VSTEP WRITING - 2021.sept Nov - 18p 1

TÀI LIỆU ÔN TẬP BẬC 3-5
VSTEP WRITING
VSTEP Writing Level 3-5_2021_September-November Page 1

KẾ HOẠCH ÔN TẬP KỸ NĂNG VIẾT BẬC 3-5 VSTEP
(15 tiết)
SỐ TIẾT NỘI DUNG

4 Giới thiệu định dạng và đề mẫu Cấu trúc
informal email
Phân tích email mẫu
Luyện viết email
4 Luyện viết email
4 Giới thiệu các dạng essay thường gặp Phân

tích essay mẫu
Luyện viết essays
3 Luyện viết essays
ĐẶC TẢ ĐỀ THI CHO KỸ NĂNG VIẾT

Thời gian: 60 phút.
Miêu tả chung các phần: đề thi g m c 2 ph n nh m kiểm tra năng lực giao tiếp
Viết b ng tiếng Anh cho thí sinh trình độ từ bậc 3 đến bậc 5 theo Khung năng lực
ngoại ngữ 6 bâc dùng cho Việt Nam.
- Ph n 1 thời gian làm bài 20 phút. Số từ y u c u tối thiểu 120 từ . Chấm
điểm 10/30. Thí sinh viết một bức thư/email trả lời một bức thư/email cho
sẵn hoặc một bức thư/email gửi cho người khác nh m hỏi thông tin hay
thực hiện những nhu c u giao tiếp khác nhau. Nhiệm vụ này kiểm tra kĩ
năng viết tương tác.
- Ph n 2 thời gian làm bài 40 phút. Số từ y u c u tối thiểu 250 từ . Chấm
điểm 20/30. Thí sinh viết một bài luận về một chủ đề của đề bài, dùng kinh
nghiệm và hiểu biết cá nhân để củng cố lập luận. Nhiệm vụ này kiểm tra kĩ
năng viết luận (viết sản sinh).
Tổng số câu hỏi: 2
Tổng điểm: 30 điểm sau đ quy đổi theo thang điểm 10.

VSTEP SAMPLE WRITING TEST (LEVEL 3-5)
Thời gian: 60 phút
Số câu hỏi: 2
TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have received an email from an Australian friend, Richard, whose parents are
coming to visit your country. He asked you for some information about a hotel in
your hometown. Read part of his email below.
My parents are arriving on Tuesday 16th at 18.05 and leaving on Monday 22nd at
14.45. I am hoping you can suggest a hotel for my parents’ trip in your hometown.
Could you also check if there are any day trips from the hotel to local sights, what the
price of the hotel room is, if breakfast is included in the price and if the hotel
restaurant serves vegetarian dishes?
Write an email responding to Richard.
You should write at least 120 words. You do not need to include your name or address.
Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfillment, Organization, Vocabulary
and Grammar.
TASK 2
Read the following text from an article about education.
Co-education means education for boys and girls together. The tendency has been for
more countries to move to co-education as the standard at every level of education.
However, there is no general agreement as to whether the two genders should be
educated together. Some people believe it is better if boys and girls go to single-sex
schools.
Write an essay to an educated reader to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of co-
education. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task
Fulfillment, Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

TASK 1 – EMAIL WRITING
FORMAT OF AN INFORMAL EMAIL
GREETING
Dear Richard, Hello
Richard, Hi Richard,
OPENING
How are you? I hope you are doing well. How
have you been? I hope you are well.
How have you been so far? I hope this email finds you in the best health.
How have you been so far? Hope you are in pink of your health when this reaches you.
How are your family? I hope you and your family are having a great time there.
It’s been a while since I’ve heard from you. I hope you are well. I’m writing this email to
tell you about ….
Thank you very much for your email. It was great to hear from you after so many months. I
hope this email finds you in the best health.
BODY
CLOSING
I can't wait to see you soon. I can't
wait to hear from you.
I hope to hear from you soon.
I am looking forward to seeing you.
I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
SENDING REGARDS
Send my love to......
Give my regards to......
SIGNING OFF
Best,
Kindly,
Best wishes,
Kind regards,
Best regards,
Lots of love,
Love,

TESTS AND SAMPLES
TEST 1
You have received this email from an English-speaking pen-friend, Mary.
... It was great to hear that you went to Italy during your spring holidays. I have
always wanted to visit this wonderful country. Did you enjoy your journey? What places of
interest did you visit? What impressed you most of all? Did you like your hotel?
As for me, I am awfully tired because we’ve got too many tests at school. Can’t
wait for the summerbreak...
Write a reply to Mary. In your email, you have to tell her about your journey to Italy
and ask 3 questions about her plans for the summer
You should write at least 120 words. You do not need to include your name or address.
Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfilment, Organization, Vocabulary
and Grammar
SAMPLE
Hi Mary,
Thank you very much for your email. It was great to hear from you after so many
months. You seem to be having a tough time there. Hope you will finish your tests with
flying colors. But don’t forget to take rest and relax after nerve-racking time.
Well, I had a wonderful time in Italy. I visited several beauty spots there, Pisa Tower,
Juliet’s house in Verona Colosseums in Rome capital city, you name it. I snapped many
gorgeous shots in places I set foot in. It was a shame that I arrived at Pisa Tower when
the sun set, so the photos I took there were not bright.
What impressed me most of all during my journey is Italian food. You know I’m a
foodie and Italia is considered the paradise of delicacies. Oh, yummy. Some of them I
must say were phenomenal!
About the hotel I stayed in hmm it couldn’t be better! My room had a great view
looking out at the sea. The room was fully equipped with luxurious facilities. Ah, the
room cleaners, they were attentive and helpful.
Do you have any plan for your vacation? Where are you going? Are you going to take
any summer course? Are you going to visit my city?
Hope to see you soon.
Best wishes

PRACTICE TESTS
TEST 2
You have received this email from an English-speaking pen-friend, Emily.
...We moved to a new house a few weeks ago and I changed school. At first I was a bit
afraid but I made new friends sooner than I expected. The teachers are nice and everything
seems to be working out well. And what about you? Have you made any friends in your new
school? Do you enjoy studying there? Have you got any new subjects this year?
I’ve got to go now! It’s time for my music lesson. Drop me a line when you can.
Lots of love,
Emily
Write a reply to Emily. In your email, you have to answer her questions and tell her
about your new school and ask 2 questions about her preferences in music
TEST 3
This is part of the email from your English-speaking pen-friend, Harry.
...I’m fine but I’ve got a very busy week ahead. I’m a member of the school team and
we are preparing for an important match in the National Championship. Are you fond
of football? Do you watch football matches on TV? What other sports do you enjoy?
Well, I’d better go now. I’ve got to do some more training — I don’t want
to lose this match. Take care and write back soon.
Write a reply to Harry. In your email, you have to answer his questions and ask 2
questions about his preparation for the match
TEST 4
This is part of the email from your teacher.
... Our class is going to attend an exhibition. Please could you please decide if you
can attend the exhibition and inform me your decision by the end of this week? ....
Write a reply to your teacher. In your email, you need to ask for the date and
opening hour of the exhibition, the topics and the benefits of the exhibition.
TEST 5
This is part of the email from your English-speaking pen-friend, John.
… I’ve got one week free this summer and I’d really like to visit Hanoi. How can I get
to the city centre from the airport? I will also need somewhere to stay. Can you suggest
a hotel where I can stay? I It would be great if you could tell me the activities I can do in
Hanoi and give me advice on what to wear in Hanoi in June….
Write an email responding to John.

TEST 6
This is part of the email from your friend Mary:
... There is going to be a concert in town next week. Our family intend to go to this
concert. Would you like to go with us? Please tell me your decision by the end of
this week....
Write a reply to Mary. In your email, you need to ask for the details of the
concert, the cost of the ticket and how to book for the ticket.
TEST 7
This is part of the email from your friend John:
... I just finished high school and I am planning to go to Vietnam to learn Vietnamese.
Could you please give me advice on a suiable center to learn Vietnamese. And a place
for me to stay in during my studying time? I also want to have a part time job. So
please tell me which job can I work part time when I study there ....
Write a reply to Mary. In your email, you need to ask for the details of the
concert, the cost of the ticket and how to book for the ticket.
TEST 8
This is part of the email from your friend Paul.
One of my hobbies is watching TV. There are many fantastic programs for me to
watch. Sometimes I can spend my whole day watching TV. Could you tell me about
TV in your country? Are the programs interesting to you? What is your best
favourite TV program? What is that program about? How much TV do you watch
every day? Do people in your country watch too much TV these days?
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Write an email responding to Paul.

TASK 2 – ESSAY WRITING
COMMON TYPES OF ESSAYS
There are four main types of essays:
- Advantages – Disadvantage
- Causes/Problem – Solutions/Measures
- Agreement – Disagreement
- Both-view Discussion
TYPE 1. ADVANTAGE - DISAVANTAGE
TOPIC: The way people work today has changed significantly due to the development
of technology. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the changes.
ORGANIZATION: 4 paragraphs
INTRODUCTION Leading + personal opinion (more advantages OR more disadvantages)
BODY 1 Advantages or Disadvantages (contrast to personal opinion) + supporting ideas
BODY 2 Advantages or Disadvantages (similarity to personal opinion) + supporting ideas
CONCLUSION Repeat personal opinion
SAMPLE ESSAY
It is a common belief that the changes brought about in the workplace by technological
advances have been largely negative. However, there is a more persuasive argument
that these changes have had an overall positive effect because they allow people to work
and communicate from any location.
On the one hand, technology has blurred the line between work hours and off-time.
This is because smartphones and other communication devices have made it easier to
contact workers after they are finished with work. As a result, supervisors can now
encroach upon the private time of their employees. In fact, this became such a problem
in France that it led to a law recognizing the right to disconnect once work has finished.
French people felt that working after office hours was an invasion of their personal time.
Therefore, legislation was passed allowing people to avoid work communications when
they are not on company time.
On the other hand, the development of technology has benefited workers by giving
them the ability to perform their jobs in any physical location. Due to advances in
Internet technology, people can work closely together even if they are not in the same
office. For instance, people these days can hold video conference meetings with clients
in different countries, saving them the time and money it would take to travel to those
destinations. Furthermore, the ability to check work communications on a phone or
laptop offers people the freedom to work from anywhere.
In conclusion, whereas there are some disadvantages to using new technologies in the
professional sphere, it is evident that the advantages of technological advances far
outweigh the drawbacks.
(274 words)
PRACTICE TESTS ON TYPE 1
TEST 1
Read the following extract from a newspaper.
... Thanks to the assistance of technology and advances in communication, more and more
people are working from home nowadays. Besides, the good things this trend brings, there
are alo many drawbacks to consider…
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to present the benefits and drawbacks of
working from home. Include reasons and relevant examples to support your answer.
You should write at least 250 words.
TEST 2
… Nowadays. more and more children are watching too much television. Some
sociologists says that watching television brings many good things to children. However,
others argue that excessive television watching has several drawbacks…
Now, write to an educated reader to present the advantages and disadvantages of
television to children. Include reasons and relevant examples to support your answer.
TEST 3
… As revealed by one leader Ho Chi Minh is planning to build sky train to support people
commuting to work. The sky train in expected to improve the public transportation in the
biggest city of Vietnam in the next twenty years…
Now, write to an educated reader to present the advantages and disadvantages of
building sky train. Include reasons and relevant examples to support your answer.

TYPE 2 - CAUSE/PROBLEM - SOLUTION/MEASURES
TOPIC: In modern times, people are under more stress than ever. This has a negative
impact on their well-being. State some of the causes and suggest possible solutions.
ORGANIZATION: 4 paragraphs
INTRODUCTION Leading + personal opinion
BODY 1 Causes or Problem + explanation
BODY 2 Solutions or Measures + explanation
CONCLUSION Summary + ending
SAMPLE ESSAY
It is true that many people feel more stress nowadays than they used to, and this is
leading to a general decline in people’s mental health. While this is a serious problem,
it can be solved by taking up a hobby.
The main cause of stress is that society is highly competitive and people are under
intense pressure to succeed. The unstable job market has contributed to making people
think that they will lose their jobs if they cannot compete. Furthermore, society demands
constant self-development in order to remain successful. As a result, people experience a
high degree of tension of pressure at work, which has an extremely negative effect on
their health. In fact, in a recent survey conducted on workers in Korea, over 70% of those
questions stated that they are under intense emotional strain because of the social pressure
to remain competitive.
However, there are solutions to this problem. One of the ways to deal with stress is to
find a hobby that allows one to forget the pressures one faces in professional life. A
recreational activity can help people stop thinking about their worries. In addition, doing
activities means alleviating work-related stress. For example, biking clubs have recently
become extremely popular in Seoul. People who join them claim that cycling with a
group of like-minded people helps to revitalize them both physically and mentally. The
positive energy they generate from this hobby helps them cope with work- related
anxiety.
In conclusion, it is clear that intense pressure to succeed is generating high levels of
stress which is harmful to people’s health. Nevertheless, the issue can be resolved by
finding a hobby one can enjoy.
(278 words)

TEST 1
…. A growing number of forests has been destroyed in the past two decades. This
tendency leads to a lot of serius effects to the environment of human life…..
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to present the causes and results of
deforestation. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.
TEST 2
…. A recent survey carried out by Tourist Magazine showed that the number of tourists
traveling abroad on holiday has been doubled in the last five years …
Now, write to an educated reader to present the reasons for rise in international
travel on holiday and the impact this tendency may have on the tourist destination.
Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.
TEST 3
…. A recent survey in the UK revealed that more than sixty percent of teenagers are
obese. This problem is considered to be the leading causes of serious diseases such as
cancer or blood pressure to them in their later life …
Now, write to an educated reader to present the causes and measures to reduce
obesity among the young. Include reasons/relevant examples to support your answer.

TYPE 3. AGREEMENT/DISAGREEMENT
QUESTION: Many things can influence the academic achievement and emotional
growth of a student. In this regard, peers have more of an impact than teachers do.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
ORGANIZATION
INTRODUCTION Leading + personal opinion (agree/disagree)
BODY 1 Argument 1 + supporting ideas
BODY 2 Argument 2 + supporting ideas
CONCLUSION Summary + ending
SAMPLE ESSAY
It is a common belief that a student’s school performance and emotional development
are influenced more by teachers than by classmates. However, I firmly believe that
classmates are more influential because students are motivated academically by their
peers and become more mature by socializing with them.
Firstly, students are motivated by competing with classmates. For instance, student
usually have a desire to outperform peers by demonstrating broader knowledge and
achieving higher scores. Competition is especially fierce in the classroom, where
students study the same material in the same place. According to a recent survey, most
students stated that their peers motivated them to study more than their teachers. This is
because competition played a key role in their motivation. This study offers strong
proof that classmates significantly affect a student’s academic achievement.
On top of that, socializing at school allows children to grow emotionally through
cultivating relationships with peers. Students spend a large amount of their time in the
classroom. Classmates help them grow emotionally by providing them with new ideas,
beliefs, and experiences. This can help students develop a better ability to control their
emotions and get along with others. One study, for example, shows that adolescents
learn how to control their temper and cooperate with their friends at school. This
demonstrates how important relationships with classmates are for a child’s emotional
development.
In conclusion, classmates create scholarly competition and help students mature. For
these reasons, it is clear that a student’s academic achievement and impersonal
development are affected more by peers than by educators.
(256 words)

TEST 1
… Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their
free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the
individual teenager and society as a whole….
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to state whether you agree or disagree
with the statement. Include reasons and relevant examples to support your answer.
TEST 2
Read the following text from an article about smoking.
… Medical studies have shown that smoking not only leads to health problems for the
smoker, but also for people close by. For this reason, smoking should not be allowed in
public places…
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to state whether you agree or disagree
with the statement. Include reasons and relevant examples to support your answer.
TEST 3
… Most people in developing countries do not have food to eat and place to live. Instead of
saving forest to protect the environment, we should aim to maximize land for food
production and making homes for the homeless…
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to state whether you agree or disagree.
Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.

TYPE 4. BOTH VIEW DISCUSSION
QUESTION: Some people believe that parents should devote more time to helping their
children with school work. Other thinks that they should allocate more time to playing
sports with their kids. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
ORGANIZATION
INTRODUCTION Leading + personal opinion (view 1or view 2)
BODY 1 Opponent Argument and reason + explanation
BODY 2 Approving Argument and reason + explanation
CONCLUSION Summary
SAMPLE ESSAY
It is a common belief that parents should spend time helping their children with
schoolwork. However, there is a more persuasive argument that playing sports with
children is more important because this can build a bond between parents and children.
On the on hand, parents’ help with schoolwork encourages children to develop an
interest in studying. Specifically, by assisting their children with problems they have with
their work parents make their children’s task seem less difficult. This can result in greater
interest in classes and lead to better grades in the long run. For example, research has
shown that children whose parents help them solve math problems get better grades than
those who do their work on their own. Assisting them with schoolwork makes children
mores enthusiastic about studying, thus providing a basis for their academic success.
Nevertheless, playing sports is a better way for parents to connect with their children. It
fosters open communication by making children feel more comfortable about sharing their
thoughts with their parents. The experience of cooperation and bonding, which is a part of
every sport, removes any feeling of nervousness children with their parents. In fact, a
recent study revealed that children express their opinions more when their parents create a
relaxed environment by playing sports with them. Topics that children may consider too
embarrassing to discuss under normal circumstances are brought up more easily while
playing sports. The result is that parents and children build closer relationships.
In conclusion, while it is apparent that helping with school work is one way parents can
support their children, it is undeniable that playing sports together is more important.
(273 words)

TEST 1
Read the following extract from a book about tourism.
Some people believe that the advent of economical air travel has been very beneficial by
making international travel more accessible, while others argue that it has had a very
negative impact.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss both those views and give your
own opinion. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.
TEST 2
A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that
they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ
animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss both views and give your
opinion. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.
TEST 3
Read the following extract from a magazine.
Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a
positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss both views and then give your
own opinion. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.

WRITING TEST 1
Time Allotted: 60 minutes
TASK 1
Your English-speaking friend, Clare, whom you haven’t met for a long time, sent you an
email. Read part of her email below:
Do you remember me? We met when you visited my high school in Cambridge during your
summer trip to England 3 years ago. We haven’t heard from each other for a long time,
right?
Anyway, how are you? What have you been doing? You always wanted to be a teacher!
Here some of my news. I’m studying Psychology at Cambridge University. I think I’ve
changed a lot over the years. I don’t like thrillers any more. I prefer history books now. Do
you remember Tom, the tall thin guy with glasses? He’s on the same course as me. We’re
best friends now.
Well, I must finish now because I’ve got an exam tomorrow. It would be really good if we
could get together again.
Write back soon and tell me all your news.
Matt
Write an email responding to Clare.

You should write at least 120 words. You are not allowed to include your name or
addresses. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfillment, Organization,
Vocabulary and Grammar.
TASK 2
In many western countries there is an increasing number of couples choosing to have no

children.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader about the pros and cons to couples having
no children. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.

WRITING TEST 2
TASK 1
Your English friend, Tom, came to visit you recently and he has sent you a letter and
some photographs. Read part of his letter.
I really enjoyed staying with you. Here are the photos I took. Which one do you like best?
When I got home, I realized I’d left my watch behind. It’s green and gold. You haven’t
found it, have you?
I think we’ll have a great time together when you come here in September. We could
either spend the whole time in my family’s flat in the city or stay on my uncle’s farm in
the countryside. Which would you like to do?
Write a letter responding to him.
TASK 2
In recent years, it has become far more normal for people to live alone, particularly in
large cities in the developed world.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss the causes and effects of this
trend. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.

WRITING TEST 3

No. of items: 2
TASK 1
You have received this email from an English-speaking pen-friend, Emily.
...We moved to a new house a few weeks ago and I changed school. At first I was a bit
afraid but I made new friends sooner than I expected. The teachers are nice and
everything seems to be working out well. And what about you? Have you made any
friends in your new school? Do you enjoy studying there? Have you got any new subjects
this year?
I’ve got to go now! It’s time for my music lesson. Drop me a line when you can.
Lots of love,
Emily.
Write a reply to Emily. In your email, you have to answer her questions and tell her
about your new school and ask 3 questions about her preferences in music.
TASK 2
Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free
time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual
teenager and society as a whole.
Now, write an essay to an educated reader to state whether you agree or disagree with
the statement. Include reasons and any relevant examples to support your answer.

VSTEP WRITING - 2021.sept Nov - 18p 1

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TÀI LIỆU ÔN TẬP BẬC 3-5

VSTEP Writing Level 3-5_2021_September-November Page 1

SỐ TIẾT NỘI DUNG

4 Giới thiệu các dạng essay thường gặp Phân

ĐẶC TẢ ĐỀ THI CHO KỸ NĂNG VIẾT

VSTEP Writing Level 3-5_2021_September-November Page 2

VSTEP Writing Level 3-5_2021_September-November Page 3

FORMAT OF AN INFORMAL EMAIL

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TYPE 1. ADVANTAGE - DISAVANTAGE

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Write an email responding to Clare.

In many western countries there is an increasing number of couples choosing to have no

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VSTEP Writing Level 3-5_2021_September-November Page 17

Time Allotted: 60 minutes

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