Table of Contents
PART 2: ......................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Describe a time you received a call from someone you do not know in a public place ................. 3
2. Describe a friend or a person who encouraged you to achieve a goal ............................................ 4
3. Describe a quiz program or game show on TV ................................................................................ 6
4. Describe a time that you invited family or friends to have dinner at home or in a restaurant.... 8
5. Describe a singer that you like ......................................................................................................... 10
6. Describe a time that you got up early in the morning ................................................................... 12
7. Describe information that was incorrect that you got ................................................................... 14
8. Describe a person who has interesting ideas or opinions .............................................................. 16
9. Describe a water sports you would like to try in the future .......................................................... 17
10. Describe a historical building. You should say: ........................................................................... 19
11. Describe a person who is good at a foreign language. You should say: ..................................... 21
12. Describe an experience when you solved a problem via the Internet. You should say: ........... 22
13. Describe an occasion when you showed something new to younger people. You should say: . 24
14. Describe a prize that you would like to win. You should explain ............................................... 25
15. Describe a teenager you know. You should say: .......................................................................... 27
16. Describe your dream home. You should say: ............................................................................... 29
17. Describe a person you wanted to be similar to when you were young. You should say: .......... 30
18. Describe an interesting part of your country. ............................................................................. 31
19. Describe an occasion when a home appliance broke down or stopped working. ...................... 32
20. Describe a time you received terrible service. .............................................................................. 34
21. Describe a free day off study or work. .......................................................................................... 35
22. Describe something you bought but rarely use now. ................................................................... 36
23. Describe a kind of food people eat during a special event. .......................................................... 37
24. Describe a good law in your country. ............................................................................................ 38
25. Describe a skill you need a long time to learn. You should say: .............................................. 42
26. Describe a time that you had to change your plan/ changed your mind .................................... 45
27. Describe a person who helps to protect the environment ............................................................ 49
28. Describe a language you want to learn (not English)................................................................... 51
29.Describe an intelligent person you know ....................................................................................... 54
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30. Describe a book you have read recently...................................................................................... 56
31. Describe a complaint you made and you were satisfied with the result. ................................... 60
32. Describe a time when you borrowed something from your family or a friend. You should
describe .................................................................................................................................................. 61
33.Describe a game that you played in your childhood. .................................................................... 64
34. Describe an important plant in your country ............................................................................. 66
35. Describe a party that you went to .................................................................................................. 69
36. Describe an activity you do when you are alone in your free time ............................................. 71
37. Describe a sport that you like to watch and want to try for the first time. You should say:.... 74
38. Describe an interesting subject that you learned at school ......................................................... 76
39. Describe a foreign star that you would like to meet ..................................................................... 80
40. Describe a good decision made recently by you or someone you know. .................................... 84
41. Describe a person who was helpful to your work or study ......................................................... 88
42. Describe something important that you lost ................................................................................. 93
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PART 2:
1.
Describe a time you received a call from someone you do not know in a public place
You should say:
- When it happened
- Why he/she called you
-And explain how you felt about it
(When it happened)
Today, I’m going to talk about a time I received a call from a stranger, which happened in a
hospital. It was almost two years ago, when I visited my grandfather in the city hospital, who had
just luckily recovered from a slight stroke. This incident came as a shock to my whole family,
because he was always in good health back then. At that time, I was going to sit an important
exam at university the next day, so I rushed to the hospital worriedly. When I almost reached
my grandfather’s patient room, I received an unexpected call.
(Why he/she called you)
Surprisingly, it was from a doctor. At first, I wondered whether he called to explain my
grandfather’s current condition in detail. However, it turned out that he happened to pick up my
wallet in the parking lot and he had managed to trace my phone number from one of my cards.
He assured me that he was the first person to see it, and told me to go to his office to take my
wallet back before lunch.
(And explain how you felt about it)
Needless to say, I felt extremely lucky, because I only realized the problem after the doctor had
contacted me. Actually, the small sum of money in the wallet was of little significance to me.
Indeed, I was more grateful for not losing my ID card for the upcoming examination. Without
it, I would not have been allowed to take the exam. It was such a valuable and unforgettable call
from a stranger.
Vocabulary:
1.
stroke [n]: a sudden change in the blood supply to a part of the brain, sometimes
causing a loss of the ability to move particular parts of the body: cơn đột qụy
Eg: He suffered a stroke in 1988 that l eft him unabl e t o speak, but hi s m ental
capacit y wasn't affect ed.
2.
come as a shock [expression]: be unexpected: khiến ai ngạc nhiên
3
Eg: Her letter of resignation came as a shock to everyone.
3.
sit an exam [expression]: take an exam: thi, kiểm tra
Eg: I’m sitting an exam in accountancy next week.
4.
worriedly [adv]: in an unhappy way because you are thinking about problems or
unpleasant things that might happen: một cách lo lắng
Eg: He looked back worriedly over his shoulder.
5.
in detail [expression]: including many facts or aspects of a situation: một cách chi tiết
Eg: She talked in detail about future plans for the school.
6.
happen to do sth [expression]: chance to do something: tình cờ làm gì
Eg: We just happened to meet Paul last week.
7.
needless to say [expression]: of course: dĩ nhiên, tất nhiên
Eg: Needless to say, he'll be off work for a while.
8.
of (adj) significance to sth [expression]: be important to sth: quan trọng với cái gì/ai
Eg: I think drone and virtual reality technology will be of significance as well, because it will
help charities tell stories from the ground.
9.
grateful [adj]: feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful: bi ết ơn
Eg: I'm very grateful to you for all your help.
10.
unforgettable [adj]: having such a strong effect or influence on you that you cannot forget
it: không thể quên
Eg: One unforgettable morning, we were among the elephants, perfectly situated to watch their
descent to the river.
2. Describe a friend or a person who encouraged you to achieve a goal
You should say:
- Who this person was
- What encouragement she/he gave you to achieve your goal
-And explain how you felt about her/him
(Who this person was)
4
Without doubt, good friends are especially important during times of crisis and turbulence.
Today, I’m going to describe a lovely friend, Phuong Chau, who encouraged me to overcome
difficulties to achieve my long-held goal. We have known each other since high school and
maintained this special bond till now. Chau is an energetic, carefree, humble girl, whose most
special traits are a cheerful disposition and unflinching resilience.
(What encouragement she/he gave you to achieve your goal)
I remember ever since high school, I have always dreamed of achieving a prize in the National
Contest for gifted students, yet this is by no means an easy task. Falling short of my expectation
to join the school team for the National Contest, I was eliminated in the last round and had to
wait for the next year. At that time, Chau was always beside me, she said things would become
brighter and I was strong enough to confront such a challenge. Therefore, instead of being
disappointed and demotivated, I displayed a firm commitment to change and try harder. I
followed Chau’s advice, seeking assistance for my essays and language skills. As a result, in
grade 12, I improved vastly and won a place in the school team for the National Contest.
(And explain how you felt about her/him)
I felt really indebted to her, because when I found myself going through a hard time, my closest
friend never failed to cheer me up and sailed me through both emotional and academic setbacks.
Her sustained belief in my inner strength partly helped me overcome obstacles, make progress,
and seek out opportunities to succeed. Thus, the experience of achieving that honorable prize
was all the more rewarding and meaningful to me, because I could share it with my beloved
friend.
Vocabulary:
11.
turbulence [n]: a state of confusion without any order: sự xáo trộn
Eg: The era was characterized by political and cultural turbulence.
12.
disposition [n]: the particular type of character that a person naturally has: tính khí
Eg: She is of a nervous/cheerful/sunny disposition.
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13.
unflinching [adj]: not frightened of or not trying to avoid something dangerous or
unpleasant: không chùn bước
Eg: It is a brave and unflinching account of prison life.
14.
by no means [expression]: not at all: không hề
Eg: It is by no means certain that we'll finish the project by June.
15.
falling short of [expression]: to be less than the amount or standard that is needed or that
you want: không đạt tới
Eg: He would sack any of his staff who fell short of his high standards.
16.
demotivate [v]: to make someone less enthusiastic about sth: làm nh ụt chí
Eg: She was very demotivated by being told she had little chance of being promoted.
17.
vastly [adv]: very much: rất nhiều
Eg: Assessing the larger numbers of women suffering severe maternal morbidity would vastly
increase their workload.
18.
indebted to [adj]: grateful because of help given: biết ơn
Eg: We're deeply indebted to you for your help.
19.
setback [n]: something that happens that delays or prevents a process from developing: sự
trở ngại
Eg: There has been a slight/temporary setback in our plans.
20.
honorable [adj]: bringing or worthy of honor: danh dự
Eg: Military service was considered an honorable career choice.
3. Describe a quiz program or game show on TV
You should say:
-What the TV program is
- What the rules of the program are
-Why you like it
(What the TV program is)
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The TV quiz show that I would love to talk about today, Ai Là Triệu Phú. It is the Vietnamese
version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, which premiered on January 4, 2005 on VTV3. The
main goal of the show is to win 150,000,000₫ (about $6,585) by answering 15 multiple choice
questions correctly. The show was hosted by Lại Văn Sâm from January 4, 2005 to December
26, 2017. He left the show after his retirement at age 60. After the last episode featuring him as
the host was broadcast on VTV3, MC Phan Đăng was selected to take over the role as the new
host of the show from 2018 afterwards.
(What the rules of the program are)
The setup of the show is quite simple: there are 15 questions to attempt, each worth an
increasingly large sum of money. The first few questions, equivalent to small amounts of money,
are easy and straightforward, but as the prize money increases, so does the difficulty of the
questions. The questions can cover any range of quiz topics, including general knowledge,
history, science, famous people etc., but many of the later questions are extremely obscure in
nature. When you have no clue about a question, the quiz show offers you a choice: leave with
the money that have already gained (from answering preceding questions correctly), or ask for
help.
(Why you like it)
Honestly, I think this is among the very few educational programs for nowadays Vietnamese
people, as reality shows with celebrities have gained a great deal of favor. Interesting
information and updated knowledge acquired from this show were really helpful to me in my
academic performance in school. Besides, I also like the former MC, Lại Văn Sâm, because he
himself is a knowledgeable and decent man. The way he naturally hosted the show gained a lot
of affection and sustained support from people of all ages for Ai Là Triệu Phú.
Vocabulary:
21.
premiere [v]: if a show, film, etc. premieres or if it is premiered, the first public
performance or showing takes place: trình chiếu lần đầu
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Eg: The play was premiered in New York.
22.
retirement [n]: the act of leaving your job and stopping working, usually because
you are old: sự nghỉ hưu
Eg: Many teachers over the age of 50 are taking early retirement.
23.
select [v]: to choose a small number of things, or to choose by making careful decisions:
tuyển chọn
Eg: There was a choice of four prizes, and the winner could select one of them.
24.
equivalent to [adj]: equal to or having the same effect as something else: tương đương
Eg: A mile is equivalent to about 1.6 kilometers.
25.
straightforward [adj]: easy to understand or simple: đơn giản
Eg: It's a very complex issue to which there is no straightforward answer.
26.
obscure [adj]: not clear and difficult to understand or see: mơ hồ, khó hiểu
Eg: Official policy has changed, for reasons that remain obscure.
27.
reality show [n]: a television programme about ordinary people who are filmed in
real situations: chương trình truyền hình thực tế
Eg: He was also a singer, television presenter and reality show winner.
28.
knowledgeable [adj]: knowing a lot: uyên bác
Eg: In relation to the dangers of smoking, the findings here showed that parents believed their
children were knowledgeable.
29.
affection [n]: feelings of liking or love: sự yêu thích
Eg: The former president still holds a place in the nation's affections.
30.
sustained [adj]: continuing for a long time: bền bỉ, kéo dài
Eg: The president's speech was greeted by sustained applause.
4. Describe a time that you invited family or friends to have dinner at home or in a restaurant
You should say:
- Who did you invite
- When and where was the dinner
-And how you felt about it
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(Who did you invite)
Well, on my 20th birthday, I decided to treat my whole family to a dinner at a famous restaurant
with my first month’s salary. The dinner included my grandparents, parents and what made me
happy the most about is the very presence of my sister, who had just come back from a one-year
exchange study program in Portugal. She tried her best to arrange time to fly back to join in on
my 20th birthday, so I felt extremely grateful.
(When and where was the dinner)
The dinner was in a small, cozy Italian restaurant, which created a pleasurable atmosphere for its
customers. That day was in mid-October, so the weather was quite chilly, yet suitable for such
an intimate gathering. Well, the restaurant that I had carefully chosen is particularly renowned
for quality pizza, flavorful pasta and unique beverages and more importantly, its view overlooks
the sea. Actually, I had to reserve the table 1 week in advance, as the tables in this special place
are always full. That was also my first experience of such a first-class restaurant, and it was all
the more rewarding to share it with my family.
(And how you felt about it)
This dinner means a lot to me, as it not only marked my 20th birthday with my beloved ones, but
it was also a family reunion. We had a whale of time at the restaurant with extraordinary dishes
and professional service, which pleased every member. I realize that family bonds, after all, are
such an irreplaceable treasure for each person. Especially in this day and age, when technology
seems to overwhelm our interactions and attention for others, quality time with your own flesh
and blood is all the more important.
Vocabulary:
31.
treat [v]: to buy or pay for something for another person: thiết đãi
Eg: I'm going to treat myself to (= buy for myself) a new pair of sandals.
32.
grateful [adj]: feeling or showing thanks because somebody has done something
kind for you or has done as you asked: biết ơn
9
Eg: I am extremely grateful to all the teachers for their help.
33.
cozy [adj]: warm, comfortable and safe, especially because of being small or confined: ấm
cúng
Eg: We sit at this cozy little room every Christmas.
34.
(be) renowned for sth [expression]: be famous for sth: nổi tiếng về
Eg: Lan is renowned for her English proficiency.
35.
reserve [v]: to ask for a seat, table, room, etc. to be available for you or somebody else at
a future time: đặt trước
Eg: I'd like to reserve a table for three for eight o'clock.
36.
first-class [adj]: in the best group; of the highest standard: hạng nhất, đẳng cấp
Eg: I know a place where the food is first-class.
37.
family reunion [expression]: the act of family members coming together after they
have been apart for some time: sự hội ngộ gia đình
Eg: Family reunions is quite a common sight at the airport.
38.
have a whale of time [expression]: to enjoy yourself very much: cảm thấy vui vẻ
Eg: We had a whale of time at the meeting yesterday.
39.
irreplaceable [adj]: too valuable or special to be replaced: không thể thay thế
Eg: These pictures are irreplaceable to Jessie.
40.
all the more [expression]: even more than before: càng
Eg: Several publishers rejected her book, but that just made her all the more determined.
5. Describe a singer that you like
You should say:
- Who this person is
- What type of songs she sings
-And explain why she is your favorite singer
(Who this person is)
There are so many famous people that I adore but the one I’m going to describe today is my alltime favorite singer –Taylor Swift. Born in America in 1989, this 30-year-old woman currently
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plays a very important role in American music. As one of the world's leading contemporary
recording artists, she is known for narrative songs about her personal life, which have received
widespread media coverage. No one would have believed that this small town girl would become
a worldwide phenomenon. She is one of twelve women to appear in Time's 100 most influential
people in the world at least three times (2010, 2015, 2019), and Forbes' lists of top-earning
women in music (2011–2015), 100 most powerful women (2015), and Celebrity 100 (2016).
(What type of songs she sings)
Taylor's first single, "Tim McGraw," was a huge success, which cemented Taylor's position as
an up-and-coming country star. 4 years later, it was during the time between Speak Now and the
release of "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" that Taylor's personal style began to
change. Her signature ringlets were replaced with smooth, straight locks and her princess-like
dresses were replaced with trendy shorts and bowler hats. The new single's upbeat tempo and
hard-hitting lyrics also marked a change in Taylor, firmly establishing her as a pop princess.
(And explain why she is your favorite singer)
Taylor Swift interests me and numerous other fans for different reasons. On the one hand, her
products are awesome in both music and images, which show complete commitment to her
singing career. Especially, with her recent inspirational songs, especially written for women,
she really gets out of her comfort zone and I feel her songs somehow express her inner true
character. Above all, Taylor always works with her gift through perspiration, which is the very
factor for her worldwide popularity. Her story encourages you never to lose yourself when you’re
in trouble. To make your dream come true is the best way to prove yourself.
Vocabulary:
41.
contemporary [adj]: existing or happening now: đương thời, hiện tại
Eg: These are radi cal changes whi ch wil l al t er t he com pl exion of the Bri tis h
contemporary dance scene.
42.
phenomenon [n]: something that exists and can be seen, felt, tasted, etc., especially
something unusual or interesting: hiện tượng
Eg: Do you believe in the paranormal and other psychic phenomena?
43.
influential [adj]: having a lot of influence on someone or something: có tầm ảnh hưởng
Eg: He has his own ways of beating the system, making sure that he has good relationships
with influential people.
44.
cement [v]: to make something stronger: củng cố
Eg: The university's exchange scheme has cemented its links with many other academic
institutions.
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45.
signature [adj]: used to describe the product or service that a company or person is known
for: đặc trưng
Eg: Rock Fish is the signature dish of his favourite restaurant.
46.
upbeat [adj]: full of hope, happiness, and good feelings: lạc quan, vui vẻ
Eg: Live music and a parade set an upbeat mood for the official opening.
47.
commitment [n]: a willingness to give your time and energy to something that you believe
in, or a promise or firm decision to do something: sự tận tâm
Eg: We must make a commitment to universities and to research and development,
because that is very clear now.
48.
inspirational [adj]: making you feel full of hope or encouraged: truyền cảm hứng
Eg: He gave an inspirational reading of his own poems.
49.
comfort zone [expression]: a situation in which you feel comfortable and in which your
ability and determination are not being tested: vùng an toàn
Eg: Rock climbing pushes many people beyond their comfort zones.
50.
perspiration [n]: the process of sweating: sự đổ mồ hôi
Eg: He failed to do this, but found that shed blood and perspiration had no more
attraction for females than had water.
6. Describe a time that you got up early in the morning
You should say:
-When it happened
-Why you got up early
-And explain how you felt about getting up early.
(When it happened)
Actually, I’m a morning bird, so I found it quite easy to get up early. Fresh air and a great sense
of tranquility in the morning made me feel invigorated, optimistic and creative, so I could
concentrate more on my study. Well, it was last semester when the important final exam
approached, and there were so many demanding subjects to handle.. Therefore, I decided to get
up earlier than usual in the morning to prepare for the exam for the last week.
(What you needed to do that day)
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It was quite discomforting at that time, as I had to wake exactly at 3 or 4 am to cram all the
books. Mornings, for me at least, are the most productive time of day to study. I like to do some
reading and memorizing in the morning, when there are no distractions. Looking back, I think I
did take advantage of all that extra time.
(And explain how you felt about getting up early)
Actually, during that stressful week, I was totally exhausted and even suffered a headache. My
brain was burdened with numerous subjects such as Maths, History, Literature and so on.
Memorizing historic dates or Maths formulas in just a week requires a lot of persistence and
determination. I remember drinking coffee many times a day to keep me wide awake. It was
simply a nightmare but fortunately, I passed the exam with flying colors.
Vocabulary:
51. tranquility [n]: the quality or state of being tranquil; calm.: sự yên bình
Eg: The tranquility of the forest helps me relax.
52.
invigorate [v]: to make someone feel fresher, healthier, and more energetic: làm cho sảng
khoái
Eg: We were invigorated by our walk with friends yesterday.
53.
approach [v]: to come near or nearer to something or someone in space, time, quality, or
amount: sắp đến
Eg: We could just see the train approaching in the distance.
54.
demanding [adj]: needing a lot of time, attention, or energy: đòi hỏi cao
Eg: Police work is physically demanding and stressful.
55.
cram [v]: to do many things in a short period of time: nhồi nhét
Eg: I had to cram three countries into a week's business trip.
56.
productive [adj]: having positive results: năng suất
Eg: We had a very productive meeting - I felt we solved lots of problems.
57.
burden [v]: to give someone problems, trouble, or responsibilities: b ắt gánh vác
Eg: Borrowers are already burdened with mortgage extras such as arrangement fees and
life assurance cover.
58.
persistence [n]: the fact that someone or something persists: s ự kiên trì
Eg: Most financial analysts have been surprised by the persistence of the recession.
59.
wide awake [expression]: fully awake: cực kì tỉnh táo
Eg: I could not relax and still felt wide awake.
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60.
with flying colors [expression]: if you do something such as pass an exam with flying
colours, you do it very successfully: đậu điểm cao, với kết quả tốt
Eg: Samantha was rather nervous taking her final exam, but she passed with flying colors!
7. Describe information that was incorrect that you got
You should say:
- Where you got the information
- What was it about
-And explain how you felt about it
(When and where you got the information)
Every time you're online, you are bombarded by pictures, articles, links and videos trying to tell
their story. Unfortunately, not all of these stories are true. Sometimes they want you to click on
another story or advertisement at their own site, other times they want to upset people for political
reasons. I remember that I was taken in by an incorrect piece of information a month ago when
I was surfing the Internet. It was from a tabloid, which has recently been reported by many online
readers.
(What was it about)
The information was about the sudden death of a well-known Vietnamese comedian, who drew
his last breath at the age of 49. To me, he is one of the most talented and kind-hearted artists in
the entertainment industry, and he deserves such great affection from audience around the
country. Therefore, I felt so shocked and appalled to then verify the accuracy of the news and
even inform some of my friends about it. Later, I found out that it was just a baseless and
malicious rumor, which is a way for nowadays tabloids to captivate readers.
(And explain it how you felt about it)
At first, I was quite pissed off, but later, I felt quite relieved indeed, because such a heart-breaking
news was inaccurate. I also learned to be more careful when taking in different sources of
information from the Internet. These days, it’s easy to take a photo from one event and say it’s
from another. Images can also be altered for a certain story. Fake news is no exception, and many
of the articles that fall under its umbrella are designed to stir up emotion in readers and prey on
their biases. It’s more advisable to check whether news stories are based in fact, rather than
sharing them.
Vocabulary:
14
61.
bombard [v]: address with continuously or persistently, as if with a barrage: bị tấn công
dồn dập
Eg: We were bombarded with information and statistics.
62.
political [adj]: relating to politics: thuộc về chính trị
Eg: He rose quickly through the political hierarchy to become party leader.
63.
(be) taken in by sth [expression]: be fooled, swindled, cheated, or beguiled (by someone
or something): bị lừa bởi cái gì/ai
Eg: You spent $1,000 on some cure-all pill you bought off the Internet? How could you be taken
in by that scam?
64.
kind-hearted [adj]: a kind-hearted person is one who likes other people a lot and always
wants to help them: tốt bụng
Eg: Kylie was friendly and kindhearted by nature.
65.
verify [v]: to prove that something exists or is true, or to make certain that something is
correct: xác thực
Eg: These numbers are surprisingly high and they'll have to be verified.
66.
malicious [adj]: intended to harm or upset other people: ác ý, ác độc
Eg: He complained that he'd been receiving malicious phone calls.
67.
captivate [v]: to hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting,
exciting, pleasant, or attractive: lôi cuốn, thu hút
Eg: With her beauty and charm, she captivated film audiences everywhere.
68.
(be) pissed off [adj]: very annoyed; angry: bực tức
Eg: He'd kept me waiting for an hour so I was pissed off to start with.
69.
prey on [v]: to hurt or deceive a group of people, especially people who are weak or can
easily be hurt or deceived: dày vò, làm ai đau khổ
Eg: He would attack at night, preying on lone women in their twenties or thirties.
70.
advisable [adj]: if something is advisable, it will avoid problems if you do it: thích đáng,
khôn ngoan
Eg: It's advisable to book seats at least a week in advance.
15
8. Describe a person who has interesting ideas or opinions
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How do you know about his/ her ideas/ opinions
-And explain why you think his/ her ideas/ opinions are interesting
(Who this person is)
Creativity and originality are both attractive and desirable characteristics of a person, because
not everyone can offer unique ideas. I think one could derive a great deal of satisfaction from
talking to such a person. For me, I have to really rack my brain to come up with engaging
ideas, but in the meantime, my older sister considers this task as a piece of cake.
(How do you know about his/ her ideas/ opinions)
My daily interaction with my sister has allowed me to know about her creative mind. At home,
whenever my family wonder about good eating places or travel destinations for the summer,
my sister always makes perfect suggestions. At school, she initiated many large scale projects,
which were highly praised by teachers and friends. From my observation, there were many
occasions when her amazing ideas are received positively from others.
(And explain why you think his/ her ideas/ opinions are interesting)
I think my sister is not merely endowed with the ability to originate interesting ideas, but it is
also the very product of her constant practice. She is strongly motivated and willing to work on
anything compelling, involving, exciting, satisfying, or personally challenging. Moreover,
instead of becoming set in her ways, she has gradually formed the habit of trying something
different and developing new skills. My sister’s secret is also about exposing herself to as
many new stories and ideas as possible through books, blogs, periodicals, so that she could
learn from others’ exciting experience.
Vocabulary:
originality [n]: the quality of being special and interesting and not the same as
anything or anyone else: sự độc đáo
Eg: W e were i mpressed b y t he ori ginality of t he chil dren's work.
rack one’s brain [expression]: make a great effort to think of or remember something:
vắt óc suy nghĩ
Eg: She racked her brains, but there was nothing she could tell him
a piece of cake [expression]: something that is easy to do: một chuyện dễ dàng
Eg: For him, taking tests is a piece of cake.
16
destination [n]: the place where someone is going or where something is being sent or taken:
điểm đến
Eg: The Caribbean is a popular holiday destination.
initiate [v]: to begin something: khởi xướng
Eg: The automaker initiated a program to improve the recyclability of its automobiles at the end
of their useful life.
(be) endowed with [adj]: to have a particular quality or feature: được trời phú
Eg: Some lucky people are endowed with both brains and beauty.
compelling [adj]: evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible
way: hấp dẫn, thú vị
Eg: She gave a compelling and intensely dramatic performance.
set in one’s ways [expression]: to do the same things every day and to not want to change those
habits: bảo thủ, không thay đổi
Eg: As people get older, they often become set in their ways.
(to) expose oneself to sth [v]: to create conditions that allow someone to have the opportunity
to learn or experience new things: khám phá
Eg: Kate was exposed to new ideas when she went to college.
periodical [n]: a magazine or newspaper, especially on a serious subject, that is published
regularly: báo chí xuất bản định kỳ
Eg: She has written for several legal periodicals.
9. Describe a water sports you would like to try in the future
You should say:
- What it is
- Where you would like to try it
-Why you would like to try it
(What it is)
Swimming is a healthy and motivational sport. I think swimming can endear itself to many
people because water-related activities always deliver a sense of excitement and refreshment.
17
During the hot weather, immersing yourself in the cold water is irresistible. For me, I have been
swimming since I was 7, but I have to admit that I’m not quite an active person in the water. The
reason is that I used to confront a lot of difficulties in preserving my stamina and also in holding
my breath in the water.
(Where you would like to try it)
Next summer, I am planning to swim at large beaches or in the sea in my coastal city. Swimming
in the sea is such a pleasurable experience. I heard from many of my friends that it provides
more thrills than swimming in an enclosed swimming pool. They said could swim over
considerably longer distance without bumping into each other. Hearing the illustrations, the
desire to swim was so intense that I am dying to be in the sea as soon as possible. In fact, I will
have a summer vacation in Nha Trang and Vung Tau with my family so that I can fulfil my
desire.
(Why you would like to try it)
Well, I want to swim in the sea or sea beach for several reasons. First of all, it would be a
completely new and somehow adventurous experience for me. Moreover, I heard that the sea
water is all the more beneficial for health to some extent. Besides, I have read recently that
swimming in the sea is also calming and meditative, as the sound of your breathing and the water
rushing by helps you focus inward and drown out all other distractions.
Vocabulary:
71.
motivational [adj]: encouraging, making people want to do sth: có tính động lực
cao
Eg: To m ost cont enders, this i nt ense competi ti on i s real l y m ot ivati onal.
72.
(to) endear [v]: sb/sth/ yourself to sb else: make sb/sth like you: khiến ai đó yêu thích
Eg: The teacher’s kindness endears himself to most of his pupils.
73.
refreshment [n]: the fact of making sb feel stronger or less tired or hot: sự làm cho sảng
khoái
Eg: Minh is trying to find a place for rest and refreshment.
74.
irresistible [adj]: so strong that it cannot be stopped or resisted: không thể cưỡng lại được
Eg: As a matter of fact, Linh’s arguments were irresistible.
75.
stamina [n]: the physical or mental strength that enables you to do sth difficult for a long
period of time: sức bền
Eg: It takes a lot of stamina to run a marathon.
18
76.
pleasurable [adj]: enjoyable: vui vẻ
Eg: The hotels were not so good, but on the whole the trip was a pleasurable experience.
77.
intense [adj]: extreme and forceful or (of a feeling) very strong: mãnh li ệt
Eg: He suddenly felt an intense pain in his back.
78.
adventurous [adj]: exciting and often dangerous: mạo hiểm
Eg: Instead of staying in the hotel all the time, we wanted to go out and be adventurous.
79.
meditative [adj]: involving meditation (= giving your attention to one thing as a religious
activity or to relax): thiền định
Eg: She closed her eyes and went into a meditative trance.
80.
distraction (n): something that prevents someone from giving their attention to something
else: chuyện gây xao nhãng
Eg: You can turn the television off if you find it a distraction.
10. Describe a historical building. You should say:
What the building is
Where it is located
What the significance of this building is
Describe your experience with the building
(What the building is) Historical sites, relics and buildings have remained an important kind
of cultural tourism resource as they are always a centre of attraction and attention for tourists
and authorities. Among many historical buildings in Vietnam, the Hue Citadel Complex stands
out as the most prominent one. Therefore, I would like to share some information about such a
stunning complex like this.
(Where it is located) The citadel complex is based in Hue, which was the capital of Vietnam
for hundreds of years in times of feudalism. Many buildings are condensed into just one
complex, conjuring up such a large and stunning place of residence for the kings, in which the
Meridian Gate is the most important building that leads people to the citadel. It was modelled
after the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. Like the original in Beijing,
the Meridian Gate in Huế is composed of a main, central section and two protruding wings,
representing Que towers, traditional towers marking the entrance of palaces, temples and
tombs.
(What the significance of this building is) The complex holds great cultural and historical
value as it has witnessed many monarchs of Vietnam as well as the transfer of power between
the last monarch and the democratic government. Also, its cultural value is also of great
importance as most cultural characteristics of Vietnam are presented in and reflected by the
complex, such as the Ying-Yang balance, the use of patterns, colours and materials.
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(Describe your experience with the building) I have never had the chance to pay a visit to
this building before. However, having heard of its significance, I have nurtured the dream of
leaving my footprints at this UNESCO heritage site.
1.
A centre of attention (phrase): trung tâm sự chú ý.
Some children love being the centre of attention.
Một số đứa trẻ thích làm trung tâm sự chú ý.
2.
Stand out (phrasal verb): nổi bật
We had lots of good applicants for the job, but one stood out from the rest.
Chúng tôi có rất nhiều ứng viên tốt cho công việc, nhưng một người trong số họ đã nổi bật hơn.
3.
Citadel (n): thành quách
The town has a 14th century citadel overlooking the river.
Thị xã này có một thành quách từ thế kỉ thứ 14 nhìn qua song.
4.
Feudalism (n): phong kiến.
Marxist theory states that feudalism leads to capitalism and then socialism.
Chủ nghĩa Marxist cho rằng chế độ phong kiến sẽ dẫn đến tư bản và cuối cùng và xã hội chủ
nghĩa.
5.
Condense into (phrase): gôm lại.
I condensed ten pages of comments into/to two.
Tôi gôm 10 trang comment còn lại thành 2 trang.
6.
Conjure up (phrase): xây dựng nên
China is dreaming of conjuring up the next Silicone valley in its own country.
Trung Quốc đang mơ về việc xây dựng nên thung lũng Silicone thứ hai ngay trong lòng quốc
gia họ.
7.
To be modelled after something (phrase): làm giống với cái gì đó.
You can model your lesson plans after ones from previous teachers.
Bạn có thể làm giáo án giống với mấy cái đã từng có của giáo viên.
8.
Hold a value (phrase): giữ giá trị
They hold very middle-class values.
Họ nắm giữ giá trị rất rõ ràng của tầng lớp trung lưu.
9.
Transfer of power (phrase): sự chuyển giao quyền lực.
The transfer of power to a civilian government
20
Một sự chuyển giao quyền lực cho chính phủ nhân dân.
10.
Leaving someone’s footprints (idiom): đặt chân (để lại dấu chân).
He has left his footprints in more than 30 countries around the world.
Anh ấy đã để lại dấu chân tại hơn 30 quốc gia trên thế giới.
11.
-
Describe a person who is good at a foreign language. You should say:
Who that is
What languages that person speaks
How you knew he was good at that foreign language
Why you think that person’s ability to speak that language is impressive
(Who that is) As a student majoring in linguistics, everyone around me has a high command
of at least one foreign language which might be English, Mandarin or French, which are the
three most popular foreign languages learnt in Vietnam. However, it is John, who is able to use
all these three languages fluently, who I admire most so far.
(What languages that person speaks) Well, John has acquired a high degree of proficiency
in English, Mandarin and French. He is the only person I know that is able to speak fluently up
to three different languages. He was brought up bilingual as his father is British and his mother
is Vietnamese. He started to learn Mandarin and French at the same time when he was my
classmate in grade 8.
(How you knew he was good at that foreign language) John is the president of the
International Exchange Club of my university, of which I am a member. I, as a vice president,
have cooperated with John to carry out cultural exchange sessions with students from many
countries, notably France and China. That he used French to communicate with French students
and Mandarin to talk to Chinese ones left me astonished and when he used both languages at
the same time, I was at a loss for words because it was such a jaw-dropping experience for
me.
(Why you think that person’s ability to speak that language is impressive) It is common
knowledge that many a student struggles to learn English, which is deemed the universal
language as it is used for all official international documents. While learning English alone is a
great challenge for us, he has been able to learn both French and Chinese, which have no
relation to each other. Therefore, I would say that his ability to use up to 3 foreign languages
can leave anybody impressed.
1.
To acquire a good command of something (phrase): khả năng
She has an excellent command of French.
Cô ấy có khả năng nói tiếng Pháp tốt.
12. To acquire a high degree of proficiency of a language (phrase): có khả năng sử dụng
ngôn ngữ tốt
21
He taught himself to carve to a high degree of proficiency.
Anh ấy tự học ngôn ngữ tới một trình độ khá cao.
13.
Bilingual (adj): người nói 2 ngôn ngữ
He is bilingual in Spanish and Portuguese
Anh ấy có thể nói hai ngôn ngữ tiếng Pháp và tiếng Bồ Đào Nha.
14.
To leave someone astonished (phrase): làm cho ai đó kinh ngạc
He was left astonished by the amount of junk in the house.
Anh ấy bị kinh ngạc khi nhìn thấy lượng rác trong ngôi nhà.
15.
To be at a loss for words (phrase): không nói nên lời / không biết nên nói gì
He hesitated and briefly appeared at a loss for words.
Anh ấy ngần ngại và trong một phút đây dường như đã không biết nói gì.
16.
Jaw-dropping (adj): quá xuất sắc / quá bất ngờ
The jaw-dropping dress made me buy it immediately.
Cái đầm quá xuất sắc này đã làm tôi phải mua nó ngay lập tức.
12.
-
Describe an experience when you solved a problem via the Internet. You should say:
What the problem was
When it was
How you solved it
And explain why this experience was memorable
(What the problem was) As a member of the International Exchange Club of the school, I
oftentimes encounter some problems related to the preparation process of organising cultural
exchange sessions. As far as I can remember, the one that could have brought our biggest
cultural annual fair into disrepute was when a member of my group who was deemed a
stalwart did not prepare anything until the last day before the day of the fair.
(When it was) My club has taken great pride in this annual fair as thanks to it, we have had the
chance to expand our social circle with many prestigious universities over the world. This fair
traditionally falls on the last Saturday of March. That problem was not an exception because it
happened right on the last Friday of March two years ago when she told me that she had not
even touched the documents that I had given her up to 2 weeks prior to the deadline, which
really got on my nerves and made my blood boil.
(How I solved it) Luckily, thanks to the Internet, I quickly responded to this problem by
helping her finish it quickly rather than pouring scorn on her. The Google Drive Sheet allows
us to work together at the same time and keep track of what has been written by people. With
this, both she and I could interact smoothly with each other and get the timeline done in just 3
22
hours for the fair taking place the next day. As I did not want anybody to be on edge, I had
decided not to tell anyone else about this problem before the fair came to a close. It was not
until the reflection that I shared with people about this, and my story that they were left them
stunned. Everyone said that both she and I deserved praise as we were able to rise to the
challenge right in time.
(Explain why this experience was memorable) I would say that this experience is the most
both positive and negative memorable one that I have ever had in my student life. On the
negative side, this let me know I was too soft on people as I allowed them to miss their
deadline. On the positive side, I realised that although my blood was boiling, I was able to keep
calm and joined forces to finish the timeline with her so that the fair could deliver the expected
outcome.
1.
To bring something into disrepute (phrase): làm phá hỏng cái gì đó
Involvement with terrorist groups brought the political party into disrepute
Việc câu kết với những nhóm khủng bố đã phá hủy danh dự của đảng chính trị này.
2.
Stalwart (adj): trung thành, đáng tin tưởng
She has been a stalwart supporter of the party for many years.
Cô ấy đã là người ủng hộ trung thành của đảng này qua rất nhiều năm.
3.
To expand someone’s social circle (phrase): mở rộng mối quan hệ xã hội
In order to expand your social circle, you will need to become the master of the art of
socialising
Để mở rộng mối quan hệ, bạn cần trở thành một bậc thầy trong việc giao tiếp xã hội.
4.
To get on someone’s nerves (idiom): làm ai đó khó chịu
Please stop making that noise! It really gets on my nerves.
Làm ơn đừng phát ra tiếng động khó chịu đó nghĩa. Nó làm tôi rất bực mình!
5. to make someone’s blood boil (idiom): làm ai đó sôi máu
When I hear stories of cruelty to animals, it makes my blood boil.
Khi tôi nghe chuyện về sự tàn nhẫn với động vật, nó làm tôi sôi máu.
6. to pour scorn on something/someone (idiom): chửi ai đó/cái gì đó
Critics of the president have been pouring scorn on the plan ever since it was first proposed.
Các nhà phê bình của tổng thống liên tục mắng nhiếc cái kế hoạch từ khi nó được đưa ra lần
đầu tiên.
7. to be on edge (phrase): lo lắng
Is something wrong? You seem a bit on edge this morning.
Có gì đó không ổn hả? Bạn trông có vẻ lo lắng sáng nay.
23
8. to rise to the challenge (phrase): giải quyết khó khăn cách thành công
All eyes are now on the oil companies to see if they can rise to the challenge and get
the fuel out quickly
Tất cả mọi con mắt đều hướng vào công ty dầu liệu xem họ có thể giải quyết khó khăn một
cách thành công và lấy được nhiên liệu ra nhanh hay không.
13. Describe an occasion when you showed something new to younger people. You
should say:
Who you shared with
What you shared
When you shared it with them
And explain why you think it is memorable
(Who you shared with) As a leader of the International Exchange Club of my university, I am
responsible for passing essential skills and information to members of my group so that they
know what should be done and what outcomes they are expected to deliver. All these members
had just been admitted into our club after such a 3-round thriller full of ups and downs that
explored the most outstanding applicants that pushed themselves to the limits to deliver the
best performance that left the recruitment board astonished.
(What you shared with them) It is the leadership and organisation skills that I shared with
them. As they were fresh members, little could they have a good grasp of the club’s activities
and know what they were supposed to do. Therefore, it was essential that information about
activities as well as the way to handle those activities be informed to them.
(When you shared it with them) It was on the orientation day that I decided to talk about this
as I could recognise that that these skills are instrumental in maintaining a strong and stable
group as well as helping us to deliver the best outcomes. Many questions about my topic
were raised as they were all excited about the brand-new journey.
(And explain why it was memorable) The chance to share leadership and organisation skills
with newbies of my club was beyond memorable because I was the first second-year student
that sprang to the director’s mind when it came to consideration on the person who should be
in charge of this role. Moreover, it was my maiden opportunity to share such important
information to the younger generation, which helped me to strive even more to become a better
person.
1.
To deliver an outcome (phrase): đưa ra kết quả
Their strategy delivered the desired outcome.
Chiến lược của họ đã đưa ra kết quả như mong đợi.
2.
Ups and downs (noun): Thăng trầm
Like most married couples we've had our ups and downs, but life's like that.
24
Như đa số các cặp vợ chồng khác, chúng tôi cũng có những lúc thăng trầm, nhưng cuộc sống là
vậy.
3.
To push oneself to the limits (phrase): vượt lên chính mình
If you really want to know what you are capable of, push yourself to the limits
Nếu bạn muốn biết mình có khả năng tới đâu, hãy vượt lên chính mình
4.
To leave someone astonished (phrase): làm cho ai đó kinh ngạc
He was left astonished by the amount of junk in the house.
Anh ấy bị kinh ngạc khi nhìn thấy lượng rác trong ngôi nhà.
5.
To have a good grasp of something (phrase): biết rõ cái gì đó
He has a good grasp of the issues.
Anh ấy biết rất rõ vấn đề.
6.
Instrumental (adj): rất quan trọng
She was instrumental in bringing about the prison reform act.
Cô ấy đóng vai trò rất quan trọng trong việc hoàn lương tù nhân.
7.
To raise a question (phrase): đặt ra vấn đề
The new play raises some challenging questions.
Vở kịch mới đã đặt ra một số vấn đề khó khăn.
8.
Spring to one’s mind (phrase): đập vào đầu ai đó
Say the word "Australia" and a vision of beaches and blue seas immediately springs to
my mind.
Hãy nói chữ Australia, một viễn cảnh biển xanh sẽ liền đập vào đầu tôi.
9.
Maiden (adj): lần đầu
The first hydrogen-powered airplane will make its maiden flight this year.
Máy bay đầu tiên chạy với nhiên liệu hydro sẽ bay chuyến bay đầu tiên năm nay.
10.
To strive (v): cố gắng
Mr Roe has kindled expectations that he must now strive to live up to.
Ông Roe đã đặt ra những mong đợi mà ngay bây giờ ông ấy phải cố gắng để thực hiện.
14. Describe a prize that you would like to win. You should explain
- what the prize is for
- how you know about it
25
- what you would have to do to win it
- and why you would like to win this prize.
(What the prize is for) I have nurtured the dreamed of winning Miss Universe since I was a
young 6-year old girl. Miss Universe is an annual international beauty pageant that is run by
the American-based Miss Universe Organization. It airs in more than 190 countries worldwide
and is seen by more than half a billion people annually. Along with Miss World, Miss
International, and Miss Earth, Miss Universe is one of the Big Four international beauty
pageants.
(How you know about it) Miss Universe is relatively popular here in Vietnam since Vietnam
had the honour to host the Miss Universe 2008 in Nha Trang, which was also the time when I
first heard of this beauty pageant. Also in that year, Vietnam made it to the top 8 of the
competition, which was its best result before being eclipsed by H’Hen Nie, who set a new
milestone for Vietnam’s performance at Miss Universe by making it to the top 5 in 2018.
(What you would have to do to win it) I am now a 19-year-old girl majoring in International
Business at the Foreign Trade University, which is deemed the main source of beauties in
Vietnam as a considerable proportion of Vietnamese beauty pageant titleholders come from
my university. I would make use of this chance to expand my social circle with my
predecessors who have gone far at beauty pageants to learn from them. Also, I would go to
great lengths to improve my weight.
(And why you would like to win this prize) All beauties clinching Miss Universe titles have
proved influential in community service as well as gained a certain position in the fashion
industry. I would like to win the competition so that I can voice my concern over the lack of
education in mountainous areas in Vietnam and in other countries in the world as well as use
the money to set up a charity foundation for education. H’Hen Nie has proved that education is
the easiest route which people can go to lift themselves out of poverty.
1.
To air (v): chiếu
The interview with the president will air tomorrow morning.
Buổi phỏng vấn với tổng thống sẽ được chiếu vào sáng ngày mai.
2.
To eclipse (v): vượt mặt
The economy has eclipsed all other issues during this election campaign.
Vấn đề về kinh tế đã vượt mặt mọi vấn đề khác trong chiến dịch tranh cử này.
3.
To set a milestone (phrase): lập cột mốc
On Monday mornings, we would set milestones for the week.
Trong các buổi sáng thứ hai, chúng tôi sẽ lập cột mốc cần có cho tuần mới.
4.
Deem (v): cho là/xem là
The area has now been deemed safe.
26
Khoanh vùng này đã được cho là an toàn.
5.
Titleholder (n): người chiến thắng/nhà vô địch
The Olympic and World titleholder
Nhà vô địch Olympic và thế giới
6.
To expand someone’s social circle (phrase): mở rộng mối quan hệ xã hội
In order to expand your social circle, you will need to become the master of the art of
socialising
Để mở rộng mối quan hệ, bạn cần trở thành một bậc thầy trong việc giao tiếp xã hội.
7.
To go to great lengths (phrase): làm bất cứ điều gì.
He'll go to any lengths to get what he wants.
Anh ấy sẽ làm bất cứ điều gì để đạt được những gì anh ấy muốn
8.
Voice concern over something (phrase): lên tiếng về vấn đề gì
Many people have voiced concern over the proposed changes in the law.
Rất nhiều người đã lên tiếng về những thay đổi dự trù trong Luật/
9.
Lift oneself out of poverty (phrase): kéo ai đó ra khỏi cảnh nghèo
Sustained economic growth is the single most powerful means of lifting people out of poverty
Tăng trưởng kinh tế bền vững là cách quy nhất để kéo người dân ra khỏi cảnh nghèo.
15.
Describe a teenager you know. You should say:
• What this person looks like
• When and where you met this person
• What you do when you are together
And explain why he/she makes you remember.
(What this person looks like) Well, the person I’d like to talk to you about is a teenager who
imprinted my memory with so much to remember, Jane. She must be one of the nicest and
most down-to-earth people I have ever known in my life. She is a person who always appears
resplendent in stunning dresses at parties and is always the hub of attraction and the star of the
show. With her long curly hair and her stunning voice, she looks like a true diva.
(When and where you met this person) I came across Jane at an event of my company’s
headquarter two years ago. She, as always, was the most prominent one at the party with her
red evening gown, which left me astonished at first sight. It just so happened that Jane and I
were in the same group for activities at the event and we started to get to know each other.
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(What you do when you are together) After the party, we still kept in touch and became good
friends. Whenever we meet, we always head to Phuc Long, one of the most famous tea and
coffee chains in Ho Chi Minh city, and spill the tea. However, we sometimes travel with each
other, meaning that we have to work together on the itinerary.
(And explain why she/he makes you remember) The very first impression of hers on me was
her red gown. It was crowned the best gown in the event, and the way she walked to the stage
was far beyond anyone’s imagination as it was not far from professional. Also, she had a
beautiful voice, which left many in the event, including me, at a loss for words.
1.
To imprint (verb): in
That look of grief would be imprinted on her mind forever.
Ánh nhìn giận dữ sẽ in đậm trong tâm trí cô ấy mãi mãi
2.
Down-to-earth (idiom): thực tế
She's a down-to-earth woman with no pretensions.
Cô ấy là một cô gái thực thế không bao giờ có kỳ vọng nhiều.
3.
To come across (phrasal verb): vô tình gặp ai đó
He came across some old love letters.
Anh ấy vô tình thấy lại những bức thư tình đã cũ.
4.
It just so happens that (phrase): cũng khá bất ngờ là
It just so happens that I have a bike I can lend you.
Cũng khá bất ngờ là tôi có một chiếc xe đạp có thể cho bạn mượn.
5.
Spill the tea (slang): đổ trà (nói xấu)
OMG, spill the tea on that drama
Chúa ơi, đổ trà về cái drama đó coi nào!
6.
To work on something (phrase): hoàn thành
Don’t worry about that, I’m working on it.
Đừng lo lắng nhiều quá, tôi đang cố gắng hoàn thành nó sớm.
7.
To be far from something (phrase): được sử dụng để diễn tả phủ định
The battle is far from over.
Trận chiến còn lâu với kết thúc
8.
To be at a loss for words (phrase): không nói nên lời / không biết nên nói gì
He hesitated and briefly appeared at a loss for words.
Anh ấy ngần ngại và trong một phút đây dường như đã không biết nói gì.
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16.
Describe your dream home. You should say:

Where the house is

What the house includes

How it looks

And explain why you like to live in this house
(Where the house is) I’ve dreamed of having a house in the resort city of Danang since it was
crowned the most liveable city in Vietnam, and has won this title for 5 years, leaving far
behind its rivals such as Vung Tau, which is my hometown, and Ho Chi Minh city, which is
the wealthiest city in Vietnam. Danang is such a stunning coastal city with magnificent scenery
of the sea and the mountains. It’s natural and modern at the same time, that’s why I would love
to live there.
(What the house includes) As a person with a diminutive frame, I would also love to live in a
small house without any floors. Yet, it should comprise necessities as well as other kinds of
other supplementary things like a pool or a garden. 30% of my house should be covered with
greenery because it will calm down the temperature significantly during heatwaves, along with
high humidity, affecting the region during the summer.
(How it looks) The walls will be painted in white, which will make my house look a lot
brighter and reduces the absorption of heat. Also, the doors will be all glassy because there is
nothing more elegant than glass. I follow the minimalism of the Japanese, and I am lazy, so
there will be nothing much inside my house apart from a kitchen, creamy lights, and some very
essential necessities. There is no question of paintings or complicated furniture being in my
house.
(And explain why you like to live in this house) From what I’ve said, there are two main
reasons. This house is located in the city of Danang, which is a coastal city with beautiful
beaches and mountains. The house is built in deference to Japanese minimalism and I’m a
couch potato who does not want to spend time on tidying up the house too frequently.
1.
To be crowned (v): được trao vương miện/thắng cái gì đó
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned (queen) (= made queen in a special ceremony) in 1953.
Nữ hoàng Elizabeth II được trao vương miện vào năm 1953.
2.
To leave someone far behind (n): bỏ xa ai đó.
Three years later, the company had left all its close rivals far behind.
Ba năm sau đó, công ty này đã bỏ xa các đối thủ.
3.
Diminutive frame (phrase): tướng người nhỏ con.
Despite Roy’s diminutive frame, he was able to defeat some of the top wrestlers who were
twice his size at the world championship.
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Mặc dù có tướng người nhỏ con, nhưng Roy đã chiến thắng một trong số các tay vật nổi tiếng
nhất thế giới với thân hình to gấp 2 anh ấy.
4.
Absorption (n): sự hút
Some poisonous gases can enter the body by absorption through the skin.
Một số loại khí có thể đi vào cơ thể qua đường hút của da.
5.
In deference to something (phrase): theo cái gì đó.
She covered her head in deference to Muslim custom.
Cô ấy che đầu lại theo luật Hồi giáo.
6.
Couch potato (n): người lười biếng.
A couch potato is a person who watches a lot of television and does not have an active life
Một “couch potato” là người xem TV rất nhiều và không có một cuộc sống năng động.
17. Describe a person you wanted to be similar to when you were young. You should
say:
- Who that was
- How old you were then
- What that person had
- Explain why you wanted to be similar to that person.
(Who that was) Everyone has an idol to whom he wants to be similar, I’m not an exception.
Tuyen, a ASEAN Classical winning chorister, was the person who I made a lot of effort to be
like. She was one of the most recognised members of my church back then due to her ability to
sing as she was always chosen for the leading part as well as soloing in most important events
as the choir comprised a lot of people from different age groups in charge of different roles.
After the audition, I became a member of the soprano group.
(How old were you then) I was a 14-year-old girl back then while Tuyen was 24, meaning that
she’s exactly 10 years older than me.
(What that person had) Tuyen, at the age of 24, graduated from the Institute of Music with
honours as she aced her graduation exam with the maximum score of 10.0. On top of that, with
such an outstanding performance during the whole process at the institute, she was chosen as
the only Vietnamese representative in the ASEAN Classical competition, which is well-known
for giving birth to and unearthing an immense number of talents in ASEAN.
(What you wanted to be like that person) Of course, it was her voice that I wanted to have. I
went to great lengths to make my voice like hers, and I was nearly successful until someone
else told me to use my own voice as it’d sound a lot more natural, which made me give up her
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trying to imitate her voice and I started to sharpen my own one. Moreover, I also dreamed of
winning the ASEAN Classical championship like her as it brought her fame and wealth.
1.
Comprise (v): bao gồm
The course comprises a class book, a practice book, and a CD.
Khoá học bao gồm một cuốn sách học, một cuốn bài tập và một đĩa CD.
2.
Soprano (n): phần hát cao.
3.
Ace (v): vượt qua kì thi tốt
I was up all night studying, but it was worth it - I aced my chemistry final.
Tôi thức cả đêm để học bài, nhưng thực sự đáng, vì tôi đã vượt qua bài cuối kì Hoá cách xuất
sắc.
4.
On top of that (phrase): hơn nữa.
We missed the bus, and on top of that it started raining.
Chúng tôi đã trễ xe buýt, mà hơn nữa trời lại còn mưa.
5.
Give birth to so/sth (phrase): sinh ra cái gì đó/ai đó.
She gave birth to twins.
Cô ấy sinh ra một cặp song sinh.
6.
Unearth (v): khám phá.
A private detective has unearthed some fresh evidence.
Một người trinh thám đã khám phá ra những chứng cớ mới.
7.
Go to greath/any lengths to do sth (idiom): làm bất cứ điều gì để làm được cái gì đó.
He'll go to any lengths to get what he wants.
Anh ấy sẽ làm bất cứ điều gì để đạt những gì anh ấy muốn.
18. Describe an interesting part of your country.
You should say:
Where it is
How you got to know about it
What it is famous for
And explain why you think it is interesting
Answer:
I’m going to tell you about an iconic skyscraper located at the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, which
is called Landmark 81, and it’s currently the highest building in Southeast Asia, with 81 floors.
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I actually got to know this building when I moved to Ho Chi Minh City for my university life.
The bottom half of the tower is filled with shopping malls and advanced entertainment and the
top half is offices for lease. The offices are really high-priced due to the location and views,
which make them very desirable. Not only is it one of the highest skyscrapers in the city but it
also possesses an eye-catching architectural design, which is easily bound to absorb any one’s
attention. The original design of this tower is inspired by bamboo trees, which symbolizes the
solidarity and strength of the Vietnamese people.
I have definitely fallen in love with the design of this tower since it absolutely stands out.
Recently, it has become a famous landmark in the city. Moreover, meeting friends is just a piece
of cake thanks to its exotic appearance. Especially, there is a bar on the 77th floor, which will
give you a magnificent view as there are no walls, so you can enjoy the city in any direction. I
would highly recommend anyone who visits this tower to go there and give it a try.
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Skyscraper (noun): Nhà chọc trời
VD: Building a skyscraper can take years to complete.
2. High-priced (adj): Đắt đỏ
VD: Apartments in District 2 are really high-priced, which is why there are many wealthy people
living there.
3. Eye-catching (expression): Hút mắt.
VD: The design of this dress is very eye-catching.
4. To fall in love with something (verb): Say mê.
VD: He is absolutely falling in love with you.
5. Landmark (noun): Cột mốc, địa danh.
VD: The Statue of Liberty in New York is a famous landmark.
6. Magnificent (adjective): Lộng lẫy, nguy nga.
VD: The view from the top of the building is magnificent.
19. Describe an occasion when a home appliance broke down or stopped working.
You should say:
What the equipment was
How it was broken
How this affected your life
And explain how you handled the situation.
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Answer:
Today, I would like to tell you about a time that my dishwasher was out of order.
I moved to a new apartment 5 years ago which was fully-equipped with all the mod cons
including the dishwasher. The machine was doing a really great job in saving my time. Until one
day, it suddenly gave a continuous noise while the dishes were being washed. After that, water
stopped coming out from the machine. Despite my attempts to restart the machine, it turned out
to be worse. The annoying noise became louder and louder. Therefore, I had no choice but to
turn it off and do the washing by hand.
A Few days after the dishwasher had become non-functional, unluckily, I had a house-warming
with many guests, and obviously a lot of plates and bowls were used for the party. Instead of
having the machine doing the washing, I ended up staying up late to clean everything up
manually, which drove me nuts.
I actually made a call to the maintenance staff to have the dishwasher repaired. However, the
problem was much more complex than I had imagined when he said it would take him a week to
fix the machine. To be honest, that week was so long that I just wanted to dine out so that I
didn’t need to do the washing. Although the machine is now working perfectly, I still cannot
forget those terrible days.
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS:
1. To be out of order (expression): Không hoạt động, hư hỏng.
VD: The elevator is out of order so we have to go to our room on foot.
2. All the mod cons (noun): Những thiết bị máy móc giúp tiết kiệm thời gian của con người.
VD: The apartment has all the mod cons so you don’t have to buy anything.
3. Non-functional (adjective): Không hoạt động được.
VD: The washing machine has been non-functional for ages.
4. House-warming (noun): Tiệc tân gia.
VD: We are inviting everyone to join our house-warming next week.
5. Drive someone nuts (expression): Làm ai phát điên.
VD: The noise from construction sites is really driving me nuts.
6. Dine out (verb): Đi ăn ngoài.
VD: I’m not cooking anything today! Let’s dine out!
7. Manually (adv): Bằng tay.
VD: This machine is operated manually.
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20. Describe a time you received terrible service.
When this happened?
Where?
What happened there?
And explain why the service was terrible.
Answer:
For this topic, I would like to tell you about a horrible experience that I went through. It was my
18th birthday and my family came up with the idea of celebrating the night with a small party in
our lovely garden. However, we ended up having our dinner at a fancy family restaurant nearby.
On entering the place, we were blown away by the decoration of the restaurant, which is cozy
and homely. The first problem occurred when we were asked to queue for 30 minutes even
though we had already made a reservation.. After taking our table, a waitress bringing beverage
stumbled and I was as wet as a drowned rat. However, she didn’t give any apology but just kept
walking away as if nothing happened. Additionally, after having the whole meal, we were
charged 10% for an unknown additional fee. The matter got worse when we came into a conflict
and it was not solved until the owner made compensation. Despite having delectable dishes, the
service did not live up to my expectations. I was pissed off at the waitress for a while. However,
spending time with my family really made my day and it is obviously one of the most
memorable experiences I have ever witnessed in my entire life.
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Go through something (verb): Trải qua điều gì đó.
VD: She just went through a difficult test and now, she is waiting for the result.
2. To come up with (verb): Nảy ra, nghĩ ra gì đó.
VD: Nobody knew how to solve the problem until he came up with an idea.
3. End up (verb): Rơi vào 1 tình huống gì đó.
VD: Although they have known each other for 10 years, they ended up breaking up.
4. Cozy (adjective): Ấm cúng.
VD: A cozy home is the greatest comfort after a hard working day
5. Make a reservation (verb): Đặt bàn.
VD: We should make a reservation in advance in case there is no table left..
.
6. As wet as a drowned rat (idiom): Ứơt như chuột lột.
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Example: I was caught in the rain and got wet as a drowned rat.
7. Come into a conflict: Rơi vào 1 cuộc xung đột, cãi vả.
Example: The group came into a conflict of whether adding more members or not.
8. Compensation (noun): Sự đền bù.
Example: I broke your watch; therefore, I would like to make compensation.
9. Delectable (adjective): Ngon lành.
Example: This restaurant is famous for delectable dishes.
9. Live up to one’s expectations: Như mong đợi của ai đó.
Example: The concert did not live up to my expectations.
10. Get pissed off at someone: Tức giận với ai đó.
Example: Are you still pissed off at me about what I said this morning?
11. Make someone’s day (expression): Làm ai đó hạnh phúc.
Example: The gift just really makes my day.
21. Describe a free day off study or work.
What would you do?
Who would you do it with?
Why would you like to do it?
Answer:
To be honest, I cannot remember the last time I actually had time to let my hair down; therefore,
I am desperately looking forward to having a day off to freshen myself up.
If I were to have a day off, I would spend the whole morning laying in my bed and turn my
phone off so nobody can bother me. Actually, I wouldn’t even call my bestie since I just simply
want to spend time for myself. After that, let’s see, maybe I would dress myself up a little bit and
dine out at my favorite restaurant. In the afternoon, I guess shopping would definitely lift my
spirits since it is one of idea ways for me to release stress and take care of myself better. Then, I
would attend an art class and draw a painting, which is what I have wanted to do for a long time
but the chaos at work has prevented me from doing this.
There is no specific reason why I want to do these things. I just simply think that socializing and
working under pressure really stress me out and this couldn’t be a more perfect time for me to let
off some steam. Obviously, I do believe that after doing these, my productivity and spirit will
surely be enhanced.
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS:
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1. Let one’s hair down (phrase): Thả lỏng, thư giãn cơ thể.
VD: Let your hair down and have some fun with us.
2. Lift one’s spirit (phrase): Làm ai đó vui vẻ hơn.
VD: Giving advice will definitely lift his spirits.
3. Release stress (expression): Xả stress.
VD: Travelling can be helpful in releasing stress.
4. To be under pressure (expression): Áp lực.
VD: To be a doctor, you have to work under pressure a lot.
5. Stress somebody out (phrasal verb): Làm ai đó căng thảng, lo lắng.
VD: Interviews always stress me out.
6. Let off steam (phrase): Giải tỏa năng lượng tiêu cực.
VD: He lifts weights after work to let off steam.
22. Describe something you bought but rarely use now.
What it is
When and where you bought it
Why you bought it
And explain why you don’t often use it.
Answer:
Today, I would like to tell you about an MP3 player but I only use it once in a blue moon now.
I purchased the MP3 player 5 years ago after my 13th birthday. At that time, I was so jealous of
anyone having an MP3 player. I went to a shop that was selling many kinds of electronic
devices. The moment when I walked into the shop, I saw an Apple IPod with a black color,
which is my favorite color and I knew that this is what I wanted. It was manufactured in Japan,
and it had a very unique design. I asked the staff to play a song for me, and I have to say it
sounded amazing. The price of the ipod did cost me an arm and a leg, but after many discussions
with my parents, I bought it happily.
Listening to catchy songs was one of my habits during that time and the MP3 player would
definitely fulfill my dream. Besides, I used to have a passion for cutting-edge devices, which
drove me crazy sometimes. Therefore, I even made a promise to myself that I would be able to
buy the MP3 player.
After buying the IPod, I spent a lot of my time using it. The IPod became one of my necessities
whenever I went out. However, with many technological breakthroughs, mp3 players gradually
36
lost their reputation. As a result, I got myself updated with a smartphone after 2 years of using
the IPod, which offers a variety of features. The Ipod is actually still in good condition and I still
keep it as a memory of my childhood.
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Once in a blue moon (idiom): Hiếm khi, rất ít.
VD: I only meet him once in a blue moon after graduation.
2. Jealous of (adj): Ghen tị với ai
VD: When I showed him my new phone, he was really jealous of me.
3. Cost somebody an arm and a leg (idiom): Tốn nhiều tiên.
VD: The shirt can cost you an arm and a leg since it is from famous brand.
4. Have a passion for something (noun): Có đam mê với cái gì đó.
VD: I have a passion for languages, that is why I can speak 4 languages.
5. Technological breakthrough (expression): Tiến bộ về mặt công nghệ.
VD: Thanks to technological breakthroughs, it’s now easier to keep in touch with people around
the world.
6. Lost one’s reputation (expression): Mất vị thế.
VD: He lost his reputation because of his scandals.
7. To be in good condition (phrase): Trong tình trạng tốt, vẫn hoạt động được.
VD: You don’t need a new phone since the one you are using is still in good condition.
23. Describe a kind of food people eat during a special event.
What is it?
How is it cooked?
Why people cook this food?
And explain why you like it?
Answer:
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For this cue card, I would like to talk about Chung Cake, which is a traditional and irreplaceable
part of Vietnamese New Year that has existed since time immemorial.
There are 3 main ingredients to make a Chung Cake, which are: glutinous rice, pork, and mung
beans. These ingredients are then wrapped in a square shape with banana leaves so it will give a
beautiful green color after boiling. In order to make a tasty Chung Cake, glutinous rice must be
chosen carefully and soaked overnight. In addition, it is widely believed that the tighter the cake
is shaped, the better taste it will give. After that, the Chung Cake will be boiled for 12 hours with
wood.
Making a Chung Cake is considered a way to emphasize the important role of the water rice
culture, which is the primary job of Vietnamese people. In addition, people can take advantage of
the time cooking Chung Cake to socialize and bond together to celebrate the holiday spirit. The
image of a family gathering around and making Chung Cake has always been an integral part of
Tet Holidays.
Chung Cake is obviously the iconic symbol of Tet, the most favorable season in the year. These
days, people make Chung Cake on a daily basis to meet the demand of buyers. Therefore, it
always reminds me of Tet whenever I see the cake. Besides, the cake also has a unique and an
unforgettable flavor, which you can hardly find in other countries.
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Irreplaceable (adj): Không thể thiếu, thay thế.
VD: The Tray of Togetherness is an irreplaceable item in Lunar New Year.
2. Since time immemorial (Idiom): Từ ngàn đời xưa.
VD: People have been creating art since time immemorial.
3. To emphasize the important role of something: Minh chứng cho sự quan trọng của cái gì đó.
VD: Making Chung Cake in Tet Holidays emphasizes the important role of the rice water
culture.
4. Take advantage of something (verb): Tận dụng, lợi dụng,
VD: He takes advantage of her to get good scores in class.
5. To meet the demand (verb): Đáp ứng nhu cầu.
VD: People have to work overnight to meet the demand of buyers.
24. Describe a good law in your country.
You should say:
- what the law is
- how you first learned about this law
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- how you feel about this law
- and explain why you think it is good
(what the law is) The issue of gay marriage has emerged as one of the most heated
contemporary political debates, not only in Western countries but also in Asia, including
Vietnam. In Vietnam, which is a conservative country that is deeply influenced by the Asian
tradition, marriage between two people of the same sex was strictly prohibited under the 2000’s
Marriage and Family Law. However, as gay marriage was increasingly accepted by other
countries worldwide, the Vietnamese government decided to lift the ban on same-sex marriage
in a new law that came into force in 2014.
(how you first learned about this law) I first heard about this law in 2014, when I was in 8th
grade. Hardly had the new law been enacted when Facebook and other social media, as well as
newspapers, were flooded with the information about it, along with various contradictory
opinions on such government decisions and the Vietnamese LGBT community.
(how you feel about this law) That the prohibition of gay marriage was abolished not only
shows the big step of the government but also the efforts of the LGBT community in Vietnam
pay dividends.
(and explain why you think it is good) I believe that the government has been very wise in
recognizing the rights of LGBT people. Although the legislation has yet to allow gay marriage,
it is a big step forward that same-sex couples can now legally live under the same roof. The
passage of the law brings homosexual individuals one step closer towards possessing equal
rights to their heterosexual counterparts. Hopefully, this will help to gradually abolish the
discrimination against LGBT people, and also help them to live freely and confidently within
their community.
1. To emerge (v): nổi lên.
Example: No definitive results have yet emerged from the discussions.
Không có một kết quả cuối cùng nào được nổi lên/đưa ra trong cuộc thảo luận.
2. To lift the ban on something (phrase): dỡ bỏ lệnh cấm về cái gì đó.
They have now lifted the ban on the export of live animals to Europe.
Họ đã dỡ bỏ lệnh cấm xuất khẩu động vật sống tới Châu Âu.
3. To come into force (phrase): bắt đầu có hiệu lực.
New driving regulations are going to come into force this year.
Quy định lái xe mới sẽ bắt đầu có hiệu lực trong năm nay.
4. To enact/pass a law/legislation (phrase): đưa ra luật.
For the second year, national lawmakers failed to enact environmental legislation.
Trong vòng 2 năm liên tiếp, những người lập pháp không thể đưa ra luật môi trường.
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5. To be flooded with something (phrase): tràn đầy cái gì đó.
The market has been flooded with electronic gadgets in recent years.
Chợ này tràn đầy những thiết bị điện tử trong vòng những năm gần đây.
6. To pay dividends (phrase): có kết quả tốt
Being disciplined in the way you study now will pay dividends by the time your exams
come around.
Việc kỉ luật trong việc học sẽ cho kết quả tốt trong mùa thi.
7. To live under the same roof (phrase): sống cùng một căn nhà.
Example: In my family, up to 3 generations live under the same roof.
Trong gia đình tôi có đến 3 thế hệ sống chung một căn nhà.
8. Homosexual (adj): đồng tính.
Example: He has decided to tell his parents that he is homosexual.
Anh ấy quyết định nói với bố mẹ rằng anh ấy là người đồng tính.
9. Heterosexual (adj): dị tính
Example: heterosexual relationships.
Những mối quan hệ dị tính.
10. To blend in with sth (phrase): hòa nhập với gì đó.
Example: They have adopted local customs and tried to blend in with the community.
Họ đã theo phong tục địa phương và cố gắng hòa nhập với cộng đồng.
PART 3:
PART 3: POLICE OFFICER
Do you think both men and women can be police officers?
(Give a direct answer to the question) Of course yes, and reality has proved so. (Explain your
reason or reasons) Men certainly have superior physical strength, which may come in handy
when chasing bad guys. In the meantime, women are often better at seeking cooperation, which
is essential to police work (Give an example (often a personal example)) For example, people
are often taciturn before a burly policeman because they feel insecure and fear they might get
into trouble. On the contrary, the presence of a policewoman often reassures them and puts
them at ease. Therefore, a police force consisting of both male and female officers can best
serve the public.
Do all Vietnamese people obey the law?
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(Give a direct answer to the question) Notwithstanding criminals, most Vietnamese people are
law-abiding citizens (Explain your reason or reasons) Acknowledging the importance of
obeying law, which is to maintain equality and public peace on a national scale, Vietnamese
people are expected to conform to the imposed laws. (Give an example (often a personal
example)) For example, if drivers choose to ignore the established road signals, travel becomes
impossible. (Explain the opposite or alternative) Yet, in the country, some people would go to
any great lengths, even commit a crime, to benefit themselves or their family.
What kind of people can become police officers?
(Give a direct answer to the question) In my opinion, potential future police officers are men
and women who truly want to protect people from the ills of our society. (Explain your reason
or reasons) Besides being physically fit for the job and psychologically apt for it, these people
also are willing to take on the violence encountered unexpectedly on the street, and the
enormous dangers when undertaking missions. (Give an example (often a personal example))
It may be a life-and-death situation involving pulling a victim out of a crashed car or providing
first aid and basic life support to a shooting victim before paramedics arrive.
Do you think police officers are paid too much?
(Give a direct answer to the question) No, I don’t think so (Explain your reason or reasons)
With regards to their contributions and sacrifices to society, their salary is immensely
rewarding. (Give an example (often a personal example)). Being a policeman/woman can be
very demanding, and their job takes a lot of bravery. (Explain the opposite or alternative) It
just does not make sense that professional sportsmen are paid millions to entertain us, but,
police officers get paid considerably less to maintain the law in society, to keep us safe from
harmful situations and to possibly give up their life for it.
5.
Is kindness the most important quality of a police officer?
(Give a direct answer to the question) In my opinion, it is not, although being a police officer
also calls for one’s empathy and compassion towards people (Explain the opposite or
alternative) To become a good police officer, one has to meet a lot of requirements: physical &
mental fitness, agility, communication skills etc. Among those, personally I feel, integrity is a
fundamental trait required for police work and quite possibly the most important.
Vocabulary:
superior [adj]: better than average or better than other people or things of the same type: vượt
trội
Eg: She was chosen for the job because she was the superior candidate.
come in handy [expression]: to be useful: hữu ích
Eg: This money will come in handy when we go on vacation.
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taciturn [adj]: tending not to speak much: lầm lì
Eg: He was always quiet, reserved, and taciturn.
law-abiding [adj]: obeying and respecting the law: tuân thủ luật pháp
Eg: A law-abiding citizen reported the scam to the police.
go to any great lengths [expression]: to try very hard to achieve something: cố gắng hết sức,
làm đủ mọi cách
Eg: We went to great lengths to make sure the votes were counted correctly.
encounter [v]: to experience something, especially something unpleasant: đối mặt
Eg: The army is reported to be encountering considerable resistance.
sacrifice [n]: the act of giving up something that is valuable to you in order to help someone
else: sự hi sinh
Eg: We had to make sacrifices in order to pay for our children's education.
bravery [n]: brave behaviour or actions: sự dũng cảm
Eg: They were awarded medals for their bravery.
maintain [v]: to continue to have; or not allow to become less: duy trì
Eg: Despite living in different states, the two families have maintained a close friendship.
compassion [n]: a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others
and a wish to help them: sự đồng cảm
Eg: I was hoping she might show a little compassion.
agility [n]: the ability to move about quickly and easily: sự nhanh nhẹn
Eg: As a top-rated football player, he combines speed and agility.
integrity [n]: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to
change: sự chính trực
Eg: No one doubted that the president was a man of the highest integrity
25. Describe a skill you need a long time to learn.
You should say:
- what it is
- where you can learn it
- how you learn it
- and how long it takes to learn it
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(what it is) When I was young, I was fascinated whenever I came across a street pianist. I was
passionate about music, especially the piano. Luckily, I had the chance to have lessons with a
classically trained pianist, who was willing to teach me for free because there was a shortage of
pianists for the church’s choir. I did not hesitate to take him up on his offer.
(where you can learn it) Because I was trained to play the piano for the choir at my church,
and because I did not have an instrument at home, I had lessons at the church. Even though
churches are supposed to be quiet and solemn, I still really enjoyed my lessons. All the sessions
were full of laughter because there were other people who also tried to play the piano with me.
(how you learn it) Filled with excitement, I could not wait to play my first notes on the piano.
However, things did not go as expected! I started to realise that the piano was a lot harder than I
had thought. I knew that I would improve the more I played, so I carried on, but I was
particularly challenged by classical pieces. I found them difficult even when I felt that I had
become a competent player! I thought about giving up, but luckily, my teacher made a lot of
efforts to inspire me. I quickly got rid of my negative thoughts and got back on track.
(how long it takes to learn it) I have been learning the piano for more than 10 years, but it
only took me around 1 year to learn to play confidently and smoothly for the services.
Nowadays, I play simple pieces for the church services, but I also learn new, challenging
classical pieces so that I can continue to develop my skills.
1. To come across sth/someone: vô tình gặp ai đó/thứ gì đó.
Example: I came across him in the library after work, and we got into a
great conversation about Hemingway.
Tôi vô tình gặp anh ấy trong thư viện sau khi làm và chúng tôi đã có một cuộc nói chuyện về
Hemingway.
2. To take someone’s eyes off sth/someone (phrase): đưa mắt ra khỏi ai đó/gì đó.
Example: Ken couldn't take his eyes off Judy.
Ken không thể đưa mắt khỏi Judy.
3. To make up someone’s mind (idiom): quyết định.
Example: I'm not sure what flavor I want—I'm still making my mind up.
Tôi vẫn chưa chắc là mình muốn vị nào, tôi vẫn đang quyết định.
4. Solemn (adj): trang nghiêm
Example: a solemn procession
Một cuộc diễu hành trang nghiêm
5. Effervescence (n): khí thế, năng lượng.
Example: he was filled with such effervescence
Anh ấy tràn đầy năng lượng.
6. To be competent at something: có khả năng làm việc gì đó tốt.
Example: I wouldn't say he was brilliant but he is competent at his job.
Tôi sẽ không nói là anh ấy quá xuất sắc nhưng anh ấy thực sự có khả năng làm việc tốt.
7. To spring someone’s mind (idiom): đập vào đầu ai đó.
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Example: Say the word "Australia" and
a vision of beaches and blue seas immediately springs to mind.
Mỗi khi ai đó nói về Australia là hình ảnh của biển và đại dương xanh lại đập vô đầu tôi.
8. Keep the fire burning (idiom): giữ cháy ngọn lửa (đam mê).
Example: when I was about to give up on my dream, my parents immediately took actions to
keep the fire burning.
Khi tôi chuẩn bị bỏ cuộc với ước mơ của mình, bố mẹ tôi liền can thiệp và nuôi dưỡng ngọn lửa
đam mê của tôi.
PART 3:
1. Why are some people unwilling to learn new skills?
An immense number of people are reluctant to learn new skills due to 2 main reasons. First,
these people might have struggled or even failed to learn a new skill, which is a big barrier to
giving another try. Second, many would like to be competent at one skill. However, to this
end, they believe it is going to take lots of time and money so they tend to give up in the first
place.
2.
Why would people spend a lot of time learning a new skill?
I would say that there are two main reasons. First, they are passionate about the skill and desire
to obtain it. For example, if one has a passion for piano, he is willing to spend up to 3 hours a
day practicing piano albeit up to his ears in work. Second, people can spend a lot of time on a
new skill if they have lots of free time. This sounds simple, but makes sense. If one does not
even have time to breathe, hardly will he have time to learn a new skill.
3. Do people feel happy after learning a new skill?
I would say yes. Achieving their goal, which is being competent at a new skill, can be a source
of satisfaction. This is because they know that their efforts pay dividends and it is not a waste
of time to practice every single day to sharpen the skill.
4. Do you think it takes a long time to learn a language?
It depends on the environment to be honest. Should the language learner not live in the native
country, it is apparent that acquiring high proficiency in a language will pose lots of challenges
to the learner as well as take a great deal of time and effort. However, if the learner is based in
the native country, it is much easier for him to speak the language fluently in a relatively short
time.
5. What skills may take a long time to learn?
As far as I am concerned, it is communication skills that takes a long time to learn. One can not
expect to communicate like a master after some courses of training. This is a hard skill and may
require up to 20 years to communicate well with others.
1. Reluctant (adj): ngại làm cái gì đó.
Example: Many parents feel reluctant to talk openly with their children.
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Nhiều bậc cha mẹ ngại nói chuyện cách cởi mở với con cái họ.
2. To be competent at something: có khả năng làm việc gì đó tốt.
Example: I wouldn't say he was brilliant but he is competent at his job.
Tôi sẽ không nói là anh ấy quá xuất sắc nhưng anh ấy thực sự có khả năng làm việc tốt.
3. To this end (phrase): hướng tới mục đích đó.
Example: He wanted science students to take an interest in the arts, and to this end
he ran literature classes at his home on Sunday afternoons.
Ông ấy muốn các học sinh chuyên khoa học yêu nghệ thuật hơn, và hướng đến mục tiêu này,
ông ấy dạy thêm môn văn ở nhà vào buổi trưa Chủ Nhật.
4. In the first place (phrase): ngay từ ban đầu.
Example: Fortunately, he wasn't hurt, but he never should have been there in the first place.
Hên quá, anh ấy không bị thương, nhưng anh ấy không nên đến đó ngay từ ban đầu.
5. To be up to his ears in something (idiom): bận bịu với cái gì đó.
Example: I'm up to my ears in work.
Tôi rất bận với công việc
6. A source of satisfaction (phrase): nguồn vui.
Example: The children were a major source of satisfaction.
Bọn trẻ là một nguồn vui lớn.
7. To pay dividends (phrase): có kết quả tốt
Example:
Being disciplined in the way you study now will pay dividends by the time your exams
come around.
Việc kỉ luật trong việc học sẽ cho kết quả tốt trong mùa thi.
26. Describe a time that you had to change your plan/ changed your mind
You should say:
When this happened
What made you change the plan
What the new plan was
How you felt about the change.
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(When this happened)
Two years ago, I was on a trip to Thailand with my cousins until we had to change our plans at
the last minute due to bad weather conditions.
(What made you change the plan)
In fact, we were in Phuket that day. Everything was on track. The weather was forecast to be
perfect and we decided to pay a visit to Koh Phi Phi Island, a holiday resort which is one of the
must-visit islands in the world. I was really excited about this trip until the local authorities
made an announcement that there would be a tropical storm coming by in 2 days and Phuket
would be heavily affected by the storm. Then, we faced the decision whether to stay there and
wait until the storm passed by or to book a flight back home.
(What the new plan was)
After a lot of discussion, we ended up putting off our plan and returning to Vietnam. The next
day, we arrived at the airport as early as possible since the storm was predicted to sweep the
island sometime that night. Luckily, we were able to buy last-minute plane tickets and got
home safe and sound.
(How you felt about the change)
Surprisingly, we soon forgot all about our misfortune over the trip. In addition, there was no
serious injury or damage in Phuket after that storm. At the end of the day, I realized that our
safety must be prioritized. However, I was really sad since I hadn’t been able to enjoy my trip to
Koh Phi Phi Island. Anyway, I will definitely go back to explore this beautiful place in the near
future.
Vocabulary:
Các từ thuộc chủ đề Tourism:
46
1. a holiday resort
Meaning: a place where lots of people go for a holiday
Example: If you like to sunbathe on the beach, Thailand offers some very popular holiday resorts.
2. to book
Meaning: to reserve something, such as a hotel room or a ticket
Example: I’d like to book a table for two at 8pm this evening, please.
Vocabulary:

at the last minute (expression): at the latest possible time: Vào phút chót.
Eg: The referee made his decision to postpone the match at the last minute.

bad weather conditions (expression): a period in which the weather is bad, such as heavy
rain, snow or storms: Điều kiện thời tiết xấu.
Eg: Tropical storms are frequent in the region, and the people are accustomed to bad
weather conditions.

to be on track (expression): to be doing the right things to achieve a successful result:
Trôi chảy, theo kế hoạch.
Eg: After months of careful preparation, they were on track to perform well in the
competition.

to pay a visit (expression): to visit a place or person: Ghé thăm.
Eg: If you go to London, you must pay a visit to the British Museum.

must-visit (adjective): a must-visit place is one which it is strongly recommended to visit:
Phải đến. Eg:

If you enjoy the beach, Thailand is a must-visit destination.
tropical storm (noun): very bad weather, with strong winds and rain, typical of a tropical
country: Bão nhiệt đới.
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Eg: Today, people on the island are cleaning up after the tropical storm which passed
through yesterday.

heavily affected (expression): producing a very strong change in something: Ảnh hưởng
nặng nề. Eg: Train services today have been heavily affected by snow and ice.

to pass by (phrasal verb): to go past: Đi qua.
Eg: While we were waiting at the bus stop, three police cars passed by.

to end up (phrasal verb): to be in a situation in which you did not expect to be: Rơi vào
tình huống mà mình không mong đợi.
Eg: I took the wrong road, and ended up getting completely lost.

to put off something (phrasal verb): to postpone something until a later time or date:
Hoãn lại cái gì đó.
Eg: He put off taking the exam until January.

to predict (verb) to say that something will happen in the future: Dự đoán.
Eg: Few people predicted that she would become President of the country

to sweep (verb): to move quickly and with force: Qúet qua, lan qua.
Eg: A fire swept through the department store on Tuesday night.

last-minute plane ticket (expression): a plane ticket bought at the latest possible time
before
departure: Vé máy bay giờ chót.

safe and sound (expression): safe and unharmed: An toàn và khỏe mạnh.
Eg: After our plane had passed through a bad storm, it was a great relief to arrive safe and
sound.
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
to forget all about (expression): to completely forget about something: Quên hết về cái gì
đó.
Eg: I was so interested in the programme that I forgot all about my appointment.

injury (noun): harm done to a person’s body, for example after an accident: Thiệt hại, tổn
thất
Eg: The injury to his leg was the result of an attack by sharks while he was surfing.

at the end of the day (expression): when everything is considered: Suy nghĩ cho cùng. Eg:
At the end of the day, Germany deserved to win the World Cup.

to prioritize (verb): to treat something as more important than other things: Uư tiên cái gì
đó. Eg: The system in the hospital aims to prioritize the treatment of patients with
serious injuries or illnesses.

in the near future (expression): very soon: Trong tương lai gần. Eg: The new road is
expected to be open in the near future, perhaps next month.
27. Describe a person who helps to protect the environment
Who this person is
One of the most inspiring Millennials to me was Ms. Trang Nguyen, who has been an active
campaigner for environmental issues, particularly wildlife conservation. I first found out about
her via her viral photo album called “100 little things I do for Earth in 100 days”, which
showcased easy-to-follow habits for to help to preserve the environment. The album has
raised public awareness about the impacts of our everyday decisions on the environment, and
empowered Vietnamese young people to pursue a greener lifestyle.
How this person protects the environment
Trang has chosen to practice environmental protection via research, which involves long field
trips to tropical forests or natural conservation areas. As a result, she has conducted multiple
wildlife projects in many parts of the world, including South Africa, Cambodia and Vietnam.
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Furthermore, she also acts as an ambassador for the United for Wildlife Fund of the British
Royal Family. In addition, all the proceeds from her newly published book “Back to the Wild”
have been donated to wildlife protection campaigns in Vietnam.
What difficulties this person has faced
As a female wildlife conservationist, she has encountered a myriad of challenges. Since her
work consists of long expeditions to high-risk areas, her problems vary from struggling to
staying hygienic and dealing with offenders. She has also met strong opposition from her
family when pursuing this highly dangerous path. However, she has managed to overcome all
those obstacles thanks to her great passion for environmental protection.
How you feel about this person
I think Trang is admirable because she dares to realize her dream despite incredible hardship.
Her determination and courage have taught me that my actions matter, and I am inspired to
keep learning and contributing to a better world.
Millennials: a person who was born in the 1980s, 1990s, or early 2000s:
Millennials have grown up with the internet.
raised public awareness: help spread knowledge and understanding of a particular activity
The guidelines are an important tool for raising awareness about the environment.
pursue a greener lifestyle: follow a greener lifestyle
I decided to pursue a greener lifestyle after learning about the impacts of everyday actions on
the environment.
Ambassador: a person who represents a particular organization, group of people, activity, etc.
She was an ambassador for our company because she was really caring.
Proceeds: the amount of money received from a particular event or activity or when something
is sold:
The proceeds of today's festival will go to several local charities.
a myriad of: a very large number of something:
a myriad of choices
opposition: strong disagreement:
There is a lot of opposition to the proposed changes.
PART 3:
Is it important to teach students environmental protection at school?
50
Definitely yes. Preserving the environment is of great importance because it ensures the growth
of future generations. Therefore, I think it should be incorporated in all school curriculums. In
addition, students spend a great deal of time at school. This gives teachers various chances to
raise their students’ awareness of environmental issues.
How can people protect the environment?
There are multiple ways by which we can better protect our environment. Firstly, we can adopt
a green lifestyle by using environmentally friendly products to reduce toxic waste
accumulation. In addition, wildlife is greatly endangered due to illegal hunting. For example,
numerous rhinos have been killed for their horns because of a false belief that they can cure
diseases. This problem can be tackled through education and speaking up to prevent such
actions.
What is the importance of environmental education?
In order to pursue sustainable development goals, we must educate students about the
environment. This helps raise young people’s awareness of worldwide issues that affect
humankind, such as global warming or ecological imbalance. When the connection between
human actions and the environment are well understood, students will become more mindful in
their everyday decisions. For example, they will consume more green products or promote a
green lifestyle. This not only contributes to a cleaner environment but also eventually benefits
our society and the future generations’ wellbeing.
Do you think it is necessary to make environmental protection as a subject?
Absolutely. Making environmental protection a compulsory subject means emphasizing the
importance of sustainability and showing students that we care about the wellbeing of our
children and grandchildren. This will definitely have a strong influence on the young
generation as they may be inclined to conserve the environment if it is deemed important.
28. Describe a language you want to learn (not English)
You should say:
- What it is
- How you would learn it and where you would learn it
- And why you want to learn the language
(What it is)
I’ve always been eager to learn French. It is spoken as a first language in France; the Canadian
provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick; and other francophone regions like
Belgium, western Switzerland, Monaco, parts of the United States, and various communities
elsewhere. French has a long history as an international language of literature and science and
51
is a primary language for many international organizations including the United Nations, the
European Union, and NATO.
(How you would learn it and where you would learn it)
I would take a 6-month language course at a local university, which would hopefully give me a
good grip on the basics of the language. After that, I will take advantage of online resources
to further enhance my skills. Besides, I will hopefully also find some friends from the language
course who could help me to practice the language even after the course is over. These are my
plans to master the language, but I am sure that over the course of time, I will be able to devise
more intuitive ways of becoming proficient at the language as well.
(And why you want to learn the language)
On the one hand, I am really into the idea of travelling to France because it boasts a diverse
range of literature, architecture, fashion, and cooking. A strong command of French will equip
me with the necessary linguistic capacity to engage with native speakers. Plus, I have seen a lot
of interesting French movies, which is another compelling reason to learn their language.
Unsurprisingly, France is world-renowned for its romanticism.
PART 3: LANGUAGE
What are the difficulties of learning a new language?
(Give a direct answer to the question) Well, there are different challenges for different people
and for different languages. (Explain your reason or reasons) For the language itself, grammar
may baffle many learners, while others can’s pick up the pronunciation and struggle to
memorize vocabulary. (Give an example (often a personal example)) For example, there are
languages with totally different phonologies, and people who are not used to tones will even
lose heart. Alphabets can be challenging, especially the complicated ones like Kanji or
Tibetan. (Explain the opposite or alternative) Besides, other obstacles like the lack of time and
resources generally present themselves during the learning process.
What can people do to learn a second language?
(Give a direct answer to the question) There are many approaches and methods for people of
different levels (Explain your reason or reasons) Beginner learners should decide on a simple,
attainable goal to start with so that you don’t feel overwhelmed, like picking up 50 words of a
language and start using them on people on a daily basis. After then, learners should dive
deeper into effective methods and materials, which suit their linguistic ability and learning
styles. (Explain the opposite or alternative) Personally, learning a language also requires one
to immerse himself in the language and apply it in real life to get the best results.
What’s the best way to learn a new language?
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(Give a direct answer to the question) Well, the answer varies from person to person.
(Explain your reason or reasons) For me, the best way is repetition. Starting with basic
sentences and grammar would be a good base. Afterwards, try to expose yourself to the
language according to your hobbies and interests. (Give an example (often a personal
example)) Watching movies with subtitles, reading books on your favorite topics or listening to
music are classic examples. In my case, I’m interested in history and my favorite show is
Friends, so I searched for a Spanish podcast and am currently watching season 5 with Spanish
subtitles.
Is it popular to learn English in your country?
(Give a direct answer to the question) Yes, undoubtedly. (Explain your reason or reasons)
As a matter of fact, millions of Vietnamese people, irrespective of age, are engaged in the
learning of this language, which is made easier through advanced technology and the
interaction with foreign visitors. (Give an example (often a personal example)) People in my
country learn English out of academic, diplomatic, commercial or other practical
considerations because it is the preferred language when communicating with most foreigners.
Vocabulary:
baffle [v]: to cause someone to be completely unable to understand or explain something: làm
lạc hướng
Eg: She was completely baffled by his strange behaviour.
phonology [ n]: the study of sounds in a particular language or in languages generally: âm vị
học
Eg: His early research established the linguistic subfield of metrical phonology.
complicated [adj]: involving a lot of different parts, in a way that is difficult to understand:
phức tạp
Eg: The rules are rather complicated to follow.
obstacle [n]: something that blocks you so that movement, going forward, or action is
prevented or made more difficult: chướng ngại
Eg: The biggest obstacle in our way was a tree trunk in the road.
attainable [adj]: possible to achieve: có thể đạt được
Eg: We must ensure that we do not set ourselves goals that are not attainable.
overwhelm [v]: to be too much to deal with: làm choáng ngợp
Eg: The number of refugees overwhelmed the relief agencies in the area.
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linguistic [adj]: connected with language or the study of language: thuộc về ngôn ngữ
Eg: I'm particularly interested in the linguistic development of young children.
repetition [n]: the act of doing or saying something again: sự lặp lại
Eg: The job involved the endless repetition of two or three simple tasks.
expose [v]: to create conditions that allow someone to have the opportunity to learn or
experience new things: tiếp xúc
Eg: Kate was exposed to new ideas when she went to college.
irrespective of [expression]: without considering; not needing to allow for: không màng đến,
không kể đến
Eg: The rules apply to everyone, irrespective of how long they have been with the company.
diplomatic [adj]: involving diplomats or the management of the relationships between
countries: ngoại giao
Eg: All diplomatic attempts at a peaceful solution to the crisis have been fruitless.
consideration [n]: a particular subject or fact that needs to be thought about when judging
something: xự xem xét
Eg: There are serious considerations to make, and they will no doubt come into contact with
our very words, feelings - and thoughts tonight.
29.Describe an intelligent person you know
You should say:
- Who is the person
- When and where you first met him/ her
- What kind of person he or she is
-And explain why you think this person is intelligent
(Who is the person)
I’m going to describe a friend of mine, Phuong Chau, who is an intelligent girl. We have been
through thick and thin for about 15 years since primary school, so we know each other inside
out. Chau is full of energy and always displays a cheerful disposition towards others, which has
endeared her to people she comes into contact with.
(When and where you first met him/ her)
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I met Chau on the very first day in primary school, and her warm gestures comforted me a great
deal. Despite her young age at that time, Chau seemed really mature and she helped me a lot during
the school years. We have maintained our friendship over a decade, and shared both successes
and hardships with each other. Practically, no words can describe the bond between us.
(What kind of person he or she is)
I found in Chau an important attribute, which distinguishes her from most of her peers. It is the
way she faced up to her scholarly setbacks with great decency and resilience. Her strenuous
efforts and unflinching belief helped her to overcome obstacles, make progress, and seek out
opportunities to succeed, which inspired many of her schoolmates. I was greatly impressed by her
efforts and tremendous progress both in academic achievement and personal growth. She treats
other with grace and always looks on the bright side of the problem, so I think positivity is one of
her most attractive traits.
(And explain why you think this person is intelligent)
I have met individuals who are extremely intelligent by society’s standards: good at mathematics,
great memory, holders of PhDs and so on and so forth. Yet, how I measure a person’s intelligence
is not by the knowledge they possess, but by the manner with which they deal with people. In
Chau, you can see her interpersonal intelligence and cooperation capacity, which help her
negotiate with patience, insight and temperance different problems both academically and
socially. She is fully aware of her own direction and determined to achieve her targets by any
means.
Vocabulary:
81. through thick and thin [expression]: If you support or stay with someone through
thick and thin, you always support or stay with them, even if there are problems
or difficulties: trải qua vui buồn cùng nhau
Eg: She has st uck wit h m e through thi ck and t hi n.
82. disposition [n]: the particular type of character that a person naturally has: tính khí
Eg: She is of a nervous/cheerful/sunny disposition.
83. comfort [v]: to make someone feel better when they are sad or worried: an ủi, làm cho
thoải mái
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Eg: The girl's mother was at home today, being comforted by relatives.
84. hardship [n]: (something that causes) difficult or unpleasant conditions of life, or an
example of this: khó khăn, gian khổ
Eg: The 1930s were a time of high unemployment and economic hardship.
85. resilience [n]: the ability to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad
has happened: sự kiên cường
Eg: Trauma researchers emphasize the resilience of the human psyche.
86. strenuous [adj]: needing or using a lot of physical or mental effort or energy: hăng hái
Eg: Strenuous efforts were made throughout the war to disguise the scale of civilian
casualties.
87. positivity [n]: the quality of having a positive attitude: sự lạc quan
Eg: I'm a great believer in positivity.
88. negotiate [v]: to deal with something difficult: giải quyết vấn đề
Eg: The company's had some tricky problems to negotiate in its first year in
business.
89. insight [n]: (the ability to have) a clear, deep, and sometimes sudden understanding of a
complicated problem or situation: sự sâu sắc
Eg: It was an interesting book, full of fascinating insights into human relationships.
90. by any means [expression]: at any costs: bằng bất cứ giá nào
Eg: We need to court that big investor by any means, so shameless flattery is a fine place
to start.
30. Describe a book you have read recently
You should say:
- what it is
- who wrote the book
- what the book is about
- and explain how you felt about it
(what it is) Reading books has been a hobby since I was in grade 7, and since then, the I’ve
read 70-plus books. The last book I read was My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of
Israel by Ari Shavit. Many literary critics have complimented the book on its enormous
amount of information about the history of modern Israel from its very first days.
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(who wrote the book) The author of this book, Ari Shavit, is a journalist and a writer based in
Israel. Another notable book of his is On Gaza Beach. Shavit was born in Rehovot, Israel, and
his father was a scientist and his mother was an artist. Some of his ancestors were early
leading Zionists, and he provides in-depth information about them in the book.
(what the book is about) In accordance with the title, the book is mainly about Israel’s
history. Shavit covers the activities of Theodor Herzl, a Jewish journalist who gave birth to
Zionism, and how he and other Zionists, including Shavit’s ancestors, instigated campaigns to
re-establish the Land of Israel. This was a national movement of the Jewish people to reestablish a Jewish homeland in the historic territory of the Land of Israel.
(and explain how you felt about it) I agree with critics who say that there is an enormous
amount of information in the book. In fact, it took me more than 3 weeks to finish the book, as
it was too long and made me rack my brain at some points to compare what I’d read with
other information I’d previously read. The book gave me a chance to broaden my knowledge
about Israel, its history, and its citizens.
1. Critic (n): nhà phê bình.
Example: The play has been well received by the critics.
Vở kịch được các nhà phê bình nhận xét rất tốt.
2. To compliment (v): khen ngợi
Example: I was just complimenting Robert on his wonderful food.
Tôi khen Robert vì anh ấy nấu ăn khá ngon.
3. Notable (adj): đáng chú ý.
Example: Getting both sides to agree was a notable achievement.
Sự thỏa thuận giữa 2 bên là một thành tựu đáng chú ý.
4. Ancestor (n): tổ tiên.
Example: There were portraits of his ancestors on the walls of the room.
Có một số hình chân dung của tổ tiên nhà anh ấy trên tường trong phòng.
5. In-depth (adj/adv): sâu
Example: an in-depth report/interview/analysis
Một khảo sát/báo cáo/phân tích sâu.
6. In accordance with (phrase): tương ứng với.
Example: In accordance with her wishes, she was buried in France.
Tương ứng với ước nguyện của cô ấy, thi hài của cô ấy được chôn ở Pháp.
7. To give birth to something (v): sinh ra một cái gì đó.
Example: She gave birth to twins.
Cô ấy sinh ra một cặp song sinh.
8. To instigate (v): bắt đầu một chuỗi sự kiện gì đó để đạt mục đích nào đó.
Example: The government will instigate new measures to combat terrorism.
Chính phủ sẽ bắt đầu có một loại biện pháp mới để chống lại khủng bố.
9. To rack someone’s brain (phrase): suy nghĩ rất kĩ.
Example: I've been racking my brains all day but I can't remember her name.
Tôi suy nghĩ rất nhiều cả ngày nhưng mãi cũng không nhớ được tên cô ta.
PART 3: READING
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Do you think parents should continue reading?
(Give a direct answer to the question) Of course, not only parents but everybody should
maintain reading habits (Explain your reason or reasons) Parents as adults read to keep
themselves updated and accumulate knowledge, thus being a role model for their kids (Give an
example (often a personal example)) For example, a mother who read books on a daily basis
would probably nurture the love for books in her daughter. (Explain the opposite or
alternative) Understandably, an enormous workload may sometimes deter adults’ enthusiasm
for such a time-demanding activity like reading books.
In your country, who would ask children to read, schools or parents?
(Give a direct answer to the question) Normally, it is the parents’ responsibility to encourage
their children to fall into the reading habit. (Explain your reason or reasons) The daily
interaction with kids enables parents to influence them more profoundly. (Give an example
(often a personal example)) At school, reading more academic books is strongly required, so
that students could have a better grasp of subjects. (Explain the opposite or alternative) Yet,
reading in my nation has been seemingly out of the child’s willingness and curiosity to learn
about things, rather than parental incentive.
Do you prefer paper books or E-books?
(Give a direct answer to the question) Well, I would say paper books, without hesitation
(Explain your reason or reasons) To me, the satisfaction derived from finishing the last page
of a book is much more rewarding. (Explain the opposite or alternative) Sometimes, I would
read online books to save money, but as a last resort. The sheer feeling of having a new book
and adding it to your own bookshelf is irreplaceable for genuine book lovers.
Do you think printed books will continue to exist?
(Give a direct answer to the question) I believe the prospect of books disappearing is very
unlikely (Explain your reason or reasons) E-books are getting more popular each year but
they will never replace regular books completely. Some people will always want to hold and
have a physical book that they can read through and share with others. (Explain the opposite or
alternative) Possibly, some forms of digital media will supplant books as a delivery method for
information and eventually the printing and publishing of hardbound books will be a niche
industry.
What kind of books do children read?
(Give a direct answer to the question) As kids begin to read books on their own, they will
develop a preference for stories of different genres. Many children like to read books involving
adventure, mystery or fantasy. Many tweens and teens also enjoy realistic fiction, that is stories
where the protagonist must deal with hard issues, such as divorce and peer pressure. (Explain
the opposite or alternative) Older children may also enjoy reading informative books about
different animals, vehicles or sports that interest them.
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Vocabulary:
accumulate [v]: to collect a large number of things over a long period of time: thu thập, tích lũy
Eg: As people accumulate more wealth, they tend to spend a greater proportion of their
income.
nurture [v]: to help a plan or a person to develop and be successful: nuôi dưỡng
Eg: As a record company executive, his job is to nurture young talent.
deter [v]: to prevent someone from doing something or to make someone less enthusiastic
about doing something by making it difficult for that person to do it or by threatening bad
results if they do it: cản trở, làm nản lòng
Eg: High prices are deterring many young people from buying houses.
fall into a habit [expression]: to gradually get into a habit: nhiễm, quen với một thói quen
Eg: Phong falls into the habit of staying up late.
have a good grasp of [expression]: to have a firm, clear understanding or determination of
something: nắm vững
Eg: I thought I had a pretty good grasp of English idioms, but I don't understand this one at all.
without hesitation [expression]: If you say that someone does something without hesitation,
you are emphasizing that they do it immediately and willingly: không chần chừ
Eg: He took the offer without hesitation.
rewarding [adj]: giving a reward, especially by making you feel satisfied that you have done
something important or useful, or done something well: xứng đáng
Eg: Textbook writing can be an intellectually and financially rewarding activity.
irreplaceable [adj]: too special, unusual, or valuable to replace with something or someone else:
không thể thay thế
Eg: Most of the porcelain you see in the display cabinets is irreplaceable.
prospect [n]: the idea of something that will or might happen in the future: viễn cảnh
Eg: The prospect of spending three whole days with her fills me with horror.
hardbound [adj]: of a book: having a stiff or hard cover: được đóng bìa dày
Eg: Minh has a collection of over fifty hardbound books.
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preference [n]: the fact that you like something or someone more than another thing or person:
sự yêu thích hơn
Eg: Her preference is for comfortable rather than stylish clothes.
protagonist [n]: one of the main characters in a story or a play: nhân vật chính
Eg: In the instructions given to the child, the two protagonists of the films were first
introduced.
31. Describe a complaint you made and you were satisfied with the result.
You should say:
When it happened
Who you complained to
What you complained about
Why you were satisfied with the result
(When it happened) As a student who lives far away from home, I am left with no choice but
staying with others in the university’s dorm. However, at first, it was not easy for me to get on
well with my roommates as I am quite obsessed with hygiene, while others are quite messy.
As I was the youngest person in the room, others kept patronising me and made me do all the
household chores. Hardly had I found myself being mentally and physically bullied for only a
short time before when I started to find my voice. This happened exactly one year ago.
(Who you complained to) It was one of my roommates who was a senior of the University of
Science that condescended to me as well as lazy the most yet was the laziest among us all. He
was a couch potato who could spend a whole day keeping his eyes glued to a screen to play
games and never got rid of his wastegarbage, which caused the room to be so untidy and made
me raise my voice.
(What you complained about) Hardly had II had just caught him littering inside the room in
broad daylight when I started to complain. Respectfully, I told him that, while others strived to
keep the room clean as we did not have much time to clean the room every single day, he made
all our efforts go to waste. Also, another roommate accused him of using his personal stuff
without permission.
(Why you were satisfied with the result) On hearing our complaints, he gave us an apology and
promised to change himself and give others a hand with household chores. At first, I doubted
his words, so but it came as a surprise that he shut down his laptop, picked up the broom and
promptly swept the floor promptly. Since then, he has tried to stick to the cleaning schedule
that we set outup on our first days of staying with each other.
1. Hygiene (n): vệ sinh.
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Example: Poor standards of hygiene mean that the disease spreads fast.
Tiêu chuẩn vệ sinh thấp đồng nghĩa với việc căn bệnh lan nhanh hơn.
2. To patronise = to condescend (v): nói/đối xử kiểu bề trên.
Example: Stop patronizing me - I understand the play as well as you do.
Dừng kiểu đối xử bề trên với tôi đi – tôi có thể hiểu vở kịch tốt như bạn thôi.
He treats his players fairly and never condescends to them.
Anh ấy đối xử với những người trong team của anh ấy một cách bình đẳng và không bao giờ
giở giọng bề trên với họ.
3. To find someone’s voice (phrase): sẵn sàng nói.
Example: Witnesses often find their voices when they hear a reward has been offered.
Những người chứng kiến thường sẵn sằng nói khi họ nghe sẽ có thưởng.
4. A couch potato (idiom): người lười biếng, coi TV rất nhiều.
Example: A person who lives a sedentary lifestyle may colloquially be known as a couch
potato.
Một người có có lối sống nhàm chán, thụ động hay ở nhà có thể được gọi một cách thông tục là
couch potato.
5. Raise someone’s voice (phrase): nói ra ý kiến của mình.
Example: Voices were raised in protest at the proposed changes.
Những ý kiến đã được cất lên trong cuộc biểu tình đối đầu với lại những thay đổi được đưa ra.
6. To go to waste (idiom): mất hết/bị bác bỏ.
Example: So much effort and talent will go to waste if we are forced to drop the film.
Rất nhiều cố gắng và tài năng sẽ bị mất nếu chúng ta bị buộc phải bỏ cuốn phim.
7. To come as a/no surprise (idiom): gây bất ngờ/không gây bớt ngờ.
If you didn't study for that test at all, your failing grade should come as no surprise.
Nếu bạn không học bài, thì việc thi rớt sẽ không bất ngờ xíu nào.
32. Describe a time when you borrowed something from your family or a friend.
You should describe
- What you borrowed
- Who you borrowed it from
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-
What you borrowed it for
And explain why it was useful to you
Answer:
To be honest, I can recall many occasions when I had to borrow important things from someone
else. I’ll talk about when my father lent me 2 million VND (what you borrowed). First, I asked
my mother for the loan, but she was on a tight budget. Therefore, I ended up borrowing from my
father, who gave me the money as if money was no object (who you borrowed it from). After
finishing the National Exams, myself and another friend planned to run a business, which was to
sell milk tea. I remember that, last year, I convinced by my friend who came up with the idea of
making milk tea to save money for our trip to Singapore. We were struggling with the stall in the
beginning. Each day, the store continued on track, and we gradually earned a profit. Within a
month, I was able to return the money that I borrowed from my father. The moment he received
the money from me, he seemed a bit surprised. I explained to him how we earned it. He told me
that he was quite astonished that our little stall eventually saw the light of success. (what you
borrowed it for).
I was over the moon to tell him how we worked together to make it a success. I also showed my
gratitude and mentioned that, if not for his money, I could not have had the chance to fulfill my
dream, which was traveling to Singapore. Numerous other times, I borrowed books, laptops,
music players, money, CDs, and so on from my friends and relatives. But the 2 million VND that
I borrowed from my father was quite memorable, and I am lucky that I decided to borrow it from
my father for a good reason. (and explain why it was useful to you)
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Recall (verb): Gợi nhớ.
Example: Do you recall the old days that were together?
2. On a tight budget (expression): Tiết kiệm, thắt chặt chi tiêu.
Example: He is on a tight budget, don’t ask him to hang out with us.
3. Money was no object (Idiom): Tiền bạc không là vấn đề.
Example: She goes shopping every week as if money is no object.
4. Run a business (phrase): Khởi nghiệp, bắt đầu kinh doanh.
Example: They started to run a small business 2 months ago.
5. Struggle with something (phrase): Gặp trục trặc, khó khăn với cái gì đó.
Example: He’s struggling with his homework.
6. On track (expression): Ổn định.
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Example: Everything was on track until we came into a conflict.
7. Gain profit (expression): Có lợi nhuận.
Example: The company started to gain profit after many failures.
8. See the light of success (expression): Thành công
Example: Having failed for several times, he finally saw the light of success.
9. Over the moon (idiom): Hạnh phúc.
Example: I was over the moon when I heard your news.
10. Memorable (adjective): Đáng nhớ.
Example: The exchange trip was such a memorial experience in my life.
PART 3:
1. What will you do if people do not return the money they borrow from you?
If the amount of money is not too big and the person is underprivileged, I will not ask for a
return anyway. However, I will definitely keep asking for the return and bothering him if the
amount of money is large. If that person does not seem to want to return the money, I will have
to confide in the police.
2. Why are people embarrassed when they borrow money from others?
People feel embarrassed when borrowing money due to some reasons. First, they feel that their
financial situation is not as good as others, as a result, the thought of being at a lower level
arises. Second, it can be hard for them to ensure when they can return the money, which is
another reason why borrowing money may make them feel not comfortable.
3. What do you think of the sharing economy?
I believe that although the sharing economy seems to be working now in the age of technology.
However, it is expected that “the gig economy” is going to overtake sharing economy as it is
believed to be more sufficient and effective in meeting the demands of customers and raising
living standards.
4. Why do some people like to borrow things instead of buying them?
People prefer to borrowing to buying as they believe that the things that they would like to
borrow will not be necessary all the time and it is a waste of money to buy them. For example,
if one only needs to use a laptop once or twice a month, it is not worth spending a small
fortune buying a laptop.
1. Underprivileged (adj): kém may mắn (về mặt tài chính)
Example: Children from an
underprivileged family background are statistically more likely to become involved in crime.
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Trẻ con trong những gia đình kém may mắn, theo thống kê, thường dễ rơi vào con đường tội
phạm hơn.
2. To confide in (phrasal verb): tin tưởng.
Example: She's nice, but I don't feel I can confide in her.
Cô ấy tốt thật, nhưng tôi không nghĩ mình nên tin tưởng cô ấy.
3. To arise (verb): nổi lên.
Example: When a thought arises in the mind, it is not easy to get rid of it.
Khi một suy nghĩ rôi lên trong đầu, nó không dễ để bị gạt bỏ.
4. Sufficient (adj): đủ
Example: This recipe should be sufficient for five people.
Công thức nấu ăn này sẽ đủ phần 5 người.
5. To spend a small fortune (idiom): trả nhiều tiền.
Example: You'll have to spend a small fortune in legal fees if
you decide to sue for compensation.
Bạn phải trả nhiều tiền cho lệ phí nếu bạn quyết định đòi tiền bồi thường.
33.Describe a game that you played in your childhood.
You should say:
What the game is
When you played it
Who you played with
How you feel about the game
(What the game is) My childhood imprinted my memory with so much to remember.
However, what makes me miss my childhood most is the fashion game that my cousin, her
friends and I took part in every weekend. Well, we transformed my cousin’s house into a stage
with a curtain and a red carpet, seemingly in vain as the stage turned out a mess all the time.
Also, it was sheets and blankets that were an ideal alternative to glowing evening gowns.
(When you played it) We held a “fashion show” most Sundays after church and breakfast.
During my childhood, a fashion show organized by Aquafina was aired every Sunday on TV,
which was a source of inspiration and incentives for us to hold a model show. Also, the
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fashion shows resulted, more than anything, from the fact that we were all obsessed with
decorating and designing clothes for our dolls.
(Who you played with) As I’ve mentioned previously, I played the game with my cousins and
her friends. We changed our roles each show, with one being the first face to turn up and
another one being the vedette who would bring the show to a close. These two persons played
the most important roles in the show, and apparently, they would be the most resplendent
ones.
(How you feel about the game) Until nowEven today, I sometimes think about the shows that
we held in the past, and whenever the shows spring my mind, I just split my sides. I feel that I
was born in the most beautiful time as we still had to struggle to get by, to some extent, and
rack our brain to find a way to entertain ourselves, which made our games even more
meaningful. Mean while, most children nowadays who keep their eyes glued to smartphone
screens all the time.
1. To imprint someone’s memory with little/much to remember: làm cho ai nhớ/không nhớ
nhiều.
Example: The period of time that I did volunteer work in Africa imprinted me with a lot to
remember.
Khoảng thời gian tôi làm tình nguyện ở Châu Phi làm cho tôi nhớ về nó rất nhiều.
2. In vain (adv): không thành công, rất khó khăn.
Example: I tried in vain to start a conversation.
Tôi rất cố gắng để bắt đầu câu chuyện nhưng không thể.
3. To turn out (phrasal verb): trở nên, thành ra.
Example: The truth turned out to be stranger than we had expected.
Sự thật thành ra lạ lùng hơn là chúng tôi nghĩ.
4. Air (v): phát sóng.
Example: The interview with the president will air tomorrow morning.
Cuộc phỏng vấn với tổng thống sẽ được phát sóng vào sáng mai.
5. A source of inspiration (phrase): nguồn cảm hứng.
Example: Asia is a source of inspiration to her.
Châu Á là một nguồn cảm hứng của cô ấy.
6. To bring something to a close (phrase): kết thúc.
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Example: The chairperson brought the meeting to a close.
Chủ tịch là người đã kết thúc cuộc họp.
7. Resplendent (adj): rực rỡ.
Example: I saw Anna at the other end of the room, resplendent in a red dress.
Tôi thấy Anna ở phía cuối phòng, cô ấy rực rỡ trong chiếc đầm màu đỏ.
8. To split someone’s sides (idiom): cười bể bụng.
Example: Your jokes are perfect for your speech tonight. You'll have them splitting their
sides!
Những bản tấu hài của bạn sẽ hoàn hảo cho buổi tối hôm nay. Bạn sẽ làm mọi người cười bể
bụng.
9. To rack someone’s brain (phrase): suy nghĩ rất kĩ.
Example: I've been racking my brains all day but I can't remember her name.
Tôi suy nghĩ rất nhiều cả ngày nhưng mãi cũng không nhớ được tên cô ta.
10. To get by (phrasal verb): sống nghèo khó.
Example: How can he get by on so little money?
Làm sao anh ấy có thể sống với quá ít tiền?
11. To spring someone’s mind (idiom): đập vào đầu ai đó.
Example: Say the word "Australia" and
a vision of beaches and blue seas immediately springs to mind.
Mỗi khi ai đó nói về Australia là hình ảnh của biển và đại dương xanh lại đập vô đầu tôi.
34. Describe an important plant in your country
You should say:
What the plant is
Where and how it is grown
Why you like or dislike it
And explain why it is important to your country.
Answer:
I will tell you about the paddy or rice plant, which is one of the main agricultural plants in our
country. Ever since I was in elementary school, the rice plant has appeared in many aspects of
my life. (What the plant is)
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The farmers of our country cultivate it, and it is grown in most places in Vietnam. The rice
plant can be spotted all across the countryside around Vietnam. If you go to the countryside
when the paddy is in season, you will find this plant dancing with the wind.
The paddy plant is a thin, medium side plant, and its leaves and body are green. Usually, the
rice seed is green at the beginning and becomes yellow when it is ripe. It takes up to 6 month to
grow a rice plant from seeds to mature plants, depending on the variety and environmental
conditions. The ideal environment for rice is in fertile land with a good supply of water and
sunlight. (Where and how it is grown)
It is undoubtable that Vietnamese people are still dependent on the cultivation of rice to earn
their living. In fact, Vietnam has become one of the forerunners in exporting rice, which is
proof of its relevance to my country. Rice plays an indispensable role in our daily meals, and
children get used to eating rice from an early age. If there were no rice in a meal, the old
generation would feel like a fish out of water.
Over thousands of years, the rice plant has played a really important role in Vietnamese culture,
and many traditions and ceremonies originate from farmers’ hopes for an abundant crop. I think
that the rice plant symbolizes the perseverant, hard-working personalities of Vietnamese
people. (Why you like or dislike it and explain why it is important to your country).
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Agricultural (adjective): Liên quan đến việc trồng trọt.
VD: Vietnam has long been consider an agricultural country.
2. Elementary (noun): Lớp 1-7.
VD: My son is going to elementary school this month.
3. Spotted (verb): Tìm ra, thấy.
VD: I spotted a nice place for the concert.
4. The cultivation of rice (expression): Qúa trình phát triển và trồng gạo.
VD: The cultivation of rice usually occurs in summer.
5. Earn their livings (expression): Chi trả phí sinh hoạt.
VD: I have to find a part-time job or I won’t be able to earn my livings
6. Solid proof (expression): Chứng minh cho một cái gì đó là đúng.
VD: Skyscrapers is considered a solid proof for developed countries.
7. Indispensable (adjective): Không thể tách rời.
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VD: Technology plays an indispensable part of our life.
8. Get used to something (phrase): Làm quen với cái gì đó.
VD: You should get used to waking up early or you’ll miss the bus.
9. A fish out of water (idiom): Cảm thấy lạ lẫm, không thoải mái.
VD: You makes me feel like a fish out of water.
10. Abundant crop (expression): Mùa vụ dồi dào.
VD: We usually organize a ceremony for an abundant crop.
PẢRT 3:
1. What is the main plant in your country?
Sitting in a tropical climate, Vietnam, like other Southeast Asian countries, is famous for its
rice. Therefore, the main type of plant is rice, apparently. Each year, we export trillions of
tonnes of rice to other countries and we usually rank in the top 3 countries that export the most
rice.
2. How do schools teach students to grow plants?
Students are taught to grow plants, normally bean sprouts, as soon as they reach grade 3. The
teacher will give instructions and illustrate the process in real life. The students, when going
home, are required to grow bean sprouts and describe their development process.
3. Do old people grow plants?
Of course, a majority of old people love growing plants. I think that as they have already
retired, they should take up a new hobby to replace the time that was formerly used to work to
relax. Most of them would choose gardening, including my grandparents.
4. Do people in your country like growing plants at home?
I think so. As the size of an average house in Vietnam is quite large, therefore, there is
sufficient room for a garden. Most Vietnamese people make use of the extra room to do the
gardening and groworganic vegetables. Our family, apart from our main business, does the
gardening and harvests organic fruits and vegetables and distributes them to our relatives.
1. Sit in (phrasal verb) = located on : nằm trong.
Example: Sitting in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia alone has nearly 130 active volcanoes.
Nằm trên vành đai lửa Thái Bình Dương, một mình Indonesia có đến 130 núi lửa vẫn còn hoạt
động.
2. To take up a hobby (phrase): bắt đầu có sở thích.
Example: Why don’t you take up a new hobby?
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Sao bạn không bắt đầu một sở thích mới đi?
3. Room (n): chỗ.
Example: That sofa would take up too much room in the flat.
Cái sofa đó sẽ chiếm khá nhiều chỗ của căn hộ.
4. To make use of (phrase): tận dụng.
Example: We might as well make use of the hotel's facilities.
Chúng ta có thể tận dụng trang thiết bị của khách sạn.
5. To do the gardening (phrase): làm vườn.
Example: It’s my husband who does the gardening.
Chồng tôi là người làm vườn.
35. Describe a party that you went to
You should say:
When it took place
Where it was
Whose party it was
What you did there
How you felt about the party
(When it took place)
Today, I’m going to share with you my story about a particular party I went to recently.
Honestly, being an extrovert and outgoing person, I’m really into special occasions with a lot
of people. So, last month, when I was invited to the 18th birthday party of Jolie, one of my best
friends, I accepted her kind invitation straight away.
(Where it was)
On that evening, I dressed up in my best party clothes and joined a group of my friends to travel
to the party venue on Vung Tau Beach, which is about 20 km from my house. To be honest, I
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was strongly impressed by the stunning decorations for the party, with a lot of sparkling LED
lights and hanging balloons.
(What you did there)
After giving birthday presents and singing a birthday song for her, we helped ourselves to a
great BBQ of fresh seafood and drank delicious cocktails. Following this, we decided to do some
fun things, such as singing, dancing, playing UNO cards and we finished off the evening with a
stroll along the seashore to relax.
(How you felt about the party)
It was a memorable evening for me as until that time I’d never been to a party on the beach. The
laid-back atmosphere and sharing a fun time in the company of close friends were the things I
remember most. I hope to enjoy more and more parties like that and even have my own.
Vocabulary:

extrovert (adjective): lively and confident, and enjoying being with other people
Eg: She’s an extrovert, and she’s always the centre of attention at parties.

outgoing (adjective): liking to meet other people, enjoying their company and being
friendly towards them
Eg: Our tour guide was really outgoing,
always joking and chatting to us throughout the journey.

be into sth (expression): to be interested in something in an active way Eg: When I was
a child, I was really into stamp collecting.

stunning (adjective): very impressive and remarkable
Hollywood films these days have some stunning special effects.
Eg: Most

sparkling (adjective): shining brightly
sparkling eyes and a friendly smile.
Eg: Jolie has

help yourself to sth (expression): to take something without waiting to be invited to take
it
Eg: We helped ourselves to the
delicious barbecued fish prepared by our host.

dress up (phrasal verb): to wear clothes that are smarter than those you usually wear
Eg: I dressed up in my best suit and a new shirt and tie for the interview.
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
finish sth off (phrasal verb): to do the last part of something; to make something end by
doing one last thing
Eg: The Olympic Games finished off
with a spectacular final ceremony.

laid-back (adjective): relaxed and informal
Eg: The manager
who interviewed me was very laid-back, and so I did not feel too nervous.
36. Describe an activity you do when you are alone in your free time
You should say:
- what you do
- how often you do it
- and explain why you like to do this activity
(what you do) What I like to do in my free time when I am alone is reading. I have had this
hobby since grade 7 in 2013. From then on, I spent a lot of money on my hobby, and I’ve read
more than 70 books, which means that I read 10 books a year on average.
(how often I do it) Since I do so many extracurricular activities in hopes of sharpening my
skills, as well as putting what I’ve learned from reading into practice, I hardly have time to
read regularly. But normally, I try to read at least 15 minutes every night before going to bed. I
also spend every Sunday afternoon reading. I believe that self-help books can really help my
life and studies, so I often read self-help books to make me a better person, although they are
not as fun to read as fiction.
(why I like to do this activity) There are two main reasons I like reading. First, books pave
the way to success if used correctly. By reading books, my knowledge is always on the rise,
which I believe will help me pursue excellence. Second, I find books especially helpful
whenever I am down in the dumps. When I’m engrossed in books, which are a great source
of inspiration and motivation, I can easily get out of stress and negative attitudes.
1. To allocate (n): dành ra
Example: The government is allocating £10 million for health education.
Chính phủ sẽ dành ra 10 triệu Bảng Anh cho giáo dục y tế.
2. On average (phrase): trung bình
Example: On average, people who don't smoke are healthier than people who do.
Nhìn về mặt trung bình, những người không hút thuốc sẽ khỏe mạnh hơn những người hút
thuốc.
3. In hopes of something (phrase): với ước vọng gì đó.
Example: Police are carrying out house-to-house enquiries in the hope of finding
the missing girl.
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Cảnh sát đang điều tra từng nhà với hi vọng sẽ tìm ra cô gái bị mất tích
4. To put something into practice/action (phrase): đưa cái gì đó vào hiện thực.
Example: Our plans aren’t quite ready to be put into action.
Các kế hoạch của chúng tôi chưa sẵn sàng để được đưa vào hiện thực.
5. To be of assistance (phrase) = help someone: giúp đỡ
Example: Can I be of assistance?
Tôi có thể giúp đỡ được gì không?
6. Strive (v): cố gắng rất nhiều để đạt được cái gì đó.
We strive to be accurate, but some mistakes are inevitable.
Chúng tôt rất cố gắng để chính xác, nhưng mà lỗi sai thì đương nhiên không thể tránh được.
7. To pave the way for/to something (phrase): dẫn đường tới cái gì đó.
Scientists hope that data from the probe will pave the way for a
more detailed exploration of Mars.
Các nhà khoa khọc hi vọng rằng dữ liệu từ cuộc thăm dò sẽ dẫn đến sự hiểu biết chi tiết hơn về
Sao Hỏa.
8. To be on the rise (phrase): tăng
Police say that youth crime is on the rise again.
Cảnh sát cho rằng trẻ em vướng vào tội phạm đang tăng trở lại.
9. To be down in the dumps (idiom): buồn
She's a bit down in the dumps because she failed one of her exams.
Cô ấy khá buồn vì bị rớt một môn trong kì thi.
10. To be engrossed by/in something: say mê vào cái gì đó.
She was so engrossed by/in the book that she forgot the cookies in the oven.
Cô ấy quá say mê với cuốn sách mà quên luôn mấy cái bánh đang nước trong lò.
PART 3: FLEXIBLE WORK TIME
What are the advantages and disadvantages of flexible work time?
(Give a direct answer to the question) Intended to attract better talent and motivate
employees, flexitime has both advantages and disadvantages. (Explain your reason or
reasons) On the one hand, if employees are entitled to a flexible work schedule, they are able to
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maintain a better work/life balance. (Give an example (often a personal example)) Whether it
means attending their child’s parent-teacher conferences, picking them up from school, or
taking up yoga on Thursday afternoons, it’s no secret that having a little extra time in your
working week for yourself and your family makes a mountain of difference. (Explain your
reason or reasons) On the other hand, employees who thrive in an office environment may
find it difficult to work when his colleagues don't hold the same schedule. (Give an example
(often a personal example)) In team-oriented departments, it may be nearly impossible to
implement flexible working schedules as teams must meet almost daily.
How do you usually spend your free time?
(Give a direct answer to the question) Well, I do quite a lot of sport actually. Whenever my
free time is available, I go swimming to relieve myself from the pressure of work and study.
(Explain your reason or reasons) You probably know that swimming is one of the healthiest
sports because it strengthens all of the muscles equally. I also cycle to work when I can, as a
way to stay lean. Apart from that, I used to do a lot of reading and photography. (Explain the
opposite or alternative) Unfortunately, at the moment, the workload I shoulder is highly
demanding, so quality free time is quite an unfamiliar term for me.
Do young people in your country work longer hours now than in the past?
(Give a direct answer to the question) Yes, the case is probably so for most young adults
nowadays. (Explain your reason or reasons) With employment opportunities for young people
still thin on the ground, employees might be tempted to make themselves available 24/7. In a
society where people whose careers have achieved resounding success are treated with respect
and appreciation, if not reverence, young adults have no choice but overwork. (Give an
example (often a personal example)) Apart from the standard working hours, they are
constantly connected to work through their smartphones and digital devices. (Explain the
opposite or alternative) Yet, extra desk time doesn’t necessarily translate to better
productivity. Adecent work ethic actually comes from a genuine passion for the job.
Vocabulary:
motivate [v]: to make someone want to do something well: động viên
Eg: Teaching is all about motivating people to learn.
thrive [v]: to grow, develop, or be successful: phát triển
Eg: By serving and creating a healthy-whole community, the businesses would naturally
thrive.
colleague [n]: one of a group of people who work together: đồng nghiệp
Eg: We're having a small drinks party for one of our colleagues who's leaving next week.
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implement [v]: to start using a plan or system: thi hành
Eg: Local councils will be given some leeway as to how they implement the legislation.
relieve [v]: to make an unpleasant feeling, such as pain or worry, less strong: xoa dịu
Eg: Rubbing dock leaves on nettle stings helps to relieve the pain.
muscle [n]: one of many tissues in the body that can tighten and relax to produce movement: cơ
Eg: These exercises build muscle and increase stamina.
stay lean [expression]: stay healthy and fit: cân đối, khỏe mạnh
Eg: Staying lean is a challenge for office employees.
demanding [adj]: needing a lot of time, attention, or energy: đòi hỏi cao
Eg: The last part of a piece of music is often more technically demanding than the rest.
thin on the ground [expression]: to exist only in small numbers or amounts: ít
Eg: Traditional bookshops are thin on the ground these days.
resounding [adj]: very great: xuất sắc, vang dội
Eg: The plan was a resounding success.
productivity [n]: the rate at which a company or country makes goods, usually judged in
connection with the number of people and the amount of materials necessary to produce the
goods: năng suất
Eg: Studies show that if a working environment is pleasant, productivity increases.
work ethic [n]: a belief that hard work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent
ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities: đạo đức nghề nghiệp
Eg: When interviewing prospective employees and doing reference checks, I exert great effort
to find out about their past work ethics.
37. Describe a sport that you like to watch and want to try for the first time. You should
say:
What sport it is
Where and when you first watched it
Who you watched it with
Explain why you like it.
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(What sport it is) Tennis used to be regarded as a sport for the wealthy and aristocratic individuals
in Europe, especially in the U.K., where a tournament called The Championships originated. It is
the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, held annually in Wimbledon,
London. However, as the costs of becoming involved with tennis have come down, the sport has
become more accessible to and increasingly popular with the general public.
(Where and when you first watched it) It just so happens that the first tennis tournament I
watched was The Championships in 2012, when I was a grade-7 boy who had no clue what he was
watching on TV. It is my cousin who made the rules clear to me, which helped me work out how
the match was played and led me to fall in love with the sport. In the Wimbledon tournament, all
of the competitors are required to wear white outfits and there are no billboards or banners around
the courts. The Brits call the type of tennis played on grass “lawn tennis” and The Championships,
a grass tournament, is held it high national esteem.
(Who you watched it with) As mentioned previously, I first watched tennis with my cousin, who
laid the foundation for my love for tennis. She is one of the best tennis partners I have ever met,
although neither of us are able to engage in the sport as much as we’d like due to a lack of funds.
Despite this, we usually watch the high-profile tournaments in which our favourite players
participate, sharing our love of the sport after a long day at work.
(Explain why you like it) It difficult for me articulate the reasons why I love it, but I will try my
best. First of all, tennis players, like football stars, are eye-catching! This is, apparently, one of the
more common reasons for girls to find a love for a sport: not only do we love tennis, but we also
love tennis players. Secondly, tennis, until now, is a sport for those who have a strong financial
background and it is common knowledge that one’s financial background corresponds with one’s
education; most tennis players are thus well-educated and know how to behave themselves. Last,
but not least, tennis also makes a contribution, albeit to a very small extent, to the improvement of
my English proficiency due to that fact I that read about it in English.
1. aristocrat (n): giới quý tộc.
Many aristocrats were killed in the French Revolution.
Rất nhiều giới quý tộc đã bị xử tử trong cuộc Cách Mạng Pháp.
2. prestigious (a): uy tín.
a prestigious university
một trường đại học uy tín .
3. the general public (n): công chúng.
This is a matter of great concern to the general public.
Đây là một vấn đề gây nhiều lo lắng trong giới công chúng.
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4. It just so happens that: dùng để nói một việc nào đó có thật và mang tính bất ngờ.
It just so happens that I have a bike I can lend you.
Khá là bất ngờ là tôi có một chiếc xe và có thể cho bạn mượn.
5. Make something clear to somebody: làm rõ cái gì đó đến ai đó.
I want to make it clear to you, so ask questions if you want.
Tôi muốn làm rõ vấn đề này với bạn, vì thế cứ hỏi nếu bạn thắc mắc.
6. Billboard (n): biển quảng cáo.
At the entrance to Golden Gate Park stands a billboard, twenty feet high and a hundred feet
long.
Có một biển quảng cáo rất to ở ngay lối vào công viên Cổng Vàng, 20 feet cao và 100 feet dài.
7. Lay the foundation(s) of/for something: đặt nền móng cho cái gì đó.
He helped to lay the foundations of English drama.
Ông ấy đã đặt nền tảng cho nền nhạc kịch nước Anh.
8. Correspond with (v): liên kết với.
Students’ performance at PISA usually corresponds with their country’s GDP.
Kết quả của các học sinh tại cuộc thi PISA thường liên kết với GDP quốc gia của thí sinh.
38. Describe an interesting subject that you learned at school
You should say:
What the subject was
What your teacher was like
How long you studied this subject
Explain it was interesting to you
(What the subject was)
It may sound unbelievable, but of all the subjects I learned at school, I was really into Math.
My friends and the general public nowadays may tend to complain that Math covers too much
ground and is too difficult, but my love for Math remains unchanged.
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(What your teacher was like)
The person who played the biggest role in inspiring me to study Math was my teacher in my
second year at school. She always tried to integrate interactive learning into our lessons and
involve us in lots of exciting activities. Also, we were never bombarded with too many new
things, and our teacher never failed to explain to us again the points that we found difficult to
understand. This helped us to have a good grasp of everything we were taught.
(How long you studied this subject)
To be honest, I did not always like this subject. I started learning it when I was very small, at
the age of five maybe. At that time, I found the mathematical formulas out of my depth and
extremely hard to memorize. However, as time went by, I gradually managed to understand
them all and started to be interested in this subject.
(Explain it was interesting to you)
The main reason why Math was fascinating to me is that this subject was logical and easy to
study. Whenever I had to sit an exam, I only had to memorize the formula and know how to
apply it in order to solve problems. Meanwhile, getting good grades in art or literature tests
required great talent,skills and background knowledge. Therefore, I found it much easier to
make the grade in Math compared with other subjects. So, because I was always a high-flyer
in Math, I guess I always found it more interesting than subjects in which I was only an average
student in the class.
Vocabulary:
Tự vựng chủ đề Education:
1. to cover a lot of ground
Meaning: to deal with much information and many facts.
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Example: The history lecture covered a lot of ground today.
Ví dụ: Bài giảng lịch sử hôm nay sử dụng rất nhiều tài liệu.
2. interactive learning
Meaning: refers to a method of teaching and learning in which teachers ask questions in class,
assign and check homework, or hold class or group discussions.
Example: With or without the aid of technology, interactive learning helps students strengthen
problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Ví dụ: Dù có hay không sự hỗ trợ của công nghệ, hình thức học tương tác giúp học sinh cải
thiện khả năng giải quyết vấn đề và tăng tư duy phản biện.
3. to bombard someone with something
Meaning: to continually send someone something, esp. to inform or influence them.
Example: Every day it seems as if we are bombarded with e-mail messages warning of
computer viruses.
Ví dụ: Ngày nào chúng tôi cũng như thể bị khủng bố bằng những tin nhắn qua email về việc
cảnh báo có virus máy tính.
4. to have a good grasp of something
Meaning: to understand a problem deeply and completely
Example: Children who begin to learn a foreign language in primary school are usually able to
have a good grasp of the new language quickly.
Ví dụ: Trẻ em mới bắt đầu học ngoại ngữ tại trường tiểu học thường sẽ nắm bắt được ngôn ngữ
mới rất nhanh chóng.
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5. to be out of one’s depth
Meaning: to be unable to understand something because it is too difficult
Example: Streaming in schools enables pupils to study at the level which is appropriate for
them, and therefore students rarely find themselves out of their depth.
Ví dụ: Phân lớp tại trường học cho phép học sinh học ở trình độ phù hợp với mình, và ít khi bị
rơi vào tình trạng vượt quá khả năng nhận thức.
6. to sit an exam
Meaning: to take an exam
Example: Some students claim that they feel more motivated to study when they have to sit an
exam at the end of their course.
Ví dụ: Một số sinh viên khẳng định rằng họ cảm thấy có động lực học hơn khi họ cần tham gia
kì thi vào cuối kì.
7. to make the grade
Meaning: to successfully reach the necessary standard
Example: Nobody can succeed in their studies if they rely on luck rather than hard work to
make the grade.
Ví dụ: Không ai có thể thành công trong việc học nếu họ chỉ dựa vào vận may chứ không chăm
chỉ cố gắng để đạt được kết quả.
8. a high-flyer
Meaning: someone who has the desire and ability to be very successful in their studies
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Example: The problem with our teacher is that she explains things too quickly for most of the
students and she pays most attention only to the academic high-flyers in the class.
Ví dụ: Vấn đề của cô giáo chúng tôi là cô ấy giảng bài quá nhanh và chỉ quan tâm tới những
học sinh ham học trong lớp.
Vocabulary:

to be into something [expression]: to be very interested in something
Eg: My friend is really into video games – he plays them for hours every day.
39. Describe a foreign star that you would like to meet
 Tham khảo bài: Describe a famous person that you are interested in
You should say:
Who this person is
How you know about this person
What this person is famous for
Explain why you are interested in this person
(Who this person is)
I’m going to tell you about a celebrity who I really respect. He is Fernando Torres, a Spanish
professional footballer who plays as a striker for Atletico Madrid club and the national team.
(How you know about this person)
Torres has been my idol for a long time since I was a kid. I’ve always been a sports fan and I
first watched him play when I turned 8 years old, the summer of the EUFA European Football
Championship in 2008. I watched the final match of the championship, in which Torres
contributed a truly impressive performance. He was also the only one who scored and made
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Spain a winner for the second time in history. The moment of his beautiful goal has turned me
into a wholehearted admirer for 10 years now.
(What this person is famous for)
Fernando Torres has earned an international reputation as a valuable striker with great vision
and technical ability. He has the awareness to get in behind opposing defenders and the ability
to finish accurately with his head or with either foot. Like the true professional that he is, he
keeps himself in the peak of condition. Thanks to gifted talent and dedicated training, he together with his team-mates - has won lots of titles and set international records.
(Explain why you are interested in this person)
Personally, I find Torres an interesting person mainly because of his attitude as a team player. In
football, strikers are generally notorious for selfishness and greed for goals, but Torres is
different. Not only does he do his best to score himself, he also tries to support and create
chances for his team-mates. This has been an inspiration for me to be unselfish, generous and
cooperative in my own life and attitude towards others.
Vocabulary:
Các từ thuộc chủ đề Sport and exercise:
1. a sports fan
Meaning: a person who takes a keen interest in sport
Example: While I think that it is good to be a sports fan, people must remember that sport is just
entertainment, not a matter of life and death.
2. be in the peak of condition
Meaning: to be in the best possible physical condition
Example: Sports professionals should receive high salaries, because they must always be in the
peak of condition to perform at the highest levels.
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Vocabulary:

celebrity [noun]: a well-known person, such as an actor, singer or sports star. người nổi
tiếng
Eg: After her marriage, Princess Diana became an international celebrity.

striker [noun]: a footballer whose role is to score goals. tiền đạo
Eg: He started his football career as a striker, but he didn’t score many goals.

national team [noun]: a sports team selected to represent a country. đội tuyển quốc gia
Eg: In the Olympic Games, the most successful national team in recent years has been
China.

EUFA European Football Championship: a football competition held every 4 years to
be the best national team in Europe. hay EURO, giải vô địch bóng đá châu Âu
Eg: I hope that Italy will win the next EUFA European Football Championship.

idol [noun]: a person that you admire, respect (even love!), who you probably have never
met in person. Thần tượng.
Eg: In the 1960s and1970s, Ho Chi Minh was an idol for many Americans who opposed
US policy.

wholehearted [adjective]: complete, 100 per cent. hết lòng, nhiệt thành
Eg: The President enjoyed the wholehearted support of the news media for his
economic reforms.

admirer [noun]: a fan, a person who admires another person/thing. người hâm mộ
Eg: I have been an admirer of Shakespeare’s plays since my schooldays.
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
to earn an international reputation as/for: to become recognised internationally for
some achievement. nổi tiếng toàn thế giới, lừng danh thế giới về điều gì đó
Eg: Brazilian footballers have earned an international reputation as very skilful
players.

vision [noun]: ability to understand what your team-mates and opponents are likely to do.
tầm nhìn
Eg: Torres has great vision, always thinking about being in the right place at the right
time to help his team to score.

opposing defender [noun]: a player from the other team who tries to stop you from
scoring a goal. hậu vệ đội bạn
Eg: Torres ran past two opposing defenders and scored.

finish accurately [expression]: to score a goal by hitting the ball with accuracy. dứt điểm
chính xác
Eg: Although he is a great player, he doesn’t score many goals because he cannot finish
accurately.

gifted talent [expression]: a natural ability to do something. tài năng bẩm sinh
Eg: She has a gifted talent for music, and she masters a new instrument very quickly.

notorious (for)…[adjective]: famous, but in a bad way. tai tiếng vì điều gì đó
Eg: Dracula was notorious for drinking the blood of his victims.

create chances for someone: to help a team-mate to score a goal. tạo cơ hội cho ai
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Eg. Skilful play by Torres created many chances for his team-mates to score during the
match.

inspiration (for)…[noun]: something which gives you hope and encouragement to do
something. nguồn cảm hứng
Eg: Her lessons were an inspiration for all her students to really understand the subject.
40. Describe a good decision made recently by you or someone you know.
You should say:
Who made the decision
Why you or they made the decision
What happened later
And explain why it was a good decision
Today I am going to talk about the time I was faced with a difficult choice between two majors in
two different universities.
During one’s lifetime, people have no choice but to make several tough decisions, one of which is
opting for the right place to study tertiary education, since it will affect one’s job prospects as
well as working environment. While some of my fellow students were greatly influenced by
parental involvement in their decision-making process, my family believed I had already entered
adult life and let me make up my own mind.
There were two options open to me at that time, and I was in a dilemma. The first one was studying
economics at a top-tier institution. The latter was becoming a trainee teacher with a view to
fulfiling my chosen career aspiration. In the end, I determined to pursue my dream because only
by doing the job I take great delight in, would I be able to find job satisfaction.
After a few months studying, I realised that I had made a wise choice. My lecturers’ dedication is
an inspiration to me, and it encourages me to tailor teaching styles to suit different types of
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students and to adopt continuous assessment rather than only formal examinations. Not only
does this decision help me to become knowledgeable about the field I enjoy, but it also shapes my
personality. What I mean here is that I have become a more responsible and gentle person and I
have improved a lot of skills like interpersonal skills and teamwork. If I had not chosen the major
which I love, I would have fallen behind withmy studies or dropped out of college like some of
my friends.
I am glad that I have chosen to follow my dream job and I certainly don’t regret the decision I’ve
made.
Vocabulary
Từ vựng trong chủ đề Education
1.
tertiary education/higher education
Meaning: education at college or university level
Example: Some school leavers prefer to start work rather than enter tertiaryeducation.
Tertiary education/higher education: học đại học
Nghĩa: việc học ở cấp đại học
2.
top-tier institutions
Meaning: leading or prestigious educational institutions
Example: The government has pumped huge amounts of money into a select group of top-tier
institutions in recent years.
Top-tier institutions: các trường danh tiếng
Nghĩa: các tổ chức giáo dục hàng đầu/ danh tiếng
3.
to tailor teaching styles/ strategies
Meaning: to make or prepare teaching styles following particular instructions
Example: When faced with classes of students with different levels of ability, teachers should
tailor their teaching strategies to deal with this challenge.
4.
continuous assessment
Meaning: giving students marks for course work or projects, rather than formal exams
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Example: Many students prefer continuous assessment because they consider that exams are
unfair and too stressful.
Continuous assessment: đánh giá liên tục, thường xuyên
Nghĩa: cho học sinh điểm dựa trên điểm bài tập hay dự án nhóm, thay vì các kì thi chính thức
5.
a formal examination
Meaning: a test conducted under strict, regulated conditions
Example: Entrance to university usually involves achieving required grades in a formal
examination, such as IELTS.
A formal examination: kì thi chính thức
Nghĩa: một kì thi được xây dựng với các quy định khắt khe
6.
fall behind with your studies
Meaning: to improve more slowly in studying than other people so that you fail to learn the course
material at the necessary speed
Example: Irregular attendance at classes is one of reasons why some students fall behind with
their studies.
To fall behind with your studies: học đuối
Nghĩa: chậm tiến bộ trong việc học hơn người khác nên bạn không theo kịp việc học ở tiến độ cần
thiết
7.
to drop out of college
Meaning: to leave college or university without finishing your studies
Example: A number of students drop out of college when faced with the pressure of formal
exams.
To drop out of college: bỏ học
Nghĩa: bỏ ngang việc học, ra trường mà không hoàn thành chương trình họ
Từ vựng trong chủ đề Family and Children
1.
parental involvement
Meaning: the act or process of parents taking part in their children’s activities.
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Example: Parental involvement allows parents to monitor school and classroom activities, and to
coordinate their efforts with teachers to encourage acceptable classroom behavior and ensure that
the child completes schoolwork.
Parental involvement: sự can thiệp/ tham gia của cha mẹ
Nghĩa: việc cha mẹ tham gia vào các hoạt động của con cái
2.
to enter adult life
Meaning:the stage when adolescents are almost old enough to be legally independent of their
parents
Example: Parents who have devoted time and thought to raising and educating their children have
given them a good prepartion to enter adult life.
To enter adult life: bước vào thế giới người lớn
Nghĩa: giai đoạn khi thanh niên đủ tuổi được tự lập
Từ vựng trong chủ đề Work
1.
job prospects
Meaning: the chances of being successful and having more opportunities at work
Example: People with qualifications and experience usually have the best job prospects.
Job prospects: triển vọng công việc
Nghĩa: cơ hội để thành công và có nhiều cơ hội hơn trong công việc
2.
working environment
Meaning: the conditions that you work in
Example: If work is to be enjoyable, then a friendly working environment is essential.
Working environment: môi trường làm việc
Nghĩa: điều kiện làm việc
3.
job satisfaction
Meaning: the good feeling that you get when you have a job that you enjoy
Example: A high salary is not necessarily the most important factor in job satisfaction.
Job satisfaction: sự hài lòng trong công việc
Nghĩa: cảm giác hạnh phúc khi được làm công việc mà bạn thấy vui vẻ
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Từ vựng trong chủ đề Space Exploration
1.
to be an inspiration to
Meaning: to make somebody excited about something, especially thinking of the future
Example: The images of the first men on the moon were an inspiration to people, and made them
more hopeful about the future.
To be an inspiration to: là nguồn cảm hứng cho
Nghĩa: khiến ai đó hưng phấn vì điều gì, đặc biệt là khi nghĩ về tương lai
41. Describe a person who was helpful to your work or study
You should say:
who this person is
how you know this person
how this person has influenced you
and explain why you admire this person.
ANSWER: (Trích đề Describe a person (you know), much older than you, who you admire.
)
I would like to describe one of my teachers who taught me at high school. She had a great influence
on me and was a role model whom I look up to.
Her name is Yen and she taught me Math for 3 years of high school. She was in her 50s, and so
she had a lot of teaching experience. Actually, we met each other almost everyday as she was also
my form teacher. She cared about us as if we had been her sons and daughters. For example, she
always brought some kinds of medicines so that whenever her students got a cold, coughed or
something like that, she would give them the medicines immediately.
Above all, I was most influenced by the way she taught us in class. Her thoroughness in teaching
inspired me to study Math, even though I had not been interested in the subject before. Thanks to
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her effective teaching method, I was able to pass the university entrance exam with a high Math
grade. Besides, I was also influenced by herlifestyle, which was so simple and worthy of respect
that I really wanted to copy her. As she is a warm-hearted person, she always gave us advice
about any problems we faced. At times, I felt that she was like my friend who I could share
everything with.
Although we have now all graduated from high school, my friends and I often visit her at the
weekends to tell her about our daily life at university.
VOCABULARY

role model: [noun phrase] a person that you admire and try to copy.
Example: Parents are usually the most important role models for a child.\

in her 50s: [expression] between the ages of 50 and 59.
Example: My mother retired from her job as a teacher when she was in her 50s.

cared about: [phrasal verb] felt that we were important and worth worrying about.
Example: Everybody had a good opinion of the hospital – the doctors and nurses really cared
about the health of the patients.

thoroughness: [noun] the quality of doing things very carefully and with great attention
to detail.
Example: The report was perfectly organised and included every important detail, and I had to
admire his thoroughness.

lifestyle: [noun] the way in which a person or group of people live and work.
Example: When I moved to the countryside from Hanoi, I had to change my lifestyle completely.

warm-hearted: [adjective] kind and generous
Example: He often gave money and chatted in the street to poor people that he knew – he was a
very warm-hearted person.
Part 3
1.
Do you like helping others?
Yes, I do. In my opinion, everybody has a moral responsibility to do others a favor, which is an
indication of give and take. Only by lending others a hand when they need us can we expect
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something in return. The experience of assisting others makes me feel at peace and more useful in
life.
2.
In your view, should children be taught to help others?
Of course they should be. The willingness to help others, especially those less fortunate than
ourselves, should beinstilledin children from an early age, in order for them to become better
adults in the future. Helping others with all their heart will gain them genuine, lasting relationships
and respect from many people.
3.
How can we encourage children to help others?
There are many ways to encourage your children to help others. Most important of all, parents
should show good manners to be a role model for their kids. Besides, children should be educated
from an early age to help others with simple yet helpful acts, like taking an elderly person across
a street, or helping a neighbour water the plants. Through such acts in their formative years,
children will develop a social conscience and become caring adults.
4.
How can (or, do) charitable organizations help people?
The aim of a charitable organization is to help alleviate the sufferings of those unfortunate or
underprivileged people in society. Whether supplying food for poverty-stricken people, or
providing vocational training for the unemployed, charities play a key role in bridging the gap
between the rich and the poor, helping others to overcome hardships and survive disasters.
5.
What do you think are the benefits of having unpaid volunteer workers? How do you
think the volunteers themselves benefit?
Nowadays, assistance is carefully calculated to extract certain benefits, and people tend to alienate
themselves from others, rather than help them. Volunteer workers, who give without taking, will
help by sharing love and care within their local or a wider community. Volunteering can help you
to feel good about yourself, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense
of purpose.
6.
Do you think international aid (eg, from one national government to another), is
important?
Yes, it is. Without the assistance of international aid, people in underdeveloped and disaster-striken
areas cannot get access to the basic necessities of life, like food, water and shelter. Such aid from
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official sources serves to promote goodwill among nations, as has been shown by the response
from many governments to provide emergency help following the earthquakes in Mexico.
7.
What are the qualities of being helpful?
I think that the essential quality of being helpful is your empathy.How can a person be helpful if
he does not know how to empathise with what another person is going through?In addition, your
warmth can also express your desire to help others. There are a lot of helpful people who cannot
help but display their inner feelings, especially when they are moved by other people’s stories.
8.
Do you know someone who really likes helping people?
My high school teacher is a benevolent person, who tries her best to help other people, especially
underprivileged students. She runs an English class for disabled students at the weekends without
taking money, saying that helping others and seeing their smile is her greatest delight.
9.
What can parents do to cultivate children’s quality of helping others?
Family background is very important. Firstly, parents should be an exemplary model for their
children to follow, by helping others in front of their children. Parents should also educate children
to help others out of goodwill, not for any personal hope of reward. Showing children how
fortunate they are as compared to their poor peers will shape their personality andinfluence their
behaviourin a very positive way.
Vocabulary:
•
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: FAMILY AND CHILDREN
(sách collocations)
1.
formative years [noun]: a period in a person’s life when they are growing up, which has a
big influence on the person that they become later in life
Eg: In your formative years, the influence of honest and generous friends and family members is
very important.
2.
family background [noun]: the details about a person’s family
Eg: Criminals sometimes have a bad family background, neglected or abused by parents.
3.
(to) shape a child’s personality [expression]: to influence the personality of a child when
they are growing up
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Eg: Parents are very influential in shaping their children’s personality by setting a good
example.
•
1.
CÁC TỪ THUỘC CHỦ ĐỀ: SOCIETY (sách collocations)
a social conscience [noun]: the state of being aware of the problems that affect a lot of people
in society, such as being poor or having no home, and wanting to do something to help these people
Eg: Charities depend on the social conscience of the public in order to obtain donations and to
recruit volunteer helpers.
2.
poverty-stricken [adjective]: extremely poor, almost without any money
Eg: Many charities work with people who are poverty-stricken in developing countries.
Vocabulary:
1.
moral responsibility [expression]: responsibility concerned with principles of right and
wrong behaviour: trách nhiệm đạo đức
Eg: It is one’s moral responsibility to help others when they are in dire difficulty.
2.give and take [expression]: the act of giving and receiving : sự cho đi và nhận lại
Eg: There must always be give and take in our life.
3.
(to)lend somebody a hand [expression]: to help somebody with something
Eg: My father had a lot of painting to do, so I offered to lend him a hand.
4.
(to) instill [verb]: to gradually make somebody feel, think or behave in a particular way over
a period of time
Eg: The positive attitude of the coach instilled confidence in the team.
5.
genuine [adjective]: sincere and honest; that can be trusted: chân thành, thật tình
Eg: Steve is a good person, who always expresses genuine concern for others.
6.
a role model [noun]: a person that you admire and try to copy: hình mẫu lý tưởng
Eg: David is a role model for all of the students in my class.
7.
(to) alleviate [verb]: to make sth less severe: giảm nhẹ
Eg: A number of measures were taken to alleviate the problems of traffic congestion in the city.
8.
(to) alienate [verb]: to make sb less friendly or sympathetic towards you: thờ ơ, không thân
thiện
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Eg: Bob alienated himself from others in the team because of his selfish attitude.
9.
(to) combat [verb]: to stop sth unpleasant or harmful from happening or from getting worse:
chiến đấu, chống cự
Eg: Measures to combat crime seem to be ineffective, and people are living in fear.
10. (to) empathise with[verb]: to understand another person’s feeling and experiences: thông
cảm với
Eg: You have to learn how to empathise with others to be a better person.
11. benevolent [adjective]: kind, helpful and generous : bác ái, nhân ái
Eg: I love my mother’s benevolent smile the most when she helps others.
12. goodwill [noun]: friendly or helpful feelings towards other people or countries : thiện chí
Eg: A spirit of goodwill was spread in the whole community by the visit of the President.
42. Describe something important that you lost
You should say:
what is it
why it is important
how did you lose it
how did you do after lost it
Answer:
(what is it)
The most important and valuable thing I have ever lost is probably my motorcycle.
(why it is important)
This item was particularly important to me because it was my main means of transportation,
and my university is quite far away from my home. It was also especially meaningful to me
because it was the result of so much hard work and savings from my parents.
(how did you lose it)
This may sound crazy, but I was a victim of a burglary. Apparently, a thief broke into our
parking room and took my motorcycle away.
(how did you do after lost it)
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After I lost my motorbike, I freaked out because I had to be extremely punctual for school.
This meant that I had to wake up very early in the morning and take a bus during off-peak travel
hours before traffic ground to a halt. Going to school by bus, I really broke with precedent as
I had never done this before. Although I was saddened by the loss of my motorbike, this
experience was not all bad; as a matter of fact, I even grew fond of taking the bus. While I
normally struggled with the weather, the pollution, and the irritation of traffic congestion, on the
bus I could appreciate a work of literature and read until I arrived at school. Plus, the
government was raising the price of petrol, so I saved greatly! I guess every cloud has a silver
lining, and you just have to make the most of it!
1. to be punctual
Meaning: to arrive at the correct time
Nghĩa: đến đúng giờ
Example: In order to attract more people to use public transport, it is essential that it is clean,
reliable, safe and punctual.
2. off-peak travel
Meaning: travel at times when fewer people are using public transport
Nghĩa: di chuyển vào thời gian khi có ít người tham gia giao thông hơn.
Example: Cheap fares should be introduced for off-peak travel.
3. to grind to a halt
Meaning: to go slower and then stop completely
Nghĩa: đi chậm lại rồi dừng lại hoàn toàn
Example: In my city, Paris, traffic regularly grinds to a halt during the rush hour.
4. to raise petrol prices
Meaning: to increase the price which people pay for petrol
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Nghĩa: tăng giá nhiên liệu
Example: Raising petrol prices would not be an effective method of reducing the amount of
traffic on the roads.
Từ vựng chủ đề Business
1. To make the most of something
Meaning: to make something appear as good as possible; to exploit something; to get as much
out of something as is possible.
Nghĩa: tạo ra cái gì một cách tốt nhất cái gì hoặc khai thác cái gì một cách triệt để.
Example: They designed the advertisements to make the most of the product's features.
Chủ đề Reading
2. to break with precedent
Meaning: to do something in a different way
Nghĩa: làm cái gì đó theo cách khác
Example: I believe that universities should break with precedent and admit more women to
engineering and science courses.
3. to read on
Meaning: to continue reading
Nghĩa: tiếp tục việc đọc
Example: In the busy lives which many people lead today, we have become accustomed to glance
quickly at news stories and we fail to read on and discover the facts behind the headlines.
Chủ đề Arts
1. a work of art/a work of music/a work of literature
Meaning: a painting, sculpture, book, play, piece of music etc
Nghĩa: một bức họa, tác phẩm điêu khắc, cuốn sách, vở kịch, đoạn nhạc…
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Example: Shakespeare’s plays are considered as one of the greatest works of literature in the
English language.
Từ vựng khác:
every cloud has a silver lining (idm): Every negative situation has the potential to result in or
produce something positive or beneficial.
Nghĩa: mọi tình huống tiêu cực đều có khả năng sẽ có kết quả là một thứ tích cực hoặc hữu ích.
Example: I know you're upset about not getting the lead in the school play, but just keep in mind
that every cloud has a silver lining—you'll get lots of experience as the understudy!
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