TỔNG HỢP 200 TOPICS THƯỜNG GẶP KHI THI IELTS SPEAKING 2020 BY NGOCBACH

200 ĐỀ SPEAKING – IELTS NGỌC BÁCH
1. Describe a change that you think would improve your local area ..................................................... 6
2. Describe an educational TV program that you have seen .................................................................. 7
3. Describe a situation (or time) when you received some useful advice.............................................. 8
4. Describe a place you have visited that has been affected by pollution. .......................................... 10
5. Describe a time when you tried a new food for the first time. ...................................................... 12
6. Describe your favourite season or time of the year. ....................................................................... 14
7. Describe an occasion when you got up very early. ......................................................................... 16
8. Describe one of your best (= one of your close, or good) friends. ................................................... 18
9. Described a success you have had in your life. ................................................................................. 20
10. Describe a family (not your own family) that you like. ............................................................. 22
11. Describe a photo of yourself that you had taken ........................................................................ 24
12. Describe a long car journey you went on ...................................................................................... 26
13. Describe a team project for study or entertainment .................................................................. 27
14. Describe someone you know who recently moved to new accommodation. ............................ 29
15. Describe a good part of your personality or character. ............................................................. 31
16. Describe a short trip that you frequently make (or, take) but dislike. ..................................... 33
17. Describe a garden or park you enjoyed visiting. ........................................................................ 35
18. Describe a free-time activity that you like to do after you have finished your study or work.
38
19. Describe a person you know whose job is important to society ................................................ 40
20. Describe a house or apartment you would like to live in. .......................................................... 42
21. Describe a time when you waited for (or, had to wait for) something (or someone). ............. 44
22. Describe someone or something that made a lot of noise. ......................................................... 45
23. Describe a song that has special meaning for you. ..................................................................... 47
24. Describe an important holiday (or festival) that is celebrated in your country. ..................... 49
25. Describe a film you watched at home or in a cinema. ................................................................ 52
26. Describe a (recent) time when you looked at the sky (either day or night) ............................. 54
27. Describe a recent event (or something you did) that made you happy. ................................... 57
28. Describe a difficult decision that you made. ............................................................................... 60
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29. Describe a polluted place. ............................................................................................................. 61
30. Describe a person you know who dresses well............................................................................ 62
31. Describe a person you know who speaks a second (or foreign) language well. ....................... 63
32. Describe a person (you know) who travels a lot by plane. ........................................................ 63
33. Describe the member of your family who you spend the most time with. ............................... 66
34. Describe a street that you like to visit ......................................................................................... 68
35. Describe an article you read in a magazine or on the internet about healthy living............... 69
36. Describe a person (you know), much older than you, who you admire. .................................. 71
37. Describe a television program that you like to watch. ............................................................... 73
38. Describe a sport that you have learned. ...................................................................................... 74
39. Describe a short holiday (vacation) that was special for you. ................................................... 76
40. Describe a wedding that you have attended. .............................................................................. 78
41. Describe a useful app or computer program for a smart phone, computer or tablet that you
have used. ................................................................................................................................................... 80
42. Describe a goal that you would like to achieve. .......................................................................... 82
43. Describe an activity you do for your health or fitness. .............................................................. 83
44. Describe a big company that you would like to work in. ........................................................... 86
45. Describe a time when someone apologized to you. ..................................................................... 88
46. Describe a story or a novel that was particularly interesting to you ........................................ 89
47. Describe some local news that people in your locality are interested in. ................................. 91
48. Describe the first time you used a foreign language to communicate. ..................................... 93
49. Describe an occasion when you helped someone. ....................................................................... 94
50. Describe what you think would be the perfect job for you. ...................................................... 96
51. Describe a foreign country you would like to go to. ( A country you have not been to yet) ... 97
52. Describe something that you have shared with others (or another person) ............................ 99
53. Describe a course you would like to study (or, do)................................................................... 101
54. Describe a positive change that you made to your life. ............................................................ 103
55. Describe a situation that made you a little angry. .................................................................... 105
56. Describe a skill you learned when you were a child. ................................................................ 107
57. Describe a time when you forgot something important. .......................................................... 109
58. Describe a sport stadium that’s important in your city. .......................................................... 110
59. Describe a product you bought that you were happy with...................................................... 111
60. Describe a special toy you had in your childhood. ................................................................... 114
61. Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal. ............................................................. 115
62. Describe a meal you had your friends (in someone's home or in a restaurant). ................... 116
63. Describe an item of clothing that was bought for you ............................................................. 118
64. Describe a time when the weather caused you to change your plan....................................... 119
65. Describe a place near water (such as a river, a lake or the ocean) that you enjoyed visiting.
121
67. Describe a happy family event from your childhood. ....................................................................... 123
68.Describe a gift that you recently gave to others .............................................................................. 125
69. Describe an area of subject that you are interested in (such as physics, mathematics) .............. 126
70. Describe a creative inventor or musician ........................................................................................ 128
71. Describe a time when you were very busy. ..................................................................................... 130
72. Describe an advertisement you have seen. ...................................................................................... 132
73. Describe a website that you like to visit. ......................................................................................... 134
74. Describe a time you needed to use imagination .............................................................................. 136
75. Describe a tall building you like or dislike. ..................................................................................... 138
76. Describe a wild animal...................................................................................................................... 140
77. Describe a small business that you would like to open, (or, start or run or own or have) if you
had the chance. ........................................................................................................................................ 142
78. r Describe a time you missed an important appointment for something ..................................... 144
79. Describe a place in other countries where you would like to work .............................................. 146
80. Describe an antique or some other old thing that your family has kept for a long time. ........... 147
81. Describe a café you like. ................................................................................................................... 149
82. Describe a plan you made in your life (except work or study) ...................................................... 151
83. Describe a shop opened in your hometown .................................................................................... 152
84. Describe a talk or a speech ............................................................................................................... 154
85. Describe an interesting neighbor you have/had ............................................................................. 157
86. Describe an experience that when you spent time with a child..................................................... 159
87. Describe a person you were friendly to, although you did not really like them (him or her) .... 161
88. Describe something special you would like to buy (in the future). .................................................. 162
89. Describe a member of your family who you would like to work with. ......................................... 164
90. Describe a magazine or newspaper that you like to read. ............................................................. 166
91. Describe a new skill you would like to learn. .................................................................................. 168
92. Describe a leader who you admire................................................................................................... 169
93. Describe an interesting public place in your hometown, or where you are living now, that you
like to go to............................................................................................................................................... 171
94. Describe a time when you made a mistake. .................................................................................... 173
95. Describe a person who you like to spend time with. ...................................................................... 175
96. Describe some good news you got from television or the internet. ............................................... 177
97. Describe a time when you got lost.................................................................................................... 179
98. Describe an historic building that you have visited ....................................................................... 181
99. Describe a long walk that you went on. ........................................................................................... 183
100. Describe a successful small business that you know. ................................................................... 185
101. Describe a person/something that made you laugh ...................................................................... 187
102. Describe a quiet place. .................................................................................................................... 188
103. Describe a tourist site in your country that you enjoyed visiting. .............................................. 190
104. Describe a family member who has an important influence on you .......................................... 192
105. Describe a book that you want to read again ............................................................................... 194
106. Describe a decision made by others that you disagreed with ...................................................... 196
107. Describe an experience in which the use of a mobile phone was not allowed ............................ 201
108. Describe a kind of foreign food you have had .............................................................................. 204
109. Describe a holiday you want to go on in the future ...................................................................... 205
110. Describe an interesting house or apartment you visited.............................................................. 207
111. Describe the most polite person you know ....................................................................................... 209
112. Describe two people you know from one family ........................................................................... 211
113. Describe an unforgettable experience you have had .................................................................... 214
114. Describe a well-paid job that you will be good at ......................................................................... 216
115. Describe a kind of weather you like .............................................................................................. 218
116. Describe a popular place where people like to go swimming. ..................................................... 219
117. Describe an experience of good service in a shop or a restaurant. ............................................. 221
118. Describe an outdoor activity you like to do .................................................................................. 223
119. Describe an occasion when you unexpectedly met someone you know. ..................................... 226
120. Describe a time when (you think) someone (you know) did not tell you the complete truth. .. 228
121. Describe an indoor game that you played when you were a child .............................................. 229
122. Describe an item of electronic equipment that you would like to have. ..................................... 230
123. Describe some paid work (or, a paid job) that you or a friend enjoyed doing. ......................... 232
124. Describe something you do that keeps you fit. (or, that helps to keep you fit) .......................... 234
125. Describe a sport that you prefer to do and is a little expensive .................................................. 235
126. Describe a person who you have met before and you want to know more about ..................... 238
127. Describe a famous person in your country ................................................................................... 240
128. Describe something special that you saved money to buy. .......................................................... 242
129. Describe your favorite movie ......................................................................................................... 244
130. Describe a historic event in your country ..................................................................................... 246
131. Describe an activity that makes you feel excited .......................................................................... 249
132. Describe a piece of equipment in your home ................................................................................ 251
133. Describe an ambition that you have not yet achieved. ................................................................. 253
134. Describe an exciting sport you know. ............................................................................................ 255
135. Describe a photograph in your home. ........................................................................................... 256
136. Describe the stage of life that you have enjoyed the most. .......................................................... 258
137. Describe a time when you did something to help someone you didn't know. ............................ 259
138. Describe a subject you didn't like before but are interested in now........................................... 261
139. Describe situation when a child made you laugh. ........................................................................ 262
140. Describe a place where you (usually / often) go to relax. (Not your home) ................................ 264
141. Describe an area of science that you are interested in (medicine, psychology, etc.) ................. 266
142. Describe a bicycle/motorbike/car trip that is interesting ............................................................ 269
200 ĐỀ SPEAKING PART 2 – IELTS NGỌC BÁCH
1. Describe a change that you think would improve your local area
You should say:

What local area
What change
How the change could be made
And explain how this change would be an improvement to your local area.
ANSWER:
I was born and raised in Hanoi and have been here for 27 years. I have watched the city
develop from a small town and grow into a modern metropolitan area in the new era.
With the skyrocketing population of recent years, the city’s environment has become
significantly polluted. As a result, I think environmental laws should be enacted
immediately to solve this problem.
First of all, Hanoi’s mayor should consider putting more trash bins out in the streets so
that people won’t throw rubbish anywhere anytime. In addition, the city police should
heavily fine those who are caught littering the streets. By doing so, not only could we
save a lot of money on cleaning costs but we could also improve the surrounding public
scenery.
Secondly, the city should run a campaign to educate people on how to classify and
separate garbage before throwing it out. This is necessary because unsorted garbage
contributes to the pollution of underground water and the earth.
In my opinion, although these above actions are minor, they would contribute to
diminishing the impacts of pollution in our local area if they were done on a collective
level.
VOCABULARY
 born and raised in: to describe that you were born in a certain place and that you
grew up there with your parents; “He was born and raised in New York but moved
to California when he was 35.”
 skyrocketing: increasing, to describe when something goes up rapidly by a lot;
“The skyrocketing airline prices have hurt the tourist towns, as fewer people are
traveling.”
 significantly: in a sufficiently great or important way as to be worthy of attention,
“Our profit was significantly less this month than we had predicted.”
 enacted: to put a law into place; “New laws have been enacted to keep people safe
from gun violence.”
 rubbish: trash, garbage waste; “There is too much rubbish in this yard. Let’s clean
it up!”
 heavily fine: to fine someone heavily means to charge them a lot of money
because they have violated a law or regulation; “The companies were heavily
fined for polluting the river.”
 littering: throwing trash on the ground rather than putting it in the bin; “Littering
is against the law and you can be fined $1000.”
 scenery: what you see in the natural environment; a beautiful scenery usually
includes beautiful nature scenes, but ugly scenery would have trash and pollution;
“The scenery in the Turkish countryside is beautiful.”
 run a campaign: to organize and work on a program to reach a goal, such as a
campaign to educate people about pollution or teenage pregnancy or alcohol
abuse; “He is in charge of running the campaign to save dogs in our rural areas.”
2. Describe an educational TV program that you have seen
You should say:

What this program was (or, is) about
How often you have watched it
What types of people watch this program
And explain why you think it was (is) educational or explain what you liked or disliked
about this program.
ANSWER:
Since I am very interested in handwork activities, I would like to learn how to make a
3D card. I love watching TV programs that teach you how to do crafts.
Nowadays, there are so many TV channels that focus on Do-It-Yourself activities but the
one that I find the most interesting and doable is “Art Attack” on Disney Channel. The
show airs for 30 minutes once a week.
This show is made especially for young children and tweens, however, I think it is also
suitable for the parents and adults.
Each episode shows you how to make different arts and craft products, from a handmade
craft to a picture frame, or how to decorate your room, how to make a flower vase from
old newspaper, etc.
By watching these kinds of programs, children are encouraged to develop their
imagination. In addition, it also helps bring parents and kids closer to each other,
creating a strong bond among family members.
VOCABULARY
 handwork activities: when you create something with your own hands; “My
daughter loved to do handwork activities when she was younger.”
 crafts: projects that people like to do that involve creating something that is artsy,
but is not considered fine art. Examples are things that you make to decorate your
home, quilting, sewing, woodworking, etc. “I love to make crafts and give them to
people as presents.”
 Do-It-Yourself: also known as DIY, a popular term to talk about the things that
people can do themselves, like minor house repairs and maintenance, building
things and working in their yards; “My husband loves Do-It-Yourself house
projects.”
 doable: something is doable if it can be done, if you can do it; “Her son didn‟t
think his homework was doable, but he was just complaining and being lazy.”
 airs: to air means to run a program on TV or radio; “My favorite TV show airs
every night at 5:00 p.m.”
 tweens: describes kids between the ages of 10 and 12; they are in the tens, but
they aren‟t yet considered teenagers because they haven‟t hit the numbers that say
teen, like thirteen; “I have a class full of crazy tweens!”
 suitable for: appropriate for, it‟s okay for; “This show is not suitable for children
and that is why it is rated TV14.”
 episode: an episode is one installment of a series of shows; a season may have 8 to
10 episodes or more; “Did you see the new episode of Game of Thrones?”
 decorate: to put things in a room to add color and artwork; “My bedroom is so
boring; I need to decorate it!”
 these kinds of programs: use these kinds of to talk about something in the plural;
use this kind of to talk about something singular; “I like these kinds of bananas.”
or “I like this kind of banana.”
 to create a strong bond: to make a strong connection with another person: “I
created a strong bond with the members of my soccer team over the last two
years.”
 to fold a paper: to move the different parts of a piece of paper over other parts;
“Origami is the art of folding paper into intricate shapes.”
 imagine if: to think about a possibility, “Imagine if you were rich. What would
you buy?”
3. Describe a situation (or time) when you received some useful advice
You should say:
What the situation was
Who gave you the advice
What the advice was
and explain how this advice was useful to you.
ANSWER:
- It was 5 years ago when I was in my junior year of college, I was struggling to find out
what career would I follow in the future. As juniors, we had to choose courses related to
our business concentration such as marketing, finance, human resources or management.
At that moment, I was confused since I did not specifically like any of them.
- As the deadline closely approached, I had to quickly make my decision. I decided to

talk with my father, a wise man, about my problem. Different from many other parents
who always make decisions for their children; my father guides me to the answer and lets
me choose what I want.
- He asked me what I would like my life to be like when I graduated, then analyzed my
personality, discussed my strengths and weaknesses. He also showed me some career
paths I could follow if I chose certain options.
- After an hour of talking to him, everything had become clearer and I finally made my
decision to follow a career in finance. Thanks to the conversation that day, I understood
more about myself. Five years have passed, I am now a financial analyst for an
entertainment company and I have never regretted my decision.
VOCABULARY:
 career: your profession, the type of employment you will likely have for a long
period of your life or perhaps your entire life; “She was happy to have chosen a
career that suited her personality perfectly.”
 related to: having to do with, having an association with; in this context the
student needs to take courses that are related to business; “She is tired of taking
courses related to her major; now she just wants to take classes for fun.”
 deadline: a time when something is due, when it has to be done; “I am hoping that
we will finish this project by our deadline.”
 closely approach: to get closer and closer to a certain point or destination in a
short amount of time; when something is closely approaching it means you are
very near to that time; “The baby’s due date is closely approaching and we still
aren’t prepared.”
 guides me: to guide is to help someone by showing them a way or by giving
specific information or assistance without actually doing the task for them; “The
teacher guides us in how to learn proper study techniques.”
 analyzed my personality: to examine, assess or evaluate your personality from
different points of view; you can take a personality test like the Meyers-Briggs to
help see your patterns and propensities; “My mother is a psychologist and she
loves to analyze people’s personalities to see what makes them tick.”
 regret: to feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that has happened
or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity). “He regretted not having
attended college sooner.”
4. Describe a place you have visited that has been affected by pollution.
You should say:
what place it was
why you went there
how it was affected by pollution
and explain how you felt about this situation.
ANSWER
It is regrettable that Hanoi, where I’m living, is negatively affected by pollution and the
major environmental problems it is facing are water pollution, air pollution and noise
pollution.
There are various reasons why this city is badly polluted. Firstly, due to
modernization, more and more vehicles such as cars and motorbikes are used. This leads
to an increase in exhaust emissions which contaminate the atmosphere, not to mention
the rising level of noise pollution. Secondly, factories and industrial zones in the city
have discharged a huge amount of untreated waste into rivers, causing death to many
fish and other aquatic animals.
In fact, pollution makes people here less healthy, and some even suffer from life-
threatening diseases such as lung cancer, skin cancer, and so on. Therefore, the
government must deal with this problem right away. Cutting down on vehicle use is the
best way to reduce air pollution and noise pollution. We can do this by encouraging
people to use public transportation. Besides, those who litter should pay a heavy fine.
Finally, I think the best solution is to raise awareness and educate people to protect the
environment.
VOCABULARY
 regrettable: [adjective] something that you are sorry about and wish that it had not
happened.
Example: It is regrettable that only a minority of people are concerned about the
environment.
 exhaust emissions: [noun phrase] waste gases that come out of a car or other
vehicle.
Example: The exhaust emissions from big trucks cause serious air pollution in my
city.
 contaminate: [verb] make a place or thing dirty, by adding a substance that is

dangerous or polluting.
Example: Every day, more and more vehicles enter the city centre and
contaminate the atmosphere with their exhaust emissions.
 discharge: [verb] when somebody discharges a gas or liquid, they release it and it
goes into the water or the air.
Example: The factory was fined for discharging chemicals into the river.
 aquatic: [adjective] living in water

Example: Rivers which are clean have a lot of aquatic life, such as fish and frogs.
 life-threatening: [adjective] likely to kill someone.

Example: Aid workers in poor countries often have to deal with difficult, life-
threatening situations.
 cutting down on: [phrasal verb] reducing the size, amount or number of
something.
Example: You will improve your health by cutting down on cigarettes.
 awareness: [noun] knowing that something exists and is important.

Example: In schools, campaigns about awareness of road safety are essential for
young children.
5. Describe a time when you tried a new food for the first time.
You should say:
what food it was
where you ate it
what it tasted like
and explain whether or not you liked this food
ANSWER
Well, I’m a great fan of barbecues and I would like to talk about the first time I tried
some typical barbecue food. This happened when I was 10 years old.
My familiy went out to have dinner to celebrate my younger sister’s birthday. After
putting so much thought into some new savoury food to have for our meal, we decided
to go to a BBQ restautant on Ba Trieu street.
We ordered four dishes with three different tastes. One of them which really interested
me was grilled-Australian beef, flavoured with something spicy, rich and aromatic. It
not only tasted delicious, but also looked appealing. Also, it went well with two kinds of
dipping sauces and was served with baguettes. There was also a salad, which gave it a
mild taste to contrast with the spicy flavours.
The idea of a barbecue originated in America, and for us it was a novel and
sophisticated meal.
What I really enjoyed was that we could watch as it was cooked in front of us. I loved
how juicy it was and the aroma it had. Just mentioning it makes my mouth water. I
mean, the BBQ was out of this world. That was the first time I had tried it, and I would
have liked to have kept on coming back for more, but I was just too full.
VOCABULARY
barbecues: [noun] a meal, usually eaten outdoors, which is cooked over an open fire.
Example: Every summer, my friends and I have barbecues on the beach and we each
bring some beef or other meat to grill.
put thought into: [expression] considered seriously and carefully.

Example: I put so much thought into my school project that I received a very high
score.
savoury: [adjective] having a delicious taste, usually containing salt.
Example: We ate some tasty savoury biscuits with cheese to finish our meal.
dish: [noun] food prepared in a particular way as part of a meal.
Example: Our meal arrived at the table – two dishes of meat, with rice and salad.
flavour: [verb] add to food to give it a special taste.

Example: The fish was flavoured with spices and it tasted delicious.
aromatic: [adjective] having a pleasant smell or aroma.

Example: She grows a number of aromatic plants in her garden.
dipping sauces: [noun] different types of sauces in which you can put your food quickly,
take the food out again and eat it.
Example: The chef flavours his dipping sauces with different spices – some sweet spices
and some hot ones.
baguettes: [noun] white bread in the shape of long sticks.

Example: The cheese baguettes which we ordered were hard on the outside and soft on
the inside.
mild: [adjective] not strong or severe.

Example: I prefer cheese that is mild rather than cheese with a strong flavour.
originate: [verb] happen or appear for the first time in a particular place or situation.
Example: Tobacco originated in America and was later brought to Europe.
novel: [adjective] new, and different from anything known before.

Example: Drive-in restaurants are a novel idea which originated in America.
sophisticated: [adjective] typical of rich or socially important people.

Example: They like to dress in very sophisticated clothes, although they don’t have a lot
of money.
juicy: [adjective] having a lot of juice, so that it is good to eat.
Example: He bought some delicious juicy oranges at the market.
makes my mouth water: [expression] makes me feel hungry.

Example: Thinking about Thai cuisine makes my mouth water.
out of this world: [expression] wonderful and exciting.

Example: The new James Bond film is out of this world.
full: [adjective] having had enough to eat.

Example: Although I was full after lunch, I still ate an ice-cream in the afternoon.
6. Describe your favourite season or time of the year.

You should say:
what season (or time of the year) it is
what the weather is like at this time
what people usually do at this time
and explain why you enjoy that season or time of the year or
and explain why you enjoy that season or time of the year more than other seasons or
times of the year.
ANSWER
Well, I’m living in Hanoi and you know, the weather patterns are quite different between
the North and the South of Vietnam. There are four distinct seasons in Hanoi and the one
that I like the most is autumn.
Autumn in Hanoi usually lasts for about 3 months, starting in September and ending in
November. It seems to be the most comfortable season in the whole year. The weather
during the fall is normally cool with some sunny spells. The temperature tends to
fluctuate from 20 to 25 degree celsius. Occasionally, there are light rains in the evening
but they are often just short showers.
With the cool breezes, it is ideal for people to get together outside and hang out with their
friends. Anothing thing is that everyone wants to have picnics in the urban areas near
Hanoi and take some pictures with their family. Also, this time of the year marks the
beginning of a new school year for students around Vietnam.
In contrast, the summer is boiling, so it is torturing to have to go out in the streets under
the hot sun. Likewise, the winter is freezing and in a typical spring there are usually
heavy rains. So, these are really unattractive features of the other seasons. However, the
fresh weather during the autumn really makes me feel relaxed and energizes me to do a
lot of things. That is the major reason why I prefer the fall and why it has always been my
favourite time of the year.
VOCABULARY
 weather patterns: [noun] the regular way in which the weather changes
throughout the year.
Example: Due to climate change, the familiar weather patterns are becoming less
predictable.
 distinct: [adjective] clearly different or of a different type.

Example: Traditional Vietnamese dishes are very distinct from Thai cuisine.
 fall: [noun] North American English uses ‘fall’ and British English uses ‘autumn’.
Example: In the fall, many people are already buying warm winter clothes ready
for the really cold weather.
 spells: [noun] short periods of time.

Example: It will rain for most of the day, but there will be some dry spells.
 light: [adjective] not great in amount.

Example: The weather forecast is for light showers only, so don’t worry if you
forget to take your umbrella.
 showers: [noun] short periods of rain.

Example: Today, there will be some showers, but there will also be many sunny
spells.
 breezes: [noun] winds that are not strong.

Example: The gentle breezes moved the curtains in my window just a little.
 hang out: [phrasal verb] spend a lot of time in a place.
Example: During the school holidays, I hang out in the park with my friends.
 marks: [verb] indicates the time of an event or when something regularly

happens.
Example: When the leaves of the trees turn to red, this marks the beginning of
autumn/the fall.
 boiling: [adjective] extremely hot.

Example: In the summer weather, I was boiling in my overcoat!
 torturing: [verb] causing severe discomfort or unhappiness.

Example: It was torturing for me to see him slowly becoming more and more ill.
 freezing: [adjective] extremely cold.

Example: Don’t forget to wear your winter coat and hat – it’s freezing outside.
 energize: [verb] give someone more energy or strength.

Example: The words of the football manager during the interval really energized
the players.
7. Describe an occasion when you got up very early.

You should say:
when it happened
why you got up early
who you were with
and explain how you felt about getting up early.
ANSWER
Well, I am going to share with you a story of one time when I got up very early. To be
honest, getting up early was not really my sort of thing on a regular basis, only on some
very special occasions. One such time was during the summer holiday last year.
It was our trip to Da Nang with my whole family, which lasted for 5 days. There were
lots of things planned ahead, so I did the homework carefully. Because we wanted to
avoid rush hours that would probably ruin our whole trip, we had to wake up at 5am to
allow time for our careful preparations. It took us 2 hours to get to the airport and fly to
Da Nang in the morning.
I felt a little bit sleepy because this was the first time I had had to deal with such an early
start. However, it promised to be a great time for my extended family to get together, so I
was really excited about it. There were 10 of us altogether, and of course we were
chatting to each other all the way there. When we arrived, what really attracted me was
the fresh air at Da Nang beach. At once, the incredible view totally banished all thoughts
of sleep.
This amazing trip included many fun times to look back on and it gave all of us a chance
to bond with each other. I learnt the hard way that getting up early was as not challenging
as I had thought. If I tried my best, I knew that I could do it without too much trouble.
For sure, I will make more trips like that in the near future.
VOCABULARY:
 my sort of thing: [expression] something which interests me or something which
I like to do.
Example: Rock music is not my sort of thing, so I always listen to classical
music.
 rush hours: [noun] the times of day when the roads are full of traffic, so it is
difficult to reach your destination.
Example: There are usually more car accidents during the morning and evening
rush hours.
 ruin: [verb] spoil something, so that there is no longer any pleasure in it.
Example: The wind and rain every day ruined our holiday.
 sleepy: [adjective] feeling tired and wanting to go to sleep.

Example: After working hard all day, I felt sleepy and went to bed early.
 get together: [verb] if two or more people get together, they meet each other,
having arranged the meeting before.
Example: Shall we get together for a coffee and a chat on Friday?
 chatting: [verb] talking together in a friendly way.
Example: When the teacher arrived, the students stopped chatting and paid
attention.
 fresh air: [noun] pleasantly clean and cool.

Example: After working in the office all day, it was nice to go outside and get
some fresh air walking home through the park.
 banished: [verb] made someone or something go away.

Example: The confidence of the driving instructor banished all my fears of
learning to drive.
 look back: [phrasal verb] think about something in your past.

Example: She looks back on her childhood as the happiest time of her life.
 bond: [verb] develop or create a friendly relationship with someone.
Example: If a project is to be successful, the team members must all bond and
work together effectively.
 learnt the hard way: [expression] did something in a way which was more
difficult than necessary.
Example: He learnt the hard way not to drink and drive. He is now recovering in
hospital after the car accident.
 without too much trouble: [expression] with no great difficulty.

Example: He has a natural talent for music, so he learnt to play the piano without
too much trouble.
8. Describe one of your best (= one of your close, or good) friends.

You should say:
who this person is
who long you have known them (= him or her)
Or, How you first met
what you do together
and explain why you think this person is a good friend
ANSWER:
I would like to describe my best friend, Huong, whom I have known for roughly 10
years. I first met her at primary school when she was my classmate. At first, she was
quite shy and did not want to talk with anyone, which made me feel that she was a bit
proud. However, when we became close friends, she was more sociable and amiable.
We have done a lot of things together. Studying at the same schools, we have various
mutual friends. So, we usually throw parties at the weekends or have a picnic together.
Besides, whenever I get into trouble, I turn to her for help. For example, I remember
when I got bad marks in the mock university entrance exam, she consoled me and then
we studied together until the official exam took place. Finally, we had the opportunity
to study at our favorite college.
At present, despite the fact that we have different plans and goals to pursue, I believe
that we will be best friends for good and we will try our best to maintain this
relationship.
VOCABULARY
 roughly: [adverb] approximately, but not exactly.
Example: In the exam, I wrote roughly 300 words for my essay.
 close friends: [expression] friends who know each other very well and like each
other a lot.
Example: Close friends usually share the same interests and have no secrets from
each other.
 amiable: [adjective] pleasant and easy to like

Example: Our form teacher is very amiable and we all enjoy the relaxed
atmosphere in her classes.
 mutual friends: [expression] friends which are shared by two or more people.
Example: Although we had not met before, when we started chatting, we
discovered that we had some mutual friends.
 throw parties: [expression] give parties.

Example: Some Hollywood film stars throw parties which hundreds of people
attend.
 consoled: [verb] gave sympathy to someone who is unhappy.
Example: After the team lost the match, the coach consoled the players and told
them that they had played well.
 for good: [expression] permanently

Example: I decided to leave New York for good and move to Europe.
 try our best: do as much as possible to achieve something

Example: Although we tried our best, we failed the exam.
9. Described a success you have had in your life.
You should say:
what it was
how you achieved it
what others thought about your success
and explain how this success affected you.
ANSWER
The biggest success I have ever had was passing the university entrance examination.
As you know, this exam is very challenging and requires careful preparation over a
long period of time. Therefore, since the very beginning of high school, I always tried my
best to study well.
Every day, I paid attention to every lesson at school and wrote down important points
carefully. Besides the required classes, I attended some extra ones to broaden my
knowledge as well as review what I had learned before. Moreover, at the weekends, I
joined a few study groups where I could discuss and solve difficult exercises with my
friends. I must say that I worked my fingers to the bone in order to get into my dream
university.
Finally, my efforts paid off. I passed the university entrance exam and became a student
at my favorite school. Of course, my parents and relatives were very proud of me. And
this success has motivated me to set and achieve other goals in my life.
VOCABULARY
 to pass an exam (passing) [verb]: to get the required grade or score on a test that
allows you to get into a program, a university or receive a certificate
Example: I hope I pass my exam on my first try; I don’t want to have to take it
twice.
 careful preparation [adjective+noun]: taking care when you prepare for

something, when you get ready for something, like a test
Example: Becoming a prima ballerina takes careful preparation over many years.
 to pay attention [expression]: to carefully watch or listen to someone or

something
Example: He thought he had paid attention to his boss when he was giving him
directions, but later that evening he realized he didn’t really know how to finish
the report.
 to write down [phrasal verb]: to write something on a piece of paper, to jot

down, to take notes, to record in written form
Example: My teacher suggested that I write down only the key points of the
lecture, rather than trying to write down everything I hear.
 required [adjective]: necessary, something that you must do, a required class is
one that you must take for graduation or to receive a degree or a certificate
Example: In order to graduate, there are 20 required courses in math, science,
English, social studies and art.
 to broaden my knowledge [expression]: to learn more about a specific topic or

to learn more about a variety of things, in general
Example: My professor said that I should broaden my knowledge of the banking
industry, and so he gave me three books to read.
 review [verb]: to study or look at (something) again

Example: The night before a test, I review my notes and work through some
sample problems in order to prepare myself to do well.
 study group [noun]: a group of people who come together specifically to study a
topic by discussing and working through problems together
Example: Our physics study group meets every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
 discuss [verb]: to talk about something with another person or in a group
Example: Last night we didn’t have time to discuss what we will present at the
conference, so we decided to meet again tomorrow morning to figure that out.
 to work your fingers to the bone [expression]: to work really hard at something,
to the point of exhaustion
Example: She worked her fingers to the bone and still wasn’t able to complete the
project by the deadline.
 dream [adjective]: most desirable or ideal

Example: My dream vacation would include swimming with dolphins.
 efforts paid off [expression]: your work yields good results

Example: Her efforts to improve her math skills paid off; she got a 98% on her
math test.
 to motivate [verb]: to provide with a motive or reason for doing something

Example: Watching his father finish his first marathon motivated his son to train
hard for six months to be able to run a marathon along with his father.
 to achieve [verb]: to bring to a successful end; carry through; accomplish; to get

or obtain by effort
Example: The young man achieved his goal of learning French in one year.
10. Describe a family (not your own family) that you like.
You should say:
where this family lives
who the members of the family are
how you know them
what each person in this family does in life (student/work/retired etc.)
and explain why you like this family.
ANSWER:
I would like to talk about a family that I am very close to, it’s my uncle’s family.
His family has 2 daughters who are around the same age as me; therefore, I usually drop
in to his house to chat with them. At times, we bake some cakes and take them to our
grandparents’ house; then we have an overnight sleep there. Besides, we often hang out
together, especially at the weekends just to take it easy and enjoy ourselves so as to get
ready for a new week.
Their parents, I mean my uncle and aunt, are very warm-hearted, and they both work as
college teachers. So, whenever I run into difficulties with my homework, I usually turn
to them for help. I remember when I was small, I used to live in my uncle’s house and
they looked after me as if I had been their daughter. Hence, our relationships are out-of-
this-world, although we don’t have much time together like before. But on special
occasions such as the Tet holiday, we will gather at my grandparents’ house to make
Chung cake, enjoy a firework performance as well as wish New year’s greetings to
each other.
As a final point, I hope that we can maintain this close relationship for ever.
VOCABULARY
 close to: [adjective] knowing someone very well and liking them a lot.
Example: I am still very close to my best friend, and we meet up regularly.
 drop in: [phrasal verb] pay an informal visit to someone.

Example: I was passing your house, so I decided to drop in and have a chat.
 overnight: [adjective] for one night.

Example: All the hotels were full and I could not find any overnight
accommodation.
 hang out: [phrasal verb] spend a lot of time in a place.
Example: During the school holidays, a lot of kids hang out at the shopping mall.
 take it easy: [expression] relax and avoid working too hard or doing too much.
Example: The doctor told me to take it easy for a few days until I felt better.
 warm-hearted: [adjective] kind and generous.

Example: My parents were very warm-hearted and they always helped other
people with their problems.
 run into difficulties: [expression] experience difficulties.

Example: As I did not understand much French, I soon ran into difficulties when
I visited Paris.
 looked after: [phrasal verb] were responsible for and took care of me.
Example: My aunt looked after us while our mother was in hospital.
11. Describe a photo of yourself that you had taken

You should say:
when the photo was taken
how this photograph was taken
where the photo was taken
who took the photo
and explain why the photo was taken or why you think it is a good photo
ANSWER:
Today, I would like to describe a photo of myself that I had taken by a friend. Honestly, I
kind of do not like posing for pictures and I only do so on very special occasions. That
photo was taken at my university with my extended family last year during the graduation
ceremony, you know, and it was special because it was one of the best family moments in
our lives.
When I graduated from university, my whole family – that is my grandparents, my
parents and a lot of my siblings – brothers and sisters - came to celebrate the day with
me. Everyone was extremely cheerful and really proud of me. I remembered that we had
not had a family get-together for ages, so I came up with the idea of taking a photo
together in order to save our memorable day on film.
The House of Culture in my university was the place that we chose to take this photo. I
asked one of my classmates to help us to capture that moment. He was really good at
photography and so I had total confidence in him. He put everyone at their ease, so 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 haven’t 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 country’s
relations with China.
 notable: [adjective] important and deserving to receive attention.

Example: She achieved notable success as a famous writer of books for children.
12. Describe a long car journey you went on
You should say:
where you went
why you went there
who you travelled with
what you saw on the trip (on the way).
and explain why you went by car.
ANSWER
- Like many other young people, I don’t have the habit of waking up early every day,
only for special occasions. Last weekend, I and a group of my friends decided to go on a
trip to the mountainous area of Vietnam called Mu Cang Chai. We had to leave very
early in the morning so that we did not get stuck in the traffic. In addition, we would
have more time to spend there.
It wasn’t easy to get up early in the morning, because I had been so excited about the trip
that I had barely slept that night. I had never been to Mu Cang Chai before. It is located
in the northern part of Vietnam, so I knew that we faced a long drive ahead. We had
decided to go by car since, that way, all 5 of us could travel together. Moreover,
everyone reckoned that it would be safer than going by motorbike. / Waking up early did
not feel that bad at all, even though it was the first time I had done so for many months.
To begin with, I felt a bit sleepy, but then the pure morning air freshened me
completely.
- After 5 hours driving, we arrived at our destination. We were amazed to see a vast land
filled with the yellow color of terraced rice fields, ready to be harvested. Under the
sunlight, these rice fields sparkled like gold.
- We stayed for one night with a local host and helped the family with their regular tasks
before setting out for home the next day. It was such an amazing trip, and it helped us
to learn more about the countryside and the way of life of those who live there. I’d love
to make more trips like that in the future.
VOCABULARY:
 get stuck: [verb phrase] to be in an unpleasant situation that you can‟t escape
from.
Example: I left work early, because I didn‟t 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.

Example: The rain freshened the air.
 vast: [adjective] very big.

Example: The Amazon is a vast rainforest.
 harvest: [verb] to cut and collect a crop, such as rice.

Example: Every year, bananas are harvested from the trees on my uncle‟s farm.
 sparkle: [verb] to shine brightly.

Example: The sky sparkled with thousands of stars.
 setting out: [phrasal verb] leaving a place and beginning a journey.

Example: I finished my breakfast and set out for the train station.
13. Describe a team project for study or entertainment
You should say:
When you did it
Where you did it
Who you did it with
How you did it
Why you liked it or disliked it
ANSWER
Well, when it comes to teamwork, I can only think of a bad memory. I remember when I
was a first year student, my teacher asked me and some other students in my class to set
up a team project. A girl was assigned to be the leader and we had to prepare a
presentation about our university. My teacher thought it would make a great contribution
to our friendship, and the whole thing done with the best of intentions. But it turned out
to be the worst team project ever.
of us were freshmen, so my team was essentially a bunch of strangers who I happened
to be teamed up with. I didn’t know anything about the others, and they knew nothing
about me. Moreover, it was obvious that the leader didn’t have any leadership skill. She
didn’t know how to allocate work to individual team members. She always sat on the
fence, I mean, she let every member raise their voice but she didn’t know which one
would be the best. As a result, she wasn’t able to make any decisions. No one in our team
showed any respect for her. They only did what they wanted to do. And I was no
exception. I was too busy doing my own thing. In the end, 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] as for something; speaking about a particular
topic
Example: When it comes to trouble, little boys know 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.
 freshmen: [noun] first-year university or college students
Example: The dean of the university gave a speech of welcome to all the freshmen
who had arrived there to study.
 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 in a dispute.
Example: My tutor told me to support one side of the argument or the other, and
not to sit on the fence.
 Do one’s own thing: [expression] following one’s own interests and ideas,
without considering other people
Example: On Sundays, I just enjoy doing my own thing without any regular
commitments.
 To kick oneself for: [idiom] regret doing something

Example: I’m kicking myself for not buying that T-shirt.
14. Describe someone you know who recently moved to new accommodation.
You should say:
who he or she is
what kind of accommodation they moved to
and explain why they moved.
ANSWER
I’m going to share with you a story about one of my friends who recently moved to new
accommodation. We had a chance to meet 5 years ago when I travelled to Ho Chi Minh
city, and we hit it off pretty well. We have kept in touch with each other regularly since
then. And she has now left there for Hanoi because of her upcoming job.
Before moving here, she gave me a call to ask me to help her to find a small apartment in
the centre of Hanoi. Fortunately, I knew a person who had one to rent near Hoan Kiem
lake. It seemed to fit her needs, I guess, so I sent her some photos of this apartment.
Although I still could not be sure if she would like it, it turned out that she was really
interested in it.
It is kind of a serviced fully furnished apartment including air conditioner, washing
machine, hair dryer – just about everything you can think of. It is about 50 metres square
with only one bedroom and modern interior decor. What she really loved was the small
balcony with a view of Hoan Kiem lake. She finds it wonderful and relaxing when sitting
there and enjoying a cup of coffee after a long stressful day at work. Also she can get to
work in almost no time, just about 5 minutes.
My friend and I threw a house warming party for her. At weekends, the three of us tend
to get together just to hang out and take it easy. Because she lives away from her family, I
have tried my best to help her deal with unfamiliar situations in her new accommodation
as much as possible. She is really grateful to me and she treated me to a dinner as a way
of thank you.
VOCABULARY:
 hit it off: [expression] have a good friendly relationship with someone.
Example: I met some new work colleagues at the office today, and we hit it off
straight away.
 kept in touch: [expression] maintained contact with someone, by calling or

writing to them.
Example: Have you kept in touch with your old friends from university?
 upcoming: [adjective] something that will happen soon.

Example: It is not certain who will win the upcoming presidential election.
 fit her needs: [expression] be suitable for her.

Example: The course was perfect to fit her needs, because the qualification at the
end would enable her to become a teacher.
 turned out: [phrasal verb] happened or ended in a particular way.

Example: I was not allowed to enter the country, because it turned out that my
visa had expired.
 serviced apartment: [noun] services like housekeeping, regular cleaning, parking,
security are usually provided.
Example: A serviced apartment provides many of the comforts and conveniences
of a hotel room.
 just about: [adverb] almost.

Example: Although I only started the course last week, I know just about all of
my fellow students.
 decor: [noun] the style in which the inside of a building is decorated.

Example: The restaurant has an elegant new decor, including lighter colours and
large paintings.
 in almost no time: [expression] very rapidly.

Example: If you take the fast train, you should arrive there in almost no time.
 house warming party: [noun] a party given by someone who has just moved into
a new house.
Example: At my house warming party, I invited all my new neighbours.
 hang out: [phrasal verb] spend time in a place, without any special purpose.
Example: I sometimes hang out at my local coffee shop, in case any of my friends
call in for a coffee.
 take it easy: [expression] relax.

Example: My doctor told me to take it easy and not to do any heavy physical
work.
15. Describe a good part of your personality or character.

You should say:
what it is
what this part of your personality or character is like
how it affects your life or work
and explain why you think it is good.
ANSWER
Well, I’m going to talk about a good aspect of my character. I’m kind of an ambitious
person, even though I’m not sure if this personal trait is really beneficial for me in every
situation. I think it helps me pretty well, not only in my studies but also in my own life,
though.
Personally, I suppose it is quite good for young people to have this kind of personal trait,
because it allows them to live and work more positively. I normally tend to set high goals
and show strong determination to achieve them by all means, no matter what difficult
situations I’m in. I mean, I do not like playing it safe. Instead, I like being challenged in
general.
However, when you have too high expectations of something and you are not able to live
up to them, you may feel under pressure and lose confidence in yourself. So you should
be careful and be sure that your goals are realistic for you to pursue.
Up to now, I have found that my ambition has had more of a positive influence on me
than a negative one. Because of my ambitious nature, I force myself to set clear targets,
to be committed and to try my best to attain my goals, and all these things motivate me a
lot to follow my plans with drive and energy. It’s an amazing feeling of achievement on
those occasions when my efforts are successful.
VOCABULARY
 aspect: [noun] a particular part or feature of something.
Example: Her impatience is one aspect of her character that I don’t like.
 trait: [noun] a particular quality in your personality.
Example: The most notable trait of British people is their politeness.
 beneficial: [adjective] having a helpful or useful effect or result.
Example: A good diet and regular exercise are beneficial for your health.
 playing it safe: [expression] being careful and avoiding risks.
Example: When meeting strangers, I advise playing it safe – do not tell them too
many details about your life.
 challenge: [verb] test someone’s ability or skill, especially in an interesting way.
Example: In the IELTS exam, students are being challenged to show their English
language skills.
 expectations: [noun] hopes that something good will happen.
Example: She went to college with great expectations.
 live up to: [phrasal verb] to do as well as you expect or hope.
Example: I did not enjoy the film – it did not live up to all the great reviews that I
had read.
 under pressure: [expression] anxious about something which you have to do.
Example: The team is under pressure to win an important match tomorrow.
 pursue: [verb] do something or try to achieve something over a period of time.
Example: My brother wants to pursue his ambition to become an actor.
 attain: [verb] succeed in getting something, usually after a lot of effort.
Example: After many hours of climbing, they attained their goal of reaching the
top of the mountain.
 motivate: [verb] make somebody want to do something, usually something which
requires a lot of hard work or effort.
Example: The teacher motivates all her students to work hard and pass their
exams.
 drive: [noun] energy and determination to achieve things.
Example: No sportsperson will succeed without a strong drive to be the best.
16. Describe a short trip that you frequently make (or, take) but dislike.
You should say:
where you travel from and to
how often you make this trip
why you make this trip
and explain why you dislike this trip.
ANSWER
I would like to talk about a short trip that I frequently take but dislike. My family and I
have been living in Hanoi, however, we always make time for visiting my grandparents
every other weekend in our hometown. It is situated in Ninh Binh province, which lies
about 90 kms from Hanoi.
It normally takes us around 1 hour and a half to get there by car. To be honest, I usually
get carsick, so I do not really enjoy travelling by car on trips outside the city. I mean, it
makes me feel very tired and I have a headache throughout the journey, therefore I tend
to fall asleep instead of staying awake to talk.
Despite the fact that carsickness makes it difficult for me to put up with even this short
trip, I still try my best to take time to visit my grandparents with my small family. You
know, because we are living in a big city, we are so caught up in work and study as well,
that our lifestyle does not allow us to have much time to get together too often.
We always make the most of the family get-together, sharing the cooking, having meals
and swapping a lot of stories with each other. What I really enjoy are the beautiful views
of the countryside that my hometown offers. Once you have seen it, I guess, you would
keep coming back for more. Although it is so tough to stop my carsickness, our family
ties and the beauty of my small hometown will keep drawing me back there.
Vocabulary:
 every other: [adjective] each alternate, every second.
Example: We have to pay the electricity bill every other month – in January,
March, May and so on.
 carsick: [adjective] a feeling in your stomach that makes you want to be

sick/vomit because of the movement of a car.
Example: Whenever I try to read a book or newspaper in a car, I start to feel
carsick.
 staying awake: [expression] not going to sleep.

Example: After studying all night, I found it difficult staying awake during the
exam.
 carsickness: [noun] the feeling that you are going to be sick when you travel in a
car.
Example: We had to stop the car several times during the journey, because I was
suffering from carsickness. I felt better after a short break and a walk for a couple
of minutes.
 put up with: [phrasal verb] accept someone or something which is annoying or

unpleasant, without complaining.
Example: Although our hotel room was small and uncomfortable, we decided to
put up with it for one night.
 caught up in: [phrasal verb] very involved in an activity, so that you do not notice
other things.
Example: I was so caught up in my revision that I forgot to feed the dog.
 get together: [expression] if two or more people get together, they meet each
other, having arranged the meeting before.
Example: Shall we get together for a coffee and a chat on Friday?
 make the most of: [expression] use to the best advantage.

Example: I will make the most of my year in Spain to improve my Spanish.
 swapping: [verb] giving something and receiving something in exchange.

Example: Swapping e-mails after the holiday, we arranged to keep in contact in
future.
 offers: [verb] provides the opportunity for something.

Example: The hotel offers excellent facilities for families.
 tough: [adjective] difficult.

Example: I will have to study hard, because the exam is really tough.
 family ties: [noun] strong connections between members of a family.

Example: Now that my sister has moved to Australia, it is difficult to maintain our
old family ties.
 drawing me back: [phrasal verb] attracting or encouraging me to return.

Example: My memories of Paris keep drawing me back to visit the city.
17. Describe a garden or park you enjoyed visiting.
You should say:
where it was
what it looked like
what you did there or, what people did there
and explain why you liked it.
ANSWER
I would like to share with you my impressions of a garden that I visited last summer,
which was full of colour and interest: Claude Monet’s house and garden in Giverny,
France.
As a big fan of Monet’s 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 didn’t go very well.”
 fan: although the word is often used in the context of football nowadays, here it
means a person who admires [ Monet’s 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. “Sandra’s rose garden is a
riot of colour.”
 striking: very attractive and unusual. “The woman he was with was wearing a
striking outfit last night.”
 flowerbeds: a piece of a garden or park in which flowers are grown. “He loves
digging in his flowerbeds.”
 complemented each other: each part of the garden added something different to
the other part, so that the garden as a whole became more attractive. “The wine
and the fish complemented each other to form a perfect meal.”
 the array of bright flowers: the large and impressive collection of flowers. “The
array of bright flowers in her garden surprised everybody. They didn’t realize she
had planted so many varieties.”
 a leisurely stroll: a slow, relaxing walk. “We went for a leisurely stroll along the
beach this morning.”
 taking in all the colours: our eyes noticed all the colours and features of the
garden. “We were taking in all the colours of his garden, when all of a sudden we
heard a large crash outside the garden gate. Two cars had just bumped into each
other.”
 avidly: Monet collected prints of Japanese gardens enthusiastically. “He studied
English avidly, from morning until late in the evening.”
 prints: copies of original drawings or paintings. “The artist offered her prints for
$100 each.”
 wisterias: white or purple flowers which cover walls, bridges or trees. “The
wisterias in the garden were in full bloom.”
 pond: a small area of still water, usually in a garden. “There are many beautiful
fish in the pond.”
 bamboo: tall tropical plants which have hollow ‘stems’ [the long, thin part of the
plant] used for building or furniture. “Pandas love to eat bamboo.”
 weeping willows: trees which grow near water and have ‘branches’ which hang
downwards. “There are two weeping willows on the property, but we should cut
one down.”
 wonderland: an imaginary place in children’s stories. “The amusement park was
a wonderland for both children and adults.”
18. Describe a free-time activity that you like to do after you have finished your
study or work.
You should say:
what you do
where you do it
when you do it
who you do it with
and explain why you like to do this activity.
ANSWER
Well, I am kind of a workaholic. I am so caught up in my work on a daily basis that I do

not have too much time to relax after a long working day. Listening to music is the only
thing that I really want to do to relax at home.
There are a few things that I normally try to do to wind down, but listening to music is
how I usually like to spend my free time. Because my work takes almost all the time
during the day, I want to make the most of my evening by creating a cozy atmostphere
for myself and just put my feet up. When I stay home, I like to dim the lights, turn on
some soft music and enjoy myself for the rest of the evening. Soft light and sounds help
me to chill out pretty well.
I also enjoy grabbing a favourite book and relaxing in a big comfy chair with a blanket
and my pet cat on my lap, while listening to music in the background. It works wonders.
I find it therapeutic and relaxing when I take a little time for myself to play an
inspirational song to unwind. You see, you don’t have to waste a lot of time and money
in order to have a restful evening.
If I take some days off, I will go for a short holiday to get away from all the pressures.
However, for the rest of the days when I have finished my work already, listening to
music is my preferred choice. That is wonderful for me, and so I do not see myself
changing my habit any time soon.
VOCABULARY:
 workaholic: [noun] a person who works very hard and finds it difficult to stop
working and do other things.
Example: My sister is a workaholic – she never takes a day off to relax and have
fun.
 caught up in: [phrasal verb] very involved in an activity, so that you do not notice
other things.
Example: I was so caught up in my revision that I forgot to feed the dog.
 wind down: [phrasal verb] rest or relax after a period of activity.

Example: After teaching all day, it’s nice to go and have a coffee to wind down.
 make the most of: [expression] use to the best advantage.

Example: I intend to make the most of the holidays by finishing my assignment.
 cozy: [adjective] warm and comfortable, because you are in a small space.
Example: I feel cozy sitting in front of the fire in my small house.
 put my feet up: [expression] sit down, lie back and rest.
Example: I like to sit in my favourite armchair with a cup of coffee and just put
my feet up after I come home.
 dim: [verb] make a light less bright.

Example: In the theatre, the play was about to begin. The lights were dimmed and
the audience fell silent.
 chill out: [phrasal verb] spend time relaxing.

Example: I like to go out with my friends and chill out – just chatting and having
a coffee.
 grabbing: [verb] having or taking something quickly.

Example: You should have a good lunch – grabbing a sandwich is a bad habit.
 comfy: [adjective] comfortable.

Example: My new bed is really comfy and I fall asleep straight away.
 works wonders: [expression] has a very good effect on someone or something.

Example: A good night’s 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.
19. Describe a person you know whose job is important to society

You should say:
who this person is
how you know this person
what job they do (= he or she does)
and explain why you think their job is important or why you think their work
contributes to society.
ANSWER:
- Today, I am going to talk about a person whose job is important to society/ in the news
whom I would like to meet. It is Kenny G, the saxophonist.
- I first listened to his music when I was very small, starting with the well-known piece
“Forever in Love”. It was so melodious and relaxing that every time I listened to it, I
felt like I was on cloud 9.
- Recently, Kenny G decided to hold a concert in Vietnam and it quickly became a
major news story, covered in all of our media from newspapers to TV, and most radio
channels. For people like me, who have been used to listening to his saxophone
recordings since we were young, this was a once in a lifetime chance to meet him in
person and listen to his music at a live concert, not on a music CD or online playlist.
- Maybe to many people, being a musician doesn’t contribute much to our society.
However, I think that any career that we choose to pursue plays an important role in our
lives. If a business person is important, so is a musician. Imagine a world without
music, it would definitely be so dull and boring. In addition, music also helps us soothe
our soul and relax our brain after hard days at work. Although we cannot quantify its
benefit, the positive effects that music brings to our lives are undeniably worth valuing.
VOCABULARY
 saxophonist: [noun] a person who plays the saxophone.
Example: At the music concert, I thought that the saxophonist and the pianist
were particularly good.
 piece: [noun] here we use „piece‟ to mean a „piece of music‟. We usually use it to
refer to classical music or jazz –not modern or rock music.
Example: At the concert, Kenny G played two pieces which he had written
himself.
 melodious: [adjective] music which is pleasant to listen to is „melodious‟.
Example: The piece was so melodious that I remember it whenever I am feeling

relaxed and comfortable.
 on cloud 9: [expression] extremely happy.
Example: When I read that I had passed the exam, I was on cloud 9.
 hold a concert: [verb phrase] to have a concert – we also use „hold a meeting/hold
a competition‟ in the same way.
Example: The organisers decided to hold the concert in New York.
 once in a lifetime: [expression] used to describe something special that is not

likely to happen to you again.
Example: When my friend invited me to Brazil, I knew that this was a once in a
lifetime chance to visit the Amazon rainforest.
 live concert: [noun] a concert when people are watching and listening when the
event is actually taking place.
Example: One thousand people attended the live concert to hear the musicians
perform in person.
 soothe our soul: [verb phrase] to make us feel relaxed and peaceful.
Example: Rock music is loud, but to feel relaxed I prefer to listen to classical
music to soothe my soul.
 quantify: [verb] to express something as an amount or number.
Example: The pleasure that we feel when we see or hear something beautiful is
impossible to quantify.
20. Describe a house or apartment you would like to live in.

You should say:
where this house or apartment would be
what it would look like
when you would like to live there
and explain why you would like to live in such a place
- Today I am going to share with you a description of my ideal apartment that I would
like to live in. Since I live in a big city, it is probably more convenient to buy a condo in
a building complex.
- I prefer a cozy place, so, I would expect it to be not too big, about 90 to 100 square
meters, with 2 bedrooms and 2 balconies. In my opinion, this size is perfect for a small
family of parents and one child. When it comes to cleaning the house, you would not
feel discouraged by all the chores you have to do.
- It would be great if my apartment overlooked [1] a river or bridge, and it should be

located on a high floor like the 10th or above. As a person who loves color and nature, I
would decorate my house with a lot of paintings and plants. I would make a hanging
garden in one of my balconies [2] and put small chairs and tables out, so that I could sit
there and enjoy my small garden. I would use yellow -tinted bulbs and lamps all over
the apartment to make it cozier.
- If I got the chance [1], I would love to make my dream apartment become a reality as
soon as possible, because I have always wanted to move out of my parents‟ house.
Owning an apartment would allow me to do whatever I want, whenever I want.
VOCABULARY
 condo: [noun] one apartment that you own in a building with other apartments.
However, the shared areas are owned by everyone.
Example: The owners of the condos share the swimming pool and children‟s play
areas that are part of the apartment complex.
 building complex: [noun] a group of similar buildings of one type in the same
place.
Example: The buildings in the sports complex included a gymnasium and a
basketball court.
 cozy: [adjective] small, but warm, comfortable and safe.
Example: Although it was cold outside, his small apartment was cozy and so we
stayed overnight.
 balcony: [noun] something that is built on the outside wall of a building, like a
small platform with a wall or rail around it for safety.
Example: We had drinks on the hotel balcony, enjoying the view of the sea.
 discouraged: [adjective] feeling less enthusiastic about something.
Example: when I looked at all the homework that I had to finish, I felt quite
discouraged. However, I decided to start doing it immediately.
 chores: [noun] routine tasks.
Example: I have to do some chores every day, such as cleaning the kitchen and
washing the dishes.
 overlook: [verb] if an apartment overlooks a place, this means that you can see
that place from the window or balcony of the apartment.
Example: We had lunch in a restaurant overlooking a lake.
 floor: [noun] all the rooms that are on the same level of a building.
Example: On the 10th floor of my apartment block, there are 6 different
apartments.
 hanging garden: [noun] a type of garden on a balcony or roof in which many
plants are in baskets which hang down from baskets fastened to the walls.
Example: Many people in our apartment complex grow flowers in baskets which
hang from the walls of their balconies.
 yellow-tinted: [adjective] having a light yellow colour.
Example: The yellow-tinted lights gave our apartment a relaxing and cozy
atmosphere.
21. Describe a time when you waited for (or, had to wait for) something (or
someone).
You should say:
who or what you waited for
where you waited
why you waited (or, had to wait)
and explain how you felt while you were waiting
ANSWER:
- Having to wait for somebody is a common situation in our daily lives. There was this
one time I had to wait for my friends, which was so special I‟d like to share the story
with you today.
- It was my birthday and I had invited a group of friends to a coffee house to celebrate it.
We were scheduled to meet there at 8 that evening. I was so eager that I came early.
Certainly, none of them were there, but it was easy to understand because I was early.
However, I waited for half an hour, but nobody showed up, and then I started to feel
uncomfortable and worried. As I was losing my patience, I began to call each of them
to ask why they had not come yet. To my surprise, none of them picked up the phone. I
was really fed up, as you can imagine, because it was my birthday and my friends had
treated me like that.
- I waited for a couple more minutes until I couldn‟t stand it anymore, and decided to
leave. As soon as I called the waiter for the bill, I heard the “Happy birthday” song start
up in the coffee house. Out of nowhere, all of my friends suddenly appeared with a
birthday cake. They hugged me and wished me happy birthday. It was such a surprise.
My anger quickly gave way to laughter and we had an unforgettable night chatting
until the early hours, drinking coffee and, of course, eating cake.
VOCABULARY
 show up: [phrasal verb] to arrive where you had arranged to meet somebody
Example: It was getting late when she finally showed up.
 lose my patience: [verb phrase] to become annoyed or angry as a result of a delay.

Example: The train is now 1 hour late, and I am losing my patience.
 fed up: [adjective] bored and unhappy, especially with a situation that has
continued for a long time.
Example: The traffic congestion in our city never seems to get better, so people
are really fed up with the time it takes to get to work.
 stand [something]: [verb] to dislike – used especially in negative sentences.

Example: I like John, but I can‟t stand his sister, she is very rude.
 out of nowhere: [expression] appearing or happening suddenly and unexpectedly

Example: The woman cried for help and, out of nowhere, a policeman arrived.
 hug: [verb] to put your arms around someone and hold them tightly, to show that
you like or love them.
Example: The child ran out of the school and he hugged his mother, who was
waiting at the school gate.
 the early hours: [expression] early in the morning, for example about 2, 3 or 4 am.
22. Describe someone or something that made a lot of noise.

You should say:
who or what made the noise
what the noise was like
and explain what you did when you heard this noise
ANSWER:
- If you live in Vietnam long enough, you will totally agree with me that those who are
driving make a lot of noise, especially during peak traffic hours.
- Vietnamese roads have never been free of the honking noises of all kinds of vehicles
from vans and cars, to mopeds. It is, in my opinion, the most annoying sound you could
imagine. Whenever I heard people honking like angry geese, I felt very annoyed and
frustrated. Vietnamese people should learn when to use the horn properly. It seems to
me that they push the horn all the time because they want to be able to drive fast, while
everyone else gets out of their way.
- Despite the fact that I hate it so much, I cannot give up driving here. So I learned to
ignore it, and use my horn sparingly or just in case of emergency. However, I still think
that the city should have a campaign on educating people to use the horn in a proper
way so that the city is not polluted by noise.
VOCABULARY
 peak traffic hours: [noun phrase] the times when there is most traffic on the
roads, usually when people are travelling to or from work.
Example: Because of all the traffic, it is difficult to cross the road during peak
traffic hours.
 honk: [verb] if you honk the horn of a car or other vehicle, it makes a loud noise
like a warning sound.
Example: She knew that the taxi had arrived, because she heard the horn honking
outside the door.
 geese: [plural noun] this is the plural form of ‘goose’ – a large bird with a long
neck. It makes a loud honking noise.
Example: The geese were on the lake, with some smaller birds nearby, which were
probably ducks.
 horn: [noun] a device in a vehicle for making a loud noise as a warning.

Example: In the traffic jam, some of the drivers were honking the horns of their
cars because they were frustrated with the delay.
 get out of the way: [verb phrase] move out of the route which someone else is
taking.
Example: All of the drivers got out of the way, to allow the ambulance to pass.
 sparingly: [adverb] in a way that is careful, so that we only use a little.
Example: He spent his money sparingly, because he only had enough for a simple
meal.
23. Describe a song that has special meaning for you.

You should say:
what this song is about
when and where you first heard this song
how often you listen to this song
and explain why it has special meaning for you.
ANSWER:
- I love listening to music, so I like many songs. However, one of my favorite songs that I
want to talk about today is “Hall of Fame” by The Script and Will.i.am. This song was
written for the 2012 Olympic Games.
- When it came out, it quickly became a hit on every single music chart throughout the
world, not just because of its catchy melody, but also for its meaningful lyrics. The song
talks about how each of us can be a champion or anything we want to be as long as we
dedicate our time and efforts to doing what we are passionate about. The song is played
at big athletic events to pump up the crowd, but you can easily relate to the song at
other times as well, especially when you are about to give up.
- I think this song has such a powerful message that whenever I was tired or had decided
to quit, it would lift me up right away. It made me think about why I had started in the
first place and that I needed to finish the job that I was currently 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 Swift‟s 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 aren‟t just silly, meaningless words.
Example: His sister writes meaningful lyrics for her songs.
 champion: someone who wins, a winner.

Example: He didn’t see himself as a champion until he had reached his goals.
 dedicate: to commit your time to doing something; to make a promise to yourself

to do something.
Example: You were able to get a high score on the test because you dedicated 2
hours every day to studying and preparing yourself.
 effort: the work that you put into doing something.

Example: The time and effort he spent improving his English paid off when he got
a $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 10 years.
 quit: to stop doing something; to give up.

Example: She convinced her son not to quit the soccer team.
 lift me up or lift someone up: to make someone feel better.

Example: His brother is good at lifting others up when they are feeling down.
24. Describe an important holiday (or festival) that is celebrated in your country.
You should say:
when this celebration takes place
what people do during this celebration
what you especially like and dislike about this celebration
and explain why it is important.
ANSWER:
- Today, I am going to talk about an important holiday (or festival) that is celebrated in
my country called Lunar New Year. Besides the Western calendar’s New Year, the
Vietnamese people also celebrate Lunar New Year according to the lunar calendar.
- The Lunar New Year, or Tet usually takes place around the end of January or the
beginning of February, depending on when the lunar calendar ends. Tet provides the
opportunity for reunions for Vietnamese families, as people tend to return to their
hometowns at this time of the year.
- Like the Christmas tree in Western countries, in Vietnam, we buy a kumquat tree, an
apricot blossom tree or some branches to decorate our houses. People also buy new
clothes and clean their houses to welcome in the New Year. Some families make
“Chung cake”, a traditional cake for this special occasion. Chung cake is made of rice,
mung beans and fat pork, wrapped in a banana leaf in the shape of a square. It is then
boiled overnight until it is cooked.
- During the Tet holiday, Vietnamese visit their relatives to wish them all a happy new
year. They also go to the pagodas frequently to wish for a better year to come for their
families. Adults give lucky money to children. I think this is the only time of year when
people can forget about all the worries of their daily lives, when they can relax, enjoy,
indulge themselves, and get ready for another new year.
VOCABULARY:
 Western calendar: also known as the Gregorian calendar, this calendar is used in
Western countries and the New Year begins with the first day of January.
Example: International companies usually follow the Western calendar, though
their country may also follow a different calendar.
 according to: as stated or indicated by; following; based on.

Example: According to the Center for Disease Control, all travelers should be up-
to-date with their vaccines.
 takes place around: to occur during a certain time period, around is used in this
instance to give you a general idea of when something happens, rather than a very
specific date.
Example: The festival takes place around the beginning of May each year, though
we won’t know the exact start date until March 15th.
 depending on: to be contingent on, something will not happen unless something
else happens first.
Example: Depending on the score you get on your exam, you may qualify for a
scholarship.
 reunion: a time when people gather together again after not having seen each
other for a while; you can have family reunions, class reunions, work reunions,
etc.
Example: The graduating class of 1985 had a class reunion this past summer and it
was fantastic to see all my old classmates again.
 tend to: used to describe when you usually do something.

Example: I tend to visit my mom on Sundays.
 hometown: your hometown is the town where you spent most or all of your
childhood; it is often the town where your parents still live.
Example: This will be the first time she has returned to her hometown after living
abroad for five years.
 kumquat: a small fruit-bearing tree with small, round, orange fruit that is
commonly used in preservers and confections.
Example: My father brought home a kumquat tree for Tet.
 decorate: to put things up around the home to make it look nice, to include things
like flowers, artwork, lights, candles, and other types of decorations.
Example: My sister loves to decorate her room with posters of the One Direction
boys.
 to welcome in the New Year: used to express the idea that you are excited for a
new year to begin, so you welcome it in or invite it in. In is used to express that it
is as if you were welcoming a friend into your home or into your life.
Example: People in New York City are welcoming in the New Year with the
dropping of the ball at Times Square.
 special occasion: a special event or happening.

Example: A wedding is a special occasion that many people enjoy celebrating.
 boil: the point when there are bubbles in the water that you are heating; water
boils when it reaches 100 degrees Celsius.
Example: “A watched pot never boils.” - This is a saying that means that
something we wait for with impatient attention seems to take forever.
 overnight: Lasting for, extending over, or remaining during a night, until the
morning time.
Example: She left the cat out overnight and luckily it didn’t get eaten by coyotes.
 to wish them: to want or desire something for someone else.
Example: I wish them luck on their exams.
 pagoda: a religious building of East Asia and Southeast Asia, especially a

multistory Buddhist tower with widely overhanging eaves separating each level,
erected as a memorial or shrine.
Example: Her father goes to the pagoda early in the morning.
 relax: to take it easy; to release tension and anxiety; to loosen up; to become less
tense.
Example: She likes to take a bath to relax after a hard day at work.
 indulge: to allow yourself to do what you want, eat what you want, etc.
Example: They indulged themselves by sleeping late, eating whatever they wanted
and dancing until late at night.
25. Describe a film you watched at home or in a cinema.

You should say:
what film it was
what it was about
why you chose to watch that film
who you watched it with
and explain if you learned anything important from the film
ANSWER
As a frequent moviegoer, I watch a lot of films. One of the movies that I enjoyed the
most recently was The Martian.
The movie was based on a novel of the same title by Andy Weir. Just like many other sci-
fi films, it was about man travelling in space, however, this time, our main character was
stuck on Mars due to a dust storm which nearly killed him. All of the crewmates
thought that he was dead, so they went back to Earth without him. But fortunately he was
still alive, thus two and a half hours of the movie told the story of how he fought for his
life in the brutal environment of Mars, until NASA devised a plan to rescue him.
My best friend is a big fan of astronomy, so she had read [2] the novel before. That‟s
why she insisted on me going to see the movie with her. After watching the trailer and
reading the plot, I was hooked. It was maybe the best two and a half hours of my week
so far.
After watching the movie, I was amazed at how ingenious and strong humans can be
when it comes to a life and death situation. Mark Watney, the hero of the movie, was a
perfect portrayal of a young, humorous, brilliant and skillful engineer cum botanist.
Although the hostile environment of Mars threatened his existence many times, he
relentlessly refused to quit. Instead, he overcame one problem at a time until he was
successfully rescued. The message that I learned from the film is never to give up,
however hopeless things seem to be.
VOCABULARY:
 moviegoer: [noun] a person who goes to the cinema.
 sci-fi: [noun] science fiction; based on imagined scientific discoveries of the

future, such as space travel or life on other planets.
Example: Sci-fi movies have become more popular since space travel has become
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.
 brutal: [adjective] if an environment is described as brutal this means that it is

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 devised to control traffic in the city.
 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: the book has a plot about a prisoner who escaped.
 hooked: [adjective] enjoying something so much that you want to see or do 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 somebody in a

book, play or film.
Example: the actor gave a fantastic portrayal of a clever detective in the film.
 botanist: [noun] a person who studies plants.
 hostile: [adjective] a hostile environment is unsafe for humans, because there are
many dangers.
Example: in the hostile environment of the desert, you must take a lot of water
with you.
 threatened his existence: the many dangers and difficult conditions on Mars were
a danger to his life.
 relentlessly: [adverb] in a way that continues strongly, without giving up.

Example: the soldiers relentlessly pursued their enemies after the battle.
 hopeless: [adjective] without hope

Example: after searching for the lost plane for many days, the situation seemed
hopeless and it seemed that the rescuers would never find it.
26. Describe a (recent) time when you looked at the sky (either day or night)
You should say:
what you were doing when you looked at the sky
who you were with
what you saw
and explain how you felt when you looked at the sky.
ANSWER:
- Last week, my friends and I decided to go camping on the outskirts for the weekend.
- Living in a big city doesn’t offer me much of a chance to enjoy the sky at night because
of the pollution, the lights, and the skyscrapers. That’s the reason why I liked this short
trip so much because I could enjoy looking up at the clear sky, searching for stars and
observing the moon.
- Luckily for me, there was a full moon that night. We made a small campfire and sat
around the fire, grilled potatoes and marshmallows, happily chatting with each other.
- When the moon had risen high up in the sky, we all looked up, and started counting
stars. I had never seen so many stars in the sky as I did that night. They twinkled while
the moon shone brightly. At that moment, I felt at peace. My mind was blank; I wasn’t
thinking of anything else, all my sadness and disappointments disappeared. All I thought
of was that I was content in that moment.
VOCABULARY:
 outskirts: the part of town that is far away from the center.
Example: We lived on the outskirts of town for about 10 years and then finally
moved closer to the center last year.
 offer: in this context to offer you something means to make it available to you.
Example: Living in the city offers many exciting activities like going to the
theater, attending concerts and lots of different types of restaurants.
 pollution: harmful substances in the air or water.

Example: The air pollution in the city is getting worse every year.
 skyscrapers: tall buildings that can be used for offices or residential units.
Example: New York City has many tall skyscrapers.
 clear sky: a sky that is clear of any pollution or other things (like clouds) that
make it hard to see the stars and the moon.
Example: Tonight, when I looked up at the clear sky, I saw millions of stars.
 observing: watching, looking at, seeing.

Example: The scientist will be observing the monkeys this afternoon.
 full moon: The phase of the moon at which the moon, as viewed from Earth,
appears to be fully illuminated by the sun. The full phase marks the half-way point
of a single revolution of the moon around the earth.
Example: Did you see the full moon last night?
 campfire: a fire that is made while camping and around which you sit to cook
food, roast marshmallows and talk.
Example: My son is always in charge of making the campfire.
 grilled/to grill: a way of cooking something on a grill over a fire.

Example: We grilled some hamburgers and hot dogs last night for dinner.
 marshmallow: A light, spongy, very sweet confection made of corn syrup, gelatin,
sugar, and often vanilla.
Example: Kids love to roast marshmallows while camping.
 chatting: talking.
Example: They have been chatting for over two hours already.
 to twinkle: to shine and sparkle, flicker, glimmer - what stars do. Stars twinkle.
Example: The stars twinkled in the clear night sky.
 to feel at peace: to be peaceful or feel peaceful, without any worries or concerns.

Example: He felt at peace when he was meditating.
 mind was blank: to have nothing in your mind, to not be thinking about anything
at all.
Example: After staying up all night studying, my mind was blank during class.
 disappointment: frustration, something that you feel disappointed or dissatisfied

about.
Example: His grandmother has suffered many disappointments throughout her
lifetime, but now she is living the good life.
27. Describe a recent event (or something you did) that made you happy.
You should say:
what you did
where you were
who you were with
and explain why it made you happy.
ANSWER:
- Today, I am going to share with you a recent event that made me happy. A month ago,
my friend and I attended a hip-hop and contemporary dance performance sponsored by
the Japan Foundation Center, Goethe Institute, and L’Espace Center called “Europe
Meets Asia”.
- The tickets were free so we did not see any reason for not going; we both like dancing a
lot. The performance was given by artists from Japan and Israel. It was a combination of
hip-hop and contemporary dance.
- With their talents, they created such an amazing performance. We were surprised to see
how flexible they were while performing. The dance also delivered a message which
could be interpreted differently by different people. To me, it was about young people in
the modern world, bored with the daily routine of life and trying to escape from this
boredom in order to do something spectacular or at least pursue their passions.
- After a 40-hour workweek, this event was like a fresh breeze in my life. It was a new
experience that I had rarely had before, because in Hanoi, we don‟t get to see art
performances by foreign artists that often.
VOCABULARY
- hip-hop: a style of music usually based on rap and often including elements of other
styles such as funk or rhythm and blues.
Example: My best friend is an awesome hip-hop artist who performs all around the
world.
- contemporary: current, modern, nowadays.

Example: As an art collector, he focuses on contemporary artists from Asia and Europe.
- sponsored by: an individual or organization that puts something on, that supports an
event financially.
Example: This evening‟s event was sponsored by Apple, Microsoft and Dell computers.
- given by: in this context the artists give a performance or perform and so we say it was
given by them.
Example: The keynote presentation was given by Mark Zuckerberg, speaking Chinese.
- combination of: when two or more things are combined to create something new.
Example: The combination of science and art classes helps students learn in a creative
way.
- talent: a special skill that one has.
Example: He has a talent for making movies and will likely become a director some day.
- flexible: to be able to bend your body in all sorts of ways.

Example: Ballet dancers and yoga instructors are very flexible.
- interpret: to understand something in a certain way.

Example: The two people interpreted the performance in two completely different ways.
- daily routine: that which you do every day, like get up, eat breakfast, go to work, come
home, clean up, watch TV, go to bed.
Example: His daily routine starts at 5 a.m. and ends at 10 p.m.
- spectacular: amazing, fantastic, super special.

Example: His new book is spectacular. Have you read it yet?
- pursue their passions: to follow your interests and desires.

Example: He wants to pursue his passion for chemistry by getting a PhD.
- fresh breeze: used in this context to describe something that is new and refreshing.
Example: Spending a day out in the woods was like a fresh breeze, compared to my usual
boring daily routine.
- rarely: not very often.

Example: I rarely go downtown due to the traffic.
28. Describe a difficult decision that you made.
You should say:
what decision it was
what difficulties you faced
how you made the decision
and explain why it was a difficult decision.
ANSWER:
It was when I prepared the application form for the university entrance exam that I had
to make an important but difficult decision. At that time, I was at a crossroads, where I
had to decide which university to apply for. Actually, my interest was in economics,
which was taught in two separate universities, one of which specialized in international
trade while the other focused more on the national economy.
Fortunately, my sister, who graduated from an economics college, gave me some sound
advice. Having weighed up the pros and cons of each school, she encouraged me to
choose the university specializing in international trade. Finally, I applied for this
school after thinking carefully about all the options.
At present, I feel so satisfied with the learning environment of this university that I am
always thankful for my decision as well as my sister’s advice. Without her guidance, I
probably wouldn’t be as content with my university life as I am.
VOCABULARY
 at a crossroads: [expression] at an important point in someone’s life or
development.
Example: His life was at a crossroads – whether to join the army or to continue
studying at university.
 sound advice: [adjective and noun combination] sensible and reliable advice.
Example: My parents gave me sound advice about my choice of career.
 weighed up the pros and cons: [expression] considered carefully the advantages
and disadvantages of something.
Example: Having weighed up the pros and cons, I decided that it would be more
useful for me to learn English rather than French.
 learning environment: [noun phrase] the conditions that affect the behaviour and
development of people who are learning a subject.
Example: The school had the latest technology, the buildings were modern and the
teachers were very helpful – it was the perfect learning environment.
29. Describe a polluted place.
You should say:
• What the place is
• What type of pollution it is/ are
• Cause and effect of pollution
and explain how can this pollution be controlled.
ANSWER:
It is regrettable that Hanoi, where I’m living, is negatively affected by pollution and the
major environmental problems it is facing are water pollution, air pollution and noise
pollution.
There are various reasons why this city is badly polluted. Firstly, due to
modernization, more and more vehicles such as cars and motorbikes are used. This leads
to an increase in exhaust emissions which contaminate the atmosphere, not to mention
the rising level of noise pollution. Secondly, factories and industrial zones in the city
have discharged a huge amount of untreated waste into rivers, causing death to many
fish and other aquatic animals.
In fact, pollution makes people here less healthy, and some even suffer from life-
threatening diseases such as lung cancer, skin cancer, and so on. Therefore, the
government must deal with this problem right away. Cutting down on vehicle use is the
best way to reduce air pollution and noise pollution. We can do this by encouraging
people to use public transportation. Besides, those who litter should pay a heavy fine.
Finally, I think the best solution is to raise awareness and educate people to protect the
environment.
VOCABULARY
 regrettable: [adjective] something that you are sorry about and wish that it had not
happened.
Example: It is regrettable that only a minority of people are concerned about the
environment.
 exhaust emissions: [noun phrase] waste gases that come out of a car or other
vehicle.
Example: The exhaust emissions from big trucks cause serious air pollution in my
city.
 contaminate: [verb] make a place or thing dirty, by adding a substance that is

dangerous or polluting.
Example: Every day, more and more vehicles enter the city centre and
contaminate the atmosphere with their exhaust emissions.
 discharge: [verb] when somebody discharges a gas or liquid, they release it and it
goes into the water or the air.
Example: The factory was fined for discharging chemicals into the river.
 aquatic: [adjective] living in water

Example: Rivers which are clean have a lot of aquatic life, such as fish and frogs.
 life-threatening: [adjective] likely to kill someone.

Example: Aid workers in poor countries often have to deal with difficult, life-
threatening situations.
 cutting down on: [phrasal verb] reducing the size, amount or number of
something.
Example: You will improve your health by cutting down on cigarettes.
 awareness: [noun] knowing that something exists and is important.

Example: In schools, campaigns about awareness of road safety are essential for
young children.
30. Describe a person you know who dresses well

You should say:
who this person is
what kind of clothes this person likes to wear (or, wears)
and explain why you think this person dresses well.
31. Describe a person you know who speaks a second (or foreign) language well.
You should say:
who this person is
what language this person speaks
how often they speak it
and explain why you say they speak it "well".
32. Describe a person (you know) who travels a lot by plane.
You should say:
who this person is
where this person travels to
and explain why they (= he or she) choose to travel by plane
ANSWER 30, 31, 32

Today, I am going to share with you a person I know/ who dresses well/speaks a second
(foreign) language well/ travels a lot by plane/. That person is my friend/boss/.....
As a typical saleswoman for a multinational company, my friend/my boss has to meet
many people from all over the world. That’s why she speaks English as fluently as
Vietnamese. In addition, she also dresses well because appearance is very important in
the sales market.
She is tall and thin, thus she always chooses to wear blouses with pencil skirts or midi
dresses because such smart clothes not only complement her figure, but also give her a
formal look suitable for business meetings. Every time she appears in public, she draws
everyone‟s attention; people look at her with admiration. I think that’s one of the
reasons why she is such an effective salesperson.
Due to the characteristics of her job, she has to travel to Ho Chi Minh City/uses English
quite often because our company has a large customer base in the south/ internationally.
As a result, travelling by plane is the only choice. There are months when she has to go
there once a week to prepare for a client meeting or provide training to new employees/
Being competent in English helps her a lot in closing the deal with international clients,
since nowadays English is considered to be the most common language in the business
world. She speaks English so well that one of our clients complimented her on sounding
exactly like a native speaker.
VOCABULARY
 typical: [adjective] having all the usual qualities or features that we expect. A
woman whose job is to sell products will usually have to meet a lot of people, and
sometimes these may be international customers. My friend/my boss is no
different – she is a typical saleswoman.
Example: A typical street in the centre of London has crowds of shoppers, and the
roads are full of cars, taxis and buses.
 dresses well: [verb+adverb] she wears a particular style or type of clothes and
these give her a good appearance.
Example: In England, people dress formally when they go for a job interview.
 appearance: [noun] the way that somebody looks. If you are selling products,
your appearance must be tidy and professional.
Example: Photographers always follow famous people, so those people pay a lot
of attention to their appearance – they want to look good !
 skirt: [noun] a piece of clothing for a girl or woman which goes from the waist
and covers part of the legs.
 pencil skirts: [adjective+noun] a skirt which is narrow and straight.
Example: Pencil skirts are often worn by professional women, such as secretaries
or executives.
 midi dresses: [noun] dresses which cover the legs to below the knees.
 smart: [adjective] looking clean, new and attractive.

Example: I have to be smart for work.
 complement: [verb] to add something in a way that makes it look more attractive
or improves it.
Example: His smart tie complemented his formal suit.
 figure: [noun] the shape of the body.

 look: [noun] this is another word for appearance – the way that somebody looks.
Example: My friend has a very professional look when she is at work.
 draw attention: [verb+noun] my boss/my friend attracts the interest of everyone.

Example: In the world of men’s fashion, David Beckham draws the attention of
the world media.
 customer base: [noun combination] all the people who buy or use a particular
product or service.
Example: We need to appeal to a wider customer base.
 closing the deal: [verb+noun] making an agreement with a customer or supplier.

Example: As a professional saleswoman, my friend usually closes the deal and
makes a sale to her clients.
 compliment: [verb] to say something which expresses praise or admiration for a

person.
Example: My boss complimented me on the work which I completed last week.
33. Describe the member of your family who you spend the most time with.
You should say:
who it is
when you are usually together
what you do together
and explain why you spend the most time with this member of your family
ANSWER:
Today, I am going to share with you a family member who I spend most of my time with.
That is my /father/mother/older sister/brother/cousin…
My father/mother/older sister/brother/cousin… is a very considerate and thoughtful
person. When I was small, he/she usually took good care of me; taught me good lessons
and never let me out of his/her sight. Even now, whenever I have a bad day, he/she has
always been there for me, and helps me get through it.
As I have got older, my father/mother/older sister/brother/cousin… has become my best
friend. I can share my interests, my career plans or even things about my love life with
them – in fact, anything at all. Especially when I am down, he/she gives me the
encouragement that I need to move on. To me, he/she is a role model whom I always
look up to/admire/and follow in his/her footsteps.
He/she constantly reminds me that I have to try my best in everything I choose to pursue
so that I can achieve my goal in this life. Thanks to his/her advice, I have made
significant progress in my personal life in general.
Although, of course, I love all my family, because he/she is so special to me, I think that
we will always keep in touch, just as we do now almost every day.
VOCABULARY
 considerate: [adjective] always thinking of the wishes and feelings of other
people.
Example: My mother is very considerate when guests come to visit our house and
she always offers some food or something to drink.
 thoughtful: [adjective] showing that you think about other people and care about
them.
Example: A good teacher should be kind and thoughtful.
 take care of: [verb] to provide the things which you need for your protection and
health.
Example: A lot of patience is necessary when you take care of very young or very
old people.
 let me out of his sight: [expression] he/she always kept me where they could see
me – they protected me all the time.
Example: She never lets her daughter out of her sight.
 be there for: [expression] to be available if somebody wants to talk to you or
needs your help.
Example: If I was in trouble, my parents were always there for me.
 get through: [expression] to successfully deal with a problem or overcome a
difficulty.
Example: I would find it hard to get through the day if I had no friends to talk to.
 down: [adjective] sad, unhappy.
 move on: [verb] to make progress by starting something new.
Example: After I pass the exam, I want to move on to the next step in my career.
 role model: [noun] a person that you admire and try to copy.
Example: Parents are a child’s most important role models.
 follow in the footsteps of: to do the same job or to have the same style of life.
Example: She works as a journalist, following in her father’s footsteps.
 try my best: [expression] to do as much as possible to achieve something.
Example: I will try my best to achieve my goal.
 Thanks to: [expression] As a result of/with the help of their advice, I made
progress in my studies and my career.
 keep in touch: [expression] to maintain contact with somebody so that I know
what is happening.
34. Describe a street that you like to visit

You should say:
where is it
how often you go there
what you usually do there
and explain why you like to go there
ANSWER
As a full time employee/student, I don’t have much free time. As a result, whenever I
have a day off, I visit my favorite street in the city. The name of the street is Hoang Dieu.
It is located near Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and it is the place where I would always
choose to go.
I usually go there in the morning, park my moped in the nearby parking lot and walk
along the street by myself. Although I am quite a sociable person, I like my own space
from time to time. Living in a metropolitan area with a fast-paced life doesn’t allow me
to have time for myself that often. This is probably the only time I can escape from my
normal routine, completely free and just breathe, without worrying about my job/my
studies.
This street is perfect for my purpose because there are only government offices around
here, hence it is always quiet. Moreover, both side of the streets are planted with many
big trees, their shade covers the whole street. On a sunny day, you can see the sun‟s rays
shining through the leaves.
Every time I come here I feel fresh and less stressed, especially after my busy days at
work/ preparing for exams. At the end of the day, I can refresh my mind and be ready for
a new day.
VOCABULARY
 moped: [noun] a motorcycle with a small engine and also pedals.
Example: I sometimes use the engine on my moped, but more often I use the pedals,
like a bicycle.
 sociable: [adjective] a sociable person is someone who enjoys spending time with
other people.
Example: she’s a sociable child who will talk to anyone.
 my own space: my freedom and time to think and do what I want.
Example: he was tired of being with other people, so he went to his room to get some
space.
 metropolitan: [adjective] connected with a large city.
Example: my brother lives in the New York metropolitan area.
 fast-paced: [adjective] very busy
Example: my university course is very fast-paced, so it is difficult to complete all my
assignments on time.
 shade: [noun] an area that is dark and cool under or behind something [like a
tree], where the light of the sun does not reach it.
Example: We sat down in the shade of the wall.
 rays: [noun] narrow lines of light.
Example: The rays of the sun entered my window when the sun rose early in the
morning.
 refresh: [verb] to refresh somebody is to make them less tired or less hot.
Example: A cool shower refreshed me after running in the park.
35. Describe an article you read in a magazine or on the internet about healthy
living.
You should say:
what the article was about
where you read it (which magazine or website)
and explain what you learned/thought from the article
ANSWER:
- Recently I came across an interesting article on the internet about the benefits of
drinking warm water with lemon in the morning. The website name is
bodyandsoul.com.au.
- You would normally think that lemon water is just one kind of drink that helps keep
your body hydrated, however, it brings you many other benefits that you can‟t imagine.
- The article says that if you build up a habit of kicking off your day with a glass of
warm water with the juice of half a lemon, you will do your body and mind a great
favor.
- Firstly, lemon juice is a great source of Vitamin C, thus it helps boost your immune
system in fighting off colds and flu. Moreover, lemons are great for combating skin
ageing because they are rich in antioxidant properties. Lemon also helps clean our
urinary tract and detoxify our livers. The list of benefits doesn‟t end there. The high level
of potassium in lemons can help brain and nerve functioning and control blood
pressure. Lemon water can also ward off stress and depression, which have been linked
to low levels of potassium. As a result, the article suggests if you continue drinking warm
water with lemon first thing in the morning for at least 21 consecutive days, you will
notice the difference in your skin and general health immediately.
VOCABULARY
 hydrated: [adjective] capable of absorbing or taking in water.
Example: In hot weather, keep your body hydrated by drinking lots of water.
 build up: [phrasal verb] to develop.
Example: In business, it is important to build up a good relationship with customers.
 kicking off your day: [verb phrase] starting your day [like starting a football
match by kicking the ball]
Example: Kick off your day with a good breakfast, before you go to school.
 boost your immune system: [verb phrase] to make your body stronger to help it
fight against illness.
Example: A healthy diet of fruit and vegetables, combined with exercise and sleep,
will boost your immune system by making your body strong.
 fight off: [phrasal verb] to resist – in this case, illness.
Example: The soldiers fought off the enemy attack.
 ageing: [noun] the process of becoming old.
Example: There are some skin care products which claim to stop the ageing process.
 antioxidant: [adjective] removing harmful substances from the body.
Example: Vitamin C has antioxidant properties, so it is good to have it in your diet to
prevent illness.
 urinary tract: [noun] the part of the body through which waste liquid passes.
Example: If you have pain when you go to the toilet, it may be a symptom of an
infection of your urinary tract.
 detoxify: [verb] to remove harmful or poisonous substances, in this case from your
liver.
Example: As harmful substances can build up during the night, you can clean your
liver and detoxify it by drinking lemon water in the morning.
 ward off: [phrasal verb] to protect or defend yourself against illness or danger.
Example: She put up her hands to ward off her attacker.
36. Describe a person (you know), much older than you, who you admire.
You should say:
who this person is
how this person has influenced you
and explain why you admire this person.
ANSWER:
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.
37. Describe a television program that you like to watch.
You should say:
what program it is
what the program is about
how often you watch it
and explain why you like watching this program.
ANSWER:
A TV program that I found really funny was an American show called “How I met your
mother” which was broadcast every Sunday last summer.
It was a sitcom with 9 series, each of which included about 24 episodes. I watched all of
the episodes and found them absolutely hilarious. The series followed the main
character, Ted, who recounted to his son and daughter the time when he met and got
married to their mother. The special thing was this - all the events Ted had experienced
with his best friends before meeting his wife were illustrated in a highly amusing way.
For example, in one episode, Ted described his dates with a girlfriend whose name he
had forgotten, so Ted and the other characters had to refer to her as “Blah-blah” all the
time.
Because of the characters’ eccentric humor and natural acting, this show made me laugh
a lot. So, at present, whenever I feel stressed, I replay this series so that I can just put my
feet up and have a good laugh.
VOCABULARY
- sitcom: [noun] a regular TV program that shows the same characters in different
funny situations.
Example: In a good sitcom, all the characters who appear regularly make us laugh.
- episodes: [noun] parts of a story on TV or the radio which is broadcast in several
parts.
Example: The sitcom finally ended after 200 episodes.
- absolutely hilarious: [adverb+adjective] extremely funny.
Example: At the party, he told me an absolutely hilarious story, and I couldn’t stop
laughing.
- recounted: [verb] told someone about something that you experienced.
Example: My father sometimes recounted to me stories of his time as a student.
- dates: [noun] aromantic meetings with a boy or girl.
Example: Although they had several dates, they decided to remain just good friends.
- eccentric: [adjective] considered by other people to be strange or unusual.
Example: A person who wears a suit to go to the beach would certainly be considered
as eccentric.
- put my feet up: [expression] relax and do nothing
Example: After a hard day at work, I like to come home and put my feet up for an
hour or two.
38. Describe a sport that you have learned.
You should say:
what sport it is
when you learned it
what you learned to do
and explain how you feel about this sport.
ANSWER:
Basketball is the sport which I have been interested in for a long time. Therefore, I have
taken up this sport recently.
Basketball is played by two teams of five members on a rectangular court, where the
players of each team try to shoot the ball through the rival’s hoop. As far as I know,
basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. This is because of basketball’s
great benefits to our health, such as muscular development, height growth, and so on. Of
course, it’s also fast-moving and exciting.
Considering its huge advantages, I decided to take up this sport. Actually, I have been
learning it for three months at a sport center. Here, I am taking the beginner course
which provides me with basic skills to play basketball such as dribbling, jumping and
shooting. Also, I have many opportunities to practise these skills with experienced
basketball players, which helps to improve my game a lot.
As a final point, I would emphasize that in the near future, I hope that I will be able to
play basketball skillfully to improve my physical condition and really enjoy the sport to
the full.
VOCABULARY
- take up: [phrasal verb] learn or start to do something.
Example: I decided to take up a new hobby – jogging.
- rival: [noun] a person, team or company which competes with another in sport or
business.
Example: Nike and Adidas are rivals in the sportswear business.
- hoop: [noun] the ring through which players throw the ball in basketball to score
points.
Example: The best basketball players consistently shoot the ball through the hoop.
- muscular development: [expression] the process by which your muscles become
stronger.
Example: He uses the equipment at the gym every day in order to increase his
muscular development.
- dribbling: [gerund] a way of moving the ball with several short bounces on the
basketball court.
Example: I practice running and bouncing the ball in order to improve my dribbling
for basketball.
- to the full: [adverb] to the greatest possible degree.
Example: Staying fit and healthy helps us to enjoy life to the full.
39. Describe a short holiday (vacation) that was special for you.
You should say:
where you went
who you spent time with
what you did
and explain why it was special for you.
ANSWER:
I would like to talk about my recent holiday in Thailand with my best friend last
summer, which was really memorable for us. Although this trip only lasted for 4 days, it
involved a lot of planning ahead.
To be honest, travelling to Thailand can be quite costly and, due to financial constraints,
we started saving up for our holiday. We booked the plane tickets a month ahead to get
a couple of cheaper ones. Because we definitely did not want to use a travel agent or
book a package tour, we had to search for a lot of information online to organize our
own journey.
Throughout the trip, there were a lot of interesting things that we had a chance to
experience together. We visited some well-known tourist attractions in Thailand, which
allowed us to discover a new culture and traditional customs there. What we really
enjoyed was Thai cuisine. Despite the fact that we did not like food that is too spicy, the
variety of Thai street dishes tempted us to try them. We also stopped by open markets
at night to buy clothing and souvenirs for our families back home.
I think travelling is really the best way to practice relaxation. It dawned on me that we
had been very caught up in study during the year, and so this trip helped us to get away
from it all, leave our worries behind and enjoy ourselves.
VOCABULARY
- memorable: [adjective] something special, good or unusual that we will
remember for a long time.
Example: My first visit to New York was the most memorable trip of my life.
- costly: [adjective] expensive

Example: A new car would be too costly for me, so I decided to look for a used car.
- financial constraints: [noun] a lack of money that restricts your freedom to buy
or do something.
Example: The economic crisis will impose serious financial constraints on the
spending on schools this year.
- save up: [phrasal verb] to keep money, not spend it, to buy a particular thing.
Example: I’m saving up for a new TV.
- book: [verb] to buy or reserve something in advance.

Example: She has booked her IELTS exam in October.
- travel agent: [noun] a person or business that makes holiday or travel

arrangements for people, like booking a flight or hotel room.
Example: A travel agent can often give good advice when you explain the type of
holiday that you want.
- package tour: [noun] a holiday in which everything is organized by the travel

company at a fixed price and includes flights, hotels and any extras, such as hiring
a car.
Example: Package tours are popular with people who don’t have much time to
organize their holiday themselves.
- cuisine: [noun] a style of cooking.

Example: Tourists who visit Italy usually enjoy the Italian cuisine.
- spicy: [adjective] having a hot, strong taste because spices have been used to make
it.
Example: I like Indian cuisine, but I prefer the dishes that are not too spicy.
- tempt: [verb] attract somebody to have or to do something.

Example: The delicious smell of Thai meals tempted him to try some dishes.
- back home: [expression] in the town or country that you came from.
Example: She often thinks of her friends back home in Vietnam.
- dawn on: [phrasal verb] if something dawns on you, you realize it for the first
time.
Example: It dawned on me that I had not replied to his e-mail.
- caught up: [phrasal verb] to become involved in something.

Example: We were very caught up in our studies last year, often studying until late at
night.
- get away from it all: [expression] to have a holiday in a place where you can
relax.
Example: I like to go camping in the countryside, to get away from it all and enjoy
being alone.
- worries: [noun] things that cause you to worry or to be stressed.

Example: After he had passed the exam, all his worries disappeared.
40. Describe a wedding that you have attended.
You should say:
whose wedding it was
who was there
what happened
and explain how you felt.
ANSWER (Bài này mình viết hơi dài. Các bạn có thể lấy ý để chỉnh sửa dùng cho bài
của chính các bạn)
Today, I’m gonna share with you a wedding of my friend that I attended. Last month, I
received a wedding invitation from my old friend from primary school. The wedding was
held at the beginning of April. We have been close to each other for over 15 years,
therefore, I definitely wanted to attend at all costs, due to the fact that we hadn’t had a
chance to get together for ages.
Her wedding ceremony took place at The Sum Villa, located near West Lake. It was
decorated impressively with a lot of lights, candles and flowers around the room. There
were three glamorous wedding photo albums, showing tables right at the centre of the
official gate. The principal colours were likely to be white and violet, so all the guests
were requested to wear clothes with one or both of these colours. Personally, I wore a
white dress with small accessories.
It was meant to be a casual wedding, which I had never attended before. It turned out to
be refreshingly informal. One of the best moments that really touched me was when the
bridegroom sang a song for the bride and all the guests sang along with him. Also, he
made a photo clip by himself marking their 4-year romance, to show to everyone in the
room. It was no surprise that everyone clapped their hands and cheered them. Of course, I
was no exception.
It was also a good chance to catch up with my old friends and we all had a great time. We
definitely made the most of the occasion and took a lot of pictures with the bride and the
bridegroom. I gave my friend a gift to celebrate her wedding day. I had given much
thought to my wedding present when I was choosing it, and I wished her lots of
happiness for the future.
VOCABULARY
hold: [verb] have a meeting/conversation/party/wedding/event.
Example: The next Olympic Games will be held in Brazil.
close to: [expression] knowing someone well and liking them very much.
Example: She has always been close to her grandparents and often visits them.
at all costs: [expression] whatever is needed to achieve something.

Example: I knew that, at all costs, I had to catch the last train home.
for ages: [expression] for a long time.

Example: I waited for ages to speak to the doctor.
decorate: [verb] make something more attractive.

Example: Her living room is always decorated with flowers.
glamorous: [adjective] especially attractive and exciting.

Example: When my sister was young, she wanted to have a glamorous job, like a model
or a film actress.
albums: [noun] a book in which you keep photographs.

Example: All of my parent’s photographs are still in the family photo albums in my
drawer.
accessories: [noun] things like belts or bags, which you carry to match your clothes.
Example: The shop sells only fashion accessories, and my friend buys all her bracelets
there.
bridegroom: [noun] a man on his wedding day.

Example: The bridegroom was very nervous during the wedding ceremony.
bride: [noun] a woman on her wedding day.

Example: The bride wore a very beautiful white dress.
romance: [noun] a relationship between two people who are in love.

Example: Romeo and Juliet is a play about the romance of two young lovers.
clapped their hands: [expression] hit their open hands together, to show that they liked
or enjoyed something.
Example: At the end of the fantastic show, all the audience clapped their hands.
cheer: [verb] to shout loudly, to show support or to encourage someone.

Example: The crowd cheered when Barcelona scored the winning goal.
41. Describe a useful app or computer program for a smart phone, computer or
tablet that you have used.
You should say:
what the app is
how long/how often you have used it (or, been using it)
what you use it for
and explain why you think it is useful.
ANSWER
Well, developments in technology have been providing a lot of smart applications for
users, which allows them to access entertainment and also to work more effectively.
One of those apps that youngsters have been using more and more in their tablets and
mobile phones is definitely Camera 360. And I am no exception. This application is all
about taking pictures and editing photos.
I have been a big fan of this application since I started using my Iphone 5 years ago.
Like many other apps, the designer has kept working on it to incorporate more
impressive effects so that it can compete with any other photo application.
My hobby is taking photos with my friends no matter what mood I’m in, so I tend to use
this particular app as my favourite tool to make changes to the pictures to make them
look more lively and interesting. This is where Camera 360 comes in handy.
What I really appreciate is that Camera 360 is full of fun features bringing many options
with special filters, effects, themes and frames. I love how easily it can help my photos
appear more professional than my original ones, although I’m not really a photoshop
expert. Thanks to this app, I am likely to be taking pictures more frequently now that I
feel extremely confident about posting them on social networking sites.
VOCABULARY
edit: [verb] make changes to text, data or images on a screen.
Example: Editing photos can make them appear much more professional by removing
unwanted parts of the image.
fan: [noun] a person who admires or enjoys watching or listening to someone/something.

Example: My son is a big football fan of Barcelona, and he watches all their games on
TV.
work on: [phrasal verb] try hard to improve something, or how something functions.
Example: She works on her yoga skills by practising the exercises every day.
incorporate: [verb] include something, so that it then forms part of something.

Example: Many of your ideas have been incorporated into the project.
impressive: [adjective] people or things that make you feel admiration, for some good
quality that they have.
Example: The examiners agreed that she was very impressive during the speaking test.
compete with: [phrasal verb] try to be better or more successful than someone who is
trying to do the same thing as you.
Example: In the race, I had to compete with 5 other athletes to win the gold medal.
mood: [noun] the way that you are feeling at a particular time.
Example: I’m not really in the mood to go to the party tonight.
come in handy: [expression] be useful.
Example: Don’t throw your revision notes away – they may come in handy for next
year’s course.
fun features: [noun] entertaining characteristics or things about a particular object.

Example: My latest iphone comes with lots of fun features which keep me amused for
hours.
post: [verb] put information or pictures on a website.

Example: Her brother has just posted some photos on their holiday on Facebook.
42. Describe a goal that you would like to achieve.

You should say:
what the goal is
how easy or difficult you think it will be to reach this goal
how you plan to achieve this goal
and explain why this is one of your goals.
ANSWER
One of my goals in the near future is to improve my proficiency in Japanese.
Actually, I have been studying Japanese for two months; therefore, I can just hold some
simple conversations about daily life. There are various reasons why I want to study this
language. Firstly, I am keen on Japanese culture, which is so incredibly unique and
diverse. By learning Japanese, I can know more about traditions there. Secondly, I have
always longed to work for a Japanese company. Since people in Japan are organized and
hard-working, collaborating with them gives me a good chance to improve myself.
That’s why I really want to master this language.
To achieve this goal, I am taking a Japanese course with a native teacher who gives me
the best methods to study Japanese effectively. Besides, I am trying to practice speaking
Japanese with my friends and watch as many Japanese films as possible, so that my
level of Japanese can be improved considerably. I hope that soon I will have a good
command of Japanese and I am sure that I will remain motivated to achieve my goal.
VOCABULARY
hold conversations: [expression] have conversations
Example: It is impossible to hold conversations in that place – it is too noisy !
keen on: [adjective] very interested in an idea or activity

Example: My parents are very keen on visiting my uncle in the US.
diverse: [adjective] very different and varied.

Example: New York is a big city with people from diverse cultures.
longed to: [phrasal verb] wanted to do something very much.

Example: It is just a dream, but I have always longed to be a famous musician.
master: [verb] learn or understand something completely.

Example: In many jobs we have to master new techniques, such as computer skills.
have a command of: [expression] have an ability to do or use something – especially a

language.
Example: You must have a good command of English in order to pass the IELTS exam.
43. Describe an activity you do for your health or fitness.
You should say:
what you do
how often you do it
where you do it
and explain how you think this activity helps you stay healthy or fit.
ANSWER
Staying in good shape is everyone’s concern and I am no exception. To be honest, I

have been so caught up in my study since I entered university that I have a problem in
organizing my daily routine. However, I have been participating in a yoga class for
about 2 years, which takes me only 1 hour a day, to try to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Unlike dancing or running, yoga definitely involves stretching actions. You might look
at yoga and think that it is light and easy but it is more demanding than it appears. Yoga
allows me to work on all the parts of my body. It can burn a lot of calories in just one
hour of training. Also, it enhances my flexibility and suppleness in every single
movement.
What I enjoy the most about yoga is meditation. It is all about regulating your
breathing and helping you take things off your mind easily. Another thing is that doing
yoga is supposed to be good for curing headaches and digestion-related problems, so it
benefits not only physical well-being but also mental health.
By maintaining a schedule of taking part in the yoga class on a daily basis, I feel
extremely relaxed and full of energy after the class. It helps me to keep fit and refresh
my mind after a long stressful day. And of course, I don’t see myself stopping practicing
this activity any time soon.
VOCABULARY
in good shape: [expression] the good physical condition of someone.
Example: For a man of his age, he is in good shape.
caught up: [phrasal verb] completely involved in something.

Example: He was so caught up in the TV program, that he forgot to do his homework.
stretching actions: [noun] actions which make your muscles stronger by exercises in
which you extend your arms and legs.
Example: When I get up in the morning, I do some stretching actions to exercise the
muscles in my arms.
demanding: [adjective] needing a lot of effort.

Example: The work of a farmer is physically very demanding.
work on: [phrasal verb] try hard to improve something, or how something functions.
Example: She works on her yoga skills by practising the exercises every day.
burn a lot of calories: [expression] use up a lot of energy [that comes from the food we
eat].
Example: One reason why people do exercise is to burn a lot of calories and lose
weight.
flexibility: [noun] the ability to move and bend your body easily.
Example: Regular exercise helps older people to maintain their flexibility, especially by
stretching their muscles.
suppleness: [noun] the ability to move and bend your body into different positions – it is
a synonym for flexibility.
Example: Different yoga movements develop suppleness in different muscles.
meditation: [noun] thinking deeply in silence, to make you feel calm.

Example: To help you to relax, try meditation after a stressful day at work.
regulating your breathing: [expression] controlling the way in which you breathe in and
out.
Example: An important part of learning how to swim is regulating your breathing.
take things off your mind: [expression] forget things which are causing you anxiety or
stress.
Example: After an exam, I usually have a short holiday, to take things off my mind and
enjoy myself.
cure: [verb] make an illness go away.

Example: The website advertises a new drug for curing AIDS.
digestion: [noun] the process of changing the food you eat into substances that the body
can use.
Example: Unlike cows or horses, the digestion of grass is impossible for humans.
well-being: [noun] general health and happiness.

Example: The company tries to ensure the well-being of its employees by providing good
working conditions.
schedule: [noun] a plan that lists all the things that you have to do and when you must do
them.
Example: For the next few days, I have a busy schedule, which includes my yoga class
each morning.
I don’t see myself stopping: [expression] I don’t think that I will stop.
Example: I don’t see myself stopping working in the next 10 years because I have to
support my family.
any time soon: [expression] in the near future, soon.

Example: I should receive the exam results any time soon – perhaps tomorrow.
44. Describe a big company that you would like to work in.
You should say:
the name of this company
what this company does
where this company is
and explain why you would like to work in this company.
ANSWER
Today, I would like to talk about a big company that I would like to work in. Last year, I
had a chance to do an internship in Vincom for 3 months, and it is my dream
workplace where I want to apply for a job when I graduate.
The Vingroup, as you know, is one of the biggest corporations involved in many different
key fields, not only in Vietnam but also in other countries all over the world. Vincom, the
real estate company, is supposed to be the most important sector contributing to the
success of the Vingroup. They have taken over a lot of well-known resorts, luxury villas
and apartment buildings around Vietnam, incorporating a huge range of additional
facilities.
My major involves the property business, so I decided to do my internship there. It is an

extremely big company with dynamic and loyal staff, and a highly professional working
style as well. They formulate their business strategy clearly and try to reach the targets
which they have set. Their staff receive excellent compensation and benefits packages.
It was a valuable chance for me to broaden my own knowledge not only in my major but
also in many other fields. It enhanced my soft skills and allowed me to enlarge my social
network. Therefore, I will try my best to become an employee in Vincom in the near
future.
Vocabulary:
internship: [noun] a period of time in which a student or new graduate gets experience in
a job, for example during vacations.
Example: My cousin is doing an internship with a company of lawyers after graduating
in law last month.
dream workplace: [noun] the ideal place where you would like to work.
Example: If you love chocolates, a chocolate factory would be your dream workplace.
real estate: [noun] property in the form of land or buildings.

Example: My aunt works in a real estate company, selling and renting houses to
customers.
take over: [phrasal verb] gain control of.

Example: His small electronics company was taken over by Samsung.
resorts: [noun] a place where a lot of people go on holiday/vacation.

Example: Many British tourists go to beach resorts in Thailand.
luxury villas: [noun] expensive houses where people stay on holiday/vacation.

Example: The luxury villas in Spain have private swimming pools and expensive
furniture.
facilities: [noun] services or equipment that are provided for a particular purpose.
Example: The hotel has many facilities, such as satellite TVs in every room and free wi-
fi internet connection.
dynamic: [adjective] having a lot of energy and strong personality.
Example: We have to say that Batman and Superman are dynamic characters.
loyal: [adjective] always supporting someone or something.

Example: The minister has always been a loyal friend to the President.
formulate: [verb] to create or prepare something carefully and in detail.

Example: The owners of the company formulated a plan to take over a rival firm.
compensation: [noun] something, especially money, which you receive if you have been
hurt, injured or if you have suffered in some way.
Example: When my father lost his job, the company paid him compensation of a full
salary for 1 year.
benefits package: [noun] a number of things which an employer provides in addition to
paying your salary.
Example: The job offers a good benefits package, which includes free health insurance
and the use of a company car.
soft skills: [noun] personal qualities that enable you to deal successfully with other
people.
Example: Candidates for the job should have soft skills, such as working well in a team
and an ability to listen to and respect the opinions of work colleagues.
45. Describe a time when someone apologized to you.

You should say:
When it happened
Why he/she apologized to you
How you felt
ANSWER
On Tuesday last week, I was riding my motorbike to school. Actually, I was in a hurry;
otherwise, I would have been late for the class. Unfortunately, there was heavy traffic
congestion. In front of me there was just a long stream of cars and bikes. Therefore, I
had no choice but to slow down and join the queue of vehicles.
Suddenly, a scooter hit me from behind, which made me panic and fall off my bike. I
suffered a few bruises and a minor elbow injury. A few seconds later, the rider on the
scooter got off, came up to me and apologized for his carelessness. He also offered to
take me to hospital for a checkup, but it was unnecessary as I was okay.
To be honest, at first, I was very angry with him for crashing into my motorbike, but his
sincere concern calmed me down and I decided to accept his apology. Then, I continued
on my way to school.
I realize that we can all make mistakes sometimes, but if we make an apology, almost
everyone will forgive us. So, it is best to own up and accept responsibility for your
mistakes.
VOCABULARY
heavy traffic congestion: [expression] the state of being crowded and full of traffic.
Example: In an attempt to reduce heavy traffic congestion in the centre of London,
motorists now have to pay to enter the city centre.
a long stream of: [expression] a continuous flow of cars and bikes.
Example: A long stream of vehicles was waiting to cross the bridge, but they were
moving slowly because of the traffic congestion.
slow down: [phrasal verb] go at a slower speed.

Example: Near schools and hospitals, motorists should slow down in order to reduce the
chances of an accident.
suffer: [verb] experience something unpleasant, like an injury.

Example: During the meal, he suffered a heart attack and an ambulance took him to
hospital.
bruises: [noun] blue or brown marks that appear on your body after you have fallen or
been hit.
Example: After the accident, he suffered some cuts and bruises as a result of falling on to
the ground.
came up to me: [phrasal verb] approached me.

Example: After the match, a journalist came up to me and asked my opinion about the
result.
calmed me down: [phrasal verb] made me less angry.

Example: I was angry with the boy and I wanted to hit him, but the teacher calmed me
down by telling the boy to apologise for what he had done.
on my way: [expression] going.

Example: I am on my way to the park – do you want to come?
own up: [phrasal verb] admit that you are responsible for something bad or wrong.
Example: When the teacher collected our homework, I had to own up and explain that I
had not finished it.
46. Describe a story or a novel that was particularly interesting to you
You should say:
• What the story/novel is
• What it is about
• Why you find it interesting
ANSWER:
I would like to talk about my favorite classic novel called The Godfather, which is
written by a well-known Italian author, Mario Puzo. I came across this novel when I
was trying to find a dictionary at a bookstore. It was published in hard-cover version and
there was a colourful illustration on the front which caught my eye.
At first, although I was not much impressed by the novel’s preview, I still bought it and
started to read the story right after getting home. Surprisingly, the more I read “The
Godfather”, the more it appealed to me. This novel told the story of an Italian
imaginary character named Vito Corleone, who was a mafia boss in America after
World War I. What attracted me in this story was the way the author described Vito’s
tricks to survive in a chaotic society. Thanks to this novel, I learned a lot about the
course of American history in that lawless period.
After finishing this book, I read some more novels by Mario Puzo and they were all
fascinating. I realize that reading books is a good way to gain knowledge; therefore,
everyone should get into the habit of reading.
VOCABULARY
classic: [adjective] accepted as being one of the best or most important of its type.
Example: The story of Romeo and Juliet is a classic tale of love and revenge.
come across: [phrasal verb] to meet or find somebody or something by chance.

Example: Yesterday, I came across some old photographs in a drawer.
hard-cover: [adjective] with a stiff cover which does not bend.

Example: The hard-cover version of the book is expensive, so I am waiting for the
paperback version to be published.
caught my eye: [expression] attracted my attention.

Example: As I looked at the shop window, a dark blue jacket caught my eye.
right after: [adverb] immediately after.

Example: Yesterday, I spoke to the teacher right after the class.
appeal to: [phrasal verb] attract or interest someone.
Example: The company’s new website is designed to appeal to people of all ages.
chaotic: [adjective] confused and without any order.

Example: At busy times, the traffic situation is chaotic in New York.
lawless: [adjective] where laws do not exist or are not obeyed.

Example: Chicago was known as a lawless city, controlled by gangsters and the mafia.
fascinating: [adjective] very interesting.

Example: She has written a fascinating book about the history of crime in America.
get into the habit of: [expression] do something regularly, so that you do it almost
without thinking.
Example: My sister has got into the habit of turning on the TV when she arrives home.
47. Describe some local news that people in your locality are interested in.
You should say:
what the news is
how you know about this news
who is involved in this news
and explain why it is interesting to people.
ANSWER
I came across this intriguing article in a newspaper I read at my school’s library. It
involved how positive attitudes have greatly affected people’s success, based on the
story of how a local woman had never given up her dream and had now become a
world-famous novelist.
According to the news story, optimistic people are more likely to be successful. Since
they look at the bright side, their lives are always full of enjoyment. Therefore, when
running into problems, optimists try their best to work out solutions. This leads them to
great achievements. In contrast, pessimistic people tend to act negatively, which not
only puts them under a lot of strain, but also has a bad impact on their performance and
people around them.
Since I read this news, I have tried to maintain positive attitudes about everything.
Whenever I fail to do something, I will not blame myself but work harder to overcome
such failure. I hope that, like this woman, everybody can learn to be optimistic about
whatever situation they face.
VOCABULARY
intriguing: [adjective] very interesting, because the news was unusual.
Example: He told me an intriguing story about how a shark had once attacked him while
he was swimming in the sea.
had never given up: [phrasal verb] had never abandoned: she had always continued to
believe in her dream.
Example: The police announced that – after 10 days – they had finally given up looking
for survivors of the air crash.
world-famous: [adjective] known all over the world

Example: McDonald’s is a world-famous chain of fast-food restaurants.
novelist: [noun] a person who writes novels – fictional stories.

Example: The author of the ‘Harry Potter’ books used to teach English, but now she is a
world-famous novelist.
optimistic: [adjective] expecting good things to happen or to be successful.

Example: He was optimistic about his chances of passing the exam, because he had
studied hard.
look at/on the bright side: [expression] to be cheerful about a bad situation, by thinking
of the advantages – not the disadvantages.
Example: Although you have lost your keys, look on the bright side – your brother has a
copy of all of them.
work out (solutions): [phrasal verb] think of (solutions).

Example: Engineers work out solutions to many technical problems when they design
new buildings.
pessimistic: [adjective] expecting bad things to happen or expecting things to fail.

Example: The patient was very ill, and the doctors were pessimistic about his chances of
recovering.
puts them under a lot of strain: [expression] puts a lot of pressure on them, because they
are worried about being able to solve a difficulty.
Example: The team have lost every match, so this puts them under a lot of strain when
they have to face new opponents.
whatever: any or every (situation)

Example: Whatever the situation about your travel visa, we will work out a solution
together.
48. Describe the first time you used a foreign language to communicate.
You should say:
what the situation was
where you were
who you communicated with
and explain why you used a foreign language to communicate on this occasion.
ANSWER
I have been learning English for a long time, but I haven’t had many chances to practice
speaking English with native speakers. To the best of my recollection, the first time I
used it was on Christmas Eve three years ago.
At that time, I was hanging out with my friends. Suddenly, a foreigner came up to me
and asked for directions to a supermarket. Honestly, he spoke too quickly for me to catch
everything. But after he repeated his words, I finally understood and showed him the
way to the nearest supermarket. I used body language a lot to explain the directions to
him, since I didn’t speak English well then. After that, he said “Thank you” to me and
headed for the supermarket.
I realize that English plays an important role in our life, despite the fact that we don’t
live in English-speaking countries. It is spoken globally and it’s becoming the dominant
language. Therefore, I have been trying to practice speaking English daily so that I can
have a good command of this language, and I can talk confidently with foreigners,
whatever the topic of conversation.
VOCABULARY
to the best of my recollection: [expression] if I remember correctly.

Example: I was not present at that meeting, to the best of my recollection.
hanging out: [phrasal verb] spending a lot of time in a particular place, but doing no
special activity.
Example: My friends and I enjoy hanging out at our local coffee shop, just chatting and
enjoying a coffee.
came up to: [phrasal verb] approached.

Example: The manager came up to me and shook my hand.
catch everything: [expression] hear or understand everything that he said.

Example: At the train station it was too noisy to hear all the information clearly, and I
was unable to catch everything.
body language: [noun] the way that you show what you feel or think by moving your
body.
Example: Sometimes, our teacher uses body language, not words, to help to
communicate an idea.
headed for: [phrasal verb] moved in a particular direction.

Example: After the show finished, everyone headed for the exits.
have a good command of: [expression] have a good knowledge of something.

Example: People who apply for this job must have a good command of English, in order
to communicate with our American customers.
49. Describe an occasion when you helped someone.
You should say:
who you helped
how you helped them
where it happened
why you helped them
and explain how this person reacted to your help
or
and explain how you felt after helping this person.
ANSWER
Yesterday, when walking to school, I came across a pregnant woman. She was holding
a baby and carrying a lot of plastic bags containing fruit and vegetables. Those bags
seemed to be heavy, which made it difficult for her to hold her child. So, I quickly
walked up to her and offered to help her by carrying all of the bags.
At first, she was quite suspicious about my sudden appearance. Well, it is

understandable to be cautious with strangers. If I were her, I would do the same. But
then, she recognized the school uniform I was wearing. Therefore, she thanked me in
advance and gave me all of her plastic bags, and I carried them to her house. When we
arrived, she offered me a cup of tea and even invited me to stay for lunch, but I politely
declined as I had to go back to school. Otherwise, I would have been late for classes.
To my mind, doing a good deed makes me feel more comfortable and optimistic about
everything, so I hope that everyone will help each other regularly for the sake of our
mutual well-being.
VOCABULARY
came across: [phrasal verb] met her by accident.
Example: Last week, I came across an old school friend in the supermarket.
walked up to: [phrasal verb] walked towards her, in a confident way.

Example: In the shop, I walked up to the manager and demanded my money back.
suspicious: [adjective] she was unwilling to trust me, because I had appeared suddenly
and she did not know me.
Example: Parents teach children to be suspicious of strangers who approach them in the
street.
understandable: [adjective] seeming normal and reasonable in a particular situation.

Example: Being nervous before an exam is perfectly understandable.
politely declined: [adverb+verb] I refused in a polite way to accept her offer.

Example: I offered to give them a lift in my car, but they politely declined.
doing a good deed: [expression] doing an action that is good.

Example: I enjoy doing a good deed, such as going to the shops, for my elderly
neighbour.
our mutual well-being: [expression] actions that benefit two or more people equally.
Example: We should always try to be honest and generous with others, for the sake of
our mutual well-being.
50. Describe what you think would be the perfect job for you.
You should say:
what job it would be
what you would do in this job
and explain why you think this would be the perfect job for you.
ANSWER
For me, the ideal job that I would like to have is to be an air hostess.
This job involves taking care of customers on planes, serving food and drinks, and
making sure that they have a safe flight. In Vietnam, to apply for this position, an
applicant has to meet various requirements, including being at least 20 years old, having
good communication and problem-solving skills, having a good command of language,
and so on. One special thing is this career is open to both men and women, although
women are preferred.
There are many reasons why I think this job would suit me. Firstly, I have a passion for
traveling. Taking this job, I could travel to many countries on a regular basis.
Occasionally, when I have free time between flights, I would be able to go sightseeing
and enjoy a variety of local food. Secondly, I have quite a good command of English
and French, which are spoken by the majority of people around the world. Therefore, this
would help me a lot if I could get this job. Lastly, I am really interested in talking with
others. So, I believe that this job is perfect for me since I would meet hundreds of
people every day. As a final point, I hope that I can follow my dream career in the
future.
VOCABULARY
taking care of: [phrasal verb] providing customers with everything that they need for
their comfort and protection.
Example: My mother is taking care of my children while I am away on business.
applicant: [noun] a person who makes a formal request for something, such as a job or a
place at university.
Example: I don’t think that I will get the job, because there were hundreds of applicants.
having a good command of: [expression] having a good knowledge, especially of a

language, and the ability to speak it well.
Example: Having a good command of at least one foreign language is necessary for
most people working in the tourist industry.
open to: [adjective] available to, because both men and women can enter this profession.
Example: This job is open to people of all ages, but applicants must have a university
qualification.
on a regular basis: [expression] regularly.

Example: The fire equipment is checked on a regular basis, usually at the end of each
month.
go sightseeing: [verb] visit interesting places as a tourist.

Example: I would like to go sightseeing in Hanoi and visit the Old City and the Temple
of Literature.
dream career: [noun] the profession that I would really love to have.
Example: For a lot of boys, their dream career is to be a football player.
51. Describe a foreign country you would like to go to. ( A country you have not
been to yet)
You should say:
what country it is (including where it is in the world)
what this country is like
what people can do in this country
and explain why you would like to go to this country.
ANSWER
There are so many countries that I have not had a chance to go to, but one of those that I
would like to visit in my upcoming trip is Myanmar.
It is located in South East Asia. The country is like Thailand 25 years ago, before
shopping malls, and fastfood chains expanded in the country. Thus it remains rustic and
traditional compared to the modern world.
The people here are said to be friendly; they are willing to go out of their way to show
you around and they are very keen on practicing their English skills. Myanmar is famous
for its ancient city named Bagan, with more than 3,000 temples which date back to the
11th century. I would particulary love to see the Shwedagon Pagoda. It is considered to
be the greatest and most sacred Buddhist temple in the country. The entire structure,
which dates back 2,500 years, is covered with hundreds of gold plates.
Since the country has just been opened up to the outside world, it still keeps the
originality of its culture. That’s why I want to go there, to experience the country and the
people before globalization changes everything.
VOCABULARY
fastfood chain: [noun] a network of restaurants like McDonald’s, which you can find in
many different places, serving food such as burgers and fries.
rustic: [adjective] simple and typical of the countryside.

Example: The old church in the small village had a rustic appearance.
go out of their way to: [verb phrase] to make a special effort to do something.
Example: The teacher went out of her way to help the students, giving free classes before
the exams.
show someone around: [verb phrase] to be a guide for somebody when they visit a new
place and to show them what is interesting.
Example: We were shown around the school by one of the students.
sacred: [adjective] connected with a god, and considered to be holy.
Example: In Islam, Mecca is a sacred city.
opened up: [phrasal verb] possible to be visited.

Example: The railways opened up many remote parts of the country.
globalization: [noun] the process by which places become similar to each other all over
the world.
Example: You can now buy burgers in fastfood restaurants like McDonald’s all over the
world, as a result of globalization.
52. Describe something that you have shared with others (or another person)
You should say:
what you shared
who you shared it with.
why you shared it
and explain how you felt about sharing it
ANSWER:
Well, I’m kind of an introverted person so I do not tend to share my stories with others.
The only person I fully trust to confide in is my best friend from secondary school,
because we have been close for over 10 years.
At my first year in university, I was a little bored with the major that I had been studying,
because it was not exactly what I had signed up for at first. I meant to apply for the
commercial English department, but unfortunately I did not have a high enough score
and, therefore, business management was my second choice. A lot of thoughts crossed
my mind at that time, like this major was not really my thing, I would not be able to
make it and similar negative feelings.
I was really depressed and eventually turned to her to ask for help. We had a
conversation and she helped me analyze my interests, personality, strengths and
weaknesses, which allowed me to reach a decision by myself. As a result, I kept
studying my major and made time for learning English besides. As we enjoyed such a
close relationship, I felt really reassured when I received her useful advice.
Now, I’m a final-year student at university, I am pleased with my decision, thanks to her.
She really is my best friend, always stays by my side and never turns her back on me,
and I treasure our friendship a lot.
VOCABULARY:
introverted: [adjective] more interested in your own thoughts and feelings than in
spending time with other people.
Example: As John never interacted with others in class, his teachers considered him to be
an introverted student.
confide in: [phrasal verb] tell someone personal secrets or information because you
believe that you can trust them.
Example: Whenever she had a problem, she confided in her mother.
close: [adjective] knowing someone very well and liking them very much.
Example: I have always been close to my grandfather, and I visit him regularly.
sign up: [phrasal verb] arrange to do a course of study by adding your name to the list of
people doing it.
Example: I decided to sign up for extra English classes to help me with my business
course.
crossed my mind: [expression] came into my mind.

Example: This morning, it crossed my mind that I need to see my tutor tomorrow.
not my thing: [expression] not something that I like to do.

Example: I don’t want to go to the concert, because listening to rock music is not really
my thing.
be able to make it: [expression] be able to succeed in something.

Example: I was surprised to win the competition – I never thought I’d be able to make it.
depressed: [adjective] feeling sad and without hope.

Example: He felt depressed when he failed the exam, but now he is determined to
succeed next time.
reach a decision: [expression] decide something after some difficulty.
Example: I was not sure whether to visit Thailand or Singapore, but finally I reached a
decision – I would go to Singapore.
reassured: [adjective] feel less frightened or anxious.

Example: The doctor told him that the medical tests were OK, so he felt very reassured.
turns her back on: [expression] rejects someone that she is close to.
Example: She never turns her back on the people in her family – she is always ready to
support them.
treasure: [verb] have or keep something that is very valuable to you.

Example: Although he is no longer living, I will always treasure my memories of my
grandfather.
53. Describe a course you would like to study (or, do).

You should say:
what course it is (or, would be)
where you would do it
what you would learn in that course
and explain why you would like to do this course.
ANSWER
Well, speaking of the course I’d like to do, I would say that it’s an English course. Today,
English is considered to be the most important language in the world. That’s why it
became one of the compulsory subjects and we now have to study English from
elementary onwards. I’d like to get admitted to the Foreign Trade University which
offers a professional course in Business English. They have a good reputation for
teaching this course effectively to a high standard. As I have other classes in the morning,
I would like to enroll in the afternoon course. Also, the course fee is both cheap and
convenient for me to pay using my bank account. There are so many reasons why I’d like
to enroll in an English course. First of all, English is an international language, hence,
having a knowledge of English can help people around the world to communicate better.
Second, it also gives us countless opportunities to become more acquainted with other
cultures. We depend on English to keep up to date with the latest news from all over the
world, since almost all the books and magazines are written in this language. Finally,
learning English can really help us in our careers and enhance our CVs, as these days,
many firms need good office employees to conduct international business.
VOCABULARY
compulsory: [adjective] that must be done because of a rule or law.
Example: In some countries, it is compulsory to attend school until the age of 16.
onwards: [adverb] continuing from a particular time.

Example: I will be in my office from 8:00 am onwards, until I leave at 6:00 in the
evening.
reputation: [noun] the opinion that people have about someone/something is like, based
on what has happened in the past.
Example: The restaurant enjoys an international reputation for the best Thai cuisine.
countless: [adjective] very many; too many to be counted or mentioned.

Example: The teacher has warned him countless times to pay attention in class.
acquainted: [adjective] familiar with something having seen, heard or read it.
Example: The students are already acquainted with the history of our country, having
studied it at elementary level.
keep up to date with: [expression] be informed about the latest information.

Example: I watch the news on TV every day, in order to keep up to date with the
political situation.
CVs: [noun] short descriptions of your education and qualifications, which you give to an
employer when you go for an interview.
Example: Students should make sure that they write good CVs, to help them when they
apply for a job.
firm: [noun] company.

Example: She works for a firm of lawyers in Paris.
conduct: [verb] organize or do a particular activity.
Example: The school has decided to conduct all its classes in English.
54. Describe a positive change that you made to your life.

You should say:
when it happened
where it happened
what the change was
and explain how you have benefited from this change
(or, explain how you feel about this change)
ANSWER
I’m going to talk about a positive change that I made to my life. To be honest, going to
bed early was not really my kind of thing before. But, because it was not good for my
health, I decided to change my bad habit of late nights about a year ago.
As far as I remember, my late sleeping pattern had begun when I was studying for my
university entrance exam 4 years ago. During that time, I had tended to stay up pretty
late to do my assignments. Gradually, I became used to the habit and still kept it up until
a year ago. Then, I found myself having eye-related problems and headaches, which
naturally made me very anxious. Therefore, I went to see a doctor for a medical check-
up. It turned out that the major cause of these health problems was my late nights. The
doctor advised me to change my routine as soon as possible to treat the symptoms
effectively.
Since that time, I have tried my best to maintain an early sleeping habit, because I don’t
want to put my health at unnecessary risk. Now, I usually read something light before
going to bed at 11pm. Of course, this also helps me to get up earlier the next morning.
At the moment, I find that it has been a good decision to adopt a healthier lifestyle. I
learnt the hard way that, sometimes, you should do something to break harmful habits
in order to make your life better, despite the fact that those habits are sometimes so tough
to change.
VOCABULARY:
my kind of thing: [expression] something in which I am interested and like.
Example: I did not accept her invitation to go to the rock concert, because rock music in
not really my kind of thing.
late nights: [noun] nights when you don’t go to bed until very late.
Example: I spent many late nights studying for the exam.
tend: [verb] be likely to do something, because this is what often or usually happens.
Example: She tended to get nervous before taking exams, but now she is more confident.
keep it up: [phrasal verb] continue to do something.
Example: My sister started going to a yoga class a year ago, and she has kept it up ever
since.
anxious: [adjective] feeling worried or nervous.

Example: I felt anxious when she did not call me from the airport.
check-up: [noun] a general examination to make sure that you are healthy.
Example: My doctor arranges a regular medical check-up for all patients over 60.
turn out: [phrasal verb] be discovered to be, prove to be.

Example: It turned out that we had been to the same school, although I did not recognize
her when we were introduced to each other.
symptoms: [noun] a change in your body that shows you are not healthy.
Example: One of the first symptoms of a cold is having a high temperature.
light: [adjective] entertaining, and not very serious.

Example: When I go to the beach, I like to read something light, such as a detective
story.
adopt: [verb] start to show a particular attitude towards someone/something.

Example: After failing the exam several times, he started to adopt a pessimistic view of
his chances.
learn the hard way: [expression] learn by unpleasant experiences, rather than by being
taught.
Example: If she won’t listen to my advice, she will have to learn the hard way.
break: [verb] make something end.

Example: Because of his illness, he broke his daily habit of taking a walk every morning.
tough: [adjective] difficult.
Example: The exam is really tough, so we will have spend some late nights studying.
55. Describe a situation that made you a little angry.

You should say: what it was that made you angry
where you were when this happened
what you were doing at the time
who you were with and explain how you handled this situation or
and explain why you felt angry.
ANSWER
Today, I would like to share with you a situation that made me a little angry. Two months
ago when I did some online shopping for a jacket on the internet, I had the worst online
shopping experience ever, which made me so annoyed.
I was surfing the internet to browse the options, looking for a warm casual jacket to get
me through the colder weather that will soon be upon us. I stumbled upon one that was
exactly what I wanted, so I left a comment to catch the seller’s attention. I decided to
order and pay for it and asked for it to be delivered to my house as soon as possible. She
promised me that it would arrive within 2 days.
However, after 2 days I had received nothing. I found myself being cheated and it really
made my blood boil. I tried my best to reach her to ask about the jacket which I had paid
for, but there was never any answer at all when I tried to contact her. That’s when it
dawned on me that she had lied to me and the whole thing was a scam. My anger grew
and I felt frustrated and confused at that time, because I could not do anything about it.
So, I learned the hard way that it was so risky to buy products online. I should not have
done it. In future, if I come across something on the internet that I would really like, I
will head for a store to check it out carefully before making a purchase decision.
VOCABULARY:
surf: [verb] use [the internet].

Example: I am surfing the internet for information about the new James Bond film.
browse: [verb] look at a lot of things, hoping to find something that you like.
Example: I sometimes go to my local bookstore to browse through the fiction section.
casual: [adjective] comfortable and informal clothes.

Example: In my spare time, when I don’t have to go to work, I prefer to wear casual
clothes.
get me through: [expression] help me to cope with a situation successfully.

Example: When I can’t sleep, I sometimes watch TV to help get me through the night.
stumble upon: [phrasal verb] discover something/someone unexpectedly.

Example: While I was browsing through some websites, I stumbled upon the
information that I needed for my essay.
cheat: [verb] trick someone or make them believe something which is not true.
Example: Many people felt cheated when the government failed to build more schools,
as it had promised to do.
made my blood boil: [expression] cause someone to be angry.

Example: When my laptop was stolen, it made my blood boil and I needed a few
minutes to calm down.
dawn on: [phrasal verb] realize something for the first time.
Example: When I entered the airport, it dawned on me that I had forgotten my passport.
scam: [noun] a clever and dishonest plan for making money.

Example: The offer of a free holiday was false. It was simply a scam to encourage people
to buy tickets from the airline.
learned the hard way: [expression] learn from a bad experience, rather than being
taught.
Example: After I had an accident on my bike, I learned the hard way that I should
always wear a protective helmet.
risky: [adjective] involving the possibility of something bad happening.

Example: Working on a construction site is a risky job – you always have to be careful.
head for: [phrasal verb] go towards, go to find something.

Example: While my wife went looking for a new coat to buy, I headed for the nearest
coffee shop!
56. Describe a skill you learned when you were a child.
You should say:
what skill it was
who taught you this skill
how you learned it
and explain why you learned this skill.
ANSWER
Today, I would like to share with you a skill I learned when I was a child. Music is really
my kind of thing, especially the sound of musical instruments. One of those that I
enjoyed immensely was piano. I had always been attracted to this sound, therefore, I
signed up for a piano course when I was in grade 5.
My piano teacher was on the wrong side of 30, but she looked quite young for her age.
To be honest, I didn’t pick up playing the piano very easily, so I had a problem in
learning this skill at first. Fortunately, she was a very experienced and enthusiastic
teacher, and she helped to familiarize me with every single lesson. I definitely found it
soothing and inspiring when she taught me how to play the piano effectively.
Besides taking piano lessons, I also tried my best to learn on my own through the
internet, spending a lot of time searching for online lessons to work on. I did pretty well,
and as a result, I had a chance to join a piano contest that took place at The Opera House
in Hanoi. I was really proud of that.
I have discovered that music plays an integral part in my life, getting me through tough
situations, even the hardest days. Sometimes, I think everybody needs to take a little time
to wind down and enjoy ourselves. Playing piano is actually how I usually spend my free
time because it is really a good way for me to relax and refresh my mind.
VOCABULARY
my kind of thing (expression): something that you like or that you are into
Example: Hip hop music is my kind of thing, but I can’t stand country music.
immensely (adv): greatly, especially
Example: She loves Taylor Swift immensely. I think she is her biggest fan.
to be attracted to (expression): to really like someone or something
Example: She has been attracted to fashion since she was only two or three years old. She
loves to shop for clothing.
on the wrong side of 30 (expression): to be on the downhill side of a decade, so after 35,
going toward 40, in this case.
Example: My professor must be on the wrong side of 50, but his girlfriend doesn’t care.
pick up (phrasal verb): to learn something

Example: When I was living in France, I picked up French very easily after only a few
months.
Fortunately (adv): used to say that something good or lucky has happened
Example: Fortunately for him, his mother paid for his plane ticket to New York.
enthusiastic (adj): excited, having a positive and upbeat attitude

Example: He is an enthusiastic swimmer; he swims every day for 2 hours.
familiarize me with (expression): to learn about something new

Example: I need to familiarize myself with this new cell phone that I just purchased
yesterday.
definitely (adv): for sure

Example: I definitely do not want to eat pizza again this evening. I have eaten it every
night this week.
soothing (adj): relaxing, usually something soft and quiet

Example: She put on some soothing music and took a bath.
inspiring (adj): that which motivates you to do something

Example: The speech that the president gave turned out to be so inspiring that the
workers decided to stop their strike.
to work on (phrasal verb): to do, to practice

Example: I have to work on my English if I want to pass the IELTS exam.
to play an integral part in (something) (expression): to be an important part of

something
Example: My husband plays an integral part in running the day-to-day operations of our
family business.
wind down (phrasal verb): to relax, usually after doing something hard
Example: After coming home from work, she had a glass of wine and a bath to wind
down.
refresh (verb): to make (someone) have more energy and feel less tired or less hot
Example: When he finishes his workout, he takes a shower to refresh himself before
going to work.
57. Describe a time when you forgot something important.
You should say:
when it happened
what you forgot
what was the result of your forgetting
and explain why it was important.
ANSWER
Today I am going to share with you the time when I forgot something important/ I (once)
borrowed something useful. It happened a few months ago when I had to attend an
important exam for my accounting qualification.
The test strictly required candidates to use black ball point pen to write the paper. I was
sure that morning when I left for the exam that I had put two pens in my backpack.
However, I was not sure of their ink colors. So by the time I reached the examination
hall, I quickly opened my backpack to check. To my surprise, they were both blue pens.
This could have resulted in my answer booklet being disqualified and I would have had
to re-take the exam. Since the exam was held twice a year only, this mistake would not
only have cost me valuable time but also a lot of money for the upcoming exams.
In panic, I looked around to see any familiar face to ask for help; however, I did not see
anyone but the examiner. I took a deep breath and decided to ask him if he had a spare
black pen that I could borrow.
Luckily, he did. He was willing to lend me one and did not forget to remind me about the
regulation. I was relieved and ready to sit my exam, thanks to a kind examiner.
VOCABULARY
disqualified: [verb] prevent somebody from doing something, because they have broken
the regulations.
Example: The police stopped the man in his car. He had been drinking and driving and
he was disqualified from driving for 3 years.
upcoming: [adjective] something which is upcoming is going to happen soon.
Example: Brazil is preparing for the upcoming Olympic Games in 2016.
panic: [noun] a sudden feeling of fear.

Example: As the fire spread through the school, the students ran out in panic.
breath: [noun] an amount of air which enters your lungs at one time.
Example: He can count from 1 to 20 in one breath.
58. Describe a sport stadium that’s important in your city.
You should say:
where it is
what people do there
and explain why you think it is important
ANSWER
I would like to talk about My Dinh National Stadium which hosts various important
national and international level events. This multi – purpose stadium is located in My
Dinh suburban commune, Tu Liem district, Hanoi capital. This stadium has a seating
capacity of 50,000. Also it was officially opened in 2003.
This stadium is not far from my house, actually just about 300m to the north. I often go
there whenever there are activities which interest me. People usually visit / attend there
to encourage and support sporting events, especially Vietnam teams as well as enjoy
entertaining activities.
My Dinh stadium is very important to not only Hanoi but also the whole country due to
its irreplaceable functions. It is one of the biggest and most well-equipped
stadiums in Vietnam utilized as a showcase to stage a large number of important events
namely the 2003 Southeast Asia Games, and the 2008 AFC Champions
League.
Moreover, this stadium plays a critical role since many foreigners might get to
know/come to know about Vietnam through the activities held there. Therefore, it is
essential to promote a good image of it in order to impress foreigners positively.
VOCABULARY
Multi-purpose (adjective): (đa chức năng) having many different uses
Example: This room is multi-purpose – we use it for meetings, interviews, and
taking breaks.
Capacity (noun): (sức chứa) the total amount that can be contained or produced, or
(especially of a person or organization) the ability to do a particular thing
Example: The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000.
Interest (verb): (làm ai hứng thú) to attract your attention and make you feel
interested; to make yourself give your attention to something.
Example: She has always interested herself in charity work.
Irreplaceable: (adjective) (không thể thay thế được) too valuable or special to be
replaced.
Example: Most of the porcelain you see in the display cabinets is irreplaceable.
Utilize: (verb) (sử dụng) to use something, especially for a practical purpose
Example: The Romans were the first to utilize concrete as a building material
59. Describe a product you bought that you were happy with.
You should say:
what you bought
(when and) where you bought it
why you bought it
and explain why you were happy with it.
ANSWER:
It was last summer that I bought a new yogurt maker and I am very satisfied with it.
This machine is quite small and fits conveniently into my kitchen. Interestingly, it looks
like a cooker with six glasses inside. And the most important thing is that it is very easy
to use. You just have to pour the mixture of ingredients to make yogurt into these
glasses, turn the yogurt maker on and leave it for a few hours. Then, you will have
delicious home-made yogurt.
Thanks to the simple instructions, I can make yogurt for my whole family any time I
want. As yogurt is good for our health, eating it daily can make people healthier, it can
help to prevent some potentially fatal diseases and boost the human immune system.
Therefore, the members of my family have all adopted the habit of eating yogurt every
day. Owning a yogurt maker helped me to cut down considerably the amount of time
that it took to make yogurt, not to mention the higher quality as opposed to the
traditional method.
At present, I still make yogurt every day for my family with this machine and I think that
this is an indispensable product for preparing an essential part of our regular diet.
VOCABULARY:
fits: [verb] is the right shape and size for something.
Example: This jacket fits me perfectly, but those shoes don’t 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.
Example: A strong immune system is necessary to remain fit and healthy.
adopted the habit: [expression] started to use a particular method of doing something.
Example: Last month, my friend adopted the habit of running for one hour every day in
order to keep fit.
cut down: [phrasal verb] reduce the amount, size or number of something.
Example: I should cut down my working hours and spend more time just relaxing.
indispensable: [adjective] too important to be without it

Example: A good dictionary is indispensable for learning a foreign language.
ANSWER [VERSION 2]
(Bản này mình sửa lại sản phẩm là điện thoại nên sẽ phù hợp với nhiều bạn hơn)
Last summer, I bought a Nokia smart phone that I was really satisfied with.
My cell phone was the latest product from Nokia, so there were various useful
applications such as video calling, emails, games, music players, and so on. I intended
to use this smart phone to listen to music, make phone calls, send messages and check
emails. I must say that this portable device helps me a lot no matter where I am.
There were numerous reasons why I took an interest in this product. Firstly, I wanted to
use it for entertainment purposes. I could refresh myself after a hard day’s work by
enjoying music or watching reality shows on the Internet. Moreover, thanks to this
smart phone, I was able to keep in touch with my old friends whom I could not meet in
person regularly. Besides, this mobile phone helped me to handle my workload
effectively. For example, I could check emails when waiting for the bus, which saved a
lot of time.
As a final point, I would emphasize that I chose the mobile phone myself. That was the
main reason why I felt so happy with this product.
VOCABULARY
portable device: [noun] an object that is easy to carry or to move.

Example: A lot of people on my flight were using portable devices, such as their laptops,
during the journey.
took an interest in: [expression] wanted to know more about the product.
Example: My parents took an interest in my grades at school, because they wanted me
to go to university.
entertainment: [noun] for interest and amusement.

Example: The local newspaper gives news about entertainment, with information on all
the latest films, music, shows and events in our city.
refresh myself: [verb] make myself feel less tired and stressed.
Example: After work, I usually refresh myself with a shower and a hot drink.
reality shows: [noun] shows that use real people [not actors] in real situations, in order to
provide entertainment.
Example: Reality shows like ‘Big Brother’ are very cheap to make, because there are no
actors to pay.
handle my workload: [expression] manage the amount of work that I have to do.
Example: The company has paid me for some extra hours to handle my increased
workload.
60. Describe a special toy you had in your childhood.
You should say:
what it was
who gave it to you
how often you played with it (or, how you played with it) *
and explain why it was special for you.
ANSWER:
I remember that when I was young, I was keen on watching the cartoon called “The
many adventures of Winnie the Pooh”, so much that I kept pestering my father for the
stuffed bear Winnie the Pooh. Finally, my father gave me one as a present for my 6th
birthday. When I got this toy, I jumped for joy and even paid no attention to my other
presents.
This stuffed bear was, incredibly, identical to the character in the cartoon I had watched.
He also had a short red shirt and was holding a jar of honey which was his favorite
food. Therefore, I felt as if he had come from the movie.
Since then, I considered him my closest friend and I couldn’t go anywhere without him,
even when I went to sleep. Every day, I talked with the bear and told him about my daily
routine. Unfortunately, I lost the bear at an amusement center, which made me cry for
almost a week. At that time, I felt like I had lost a good friend who I could share
everything with.
At present, whenever I watch this cartoon or see any photos of Winnie the Pooh, all the
wonderful memories about him are brought back. Thanks to the bear, I experienced a
happy childhood.
VOCABULARY:
was keen on: [phrasal verb] was eager to/was enthusiastic about
Example: He was keen on fishing when he was a boy, and he still loves to go fishing at
weekends.
pestering: [verb] annoying someone by asking them many times.

Example: In the shop, some children were pestering their mother to buy ice-cream.
stuffed bear: [noun] a toy in the shape of a bear, made of cloth and filled with soft
material.
Example: Stuffed bears have always been popular as toys for young children.
identical to: [adjective] exactly the same as someone or something else.

Example: His sports bag is identical to mine, and as a result one day I took his bag by
mistake.
amusement center: [noun] a center which has a lot of things which you can play on and
many different activities to enjoy.
Example: Our city has a huge shopping mall, and it has a fantastic amusement center for
children to play while their parents are shopping.
61. Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal.
You should say:
what animal it was
where you saw it
what happened when you saw it
and explain why you thought it was interesting.
ANSWER:
I am raising an Alaska dog, which is a large breed of domestic dog. My dog has a double
coat: the undercoat is soft while the outer one is coarse and water-proof. Also, his coat
has two colors, black and white. In my opinion, his most attractive feature is the small
upright ears which are out of proportion to the head.
Having had this dog for almost a year, I find him intriguing. He is very smart, so he
learns everything quickly. I once taught him how to fetch. Surprisingly enough, he
successfully chased and retrieved the object after I tossed it for the second time. He acted
as if he had intrinsically understood the game. He is also friendly to everyone, especially
children. Whenever someone visits my house, instead of barking, he welcomes them by
licking their feet.
For me, my dog is a friend I can play with after school. I often walk him around the park
at the weekends and he seems to like this, as there are different dogs there. I also talk
with him regularly and I feel that he can understand what I say.
As a final point, I hope that my dog can live with me for a long time.
VOCABULARY:
breed: [noun] an animal such as a dog, horse or cat that has been developed by people in
a controlled way.
Example: The airport police use a breed of dog which can smell hidden drugs in bags
and suitcases.
coat: [noun] the fur or hair which covers the body of an animal.
Example: Some breeds of cows have a thick winter coat to protect against cold weather.
coarse: [adjective] rough

Example: As a result of working on a construction site all his life, his hands were coarse.
upright: [adjective] straight, not lying down or bent.

Example: My dog’s ears appear to be large, because they are upright and this helps him
to hear everything very well.
intriguing: [adjective] interesting and unusual

Example: It is intriguing to see how my teacher explains things so clearly to the class.
fetch: [verb] go to where something is and bring it back.

Example: It started to rain, so I went back to the house to fetch the umbrella for me and
my wife.
retrieved: [verb] to bring something back, especially from a place where it should not be.
Example: The wind blew my hat into the road, so I quickly retrieved it before any cars
came.
tossed it: threw it, but in no special direction.

Example: After he had read the newspaper, he tossed it on to the ground.
intrinsically: [adverb] in a way that was part of his real nature or character.
Example: I believed his story, because he is an intrinsically honest man.
barking: [verb] the sound made by a dog.

Example: When the postman arrived, the dog started barking.
licking: [verb] moving its tongue over someone or something.

Example: I saw the cat licking its whiskers after it had finished eating.
62. Describe a meal you had your friends (in someone's home or in a restaurant).
You should say:
who organized this meal
where you had it
what you talked about during the meal
what you ate and drank
and explain why you had this meal with your friends.
ANSWER:
Last month, I had a get-together with some of my high school friends whom I had not
met since we graduated. Then, we decided to have lunch at a well-known pizza
restaurant in the city centre.
Arriving at the restaurant, we were quickly given the menu. What surprised me the
most was that there were various types of pizza and drinks; hence, it took me quite a
long time to choose the food. After that, we talked with each other while waiting for the
dishes. Some of my friends were studying at the same university, some had decided to
get a job. And I was especially impressed by the decision of one friend to take a gap
year. She said that as she had a strong passion for traveling, she would spend one year
visiting lots of places.
Then, the dishes were served. The pizza was out-of-this-world and the drinks were tasty
although they were a bit pricey. We kept talking and enjoyed the meal and drinks for
about two hours. Actually, meeting them reminded me of the time when we studied at
high school and I realized that now we were all grown-up, we had our own plans to
pursue. But we all promised to meet up regularly.
VOCABULARY:
get-together: [noun] an informal meeting or gathering of friends.
Example: We usually have a family get-together during the New Year celebrations.
gap year: [noun] the year that a young person spends working and/or travelling after
leaving school and starting university.
Example: I’m planning to take a gap year before I start my university course, and I have
decided to go to see India and China.
have a passion for: [expression] have a hobby or activity that you like very much.
Example: He has a passion for traditional music, and he is learning to play some
traditional musical instruments.
out-of-this-world: [adjective] used to emphasize how good or beautiful 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-this-world, it is
unfortunately a bit pricey, so I can’t 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.
63. Describe an item of clothing that was bought for you
You should say:
what it was
who bought it
what it looked like
why it was bought for you
and explain how you felt about this item of clothing.
ANSWER:
I would like to describe a coat my parents gave me as a present on my 18th birthday. I

must say that it is really smart and exactly to my liking.
The coat is made of cotton only and by a Vietnamese clothes brand. It is a knee-length
black coat, which was in fashion at that time. What I like the most is that there are two
deep side pockets, so in winter, I always put my hands into those pockets to avoid the
cold. Besides, I can button the coat from top to bottom and it’s also got a decorative
waist belt.
I am so fond of this coat that I usually wear it every winter. It fits me perfectly and
makes me feel comfortable and warm, no matter how cold the weather is. I keep myself
warm by wearing the coat with jeans and boots, which match it well.
In fact, I have never thought whether it will be out of fashion. As this coat is a gift from
my parents, I treasure it a lot and – for sure - I will keep wearing this coat in the future.
VOCABULARY:
really smart: [adjective] very clean, neat and attractive.

Example: If you want to look good on special social occasions, or even at work, it is
important to dress in really smart clothes.
to my liking: [expression] suitable, and how somebody likes something.

Example: The smart way in which she has decorated my house is exactly to my liking.
button the coat: [verbal phrase] fasten the coat with buttons.
Example: Stepping outside my warm house, I quickly buttoned the coat which I was
wearing to try and keep warm.
decorative: [adjective] intended to look attractive, because of the way in which it is

decorated.
Example: Many tourists visit the Temple of Literature because of the many decorative
sculptures which they can see there.
fond of: [expression] finding something pleasant or enjoyable, especially something that
you have liked or enjoyed for a long time.
Example: My uncle is an excellent musician, and he is very fond of his hobby.
match: [verb] if things match each other, they have the same colour or style and therefore
look attractive together.
Example: None of these shoes match my jeans – they are all very different and they are
too formal.
Treasure: [verb] have or keep something that you love and that is very valuable to you.
Example: Thank you for e-mailing the photos. They are superb and I will always
treasure them and the memories that they bring.
64. Describe a time when the weather caused you to change your plan.
You should say:
when it happened
what happened
how you changed your plan
ANSWER:
Last month, I was going to have a picnic with my friends at a camping site on the
outskirts of the city. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, we had to cancel our plan.
In fact, we planned to have a picnic to refresh ourselves and to relax after the final term
examination. Everything needed such as food, drinks and even a change of clothes was
well-prepared. I was so excited about this trip that I couldn’t sleep, and ended up
chatting with my friends all night. However, on the next day, it was raining heavily,
despite the fact that the weather was forecast to be nice and warm. As a result, we made
a decision to put off our plans.
Instead, we threw a party at my friend’s house. We made some favorite dishes together,
and then played cards. The ones who lost had to buy snacks for all of us. Surprisingly,
we soon forgot all about our misfortune over the picnic. By the way, we enjoyed this
party a lot, it helped us to chill out and get ready for the new term.
VOCABULARY
a change of clothes: [expression] an extra set of clothes.
Example: In case it rained, we took a change of clothes so that we would have some dry
things to wear.
ended up: [phrasal verb] found myself in a situation that I had not expected to be in.
Example: After I was hit by a car, I ended up in hospital for three months.
put off: [phrasal verb] cancel a meeting or arrangement.

Example: Plans to open the new supermarket have been put off until next month.
threw a party: [expression] organized a party.

Example: We threw a party when my sister came to visit us from Australia.
forgot all about: [expression] forgot completely.

Example: He enjoyed the concert so much that he forgot all about his problems at work.
chill out: [phrasal verb] spend time relaxing and forgetting your worries.
Example: On holiday, I like to chill out on the beach and enjoy the fresh air.
65. Describe a place near water (such as a river, a lake or the ocean) that you
enjoyed visiting.
You should say:
where this place was
what you did at this place
who you went there with
and explain why you liked this place.
ANSWER:
Last summer, my family went on a vacation to Cat Ba island, which is located in Hai
Phong city and I was really impressed with the beach there.
To arrive at this destination, we had to take a ferry from the mainland, a journey which
lasted roughly one hour. Fortunately, I was not seasick. When we reached there, to be
honest, the scenery appealed to me a lot, especially the beach. The beach itself was
absolutely breathtaking and the crystal clear water seemed to stretch endlessly to the
horizon. In addition, from a distance, huge waves were crashing onto the shore, which
sounded like a melody. I was so excited that I just wanted to jump into the sea right
away.
On the beach, many people were enjoying the scenery, and some were swimming while
their children were making sandcastles. My family quickly checked into the hotel, we
changed our clothes and joined the people there.
Actually, this vacation gave me the chance to relax and all my worries seemed to fall
away. Therefore, I hope that we will be able to enjoy more holidays like this every year.
VOCABULARY
impressed: [adjective] admiring something because it is good or beautiful.

Example: He never quit until he passed the exam, and we were impressed with his
determination.
ferry: [noun] a boat that carries people, vehicles or goods across a river or a short journey
by sea.
Example: Some people take the ferry every day to cross Hong Kong harbour and arrive
at work.
the mainland: [noun] the main area of land of a country – not including any islands near
it.
Example: The island is a short journey from the mainland by ferry.
roughly: [adverb] approximately, but not exactly.

Example: I didn’t count them, but there were roughly 50 students in the exam hall.
seasick: [adjective] feeling ill and wanting to vomit when you travel on a boat or ship.
Example: During the storm, most of the passengers on the boat felt seasick and they did
not recover until they reached the mainland.
scenery: [noun] the natural features of an area, such as mountains, forests, rivers, when
you are thinking about them as being attractive to look at.
Example: Many tourists go to Thailand to enjoy the magnificent scenery, especially on
the coast.
breathtaking: [adjective] very exciting or impressive.

Example: My hotel has a breathtaking view of the city – I can see all the famous
buildings from the window of my room.
crystal clear: [adjective] completely clear and bright.

Example: The sea is not polluted on Cat Ba island – it is crystal clear and you can see
lots of beautiful fish.
stretch: [verb] spread over an area of land or sea.

Example: The desert stretches for thousands of kilometres until you reach the sea.
endlessly: [adverb] in a way that seems to have no end.

Example: The road appeared to continue endlessly into the distance.
the horizon: [noun] the furthest point that you can see, where the sky and the land or sea
appear to meet.
Example: When the ship appeared on the horizon, we knew that it had crossed the ocean
safely.
crashing: [verb] hitting something hard while moving and making a lot of noise as a
result.
Example: The sea was crashing onto the rocks and it was much too dangerous to swim
there.
the shore: [noun] the land along the edge of a sea or ocean.
Example: In some areas of the beach, the shore was littered with rubbish left by tourists.
melody: [noun] a piece of music with a simple, clear tune.

Example: The sound of the birds singing in the morning is so beautiful that it is like a
melody.
right away: [adverb] immediately.

Example: I would like you to go right away, because the shops will close very soon.
sandcastle: [noun] a pile of sand made to look like a castle [children make these on the
beach].
Example: The children made two big sandcastles and put a flag on top of each one.
checked into: [phrasal verb] arrived and registered at a hotel.

Example: We checked into our hotel and the receptionist gave us the keys to our room.
fall away: [phrasal verb] gradually become smaller or fewer until they disappear.
Example: When I relax with my friends, my worries fall away and I can just enjoy
myself.
67. Describe a happy family event from your childhood.

You should say:
what the event was, where it happened: A happy family event that I still remember
clearly from my childhood was making chung cake for Tet holiday at my grandparents’
house.
what you saw and did: When I was small, our family would get together to make chung
cake for Tet holiday. My grandparents had six children; therefore, I had many cousins.
And the great thing was that my cousins and I were around the same age. At that time,
we were too small to do anything, so basically, we played with each other while we
watched the adults prepare the ingredients for the cake. Sometimes, we got to eat the
leftover food after all the cakes were finished. Tet holiday was the only time of the year
that we were allowed to stay up late, one reason why it is so memorable. Although the
winter was cold, we all felt cozy inside; we had so much fun together.
and explain why you remember this event so well: Since my grandfather passed away a
couple of years ago, we stopped our family tradition. In addition, some of my cousins had
already gotten married and had their own families, and some had gone to study abroad.
Consequently, it was very difficult for us to get together like old times. Missing this
special family tradition makes it so unforgettable for me and I hope we can start doing it
again in the future.
VOCABULARY
remember clearly - to see something in your mind with detail from before, to remember
something very well. “I remember very clearly where I was when J.F.K. was shot.”
to be around the same age - to describe when a group of people have similar ages - they
are around the same age. In this context, the person and his cousins were young, so
maybe they were between 4 and 7 years old. “All my classmates who went to the concert
were around the same age.”
basically - used to indicate that a statement summarizes the most important aspects, or
gives a roughly accurate account, of a more complex situation. “So basically, I am one of
the best students in the class.”
leftover food - the food that remains after you have created something with certain
ingredients and don’t need any more of those ingredients or it is the food that is left over
after everybody has already eaten what they wanted. “They said they’d eat the leftover
food for lunch tomorrow.”
to stay up late - to stay awake past your normal bed time. In this context, the child was
young and so staying up until later in the evening was special. “My son wants to stay up
late every night during the summer.”
memorable - when something is easy to remember or when you actually remember it

well. “Her wedding was a memorable event for all.”
felt cozy - to feel nice and warm and good inside. “It felt cozy to snuggle up to my lover
in bed.”
passed away - to die. “My friend’s husband passed away this evening. He had cancer.”
to study abroad - to go to a foreign country to study. “Many Chinese students are

studying abroad these days.”
Consequently - as a consequence of, as a result of something. “My airplane arrived late

last night. Consequently, I didn’t make it to the meeting on time.”
like old times - used to describe when something happens like it used to, in the past.
“They danced and danced, just like old times.”
missing (this event)- to miss something means that you wish it were happening still, but it
isn’t. In this context, he misses getting together with his family to make the special cakes.
“I was missing our family dinners, now that all the kids were away at college.”
unforgettable - something that you can’t forget. “The Taylor Swift concert was
unforgettable.”
68.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
ANSWER (Trích từ đề “Describe a gift you gave that took a long time to
choose.”)
Choosing a gift for someone is usually a very difficult task, because you want to
make sure that the person who receives it will like it. For that reason, I always
spend a lot of time picking gifts for my relatives and friends. Today, I am going to
share with you the time when I had to choose a gift for my little sister’s 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 a 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.
69. 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
ANSWER
I’d like to describe a subject that I was particularly keen on when I was at school. It was
History. I have to admit that I didn’t like History at first, as there were so many numbers,
events and dates to remember that it used to take me hours to learn all of them by heart
to be well-prepared for the exam. However, Mrs. Huong, my history teacher when I was
at grade 10, breathed new life into this subject and it started to grow on me. I‘ve learned
a lot from the subject. Apart from historical events which help me know what the world
was like and how it worked, learning history has also brought me closer to the culture of
my country. Above all, I think, History has taught me to appreciate the present while
drawing lessons from the past. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t have been so much in love with
this subject without my teacher, Mrs. Huong. The way she delivered the lessons was so
enthusiastic and passionate that it inspired me to catch her every word / absorb all
information given by her, and somehow, I fell in love with History. Now, even though
History is neither my major nor even taught at University, I still have the habit of
reading historical books whenever having free time.
VOBULARY
learn by heart (học thuộc lòng) [idiom]

to learn something so well that it can be written or recited without thinking
Example: There were well known definitions which we had to learn by heart and
two of them have remained in my memory for nearly 60 years
well-prepared (chuẩn bị tốt) [adj] suitably prepared in advance

Example: 17-18 year old school leavers should be well-prepared for work.
breathe new life into ( mang lại nguồn năng lượng mới, cuộc sống mới ) [idiom]: bring
ideas and energy (to something)
Example: Changes in the performance have breathed new life into a show that
seemed ready to close.
grow on sb (dần được ai đó yêu thích, chấp nhận) [v] become increasingly liked or
appreciated
Example: At first the show seemed kind of weird, but it grew on us
draw the lesson (from something) (rút ra bài học từ cái gì)[idiom] learn something from
past mistakes
Example: After the loss in the previous game, the team draw the lesson.
deliver (truyền đạt, truyền tải) [v] to express in word

Example: Whether students are captivated from the beginning or not depends
much on the way the lecture is delivered.
passionate (đam mê, say mê) [adj] arising from passion

Example: She is a teacher who is passionate about her subject
have the habit of ( có thói quen làm gì) [idiom] do something usually or often
Example: I don’t have the habit of getting involved in other people’s arguments
70. 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
ANSWER
I am going to talk about a creative person who I really admire. That person is Albert
Einstein - one of the most well-known physics scientists in the world. He was born in
1879 in a Jewish family in Germany.
He was a theorical physicist and is now recognized as the father of modern physics.
Above all, he was the founder of the “Theory of Relativity”, which became an
important contribution to the science of mankind. It was to be the biggest
achievement of his life. In 1921, he was awarded the “Nobel Physics Prize”. He was a
prolific writer and published about 300 scientific articles covering150 topics as well
during his career.
I came across a new biography about him on the internet and there was a lot of
interesting information which really inspired me a lot. His childhood was not carefree as
I had thought. He had a problem learning how to talk until he was about 8 years old.
Besides, because of his unconventional character, he tended to be bullied and teased a
lot, however, he ignored all these taunts and concentrated on doing experiments in the
laboratory.
What I really admire him is how passionately he worked and what he contributed to
physics and our understanding of the world. He lived and worked with passion and the
enthusiasm all his life, and he is a shining example for me to follow.
VOCABULARY
theoretical physicist: [noun] a person who studies some branch of physics,

using mathematical models to understand, explain and predict nature. This is
in contrast to a physicist who uses experiments to test ideas.
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: Einstein’s 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 person’s 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: not following what is done or considered normal or

acceptable by most people.
Example: The normal solutions to traffic congestion have not been effective,
so a more unconventional approach is necessary.
bullied: [verb] frightened or hurt a weaker person.

Example: My son was bullied by the older boys at school.
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: President Obama is a shining example for young, black people in
America who want to have a successful career.
71. 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.
ANSWER
Today I’m 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. What’s 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 didn’t 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.
Absent from (adj): not in the place, not present

Example: I was absent from work yesterday, because I had to see my doctor.
A fortnight (noun) two weeks.

Example: We will spend a fortnight in Thailand next month.
Overloaded with work: having an excessive amount of work, the amount of

work to be done is too heavy
Example: He complained that he was overloaded with work because his boss had
given him a lot of extra jobs to do.
On my own: alone, by myself, without any help or support

Example: She lives alone, so she always has to do many things on her own.
Pick them up (home): take somebody home after work or school
Example: Can you pick me up at 6? Because I leave work at 6 and have no
motorbike.
Do the washing-up: to wash, clean the dishes, saucepans, knives, or anything

related to the meal preparation.
Example: After a very delicious dinner, she helped her mother to do the washingup.
Look after: to keep an eye on something/somebody, pay attention to

somebody/something with care
Example: She asked her husband to look after the kids in the garden.
Unconditional (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 mother’s 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.
Trustworthy (adj): reliable, honest. A trustworthy person is someone you can

trust, and who never tells lies.
Example: My assistant is a trustworthy person and so he looks after my business
when I am away.
Exhausted (adj) extremely tired, having no energy or strength to do something

Example: Because he had worked without a break for 12 hours, he was finally
exhausted.
72. Describe an advertisement you have seen.

You should say:
What the advertisement is
What it is for
And explain how you think about it.
ANSWER:
Well, I’d like to talk about a mooncake commercial that I saw yesterday during
dinner. It made me feel quite homesick.
As you may know, the Mid-Autumn Festival is coming and this time is my favourite time
of the year. One interesting thing I found is that most of the ads for this traditional
festival are so touching and meaningful. Of course, the ad I mentioned is no exception. It
starts with the image of a little girl missing her dad, who’s in the army now and has been
far from home for a long time. On the Mid-Autumn day, while all of her family members,
except her father, are gathering around the five-fruit tray, celebrating the festival, she
looks so sad hugging the Teddy Bear he gave her last year. Suddenly, the door opens and
her dad comes in with a mooncake box, she bursts into tears, then he holds her tightly in
his arms. At the end of the ad, the whole family is enjoying mooncakes happily together.
The meaning of the Mid-Autumn festival is for family members to gather, encouraging
affection for children and expressing gratitude to the older generation, so for me, this
advertisement successfully conveyed the message of family reunion.
As I now live far from my family, it made me want to come back home right away
and enjoy the taste of my favourite mooncakes with my parents. Actually when I saw the
ad, my eyes filled with tears too, just like the little girl. Normally, I don’t really like
watching ads on TV, but if all the commercials can be that meaningful, maybe I’ll change
my habit.
VOCABULARY
commercial (Quảng cáo) [n] an advertisement on the radio or TV

Example: They’re looking for actors for a phone commercial.
homesick [n] sad because you are away from your home and family
Example: After spending a month in the USA, I felt homesick for Vietnam.
touching (Cảm động) [adj] making you feel sympathy or pity

Example: It was a touching story, which moved many of us to tears.
miss [v] feel sad because you can no longer see somebody
Example: When I first went to university, I missed my sisters a lot.
hug [v] put your arms around somebody and hold them tightly
Example: Before I got on the train, I said goodbye to my parents and I hugged
them for a few moments.
burst into tears (Òa khóc) [expression] begin to cry suddenly

Example: The children burst into tears on hearing about the death of their dog.
affection (Tình cảm, cảm xúc) [n] the feeling of liking/loving somebody very
much and caring about them
Example: Children need lots of love and affection.
gratitude (Sự biết ơn) [n] the feeling of being grateful and wanting to express
your thanks
Example: The boss expressed his gratitude to all the staff for their hard work
during the year.
convey (Truyền) [v] to make ideas or feelings known to somebody

Example: I will be late for the appointment, so please convey my apologies to the
customer.
reunion (Đoàn tụ, sum họp) [n] the act of people coming together, after they have been
apart for some time
Example: Christmas is a time of reunion, when family and friends have the
chance to see each other again.
73. Describe a website that you like to visit.

You should say:
What the website is
What it is used for
When you used it
And explain why you think it was interesting.
Today, I am going to tell you about one website which I’m really interested in. It’s
name is m.ebay.com.
It is an e-commerce website used for online shopping purposes. This website

advertises various items classified by categories such as fashion, electronics, and
motors. It allows people to order products, and make transactions online.
I always give priority to shopping online whenever I have spare time instead of
going to stores or supermarkets. So, this website is very handy for me as I can take
advantage of my mobile phone or computer with an Internet connection to access it
and purchase what I need.
I find this website very appealing due to its good layout and attractive images of
products. There is a box for me to enter what items I’m looking for so I can avoid
browsing items unnecessarily, as I’m able to find quickly the things I need. After that the
items I have bought will be delivered right to my door so I can save a lot of time. Not
only that, there is always the chance to get a good deal and discounts as there are various
promotion programs.
This website has important advantages for me, such as convenience and the benefits of
saving time and money. Now it plays a useful role in my daily life. In the future I will
continue to visit the site and of course recommend it to my friends.
VOCABULARY
E-commerce: the business of buying and selling goods and services on the
internet
Example: 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
Example: You can call your bank and carry out a transaction using a Touch-
Tone phone.
Give priority to: something that you think is more important than other things
and should be dealt with first
Example: The hospital gives priority to those patients who require urgent medical
attention.
Handy: convenient
Example: My flat is very handy for the shops and the park.
Appealing: attractive or interesting

Example: Brightly colored packaging made the pens especially appealing to
children.
Layout: the structure of a website rather than its styling

Example: This page uses a 2 – column layout with one sidebar to the left of the
main content area.
Browse: the act of looking through a number of things in a book, a store or

online
Example: I have only browsed through the new book on dinosaurs, but I intend
to read it fully this weekend.
Get a good deal: make a good agreement to buy or sell something
Example: I got a good deal on my new car – I bought it for half the price that the
man was asking for it.
74. Describe a time you needed to use imagination

You should say ：
why you needed to use imagination
What the difficulties were
and explain how you felt about it
ANSWER
Today I’m going to tell you about a time when I had to make use of my imagination.
When I was a sophomore in high school, one of my literature assignments was to

recreate a short play that is based on a real book. The class was divided into small
teams, each had to choose a book of different genres, ranging from comedy to
romance to even horror. Since it was going to be assessed, everyone was required to take
an active part in the project.
This task was particularly demanding in using imagination as we had to set up as

lively a stage as possible to draw the attention of the audience. Enjoying a book can be
easy but it’s tough to actually act out a written scene, even for professional
actors. Therefore, as the stage director and one of cast members, I really needed to
make the best of my creativity to produce a perfect play.
Besides having to be inventive, we were also working against the clock since only 2
weeks were given to prepare. It was tricky to come up with a complete plot and make
time for group rehearsals in such a short period - not to mention having to find the
appropriate costumes and stage props.
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 team-working skills.
In the future, I hope I will get the chance to be involved in other exciting projects like this
one.
VOCABULARY
To make use of sth [expression]: to use something
Eg: The students should make use of the books they are given.
Sophomore [n]: a student in the second year of high school or college

Eg: She's a sophomore in high school.
Assignment [n]: a specified task or amount of work given

Eg: The students were given a homework assignment.
Genre [n]: a particular type or category of literature or art

Eg: This book is a classic of the mystery genre.
To be assessed [expression]: to be judged, rated or scored

Eg: Students will be assessed based on their attendance and scores.
Demanding [adj]: requiring much time, attention, or effort

Eg: I have heard it is one of the most demanding courses at the university.
To draw attention [expression]: to make people notice

Eg: A good presenter must be able to draw listeners’ attention.
To act out sth [expression]: to present something in action

Eg: Children act out what they read, which makes the lesson more fun.
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.
Inventive [adj]: creative or imaginative

Eg: They have given their new company an inventive name, which
customers are sure to remember.
To work 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.
To make time for sth [expression]: to allow time for something

Eg: I try to make time for my family at weekends.
Prop [n]: something used in creating or enhancing a desired effect,
especially in the theatre or in films
Eg: There was a team responsible for building stage props to make the
background more real.
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.
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.
75. Describe a tall building you like or dislike.

You should say:
Where it is.
What is the appearance of it.
Explain why you like or dislike it.
ANSWER
I’m going to describe a high-rise building in my neighborhood. It’s called Hoabinh

Green City, located in Minhkhai Street, Hanoi.
Unlike other modern blocks, which are usually huge glass towers, the building is painted
yellow, although it’s named Green City. The structure of Hoabinh is not dissimilar to
that of most buildings in Hanoi nowadays, with the bottom half used as a shopping center
and the top half occupied by apartments.
One feature that makes the building unique is that its trade center offers Vietnamese
products only, with a view to promoting domestic products to Hanoi people and also to
supporting national manufacturers. At the entrance of the building, if you look to the
right, you can easily find a store named V+ bread, which serves traditonal bread, a very
famous street food of Vietnam, to people who just do not have enough time to go inside,
so they line up waiting to pay.
• (Like) In spite of its prime location, however, Hoabinh Green City offers a
reasonable price for its apartments, which are affordable for many middle-income
families. From the building, we can look out to the Red River, as well as Vinhtuy Bridge,
and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. So, if you are planning to find a place with a
beautiful and peaceful view, or simply want to buy something traditional, Hoabinh Green
City may be a good choice.
• (Dislike) What I don’t 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 doesn’t match its modern
structures, which makes the building somehow old-fashioned. And, the quality, as well as
diversity of products on sale do not meet the expectations of most customers. So, I guess
it’s the reason why the building doesn’t attract as much attention from the public as
expected.
VOCABULARY
high-rise: very tall and having a lot of floors
Example: These high-rise apartment blocks were built 20 years ago.
blocks: tall buildings that contain flats or offices

Example: The university science blocks are the tallest buildings on the campus.
huge glass towers: high-level buildings with the exterior made of glass
Example: The design of the Lotte Department Store is just a huge glasstower, but it
definitely stands out and has become a famous landmark in the city.
dissimilar: not the same

Example: The English and Vietnamese languages are completely dissimilar to each
other.
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.
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.
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.
prime: excellent, the best available
Example: The store has a prime position at the entrance of the shopping centre.
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.
middle-income families: families in which the members have salaries which are not very
high, but also not too low
Example: He sells cars at affordable prices, mainly to middle-income families.
breathtaking scenery: very beautiful and spectacular landscape

Example: The beaches in Thailand are famous for their breathtaking scenery.
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.
resemble: look like another person or thing

Example: So many modern buildings resemble each other.
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.
meet expectations: be as good as expected

Example: We had heard so many good things about the new restaurant, but the food
didn’t meet our expectations at all.
attract attention: make people notice something

Example: The advertisement was designed to attract the attention of young people
interested in fashion.
the public: the community/ the people as the whole

Example: In a survey, members of the public were asked about their shopping habits.
76. 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
ANSWER
I would like to tell you about an opportunity that I met a white tiger which is one of the
star attractions in Singapore Zoo during my last summer vacation.
I was recommended to see white tiger first due to its rarity and uncommon beauty. Its
habitat is landscaped to resemble a dense jungle. I was truly attracted and felt excited at
the first sight by its gorgeous appearance. This giant cat has blue eyes, pink nose, and
creamy white fur covered with brown stripes.
In the wild, this animal’s diet consists of monkeys, birds and other animals as it is a
carnivore. It also prefers killing young, weak or old animals because they cannot run as
fast and are often left alone by their herd. In the zoo, it is fed by animal’s meat even
including imported meat namely Kangaroo’s meat.
At the beginning I felt scared a little bit because tigers are well - known for a dangerous
species as well as the King of animals. However after encountering this white tiger, I
changed my mind since it was very cute and friendly to human.
As tigers in general and white tigers in particular are endangered species, I suggest that
people should make a great effort to preserve them.
VOCABULARY
Star attraction: famous attraction
Ex: white tiger is one of the star attractions in Singapore Zoo
Landscape: to change the appearance of an area of land, especially next to a building or

road so that it looks more like natural countryside
Ex: Its habitat is landscaped to resemble a dense jungle
Resemble: to look like or be like someone or something

Ex: After the earthquake, the city resembled a battlefield
Gorgeous: very beautiful and attractive; giving pleasure and enjoyment

Ex: you look gorgeous!
Carnivore: any animal that eats meat
Ex: lions and tigers are carnivores
Endangered species: a type of animal or plant that 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.
77. 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 you’d like to have this small business.
ANSWER:
Well, if I were to talk about my dream business, a small book café would definitely be
the first thing that springs to my mind right now. Actually, I’ve been thinking about it
for a long time as I always enjoy reading books and drinking coffee in a tranquil space.
When I get enough money together, I will start my own business for sure.
My desire is to create a place for people who are seeking serenity and trying to escape
from the hustle and bustle of city life, so I would look for a location in a quiet street,
maybe around the Old Quarter. My café would be decorated elaborately with lights and
houseplants, creating a calm, homely atmosphere for the customers. Bookshelves filled
with books of every kind would run along the walls and in the corners and everyone
would be welcome to choose a book from the shelves to enjoy while drinking their
coffee.
Like many other coffee shops, I would hire students to work as part-time employees at
my book café, especially ones who share the same passion for books as I do. They could
earn their living in a comfortable and friendly working environment, and I would aim to
nurture their love of books, so that their work would become a pleasure.
Owning my own book café has been my lifelong dream. To read books is to broaden
one’s 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 will resign and run my small café. I
believe that one day I will make my dream come true.
VOCABULARY
cafe (Quán cafe) [n] a place where you can buy drinks and simple meals
Example: Every Saturday, we drink coffee and eat cakes in our local cafe.
spring to mind (Bỗng nhiên/ngay lập tức hiện lên trong đầu) [expression] to appear
suddenly or immediately in your thoughts
Example: The Harry Potter novels immediately spring to mind as an example of recent
best-selling books.
tranquil (Thanh bình, tĩnh lặng) [adj] quiet and peaceful

Example: She led a tranquil life in the countryside.
get money together [expression] save money to buy something

Example: I want to buy a new car, as soon as I can get enough money together.
serenity (Sự thanh bình, tĩnh lặng) [n] the quality of being calm and peaceful
Example: The hotel offers a haven of peace and serenity away from the hustle and bustle
of the city.
hustle and bustle (Hoạt động bận rộn, ồn ào) [expression] busy and noisy activity
Example: He wanted a little cottage far away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
elaborately (Cẩn thận, tỉ mỉ) [adverb] in a carefully prepared, detailed and organised way
Example: The hotel lobby was elaborately decorated in preparation for the President’s
visit.
homely [adj] making you feel comfortable, as if you were in your own home
Example: The restaurant was homely, with just a few tables and a relaxed atmosphere.
run along [phrasal verb] be in line with

Example: An electric fence ran along the top of the wall to protect the building.
passion (Niềm đam mê) [n] a very strong feeling of some emotion – love, hatred, anger,
enthusiasm
Example: She spoke with great passion about the natural beauty of her homeland.
earn a living (Kiếm sống) [expression] to make money in order to support yourself
financially
Example: The wages are so low in this city that I have to do three jobs just in order to
earn a living.
nurture (Nuôi dưỡng) [v] to help somebody/something to develop and be successful

Example: My father nurtured a love of art in me and nothing gives me more pleasure
than visiting an art gallery.
horizon (Tầm nhìn) [n] the limit of your desires, knowledge or interests
Example: She wanted to travel and experience other cultures in order to broaden her
horizons.
resign (Từ chức) [v] to officially tell somebody that you are leaving your job, leaving an
organisation
Example: He resigned as manager after 8 years, in order to spend more time with his
family.
78. r Describe a time you missed an important appointment for something

You should say:
when and where it happened
what the appointment was for
what happened when you missed it
and explain how you felt about the appointment.
ANSWER
I’m 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 I’d 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 upon 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 can still
recollect the panic that I felt, and I 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 regrettably I was rejected.
That was a painful experience for me, and since then I’ve 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.
Marketer [n]a person whose job it is to promote and sell the products of a company in
the best possible way:
e.g. As a marketer and developer of software, I earn a lot of money these days.
Start-up [n] a company that is just beginning to operate:

e.g. His company was a successful start-up in the field of bio-engineering.
Education technology [expression] education using technology to deliver knowledge,

using computers and projectors in class:
e.g. Education technology has become really popular these days.
To brush up on something [phrasal verb] to quickly improve a skill, especially when

you have not used it for a long time:
e.g. I must brush up on my Spanish before I go to Spain.
To recollect [v] to remember something, especially when you make an effort to

remember it:
e.g. I recollect all the details of my flat in Paris.
Panic [n] a feeling of fear or anxiety that prevents you from thinking clearly:
e.g. Office workers fled in panic as the fire started to spread.
Doomed [adj] certain to fail, die, or be destroyed:
e.g. This is a doomed city – the volcano will erupt very soon.
Prior [adj] happening or existing before something else or before a particular time:
e.g. Please give us prior notice if you need an evening meal.
To reject [v] to refuse to accept, use, or believe something or someone:

e.g. The prime minister rejected the suggestion that it was time for him to resign.
79. Describe a place in other countries where you would like to work
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.
ANSWER
Today, I would like to talk about a place in foreign countries where I would like to work.
It is Melbourne, the second largest city in Australia which has become home for millions
of people from various countries around the world. In Melbourne, I would like to work
for an environmental NGO, as my specialty at/in university is Environmental Resources.
So, right after I finish my studies in Vietnam, I will go to Melbourne to apply for a job
there.
Well, the reasons why I would like to work in Melbourne are quite simple. First, I have a
lot of friends and relatives who live and work in Melbourne. They can help me whenever
I need. They also tell me that the community of Vietnamese overseas is very large in
Melbourne. So, the multi-cultural challenge won’t be a big problem for me. And what's
more, like Sydney, Tokyo or some other cities in the world, Melbourne is a 'liveable city'
due to / because of its high ranking in education, research and healthy lifestyle/ way of
life. So I think that to live, study or work there will be an interesting experience.
VOCABULARY
Various (khác nhau, nhiều loại): [adjective] different, a variety of, many types of.
Example: My students come from various countries in the world, such as India, Laos,
Thailand, etc.
Specialty (chuyên môn, chuyên ngành):[noun] focus, special field of study Example:
Marie Cury was a well-known scientist with her specialty in radiation
Apply for a job/position(nộp đơn xin, đăng ký xin việc):[verb] to enroll in, to write a
letter asking for a job Example: She submited a letter to apply for that post/ position
Relatives (họ hàng, người nhà) Someone who is close in the family branch, such as aunt,
uncle, cousin, and so on. Example: Tet holiday is an occasion for us to visit our relatives'
houses and to give them best wishes
Vietnamese overseas (Việt kiều)[noun] Vietnamese people who live in foreign countries
Example: Each year, the Vietnamese overseas contribute a large amount of money to the
country's development.
Multi-cultural challenge( thử thách, khó khăn về đa văn hóa) [adj+n] difficulties caused
by the clash between so many cultures Example:Australia is an example of multi- cultural
country
Liveable (đáng sống, sống được) [adjective] + city: a city with favorable conditions for
living Example: This city is a liveable place for the poor
Ranking (xếp hạng, thứ bậc, chất lượng)[noun] level, qualification Example: The
ranking of education of Vietnam is still fairly low in the region
Healthy ( lành mạnh, khỏe mạnh) [adjective] good for health, good for operation
Example: Investors require a healthy environment for their business activities in Vietnam
80. Describe an antique or some other old thing that your family has kept for a long
time.
You should say:

what it is
how (or when) your family first got this thing
how long your family has kept it
and explain why this thing is important to your family.
ANSWER:
Today, I am going to share with you an old possession that my family has kept for a long
time. It is an antique terra-cotta dish, which is displayed in an honoured position in the
living room.
This old dish originated from feudal times in Vietnam, although I am not sure of the year
exactly. It might have belonged to the Nguyen Dynasty. It is made from pottery material
with some small artificial fissures, and it was my grandfather’s favourite thing when he
was still alive. There is a village picture painted in blue in the centre of the dish.
When I was a child, my grandfather used to tell me the story of this dish. His close friend
gave it to him to celebrate his house-warming in the past. They had been companions in
arms for a long time, so that was the reason why he really treasured their ties and that
gift as a reminder of their friendship.
There is a lot of other modern furniture arranged in my house nowadays, however, this
antique object is still a treasured possession for each member of my family. We have kept
this antique dish for over 30 years, even when my grandpa passed away and left it for my
family. Whenever I look at this dish, it always reminds me of my grandfather as a fond
memento.
VOCABULARY
possession: [noun] something that you own.
Example: When leaving the plane, please make sure that you have all your possessions
with you.
antique: [adjective] old and often valuable

Example: I have an antique table in my living room which is about 200 years old.
terracotta: [noun] material of a red-brown colour, used to make pots.

Example: My mother still cooks using traditional terracotta pots.
honoured: [adjective] very respected, showing respect for something.

Example: The President was an honoured guest at the ceremony.
feudal: [adjective] describing a time in the past when given land and protection by a rich
person, and had to work and fight for him in return.
Example: Life in feudal times in Vietnam was very hard for poor people who worked on
the land.
dynasty: [noun] a series of rulers of a country who all belong to the same family.
Example: Pottery from the time of the Ming Dynasty in China is very valuable.
pottery: [noun] pots or dishes, usually made by hand from a type of earth called clay and
made hard by baking in an oven.
Example: I learned to make traditional dishes by hand by going to a pottery class.
fissures: [noun] long cracks in something.
Example: The rocks had many fissures, some of which were very deep.
house-warming: [noun] a party given by someone who has moved into a new house.
Example: My new neighbours invited our family to their house-warming party.
companions-in-arms: [noun] people who have been soldiers, fighting together.

Example: My two uncles were companions-in-arms during World War 2.
treasure: [verb] to have or keep something that you love and is very valuable to you.
Example: Thank you for your gift. I will always treasure it.
ties: [noun] strong connections between people, especially friendships or family

relationships.
Example: She continues to have close ties with her old school friends, and she often visits
or calls them.
fond: [adjective] kind, happy and loving [when used before a noun].
Example: I have fond memories of my years in London.
memento: [noun] a thing that you have which reminds you of a person or place.
Example: We returned home with some mementos of our holiday in China.
81. Describe a café you like.

You should say
Where it is located
How often you visit it
And explain why you like it
I’m going to describe a café that I’ve been to recently; the name is Meow Coffee and it’s
on Tay Son Street, Hanoi.
I think you could easily recognize it just from the name that this coffee shop offers you
many kinds of drinks together with the chance of pampering the cats. I’m a cat person
so this place is like heaven to me. I’ve only been there twice; the first time was with one
of my friends and the second time all by myself.
I felt like I was in love the first time I went to Meow Coffee. You could see the cats
sleeping or playing with each other so happily and comfortably. The first cat I saw on my
first visit was a British Short Hair; it was orange, looking so grumpy but cute. He was
sound asleep on a stool, and didn’t even care a bit even if the guests entered and started to
lightly pet him.
There are maybe dozens of cats in there together with some cute dogs that are really nice
to people. The place feels cozy and has a nice smell; it’s also very clean, in my opinion,
for a place that has pets. The owner has decorated the coffee shop with toys
and supplied some particular facilities to take care of the pets, and also a written set of
rules with cute images on how to pamper the pets.
I had a really great time there, enjoying the drinks and playing along with the cute cats. I
brought an assignment to work on the second time I visited this place, and the cats were
so nice: they didn’t bother me, some of them just lay or sat beside me or climbed into my
lap and slept there, didn’t even move an inch.
I would recommend this place for any animal lovers, especially cat people. I will
definitely go to Meow Coffee again if I have time.
VOCABULARY:
Easily recognize [phrase]- to be able to know someone or something easily because you
have seen or heard him or her or experienced it before.
e.g. Doctors can now easily recognize the symptoms of different diseases.
Pamper [verb] (nuông chiều) to give someone/animal special treatment, making

him/her/it as comfortable as possible and giving them whatever they want
e.g. She pampered her dogs with the finest steak and salmon.
Cat person [noun] (người yêu mèo) a person who adores cats
e.g. Anne is a cat person; she yells happily whenever she sees a cat and immediately
starts petting it.
Feel like they/he / she are /is in love [phrase] - to feel attracted to someone and begin to
love them:
e.g. When they met they felt like they were in love for the first time in their lives.
Grumpy [adjective] (cáu kỉnh) bad-tempered and sulky

e.g. He’s grumpy because he hasn’t heard from you for, like, ages.
Pet [verb] (vuốt ve) touch animal gently and kindly with hands
e.g. Our dogs love to be petted and tickled behind the ears.
Cozy [adjective] (ấm cúng) giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation
e.g. They cater to people who want a safe and cozy place to relax after work.
Recommend sth - to suggest that someone or something would be good or suitable for a
particular job or purpose, or to suggest that a particular action should be done:
e.g. I can recommend the chicken in mushroom sauce - it's delicious.
82. Describe a plan you made in your life (except work or study)
You should say
What it is
When you have the plan
Who you have told the plan to
And explain why you want to do this.
When I was in second year at university, my friends and I had some free time on our
hands so we decided to do something special besides studying. And so we came up with
a fundraising plan.
Our plan was to run a nonprofit campaign. We were supposed to grow some little trees
together, and then give one of those trees to each person who donated money, books or
clothes for our campaign. Then we would give those donations to children and the poor in
need. The purpose was to help poor people and to raise people’s awareness of the need
for trees and environmental protection as well.
We were a group of four. At first, I was in two minds about whether or not to invite a
girl called Ann to join us. She is a creative person, she always thinks outside the box,
but she is also a bit capricious. She will never apply herself like we do, and will give up
as soon as something unpleasant happens. But my friends insisted on inviting her, so I
had to agree with them. Not unexpectedly, when we ran into some trouble, she was the
first one to give up. More than that, she told other people in my class that we took
donated money, books and other stuff for ourselves. She upset my plan with her false
stories. I haven’t considered her as a friend since then. And I’ve carried out all of my
plans on my own, and never trusted any other person anymore.
Vocabulary
1. Time on our hands [idiom]: to have spare time when you have not planned or
arranged to do anything
Eg: The class was cancelled so, as we had some time on our hands, we decided to take a
walk in the park.
2. Fundraising [noun]: the act of collecting or producing money for a particular purpose,
especially for a charity
Eg: The dinner is a fundraising event for the museum.
3. In two minds [idiom]: If you are in two minds about something, you have difficulty
deciding what to do
Eg: I'm in two minds about whether or not to accept the offer.
4. Think outside the box [idiom]: think differently, unconventionally, or from a new
perspective
Eg: You won't come up with good ideas until you think outside the box.
5. Capricious [adjective]: it describes a kind of person who becomes passionate to do

something in the first place, but soon gets bored or lazy about it
Eg: She seems to have a new hobby each week and she is too capricious to remain
interested in one thing for too long.
6. Apply one’s self [idiom]: to work hard and diligently at something

Eg: She applied herself to her work and the time passed very rapidly.
7. Run into [phrasal verb]: to experience an unexpected problem

Eg: During the exam, I ran into difficulties and I failed to answer all the questions.
8. Upset one’s plan [idiom]: to ruin someone’s plan

Eg: I hope it doesn't upset your plans if I'm late for the meeting.
83. Describe a shop opened in your hometown

You should say
where the shop is
what items it sells
why you go there
ANSWER
Well, I’m not a shopaholic, so there´s no particular shop that has made a special
impression on me. There’s only one exception – that’s a shop called Vinmart +, which
was opened in my hometown 2 months ago.
The shop is located at one of the prime spots for retailing. It is located right beside my
previous primary school, which is only 1km away from my house. I have to say that this
shop makes its mission to satisfy all customer needs anytime, anywhere. As well as
meeting the customers’ demand for necessary daily goods like other shops, it also
supplies fresh vegetables, fruit and meat of a high quality at reasonable prices. These
products have clearly-marked sources of origin and are strictly controlled under the
general process of the entire system.
This shop is in a chain of retail shops under Vingroup, which is recognized as one of the
most dynamic and successful companies in Vietnam, well-positioned for international
integration and comparable to the best regional and global competitors. Therefore, I
suppose there’s no doubt about its quality. Actually, quality assurance is the most
important benefit of shopping here. And the quality of service is excellent as well. To the
best of my recollection, 2 weeks ago, when I came to buy some snacks, I met a middle-
aged woman with her son at Vinmart. She said to the staff that she only went window
shopping to pamper her son, who always liked visiting supermarkets and shops to see
things. The staff were very welcoming and gave her son a candy as a gift. I could see that
her son was over the moon. That left me with a lasting and positive impression about
Vinmart.
Vocabulary
1. Shopaholic [noun]: a person who enjoys shopping very much and does it a lot
Eg: A self-confessed shopaholic, Diane loved looking for new clothes with her two
daughters.
2. Prime [adj]: main or most important

Eg: Though I'd like to know more about Spanish culture, this was not my prime
motivation for doing the course.
3. Retailing [noun]: the business of selling goods to the public

Eg: There are good career opportunities in retailing if you enjoy dealing with customers.
4. Integration [noun]: the process of combining two or more things into one
Eg: One of the company's weaknesses is poor integration of business processes with
information systems.
5. Competitor [noun]: an organization that competes against another, especially in

business.
Eg: The business is successful because it sells better-quality goods than its competitors.
6. Window shopping [expression]: the activity of spending time looking at the goods on
sale in shop windows without intending to buy any of them
Eg: The office workers go window-shopping in their lunch hour, looking for things to
buy when they get paid.
7. Pamper [verb]: to give someone special treatment, making that person as comfortable
as possible and giving them whatever they want
Eg: Why not pamper yourself after a hard day with a hot bath scented with oils?
8. Welcoming [adjective]: friendly to someone who is visiting or arriving

Eg: The hotel has a good reputation for being very welcoming to guests.
9. Over the moon [idiom]: extremely happy

Eg: Sarah was over the moon when she found out she'd got the job.
10. Lasting [adjective]: continuing to exist or have an effect for a long time.
Eg: I formed many lasting friendships at university and I often visit many of these old
friends.
84. Describe a talk or a speech

You should say
Who gave the speech
What the topic of the speech was
Whether it impressed you or not
and explain why did you like / dislike the speech.
ANSWER
Three months ago, I attended a seminar organized by my university. The purpose of the
seminar was to present and discuss the job opportunities for undergraduate students in
Vietnam. At first, I hadn’t planned on attending the seminar but on second thoughts, I
decided to go with a friend of mine since I believed that the talk would offer me some
constructive advice on my future career plan. The keynote speaker was a representative
of an educational agency which places strong emphasis on helping students accumulate
real working experience after university graduation. Before delivering the speech, the
speaker forged the bonds between the students in the auditorium by organizing some
warm-up games, which I consider a good approach to capture the attention of the
audience and lighten the atmosphere. He then analyzed a great number of qualities an
employer expects from applicants and he went on to demonstrate the ways to impress
employers in an interview, thus enabling us to have a thorough preparation for our
careers later on. Besides, he also presented some information about long-term career
opportunities in Vietnam and discussed the highly skilled jobs for which there is a
shortage of workers. Throughout the speech, what most impressed me was his endless
patience and dedication to delivering the information and helping the audience
understand every single matter clearly. He was always willing to answer any question
asked by the students no matter how minor the problems might be. This is one of the
most significant qualities of a speaker that he clearly possesses. In brief, I found the
speech very informative and useful as it answered a great number of questions I had at
the back of my mind.
Vocabulary
1. Seminar [noun]: an occasion when a teacher or expert and a group of peoplemeet to
study and discuss something (buổi hội thảo, chuyên đề)
Eg: When I was a student, I used to attend a lot of seminars.
2. Plan on [phrasal verb]: intend or expect to do something

Eg: We are planning on driving to the coast on Sunday.
3. On second thoughts [expression]: used to say that you have changed your opinion
(suy đi nghĩ lại)
Eg: I am planning on staying at home tonight. Actually, on second thoughts, I will go
out with you.
4. Constructive [adjective]: helpful (có ích, mang tính xây dựng)

Eg: My father usually gives me a lot of constructive advice.
5. Representative [noun]: someone who does something on behalf of a group of people

(người đại diện)
Eg: She is the representative of the company.
6. Place emphasis on [expression]: special importance that is given to something/ to put

stress on (nhấn mạnh)
Eg: My English teacher places emphasis on grammar and word choices.
7. Accumulate [verb]: to get more and more of something over a period of time (tích lũy)
Eg: By working assiduously, she accumulated a fortune.
8. Forge the bond [expression]: to connect people together (gắn kết mọi người)
Eg: The cultural exchange agreement has forged the bonds between Vietnam and
Canada.
9. Auditorium [noun]: a large room where meetings are held (khán phòng)
Eg: Smoking is prohibited in the auditorium.
10. Lighten [verb]: to reduce worry or tension (làm sôi nổi)

Eg: His great sense of humor lightened the atmosphere.
11. Thorough [adjective]: careful (tỉ mỉ, kĩ lưỡng)

Eg: A lot of thorough preparation has been done for the meeting.
12. Shortage [noun]: lack of something (sự thiếu hụt)

Eg: There is a shortage of water in the area.
13. Dedication [noun]: the state of giving a lot of time and energy to something because
it is important (sự cống hiến, tận tụy)
Eg: Success in teaching lies in the power of hard work and dedication to students.
14. Minor [adjective]: not important or serious (nhỏ nhặt)

Eg: Some minor changes have been made to the schedule.
15. Significant [adjective]: very large or important (đáng kể/ vô cùng quan trọng)
Eg: There has been a significant increase in the number of immigrants in recent years.
16. Informative [adjective]: providing a lot of useful information (cung cấp nhiều thông
tin hữu ích)
Eg: The talk was both entertaining and informative.
17. At the back of one’s mind [expression]: having an idea in your mind but not
thinking about it frequently (tồn động trong tâm trí)
Eg: The thought that he might leave was always at the back of her mind.
85. Describe an interesting neighbor you have/had
Who he/she is
And explain why he or she is interesting
ANSWER
Today I’m going to tell you about about my lovely neighbor, whom I really adore and
respect. I live in a beautiful and peaceful street and most of my neighbors are kind,
benevolent and well-mannered. Among them, I would pick Mrs. Cam Nhung as the
loveliest neighbor I have ever met. She is a retired English teacher and she has acquired a
reputation as a very profound and dedicated teacher. Despite her advanced years, she
looks really young and is always full of energy.
She lives with her family next to our house. She moved into our neighborhood 5-6 years
ago and since then she has endeared herself to everybody living in the community.
What I find most appealing about her is her great personality. Although she is not very
wealthy, she always shows compassion for others, especially the poor and the
underprivileged. She has opened a free English class for orphans in the hope of giving
them more opportunities to follow academic education.
Another of her lovely traits is definitely her positivity. She always looks on the bright
side of the problem even when it comes to her own misfortunes. Therefore, whenever I
feel discouraged, I go to her house and seek her advice. She usually greets me with an
irresistible home-baked cake or an encouraging piano song, from which I derive a great
deal of pleasure. I have learnt many useful things from her, not only in everyday things,
but also in attitudes to life.
To me, she is not just a normal neighbor, but a person for whom I feel a sense of
empathy, despite the gap between our ages. Being with her gives me a sense of security
and I really owe a lot of gratitude to this person.
VOCABULARY:
1. (to) RESPECT [verb]: to have a good opinion of sth/sb, to admire sb/sth.

Eg: She has always been honest with me, and I respect her for that.
2. PEACEFUL [adjective]: not involving a war, violence or argument.

Eg: They hope for a peaceful settlement (sự dàn xếp) of the dispute (cuộc cãi vả)
3. BENEVOLENT [adjective]: kind, helpful and generous
Eg: Nhien has a benevolent attitude, which is her most distinct trait.
4. WELL-MANNERED [adjective]: having good manners, courteous

Eg: Minh was educated carefully, which is the reason why he is always well-mannered.
5. REPUTATION [noun]: the opinion people have about sth

Eg: Hoa soon established a reputation as a first-class (đẳng cấp) cook.
6. PROFOUND [adjective]: showing great knowledge or understanding

Eg: This profound book is worth reading – you will learn a lot from it.
7. DEDICATED [adjective]: working hard at sth because it is very important to you.

Eg: Ngoc is one of the most dedicated employees in this company.
8. (to) ENDEAR [verb]: sb/yourself TO sb else: make sb/yourself loved.

Eg: Their policies (chính sách) on taxation did not endear themselves to voters.
9. WEALTHY [adjective]: having a lot of money, possessions ( tài sải), etc.

Eg: Most top footballers in the world are fabulously wealthy.
10. THE UNDERPRIVILEGED [noun]: people having less money and fewer
opportunities than most people in society.
Eg: The underprivileged in most nations are subject to suffer great inequality (sự bất
bình đẳng).
11. ORPHAN [noun]: a child whose parents are dead.

Eg: Mike was an orphan and lived with his uncle
12. MISFORTUNE [noun]: bad luck

Eg: Misfortunes in life are unavoidable, and each of us has to confront (đối mặt với)
them in order to be more mature (trưởng thành)
13. DISCOURAGED [adjective]: feeling less confident of less enthusiastic (nhiệt tình)
about sth
Eg: Don’t be discouraged by the first failure – try, try and try again!
14. (to) SEEK ONE’S ADVICE [verb]: ask sb for an opinion or suggestion about what
sb should do
Eg: We were told to seek legal advice from a well-known lawyer.
15. IRRESISTIBLE [adjective]: so strong that it cannot be stopped or resisted
Eg: On such a hot day, the chance to swim in the sea is irresistible.
16. (to) DERIVE [verb]: sth FROM sth: get sth from sth
Eg: Huy derives great satisfaction (sự thỏa mãn) from painting.
17. ATTITUDE [noun]: the way you feel and think about sth.
Eg: Happiness depends largely on one’s attitude to life, so always be positive.
18. EMPATHY [noun]: the ability to understand the emotions or situations of other
people
Eg: Motivated by their feelings of empathy, many people donated money to the
earthquake victims.
19. A SENSE OF SECURITY [noun]: the state of feeling certain, safe.

Eg: The presence of surveillance cameras in the shopping mall gives me a sense of
security.
20. (to) OWE GRATITUDE TO SB [v]: feel grateful( biết ơn) and want to express your
thanks to sb
Eg: First and foremost, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my parents and teachers for my
success in the exams.
86. Describe an experience that when you spent time with a child.
- When it happened
- Where it happened
- What you did
And explain how you felt about it.
ANSWER
I would like to tell you about my nephew, who is 8 years old. I have been spending a lot
of time with him since he was born, and I love him to death.
My little nephew has a good sense of humor and he is always full of energy. Last
Saturday, when I had a day off, I planned to come to my sisters’ house to play and have
fun with him. While I was sitting in front of the television and playing the pop song
“Worth it” by Fifth Harmony, he suddenly walked up, sang and danced around the room.
His childish voice, together with the way he shook his hips was so funny that everyone in
the room burst out laughing. He sang the song so fluently, which totally blew my mind.
He also tried to imitate the sexy facial expressions of the five girls in the video. He was
so adorable and at that time I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I couldn’t be happier
watching him grow healthier and smarter every day. That was probably one of the most
memorable moments that will stay with me for a long time.
Vocabulary: Word English meaning Vietnamese Example

meaning
Love somebody to death To feel extremely strong Yêu ai nhiều, yêu Ex: She gets along with
(expression) affection for someone chết đi được all her colleagues, and
everyone in the office
loves her to death.
A good sense of humor Be humorous, make Có khiếu hài hước Ex: I love him because he
(expression) people laugh. has a good sense of
humor.
Full of energy Completely mentally and Tràn đầy năng lượng Ex: Sometimes, I’m tired
(expression) physically active of taking care of my baby
brother because he is
always full of energy and
leaves a mess around the
house.
Childish (adjective) Connected with or typical Trẻ con Ex: Her handwriting is so
of a child childish.
Burst out (phrasal verb) Explode suddenly, loudly, Bật (cười) Ex: The comedy was so
with a strong feeling. funny that everyone burst
out laughing.
Blow somebody’s mind To overwhelm somebody, Làm ai phát cuồng Ex: The view here is
(expression) make somebody excited breathtaking, and it
absolutely blows my
mind.
Facial expression (noun) the look on someone's Biểu hiện của nét Ex: John always has a
face, showing what they mặt miserable facial
feel or think: expression.
Take (my) eyes off To stop looking at Không rời mắt được Ex: Mary is so gorgeous
somebody somebody khỏi ai in her pink dress and I
(expression) can’t take my eyes off
her.
Memorable (adjective) Special or unusual and Ex: The Harry Potter
therefore easy to films are full of
remember memorable characters.
87. Describe a person you were friendly to, although you did not really like them
(him or her)
You should say:
who this person was -> I'm going to talk about .....
when and where it happened
why you didn't like this person -> there are some reasons why.... Firstly, ...secondly, ...
and explain why you were (or had to be) friendly to this person
and explain what the results were after you were friendly to this person
ANSWER
I would like to describe a person who I had to be friendly to, although I did not really like
her. I think this situation is quite common in our lives, especially when we have to act as
part of a team.
A couple of months ago, I was assigned to a team at my workplace in order to tackle a

big project. As part of the team, I had to cooperate closely with this person. However, we
had never really liked each other for several reasons. Firstly, she is much older than I am,
so she always thinks she is right and disregards the opinions of others. I would describe
her as both bossy and officious, although she did not have a more senior position than I
did in the company. Secondly, I considered her irresponsible because she did not appear
to me to pay serious attention to the project. So, although it was supposedly a group
project, I ended up working all on my own as much as possible in order to see the task
through.
As the work was vital for our company, we had to be successful. I therefore had no
choice except to collaborate with her in order to finish the job. I would rather have done
all the work alone, but if I had refused to work with her as part of the team, then the
evaluation of my job performance would have been affected at the end of the year. So,
knowing her personality as I did, I swallowed my pride and tried to be patient.
Despite our many arguments, we completed the task on time. I learned that sometimes
people can work together, even though they don‟t get on with each other. It just needs a
little bit of time and patience to work things out, and each person has to compromise to
achieve a common goal.
disregard = to pay no attention to something or someone.
bossy = a bossy person is someone who is always telling other people what to do.
officious = an officious person is someone who uses their authority or position to give
orders to others - another word would be domineering.
irresponsible = an irresponsible person has no feeling of responsibility for something.
supposedly = according to what most people think.
end up = to find yourself in a situation that you did not expect to be in.
on my own = alone.
see.....through = if we see something through, we do not give up until it is finished.
collaborate = to work together with others to achieve something.
swallowed my pride = to hide my feelings, even though I wanted to express what I was
thinking.
get on with = to get on with someone is to have a friendly relationship with them.
work things out = to find a solution.
compromise = to give up some of your ideas in order to come to an agreement with

someone.
88. Describe something special you would like to buy (in the future).
You should say:
What it is: We all have a never-ending wish list of things that we want to buy, so do I.
One item that has been on my wish list for a long time is a one-bedroom apartment of my
own.
when you would like to ( = want to / hope to) buy it: I hope to cross this item off my list
by the time I turn 30. I know it sounds impossible but it‟d be cool if I could do it. And
the most important thing is that I have a longterm goal to pursue.
How long you have wanted to buy this: Since I am an independent person, I have
always wanted to move out of my parents‟ house. As soon as I graduated college, I
wanted to buy a small apartment.
Where you would like to buy it *: I‟m currently looking for a condo a little further away
from the city centre. Despite the fact that it will take longer for me to travel to work, the
price will be more reasonable and I will be able to afford it.
And explain why you would like to buy this: Having a flat of my own means a lot to me
for several reasons. Firstly, I can decorate the house according to my own tastes and
personality. Secondly, I can do whatever I want without interfering in my parents‟
lives. I can invite my friends over for the weekend and I can throw a party anytime I
want. Most importantly, I want to show my parents that I am a grown-up woman and
that I can take good care of myself.
VOCABULARY
never-ending - used to describe something that seems to never end or have an ending.
“She had a never-ending list of complaints about her last company.”
to cross an item off your list - to mark it as finished or completed. When you have a list
of things you want to do, and then you do one, you cross it off your list so that you know
it has been finished and you don‟t have to think about it anymore. “Today she was able to
cross five things off of her very long to-do list.”
it would be cool if… - another way to say… it would be nice if or it would be great if -
you are talking about a hypothetical situation. “It would be cool if you could come visit
me while I am in Japan.”
to purse a goal - to go after something that you want to accomplish or achieve. “She
spent the last five years pursuing her goal of becoming a doctor.”
an independent person - someone who likes to do things on their own. “Her brother is a
very independent person; he moved out of the house when he was only 20 and spent the
next five years traveling around the world by himself.”
to move out of - to leave the place where you are living now. “He will be moving out of
his apartment at the end of the month.”
condo - short for condominium, a form of housing where a person owns the unit and then
can either live in it or rent it out to others. It is different than an apartment, which is
usually owned by a person or company that owns all the apartments in a building. “The
price for condos these days has really gone up.”
despite the fact that - even though. “Despite the fact that he has already graduated from
college, he still has no idea what he wants to do with his life.”
to be more reasonable - related to price, it means that you will have an easier time
affording it or paying for it with the money you have. If a price is unreasonable, it means
that it is too expensive for you and you won‟t buy it at that price. “The housing prices are
becoming more reasonable these days than they were 3 years ago.”
means a lot to me - to talk about something being meaningful or important to you. “It
means a lot to me that you came to dinner with me on my birthday.”
to decorate - to put up decorations such as paintings, curtains, wall-hangings, art and

other things in a home or apartment or office. “People decorate their spaces with things
they like.”
according to - in agreement or accord with - in this case, she will decorate her apartment
based on her own tastes (what she likes) and her personality (with stuff that represents
her). “He will do his job according to his manager‟s instructions.”
to interfere with - to get in the way of, to be in the middle of something or others. “He
doesn‟t like it when his father interferes with his work by telling him what to do.”
to throw a party - to give or host a party, to be the person who invites others to the party
and provides drinks and food. “She is throwing a big party for her 50th birthday this
Saturday.”
a grown-up woman - a mature or adult woman, not a kid. Used to express that you can be
responsible and take care of yourself. “She wanted to prove that she was a grown-up
woman by purchasing a new condo all by herself.”
89. Describe a member of your family who you would like to work with.
You should say:
Who this person is: If I had a chance to choose a family member to work with, I’d prefer
to work with my father.
Whether you have worked together before: Although we have never worked together in
a professional working environment before, we have done a lot of housework and class
assignments together over the years.
What work you would like to do together: Since we share a common interest in
finance, I’d like to work with him in the finance field. My father is an investment banker
and I am currently working as a financial management accountant.
And explain why you would like to work with this person: I’d like to work with my dad
on an M&A deal, because I know that I’d gain a lot of technical knowledge from him.
My dad is a very dedicated and generous person and he is always willing to give
guidance to young people like me. Most importantly, however, is I know that I can trust
him in doing business; he will watch my back and enhance my skills. Though I know
we would need to separate our personal and professional relationships, I believe that my
father is experienced enough to not let our relationship interfere with any business
deals.
VOCABULARY
a professional working environment - used to describe the atmosphere or situation in
which you are working as a professional vs another type of environment or situation, like
a personal relationship. “She is eager to begin working in a professional working
environment after being a student for so many years.”
over the years - a way to talk about a long period of time that has lasted throughout many
years. “We have worked well together over the years.”
to share a common interest - used as a way to explain that two or more people enjoy
doing similar things. “They have shared a common interest in classical music for more
than a decade.”
currently - now, used to describe what you are doing or what is happening these days,
nowadays or right now. “I am currently working as a professor at Stanford.”
to gain something - to receive, to get, to improve in an area - in this context it means that
he will learn more technical skills related to finance and this will help him be a better
professional. “She hopes to gain experience in the field of technology by working for
Apple.”
dedicated - describes someone who is devoted to something or someone; used to describe
someone who spends a lot of time and energy working on something. You can be
dedicated to your work, to your art, to your company, etc. “She has been a dedicated
employee for nearly 25 years.”
generous - giving, used to describe someone who gives of their time, money, energy, etc.
“His father was very generous to his children. He sent them all to college and paid for all
their tuition.”
to be willing to - to want to do something, to agree to do something. “He was not willing

to leave his job to go travel around the world with his girlfriend.”
to give guidance - to help someone by guiding or leading them, by teaching them. “His
boss wasn’t very good at giving him guidance as to what he was supposed to do.”
to watch someone’s back - to look out for another person, to protect another, to help to
make sure that nothing bad or negative happens to another. “His big brother always
watches his back.”
to enhance - to improve the quality of something, to increase, to intensify…“She wants
to enhance her knowledge of cooking by attending culinary school.”
to interfere with - to take part or intervene in an activity without invitation or necessity,
to let something get in between two things. In this context, interfering means letting your
personal relationship get in the middle of and therefore harm or have a negative effect on
a business deal. “She hated it when her father interfered in her work by showing up at her
office to talk about his personal problems.”
90. Describe a magazine or newspaper that you like to read.

You should say:
what magazine or newspaper it is
what the magazine or newspaper is about
how often you read it
what kinds of people generally read this magazine or newspaper
and explain why you like to read it.
ANSWER:
To be honest, I don’t read magazines much these days, but I still read the one called
Vietraveler, which is a tourism magazine.
The magazine contains all that we need to know in terms of traveling, such as reviews
of numerous famous destinations, tips to save money when traveling or what we need to
prepare for a trip. Besides, at the back of the magazine, there are a few discount
coupons for some particular domestic tours which are run by tourist companies.
Always, when a new issue is published, I get it delivered to my house by post. Actually,
I have been a subscriber to this magazine for almost 5 years and I fully intend to carry
on reading it. As all the information in it is arranged logically, therefore, I find it quite
easy to locate every article that interests me. In addition, I highly appreciate the quality
of the magazine’s contents. The attractiveness of the glossy photos and the high
standard of journalism are just two of its outstanding features.
As a final point, I would emphasize that I usually depend on this magazine to plan a
good trip or suggest one to my friends.
VOCABULARY
discount coupons: [noun] small pieces of printed paper that gives you the right to buy
something at a cheaper price than normal.
Example: I cut the discount coupons out of the newspaper and used them to buy an
Iphone at a reduced price.
run: [verb] provided and made available to people.

Example: The school runs special courses for teenagers during the summer.
issue: [noun] one of a regular series of a magazine.

Example: In the last issue of the magazine, there is an article about restaurants in Hanoi.
subscriber: [noun] a person who pays money – usually once a year – to receive regular
copies of a magazine or newspaper.
Example: The number of subscribers to the magazine has now reached 10,000.
fully intend to: [adverb+verb] to have a definite plan about something which you will do.
Example: If I don’t go on holiday this month, then I fully intend to take a holiday next
month.
carry on: [phrasal verb] continue.

Example: Even if I pass the exam, I fully intend to carry on studying English to an
advanced level.
glossy: [adjective] smooth and shiny, so as to look real and attractive.
Example: The shiny paper used in glossy magazines is very expensive, so the magazines
too are always expensive.
outstanding: [adjective] extremely good and very important.

Example: The outstanding tourist attraction in New York is the Statue of Liberty.
91. Describe a new skill you would like to learn.

You should say:
what skill (= what you would like to learn to do)
where you would learn it (or, where you think would be the best place to learn it)
how difficult you think it would be
and explain why you would like to learn this skill.
ANSWER:
I’d like to talk about a new skill that I want to learn. I’m the kind of adventurous person
who enjoys the challenge of learning new things, whether it is a new sport or a skill that
would be useful to me.
I would like to have the skills to set up my own website. Probably the best place to learn
to do this would be online, using a distance-learning course run by a university, which I
could take free of charge. I wouldn’t need to travel and I could complete the course at my
own pace in my spare time.
Although there would be a lot to learn, I already use computers all the time, so I think
that I could pick up the basics quite quickly. With practice, I would become more
creative and able to incorporate new features on my website.
Of course, I imagine that I would find the course interesting, but I have a practical reason
for wanting to master this skill. I have recently started my own company, selling sports
goods, so it would be a really cost-effective and attractive way to advertise my products.
VOCABULARY
adventurous: [adjective] willing to take risks and try new ideas.

Example: My friend is very adventurous and she loves to try the local cuisine when we
travel to other countries.
challenge: [noun] a new or difficult task that tests someone’s ability or skill.
Example: It will be a big challenge to pass my final exams.
set up: [phrasal verb] create or start something.

Example: The government has set up a new clinic in the city centre.
distance learning: [noun] a system of education where people study at home with the
help of special Internet sites, and e-mail work to their teachers.
Example: Although he lives in the countryside, he is able to take a distance learning
course to qualify as an engineer.
at my own pace: [expression] at the speed which is best for me.

Example: She prefers to study alone, so that she can work at her own pace.
pick up: [phrasal verb] get information or a skill quite easily, without too much work.
Example: I picked up a lot of English during my visit to New York.
creative: [adjective] able to use skill and imagination to produce something new.
Example: The advertising company employs a creative team to think of new ideas and
designs.
incorporate: [verb] to include something, so that it then forms part of something else.
Example: The teacher incorporates music into his English lessons, to make them more
enjoyable.
master: [verb] learn or understanding something completely.

Example: I was never able to master the French language when I was at school.
cost-effective: [adjective] giving the best possible results for the money and time spent
on something.
Example: Using more security cameras in public places is a cost-effective way to reduce
crime.
attractive: [adjective] having features or qualities that make something seem interesting
or pleasant.
Example: My flat is opposite some attractive gardens, which are full of trees and
flowers.
92. Describe a leader who you admire.
You should say:
who this person is
what this person does (as a leader)
how he or she became a leader
how you know about this person (or, how you personally know this person)
and explain explain why you admire this leader (= explain how (or why) this leader's
qualities impress you)
ANSWER:
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] a period of time when a student or graduate gets practical experience
in a job – for example during a summer vacation.
Example: My brother has just finished his accountancy course at university, and this
summer he is going to do an internship at a leading company of accountants in the city.
run: [verb] in this context, it means ‘manage’ a company or business.
Example: I am going to apply for the job of a director, running the new sports centre in
town.
career path: [noun] the route taken by an employee, from the time that they first enter a
company or organisation until the time that they retire from work.
Example: He followed a successful career path, starting work as a simple cleaner and
later becoming a senior manager in the company.
in her 30s: [expression] aged between 30 and 39.

Example: Although she is only in her 30s, my sister has already bought her own house.
complement: [verb] add to something in a way which makes it look 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 woman’s 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.
93. Describe an interesting public place in your hometown, or where you are living
now, that you like to go to
You should say:
where it is
what you do there
and explain why you think it is interesting.
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 café 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 full-time 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, it’s 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 isn’t 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 Shakespeare’s 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] have a very good effect on someone or something.

Example: If you have a bad cold, a hot lemon drink at night works wonders.
therapeutic: [adjective] helping you to relax.

Example: I find that yoga is very therapeutic, and I always feel better after my yoga
class.
soothing: [adjective] that makes someone who is anxious or stressed, feel better.
Example: The doctor has such a soothing voice that his patients feel relaxed
immediately.
94. Describe a time when you made a mistake.

You should say:
where you were
what you were doing
what mistake you made
and explain what was the result of your mistake.
ANSWER
Today, I am going to share with you a time when I made a mistake. This situation
happened last year when I had to attend a final exam for my business management
qualification.
The test required candidates to use a calculator because the exam involved doing a lot of
calculations. I was sure that putting the calculator into my bag was the first thing I had
done in the morning. As it turned out, I had not. I realized that I would definitely not
pass if I was not be able to borrow a calculator immediately.
I really did not want to put myself at risk of delaying my graduation plan, because I had
devoted a lot of valuable time to this subject, and had even paid money for the upcoming
semester. In panic, I figured out that I had to ask for help. I decided to make a call to one
of my classmates living in the dormitory to borrow her calculator.
Unfortunately, she was not in Hanoi at that time. As a result, I had to manage without a
calculator to deal with this difficult situation. Although I scraped by in the exam, I failed
to get a high mark. It was an extremely valuable lesson for me. I learnt the hard way that
I need to be more careful and well-prepared for the important things in my life.
VOCABULARY:
calculator: [noun] a small electronic device for dealing with numbers.
Example: As my course is based on mathematics, I always carry a pocket calculator with
me.
turn out: [phrasal verb] to be discovered [for example, in a particular situation].

Example: The hotel room, as it turned out, was facing a busy road.
devote to: [phrasal verb] give an amount of time or attention to something.

Example: I devote two hours every evening to doing my homework.
upcoming: [adjective] going to happen soon.

Example: Who do you think will win the upcoming US Presidential election?
figure out: [phrasal verb] think about something until you understand it.
Example: I couldn’t figure out how to install the software, so I asked my best friend for
advice.
dormitory: [noun] a room for several people to sleep, especially in a school, college or
other institution.
Example: He shares a dormitory with 4 other students, but he would prefer to have his
own private room.
manage: [verb] succeed in doing something difficult.

Example: Despite all the traffic on the roads, we managed to arrive at the airport on time.
scrape by: [phrasal verb] to succeed in doing something, but with difficulty.
Example: He is happy that he scraped by in the exam, because he did not do any
revision.
learn the hard way: [expression] learn something by experience – usually in an

unpleasant way.
Example: Since I fell off my motorbike last year and hurt my head, I have learnt the
hard way that I should always wear a helmet.
95. Describe a person who you like to spend time with.
You should say:

what relationship the two of you have
how often you are together
what you usually do together and explain why you like to spend time with this person.
ANSWER
Today, I’m going to share with you my description of a person who I like to spend time
with. There are 5 members in my small family, but my dad is the one that I am closer to
than the others. I get along with him pretty well because we have many things in
common.
My father is getting on a bit. He’s in his 50s but he looks quite young for his age. He
works as a teacher in a high school. I have been told that I take after him and it makes
me feel proud because a lot of people look up to him as a devoted teacher in his school.
Although he is so caught up in his work, he always tries his best to make time for the
family that he loves and me, of course. Playing tennis is one of our shared hobbies, so we
tend to play together every other weekend, which is really a great time for us to get to
bond with each other. We also have an interest in watching football matches on TV and
comment about them enthusiastically like real close friends.
He has high expectations for me to become a teacher when I graduate so I will try my
best to live up to them. We usually talk to each other about many things in our life, you
know, his work in the school, my study, current affairs and sports, and stuff like that. He
imparts valuable knowledge to me, not only about his career but also about real life
experiences. I treasure my dad a lot. I realize that he really relates to me a lot and stays
by my side whenever I’m in trouble.
VOCABULARY:
get along with: [phrasal verb] have a friendly relationship with someone.
Example: I get along with my brother really well – we never have an argument.
getting on a bit: [expression] quite old.

Example: I will be 70 next year, so I have to admit that I am getting on a bit now.
in his 50s: [expression] aged between 50 and 59.

Example: President Obama was quite young when he was elected, but now he is in his
50s.
take after: [phrasal verb] look or behave like an older member of a family.
Example: Like her mother, she is very patient and everyone says that she takes after her
mother.
look up to: [phrasal verb] admire or respect someone.

Example: He is a very dedicated doctor and everyone looks up to him.
be caught up in: [phrasal verb] be involved in something.

Example: I am very caught up in revising for my exams, so I don’t have any free time.
every other weekend: [expression] each alternate one = the 1st, the 3rd, the 5th; but not
the 2nd, the 4th, the 6th.
Example: About twice a month, that is every other weekend, she travels to London to
see her sister.
bond: [verb] develop a close relationship of trust and friendship.

Example: To enable students to bond with each other, the teachers in our school
encourage a lot of team projects, in which students work together.
expectations: [noun] strong beliefs about what will happen or how somebody should
behave.
Example: I studied hard for the exam, so I have high expectations that I will pass.
live up to: [phrasal verb] do as well or be as good as other people expect.

Example: She hopes that she can live up to her father’s expectations and qualify as a
doctor.
stuff: [noun] used to refer to any things or objects when the name is not important.
Example: We talked about our hopes, our dreams, our fears – stuff like that.
treasure: [verb] have or keep something/someone that you love.

Example: I treasure his friendship and I hope that we will continue to be best friends for
many years.
relates to: [phrasal verb] is able to understand and have sympathy for someone.
Example: Most children relate to their parents, although they may not always agree
about everything.
96. Describe some good news you got from television or the internet.
You should say:
when you got the news
where you got the news
what the news was about
and explain why you think it was good news
ANSWER:
when you got the news: Well, I’m going to talk about the news regarding legalizing
same-sex marriage in the US in June 2015.
where you got the news: This was huge news for the LGBT community and it was
broadcast on all types of media ranging from television to social networks on the internet.
Personally, I heard the news on the radio whilst I was driving home one evening.
what the news was about: Basically, the United States‟ Supreme Court ruled that the
refusal to recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and that there should be no
legal restriction against marrying another person, whatever his or her gender.
and explain why you think it was good news: I think this was good news for several
reasons. Firstly, it is undeniable that the LGBT community has been growing fast in
recent years. Despite cruel discrimination from some „straight‟ people, these minorities
still fight for their right to be treated equally. Secondly, it was good news because it will
change the lives of many individuals. I myself have a gay friend and he is just like other
guys, the only difference is that he is not attracted to females. He has a great personality,
and he is brilliant and funny. However, he always thinks that being gay is unfortunate. He
thinks that if he comes out, nobody will befriend him or they will stay away from him
and he will eventually die alone. As a result, the news of legalizing same-sex marriage in
the US has encouraged people like my friend to be more confident in themselves and this
news gives them the courage to live proudly as who they are. Although it‟s going to take
a long time for the Vietnamese people to accept this concept, I strongly believe that in
the end, our society will gradually learn to appreciate that each individual has a unique
personality and we should embrace our differences.
VOCABULARY:
broadcast: in this sentence, it means that a lot of people were told about it on these
various forms of media.
ranging from: including a variety of different things, in addition to TV and social

networks, like on a continuum, it goes from here to there, from one place to another.
rule: this means „to give a legal decision‟ about something.
unconstitutional: not allowed by the laws of a country or organization which are outlined
in the constitution.
legal restriction: a law that limits what you are able to do.
LGBT: this means “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender”.
discrimination: the action of treating some person or group less fairly than others.
‘straight’: this means „heterosexual‟ –attracted to people of the opposite sex.
come out: to stop hiding the fact that he is gay.
befriend: become a friend of somebody. He thinks that nobody will make friends with
him.
legalize: to make something legal, so that it is part of the law of the country.
concept: idea.
unique: very special and different from others.
embrace: in this sentence, it means to „accept willingly‟.
97. Describe a time when you got lost.

You should say:
where it was, who was with you
how you felt
and explain how you eventually found your way
ANSWER
It was during the summer of 2009 when my friend and I were traveling in Venice, Italy.
We were running all around the city taking pictures. The weather was so pleasant and
the scenery was so stunning that we lost track of where we were going. We did not
even realize we were lost until dusk, when we stopped to rest.
Since Venice is a small city with a lot of small alleyways and not many street lights, we
started to feel worried as the sky turned darker and darker. We tried to use the map to
locate our place but it was so complicated. We looked around but we didn‟t see
anybody, there weren‟t any direction signs either.
Fortunately, when we were starting to lose our patience and about to give up, we found
a policeman. Although his English was not very good, he helped us find our hotel and
showed us the way back. After thirty minutes of walking, we safely arrived at our hotel
and felt completely relieved. Thankfully, we did not have to spend the night out on the
street that day.
VOCABULARY
running all around the city - to run all around a place just means to move around, not
literally running, but walking or getting around somehow. It is used to express the idea
that you are busy and in movement. “We spent the whole day running around the city
doing errands.”
pleasant - nice, here it is used to describe weather that is not too cold, not too hot, just
right, usually sunny and warm. “We spent a pleasant evening on the beach.”
scenery - the surroundings, the things you are looking at either in a city or out in nature.
“The scenery on the drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco is beautiful.”
stunning - amazing, beautiful, used to describe something that you find to be awe-
inspiring or awesome. “Her wedding dress was stunning.”
to lose track of something - to lose something. In this context to lose track of where they
are just means that they got lost. They couldn‟t keep track of the streets and their position
in the city. “They lost track of their keys and spent 30 minutes looking for them.”
dusk - the time when the sun has gone down and it is starting to get darker.
“They said that the beach closes at dusk.”
to rest - to take a break from some activity. “We needed to rest after driving for 5 hours.”
alleyways - small streets or passages between buildings. “They found a stray cat in the
alleyway.”
to feel worried - to be concerned or scared about something. “I felt worried that I might
not be able to finish my work on time and I‟d miss the concert.”
complicated - confusing, difficult to understand, intricate. “Learning a new computer
language isn‟t that complicated for some people, but for others it is totally confusing.”
Fortunately - a good thing, it is fortunate or good that something happened. “Fortunately,
we all made it home safely.”
to lose our patience - to stop having patience with something or someone. When you lose
your patience, you feel upset or angry or overwhelmed. “His mother was losing her
patience with him and threatened to leave without him if he didn‟t hurry up. She didn‟t
want to miss the movie.”
to give up - to stop doing something. “He decided to give up on trying to get his dad to go
bowling with him; he invited his sister instead.”
the way back - the return route to some location or place. “We had to stop for gas on the
way back home.”
to feel relieved - to feel better because something did or didn’t happen. “They felt
relieved when they heard from their son and knew that he was okay.”
98. Describe an historic building that you have visited

You should say:
what it was
where it was
and explain what features of the building you found interesting.
ANSWER
- Today, I am going to share with you one of my favorite historic buildings that I have
visited, that is The Temple of Literature or “Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám” in
Vietnamese.
- Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam - located to the south of the Imperial Citadel of Thang
Long – is now part of Hanoi City. This was the first university in Vietnam, which was
built in 1070 in King Ly Thanh Tong‟s reign. The Temple was dedicated to Confucius
and it was built to educate Vietnam‟s bureaucrats, nobles, royalty and other members
of the elite.
- Like many other temples, The Temple of Literature was built in a vast area with many
pavilions, halls, statues, yards…. However, one of the best features that I liked most is
the Turtle Steles with the names of those successful at the royal exams. I remembered
when I was a senior in high school, I would come here to pray for luck for my university
entrance exam. This tradition is very popular among Hanoian students and pupils. In
addition, during the Tet holiday, we can come here to ask for a pair of “Hán” wishes
from calligraphists to bring home as a lucky charm or gift.
VOCABULARY
citadel: [noun] a castle on high ground in or near a city, where people could go when the
city was attacked.
Example: The enemy attacked the city, but all the people were safe inside the citadel.
reign: [noun] the period during which an emperor, queen or king is the ruler of a country.
Example: The reign of the emperor Ly Thanh Tong lasted for 18 years.
dedicate: [verb] to hold a ceremony to say that a building is special to the memory of a
particular person or people.
Example: A statue was dedicated to those who died in the war.
bureaucrats: [noun] officials working in an organization or government department.

Example: Some people think that their lives are regulated too strictly by bureaucrats.
the elite: [noun] a small group of people who are powerful in a society and have a lot of
influence.
Example: In some countries, only the elite can afford to send their children to university.
pavilions: [noun] buildings to hold events, designed to be beautiful.

Example: In the park, there is a beautiful pavilion, in which concerts and exhibitions are
held.
pray: [verb] to speak to God, especially to give thanks or to ask for help.
Example: We prayed that she would recover from her illness.
calligraphists: [noun] people who are skilled at writing beautifully, using a special pen or
brush.
Example: In the past, many calligraphists were monks, who copied texts using beautiful
handwriting.
charm: [noun] a small object worn on a chain or as a bracelet, to bring good luck.
Example: In British tradition, a charm of a rabbit‟s foot was worn on a chain around the
neck of a person to bring good luck.
99. Describe a long walk that you went on.
You should say:
where you walked
who you walked with
what you saw (and did) during this walk
and explain why you went on this long walk.
or
and explain how you felt about going on this long walk.
ANSWER:
- Earlier this year, during Lunar New Year, one of my foreign friends decided to visit
Vietnam. So I took her on a tour to my favorite place in Hanoi, The Temple of
Literature or “Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám” in Vietnamese.
- Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam – was the first university in Vietnam. It was built in 1070
during King Ly Thanh Tong‟s reign. Like many other temples, The Temple of
Literature was built in a vast area with many pavilions, halls, statues, courtyards … it
took us more than an hour to finish walking around the Temple.
- Certainly, I didn‟t forget to show her one of the best features of the Temple, which are
the Turtle Steles with the names of people who were successful at the royal exams. I
told her that when I was a senior in high school, I would come here to pray for luck for
my university entrance exam. This tradition is very popular among Hanoian students and
pupils. At the end of our tour, we stopped to ask for a pair of “Hán” wishes from
calligraphists to bring home as a lucky charm and my friend was so happy about it.
- Although I have come here so many times, I still enjoyed the walk because the Temple
somehow made me feel calm and relaxed. It‟s difficult to find to such a peaceful place
as this, especially when you live in a metropolitan area [4].
VOCABULARY
lunar: [adjective] connected with the moon.
Example: In one of their lunar missions, American astronauts landed on the moon.
reign: [noun] the period during which an emperor, queen or king is the ruler of a country.
Example: The reign of the emperor Ly Thanh Tong lasted for 18 years.
pavilions: [noun] buildings to hold events, designed to be beautiful.

Example: In the park, there is a beautiful pavilion, in which concerts and exhibitions are
held.
statues: [noun] figures of a person or an animal, usually made of stone.

Example: In Paris, there are many statues of famous people, such as emperors or kings.
courtyards: open spaces surrounded by buildings, and usually part of a castle or large
house.
Example: Before we entered the palace, we passed through a courtyard surrounded by
high walls.
pray: [verb] to speak to God, especially to give thanks or to ask for help.
Example: We prayed that she would recover from her illness.
calligraphists: [noun] people who are skilled at writing beautifully, using a special pen or
brush.
Example: In the past, many calligraphists were monks, who copied texts using beautiful
handwriting.
charm: [noun] a small object worn on a chain or as a bracelet, to bring good luck.
Example: In British tradition, a charm of a rabbit‟s foot was worn on a chain around the
neck of a person to bring good luck.
metropolitan: [adjective] connected with a large city.
Example: There are many tall buildings in the New York metropolitan area.
100. Describe a successful small business that you know.

You should say:
what the business is
where it is
who runs the business / how you know about this business
and explain why you think it is successful.
ANSWER:
- Nowadays, there is a new booming [1] trend of start-ups in my city; however, not all of
them are successful. One of the businesses that I think is the most successful is the KAfe
chain of restaurants and café boutiques.
- I remember 2 years ago, they only had one business in our city. It quickly became one
of the favorite [2] spots for young Hanoians to get together. Now they have expanded
with franchises [3] in almost every corner of my city. The fame of KAfe has spread by
word of mouth, and in my case, a friend told me about it.
- The owner of the chain is a young woman, who is only 31 years old at the moment.
Since I have always been [4] interested in opening up a small café/ restaurants of my
own, I admire her work a lot.
- She has successfully created a brand name of real food, in the environment of a
modern, energetic and urban café, introducing the foreign lifestyle to our rustic city.
Every time I have visited this restaurant, it has always been full [4] and this applies to all
other KAfe locations in our city, not just one specific place.
- Recently, the group announced that it had [5] raised a 5.5- million-dollar investment
from overseas funds. This proves that the KAfe chain is considered to have great
potential in developing further and becoming even more successful in the future.
VOCABULARY
booming: [adjective] having a sudden increase in business, wealth and success.
Example: The owner was able to buy new machinery, because his company was booming
and he had money to invest.
start-ups: [noun] companies that are just opening.

Example: Many start-ups fail because they do not have enough money to survive their
first year in business.
chain: [noun] a group of businesses owned by the same company.

Example: There are about 6 large chains of supermarkets selling food in the UK.
boutiques: [noun] a small business that sells fashionable products.

Example: A famous street in London is full of small boutiques selling all the latest styles
of clothes.
franchises: [noun] businesses which have been given permission by a company to sell its
products in a particular area.
Example: The largest restaurant franchise in the UK is McDonalds.
word of mouth: [expression] The chain is famous because people have talked about it to
each other.
Example: The news of the accident spread by word of mouth, hours before it was
reported on TV.
brand name: [noun] the name given to a product by the company that produces it.
Example: The brand name of the most famous trainers is NIKE.
rustic: [adjective] simple – typical of the countryside.
Example: It is impossible to see rustic styles of houses in Hanoi nowadays.
investment: [noun] a sum of money that you lend to a business, expecting that you will
make more money over a period of time.
Example: The investment of money by the bank enabled the business to expand.
101. 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
ANSWER (Trích từ đề “Describe situation when a child made you laugh”)
One of my best friends has a 3-year-old baby girl; so every time we went out, she
would 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 couldn’t 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 couldn’t
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.
102. Describe a quiet place.

Where it is
How often you visit there
What you do there
And explain the reason why you like or dislike the place.
ANSWER
To me, quiet places mean libraries. But I’m not going to describe the library at my
university as I still haven’t visited it yet. The one I’m going to describe is the library at
my high school in Haiduong City.
My school is very large and it consists of four big blocks named A, B, C, and D. The
library occupies a small space on the highest floor in block D, and it’s perhaps just about
three or nearly four times as large as a normal classroom. There’s a room used to store
books and another for students to read books and self-study.
I spent most of my time in the library when I was in grade 10. The next two years were
filled completely with competitions and extracurricular activities so I couldn’t go to the
library as often as before. I had my own favorite spot in the self-study section; it was the
cubicle on the outermost row that is near the window, and whenever I visited the library
to study or to read some borrowed books, I would choose that spot without hesitation. I
even wrote some words or symbols that I liked on the table; don’t know whether they’re
still there now though.
I specifically chose this library to describe because it’s really quiet, compared with some
other libraries in Haiduong City that I’ve been to. It was really suitable for studying, and
some even went there to sleep! I had a great time self-studying in this library back then, I
seriously would re-visit it if I ever had a chance.
VOCABULARY:
Cubicle [noun] (buồng làm việc kín nhỏ, cách các buồng khác bằng vách ngăn) a
partially enclosed workspace in an office which is separated from neighboring
workspaces by partitions
e.g. He was in a cubicle of his own, and he could see at least a hundred more cubicles in
this room alone.
Outermost [adjective] (ngoài cùng, cách xa trung tâm nhất) at the greatest distance from
the center
e.g. The city centre is Zone 1 and the outermost suburbs are Zone 6.
Occupy [verb] (chiếm) fill or take up (a space or time)
e.g. Every parking space was occupied here; you would have to park somewhere else.
Without hesitation [phrase] -If you say that someone does something without
hesitation , you are emphasizing that they do it immediately and willingly.
e.g. The great majority of strikers would return to work without hesitation if they were
offered a better deal.
Specifically [adverb] (đặc biệt) for a particular purpose
e.g. These picture books were created specifically for children.
103. Describe a tourist site in your country that you enjoyed visiting.
You should say:
Where you went (= the name and location of the place)
What sort of this place it was (or, what it looked like)
What you did there
Who you went with
Explain why you enjoyed it.
Or
Explain why you think people are attracted to that place
ANSWER
I have travelled to several places around the country but there is one of them that always
comes to my mind whenever I make travel plans with my family or friends. So, I am
going to talk about a place which is called Hoi An. Hoi An is a city in Quang Nam
Province, it is located in the central region of Vietnam and it is famous for its historic
district. I had heard many favorable reports about it before, but it was not until the
summer of 2014 that I actually had a chance to go there with my best friend.
At first, I was surprised at how quiet and peaceful it was. Actually, I am the type of
person who prefers wandering around big cities with impressive modern buildings such
as Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo, or cities with elegant architecture like Paris and London,
so I was kind of disappointed when I first came to Hoi An. It was so quiet and it looked
neither modern nor decorative, instead of that, it brings out the vibe of those ancient
Chinese streets which we often see in Chinese movies. After searching on Google, I got
to know that the name Hoi An originally means “a peaceful place to meet” and I
personally think that the atmosphere there matches its name perfectly.
In spite of not falling in love with the city at the very first sight, I slowly grew fond of it
during my 4-day stay there. Since it was simply a city with very ancient streets, there was
no shopping mall, and no attractions with entertainment, so all we did was to walk
around, taking photos of the picturesque sights and eating amazingly delicious local
delicacies. I am a food person so I feel very intrigued when it comes to good local food,
and Hoi An didn’t disappoint me in this field. I was extremely happy during my stay
because I was able to have about 6 meals a day, since everything is so tasty and cheap.
Besides, in Hoi An, there are no cars and motorbikes going like rockets on the road, no
rush hours, no polluted air, no shouting or yelling in the streets, and those are the things
that calmed me, and gave me time to let both my mind and body wander. I felt like all
my stress had disappeared and my mind was so relaxed I forgot about all my problems
that I had left behind in busy Hanoi before the trip. I think everyone who went there also
experienced that feeling, which is why people always want to go back to Hoi An and
adore it so much.
Vocabulary:
1. Several [determiner]: some, an amount that is not exact but is fewer than many
Eg: I've seen "Gone with the Wind" several times.
2. To come to one’s mind [expression]: to enter into one’s consciousness or be
remembered
Eg: The idea for my new book came to my mind when I was showering.
3. Favorable [adjective]: making people have a good opinion of something
Eg: Her new book has had favorable reviews.
4. To wander [verb]: to walk around in a relaxed way without any clear purpose
Eg: I usually wander around my hometown whenever I have time.
5. Impressive [adjective]: making you feel admiration for something or somebody
Eg: His essays are very impressive – there are almost no mistakes.
6. Elegant [adjective]: attractive and designed well
Eg: Her father bought her an elegant dress for her birthday.
7. Neither…nor [expression]: not one nor the other of two things/ people
Eg: I neither know nor care about what happened to him.
8. Decorative [adjective]: intended to look attractive
Eg: It was an elegant door, with a decorative design which caught my attention.
9. Vibe [noun]: a mood produced by a particular thing or place
Eg: As soon as I entered the dark street, I felt a strange vibe as if there were danger there.
10. To grow fond of something/someone [phrasal verb]: begin to like something that you
didn’t really like before
Eg: The truth is I have grown fond of chocolate, although I used to hate it.
11. Picturesque [adjective]: attractive – of a place or building – especially one which is
old.
Eg: The programme about Thailand showed some picturesque scenes of beaches,
temples and mountains.
12. Sight [noun]: an interesting place, often visited by tourists
Eg: If you visit London, you must see some famous sights such as the Tower of London
and Westminster Abbey.
13. Delicacy [noun]: a type of food that is very special in a particular place
Eg: In France, snails with garlic are considered to be a delicacy.
14. Intrigued [adjective]: very interested in something and wanting to know more about
it
Eg: I was intrigued to hear the story of his childhood in China.
15. Yell [verb]: to shout loudly because you are angry or excited
Eg: The crowd yelled encouragement at their team.
16. Adore [verb]: to love somebody or something very much
Eg: I adore trying the local food when I travel to a new place.
104. Describe a family member who has an important influence on you

You should say
Who the person is
How long you have known him /her
What qualities this person has
and explain why this person has had such an influence on you.
ANSWER
Well, in my life, there are several family members who have made unmatched
contributions to help me go ahead, and among them my father’s impact is the most
meaningful. He is the person whom I love most in this world and I consider him to be a
perfect father and role model with his honesty, bravery, resourcefulness and
responsibility.
Together with my mother, he is the very person who brought me into this wonderful
world. From my childhood, he has raised me with his great care, affection and
mentorship. He has taught me moral lessons about the world, people and values. Despite
having a busy schedule, he has always given motivational support to me on my
education and has dedicated his life to his family.
My father is an exemplary person who has led an honest life. As a high ranking
government officer, he had many chances to pile up personal riches but he has always
known the right things to do and never broke the rules. The basic notion of humanity and
the importance of education were values he delivered to me. He is now a retired person
and leads his serene and peaceful like with contentment and happiness. Whenever I have
to confront difficulties, he always stands by me and encourages me not to give up.
As a father, I would say he has done everything possible to raise me and my sister. He
has spent his entire life catering for our demands and looking after our interests while he
went through much hardship. His immense love and great sacrifice is an incentive for
me to study and work harder.
VOCABULARY:
1. unmatched [adjective]: better than all others : không thể sánh bằng
Eg: He had a talent unmatched by any other politician in this country.
2. bravery [noun]: the will to do things that are dangerous, difficult or painful : lòng
dũng cảm
Eg: His bravery in rescuing the survivors from the crash was reported on the news.
3. resourcefulness [noun]: the ability to be good at finding ways of doing things and
solving problems : sự tháo vát
Eg: Resourcefulness is an essential quality for a good employee.
4. affection [noun]: the feeling of liking or loving sth/sb very much : tình yêu thương
Eg: Children nowadays need a lot of attention and affection.
5. motivational [adjective]: making sb want to do sth : có tính khích lệ
Eg: Her motivational support gave him strength to pass the difficult exam.
6. (to) dedicate [verb]: to give a lot of your time and effort to sth because you think it is
important : tận tụy với
Eg: He has dedicated all his life to helping poor people.
7. exemplary [adjective]: providing a good example for sb to copy : gương mẫu
Eg: Minh is the most exemplary student in our class this semester.
8. contentment [noun]: a feeling of happiness and satisfaction: sự thỏa mãn
Eg: She looked back on her teaching career with contentment when she thought of all
the students that she had helped.
9. (to) confront sth [verb]: to deal with a problem or difficult situation: đối mặt
Eg: She knew that she had to confront her fear of heights and climb the ladder.
10. hardship [noun]: a situation that is difficult and unpleasant : sự cực khổ
Eg: People had to suffer many hardships to overcome that winter.
11. sacrifice [noun]: the fact of giving up sth important or valuable to you to get or to
give it to sb else : sự hi sinh
Eg: His parents made sacrifices so that he could have a good education.
12. incentive [noun]: sth that encourages you to do sth : sự khích lệ, cổ vũ
Eg: There is no incentive to continue doing this project – our design will never be
approved.
105. Describe a book that you want to read again

You should say
what the book is about
when you read it
how long you read it for
and explain why you want to read it again
ANSWER
Actually, I’m not a bookworm but sometimes, I still seek comfort in reading books,
especially fiction books. There’s a book of this type that I read when I was a child and I
read it over and over again. It has many wonders in it and always makes me absorbed in
its interesting content.
The book is called “Diary of a cricket”, written by To Hoai. It is a short novel, initially
written for children. However, I believe this book is suitable for all other ages thanks to
the storytelling ability of To Hoai. The book describes the adventure of a cricket through
the world of animals and people, of the good and bad, war and peace, ideals and life
purpose in colorful yet insightful perspectives. The cricket experienced countless
setbacks and challenges but overcame them to eventually become a force of good. In
general, the main character has his own charismatic power. His adventure story is so
magical and enchanting that every page I turned tempted me to read further. The first
time I read this book, I found it extremely hard to put it down.
It is such a great book that has been translated into more than 100 languages. In my
opinion, it is a good source of bilingual books for Vietnamese children. Parents who grew
up with this story will love to enjoy it again with their children. I believe that in the
company of this book, a child, even a hyperactive one, is never going to feel bored or
restless.
VOCABULARY
1. Bookworm [noun] a person who reads a lot (mọt sách)
Eg: The girl who would rather stay inside and read than go out and play is an example of
a bookworm.
2. Absorbed in sth [adjective] very interested in something and not paying attention to
anything else (say mê, chăm chú)
Eg: Simon was so absorbed in his book that he didn't even notice me come in.
3. Storytelling [noun] the art of telling stories (nghệ thuật kể chuyện)
Eg: The feasting and storytelling was over, and the crew turned in for the night.
4. Insightful [adjective] having or showing a clear, deep, and sometimes sudden
understanding of a complicated problem or situation (sâu sắc)
Eg: Her analysis of the problem was very insightful and everything became clear to me.
5. Setback [noun] a difficulty or problem that delays something or makes a situation
worse (khó khăn)
Eg: The team suffered a setback when their best player was injured.
6. Charismatic [adjective] having a personal quality to attract and impress other people
(cuốn hút)
Eg: He is a very charismatic leader who is very popular in his country.
7. Enchanting [adjective] very pleasant (làm say mê)
Eg: It's described in the guide book as "an enchanting medieval city".
8. Company [noun] the fact of being with a person or people, or the person or people you
are with (sự đi cùng, hỗ trợ)
Eg: Margot came to stay for a week as company for my mother while I was away.
9. Hyperactive [adjective] Someone who is hyperactive has more energy than is normal,
gets excited easily, and cannot stay still or think about work (hiếu động)
Eg: Hyperactive children often have poor concentration and require very little sleep.
10. Restless [adjective] unable to stay still or be happy where you are, because you are
bored or need a change (thao thức, không yên)
Eg: After 3 years in his boring job, he was feeling restless and unhappy.
106. Describe a decision made by others that you disagreed with

You should say
When it was
What it was
Why you disagreed with the decision
And explain how you persuaded them
ANSWER
Today, I’m going to tell you about a time when I went against a decision made by my
family members. This happened after I had received my university entrance exam results
last year in July. I was supposed to apply for an instution for my tertiary education and as
you can probably guess, I had a big row with my parents about choosing one.
Initially, I specialised in a foreign language, English to be specific, during my time in
high school. While I was persistent in becoming an English teacher, my parents thought
that a change of focus would do me good. They insisted that I should try my hand at
economics for a change, saying I’d be able to interact with people from all walks of life
and enlarge my circle of friends.
Though I agreed that attending a university course in economics could help enlarge my
social network as well as provide me with very marketable qualifications to embark on
a well-paid career, concentrating on what I was passionate about was a bigger priority for
me. My parents and I had a heart-to-heart talk in the course of which I persuaded them
that a teaching career was what I had set my mind on and wanted to pursue. The conflict
culminated in my parents giving in and letting me decide for myself, given my
predilection for languages and the fact that I have been majoring in English for quite
some time now. I successfully applied to an esteemed language university and am now
following my lifetime dream.
Vocabulary
1. To go against something (phản đối điều gì) [phrase]: to object, disagree
Example: My mother went strongly against my decision to have a tattoo.
2. To have a big row withsomebody (cãi cọ, tranh luận với ai) [phrase]: to argue,
quarrel with somebody
Example: She had a big rowwith her boyfriend over another woman.
3. To do somebody good (có lợi cho ai) [expression]: to benefit somebody
Example: Exercising on a regular basis will undoubtedly do us good.
4. To try one’s hand at something (thử làm điều gì đó) [expression]: to try, to give
something a try
Example: I wanted to try my hand at knitting as I love hand crafting activities.
5. To enlarge one’s circle of friends (mở rộng các mối quan hệ bạn bè) [expression]: to
make more friends, to create more social connections
Example: A good way to enlarge our circle of friends is to join clubs.
6. Marketable (có thể quáng cáo, quảng bá được) [adjective] attractive to employers or
customers
Example: Science graduates generally have more marketable qualifications than
graduates in the arts.
7. Embark on (bắt đầu một điều gì khó khăn/mới mẻ) [phrasal verb] to start something
new or difficult
Example: Before embarking on this new business, make sure that you have enough
money in the bank.
8. A heart-to-heart talk (một cuộc nói chuyện, tâm sự chân thật) [expression]: a sincere
and honest talk, usually between close friends or family members
Example: I had a heart-to-heart talk with my parents about choosing my future career.
9. To set one’s mind on something (đặt điều gì đó làm mục tiêu, quyết tâm làm gì)
[phrase]: to set something as a goal, to be determined to have or achieve something
Example: I have set my mind on becoming an doctor. I’m determined to attend
medicine school.
10. To pursue something (theo đuổi) [verb]: to chase,to try to achieve something
Example: Only when one is highly motivated and persistent can they pursue their goal
till the end.
11. To culminate in something (kết thúc trong điều gì) [phrase]: to happen or exist as
the final result of a process or situation
Example: The negotiation of the two parties culminated in failure.
12. To give in (bỏ cuộc) [phrasal verb]: to give up, to quit
Example: My parents only gave in when they realized how serious I was in becoming an
actor.
13. A predilection for something (sự yêu thích đối với điều gì đó) [phrase]: a feeling
that you like something, especially something a little unusual
Example: She has a predilection for wearing clothes with bright colours, like orange or
red.
107. Describe a time you had good experience in the countryside

You should say
Where it was
When it was
What you did
And explain why you liked/disliked the experience
ANSWER
Although I live in a very hectic city, I also feel attached to the countryside. Life in the
rural areas always brings me a sense of tranquility. Last summer, I got away from the
overcrowded city by spending all the time with my grandparents in the country. This
experience has been a great memory for me to look back on with fondness.
Well, as you can imagine, country life is quite different from that of the city, and living in
the countryside is sometimes really challenging. While in my city apartment, all I have to
do is just some light housework like washing dishes or cleaning the bathroom, but in the
countryside I have to take care of the garden every day and even help out with farm work.
My grandparents have instructed me to do this because it will help to develop self-
reliance. Although there are some hardships involved, finishing these tasks brings me
closer to nature and I have gradually become more adaptable to changes. Besides,
without the distraction of the Internet, I found myself more open to people around me
and understand them better. I have come to realize that alienation between humans
nowadays is partly caused by the dominance of technology.
Despite getting back to my normal life in the city, I still find the time spent in the
countryside very memorable. I believe that thanks to the precious time spent in my
grandparents’ country home, I have become more mature and dependable.
VOCABULARY:
10. (be) attached to sth [adjective]: be deeply connected with/ linked with sth : gắn bó
với
Eg: Among the three kids, Nhi is the most attached to her mother.
11. tranquility [noun]: the state of being quiet and peaceful : sự thanh bình 12.
overcrowded [adjective]: with too many people or things in it : đông đúc, chật chội
Eg: Minh loves the tranquility of his homeland, where he is able to relax.
12. overcrowded [adjective]: with too many people or things in it : đông đúc, chật chội
Eg: Too many people are living in overcrowded conditions in my city.
13. fondness [noun]: a feeling of affection for somebody or something: sự yêu thích cho
cái gì/ai đó
Eg: After her retirement, our teacher will be remembered with great fondness by all her
students.
14. challenging [adjective]: difficult in an interesting way that tests your ability: thách
thức
Eg: Teaching is a challenging and rewarding career.
15. (to) instruct [verb]: to tell sb to do sth : hướng dẫn
Eg: You will be instructed where to go as soon as the plane is ready.
16. self-reliance [noun]: the ability to decide or do things by yourself, rather than
depending on others for help : sự tự lực cánh sinh
Eg: Rural people develop their self-reliance from a very young age due to the lack of
facilities which might provide assistance.
17. adaptable [adjective]: be able to change when necessary in order to deal with
different situations : biết thích nghi
Eg: Employees in this company have to be competent and adaptable to tackle a variety
of jobs.
18. distraction [noun]: a thing that takes your attention away from what you are doing or
thinking about: sự xao nhãng
Eg: I find it hard to work at home because there are many distractions.
19. alienation [noun]: the feeling of the lack of friendliness and sympathy: sự tách biệt
Eg: Many immigrants suffer from a sense of alienation when they first arrive.
20. dominance [noun]: the state of being more powerful, important or noticeable than
other things : sự thống trị
Eg: The dominance of social media has resulted in numerous problems.
21. memorable [adjective]: worth remembering or easy to remember : đáng nhớ
Eg: This is truly a memorable occasion, and I will always remember this day with
pleasure.
22. mature [adjective]: behaving in a sensible way, like an adult : trưởng thành
Eg: Jane is really mature for her age and I think that she is the most responsible student
in our class.
107. Describe an experience in which the use of a mobile phone was not allowed
You should say
When it is
Why mobile phone is not allowed
Whether you followed the rules
And explain how you felt about the experience
ANSWER
Today I’m going to describe an occasion when mobile phones were not allowed. It was
when I took the university entrance exam, about 4 years ago.
The university entrance exam is very crucial in Vietnam as it can determine our future
path, so it is always organized in the fairest way possible. During the two-day exam,
students were not permitted to keep their mobile phones with them, let alone use them.
Otherwise, they would be disqualified from the test. The purpose was to prevent
cheating, as students can store notes in their phones or text to ask for answers. This rule
was clearly stated in prior written notifications as well as repeated by examiners on the
exam days. However, to my surprise, some students still paid little attention to it, or they
underestimated its importance as some still tried to break the rule. If the examiners had
not checked every student carefully, some students could have brought the phones with
them.
Not having mobile phones apparently hit some students hard. They kept bothering
others to ask for answers. So, the examiners had to walk around to monitor and remind
these students. Unlike them, I was totally fine – the rule didn’t cause me any
inconvenience because I had studied everything carefully.
I think that this rule was indeed beneficial and should as it helped students concentrate
on the tests without being distracted by phones ringing or people calling out. More
importantly, as its main aim, it helped to keep the exam fair in order to assess students’
true ability.
VOCABULARY
1. crucial (adjective): extremely important, because it will affect other things (quan
trọng)
Eg: Parents play a crucial role in preparing their children for adult life.
2. determine (verb): decide in a definite direction (quyet dinh)
Eg: His performance in the interview will determine whether he gets the job.
3. path (noun): a plan of action or a way of achieving something (con đường)
Eg: Working hard is the most certain path to success.
4. fair (adjective): treating everyone equally and according to the rules or law (công
bằng)
Eg: It's not fair! He always gets more than me.
5. permit (verb): to allow somebody to do something or to allow something to happen
(cho phép)
Eg: Visitors are not permitted to take photographs.
6. let alone (idiom): used after a statement to emphasize that, because the first thing is
not true or possible, the next thing cannot be true or possible either (chưa nói đến)
Eg: There isn't enough room at the table for us, let alone any guests.
7. disqualify (verb): to prevent somebody from doing something because they have
broken a rule or are not suitable (loại khỏi)
Eg: He was disqualified from the competition for using drugs.
8. prevent (verb): to stop somebody from doing something; to stop something from
happening (ngăn chặn)
Eg: No one can prevent you from attending this meeting if you wish to go.
9. state (verb): to formally write or say something, especially in a careful and clear way
(tuyên bố, nói rõ)
Eg: The facts are clearly stated in the report.
10. prior (adjective): happening or existing before something else or before a particular
time (trước)
Eg: Please give us prior notice if you need an evening meal.
11. notification (noun): the act of giving or receiving official information about
something (thông báo)
Eg: You will receive a notification of our decision in the next week.
12. surprise (noun): a feeling caused by something happening suddenly or unexpectedly
(sự ngạc nhiên)
Eg: To everyone's surprise, the plan succeeded.
13. underestimate (verb): to not realize how good, strong, determined, etc. somebody
really is (đánh giá thấp)
Eg: Never underestimate your opponent or you will lose.
14. break a rule (expression): not follow a rule (phá luật)
Eg: He was punished for breaking school rules.
15. hit (verb): to have a bad effect on somebody/something (gây ảnh hưởng xấu)
Eg: His death didn't really hit me at first, but when I realised I broke down and cried.
16. bother (verb): to interrupt somebody; to talk to or distract somebody when they do
not want to talk to you (làm phiền)
Eg: Stop bothering me when I'm working.
17. monitor (verb): to watch and check something over a period of time in order to see
how it develops, so that you can make any necessary changes (giám sát)
Eg: Each student's progress is closely monitored.
18. remind (verb): to help somebody remember something, especially something
important that they must do (nhắc nhở)
Eg: I called to remind him about the party.
19. inconvenience (noun): trouble or problems, especially concerning what you need or
would like yourself (sự bất tiện)
Eg: I chose a different route to avoid the inconvenience of going through the town
centre.
20. beneficial (adjective): having a helpful or useful effect (có lợi)
Eg: Work experience is usually highly beneficial for students.
21. distract (verb): to take somebody’s attention away from what they are trying to do
(gây xao nhãng)
Eg: Don't talk to her—she's very easily distracted.
22. assess (verb): to make a judgement about the nature or quality of
somebody/something (đánh giá)
Eg: Interviews allow you to assess the suitability of candidates.
108. Describe a kind of foreign food you have had

You should say
What it is
Where you had it
How often you have it/ Which occasion you had it
And say if you liked the dish or not
Or
And explain why you wanted to try this dish
ANSWER
One of my favorite types of foreign foods is tteokbokki, or spicy sticky rice cake. This is
a popular Korean food made from rice cake dipped in hot and sweet chili sauce, and
some people may add spring onions, sesame seeds or fish cakes according to their own
tastes. I think this is a perfect dish for the winter, especially for those freezing cold days.
The first time I had a chance to eat tteokbokki was when I was in grade 11. It was a
typical winter day and my friends asked me if I would like to try some Korean food that
could “warm me up” right away. I was kind of free and also a bit curious as the only type
of Korean food that I’d ever tried was kimbap – you know, the Korean sushi. Anyway I
said yes, and they took me to a newly-opened Korean food stall near my school. I was
awestruck once I saw the dish – it was full of chili sauce and I myself was not a big fan
of very spicy foods. I seriously struggled a lot to eat that dish. It took me quite a long
time to clean my plate and I had to drink lots of water while I was eating. But something
strange happened: I kind of missed the taste of that dish some weeks later. And you
know what, the more I ate it, the better it tasted to me! It was like I grew quite addicted
to tteokbokki in a sense.
And well, it’s been several years and I still like this dish very much. I still eat it now and
then, and I seriously would highly recommend it to everyone who can eat spicy foods.
VOCABULARY:
Dip [verb] (nhúng) To put something quickly into a liquid and take it out again.
e.g. Dip these strawberries into chocolate sauce – they will taste delicious.
Sesame [noun] (vừng) A tall annual herbaceous plant of tropical and subtropical areas of
the Old World, cultivated for its oil-rich seeds.
e.g. I bought some bread today, covered with sesame seeds.
Newly [adverb] (mới/gần đây) Only just; recently

e.g. If I continue with this newly acquired skill of holding my breath, I may still survive.
In a/one sense [expression] (theo một cách nào đó) By a particular interpretation of a
statement or situation
e.g. In one sense, his death was a relief, because he was suffering with a lot of pain
throughout his long illness.
109. Describe a holiday you want to go on in the future

You should say:
- Where this place is
- Who you would like to go with
- What you would do there
- explain why you want to go there
Well, for a future vacation, as something of an ecotourist, Da Lat city is on the top of my
list. It is a renowned destination in the south of Vietnam. I’m going to tell you some
ideas about a great vacation in Da Lat that popped up in my mind.
I would go there on my own and choose a homestay rather than a hotel in order to
experience the intimate and affectionate lifestyle of Da Lat farmers. It’s kind of
community-based tourism, which means that during my homestay, I would mingle with
simple farmers who make local agricultural products; participate in their daily activities,
go to market, buy food, cook traditional local dishes, cultivate, look after and harvest
crops; study, visit local tourist attractions and historic sites.
In short, I would become an amateur farmer. Very soon, I could be able to join new
family members to embark on harvesting agricultural products. And I would also help
sort out products prior to delivering them to wholesale outlets.
Moreover, I would be able to enjoy Da Lat’s distinctive mild climate along with misty
weather which makes this small city the ideal destination for a holiday escape away from
the busy metropolises. In terms of attractions, I would have tons of choices. The natural
wonders of Langbiang Mountain, Xuan Huong Lake, Doi Thong Hai Mo and the Valley
of Love top the list. On the cultural and historical side, Bao Dai Summer Palace,
Domaine de Marie Church and Truc Lam Monastery are the treasures that hold the rich
history and culture of Da Lat and the region.
I believe the happy days shared in Da Lat would make me want to stay forever and never
have to say farewell. And with all the knowledge and valuable experience during my
stay, I would enrich my experiences in life and be more successful.
VOCABULARY
1. ecotourist [noun] a person who goes on an organised vacation that is designed so that
the tourist damages the environment as little as possible
Eg: She is an ecotourist who spends every vacation helping on organic farms.
2. renowned [adjective] famous for something (nổi tiếng)
Eg: The region is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty.
3. pop up [phrasal verb] to appear or happen, especially suddenly or unexpectedly (bật
ra, xuất hiện đột ngột)
Eg: She's one of those movie stars who pops up everywhere, on TV, in magazines, on
Broadway.
4. affectionate [adjective] showing feelings of liking or love (yêu thích)
Eg: His books show an affectionate understanding of rural life in Vietnam.
5. mingle [verb] to mix or combine, or be mixed or combined (trộn lẫn)
Eg: The excitement of starting a new job is always mingled with a certain apprehension.
6. outlet [noun] a company or organization that sells goods of a particular type from a
store or shop
Eg: The farming cooperative have a large warehouse which is an outlet for all its
products.
7. metropolis [noun] a very large city, often the most important city in a large area or
country (đô thị)
Eg: Soon afterwards he left the countryside to begin his career in the metropolis.
8. farewell [noun] an occasion when someone says goodbye (tạm biệt)
Eg: He bid us both an affectionate farewell.
110. Describe an interesting house or apartment you visited

You should say
what it looked like
how big it was
where it was located
and explain why you find it interesting
ANSWER
I’m going to talk about my uncle’s house, which I first visited when I had just graduated.
It is a palatial house which is located near the city centre.
It is a splendid house with a lovely swimming pool and a huge garage in Tay Ho District,
Ha Noi. The land area is 300 sq.m with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a living room and
modern kitchen. I have to say that is naturally illuminated, with its floor-to-ceiling
windows. The walk out deck in the back yard offers a pleasant and quiet space for the
family beside the pool, while the downstairs family room is a great place for kids or
adults to play or watch movies. The house is spacious but still cosy because it is
elaborately decorated with wooden floors and antique furniture.
The most striking thing about the house is its gigantic fish tank wall. It’s extremely eye-
catching. Right from the moment you enter the living room, you can see this unique
feature. It’s full of saltwater fish. The tank is gorgeously framed in teak to match the
woodwork of the room. My uncle said that building an aquarium into a wall was always
his dream, and he made it reality. I felt like being one of his admirers after hearing those
words because I was still on my way to purchasing my own dream – an average
apartment in the city centre. I hope someday I can tell my nephew the same thing that my
uncle told me.
Vocabulary
1. palatial [adjective] A palatial house is very large and beautiful (nguy nga, lộng lẫy)
Eg: The President lives in a palatial residence, with no less than 30 rooms.
2. splendid [adjective] excellent, or beautiful and impressive (tuyệt đẹp, tuyệt vời)
Eg: It is splendid to feel the wind blowing in my face and the lively movement of my
horse.
3. illuminate [verb] to light something and make it brighter (chiếu sáng)
Eg: The streets were illuminated with strings of coloured lights.
4. floor-to-ceiling [adjective] used for describing things such as windows or pieces of
furniture that are the full height of a wall. (từ sàn đến trần)
Eg: A dramatic floor to ceiling stone fireplace is the focal point in this living room.
5. cosy [adjective] comfortable and pleasant, especially (of a building) because of being
small and warm (ấm cúng)
Eg: This small living room is nice and cosy in the winter.
6. elaborately [adverb] containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts (nhiều chi
tiết)
Eg: The dancers leading the procession were dressed elaborately in colorful costumes.
7. striking [adjective] interesting and unusual enough to attract attention (bắt mắt)
Eg: The hotel staff wore striking red and white uniforms.
8. eye-catching [adjective] very attractive or noticeable (bắt mắt)
Eg: She was very beautiful and the diamond ring on her finger was quite eye-catching.
9. unique [adjective] very special and unusual, often the only one of its type (độc đáo)
Eg: He has a unique talent for painting, so it is not surprising that he wants to be an artist.
10. gorgeously [adverb] in a very beautiful and attractive way (một cách tuyệt đẹp)
Eg: She was gorgeously dressed in the most fashionable designer clothes.
11. frame [verb] to put or make a frame or border around something (đóng khung)
Eg: I have framed my favourite photo of my parents and put it in my living room.
111. Describe the most polite person you know

You should say
who this person is
how you met him/ her
whether you enjoy his/ her company or not
and explain why do you think him/ her to be the most polite person.
ANSWER
Today I’m going to talk about my college teacher, the most well-mannered person I
know. Her name is Xuan Dung and she is my speaking teacher and thesisadvisor. She is
my favourite teacher at college because she is always nice to students and treats them
with respect rather than as someone inferior to her, as other teachers often do.
The way my teacher shows politeness is very natural, and does not seem forced at all. I
have to say her manners are impeccable. She always says “Thank you” when we do
anything helpful or hand in assignments by deadline, or greets us with ‘Good morning,
how are we all feeling today?’. When we give presentations in front of class, she is
always all ears no matter how boring they are. This really makes us feel warm and self-
confident because in other classes, other teachers sometimes pay little attention or even
interrupt us. At the end of every presentation, she will give nice feedback about both the
strengths and weaknesses of each group. This encourages us a lot. I still remember a
time when she was so terribly sick that she couldn’t come to class, she posted a
notification on Facebook in which she didn’t forget to apologize.
She is our role model for good manners, and how to be grateful/appreciative towards
other people. I’m so lucky to have such a polite and sensible teacher like her. Thanks to
her, I try to be always polite with others even when they don’t treat me well.
VOCABULARY:
1. well-mannered (adjective): having good manners (lịch sự)
Eg: My uncle is the most well-mannered gentleman I have ever known.
2. thesis (noun): a long piece of writing completed by a student as part of a university
degree, based on their own research (luận văn)
Eg: Students must submit a thesis on an agreed subject within four years.
3. advisor (noun): a person who gives advice, especially somebody who knows a lot
about a particular subject (người cố vấn)
Eg: Students can sit down with a careers advisor and discuss what to do next.
4. inferior (adjective): not good or not as good as somebody/something else (thua kém)
Eg: Women are often regarded as inferior, although public attitudes are now changing.
5. forced (adjective): not sincere; not the result of genuine emotions (giả tạo)
Eg: She said she was enjoying herself but her smile was forced.
6. manner (noun): the way that somebody behaves towards other people (thái độ, cử chỉ)
Eg: I got into trouble if I didn’t show good manners towards/toward other people.
7. impeccable (adjective): without mistakes or faults (hoàn hảo)
Eg: Her written English is impeccable and she should score 100% in the exam.
8. deadline (noun): a point in time by which something must be done (hạn cuối)
Eg: The deadline for applications is 30 April.
9. greet (verb): to say hello to somebody or to welcome them (chào)
Eg: She greeted us with a smile.
10. be all ears (idiom): to be waiting with interest to hear what somebody has to say
(lắng nghe)
Eg: ‘Do you know what he said?’ ‘Go on—I'm all ears.’
11. feedback (noun): advice, criticism or information about how good or useful
something or somebody’s work is (phản hồi)
Eg: The teacher will give you feedback on the test.
12. strength (noun): a quality or an ability that a person or thing has that gives them an
advantage (thế mạnh)
Eg: The ability to keep calm is one of her many strengths.
13. weakness (noun): a weak point in a system, somebody’s character, etc. (điểm yếu)
Eg: We all have our weaknesses, and my weakness is that I have no patience.
14. terribly (adverb): very much; very badly (rất tệ)
Eg: The experiment went terribly wrong and some people were injured.
15. notification (noun): the act of giving or receiving official information about
something (thông báo)
Eg: You will receive a notification of our decision in the next week.
16. apologize (to somebody) (for something) (verb): to say that you are sorry for doing
something wrong or causing a problem (xin lỗi)
Eg: She apologized for being late.
17. model (noun): a person or thing that is considered an excellent example of something
(hình mẫu)
Eg: He’s a model student who works hard and participates actively in class.
18. grateful (adjective): feeling or showing thanks because somebody has done
something kind for you or has done as you asked (biết ơn)
Eg: I am extremely grateful to all the teachers for their help.
19. appreciative (adjective): feeling or showing that you are grateful for something (trân
trọng, biết ơn)
Eg: My boss was very appreciative of my hard work on the new project.
20. sensible (adjective): able to make good judgements based on reason and experience
rather than emotion; useful and practical (sáng suốt, hợp lý)
Eg: Choose a sensible diet and stick to it.
112. Describe two people you know from one family

You should say:
Who they are
How you knew them
What they are like
And explain why they left an impression on you
ANSWER
I study in the same class with a couple of twins, which is really intriguing. Although the
brothers are twins and brought up by both parents, they are quite different from each
other, in terms of appearance and disposition.
At first sight, you wouldn’t even realize they are twins. While the elder looks mature and
calm, the younger one appears to be very naughty. Besides, they have dissimilar strengths
and weaknesses. The older one always has impressive scholastic performances while his
brother excels at sports and arts. More interestingly, some of our teachers were really
surprised to find out that they are twins and even did not believe the first time.
Particularly, their characteristics are not alike. The younger one is usually considered
as a rebellious boy who acts really cool. Unlike his brother, the older one is well-
mannered, considerate and sociable. However, my class likes both of them as they are
both good-looking and always take a full part in every activity. When we visit their
home, we see them help their parents do the housework or play with their younger sister.
Despite significant differences, they still get alonglike a house on fire and really care
for each other. Therefore, I think no matter how much differences and contradictions, you
are still attached to your family members and always look outfor them.
VOCABULARY:
1. intriguing [adjective]: very interesting : lý thú
Eg: These discoveries raised intriguing questions.
2. disposition [noun]: the natural qualities of a person’s character : tính tình
Eg: Linh has a cheerful disposition, which makes everybody love her.
3. mature [adjective]: behaving in a sensible way, like an adult : trưởng thành
Eg: In my opinion, Jane is very mature for her age.
4. weakness [noun]: a weak point in a system, sb’s character, etc. : khiếm khuyết
Eg: It’s very important to know about your strengths and weaknesses.
5. impressive [adjective]: making people feel admiration, because they are very large,
good, skillful, etc. : gây ấn tượng
Eg: The renowned singer gave an impressive performance yesterday.
6. excel [verb]: to be very good at doing something: rất giỏi việc gì
Eg: My sister excels at all sports, and she’s won a lot of competitions.
7. particularly [adverb]: especially : đặc biệt là
Eg: All of them were upset by his death, particularly his wife and son.
8. characteristic [n]: a typical feature or quality that sb/sth has : đặc điểm
Eg: The two groups of children have quite different characteristics.
9. rebellious [adjective]: unwilling to obey rules or accept normal standards of behavior,
dress, etc.: thích nổi loạn
Eg: Teenagers are usually rebellious and are often in conflict with their parents.
10. cool [adjective]: confident, but in a way which shows a lack of respect for other
people (ngầu)
Eg: He thinks it is cool to fool around during lessons, but his classmates don’t approve of
his behaviour.
11. well-mannered [adjective]: having good manners : hành xử tốt
Eg: Raised carefully by his parents, Minh is well-mannered.
12. considerate [adjective]: always thinking of other people’s wishes and feelings;
careful not to hurt or upset others : chu đáo
Eg: She is always polite and considerate towards her employees, allowing the time off
work when they need it.
13. significant [adjective]: large or important enough to have an effect or to be noticed :
đáng kể
Eg: Your work has shown a significant improvement, you must be working harder.
14. get along like a house on fire [expression] to have a very good relationship (chơi rất
hợp với ai đó)
Eg: My mother and my mother-in-law get along like a house on fire, they are more like
best friends.
15. look out for [phrasal verb]: to take care of somebody and make sure that nothing bad
happens to them: để mắt tới, trông chừng
Eg: My older brother used to look out for me at school, so that I was never bullied.
113. Describe an unforgettable experience you have had

You should say:
where it was
what you did
why you had this experience
and explain why you remember this experience well.
ANSWER
A few months ago, after giving the matter a lot of thought, I enrolled in a charity group to
take part in their charitable event. It took place in the winter, when poor people have to
suffer from the cold and extreme weather. Therefore, we decided to bring presents for
the children in an orphanage in a distant area. From the experience, I have learned many
valuable lessons, which I will never forget.
Only when you come into contact with homeless kids could you understand how
miserable their life is. With inadequate facilities and resources, orphans cannot get
access to things that other children have and they have to lean on each other to live day
by day. In contrast, there are many children, especially those in wealthy families
nowadays who take their comfortable life for granted and show no appreciation for their
parents. Through interaction and sharing in the day on which we organized the event, I
saw many of the orphans were really resilient and positive despite their hardships. When
they saw us, they all smiled beautifully and welcomed us with much affection and
gratitude.
After the charity work, I reflected and found myself really fortunate to have a close-knit
family who always support me with love and great attention. Most importantly, I realized
what humans should really do is to share love and sympathy for others, not to pursue
fame and money relentlessly for personal purposes.
VOCABULARY:
1. extreme [adjective]: not ordinary or usual; serious or severe : khắc nghiệt
Eg: This city is notorious for its extreme weather conditions.
2. orphanage [noun]: a home for children whose parents are dead : trại mồ côi
Eg: Our event next year will take place at the orphanage and the children there are very
excited.
3. miserable [adjective]: very unhappy or uncomfortable: cực khổ
Eg: She led a miserable life, which was filled with misfortunes.
4. inadequate [adjective]: not enough, not good enough : không đầy đủ
Eg: The food supplies are inadequate to meet the needs of customers.
5. wealthy [adjective]: having a lot of money, possessions : giàu có
Eg: Singapore is a wealthy and developed nation.
6. (to) take sth for granted [expression]: take sth as very normal, therefore showing no
appreciation for it : coi cái gì như là điều dĩ nhiên
Eg: She used to take her parent’s care for granted, until she later realized how much
they had helped her.
7. resilient [adjective]: able to feel better quickly after sth unpleasant such as shock,
misfortunes: kiên cường
Eg: He will get over it soon because he is amazingly resilient.
8. gratitude [noun]: the feeling of being grateful and wanting to express your thanks: sự
biết ơn
Eg: She was presented with the gift in gratitude for her long service.
9. fortunate [adjective]: having or bringing an advantage, an opportunity, a piece of good
luck: may mắn
Eg: I have been fortunate enough to visit many parts of the world.
10. close-knit [adjective]: having a strong relationship with each other: khăng khít
Eg: This is a small, friendly town, which has a close-knit community.
11. sympathy [noun]: the feeling of being sorry for sb; showing that you understand and
care about sb’s problem : sự thông cảm
Eg: I have no sympathy for him because what he did is unacceptable.
12. (to) pursue [verb]: to do sth or try to achieve sth over a period of time : theo đuổi
Eg: She wishes to pursue a medical career.
114. Describe a well-paid job that you will be good at

You should say
what the job was
how you knew this job
how you feel about this job.
and explain why you think you will be good at it
ANSWER
Well, I think I will be most successful at being an English teacher. From my own
perspective, whether you receive a satisfactory salary or not largely depends on your
ability, interest, temperament and inclination.
My major is English and I’m also learning how to disseminate knowledge to others in an
effective way. Therefore, teaching English would be a suitable option, from which I can
benefit a lot. In my opinion, you will always succeed if you do what you love. Besides, as
I’m quite patient with kids, there won’t be much difficulty in teaching them. Although it
can be challenging for the first time, the experience will always be rewarding.
Practically, English is an international language, which requires one’s pursuit of this
language, if he or she wants to make substantial career advancements. In my country,
where English is not a mother tongue, the demand for learning it is omnipresent. People
learn English out of communicative, academic, diplomatic and other considerations. In
fact, numerous parents have invested a lot of money for their children to learn English, in
the hope of a better future for them. If I try to enhance my knowledge and teaching
ability over time, I believe that I will have more students and have an enviable income.
VOCABULARY:
1. perspective [noun]: a particular attitude towards sth; a way of thinking about sth :
quan điểm
Eg: His experience abroad provides a wider perspective on the problem.
2. satisfactory [adjective]: good enough for a particular purpose : thỏa mãn
Eg: Your work yesterday was satisfactory but not outstanding.
3. temperament [noun]: a person’s or an animal’s nature as shown in the way they
behave or react to situations or people : tính khí
Eg: Phuong is a dreamer and a romantic by temperament.
4. inclination [noun]: a tendency to do sth: khuynh hướng, bản năng
Eg: There is an inclination to treat geography as a less important subject.
5. (to) disseminate [verb]: to spread information, knowledge, etc. : truyền bá
Eg: Their findings have been widely disseminated by the media.
6. effective [adjective]: producing the result that is wanted or intende: hiệu quả
Eg: Putting more police officers on the streets is an effective way to reduce crime.
7. patient [adjective]: able to wait for a long time or accept annoying behavior or
difficulties without becoming angry: kiên nhẫn
Eg: Linh can become a good mother because she is very patient with children.
8. pursuit [noun]: the act of looking for or trying to find sth: sự theo đuổi
Eg: She travelled the world in pursuit of her dreams.
9. substantial [adjective]: large in amount, value or importance : đáng kể
Eg: Substantial numbers of people showed their support for the reform.
10. omnipresent [adjective]: everywhere : xuất hiện khắp mọi nơi
Eg: The mobile phone is omnipresent in this day and age.
11. (to) enhance [verb]: to increase or further improve the good quality, value or status of
sth/sb : cải thiện
Eg: This is an opportunity to enhance the reputation of the company.
12. enviable [adjective]: sth that is enviable is the sort of thing that is good and that other
people want to have too : đáng ghen tị
Eg: He is in the enviable position of having two job offers to choose from.
115. Describe a kind of weather you like
You should say:
What is the type of weather
Why it is your favorite weather
Where you can experience such weather conditions.
I guess I could begin by saying something about what the type of weather is, and I
suppose I would have to choose cloudy weather. It may sound strange as most people
hate it when the sky is full of clouds because it is dreary and sometimes it gets people
down,
However, the reason why my favorite weather is when it is cloudy, windy and drizzling
is that it makes me feel calm and relaxed. I am particularly into such weather especially
at night because I can hear the little raindrops falling and see them running down my
window, which helps me to sleep. It is very pleasant.
Also, I love fog, which often comes with cloudy weather . It's very romantic and gives
me a sort of feeling like I'm in an old black and white movie. On the other hand, I don't
like heavy rains and downpours as I would probably get drenched if I got caught in the
rain. And I hate when the temperature falls below zero, it's so cold that I tend to stay
indoors as much as possible.
Probably, the type of weather I like is common for the United Kingdom and the best time
to experience it would be during the autumn there. However, in my hometown such
weather only occurs in the spring. Usually, we have dry and sunny days with occasional
rainy spells.
Vocabulary:
1. Dreary: [adjective] dull and making you feel sad or bored / ảm đạm, thê lương
Example: I was living in a dreary apartment in a run-down part of town.
2. Get somebody down: [phrasal verb] Making people sad, shocked and upset / khiến ai
đó buồn
Example: The chaos in his house was starting to get him down.
3. Drizzle: [verb] rain lightly / mưa phùn
Example: It’s drizzling outside, so take your umbrella because it may rain more heavily
later.
4. Raindrop: [noun] a single drop of rain / hạt mưa
Example: The first thunderclap brought down raindrops and hailstones as big as
marbles. Example: I was living in a dreary apartment in a run-down part of town.
5. Downpour: [noun] a heavy rainfall / mưa lớn
Example: A sudden downpour had filled the gutters and drains.
6. Get drenched: [expression] to get very wet / ướt nhẹp
Example: The cat got drenched as it was caught in the rain.
7. Get caught in the rain: [expression] to be outside when it rains unexpectedly / dính
mưa
Example: He has a cold as he got caught in the rain yesterday.
8. Fall below zero: [expression] to become negative / nhiệt độ xuống âm
Example: In recent years, the temperature of northern Vietnam has begun to fall below
zero.
9. Rainy spells: [noun phrase] periods of rainy weather / đợt mưa
Example: There are rainy spells during the summer.
116. Describe a popular place where people like to go swimming.

You should say:
Where is it it is
What it is like
Who likes to go there
Why it is a popular place for swimming
Today I’ll tell you about a place where a lot of people go to take a swim. It’s My Khe
beach in Danang, which is a coastal city in central Vietnam. Danang is dubbed one of
the world’s ‘most attractive cities to live in’ and I guess one of the biggest reasons why is
the breath-taking My Khe beach. The beach isn’t private or secluded and is open to the
public so it attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists who flock there every year.
Though My Khe is not the only beach in Danang, it’s certainly a place not to be missed
as My Khe has always been extolled for its crystal clear water and fine sand dunes.
Additionally, there is a variety of recreational activities available for people coming here.
There are, for example, swimming or, for those who can’t swim, taking a dip or a stroll
along the shore, snorkeling, sunbathing and building sand castles for young children. Not
only is My Khe widely-known among domestic travellers, it has a reputation among
outbound tourists as well, so it’s fair to say that the beach is loved by all kinds of
visitors.
As I was saying, My Khe is famous for its clear water and splendid beach scenery and is
ideal for both swimming and beach activities, though, like most places, we are at the
mercy of the weather. The fabulousbeach is undoubtedly the biggest reason why My
Khe draws tourists like a magnet.
Vocabulary:
1. Coastal city (thành phố biển) [noun]: a city which is situated on the coast
Example: Being a coastal city, Danang has a number of beautiful beaches.
2. To be dubbed something (được gọi là) [phrase]: to be given the name, to be called
Example: Michael Jackson is dubbed the king of pop for his numerous hit pop songs.
3. Secluded (hẻo lánh) [adj]: sheltered or screened from general activity, view, etc
Example: The cottage nestles at the foot of the mountain, secluded from the busy town.
4. To be open to the public (công cộng, ai cũng có thể đến) [phrase]: to be available for
everyone
Example: Ba Dinh square is open to the public so anyone can go there.
5. To flock (đổ xô đến) [verb]: to go to or gather at a particular place in large numbers
Example: People flocked to the cinema to see the new James Bond film.
6. To extolled for something (được ca ngợi vì điều gì) [phrase]: to be highly praised for
something
Example: The restaurant has always been extolled for its professional service and
delicious food.
7. Crystal clear (trong như pha lê) [expression]: absolutely clear; transparent; lucid
Example: The water is crystal clear. You can see all the fish and turtles if you look
down.
8. Domestic traveller (khách du lịch trong nước) [noun phrase]: people who travel
within their native country
Example: The place is so remote even domestic travellers know little about it.
9. Outbound tourist (khách du lịch từ nước ngoài) [noun phrase]: a tourist from a
foreign country
Example: Being the most popular coastal city in Vietnam, Danang is well known to both
native and foreign travellers. It attracts a great number of outbound tourists every year.
10. The mercy of the weather (phải phụ thuộc vào điều kiện thời tiết) [expression]: to be
dependent on weather conditions – good or bad.
Example: We are going for a picnic on Sunday, but rain is forecast so we will be at the
mercy of the weather.
11. To draw like a magnet (có sức thu hút vô cùng lớn) [expression]: to strongly attract
somebody
Example: The arrival of the circus in the town drew people like a magnet from all of the
surrounding areas.
117. Describe an experience of good service in a shop or a restaurant.

When
Where
What
And explain why you think it was good service.
ANSWER
Let me tell about this one time I experienced exceptional service at a restaurant. It was
my 18th birthday and my family came up with the idea of celebrating the night by eating
out. The first thing to pop up into our minds was going to a fancy restaurant but
somehow, we ended up having our dinner at a reputable family restaurant nearby.
On entering the place, we were impressed by the restaurant’s cozy and homely decor as
well as the courteousness of the servers, who allocated us the limited window seats
right away as a privilege after hearing that it was my birthday. Additionally, the waiters
were patient and attentive, and we only had to wait for about 10 minutes to be served,
even though we ordered quite a lavish amount of food. Most importantly, the dishes
were so succulent that we couldn’t have imagined they were merely home food.
However, the real highlight of the meal would be the surprise discount offered by the
restaurant owner, which we refused in the end. Being able to enjoy delectable dishes
while spending quality time with my family really made my day, not to mention not
havingto pay through the nose for the experience.
Vocabulary
1. Reputable (có danh tiếng) [adj]: generally considered to be honest, reliable, and
famous
Example: Harvard is one of the most reputable universities in the world.
2. Cozy (ấm cúng) [adj]: warm and comfortable, and making you feel relaxed
Example: A cozy home is the greatest comfort after a hard working day.
3. Courteousness (sự lịch sự, ga-lăng) [noun]: the quality of being polite, especially in
a formal way
Example: Hotel staff must be courteous at all times to provide the customers with the best
service.
4. To allocate somebody something (phân cho ai đó cái gì, việc gì) [phrase]: to
officially give something to someone, or to decide that something can be used for a
specific purpose
Example:We allocate each student a personaltutor so that they can seek help with their
studies.
5. Attentive (chăm chú, chu đáo) [adj]: behaving in a way that shows you care about
someone and are willing to help them
Example: Service at this small hotel is friendly and attentive.
6. A lavish amount of something (một lượng rất lớn, rất nhiều cái gì) [phrase]: a
huge amount of something
Example: We ordered a lavish amount of food to serve a party of 20 people.
7. Succulent (mọng và ngon) [adj]: full of juice and tastes good
Example: The hamburger was so succulent. It was juicy and absolutely delicious.
8. Delectable (ngon lành) [adj]: very pleasant, especially to eat or drink
Example: My mom is a talented cook; her dishes are always delectable.
9. To make one’s day (làm nên một ngày vui vẻ/đáng nhớ của ai đó) [expression]: To
ensure the pleasure and distinction of one's whole day
Example: Being gifted with flowers on Women’s Day really makes a girl’s day.
10. To pay through the nose for something (trả rất nhiều tiền cho cái gì)
[expression]: to pay a lot of money for something
Example: He had to pay through the nose for his new sports car.
118. 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
ANSWER
My favorite outdoor activity is jogging. It’s a kind of running at a slow or leisurely pace
that helps to build up your physical fitness. I much prefer to go jogging in open spaces
like parks or lakesides. There, you can
enjoy fresh air and watch people doing various types of physical activity such as
running, aerobic exercises, playing badminton, and so on.
I normally go jogging in the morning with my close friend either at weekends, or in

the afternoon, after a tiring schoolday. We often chat together while we’re jogging,
sharing with each other stories about school or sometimes discussing stuff that is
going viral on the Internet.
I love jogging because it’s beneficial to our health, that goes without saying, and it
does not require as much stamina as fast running . Moreover, unlike other forms of
exercise, jogging is quite easy to do and it allows me to watch people and things as I
pass by. I think it’s really relaxing and inspiring to see the world around us, watching
everyone keeping active doing their own thing and feeling part of it all when I’m
out jogging.
VOCABULARY
at a slow /leisurely pace (với nhịp độ chậm rãi) [expression] at a slow speed/
unhurriedly
Example: You can even read at a leisurely pace, as these books have no due
dates and can be returned at any time.
build up [phrasal verb] make somebody stronger and fitter

Example: I am training to build up my fitness for the race.
physical fitness (thể chât) [n] general state of health and well-being
Example: Researchers have suggested that physical fitness may play a key role
in improving the brain health and academic performance of youngsters.
various (nhiều)[a] many/ several different
Example: She spoke to various members of the club.
stuff [n] items or products in general – informal – without specifying what they
are
Example: The shop sells i-pads, laptops and stuff like that.
go viral (lan truyền) [idiom] spread quickly and widely among Internet users
Example: “Gangnam Style” is a video that went viral several years ago, even
though most of us don’t understand a word of it.
Beneficial (có lợi)[a] helpful, useful

Example: The improvement in sales figure had a beneficial influence on the
company as a whole.
goes without saying (không cần phải nói) [idiom] be generally accepted or
understood
Example: It goes without saying that you will improve your skills with practice.
require (yêu cầu)[v] need (something)

Example: Skiing at 80 miles per hour requires total concentration.
stamina [n] physical or mental strength that enables you to do something difficult
for a long period of time
Example: You need a lot of stamina to run a marathon.
doing their own thing [expression] following their own interests, without
worrying about what other people think
Example: When young people leave home to live abroad, they enjoy doing their
own thing, because they have more freedom to follow their interests.
119. Describe an occasion when you unexpectedly met someone you know.
You should say:
who it was
where you met this person
what you did when you met
and explain why you were surprised to meet this person.
ANSWER:
- Well, it doesn’t happen a lot when you unexpectedly meet someone you know. But a
couple of days ago when I was out for lunch, I bumped into a high school classmate
whom I haven’t seen since we graduated.
- I was walking along the street when I saw him standing in front of a restaurant. He
hasn’t changed a bit, so I recognized him right away. I approached him and said hi;
however, it took him a while to realize that I was his high school classmate. At that
moment, I felt very awkward. Luckily, it didn’t last long and we started to give each
other a quick update about our lives recently, such as where we are working currently,
our families and, of course, we swapped phone numbers and promised to keep in touch
in future.
- Since we were both in a hurry, we didn’t spend much time chatting to each other.
However, it always feels good when you unexpectedly meet a long-lost friend. If we had
had more time, we’d probably have reminisced about our high school memories with all
the crazy things that we did back then.
VOCABULARY:
bump into: [phrasal verb] to meet unexpectedly by accident.
Example: To my surprise, I bumped into my English teacher in the supermarket.
he hasn’t changed a bit: [verb phrase] he looks or acts exactly the same.
Example: My uncle looks the same as in the photos of him 20 years ago. It‟s amazing, he
hasn’t changed a bit.
right away: [adverb] immediately
Example: This message is very urgent, so please send it right away.
awkward: [adjective] making you feel embarrassed.

Example: At the restaurant, my friend had to pay for our meal. It was an awkward
situation, because I had forgotten to bring any money !
update: [noun] a report containing the most recent information.

Example: I planned to go to the beach, so I checked on the Internet for an update on the
weather forecast.
swap: [verb] to give something to somebody and receive something in exchange.

Example: I swapped places with a man on the bus, so that I could sit near the front.
keep in touch: [verb phrase] to communicate with somebody, especially by writing or

telephoning.
Example: Most young people nowadays keep in touch by e-mailing or texting their
friends.
chat: [verb] to talk in a friendly, informal way to somebody

Example: I decided to invite my friend for a coffee, so we could chat about our recent
holidays
a long-lost friend: [noun] a friend that you have not seen for a long time.
Example: At the bus station, I bumped into a long-lost friend that I had not seen since
my school days.
reminisce: [verb] to think, talk or write about a happy time in your past.
Example: My father often reminisces about his years at university.
back then: [adverb] at a particular time in the past.

Example: I remember when I visited Thailand many years ago. Back then, there were
very few tourists.
120. Describe a time when (you think) someone (you know) did not tell you the
complete truth.
what the situation was: Being lied to or telling a lie to somebody is a common situation
in our daily life. I myself have experienced it before and I remember vividly one occasion
when I was a pupil in secondary school.
who did not tell you the whole truth, in what way did they not tell you the whole truth
(= what they said or did not say that was a lie) : One day, I came to class and saw that
my friend had a big bruise under her left eye. I was really worried, so I asked my friend
what had happened to her. She said that she was fine; she had accidentally hit her head on
the wall that morning. She pretended that it had been nothing more than a simple mishap.
who did not tell you the whole truth, in what way did they not tell you the whole truth
(= what they said or did not say that was a lie) : Later that day, after class, I found her
crying in the corner of the parking lot. Knowing that something terrible had occurred, I
ran to her and hugged her. She sobbed and told me that that morning her parents had been
fighting and she had tried to stop them. Somehow, her father had accidentally hit her in
the face. At that moment, I felt sorry for her although she had lied to me earlier. For the
first time, I thought to myself that, sometimes, being lied to is not that bad at all,
especially when the lie is not intended to hurt anybody.
VOCABULARY
remembered vividly = I remembered very clearly, like the experience had just happened.
bruise = a blue or brown mark that appears on the skin after somebody has been hit.
mishap = a small accident which is not serious.
hugged = put my arms around her and held her tightly to comfort her.
sobbed = cried, breathing heavily at the same time as she was crying.
thought to myself = to think about something without talking about it to anyone.
121. Describe an indoor game that you played when you were a child
You should say:
what the game was
who you played it with
how you played it
where you played it
and explain why you liked playing that game.
ANSWER:
- An indoor game that I liked to play when I was a child was badminton. It started when
I was in 6th grade. At that time, I was living near my uncle‟s house. Every morning, he
would wake me and my cousins up early and drive us to the sport center near our house.
- It was actually a badminton class, so we had teachers and other students too. We
practiced badminton here for an hour. During the summer holiday, we even stayed
there for another half an hour. Just like tennis, you can play badminton as a singles
match or doubles match. The rules are pretty much the same as tennis. The only
difference is that the badminton shuttlecock is lighter than the tennis ball, thus, it
requires less strength.
- Due to my short-sightedness, I was not very good at playing this game but I enjoyed it
anyway. Firstly, it helped keep me fit. In addition, I could train my eyes to look further
and faster, and it quickened my reflexes. Last but not least, it helped me a lot in
improving my teamwork skills.
VOCABULARY:
badminton: [noun] an indoor game. Players hit a small light ball, with feathers round it,
across a high net, using a racket, like tennis.
Example: A net in badminton is much higher than in tennis, and the ball and rackets
are smaller and not as heavy.
singles match: [noun] a game in which one player plays against one opponent.
doubles match: [noun] a game in which two players play against two opponents.
Example: She won the women‟s singles gold medal in tennis in the Olympic Games.
Then, playing with her friend, they won the women‟s doubles gold medal by defeating
two American opponents.
shuttlecock: [noun] badminton uses a shuttlecock, not a tennis ball. It is very light and it
has feathers round the edge.
Example: Players hit the shuttlecock across the net in badminton.
short-sightedness: [noun] a person who can only see things if they are very close, is
short-sighted.
Example: I need glasses for reading, because of my short-sightedness.
train my eyes: [verb phrase] I developed my ability to see things quickly and accurately.
Example: The detective trained his eyes to look for small but important details at the
scene of the crime.
quickened my reflexes: playing badminton improved my ability to move and think

quickly when I played the game.
Example: Many people say that video games quicken your reflexes and you become
more expert.
122. Describe an item of electronic equipment that you would like to have.
You should say:
what it is
where you would get (buy) it from
what features it would have (or, special features you would like it to have)
and explain why you would like to have it.
ANSWER:
- Since I was very small, I have had a special interest in cooking. So, it is no surprise
that, now that I have grown up, I dream of having an oven with rings for cooking on top,
which is in very popular use overseas.
In Vietnam, this kind of oven is only sold at big electronic and appliance centers.
- Different from the normal oven, this one provides more stable and exact
temperatures, which is one of the critical factors in baking. Besides, it has four oven top
elements, which is highly convenient because it allows you to cook and bake at the
same time. It also saves a lot of space in your kitchen because it is free-standing.
Another feature that I would like the oven to have is a self-cleaning system. If you cook
frequently, you will definitely appreciate this facility. It is inevitable that when you
cook, your oven/cooker will get dirty. As a result, with the self-cleaning feature, it is
much easier for us to clean.
VOCABULARY:
grow up: [phrasal verb] to develop into an adult.
Example: The children have all grown up and left home now.
appliances: [noun] a machine which is designed to do a particular job in the home, such
as cleaning or preparing food.
Example: The store sells a range of household appliances, including microwave ovens
and washing machines.
baking: [noun] the process of cooking something in the oven using dry heat.
Example: My mother loves baking – she makes bread and cakes every week in her oven.
free-standing: [adjective] not a part of or attached to something else.

Example: The cupboard was free-standing, so it was easy to move it away from the wall.
self-cleaning: [adjective] able to be cleaned without a person having to clean it.
Example: Her new oven was self-cleaning; when it was dirty it cleaned itself
automatically.
facility: [noun] a special feature of a machine that enables it to do something extra.

Example: My computer has a facility for checking spelling.
123. Describe some paid work (or, a paid job) that you or a friend enjoyed doing.
You should say:
what the work was
where you did this work
who you worked with
and explain why you or your friend enjoyed doing this work.
ANSWER:
- I remembered working as an IT helpdesk assistant while I was in college and I really
enjoyed doing it.
- Although I was a business major at that time, I still applied for a position at the IT
helpdesk because it was the best- paid job on campus. As an IT assistant, I helped other
students sort out problems with their personal laptops. Besides, I assisted professors and
faculties to set up projectors, to fix printers and copy machines on campus, and
anything related to technical matters in general.
- There were 5 other students who were in the same position as me. We usually
registered work hours based on our own personal schedule, as long as the total working
hours met the job requirement. For one shift, there were usually two assistants, so that
we could help each other out if necessary.
- I loved working at the IT helpdesk for many reasons. First of all, I learned a lot about
computers and other machines. Secondly, I got a chance to talk with many people
around campus and it felt great when you were able to help somebody with their
problems.
VOCABULARY
helpdesk: [noun] a service in a company or college that gives people information and
help, especially with computer problems.
Example: My university library has a helpdesk, which is very popular with students who
don‟t have much knowledge about using computers.
business major: [noun] I was studying business as the main part of my course.
Example: As she hopes to live in France, my friend is a French major at college.
IT assistant: [noun] a person with a knowledge of information technology, who uses that
knowledge to help others.
Example: As an IT assistant, my job is to help students become more expert at using their
computers.
sort out: [phrasal verb] to deal with your own, or someone else‟s, problems successfully.
Example: My car would not start, but the mechanic sorted out the problem when he
arrived.
schedule: [noun] timetable, in this case the number of hours that we were required to
work each week.
Example: Chinese will be on the school schedule next year.
shift: [noun] a period of time worked by someone or a group of workers, who start work
as soon as another person or group finishes.
Example: My shift begins at 8:00 am, when the assistant who works during the night goes
home.
help each other out: [verb phrase] to help somebody, especially in a difficult situation.
Example: A lot of customers come into the store at lunch hour, but there is always an
extra assistant, so we help each other out.
124. Describe something you do that keeps you fit. (or, that helps to keep you fit)
You should say:
what it is
how often you do it
how you do it (or, how easy or difficult it is to do)
and explain how it helps to keep you fit. *
ANSWER:
- Nowadays, keeping fit is everyone’s concern and I am no exception. Since I am a full
time employee, I can’t arrange time to go to the gym as often as when I was a student.
However, in order to stay fit, I register for a hip hop class, which is held twice a week.
- Unlike running on the treadmill, dancing is more fun. It helps me burn a lot of energy.
In addition, it enhances my flexibility with a lot of stretching movements. Dancing also
allows me to work on all the parts of my body. You might look at dancers and think
that dancing is light and easy, but you are wrong. In order to be that flexible and light,
dancers have to work on their core muscles to maintain their stamina. Dancing can help
burn as many as 360 calories in just an hour of intensive training.
- By maintaining a schedule of dancing twice a week, I successfully manage to keep fit.
Not only that, dancing helps me relax after a busy day at work and my mind is always
fresh and alert during and after the class.
VOCABULARY
keep fit [verb phrase] do physical exercises to improve your strength and stay healthy.
Example: Keeping fit is especially important for people who spend a lot of their time at
their desks, working or studying.
hip hop: [noun] a type of music [usually with words] played with a regular beat on
electronic instruments.
Example: Hip hop is great music for a keep-fit class, because the regular beat is perfect
for repeating physical exercises.
treadmill: [noun] an exercise machine with a moving surface that you can run or walk on,
while remaining in the same place.
Example: You can change the speed on the treadmill in the gym, for running or walking,
fast or slow.
burn a lot of energy/burn calories: [verb phrases] use up the energy that we get from our
food.
Example: Athletes burn a lot of energy, so they need a diet with lots of calories.
flexibility: [noun] the ability to bend easily when we move.

Example: Without regular exercise, older people lose their flexibility and they find it
more difficult to move easily.
stretch: [verb] to put your arms and legs out straight and contract your muscles.
Example: These stretching exercises will strengthen the muscles in your arms and legs.
core muscles: [adjective + noun] the most essential muscles in your body.
Example: Dancing is an activity which uses all your core muscles.
stamina: [noun] the physical strength that enables you to do something for a long time.
Example: The event in athletics which demands the most stamina is probably the
marathon.
125. Describe a sport that you prefer to do and is a little expensive

You should say:
what it is;
how much it usually costs;
who you usually do it with;
and explain why you like to do this activity.
ANSWER
I would like to talk about one of my most favorite workout activities which does not
cost a fortune/ is affordable; that is swimming. At the weekend, I usually go to the
swimming pool near my house called Lam Son club in district 5, HCM City with my
friends.
As I am a sporty person, I am really keen on playing sports. Especially, I prefer
swimming to other sports due to its various benefits.
Firstly, in order to join in a swimming pool, it costs me only about $1 per hour. It is
a reasonable price for teenagers in general. Therefore, I can go swimming regularly
without worrying about its cost /its effect on my finances.
Secondly, swimming is extremely beneficial to my / a person’s level of health. It
builds endurance and cardiovascular fitness in order to prevent people from
suffering diseases; namely heart disease. It bulks up a healthy weight and muscle
strength.
Lastly, going swimming is a good means of recreation as it allows me to relax,
release stress and even develop new relationships.
Thanks to these advantages, I will definitely continue going swimming in the future.
VOCABULARY
Budget (noun): (ngân quỹ) 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 mê và giỏi về thể thao)
sporty person enjoys sport and is good at it
Example: She's perfect for me, as she's both studious and sporty.
Join in (phrasal verb): (tham gia, tham dự) to take part in an activity with
other people
Example: All the members of the interviewing panel joined in with questions.
Endurance (noun): (khả năng chịu đựng) the ability to continue doing
something painful or difficult for a long period of time without complaining
Example: He showed remarkable endurance throughout his illness
Cardiovascular (adjective): (thuộc về tim và mạch máu) connected with the

heart and the blood vessels (= the tubes that carry blood around the body)
Example: cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men in the
United States, killing 321,000 men in 2013
Prevent sb/sth from doing sth (v): (ngăn chặn, ngăn cản) to stop somebody
from doing something; to stop something from happening
Example: His disability prevents him (from) driving
Bulk up (phrasal verb): (làm tăng cân, cơ bắp) to make your body bigger and
heavier, especially by gaining more muscle
Example: This season he has bulked up to 230 pounds
Recreation (noun): (sự giải trí) a way of enjoying yourself when you are
not working
Example: Emma's only form of recreation seems to be shopping
126. Describe a person who you have met before and you want to know more about
You should say:
who this person is;
when and where you met;
what you did or talked about;
and explain why you would like to know more about this person.
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 that’s
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
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.
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.
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.
career woman: a woman whose career is very important in her life

Example: She is a successful career woman and she is now the director of the
company.
approachable: friendly and easy to talk to; easy to understand

Example: Despite being a big star, she's very approachable.
sufficient: enough for a particular purpose; as much as you need

Example: Our budget is hardly sufficient to pay people, let alone buy any new
equipment.
overcome: to succeed in dealing with or controlling a problem that has been
preventing you from achieving something
Example: She overcame injury to win the Olympic gold medal.
role model: a person that you admire and try to copy

Example: We need positive role models for young women to aspire to.
look up to: admire and respect

Example: We should look up to those people who help others in the
community.
127. 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
ANSWER
Today I am going to talk about a famous person in my country who I have admired
since I was young. He is Professor Ngo Bao Chau.
I first heard about Ngo Bao Chau on the news 6 years ago when he received the
Fields Medal, which is often described as the mathematician’s Nobel Prize. However,
earlier in 2005, he was granted the title of professor in Vietnam, becoming the
country’s youngest professor ever.
Professor Ngo Bao Chau has been awarded the highest academic honor due to his
great mathematical research. He is best known for proving the Fundamental Lemma.
His work has achieved 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 inspired me considerably. I remember in an interview
after receiving the Medal, Ngo Bao Chau said that he had been studying maths out of
/due to / because of/ owing to his passion but not out of /due to / because of/ owing to
a desire to achieve. This statement impressed me a lot. Besides, another characteristic
I like regarding this professor is his persistence. During the time studying the
Fundamental Lemma, became stuck and almost failed to solve this complex problem.
Despite the difficulties, he did not choose to give up so finally he got through them.
His personality has been an inspiration for me working harder towards my dream.
VOCABULARY:
Describe as (miêu tả là) [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 (nhà toán học) [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 (nổi tiếng về) [adjective] famous for.

Example: Nha Trang is one of interesting tourist attractions which is best known
for stunning beaches and fresh seafood.
Get over (vượt qua) [phrasal verb] to find a way to solve or deal with a difficult
problem.
Example: You will get over the illness more quickly if you relax and follow the
doctor’s instruction.
Despite (dù cho) [preposition] has a similar meaning to although or even though
and expresses a contrast between two things. It is always followed by a noun or a
noun phrase.
Example: You must keep moving forward to make a success despite
despondency.
Persistence (sự kiên trì) [noun] firm or obstinate continuance in a course of

action in spite of difficulty or opposition.
Example: Her persistence and enthusiasm have helped the group to achieve its
international success.
128. Describe something special that you saved money to buy.

You should say:
What was it
Why you bought is
How long you saved money to buy it
and explain why it was important to you to buy it.
ANSWER
I’m going to talk about the mobile phone that I’m currently using. Prior to this one, I
had used 2 or 3 phones, but they were all bought with my parents’ money, so for me
this phone has a special meaning.
About a year ago, my old phone started to deteriorate, especially its battery,
sometimes it suddenly turned itself off and its apps ran frustratingly slowly. So I
decided to buy a new one using my own money, as I thought I couldn’t keep asking
my parents to buy me all the things I want anymore.
I visited some websites to check for smartphone types, brands and prices, and finally
found the phone that I thought would meet all my needs. However, at that time, it
was quite expensive for me to afford, and I had to start saving up. I did some parttime
jobs such as working as a private tutor and interpreter to earn some extra income, and
tried to reduce the budget I spent on shopping to economize as much as
possible. During that time, I rarely bought new clothes or ate out with friends.
Finally, after nearly three months, I had enough money to buy my dream phone. At
the moment I first held it in my hands, I was extremely happy. It was not only the
feeling of owning a new technology gadget, but also the happiness of completing a
task in my to-do-list. I have kept using this phone until now and I hope it will work
well for a long time to come.
VOCABULARY
Deteriorate: to become worse.
Example: Her health deteriorated rapidly.
Frustratingly: in a way that causes you to feel annoyed and impatient because
you cannot do or achieve what you want.
Example: Progress was frustratingly slow.
Meet one’s needs: satisfy what is needed

Example: The new online course meets my needs – it is exactly what I want.
Afford: to have enough money or time to be able to buy or to do something.

Example: We can't afford to go abroad this summer.
Save up: to save money for something.
Example: I’m saving (up) for a new bike.
Budget: 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.
Economize: use less money than you normally use.

Example: I plan to economize on holidays this year by camping instead of
booking a hotel.
Technology gadget: a small technological object (such as a device or an

appliance) that has a particular function.
Example: He is interested in technology gadgets.
129. 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
ANSWER (Trích từ đề “Describe a film you watched at home or in a cinema”)
As a frequent moviegoer, I watch a lot of films. One of the movies that I enjoyed the
most recently was The Martian. The movie was based on a novel of the same title by
Andy Weir. Just like many other sci-fi films, it was about man travelling in space,
however, this time; our main character was stuck on Mars due to a dust storm which
nearly killed him. All of the crewmates thought that he was dead, so they went back to
Earth without him. But fortunately he was still alive, thus two and a half hours of the
movie told the story of how he fought for his life in the brutal environment of Mars,
until NASA devised a plan to rescue him.
My best friend is a big fan of astronomy, so she had read the novel before. That’s why
she insisted on me going to see the movie with her. After watching the trailer and
reading the plot, I was hooked. It was maybe the best two and a half hours of my week
so far.
After watching the movie, I was amazed at how ingenious and strong humans can be
when it comes to a life and death situation. Mark Watney, the hero of the movie, was a
perfect portrayal of a young, humorous, brilliant and skillful engineer cum botanist.
Although the hostile environment of Mars threatened his existence many times, he
relentlessly refused to quit. Instead, he overcame one problem at a time until he was
successfully rescued. The message that I learned from the film is never to give up,
however hopeless things seem to be.
VOCABULARY:
moviegoer: [noun] a person who goes to the cinema.

sci-fi: [noun] science fiction; based on imagined scientific discoveries of the future, such
as space travel or life on other planets.
Example: Sci-fi movies have become more popular since space travel has become
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 herecovered later in
hospital.
brutal: [adjective] if an environment is described as brutal this means that it is 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 devised to control traffic in the city.
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: the book
has a plot about a prisoner who escaped.
hooked: [adjective] enjoying something so much that you want to see or do 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] a person who studies plants.
hostile: [adjective] a hostile environment is unsafe for humans, because there are many
dangers.
Example: in the hostile environment of the desert, you must take a lot of water with you.
threatened his existence: the many dangers and difficult conditions on Mars were a
danger to his life.
relentlessly: [adverb] in a way that continues strongly, without giving up. Example: the
soldiers relentlessly pursued their enemies after the battle.
hopeless: [adjective] without hope
Example: after searching for the lost plane for many days, the situation seemed hopeless
and it seemed that the rescuers would never find it.
130. Describe a historic event in your country

You should say
- When it happened
- Where it happened
- How do you know about it
- Why do you think it is important
ANSWER
I am going to talk about the day Ho Chi Minh President announced The Proclamation of
Independence, which was September 2, 1945. The event was held at Ba Dinh Square,
Hanoi, in front of the public.
When I was still a little kid, I heard a lot about it from my teachers, my parents, and all
the adults around me. Not only me but every Vietnamese kid, no matter when or where
they were born all grow up with the thought of September 2, 1945 as a memorable and
important event; so important that the Government made September 2 a national holiday.
It is so well-known that actually I have never met anyone who doesn’t know about it,
even my classmate who is really bad at history. To be precise, the day forms a part of
Vietnamese people’s common knowledge.
It was in my high school years when I really got to learn about this day during my
History and Literature classes. It became as clear as crystal to me why September 2,
1945 and The Proclamation of Independence was such an important event. The
Proclamation was the start of Vietnam’s independent era. I’ve learnt that Vietnam was a
colony of several countries such as China, France and Japan, and that our country had to
fight a lot to be a separate country, a country for ourselves and finally on that day in
1945, Ho Chi Minh President – who devoted a lot of his life to our independence –
announced to not only Vietnam citizens, but also to the whole world that Vietnam was a
separate country, that we wouldn’t be controlled by others anymore, that we would have
the right to speak our language, live our lifestyle like it used to be. My grandmother who
was at Ba Dinh square that time told me that she had felt like a slave who had finally
successfully rebelled and was able to live freely. I wasn’t born at that time to directly
witness it by myself but just thinking about the time Vietnam suffered under the
occupation of other countries and reading the extremely heroic proclamation make me
feel very proud.
In conclusion, this is, in my opinion, an event that we – as Vietnamese people –
are not allowed to forget. We have to know, to remember and to appreciate it
because without it, there could be a possibility that we wouldn’t be here, living as
proper humans but as slaves of others.
VOCABULARY
The Proclamation of Independence: Tuyên ngôn độc lập
A statement that states a country is now independent, no longer a colony of any
other country.
“Ho Chi Minh President announced The Proclamation of Independence at Ba
Dinh Square.”
Memorable: đáng nhớ
Likely to be remembered or worth remembering.
“The lavish production makes this musical truly memorable.”
Common knowledge: kiến thức phổ biến, một điều mọi người đều biết.
A knowledge which is known by everyone.
“The knowlege you learn during primary school is considered common
knowledge.”
As clear as crystal: rõ ràng (nhấn mạnh)/ trong vắt, trong veo

a. Very clear, easy to understand.
“The explanation is as clear as crystal.”
a. Very clear, transparent, easy to see through.
“The stream’s water is as clear as crystal.”
A colony: thuộc địa

A country, an area controlled politically by a more powerful country.
“Vietnam was a colony of China.”
To devote: cống hiến

To give all of one’s self to somebody/ something
“Ho Chi Minh President devoted his life to the country.”
To rebel: nổi dậy

To fight against the rule, refuse to obey the rule.
“He was the kind of student who rebels against the rules of the school.”
To suffer under something/somebody: chịu đựng khổ cực vì cái gì, vì ai
To endure something bad.
“The citizens suffered badly under the rules of the cruel king.”
“I really appreciate all of you for coming here despite being busy.”
Proper: thích hợp, thích đáng, phù hợp

Satisfactory, suitable, correct.
“It’s been a while since I last had a proper meal.”
131. Describe an activity that makes you feel excited

- What the activity is
- An explain why it makes you feel excited
ANSWER
Today I’m going to talk about one of the most engaging activities I’ve got involved in.
It’s cooking. Every day after school, I would hurry home to make a simplebut tasty meal
for my parents, who enjoy my food so much that there’s always nothing left on the plates.
To some people my age,cooking can be such a nightmare, but my mom has been
teaching me how to cook since I was a little girl, so I find it just a piece of cake. I would
say I’m quite a good cook and I’m proud of this. At times I even think of applying to
Masterchef. I’m best at cooking such Vietnamese traditional food as beef noodles and
spring rolls but I also try making exoticdishes in my free time.
When I cook, both my mind and my body are so absorbed in it that I forget the
surroundings. One thing with cooking is that there are thousands and thousands of
recipes to try. You may think you know all the ways of making a certain meal, but
different recipes can prove you wrong. The excitement and nervousness when trying out
a new recipe make cooking never seem dull to me. And I feel over the moon when I see
the end result.
VOCABULARY:
1. engaging [a]: interesting or pleasant in a way that attracts your attention (thú vị, cuốn
hút)
Eg: It was always engaging to hear his funny stories.
2. to be/ become/ get involved in: take part in something (tham gia)
Eg: She first became involved in politics in 1998.
3. tasty [a]: having a strong and pleasant flavor (thơm ngon)
Eg: Beef noodles is a really tasty dish for your family
4. nightmare [n]: a dream that is very frightening or unpleasant; an experience that is
very frightening and unpleasant, or very difficult to deal with (cơn ác mộng)
Eg: Failing an exam is a nightmare for all students.
5. a piece of cake: a thing that is very easy to do (việc dễ làm)
Eg: Henry finds getting 10/10 in Maths just a piece of cake.
6. at times: sometimes (thỉnh thoảng)
Eg: The rain will become heavy at times in the afternoon.
7. exotic [a]: from or in another country, especially a tropical one; seeming exciting and
unusual because it is connected with foreign countries (từ nước ngoài, kỳ lạ)
Eg: She travels to all kinds of exotic locations all over the world.
8. absorbed in something/somebody [a]: very interested in something/somebody so that
you are not paying attention to anything else (chú tâm, thích thú làm gì)
Eg: She seemed totally absorbed in her book.
9. surroundings [n]: everything that is around or near somebody/something (mọi thứ
xung quanh)
Eg: I like to work in pleasant surroundings.
10. recipe [n]: a set of instructions that tells you how to cook something and the
ingredients (= items of food) you need for it (công thức nấu ăn)
Eg: I enjoy trying out new recipes.
11. prove [v]: to use facts, evidence, etc. to show that something is true (chứng minh)
Eg: They hope this new evidence will prove her innocence.
12. try something out [phrase]: to use something to discover if it works or if you like it.
Eg: I like to try out creating new dishes when my friends come round to eat.
13. dull [a]: not interesting or exciting (nhàm chán, tẻ nhạt)
Eg: Life in a small town could be deadly dull.
14. over the moon: extremely happy and excited (cực kỳ hạnh phúc)
Eg: They’re over the moon about their trip to Japan.
15. End result [phrase]: a result of a series of events or a long process.
Eg: The cooking of those ingredients gave an excellent end result.
132. 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.
ANSWER
I would like to talk about a household appliance which plays an important role in my
daily life and that is a washing machine. I and my family members use it every day to
wash laundry such as clothing or sheets.
Personally, I think a laundry machine is very advantageous to me due to its
convenience. Instead of spending nearly an hour on cleaning clothing by hand, it takes
me only 5 minutes to put all the clothing in a washing machine. Moreover, my clothes
washer has a large capacity up to 10kg so I can run a load of clothing through it at one
time in order to save both water and time. As a result, I can save a huge amount of time in
order to do other household chores or even learn new things that I’m interested in;
namely foreign languages or cooking.
In addition, a washing machine can dry clothing dramatically; therefore, I needn’t to
worry about wet clothing in the rainy season or winter.
I think the washing machine is one of the greatest inventions of the industrial revolution
that brings various benefits for me and other people using it.
VOCABULARY
Household appliance (noun): (đồ gia dụng) a machine that is designed to do a
particular thing in the home, such as preparing food, heating or cleaning
Ex: They sell a wide range of domestic household appliances—washing machines,
dishwashers and so on.
Laundry (noun): (quần áo cần giặt)clothes, sheets, etc. that need washing, that are
being washed, or that have been washed recently
Ex: I and my family members use washing machine every day to wash laundry such as
clothing or sheets.
Sheet (noun): (khăn, ga trải giường) a large piece of thin cloth used on a bed to lie on
or lie under
Ex: He slid between the sheets and closed his eyes.
Laundry machine = washing machine = clothes washer (noun): (máy giặt)an electric
machine for washing clothes
Ex: I ran a load of laundry through the washing machine.
Capacity (noun): (công suất, sức chứa): the number of things or people that a container
or space can hold
Ex: The theatre has a seating capacity of 2 000.
Load of sth: (lượng lớn)a large number or amount of somebody/something; plenty

Ex: Uncle Jim brought a whole load of presents for the kids.
Household chores (noun): (việc nhà) tasks that you do regularly
Ex: I'll go shopping when I've done my chores (= done the jobs in or around the house).
133. Describe an ambition that you have not yet achieved.

You should say:
What your ambition is: One of my ambitions that I have not yet achieved is to be able to
communicate in Japanese.
When you first had this ambition (or, how long you have had this ambition): I just
thought about this idea a year ago because I realized that nowadays, knowing more
foreign languages is an advantage not only in our daily lives but also in work
environments.
How you plan to achieve it: In order to achieve this, I registered for a Japanese class for
beginners, twice a week. I also downloaded an application on my iPhone which helps
people study foreign languages named Duolingo, so that I can study on my own at home.
For the first two months, I did not skip any classes, and spent at least 30 minutes every
night studying Japanese on Duolingo at home.
(Possibly) what you have done towards achieving this ambition and explain why you
have not achieved it yet: Unfortunately, I could not keep up with the schedule for long
since I was working full time, not to mention that I had many other social activities that
distracted me from studying. There were days when I was so busy that I had to work
overtime to finish my job. As a result, I wasn’t able to go to class and I definitely didn’t
have any time to study at home. Moreover, my friends complained that I had been
ignoring them, so I needed to arrange time to hang out with them. Just like that, I
gradually lost my ambition to study Japanese and until now, I can only remember one
alphabet table, even though Japanese uses three types of alphabets.
VOCABULARY
ambition - a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring
determination and hard work. “Her ambition to become CEO of the company amazes her
boyfriend.”
not yet achieved - to not yet reach a goal or to succeed in doing something that you really
want to do. “He has not yet achieved his goal of getting an 8 on the IELTS writing
exam.”
to realize that - to become aware of something, to know or come to understand
something for the first time. “His mom didn't realize that she wouldn’t be able to visit
him while he was studying in Germany.”
to be an advantage - something that offers you a better opportunity at something is an
advantage or benefit to you. “As an employee, it is an advantage to be fluent in English
these days.”
to register for - to sign up for something like a class or workshop; to put your name on
the list and pay your money. “He has only five days left to register for the conference.”
to skip classes - to miss a class or not go to a class for some reason. “His teacher said that
if he skipped any more classes, he wouldn’t receive any credit for the course.”
to keep up with - to be able to perform at a certain level or to be able to continue to do
something as planned. “She had a difficult time keeping up with all of the homework that
her English professor gave her.”
not to mention that - used to add additional information when you are explaining why
something did or didn’t happen, used to introduce an additional fact or point that
reinforces the point being made. “She can’t go to the meeting on Friday because she is ill,
not to mention that she has already put in twice as much time as everybody else has this
week.”
distracted me from - used to talk about when you go off task or stop working on
something because your attention goes elsewhere. “Her funny jokes distracted me from
getting my homework done.”
complained - to complain means to tell someone that you don’t like something for some
reason. His friends didn’t like that he wasn’t spending time with them, so they
complained to him. “His wife complained that he was working too many hours.”
to ignore someone - you ignore someone when you don’t respond to their phone calls,
messages, emails, etc., you don’t pay attention to them. “He thought I was ignoring him
because I didn’t answer his text, but I was just in a meeting and couldn’t text him back.”
to arrange - to organize or to schedule something. “She needed to arrange a time to meet
with the accountant.”
to hang out with - to spend time with someone. “They liked to hang out with their friends
on weekends.”
134. Describe an exciting sport you know.
You should say:
What sport it is: Of all the different types of sports, I am interested in figure skating the
most.
How you know about it: I first learned about figure skating when I watched an Olympic
competition in 2012. I found this sport very interesting.
How difficult you think it is: I don‟t think that figure skating is a sport for everybody
since it requires great balancing skills. In addition, the person has to be very flexible and
courageous when doing this sport.
And explain why you think it is exciting: Coming from a tropical country, I don‟t get to
experience ice and snow, thus, figure skating was new to me. Watching the athlete‟s
elegant performance on ice amazed me. I couldn‟t imagine how people could do such
things since just walking with ice skates is so difficult. These athletes danced on ice
without even tripping. They must have spent a great deal of time practicing and
preparing for their performances. Also, I found it very beautiful, as their costumes were
so elegant. I even enjoyed the background music they used during the performances. In
comparison to other sports, figure skating is an amazing feast for both the eyes and the
ears.
VOCABULARY
to be interested in - to like or to enjoy. “She is interested in figure skating and he is
interested in soccer.”
I found this sport to be very interesting - I thought this sport was very interesting. “He
found the work to be too easy for him.”
it requires - something that needs to be done. In this sentence it means that figure skating
can only be done by people who have good balance, and not everyone does. It‟s
something necessary to have to do well at figure skating. “This job requires you to work
60 hours per week.”
flexible - in this context it means that the person can do many things with his/her body,
like putting your foot above your head while you are skating. “Yoga teachers are very
flexible and can get themselves into all kinds of crazy positions.”
courageous - brave. In this case you have to be brave to be a figure skater because it can
be dangerous. “The mountaineers are courageous for climbing so high.”
elegant performance - describing the performance as elegant means that you thought it
was very beautiful or gorgeous; it was pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or
manner. “The dancers gave an elegant performance this evening.”
amazed me - surprised or shocked me. In this case it was incredible to see the skaters do
such things. “It amazed me that he received a 9 on his first IELTS exam.”
to trip - to fall down while you are walking or running or doing something else like
dancing or skating. “She tripped and hit her head on the table. Ouch!”
a feast for the eyes and ears - something pleasant to watch and listen to. “The Taylor
Swift concert was a feast for the eyes and ears. It was incredible to watch the show and I
love her music.”
135. Describe a photograph in your home.

You should say:
what is in the photo
where this photo is in your home
how this picture was taken
and explain what this photo means to you.
ANSWER:
Like many other Vietnamese families, I have a big photograph of my family which is
hung on the wall of my living room. It is the first thing that you notice when you walk in
the room.
This photo was taken a year ago on the occasion of my cousin’s wedding. It was the first
time for ages that my whole family had gathered together. Even my relatives who are
living further away came home to attend the wedding. It was possibly the first picture of
my extended family with my grandmother, all of my grandmother’s children and the in-
laws, and I have lost count of how many grandchildren are in it. It’s a brilliant photo,
with everyone smiling and laughing, taken by a professional photographer who put
everyone at their ease.
As a typical traditional Vietnamese, I treasure my family. Our ties are worth more than
gold. No matter what happens, I strongly believe that my parents, my siblings and
relatives will always be on my side supporting me. Every time I look at the photograph of
my loving family, I feel blessed and proud.
VOCABULARY
for ages: [expression] a very long time.
Example: I waited for ages, because the flight had been delayed for several hours.
gathered together: [verb] it was the first time for many years that my family had all come
together in the same place, at the same time.
Example: the children were all gathered together in the garden.
extended family: [noun] a family group that includes not only parents and children, but
also aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and in-laws.
Example: she grew up surrounded by a large extended family.
the in-laws: [noun] your relatives by marriage, especially the parents of your husband or
wife.
Example: I am visiting my in-laws on Sunday [the parents of my wife and also her two
sisters].
lose count of: [verb] to forget how many there are of something [because there are a lot
of them].
Example: I have lost count of how many times I have told the students to do their
homework.
put everyone at their ease: [verb] the photographer made everyone feel relaxed.
Example: in the exam, the examiner put the students at their ease by being friendly and
informal.
treasure: [verb] to have something that you love and is very valuable to you.
Example: I treasure his friendship, because it is very important to me to have him as my
friend.
ties: [noun] strong connections between people
Example: the ties of friendship and family ties are the most important connections in our
lives.
siblings: [noun] brothers or sisters
Example: the younger children were badly treated by their older siblings.
blessed: [adjective] fortunate, in a way that brings a feeling of peace.
Example: he was blessed with many good friends and a loving family.
136. Describe the stage of life that you have enjoyed the most.
You should say:
what stage it was
what you used to do during that stage
where you were during that stage
who you spent time with during that stage
and explain why you enjoyed that stage so much.
- Well, speaking of the stage of life that I have enjoyed the most I would say that was
when I was in elementary school.
- Since my father has 5 siblings and each of them has two children, I have many cousins
who are around my age.
- I remember that every summer, my cousins and I would get together at my
grandmother’s house. We basically lived together the whole summer holiday until we
had to go back to school.
- As we were full of energy, we could never sit still for the whole day. My grandparents
constantly got mad at us since it was too much for them to control 6 kids at the same
time. We used to run wild playing mischievous little games that we had made up.
Fighting among each other was inevitable but then things all worked out in the end.
- The older we get, the less time we spend together, because everyone has his or her own
personal life and concerns. Now, every time we have a chance to meet up, we talk about
how crazy it was when we were little, and that makes me miss my childhood a lot. It was
the only time we could really live without worrying about tomorrow.
VOCABULARY:
siblings: [noun] brothers or sisters.
get together: [verb phrase] to meet someone socially or in order to discuss something.
Example: every year, all our family get together at a restaurant for a meal and a chat.
get mad at: [verb phrase] to become angry with someone or something.
Example: my teachers used to get mad at me when I talked in class.
run wild: [verb phrase] to behave as you wish, because nobody is controlling you.
Example: In the shopping centre, a group of teenage boys were running wild until the
security guards stopped them.
mischievous: [adjective] being naughty and annoying people.
Example: Although he was a mischievous boy, when he got older he learned to be polite
and obedient.
made up: [verb phrase] invented or created.
Example: When I arrived late, I quickly made up an excuse.
inevitable: [adjective] it cannot be avoided or prevented.
Example: When the sales of the company declined, it was inevitable that some workers
would lose their jobs.
worked out in the end: [verb phrase] to finish in a successful way.
Example: There was a problem at the airport, but it was resolved and our flight took off,
so it all worked out in the end.
miss my childhood: [verb phrase] to feel sad, because you are no longer a child.
Example: I used to enjoy playing games with my friends when I was a boy, and I miss
my childhood now that I have grown up.
137. Describe a time when you did something to help someone you didn't know.
You should say:
where it happened: Today, I’m going to share with you my own story about how I
helped a stranger on the street.
who the person was: It was an elderly woman whom I met on the way while driving to
work.
how you helped this person: She was trying to cross the road to go to a pagoda nearby.
Unfortunately, it was a big road with 4 lanes of traffic and it was during the rush hour. At
that time, I was driving to work, and stopped for a red light. She slowly approached me
and asked if I could take her to the other side of the road. I hesitated at first since I didn‟t
know her. Well, life in a big city is very complicated, you don‟t really know if the person
you are trying to help is good or bad. So it‟s hard to trust people these days. However,
after a moment‟s hesitation, I decided to give her a lift to the door anyway, since she was
an elderly lady and I would feel bad if I turned her down.
and explain how you felt after helping this person: When I dropped her off at the
pagoda, she thanked me and said “God bless you”. I was glad that I had made the
decision to help her, although it did not bring any dramatic change to the world! Any
kind action, however small, brings its own reward in terms of the satisfaction derived
from helping others. Her gratitude made me feel that my help had meant a lot to her and I
determined that, in future, I would be less suspicious of strangers.
VOCABULARY
elderly = old, but it is a more polite way to describe people who are old.
the rush hour = the time when the roads are full of traffic because people are travelling
to or from work.
hesitate = to be slow to speak or act because you are nervous or unsure.
give a lift = a free ride in a car [in this case, to the place where the elderly lady wanted to
go – the pagoda].
to the door = directly to the place where she wanted to go.
turned her down = I would have felt bad if I had refused to consider her request.
dropped her off = I took her to the particular place where she wanted to go, while I
continued my journey to a different place.
brings its own reward = the good moral feeling that I had from helping the lady was
enough, without expecting any payment or thanks from her.
derived from = came from.
gratitude = the feeling of being grateful and wanting to express her thanks.
meant a lot to her = my help had been very important to her.
suspicious of somebody = not willing to trust somebody.
138. Describe a subject you didn't like before but are interested in now.
You should say:
Today, I am going to share with you my experience with a subject I didn’t like before but
I am interested in now, that is maths.
In Vietnam, we had to study maths from elementary school onwards because it is one of
the compulsory subjects.
There were so many reasons why I didn’t like maths. First of all, I think my elementary
teacher failed to guide us through the exercises which we had to do step by step. She
basically gave us many types of maths problems and the solutions to each type.
Consequently, I didn’t fully understand the subject or the logic behind the solution like:
how did you come up with that particular solution but not in a different way? Secondly,
she always assigned difficult problems for us to do at home. Since I didn’t understand the
lesson, I couldn’t solve a single problem. So I was very discouraged when I tried to study
maths.
It was not until high school that I started to like maths. At that time, maths was divided
into algebra and geometry. I found that I was very good at dealing with numbers. In
addition, my maths teacher was a great one. He focused on teaching us to master the
basic knowledge, then how to use basic knowledge to solve more advanced problems.
VOCABULARY
maths/math = mathematics. The American usage is „math‟, and the British use „maths‟,
as a noun and as an adjective. Both are correct, but use either the American or British
form consistently.
from.....onwards..... = starting from a particular time and continuing after that. In this
case, starting in elementary school and continuing during all the time of my education in
school.
guide....through... = to explain a problem or a process so that we are able to complete it.
Here, the elementary teacher did not explain how to do maths problems clearly, so I
never understood them.
step by step = each one of a series of things which you have to do to solve a problem. The
teacher did not take us through each one of these steps to arrive at the solution.
logic = a way of thinking about something, in this case I did not understand the method
of thinking about maths problems in order to solve them.
come up with = to find, usually referring to an answer to something [like finding the
solution to a maths problem].
assign = to give a task to somebody, such as the homework which the teacher gave me.
not a single = this is a strong way to say „no‟ or „not any‟, when used in front of a noun.
I was not able to solve any problems when I did my homework.
discouraged = not confident or enthusiastic. This is how I felt when I had to study maths
at that time.
algebra = the type of maths in which letters and symbols are used to represent quantities.
geometry = this is another type of maths. It deals with the shapes of objects and
measuring lines, angles and their relationships.
139. Describe situation when a child made you laugh.

You should say:
who the child was
(when and) where it happened
what he or she did to make you laugh
and explain why you laughed.
ANSWER:
- One of my best friends has a 3-year-old baby girl; so every time we went out, she
would 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 couldn‟t 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 couldn‟t
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.
Written by Ngoc Bach
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.
140. Describe a place where you (usually / often) go to relax. (Not your home)
You should say:
where this place is
when you go there
what you do there
who is usually there with you
and explain why you choose to go to this place to relax.
Answers:
- Today, I’m going to share with you a place where I usually/often go to relax/read and
write/ hang out with my friends, which is a small café/restaurant near my company/my
house named “ABC”
- As a full-time employee/student, I have to go to work/ school 5 days a week; therefore,
the only time that I can visit this place is on weekends. I always try to make time for my
little trip to “ABC” café every Saturday or Sunday.
- The coffee house is located on a quiet street with a lot of trees planted on both sides.
Additionally, it has a patio with hanging gardens which I like very much; it makes me
feel like I’m sitting in a garden of my own.
- Separated from the hustle and bustle of the city life in Hanoi, this place allows me to
sit quietly and reflect, relaxing after a week of hard work. I can concentrate on a
personal project such as reading or writing in my journal without being interrupted by
other people.
- It serves great coffee, tea, and cakes, thus, the place always smells very nice. In
addition, the employees are also friendly and helpful.
- Sometimes, I go there with my friends. Over a nice cup of coffee/tea, we share our
stories and smell the beautiful scent of the flowers. At that moment, we can escape from
reality for a little while and enjoy ourselves even more.
VOCABULARY
to share with you: in this context, to share with someone means to tell someone about
something, you are going to share some information or a story with another person; in
another context you could share an actual thing with someone, like share a meal with
another person or share something that you have, like some fireworks, with another; “I’d
like to share a story with you about my grandmother when she was a young girl.” “He
doesn’t want to share the fish he caught with us.”
hang out with my friends: to spend time with friends, talking, relaxing, visiting; “He
likes to hang out with his friends at the pizza place after school.”
therefore: used when you want to give more information or explain the reason for
something; consequently; for that reason; “I am going to be in New York next week;
therefore, I’d like to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
on weekends: use the preposition on when talking about things you do on Saturday and
Sunday, the weekend; in this case we use the plural because you are talking about
weekends in general, rather than a specific weekend; “He likes to play golf on
weekends.” British English prefers to say at the weekend or at weekends.
to make time for: to prioritize things so that you have time to do a certain thing that you
want; you have to make time for something in order to ensure that you do it, if you don’t
make time for something, you won’t do it; “He wants his father to make more time for
him on weekends.”
located on a quiet street: when we are talking about the location of something we use
the preposition on, something is located on the corner, on the right or left side, on a hill,
on a mountain; you can also use in for things located in another area, like the office is
located in the building on the left side of the street or the video store is located in the
mall, as in inside the mall; “Our new restaurant is located on one of the busiest streets in
San Francisco.”
Additionally: used to give more information; “Additionally, the scientists found that
there were two more species in the area that had never been discovered.”
hanging gardens: plants and flowers that are hanging in pots from the ceiling; “The
hanging gardens in the train station made the place feel very warm and welcoming,
unlike most train stations.”
Separated from: apart from, away from; in a different part of a place; “The children‟s
play area is separated from the main part of the building; it is a great place where families
can take their children to play outside.”
hustle and bustle: describes the noise and high level of activity; “My grandfather hates
the hustle and bustle of the city; he prefers the calm and quiet of the countryside.”
city life in: used to describe the activity, noise, movement of people and traffic in a city;
use the preposition in or of; “The city life in New York is famous for the variety of things
you can do while there: Broadway shows, concerts, restaurants, bars, museums and so
much more.”
to reflect: to think deeply about something; “After the meeting, he needed time to reflect
on his options before making a final decision.”
concentrate on: to think about something in a focused way, without distractions; “He
found it hard to concentrate on his homework while his friends were playing video games
in his room.”
writing in my journal: you use the preposition in when talking about writing in a journal
or notebook; “I like to write in my journal right before I go to bed.”
serves: in this context it is referring to what is offered at the café; it’s what a food
establishment offers to their customers; “They don’t serve meat at this restaurant because
it is a vegetarian restaurant.”
the employees: the people who work at the café or restaurant; “The employees were
upset with their boss and didn’t want to go to work.”
Over a nice cup of coffee/tea: in this context, using the word over means that you are
doing something, like visiting, while you drink a cup of tea; “We finalized our joint
business venture over dinner last night.” (This means that we finished talking about our
joint business venture while we ate dinner together.)
escape from reality: to leave the reality of something, like your life or a specific
situation; you want to escape from reality especially if reality is something that is difficult
for you to handle, like a difficult job, having lots of work to do, etc. “Many people drink
alcohol to escape from reality, though this strategy has its own problems.”
enjoy ourselves: to have fun, to have a pleasant time; “We enjoyed ourselves last
weekend at our friend’s beach house.”
141. Describe an area of science that you are interested in (medicine, psychology,
etc.)
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
ANSWER
Well, I’ve been interested in psychology for quite a long time. I’m fascinated by
how the human mind works and why people behave in a particular way in various
situations. I mean, I like to figure out why they are doing a certain thing and not
something else – stuff like that !
I think it all started several years ago after I had watched a movie on criminal
psychology. I cannot recall the name right now, but it was about a guy who applied
criminal psychology to help the police solve crimes, most of which were pretty
weird. I was really impressed with the way he deduced the offender’s motives and
actions, you know, applying his professional insights to the evidence provided by the
crime scene.
From that time onwards, I have found the human mind a pretty interesting topic to
explore, and I’ve read quite a few books and articles on psychology. I think that a
knowledge of psychology is helpful in lots of ways. For example, in the world of
business you may need to negotiate with your partner or deal with a client so that a
satisfactory outcome is achieved. Then again, in marketing your products or
services, you really have to understand how consumers think and how best to
influence your target audience. And I must add that I’m really interested in
marketing, so my fascination with psychology has helped me to analyse, like you
know, sales techniques and advertising campaigns.
* The expressions underlined in bold are ways that native speakers often use to ‘fill’
a pause when speaking. They are called ‘fillers’, and they have no meaning – they
just enable you to speak more fluently.
VOCABULARY
Fascinated [adjective] very interested
Example: Because he loves Thailand, he was fascinated by the programme about
Thai cooking.
Figure out (tìm ra) [verb] think about something until you understand it or calculate
the cost of something.
Example: Have you figured out how much the trip will cost?
Criminal psychology (tâm l. học tội phạm) [noun phrase] the study of criminals’
minds and behavior.
Example: He wanted to go abroad and study criminal psychology in the USA.
Impressed with something (ấn tượng bởi) [adj] feeling admiration for
somebody/something because you think they are particularly good, interesting, etc.
Example: We were all impressed with her enthusiasm.
Deduced (suy luận) [verb] to form an opinion about something based on the
information or evidence that is available
Example: We can deduce a lot about their personality from what people choose to
buy.
Offender (tội phạm) [noun] (rather formal) a person who commits a crime
Example: Child protection groups are calling for a national register of sex offenders.
Motive [noun] a reason for doing something
Example: The police could not find a motive for the murder of the boy.
Insight [noun] an ability to see the truth about people or situations

Example: After my lecture, I hope you will have an insight into the problem of
climate change.
Target audience [noun] the particular group of people who you are trying to
influence
Example: This new designer label is aimed at a particular target audience –
teenagers.
Negotiate (đàm phán) [verb] to try to reach an agreement by formal discussion

Example: The government will not negotiate with terrorists.
142. 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.
ANSWER
I’d like to describe a travelling idea that I think would make an awesome experience. It’s
a motorbike trip to Tam Dao, a town of Vinh Phu province, which has become an
attractive place for Hanoi residents to visit at weekends and during holidays.
Tam Dao, also known as Da Lat of the North due to its cool weather around the year, is
not far from Hanoi. It’s just 70 kilometers away from our capital city, so I think it’d be
sensible to travel there by motorbike.
I think it’d be an ideal trip if we had a small group of 4 or 5 members, who all knew each
other well, as travelling companions. We would need to share a lot of common
interests as well as characteristics, you know, so the experience would be more laid-
back, fun and memorable, in my opinion.
There are several reasons why I prefer travelling by motorbike rather than by car, but
most of all, I wouldn’t want to miss the breathtaking scenery along the way. Moreover,
my travelling timeline would be more flexible if I went there by motorbike, as I wouldn’t
have to worry about being stuck in traffic jams. Last but not least, I think it would be a
way to make the trip somehow more challenging and interesting, so we would have more
things to recall afterwards.
VOCABULARY
capital city (thủ đô) [n] a city which physically includes the offices and meeting places
of the seat of government and is usually fixed as the capital by law or by the constitution
Example: Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and the country’s second largest city.
sensible (hợp lí) [adj] reasonable and practical.

Example: It’s sensible to keep a note of your passport number
Travelling companion (bạn đồng hành trong chuyến du lịch) [expression] someone you
spend a lot of time with during your trip, who accompanies you.
Example: We should also agree about money when choosing a travelling companion; it
can be pretty uncomfortable when you reach your first destination and find your
companion wants to spend on a meal way beyond your budget.
common interests (sở thích chung) [expression] similar interests
Example: Studies show that shared common interests between people boost the chances
of a lasting relationship, and also bring about a 2% increase in life satisfaction.
laid-back [adj] relaxed, without any worries
Example: I prefer a laid-back holiday, just sunbathing on the beach and listening to the
sound of the sea.
breathtaking (hấp dẫn, ngoạn mục) [adj] very impressive, exciting or surprising
Example: The view from my bedroom window was absolutely breathtaking.

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200 ĐỀ SPEAKING – IELTS NGỌC BÁCH

You should say:

2. Describe an educational TV program that you have seen

You should say:

- As the deadline closely approached, I had to quickly make my decision. I decided to

 contaminate: [verb] make a place or thing dirty, by adding a substance that is

 aquatic: [adjective] living in water

 life-threatening: [adjective] likely to kill someone.

 awareness: [noun] knowing that something exists and is important.

put thought into: [expression] considered seriously and carefully.

savoury: [adjective] having a delicious taste, usually containing salt.

dish: [noun] food prepared in a particular way as part of a meal.

flavour: [verb] add to food to give it a special taste.

aromatic: [adjective] having a pleasant smell or aroma.

baguettes: [noun] white bread in the shape of long sticks.

mild: [adjective] not strong or severe.

novel: [adjective] new, and different from anything known before.

sophisticated: [adjective] typical of rich or socially important people.

makes my mouth water: [expression] makes me feel hungry.

out of this world: [expression] wonderful and exciting.

full: [adjective] having had enough to eat.

6. Describe your favourite season or time of the year.

what season (or time of the year) it is

what the weather is like at this time

what people usually do at this time

 distinct: [adjective] clearly different or of a different type.

 spells: [noun] short periods of time.

 light: [adjective] not great in amount.

 showers: [noun] short periods of rain.

 breezes: [noun] winds that are not strong.

 marks: [verb] indicates the time of an event or when something regularly

 boiling: [adjective] extremely hot.

 torturing: [verb] causing severe discomfort or unhappiness.

 freezing: [adjective] extremely cold.

 energize: [verb] give someone more energy or strength.

7. Describe an occasion when you got up very early.

 sleepy: [adjective] feeling tired and wanting to go to sleep.

 chatting: [verb] talking together in a friendly way.

 fresh air: [noun] pleasantly clean and cool.

 banished: [verb] made someone or something go away.

 look back: [phrasal verb] think about something in your past.

 without too much trouble: [expression] with no great difficulty.

8. Describe one of your best (= one of your close, or good) friends.

 amiable: [adjective] pleasant and easy to like

 throw parties: [expression] give parties.

 for good: [expression] permanently

 try our best: do as much as possible to achieve something

 careful preparation [adjective+noun]: taking care when you prepare for

 to pay attention [expression]: to carefully watch or listen to someone or

 to write down [phrasal verb]: to write something on a piece of paper, to jot

 to broaden my knowledge [expression]: to learn more about a specific topic or

 review [verb]: to study or look at (something) again

 dream [adjective]: most desirable or ideal

 efforts paid off [expression]: your work yields good results

 to motivate [verb]: to provide with a motive or reason for doing something

 to achieve [verb]: to bring to a successful end; carry through; accomplish; to get

 drop in: [phrasal verb] pay an informal visit to someone.

 overnight: [adjective] for one night.

 warm-hearted: [adjective] kind and generous.

 run into difficulties: [expression] experience difficulties.

11. Describe a photo of yourself that you had taken

 sibling: [noun] a brother or sister.

 get-together: [noun] an informal meeting or party.