1. Topic 1: The means of transport you like most.

If I have to decide which mean of transport I like most, it’ll be a car. Nowadays it is really necessary for me
and my family. Firstly, it is safer to drive a car than to ride a motorbike because in a car there are air bags,
seat belts, car alarm, etc, that prevent us from being injured if you have an accident. Driving a car at night
on a lonely road will safer than riding a motorbike. Secondly, you never have to think about the weather
(such a rain, sun, storm, and dark at night) when you drive. A car has air-conditioner which helps you to
avoid getting wet, dust… so it help to keep you healthy. In the third place, a car is comfortable and fast.
You can pretty much travel wherever you want whenever you want within your local area, without having
to worry about the departure times and delays of the public transport system. Furthermore, you will feel
comfortable and relaxed with the CD and DVD machines on the car. You can listen music and you have
pleasure of driving. When you are tired, you can stop the journey and rest. Finally, if you have just the one
car between you and your family, it can be possible to share the vehicle between all of the family members
thus providing everyone with a mode of transport at all times.
2. Topic 2: The most useful machine in the twentieth century.
Among the most useful inventions in the last century, I find the computer the most important because of
these reasons: First, when the computer is connected to the Internet, it is a good way of learning and getting
information. You can read newspapers on line and download lots of information from the web pages.
Besides, you can learn online as well. Second, computers is convenient because it helps you work faster by
typing, printing document and storing data if you want.Finally, computer is a good way to entertain with
many kinds of games and entertainments. There are a lot of games and on line activities like forum or
Facebook for you to share ideas and information with your friends. You can also listen to music or watch
movies if you like. In short, computers are really useful and important to my life and my work.
3. Topic 3: Your favorite leisure activity (for women).
I often cook when I have free time because cooking is a joyful and relaxing activity for me. First, cooking a
good meal brings happiness to my family. All the members in my family can gather around the table and
enjoy the food I cook and talk and share the joy with each others. Second, cooking is my favorite hobby
because I’m a woman. Cooking is one way to show my feminine character and to show my responsibility in
the family. Finally, cooking helps me reduce stress of everyday hard work and makes me relaxed. When I
cook, I can forget the problems that I have and just pay attention to the cooking. Maybe, after relaxing, I
feel much happier and I can solve my problem. In conclusion, cooking is my favorite activity when I have
free time.
4. Topic 4: The advantages of living in the countryside.
Living in the countryside is really good for your life because of these reasons: First, living in the country
can bring you a clean environment. The air is fresher and there are lots of trees, rice fields and rivers, you
can walk on the fields or along the rivers to enjoy the clean and fresh air there in the early morning. Second,
living in the countryside is cheaper than in the city because people there have lower income and don’t have
the habit of spending a lot of money. If you live in the country, you can save a lot of money. Finally, people
in the country are more friendly and opener than people in the city because they live near each other.
People live together in a small village so they can talk countryside can have festivals and you can join and
fell very happy. In conclusion, there are many benefits of living in the country.
5. Topic 5: The disadvantages of living in the city.
Many people find it difficult and unpleasant to live in the city because of these reasons: First, the air in the
city is getting more and polluted because the traffic is so heavy, the city roads are in bad conditions and the
population is really big. There are fewer and fewer trees, lakes and rivers. Second, the cost of living is
much higher than in the rural areas. People have to spend more money on food, drink, clothes and other
activities like traveling and entertainment, while the salary has not been much improved. Finally, life in the
city is more dangerous than in the countryside because of night clubs, discotheques, casinos… City people
are easily attracted by social evils such as drinking, drug or gambling, etc. So, there are more crimes
because some people don’t want to work but only want money to play. In short, living in the city has many
disadvantages so people have to struggle a lot to survive.
6. Topic 6: Talk about your weekend activities.
Weekend time is my favorite time in the week because I can enjoy myself and do many relaxing activities I
like. In the morning, after a relaxing breakfast, I often call some of my friends to ask them to go shopping
with me. We spend the whole morning going shopping and then have lunch in a restaurant in the center of
Hanoi. Then, I come back home for a nap. In the afternoon, I often go swimming with my neighbor if the
weather is hot. In winter I go jogging in the central park instead. I usually have dinner with my family
during weekend, so we can talk with each other and share our stories. After dinner, I sometime listen to
music or surf the net to chat with friends or check emails. I usually do not go to bed late because I will have
lots of work on Monday. In short, living in the city has many disadvantages so people have to struggle a lot
to survive.
7. Topic 7: Talk about on of your hobbies.
People may have different hobbies such as listening to music, watching T.V, dancing. playing games or
collecting things. My hobby is to read books.I enjoy reading many types of books, but my favorite is
detective. I like reading stories about Sherlock Holmes of author Conan Doyle. I often read books in the
evening after I finish preparing things for the next day’s work. When I have free time, I often go to
bookstores to look for new books. Once a week, I go to the city library to read there. I sometimes read
books on line if I cannot get hard copies of the books I want. Books help me relax a lot after days of hard
work. Thanks to books, I can broaden my knowledge and learn new things.
8. Topic 8: The most interesting place you have been to.
I have been to many places in Vietnam, but the most interesting place that I always remember is Da Nang,
the beautiful coastal city in Vietnam. It’s wonderful to me because of these reasons: First, the scenery in Da
Nang is ideal for us to go sunbathing. We can swim in the blue and clear sea water or do sunbathing on the
soft sand beach under the yellow and warm sunshine. The air is so fresh and pure. Second, the local sea
food are fresh, delicious but not expensive. For example, tourists can enjoy different kinds of seafood such
as crab, prawn, lobster, seashell, etc. Also, the people there are friendly, sociable and polite. Third, there are
many interesting activities to do beside playing football, tennis on the beach, building sandcastles on the
beach or watching the sunrise. For example, we can sail on a board trip to the Cu Lao Cham and watch the
mountain scenery on the way. Also, we may visit Ba Na Hill. For these reasons, Da Nang has always been
one of my favorite tourist attractions.
9. Topic 9: The importance of learning foreign languages.
Nowadays, it is very important to learn a foreign language because of these reasons: First, learning a foreign
language, English for example, helps us learn and get information about new things in the world. There are
a lot of books written in English, French, Chinese, etc. Second, it help us feel confident when we travel
abroad. We can talk very easily with people in other countries and learn a lot from them. We can use the
language to work and do business without an interpreter. Finally, though a foreign language we learn we
can learn more about the people of that country, we know a lot about their culture and society and customs
and traditions. We can become friends of many people so our life is more interesting. In short, when we
know a foreign language we can open a new to our world. Because of the benefits of learning foreign
languages, one should know at least one foreign language.
10. Topic 10: Ways to have a good health.
If you want to have good health, you should follow these pieces of advice: First, you should eat healthy
food: lots of fruits, vegetable, fish and drink enough water everyday to stay healthy. The Japanese eat a lot
of fish so they live very long. You should eat less meat and fat food because they may cause heart diseases
and increase the cholesterol level in your blood. Fruits and vegetables no only bring you lots of vitamins
and minerals but also help you have a better immune system. Second, you should exercise everyday by
choosing a suitable sport such as jogging, tennis, swimming, yoga, etc. They not only make you strong but
help you relax as well. So, it helps you keep fit and stay healthy. If you don’t have much time, you just
need to do morning exercises regularly. Finally, you need to have regular health check – up. If you have
some problems with your health, you should go to the doctor immediately before it gets more serious. You
should visit the doctor regularly in order to find out any diseases you may have, so that you have a better
chance to get rid of it. In short, if you take this advice, you will have a good health.
11. Topic 11: Talk about your favorite television program.
Among many programs and channels available on TV these days such as the current news programs, sport
programs, entertaining programs, educational programs and movie programs, etc, I like the program “the
World of Animals” most. This program is usually shown on VTV2 everyday at 8.30 in the evening. It often
lasts about 45 minutes. In this program, stories of the life of many animals in the world are told in a very
lively way. For example, people can watch films about monkeys, snakes, tigers, insects, birds, sea turtles,
sharks etc and even the penguins and the polar bears in the far North. While watching these films, I find the
everyday life activities and habits of these animals very interesting and full mysteries. In addition, I also
learn that it is very important to protect these animals and their living environments because they are part
of our valuable natural world. Watching this program makes me very well informed and relaxed after a day
of work.
12. Topic 12: Talk about your favorite sport.
These days, people are practicing many types of sport such as swimming, running, cycling, aerobics, tennis,
table tennis, badminton, golf and football, etc. My favorite sport is jogging. Jogging is a simple sport to
practice because you don’t need any special or expensive equipment like other sports. In fact you just need
a good pair of trainers for your self . The most suitable place for jogging is a park or somewhere around a
lake near your house. You can also jog on a field or in the forest if you are living in the countryside. For
me, I jog for about an hour in the afternoon everyday after work. I usually go jogging alone, but if possible
you can ask my family members, friends or neighbors to go with me. While we jog, we often talk and share
with each other about everyday life stories, so we feel that we can reduce our stress. After going jogging
each day, I feel that I am more relaxed and fit again after a long day of work.
13. Topic 13: Talk about one of your close friends.
I have had many friends so far, but Thanh Nga is one of my close friends. Nga is about 30 years old and is
now working a researcher at an institute in Hanoi. We met each other when we were in the secondary
school. During those days, we went to school together everyday, studied in the same class and shared with
each other all the joys and sorrow, so we have become close friends since then. My friend Nga is not very
tall, but pretty with long black hair and a nice smile. She is a very sincere, modest and helpful person. She
likes painting and painted many pictures. Also, I can still remember that Nga was very good at literature
and foreign languages. We often meet each other when we have time. When we are very busy, we often
talk to each other on the phone or we chat on the Internet. Whenever we meet, we often go to see other
friends, go shopping or sit in a quite place to have coffee. We talk about our life and share with each other
our good news or problems and see if we can help each other. Nga is really a good friend of mine, a friend
for life.
14. Topic 14: Talk about your house/flat.
I live in a house in Hanoi. The house is in a small and quiet street in Cau Giay district of Hanoi. It takes
about half an hour to go to the city center. The house was built 5 years ago. It isn’t a big house and has two
floors. In my house there are 4 main rooms: a living room, a dining rooms, two bedrooms. Besides, we
have a kitchen, a bathroom and a toilet. We have a little but pretty garden; my family often spend our free
time there to grow plant and vegetables. Next to the garden there is a small yard where my children often
play after school. In my house, I like the living room is my favorite one. This room was painted light green,
so we feel very pleasant. In this room, there is a tea table, a sofa and a television. On the wall there is a
couple of oil paintings. After dinner, our family often spend time together talking to each other or watching
a favorite TV program. We often receive our guests in this room. I love my house. Everyday when I come
back home from work, I have a warm feeling of being together with my whole family.
15. Topic 15: Talk about your job.
I am now working as a senior engineer in a company in Hanoi. My company name is ABC Company. I
have had this job for more than 10 years. In my job, I am in charge of managing our department’s activities
such as research development, technical supervision and maintenance, etc. Besides, we also need to
corporate our work with other departments in the company in order to run the company’s business
smoothly. To do this job besides my university degree, I have had many training classes in project
management, product development, marketing, etc…In addition, the skills required for this job are
communication, time management, teamwork and presentation skills, etc… I really like my job because I
am able to apply the knowledge and skills of the filed I studied in my work. In addition, I have a flexible
working time, so I can make full use of the time in the office and have time for research. Also, I am lucky
to work with a very active and supportive staff. One thing I don’t like about this job is that I often have to
travel, so I sometimes don’t have time for my family. I am planning to further my study to get a doctor
degree.
CODE 01
Part 1
1) What did you do on your last holiday?
-My most memorable holiday is the last one with my family/ friends/ colleagues in...... We did.../ played.../
ate.../ visited..... It was a good time for us to share the feelings, experience and understandings and improve
the relationship/ friendship among us.
2) Who do you prefer spending your holiday with? Relatives or friends?
-Spending holiday with the family makes me happy because I love my family. It’s a good chance for all
family members to be together, take care of one another and enjoy the cozy and close atmosphere.
3) Do you prefer going on holiday abroad?
-Of course, going abroad on holiday is really an excellent experience when we can see new things, meet
new people and know more about another culture, habits and customs of different nations. Moreover, it’s
also a good time to learn a language, make new friends and improve communication.
4) How many hours a day do you watch television?
-Watching TV is my favorite pastime. I watch it whenever I have free time. I often watch three or four hours
a day.
5) Which programmes do you like?
-There are a lot of good programmes on TV these days and the one I like most is Discovery. This channel
provides me with interesting knowledge of the world. I never feel bored watching this programme.
6) Do you prefer watching television alone or with other people? Why?
-I prefer watching television with other people because we can not only share our feelings and
information, but also discuss together on what is watched on TV. Additionally, it’s a good time for us to
promote understandings and relationship among us.
Part 2: Situation
If you won the lottery of 1 billion VND, what would you do with the money?
- Buy a new house. - Start a business. - Deposit the money in the bank.
If I won a lottery of one billion dollars, I would start a business. Firstly, having my own business is my
dream. I want to make money by myself and to stand on my feet. If my business ran well, I could buy a
house, deposit money in the bank, do charity and other things.
Part 3 Topic: Online courses have changed the way people learn
- Provide new learning experience - Be more convenient to study - Be independent in learning
a) Provide new learning experience: Instead of going to school, college or university, people learn
anywhere via the Internet with a laptop. In traditional learning, the teacher teaches students particular
subjects in class on schedule. In contrast, with online courses learners can learn anytime, any subjects they
want. Instead of taking exams in the class, people can do online tests and get the results after they click
“submit” button without waiting for weeks.
b) Be more convenient to study: Learners do not have to go to class because they can stay at home or at
work, learn online with a cup of coffee. They can listen to the lectures again and again. They do not have to
meet teachers face-to-face to submit assignments or get feedback from them. All they need is a laptop
connected to the Internet.
c) Be independent in learning: When learners attend an online course, they must follow the rules and study
by themselves because there are no teachers in front of them to explain what the learners do not understand.
They do not have classmates to discuss together.
d) Your own ideas: Online courses are economical in terms of time, expense and physical effort. Learners
do not have to go to class so they do not have to spend time traveling from one place to another and
attending classes. They do not have to pay for transportation. Moreover, they listen to lectures whenever
they can, this makes their timetable flexible and they can do lots of things when learning.
Follow up questions:
1) What advice would you give someone on how to study English?
- There are many ways to learn English depending on learner’s conditions, interests and proficiency. The
best way is that you put yourself in an English speaking environment. You can listen to English songs, see
English films. Furthermore, communicating with a native speaker, participating in an English speaking club
are very good to improve your English as well.
2) Do you think being a student is the best time of your life? Why/ why not?
- In my opinion being a student is the best time of one’s life because we have an exciting, wonderful time
with friends at university. At that time, people are young, strong, carefree and eager to explore new
knowledge. They are willing to do voluntary work without thinking about themselves.
3) Should a student’s university education be free or should the student have to get a loan? Explain your
choice.
- In my view university education should be free for some specific majors, such as police, military
education because those are demanding jobs. People who are devoted to them may sacrifice their life to
defend the motherland. However, most fields in education should not be free. Students should understand
the value of their education in order to try harder. The money should be paid for training facilities,
materials, administration and education affairs.
CODE 02
Part 1
1) When is your birthday?
-I was born in (month/ year). My mother told me that it was a very hot/ cold day in summer/ winter. I was
the first child in my family so I got love and care from my grandparents, parents and relatives.
2) What do you usually do on your birthday?
-On my birthday, I often prepare a good meal and invite some close friends to my house for dinner. We eat
together and chat in a cosy atmosphere. -On my birthday, I often invite some close friends to a restaurant
for a small party. I blow off the candles on the birthday cake, and my friends wish me good luck, good
health and success. I get some gifts from them. Then we sing Happy Birthday song. We chat and enjoy
ourselves.
3) What is your favourite family celebration? Why?
- There are a lot of celebrations my family has; however, Lunar New Year celebration or Tet holiday is the
most special time not only for me, but also for Vietnamese people. We have much time together to prepare
for our holiday. We clean the house; decorate it with nice flowers and plants. At New Year’s Eve all family
members get together to enjoy traditional food and give the best wishes to everyone. Children and old
people receive lucky money.
That is my most preferable celebration.
4) What is the best way to travel in your town/city?
- In my opinion a bicycle is the best way to travel in my town. Firstly, the town is small and the streets are
narrow, so it is easy and convenient for a bicycle to move to every corner of the town. Secondly, it helps to
protect the environment and it’s cheap.
5) What is your favourite means of transportation?
-My favourite means of transportation is a motorbike, because it faster than a bicycle. It is not too big to
move in narrow streets, and it is not as expensive as a car to buy and drive, either.
6) Do you think people should use public transportation more? Why? Why not?
-In my view, public transportation should be used more for some reasons. Firstly, it is cheap and safe.
Secondly, it helps to reduce traffic jams and accidents. Thirdly, we can protect the environment when using
less private cars.
Part 2: Situation
You have just received a sum of money from your father as a birthday present. How would you use the
money?
- To buy a laptop for your study. - To buy a fashionable smart phone.- To save up for future.
a) If my father gives a sum of money as a birthday present, I will buy a new laptop for my study. The
reason is that it is really necessary for me to learn and work. It can help me to search for information,
documents and references. I can send and receive emails, messages from other people. Additionally, I can
relax with music and games, and read e-books with the laptop.
Part 3 Topic: Examinations are not necessary
- Time-consuming - Unfair - Costly - Your own ideas
a) Time-consuming: Examiners have to design, deliver and evaluate students through the test. Whereas,
students must revise their lessons, take the test and wait for the results.
b) Unfair: Examinations are not always truthful and the feedback about students’ study based on test results
sometimes invalid. Students sometimes cheat or copy other’s answers at examinations. If examiners lack
responsibilities, the test results will be invalid
c) Costly: A big sum of money has to be spent on preparation for the test regarding facilities, equipment,
materials, papers…. In addition, we should pay for administration, evaluation of the tests. Obviously,
students have to pay fees, which is a burden on their shoulders.
d) Your own ideas: Exams are still important. On the one hand, via examinations teachers/examiners can
evaluate students’ abilities so as to adjust teaching methods properly. On the other hand, students are aware
of their own abilities to have effective ways of learning.
Follow up questions:
1) Do you think schools are necessary? Why? Why not?
- In my opinion schools are necessary. Firstly, they are the place where students can get knowledge of all
fields and be educated. They are also the place where students can make friends, learn useful skills for their
life, such as communication skills, problem-solving skills, soft skills...Secondly, students can learn how to
behave and develop their personality in a good way when following the school rules
2) How do modern technologies change the way people study?
Modern technologies help people to study faster, more actively and effectively. People do not have to go to
class because they can stay at home or at work, learn online with a laptop connected to the Internet. They
can search for information and download documents from the Internet. Furthermore, it is possible for them
to listen to the lectures again and again. They do not have to meet teachers face-to face to submit
assignments or get feedback from them.
3) Do you think that traditional schools will disappear in the future because of the development of
modern technology?
I don’t think so. Traditional schools are always necessary, because they are the place where students can
learn not only knowledge, but also social lessons of how to behave and how to become good citizens.
Schools are the place for children to develop and improve their personalities.
CODE 03
Part 1
1) Do you like music? If yes, what kind of music do you like best? Why? If no, why not?
-I am interested in music because of its rhythm and lyrics. I feel relaxed when listening to music. Music is a
good way to nurture my soul and emotions.
2) What is the most popular kind of music in your country?
-Pop music is very popular in my country. It is said that it is the music of the young which makes people
love life more. It gives people more energy to live and work.
3) How is music good or not good for people?
-In my opinion, music is good for people. When you listen to music, you can feel your happiness or sadness
in the rhythm and lyrics. Moreover, music makes you relaxed and comfortable after a hard working day. A
joyful song can cheer you up and change your mood. It is the reason why when you are happy or in
troubles, music is always your good friend.
4) Did you learn English at secondary school?
-Yes, I did. English was a compulsory subject in my school. I knew that English was necessary for my
study and my future job
5) What do you think about how English is taught at school now?
-Now English is taught in a traditional way at school. It means that students learn grammar, vocabulary
and how to make correct sentences but not how to communicate in real life situations. English is considered
as a compulsory subject rather than an interest. As a result, most students are reluctant to learn English.
6) In what ways has children’s English much improved nowadays?
-These days children learn English from very young age. They start learning English at Kindergarten and
can access a lot of resources in English. They can listen to English songs, watch movies in English, and
participate in English speaking clubs to improve their language proficiency. Some parents send their
children abroad, so they have chances to live and study in an English speaking environment.
Part 2
An optional subject will be added to the curriculum for secondary students in your city. Three options
are suggested: - photography - swimming - dancing
If I have the right to choose an optional subject to add to the curriculum for secondary students in my city, a
swimming course is my first choice. In reality, Vietnamese students have a sedentary lifestyle and they
seldom do physical activities to make them strong. They study at school during the daytime and go to extra
classes in the evening. Whenever they have free time, they play games, see films or listen to music.
Additionally, according to some statistics, the main reason for the high rate of drowning deaths in Vietnam
is that children do not have swimming skills. Therefore, a swimming course is necessary for them in terms
of health and safety.
Part 3 Topic: It is good to learn about a culture when you learn a language.
- Language: the best means of culture - Better communication - Culture shocks - Your own ideas
a) Language - the best means of culture: A language is a system of grammar, meaning, sounds and written
symbols which are used by the people of a particular country or region for talking or writing; whereas,
cultures refer to social patterns of behaviors, beliefs, attitudes and values. We know more about a nation’s
culture via traditional lullabies, legends of folklore which are expressed by language. Language is the
medium to convey cultural values from generations to generations. Without a language (in oral or written
forms), people cannot express their ideas; therefore, cannot communicate and pass their cultural beliefs,
attitudes and values to descendant generations.
b) Better communication: As said, language is a system of grammar, meaning, sounds, and written symbols
that are standardized enough to be used by people to transmit information and ideas from one to one
another; whereas, communication is any form by which people exchange information and ideas. They can
use language, but they can also use gestures, facial expressions, signals, or any other medium to express
that information. However gestures, facial expressions and signals are not informative and expressive
enough to convey the information and ideas successfully. In that case, language is the best way to pass on
and discuss ideas or information.
c) Culture shocks: Culture shock is an experience a person may have when one moves to a cultural
environment which is different from his/ her own; it is also the personal disorientation, anxiety a person
may feel in unfamiliar surroundings. One of the most common causes of culture shocks involves individuals
in a strange environment, even in a foreign language course. Values, behaviours, and social customs we
routinely take for granted may no longer serve us in our new environment. By adapting to a foreign culture,
you can overcome your culture shock and develop relationships with those around you.
d) Your own ideas: Learning a new language is challenging for almost everyone. Sometimes you may feel
depressed when coping with lexicology, phonology and grammar....You may get shocks because of
differences between different cultures in eating, shopping, travelling habits etc. However, it gives you new
knowledge and experience of new cultures and peoples. Additionally, you may get a better job, have a
higher salary or promote in your career if you can speak a foreign language.
Follow up questions:
1) Do you think it’s good to understand other people’s cultures? Why?
-In my opinion, it’s great to understand other’s people’s cultures. If you know other’s culture, you may not
get cultural shocks when you communicate or have a transaction with them and you can avoid
embarrassing situations. Furthermore, understandings of different cultures enrich your knowledge and
experience, which make you more active and dynamic in real life.
2) What would you introduce first to a foreigner about the Vietnamese culture? -Vietnamese people have
different traditional songs, dances, festivals as well as historical monuments throughout the country to
introduce to foreign friends. However, if I had a chance, I would introduce “quan ho Bac Ninh”- a
traditional type of music originated in Bac Ninh province - to a foreigner who first visit Vietnam. It is
intangible cultural heritage which was recognized by UNESCO.
3) What would you like to learn about English-speaking cultures?
-There are a lot of thing I would like to know about English-speaking cultures, such as peoples, their
cultural values and heritage. Those understandings enrich my knowledge and experience, which make me
more knowledgeable, active and help me avoid embarrassing situations in real life.
CODE 04
Part 1:
1) Where do you usually go when you have spare time?
- I’m always busy with my work. However, when I have free time, I often go a coffee shop to relax with my
friends. Spending time with friends in a cozy atmosphere is my preferable enjoyment. There we can listen
to music, chat with them about our daily life and enjoy our favorite coffee with some snacks.
2) Are there many interesting places where you live for people to go at weekends?
- Yes, there are some nice places in my hometown to go, such as Coc lake, Museum of Ethnic Minorities,
ATK- capital of the resistance against French colonialists... Coc lake is an amazing place with artificial
caves and a large natural lake for adults and children to explore. Besides, Museum of Ethnic Minorities can
give visitors valuable understandings about lives of different ethnic groups in Vietnam. Historic lessons can
be gained from a visit to the resistance capital ATK.
3) In what way is café a great place for people to enjoy their free time?
- A cafe is an ideal place for people to relax and meet friends. It is the place where you can sit and chat
with your friends about everything in life when listening to favourite music. The cozy atmosphere at the
cafe can take you away from your worries. You can enjoy a cup of coffee while you are surfing on the
Internet. You are also able to negotiate with your partners at a cafe.
4) What subject did you like most when you were at school?
- When I was at school, I liked Maths most, but I was not every good at it. Maths is the father of most
sciences. Math helps people think logically. When you learn Math well, it is easier for you to learn subjects
like Chemistry, Physics and others. Maths is also necessary when you study at university.
5) Do you think English is a good subject for all students to learn at school? Why?
English is an international language in our modern world. Nowadays English is not only good, but also very
necessary for students at school. It enriches their knowledge of the world, gives them opportunities to
communicate with people of different cultures. If students can use English well, they are able to learn new
things, and work with foreign companies to get high salary. They can even have chances to go abroad to
work or study. In short, English provides them with a lot of opportunities to have a better future.
7) Do you think students are learning too many subjects at school now?
- Frankly speaking, Vietnamese students are learning too many subjects at school now. They have too many
lessons on too many subjects at school. They spend most of their time going to school or extra classes. As a
result, they don’t have enough time to relax and do physical exercising. Although each subject is important
in its own way, students don’t have to study all such subjects. They should have time to take part in
physical activities to keep fit and stay healthy.
Part 2: Situation
You are going to take your secondary students to a private cinema. Three options of movies are
suggested: - cartoon - action movie - detective movie
I think a detective movie will be the best choice. Secondary students are curious, they want to explore and
investigate everything. They try to guess and share ideas or comments on what they have seen. As a result,
they will be attracted to the detective movie. Moreover, it is also a good way for them to learn how to think
logically. A cartoon is no longer suitable for secondary students. On the other hand, an action movie has too
many violent scenes which may affect their behaviors.
Part 3: Topic: Punishment by teachers at school is good for students
- Obey teachers - Minimise misbehaviours - Concentrate better on study
Some people say punishment by teachers at school is necessary, others think that it may cause emotional
and mental suffering in children’s heart. In my opinion, punishment makes students obey teachers and
minimize misbehaviours, as well as concentrate more on their study. Teachers deal with 30 or more
students in each class, so students surely misbehave sometimes. It is the teacher’s job to make them obey
the discipline. If the teachers do nothing, then the children see no consequences for bad behaviours. As a
result, the classroom will be in disorder and confusion. However, punishment should always be fair and
appropriate so as students can see their faults and adjust themselves. There are many ways to punish a
child: writing an essay, doing more exercises, cleaning the classroom. The purpose is to educate students
with acceptable behaviours.
Follow up questions:
1) Do you think punishment by teachers to students at school should be encouraged?
- No, in any case, being punished is a negative experience for a child. It’s the reason why punishment
should be fair and in a suitable way. It is better if teachers inform parents about their children’s
misbehaviours and co-operate with the parents to educate their children.
2) Do all students obey their teachers whenever they receive punishment?
- No, it depends on each student’s character. There are many students who obey teachers, because they are
afraid of teachers and punishment. However, there are some students who are stubborn and difficult to
control. Teachers should know their students well enough to apply different ways to educate them.
3) What are the downsides of overuse of punishment at school?
- Overuse of punishment can lead to negative feelings and emotions in children. It may make them more
stubborn and restive. On the other hand, they can be afraid of going to school or keep doing bad things.
CODE 05
Part 1
1) Where do you come from?
- I come from ....and I lived here all my life. It’s a peaceful town in the North of Vietnam which is .....
kilometres from Hanoi. It has lots of green fields and mountains and hills.
2) Do you like living in... (candidate’s hometown)?
- Yes, I do. I love my hometown very much, because it is the place where I was born and grew up. This
place nurtures me to become a good citizen. There are a lot of wonderful things about my hometown, but
one of the best things is that the people here are honest, hard-working and friendly.
3) What is it famous for?
- My hometown is famous for tea. People often buy tea as presents when they visit Thai Nguyen. They say
the flavour of Thai Nguyen tea is unforgettable.
4) What is your job?
- I’m a worker/ an officer/ a teacher of maths/ English/ literature.... I really have to study very hard to
become a good worker/ officer/ teacher. I love my job and I’m proud of it very much.
5) How long have you been working as ......... (candidate’s job)?
- I’ve been working as a worker/ an officer/ a teacher for .... years since I graduated from college. I will
never change my job because it is a rewarding job which is highly respected by society.
6) Why do you like your job?
- I love my job because it is a rewarding job which is highly respected by society. I work with children of
different characters, which makes me happy and excited each day. Moreover, I have a good salary.
Part 2: Situation
Your school, college or workplace is organizing an Open Day. When visitors come to see and find out
about the place, people will be asked to help with various aspects of the event. There are three options
for you to choose: - A tour guide - A traffic instructor - A master of ceremony
I think being a tour guide will be the most suitable for me. I can speak English so I want to make use this
chance to practice English. Furthermore, as a citizen of the town, I know its history very well, so I can tell
visitors about the events which happened in the past. I can take them to the scenic spots of the town. Being
a traffic instructor is good; however, I am not healthy enough to stand out all the time showing ways for
people. Being a master of ceremony is great, but I am not confident enough to speak in front of the
audience.
Part 3: Topic: Smoking should be banned in public places
- Smoker’s health - Second-hand smoker’s health - Financial burden
a) Smoker’s health: Cigarette smoking causes a number of health problems for smokers. It is a major cause
of respiratory diseases such as asthma, lung cancer and bronchitis. It also leads to heart disease.
b) Second-hand smoker’s health: Smoking also affects the health of nonsmokers and unborn babies. Non-
smokers soften suffer from eye and nose irritations, allergies and headaches as a result of inhaling second-
hand smoke. There is also evidence to suggest that passive smoking may cause lung cancer. Smoking
during pregnancy can hinder to growth of the foetus and may even result in death.
c) Financial burden: Smoking is also a financial burden for smokers and non smokers. Firstly, cigarettes are
addictive because of nicotine they contain, so smokers have to pay a lot of money to buy them; Secondly,
the cost of medical treatment for the diseases caused by smoking is very high. As a consequence, non
smoking taxpayers have to pay for the health costs of smokers, which is unfair. d) Your own ideas:
Everyone knows that smoking is harmful to our health. However, we live in a democratic country where
everyone has the right to do whatever he likes within the laws, so we cannot ban smoking completely. We
are able to raise awareness about health problems when smoking, and prohibit smokers from smoking in
public places. We should have warnings and raise the price of all smoking products. This will help to
decrease smoking.
Follow up questions
1) Do you smoke?
- No, I don’t. I used to smoke when I was younger, but I gave it up some years ago. Smoking is very bad
for health so people should not smoke.
2) Why do many people want to smoke?
- Many people smoke because they want to reduce stress and focus on their work, especially people who
have to work at night or under pressure. Moreover, there is cocaine in cigarettes, so smoking can be
addicted easily.
3) What should you do to prevent smoking in public places
-Firstly, people should be given information and educated about bad consequences of smoking. Secondly,
we should have rules to ban smoking in public places, then we hang signs “No Smoking” there. Smokers
should pay a penalty if they break the rules.
CODE 6
Part 1
1) What do you like doing in your free time?
- I usually spend my time on reading books or listening to music.
2) Why do you like doing it?
- I like reading books and listening to music because I want to relax after working or just like a routine.
3) How much time do you spend doing that?
- I often read books and listen to music whenever I am free: on my way to my office, cooking or going to
bed. Sometimes, when I am unhappy I also read a book to make me feel better. My favourite book is ‘the
last leaf’, written by O’ Henry.
4) Do you like English?
- Yes, I do. I like English because it is an international language, it is spoken all over the world and I really
need it for my work in the future. Moreover, I can use English to communicate with foreigners from
different countries.
5) When did you start learning English?
- I started learning English when I was 10. In other word, I have learned English for over 16 years.
6) How do you improve your English?
- Well, I often use many methods to improve my English skills. The most effective way is watching films.
There are a lot of movies which are suitable for me to learn English. I usually watch American films with
English subtitle to enrich my vocabulary, my listening skill and my pronunciation. Besides, I also read
English magazines online or English short stories. I always choose kind of books, according to my hobby
because I cannot read books which I do not like.
Part II: Situation
Your family is making a plan for this weekend. There are THREE options for you to choose:
- Going to the cinema - Having meal in a restaurant - Going to the beach
Which plan do you think is the best choice for your family?
- This weekend I do not have free time, so I plan to have a dinner out with my family. My children love
hotpot, so I intend to have a chicken hotpot in a restaurant near the city centre. It is a famous restaurant and
we have to make a call to book a table before coming. Last week, we went to the cinema to watch ‘Kungfu
Panda 3’ so I am not going the movie this weekend. I can watch films on the Internet or TV at home with
my family. We are planning to go to the beach this summer when my children have a long holiday after a
school year.
Part III Topic: Describe a teacher who has influence you
- His/ her appearance - His/ her personality - His/ her influences
The teacher who influences me most is my former teacher in grade 10. Her name was Hong, she was 32,
and she looked quite younger than her age. She taught us Literature. My classmate and I loved her so much
because she taught very well, and she was very kind. We often shared our ideas and problems with her. She
rarely told our secrets to our parents but tried to talk to us and suggested ways to solve.
Follow up questions:
1) When did she/ he teach you?
- My teacher taught me when I was in grade 10 at high school. She taught me for three years until I
graduated.
2) Do you still in touch with him/ her?
- Yes, I do. I sometimes phone and talk to her, I want to know about her health and we recall all our
memories. She is retired now.
3) How often do you see him/ her?
- Sometimes, you know, I am very busy now with my family and my job, and now I live far from my
hometown, I really want to see her very often but I can only do this when I have a lot of time.
CODE 07
Part I:
1) When is the best time to come to your hometown? Why?
- The best time to come to my hometown is in the summer. You can go all over my country and my
hometown to visit the beautiful views, specially a lot of wonderful beaches.
2) What do you like best about your hometown?
- I like best about my hometown is the people, they are very honest, hardworking and friendly, and they can
help you whenever you need a hand. Besides I also like many interesting places and the traditional food…
3) Do you think your hometown is the best place to grow up? Why/ Why not?
- Yes, I do. I think my hometown is the best place to grow up because I usedto live there and I love it.
Moreover, the air here is fresh and the people-my neighbors are very helpful and friendly, the food is very
delicious. It is a good environment to grow up.
4) What does your best friend look like?
- My best friend is tall; she is beautiful, kind-hearted and has long black hair. Her name is Mai, she is thirty
years old, she works as a doctor in the hospital where is not far from my house.
5) How did you meet your best friend?
- I met her ten years ago. It was the first day of the beginning of term at university. We started talking and
became friends when we sat next to each other to wait for the formality proceeding.
6) In your opinion, what is the best quality of a good friend?
- The best quality of a good friend is loyalty and honesty. You can’t shareanything with a person who can
give up on you easily, and of course, you can’t trust anyone if you realize he or she is dishonest. This kind
of friend will give you the feeling of being unsafe.
Part II: Situation
Your friend is going to have his first date this weekend. He would like you to give advice on where to go.
There are THREE options for you to choose: - Restaurant /- Cinema / - Shopping malls
Which do you think is the best place for the first date?
- I think he should take his girlfriend to a restaurant to have a meal. They can talk and share the time while
having meal. There is a variety of places for him to choose. He should ask the girl about the dish she like
and pick her up. When they are having dinner, they could talk to know each other such as hobby, his or her
family, work or something like that. That is a amazing evening to move the next step in their relationship. If
they want to have a next date, going to the cinema or going to shopping malls will be better instead of the
first date.
Part III: Topic: Airplane is the best transport means to travel long distance
- Time-saving / - Save / - Comfortable / - Your own ideas
I think that airplane is the best means of transport to travel long distance for some reasons. Firstly, it is the
quickest way to travel. It takes you only 30 minutes to travel from Vinh city to Hanoi capital. The second
reason is that traveling by airplane is safe and comfortable. You will not be stuck into the traffic jam like
traveling by cars, you just need to sit and enjoy your journey.
Follow up questions:
1) Do you think airplane is the most important transport means of all time? Why/ why not?
- I think it is one of the most important means of transport of all time because it can save us a lot of time
and energy. If we want to travel thousands of miles, it may take you days or even weeks if you use trains or
cars and after such a long journey people are often exhausted and tiring. But it takes you just several how if
you choose travelling by plane.
2) Are there any disadvantages of traveling by airplane?
- You must follow the time table and the ticket is expensive. Besides, there can be some accident, and of
course, accidents for planes are very serious. Moreover, some people can suffer from jet-lag because of the
change of time.
3) What are some ways that airlines could improve the flying experience for passenger?
- They should give passengers the best services to enjoy their trip. For example, the flight attendants can
give passengers instructions to help them avoid all drawbacks as possible.
CODE 08
Part 1
1) What do you often do in your free time?
- It depends, when I have free time and I am feeling tired, I just want to stay at home, listen to some of my
favorite songs take a deep sleep. When I am feeling good, I often go out for a meal or do some shopping
with my friends.
2) Have your leisure time activities changed since you were a child?
- Yes, they have. When I was a child I often played rope-skipping and played marbles, I think these games
are still popular. Now I often play football, watch T.V, listen to music and sometimes play games on my
computer or on the Internet.
3) Do you prefer to spend you leisure time alone or with other people?Why?
- I prefer to spend my leisure time alone listening to music. I don’t want to join activities with other people
or requiring physical. But sometimes I go out to join some activities with other people such as: playing
fooball, watching T.V, shopping…
4) What kind of books do you like to read?
- I often read reference books, especially books about English grammar and other cultures beacuse they
help me have a wide knowledge and know a lot of news and information about the outside world. Reading
newspapers also makes me relaxed and comfortable. Besides, buying books is not very expensive.
5) Do you read the same kind of books now that you read 5 years ago?
- No, I don’t because 5 years ago I had much more free time than I have now so I often read romantic
novels because reading these kind of books takes a lot of time. Now when I have time I read science books
or newspapers... They help me enrich my knowledge and it is good for my job.
6) When do you think is the best time to read? Why?
- I think the best time to read is before going to bed because reading books makes us relaxed, comfortable
and forget a hard-working day then easy to fall asleep.
Part II:
Situation: Your parents’ wedding anniversary is coming. You and your sister are thinking of giving
them a great present. There are THREE options for you to choose:
- A wedding cake - A 5-day tour to the beach - An album of the whole family
Which do you think is the best present for their wedding anniversary?
- I will give my parents a three-day tour on the beach. My reason is very simple. My parents have always
loved the beach, and they love going there for a holiday but they haven’t made it because they are so busy
with their kids. I am sure that my gift will make them extremely happy and they will have the moments of
their life. Another reason is that a wedding cake can’t be kept for memory. And the family album is not
necessary because we have already had 2 of it.
Part III: Topic: Traditional festivals present important values
- Honor community strength - Improve spiritual life - Teach history and culture
Traditional festivals have many advantages. They show their strength in the relationship between people in
the community. Also, traditional festivals are good chances for children to learn and the adults to teach their
kids about history and culture, and these festivals help to improve people’s spiritual life.
Follow up questions
1) What local festival in your area or country would be the most interesting for a foreign guest, do you
think?
- The Flower festival in Da Lat is the most interesting one. Foreigners can enjoy hundreds of kings of
beautiful flowers with different lovely colours. Meanwhile, tourists can visit some of famous and romantic
places in this wonderful city, such as Love valley and Complaining Lake.
2) Do people nowaday appreciate public holidays like they did in the past?
- No, they don’t. People are busy with their work, so they rarely have time to appreciate public holidays
like in the past. Public holiday is just the time they are off work, they only consider it the chance to get
together drinking and eating, they don’t care much about celebrating the events.
3) What are some ways that the government should do to preserve traditional festivals?
- The government should preserve traditional festivals by giving information about them widely on TV, on
the Internet, etc, so all citizens will know about these festivals. Besides, the government should have rules
about making use of traditional festivals to earn money because this can damage the value of culture.
CODE 09
Part 1
1) Do you like social networks?
- Yes, I do because they can bring us many benefits in communication, education and business. Thanks to
the connection of social networks we can do these things faster and more effectively.
2) What kind of social networks are you using now? If yes, which social network are you using? Why?
- The social networks which I am using now are Facebook, Email, Chat voice…. Because they can bring
me many benefits : Social networks are good for people. They connect people and they help people to share
information and feelings. Social networks also help people to keep themselves updated.
3) What is your advice for social network users?
- My advice for social network users is using a suitable way of social network. If not, it will make us get
addicted.
4) How important is fashion to you?
- I think fashion is very important not only me but also everyone because it makes us more beautiful,
luxurious and elegant.
5) What sort of clothes do you prefer to wear?
- I often like wearing dresses. Sometimes I put on jeans and T-shirt because it makes me feel comfortable
and confident.
6) Do you ever have to wear things you don’t really like? If so, when, and why?
- Yes, I do. When I was a teacher at … high school. Other teachers and I had to wear long dress “ao dai”
during winter. Because the winter is very cold and “ ao dai” is very thin so that we must wear coat to cover
it. I looked very ugly and untidy, which made me lose the beauty of “ao dai”.
Part II: Situation: You were a lottery winner. You won one billion VND. There are THREE options for
you to choose:
- Put all in a bank to receive monthly interest
- Bought some valuable things such as a car, a house or a piece of land
- Gave some to a charity organization. Then, went traveling with your family or friends with the rest.
Which will you choose?
- If I won the lottery of 1 billion VND, I would deposit all the money in the bank to get the interest rate in
banks in Vietnam increases day by day. I can stay at home or do leisure work, and take some money from
the bank's interest. I can earn some money without doing anything from early morning to late night! It’s so
interesting!
Part III: Topic: How important are your friends to you?
- Share life - Help - Get together (have fun)
There’s an old saying “Tell me about your friend and I will tell you who you are”. And of course, nobody
can live without family and friends. Friends are these ones who you share everything in life, and the ones
who help you when you have troubles. Whenever you have ones you can confide in your friend and when
you do that you can reduce your stress and it can help you out of your problems with suitable solutions.
And you can have a lot of fun with your friends when you take part in outdoor activities or go to some
interesting places to stay and explore. Sometimes you can organize a party to create a chance to connect
everyone together and have fun.
Follow up questions:
1) Do you think you make friends easily? Why? / Why not?
- Well, I feel easy to make a new friend because I am a exalted person. But in my point of view, to have a
close friendship that is not easy.
2) What is the most important quality to you in a friend ?
- Personally, I think loyalty is the most important quality in a true friendship.
3) Do you sometimes get on with your friends better than with your family? Why?/ Why not?
- Yes, of course. When I get into trouble or when I am upset, I often talk to my best friends because they
could give me useful advice which my parents sometimes cannot understand and tell me what exactly I
should do.
CODE 10
Part 1
1) Which indoor games do you play regularly?
- I often play chess with my son and sometimes play game on internet.
2) Which indoor games are common in your hometown?
- Badminton is the most popular indoor sport in my hometown. It is the simple sport because it is easy to
play. It makes people healthy and funny. Most of the people love it very much.
3) Do you take part in any outdoor sports regularly? (Which?)
- Yes, I do. The outdoor sports which I regularly play is soccer.
4) How often do you do any exercise?
- I do exercise everyday in the early morning because it makes me feel stronger to start a new day.
5) Do you prefer to exercise alone or in a class? Why?
- I prefer to exercise in a class because when many people doing exercise makes me excited and doing
better.
6) What do you think is the best type of exercise? Why?
- I think the best type of exercise is yoga because both the old and the young can do. Yoga is very light and
easy to do. After doing yoga, people feel better and free in mind.
Part II:
Situation: You are invited to a new working place. You have decided to go. There are THREE reasons
that make you go:
- because you are paid much higher than the old working place
- because you are respected (needed) in a positive work environment with high salary
- because it’s simply that you’ll be paid higher and can do whatever you want in a competitive work
environment.
Which will you choose?
- I am an educated person and I am an expert in my field so I am going to get a new job in a new working
place where I will be paid higher and I can do whatever I want in a competitive work environment. People
just improve their skills when put in an active work environment. So I can create in work or give ideas to
develop my ability. In addition, I will devote all my knowledge to my working place.
Part III: Topic: Crimes are increasing in modern society? - Unemployment - DVD - TV programmes
In modern society, there are more and more crimes. Unemployment, DVDs, TV programmes and the lack
of education are the causes of crime. We can see crimes everyday on TV, on newspaper and they are
increasing seriously. Moreover, the crime is younger than before. They are not aware of their behavior and
have no responsibility for what they do. So the government should have better rules to reduce crimes.
Follow up questions:
1) What do you think are the causes of crime?
- People who are not well educated and are not taken care of often do crime.
2) Do DVDs and TV programmes about violent crime help to cause more crime? Why?/ Why not?
- They are sometimes the cause of more crime because people imitate things they watch from movies.
3) Is prison really the answer to crime? Why?
- Partly, prison is the answer to crime. Because the government bans the strict laws to reduce crime. But we
need to improve people’s awareness and have policy to decrease the rate of unemployment.
CODE 11
Let’s talk about rooms in your house
Which room in your house do you like best?
Well, I live in a small house which is about 2 kilometers from the city centre. There are 5 rooms in my
house including 2 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. My favourite room is a kitchen
because this is a place where I can meet all my family members to chat and talk, and about all things in life
during the meal. It’s also a good time for all the members of my family to share the feelings and improve
the better understanding.
What do you like doing there?
I like chatting with my family members in my kitchen. I think it’s a good chance for all members of my
family to be together and preserve the cozy and close atmosphere of the family. To be honest, I feel that I
have a highly motivated feeling with all my heart for my family.
Do you like having guests in your room? Why? Why not?
In my opinion, my own room is a personal space that I want to keep for myself so that I rarely invite guests
to my room except some special situations like sickness, injuries…
Now, let’s talk about sports
Do you play any sports?
You know, playing sports is very important to our life because it helps us to have good health and reduce
stress after work. Moreover, sports make us become more active and dynamic in our job and our life. Last
but not least, playing sports is considered as the best way to improve the good relationship with other
people. Recognizing the importances of sports, I often play badminton at my school after I finish my work
in the afternoon.
What sports do you enjoy watching?
There are many kinds of sports that are often shown on TV everyday, but my favourite is watching football
because it is the most popular sport all over the world and it is considered a King sport that is favored by
most people. This kind of sport praises the strength of community and honors the solidarity among the
members of the team. Finally, it is easy to play and suitable for both male and female.
PART 2
Situation: Some of your friends are visiting you this weekend. You would like to do something fun
with them. What will you do?
There are THREE options for you to choose:
- Cook a meal together in your apartment.
- Go to a local restaurant together.
- Take your friends out for sightseeing.
I am a quite good cook so whenever my friends visit me, they always want to enjoy the food I prepare.
Therefore I think we will cook a meal together in my apartment. Going to a local restaurant is also a good
choice, but my friends usually prefer to stay at home so that we have more time together while still save
money. I also like taking my friends out for sightseeing but the weather at this time of the year is not really
beautiful, therefore I think I will choose the first option.
PART 3: Topic: Things that affect people’s job satisfaction?
- Qualifications - Attitude to work - Relationship with colleagues
There are a lot of factors that affect people’s job satisfaction. The first factor is the qualifications workers
own. If they have to do something that they are not trained, it is difficult for them to do the job well.
Secondly is the attitude to work. If people can do the job they like, they will become dedicated to it and
always feel willing and happy. Another factor that affects people’s job satisfaction is the relationship with
colleagues. Once they have good working environment with helpful and friendly colleagues, people love
their jobs more. Last but not least, the working condition is also important in raising people’s job
satisfaction as I think every employee likes to work in modern office building with enough equipment to
support their job.
Follow-up questions:
Do you think companies should promote workers who are experienced?
Yes I think it’s a good idea to promote workers who are experienced because they better understand their
jobs and know how to deal with various situations.
Do you think that workers should change companies often? Why? Why not?
No I think workers should work in the same companies to contribute more efficiently. Changing jobs so
often usually makes people distracted and so not enough time to adapt.
What is better motivated for workers? Salary or working condition?
I think both salary and working condition are important and equally motivating. However, if I have to
choose which is better motivated, working condition is my preference because when I have a good working
condition, I can dedicate all my talents and ability for my job that brings me a lot of chances to earn much
money and get higher promotion.
CODE 12
Let’s talk about your reading habits
Do you enjoy reading? Why? Why not?
- Oh yes, I really love reading because it helps me not only widen my knowledge but also relax after a hard-
working day.
What types of books/magazines do you enjoy reading?
- I read many sorts of books. I am really interested in economical books because it’s really useful for my
presentation in my classroom. Moreover, when I want to relax I find a lot of novels, especially romantic
ones, bit of love with a happy ending.
Where do you prefer reading?
- Normally, everyone wants to go to library to enjoy reading because you know there are a lot of books
there, but I nearly always read at home, especially before I go to bed in order to concentrate on reading.
Now, let’s talk about your free time
What do you like doing in your free time?
- I do a lot of sport actually. I play volleyball mostly at the weekend with my local team. You know I work
quite hard at the moment, so I don’t get a lot of free time except the weekend.
Who do you enjoy spending your free time with?
- Certainly with my friends. You know I really hate to be alone so it’s good to hang out and meet friends or
play sport.
Where would you prefer spending your free time? Indoor or outdoor?
- It depends on my mood really. After hard working, I just want to get home and read a book or something
to relax but sometimes I like to go out and meet friends in the evening or play volleyball in a team at the
weekend.
Situation: You are about to study at university. Which of these is most important? There are THREE
options for you to choose: - Cost of the course - Reputation of the university - Distance from home
In my opinion cost of the course and distance from home are not as important as reputation of the university
because if I have a chance to study at a well-known university, I will have a lot of opportunities to get a
good job with high salary after graduation and I can afford to pay for tuition fee I get loan during the
university’s time. Moreover, I am an active and independent student, so the distance from home is not
important at all because it will challenge me and train me to become more confident and more dynamic to
deal with all the problems in my life.
PART 3: TOPIC: Difficulties for people living in cities
- Finding work - Finding accommodation - Travelling around
There are many difficulties for people living in cities. First, finding accommodation is hard because there
are many people in the city and the supply of housing is limited. Second, finding a good job in cities is not
easy, so you have to compete with many other people. Last, traveling around in cities is a big problem.
There are many cars, motorbikes, buses and people in the city streets, making traffic very bad. In
conclusion, you have to think carefully before you decide where you live.
Follow-up questions
Is it a good idea for universities to be located in big cities
It’s not a good idea for universities to be located in city centers. Traveling around in cities is a big problem.
There are many cars, motorbikes, buses and people in the city streets, making traffic very bad. So it’s not
convenient for students.
Why do young people want to live in a big city?
Many young people like to live in the city because they have more chance to find a good job and to have
better living condition
Do you think the quality of life in big cities will be better in the future?
Life in the city will be better in the future if we can solve the problems of pollution, traffic, and social evils.
CODE 13
Let’s talk about ways of relaxing
What do you do to relax?
- I usually stay at home to read some fantasy cartoon books or something or only sleep to relax after a hard
– working day.
Where do you want to go to relax?
- I and my friends always go to the cinema to enjoy new films at the weekends and after that we go to the
cafeteria and discuss about this films. You know, it’s really good way to relax.
Do you like relaxing on your own or with other people?
- It depends on my mood really. After hard working, I just want to get home and read a book or something
to relax but sometimes I like to go out and meet friends in the evening or play volleyball in a team at the
weekend.
Now, let’s talk about rooms at home
Which is the most important room in your house? - It’s definitely my living room.
What make it important?
- Because of some reasons following. Firstly, it’s the room which is decorated most beautifully in my
house. Secondly, it’s is the place where my family sit together to watch a TV after a long day. Thirdly,
when my friends come to see me, I can introduce to them a lot of family pictures with a lot of family events
in the living room
What do you do in the room?
- In my living room, I always watch TV with my family at the weekend evening. Moreover, it’s the place
where I and my sister help each other to play the piano.
Situation: Your university offers free courses for graduate students. Which would you choose? There
are THREE options for you to choose:
- A time-management course. - A public speaking course. - A team work course.
If I have a chance to join a free course that my university offers, a public speaking course and team work
course are not my choice because when I study at university, presenting a project in front of my classmates
and working in groups or teams are considered usual and regular tasks I have to perform, so they are very
interesting and good but it is not as necessary as a time management. I want to join this course because, to
me, time is the most important and valuable property that people often waste for useless activities. How to
manage and use the time effectively and efficiently during 24 hours is very necessary and if I can manage
the time suitably, I can do any things successfully and perfectly.
PART 3: TOPIC: Stressful things - Job security - Finances - Family life
There are a lot of things causing stress in life. Among those, the biggest burdens for many people are job
security, financial problem and family life. For most people especially the young, finding a permanent job
is not easy. Sometimes they like the job but the salary is not enough for their daily expense, sometimes
though the payment is good, they still decide to give up because it is too stressful or too dangerous. Finance
is also another big problem especially for married people as they need to earn enough to support their
family. Besides, family life sometimes causes stress when the members of the family can’t share the
feelings and emotions with each other and they don’t spend enough time to be together to do the same
things. Last but not least, people today are dealing with other stress in big cities like; pollution, traffic jam,
limited accomodation…..
What do you think is the best way to deal with stress?
There are many ways to reduce stress for people in modern society but I think the best way to deal with
stress is relaxing whenever you have free time.
Do you think life was easier in the past?
Yes, I do. Life in the past seems to be easier. People in the past seem to be happier with their life. They
don’t expect too much, so they do not suffer from stress.
Do you think people should take regular break during work hours?
Yes, I do. People should have some kind of regular breaks during working hours so that they have more
energy to work better later.
CODE 14
Let’s talk about films
Do you like films? - Oh yes, I really like watching movies especially cartoon movies.
What type of films do you like?
- As I said, I really like cartoon movies because it helps me to relax after working hard
Who do you enjoy watching films with?
- I always watching film with my children because they are interested in cartoon movies like me.
Now, let’s talk about mobile phones
Do you use a mobile phone? Yes, of course. It’s one of the most important equipment to me
What are the good points of mobile phones?
There are a lot of advantages of mobile phones. Firstly, it’s a good way to communicate with distant
people. Secondly, mobile phone is very useful because you can access the internet, check your email or
even listen to music or watch movie.
What are the bad points of mobile phones?
You know, nowadays there are a lot of people much depend on mobile phones. So I think it wastes a lot of
time phoning and messaging on mobile phones and many people are wasting much money buying
fashionable smart phone in order to satisfy their tendency’s demand or their interests. Moreover, the wave of
mobile phone, according to statistics, is not good for our health if we use it continuously and regularly.
Situation: A student wants to do a part-time job where he can practice his English. Which job would
be best for him? There are THREE options for you to choose:
- A job at a souvenir shop - A job at a travel agency - A job at a take-away shop
There are a lot of part time jobs for example student can work in a souvenir shop or a travel agency or a
take-away shop… However, if he wants to practice his English, I think a job at travel agency is the best
suitable for him. You know, working at travel agency, you can be a temporary guide in English. For
example, guiding a group of Australian tourists visiting Hanoi, you can practice English to describe and
present about Hanoi’s sightseeing…
PART 3: TOPIC: Fast food - Loss of appetite - Lack of family gathering - Irregular eating time
Fast food is now really popular in the modern world. Though it has some benefits like helping people save
time, it has a lot of disadvantages. Firstly, family gatherings may become less than before as family
members do not need to help each other prepare food. What’s more, people eating too much fast food risk
losing appetite due to the similar flavor of different fast food. In addition, fastfood makes people forget
their regular eating time which may causes some disorders of the digestive organs. Thus, it can be seen that
fast food is not good for our health.
CODE 15
Part 1:
Let’s talk about sports.
Do you prefer indoor or outdoor sports? Why?
I like outdoor sports because it has more exciting atmosphere
Which sports do you like best? Why? I like football because each match brings a lot of surprises
Do you know why people like to play sports? It is good for their health and helps them feel relaxed
Now, let’s talk about fast food.
What kind of fast food do you like best? I like chicken best
Is fast food good for your health? Why?/ Why not?
Of course not I think. It is not organic food and may result in obesity
In your opinion, why is fast food popular? it helps people save time.
PART 2
Situation: Your friend is going on a long journey by train on his own. Which do you think is the best
way to pass time on a long journey?
There are THREE options for you to choose: - Talking to other people - Reading books -
Sleeping
In my opinion, the best way to pass time on a long journey is to talk to other people. When talking you may
forget everything around you and just focus on your chat. I don’t think that reading books is good because
on a journey as our eyes may become tired. Moreover, we can get train-sick because of concentrating on
reading. Sleeping is also a good way to pass the time but we cannot socialize with others while sleeping.
So for me talking to other people is the best choice.