Table of Contents

PART 1 ...................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Housework and Cooking ............................................................................................. 2
2. Technology .................................................................................................................. 2
3. Weather ....................................................................................................................... 2
4. Public transportation ................................................................................................... 2
5. Birthday ....................................................................................................................... 2
6. Writing ........................................................................................................................ 3
7. Names .......................................................................................................................... 3
8. Snacks.......................................................................................................................... 3
9. Singing ........................................................................................................................ 3
10. Geography ................................................................................................................... 4
11. Social media ................................................................................................................ 4
12. Puzzles......................................................................................................................... 4
13. Work and studies ......................................................................................................... 4
14. Hometown ................................................................................................................... 5
15. Home and accommodation .......................................................................................... 5
16. The area you live in ..................................................................................................... 6
17. Watch .......................................................................................................................... 6
18. Neighbor ...................................................................................................................... 6
19. Weekend ...................................................................................................................... 6
20. Noise............................................................................................................................ 7
21. Arts .............................................................................................................................. 7
22. Outer space and stars ................................................................................................... 7
23. Chocolate..................................................................................................................... 7
24. Music ........................................................................................................................... 8
25. Staying Up Late ........................................................................................................... 8
26. Morning time ............................................................................................................... 8
27. Art................................................................................................................................ 8
28. Jewellery...................................................................................................................... 9
29. Keys ............................................................................................................................. 9
30. Library ......................................................................................................................... 9
31. Small Business ............................................................................................................ 9
32. Happy ........................................................................................................................ 10
33. Tidy ........................................................................................................................... 10
 34. Family & Friends ...................................................................................................... 10
35. T-shirt ........................................................................................................................ 10
PART 2&3 ............................................................................................................................... 12
CORE QUESTIONS BY SIMON .................................................................................... 12
PART 2&3 PREDICTION QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 14
TOPIC 1: DESCRIBE A PERSON ......................................................................................... 14
1. Describe a person who likes to dress fashionably/well ................................................... 14
2. Describe a person you know who is from a different culture ......................................... 14
3. Describe a friend from your childhood who you remember very well ........................... 14
4. Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting ................................... 15
5. Describe a person you know who loves to grow plants .................................................. 15
6. Describe an interesting old person you know ................................................................. 16
7. Describe a person you met at a party who you enjoyed talking with.............................. 16
8. Describe a person you have met who you like to work or study. ................................... 17
9. Describe a character from a film ..................................................................................... 17
TOPIC 2: DESCRIBE AN OBJECT ....................................................................................... 18
1. Describe an object that you think is beautiful ................................................................. 18
2. Describe a photo you took that you are proud of ............................................................ 18
3. Describe a program you like to watch ............................................................................. 19
4. Describe something you had to share with others ........................................................... 19
5. Describe a piece of technology that you feel is difficult to use ...................................... 20
6. Describe a gift you received ............................................................................................ 20
TOPIC 3: DESCRIBE AN EVENT/TIME .............................................................................. 21
1. Describe a time when you needed to search for information .......................................... 21
2. Describe a time when you forgot/missed an appointment .............................................. 21
3. Describe a time you made a decision to wait for something ........................................... 22
4. Describe a time when you saw a lot of plastic waste (e.g in a park, on the beach etc.) .. 22
5. Describe a time when you received money as a gift (birthday, wedding) ...................... 23
6. Describe a festival or national holiday in your country .................................................. 23
7. Describe a time when you succeeded in doing something that was difficult .................. 23
You should say: ................................................................................................................... 24
8. Describe a historical period you want to know more about. ........................................... 24
9. Describe a time when you received some positive feedback. ......................................... 24
10. Describe your first day at school. .................................................................................. 25
11. Describe a time when you taught a friend or relative something .................................. 26
 12. Describe a time you were late for a meeting ................................................................. 26
TOPIC 4: DESCRIBE AN ACTIVITY ................................................................................... 27
1. Describe an outdoor activity you did in a new place recently ........................................ 27
2. Describe an activity you enjoyed in your free time when you were young .................... 27
TOPIC 5: DESCRIBE A PLACE ............................................................................................ 28
1. Describe a popular place for sports (e.g. a stadium) that you have been to .................... 28
2. Describe the home of someone you know well that you often visit ............................... 28
3. Describe a place in your country that you would like to recommend to visitors/travelers
............................................................................................................................................. 29
4. Describe a city you would like to go to for a short time ................................................. 29
5. Describe a place you visited that was affected by pollution ........................................... 30
6. Describe a noisy place you have been to......................................................................... 30
7. Describe a favorite place in your house where you can relax. ........................................ 31
TOPIC 6: OTHER TOPICS ..................................................................................................... 31
1. Describe a problem you had while shopping online or in a store ................................... 31
2. Describe a disagreement you had with someone ............................................................ 32
3. Describe an impressive English lesson you had and enjoyed ......................................... 32
4. Describe a movie you watched recently and would like to watch again......................... 32
5. Describe a story or novel you have read that you found interesting ............................... 33
6. Describe an important thing you learned (not at school or college) ............................... 33
7. Describe something you did that made you feel proud ................................................... 34
8. Describe a complaint that you made ............................................................................... 34
9. Describe an unusual meal you had .................................................................................. 35
10. Describe a website you often visit................................................................................. 35
11. Describe something you did with someone or a group of people ................................. 36
12. Describe a piece of good news that you heard about someone you know well ............ 37
13. Describe a routine you have in your life that you enjoy ............................................... 37
14. Describe a development in the area where you live. ..................................................... 38
15. Describe an advertisement you do not like ................................................................... 38
REFERENCES: ....................................................................................................................... 39
1
PART 1

1. Housework and Cooking

Do you do some cooking or help your family cook at home now?

Did you do some house cleaning when you were young?

Do you have breakfast at home everyday?

Do you want to learn how to cook well?

2. Technology

What technology do you often use, computers or cellphones?

What electronic devices have you bought lately?

Are there any technologies you want to buy?

What are the benefits of technology? Do you think it is important in your life?

3. Weather

What is the weather like where you live?

Do you prefer cold or hot weather?

Do you prefer dry or wet weather?

Do you often check weather forecasts?

4. Public transportation

What kind of public transportation do you usually take?

When do you usually take public transportation, in your everyday life or when you are
travelling?

Do you people like to use public transportation in your country?

Did you take public transportation when you were a kid?

5. Birthday
2
What do you usually do on your birthday?

What did you do on your birthday when you were young?

Do you think it is important for you to celebrate your birthday?

Who do you usually celebrate your birthday with? Friends or family?

6. Writing

Do you write a lot?

What do you like to write? Why?

How has your handwriting changed?

Do you prefer typing or handwriting when you are writing?

7. Names

Does your name have any special meaning?

How would you choose names for your next generation?

Are there any differences between how Vietnamese people name their children now
and in the past?

Does anyone in your family have the same name as you?

8. Snacks

What snacks do you like to eat?

Did you often eat snacks when you were young?

When do you usually eat snacks now?

Do you think it is healthy for you to eat snacks?

9. Singing

Do you like singing? Why?

Have you ever learnt how to sing?

3
Who do you want to sing for?

Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?

10. Geography

Do you like geography?

Have you ever studied geography at school?

Are you good at reading maps?

Would you visit a country because of its geographical location?

11. Social media

Do you or your friends like using social media?

Do you think you or your friends use too much social media?

Do you want to work in the social media industry? Why?

What is the most popular social media platform in Vietnam?

12. Puzzles

Did you do puzzles when you were a kid?

When do you do puzzles, during a trip or when you feel bored?

What do you like doing, word puzzles or number puzzles? Which one is more difficult
for you?

Do you think it is good for old people to do puzzles?

13. Work and studies

Do you work or are you a student?

What work do you do? What subjects are you studying? Why did you choose that job?

Why did you choose to study that subject? Do you like your job?

Is there anything you dislike about your job? What do you like about your studies?
4
What do you dislike about your studies?

What was your dream job when you were young? Have you changed your mind on your
dream job?

14. Hometown

Please describe your hometown a little. What is your town well-known for?

Do you like your hometown?

Is that a big city or a small place? How long have you been living there?

Do you think you will continue living there for a long time?

Would you like to live in the countryside in the future?

What is the difference between living in the countryside and the city? What do you like
to do in the countryside?

What do people living in the countryside like to do? How has your town changed over
the last 20 years?

15. Home and accommodation

Can you describe the place where you live?

How long have you lived there?

Please describe the room you live in.

What part of your home do you like the most?

Who do you live with?

What room does your family spend most of the time in?

What do you usually do in your flat?

What kinds of accommodation do you live in?

Do you plan to live there for a long time?

Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?

5
Are the transport facilities to your home very good?

What kind of house or flat do you want to live in in the future?

What's your favorite room in your apartment/house?

What makes you feel pleasant in your home?

What's the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in
the past?

Do you think it is important to live in a comfortable house?

16. The area you live in

Do you like the area that you live in?

Where do you like to go in that area?

Do you know any famous people in your area?

What are some changes in the area recently?

17. Watch

Do you wear a watch?

Have you ever got a watch as a gift?

Which one do you prefer, expensive watches or comfortable ones?

Do you think it is important to wear a watch?

18. Neighbor

Do you think neighbors are important?

How can we get along with our neighbors?

Do you think it's important to have a good relationship with one's neighbors?

19. Weekend

What do you usually do on weekends?

6
Did you do anything special last weekend?

What will you do next weekend?

20. Noise

Do you think the city is noisy?

What makes the city noisy?

What types of noise do you come across in your daily life?

Do you watch science tv programs?

What type of noises do you often hear?

Are there any sounds you like?

What kind of noise do you dislike most?

Is your area becoming noisier?

21. Arts

What forms of visual art are popular in your country?

Are there any differences between the art in your country and the art in Western
countries?

Do you want to be an artist?

22. Outer space and stars

Have you ever learnt about outer space and stars?

Are you interested in films concerning outer space and stars?

Do you want to go into outer space in the future?

23. Chocolate

Do you like chocolate?

Did you like chocolate when you were a child?

7
Have you ever given chocolate as a gift to someone?

How popular is chocolate in your country?

24. Music

How often do you listen to music?

What kind of music do you like most?

When do you listen to music?

What types of music are most popular in your country?

25. Staying Up Late

How often do you stay up late?

When did you last stay up late?

How do you feel after staying up late?

Does anything make it difficult for you to fall asleep?

26. Morning time

Do you often get up early in the morning?

What do you usually do when you get up early?

What did you do in the morning when you were little? Why?

Are there any differences between what you do in the morning now and what you did
in the past?

Do you spend your mornings doing the same things on both weekends and weekdays?
Why?

Do you get up early on weekends?

What kinds of professions require people to get up early?

27. Art

8
Do you like art?

Would you like to be an artist?

What artwork do you have on the walls of your home?

Have you ever visited an art gallery?

28. Jewellery

Do you like wearing jewellery?

Have you ever bought jewellery as a gift?

What type of jewellery would you like to buy?

What type of jewellery is most popular in your country?

29. Keys

Do you have a lot of keys?

Do you always take your keys when you go out?

Have you ever lost a key?

Do you do anything to avoid losing keys?

30. Library

How often do you go to the library?

When was the last time you went to a library?

Did you go to the library when you were a child?

How popular are our libraries in your country?

31. Small Business

How often do you shop at small businesses?

Do you prefer buying things from small businesses or big businesses?

Are there many small businesses where you live?

9
Would you prefer to work for a small business or a large business?

32. Happy

What made you happy when you were little?

What do you think will make you feel happy in the future?

33. Tidy

Are you a tidy person?

Do you think people should be tidy all the time?

Are you tidier at work or at home?

How do you usually keep your place tidy?

34. Family & Friends

Do you have a large family or small family?

How much time do you manage to spend with members of your family?

Do you have many friends? Why? Why not?

Do you prefer to stay alone or with your friends?

35. T-shirt

Do you usually wear T-shirts?

Do you like T-shirts with pictures or prints?

Do you think older people who wear T-shirts are fashionable?

10
11
PART 2&3
CORE QUESTIONS BY SIMON
• Describe an object (a gift, something you use etc.)

Eg: Describe a useful electronic device that you have.

You should say:

• What it is
• How long you have used it
• What you use it for
And explain why it is useful

• Describe a person (someone you admire, a leader etc.)

Eg: Describe a famous person that you admire.

You should say:

• Who the person is

• How you got to know about him or her
• Why that person is famous
And explain why you admire that person

• Describe an event (a festival, celebration etc.)

Eg: Describe an event that you enjoyed.

You should say:

• When it happened
• Who was in the event
• What you did
And explain why you enjoyed the event

• Describe an activity (a hobby, a game etc.)

12
Eg: Describe a sport that you enjoy

You should say:

• What the sport is

• How to play
• What equipment is required
And explain why you enjoy the sport

• Describe a place (somewhere you visit, a holiday etc.)

Eg: Describe a place that you love to visit

You should say:

• What the place is

• Where the place is
• How to get to the place
And explain why you would love to visit that place.

• Describe your favorite (book, film, advertisement, website etc.)

Eg: Describe your favourite book

You should say:

• Which book it is
• How you got the book
• What the main content is
And explain why you like the book

13
PART 2&3 PREDICTION QUESTIONS

TOPIC 1: DESCRIBE A PERSON

1. Describe a person who likes to dress fashionably/well

You should say:

• Who he/she is What job he/she does

• What kind of clothes he/she wears
And explain why he/she likes fashion

Part 3:

• Do you think online shopping will replace in-store shopping in the future?
Why?
• Why is fashion very important to some people?
• Are older people as fashionable as young people? Why?
• Are women more fashionable than men? Why?

2. Describe a person you know who is from a different culture

You should say:

• Who he/she is
• Where he/she is from
• How you knew him/her
And explain how you feel about him/her

Part 3:

• Where do people usually meet people from a different culture?

• Is it important to know the differences between cultures?
• Do you think travelers should learn about the country they visit before their
trip?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of cultural diversity?

3. Describe a friend from your childhood who you remember very well

14
You should say

• Who he/she is
• Where and how you met each other
• What you often did together
And explain what made you like him/her

Part 3:

• Which one is more important, old friendships or new ones?

• How important is childhood friendship to children?
• Do you think the development of social media affects friendships nowadays?
• Do you think social media will replace face-to-face communication?

4. Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting

You should say:

• Who he/she is
• How you knew him/her
• What interesting thing you did

And explain how he/she inspired you to do it

Part 3:

• Which types of people become role models in your society?

• Do you agree that famous people have more responsibilities than ordinary
people?
• What happens when young people lack good role models?
• What standards of behaviour should teachers set?

5. Describe a person you know who loves to grow plants

(e.g. vegetables/fruits/flowers etc.)

You should say:
• Who this person is
• What he/she grows
15
 • Where he/she grows them
And explain why he/she enjoys growing plants
Part 3:
• What do you think of the job as a farmer?
• Are there many people growing their own vegetables now?
• Do you think it’s good to let kids learn how to plant?
• What are the differences between traditional and modern agriculture?

6. Describe an interesting old person you know

You should say:

• Who this person is

• How you know this person
• What you do together
And explain why you think this person is interesting.
Part 3:

• Do you think old people and young people can share interests?
• What can old people teach young people?
• Are there benefits when one person is interested in another person? Why?
• What are the advantages of having an elderly person at home?
• Is there anything that older people should learn from the younger generation?
• What can the younger generation learn from the older generation?
• What qualities does a person need to take care of old people?
• Do you think elderly people should be allowed to work?

7. Describe a person you met at a party who you enjoyed talking with

You should say:

• What party it was

• How you met this person
• What you talked about
And explain why you enjoyed talking with him or her
16
Part 3:

• Under what circumstances do people meet new people?

• Where do you think people meet new people?
• Do you think it is difficult for foreigners to communicate with Vietnamese
people?
• What types of people interact easily with each other?
• What kind of people are hard to get along with?
• Do people now have enough time for communication?
• Does technology make it easier to communicate with family and friends?

8. Describe a person you have met who you like to work or study.

You should say:

• Who this person is

• Where you work/study together
• What you often do together
And explain why you like so much to work/study with him/her.

9. Describe a character from a film

You should say:

• What character it is
• Who acted as the character
• When you saw the film
And explain whether you like this character.
Part 3:

• Is it interesting to be an actor/actress?
• What can children learn from acting?
• Why do children like special costumes?
• What are the differences between actors/actresses who earn much and those
who earn little?
• What are the differences between acting in a theatre and in a film?
17
 • What makes a good actor?
• Are drama series popular in your country? Why?
• What is the difference between young people's and old people’s favourite TV
dramas? Why?
• Do you think TV dramas reflect what happens in the reality of society?
• Do you think people will change their preference of TV dramas when getting
older?
• What is the difference between foreign dramas and ones in your country?
• What is the influence of foreign tv shows on people in your country?

TOPIC 2: DESCRIBE AN OBJECT

1. Describe an object that you think is beautiful

You should say

• What it is
• Where you saw it
• What it looks like
And explain why you think it is beautiful

Part 3:

• Do you think there are more beautiful things now than in the past?
• What beautiful scenery spots are there in your country?
• Where do you think people usually come into contact with beautiful things?
• Why do you think people create beautiful things?

2. Describe a photo you took that you are proud of

You should say:

• When you took it

• Where you took it
• What is in this photo
And explain why you are proud of it

18
Part 3:

• Why do some people like to record important things with photos?

• Is taking photos the best way to remember something?
• What can people learn from historical photographs?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking photos with mobile
phones?

3. Describe a program you like to watch

You should say:

• What it is
• What it is about
• Who you watch it with
And explain why you like to watch it

Part 3:

• What programs do people in Vietnam like to watch?

• Do people in Vietnam like to watch foreign TV programs?
• Which one is better for children, watching animal videos or visiting the zoo?
• What are the values of using videos in teaching?

4. Describe something you had to share with others

You should say

• What it was
• Who you shared it with
• Why you had to share it with others
And explain how you felt about it

Part 3:

• Do children like to share?

• How can parents teach their children to share?
• What are the benefits of sharing for children?

19
 • Is there anything that parents would persuade children to share with others?

5. Describe a piece of technology that you feel is difficult to use

You should say:

• What it is
• What you got it for
• How often you use it
And explain how you feel about using it
Part 3:

• What technology do people currently use?

• Why do big companies introduce new products frequently?
• Why are people so keen on buying Iphones even though they haven’t changed
much
• from one to the next?
• In what ways has technology changed your society?
• How has technology changed the way we communicate?
• How has technology changed the nature of long-distance relationships?
• What are the limitations of technology when it comes to interpersonal
relationships?

6. Describe a gift you received

You should say:

• What it is
• How you got it
• What you did
And explain how you felt about it
Part 3:

• Should employees have their own goals?

• How should bosses reward employees?

20
 • What kinds of gifts do young people like to receive as rewards?
• What is the purpose of gift giving?
• How has gift giving changed since your grandparents’ time?
• How important is gift giving in a relationship?
• What is more important when it comes to giving a gift, cost or effort?
• Do you think it's suitable to give money as a gift?
• Do you think it's a good idea for people who are doing business with each other
to exchange gifts?

TOPIC 3: DESCRIBE AN EVENT/TIME

1. Describe a time when you needed to search for information

You should say:

• What information you needed to search for

• When you searched for it
• Where you searched for it
And explain why you needed to search for it

Part 3:

• How can people search for information now?

• What information can people get from television?
• Do you think libraries are still important in the digital age?
• Does the development of the Internet have any impact on disadvantaged
people?

2. Describe a time when you forgot/missed an appointment

You should say:

• What the appointment was for

• Who you made it with
• Why you forgot/missed it
And explain how you felt about the experience

21
Part 3:

• How do busy people remember things they need to do?

• What are the things that busy people often forget?
• Is time management an important skill for everyone?
• How can parents teach their children time management skills?

3. Describe a time you made a decision to wait for something

You should say:

• When it happened
• What you waited for
• Why you made the decision to wait
And explain how you felt about the decision

Part 3:

• Why do some people like a slow-paced life?

• What is making life in cities more and more fast-paced?
• Is being patient good for people?
• Do you think people are less patient now than they were in the past?

4. Describe a time when you saw a lot of plastic waste (e.g in a park, on the beach
etc.)

You should say:

• Where are when you saw the plastic waste
• Why there were a lot of plastic waste
• What you did after you saw them
And explain what your thoughts were about this

Part 3:

• What are the benefits of using plastic products?

• How can people reduce their use of plastic?
• What kind of plastic waste is often seen in Vietnam?

22
 • What are the problems when there is too much plastic waste?

5. Describe a time when you received money as a gift (birthday, wedding)

You should say:

• When it happened
• Who gave you money
• Why he/she gave you money

And explain how you felt about it

Part 3:

• Why do people rarely use cash now?

• When do children begin to comprehend the value of money?
• Should parents reward children with money?
• Is it good and necessary to teach children to save money?

6. Describe a festival or national holiday in your country

You should say:

• When the festival occurs

• What you did during it
• What you like or dislike about it

And explain why this a festival or national holiday is important

Part 3:

• How do people in Vietnam value traditional festivals?

• What’s the difference between the ways festivals are celebrated now and in the
past?
• How do you celebrate spring Festivals?
• What’s your favorite festival of the year?

7. Describe a time when you succeeded in doing something that was difficult

23
You should say:

• What you succeeded in

• When you succeeded
• Who helped you do it
And how you felt when you succeeded
Part 3:
• Is it easy to become a successful person?
• Would you do charity when you succeed?
• Is there a lot of competition with others trying to achieve the same goals?
• In your country, how is success defined or measured?

8. Describe a historical period you want to know more about.

You should say:

• Which period is it?
• When did it occur?
• Why are you interested in it?
• Who all were involved in it?
Part 3:

• How is history taught in Vietnam?

• Is there any difference between teaching history through books and movies?
• Why are there many children who do not like to learn history?
• Do young people like historical stories in your country?
• Do you think history matters in a country’s future development?
• Are there other ways people can learn about history, apart from at school?
How?
• Do you think history will still be a school subject in the future? Why?

9. Describe a time when you received some positive feedback.

You should say:

24
 • When it was
• What the feedback was related to
• Who gave you the feedback
And explain how you felt about it.

Part 3:
• Do children need encouragement when they grow up? Why?
• Which kind of feedback people tend to believe, positive or negative feedback?
• Do you think public recognition is important for people nowadays?
• Do you think those who have received public recognition should take on more
social responsibilities?
• Do you think positive feedback is more useful than negative feedback?
• Should bosses give positive feedback to employees? Why?

10. Describe your first day at school.

You should say:

• Where the school was

• What happened
• Who you talked to
Explain how you felt on that day
Part 3:

• What are the reasons for job change?

• Are big companies better than small companies? Why?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages coming along with changing jobs?
• What would parents prepare for their kids when they first go to school?
• How do children socialise with each other?
• Is socialisation important for children?
• Do you think students should be taken to school by their parents or go by
themselves?
• Should children rely on their parents or be independent?
• How can children become more independent?
25
 • What is the effect if parents interfere with children’s life too much?
• How does changing school affect children?

11. Describe a time when you taught a friend or relative something

You should say:

• Who you taught

• What you taught
• How you taught him or her
And explain how you felt about it
Part 3:

• What qualities do you think a good teacher should have?

• Who do you think can learn better? Old or young people?
• What do you think is the best age for children to go to school?
• What courses/subjects will be helpful in future work?
• Do you think students should choose subjects they like?

12. Describe a time you were late for a meeting

You should say:

• What the meeting was for

• When the meeting was
• Where the meeting was
And explain why you were late
Part 3:

• Are you a punctual person?

• Do you think it is important to be on time?
• Do you always avoid being late?
• Why are people often late for meetings or appointments?
• Why do people miss important events?
• Are people in your country often late for meetings?

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 • What kinds of activities do you consider a waste of time?
• What usually makes people feel pressured?
• Do you think young people or old people are better at managing time?
• Why do young people waste more time than old people?
• How can people manage their time better?

TOPIC 4: DESCRIBE AN ACTIVITY

1. Describe an outdoor activity you did in a new place recently

• You should say:

• What the activity is
• Who invited you to participate in it
• Whether you asked for help in the activity
And explain what change you had in the activity

Part 3:

• What outdoor activities are popular in Vietnam?

• Why do some people like dangerous sports?
• Should young people try as many new activities as possible?
• Do you think older people are less likely to change their lifestyles?

2. Describe an activity you enjoyed in your free time when you were young

You should say:

• What it was
• Where you did it
• Who you did it with
And explain why you enjoyed it
Part 3:

• Is it important to have a break during work or study?

• What sports do young people like to do now?
• Are there more activities for young people now than 20 years ago?
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 • What type of leisure activities are popular in your country?
• Why is it important for people to have leisure activities?
• Why are some leisure activities more popular than others?
• Do you think that parents should choose leisure activities for their children?
Why/Why not?
• Has free time activities among people in your country changed much more than
that of 2 decades ago?
• What changes do you think technologies have brought in the way people enjoy
their leisure activities?

TOPIC 5: DESCRIBE A PLACE

1. Describe a popular place for sports (e.g. a stadium) that you have been to

You should say:

• Where it is
• When you went there
• What you did there
And explain how you felt about this place

Part 3:

• Do young people today do enough sports?

• What are the benefits of playing sports for children?
• Is it necessary to build public sports spaces?
• What do you think of companies donating sports venues for poor children?

2. Describe the home of someone you know well that you often visit

You should say:

• Whose home it is
• How often you go there
• What it is like
And explain how you feel about the home

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Part 3:

• What are the differences between buildings in the city and the ones in the
countryside? What do young people in Vietnam prefer, living in the city or in
the countryside?
• What safety risks are there in residential buildings in cities?
• Is it expensive to decorate a house or an apartment in Vietnam?

3. Describe a place in your country that you would like to recommend

to visitors/travelers

You should say:

• What it is
• Where it is
• What people can do there
And explain why you would like to recommend it to visitors/travelers
Part 3:
• Is it important to take photos while traveling?
• Can you trust other people’s travel journals on the Internet?
• What factors affect how people feel about travel?
• What can the government do to promote tourism?

4. Describe a city you would like to go to for a short time

You should say:

• What city it is
• What you would like to do there
• Who you would go there with
And explain why you would like to go there
Part 3:

• Do people prefer planned travel?

• Why do places with historical attractions develop tourism more aggressively?
• Why do you think people usually travel?
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 • Why does living in tourist cities experience more noise?
• What kinds of jobs are easy to get in a foreign country?
• Should young adults work abroad?
• Do Vietnamese parents encourage their children to work abroad?
• If you had an opportunity to live abroad, which country would you like to settle
down in?
• Why do some people want to go to college far away from home?

5. Describe a place you visited that was affected by pollution

You should say:

• Where the place is

• What the pollution was
• Why you went there
And explain how you felt about the pollution
Part 3:

• What kinds of pollution are serious in your country?

• What can individuals do to protect the environment?
• Why should the government be involved in environmental protection?
• Is it important to teach students about environmental protection at school?
• Do you think it is a good idea or bad idea to relocate factories far from cities?

6. Describe a noisy place you have been to.

You should say:

• What it is
• When you went there
• What you did there

And explain why you feel it’s a noisy place

Part 3:

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 • Do you think it is good for children to make noise?
• Should children not be allowed to make noise under any circumstances?
• What are some common sources of noise?
• What are the effects of loud noise?

7. Describe a favorite place in your house where you can relax.

You should say:

• Where it is
• What it is like
• What you enjoy doing there
And explain why you feel relaxed at this place
Part 3:

• Why is it difficult for some people to relax?

• What are the benefits of doing exercise?
• Do people in your country exercise after work?
• What is the place where people spend most of their time in their home?

TOPIC 6: OTHER TOPICS

1. Describe a problem you had while shopping online or in a store

You should say:

• When it happened
• What you bought
• What problem you had
And explain how you felt about the experience

Part 3:

• What are the factors of a good service?

• What are the differences between shopping online and shopping in stores?
• What problems do customers often have while shopping?

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 • What do you think customers should do when there are problems with the
products they bought online?

2. Describe a disagreement you had with someone

You should say

• Who you had the disagreement with

• What the disagreement was
• What happened during the disagreement
And explain how you felt about it

Part 3:

• What kind of topics do people usually argue about today?

• What are the ways to prevent an argument from escalating into a fight?
• Who do you think should teach children to respect others?
• What disagreements do parents and children usually have?

3. Describe an impressive English lesson you had and enjoyed

You should say:

• What it was about

• When you had it
• What the teacher did
And why you enjoyed the lesson

Part 3:

• Why do people learn foreign languages?

• What are the qualities of a good foreign language teacher?
• Do you think grammar is important when learning foreign languages?
• How can a foreign language teacher make their lessons interesting?

4. Describe a movie you watched recently and would like to watch again

You should say:

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 • What type of movie it was
• What it was about
• Where you watched it
And explain why you would like to watch it again

Part 3:

• Where do people in Vietnam normally watch movies?

• What are the differences between watching movies at home and at the cinema?
• Are famous actors or actresses important for a movie to be successful?
• Why are there fewer people going to the cinema to watch movies nowadays?

5. Describe a story or novel you have read that you found interesting

You should say

• When you read it

• What the story or novel was about
• Who wrote it
And explain why you think it was interesting

Part 3:

• How does technology help people tell their stories?

• Which one is more popular in Vietnam, ebooks or paper books?
• Why are mystery novels so popular nowadays?
• What kinds of stories do children in Vietnam enjoy reading?

6. Describe an important thing you learned (not at school or college)

You should say:

• What it is
• When you learned its
• How you learned it
And explain why it was important
Part 3:

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 • What can children learn from parents?
• Do you think some children are well-behaved because they are influenced by
their parents?
• Is it necessary for adults to learn new things?
• How can people learn new things?

7. Describe something you did that made you feel proud

You should say:

• What you did

• When you did it
• How difficult it was
And explain why it made you feel proud
Part 3:

• Which is more important, personal goals or work goals?

• Have your life goals changed since your childhood?
• Does everyone set goals for themselves?
• Does everyone set goals for themselves?
• Do you think material rewards are more important than other rewards at work?
• What makes people feel proud of themselves?
• What qualities are needed to become successful?
• Do you think the way people gain success has changed?
• How important is goal-setting to achieve success?
• Is it important for society to celebrate individuals who have achieved success?

8. Describe a complaint that you made

You should say:

• When it happened
• Who you complained to
• What you complained about
And explain why you make a complaint about
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Part 3:

• What products or services do people in your country like to complain about?

• Would you buy things in the shops which you have complained about before?
• Complaint online or in the shop which is better complaint by talk or writing
• Do you think customers’ complaints will improve products or services?
• Are there any disadvantages to set up customer service?

9. Describe an unusual meal you had

You should say:

• When it was
• Where you had the meal
• What happened during the meal
And explain why it was unusual
Part 3:

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating in restaurants?

• Do you think having dinner at home is a good idea?
• Do young people like to spend time with their families or friends?
• What do you think are the benefits of having dinner together?
• Do you think people are less willing to cook meals by themselves these days,
• compared to the past?
• Do you think having dinner at home is a good idea?
• Why do you think some people choose to be vegetarians?
• What do you think are the benefits of having dinner together?
• Is the food that people eat today different to the food that people used to eat in
the past?
• Do you think people are less willing to cook meals by themselves these days,
compared to the past?

10. Describe a website you often visit

You should say:

35
 • What the website is
• How you first found out about it
• How often you visit it
And explain why you like it
Part 3:

• What are the most popular and least popular apps in VietNam?
• What’s the difference between the Internet and television?
• Why do people like to read the news on the Internet instead of on TV?
• Is the library still necessary? Why?
• What kinds of people would still go to the library to read and study?
• What effect has the Internet had on the way people generally communicate
with each other?
• How do you think communicating by email is different from communicating
by text message?
• Why do you think the Internet is being used more and more for
communication?
• How can people find reliable information on the internet?
• Do you think the internet is safe for children to use unsupervised?

11. Describe something you did with someone or a group of people

You should say:

• What it was
• Where you did it
• Who you’re with

And explain how you felt about it

Part 3:

• What kinds of jobs need people to work in a team?

• How do you get along with your neighbors?
• What can parents do with their children to make them happy?
• How can children improve their social skills?
36
12. Describe a piece of good news that you heard about someone you know well

You should say:

• What it was
• When you heard it
• How you knew it
And explain how you felt about it
Part 3:
• Is it good to share something on social media?
• Should the media only publish good news?
• How does social media help people access information?
• What kind of good news do people often share in the community?
• Do most people like to share good news with others?
• Do people like to hear good news from their friends?
• How do most people get their news in your country?
• How do you think people will get their news in the future?
• Do you believe everything you read in the newspapers?
• How has social media changed the way we get and share the news?
• Do you think printed newspapers will disappear in the future?

13. Describe a routine you have in your life that you enjoy

You should say:

• What it is
• How often do you do it
• Is it easy to stick to that routine
And explain how you feel about it
Part 3:

• What routine do people have at home?

• What routine does the elderly have?
• What are the benefits of having a routine for kids at school?

37
 • Do you think it is good to have a 9-to-5 job?

14. Describe a development in the area where you live.

You should say:

• What the development is

• When/where you noticed it
• How long it took to complete it
And explain how you feel about it
Part 3:

• What transportation do you use the most?

• Is public transportation popular in VietNam?
• What can be improved in public transport services?
• What leisure facilities can be used by people of all ages?
• Do you think young people in your country like to go to the cinema?

15. Describe an advertisement you do not like

You should say:

• What type of advertisement it is

• What product or service it advertises
• Where and when you first saw it
And explain why you don’t like it
Part 3:

• What kind of things advertise most in your country?

• Newspaper advertising or online advertising more effective?
• Why do some people hate advertisements?
• Is music useful in advertising?

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REFERENCES:
• IELTS Simon
• IeltsBro.com
• IeltsMaterial.com

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