Tổng Hợp 20 Chủ Đề Speaking Part 1 Sẽ Ra Tháng 5 - Tháng 9/2017 By Ngoc Bach

TỔNG HỢP 20 CHỦ ĐỀ SPEAKING PART 1 SẼ RA
THÁNG 5 – THÁNG 9/2017 BY NGOC BACH

1. Rain ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
2. Plans and goals .......................................................................................................................................... 6
3. Weather ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
4. Robots ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
5. Shopping .................................................................................................................................................. 10
6. Names ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
7. Swimming ................................................................................................................................................ 13
8. Neighbors ................................................................................................................................................. 14
9. Sunny days ............................................................................................................................................... 16
10. Collecting ................................................................................................................................................. 17
11. Concerts.................................................................................................................................................... 19
12. Clothes...................................................................................................................................................... 22
13. Email ........................................................................................................................................................ 24
14. Friends ...................................................................................................................................................... 25
15. Music ........................................................................................................................................................ 28
16. Politeness.................................................................................................................................................. 31
17. Watches .................................................................................................................................................... 32
18. Garden ...................................................................................................................................................... 33
19. Internet ..................................................................................................................................................... 35
20. TV dramas ................................................................................................................................................ 37
Written by Ngoc Bach

Để cập nhật các bài viết mới khi có -> truy cập website ngocbach.com
Group IELTS Ngoc Bach: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ieltsngocbach/[Type text] Page
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GIỚI THIỆU
Hi các bạn,
Mình là Ngọc Bách.

Gửi tặng các bạn 20 cue card part 1 bao gồm các bài mẫu band 8.0~9.0 do mình viết (đã được
review bởi giám khảo bản xứ) cho 20 topics khác nhau của phần thi IELTS Speaking part 1
có thể ra từ tháng 5/2017 đến tháng 9/2017 . Các bạn cũng có thể dựa vào tài liệu này để soạn
câu trả lời cho các đề khác. Tất cả các bài mẫu này đều đi kèm phần giải thích và ví dụ chi
tiết cho các từ vựng tốt trong script
Các bạn có thể bắt gặp 1 số bài mẫu trong bộ cue card này trên các page, các website ở Việt
Nam, thậm chí là website ở nước ngoài. Cần khẳng định luôn 100% bài viết trong bộ này
do mình viết hoặc correct lại từ bài viết của học sinh, tuyệt đối không sao chép từ bất cứ
nguồn nào. Các nguồn khác nếu giống bài viết của mình -> đều là sao chép lại từ bài viết của
mình mà không ghi nguồn (Mặc dù mình biết điều này không quan trọng với 1 số bạn, mình
thực ra lúc đầu cũng không quan tâm. Tuy nhiên, một số bạn đọc ở website nước ngoài thấy
giống -> lại bảo mình đi copy của người khác. Điều này thực sự không chấp nhận được)
Tài liệu được mình cùng team soạn và gửi tặng đến các sĩ tử IELTS hoàn toàn miễn phí. Cac
bạn lưu ý một số script có ghi giải thích từ vựng theo chủ đề . Ví dụ từ vựng thuộc chủ đề
Technology, Education…đây là các từ vựng trong bộ sách Topic Vocabulary mới ra mắt của
mình. Mục đích của mình là muốn sử dụng thật nhiều các từ vựng này trong nhiều ngữ cảnh
khác nhau -> mọi người hiểu cách học và áp dụng

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Tài liệu này cũng nằm trong bộ ‘HƯỚNG DẪN IELTS TOÀN TẬP 2017 BY
NGOCBACH” miễn phí do mình mất rất nhiều thời gian biên soạn gửi đén các bạn đang tự
học IELTS . Các bạn có thể xem link gốc trên group IELTS Ngoc Bach ở đây:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ieltsngocbach/permalink/1951695464901106/
Hoặc trên website ngocbach.com ở đây
http://ngocbach.com/chuyen_muc/view/70000306/Ngoc-Bach039s-IELTS-Ebook.html
Các tài liệu mới nếu có sẽ đều được cập nhật trên 2 link này. Các bạn follow hoặc share về
facebook để tiện theo dõi nhé
Chúc các bạn học tốt !
-Ngọc Bách-

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1. Rain
1. Does it rain much in Vietnam? (Where? When?)
As it is entirely located in the tropical belt, Vietnam receives quite a great amount of
precipitation every year. However, the part that records the highest rainfall is the northern
section of Central Vietnam when the northeast monsoon arrives, between September and
December. This region can also be affected by the typhoon season in the Western Pacific,
which can see severe storms lashing the coast from August to November.
2. Is there any part of Vietnam where it doesn’t rain much? (Where?)

In general, I guess the driest place in Vietnam might possibly be Ninh Thuan province, which
is situated on the south-central coast. The weather there is quite extreme with a lot of wind as
well as a hot and dry atmosphere during the year. Also, there is no winter here, and the
average temperature is considerably higher than most other parts of the country.
3. When (in what month/season) does it rain most in your hometown?

Well, currently, I am living in Hanoi, which is located in the northern part of Vietnam. I
suppose that in the north, the rainy season comes during the summer months, extending from
mid-April to mid-October. This is because during this time of the year, the city’s climate is
influenced by the southwest monsoon, which brings moist air from the oceans to the land and
causes torrential rain.
4. What about the other parts of Vietnam? (In which season does it rain most in other parts of
Vietnam?)
Well, the southern part of Vietnam, especially the Mekong Delta, gets plenty of rain and hot,
humid weather during the southwest monsoon from April to September, with June and July
being especially wet. Meanwhile, the centre of the country receives the most rainfall between
September and December, during which time the region suffers from severe storms and
flooding.
5. Can you remember any time when it rained particularly heavily in your hometown?
(When?)
Yes, of course. I suppose it was about a year or so ago, when we had several days of
torrential rain, almost non-stop, and so the whole of my neighbourhood got flooded. You

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know, the water was, like, up to my knees, and so the traffic came to a complete standstill.
So, yeah, that was probably the worst time I can remember.
1. Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown? (How?)
Yeah, for sure. As a matter of fact, rain often causes severe traffic congestion, especially
when there is heavy downpour. People should expect to be stuck for hours in a traffic jam.
I’m not exactly sure why, but it’s possibly because vehicles tend to move slower in the rain.
Vocabulary:
 Tropical belt: [noun phrase] area between the Tropics of Cancer and the Tropics of
Capricon / vành đai nhiệt đới
Example: The northern and southern populations were naturally separated by the warm
tropical belts in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
 Precipitation: [noun] rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground / mưa
Example: In places where the warmer air extends to the ground, the precipitation will fall as
rain.
 Monsoon: [noun] a seasonal prevailing wind in the region of South and Southeast
Asia, blowing from the southwest between May and September and bringing rain (the wet
monsoon), or from the northeast between October and April (the dry monsoon ) / gió mùa
Example: We get only very little rain during the southwest monsoon.
 Typhoon: [noun] a tropical storm in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans
/ bão
Example: Severe tropical cyclones correspond to the hurricanes or typhoons of other parts of
the world.
 Lash: [verb] to move suddenly and swiftly; rush, dash, or flash / vụt qua, tàn phá
Example: Strong winds and storms are lashing the east coast of the USA.
 Province: [noun] a principal administrative division of certain countries or empires /
quận
Example: The school is in a poor district of the province and students often go without the
simplest of items, let alone educational funds.
 Situate: [verb] fix or build (something) in a certain place or position / được đặt ở, nằm
ở
Example: The pilot light is usually situated at the front of the boiler.

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 Extreme: [adjective] reaching a high or the highest degree; very great / cực, rất
Example: There is extreme cold in Hanoi during the winter.
 Atmosphere: [noun] the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet /
không khí, bầu khí quyển
Example: In dry weather the electric potential in the atmosphere is normally positive relative
to the earth, and increases with the height.
 Rainy season: [noun phrase] the time during which there is a large amount of rainfall /
mùa mưa
Example: The traffic often gets congested during rainy season.
 Moist: [adjective] slightly wet; damp or humid / ẩm ướt
Example: The air was moist and heavy after the storm passed.
 Torrential: [adjective] (of rain) falling rapidly and in copious quantities / chảy mạnh,
(mưa) như trút xuống
Example: The rest of the day torrential rain fell, the grass becoming a bog, the river turning to
a lake.
 Come to a complete standstill: [idiom] to slow down and finally stop; to stop entirely /
dừng lại, trì trệ
Example: As the strike began, the production line came to a complete standstill.
 Congestion: [noun] the state of being overcrowded / sự tắc nghẽn
Example: The new bridge should ease congestion in the area.
 Downpour: [noun] a heavy rainfall / mưa lớn
Example: A sudden downpour had filled the gutters and drains.
2. Plans and goals

1. What is your plan for the future and when will you start?
I’m planning to start my own advertising agency when I’m in my third year at university. I’ve
been preparing this plan of mine ever since I was a high school student and I’ve raised nearly
enough capital now.
2. How do you intend to achieve that?
I’m working on raising capital, and I also need some partners to work on this project with me
– I’ve shared my plan with my friends and some of them seemed really interested in it. And
once I’ve got someone, we’ll take care of the rest together.
3. If you go abroad, do you plan to live in the countryside or in a big city? (Why?)

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I’d prefer living in the countryside, mostly because I want to experience the tranquility there.
Another reason is because the traffic and air pollution in some big cities are almost
unbearable, and I seriously don’t want to get stuck with all the problems of city life.
Vocabulary:
 Agency [noun] (đại lí/môi giới) a business that represents one group of people when
dealing with another group
e.g. Mannya was representing a private legal consulting agency at the hearing.
 Capital [noun] (vốn) wealth in the form of money or other assets owned by a person
or organization or available for a purpose such as starting a company or investing
e.g. They all need capital to meet their needs for expansion and technical development.
 Tranquility [noun] (sự thanh bình) the quality or state of being tranquil; calm
e.g. The main reason people come to visit the countryside is because of its beauty and
tranquility.
 Unbearable [adjective] (không thể chịu đựng được) too unpleasant or painful to cope
with or accept
e.g. At night, the noise in the street is unbearable and I’m unable to sleep.
3. Weather
1. What’s the weather like today?
It’s freezing, oh my God… but luckily it hasn’t rained today. It was raining all last week… I
was soaked to the skin whenever I went out to go to work even though I was wearing a
raincoat, and the rain made it even colder!
2. What’s the weather (usually) like in your hometown?
It depends on the season, but most of the time it’s really hot in my hometown. And it’s been
getting hotter and hotter in recent years … maybe one big reason is because of global
warming.
3. (Similar to above) What is the typical weather in your country?
(Similar to above)
4. What’s your favorite season? (Why?)

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I really like the fall, mainly because of its cool weather, which makes me feel really
comfortable and ready to go out any time of the day. The other seasons… well, summer’s too
hot, winter’s too cold and spring’s too humid.
5. (Similar to above, but different) What’s your favorite weather? (Why?)
Cool weather. It makes me feel really comfortable and ready to go out any time of the day.
Just imagine sitting in the park, reading a book in the sunshine with the wind gently blowing
through your hair. Isn’t that awesome?
6. Do you like snow? (Why?)
I’ve never seen or touched snow before so instead of saying whether I like it or not, I would
say I’m really curious about it. I’ve been dying to see the snow falling since forever but
haven’t really got the chance to do so.
7. Do you watch the weather forecasts?
Rather than the weather forecasts shown on TV, I often look at the ones on my smartphone –
you know, there’re some applications that help predict the weather conditions for up to a
week!
8. Does the weather ever affect what you do?
Yes, of course. For example, I tend to get really lethargic and lazy in the winter, all because
of the cold weather. All I want to do is to get some nice sleep under my warm blanket and
never have to leave the comfort of my home, and this seriously affects my work and study
sometimes.
Vocabulary:
 Freezing [adjective] (lạnh ngắt) extremely cold
e.g. It’s freezing in here – can I close the window?
 Soaked to the skin [expression] (ướt nhẹp) extremely wet
e.g. I’m going to have to take these clothes off – I’m soaked to the skin!
 Be dying for/to do something [expression] (muốn làm gì đến chết đi được) to be
extremely eager to have or do something
e.g. I’m dying to hear your news, especially about your holiday in London.
 Lethargic [adjective] (mệt mỏi) without any energy or enthusiasm
e.g. After a big lunch, I always feel lethargic and sometimes fall asleep at my desk !

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4. Robots
1. Are you interested in robots? Why?
No, I’m not really keen on robots because I’m kind of a low-tech person. Also, a robot is a
luxury technological product that I have never been able to afford, so I don’t feel like I want
to know much about them.
2. Would you like robots to work in your home?
If I had a lot of money, I’d like to have a robot in my home. As I’m always occupied with my
work, I need a robot to help me do chores and prepare meals whenever I come home at night.
That’d be great!
3. Would you want to take a car where a robot is the driver?
No, I wouldn’t want a robot to drive my car. It would be too dangerous and risky for me to
take a drive with a robot. Because a robot is programmed by humans, I don’t think that it can
handle road incidents quickly and efficiently enough to ensure safety.
4. Will robots replace human beings in the workplace completely?
Well, I have to admit that robots play an important part in our modern life. However, they
will never completely replace the roles of humans at work as they are incapable of feeling
emotions and thinking deeply like humans. For example, in a conference, people have to
discuss problems in great detail before giving solutions and making decisions, but robots lack
the capacity to respond to all questions instantly and effectively.
Vocabulary:
1. low-tech (adjective) not using the most recent equipment or methods (nói về người biết ít
về công nghệ)
Ex: It is low-tech economy without modern machinery or techniques.
2. luxury (adjective) very comfortable and expensive, which not everyone can afford (xa
xỉ)
Ex: They are staying in a luxury 5-star hotel in Paris.
3. afford (verb) to be able to buy or do something because you have enough money or time
(có đủ khả năng mua hay làm thứ gì)
Ex: I don't know how he can afford a new car on his salary.
4. do chores ( collocation) do housework (làm việc nhà)
Ex: I'll go shopping when I've done my chores.
4. handle (verb) to manage, deal with sth or sb (xử lý)
Ex: My wife handles all our household expenses.

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6. incident (noun) an event that is either unpleasant or unusual (sự việc xảy ra bất ngờ)
Ex: A youth was seriously injured in a shooting incident on Saturday night.
7. to be incapable of verb + ing: be unable to do something (không có khả năng làm việc
gì)
Ex: He seems to be incapable of walking past a music shop without going in
and buyinganother CD.
8.capacity (noun) the ability to perform sth (năng lực)
Ex: Ask John to help us – he has a great capacity for hard work.
5. Shopping
1. Are there many shops near your home?
Yes, there are. As my city has increasingly developed, small stores and shopping malls are
omnipresent. In my neighborhood, products of these shops are very diverse and up to the
mark, accommodating the shopping demands of its residents.
2. Do you like shopping (Why/ Why not)?
Of course, I enjoy swimming a lot. Shopping activities relieve my stress, especially when feel
overloaded with work. In my opinion, it is also a chance for us to compare the quality of
goods and acquire a better taste in things.
3. Who usually does the shopping in your home?
Well, it may be my mother. Every morning, she goes to the store to choose hygienic and fresh
food for our family’s meals. Her favorite pastime is buying second-hand clothes in small
markets. Sometimes, when I’m free, I go with her to a big supermarket to purchase basic
necessities like shampoos or soaps.
4. How often do you buy something in a shop?
Very often, as I rarely have time for window-shopping. Practically, I always make a list-to-
buy before going to stores and markets, and hardly leave without a shopping bill.
VOCABULARY:
1. omnipresent [adj]: present everywhere: có mặt khắp mọi nơi

Eg: Thes e da ys t he m edi a are om ni present .
2. diverse [adj]: very different from each other and of various kinds : đa dạng
Eg: People in America are from diverse cultures.
3. up to the mark [expression]: meet the requirements : đạt tiêu chuẩn

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Eg: Most teachers in this school are up to the mark.
4. (to) accommodate [v]: to provide sth for sb: đáp ứng cho
Eg: Our plan tries to accommodate the needs of minority groups.
5. (to) relieve [v]: to remove or reduce an unpleasant feeling: làm vơi đi
Eg: Completing the final examination relieves her great anxiety.
6. (be) overloaded with [expression]: be given too much of sth : bị quá tải
Eg: Minh’s overloaded with responsibilities these days.
7. (to) acquire [v]: to gain sth by your own efforts, ability or behaviour : đ ạt được
Eg: He has acquired a reputation for honesty.
8. hygienic [adj]: clean and free of bacteria : sạch sẽ, hợp vệ sinh
Eg: Food must be prepared in hygienic conditions.
9. (to) purchase [v]: to buy sth: mua, sắm
Eg: The equipment can be purchased from your local supplier.
10. basic necessities[expression]: things that you must have and cannot manage without :
đồ dùng cần thiết
Eg: Many people cannot even afford basic necessities such as food and clothing.
11. window-shopping[n]:the activity of looking at the goods in shops, usually without
intending to buy anything: đi ngắm nhưng không mua hàng hóa
Eg: Phuong often wants to go window-shopping with her close friends.
12. practically [adv]: in a realistic or sensible way; in real situations: thực tế là
Eg: Practically speaking, we can’t afford this exorbitant house.
6. Names
1. Does your name have any particular meaning?
Let me see… Well I think it means “bright pearl” or “shining pearl”? I guess my parents
wanted me to become an intelligent and successful girl so they gave me this name.
2. What’s the origin of your name? (or, your surname)

It’s pretty lame really… Dad wanted to call me “Ngoc” or “Chi” back then but he couldn’t
decide which one, then one cousin of mine asked him whether I had a name and he just
blurted out “Minh Chau”. My cousin then spread the news about my name to everyone,
which was something Dad didn’t expect at all, and well, I am stuck with this name now.
3. Do you like your name?

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At first no, because my friends often made fun of my name, like with some puns. But then I
gradually learnt to accept it, and now I can’t imagine having a different name from this one.
4. What do your friends call you?

My friends back in secondary and high school tended to call me “Cat” or “Fat Cat” because
of my nickname on social networks - well I love cats after all. University friends don’t really
give me any nicknames; they just call me “Chau”.
5. Did your family have a certain (nick) name that they called you when you were a
child?
Hmm… well, no? They just called me “Chau”. I think in some other families, parents would
give their children some kind of nick name but that’s not the case in my family.
6. What names are popular to give to babies in your country?

I think people tend to choose some names like Linh or Trang for girls – I don’t know the
actual meanings of those names though. For boys, the two most popular names, I think, are
Son, which means the mountain and Hieu, which means to show affection and respect
towards one’s parents.
Vocabulary:
 Lame [adjective] (vớ vẩn) unsurprising and dull

e.g. I found the programme pretty lame and not every informative.
 Blurt [verb] (thốt ra/buột miệng nói ra) say something suddenly and without careful
consideration
e.g. He blurts things out without even meaning it, yet, he doesn't apologize!
 Be stuck with sb/sth [expression] (mắc kẹt với cái gì) to have to deal with someone or
something unpleasant because you have no choice or because no one else wants to
e.g. We were stuck with him for the entire journey!
 Pun [noun] (chơi chữ) a humorous use of a word or phrase that has several meanings
or that sounds like another word
e.g. This is a well-known joke based on a pun: “What’s black and white and read (= read) all
over?” – “A newspaper.”

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7. Swimming
1. Do you like swimming?
Of course, I love swimming. It is a very healthy and motivational sport. I think swimming
can endear itself to many people because water-related activities always deliver a sense of
excitement and refreshment.
2. How often do you swim?
Well, it is largely dependent on the season and weather. In the summer, I usually go
swimming with my close friends. During the hot weather, immersing yourself in the cold
water is irresistible. However, in my country, it is virtually impossible to swim in the winter.
3. Where do you swim in your city?
My school possesses a standardized swimming pool, which is very popular among students. I
often go there and the public swimming pool near my house is also my favorite option.
Although the swimming pools in luxurious hotels are very appealing, they are beyond my
means so I cannot swim there.
4. Is it difficult to learn how to learn to swim?
Well, a little bit, I think. Most sports require some form of physical exertion and swimming is
not without exception. The first time, I was confronted with a lot of difficulties in
maintaining stamina and also in holding my breath under water. However, with the assistance
of my friends and continuous practice, I think I’m a good swimmer now.
VOCABULARY:
1. motivational [adj]: encouraging, making people want to do sth : có tính động lực cao
Eg: To most contenders, this intense competition is really motivational.
2. (to) endear [v]: sb/sth/ yourself to sb else : make sb/sth like you : khiến ai đó yêu thích
Eg: The teacher’s kindness endears him to most of his pupils.
3. refreshment [n]: the fact of making sb feel stronger or less tired or hot : sự làm cho
sảng khoái
Eg: Minh is trying to find a place for rest and refreshment.
4. dependent [adj]: +on sth/sb : affected or decided by sth: phụ thuộc vào
Eg: A child’s development is dependent on many factors.
5. irresistible [adj]: so strong that it cannot be stopped or resisted : không thể cưỡng lại
được
Eg: As a matter of fact, Linh’s arguments were irresistible.

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6. virtually [adv]: almost or very nearly : gần như
Eg: Tuan virtually admitted that he was guilty.
7. Standardized [adj]: conforming to standard of measurement or value; or of the usual
or regularized or accepted kind;: làm cho chất lượng
Eg: Ho Chi Minh City’s infrastructure is increasingly standardized.
8. option[n]: sth that you can choose : lựa chọn
Eg: There are various options open to you.
9. exertion [n]: physical or mental effort, the act of making an effort: sự nỗ lực
Eg: Mai was breathless from the exertion of cycling uphill.
10. without exception [expression]: without the absence of sth : không thể không có,
không thể thiếu
Eg: Everybody has to go to work on time without exception.
8. Neighbors
1. Do you know your neighbors?
Yes, of course I do. People in my neighborhood know each other quite well, and all of them
are very friendly and lovable. The family living next to my house is always willing to offer
assistance when we need, and sois my family.
2. Do you like your neighbors?
Well yes, I love them, because they are good neighbors. The family next door has a
grandmother whom I really respect, as she always gives me useful advice. I think that we live
in harmony with one another.
3. What do you think of your neighbors?
As I have said, they are warm-hearted people. They receive a lot of affection and admiration
for their kindness and generosity. I think it is quite good fortune for my family to live next to
them.
4. How often do you see (or talk to) your neighbors?
I think very often. Each morning, we frequently greet when we meet each other. Whenever I
am not occupied with schoolwork, I will visit the grandmother to talk to her. Her life
experience and advice have helped me to overcome many difficulties and challenges.
5. When do you meet your neighbors?
We meet everyday, since we live next to each other. Particularly, at the weekends, the
neighbors will gather in the biggest house to hold a party or BBQ, which is very appealing to
the children.

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VOCABULARY:
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: A. THE ARTS (sách collocations)
1. to live in harmony with one another
Meaning: to live with others in a way which avoids conflict or disagreement
Example: The students who share the house are all good friends and they are able to live in
harmony with one another.
Dịch đại ý
To live in harmony with one another: sống hòa hợp với người khác
Nghĩa: sống với những người khác một cách hòa hợp, tránh gây mâu thuẫn với nhau
Ví dụ: Sinh viên sống cùng một nhà là những người bạn thân và họ có thể sống hòa hợp với
nhau.
CÁC TỪ KHÁC:
1. lovable [adj]: having qualities that people find attractive and easy to love : đáng yêu
Eg: Minh is a really lovable child.
2. (be) willing to do sth[expression]: ready or pleased to help : sẵn lòng làm gì
Eg: They keep a list of people who are willing to work at night.
3. assistance [n]: help or support: sự giúp đỡ
Eg: We do offer financial assistance for people on low incomes.
4. affection [n]: the feeling of liking or loving sb/sth very much : tình cảm
Eg: Children need a lot of affection and sympathy.
5. generosity [n]: the fact of being generous : sự rộng lượng
Eg: He treated them with generosity and thoughtfulness.
6. fortune [n]: chance or luck : sự may mắn
Eg: I did have the good fortune to work with some brilliant directors.
7. (be) occupied with sth [adj]: be busy with sth : bận rộn với cái gì đó
Eg: Lan is always occupied with the housework.
8. (to) overcome: to succeed in dealing with or controlling a problem: vượt qua cái gì
đó
Eg: She overcame injury to win the Olympic gold medal.
9. (to) gather [v]: to come together, or bring people together : tụ họp
Eg: His supporters gathered in the main square.
10. appealing [adj]: attractive or interesting : cuốn hút, thú vị
Eg: Spending the holiday in Britain is extremely appealing.

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9. Sunny days
9.1. Do you like sunny days?
To be honest, I’m not into sunny weather. I’d prefer a partially cloudy day without rain,
when the weather is pretty cool, so that I could pleasantly take part in outdoor activities
without getting sunburn or sweating from the heat of the sun’s rays.
9.2. What do you like to do when it's a sunny day?
On a sunny day, I like to wake up early and take a walk around my neighborhood to enjoy the
warmth of the sunshine , when the temperature isn’t too high. I also prefer to do the laundry
as clothes dry faster due to the lower humidity on these days.
9.3. Would you like to stay at home or go outside when the weather is great?
I’ve always had the urge to go outside on a nice day, as the beautiful weather makes mefeel
really comfortable from the inside. Also, there’s no hindrance of crappy weather to
outdoors activities, so I think I just can’t stick to staying in bed and missing such an
occasion.
9.4. Are there many sunny days in your hometown?
My hometown is in the middle region of a tropical country which means there’s usually
sunshine. In fact, due to its coastal location, it’s the driest and hottest region in my country,
especially in the summer, so the weather is somewhat extreme.
VOCABULARY
 Be into something ( thích cái gì) [idiom] be interested or involved with
Example: Once you retire, it’s important to be into some hobby you’ve always wanted to try.
 Sunburn (cháy nắng) [n] painful red skin caused by spending too long in the hot sun
Example: Her face was red with sunburn, and the salt air made it worse.
 humidity (độ ẩm) [n] moistness/ the amount of water vapor in the air
Example: Dehydration, in heat and humidity as well as dry winter weather, is a major
headache trigger.
 Have the urge to do something (cảm thấy muốn làm gì) [idiom] suddenly want to do
something
Example: She had the urge to hit the road as she wanted to experience paddleboard on
Lake Tahoe.
 Hindrance (sự cản trở) [n] an impeding, stopping, preventing, or the like.
Example: Ignorance was no hindrance to advancement, socially and pecuniarily

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 Crappy (dở, không hấp dẫn) [adj] extremely bad, unpleasant
Example: We booked a really crappy studio with no air conditioning and we just plotted up
there.
 Stick to (bám chặt lấy, trung thành với cái gì) [idiom] remain faithful to/ keep one’s
attachment to
Example: They vowed to stick to one another no matter what happened.
 Coastal (thuộc bờ biển, ven biển) [adj] relating to/ located near a coast
Example: Policies that presently encourage development in low-lying floodplains and
coastal areas should be immediately reexamined.
10. Collecting
1. Did you collect anything (such as stamps or CD's) when you were a child?
Of course I did. When I was a child, I and my sister really enjoyed collecting Barbie CDs. At
that time, the Barbie CD collection was considered as my biggest treasure. Before the
Internet went viral, watching CDs was one of teenagers’ favorite pastimes.
2. Do you still collect them now?
Well, I don’t. I have grown out of the Barbie CDs. Moreover, thanks to advances in
technology, we can now watch everything on the Internet, so there is no need to collect CDs.
3. Do you collect anything as a hobby now?
Yes, I do. As a girl, I am really fond of collecting gorgeous dresses in various styles.
Whenever I have time, I always go around shopping malls to keep myself up to date with
the latest fashions. Up to now, I have assembled a collection of more than 30 dresses.
4. Why do you like collecting things?
Well, collecting things gives me a sense of excitement. When you are able to gather things
together that you love, you feel extremely satisfied. Collecting things allows me to pursue
anything that I like, from the cheapest to the most luxurious.
5. Do people in your country like to collect things?
Yes, they do. However, the things collected vary from people to people. While the wealthy
are interested in collecting luxury cars and expensive stuff, others collect simpler things, even
family heirlooms, which is dependent on their own inclination or interest.
6. Why do you think people like collecting things?
Because collecting things is a pleasing hobby. As I have said, the feeling when collecting our
favorite stuff day by day is really appealing, which helps to relieve stress and pressure at

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work or school. Moreover, I think collections can tell you a lot about their owners, such as
characteristics or personalities.
VOCABULARY:
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ TECHNOLOGY (sách collocations)
1. to go viral
Meaning: to become very popular on the internet
Example: One reason why people sometimes talk about ‘the global village’ is that an image
or news on the internet sometimes goes viral and is seen by millions of people worldwide.
Dịch đại ý
To go viral: lan truyền
Nghĩa: trở nên rất phố biến trên mạng
Ví dụ: Một lí do khiến mọi người nói về “làng thế giới” là vì đôi khi một hình hảnh hay tin
tức trên mạng lan truyền nhanh chóng và được xem bởi hàng triệu người khắp thế giới.
2. advances in technology
Meaning: the improvement or development in technology
Example: Recent advances in medical technology are making a great contribution to the
search for a cure for Aids.
Dịch đại ý
Advances in technology: tiến bộ công nghệ
Nghĩa: sự tiến bộ hay phát triển của công nghệ
Ví dụ; Những tiến bộ gần đây trong công nghệ y học đã đóng góp đã đóng góp rất lớn cho
việc tìm phương pháp chữa bệnh AIDS.
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ FAMILY
1. family heirlooms
Meaning: valuable objects that have been in the possession of a family for many years
Example: The painting in my living room is a family heirloom, which once belonged to my
great-grandparents.
CÁC TỪ KHÁC:
3. treasure [n]: a collection of valuable things such as gold, silver and jewels : kho báu
Eg: Their daughter is the greatest treasure they have ever had.
4. (to) grow out of sth [expression]: be too old for sth : lớn quá tuổi cho cái gì đó
Eg: My sister Jane has grown out of pretty dresses.

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5. gorgeous [adj]: beautiful and attractive, giving pleasure and enjoyment : kiều diễm, xinh
đẹp
Eg: Linh is so gorgeous that every boy in the class likes her.
6. (to) keep oneself up to date with sth [v]: be aware of new things: cập nhập xu hướng cho
bản thân
Eg: My father always tries to keep himself up to date with political news.
7. sense of excitement [n]: the sense of feeling excited : cảm giác thích thú
Eg: Children derive a great sense of excitement when going to the park.
8. luxurious [adj]: very comfortable, containing expensive things and enjoyable things : xa
hoa
Eg: Minh’s father possesses many luxurious hotels.
9. (be) dependent on sth [adj]: depend on sth: phụ thuộc vào cái gì đó
Eg: You can’t be dependent on your parents all your life.
10. inclination [n]: a feeling that makes you want to do sth : thiên hướng
Eg: Your inclination and interest will partly decide your future career.
11. (to) relieve [v]: to remove or reduce an unpleasant feeling or pain: xoa dịu
Eg: Being able to say the truth at last seemed to relieve her.
12. characteristic [n]: a typical feature or quality that sb has : tính cách
Eg: The two groups of students have quite different characteristics.
11. Concerts
1. Have you ever been to a live concert?
Yes, I have been to numerous concerts before. I really enjoy listening to live music with my
friends and my family members. To me, the atmosphere experienced in a live concert is
extremely exhilirating. In live concerts, the artist will have the chance to express himself
more freely than in recorded performances.
2. What sorts of concerts do you have in your country?
Well, the types of concerts that take place in my country are very diverse. There are different
genres of music in different shows, catering for the demand of audiences of all ages, such
as: pop music, rap, or classical music. Although there is also a revival of interest in
traditional folk songs, pop music concerts attract the largest crowds.
3. Are concerts ever held in your hometown?
Yes, quite often. Normally, there is a live concert with many renowned artists that is held in
the center of my city on special occasions, which never fails to appeal to audiences.
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4. When was the last time you attended a concert?
Well, it was last month . My friends and I went to a live classical music concert to get away
from the burden of work, and the music did live up to our expectations. It was really
engrossing to enjoy the aesthetic qualities of classical musicplayed by a talented orchestra
in a superb concert venue.
VOCABULARY:
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ THE ARTS
1. to express oneself
Meaning: to communicate some idea or emotion through speech, writing, painting, music or
some other form of art
Example: Schools should encourage pupils to express themselves through art, music or
creative writing in order to stimulate their imagination.
Dịch đại ý
To express oneself: thể hiện bản thân
Nghĩa: trình bày ý tưởng/ cảm xú qua phát biểu, văn viết, hội họa, âm nhạc hay những hình
thức nghệ thuật khác.
Ví dụ: Trường học nên khuyến khích học sinh thể hiện bản thân qua hội họa, âm nhạc hay
sáng tác văn học để kích thích trí tưởng tượng của chúng.
2. genres of music
Meaning: particular types or styles of music
Example: Different genres of music tend to be favoured by different age groups, with
classical music more popular among the elderly.
Dịch đại ý
Genres of music: thể loại âm nhạc
Nghĩa: những thể loại hay phong cách âm nhạc cụ thể
Ví dụ: Những thể loại âm nhạc khác nhau được yêu thích bởi những lứa tuổi khác nhau, như
là nhạc cố điển thì được người cao tuổi ưa thích hơn.
3. pop music
Meaning: music of the type which is listened to by large numbers of people, with a strong
rhythm and simple tunes
Example: It would be a pity if young people only listened to pop music and had no interest in
other genres.
4. folk songs

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Meaning: songs in the traditional style of a country or community
Example: Traditional folk songs are part of part of the cultural heritage of a nation or region.
5. to appeal to audiences
Meaning: to attract or interest those who go to watch a play, film or other performance.
Example: Plays which deal with contemporary social issues are likely to appeal to
audiences.
Dịch đại ý
To appeal to audiences: hấp dẫn khán giả
Nghĩa: hấp dẫn người tới xem kịch hoặc phim
Ví dụ: Những vở kịch nói về các vấn đề đương thời thường hấp dẫn người xem.
6. live music
Meaning: music that is not recorded, it is played at the same time that people listen to it
Example: Without funding from governments, it is doubtful whether live music would
survive.
7. the aesthetic qualities of something
Meaning: The qualities related to beauty and understanding the beauty of something.
Example: One advantage of studying the arts is that students learn to appreciate the aesthetic
qualities of paintings, literature and music.
Dịch đại ý
The aesthetic qualities of something: chất lượng thẩm mỹ của cái gì
Nghĩa: Những đặc trưng liên quan đến vẻ đẹp và sự thấu hiểu vẻ đẹp của cái gì
Ví dụ: Một trong những ưu điểm của việc học nghệ thuật là học sinh có thể hiểu và trân trọng
chất lượng thẩm mỹ của những bức họa, tác phẩm văn học và âm nhạc.
8. concert venue
Meaning: a place where people go to listen to live music at an organized event
Example: The football stadium in my city is also sometimes used as a concert venue.
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ TRADITIONAL VS MODERN
1. a revival of interest in
Meaning: the process of something becoming more popular again
Example: There has recently been a revival of interest in traditional music and songs.
CÁC TỪ KHÁC:
1. numerous [adj]: existing in large numbers : rất nhiều, vô kể
Eg: He has been absent on numerous occasions.
2. exhilirating [adj]: very exciting and enjoyable

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Eg: Surfing must be one of the most exhilirating sports, even though it is dangerous.
3. diverse [adj]: very different from each other and of various kinds : đa dạng
Eg: America is a country of people from diverse cultures.
4. (to) cater for[v]: to provide the things that a particular person or situation needs or wants:
phục vụ cho
Eg: The class caters for all ability ranges.
5. renowned [adj]: famous and respected: nổi tiếng
Eg: She is renowned for her patience and honesty.
6. occasion [n]: a particular time when sth happens : dịp
Eg: I’ve met him on several occasions.
7. burden [n]: a duty, responsibility that causes worry, difficulty or hard work : gánh nặng
Eg: The main burden of caring for old people falls on the state.
8. (to) live up to one’s expectation [expression]: the feeling of expecting that something
will be very good : meet sb’s expectations: đáp ứng kì vọng
Eg: Unfortunately, the event did not live up to our expectations.
9. engrossing [adj]: so interesting that you give it all your attention: rất lôi cuốn
Eg: The book was really engrossing, and I spent hours reading it yesterday.
12. Clothes
What kinds of clothes do you usually wear?
Primarily jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, sneakers, etc. I don't like wearing anything outlandish
because I don't like drawing attention, since I’m not a social butterfly, but I don't go for a
conventional look, either.
Do people around you also wear the same type of clothes?
We are living in a multicultural society so people have a multiple choice of everything,
from what they eat, what they say to what they wear. Therefore, it is hard to say people
around me also wear the same kind of clothes.
What kinds of clothes do other people wear?
I guess it depends on each person’s personality. For example, a woman who is soft-spoken
and likes to daydream usually gravitates towards frilly pieces like lace and ruffles. A culture-
loving person tends to dress more urban and sporty than most fashionistas.
In Vietnam, are students allowed to wear different clothes to other students?

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Almost all of Vietnamese schools require students to wear uniforms and there will be no
exception. Teachers suppose that wearing a uniform is a badge of pride, and creates an
identity for a school and is an important part of being a school student.
Do you think clothes are important to people? (Why?/Why not?)
Of course I would say yes. Clothing is a basic human need. For most people, clothing gives
us protection from the weather. While for some people, clothing defines their fashion sense
and creativity and they use it as a way to express their personality.
Do you prefer to wear formal or informal clothes?
I would choose informal clothes since being creative; mixing and matching what I already
have; and being able to come up with a new look after that is a huge satisfaction for me.
Formal clothing is often set in its own way and looks quite conservative to me.
Vocabulary
Cac từ vựng thuộc chủ đề Communication and Personality
1. A social butterfly
Meaning: refers to an extroverted person who loves to socialize
Example: A social butterfly is a person who is socially dynamic, loves networking, is
charismatic, and personally gregarious
2. set in one’s way
Meaning: A person who is set in his or her ways is stubborn and committed to their current
way of doing things. They aren’t open to change, even if the change would be an
improvement
Example: As people get older, they often become set in their ways and are reluctant to try
anything new
Các từ vựng thuộc chủ đề Society
1. a multicultural society
Meaning: a society which includes people of different origins, traditions and languages
Example: Immigration has led to the development of multicultural societies in the US,
Europe and Australia.
Các từ khác
1. outlandish
[adj] strange and unusual and difficult to accept or like
Eg: She wears an outlandish outfit that draws everyone’s attention.
2. Conventional

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[adj] traditional and ordinary
Eg: He despises their conventional attitudes.
3. soft-spoken
[adj] having a quiet, pleasant voice
Eg: People who are soft-spoken have struggles only they can understand.
4. Gravitate
[verb] to be attracted to or move toward something
Eg: People tend to gravitate to the beaches here.
5. come up with
[phrasal verb] to suggest or think of an idea or plan
Eg: She's come up with some amazing schemes to double her income.
6. conservative
[adj] not usually liking or trusting change, especially sudden change:
Eg: Older people tend to be more conservative and a bit suspicious of anything new.
13. Email
1. Do you like to write a letter or email?
I really like writing letters to other people, especially on special occasions. I remember
writing many letters, like birthday letters, or farewell ones to any of my friends or relatives
who had to go somewhere far away from me. My friends and relatives always feel happy
when they receive a letter from me; they say that it makes them feel important and cherished.
2. Do you think emails are useful?
Emails are really useful and important to me. I can use emails to contact people who are
staying far away from me, and this really comes in handy as I have lots of foreign friends.
Moreover, I can receive notifications of special deals or interesting information through
emails by subscribing to any online channels that appeal to me.
3. What sorts of letters (or emails) do you think are the most difficult to write?
Formal emails, like the ones you send to recruiters, to your boss, to your professor and so on,
are very difficult to write. You have to choose the right tone for the emails so that they do not
appear too casual or too serious, and you have to pay attention to the format of the emails too.
4. Do you prefer to write letters or emails? Why?
It depends. For special occasions, like on someone’s birthday, I prefer writing letters to
congratulate them as handwritten letters can show my sincerity. However, if I need to write
something formal, say to a recruiter to apply for a certain position, email is my first choice.
It’s instant, easy to format and I can attach different files with it so it is very convenient too.
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5. Do you think email might one day replace handwritten letters?
I don’t think so. Handwritten letters still carry in themselves special meanings, one of which
is that they can show a writer’s sentiment. I always think that it feels different when you look
at someone’s handwriting, like you can actually sense their feelings when they wrote the
letter. So handwritten letters are irreplaceable, at least to me.
Vocabulary
1. Cherished [adj] (bringing the pleasure of love or caring about someone or something
that is important to you): cảm giác được yêu thương
E.g. Her most cherished possession is a 1926 letter from F. Scott Fitzgerald.
2. Tone [noun] (the general mood or main qualities of something): tông
E.g. I didn't like the jokey tone of the article - I thought it was inappropriate.
3. Sincerity [noun] (honesty): sự chân thành
E.g. So when I sat down to write my public letter of apology, it dripped with venomous
sincerity.
4. Sentiment [noun] (tender feeling or emotion): tình cảm
E.g. That song is full of patriotic sentiment. It moved me deeply.
5. Come in handy [expression] (to be useful): có ích
E.g. I’ll keep these bottles - they might come in handy.
14. Friends
1. Do you have many close friends?
I have only one friend I would confide in. I’m quite picky and more importantly, I have a
somewhat irrational fear that none of my friends really like me and that I'm just a guy they
can barely tolerate and it is hard for me to live in harmony with them.
2. Do you think friendship is important?
There is no doubt that friendships play a vital role in our life. They make our lives interesting
and wonderful. They help us develop a sense of sharing whether they are tangible things or
just inspirational or motivational words of wisdom.
3. Which do you prefer to spend time with: a friend or spend time alone?
It depends. Normally, I'm more of a loner and generally spend more time in solitude than
with friends. But when I’m in a bad mood, lonileness makes me feel isolated from the whole
world. These days, I will hang out with my friends so that sad and unhappy thoughts cannot
come into my mind.
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4. What kind of people do you like to have as friend?
I find myself attracted to people who are honest and who know how to behave with others. I
always avoid making friends with people who have a superiority complex.
5. Do you like face-to-face conversations with people?
Actually I like to talk with cyber friends more than having real-world conversations. I think
others observe me a lot, they judge me and hence I become very self conscious and shy away
from speaking face to face.
6. Are most of your friends from school or from outside school?
Most of my friends are from high school. People who I met at work or from clubs have less
in common with me, whereas at Uni we all shared interests in the same things and subjects.
7. How often do you meet with your friends?
When I was younger, I used to meet my friends almost everyday. Even friends outside of
school were a part of my daily social interactions. But now, as a 23 year old working
professional, I barely meet anyone during weekdays. I meet my closest friends only on some
weekends. These meetups are sporadic too.
8. What do you and your friends do together?
My closest friends and I have a mutual interest which is we always have a thirst for clothes
shopping, so whenever we have time, we will go shopping together until we break the bank.
Sometimes when we are out of money, just window shopping is enough.
9. How do people in your country meet others and make friends?
I don't think it particularly matters what country you're from. In every country, you can make
friends just by sitting next to someone a few times during class, then a friendship logically
happens. Otherwise, you can make cyber friends through social networks like Facebook or
Twitter.
10. Do adults and children make friends in the same way?
Adults use self disclosure to develop trust and loyalty among friends. This is quite
complicated in practice while children usually use common interests and goals as the basis of
their friendships. More importantly, kids have a whale of time with whoever, but adults have
to use their time for work and taking care of their family.
11. Do you think it is possible to become real friends with people you meet on the
internet?
Of course it is possible to establish real friendships with someone online. What you need in a
friendship is truthfullness, reliability, empathy, respect and loyalty. If you're getting all that
from your online friends then you can consider them as genuine friends.

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Vocabulary
Các từ thuộc chủ đề Communication and Personality
1. To live in harmony with one another
Meaning: to live with others in a way which avoids conflict or disagreement
Example: The students who share the house are all good friends and they are able to live in
harmony with one another.
2. To have a superiority complex
Meaning: to have a feeling that one is superior to others
Example: She has a superiority complex, imagining that she is somehow better than her
classmates at everything .
Các từ thuộc chủ đề Tourism
1. To have a thirst for
Meaning: to have a strong desire for something
Example: He has been all over the world, but he still has a thirst for seeing new places and
enjoying new experiences.
2. To break the bank
Meaning: to use up all one's money/ to cost too much.
Example: Having a winter vacation in the sun without breaking the bank is a dream come
true.
3. To have a whale of time
Meaning: to have an exciting or fun time
Example: We had a whale of a time at Ninh Van Bay Resort.
Các từ khác
1. Confide
[verb] to tell something secret or personal to someone who you trust not to tell anyone else
Eg: He confided (to her) that his hair was not his own.
2. Picky
[adj] very careful about choosing only what they like
Eg: Big companies can afford to be picky about who they hire.
3. Tolerate
[adj] to accept behaviours and beliefs that are different from your own, although you might
not agree with or approve of them:
Eg: I will not tolerate that kind of behaviour in my class.

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4. Tangible
[adj] real and not imaginary; able to be shown, touched, or experienced
Eg: We need tangible evidence if we're going to take legal action.
5. Isolate
[verb] to separate something from other things with which it is connected or mixed
Eg: A high wall isolated the house from the rest of the village.
6. Cyber
[adj] involving, using, or relating to computers, especially the internet
Eg: When she did venture forth from her digs, a favorite pastime was exploring the cyber
world with Fred and his computer.
7. Genuine
[adj] If people or emotions are genuine, they are honest and sincere
Eg: He has demonstrated a genuine interest in the project.
15. Music
1. Do you like listening to music?
I love listening to music, especially US-UK. My favorite artists are Miley Cyrus and Troye
Sivan; their songs always sound awesome to me.
2. When do you listen to music?
Basically I listen to music whenever I feel like doing so, but maybe I most often do that
before going to sleep, when I’m on the bus, or when I don’t have any important tasks to work
on.
3. Did you learn instruments?
I didn’t take up any musical instruments, and haven’t still. I have always wanted to learn to
play the piano ever since I was a kid, but never got the chance too. I’m planning on getting
some piano lessons this summer.
4. Did you have any music classes in school?
I used to have music classes back when I was in primary school and secondary school only. I
really loved my music class in secondary school - for our midterm and final tests, we had to
form a group of at least four and perform a certain song that we chose ourselves. It was so
much fun.
5. Do you think it is necessary for children to have music classes?

28
In my opinion, children should always have music classes. Music has been scientifically
proven to have positive influences on one’s way of thinking and feeling, so it will do people
good if they can experience music from an early age.
6. What do you think of Vietnamese traditional music?
It’s not really to my taste, to be honest. I literally cannot listen to traditional kinds of music
such as “ca tru”, “cai luong” or “cheo”. I really like listening to songs created during the war
though. Maybe because my dad was a soldier, he often told me stories about his years in the
army and so I can somehow relate deeply to those kinds of songs.
7. How much time do you spend listening to music every day?
It depends. I often listen to music when I’m doing the housework or when I’m on the bus. At
that time, I feel like I can immerse myself in my own world. When I need to really
concentrate on school work, I don’t really listen to music as it can cause some real
unwelcomed distraction.
8. What is your favorite kind of music?
I don’t have a particular taste in music. I can pretty much listen to everything as long as it
sounds good to me. Still, I can hardly listen to Vietnamese traditional music, some countries’
folk songs and several tracks belonging to the classical genre.
9. When did you start listening to this type of music?
[Let’s just say I’m into rock music]
The first time I heard a rock song was when my dad turned on the TV and there was a
performance of a very famous rock band in Vietnam called “Buc Tuong”. It was amazing. I
started searching for more songs from the Vietnamese band, and songs belonging to the same
genre, and have decided ever since that rock music would be a part of my spiritual life.
10. How do you feel when you listening to music?
Relaxed and free, I guess. Music, to me, is a way of hiding from all the hustle and bustle of
everyday life. I listen to music when I’m under a lot of pressure, and I just feel so fine. It’s
the feeling of finally coming home after years and years of living far away, I think.
Vocabulary
Từ vựng thuộc chủ đề The Arts:
1. folk songs
Meaning: songs in the traditional style of a country or community
Example: Traditional folk songs are part of the cultural heritage of a nation or region.
Dịch đại ý

29
Folk songs: nhạc cổ truyền/ dân tộc
Nghĩa: những bài hát theo phong cách truyền thống của một đất nước hay một cộng đồng.
Ví dụ: những bài hát dân tộc cổ truyền là một phần di sản văn hóa của một quốc gia hay một
vùng miền.
2. to take up a musical instrument
Meaning: to start to learn to play a musical instrument
Example: Schools should encourage all those children who have an interest to take up a
musical instrument.
Dịch đại ý
To take up a musical instrument: học chơi một nhạc cụ
Nghĩa: bắt đầu học để chơi được một nhạc cụ nào đó
Ví dụ: Trường học nên khuyến khích những học sinh mà có hứng thú chơi nhạc cụ.
3. genres of music
Meaning: particular types or styles of music
Example: Different genres of music tend to be favoured by different age groups, with
classical music more popular among the elderly.
Dịch đại ý
Genres of music: thể loại âm nhạc
Nghĩa: những thể loại hay phong cách âm nhạc cụ thể
Ví dụ: Những thể loại âm nhạc khác nhau được yêu thích bởi những lứa tuổi khác nhau, như
là nhạc cố điển thì được người cao tuổi ưa thích hơn.
Từ vựng khác:
1. Do sb good [expression] (to improve someone’s health or life): ảnh hưởng tốt đến sức
khoẻ hoặc cuộc sống của ai đó
E.g. You can't work all the time - it does you good to go out and enjoy yourself sometimes.
2. Be to one’s taste [expression] (be something one likes): đúng khẩu vị/sở thích của ai
đó
E.g. I'm not really into new cars - old vintage cars are more to my taste!
3. Relate [verb] (to be able to understand a situation or someone's feelings because you
have experienced something similar yourself): hiểu được, cảm nhận được
E.g. I often wake up very early - I'm sure most readers over 50 can relate.
4. Immerse yourself in something [verb] (to become completely involved in
something): chìm đắm trong cái gì

30
E.g. She got some books out of the library and immersed herself in Jewishhistory and
culture.
5. Hustle and bustle [expression] (noise and activity): sự ồn ào
E.g. I love the hustle and bustle of the marketplace.
6. Still [adv] (nevertheless; on the other hand): tuy vậy
E.g. I don’t really like weddings. Still, I’ll have to go or they’ll be offended.
16. Politeness
1. Do you think you are a polite person?
I do think I’m a polite person. I treat other people nicely and patiently, and I do not insult
anyone unless they truly deserve it. Also, I properly apologize when I make mistakes and I
show my gratitude when other people help me.
2. Do you think people should be polite? Why?
People should always be polite - it shows that they have good manners and it helps them earn
others’ respect. Being polite is like having good social skills - it can help one widen their
social network, and this can positively influence one’s private and professional life.
3. How do people in your culture show good manners towards others?
In Vietnam, showing good manners is when a junior properly greets a senior and talks to
him/her politely with sufficient and correct honorifics. Politeness also shows during a meal,
when people need to wish the others to have a nice meal and when the younger ones have to
wait for the older ones to finish before cleaning the table.
4. Have there been any changes in politeness in the past few decades?
I always have this feeling that people start being less and less polite to each other as time
passes. Maybe one of the reasons lies in the etiquette and codes of conduct that have
gradually changed over time. In the past, it was very important to behave according to one’s
social class, and those of a lower rank had to obey those of a higher one. But today’s society
is different - you need to work hard to earn somebody’s respect.
5. Who taught you to be polite?

31
This may sound weird but my friends actually taught me to be polite. I wasn’t a very nice
person when I was a kid, and my parents often scolded me for being rude to elders. One day,
I remember watching one of my friends talking really nicely and politely to a senior. She was
praised, and so I started imitating her. My parents were really surprised when I changed my
attitude, and they gave me some sweets as I was “being a good kid”. I have been showing my
politeness to everyone ever since.
Vocabulary
Từ vựng chủ đề Communication and Personality:
1. codes of conduct
Meaning: voluntary rules which people accept in a situation
Example: The code of conduct is voluntary but it is seen as a sign of best practice.
Dịch đại ý
Codes of conduct: quy tắc xứng xử
Nghĩa: những quy định được mọi người chấp nhận một cách tự nguyện trong giao tiếp
Ví dụ: Bộ quy tắc ứng xử là tự nguyện nhưng nó được coi là tiêu chuẩn thực hiện.
2. to have social skills
Meaning: to have the personal skills required for successful communication and interaction
Example: In all jobs which involve dealing with the public, it is important to have good
social skills.
Dịch đại ý
To have social skills: kỹ năng xã hội tốt
Nghĩa: có những kỹ năng cá nhân cần thiết cho giao tiếp và tương tác thành công.
Ví dụ: Mọi công việc liên quan đến quan hệ quần chúng đều yêu cầu kỹ năng xã hội tốt.
Từ vựng khác:
1. Insult [verb] (to treat (a person) rudely or contemptuously): xúc phạm
E.g. He insulted her by telling her she was not only ugly but stupid too.
2. Honorific [noun] (an expression of respect): kính ngữ
E.g. The Japanese use many honorifics in their speech.
3. Etiquette [noun] (the set of rules or customs that control accepted behaviour in
particular social groups or social situations): quy định, nghi thức
E.g. Social etiquette dictates that men cannot sit while women are standing.
17. Watches
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How often do you wear a watch?
Since childhood I have had an affection for watches, so I wear my watch all the time. In fact
I’d feel naked without my watch. But I usually reserve nicer watches or the ones with
sentimental value for special occasions or when I wear luxurious clothes.
What was your first watch like?
I developed my affection for watches with a little cute Mickey Mouse dial shaped watch. And
I guess everyone around my age used to own one like that as it was quite in at the time.
What kind of watches do you like to wear?
I’m a big fan of dress watches with a leather strap. It completes me. It gives a classic look
and complements my outfit irrespective of the occasion.
Do people still wear watches in your country?
There are lot of watches being manufactured or imported and sold in my country since there
are tons of people who love wearing them. Some would love wearing them for their utility
while others would prefer to wear them as an accessory.
Did you receive any watch as a gift when you were a child?
Yes, the one I mentioned above, the Mickey Mouse dial shaped watch. My father rrecognised
my enthusiasm for watches and he gave it to me as a birthday gift when I was about 7. I
remember jumping around because of the excitement.
Vocabulary
1. Affection
[noun] a feeling of liking for a person or place:
Eg: She felt no affection for the child.
2. Irrespective
[adj] without considering
Eg: The legislation must be applied irrespective of someone's ethnic origins.
3. Utility
[noun] the usefulness of something, especially in a practical way
Eg: The utility of this substance has been proven in a series of tests.
4. Accessory
[noun] something added to a machine or to clothing that has a useful or decorative purpose
Eg: She wore a green wool suit with matching accessories.
18. Garden
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1. Does your family have a garden?
No, we don’t have one at the moment, but I think my parents are planning to buy some land
so that we can have our own little garden. My mom’s really into flowers, you see; she’s
wanted to have a garden for herself ever since she was young.
2. Do many people in Vietnam have their own garden?
In the inner city areas- no, there’s no room for gardens, they are just concrete jungles. But
in the suburbs or in the countryside then yes, lots of people have their own garden. I mean my
aunts and uncles live in the countryside and they have very large gardens in which they plant
tons of vegetables and flowers.
3. If someone has a private garden in Vietnam, do they usually prefer to grow
flowers or vegetables?
It depends, I think. I’ve never seen anyone with a private garden in the city, but if there is
one, then the owner must want to grow flowers. Taking care of vegetables in the city requires
a lot of work and effort. People from the countryside, on the other hand, often grow
vegetables on their private plots.
4. (Why?) Have you ever grown anything? (in a garden, or possibly in a flower pot)
I used to grow some sort of beans in a very small pot back when I was in primary school. We
had an assignment in which we had to grow beans and bring them to class. It wasn’t very
successful though; the rats in the yard just kept eating all the beans and I couldn’t bring
anything to class at the time.
5. Do Vietnamese people like growing flowers?
I’m not really sure, but I guess not many people like growing their own flowers. I think most
of the time they just go to the market and buy some flowers instead.
6. Do you like growing flowers?
I don’t. Flowers are actually not my cup of tea. They surely look beautiful and some even
smell really good, but I just can’t see the point of constantly looking at or taking care of
flowers. I prefercactuses.
Vocabulary
Các từ thuộc chủ đề Cities
1. inner city areas
Meaning: the parts near the centre of a city
Example: The inner city areas where I live have a lot of crime and social problems.
2. a concrete jungle

34
Meaning: a way to describe a city that has no parks, trees or green spaces, just ugly concrete
buildings
Example: My parents would never leave the open space and fresh air of the countryside to
live in a concrete jungle, full of ugly buildings.
Từ vựng khác:
1. plot [noun] (a small piece of land used for a particular purpose)
E.g. My uncle has a plot of land on which he grows vegetables and flowers.
2. to be into something [expression] (to be enthusiastic or interested in): thích cái gì
E.g. Jackie’s really into classical music - he listens to it all the time.
3. not be somebody’s cup of tea [expression] (not the type of thing that somebody
likes): không phải thứ ai đó thích
E.g. Thanks for inviting me, but ballet isn’t really my cup of tea.
4. to see the point of something [expression] (to understand the purpose or aim of
something)
E.g. I don’t see the point of taking the exam again - it’s too difficult for me.
5. cactus [noun] (any of many types of desert plant usually with sharp spines and thick
stems for storing water): cây xương rồng
E.g. If you don’t have any flower pots in the house, at least plant some cactuses!
19. Internet
1. Do you use the internet (very much)?
I am currently in my first year at college, so using the internet is a must. I need to hand in
assignments and sometimes complete the quizzes through the college intranet. Aside from
that, I also use the internet to gain access to entertainment resources such as movies, music or
novels online.
2. When was the first time you used the internet?
I first accessed the internet when I was in grade six, which was about 7 or 8 years ago. I was
in my English class and the teacher set up some online exercises for us, and it was the first
time I learned what the internet was and how to use it.
3. Is the internet very important (or, useful) to you?
It is so important to me that I cannot imagine living a day without using it. The first reason
is because most of my work and assignments require the use of the internet, like submitting
an essay to the professor, or doing some research using the information found on the Internet.

35
Besides, I actually live quite far from my parents right now but we are still a close-
knitfamily, so with the internet I can make video calls and keep in touch with all the family
news.
4. Do think you can (or, could) live without the internet?
I actually experienced a time when I lived without the internet. It was before I entered grade
six, and I felt completely fine. I’m not addicted to using the internet, but it would be
impossible to pursue my studies without it.
5. Do you often (or, do you ever) buy things on the internet?
Yes, I love shopping online. The first time I did that was when I wanted to purchase a book
which I coudn’t find at any bookstores in my city. I ordered and received it in just a few days,
and it was in great condition. This was when I got really intoonline shopping - I started
buying a lot of books online, and then other types of consumer products ever since.
Vocabulary
Các từ thuộc chủ đề Technology:
1. the college intranet
Meaning: a network of computers within a college that can only be accessed by the staff and
students to set and mark work, enter into contact etc.
Example: Distance learning in education has been made possible by innovations such as the
college intranet system.
Dịch đại ý
The college intranet: mạng nội bộ trong trường cao đẳng
Nghĩa: một mạng lưới máy tính trong trường cao đẳng và chỉ được kết nốibởi nhân viên và
sinh viên trong trường để làm việc
2. to gain access to the internet/to access the internet
Meaning: to have the opportunity to use the internet
Example: Millions of people are able to access the internet in cafes, libraries or other public
places.
Dịch đại ý
To gain access to the internet: kết nối mạng
Nghĩa: có cơ hội sử dụng internet
Ví dụ: Hàng triệu người có thể kết nối mạng tại quán café, thư viện và những nơi công cộng
khác.

36
3. online shopping
Meaning: shopping while connected to the internet
Example: For people who are physically disabled, or even for people who are simply very
busy, online shopping is convenient and may also be cheaper.
Dịch đại ý
Online shopping: mua sắm trực tiếp
Nghĩa: mua sắm trên mạng internet
Ví dụ: Mua sắm trực tuyến thuận tiện và có thể rẻ hơn cho những người khuyết tật và cả
những người bận rộn.
Các từ thuộc chủ đề Family and Children

1. a close-knit family
Meaning: a family having strong relationships with each other
Example: We are aclose-knit family, spending a lot of time together.
Các từ thuộc chủ đề Health:

1. to be addicted to something
Meaning: to have a habit of being involved with something, so that you come to depend on it
Example: I don’t know which is worse – to be addicted to alcohol, tobacco, drugs or the
Internet !
Các từ khác:
1. to keep in touch with (expression) to communicate with someone
E.g. She keeps in touch with her friends by texting, e-mails and calling them on her mobile.
2. into [prep] (enthusiastic or interested in): thích cái gì
20. TV dramas
1. Are drama series popular in Vietnam? Why?
Yes, they are quite popular, especially among housewives. I think people like drama series
because of their diverse themes, entertaining storylines and because they are an escape from
the stress and pressure of daily life for the audiences.
2. What is the difference between the favorite TV dramas of young people and old
people? Why?
37
I think young people are more interested in action and adventure, which seems to match with
their age. On the other hand, old people would rather watch slow dramas, especially those
which dealwith family themes. The difference is due to the age gap.
3. Do you think TV dramas reflect what happens in the real world?
Only partly. The themes of TV dramas are quite similar to reality, insofar as they often deal
with contemporary social issues, such as divorce, domestic violence or family conflicts.
4. Do you think people change their tastes in TV drama when they get older?
Yes, to some extent. As you get more mature, you will be more into slow, meaningful
dramas. However, whether we change our preference or not is largely dependent on our own
interests.
5. What is the difference between Vietnamese and foreign TV dramas?
Well, Vietnamese drama series often exploit family themes. Meanwhile, foreign dramas
consist of broader topics, which include crime, law and medicine, catering for a wider
demand from viewers.
6. What is the influence of foreign shows on Vietnamese viewers?
I think they give Vietnamese people a chance to know more about foreign cultures, lifestyles
and codes of conduct,…Youngsters are more aware of the diversity of cultures in the world,
thanks to the influence of imported shows.
7. Some people say that soap operas don’t reflect real life, what do you think? why?
Well, I think this might be true. The plotsin soap operas are quite light, which contrasts with
the harsh reality of everyday life. As a matter of fact, life is becoming increasingly
demanding, while soap operas rarely take people out of their comfort zone.
8. Do you think soap operas have a bad influence on children?
Well, I think it depends on how seriously children take soap operas. They must have some
influence, because they are shown on prime time television. However, parents should teach
children how to distinguish between the fantasy world of TV dramas and the real world.
VOCABULARY:
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: COMMUNICATION AND PERSONALITY (sách
collocations)
1. codes of conduct
Meaning: voluntary rules which people accept in a situation
Example: The Code of Conduct is voluntary but it is seen as a sign of best practice.
Dịch đại ý

38
Codes of conduct: quy tắc xứng xử
Nghĩa: những quy định được mọi người chấp nhận một cách tự nguyện trong giao tiếp
Ví dụ: Bộ quy tắc ứng xử là tự nguyện nhưng nó được coi là tiêu chuẩn thực hiện.
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: MEDIA AND ADVERTISING
1. prime time television
Meaning: the hours during which most people are watching TV.
Example: Serious discussion programs are rarely shown on prime time television.
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: SOCIETY
1. domestic violence
Meaning: violence among family members in the home
Example: Children who witness domestic violence often have behavioural problems when
they are growing up.
CÁC TỪ KHÁC:
1. diverse [adj]: very different from each other and of various kinds: đa dạng
Eg: The country includes people from diverse cultures.
2. similar [adj]: be like sb/sth but not the same: tương tự
Eg: We have very similar interests.
3. taste [n]: what a person likes or prefers
Eg: She has very expensive tastes in clothes – she would never wear anything cheap.
4. mature [adj]: behaving in a sensible way, like an adult : trưởng thành
Eg: Jane is very mature for her age, and she always behaves responsibly.
5. (to) exploit [v]: to use something well, in order to gain as much from it as possible
Eg: The movie industry exploits the public’s fascination with dinosaurs in order to make
money with movies like ‘Jurassic Park’.
6. demand [n]: the desire or need of customers for goods or services which they want to
buy or use : yêu cầu
Eg: There is a high demand for this product this season.
7. plot [n]: a series of events that form the story of a film, a play, a novel.
Eg: The plot of the book is based on a crime that actually took place in Paris.
8. light [adj]: not serious
Eg: The film is not serious – the plot about the romance of a boy and girl is very light.
9. comfort zone [n]: a situation in which you feel safe and comfortable and do not wish
to change

39
Eg: She was nervous about leaving the comfort zone of her steady job and familiar routine to
move to a new job and a different city.
10. (to) distinguish [v]: to know the difference between two people or two things : phân
biệt
Eg: Sometimes reality and fantasy are hard to distinguish.

40
41
MỤC LỤC
I. Part 1 .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Home/ Accommodation ............................................................................................................................. 3
2. Study .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Work........................................................................................................................................................... 8
4. Newspapers and magazines ...................................................................................................................... 10
5. Birds ......................................................................................................................................................... 12
6. Email ........................................................................................................................................................ 15
7. Parks& Trees ............................................................................................................................................ 16
8. Text messages .......................................................................................................................................... 22
10. Patience ................................................................................................................................................... 24
11. Daily routine ........................................................................................................................................... 25
12. Films ....................................................................................................................................................... 28
13. Mathematics ............................................................................................................................................ 30
14. Social network ......................................................................................................................................... 32
15. Museums ................................................................................................................................................. 34
16. Time management ................................................................................................................................... 36
17. Weather .................................................................................................................................................... 38
18. Noises ...................................................................................................................................................... 40
19. Hats and bags........................................................................................................................................... 41
WRITTEN BY NGOCBACH
WEBSITE: WWW.NGOCBACH.COM Page 1
Hi các bạn,
Chúc các bạn năm mới 2018 mạnh khỏe và hạnh phúc. Để giúp các bạn có sự chuẩn bị tốt nhất cho
ky thi IELTS sắp tới. Mình gửi các bạn các đề thi part 1 sẽ ra trong quý 1/ 2018 (từ tháng 1 đến
tháng 5).
Hy vọng tài liệu sẽ giúp các bạn tự ôn IELTS tốt hơn. Để có thêm thông tin, các bài viết mới nhất
của mình về kinh nghiệm, phương pháp luyện thi IELTS. Các bạn truy cập một trong các địa chỉ
sau:
Page tuhocielts8.0: https://www.facebook.com/tuhocIelts8.0/
Group IELTS Ngoc Bach : https://www.facebook.com/groups/ieltsngocbach/
Website : www.ngocbach.com
-Ngọc Bach-
WRITTEN BY NGOCBACH
I. Part 1
1. Home/ Accommodation
1.1. What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?
I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bed rooms, two bathrooms and a
lovely back garden. It’s not really a spacious house, but it’s just right for me and my family.
1.2. Who do you live with?
I live with my parents and my siblings. We always get on well with each other and have a lot of
fun.
1.3. How long have you lived there?
I’ve lived there since I was a child, until I graduated from high school and moved to the city to
enroll at university, where I lived in a student dormitory during the semester.
1.4. (If you answer you haven't lived there long) What’s the difference between where you are
living now and where you have lived in the past?
Living in a dorm with other roommates is totally different from living in my own house.
My current residential area is quite small and it’s very noisy because there are a lot of people there
and I don’t have my own space. Conversely, when I was living at home, I had my own spacious
room and it made me feel comfortable.
1.5. Do you plan to live there for a long time?
To be honest, I intend to buy an apartment in an urban area after I graduate from university. I can
decorate and design my ideal home with whatever facilities I want.
1.6. Which room does your family spend most of the time in?
It’s definitely the kitchen. Not only lunch or dinner time but all our family reunions take place in
the kitchen where all the family members get together to eat tasty meals, and chat to each other –
it’s a really harmonious atmosphere.
1.7. Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
To be honest, most of the transport facilities to my place are not very modern. The bus service from
my work place to home is irregular and usually overcrowded.
1.8. Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?
I prefer living in a house to a flat because I value my privacy and need my own space. Owning an
independent house, I can plan and design a house layout to suit myself. Moreover, I can modify a
house according to the size of the family.
WRITTEN BY NGOCBACH
1.9. Please describe the room you live in.
My current room is actually more like a bedsit. It is a multi – purpose room, I use it to sleep and
study as well. It is painted in pink, that’s my favorite color with a bed, a cupboard and desk. It’s not
really spacious but it’s just right for me.
1.10. What part of your home do you like the most ?
I prefer my bedroom most due to its convenience and privacy. Because of my stressful work I want
to be in a quiet place and concentrate on my work. In my own room, I’m never disturbed by anyone
else.
Moreover, in my own space I can do whatever I want without bothering others.
VOCABULARY
✓ Terraced house (noun): (ngôi nhà trong dãy nhà cùng kiểu) a house connected on both sides
by other properties
Ex: In England, most people seem to live in terraced houses with lovely back gardens.
✓ Back garden (noun phrase): (vườn ở phía sau nhà) a garden at the rear of the house.
Ex: I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bed rooms, two bathrooms and
a lovely back garden.
✓ Spacious (adjective): (rộng rãi) (of a room or building) large and with plenty of space for
people to move around in
Ex: The hotel rooms are spacious and comfortable.
✓ Sibling(s) (noun): (anh/ chị em) a brother or sister
Ex: The younger children were badly treated by older siblings.
✓ Get on well with sb (phrasal verb): (hòa hợp với ai đó) to have a friendly relationship with
somebody
Ex: She and her sister have never really got on well with each other.
✓ Dormitory (noun): (kí túc xá) a room for several people to sleep in, especially in a school or
other institution
Ex: I’ve lived there since I was a child, until I graduated high school and moved to the city to
enroll in university where I lived in a dormitory.
✓ Residential area (noun): (nơi ở) (of an area of a town) suitable for living in; consisting of
houses rather than factories or offices
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Ex: It was not safe to locate the chemicals factory in a residential area.
✓ Urban area (noun): (vùng thành thị) connected with a town or city
Ex:Pollution has reached disturbingly high levels in some urban areas.
✓ Reunion (noun): (tụ họp, xum họp) a social occasion or party attended by a group of people
who have not seen each other for a long time
Ex: The College has an annual reunion for former students.
✓ Harmonious (adjective): (ấm cúng, yên bình) friendly, peaceful and without any
disagreement
Ex: It is important to have harmonious relations between the country's ethnic groups.
✓ Irregular (adjective): not happening at the arranged time intervals
Ex: His irregular attendance at school resulted in his failure in the final exams.
✓ Overcrowded (adjective): with too many people or things in it
Ex: The train was so overcrowded this evening that I was unable to find an empty seat.
✓ Privacy (noun): being alone and not disturbed by other people
Ex: I read the letter in the privacy of my own room.
✓ Suit oneself (verb): to do exactly what you like/want
Ex: Everyone had a different opinion about what colour to paint my room, so in the end I decided
to just suit myself.
✓ Modify (verb): (sửa đổi, thay đổi) to change something slightly, especially in order to make
it more suitable for a particular purpose
Ex: We found it cheaper to modify the existing equipment rather than buy new.
✓ Bedsit (noun): (phòng vừa để ngủ vừa để học, tiếp khách) a room that a person rents and
uses for both living and sleeping in
Ex: He lives in a tiny student bedsit used for both sleeping and studying.
✓ Multi-purpose (adjective): (đa chức năng) having many different uses
Ex: This room is multi-purpose – we use it for meetings, interviews and taking breaks.
2. Study
2.1. 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
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country, highschool education lasts 3 years, then I went onto higher education at the Foreign Trade
University where I’m currently studying economics.
2.2. What is your area of specialization?
Well, my major is External Economics. I have mastered the basics of economics and socio-
economics, combined with business knowledge mainly related to theimport and export business.
2.3. Why did you choose to study that major?
I think it would help to fulfill my dream of introducing my country’s agricultural products to the
world. Vietnamese goods have a real potential, but they still struggle to make a name for
themselves, you know.
2.4. Do you like your major? (Why?/Why not?)
Yes, of course. Studying economics, especially external economics is interesting and practical. It
helps me to keep up with current affairs and it improves my analytical and problem-solving skills
as well.
2.5. 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.
2.6. What was your favourite subject as a child?
Well, I used to be very passionate about drawing when I was a little girl. It was fun to work with
brushes and colors, you know, as it was the time when I could indulge in my own creative world.
2.7. Do you think your country has an effective education system?
To be honest, I don’t think so. Our system hassomehow 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 focuses on an exam-driven curriculum, which I find quite
impractical.
2.8. (Possibly) Are you looking forward to working?
Absolutely! It’s great to join the workforce, especially when I can do the job I love. Not only will it
pay the bills, but it’ll also give me the joy of making a contribution. It’s hard to be happy and
fulfilled without working, you know.
VOCABULARY
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✓ Higher education (chương trình đại học) [n] post-18 learning that take places at universities
Example: According to a research, nearly 50 percent of Vietnamese students in U.S. higher
education are studying either business or engineering, with business-related majors making up 38
percent of all enrollments in 2012/13
✓ Master (tinh thông, nắm vững) [v] learn how to do sowmthing well
Example: She lived in Italy for several years but never quite mastered the language.
✓ Make a name for oneself ( trở nên nổi tiếng) [idiom] become famous and respected by a
lot of people
Example: By the time he was thirty-five, he had made a name for himself as a successful railway
contractor
✓ Keep up with (cập nhật thông tin về cái gì) [idiom] be aware of
Example: Even though he's been travelling, he's kept up with what's going on back home
✓ Analytical (thuộc về phân tích) [adj] using analysis or logical reasoning
Example: Analytical skills are essential in the workplace to ensure necessary problem solving
occurs to keep productivity and other areas of the workforce functioning smoothly
✓ Elementary school (trường tiểu học) [n] primary school, school for children between 7-11
years old (in Vietnam)
Example: It’s essential that children at the official entry age for elementary school attend classes
fully.
✓ Unduly (quá mức, không chính đáng ) [adj] excessively/ to a level that more than is
necessary, acceptable, or reasonable
Example:
For every new parents, the decision about whether to vaccinate his or herchild has been unduly stre
ssful
✓ Exam-driven curriculum (chương trình học để phục vụ cho các kỳ thi) [expression] the
courses taught a school, college, which focus on teaching what will be on the exam
Example: Many parents believe that exam-driven curriculum can change their kid’s attitude
towards school in profoundly negative ways.
✓ Pay the bills (trang trải cuộc sống) [ idioms] provide enough income to sustain one’s
lifestyle
Example: Being a dentist isn’t so glamorous, but it pays the bills.
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3. Work
3.1. What do you do?
I’m currently working as a graphic designer for a fashion magazine for youngsters
3.2. What are your responsibilities?
Well I’m mainly responsible for designing the cover of the magazine. I normally work with the
concept team to make sure that the final product will both attract the potential buyer’s attention and
express the theme of the magazine.
3.3. Why did you choose to do that type of work (or, that job)?
I guess it’s because of my artistic passion. The process of creating beautiful things is somehow
intriguing to me, so I chose to be a graphic designer, which combines both art and technology. It’s
quite interesting, you know.
3.4. Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?
Well, if possible, I’d like to be a freelance writer. Actually I’m a big fan of action movies, and I
also care about healthy living, so, I’d love to write about these topics and share my stories with
people of the same interest.
3.5. Describe the company or organization you work for
My company is not huge, it’s just a small art designoffice, but is definitely an inspirational
workplace with a young, creative, and extremely passionate team. We work on the basis of mutual
understanding and respect for each other, so it’s kind of an ideal environment for me.
3.6. Do you enjoy your work?
Most of the time. It’s rewarding to co-work on projects with amazing people in an open and
supportive environment to bring out an art production that will ultimately give me a sense of
satisfaction and pride.
3.7. What do you like about your job?
Well, the perk of being a graphic designer is that you’ll surround yourself with inspiring images
everyday. My daily working life involves seeking out inspiration in all sorts of places, researching
incredible illustrations and graphics, and creating them too. It’s great, I think.
3.8. What do you dislike about your job
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What I don’t like about this job is that our personal taste in design varies, and normally I’ll have to
do a thousand edits to get the final product that meets the demand of my boss while still * relating /
staying faithful to /remaining trueto the initial concept.
* conform means ‘to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a
group or society’ – this does not relate to things like ‘concepts’.
3.9. (Possibly)Do you miss being a student?
Sometimes, when I’m burdened with heavy workloads or the pressure of everyday life, I recall the
memories of being a student. We were all carefree and innocent back then. It’s a precious time that
I cherish.
VOCABULARY
✓ theme (đề tài,chủ đề) [n] the main subject of a talk, book, film, etc
Example: The father-daughter relationship is a recurring theme in her novels.
✓ Intriguing ( hấp dẫn, gợi thích thú) [adj] very interesting because of being unusual or
mysterious
Example: The Huns are intriguing not only because of their notoriously hawkish history,
but also because of their place as middlemen between Mongol and Turkic ethnicity
✓ On the basis of (trên cơ sở) [idiom] base on
Example: Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age or disability is not allowed.
✓ Rewarding (bổ ích, đáng làm) [adj] giving pleasure, satisfation
Example: The most rewarding aspect of living forever is you have unlimited time to perfect your
abilities and accumulate wealth.
✓ Ultimately (cuối cùng thì, rút cục) [adv] at the end of a process, period of time, etc.
Example: Everything will ultimately depend on what is said at the meeting with the directors
next week.
✓ Perk ( đặc quyền, thù lao thêm) [n] an advantage or something extra that you are given
because of your job
Example: A company car and a mobile phone are some of the perks that come with the job.
✓ Conform (to sth) (tuân theo) [v] obey the rule or reach the necessary stated standard
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Example: Before buying the baby's car seat, make sure that it conforms to
the official safetystandards.
✓ Cherish (yêu mến, coi trọng) [v] keep hopes, memories in your mind because they are
important to you and bring you pleasure
Example: I cherish the memories of the time we spent together.
4. Newspapers and magazines

4.1. Do you often read newspapers?
Yes, I read the newspaper everyday to keep up to date with the latest news and see what the hottest
topic of the day is. I’ve been in the habit of doing this for a long time.
4.2. Do you prefer to read local news or international news?
Well, I suppose that I have an inclination towards international news, especially news about
relationships among countries around the world. This is probably because I’m quite fond of
diplomatic issues and want to keep track of what’s happening outside my country.
4.3. Which is more popular where you live, newspapers or magazines?
Well, I think that people read newspapers more often than magazines, normally because newspapers
provide information that is relatively easy to understand for almost everyone. On the other hand,
magazines contain longer articles and specifically focus on a particular topic which may be quite
difficult or unfamiliar to some readers.
4.4. Do many people today read newspapers?
I guess… yes, maybe. Because every morning when I go to my office, I can see many people
reading the daily newspapers at pavement cafés. However, I think nowadays people are tending to
gradually change their habits and accessing the latest news online.
4.5. In the future, do you think more people than today will read magazines, or fewer
people?
I’m not really sure about this, but I suppose that there will be fewer people reading magazines in the
future. It’s probably because nowadays there are various sources of information, so people can
search if they want to find knowledge of any field, especially on the Internet… it’s easier and
cheaper. Maybe in the future perhaps specialists will be the only ones who read the magazines
which relate to their own particular fields.
4.6. Do you think newspapers will be very important to you in the future?
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Well, honestly, I haven’t ever thought about that before, but I love my routine of reading
newspapers while drinking coffee every morning, it’s completely relaxing … so I’ll try to keep
reading newspapers as a regular habit as long as possible.
VOCABULARY
✓ Keep up to date (expression): Cập nhật to provide the latest information to someone or for
something
Ex: I keep up to date with world events by watching the news on CNN.
✓ Be in the habit of (expression): to do something regularly and almost without needing to
think about it
Ex: My grandfather is in the habit of taking a walk in the park every morning.
✓ Inclination (noun): Xu hướng a feeling that makes you want to do something
Ex: Her inclination has always been to live and work in Australia.
✓ Diplomatic (adjective): Ngoại giao connected with managing relations between countries
Ex: Attempts are being made to settle the dispute by diplomatic means in order to avoid a war.
✓ Keep track of (expression): Theo dõi to be informed about what is happening or where
somebody/something is
Ex: Bank statements help you keep track of where your money is going.
✓ Unfamiliar (adjective): Không quen, lạ that you do not know or recognize
Ex: Although I knew some people at the party, there were also some unfamiliar faces among the
guests.
✓ Pavement (noun): Vỉa hè a part at the side of the road for people to walk on
Ex: In summer, the restaurant puts a few tables and chairs outside on the pavement.
✓ Tend to do something (expression): Có xu hướng làm gì đó to be likely to do something
or to happen in a particular way because this is what often or usually happens
Ex: When I'm tired, I tend to make mistakes.
✓ Access (verb): to enter or use something, such as a computer file
Ex: If you want to access information about the exam, there is a new website that I can
recommend.
✓ Specialist (noun): Chuyên gia a person who is an expert in a particular area of work or
study.
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Ex: He is a specialist in Japanese history.
5. Birds
1. How do you feel about birds? (why do you feel that way?)
I have to say I’m a bird-lover. It’s primarily because birds are absolutely beautiful creatures with
sweet songs. Watching them fly can evoke a feeling of freedom for me.
2. How do Vietnamese people feel about birds?

Well, it’s difficult to generalize. Some people are fond of keeping birds. Some only like to eat them.
And some develop a keen interest in taking pictures of birds.
3. Are there many birds near your home?

No. Birds are now a rare sight in my neighborhood or elsewhere in Hanoi center. I guess because
there’re too many skyscrapers and the environment is heavily polluted. You’re more likely to find
them in zoos, national parks, unpolluted cities or in the countryside.
4. Have you seen many different kinds of birds? (near your home)
No, I haven’t unfortunately. I have only seen some sparrows play on my balcony, but very rarely.
When I was still living in my hometown, a small village on the outskirts of Hanoi, I spotted a
variety of birds like pigeons, red-whiskered bulbuls, and spotted doves.
Vocabulary
1. lover [noun]: (often in compounds) a person who likes or enjoys a particular thing (người yêu
thích)
Eg: He was a devoted animal lover, and had a large number of pets at home.
2. primarily [adverb]: mainly (chủ yếu)
Eg: It was the first book of poetry primarily designed for children.
3. creature [noun]: a living thing, real or imaginary, that can move around, such as an animal (sinh
vật, loài vật)
Eg: Dogs are more social creatures than cats.
4. evoke something [verb]: to bring a feeling, a memory or an image into your mind (gợi lên)
Eg: The music evoked memories of her youth.
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5. generalize [verb]: to use a particular set of facts or ideas in order to form an opinion that is
considered valid for a different situation (khái quát hoá)
Eg: It would be foolish to generalize from a single example.
6. interest (in somebody/something) [noun]: the feeling that you have when you want to know or
learn more about somebody/something (sự quan tâm; sự thích thú)
Eg: He showed a polite interest in her story.
 develop a keen interest in something: hình thành sở thích về điều gì
7. rare [adjective]: not done, seen, happening, etc. very often (hiếm; ít có)
Eg: It’s extremely rare for it to be this hot in April.
8. sight [noun]: a thing that you see or can see (cảnh, cảnh tượng)
Eg: The eagle is now a rare sight in this country.
9. skyscraper [noun]: a very tall building in a city (nhà chọc trời )
Eg: It's located in a square surrounded by towering skyscrapers.
10. national park [noun]: an area of land that is protected by the government for people to visit
because of its natural beauty and historical or scientific interest (vườn quốc gia)
Eg: The area was designated a national park because of the many rare creatures living there.
11. outskirts [noun]: the parts of a town or city that are furthest from the centre (vùng ngoại ô)
Eg: We live on the outskirts of a big city and we take a bus to the centre.
12. spot [verb]: to see or notice a person or thing, especially suddenly or when it is not easy to do so
(nhận ra, phát hiện ra)
Eg: Can you spot the difference between these two pictures?
13. pigeon [noun]: a fat grey and white bird with short legs. Pigeons are common in cities and also
live in woods and fields where people shoot them for sport or food. (chim bồ câu)
Eg: A pigeon strutted along the roof, singing rhythmically.
14. Red-whiskered bulbul [noun]: a songbird found in Asia (chim chào mào)
Eg:The red-whiskered bulbul has white cheeks, brown back, and a long white-tipped tail.
15. spotted [adjective]: having a regular pattern of round dots on it (lốm đốm)
Eg: I received a black and white spotted dress as a gift from my father.
16. spotted dove [noun]: is a small and quite long-tailed pigeon which natively lives in the Indian
Subcontinent and Southeast Asia (chim cu gáy)
Eg: The spotted dove has a grey head and grey-brown neck and underparts.
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6. Email
1. Do you like to write a letter or email?
I really like writing letters to other people, especially on special occasions. I remember writing
many letters, like birthday letters, or farewell ones to any of my friends or relatives who had to go
somewhere far away from me. My friends and relatives always feel happy when they receive a
letter from me; they say that it makes them feel important and cherished.
2. Do you think emails are useful?
Emails are really useful and important to me. I can use emails to contact people who are staying far
away from me, and this really comes in handy as I have lots of foreign friends. Moreover, I can
receive notifications of special deals or interesting information through emails by subscribing to
any online channels that appeal to me.
3. What sorts of letters (or emails) do you think are the most difficult to write?
Formal emails, like the ones you send to recruiters, to your boss, to your professor and so on, are
very difficult to write. You have to choose the right tone for the emails so that they do not appear
too casual or too serious, and you have to pay attention to the format of the emails too.
4. Do you prefer to write letters or emails? Why?
It depends. For special occasions, like on someone’s birthday, I prefer writing letters to congratulate
them as handwritten letters can show my sincerity. However, if I need to write something formal,
say to a recruiter to apply for a certain position, email is my first choice. It’s instant, easy to format
and I can attach different files with it so it is very convenient too.
5. Do you think email might one day replace handwritten letters?
I don’t think so. Handwritten letters still carry in themselves special meanings, one of which is that
they can show a writer’s sentiment. I always think that it feels different when you look at
someone’s handwriting, like you can actually sense their feelings when they wrote the letter. So
handwritten letters are irreplaceable, at least to me.
Vocabulary
1. Cherished [adj] (bringing the pleasure of love or caring about someone or something that is
important to you): cảm giác được yêu thương
E.g. Her most cherished possession is a 1926 letter from F. Scott Fitzgerald.
2. Tone [noun] (the general mood or main qualities of something): tông
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E.g. I didn't like the jokey tone of the article - I thought it was inappropriate.
3. Sincerity [noun] (honesty): sự chân thành
E.g. So when I sat down to write my public letter of apology, it dripped with venomous sincerity.
4. Sentiment [noun] (tender feeling or emotion): tình cảm
E.g. That song is full of patriotic sentiment. It moved me deeply.
5. Come in handy [expression] (to be useful): có ích
E.g. I’ll keep these bottles - they might come in handy.
7. Parks& Trees
Parks
1. Do you like going to parks and/or public gardens?
I have to say I have a really strong liking for public green spaces such as parks and gardens. I
believe that, when it comes to stress relief, nothing can beat hanging around in the park. I am a
great fan of the color green, so being able to wander among the various shades of tree leaves
appears to be the optimal way for me to wind down. What’s more, looking at children having fun
or people exercising and relaxing also cheers me up. That is the reason why I always treat myself
to a visit to the park as a compensation for my heavy workload.
2. When was the last time you went to a park?
It is just about a week since I last paid a visit to the park. It was indeed a heart-warming
experience for me as we had a family gathering there. We had a small picnic under the shade of an
old tree, and the best thing about it was that everyone in the family was there. My father had never
found the time to play with me as he had always been busy, so I’ve got to make the most of the
time we are now able to spend together. That morning was really memorable, and I wished it could
have lasted forever. I had never had so much fun.
3. Do you think the parks and the gardens where you live could be improved in any way?
I love my local park, but it doesn’t mean that there is noroom for improvement. What bothers me
most is the water pollution in the park’s lake. The water is turning greenish black and floating dead
fish appear every now and then. For me, parks are supposed to provide citizens with a clean
atmosphere to enjoy, so it is quite devastating to witness how environmental degradation has
reached into the greenest place of the city. Personally, I holdthe local park-goers accountable
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forthrowing litter into the lake and contaminating the water. I believe that a policy of zero
tolerance towards the act of littering the lake would be effective and alleviate the environmental
problems facing the park authorities.
4. Would you like to see more parks and gardens in your home town?
I would definitely treasure the chance to witness the establishment of more and more green spaces
in my city. My hometown is a highly industrial area with factories and skyscrapers everywhere, so I
value the increase in the number of parks and gardens as more available breathing space away
from the hustle and bustle of the concrete junglethat is my city. Air pollution from factories is
another pressing issue, and the abundance of trees provided by parks contribute to enhancing the air
quality. Parks and gardens also beautify the city’s image, as they add colors to the view with trees
and flowers. I dislike simplicity, so the monotonous picture of a dull, greyish city of buildings is
definitely not my cup of tea.
5. Do you prefer to relax with your friends in a park or an indoor space?
Although I enjoy going to parks, my preference would be to gather with friends indoors. Parks are a
lovely place to exercise or to picnic, but they are often too noisy and dynamic for an intimate talk
with buddies. I would rather go to a café or bookshop where I can enjoy peaceand quiet while
concentrating on my friends’ stories and sharing our confidences. Another factor that puts me off
gathering with friends in parks is the extremes of our weather. When the temperature hits rock
bottomat 9 degree or climbs to the top of the ladder at 38 degrees in the height of summer,
meeting up in parks is uncomfortable and unthinkable.
Vocabulary
Từ vựng trong chủ đề Environment
1. to hold sbdy accountable for + noun/gerund (expression): to consider someone responsible for
something; to blame something on someone
Nghĩa: coi ai đó có trách nhiệm cho cái gì/
đổ lỗi cho ai về chuyện gì đó
Example: Companies which discharge chemical waste from their factories into the sea or into rivers
must be held accountable for their actions and be fined heavily.
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2. to alleviate environmental problems (expression): to make bad environmental problems less
severe
Nghĩa: Khiến các vấn đề về môi trường đỡ nghiêm trọng hơn
Example: Everyone can assist in the effort to alleviate environmental problems in the local
community through simple actions such as recycling waste or planting a tree in their garden.
Từ vựng trong chủ đề Business and Finance
1. compensation (for something) (n): a thing or things that make a bad situation better
Nghĩa: một hoặc nhiều thứ mà làm cho một tình huống xấu tốt hơn
Example: I wish I were young again, but getting older has its compensations.
Từ vựng chủ đề Crime and Punishment

1. a policy of zero tolerance (exp): a policy of applying laws very strictly, so that every illegal
action is punished, even if it is not very serious
Nghĩa: một chính sách áp dụng luật hà khắc, để tất cả các hành vi phạm tội đều phải bị trừng phạt,
dù đó không phải tội nghiêm trọng
Example: I would argue that the most effective way to reduce crime is to implement a policyof
zero tolerance.
Từ vựng khác:
1. to have a liking for something/ doing something (expression): to like or enjoy something or
doing something.
Nghĩa: yêu thích một điều gì đó hoặc làm gì đó.
Example: She has an unusual liking for abstract paintings.
2. to wind down (phrasal verb):to relax after a period of activity or excitement.
Nghĩa: giải tỏa cảm xúc bị dồn nén lại
Example: I usually watch a comedy programme on TV to wind down after work.
3. to treat somebody to something (phrasal verb):to give somebody/yourself something special as
a gift or favour
Nghĩa: làm ai đó vui vẻ bằng một thứ gì đó đặc biệt
She treated herself to a pizza after the exam.
4. heart-warming (adjective): causing feelings of happiness and pleasure
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Nghĩa: làm cho người ta thấy vui vẻ, thỏa mãn
Example: It’s heart-warming to hear of the success you’ve had with the appeal.
5. to make the most of something (expression): to make something appear as good as possible; to
exploit something; to get as much out of something as is possible.
Nghĩa: tận dụng một thứ gì đó
Example: Mary knows how to make the most of her talents.
6. room for improvement (expression): things that can be made better
Nghĩa: các điểm cần được cải thiện
Example: There’s much room for improvement in her last report.
7. every now and then (expression): Occasionally, from time to time; also, periodically.
Nghĩa: thi thoảng, thình thoảng
Example: Every now and then I long for a piece of chocolate.
8. breathing space (noun): a short rest during a period of physical or mental activity
Nghĩa:
Example: After finishing one exam, she needed a breathing space before starting the next one.
9. hustle and bustle (expression): busy and noisy activity of a lot of people in one place.
Nghĩa: sự xô bồ và bận rộn
Example: I can't stand the hustle and bustle of big cities.
10. concrete jungle (expression): An overcrowded, unsafe and/or crime-ridden urban environment
or city, characterized by the congestion of large buildings and roads.
Nghĩa: một thành phố quá đông đúc và/hoặc nhiều tệ nạn, được đặc trưng bởi sự tắc nghẽn của các
tòa nhà và đường lớn.
Example: After years living in that concrete jungle, I'm looking forward to being in a place with a
bit of grass and friendly neighbors.
11. not one’s cup of tea (expression): something not preferred or desired.
Nghĩa: một thứ gì đó không được mong đợi hoặc thích
Example: Driving children around all afternoon is not my cup of tea.
12. peace and quiet (expression): tranquility and freedom from disturbance.
Nghĩa: sự bình yên, thoát khỏi sự làm phiền
Example: All I want is a little peace and quiet away from the noise of the traffic.
13. confidences (noun): secrets that you tell somebody
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Nghĩa:
Example: The girls exchanged confidences about their hopes for the future.
14. to put sb off sth/doing sth (phrasal verb): To discourage someone from doing something.
Nghĩa: làm ai đó không muốn làm gì
Example: The bad weather put us off from trying to climb the mountain.
15. to hit rock bottom (expression): to reach the lowest possible level or be in the worst possible
situation
Nghĩa: đạt đến điểm thấp nhất ở tình huống xấu nhất
Example: She used illegal drugs for eight years and quit before she hit rock bottom.
16. in the height of sth (expression): the point when something is at its best or strongest.
Nghĩa: ở thời điểm mà cái gì đó mạnh mẽ nhất
Example: I would not go out in the height of the heat wave.
Trees
1. Do you like trees?
I really like trees. An ideal day for me would be when I could lie under the beautiful, cool shade of
a big oak tree, enjoying the breeze, listening to the the amazing sound of birds chirping, and not
having to worry about anything at all.
2. (Similar to above) Do you like (to go to) the forest (or, a forest)?
I have never been to a forest before, so I would love it if I could go to one. I have always enjoyed
watching TV programmes about the wilderness ever since I was a kid. Being able to go to a forest,
and I mean a primeval, um, an ancient one, would be paradise for me.
3. Is there a forest near your hometown?
Unfortunately no. My hometown is a city that doesn't have a beach, let alone a real forest.
4. (Possibly) Would you like to live in a place that has lots of trees?
I would love it. I’m not kidding. I would adore it! In fact, currently I'm living on the outskirts of
Toronto, surrounded by lots and lots of trees and it feels good every day to wake up early, get out of
the house and go for a walk while breathing in the fresh air and taking in the amazing scenery.
5. Where can one find trees (or forests) in your country?
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Trees are planted almost everywhere, but for forests I guess you need to do some research. There’s
a place that is called Cuc Phuong National Park in Northern Vietnam, and there are some other
protected forests in different parts across Vietnam as well.
6. Do you think places with trees attract more visitors than places with few trees?
I don't know about other people, but I would definitely choose a place full of trees over one which
has none. Or maybe other people would make the same choice as me: isn’t it nice to feel at one
with nature and to be able to immerse yourself in greenery and the fresh open air?
7. Did you ever (like to) climb trees when you were a child?
As a matter of fact, I did. There was a lychee tree at my grandparents' house in the countryside - it
was cut down several years ago - and I used to climb it every time I visited them.
8. Have you ever planted a tree?
Let's say I have, although it's not technically a tree. When I was in grade 4, I had an assignment in
which I needed to plant something and bring it to class. I chose to plant some beans, although,
sadly, it fell through - the rats just waited until the right moment and gobbled them all.
Vocabulary:
1. wilderness (noun): an area of land that has not been used to grow crops or had towns and
roads built on it, especially because it is difficult to live in as a result of its extremely cold or hot
weather or bad earth: vùng hoang vu
e.g. Alaska is the last great wilderness.
2. primeval forest = ancient forest (noun): a forest that has attained great age without
significant disturbance and thereby exhibits unique ecological features and might be classified as a
climax community: rừng nguyên sinh
e.g. Ancient forests are often biologically diverse, and home to many rare species, threatened
species, and endangered species of plants and animals.
3. to adore (verb): to love or like very much: quý mến, yêu mến
e.g. He adores his children.
4. to take in (phrasal verb): to take notice of something with your eyes
e.g. When I travel by air, I love to take in the sights as the plane prepares to land.
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5. to feel/be at one with sth (expression): to feel a strong connection to something
e.g. Whenever I go for a walk in the countryside, I feel at one with nature.
6. fall through (phrasal verb) to fail or come to nothing: thất bại, không đi đến kết quả nào
e.g. Despite our effort, the plan fell through.
7. gobble (v) to swallow food etc. quickly: ngấu nghiến, nuốt lấy nuốt để
e.g. You’ll be sick if you keep gobbling your meals like that.
8. Text messages
1. Do you text someone if he doesn’t answer your phone?

It depends. I often send a message if it’s an essential issue that he needs to know. In case of an
emergency, I’ll try to make another phone call instead of texting. And if my callis just about some
daily stuff such as seeing a movie, eating out or if I just want to have a chat, then I just text and
wait for a reply.
2. Is there any occasion when texting someone is better than calling him?
Oh, yes. It might be when I’m informed beforehand that he or she will attend a formal event. For
example, my mother or father usually ask me not to phone them the following morning if they
havesomething important, like a company meeting. Because I already know about it, I’ll just send
them text messages if I need to get in touch with them about something.
3. Have you ever had difficulty replying?

Well, that would be when my phone account runs out of money – I may sometimes forget to top it
up. Another case may be when my battery is used up and needs charging. It’s even worse when
both of them happen at the same time and somehow I foolishly leave my charger at home.
4. How often do you send text messages?

Daily, or hourly. We now have so many user-friendly applications on smartphones and other social
networking sites that make texting much easier than ever before. Of course, these applications also
support calling, yet to be honest, I’m more into sending texts than making a call.
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Các từ thuộc chủ đề Communication:
1. to be user-friendly
Meaning: to be easy to use, without a need for advanced skills
Example: One feature of modern communications technology is that, in general, it is user-friendly.
Dịch đại ý
To be user-friendly: thân thiện với người dùng
Nghĩa: dễ sử dụng, không cần kỹ năng cao
Ví dụ: Một trong những đặc điểm chung của công nghệ giao tiếp hiện đại là chúng khá thân thiện
với người dùng.
2. social networking sites

Meaning: a website on which you communicate with people who share your interests
Example: Young people today waste too much time on social networking sites such as Facebook
or Twitter
Dịch đại ý
Social networking sites: mạng xã hội
Nghĩa: trang web nơi bạn giao lưu với mọi người và có thể chia sẻ những vấn đề bạn quan tâm
Ví dụ: Người trẻ hiện nay thường lãng phí quá nhiều thời gian vào các trang mạng xã hội như
Facebook hay Twitter.
Các từ khác:
1. to get in touch with sb [expression]:
Meaning: to communicate with somebody, especially by writing to them or calling them
Example: I’m trying to get in touch with John – do you have his number?
2. to top up [phrasal verb]:

Meaning:to increase the amount of something to the level that you need
Example: I have no more credit left on my mobile phone, so I will top it up today.
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3. to be into sth [expression]: (enthusiastic or interested in): thích cái gì
10. Patience
1. What do you think "patience" is?
Well, I suppose “patience” indicates a person’s capacity to wait or to endure delay or something
tedious or annoying without complaining and getting riled about it.
2. Do you think patience is important?
Yes, being patient is vital because it is helpful in many situations.Being impatient does not solve the
problems but causes more trouble. Also, individual people tend to like patient people because they
usually have calm attitudes and an easy-going personality.
3. (Possibly) Do you think being patient is an important part of being polite?
Of course, being patient shows your respectful and thoughtful attitudes to others. For example, at
the coffee shop, people have to queue in line and wait patiently for their turn.
4. Would you say you are a patient person?
Generally, I’m an impatient person because I hate waiting for other people. I can easily get
annoyed if my friends do not turn up on time. However, in certain situations, I can remain patient,
like studying English every day without feeling bored.
5. Have you ever lost your patience?
Yes, I have. Last week, I planned to hang out with my friend at the KFC restaurant. But my friend
didn’t come and she made me wait for more than thirty minutes. I called her and she didn’t even
respond to it. Being tired of waiting for so long, I just left her a message reproaching her and
saying that she did not need to come any more. I was so angry that I did not talk to her for a few
days.
6. What do you become impatient about?
As I mentioned previously, I loathe waiting for individuals or something taking up too much time.
It usually makes me feel upset and irritated.
Vocabulary:
1. tedious (adjective) boring
Ex: The problem is I find most forms of exercise so tedious.
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2. get riled (expression) to get very annoyed (vô cùng tức giận)
Ex: I got riled when the shop assistant was rude to me.
3. easy-going (adjective) relaxed and happy to accept things without worrying (dễ gần, thoải
mái)
Ex: She won’t get angry if you’re late, she’s very easy-going.
4. respectful (adjective) showing politeness or honor to someone or something (kính tro ̣ng)
Ex: There was a respectful two-minute silence as we remembered the soldiers who had died in
the war.
5. thoughtful (adjective) carefully considering things (thâ ̣n tro ̣ng, chín chắ n)
Ex: He has a thoughtful approach to his work, planning everything well.
6. queue (verb) to wait in a line of people, often to buy something (xế p hàng nố i đuôi nhau)
Ex: Dozens of people were queuing up to get tickets.
7. get annoyed (verb phrase): become angry (tức giâ ̣n)
Ex: He got annoyed at the way she tried to take over the whole meeting.
8. turn up (phrasal verb): to arrive (đến, xuất hiện)
Ex: We arranged to meet at midday, but he didn’t turn up.
9. loathe (verb) hate somebody or something very much (ghét)
Ex: From an early age the brothers have loathed each other.
10. hang out with somebody (expression) spend time with somebody(đi chơi với ai)
Ex: When I have free time, I hang out with friends and we listen to music or chat.
11. reproach (verb) to criticize someone, especially for not being successful or not doing what
is expected (sự trách mằ ng, chỉ trích)
Ex: His mother reproached him for not eating all his dinner.
12. irritated (adjective) annoyed (giâ ̣n dữ)
Ex: I began to get increasingly irritated at her foolish questions.
11. Daily routine

1. What is the busiest part of the day for you?
Well, it seems that I am up to my ears in work most parts of the day. However, as my part-time
job as a private tutor usually starts in the evening, I guess that is the busiest part of the day for me.
Each day, I have about 3 to 4 different classes to handle, and the job only finishes after 9pm.
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2. What part of your day do you like best?
To me, I love the morning the most. A beautiful morning, full of sunlight and fresh air, is the best
start for a day. It revitalizes my energy by giving me the chance to take gentle exercise and enjoy
a brisk walk in the park. I am always in high spirits in the morning, feeling ready for a brand new
day.
3. Do you usually have the same routine everyday?
Yes, I do. From Monday to Friday, I will take university courses in the morning and undertake
teaching classes in the evening. Only at the weekends can I spare time to hang out with my friends
and family members, which without doubt breathes new life into my daily rigid routine.
4. What is your daily routine?
Well, as I have said in answer to the previous question, most of my time is dedicated to studying
and working. In the morning, I wake up before 7am, do exercise and then have breakfast. My
classes last from 8am to 11am. After having lunch at the university cafeteria, I take a quick napat
home before startingteaching.
5. Do you ever change your routine?
Yes, sometimes. When I have no classes at the university, I often study IELTS at home by listening
to authentic materials on the Internet or practice speaking in front of the mirror. Besides, I also
read books and play chess whenever I am free of classes. However, as I don’t have flexible hours
for studying and working, I rarely have the chance to change it.
6. Do you think it is important to have a daily routine?
Yes, it definitely is. A proper daily routine will assist you in arranging your activities in the most
sensible way. Without a daily routine, one usually does things on impulse, which could reduce your
work efficiency and productivity in the day. I think those who are disorganised can benefit more
from a daily routine.
7. What would you like to change in your day to day routine?
Well, if I was given the opportunity to change my daily routine, I would like to have more breaks at
night. Instead of teaching in the evening till late, I would like to take classes in the morning. This
would be good for my overall health, as working at night is fairly demanding and exhausting.
8. Are all your days the same?
Not really I think. Because each day, I can learn new things from new people I meet in my school
and workplace, so I don’t feel like my day is repetitive. Each day brings me new experience and
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valuable lessons, which helps me to broaden my outlook on life. Days only appear to be the same
and tedious when you don’t put energy and effort into things you do each day.
9. What time do you get up?
Normally, I have to wake up quite early, at 6.30 am to have more time for exercise and breakfast,
before starting classes at 8am. However, I can stay in my bed longer at the weekends, until 8am or
even 9am when I want to put my feet up after a hardweek.
Vocabulary:
Từ vựng trong chủ đề Sport and Exercise
1. to take gentle exercise
Meaning: to take exercise which is not physically demanding or tiring
Example: Even the elderly can keep fit by taking gentle exercise, like jogging or even a walk in
the park.
Từ vựng trong chủ đề Work
1. flexible hours
Meaning: hours of work or study that can be changed by agreement with your boss or teacher
Example: For some employees, flexible hours of work are more important than a high salary.
Từ vựng khác:
1. (to be) up to one’s ears in sth [expression]: be too busy with sth: bận rộn, ngập đầu với cái
gì đó
Eg:Recently, Professor Tim has been up to his ears in research work.
2. (to) revitalise [verb]: to make sth stronger, more active or healthy : hồi sinh, giúp lấy lại sinh
lực
Eg: Jane is trying her best to revitalise herself after the shock of her father’s death.
3. (to be) in high spirits [expression]: to be in a cheerful state of mind : cảm thấy phấn chấn
Eg: Thanks to the astounding championship, the whole team is in high spirits.
4. (to) breathe new life into [expression]: to improve sth by making people more interested in
it: thổi một làn gió mới vào cái gì đã cũ, nhàm chán
Eg: Minh’s ideas are really innovative and they breathe new life into the project.
5. (to) take a quick nap [expression]: to have a short sleep : có một giấc ngủ ngắn
Eg: Bob took a quick nap after 9 hours working non-stop in the office.
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6. authentic [adjective]: true and accurate : xác thực, chắc chắn
Eg: She made an authentic translation of her book into English.
7. sensible [adjective]: practical, wise, advisable : hợp lý
Eg: I think the sensible solution is to make a concerted effort to prevent the war.
8. repetitive [adjective]: saying or doing the same things many times, so that it becomes boring :
có tính lặp đi lặp lại
Eg: Ryan is really bored with his repetitive tasks in the company.
9. (to) broaden one’s outlook [expression]: to increase one’s knowledge and experience
Eg: The year that I spent studying in China really broadened my outlook in many ways.
10. tedious [adjective]: lasting or taking too long and not interesting : tẻ nhạt, nhàm chán
Eg: We have to listen to the tedious details of his operation.
11. (to) put one’s feet up [expression]: to sit down and relax : thư giãn
Eg: After a hard day at work, it’s advisable to get home and put your feet up.
12. Films
1. Do you like to watch films?
I absolutely love watching movies. It is a way to experience how others live. Each of us can only
have one life but we can experience so many different lifestyles in movies. It is kind of temporarily
putting oneself into another world.
2. Do you prefer foreign films or Vietnamese films?
I’m much more into imported filmsrather than domestically produced ones, because of a thing
called cultural exposure. People in different countries have different cultural norms and ideas that
come across in their film-making. To me, that’s important for broadening our horizons.
3. How often do you go to a cinema to watch a movie?
I’m not really keen on watching films in the cinema. Therefore, I only go there when I have to meet
my friends, or sometimes when there is a blockbuster that I want to see immediately.
4. Do Vietnamese people like to go to a cinema to watch a film?
I would say yes. I can see that movie theaters have become an important part of Vietnamese life,
and cinemas are packed whenever blockbusters are released. People like to go to a cinema to watch
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films since they can enjoy the lively sound and images on the big screen and spectacular special
effects always have a wide appeal to audiences.
5. What kinds of movies do you like best?
I like adventure ones. They excite me, they keep me in anticipation, waitingto see amazing visual
effects, hear great soundtracks, cry, be scared, laugh, and think.
6. What was the first film that you watched?
Well, it’s hard to remember exactly. I guess it should be an animated film like Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs or Nupakachi, which were the most popular films among children at my age in the
1990s.
Vocabulary
• CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: READING (sách collocations)
1. to broaden one’s horizons
Meaning: to widen the limit of your desires, interests or knowledge
Example: Watching foreign films has broadened my horizons by showing me how people act and
think in different cultures.
• CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: READING (sách collocations)

1. to appeal to audiences
Meaning: to attract or interest those who go to watch a play or film.
Example: Plays which deal with contemporary social issues are likely to appeal to audiences.
Vocabulary
1. imported films [noun]
Meaning: foreign films (phim nước ngoài)
Example: China appears to have relaxed its rule limiting the number of imported films that can be
shown each year.
2. domestically [adverb]
Meaning: in a way that relates to a person's own country (nội địa)
Example: The movie took in $77.9 million domestically, but only made $9.1 million overseas.
3. exposure [noun]
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Meaning: the fact of experiencing something or being affected by it because of being in a particular
situation or place (sự tiếp xúc, tiếp cận)
Example: You should always limit your exposure to the sun.
4. norm [noun]
Meaning: an accepted standard or a way of behaving or doing things that most people agree with
(qui tắc, tiêu chuẩn)
Example: He is into Europe's varied cultural, political and ethical norms.
5. blockbuster [noun]
Meaning: a book or film that is very successful (phim bom tấn)
Example: He is always waiting for blockbusters to be released, then he will go to the cinema to see
them.
6. packed [adjective]
Meaning: very full of people
Example: The train was packed and every seat was occupied.
7. anticipation [noun]
Meaning: a feeling of excitement about something which is going to happen
Example: The football stadium was filled with anticipation as the game was about to start.
8. animated [adj]
Meaning: photographed or created by a computer and shown in a way that makes them move (hoạt
hình)
Example: Inside Out is considered as one of the best animated films of the 21st century so far.
13. Mathematics
1. When did you start learning math?
Math is a compulsory subject in Vietnamese primary schools, so every child has to learn this
complex subject from the first grade, and I’m no exception.
2. Do you like math?
It is thought that mathematics stifles and discourages more students than any other single thing in
the curriculum. However, I find this subject very special and interesting to learn. I do think it's the
most elemental of all subjects. Mathematics is the root of all sciences and all understanding of the
physical world. Therefore, I love learning mathematics.
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3. Who’s your favorite teacher so far?
The best math teacher I had was in primary school. She would begin a class by asking just why you
need to know how to do a certain problem. Then she would go to the board. You want to be a chef,
then fractions will help you adjust recipes. Finding X tells you how much gas you need or how far
you can fly a plane. She made us think of mathematics as a practical subject and worth learning.
4. Is math difficult for you to learn?
As I said already, I love math, but I have to admit that it is not an easy subject. I think that I have a
good grasp of it, althoughI have to pay attention in the math class more than any other subject. At
home, too. I pour my heart and blood and sweat into math questions and struggle with them to find
the answer. If I did not do this, I would soon be out of my depth.
5. Do you like to use a calculator?
I’m not sure whether calculators affect our ability to do maths in our heads like we used to or not.
However, I like to solve math problems by hand, and I only use this modern convenience to do
trivial things like checking answers.
Vocabulary:
• CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: EDUCATION (sách collocations)

1. to have a good grasp of something
Meaning: to understand the essential parts of something completely
Example: Children who begin to learn a foreign language in primary school are usually able tohave
a good grasp of the new language quickly.
2. to be out of one’s depth
Meaning: to be unable to understand something because it is too difficult
Example: Streaming in schools enables pupils to study at the level which is appropriate for them,
and therefore students rarely find themselves out oftheir depth.
Vocabulary
1. complex [adjective]
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Meaning:difficult to understand or find an answer to because of having many different parts (phức
tạp)
Example: It's a very complex issue to which there is no straightforward answer.
2. to stifle [verb]
Meaning: to prevent something from happening
Example: Traditional, boring methods of teaching stifle the enthusiasm of students.
3. elemental [adjective]
Meaning: basic or most simple, but strong (căn bản)
Example: This story is about the struggle of one man against the elemental forces of nature while
trying to survive after his plane crashed in the ocean.
4. to struggle [verb]
Meaning: to experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do something (đấu tranh)
Example: I've been struggling to understand this article all afternoon.
5. trivial [adjective]
Meaning: easy to solve (đơn giản, không đáng kể)
Example: Getting computers to understand human language is not a trivial problem – it is extremely
complex.
14. Social network

1. What kinds of social networking websites do you like to use?
I'm currently having a love affair with Facebook, Instagram and have basically left Zalo (I never
liked Zalo to begin with, but my whole family is on it). And I’m familiar with Linkedin to find
content that’s relevant to the industry that I work in.
2. Are you a social person?
I guess that I have somesocial skills since I like to be around others and I have a fairly laid-back
attitude. I’m reasonably good at talking with other people and doing activities as a team or in a
group.
3. What kinds of people do you like to be friends with on those websites?
It depends on the type of social media, but generally I like to be friends with people who are
friendly, honest and who have common sense about how to behave with others. I don’t like to
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make small talk and I prefer to chat to people with whom I share common interests, so that we can
learn from each other.
4. Is it easy to find real friends on a social networking website?
I think real friends are the ones with whom we can share a lot of personal experiences in our
conversation, and it feels like there is a mutual respect between us. Therefore, it’s always difficult
to find real friends, no matter whether it is in real life or on a social networking website.
5. What kinds of chatting app or software do Vietnamese people like to use?
I think Facebook and Zalo are the most popular ones. Facebook is a well-known social networking
app around the world while Zalo is a messaging app for Vietnamese people. It has a look around
option where you find people nearby to talk with.
Vocabulary
• CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: COMMUNICATION AND PERSONALITY (sách
collocations)
1. to have social skills
Meaning: to have the personal skills required for successful communication and interaction
Example: In all jobs which involve dealing with the public, it is important to have good social
skills.
2. to have a laid-back attitude
Meaning: relaxed, not worrying about anything
Example: Our teacher had a laid-back attitude in the classroom, but she was always well-prepared
and committed to her students.
3. to make small talk
Meaning: to talk in a polite way about unimportant matters, such as the weather.
Example: I enjoy a serious discussion and I don’t like to make small talk or exchange
pleasantries with others simply in order to be polite.
Từ vựng khác
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1. relevant [adjective]
Meaning: connected with what is happening or being discussed (liên quan)
Example: Education should be relevant to the child's needs.
2. reasonably [adverb]
Meaning: satisfactory and able to be agreed to or approved of (chấp nhận được, tương đối)
Example: Her performance was reasonably good, but not outstanding.
3. mutual [adjective]
Meaning: (of two or more people or groups) feeling the same emotion, or doing the same thing to or
for each other (chung, của nhau)
Example: Theirs was a partnership based on mutual respect, trust and understanding.
4. well-known [adjective]
Meaning: famous (nổi tiếng)
Example: The restaurant is well-known for its friendly atmosphere and excellent service.
15. Museums
1. Are there many museums in your country?
Actually, there are. Eventhough they are not the most popular source of entertainment, there are
quite a lot of museums established in Vietnam, covering an array of aspects. Just in Hanoi for
example, you can enjoy history museums, women’s museums, ethnic and cultural museums, arts
museums or even war museums; there are tons to choose from.
2. Do you think museums are useful for visitors?

To a certain extent, yes. Museums are where visitors can acquire information about the history and
culture of the indigenous people while appreciating displayed artefacts. I believe this is a much
more realistic and engrossing way to learn than reading thick, unillustrated books or looking up
information on the internet.
3. Do you often visit museum?

To be honest, I rarely go to museums. I can’t even recall when the last time was I visited a museum
as it has been ages. An obvious reason for this is that as a native Vietnamese, I have continuously
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been taught about Vietnam’s defeats and triumphs in wars and learnt about the customs of our
ancestors throughout my years at school. Therefore, the thought of going to museums never actually
occurred to me and I only visited these places onfield trips.
4. When was the last time you visited a museum?

As I was saying, I can barely recollect my last trip to a museum. I remember faintly that it was in
secondary school, maybe in the 6th or 7th grade that I went to the Hanoi’s Museum of Humanity and
Ethnicities as a part of a school field trip. At that time, we wandered around the exhibitions of
sculpture, pottery and even ancient clothing of ethnicities in Vietnam. Moreover, there were also
replicas of the typical house architecture for each group of people, which really helped me to
broaden my horizons.
Vocabulary
1. An array of sth (phrase) [một phạm vi đa dạng về cái gì]: a range of, a variety of something
Eg: The National Library provides an array of book genres for you to choose from.
2. Indigenous (adj) [bản địa, thuộc về địa phương]: native, belongs to a particular region
Eg: Pandas are indigenous to China
3. Artefact (n) [đồ tạo tác, hiện vật]: an object that is made by a person, such as a tool or a
decoration, especially one that is of historical interest
Eg: The museum's collection includes artefacts dating back to prehistoric times.
4. Engrossing (adj) [thu hút chú ý]:taking up the attention completely
Eg: I found the movie completely engrossing from beginning to end.
5. Unillustrated (adj) [không có hình ảnh minh họa]: not demonstrated with images
Eg: Children normally prefer books with images over unillustrated ones.
6. To look sth up (phrasal verb) [tra cứu cái gi]: to check a fact or get information about
something
Eg: If you're not sure what the word means, look it up in a dictionary.
7. Recall sth = Recollect sth (v) [nhớ về, nhớ ra cái gi]: to bring the memory of a
past event into your mind
Eg: She recalled seeing him outside the shop on the night of the robbery.
8. Triumph (n) [chiến thắng]: a victory, a win
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Eg: The game ended in triumph for the home team.
9. Field trip (n phr): a visit made by students tostudy something away from their school
or college
Eg: My school organizes field trips for the students every semester.
10. To wander around (phrasal verb) [đi loanh quanh, thăm thú]: to move around in different
directions without a particular purpose, to walk slowly across or around an area
Eg: I always wander around the park whenever I need to reduce stress.
11. Replica (n) [bản sao đúng như thật (tranh, tượng, v.v), mô hình (thu nhỏ)]: the exact or very
close copy of something
Eg: Most famous art museums display the replicas of the world’s masterpieces, not all are the
originals.
12. Broaden one’s horizons (phrase) [mở mang kiến thức]: broaden one’s knowledge/understanding
about something
Eg: Travelling is one way to broaden your horizons.
16. Time management

1. How do you organize your time?
As a student, I have to meet tons of deadlines at university as well as complete the tasks assigned in
my part-time jobs and clubs. Therefore, it is pivotal that I schedule my time reasonably to ensure I
have enough time for everything and avoidprocrastination. Personally, I create an online timetable
that can be easily adjusted to keep myself on track and make sure that the amount of time
allocated to my studies, my jobs and my leisure time is well-balanced.
2. Do you think people organize time in the same way?
I’m not too sure about that, it varies according to age group I suppose. For example, students would
usually invest a substantial proportion of their time in studying, finishing school assignments and
doing hobbies. In contrast, the majority of an adult’s time would be devoted to working and
socialising with their colleagues while less is spent on recreational activities.
3. Do you think it is important to be on time?
Certainly. Firstly, punctuality indicates respect and hence, is extremely important, especially in the
context of business and education. When we have an appointment with a business partner or
simply go to class or sit an exam for instance, we have to be on time to express our appreciation to
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our partners and our teachers. Moreover, it shows that we are capable of taking care of ourselves
and feel a sense of accountability in whatever we do.
4. How do you feel when you are late for an appointment?
Needless to say, I would be profoundly apologetic if that were to happen. As I have said, turning
up late might give out the wrong signal that we don’t respect the people we’ll be meeting, which is
exactly what I wouldn’t want them to think. It also hints that I may lack professionalism and self-
discipline, so I would be utterly ashamed and sorry whenever I failed to be punctual.
5. How do you feel when others are late?
That’s interesting. Well, for formal meetings like job interviews, conferences or in-class
presentations, I always feel great disappointment when people show up late and even throw a fist if
it’s by too much. Yet, if I were to have a simple chat with my friends, I wouldn’t mind giving them
a few extra minutes. Ofcourse, in both cases, I would expect a justifiable reason for their lateness
and would probably let it slide if the excuses were understandable.
Vocabulary
1. pivotal (adj) [quan trọng]: important, essential
Eg: The point behind today's post is that customer service is pivotal to the success of any business
2. Procrastination (n) [sự trì trệ, trì hoãn]: the action of delaying or postponing something
Eg: Procrastination might lead to failures in meeting deadlines.
3. To keep sb on track (phrase) [đảm bảo ai làm theo đúng kế hoạch]: to make sure that
someone is on schedule; progressing as planned
Eg: The teacher tried to keep the student on track for passing his exams.
4. Allocate sth to sth/sb (phrase) [phân cái gì cho cái gì/ai]: Distribute (resources or duties) for
a particular purpose.
Eg: In past years we didn't allocate enough funds to infrastructure maintenance so the building is a
little run-down.
5. Recreational activities (noun phrase) [những hoạt động vui chơi giải trí]: activities you do in
your leisure time for entertainment
Eg: Engaging in recreational activities is a good way to relieve stress.
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6. To be devoted to sth (phrase) [dành phần lớn thời gian/sức lực/etc cho cái gi]: Give all or
most of one's time or resources to (a person or activity)
Eg: I wanted to devote more time to my family.
7. Punctuality (n) [sự đúng giờ]: the quality of being on time
Eg: Poor punctuality is also a problem in some schools.
8. To have an appointment with sb (phrase) [có hẹn gặp mặt với ai]: to meet sb
Eg: I have an appointment with the dentist this weekend so I can’t go out with you.
9. Accountability (n) [sự có trách nhiệm]: willingness to accept responsibility
Eg: Accountability is important for a police service wounded by a lack of public trust.
10. To be profoundly apologetic (cảm thấy rất có lỗi): to be very sorry
Eg: I’m profoundly apologetic for having misunderstood you.
11. To give out the wrong signal (phrase) [làm cho ai tin vào điều gì đó không đúng]: to
make people believe or think something that is not correct
Eg: If you don’t like him, don’t give out the wrong signal or he’ll be heart-broken.
12. To throw a fist (idiom) [nổi giận, nổi khùng]: to become extremely angry
Eg: My mom threw a fist when she learnt that I only got a 5/10 for my maths test.
13. To let sth slide (phrase) [cho qua cái gi]: not take sth too seriously, tolerate sth
17. Weather
It’s freezing, oh my God… but luckily it hasn’t rained today. It was raining all last week… I was
soaked to the skin whenever I went out to go to work even though I was wearing a raincoat, and the
rain made it even colder!
It depends on the season, but most of the time it’s really hot in my hometown. And it’s been getting
hotter and hotter in recent years … maybe one big reason is because of global warming.
(Similar to above)

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I really like the fall, mainly because of its cool weather, which makes me feel really comfortable
and ready to go out any time of the day. The other seasons… well, summer’s too hot, winter’s too
cold and spring’s too humid.
Cool weather. It makes me feel really comfortable and ready to go out any time of the day. Just
imagine sitting in the park, reading a book in the sunshine with the wind gently blowing through
your hair. Isn’t that awesome?
I’ve never seen or touched snow before so instead of saying whether I like it or not, I would say I’m
really curious about it. I’ve been dying to see the snow falling since forever but haven’t really got
the chance to do so.
Rather than the weather forecasts shown on TV, I often look at the ones on my smartphone – you
know, there’re some applications that help predict the weather conditions for up to a week!
Yes, of course. For example, I tend to get really lethargic and lazy in the winter, all because of the
cold weather. All I want to do is to get some nice sleep under my warm blanket and never have to
leave the comfort of my home, and this seriously affects my work and study sometimes.
Vocabulary:
✓ Freezing [adjective] (lạnh ngắt) extremely cold
✓ Soaked to the skin [expression] (ướt nhẹp) extremely wet
✓ Be dying for/to do something [expression] (muốn làm gì đến chết đi được) to be extremely
eager to have or do something
✓ Lethargic [adjective] (mệt mỏi) without any energy or enthusiasm
WRITTEN BY NGOCBACH
18. Noises
Do you mind noises?
To be honest, I really can’t stand being in noisy places, especially when I have work to focus on.
Then, I wouldn’t be able to put my mind into what I’m doing, which would undoubtedly reduce my
productivity.
What types of noise do you come across in your daily life?
Actually, there are a variety of noises a person may come across on a daily basis. The first type is
traffic noise such as the engine sounds/ noise or honks, which can get worse during traffic jams.
The second is noise coming from factories, construction sites or maybe stores where there are lots
of machines in use.
Are there any sounds that you like?
Well, as a matter of fact, I don’t mind nature sounds, I enjoy them actually. I love to surround
myself with nature, listening to the chirping birds or blowing winds. It has a great calming effect
and is an excellent way to unwind. I’m also keen on listening to the sounds of musical instruments,
especially pianos or violins.
Where can you hear loud noise?
There are many places in the cities where you can hear loud noises. Construction sites are one of
them as they are filled with large machines. Another place is on busy roads where there are a lot of
vehicles or in stations where many people chatter and announcements are played again and again.
Do you think there's too much noise in modern society?
Actually, I do agree that the level of noise is increasing overtime and most of it is caused by human
activity. Industrial activities such as factory operations has contributed greatly to the rising level of
noise pollution. Together with this are noises coming from traffic, concerts or stores that play loud
music to attract consumers.
Are cities becoming noisier?
To be honest, I think it depends on the development of each city. Those that are undergoing
industrialisation or modernisation are definitely getting noisier while those which are not or have
already undergone this process might be unaffected.
VOCABULARY
WRITTEN BY NGOCBACH
1. Cannot stand V-ing (không thểchịu đựng nổi việc gì) [expression]: unable to tolerate
something
Example: Mary can’t stand being distracted while studying.
2. To put one’s mind into sth (chú tâm vào việc gì) [expression]: to focus on something
Example: I need to put my mind into the project or else I might fail.
3. Productivity (hiệu suất, năng suất) [noun]: efficiency in doing something
Example: The factory needs to increase its productivity
4. On a daily basis (thường xuyên, hàng ngày) [expression]: everyday
Example: I go to the gym on a daily basis
5. To surround oneself with sth (bao quanh ai đó với cái gì) [expression]: to be surrounded by
something
Example: She often feels lonely so she wants to surround herself wih people.
6. Unwind (thư giãn) [verb]: relax
Example: I’m going on a vacationto unwind.
7. Chatter (nói huyên thuyên) [verb]: to talk in a quick or casual way
Example: Children chattered in the middle of the playground.
8. To have calming effects (có tác dụng thưgiãn, ổn định tâm lý) [expression]:
have the ability to calm someone down
Example: Classical music has great calming effects.
9. Consumer (người mua hàng) [noun]: buyer
Example: Many consumers are still not comfortable making purchases on the Internet.
10. In d u s tria lis a to n (sực ô n g n g h iệp h ó a ) [n o u n ]: to build and
operate factories and businesses in a city, region, country, etc
Example: Some developing countries are still undergoing industrialisation.
19. Hats and bags

Do you like to wear hats?
Yes. They help me to shield my hair and eyes from the sun or other natural elements like wind or
dust. But I guess the feeling of being chic and stylish, and especially when the hat perfectly matches
my outfit is the main reason why I’m so into wearing them.
What kinds of hats do you have?
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I’m particularly keen on baseball caps, so they’re the only type of hat I’ve got in my wardrobe. It’s
a kind of soft cap with a rounded crown in front and has become ubiquitous here and now. It gives
me a sporty and strong look, you know.
Where do you like to buy hats?
Well I patronize a hat store in the city, and I often go there to pick my new hats. They are always on
trend with the latest fashions and their tastes in fashion match mine, so I can find my favorite new
hats easily and quickly there.
Is wearing hats popular in your country?
It’s not very popular, I think. The main means of transport in my county is themotorbike, so most of
the time going out, people will wear helmets. But hats seem to prevail among the young nowadays
as fashion items.
Do you like bags?
Yes. Of course! Not only are they fundamental tools in our daily life that help to carry people’s
belongings, but they also serve as a fashion accessory that specifically complements our look.
What types of bags do you like?
I’m a big fan of handbags. They’re not too big like backpacks, therefore are pretty convenient to
carry. Most of all, handbags often come in gorgeous and dazzling designs that I just can’t take my
eyes off.
Do you usually carry a bag (when you go out)?
Yes. Most of the time. The pockets of women’s garments are generally inadequate, you know, so I
have to put things in a bag and bring it along when I’m out, to make sure that I don’t lose or leave
my belongings somewhere else.
Do you have different bags for different occasions (or, different purposes)?
Yes, I do. I often carry a backpack when going to work or university. On casual occasions like
hanging out or go shopping, I wear a purse or satchel. I have also invested in a high quality fashion
handbag for special events that requires formality.
What do you put in these bags?
Well my bag normally contains a cellphone, basic beauty products like lipsticks, lotions, to soften
and moisturize the skin, especially in the colder season; cash and a pair of earphones in case of long
walks to my next destination.
What sorts of bags do women like to buy?
WRITTEN BY NGOCBACH
It’s hard to say. It depends on the specific tastes and needs of each individual. But I think generally,
any woman would fall in love with a well-designed handbag ofquality material that will instantly
add a glamorous touch to their outfit.
VOCABULARY
1. Shield (che chở, bảo vệ) [v] to protect someone/ something
Example: She held her hands above her eyes to shield them from the sun.
2. Ubiquitous (có mặt ở khắp nơi) [adj] seeming to be everywhere
Example: The mobile phone, that most ubiquitous of consumer-electronic appliances, is about to
enter a new age.
3. Here and now (bây giờ) [idiom] at the present time
Example: Too late, she remembered that Mme Arlette was French and it was her problem here and
now.
4. Patronize (là khách hàng quen, trung thành) [v] be a regular customer of a shop or a
restaurant etc
Example: The restaurant was patronized by many artists and writers during1920s
5. On trend with (theo kịp,bắt kịp) (xu hướng) [idiom] Having characteristics
which conform to current fashion trends.
Example: His fashion designs are very on trend.
6. Prevail ( thịnh hành, phổ biến) [v] to be most frequent or common among a group of people
or area at a particular time
Example: The Republicans are expected to prevail in next year’s election
7. Complement ( bổ sung) [v] make something else seem better or more attractive when
combining with it
WRITTEN BY NGOCBACH
10 ĐỀ SPEAKING PART 1 TỶ LỆ RA NHIỀU
NHẤT THÁNG 9_THÁNG 12 NĂM 2018
I. Part 1 .................................................................................................................................. 2
1. Home/ Accommodation ........................................................................................... 2
2. Study ........................................................................................................................ 4
3. Work ........................................................................................................................ 7
4. Cities ......................................................................................................................... 9
5. Holiday ................................................................................................................... 10
6. Morning Routines .................................................................................................. 10
7. Cooking .................................................................................................................. 11
8. Drink water ............................................................................................................ 12
9. Sunglasses............................................................................................................... 12
10. Photos ..................................................................................................................... 13
+ Để tìm hiểu thông tin về khóa học IELTS Package mới nhất của thầy Bách ,
các bạn truy cập: https://tinyurl.com/ydhmkb9f
+ Liên hệ với IELTS Ngoc Bach, các bạn vào www.ngocbach.com mục “Liên hệ.” 1
I. Part 1
What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?
I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bed rooms, two bathrooms
and a lovely back garden. It’s not really a spacious house, but it’s just right for me and my
family.
Who do you live with?
I live with my parents and my siblings. We always get on well with each other and have a
lot of fun.
How long have you lived there?
I’ve lived there since I was a child, until I graduated from high school and moved to the city
to enroll at university, where I lived in a student dormitory during the semester.
(If you answer you haven't lived there long) What’s the difference between where you
are living now and where you have lived in the past?
My current residential area is quite small and it’s very noisy because there are a lot of
people there and I don’t have my own space. Conversely, when I was living at home, I had
my own spacious room and it made me feel comfortable.
Do you plan to live there for a long time?
To be honest, I intend to buy an apartment in an urban area after I graduate from university.
I can decorate and design my ideal home with whatever facilities I want.
Which room does your family spend most of the time in?
It’s definitely the kitchen. Not only lunch or dinner time but all our family reunions take
place in the kitchen where all the family members get together to eat tasty meals, and chat
to each other – it’s a really harmonious atmosphere.
Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
To be honest, most of the transport facilities to my place are not very modern. The bus
service from my work place to home is irregular and usually overcrowded.
Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?
I prefer living in a house to a flat because I value my privacy and need my own space.
Owning an independent house, I can plan and design a house layout to suit myself.
Moreover, I can modify a house according to the size of the family.
Please describe the room you live in.
My current room is actually more like a bedsit. It is a multi – purpose room, I use it to sleep
and study as well. It is painted in pink, that’s my favorite color with a bed, a cupboard and
desk. It’s not really spacious but it’s just right for me.
What part of your home do you like the most ?
I prefer my bedroom most due to its convenience and privacy. Because of my stressful work
I want to be in a quiet place and concentrate on my work. In my own room, I’m never
disturbed by anyone else.
VOCABULARY
Terraced house (noun): (ngôi nhà trong dãy nhà cùng kiểu) a house connected on both sides
by other properties
Back garden (noun phrase): (vườn ở phía sau nhà) a garden at the rear of the house.
Ex: I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bed rooms, two
bathrooms and a lovely back garden.
Spacious (adjective): (rộng rãi) (of a room or building) large and with plenty of space for
people to move around in
Sibling(s) (noun): (anh/ chị em) a brother or sister
Get on well with sb (phrasal verb): (hòa hợp với ai đó) to have a friendly relationship with
somebody
Dormitory (noun): (kí túc xá) a room for several people to sleep in, especially in a school or
other institution
Ex: I’ve lived there since I was a child, until I graduated high school and moved to the
city to enroll in university where I lived in a dormitory.
Residential area (noun): (nơi ở) (of an area of a town) suitable for living in; consisting of
houses rather than factories or offices
Urban area (noun): (vùng thành thị) connected with a town or city
Reunion (noun): (tụ họp, xum họp) a social occasion or party attended by a group of people
who have not seen each other for a long time
Harmonious (adjective): (ấm cúng, yên bình) friendly, peaceful and without any
disagreement
Irregular (adjective): not happening at the arranged time intervals
Overcrowded (adjective): with too many people or things in it
Privacy (noun): being alone and not disturbed by other people
Suit oneself (verb): to do exactly what you like/want
Ex: Everyone had a different opinion about what colour to paint my room, so in the end I
decided to just suit myself.
Modify (verb): (sửa đổi, thay đổi) to change something slightly, especially in order to make
it more suitable for a particular purpose
Bedsit (noun): (phòng vừa để ngủ vừa để học, tiếp khách) a room that a person rents and
uses for both living and sleeping in
Multi-purpose (adjective): (đa chức năng) having many different uses
2. Study
Describe your education
I started primary school when I was 7. 5 years later, I went to secondary school at 12. Then
at 16, I made it to a high school for gifted students in my hometown. In my country,
highschool education lasts 3 years, then I went onto higher education at the Foreign Trade
University where I’m currently studying economics.
What is your area of specialization?
economics, combined with business knowledge mainly related to the import and export
business.
Why did you choose to study that major?
I think it would help to fulfill my dream of introducing my country’s agricultural products

to the world. Vietnamese goods have a real potential, but they still struggle to make a name
for themselves, you know.
Do you like your major? (Why?/Why not?)
Yes, of course. Studying economics, especially external economics is interesting and

practical. It helps me to keep up with current affairs and it improves my analytical and
problem-solving skills as well.
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.
What was your favourite subject as a child?
Well, I used to be very passionate about drawing when I was a little girl. It was fun to
work with brushes and colors, you know, as it was the time when I could indulge in my
own creative world.
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 focuses on an exam-driven curriculum,
which I find quite impractical.
(Possibly) Are you looking forward to working?
Absolutely! It’s great to join the workforce, especially when I can do the job I love. Not
only will it pay the bills, but it’ll also give me the joy of making a contribution. It’s hard to
be happy and fulfilled without working, you know.
VOCABULARY
Higher education (chương trình đại học) [n] post-18 learning that take places at universities

education are studying either business or engineering, with business-related majors making
up 38 percent of all enrollments in 2012/13
Master (tinh thông, nắm vững) [v] learn how to do sowmthing well
Make a name for oneself ( trở nên nổi tiếng) [idiom] become famous and respected by a
lot of people
Example: By the time he was thirty-five, he had made a name for himself as a successful
railway contractor
Keep up with (cập nhật thông tin về cái gì) [idiom] be aware of
Analytical (thuộc về phân tích) [adj] using analysis or logical reasoning
Example: Analytical skills are essential in the workplace to ensure necessary problem
solving occurs to keep productivity and other areas of the workforce functioning smoothly
Elementary school (trường tiểu học) [n] primary school, school for children between 7-11
years old (in Vietnam)
Example: It’s essential that children at the official entry age for elementary school attend
classes fully.
Unduly (quá mức, không chính đáng ) [adj] excessively/ to a level that more than is
Example:
For every new parents, the decision about whether to vaccinate his or herchild has been und
uly stressful
Exam-driven curriculum (chương trình học để phục vụ cho các kỳ thi) [expression] the
courses taught a school, college, which focus on teaching what will be on the exam
Example: Many parents believe that exam-driven curriculum can change their kid’s
attitude towards school in profoundly negative ways.
Pay the bills (trang trải cuộc sống) [ idioms] provide enough income to sustain one’s
lifestyle

3. Work
What do you do?
What are your responsibilities?
Well I’m mainly responsible for designing the cover of the magazine. I normally work with
the concept team to make sure that the final product will both attract the potential buyer’s
attention and express the theme of the magazine.
Why did you choose to do that type of work (or, that job)?
I guess it’s because of my artistic passion. The process of creating beautiful things is
somehow intriguing to me, so I chose to be a graphic designer, which combines both art
and technology. It’s quite interesting, you know.
Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?
Well, if possible, I’d like to be a freelance writer. Actually I’m a big fan of action movies,
and I also care about healthy living, so, I’d love to write about these topics and share my
stories with people of the same interest.
Describe the company or organization you work for
workplace with a young, creative, and extremely passionate team. We work on the basis of
mutual understanding and respect for each other, so it’s kind of an ideal environment for
me.
Do you enjoy your work?
Most of the time. It’s rewarding to co-work on projects with amazing people in an open
and supportive environment to bring out an art production that will ultimately give me a
sense of satisfaction and pride.
What do you like about your job?
Well, the perk of being a graphic designer is that you’ll surround yourself with inspiring
images everyday. My daily working life involves seeking out inspiration in all sorts of
places, researching incredible illustrations and graphics, and creating them too. It’s great, I
think.
What do you dislike about your job
What I don’t like about this job is that our personal taste in design varies, and normally I’ll
have to do a thousand edits to get the final product that meets the demand of my boss while
still * relating / staying faithful to /remaining trueto the initial concept.
* conform means ‘to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected
by a group or society’ – this does not relate to things like ‘concepts’.
(Possibly)Do you miss being a student?
Sometimes, when I’m burdened with heavy workloads or the pressure of everyday life, I
recall the memories of being a student. We were all carefree and innocent back then. It’s a
precious time that I cherish.
VOCABULARY
theme (đề tài,chủ đề) [n] the main subject of a talk, book, film, etc
Intriguing ( hấp dẫn, gợi thích thú) [adj] very interesting because of being unusual or
mysterious
Example: The Huns are intriguing not only because of their notoriously hawkish
history, but also because of their place as middlemen between Mongol and Turkic
ethnicity
On the basis of (trên cơ sở) [idiom] base on
Rewarding (bổ ích, đáng làm) [adj] giving pleasure, satisfation
Example: The most rewarding aspect of living forever is you have unlimited time to
perfect your abilities and accumulate wealth.
Ultimately (cuối cùng thì, rút cục) [adv] at the end of a process, period of time, etc.
Example: Everything will ultimately depend on what is said at the meeting with
the directors next week.
Perk ( đặc quyền, thù lao thêm) [n] an advantage or something extra that you are given
because of your job
Example: A company car and a mobile phone are some of the perks that come with the
job.
Conform (to sth) (tuân theo) [v] obey the rule or reach the necessary stated standard
Cherish (yêu mến, coi trọng) [v] keep hopes, memories in your mind because they are
important to you and bring you pleasure
4. Cities
What kind of cities do you like?
My ideal city would be a place where we are provided with good transportation and
entertainment so that we can let off steam.
Do you like the city you are living in now?
To be honest, Ho Chi Minh City is not really my favorite since I usually get held up in
traffic jams and have to put up with noise.
Which city have you been to recently?
Well, I just paid a visit to Bangkok last month, and I have to say it is quite similar to Ho Chi
Minh City.
Do you prefer the city or the countryside?
 Personally, I prefer the countryside because I like to stay away from the hustle and
bustle of life in densely-populated cities.
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS:
Good transportation: Hệ thống giao thông tốt.
VD: Singapore has a really good transportation system which I can get to most places
conveniently.
To let off steam (idiom): Thư giãn, nghỉ ngơi.
VD: You have worked really hard recently! You should go karaoke to let off steam.
Be held up (verb): Bị kẹt, bị tắc.
VD: Sorry for being late! I was held up in a traffic jam.
Traffic jam (noun): Kẹt xe.
VD: Traffic jam is one of the hot-button issues that we need to solve.
Put up with (phrase): Chịu đựng với cái gì đó.
VD: I can’t put up with this noise! Please close the door!.
Pay a visit (phrase): Ghé thăm.
VD: The president of the USA, Barack Obama, paid a visit to Vietnam last year.
Bustle and hustle life (expression): Cuộc sống hối hả, bận rộng.
VD: Time to get back to the bustle and hustle life.
Densely-populated cities (noun): Những thành phố tập trung đông dân cư.
VD: HCMC is becoming one the most densely-populated cities in the world.
5. Holiday
What kinds of places do you like to go to on holiday?
I like beaches; therefore, I would go to a peaceful island or beautiful beaches so I can let my
hair down.
Who would you like to go on a holiday with?
Well, I prefer going on solo trips rather than holidaying with my friends or family since
they are annoying sometimes.
Where you plan to go for holidays in the future?
 I’ve always dreamed of going to France, where I can taste delicious croissants and
contemplate the sunset from the Eiffel Tower.
To let one’s hair down (idiom): Thư giãn, nghỉ ngơi.
VD: I’ve been too busy with my new job. So, tonight I’m going to let my hair down and
enjoy myself.
A solo trip (expression): Đi du lịch 1 mình.
VD: I find it strange when you are making a solo trip to Europre.
Contemplate sunset (expression): Ngắm hoàng hôn.
VD: This is the best place to contemplate sunset.
6. Morning Routines
Do you like to get up early in the morning?
Well, I don’t really like waking up early in the morning because I’m a night owl and I work
at night.
What do you do in the morning? What is your morning routine?
I start my day with tidying myself up and then have breakfast and a cup of coffee. After
that, I rush to the bus station to go to school. My morning routine is almost always the same
but I sometimes do yoga if it’s the weekend.
Is breakfast important?
Yes, I believe that breakfast plays an important role in our daily routines since it provides us
with nutrition to work and lifts up our spirits.
To let one’s hair down (idiom): Thư giãn, nghỉ ngơi.
VD: I’ve been too busy with my new job. So, tonight I’m going to let my hair down and
enjoy myself.
A solo trip (expression): Đi du lịch 1 mình.
VD: I find it strange when you are making a solo trip to Europre.
Contemplate sunset (expression): Ngắm hoàng hôn.
VD: This is the best place to contemplate sunset.
7. Cooking
Who taught you how to cook? Do you like cooking?
My mother is the person who inspires me a lot when it comes to cooking because she
always makes mouthwateringly delicious dishes. I also enjoy cooking. Whenever I have
free time, I always don my apron and make traditional dishes as a way to reduce stress.
Is it difficult to cook?
I don’t think so. It mostly depends on how passionate you are about it. The more you cook,
the more delicious your dishes are.
Do you want to learn how to cook?
 Absolutely! I’ve always been curious about different cuisines, and it would be great to
have a person who shares my interests and could teach me more about it.
- To make my mouth watering (expression): Chảy nước miếng (ý nói về đồ ăn ngon)
VD: This dish really makes my mouth watering.

- Apron (noun): Tạp dề.
VD: You should get an apron so that your clothes don’t get dirty.
- Cuisine (noun): Nền ẩm thực.
VD: It is a fact that Vietnam has one of the best cuisines in the world.
- Share my interests (expression): Có cùng sở thích.
VD: I really like travelling. I’m looking for a person who shares my interests.
8. Drink water
What kinds of water do you like to drink?
I mostly drink mineral water because it keep me refreshed and comfortable.
Do you drink bottled water or water from water machines?
Well, I usually choose bottled water because of its price and cleanliness compared to water
machines.
How often do you drink water?
I drink water on a daily basis since it’s one of humans’ basic needs. Without water, people
cannot survive.
Mineral water (noun): Nước khoáng.
VD: Mineral water is the most popular drink in the world.
Refreshed (adjective): Tươi tỉnh.
VD: You should go wash your face to keep you refreshed.
On a daily basis (expression): Thường xuyên.
VD: He goes shopping on a daily basis.
9. Sunglasses
Do people in your country wear sunglasses? Where can you buy sunglasses?
Yes. They are a must-have item when you are on the street because they protect your eyes
from the sun and dirt. Well, you can basically buy sunglasses everywhere, from a local
market to a luxury brand shop depending on your budget.
Do you like to wear sunglasses?
Definitely! They make me look fashionable and protect my eyes from dirt when driving
outside.
- Must-have items (expression): Phụ kiện phải có.
VD: Jewelry is a must-have item when you are wearing a dress.
- Luxury (adjective): xa xỉ.
VD: They have a luxury life with many maids.
- Budget (noun): Kinh phí, túi tiền.
VD: My budget is quite tight. Can you choose other shoes?
- Fashionable (adjective): Thời thượng, sành điệu.
VD: These shoes are so fashionable! You should buy one.
10. Photos
How do you keep your photos?
Well, I usually store my photos by printing them out and making an album if the pictures
are important. If not, I keep them on my iPhone.
In what situations do you take photos?
I snap a photo whenever I see something that catches my eye when I’m in a good mood.
Normally, I take pictures with my friends when we hang out or when my family go to a
fancy restaurant.
How often do you take photos?
Not too often I have to say. I’m an introvert who doesn’t like to share too many photos, so I
only take photos when I find something interesting.
Do you prefer to take photos yourself or to have other people take photos?
To be honest, I have faith in my photography skills, so I choose to take photos by myself. In

addition, it is more comfortable to see my expression, which is unflattering sometimes.
- Snap a photo (phrase): Chụp ảnh.
VD: He snapped a photo of me while I was sleeping.
- Catch one’s eyes (phrase): Thu hút ánh nhìn của ai đó.
VD: This costume really catches my eyes.
- In a good mood (expression): Trong tâm trạng tốt.
VD: Dinner is on me! I’m in a good mood today.
4 KÊNH CHÍNH THỨC DUY NHẤT CỦA THẦY NGỌC BÁCH IELTS
Hiện tại, thầy Ngọc Bách chỉ sử dụng duy nhất 4 kênh sau, không có kênh nào khác
1. Website ngocbach.com: www.ngocbach.com
2. Page Tuhocielts8.0 (380k thành viên)

https://www.facebook.com/tuhocIelts8.0/
3. Group IELTS Ngoc Bach (180k thành viên)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ieltsngocbach/
4.Facebook cá nhân của thầy Ngọc Bách (90k follows)

https://www.facebook.com/nguyenngoc.bach.77
Liên hệ: Nếu có câu hỏi các bạn có thể liên hệ IELTS Ngoc Bach ở đây:
http://ngocbach.com/chuyen_muc/view/70000261/Lien-he.html
Các bạn chỉ nên liên lạc với 4 ĐỊA CHỈ DUY NHẤT này để đăng ký học và mua các
sách từ thầy Ngọc Bách.
IELTS Ngoc Bach
YOUR HOME
1.Where do you live?
I live on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, in a district called Tan Phu, about 15 km from the city centre.
2.Do you live in a house or a flat?
I live in a 3 bedroom flat on the 11th floor of a big apartment building.
3.Who do you live with?
I live there with my wife and little baby son.
4.Is it a big place?
It’s pretty big for a flat. It has 3 large bedrooms, one for my wife and I and one for my son when he gets
older. It also has a smaller bedroom that I use as a study and to store things in. The kitchen is small but it
is part of a big open plan living room, so there is lots of space for the family.
5.What is your favourite room?
That would have to be my study because it’s the only room that I can get peace and quiet in. When I’m in
there my wife knows I’m working, so she leaves me alone and I can concentrate on my work.
6.How is your apartment decorated?
I don’t like lots of over the top decoration, so I guess you would describe it as minimalist. The walls are all
white and the furniture is also either white or black. There are very few ornaments or pictures because
again, I like to keep things quite minimal and I hate clutter.
7.Is there anything you would like to change about your flat?
I would like to have a big balcony. We have a sort of balcony at the moment, but we mainly use it for
washing and drying clothes. It would be really nice to have some tables and chairs on a proper balcony,
with maybe a few plants, so we could sit there in the evenings and relax.
8.Do you plan to live there for a long time?
I really like where I live but it is really far from where I work in the centre of town. It takes around 45
minutes to drive there by motorbike and in the hot season and wet season it can be really uncomfortable,
so we will consider moving closer to the centre in a year or so.
9.Do you have a garden?
That’s the best part of where we live, we have a huge garden. It takes around 40 minutes to walk around
it. It has a few play parks for the kids, a number of gyms and four small lakes. We are really lucky to have
it and I try to go for a walk around it every day, if I have time.
10.Are there many amenities?
Not really, because it is on the edge of town. If you want to go for a nice meal, use a swimming pool, go
shopping or head out for a drink, you really have to drive for about 30 minutes. That’s the major
drawback, but if you are organised and buy everything when you are in the centre of town, it’s not so bad.
Để update bộ đề Speaking tháng 9-12 chính xác nhất

Join Group IELTS Ngoc Bach:
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STUDY
1. What are you studying at the moment?
I'm studying history at university. It's a four year course, and I started it three years ago, so I have
just one year left. I'm enjoying it a lot so it will be sad to finish.
2. Why did you choose that major?
I was fascinated by being an auditor when I was in high school. At that time I was inspired by my
cousin, who is an excellent auditor. To be a good auditor, I have to be good at accounting so I made a
decision to study it in Hanoi University.
3. Is it a popular subject at your university?
Very popular, in fact it’s one of the most sought after courses. I think there are about 350 people
reading law at Queen’s. I think lots of student’s parents want them to study law so they can get a good job
after they graduate.
4. If you could change to another subject, what would it be?
I planned to study medicine, but then when I went on work experience I fainted at the first sight of
blood, so definitely not that. I’m a real history buff and read books about World War 2 all the time, so I
suppose it would have to be Modern History.
5. What do you like most about your studies?
We learn about many things from the past such as politics and wars, but I like learning about how
people lived in the past the most. It's amazing to see how our lives have changed so much from the past
up until now. In some ways our lives have got much easier now, but in other ways the simplicity of life in
the past made people much happier. Learning about all that is fascinating.
6. What do you hope to do in the future when you have finished?
I'm not sure at the moment, but I may go into teaching. This is why I'm doing the IELTS, as I intend to
carry on and do a Masters in a specific area of history. I'll probably decide for sure what to do when I have
completed that.

NAME
1) How did your parents choose your name?
To be truthful, I’m not sure how they chose it; I’ve never asked them. I suppose it was just a name
that they both liked, and maybe they thought it suited me.
2) Does your name have any special meaning?
I think it might do, but I don’t know what that meaning is; I’ve never looked it up. Maybe I’ll google it
later today; you’ve made me curious to find out!
3) Is your name common or unusual in your country?
Yes, it’s quite a common name. I remember that there were two other people with the same name as
me in my class at school.
4) If you could change your name, would you?
Not at all, I definitely wouldn’t. My name is part of my identity now, and it would feel strange to
suddenly change it. I don’t think my friends and family would like that either.

JEWELRY
1. What kind of jewelries do you like?
Well, I think I like all kinds jewelries, like the necklace, the ring, the earring and so on. Since the
women are natural jewelry-lovers, I think the jewelry has already become a part of my life.
2. Have you given other people jewelries?
Yes, I have. I remembered that I sent a beautiful necklace to my best friend when it came to her
birthday. The necklace was made of the white gold and crystal, and its design was very unique. My friend
fell in love with it at the first sight.
3. Why do people like it?
Well, on the one hand, people like wearing jewelry according to the style of their clothes. In this case,
they will look more elegant under the decoration of the jewelry. On the other hand, the jewelry also
symbolizes the social status and the social background.
4. What is your attitude toward jewelry?
Well, I think the jewelry is very important since it can show a person's taste and quality. However, I
do not think that people should buy too much jewelry since it may make people look like an upstart.
5. Why so many people choose to buy expensive jewelry to maintain value?
Well, I think buying expensive jewelry is also a kind of investment. With the development of the
society, the currency may be devalued due to the inflation. Since the material and the design of jewelry
has their own value, people may chose to invest on the expensive jewelry in order to make money.
6. How often do you wear jewelry?
Well, I do not often wear jewelry. In most of the cases, I will only wear the jewelry in some special
occasions, like my friend's birthday party, some annual events.
necklace, the ring, the earring and so on
natural jewelry-lovers
became part of my life
when it came to one’s birthday
be made of white gold and crystal
unique design
fall in love with sth.
at the first sight
on the one hand

according to the style of clothes
in this case
look more elegant under the decoration of the jewelry
symbolize the social status and social background
show a person’s taste and quality
make people look like an upstart
a kind of investment
currency may be devalued
due to the inflation
has own value
the material and the design of jewelry
in order to
make money
choose to invest
in most of the cases
in some special occasions
annual events

FRUIT
1. Do you usually eat fruit and vegetables every day?
• Yes, I do. I usually have bananas with my cereal at breakfast time, an apple for lunch, and
sometimes I have melon or some other types of fruit after the main meal. I eat lots of vegetables each day
as well because they’re good for me.
2. What kind of fruit do you enjoy the most?
• I really love bananas because I enjoy the flavour and the fact that they are convenient to take to
school, and they fill us up easily. They’re also healthy.
3. Did you enjoy the same type of fruit when you were a child?
• No, I don’t think so. I used to hate peeling the skin of bananas, so I never really enjoyed eating
them. Then, when I got a bit older, I changed my mind.
4. Do you prefer to eat fruit or vegetables?
• Sometimes, I think I prefer vegetables because they are always part of the meal, not separate, so
it’s easier to get enough vegetables to stay healthy. But then, fruit is so sweet and delicious. I guess I
enjoy both fruit and vegetables equally.
5.Are there any fruits or vegetables you don’t like? Why?
Yes, there are… I’m not a fussy eater, but I really hate onions and seafood… I try to avoid meals that
might contain these products…
6.Do most people eat vegetables in your country?
Yes, they do. Almost every meal has either rice or potatoes and also another vegetable as well, such
as cabbage, carrots, green beans or something like that. Quite a lot of people have a small proportion of
vegetables to meat but at least they always have some kind of vegetable with their meal.
7.Are there many vegetarians in your country?
Yes, quite a lot. Many people choose to avoid eating meat and their diet consists of both vegetables
and grains. There are quite a few restaurants in my city which cater to vegetarians and offer the most
wonderful dishes such as fried aubergine, spinach and potato, onion cakes and things like that. They’re
actually very delicious.

LETTER
1.At work or in your studies, do you often write things?
Yes, I write a lot of emails as part of my job. I work for a company that has offices in several
countries, so we use email to communicate.
2.How often do you send e-mails?
I probably write between 5 and 10 work emails every day, and I send emails to friends or family a few
times a week.
3.Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer?
It depends what I’m doing. I prefer the computer for most things because it’s faster and you can save
or copy things, but I still like making notes or writing ideas down by hand.
4.Do you prefer to send letters or emails?
I prefer to send emails they’re so much quicker and easier. But then again I suppose letters are more
personal and a bit more special. I certainly prefer to receive letters and I guess my real answer is that I
get more pleasure out of sending letters too.
5.Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?
No, I think we will always write by hand as well. I think it’s an important skill, and schools will continue
to teach children to write by hand before they learn to type.
Apologizing
I'm sorry about...
I am sorry that...
I'm very sorry about...
I'm very sorry for...
Please forgive me for...
I'd like to apologize for...
Please accept my apologies.
Please accept my sincere apologies. (very formal)
Asking for Help
I'd be grateful if you could...
I would be grateful if you could...
I would appreciate it if you could...
Could you please...

I was wondering of you could help me.(informal)
I would like to know...
Asking for Information
I am writing to enquire about...
I am writing to find out about...
What I am looking for is...
I would like to know about/if...
Closing
I look forward to seeing you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to meeting you.
Complaining / expressing dissatisfaction
I'm writing to express my dissatisfaction with...
I'm writing to express my annoyance with...
I am not happy about...
...was very disappointing.
Conveying regards
Please give my best regards to your family.
Please pass on my best wishes to your wife and children.
Please give my regards to your parents.
Expressing satisfaction
I was delighted to hear that...
I was very happy to learn that...
I was thrilled to find out that...
I was glad to hear that...
...was very enjoyable.
Expressing concern / sympathy
I was sorry to hear about... (your accident/ illness)
I am writing to express my concern about...
Giving bad news

I regret to inform you that...(semi-formal)
I am sorry to tell you that...(informal)
I regret to advise you that...(formal)
I am afraid I have some bad news.(informal)
Giving good news
I am pleased to inform you that...(semi-formal)
I am delighted to tell you that...(informal)
I am happy to advise you that...(formal)
I thought you might like to know that...
Giving reasons
This is because...
This is because of...
This is due to... (formal)
This is as a result of...(formal)
This is owing to...(formal)
Making suggestions
Would it be a good idea to...
Perhaps it would be a good idea to...
Thanking
Thanks.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you kindly.
I can't thank you enough.
No words can express my gratitude.
I am extremely grateful for...

HISTORY
1. Do you like ( to learn about) history?
Yes, I like to learn about history. When I was a student, I enjoyed studying history. I like learning
about things that had happened in the past and discovering why certain events happened. I also like
visiting museums and historical places. I think they are quite interesting and informative. So I like history.
2. Do you think history is important?
Yes, I strongly believe history is important. History is a record of events that had happened in our
past. By studying history, we can learn the lesson of our past and prevent ourselves from making the
same mistakes. So I think history is quite important.
3. Do you think you can really learn history from films or TV programs?
No, I don’t think so. It is true that by watching some history films or TV documentaries we can learn
some things about history that we might not have known before. However, most information presented by
films or TV shows are, at best, simplistic in content and, at worst, full of errors and misrepresentation. So
even thought it might be visually entertaining to learn history through visual media, I don’t think it is the
best way to learn history.
4. Do you think the internet is a good place to learn about history?
Well... Not all sources and websites are of the same quality. Even though there are a lot of historical
information online, it is important to remember that just as there are educational websites run by
professionals and experts, there are also websites full of false and misleading data. So, as long as one is
cautious and verify the validity of the source, the internet can be a good place to learn about history.
5.Do young people feel that history is very important?
Probably not, no, because I think a lot of young people nowadays don’t really feel that history has a
direct impact on their own lives, which I guess is reflected in the fact that not many students choose
History as their major at university, at least compared to other subjects like Accounting or Finance for
example. So I think this is a good indicator that many young people don’t see history as being that
important to them.
6.What is the value of learning about history?
Well I’d say there’s a lot of value in learning it, and one of the main reasons would be that history
quite often repeats itself, so if we’ve learnt history well, we should be able to avoid making the same
mistakes as we did in the past. And as well as this, I guess another important aspect is that history plays
a big part in helping us understand how things came to being. So for example, through learning history,
we get to understand things like why we speak the language we do, and how our country developed the
way it did. And in a way, I think this kind of makes us better appreciate everything we have around us,
instead of just taking it for granted.

TRANSPORTATION
1. How did you get here today?
A. I came by bike because the roads are pretty congested at this time and a bike is quicker. It only
took me about 15 minutes to get here.
2. Do you often use public transport?
A. Yes, I do. I use the bus almost everyday. It’s the cheapest way to get around even though it’s
really overcrowded and not particularly punctual.
3. How could the transportation system be improved in your country?
A. Well, I think the first step to improvement would be to widen the roads and build to overpasses
and underpasses to help traffic flow more freely which would reduce the congestion in the city center.
Also, it would help if the bus service was improved to make it run more frequently which would help with
the overcrowding in rush hour. I think those are the two main changes that need to happen.
4.What form of transport do you prefer to use? Why?
I prefer to travel by car because it means that I have my own space. Also, the buses and trains in my
city are usually overcrowded; my car is much more comfortable.
5.How much time do you spend travelling on a normal day?
I probably spend about an hour and a half travelling to and from work. I travel during the rush hours,
so there is quite a lot of traffic.
6.What do you do while you are travelling?
I usually listen to the radio or a CD. In the morning I like to listen to the news to find out what is
happening in the world.
7.Do you ever have problems with transport?
Yes, as I said, I get stuck in traffic on my way to and from work. I used to get annoyed by traffic jams,
but now I'm used to them.

FRIENDS
1. Are your friends mostly your age or different ages?
Most of my friends are about the same age as me because we met at school or university. I've got
one or two friends who are older or younger that I met through work.
2. Do you usually see your friends during the week or at weekends?
I tend to meet up with my friends at weekends because everyone's too busy during the week.
3. The last time you saw your friends, what did you do together?
It was one of my friends' birthday last weekend. Six of us went out for a meal to celebrate.
4. In what ways are your friends important to you?
I think it's important to have friends that you can talk to and share experiences with. My friends make
me laugh, but I know I can also rely on them whenever I need help or support.
5. Do you like to make friends?
Answer 1: I like to do that on a regular basis. I’m a social person, so if I can’t have more friends, I’ll
be bored.
Answer 2: Kind of. I don’t need too many friends, but it’s good to have some new ones. It’s necessary
for me.
6. What are the differences between best friends and other friends?
A best friend is someone you may not talk to very often, but you never feel distant. General friends
are easy to lose so you need to talk to them often.

MAGAZINE
1.Which do you prefer, reading newspapers or magazines?
I would say I prefer newspapers. Newspapers in just ten or eight pages give you a glimpse of the
entire world, including all the sections. From fashion to the general news to comics to sports to almost
everything. In just one newspaper, you have access to the entire world.
2.What type of stories do you like to read about?
I love reading autobiographies and non-fiction. Autobiographies because they give a glimpse of
lifestyle of a very successful person. You get to know them when they were the mango people and what
they did to become what they became. Their struggle, the inner story, their point of view and for some
reasons I find it quite exciting. Other than this, I like reading non-fiction.
3.Have you ever read a newspaper or magazine in a foreign language? [When/Why?]
Yes, all the time. I lived in another country for several years, so reading in a foreign language was a
normal activity for me, not just newspapers and magazines, but all kinds of documents and literature. I
still do it to maintain my reading skills.
4.Do you think reading a newspaper and magazine can help you learn a language?
Yes, but it depends on your language level. If you are just beginning to learn a language then it can
be very difficult and frustrating – certainly not the best way to try and learn a foreign language – but as
you progress and develop your vocabulary it is a good way to learn expressions and phrases related to
common topics in the news and current affairs, or related to a specific topic in the case of magazines.
5.Why do you think some people prefer magazines to newspapers?
I think the reason might be that magazines are more specific. So, for example if I am interested in
reading about like sports, then a magazine will offer me better articles and more specific, to be concise. It
also de clutters all the things that one does not wants to read.
6.Which magazines and newspapers do you read (why)?
Answer A) I prefer reading magazines on travel. Being a travel host, it is very important for me to
know about more places and understand them theoretically, before taking on my camera and team along
side. Travel magazine also help me to understand the perspective of the other person for a same place
that I have also visited. Apart from it, I like fashion magazines as well. Not for the reasons of fashion, I
find them good entertainer when one wants to just spend time idly.
Answer B) I only read magazines and newspapers if I’m waiting someplace and they are there, and
there is no other alternative. Most of the time, I prefer doing something on my phone. But, either ways, I
like to read sports magazine. Cars and their engines excite me for the most part. I mean, there are
fantastic cars out there and in magazines, a perfect description is given. Newspapers, I rarely read. I
prefer getting the news on either phone or television.

HOLIDAY
1.What kind of holiday do you like?
I try to avoid tourist traps ... I like to get away from it all and prefer going somewhere off the beaten
track ... last year I had the holiday of a lifetime ... a two week wildlife safari in Kenya.
2. What do you like to do when you’re on holiday?
I enjoy visiting the local places of interest ... I like to go sightseeing and always sign up for guided
tours as it’s a chance to be shown around and take photographs ... one of my hobbies.
3. Do you have many tourists in your country?
Yes ... we have a lot of holiday resorts along the coast that are popular with tourists... most people
come on package holidays and stay in one of the many hotels and self- catering apartments.
4. Do you like holidays? Why / why not?
Yes, I love holidays because I get the chance to take a break from work, to relax and unwind, and to
spend time with my family.
5. Do you prefer to travel or stay at home during holiday periods? Why?
If I can I prefer to travel. It's nice to get away from everything and to have a change of scenery. Also,
I like visiting new places and doing some sightseeing.
6. What do most people do during their holidays in your country? Why?
During the summer especially, I think most British people go somewhere hot and sunny, to escape
from the British weather!
7. When do you prefer to take your holidays? Why?
I like taking my holidays just outside the main summer season, which is July and August. If you go on
holiday in May, June or September, everything is cheaper and places aren't so crowded with tourists.
all-in package/package holiday: a holiday where you purchase the travel and accommodation
together
breathtaking view: an extremely beautiful view
to get away from it all: to take a holiday to escape a busy or stressful lifestyle
guided tour: an organised group shown around a place of interest by an expert
holiday destination: where you go for a holiday
holiday of a lifetime: a special holiday that you are unlikely to repeat
holiday resort: a place where lots of people go for a holiday
hordes of tourists: crowds of tourists
local crafts: objects produced locally

long weekend: an extended weekend holiday including Friday or Monday
out of season: outside of the main holiday period
picturesque village: very pretty village
places of interest: sites of interest to tourists
wildlife safari: a holiday, often in Africa, to observe wild animals
self-catering: a holiday where you supply your own food
short break: a short holiday
to go sightseeing: to look around the tourist sites
stunning landscape: extremely beautiful countryside
tourist trap: somewhere where too many tourists go
youth hostel: a cheap form of accommodation

SHOE
1.Do you like shopping for shoes?
It's ok I suppose, but it's not something I especially enjoy doing. You know, for me it's just a matter of
finding the right shoes and buying them, and the faster I can get it done, the better!
2. How often do you buy shoes?
Let me have a little think…um, I guess probably something like once every few months, cos I mean,
the shoes I buy tend to last quite a long time, sometimes even a year or so, before I need to get another
pair. So yeah, on average I'd say I buy a couple of pairs a year. Something like that!
3. What kinds of shoes do you usually buy?
Well, thinking about it, the shoes I normally buy are just plain, simple walking shoes, cos that's all I
really need. Oh and I also occasionally buy trainers for running, but that's pretty much it!
Pretty much = more or less.
4. Do you prefer comfortable shoes or good-looking shoes?
Ah, that's an easy one! I much prefer comfortable shoes, cos for me, comfort is definitely the number
one priority. But that's not to say I don't care at all about how they look. I mean, I don't wanna go around
wearing shoes that look hideous! You know, that would be pretty embarrassing. But as long as they're ok
looking, then that's good enough for me.
5. What kind of shoes do you usually wear?
A) I mostly wear flat shoes rather than high heeled shoes because I find them more comfortable. I
also go for shoes that aren’t lace-ups so that I can slip them on and off whenever I need to.
6. Do you think the type of shoes someone wears reflects their character?
A) Yes, I do. People say that first impressions are important and I think that goes for shoes too. If you
see a person wearing a worn out pair of shoes, it gives you the impression that they that are sloppy. On
the other hand, if you see someone wearing brand name shoes that cost a fortune, you know that the
person has plenty of money to splash around and doesn’t care about costs. So, shoes can tell you a lot
about someone’s character.
shoe
high-heeled shoe
loafer
slippers
walking sandal
flip-flops (also knows as thongs)
trainers (also known as sneakers)
wellington boots (also known as wellies)

cowboy boot
walking boots (also known as hiking boots)
lace-ups = shoes with laces
to slip something on and off = to put them on and take them off easily
worn out = tatty, shabby, the worse for wear, tired
sloppy = not tidy, lazy, slovenly
cost a fortune = cost an arm and a leg, expensive
have money to splash around = have money to waste, to throw around

TEACHER
1.Do you have a favorite teacher? / Who was your favorite teacher when you were young?
A: Certainly. I was lucky enough to study with a few amazing teachers, but the most impressive one
is probably a lecturer in my university.
The most impressive one is
Another possible answer:Of course, Yes. I studied with many teachers during my academic career,
but the person who inspired me the most was my Maths teacher in high school.
Academic career
Inspire-：
(1)Incredibly knowledgeable
(2)A sense of humor and friendliness
(3)Strict discipline that drove me to study diligently to reach my potential-
2.What you have learnt from this teacher?
Besides knowledge, he also teaches us how to adapt to the society. I have learnt comprehensive
skills from him, such as how to get along with other people, how to overcome difficulties and so on, which
are essential to be an useful citizen in the society.
3.Do you still keep in touch with your teacher?
yes, I often send them text messages on teachers' day. Sometimes i go back to school to visit them.
When we have a class reunion, we also invite them as well.
4.Why do people become teachers?
I personally love this profession. I think that people become teachers because they want to help
other people. Teachers play a very important role in the character development of a student. In my
opinion they are serving the society in a very good way.
5.Do you think you could be a teacher?
I don’t think I am suitable to be a teacher, I am not a patient man and cannot bear to repeat the same
things frequently. Teachers’ job is really boring to me, you have to make your explanations as easy as
possible for students to fully understand. It is a challenging job, I am afraid I cannot do it.
6. In the future, do you think machines will replace humans for doing housework?
Not completely, no, because, as I mentioned just now, machines often need humans to operate
them, so I think, in all likelihood, it will continue to be a combination of both machines and humans.
as I mentioned just now
in all likelihood

FORGETTING THINGS
1.What do you remember to do every day?
Well, there are many things I have to remember to do every day. For example, after getting up in the
morning, I need to take some simple physical exercises like doing some crunches and push-ups.
Besides, another important thing that I should keep in mind is to teach my son to read the traditional
Chinese poems in the evening.
2. What helps people to remember things?
Well, it’s kind of hard to say but people I know around me use the to-do-list apps in their mobile
phones to help them remember what to do next; but maybe for others, they may probably write the urgent
things down in the notebooks.
3. Why do old people forget about things easily?
Well, I guess it’s quite normal that people are more and more forgetful when they are becoming
ageing. Apart from some negative emotional factors like stress and depression, elderly people are easier
to forget things because of their normal ageing.
4. Have you ever forgotten something important?
Oh yes, I nearly forgot the birthday of a woman I liked last time. I once asked her what her birthday
was, and told her I would send her a gift, but I just unbelievably forgot it until the evening that day.
Fortunately I asked her out to dinner to celebrate with her.
5.Why do people often forget small things?
Well, I suppose it could be because they have a lot of things to think about or remember and
sometimes it’s easy to remember big important things - but little things are more easily forgotten.
6. What kind of things do you have to bring when you go out?
Cell phone, of course. I take it with me wherever I go. And my keys, wallet, lipstick are also must-
have items. I always put them together in a small handbag.
7.Did you ever forget to bring something?
I rarely forget to bring something as I have a good memory. But there was a time when I forgot to
take my house key before I left home. What was worse, my parents were on their trip. So I had to stay
with my friend for onenight.
8.How do you remind yourself?
I always write a note about what I should bring, and stick it to the refrigerator door. Everyday before I
leave my home, I check it to find out what is missing. And it really works.
9.Do you carry different things in the morning and in the evening?
For me, there is no difference between the things carried in the morning and in the evening, almost
the same.
lose the track of time

ring a bell
stick in your mind
memory loss
forgetfulness
crystallized memory
fades with time
do memory exercises
reminder app
I often set up alerts on my (Apple) calendar events to remind me that I have to leave for an
appointment
My daily to-do list is written on a notepad at my desk and includes things like, “edit blog post” and
“clean out fridge.” Eventually it all gets done.
A hanging calendar that I lay flat on my desk with large enough spaces to write in reminders.

SCHOOL
1.How old were you when you started school?
My school is in the vicinity of my house.I went there when I was 6 years old, because it is not allowed
to start school before than 6.
2.How did you get to school each day?
My school was just located near my home, so every day I walked to school with myself, or sometimes
with my neighbours.
3.Tell me something about the school
My school is called the Haiyang Elementary School, which was established 50 years ago in my
hometown. The school was quite spacious as it was large but there were no many students. Besides, the
teachers there were always kind-hearted and responsible for their teaching.
4.What subjects did you study in secondary school (=high school)?
There were many subjects we had to learn at secondary school, such as maths, English, physics,
chemistry, history, geography, and so on. So you can see we had a heavy burden at that time.
5.Have you ever returned to see your old school again?
Yes, every time I go back to my hometown, I’d like to visit my old school and I’ll be very delighted to
see how my school developed. I was really proud of it.
6.Can you describe yourself as a good student?
Well, overall I think I am a good student. ... I am not an eager beaver, nor the teacher's pet... but I'm
good at scientific subjects and, most importantly, I like studying.
7.Do you study English now?
Yes, of course. I've taken an intensive course this year, where I've attend classes three times a
week... And I plan on pursuing my studies in the future, too...
8.Did you enjoy/Do you enjoy studying at school?
I've never really liked school... I'm not a bookworm and a lot of humanities subjects seemed too
boring to me. However, the workload was not too big... The other good thing about school is being able to
see your friends. And fortunately, I had wonderful classmates.
9.What kind of school did you go as a child?
I have always gone to co-ed schools, right from primary to intermediate and it has helped me to be
more comfortable while interacting with opposite sex.
Teacher’s pet
Definition: A teacher’s pet is a student who the teacher likes the best, usually because that student is
very well behaved, does all the homework and gets good grades.

IELTS example answer: I was a teacher’s pet in almost all my classes, and this made some other
students make fun of me sometimes. However, that didn’t bother me because I always got better grades
than them!
A kiss-up, or to kiss up
Definition: A kiss-up is someone who always flatters, or gives compliments, to another person. In
school, sometimes students kiss up to teachers to try and get better grades or, perhaps, get out of
trouble.
IELTS example answer: Science was never my strongest subject in school, so I always tried to kiss
up to the teacher at the beginning of the year. I would tell my teachers how young they looked, and
sometimes I would bring them little presents.
Side note: This could be used to describe a person in any situation, perhaps a brother or sister who
kissed up to your parents, for example. Get more idioms to describe family here, as this is another very
common IELTS Speaking topic!
Draw a blank
Definition: When you cannot think of a word or idea, your mind is blank and empty.
IELTS example answer: The teacher asked me about the chapter we had read for homework, but I
drew a blank. I suddenly could not remember anything about what I had read the night before.
Side note: This is also a great phrase for buying time on the IELTS Speaking exam!
Cover a lot of ground
Definition: This phrase means to go over a lot of material or information.
IELTS example answer: Although my test preparation class is only one hour, we learn a lot in that
time. I’m amazed at how we cover so much ground in every class.
Side note: This could also be used when talking about work, such as when you describe a meeting in
which you went over a lot of information. Get more idioms for describing work, another very common
IELTS topic.
Learn by heart
Definition: This is lovely idiom which is synonymous with “memorize”.
IELTS example answer: In sixth grade, we had to learn all the states and their capitals by heart. I still
remember all of them!

ROBOTS
1.Are you interested in robots? Why?
Yes, i have to say that i am fanatical about robots. I uesed to watch a very touching movie named
Cyborg girl, which tells about the love story of a robot and her owner. we often think that robots can not
think and love, but the movie has shown the opposite, by which i was deeply impressed.
2.Why are robots part of many TV shows and movies?
That's a very interesting question ! Scientists and science researchers improve techniques by testing
advanced technologies with robots to better understand our world as well as the universe in the film-
making field. The audience feel like they have superpowers while the television or film is speaking to
them .
3. Would you like a robot to help out around the home?
I hope so ! I'm in charge of making sure that everyone and everything is in the right place at home .
Almost every day I am in need of urgent help . A robot , my most anticipated assistance , may reduce the
frequency of my daily stress . It can become a part of my family .
4. Would you ride in a car driven by a robot?
I would love to have a car with a robot in it, but only if there is an option of manually driving the car as
well. Having a robot every time in the car, will just take away the fun of driving the car. The fun that you
get, the rush of reaching to a place, the fact that you can control something is amazing. Although, having
a robot will help in having those long trips but a permanent driver is something I’ll avoid.
5.will robots replace human beings in the workplace completely?
Well, i don't think so. Even though robots are massively replaceing human labour and this helps us
avoid potential dangers as well as saving labour, the role of human beings is rereplaceable. We still need
to control robots as well as find solutions for arising problems or process data as robots are still unable to
do these tasks.
6.What kinds of robots would like to have?
Just as I mentioned, I really want to have a robot like Baymax. Since I am so busy with my study
every day, I don’t have any time to do any housework. So it would be great to have a robot that could do
laundry, cooking and cleaning for me, which could save me lots of time.
7.Will robots change our society significantly?
Technology has already made great changes to our lives, and have made a lot of jobs much easier.
Therefore, I am sure there will continue to be changes. However, it is hard to say how significant they will
be.

INDOOR GAMES
1. Do you play any indoor games?
Absolutely yes! Playing indoor games is a must-do activity for me and my friends. The best part of it
is that you don't have to prepare much or spend money, by simply following the instruction you can get
tons of fun together with friends.
2. Do you prefer to play indoor games or outdoor games?
Well, I'll definitely choose indoor games. Lazy bones as I am, playing outdoor games is a basically a
waste of energy. Even thinking about the burning sun and clothes soaked with sweat makes me sick. On
the contrary, indoor games can energize me without spending too much energy. So indoor games is no
doubt my type.
3. What indoor games did you play when you were a child?
Well, there are lots of indoor games to play for me when I was a child. Card game, puzzles and
indoor hopscotch 室内跳房子 were all very much interesting. More than that, I think it's also my parents'
company that comforted me. No matter how busy they were, they always took some time from their tight
schedule and played with me.
4. Is there any particular indoor games that you liked when you were a child?
Looking back to my childhood, playing hide and seek was the utmost important activity to me. I
always enjoyed the excitement when I was hiding. My heart flooded with adrenaline as the seeker
approached. As they left, the heart felt relief again excited me. Moreover, playing hide and seek can also
build a close relationship with my friends. This indoor game now become my most cherished childhood
memory.
5. What sort of indoor games do children play now?
I think children nowadays are more than willing to play video games. Take my nephew for example,
whenever I propose to play hide and seek, he shows obviously no interest in it. Nevertheless, the moment
I start my PS4, he will rush to my side and stare at me keenly. I guess virtual games now has taken over
reality games.
6. Do you think the young people should spend a lot of time on playing games?
Well, I think so. I think the children can make many friends when playing games together and I think
it is a good opportunity for them to broaden the social circle. Moreover, the children may play games with
other friends, so I think the children can be more active and cooperative during this process.
a must-do activity
The best part of it is that …
have to prepare much or spend money
by simply following the instruction
get tons of fun
I'll definitely choose …

Lazy bones as I am
a basically a waste of energy
Even thinking about …
the burning sun
clothes soaked with sweat
energize me without spending too much energy
no doubt my type
Looking back to my childhood
playing hide and seek
the utmost important activity
enjoyed the excitement
heart flooded with adrenaline
as the seeker approached
heart felt relief again
build a close relationship with my friends
my most cherished childhood memory
are more than willing to play video games
Take my nephew for example
show obviously no interest in it
rush to my side and stare at me keenly
virtual games now has taken over reality games
a good opportunity
broaden the social circle
be more active and cooperative
during this process

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
1. Which musical instrument do you like listening to most? (Why?)
My favourite musical instrument to listen to is the guitar. I like the fact that there are different types of
guitar, like classical, acoustic and electric. I love the variety of sounds a guitar can make.
2. Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?
I took some guitar lessons when I was younger and still have a guitar at home. I don't play it much
nowadays. I wish I had more time to practise.
3. Do you think children should learn to play an instrument at school?
Yes, I think it's a great skill and it's really enjoyable to be able to play a musical instrument. All
children should be given this opportunity.
4. How easy would it be to learn to play an instrument without a teacher?
It would probably be more difficult without a teacher. You need someone to show you what to do and
correct your mistakes. You need a lot of discipline to teach yourself.
5.If you could learn to play any musical instrument, what would you choose?
I think I'd probably go for the violin. It's such a beautiful instrument and I think the music that can be
played on it can be really haunting and moving. Yes,I'd definitely choose that one.

WEATHER
1.How is the weather today?
It’s really lovely today. There were a few showers this morning and it was a bit chilly, but it has
brightened up this afternoon and I think it will stay that way for the rest of the day.
2.What’s your favourite kind of weather?
It depends what I’m doing really. If I’m doing something outside, I like the weather to be sunny but
not too hot because it gets a bit uncomfortable after a while. If I’m inside, I love listening to the rain
beating against the window and the wind howling outside.
3.What is the climate like in your country?
I’m from Ireland, so the thing people always complain about is the rain. It is right on the edge of
Europe so we get lots of rain rolling in off the Atlantic. However, because we are an island it means that
we don’t get very harsh winters and it hardly ever snows. I think temperate is the word to describe our
climate- not too hot, not too cold.
4.Does the weather effect people’s lives in your country?
Yes, very much so. In the winter it is really grey all the time and it gets dark very early in the
afternoon. The lack of sunlight leads to some people getting a bit depressed and I imagine that’s why
people drink much more wine and whiskey in the winter to cope with how dull everything is.
5.Do people change in the summer?
Absolutely, as soon as the sun starts to shine and it gets warmer, people start to have barbecues, do
more outdoor activities and are generally happier. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last very long but people
definitely make the most of it while the weather is good.
6.Is there any type of weather you really don’t like?
I don’t mind when it’s raining or windy and I don’t mind when it’s cold, but when it’s cold, windy and
raining all that the same time, well that’s horrible, especially if you have to work or do something outside. I
remember when we were at school we would have to go outside in horrible weather to do P.E. and I
detested every minute of it.
7.Does bad weather ever effect transport in your country?
As I said before, it rarely snows, but when it does the transportation system collapses. People are
just not used to driving in the snow and the whole country pretty much grinds to a halt. Buses and trains
normally stop running completely until the snow thaws.
8. Is it worse to feel too hot or too cold?
Well, I suppose if it’s too cold you can just wear more layers, but nevertheless I prefer to be too hot.
At least it means the weather is good, and you can always go for a swim to cool down. What I really can’t
stand is being cold and wet. That’s the worst combination and it makes me worry that I’m going to catch a
cold.
9.Does the weather affect your mood?
Yes... Cold, gloomy days put me in a bad mood. I love summertime, when it's warm and sunny.

10.What is your favourite season?
Well, I think it's spring... The weather is very pleasant and it's nice to see everything come back to life
and blossom.
11.Do you always pay attention to the weather forecast?
Yes, as Beijing is facing more and more oppressive haze, I always keep a watchful eye on the
weather forecast. I installed an app in my mobile phone, and see the indicator of PM 2.5. It has been a
routine for me.

COLOUR
1.What was your favorite color when you were a child?
As a child, I remember not being very much fussy about the color, I loved all of them and there was
nothing like favoritism for any color. There were times when I loved violet, the other times red, sometimes
yellow and on and on.
2. Is that still your favourite colour now?
Not really. I love black colour now. I think black is very mysterious and sophisticated at the same
time.
3.Do you think colors are important?
Well, I think yes. Colors tend to suggest the mood of a person and bring more of spark in a particular
day. Like, on a wedding , people tend to wear bright clothes and it uplifts the entire mood. I think every
color has its own significance, and they bring that significance alive.
4.Is color very important for you when buying clothes?
For me, the only thing that matters while buying clothes is that it should look good on me. So, I really
don’t bother much about the color as long as the dress is looking nice on me.
5.If you were to paint the walls of your room, what color would you choose?
I would prefer white or beige color for the walls, with some drawing or styling done on the room.
White or beige make the room look more spacious and I like room to be spacious and the styling brings
more of personal touch to the room.
6.Do you think different types of people like different colors?
Sure, some people like pale colors and other like darker colors. Take me and my sister for example –
I love black and she almost hates it, she much prefers lighter, pastel colors, especially for her clothes.
Some people prefer dark colors because they’re somber and serious and others prefer certain colors
like yellow and white because they invoke a sense of serenity and peace. So, yes, different types of
people like different colors.

HATS
1.Do you wear hats/caps? Do you like them?
I wear caps…I just had one big brown cowboy hat when I was in college but I didn’t wear it
much….never found a liking for it.
2.Why do you wear them?
I wear them every day as I ride to work on my bike and I don’t want my hair to be wrecked…and
since I need a cap every day, I have bought quite a few different kind of caps so that I don’t repeat just
the one or two.
3.Why do people generally wear a hat?
To shade their heads from the sun…or maybe to hide their baldness…I think in my country these are
the main reasons…and another reason can be for people who are fashionable and want to try hats with
their look…some people also wear hats as it is a part of the uniform they’re wearing…for example,
policemen.
4.Does it represent any fashion?
Yes they do…nowadays young boys and girls were these very quirky beret caps…I think they are in
trend right now…
5.On what occasion people generally prefer wearing a hat?
Muslims generally wear a small round cap when they go to the mosques to pray, and in Hindu
households, men wear a white cap called ‘Gandhi cap’ at the time they are a part of any religious or
traditional ceremony.
6.Is wearing hats popular in your country?
It’s not much sought after in my country where motorbike is the most common means of
transportation, and it is a must to wear a helmet whenever you ride a motorbike for safety. I think you can
imagine how much uncomfortable it is to wear a hat under the helmet. Thus in most of the case, hats are
for pedestrians and fashionista.

GIFTS
1. Do you like to receive gifts?
2. What kind of gifts do you like to receive?
3. Do you like giving gifts to people?
4.When do people give gifts or presents in your country?
5.Do you ever take a gift when you visit someone in their home?
6.When did you last receive a gift? [What was it?]
7.Do you enjoy looking for gifts for people?
1.Yeah, I really enjoy receiving gifts from friends because I’m always moved when someone gives
me a gift on some special occasion like my birthday. I sometimes receive some books, fruit, tea from my
close friends.
2.Actually, I really enjoy receiving books as gifts because I’m a bookworm, reading is my favourite
habit. When I was a little boy, I had received a wide variety of gifts that I really liked, such as books,
stationery, balls and so on.
3.Yes, I do. I’m pretty into giving gifts to friends because gifts can enhance the friendship between
friends, although they will cost much, I still like sending gifts because I believe giving is much more
pleasure than taking.
4.I think like in most countries we give gifts on special occasions; the main ones would be birthdays,
weddings, graduation from college or university, maybe when people buy their first apartment or home;
really anything that people think is an event to celebrate.
5.Yes, sometimes, but it's a little different, maybe I would take something like some flowers for my
grandmother or if it's a friend's house then maybe a bottle of wine or something like that. I think it's nice to
show your appreciation for the invitation or in the case of my grandmother, I know that she loves flowers
so they always make her happy - which is great. The type of gift would depend a lot on why I was visiting;
maybe a dinner invitation or just to call round and see a friend. I suppose it's considered normal when it's
a social invitation but I certainly don't always show up with a gift on every occasion.
6.Ok, this is funny; just a couple of days ago I received a bag of potatoes from the owner of the store
at the corner of my street. Not exactly your usual 'gift' and I still don't know why he did it, but he just gave
them to me and said not to worry about paying for them. It was a complete surprise, but a really nice
gesture by him.
7.Sometimes I enjoy looking for gifts, but not always. Again, it depends on what type of gift I'm
looking for and who it's for. Things like birthday presents can be hard to choose sometimes, because
they're so personal, unless you know the person really well. Wedding gifts on the other hand are much
easier - they even give you a list sometimes! The gifts I like buying best are when I see something and I
just think of a particular person, so I'm not really looking for a gift but I find something that I think one of
my friends or family would love, and I buy it for them. There doesn't always need to be a special occasion
to give a gift.

GOING OUT
1. Do you prefer going out or staying at home? Why?
A. I am the person who is interested in spending my spare time with my family. What matters is not
about whether going out or staying at home, but being with my family,so both is ok to me.We can stay at
home watching a whole day of old movies and ordering take-aways or we can make a wild field trip to the
rarely beaten part of the city.
2. What will do if you go out?
A. In weekends, I am used to hanging out with my family members and spend on outdoor,
sometimes we go to cinema or parks. In weekdays, I have to go to work and study. This is the usual thing
I would be doing if I go out. Apart from that, sometimes I would like to hang out with my friends and visit
naturally beautiful places in my hometown.
3.When you go out for an evening, what do you like to do?
I call my close friends to check out what they are doing and whether they are busy or not. If they are
free, I either choose to visit a park and spend time there with my friends or arrange an outdoor game like
cricket or badminton.Sometimes I go out for shopping in the evening if this is necessary or enjoy a movie
in a movie theatre.
4.Do you prefer going out on your own or with friends?
You bet!being alone is boring while being someone's company is joyful.So my motto is the more the
better.it really feels wonderful even when we just slob around the streets and do some idle joking and
poking at each other.

TOYS
1. Do you play with toys when you were a child?
Yes, of course. I enjoyed playing with toys when I was small. I think all children do.
2. What kinds of toys did you like?
I was attracted by dolls, cars and stuffed animal toys. My bed was full of stuffed chicken, bear, panda
toys and I always thought that they would protect me when I was sleeping.
3. In your country, do boys and girls play with the same types of toys?
Not really. I think boys prefer playing with boy toys like cars, robots.. and girls would choose Barbie
dolls, stuffed animals... However, some boys and girls like to play the same things and enjoy playing
together.
4. Do you think that toys help children to learn?
Well, it depends on types of toys they play with. Violence toys such as plastic swords or sticks would
make them familiar with violent actions. If we provide them suitable toys, toys will be a good way to
encourage children to use their imagination and creativity.
5. How? (related to question number 4)
Well, it is a fact that sometimes with even simple toys, children can use their imagination to create
situations or invent games and rules. For example, they use colorful wooden bars to form a lot of things,
even a castle.

LEISURE TIME
1.What do you do in your spare time?
I love reading and writing when I have some free time available. Apart from these, I also like playing
badminton. So, whenever I do get time, I usually read, write or play badminton.
2.What do you do to relax yourself?
For relaxation, I prefer taking a short nap. It could be either for 20 minutes or may be an hour. But,
nothing helps me relax better than some sleep.
3.What do you usually spend your weekends?
During the weekdays, most part of the evenings usually gets lost doing the office work. But, during
weekends, I work on my blog for the entire day and so during evenings I usually spend some time with
my friends, going on long walks together or have dinner at their place.
4.What do you usually do after work or classes?
There is nothing much that can be done after work because it really becomes quite tiring. So, most of
the times I am either working on my blog or writing something or some drafts, here and there.
5.Do you prefer staying at home or going out during evenings?
I love taking long walks. So, if I am not busy at something during evenings, I usually take long walks
with my friends or for that matter even alone at times.
6.Do you think modern lifestyles give enough time to people for leisure?
I think it depends on the kind of modern lifestyle an individual is leading. So, a person doing a
corporate job might have less time to spare for leisure activity but probably a person who does
freelancing will find more time to leisure. Not because a work is less time consuming but because the way
things get done in each. Even more, I think it all depends on how the person sets priorities for
themselves.
7.Do you think people today have more time to relax as compared to that in past?
I certainly believe that people are more busy when compared with their past counterparts. Earlier
people lived a content life but with changing times people are less satisfied with what they have and are
always on the look out of doing more. This has made lives much more hectic than ever.
8.What do you think is the importance of leisure time in life?
Leisure is the one thing that makes the life worth living. I surely believe that apart from the daily
mundane activities a person should always try to do things that makes him or her happy. It could be either
something that he or she likes doing or could even be some person one likes spending time with. It is only
through this that a person is able to enjoy life.
9.Do you think old and young people spend their leisure time in the same way?
I believe it is not about young and old, it is more about individuals. I have seen old people party
harder than some of the young chaps out there and then some young people reading better than the
wiser older people. In my opinion, it is all about the individual choices that people make.
10.Do you like to travel in holidays?

Well, I love travelling not only because everyone else does but because for me travelling teaches so
much more to me than anything else can ever do. Also, travelling allows me to explore myself and the
world in ways that opens up my horizons, giving me a broader aspect of life.
11.If you had a child, what leisure places would you go with your child?
I think I would like to take my child to library and a field ( could be of any game) as part of leisure
activity. Also, I would love to travel with my child because in my opinion, a child learns so much more from
travelling, history and art than he or she can ever learn from any of the text books or any motivational
videos.
12.What do you like to do in your free time?
I do quite a lot of sport actually. I play football mostly - on Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoon
with a local team. I also play tennis and squash when I can but I don't really get the time to do them as
well every week. I work quite hard at the moment, so I don't get a lot of free time unfortunately.
13.Have your leisure activities changed since you were a child?
Not a great deal actually. I used to love playing football when I was young as well - I played a lot at
school. Though of course I did all the other things kids loved to do such as going out on bike rides after
school and things.
14.Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with other people?
It depends on my mood really. I think most people need some time on their own. Sometimes my work
is quite stressful and I spend a lot of time there with others, so it's good to just get home and relax and
read a book or something. But I get bored if I am alone too much so I like to go out and meet friends in
the evening or play football.

WEEKENDS
1.How do you usually spend your weekends?
Well, it depends on if I have any special plans or not. For example, last weekend I went to visit a
friend for the weekend and while that’s not a usual weekend, nearly every other weekend I try to go out
and do something different, either with friends, family or even by myself. But a normal weekend when I
have nothing particular planned would revolve around my family and just being at home relaxing.
2.Which is your favourite part of the weekend?
Really, I don’t have a favourite part as in Saturday or Sunday or morning or night time. I guess I like
having big meals with my family at weekends which we don’t always manage to do during the week, so
that’s nice, but overall I enjoy all of the weekend and just being around my family.
3.Do you think weekends are long enough?
In general, yes, I mean it’s not something that is probably going to change so I’ve never really
considered if two days are long enough or not. It’s always been two days. I feel that it’s time enough to
have a break in your routine from during the week, and it’s also enough time to do things like traveling
and visiting other places.
4.How important do you think it is to have free time at the weekends?
Having enough free time is very important for overall wellbeing and balance in life, but it doesn’t
necessarily all have to be at the weekends, it’s just that for most people it’s the case that the weekends
are the time when they have most of their free time because they’re so busy during the week.
5.What is a typical weekends or weekdays for you?
Speaking Answer A) Well, with me, there are no particular weekends/weekdays, it is more of the
period when I am working and when I am on holidays. The job that I do, is of a travel host, so in busy
schedules, which we are in for most of the time, we are only focused on work and not the day. However,
in casual days, I tend to go for either a spa or meet my family members or hang with my friends,
especially because they are free on week ends. Weekdays, when I am free, I tend to just stay in home
and read some book and cook food and spend some time alone.
6.Do you wear a particular outfit on weekends and weekdays? Why /why not?
I work at a software company, so there is a certain attire that I need to maintain while at work, i.e. on
weekdays. I prefer wearing Indian formals during weekdays, because I am more comfortable in them and
they look more classy as well. On weekends, I put on t-shirts and jeans for most of the time. Because
there is lot of ground work that I need to do and tshirts for some reason are easier when you feel like
jumping and fighting.
7.Do you spend all your weekends the same way?
Well, too an extent you can say yes. My job is such that I have very less time for travelling during
weekdays, but travelling and blogging being very important for me, it is in weekends that I do the travel
blogging part. So, every weekend I travel to a new place and get to know about the local culture and what
is important about the place, the history and the changes it has seen since the time it was built.
Sometimes, however, I travel with my friends as well and make some memories.

HOMETOWN
1.Where is your hometown?
My hometown is on the south-east coast of Northern Ireland. It’s called Dundrum and it’s about 1
hour south of the capital city.
2.What do you like about it?
It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty and for me, one of the most beautiful places of earth. It has
everything; fantastic beaches, rolling mountains, dense forests and picturesque countryside.
3.What do you not like about it?
It can be a little bit boring because it’s really tiny. There are only a few small shops and a couple of
pubs and that’s it! In the summer, it’s OK because you can enjoy the outdoors but it would be nice to have
a few more indoor facilities for the winter.
4.How often do you visit your hometown?
Not as much as I should. I only get to visit about once a year now to see my family because I’m really
busy with work and it’s quite far away, but I hope to visit more in the future.
5.What’s the oldest part of your hometown?
There is an old Norman castle that sits on top of the highest hill of the town. It’s a ruin now, but there
are some breathtaking views from it and it’s easy to see why they chose that site for a castle, because
you can see for miles around.
6.Do many people visit your town?
Thousands of tourists visit every summer. They come from the capital city mostly to get away from
the hustle and bustle and enjoy the peace and quiet. There are more and more international tourists
visiting because lots of scenes from the TV show ‘Game of Thrones’ were shot just outside the village.
7.Is there any way your hometown could be made better?
As I said before, the best thing about the town is its rural beauty and you can’t really improve that. If I
had to say something, it would be to improve the roads, they are in a terrible state and cause a few car
accidents every year.
8.How has your hometown changed over the years?
Since I was a child the town has almost doubled in size and population. It used to consist of just one
main street, but now there are many new housing developments and apartments next to the water. With
all these new people moving in, it has changed the character of the town a little bit, people are not as
friendly as before.
9.Are there good transportation links to your town?
The public transport system consists of just buses that pass through the town on an hourly basis.
One bus goes north to the capital city which is really convenient if you need to do any shopping and the
other bus goes south where you can switch buses and go across the border to the Republic of Ireland, so
you could say we have international transport links which is not bad for a little town like ours.
10.Would you recommend the town to people with children?

Yes and no. It is obviously a great place to bring up kids because there are so many things for them
to do like swim in the sea, play in the forest and run on the beach. However, the good schools are pretty
far away and I remember having to get up really early every morning to catch a bus to school that was 20
miles away.
11.Is there much to do in your hometown?
Oh yes, there's certainly lots to do there as it's a fairly big city. If you like going out in the evening
there are a lot of good restaurants and bars. If you prefer cultural activities there are museums and art
galleries. But if you like nature there are lots of other things outside of the city which are easy to reach.
12.What are the people like in your hometown?
They are mostly quite friendly, but as with most big cities everyone is often busy so it may seem as if
they are not interested in speaking or having a chat. But if you live there you know that most people are
quite happy to have a chat if they have time and will help you if needed.

WORK
What is your job?
I currently work as an office manager at a large marketing company. I've been in the job for about
five years now. I'm usually assigned to work with a specific business in order to improve their sales
through various marketing strategies.
How did you get this job?
Well, I am done my Bachelors in technology in Information Technology. So, during the last year, lot
of companies came in for campus recruitment and I got selected at Infosys.
Do you have to work with other people?
Oh yes, all the time. It's a big office and we all have to work as a team if we want to achieve results. I
have colleagues I need to liaise with such as the graphic designers and I also have administration staff
who work under me. And of course I also have to work alongside the companies that we provide
marketing for. So yes, I definitely have to work with other people.
What do you dislike about your work?
The only think that I really don’t like about being a software engineer is that apart from being a great
job, it is not something very close to my heart. At hear, I am a writer, traveler and a reader. And I would
definitely would want to do something near to it.
Do you think you will change jobs in the future?
Well, that's not something I'm thinking about at the moment as I really enjoy what I do and it's a really
good company to work for. The pay is good and they have other good benefits such as flexi-time and end
of year bonuses. But that said, change is always a good thing, so I can't see me being there forever. I'm
sure I will change one day.

CELEBRITY
1.Who is your favorite celebrity in your country?
I guess not only me, a number of young people have been highly impressed by her for the past
months- Deshauna Barber. She is our 2016 Miss USA and the representative of USA in Miss Universe
taking place in Las Vegas in the same year. After the beauty contests, she became well-known for her
outstanding beauty, her amazing characteristics and also her professionalism.
2. Do you like any foreign celebrities?
Absolutely. The person I’m gonna talk about is my bias ever since I was a teenage girl-Miley Cyrus. I
guess most people at the same age as me grew up with Disney Channel and among its successful
series, Hannah Montanah starring Miley Cyrus would always be on top of my list. Although now she’s
grown up, I’m still a big fan of her amazing voice and highly inspiring songs.
3. Would you like to be a celebrity? Why?
Well though I’ve never thought about it, I’m pretty sure that rising to stardom would never be one of
my life goals. I appreciate all the efforts that the celebrities, no matter which field they’re working on, are
making every single day. However, I find myself not belong to that world, I mean, you never know what’s
going on when the curtains close, right? So yeah, I don’t think I want to become a public figure, to be
honest.
4. Do you think we should protect famous people’s privacy?
Indeed. As you probably can tell, these days fans, anti-fans and even non-fans are so curious about
what their bias are doing. Some are aggressive that they mentally attack their bias by leaving bad
comments online. Some even approach them in person on the street, especially the so-called paparazzi.
Thus I strongly agree that there should be some regulations to protect the celebrities’ privacy.
5. How do celebrities influence their fans in your country?
I think the influence of celebrities on fans is extensive. It’s somehow natural to follow our bias and try
to be like them. At the first place it could probably be just physical changes like clothing, hairstyle or
makeup. However thanks to social network, fans and idols are much closer now, sometimes it’s just a
status away. However this mental connection is a two-edged sword, meaning the idols actually need to
be more careful about their lifestyle or their manners.
celebrities
in person (level: upper intermediate) yourself
I can’t see the match in person, all I can do is to watch it on TV.
a negative side of something
privacy (level: upper intermediate)the right to keep your personal life secret
I couldn’t share a bedroom with somebody else. I need some privacy.
paparazzi (level: upper intermediate)

a photographer that follows famous people in all possible places in order to take photos of them for
newspapers, magazines, the Internet, etc.
The actress took legal action against the paparazzi who once followed her even in the bathroom.
gossip magazine (level: upper intermediate)
a magazine where you can read a lot about private lives of celebrities
I never buy gossip magazines. Why should I care about the others’ lives?
gossip TV program (level: upper intermediate)
a TV program that deals with celebrities and their private lives
She keeps watching the same gossip TV program every evening and she always knows what’s
happening in show business.
fun club (level: intermediate)
a club in which people who admire a particular actor, actress, artist, movie etc. share their comments
and opinions, either during organized meetings or via the Internet
His teenage sister belongs to the fan club of Harry Potter and her room is all covered with posters of
the movies and books.
hero (level: pre-intermediate)
a person who you admire
Jack Nicholson is my hero. I’ve seen every movie that he acted in.
admire (level: upper intermediate)
to approve of someone/something or to find someone/something interesting or attractive
I really admire her for her courage and intelligence.
someone’s claim to fame (level: advanced)
someone’s reason for being famous, well-known
Michael Jackson’s claim to fame was his great musical talent and dancing skills.
to have a bright future ahead of them :Their later life will be positive
to be thrown into the lights of stardom:To become famous very quickly and gain lots of attention
at his peak: When he was most famous/creative/productive
has-beens: People who are no longer famous
to be destined for stardom:To have a high chance of becoming famous

DAILY ROUTINE
1.what is the busiest part of the day for you?
From about 10 o'clock to noon. That is when i have to take care of my work and tings are a bit hectic.
2.What part of your day do you like best?
My favourite part of the day is late afternoon, because the day's work is coming to an end, I can go
home, and i have the evening to look forward to, and the weather is generally pleasant and cool.
3.Do you usually have the same routine every day
Almost. I start my day with coffee, then rush to the train station to go to work and back home. Not too
much room for flexibility when you work 9 hours a day and you are 12 hours out of the house. I dream of
becoming a freelancer especially for this reason.
4.What is your daily routine?
In a typical weekday I have to wake up a bit early and revise my university lessons and then I rush to
the university campus to attend the lecture. At around 2.00 pm I eat my lunch in the cafeteria and spent
the whole evening in the library. After I return home at around 7.00 pm I spent my time in my study room
and have my dinner with my family members. I watch a news channel for an hour and then get back to
my room. I read a story book for a while and at around 1.00 am I go to bed.
5.Do you ever change your routine?
I always want some changes in my life, so my routines also are constantly changing. I do not like to
have mundane or routine set of activities each day, that would be boring. Also, having different patterns
can keep others guessing about your whereabouts, just adds to the security factor!
6.Do you think it is important to have a daily routine?
Not really. I try to make each of my day a little different to the previous one, to keep me motivated
and to add to the fun.
7.What would you like to change in your day to day routine?
I would like to get up earlier in the morning than I do now. Next, I would like to take up regular
exercises in a gymnasium. Apart from that, I would like to leave office/ university early to walk in the park
for an hour. Apart from that, my current daily routine is all good.
8.Are all your days the same?
Not really. For me, a day-off is quite different than the busy working day in every perspective. Apart
from that different circumstances and events make the days different from each other. While Sunday is a
day to spend time with my family members and to meet friends and play with them in the evening, I have
a tight schedule at the university and work on Monday.
9. when time do you get up?
Well, let's see. Some days I wake up early. Maybe about 6 o'clock. Yeah, sometimes I wake up at 6
o'clock.When I get up early, I like to get ready for the day, take a shower and have breakfast. But other
days, I don't like getting up early. Maybe I'll sleep in until 10:00 or 11:00.

routine：
in a rut
mundane
flexible
learn to dance with life
a strong aversion to routine and try to shake it up as often as i can
it depends on the mood we are all in
i have the luxury of being able to be a bit flexible
i never thought i would like a routine but it's growing on me
i try to get both eyes open within a reasonable time frame.
eat out for breakfast as i am on the go
plan adventure for the day.
clear off the backlog the day
doze back to sleep
i emerge at 7 am

VEGETABLE
1. Do you usually eat fruit and vegetables every day?
• Yes, I do. I usually have bananas with my cereal at breakfast time, an apple for lunch, and
sometimes I have melon or some other types of fruit after the main meal. I eat lots of vegetables each day
as well because they’re good for me.
2. What kind of fruit do you enjoy the most?
• I really love bananas because I enjoy the flavour and the fact that they are convenient to take to
school, and they fill us up easily. They’re also healthy.
3. Did you enjoy the same type of fruit when you were a child?
• No, I don’t think so. I used to hate peeling the skin of bananas, so I never really enjoyed eating
them. Then, when I got a bit older, I changed my mind.
4. Do you prefer to eat fruit or vegetables?
• Sometimes, I think I prefer vegetables because they are always part of the meal, not separate, so
it’s easier to get enough vegetables to stay healthy. But then, fruit is so sweet and delicious. I guess I
enjoy both fruit and vegetables equally.
5.Are there any fruits or vegetables you don’t like? Why?
Yes, there are… I’m not a fussy eater, but I really hate onions and seafood… I try to avoid meals that
might contain these products…
6.Do most people eat vegetables in your country?
Yes, they do. Almost every meal has either rice or potatoes and also another vegetable as well, such
as cabbage, carrots, green beans or something like that. Quite a lot of people have a small proportion of
vegetables to meat but at least they always have some kind of vegetable with their meal.
7.Are there many vegetarians in your country?
Yes, quite a lot. Many people choose to avoid eating meat and their diet consists of both vegetables
and grains. There are quite a few restaurants in my city which cater to vegetarians and offer the most
wonderful dishes such as fried aubergine, spinach and potato, onion cakes and things like that. They’re
actually very delicious.

E-MAIL
1.At work or in your studies, do you often write things?
Yes, I write a lot of emails as part of my job. I work for a company that has offices in several
countries, so we use email to communicate.
2.How often do you send e-mails?
I probably write between 5 and 10 work emails every day, and I send emails to friends or family a few
times a week.
3.Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer?
It depends what I’m doing. I prefer the computer for most things because it’s faster and you can save
or copy things, but I still like making notes or writing ideas down by hand.
4.Do you prefer to send letters or emails?
I prefer to send emails they’re so much quicker and easier. But then again I suppose letters are more
personal and a bit more special. I certainly prefer to receive letters and I guess my real answer is that I
get more pleasure out of sending letters too.
5.Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?
No, I think we will always write by hand as well. I think it’s an important skill, and schools will continue
to teach children to write by hand before they learn to type.
Apologizing
I'm sorry about...
I am sorry that...
I'm very sorry about...
I'm very sorry for...
Please forgive me for...
I'd like to apologize for...
Please accept my apologies.
Please accept my sincere apologies. (very formal)
Asking for Help
I'd be grateful if you could...
I would be grateful if you could...
I would appreciate it if you could...
Could you please...

I was wondering of you could help me.(informal)
I would like to know...
Asking for Information
I am writing to enquire about...
I am writing to find out about...
What I am looking for is...
I would like to know about/if...
Closing
I look forward to seeing you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to meeting you.
Complaining / expressing dissatisfaction
I'm writing to express my dissatisfaction with...
I'm writing to express my annoyance with...
I am not happy about...
...was very disappointing.
Conveying regards
Please give my best regards to your family.
Please pass on my best wishes to your wife and children.
Please give my regards to your parents.
Expressing satisfaction
I was delighted to hear that...
I was very happy to learn that...
I was thrilled to find out that...
I was glad to hear that...
...was very enjoyable.
Expressing concern / sympathy
I was sorry to hear about... (your accident/ illness)
I am writing to express my concern about...
Giving bad news

I regret to inform you that...(semi-formal)
I am sorry to tell you that...(informal)
I regret to advise you that...(formal)
I am afraid I have some bad news.(informal)
Giving good news
I am pleased to inform you that...(semi-formal)
I am delighted to tell you that...(informal)
I am happy to advise you that...(formal)
I thought you might like to know that...
Giving reasons
This is because...
This is because of...
This is due to... (formal)
This is as a result of...(formal)
This is owing to...(formal)
Making suggestions
Would it be a good idea to...
Perhaps it would be a good idea to...
Thanking
Thanks.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you kindly.
I can't thank you enough.
No words can express my gratitude.
I am extremely grateful for...

SUNSHINE
1. Do you like sunshine?Why?
I love sunshine! When the sun shines, the flowers are extremely beautiful,the colour of the sky is
wonderful, even the air smells different.
2. What do you like to do in sunshine/ on sunny day?
Well, when the weather is lovely, I'd like to go to the beach with my friends. We can play the sands,
swim in the sea, or just enjoy the sunbath. Sometimes I'd like to go hiking or cycling with my family,
we chat at the same time, which makes me feel closer to them.
3. What things do you think is hard to do in sunshine? / what do you dislike to do when it's sunny
outside?
Well, basically, I love sunshine and I'm willing to do everything in sunshine. But the summer in this
city is very hot and dry, I guess if someone moves in the summer when it's sunny outside, it'll be very
difficult. Coz you know, moving makes one exhausted, especially when it's burning outside.
4. Do you like going outside on weekends on sunny days?
Definitely. As long as it's sunny outside on weekends, I'll go out with my friends or family. We would
go to the beach, go hiking or cycling. Sometimes just a walk in sunshine would make me feel comfortable.
5. Have you ever been a place without sunshine?
Yes, I travelled to London with my dad two months ago. The weather there made me depressed. It
was raining all day. Plus, it's windy and freezing as well. I didn't know what weather was like in London
before I went there. It is said the summer there is beautiful and sunny. I swear I won't go there in winter
again.

TELEVISION
1.Do you watch television a lot?
Well, I used to watch but now I have altogether stopped watching it.
Oh! I love watching television. It is something that helps me break off stress after a tiring day.
2.What’s your favorite type of TV program?
Being an architect, I used to not only read books but also watch TV documentaries in order to pick up
information related to my field; but recently, because I found that the Internet is full of better material, I’ve
been streaming videos, which is a much more efficient way to enhance my knowledge.
3.Do you like watching TV?
I don’t get time really to watch TV and I don’t like the fact that you have no choice about what to
watch, so no I would say I don’t really like watching normal TV, I much prefer streaming something on my
iPad and watching it when I like.
4.How often do you watch TV?
I’d say maybe only a few times a month when there is a good football match on. I prefer watching
football on TV with other people around because it’s a great atmosphere, but if it’s a normal TV show I will
just watch it alone at home on my tablet.
5.What kind of TV programmes do you like to watch?
I like dramas and thrillers. I don’t really like anything that is not set in the real world, so I’m not a big
fan of sci-fi or fantasy, although I have been getting in to the latest season of Game of Thrones. I also
really like to watch documentaries about military history, especially anything to do with the Second World
War.
6.What are the most popular TV shows in your country?
In my country these days reality shows and comedy shows are among the most popular TV
programs. I guess it’s because its content is suitable for audience of any age from children to the elderly.
The fans of reality shows feel interactive and familiar with the competitors while that of comedy shows
generally want to be entertained with jokes and laughters.
7.Do you like watching TV shows from other countries?
Yes, most of the programmes I watch are from the United States. Networks like HBO and Netflix
have the biggest budgets and as a result can make some really high quality shows. I don’t think Game of
Thrones could be made without a huge budget and America is probably the only country that can make a
TV show on that scale.
8.Has the internet affected your viewing habits?
Absolutely, I watch most TV shows on the internet now, rather than a normal TV. There are so many
streaming services like Netflix offering on-demand TV and it suits me to be able to watch what I want,
when I want. I also like to binge watch a series of TV shows, just watch a whole series in a day or two
rather than waiting for the next episode.
9.What is your favourite TV show?

There was an American show called Fargo that I really loved. It was an adaptation of a film made
about 15 years ago. The plot lines and characters were really interesting and the dialogue was well
written. Unfortunately, there has only been one season of it so far, so I have to wait another year to see
the next season.
10.What was your favourite show when you were a child?
I was a bit of a strange child because I didn’t really like cartoons like most of the other kids. But there
were a few shows I loved like The A-Team, Knight Rider and Air Wolf. They were so cool and always had
great action scenes. I was a bit obsessed with violent action films when I was kid. When I think about
them though they weren’t really all that violent compared to shows these days, I don’t think one person
was ever killed in any of those programmes.

NEWSPAPER
1.Which do you prefer, reading newspapers or magazines?
I would say I prefer newspapers. Newspapers in just ten or eight pages give you a glimpse of the
entire world, including all the sections. From fashion to the general news to comics to sports to almost
everything. In just one newspaper, you have access to the entire world.
2.What type of stories do you like to read about?
I love reading autobiographies and non-fiction. Autobiographies because they give a glimpse of
lifestyle of a very successful person. You get to know them when they were the mango people and what
they did to become what they became. Their struggle, the inner story, their point of view and for some
reasons I find it quite exciting. Other than this, I like reading non-fiction.
3.Have you ever read a newspaper or magazine in a foreign language? [When/Why?]
Yes, all the time. I lived in another country for several years, so reading in a foreign language was a
normal activity for me, not just newspapers and magazines, but all kinds of documents and literature. I
still do it to maintain my reading skills.
4.Do you think reading a newspaper and magazine can help you learn a language?
Yes, but it depends on your language level. If you are just beginning to learn a language then it can
be very difficult and frustrating – certainly not the best way to try and learn a foreign language – but as
you progress and develop your vocabulary it is a good way to learn expressions and phrases related to
common topics in the news and current affairs, or related to a specific topic in the case of magazines.
5.Why do you think some people prefer magazines to newspapers?
I think the reason might be that magazines are more specific. So, for example if I am interested in
reading about like sports, then a magazine will offer me better articles and more specific, to be concise. It
also de clutters all the things that one does not wants to read.
6.Which magazines and newspapers do you read (why)?
Answer A) I prefer reading magazines on travel. Being a travel host, it is very important for me to
know about more places and understand them theoretically, before taking on my camera and team along
side. Travel magazine also help me to understand the perspective of the other person for a same place
that I have also visited. Apart from it, I like fashion magazines as well. Not for the reasons of fashion, I
find them good entertainer when one wants to just spend time idly.
Answer B) I only read magazines and newspapers if I’m waiting someplace and they are there, and
there is no other alternative. Most of the time, I prefer doing something on my phone. But, either ways, I
like to read sports magazine. Cars and their engines excite me for the most part. I mean, there are
fantastic cars out there and in magazines, a perfect description is given. Newspapers, I rarely read. I
prefer getting the news on either phone or television.

PHOTOGRAPH
1. Do you like to take photographs? Why?
If it were 3 to 4 years ago the answer would be a big no. But now it has become one of my hobbies
and I’m actually thinking of learning more about it. I had no idea what I can do with my iPhone until I
learned to make use of its wonderful camera as well as some miracle apps. Unlike some people, I indeed
want my photos to look unique, lively and a little bit professional.
Vocabulary
To make use of (v) to use someone or something for a particular purpose, especially one that brings
a benefit to you
2. Do you prefer to take photos yourself or to have other people take your photos? Why?
It would be way more comfortable taking photos myself, as I can see crystal-clear how ridiculous my
face expression looks like or if there’s something on my hair or stuck between my teeth. And in case it’s a
scenery photo, I can apply the techniques I’ve learned to produce stunning photos.
Vocabulary
Crystal-clear (adj) absolutely clear
3. How long have you liked taking photographs?
Just recently. As a final year student, I no longer can spend hours on drawing, reading or singing.
Only photography which is way more instant suits me now to document my life. And as I enjoy my life on
this campus, for example the road I walk to school everyday, the sunset, the rainbow, the trees,
photography is the best way to store my memories.
Vocabulary
Document one’s life (expression) record the detail of one’s life
4. In what situations do you take photographs?
As I’ve mentioned, I snap a photo of anything that catches my eyes when I’m in a good mood. So I
take photos when my friends and I hang out or when I participate in social activities of the university and
meet amazing people. However, when it comes to practicing for professional photography, I prefer taking
photos of scenery and foods.
Vocabulary
In a good mood (idiom) a cheerful, well-disposed state of mind
When it comes to Sth/V-ing (adv) as for something; speaking about something
5. What kind of photos do you like to take? Why?
Food and scenery are definitely my inspiration. I just can’t sit still when beautiful breakfasts and
stunning landscape keep appearing on my Instagram everyday. What is more, it is my natural instinct that
helps me to go find the simple uniqueness of my university, namely the sunset, the lake, the trees and
flowers and show people how beautiful my university is. However, I’m not good at taking photos of people
so activities or street-life is not my style.

Vocabulary
Sit still (idiom) to remain seated
Natural instinct (collocation) the way people or animals naturally react or behave, without having to
think or learn
6. How (why) did you become interested in photography?
The situation was quite all of a sudden. I posted some scenery photos I took on the spur of the
moment on Instagram and received lots of compliments, even from those whom I’m not following. Then I
realized I should develop this skill, you know, should take it seriously and keep up the good work. And the
more I learn about it, the more passionate I become.
Vocabulary
On the spur of the moment (idiom) do without planning, suddenly
All of a sudden (idiom) suddenly
To keep up the good work (phrase) used to encourage SO for continuing what they are doing well
7. How often do you take photographs?
Not too often I must say. Since I really don’t like posting boring photos with the same object all the
time, so timing is everything. I believe my guts will know exactly when and how I should flick to produce
high-quality photos.
Vocabulary
Guts (n) to be used in reference to a feeling or reaction based on an instinctive emotional response
rather than considered thought.
8. Do you prefer to take pictures of people or of scenery?
I think I’m gonna go for taking scenery photos. As a beginner, the knowledge of human facial
expression, the part that needs focus, the harmonization between them and their surroundings are a bit
too advanced for me. I can’t really make the person in my photo become lively as I do with the scenery.
Besides, looking at the beauty of nature and capturing it is kind of mind-purifying to me and is a good way
to escape from the artificial world. So yeah, scenery is safer and more enjoyable.
Vocabulary
Mind-purifying (adj) make your mind naturally pure, free from negative thoughts
9. Who do you take photos of?
Although I’m not good at taking photos of people, I do take selfies with new friends whom I meet
when I participate in social activities. To me it’s more like a reminder or something to look back, reminding
me that yeah, this time last year I went out, I met amazing people and had lots of fun.
Vocabulary
To look back (v) to think about a time or event in the past
10. How do you keep your photos?

Printing the photos out, making an album or sticking them on the wall for decoration sound so
common and also interesting. But I don’t think photos are worth that much time and budget, unless what I
captured is apparently important to me, otherwise I only keep them in my iPhone.
11. Do you keep your photographs on your computer?
I don’t think I need to do so. Firstly, because my memory is somewhat similar to goldfish memory,
storing in different devices would drive me crazy. Plus, my iPhone has large memory storage so I think I
won’t need computer for storage.
Vocabulary
Goldfish memory (n) SO who quickly forgets things
12. Are there any photos on the walls of your house?
Since my parents love decorating our house, putting photos nicely on the walls of my house is an
essential part of their decoration style. Some photos go with frame or plastic cover, some are stuck
directly onto the wall in heart-shaped. However, it’s quite ridiculous for me to see myself grinning
everywhere in the house so I told them to let me decorate my room on my own.
Vocabulary
To see one’s-self doing Sth (n) to have an eye on SO doing Sth
On my own (adv) do Sth alone
13. Do you frame (or have you framed) any of your photos?
Although I don’t usually print my photos out, I think I would store some photos of me with my high
school friends or me with my family. And framing helps preventing scratching and is good for long-term
storage, so this is probably a good alternative beside albums.
14. Do you prefer to send postcards to people or to send photos that you took yourself? (Why?)
Firstly, the postcards are made of thicker paper, which makes it way more convenient for long-term
storage as well as decoration. Secondly, the process of sending and receiving postcards appeared to be
simpler and faster compared to photos. For those reasons I think I probably go with sending postcards.

BIRTHDAY
1.What kind of holiday do you like?
I try to avoid tourist traps ... I like to get away from it alland prefer going somewhereoff the beaten
track ... last year I had the holiday of a lifetime ... a twoweek wildlife safariin Kenya.
2. What do you like to do when you’re on holiday?
I enjoy visiting the local places of interest ... I like to go sightseeing and always sign up for guided
tours as it’s a chance to be shown around and take photographs ... one of my hobbies.
3. Do you have many tourists in your country?
Yes ... we have a lot of holiday resorts along the coast that are popular with tourists... most people
come on package holidays and stay in one of the many hotels and self- catering apartments.
4. Do you like holidays? Why / why not?
Yes, I love holidays because I get the chance to take a break from work, to relax and unwind, and to
spend time with my family.
5. Do you prefer to travel or stay at home during holiday periods? Why?
If I can I prefer to travel. It's nice to get away from everything and to have a change of scenery. Also,
I like visiting new places and doing some sightseeing.
6. What do most people do during their holidays in your country? Why?
During the summer especially, I think most British people go somewhere hot and sunny, to escape
from the British weather!
7. When do you prefer to take your holidays? Why?
I like taking my holidays just outside the main summer season, which is July and August. If you go on
holiday in May, June or September, everything is cheaper and places aren't so crowded with tourists.
all-in package/package holiday: a holiday where you purchase the travel and accommodation
together
breathtaking view: an extremely beautiful view
to get away from it all: to take a holiday to escape a busy or stressful lifestyle
guided tour: an organised group shown around a place of interest by an expert
holiday destination: where you go for a holiday
holiday of a lifetime: a special holiday that you are unlikely to repeat
holiday resort: a place where lots of people go for a holiday
hordes of tourists: crowds of tourists
local crafts: objects produced locally

long weekend: an extended weekend holiday including Friday or Monday
out of season: outside of the main holiday period
picturesque village: very pretty village
places of interest: sites of interest to tourists
wildlife safari: a holiday, often in Africa, to observe wild animals
self-catering: a holiday where you supply your own food
short break: a short holiday
to go sightseeing: to look around the tourist sites
stunning landscape: extremely beautiful countryside
tourist trap: somewhere where too many tourists go
youth hostel: a cheap form of accommodation

HOUSEWORK
1. Do you like doing housework?
No I can’t stand doing housework to be honest with you. I mean, I just find it a lot of effort. And I also
don’t like getting my hands dirty, so I avoid it whenever I can!
I find it a lot of effort–
Another possible answer:
No, I wouldn’t say I do, cos I find it kind of tedious. But saying that, I do get quite a nice feeling when
I’ve finished it and everything looks clean and tidy!
Tedious - If you describe something such as a job, task, or situation as tedious, you mean it is boring
and rather frustrating.
clean and tidy -
2. How do you think housework could be made more interesting?
That’s a good question. I guess um... it could be made into a game, I suppose, for example have a
competition with your friend to see who can, like, clean a room the fastest. That could possibly make it a
bit more interesting and exciting. Um…What else? Uh let me see... that’s all I can really think of, I’m afraid
– just make some game out of it!
Like - Some people say like when they are thinking about what to say next
Other ideas:
Put on the radio on while you’re doing the housework.
Listen to an audio book or something while you’re doing it.
3. Did your parents ask you to do housework when you were a child?
Yeah they did. Mainly it was, like, tidying my room, cos it was always quite messy. Yeah, that was the
main thing. And uh, what else? Oh yeah, sometimes they would ask me to help with the washing up, but
that was pretty much it. So I guess I’m kind of lucky, in that my mum did most of the housework.
Messy – untidy;
washing up = washing the dishes;
that was pretty much it–
If no:
No, on the whole, they didn’t because they wanted me to focus on my homework. Occasionally, I did
do a little bit to help, like sweeping or mopping the floor, if there was a lot to be done, but by and large, I
escaped doing most of the household chores, so I was pretty lucky I suppose!
Sweep the floor –
Mop the floor –
By and large -

Household chores - (another way to say housework)
4. Do you think children should do some housework?
Yeah I think it’s a good thing for children to do. You know, I’d say it kind of prevents them from taking
things for granted, and um, it also helps develop a good work ethic.
Take it for granted -
Work ethic –
5. Which do you think is better for doing housework, a machine or a person?
I think, on the whole, a person is better, because a machine might miss out a few bits. Just to give
you an example, I’ve seen in some electrical appliance stores these robots that move in a random motion
sucking up the dust off the floor. And to me it looks pretty inefficient, because they might go over the
same spots repeatedly whilst missing out other areas. And this is not something a person would do.
Having said that, I think a combination of both – i.e. humans operating certain machines, like vacuum
cleaners, is probably the most ideal way to do housework.
Move in a random motion -
Having said that –
i.e .is used to introduce a word or sentence which makes what you have just said clearer or gives
details. (Pronounced “I” “E”)
Operate
6. In the future, do you think machines will replace humans for doing housework?
Not completely, no, because, as I mentioned just now, machines often need humans to operate
them, so I think, in all likelihood, it will continue to be a combination of both machines and humans.
as I mentioned just now
in all likelihood

NEIGHBOUR
1.How much do you know your neighbours?
To be honest,my neighbours and I only have a nodding acquaintance We don't really communicate
that often because there are not many common activities to do together in my neghbourhood.
2.Do you think neighbours should help each other?
Absolutely, neighbours are the people who live just next door to you.If you have any kind of
emergency,they are the people that actually will jump up and give a hand to you. In this
regard,neighbours should help each other.
3.Do you see your neighbours often?
Not really. My neighbours are all busy businessmen.I don't see them too often.I probably only see
them twice a week in the corridor.
4.Do you get along with your neighbours?
Yes, I really respect my neighbours. There are not any problems between us. In China,we have an
old saying that goes like this,"a far-off relative is not as helpful as a near neighbour". From that old
proverb you can see people really respect their nelghbours in Chinese culture.
5.What would be the problem between you and your neighbours?
There is not really a problem between my neighbours and me. If I had to mention one,I would say it
would be the amount of noise I hear from them. One of my neighbours always likes to play music really
loud.Sometimes, it can be disturbing. Apart from that,everything else is fine .
The relationship between neighbours in rural area iscloser than that in cities.
We Chinese always say that a near neighbour isbetter than a distant relative.
My neighbour often brings over some delicious foodshe makes
Sometimes the noise on the other side of the house makes it difficult for us to fall asleep.
Neighbours need more understanding between them.
I am always careful not to make big noises at night.
A good neighbour is better than a brother in the next village.
It's better to keep on good terms with our neighbours.
When problems occur, neighbours should try to understand each other.
A good neighbour is supposed to be helpful and considerate.
I pay visits to my neighbours almost every day.
It is our duty to give a hand to our neighbours when they need.

BRINGING THINGS
1.What do you remember to do every day?
Well, there are many things I have to remember to do every day. For example, after getting up in the
morning, I need to take some simple physical exercises like doing some crunches and push-ups.
Besides, another important thing that I should keep in mind is to teach my son to read the traditional
Chinese poems in the evening.
2. What helps people to remember things?
Well, it’s kind of hard to say but people I know around me use the to-do-list apps in their mobile
phones to help them remember what to do next; but maybe for others, they may probably write the urgent
things down in the notebooks.
3. Why do old people forget about things easily?
Well, I guess it’s quite normal that people are more and more forgetful when they are becoming
ageing. Apart from some negative emotional factors like stress and depression, elderly people are easier
to forget things because of their normal ageing.
4. Have you ever forgotten something important?
Oh yes, I nearly forgot the birthday of a woman I liked last time. I once asked her what her birthday
was, and told her I would send her a gift, but I just unbelievably forgot it until the evening that day.
Fortunately I asked her out to dinner to celebrate with her.
5.Why do people often forget small things?
Well, I suppose it could be because they have a lot of things to think about or remember and
sometimes it’s easy to remember big important things - but little things are more easily forgotten.
6. What kind of things do you have to bring when you go out?
Cell phone, of course. I take it with me wherever I go. And my keys, wallet, lipstick are also must-
have items. I always put them together in a small handbag.
7.Did you ever forget to bring something?
I rarely forget to bring something as I have a good memory. But there was a time when I forgot to
take my house key before I left home. What was worse, my parents were on their trip. So I had to stay
with my friend for onenight.
8.How do you remind yourself?
I always write a note about what I should bring, and stick it to the refrigerator door. Everyday before I
leave my home, I check it to find out what is missing. And it really works.
9.Do you carry different things in the morning and in the evening?
For me, there is no difference between the things carried in the morning and in the evening, almost
the same.
lose the track of time

ring a bell
stick in your mind
memory loss
forgetfulness
crystallized memory
fades with time
do memory exercises
reminder app
I often set up alerts on my (Apple) calendar events to remind me that I have to leave for an
appointment
My daily to-do list is written on a notepad at my desk and includes things like, “edit blog post” and
“clean out fridge.” Eventually it all gets done.
A hanging calendar that I lay flat on my desk with large enough spaces to write in reminders.

MIRROR
1. How often do you look at yourself in the mirror everyday?
I would say, counteless times. I think it is very common for a girl/boy to do so. In addition, I am a big
fan of makeup, so I would like to treat my face better.
2. Have you ever bought mirror?
Surely, I have to say that I can't live without a mirror. From time to time I need to check my makeup
and how I look in front of others. I think caring about your own image is a kind of showing respect to
others.
3. Would you use mirrors to decorate rooms?
Yes, actually, I once installed a mirrored wall to decorate my study. You know, this room looks really
larger than before. It's easy for me to check my appearance as well as making my study looks bigger.
4. Do you often look at mirrors?
Definitely yes. I often look at mirrors in order to check my appearance. I'd like to guarantee that I look
tidy and everything goes on well before leaving my home.
5. When do you look at yourself in the mirror, why?
Well, I think it's at any time I want. In most of the case, I usually do so in the morning and in the
evening. Generally speaking, I think every girl likes looking at herself in the mirror.
6. Do you check yourself when you decided to buy a mirror?
Yes, I will. Before buying a mirror, I think I need to assure that I look elegant and tidy. In this case, I
need to make a good preparation.

DREAM
1. Do you often have dreams at night?
Yes, actually I dream a lot at night. Some may say it indicates poor sleeping quality, while I quite
enjoy them. I think dreams are like filtered reality. It might add something like magic to our normal life.
2. Have you had a bad dream before?
Truth to be told, I had a really bad dream these days. I dreamt about how I performed poorly in
today's IELTS' exam. I remember the topic was to describe a famous person in your country, which I had
completely no idea with the one who impressed me a lot. Well, I do hope things will be fine today.
3. What's the strangest dream you have had?
Well, the strangest dream I've had was being the alumni of Harry Porter. During that period, I was
enchanted by the Harry Potter world and watched Harry Porter movie series several times. In that
dreams, I was admitted in Gryffindor, Hogwarts. The exitement I felt when I held the magic wand was so
fresh that I was quite disappointed when I woke up. Truth to be told, I do want more of these kind of
strange dreams.
4. What do you usually dream about?
I usually dream about what happened in the daytime. For example, during the exam week, I even
take exams in my dreams. It's like an endless nightmare, given that I already suffered a lot in real life.
5.Do you usually remember your dreams after wakingup?
Well, I can remember some immediately after I wake up. But I will forget everything several minutes
later. I kind of remember the feeling but I can’t recall any details.
6.Do you like listening to others talking abouttheir dreams?
Yeah, definitely. I mean, dreams are always so fascinating. Sometimes it is like listening to many
interesting stories. And sometimes you can know more about the person who tells the dream because
sometime dreams reflect some kind of reality. There is an old saying in Chinese which says ‘you will
dream of something at night if you are thinking about it in the day time.’ I think it makes great sense
because sometimes when I miss my parents, they will appear in my dream.
7.Can you talk about a dream you had and remember?
Well honestly, now I can’t recall any dreams I had, especially the complete one. I usually forget the
dreams I had immediately after I get up. But I can recall some nightmares, such as being chased by a
dog or by some bad guys. Also, I remember I had a car accident in the dream. Well, those dreams were
terrible and so frightening. I wish I would never have that kind of dream ever.
8.Do you think dreams always have special meanings?
Well, I am afraid I don’t much about the special meanings of dreams. But my grandmother used to
tell me that if I dream of a snake, it means I will get lucky. And I heard of a book called Dream
Interpretation written by Freud who proposed some explanations to different dreams. Hope one day I can
read that book to know more aboutdreams.

WATCH
1. How often do you wear a watch?
Well, actually, I wear my watch everyday and I think the watch plays an important role in our daily life.
Everyday, I need to use my smart watch not only to check the time and arrange my schedules but also
record my daily movements as well as my sleep habits. So, my watch is very important to me, without
which it would be impossible to do with time management as well as keeping up with my health.
2. What was your first watch like?
Well, that was an electronic watch. My mother bought it as a gift for my tenth birthday. The watch
was golden, and there was a big Mickey mouse on its tail. It was really lovely.
3. What kinds of watches do you like to wear?
Well, actually, I like wearing the mechanical watch. It is widely acknowledge that the mechanical
watch doesn't need battery, so there is no such recomsumption I have to pay for this watch. I suppose
that it is quite convenient.
4. Do people still wear watches in your country?
Definitely yes, in the current society, people believe that it is very important to be punctual. In order to
guarantee that they will never be late for the appointment, people always wear watches in my country.
Besides, developments in technology allow people to record their personal health data easily on smart
watch. The sales of smart watches is soaring during these years.

HOBBY
1. Have you got a hobby? If so, what is it?
2. Is it an expensive hobby in your country?
3. What do teenagers like doing in your country?
4. What hobbies are usually expensive in your country?
5. What do you like about your hobby?
6. How much time do you spend on your hobby?
7. Is your hobby a common hobby in your country?
8. Are there any new hobbies that you would like to take up?
1.Yes, I am a big fan of photograph for a couple of years. Although it would definitely cost me so
much because the camera and lens are both quite expensive, I am the kind of person who wants the best
or nothing and I believe they are totally worth it.
2.It depends. If people want to take photos which are a bit different and professional than the
ordinary ones, they should probably invest a great amount of money in the gears; on the other hand, if
people just have fun with the pictures, they could buy the cheap devices, too. They are affordable and
won’t cost much.
3.It’s kind of hard to say but the young people that I know around me tend to play football so much in
the football pitch, but maybe for others, they just want to play computer games at home all day long.
4.Well, in my country, apart from my hobby, there are also several hobbies that need you spend a
great amount of money. For example, the musical instruments, such as piano and violin, will bankrupt
you. As well as that, if people decide to embrace high end audio equipments, that would appear to be a
bottomless money sink.
5.I have been in the habit of it for almost 8 years. The main factor is that I can capture the precious
moment in my life, such as the graduation ceremony, or the sweet moment with my girlfriend, and also I
believe the photography will cultivate my mental development.
6.Not so much time actually, I take photos from time to time. Normally if I’m free in my spare time, I
will go out to the natural sceneries with all my gears to find and capture the stunning moments because I
find it quite entertaining to do that; but if I have lots of on my hands I’ll probably focus on my work.
7.Oh, yes, it’s definitely a common hobby in my country as photography has been gone through a
long way in history. You can easily see people taking photos of portraits or landscape in the parks or any
natural sceneries in China.
8.Well, recently I went to running in the park because I wanted to keep me fitness and get toned.
Besides, keeping a running track in my iPhone and sharing it with my friends are really entertaining.
Moreover, I wanted to try some traditional English Oxford shoes because they really look cool and trendy,
and would suit my new coat well.

READING BOOKS
1. Do you like reading?
Yes, I like reading a lot. I read all sorts of things, including novels, newspapers, magazines, and online
articles.
2. Do you usually read for leisure or for work purposes?
Well, I have to do a certain amount of reading as part of my job, but I probably read more for
enjoyment. I pick up a newspaper most days, and I usually have a book on the go.
3. What was your favourite book or story when you were a child?
The first book that I remember really enjoying was '..........'. It only took me a few days to read
because I liked it so much that I couldn't put it down.
4. Do you think it's important that children read regularly?
Definitely. I think reading is possibly the most important skill that children learn. The ability to read
opens the door to all aspects of education.
5.What kinds of books do you like to read?
I'd say I like reading quite a variety of books, both fiction as well as nonfiction. So for example, I'm a
big fan of detective novels, because I enjoy trying to solve the crimes while I'm reading, although I have to
admit I'm pretty useless at it most of the time! And as for nonfiction stuff, I'd say I mostly like reading
things like self-help books and biographies of various people I admire, such as the new book on Steve
Jobs, which I'm currently in the middle of reading.
6.Are you reading any books at the moment?
Yeah, I'm actually halfway through a couple of books right now. One of them's a novel which a friend
of mine lent me, and the other is a book on business, which I bought about a year ago, but didn't get
round to reading until now.
7.Do you read the same kind of books now that you read when you were a child?
Not really, no. Actually I didn't read that much when I was a child, but if I did it was mainly fiction
books, such as fairy tales. Things like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Fantasy things.
8.When do you think is the best time to read?
I think any time is ok, but when I read I like to concentrate, so I can't read for a short time like on a
bus ride like some people do. I like to put time aside to enjoy it. So if I have some free time at the
weekend I might read for a few hours. And I nearly always read before I go to bed - this really helps me to
sleep.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
1. What do you do in your spare time?
2. Do you like outdoor activities?
3. What outdoor activities do you most like to do?
4. How often do you do that?
5. What (types of) outdoor activities are popular in your country?
1.Well, there are lots of things I can do if I’m free. For instance, I stay at home sometimes to read
books to enjoy the leisure hours with myself, or I’ll go with my friends to do some outdoor activities such
as playing football and hiking.
2.Yes, I’m really into outdoor activities. You know, the main factor is that I can take some physical
to keep me fit, so I always go hiking or jogging if I am free.
3.Normally I’ll go for a jogging around my house in the morning so that I can take some physical
exercises while enjoying the fresh air, but if I can invite some more friends I would go for a simple football
match with them because football is a sociable activities so that I can have more fun with my friends and
make new friends as well.
4.Well, I do these physical exercises from time to time. Normally if I’m not busy with my work, I
will go for a jogging around my house in the morning to take some physical exercises while enjoying the
fresh air, probably four times in a week; but if I have lots of on things my hands I’ll probably focus on my
work.
5.It’s kind of hard to say but people that I know around me tend to go jogging in the morning or
take a walk after dinner, but maybe for others, they probably like to take some indoor activities like
swimming and yoga.

PARENTS
1.Should parents be strict to their children?
yeah. strict rules is a must.strict discipline causes the child to have values such as perseverance,
hard work and fair play instilled in them.
2.What’s the most valuable thing parents can give to their children?
my mother is the most loving person I could possibly meet in my life. She taught me the basic values
of life and she put a great effort to teach me to distinguish the right from wrong. She is a virtuous and
benevolent women and I have a great admiration for her.
3.Are parents the best teachers for children?
of course they are!Parents are more engaged in their children’s activities than any other person
because they spend more time with them than even teachers in schools, so they can find more deeply
their children’s personality weaknesses.Sensationally, they feel closer to their children than any other
people are. Bonding helps mothers to love their children more than any other else.
4.Do your parents teach you lots of things than cannot be learnt in school?
yes,my mother never hesitates to inspire me whenever I do something good. She is the best critic I
can possibly have and because of her, I have learned computer programming, art and other important
skills. She is a hard working woman who has devoted her entire life for her family. I learned the
importance and necessity of a close family from her.

PARKS
1. Do you like going to parks and/or public gardens?
(If yes:)
Yeah, on the whole I do, as long as the weather’s nice of course! You know, I think they’re nice
places to go to get some fresh air and enjoy the natural environment. And I always tend to feel a bit less
stressed out when I’m in a garden or park.
As long as the weather’s nice of course –
Stressed out - If someone is stressed out, they are tense and anxious because of difficulties in their
lives.
(If no:)
No I don’t, because I kind of think there’s not really that much to do in parks. I mean, most of the
ones near to where I live have nothing! You know, all you can really do is just wander around, and after
you’ve been to them so many times, they kind of get a bit boring, if you know what I mean!
there’s not really that much to do–
2. When was the last time you went to a park?
Um… let me see…when was the last time?... I suppose it must have been about … it must have
been about two or three months ago, a bit before Christmas, cos I remember that day the sky was really
clear for a change! And so I thought it would be nice to go out for a walk somewhere, which I did.
it must have been…ago –。
That day it was…..for a change -
3. Do you think the parks and gardens where you live could be improved in any ways?
Yeah I do. I think they could be improved quite a bit. Cos as I mentioned just now, there’s not really
that much you can do there, so I think some facilities could be added. For example, it would be nice if
there was a café or something where you could sit and enjoy the surroundings with a cup of coffee. And
uh.. what else?... Oh yeah, another thing that I think’s lacking is children’s play areas, you know, like
climbing frames, swings and slides, because I’ve noticed that most parks have exercise equipment for
adults, but nothing really for children. So this is another aspect in which I think parks could really improve
on.
quite a bit = quite a lot
climbing frame
swing
slide
4. Would you like to see more parks and gardens in your hometown?
Yeah I would, because we only have a very small number at the moment, and considering there are
several million people living here, I think it would definitely be good to have a few more!
5. Do you prefer to relax with your friends in a park or an indoor place?

I’d say I generally prefer to relax with my friends somewhere indoors, because I mean, if I’m meeting
up with them in a park, then everything could be ruined by the weather. So it’s a bit easier arranging to
meet somewhere indoors. Having said that though, if it’s a really nice day out, then I suppose I would
prefer to be outside with them somewhere, like a park.
Having said that though
if it’s a really nice day out

FAMILY
1.Describe your family.
I live in a nuclear family, with my parents and a younger brother. My father is an engineer and lives in
Aligarh whereas my mother is a home maker. My brother is currently doing his Bachelors in technology in
Electronic Communication from Dwarahat.
2.How much time do you spend with your family?
I really love spending time with my family, however, my present job, which is a host for a show with
fox traveler, requires me to travel a lot, so I am not able spend that much time with them. However,
whenever I do get time I either call them to wherever I am or go to meet them at home.
3.What is your personal contribution to your family?
Towards my family, I make sure that I spend at least 2 days a month with my parents and my brother.
So, most of the time we all make plans to make sure that we do spend those two days together, no matter
where we are. Other than this, I give 5% of whatever my earnings are to my family.
4.What type of task do you do to assist your family members?
Well, most of the time I am doing the work that requires me to move out of house, like paying bills,
buying grocery or going to bank.
5.Whom do you like most in your family? Why?
I love both my parents a lot. For me, nothing comes before them, so they are the first priority. To an
extent this is because, I believe that who I am now is because of them. They have supported me through
the toughest phase of my life and have enjoyed every moment of my success with me. They have given
me so much that I don’t even find myself capable enough to say that I will return your love. So, for sure
they are the ones that I love the most.

SPORTS
1.What kind of sport do you prefer?
I don't prefer a specific kind of sport, but I really like working out in the gym… That helps me to keep
my body in a good shape… A few years ago I had a sports coach, but now I developed my own fitness
program and train alone…
2.Do you do any kind of sports during weekends?
Yes, sure! I have a lot of spare time during weekends and I do javelin on Saturdays… In summertime
I also go cycling with my friends... Generally, I don’t like staying at home all day... I prefer active rest…
3.Tell me about your hobbies. Is there anything you like to do in your leisure time?
I used to play tennis as a hobby… But a few months ago my family moved to a new place, and there
were no tennis courtsnearby... That's why I took up wrestling... But I still play tennis every once in a while.
4. Do you like sports? / Do you enjoy playing any games?
Answer A: Undoubtedly yes! There are many sports that I find interesting and fun. The reason behind
this is their endless benefits. It is well-known that different types of sports contribute to good health and
keep us fit and active.
Answer B: Definitely yes. I really enjoy playing both outdoor and indoor games, with cricket and
chess being my favorite. I like them because they help me to relax and ease out the daily stress.
5. Do you enjoy watching sports?
Answer A: It’s really entertaining to watch sports. In fact, I have subscribed to various sports
television channels like Zee sports and CNBC etc. at my home. Moreover, I am a great admirer of cricket
as my country has given many world-class cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Viral Kohli.
Answer B: Frankly speaking, I don’t like watching sports much. Basically, I don’t understand the rules
and regulations associated with various sports which makes me a novice in this particular field.
6. What kind of games do you play? / Do you enjoy participating in any sport?
Answer A: I really love playing cricket and chess. But I also enjoy kho-kho, table tennis, ludo and
monopoly. I think playing monopoly or cricket with your family members is the best retreat.
Answer B: Yes! I love to participate in sports. In my school days, I even had the privilege of
representing my state in National Badminton Championship. Apart from that, I enjoy team games like
Volleyball and Basketball.
Answer C: To be very honest, I don’t have a keen interest in sports. Instead of participating in
outdoor games, I prefer to sit at home and watch some music channels like MTV or VH.
7. Do you think grown ups should play games?
I believe games and age have no connection. One can play any game whenever they like. It is the
best way to do a physical exercise with some emotional advantages as well.
8. What kind of games did you play as a child?

Answer: As a child, I used to play outdoor games more often than indoor games. We were a group of
ten to twelve people and loved playing either hide and seek or kho-kho or go cycling. We even played
badminton, football and sometimes dumb sharads.
9.When did you first become interested in sports?
Answer: As far as I remember, there was a cricket match between India and Pakistan and my entire
family was watching that on television. After sometime, the match became dicey and I also started
participating in the conversation. That match fueled my interest in sports and I found myself close to the
fields after that day.
10. What games are popular in your country? / Which sports are most popular in your country?
Answer A: People in my country are crazy about cricket. You can see almost everyone playing and
enjoying it. Apart from cricket, tennis and badminton have been some of the most watched games.
However, with time, games such as football, hockey , boxing are also being watched and liked by people.
Answer B: Well, my country has witnessed the love for various sports. Athletics, cricket, hockey and
chess etc. all have gotten the same respect in my country and people appreciate the hard work of
sportsmen. But, I have noticed that most of the people are crazy about cricket.
11.What according to you is the importance of mental games?
Answer: Mental games help and individual to enhance his memory and keep him mentally fit. Our
brain has different sub parts and playing games such as chess, monopoly or vocab-builder allows the
individual to keep all parts of the brain active.
12.What do children learn from games?
Answer: I think it depends on what they want to learn. For instance, children playing cricket or
football learn team work, time management, stress handling. Those who play chess or monopoly improve
on their mental skills.

ADVERTISEMENT
1.Are advertisements important?
Definitely, yes. Advertisements bring out the idea of the new products and their features in a nut
shell. They prove to be beneficial for both the customers and the company. But, with advertisement
market rising up, I think companies have learnt the art of deceiving the customers as well. You can easily
find products being depicted as something else in the advertisements. Also, with so many ads coming in,
it becomes quite difficult and overwhelming for the customer to choose the product. Having said that, I
think advertisements are vital but then there should be more truth to them than flashy statements.
2.Do you watch advertisements on television or on internet?
I give more preference to the internet as compared to television. I rarely watch TV, so most of the ads
that I see are on internet while surfing you tube videos or any other web site.
3.Are there many advertisements in your country?
Yes, advertising industry has seen a rise in my country. Earlier there were only few advertisements
and that to repetitive but in today’s time companies are making great advertisements, most of them being
short stories, instead of simply saying buy our product. Also, there is a change of advertisement every
month or quarter by the company, which makes it all the more exciting.
4.Why do you think there are so many advertisements now?
With the coming of Internet and globalization, the world has become a more connected place. We
have come out of our houses and stepped onto a world of possibilities. Advertisements have grown in
recent times because firstly, people have less time. So, companies need to make the impact of a product
on the customer as fast as possible. Also, with coming of globalization there is a lot of competition
amongst companies, so they turn towards ads to grab the customer’s attention.
5.Where are the places we see advertisements?
Almost everywhere, I would say. They are there on television, internet, newspapers, radios and then
we can see those big banners and hoardings all over. We find them in different pallets and these days,
one can get messages on phone about the various products and offers from companies.
6.How do you feel about advertisements?
I really love watching advertisements. For some reasons, I get awed by how someone could just
make a product stuck in our minds. Some use stories, others have that twist and it is more often not the
product that strikes us, it is actually how the advertisement of it relates to our life.
7.What kind of advertisements do you like the most?
I love watching the advertisements which have some story behind. So, instead of those 10 seconds
ads, I would say I prefer the ones that span over at least 45 seconds and strike the chord with something
that is affecting us socially. Like, there was recent ad by Biba which did not talked about Biba, but about a
strong women and how she fought back dowry. So, now all the strong women will buy Biba.
8.What type of advertisements do you prefer to use for getting information?
I like static ads to get information about a particular product, instead of the motion ads. Surely, the
motion ads are more interesting and fun to see but when it comes to getting information, I would say the
ones that come in newspapers or pamphlets are easier to fathom the information.

9.Do advertisements influence your choice of product?
Surely, it does. Advertisements have come about to affect our choices in way like never before. With
so many companies launching products and all of them being so similar, it is often the advertisement that
helps in deciding the product to buy. But, when it comes to choosing between a well known or trusted
company and the newly established, irrespective of the ad I prefer the trusted one.

1.1. What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?
I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bed rooms, two bathrooms
and a lovely back garden. It’s not really a spacious house, but it’s just right for me and my
family.
1.2. Who do you live with?
I live with my parents and my siblings. We always get on well with each other and have a lot
of fun.
1.3. How long have you lived there?
I’ve lived there since I was a child, until I graduated from high school and moved to the city
to enroll at university, where I lived in a student dormitory during the semester.
1.4. (If you answer you haven't lived there long) What’s the difference between where you
are living now and where you have lived in the past?
My current residential area is quite small and it’s very noisy because there are a lot of people
there and I don’t have my own space. Conversely, when I was living at home, I had my own
spacious room and it made me feel comfortable.
1.5. Do you plan to live there for a long time?
To be honest, I intend to buy an apartment in an urban area after I graduate from university. I
can decorate and design my ideal home with whatever facilities I want.
1.6. Which room does your family spend most of the time in?
It’s definitely the kitchen. Not only lunch or dinner time but all our family reunions take
place in the kitchen where all the family members get together to eat tasty meals, and chat to
each other – it’s a really harmonious atmosphere.
1.7. Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
To be honest, most of the transport facilities to my place are not very modern. The bus
service from my work place to home is irregular and usually overcrowded.
1.8. Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?
I prefer living in a house to a flat because I value my privacy and need my own space.
Owning an independent house, I can plan and design a house layout to suit myself. Moreover,
I can modify a house according to the size of the family.
1.9. Please describe the room you live in.
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My current room is actually more like a bedsit. It is a multi – purpose room, I use it to sleep
and study as well. It is painted in pink, that’s my favorite color with a bed, a cupboard and
desk. It’s not really spacious but it’s just right for me.
1.10. What part of your home do you like the most ?
I prefer my bedroom most due to its convenience and privacy. Because of my stressful work I
want to be in a quiet place and concentrate on my work. In my own room, I’m never
disturbed by anyone else.
VOCABULARY
✓ Terraced house (noun): (ngôi nhà trong dãy nhà cùng kiểu) a house connected on both
sides by other properties
✓ Back garden (noun phrase): (vườn ở phía sau nhà) a garden at the rear of the house.
Ex: I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bed rooms, two
bathrooms and a lovely back garden.
✓ Spacious (adjective): (rộng rãi) (of a room or building) large and with plenty of space
for people to move around in
✓ Sibling(s) (noun): (anh/ chị em) a brother or sister
✓ Get on well with sb (phrasal verb): (hòa hợp với ai đó) to have a friendly relationship
with somebody
✓ Dormitory (noun): (kí túc xá) a room for several people to sleep in, especially in a
school or other institution
Ex: I’ve lived there since I was a child, until I graduated high school and moved to the
city to enroll in university where I lived in a dormitory.
✓ Residential area (noun): (nơi ở) (of an area of a town) suitable for living in; consisting
of houses rather than factories or offices
✓ Urban area (noun): (vùng thành thị) connected with a town or city
✓ Reunion (noun): (tụ họp, xum họp) a social occasion or party attended by a group of
people who have not seen each other for a long time
✓ Harmonious (adjective): (ấm cúng, yên bình) friendly, peaceful and without any
disagreement
✓ Irregular (adjective): not happening at the arranged time intervals
✓ Overcrowded (adjective): with too many people or things in it
✓ Privacy (noun): being alone and not disturbed by other people
✓ Suit oneself (verb): to do exactly what you like/want
Ex: Everyone had a different opinion about what colour to paint my room, so in the end I
decided to just suit myself.
✓ Modify (verb): (sửa đổi, thay đổi) to change something slightly, especially in order to
make it more suitable for a particular purpose
✓ Bedsit (noun): (phòng vừa để ngủ vừa để học, tiếp khách) a room that a person rents
and uses for both living and sleeping in
✓ Multi-purpose (adjective): (đa chức năng) having many different uses
2. Study
2.1. 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, highschool education lasts 3 years, then I went onto higher
education at the Foreign Trade University where I’m currently studying economics.
2.2. What is your area of specialization?
economics, combined with business knowledge mainly related to theimport and export
business.
2.3. Why did you choose to study that major?
I think it would help to fulfill my dream of introducing my country’s agricultural products to
the world. Vietnamese goods have a real potential, but they still struggle to make a name for
themselves, you know.
2.4. Do you like your major? (Why?/Why not?)
Yes, of course. Studying economics, especially external economics is interesting and
practical. It helps me to keep up with current affairs and it improves my analytical and
problem-solving skills as well.
2.5. 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.
2.6. What was your favourite subject as a child?
Well, I used to be very passionate about drawing when I was a little girl. It was fun to work
with brushes and colors, you know, as it was the time when I could indulge in my own
creative world.
2.7. Do you think your country has an effective education system?
To be honest, I don’t think so. Our system hassomehow 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 focuses on an exam-driven curriculum,
which I find quite impractical.
2.8. (Possibly) Are you looking forward to working?
Absolutely! It’s great to join the workforce, especially when I can do the job I love. Not only
will it pay the bills, but it’ll also give me the joy of making a contribution. It’s hard to be
happy and fulfilled without working, you know.
VOCABULARY
✓ Higher education (chương trình đại học) [n] post-18 learning that take places at
universities
education are studying either business or engineering, with business-related majors making
up 38 percent of all enrollments in 2012/13
✓ Master (tinh thông, nắm vững) [v] learn how to do sowmthing well
✓ Make a name for oneself ( trở nên nổi tiếng) [idiom] become famous and respected
by a lot of people
Example: By the time he was thirty-five, he had made a name for himself as a successful
railway contractor
✓ Keep up with (cập nhật thông tin về cái gì) [idiom] be aware of
✓ Analytical (thuộc về phân tích) [adj] using analysis or logical reasoning
Example: Analytical skills are essential in the workplace to ensure necessary problem
solving occurs to keep productivity and other areas of the workforce functioning smoothly
✓ Elementary school (trường tiểu học) [n] primary school, school for children between
7-11 years old (in Vietnam)
Example: It’s essential that children at the official entry age for elementary school attend
classes fully.
✓ Unduly (quá mức, không chính đáng ) [adj] excessively/ to a level that more than is
Example:
For every new parents, the decision about whether to vaccinate his or herchild has been undu
ly stressful
✓ Exam-driven curriculum (chương trình học để phục vụ cho các kỳ thi) [expression]
the courses taught a school, college, which focus on teaching what will be on the exam
Example: Many parents believe that exam-driven curriculum can change their kid’s attitude
towards school in profoundly negative ways.
✓ Pay the bills (trang trải cuộc sống) [ idioms] provide enough income to sustain one’s
lifestyle
3. Work
3.1. What do you do?
3.2. What are your responsibilities?
Well I’m mainly responsible for designing the cover of the magazine. I normally work with
the concept team to make sure that the final product will both attract the potential buyer’s
attention and express the theme of the magazine.
3.3. Why did you choose to do that type of work (or, that job)?
I guess it’s because of my artistic passion. The process of creating beautiful things is
somehow intriguing to me, so I chose to be a graphic designer, which combines both art and
technology. It’s quite interesting, you know.
3.4. Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?
Well, if possible, I’d like to be a freelance writer. Actually I’m a big fan of action movies,
and I also care about healthy living, so, I’d love to write about these topics and share my
stories with people of the same interest.
3.5. Describe the company or organization you work for
workplace with a young, creative, and extremely passionate team. We work on the basis of
mutual understanding and respect for each other, so it’s kind of an ideal environment for me.
3.6. Do you enjoy your work?
Most of the time. It’s rewarding to co-work on projects with amazing people in an open and
supportive environment to bring out an art production that will ultimately give me a sense of
satisfaction and pride.
3.7. What do you like about your job?
Well, the perk of being a graphic designer is that you’ll surround yourself with inspiring
images everyday. My daily working life involves seeking out inspiration in all sorts of places,
researching incredible illustrations and graphics, and creating them too. It’s great, I think.
3.8. What do you dislike about your job
What I don’t like about this job is that our personal taste in design varies, and normally I’ll
have to do a thousand edits to get the final product that meets the demand of my boss while
still * relating / staying faithful to /remaining trueto the initial concept.
* conform means ‘to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected
by a group or society’ – this does not relate to things like ‘concepts’.
3.9. (Possibly)Do you miss being a student?
Sometimes, when I’m burdened with heavy workloads or the pressure of everyday life, I
recall the memories of being a student. We were all carefree and innocent back then. It’s a
precious time that I cherish.
VOCABULARY
✓ theme (đề tài,chủ đề) [n] the main subject of a talk, book, film, etc
✓ Intriguing ( hấp dẫn, gợi thích thú) [adj] very interesting because of being unusual or
mysterious
Example: The Huns are intriguing not only because of their notoriously hawkish
history, but also because of their place as middlemen between Mongol and Turkic
ethnicity
✓ On the basis of (trên cơ sở) [idiom] base on
✓ Rewarding (bổ ích, đáng làm) [adj] giving pleasure, satisfation
Example: The most rewarding aspect of living forever is you have unlimited time to perfect
your abilities and accumulate wealth.
✓ Ultimately (cuối cùng thì, rút cục) [adv] at the end of a process, period of time, etc.
Example: Everything will ultimately depend on what is said at the meeting with
the directors next week.
✓ Perk ( đặc quyền, thù lao thêm) [n] an advantage or something extra that you are
given because of your job
Example: A company car and a mobile phone are some of the perks that come with the job.
✓ Conform (to sth) (tuân theo) [v] obey the rule or reach the necessary stated standard
✓ Cherish (yêu mến, coi trọng) [v] keep hopes, memories in your mind because they
are important to you and bring you pleasure
4. Advertisements
2.1. Are there many advertisements in your country?
I would say yes. You can easily see a wide range of advertisements almost everywhere in my
hometown. For example, almost half of a newspaper is made up of ads.
2.2. Why do you think there are so many advertisements now?
I guess it’s due to their benefits. First, advertising is an essential part of promotional
campaigns for companies to reach their end users. It helps raise the visibility of a
company's brand. Second, advertisements can act as decoration on the street. I find a street
better-looking with advertisements.
2.3. What are the various places where we see advertisements?
Today advertising gets to people through different forms of communication, from print
media to electronic ones, soyou can see advertisements on websites, social networks or in
the newspapers and magazines. There are also ads you see outdoors as well, for example,
large banners and posters hung on the roads, on the buses or trains.
2.4. How do you feel about advertisements?
Most people may find those ways of product promotion annoying, but I’m an exception. I’m
quite into advertisements. They’re colourful, brilliantly designed, illustrated, photographed or
typeset pieces and often have useful, informative contents.
VOCABULARY
✓ Promotional campaign: [noun] A series of advertisements using various marketing
tools that share the same message and ideas to promote a business or event to a target
audience.
Example: Promotional campaigns play a crucial role in the marketing strategy of a company.
✓ End users: [noun] Person or organization that actually uses a product
Example: We provide the best quality products to our end users.
✓ Print media: [noun] refers to paper publications circulated in the form of physical
editions of newspapers, articles, journals, etc
✓ Electronic media: [noun] refers to television, radio, etc
✓ Informative: [adjective] giving useful information
Example: The professor’s lecture was very informative and I learned a lot from it.
5. Birthday
5.1. How do children celebrate birthdays in your country?
It is popular for children in my country to have birthday parties at home or in restaurants and
invite friends, and relatives to join. On this occasion, they are usually given gifts and money.
5.2. How did you celebrate your last birthday?
On my last birthday, I had the best birthday ever. I and friends made an all – day excursion to
Phu Quoc Island, the largest island of Vietnam. We celebrated with a barbecue party outside
and danced together under the moonlight.
5.3. What kinds of birthday gifts do you like to receive?
I’m really interested in handmade gifts because they represent not only the creativeness but
also the passion of the senders. Therefore, I always appreciate receiving them and try to keep
them as long as I can.
5.4. Is there a difference between the way you celebrate your birthday in the past and in
the present?
Yes. In the past, when I was a child, I could only celebrate birthday parties at home and
invited friends to join. However, as I’m mature now, I can decide to do more things to make
it special such as by travelling to explore new places.
VOCABULARY
✓ Excursion (noun): (chuyến du lịch ngắn ngày) a short journey made for pleasure,
especially one that has been organized for a group of people
Ex: There are regular weekend excursions throughout the summer.
✓ Barbecue (noun): (tiệc nướng) an outdoor meal or party when food is cooked on a
metal frame over an open fire outdoors.
Ex: The supermarket sells a range of food ideal for summer barbecues.
✓ Handmade (adjective): (làm bằng tay) made by a person using their hands rather than
by machines.
Ex: I’m really interested in handmade gifts because they contain not only the creativeness but
also the passion of senders.
6. Family
6.1. How often do you meet with your family?
It’s normally once a month. At present I’m studying and working in another city, which is
quite far from my hometown, so I can only set aside time for my family at the end of the
month, because of the distance and heavy workload, you know.
6.2. How do you spend the time with your family?
We often spend quality time together on eating scrumptious meals prepared by my mother,
talking with each other while enjoying our favorite delicious foods. It’s a precious time when
we can momentarily get away from the hectic whirlwind of daily activities.
6.3. Do you want to live with your family in the future?
I’d prefer we live in the same city, so that we could take good care of each other, while
making sure our family’s bond is secure and will not suffer from potential discrepancies in
our individual lifestyles or the generation gap.
6.4. What activities do your family like doing together?
My family often gather around the table enjoying a cozy mealtogether, communicating and
sometimes busting into laughter because of my father’s humorous stories. We’re also
particularly into family game nights, when we huddle together to play cards or other family
favorites.
6.5. Are you close to of your family members?
Most of them. Actually I’m a little bit more distant with my brother as compared to other
members. We have personality conflicts, and different viewpoints so we often have
arguments over even the smallest things.
6.6. How has your family influenced you?
My family has definitely shaped who I am now. They have imprinted on me proper principles
like respect, moral values and good manners. I have also inherited humbleness from my
mother , and determination and patience from my father.
6.7. Do you want to be married or to be single in the future?
Yes, I do want to get married. We all ultimately find our true love in life, you know, and
marriage is the ultimate commitment that we can make to our soulmate. Moreover, I want to
build a loving and supporting home for my children like my parents have done for us.
Vocabulary
✓ Set aside (để dành ra) [phrasal verb] reserve for a special purpose, put to one side
Example: Some doctors advise setting aside a certain hour each day for excercise
✓ Scrumptious ( ngon tuyệt ) (thức ăn) [adj] very pleasing, delicious
Example: From breakfast until dinner, hawkers sell an infinite variety of some of the world's
most scrumptious snacks.
✓ Hectic whirlwind (of activity) (vòng xoáy bận rộn của công việc ) [expression] a
busy schedule
Example: Within a hectic whirlwind of activity demanded by her vast portfolio, Powell
makes time for personal life with her husband, Richard.
✓ Discrepancy (sự khác biệt ) [n] lack of agreement or balance/ difference
Example: WFI called in police last November after spotting apparent discrepancies between
donations made to the organisation and its expenditure.
✓ Burst into laughter (phá lên cười) [idiom] suddenly begin to laugh
Example: The situation was so ridiculous, they simply burst into laughter.
✓ Huddle together ( túm tụm vào nhau) [v] gather/bunch together
Example: Four teens huddled together for comfort Sunday at the memorial service to honor
victims of the attack at Columbine High School.
✓ Imprint ( cấy vào, ăn sâu vào) [v] to establish securely, as in the mind or
consciousness
Example: It’s believed that most of our habits are imprinted early in childhood.
✓ Ultimate ( cuối cùng, mang tính nền tảng) [adj] / fundamental, elemental/most
significant
Example: Of course the ultimate responsibility for
the present conflict without doubt lies with the aggressor.
9. Newspapers and magazines

9.1. Do you often read newspapers?
Yes, I read the newspaper everyday to keep up to date with the latest news and see what the
hottest topic of the day is. I’ve been in the habit of doing this for a long time.
9.2. Do you prefer to read local news or international news?
Well, I suppose that I have an inclination towards international news, especially news about
relationships among countries around the world. This is probably because I’m quite fond of
diplomatic issues and want to keep track of what’s happening outside my country.
9.3. Which is more popular where you live, newspapers or magazines?
Well, I think that people read newspapers more often than magazines, normally because
newspapers provide information that is relatively easy to understand for almost everyone. On
the other hand, magazines contain longer articles and specifically focus on a particular topic
which may be quite difficult or unfamiliar to some readers.
9.4. Do many people today read newspapers?
I guess… yes, maybe. Because every morning when I go to my office, I can see many people
reading the daily newspapers at pavement cafés. However, I think nowadays people are
tending to gradually change their habits and accessing the latest news online.
9.5. In the future, do you think more people than today will read magazines, or
fewer people?
I’m not really sure about this, but I suppose that there will be fewer people reading magazines
in the future. It’s probably because nowadays there are various sources of information, so
people can search if they want to find knowledge of any field, especially on the Internet…
it’s easier and cheaper. Maybe in the future perhaps specialists will be the only ones who
read the magazines which relate to their own particular fields.
9.6. Do you think newspapers will be very important to you in the future?
Well, honestly, I haven’t ever thought about that before, but I love my routine of reading
newspapers while drinking coffee every morning, it’s completely relaxing … so I’ll try to
keep reading newspapers as a regular habit as long as possible.
VOCABULARY
✓ Keep up to date (expression): Cập nhật to provide the latest information to someone
or for something
Ex: I keep up to date with world events by watching the news on CNN.
✓ Be in the habit of (expression): to do something regularly and almost without
needing to think about it
Ex: My grandfather is in the habit of taking a walk in the park every morning.
✓ Inclination (noun): Xu hướng a feeling that makes you want to do something
Ex: Her inclination has always been to live and work in Australia.
✓ Diplomatic (adjective): Ngoại giao connected with managing relations between
countries
Ex: Attempts are being made to settle the dispute by diplomatic means in order to avoid a
war.
✓ Keep track of (expression): Theo dõi to be informed about what is happening or
where somebody/something is
Ex: Bank statements help you keep track of where your money is going.
✓ Unfamiliar (adjective): Không quen, lạ that you do not know or recognize
Ex: Although I knew some people at the party, there were also some unfamiliar faces
among the guests.
✓ Pavement (noun): Vỉa hè a part at the side of the road for people to walk on
Ex: In summer, the restaurant puts a few tables and chairs outside on the pavement.
✓ Tend to do something (expression): Có xu hướng làm gì đó to be likely to do
something or to happen in a particular way because this is what often or usually happens
Ex: When I'm tired, I tend to make mistakes.
✓ Access (verb): to enter or use something, such as a computer file
Ex: If you want to access information about the exam, there is a new website that I can
recommend.
✓ Specialist (noun): Chuyên gia a person who is an expert in a particular area of work
or study.
Ex: He is a specialist in Japanese history.
10. Transportation
10.1. What's the most popular means of transportation in your hometown?
The most common vehicle in my hometown is the motorbike. As I’ve read in a current
newspaper, most Vietnamese adults have their own motorbikes. Moreover, I can easily catch
sight of motorbikes whenever I go outside.
10.2. How often do you take buses?
I take buses to go to school at least twice a day as I haven’t got my own vehicle yet. I also
usually use buses to visit my relatives or friends’ homes.
10.3. Can you compare the advantages of planes and trains?
Obviously, airplanes and trains have their own particular benefits for passengers. Regarding
planes, they have been the fastest means of passenger transport invented so far. They enable
people to travel all around the world in the shortest possible time.
The biggest advantage of trains is their impressive safety record. Accidents are rare, and so
people can feel relaxed and just sit back and admire the views from their comfortable seats.
10.4. Is driving to work popular in your country?
Yes. I’m pretty sure that private cars and motorbikes are the two most popular vehicles in my
country. Therefore, it is obvious that there are a large number of people who tend to drive to
work.
10.5. Do you think people will drive more in the future?
Yes, I think so. There will be more drivers on the roads in the future due to the convenience
of motoring and the affordable prices of cars.
10.6. Would you ride bikes to work in the future?
Yes. As I’m a young person, I like to do energetic activities to help me keep fit, so I will give
priority to a job that is within cycling distance of my home.
10.7. What will become the most popular means of transportation in Vietnam?
Personally, I think the prevalence of motorbikes will continue to dominate in Vietnam due
to their advantages, namely they are great for getting around quickly, they are easy to park
and economical to run.
10.8. Do you prefer public transportation or private transportation?
Although owning a private vehicle has various advantages, I prefer using public
transportation in order to economize as well as to help protect the environment.
VOCABULARY
✓ Catch sight of (expression): to see something only for a moment
Ex: I caught sight of someone with red hair, so I knew that it was you.
✓ Safety record (noun): details of how many accidents a company has had
Ex: With no accidents in the last 5 years, this airline has a good safety record.
✓ Admire (verb): to look at something and think that it is attractive/impressive
Ex: We stood for a few moments, admiring the beautiful view.
✓ Motoring (noun): the activity of driving a car
Ex: She’s planning a motoring holiday in France next year.
✓ Affordable (adjective): cheap enough for people to be able to buy
Ex: This type of car is affordable for people who have a low income.
✓ Give priority to (expression): deal with something first, because you think it is more
important than other things
Ex: This month I must give priority to revision for the exam, so I have taken some time off
work.
✓ Prevalence (noun): the fact of being very common at a particular time or in a
particular place
Ex: There is a worrying increase in the prevalence of smoking among young people.
✓ Dominate (verb): to be the largest, highest or most obvious thing in a place
Ex: The skyline is dominated by smoking factory chimneys.
✓ Get around (phrasal verb): to move from place to place
Ex: Getting around in this city is hard, because there is too much traffic.
✓ Park (verb): to leave a vehicle that you are driving in a particular place for a period
of time
Ex: I parked my car in front of the supermarket while I did my shopping.
✓ Economical (adjective): providing good value in relation to the amount of money
spent
Ex: Buy a small car – it will be more economical to run.
✓ Run (verb): to own and use a car or other vehicle
Ex: On my low salary, I can’t afford to run a car.
✓ Economize (verb): to use less money than you normally use
Ex: In winter, don’t economize on heating – it is more important to keep warm.
17. Shoes
1. Do you like shoes?
To be honest, I’m really addicted to shoes. I started building up my huge collection of shoes
when I was eight years old. Now, whenever I have spare time, I often go shopping for shoes
and spend a whole lot more money than I should on them.
2. Which do you prefer, comfortable ones or fashionable ones?
Well, it depends on different situations. For example, when I’m at home, I definitely prefer
wearing flats because they are super comfortable. But when I go to work or parties, wearing
fashion shoes such as high-heels or leather boots would be a better option for me because
they make me look more confident and attractive.
3. Are people willing to buy expensive shoes?
Of course, some wealthy people can pay a lot of money to purchase shoes, which cost them
an arm and a leg. The reason behind this is that they want to look trendy and show off their
status.
Vocabulary:
Words English meanings Vietnamese Example
meanings
Be addicted to something To cause to use Nghiê ̣n cái gì Ex: That show is so good
( expression) something on a regular that I’m addicted to
basis watching it every week.
A whole lot Very much Rấ t nhiề u Ex: He didn’t like her a
(adverb) whole lot.
Flats (noun) Shoes that have a level Giày bê ̣t Ex: I like wearing flats
surface, without heels because I have to walk a
lot.
Fashion shoes (noun) Fashionable shoes Giày thời trang Ex: Celebrities often spend
a lot of money buying
fashion shoes.
Cost somebody an arm Extremely expensive Đắ t cắ t cổ Ex: I want to buy a new
and a leg (expression) Porsche, but it costs an arm
and a leg.
Trendy (adjective) Fashionable Ex: She always wears the
latest trendy clothes.
Show off (phrasal verb) to behave in a way that Khoe, thể hiê ̣n Ex: She is always showing
is intended to attract at off her fashionable clothes
tention or admiration, to her friends.
and that
other people often find
annoying:
18. Sports
1. What sports do you like? (why ?)
Well, I would say that there’s quite a variety of sports on my favorites list but to be honest,
I’m particularly keen on basketball. I guess the reason for this could be that basketball is a
demanding and strenuous game, which helps me burn up lots of calories and keep myself in
shape. Besides, it is a group activity that gives me the chance to meet up with new friends and
build up strong relationships with others.
2. What sports are most popular in Vietnam?

It goes without saying that soccer is the most popular game across the globe and Vietnamese
people are not any exception in their passion for it. This is because football is an inexpensive
sport to play and everyone can get involved in the game as long as they want to. However,
the most convincing reason making it the leading sport in Vietnam should be that soccer
gives our people an opportunity to share in both the excitement and pride in our own country,
especially when it comes to international tournaments like the Sea Games or Asian Cup.
3. Are boys and girls good at the same sports?

Well, in all fairness, I would probably say no. Generally, there’s no doubt that boys tend to
perform better at strenuous and active sports which require greater strength and stamina, such
as football, boxing or basketball. Whereas in contrast, girls seem to be past masters at more
relaxing and gentle activities, like yoga or ballet.
4. What sports do children prefer?

In my estimation, I guess that kids are particularly keen on engaging in group activities like
soccer, or basketball. I suppose the explanation for this is that these games can be played in a
team of ten to twelve people, not only giving children an opportunity to make friends but also
bringing them great pleasure.
5. Do you like to do daily exercise? (why ?/why not?)

Well, to be quite honest, I’m pretty enthusiastic about working out. This is because regular
exercise not only prevents me from being obese like those sitting glued to the screens but
also allows me to discipline myself as I have to follow a fitness plan. In addition, keeping
myself physically active is probably the most effective way to get me into shape and help me
lead a healthy life.
6. What are the advantages of doing regular exercise?

Obviously there are a number of positive features. However, I guess the most evident would
be that doing a workout might minimize the risk of getting diseases like diabetes or eye-
related problems, which might help extend our life expectancy. Besides this, a second plus
point could be that daily exercise enables us to relieve stress and refresh our mind, motivating
us to focus on our daily tasks.
7. Where do people in Vietnam usually exercise?

Well, I suppose I would have to say that it kind of depends really. It goes without saying that
Vietnamese young people are in favor of going to the gym and having their personal trainers
to motivate them to reach their fitness goals. Whereas on the contrary, the elderly are more
given to going for a walk or joining a dance club in the park.
Vocabulary:
• Burn up lots of calories: [expression] getting rid of energy in order to keep fit / đốt
cháy nhiều năng lượng
Example: A good laugh can burn up as many calories per hour as brisk walking.
• Demanding: [adjective] requiring much skill or effort / (công việc) đòi hỏi, yêu cầu
cao về chuyên môn, sức khỏe,…
Example: He was involved in technically demanding work for which he was plainly well
qualified.
• Strenuous: [adjective] requiring or using great exertion / đòi hỏi sự ráng sức, căng
thẳng
Example: All your muscles need more oxygen during strenuous exercise.
• Keep oneself in shape: [expression] keeping fit, having a healthy body / giữ một thân
hình khỏe mạnh, giữ dáng
Example: I do exercises regularly in order to keep myself in shape.
• Build up strong relationships with: [expression] establishing friendship with others /
xây dựng các mối quan hệ bền vững
Example: Participating in voluntary activities is a good opportunity to build up strong
relationship with others.
• Get involved in: [verb phrase] participating in, take part in an activity / tham gia, tham
dự
Example: Young people are enthusiastic about getting involved in community work.
• Convincing: [adjective] capable of causing someone to believe that something is true
or real / làm cho người ta tin, có sức thuyết phục
Example: There is no convincing evidence that advertising influences total alcohol
consumption.
• When it comes to: [expression] to mention or to talk about something / khi nhắc tới
Example: When it comes to fishing, he is an expert.
• Tournament: [noun] (in a sport or game) a series of contests between a number of
competitors / (thể dục, thể thao) cuộc đấu, giải đấu
Example: England beat them in the semi-final in one of the best games of the tournament.
• Be good at something/doing something: [expression] to be very skilful at something /
tài giỏi, có năng lực về một lĩnh vực nào đó
Example: To be honest, I’m not good at drawing.
• Stamina: [noun] the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort / sức chịu
đựng, khả năng chịu đựng
Example: Their secret to success is stamina rather than speed.
• Be a past master at: [expression] to be very good at something because you have
been doing it for a long time / rất giỏi, có năng lực trong việc nào đấy
Example: She is a past master at cooking omelets.
• Gentle: [adjective] mild in temperament or behavior; kind or tender / nhẹ nhàng, dịu
dàng
Example: She was a gentle person who retained a well balanced perspective on life
throughout her long years.
• Engage in: [verb] participate in, get involved in something / tham gia, tham dự
Example: I'd be happy to engage in a discussion about the value of advertising.
• Meet up with: [verb phrase] hang out with, spend time with other people / gặp gỡ, làm
quen với những người bạn mới
Example: Travelling abroad is a golden opportunity to meet up with people of different
cultures.
• Bring somebody great pleasure: [verb] to make someone happy / mang lại niềm vui
cho ai đó
Example: The new policy on tax reduction brings residents great pleasure.
• Obese: [adjective] being grossly fat or overweight / bệnh béo phì
Example: Children are becoming alarmingly more obese in developed countries.
• Sit glued to the screens: [expression] spending too much time watching TV or playing
computers / ngồi dán mắt vào màn hình
Example: Children nowadays often spend their free time sitting glued to the screens.
• Discipline: [verb] train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behavior / rèn luyện, đưa
vào kỉ luật
Example: Physical punishment is not the most effective way to discipline children.
• Get somebody into shape: [expression] keep fit / lấy lại vóc dáng
Example: I do regular exercise in order to get myself into shape.
• Lead a healthy life: [expression] in good condition, living a healthy lifestyle / ở trong
tình trạng sức khỏe tốt; ăn uống, vui chơi lành mạnh
Example: Avoiding eating fast food enables people to lead a healthy life.
• Minimize the risk of: [expression] avoiding a dangerous situation / làm giảm nguy cơ,
giảm thiểu rủi ro
Example: Giving disadvantaged children a chance to go to school is an effective way to
minimize the risk of them committing crimes.
• Diabetes: [noun] a metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce any or
enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood / bệnh tiểu đường
Example: Obese people are likely to suffer from illnesses such as cancer, heart disease,
diabetes and asthma.
• Eye-related problems: [noun phrase] diseases relating to eyes / bệnh về mắt
Example: Playing computer games too much increases the risk of getting eye-related
problems.
• Extend life expectancy: [expression] be able to live longer, prolong the life span / kéo
dài tuổi thọ
Example: Advanced biological sciences enable people to extend their life expectancy.
• Refresh our mind: [expression] taking a break to relax and recharge energy / làm cho
đầu óc tỉnh táo, thư giãn
Example: Hanging out with friends at weekends is a common way to refresh our mind in
order to focus on daily demanding tasks.
• Be in favor of: [expression] on the side of; in support of / thích cái gì, ủng hộ cái gì
Example: Residents are in favor of the tax reduction policy.
• Reach one’s fitness goal: [expression] be able to have a healthy body by working out
Example: People have to work hard in order to reach their fitness goals. / có được thân hình
khỏe mạnh như mục tiêu đã đề ra
• Be given to: [expression] be likely to do something / có khuynh hướng làm gì,
nghiêng về cái gì
Example: Mysister is given to shopping at malls where there is a greater choice of products.
19. Birds
1. How do you feel about birds? (why do you feel that way?)
I have to say I’m a bird-lover. It’s primarily because birds are absolutely beautiful creatures
with sweet songs. Watching them fly can evoke a feeling of freedom for me.
2. How do Vietnamese people feel about birds?

Well, it’s difficult to generalize. Some people are fond of keeping birds. Some only like to eat
them. And some develop a keen interest in taking pictures of birds.
3. Are there many birds near your home?

No. Birds are now a rare sight in my neighborhood or elsewhere in Hanoi center. I guess
because there’re too many skyscrapers and the environment is heavily polluted. You’re more
likely to find them in zoos, national parks, unpolluted cities or in the countryside.
4. Have you seen many different kinds of birds? (near your home)
No, I haven’t unfortunately. I have only seen some sparrows play on my balcony, but very
rarely. When I was still living in my hometown, a small village on the outskirts of Hanoi, I
spotted a variety of birds like pigeons, red-whiskered bulbuls, and spotted doves.
Vocabulary
1. lover [noun]: (often in compounds) a person who likes or enjoys a particular thing (người
yêu thích)
Eg: He was a devoted animal lover, and had a large number of pets at home.
2. primarily [adverb]: mainly (chủ yếu)
Eg: It was the first book of poetry primarily designed for children.
3. creature [noun]: a living thing, real or imaginary, that can move around, such as an animal
(sinh vật, loài vật)
Eg: Dogs are more social creatures than cats.
4. evoke something [verb]: to bring a feeling, a memory or an image into your mind (gợi lên)
Eg: The music evoked memories of her youth.
5. generalize [verb]: to use a particular set of facts or ideas in order to form an opinion that is
considered valid for a different situation (khái quát hoá)
Eg: It would be foolish to generalize from a single example.
6. interest (in somebody/something) [noun]: the feeling that you have when you want to
know or learn more about somebody/something (sự quan tâm; sự thích thú)
Eg: He showed a polite interest in her story.
 develop a keen interest in something: hình thành sở thích về điều gì
7. rare [adjective]: not done, seen, happening, etc. very often (hiếm; ít có)
Eg: It’s extremely rare for it to be this hot in April.
8. sight [noun]: a thing that you see or can see (cảnh, cảnh tượng)
Eg: The eagle is now a rare sight in this country.
9. skyscraper [noun]: a very tall building in a city (nhà chọc trời )
Eg: It's located in a square surrounded by towering skyscrapers.
10. national park [noun]: an area of land that is protected by the government for people to
visit because of its natural beauty and historical or scientific interest (vườn quốc gia)
Eg: The area was designated a national park because of the many rare creatures living there.
11. outskirts [noun]: the parts of a town or city that are furthest from the centre (vùng ngoại
ô)
Eg: We live on the outskirts of a big city and we take a bus to the centre.
12. spot [verb]: to see or notice a person or thing, especially suddenly or when it is not easy
to do so (nhận ra, phát hiện ra)
Eg: Can you spot the difference between these two pictures?
13. pigeon [noun]: a fat grey and white bird with short legs. Pigeons are common in cities and
also live in woods and fields where people shoot them for sport or food. (chim bồ câu)
Eg: A pigeon strutted along the roof, singing rhythmically.
14. Red-whiskered bulbul [noun]: a songbird found in Asia (chim chào mào)
Eg:The red-whiskered bulbul has white cheeks, brown back, and a long white-tipped tail.
15. spotted [adjective]: having a regular pattern of round dots on it (lốm đốm)
Eg: I received a black and white spotted dress as a gift from my father.
16. spotted dove [noun]: is a small and quite long-tailed pigeon which natively lives in the
Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia (chim cu gáy)
Eg: The spotted dove has a grey head and grey-brown neck and underparts.
20. Indoor games
1. Do you play any indoor games?
Honestly, there’s quite a wide range of indoor games that I’m particularly into. However, the
game that attracts me the most is Monopoly, which is a real estate trading game. This is
because monopoly not only provides me with hours of entertainment, but it also teaches me
valuable lessons on risk assessment, timing and diversification - all useful tools for investing
in the real world.
2. Do you prefer to play indoor games or outdoor games?
As a matter of fact, I prefer to engage in outdoor activities rather than staying inside. Playing
outdoor games keeps me physically active, which might prevent me from suffering from
diseases like obesity or diabetes later in life. In addition, participating in strenuous games
such as tennis and basketball is an effective way to get myself into shape and build up my
muscles and strength.
3. What indoor games did you play when you were a child?
Well, looking back on my childhood, I remember I spent most of my leisure time on board
games, puzzles and cards. I suppose the reason why I found these games appealing was that
they were so challenging that when I had achieved the goal, I mean when I had solved the
problem, I could feel an enormous sense of accomplishment. Seeing the tangible results of
mastering a new skill, hence, strengthened my confidence to take on the next challenge.
4. Is there any particular indoor game that you liked (when you were a child)?
To be honest, as a child, I was fairly enthusiastic about playing chess, which was possibly the
best known board game at the time. The reason why I was into this brain game might be that I
enjoyed the challenge of thinking ahead and trying to outwit my opponent. Also, although I
love winning, chess taught me to learn from my losses and to congratulate the person who
had beaten me.
5. What sorts of indoor games do children play now?

Well, it goes without saying that there’s fairly broad range of indoor activities, however, in
my estimation, kids nowadays are pretty keen on board games. I guess the explanation for
this could be that these games have an ability to stimulate children’s curiosity and creativity.
Besides, these kinds of games teach youngsters about the importance of following directions,
taking turns, and socializing with others – all essential skills for succeeding in school and life.
Vocabulary:
• Real estate: [noun] property consisting of land or buildings / bất động sản
Example:She has been in real estate for 11 years, buying and selling houses.
• Entertainment: [noun] the action of providing or being provided with amusement or
enjoyment / sự giải trí
Example: Everyone just sits in front of the TV for entertainment.
• Risk assessment: [noun phrase] a systematic process of evaluating the potential risks
that may be involved in a projected activity or undertaking / sự đánh giá rủi ro
Example: Risk assessments are very important as they form an integral part of a good
occupational health and safety management plan.
• Timing: [noun] the choice, judgment, or control of when something should be done /
quản lí thời gian
Example: One of the secrets of golf is good timing, so that you maintain a steady rhythm
when you hit the ball.
• Diversitification: [noun] the process of changing so that there is greater variety / sự đa
dạng hóa
Example: The company decided on a policy of diversification, producing a range of goods.
• Engage in: [verb] participate in, get involved in something / tham gia, tham dự
Example: I'd be happy to engage in a discussion about the value of advertising.
Suffer from: [verb] . To feel pain or distress; sustain injury or harm / mắc, bị (bệnh); trải qua
cái gì đó
Example: He suffers from asthma, and so he can only do gentle exercises.
• Obesity: [noun] the condition of being grossly fat or overweight / bệnh béo phì
Example: Obesity is becoming an alarming problem among children in developed countries.
• Diabetes: [noun] a metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce any or
enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood / bệnh tiểu đường
Example: Obese people are likely to suffer from illnesses such as cancer, heart disease,
diabetes and asthma.
• Strenuous: [adjective] requiring or using great exertion / đòi hỏi sự ráng sức, căng
thẳng
Example: All your muscles need more oxygen during strenuous exercise.
• Get somebody into shape: [expression] keep fit / lấy lại vóc dáng
Example: I do regular exercise in order to get myself into shape.
• Build up: [phrasal verb] to make something stronger than it was before / củng cố
Example: I have to build up my confidence before I take the exam again.
• Look back on: [phrasal verb] to think about something that happened in the past / nhớ
lại quá khứ
Example: It wasn't such a bad experience when I look back on it.
• Appealing: [adjective] attractive or interesting / lôi cuốn, hấp dẫn
Example: The rural life is somehow more appealing than my stressful life in the city.
• Achieve the goal: [expression] to accomplish a purpose / đạt được mục tiêu
Example: Having worked hard, he was finally able to achieve his goal.
• Enormous: [adjective] very large in size, quantity, or extent / khổng lồ, to lớn
Example: He did an enormous amount of revision and, as a result, he passed the exam.
• Tangible: [adjective] perceptible by touch / hữu hình, có thật, rõ ràng
Example: Maybe one day he will understand that there are real and tangible consequences of
making mistakes.
• Master a new skill: [expression] to be good at, excel at doing something / thành thạo
một kĩ năng mới
Example: With the help of her piano teacher, she mastered a new skill – the ability to read
music.
• Be enthusiastic about: [expression] like something, have passion for something /
thích, say mê cái gì
Example: I am enthusiastic about playing basketball, as it is the best way to have fun and
relieve stress.
• Think ahead: [phrasal verb]
to have thoughts about something that is to happen in the future / nghĩ trước về tương lai, đi
trước một bước
Example: We're already thinking ahead to what will happen after the accident.
• Outwit: [verb] deceive or defeat by greater ingenuity / đánh bại, qua mặt
Example: She had outwitted many an opponent.
• Opponent: [noun] someone who competes against or fights another in a contest, game,
or argument; a rival or adversary / đối thủ
Example: He beat his opponent by a landslide margin in the election.
• Congratulate:[verb] give (someone) one's good wishes when something special or
pleasant has happened to them / chúc mừng, khen ngợi
Example: I went into the living room to congratulate Bill on his marriage.
• Have an ability to: [expression] be able to / có thể, có khả năng làm gì
Example: A pig has an ability to eat an enormous amount of food.
• Stimulate: [verb] To rouse to action or increased activity; excite / khuyến khích, kích
thích
Example: The courses stimulate a passion for learning.
• Curiosity: [noun] a strong desire to know or learn something / sự tò mò
Example: I left the museum with a great curiosity to know more about dinosaurs .
• Youngster: [noun] a child, young person, or young animal / người trẻ tuổi
Example: Members are organising a transport survey to find out how youngsters get to
school.
21. Plans and goals

1. What is your plan for the future and when will you start?
I’m planning to start my own advertising agency when I’m in my third year at university. I’ve
been preparing this plan of mine ever since I was a high school student and I’ve raised nearly
enough capital now.
2. How do you intend to achieve that?
I’m working on raising capital, and I also need some partners to work on this project with me
– I’ve shared my plan with my friends and some of them seemed really interested in it. And
once I’ve got someone, we’ll take care of the rest together.
3. If you go abroad, do you plan to live in the countryside or in a big city? (Why?)
I’d prefer living in the countryside, mostly because I want to experience the tranquility there.
Another reason is because the traffic and air pollution in some big cities are almost
unbearable, and I seriously don’t want to get stuck with all the problems of city life.
Vocabulary:
✓ Agency [noun] (đại lí/môi giới) a business that represents one group of people when
dealing with another group
e.g. Mannya was representing a private legal consulting agency at the hearing.
✓ Capital [noun] (vốn) wealth in the form of money or other assets owned by a person
or organization or available for a purpose such as starting a company or investing
e.g. They all need capital to meet their needs for expansion and technical development.
✓ Tranquility [noun] (sự thanh bình) the quality or state of being tranquil; calm
e.g. The main reason people come to visit the countryside is because of its beauty and
tranquility.
✓ Unbearable [adjective] (không thể chịu đựng được) too unpleasant or painful to cope
with or accept
e.g. At night, the noise in the street is unbearable and I’m unable to sleep.
22. Weather
It’s freezing, oh my God… but luckily it hasn’t rained today. It was raining all last week… I
was soaked to the skin whenever I went out to go to work even though I was wearing a
raincoat, and the rain made it even colder!
It depends on the season, but most of the time it’s really hot in my hometown. And it’s been
getting hotter and hotter in recent years … maybe one big reason is because of global
warming.
(Similar to above)

I really like the fall, mainly because of its cool weather, which makes me feel really
comfortable and ready to go out any time of the day. The other seasons… well, summer’s too
hot, winter’s too cold and spring’s too humid.
Cool weather. It makes me feel really comfortable and ready to go out any time of the day.
Just imagine sitting in the park, reading a book in the sunshine with the wind gently blowing
through your hair. Isn’t that awesome?
I’ve never seen or touched snow before so instead of saying whether I like it or not, I would
say I’m really curious about it. I’ve been dying to see the snow falling since forever but
haven’t really got the chance to do so.
Rather than the weather forecasts shown on TV, I often look at the ones on my smartphone –
you know, there’re some applications that help predict the weather conditions for up to a
week!
Yes, of course. For example, I tend to get really lethargic and lazy in the winter, all because
of the cold weather. All I want to do is to get some nice sleep under my warm blanket and
never have to leave the comfort of my home, and this seriously affects my work and study
sometimes.
Vocabulary:
✓ Freezing [adjective] (lạnh ngắt) extremely cold
✓ Soaked to the skin [expression] (ướt nhẹp) extremely wet
✓ Be dying for/to do something [expression] (muốn làm gì đến chết đi được) to be
extremely eager to have or do something
✓ Lethargic [adjective] (mệt mỏi) without any energy or enthusiasm
23. Robots
1. Are you interested in robots? Why?
No, I’m not really keen on robots because I’m kind of a low-tech person. Also, a robot is a
luxury technological product that I have never been able to afford, so I don’t feel like I want
to know much about them.
2. Would you like robots to work in your home?
If I had a lot of money, I’d like to have a robot in my home. As I’m always occupied with my
work, I need a robot to help me do chores and prepare meals whenever I come home at night.
That’d be great!
3. Would you want to take a car where a robot is the driver?
No, I wouldn’t want a robot to drive my car. It would be too dangerous and risky for me to
take a drive with a robot. Because a robot is programmed by humans, I don’t think that it can
handle road incidents quickly and efficiently enough to ensure safety.
4. Will robots replace human beings in the workplace completely?
Well, I have to admit that robots play an important part in our modern life. However, they
will never completely replace the roles of humans at work as they are incapable of feeling
emotions and thinking deeply like humans. For example, in a conference, people have to
discuss problems in great detail before giving solutions and making decisions, but robots lack
the capacity to respond to all questions instantly and effectively.
Vocabulary:
1. low-tech (adjective) not using the most recent equipment or methods (nói về người biế t
ít về công nghê ̣)
Ex: It is low-tech economy without modern machinery or techniques.
2. luxury (adjective) very comfortable and expensive, which not everyone can afford (xa
xỉ)
Ex: They are staying in a luxury 5-star hotel in Paris.
3. afford (verb) to be able to buy or do something because you have enough money or time
(có đủ khả năng mua hay làm thứ gì)
Ex: I don't know how he can afford a new car on his salary.
4. do chores ( collocation) do housework (làm viê ̣c nhà)
Ex: I'll go shopping when I've done my chores.
4. handle (verb) to manage, deal with sth or sb (xử lý)
Ex: My wife handles all our household expenses.
6. incident (noun) an event that is either unpleasant or unusual (sự viê ̣c xả y ra bấ t ngờ )
Ex: A youth was seriously injured in a shooting incident on Saturday night.
7. to be incapable of verb + ing: be unable to do something (không có khả năng làm viê ̣c
gì)
Ex: He seems to be incapable of walking past a music shop without going in
and buyinganother CD.
8.capacity (noun) the ability to perform sth (năng lực)
Ex: Ask John to help us – he has a great capacity for hard work.
24. Names
1. Does your name have any particular meaning?
Let me see… Well I think it means “bright pearl” or “shining pearl”? I guess my parents
wanted me to become an intelligent and successful girl so they gave me this name.
2. What’s the origin of your name? (or, your surname)

It’s pretty lame really… Dad wanted to call me “Ngoc” or “Chi” back then but he couldn’t
decide which one, then one cousin of mine asked him whether I had a name and he just
blurted out “Minh Chau”. My cousin then spread the news about my name to everyone,
which was something Dad didn’t expect at all, and well, I am stuck with this name now.
3. Do you like your name?

At first no, because my friends often made fun of my name, like with some puns. But then I
gradually learnt to accept it, and now I can’t imagine having a different name from this one.
4. What do your friends call you?

My friends back in secondary and high school tended to call me “Cat” or “Fat Cat” because
of my nickname on social networks - well I love cats after all. University friends don’t really
give me any nicknames; they just call me “Chau”.
5. Did your family have a certain (nick) name that they called you when you were a
child?
Hmm… well, no? They just called me “Chau”. I think in some other families, parents would
give their children some kind of nick name but that’s not the case in my family.
6. What names are popular to give to babies in your country?

I think people tend to choose some names like Linh or Trang for girls – I don’t know the
actual meanings of those names though. For boys, the two most popular names, I think, are
Son, which means the mountain and Hieu, which means to show affection and respect
towards one’s parents.
Vocabulary:
✓ Lame [adjective] (vớ vẩn) unsurprising and dull

e.g. I found the programme pretty lame and not every informative.
✓ Blurt [verb] (thốt ra/buột miệng nói ra) say something suddenly and without careful
consideration
e.g. He blurts things out without even meaning it, yet, he doesn't apologize!
✓ Be stuck with sb/sth [expression] (mắc kẹt với cái gì) to have to deal with someone or
something unpleasant because you have no choice or because no one else wants to
e.g. We were stuck with him for the entire journey!
✓ Pun [noun] (chơi chữ) a humorous use of a word or phrase that has several meanings
or that sounds like another word
Contents
1. Describe your dream house/ apartment ...................................................................... 2
2. Describe a place you know where people go to listen to music .................................. 4
3. Describe an interesting person ........................................................................................ 6
4. Describe a traditional product of your country ............................................................. 8
5. Describe an item of furniture, either modern or traditional......................................... 11
6. Describe a person in history that impressed you. ............................................................. 12
7. Describe leisure facility you would like to have in your home town ........................... 16
8. Describe an activity you like to do to keep yourself healthy ...................................... 18
9. Describe a letter /email you received and that you liked. .......................................... 22
10. Describe an advertisement you have seen ........................................................... 23
Để update các bộ đề Speaking, Writing mới nhất. Các bạn click join group IELTS Ngoc Bach
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ieltsngocbach Page 1
Hi các bạn,
Mình gửi các bạn một số script gợi ý cho các đề thi mới ra trong bộ đề quý 3
(tháng 9 đến tháng 12) . Đây là những đề mình chọn lọc mới ra và khả năng rất
cao ra trong thời gian tới. Hy vọng sẽ có ích cho các bạn trong quá trình ôn tập
Để update thêm các bài viết mới trong bộ đề các bạn có thể join group IELTS
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Hoặc đơn giản hơn, các bạn muốn được tự động gửi mail update phần bài mẫu
(band 8.0~9.0) mình viết cho tất cả các đề thi 4 kỹ năng mới nhât quý 3, các bạn
có thể đăng ký bộ sách IELTS Ngoc Bach phiên bản quý 3/2017 ở đây:
http://ngocbach.com/chuyen_muc/view/70001902/Sach-IELTS-
Speaking%20Writing_Ngoc-Bach.html

-Ngọc Bách-
1. Describe your dream house/ apartment
I’m going to talk about my uncle’s house, which I first visited when I had just graduated. It is
a palatial house which is located near the city centre.
It is a splendid house with a lovely swimming pool and a huge garage in Tay Ho District, Ha
Noi. The land area is 300 sq.m with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a living room and modern
kitchen. I have to say that is naturally illuminated , with its floor-to-ceiling windows. The
walk out deck in the back yard offers a pleasant and quiet space for the family beside the
pool, while the downstairs family room is a great place for kids or adults to play or watch
movies. The house is spacious but still cosy because it is elaborately decorated with wooden
floors and antique furniture.
The most striking thing about the house is its gigantic fish tank wall. It’s extremely eye-
catching. Right from the moment you enter the living room, you can see this unique feature.
It’s full of saltwater fish. The tank is gorgeously framed in teak to match the woodwork of the
room. My uncle said that building an aquarium into a wall was always his dream, and he
made it reality. I felt like being one of his admirers after hearing those words because I was
still on my way to purchasing my own dream – an average apartment in the city centre. I
hope someday I can tell my nephew the same thing that my uncle told me.
Vocabulary
1. palatial [adjective] A palatial house is very large and beautiful (nguy nga, lộng lẫy)
Eg: The President lives in a palatial residence, with no less than 30 rooms.
2. splendid [adjective] excellent, or beautiful and impressive (tuyệt đẹp, tuyệt vời)
Eg: It is splendid to feel the wind blowing in my face and the lively movement of my horse.
3. illuminate [verb] to light something and make it brighter (chiếu sáng)
Eg: The streets were illuminated with strings of coloured lights.
4. floor-to-ceiling [adjective] used for describing things such as windows or pieces of
furniture that are the full height of a wall. (từ sàn đến trần)
Eg: A dramatic floor to ceiling stone fireplace is the focal point in this living room.
5. cosy [adjective] comfortable and pleasant, especially (of a building) because of being
small and warm (ấm cúng)
Eg: This small living room is nice and cosy in the winter.
6. elaborately [adverb] containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts (nhiều chi
tiết)
Eg: The dancers leading the procession were dressed elaborately in colorful costumes.
7. striking [adjective] interesting and unusual enough to attract attention (bắt mắt)
Eg: The hotel staff wore striking red and white uniforms.
8. eye-catching [adjective] very attractive or noticeable (bắt mắt)
Eg: She was very beautiful and the diamond ring on her finger was quite eye-catching.
9. unique [adjective] very special and unusual, often the only one of its type (độc đáo)
Eg: He has a unique talent for painting, so it is not surprising that he wants to be an artist.
10. gorgeously [adverb] in a very beautiful and attractive way (một cách tuyệt đẹp)
Eg: She was gorgeously dressed in the most fashionable designer clothes.
11. frame [verb] to put or make a frame or border around something (đóng khung)
Eg: I have framed my favourite photo of my parents and put it in my living room
2. Describe a place you know where people go to listen to music

Well, as a matter of fact, there are many/plenty of/numerous/countless places where people
could visit in order to be entertained by listening to music. In my opinion/ In my view, the
two most popular places of all are the opera houses and the performing arts theaters/centers.
Although these two places sometimes feature the same materials, I prefer going to the opera
house to paying a visit to the performing arts theater/center because I can listen to melodic
performances of my favourite music.
I happened to have a chance to visit the Saigon Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City once
when I was younger. I went there with my parents when they were celebrating their wedding
anniversary. It was one of my most unforgettable nights because I got a chance to see many
outstanding performances by wonderful artists. As far as I recall/remember, the music that
they sang there was quite different from the other kinds of music I had heard in my life. It
was a bit too loud for me at first, until I became attuned, but then it dawned on me that I
was getting emotional as I listened to them singing more. And later on I found out that this
genre is called opera. As I noticed, not many of the audience there are around my age, most
of them are about the same age as my parents, so I guess this kind of music isn’t popular
with/among teenagers/youngsters/the youth. Moreover, I think people who came there were
from all walks of life because the ticket price wasn’t too expensive, but they tended to dress
really well, therefore, I guess they also went there to celebrate their anniversary, go on a date
or merely enjoy a relaxing night after a long, hard day.
Although the performance didn’t last for long, I could say that it was one of my most
precious memories as, first of all, the music was so beautiful and touching, and second, that
place was out of this world. It was so elegant, modern, and organized, all of which gave me
the experience of being somewhere special, like staying in a 5-star hotel.
Vocabulary:
✓ As a matter of fact [expression]: used to add more details about what you have just
said
Eg: I knew him when we were in college – as a matter of fact we were on the same course.
✓ Opera house [noun]: a theater where operas are performed
Eg: The Sydney Opera House is famous all over the world.
✓ To pay a visit to [idiom]: to visit someone or something
Eg: Please pay a visit to our house whenever you are in town.
✓ Melodic [adjective]: something that sounds melodic sounds like music or has a
pleasant tune
Eg: In general, rock music is loud and not very melodic.
✓ Happen to do somehthing [expression]: if you happen to do something, you do it by
chance
Eg: I happened to see James in town, and we were very surprised to see each other.
✓ Outstanding [adjective]: extremely good
Eg: His performance was outstanding and everyone stood at the end to applaud him.
✓ Attuned [adjective]: familiar with something so that you can understand or recognize
it
Eg: Life at university seemed strange at first, until I became attuned to my new routine.
✓ To dawn on somebody [phrasal verb]: if a fact dawns on you, you realize it for the
first time
Eg: It dawned on me that he had been right all along.
✓ Genre [noun]: a particular type of art, writing, music etc.
Eg: Hollywood is always inventing new genres of film, usually including special effects and
violence.
✓ All walks of life [expression]: from different backgrounds
Eg: Our volunteers include people from all walks of life, rich and poor.
✓ Precious [adjective]: something that is precious is valuable and important.
Eg: We cannot afford to waste precious time.
✓ Out of this world [idiom]: extremely good or enjoyable
Eg: The graphics and sounds in this film are out of this world.
3. Describe an interesting person

Who he/she is
And explain why he or she is interesting
Today I’m going to tell you about about my lovely neighbor, whom I really adore and
respect. I live in a beautiful and peaceful street and most of my neighbors are kind,
benevolent and well-mannered. Among them, I would pick Mrs. Cam Nhung as the
loveliest neighbor I have ever met. She is a retired English teacher and she has
acquired a reputation as a very profound and dedicated teacher. Despite her
advanced years, she looks really young and is always full of energy.
She lives with her family next to our house. She moved into our neighborhood 5 -6
years ago and since then she has endeared herself to everybody living in the
community. What I find most appealing about her is her great personality. Although
she is not very wealthy, she always shows compassion for others, especially the poor
and the underprivileged. She has opened a free English class for orphans in the hope
of giving them more opportunities to follow academic education.
Another of her lovely traits is definitely her positivity. She always looks on the bright
side of the problem even when it comes to her own misfortunes. Therefore, whenever
I feel discouraged, I go to her house and seek her advice. She usually greets me with
an irresistible home-baked cake or an encouraging piano song, from which I derive a
great deal of pleasure. I have learnt many useful things from her, not only in everyday
things, but also in attitudes to life.
To me, she is not just a normal neighbor, but a person for whom I feel a sense of
empathy, despite the gap between our ages. Being with her gives me a sense of
security and I really owe a lot of gratitude to this person.
VOCABULARY:
1. (to) RESPECT [verb]: to have a good opinion of sth/sb, to admire sb/sth.
Eg: She has always been honest with me, and I respect her for that.
2. PEACEFUL [adjective]: not involving a war, violence or argument.
Eg: They hope for a peaceful settlement (sự dàn xếp) of the dispute (cuộc cãi vả)
3. BENEVOLENT [adjective]: kind, helpful and generous
Eg: Nhien has a benevolent attitude, which is her most distinct trait.
4. WELL-MANNERED [adjective]: having good manners, courteous
Eg: Minh was educated carefully, which is the reason why he is always well-
mannered.
5. REPUTATION [noun]: the opinion people have about sth
Eg: Hoa soon established a reputation as a first-class (đẳng cấp) cook.
6. PROFOUND [adjective]: showing great knowledge or understanding
Eg: This profound book is worth reading – you will learn a lot from it.
7. DEDICATED [adjective]: working hard at sth because it is very important to you.
Eg: Ngoc is one of the most dedicated employees in this company.
8. (to) ENDEAR [verb]: sb/yourself TO sb else: make sb/yourself loved.
Eg: Their policies (chính sách) on taxation did not endear themselves to voters.
9. WEALTHY [adjective]: having a lot of money, possessions ( tài s ải), etc.
Eg: Most top footballers in the world are fabulously wealthy.
10. THE UNDERPRIVILEGED [noun]: people having less money and fewer
opportunities than most people in society.
Eg: The underprivileged in most nations are subject to suffer great inequality (s ự
bất bình đẳng).
11. ORPHAN [noun]: a child whose parents are dead.
Eg: Mike was an orphan and lived with his uncle
12. MISFORTUNE [noun]: bad luck
Eg: Misfortunes in life are unavoidable, and each of us has to confront (đ ối mặt với)
them in order to be more mature (trưởng thành)
13. DISCOURAGED [adjective]: feeling less confident of less enthusiastic (nhi ệt
tình) about sth
Eg: Don’t be discouraged by the first failure – try, try and try again!
14. (to) SEEK ONE’S ADVICE [verb]: ask sb for an opinion or suggestion about what sb
should do
Eg: We were told to seek legal advice from a well-known lawyer.
15. IRRESISTIBLE [adjective]: so strong that it cannot be stopped or resisted
Eg: On such a hot day, the chance to swim in the sea is irresistible.
16. (to) DERIVE [verb]: sth FROM sth: get sth from sth
Eg: Huy derives great satisfaction (sự thỏa mãn) from painting.
17. ATTITUDE [noun]: the way you feel and think about sth.
Eg: Happiness depends largely on one’s attitude to life, so always be positive.
18. EMPATHY [noun]: the ability to understand the emotions or situations of other people
Eg: Motivated by their feelings of empathy, many people donated money to the earthquake
victims.
19. A SENSE OF SECURITY [noun]: the state of feeling certain, safe.
Eg: The presence of surveillance cameras in the shopping mall gives me a sense of security.
20. (to) OWE GRATITUDE TO SB [v]: feel grateful( biết ơn) and want to express your
thanks to sb
Eg: First and foremost, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my parents and teachers for my
success in the exams.
4. Describe a traditional product of your country
Today I am going to elaborate on one of the most crucial plants in Vietnam: the rice plant.
While I have been familiar with rice grains ever since I was a preschooler, only when I
reached fourth grade did I learn about the rice plant in general science. It is unforgettable how
fascinated I was to discover how such a slender plant could produce so many rice grains that
provide our population with a healthy diet. Rice is considered the most popular and
important national food, therefore, it can be spotted over almost all the deltas of the country.
The rice plant is crucial to Vietnamese communities in various ways. Rice has become
indispensable in Vietnamese meals since as far back as anyone can remember. It can be said
that once you are Vietnamese, you will eat rice for most of your life, and it seems that we are
so used to eating rice that our digestive systems would not cope without it. The cultivation of
the rice plant also has an enormous influence on our culture. As rice has long been grown
since ancient times, there are various traditions and worshiping ceremonies connected to
people’s wish for a plentiful rice harvest, and these still exist till the present day. The country
farming life is also responsible for shaping our simplicity and calmness in our personalities
and lifestyle. Taking economic contribution into consideration, rice is even more
important as millions of Vietnamese citizens earn their living by means of rice cultivation.
As a matter of fact, rice is Vietnam’s leading export, which brings about huge annual
revenues for the government. This stems from the fact that by making the most of the
abundant cheap labour force as well as the favourable climate, our rice always gains a
competitive edge over other nations. It cannot be denied that the rice plant plays an integral
part in our county’s development.
Vocabulary
Từ vựng trong chủ để Business and Money
1. Revenue
Meaning: the money that a government receives from taxes or which a company receives
from its business
Example: The tax revenues of the government have fallen as a result of the economic crisis.
Dịch đại ý
Revenue: Lợi nhuận
Nghĩa: Tiền mà chính phủ nhận được từ việc đóng thuế hoặc tiền mà công ty có được từ việc
kinh doanh.
Ví dụ: Khoản thu từ thuế của chính phủ giảm xuống do khủng hoảng kinh tế.
2. To earn a living
Meaning: to earn money
Example: I used to earn a living as a teacher, but now I sell used cars.
Dịch đại ý
To earn a living: kiếm sống
Nghĩa: kiếm tiền trang trải cuộc sống
Ví dụ: Tôi từng kiếm sống bằng nghề giáo viên, nhưng giờ thì tôi đi bán ô tô cũ, đã qua sử
dụng.
3. To gain a competitive edge
Meaning: to achieve an advantage over another company or organization, often by providing
the same goods or services at a lower price
Example: The high quality of VW cars, combined with their affordable price, has enabled the
company to gain a competitive edge over all its rivals in world markets.
Dịch đại ý
To gain a competitive edge: có được lợi thế cạnh tranh
Nghĩa: đạt được lợi thế hơn công ty hay tổ chức khác, thường do cung cáp dịch vụ hay sản
phẩm tương tự với giá thành thấp hơn.
Ví dụ: Chất lượng cao của những chiếc ô tô Volks Swagen, cùng với giá cả hợp lý đã khiến
công ty có lợi thế cạnh tranh hơn tất cả đối thủ trên thị trường thế giới.
4. To take something into consideration/ account
Meaning: to consider or remember something when judging a situation
Example: No business will succeed if it fails to take the needs of customers into
account/into consideration.
Dịch đại ý
To take something into consideration/account: xem xét cái gì
Nghĩa: xem xét hay nhớ tới cái gì khi đánh giá 1 vấn đề, 1 tình huống
Ví dụ: Việc kinh doanh không thể thành công nếu như không xem xét đến nhu cầu của khách
hàng.
5. To make the most of something
Meaning: to make something appear as good as possible; to exploit something; to get as
much out of something as is possible.
Example: They designed the advertisements to make the most of the product's features.
Dịch đại ý
To make the most of something: tận dụng cái gì
Nghĩa: tạo ra cái gì một cách tốt nhất cái gì hoặc khai thác cái gì một cách triệt để.
Ví dụ: Họ thiết kế những quảng cáo có thể khai thác tối đa các đặc trưng của sản phẩm.
Từ vựng trong chủ để Environment
1. To stem from
Meaning: to be caused by
Example: Scientists say that global warming partly stems from the increase in car exhaust
emissions.
Dịch đại ý
To stem from: bắt nguồn từ
Nghĩa: được tạo ra bởi cái gì
Ví dụ: Các nhà khoa học cho rằng sự nóng lên toàn cầu 1 phần bắt nguồn từ lượng khí thải
của xe ô tô tăng lên.
Từ vựng trong chủ để Food and Diet
1. To provide someone with a healthy diet
Meaning: to give someone a diet which is healthy
Example: Rice is a vital ingredient in providing the population of Vietnam with a healthy
diet.
Các từ vựng khác:
1. Preschooler [n] : A child in nursery school. (trẻ em mẫu giáo)
Ex: By the time I was a preschooler, I had learned to count to 100.
Nghĩa : trẻ mẫu giáo
VD : Từ khi tôi còn là trẻ mẫu giáo, tôi đã học đếm đến 100 rồi.
2. Elaborate on [v] = explain about (giải thích kĩ hơn về cái gì)
Ex : Can you elaborate more on the company’s policy ?
Nghĩa : Giải thích về điều gì
VD : Anh có thể giải thích thêm về chính sách của công ti được không ?
3. Indispensable [adj] : too important to be without (không thể thiếu)
Eg : A good dictionary is indispensable for learning a foreign language.
Nghĩa : không thể thiếu
VD : Một cuốn từ điển tốt là không thể thiếu đối với việc học ngoại ngữ.
4. Digestive system [n] : all the organs that are involved in the process of digesting
food. (hệ tiêu hóa)
Eg : Eating food rich in fibre is good for your digestive system.
Nghĩa : hệ tiêu hóa
VD : Ăn thức ăn giàu chất xơ thì tốt cho hệ tiêu hóa của bạn.
5. Describe an item of furniture, either modern or traditional.
I’m going to describe my night lamp, which I was given to me by one of my best friends on
my 15th birthday.
It is a medium-sized plastic lamp, maybe twice or three times the size of a teddy bear. It is
shaped like a panda, with the socket hidden at the bottom of the lamp and the switch seated
neatly on its head. And there’s a battery holder beside the socket, so you can always use the
battery if you cannot find an outside electrical socket to plug it in.
It was the very first time I’d been given a night light. I’d never used this type of lamp before,
so I felt really excited on receiving it. And grateful too, really. My friend who gave me this
told me that I had really serious dark circles under my eyes and she was so worried that she
decided to get me this lamp so, you know, I could sleep better. And you know what, it
actually worked! The lamp gives out a nice cozy yellow light, and I am able to really sleep
soundly with it on.
I’ve been sleeping with this lamp beside my bed every night since the day I received it, and
this cute little thing is one of my treasures. I plan to have it with me for a long time, so I’m
trying to keep it in the best possible condition, as it seems like they are not making them any
more; I seriously cannot find another similar model anywhere!
Vocabulary:
✓ night lamp = night light [noun] (đèn ngủ) a lamp kept burning during the light,
especially in a bedroom
e.g. I think buying this night lamp/light will complete our bedroom; it looks so perfect!
✓ shape [verb] to make something into a particular shape
Eg. The new football stadium is shaped like a dome.
✓ socket [noun] (ổ cắm điện) the part of a piece of equipment, especially electrical
equipment, into which another part fits
e.g. He has forgotten to plug the television into the mains socket.
✓ battery holder [noun] (ổ pin) one or more compartments or chambers for holding a
battery
e.g. You can find many types of battery holders for your machine in this shop.
✓ dark circle [noun] (quầng thâm dưới mắt) blemishes around or under the eyes,
caused by lack of sleep, hereditary or allergy-related.
e.g. She has really serious dark circles. I even thought I had seen a panda!
✓ sleep soundly [expression] (ngủ ngon) sleep very well
e.g. You will sleep soundly if you get plenty of exercise during the day.
6. Describe a person in history that impressed you.
Among a host of historical figures, the one that strikes me as the most impressive must be
Nelson Mandela. I first read about him in a history textbook and was deeply touched by his
untiring perseverance.
Born in 1918, Nelson Mandela is a politician and philanthropist who devoted his lifetime to
campaign for the eradication of apartheid. In South Africa, apartheid was a system that
segregated and discriminated against people of different races. The policy of separate
development benefited only the whites in terms of educational opportunities and decent
social services, which led to countless public outcries for a revolution. Initially, the
movements were brutally suppressed by the army. Nelson Mandela, who started as an
activist, played a critical role in the abolition of apartheid, leading campaigns and inspiring
people to fight for justice. Even though he was imprisoned for 27 years, Nelson Mandela
continued his mission right after he was released. His efforts were rewarded: after fierce
struggles and continuous negotiations, apartheid laws were permanently repealed. People
were no longer treated on the grounds of a colour bar. Numerous positive socio-economic
changes also came along. Nelson Mandela was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 in
recognition of his endeavors to unify South Africa.
The life of Nelson Mandela has taught me a profound lesson: “It always seems impossible
until it’s done”. Overcoming all the ostensibly insurmountable obstacles, Nelson Mandela
proved that as long as you persist in pursuing your goal, you will definitely achieve it.
Vocabulary
Các từ thuộc chủ đề Society:
1. segregate somebody (from somebody)
Meaning: to separate people of different races, religions or sexes and treat them in a different
way
Example: Although society no longer tolerates the policy of segregating whites from blacks,
many people of different origins live in their own separate communities.
Dịch đại ý
Segregate somebody (from somebody): cô lập một ai đó
Nghĩa: tách biệt người thuộc chủng tộc khác, có tôn giáo khác hoặc giới tính khác và cư xử
với họ một cách khác biệt
Ví dụ: Mặc dù xã hội không còn chấp nhận các chính sách tách biệt người da đen với người
da trắng, rất nhiều người có nguồn gốc khác sống trong cộng đồng riêng của họ.
2. to discriminate (on the grounds of something)
Meaning: to treat one person or group worse/better than another in an unfair way
Example: It is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of race, sex or religion.
Dịch đại ý
To discriminate (on the grounds of something): phân biệt (do sự khác biệt nào đó)
Nghĩa: đối xử không công bằng với một người hoặc một nhóm người tồi tệ hơn/ tốt hơn
người/nhóm người khác
Ví dụ: Phân biệt chủng tộc, giới tính, hoặc tôn giáo là phạm pháp
3. social services
Meaning: a system that is organized by the government to help people who have financial or
family problems; the department or the people who provide this help
Example: Governments should assist poor families through the provision of adequate social
services.
Dịch đại ý
Social services: cơ quan dịch vụ xã hội
Nghĩa: Một hệ thống được lập ra bởi chính phủ để giúp đỡ những người gặp khó khăn về tài
chính và gia đình; cơ quan xã hội hoặc những người làm việc ở đó.
Ví dụ: Chính phủ nên hỗ trợ các hộ gia đình nghèo thông qua việc thiết lập đầy đủ các cơ
quan dịch vụ xã hội.
4. an outcry (at/over/against something)
Meaning: a reaction of anger or strong protest shown by people in public
Example: The new tax provoked a public outcry.
Dịch đại ý
An outcry(at/over/against something): sự phản đối kịch liệt, sự la ó
Nghĩa: phản ứng tức giận hoặc phản đối mạnh mẽ bởi đám đông trong xã hội
Ví dụ: Thuế mới đã tạo lên làn sóng phản đối trong cộng đồng
5. colour bar
Meaning: a social system which does not allow black people the same rights as white people
Example: South Africa’s colour bar made marriages between different races illegal.
Dịch đại ý
Colour bar: Rào cản màu da
Nghĩa: một luật lệ xã hội không cho phép người da màu có quyền ngang bằng với người da
trắng
Ví dụ: Luật rào cản màu da của Nam Phi khiến cho việc kết hôn giữa các chủng tộc là bất
hợp pháp
6. socio-economic changes
Meaning: changes relating to the society and economy of a country
Example: Mass migration to cities is a result of socio-economic changes that include the
industrialisation of agriculture.
Dịch đại ý
Socio-economic changes: các thay đổi về xã hội kinh tế
Nghĩa: Các thay đổi liên quan về xã hội và kinh tế của một quốc gia
Ví dụ: Luồng di dân lớn về các thành phố là hệ quả của các thay đổi kinh tế xã hội bao gồm
cả việc hiện đại hóa nông nghiệp
Các từ thuộc chủ đề Government

1. to campaign for
Meaning: to take part in a series of activities in order to achieve a specific aim
Example: People who are concerned about the environment should campaign for stricter
controls on pollution.
Các từ khác:
1. historical figure (noun) nhân vật lịch sử
Meaning: a person connected with the past
Eg: Ho Chi Minh is probably the most well-known historical figure in Vietnam
2. perseverance (noun) sự nghị lực, quyết tâm
Meaning: the quality of trying to achieve a particular aim, despite difficulties
Eg: This challenging task can only be finished with extreme perseverance.
3. philanthropist (noun): nhà bác ái
Meaning: a rich person who helps the poor and those in need, especially by giving money
Eg: Donations and help from philanthropists have greatly improved living standard in third-
world countries.
4. to segregate (verb):
Meaning: to separate people of different races, religions or genders and treat them in a
different way
Eg: Whites and blacks were segregated into different parts of the town.
5. activist (noun):
Meaning: a person who works to achieve political or social aims, usually as part of an
organization
Eg: Animal rights activists invaded the laboratory and released all the animals.
6. abolition (noun):
Meaning: the ending of a law, a system or an institution
Eg: The protesters are demanding the abolition of the death penalty in the country.
7. to repeal (verb):
Meaning: to end a law, so that it no longer exists officially
Eg: The government has repealed the laws which prohibit divorce.
8. endeavour (noun) sự cố gắng, nỗ lực
Meaning: an attempt to do something, especially something new or difficult
Eg: His endeavours in studying resulted in much better grades.
9. profound (adj):
Meaning: very great, felt or experienced very strongly
Eg: He had a profound shock when he read of his father’s death in the newspaper.
10. ostensibly (adv) tưởng như, dường như
Meaning: according to what seems to be true or real, when this may not actually be true or
real
Eg: The ostensibly complex question is actually very simple.
7. Describe leisure facility you would like to have in your home town
(adapt từ bài A library you have been to)
Today I would like to talk about the one facility I would like my home town to have. It is the
librabry- inspired by the National Library, my usual weekend hideaway in Hanoi. Located in
the city centre, the two-storey building has made itself a welcome contrast to concrete
jungles. In terms of its exterior decoration, library visitors would feel comfortable at the sight
of its rustic simplicity with reddish-brown bricks and mortar. Once inside, people can be
awestruck by its state-of-the-art facilities. The bottom half provides computers with free
Internet access and E-books if people prefer to conduct further online research. The top half
is occupied by stacks of books, newspapers, periodicals and other reading materials where
visitors can dig deep into every field. At the weekend, I prefer to be engrossed in classic
novels and develop my literary appreciation. Over the time, I switched my focus to various
genres to broaden my horizons. Personally speaking, the highlight of the library was its
unique tranquility which was really thought-provoking to readers. However, as it is the sole
shelter for bookworms in the city, its frequent state of overcrowding allows little room to
enjoy it at the weekend. It’s a shame that students back in my home town don’t have the
access to such a valuable soucre of materials and a place to relax whenever they want to
spend some time in solitude.
Vocabulary
Từ vựng thuộc chủ đề Reading:
broaden one’s literary horizons [v] (mở mang hiểu biết văn học): to widen the limit of your
desires, knowledge, or interests by reading widely
Eg: Schools should broaden the literary horizons of pupils by encouraging them to read in
class and at home.
to dig deep (into something) [v] (đào sâu tìm hiểu về cái gì): to search thoroughly for
information
Eg: : Computer technology has enabled authorities to dig deep into all kinds of personal
records relating to ordinary citizens.
to be engrossed in sth [v] (mê mải vào cái gì): to be completely focused on something
Eg: A good work-life balance is important, because if people are too engrossed in their work
their family life may suffer.
literary appreciation [n] (cảm thụ văn học): pleasure that you have when your recognize and
enjoy the qualities of a good piece of writing
Eg: Although a literary genius like Shakespeare is rare, it is important for governments to
subsidise creative writing classes for all ages.
Các từ khác:
hideaway [n] (nơi ẩn nấp bình yên): a place where you can go to hide or to be alone
Eg: He escaped to his hideaway in the country at weekends.
concrete jungle [n] (tổ hợp nhà cao tầng): a way of describing a city or an area that is
unpleasant because it has many large modern buildings and no trees or parks
bricks and mortar [n] (những tòa nhà): buildings, when you are thinking of them in
connection with how much they cost to build or how much they are worth; housing, when it
is considered as an investment.
Eg: Bricks and mortar are a sound investment.
awestruck [adj] (bất ngờ): feeling very impressed by something
Eg: People were awestruck by the pictures the satellite sent back to Earth.
state-of-the-art [adj] (hiện đại): using the most modern or advanced techniques or methods;
as good as they can be at the present time
Eg: The Physics Department has state-of-the-art facilities; what with the computer and
projector.
tranquility [n] (sự bình yên): the state of being quiet and peaceful
Eg: The tranquility of the country brings peace of mind to us.
thought-provoking [adj] (đáng suy ngẫm, kích thích tư duy): making people think seriously
about a particular subject or issue.
Eg: Romeo and Julliet is a brilliant and thought-provoking play.
8. Describe an activity you like to do to keep yourself healthy

Sample 1
My favorite outdoor activity is jogging. It’s a kind of running at a slow or leisurely pace that
helps to build up your physical fitness.
I much prefer to go jogging in open spaces like parks or lakesides. There, you can enjoy fresh
air and watch people doing various types of physical activity such as running, aerobic
exercises, playing badminton, and so on.
I normally go jogging in the morning with my close friend either at weekends, or in the
afternoon, after a tiring schoolday. We often chat together while we’re jogging, sharing with
each other stories about school or sometimes discussing stuff that is going viral on the
Internet.
I love jogging because it’s beneficial to our health, that goes without saying, and it does not
require as much stamina as fast running . Moreover, unlike other forms of exercise, jogging
is quite easy to do and it allows me to watch people and things as I pass by. I think it’s really
relaxing and inspiring to see the world around us, watching everyone keeping active doing
their own thing and feeling part of it all when I’m out jogging.
VOCABULARY
✓ at a slow /leisurely pace (với nhịp độ chậm rãi) [expression] at a slow speed/
unhurriedly
Example: You can even read at a leisurely pace, as these books have no due dates and can
be returned at any time.
✓ build up [phrasal verb] make somebody stronger and fitter
Example: I am training to build up my fitness for the race.
✓ physical fitness (thể chât) [n] general state of health and well-being
Example: Researchers have suggested that physical fitness may play a key role in improving
the brain health and academic performance of youngsters.
✓ various (nhiều)[a] many/ several different
Example: She spoke to various members of the club.
✓ stuff [n] items or products in general – informal – without specifying what they are
Example: The shop sells i-pads, laptops and stuff like that.
✓ go viral (lan truyền ) [idiom] spread quickly and widely among Internet users
Example: “Gangnam Style” is a video that went viral several years ago, even though most of
us don’t understand a word of it.
✓ beneficial(có lợi)[a] helpful, useful
Example: The improvement in sales figure had a beneficial influence on the company as a
whole.
✓ goes without saying( không cần phải nói ) [idiom] be generally accepted or
understood
Example: It goes without saying that you will improve your skills with practice.
✓ require (yêu cầu)[v] need (something)
Example: Skiing at 80 miles per hour requires total concentration.
✓ stamina [n] physical or mental strength that enables you to do something difficult for
a long period of time
Example: You need a lot of stamina to run a marathon.
✓ doing their own thing [expression] following their own interests, without worrying
about what other people think
Example: When young people leave home to live abroad, they enjoy doing their own thing,
because they have more freedom to follow their interests.
Sample 2
Staying in good shape is everyone’s concern and I am no exception. To be honest, I have
been so caught up in my study since I entered university that I have a problem in
organizing my daily routine. However, I have been participating in a yoga class for about 2
years, which takes me only 1 hour a day, to try to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Unlike dancing or running, yoga definitely involves stretching actions. You might look at
yoga and think that it is light and easy but it is more demanding than it appears. Yoga allows
me to work on all the parts of my body. It can burn a lot of calories in just one hour of
training. Also, it enhances my flexibility and suppleness in every single movement.
What I enjoy the most about yoga is meditation. It is all about regulating your breathing
and helping you take things off your mind easily. Another thing is that doing yoga is
supposed to be good for curing headaches and digestion-related problems, so it benefits not
only physical well-being but also mental health.
By maintaining a schedule of taking part in the yoga class on a daily basis, I feel extremely
relaxed and full of energy after the class. It helps me to keep fit and refresh my mind after
a long stressful day. And of course, I don’t see myself stopping practicing this activity any
time soon.
VOCABULARY
✓ in good shape: [expression] the good physical condition of someone.
Example: For a man of his age, he is in good shape.
✓ caught up: [phrasal verb] completely involved in something.
Example: He was so caught up in the TV program, that he forgot to do his homework.
✓ stretching actions: [noun] actions which make your muscles stronger by exercises in
which you extend your arms and legs.
Example: When I get up in the morning, I do some stretching actions to exercise the
muscles in my arms.
✓ demanding: [adjective] needing a lot of effort.
Example: The work of a farmer is physically very demanding.
✓ work on: [phrasal verb] try hard to improve something, or how something functions.
Example: She works on her yoga skills by practising the exercises every day.
✓ burn a lot of calories: [expression] use up a lot of energy [that comes from the food
we eat].
Example: One reason why people do exercise is to burn a lot of calories and lose weight.
✓ flexibility: [noun] the ability to move and bend your body easily.
Example: Regular exercise helps older people to maintain their flexibility, especially by
stretching their muscles.
✓ suppleness: [noun] the ability to move and bend your body into different positions –
it is a synonym for flexibility.
Example: Different yoga movements develop suppleness in different muscles.
✓ meditation: [noun] thinking deeply in silence, to make you feel calm.
Example: To help you to relax, try meditation after a stressful day at work.
✓ regulating your breathing: [expression] controlling the way in which you breathe in
and out.
Example: An important part of learning how to swim is regulating your breathing.
✓ take things off your mind: [expression] forget things which are causing you anxiety
or stress.
Example: After an exam, I usually have a short holiday, to take things off my mind and
enjoy myself.
✓ cure: [verb] make an illness go away.
Example: The website advertises a new drug for curing AIDS.
✓ digestion: [noun] the process of changing the food you eat into substances that the
body can use.
Example: Unlike cows or horses, the digestion of grass is impossible for humans.
✓ well-being: [noun] general health and happiness.
Example: The company tries to ensure the well-being of its employees by providing good
working conditions.
✓ schedule: [noun] a plan that lists all the things that you have to do and when you
must do them.
Example: For the next few days, I have a busy schedule, which includes my yoga class each
morning.
✓ I don’t see myself stopping: [expression] I don’t think that I will stop.
Example: I don’t see myself stopping working in the next 10 years because I have to
support my family.
✓ any time soon: [expression] in the near future, soon.
Example: I should receive the exam results any time soon – perhaps tomorrow.
9. Describe a letter /email you received and that you liked.
Today I’m going to talk about an unforgettable letter that was sent to me a month ago. It was
from my dear sister, who was attending a prestigious university in Porto, Portugal. She sent
me this hand-written while she was enjoying a trip around Europe during her mid-term break.
In her letter, she said that each country she had visited gave her a lasting impression. While
Portugal never failed to deliver a sense of tranquility, Holland amazed her with breath-
taking scenes and its varieties of tulip flowers and wind turbines. Additionally, she was
charmed by Paris’s glory and romanticism, and she was so excited because her dream to see
the Eiffel Tower was finally accomplished. The weather there was also very nice, and the
exquisite cuisines of Western countries completely satisfied her appetite. With the assistance
of numerous images her description was more vivid, which gave me further insight into
foreign nations.
I derived a lot of pleasure from this letter because this is the first time I got the chance to
know more about her life in another country since she left our home. For one thing, it is a real
relief to know that she could integrate well into an exotic environment and still achieve a
high level of academic performance. This would benefit her personal development and
career advancement in the future. For another, by going to many popular countries, she has
partly fulfilled her burning ambition to travel around the world. This letter will act as an
incentive to make me study with more diligence to be as successful as her.
VOCABULARY:
1. unforgettable [adj]: you cannot forget it: không thể quên được
Eg: The cham pionshi p will be an unforget t abl e event in his career.
2. give a lasting impression [expression]: give sb an unforgettable feeling of sth/sb
: gây ấn tượng mạnh mẽ, sâu sắc
Eg: Her perfect performance gave the judges a lasting impression.
3. tranquillity [n]: the state of peacefulness : sự yên bình
Eg: The countryside is always full of tranquillity.
4. breath-taking [adj]: very exciting or impressive : vô cùng đẹp mắt
Eg: From here you can see the breath-taking view of the mountains.
5. glory [n]: great beauty : sự hoa lê
Eg: The city was spread out beneath us in all its glory.
6. (to) accomplish [v]: to succeed in doing or completing sth : hoàn thành
Eg: The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished.
7. cuisine [n]: a style of cooking in a certain place : nền ẩm thực
Eg: This country is noted for its excellent and diverse cuisine
8. appetite [n]: physical desire for food : khẩu vị
Eg: He suffered from a headache and a loss of appetite.
9. vivid [adj]: producing very clear memories in your mind : sống động, chân thực
Eg: He gave a vivid account of his life as a fire fighter.
10. (to) integrate [v]: into/with sth: to become or make sb accepted as a member of a
social group : hòa nhập
Eg: They have not made any effort to integrate into the local community.
11. career advancement [expression]: development in jobs : thăng tiến trong sự nghiệp
Eg: Lifelong learning is essential to career advancement.
12. diligence [n]: careful and thorough work or effort: sự cần mẫn
Eg: This shows great diligence in her schoolwork.
10. Describe an advertisement you have seen

Today I’m going to tell you about an advertisement I’ve seen recently. It was actually a
commercial to promote iPhone 7, the latest smartphone manufactured by Apple – the well-
known technology giant. The ad was broadcasted prior to the launching of the product in
order to provoke curiosity among consumers, especially loyal users of the brand.
The advertisement didn’t convey any meaningful message but was rather designed to
highlight all the updated features of iPhone 7 compared to previous models in the series.
Besides, the commercial wasn’t directed towards any specific age group or gender, so the
target audience was quite large. As soon as the commercial was aired, the news about the
new product immediately made front page headlines and became the leading article of
many technology websites, magazines and online. Since Apple was already one of the most
reputable technology companies with a high level of brand awareness, it didn’t take much
time for the publicity to circulate. The advertisement generated a craze for iPhone 7,
everyone was talking about it on the Internet. People were eager to see how the latest model
would differ from earlier ones as well as to compare it with the latest smartphones of other
respected brands such as Samsung or Sony.
As for me, I thought it was a little plain and lacked creativity the first time I saw the ad, since
it only focused on the updated features. Later, I found the ad to have a certain feeling of
elegance to it, simple and straightforward but it was still able to attract an incredible
number of consumers. I have to admit that I was a little swayed by the advertisement,
even though I’m a Samsung fan.
Vocabulary
1. Promote [v] (quảng bá, quảng cáo): to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or
support something
Example: Advertising companies are always having to think up new ways to promote
products.
2. To be manufactured by [expression] (được sản xuất bởi): to be created, produced
(by someone, by a company, etc)
Example: All iPhones, iPads and iPods are manufactured by Apple.
3. Technology giant [expression] (“người khổng lồ công nghê”, chỉ một công ty có danh
tiếng trong lĩnh vực công nghệ): a leading and very large technology corporation
Example: Samsung, Apple and Sony are three of the biggest technology giants. Their
products are of high quality and are very wide-ranging.
4. The launching of a product [phrase, noun] (việc ra mắt sản phẩm mới): the introduction
of a new product
=> to launch a product [phrase, verb]: to introduce a new product
Example: Companies have recognised that the services of the marketing industry are essential
to launch a new product successfully.
5. A loyal user [noun phrase] (người dùng trung thành): someone who has been using a
product of a certain company for a long time
Example: My boyfriend is a loyal user of Apple. Almost all of his electronic devices are
products of Apple.
6. To convey a message [phrase] (truyền tải thông điệp): To convey information or feelings
means to cause them to be known or understood by someone.
Example: The newest promotional video for UNICEF’s campaign conveys a meaningful
message of child protection.
7. To highlight [verb] (nhấn mạnh) to emphasize something, so that people pay more
attention to it
Example: Nike highlighted the quality of its trainers by using the Olympic gold medal
winner Ussain Bolt to promote the product.
8. Target audience [noun phrase] (khách hàng/khán giả mục tiêu): consumers whom
businesses aim at when selling their products
Example: Companies which sell soft drinks, like Coca Cola, aim mainly at a target audience
of children and adolescents.
9. To make front page headlines [phrase] (trở thành tin tiêu đề): to be an important item of
news in the newspapers, on radio or TV.
Example: It seems that every insignificant event in the lives of celebrities makes front page
headlines.
10. To become the leading article [phrase] (trở thành tin quan trọng nhất trong ngày): to
become a piece of writing which deals with the most important news item of the day.
Example: Newspapers in my country often have a leading article on some sensational crime
that has been committed.
11. Brand awareness [noun phrase] (độ nhận biết thương hiệu): the action of bringing the
name of a company to the attention of the public
Example: Advertising, not the quality of the product, is responsible for creating brand
awareness among consumers, as can be seen by the success of market leaders such as Nike
or Coca Cola.
12. To generate a craze for something [phrase] (tạo nên một cơn sốt cho cái gì đó): to
create an enthusiastic interest in something that is shared by many people but that usually
does not last very long
Example: The catchy theme song in Điện máy xanh’s commercial generated a craze for its
goods.
13. To focus on something [phrase] (tập trung vào cái gì) to give attention to one particular
thing
Example: The commercial for orange juice focused on the health benefits of the product.
14. To attract consumers [phrase] (thu hút khách hàng): to appeal to buyers so that they
purchase a product
Example: It is common for brands to offer discounts occasionally to attract consumers.
15. To be swayed by the advertisement [phrase] (bị thuyết phục bởi quảng cáo): to be
influenced to buy things as a result of advertising
Example: If consumers were not easily swayed by advertisements, the advertising industry
would not exist.

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TỔNG HỢP 20 CHỦ ĐỀ SPEAKING PART 1 SẼ RA

THÁNG 5 – THÁNG 9/2017 BY NGOC BACH

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2. Is there any part of Vietnam where it doesn’t rain much? (Where?)

3. When (in what month/season) does it rain most in your hometown?

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1. Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown? (How?)

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2. Plans and goals

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4. What’s your favorite season? (Why?)

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1. omnipresent [adj]: present everywhere: có mặt khắp mọi nơi

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2. What’s the origin of your name? (or, your surname)

3. Do you like your name?

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4. What do your friends call you?

6. What names are popular to give to babies in your country?

 Lame [adjective] (vớ vẩn) unsurprising and dull

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Các từ thuộc chủ đề Family and Children

Các từ thuộc chủ đề Health:

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4. Newspapers and magazines

2. How do Vietnamese people feel about birds?

3. Are there many birds near your home?

Từ vựng chủ đề Crime and Punishment

1. Do you text someone if he doesn’t answer your phone?

3. Have you ever had difficulty replying?

4. How often do you send text messages?

2. social networking sites