SPEAKING FORECAST 2024 – BỘ 2

Đáp án tham khảo chủ đề Speaking Part 1

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Contents
Where you live ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Work or Study – tự làm ............................................................................................................................... 3
Your home .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Sunglasses .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Feeling bored.............................................................................................................................................. 4
Colours ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Collecting things ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Memory ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Losing things .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Video games ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Crowded Places .......................................................................................................................................... 7
Advertisements / Commercial ..................................................................................................................... 8
Cakes .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Money ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Social Media ............................................................................................................................................... 9
Singing ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
News ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

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Where you live
• Do you live in a house or an apartment?
o Currently I’m living in a two-storey house with my family. This is my childhood home
and I’ve been here for all my life.
• What is your favourite room in your home?
o I would say that my bedroom is definitely my favourite place, mainly because it offers
privacy and comfort to me. I can play music and read books without disturbing
anyone.
• What things make your home pleasant to live in?
o I suppose there are two main factors. Firstly, my house is conveniently located near
public facilities like markets, shopping malls and hair salon, so it’s very easy to get what
I want. Another thing is my neighbors are well-mannered and considerate, they don’t
play loud music or sing karaoke at night.

Work or Study – tự làm

If you work:

• What do you do?

• Have you always wanted to do this kind of work?
• Do you work best in the morning or the afternoon?

If you study:

• What do you study?

• Have you always wanted to study this subject / these subjects?
• Do you study best in the morning or the afternoon?

Your home
• What did you like most about the house or apartment where you grew up?
o My favourite element about my childhood home is definitely the front yard which we
used to have. Me and my brothers would play hide-and-seek or ride our bikes here, and
my father used to grow different flowers here. I have lots of memories here.
• How do you feel about the house or apartment where you live now?
o I am quite satisfied with it. Currently I’m living with my family, including my wife and
little daughter and parents in the same childhood home. It’s a little bit small for 5
people but the living atmosphere makes up for it. I have nothing to complain about.
• What kind of home would you like to have in the future?
o If possible, I would love to live in District 7 in a four-bedroom house. I think D7 will be a
good place to raise my daughter because it’s near good schools and public parks.
Besides, the public facilities are much better compared to my area.

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Sunglasses
• How often do you wear sunglasses?
o (if YES) Actually, I put on sunglasses on a regular basis. Not only does it shield my eyes
from the harsh sunlight, but I also consider sunglasses a fashion accessory. I actually
have a few pairs.
o (if NO) To be honest, I have to wear prescription glasses (n: kính cận) so I almost never
put on sunglasses. For me it’s not necessary.
• Would you spend a lot of money on sunglasses?
o For me it’s not important to spend a large sum of money on sunglasses. The maximum
budget I’d use for a new pair is probably around 300,000 to 500,000.
• Would you buy sunglasses for someone else?
o I think sunglasses are great gifts for my parents because they wear sunglasses all the
time. I’ll probably buy a new pair for my mother on her next birthday.
• Have you ever lost any sunglasses?
o To be honest, I’m quite careful with my personal belongings so this has never
happened to me. I always keep my glasses either on my face or in my shirt pocket when
I go out, and when I’m home I put them in their storage container next to my bed.

Feeling bored
• Do you often feel bored?
o Not really. To be honest, my days are filled with activities, and I rarely have time for
myself. I tend to be more tired and stressed, but I’m rarely bored.
• Did you ever find school boring when you were a child?
o It really depends on the subject. For instance, I really enjoyed learning English and
Maths, and the teachers were very kind and supportive, so I had lots of motivation and
enthusiasm for these areas. But when it comes to literature and irrelevant subjects, I
tend to lose interest very quickly.
• What sort of things do you find most boring now?
o I really hate small talk and gossip so whenever people engage in these topics, I’d
mentally tune out. Also, when people bring up politics or religion, I tend to lose
interest almost immediately.
• What do you do to stop yourself feeling bored?
o For me the most effective way is to put on some music, I find that listening to rock
songs from Green Day or Linkin Park helps me feel more energized after a while.
Another trick that I use is to take a small walk around the neighbourhood, or ride the
bike around the city for a bit.

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Colours
• Do you have any favourite colour?
o I gravitate towards colours with dark tones like dark green, navy blue and black. I find
them quite easy to mix with different outfits.
• Did you wear bright colours when you were younger?
o Yes. When I was a child, my mother would pick clothes with vibrant colours for me
because she thought they would make me stand out in the crowd. So when I was young,
my wardrobe was filled with yellow, white and red clothing.
• What colour would you choose for the walls of your room?
o Well, it depends on what room. If I’m painting my office then I’d definitely pick pure
white because I like my workspace to look clean and bright, whereas if I’m painting my
bedroom then I think a darker shade of blue would be more suitable.
• Is the colour of a car important to you?
o Yes, I think it’s an important consideration when buying a car. I’d like my car to be in my
favourite colour so it’s pleasing to look at.

Collecting things
• Have you ever collected anything?
o When I was a student, I used to collect Japanese manga and I had many complete
manga series in my bookshelf. Then in my 20s I also developed a hobby which was
collecting sneakers and shoes.
• What things are popular to collect in your country?
o I suppose most people like to collect books whether they’re novels or comic books. In
my opinion these are the most popular items to collect. Secondly, some people like to
collect antiques (n: đồ cổ) or bank notes (n: tiền giấy) from other countries.
• How do people get things for their collections?
o It depends on what they’re collecting. For simple items like books or mangas, they can
just buy from the bookstores or order online. But when it comes to antiques then it’d
be more complicated, as the collectors will need to hunt for these items either by going
online or going to flea markets.
• Why do you think people collect things?
o I guess the main reason is collecting gives people a sense of discovery. For instance,
people who collect paper money from around the world can satisfy their curiosity
about foreign currency. Moreover, collecting items can be a rewarding experience.

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Memory
• How often do you need to remember something?
o In my job, I need to keep in mind lots of details, ranging from the names of my
students, their homework deadlines, and their study progress. To help me manage this
information I tend to put this information in a notebook.
• Would you say you have a good memory?
o I would say that my memory is just average. Although I try to keep track of everything
going on, I still forget certain things. But I never forget the most important things like
my parents’ birthdays or my wedding anniversary.
• Do you forget things sometimes?
o Yes, from time-to-time certain things will slip away from my memory. But these are
trivial stuffs. For example, I might forget to buy milk when going to the supermarket
and only realise that after getting home. I never forget the important events because I’ll
keep them in my journal.
• Do you think having a good memory is important?
o Definitely. Having a good memory is beneficial in most areas. For instance, people will
react positively if I can remember their names after our first introduction. Additionally,
having good memory can facilitate faster learning as well.

Losing things
• Do you often lose things?
o This rarely happens to me because I am very careful with my personal belongings. I
always keep my keys, phones and wallet in my pockets. If I ever lose anything it’s
unimportant stuffs like a receipt (n: biên lai) or a pen.
• What can we do to avoid losing things?
o There are two simple tips to prevent losing items. Firstly, it’s a good idea to put the
important items somewhere visible. For example, I put my keys and wallet on my
nightstand (n: bàn đầu giường) so I can easily grab them. Furthermore, we need to
have a mental checklist of important items to double check before we leave.
• Why do some people tend to lose things more often than others?
o I guess some people are naturally more absent-minded (adj: đãng trí) than others.
This could be because they have ADHD or low attention level and they tend to be
distracted by external factors, thus making it challenging for them to keep track of
their belongings.
• What will you do if you find something lost by others?
o If I find some lost items and I’m in a shopping mall, I’d give to the security staff or the
lost and found section. But if I come across something lost on the street then I think
the best option is to leave it where it is, in case the owner comes back.

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Video games
• Do you like to play video games?
o I love video games, I’ve been playing since I was a child. My first gaming experience was
playing Mario on the Nintendo 64. Nowadays I still play but very moderately because I
have responsibilities.
• Do you like playing video games alone or with others?
o I much prefer single player games because I can go at my own pace and explore the
game world as much as I want. Moreover, single player games have a stronger
emphasis on story and gameplay, whereas multiplayers lean more heavily on
cooperative play and it’s not my cup of tea.
• Do you think people play computer games too much?
o I think it’s fair to say that most people play computer games quite excessively. But from
my perspective, it’s understandable because people use games as a means of relaxation
and to escape from their personal stress.
• What are some differences in computer games today compared to the past?
o I think games in general have evolved and modern games are drastically different
compared to their past versions. Probably the biggest difference is the graphics.
Modern games are visually attractive, and new game engines feature great lighting
effects and some even have motion-capture technology, so the characters and
environments look extremely realistic. Another key difference is accessibility. In the past,
people needed to buy the gaming consoles or the computers to play games, but now
game has become very prevalent and available on smartphones.

Crowded Places
• Is the city you live in crowded?
o Yes, Ho Chi Minh city has one of the highest population density in Vietnam because
everyone migrates here to study and work.
• Do you like crowded places?
o Honestly I’m not a fan of those places. I find them too noisy for my liking, and there’s a
long waiting time for service. I much prefer somewhere that’s quiet.
• When was the last time you were in a crowded place?
o It must have been years ago, I remember when I was dating my wife, we went to District
1 to watch fireworks on New Years Eve, and the streets were packed with people. I didn’t
really enjoy the experience and it’s the last time I went to a public festival event.
• Do most people like crowded places?
o It probably depends on their personality. Extroverts would tend to like crowded places
because they’re social and outgoing, so they’d be in their elements in such places,
whereas introverts like myself would dread the idea.

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Advertisements / Commercial
• Do you often remember the advertisements you’ve seen?
o Not really, as I don’t pay much attention to the commercials. I find them irrelevant so I’d
usually ignore them.
• What do you usually do when an advertisement comes on TV or the Internet?
o If I’m watching Youtube and there’s a commercial, I’d press the skip-ad button as soon
as I can. With TV, I will either use that time to get up and get a drink, or change the
channel for a while.
• Have you ever seen an advertisement that you really don’t like?
o Honestly, I treat all advertisements with the same level of indifference, so I don’t really
like any of them. I think they’re just a marketing trick to get people’s money.
• Would you like to be in an advertisement one day?
o No. I don’t think I would be a good candidate for a TV commercial because I have no
experience being on camera, so I’d be very uncomfortable.

Cakes
• Did you enjoy cakes and sweets when you were a child?
o I’ve always had a sweet tooth, and when I was a kid I loved eating sweets like lollipops,
Kit Kat and gummy bear. However I didn’t really enjoy cakes because they were poorly-
made, all they had were some sponge cakes with frosting on top, and didn’t taste well.
• Have you ever made a cake yourself?
o I’ve never tried this nor do I have the intention to do it. I think it’d be too messy and
time-consuming, I much prefer to buy one from a bakery.
• On what occasion do people in your culture eat a special cake or other sweet food?
o Vietnamese people eat cakes for special celebrations like a birthday, a wedding event or
anniversary. With other sweet food I think it’s more popular during cultural events like
Tết or the Mid-Autumn festival, during this time we’d eat jams and moon cakes.
• Do you enjoy eating something sweet at the end of a meal?
o Yes, I think it’s a good way to finish the meal. However, I prefer eating fruits like
watermelon or apples for dessert instead of cakes, they’re a healthier alternative.

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Money
• Do you spend a lot of money?
o I suppose so, every month I must pay my landlord rent, and give some money to my
parents. On top of this I also pay tuition for my daughter’s kindergarten. All together it’s
a substantial amount but it’s all necessary expenses. I hardly spend money on myself.
• How do you save money?
o I set aside a fixed amount each month and put it in my bank account. To be honest
this amount isn’t very much, but it’s good to have some available money in case of rainy
days.
• Do your parents give pocket money to you for helping with the housework?
o No, this’s never happened to me. For my family helping with housework is a fact of life,
there’s no reward attached to it. Having said that, my parents would give me praises and
recognition of the work when I gave them a hand.
• Do people in your country give money as a gift to children?
o Yeah, I think it’s a common gift for kids, especially when people are unsure of what to
buy. We would put the money in a red envelope and give it to the kids on their
birthdays or during Tết.

Social Media
• Do you often use social media websites?
o Yes, I would use Facebook on a regular basis. It’s a great tool for me to stay in touch
with my students, as well as to send class notes. Overall it’s an essential part of my daily
routine.
• When did you first use one of these websites?
o I first used Facebook in 2005 or 2006. It was very different back then compared to the
modern version. I remember somebody introduced it to me as a way to keep in touch,
and I’ve been using the same account.
• Is social media popular in your country?
o Definitely. Social media platforms are prevalent for both young and old. But I think the
older generations are more familiar with Facebook due to its easy interface and
Facetime functions, whereas youths tend to use Instagram or Tiktok more.

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Singing
• Do you like singing?
o To be honest I only like to sing when I’m alone because I don’t think I have a good
singing voice. Mine usually breaks when I try to hit the high notes, so although I enjoy
singing, I prefer to do it when I’m by myself.
• Why do people sing?
o Singing is a great way to relax and express emotions for most people. I think people
resonate with the lyrics and by singing it out, they are able to let go of some negative
emotions inside themselves. Also, it’s very satisfying when people can reach high notes.
• Have you ever had singing lessons?
o I’ve never had this experience before. I didn’t have much interest in singing so I never
signed up for singing classes.
• Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?
o I think so. Singing can be a group activity that brings joy to the participants. I often sing
kindergarten songs with my daughter, and it’s a good bonding experience for both of
us.

News
• Do you usually watch or read news?
o I read news on a daily basis. Primarily I update information from tuoitre.com which is
one of the officially recognized news publishers in Vietnam.
• Do you remember someone you learned about from news?
o I think I learned about Elon Musk through reading the news. I read about him when his
company successfully launched a rocket into space. Before that I had no idea who he
was.
• Are you interested in the news of ordinary people?
o Yes, in fact this is my main area of interest when reading news. I like to read about how
normal people like me are living their lives and what problems they encounter rather
than reading about celebrities.
• How important is it to you to get the news every day?
o I think it’s better to be well-informed about current events, so for me getting news
updates each day is quite essential. This allows me to keep up with important events,
and I can use this information to discuss with colleagues and clients, it makes good
small talk.

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