SPEAKING

I. TRAVELLING
1. Do you like travelling?
>I have to say love travelling. That’s why I always try to go here and there to visit
new places as much as possible whenever I have free time. Futhermore, travelling
helps broaden my horizon by offering me chances to learn new culture, traditions,
languages and also make new friends.
2. Do you prefer travelling alone or in a group?
>Travelling in groups is my choice because I think it is much safer when you
discover a new place with your family or friends because there is always someone
by your side, helping you to overcome any unexpected problems. Also, we can
share with each other the most memorable moments of our journey.
3. What do you do while you are traveling?
>As a tourist, there are thousands of things we can do. For me, trying new foods,
participating in local festivals, taking photos of people and beautiful sights,
discovering local cultures are the things I often do.
5. What places would you like to visit in the future?
>I'm thinking of Japan for my next trip simply because I love Japanese food
especially sushi and Kobe beef. I will certainly try these foods when I visit this
country. Besides, Japan is also world famous for their unique culture, customs and
tradition, so having first hand experience with these has long been my dream.
HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
1. Where do you like travelling during your holidays?
2. When you visit new places, what do you like to do?
3. What places would you like to visit in the future?
FAVOURITE COUNTRY
1. Which is your favourite country?
2. Why do you like this country?
3. lf you could visit this country, which places would you visit? Why?
PLACES OF INTERESTS
1. Which place would you really like to visit? Why?
2.Whats the best place you've ever visited?
3. How do people choose their holiday destinations?
SUMMER HOLIDAY
1. Which one do you prefer, going on vacation with your family or your friends?
2. Would you like to go travelling in summer vacation?
3. Do you like to go back to your hometown on holiday?
SPEAKING PART 1
SHOPPING
1. Are there many shops near your home? (What kind?)
> Not many because I'm living in the suburb not the city center so in my
neighborhood there is a small open-air market, a grocery, a drug store and 2 fashion
shops.
> My house is in the center of district 5 so there are many different kinds of shops
near my house such as: fashion shops, market, supermarket, department stores, pet
shops, groceries, bakers or convenient stores.
2. Do you like shopping? (Why?/Why not?)
>I'm not really keen on shopping because I find it a waste of time and money. I just
buy necessary things for my daily life and work.
>Sure I love it because going shopping helps me feel relaxed and release stress
after a hard studying/ working day. Besides, when going shopping I can update the
latest fashion trend and know more about new products.
3. Who usually does the shopping in your home?
>It’s my mom who goes shopping everyday for foot at a market near my house. For
electronics and furniture, that is my father's duty.
 4. Is shopping a popular activity in your country?
>I suppose yes because it is often very crowded at shopping centers at weekends.
Moreover, these days, many people have the habit of shopping online so many
shopping sites have appeared to serve this need.
5. What have you bought recently that was a bargain?
> Last week, I bought a new laptop just half of the usual price because it was a very
special offer for Black Friday sales. I had to wait for this occasion for months so I
was really excited when I could get this item.
6. Would you be willing to queue for hours to get a good discount?
>I think yes. If you can save a huge sum of money for the goods you want why
should you bother.
SPEAKING PART 1 SHOPPING - REAL TEST QUESTIONS
1. Do you enjoy shopping?
2. Do you like shopping on the Internet?
3. What don't you like about online shopping?
ONLINE SHOPPING
- convenient: shop any time any where as long as you have a smart phone, a tablet,
or a laptop with internet connection + your purchases are shipped to your home,
especially good when buying bulky items such as: fridge, washing machine or
washing powder.
- more competitive prices: can compare prices of the same products sold in
different stores.
- many more choices: a range of products with different styles and at different
prices.
Product quality: not the same as described; receive poor quality/faulty products
-Shipping: takes time with high shipping fees especially on sales
seasons.
- Cybercrimes: shoppers' credit cards or bank accounts can be hacked => lose
money.
PART 2-SHOPPING
1.Next week is your parents' wedding anniversary. Three gifts are
suggested: a couple of movie tickets, a bouquet of flowers, and a handmade
card. Which do you think is the best choice?
>Next week is my parents' wedding anniversary, among the three options, a couple
of movie tickets, a bouquet of flowers, and a handmade card, I think a bouquet of
flowers is the best choice, because of the following reasons. Firstly, my father has
never given flowers to my mum although I know she really loves them especially
roses. Secondly, a bouquet of flowers given to my parents by their children on this
special occasion is very meaningful to them because they will understand that we
love and care for them so much. Therefore, I believe that my parents will feel very
happy with this gift. I think a couple of movie tickets is also a good idea. However,
my parents are quite old so they don't like crowded places. Also these days, there
aren't any films suitable for old-aged people. I don't choose a handmade card
because it is too simple and not suitable for this Important event. In short, giving a
bouquet of flowers is my best choice.
2.Your manager is going to retire next month and your team wants to
give him a present in the farewell party. Three options are suggested: a bottle
of champagne, a bouquet of flowers and a cup. Which do you think is the best
choice?
>My manager is going to retire next month and my team wants to give him a
present in the farewell party, among the three options, a bottle of champagne, a
bouquet of flowers and a cup, I think a cup is the best choice, because of the
following reasons. Firstly, a cup can be seen as an award for his contribution to the
company. Secondly, this cup which can be displayed in his living room cupboard
also reminds him of his professional life and our accompany. Therefore, I believe
that my manager will feel very happy with this gift. I think a bottle of champagne is
also a good idea. However, once he finishes drinking, there will be nothing
memorable. I don't choose a bouquet of flowers because it is perishable and not
suitable for a man. In short, giving a cup is my best choice.
3. Your foreign teacher is going to come back home. Three gifts are
suggested: a package of coffee, a conical hat and a broidered picture. Which
do you think is the best gift?
> My foreign teacher is going to come back home, among the three options, a
package of coffee, a conical hat and a broidered picture, I think a broidered picture
is the best choice, because of the following reasons. Firstly, a broidered picture is a
hand-made product representing typical Vietnamese culture. Secondly, the picture I
choose shows the beauty of Hochiminh city, where he/she has been working for
quite a long time. Therefore, I believe that my teacher will feel very happy with this
gift because it will reminds him/her of his/her days In my country. I think a conical
hat is also a good idea. However, he/she will rarely have a chance to use it, so it is a
waste of money. I don't choose a package of coffee because it is a very popular
product and doesn't have any memorable values.. In short, a broidered picture is my
best choice.
4. Your friend is going to England for a year and you want to buy her a
going-away present. Three Items are suggested: a camera, an English
grammar book and a sweater. Which one would be the best choice?
>My friend is going to England for a year and I am thinking of buying her a going-
away present ,among the three options, a camera, an English grammar book and a
sweater, I think a sweater is the best choice, because of the following reasons.
Firstly, different from Vietnam, it is very cold in England, so she can use my gift
frequently. Secondly, whenever wearing this sweater, she can feel not only the
warmth of the fabric but also the warmth of my love for her. Therefore, I believe
that my friend will feel very happy with this gift because it will reminds her of me -
her best friend. I think a camera is also a good Idea. However, she already has a
really good smart phone and often uses it to take photos. I don't choose an English
grammar book because it is very easy to improve English grammar by getting
access to numerous English teaching and learning websites available on the
Internet. In short, a sweater is my best choice.
WRITING
SAMPLE
>My friend is travelling to Hanoi on a business trip and asks me which is the
best way to get downtown from the airport. Among the three options renting a car,
taking a taxi and taking the hotel shuttle bus, I think using the hotel shuttle bus is
the best choice, because of the following reasons.
First and foremost, hotel shuttle bus fare is the cheapest only about $20.
Another reason for my choice is that it is very convenient because this service is
available in most hotels and he can book it in advance. That is not all, the bus
driver will wait for him at the airport and take him directly to the hotel. Therefore,
he doesn't have to worry about late arrival or expensive fare. I think taking a taxi is
also a good idea. However, although it is fast and convenient, it is quite expensive
and he may not be able to catch one especially late at night. I don't choose renting a
car because it is too expensive. Also, it is tiring when my friend has to spend time
renting a car and driving to his hotel.
In short, taking into consideration these 3 options, I believe that taking the
hotel shuttle bus is the best choice for my friend.
REAL TEST QUESTION
Your new company is 10 km from your house, and you are thinking of
which means of transport is the most suitable for you to go to work every day.
Which should be your best choice to work, going by bus, by taxi or by
motorbike?
My new company is 10 km from my house, and I'm thinking of which means of
transport is the most suitable for me to go to work every day. Among the three
options, going by bus, by taxi or by motorbike, I think travelling by motorbike is
the best choice, because of the following reasons
First and foremost, going ío work by motorbike gives me maximum freedom
because I can decide the travelling tme. What is more, after work, I can go here and
there convenientiy. Last but not least, it is easier ƒor me to escape/avoid traffic
jams.
I think travelling by taxi is also a good idea. However, it is very costly/expensive to
go to work by taxi every day. I don't choose going by bus because buses are very
crowded and late during rush hours.
In short, taking into consideration these 3 option, I believe that going to work by
motorbike is the best choice.
CHOOSING THE BEST HOLIDAY DESTINATION
A foreign friend is going to visit Vietnam for 3 days next week. 3 places are
suggested: Hanoi, Hochiminh and Danang. Which do you think is the best choice?
CHOOSING THE BEST HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
It is getting very hot and you want to choose a place to spend the summer
holiday with your family. Three places are suggested: a seaside resort, a lakeside
hotel and countryside cottage. Which do you think is the best choice?
CHOOSING THE BEST HOLIDAY DESTINATION
You and your friend are planning to go away on a week's holiday. Three
places are suggested: a cruise, an African safari and a camping site.
CHOOSING THE BEST MEANS OF TRANSPORT DIFFERENT WAYS TO
GET DOWNTOWN FROM THE AIRPORT
Your friend is going to fly to HaNoi on a business trip. He asks you the best
way to get downtown from the airport? Three options are suggested: rent a car, take
a taxi or take the shuttle bus. Which do you think is the best choice?