PART 1
Collecting things
5. Is collecting a popular pastime in your country?
Absolutely yes, Vietnamese people engage in various forms of collection as a
hobby. For example, I have seen many videos about Vietnamese youtubers or
influencers show off their huge collection from simple things like clothes, bags to
expensive brand new cars. By the way, I do have my own collection of books and
comics, which helps me to let off some steam after a long day working hard.
6. Why do people like collecting?
People are drawn to collecting for many reasons. To begin with, the process of
organizing and maintaining a collection can be deeply satisfying and therapeutic.
Additionally, building a collection, especially one that is rare or valuable can
create a strong sense of achievement and pride.
Games
1. What games are popular in your country?
As a Vietnamese person, I’m pretty sure that my country has many well-known
traditional folkgames such as hide and seek, flying a kite or rope jumping. I have
played these games quite often when I was a child and now I still see many people
engage in these activities although video games become more popular in today’s
society.
4. Do you think it’s important for people to play games?
Definitely yes. I believe playing games especially video games have many
unexpected benefits. To be specific, online games which allow people to play as a
team can help them to make friends, build social bond or even develop
teamworking skill. Additionally, survival games or intellectual games can enhance
our problem-solving skills as well as our quick reaction.
PART 2
PEOPLE
Describe an old person that you admire
Mrs Hoa, my math teacher, who had a great influence on me. Actually she had
retired early, so I only engaged in her extra classes when I was a high school
student.
Heard many good reviews like many students had improved their score since
studying in her class => decided to join her class
My first impression about her was her young look although she was over 55 years
old. She had a short black hair, an oval face with some wrinkles around her eyes.
At first, I really scared of her because she always told me to go on the board to
solve many difficult homeworks in front of my peers. I thought that she was a strict
person but it turned out that she was really dedicated to her work, thoughtful and
supportive. Thanks to her care for me, I had improved a lot in math and I even got
perfect scores from time to time. If I hadn’t met her, I would never overcame the
fear of math. we became so close with each other and we sometimes hung out too.
I always look up to her and I wish one day I can become a gentle and sympathetic
woman like her.
Describe a singer/ an actor that you look up to/ like the most
Taylor Swift – one of the most prominent singer in this era
6. Describe a person who you are happy to know
My university friend
If I remember … we met each other when we was freshman – same class
She had a beautiful long black hair, an oval face with almond eyes
At first, she was reserved and introverted but in the second year we became
teammate so we started to get to know more abt each other and became closer
We had a lot in common, we have the same taste from simple things like food,
music to the job we want to do in the future.
The more I spent time hanging out with her, the more I realized how thoughtful
and kind-hearted she was. She always gave people a hand when they struggled
with troubles and when I was feeling blue, she was ready to lend me a shoulder to
cry on, listening all my stories and encouraging me to move on.
If i.. I would have been so lonely quiet
I wish I can become a gentle
Describe a person you met at a party who you enjoyed talking with
Describe a friend from your childhood
This is such a challenging question for me, because I have a gold fish memory so I
cannot recall any memories from the past.
However, there is still one person who bears a deep impression in my mind.
If I remember correctly, when I was kid, I used to spend a lot of time stucking
behind a computer to play video games. I know it was not a healthy habit but my
parents had to work so they can’t make me avoid the
Describe a child you know
The first person who pops in my mind is my little sister
Although she’s just in grade 9 this year, she is over 160 cm tall, she has a tanned
skin, a slender body with a beautiful long black hair, which makes she look very
strong and energetic.
To be honest, we don’t really get on well with her because I think she’s so childlike
and stubborn. Everytime we had an argument, we always ended up in quarreling or
even fighting with each other.
Having said that, we still love each other and help each other when we are in
trouble, I remember once time when she got shouted and complained by her
parents, I came to me and confided with me her stories and I always be there,
confronting her and encouraging her to move on the sadness.
She has helped me learn to become a tolerant and thoughtful person
I hope in the future we can be mature and we become closer more,like we don’t
have to quarreling about nonsense things anymore
PLACE
Talk about a museum you have visited
HCM Museum of Fine arts
Located in the heart of HCM city, takes me 1 hour to arrive to it from my house
First impression, it is a magnificient (majestic) and grand building with 3 floors in
total and the main color of this museum is yellow.
Additionally, It has a harmonious blend of Western and Eastern styles.
The interior is spacious and it also has many areas such as the exbihition rooms,
the library, a movie theater from the past.
Moreover, this place is noted for keeping many Vietnamese masterpieces in the
past.
When I walked around this museum, I was impressive by the large number of
artworks here and all of them were kept in perfect condition. At that time, there
were up to 20000 works of art from paintings, sculptures to artifacts.
To be honest, I’m not a museum enthusiast but after I gave it a try for this kind of
activity, I had acquired more knowledge about Vietnamese fine arts as well as
developing my imagination skill so it was a worthy experience.
If I need a place to immerse myself in art, I definitely think of …
Talk about a historic place in your country
Independence Palace, a symbol of my country history.
It is in the prime location of HCM, in district 1 to be specific
This bulding has a majestic and elegant appearance, it features a harmonious blend
of modern and traditional Vietnamese style. Additionally, this place is surrounded
by a lush expanse of greenery with a fountain lies in the central of it, making this
place more beautiful than ever
Inside the building there are 3 floors and a basement. When I was a kid, I used to
go to this place several times and I always impressed by the grandness of the
interior. There are so many rooms here such as the grand main hall, the solemn
meeting room, a room for showing documentary films, numerous funtional rooms
and even a terrace for helicopter.
This place is not only a tourist attraction for history lovers but it is also noted for
the moment where a Vietnamese tank famously crashed through the gate, making
the fall of the enemy and the end of Vietnam War.
Whenever I visit this place, I feel so proud of my country because even Vietnam is
just a small country, Vietnamese people do not surrender to strong invaders.
If you need a place to deepen your understanding of Vietnamese history, I would
definitely recommend you the Independence Palace …
Talk about a place where people do sport
My Dinh national sport stadium, one of the most famous stadium in Vietnam
It is located in the heart of Ha noi capital. From searching information about this
place, I know this is a large stadium, with a seating capacity of over 40 thousands
spectators.
My Dinh stadium has an impressive design, it features a modern, unique
architecture with a curved roof covering the two eastern and western stands,
creating a striking and eye-catching exterior.
In addition, it is equipped with a modern sound and lighting system that meets
international standards.
Furthermore, the stadium is noted for hosting numerous significant sporting events,
including the SEA Games, AFF cup, world cup (year?)
Not only does this stadium serves sport competions but also serves as a venue of
major music concerts and cultural events.
For example, last year, a famous group of Korean female idol performced in this
place and that event had drawn attention to the public.
Although I have never been there but I bet watching a game in this place would be
so lively and energetic.
If someone ask a place for sport enthusiasts, I would definitely recommend My
Dinh stadium.
Talk about a lake or river you know about or have seen
Mekong delta
It is one of the biggest and the most significant rivers in the southwestern part of
VN.
If I remember correctly, the length of this river is abour 2700 miles, making it
becomes the 7th longest river in Asia
It is interesting to note that this river is also reffered to as “River of the Nine
Dragons” since the small branches of the river are associated with the image of
nine majestic dragons. Additionally, these details had been mentioned as a main
source of inspiration for many writers and poets.
Moreover, this river plays an important part for our country. To be specific in
agriculture,
Describe a place you want to pay a visit to or you’ve been there?
To be honest, I’m more of an introverted person so I’m not interested in visiting
somewhere else. However, i always want to pay a visit to a castle.
When I was a child, I had seen many Disney cartoons about the royal lives of the
prince and princess in the medieval castle in the west.
In fact, this fairy-tale castle in these movies are actually based on the ones in real
life.
If my memories serve me well, this glamorous building is in Germany (I don’t
know how to spell its name).
There are no words to describe its beauty. It has an attractive and appealing
appearance. One of the most iconic features of Neuschwanstein Castle is its white
limestone façade and the beautiful blue-tiled roofs, which highlights the elegance
and the nobility of people living there. In additon, it also features a large main
building with multiple turrets and balconies overlooking stunning views of the
surrounding landscape such as the majestic mountains, the lovely lake or the
picturesque pine forests."
Visiting Castle feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The stunning architecture and
the breathtaking scenery create a magical atmosphere, you can sense the king's
vision and passion for art and music
In conclusion, Neuschwanstein Castle is not only a masterpiece of architecture but
it also has fascinating history, which makes it become a must-visit destination for
anyone interested in castles and history.
PART 3
1. What do you think of online advertising?
- Although digital advertising is an effective way to help customer access with
the product quickly as well as having information about the item
- Disturbing and bordersome me
- For ex: when I try to immerse myself in a youtube video that I like, the pop-
ups ads suddenly appear in my screen, spoiling my experince and disrupting
my emotion. I also have to wait for a minute to skip this advertising. If I had
more money, I would buy Youtube Premium to avoid being distrated by
those ads.
4. Why do buying new things make people happy?
Scientifically, this behaviour can trigger the release of dopamine, a
neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, which makes we feel
cheerful and excited
From the psychological pesrpective, purchasing new items can provide a sense
of satisfaction, especially if the item is something a person has been wanting or
saving up for. Moreover, shopping can serve as a form of stress relief or a way
to cope with negative emotions. This is often referred to as "retail therapy."
PART 1
JEWELRY
Why do you think some people wear a piece of jewelry for a long time?
Sentimental Value: Jewelry can hold significant sentimental value, often being
gifted by loved ones or passed down through generations. Such items serve as
tangible reminders of important relationships and memories.
Symbolic Meaning: Many pieces of jewelry, like wedding rings, engagement rings,
or religious symbols, carry deep symbolic meaning. They represent commitments,
beliefs, and personal milestones.
PART 3
2. Why do some people often have problems when using new products?
- Lack familarity: You know, new products often come with new functions that
users are not accustomed to. In fact, unfamiliarity leads to confusion and
difficulties in using technology devices effiectively.
- Techinical bugs and glitches: Because the products, which have just been lauched
to the market may not be fully developed so they can cause some errors, affecting
the experience that users have
- Lack technical skills: This can be a significant barrier for those who do not have
technical background like old people.
4. How do people learn to use equipment?
- From the internet: go-online, seek for instructions from various online articles or
you can search tutorial videos from online platforms like YouTube. These videos
provide numurous information for diffirent equipments and they can be particularly
helpful for visual and hands-on learners.
- From family and friends who have a fine background of technical skills. Learning
from colleagues or friends who are already proficient with the equipment can be
one of the fastest and effective way to gain practical knowledge and tips because
we can have immediate feedback, correcting mistakes and answering the questions
on the spot so we are likely to understand better.
PART 3
1. What are the differences between modern towns and modern cities?
(size, facilities,...)
Size and population: town is smaller than metropolis and have fewer population,
it can range from a few thousand to tens of thounsads while cities can offer places
for up to millions people to live in.
Services and Amenities: town still offer essential services but on a smaller scale
like local schools, small libraries, and basic retail and recreational facilities. Cities:
Provide a wide range of services and amenities, including multiple educational
institutions (from primary schools to universities), large libraries, shopping malls,
cultural institutions (museums, theaters), and diverse recreational facilities.
Lifestyle and Community: Towns: Often have a closer-knit community feel, with
residents frequently knowing each other. The pace of life tends to be slower and
more relaxed. Cities: Characterized by a more fast-paced lifestyle. Communities
can be more diverse and larger, which can make personal connections less common
compared to towns.
2. Why do some people like to visit historical sites? (hobbies, researching,
any obligatory cases,...)
Hobbies: people who have an affinity for history, want to acquire more historical
knowledge, experience and delve into the past and gain some meaningful lessons
from the past.
Academic and Professional Research: practical, hands-on learning experiences.
These trips can enhance their understanding of historical contexts and
methodologies.
Obligatory cases: School curriculums often include visits to historical sites as part
of history or social studies courses. These trips help students gain a deeper
understanding of the subject matter. For ex: Some schools in Vietnam often let
students to visit some historical site like the Independence Palace or Vietnamese
Art Museum after that they have to make a report of what they have learnt after
this trip
3. Do you think oldbuildings should be broken down, and given space for
modern buildings?
Many people argue that government shouldn’t level old buildings because
old buildings often have historical significance and cultural value,
representing the architectural styles and living conditions of past eras.
Preserving them helps maintain a tangible link to the past. Many old
buildings are also tourist attractions that contribute to the local economy.
They draw visitors interested in history, architecture, and cultural heritage.
However I believe old building should be replaced by the modern ones.
Older buildings may not meet modern safety standards and can pose risks in
terms of structural integrity, fire hazards, and health concerns. New
constructions can boost the local economy by attracting businesses, creating
jobs, and increasing property values.
4. Is it the government's responsibility to preserve historic cities and
historic buildings?
Definitely yes. Some historic cities and historic buildings are tourists
attraction, especially for visitors who have interests in history, architecture
or culture. These buildings play an important role in the development of the
tourism industry so the government have to make sure these sites are in good
condition. Secondly, historic sites are the cultural symbol of each country,
they often mark important events, figures, and periods in a country’s history.
They serve as reminders of a nation’s past struggles, achievements, and
transformations, helping to shape national identity.
**Describe an astronomy event you saw**
You should say:
what the event was Full moon
when and where you saw it
who you were with
and explain how you felt about this event.
Well, most people might think about solar eclipse or lunar eclipse when they talk about
this topic but for me, I would focus on a a very simple astronomy event which is called
full moon. As far as I concerned, a full moon happens around once every 29 or 29.5 days
perhaps. Normally I don’t pay attention to a moon , however, on a random night in
August last year, I was travelling back home with my mom after we had bought some
food from the supermarket, I didn’t know why but I decided to look up to the sky. At that
moment, I was really surprised at how big and bright the moon was that day. I thought the
moon would illuminated the whole sky because of its size and the fullness. Then I told
my mom about it immediately and she was also taken by surprise. Both of me and my
mother said “What a wonderful scenery. In Ho Chi Minh city these days, because of the
light pollution, we can not easily catch sight of the stars or even the moon so I really miss
the moment that night. Hopefully in the future, me and my family will have a chance to
sit down and watch the beautiful moon together.
**Part 3: Science**
1. Some children don't like to study science subjects in school, why?
In my opinion, this is because the science subjects are quite theoretical and
difficult. Children tend to learning some useful skills that they can apply for their
life such as: communication skill, teamworking skill,… In addition, not every kids
have talent in studying physics, biology or chemistry. Many children say that these
subjects make them have bad scores which affect their whole learning process
studies eventhough they spend a lot of time studying so that’s the reason why they
really hate these subject.
2. Is it important to study science in school?
Well, I think it depends on the job that the students want to do in the future. For
those who want to become a doctor or a scientist, it is essential for them to study science
in school because it can provide them the background knowledge, the basic principles
which serve advanced learning in the future. On the opposite, those who have a career
tendency in other fields such as arts should focus on other subjects instead of learning
science subjects so they don’t waste their time and they can enjoy doing what they like.
3. Which science subject is the most important for children to study?
For me personally, physics would be the most significant subject because it
provides the basic principles that underpin many other scientific disciplines and
technologies. Understanding concepts such as motion, energy, and forces can
provide a strong framework for understanding the world around us and can pave
the way for further exploration in various fields, including engineering, astronomy,
and even biology.
4. Should people continue to study science after graduation?
Well, I think it depends on the job that they want to have after they complete their
formal education. For those who want to become a doctor or a scientist keeping studying
science after graduation help them to deepen their understanding of their chosen field,
gain helpful skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical reasoning,
which are are highly valuable in many aspects of life and work. On the opposite, those
who have a career tendency in other fields such as arts should focus on art-related
subjects instead of learning science subjects so they don’t waste their time and effort or
when they learn subjects which serve for their future career, they have more motivation
and interest.
5. What channels do you use to learn about scientific research news?
To stay informed about scientific research news, there are various channels I
might use such as academic journals, university websites, scientific conferences, online
platforms like Academia.edu, science-related social media groups, and local science
magazines or newspapers. However, I highly recommend Vnexpress, a website which
publishes news articles in both Vietnamese and English about scientific research
breakthroughs, upcoming conferences, and science policy in Vietnam and this is an
official and famous website so you dont need to worry about fake news
PART 1: SCHOOL/WORK
1. Have you ever always wanted to study this subject?
Not really
major in business administration
At first, I didn’t know what field would be suitable for me => choose
randomly
However it has gradually grown on me
not only gain informative lessons about the specialised knowledge but I can
also learn some handson insight that can be applied
develop skills like critical thinking, logical thinking
2. What do you find most interesting about your studies?
Expand my horizons
Many informative lessons about the money, the economy such as finance,
marketing, accountting, logistics
Promote my creativity
For ex: I have a class which requires students to design a bag from paper and then
the students have to come up with the idea of selling this bag for their peers.
Really foster the creativity and communication skill
3. Which is more important the teachers or the other students on your course
Teachers
Expert in their field => convey the knowledge more effectively
They have a good explaining skill which can helps deal with issues such as not
understand the lectures and most of all, their attitudes are welcoming and friendly
so I really comfortable when asking them
Students cannot have more experiences
Have a deep knowledge
4. How much time do you spend studing every week
If I have an exam in the uni in can be up to 40 hours
Attend classes in uni, extra classes, self- studying
If I’m free from the exams, I mostly don’t study anything. I’m a lazy person and I
only study under pressure
1. Night owl
Cant go to bed before 12pm
have negative effect
make me sluggish
cant help myself staying up late because I find it more conductive to my
studies
2. When I was a kid, I used to have a fixed bedtime by my parents
They wanted to make sure I can get enough sleep so the next day I could
went to school on time. But now I’m an adult so they don’t take care of me
like a kid anymore. I can pull an all-nighter to watch movies.
1-3-4
1. As far as I concerned
After they have a bad day.
A bad day can be understood in many ways from the simple to the
complicated such as getting wet by the sudden rain or losing the wallet
They cannot stand the anger and the sadness inside them alone, that’s
why they need to vent to someone so they can be consoled, which
makes them move on from the sadness.
2. I believe writing is a better way if someone wants to make a complaint.
More polite and private than voicing your complaints out loud
As an introvert, I just want the matter to be addressed silently and
peacefully.
Secondly writing is extremely suitable for people who have hot-
tempered because I’m afraid they can easily yell at anyone or make a
scene, which make the situation worse
4.
Depend on their personality. People tend to think that older people do
not make complaints as much as the teenagers because they are mature
and they have more experiences in life
but I have witness many young people who are tough and strong, they
don’t complain anything even if they are in difficult situation while
there are also some older people who have a victim mentality always
moan everything about their life.