SPEAKING TEST

In 1-2 minutes, talk about one of the following topics as asigned by the
teacher.

Topic 1: Talk about your high school. Use the prompts on page 52. Use as
many words from the vocabulary bank Education as possible.
I had a meaningful and memorable school time. I
have spent 7 years in a private inter-level school,
which provides secondary and high school
education.
The first thing that I really want to share about
my school is the uniform. Its unique design was
inspired by sailor suits. Female students are
allowed to wear knife pleated skirt, which is so
fashionable and quite resembles Janpanese uniform style.
In my school, the maximum number of students in each class is just 36.
Therefor, teachers are able to manage the class more efficiently and students
are provided better condition to study.
Additionally, I have to confess that my school is famous for its extremely
demanding discipline. It was the first education institution to apply the rules
of behavior on social network for students. However, it is undeniable that
there is lower rate of bullying and violence here, in comparison to many
other schools.
Besides, teachers in my school may be strict somehow, but as far as I feel,
they are supportive and warm-hearted from their core.
And you know, my head teacher is the best history teacher that I’ve ever
known. She usually encouraged us to study all the subjects without
discriminating between major and minor subjects. Thus, we became all-
rounders at high school, though not too excelent, but not too bad at any
subject.

Topic 2: Choose 2 statements that you agree / disagree with and explain
why with at least 3 reasons each.

The first statement that I want to discuss is the next to last one.
I totally do not agree with the idea of shortening school summer
holidays. In recent years, summer holidays lasts in a shorter period of time
than it used to. Children may don’t have enough time to refresh and
participate in summer camps, or volunteer programs.
One more important point is that many parents find it hard to control
their children during summertime, they believe their children can learn more
at school, rather than just staying home. It is utterly illogical because
children can even learn better when it comes to summer holidays. They can
learn many soft skills, learn how to prepare a meal, how to play a musical
instrument, how to communicate with and take care of others, etc…
You know, I studied in a private school, which allowed only 1 month
vacation and we had to come back to school on 1st July. That was a pity that
we didn’t have much time for ourselves and our beloved family. If only my
summer holidays had been longer.
 Now turn to the second statement. The
topic that I want to share my opinion is:
“…”
Honestly, when I was small, sometimes
I think wearing uniform is
uncomfortable and inconvenient.
But now, to my mind, when I no longer
have to wear school uniform, I realize it
is truly essential because of several
reasons.
The first issue that we can see is that it may take times for children to select
clothes, try them on and look at themselves in the mirror every morning
before class. Thus, students with school uniform will have more opportunity
to focus on more crucial things, such as self-awareness, school work and
friendship, instead of simply caring about their apperances.
Additionally, I assume… allowing students to wear clothes in their personal
ways perhaps will weaken the unity among them. Students who can not
afford lots of expensive clothes like other classmates may tend to lose their
self-confidence with the feelings of inferiority and peer pressure.
Last but not least, what students dress in somehow exposes their interests
and family condition. A number of schoolmates with better background may
really enjoy showing off their brand new stuff and only make friends with
others that they suppose to be at the same level. As a result, the rate of
discrimination and bullying may multiply.
Topic 3: Talk about your house/flat, using as many words from the
vocabulary bank on page 151 as possible.
For the past 20 years, I have lived in a small terraced house with my
family. It is situated not too far from the city center, just within 25 minutes’
dive off Hoan Kiem Lake. Generally, my house consists of two living-
rooms, three bed-rooms, two bathrooms with a shower, a kitchen and a
dining room. You may wonder why there are two living-rooms in my house,
right? Well, there is one on the ground floor and the other is on the third
floor, which is equipped with a lovely leather sectional sofa, a two-way air
conditioner and some more modern amenities. It’s also the third floor living
room where my family spends our time together. Not only tea time but also
all our family reunions often take place there so that we can enjoy
a harmonious atmosphere after hustle and bustle working days.
However, there is one thing that I dislike is that it is so densely populated
here and some of my neighbors are troublesome. Last month, our lane was
blocked for 2 weeks due to some positive cases of COVID-19 in the
neighborhood. At that time I wished my family had moved to somewhere
else far far away from the city.
Fortunately, after quarantine the whole neighborhood is now the green zone
and everything takes a turn for the better. Above all, even my house may not
be a perfect accommodation to live in, I believe it is definitely the ideal one
where I spend the most delightful life time with my family.

Since the childhood of our Z-generation was involved with Disney Channel,
the house of my dream was inspired by two of my favourite series, "Phineas
and Ferb" and "High School Musical". In my imagination, it would be a
wooden tree house constructed among many branches of a solid oak tree.
My house would be installed with solar panels and follow the concept of
minimalist architecture in order to make the house more energy-efficient and
cost-efficient. It might fairly resemble a tiny studio flat with a foreroom for
gathering and recreation, a kitchen, a lavatory, and of course a large balcony
for sightseeing and chilling out. Furthermore, it would be surrounded by
sparkling starlight at night, by radiant sunshine every morning, and by
cheery bird songs all day long. You may think this house might not be a
perfect accommodation to live in due to the lack of many modern or
luxurious amenities. Even so, I believe it would definitely be the ideal one
where I could spend the most delightful life time with my family.
Peacefully located on the top of a grassy coastal hill, in close proximity to
a monumental lighthouse, my ideal house would be a heavenly
commodious detached timbered bungalow with an airy exotic
botanic garden, having a large hanging porch swing where I can spend
my wonderful time reading books, chilling out, or enjoying the infinite
splendid wholesome sea view at the first gleam of daylight.

Topic 4: Describe a job you would like to do in the future. Use as many
words from the vocabulary bank on page 152 as possible.
Since I was young, I have dreamt of soooo many different jobs. Until now, I
am always considering what I’m going to do in the future so when it comes
to this topic I have to brainstorm a lot, try to think about what I’m fond of
and what I’m good at. As travelling is my cup of tea, I decide to share my
dream of becoming a travel agent.
A position as a travel agent will simplify the process of planning a trip for
customers and make sure everything necessary for travelling is in order. In
other words, as a travel agent, I will have to engage in selling and arranging
transportation, accommodations, tours, or trips for travelers.
There are many aspects that affect my job decision. First and formost, I
understand how travel can widen the social and natural knowlegde of
people. I want to share my interests of travelling with others and assist them
to have a truly meaningful trip. Moreover, I’m currently studying
Geography as a major, which is quite relevant to the field. Uhh.. You may
wonder why I don’t choose to be a tourist guide. That’s perhaps because I
don’t have some innate quality that a tour guide must have, such as sense of
humour or endurance.
Another reason that motivates me a lot, is that tourism is considered to be a
smokeless industry that enhance the prosperity of Vietnam. Tourism
advantages in creating more job opportunities to local residents and
promoting Vietnam’s image to the world. It would be my honour to
contribute myself to the economic development and environmental
conservation of our country.

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing in response to your advertisement on the Internet about a

driving course.

First of all, I would appreciate some elaborate information about the cost.
As a sophomore, I have to balance my monthly budget so that it would be
utterly fortunate for me if there were some available discounts.

Nonetheless, it would be hard for me to handle my exceedingly tight

schedule during weekdays. Thus, I really wonder whether there were any
other options for Sarturday or Sunday classes.

Ultimately, the last point that I am not certain about is that when I can
receive my certificate or driving license after having passed my driving test.
Would it be possible for you to clarify the exact time?
Thank you in advance for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from
you at you earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully,