CẬP NHẬT ĐỀ THI SPEAKING QUÝ 3

( tháng 9 - tháng 12) năm 2020

SPEAKING - Part 1
Work or study
1. Are you a student or do you work now?
STUDENT: Currently I’m a high school / university student at [School Name] located in [School Location
in HCMC].
WORK: Currently I’m a [JOB TITLE] at a company called [Company Name] located in [Work Location in
HCMC]
2. What subject are you studying?
University Student: At the moment I’m enrolled in [Major Name] and this semester I’ve signed up for 4
subjects which are [Subject name].
High School Student: Actually Vietnamese high school curriculum consists of compulsory subjects which
include maths, English, literature, geography, biology so I need to study all of them.
3. Why did you choose that subject?

University Student: The main reason for me is [Give reason here]. Additionally, [Give second reason].

High School Student: For me it’s not a matter of choice, I must study these subjects because it’s
compulsory.

4. Is there anything that you don’t like about it?

5. What would you like to do in the future?
6. What are the most popular subjects in VietNam?
7. What are your favourite classes/ courses/ subjects at school/ university?

4 – 7 tự làm

8. Do you think it’s important to choose a subject you like?

Yes, for me it’s a good idea to enrol in something that interests me because I would have more study
motivation. Additionally, if I study a subject that I love, I will have more initiative (/ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv/ sự tự giác) to
do homework and ask questions.
9. What work do you do?
At the moment I’m working as a [job name]. My main job involves [lists job duty here] and I’ve been doing
this work for [2/3/4/5 years]
10. Why did you choose to do that type of job?
There were 2 main reasons for me. First of all, the remuneration package is very good is good, besides a
good salary I also have health insurance and sick leave. Secondly, this sector is growing and I think I can
have a good career working in this industry/
11. Do you like your job?
12. What do you like best about your job?
13. Do you miss being a student?
14. Prefer to work in morning or afternoon?
15. Have you changed your work before?
11- 15 tự làm.
 House or flat
1. What kind of housing do you live in? (như câu 2)
2. Do you live in a house or a flat?
1. At the moment I’m renting a 1-bedroom/2-bedroom flat/house in [nơi ở]
2. At the moment I’m living with my family a 1-bedroom/2-bedroom flat/house in [nơi ở]
3. Do you live alone or with your family?
1. I live with my big family including my parents and siblings (anh chị em), hoặc:
2. I’m living on my own (sống 1 mình) , hoặc:
3. I’m sharing a house with some friends / my wife/ my husband v.v.
4. Could you please describe the place you live in?
My home is located in a working-class neighbourhood (khu phố lao động) so it’s a bit noisy, and the road
infrastructure is a bit outdated. As for my house itself, it’s a traditional Vietnamese brick house with 4
bedrooms for my family, my brother’s and my parents.
5. Can you describe the room you live in?
My room is located on the second floor and I share it with my small family, including my wife and
daughter. The room is quite small, it’s just enough for a bed, some wardrobe and a small desk.
6. Which is your favourite room in your home?
It is definitely my room. Although it is very small, it’s my private space and it’s where I have some of the
best memories in my adult life. I saw my daughter taking her first step in this room so it has a lot of
emotional value to me.
7. Is there anything which needs to be improved in your flat?
My house gets very hot during the say so I would like to improve the ventilation /ˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃən/ hệ thống
thông gió so it gets cooler. Maybe we could install some new windows to create better airflow, but it’s
something I definitely want to improve about this home.
8. What can you see when you look out the window of your room?
As we’re in a small alley (con hẻm nhỏ), there’s nothing interesting, just people’s houses. I don’t pay
attention to the scene, the window is mainly for sunlight to light up my room.
Hometown
1. Where do you come from?
I was born and bred (sinh ra và lớn lên) in HCM city. My family’s been here for a few generations.
2. What's the most attractive part of your hometown?

HCMC is a bustling city with various activities. I think the most appealing part (appealing = attractive) of
this city is the nightlife (đời sống về đêm), that’s when the city truly comes to live / comes alive. There are
great spots such as Bui Viet street in District 1, or Ben Thanh Night Market where people can drink, enjoy
street food and get a taste of authentic HCMC experience.

3. What’s the weather like in your hometown?

As we’re in a tropical zone the weather is always hot and humid during the year. The first half is very hot
and from August to December it rains a lot.
4. Do you know much about the history of your hometown?
Honest, I just know the modern history (sử hiện đại) from the Vietnam war period until now. I can tell
people about the history of famous landmarks but I don’t really know anything in great details.
5. Has your hometown changed much these years?
Yes, definitely, it has totally transformed into a multicultural city. In the past, we didn’t have many expats
(người nước ngoài) living here but today we’re working together with people from America, the UK and
many other parts of the world. It’s a dramatic change and I think if my grandparents were alive they would
not recognise this place. (ngữ pháp IF 2)
6. Would you say your hometown is a big city or a small town?
Ho Chi Minh city is definitely one of the largest cultural and commercial centre in Vietnam. Its population
is nearly 9 million people including locals and immigrants.
7. For you, what benefits are there living in a big city?
There would be 2 considerable advantages for city dwellers. First, the number of job opportunities are
plenty, therefore people can almost always find employment and start earning money. Secondly, the
standard of living is much higher compared to the outskirts (ngoại ô) or rural areas (miền quê). For instance,
here in HCMC we have access to great hospitals like FV and Hanh Phuc hospitals, as well as good
universities.
8. Do you think you will be still living in your hometown in the future?
I think as far as the near future is concerned, like 1-5 years, I’ll definitely be living here. But in the long
term, I would like to move to another country like Australia so my daughter receives better education and a
better life.
Change
1. Have you changed a lot since your childhood?
Certainly, not only has my appearance (ngoại hình) changed drastically but my personality (tính cánh) has
become different as well. I used to be a chubby kid (chubby = overweight) and after so many years of
dieting I’ve managed to slim down. Additionally, I used to be quite talkative and more sociable, however the
older I get, the quieter and more introverted (nội tâm) I become.
2. What do you plan to change next year?
On top of my to-do list for next year is to move out of my parents’ house. My wife and I want to have a
small apartment where we have total privacy to live our lives. It is also good my one-year-old daughter to
grow up in a better neighbourhood. So that’s my number one priority for 2021.
Additionally, I would love to become fitter, and also get more success in my teaching career.
3. Do you like changes? Why?
Personally I enjoy changes and the challenges that come with it. I think changes bring a lot of opportunity to
grow and improve myself. For instance, in 2008 I moved to Australia to study, which forced me to adapt to
a whole new culture, and I grew up a lot. Another example is my marriage in 2017, it was a drastic change
in lifestyle for me, but throughout this marriage I’ve become better at understanding people and can
communicate much better.
4. Are there any changes in your hometown?
I think HCMC is currently undergoing modifications in its road infrastructures as well as public transport
system. The government is building highways connecting it to Long Thành provice because a new airport is
going to be constructed there. And in the inner city a new metro system is going to be finished soon.
 Clothes
1. What's your favorite color of clothes?
My favourite colours are black, navy blue and grey for pants, and for shirts I like to wear them in dark green,
dark red and blue.
2. What kind of clothes do you never wear?
I never wear any hiphop clothing because it’s not suitable for my style nor for my age. Another type of outfit
I have no intention of wearing is skinny jeans, I don’t feel comfortable in clothes that are too tight.
3. What kind of clothes do you usually wear?
I work 6 days a week so I’m always in office attire – a shirt, pants and a tie from morning until 9pm. When I
get home it’s usually late so I’ll put on some shorts and a comfortable shirt.
4. Do you wear the same style of clothes on weekdays and weekends?
No, on week days I’d wear formal clothing but on Sundays I’ll put on casual outfits like khaki shorts, a polo
shirt and I’d wear flip flops instead of leather shoes.
Concentration
1. When do you need to be focused?
Well, at home when I’m babysitting my 1-year-old daughter, I have to pay close attention to her because I
don’t want her to get hurt or pick things off the floor and put in her mouth. And when I’m working I also
need to pay attention to my students’ writing and speaking performance so I can provide them with
feedback.
2. What may distract you when you're trying to stay focused?
There are many sources of distraction for me. The most problematic is my social media habit – I often feel
the urge to check Facebook and messages even though I don’t need to. Another is my daughter because she
always wants my attention at home, she would try to climb up my desk and play with my paperwork.
3. What do you do to help you concentrate?
I turn off the wifi connection on my laptop and set a time limit for one hour, then I’ll put on some music and
start working. I also find drinking a cup of strong tea or coffee really helps maintaining focus.
4. Is it difficult for you to stay focused on something?
Yes, a little bit. Even though I have the solutions to help stay focused, it is so tempting (hấp dẫn) to reach for
the phone and check messages. But I can overcome those feelings quite well. Whenever I’m about to get
side-tracked (get distracted) I’ll use my daughter as a motivation, and that brings me back on track (idiom:
chỉnh đốn bản thân).
Furniture
1. Do you have a lot of furniture in your home?
Yes, I think my family’s filled with furniture – both old and new. Each room has a wardrobe, a bed and a
study desk, and there’re 4 bedrooms in the house. And we also have a set of dining tables and chairs as well
as a sofa in the living room.
2. Is there anyone who bought furniture for you?
When I was living by myself during university some of my close friends bought kitchen appliances for me,
but I don’t know if they qualify as furniture. At the moment as I have the money I just buy them myself.
3. What kind of furniture would you like to buy?
I really love wood furniture, I think they last for a long time and wooden furniture enhances the overall
quality of the house. When I have my own apartment I will definitely buy a set of coffee table and chairs
made of wood for my living room.
4. Which furniture do you like best in your home?
It’s definitely the coffee table that we currently have in the living room, and I have a lot of emotional
attachment with it. My parents have had it since I was a child, I still remember sitting there eating breakfast
in primary school. We’ve used it to display gifts and food on my wedding ceremony, so for me it’s not just a
piece of furniture but more like a part of my life.
Handwriting
1. Do you often write with a pen?
Actually I do. I keep a daily journal and every night before going to bed I would jot down (write down)
some thoughts about the day and evaluate (đánh giá) my performance. Writing the diary is a daily ritual
(thói quen hằng ngày) for me.
2. Can we tell someone's personality from his or her handwriting?
I think it’s possible to get a glimpse of (nhìn thoáng qua) their personality but judging people by hand
writing is like judging a book based on its cover (nhìn mặt mà bắt hình dong). For example, with somebody
with neat and clear handwriting, perhaps we can guess that they are organised people, but there’s no
guarantee that it’s an accurate assessment (đánh giá chính xác) of them.
3. What's the difference of writing with a pen and typing on a computer?
The biggest difference would be that typing on computer is much more flexible, as people can choose
different fonts (phông chữ), sizes and even colours. It’s also much easier to edit texts on the computer
compared with writing by hand.
4. Is your handwriting easy to read for other people?
Yes, I think so. I write feedbacks for my students by hand and they’re very legible (dễ đọc). I write in big
letters and I use a good pen to make sure it’s clear on paper.
List
1. Do you make a list when you shop?
It depends on the items. Normally when I shop for food and daily necessities (vật dùng hằng ngày), I know
in my head what needs to be restocked (bổ sung) at home; in these cases, I never need a grocery list (danh
sách mua hang). However, for special events like my daughter’s birthday, or a weekend party, I will prepare
a list of things to buy so I don’t make mistakes.
2. Do you make a list for your work? (Does it work?)
Yes, I have a to-do list which I prepare beforehand (soạn trước) the night before. On it I’ll write down my
top 5 priorities for the next day. It’s helped me meet deadlines and develop discipline as well.

3. Why don't some people like making lists?

I suppose whether people likes making lists is dependent on the personality and working styles. Some
individuals dislike structure and prefer more flexibility, so they wouldn’t like doing this.

Fish
1. Why do people go fishing?
 Because for these people fishing is a way to relax and enjoy the fresh outdoor atmosphere
 Because fishing helps them escape the hustle and bustle of city life (thoát khỏi bộn bề của cuộc sống
thành thị)
2. Do you like eating fish?
YES: I love eating fish because they’re very delicate and nutritious, and I love eating snake-head fish as
well as catfish. My favourite way of eating fish is to steam them with vegetables, wrap inside rice papers
with fresh herbs and dip into fish sauce.

NO: I can’t stand the smell of fish, I think they’re very hard to eat. Instead, I much prefer eating meat
beefsteak and pork.

DEPENDS: It really depends on the types of fish. I like eating salmon, tuna and snake-head fish because
they’re nutritious and very delicious, but for bony fish (cá nhiều xương) like mackerel, I don’t really like
them.

3. Where can you see fish?

Most often I can find them at the local market, there’s a fishmonger who sells all types, like red snappers,
mackerels and so on. However, sometimes I would take my daughter to the Aquarium in District 11 to see
other fish and marine animals on display.

4. Do you keep fish as a pet?

No, I haven’t kept a fish and I have no intention to do it. I think it needs too many investments – for
example, I have to buy a fish tank (hồ cá), and change water regularly. For me, it’s not worth the effort and
the money

Cooking
1. Did you learn to cook when you were a child?
No because my mother was afraid I would cut myself or get burned. I was only given cooking lessons after I
turned 15 years old.

2. Do you often bake?

Not really, I never do this simply because we don’t have an oven at home. Besides, I can order baked goods
through the internet, so I don’t feel the need to bake my own food.
3. What types of things are baked in your country?
I think just like any country; we have a wide range of items available at the bakery. First of all, it’s definitely
bread, we have our own version of the French baguette and our bread is baked fresh every morning.
Additionally, there are many more baked goods like sponge cake, moon cakes and cookies that people can
buy.
4. Do you think baking is a healthy method of cooking?
Whether food is healthy or not would depend on the ingredients, not the cooking style. Some people
immediately think that baking is better than frying, but most baked goods like cookies and chocolate chips
are filled with sugar, so even though it’s baked, it’s still not healthy to eat. Additionally potato chips are
filled with carbohydrate, and they’re equally bad when baked or fried.
5. Do you prefer eating home cooked meals or eating out?
I much prefer eating at home because it’s cheaper and more hygienic, whereas eating in restaurants costs
more money and sometimes the service is quite bad.
 Insects
1. How do you like insects?
I think some are very beautiful to look at, like the butterfly and dragonfly. But on the other hand, there are
some insects that I will kill on sight (thấy là giết) like mosquitos and cockroaches.

2. Are there many different insects where you live?

I think some are very beautiful to look at, like the butterfly and dragonfly. But on the other hand, there are
some insects that I will kill on sight (thấy là giết) like mosquitos and cockroaches.
3. Do you think insects are useful?
It depends on the species. Some of them are very helpful for the environment and people. For example, bees
provide honey for consumption, and they also pollinate flowers. Other types like the butterflies and spiders
also eat mosquitoes, so they are important for us. However, some insects like cockroaches and mosquitoes
can contaminate food and spread diseases, so not all insects are useful to us.

Age
1. Do you like your current age?
Yes, I love being 30 years old. I’ve reach the point in life where I have reached some financial independence
(tự lập về tài chính), and I can take care of my elderly parents. I’m also married and have a daughter, I think
life’s very good.

2. At what age do you think people are the happiest?

Personally I believe people are the happiest in adulthood, specifically during their 30s, 40s and 50s. These
are the periods where most people are at their prime (đỉnh cao phong độ) in terms of family life and career.
They also have the mental support of their loved ones and also the ambition to climb the corporate ladder
(thăng tiến trong công việc).
3. What do you think is the best age to learn driving?
For me it would be 15 or 16 years old, because for teenagers learning to drive is the first step towards
independence. It’s also the best age
4. How do you feel about getting older?
I have mixed feelings about this. One the one hand, I’m concerned about my physical health, as the older I
become the less energy I have. I’m also more afraid of getting diseases like diabetes or dementia (bệnh lãng
trí) in old age. However, I want to see my families grow and I’m excited about the future success in my
career. So it’s a mix of both fear and excitement.
5. Should we treat people of different ages in the same way?
No, quite the contrary, we ought to adapt our communication style based on their age groups because people
of different ages have drastically different behaviours. For example, teenagers question authority, so it’s
important to be patient and build up trust with them first. But for a young child who listens to authority,
there’s no need to establish trust at all.
So flexibility is important for effective communication, and no matter what age they all deserve to be treated
with respect.
6. Do you think you have changed as you have got older?
Certainly, not only has my appearance (ngoại hình) changed drastically but my personality (tính cánh) has
become different as well. I used to be a chubby kid (chubby = overweight) and after so many years of
dieting I’ve managed to slim down. Additionally, I used to be quite talkative and more sociable, however the
older I get, the quieter and more introverted (nội tâm) I become.
 Jokes & Comedies
1. Are you good at telling jokes?
Yes, I think I have a good sense of humour and I can deliver jokes quite effectively. When I’m talking with
my friends I’m usually the one who makes them laugh.

2. Do your friends like to tell jokes?

Actually it depends on the person. Some of my friends are very hilarious and they know a lot of good jokes,
I enjoy having conversations with them. But others are serious and less talkative, even though they still
appreciate good humour, they’ll never actively make jokes.
3. Do you like to watch comedies?
Yes, I’m a fan of sitcom tv shows. My favourite sitcom is Friends and I’ve watched all 10 seasons many
times. I also enjoy stand-up comedy (hài độc thoại), and some of my favourite stand-up comedians are
George Carlin, Dave Chappelle and Gabrielle Iglesias.
4. Do you like listening and telling jokes?
I appreciate good humour, so if it’s smart and doesn’t insult other people, I will definitely appreciate it and
maybe learn it so I can use it later.
5. How can a joke hurt someone?
When a joke makes fun of people’s insecurities, it can really hurt their feelings. Jokes that use body-shaming
and racial discrimination would offend most people.

Public Transportation
1. Do people usually use public transportation in your country?
Yes, public transports are very popular and we use them on a regular basis. For inner-city transport, people
often ride the buses, taxis and xe-ôm, whereas for long-distance trips, we prefer using coaches (xe đò) like
Phương Trang or even fly.
2. What kind of public transport do people in your country use the most? Why?
I think in recent years the most popular form of public transport is Grab, which is a local rideshare platform
similar to Uber. Many people have been using it and it has replaced traditional taxis and xe-ôm.
3. What do you want to change about the public transport?
Well, the most important improvement is in the infrastructures and facilities. Nowadays our streets are too
narrow for buses, so it would be nice if the government can expand the roads or build dedicated bus lanes.
4. Will you ride public transportation in the future? Why?
Personally, I have no reason to use them as I prefer using my motorbike. It is much faster, and more
comfortable. Maybe when the metro line is finished I will try to ride the subway, just out of curiosity.

Discussion
1. What kinds of things do you like to talk about?
Most of my conversation topics are related to family issues, as me and my friends all have kids. I think
currently I talk most often about parenting advice and suitable schools for our children to study at.
Sometimes I’d also discuss social issues and politics with my wife, but we don’t do that very often, our
main concern nowadays is about our daughter.
2. Have you changed the way you discuss things since when you were a child?
Yes, over the years I’ve learned to listen and to defend my ideas. In the past, I used to get upset when
people would have a different opinion, and I would refuse to listen to their perspective. However, now I can
control my emotions better and I can listen as well as debate with people.
3. Do you change your opinions frequently?
Actually it depends on the type of opinion. In terms of my judgement about people – my students for
example, I need to adjust my evaluation based on their performance and behaviours on a regular basis. This
helps me follow their study progress more effectively. However, in terms of my principles for life, work and
parenting, I rarely change them unless I come across a better idea.
4. Do you prefer to talk or to listen?
I like to listen more than to talk. For me listening is a good way to learn more about other people’s
characters. For example, I pay attention their intonations, body gestures and facial expressions – and it lets
me understand their feelings more fully.
Tidy
1. Are you a tidy person?
Yes, I’m an organised person and it’s a skill I’ve developed since university. I always arrange my work desk
neatly and my clothes are always folded in the wardrobe.

2. Are all of your family members tidy?

Not all of them, the older members are clean and tidy and more disciplined, but some of the kids in my
family are very messy.

3. Do you think you are more tidy at school than at home?

Well, tidiness is a skill that can be used anywhere, so I’m as tidy and clean at home as I am at work.
Actually in my office I have a broom and a mop so I can clean up and make sure people work in a good
environment.
Conversation with A Stranger

1. Is it hard to strike up a conversation with a stranger?

Yes, personally I’m quite bad at starting conversations with people, because I’m shy and I don’t know many
ice-breakers (lời mào đầu câu chuyện). This is something I’m working on.

2. Do you normally carry on a conversation with strangers?

Not really, I often keep to myself in the public, and most people do the same. Like most people, I’m not
comfortable talking to strangers.
3. Are you afraid of being evaluated when you meet someone for the first time?
No, I don’t pay attention to what people think of me. I will put in the effort to present myself well – for
instance I’ll make sure I wear good clothes and put on some perfume, but how they respect me is their
personal choice and I have no control over it.
Humour
1. Do you like being close to a person who has a good sense of humor?  lấy ý phần Jokes &
Comedies
2. What type of programmes do you find funny on TV?  lấy ý phần Jokes & Comedies
3. Which types of programmes are most popular in your country?
The most prevalent programs on TV are comedy shows and game shows. There are so many of them and
they’re broadcasted on traditional TV channels and on Youtube as well.
4. What kind of things make you laugh?
I laugh easily when I play with my daughter, it’s a big joy in my life. At work I have a lot of fun talking and
joking with my students, and we laugh all the time.
5. Do you like to make people laugh?  lấy ý phần Jokes & Comedies
6. Do you think it is important to have a sense of humour and why?  lấy ý phần Jokes & Comedies
 Success
1. Is it important to succeed for the first time? Why?
I don’t think so. If somebody successfully achieves his or her target the first time, it’s great and I would
cheer for that person. But for me it’s natural for people to fail at the first attempt, and it’s more important to
learn from the mistakes, get some experience and try again.
2. What factors lead to success?
I think success needs a combination of faith, skills and luck. People need to believe in themselves because
they’ll surely fail many times before succeeding. Secondly, it’s important to develop the skills and
techniques in order to capture the opportunity when it comes, and there’s the element of luck, to be at the
right place at the right time.
Newspaper & Magazine
1. Do you prefer to read newspaper or magazine?
I prefer reading magazines because they focus largely on 1 particular area, so I can get more in-depth
information. For instance, I have a monthly subscription with a Vietnamese magazine about motorbikes, thus
I am always updated about new motorcycles and prices. In contrast, I find newspaper quite boring because
they only report on politics and crimes.
2. Do you prefer to read news online or on newspaper?
I much prefer reading online news because it’s more accessible. It is much more environmentally friendly
compared with traditional newspaper.

Judgement
1. Do you often judge anyone?
Yes, I judge people all the time because as a teacher, I need to give my students evaluation performance
feedback. For me, judging people is part of my job and I take it very seriously. I don’t judge people based on
their appearance but rather I’d observe their behaviours in class and in homework before I make my
assessment.

2. How do you feel when someone hates you?

I think at this age I’ve developed an indifferent attitude about what people think of me. I think that we’re
always going to have haters and supporters, it’s just a fact of life so I don’t let it bother me.
Shopping
1. Do you like/enjoy shopping?
Actually I find shopping very rewarding, especially when I shop with my wife and daughter. We work hard
to earn money and it’s very satisfying to spend it for food, good clothes and toys for the baby.

2. Who does most of the shopping in your household?

It would have to be my wife, she buys both online and offline. But she has a very logical mind, everything
she purchases has a meaningful usage and it’s never a waste of money.
3. Should we spend money on expensive products?
It depends on what type of high-end items we’re buying. For me, it’s completely okay to spend big money
on a good education, a good motorbike or a home in a nice neighbourhood, because these are long-term
investments and we’ll surely get value for our money. However, for items like shoes, t-shirts and phones, I
don’t think it makes sense to buy expensive products because they’ll always be replaced by newer versions.

4. What is the quality of high-end items and low-cost gadgets?

Usually high-end items will be made out of better-quality components (linh kiện), so they last longer, whilst
cheaper products are made from low-grade materials which means they break easily. High end products also
come with great after-sales service for the consumers.
 Animal
1. Have you ever seen a wild animal? [What was it?/Why not?]
Actually I’ve never been in a wildlife habitat so I have never seen any wild animal directly in person. I’ve
only seen them on TV through wildlife documentary.
2. What is your favourite wild animal? [Why/Why not?]
My favourite is the python. I like reptiles and the python fascinates me due to its size and intelligence.
3. Do you like seeing animals in a zoo? [Why/Why not?]
Yes, for me this is normal. Although many people believe it’s cruel to keep animal in cages (lồng), it’s been
proven that the animals in zoos are not strong enough to live by themselves in the wild. So actually zoos are
keeping them safe and well-fed.
4. How important is it to protect wild animals? [Why/Why not?]
I think it’s essential that we protect wild animals because they contribute significantly to the overall
ecosystem.
Stay up late
1. Did you often sleep late when you were young?
Yes, I was a night owl (người sống về đêm) when I was younger. When I was studying at university I often
had to burn the midnight oil (thức trắng đêm) to study for exams. At other times I would stay up to hang out
with friends or play computer games.
2. How do you feel when you wake up after a late sleep?
Well, now that I’m older, I feel terrible if I don’t get enough sleep. I’d feel very drowsy (buồn ngủ) and I’d
need a strong coffee to stay awake.
3. Do you often stay up late?
Yes, quite often because at night I usually mark my students’ homework. But I try not to stay up too late, I’d
go to bed when it’s 1am, I cannot stay up later than that because I’ll feel very tired the next morning.

Gifts / Presents
1. What is one of the best gifts you’ve ever received?
The best present I’ve been given is my first guitar which my dad bought for my 12th birthday. It’s my
introduction to music and he taught me many lessons with it. I have a strong emotional attachment to it, so
even though I don’t use it anymore it’s still hanging on my wall.

2. Are you good at choosing gifts for other people?

Actually I’m quite bad at this because I don’t think I know them well enough to buy something that’s
thoughtful and personal for them. Most of the present I get for people are very generic (đại trà) like a
voucher, a gift card or just money.

3. What sort of gifts do you like to buy for friends?

It would really depend on how close our relationships are. For normal friends or colleagues, I’ll just give
them some cash money to get it over with. But for my best friends and family members I will think more
carefully about their needs and buy them something more personalised. For instance, last year I bought my
mother a new phone as she was still using the Iphone 2, but this year I got her some new shoes. I think the
best gifts are those that are thoughtful and considerate of the receiver’s needs.
 Famous People
1. Have you ever seen a famous person in real life?
Not really, I live in a working class neighbourhood in District 8, and I don’t think rich, famous people would
ever step foot in it.

2. What kinds of famous people are you interested in?

I like celebrities who are down-to-earth (chân chất) and charitable (có lòng từ thiện) such as Emma Watson,
Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp.

3. Would you like to be famous in the future?

No at all, I think the price of fame is the complete loss of privacy. I would rather be a normal unknown
person and live a quiet peaceful life.

Picnics
1. When you were a child did you ever go on picnics?
When I was little my family would have picnics in Saigon’s Botanical Garden in District 1. But this was
very rare, only during Tết when everybody had time off.

2. How often do you go on picnics now?

I never go picnicking nowadays. I’m very busy with work so on weekends I’d prefer to stay at home to relax
and get ready for the next week. Besides, there’s no picnicking area in Ho Chi Minh city, we’d have to
travel to the outskirts, which is too much effort for me.
3. Where would people go for a picnic in your country?
I think for those living in large cities like HCM or HN, they will have to travel to the outskirts to find a
suitable area for picnicking. Some young people even travel to coastal cities like Vung Tau or Nha Trang to
have picnics on the beach.

Having to do things in a hurry

1. What do you often have to do very quickly?
Every day I need to eat breakfast in a hurry so that I can leave for work and avoid the morning rush hour (đi
trước khi kẹt xe buổi sáng). Sometimes I need to answer an urgent email, or return a phone call but these
don’t happy very often.

2. Do you think you do things well when you hurry?

3. Do you find it difficult to do things quickly?
2 câu này chung 1 ý:
I think it’s harder to do a task when in a rush due to the added time pressure. It’s actually more mentally
stressful as well. But thankfully I have learned to compose myself and I don’t buckle under pressure (thành
ngữ: gục ngã dưới áp lực) anymore.
 TEXT / SMS
1. Do you like sending and receiving messages?
Yes, I think it’s very fun and satisfying to exchange messages with friends. I think nowadays texting is a
very effective communication method because of the different emoji’s and stickers that we can send, it
improves the mood of the conversation.

2. Have you ever received a text message that was difficult to understand?
This has happened a few times to me and it’s mostly messages from my parents because they type without
using Vietnamese accents (dấu tiếng Việt) so it’s quite confusing to read.

3. When is it better to phone someone instead of sending a text?

For important occasions like a wedding invitation, or even a funeral announcement it’s always more
appropriate to give the other person a call. I think it’s more respectful to deliver these messages in person
rather than by texts.

Trying new activities

1. Do you like to try activities you haven’t done before?
Not really, at this stage in my life I’ve found a lifestyle which I would love to stick to. I don’t feel the need
to try anything new, I’m comfortable with my current hobbies.
2. Did you enjoy trying new activities when you were younger?
I guess when I was a teenager I was much keener to try out new things, I think partly because I was curious
about life and wanted to experiment with everything. I remember trying to ride a skateboard and learning
sign language (tín hiệu câm) just out of curiosity.

3. Do you prefer to try a new activity alone or with friends?

I prefer to do it with friends because learning is always easier when done with friends’ support. We can
exchange notes and give each other’s feedback, and at the beginner stage I think this is quite important.

Weekends
1. Do you like to go to the cinema/movies at weekends?
Not at all, I’ve always hated the cinema because it’s too crowded and expensive. Besides, I have better
weekend activities to do than sit still for nearly 2 hours watching a film. I much prefer catching up with my
family and taking care of my daughter.

2. What do you enjoy doing most at weekends?

The most rewarding activity is spending time with my 1-year-old daughter, and I try to spend as much time
as possible with her. I would walk with her around the neighbourhood, feed her or just play toys together.
It’s very simple things but to me it means the whole world.

3. Do you think there are enough interesting things to do in your city at weekends?
Yes, there are a wide variety of attractions that cater to every needs. Extroverted people can visit Bui Vien
street for cheap drinks, or hit the clubs in District 2 and District 1, whereas there are coffee shops, shopping
malls and night markets for other types of people.
 Recycling
1. What kinds of things do you try to recycle?
For me I’d always try to recycle bio-degradable packaging materials like paper, and if it’s food waste I will
use for compost in the garden. For glass products, I’d recycle by finding another usage for them and not
throw them out. For instance, I’d keep glass bottles to store water in the fridge. Plastics are more difficult to
recycle so I avoid buying them as much as possible.

2. Did you recycle anything when you were a child?

Not really, when I was younger people didn’t know about recycling, let alone (huống hồ chi) taking part in
it.

3. Would you like to recycle more than you do now?

Absolutely, I would love to be able to recycle every household product, especially used batteries and cell
phones. It would be much more beneficial for the environment and I hope in the future there’ll be a way to
reuse everything in the house.