PART I

I. TALENTS
1. Do you have a talent, or a something you are good at?
Yes. I think I have a knack for singing. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve performed in
many shows and school events. Moreover, I’m quite good at drawing, such as
making the card or invitation as a present.
2. Was it mastered recently or when you were young?
Well, I don’t think I would ever master it. Music and drawing are two subjects that
i learnt since i was in primary school. These classes provided me with a real leg
up to hone my skill in singing and drawing as well. And so over time, it became the
little talent I enjoy doing.
• A real leg up (n): sự trợ giúp
• Hone my skill (v): cải thiện kỹ năng của mình
3. Do you think your talent can be useful for your future work? Why?
I’m not really sure. I don’t think I’ll become a singer and an artist in the future so I
guess I will not have the opportunity to earn money with singing and drawing.
However, singing is useful for family and company gatherings, which helps me to
get on well with other people and have a wide circle of friends. Besides, when i’m
down in the dumps, i usually draw a picture to let my hair down.
4. Do you think anyone in your family has the same talent?
I must say I have a talented family. My parents have a beautiful voice while my
brother/sister have a knack for drawing. I’m pretty sure that I’ve inherited all my
abilities from my family members.
II. EVENING TIME
1. Do you prefer to study in the mornings or in the afternoons?
I think It depends. If I have to learn something by heart such as new vocabulary or a
poem, I will wake up early to learn because Im full of bean so that I will be able to
commit all the knowledge to my memory more quickly. However, I will study

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subjects requiring calculations or logical thinking in the afternoon or at night because
my brain works more effectively during this period.
2. What do you usually do in the evening?
Hmm, as I said, I have a lot on my plate; most of the time, I often devote my valuable
time at night to work and finishing all my deadlines. I try to achieve work-life
balance. Evening is also the time when I focus on my personal life and relationships
such as by having dinner with mom and dad, hanging out with friends or recharging
your batteries for another new day.
3. What did you do in the evening when you were little? Why?
When I was a kid, the evening was the time for entertainment and relaxing. After
coming home from school, my family and I gathered around the table and had dinner,
then I watched my favourite cartoon on TV or went out to meet my childhood
friends. And when I was little, I used to go to bed early, before 11 pm but now, I
burn the midnight oil to meet the deadline so it’s such a bad habit.
4. Are there any differences between what you do in the evening now and
what you did in the past?
III. WEEKEND
1. How do you usually spend your weekends?
At the weekdays, most of the time, I allocate my work and study, so on the weekends,
I make time for family reunion like gathering at the restaurant to enjoy the cozy
ambiance, which helps to strengthen the relationship. I devote my quality time to do
the housework like cleaning the house, changing the bedsheet, to name but a few.
Besides, for my friends we enjoy a cup of coffee and have a chitchat u know to share
ups and downs or even stroll around at the park.
2. Which is your favourite part of the weekend?
I have to say that the “morning” is my go-to choice when I don’t have to worry
about waking up early and preparing quickly to get to work. I like to stay up later
than normal, just because for relaxing like watching my favourite films, sometimes
but I don’t like getting up too late in the day because then I feel like I’ve wasted

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some of the weekend. I also like strolling around at the park in the early morning to
enjoy the fresh air.
3. Do you think your weekends are long enough? [Why/Why not?]
So, whether our weekend is long enough or not depends on how we plan to spend
the time. But normally I think that my weekends are not long enough because I have
lots of activities to do. It is an ideal time to relax and arrange the upcoming schedule,
recharge my battery for the challenges of the next week.
4. How important do you think it is to have free time on the weekends?
[Why?]
Without a shadow of a doubt, apart from the importance of work, the recreational
activities are necessary. As I mentioned before, u know working at a stretch make
me feel under pressure and i can easily suffer from mental problems, weekends are
the ideal time for me to rechare my batteries and hang out with my friends and devote
my quality time to take care of my family. Therefore, it is definitely important that
we have enough free time in order to achieve a work-life balance, which lead to a
healthy life.
5. What do other people in your hometown usually do on weekends?
I’m not sure about that but I guess most of people in my hometown devote their
quality time for taking care of their family like eating out, doing housework or
particularly doing excercise at the park. Besides, they tend to come back their
hometown or have a short trip/journey to escape from the hustle and bustle of city.
IV. GEOGRAPHY/MAPS
1. Have you ever studied geography at school?
Yes, actually geography is among the core subjects in my school curriculum. Unlike
History with its dry subject areas, learning Geography is more fascinating because
you can discover some interesting facts, traditions and customs of countries and
continents or find out the causes of some natural phenomena.
2. Do you like geography?

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Absolutely, I love geography because it gives me the chance to broaden my horizon
and widen my knowledge. I’m into discovering and explaining the formation and
evolution of our planet, human beings and other species. It has solved tons of
mysteries, which is really like an eye-opener.
3. Are you good at reading a map?
You know, with the advancement of technology, it allows people to use google map
easily. It shows my starting point, the route and the arrival time it is more convenient
to use them and it is more accurate. This is the reason why when I travel in a strange
city, google map is really useful tool for me to avoid getting lost. So, i make a habit
to read map before hitting the road.
V. PUZZLES
1. Did you do puzzles in your childhood?
Well I was a huge fan of puzzles when I was younger. I am pretty curious about
solving rubik’s cubes. You know, I was fascinated by a myriad of puzzles such as
jigsaw or crossword. It was a marvelous way to challenge your brain and kill your
time. But now that I’ve grown up, I rarely do puzzles due to the lack of free time.
2. Do you like doing word puzzles or number puzzles? Which is more
difficult for you?
Since I’m not into working with numbers I would lean towards word puzzles. I am
keen on playing the general knowledge games requiring players to answer all
questions. Because by doing that, I can broaden my knowledge in many fields
including culture, geography and history. Interestingly, knowledge acquired from
these games stick in my mind longer than those gained from lessons at school.
3. When do you do puzzles, during your trip or when you feel bored?
Well these days life has been more and more hectic, I haven’t got enough time to
allocate to my work, let alone puzzles. whenever I am going on a trip with friends, I
would choose to do some picture puzzles just to let my hairdown. And when I feel
bored, I also do the same thing coz it’s like the stimulus to my brain.
4. Do you think it is good for old people to do puzzles?

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When people reach an old age, after retirement, they often feel down in the dumps
which could lead to to some mental diseases like absent minds, which are common
among the aged. so, playing puzzles could help them recollect their memory, achieve
a sound mind and bring them new joy in life.
VI. BORING THINGS
1. What will you do when you feel bored?
I love listening to music and watching films when I am down in the dumps.
Sometimes I have a long chat with my best friends or I make new dishes in order to
pass time. These activities can give me a sense of relaxation.
Be down in the dumps: Cảm thấy buồn chán
Give a sense of relaxation: Mang lại cảm giác thư thái
2. What kind of things are boring to you?
There are large amounts of things which make me boring like waiting to someone,
reading academic journals, listening to long speech. And on top of that, I also get
easily bored by the same daily routine: do a nine-to-five job, meet the same people
and do the same household chores. That’s why I usually hang out or go for a picnic
at the weekends so that I can refresh my mind.
Nine-to-five job: Công việc làm giờ hành chính từ 9h sáng tới 5h chiều
Hang out: Đi chơi, tụ tập
Refresh my mind: Làm sảng khoái tinh thần
3. Whom do you think get bored easily, the young or the old?
I think today’s generation get bored more quickly than the old because they want to
have something new and exciting to do every minute of the day. A lot of young
people can’t sit down for very long, and they have to be moving all the time.
4. Do you think school is boring?
No, I don’t think that. School life is full of joy. Whenever I recall the most exciting
and memorable things, the first things I clearly remember are my teacher and
classmates and what happened in school.
• Full of joy: Ngập tràn niềm vui

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 • Recall: Nhớ lại
VII. MEETING PLACES
1. Where do you usually meet with your friends?
There is a coffee shop near my house where I spend most of the time meeting with
my friends. Sometimes at the weekend, we gather at my house to hold a party or
BBQ.
2. Do you think there are some places more suitable for meeting with
others?
To my mind, it all comes down to how formal the meetings are. For casual occasions,
I guess cafés are great because they are pretty chilled out. For conferences and dates,
restaurant or any fancier places make more sense for sure.
3. Have the meeting places changed now from when you were young?
When I was young, places like public parks and big noisy venues were favorite
places to hang out for many people. As an adult, I fancy quieter and more
comfortable places, like a coffee shop you know, where I can have a talk with my
friends or sometimes negotiate with my clients.
4. Why are some meeting places better than others?
Well, I think it’s totally personal feelings. Some people would prefer open areas
whereas others value privacy. So, different people may have different preferences in
terms of the meeting place.
VIII. SITTING DOWN
1. Where is your favorite place to sit?
There are various places where I prefer to sit in my alone [Link] the park is my
go-to choice. the ambience of that place is compatible with my mental side, and I
feel more comfortable and delightful. It all also helps to reduce my stress.
2. When you were a kid, did you usually sit on the floor?
Yeah sure, my mother said that I usually sat on the floor as a child to play with my
favorite toys. Also, mom told me that she rarely let me sit on a chair or anywhere
high, for fear that I might fall off and get hurt.

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 For fear that (phrase): sợ rằng chuyện gì đó sẽ xảy ra
IX. WORK OR STUDY
X. NAME
1. Does your name have any particular meaning?
It turns out to be a meaningful message under the story of my name. LAM means
blue, and KHOA means sicence. My name means the sience of the ocean. So I guess
it was my parents’ expectation and they wanted me to become an intelligent and
successful boy so they gave me this name.
2. Do you like your name?
Well, it is my pleasure to introduce that my full name is NLK. I quite like my name,
and I won’t change it for the world, because it is unique. I don’t think there are many
people in Viet Nam has the same name with me.
3. What do your friends call you?
My friends back in secondary and high school tended to call me Min, Boo because
it’s easy to stick in my brain (because when I was a child, I was really fat, and Boo
is the name of a pig). And u know what a cute name. University friends don’t really
give me any nicknames; they just call me “KHOA”.
4. Did your family have a certain (nick) name that they called you when you
were a child?
Hmm… well, no? They just called me “Khoa”. 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.
5. What names are popular to give to babies in your country?
I think people tend to choose some names related to flowers like Đào or Trang for
girls –. For boys, I think, are Son, which means the mountain and Hieu, which means
to show affection and respect towards one’s parents.
XI. HOME TOWN
XII. SNACKS
1. Do you like snacks?

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Yes, I do. Around brunch, I usually have some fruit and then about 3pm I have some
biscuits or something like that.
2. What kinds of snacks are popular in your country?
Well, there are loads of snacks and street food in Vietnam. Trying Vietnamese
snacks will bring you a great cuisine experience. There are some popular names of
Vietnamese snacks that won’t let you down is Goi Cuon, Banh Gio, Nem Lui, Banh
Beo, Bot Bot Loc, Banh Trang Tron, Bo Kho, etc.
3. Do you think eating snacks is good for your health?
Most snacks people eat are high in calories in sugars, and they often contain
preservatives and additives. You have to be really careful to choose snacks that are
healthy if you want to get a balanced diet. However, some snacks like fruits are really
necesssary for official workers who work all day long to provide energy and
vitamine.
4. What snacks do you like to eat?
I like to have some yoghurt together with nuts or fruits between meals like
blueberries, mangos, advocado. It assits me in improving immune system,
rejuvinating the skin,…. I try to get away from sweets or cakes much because they’re
high in calories. Consuming too much snacks will lead to obesity easily. I don’t want
to gain weight.
5. Did you often eat snacks when you were young?
Yeah coz no one is gonna resist the temptation from sweety food, when I was a kid,
I had a sweet tooth. I used to eat a lot of candies, chocolate bars, cakes… . As a
result, I had serious tooth decay.
6. When do you usually eat snacks now?
Normally in the late afternoon when I feel lack of energy, I would have some snacks
like chocolate or fruits to recharge my batteries. And also after working out in the
gym, I’ll eat a protein bar or have some carbs.
7. What is your favourite snack?

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Without a shadow of a doubt, fruits are my go-to-choice because they provide me
with lots of vitamines, mineral and energy. Besides, mixed nuts together with
yogurts help me to keep fit and lead to a healthy life.
XIII. WEATHER
1. What’s the weather like in the place where you live?
Well, currently I live in Vietnam, which is a tropical country. When it comes to the
weather here, for the most part, it’s kinda scorching hot and humid year-round. in
Northern cities, we actually enjoy four distinct seasons. In summery months, it can
get really sweltering, and by contrast, temperatures can really dip in winter. In the
Southern of Vietnam, it doesnt have extreme weather conditions, it has just 2 seasons
including dry season and rain season.
2. Which season do you like best?
Well, I think it's spring... The weather is warm and pleasant and it’s not too hot like
summer and it’s not too cold like winter. and it's nice to see everything come back
to life and blossom. I love traveling so spring is the great time to start planning a
family vacation.
3. Do you check the weather forecast before going out?
Not regularly because I’m living in the tropical country. Well, most of the time, the
weather condition here doesnt change a lot. We have 2 seasons: dry and rainy season
so we can expect what the weather is like almost every single . it doesnt change that
much (stable)
4. Does the weather affect people’s lives in your country?
I believe that the weather always affects us in every aspect. If it is a gloomy day, I'm
pretty sure everyone will easily get bored or fatigued of whatever they are doing. In
contrast, the sunny days make us feel full of bean and optimistics. Besides, when it
rains cats and dogs, almost the areas are completely flooded, and people find it
difficult to escape from traffic congestion. When the weather is too hot or too cold,
I tend to procastinate my plan to go out.
The weather can make a huge impact on people's lives. Knowing the weather
forecast is a must when planning farming activities, organizing a party outdoors,

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putting together a trip, or just commuting to work every morning. The weather
affects the livelihood of many people living in the coastal areas because they earn
their living by going fishing at sea. The weather also decides what you wear. For
instance, it is a good idea to wear a light jacket and umbrella handy when you go out
on the rainy day.
XIV. NEIGHBOUR
1. Do you know your neighbors?
Yes, of course I do. People in my neighborhood get on well with each others, 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.
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. Her life
experience and advice have helped me to overcome many difficulties and challenges.
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?
Almost everyday before going to work in the morning and after coming back from
work in the evening. 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?

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We meet everyday because 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.

XV. TRANSPORTATION
1. Do you often use public transport?
No, not often. Because my house is quite close to my university, it’s possible for me
to by motorbike to save time instead of wating for the right route of bus. Also, you
know, due to the fact that mass transit in Can Tho is pretty subpar in terms of quality,
On top of that, whenever I hop on a bus, I feel uncomfortable, and the smell of a bus
always makes me want to vomit. I tend to avoid using it. Just only when I come back
to my hometown, I commute by shuttle bus or coach.
• subpar (adj) = below-average
• mass transit (n) = public transport
3. Do you always sit down for a long time?
To be honest, I spend at least 8 hours a day sitting down as I have a nine to five job.
Sometimes, I even have to sit for 3-4 hours at a stretch just to finish a deadline. I
find this habit unhealthy because it can cause a number of health-related problems
like getting dizzy and tired. So, I will have the habit of walking and going around
when I sit down for a long time.
4. Do you feel sleepy when you are sitting down?
Sometimes for sure. I mean if I’ve had enough sleep, I get sleeppy once in a blue
moon but after hours of sitting to work or to read books due to eyestrain, I still need
a cup of coffee to keep me concentrated or have the habit of walking around.
Ocassionally, I also take a nap over the bench because I also feel fresh.
2. Should people use more public transport? Why?
In my opinion, it’s crucial that citizens change from using private vehicles to public
transportation. I have to say that using environmentally-friendly transportations
more could mitigate air pollution from exhaust fumes and traffic jams, especially at

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the peak hours. Another reason is that people can save more time and money because
its affordable cost (cheaper).
Therefore, it can help cut the level of greenhouse gases, reducing potential health
problems and decreasing global warming.
• mitigate something /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ (verb): giảm thiểu cái gì
• air pollution /ˈeə pəˌluː.ʃən/ (noun): sự ô nhiễm môi trường
3. Do you think people in your country prefer public transport?
I think it all comes down to personal preferences. There are some people who are in
favor of public services because they are accessible and inexpensive and people can
get away from traffic jams. However, some people think that it’s convenient to use
private vehicles rather than public transportation. I don’t highly appreciate mass
transit in Can Tho because it is pretty poor in terms of quality.
4. What kind of public transportation do you usually take?
To be completely honest with you, I’m not very much into public transportation. I
don’t highly appreciate mass transit in Can Tho because it is pretty unhygienic and
poor in terms of quality. So I rarely use them to commute. But sometimes, when I
comeback to my hometown, I commute by shuttle bus or coach because this
would help me get away from the hassle of riding and during this time, I can take a
quick nap, watch movies and put my mind at ease.
5. Do most people prefer public transportation in your country?
I think it all comes down to personal preferences. There are some people who are in
favor of public services because they are accessible and inexpensive and people can
get away from traffic jams. However, some people think that it’s convenient to use
private vehicles rather than public transportation. I don’t highly appreciate mass
transit in Can Tho because it is pretty poor in terms of quality. I mean they aren’t
equipped with free wifi and the comf seats. So yeah, I’d say things like buses and
trains are not widely-favored by a lot of Vietnamese people.
6. Did you take public transportation when you were a kid?
I would say no. when I was born and rase in the countryside , there used to be no
mass transit system there, let alone using them. So, all I knew about the so-called

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public transport was from the media. Until when i was in high school, I started to
take the bus to go to school.

7. Will there be more people taking public transportation in the

future?
If you are talking about vietnam, together with the devlopment of society, yes i think
it’s possible. Because gasoline or the fossil fuel are becoming unaffordable (pricey,
cost an arm and a leg) for many people these days. So public transport is considered
as the optimal approach to tackle air pollution and traffic jams as well. You can
travel long distances without worry about rainy weather outside. The public system
offers better services like comfortable seats for the elderly or good air conditioning
systems.
XVI. TRAVELLING

Do you like travelling?

Yes, I consider travelling as a optimal way to put my mind at ease. I have a tendency
to go to the off the beaten track, to escape the husle and the busle of the city. Discover
the culture and custom of different countries, enrich my knowledge and broaden my
horizen.

Who do you often spend holiday with?

- family: long holidays

- probably, with friends

How much traveling have you done?

What kind of places have you visited in your life?

When you visit new places, what do you like to do?

Do you prefer traveling alone or in a group?

In which seasons do you prefer to travel?

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What is the best season to travel in your country?

Would you say your country is a good place for travellers to visit?

Where would you recommend a foreigner to visit in your country?

What places would you like to visit in the future?

How much time do you spend travelling on a normal day?

Spontaneous trips are the best trips

What do you do while you are travelling?

XVII. SPORTS
1. Do you like playing sports?
Well, I dont think I’m a big fan of sports. I just devote my quality time to join the
yoga club. it has mostly seating and breathing excercise along with some major
movements of the body. And you know, doing yoga regularly does wonder for my
health. It keeps me in shape and build my muscle, it helps to relieve my back and
neck pains. And last but not least, it can help me to refresh my mind and recharge
my battery.
Do wonder for health: tốt cho sức khỏe
Relieve my back and neck pains: giảm đau lưng cổ
[Link] sport are popular in your country?
Well, I guess in Vietnam right now, it’s football. I think football is considered
(acquires its reputation for ) the king of sports. It’s very easy to play. All you need
is just a ball, a few friends and two goals. People prefer football than any kinds of
sports because of the animating atmosphere it brings back.
3. Do you think it is important to play a sport?
Of course. playing sports is part and pacel of my daily activities. it does wonder for
my health. It assits me in reducing the health-related prolems such as diabetes,
obesity and heart attack. It keeps me in shape and build my muscle, it helps to relieve

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my back and neck pains. And last but not least, it can help me to refresh my
mind and recharge my battery.
[Link] sport would you like to try in the future?
Well, there are many sports that I would like to have a crack at, but if I have to
choose one, that would be swimming.

First and foremost, swimming is a tool which can save your life and others to get
away from drowning. it’s low intensity and works all body parts at once.
Lastly, swimming can be a form of therapy if you suffer an injury. All in all, it’s
certainly worthwhile to learn. (worth learning)
have a crack at: thử
[Link] you like watching sports programmes on TV?
Well, I dont think I’m a big fan of sports. as a feminine, I rarely watch sports
programmes on tv, I only watch football matches of the Vietnam national team to
support their spirit and express national pride.
[Link] you like to watch live sports games?
yes, I think all sports fans would prefer watching live matches or games, if I can't
watch the games when they are live broadcasted i usually keep an update of the
scores online. But I've never been to a stadium to spectate a match, which I think
would be pulsating so I'd love to try.
Pulsate: sôi động
Who do you like to watch sports games with?
Of course, my dad. He’s also a big fan of soccer so watching sports games is kinda
like our time to hang together and to build a good rapport. During the matches, he
explain me the rules and some situations that i dont know.
build a good rapport: xây dựng mối quan hệ tốt đẹp

XVIII. OLD BUILDINGS

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 1. Have you ever seen some old buildings in the city?
There are some ancient buildings in Can Tho that were built more than 100 years
old. They are actually beautiful because of distinctive architecture and you know
wat, some of these become tourist attractions like Binh Thuy ancient house…
2. Do you think we should preserve old buildings in cities?
I guess old buildings should be preserved in the cities as a thing to remember the
past and also can be used for tourism since some old buildings come with a lot of
historical memories. Old building tell a story about history or those with cultural
value.
3. Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house?
Without a shadow of a doubt, I would go with a modern house, for safety reasons. I
have witnessed numerous degraded old buildings go up in flames, and just for that,
I would never think of setting my foot in these places. Besides, it is equipped with
modern facilities, utilities around. Again this depends on personal preference as
each individual is unique. However, old buildings are often rundown, so city
dwellers tend to choose new tower blocks if they have the financial capability.
Living in a high-rise building with ultra-modern design is likely to be everyone’s
first choice since this comes with excellent amenities. Nevertheless, some old
buildings are of great interest architecturally and only the well-off can afford.
• Without a shadow of a doubt: Không nghi ngờ gì nữa
• go up in flames: bốc cháy
• setting my foot in: đặt chân đến
XIX. COMPUTERS & TABLETS
1. In what conditions would you use a computer?
I use it in almost everything. Of course, I need my computer for work and study. For
example, I go online to research the information, answer emails and edit documents.
When I’m off the clock, I often use my computer as a tool for enterntainment like
listening to music, watching my favourite films. I don’t use
computers excessively because I know sitting in front of electronic gadgets can lead
to sedentary lifestyle.

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 • off the clock: ngoài giờ làm việc’
4. When was the first time you used a computer? How did you learn to use
a computer?
When I was in high school, I remember I had a computer class once a week, and I
were all excited about this class. At that time, my teacher just taught me how to turn
on the computer, how to type and carry out some basic operation such as copy and
paste.
Khi tôi còn học trung học, tôi nhớ tôi có một lớp học máy tính mỗi tuần một lần, và
tôi rất hào hứng với lớp học này. Khi đó, thầy tôi chỉ dạy tôi cách bật máy tính, cách
gõ và thực hiện một số thao tác cơ bản như sao chép và dán.
5. What would your life be like without computers?
It will be full of doom and gloom, My computer is an indispensable part of my life.
as I said before, I use it in almost everything, So without computer, I couldn’t finish
anything. And besides, I tend to use computers to do other things, such as watching
favourite films, shopping online, reading newspapers. To be honest, just can’t image
what my life will be like without my computer.
Nó sẽ đầy rẫy sự diệt vong và u ám, như tôi đã nói trước đây, tôi sử dụng nó trong
hầu hết mọi thứ, Vì vậy, nếu không có máy tính, tôi không thể hoàn thành bất cứ
điều gì. Và bên cạnh đó, tôi có xu hướng sử dụng máy tính để làm những việc khác,
chẳng hạn như xem fimls yêu thích, mua sắm trực tuyến, đọc báo. Thành thật mà nói
Chỉ không thể hình dung cuộc sống của tôi sẽ như thế nào nếu không có máy tính
của tôi.
6. In what conditions would it be difficult for you to use a computer?
It will be challenging for me after working for a long day. Sitting in front of computer
at a stretch makes my eyes usually sore, u know my back will hurt and I cannot
concentrate more. Besides, I find it difficult to make notes on the computer. For
example, when I do reading test, I will print it out instead of doing directly on the
computer.
What kind of computer skills do you have?

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Actually im not proficient in computer. I just use it to carry out some basic operation
like making powerpoint, editing documents, excel….
5. In what conditions would you use a computer?
I use it in almost everything, I can’t imagine a life without it. Of course, I need my
computer for work to research, answer emails and edit documents. When I’m off the
clock, I use the computer as a tool for entertainment such as listening to music,
watching movies, reading newspapers.
6. When was the first time you used a computer?
When I was in high school, I remember I had a computer class once a week, and I
were all excited about this class, because computer I exclusive, and very few family
can afford it. But at that time, my teacher just thought me how to turn on the
computer, how to type and how to carry out some basic operation such as copy and
paste.
7. What would your life be like without computers?
It will be full of doom and gloom, like I said, most of my study are now being
done with my computer, So without computer, I couldn’t finish anything. And
besides, I tend to use computers to do other things, such as watching sitcoms, online
shopping, or just scrolling social media websites. To be honest Just can’t image
what my life will be like without my computer.
Nó sẽ đầy rẫy sự u ám và u ám, như tôi đã nói, hầu hết việc học của tôi hiện đang
được thực hiện với máy tính của tôi, Vì vậy, nếu không có máy tính, tôi không thể
hoàn thành bất cứ điều gì. Và bên cạnh đó, tôi có xu hướng sử dụng máy tính để làm
những việc khác, chẳng hạn như xem phim sitcom, mua sắm trực tuyến hoặc chỉ
cuộn các trang web truyền thông xã hội. Thành thật mà nói Chỉ không thể hình dung
cuộc sống của tôi sẽ như thế nào nếu không có máy tính của tôi.
7. In what conditions would it be difficult for you to use a computer?
It will be challenging for me to sit in front of a computer after a long working day.
After work, my eyes are usually sore, my back will hurt and my mind
cannot function properly to know what I am even doing.

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Highlight Vocabulary
• off the clock: ngoài giờ làm việc’
• mindlessly (adv): vô tâm, không để ý
• scroll (v): trượt
• in awe: trong sự kinh ngạc
• on end: liên tục
• unthinkable (adj): không thể tưởng tượng được
• miserable (adj): khổ sở
• handwrite (v): viết tay
• pain (v): khiến… đau khổ
• sore (adj): đau
• function (v): hoạt động
XX. SUBJECTS
XXI. SINGING
1. Did you enjoy singing when you were younger? [Why?/Why not?]
yes, I did. I had watched a series of music programs on TV when I was young. I used
to sing on special occasions like birthday, wedding and so on. More interestingly I
liked to perform music in front of mirrors in the time when nobody at home. it helped
me to have fun and feel better when I needed to give a lift to my mood.
vâng, tôi đã làm. Tôi đã xem một loạt các chương trình âm nhạc trên TV khi tôi còn
nhỏ. Tôi thường hát trong những dịp đặc biệt như sinh nhật, đám cưới, v.v. Thú vị
hơn, tôi thích biểu diễn âm nhạc trước gương khi không có ai ở nhà. nó đã giúp tôi
vui vẻ và cảm thấy tốt hơn khi tôi cần cải thiện tâm trạng của mình.
2. How often do you sing now?
I sing once in a blue moon now! And that’s because I have a hectic life which
prevents me from indulging in leisure activities like singing. life has become much
more complicated these days where it is just not easy to get into the mood of singing.

19
But, sometimes I sing a few lines of my favourite songs when I listen to music in my
room alone.
Tôi hiếm khi hát bây giờ! Và đó là bởi vì tôi có một cuộc sống bận rộn khiến tôi
không thể đam mê các hoạt động giải trí như ca hát. Cuộc sống ngày nay đã trở nên
phức tạp hơn rất nhiều, nơi không dễ dàng để có được tâm trạng ca hát. Nhưng, đôi
khi tôi hát một vài dòng bài hát yêu thích của tôi khi tôi nghe nhạc trong phòng một
mình.
3. Do you have a favourite song you like listening to?
I’m a die-hard fan of My Tam so I would say I love all of her songs. When I have
some spare time, I binge-watch her music videos on Youtube. One song, that I
really love listening to, is titled “Dường như ta đã it seems to be”, because it touches
the romantic cords of my heart, and it has really great lyrics.
Tôi là một fan cứng của Mỹ Tâm nên tôi sẽ nói rằng tôi yêu tất cả các bài hát của
cô ấy. Khi có thời gian rảnh rỗi, tôi mải mê xem các video ca nhạc của cô ấy trên
Youtube. Một bài hát mà tôi rất thích nghe, có tựa đề “Dường như ta đã thấy”, bởi
vì nó chạm đến sợi dây lãng mạn của trái tim tôi, và nó có ca từ thực sự tuyệt vời.
4. How important is singing in your culture?
Singing is of vital importance in my culture. Many important occasions in our
country seem incomplete without the use of traditional music. People in my country
sing songs to express their [Link] example in a wedding party we sing songs
to dance untill late at night!
Ca hát có tầm quan trọng sống còn trong nền văn hóa của tôi. Nhiều dịp quan trọng
ở đất nước chúng tôi dường như không thể thiếu nếu không sử dụng âm nhạc truyền
thống, người dân ở đất nước tôi hát những bài hát để thể hiện cảm xúc của họ. Ví
dụ như trong một bữa tiệc cưới, chúng tôi hát những bài hát để khiêu vũ cho đến tận
khuya!
XXII. DAILY ROUTINE
8. What is your daily routine?
Well, in the morning, I get up early to spend at least 30 minutes to hit the gym and
have a light. Then I go to work at 8 am and come back home at 5 pm. I often end my

20
day at the midnight by putting my mind at ease. However, this schedule is not
fixed. It all comes down to the amount of the duties I have.
• Put my mind at ease (v): thư giãn
• All comes down to: phụ thuộc
9. Have you ever changed your routine?
Yes, lately I am trying to change my sleeping habit. In the past, I used to burn the
midnight oil to meet the deadline, and it was such a bad habit, which makes me often
doze off and fatigue during the next day. so, I force myself to go to bed and get up
early to do exercise which assits me in recharging my batteries and u know i feel full
of bean during the long working day.
10. What part of your day do you like best?
As I mentioned before, I used to be a night owl so I tended to prefer the night because
at night as I found it easier to concentrate, the tranquility at night assists me
in focusing on my work. However, I’ve converted myself into an early bird and
morning has become my favorite time of the day. I find that waking up early and
having breakfast, working out lead to a healthy life. Moreover, the earlier I get up,
the more time I have to do a lot of things.
• Alleviate stress (v): Xả stress
11. Do you usually have the same routine everyday?
No. As I mentioned above, I don’t have a fixed schedule. Im kinda person who is
creative,flexible,active and love the innovation. So, the repetitive schedules make
me feel bored. therefore, I try new interests like eating out, reading a book or learning
a new languge. New hobby gives me inspiration to work and study more
productively.
12. What is the busiest part of the day for you?
The evening is not only my favourite part of the day but also the busiest part for me.
I’m up to my neck in finishing all deadlines before the new day starts. U know, at
night as I found it easier to concentrate, the tranquility at night assists me in focusing
on my work.

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 • Be up to one’s neck in sth (adj): bận rộn
XXIII. TECHNOLOGY
- Advantages:
. imprve the quality of our lives: everything can be done at the tip of the fingertips
. eradicate geographical boundaries
. keep track the information without charge
. increase the efficiency in mufacturing process
. lift the economy growth => enhance the living standard
. opportunities for commercial developments & industrialization: những cơ hội phát
triển thương mại và công nghiệp hóa
. distance learning: wherever and whenever with the Internet
. invent the medical diagnostic equipments => lengthen the life expectancy
- disadvantages
. causes detrimental effects on human’s physical well-beings: gây ra nhiều ảnh
hưởng có hại cho sức khỏe về mặt thể chất của con người. spending
an excessive amount of time engaging in “screen-time” activities: dành ra một
lượng thời gian quá mức cho những hoạt động ngồi trước màn hình. lack of exercise
and unhealthy habits (such as lack of sleep)
. the risks of unemployment: humans are replaced by auto machines in factories
. It can invade our privacy and compromise our safety: nó có thể xâm phạm sự riêng
tư và đe dọa sự an toàn của chúng ta
. weaken the interaction, addict to using technology => poor academic performance

In the cutting – edge technology

XXIV. ACCOMMODATION
2. Do you live in a house or a flat?

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At the moment, I’m living in a private house in Can Tho city. In total, there are 5
rooms in my house, living room, 2 bed rooms, kitchen and a bathroom. It’s is quite
old, but it’s still comfortable. And I love the location because it’s close to my school
and market.
3. Can you describe the place where you live?
Yes, my neighborhood is clean and safe. It has lots of young family and old people.
The most thing I enjoy is a garden and lots of parks near my house. Besides, my
location is very convenient because it’s close to my university and market, hospitals.
4. How long have you lived there?
I’ve lived there for 10 years. when I passed the entrance in CT university, I moved
to the city to enroll at university.
5. 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 light 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. What room does your family spend most of the time in?
Of course, it is the kitchen room because it gets sunshine all day long. My family
also spends a lot of time in there to prepare food, eating and talking about are they.
So I really enjoy that.
9. What do you usually do in your flat?

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Well, definitely I’ll spend some me-time there. I study, I chill out by
reading, listening to music all by myself. Sometimes, I also invite one or two friends
to spend time with. We’ll watch some movies and enoy meals together.
10. What kinds of accommodation do you live in?
I’m living in a private house, it is in a row of attached house.
11. 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 get marriage. I
can decorate and design my ideal home with whatever facilities I want.
12. 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.
13. Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
Yes, I guess so. Because I’ve never had any problems travelling around it.
Motobikes, buses, and taxis are the most common because they are fast, convenient,
and affordable.
14. What kind of house or flat do you want to live in in the future?
I would like to live in a storeyed house like a villa near the sea. It is spacious and
equiped all of modern facilities. (library or theatre)
15. What’s your favorite room in your apartment/house?
My favourite room, it would be the kitchen because it gets sunshine all day long. My
family also spends a lot of time in there to prepare food, eating and talking about are
they. So I really enjoy that.
What makes you feel pleasant in your home?
What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have
lived in the past?
Do you think it is important to live in a comfortable environment?
XXV. MAP

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XXVI. ADVERTISEMENT
8. Are you interested in watching TV advertisements or internet
advertisements?
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 the internet while surfing youtube videos or any
other website.
Honesly, none of them! I have to say that ads are disturbing. I hate ads simply
because they’re distracting. I hate it when I’m watching a very part of the TV movies,
or music videos then suddenly, it’s cut because ads need to play. My emotion is
spoiled due to waiting ads from 30 senconds to 1 minute before watching the rest of
film or song, which
9. What kinds of advertisements do you dislike?
As I mentioned before. I don’t like ads, particularly, sexy advertisement. It’s too
apealling. It is not appropriate for children and the culture in Vietnam.
10. Do you share advertisements with others?
Actually, I don’t like watching ads. It doesn’t mean I don’t share it. I usually share
with my friends any discount courses, free education consultancy. Sometimes, I
share the ads that my idol is representative brand.
13. Do you want to work in advertising in the future?
That is really an interesting question. I would say probably not, first, I am not
interested in it. So, I’d better do something that I am good at, you know, such as
researcher, writer, so on. Besides, working in advertising requires skills in graphic
design and photography, which I haven't learned in school, so I have to say that it is
not my strengths.
XXVIII. BIRTHDAY
[Link] kinds of birthday gifts do you like to receive?
Actually, I really enjoy receiving books as gifts because I’m a bookworm, reading
is my favourite habit. When I was a little boy/girl, I had received a wide variety of
gifts that I really liked, such as books, stationery, toys and so on.

25
And u know I love all kind of gifts I received. Because I believe It is
the affection and thoughtfulness that touch me the most.

[Link] do people often celebrate birthdays in your country?

It all comes down to who people celebrate their birthday with.
I mean, when it comes to friends, they would have a tendency to eat out at the fancy
restaurant and then go to the karaoke.
But for their family, they would prefer something more intimate (thân mật) like
preparing a close meal at home where they can share a moment and spend quality
time together.
[Link] birthdays are considered important in your country?
I’m not quite sure if there are any really special or essential birthdays in
Vietnam. The only thing that crosses my mind is the 1st birthday call Thoi Noi
because at that day, the child could gift red envelopes containing lucky money, new
clothes, toys… After that, the child can choose his favorite from a tray consisting
mirror, comb, pen, book, steamed sticky rice, money, scissors, clay… The first thing
he chooses helps to predict his future job.
[Link] is a popular gift in your country?
To be honest, it is quite hard to come up with a specific option. In my point of view,
flowers may be one of the most prevalent presents in Vietnam. Each type of flower
symbolizes a different meaning so flowers can fit a lot of occasions such as
weddings, birthdays, graduation parties, opening day and so on.
[Link] do you usually do on your birthdays?
It all comes down to who I celebrate their birthday with.
I mean, when it comes to friends, I would have an inclination for eating out at the
fancy restaurant and then going to the karaoke.
But for my family, I would prefer something more intimate(thân mật) like preparing
a close meal at home where I can share a moment and spend quality time together.

26
XXIX. SOCIAL MEDIA
11. Do you like to use social media?
Well, a lot. Using social networking websites is part and parcel of my daily
activities. My favorite one is Facebook, one of the most popular websites in the
world, with millions of users in different countries. I mainly use Facebook to interact
with my friends and keep updated with the latest information and keep track what’s
happening outside my country.
12. Do you think you or your friends use too much social media?
I cannot tell exactly about my friends but I have to say, I use them quite a lot.
whenever I am free from work or study, I would definitely go online and surf
Facebook or YouTube
13. Do you want to work in social media? Why?
Well, I would say no. because im not proficient in technology. I’m not interested in
content creation and community management.
14. What’s the most popular social media in VietNam? Why?
Some years ago, I would say it’s Facebook. But this year, I guess Tiktok ranks the
top in terms of popularity and the number of active users.
XXX. MEMORY
1. Why do some people have good memories while others just don’t?
It may sound funny but I guess people are absent-minded when they reach the old
age while youngster have excellent memories. Besides, I consider memory skills as
a talent which relates to each person’s genes. However, I believe people can
remember things more easily and longer if they boost their memory each day by
studying and practicing some brain exercises.
Nghe có vẻ buồn cười nhưng tôi nghĩ một số người sinh ra đã đãng trí trong khi
những người khác lại có trí nhớ tuyệt vời. Điều này là do kỹ năng ghi nhớ phần nào
là tài năng hoặc liên quan đến gen của mỗi người. Tuy nhiên, tôi tin rằng mọi người
có thể nhớ mọi thứ dễ dàng hơn và lâu hơn nếu họ tăng cường trí nhớ (trí nhớ của

27
họ có thể được rèn luyện) mỗi ngày bằng cách nghiên cứu và thực hành một số bài
tập trí não.
• Absent-minded (a): Đãng trí
• To have excellent memory: Có trí nhớ tốt
• Boost one’s memory: Cải thiện trí nhớ
• Brain exercise: Bài tập luyện tập cho não bộ
2. Why do more people rely on cell phones to memorize things?
With a fast pace of modern life, we have a hectic schedule. we have lots of things to
remember. There are a wide range of APPs on cellphones, we can take notes or
record anything instantly that’s a good way to memorize things. particularly, you
can set alarm or reminder to remind some important events or appointment. What
a life-saver!
Với nhịp sống hiện đại ngày càng nhanh, chúng ta có một lịch trình bận rộn. chúng
ta có rất nhiều điều cần nhớ. Có rất nhiều APP trên điện thoại di động, chúng ta có
thể ghi chú hoặc ghi lại bất cứ thứ gì ngay lập tức, đó là một cách tốt để ghi nhớ mọi
thứ. đặc biệt, bạn có thể đặt báo thức hoặc nhắc nhở để nhắc nhở một số sự kiện hoặc
cuộc hẹn quan trọng.
Thật là một thứ cứu rỗi cuộc đời á!
• Life-saver (n): Vật cứu cánh/Thứ cứu rỗi cuộc đời
3. Are you good at memorizing things?
I gotta say it depends. I can easily memorize some subjects learning by heart like
new words, history, poem…but I’m quite forgetful to some silly thing like forgot to
block the door when I go out, the [Link] I tend to rely on reminder
apps and other reminding tips to remember those things. I also have the habit of
taking notes like sticky notes on the fridge.
Tôi phải nói rằng tôi có một trí nhớ khủng khiếp. Tôi khá đãng trí và có xu hướng
dựa vào các ứng dụng nhắc nhở và các mẹo nhắc nhở khác để ghi nhớ mọi thứ. Tôi
có thói quen ghi chú như ghi chú vào tủ lạnh, vài lần tôi vẫn quên chặn cửa khi ra
ngoài.

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 4. Have you ever forgotten something that was important?
Yes, I have. About 2 or 3 months ago, I traveled to HN capital, when I was on the
way to the airport when I realized I left my ID card at home. I’m sure everyone
knows how crucial it is for them to confirm their identity at the airport. Immediately,
I call my parents to bring it to mecom. Luckily, i was able to have the flight
punctually and my trip went on very smoothly.
Vâng tôi có. Cách đây khoảng 2, 3 tháng, tôi đi du lịch thủ đô HN, khi trên đường
ra sân bay thì nhận ra mình để quên CMND ở nhà. Tôi chắc rằng mọi người đều biết
việc xác nhận danh tính của họ tại sân bay quan trọng như thế nào. Ngay lập tức, tôi
gọi cho bố mẹ để mang nó đến cho tôi .. May mắn thay, tôi đã có thể có chuyến bay
đúng giờ và chuyến đi của tôi diễn ra rất suôn sẻ.
• Crucial (a): Quan trọng
• Sit for the test: Thực hiện bài thi
XXXI. Collecting things
Do you collect things?
No, now I don’t collect anything, Collecting things requires you have passion and
time because I don’t have time to afford that. But in the future, if I have a chance, I
would like to collect the coint or money in different countries.
Are there any things you keep from childhood?
There are many things that I still keep until now such as toys that my parents bought
me when I was young, comic books, certificates of merit when I was in school and
particularly, my photos album. They remind me of past memories that I never foget.
Would you keep old things for a long time? Why?
Yes, I keep a collection of videos I had taken during my childhood days, and I feel
that that is one of the best ways to collect and a reminder of my childhood days.
Well, all the things I need to keep in my room even I have some small safe locker
which I collected all the stuff inside the box so I know that box is a secure and in my
home no one my family member can’t touch that box without my consent.
[Link] and Reading habits

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How often do you read?
I devote at least 30 minutes every morning to read book to start a new day . I prefer
reading news via internet to keep updated. It is more accessible and easy to use the
new technology nowadays. I have an inclination towards international news, I want
to keep track of what’s happening outside my country. I read books quite often,
especially foreign books because it helps me enhance my language skills like
English or Chinese.
Do you have many books at home?
Yes. I do. I have a pile of books. I read all sorts of things, including novels,
magazines, online articles and the like. Reading is part and parcel of my daily
activities.
the like (noun): vân vân, tương tự
part and parcel of something /ˈpɑː.səl/ (idiom): phần không thể thiếu

Đúng. Tôi làm. Tôi có một đống sách. Tôi đọc đủ thứ, bao gồm tiểu thuyết, tạp chí,
các bài báo trực tuyến và những thứ tương tự. Đọc sách là một phần trong các hoạt
động hàng ngày của tôi.
Do Vietnamese people do enough reading?
I guess a few Vietnamese have the habit of reading I mean the majority are not
because they are up to my necks in work. They have enough time to allocate to their
work, let alone reading.
with the advancement of technology, many teenagers nowadays have more
recreational activities like playing games, listening the podcast to keep updated
instead of reading.
What kind of people like reading and what kind of people don't?
It all comes down to personal character. Those who are patient and calm have
inclination for reading. Those who are hot-tempered find it difficult to concentrate
on books.

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Where do you like to read?
A quiet space is always my go-to choice when it comes to reading. I usually read
books at my bedroom and library. Besides, reading in a book cafe with soothing
music is also a good option.
• go-to choice (noun phrase): lựa chọn số 1
• soothing music /ˈsuː.ðɪŋ/ (noun phrase): nhạc nhẹ nhàng
Không gian yên tĩnh luôn là lựa chọn hàng đầu của tôi khi đọc sách. Tôi thường đọc
sách ở góc thoải mái nhất trong nhà – phòng ngủ của tôi. Bên cạnh đó, đọc sách
trong quán cà phê với âm nhạc nhẹ nhàng cũng là một lựa chọn hay.
Do you often read books? When?
Yes, every day when I finish my work and study, I reserve 30 minutes to read book.
Are your reading habits now different than before?
Yes. I have to say that the major different is way I access the book. In the past, books
were the main source of knowledge. In order to read, I had to go to the library or
bought them at book store. But now, with the technological advances, I can read
online with a wide range of subjects.
Have you ever read a novel that has been adapted into a film?
Sure, actually there are many books that I enjoy that have been converted
into movies. One of those is ‘Mắt biếc’, my favorite book when growing up. The
movie was a stupendous success, there are probably more fans of the movies than
the books.
• Converted into (v): chuyển thể thành
• Stupendous (adj): rất to lớn, quan trọng, kỳ diệu
Which do you prefer, reading books or watching movies?
Well, it depends. If it’s something like comedy or documentary, I would definitely
go for the movies because they’re more vivid and it’s just funnier to see the
real thing. However, if it’s something about history, I would read the books because
there are more details in the book, and you know the movie can never go back to
shoot the real thing.

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[Link]
Do you wear a watch?
Actually, yes. I have a smart watch and it is very useful to me. Because it can help
me keep track of tasks. Also, I wear my watch to check the time and arrange
my hectic schedules. Having a wristwatch plays an important role in my life as it
helps me to manage time more effectively and maintain good health.
Từ vựng hay:
• On the go (idiom): (informal) to be very active and busy
Tiếng Việt: Bận rộn
• Hectic schedule (noun): Very busy schedule
Tiếng Việt: Lịch trình bận rộn
• Wristwatch (noun): a watch that you wear on your wrist
Tiếng Việt: Đồng hồ đeo tay
Have you ever got a watch as a gift?
Yes. It was a Casio watch made in Japan, and it was given to me by my sister at my
24th birthday party. It is white in color and it also has a silver metal trap, which is
fashionable. Because this meaningful gift symbolizes her care for me, I treasure and
wear it all the time, even in bedtime.
Từ vựng hay:
• Immense love (noun): an extremely large or great love
Tiếng Việt: Tình yêu sâu đậm
• Treasure (noun):
Tiếng Việt: Quý trọng, coi như của quý
• Automatic watch (n): đồng hồ cơ tự động, đồng hồ lên dây cót tự động
• Strap (n): dây đeo đồng hồ
Why do some people wear expensive watches?

32
There are several reasons why people like wearing fancy watches. Firstly, people
wearing a fancy watch with different styles and designs, so they can mix and match
them with each of their outfits. In addition, wristwatches accessorize your outfit,
and give their owner a more presentable appearance. Furthermore, a watch with
high cost and famous brand always have high quality and great guarantees.
• A fashion-conscious person (n): Một người để ý đến thời trang
• Lend some visual interest (v): Tăng vẻ đẹp cho cái gì
• Ensemble (n): một bộ quần áo, một tổ hợp phối đồ
• Punctual (adj): đúng giờ
• Disciplined (adj): có kỷ luật
• Facilitate (v): làm cho dễ dàng, thuận tiện hơn
• Accessorize (v): trang bị, cung cấp thêm phụ tùng, phụ kiện
• Presentable (adj): chỉnh tề, bảnh bao
Do you think it is important to wear a watch? Why?
Of course, the first major reason is that in our modern society, it’s vital to
be punctual. In order to prevent themselves from coming late for a meeting or an
appointment, almost all citizens in my country use this timepiece. Another reason is
that the booming development of state-of-the-art technology allows them to record
their personal health data on the smart watch. As a result, this leads healthy life for
people.
Từ vựng hay:
• Punctual (adj): happening or doing something at the arranged or correct time;
not late
Tiếng Việt: Đúng giờ
• Timepiece (noun): a clock or watch
Tiếng Việt: Đồng hồ
• State – of – the – art (adj): using the most modern or advanced techniques or
methods; as good as it can be at the present time

33
Tiếng Việt: Công nghệ mới nhất
XXXIV. The area you live in
Do you like the area that you live in?
Yes, my neighborhood is clean and safe. It has lots of young family and old people.
The most thing I enjoy is a garden and lots of parks near my house. Besides, my
location is very convenient because it’s close to my university and markets,
hospitals.
Where do you like to go in that area?
There is a park near my house, everyday I go to there to do exercise with my
neighbors, sometimes, we play badminton together. It is peaceful with a lot of trees
and I think this is an ideal place for contemplation and meditation.
Do you know any famous people in your area?
No, I don’t know any famous people who live near me. I have never seen any
celebrity in my neighborhood, so I gest none famous person lives here. But I know
a couple of famous singers living in a residental building in my friend area.
What are some changes in the area recently?
There are many improvements in my city in a couple years ago. And now, the park
in my neighborhood is replaced by shops and restaurants. It’s very nice. the streets
are also widened to reduce the congestion at rush hours. Besides, my favorite
improvement of this area is the building of an outdoor gym where I work out on a
regular basis.
XXVII. SCIENCE
Do you like science?
Yes, definitely!
I think science is a closed book to everyone. However, I take a keen interest
in learning science because it gives me a better understanding of the world around
me. And also, this is the reason why I choose my major of university. (nature
science). Besides, I did enojoy doing experiments about the chemistry, physics,

34
biology when I was a student. I enjoy keeping up-to-date with new scientific
developments and discoveries.
It is important for scientists to stay up-to-date with the latest research in their field.
(Việc cập nhật những nghiên cứu và công nghệ mới nhất trong lĩnh vực của họ là rất
quan trọng.)
Scientific developments in the field of genetics have led to many breakthroughs in
medicine. (Các phát triển khoa học trong lĩnh vực di truyền đã dẫn đến nhiều bước
đột phá trong y học.)
take a keen interest in something /ˈɪ[Link]əst/ (verb phrase): thích, quan tâm
an understanding of something /ˌʌn.dəˈstæn.dɪŋ/ (noun): hiểu biết
When did you start to learn about science?
I can remember vividly that when I was in secondary school, I first came to
know and study other subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology because they
are part of our curriculum. Initially, these subjects gave me a hard time,
over the time, I was fascinated with science because of its contributions. And u
know, all our routine life is connected to science theory.
• first came to know somebody/ something: lần đầu biết đến
Which science subject is interesting to you?
Well, I have a keen interest in biology. As a nature lover, I would like to discover
the living organisms and their vital process, which not only offer me a professional
knowledge of Natural World, but also raise my awareness of the significance of
ecosystem diversity.
The human body is a piece of machinery, and I very keen to know about human body
and its facts.
• have a keen interest in: quan tâm đến, thích
• infatuated with: say mê với
• take enormous enjoyment with: thấy vui khi làm gì

35
What kinds of interesting things have you done with science?
If my memory serves me right, I used to do some fun scientific experiments when I
was in secondary school. There was one time when I dissected the fish,
unfortunately, I accidentally had injury with a sharp knife, and it left a scar untill
now. I am so obsessed with knife and others sharp objects.
How did you study science?
Back in my high school, I remember that all the science subjects such as Biology,
Chemistry, and Physics included theoretical lessons and practical ones. We studied
theories in classroom and then carried out experiments in the laboratory.
Do you think science is important in our society?
Yes, we can’t deny the fact that science has offered humanity a lot of good. Science
facilitate the human’s lives. For example, finding out the sign of life on the planet
beyond the Earth. Besides, inventing the medical diagnostic equipments for human
being and other species.
Do you think science classes are important?

Bạn có nghĩ các lớp khoa học quan trọng không?

"Yes, science classes are crucial for nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-
solving skills. They help us understand the world, make informed decisions, and
drive innovation across fields, making science education invaluable."

Từ vựng:

• curiosity (n): sự tò mò
• innovation (n): sự đổi mới
• field (n): lĩnh vực

Bài dịch:

Có, các lớp học khoa học rất quan trọng trong việc nuôi dưỡng trí tò mò, tư duy phản biện
và kỹ năng giải quyết vấn đề. Chúng giúp chúng ta hiểu thế giới, đưa ra những quyết định
sáng suốt và thúc đẩy sự đổi mới trên nhiều lĩnh vực, khiến giáo dục khoa học trở nên vô
giá.

36
What do you think has been an important recent scientific development?
[Why?]
Bạn nghĩ cái gì là một sự phát triển khoa học quan trọng gần đây? [Tại sao?]
I think one of the important recent scientific developments is the development of
COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines have been crucial in combating the
global pandemic and saving millions of lives. This scientific breakthrough
exemplifies the power of collaboration and dedication in addressing global health
challenges.”

Từ vựng:

• pandemic (n): đại dịch

• breakthrough (n): sự đột phá
• exemplify (v): minh họa, nêu gương

Bài dịch:

Tôi nghĩ rằng một trong những phát triển khoa học quan trọng gần đây là sự phát triển của
vắc-xin COVID-19. Những loại vắc-xin này đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc chống lại đại
dịch toàn cầu và cứu sống hàng triệu người. Bước đột phá khoa học này minh họa sức
mạnh của sự hợp tác và cống hiến trong việc giải quyết các thách thức về sức khỏe toàn
cầu.

What kinds of interesting things have you done with science?

Well, I've done so many cool things with science over the years! One thing that
stands out is an experiment I did in biology class where we studied how different
temperatures affect plant growth. We grew a bunch of plants in different conditions
and watched them grow over a few weeks, and it was really interesting to see how
much of a difference even small changes in temperature could make.
Tôi đã làm rất nhiều điều thú vị với khoa học suốt những năm qua! Một điều nổi bật
là một thí nghiệm mà tôi thực hiện trong lớp sinh học, nơi chúng tôi nghiên cứu cách
nhiệt độ khác nhau ảnh hưởng đến sự phát triển của cây. Chúng tôi trồng một số cây
trong điều kiện khác nhau và quan sát chúng phát triển trong vài tuần, và thật thú vị
để thấy rằng thậm chí cả sự thay đổi nhỏ về nhiệt độ cũng có thể tạo ra sự khác biệt
đáng kể.

37
The study found that the rising temperatures are having a significant impact on the
world's ecosystems. (Nghiên cứu đã phát hiện ra rằng việc nhiệt độ ngày càng tăng
đang ảnh hưởng đáng kể đến các hệ sinh thái trên thế giới.)
PART II
1. Describe a situation when you had to spend a long time in traffic jam
You should say:
When it was
Where you went to
How long you had to wait
And explain how you felt about this

I am going to talk about one such experience that I lately had where I was stuck in a
jam for a long time. I went on this car journey a while ago, 2 years to be precise,
during my trip from Cantho to Dalat, when I go to Saigon , one of the most heavily
congested regions in Southeast Asia, I can remember vividly that it rained cats and
dogs especially at the peak hours ( when everyone is in a hurry to come back home).
almost the areas are completely flooded, and people find it difficult to escape from
traffic congestion.
When working on the itinerary, I did factor traffic jams in, because Saigon is famous
for gridlocks. my trip to Dalat which is a popular tourist destination with lots of hills,
valleys and waterfalls, lasted up to 10 hours because of serverse traffic jams in
Saigon.
I nearly died in the car because my bladder was full but the car seemed not to be
moving. Luckily, I was travelling with my friends, which eased the burden placed
on me. we decided to play the general knowledge games like puzzles that requires
us to answer all questions, which help me to avoid being bored. They were also
relatively surprised that the traffic in Saigon was horrible. Finally, my trip went on
very smoothly.

38
Until now, I still dread to think of commuting around Saigon at the peak hours
during the rainy seasons.
2. Describe a famous person in your country (Vietnam).
You should say:
– Who this person is?
– How you know this person?
– What this person is famous for?
– And explain what this person is famous for?
Celebrities have always attracted great public attention all over the world, and I’d
like to tell you about a renowned Vietnamese singer.
Her name is My Tam and she’s been considered as the most successful singer,
songwriter and musical director of Vietnam for over two decades. Since her debut
in the late 90s, she has received numerous awards, including the ‘Artist of the Year’
for two consecutive years. I still remember when I was a little girl, I was obsessed
with her first major hit “Toc Nau Moi Tram” in her album Endless Love, which sold
thousands of copies nationwide. It stands to reason why My Tam is the queen of V-
Pop. She’s got a deep, powerful and distinctive voice that fits her into a variety of
genres, including pop, dance and rock.
Despite being one of the most popular artists, My Tam’s never stopped learning to
give flawless concerts and performances. She even collaborated with a Korean
music producer since she was unsatisfied with Vietnamese recording and studio
techniques. As far as I know, she also took more vocal training, dance lessons and
expanded her music genres. Interestingly, she has also been the coach for many
big music contests, one of which is The Voice of Vietnam.
As opposed to other famous artists, she is known to lead a frugal life and made great
contributions to various charitable causes throughout her career. She established the
My Tam Foundation, a charity that has gone on helping the underprivileged in many
parts of our country.
Từ vựng:
• public attention: sự quan tâm của công chúng
• renowned: nổi tiếng

39
 • be obsessed with: mê mệt
• it stands to reason: rõ ràng, hợp lý
• distinctive: riêng biệt
• flawless: hoàn hảo
• collaborate with: hợp tác với ai
• vocal training: khoá luyện giọng
• coach: huấn luyện viên
• consecutive: liên tiếp
• lead a frugal life: sống 1 cuộc sống khiêm nhường
• charitable causes: các tổ chức từ thiện
• the underprivileged: những người có hoàn cảnh khó khăn
Bản dịch:
Người nổi tiếng luôn nhận được sự quan tâm của dư luận, và tôi muốn kể cho bạn
về một ca sĩ người Việt nổi tiếng.
Cô tên là Mỹ Tâm và được xem là một ca sĩ, nhạc sĩ và đạo diễn âm nhạc thành công
nhất trong hơn 2 thập kỷ qua ở Việt Nam. Kể từ lần đầu xuất hiện trước công chúng
vào những năm cuối 90, cô ấy đã nhận vô số giải thưởng, bao gồm giải ‘Nghệ sĩ của
năm’ trong hai năm liên tiếp. Tôi vẫn nhớ khi còn nhỏ, tôi mê mẩn cú hit ‘Tóc Nâu
Môi Trầm’ trong album Endless Love bán được hàng ngàn bản của cô. Thật dễ hiểu
tại sao người ta lại gọi Mỹ Tâm là bà hoàng nhạc Việt. Cô ấy có chất giọng trầm,
nội lực và rất riêng biệt giúp cô hát được nhiều thể loại nhạc khác nhau, gồm cả
pop, dance và rock.
Mặc dù là nghệ sĩ nổi tiếng, Mỹ Tâm chưa bao giờ ngừng học hỏi để đem đến các
buổi hòa nhạc và buổi biểu diễn tuyệt vời đến khán giả. Cô ấy thậm chí còn hợp tác
với một công ty sản xuất âm nhạc Hàn Quốc vì cảm thấy không hài lòng với công
nghệ thu âm ở Việt Nam. Theo như tôi biết thì cô cũng tham gia thêm các khóa luyện
giọng, lớp vũ đạo và mở rộng các thể loại nhạc. Một điều thú vị là cô cũng là huấn
luyện viên cho nhiều cuộc thi âm nhạc lớn, một trong số đó là chương trình Giọng
Hát Việt.

40
Ngược lại với những nghệ sĩ nổi tiếng khác, cô sống rất giản dị và đóng góp tích cực
cho các tổ chức từ thiện trong suốt sự nghiệp của mình. Cô thành lập quỹ Mỹ Tâm
– 1 tổ chức đã giúp đỡ những người gặp khó khăn ở nhiều nơi ở đất nước tôi.
Celebrities have always attracted great public attention all over the world, today
I’d like to tell you about a renowned Vietnamese singer.
Her name is Le Cat Trong Ly. and she’s been considered as the most successful
singer, songwriter Vietnam for over one decade. she is also the first female musician
to win "Songwriter of the Year". I still remember when I was a little girl, I
was obsessed with her first major hit “Là con gái thật tuyệt” in her album Tuổi 25
that means 25 years old, which sold thousands of copies nationwide. It stands to
reason why LCTL is the versatile artist of V-Pop. She’s got a powerful
and distinctive voice that fits her into a variety of kinds, including pop, dance, rock.
She also acquire reputation for the composes with meaningful lyrics and catchy
melody, which are compatible with people’s mental side, im no exception.
Despite being one of the most popular artists, LCTL has never stopped learning to
give flawless concerts and performances. As far as I know, she also took more vocal
training, dance lessons and expanded her music genres. Interestingly, lately she
established the art school called Hoa cam chướng -as a kind of flowers in Măng Đen
village, where people from different ages and places will be able to have access to
the contemporary music by learning how to sing and play musical instruments.
As opposed to (unlike) other famous artists, she is known to lead a frugal life . As
you can see that, almost her composes are derived from daily simple images. She
also made great contributions to various charitable organization throughout her
career. a charity that has gone on helping the childrem from the remote moutainous
areas. In the future, I wish to have a chance to go Măng Đen village to enroll/attend
her music classess and you know I can immerse myself into her music ambiance.

any extra hour would cost an additional 5 dollars.

On the last few days=recently=lately

41
 3. Describe a difficult thing you did and succeeded follow-ups

What was It?

How did You Complete it?
Why was It Difficult?
How Did You Feel about Doing it?
Today, would like to share with you a story that seem difficult at the
beginning and become easy after undergoing. I think it was very difficult for
me to lose weight.
Being an innovative and hard-working person, I have the knack for trying
difficult things and working on them until they become easy. The COVID
pandemic has made all of us locked down inside the houses and go through
many difficult situations. Due to my sedentary lifestyle, I gained immense
weight during the lockdown phase.
At first, I was trying to eat just one meal a day and completely cut off the
starch and sugar. However, over a week, I couldn’t stand anymore because I
felt like getting dizzy or stomachache, fatigued, loosing concentration on
working. So, I went online to research the information about losing weight.
I came across a girl whose weight went down from 100kg to 60kg by doing yoga
throughout Health Magazine. And so, I immediately registered the yoga club. I
spend at least 1 hour a day doing yoga, it has mostly seating and breathing excercise
along with some major movements of the body. And you know, doing yoga
regularly does wonder for my health. It keeps me in shape and build my muscle. To
be completely honest with you, I was a sweeth tooth, so I tried to avoid the sweety
food and food that are high in calories. After 3 months for practicing persistantly,
I lost my immense weight around 5kg. I always strive to upgrade my life
from the tiniest things.
You can see that im kinda person who is easy to gain weight but very difficult
to lose. after the lockdown most people gained immense weight, I was no

42
exception. I didn’t like my physique in front of the mirror. Besides, I was up
to my necks in work. but, I always forced myself to never miss any yoga
classes on a daily basis to achieve my goal effectively. It requires a lot of hard
work, discipline, and determination to do it.
at the beginning, I was afraid that I couldnt pursue this schedule because I
had to avoid sweety food and wake up earlier to do yoga. But, later I felt great
it does wonder not only physical but also mental health. It was all worth it
after facing the challenges and difficulties. I had a sigh of relief after
realizing weight loss. I am very happy by watching this transformation.
Doing yoga on a daily basis togther with eating nutrious food could lead to healthy
life.
4. Describe / Describe a place you have visited.
• What place it was and when you visited there
• Who did you go with
• What was most memorable about it
Today, I would like to share with you a place that I have paid a visit with my family
a while ago, 2 years to be precised. It was called Samson city.
Vietnam is worldwide famous for its stunning landscape and food cuisine, and Sam
Son is definitely a coastal city where you can be very pleased with both of them. It
is located in the central part of Vietnam and the city itself is a combination between
modernization and charm of the old towns.
Sam Son beach is the most popular destination in Thanh Hoa and one of the most
beautiful beaches in Vietnam. With stretching white sand and blue water, the beach
attracts a large number of tourists coming to relax and escape from the hustle and
bustle of the city.
I had unforgettable experience when I could enjoy the cool water, listen to the
melody of the waves or expose themselves to the sun. I consider Samson as a good
place to taste fresh local seafood such as shrimps, crabs, fishes and also to bring back
home some nice souvenirs. Aside from Sam Son beach, Sam Son city also has other

43
famous attractions such as Doc Cuoc Pagoda, Truong Le Mountain and Trong Mai
Rock.
If i have enough time, I’d like to talk to you about local people here. They are really
hospitable and warm-hearted. One more great thing about Samson is the traffic here.
Opposed to other cities, I haven’t never seen/witnessed the traffic congestion in the
peak seasons in Samson.
Im hope that I will come back to Samson one day.
5. Describe an object that you think is beautiful
You should say:
What it is
Where you saw it
What it looks like
And explain why you think it is beautiful
Today, I would like to share with you an item that I appreciate the beauty. Yes. It
was a Casio watch made in Japan.
Sometimes we come across so many objects which we find particularly beautiful.
Actually, I can remember vividly that it was given to me by my father at my
24th birthday party. It is white in color and it also has a silver metal trap together
with shaphhire and scratch resistant glass and waterproof, which is really
fashionable.
There are several reasons why I reckon it really beautiful and useful/multifunction.
Firstly, I consider watch as an accessory to mix and match them with different
outfits. In addition, wristwatch give me a more presentable appearance.
If I have enough time, I’d like to talk to you about the importance of such a watch.
(Using watch is part and pacel of my daily activities.)
Having a wristwatch plays an important role in my life as it helps me to manage
time more effectively. It can help me keep track of tasks. Also, I wear my watch to
check the time and arrange my hectic schedules.

44
One more thing worth mentioning is that wristwatch is meaningful gift symbolizing
my father care for me. I treasure and wear it all the time, even in bedtime.
6. Describe something that you lost in a public place.
You should say:
– What you lost?
– How you lost it?
– Where you lost it?
– And explain how you felt about it?
Today, I would like to talk about one such experience that I had lost my passport. I
can remember vividly that a while ago, 2 years to be precised, I had a trip to
Malaysia.
I was taking a taxi to the airport and had a lot on my mind, and when the
taxi dropped me off at the airport, I got out, paid the driver, and didn’t really notice
that my purse was laying on the back seat, including my passport.
At first, I flew into a panic because without passport, I was not able to check in
to get on board. I saw how crucial it is for me to confirm my identity at the airport.
I tried to keep calm and then contact the driver. after several attempts, the driver
answered. I explained what had happened, and asked him for bringing it back to me.
Luckily, he gave it to me on time. I said thanks and offered him some money.
However, he shook his head and refused, but instead wished me have a nice journey.
It was a scary but memorable experience that I may never forget, and I was very
happy and grateful for that driver because / and my trip went on very smoothly. This
experience has made me more careful of all my belongings and now whenever I go
out, I have the habit of checking them as securely as possible.
(whenever I go abroad, I have the habit of keeping my passport as securely as
possible.)
7. Part 2: Describe a photo that you are proud of.
You should say:
– Who/What did you take a photo of?
– When did you take this photo?

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 – What is the photo about?
– Why do you feel proud of the photo?
Everyone save very moment of significance and experience in our lives by
photographs. Im no exception.
Today i would like to share with you a photo that I took with my family when I
graduated from CT university a while ago, 4 years to be precised.
This picture was taken in front of the Turtle Hall after the graduation ceremony when
I was presented with my diploma. There were 4 people in such a picture including
my parents, my sibling and me. Because it was my event, I was placed at centre. My
parents printed it out and hang this photo on the wall in the living room.
If i have enough time, i would like to talk to you the reason why I felt previliged.
Whenever I look at this picture, I’m transported back in time to the days when I
burned the midnight oil to pass the exam with the flying colors. this picture captures
the greatest day of my life gives me a sense of immense pride. When I have
difficulties on my study and work, this photo give me a motivation to ovecome these
challenges.
One more thing worth mentioning is that whenever guest visits home, my parents
will show this photo and take pride in what I have achieved.
8. Describe an English class/lesson that you enjoyed.

You should say:

What was taught in the class?

When did you take the class?
Where it was?
What did the teacher do that made you enjoy it?

Well, in my school days I really enjoyed learning English and it was my favourite
subject as well, although not many students find learning languages interesting at
all.

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Today I would like to share with you an english lesson that I studied 2 months ago
at foreign language center of CTU.
Since our main teacher was on holiday leave, Ms. Trang attended our class for only
one day but it was enough for her to leave a profound impression (để lại ấn tượng
sâu sắc) on us. She was younger than other teachers, but definitely wasn’t less
experienced.
I was really keen on her teaching approach. she always used to teach in an interactive
and very interesting manner to make language learning fun as well as interesting. I
can remember vividly that it was my final speaking lesson, she combined puzzule
games in lecture.
she divided the students into 4 groups and gave each group some tiny papers with
the question. And when the time was over, she would collect the answers. If you was
wrong, it ment your group would be punished by dancing or singing.
By answering all questions, I can improve my vocalbulay resources and grammar as
well. The knowledge I acquired from her lesson could stick in my mind longer than
those previous lessons.
9. Describe a time when you helped your friend/child
Describe a time when you shared something with others (or a another person)
I would like to talk about a time when I shared my laptop with Winter. She is
my bosom friend and my next-door neighbour too.
Last year due to the covid 19 pandemic, my city was in a state of lockdown.
the administration banned stepping out of homes. All students forced to learn online
and office workers worked from home.

I can remember vividly that she had a final exam in Computer science.
Unfortunately, her laptop was accidentally broken down. She was so worried
because she was unable to prepare it. U know face-to-face interaction put my health
in jeopardy. I helped him because I believe helping each other in tough times is
our bounden duty.
Then I decided to help her by lending my computer to her. At the same time, I also
had incomplete report. Therefore, I tried to finish my deadline quickly with the help
of my laptop in 2 days and then gave my laptop to Winter. So, she used my computer

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to edit documents, review some basic operations. Luckily, thanks to my support,
Winter could pass the exam with the flying colors. she had a sigh of relief. After
that, Winter thanked me for sharing a laptop with her. That was the time when I
shared my laptop with my friends which helped me a lot to strengthen the
relationship with Winter which has lasted up to now.
I felt like I did a great job by taking the risk of going out during lockdown to help
my friend. My mom taught me the lesson and significance of sharing and now I don’t
hesitate to share/help things with others.

10. Describe a sports stadium which is important in your city.

You should say:

• where it is
• how often you go there
• what people do there

and explain why you think it is important.

I would like to talk about Can Tho National Stadium which hosts various important
national and international level events.
This multi – purpose stadium is located in Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ
Holding up to 60,000 people, Cần Thơ is the largest stadium in the country
The Cần Thơ Stadium was built during the French colonial era (1934). It was
repaired and upgraded in 1981.
This stadium is not far from my house, actually just about 2km to the west. I often
go there whenever there are activities which interest me. People usually visit there
to support sporting events to express team spirit. I also had been there once to enjoy
a music concert which took place in this stadium a few years ago.
At Can Tho, the audience fills the stadium whenever football tournaments are
playing and when the stadium organizes motorcycle racing.

Racing is popular with Can Tho people and neighboring provinces. One-year motor
racing is usually held three times a day on the 4th Lunar New Year, Liberation Day
and independence day.

Cantho stadium is very important to not only Cantho but also the whole Mekong
delta. It is the biggest stadiums in Vietnam. it brings people from all parts of Mekong
delta together, and they cheer and shout with a passion to support the national team.
This brings people together and allows them to show their patriotism. It is also a

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great place for organising different other important events like music concerts and
National Phu Dong Sports Festival.

11. Describe a problem you had while shopping online or in a store.

You should say:

When it happened?
What you bought?
What problem you had?
And explain how you felt about the experience.
With the advancement of technology, we now have greater purchase options. Online
shopping is like a cherry on the cake. We can shop from the comfort of our home by
having access to million collections. However, it also paves the way for enormous
fraudulent activities. Today, I would like to share with you the disappointing
experience that I had when shopping online.
Admittedly, I purchased a lot of things before that time and received good service,
but a while ago, 2 years to be precised, I placed an order for Adidas shoes from
Shopee, which is the largest e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia.
Actually, the same shoes were available on Adidas offical store as well but were
about 500.000vnđ costlier, so I decided to buy it from shopee.
I was so fascinated/eager about the shoes. In fact, I was boasting about the great deal
I found on the Internet to my friends.
However, when I opened the box, I was quite disappointed. My shoes were
duplicates. The brand name written on the shoes was not Adidas but Adidaas, with
a double a. I know a big brand could never make such a big mistake.
So, I called the customer care number of Shopee and told them about the problem.
They required me to take a photograph and send it. Immediately, they offered me
two choices. Either they could refund the money or I could buy something else for
the same price. When I courier the shoes back to the seller, they refunded me the
whole amount along with the courier charges I entailed.
I was quite satisfied with their handling of my complaint. However, I also felt it was
a waste of time. The whole process took about two weeks. It give me a lesson that
whenever I go shopping online, I make the habit of checking the information of
product carefully and choose the pretisgious retail outlet.

9. Describe a TV program that you are interested in (Mô tả một chương trình TV
mà bạn quan tâm)

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You should say:
→ What the name of the program is (Tên của chương trình là gì)
→ Where you can watch it (bạn có thể xem nó ở đâu)
→ What it is about (Chương trình đó là về cái gì)
And why you are interested in it (Tại sao bạn lại thích xem nó)
In the era of technology, there is a variety of programmes that have been on
air, ranging from scientific to reality shows. However, the one that I was
addicted to the American Masterchef on Fox Channel once a week.
The first time I know this show a while ago, a decade to be precised. You
know, all prestigious newspapers in Vietnam reported the information about
Christine Ha who is the first blind contestant of Master Chef and win the
champion in the season three. This gave me a sense of curiosity, so I started
to concern.
The show is hosted by Gordon Ramsay, one of the most powerful and eminent
chefs in the world. In this show, amateur chefs regardless of their
backgrounds are selected from nationwide auditions. Each of them is required
to present a signature dish to be judged by a panel. Contestants getting two
votes out of three judges will have a chance to get a white apron and move on
to the next rounds, while the losers failing to master their food will leave the
competition immediately.
Moving onto the question why I am interested in it.
Master Chef is regarded as one of the most entertaining and competitive
cooking programmes. Taking a look at this series, I can dig deeper into
worldwide culinary and culture. Also, it provides me a wide range of method
to make many cuisine on over the world, so I can learn how to cook them
easily.
I find this show quite fascinating because I can improve my English skills, it
also helps us to boost creativity. Thanks to Christine Ha and her inspiration,
I believe that no pain no gain, so I will continue to study harder and pursue
my dream.

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9. Describe your favorite movie/novel
You should say:
– What is it?
– What is the story of it?
– When you watched it?
– And explain why this is your favorite movie.
I was born and raised in Ca Mau province, which is located in the southern of
Vietnam. So I would like to share with you a movie that the context of the film is
typical of the Southeast region with forests, rivers, boats, fish and people life style
and closes to my childhood. This named DAT PHUONG NAM.
I gotto say that almost people in Vietnam know about that film because it is an epic
in praise of southerners, their history, culture. It is adapted from the novel with the
same name Land of the southern forest by writer Doan Gioi, which is introduced in
the literature in primary school. This movie is still rebrocasted on provincial TV
stations during summer every year.
DAT PHUONG NAM is set in the Southern land during the period of French
colonial rule and the tycoons and landlords. The film is a story about the adventures
of the boy named An, who was alone and drifted in the war and then was saved and
raised by local people in the southern region. Almost all characters in the film have
common features such as poverty, work and being exploited by tenants. However,
we also found that in them, there was courage and a deep patriotic spirit. They ignited
their fiery will, deep colonial and feudal hatred.
Last but not least, through DAT PHUONG NAM all Vietnamese children know
about Ca Mau people lifestyle, zigzag canals and the vast Tien and Hau rivers. This
film inspire children to converted Doan Gioi’s story into paintings, musical works
and films. Besides, the its music original sountrack is compatible with my soul,
which close to my childhood.

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Bisides, the film has brought viewers not only the abundance of the nature of Ca
Mau, but also the sense of pride in the noble spirit of our people against foreign
invaders. It is a feeling that I will always remember and be proud of.
Describe a time when you are very busy
You should say

• When it was
• What you had to do during that time
• How you managed it
• And explain how you felt about being busy

Describe a time when you received money as a gift.

§ When did you receive it?
§ What did you do with it?
§ How did you feel about it?
Well, giving and receiving money is quite common in Vietnamese culture. There are
many occasions when I get money as a present. Today, I would like to talk about a
time when I received money as a gift.
I vividly remember, a while ago, 2 year tobe precised there was my 25th birthday. I
received money as a gift from my father.
Since he was confused about my preference for a gift, he decided to give me some
money as a gift so that I could buy anything as per my choice. He made my birthday
special and meaningful when he had given me an envelope containing some cash.
The money inside was just right for a wristwatch. I felt so overwhelmed that tears
started rolling down my eyes. Next day, I and my father went to the shopping mall
and bought a white wristwatch for me. Out of the excitement, I took a picture of that
watch and posted on my social site to share my happiness with my friends and
relatives.
I was really grateful to my father for the gesture of love and care he had shown me.
I really love him for his unconditional love and support. He understands my needs
even if I do not tell him. That gift was indeed special for me but the person who gave
me that gift is the most special one. I treasure and wear it all the time, even in my
bedtime.

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Describe a time you had a disagreement with someone.

You should say:

Who was the person?

Why did you have the disagreement ?

Was the issue resolved? If yes, how?
I’m going to talk about a heated argument that I had with my father a while ago, 9
years to be precised

At the time, I was in grade 12 and had to make up my mind what I should major in
at university. I wanted to go for Natural Economics as I have always dreamed of
becoming a researcher.

However, my father didn't go along with my plan because he thought it wasn't a

stable job. He expected me to follow in his footsteps and become a doctor instead.
He told me that he had been working in that field for many years and had lots of
friends so he could help me get a job immediately after I graduated from university.
Of course I disagree with him so I make every effort to change his mind.

I gave him some major reasons why I didn’t approriate for operating. First of all, I'm
not interested in it at all and I find it quite challenging. On top of that, a doctor needs
to be patient and meticulous but I'm kind of the opposite. If I were a doctor, I would
definitely be a terrible one because of mistakes that I made.

Our conversation lasted for almost 2 hours and it didn't end well. My father was
pretty mad at me for not listening to him so he decided to give me the cold shoulder
after that. I had to ask my mother and my older sister to talk him into accepting my
choice, and my efforts paid off. After a few weeks with lots of effort and
determination, I was finally able to persuade my father to let me choose my own
career path. Needless to say, I was thrilled to bits at that moment and I gave him a
big hug to thank him. Now looking back, I feel so glad that I stayed persisted with
my decision because if I hadn't, I would probably regret it for the rest of my life.

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VOCABULARY:

• Make up your mind: decide something

• Go for something (phrasal verb) choose something
• Go along with somebody/something (phrasal verb) to agree with
somebody/something
• Follow in one's footsteps: to do the same job, have the same style of life, etc.
as somebody else, especially somebody in your family
• To be cut out for something: to have the qualities and abilities needed for
something
• Give someone the cold shoulder (idiom) (informal) to treat somebody in a
way that is not friendly
• Talk someone into something: to persuade somebody to do something
• Perseverance/ps:rse virens/(n) the quality of continuing to try to achieve a
particular aim despite difficulties
• Pay off (phrasal verb) (of a plan or an action, especially one that involves risk)
to be successful and bring good results
• Persuade /per'swerd/ someone to do something: to make somebody do
something by giving them good reasons for doing it
• To be thrilled to bits (idiom) extremely pleased

Part 2: Describe a family member who you want to work with in the future.
You should say:
– Who/he/she is?
– Whether you worked together before?
– What kind of work you would like to do with him/ her?
– And explain how you feel about this family member?

Generally, people may have admiration for a celebrity like a singer or an actor... but
for me, there is a person in my family... that I consider role model... and now I would
like to introduce my elder sister to you.

In terms of the way my life has been affected by my sister, she is the most
enthusiastic advocate of mine... who has become my personal advisor and guided

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me through difficult situations. For example, during my university time, I used to
feel myself in vain...because oflow scores in exams. she let me cry on her shoulder...
and encouraged me to work harder for the following exams... instead of crying over
spilt milk.
Our hobbies are not the same, so I think the only reason that we get on well with
each other is sharing. Whenever I'm down, she raises me up. When I'm in trouble,
she pulls me out. He never puts any pressure on me and always encourages me to
lead a life that I want.
Moving on to my sister’s current work, she is a lecturer in Cantho university, which
is a prestigious university in Mekong Delta. She just completed the PHD programme
in Japan. I used to cooperate and assist her in some project about the natural-related
problems.

Lastly, I should also mention the reason why I admire my brother, well... I believe
my sister has the characteristics of a true gentleman... because shi is caring, and
knowledgeable. He is the mirror that reflects my parents' strict educationfrom early
childhood
She is a constant reminder that I must put my best foot forward for whatever I do.
She wants to become an actress and I am leaving no stone unturned in helping her
fulfil this dream. I just hope she realizes that she is extremely special to me.

VOCABULARY AND COLLOCATIONS

- Have admiration for: to greatly respect
- Role model: a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated. Share
common interests: to have the same hobbies -Advocate: supporter Mature: grown-
up
- Lenient: tolerant

A gift always brings a smile on our face, whenever we receive it. Moreover, it shows
our importance in other’s life. Different types of gifts are given on different
occasions, as a token of blessings and love. I have also received many gifts so far on
various occasions. On my last birthday, I received money as a gift from my elder
brother.

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Describe a time you taught children how to read and write
Today, I would like to share with you a time that I taught children how to read and
write. I vividly remember that a while ago, 2 years to be precised, I got a chance to
do volunteering work in Măng Đen village which is the remote moutaineous area.
This activity has been organized by Nam Can Tho University, with purpose of
eliminating the illiteracy. You know, children in rural communities have less access
to education. During this time in Măng Đen, I taught children how to spell,
pronounce and practice counting numbers. Besides, I also read the poems and stories
for them as this helped them learn language as well as developed listening and
reading skills. The most significant thing was that I needed to be enthusiastics and
gave them lots of encouragement and praises. I made a flashcards and crossword to
remember the new words more effectively.
After such a wonderful experience, I felt so happy and proud when I saw children
develop the reading and writing skills. I also learnt that dealing with children needs
special skills of understanding children psychology and lots of patients. this is such
a unforgetable memory until now. And my mom taught me the lesson and
significance of help and now I don’t hesitate to help with others.

Speaking 10/09
1. What health problems do you often have?
I don't have experience with health problems, but I've experienced some health issues
related to playing sports in the past. One common problem I often have is minor injuries
like sprained ankles or pulled muscles. These injuries can be painful and take some time
to heal. Another issue I've faced is muscle soreness, especially after an intense workout
or a challenging sports activity. It can make moving around a bit uncomfortable for a day
or two. Additionally, I've had a few instances of overheating and dehydration during hot
summer sports events, which can lead to dizziness and fatigue. So, while I enjoy being
active and playing sports, I do try to take precautions and stay hydrated to avoid these
health problems.
2. Why do you suffer from these health problems?
Injuries like sprained ankles or pulled muscles often occur because of the physical strain
and sudden movements involved in sports. Sometimes accidents happen, and it's
challenging to avoid these injuries completely.
3. What do you often do when you suffer these health problems?
Even though I usually get injuries, most of them weren't serious at all. So what I normally
do is that I apply ice to the swollen or painful area. This helps to reduce swelling and can

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relieve pain. I keep the injured area elevated. For a sprained ankle, I prop it up on a
cushion or pillow and I try not to walk or put too much pressure on it.
4. What do you usually do to keep healthy?
To stay healthy, I have a regular routine. Firstly, to exercise regularly, I make it a point to
exercise at least three to four times a week. This could be a mix of cardio, strength
training, and flexibility exercises. Secondly, to have a balanced diet, I try to maintain a
balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains. I also
try to limit sugary and processed foods. Lastly, to get enough sleep, I aim for 7-8 hours of
sleep each night to ensure my body and mind have enough time to rest.

BẢN QUYỀN THUỘC VỀ MINH – KHOA, CẤM SAO CHÉP DƯỚI MỌI
HÌNH THỨC

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