There have been endless arguments about whether it is better to do a well-paying job

you loathe or an occupation you are passionate about but have low income.

Personally, I would side with the latter. There are three principal merits of doing what

you love, including increasing productivity, tightening family bonds, and avoiding

physical and mental diseases.

On the one hand, being passionate is also linked to being productive. To be verified,

though underpaid, individuals work more efficiently because doing what they love can

motivate them to give work their all, avoiding distraction. In addition, it is job

satisfaction that promotes office workers to be glued to their screens for 8 hours a

day, fully devoting themself to the tasks, which makes them become more creative,

knowledgeable and leads them towards success at work. Moreover, unlike having a

high-income job, which forces employees to work under pressure to get a decent

salary, workers with this state of mind will immerse themself in work, effortlessly

fulfilling all requirements, having a good promotion opportunity to earn a higher wage.

Another integral advantage is creating a jubilant family. To be more specific, not only

does having a job that fits interests help them to be increasingly competent over the

years but it also allows them to spend more time at home, having the capacity to

strengthen family nexus by traveling, watching movies, and eating dinner alongside

having intimate conversations, bringing members closer. Furthermore, enjoying

working will help people get a long-term job as well as a stable salary, reasonably

covering daily cost-of-living expenses, being prepared to deal with unexpected

situations such as bankruptcy. Indeed, with the high tuition fee of RMIT university, my
mother always asked me to get a scholarship, constantly causing controversy,

resulting in jeopardy in my family's affection. Hence, without any financial burden, the

family will lead a life full of happiness.

Lastly, doing a job you find interesting will prevent workers from work-related stress.

Obviously, working under pressure poses a serious threat to both cognitive and

physical health, causing some chronic impacts, be it memory lapse or concentration

problems, which can seriously reduce work productivity. In terms of physical

consequences, working in a harsh environment will lead to headaches,

stomachaches, or even some hair and skin problems, which are extremely

hazardous. Take my beloved father for instance, because of his commitment to

political work, which is extremely stressful and risky, he ages faster with age spots on

his skin, meanwhile, his hair is growing gray and falling out. On the contrary, despite

having low income, they are interested in doing work that is meaningful to them,

giving positive energy for them to face hectic schedules all day long.

In my view, it is not difficult to draw the conclusion that doing an occupation you love

but having a low income brings even more long-term benefits. Although it has become

more popular among the young generation to find high-income jobs, low-paying works

play a crucial role these days, when there is a proliferation of promising workforce.

Word
503
s:
ARTICLE: Wearing a Mask Can Help Your Child Learn

AUTHOR: Judith Danovitch

POSTED ON: nytimes.com
PUBLISHED: AUG. 18, 2021
LINK: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/18/opinion/masks-schools-covid.html

SUMMARY (203 words)

There have been some arguments about whether putting the mask on is beneficial
or detrimental for children. Firstly, opponents of this action expressed concern that
wearing a mask impairs children’s ability to learn a language and socialize or even
rewire their brains. These concerns are understandable but unwarranted because in
fact, congenitally blind children or children, educated by caregivers, wearing head-
coverings developed skills just as children in other cultures. Hence, there is good
reason to believe that wearing mask improve social and cognitive skills, helping
them to strengthen self-control and attention. In terms of learning language, not
only do children, looking at eyes instead of mouths understand whom they are
looking at and what they are trying to convey more deeply but they also exhibit
greater social and emotional intelligence. Besides, with masks, students can
practice paying attention to cues be it tone, voice, and body language or even their
own bodies and physical behavior; therefore, having the capacity to solve social
problems like bullying and handle stressful situations. Most importantly, a recent
study experienced that children living Covid-19 pandemic understood illness
transmission better than ever. Lastly, for older children, mask-wearing is a way to
teach more sophisticated ethical concepts like duty and sacrifice.

RESPONSE (344 words)

This article appealed to me since I am extremely concerned about the current
hazardous pandemic. Additionally, it has spread all over the world, including Viet
Nam. Thus, I want to know how wearing mask beneficially affect children,
contributing to the development of our society in this challenging time. On the one
hand, I would side with the author’s conviction. Indeed, Muslim children are
forced to wear a headscarf, covering their mouth, could acquire knowledge and
skills just as children in other cultures. It doesn’t cause any harm or even if people
say too much, they will actually be distracted, resulting in a lack of attention. To be
more specific, students can have a chance to not only focus more on others’
gestures and behaviors but also practice recognizing people’s thoughts and
emotions, based on vision. Moreover, Vietnamese children find demanding in self-
control because of immaturity so putting a mask on can force them to think more
carefully before saying and acting. Besides, they also show a propensity for having
certain harmful habits like biting nails or picking noses, which can be effortlessly
prevented by wearing a mask, avoiding detrimental bacteria and respiratory
infections.
On the flip side, I do not completely agree that concentration can be fully enhanced
by wearing a mask. To be verified, this tool creates a barrier regarding
communication that through the mask, the sound will be interfered with and
reduced in volume, confusing the opponents. Especially, it is an inconvenience that
makes it difficult for pupils to understand the messages conveyed by teachers and
at the same time alleviate interpersonal skills, which plays a crucial role in our life.
In my perspective, this article is reliable because it was taken from NY Times,
which is a universal daily newspaper published in New York City. Furthermore,
the author, Judith Danovitch had some famous articles, catching great audiences’
attention such as: Growing up with Google, Your kids trust humans more than the
internet. Therefore, it is not difficult to draw the conclusion that this source is
credible.

VOCABULARY (from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/vi/)

unwarranted (adj.) /ʌnˈwɔːr.ən.t̬ ɪd/
definition: not having a good reason and therefore annoying or unfair

my example – During the trial, if the lawyer does not show any clear evidence, his
explanations will be unwarranted.

congenital (adj.) /kənˈdʒen·ɪ·t̬ əl/

definition -existing at or from birth.
my example –He had difficulty walking because of congenital paralysis
bothersome (adj.) /ˈbɑː.ðɚ.səm/
definition - annoying or causing trouble

my example – In class, I can not concentrate on my studies because of the

bothersome noises of my classmates

COMMENT
ARTICLE: Challenges of Home Learning During a Pandemic Through The Eyes of a

Student

AUTHOR: RARKRYAN P.ANGDHIRI

POSTED ON: thejakartapost.com

PUBLISHED: JULY. 21, 2020

LINK: https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2020/04/11/challenges-of-home-learning-

during-a-pandemic-through-the-eyes-of-a-student.html

SUMMARY (182 words)

Admittedly, the world seems to have ground to a halt because of the COVID-19

pandemic that projects got delayed, workplaces closed and schools shut down;

however, students continue their education through online learning and via video calls

with their teachers. As opposed to Indonesian schools, not well-prepared, schools in

New York and the U.S distribute plenty of gadgets, including 500,000 laptops and

tablets, to their students, ensuring they had access to learning materials. Nevertheless,
because of not being prepared through simulations or practices beforehand, pupils not

only become confused but also even more stressed owing to not having friends to

socialize with. Also, the true sufferers of school closing are the students in less fortunate

situations, whose schools are not well-funded, not having the capacity to teach online.

Despite the lack of a nationwide lockdown, schools remain closed, driving students to a

bad spot, where they are unable to receive an education. In this situation, there are now

some alternatives to distance education be it Learning At Home and Teachers Sharing

programs, providing learning materials for pupils, and let them participate in classes

through state-owned broadcasters. In the author’s opinion, he took advantage of e-

learning to focus more and perform better. Moreover, students have to adapt to studying

online as COVID-19 will directly and permanently change education in the future. In

conclusion, in this current situation, people have to be prepared to deal with both

positive and negative changes that the pandemic will bring later.

RESPONSE (305 words)

To begin with, Challenges of Home Learning During a Pandemic Through The Eyes of a

Student by Rarkryan P.Angdhiri is extremely fascinating because the hazardous

impacts of the pandemic on education are the universal problem these days. The

proliferation of COVID-19 poses a serious threat to learning and teaching, forcing

students to study online with restrictions. To begin with, it is a big problem for

governments in all countries that there must be reasonable policies, facing school
closure, ensuring learning opportunities for students. In Vietnam, with the advanced

preparation, almost all students can take advantage of cutting-edge devices, self-owned

or funded by the government, to effortlessly study online through applications be it

Teams and Zoom. Indeed, without the distraction of bothersome noises from other

fellows, not only do pupils stay focused more on lecture but they can also consolidate

their general understanding thanks to the screening recording function, fostering

learning efficiently. However, although well-prepared, the government can't help

children in remote areas integrate into an urban community; therefore, donating learning

methods and textbooks, facilitating difficulties and obstacles on their study pathway

instead.

CORRELATION

This article fits well with my theme of children's development in a pandemic because of

helping to understand the factors directly affecting education. While Judith mentioned

the effects of masks, the inconveniences of online learning are shown by Rarkryan,

helping me to understand more deeply the learning difficulties of children. Although both

solutions ensure the safety of students' lives and reduce the possibility of infection,

there are certain exceptions like those with respiratory illnesses or technophobes, taking

an abundance of time to adopt new learning methods, reducing study productivity.

Nevertheless, I still agree that these factors are a chance for the new generation to

practice concentrating and typing ability, which will be useful for them in the future.
There are two principal explanations for the credibility of this article. Firstly, it is written

by a student who gives the most genuine feelings and is not likely to lie. In addition, the

topic is related to COVID-19, which is a global issue, linked to the law, so it will be

removed instantaneously if the information is wrong due to affecting people's lives.

VOCABULARY (from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/)

pixel (n.) /ˈpɪks(ə)l/

definition - A minute area of illumination on a display screen, one of many from

which an image is composed.

my example – When I enlarged the low quality photo, I could see the pixels.

convey (v.) /kənˈveɪ/

definition - Make (an idea, impression, or feeling) known or understandable.

my example – It is often difficult to convey my true feelings.

Augment (v.) /ɔːɡˈmɛnt/

definition - Make (something) greater by adding to it; increase.

my example – I’d like to augment my salary by taking a second job.

COMMENT (151 words)

from Week 4 R&W: Assignment - Reading Response 1. - Reading Responses 1

 May 11, 2018 8:20am

I think we can all agree that plastic waste is surely damaging the environment. With

the enzyme which the scientist found out in your article has not widely used, this

article shows that governments are aware of this problem and has started to make

some move. Furthermore, this is a global cooperative action. It proves that there are

things that can't be done alone. I hope this will make people produce less waste.

Funding this amount of money on things that can be reduce individually is absurd.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, these global initiatives are not moving fast enough,

particularly here in Vietnam. Big changes have to be made in terms of regulating

plastic consumption and increasing fines for improper disposal. I think there are also

things we could do here at RMIT. Would you be willing to pay a 10,000 vnd tax for

buying a drink which uses plastic cups and straws?

ARTICLE: Pandemic Takes Toll On Children's Mental Health

AUTHOR: LESLEY MCCLURG

POSTED ON: npr.org

PUBLISHED: NOV. 28, 2020

LINK: https://www.npr.org/2020/11/28/938460892/pandemic-takes-toll-on-childrens-mental-health

SUMMARY (242 words)

Children and adolescents these days are becoming notable victims of the pandemic, having hazardous mental health

repercussions. One of them is Kenly Guta, who relapsed anxiety disorder, called mutism, after school closure. On the

contrary to an assiduous social butterfly before the quarantine, not only did she isolate herself in dark corners but she

also got into bad habits be it being glued to the screen and eating more. Likewise, despite keeping health stable, her

twin brother, Anakin, found home learning extremely challenging, leading to a decline in learning outcomes.

Additionally, according to a study of 2,330 Chinese schoolchildren, it is a wake-up call that alerts individuals to the

considerable rise of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Also, a national survey conducted in the

spring of 3,300 high school students found nearly a third were unhappy and depressed "much more than usual",

meanwhile almost 51% felt uncertainty about the future. Furthermore, while the majority of Italian and Spanish

children expressed significant alterations such as difficulty diligent and spending more time online, and less time

engaging in physical activity, more youth suicide attempts along with hopelessness were recorded in a hospital in

Oakland. Hence, schools and community organizations are trying to support students through virtual events,

telehealth sessions, and socially distanced activities. Regarding the Gupta family, they turned a corner thanks to a

daily outdoor camp over the summer, helping them rebound and return to distance learning in the fall.

RESPONSE (359 words)

Initially, Pandemic Takes Toll On Children's Mental Health by Lesley Mcclurg caught my eyes because I am a pupil,

whose mental health is at risk due to the hazardous situation of the pandemic. In fact, with emotional vulnerability,

global toddlers have to confront grief, fear, and uncertainty, which increase screen time, resulting in a sedentary

lifestyle or even vision problems. In Vietnam, because of e-learning, which requires students to have expertise in

using cutting-edge devices, technophobes find difficulty in acquiring knowledge without practical guidance, causing

worry, dullness, and low self-esteem. Besides, in terms of family, it is financial and educational burdens that not only

make parents struggle for covering basic living standards but also force them to adjust feelings well to be calm and

active in intimate conversations with their children, preventing negative emotions such as disappointment, sadness,

anger or loss. However, with the occupational challenging in quarantine, adults can’t meet children’s needs,

meanwhile, the current youngsters’ propensity for hanging out with buddies will drive them to gloomy changes like

eating disturbances, agitation, and conflicts with other members, leading to jeopardy in family nexus. Personally,

instead of being a usual proactive student, I feel demotivated and blue when adapting to new life rhythms, as

opposed to the hustle and bustle of the city before.

CORRELATION

This article is highly relevant to the topic of how children grow during the pandemic, which was clarified in the

previous two articles by Judith and Rarkryan. To be verified, because of the uncontrollable spread, students are

obliged to wear the mask and study online, detrimentally affecting their emotional well-being and causing chronic

diseases. Indeed, the longer they wear a mask, the more their interpersonal skills decrease, which prompts autism

and low grades whereas home learning creates invisible barriers between professors and children, who have trouble

absorbing general understanding under pressure from family, causing depression and mental trauma.

Mcclurg’s article is an incredible resource since NPR is an American popular website. Also, the content is a

pandemic, requiring the truth to ensure people’s lives; therefore, the author may be in jail if the information is

fabricated.

VOCABULARY (from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/)

toddler (n.) /ˈtɒd.lər/

definition -a young child, especially one who is learning or has recently learned to walk

my example – Toddlers tend to watch cartoons and action movies instead of romance

movies

worrisome (adj.) /ˈwʌr.i.səm/

definition - causing worry

my example – Environmental pollution is worrisome because it can adversely affect life.

resilience (n.) /rɪˈzɪl.jəns/

definition - the ability to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad has happened:.

my example – These patients had resilience after a long time of treatment.

COMMENT
Student Name: Nguyen Cao Minh

Student ID: S3918855

Class: S62108E

Assignment: Portfolio Writing Task 2- Final Draft

Question: Write about the topic "Evaluate a public place. Suggest how it could be made more appealing."

TURTLE LAKE

The appearance of public places is contributing to tourism development as well as

enhancing citizens' living standards. Some of them belong to Viet Nam, especially Turtle

lake, an artificial fountain with unique architecture, located in Ho Chi Minh city center. In

this essay, the merits of this construction will be cited along with certain drawbacks and

their solutions to make this public area more enticing.

In terms of positives, Turtle lake is appreciated for plenty of factors. Firstly, this place

has geographical advantages that can accommodate numerous citizens and street

vendors. To be more specific, not only does this spacious area, surrounded by a series

of roadside eateries, make a chance for people to get the authentic taste of Vietnamese

specialties, but it also allows them to be immersed in a cheerful atmosphere. Despite

lying in the city center, those Vietnamese dishes on shoulder poles are purchased at

reasonable prices, leaving a deep impression on the hearts of visitors. Secondly, most

citizens show a propensity for gathering here because of entertainment, art events, and

activities. To be verified, it is a hybrid place that workers, having hectic schedules, can
cram for eating, chatting, or even unwinding to burst stress through incredible street

performances at night. Rather than being glued to the screen, they are forced to mingle

and blend in with the crowd, helping improve happiness and form new bonds. On the

contrary to the hustle and bustle at night, exhibitions and art galleries on weekend

mornings create a tranquil atmosphere with artistic works, inspired by the brilliant

landscape including giant steel flowers, spiral roads, and schools of fish here. Also, this

tranquillity also promotes the elderly to peacefully exercise in the shade of the trees

along with morning sun rays. In general, this lake has certain encouraging aspects like

location and amusement.

In addition to good aspects, the downsides of Turtle pond, which can be enhanced to

become more appealing, are of significance. To begin with, due to the huge number of

visitors, a parking lot is extremely necessary to optimize the vastness of this lake. In

other words, individuals’ spaces are usually invaded by a series of vehicles around the

lake or even on lakeside without security, causing discomfort and uncertainty.

Additionally, smog from motorcycles, placed adjacent to carrying poles, will

detrimentally affect food hygiene and health. With a parking space, instead of having a

lack of freedom or being anxious about food quality and robbers, customers can relish

their hangouts with peace of mind. Another integral adverse factor of Turtle pond is

external covering. Indeed, this structure is in decline with many cracks, showing oldness

and unsanitary hence the refurbishment is what it needs. Particularly, in order to make

this place more impressive but still rustic, painting the oxidized spots gray and filling

cracks with the mixture of concrete and steel must be carried out accompanied by
sparkling neon lights around the roundabout, used at night to show prominence. In sum,

if those shortcomings are ameliorated, this pond will become considerably more

alluring.

In conclusion, Turtle Lake is an ideal public space with geographical advantages and

social events for people to gather. Nevertheless, it has some design and parking issues

that can be addressed through a parking lot and refurbishment to be more appealing to

visitors.

Word count: 550