Topic: Describe a time someone give you a gift that you really

want

 Who gave it to you and for what occasion

 What it looks like and how you use it
 When you received it
 Why this gift was important to you
ANSWERS
Sample 01:

When I was a child, I was given a block set on the eve of Christmas as a gift. One of my maternal uncles gave
that block set to me because I liked to play with the blocks in my childhood. I was truly surprised when my
maternal uncle came to our home to give me the wonderful gift, although, in the beginning, I did not realise
that he was at our home for presenting me with the wonderful block set.

A medium plastic container wrapped in colorful paper was given to me on Christmas day and when I opened
the container, I found the blocks. I was utterly surprised and happy about the excellent gift from my uncle. The
blocks were made of top-class plastic and there were no sharp edges. They were of different sizes and some of
the block pieces were attached with wheels. The block shapes were not the same. I used to make different
structures with the block set. I preferred making different robots, aero planes, cars, houses and other stuff
using the block set.

The block set was important to me for several reasons. Firstly, the blocks looked nice and were something I
liked a lot. Secondly, playing with this block set taught me patience and perseverance – when I used to fail in
making any desired structure, I waited, took a break from it, used to think deeply over the whole thing again,
and finally made that. I believe it has sharpened my imagination and critical thinking power.

Sample 02: (Đổi chủ ngữ cho phù hợp)

I’d like to tell you about a gift that I’m going to buy for my best friend on her birthday this year.

My friend has a soft spot for sneakers, and she even has a huge collection of shoes from various brands, both
local and international ones. There is that pair of Nike Air Max 97 that she’s been totally obsessed with but kind
of can’t afford since they’re a little pricey, about more than 200 dollars.

I’ve decided to buy them for my friend next month as her birthday is coming real soon. I bet she’d be absolutely
elated and surprised by such a stunning gift.

To speak frankly, there’re just a couple of people I’d spend more than a hundred dollars on when it comes to gift
buying, and my best friend is definitely one of those. You know, we’ve been best friends for five years and gone
through all ups and downs together, so I really want to treat her on her special day. I also think that sneakers are
such a meaningful gift that shows one’s love and appreciation to those who receive them.
SPEAKING PART 3
1. Why do we like receiving gifts?
Sample 01: Well, gifts are always special to us. A gift reminds us of a happy event or someone special, and
thus as humans, we have a natural tendency of liking to receive gifts and presents. Apart from that, it is always
good to get something that might be useful for us. Possessing something we like and then getting it from
someone on a special occasion is desirable to all humans- I believe.
Sample 02: A gift coming for free happens usually on particular special occasions like birthday, marriage and
so on. But receiving one on some unusual day just springboards our surprise and joy. Getting something when
one is not prepared to spend comes as a luxury.
Sample 03: I guess we’re all somebody’s close friend or significant other, aren’t we? So, when we receive a gift
from our loved ones, whether it’s prohibitively expensive or just a few bucks, we all feel happy and grateful
because there’s always someone out there who loves and cares about us.
Sample 04: Gift-giving is a symbolic manner of emotional expression towards gift recipients. When a person
receives even a small thing like a cute pen, they can see the thoughtfulness and affection that the gift-giver
embraces in that little thing. They will feel appreciated and loved, which shines more than any glamorous
diamonds. And of course, if the gifts are something practical, such as a new wardrobe for a newlywed couple, I
believe that no one can resist the feeling of pleasure and gratitude when receiving such things.
2. When do people send gifts to other people?
Sample 01: Well, it seems obvious that all of us would send gifts to our loved ones on holidays and special
occasions. Around the world, when it’s holiday seasons such as Christmas in Western countries or Tet in some
Asian nations, friends and families are excited to prepare gifts for those around them. Besides, gift giving is
sort of a must during celebrations such as weddings, anniversaries or birthdays.
Sample 02: Generally, Vietnamese people tend to give gifts to their relatives and friends on various occasions.
In the most important holiday in Vietnam – Tet Holiday, people will exchange gifts such as traditional food for
the elderly and new clothes for young children. Other examples of gift-giving occasions may be wedding
anniversaries or birthdays when people give their best wishes and special gifts to express encouragement and
congratulations.
3. What sorts of things do they give?
It depends, I guess so. Gift givers have to consider many factors when it comes to purchasing for others. If the
recipients are someone in our circle of family and friends, then it would be OK to overspend a bit for them,
such as an expensive watch or a high-end clutch, otherwise it would cause some discomfort for the receiver if
the gift cost way too much. Another factor to concern is the recipient’s age. While educational books and toys
are the most appropriate options for young children, essential stuff for work and daily life would be suitable
for adult recipients.
4. Do people today still give the same kinds of gifts that people used to give, many years ago?
I think that time changes every aspect of life, so it definitely affects the way people give gifts to others. In the
past, when it seemed impossible to access a wide range of products and services, I believe that people would
resort to the most accessible resources around them for gifts such as homemade food or handmade crafts.
However, these days, increasing availability of goods has made it easier for people to purchase anything.
Undoubtedly, there is no limitation in choices for gifts and basically, they will choose something inclusive of
special meaning for their family and friends.
5. Do you think it’s suitable to give money as a gift?
Yes, in some circumstances and also in certain cultures. In some countries such as Vietnam or Korea, it is a
norm that people give money in red envelopes for children at Lunar New Year. More often than not, money is
a common gift for couples when they get married. However, as this practice is only acceptable in some

2
cultures, the gift-givers should ensure that they understand the etiquette when giving money thoroughly to
avoid unnecessary offense and embarrassment.
6. Can we sometimes hate a gift?
Yes, I think so, especially when it is given by someone, we do not like at all. Maybe the hatred for the person
makes us not receive his or her gifts very warmly as well. Sometimes we hate gifts that we personally do not
like at all. For instance, if someone does not like chocolate at all and gets a box of chocolates as a gift on
his/her birthday, he or she would most likely hate the gift.
7. Will people feel happy when receiving an expensive gift?
Honestly, I feel that most people would be pleased and delighted with luxury overpriced presents. It’s not only
because we tend to be attracted to material possessions as humans but also due to the fact that we must be
very important to those who are willing to spend lavishly on items they give us.
8. Do freebies really turn into motivation for customers to revisit?
Yes, many times, for majority of the people, it definitely leaves an alluring impression. Such freebies act as
inducements, especially when the gift is likeable, and the routine items sold by the shop are not of very
inferior quality.
9. Can the excess of free gifts have the negative impact too?
Yes, indeed. Excess disbursing of free items can lead to an altogether different perspective about the
enterprise, in the minds of customers. They may feel skeptical about the quality, or they might just be
addicted to that free item only. In this case, strength of the genuine customers might be affected adversely.

3
VOCABULARY
have a soft spot for sth: yêu thích cái gì

obsessed with: mê thích

pricey: đắt

elated: rất vui và hạnh phúc

stunning: tuyệt vời

to speak frankly: Nói thật

ups and downs: thăng trầm

appreciation: sự trân trọng

Heartfelt (adj): chân tình

Appreciation (noun): cảm kích

Down-to-earth (adj): thực tế

Carefree (adj): vô tư

Humble (adj): khiêm tốn

Sensible (adj): nhạy cảm

Have a true goodwill (verb phrase): tấm lòng thiện lương

Graduation ceremony (compound noun): lễ tốt nghiệp

Advocate (verb): ủng hộ

Social responsibility: trách nhiệm xã hội

Child labor free (adj): không lạm dụng lao động trẻ em

Cotton graphic T-shirt (noun phrase): : áo phông họa tiết bằng chất cotton

Embroidered (adj): thêu

Short-sleeves (noun): tay áo cộc

Garment (noun): quần/áo

Everyday wear (n): mặc hàng ngày

staple (n): đồ thiết yếu

4
Recipient (n): người nhận

one-of-a-kind (adj): độc nhất vô nhị

exotic designs (n): Thiết kế độc đáo

Reasonably priced (adj): giá cả hợp lý

a norm (n): việc thường tình

etiquette (n): phép xã giao

offense (n): xúc phạm

symbolic manner (n): hành động mang tính biểu tượng

Recipients (n): người nhận

Thoughtfulness (n): suy nghĩ

Embraces (v): gửi gắm, ôm trọn

glamorous (adj): rực rỡ

gratitude (n): sự biết ơn

access (verb): truy cập

resort (verb): trông cậy vào

accessible (adj): có thể truy cập

availability (noun): có sẵn

purchase (verb): mua

inclusive (adj): gồm

Purchase (v): mua

In our circle of family and friends (adv): trong hội người thân và bạn bè

Overspend (v): vung tay (để mua đồ vật gì)

High-end (adj): cao cấp

Discomfort (n): làm cho ai không thoải mái

Educational (adj): có giá trị giáo dục

Exchange (v): trao đổi

5
Anniversary (n): kỉ niệm

Encouragement (n): sự khích lệ

Congratulations (n): lời chúc