Banking Academy

International Business Faculty

English Portfolio

Team members: Doan Vu Huong Giang 24A4052896

Nguyen Thi Ha Vy 24A4052296

Nguyen Thi Anh Tam 24A4052035

Nguyen Thi Quy Huyen 24A4050466

Dang Thi Thao Huyen 24A4051274

Hanoi - November 4th, 2022

 London: The Lord Mayor’s Show
It is the oldest annual parade in the world takes place in London. But since it takes
place in the middle of November, at a time when there are not too many tourists in
the capital, the "Lord Mayor's Show" is an event that is not very well known outside
the city.
The first Lord Mayor's Show took place in the year 1215, after King John gave
Londoners the right to choose their own representative. Like today's event, it was a
fairly exciting procession, during which London's new "Lord Mayor" was "shown" to
the people of the city.
Originally, the new Lord Mayor had to present himself to the Law Courts for
approval by the King, and to swear loyalty. Today, the Show is always attended by
representatives of the Crown.
For many years, until 1856 the procession included making part of the journey by
barge along the Thames. Now the Show winds its way through the streets of the
City.
It is usually the biggest free show of the year for Londoners; and for many years, it
has been an exotic or spectacular occasion. In the year 1602, for example, the
ordinary people of London were able to see a lion and a camel in the procession.
Most people had never seen these strange animals before!
The Lord Mayor
In the olden days, when "London" was all contained within the walls of the "City", the
Lord Mayor was a powerful figure. He was the representative of the people of
London, a man who was chosen by the most important people in the city; he was not
appointed by the King.
Today, the "City" has a population of about 6,000 people - less than 0.1% of the
population of the modern city of "Greater London". And as far as this modern London
is concerned, the Lord Mayor of the City is not a very important person. For instance,
he is far less important than the directly elected "Mayor of London", who is really in
charge of the capital's affairs.
On the other hand, the Lord Mayor is a representative of the "City", the most
important financial centre in Europe; and although many of his functions are
ceremonial, he also plays an important role in the world of international business.
Naturally, the Lord Mayor's Show is has little to do with business. London's
corporations may pay for it, but it is a show for the people.
THE MODERN SHOW
In today's Lord Mayor's Show, the new mayor rides in his ceremonial carriage at the
head of a long procession of vehicles, floats and marching bands.
Last year's procession was 4 kilometres long, and was made up of 146 different
groups, including 70 floats, 2,000 military personnel, and over 3,000 civilians, as well
as hundreds of horses. Among the participants were many of the City of London's
institutions, as well as charities and many of the big companies that are based in
the city.
Naturally, the City of London is rich, as are most of the big companies that work
there; this means that the Lord Mayor's Show is not only one of the biggest annual
parades in the world; it is also one of the most spectacular, as firms and institutions
compete with each other to produce the most exciting and original floats.
Dominic Reid, the man in charge of the Show, says: "Every year we try to beat last
year's show for spectacle."
Last year's show finished with the biggest firework display in Britain. This year, over
half a million visitors are expected to line the city's streets for the special Millennium
show. Everyone will be hoping that the rain holds off!

I. Summerize
"The Lord Mayor's Show" - London's oldest annual parade took place first in 1215, in
which London's new "Lord Mayor" was shown to the people of the city. Initially the
new Mayor had to appear before the Court of Law for the King's approval and the
procession had to go by barge along the Thames. But today it is associated with the
image of the Crown and the Show’s winds its way through the streets of the city with
the appearance of strange and spectacular mascots. The Lord Mayor carries many
ceremonial functions, representing the City but not as important as the Mayor of
London. In today's modern show, the new Mayor rides a ceremonial chariot, with the
participation of many city organizations and companies. This is the most spectacular
event as they compete with each other to create the most original and exciting floats.
A show that is specially invested and exudes the wealth of the city of London.

II. Vocabulary
1. Procession (n) : a number of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly
fashion, especially as part of a ceremony or festival.
Ex: The procession moved around the streets of the city.

2. Law Courts (n): an official group of people (such as a judge and jury) who
listen to the evidence and make decisions about legal cases
Ex: It was a decision handed down by the Law Court

3. Barge (n): a long boat with a flat bottom used for carrying heavy things.
 Ex: The fuel was transported by barge.

4. Exotic (adj): unusual and exciting because of coming (or seeing to come) from
far away, especially a tropical country.
Ex: Transparency is not a particularly exotic phenomenon because it
frequently occurs in natural contexts.

5. Affair (n): a situation or subject that is being dealt with or considered

Ex: She organizes her financial affairs very efficiently.

6. Corporation (n): a large company or group of companies that is controlled

together as a single organization:
Ex: She didn't want to work for a big corporation where everything was so
impersonal.

7. Institution (n): a large and important organization, such as a university or bank

Ex: Harvard University is an internationally respected institution

8. Beat (v) : to defeat or do better than:

Ex: Simon always beats me at tennis.

9. Spectacle (n): an unusual or unexpected event or situation that attracts

attention, interest, or disapproval
Ex: It was a strange spectacle to see the two former enemies shaking hands
and slapping each other on the back.

10. Hold off: to not do something immediately

Ex: Let's hold off making a decision until next week.
 Christmas in England
Christmas is normally the biggest festival in the English year. Once the festival
lasted two days, today it seems to last almost two months. Christmas Day,
December 25th, is the day when most people in Britain sit down to a special meal of
roast turkey and Christmas pudding; but Christmas Day is just the high point of the
"Christmas period".
In the weeks before Christmas, life is very busy. There are parties; there are
trips to the cinema or the pantomime; and of course there's all the shopping.
This year however there will be less Christmas shopping for many people.
Charities and food-banks will be working hard to offer a "happy Christmas" to the
millions of people in Britain who are finding it hard to make ends meet.
On Christmas day, Britain closes! For most people, Christmas is a time to
relax at last after many long and busy weeks. The presents have been bought and
sent, dozens of cards have been sent and received, the food is waiting to be eaten.
For two days at least (if not three or four, depending on the year), the shops will be
shut, and the postman will not deliver any letters. For a day or two, even the trains
stop running.
Nowadays, Britain's Christmas shopping season lasts almost four months!
The first Christmas catalogues come through letter-boxes at the start of September!
Lots of busy people like shopping online, because it is easy. All they have to
do is choose from the pages of a colourful catalogue, or shop on the Internet. A few
days later, goods are delivered to the door... or at least one hopes they are. Some
Internet shops work 24/24 in the weeks before Christmas, to make sure that
everyone gets their presents on time..
Many Christmas catalogues come from charities. Each charity has its own
specialities – nature and animals from WWF, the RSPCA and others; "green"
products from Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth; and hand-made articles from
developing countries from charities like Oxfam and Save the Children. Big charities
like these earn a lot of money from their Christmas catalogues.
When the shops finally close for the holiday, most people are happy that the
shopping is over. For at least a day, everything is closed...even the pubs and
restaurants, which do a lot of business on Christmas Day. In the past, most people
used to go to church on Christmas morning; today some people go to church for a
special Christmas service, but most stay at home to open presents and prepare the
Christmas lunch.
In the afternoon, it's time for more presents, or to watch a good film, or go
out for a walk in the country, or in the park.
 Then, after Christmas, the shopping season starts again, as people spend
their Christmas money and look for bargains in the New Year sales.
Most people have a week's holiday between Christmas and the New Year.
Some, of course, have to keep working; but for most, the last week of the year is a
time to relax, enjoy more parties, and do a bit more shopping.
January sometimes seems very flat and empty!

I. T&F QUESTIONS:
1. Christmas is Europe's biggest festival of the year
2. There will be more Christmas shopping for many people this year.
3. On Christmas day, the shops will be shut, and the postman will not deliver any
letters.
4. Lots of busy people don’t like shopping online.
5. Some Internet shops work 24/24 in the weeks before Christmas, to make sure
that everyone gets their presents on time.
6. Many Christmas catalogues come from charities.
7. For at least a day, everything is closed...even the pubs and restaurants, which
do a lot of business on Christmas Day.
8. Today, most people go to church on Christmas morning.
9. After Christmas, people don't shop for the New Year anymore.
10. For most, the last week of the year is a time to relax, enjoy more parties, and
do a bit more shopping.

Answer: 1.NG 2.F 3.T 4.F 5.T 6.T 7.F 8.F 9.F 10.T
II. Vocabulary
1. Bargain (n): something on sale at a lower price than its true value
Ex: This coat was half-price - a real bargain.

2. Food-bank (n): a place where volunteers offer free or very cheap food to
people who have no money
Ex: That first year the school took two full pickup trucks to the food bank.

3. Make ends meet (idiom): have enough money to pay for their needs
Ex: It’s not easy to make ends meet with a big family, but somehow we
manage.

4. Reindeer (n): an animal used by Father Christmas

Ex: Santa Claus travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.

5. Pantomime (n): theatrical comedy

Ex: It's an evening of music, drama and pantomime.
6. Turkey (n): a big bird
Ex: people usually eat turkey on christmas day

7. Charity (n): benevolent association, non-profit association

Ex: UNICEF is an international charity

8. Goods (n): items for sale, or possessions that can be moved

Ex: They sell leather goods such as wallets, purses, and briefcases.

9. RSPCA: Britain's animal protection society

10. Deliver (v): to take goods, letters, parcels, etc. to people's houses or places of
work
Ex: Mail is delivered to our office twice a day.
 Shopping for Christmas
[A]: Christmas will soon be here again. For Britain's shops, specially shops in
cities, November and December are the busiest months of the year. In fact, some big
shops do half their year's business in those two months.
[B]: Yet in 2021, with Covid-19 still with us, Christmas shopping will not be the
same! Many people do not want to go into cities, or into big shopping centers. They
are afraid of catching Covid. More and more people are now shopping on the
Internet! Internet shops are safe for shoppers, and they never shut... not even on
Christmas Day!
[C]: Then, at about 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, it all stops. The shops are
suddenly empty - just a few people running round, looking for last minute presents.
In many shops, there is a small party, a bottle of wine and mince pies or something
like that. And then it's over. The shop doors close, but the lights stay on. Out in the
streets, which were so busy a few hours before, there is hardly anyone. Just a few
people going home, or singing in the street.
[D]: Christmas shopping is over again.... until next October or November. But
for some shops, the doors will only stay closed for a day. After Christmas shopping,
there is New Year shopping! The New Year sales used to start after January 1st.
Now in some shops, they start on the day after Christmas, and the crowds rush back
for a few more days. Lots of things are cheaper now.

I. Reading Passage has four paragraphs A-F.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letters A-D in boxes 1-10. You may use any letter more than once.

1. Shopping online is still available on Christmas Day.

2. Some shops are only closed for a few days.
3. November and December are the busiest months of the year for some shops
in Britain
4. The New Year sales used to start after the first day of the new year.
5. There are few people on the street at 5 p.m on Christmas Eve.
6. Shopping on the Internet is safer than going into cities or big shopping
centers.
7. Things are now cheaper than in the past.
8. People hold small parties inside the shops.
9. People don’t want to go out because they are afraid of Covid-19.
10. The lights are still on even when the store is closed.

Answer: 1-B 2-D 3-A 4-D 5-C 6-B 7-D 8-C 9-B 10-C

II. Vocabulary
1. Busy (adj): If you are busy, you are working hard, or giving your attention to a
particular thing
Ex: The kids are busy with their homework.

2. Display (v): to arrange something or a collection of things so that it can be

seen by the public
Ex: Family photographs were displayed on the wall.

3. Extra (adj): added to what is normal

Ex: If you need any extra help, just call me.

4. Staff (n): the group of people who work for an organization

Ex: There is a good relationship between staff and pupils at the school.

5. Christmas Eve (n): 24 December, the day before Christmas Day

Ex: Every Christmas Eve, at midnight, the bells rang out the sacred chorus.

6. Mince pies (n): a covered pastry case filled with mincemeat

Ex: The food in the ceremony must be homemade; this includes mince pie
and plum pudding.

7. Empty (n): not containing any things or people

Ex: Shall I take the empty bottles for recycling?

8. Hurry (adj): to move or do things more quickly than normal or to make

someone do this
Ex: She hurried to answer the phone.

9. Sale (v): an act of exchanging something for money

Ex: The sale of alcohol is forbidden.

10. Crowd (n): a large group of people who have come together
Ex: A crowd of about 15000 attended the concert.
 Food around the world
New Year
In China people eat eight, ten or twelve dishes of food at New Year. This is because
an even number means double the luck. A lot of the food at New Year has a special
meaning. Seaweed means good luck and long noodles mean long life. They eat
whole vegetables and don’t use knives to cut things, because this means the end of
your good luck.
In Russia there is lots of food on the table so the next year will be happy and
plentiful. At 11.59 people open champagne and wait for the clock to strike twelve.
Then they make a toast for the New Year. They wish everybody good luck and
happiness.
In Spain people eat twelve grapes – one with each chime of the clock at midnight.
This brings good luck for the next twelve months. But it is difficult to eat twelve
grapes in twelve seconds, so people usually have a mouth full of grapes at the end!

Weddings
Italians eat doughnuts in the shape of bowties for good luck. They also eat sugared
almonds when they hope for a baby.
Many years ago in Britain the father of the bride gave the groom ‘honey mead’ (a
honey drink) for a whole month. In this way the couple had a month of sweetness
and happiness. We have now changed the word to ‘honeymoon’ – the holiday a
couple goes on after their wedding.

Birthdays
When a child is born in China, the father gives red eggs to his friends and family – an
even number for a girl and an odd number for a boy.
The birthday party started in Europe in the Middle Ages. People were afraid of
ghosts and bad spirits on their birthdays. Friends and family came to visit you with
presents to stop them.
In Mexico people fill a paper animal with sweets. Children close their eyes and hit the
animal until the sweets fall out. Then everybody eats the sweets.
I. Q&A
1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?
A. Give advice on how to have a lot of luck in the new year.
B. Describe the difference in special occasions in some countries.
C. Describe what people around the world eat to celebrate something
special.
D. Give some information about traditional foods around the world.
2. The word “toast” in paragraph 1 mostly means __
A. Pledge
B. Grill
C. Eat
D. Cook
3. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE of Chinese food?
A. The Chinese eat a certain number of dishes according to their belief in
good luck.
B. At the beginning of the year, Chinese people still use knives to prepare
food.
C. The Chinese believe that eating long noodles at New YYear will help
increase children's height.
D. The number of plates of food that will bring good luck according to
Chinese beliefs is eight, ten or twelve.
4. The word “this” in paragraph 1 refers to ___
A. Twelve grapes
B. Midnight
C. Chime of the clock
D. Eating twelve grapes
5. What will the Russians do after the clock strikes twelve?
A. Open champagne
B. Eat twelve grapes
C. Make a toast for the New Year
D. Eat whole vegetables
 6. According to the passage, Chinese people eat some food EXCEPT ___
A. Egg
B. Seaweed
C. Long noodles
D. Vegetables
7. In the Middle Ages, what was so special about European birthdays?
A. Children close their eyes and hit the paper animal filled with sweets
until the sweets fall out.
B. The father gives red eggs to his friends and family.
C. They eat doughnuts in the shape of bowties for good luck.
D. Friends and family came to visit them with presents to stop ghosts and
bad spirits.
8. In the UK, how long does the groom drink "honey mead"?
A. 1 week
B. 1 month
C. During the honeymoon
D. During the wedding
9. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as an
activity to bring good luck?
A. Eat an even number of dishes in the New Year.
B. Eat twelve grapes – one with each chime of the clock at midnight.
C. Eat doughnuts in the shape of bowties.
D. Friends and family came with presents on their birthday.
10. The author wrote this article in the style?
A. Tell a story
B. Provide information
C. Feedback
D. Express opinions

Answer: 1C 2A 3D 4D 5C 6A 7D 8B 9D 10B
II. Vocabulary
1. Dish (n): a flat shallow container for cooking food in or serving it from
Ex: They helped themselves to a large dish of pasta.
2. Seaweed (n): a plant that grows in the sea, or on rocks at the edge of
the sea. There are many different types of seaweed, some of which are
eaten as food.
Ex: Korean seaweed soup is also known as birthday soup, as many
Koreans eat this soup on their birthday.
3. Plentiful (adj): available or existing in large amounts or numbers
Ex: Strawberries are plentiful in the summer.
4. Champagne (n): a French sparkling white wine (= one with bubbles)
that is drunk on special occasions.
Ex: We always celebrate our wedding anniversary with a bottle of
champagne.
5. Strike (v): to show the time by making a ringing noise, etc.
Ex: Did you hear the clock strike?
6. Chime (n): a ringing sound.
Ex: I was woken up by the chimes of the cathedral bells.
7. Toast (v): to make a short speech and take a drink in honor of
someone or in celebration of something.
Ex: At midnight, we toasted the New Year.
8. Almond (n): the flat pale sweet nut of the almond tree used to cook and
make almond oil.
Ex: Almonds are packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats,
and phytochemicals, all of which are essential to a healthy diet.
9. Afraid (of somebody) (adj): feeling fear; frightened because you think
you might be hurt or suffer.
Ex: He had always been afraid of death.
10. Spirit (n): the form of a dead person, similar to a ghost, or the feeling
that a dead person is present although you cannot see them.
Ex: It was believed that people could be possessed by evil spirits.
 2,000-Year-Old Butter

Does this ever happen to you? You are (1)_____ your refrigerator and you come
across a carton of milk. You check the date and you see that you (2)_____ it last
month. Then, for some strange reason, you hold the carton up to (3)_____ nose …
ugh! Now, can you (4)_____ that you found a package of butter in your refrigerator
that was 2,000 years old? That’s almost what happened in June 2016. In Ireland,
Jack Conway (5)_____ a 22-pound (10 kilograms) block of butter buried 12 feet (4
meters) in the ground while he was (6)_____ outside. This is not the first time that
butter has been found buried deep in the ground. In Scotland and Ireland, the ground
is usually (7)_____ and wet, and so people long ago often buried it to (8)_____ it
fresh and eat at a later date. The butter, which now smells like cheese, is about
2,000 years old. Is it possible to eat butter this old? Yes! One chef, Kevin Thornton,
said he tasted butter that was thousands (9)_____ years old. Most experts, however,
say that it’s probably better not to (10)______ it. The butter is now in a museum.

I. Mutiple choices:
1 A. cleaning B. cleaned C. cleans

2 A. bought B. buys C. buy

3 A. you’re B. you C. your

4 A. imagine B. imagining C. imagined

5 A. finds B. found C. find

6 A. works B. worked C. working

7 A. cold B. coldly C. colds

8 A. kept B. keep C. keeps

9 A. to B. of C. on

10 A. eaten B. ate C. eat

II. Vocabulary:
1. Refrigerator (n): a piece of kitchen equipment that uses electricity to
preserve food at a cold temperature
Store fruit juice in the refrigerator.
2. Carton (n): a box made from thick cardboard, for storing goods, or a
container made from cardboard or plastic, in which milk or fruit juice, etc. is
sold
The company uses agency workers to pack computer monitors into shipping
cartons
3. Package (n): an object or set of objects wrapped in paper, usually in order
to be sent by post
The package was wrapped in plain brown paper.
4. Butter (n): a pale yellow solid food containing a lot of fat that is made from
cream and is spread on bread or used in cooking
We were served scones with butter and jam.
5. Bury (v): to put something into a hole in the ground and cover it
The dog trotted off to bury its bone
6. Wet (adj): Wet paint, ink, or a similar substance has not had time to dry and
become hard
The paint's still wet.
7. Cheese (n): a food made from milk, or from a milk-like substance taken
from plants, that can be either firm or soft and is usually yellow or white in
color:

Would you like a piece of cheese with your bread?

8. Taste (v): to put food or drink in your mouth to find out what flavor it has

Taste this sauce and tell me if it needs seasoning

9. Expert (n): a person with a high level of knowledge or skill:

He is a leading expert in the field of waste management.

10. Probably (adv): used to mean that something is very likely

Probably the best thing to do is to call them before you go

 Appendix
1. London: The Lord Mayor’s Show: https://linguapress.com/intermediate/lord-
mayors-show.htm

2. Christmas in England: https://linguapress.com/intermediate/christmas.htm

3. Shopping for Christmas: https://linguapress.com/intermediate/christmas-
shopping.htm

4. Food around the world:

http://www.macmillaninspiration.com/original/files/2010/12/INSP1culture_FAW
.pdf
5. 2,000-Year-Old Butter:
https://www.allthingstopics.com/uploads/2/3/2/9/23290220/reading-old-
butter.pdf