to deal with a variety
of problems, which training can help you prepare for. Besides that, you might have to learn how
to deal with emergency situations.

7. What are the common customer service problems that companies often need to deal with?

I suppose that a major customer service problem is when a customer wants to cancel something
they’ve purchased from a company. For example, a lot of people might want to cancel or change
their internet plans. So they have to spend a lot of time talking to the internet company’s
customer service line. Companies also have to deal with complaints about their products or
services, which aren’t pleasant for customer service workers to handle.

8. Why do some companies respond to customers so slowly when they need to solve problems
for customers?

I think that it depends on the situation. Sometimes a company wants to make sure that the
customer gets the best service, so they’ll go the extra mile to solve the problem. However, that
might result in the customer waiting for a long time for the issue to get resolved. Other times,

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the company might not have a good protocol in place for dealing with an issue, so it gets fixed at
a snail’s pace. They also might not have enough employees to deal with the problem.

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Topic: Vacations

Part 2: Describe a place you visited on vacation and would recommended for others
You should say:
• Where it is
• When you went there
• What you did there
• And explain why you went there

Speaking of a place I’ve travelled to during holidays, the first one that comes to mind is definitely
Weihai, which is located in the easternmost part of Shandong province. That area is close to the
sea, which makes it a hotspot for lots of people.

I have a friend who moved to the city last year, so I visited her as well as toured the city during
the National Day holiday last year. It has a really good location because it’s surrounded by the
sea on three sides, and there are lots of terrific attractions in the city. My friend toured with me
to discover the city for two whole days. We went to the famous beach and also tried the local
signature seafood. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.

Anyway, my favorite part of the city is a long bike path that was built alongside the sea. We rented
bicycles to ride along the coast. You can feel the soft sea breeze and even enjoy the sparkling sun
on the water while riding, which is fantastic. When we got tired, we lay on a nearby beach and
enjoyed soaking up the sun. It definitely made us feel like a million bucks.

As an inlander, I really crave the feeling of living by the sea. So I really love that city. It has
breathtaking views and fresh air. You could easily find a place to kick back and relax, in fact, I
have strongly recommended this place to many friends. It’s definitely worth visiting.

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Part 3:

1. What are some popular attractions that people like to visit in your country?

Some popular attractions that people like to visit include museums, shopping malls, and national
parks. If you are visiting a new city, you are going to want to explore everything that it has to
offer. It is important to do your research fust to find out what kinds of things you would actually
enjoy doing. Some people love history and visit lots of museums, while others are very outdoorsy
and prefer to hike through national parks.

2. Do old people and young people choose different places to go on vacation? Why?

Yes, I think old people tend to pick more relaxing places, while young people want to have
adventures in an exciting setting. Old people would probably be content to sit on a beach and
relax all day. Or they might choose places with a lot of history and just do walking tours. But
young people are more inclined towards places where they can explore a lot and do exciting
activities like diving or parasailing. So they might choose exotic locations to check out.

3. What do young people and old people think about when making travel plans?

I think old people usually consider their personal comfort. They want to know that they won’t be
too exhausted at the end of each day. So they might choose very low-key trips and not put a lot
of activities on their itinerary. But young people are less concerned with comfort and more
interested in having adventures. So they’ll want to pick somewhere that’ll be exciting and they’ll
probably plan to do a lot of strenuous or challenging activities.

4. How do people get to know a new place?

Most people discover a new place to travel by talking to other travelers or reading reviews online.
There are a lot of smaller cities and towns that only locals know about. These places are usually
less busy and less expensive than the popular tourist cities, so they can be a great option to
explore. Sometimes a good strategy is to start your trip in a major city, then speak to some of the
locals there and ask them if they know of any good spots nearby.

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Topic: Business

Part 2: Describe a businessman you admire


You should say:
• Who this person is
• How you knew this person
• What kinds of business this person does
• And explain why you admire this person

I’d like to talk about Zhang Yiming, who’s the founder of ByteDance. It’s the parent company that
developed TikTok, which is a trendy video-sharing social network in our country

About two weeks ago, one of my friends shared a news report about Chinese enterprises to his
WeChat moments, in this story, I learned a lot about ByteDance and what makes Zhang so
successful.

Actually, with his leadership, ByteDance has almost more employees than Alibaba, the most
famous E-commerce company. And yet they’ve been hying to expand their business at breakneck
speed. For example, Tiktok is not just a video-sharing platform. The latest version of the app has
expanded into online shopping, online education and many other services on the internet. As far
as I know, ByteDance is also recruiting and setting up branches in other countries, and their apps,
especially Tiktok, are very popular in foreign countries.

I really admire Zhang Yiming because he and his company never rest on their laurels, but instead
keep innovating new products. What's more, from the article I read, I learned that Zhang wasn’t
from a rich family like many young entrepreneurs are, and he didn’t study abroad either, in fact,
he graduated from college as a programmer. But he’s very driven for success and has a lot of grit.
He often works more than 12 hours a day and has a great passion for what he and his company
do. So his success is inevitable. His entrepreneurial mindset is also worth learning for our young
people.

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Part 3:

1. What do you think is the retirement age for men and women?

I would say that anyone between the ages of 60-75 can choose to retire. Around that time, people
are ready to settle down, and they usually have the financial means to retire and live comfortably.
I don’t think it changes too much if it’s a man or a woman retiring. Since we’ve come a long way
in regards to gender equality, it’s normal for either a man or a woman to work all the way into
their sixties.

2. What kinds of qualities do people need to run their own business?

I think people need to be intelligent, determined, resilient, and enthusiastic in order to run their
own business. People need to be smart enough to assess their target market and design a
business that is appropriate for their customers. Plus, they need to be determined and resilient
because running a business comes with many challenges and ups and downs. Finally, people need
to be enthusiastic in order to inspire their employees and come up with unique ideas.

3. Is it easy to establish and run a new business in your country?

The reality is harsh. To launch a new company is quite simple in my country since you only need
some investment money and a license from the Ministry of Finance, however, managing and
maintaining it on your own is a different story. There are a million things to do, it’s stressful as
well as required a large sum of capital and manpower. As a result, the vast majority of start-ups
in Vietnam failed each year as they struggled in competition against giant enterprises or the
shortage of demands.

4. What do you think are the key factors that contribute to the success of a business?

I think that creativity, determination, and flexibility are the mam factors that make a business
successful. In order to make it, you need to have a unique approach. Since there are so many
businesses out there, you have to be creative enough to set yourself apart. Businesses also need
to be led by people who are hard-working and determined to meet their goals, no matter what

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obstacles they face, in today’s world, a business owner should also be flexible to adapt to
different situations and needs.

5. If you had the opportunity to have your own business, what business would it be? Why?

I would love to open a small shop that sells books and also has a café so that people can sit and
enjoy a coffee and a snack. I love to read so I think that I would be able to understand my target
market very well and predict their needs and wants, which is an important part of owning a
business. I also think that there is always a need for more cafes, so I would have a lot of
customers.

6. What fields do young people like to engage in when they start a business and why?

I would say that young people like the art and technology sectors when it comes to starting a
business. A lot of young people are really creative and want to sell the things they make. I know
many people who sell pins, prints, and other art products for a living. If they have a unique style,
it’s easy for them to become successful. Technology is also a good area to start a business in,
especially as people come up with more and more new apps.

7. Is it better to start a business alone or start as a team?

Well, it would be better to start a business as a team, because that way you can come up with
double the ideas and double the financial capital to make your business a success. On your own,
you have no one to talk to for advice, which can make it really difficult to make decisions and
take risks. Having a partner or a team also means that you can divide up the workload and avoid
becoming burnt out.

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Topic: Friendliness

Part 2: Describe a time you were friendly to someone you didn’t like
You should say:
• When and where it happened
• Who he/she was
• Why you didn’t like this person
• And explain why you were friendly to him/her on that occasion

I’d like to talk about a time when I was chatting with my friends but someone interrupted. I have
two friends, Lisa and Sarah, who live practically within spitting distance of me. We hang out
together a lot, so we often share some interesting things with each other. Several months ago,
we had a meet-up at a coffee shop. Lisa took her new boyfriend who I met for the first time.

I told them that I was planning to take part in a novel-writing competition for sci-fi novels about
alien civilizations. The mention of aliens made Lisa’s boyfriend chime in. He said he didn't believe
in the existence of an alien civilization.

I think it’s kind of rude to interrupt others in a conversation, especially because he was being
such a wet blanket. But out of politeness, I kept smiling and listening to him. He claimed that
even though there are photos of aliens and UFOs on the internet, they are all either blurry or
photoshopped. He just kept talking until Lisa hinted to him that he really didn’t need to argue
about something that the whole world doesn't have an answer to. Well, then he stopped but he
was making a face.

Honestly, he seemed to be a stubborn and petty person, so I didn’t like him at all. But since he's
my best friend's boyfriend, I decided to be the bigger person there and not talk back. After all,
you can never go wrong by being kind.

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Part 3:

1. Why are people friendly with the person they don’t like?

Some people are friendly with people they don’t like because they need to maintain a civil, polite
relationship with them. This is especially true in situations where other people are involved. For
example, if a husband and wife get divorced, they will likely continue to be friendly towards each
other for the sake of their children. If two employees have a falling out, they will continue to be
polite since they work together.

2. What kinds of people are usually friendly?

People who are usually friendly are those who are in careers that require them to deal with
people on a daily basis. The best example of this would be teachers and nurses. Teachers and
nurses work with people of all ages every day, and often these people are vulnerable. They need
to be very friendly in order to make people feel at ease. Plus, some people are more naturally
friendly than others if they are more extroverted. They are more outgoing and enjoy being
around people.

3. What are the differences between being friendly and being polite?

I would say that the main difference between being friendly and being polite is enthusiasm.
People who are being polite may exchange pleasantries and have a conversation, but they will
not discuss their personal lives or get too excited. On the other hand, if someone is being friendly,
they are more likely to share personal details and speak with enthusiasm and emotion. Being
friendly means that you are more comfortable with the person to whom you are speaking.

4. What do you think of the people who are always straightforward?

I like people who are always straightforward because I appreciate their honesty and efficiency.
These types of people will always tell you the truth and are never afraid to share their honest
opinion. Sometimes straightforward people may be perceived as blunt or rude, however, I would
say that is a misconception. Straightforward people are not frying to be Hide, they are trying to

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be honest. Some people may also have trouble reading social cues, so they act very
straightforward all the time.

5. What are some qualities of a good friendship?

A good friend should, first of all, be trustworthy and honest. If you cannot trust someone, he
cannot be your true friend. Apart from these qualities, a friend should be understanding and
helpful so that he can help you at the time you face any difficulty or troublesome situation in
your life. Let’s say, if you need money, a good friend would help you with the money you can
borrow at the time of financial constraints.

6. Is it important for people to have a good friendship with their colleagues?

Definitely, it is essential for people to have friendship at the workplace because if you are being
treated as a good friend, you can work better being surrounded by a positive work environment.
It is even important for those employees who work in teams as they are able to achieve their
targets and goals if they know each other well-being friends.

7. What do you think of a person who seems so nice and friendly no matter what happens?

I suppose that people who can keep their cool, no matter what’s going on, are very respectable.
Although to be honest, I’m always a little suspicious when people are nice and friendly even if
they’re dealing with rude people. It makes me wonder if they’re actually that nice, or if they’re
just being polite. Either way, I really respect people who can continue to be kind even if they’re
in a tense situation.

8. When would you be friendly to someone you don't like?

I think I would have to be friendly to someone I didn’t like if I was on the clock. You know, when
you’re at your job, you’re expected to be nice to the people you interact with, no matter what.
It’s a measure of your professionalism. And it’s definitely not professional to lash out at someone
or lose your temper while you’re at work. Otherwise, I would be nice to someone I didn’t like if I
was trying to make a good impression on the other people around us.

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Topic: Smart

Part 2: Describe a person who solved a problem in a smart way/who gave a clever solution
to a problem.
You should say:
• Who this person is
• What the problem was
• How he/she solved it
• And explain why you think he/she did it in a smart way

When it comes to someone who solves problems in a clever way, the first one that comes to mind
is an 80-year-old lady I saw on social media.

I watched a video of a reporter interviewing the lady. She said she’s had a great liking for paper­
cutting since she was a kid. And she still goes to a senior college for a paper-cutting course. But
as she gets older, she finds that there are fewer and fewer young people who take an interest in
this art form, and we are losing the culture of paper-cutting.

In order to change the situation, she came up with the idea of promoting folk art on social media.
She cuts paper into comics that tell traditional Chinese stories and creates videos of them. You
can see how she has presented many storylines through paper cuttings. She even bound them
into a book form and got them published. Most importantly, she really made it work! Her story
and artwork have already been covered by foreign media and now she is an authentic internet
celebrity in China. Since her videos went viral, tons of young people have become interested in
the art of paper-cutting.

It’s definitely a brilliant idea. She successfully took advantage of the We-media trend. I was
amazed by how creative she is for her age. Actually, although she's in her 80s, she’s still learning
new things and improving her skills every day. She is such a great role model to young people like
me and definitely earns my admiration.

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Part 3:

1. Do you think children are born smart or they learn to become smart?

I think that there is a very interesting debate about nature vs. nurture. The central question of
this debate is whether children are born with their personality and skills, or if they develop into
these traits. Personally, I suppose that it is a combination of both. Some people are born naturally
gifted with a high level of intelligence, whereas others have learning disabilities that may affect
their intelligence. Nonetheless, any child can become more intelligent with the proper supports
and education.

2. How do children become smarter at school?

It seems to me that children usually become smart at school by applying themselves and being
open to learning new things. They have to work hard at a subject in order to master it. That
requires doing all the homework and persevering even when it gets hard. But they also have to
adapt to new material and ways of learning. For example, their teacher might teach them
something using a hands-on method. So they have to learn how to work with that method in
order to get smarter.

3. Why are some people well-rounded and others only good at one thing?

Being well-rounded or being good at one thing depends on your personality, as well as the
amount of effort you put into different aspects of your life. Some people find one thing that they
are good at and throw all of their effort into that one thing, becoming experts. Others do not
have one passion, but rather prefer to develop many different talents. Either way, most people
tend to focus on things they are good at rather than things they struggle with.

4. Why does modern society need talents of all kinds?

Well, modern society needs talents of all kinds because that is the best way to have a healthy
workforce and consequently a healthy society. If everyone was good at science and became a
doctor, then no one would become an author or a teacher, or a business person. It is much better

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to have a multitalented society so that everyone can contribute something different. We need
just as many artists as we need accountants.

5. Do you think clever people are bad at some things? What things can clever people be bad
at?

I think that everybody has weaknesses, no matter how smart or clever they are. But when it
comes to what clever people, in particular, might struggle with, it really depends on what they’re
clever at. For instance, someone who’s really quick with numbers might have a hard time writing
a good essay, and vice versa. Or someone who’s very smart and has a quick wit might be bad at
being empathetic. There are different ways to measure intelligence.

6. What role can a good teacher play in a student's learning?

Well, a good teacher plays a huge part in a student’s education. A good teacher who can
effectively teach a lesson can help a student grasp the material quickly. As a result, that student
can get a good grade and feel confident about learning. But beyond that, a good teacher can
encourage a student whenever they have difficulty. That helps the student know that they’re
worth more than just a grade.

7. Do the people around you have special skills?

Well, I’m friends with people who have studied other subjects, so to me, it feels like they have
special skills. I know some people who are science majors, so they’re able to figure out complex
equations and solve difficult problems. I have a friend who works in construction, so they’re also
very handy and are good with tools in a way that I’m not. It’s cool to know people with different
specialties. It makes me appreciate everyone’s differences.

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Topic: Books

Part 2: Describe an exciting book that you enjoy reading


You should say:
• When you read it
• What kind of book it is
• What it is about
• And explain why you think it is exciting

Well, the first book I can think of is definitely Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which is the
seventh book, also the final novel, of the Harry Potter series. I became a fan of this fantasy story
when I was still a child. So by the finale’s release, I’d been obsessed with the series for almost ten
years. You can imagine how thrilled I was when I could finally read the ending of this story.

Anyway, I read it as soon as it was published. Even though this was about twelve years ago, I
remember the release like it was yesterday. I waited for hours in front of a bookstore in a
hundred-meter line full of excited Hany Potter fans like me, mostly teens of course, just to get
the book on the day of its release. And once I started reading it, I literally couldn’t put it down.

The final Hany Potter book really blew my mind. I mean, it has a happy ending as I expected, but
the plot twists and turns made my jaw drop. Like Hany has to die once and comes back to life so
he can defeat the villain, Voldemort. I finished the book with an overwhelmed feeling that was a
mix of excitement, happiness and some loss.

Honestly, I’ve reread this novel tons of times. I’ve even written some glowing reviews of the book
on social media, which I’ve never done for other books. It’s a really exciting book that left a mark
on me.

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Part 3:

1. Do you prefer books or movies?

I prefer books. Even though movies are really entertaining to watch, books are just more
interesting to me. I like reading a character’s thoughts instead of healing them get narrated on
the screen. When I’m reading a book, I can also picture everything for myself. It takes a lot of
imagination, which is what I find fun about the reading process. I think books are also a more
relaxing way to spend time than a movie, which can be loud and intense.

2. Do you think it is very important to read the book before watching the movie version of it?

No, I don’t think so. Even though I love reading, and personally I like reading the book before
seeing the movie, it’s fine to just watch the movie by itself. I suppose that when it comes to
movies, it’s sometimes better to watch them without knowing anything about the story.
Sometimes, you can be disappointed if you watch the movie version because it might not live up
to the book.

3. Do boys and girls like the same kinds of books?

I suppose that this depends on the person’s preferences; some girls love the romantic comedy
genre, while others love honor novels. The same is true for boys. Honestly, boys are discouraged
at a young age from liking romantic or dramatic books and are instead encouraged to read
nonfiction or action books. This really limits the kind of things that they read, and I suppose that
both boys and girls should explore a wide variety of literary genres.

4. What kinds of books do people in your country like reading?

I think that Chinese people like to read a great variety of different books; it really depends on the
individual person, since everyone has different tastes when it comes to books and movies.
Chinese literature has a long history of folklore and legends, so many Chinese people may like to
read these traditional stories as a starting point. Plus, children may prefer fiction books, while
adults may prefer nonfiction books such as biographies and history books.

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5. Did you read more magazines or books when you were a child?

I definitely read way more magazines than books in my childhood. Honestly, I wasn’t fond of
books until I grew up. Books, especially textbooks, were just too complicated and tedious for me.
But reading magazines was a lot of fun when I was a student. I was a huge fan of sci-fi magazines
back then. I even subscribed to a magazine called The Sci-Fi World. I was really fascinated by it
and could read the issues day in and day out.

6. Do you think e-books will eventually replace paper books?

Although e-books are becoming very popular, I don’t think that they will ever completely replace
paper books. The reason for this is that people who love reading generally prefer paper books.
Reading on paper is easier on your eyes, and it’s also great for students because they can
highlight, underline, or write notes in the margin if they are using a paper copy. Paper books are
also great to wrap up and give as gifts!

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Topic: Café

Part 2: Describe a cafe you have visited.


You should say:
• Where it is located
• How the cafe looks like
• What kind of food and drink you had there
• And explain why you like or dislike the cafe.

Speaking of a coffee shop, the first one that comes to mind is definitely a new café in a giant park
located in the newly developed Fuxin district of my hometown.

Since I have a friend who moved to the district last year, I’ve visited him and toured this park
several times. Whenever we go there, we always stop by that coffee shop. It’s a wonderful place
to chill out with a beverage.

The café has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city. The lake is
enormous and there are lots of beautiful sculptures made of all kinds of plants. The owner of the
shop built a huge deck outside with some chairs and tables, so you can appreciate the nice
sculptures peacefully or breathe in fresh ah’ and enjoy the sparkling sun on the water while
drinking coffee, which is fantastic. I often ordered a donut, their signature snack, with a cup of
cappuccino at the shop. It was always a blast to sit on the deck and have a chit-chat with my
friend.

Anyway, since the park hasn’t been open for that long, the coffee shop hasn’t gotten popular and
crowded. So you can always kick back and relax there like you were in your own backyard. You
know, now it’s hard to find such a pleasant place in urban areas. So I really enjoy spending time
at the coffee shop. It’s great to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

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Part 3:

1. What kind of people would like to go to a café?

I think young adults like going to a café. When you’re a kid or a teenager, cafes aren’t entertaining
enough to hang out at. But when you’re in your twenties, they’re a nice place to meet up with
your friends after work or on the weekends. Plus, retired people also like going to cafes because
the environment there is super relaxed. It’s a nice place to have a chat over coffee or tea.

2. Why do young people like studying in a café instead of at home?

It seems to me that young people like studying at a café instead of at home because it’s a nice
change of scene. When you’re studying at home, you might get sick of being in the same place
all the time. Plus, you can get distracted by your roommates or family members. Cafes offer a
nice, relatively quiet atmosphere where you can focus on your own thing. It also makes studying
a more appealing activity because you can enjoy a nice tea or coffee while you work.

3. Do people in your country like to go to a café? If not, what are their social places?

Well, although not every Chinese person loves going to a cafe, there are more young people who
have adapted to coffee culture, and enjoy drinking coffee and hanging out with their friends at
coffee shops. It’s a trend. But honestly, older people in China, like people of my parents’
generation, rarely go to a cafe. They are more used to having a meal with others at a restaurant
to socialize.

4. Do older people in your country like drinking coffee?

No, I don’t think so. As far as I know, most middle-aged and senior people don’t have the habit
of drinking coffee. Very few of them have taken a liking to coffee. I think it’s mainly because they
didn’t grow up with coffee culture. Instead, they were surrounded by a strong tea culture. Plus,
it’s true that coffee is fairly new in China and just got popular. I bet 30 or 40 years later when
young people get older, there will be way more regular coffee drinkers than today.

5. Do young people like to invite their friends to their home? Why?

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Yes, I suppose that young people like to invite friends to their home for a few reasons. Inviting
friends’ home is a great way to get to know them outside of school. Sometimes school is too busy
to really get to spend a lot of time with your friends, so inviting them home is a great option.
Children also like to show their friends their space and get to know their families.

6. What do you usually do when you come to the house?

When I get home, I usually get changed right away into comfortable clothes if I know that I do
not need to go out again. Then I make tea, and I will settle down to read or watch TV. Sometimes
if I have friends coming over, I will clean the house and prepare a snack or meal for them. I may
also study at home or do more work if there is something that I did not get done during the day.

7. What is the difference between a cafe and a restaurant?

Cafes are usually more relaxed. They also tend to be smaller. Instead of full meals, they offer
snacks and beverages like coffee and tea. They’re designed more for casual outings, like catching
up with a friend over a hot drink. Restaurants, on the other hand, are usually fancier places where
people go to enjoy a nice meal. Sometimes they celebrate special occasions like birthdays or
graduations. Plus, restaurants are more expensive since they offer meals instead of snacks.

8. Do people prefer to have parties at cafes or restaurants?

It seems to me that people prefer having parties at restaurants. Cafes are better for more casual
hangouts, like if you’re just meeting up with a couple of friends. But with restaurants, you can
plan ahead and make a reservation for a larger group. In most cases, you can even reserve a
whole room for your party. I know lots of people who’ve had birthday parties or graduation
parties at a nice restaurant. It can be really fun.

9. Do coffee shops in your country sell tea? Are coffee shops that different in different countries?

Yes, most coffee shops in China sell tea. In fact, selling tea or milk tea is a lot more profitable than
selling coffee for many Chinese coffee shops as China has a thousand-year tradition of drinking
tea. Coffee culture still has a long way to go to conquer China. I also believe coffee shops in
different countries have different features since it’s a must to adapt to the local culture and local

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people’s drink preferences. It shows respect to customers of the country and provides a new
source of revenue.

10. Why do many people like to drink a cup of coffee before work?

People drink coffee every morning because it increases alertness quicker than the body’s
naturally produced hormones. The majority of working adults nowadays are hummingbirds or
night owls as they spend hours committed to their job, some even pulled an all-nighter in order
to finish their job. Hence, they are more prone to be addicted to a rush of physical and
psychological rush resulting from a cup of coffee.

11. What kind of people would like to go to a café to work or study?

I reckon people from all walks of life could be benefited from a trip to a coffee house. Especially,
those who are in their twenties are often more focused when they study in a coffee shop. I don’t
actually know why really, but it might have something to do with the fact that there are a lot of
people around you. You know, I always have that funny feeling of people looking at me when I’m
studying, and of course, I don’t want to look bad.

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Topic: Older people

Part 2: Describe someone who is older than you that you admire
You should say:
• Who this person is
• How you knew this person
• What kinds of things you like to do together
• And explain how you feel about this person

I’d like to talk about an 80-year-old lady I saw in a video about paper-cutting art on TikTok, which
is a trendy video-sharing social network.

The senior lady’s paper-cutting artworks are amazing. They aren’t normal images of folk art that
people are familiar with. She actually cuts paper into comics that tell traditional Chinese stories.
And you can see how she has presented many storylines in paper cuttings. She even bound them
into a book form. I was amazed by how creative she is for her age.

When the reporter interviewed the lady, she said she’s had a great liking for paper-cutting since
she was a kid. And she still goes to a senior college for a paper-cutting course. Her story and
artwork have already been covered by foreign media and now she is an authentic internet
celebrity in China. You know, what caught my attention is that she's in her 80s! But she's still
learning new things and improving her skills every day. She is such a great role model to young
people like me and definitely earns my admiration.

During the interview, she even took a few minutes to cut two butterflies. It looked so easy for
her to do that, but we all know cutting paper into an image is way more difficult than it looks.
She seems to have magic hands. So, I take my hat off to both her skills and her attitude towards
learning. Honestly, I really hope that I can be so passionate about what I do and have so much
spiritual energy when I’m old.

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Part 3:

1. What can young and old people learn from each other?

Old and young people can learn a lot from each other. For example, young people can learn about
patience and dedication from old people. Nowadays, a lot of young people are eager to pursue
their dreams, but they tend to give up quickly if they don’t achieve them light away. Old people
have more life experience, so they can teach young people how to stick to their goals. Plus, young
people can teach older people certain things, including how to use the latest technology and
social media. Tire younger generation tends to be more tuned into those kinds of things.

2. Has old people’s life quality improved when compared to the past?

I suppose that old people’s quality of life has improved greatly in the last few decades because
the quality of medicine has also improved greatly. Life expectancy is much higher now than it was
in the 1940s, for example, because we have more life-saving medicines than we used to. Older
people can also participate in more organized activities now than they could have in the past due
to the influence of social media.

3. Why is there a generation gap between the young and the old?

Well, it seems to me that the generation gap is largely due to the fact that things in society change
very quickly. Even though it might not be your intention, you lose touch with certain things as
you grow older. You get used to one way of doing things, but the generation after you might
discover a new way of doing it. Having these differences creates the generation gap. Actually, I
think the generation gap has been around forever and it is something that will always exist.

4. What do old people usually do in their daily life?

Old people tend to take it easy. They play games with each other or they go for long walks. Some
of them like to stay fit, so they do some low-energy activities. They also like keeping in touch with
their children and grandchildren. I know a lot of old people also take up some hobbies, like
knitting or paper-cutting. It’s a good way for them to stay busy.

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5. How does an aging population affect a country?

I think that when the population of a nation is aging, there can be a lot of effects on the economy
and society. Firstly, the increase of seniors means more retired people who live on a pension but
don’t work, which can be a huge economic burden. Besides, the aging population is a
consequence of the severe decline of fertility rates of a country, which means there will be fewer
young people in tire country in the future. Taking Japan as a typical example, tons of Japanese
people have been worried about the future of their country because their population will
certainly shrink a lot in the next several decades.

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Topic: Place you want to live in

Part 2: Describe a town or city where you would like to live in the future
You should say:
• Where it is
• How you knew it
• What it is famous for
• And why you would like to live there

Speaking of a city that I want to live in, the first one that comes to mind is definitely Weihai, which
is located in the easternmost part of Shandong province. That area is close to the sea, which
makes it a hotspot for lots of people.

Since I have a friend who moved to the city last year, I’ve visited him and toured there twice. It
has a really good location because it’s surrounded by the sea on three sides, and there are many
terrific attractions in the city.

My favorite part of the city is a long bike path that has been built alongside the sea. You can feel
the soft sea breeze and even enjoy the sparkling sun on the water while riding, which is fantastic.
I went biking with my friend there every time I visited this city. When we got tired, we loved to
lie on a nearby beach and enjoy soaking up the sun. It definitely made us feel like a million bucks.

As an inlander, I really yearn for the feeling of living by the sea. So I really love that city. It has
breathtaking views and fresh air. You could easily find a place to kick back and relax. And I heard
from my friend that the housing price there is way cheaper than metro cities like Beijing and
Shanghai. You know, that’s the top factor to consider when deciding where to live. So I’m really
looking forward to moving there in the future.

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Part 3:

1. Why do more and more people live in the city?

I think it’s because all the major opportunities are there. If you live in a rural area, you might not
be able to get your dream job, depending on what field you want to work in. For example, if you
want to work in finance, you’re not likely to find a great position out in the countryside. Most
cities are also known as cultural hubs. So people also move there for the entertainment and
nightlife.

2. How does this affect the environment and nature?

Well, when more and more people move to cities, those cities need to expand to accommodate
them. So they end up taking up more and more natural resources as they grow bigger. That
negatively affects the environment by destroying lots of species’ natural habitats. More
populated cities can also mean an increase in demands on the infrastructure. Having to update
things like public transit systems might result in more pollution.

3. What are some factors that attract people to settle down in certain places?

I think young people tend to focus on their career goals. They want to move somewhere that’ll
provide them with a great job. They also focus on what the culture is like. For example, they
might prioritize a city that has a great nightlife or lots of entertainment opportunities. However,
older people might focus more on the scenery. People who have retired already might want to
live somewhere they can relax and be surrounded by nature.

4. What are the differences between the young and old when choosing where to live?

I think youngsters prefer to have better work and recreational facilities to find well-paid jobs or
hang out with their friends in restaurants and shopping centers. On the other hand, older people
like to have access to hospitals where they can go for their regular health checkups. They also
like parks where they can do some simple exercises to make themselves fit and healthy.

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5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the city?

One big advantage is convenience. When you live in the suburbs, you usually have to commute
pretty far to work. But in the city, your job could be a short bus ride away. There are also lots of
food options in cities that are open at all hours of the day. But cities can be really crowded.
Sometimes people have to be packed like sardines in a bus or a subway train during rush hours.

6. Why do so many people choose to move from the countryside to the city?

I guess it’s because cities have a reputation for providing more job opportunities, especially more
high-paying jobs, than the countryside. Some cities, like Shanghai, are economic hubs with lots
of opportunities for all types of people, which is the reason that tons of people move to cities to
pursue their career dreams. Plus, cities are more diverse. You can find interesting communities
and a variety of cuisines. So compared with the lifestyle in cities, living in the country can be
boring and tedious.

7. In what ways does technology contribute to the development of cities? How can technology
influence urban areas?

Well, there’s no doubt that technology has a huge impact on urban development. I think modern
technology contributes to the public transit system the most. As far as I know, there are tons of
Chinese cities that are building or expanding their subway system nowadays with state-of-the-
art technology to build the subway tunnels. A few decades ago, most cities in China didn’t even
have a subway system. Besides, technological innovations also influence the city services a lot.
For example, the increase of surveillance cameras helps cities reduce crime rates.

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Topic: Sharing

Part 2: Describe a time when you shared something with others (or another person)
You should say:
• What you shared
• Who you shared it with
• Why you shared it
• And explain how you felt about sharing it

I'd like to talk about a time when I shared food with my friends. During the Labor Day holidays in
September, there was a flower exhibition of tulips held at a flower farm around my
neighbourhood. I had never been to a flower farm before. So on a sunny day, I went there with
four of my friends for a tour.

On our way back home, we came across a snack market that was packed with people. It seemed
there were all kinds of authentic foods and snacks. Since we were starving, we dropped by the
market and decided to try some food there.

We're all foodies, so we were eager to try every stall. But it was late, and we didn’t have much
time to tour around the street. So we decided to split up and each of us went to buy a few kinds
of food that we like. Then we gathered together to share the food and snacks. It turned out to
be a great idea. We tried almost all the signature foods on that street in less than half an hour.
Everything there tasted heavenly. The baked potatoes I bought were especially good and we ate
all of them.

Anyway, I really had a blast that night. I love the feeling of having food with others. It gives me
extra happiness when I share the food I like with others and see them enjoy it. I guess that's why
sharing always brings happiness.

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Part 3:

1. Do people in your country like to share things with others?

There is a saying that: “Sharing is caring”. Vietnamese people believe that sharing would enhance
long-lasting relationships with other people. The enjoyment and endearing feeling of some
milestones in our lives will be more valuable and memorable when we experience them with
somebody by our side.

2. What are the consequences if children don’t like to share?

I think that if children don’t like sharing, they might turn out to be really selfish and entitled. They
might glow up to think that everything belongs to them and they don’t need to consider other
people. Honestly, that sounds like a pretty bad turnout. So I think that children should learn about
how important sharing is. They should be able to support others and be willing to share things
with them.

3. How do you feel about sharing accommodation with others on campus?

I shared accommodation with others on campus throughout my four years of university, and
although there were some problems, I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Sharing accommodation saves you money, and it ensures that someone is always around to talk
or just hang out. There can be problems, especially if you and your roommate don’t get along,
but overall it can be a really great experience. Honestly, staying in a student apartment where
we each have our own rooms would be great. It’s important for people to have some private
space.

4. How could parents and teachers teach young children to share?

I think they should teach young children how to share by explaining the importance of sharing.
They should explain that it’s about respecting and including others. They can also demonstrate
how to share through everyday examples. For instance, a parent could share some food with
their spouse. Or a teacher could share a school toy with the class. Another good way would be

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positive reinforcement. When they see a child sharing, they should give them lots of
encouragement and praise.

5. Do you like to share?

Ill general, I do like to share. I have siblings, so I’ve pretty much had to share all my life. It’s made
sharing second nature. So I like sharing clothes and books with my friends. I basically offer
anything I think they’ll enjoy. I think sharing is a great way to show someone that you care about
them, and also to avoid buying something that you only need to use once.

6. What are the things children usually don’t like to share?

Children usually don’t like sharing their toys. For most kids, their toys are their most prized
possessions. Giving away a toy, even if it’s just to share for a little bit, can be very stressful for
them. They don’t want to risk the toy getting damaged or lost. So they usually hang on to their
toys and refuse to share them with other kids. I think it makes sense, but it’s still good to
encourage them to share.

7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in a team?

One advantage is that you have a lot of people to bounce ideas off of. If you’re stuck on a
challenge, you can lean on your team members to find the solution. It not only teaches you how
to socialize better, but it teaches you how to cooperate and collaborate with others. A
disadvantage is that a group of people will often disagree on how to approach something, so
there might be some tension when trying to find the best path forward.

8. Would people have conflicts with roommates who share the dorm with them? Do they need
to make dorm rules?

Yeah, I think it’s fairly common for people to have conflicts with their roommates. Even if they
get along well, sometimes a situation will come up that causes some type of disagreement. So I
suppose that having a set of ground rules can really help when those situations happen. It makes
sure that the roommates have clear communication about their expectations and can prevent
misunderstandings or more serious conflicts in the future.

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9. What are the things people usually don’t share?

People usually don’t share things that they use for hygiene. For example, you wouldn’t want to
share your toothbrush with someone, even if they were a close friend. You probably wouldn’t
share bath towels either. People also hesitate to share expensive personal items, like computers
or cell phones. Since they cost a lot of money, you don’t want to lend them to people in case they
get lost or damaged.

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Topic: Local news

Part 2: Describe a piece of local news that people are interested in


You should say:
• What it was about
• Where you saw/heard it
• Who was involved
• And explain why people were interested in it

I’m going to talk about a piece of news I got from my friend. He forwarded the news to Wechat
moments about two weeks ago. It was an announcement posted by the city about building a new
bicycle lane. Since I have a great liking for cycling, I read the article really carefully.

It said that the new bike lane would be built in the newly developed Fuxin district. Actually, since
I have a friend who moved to the district last year. I’ve visited him and toured the area several
times. It’s about an hour’s drive from my home. It has a really good location because it’s next to
a beautiful river in our city, and there are many terrific attractions nearby.

Anyway, the long bike path will be built alongside the beautiful liver. According to the news
report, the building of it will be completed next spring. I think this is terrific news for all of the
residents in our city. Just thinking about it, you can breathe in fresh air and enjoy the sparkling
sun on the water while riding, which would be fantastic. And when you get tired, you can just sit
on the lawn nearby and enjoy soaking up the sun. It’ll definitely be an excellent place to kick back
and relax.

I read the comments under the news and everyone was happy about it. Apparently, we’re all
looking forward to seeing our city become more people-friendly.

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Part 3:

1. Do people read newspapers where you live?

Yes, a lot of people still read the newspaper where I live. It might seem a little bit old-fashioned,
depending on your age, but I think it’s kind of sweet. And newspapers are sometimes more
reliable than other media sources, especially online ones. Plus, I live in a small city. So there are
lots of human-interest stories. I think it’s nice to read articles about the community you’re a part
of.

2. Do people prefer local or international news?

I suppose that lots of people prefer local news. I mean, there are definitely people who care
about international issues and want to know what’s going on in other countries. But as far as I’ve
seen, a lot of people prefer local news because it affects them more directly. They’re invested in
their community, so they want to know what’s going on around them. I think that’s a pretty valid
perspective.

3. Do you think it’s important to have a national identity?

Well, yes and no. On the one hand, it’s really important to have a national identity because it can
help unite a country. People can have all kinds of political perspectives, beliefs, and cultural
backgrounds within a single country. So if there’s some way for them to feel connected to their
community by sharing a national identity, that can make them closer to each other. But I also
don’t think it’s super important because people should be able to have differences without
having to conform to one identity.

4. How can people develop their national identity?

I suppose that people can develop their national identity by focusing on their country’s culture.
They can take part in different traditional customs and try to contribute to their national identity
in that way. Plus, people can try to determine what values are important to their country. They
can do that by being involved in local and national political movements. It’s important to try to
be an active and involved citizen.

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5. How do people get news now, from newspapers or the Internet? Who still reads newspapers?

I think most people get news from the internet. It’s just so much faster and more accessible. You
don’t always need a subscription to pay either. So that makes it a lot easier for people. But there
are still some people who read newspapers. It’s usually the older generation. They’re more used
to newspapers because they’re more old-fashioned. I personally think that a combination of
newspapers and the internet makes for reliable news.

6. Do people nowadays have more sense of community than people in the past?

I don’t really think so. It seems to me that nowadays people have less sense of community. For
one, generally speaking, people move more frequently than in the past. Sometimes your
neighbors are just tenants living there for a short period, or you rent an apartment temporarily
for work or school. So it’s pretty common that we are less likely to interact with neighbors, which
reduces people’s community attachment. Plus, people are more disconnected from each other
because they can get too focused on online stuff and they forget to prioritize in-person
interactions.

7. Are there more people willing to be volunteers for the community now?

Well, I think a lot of people are actually self-involved and don’t take the time to volunteer in their
community. It’s unfortunate, but it’s also a side effect of people getting busier and busier. They
get so wrapped up in work or school that they don’t have time to focus on much else. But some
people just don’t volunteer because they assume someone else will do it. Volunteering isn’t as
big of a priority as it used to be.

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Topic: Success

Part 2: Describe a time when you tried to do something but was not very successful
You should say:
• When it was
• What you tried
• Why it was not very successful
• And how you felt about it

I’d like to talk about a time when I tiled to assemble a computer. About a year ago, when I was
playing a computer game, the monitor went black all of a sudden.

I called my uncle for help. He knows digital devices like the back of his hand. After he checked
out the computer thoroughly, he found that most of my computer parts were pretty old, which
caused the blackout. He said he would come over that weekend to help me build my new
computer. But I decided to try my hand at it. After all, there are tons of tutorials on the internet,
so I thought it would be easy to learn.

My uncle helped me buy lots of parts from a local computer market that day and I started doing
it by myself. I found an online video that teaches rookies how to build a computer. And I tried to
install the new parts one by one according to the tutorial. But it turned out that it was way more
complicated than I thought. There were lots of lines and cables that I had no idea where to
connect. I spent the whole night trying to do it again and again but still couldn’t figure out how
to do it right.

Finally, I gave up and put all my hopes in my uncle. He actually just took half an hour to get it
done. I was grateful to him and also realized that everybody has their own strengths and
weaknesses. If it’s something I’m not good at, I should leave it to a specialist.

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Part 3:

1. What’s your definition of success?

It seems to me that success is about finding fulfillment. That could be in any area of your life.
Most people focus on success in the workplace, like having a really great career. And that might
be the way that a lot of people find fulfillment, but I think success can go deeper than that.
Success can also be about having healthy relationships and helping out others in your community.
Success shouldn’t just be about you.

2. What things do children try to succeed in?

Children mostly try to succeed in school and sports. Those are two areas of their life that tend to
encourage competition. A lot of children work hard in school because they’re conscious of how
their peers are performing. But beyond competing, they also want to do well with their studies
because it affects what kind of paths they can take. They also like succeeding in sports because
it’s a great activity for them to take part in and it can make them more popular.

3. Which do you think is more important for people to become successful? Hard work or
opportunities?

I think hard work is more important. Opportunities are great because they can help you with your
career goals. But if you get an opportunity without having a good work ethic, you’re going to
waste it. You need to work hard whether or not you have a lot of opportunities come your way.
That way, when you eventually do get a foot in the door, you’ll be able to back it up with good
work.

4. Do you think people will be happy if they don’t have any goals to achieve?

A: Yes, I suppose that people can be happy without goals. It all depends on their personality.
Some people are very easy-going and spontaneous, so they do not have any specific goals that
they are dying to achieve. As a result, they are content to just see where life takes them and make
the most out of every moment. Contrastingly, some people feel untethered or confused if they
do not have a goal, and so they try to find one.

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B: No, I don’t think so. Some people might feel more relaxed if they don’t have any goals to
achieve. But I think that over time, they’ll become unsatisfied with their lives because they have
nothing to work towards. It’s important to set goals for yourself because it gives you direction in
life. You don’t always have to achieve every goal you set, but it’s important to set goals anyways.

5. Which is more important, talent or hard work?

It seems to me that hard work is more important. Of course, it’s ideal to have both. But I think
that you could be really talented but still fail if you don’t work hard enough. It’s not enough to
be good at something. You have to be dedicated to the task, or else you won’t be able to pull
through. You can’t depend on talent alone. Having a good work ethic will do more for you than
pure talent will.

6. Does hard work guarantee success?

No, I don’t think hard work guarantees success. Honestly, success depends on a lot of factors.
Not all of them are in your control, which is a hard thing to accept. Sometimes, success comes
down to a matter of luck and circumstances lining up. That doesn’t always happen for you, no
matter how hard you might work towards a goal. Hard work definitely helps you in the long run
though.

7. When should people stick to some goals and when should they give up on them?

I suppose that people should stick to a goal if it’s important to their ultimate happiness. If finding
a significant other is really important to you, then you should pursue that, even if it gets hard.
However, you should give up on a goal when it becomes harmful to you, or if you realize that you
want something else instead. You shouldn’t just pursue something because other people want
you to do it.

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Topic: Help

Part 2: Describe a time when you helped a friend


You should say:
• When it was
• How you helped him/her
• Why you helped him/her
• And how you felt about it

I’d like to talk about how I helped my friend lose weight. If memory serves correctly, it happened
about half a year ago. At the time, my friend Lisa was upset about failing to lose weight. She
knows that I managed to lose 10 kilograms in two months. So she asked me for help.

I sent my diet plan and recipes to Lisa, the ones that worked like a charm on me. The diet plan
contains meat, and Lisa was really satisfied with that since she could still enjoy meat dining the
diet. Plus, I told Lisa that the key to losing weight is finding a companion who wants to go through
the workout and diet every day with her. I suggested that she could find someone in her social
circle with the same goal as her and form a team to encourage and support each other.

Lisa was totally on board with what I said. So she started a fitness team with three friends of hers.
Of course, they all used my diet plan and recipes. I remember Lisa lost 5 kilograms in a month,
and every member of the team lost weight more or less.

To express her gratitude for my help, Lisa treated me to a good dinner a month later. And she
happily told me that she shared my method with others who want to keep fit. It gave me a sense
of achievement to know that what I said was so helpful.

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Part 3:

1. How do people usually help each other?

I think that people usually help each other with small, everyday challenges. If your neighbor
needs an ingredient for a recipe or a tool for a minor repair, you can often lend it to them without
thinking twice. People might also help strangers. If they notice that they’re struggling to reach
something in the aisle of a grocery store, they can take a second and help out. I think all those
little things are helpful.

2. How is online help different from real-life help?

Online help is a bit more limited in terms of what it can accomplish. A lot of it is customer service.
If you have an issue with an online purchase or even an in-store one, you can often go to that
company’s website to find the right resources. So in that sense, online help can be something
you find yourself. You don’t always have a face-to-face connection with another person.

3. Should school be responsible for teaching students how to cooperate?

I don’t think they should bear the bulk of the responsibility to teach students cooperation. But I
do think they play a big part in that process. For example, teachers can implement opportunities
for cooperating into their lesson plans. They can assign group projects that require students to
work well together, in that way, they can help students practice cooperation while showing them
how important it is to work as a team.

4. What are the differences between help from friends and help from family?

A lot of it boils down to what you’re comfortable with accepting. For example, when people are
having a hard time with their love life, they’re more likely to turn to their friends for emotional
support and advice. It can be pretty awkward asking for dating advice from your parents. But
when people are in need of financial support, they’ll probably ask their parents. It can be equally
awkward to ask your friends for money, even if it’s just a loan.

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5. What abilities or traits are important to teamwork?

I suppose that to have effective teamwork, everyone needs to be cooperative and patient with
each other. It can be difficult for a group of people to work together, but if they’re calm and keep
their cool, they’ll be able to handle challenges as a team. Everyone has to work together and
avoid doing things their own way. They need to be open and good at communication to make it
work.

6. What are the traits of people who like to help others?

It seems to me that people who like to help others are generally kind and sociable. They aren’t
afraid to put themselves on the line as long as it’ll help someone else. That usually means that
they care more about other people than themselves. So they aren’t selfish or Hide. They’re very
considerate and always look for ways to be of assistance. I think that those traits are hard to
come by, but they’re very admirable.

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Topic: Quiet place

Part 2: Describe a quiet place you like to spend your time in


You should say:
• How you knew it
• How often you go there
• What you do there
• And explain why you like the place

Speaking of a quiet place, the first one that comes to mind is definitely a giant park which is
located in the newly developed Fuxin district of my hometown.

Since I have a friend who moved to the district last year, I’ve visited him and toured this park
several times. Actually, there haven’t been many residents moving into the new housing
developments. So every time I visited there, there were only a handful of people in the park.

The park has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city. It is enormous
and there are lots of beautiful sculptures made of all kinds of plants. You can just have a walk and
appreciate the nice sculptures peacefully or sit by the lake and clear your mind There won’t be
anyone to disturb you. What’s more, there’s a long bike path that has been built alongside the
beautiful lake. I went biking there several times with my friend. Since the lanes were so empty,
you could speed up as much as you like. When we got tired, we loved to sit on the lawn nearby
and enjoyed soaking up the sun. There was no traffic or construction noise. You could kick back
and relax like you were in your own backyard.

You know, now it’s hard to seek out some silence in urban areas. So I really enjoy spending time
at the park. It’s great to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

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Part 3:

1. Is it hard to find quiet places in cities?

Yeah, I think it can be challenging to find quiet places in cities. Urban areas are usually pretty
crowded, and there’s always a lot going on. In the downtown core, you’d be hard-pressed to find
somewhere to hear your own thoughts. But some cities have natural spaces built into their
design. New York City’s Central Park is one of the most obvious examples. So it’s possible to find
quiet places if you know where to look.

2. Why is it quieter in the countryside?

The first reason is that there are fewer people in the countryside. You don’t tend to have big,
noisy crowds in rural areas. You also don’t have the sounds of traffic or construction. After all, no
one’s trying to build a big apartment complex in the countryside, so you don’t have to hear
construction crews like you do in the city. When you’re far from the hustle and bustle of a city,
most of the sounds you hear are just wildlife in their natural habitats.

3. Why do people go to a quiet place?

I think they go to quiet places to relax. If you spend too much tune in noisy and overwhelming
places, you can get stressed out really easily. So I think that it’s nice to escape somewhere quiet
and peaceful, even if it’s just a park in the city, in quiet places, you can hear your own thoughts
and just relax. That helps you from getting too overwhelmed with your work or studies.

4. Compared with young people, do old people prefer to live in quiet places?

Yes, I do think if retired seniors had the choice, tons of them would choose to live somewhere
quiet and peaceful, like in the countryside or the suburbs. As far as I know, most old people are
way more sensitive to noise and other kinds of disturbances, and some of them even have trouble
sleeping. So I think that a lot of them gravitate toward more peaceful places where they won’t
be disturbed as much.

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5. Could you give some examples of quiet places?

When I think of quiet places, I think of public libraries first. A library is a great place to enjoy some
peace and quiet. Everyone there is focused on quiet activities like reading. Besides, some shops
for people to relax can be peaceful as well, like coffee shops and tea houses. Even though there
might be some relaxing background music and low-volume conversation, people can still have a
sense of quietness and peacefulness at those places.

6. Why do some people like to do their homework while listening to music?

I suppose that music can help people focus on their homework better. Even though it sounds like
it could be distracting, music actually makes you tune out all the other distractions in your
environment. Some people get encouraged by listening to upbeat music. That makes them more
eager to finish their task, which is important when it comes to doing homework on time. A lot of
studies have shown that classical music can also help you remember things better, so that helps
with studying.

7. What are the differences between quiet places now and quiet places in the past?

In the past, there were definitely a lot of quiet places. Those places were easier to find because
cities were generally less crowded. Instead of having to find a really secluded area, you could
probably just hang out in a public park. It would be quieter because there weren’t as many people
around. Nowadays, you might have to go to a library to find some peace and quiet because there
are people everywhere and most places in cities don’t restrict people from talking or making
sounds.

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Topic: Pride

Part 2: Describe a time when you felt proud of a family member


You should say:
• When it happened
• Who the person is
• What the person did
• And explain why you felt proud of him/her

I’d like to talk about the time my sister passed the National Judicial Examination. I’m so proud of
her because I know it’s one of the most difficult qualification exams in one of the most difficult
qualification exams in Vietnam as well as in the world since the pass rate is only about 10% every
year. Plus, since the exam covers many different laws in Vietnam, the candidates need to read
and study tons of law books and memorize countless legal clauses.

But my sister didn’t fear the difficulty and was really committed to preparing for the exam. She
spent about half a year preparing for it. During those six months, she studied law day in and day
out. She told me that she even dreamed about legal cases several times. To be honest, I would
not have that kind of grit if I were her.

Anyway, after she finished the exam, she waited about two months to get the result. That was
the most anxious and stressful period of her life I’ve ever seen. Fortunately, it turned out that
she passed the exam and by a lot! I was by her side when she checked the result, and I was over
the moon and burst into tears seeing her pass the exam. You know, my sister is finally qualified
to be a lawyer!

Actually, our whole family is very proud of her. We prepared a great gift for her to celebrate the
big occasion. We were glad that all her efforts paid off. And I believe she will become an amazing
lawyer in the near future.

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Part 3:

1. When would parents feel proud of their children?

Parents would feel proud of their children after any kind of accomplishment, big or small. If a
child learns a new word, takes their first steps, learns to ride a bike, or learns to drive a car,
parents would be proud. Major life events such as weddings and graduations also make parents
very proud. Overall, parents are proud when their children are living a life that makes them happy
and fulfilled.

2. Should parents reward children? Why and how?

Yes, I think parents should reward children when they accomplish something. Parents can reward
children for academic accomplishments like receiving a good grade on a report card, or for
personal accomplishments like doing something nice for someone else, or donating to a charity.
If parents want to install good values in then children, offering rewards can be a good way to
reinforce good behaviour. That being said, parents should be wary of giving too many rewards;
it is better if children do good things because they want to, not because they expect a reward.

3. Do Chinese parents reward their children?

Actually, most Chinese parents don’t reward their children that often. They don’t want them to
depend on rewards to learn or do their work. Instead, they want their kids to be more
competitive. If you reward a kid every time, they do something right, they might just do things to
get a reward and not because they see the value of their work. So for the most part, Chinese
parents don’t tend to praise or reward their kids very often.

4. Is it good to reward children too often? Why?

No, I think rewarding children too often would be a major problem. Children need to develop
intrinsic motivation, but frequent rewards encourage extrinsic motivation. Children should want
to be successful in their life because it brings them a sense of pride and purpose. These feelings
should be reward enough on their own. However, sometimes children deserve a reward if they

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have accomplished something major. Parents just need to be careful about how often they give
rewards.

5. On what occasions would adults be proud of themselves?

Adults might be proud of themselves for a number of different reasons. They may take pride in a
new accomplishment or promotion at work that they have been working hard towards. They also
tend to be proud of themselves for personal milestones, like getting married or getting a new
apartment. Finally, many adults take pride in their children and consider their children’s
successes as their own.

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Topic: Moving

Part 2: Describe a time when you moved to a new home/school


You should say:
• When you moved
• Where you moved
• Why you moved
• And how you felt about it.

Actually, I just moved to a new apartment not long ago. This summer holiday, I found a part-time
job that I can do for a long time. But I had to move out of the student residence because the
building was closed during the summer holidays.

So I tried really hard to look for a suitable apartment. Eventually, I decided to rent a newly
renovated apartment, which has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our
city. The drawback is its distance from my workplace. I have to take a bus for 40 minutes to
commute there. But to enjoy a better lifestyle, I signed the lease for the apartment.

Anyway, after deciding the move-out date, I asked three good friends to give me a hand packing
up my stuff. I even called a moving company for a van. We spent a whole day moving everything
into my new apartment. We were all worn out after the fact. I treated all my friends to a nice
meal at a restaurant nearby.

And then I had a fresh start! I got to decorate the home in the way I wanted and I also began to
pay all the utilities myself. It’s really new and different for me. Although I have to get up really
early every morning for work, I have fun biking along the lakeshore every night, which helps me
blow off some steam. So basically, I’ll! really satisfied with my new life.

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Part 3:

1. Why do people move to a new home?

People move to a new home for many different reasons. The most common reason is that they
need more space because they have a new addition to the family, whether it be a pet or a child.
It can be hard to have multiple kids and pets in a small house. People may also move to a new
home if they have to move to a new city for work. Some people who live in a city might choose
to move to the country because they want more outdoor space.

2. What problems will people face after moving to a new place?

People can face many problems after moving to a new place; they might need to do repairs, or
they might realize that there is a problem with the new neighbours. It is important for people to
do a lot of research and complete a house inspection before moving to avoid as many problems
as possible. People might also realize that things might be more expensive in a new city, especially
rent and utilities. People might have to readjust their budget or spend their money differently.

3. How do people solve these problems?

If people are struggling to adjust to the new neighborhood, it’s helpful to befriend the people
who live close by. In general, it’s always beneficial to be on good terms with your neighbors. If
you’re new to the area, your neighbors are often the people who can give you good advice when
it comes to finding the best restaurants and essential places like hospitals and grocery stores.
Dealing with new expenses can be handled by rearranging your budget or saving up beforehand.

4. Is it good to move to a new place frequently? Why?

I don’t think that it is a good idea to move to a new place often because it is very stressful, time-
consuming, and expensive. Moving requires a lot of research and preparation, so it can be very
time-consuming especially if you are also working full time. Moving is also very expensive; if you
are renting, you need to pay at least two months of rent upfront, and if you are buying you need
to provide a down payment. It is better to move less often.

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Topic: Advice

Part 2: Describe a time you gave advice to others.


You should say:
• Who you gave the advice to
• What advice you gave
• Why they needed your advice (whether they took your advice)
• And explain how useful the advice was (/the result).

The first one that comes to mind is the suggestion I gave to my friend Lisa. If memory serves
correctly, it happened about half a year ago. At the time, Lisa was upset about failing to lose
weight, so I shared the method I used to drop some weight and suggested that she try it out.

I told her that the key to losing weight is finding a companion who wants to go through the
workout and diet every day with her. I actually managed to lose 10 kilograms with this trick. So I
suggested that if she could find anyone in her social circle with the same goal as her and form a
team to encourage and support each other, then she mi gilt have half a chance to lose weight.

My words seemed to inspire her and she was totally on board with what I said. So she started a
fitness team with three friends of hers. Lisa said they always went to the gym together and
cheered each other up when they were tired or hungry. It really worked like a charm; Lisa lost 5
kilograms in a month, and every member of the team lost weight more or less.

To express her gratitude for my suggestions, Lisa treated me to a good dinner a month later. And
she happily told me that she shared my method with others who want to keep fit. It gave me a
sense of achievement to know that my suggestion was so helpful and really worked.

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Part 3:

1. Should people prepare before giving advice?

Well, it depends on the situation; sometimes people will ask you for advice out of the blue, and
you won’t have time to prepare an answer. Other times, you may know that you are going to be
giving someone advice and in that case, you can prepare beforehand. This is especially true if
giving advice is part of your job, such as if you are a teacher, mentor, or therapist, in those cases,
you have to prepare because your advice might have a huge impact on advice seekers’ lives.

2. Is it good to ask for advice from strangers online?

I don’t think it is ever a good idea to ask for advice from strangers online. And children or
teenagers should especially be cautious about seeking advice online because they can't tell
whether the strangers are helping them or steering them wrong. Plus, people online are not
always who they say they are. It can be very dangerous to share a lot of personal information
online with someone you don’t know, so for that reason I would advise not contacting strangers
online for anything.

3. What are the personalities of people whose job is to give advice to others?

I think that people who give advice to others have a few specific personality traits, including
empathy and patience. These people are very empathetic and understanding because they can
relate to a problem that their clients might be going through and give relevant advice. As in, they
can stand in their client's shoes and understand their situation as much as possible, so they can
come up with the best advice based on each individual situation. Plus, they need to be patient
because sometimes people coming to get advice might be in an agitated or confused state of
mind.

4. What are the problems if you ask too many people for advice?

If you hear a lot of advice, you might become even more confused than before you asked them.
If you ask for advice from more than two people and they all have different opinions about what
you should do, that can be very frustrating and not helpful. It’s normal that everyone has their

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own perspective. They might give you opposite advice but all make sense, in that case, you would
probably be of two minds and can’t decide what to do next. So it might be better to ask just one
trusted friend. They can always give you all the advice you need.

5. What kinds of advice do parents give to their children?

I think that in general, parents want their children to succeed and be happy. So they give them
advice that will help with that. For instance, if children are facing a problem, parents will
encourage them to work through it and not give up. Or they might tell their children to see the
blight side of the problem and not just complain about it. Everyone wants their kid to do well, so
they give them the best advice they can.

6. What advice do parents often give to teenagers about making friends?

Usually, parents encourage teenagers to be active when it comes to making friends. It’s easier to
get others to accept you when you start the conversation first. We can often see that outgoing
and extroverted people have more friends than people who are shy and don’t like talking with
others actively. A lot of parents also tell teenagers not to give in to peer pressure. Sometimes
when you make friends, you might be tempted to follow along with the crowd. But it’s best to
stick to your guns and avoid doing anything stupid.

7. Should parents get involved in their children’s friendships?

I don’t think parents should take action with their children’s friendships, even if they have a falling
out with their friends. Actually, it’s natural for children to fall out and make friends again. If
parents help too much, they might make the situation even worse. They can just teach their
children what qualities a good friend should have and let them choose who to be friends with.

8. How do experts give advice to others? (e.g. a doctor gives advice to his patients); What
personal qualities should experts have?

I find that in general, experts are very calm and helpful when they give advice. They make sure
to give their client all the right information. And if needed, they can explain it more than once so
their client gets the frill picture. So to be an expert in something, you should be patient and

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hardworking. You can’t just give up at the first sign of trouble. Otherwise, you won’t do very well
in your field.

9. Whose advice is more helpful? Parents’ or friends’?

I suppose that in general, parents’ advice is more helpful than advice from friends. Even though
your friends might know you even better than your parents do, your parents have way more
experience. They’ve been alive way longer than you or your friends. So it’s best to take advice
from the wise. Your friends might end up leading you astray, even if they don’t mean to. I always
listen to my parents before my friends.

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Topic: Skills

Part 2: Describe a difficult skill that you would like to learn


You should say:
• When you knew it
• How you would leant it
• Where you can learn it
• And explain why it is difficult

One difficult skill I’m very interested in is computer assembly. I think it would be cool to learn it.

About a year ago, when I was playing a computer game, the monitor went black all of a sudden.
I called my uncle for help. He knows digital devices like the back of his hand. After he checked
out the computer thoroughly, he found that most of my computer parts were pretty old, which
caused the blackout. I thought that it would cost me an arm and a leg to buy a new one, but my
uncle said he would help me build my new computer.

I was light by his side as he went through the process of assembling it. Honestly, it was way more
complicated than I thought. There were lots of lines and cables that I had no idea where to
connect. But my uncle only took half an hour to get it done. And the new computer runs way
faster than the old one.

He taught me that a great advantage of this skill is that it allows you to personalize the computer
in the way you want, which really fascinates me. So I'm really looking forward to learning tills
skill. I actually watched an online video that teaches rookies how to build a computer, but I still
couldn’t figure out how to do it right. So I asked my uncle for help, and he agreed that when my
computer needs an upgrade again, he will be there and teach me step by step.

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Part 3:

1. What skills do students /young people need to learn?

I think that students (young people) need to leant time management and organizational skills.
When they’re in school, they have to juggle lots of different assignments and other
responsibilities, in order to stay on top of their tasks, they need to know how to spend their time
wisely so they don’t get too overwhelmed. They should also learn communication skills. They
need to learn how to communicate well with not only their peers but their teachers and bosses
as well. Being an effective communicator is one of the best qualities you can have, especially
when it comes to the workforce.

2. Do you think parents nowadays really care about helping their children learn those skills?

Yes, most parents are invested in helping their children gain those skills. They want their kids to
succeed, and they know that it’ll take more than luck and goodwill for them to do well in life. So
I think that parents are trying to teach their kids how to develop these strengths, or at the very
least they’re showing them the right resources to get there. It’s very important to them that their
kids can acquire these important skills.

3. Is it hard for students to learn skills?

I don’t think it’s too hard for students to learn skills. Some people might struggle with skills they
aren’t naturally inclined towards. For example, if someone is shy and reserved, they might find it
hard to build up their communication skills. But I suppose that as a student, you have access to
lots of resources and educators who can help you develop those skills. A student’s job is to learn,
and they can do that by being open-minded and willing to put in the hard work.

4. Is it hard for old people to learn new skills?

Yes, I suppose that it can be hard for old people to learn new skills. Some of them might feel too
set in their ways to pick up additional skills. For example, some old people are wary of computers
and don’t want to learn any computer skills. But I think that if they can stay open-minded and
willing to learn, they’ll be able to pick up new skills and benefit from them.

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5. Is a good teacher very important for students learning experience? Why?

Yes, I would say that having a good teacher is crucial to having a good learning experience. They
can make or break a student’s experience of a class. Without a good teacher, students will feel
confused and possibly overwhelmed by all the things they have to learn. They might walk away
thinking that learning is just a painful and difficult process. A good teacher is there to guide
students and make the learning experience a positive one.

6. Which way is faster for people to learn new skills, from books or from life?

I suppose that it is faster to learn a new skill in a real-life situation than from a book. Books can
be very useful to review a new skill, but real life is the best way to learn. You can read all about
sewing, but you will not be able to sew until you actually try. Then, once you have learned a new
skill, the best way to become an expert is to practice. Reading can only get you so far.

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Topic: Learning

Part 2: Describe something interesting that you want to learn more about
You should say:
• What it is
• How you got to interested in it
• What the benefits you can get from it
• And explain why you want to learn more about it.

Speaking of something interesting that I really want to learn more about, the first one that comes
to mind is computer assembly. I think it would be cool to learn it.

About a year ago, when I was playing a computer game, the monitor went black all of a sudden.
I called my uncle for help. He knows digital devices like the back of his hand. After he checked
out the computer thoroughly, he found that most of my computer parts were pretty old, which
caused the blackout. I thought that it would cost me an arm and a leg to buy a new one, but my
uncle said he would help me build my new computer.

I was right by his side as he went through the process of assembling it. Honestly, it was way more
complicated than I thought. But my uncle only took half an hour to get it done. And the new
computer runs way faster than the old one.

He taught me that a great advantage of this skill is that it allows you to personalize the computer
in the way you want, which really fascinates me. So I'm really looking forward to learning this
skill. I actually watched an online video that teaches rookies how to build a computer, but I still
couldn’t figure out how to do it right. So I asked my uncle for help, and he agreed that when my
computer needs an upgrade again, he will be there and teach me step by step.

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Part 3:

1. Do you think learning new things is important?

Yes, learning new things is really important. If we stop trying to learn, we’ll become limited in our
knowledge and we might become confined to a narrow point of view. It’s good to branch out and
expand our horizons every now and then, even if it’s something as simple as learning how to play
a new sport or learning about different cuisine. I just learned how to kayak, which is something I
never thought I’d enjoy, but it turned out to be a really fun and memorable experience.

2. Who needs to learn new things?

It seems to me that young people usually need to learn new things, in general, old people have
accumulated a whole wealth of knowledge and experiences. But young people are still having
formative experiences and discovering the world around them. So it’s important for them to seek
out knowledge from lots of different sources. They should be curious about the world and want
to learn more about their history and what lies in store for the future.

3. Where can old people learn new things?

I think old people can learn new things from public places, like libraries or museums. I know that
a lot of people learn when there are new exhibits at museums in particular. You can pick up a lot
of interesting facts about other cultures. Old people can also borrow books from libraries that
will teach them about new subjects. Alternatively, they can learn everyday things from friends or
family. Some old people learn how to handle new technology by asking their younger relatives.

4. Should government spend more money to help people learn new things?

Yes, the government should definitely invest more money in helping people learn new things.
They can establish more trade schools that offer free training programs to the public. This is a
good way to generate more skilled workers. And generally speaking, if a country's population is
more educated, it is more productive overall, which means a stronger economy and more tax
revenue for the government. So more investment in public education is definitely a gateway to a
better country.

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5. Do you think retired people/80 years old people should learn new things?

Yes, I think that there’s always room for people to learn new things, no matter what their age is.
When it comes to people who are retired or over 80, they can keep their minds sharp by picking
up new information. They might choose to learn about countries they’ve never visited or facts
about ancient history. I suppose that’ll help them spend their time in a fun and engaging way.

6. Is it difficult for adults to learn new things?

Well, yes, sometimes it can be hard for adults to learn new things. Adults have a lot of
responsibilities to deal with. They usually have to juggle a full-time job with parenting or looking
after other people, not to mention the duties of running a household. So the hardest thing can
be finding the time to learn new things. But it can also be difficult to focus on learning something
new when they’re so stressed with other things.

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Topic: Famous

Part 2: Describe a famous person that you are interested in/ you like.
You should say:
• Who this person is
• How you know about this person
• How this person became famous
• And explain why you like this person.

Speaking of my favorite celebrities, I’d like to talk about an American singer-songwriter named
Bea Miller. I think she's a very talented girl with an interesting soul.

About two years ago, one of my friends sang a beautiful song called Brand New Eyes at a New
Year’s party that my class held. I really took a liking to that song and looked it up online right
away. Then I found the original singer of it, Bea Miller. She’s only in her twenties and definitely
has great potential with her pop-rock career.

Bea is a very talented young lady. Her music is very diverse. I mean, every song she writes is
unique but also catchy. I really admire her talent for music writing. Plus, I like her personality. Her
character is way different from what she shows on stage. If you didn't know her, you'd think she
was a quiet and cool person. But she’s actually hilarious. You won’t find other celebs who post
selfies of their big nostrils on social media. But she does it all the time! Sometimes she posts
photos of herself making faces with a funny line or a bad joke. It cracks me up every time!

So I feel like she’s very down-to-earth. When she interacts with her fans it’s like she’s the girl next
door, which really appeals to me. So now I’m a die-hard fan of hers. I believe that with her talent
and interesting personality, she will go a long way in the entertainment industry.

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Part 3:

1. What kinds of people are famous in your country?

There are a lot of famous singers and actors. People love keeping up with those kinds of
celebrities because they feel like they know them. When you listen to a song or watch a movie,
you feel like you get a sense of the performer’s personality. So it’s really easy to become invested
in their lives. Singers and actors are famous because people get obsessed with them and want to
know everything about them.

2. Why do people care about the private lives of celebrities?

I think it’s because a lot of people have the desire to peek into other people's lives. It’s not cool
to pry into the private life of people around you, but some people think it’s an open season when
it comes to celebrities. After all, there’s a whole industry based around celebrities that just fuels
gossip. I don’t think it’s healthy, but people definitely care. Besides, everyone is starstruck to
some extent. So it’s really easy to become invested in the personal lives of the celebrities they’re
fond of.

3. Are international celebrities important to a country?

I suppose that to a degree, international celebrities are important to a country. They definitely
shouldn’t be valued more than government officials or people who do official work for a country,
but they bring attention to their country and they can be representatives for their culture. Some
people might not know a lot about a country, but when they see a celebrity from that country
that they like, they might be inclined to learn more about it.

4. Would people in the past become famous for doing good deeds? How about now?

I don’t think that people got famous for doing good things in the past. For one, there just wasn’t
as much media attention. People could do good deeds every day but it wouldn’t go viral as it does
now. Nowadays, if someone catches something wholesome on camera, they can share it on social
media and it might get millions of views. People can become famous for simply helping someone
out when their good deed is posted online.

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5. What kind of person becomes a star? Can you be a star by making videos?

I think that nowadays, social media is so accessible that basically anyone can be famous. All it
takes is a bit of luck to post it at the right time. Lots of average people get their fifteen minutes
of fame by posting a video that happens to go viral. Sometimes they manage to stay famous if
they keep making similar videos, like people who do crazy stunts and post them online. But it’s
hard to hold onto fame that way.

6. Why do people want to be famous? Do you want to be a celebrity?

It seems to me that people want to be famous because they really love attention, to be honest.
When you’re a celebrity, everyone is obsessed with you. But I don’t think that people realize how
stressful it is to be constantly observed and talked about. That’s why I would never want to be a
celebrity. I want to have my privacy and not worry about people taking pictures of me whenever
I go out in public. I would hate for everyone to be tracking my every move.

7. What are the pros and cons of being a celebrity?

One big pro is that you get access to really cool things. You get the VIP treatment wherever you
go, and you can go to exclusive events in designer clothes. You obviously get a lot of money as
well, so you can afford whatever your heart desires. But a big downside is that you basically have
no privacy. You get photographed wherever you go and people speculate about your private life
all the time.

8. What are the disadvantages of being a child star?

Well, being a child star can be really bad for your psyche. When you make the most money in
your family, you take on a lot of pressure to keep your family supported. You might also have
greedy relatives who try to take advantage of you. Plus, if a kid always gets what they want, they’ll
probably grow up to be vain and spoiled. If they ever stop being famous, they might not be able
to adjust to the routine of a normal life.

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9. What are the differences between famous people today and those in the past?

I think famous people today may have more rights than they used to in the past. I’ve watched a
few documentaries about actors and actresses in the past and how poorly the industry treated
them. Some actors had no right over their own bodies; if they gained weight they would be fired.
Some actresses weren’t allowed to have children until their contract was finished. I’m sure it is
still tough to be an actor but I feel like actors have more lights and are treated better than they
were in the past.

10. Do you think famous people are necessarily good in their fields?

I think it depends on the person. Some people are extremely talented and deserve the fame they
have acquired but others simply got lucky when they became famous. There are actors everyone
knows, like Tom Cruise, who is not necessarily a good actor but is able to play a consistent
character in his movie franchises. He gets tons of movie roles because he is well-known but a lot
of audiences don’t think his acting is good. Some actors are definitely better than others.

11. Do you think the media are putting too much attention on famous people?

Yes, I do think the media puts too much attention on famous people. At the end of the day, these
people are humans just like everyone else and don’t need their whole lives being broadcast for
the entire world to see. And the new media, especially social media, is often swamped with gossip
and even scandals involving celebrities, which is a bad trend. I’d rather the media focus more on
real issues in our society.

12. Do you think talent is important for fame?

Yes, talent is definitely essential for people to become famous and successful. Some people
manage to get famous online without any talent, but their fame rarely lasts long. For someone
to have long-lasting fame, they need to be talented in their field. As far as I know, the singers and
actors who can keep being household names are all productive by creating more good artworks.
And you need incomparable talent for that. Talent will ensure that they continue to get offered
work, whether it be roles in movies, record deals, or athletic contracts.

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13. What do you think about celebrities making so much money?

I think it is ridiculous that celebrities make big bucks when so many people in the world are
suffering from poverty and hunger. Some celebrities do donate to humanitarian causes, which is
good of them, but I see no reason why they should be paid such a large amount in the first place.
I don’t think they contribute to society a lot more than people like scientists and doctors. And
even though they have business value that’s equivalent to the amount of money they make, we
shouldn’t glorify it. Otherwise, what does that say about those of us working full-time jobs for
five-figure salaries?

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Topic: Difficult problem

Part 2: Describe a difficult thing/problem /challenge that you did well


You should say:
• What it was
• How you did/completed it
• Why (or how) it was difficult
• And explain how you felt after you did/completed it.

I’d like to talk about my experience of taking the National Judicial examination last September.
It’s one of the most difficult qualification exams in Vietnam as well as in the world since the pass
rate is only about 10% every year. Plus, since the exam covers many different laws in Vietnam, I
had to read and study tons of law books and memorize countless legal clauses, which stressed
me out during the preparation stage.

But I had to pull myself together and take the exam until I passed, or I wouldn’t have a job in the
legal industry. So I spent about half a year preparing for it. I took lots of online classes and studied
law day in and day out. I literally dreamed about legal cases several times. To be honest, I didn’t
even know I had that kind of grit before I started preparing for the exam.

Anyway, after I finished the exam, I waited about two months to get the result. That was the
most anxious and stressful period of time I’ve ever had in my life. Fortunately, it tinned out that
I passed the exam and by a lot! I was over the moon and burst into tears seeing my good score. I
really felt like all my effort paid off at that moment. You know, I'm finally qualified to be a lawyer!

So it seems that some difficult things might not be as hard as they seem. You won’t know the
result until you really try it, and if you work hard enough, your effort will pay off.

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Part 3:

1. What do children usually find difficult to do?

Children usually find it difficult to concentrate. They have a ton of energy. So they’d rather run
around and play with their friends than focus on their homework. They might even have trouble
listening in class when they’re surrounded by their friends. It’s tempting to just talk amongst
themselves instead of listening to the teacher. It can also be hard for children to master some
social skills, like sharing and communicating.

2. How do kids solve problems?

Kids often solve problems by turning to their parents for advice. If they’re stuck on a math
problem in their homework, they might ask their parents to walk them through it. Or they might
even ask the teacher for more guidance in math class. When it comes to more complex problems,
like issues in their friendships, they might work out the problem among themselves. That helps
them develop more independence. Generally speaking, it is a good idea for children to try to
solve problems on their own because that is how they can develop more resilience and
confidence.

3. How can parents guide or help their children to do things that seem difficult?

Parents can help children by providing encouragement and modeling the things that they want
their children to do. So, for example, if a child is learning to tie their shoes, parents can help them
by first showing them how to do it, then guiding them to do it on their own. Parents can also help
by showing their kids a clear step-by-step process to make the task simpler.

4. Should children face difficult problems or challenges all by themselves?

I think it is important for children to face some problems on their own so that they develop more
confidence. For example, if they get into an argument with their friend, they should try to talk it
out so they can learn to be more independent. But whenever they are faced with a very difficult
or confusing problem they should probably go to an adult for help. Serious problems like bullying
or abuse should always be dealt with by a responsible adult.

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5. Is confidence important?

Yes, I would say that confidence is important in every aspect of daily life, in order to be successful
and to take risks in life, people need to have enough confidence in themselves first. This is true
in school, work, or social environments. That being said, there is always a risk of people
developing overconfidence, which would be a problem if they start to think that they can never
do anything wrong.

6. What jobs require confidence?

I suppose that every job requires confidence, although some require more confidence than
others. Jobs, where you have to lead a team of people, require the most confidence because you
need to convince your team that you are the right person to take control. You also have to be
confident if you’re a performer of any kind. For example, singers and actors need to be
comfortable performing in front of other people, which requires a lot of confidence.

7. Is overconfidence good?

Overconfidence is usually a bad thing. People who are overconfident might try to do things that
they are not actually qualified or prepared to do. An overconfident driver, for example, is more
likely to get into a car accident. An overconfident student might not study as hard as they should
for an exam. Overconfidence can lead to arrogance and rudeness, so it is important to be
confident, but not too confident.

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Topic: Get up early

Part 2: Describe a time when you got up early


You should say:
• When it was
• What you did
• Why you got up early
• And how you felt about it

Speaking of a time that I got up early, the first one that conies to mind are the time when I had
an early morning bike ride.

I have a great liking for recreational cycling. About a month ago, several friends of mine who have
the same interest decided to cycle at a park together. There’s actually a park that was recently
built near my home. It has a really good location because it’s next to a beautiful lake in our city.
And there’s a long bike path that has been built alongside the lake. So, in order to try out the new
bike lane, we agreed to meet up at the park at six in the morning when the park wasn’t packed
with people yet.

I’m not a morning person. Getting ready to go out before 6 was way earlier than I was used to.
But I didn’t want to make my friends wait so I dragged myself out of bed. And it tinned out to be
a very pleasant experience that day. We breathed in fresh air and enjoyed the sparkling sun on
the water while riding, which was fantastic. Plus, since we went there early, the lanes were empty
so we could speed up as much as we like. When we got tired, we sat on the lawn nearby and
enjoyed the morning sunlight, which is super cozy!

So, that early start to the day really left a mark on me. But honestly, having one experience like
that is enough for me. I prefer sleeping in on most days

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Part 3:

1. Do you know anyone who likes to get up early?

My mom has always loved waking up early. She’s usually awake by 5 A.M. She likes to go for her
morning walk for about an hour, and then she takes a shower and makes breakfast. I think that
the reason she is able to wake up so early is that she also goes to bed early, usually around 9 P.M.
If she went to bed any later she probably wouldn’t be getting enough sleep.

2. Why do people get up early?

Some people get up early because they have to for work or for school, and some people get up
early because they enjoy it. These people might like having some extra time to relax in the
morning before they begin their day. As for why some people hate getting up early, I think it’s
mainly because they struggle to wake up, maybe as a result of going to bed late. These people
may feel tired all day if they get up early.

3. What kinds of occasions need people to arrive early?

Most people try to arrive early for formal ceremonies such as a wedding or a funeral. This is
because these events require a large amount of organization and planning, so it is very important
that no one arrives late in order to avoid interruptions. People may also arrive early to an airport
or train station when they are travelling. Most international flights recommend that you arrive
three hours early in order to get through airport security, so arriving early is a good idea for
travellers.

4. Is it easier for older people to get up early than young people?

I believe so. My grandparents usually wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning. The main reason, I think,
is because their health is no longer in good condition, at least not as good as it was when they
were younger. So, it is hard for them to have 7 or 8 hours of sleep every night. Besides, unlike
younger people who have to work or study all day and therefore need a deep sleep at night to
recharge their batteries, older people usually have more time on their hands. They can take naps
during the day, which will affect their sleep at night, I suppose.

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5. What time do you usually get up?/Do you like getting up early?

I usually get up at 7 A.M. so that I can be at work at 8:30. I like getting up early in the spring and
summer because the sun naturally wakes me up, but in the winter where I live it is quite dark in
the mornings, so I don’t like to get up too early in the winter. I like that getting up early gives me
time to enjoy a coffee before work, but sometimes I wish I could sleep in more often.

6. Why do some people get up early? Why do some people hate getting up early?

Some people get up early because they have to for work or for school, and some people get up
early because they enjoy it. These people might like having some extra time to relax in the
morning before they begin their day. As for why some people hate getting up early, I think it’s
mainly because they struggle to wake up, maybe as a result of going to bed late. These people
may feel tired all day if they get up early.

7. Why do some people like to stay up late?

I think some people like staying up late because they’re more energetic at night. Night owls are
really good at being productive late into the night. For whatever reason, they just work better at
that time. Personally, I like staying up late because it’s quieter in my house since everyone has
gone to sleep. Other people like staying up late because there are exciting activities that happen
at night, like parties and concerts.

8. Do you think morning is the best time of day?

Personally, I think that evening is the best time of day because it is the end of the work or school
day and you have time to kick back and relax. I do like mornings, but I wouldn’t say that they are
the best time of the day because mornings can be quite stressful. If you are getting ready for
work or school and you’re running late, then your morning isn’t very enjoyable.

9. What happens if you arrive early or late?

When you arrive somewhere early, you have lots of time to settle in. If you’re there for an event,
it’s nice to get there early so you can find a seat or use the bathroom if you need to. But if you

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arrive late, it can be super stressful. It really depends on the event. Being late to a party is fine,
but being late to a meeting or a class is really disruptive. You should avoid being late if you can.

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New Topics
Topic: Preparation
Part 2: Describe something important you prepared for
You should say:
• What it was;
• When you prepared for it;
• What you did;
• And explain why you prepared for it.

I'd like to talk about the time I prepared for an important exam. Actually, I've always dreamed of
being a lawyer because lawyers have decent pay and they can get respect from others for their
expertise. So I made it my life's goal to be a lawyer.

But it isn't a piece of cake. You have to pass the National Judicial examination which I studied
really hard for. It’s one of the most difficult qualification exams in Vietnam as well as in the world
since the pass rate is only about 10% every year. So I had to pull myself together and take the
exam until I passed, or else I wouldn’t have a job in the legal industry. I remember I spent about
half a year preparing for it. I took lots of online classes and studied law day in and day out. I
literally dreamed about legal cases several times. To be honest, I didn't even know I had that land
of grit before I started preparing for the exam.

Anyway, after I finished the exam, I waited about two months to get the result. Fortunately, it
turned out that I passed the exam and by a lot! I was over the moon. I really felt like my efforts
paid off at that moment. You know, I'm finally qualified to be a lawyer!

So it was one of the most important challenges that I went through . And the experience has
given me more confidence. It made me believe that if you work hard enough, your effort will pay
off.

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Part 3

1. How can you be a well-prepared person?

I suppose that in order to be a well-prepared person, you need to manage your time well. You
should be organized so that you don’t get overwhelmed by all your tasks. You should try to stay
on top of all of your responsibilities by making plans or budgets for the tasks beforehand. That
way, you can be prepared for whatever comes your way. You should also be flexible. You have to
be able to handle life’s challenges whenever they come up.

2. How can parents help children get organized?

I think parents can help children get organized by identifying their daily tasks . If a child can make
a list of what they have to do every day, it won’t be so overwhelming. They can focus on doing
one task at a time. Parents can also help children manage their time well. Urey can break up the
day into sections and help then- kids plan what to do for each hour.

3. On what occasions do people need to be organized?

People need to be organized for important events, especially ones that require a lot of work and
effort, like vacations. When you go on a trip, you need to keep track of all the details, like your
flight and hotel. If you don't want to mess up the trip, you should be organized during the journey
People also have to be organized in their day-to-day life, especially if they work in a professional
setting. For example, many people have to deal with countless emails, files and calls in the office
during the day, so they have to know how to manage their work efficiently

4. Does everything need to be well prepared?

Well, yes, I think that everyone can benefit from being more prepared and organized in their
lives. When people are well prepared, they can feel more confident. Being organized also helps
with time management; if you are well organized, you can complete more tasks in a day. Also,
people in your life will come to think of you as reliable and trustworthy if you are consistently
prepared. This is true in both your work life and your personal life.

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5. Do people need others’ help when organizing things?

Yes, I suppose that being organized and prepared comes very naturally to some people, but for
others it can be really difficult. For some people who suck at time management or are just new
in a professional field, having someone else to help them get organized is necessary. As a result,
there are a lot of professions that help people become organized, including accountants, travel
agents, guidance counselors, professional cleaners, and teachers. Family and friends can also
help each other become more organized by giving advice and lending a helping hand when
needed.

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Topic: Ambition
Part 2: Describe an ambition you haven’t yet achieved
You should say:
• What your ambition is;
• How long you have had this ambition;
• How you plan to achieve it (or what you have done);
• And explain why you haven’t achieved it yet.

I've always dreamed of being a lawyer. If memory serves correctly, I started having this idea three
years ago. At the time, a friend of mine had just become a professional lawyer. She told me tons
of benefits of being a lawyer, like the decent pay and respect from others for your expertise. So
I made it my life's goal to be a lawyer.

But it isn't a piece of cake. First of all. you have to pass the National Judicial examination. It’s one
of the most difficult qualification exams in Vietnam as well as in the world since the pass rate is
only about 10% every year. Plus, since the exam covers many different laws in Vietnam, you have
to read and study tons of law' books and memorize countless legal clauses, which can stress you
out.

I actually took the exam last year. I took lots of online classes and studied law day in and day out.
I literally dreamed about legal cases several times. To be honest, I didn’t even know I had that
kind of grit before I started preparing for the exam.

However, it’s a shame that I didn't pass the exam. My friend comforted me and said that very
few people can pass it on their first try. So I'm still working on it. I have to pull myself together
and take the exam until I pass, or I won’t have a job in the legal industry. It does put a lot of
pressure on me, but the prospect of being a cool lawyer helps me stick to making this dream
come true.

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Part 3

1. Is it important for children to have ambitions?

Yes, I think it’s important for children to have ambitions. They don’t need to know every detail of
what they want to do with their lives. But it’s good for them to have some sense of direction.
They should have a goal that they can work towards. It helps keep them motivated through
everyday life. Plus, it gives them a sense of achievement when they accomplish their goals.

2. Are all ambitions good in life?

No, I don’t think all ambitions are good in life. Sometimes, ambitions can be too self-centred or
self-serving . For example, some people only want to get rich. They don’t care about what it takes,
or who they might hurt in their pursuit of wealth. I think those kinds of goals are too vain and
they don’t lead to any good . So there are definitely some ambitions that I would consider toxic.

3. What are the important qualities to achieve our ambitions?

I suppose that in order to achieve your ambitions, you need to be hard-working and patient. It’s
not enough to know what you want to do. You need to make a realistic plan and dedicate yourself
to following it , no matter how hard it might get. You have to be willing to put your best effort
into making your dreams come true. Besides, you have to be persistent, even if it takes a few
tries. Most of the time, you can't make it in one shot. If you don't have the grit, you might quit
before you make it.

4. What ambitions do children usually have?

Children usually have big ambitions about what their future will look like. Adults like to ask
children, what do you want to be when you glow up? Children always have really exciting answers
like astronaut, inventor, celebrity, or famous athlete. And basically all of those dreams have to
do with someone they look up to. Children also may have ambitions about then personal lives,
like when they will get married and have their own families. It's funny to hear kids say that, but I
actually think it's a reflection of different kids' personalities and backgrounds.

5. Why are some people very’ ambitious in their work?

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Some people are very ambitious at work because they want to get promoted to a higher level in
their job. They might start out as an intern or an assistant, but they have ambitions of eventually
becoming a manager or CEO. Some people become more ambitious due to deep-seated
insecurity. They constantly feel like they have to be better than others, especially when they are
in a competitive environment. The stress of being washed out or left behind drives them to
improve themselves. It’s really normal in Vietnam because the society we live in right now is way
more competitive than it was in the past.

6. Why don’t some people have dreams?

Some people don’t have dreams because they’re not quite sure what they want to do yet with
their lives. They might have a simple life or always stay in their comfort zone, so they haven’t had
the chance to see the world and find out what they’re passionate about. But there are also some
people who don’t have the nerve to dream something big because they are afraid of how much
time and effort they’ll have to put into pursuing the dream. For example, a lot of people love
reading or listening to music, but they don’t dream of being professional writers or musicians.

7. How do people balance work and life?

It can be hard to balance work and life, but it is very important to do so in order to avoid
exhaustion and burnout. There are many different strategies to avoid burnout. One strategy is to
ensure that your work life and your home life are physically separated , either by going into work,
or, if you work from home, having a separate area of your home for work. It makes it easier to
devote more time to your family. Another strategy is to set boundaries with your work , such as
by refusing to work past your contracted hours .

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Topic: Events
Part 2: Describe a happy event you organized.
You should say:
• What the event was;
• Where you had it;
• Who helped you to organized it;
• And explain how you feel about it.

A few months ago, I prepared an event for my family. Specifically, it was a celebration party for
my sister.

She passed the National Judicial examination about two months ago. It’s one of the most difficult
qualification exams in Vietnam as well as in the world since the pass rate is only about 10% every
year. But my sister was up for the challenge . She was really committed to preparing for the exam.
She spent about half a year preparing for it and waited about two months to get the result. I'd
never seen her be so anxious and stressed before. Fortunately, it turned out that she passed the
exam and with flying colour!

Since she was finally qualified to be a lawyer. My father asked me to throw a party for the whole
family as a celebration. It was no big deal , but there were a lot of things I needed to take care of,
like booking a restaurant and choosing the menu while considering my mom and sister's special
needs. I also picked karaoke for after dinner; it’s our family’s favourite activity to do together. It
took me some time to check everything off my list but it was totally worth it.

We had a blast that day. I gave my sister a great gift on behalf of the entire family to celebrate
her big occasion. She was so grateful for what I did. Well, I was glad that all her efforts paid off.
So preparing a celebration party for her and my family was definitely my pleasure.

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Part 3

1. When do people normally send gifts to others?

People normally send each other gifts on special occasions, like birthdays or holidays.
Anniversaries are also a good occasion for gifts. For example, people give their significant others
gifts on the anniversary of when they started dating, or when they got married. Sometimes
people give gifts to mark special achievements, like someone’s graduation. That may be a little
less traditional, but I would say it’s a nice way to celebrate someone.

2. Do people give gifts or red packets during traditional festivals?

Yes, a lot of people give both gifts and red packets during traditional festivals. For example, Lunar
New Year is a very important celebration. It’s customary for people to hand out red envelopes to
bring happiness and blessings to whoever receives it. I think it’s a nice tradition. It's also common
to give out gifts like fruit baskets, tea, and candy or chocolate. It definitely helps the festival feel
like a special time of year.

3. Is it hard to choose a gift?

Yes, it can be hard to choose a gift. If you’re getting a gift for someone you don’t know too well,
you might be unsure of their tastes. So it can be hard finding something that they'll like. In other
situations, you might have a lot of ideas for a gift, but it’s challenging to narrow it down. But if
you know the person well and you’re confident about what they want, it’s not that difficult.

4. Is clothing a good gift? Is it easy to choose a piece of clothing as a gift?

I suppose that in some cases, clothing can be a good gift. If you know the person well and feel
confident that you know their style, it’ll probably be easy to find something that suits them.
However, it can be tricky to get a piece of clothing as a gift, in addition to knowing what styles of
clothing they prefer, you need to know their size. It can be awkward if you get them something
too big or too small. But if you’re getting them something like socks or a hat, that’s a pretty safe
bet.

5. Will people feel happy when receiving an expensive gift?

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It seems to me that most people feel happy when they receive an expensive gift. Gifts are a way
of showing someone that you care about them. When that gift is expensive, people will feel
especially valued because they realize that it cost a lot to give. But I don’t think dial everyone
cares about the value of a gift. Sometimes, it’s just the thought that counts. Some people might
even feel overwhelmed by getting a luxury gift, especially if the person that gave you the gift is
not very well off.

6. What do people usually consider when choosing gifts?

People usually try to consider things like price and sentimental value. For example, if they’re not
trying to break the bank, they’ll look for gifts that are thoughtful without being too expensive.
Sometimes, they might specifically look for an expensive gift to show the person that they’re
going the extra mile. But people also consider the sentimental value of a gift. They want to make
sure that the gift is meaningful to the person receiving it. It might be related to a special memory
that the two of them share.

7. Is it stressful to prepare gifts for important occasions?

I think that in some cases, it can be stressful. If you don't know the person very well, it might be
hard to pick something nice for them. For example, a lot of people who are invited to weddings
may not know the couple very well. They could be distant relatives or casual friends. But they
need to pick something thoughtful as a wedding gift. It can still be stressful if you know the person
well, though. Some couples even fight because they aren't satisfied with their anniversary gift.
Sometimes you just don't know if the gift is the right one.

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Topic: Cake
Part 2: Describe a special cake you received from others.
You should say:
• When it happened;
• Where it happened;
• Who you got the cake from;
• And explain why it’s a special cake.

A few months ago, I got a cake from my friends to congratulate me for passing an important
exam. That's the most unique cake I've ever seen.

If memory serves correctly, about two months ago, I passed the National Judicial examination.
It’s one of the most difficult qualification exams in Vietnam as well as in the world since the pass
rate is only about 10% every year. But my girlfriend was up for the challenge. I spent about half
a year preparing for it and waited about two months to get the result. Fortunately, it turned out
that I passed the exam and with flying colour!

Since I was finally qualified to be a lawyer, my friends decided to throw a party for me as a
celebration. They ordered a rectangular cake, not a round one. I thought it was a folded black
robe for a lawyer when they opened the box. It turned out that it was a fondant cake that they
customized into a suit shape. There was even a red tie on it. I was blown away. The cakemakers
did such an amazing job. It was definitely a piece of art .

And it was the first time I tried a cake with black cream. I was even a little hesitant to eat it at
first, but it tasted heavenly. My friends said they hoped the cake can bring me good luck and help
me land my first job as a lawyer at a big law film. I'm so grateful to them for being so thoughtful.
And the cake really left a mark on me.

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Part 3

1. What is the difference between special food in Vietnam and other countries?

Well, a lot of special foods in Vietnam use more unique parts of the animal. For example, you can
have delicacies like rat meat. It’s cool that these dishes use every part of the animal, in contrast,
some foreign countries have special dishes that avoid using meat altogether, or they might be
better known for desserts instead of savoury food. It really depends on what the culture is in that
particular part of the country.

2. Is there any food in your country that is eaten at special times or on special occasions?

When it comes to Vietnamese food, there are hundreds of choices that come to mid. But the one
I want to talk about is Banh Chung, a traditional food that most Vietnamese people eat during
Tet holiday. It held an irreplaceable role in Vietnamese people’s heart since the cake is not just
express our gratitude to the ancestors and homeland, but it also a time for family gathering.

3. Should special food be easily available?

Well, it depends. If the special food requires an ingredient that's seasonal, I don’t think it needs
to be made easily available. It's worth it to only be able to make something when it’s in season.
For example, Cốm is only available in the autumn, which is a signature food for Mid-Autumn Day
in northern part of Vietnam. It helps make the dish feel truly special. But in other cases, it’s nice
to be able to eat those dishes whenever you’re in the mood for them .

4. Why are some people willing to spend a lot of money on meals on special days?

I think it’s because they believe it’s worth it to spend a lot of money to celebrate something. I
mean, people value different things and moments, but in general, it’s nice to take your family or
significant other to a fancy restaurant to celebrate their birthdays or anniversaries, or even an
engagement. Even though it might cost you an aim and a leg, the memories and joy from the
meal you enjoy with them will make it worth every penny

5. Do you think it is good to communicate when eating with your family?


Yes, communicating during mealtimes with family is very important. Family doesn’t always get to

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spend quality time together because parents are working and kids are attending school. Everyone
needs to eat, so mealtimes are an ideal opportunity to catch up and see how everyone is doing.
Actually dinner is very important for me and my family, because it is a rare chance for us all to
talk. Some families even have strict lilies such as no phones at the table so that they can
communicate better.

6. Do people usually cook special food in Vietnam?

Well, yes I think for the most part, we do cook special foods for certain occasions. Even though
more people are getting used to buying specialties like mooncakes or Banh Chung at grocery
stores, tons of Vietnamese people still enjoy the process of making them at home. For example,
it’s a tradition for the whole family to Banh Chung together on the Lunar New Year, which makes
the holiday more joyous and festive. Plus, it’s an important bonding time for the family every
year.

7. When do people have special food? (like festival food or food for special events)

It seems to me that people eat food that they wouldn't normally eat when they have something
to celebrate. For example, you usually get to eat cake when it’s someone’s birthday. Many people
also like to celebrate a new house or graduation with a fancy feast. Besides, you can cook and
enjoy traditional foods during certain festivals. It’s common that dinners for Lunar New Year’s
Eve vary from family to family. I think it’s really nice having special dishes that are only served for
certain purposes. It makes those events more meaningful and memorable.

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Topic: New place
Part 2: Describe a time you visited a new place.
You should say:
• Where it is;
• When you went there;
• Why you went there;
• And explain how you feel about the place.

Well, visiting new places helps individuals break the monotony of their hectic schedule and gives
them a sense of satisfaction. Here, I would like to talk about a trip that I went on with my family.

Last year, I decided to visit my friend in Hà Giang in Northern Mountainous area, which is a
beautiful hill station, with my family. As this hill station is around 300 kilometers from my
hometown, my family and I decided to go there by car to comfortably travel to this place.

I came to know about his place when my friend posted some photos and videos of his tours,
which impressed me a lot. He also told me how adventurous their journey was and this
encouraged me to go on this trip. We embarked on our journey in the early morning, and we
stopped at many places to have some food and drinks and to capture some awesome photos of
the surroundings.

Before the start of our journey, we booked rooms at hotels in advance through a mobile app to
avoid any accommodation problems. We spent almost three days there, and during that period,
we visited historical sites, tasted local meals and did some activities, like paragliding and river
rafting.

This journey helped us spend some quality time together in a tranquil environment and
experience something extremely new and different. This place has breathtaking views and fresh
air. You can easily find a place to kick back and relax. It’s definitely worth visiting.

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Part 3

1. Which do you prefer, living in a city or only visiting it as a tourist?

I like living in a city rather than just visiting as a tourist. I know that city life isn’t for everyone. A
lot of people get overwhelmed by how fast-paced cities are. But I really enjoy living in a city
because there are so many exciting opportunities there. Whether it's a cool job or something fun
to do on the weekend, the city has a lot to offer. Plus, there’s always a ton of amazing food spots.

2. How do young children react when they go to school for the first time?

I guess most young children are pretty excited to go to school for the first time. Of course, there
are some kids who are anxious about a new environment. They might not have a good first day.
But for the most part, kids are curious about school. They're excited to be with then friends and
learn about the world. So overall, I think the first day at school can be really fun for them.

3. What might young people feel at their first workplace after they just graduated from college?

I suppose that a lot of young people feel overwhelmed at their first workplace. When they’re
fresh out of college, they’re trying their best to be adults in the real world. Getting a job is a big
part of that, but it can also be a very scary process. For example, a lot of young people are worried
about being given a half time by their boss or coworkers when they just start their jobs. It’s hard
to adjust to those huge life changes. Some young people might even have imposter syndrome.
They might not think they’re ready or qualified to have their job.

4. How do young and old people react differently to new thing?

Well, young people are a lot more open to new things. They don’t have their guard up as much
as old people do. So when they encounter something new, they’re more receptive and they’re
willing to embrace it. Old people, on the other hand, might be too overwhelmed by new things.
They might feel hesitant or even suspicious if it’s too different from what they’re used to. It gets
harder to embrace change as you get older.

5. Why do some people want to go to college far away from home?

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I think that some people want to go to college far from home because they want to have brand-
new experiences. If you stay in the same area your whole life, you won’t get exposed to new
things. You might even get stuck in a bit. By moving somewhere far away from home for school,
people get to be a part of a new community and experience things they wouldn’t have access to
back home.

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad or working abroad?

Well, one big advantage is that you get to experience a new place. You can learn about the local
culture, try new foods, and connect with people you wouldn’t have gotten the chance to meet
otherwise. Plus, you can take in the natural scenery and do some sightseeing. On the downside,
it can be very lonely when you go abroad if you don’t know the language. You might feel isolated
because you don’t know anyone. Plus, culture shock might make you feel out of place.

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Topic: City
Part 2: Describe a city that you think is interesting.
You should say:
• Where it is;
• What the city is famous for;
• How you knew this city;
• And explain why you think it is very interesting.

Let me talk about one of the most exciting cities in my country. It’s actually the busiest and
biggest Vietnam, and, as you can expect, it’s not far from here. It’s… this city, Ho Chi Minh City,
also known as Sai Gon, located here in the south of this S-shaped country.

Historically speaking, this city is a centuries-old one… you know, more than 300 years old. Though
it’s gone through countless changes, big and small, it can retain many historical sites, one of
which is Bến Thành Market. At present, this city’s a little overcrowded with a population of more
or less than 10 million, with daily traffic jams and all… and pollution levels are kinda high, but it’s
still attracting more and more people, including foreigners and immigrants, on a yearly basis.
Foreigners come here to do business or to explore the local culture as tourists. Immigrants from
other cities provinces move here to live a better life… I mean, it’s kinda easy to do whatever kind
of job and make more money here, or at least it’s easier than in other places in Vietnam.
Economically speaking, this city is probably the most successful one though it’s not as poetic as
Hà Nội, the capital.

What I find really fascinating about this city is, you know, it’s truly multicultural, at least from the
point of view of food choices. Here I can find so many different types of cuisine and, if l can afford
it, I can enjoy eating almost all kinds of food, ranging from Vietnamese, Indian, Korean, Japanese
to French, Italian, American, or even Brazilian. Being a person with a voracious appetite, I
definitely love this city.

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Part 3

1. What advantages can tourism bring to a city?

Well, for one thing, tourism can boost a city’s economy. As more and more tourists show up, they
spend more and more money at local restaurants and other businesses. So that helps support
die city’s finances. Another benefit is that tourism creates more jobs. Local citizens can get jobs
as tour guides and work with visitors. Plus, with lots of tourists showing up, the city is more likely
to invest in improving the infrastructure .

2. Why do some young people like to live in cities?

I think some young people like living in cities because there are more opportunities for them
there. If they’re looking for jobs in more modern fields like technology or finance, they’re bound
to find something in a city. Plus, cities have a lot more options for food and entertainment.
There’s always something exciting or cool going on in the city, especially late at night and on the
weekends. Young people thrive in cities for those reasons.

3. Do most elderly people live in the city or in the countryside?

Well, most elderly people live in the countryside. Cities are great and they have a lot of resources
for older people, such as good healthcare in major hospitals. But cities are also very fast-paced.
Thee hustle and bustle of daily life there can be overwhelming for the elderly. So I think that as
people get older, they tend to move out to the countryside. Things are much more relaxed in
rural areas.

4. Do you think well-developed tourism will have negative effects on local people?

Well, yes. I mean, tourism can bring a lot of great benefits as it develops. However, there are
definitely some drawbacks. When it comes to natural scenery, too many tourists can disturb and
even damage the environment. That can be a disadvantage for the people who live there and
want to enjoy that scenery for themselves. Moreover, some tourists may be disrespectful of the
local culture, which leads to clashes with the local citizens.

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Topic: Countryside
Part 2: Describe a place in a countryside/village that you visited.
You should say:
• Where it is;
• When you visited this place;
• What you did there;
• And how you feel about this place.

Vietnam, my homeland, is a country with abundant natural beauty, from beaches to forests and
from waterfalls to vast and green paddy fields. But, in my humble opinion, the countryside of my
country is even more beautiful, and today, I would like to talk about one such enjoyable
countryside which I visited about a couple of years ago.

Anyway, visiting the countryside once in a while is one of my favourite things to do. So, when a
couple of my friends told me that they were going to visit the beautiful countryside in the
southern part of Vietnam, I became really excited. Our trip began around 8 am in the morning,
and after riding the bus for about 4 hours, we finally arrived at our destination.

Needless to say, we were all taken aback by the sheer beauty of the landscape around us as the
scenery just stretches off into the horizon, as far as our eyes could see, with miles and miles of
rice fields shimmering in the heat haze. The paddy fields were divided into broad rectangular
shapes, making them look like some beautifully decorated “green chamber”. The flapping sounds
of the birds from the forest there invited us to watch them fly under the blue and beautiful sky.
The serene and quiet nature of this beautiful countryside was so enjoyable that we didn’t really
want to return back to our home in the city.

Anyway, I would surely go back to that place in future because this is where I could find my peace
and serenity. Besides, I would go back to that beautiful countryside also because it would remind
me again how we could live a very simple life and yet become very happy.

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Part 3

1. Is there anything special about the villages in your country?

Well, of course I think that the villages in my country are special in their own way. Lots of villages
have beautiful scenery that you can only enjoy when you’re away from the hustle and bustle of
major cities. I know tons of people love to visit the farms in spring for the views. Plus, the local
communities there usually have unique traditions and customs that you won’t see and
experience in cities. For example, many villages have ancestry temples where the local villagers
who have a place on the family tree worship their ancestors.

2. Why do people want to go to the countryside?

I think people want to go to the countryside so they can relax. In the city, everything is so fast-
paced. Wherever you turn, there’s something going on. Plus, it’s super crowded. It’s very easy to
get overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of urban areas. But in the countryside, there’s much
more space. You can enjoy the natural scenery without bumping up against people or getting
stuck in a crowded area. Life goes at a slower pace, which can be a nice change.

3. What do people usually do when going to a village?

I suppose that people are either visiting family or going to a tourist spot when they go to a village.
Sometimes villages have unique scenery that you can’t find in major cities. So people might be
travelling to see an ancient temple or some kind of natural wonder like a waterfall. But I think it’s
more common for people to visit family or friends who live out in villages instead of the major
hubs.

4. Do you think people will live in the village in the future?

I would say that more and more people are gravitating towards cities. There are usually more job
opportunities there, especially if you want to work in fields like finance or technology. But villages
are charming and more laid-back than cities. So I’m sure there will always be people who prefer
living in villages. Some people just can’t adjust to the hustle and bustle of cities. They would
rather live somewhere more relaxed.

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5. Do you think everyone likes the countryside?

No, I don’t think everyone enjoys the countryside. I mean, there are a lot of people who really
like rural areas because they’re much more relaxed and peaceful than cities. But on the other
hand, some people need the busyness of a city in order to thrive. So they might hate being stuck
out in the countryside. They might get bored with the slower pace of life. Plus, the countryside
doesn't have as many opportunities as big cities. So that might be frustrating for some people as
well.

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Topic: Walking
Part 2: Describe a long walk you ever had.
You should say:
• When this happened;
• Where you walked;
• Who you were with;
• And explain how you felt about this long walk.

I would like to talk about a long walk that I have taken recently. So this was a walk around Hoan
Kiem Lake. I do this walk quite regularly actually, usually in the late evening, and usually whenever
I am feeling under pressure at work or school.

That night, the fresh air and tranquil atmosphere around the lake made me feel relaxed but quite
energetic at the same time, and it helped me to refresh my mind to get ready for a new day to
come. There’s also a lot of police presence around the area which makes you feel quite safe, so
you don’t have to be concerned about being pick-pocketed or something like that, you can really
just concentrate your mind on other more important things.

Surrounding the lake is a long spacious pavement, where people usually go jogging and walking,
and after taking a long walk I just sat there on a bench, taking in the peaceful atmosphere. Most
of the time I was just gazing at the stars, trying my best to let my mind unwind and meditate.

The reason I took this walk was because I had just had a huge fight with my best friend and he
had started questioning some things about my life, and it made me feel really awful. So following
that, we had an argument and all of a sudden I started questioning our relationship. Things just
started feeling very bizarre, so I went looking for something that would calm my mind.

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Part 3

1. What outdoor activities do people like?

I think people like outdoor activities where they can get some exercise and socialize at the same
time. For example, going for a walk is a great activity because you can enjoy the scenery while
catching up with your friends. Doing something more active like biking, swimming, or playing a
sport can also be a good bonding experience if you do it with others. It’s a great way to spend
time.

2. What are the differences between the outdoor activities children did in the past and now?

In the past, I suppose that children were a lot more imaginative. They liked playing games like
cops and robbers where they would chase each other around. I also think they were much more
active, in the old days, kids liked activities like climbing trees or catching bugs in the nature.
Physical exercise was a big priority. But nowadays, kids are addicted to video games. Of course
they do outdoor activities, like riding a scooter or playing with a frisbee, but you can often see
kids watching cartoons or playing games on their phones or tablets when they are in a park which
is not good for then health.

3. Is leisure time important to everyone? Why?

Yes, definitely. Even if people like being busy, it’s healthy for them to have a break every now
and then. They value their leisure time because it’s a way for them to relieve the pressure of then
everyday lives. Whether they’re hanging out with family or friends or doing an exciting
recreational activity for themselves, leisure tune helps them avoid getting overwhelmed by their
responsibilities .

4. Do women have more leisure time than men?


No, I don’t think so. Now that men and women are often both in the workforce, they tend to
have an equal number of responsibilities, in fact, depending on the situation, women are often
busier than men because they may take on extra household duties. In some families, the women
are still expected to do more of the parenting, which keeps them busy as well. I would say it’s a
stereotype that women just sit around doing nothing while men are working.

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Topic: Spending time
Part 2: Describe someone you really like to spend time with.
You should say:
• Who this person is;
• How you knew him/her;
• What you usually do together;
• And explain why you like to spend time with him/her.

The friend I like to spend my time with more than any other friend is Nam. I met him when I was
only 8 years old and was in primary school. After that, our intimacy developed and we became
best friends.

One day he forgot to bring his physics book to the school and I helped him with my book. We
talked for a long after our classes and our friendship started to begin. We went to college
together but we got admitted to two different universities. Since we are studying in the same city
now, we visit each other's house and thus we meet at least twice a month.

He is a kind and talented person who helps people and always wished the best for others. He is
studying mathematics and he has a talent in mathematics. Sometimes he explains some complex
mathematical theories in a very simple and interesting way which helps me a lot in my studies.
He is passionate about reading books and often shares his books with me. We often exchange
our thoughts about books and politics.

I like to spend time with him because we have many common interests. I never feel bored
spending time with him. Since we are friends for a long time, we understand each other very
well. A good friend always extends helping hands when we are in need, and Nam does it always
for me and for others. We do so many fun stuff together and help each other in our studies. Good
friendship, understanding and common interests make us close friends and those are the primary
reasons I like to spend time with him so much.

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Part 3

1. What kind of people are easy to get along with?

I think people who are laidback and agreeable are the easiest to get along with. If they’re open
to different kinds of people, you can trust diem to get along with mostly anyone. Plus, it's helpful
when they aren’t attention-seeking. You know, it’s easy to hang out with someone who doesn’t
need to be the life of the party. They’re content to just hang back and have a good time.

2. How do leaders get along with their subordinates?

I suppose that in general, leaders try to connect with their subordinates. In the past, it was more
common for there to be a lot of distance between a manager and then employees. Companies
usually had a strong corporate culture that emphasized hierarchy and didn’t empower frontline
employees that much. But nowadays, leaders want to get to know the people who work for them.
Of course, they still need to be professional and earn then employees’ respect. But I think they
strive to make their employees feel respected and cared for so that they can be happy workers.

3. Do people have time for themselves nowadays?

I would say that most people struggle to have time for themselves. Most adults are working full-
time jobs in addition to taking care of their families. It can be very difficult to find time to just
kickback and relax. It’s hard for a lot of people to establish a good work-life balance. As the cost
of living continues to increase, it just becomes more challenging to find some “me-time “.

4. Do you like talking with older people? Why?

Yes, I like talking with older people. I think they offer a unique perspective that I don’t often get
from people my age. They know a lot more about history, and they can share lots of details about
what life used to be like. For example. I love having a chit-chat with my grandparents. They can
always tell me some fun stories about them from when they were my age. What’s more, older
people have more life experience. So they usually have great advice because they have a good
handle on things I like milling to them whenever I’m having a personal crisis.

5. Do you think employees should establish relationships outside of work with their bosses?

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A good relationship at work makes person's job easier and faster than if they work alone. What I
mean is that such connections between people lead to a situation when all individuals work
together as a team in order to solve problems and achieve goals. Needless to say that such type
associations makes persons less nervous and stressed since they can rely on their colleagues. For
example, when I worked in Vingroup, managers of this company often offered their employees
team buildings. That is because this firm has a strong position and a motto. Success is always a
collaborative work. The results are seen with the naked eye - Vingroup is one of the most
wealthiest companies in Vietnam.

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Topic: Rules
Part 2: Describe a rule that you don’t like.
You should say:
• What it is;
• Why you don’t like it;
• How others feel about the rule;
• And explain whether you’ve followed the rule.

School plays an important role in our life as this makes our platform is the first step of our journey
of education. However, there are certain rules in schools which I don’t prefer, and today I am
going to talk about one of these rules.

When I was 11 years old, I was admitted is high school. It is a good place with a glorious building.
I was promoted from primary school, and I am very frustrated and nervous about this school.
This school have a large number of younger girls, which makes me more afraid. Every school have
its rules and regulations according to situations; this school also have many rules. But some rules
are very odd and cause violence among students as bullying, intolerance, physical punishments
giving a lot of homework, etcetera.

The rule which makes me displeased is daily homework. It is most difficult of doing homework. It
is very hard to participate in extracurricular activities with a study burden. Their fear of failure
makes me more pressured and stressed every—daily homework causing violence between
students. Good students can easily manage their study burden, but weak students will become
possessive. Such conditions cause the grouping formation among students who ranked on the
study level, and that is the worse for all kinds of students. Good students become proudly, and
weaker one become guilty and in future became a bad member of society. School and teachers
should be trained in such a way that they undertake all kinds of students and syllabus should be
arranged in such way that students can study with fun and joy, not with fear of failure.

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Part 3

1. What are the rules students should follow at school?

I suppose that a good rule to stall with is respecting everyone at school. Whether it’s their
teachers or their peers, students need to act courteously towards other's. They shouldn’t be rude
to people or harass them in any way. I also think that students should try to show up to class on
time and avoid interrupting lessons. It can be very distracting to the other students who are trying
to learn.

2. Are the rules at school good or bad, why?

Well, for the most part, rules at school are good. They help keep everything in order. They can
also remind students of what behaviour they should be exhibiting. For example, rules that forbid
bullying are important because they keep everyone in line. However, some rules can be a little
over the top. For example, some schools forbid female students from having long hair, which
sounds ridiculous. If there are too many unnecessary rules, students might just get frustrated at
school.

3. What rules should children follow at home?

I think children should follow some basic rules, like going to bed on time and only watching TV
when their parents allow them to. They need to listen to their parents when it comes to their
daily schedule. Generally speaking, parents know what’s best for them. The rules at home are
often set for the sake of the children's growth, both mentally and physically. So children need to
listen to their parents and follow' their rales.

4. How are people punished when parking at a wrong spot?

In most cases, people get punished for parking in the wrong spot by getting a ticket. That ticket
usually comes with a hefty fine. Most people think parking tickets are ridiculous, and that it
doesn’t make sense to have to pay for parking in the wrong spot. But in some cases, it’s deserved.
If you park in front of a fire hydrant, for instance, you might make it harder for the firefighters if
an emergency happened.

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5. Do people in your country often break rules?

No, I think that in most cases, people in my country are very law-abiding. But of course, there are
always exceptions. If anyone is breaking the rules on a regular' basis, it’s probably related to
traffic laws. So many drivers just speed because they’re in a rush, especially during the work days.
But when it comes to something more serious, like the lockdowns and mandatory testing for
Covid-19, it’s rare to see Vietnamese people break the rules.

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Topic: Place that you dislike
Part 2: Describe a place that you visited but don’t want to visit ever again.
You should say:
• What the place is;
• Why you went there;
• Why you don't want to go there again;
• And explain how you feel about the place.

Speaking of a place I don't want to go to anymore, the first one that comes to mind is a new park
in my hometown.

It has a really good location because it's next to a beautiful lake in our city. And there’s a long
bike path that has been built alongside the lake. I really love recreational cycling. So, in order to
try out the new bike lane, I decided to cycle at the park with several friends of mine who have
the same interest.

But we had no idea that there were bees everywhere in tire park. The humming of bees never
stopped around us. I mean, even though bees are good for the eco-system there, they were a
pain in the neck to visitors at the park. I was so freaked out when some bees landed on my jacket.
I also couldn't eat any snacks because once I opened a bag of chips, lots of bees swarmed around
me. Although I hied so hard to avoid them, a bee stung me in the arm when I was riding. It hurt
so much and gave me a big bump .

So I really regretted visiting there. It was totally a disaster that I didn't see coming. If it weren't
for the bees, we would've breathed in fresh air and enjoyed the sparkling sun on the water-while
riding, which would’ve been fantastic. But the trip was totally ruined by the bees. We were all
disappointed that day and none of us want to go there again.

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Part 3

1. What type of apartment do most people in your country like to live in?

Well, it depends on whether a person is living in the city or the countryside. In small cities, most
of the people live in independent houses. Only a few metropolitan cities have high-rise buildings.
In the rural areas, people either live in houses built out of mud or brick depending upon their
financial status. One more interesting fact is that majority of the population in my country lives
in rented accommodation.

2. Do people in your country like to invite others as guests?

Yes, people in my country absolutely love to invite others as guests. In fact, in our culture, the
guests are given the high status. Normally, people like to invite each other for dinners during the
holidays. I believe that Vietnamese culture gives a lot more value to relationships as compared
to the western world and that is why people here love to develop strong bonds with their
neighbors and relatives.

3. Do people take gifts when they visit each other?

Well, I feel that this is a tradition, which is now slowly dying out. Earlier people were very formal
about the relationships and they never went to someone else’s house empty-handed. People
used to carry fruits or some other items like clothes during their visits, but I see this trend is
changing now. People are becoming more casual and do not consider it important to take a gift
when they are visiting someone. The gifting process is now limited to the holiday season or
special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

4. What is the difference between the houses in the city centre and the suburbs?

There are many differences between the houses located in posh areas of the city and those
located in the outskirts. The primary difference is the price, the houses in city centers are
generally expensive, whereas those in suburbs are generally more affordable. Another reason
why people move to suburban areas is that because they can build large houses there and these

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areas are less crowded as compared to city centres. Naturally, there is ample parking space and
less traffic congestion in the suburbs.

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Topic: Clothes
Part 2: Describe a piece of clothing you have that was given by someone.
You should say:
• What it was;
• Who gave it to you;
• When you got that;
• And whether you liked it or not.

I did receive a piece of clothing recently from others - to be specific, my mom. It was a gift from
her to congratulate me for passing an important exam.

About two months ago, I passed the National Judicial examination. It’s one of the most difficult
qualification exams in Vietnam as well as in the world since the pass rate is only about 10% every
year. I was really committed to preparing for the exam. I spent about half a year preparing for it
and waited about two months to get the result. Fortunately, it turned out that I passed the exam
and with flying colour!

Since I was finally qualified to be a lawyer, my mom promised to give me a fancy gift. Then a
month later, I received the first suit in my life. My mom said it could be my first professional
outfit. It's a double-breasted suit with grey stripes, which is made of 100% wool. Honestly it looks
so classic and it really suits me to a tee. Plus, I usually dress in casual styles and I don’t have any
outfits suited for an office. So I was over the moon when I saw this suit, which was exactly what
I needed.

Anyway, my mom hopes the suit can bring me good luck and help me land my first job as a lawyer
at a big law firm. I'm so grateful to her for being so thoughtful. And I've planned to wear it for my
first job interview. I believe it will be my “lucky outfit”.

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Part 3

1. Have you ever given clothes to others?

Yes, I give my friends and my cousins clothes all the time. In fact, we often exchange clothes if
we get tired of wearing them, or if they don’t fit anymore. A few weeks ago, I gave my cousin an
old shirt Tshirt I’d outgrown. It fit him to a tee. So I’m glad that I could repurpose it. I think giving
people clothes is much more helpful than just throwing them away. It’s very wasteful if you only
wear something a couple times before giving up on it.

2. Why do people dress casually in everyday life but dress formally at work?

Well, in everyday life, you don't have to meet a certain standard. You're just hanging out with
friends or family, or chilling at home by yourself. There’s nobody that you have to impress. But
when you’re at Work, you’re striving to be professional because you’re doing serious business.
You need to look the part. In most cases, it’s actually considered rude to wear casual clothes to
the workplace. It shows a lack of respect for your coworkers and boss.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing uniforms at work and school?

One advantage of uniforms is that it puts everyone on equal footing. Especially in school, people
can get very focused on appearances. They might judge others based on what they wear. But if
everyone has a uniform on, then they can’t be singled out in a bad way. Another advantage is
that it makes everyone feel like part of the same team. But on the downside, people can’t express
themselves as well since they have to conform to one look. You don’t get as much individuality.

4. Why do people from different countries wear different clothing?

Well, fashion is very connected to culture. It represents different cultural values and is influenced
by societal trends. So when you look at different countries, all of which have different values and
traditions, you’re going to see a wide range of fashion styles. Besides, clothing depends on the
environment, so if s natural that countries with colder climates would wear warmer, heavier
clothing, while light and bright clothing would be more popular in tropical countries .

5. Do you think dressing formally makes people look more professional?

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Yes, I think that wearing formal attire makes you look more professional. Clothing is a huge part
of how you communicate your identity to the world. If you’re wearing a T-shirt and jeans, you
come across as a more relaxed and laidback person. But if you’re wearing a fancy dress, or a nice
suit, then you look poised and mature, which helps you appear professional to others. Formal
clothes can make a world of difference when it comes to self-presentation.

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Topic: Job
Part 2: Describe a person whose work/job is useful to society.
You should say:
• Who this person is;
• How you knew him/her;
• What type of work he/she does;
• And explain why you think his/her work is useful to the society.

Every honest job is noble in my opinion if it somehow helps others. For this cue card topic, I would
like to talk about a person who is a teacher and in my opinion, her job is quite important to society
as well as to the country.

The name of this teacher is Mary and she is an English teacher in a high school located in our
area. She is in fact, a much-revered teacher among her students and colleagues and I like the
invaluable contribution she has for teaching in an excellent way. Besides, she is an honest person
with many other excellent qualities that make her an exemplary person in our society.

Teaching, in my opinion, is a very noble profession and makes society a better place by
eradicating our ignorance and by creating an enlightened generation. This profoundly important
job is done by teachers who are doing a really great job for all of us. In this present era, formal
educational institutes help us to enhance our knowledge and prepare us for the future. Creating
an illuminated society is the main purpose of the education and teachers are helping us to acquire
the wisdom and knowledge we need to lead a better life. This is why I personally think that a
teacher's job is one of the most important jobs in our society.

Speaking of Mary, I was one of her favourite students and her teaching style was quite unique.
Her excellent teaching style helped me learn many grammatical rules and use English more
fluently. As a teacher, she was quite devoted and punctual. She must be very proud that some of
her students are in important positions nationwide and some of them still visit her.

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Part 3

1. What jobs are well-paid?

There are lots of jobs that pay well. For example, nowadays programmers, especially the good
ones who graduated from top-level universities, can easily find high-paying jobs, which is also
why tons of college graduates flock to IT companies. Besides, being a lawyer is a good profession
to make top dollar , especially if you’re in a high-ranking position. After all, lawyer's always have
to deal with tons of complex matters.

2. What are the changes in working conditions?

I suppose that in general, working conditions have improved. Overall speaking, worker's
definitely have more rights than they used to, and I think that’s been reflected in working
conditions. A lot of jobs are more accommodating for any special needs , and they don’t usually
overwork people as much. For example, I know there are more companies that have started
allowing workers to take a nap after lunch and some of them even provide lounge chairs.

3. What are the impacts of the epidemic on the work environment?

Well, one impact of the epidemic is that many work environments have become remote. So many
people are working from home now, which is great for some people but more challenging for
others, like parents who have young children at home. Going forward, that might mean that a
majority of jobs can be done online. That’ll definitely change die way people get jobs. And impact
is that many jobs that can’t be done remotely, like retail and tour guides, might be gone for good
because of the lockdowns during the pandemic.

4. Which jobs in your country have low wages? Why are their wages low?

Unfortunately, a lot of essential jobs have low wages. People who work in the service industry
don’t get paid a lot. They usually just get minimum wage. People who do manual labour also have
low wages. For example, factory workers and labourers are some of the lowest-paying jobs. It’s
such a shame because those jobs are really important for keeping society functioning. But it also

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makes sense that those jobs don’t require much skills and education, which means the workers
doing those jobs can be easily replaced.

5. What working skills or skills useful for work should be taught to high school students?

It seems to me that high school students should have to study accounting. A lot of high schools
already have this kind of class in their curriculum, but it's not often a required course. I think
learning how to do that kind of math is really helpful for lots of jobs in business or finance High
school students should also learn some basic technology skills. Urey should be exposed to
different software and learn how to use a computer well.

6. What working skills or skills useful for work should be taught to college students?

I think that college students should learn how to write well. They don’t need to take creative
writing classes by any means but they should learn how to communicate well and make a
persuasive argument. It will help them advance in their careers, no matter what field they go
into. It might also be helpful for them to learn coding. It might seem weird, but coding comes up
in a surprisingly high number of jobs .

7. Do you think younger people should be lower-paid than older people?

No, I don't think that younger people should be paid less than older people if they are performing
the same job at the same level of experience. However, if an older person has been working at a
company for many years, they may have a higher level of pay due to their experience, and that
is normal. If two people start a new job at the same time, one young and one old, they should be
paid the same salary. Age does not automatically guarantee more pay.

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Topic: Story
Part 2: Describe a story someone told you and you remember.
You should say:
• What the story was about;
• Who told you this story;
• Why you remember it;
• And explain how you feel about it.

Childhood stories were fascinating and when I was a child I had been extremely fond of those
bedtime stories. Here, I would love to describe one such childhood tale that has made a lasting
impact on my mind.

The story was about a prince who fought and scored victory against a mighty giant to rescue his
princess. Prince was a benevolent ruler who helped his countrymen and was a courageous
fighter. He was happily married to the love of his life – the princess. They acted kind-hearted
kings and queens for the country and people loved them very much. Once a giant came to their
territory and tried to abduct a small kid. The prince was out of the country at that moment and
the princess tried to force the giant to leave. That annoyed the giant and he abducted the princess
instead. When the prince returned to the country and found out about the incident. He was filled
with anger and decided to search for his wife. The journey he took, was full of surprises and
different puzzles. But, he finally reached to the abyss and found the queen. He had to fight with
the giant and killed him in the end to get his princess back.

My grandmother told me the story multiple times and I used to insist her to tell me this very story
before going to sleep. As a child, the storyline opened me to an all-new fantasy world which was
largely created by my endearing grandmother. Most probably, I have thought a lot about the
things happened in this story and as a result, I have still remembered the story.

I believed that every word of this anecdote was true and that’s why it reserved a special place in
my mind. As a child, I really enjoyed the story. I was almost the same age the Prince in the story
was and every time he faced a new challenge, the narrative changes and revealed another

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challenge. So, I feel the twists and turns made it even more stimulating. In the end, I would just
tell you that …. My grandmother was the world’s best story-teller. She intelligently narrated the
story and made me hooked to it every time.

Part 3

1. Do young children like the same stories as older children?

No, I think that young children have different tastes in stories than older children. Preschoolers
and even older children tend to like stories that have a lot of action and more complicated plots.
They might get bored if the story isn’t complex enough. But toddlers like stories that are simple
and fun. They like stones that aren’t too scary or thrilling. Emm... they also like really silly stones.
I once saw kids giggling just by looking at a photo of a kid playing on a swing in a children's book.
Anything that’s light and entertaining is good for them.

2. How has technology changed storytelling?

Well, I believe technology has really opened up the possibilities for storytelling. Animation is a
great example, in the past, animation looked very plain and wasn’t very impressive. But now,
thanks to all the new software that’s out there, animation can look almost as convincing as real
life. There are so many different art styles that can be used in animation, which helps create really
interesting and beautiful stories for moviegoers.

3. How do people tell stories to children?

I think people usually simplify things understand the stories easily. Besides, adults usually don’t
want to expose theft children to anything too dark or adult for them. So they tell stories that are
just fun and entertaining. Sometimes, they even use silly voices to make the kids laugh. Telling
stories to kids is all about keeping them smiling and having fun. So it’s best to avoid anything too
serious or mature.

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4. Why do children like stories?

Simply put, children like stories because they’re entertaining. When you listen to a really good
story you get totally wrapped up in it. Stories are distracting, but in a fun way. They can make
you laugh, or they can even make you cry. Besides, when children listen to stories, they get to
learn about the world in a sense. Stories help them understand some more serious topics, but in
a way that isn’t too overwhelming. For example, the story of the rabbit and the turtle helps
children understand the meaning of perseverance more easily.

5. Some children watch TV for a long time; do you think that is good or not?

Well, most homes nowadays have a television in addition to computers and tablets, so children
can watch TV anytime, anywhere. I don’t think tills is a good thing because children might become
addicted to TV and never get any physical exercise or social interaction. Actually I think that
having limits on screen time for kids is a good idea. Every family is different, but generally
speaking, kids need to spend more face-to-face time with their family and friends. And spending
more time outside instead of watching TV is very helpful to their physical development as well.

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Topic: Friends
Part 2: Describe a person you only met once and want to know more about.
You should say:
• Who he/she is
• When you met him/her
• Why you want to know more about him/her
• And explain how you feel about him/her

Well, the person I'd love to meet again is a 60-year-old lady I saw at a traditional culture exhibition
several weeks ago. She's a folk artist who specializes in paper-cutting.

The senior lady’s paper-cutting artworks are amazing. They aren’t normal images of folk art that
people are familiar with. She actually cuts paper into comics that tell traditional Chinese stories.
And you can see how she has presented many storylines in paper cuttings. She even bound them
into a book form. I was amazed by how creative she is for her age.

She said she teaches a paper-cutting course in a college. I admire how energetic she is at her age,
but what I didn't expect is that she cares a lot about the development of our traditional culture.
She said she found that there are less and less young people who take an interest in this art form.
So she’s trying to promote this folk art on social media. She planned to cut papers into comics
that tell traditional Chinese stories and create videos of them. She is such a great role model to
young people like me and definitely earns my admiration.

You know, it’s definitely a brilliant idea. I was amazed by how creative she is for her age. But it's
a pity that I didn't get to talk longer with her and haven't seen her since. I really want to know
how it’s going with her videos. I hope everything goes well. I even wish I could give her a hand.
Anyway, she’s such a great role model to young people like me and definitely earns my
admiration.

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Part 3

1. What are the ways to make new friends?

As far as I know, people usually make new friends by going to parties or social events. They just
introduce themselves and then they go from there. Or they make friends with the people who
are naturally around them . For instance, they might become friends with their coworkers. Or if
they’re at school, they can become friends with their classmates. Some people even make friends
online. It sounds funny, but it’s very common nowadays.

2. What qualities make a good friend?

It seems to me that a good friend is someone who is patient and kind. They can keep a level head,
even when you’re in an argument. They should also be reliable. You can count on them no matter
what . So they should be someone that you can turn to when you are having a bad day. Besides,
a good friend should have some common interests. It can be hard to develop a strong bond if you
don't share any interest or hobbies.

3. How do you maintain friendships?

Friendships can be very hard to maintain. Nowadays, people are so consumed with their work or
studies, to the point that they can start to neglect their personal relationships. But in order to
maintain a friendship, both parties have to make each other a priority. It means that you have to
prioritize your friends, even when you have lots of other things to take care of. You should also
make sure that you communicate your needs. If you start to feel neglected, you need to be
comfortable expressing that to the other person.

4. On what occasions do people like to make friends?

I think people like making friends when they’re in a new environment. For example, when young
people go to university, they want to make friends in their classes so they have a friendly face in
this new setting. It’s also nice to make friends outside of class, so that they can have people to
help them out as they adjust to university life. People also like making friends at their jobs.
Getting along with your coworkers can make a world of difference.

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5. Is it important to have the same hobbies and interests when making friends?

I suppose that haring some similar hobbies and interests as your friends is important, but not
essential. Making friends can be easier if you have more hl common with them. Many people
become friends as a result of their similarities, and they stay friends for a very long time because
of those interests. However, as the saying goes, opposites attract; some people are best friends
with people who are nothing like them. It’s okay if you like singing but your friend likes boating.
A difference in hobbies won’t prevent you from becoming good friends. People can enjoy each
other's interests and learn a lot from each other.

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Topic: Lesson/Course
Part 2: Describe a lesson/course you remember.
You should say:
• What the lesson was about;
• Where you had it;
• Why you remember it;
• And explain how you feel about the lesson.

Well, I would like to share with you about a really pleasant experience in an English class I had at
my university.

During one of our grammar lessons, the regular teacher was sick so the school had to send in a
teacher to cover her place. And the substitute teacher, Thomas Hall, delivered an amazing lecture
in English about how he thinks we should all learn languages through watching films.

Throughout the two hours, he explained to us the process of learning a language and how films
can serve as an effective way to immerse yourself in a language. Basic elements like vocabulary
and grammar can be easily absorbed if we focus on dialog in a TV show, and so in the long run,
our overall language skills can be improved. This method helps us to learn any language
effortlessly and in a short period of time.

At first, we were all skeptical about the ideas he introduced, however, after watching a short
video to practice and doing a trial test, we were all convinced that learning by watching movies
was not hard at all and we could apply this to enhance our performance at school.

I enjoyed this lesson so much because I find this method to be particularly effective for me. I
always felt unmotivated when learning by traditional methods and my results were never
desirable. But when I tried learning English using my favourite movies, you know what? My
English got better and better and very soon I was able to remember thousands of new words and
write really complicated essays. Now, I can even proudly say that I have mastered the English
language.

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Part 3

1. Which can help you remember things better, words or photos?

Well, it depends on the person. Some people are visual learners, so photos can help them
remember a concept. But other's retain information better when they can read about it. I think
that it also depends on what you’re trying to memorize. If you’re trying to remember what
someone looks like, obviously a photo would be better. But if you’re trying to remember a classic
poem, you’d have to depend on reading it a lot of times .

2. Why do some people have better memory? / What may affect people’s memory"?

I suppose that in some cases, it can be due to genetics. Some people are a heady predisposed to
have a better memory But a good memory also depends on other factors that are within your
control. For example, you can remember things better when you have a healthy diet and you
exercise regularly. Those things improve your brain function and improve your memory. Besides,
some people who actively challenge themselves with new activities, like learning a language or
an instrument, tend to have a better memory because it keeps their brain active.

3. Why can some people remember some little things in life?

I think some people pay attention to the little things because they matter to them. It might seem
weird to remember details that most people don't pay attention to, but they can be important
depending on the person. As far as I know, many trained detectives and police officers are very
good at observing and recalling the details of crime scenes that normal people wouldn't notice
and remember. Other people are able to remember the little things because they have a very
sharp memory. Sometimes that’s genetic, but sometimes it’s because that person has made
special efforts to improve their memory.

4. Are young people better at memorizing things than old people? Do young people have a
better-memory than old people?

No, I don’t think so. I actually read in an article that the brain is the only organ in our body that
can stay young as we age. And you can see tons of scientists who are in their seventies, eighties

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and even nineties but are still active at work. Even compared to young people nowadays, they
could still have a sharp memory. So I don't believe that the aging of the brain affects one's
memories. If someone has a healthy brain when they are old, they will be as good at memorizing
things as young people.

5. Do men and women have differences in memory?

Yes, there are actually some differences in memory when it comes to men and women. I
remember I read an article somewhere says that on average, males and females have greater
volume in different areas of the brain, and some of the parts affect one’s memory, in general,
women are better at remembering things like names, faces, and conversations. They also have
better short-term memory than men. Plus, they’re good at finding things they’ve lost. On the
other hand, men are typically better at things like navigation. So they can remember directions
to a place even if they’ve only been there

6. Do people like things with sentimental value?

Yes, I believe people like hanging onto things that are associated with certain memories. For
example, it’s very common to keep items from your childhood so you can remember it when
you're older. Some people save their favorite toys, while others keep sports medals and other
memorabilia. As people grow older, they save things from important occasions like graduations
and weddings. Even though the object itself might lose value over time, the memories that it
holds are priceless.

7. Can technology' help people remember things better? How?

Yeah, definitely. One good example is photography In the past, it was really rare to own a camera
because they were really expensive. But nowadays, basically every cell phone has a camera built
into it. You can take pictures and videos of a moment instead of only preserving it ill your mind.
Then, later on, you can lookback at those pictures and videos to fully remember the occasion.

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8. How to forget a bad memory?

You can forget a negative memory in a few different ways. First, it might help to talk to someone
about it, like a friend or family member. You can even cry on their shoulder. Real friends and
family members will be there for you when you're in pain. It’s a healthy way to relieve your pain
and it also can be a really effective strategy to make you less sad or scared. Besides, you can try
to think of some good memories instead. For example, if the painful memory happened at your
school, think of a good memory from school instead.

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Topic: Social media’s influencer
Part 2: Describe a person who you follow on social media.
You should say:
• Who he/she is;
• How you knew him/her;
• What he/she posts on social media;
• And explain why you follow him/her on social media

The person that I follow on social media is Priyanka Chopra. She is my inspiration as she has
followed her heart and dreams to achieve the position that she holds in the present scenario. She
is an incredibly amazing woman who has never failed to be admired by everyone and to inspire
the country.

I know Priyanka Chopra as she won the Miss World Title in 2000 and has been doing great work
for women’s rights and development as the UNICEF goodwill ambassador. She has put in
tremendous efforts to entertain the people of the nation through the best movies. Not only this
but she has proved herself as a global icon too. She was also listed in the 100 most influential
people in the world which is motivational for all the young people who want to pursue their
dreams.

She is active on multiple social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. She posts
motivational thoughts, pictures, videos from events and conferences, and also videos related to
her work. She has a huge following among the youngsters.

I follow Priyanka Chopra on social media as I look up to her due to her greatly inspiring journey
from a simple girl to a global icon. She has inspired me a lot. I connect with her when she speaks
about her life. I believe she has achieved the zenith of success in her life due to being dedicated
and putting in her best efforts.

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Part 3

1. What can people do on social media?

People use social media for lots of different things. A lot of people use it to post updates from
their life. They’ll show pictures of their pets, their relationships, and all sorts of personal things.
Other’s just use it to follow their favourite celebrities and keep track of what they’re doing. You
can also use social media to promote a small business or connect with like-minded people by
commenting on posts.

2. Do you think older people and younger people will you the same kind of social media
software?

No, I think that older people use different social media sites than young people. Young people
tend to prefer using social media apps like TikTok. They have shorter attention spans, so they like
software that lets them scroll through lots of posts very quickly. But older people like social media
that lets them talk with others or get into long conversations. So they prefer more
communication-based apps like Facebook or Zalo.

3. Do older people spend much time on social media?

No, I don’t think older people spend a lot of time on social media. For one, social media moves
very quickly. There’s always a new post or blog to look at. You can spend hours just scrolling
through posts from thousands and thousands of people. It’s suited for young people, who like
going from post to post. But older people prefer having face-to-face talks and longer
conversations with others. So they don’t use social media as much.

4. Are non-social media like television and newspapers still useful?

Yes, I definitely think that television and newspapers are still useful. Even though a lot of people
pay more attention to social media when it comes to reading about the latest trends and topics,
TV and newspapers are valuable because in general, they go through a lot more fact-checking.
Social media is popular but it’s not always reliable when it comes to reporting the truth. It’s
important to look at sources drat have lots of research behind them. For example, there were

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tons of rumors on the internet that have proved to be false during the pandemic. But you can
count on the reports on TV and in newspapers.

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Topic: Song
Part 2: Describe an interesting song.
You should say:
• What the song is;
• What story the song tells;
• Whether the song is popular;
• And explain why you think it is interesting.

I'm crazy about singing. And I've always preferred songs with beautiful and touching lyrics. So
one of the interesting songs I'd like to share with you is an inspirational song composed and sang
by an American singer-songwriter whose name is Bea Miller.

If memory serves correctly, in my sophomore year of high school, one of my friends sang a
beautiful song called Brand New Eyes at a New Year’s party that my class held. I really took a
liking to that song and looked it up online right away. Then I found the original singer of it. Bea
Miller. Her voice in that song is explosive and full of energy.

It’s kind of an obscure song so it wasn't that popular at the time. But once I found it, I started
listening to it non-stop. The song is catchy and the lyrics are very inspirational. It tells the story
of a kid who’s being looked down on, but still stays confident and strong. The songwriter tries to
encourage people to believe everyone is unique in their own way .

I love the story of the song, so I memorized all the lyrics and learned how to sing it. Unlike most
cheesy and mushy songs about romance, this song is written to reveal a social issue. Honestly,
it's the first song about discrimination that I'd listened to at the time. So I think it’s a powerful
and interesting song. I really expect to listen to more songs like this that explore the deeper things
in life.

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Part 3:

1. Why are music competitions popular in Vietnam?

Well, I think it’s because even though singing is a fairly common talent, it’s fun to root for people
who really shine at it . Competitions are always entertaining because people easily pick favourites
and get invested in the action. Music is something that mostly everyone can enjoy, so It’s easy to
get hooked on music competitions. Combining those two enjoyable elements definitely makes
for fun television. Plus, sometimes the next household name can come out of those competitions.

2. What kinds of music do young people in Vietnam like?

I think the most popular music genres among young people in Vietnam are western pop and rock
music. Country music is also popular and most of my friends love Taylor Swift for her cult albums
that won tons of awards. I know lots of people are also into K-pop, that’s pop music from Korea,
but it’s not really my cup of tea.

3. What kinds of people like traditional music?

I would say that in general, older people tend to like traditional music. It’s not that young people
never listen to it but I think it’s just more common for the older generations to be bigger fans.
Young people might not always have the proper historical context to fully appreciate traditional
music. Besides, most of the classic songs are elegant and slow-tempo so they’re more suitable
for the elderly to listen to, but aren’t popular with young people. Most young people prefer
upbeat music.

4. What are the differences between live concert and online concert?

I suppose that the energy levels are pretty different. When it’s online, you can't interact with any
of the other audience members. A huge draw of live concerts is that you can sing along with the
band, in person, and enjoy the energy from a huge crowd. So the sound and visuals are pretty
different too. On the other hand, a nice advantage of online concerts is that you save a lot of
money on tickets and travel. But if you want to go see live music, it always costs you an arm and

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a leg. Sometimes you either can’t guarantee that you’ll get a ticket, or you have to overpay for
resale tickets because they are often sold out quickly.

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Topic: Learning languages
Part 2: Describe something that helped you learn a language.
You should say:
• What it is;
• What language you learned;
• How it helped you learn the language;
• And how you felt about it.

Well, I'm crazy about singing, and I found music is a very effective tool for learning English. I
realized it works like a charm when I was in sophomore year of high school. At the time, one of
my friends sang a beautiful song called Brand New Eyes at a New Year’s party that my class held.
I really took a liking to that song and looked it up online light away. The song is catchy and the
lyrics are very inspirational. It tells the story of a kid who’s being looked down on, but still stays
confident and strong. The songwriter tries to encourage people to believe everyone is unique in
their own way.

I love the story of the song, so I memorized all the lyrics and learned how to sing it. Then I found
there’s a lot about grammar that you can learn from the song. For example, I hadn’t understood
the present perfect tense until I read the lyrics of this song. And when I sang along with the song,
I also learned some basic ways to link words , which is important in English pronunciation.

Since then, I've really enjoyed listening to songs in English to understand more about the
language. I’ve never gotten tired of it. Actually, I think that whatever language you're learning,
listening to music in a foreign language can be helpful for developing language skills like listening,
vocabulary, and grammar. Different music also gives you access to cultures in different countries
So it’s definitely beneficial for language learning.

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Part 3

1. What difficulties do people face when learning a language?

I think one of the biggest challenges people face when learning a new language is memorizing
vocabulary. You have to know so many different words, and for some languages like Japanese,
you have to memorize characters. It’s also really hard to get used to a different kind of grammar.
Some languages organize sentences in a completely different way. So that’s difficult to adjust to.
You basically have to rewire your brain.

2. Do you think language learning is important? Why?

Yes, it’s important to learn other languages. For one, it helps you connect with people from
different countries. You can gain a lot of perspective by talking with people in their own language.
Learning foreign languages helps you learn about cultures and expand your worldview. Another
benefit to learning a language is that it helps keep your mind sharp. Studies have shown that
doing activities like learning a language can help improve your memory. In addition, being
bilingual or trilingual definitely give you an edge when it comes to job hunting, especially when
you’re looking for jobs at multinational companies.

3. Which is better, to study alone or to study in a group? Why?

I suppose that the best way to study is to do both. Studying alone is better for memorization and
review, whereas studying in a group is better for understanding new complex topics. When
learning a language, I think it is absolutely essential to have a study group, because then you have
an opportunity to practice speaking the language with other people. You can also quiz each other
if you’re in a group, and encourage each other. You will build confidence working in a group faster
than you would alone.

4. What’s the best way to learn a language?

The best way to learn a language is by immersing yourself in that language. I think that everyone
learns better by living somewhere where die language is spoken, so that they can hear it every
day and practice speaking it every day as well. However, sometimes full immersion is not

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possible, in which case it might be better to learn by surrounding yourself with media in the target
language; you can listen to the radio in the target language, or watch TV and movies in that
language.

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Topic: Products
Part 2: Describe something in your home that you broke and then repaired.
You should say:
• What it is;
• How you broke it;
• How you repaired it;
• And how you felt about it.

I repaired a computer before. To be specific, I had the help of my uncle.

About a year ago, when I was playing a computer game, the monitor went black all of a sudden.
My uncle knows digital devices like the back of Iris hand. He checked out the computer
thoroughly, and he found that most of my computer parts were pretty old. Some of them had
burned out, which caused the blackout. He told me he could fix it with me. Even though I'd never
thought I could do that, I decided to be his helper and learn some tricks from him.

So, my uncle asked me to buy lots of parts from a local computer market and we started to fix
the computer together. He instructed me how to remove the broken parts and replace them with
the new ones. I tried to install them one by one according to his instructions. But it tinned out to
be way more complicated than I thought. There were lots of lines and cables that I would have
had no idea where to connect if he hadn’t been there. He taught me step by step. Eventually I
managed to fix it with his guidance, which gave me a great sense of achievement.

I'm grateful to my uncle. If it weren't for him, I probably would have spent at least ten or twenty
million Dong on a new computer. Plus, I'm happy I learned a computer repairing skill. I believe it
will be useful in the future.

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Part 3:

1. Are IT-related jobs valued more by society?

Well, yes. It’s a fact that people working in the IT industry are getting paid more than ever, which
demonstrates the increased value of IT jobs in some way. And the value of jobs in a certain
industry is also reflected in their contributions to society. There is no doubt that we can’t live
without technology as long as we don't decide to live an off-grid life. Even all the traditional jobs,
like doctors, teachers, and police, are heavily assisted by IT workers and their products. I believe
IT jobs will be even more valuable in the future.

2. Is the quality of products worse than before?

Generally speaking, I would say that the quality of products has declined. Now that most products
are mass-produced in factories or sweatshops, you don’t see the same attention to detail as
before. Back when more things were made by skilled craftspeople and artists, the quality was a
lot higher. But the cost was a lot higher as well. It’s a shame , but I think that nowadays, it’s more
important for something to be cheap rather than high-quality, otherwise, they are luxury goods
for the rich, not for the public. So yes, products are a lot lower-quality than they used to be, but
it doesn’t mean it’s bad for society.

3. What kinds of things do people like to repair by themselves?

I suppose that this really depends on the person, because some people are naturally very handy
and good at repairs, whereas others are not. For people who are handy, they can have a lot of
fun repairing things, like home appliances, furniture or even the house itself. For those who think
repaying something is complicated or annoying, they might just glue together a broken gadget,
such as a toy, an ornament or a photo frame. They would rather have anything bigger and more
valuable repaired by professionals.

4. Why do people like to get their mobile phones repaired in specialized stores?

I think it’s mainly because mobile phones can be very difficult to repair by yourself. Even handling
a battery replacement for your iPhone isn't a piece of cake, let alone something more

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complicated. If you try to repair your phone and you make a mistake, that could become an even
bigger problem, and you may even need to get a new phone, which would cost you an arm and
a leg. If you go to a phone store, they have trained specialists who know exactly what to do to fix
tire problem quickly. That is why many people prefer to go to a special store.

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Topic: Necessity
Part 2: Describe the thing that you cannot live without (except phone and internet).
You should say:
• What it is;
• Why you can’t manage without it;
• How long you have had it for;
• And explain how you felt when you were without it.

Emm.. I don’t really have a hobby except for music. So speaking of something I can't live without,
the first one that comes to mind is a funky home karaoke machine I bought three or four years
ago.

At the time, I happened to watch a livestream show hosted by a famous livestreamer. He was
selling a karaoke machine in the livestream. I thought it’d be great if I could sing karaoke at home.
So I bought one on the live stream.

It was about ten million Dong, which really cost me an arm and a leg. But it's proved that I made
the right purchase. It’s a very useful and practical device for those who love singing. It can connect
to your TV through an HDMI cable or even WIFI. What's better, it even has a colorful LED lighting
system, which is a must-have for a cool karaoke room.

Just think about it, you can do karaoke singing at home anytime you want to. Actually since I
bought it, having a karaoke party has become the most popular fun event in my family. So it's
really essential to me and my family. Even though sometimes they don't join me, I enjoy singing
alone as well. I often pick a newly released song by my favorite singers and sing them on the
karaoke machine. Believe or not, it works like a charm whenever I want to blow off some steam.
So I really can't imagine how tedious my life would be without it.

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Part 3

1. Why do children always bring toys with them wherever they go?

I think children like bringing toys with them because it gives them a sense of comfort and security.
Toys make children feel at home, so when they have to leave to go grocery-shopping or run other
errands with their parents, it helps to have a toy with them. Toys also keep children entertained.
Children love playing with toys when they’re out and about. I’ve often seen kids playing with a
toy while they wait in line with their parents at the store.

2. Why do many people have difficulty throwing things away?

Well, it’s because a lot of people attach sentimental value to their things. They might have really
good memories associated with an object, which makes it tough to throw it away. For example,
someone may hold onto something that they won’t use anymore just because it was a gift from
their best friend when they were young. It might seem silly to some people, but lots of items hold
treasured memories.

3. Why are children attracted to new things (such as electronics)?

Some children are attracted to new things like electronics because they want to be like their
friends. As they get older, children experience more and more peer pressure to be like others
around them. They can become very competitive, so they always want to have the latest gadget
or the newest clothes. Children also get bored of things more quickly than adults, because a lot
of children have short attention spans. This means that they will want new stuff more often.

4. What do you think influences people to buy new things?

I suppose dial people buy new things for many different reasons, but one of the biggest influences
would be advertising. People are constantly seeing ads everywhere they look, from then phone,
to theft emails, to magazines and billboards. A lot of companies will track your purchases on their
website, and then send you targeted ads based on what you like to buy. This can make it hard to
resist, especially if you have a lot of expendable income to spend on new stuff.

5. Do people have more choices now when they are shopping?

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People definitely have more choices in terms of how they shop, but they don’t necessarily have
more choices in terms of what they buy. The items that people buy tend to stay within the same
few categories, including electronics, jewelry, clothing, and sporting goods. This hasn’t really
changed. However, people have many more options now about how to shop, due to the rise of
online shopping. People can choose to have their items shipped to them, or to order them to be
ready for pick up at the store.

6. Does social media increase sales?

Yes, I would say that social media, if used effectively, can increase a company’s sales. Tons of
companies have a marketing department dedicated to increasing sales through social media and
other forms of marketing. They could advertise their products directly or work with social media
influencers. Plus, you can see new purchases that your friends share on Facebook or Zalo, which
might get you interested in buying those things as well. So it’s true that social media is a great
way for companies to connect with people who may not otherwise have heard about their
business.

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Topic: Free
Part 2: Describe something you received for free.
You should say:
• What it was;
• Who you received it from;
• Where you received it;
• And explain how you felt about it.

Well, the first one that comes to mind is the five-time trial I got at a gym. If memory serves
correctly, it happened about half a year ago. At the time, I was upset about failing to lose weight
again! So I decided to pay for a membership at a gym and see how it would go.

It's a gym that my friends recommended to me. When I went there the first time, the gym
happened to have a promotion that if I posted their advertisement on my social media account
and got 30 likes, they would give me a trial card so that I could use the gym 5 times. Of course, I
accepted it. How could I turn down free stuff, fight?

At first I thought the gym only provided work-out equipment. But it turned out they actually gave
me VIP level service. They assigned an instructor to me to provide advice and guidance. The
instructor who helped me a lot said if no one supervises you, the pain and stress might make you
want to quit. So whenever I was tired or hungry, the instructor would try to cheer me up. And he
even texted and reminded me not to eat snacks at night

They really went the extra mile by giving way better service than I expected. For the sake of good
service, I subscribed to their membership. And I have strongly recommended this gym to others
who want to keep fit. Their service is worth every penny.

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Part 3

1. Do you think people should pay for higher education? Why?

No, I suppose that higher education should be sponsored by the government. We are living in a
society in which the majority of available jobs require a degree in higher education. So if the
tuition is too high, young people from poor families might lose their opportunities to receive a
college education, which costs them a brighter future. As such, universities, colleges, and trade
schools should be sponsored by the government just like elementary and middle schools are.
There should still be an academic or skill-based requirement to get in, but money should not be
an issue. I think that is the fairest solution.

2. Is it good or bad for people to have free education in the future?

I think free education would be a very good tiling because it would help people to get out of
poverty. Often the people who cannot access higher education are from impoverished families,
and it becomes a cycle of poverty because without higher education, you cannot get a high paying
job. Free education would make things more equal for everyone, and would get more people into
the career’s that they desire. Some countries, like Scotland and Sweden, have already made
higher education free.

3. What free gifts do companies usually give to their customers?

A lot of companies will give their customers gifts in order to encourage them to buy more
products or services. Some gifts might include a holiday gift that is sent out to their regular
customers, a discount code that they can use on a purchase, or a sample kit of new products.
These gifts are great for marketing. And they are also a good way to ensure that customers are
happy with the company’s services, and to encourage customers to recommend the company to
their friends. Many large companies give gifts regularly.

4. Why do customers like to receive free gifts from companies?

Well, no one would say no to free stuff, and when it’s from a brand that you like, that's even
better. When a company gives out free samples or trials, it means you can try out more of the

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company's products without paying money. Besides, some companies like giving out free-
coupons at events, which means you can spend less on their products. So, all customers like and
expect all kinds of free gifts provided by various companies.

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Topic: Conversation
Part 2: Describe an interesting conversation you had with your friend.
You should say:
• Who you spoke with;
• Where you were;
• What the conversation was about;
• And explain why you think it was interesting.

I’d like to talk about a time when I was chatting with my friends about how to keep fit. I have two
friends, Lisa and Sarah, who live practically within spitting distance of me. We hang out together
a lot. Several months ago, we had a meet-up at a coffee shop. At the time, Lisa was upset about
failing to lose weight, so we stalled talking about fitness and diet.

Sarah has the best figure among us. So she shared the method she used to drop some weight.
She thinks losing weight can be as hard as quitting smoking, which I'm totally on her side. She
also mentioned the key to losing weight is finding a companion who wants to go through the
workout and diet everyday with you. She actually managed to lose 10 kilograms with this trick.
So she said that if we can find people in our social circle with the same goal and form a team to
encourage and support each other, then we might have half a chance at losing the weight.

I think she's totally on point. We all agreed to go to the gym together and cheer each other up
when we are tired or hungry. So we were all on the same page and decided to start a fitness
team.

You know, the chemistry feels amazing when you and your friends are all on board. We’re so
excited that it feels like we’ve already made some progress. So it was a really fun talk that left a
mark on me .

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Part 3

1. Should people prepare before giving advice?

Well, it depends. Sometimes people will ask you for advice without any warning. So you won’t
have time to prepare an answer. Other times, you might be able to prepare. This is especially
true if giving advice is part of your job, such as if you are a teacher, mentor, or therapist, in those
cases, you have to prepare because your advice might have a huge impact on people’s lives.

2. Is it good to ask advice from strangers online?

I don’t think it’s good to ask advice from strangers online. Children or teenagers should especially
be cautious about seeking advice online. They can't tell whether the strangers are helping them
or harming them. Plus, people can he about their identities online. It can be very dangerous to
share a lot of personal information online with someone you don’t know. So I would advise not
contacting strangers online for anything.

3. What are the personalities of people whose job is to give advice to others?

I think these people are very understanding and patient. They can relate to a problem that then
clients are facing and give good advice. They can imagine how their clients feel and understand
their situation as much as possible. That way they can give the best advice based on each
individual situation. Plus, they need to be patient because sometimes people might be upset
when they ask for advice.

4. What are the problems if you ask too many people for advice?

If you get too much advice, you might get confused. I mean, if you ask for advice from more than
two people and they have different opinions, that can be very frustrating and not helpful. It’s
normal that everyone has their own perspective. They might give you opposite advice but all
make sense. In that case, you might not be able to decide what to do next. So it might be better
to ask just one trusted friend.

5. What kinds of advice do parents give to their children?

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Parents want their children to succeed and be happy. So they give them advice that will help with
that. For instance, if children are facing a problem, parents will encourage them to not give up.
Or they might tell then' children to be optimistic instead of complaining. Everyone wants their
kid to do well, so they give them the best advice they can.

6. What advice do parents often give to teenagers about making friends?

Usually, parents encourage teenagers to be active when it comes to making friends. It’s easier to
befriend someone when you start the conversation fust. A lot of parents also tell teenagers not
to give into peer pressure. Sometimes when you make friends, you might be tempted to follow
what they are doing. But it’s best to stick to your guns and avoid doing anything stupid.

7. Should parents get involved in their children’s friendships?

I don’t think parents should take actions with their children’s friendships, even if they fight with
their friends. If parents help too much, they might make the situation even worse. They can just
teach their children what qualities a good friend should have. They can let them choose who to
be friends with.

8. How do experts give advice to others? (e.g. a doctor gives advice to patients); What personal
qualities should experts have?

Well, experts are very calm and helpful when they gave advice. The try to give us all the right
information. And if needed, they can explain it more than once so we can fully understand. So to
be an expert in something, you should be patient and hardworking. You can’t just give up when
things get hard. Otherwise, you won’t do very well in your field.

9. Whose advice is more helpful? Parents’ or friends’?

I think parents’ advice is more helpful. Your friends might know you even better than your
parents do. But your parents have more experience. They’ve been alive longer than you or your
friends. So it’s best to listen to their advice. Your friends might give you bad advice even if they
don't mean to. I always listen to my parents before my friends.

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Topic: Toy
Part 2: Describe a special toy you had in your childhood.
You should say:
• What it was;
• Who gave it to you;
• How often (How) you played with it;
• And explain why it was special for you.

I’m going to talk about a digital pet that I had as a kid. If memory serves correctly, my parents
gave it to me when I was ten. I was so excited because toys like that were all the rage. It was a
Tamagotchi, which was the type of toy that most of the kids in my class had.

Basically, the toy was this little pod with a screen that showed the digital pet. When you first get
it, a little egg shows up, and then your pet hatches from it. I remember being so amazed that I
had something so special. You could feed the pet, play with it, and do other tasks to keep it happy
and healthy. I remember showing it off to all my friends. They were so excited for me.

I played with it all the time. Once, I even got in trouble because I started playing with it during
class. It was actually a really great way to learn the concept of responsibility as a kid. I had to take
care of it as if it was a real pet. If I neglected it, the pet would be sad and sick-looking. I was really
invested in taking care of it.

As for why it was so special, I think it’s because it was a gift that I had been wanting for a long
time. It was such a cool toy, and I felt so grateful that I had caring parents who were willing to
get it for me.

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Part 3

1. What's the difference between the toys kids play now and those they played in the past?

Well, in the past, toys were a lot simpler. Kids would play with things like blocks or puzzles. Some
kids had dolls, but they weren't fancy or anything. Nowadays, dolls are super customizable and
come with tons of outfits and accessories. Kids also have more advanced toys, like remote cars,
electronic toys and even smart toys that can link with smartphones. Plus, some kids have really
complicated LEGO sets that they play with.

2. Do you think parents should buy more toys for their kids or spend more time with them?

It seems to me that parents should spend more time with their kids. Buying toys for then kids is
always a nice gesture, but it doesn’t compare to quality time. I think the best solution is playing
with their kids. And I believe kids love hanging out with their parents. When they have their
parents with them they also get to bond and build up that relationship. Nothing is more valuable
than spending time with your family.

3. Should advertising aimed at kids be prohibited?

I don’t think it should be prohibited, but it should definitely be limited. There are some good
examples of kids' advertising. For example, if a museum is trying to attract more kids, they might
have child-centred ads that show how fun educational content can be. I think that’s fine. But
advertising for toys and other things can make kids too materialistic. So that should be monitored
and restrained to some extent.

4. How do advertisements influence children?

Advertisements can appeal to kids really effectively. By using bright colours and interesting
visuals, they make the kids think that they need whatever product is being advertised. They might
even influence kids to ask their parents for a certain toy. It can have the effect of making kids
greedy and obsessed with having the newest thing. Kids can fall prey to advertisements very
easily since they’re so young and impressionable.

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5. What are the differences when choosing toys for boys and girls? / Do boys and girls like the
same toys?

I think boys usually like toys that they can be more active with. For example, they might like kites
because they can run around and bum some energy with them. They're also obsessed with toys
that can move, like cars and trams, which seem more interesting for them than toys that can't.
Girls, on the other hand, are predisposed to socializing. So they are more in favor of toys that
they can talk to or pretend to talk to. For example, dolls are popular with girls because they can
dress them up and use their imagination to play with them.

6. What’s your opinion when choosing a gift for kids?

It seems to me that when you get a gift for a kid, you should get them something that’s suited to
their tastes. For example, if you know that a kid really likes dinosaurs, getting them a robotic
dinosaur toy would be a thoughtful gift. Besides, you don’t want to get them anything too
complicated or expensive. They might break it, or get frustrated with it and not enjoy it.
Sometimes it’s helpful to consult with their parents first so you get them something they’ll like.

7. What do parents usually buy for their children to make them happy?

I suppose that parents like to buy toys for their kids to make them happy. But it’s not always
about getting them the newest gadget, though, in general, a lot of parents like to show their love
for then kids by getting them things that they know they’ll enjoy. When parents give their kids
something thoughtful, their kids feel happy because then they know that their parents care about
their interests. Like active kids are definitely happier to receive a skateboard from their parents
than something else like a plush toy.

8. Can girls play with toys that boys like to play with?

Yes, absolutely. I think that nowadays, most toys are unisex, meaning that either girls or boys
would enjoy playing with them. But when it comes to toys that are specifically geared towards
boys. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with girls enjoying them as well. It doesn’t really make
sense to separate toys like that. If girls find those toys fun, then they should be able to play with
them.

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