SPEAKING PART 1 TOPICS

Topic 1: Where you live

Where are you living now?
Tell me about your hometown/street/apartment.
What do you like about your hometown/street/house/apartment?
Tell me the good things about your house.
Is there anything you don’t like about it?
Which is your favorite room in your home? Why?
Who do you live with?
How long have you lived there?
Do you plan to live there for a long time?
Do you prefer your old house or the current one?
What amenities are there in your area?
Would you like to move to another city/street/house/apartment?
What would you change about your city?
Would you recommend your area/street as a good place to live?

- Vocabulary
the locals (= people), local cuisine, residential area, suburb, outskirts, densely populated area, in the
heart of the city, high-rise apartment, apartment/flat, detached house, terraced house
amenity, close-knit community, neighborhood, infrastructure, facility, cost of living, interior/exterior
design, spacious, warm and cozy, fully furnished
- Idioms
There’s no place like home
- Grammar
To be located in/on …
What I like most about my house is …
What I want to improve in my city is …
I would love to …
Topic 2: What you do - your studies
Do you work or study?
What are you studying? / What’s your major?
Where are you studying?
What is the name of your college/ university?
Why did you choose this college I university?
Which part of the course do you enjoy most?
What's good about where you're studying?
What is your favourite subject?
Is it a difficult subject to study?
What was your favourite subject at high/secondary school?
What are your future study plans?
What would you like to do after your studies?
What kind of job would you prefer after graduation? / What is your career plan after you graduate?
- Nouns
boarding school, branch of learning, field of study, discipline, syllabus, coursebook, textbook,
curriculum, assignment, extra classes, distance learning, extracurricular activity, workshop, school
records, graduation ceremony, higher education, freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, tuition fees,
internship,
- Verbs
revise, comprehend, succeed in, become skilled in, enroll in, take/sit an exam, fall behind with your
studies,
- Adjectives
hands-on (=practical), job-related, theoretical, reputable, highly regarded, compulsory, optional
- Idioms
Cram for an exam/a test: I didn’t study ‘til the very last day. So I had to cram for the test.
Pass with flying colours (= pass with a high score) / I pass my entrance exam with flying colours.
Sail through (= finish sth. easily and quickly) / I can usually sail through all my assessments.
Learn by heart: I had to learn by heart all the poems.
A breeze/piece of cake: I thought the test was going to be a piece of cake, but it was actually pretty
hard.
Hit the books: I usually have to hit the books for the final exams.
Topic: Hobbies/ Free-time activities
Do you have any hobbies? / What do you do in your free time?
How much time do you spend for your hobbies?
Do you prefer indoor or outdoor hobbies?
What hobbies/ free-time activities are popular in your country?
Is it important to have a hobby? / Why is it important for people to have free-time activities?
Is it harmful to spend too much time on a hobby?
What free-time activities would you like to try in the future?
What hobbies would you like to have if you have more free time?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
leisure pursuit, leisure activity, spare time, pastime, indoor/outdoor activities
- Verbs
amuse myself by, unwind myself by, kill time by, relieve stress, unwind after a stressful day/ week,
- Adjectives
crazy about, keen on, passionate about, interested in,
fascinating, captivating, time-consuming, appealing
- Grammar
My favorite pastimes are listening to music and doing yoga
One of my favorite leisure pursuits is reading books, especially sci-fi books
In my free time/ leisure time/ spare time, I enjoy/ like + N/ Ving
One of my perennial leisure activities/ pastimes is + N/ Ving
One activity that I enjoy doing is my spare time/ free time is N/Ving
- Idioms
take up (= start): I’ve recently taken up swimming.
take part in: I frequently take part in group activities like..
get into (= enjoy): Recently I’ve been getting into fishing.
have a go at (= try): I’d really like to have a go at scuba diving.
do/ does wonders for (= have a good effect for): Morning exercise will do wonders for my health.
Topic: Relaxation
What do you usually do to relax?
What’s your favorite way to relax?
How much time do you usually have to relax?
What do people usually do to relax at work/school?
Do you think it’s important for people to relax?
Do you think doing sports is a good way to relax?
Do you think vacation is good time to relax?
Do you think students need more relaxing time?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
break, rest, stress buster
- Verbs
unwind, recover, loosen up, take a break, unplug from work, recharge our batteries, feel refreshed,
- Adjectives
soothing, comforting, calming, entertaining
- Idioms
take a breather (= relax) / I’ve mowed the front lawn, and I’m just taking a breather before taking
the back lawn.
chill out (= relax): Stop working. Let’s chill out!
take it easy (= relax): Don’t worry. Take it easy.
put one’s feet up (= relax): After a long day at work, it’s nice to get home and put my feet up.
blow off some steam: When work gets frustrating, I like to go bowling to blow off some steam.

Topic: Weekends
What do you usually do at the weekend? / How do you usually spend your weekends?
What did you do last weekend?
Do you have any plans for the next weekend? / What are you going to (planning to) do next
weekend?
Do you like going to the cinema on weekends?
Do you prefer weekdays or weekends? / Which are more important to you, weekdays or weekends?
Which do you prefer, Saturday or Sunday? (Why?)
Do you like working/studying on weekends?
What do people usually do at weekends in your country?
Are weekends important to you?
Do you think your weekends are long enough?
How important is it to have free time on the weekends?
Do you think working people need to rest on weekends? / Do you think people should be asked to
work on weekends?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
time off
- Verbs
amuse (oneself) by, unwind by, kill time by
- Adjectives
exhausted, drained of energy, full of energy,
- Idioms
Let one’s hair down (=relax) / At weekends I usually let my hair down.
Slip by (= (time) passes quickly) / I feel like the weekend slips too quickly.

Topic: Family
Can you tell me a little bit about your family? / Do you have a big family?
How much time do you spend with your family? / How do you spend time with your family?
Who do you often spend time with?
Which member of your family are you most similar to?
What kind of things do you and your family do together?
Do you get along well with your family?
Were your parents strict when you were a child?
Would you prefer to have a larger or smaller family?
In what way is your family important to you?
Do you think you will live with your family in the future?
Who usually does the housework in your family?
Is it important to share the household chores in a family?
Are there many different types of family in your country?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
household chore, nuclear/extended family, family circle, family connection/bond, siblings, family
reunion, relative, distant relative, descendants, ancestors, in-laws (sister-in-law, brother-in-law,
etc.), upbringing, family life, family man, housewife, family traits,
- Adjectives
blood-related, close, intimate, distant, homesick, over-protective, spoilt,
- Verbs
Start a family, get married, give birth, have children, nurture, raise (a child), bring up, support (a
family)
- Idioms
It’s in the blood (= it’s a natural part of one’s character): All my family are really fond of reading – I
guess it’s in the blood.
Run in the family (= be shared family characteristic): My brothers and I have big ears – it runs in the
family.
Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth (= born into a rich family): I wasn’t exactly born with a silver
spoon in my mouth – my family is quite normal.
Breadwinner: When I was born, my father became the only breadwinner.
Get along with: I feel fortunate that I get along with my family so well.
Like father, like son: My father and I have pretty much the same interests. I guess that’s what people
say, like father, like son.
Blood is thicker than water.

Topic: Friends
Do you have many (close) friends?
What kind of people do you like to befriend with?
Are most of your friends from school or from outside school?
How often do you meet with your friends?
What kind of things do you and your friends do together?
Do you keep in contact with friends from your childhood?
Do you think friendship is important?
Is it important to have a best friend?
Would you prefer to have one good friend or many friends?
What do you think makes good friends? / What are the qualities of a good friend?
Do you think you are a good friend to others?
Which do you prefer to spend time with: a friend or spend time alone?
Which are more important to you: your family or your friends?
How do people in your country meet others and make friends?

Vocabulary:
- Noun:
Pal, mate (schoolmate, workmate), soulmate, childhood friend, bestie, buddy, wingman,
acquaintance, circle of friends, mutual friend, trust, honesty,
- Adjective
Caring, supportive, empathetic, trustworthy, honest, thoughtful, dependable, reliable, generous,
likable,
- Verb
Make friends, confide, keep in touch with somebody, lost touch with somebody, form a friendship,
spoil a friendship,
- Idioms
Ups and downs: I’ve got three close friends from childhood who have gone through all the ups and
downs with me for years.
Have something in common: We have a lot of things in common.
Cross someone’s path: We crossed each other’s path when we were attending a birthday party of a
mutual friend.
A shoulder to cry on: She’s always there when I need a shoulder to cry on.
See eye to eye: When it comes to where to eat, we often see eye to eye with each other.
Give somebody a hand: I think a good friend should be caring and supportive. Such a friend would
be willing to give others a hand when needed.
Topic: Social networks
Are you a sociable person?
What kinds of social networking websites do you like to use? / What kinds of social networks do you
use these days?
How long have you been using social networks?
How did you find these social networking websites?
What kind of social applications do people in your country like to use?
Do you use more social media compared to the past?
Have you ever made friends with someone on the Internet?
What kind of people do you like to be friends with on those websites?
Is it easy to find real friends on a social networking website?
Is it possible to become real friends with people you meet on the Internet?
Do you believe what you see on social networks?
What do you hate about social networks?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns:
Social media platforms, online friends, virtual friends, friend request, fake identity, addiction,
hateful or abusive comments,
- Adjectives:
Trending, addicted to, addicting, cautious
- Verbs:
Stay connected, stay updated on something, keep somebody posted, scroll through the news feed,
turn off notifications, scam, catfish, deceive, take a break from social media,

Topic: Communication
How do you usually keep in touch with members of your family?
How do you usually contact your friends?
Do you prefer to contact different people in different ways? [Why?]
Do you find it easy to keep in contact with friends and family? [Why/Why not?]
Who was the last person you made a call to?
Do you ever write letters by hand? (Why / Why not?)
Do you reply to an email as soon as you receive it?
What is the easiest way to contact someone in your country?
In your country, do people communicate with others in the same way?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns:
Gadgets, mobile devices, Internet connection, telecommunication services, an internet-connected
smartphone, text messages, instant messaging apps, traditional means of communicating,
- Verbs
Reach, get connected with, make phone calls, send and receive messages, pick up, hang up, call
somebody back, mute,

Topic: Sports
Do you like playing sports?
How often do you play sports?
What is your favorite sport?
What sports are the most popular in your country?
What sports do people in your country like to play?
What places are there for playing sports where you live?
Do you think it is important (for young people/ children/ adults) to play a sport?
What are the health benefits of playing sports?
What sports would you like to try in the future?
Do you watch sports on TV?
Do you prefer watching or playing sports?
Do you like extreme sports?
Who is your favorite sports star?

Topic: Physical exercise

Do you do any physical exercise? How often?
Do young people in your country like to do exercise?
Why is it important to do daily exercises? / Do you think people should exercise regularly?
Where do people usually do exercise where you live?
Are men and women interested in the same types of exercises?
Is it easy in your hometown to find places to exercise?
In the future, do you want to try some new ways of exercises?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
team game, spectator sport, physical activity, squad, solo sport, competition
warm-up exercise,
muscle, bone, fitness level, overall fitness, strength, endurance, heart rate
- Verbs
take up, compete, challenge, get fit, gain weight, lose weight, lose some pounds, stay healthy, get
lean, keep fit, work out, burn muscle, burn fat, burn calories, do some warm up, stretch, bend over,
- Adjectives
physical, energizing, physically demanding, strenuous, competitive
- Idioms/Phrases
be a (huge) fan of: I’m not really a huge fan of sports, but I do watch a few football matches of the
national team.
Have a crack at (= to try): I really want to have a crack at baseball, but unfortunately I can’t find any
places to do so.
Get into shape (=to have a good body): I’ve been trying to get into shape by going to the gym.
Do wonders (=to be beneficial): I play football a lot. It really does wonders for my health.
Hit the (gym) club: I hit the gym club on a daily basis and have my personal trainer help me reach my
fitness goal.
As fit as a fiddle: Compared with others at my age, I must admit that I’m as fit as a fiddle.
Day in, day out: I’m sort of a sporty guy and work out at the gym day in, day out to keep my body in
the best shape.

Topic: Swimming
Can you swim? / Do you like swimming?
How often do you go swimming now?
Where do (or can) people go swimming in your hometown (or, near your home)?
Is swimming very popular in your country?
What do you think are the benefits of knowing how to swim?
Do you think it would be more enjoyable to go swimming indoors or outdoors?

Topic: Cycling
Do you like cycling?
Is cycling popular in your country?
What are the advantages of cycling?
Vocabulary:
- Nouns
Pushbike, mountain bike, biking, bike-riding
- Verbs
Peddle, slow down, speed up
- Adjectives
Invigorating, energetic, environmentally-friendly

Topic: Outdoor activities

Do you like doing outdoor activities?
How often do you do outdoor activities?
What outdoor activities are popular in your country?
Do you think it’s important for people to spend time outdoors?
Vocabulary:
- Verbs
Breath fresh air, refresh one’s mind
- Adjectives
Refreshing, revitalizing,
- Idioms/Phrases
Out in the open air: We always have a picnic out in the open air.
Topic: Healthy eating
Do you like eating healthy food?
Do you think it is important to eat healthy food?
Do you have any unhealthy eating habits?
Do you think people eat healthier food nowadays compared with people in the past?
What do you think is more important, eating healthy food or doing exercise?

Topic: Health
Do you have any unhealthy habits?
In what ways do you try to stay healthy?
Do you pay attention to public information about health?
Do you think more about your health now than when you were younger?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
Cholesterol, vitamin, mineral, nutrition, nutrition values
- Verbs
munch (= eat), lose weight, put weight on
- Adjectives
Nutritious, nourishing, harmful (to one’s health)
- Idioms/Phrases
in good shape/ in good condition (= having a healthy body): She’s in good shape after months of
training.
pig out (= eat a large amount of food, usually unhealthy food): We pigged out on pizza last night.
junk food (= unhealthy fast food): Junk food has little or no nutrition.

Topic: Travel
Do you like traveling? How often?
(How often do you go on holiday?)
In which seasons do you prefer to travel?
Where did you travel to most recently?
What kind of places have you visited in your life?
When you visit new places, what do you like to do?
What form of transport do you use for your travel?
Do you like to travel by car/bus/train/plane?
When do you travel by car/bus/train/plane?
Which do you prefer, travelling by bus or by plane?
Have you ever been to any unusual places?
What places would you like to visit in the future?
Does your family often travel together?
Have you ever traveled alone?
Do you prefer to travel along or with a group?
What place in your country would be attractive for foreigners to travel to?
Would you say your country is a good place for travellers to visit?
What is the best season to travel in your country?
When you travel, do you like to live in hotels with scenic views?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
Tourist attraction/destination, place of interest, must-visit destination, holiday destination,
remote/rural areas,
Affordable flight, budget airline, travel agency, package holiday, independent travel, day trip, 3-day
trip, backpacking, guided tour, backpacker, holiday-maker, foreign visitor
The locals, local cuisine, local specialties, night market, traditional craft village, cultural heritage,
historical monument, landscape, coastal city, wilderness, ancient town, mountainous areas,
landmark
Five-star hotel, hostel, resort,
Handicraft, souvenir,
- Verbs
Go on/Take (a holiday), embark (on a journey), book/cancel, hit the road, take (a flight), catch (a
bus/train), go backpacking
(This place) has a reputation for,
Go sunbathing, go sightseeing, take a stroll/walk,
- Adjectives
Breathtaking, spectacular, stunning, picturesque, magnificent, jam-packed, out of season,
economical, affordable, cost-effective, comfy, carsick, jet lag,
(This place) is well-known for,
- Idioms/Phrases
A change of scenery
e.g. Sometimes it’s actually really good to just escape from your work for a little while and travel to
somewhere to have a change of scenery.
Get away from the hustle and bustle of city life
e.g. Travelling is great way to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Get away from it all
Holiday of a lifetime
Once-in-a-life-time experience
e.g. That trip was an once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll never forget.
Have a blast
e.g. I had a blast travelling to that city.
The more, the merrier
e.g. I usually invite a lot of friends to go with me in a trip. For me, the more the merrier, you know…
Bucket list
e.g. I have so many things to do on my bucket list, one of them is travelling to Japan.

Topic: Holidays
Do you like holidays? Why / why not?
Are there a lot of holidays in your country?
What do you usually do on your holiday?
Do you often go on holiday?
Where do you usually go? / What kind of places do you like to go on holiday?
Who do you prefer to go with? / Who would you like to go on holiday with?
Where did you go for your last holiday?
If you could go to any country for a holiday, where would that be?
Do you like long or short holidays?
Do you prefer to stay with friends or family during a holiday?
What do you often do with your family members/friends?
What do most people do during their holidays in your country? Why?
Where do people in your country go on holidays?
Do you have any plan for your next holiday?

Topic: Public holidays

How many public holidays do you have in your country?
What do people often do on holidays?
Do you think people need more public holidays?
How do you usually spend your holidays?
Which holiday is your favourite?

Topic: Festivals
Which is your favourite festival?
Do you often celebrate festivals in your culture?
How do you celebrate Tet Holiday?
What special food and activities do you have for these festivals?
What do people usually do during festivals?
Do you think festivals are important?

Topic: Celebrations
Are there many traditional celebrations in your country/hometown?
What do people usually celebrate in your country?
When was the last time you celebrated something?
Do you usually celebrate your birthday? (others’ birthday?)
Vocabulary:
- Nouns
Family gathering, reunion, family get-together, ceremony, ritual, tradition, customs, Lunar calendar,
An iconic food, a classic/traditional dish,
- Verbs
Reunite, revisit, pay one’s respects to (ancestors), invite somebody over, enjoy a big feast,
Take time off work,
- Adjectives
Cheerful, customary, long-established, time-honoured
(keep your house) all nice and pretty,
- Idioms/Phrases
Push the boat out (= have a party)
e.g. We really push the boat out during spring festival celebrations.
Make merry (= drink and eat)
e.g. People always make merry on New Year’s Eve.
In high spirits (= happy)
e.g. Everyone is in high spirits just before midnight.
Put everybody in good mood
e.g. Tet holidays always put everyone in my family in good mood.

Topic: Technology
Do you enjoy using technology?
Do you use any technological devices on a daily basis? -> How do you feel about it?
How has technology changed your life?
Do you always buy new technological devices to replace the old ones?
What technological devices do you want to buy in the future?
What do you dislike about technology?
Vocabulary:
- Nouns
Gadget, a piece of technology, electronic equipment, labor saving devices, Artificial Intelligence (A.I),
geek, technophile, technophobe, high-tech person, low-tech person
modern era, access to the Internet, advances in technology, breakthrough,
- Verbs:
Control st remotely,
- Adjectives:
High-spec, high-end, cutting-edge, innovative, automated, overly dependent

Topic: The Internet

Do you like to surf the internet?
How often do you go online?
How do you get online?
What do you do when you’re online?
What's your favourite website?
What do people in your family use the internet for?
Does everyone have access to the Internet in your country?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of letting children use the Internet?
How can parents protect their children from harmful content?
What do you dislike about the Internet?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
worldwide web, webpage, Internet of Things, virtual meeting, video conference call, distant
learning, Internet-based learning, forum, virtual world, search engine,
firewall, cookies,
- Verbs
Go online, have access to the internet, keep in touch with, keep in contact with, keep myself up-to-
date with smth, keep updated, visit a website, log on, log in, sign in, stream audio/video/content
over the Internet,
 - Idioms/Phrases
with ease: e.g. Some information can be transmitted/ accessed via the Internet with ease
at the tip of the fingertips/at the push of a button

Topic: Phone
Do you have a mobile phone?
How long have you been using it? / When did you buy it?
What do you use it for?
When was the first time you used a smartphone? -> How did you feel?
When you buy a new phone, do you buy an expensive one or a cheap one?
How do you think mobile phones will develop in the future?
Do you prefer to communicate by telephone calls or by SMS?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns:
flagship phone/product, budget phone, feature phone, flip phone,
Eye-catching design, beautiful display, high resolution, user-friendly interface, crystal-clear images,
image quality, storage, multi-functional device,
mobile phone carrier, 4G/5G connection, wireless network, wifi hotspot, signal, Internet-connected
device, Internet-enable device,
- Verbs
Ring, get/receive a call, answer, pick up, hang up, mute, talk to sb over the phone, put the phone in
airplane mode, charge, top up,
- Adjectives
over-protective, out of battery,
- Grammar structures
The first time I did st was …
It costs me …
It allows me to do st …
I use it (mainly/basically) for …
It is useful for …
 - Idioms/Phrases
An indispensable part
Become part of everyday life
Cost an arm and a leg
Topic: Text messages
Do you like texting?
Do you prefer sending or receiving messages?
Have you ever received a confusing text message?
How do you feel when you receive text messages from your carrier?
Do you usually make phone calls or send text messages?
In what circumstances is making a phone call better than sending a text message?
Are there times when you prefer make phone calls to send text messages?
What should not be included in a text message?
Do you think text messages can convey the information well?
Do people in your country send text messages regularly?

Topic: Mobile and Computer App

What apps do you usually use? / What apps have you recently used?
What kinds of apps are you usually interested in?
How much time do you spend on social apps?
What was the first app you used?
Do you install a lot of apps on your phone?
What kinds of apps would you like to use in the future?
What apps are most popular in your country?
How do you feel about advertisement within an app?
What kinds of apps make the most money?
Are there any apps that you stopped using? Why?
Vocabulary:
- Nouns
Free apps, paid apps, premium apps,
- Verbs
Install, uninstall, reinstall,
- Adjectives
Time-consuming,

Topic: Computer
Do you have your own computer?
How often do you use computers?
Do you prefer desktops or laptops?
When did you start using computers?
Did you ever learn to use a computer? / How did you learn to use a computer?
What do you use a computer for?
In what ways do people use computers in your country?
How much have computers changed your life?
Do you think it is important to learn how to use a computer?
Is it good to teach children to use a computer at a young age?
Computers are now used a lot in education. What do you think of it?
Do you play computer games?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
informative and entertainment tool,
- Verbs
sit in front of (the computer)
- Adjectives
computer-literate, computer-illiterate,
 - Idioms
Technophobe (=someone who can’t use a computer)
e.g. I used to be a technophobe but now I am computer-literate.
Call up (= find and read). E.g. I can use the Internet to call up current news items.

Topic: Email
How often do you use email?
Who do you often send email to?
What do most people in your country use email for?
How do you feel when you receive promotional emails?
What are the advantages of email? -> Are there any disadvantages?
Do you think that email will replace letter-writing?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
electronic message, attachment, spam (= junk mail), sender, recipient,
business purpose
- Verbs
Compose an email, type, deliver, receive, archive,
- Adjectives
promotional,

Topic: Headphones
Do you use headphones?
What types of headphones do you use?
When would you use headphones?
In what conditions, you won’t use headphones?
How do you feel when you wear headphones for a long time?
Topic: Food
What food do you like eating? / What’s your favorite kind of food?
Is there any food that you don’t like?
What food is popular in your country?
What are some traditional food in your country?
On what occasions do you eat special foods?
Do you have any diets?
Do you think Vietnamese people’s diet is healthy?
What are some kinds of food you never eat? Why?
Do you like tasting new food?
What food do you want to try? Why?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
foodie, food lover, sweet tooth, vegetarian, veggie, vegan
cuisine, regional dish, calory, flavour, appetite
processed food, homecooked food, organic food, fresh food, frozen food, canned food, junk food,
exotic food, staple food, vegetarian food, pre-cooked food, food safety, food delivery service,
meat, pork, beef, steak, broth, herbs, spices,
balanced diet, obesity, diabetes, digestive disorder,
- Verbs
eat out, dine out, eat at home, digest, taste, crave for,
grab a bite to eat, eat like a horse
- Adjectives
scrumptious, appetizing, spicy, peppery, sugary, fattening, disgusting, revolting, unpleasant, sour,
intense, bland, nutritious, mouthwatering, starving hungry,
picky, allergic
- Idioms
• Wolf down (= eat very quickly)
e.g. When I’m in a hurry I wolf down some fat food
Topic: Food
What food do you like eating? / What’s your favorite kind of food?
Is there any food that you don’t like?
What food is popular in your country?
What are some traditional food in your country?
On what occasions do you eat special foods?
Do you have any diets?
Do you think Vietnamese people’s diet is healthy?
What are some kinds of food you never eat? Why?
Do you like tasting new food?
What food do you want to try? Why?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
foodie, food lover, sweet tooth, vegetarian, veggie, vegan
cuisine, regional dish, calory, flavour, appetite
processed food, homecooked food, organic food, fresh food, frozen food, canned food, junk food,
exotic food, staple food, vegetarian food, pre-cooked food, food safety, food delivery service,
meat, pork, beef, steak, broth, herbs, spices,
balanced diet, obesity, diabetes, digestive disorder,
- Verbs
eat out, dine out, eat at home, digest, taste, crave for,
grab a bite to eat, eat like a horse
- Adjectives
scrumptious, appetizing, spicy, peppery, sugary, fattening, disgusting, revolting, unpleasant, sour,
intense, bland, nutritious, mouthwatering, starving hungry,
picky, allergic
- Idioms
• Wolf down (= eat very quickly)
e.g. When I’m in a hurry I wolf down some fat food
 • Sink one’s teeth into (= eat (some special food))
e.g. I love to sink my teeth into a juicy steak.
• Something about it (=something strange or special)
e.g. I can’t stand seafood. There’s just something about it I’m not sure about.
• Off my food = not wanting to eat anything
e.g. I’ve been off my food all week.
• Out of this world = very delicious
e.g. The food I had during my trip to Phu Quoc was out of this world.
• Make my mouth water
e.g. The shrimps made my mouth water and they were so delicious that I ate 3 big ones.
• Stand the test of time
e.g. Pho is the national staple that stand the test of time.

Topic: Meals
What is your main meal in the day?
Which part of a meal do you like most?
What do you usually have for breakfast /lunch/dinner?
What is a common meal in your country?
Do you prefer to sit together as a family for a meal, or to eat separately? -> What are the benefits of
doing that?
Do you prefer to eat at home or eat out?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
appetizer, side dish, main dish, main course, dessert,

Topic: Foreign Foods

Do you eat foreign foods often?
What kinds of foreign foods have you eaten?
On what occasions do you eat foreign food?
When did you eat foreign foods for the first time?
Do you think foreign food is popular in your country?
What foreign food do you want to try?

Vocabulary
- Verbs:
stem from, originate from,

Topic: Fast food

How often do you eat fast food?
What is your favorite snack?
Do you think junk food is bad for health? Why?
How popular are fast-food restaurants where you live?
When would you go to a fast-food restaurant?

Topic: Fruit
What is your favourite fruit?
How often do you eat your fruit?
Is a diet containing more fruits healthier?

Vocabulary
- Adjectives:
ripe, unripe

Topic: Cooking
Can you cook? / Are you good at cooking? / Do you like cooking?
Have you ever cooked? -> What types of things can you cook?
Did you learn to cook when you were younger? -> Who taught you how to cook?
How did you learn to cook?
What was the last meal you cooked?
Is it difficult for you to cook Vietnamese food?
Do you think that it’s important to know how to cook well?
Do you want to learn how to cook?
Who usually does the cooking in your family?
Do you prefer home-cooked food or food from restaurants? Why?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
cook, cooker, signature dish, culinary skill, recipe, ingredient, spices,
- Verbs
boil, fry, stew, grill, stir-fry, roast

Topic: Barbecue
Have you ever had a barbecue?
Who do you often have a barbecue with?
Do Vietnamese people like barbecue?
How do you set up a barbecue?
What kinds of foods do you like to eat for barbecue?
How do you often feel after you have a barbecue?

Topic: Street market

Do you like street markets?
Are street markets common in your country?
What is usually sold there?
Do you think people like street markets?
Which one is better for buying foods, a street market and a traditional one?
Do you like street food?

- Nouns: street food vendor

Topic: Party - Birthday
Do you enjoy parties? / Do you often have parties?
Do people often celebrate special events by organizing a party in your country?
On what occasions would people have a party?
What kinds of food do people usually have at a party?
How do you celebrate your birthday?
How are birthdays usually celebrated in your country?
What gifts so people receive on their birthdays in your country?
Do people eat special food on their birthdays in your country?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
a party person, get-together, greeting card
- Adjectives
unexpected, surprising, surprised
- Idioms
• throw a party (= have a party)
e.g. Most people throw a party on their 18th birthday.
• Let one’s hair down (=enjoy oneself)
e.g. People can really let their hair down on their birthday
• Push the boat out/paint the town red (= have a big celebration)
e.g. On their 21st birthday most people really push the boat out/paint the town red.

Topic: Restaurants
How often do you eat out in restaurants?
What types of restaurants do you like best?
What types of restaurant are common in your city?
What are the advantages of eating out in restaurants?
What are some reasons that people eat at a restaurant?
Vocabulary:
- Nouns
eatery, diner, street stall, specialty/speciality dish, delicacy, décor setting
- Verbs
dine out, feast on,
- Adjectives
swanky, posh, luxurious, fancy, pricey, low-cost
- Idioms
• Not as good as it’s/they’re cracked up to be (=not as good as people say)
e.g. Lots of the posh restaurants are not as good as they’re cracked up to be.
• Run of the mill (=average, typical)
e.g. In my neighbourhood there are quite a few run of the mill eateries.
• Set sb back (=cost sb, an amount of money)
e.g. The swanky restaurants will set you back quite a lot of money.

Topic: Reading
Do you like reading books? Why or why not?
How often do you read?
Do you have many books at home?
What (kinds of) books do you like to read?
Do you read for pleasure or to get information?
What kind of places are good for reading?
Who is your favourite writer?
Did you read much when you were a child?
What (kinds of) books did you like reading when you were a child?
Do (young) children like reading books?
What do you think are the benefits of reading to children?
Do Vietnamese people like reading?
Do you read electronic books?
How is it different to read paper books and to read e-books?
Vocabulary:
- Nouns
A bookworm, avid reader, bookaholic, big reader,
A work of fiction, a work of literature, biography, poetry, poem, folk tale, fairy tale,
Cook book, travel book, self-help book, masterpiece, best-seller, hardback, paperback,
Disturbance, interruption, bedtime reading habit, a must-read, a life-changing book, e-reader, go-to
choice,
- Verbs
Scan, skim, flick through, flip through,
To be written by, based on,
- Adjectives
Fictional, non-fictional, classical, best-selling,
- Idioms/Phrases
To read st from cover to cover
Couldn’t put it down
To reread time and time again
turn my life over a new leaf
to be highly recommended by …
to broaden my mindset
to start reading at an early age
to make reading part of s.o’s daily routine
- Grammar structures
This book is mainly about ...
Each chapter of the book covers ...
In each chapter, the author …
This book opens my eyes to ...

Topic: Films/Movies
Do you like watching films?
How often do you watch films?
What types of film do you like watching?
What’s your favorite film?
Do you prefer foreign films or Vietnamese films?
Do you prefer watching films at home or at the cinema?
Do you prefer to go to a movie alone or with others?
What was the last film that you watched?
Which was the best movie you ever saw?
When did you watch it?
Would you like to be in a movie?
Who is your favorite actor or actress?
What kind of role does he or she often play?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
All-time favorite movie, hard-core fan, die-hard fan,
A global star, a renowned actor/actress, the cast, main characters, supporting characters,
Sci-fi movie, fictional movie, a movie based on a true story, blockbuster, box office hit, motion
picture, prequel, sequel, the big screen = the cinema,
Setting, plot, the soundtracks, special effects, action sequences, animation,
- Verbs
To be released in …, get good/bad reviews,
To be produced by, directed by, Starred as, play the leading role, to be portrayed by, to be
nominated for,
- Adjectives
Original, cliched, touching, moving, tear-jerking, action-packed, absorbing, thrilling, eventful,
Unpredictable, well-developed, unforgettable, thought-provoking, deep (meanings),
- Idioms/Phrases
Film buff (=someone who loves films): I wouldn’t describe myself as a film buff.
Actors get into the characters well
Plot twist
Give me goosebumps
Exceed my expectation
- Grammar structures
It tells the story of…
It depicts the life of…
In this movie …
It is a sequel to…
It is a remake of…
It is adapted from…
It is the first/second/final part of the trilogy …

Topic: Music
Do you often listen to music?
When/Where do you listen to music?
How much time do you spend listening to music every day?
What kinds of music do you like to listen to? / What's your favourite kind of music?
How often do you listen to that type of music?
When did you start listening to this type of music?
Where do you listen to it?
How do you feel when you listen to this music?
Do you like listening to foreign songs?
Do you like traditional songs?
Have you ever been to a concert?
Do you prefer to listen to live music or recorded music?
Can you play any musical instruments?
Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?
Is music an important subject at school in Vietnam?
What kinds of music are most popular in Vietnam?
Vocabulary
- Nouns
Audiophile, a great passion for, taste,
Rhythm, melody, harmony, lyric,
Concert, gig, performance,
A massive hit, a hit record, a trending song,
A global star, a breakout artist, huge fan, fanbase,
Music player, MP3 player, stereo system, earphones, wireless earbuds,
- Verbs
Cheer me up, sing along to, keep in my playlist,
To be performed by, composed by, sung by, nominated for, to top the charts,
- Adjectives
Catchy, soothing, atmospheric,
Contemporary, out-dated,
Addicted to, addicting (song),
- Idioms/Phrases
Blow my mind
Chill out to
Can’t go a day without music
Put (a song) on repeat
The song delivers a very meaningful message, which is ...
…fills me with a great sense of emotion
…steal my heart / blow me away

Topic: Television
Do you like watching TV?
How much time do you spend watching TV?
What's your favourite TV programme?
What types of TV programmes are popular in Vietnam?
What do you think about TV commercials?
Did you watch much TV when you were a child? (How much?)
What (types of) programmes did you watch when you were a child?
Do you think television has changed in the past few decades?
Why do children like watching TV?
Is it good for kids to watch too much TV?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
Telly, series, episode, soap opera, TV drama, documentary, reality show, talk show, sitcom,
audience, target audience, family gathering,
- Verbs
Broadcast, to be aired on,
- Adjectives
Live, pre-recorded,
- Idioms/Phrases
Channel surf
to be glued to the TV screen
binge watch: That series is so good. I binged watch the whole first season last night.

Topic: Shopping
Do you like shopping?
How often do you go shopping?
Where do you usually shop?
What do you often shop for?
Do you prefer shopping alone or with others?
Do you pay more attention to quality or price?
Who does most of the shopping in your family?
Is shopping a popular activity in your country?
Who prefers shopping more? Men or women?
What are the differences between men and women when they go shopping?
What types of shops do teenagers like best in your country?
What kind of shops are there in the area you live?
Do you like online shopping?
What is the most favorite item that you have bought?
What is the most expensive item that you have purchased?
What do you dislike about shopping?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
shopaholic, bargain buyer, bargain hunting, window shopping,
the essentials, market stall,
special offer, special promotion, coupon, voucher, a (real) bargain, a rip-off, a steal,
- Verbs
purchase, pick out, have an eye for/on, outspend, spend extravagantly,
- Adjectives
inexpensive, low-priced, reasonably priced, pricey, over-priced, prohibitively expensive,
in stock, out of stock, authentic, genuine,
- Idioms
Going for a song (=offered at a low price). E.g: If I see some classy products going for a song, I might
be tempted.
Rip sb. off (=cheat sb.). E.g: Some market stalls rip you off. They always sell fake stuff.
Cost an arm and a leg = Cost a fortune (= cost a lot of money)
Cut back on spending.
Go on a spending spree. E.g: I wish that I had a lot of money so that I could go on a spending spree.
A second thought. E.g: If I really like something, I often buy it without a second thought.

Topic: Clothes
What types of clothes do you like wearing?
Where do you usually buy your clothes?
What is your favourite color of clothes?
What kind of clothes do you never wear?
Do you wear the same clothes both at work and after work?
Do you wear the same type of clothes on weekdays and weekends?
How do you choose your clothes?
Do men and women have the same taste in choosing clothes?
What can we learn about a person from the clothes that they wear?
Do you believe that you are what you wear?
Did you wear a school uniform when you were younger (when you were a student)? Did you like it?
Is it important to choose what clothes you wear at work?
Do you think it’s important what clothes a person wears?
Do you think the clothes a person wears leaves an impression on others?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
(a piece of) clothing, garment, outfit, casual clothes, formal clothes, tailor-made clothes,
dresscode, mix and match,
- Verbs
show off, dress up, dress down, dress for the occasion, catch on,
- Adjectives
plain, flashy, stylish, chic, well-made, trendy, timeless, well-dressed, underdressed, overdressed,
affordable, exercise-friendly, versatile,
- Idioms/Phrases
at the height of fashion (= fashionable). E.g: Sports clothing is at the height of fashions.
all the rage (=fashionable, trendy). E.g: Skinny jeans are all the rage right now.
up-to the-minute (= the most recent). E.g: I don’t really follow up-to-the-minute fashions.
dressed to the nines / dress up to the nines (= wearing very formal clothes). E.g: If a person is dressed
to the nines, then it usually means they want to impress someone.
From head to toe. E.g: When going to a meeting, I always try to look good from head to toe.
Fit like a glove. E.g: To look good, I think that people shouldn’t choose clothes that are too big or too
small, they need to fit like a glove.

Topic: Collecting things

Have you ever collected anything? / Do you like collecting anything?
Do people in your country collect things and what do they collect? / What things do people collect in
your country?
Why do people like collecting things?
Would you like to start collecting something new in the future?
If you’re going to collect anything, what would that be?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
postage stamp, autograph,
- Verbs
classify, have an obsession for,
- Adjectives
antique, vintage, rare, unique, valuable, valueless, worthless
- Idioms
A one-off (= only one of its kind). E.g: I have a very rare stamp, in fact it’s a one-off.
Here and there (= in different places). E.g: I sometimes find valuable stamps here and there.
Once in a blue moon (= not very often). E.g: Once in a blue moon you can find a really rare example.

Topic: Dancing
Do you like dancing?
What kinds of dancing are popular in your country?
Is traditional dancing popular among young people in your country?
What kind of dancing do people like watching?
Topic: Going out in the evening
How often do you go out in the evening?
Who do you usually spend for evening with?
When you go out in the evening what do you usually do?
Do you think there is enough to do in the evening in your city?

Topic: Hanging out with friends

Hanging out with friends
How often do you like to hang out with friends?
Who do you usually like to hang out with?
Where do you like to go when you hang out with your friends?
Do you like to go out with a big group or just few friends?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
dusk, nightspot,
- Verbs
go for a stroll, wander around, pay a visit
- Idioms
Regular haunt (=a place one regularly goes to). E.g: My regular late-night haunt is a trendy little café.
Drop in on (=visit). E.g: I sometimes drop in on my neighbors.
The wee hours (= very early in the morning - after midnight). E.g: I usually have to get home before
the wee hours.
In the dead of night (=very late at night). E.g: Occasionally, I go for a stroll in the dead of night.

Topic: Photography / Taking photos

Do you like taking photos?
How often do you take photographs?
In what situations do you take photographs?
What kind of photos do you like to take?
Do you prefer to take photos using a camera or a mobile phone?
Do you prefer to take pictures of people or of scenery?
How do you keep your photos? / Do you keep your photographs on your computer?
What do you do with your photos after you have taken them?
Do you share your photos with other people on the Internet?
Do you prefer to take photos yourself or to have other people take photos? (Why?)
Do you like taking photographs of new places?
What kinds of photographs do you like looking at?
Are there any photos on the walls of your home?
Do you frame (of have you framed) any of your photos? (If yes, which? why?)
Are there any photos on the walls of your home?
Is taking photographs a popular hobby in your country?
Do you want to take classes in photography?
Do you think being a photographer would be a good job?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
snapshot, landscape shot, panorama shot, burst shot, portrait, raw photos, bokeh (bokeh effect),
DSLR, mirrorless camera, polaroid,
street photography, food photography,
- Verbs
capture, pose for the camera, document one’s life,
store the photos on the cloud/ cloud storage
- Adjectives
photogenic, camera-friendly, camera-shy,
picturesque, photographable,
 - Idioms
Do justice to…(= represent or illustrate… accurately). E.g: Photographs don’t do justice to the beauty
of natural places
Touch…up (= repair… on the surface). E.g: The good thing about digital photos is that you can touch
them up afterwards.
Strike a pose (= position oneself in a certain way). E.g: I never strike a pose in front of camera – I’m
not really photogenic
Zoom in on (=use a zoom lens to get a closer view on a camera). E.g: My camera has a zoom lens so I
can really zoom in on things and get fine detail in my shots.

Topic: Weather
What’s the weather like where you live?
What kind of weather is typical in your hometown?
Is it often very hot in your city?
What do you do when the weather is bad?
What type of weather do you like best?
Would you like to have that type of weather all year round?
Do you prefer dry or wet weather?
What do you do when the weather is wet?
Do you do different things in summer and in winter?
What kinds of clothes do you wear in the spring/summer/autumn/winter?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
climate, extreme weather, average temperature, humidity, tropical storms, flood, drought, distinct
seasons, breeze, drizzle,
- Verbs
vary (greatly), reach, get warmer/colder, to be characterized by…,
 - Adjectives
super hot, baking hot, freezing cold, sweltering (=hot), muggy (=humid), chilly (=cold), overcast,
gloomy, mild,
- Idioms
Chuck it down (=rain heavily). E.g: In spring it usually chuck it down for days on end.
Rain or sunshine (=in all weather). E.g: Rain or sunshine – I love to be outdoors.
Like a sauna (= a hot and humid place). E.g: My city is like a sauna in summer.

Topic: Seasons
Tell me about the seasons in your country?
What is your favourite season?
What is your favorite time of year?
Do the seasons affect people’s behavior?
Do you wear different clothes in different seasons?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
time of year, first half / second half (of the year),
- Verbs
vary, differ, fluctuate,
- Adjectives
Seasonal, erratic, unpredictable,
- Idioms
In blossom (= many flowers opening). E.g: When you see the cherry trees in blossom you know
spring is on its way.
Down south (= in the southern part of a country). E.g: Down south the winters are much milder.
Up north (=in the northern part of a country). E.g: Up north the winters can be quite harsh.
Topic: Rain
Do you like rains?
What do you usually do when it rains?
What do you avoid doing on a rainy day?
How do people feel about rain where you live?
What do you think is worse, too much rain or not enough rain?
How does your city change when it rains?
Which situation is better for study, sunny days or rainy days?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
drizzle, shower, torrential rain, downpour, rainwear,
- Verbs
pour down, spit (= rain lightly)
- Adjectives
damp, soaked, waterlogged (clothing), waterproof,
- Idioms
chuck it down (=rain heavily). E.g: In spring it often chucks it down.
get wet. E.g: I really hate getting wet.
put off (= cancel a planned activity).
clear up (= stop raining)
E.g: If it’s pouring down with rain I will usually put off any outdoor activities until it clears up.
Get caught in the rain. E.g: I don’t like getting caught in the rain.

Topic: Sunny days

Do you like sunny days?
What do you like to do when it’s a sunny day?
Would you like to stay at home or go out when the weather is great?
Are there many sunny days in your hometown?
What do people usually do on a sunny day?

Topic: Sunshine
Do you like sunshine?
Have you ever used sunscreen?
Do you use sunglasses?
Do people in your country participate in outdoor activities when it’s sunny?
What things do you think are hard to do in sunshine?
Have you ever been to a place with little to no sunshine?
What are the best activities on sunny days?

Topic: Animals and Pets

Do you like animals? / What is your favourite animal? (why?)
Do you have any pets?/Have you had a pet when you were young?
What pet would you want to keep?
What types of animals do people keep as pets in your country?
(or) Are there many people in your country keeping pets? What kind of pets do they keep?
Which animal can be good pets? Which ones cannot be?
Which kinds of pets do you dislike?
Do you think children should have pets? Why?
How do most people feel about animals in your country?
What are animals used for in your country?
What is the most popular animal in your country?
Have you ever been to a zoo/wildlife park?
Vocabulary
- Nouns
wildlife species, domestic animal, mammal, reptile, cattle, dairy farming, endangered
animals/species,
animal testing, illegal hunting, overfishing, poaching,
- Verbs
Protect, conserve, raise (farm animals),
To be in danger of extinction, to be on the verge/edge of extinction, to be kept in zoos,
- Adjectives
Endangered, extinct,
- Idioms
Flora and fauna (=all animals and plants). E.g: People in cities don’t really care about flora and
fauna.
Like one of the family. E.g: People treat their dogs like one the family.
Make a fuss over(= care very much for). E.g: People often make a fuss over their pets.

Topic: Birds
Are there many birds where you live? / Are there many birds around your neighborhood?
What kinds of birds are there where you live?
In your country, do different birds represent different things?
In your country, do any birds have any special significance?
How do people in your country feel about birds?
Do birds have any special meaning in your culture?
Should we protect birds?

Vocabulary:
- Nouns
poultry, domestic fowl (=farm birds), pest,
 - Verbs
symbolise, offer protection, provide food for,
- Adjectives
mythical, symbolic
- Idioms
On the wing (=flying). E.g: In my city you can often see pigeons on the wing.
Dart in and out (= move quickly between two things, eg, trees). E.g: Almost every day I catch a
glimpse of a woodpecker darting in and out of the pine trees near my house
In one’s own backyard (=near where one lives). E.g: You never really see rare birds like owls in your
own backyard.
Ten a penny/ dime a dozen (=very common). E.g: Sparrows are ten a penny in my city – you can see
them everywhere.
Topic: Insects
How do you like insects?
Are there different insects where you live?
What kinds of insects are harmful?
Do you think insects are useful?
Should people limit the use of pesticides to get rid of insects?

Topic: Flowers
Do you like flowers?
On what occasions do people give flowers in your culture?
Do any flowers have a special meaning in your culture?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
Flora, petal, lotus flower, a bunch of ( roses etc.), florist shop, a bouquet of flowers, artificial flower
(= silk flower), scent, fragrance, special occasions, congratulation gift,
- Verbs
cultivate, sneeze, represent,
 - Adjectives
fragrant, sweet-scented,
- Idioms
in bloom (= when flowers are opening)
give off (= smell). E.g: Roses give off a sweet fragrance when they are in bloom.
reminiscent of (= reminding sb. of). E.g: The fragrance of flowers in blossom is reminiscent of spring.

Topic: Plants
Do you like to have plants in your home?
Who takes care of the plans at your home?
Do you know how to take care of the plants?
Do you want to receive plants as a present?
What plants are popular in your hometown?

Topic: Trees
Do you like trees?
Are there any important trees in your country?
Is there a forest near your hometown?
Would you like to live in a place that has a lot of trees?
Where can one find trees (or forests) in your country?
Do you think places with trees attract more visitors than places with few trees?
Did you ever climb trees when you were a child?
Have you ever planted a tree?
Do you think more people should plant trees?
Do you think we should plant more trees?
Do you think trees are important?
Is it good to have a lot of trees?
What would you say are the benefits of having trees?
Do you think we need to protect trees?
Do you like forests?

Topic: Sky
Do you like to watch the sky?
What is the sky like at night in your hometown?
Do you like to watch stars?
What's your favourite star?

Topic: Childhood
Did you have a happy childhood?
What is your first memory of your childhood?
What did you enjoy doing as a child?
What part of your childhood do you remember most?
What do you remember most from your childhood?
What reminds you of your childhood?
What was your favourite toy when you were a child?
Did you have a lot of friends when you were a child?
Are you still in touch with your childhood friends?
What would you like to change about your childhood?
What makes a happy childhood?
Is it important for children to have fun?
Do you think it is better for children to grow up in a city or in the countryside?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
early years, infancy, formative years, adolescence, puberty, good manners, earliest memory,
nostalgia,
 - Verbs
bring up, to be brought up, grow physically and mentally, undergo physical/psychological changes,
remember vividly, recall vibrantly,
- Adjectives
childish, adolescent, well-behaved, obedient, naughty, nostalgic,
- Idioms/Phrases
As far as I remember/recall,
If I remember correctly,
If I’m not mistaken,
If my memory serves me well,
Right off the top of my head,
The first thing comes to my mind
Looking back at it,
Back in (2005),
In the prime of one’s life (= in one’s early years). E.g: In the prime of my life, I gained lots of prizes
Hit (sb) hard

Topic: Happiness
When was the last time you were very happy?
Is there anything that makes you feel happy lately?
What kinds of things make you happy?
Is it easy to make you happy?
What do you do to stay happy?
Can you stay happy all the time?
What could make you feel unhappy?
What do you do if you feel unhappy?
Is unhappiness always a bad thing?
Is it important to be happy?
What kinds of things make people happy?
What do you think happiness is?
Do you think money can make people happy?
Do you think money plays an important role in people’s happiness?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
pleasure, satisfaction, depression, frame of mind, positive energy, loved ones, life-changing event,
stress-free life, job satisfaction,
- Verbs
cheer (sb) up, brighten up, go through (a bad time), be thrilled with,
- Adjectives
Contented, gloomy, overjoyed, delighted, overwhelmed, secure,
- Idioms/Phrases
In high spirits (=happy). E.g: I am always in high spirits when I go out with my friends.
In good mood
Lift one’s spirits. E.g: Whenever I’m feeling down, I’ll probably watch comedy to lift my spirits.
On cloud nine (=happy). E.g: After I win at basketball I feel like I’m on cloud nine.
Down in the dumps (=sad). E.g: I usually feel down in the dumps if my football team loses.
Feel blue / Feel down.

Topic: Stress
Have you been under stress recently?
Do you suffer from stress when you have too much work to do?
How do you handle stress?
What do you do when you’re under stress?
Which would you choose: A stressful job with very high pay or a relaxing job with considerably low
pay?
Topic: Tiredness
What things make you tired?
What do you do when you feel tired?
Who do you prefer to talk to when you feel mentally tired, your friends or your family?
Do you want to talk to strangers when you feel tired?
Does tiredness have any link with stress?

Topic: Busy
Have you been very busy recently?
Are you busy with your studies/work?
Do you like to being busy?
Do you prefer to be busy or to have free time?
When was the last time you were stressed out because of your busy schedule?
Which is the busiest day of the week for you?
Are you good at dealing with multiple tasks?
How do you manage your schedule?
Is there any relationship between busy and stress?

Topic: Being in a hurry

When was the last time you did something in a hurry?
Do you like to finish things quickly?
What do you always do in a hurry? (Why?)
Have you ever gone out in a hurry?
What things will you never do in a hurry?
Do you think people make mistakes more easily when they are in a hurry?
What problems can people make if they are in a hurry?
Vocabulary
- Nouns
mental breakdown, anxiety disorder, painful loss, financial burden, heavy workload, life’s
challenges, positive changes,
- Verbs
struggle with, suffer from, cram for, stress (sb) out, cope with, handle, manage, recover,
- Adjectives
vulnerable, worn out, exhausted, strained, distressed, burned out, overloaded, stressed out, short
on time, relieved,
- Idioms/Phrases
Have a lot on one’s mind
My head’s about to explode
Can’ take it
In a rush
To be running short of time
To make matters worse
Keep one’s chin up
To be up to one’s ears = very busy. E.g: I’m up to my ears in work – I don’t have time for this.

Topic: Weddings
Have you ever been to a wedding?
What do people usually do at weddings in your country?
What clothes do people usually wear at weddings in your country?
Which people are usually invited to weddings?
What do people in your country do in their weddings?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
marriage ceremony, bride, groom, bridal gown, banquet, best man, bride’s maid,
 - Verbs
get married (to),
- Adjectives
conventional, customary, ceremonial
- Idioms
Tie the knot (= get married). E.g: When people decided to tie the knot, they usually want to lead a
steady life.
Get hitched (=get married). E.g: My cousin got hitched when she was 21 years old.
Raise a glass (= drink a toast). E.g: The bride and groom have to raise a glass with all the guests.
Give (the bride) away (part of a traditional wedding ceremony). E.g: The bride is given away by her
father or mother.

Topic: Birthdays
Do you often celebrate your birthday?
What was the best birthday present you have ever received?
What was the best birthday celebration you’ve ever been to?
Do you think it’s important for people to celebrate birthdays?
Do children and adults celebrate birthdays in the same way?
Is it important to give a special gift to someone on their birthday?

Topic: Names
Do you like your name?
Does your name have any special meaning?
Do you have any nicknames?
Who usually chooses babies’ names in your country?
Would you ever change your name?
Vocabulary
- Nouns
surname, middle name, last name,
- Verbs
pick out, signify, mean,
- Adjectives
conventional, common, typical, ordinary, unique,
- Idioms
be named after (= have the same name as someone else). E.g: my father named me after my great-
grandfather.
nothing out of ordinary (= common, ordinary). E.g: My name is nothing out of ordinary – it’s quite
common.
run of the mill (=typical, ordinary). E.g: My name is actually very run of the mill.

Topic: Colors
What’s your favorite color?
What color do you not like? / Are there any colors you dislike?
Do colors have different meanings?
Do any colors have a special meaning in your culture?
Is there a color that is special to your country? What does it stand for?
What can we learn about a person from the colors they wear?
What’s the relationship between colors and personality?
Do you like dark colors?
Do you usually wear clothes in your favorite colors?
What color would you never choose for your outfits?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
vibrant colors (= vivid colors), dull colors, hue (= shade of a certain color), tone,
 - Verbs
signify, symbolize,
- Adjectives
checked, striped, multicolored,
- Idioms
Give sb. the red carpet treatment (= treat sb. like a VIP). E.g: Last night, we were given the red carpet
treatment at the banquet.
See red (= become angry). E.g: Her criticisms were enough to make anyone see red.
In the red (= owing money). E.g: My bank account is 50 dollars in the red.
In the black (= not owing money to any one). E.g: A business must stay in the black to keep on.

Topic: Transportation / Public transport

What kind of transport do you mainly use?
What’s your favorite type of transport?
What's the most popular means of transportation in your hometown/city/country?
What types of public transport can be found in your city?
What types of public transport do you use most?
Is driving to work popular in your country?
What will become the most popular means of transportation in Vietnam?
How often do you take buses/trains/flights?
Do you prefer public transportation or private transportation?
Are there any public transport problems in your city?
Do you think the traffic condition could be improved?
How would you improve the public transport system in your country?
Do people use public transportation in your country?
What kind of public transport do people in your country use the most? (Why?)
What do you want to change about public transport?
What are the disadvantages of public transport?
Why do so many people in some countries ride bikes?
Do you think transportation costs (gasoline, bus, and taxi fares etc.) are expensive where you live?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a 7-seats car?
What do you think of walking?
What kind of people may like walking?
Are bicycles suitable nowadays?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
transport network, lane, bus system, cab, traffic congestion, delay, rush/peak hours, commuter,
taxi-booking app, motorcycle taxi, personal/private car,
- Verbs
commute, catch (a bus/ train), get around, catch sight of,
- Adjectives
old-fashioned, inefficient, government subsidized, affordable, cost-effective, prevalent,
- Idioms
Packed like sardines/ jam – packed (=very crowded). E.g: During rush hour the buses are always jam-
packed- actually the passengers are packed like sardines.
Pile-up (=traffic accident). E.g: Sometimes there are serious pile ups on the main roads.
Get stuck in traffic (= get stuck in a traffic jam). E.g: Buses always get stuck in traffic during rush
hour.

Topic: Driving
Does your family have a car?
Do you know how to drive a car?
Do you think it’s important to get a driver’s license?
What should a driver care about for a safety drive?
What should a driver avoid doing while driving?
Topic: Bus or taxi
How often do you take the bus?
On what occasion do you take the taxi?
What are the advantages of taking a taxi compared with buses?
Is it more convenient to take the bus or taxi in your city?
What do you think your local government should invest in, bus or taxi?

Topic: Buildings
What types of buildings are there in your city?
Would you like to live in an old building?
Do you prefer old or new buildings?
Do you prefer to live in a traditional building or a modern building?
Which do you think people in your country like more, traditional buildings or modern buildings?
Are historical buildings important?
Do you want to design a house or apartment for yourself?
What makes a building good for living?
What makes a building good for working?
Vocabulary
- Nouns
architecture, structural design, skyscraper, office block, residence,
- Verbs
construct, erect, reconstruct, modernize, renovate, convert/transform, to be
converted/transformed into, to be replaced by, extend, expand, demolish, knock down, open up,
- Adjectives
elegant, well-designed, contemporary, multipurpose,
- Idioms
put up (= build). E.g: They are putting up loads of unsightly office blocks.
do up (= repair). E.g: They should do up some of the old-fashioned residences.
pull down (= demolish). E.g: They are pulling down older neighbourhoods to make way for the new
skyscrapers.

Topic: Museums
Do you like museums?
Do you go to museums? / Do you often visit a museum?
How often do you visit museums?
When was the last time you visited a museum?
What types of museum can be found in your country?
Does your country have many museums? What kind?
Do you think museums are important? / Why are museums important?
Are there many (or, any) museums in your hometown?
Do you think museums are useful for visitors to your hometown/country?
Do you think it's suitable for museums to sell things to visitors?
Should people buy tickets to go to museums?
What do you think are the functions of museums?
How will museums change in the future?
Vocabulary
- Nouns
antique artifact, exhibition, fossil,
War Remnants Museum, 3D Art Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology,
- Verbs
put on display, put on show, exhibit,
- Adjectives
rare, antique, prehistoric, primitive,
- Idioms
take sth. in (= look at sth.). E.g: It takes about a full day to take in all the museums.
make a day of sth. (= spend a whole day doing sth.). E.g: I’m quite into making a day of walking
around the science museum.
on view / on display. E.g: There are loads of prehistoric fossils on view.

Topic: City / City life

Do you like your city?
Do you like living in a big city?
Do you like cities with wet or dry weather?
Do more and more people like to move to cities?
What caused the villagers to move to cities?
What cities would you like to visit?
Do you prefer to live in a city or in rural areas?

Topic: Celebrities
Who is your favourite celebrity in your country?
Do you like any foreign celebrities?
How do you feel about celebrities?
How do you feel about being famous?
Would you want to be a celebrity in the future?
Who is your favourite movie star / singer?
Are international superstars popular in your country?
Have you ever met a celebrity/superstar in real life?
Do you think we should protect famous people’s privacy?
How do celebrities influence their fans in your country?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
die-hard fan, love-hate relationship,
public figure, gossip, sense of humor, role model, glamour, A-list star, A-lister, private life/affairs,
philanthropist, activist, trend-setter, breakout star,
 - Verbs
adore, admire, idolize, get hooked on,
- Adjectives
well-known, renowned,
- Idioms/Phrases
Earn a fortune/ Make a killing
Gain a reputation for…
Rise/shoot to stardom. E.g: He rose to stardom in such a short time after winning a TV talent show.
Take the country/world by storm.
All the rage.
Make/hit the headlines.
At one’s peak/ In one’s prime. E.g: In his prime, he was the star of any movies he’s in.

Topic: Advertisement
Are there many advertisements in your country?
What kinds of advertisements are popular in your country?
Where can you see advertisements in your country/city?
Do you watch/read advertisements?
Do you watch advertisements from the beginning to the end?
Do you like advertisements?
How do you feel about advertisements?
Where do you think there are more advertisements, television or magazines?
Why are there so many advertisements now?
Have you ever bought anything because of the advertisement?
How can advertisements affect buying decisions?
Vocabulary
- Nouns
fierce competition, promotional campaign, end users, target audience, potential customer, mass
media, print media, electronic media, billboard, flyer, banner, advert, commercial break,
endorsement,
- Verbs
catch sight of, encounter, be bombarded with, pop up, accidentally click on …, exaggerate, go viral,
endorse, approach,
- Adjectives
informative, intrusive, annoying, distracting,
- Idioms/Phrases
All over the place.
Pretty much everywhere.
Get on my nerves.
- Grammar structures
I find STH +ADJ. E.g: I find advertisements on TV nowadays rather boring and similar to each other.

Topic: Gifts
Do you ever give people gifts?
When was the last time you gave someone a gift?
Who was the last person you gave a gift to?
Do you ever receive gifts?
What was the last gift you received?
What was the best gift you’ve ever received?
Do you prefer receiving or giving a gift?
How often do you buy others gifts?
Do you like to send others expensive gifts?
What kind of gifts are popular in your country?
What kinds of gifts are good for friends / family?
What kinds of gifts are not good?
Do you think people should give their loved ones gifts on special occasions?
Do you think people should give expensive gifts on special occasions?

Vocabulary
- Nouns
non-material gift, recipient, tight budget, handcrafted gift, thoughtfulness, appreciation, gratitude,
- Adjectives
thankful, practical, extravagant, reasonable, affordable,
- Idioms/Phrases
mean the world to sb. E.g: I still remember vividly my dad gave me that doll on my 8th birthday
party. At that time, the doll meant the world to me because it represented my dad’s love for me.
It’s the thought that counts.
Bring a smile to one’s face/lips
At a loss for words
Can’t thank sb enough.

Topic: Cards
Do you ever receive letters or cards?
Do you like to send cards as gifts?
Do you prefer receiving cards or sending cards?
Who did you last give cards to?
Do people often give cards in your culture?

Topic: Jewelry
What’s your attitude towards jewelry?
What kind of jewelry do you like to buy?
Why do many people choose to buy expensive jewelry?
How often do you wear jewelry?
On what occasion do you give jewelry to other people?

Topic: Chocolate
How often do you eat chocolate?
What’s your favorite flavor?
Is chocolate expensive in your country?
When was the first time you ate chocolate?
Have you ever given someone chocolate as a gift?
Does giving chocolate have a special meaning in your culture?

Vocabulary
A bar of chocolate,
Have a sweet tooth
Once in a while / Once in a blue moon
It goes really well with …

Topic: Cakes / Desserts

Do you often have cakes for dessert?
What kinds of cakes do you like?
What desserts do Vietnamese people like?
Have you ever made cakes?
Have you ever received cakes as gifts?