PART 1

1 How do you usually keep in touch with members of your family?

Well, personally speaking, family plays the most cherishing role in my life. I think I can’t live for a day
without communicating with them, or at least seeing their image. Therefore, despite having to be away
from home for a great distance, I stay in touch with my family every day through the social media
platforms like Zalo to share my daily life with them và keep updated with the news at home. However, I
always have burning desire for the weekend, when I can come home and gather with my father, mother
and little sister, have meals with them, tell a variety of stories and then have countless laughter with them.
2 Do you prefer to speak to people by phone or by writing emails?
Personally, I take a fancy to voice communication rather than written communication.
Because talking and chatting are always more time-saving, then I can use those precious time to do
something else. Moreover, when talking, I can flexibly use the non-verbal language such as body
language to easily express my thoughts and ideas. In addition, the nuances in the tone of voice can convey
much more than just some tedious written words. However, in terms of formal or academic matters, I
prefer emails because they are more well-ordered and allow time for more thoughtful responses.

3. Do you ever write letters by hand? (Why / Why not?)

To be honest, I rarely have hand-written letters. One thing is because I always lean more towards the
verbal communication, where I can easily express my thoughts and convey messages to others. On the
other hand, my handwriting is almost illegible, it’s just really difficult for others to understand and
response to them. In addition, in the digital world today, email is more convenient than letters because of
its quick transformation and benefits of time-saving.
4 Is there anything you dislike about mobile phones?
Well, in the today’s digital age, the massive advantages of mobile phone is beyond a doubt. However,
some of its drawbacks is also worth emphasizing too. It has now exerted significant consequences on
people’s lives. For instance, the all-day concentration on the smartphone wastes people’s uncountable
precious time, prevent them from focusing on their work, consequently leading to their poor performance
in their job. In addition, being engrossed to their mobile phones all day also blight to people’s
communication skills, which seriously erodes the essence of social interaction and value of human
communicative culture. Moreover, people deeply indulged in their smartphones also suffer from a wide
range of health risks such as: short-sightedness, wrist fatigue,…

5 What technology do you use to communicate with others?

To be honest, I’m quite reliant on technology for my communication. Social media platforms like Zalo or
Messenger have been indispensable thing to me. As a student being far away from home, I frequently stay
in touch with my family and friends through such apps to share stories with them. I also use the chatting
to have some online discussion with my teacher or teammates. Emails, google docs or Zoom are also the
familiar and helpful for my studying purposes. It can be said, this benefit of technology is one of the
intriguing thing that appeals to me ever since.

PART 2
Describe an interesting speech you heard recently.
You should say:
When you heard it
Where you heard
What it was about
And explain why you think it was interesting
Sample:
I always have a soft spot for a novel called “On Earth we are briefly gorgeous”. It is a masterpiece that
captivated readers around the world with a redemptive power of storytelling, lyrical and hauntingly
beautiful writing.
The author, Ocean Vuong, who is renowned for his literary genius, went on a promotional tour to deliver
his insights about the novel.
The moment I knew the embarkment of this event, I immediately sought for a way to get into the writer’s
promo tour. Fortune smiled upon me when I finally received an invitation to attend one of the stops on the
tour in Hanoi. I was over to the moon as I got a chance to actually meet the mind behind all the words that
touched my heart in person. The event took place in an auditorium full of people, buzzing with
anticipation. Ocean got on the stage and had the audience hooked right from the start. With his gentle
voice and charming humor, he delved into the intricate layers of the novel, revealing the underlying
messages that resonated with the audience.
His words painted vivid images, bringing the recollection of his childhood to life and evoking a variety of
emotions within the spectators. As I listened attentively, I actually felt a profound connection and
sympathy with the writer’s vision. At the end of the event, Ocean even read to the audience an extract
from his own book. I still remember vividly the heart-melting feeling when he read the novel’s quote.
All in all, for me, it was an eye-opening experience to witness firsthand the brilliance and creativity that
had birthed this literary masterpiece.

PART 3
1, Which is better, being a communicator or listener?
Personally, I think that being a communicator is superior to being a listener because in my opinion, a
good communicator can excellently master numerous skills including: clear expressing, honesty, empathy
and also, active listening. Therefore, being a good communicator is also being a great listener, which is
extremely indispensable for effective communication and strengthening the relationships.

2. What personal qualities does a good communicator need to have?

In my opinion, being a good communicator necessitates a wide range of impressive skills. They may be a
person deeply indulged in the conversation, always attentively listen and focus on what others say instead
of just waiting for their turn to talk. Empathy and a deep understanding of others is also a crucial thing, as
they foster our open-mindedness to different viewpoints, thereby increasing others’ belief and opinion
about ourselves and strengthening the relationships. Moreover, a good communicator must be able to
convey their messages clearly and fluently, ensuring that their audience understands their points without
ambiguity. Furthermore, it is also another important aspect to have the ability to interpret and use non-
verbal communication cues, which can greatly enhance the quality of communication. Above all, strong
interpersonal skills play a pivotal role in being a good communicator. Building rapport, engaging others,
and resolving conflicts is all necessary for a great communicator.

3. Does technological development have a negative impact on communication among people?

Personally speaking, the detrimental influences the advancement of technology have on interpersonal
communication are beyond the doubt. Nowadays, technological devices have been indispensable gears to
a majority of individuals and have almost gripped their attention all day long, thereby wasting their time
on such tools and deterring them from doing anything else, particularly communicating with others. This
status quo not only arouses unwanted misunderstanding and lack of empathy among humans but also
considerably contributes to the disconnection of the society, which pose significant threats to our
authentic face-to-face interaction. In addition, networking relationships, also known as ‘weak ties’ in
social networking sites, have been ubiquitous, which deters people from truly understanding the value of
social interaction and erodes the essence of communicative culture.
4. What kinds of people often give speeches?
Subjectively, I consider people giving speeches as the ones who are extremely powerful or outstanding. In
order to deliver lectures that give people valuable information and inspire admiration, they must have the
ability of clearly convey their messages and be outstandingly proficient in the area they’re giving
speeches. From my background knowledge, people delivering speeches can be classified depending on
the context and setting. Politicians and government officials often give speeches to address the public and
share their policies or ideas. Business leaders may address conference attendees to present their
company's vision or promote their products. Keynote speakers are invited to events or conferences to
share their expertise and inspire the audience. Additionally, educators, motivational speakers, and public
figures may also frequently give speeches to inform, entertain, or influence their audience.

1. Why are social networks so popular nowadays?

In this digital world, the popularity of social networking sites has been larger than ever before and the
reasons for this are perhaps quite discernible. The apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram has rapidly
developed in last few years and has a such profound effect on the most impressionable age, the teenagers.
They provide them with useful tools to connect with their friends, enable them to have the opportunity to
show their pictures, their talents and particularly, allow them to make new friends all throughout the
world. Moreover, social networks also play an essential role in some business companies’ or famous
people’s career as it helps support their reputation as well as propagate their new products. It can be said,
those online communities have substantially contributed to our spiritual and material lives.

2. Which is better – face-to-face communicating or texting/emailing?

It would heavily depend on the situation. If it’s a friend, a relative or a work-related matter that requires
immediate discussion, then a face-to-face chat or video call would be preferred. But when we are getting
to know someone or have to face a minor issue at work, then messaging would be better since this
format gives a person time to think of an appropriate response.

 Situation (n): trường hợp, tình huống

 Immediate (adj): ngay lập tức
 Minor (adj): nhỏ, không đáng kể
 To message (v) = to text
 Format (n): dạng, định dạng

3. In what industries do you think communication is a necessary skill?

Personally, I regard communication as an indispensable skill in all context. As we’re living in an ever-
evolving society, the ability to speak with others or give speeches publicly in front of the crowd are all
very pivotal. Every day, we have to communicate with numerous people: friends, colleagues, clients,…
Whether we can have successful career or not will partly depend on our interpersonal skill. In addition,
each of our speeches will show our personality, perspective, academic level as well as social and cultural
background. Therefore, it is really crucial to acquire the communication skills in whatever industries.

4. Is shopping, working and communicating with people via the internet a positive/negative
development?
In this day and age, technological advancements has been rapidly enormous and progressive, thereby
fostering numerous other advantages, one of which is the online shopping, working and communicating.
While this actually has given a hand to humankind, I think those don’t outweigh the drawbacks as well.
First, I’ll discuss about its benefits. There are now numerous helpful apps such as Shoppee, Lazada for
shopping; Zoom, Google Docs for making online meeting or doing teamworks and in terms of social
networking, it’ll be a big mistake not to mention Facebook, Zalo or Instagram,…Such apps and websites
have increasingly been more and more prevalent to people due to their tremendous convenience. They
enable people to make their own choices of products, meet clients or chat with their friends without
having to go out. This will not only save their precious time for other necessary activities but also
strengthen their technological abilities, which can assist them in other fields. In addition, people’s travel
fees can also be limited, thereby assisting them to save their money for the rainy day.
However, there are also negative consequences that must be worth emphasizing. This sedentary status
quo may increase people’s laziness to do exercises, making them unwilling to get a hang out just for
running or even just a walk. This will therefore lead to a myriad of serious health risks such as: obesity,
diabetes, cardiovascular diseases,…In addition, being engrossed in the digital screen all day long will also
severely blight to people’s eyesight and result in their short-sightedness. Above all, the interpersonal
interaction will also be detrimentally affected. Should people spend all day on their online technology,
they will then not have any time for communicating with other people. Gradually, they may experience
social isolation, which has been associated with a variety of adverse mental problems such as anxiety and
depression.
Therefore, although shopping, working and communicating via the internet is really convenient, I think
people should strike a balance between online and offline interactions to maintain healthy lifestyle and
promote social connections.

1. Do you prefer to communicate with people face-to-face or through technology like smartphones
and computers? Why?
I believe that both face-to-face and technological communication have their merits, but my preference
leans towards face-to-face interactions. When you communicate in person, you can pick up on non-verbal
cues like body language and facial expressions, which can convey a lot of information that might be
missed in digital conversations. Additionally, face-to-face communication allows for a deeper and more
genuine connection with others.

2: How often do you use social media to communicate with your friends and family?

I use social media quite regularly to stay in touch with friends and family. It’s a convenient way to share
updates, photos, and even have group chats to coordinate plans or discuss various topics. However, I also
make an effort to have in-person interactions because I value the richness of real-life connections.

3, How has technology changed the way people communicate in recent years?

Technology has had a profound impact on how people communicate in recent years. With the advent of
smartphones and the internet, communication has become faster and more accessible. We can now
connect with people from around the world in real-time through video calls, instant messaging, and social
media platforms. However, there are also concerns about the potential loss of face-to-face communication
skills and the spread of misinformation in the digital age.

Part 2

Describe your favorite way to communicate with someone.

Although today thanks to the development of technology, we have countless different ways of
communicating, when it comes to one way that I like to keep in touch with others, using a smartphone
will be the first thing that springs into my mind.

Owning a cell phone these days is like being able to connect to almost the entire world around you. When
someone calls me, I can see the information of the caller and answer them by simply tapping on the
phone’s tactic screen. And vice versa, whenever I want to call someone, I just need to dial their number or
choose from the phone directory. Furthermore, we can send and receive texts on our phones – which also
serves as a good way of communicating with others and is easy like a piece of cake.

The reason why I prefer using a mobile phone is mostly that it is easily accessible, has the ability to
connect to the Internet and also includes other necessary applications, as well as offers effective
communication such as texting and even making a video call. Not to mention that a mobile phone is
portable since it can easily fit in bags or pockets. Therefore it is always my most convenient method for
communication on both personal and official matters.

1. How does effective communication contribute to resolving conflicts?

Well, personally speaking, effective communication plays an indispensable role in resolving conflicts. As
speech is frequently a game-changer, it is a crucial element determining one’s success and especially
resolving conflicts. Individuals can use their competent communication skills to honestly articulate their
concerns and feelings, thereby fostering the understanding of each other and relieving the conflicts. In
order to reach the harmony, active listening and empathizing with the others’ perspective are also
requisite, which facilitates identifying common ground and shared interest. Moreover, with the calmness
in the effective communication, people can easily manage their emotions and address grievances
constructively, thereby deterring the dispute from escalating any wider. It can be said that, effective
communication establishes a solid foundation for respectful dialogue and mutual cooperation, essential
for finding the ultimate satisfying resolutions.

2, In what ways can schools and educational institutions promote better communication skills
among students?

In the growth of a child, schools and educational institutions play a crucial role in instructing and paving
the way for proper perception and performance, particularly communication skills. Only by interweaving
the activities like debates, group discussions, presentations, etc…into the main teaching curriculum can
school somewhat set up a communicative environment for students, incentivizing them to confidently
interact with others, express themselves as well as educating them about the appropriate way to have a
conversation with the surrounding people. Additionally, teachers should also provide constructive
feedbacks for each students’ speech, which can help them recognize their mistakes and seek out a way to
improve them. Offering them the opportunities for public speaking is also an efficient way to build
students’ confidence and enhance their experience in communication.

3. How can individuals improve their communication skills in their personal and professional
lives?

Individuals can improve their communication skills by practicing active listening, which involves giving
their full attention to the speaker and seeking to understand their perspective. They can also work on
clarity and conciseness in their own communication, ensuring that their messages are easily understood.
Taking courses or workshops on communication can be beneficial, as well as seeking feedback from
colleagues, friends, or mentors. Finally, it’s important to remember that improving communication is an
ongoing process, and individuals should be open to learning and adapting their communication style to
different situations and audiences.

Part 1:
1. Do you prefer to communicate with people face-to-face or through technology like smartphones
and computers? Why?
2. How often do you use social media to communicate with your friends and family?
3. In your opinion, what are the key skills required for effective communication?
Part 2:
Describe a memorable communication experience you had with someone. You should say:
 Who you communicated with.
 When and where this communication took place.
 What the communication was about.
 How this communication made you feel.
Part 3:
1. How important is effective communication in today’s workplace?
2. In what ways has technology improved or hindered communication in the modern world?
3. How does effective communication contribute to resolving conflicts

Sample answers:
Part 1:
1. I believe that both face-to-face and technological communication have their merits, but my
preference leans towards face-to-face interactions. When you communicate in person, you can
pick up on non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions, which can convey a lot of
information that might be missed in digital conversations. Additionally, face-to-face
communication allows for a deeper and more genuine connection with others.
2. I use social media quite regularly to stay in touch with friends and family. It’s a convenient way to
share updates, photos, and even have group chats to coordinate plans or discuss various topics.
However, I also make an effort to have in-person interactions because I value the richness of real-
life connections.
3. Effective communication requires several key skills. First and foremost is active listening. It’s
crucial to genuinely listen to what the other person is saying rather than just waiting for your turn
to speak. Clarity in expressing ideas and thoughts is also vital, as it ensures that your message is
understood. Empathy plays a significant role too, as understanding and considering the other
person’s perspective fosters better communication. Lastly, adapting your communication style to
the audience and situation is essential for successful interactions.
Part 2:
One of the most memorable communication experiences I had was with my grandfather a few years ago.
It took place during a family gathering at my grandparents’ house on a warm summer evening.
I remember sitting on the porch with my grandfather, looking out at the beautiful sunset. We were
discussing his experiences during his younger years, particularly his time in the military. The
conversation was centered around his service in World War II and the challenges he faced during that
time.
This communication made me feel an overwhelming sense of admiration and respect for my grandfather.
Listening to his stories, I gained a profound appreciation for the sacrifices he and his comrades made for
our country. It was a heartwarming experience to connect with him on a deeper level and to learn about
his life in a way I never had before. His stories were not only informative but also emotionally moving,
and it left me with a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to communicate with him in this manner.
Overall, this communication experience with my grandfather remains etched in my memory as a special
and touching moment that strengthened our bond and provided me with valuable insights into our family
history.
Part 3:
1. Effective communication is absolutely crucial in today’s workplace. It’s the cornerstone of
successful teamwork, efficient problem-solving, and fostering a positive work environment.
Without clear and efficient communication, misunderstandings can arise, leading to errors,
conflicts, and decreased productivity. Moreover, as workplaces become more diverse and
globalized, the ability to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds and
cultures is increasingly important.
2. Technology has brought both improvements and challenges to communication. On one hand, it
has significantly improved the speed and convenience of communication. We can now connect
with anyone, anywhere, at any time, which is incredibly beneficial for business and personal
relationships. However, it has also introduced issues like information overload, the erosion of
face-to-face communication skills, and concerns about privacy and security. Therefore, while
technology has enhanced communication in many ways, it’s essential to strike a balance between
digital and in-person interactions.
3. Effective communication plays a pivotal role in resolving conflicts. When individuals involved in
a dispute can express their concerns and feelings openly and honestly, it paves the way for better
understanding. Active listening and empathizing with the other party’s perspective are crucial in
this process. Through constructive dialogue, conflicts can be de-escalated, and mutually
acceptable solutions can be reached. Effective communication helps bridge gaps in perception and
promotes compromise, ultimately leading to conflict resolution.
Part 1:
1, Who do you text with the most?

2, How do you usually communicate with your friends?

I typically communicate with my friends through a combination of texting and social media apps like
WhatsApp and Instagram. Occasionally, we also make voice or video calls, especially when we have a lot
to catch up on or if we are planning an event or gathering.
3, Are you a talkative person? (Why/Why not?)
To be honest, I’m a girl quite fond of talking with others as I relish participating in conversations about
different intriguing topics to share my stories as well as listen to other perspectives. Particularly, when
talking with the ones who bring me a sense of comfort, I can have an indefatigably endless talk. In
addition, I hold a strong belief that in this day and age, communication plays a key role in building and
strengthening relationships as well as consolidates interpersonal interaction.
4, When is it difficult for you to talk to others?
Frankly speaking, the obstacle for me in communication is often when my mood is down. That’s maybe
when I’m a bit under the stress or anxiety, thereby not being conscious enough to clearly convey my
messages or thoughts. In addition, when communicating with someone that is not actually suitable with
me or brings me a sense of discomfort, I might find difficulty in sharing my views or paying attention to
their stories.
Part 2:
Describe your favorite way to communicate with others
You should say:
What it is
How you use it to communicate with others
For how long you have been using this method
and explain why you prefer to use this way to communicate with others.

In today’s world, many of our tasks have become easier, courtesy of modern technological innovations
and inventions, and communication is certainly one of them. Of course, different people use different
modes of communication, but as far as I am concerned, my favourite way to communicate with someone
is always a phone.
And it always has been a phone since the time I started to learn about how to use a phone. But, unlike
now, the phone, I used to communicate with in the past, was a land phone which was not always
accessible to me. And the reason for this was that, unlike today, using a phone to communicate with
others in the past was a bit more on the expensive side. So, basically, I would need to seek permission
from my parents before using that land phone to communicate with my friends and relatives. But, that
was all when I still was a boy, and I didn’t have any mobile phone or smartphone. Now that I have my
smartphone (and before having a smartphone, I used to own a nice, little regular mobile phone), I can use
it to communicate with others at will whether they are living inside the country or outside of it.
By the way, just so we are all on the same page when I say that my favourite way to communicate with
others is a phone, I mean to say that I like to talk over the phone (as in making a voice call) as opposed to
using text SMS or voice mails. Anyway, I have been using this method of communication for the last 17
years or so.
Now, why do I prefer this particular method of communication? Well, my answer would be that it is just
so easy, convenient and cheap. Besides, when I use a phone and voice call to communicate with others, I
feel like I am in more control of the narratives of the message which I really want to communicate with
the others. Finally, I prefer it also because I just like to talk to people I care about.

Part 3:
1, Have the way people communicated these days changed compared to a generation before?
Well, the 21st century nowadays has witnessed an ever-evolving world of communication than ever
before. The more the rapid development of technology is, the more convenient people can keep in contact
with each other. With the help of useful social media platforms such as: Facebook, Instagram, Zalo,
etc…, the interaction can easily occur even within great distance. Text message or email also facilitates
for hesitant conversation, when people don’t instantly need to talk with others. However, these helpful
tools have also resulted in a serious problem. Due to the convenience of these apps, some individuals
don’t desire to have a face-to-face interaction with their relatives or friends anymore, which not only
arouses unwanted misunderstanding and lack of empathy among humans but also considerably
contributes to the disconnection of the society, which pose significant threats to our authentic face-to-face
interaction.
2, What is the difference between talking over the phone and face to face communication?
While talking on the phone is more convenient, in-person communication seem more efficient and
productive in terms of getting the message across. It might be a bit difficult to convey a full range of
emotions when conversing through an electronic device because words and intonation are the only means.
By contrast, with face to face communication, people can use eye contact, facial expression and body
gestures to make sure their verbal and non-verbal messages are correctly perceived. That’s why
misunderstanding is less likely to happen when people meet and talk in person.
3, Is it difficult for adults to talk with children?
Yes, I do think so. Adults might have difficulty conversing with kids due to the generation gap. For one
thing, children tend to use informal language with teen codes that their elders might not be able to
decipher. For another thing, young people and old people might approach an issue from completely
different perspectives, making it hard for them to understand each other. Not to mention, young and old
generations rarely share common interests and concerns so they might struggle to get along with each
other.
4, What kinds of jobs require good communication skills?
I suppose all jobs require adequate communication skills. But strong interpersonal skills are vital for those
working in service industries as they have to deal with customers and collaborate with their coworkers on
a daily basis. Likewise, managers and leaders must be able to communicate well with their subordinates
so that their team knows exactly what they need to do in order to reach their goals.