Table of Contents
1.

Home/ accommodation .........................................................................................................5

2.

Study ....................................................................................................................................7

3.

Work ....................................................................................................................................9

4.

Birthday ............................................................................................................................... 11

5.

Social Media ......................................................................................................................... 12

6. Names ......................................................................................................................................12
7. Geography ................................................................................................................................ 14
8. Travelling on public transport .....................................................................................................16
9. Housework and Cooking ............................................................................................................ 16
10. Singing ....................................................................................................................................16
11. Technology.............................................................................................................................. 17
12. Neighbor .................................................................................................................................18
13. Snacks ....................................................................................................................................20
14. Hair salon ................................................................................................................................ 20

15. Advertisements...................................................................................................................... 21
16. Boring things .......................................................................................................................... 22
17. Talents ..................................................................................................................................23
18. Books and Reading habits .....................................................................................................23
19. Meeting places ....................................................................................................................... 24
20. Collecting things .................................................................................................................... 24
21. Watch....................................................................................................................................25
22. Computers and Tablet........................................................................................................... 26
23. Old Buildings ........................................................................................................................ 27
24. Sitting down .......................................................................................................................... 27
25. Evening time ......................................................................................................................... 28
26. Doing sports .......................................................................................................................... 29
27. Weekend ............................................................................................................................... 31
28. Science ..................................................................................................................................32
29. Noise .....................................................................................................................................33
30. Daily Routine ........................................................................................................................ 34
31. Weather .................................................................................................................................37
32. Handwriting ............................................................................................................................ 37


33. Puzzle .....................................................................................................................................39
1. Describe a difficult decision you made that had a very good result ............................................ 39
2. Describe a time when someone asked you for your opinion ...................................................... 43
3. Describe a place you have visited that you would recommend as a good place to live ................ 46
4. Describe an occasion when somebody said something positive about some work that you did ..49
5. Describe a time when you received money as a gift (birthday, wedding) .................................51
6. Describe a person you know who is from a different cultural background .............................. 53
7. Describe a disagreement you had with someone ......................................................................56
8. Describe an outdoor activity you did in a new place recently .................................................. 59
9. Describe a programme that you enjoyed very much (e.g. on TV or the internet)..................... 62

10. Describe a photo you took that you are proud of ...................................................................67
11. Describe a movie you watched recently and would like to watch again ..................................70
12. Describe a friend from childhood who you remember very well ............................................ 74
13. Describe the home of someone you know well and that you often visit ..................................77
14. Describe a time when you saw a lot of plastic waste (e.g. in a park, on a beach etc.) .............. 80
15. Describe a time when you needed to search for information.................................................. 83
16. Describe an object that you think is beautiful ........................................................................ 86
17. Describe something you had to share with others ..................................................................91
18. Describe a story or novel you have read that you found interesting ....................................... 95
19. Describe a place in the countryside that you visited You should say: .................................. 101
20. Describe a person you know who loves to grow plants (e.g. vegetables/fruits/flowers etc.) ... 104
21. Describe a time when you forgot/missed an appointment .................................................... 111
22. Describe an impressive English lesson you had and enjoyed................................................ 115
23. Describe a time when you succeeded in doing something that was difficult ......................... 121
24. Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting ......................................... 125
25. Describe a time you made a decision to wait for something ................................................. 130
26. Describe a change you made in your daily life that saved you a lot of time ............................. 135
27. Describe a situation when you had to spend a long time in traffic jam ................................... 141
28. Describe something you do that you think is important for keeping fit and healthy ................ 143
29. Describe a family member you might like to work with in the future ..................................... 148
30. Describe a special day out which didn’t cost very much ......................................................... 151
31. Describe an important event in your life that you celebrated................................................. 153
32. Describe a neighbour you are interested in .......................................................................... 157


33. Describe an important river/lake in your country .................................................................. 160
34. Describe a quiet place you like to go to ................................................................................. 162
35. Describe something that surprised you and made you happy. ............................................... 163
36. Describe a competition (e.g. music, cooking, sport) you would like to take part in.................. 165
37. Describe an invention which changed the world in a good way .............................................. 171

38. Describe a time when you helped a child .............................................................................. 174
39. Describe an occasion when you lost something in a public place ............................................ 174
40. Describe a traditional product made in your country which you like ...................................... 177
41. Describe something you do that can help you to concentrate in work or study ...................... 178
42. Describe a time when you used your mobile phone for something important ........................ 182
43. Describe a time when you were very busy............................................................................. 185
44. Describe a popular/well-known person in your country......................................................... 187
45. Describe a friend you enjoy talking with ............................................................................. 190
46. Describe a person who likes to dress fashionably................................................................. 198
47. Describe an important thing you learned (not at school or college) ..................................... 203
48. Describe a problem you had while shopping online or in a store ......................................... 207
49. Describe a popular place for sports (e.g. a stadium or something) ....................................... 211
50. Describe a positive change that you made in your life ........................................................... 216


PART 1
1.
Home/ accommodation
What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?
I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bed rooms, two bathrooms
and a lovely back garden. It’s not really a spacious house, but it’s just right for me and my
family.
Who do you live with?
I live with my parents and my siblings. We always get on well with each other and have a
lot of fun.
How long have you lived there?
I’ve lived there since I was a child, until I graduated from high school and moved to the
city to enroll at university, where I lived in a student dormitory during the semester.
(If you answer you haven't lived there long)
What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in

the past?
Living in a dorm with other roommates is totally different from living in my own house.
My current residential area is quite small and it’s very noisy because there are a lot of
people there and I don’t have my own space. Conversely, when I was living at home, I had
my own spacious room and it made me feel comfortable.
Do you plan to live there for a long time?
To be honest, I intend to buy an apartment in an urban area after I graduate from university.
I can decorate and design my ideal home with whatever facilities I want.
Which room does your family spend most of the time in?
It’s definitely the kitchen. Not only lunch or dinner time but all our family reunions take
place in the kitchen where all the family members get together to eat tasty meals, and chat
to each other – it’s a really harmonious atmosphere.
Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
To be honest, most of the transport facilities to my place are not very modern. The bus
service from my work place to home is irregular and usually overcrowded.
Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?
I prefer living in a house to a flat because I value my privacy and need my own space.
Owning an independent house, I can plan and design a house layout to suit myself.
Moreover, I can modify a house according to the size of the family.
Please describe the room you live in.
My current room is actually more like a bedsit. It is a multi – purpose room, I use it to sleep
and study as well. It is painted in pink, that’s my favorite color with a bed, a cupboard and
desk. It’s not really spacious but it’s just right for me.


What part of your home do you like the most ?
I prefer my bedroom most due to its convenience and privacy. Because of my stressful
work I want to be in a quiet place and concentrate on my work. In my own room, I’m never
disturbed by anyone else.
Moreover, in my own space I can do whatever I want without bothering others.

VOCABULARY
Terraced house (noun): (ngôi nhà trong dãy nhà cùng kiểu) a house connected on both sides
by other properties
Ex: In England, most people seem to live in terraced houses with lovely back gardens.
Back garden (noun phrase): (vườn ở phía sau nhà) a garden at the rear of the house.
Ex: I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bed rooms, two
bathrooms and a lovely back garden.
Spacious (adjective): (rộng rãi) (of a room or building) large and with plenty of space for
people to move around in
Ex: The hotel rooms are spacious and comfortable.
Sibling(s) (noun): (anh/ chị em) a brother or sister
Ex: The younger children were badly treated by older siblings.
Get on well with sb (phrasal verb): (hòa hợp với ai đó) to have a friendly relationship with
somebody
Ex: She and her sister have never really got on well with each other.
Dormitory (noun): (kí túc xá) a room for several people to sleep in, especially in a school
or other institution
Ex: I’ve lived there since I was a child, until I graduated high school and moved to
the city to enroll in university where I lived in a dormitory.
Residential area (noun): (nơi ở) (of an area of a town) suitable for living in; consisting of
houses rather than factories or offices
Ex: It was not safe to locate the chemicals factory in a residential area.
Urban area (noun): (vùng thành thị) connected with a town or city
Ex:Pollution has reached disturbingly high levels in some urban areas.
Reunion (noun): (tụ họp, xum họp) a social occasion or party attended by a group of people
who have not seen each other for a long time
Ex: The College has an annual reunion for former students.
Harmonious (adjective): (ấm cúng, yên bình) friendly, peaceful and without any
disagreement
Ex: It is important to have harmonious relations between the country's ethnic groups.

Irregular (adjective): not happening at the arranged time intervals
Ex: His irregular attendance at school resulted in his failure in the final exams.


Overcrowded (adjective): with too many people or things in it
Ex: The train was so overcrowded this evening that I was unable to find an empty seat.
Privacy (noun): being alone and not disturbed by other people
Ex: I read the letter in the privacy of my own room.
Suit oneself (verb): to do exactly what you like/want
Ex: Everyone had a different opinion about what colour to paint my room, so in the end
I decided to just suit myself.
Modify (verb): (sửa đổi, thay đổi) to change something slightly, especially in order to make
it more suitable for a particular purpose
Ex: We found it cheaper to modify the existing equipment rather than buy new.
Bedsit (noun): (phòng vừa để ngủ vừa để học, tiếp khách) a room that a person rents and
uses for both living and sleeping in
Ex: He lives in a tiny student bedsit used for both sleeping and studying.
Multi-purpose (adjective): (đa chức năng) having many different uses
Ex: This room is multi-purpose – we use it for meetings, interviews and taking breaks.
2.

Study

Describe your education
I started primary school when I was 7. 5 years later, I went to secondary school at 12. Then
at 16, I made it to a high school for gifted students in my hometown. In my country,
highschool education lasts 3 years, then I went onto higher education at the Foreign Trade
University where I’m currently studying economics.
What is your area of specialization?
Well, my major is External Economics. I have mastered the basics of economics and

socio-economics, combined with business knowledge mainly related to the import and
export business.
Why did you choose to study that major?
I think it would help to fulfill my dream of introducing my country’s agricultural products
to the world. Vietnamese goods have a real potential, but they still struggle to make a
name for themselves, you know.
Do you like your major? (Why?/Why not?)
Yes, of course. Studying economics, especially external economics is interesting and
practical. It helps me to keep up with current affairs and it improves my analytical and
problem-solving skills as well.
What kind of school did you go to as a child?


As a child, I attended a public elementary school. It’s quite a big school in my hometown
which provides both high quality education and a supportive environment, so I think I was
quite lucky.
What was your favourite subject as a child?
Well, I used to be very passionate about drawing when I was a little girl. It was fun to
work with brushes and colors, you know, as it was the time when I could indulge in my
own creative world.
Do you think your country has an effective education system?
To be honest, I don’t think so. Our system has somehow become unduly stressful, does
not promote creativity and the ability to be critical due to the fact that our society still cares
way too much about grades and schools consequently focuses on an exam-driven
curriculum, which I find quite impractical.
(Possibly) Are you looking forward to working?
Absolutely! It’s great to join the workforce, especially when I can do the job I love. Not
only will it pay the bills, but it’ll also give me the joy of making a contribution. It’s hard
to be happy and fulfilled without working, you know.
VOCABULARY

Higher education (chương trình đại học) [n] post-18 learning that take places at universities
Example: According to a research, nearly 50 percent of Vietnamese students in U.S. higher
education are studying either business or engineering, with business-related majors
making up 38 percent of all enrollments in 2012/13
Master (tinh thông, nắm vững) [v] learn how to do sowmthing well
Example: She lived in Italy for several years but never quite mastered the language.
Make a name for oneself ( trở nên nổi tiếng) [idiom] become famous and respected by a
lot of people
Example: By the time he was thirty-five, he had made a name for himself as a successful
railway contractor
Keep up with (cập nhật thông tin về cái gì) [idiom] be aware of
Example: Even though he's been travelling, he's kept up with what's going on back home
Analytical (thuộc về phân tích) [adj] using analysis or logical reasoning
Example: Analytical skills are essential in the workplace to ensure necessary problem
solving occurs to keep productivity and other areas of the workforce functioning smoothly
Elementary school (trường tiểu học) [n] primary school, school for children between 7-11
years old (in Vietnam)
Example: It’s essential that children at the official entry age for elementary school attend
classes fully.


Unduly (q mức, khơng chính đáng ) [adj] excessively/ to a level that more than is
necessary, acceptable, or reasonable
Example:
For every new parents, the decision about whether to vaccinate his or herchild has been u
nduly stressful
Exam-driven curriculum (chương trình học để phục vụ cho các kỳ thi) [expression] the
courses taught a school, college, which focus on teaching what will be on the exam
Example: Many parents believe that exam-driven curriculum can change their kid’s
attitude towards school in profoundly negative ways.

Pay the bills (trang trải cuộc sống) [ idioms] provide enough income to sustain one’s
lifestyle
Example: Being a dentist isn’t so glamorous, but it pays the bills
3.

Work

What do you do?
I’m currently working as a graphic designer for a fashion magazine for youngsters
What are your responsibilities?
Well I’m mainly responsible for designing the cover of the magazine. I normally work with
the concept team to make sure that the final product will both attract the potential buyer’s
attention and express the theme of the magazine.
Why did you choose to do that type of work (or, that job)?
I guess it’s because of my artistic passion. The process of creating beautiful things is
somehow intriguing to me, so I chose to be a graphic designer, which combines both art
and technology. It’s quite interesting, you know.
Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?
Well, if possible, I’d like to be a freelance writer. Actually I’m a big fan of action movies,
and I also care about healthy living, so, I’d love to write about these topics and share my
stories with people of the same interest.
Describe the company or organization you work for
My company is not huge, it’s just a small art designoffice, but is definitely an inspirational
workplace with a young, creative, and extremely passionate team. We work on the basis
of mutual understanding and respect for each other, so it’s kind of an ideal environment
for me.
Do you enjoy your work?


Most of the time. It’s rewarding to co-work on projects with amazing people in an open

and supportive environment to bring out an art production that will ultimately give me a
sense of satisfaction and pride.
What do you like about your job?
Well, the perk of being a graphic designer is that you’ll surround yourself with inspiring
images everyday. My daily working life involves seeking out inspiration in all sorts of
places, researching incredible illustrations and graphics, and creating them too. It’s great,
I think.
What do you dislike about your job
What I don’t like about this job is that our personal taste in design varies, and normally I’ll
have to do a thousand edits to get the final product that meets the demand of my boss while
still * relating / staying faithful to /remaining trueto the initial concept.
* conform means ‘to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected
by a group or society’ – this does not relate to things like ‘concepts’.
(Possibly)Do you miss being a student?
Sometimes, when I’m burdened with heavy workloads or the pressure of everyday life, I
recall the memories of being a student. We were all carefree and innocent back then. It’s a
precious time that I cherish.
VOCABULARY
theme (đề tài,chủ đề) [n] the main subject of a talk, book, film, etc
Example: The father-daughter relationship is a recurring theme in her novels.
Intriguing ( hấp dẫn, gợi thích thú) [adj] very interesting because of being unusual or
mysterious
Example: The Huns are intriguing not only because of their notoriously hawkish
history, but also because of their place as middlemen between Mongol and Turkic
ethnicity
On the basis of (trên cơ sở) [idiom] base on
Example: Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age or disability is not allowed.
Rewarding (bổ ích, đáng làm) [adj] giving pleasure, satisfation
Example: The most rewarding aspect of living forever is you have unlimited time to
perfect your abilities and accumulate wealth.

Ultimately (cuối cùng thì, rút cục) [adv] at the end of a process, period of time, etc.
Example: Everything will ultimately depend on what is said at the meeting with
the directors next week.
Perk ( đặc quyền, thù lao thêm) [n] an advantage or something extra that you are given
because of your job


Example: A company car and a mobile phone are some of the perks that come with the
job.
Conform (to sth) (tuân theo) [v] obey the rule or reach the necessary stated standard
Example:
Before buying the
baby's car seat,
make sure that
it conforms to
the official safetystandards.
Cherish (yêu mến, coi trọng) [v] keep hopes, memories in your mind because they are
important to you and bring you pleasure
Example: I cherish the memories of the time we spent together
4.
Birthday
How do children celebrate birthdays in your country?
It is popular for children in my country to have birthday parties at home or in restaurants
and invite friends, and relatives to join. On this occasion, they are usually given gifts and
money.

How did you celebrate your last birthday?
On my last birthday, I had the best birthday ever. I and friends made an all – day excursion
to Phu Quoc Island, the largest island of Vietnam. We celebrated with a barbecue party
outside and danced together under the moonlight.


What kinds of birthday gifts do you like to receive?
I’m really interested in handmade gifts because they represent not only the creativeness but
also the passion of the senders. Therefore, I always appreciate receiving them and try to
keep them as long as I can.

Is there a difference between the way you celebrate your birthday in the past and in
the present?
Yes. In the past, when I was a child, I could only celebrate birthday parties at home and
invited friends to join. However, as I’m mature now, I can decide to do more things to
make it special such as by travelling to explore new places.


VOCABULARY
✓

Excursion (noun): (chuyến du lịch ngắn ngày) a short journey made for pleasure,

especially one that has been organized for a group of people
Ex: There are regular weekend excursions throughout the summer.
✓

Barbecue (noun): (tiệc nướng) an outdoor meal or party when food is cooked on a

metal frame over an open fire outdoors.
Ex: The supermarket sells a range of food ideal for summer barbecues.
✓

Handmade (adjective): (làm bằng tay) made by a person using their hands rather


than by machines.
Ex: I’m really interested in handmade gifts because they contain not only the creativeness
but also the passion of senders.

5.
Social Media
Do you like to use social media?
Yes, I do. I am active on many different platforms like Facebook, Instagram or Tiktok. I
use these sites to keep in touch with others, stay updated on what is going on in the world,
and also for entertainment too.
Do you think you or your friends use too much social media?
Well, I have to say yes. It is like an everyday occurrence for us. We spend plenty of time
on social media each day.
Do you want to work in social media? Why?
Well, I would say yes. I’ve been running my own social media accounts for years on
Facebook and Instagram, and I’ve got some experience in this field. Among all types of
jobs in social media, I’m particularly interested in content creation and community
management.
What’s the most popular social media in VietNam? Why?
Some years ago, I would say it’s Facebook. But this year, I guess Tiktok ranks the top in
terms of popularity and the number of active users.
6. Names
1.

Does your name have any particular meaning?


Let me see… Well I think it means “bright pearl” or “shining pearl”? I guess my parents
wanted me to become an intelligent and successful girl so they gave me this name.
2.


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

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

Do you like your name?

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

What do your friends call you?

My friends back in secondary and high school tended to call me “Cat” or “Fat Cat” because
of my nickname on social networks - well I love cats after all. University friends don’t
really give me any nicknames; they just call me “Chau”.
5.

Did your family have a certain (nick) name that they called you when you were a

child?
Hmm… well, no? They just called me “Chau”. I think in some other families, parents
would give their children some kind of nick name but that’s not the case in my family.
6.


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

I think people tend to choose some names like Linh or Trang for girls – I don’t know the
actual meanings of those names though. For boys, the two most popular names, I think, are
Son, which means the mountain and Hieu, which means to show affection and respect
towards one’s parents.

Vocabulary:
✓

Lame [adjective] (vớ vẩn) unsurprising and dull


e.g. I found the programme pretty lame and not every informative.
✓

Blurt [verb] (thốt ra/buột miệng nói ra) say something suddenly and without careful

consideration
e.g. He blurts things out without even meaning it, yet, he doesn't apologize!
✓

Be stuck with sb/sth [expression] (mắc kẹt với cái gì) to have to deal with someone

or something unpleasant because you have no choice or because no one else wants to
e.g. We were stuck with him for the entire journey!
✓

Pun [noun] (chơi chữ) a humorous use of a word or phrase that has several meanings


or that sounds like another word
e.g. This is a well-known joke based on a pun: “What’s black and white and read (= read)
all over?” – “A newspaper.”
7. Geography
Have you ever studied geography at school?
Yes, actually geography is among the core subjects in my school curriculum. Unlike
History with its dry subject areas, learning Geography is more fascinating because you
can discover some interesting facts, traditions and customs of countries and continents or
find out the causes of some natural phenomena.
1. dry (adj): khô khốc, buồn tẻ, không thú vị
The book is packed with information but it is a little dry. (cuốn sách có khá nhiều
thơng tin nhưng nó hơi khơ khan)
2. fascinating (adj): thú vị, lý thú

There are

fascinating destinations. (Có những điểm đến đầy hấp dẫn)
3. core subjects (n): các mơn học chính
Maths and science are core subjects at school. (Toán và khoa học là những môn học cơ
bản ở trường.)
4. Natural phenomena (n): những hiện tượng tự nhiên.
They are researching about the hail and other natural phenomena. (Họ đang nghiên cứu
về mưa đá và các hiện tượng thiên nhiên khác.)
Do you like geography?
Absolutely, I’m into discovering and explaining the formation and evolution of our planet,
human beings and other species. Geography lessons at school always keep me on the edge


of my seat and I always stay focused on the lesson, listening to all the geographical facts
or dealing with the charts and data, which is really like an eye-opener.

1. an eye-opener (idiom): điều làm mở mang tầm mắt
Living in another country can be a real eye - opener.(Bạn sẽ thấy ngạc nhiên khi sống ở
một đất nước khác.)
2. keep sb on the edge of his seat (idiom): khiến ai cảm thấy thú vị, thích thú, phấn khích
The film was so exciting it had me on the edge of seat right until the last moment (Bộ
phim lý thú đến nỗi nó khiến tơi phấn khích cả buổi chiều)
3. stay focused on (collo): tập trung, chú tâm vào
The space shuttle's crew must stay completely focused on the task at hand.(Thủy thủ đoàn
trên tàu con thoi phải ở lại để tập trung hoàn toàn vào nhiệm vụ sắp tới.)

1.
2.
3.

1.
2.

Are you good at reading a map?
Since I’m a person whose sense of direction is not very good, I’ve soon got used to using
Google maps to search for a route while commuting. Having said that, I’m only able to
locate myself and find out the way if the map is electronic and written in Vietnamese.
Otherwise, I would seek help from local people which is sometimes more reliable and
accurate.
sense of direction (collo): khả năng tìm phương hướng, ý thức phương hướng
I lose my sense of direction.(I lose my sense of direction.)
commute (v): đi lại
We commute by train.(Chúng tơi đi làm bằng tàu lửa.)
seek help (collo): tìm sự giúp đỡ
Somebody can seek help if they're disabled.(Ai đó có thể tìm kiếm sự giúp đỡ nếu họ bị
tàn tật.)

Would you visit a country because of its geographical location?
Yes, since I’m a curious person, I always want to explore new places located far from my
country rather than our national tourist attractions. It is because I’m familiar with
Vietnam’s rich culture and traditions as I really love and admire them, so I want to set foot
in stranger places, somewhere in the opposite hemisphere or on another continent.
be familiar with: quen thuộc với
You should be familiar with the surroundings.(Bạn nên quen với môi trường xung quanh.)
rich (adj): giàu có (về vật chất + giá trị tinh thần)
He has written a book about the island's rich history. (anh ta đã viết 1 cuốn sách về lịch sử
lâu đời và phong phú của hòn đảo)

3. set foot in (idiom): đặt chân tới đâu
He refuses to set foot in an art gallery. (anh ta từ chối đến triển lãm)
4. in the opposite hemisphere: ở bên kia bán cầu


8. Travelling on public transport
1. What kind of public transportation do you usually take?
It’s the bus, I would say. I go to school by bus on a daily basis because the price is very
affordable. A bus ticket costs only around 10 thousand VND which is ideal for those living
on a tight budget.
2. Do most people prefer public transportation in your country?
Although bus is the cheapest way to get around, not many people like it in my country
because it’s always overcrowded and not very punctual.
3. Did you take transportation when you were a kid?
Well, I didn’t take public transportation when I was a kid because the school was within
walking distance of my home.

9. Housework and Cooking
1. Do you do some cooking/help your family cook at home now?

Well, I do help my mom with some cooking, but as an assistant; only because I’m not very
experienced in cooking actually. I would do some prep work like: rinsing vegetables,
peeling the fruit or something like that.
2. Did you do some house cleaning when you were young?
Yes, I did, but not frequently. I only did house cleaning at the weekend as I went to school
every day. And there were just some simple chores like: washing dishes, taking out the
rubbish or washing the clothes.
3. Do you have breakfast at home every day?
Well, not every day. If I get up late and don’t have much time, I grab a bag of toast on my
way to school. But If I’m not in a hurry, I’d eat breakfast at home with family members.
10. Singing
Do you often sing?
I love to sing, but I don’t sing in public. I sing almost every day when I’m alone in my
room. I'm not too good at singing, I can't reach high or too low notes, and sometimes I


forget words to songs, but I do heavily lip-sync. By heavy, I mean intense expressions,
movements as if I'm in the song. I always imagine myself doing some intense singing at a
talent show, but I know I can't do that.
When do you like to sing?
Honestly, I mostly feel like singing when I’m feeling emotional and need a way to release
my emotions. I also sing when I hear a catchy song or just a song I love!
Is it difficult to sing well?
Yes. It is. Even those with a natural talent for singing have to learn the correct technique,
which can only really be taught/coached.
Do you want to be a singer?
I’d love to, but I am not talented enough to pursue it. Sometimes you have to recognise
what you are good at to be able to make your career decisions.
What kinds of music do you like to sing?
I sing for myself, and not in front of people I don't know, so I can sing whatever I like.

Mostly I sing ballads, R&B, country, and other genres.
Vocabulary
Intense (adj) very great; very strong
•

We were all suffering in the intense heat.

Technique (n) a particular way of doing something, especially one in which you have to
learn special skills
•

We have developed a new technique that corrects the problem.

11. Technology
1. What technology do you often use, computers or mobile phones?
Well, my answer is both because I use both the computer and mobile phone every day. My
cellphone is obviously like a daily necessity for me, and I use it for phone calls, messaging,


browsing the Internet, reading e-mail, and other small jobs. However, the mobile phone is
not convenient when it comes to word processing, so when I’m at work where I have more
complicated projects or work, the computer is really helpful.
2. What electronic devices have you bought lately?
Well, I bought an Ipad last week and I just love it. I used to take my laptop to class to take
notes, but it was too heavy and sometimes really inconvenient to carry all the time.
Therefore, for me, the Ipad is a perfect alternative as it’s much lighter and more portable.
3. What’s the benefit of technology?
Well, I think technology has brought tremendous benefit to our lives. At the medical level,
technology can help treat more sick people and consequently save many lives and combat
harmful viruses and bacteria. For companies, progress in implementing strategic

technology trends is helping them save time and therefore, money. Similarly, global
tourism has grown
12. Neighbor
1.
Do you know your neighbors?
Yes, of course I do. People in my neighborhood know each other quite well, and all of
them are very friendly and lovable. The family living next to my house is always willing
to offer assistance when we need, and sois my family.
2.

Do you like your neighbors?

Well yes, I love them, because they are good neighbors. The family next door has a
grandmother whom I really respect, as she always gives me useful advice. I think that we
live in harmony with one another.
3.

What do you think of your neighbors?

As I have said, they are warm-hearted people. They receive a lot of affection and
admiration for their kindness and generosity. I think it is quite good fortune for my family
to live next to them.
4.

How often do you see (or talk to) your neighbors?

I think very often. Each morning, we frequently greet when we meet each other. Whenever
I am not occupied with schoolwork, I will visit the grandmother to talk to her. Her life
experience and advice have helped me to overcome many difficulties and challenges.



5.

When do you meet your neighbors?

We meet everyday, since we live next to each other. Particularly, at the weekends, the
neighbors will gather in the biggest house to hold a party or BBQ, which is very appealing
to the children.

VOCABULARY:
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: A. THE ARTS (sách collocations)
1.

to live in harmony with one another

Meaning: to live with others in a way which avoids conflict or disagreement
Example: The students who share the house are all good friends and they are able to live
in harmony with one another.
Dịch đại ý
To live in harmony with one another: sống hòa hợp với người khác
Nghĩa: sống với những người khác một cách hòa hợp, tránh gây mâu thuẫn với nhau
Ví dụ: Sinh viên sống cùng một nhà là những người bạn thân và họ có thể sống hòa hợp
với nhau.
CÁC TỪ KHÁC:
1.

lovable [adj]: having qualities that people find attractive and easy to love : đáng yêu

Eg: Minh is a really lovable child.
2.


(be) willing to do sth[expression]: ready or pleased to help : sẵn lịng làm gì

Eg: They keep a list of people who are willing to work at night.
3.

assistance [n]: help or support: sự giúp đỡ

Eg: We do offer financial assistance for people on low incomes.
4.

affection [n]: the feeling of liking or loving sb/sth very much : tình cảm

Eg: Children need a lot of affection and sympathy.
5.

generosity [n]: the fact of being generous : sự rộng lượng

Eg: He treated them with generosity and thoughtfulness.
6.

fortune [n]: chance or luck : sự may mắn

Eg: I did have the good fortune to work with some brilliant directors.


7.

(be) occupied with sth [adj]: be busy with sth : bận rộn với cái gì đó


Eg: Lan is always occupied with the housework.
8.

(to) overcome: to succeed in dealing with or controlling a problem: vượt qua cái gì

đó
Eg: She overcame injury to win the Olympic gold medal.
9.

(to) gather [v]: to come together, or bring people together : tụ họp

Eg: His supporters gathered in the main square.
10.

appealing [adj]: attractive or interesting : cuốn hút, thú vị

Eg: Spending the holiday in Britain is extremely appealing.

13. Snacks
What snacks did you eat when you were young?
Well, my childhood snacks was some junk food like crisps, chocolate and biscuits.
When do you usually eat snacks now?
Around mid-morning I usually have a few biscuits and then at about 3PM I often eat some
chocolate or something like that.
Do you think it is healthy for you to eat snacks?
No. I think all kind of junk snacking is bad for our health. Unless you’re hungry, it’s
perfectly fine to have some fruit. But if we eat junk food between meals, then it’s really
unhealthy.
14. Hair salon
1. Do you often go to the hair salon?

Well, no I don’t. Perhaps two or three times a year I think, because I don’t often change
my hairstyle. The last time I went to a hair salon was when I quit my previous job. That
time I just wanted a change of image.
2. Would you like to have your hair dyed/colored?
Yes I would. Last year, before Lunar New Year came, I dyed my hair light brown, which
made me look quite fashionable and trendy. I received constant compliments about it.


15. Advertisements
Are there many advertisements in your country?
I would say yes. You can easily see a wide range of advertisements almost everywhere in
my hometown. For example, almost half of a newspaper is made up of ads.

Why do you think there are so many advertisements now?
I guess it’s due to their benefits. First, advertising is an essential part of promotional
campaigns for companies to reach their end users. It helps raise the visibility of a
company's brand. Second, advertisements can act as decoration on the street. I find a street
better-looking with advertisements.

What are the various places where we see advertisements?
Today advertising gets to people through different forms of communication, from print
media to electronic ones, soyou can see advertisements on websites, social networks or in
the newspapers and magazines. There are also ads you see outdoors as well, for example,
large banners and posters hung on the roads, on the buses or trains.

How do you feel about advertisements?
Most people may find those ways of product promotion annoying, but I’m an exception.
I’m quite into advertisements. They’re colourful, brilliantly designed, illustrated,
photographed or typeset pieces and often have useful, informative contents.


VOCABULARY
✓

Promotional campaign:

[noun]

A series of advertisements using various

marketing tools that share the same message and ideas to promote a business or event to a
target audience.
Example: Promotional campaigns play a crucial role in the marketing strategy of a
company.
✓

End users: [noun] Person or organization that actually uses a product


Example: We provide the best quality products to our end users.
✓

Print media: [noun] refers to paper publications circulated in the form of physical

editions of newspapers, articles, journals, etc
✓

Electronic media: [noun] refers to television, radio, etc

✓


Informative: [adjective] giving useful information

Example: The professor’s lecture was very informative and I learned a lot from it.

16. Boring things
1. What will you do when you feel bored?
Gardening. I love doing gardening when I am bored. I stay in an apartment where I don’t
even have a terrace garden but I have planted trees in the window. I love to do this as this
activity really makes me happy and reduces my stress.
2. What kind of things are boring to you?
For me, I feel bored when I am in the same routine everyday: the same 9–6 job, the same
people at home and the same household chores . That’s why I always hang out or go for a
picnic at the weekends so that I can refresh my mind.
3. Whom do you think get bored easily, the young or the old?
I think young people get bored more quickly than the old because they want to do
something or have something to do every minute of the day. I have a brother and he always
wants someone to entertain him every day. A lot of young people can’t sit down for very
long, and they have to be moving all the time. That’s why they get bored so quickly.
4. Do you think school is boring?
I think school is very boring, no matter past or now. But when I recall things which are
most interesting and most memorable, I find the only things I can clearly remember
happened in school. We feel school is boring, but at the same time we get entertainment
from school.


17. Talents
1. Do you have a talent, or a something you are good at?
Yes. I’m quite good at drawing and most things related to art, such as designing. I think
it’s a useful talent because it helped me get my very first income when I was a student as
at that time I worked as a graphic design freelancer.

1. Was it mastered recently or when you were young?
I don’t think I ever tried to master it, I just loved drawing very much when I was young.
I’ve always achieved good drawing grades at school and it just became natural to me.
3. Do you think anyone in your family has the same talent?
Well, yes. My dad and my brother share the same talent with me. So, I think it is something
that runs in the blood.

18. Books and Reading habits
How often do you read?
As soon as I wake up and before going to sleep at night, so about two hours every day.
During the day I'll read online news or magazines, and occasionally some more from a
book.
Do you have many books at home?
Yes. I do. I have a pile of books by the bed and often swap from one to another, non-fiction
as well as fiction. I think reading is truly essential in keeping the brain informed as well as
entertained.
Do Vietnamese people do enough reading?
My opinion as a 20-year-old Vietnamese student, is in short a yes. There are plenty of
Vietnamese who have very good book reading habits, but, the majority of the Vietnamese
do not. Some people who are provided with a good study environment very often read
books, and I do myself. However, many teenagers nowadays are more connected with their
devices and therefore are reluctant to pick up a book to read it.
What kind of people like reading and what kind of people don't?
From my personal experience I’d say that with so many other aspects in life, reading is a
preference you become acquainted with in early childhood or you don’t. My grandmother
practically almost always gave me books as presents. My grandparents were highly
educated, literature was very important to them, so they passed on their passion for books.
This was the reason why I started reading.
Vocabulary



Aspect (n) a particular part or feature of a situation, an idea, a problem, etc.; a way in
which it may be considered
•

We have worked very hard on certain aspects of our game.

Literature (n) pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novels, plays
and poems (in contrast to technical books and newspapers, magazines, etc.)
•

For most people, the desire to study literature begins with a love of reading.

19. Meeting places
1. Where do you usually meet with your friends?
Well, I’d say I meet my friends mostly where we spend the most time: my university and
extracurriculars.
2. Do you think there are some places more suitable for meeting with others?
Absolutely. For me, settings with casual seating, a low level of noise, and a nice atmosphere
are best for meeting up with people.
3. Have the meeting places changed now from when you were young?
When I was young, places like public parks and big noisy venues were favorite places to
hang out for many people, but now quieter and more comfortable settings are preferred.
Those small coffee shops specializing in serving coffee and desserts with a small dining
room are my current favourites.

20. Collecting things
1. Do you collect things?
Yes. I have a collection of greeting cards given to me by my friends during my school and
college days. Some have been given to me by my sibling and my father. It makes me happy

by merely looking at them.
2. Are there any things you keep from childhood?


Yes, there are. Some of my old friends are no longer in contact with me but I still keep
those cards from them. Whenever I see those cards, I remember them and it just takes me
back to those lovely days spent in school and college.
3. Where do you usually keep things you need?
Well, I have my own secret box where all favorite things have been kept since I was little.
It is on the bookshelf and locked by a heart shaped key outside to keep it from being seen
from others.

21. Watch
How often do you wear a watch?
Since childhood I have had an affection for watches, so I wear my watch all the time. In
fact I’d feel naked without my watch. But I usually reserve nicer watches or the ones with
sentimental value for special occasions or when I wear luxurious clothes.
What was your first watch like?
I developed my affection for watches with a little cute Mickey Mouse dial shaped watch.
And I guess everyone around my age used to own one like that as it was quite in at the
time.
What kind of watches do you like to wear?
I’m a big fan of dress watches with a leather strap. It completes me. It gives a classic look
and complements my outfit irrespective of the occasion.
Do people still wear watches in your country?
There are lot of watches being manufactured or imported and sold in my country since
there are tons of people who love wearing them. Some would love wearing them for their
utility while others would prefer to wear them as an accessory.
Did you receive any watch as a gift when you were a child?
Yes, the one I mentioned above, the Mickey Mouse dial shaped watch. My father

rrecognised my enthusiasm for watches and he gave it to me as a birthday gift when I was
about 7. I remember jumping around because of the excitement.
Vocabulary
1.
Affection
[noun] a feeling of liking for a person or place:
Eg: She felt no affection for the child.
2.
Irrespective
[adj] without considering