SPEAKING

Part 1

Hometown

1. Where is your hometown?

- My hometown is approximately 200 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. It's called

An Giang province and it's about 8 hours by car if I go fast.

2. How long have you been living there?

- I don't live there but I often go there with my parents to visit my grandparents on Tet

and other holidays of the year.

3. Do you like your hometown?

- Yes, I’m really interested in my hometown. Because, the air here is very fresh, you

can see a lot of trees when you go on the road. The people here are very generous and

friendly, ready to help you with anything. That's why I love my hometown so much.

4. What do you like most about your hometown?

- What I like the most is the quiet space and fresh air, I feel very relaxed when I come

here after 1 year of studying.

5. Is there anything you dislike about it?

- Let me see, the supermarket or the market are both very far from my house, it's very

inconvenient when I want to buy something that's what I don't like about being here.

6. Do you think you will continue living there for a long time?
 - I'm not sure because I still have my studies in the city but I will definitely come back

here to visit my grandparents and relax when I get a chance.

Study

1. Are you a student or do you have a job?

- I am a student at Ton Duc Thang University which is located in District 7.

2. What subject are you studying? / What is your major?

- I am studying Environmental Science.

3. Why have you chosen this subject/ major?

- Because, firstly I really like the environment, secondly I want to protect the

environment so I wanted to learn more about it and decided to choose this major.

4. What subject do you like most?

- I love chemistry so much it makes me want to study this subject besides I can

participate in experiments while studying so I love it.

5. Is there anything that you dislike about your school?

- One thing I don't like about my school is that when I study in the buildings of this

school, the network is very weak, can not use the network in here. Probably what I

didn't like about studying there.

6. What will you do after graduation?

- I will probably look for a job that is related to my field of study and if I have more

time I will improve my English further.

Hobbies/ Free time/ Spare time

1. What do you like to do in your free time/spare time?

 - I often play football and basketball in my free time, because I find it necessary in my

life, it helps me improve my health a lot.

2. What sort of hobbies do you like?

- As started previously, I’m interested in playing sports because it brings a lot of

benefits to me, it can help you to improve your height, memory and relax after a long

time working.

3. Why do you spend your time doing these activities?

- It usually takes about 3 hours for playing sports. I think it's the perfect time to do it

after a day of studying

Outdoor activities

1. Do you like outdoor activities?

- Yes, I love it. Because I feel relaxed, comfortable, not stuffy when working outdoors.

2. What outdoor activities do you most like to do?

- I definitely have to have a sport I like if I'm going to be outdoors and that's football

and basketball. Another activity I think would be appropriate is camping.

3. What are some common outdoor activities where you live?

- Let me see, where I live the activities that are popular I think are fishing and sports

activities.

4. How often do you go outside every week?

- I usually go out every week to go to school, go out, play football and many other

things.

5. Do you spend enough time doing outdoor activities?

 - I usually spend 3 hours for this activities. I think it's the perfect time to do it after a

day of studying

6. What are the advantages of outdoor activities?

- I think it helps me make many new friends, helps me relax after a day of studying,

raises the awareness of environmental protection and many other benefits.

Part 2

Describe the historical buildings

Take – note

1. What the place is

Notre Dame Cathedral

2. Where it is located

It’s located in District 1 – right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Established in 1877 and built by the French after capturing Saigon.

3. The significance of the place

- it has another special location:

o on the right is the Independence Palace

o the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office is on the left

o and behind is the shopping area.

- Overcoming many years and fierce fluctuations, the project still stands tall in the middle of

Saigon

- Plays an important role in creating the beauty of Ho Chi Minh City

 4. How you feel about this place

- I like it a lot because it's a place I often go to take pictures and eat with my friends

- It looks very old because it has been around for a long time and it should be maintained to

last longer.

Speak

Hi Miss, today I’m gonna talk about the historical building where I live, it’s one of the typical

landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City called Notre Dame Cathedral. This church was established in 1877 and

built by the French after capturing Saigon.

The church is located in District 1, in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s surrounded by other

important structures such as the Independence Palace on the right, the Ho Chi Minh city Post Office on

the left and behind is the shopping area. It takes a 5 minutes to walk from here.

Externally, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is shaped like an ancient palace with meticulously

carved and delicate architectural lines and details. The highlight of the church architecture is the huge

stone columns, circular and triangular windows with intricate patterns. Despite going through many years

and violent upheavals, the building still stands tall in the middle of Saigon. Because of that, this church

has played an important role in creating a distinct ancient beauty for Ho Chi Minh City.

For me, I like it a lot because it's a place I often go to take pictures and eat with my friends.

Although it looks very old as it has been around for a long time it needs to be maintained to last longer. I

encourage you to visit this church even once and you will be overwhelmed by its ancient beauty.

Part 3

1. Why are historic buildings and monuments important to a city?

 - Because it can help develop tourism. The state can also open ticket sales to visit those historic

buildings. This is also a part of helping to develop the country's economy

2. Is it better to keep old buildings, or build new modern ones?

- It is better to keep old buildings if it is possible to refurbish them and if they are structurally

sound. This is because old buildings display the original architecture of the city and replacing

them with modern buildings takes away from the charm of the place.

Part 2

Describe a book you enjoyed reading.

Take note

Speak

The one I’d like to tell you about is a book which I read. This book belongs to the genre of the

short stories, the book is called The Girl From Yesterday by author Nguyen Nhat Anh.

In addition, an interesting thing about this book is that it was compiled and published by Moscow

State University in 2012, officially becoming a textbook for teaching Vietnamese at universities in the

Russian Federation. This book was also turned into a movie in 2017. I watch this movie many times due

to the genre I like as well as I can read this a book in 3 days if I have free time.

When I was 8 years old, I went to the bookstore with my parents to buy a suitable book for me

but there was no book that I like. However, there was one those books that caught my eye, and that was
this book and I decided to but it. Because, first, the cover of the book is simple and beautiful, secondly, I

like the genre of short stories and thirdly, Nguyen Nhat Anh is my favorite author.

So in conclusion, because I like this book, I keep it very carefully and will take it out and read it

when I get bored. That's all.

Part 3

1. How important is it for children to read books?

In my opinion, it’s necessary for children. The first reason, reading books will

help children develop imagination, brain and language, emotions. The second reason, it

helps to strengthen the emotional relationships between children and people. And the

third reason, supports the development of children's senses.

2. When do children usually read books?

As I know, if children like to read books, they will read them whenever they have free

time. Perhaps, they read after school to relax as well as improve their memory. So, children also

read in the car while they go out with their parents because they get bored due to the long

distance so they can take it out and read it.

The night before going to bed is an ideal time for young people to read books to relax as

well as exercise their brains, so parents can read with their children during this time so that they

can ask whatever they want.

Part 2

Describe an invention that has changed the world in a positive way

Take note

1. What it is?

- The Internet

2. What benefits it has brought?

- Connect people from all over the world

- In the past: People who want to keep in touch, write letters and send it to each other

- In the present: Just a few seconds and a few simple steps can send and even see each other's

faces

And explain how it changed people’s lives?

- People can search for more information in the same time easily.

- Easier to communicate with each other

Speak

Hi Miss, today I’m gonna talk about an invention which I know, it’s the Internet. As you know,

in the world, there are so many life-changing inventions but the internet is the one that changes the world

drastically.

Needless to say, with the advent of the Internet, the world has changed markedly. Now, we can

connect people from all over the world such as family, relatives, boy or girlfriend, and so on…. That's

different from the past, in the past, people who want to keep in touch, write letters and send it to each

other, it is difficult to communicate with each other. But for now, there is no need to write letters anymore
because there is an internet, people need just a few seconds and a few simple steps can send and even see

each other's faces.

And of course, it is impossible not to mention the value that the network brings. Wherever you

are, you have trouble finding information, the internet will help you do it easily. In addition, it also helps

you find your way when you are lost or do not know the way, even help play games to reduce stress after

work and study.

In short, there are many inventions that have changed the world in a positive way and the internet

is one of them, it is very useful for the modern world as it is now.

Part 3

1. What is the most helpful innovation at home?

- I think it's a vacuum cleaner because household chore is not only cooking and washing

dishes, but also sweeping and mopping. The dust particles are small where we cannot sweep

and the vacuum cleaner will do it for us, it will help keep the house clean.

2. What household appliances make us lazy?

- The modern world means that technology has evolved from which robots were invented.

Robot sweeping the house was also invented, it will replace humans to do that job, we just

need to charge it and use it.

3. What kind of invention can be used at school?

- As I know, now there are many schools that have equipped students with computers to serve

learning computer skills. There are also a few mats for presentation skills, which shows that

the school has facilitated learning.

4. Do you think Al will replace human teachers? Why?

 - Although AIs are very intelligent, I believe that they cannot replace human teachers. Because,

AI is pre-programmed, there are no emotions like humans for that reason, so it is difficult to

replace. I still support human teachers will continue for teaching.

Part 2

Describe a famous person that you are interested in

Take note

1. Who this person is.

- The person who I care about and gonna tell you is writer Nguyễn Ngọc Ký

2. How you know about this person.

- When I was in elementary school, my school invited him back and that was the first time I

saw him with my own eyes.

3. What this person is famous for.

- He is not only a writer but also a teacher who has strong faith and overcomes his own

adversity.

- Is a typical example for the belief to overcome adversity and difficulty

4. Why you are interested in this person.

- Help me to have faith in life when facing difficulties

- He taught me how to face difficulties and stay positive.

- I am very interested and enjoy reading his book, which is the book I Go to School.
Speak

Hi Miss, today I’m gonna talk about a famous person who I care, he is a writer Nguyễn Ngọc Ký.

He was born in 1947, but when he was 4 years old, he became paralyzed in both hands. But not because

of that he gave up, he tried to overcome his fate, train his feet to be able to write and become an elite

teacher, setting a Vietnamese record "The first Vietnamese writer to write by foot".

When I was in elementary school, my school invited him back and that was the first time I saw

him with my own eyes. I just knew and tried to imagine him through his book when I finally got to meet

him. He sat down on the school grounds and shared his initial difficulties when he learned to write with

his feet and advised us to always try our best to get good results. After that meeting, I had the teacher sign

the book that I read. I really admire the teacher.

He is not only a writer but also a teacher who has strong faith and overcomes his own adversity,

is a concrete example of strong faith overcoming fate. He helped me to have faith in life and overcome

difficulties, taught me how to live a positive life, even he was willing to sign me his autograph. I was very

interested and enjoyed reading his book, which is the book I Go to School, which he signed for me. I

really want to see him again but it is not possible because he passed away last year, I am very sad but also

thank him for appearing in my life.

Part 3

1. What sorts of people are famous in your country?

- Just like other countries, celebrities in Vietnam come from many sectors. Most of them, I’d

say they’re from the entertainment industry.

2. Do you think there is such a thing as bad publicity?

- Yes, of course. And I’d even go further to say that bad publicity is extremely difficult to get

rid of. Once celebrities are involved in scandals, their sponsors often drop them further deals.
 Some of their fans may boycott them also. They can also be shunned by their colleagues and

black-listed by recruiters for future business.

3. How do people become famous?

- There are many means by which one can become well known. For starters, in any field, you

can work your way up and hone your skills and eventually be recognized for your excellence

and achievements. Another way to be famous is to appear in a viral story or video on social

media. This kind of fame is difficult to sustain as trends fade quickly.

Part 2

Describe a thing you once forgot to do

What it is

When you forgot it

Why you forgot it

And explain how you felt about this experience

Speak

Hi Miss, today I’m gonna talk about a memory that I have forgot, that is, I forgot my brother’s

birthday.

I don't remember exactly what year it was but it must have been about 2 years ago, at that time I

was preparing for the biggest competition of my life which was the national exam. That day, everything

went as usual, I was studying because the exam day was coming, so I don't remember that there was a

party. Suddenly, my younger brother asked me what you gave him this year, I answered what gift today is

not your birthday. he shut up and walked out of my room, it took me by surprise and I closed the door and

continued studying.
 That afternoon, when I was studying in my room, I heard the music was so loud that I couldn't

study, I just opened the door to check, then I found out that it was my brother's birthday. I was surprised

because I misremembered his birthday, I thought I would celebrate his birthday after I finished the exam.

He was mad at me, didn't talk to me that day, I felt guilty and disappointed that I couldn't

remember my brother's birthday. Although I still went to buy gifts even though it was late, when I gave

them, she smiled at me and said thank you. That was the day I remember the most, and after that, every

important day I took notes on my phone, I found this to be the most effective.

Part 3

1. Which can help you remember things better, words or photos?

- I think memorizing through pictures will help us remember longer. Because the brain can't

remember complex words for long, images instead help the brain remember more easily and

store longer.

2. Why do some people have a better memory?

- In my opinion, each person has a different brain. Some people remember it for a long time

and some people can't remember it for a long time, but we can also use tools and techniques

to train the brain to make it better.

3. Can technology help people remember things better? How?

- I don’t think that technology helps people remember things better. In fact, relying on

technology means we don’t need to remember very much. We can just set reminders on our

smartphones for everything and get an alert when it’s time to do it.
Part 2

Describe a sleep

Hi Miss, today I’m gonna talk about a sleep, a health-related problem. If you want good health,

you must get enough sleep.

Wherever you work you can sleep, for example when you work for an office you can sleep at

your desk, or you can also sleep on the desk when you go to school , even while you lie on the sofa at

home watching TV you can sleep and so on. That shows that no matter where you are, as long as you

have a support, you can sleep.

As I said above, those places where you can sleep is because you are too exhausted from work

and you need rest so you need to sleep. Another reason is that while studying, that subject makes you not

interested, you can sleep if you are bored. Even if you don't get enough sleep, a place with cool,

comfortable air will help you sleep.

Not getting enough sleep can make you feel tired, unable to think and focus on work. From there,

the quality of studying and working decreases, the reason may be that you are too busy because of too

much work that you need to complete according to the deadline. On the other hand, young people spend

too much time playing games, texting, surfing social networks like Tiktok, Facebook. Unnecessary things

should be done later, taking time to get enough sleep, lack of sleep is also very dangerous when you

drive.

In short, if you get enough sleep, you will have good health from which you will do more things

and achieve more success.

Part 3
1. What are some advantages of getting enough sleep?
 - Getting enough sleep plays an important role in shaping people’s health. It helps us recharge
our energy after an exhausting day, and avoids being overloaded. For example, an 8-hour
sleep is believed to help people work efficiently and boost their productivity. If people don’t
get enough sleep, they can find it difficult to concentrate on their tasks.
2. How do people in your country keep track of their sleep?
- They can also use sleep monitoring devices to review their health status. These apps will
suggest ways to make their sleep the best, like listening to ocean waves or raindrops. This can
also help them sleep better
3. How do you avoid falling asleep when you are at a meeting?
- The most important thing is that before the meeting, you need to go to bed early to wake up
early to prepare thoroughly for the meeting. On the other hand, coffee can also make people
more alert and focused during meetings. But for me, since I can't drink coffee, I go to bed
early to give my body a good condition before the meeting.