I. Part 1 ......................................................................................................................................................... 6
1. Celebrity ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
2. Advertisements ........................................................................................................................................... 8
3. Gifts ............................................................................................................................................................ 9
4. Transportation .......................................................................................................................................... 10
5. Colors ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
6. Flowers ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
II. Part 2 and Part 3 ..................................................................................................................................... 17
1. Describe a person/something that made you laugh You should say: When this happened Where this
happened Who were there And explain why you laughed ......................................................................... 17
2. Describe your favorite movie You should say: when and where you saw it; what type of film it
was; what the film was about; and explain why it is your favorite film. ..................................................... 20
3. Describe a piece of equipment in your home You should say: what it is; how often you use it; who
you usually use it with; and explain why this item is important to you. ...................................................... 27
4. Describe a gift that you recently gave to others You should say: When it happened Who you gave it
to What gift you gave to the person And explain why you gave this gift to others .................................... 29
7. Describe an interesting song You should say: What kind of song it is How you found it What it is
about And explain why it is interesting to you ............................................................................................. 31
8. Describe a creative inventor or musician You should say: Who this person is What this person
does how you knew this person and explain why you think this person is creative .................................. 34
9. Describe a special meal you have had You should say: where you would like to have it; who you
would like to have it with; ............................................................................................................................. 39
10.Describe a favorite part of your city or home that you often visit/ Describe a place where you relaxed
42
11. Describe a bicycle/motorbike/car trip that is interesting You should say: where you would like to
go; how you would like to go there; who you would like to go with; and explain why you would like to go
there by car, motorbike or bike. ................................................................................................................... 45
12. Describe a person that you admire You should say: Who this person is How you knew this
person What you like to do together Why you admire this person............................................................ 47
13. Describe an interesting photo You should say: Who took it Who was in the photo When the photo
was taken Why it was interesting................................................................................................................. 52
14. Describe a sport that you prefer to do and is a little expensive .............................................................. 55
15. Describe a garden you visited and like. ................................................................................................... 57
16. Describe an area of subject that you are interested in (such as physics, mathematics) You should
say: What it is When you started to become interested in it What you have learned from it And explain
why you have interest in it ............................................................................................................................ 60
17. Describe someone who has a great influence on you/ Describe a person who you have met before and
you want to know more about ...................................................................................................................... 63
18. Describe a tall building you like or dislike. ............................................................................................. 66
19. Describe a wild animal You should say: What it looks like Where you can see it What it likes to eat or
do Why you like it ......................................................................................................................................... 69
20. Describe a time when you were 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................................................ 71
21. Describe a famous person in your country You should say: Who this person is How you know this
person What this person is famous for And explain why you like this person ........................................... 74
22.Describe an outdoor activity you like to do You should say: What it is Where you like to do it How
you do it And explain why you like to do it .................................................................................................. 77
23. Describe an advertisement you have seen. ............................................................................................... 77
24. Describe a website that you like to visit. .................................................................................................. 80
26. Describe a time you needed to use imagination ....................................................................................... 86
27. Describe an interesting or unusual thing you do in your spare time. ....................................................... 90
28. Describe a time you missed an important appointment for something .................................................... 93
28.Describe a place in other countries where you would like to work....................................................... 100
You should say: Where you would like to go What kind of work/ job you would like to have When you
would like to go And explain why you want to work in that place. ............................................................ 100
29.Describe a sport stadium thats important in your city. ........................................................................ 103
30. Describe an important holiday (or festival) that is celebrated in your country. ..................................... 104
31. Describe an event that resulted in a positive change in your life. Or Describe a positive change that you
made to your life.......................................................................................................................................... 107
32. Describe a piece of good news that you received. ................................................................................. 109
I. Part 1
1. Celebrity
1.1.
As a matter of fact, yes. Ive been an avid fan of Western contemporary pop
singers for quite a time now, especially those who have excellent vocal skills like
Adele, Bruno Mars or John Legend. I even created a special playlist on my phone
which contains their songs only to listen to whenever I want.
1.3.
Ive never given this much thought but Id have to say that joining the showbiz
isnt really the path Id choose. Rising to stardom means losing a substantial part
of privacy as well as having less time with family and friends, so I guess Id prefer
to stay as a part of the general public.
1.4.
Well, definitely. Its human rights to have your private information kept secret
and to have freedom in whatever you want to do without being followed by
paparazzis all the time. Just because celebrities are public figures doesnt mean
their private life has to be exposed to everyone for gossips.
1.5.
Additionally, fans can be affected in the way they behave or dress since most of
these fans are impressionable teenagers who want to appear like their idols.
Vocabulary
Celebrated [adj]: known and praised by many people
o Eg: He is one of today's most celebrated young writers
Veteran [adj]: someone who has a lot of experience in a particular
activity, job, etc.
o Eg: He's a 10-year veteran event organiser.
To be an avid fan sth [expression]: to be very enthusiastic about sth
o Eg: I like to play the electric guitar as Im an avid fan of rock.
Contemporary [adj]: modern, happening or beginning now or in recent
times
o Eg: Vouge is a magazine devoted to contemporary fashions
Vocal skills [n]: singing skills
o Eg: Having great vocal skills is the most important for a singer.
To rise to stardom [expression]: to become famous
o Eg: He rose to stardom in such a short time.
Human right [n]: The basic rights and freedoms to which all humans
o are considered to be given
o Eg: Everybody should be entitled with human rights.
Public figure [np]: a well-known and notable person
o Eg: She is an famous public figure in music.
To
be
exposed
to
[expression]:
Make
(something) visible
or
know by uncovering it
o Eg: Her diary was exposed to everyone as a prank.
Consolation [n]: something that makes a person feel less sadness,
disappointment, etc
2. Advertisements
2.1.
I would say yes. You can easily see a wide range of advertisements almost
everywhere in my hometown. For example, almost half of a newspaper is
made up of ads.
2.2.
Most people may find those ways of product promotion annoying, but Im an
exception. Im quite into advertisements. Theyre colourful, brilliantly
designed, illustrated, photographed or typeset pieces and often have useful,
creative contents.
VOCABULARY
strategy of a company.
End users: [noun] Person or organization that actually uses a product
o Example: We provide the best quality products to our end users.
Print media: [noun] refers to paper publications circulated in the form of
physical editions of newspapers, articles, journals, etc
Electronic media: [noun] refers to television, radio, etc
3. Gifts
3.1.
Not very often, I think. I used to send gifts to my friends on most occasions
when I was younger, but I havent been doing that these days.
3.2.
I think people send gifts to show that they care for the other party and that they
treasure the relationship between the two. It can be more specific, like to
express their affection, gratitude, or even to ask for forgiveness.
Vocabulary:
To be a no for smb [expression] to be impossible for smb
e.g. Meeting this weekend is a no for me; Ive already got something to do.
Handmade [adj] made by a person using their hands rather than by machines
e.g. He asked me to give him a handmade scarf on his birthday.
Accessory [n] something added to a machine or to clothing that has a useful or
decorative purpose
e.g. She wore a green wool suit with matching accessories.
Treasure [v] to take great care of something because you love it or consider it
valuable
e.g. I always treasure those memories of my dad.
Affection [n] a feeling of liking for a person or place
e.g. She felt no affection for the child.
Gratitude [n] the feeling of being grateful and wanting to express your thanks
e.g. He smiled at them with gratitude.
4. Transportation
4.1.
I take buses to go to school at least twice per day as I havent had my own
vehicle yet. Additionally, I usually use buses to visit my relatives or friends
homes.
4.3.
Yes. As far as Im concerned, private cars and motorbikes are the two most
popular vehicles in my country. Therefore, it is obvious that there are a large
number of people tend to drive to work.
4.5.
Yes, I think so. People will continue to drive in the future due to its
convenience and affordable prices.
4.6.
Do
you
prefer
transportation?
public
transportation
or
private
Word(s)
Meaning
Example
Prevalent/
prevalence
Catch sight of
to see something
only
Assume
to
think
an
increase
in
the
people
for I caught sight of
a moment
3
is
someone
accept
that I
something is true but without other because you went to the same
Rarity
having proof of it
school.
Admire
few moments,
Affordable
cheap enough that people can This type of car is affordable for
afford to buy it or pay it
Give priority
members
will
be given
Dominate
dominated
11
Save budget
5. Colors
5.1. What colors do you like?
I am a buoyant person so I like warm colors such as red, orange and yellow.
Although I have a lot of vivid-colored clothes, my favourite color is white. The
reason behind this is that I have a great sense of cleanliness.
5.2. Do you like to wear dark or bright colors?
I prefer wearing bright colors as a way to cheer not only myself but also people
around me up and remind us to look on the bright side whenever our mood is
down.
5.3.
In my opinion, gentlemen would like to wear dark colors whereas ladies often
prefer vivid colors. However, there is also an opposite trend due to divergent
personalities.
5.4.
we
Yes they do have some effects on my mood. Apart from the influence of warm
colors I mentioned before, cool colors including blue, green and purple give me
peaceful feeling while brown and black make me feel gloomy.
VOCABULARY:
buoyant (si ni, vui ti) [adjective] cheerful and optimistic.
Example: After receiving the message from her crush, Anna was in a buoyant
mood for the whole day.
look on the bright side (nhn theo hng tch cc) [idiom] consider the
positive aspects of a negative situation.
Example: There are always challenges on your way to success so just look on
the bright side and do your best to get over it.
vivid (chi, rc r) [adjective] very brightly coloured.
Example: I remember on the first day at school she was wearing a vivid pink
shirt.
divergent (khc bit, bt ng) [adjective] Tending to be different or develop
in different directions.
Example: Vietnamese is one of the most difficult languages because there are a
lot of slangs which have divergent interpretations.
gloomy (u m, ti tm) [adjective] depressed or dark
Example: The news said the worlds economic prospect was going to be less
gloomy than the previous year.
6. Flowers
6.1.
Yes. Im really interested in flowers especially bright colored ones. I love the
way various types of flowers harmonize with each other in a garden or flower
stores that creates a beautiful picture. Every time I admire a gorgeous bunch of
flowers, I feel relax, and optimistic.
6.2.
6.3.
Personally, I think flowers play an important role in our lives. It makes people
feel positive, energetic and tireless. Without gorgeous and colorful flowers, the
world seems to be dark and boring that causes people depressed and lack of
inspiration.
6.4.
Of course, besides representing the beauty, some flowers also show our
Vietnamese peoples key virtues.
For instance, Lotus was choose to be our national flower due to its beauty and
good meanings representing Vietnamese people character namely purity,
faithfulness.
6.5.
Yes. Flowers are widely used in special occasions in my country namely birthday
parties, weddings, graduation days in order to show the respect of senders to
receivers.
6.7.
Yes, they do. Generally speaking, Vietnamese people tend to give flowers as a gift
in some certain occasion namely graduation day, birthday party, international
womens day.
VOCABULARY
Bright colored flowers (noun phrase): (nhng bng hoa nhiu mu sc)
flowers which have bright colors namely yellow, red.
Ex: Bright colored flowers make our gardens bright and beautiful
Ex: The new building does not harmonize with its surroundings.
Bunch of flowers (noun phrase): (mt b hoa) a group of cut flowers that you
hold together or that someone has tied together.
Ex: They are cautiously optimistic that the reforms will take place.
Ex: He's mad keen on planes as he always keeps searching about how to make his
own airplane.
Ex: The two parties managed to overcome their differences on the issue.
Integrity (noun): (tnh trng nguyn vn) the state of being whole and not
divided
Ex: all countries in the world should respect the territorial integrity of each other.
take
her
with
us.
Her little girl is such a witty kid, and she is always full of energy. As she begins to
be aware of the outside world, she asks a lot of questions just to satisfy her curiosity.
It happened one day when we went out shopping. While her mother and I took turns
trying clothes on, she was sitting quietly on the bench. Then she looked at me and
her
mother
and
started
to
express
her
opinions
on
our
clothes.
The way she talked was so funny that we couldnt stop laughing. She was so used to
playing with her Barbie doll that she suggested we should dress like one of her dolls.
She even taught us how to walk like models because she thought that was pretty. All
the customers who walked in the store noticed her, even the store owner couldnt
stop laughing at her since she was still a baby girl, but she talked and acted like a
grown-up
woman.
That was probably the best part of the shopping trip that I will never forget.
VOCABULARY
witty: [adjective] able to say clever and funny things
Example: Everybody laughed during the lesson, because the teacher was so witty.
satisfy her curiosity: [verb phrase] to have an answer to a strong wish to know
about something
Example: My answer did not satisfy his curiosity, so he asked me for more details
about what had happened.
trying clothes on: [verb phrase] to put on clothes to see if they fit and if they look
good
Example: Try these clothes on before you buy them to make sure that they are the
correct size.
models: [noun] people whose job it is to wear and show new styles of clothes
Example: The dream of many young people is to become fashion models and appear
in magazines.
grown-up: [adjective] typical of an adult
Example: The child was used to being treated in a grown-up way by his parents.
I believe different people have different ways of defining happiness, but for me,
happiness means living this life knowing that I am loved by the people around me
and no matter what I decide to do with my life, I am sure that those people would
always be by my side, to not only support me but also to guide me through the tough
times. It was thanks to such positive ways of thinking that I was able to feel much
happier and more confident about myself.
1.2.
Yes definitely. Even though comedies now are not as popular as they used to be in
the past, I think Vietnamese people still tend to seek good comedy TV shows to have
a good laugh and decompress after a hard day at the office or school.
1.3.
Honestly Im not really into Vietnamese comedy shows so Im not so sure who the
most popular comedian is at the moment. But my most favorite gagman, I would
have to say, is Xuan Bac. Hes been in the showbiz for, I think, nearly 20 years now
but hes still very well-loved by the public and continues to be one of the most
sought-after men in comedy right now.
1.4.
It depends, really. Some days I would just want to go out and be with somebody Im
comfortable with like my close friends. If Im in a chatty mode, I may share with
them about all the things that have been troubling my life, but if I dont feel like
talking then Id rather just forget about it all and try to have some fun with my friends
doing things that we love, such as going shopping, going to the cinema or eating
some good food. Other days, I may want to spend the whole day being by myself and
watch some of my favorite Korean variety shows which have never failed to lift my
mood and unwind my thoughts in some of the most difficult times of my life.
1.5.
I think it is because most children are nave and so they have the ability to simplify
everything that they see, feel and encounter, which helps them to be more carefree
and not over-analyzing things like what most adults do. For those kids who often
forget what happened five minutes ago, neither the past nor the future is of significant
importance to them, and thats the reason why most of the time we dont see kids
wasting time worrying about the future or let a past mistake stop them from enjoying
their present. Though obviously children dont have responsibilities and havent been
exposed to the darker side of the world like adults, I personally believe such
simplicity in childrens way of thinking is the key to living a life with much freedom
and joy.
VOCABULARY
VOCABULARY:
moviegoer:
[noun]
person
who
goes
to
the
cinema.
possible.
stuck on Mars: the man was unable to escape from the planet.
Example: we were stuck in traffic and so we arrived late for work.
dust storm: [noun] a storm that carries clouds of dust in the wind over a
wide area.
Example: a lot of plants die after a dust storm passes through an area.
crewmates: [noun] all the people working on a ship or, in this case, a
spacecraft.
fought for his life: [verb phrase] he made a great effort to stay alive.
Example: The man was badly injured in the accident, but he fought for his life
and
he
recovered
later
in
hospital.
very dangerous
and
it
is
difficult
for
a person
to
survive.
devised: [verb] NASA invented something new to rescue the man. Example:
a new system has been
astronomy: [noun] the scientific study of the sun, moon, stars and planets.
trailer: [noun] a series of short scenes from a film or programme, shown in
advance to advertise it.
Example: after watching an exciting trailer, I decided to go to see the film.
plot: [noun] the events which form the story of a book, play or film.
Example:
plot
about
prisoner
who
escaped.
it.
ingenious: [adjective] very clever at inventing new ideas.
Example: many ingenious researchers are working on ways to combat
cancer.
portrayal: [noun] the act of describing or showing something or sb in a
book, play or film.
Example: the actor gave a fantastic portrayal of a clever detective in the film.
botanist:
[noun]
person
who
studies
plants.
you.
threatened his existence: the many dangers and difficult conditions on Mars
were
danger
to
his
life.
Personally, I agree with the idea that films bring a lot meaningful lessons to the
audience. For example, romantic films can educate people the value of love,
honesty, and faithfulness. They can make watchers sympathize to other people
and to respect what they have. Indeed, they can teach people good virtues in
order to be better citizens through stories.
2.2.
Documentary films are not very prevalent because they might not meet the
interest of audience.
This kind of films is primarily for education instruction aims and lack of
entertaining features as well as dramatic elements which might make
audience feel bored and distracted.
2.4.
In general, men tend to watch action films with fast and dangerous scenes or
science fiction films which relate to unrealistic stories and are far beyond
people imagination.
Conversely, a large number of women prefer romantic films or comedies
which bring worthy messages.
2.6.
Yes. My favorite film star is Emma Watson who was the actress in Harry
Porter film series which I saw since I was a child. I particularly like her due to
her superb performance and good personalities.
Regarding performance, she made me really impressed by her acting ability,
skills in many films she took part in. Moreover, she was also received various
important awards for the best actress.
She also has a kind-hearted, generous person who is always willing to help
disadvantaged people.
Every time I saw her on TV, I remembered my childhood and that makes me
happy. I think I will continue to follow her in the long run.
VOCABULARY
Sympathize (verb): (thng cm, ng cm) to feel sorry for somebody; to
show that you understand and feel sorry about somebodys problems
VOCABULARY:
fits: [verb] is the right shape and size for something.
Example: This jacket fits me perfectly, but those shoes dont fit at all.
pour: [verb] to make a liquid flow from a container.
Example: Pour some milk into my glass, please.
potentially: [adverb] used to say that something may develop into something.
Example: Smoking will not kill you immediately, but it is potentially harmful
for your health.
fatal: [adjective] causing or ending in death.
Example: Police were called to a fatal accident, in which 3 people were killed.
immune system: [expression] the system in your body that helps it fight
against infection
and disease.
Have (the item you chose to talk about) changed much over the years?
3.2.
Do you think that (the item you chose to talk about) are important to
society? (How?)
3.3.
Do you think everyone needs to know how to use the item you chose to
talk about?
3.4.
What kinds of electrical appliances are most used in the home, besides
birthday.
It was her 5th birthday and I wanted to give her something memorable and
special. I decided to go to a Build-a-bear workshop to buy her a stuffed
bear. At this shop, you actually spend time picking materials to build your
furry friend, from the cotton inside to the clothes outside. You also got to
give this teddy bear a heart and a voice recorder, so that when you
squeezed it, it would say whatever you recorded before. After finishing
building the stuffed toy, the store would give him or her a birth certificate
with
name
and
birthday.
My little sister was so happy when she received the bear. Well, kids always
love a furry friend anyway. However, what was special was that as she grew
up, she understood how much love I had put in the bear when building it for
her at the store, so she came to appreciate the gift even more.
VOCABULARY
pick: [verb] to choose something from a group of things.
Example: The man picked a blue tie from the collection in the shop.
memorable: [adjective] something special, good or unusual and therefore
easy to remember.
Example: I will never forget the memorable holiday that I had in Japan.
workshop: [noun] a place where you can do a practical activity to create
something.
Example: As a student, I attended drama workshops, because I had always
loved acting.
stuffed bear: [noun] a toy in the shape of a bear, filled with cloth and
made of some soft material.
Example: When I was a child, I had a stuffed bear, which I used to keep in
my bedroom.
furry: [adjective] covered with fur a soft thick mass of hair that grows on
the body of some animals.
Example: People love pandas because they are so furry, with thick black and
white fur all over their
body.
get to (+ infinitive): [phrasal verb] to be allowed to do something.
Example: When we visited the football stadium, we got to meet some of the
famous players.
teddy bear: [noun] this is just another name for a stuffed toy bear.
squeeze: [verb] to press something firmly, especially with your fingers.
Example: Every time you clean your teeth, you squeeze the tube of
toothpaste.
appreciate: [verb] to recognise the good qualities in something or
somebody.
Example: At school, I appreciated the help that I received from my teachers.
4.2.
4.3.
Do people today still give the same kinds of gifts that people used to
4.5.
What are some of the possible different reasons why give gifts to other
people?
4.6.
4.7.
Do you think it's a good idea for people who are doing business with
doing.
VOCABULARY:
became a hit: when a song becomes a hit, it means that it is super popular
and that people are listening to it on the radio and buying it on iTunes or
elsewhere.
Example: Taylor Swifts song Bad Blood became a hit instantly.
catchy melody: the melody is the part that you sing along with and if it is
catchy, it means that it is easy to sing along with and people like it, you easily
remember it and it sticks in your mind.
Example: The song Uptown Funk has a catchy melody that people love to
sing.
meaningful lyrics: lyrics are the words in a song and if they are meaningful,
it means that they actually mean something or have some sort of importance or
significance; they arent just silly, meaningless words.
Example:
His
sister
writes
meaningful
lyrics
for
her
songs.
every
day
to
studying
and
preparing
yourself.
$10,000
raise.
passionate: if you are passionate about something it means you have a strong
desire to do something or a strong interest in something.
Example: Elite athletes are passionate about their sport and want to become the
best.
played at: to play a song at an event means to broadcast it over loudspeakers
so everyone can hear it.
Example: They always play the song We Are the Champions at basketball
games.
to pump up the crowd: to get the people excited about the game or event.
Example: The cheerleaders tried to pump up the crowd during the football game.
relate to: to see yourself in something or to understand it in a personal way.
Example: She can relate to the lyrics of that song about love and loss.
give up: to quit; to stop doing something.
Example:
He
decided
to
give
up
smoking
after
to
the
10
years.
She
convinced
her
son
not
quit
soccer
team.
Example: People who study the world through building mathematical models are
called theoretical physicists.
founder: [noun] a person who creates an organization, company or idea.
Example: Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft.
relativity: [noun] the word for how things only have importance in relation to
other things.
Example: Einsteins Theory of Relativity says that the way that anything [except
light] moves through time and space depends on the position and movement of
someone who is watching.
prolific: [adjective] producing many written works.
Example: Picasso was a prolific artist who produced many paintings.
came across: [phrasal verb] met or found something/someone by chance.
Example: While I was looking for my passport, I came across some old photos from
my schooldays.
biography: [noun] the story of a persons life written by another person.
Example: I have just read a new biography about the life of Shakespeare.
inspired: [verb] gave me the confidence and enthusiasm to do something well.
Example: My father inspired me to follow his example and to study hard at school.
carefree: [adjective] having no worries or problems.
Example: After she retired from work, she had a carefree life with no reponsibilies.
unconventional:
teased: [verb] laughed at somebody and made jokes about them sometimes
in an unfriendly way.
Example: The boy was teased at school because he was fat.
taunts: [noun] insulting remarks intended to make someone angry or upset.
Example: Racist taunts were often shouted at black football players in the past.
shining example: [noun] excellent and inspiring example.
Example:
What creative activities did you like to do when you were young?
I remember when I was young, I was really into cartoons and comics, especially
Japanese animations (anime and manga), and so I often spent hours everyday
drawing the cartoon characters that I liked. I even came up with a new story for all
of my favorite ones and almost made it into a complete comic book. But as I got into
high school, I got so much busier with all the homework and exams that I barely had
time to pursue my hobby and eventually lost interest in drawing.
8.8.
I think people might just run low on both inspiration and motivation to actually be
original. Maybe they find it much easier to claim others work as theirs than going
out of their way and put the effort into producing something as their own.
Sometimes, it can even earn you some short-term fame if youre good enough at
imitating others. For example, a Vietnamese singer has got himself rather famous
nationwide for being a G-Dragon copycat. Despite the criticism, it is undeniable that
he has got quite a number of fans and followers thanks to such outright copying
tactic.
8.9. What's the best way to cultivate children's creativity?
I think nothing works better than providing children with the urge and motivation to
be creative and be their true selves. Not only kids but even grown-ups need to be
regularly reminded that they can be anything that they want to be and that they
should not be afraid to be different, think differently or act differently. Only when
children are encouraged to breakthrough thinking from inside the box can they
really have the freedom to express themselves and nurture their creativity.
8.10. Do you think creativity can be learned?
I personally dont think so. To be creative, one must be original to begin with. If you
need someone to teach you how to think and perform in order to reach a certain level
of creativity then in my opinion, you can no longer call yourself original as youre,
in essence, just base your ideas and thoughts on someone else visions, not your own.
8.11. Why does art help to nurture creativity?
Just like how I was inspired to draw a comic book due to the endless hours I invested
into watching anime and manga, I think art in general can inspire others to create
something of their own as long as they are passionate enough about such idea. Also,
in order to be a successful artist, one needs more than just a standard melody or a
predictable plot; hence, artists are often in a constant battle with themselves to keep
pushing the boundaries and explore new horizons, to stay different but still
relatable, which is obviously not an easy task to do but I believe thats the reason
why art can serve as the best catalyst to creative thinking.
VOCABULARY
To come up with: ny ra, ngh ra tng g
She's come up with some amazing scheme to double her income.
Barely (adv): hu nh khng
His wages are barely enough to keep body and soul together.
To run low on: trong tnh trng cn kit
The car is running low on gas.
celebrations.
gap year:
[noun]
[adjective]
something is.
Example: The variety of Vietnamese food available during the Tet holiday is
out-of-this-world.
tasty: [adjective] having a very delicious flavour.
Example: When I want something tasty to eat, I often buy some chocolates or
ice-cream.
a bit pricey: [adjective] a little expensive.
Example: Although my favourite restaurant serves food that is out-of-thisworld, it is unfortunately a bit pricey, so I cant afford to eat there often.
grown-up: [adjective] mentally and physically an adult.
Example: She has a grown-up daughter who works in our local hospital.
meet up: [phrasal verb] to meet someone, usually by arranging a time and
place with them first.
Example: After work, we all met up at the cinema to watch the new James
Bond movie.
QUESTION FOR PART 3
9.7. Describe what you think is a healthy diet.
9.8. Are there many vegetarians in Vietnam?
9.9. Why do you think some people choose to be vegetarians?
9.10.
Is the food that people eat today in Vietnam different to the food that
people used to eat in the past? (if yes, in what ways has it changed?)
9.11.
How do you think the way we eat will change in the future?
9.12.
whom?)
9.13.
9.14.
10. Describe a favorite part of your city or home that you often visit/
Describe a place where you relaxed
You should say:
Where it is.
When do you normally visit this place.
Explain why you like it
You should say:
where it is
what you usually do there
how often you go there
and explain why it is a relaxing place
ANSWER
Today, Im going to share with you an interesting public place where I really
enjoy going to to hang out with my close friends in my spare time, which is a lovely
caf named The Hanoi Social Club.
It is situated at Hoi Vu alley a small quiet lane near Hang Bong street in the
centre of Hanoi. The coffee house is decorated in an old, traditional French style,
with a lot of paintings on the wall, and it attracts a lot of foreign customers. As a fulltime student, I have been so caught up in my studies, therefore, I just take a day off to
go there on weekends after a long stressful week.
There are many live music events taking place there performed by acoustic
guitarists, so I often check them out on the internet and come with my friends.
Because this type of music is my kind of thing, I am in my element just humming the
tune of the songs and relaxing in a comfy chair to enjoy myself.
The fast food tastes quite savoury and especially the coffee in The Hanoi
Social Club is always irresistibly delicious. That might be the reason why it was
ranked among the top 5 best coffee shops in Hanoi in 2015. What I really love is how
cozy the atmosphere is, something which I have not found in any other coffee shop
yet.
Whenever things go wrong, I often go there as a hideaway to escape from all
the pressures and order a cup of coffee to relieve my stress. It always works wonders.
I find it extremely therapeutic and soothing. Therefore, its more than likely that I
will still keep coming back to it as my favourite place in the near future.
VOCABULARY
hang out: [phrasal verb] spend time in a particular place.
Example: I sometimes hang out at the shopping mall on Sundays and meet up
with my friends.
lane: [noun] a narrow street in a city, with buildings on both sides.
Example: The lane behind the museum will take you directly to the train
station.
decorate: [verb] make something more attractive.
Example: Her living room is always decorated with flowers.
caught up: [phrasal verb] involved in a concentrated way, so that you forget
other things around you.
Example: I was so caught up in the film that I forgot to feed the cat.
acoustic: [adjective] designed to make natural sound, not sound produced by
electrical equipment.
Example: Artists who play traditional music usually use acoustic instruments,
copying the way in which the music was originally played.
in my element: [expression] doing what I enjoy.
Example: I am really in my element at parties, because I love dancing and
mixing with friends.
hum: [verb] sing a tune with your lips closed.
Example: He began humming along to the music.
comfy: [adjective] comfortable.
Example: This new jacket isnt as comfy as my old one.
irresistibly: [adverb] in a way that is so strong that it cannot be stopped.
Example: Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeares play were two young lovers who
were irresistibly attracted to each other.
cozy: [adjective] warm and comfortable and safe, often used to refer to
something small.
Example: I felt cozy and relaxed sitting by the fire.
hideaway: [noun] a place where you can go to be alone.
Example: He escapes to his hideaway in the country at weekends.
relieve: [verb] remove or reduce an unpleasant feeling or pain.
Example: To relieve his feeling of guilt, he decided to tell the truth to the
police.
work wonders:
[expression]
something.
Example: If you have a bad cold, a hot lemon drink at night works wonders.
10.8.
10.9.
10.10.
10.11.
10.12.
that
in
the
future.
VOCABULARY:
get stuck: [verb phrase] to be in an unpleasant situation that you cant
escape from. Example: I left work early, because I didnt want to get stuck in
traffic
on
my
way
home.
barely: [adverb] something that can be achieved, but only with difficulty.
Example: We barely had time to catch the train, so we ran all the way to the
station.
faced a long drive ahead: [verb phrase] a long car journey. Example: My
advice is to sleep well if you face a long drive ahead the next day.
reckon: [verb] to think or have an opinion about something. Example: If I
want to lose weight, I reckon that I will have to eat less bread.
freshen: [verb] to make something cooler and more pleasant.
Written
by
Ngoc
Page:
Bach
https://www.facebook.com/tuhocIelts8.0
are
harvested
from
the
trees
on
my
uncles
farm.
sparkle: [verb] to shine brightly. Example: The sky sparkled with thousands
of
stars.
ANSWER
VERSION 1 (Tham kho t 4 ver 6.5 Describe a person (you know),
much older than you, who you admire)
I would like to describe one of my teachers who taught me at high school. She
had a great influence on me and was a role model whom I look up to.
Her name is Yen and she taught me Math for 3 years of high school. She was
in her 50s, and so she had a lot of teaching experience. Actually, we met each other
almost everyday as she was also my form teacher. She cared about us as if we had
been her sons and daughters. For example, she always brought some kinds of
medicines so that whenever her students got a cold, coughed or something like that,
she would give them the medicines immediately.
Above all, I was most influenced by the way she taught us in class. Her
thoroughness in teaching inspired me to study Math, even though I had not been
interested in the subject before. Thanks to her effective teaching method, I was able
to pass the university entrance exam with a high Math grade. Besides, I was also
influenced by her lifestyle, which was so simple and worthy of respect that I really
wanted to copy her. As she is a warm-hearted person, she always gave us advice
about any problems we faced. At times, I felt that she was like my friend who I
could share everything with.
Although we have now all graduated from high school, my friends and I often
visit her at the weekends to tell her about our daily life at university.
VOCABULARY
role model: [noun phrase] a person that you admire and try to copy.
Example: Parents are usually the most important role models for a child.\
in her 50s: [expression] between the ages of 50 and 59.
Example: My mother retired from her job as a teacher when she was in her
50s.
cared about: [phrasal verb] felt that we were important and worth worrying
about.
Example: Everybody had a good opinion of the hospital the doctors and
nurses really cared about the health of the patients.
thoroughness: [noun] the quality of doing things very carefully and with
great attention to detail.
Example: The report was perfectly organised and included every important
detail, and I had to admire his thoroughness.
lifestyle: [noun] the way in which a person or group of people live and work.
Example: When I moved to the countryside from Hanoi, I had to change my
lifestyle completely.
warm-hearted: [adjective] kind and generous
Example: He often gave money and chatted in the street to poor people that he
knew he was a very warm-hearted person.
VERSION 2 (Tham kho t 27 ver 6.5 Describe a leader who you
admire)
I would like to share with you my impression of a leader who I really admire. Her
name is Huong, the director of the VPBank Hoan Kiem Branch, where I had a
chance to do an internship for over 3 months last year.
She has not only a wide knowledge of banking but also a lot of experience of being
a good leader. That can be seen through the way that staff carry out their duties in
the bank that she has been running. Although that bank is just a small branch of
theVPBank, the work of the employees is extremely professional and efficient.
Not only has she succeeded in her career path, she also pays attention to her
clothing style and physical appearance. She is in her 30s with shoulder-length hair.
Because her business requires meeting with customers a lot, she always knows
how to choose smart and suitable clothes to complement her figure.
What I really admire is how well she treats her subordinates not only in terms of
working relationships but also in daily life, if their personal problems affect their
performance at work, always taking care thoughtfully of each person in her
company. I will try my best to become a good leader like her in the future.
VOCABULARY
impression: [noun] an idea or feeling about someone/something.
Example: My first impression of Australia is that the people are very
friendly.
branch: [noun] a local office or shop/store belonging to a large company or
organization.
Example: The bank has branches in every big town and city in the country.
internship:
[noun]
better/more attractive.
Example: The excellent choice of food is complemented by a good wine
list.
figure: [noun] the shape of a human body, especially a womans body that
is attractive or smart.
Example: Although she is in her 60s, my grandmother still has a smart
figure.
subordinates: [noun] people with less authority within an organisation or
company.
Example: I always discuss things with my subordinates in the business
before making my decisions.
thoughtfully: [adverb] in a way that shows you think about and care about
other people.
Example: When we arrived, the hotel had thoughtfully provided a special
meal for us.
12.12. Has there been a change in the charactenstics that leaders should have?
12.13. Many women are earning more money now, does it mean that they can be
leaders?
it was really a wonderful photo because there were brilliant smiles from all the
members of our whole family group.
Whenever I look back at that photo, I feel very emotional and happy because it not
only marked a major turning-point in my life, but it was also a valuable opportunity
for my extended family to strengthen our relationship. I think sometimes it is
necessary for us to capture moments and save them as notable memories in our lives.
VOCABULARY
posing: [verb] sitting or standing in a particular position in order to be
photographed.
Example: I have an old photo of my grandparents, posing in front of a statue in the
park.
extended family: [noun] a family group that includes not only children and
parents, but also uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins......
Example: When our extended family all met for a meal, there were probably about
50 of us at the restaurant.
sibling: [noun] a brother or sister.
Example: I went to a different school from most of my siblings.
get-together: [noun] an informal meeting or party.
Example: Most of the students were more interested in social get-togethers than
going to lectures.
for ages: [expression] for a long time.
Example: How are you? I havent seen you for ages.
put...at their ease: [expression] make someone relaxed, so they do not feel nervous
or embarrassed.
Example: Our friendly host at the party soon put everyone at their ease.
smiles: [noun] the expression that you have on your face when you are happy.
Example: After they won the match, all the players had big smiles on their faces.
look back: [phrasal verb] think about something in your past.
Example: When I look back at my schooldays, I realise that I was not happy at that
time.
marked: [verb] indicated an event that was important.
Example: The celebrations last month marked the 90th birthday of the Queen.
turning point: [noun] a time when an important change takes place, usually
with the result that a situation improves.
Example: The promotion to manager marked a turning point in her career.
capture: [verb] film or record something/someone.
Example: The video camera captured the moment of the accident.
strengthen: [verb] make stronger.
Example: The President said that he was determined to strengthen his countrys
relations with China.
notable: [adjective] important and deserving to receive attention.
Example: She achieved notable success as a famous writer of books for children
QUESTIONS FOR PART 3
13.7.
13.8.
Why do people like to take many photos when they are travelling?
13.9.
Do you think photographs can really help people remember past events
in their lives?
13.10.
13.11.
13.12.
Do you think photographs are more important for adults or for children?
13.13.
family?
Vocabulary
Budget (noun): (ngn qu) the money that is available to a person or an
organization and a plan of how it will be spent over a period of time
Example: We decorated the house on a tight budget (= without much money to
spend).
Sporty
(adjective):
(ham
gii
th
thao)
Recreation (noun): (s gii tr) a way of enjoying yourself when you are
not working
Example: Emma's only form of recreation seems to be shopping
14.8.
What are the major differences between extreme sports' and ordinary
sports?
14.9.
14.10. Why do you think some people strongly dislike playing sports?
14.11. Do you think people should be encouraged to try some of these extreme
sports?
14.12. Do you like (or, would you like) to do a rather dangerous sporting
activity?
14.13. Why do you think some people like to do these dangerous activities?
As a big fan of Monets paintings, especially the famous Water Lilies, I had
always dreamed of seeing the scene in real life. So, when some friends suggested
a visit last year, I jumped at the chance. After a journey of about an hour by train
from our hotel, we arrived at Giverny. The garden was exactly as he had painted it
it was a riot of colour, from the peaceful white of the water lilies to the striking
reds and oranges which filled some of the flowerbeds.
The two parts of the garden complemented each other perfectly. We first
admired the array of bright flowers and fruit trees in the Clos Normand, but my
favourite part was the water garden, and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll, taking in
all
the
colours,
perfumes
and
bird
songs.
Monet
avidly
collected
prints of Japanese gardens, and these inspired the Japanese bridges covered with
wisterias, the water lilies in the pond, and the bamboo and weeping willows
which he planted.
For me, it was like a wonderland of colours and a dream come true after so many
years.
VOCABULARY
impression: feeling or feelings (in the plural) about the garden (impressions)
His impression of the meeting was that it didnt go very well.
fan: although the word is often used in the context of football nowadays, here it
means a person who admires [ Monets paintings].
She is a huge fan of Maroon 5.
jumped at the chance: I enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to visit the
garden.
He jumped at the chance to go to Las Vegas with his boss.
a riot of colour: a collection of many different colours.
16. Describe an area of subject that you are interested in (such as physics,
mathematics)
16.8. What school subjects do you think are most important (in primary school or
high school)? (Why are they important?)
16.9. What subject or subjects do you think will be most important in the future?
16.10. What school subject do you think will be the most useful in adult life (or,
most useful for society)?
16.11. Which subjects do you think should be optional and which should be
compulsory?
16.12. What are the advantages of studying computing in high school?
16.13. In the west, (upper) high school students are allowed to choose many of the
subjects they study. Do you think that would be a good idea in Vietnam?
17. Describe someone who has a great influence on you/ Describe a person who
you have met before and you want to know more about
ANSWER
I am going to talk about a woman whom I have met before who has had a great
influence on me. She is Ms. Phoebe Tran, host of 8IELTS programs which are well known on Youtube currently.
I met her in a seminar about IELTS strategies in HCM City a couple of months ago.
On that day, she was a speaker sharing her experiences and tips in order to be
successful in the IELTS exam.
At this seminar, besides asking for pieces of advice in learning IELTS, I asked her
about her real life experiences, since I was extremely keen to know how she had
become a successful career woman and how much effort she has had to make to
achieve her success. She was very friendly and approachable, far more than I
expected, in fact. She was willing to share her ideas and answer all my questions. I
felt that she really wanted to inspire me by her example.
She must be one of the most energetic, inspirational speakers I have ever met so far.
Now I have sufficient confidence to overcome all obstacles and reach my goal.
She is a truly a role model for me and the young generation to look up to, and thats
why I want to know more about her. And so I think I will continue to follow her on
the internet and when she gives lectures.
VOCABULARY
1. have a great influence on sth/sb: the power that somebody/something has to
make somebody/something behave in a particular way
Example: Her parents no longer have any real influence over her.
2. well known: known about by a lot of people, famous
Example: His books are well known. You can find them in any bookshop in the city.
3. piece of advice: an opinion or a suggestion about what somebody should do in
a particular situation
Example: My doctor gave me a useful piece of advice about drinking lots of water in
order to avoid problems with my kidneys.
(Dislike) What I dont like about Hoabinh Green City, however, is that its
design is neither eye-catching nor original. In fact, I personally find that it
resembles Times City, a modern building nearby. Moreover, the paint color
doesnt match its modern structures, which makes the building somehow oldfashioned. And, the quality, as well as diversity of products on sale do not
meet the expectations of most customers. So, I guess its the reason why the
building doesnt attract as much attention from the public as expected.
VOCABULARY
1. high-rise: very tall and having a lot of floors
Example: These high-rise apartment blocks were built 20 years ago.
2. blocks: tall buildings that contain flats or offices
Example:
campus.
3. huge glass towers: high-level buildings with the exterior made of glass
Example: The design of the Lotte Department Store is just a huge glass tower,
but it definitely stands out and has become a famous landmark in the city.
4. dissimilar: not the same
Example: The English and Vietnamese languages are completely dissimilar to
each other.
5. feature: A prominent or distinctive part, quality, or characteristic
Example: Large glass facades have been a familiar feature of modern
buildings for a long time.
6. Domestic products: goods that are manufactured within a country, by
manufacturers of that country.
Example: Famous by Boo is a clothing brand that offers domestic products.
7. serve: to provide food, entertainment or service
Example: Boo Cafe serves coffee and meals to many customers who call in
when they go to the store to buy clothes.
8. prime: excellent, the best available
Example: The store has a prime position at the entrance of the shopping
centre.
9. Offer a reasonable price: sell with a price that is not too high, and affordable.
Example: If a business aims to achieve sustainable development, it should
manage to offer its customers a reasonable price.
10. middle-income families: families in which the members have salaries which
are not very high, but also not too low
Example:
families.
11. breathtaking scenery: very beautiful and spectacular landscape
Example:
scenery.
12. eye-catching : tending to attract attention, good-looking
Example: The signing of this contract was the result of many meetings to build
an eye-catching tower against the skyline of Riyadh.
13. resemble: look like another person or thing
Example: So many modern buildings resemble each other.
14. match : look good together
Example: When choosing clothes, it is common belief that we should not mix
pink items with yellow ones, as these two colours do not match.
15. meet expectations: be as good as expected
Example: We had heard so many good things about the new restaurant, but the
food didnt meet our expectations at all.
16. attract attention: make people notice something
species:
might stop existing because there are only a few of that type alive
Ex: white tiger is an endangered species
Make a great effort: the physical or mental energy that you need to do
something; something that takes a lot of energy
Ex: You should make a great effort to complete this assignment.
19.8.
Some people breed animals such as dogs for money. How do you feel
about that?
19.9.
Do you think there should be laws to protect the welfare of pets and farm
animals?( For example, laws against cruel treatment.) Why?/Why not?
19.10. Are there any wild animals in Vietnam that are not found in any other
country?
19.11. Are there any animal reserves in Vietnam where wild animals can live in
protection?
19.12. How do Vietnamese people feel about the protection of wild animals?
19.13. What do you think are some of the benefits to humans from protecting
wild animals ?
When it was
What you had to do during that time
How you managed it
And explain how you felt about being busy.
ANSWER
Today Im going to talk about a time when I was extremely busy. Well, that was
when my husband went on a business trip to India, so he was absent from home for
about a fortnight. I found myself totally overloaded with work then because I had to
do a lot of things on my own during that time. For instance, I had to take the kids to
school and pick them up to take them home in the evening, prepare the meals and
do the washing-up. Whats more, I still had to work for 8 hours as an accountant and
could not leave the office until 5p.m. These things seemed to be impossible tasks for
me.
So, I decided to seek help from my family and friends. I asked my mother to pick up
the kids and look after them until I came back. Luckily it didnt matter to my
mother. She always gave me unconditional love and help, and the kids were also
happy to be with their grandmother. My friends introduced me to a part-time home
help who was really nice and trustworthy to do the housework in the evening.
Thanks to that, in spite of being busy when my husband was away, I was not
exhausted and everything went well. As the saying goes: A friend in need is a
friend indeed, experiencing that hectic time made me realise that, besides my
family, there are so many friends around who are willing to help me, so I am not
alone.
VOCABULARY
Extremely: (adv) an intensifier, like very, highly, to a high degree or extent
Example: She behaved extremely badly.
(adj)/:
without
condition,
not
limited
by condition.
Unconditional love means that you will love someone no matter what he does,
or no matter what happens, your love will continue.
Example: The mothers love for her child is unconditional.
Home help (noun) a person whose job it is to help with housework.
Example: When I started to work full-time, I employed a home help to keep
the house clean and tidy.
20.8.
20.9.
20.10.
20.11.
earlier in 2005, he was granted the title of professor in Vietnam, becoming the
countrys youngest professor ever.
Professor Ngo Bao Chau has won the highest academic honor due to his great
mathematical research. He is best known for proving the Fundamental Lemma. His
work is such a distinction that it has been listed as one of the top ten scientific
discoveries of 2009 by Time magazine.
The story of Ngo Bao Chau has motivated me considerably. I remember in an
interview after receiving the Medal, Ngo Bao Chau said that he had been studying
maths for following his passion but not for a desire to achievement. This statement
impressed me a lot. Besides, another characteristic of the youngest Vietnamese
Professor that I really like is his persistence. During the time studying the
Fundamental Lemma, he stuck and almost failed to solve such a complex problem.
Despite the difficulties, he did not choose to give up so finally he got over them. His
personality has been an inspiration for me working harder for my dream.
VOCABULARY:
Describe as (miu t l) [verb] to portrait a person or a thing as something in
a more particular state.
Example: My friend described our new teacher as a middle-aged woman
wearing a thick pair of glasses.
Mathematician (nh ton hc) [noun] an expert in Maths.
Example: Isaac Newton is not only a famous physicist but also a great
mathematician whose book called Mathematical Principles of Natural
Philosophy became the catalyst to understanding mechanics.
Best known for (ni ting v) [adjective] famous for.
21.8.
21.9.
Do you think to be famous, a person needs to have some special talent (or
ability)?
21.10.
What are some general qualities of famous people? Do they have any
qualities that are different from ordinary people?
21.11.
Compare how people become celebrities today with how people became
celebrities years ago, for example, 30 or 50 years ago.
21.12.
21.13.
Compare what kinds of people were famous in Vietnam in the past (eg
when your grandfather was young) to the kinds of people who are famous
today.
21.14.
In your opinion, were the standards for judging who is famous before better
than they are now?
Meaning
Example
1. Commercial Qung
Noun
co
2. Touching
Cm
Adjective
ng
an advertisement on
Theyre casting
the radio or on
for a phone
television.
commercial.
touching story
that moved
many of us to
tears.
3. Bursts into
a khc Idiom
tear
to begin to cry
The children
suddenly.
4. Affection
Tnh
Noun
Children need
cm,
loving
cm xc
somebody/something
affection.
S bit
Noun
I would like to
gratitude to
everyone for
their hard work.
6. Convey
Truyn
ti
Verb
to make ideas,
Please convey
my apologies to
somebody.
your wife.
7. Reunion
on t, Noun
Christmas is a
sum hp
time of reunion.
23.8.
23.9.
23.10.
23.11.
23.12.
23.13.
23.14.
23.15.
It is an e-commerce website used for online shopping purposes. This website sells
various items classified by categories namely fashion, electronics, motors. It allows
people to order products, make transaction online.
I always give priority to shopping online whenever I have spare time instead of
going to stores/supermarkets because this website is very beneficial for me as I can
take advantage of mobile phone or computer with Internet connection to access into it
and purchase for what I need.
This website is very appealing to me due to its good layout and beautiful images of
products. There is a box for me to enter what items Im looking for so I can avoid
buying items unnecessarily as I find directly to the things I need. After that the items
I bought will be delivered right to my door so I can save a lot of time.
Moreover, I will have chance to get a good deal and discount as there are various
promotion programs.
This website brings to me various advantages such as convenience, time saving.
Now it plays a critical role in my daily life. In the future I will continue to visit it and
of course recommend it to my friends.
Vocabulary:
E-commerce: the business of buying and selling goods and services on the
internet
Ex: Ebay is an e-commerce website used for online shopping purposes
Transaction: a piece of business that is done between people, especially an act
of buying or selling
Ex: You can call your bank and perform a transaction using a TouchTone phone.
Give priority to: something that you think is more important than other things
and should be dealt with first
Ex: Education is a top priority.
25. Describe a small business that you would like to open, (or, start or run or
own or have) if you had the chance.
You should say:
What this business would be
Where it would be located
What people you would hire as employees
And explain why youd like to have this small business.
ANSWER:
Well, if I were to talk about my dream business, a small book caf would definitely
the first thing that springs to my mind right now. Actually, Ive been thinking about
it for a long time as I always enjoy reading books and drinking coffee in a tranquil
space. When I prepare enough money, I would start my own business for sure.
My desire is to create a place for people who are finding the serenity and trying to
escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life, so I would look for a location in a
quiet street, maybe around the Old Quarter. My caf would be decorated elaborately
by lights and tiny plants, bringing a pleasant feeling to the customers. Bookshelves
filled with books of every kind would be put around corners and everyone would be
welcomed to choose a book from the shelves to enjoy their coffee time.
Like many other coffee shops, I would hire students to work as part-time employees
at my book caf, especially ones who share the same passion for books like I do.
They could earn their livings in a comfortable and passionate working environment,
and I hope to nurture their love with books.
Owning my own book caf has been my lifelong dream. To read books is to broaden
my horizons, and to drink coffee is to enjoy life. When I reach a certain point in my
life where I feel satisfied enough with my career, I would resign and run my small
caf. I believe that one day I will make my dream come true.
Word
1. Caf
Meaning
Qun cafe
Noun
Example
shops and
simple meals.
pavement cafs
around every
corner.
2. Spring to
Bng
Idiom
to appear suddenly
That's not a
mind
nhin/ngay
or immediately in
publisher that
lp tc
your thoughts.
springs to mind
hin ln
when you
trong u
mention quality
fiction.
3. Tranquil
4. Serenity
Thanh
Adjective
She led a
bnh, tnh
tranquil life in
lng
the country.
S thanh
Noun
bnh, tnh
a haven of peace
lng
and serenity
away from the
bustle of the
city.
5. hustle and
Hot ng
bustle
bn rn, n
Idiom
He wanted a
activity.
in a very
complicated and
was decorated
detailed way; in a
elaborately.
carefully prepared
and organized way.
7. Passion
Nim am
Noun
8. Earn a
Kim sng
Idiom
living
9. Nurture
Nui
Verb
dng
of love, hatred,
case with
anger, enthusiasm,
considerable
etc.
passion.
To make money in
I have to work
order to support
oneself financially.
earn a living.
to help
My father
of art in me.
successful.
10. Horizon
Tm nhn,
Noun
She wanted to
tm hiu
desires, knowledge
travel to
bit
or interests
broaden her
horizons.
11. Resign
T chc
Verb
to officially tell
He resigned as
manager after
eight years.
an organization, etc.
Despite the pressure I had to deal with, I felt a great sense of achievement
because our play was well-received by the teacher and other classmates. I guess I can
regard this as a challenge for not only my imagination but also for my cooperation
skills. In the future, I hope I will get the chance to involve in other exciting projects
like this one.
Vocabulary
1. To make use of sth [expression]: to use something
Eg: The students should make use of the books they are given.
2. Sophomore [n]: a student in the second year of high school or college
Eg: She's a sophomore in high school.
3. Assignment [n]: a specified task or amount of work given
Eg: The students were given a homework assignment.
4. Genre [n]: a particular type or category of literature or art
Eg: This book is a classic of the mystery genre.
5. To be assessed [expression]: to be judged, rated or scored
Eg: Students will be assessed based on their attendance and scores.
6. Demanding [adj]: requiring much time, attention, or effort
Eg: I have heard it is one of the most demanding courses at the
university.
7. To draw attention [expression]: to make people notice
Eg: A good presenter must be able to draw listeners attention.
8. To act out sth [expression]: to present something in action
Eg: Children act out what they read.
9. To make the best of sth [expression]: to try to think and act in a positive way
when you have to accept a bad situation
Eg: The room they've given us is too small really, but we'll just have to
make the best of it.
10.Inventive [adj]: creative or imaginative
Eg: They have given their new company an inventive name.
11.To working against the clock [expression]:to work very fast because
you know you only have a limited period of time to do something
Eg: Scientists were workingagainst the clock to collect specimens before the
volcano erupted again.
12.To make time for sth [expression]: to allow time for something
Eg: I try to make time for my family at weekends.
13.Prop [n]: something used in creating or enhancing a desired effect
Eg: There was a team responsible for building stage props to make the
background more real.
14.A sense of achievement [expression]: a proud feeling of having done
something difficult and worthwhile
Eg: He felt a sense of achievement having won the competition.
15.Well-received [adj]: getting a good reaction from people
Eg: Gone with the wind was one of the most well-received movies of all time.
[expression]
something.
Example: A good nights sleep works wonders for your mind and body.
therapeutic: [adjective] helping you to relax.
Example: My dentist plays soft music while her patients are waiting, because she
says that it is therapeutic.
inspirational: [adjective] something that motivates you and makes you have
exciting ideas.
Example: The President gave an inspirational speech to his supporters.
unwind: [verb] SEE: wind down.
any time soon: [expression] in the near future.
Example: After our big argument, I am not expecting her to call me any time soon.
ANSWER
Im going to describe the time I was late for my first job interview. It happened
in the fall of 2012, as I recall, which is when I was a sophomore. I had always
dreamed of becoming a marketer, so Id already joined a marketing course and after
that, I was ready to apply for an internship in this field.
The company I applied to was a start-up in education technology.
Specifically, they offered online English courses to those who wanted to brush up on
their English speaking skills. They were looking for a marketing intern, and as I was
interested in both English and marketing, I applied for this position.
I sent them my CV and was accepted, so we made an appointment for an
interview. However, when the day came, I was late for the interview because I was
lost. I couldnt find the way to get to that company at first, and finally managed to get
to the interview but 30 minutes late. I am so doomed, I thought, and the next thing
I knew, the interviewer just told me I was late for the interview without prior notice
so regretfully I was rejected.
That was a painful experience for me, and since then Ive tried my best not to
be late for any appointments ever again.
Vocabulary:
Sophomore [n] a student in the second year of a couse of study at a college or
university
e.g. Most universities provide internship opportunities for their third-year students, or
even sophomores.
Start-up [n] a company that is just beginning to operate.
e.g. His company was a successful start-up.
And gradually, one just forgets the importance of punctuality and starts to think that
being late is normal, until they have a taste of their own medicine.
28.9. Is it easy to make an appointment in Vietnam?
Well, it depends on the type of people youre making appointments with, and
sometimes your social class as well. For example, if youre an ordinary person and
you need to schedule an appointment with a very busy businessman, the process is
gonna be long and hard and its even likely that you cannot meet him at all. Like you
have to get through to his secretary first and that secretary will have to squeeze you
in a time slot when the businessman has no schedule. But its a different case if
youre an important partner of that company, of course the process will be much
easier.
Vocabulary:
To judge [v] to express a bad opinion of someone's behaviour, often because
you think you are better than them
e.g. You have no right to judge other people because of what they look like or what
they believe.
Punctuality [n] the fact of happening or doing something at the agreed or
correct time and not being late
e.g. He insists on regular attendance and punctuality.
A taste of ones own medicine [idiom] the same bad treatment that you have
given to others (gy ng p lng ng)
e.g. Let the bully have a taste of his own medicine.
Social class [expression] position in the society
e.g. People tend to judge each other based on their social classes.
Get through (to smb) [phrasal verb] make contact with somebody by phone
e.g. I couldnt get through to him.
everything stayed unchanged, no one did any work and nothing was done. Several
weeks later, I was still kicking myself for taking part in such a team project.
VOCABULARY
When it comes to:
[expression]
particular topic
Example: When it comes to troubles, the little boy knows how to cause it.
assign: [verb] to give a particular job or piece of work to someone
Example: The case has been assigned to our most senior officer.
A bunch of: [expression] a large group
Example: She gave me a bunch of flowers.
allocate: [verb] to give something to someone as their share of a total
amount, to use in a particular way
Example: The government is allocating 10 million for health education.
Sit on the fence: [idiom] not to take sides in a dispute; not to make a clear
choice between two possibilities.
Example: It was the time when my brother consulted me about his
university selection because he didnt know which one he should apply for.
I told him that he should be firm and never sit on the fence.
To kick oneself for: [idiom] regret doing something
Example: Im kicking myself for not buying that T-shirt.
mass of members may lose interest in the bussiness and let a small group take
it over and manage it for their own benefit. So, I would say that it depends on
each situation that which one, cooperation or competition, is more important.
VOCABULARY
inspire: [verb] to make someone feel that they want to do something and
can do it:
Example: After her trip to Venezuela, she felt inspired to learn Spanish.
hinder: [verb] to limit the ability of someone to do something, or to limit
the development of something:
Example: Her progress certainly has been hindered by her lack of
experience.
solely: [adverb] only and not involving anyone or anything else:
Example: He's solely in charge of the operation.
Result in: [phrasal verb] lead to, bring about
Example: The fire resulted in damage to their property.
Self- reflection: [noun] careful thought about your own behavior and
beliefs
Example: I often do some self-reflection when Im alone.
Take over: [phrasal verb] to get control of something, or to do something
instead of someone else:
Example: She took over management of this department last winter.
28.
(noun):
be contained or produced,
(sc
or
cha)
(especially of
can
a person or organization)
From that time on, I started to go to school and go out with friends on my bike
and finally I was able to enjoy the pleasure of feeling independent and mature.
Maybe at that time, my grandpas purpose was only to encourage me to ride,
but thanks to it, I became stronger and more confident about myself in general.
Several years later, I read a quote that says Life is like riding a bicycle. To
keep your balance, you must keep moving on. It reminded me of that day
and the important basic lesson that my grandpa taught me.
VOCABULARY
Balance: the ability to keep steady with an equal amount of weight on each
side of the body.
Example: I struggled to keep my balance on my new skates.
Reluctant: hesitating before you do something because you do not want to do
it.
Example: I am reluctant to try mountain-climbing, because I am afraid of
falling.
Suffer: to be badly affected by a disease, pain, sadness, a lack of something,
etc.
Example: He is suffering from a headache.
Thanks to: used to say that something has happened because of
somebody/something.
Example: It was all a great successthanks to a lot of hard work.
Conquer: to succeed in dealing with or controlling something.
Example: The only way to conquer a fear is to face it.
Take on: to tackle something by deciding to do it.
Example: She has taken on the task of looking after her elderly parents.
Quote: a group of words or a short piece of writing taken from a book, play,
speech, etc. and repeated because it is interesting or useful.
Example: I write my favourite quotes in a notebook.
Move on: start doing something new
Example: After doing the same job for 10 years, I decided that it was time to
move on and think about a change of career.
Remind of: to make somebody remember or think about the other person,
place, thing, etc. because of the similarities
Example: You remind me of your father when you say that.
QUESTIONS FOR PART 3
31.1.
31.2.
31.3.
since most people do work on their computers, why do they still need to go to
the office?
31.4.
31.5.
compare the pace of technological progress in the past and in the present
- Im going to talk about the time when I received the official notification of my
scholarship to study in Japan over a year ago.
- Its been a long time but I can still remember that day so well. At the time I got
the news, I was taking a quick nap, then the alert sound from my phone woke
me up. A new email had arrived.
- It was an email from the International Affairs Office of a university in Japan
informing me that I had been chosen to receive a scholarship during my
exchange semester there. Several months before that day, I had applied for an
academic exchange program in this university, they had accepted my
application and nominated me to the Scholarship Committee.
- So, when I received this email, it took my brain a few seconds for this news to
sink in, and then my heart suddenly jumped. I leapt out of my bed and
screamed out loud, because I was extremely excited. I had been waiting for
this email for two months since I gained the admission. If I hadnt won the
scholarship, my living expenses would have become a heavy financial burden
for my parents, but thanks to the monthly grants that I received from the
university, I could really enjoy my time in Japan without worrying about
financial problems. Even now, I still keep this lucky email in my mailbox to
remind me of that day.
VOCABULARY
Take a nap: take a short sleep, especially during the day.
Example: I usually take a nap after lunch.
Nominate: to formally suggest that somebody should be chosen for an
important role, prize, position, etc.
Example: He was nominated as the best actor.
Scholarship Committee: the committee in charge of reviewing and selecting
recipients for universitys scholarship.