Aptis Speaking Practice Notes - Level 1B | Đại học Hoa Sen

lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071 SPEAKING SPEAKING PART 1
1.Please tell me about your family (Do you have a large family?)
I have a small family with 4 members: my parents, my brother and me. My parents are
nearly 50 years old and they are both workers. My brother is 20 and he is a student at Tourism
College. I am one year older than my brother and am a senior at National Economics
University. All members of my family have close relationships because we always share
everything that happens every day.
2.Tell me about the place you live in? (What is your village/ town/ city like?)
I come form Hai Phong city, which is in the northeast of Vietnam. It is a city that is
modern and traditional. I call it traditional because there are still a lot of festivals celebrated
by the locals, yet modern, as many skyscrapers and vibrant malls can be found here. Although
it is one of the most developed cities in Vietnam, the air and roads of Hai Phong are still very fresh and airy.
3.Please, describe your house
I live in a pretty simple two-storey house. It has 1 living room, 1 kitchen, 2 bathrooms
and 3 bedrooms. But perhaps, my favorite place in my house is the small rooftop garden. There
we grow some vegetables and colorful flowers. My dad even decorated the garden withh
twinking lights and a set of coffee tables and chairs. So, after tiring working hours, my whole
family can sit there to sip our cups of coffee.
4.What is your favorite season? Why?
My country has 4 seasons per year: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Personally I
think autumn is the most beautiful season. Firstly, because the weather was a bit chilly at that
time and the roads were filled with yellow leaves. Besides, autumn is also the season I was
born. Especially in Vietnam, we have the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is the time for all families to gather together.
5.What is the weather like, today?
It’s winter now so of course the weather is a bit cold today. I woke up early this morning
and found the sky rather gray and drizzling. That’s why I feel my house is quite humid. There
are many people who are unpleasant with this kind of weather. But right row, the sky seems
bluer and a bit warm, so I feel much more comfortable. In addition, I always carry a raincoat
to avoid getting wet by sudden rains.
6.How do you relax in the evening?
There are ample things I like to do for relaxation. Usually, I love listening to music to
rejuvenate my mind. I often listen to songs with gentle melodies, then close my eyes to enjoy
that time. I also like to spend time with my family and friends on occasion. We sit together on
the sofa to watch our favorite movies or tell each other some interesting stories. Besides, for lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
days when I am extremely tired, for me, there is nothing more relaxing than going to bad early that day.
7.What is your favorite music?
My favorite genre of music is probably pop songs. Because it has a simple, easy-tolisten
and repeatable melody, it’t easy for me to memorize so I can sing along. However, I often
listen to the music that fit my mood. If I’m happy. I listen to pop or hiphop. When I exercise
or do housework I will turn EDM or songs with fast tempo. And If I’m sad, I will just listen on repeat to ballad.
8.Describe a member in your family?
The person I admire the most is my father. He is a civil engineer. As you know, it is a
difficult job and even dangerous if you have to work outside high-rise buildings. Especially,
during summer time, when the temperature can go up to nearly 40 degrees, working outdoors
in this condition is a nightmare. Although my dad has to work super hard to support the family,
I’ve never heard him complain about it.
9.What do you like doing in your free time? 10.
There are ample things I like to do in my spare time. Usually I love listening to music
to rejuvenate my mind. I often listen to songs with gentle melodies, then close my eyes to
enjoy that time. I also like to spend time with my family and friends on occasion. We sit
together on the sofa to watch our favorite movies or tell each other some interesting stories.
Besides, for days when I’m extremely tired, for me, there’s nothing more relaxing than going to bed early that day. 11.
Tell me about your best friend
My best friend is Quynh. We have been friends for 5 years. She has a very lovely
figure. She has fair skin and red lips. Quynh is a girl who likes creativity. She often creates
many unique dishes for me and our friends to eat together. She is also a good listener. When
things are sad, I tell her. Talking to her, I feel more comfortable. I am very happy to have a close friend of hers. 12.
Which sport do people like in your country?
Football is definitely the top favorite sport in Vietnam. I guess it’s mainly because of
the exciting atmosphere and thrill of each match. The cheering and chanting of the crowd and
the roar when our national team scores a goal never fails to excite us. That’s when I felt that
millions of people are sharing the same feelings, the same desires and the same pride. As well
as this, most people are also into badminton, jogging and martial arts. 13.
Please, tell me about your favorite films
One of my favorite movies is Tom and Jerry. This movie was released many years ago
and I started watching it when I was 5 years old. Tom and Jerry is a film with 2 main characters:
cat Tom misery and clever mouse Jerry mischievous. These are 2 enemies living in a house. lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
Tom and Jerry is a film associated with my childhood. It gives me lots of laughter and helps me relieve my tension. 14.
What do you like doing with your friend?
I like doing pretty much everything with my friends, depending on our
moods andtimes, but I mostly love hanging out with them at a local coffee shop. I
sometimes enjoy our lively conversations while sipping some drinks and sharing
some fun and exciting news among each other until we get tired. By the way, we are
probably the most talkative people in the world. 15.
What sport do you like?
My favorite sport is running. There are several parks and lakes near my house, so I can
run whenever I’m free. I run every morning to improve my health and enjoy the fresh air at
that time. Besides, I also run when I feel sad and stressed with my daily life. In economic
terms, running is almost free, so I just need a suitable pair of shoes to be able to run. 16.
What did you do last night?
About 7pm last night, I finished my meal and I called my mother. I told her about the
outstanding events of the previous days. She also described the stories of all members in our
family. Our conversation lasted about 30 minutes and then we bid each other farewell. After
that, I did my homework until 10pm, then I surfed Facebook for about an hour and went to bed. 17.
Please, tell me why you interested in travelling
I love travelling for many reasons. Firstly, travelling helps me relieve stress,
leave allworries behind to go to a new land. Secondly, I can improve my
understanding of the cultures and people where I go. In addition, I am an extremely
passionate foodie, so I can enjoy coutless dishes from those regions when I travel.
Moreover, traveling also makes me more independent. 18.
What do you do on the weekend?
Well, there are ample things I like to do on the weekend. Usually, I love listening to
music to rejuvenate my mind. Sometimes, I spend time with my family and friends. We sit
together on the sofa to watch our favorite movies or tell each other some interesting stories.
Also, for days when the weather is nice, I like going out for coffee and going shopping with my best friend. 19.
Where did you go last night?
Last night, my friend and I had dinner at a small classic restaurant. The dishes there are
not only beautiful in appearance, but their taste is also very impressive. After that, we stoppoed
in front of a grocery store to but some drinks and snacks. And then we walked around West
Lake to chat. It's a pretty famous place in Hanoi, so there are a lot of young people here.
Around 10 pm, we said our goodbyes and went home. 20.
Describe the room you are in lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
My room has a simple design and everything looks neat and clear. It’s a lovely room
because it’s decorated by myself. I used a bright mint color for the walls to give the room a
fresh feel. Besides, there are some flashing lights and wall paintings around the room. My
favorite part is the ceiling because I attached countless stars that when I turn off the lights, they will glow. 21.
Please tell me about a famous place in your country
One of the famous places in Vietnam is Do Son beach which is in my hometown – Hai
Phong City. It’s about 20 km north of the city center. Do Son is famous for its long and wide
beach with golden sand stretching along that coast. The most famous thing here is probably
the seafood. It’s very diverse and fresh, bringing the typical flavours of this place. Because of
these things, Do Son attracts millions of tourists every year. 22. Tell me about yourself
My name is Minh. I am 21 years old and I come from Hai Phong city which is in the
noth of Vietnam. But now I have to leave my home to study in Hanoi. I am a senoir at National
Economics University. My major is state finance in faculty of banking and finance. After
graduating, I want to be a good financial consultant so that I can give advice to companies and help them grow. 23.
What is your favorite book?
Since I can read, I have read many books. But perhaps the book that impressed me the
most was The Alchemist. This book is about a shepherd boy who goes on a very long journey
to find the treasure of his life. During the trip, the boy faced a lot of challenges but also learned
many valuable things. This book motivates me, reminds me that no matter how difficult life
is, I never give up on my dreams. 24.
Please tell me why you learn English?
You know, English is now one of the most commonlt used languages in the world.
There are a lot of documents and studies written in English. So when I competent in English,
I can read them easily and broaden my understanding. In addtion, knowing English also helps
me communicate more confidently with foreigners. Moreover, most companies with attracitve
salaries today require candidates to have a certain level of English. 25.
Tell me about your job?
I am currently a final year student at National Economics University. My
major isstate finance in the faculty of banking and finance. My schedule is quite tight
with an average of 6 to 8 subjects per semester and I only have Sundays off.
Although, going to school is a bit hard, I still feel that this is the best time of my life
because when I go to school I can meet a lot of friends and teachers that I loved and respected. 26.
Please tell me the best ways to travel around your country?
Well, that depends on the speed and distance you wish. If you want to go sightseeing
around a city you can take a bus or to be more active you can go by motorbike. If you want to lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
go futher, for example going from the North to the South of Vietnam, you should choose a
plane to shorten you travel time or a train when you like to enjoy the scenery along the way.
In addition, you can also experience travelling by coach or boat. 27.
What is your typical day like?
I usually wake up at 6 am, then I go for a 20-minute jog around the park near
myhouse. After that, I come back home to have breakfast and go to school at a quarter
to 7. I usually study at school from 7 am to half past 4 pm. Next, I go home and
prepare for my dinner. After eating, I do my homework until 10 pm and suft facebook
for an hour before going to bed at about 11 pm. 28.
What clothes do you wear today?
As usual, I wear a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. I choose a white T-shirt because it’s my
lucky color. Also, the weather is a bit cold today, so I put on a light jacket. This jacket has an
eye-catching blue color, especially, it is water resistant, so it’s very suitable to wear in this
weather. In addition, to make me look more active, I also wear a pair of sneakers to match my T-shirt color. 29.
What is the food like in your country?
Vietnam has a diverse cuisine, each location has its own set of foods with distinct
features. Vietnamese dishes are almost decorated quite simply, but in fact, to make those dishes
must go through many steps and require many complicated techniques. In particular, each dish
is a combination of countless spices to create an unique and delicate taste. So foreign chefs are
rarely able to recook my country’s dishes exacltly like the original. 30. How did you get there?
I drive my own motorbike to come here. This motorbike is a gift that my
parents gaveme when I graduated form my high school so that my commute can be
more convenient and faster. It is painted dark green and has a rather compact design,
suitable for a person of short height like me. I’ve been with this motorbike for over
3 years, but I clean it every week so I still looks pretty new now. 31.
Describe your journey here today?
Today, I came here by my motorbike with another student and she was the driver. She
drove in a very dangerous way. You know, the roads in Hanoi are quite small and often
congested. But she still drove too fast and even didn’t follow the rules. Not only was she
speeding, but she also ran red lights in some places where there were no traffic police. As a
result, it only took 15 minutes to arrive here. 32.
Tell me about the last thing you saw on television?
The last thing I saw on TV was a cartoon. It was Tom and Jerry. I watched this cartoon
this morning. Tom and Jerry is a cartoon with 2 main characters: cat Tom misery and clever
mouse Jerry mischievous. These are 2 enemies living in a house. It gives me lots of laughter
every time I watch it and it helps me relieve my tesion. I often watch Tom and Jerry and some
other interesting cartoons on CN channel. lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071 33.
What are you looking for your new house?
We are looking for a new house with a big living room and a large television. Because
the living room is the place where my whole my family sit together to watch our favorite
movies or tell each other some interesting stories. Moreover, we are both nature and plant
lovers, so I like a house with a large garden and a BBQ area. Besides, I want my home to have
a small gym so that I can exercise when I can't go out because of the bad weather. 34.
Where did you go last week?
Last weekend I just went out with my friend at a local coffee shop. it's a cafe decorated
with a pretty cute style. There, we enjoyed our lively conversation while sipping some drinks
like cold coffee, milk tea, orange juice,… and sharing some fun and exciting news among each
other until we got tired. By the way, we were probably the most talkative people in the world.
Then we went shopping and went home to rest. lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071 SPEAKING PART 2 1
1.Describe this picture? (45s)
This is a picture of a man sitting in a room by himself. He looks quite young and handsome with short hair and a black T-
shirt. He is talking to his customer or colleague on the smartphone. From the picture, it can be seen that he is having a
very interesting conversation because he is smiling. In front of him is a table with a laptop and a cup of coffee. That’s why I
think he is working in his office. In addition, through the window behind him, I could see the street nearby with a car and a
red building and the weather seems to be quite nice.
2.Tell me the last time when you called for someone?
My most recent call was with my mother last night. Because I have to leave home to study in Hanoi, we call each other
quite often. As usual, we inquired about each other’s health. I told my mother about the outstanding events of the
previous days. My mother also described the stories of all members in our family. And then we bid each other farewell.
Every time I call like that, I feel more motivated to keep trying to study, but sometimes, it makes me feel more homesick.
3.Will sending a message replace making a phone call? Why?
From my perspective, I think that sending text messages cannot be substituted for calling for the following reasons. First,
calling helps us to communicate immediately with the person we need to contact without having to wait. Because in
reality, a lot of people don't notice the new messages that appear or they leave a few messages behind to read and deal
with later. The second is that through phone calls, we can accurately feel the emotions of the person who is talking to us
rather than texting. In addition, in economic terms, calling is also cheaper than texting. lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071 2
1.Describe this picture
The highlight in this picture is a girl lying on the grass. She looks quite young, about 20 years old. She has blonde hair and
fair skin. She is wearing a pink tank top. She is listening to music through her headphones. Perhaps, she is enjoying her day
off after exhausting hours of study and work. Around her is a green lawn and colorful flowers.
She is laying there, her eyes are closing and she is smiling. And she seems to be quite comfortable and relaxed.
In addition, the weather at that time was quite nice and a little sunny.
2.What do you do to relax?
Well, there are ample things I like to do for relaxation. Usually, I love listening to music to rejuvenate my mind after hard-
working hours. I often listen to songs with gentle melodies, then close my eyes to enjoy that time. I also like to spend time
with my family and friends on occasion. We sit together on the sofa to watch our favorite movies or tell each other some
interesting stories. Besides, for days when I’m extremely tired, for me, there’s nothing more relaxing than lying in bed and checking my social profiles.
3.Why is it important for people to relax?
Promoting relaxation is really necessary. Because it gives us a chance to revitalize and regenerate for study and work. So relaxation can enhance our
creativity. In terms of health, without relaxation I guess we would probably be exhausted and have no time for adjustment which may lead to
our impairment in productivity.
In fact, there are many people who are too engrossed in work
without taking reasonable time
to rest. As a result, they are at risk of many diseases in the future. 3 lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
1. Describe this picture
In this picture, I can see a corner of a room. In the middle, there is a television, it looks modern and high-tech. The
television has a cross-shaped base so that it can stand firmly. It has a large screen and in this screen I can see a lot of
pictures. The pictures that are appearing on the TV look quite small but very diverse and colorful. There is a hand holding a
remote control and choosing a channel. I don’t know who is in this room but I think today he or she doesn’t go to work. So
watching TV is a good way for him or her to relax. I like this picture because I’m interested in watching TV.
2. How often do you watch films or programs at home?Why?
Oh, I watch it every night. Because that's the time when my whole family sit together to watch our favorite programs such
as news, game shows or a certain movie, etc. Nowadays, almost everyone has their own smartphone. They often sit in a
corner and watch the things they like. That causes human interaction to plummet, even within a family. That's why I still
like to watch programs on TV at home with my loved ones. It is also a time when I feel very meaningful and cozy.
3. Which is better for learning – watching videos or reading? Why?
Both are the crucial steps of learning . But of course reading books is one of the primary steps towards the learning
process. Reading books helps in learning and memorising, while watching videos helps in retainment of the knowledge.
Suppose you want to learn a particular topic or subject. You first go through it in the book and learn or memorise it . After
that, by watching video lecture, you can find out what points you have missed and can have a clear concept basis /ˈbeɪsɪs/of your topic. 4
Task 1: Describe this picture
In this picture I can see a couple on their wedding day. They both look pretty young, about 20 to 30 years old. The bride is
wearing a white wedding dress and the bridegroom is wearing a white shirt and a black suit. They seem to have their
wedding photos taken at a beach. The weather at that time is also quite nice. The wide beach with golden sand creates a
very poetic scene. The bride and groom are standing to pose by the beach. They are holding hands and both are smiling
brightly, showing that they are very happy.
Task 2: When did you last attend a wedding?
I attended a wedding a year ago. It’s my sister’s wedding. The wedding ceremony was held in a large and luxurious
restaurant. The most prominent of the ceremony was my sister with a sparkling white wedding dress. My sister invited
many relatives and friends to attend. The food that day was also very varied and delicious. I was wearing a pink dress and
black shoes. In the ceremony, I sang for my sister a song that made her very emotional. After that, my family took photos with the bride and groom.
Task 3: Why are weddings important to the families involved?
From my perspective, I think Wedding ceremony is very important because this is the day when the bride and groom
introduce all relatives of both families to the fullest.. It is an important day for everyone in the two families to say
congratulations to the married couple. In addition, family members will often prepare gifts to give the bride and groom to
wish their future life well and happiness. Therefore, to organize a wedding ceremony, the families involved often have to
plan and prepare for several months. lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071 5
Task 1: Describe this picture
In this picture I can see a boy surprising his mother. The mother looks quite young, about 30 and the son is about 5 years
old. They both have fair skin and a blond hair. The boy has his hands over her eyes, so she cannot see the flowers he has.
The bouquet /buˈkeɪ/ he is holding looks so beautiful. It might be mothers’ day, her birthday or a special occasion. Both
mother and son are smiling happily. I guess that after opening her eyes, the mother will be very surprised and happy.
Task 2: Tell me about a time when you gave or received some flowers?
I was just given flowers on this year's Vietnamese Women's Day - the twentieth of October. Every year, on this day, my
mother and I both receive flowers from my father and brother. They often give paper roses. Because roses are my and my
mom's favorite flower. Thanks to being made of paper, these flowers last a long time and will not fade. I usually keep them
on my bookshelf as a souvenir. Every time I see them, I wish the 20th of October would come quickly.
Task 3: On what occasions in your country do people give flowers?
In Vietnam people give flowers on many occasions. A part from giving flowers in a sad and mournful /ˈmɔːnfl/ event, I can
present someone flowers anytime for any occasion. People give flowers to say congratulations or to say sorry or just to
show their love. Flowers represent purity, innocence /ˈɪnəsns/, happiness, selflessness and good fortune. A large number
of people offer flowers to the deity /ˈdeɪəti they pray to while others find it a source of freshness and beauty and give
them to their dear and near ones. 6
Task 1: Describe this picture
In this picture I can see a man reading a newspaper. He’s wearing a black suit and a blue tie. He looks about 30 years old.
He has short brown hair. He is standing and holding a newspaper. I guess he is reading it to update the news. He seems
focused so maybe the news that he’s reading is interesting. I don’t know exactly where he is but I can see behind him there
are many televisions of different sizes and types.. The TVs are showing some programs. I think they’re news programs. The TVs are a little old now. lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
Task 2: How most people in your country learn about world news?
In my country, there are many ways to learn about world news. It depends on where they live and how wealthy they are. In
the countryside, I think traditional newspapers and television are the two most common ways of getting the news. In the
city, people use the Internet and mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to update news instantly. I think the
most popular way of receiving news is online. There are many websites but you can also get news through social networks
like Twitter and Facebook. It’s very convnient for me.
Task 3: How has the reporting of news changed in the last fifty years?
That’s an interesting question. 50 years ago, news was reported and updated through newspapers and public
announcements as radio. People didn’t have Internet and not many people had TVs. People could only listen to the radio
at home, in their cars or in the restaurant. However, now, with the advance in technology, news can be updated in many
ways such as TV, the Internet and so on. So people can easily get information. Moreover, with just a smartphone, you can
watch news whenever and wherever there is a signal. 7
Task 1: Describe this picture
Looking at the picture, I can see a group of students. They look young, maybe primary school. They are standing in line
next to a yellow bus. Therefore, I think that they are waiting to get up to the bus to go to school or come back home.
Because they are all wearing schoolbags. There are six students and all of them seem quite tired. Besides, the weather
there is sunny. When I see this picture, it reminds me of my childhood, as I used to travel by bus to go to school.
Task 2: How do children go to school in your country?
There are many ways for children to go to school in my country such as walking, riding a bike, catching a bus or being taken
by parents. However, children mainly go to school on foot if their schools are not too far. In the big city, children are usually
taken by their parents by car or motorbike. Currently, many schools have buses to transport students to school to ensure
their safety and convenience for parents. But this is not yet widely available because it is quite expensive.
Task 3: Is it common to live far from school in your country? Why?
It depends on each place. In the delta, students always study in a school which is located in their area, so it is quite near,
about one kilometer away. This is because their parents do not want them to study far because of safety and parents think
that their children are too yooung to travel a long distance to get to school. However, in mountainous areas, students have
to commute a long distance from their home to go to school as there are only a few schools in their province. 8 lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
Task 1: Describe this picture
In this picture I can see a very lovely family. The father has short black hair and both the mother and daughter have brown
hair, but the mother's hair is curly. The daughter is giving a gift to her father. She is alo kissing his cheek /tʃiːk/. The mother
is touching the father shoulder, like hugging. I think it’s a special day of the father. It might be his birthday or father’s day
and etc. He looks very happy to get this surprise from his cute daughter. Overall, the picture gives me a cozy feeling and reminds me of my family.
Task 2: Tell me about time when you gave or received a gift?
Last year, my sister gave me a gift. It was a very big teddy bear for my birthday. It was a very special gift and I was very
happy to receive it. That bear was brown and very cute. From that day on, I always lay him next to me and hug him every
time I sleep. In addition, my sister even bought me a cake with my name on it. I feel very happy and lucky to have such a
good sister. That day I blew out the candles and wished that my family would be happy forever.
Task 3: Why is it important to give people gifts on specials ocaasions?
It’s very important to give gifts to build good relationships. There are some instances when you need to give back to
someone who has helped you or provided you a favor. Gift giving is an act that can show that you are thankful. The
receiver will truly feel your gratitude /ˈɡrætɪtjuːd/ when you give gifts for elevating /ˈelɪveɪt/ happiness and well-being. It
is a good way of strengthening your relationships. You don’t need to wait for a special occasion to give a gift, just give one
to show how much you love someone anytime. 9
Task 1: Describe this picture
Looking at the picture, I can see a man with different postures. He is dancing. He looks very relaxed as he is smiling. He is
wearing a yellow shirt and orange trousers. In addition, he is also wearing a hat and sunglasses. He has a long and black
hair, exuding /ɪɡˈzjuːd/ a very artistic style. He seems to be a dancer standing on stage performing for the audience to
see. Maybe he’s listening to music because you cannot dance without music.
Task 2: Do you like dancing? Why? Why not?
This is an absolute yes. I’m engrossed in dancing. There are many reasons why I like dancing. Firstly, because dancing is a
good exercise and it’s fun to do with my friends and family. Besides, it is a good way to relax and I can let my hair down
while dancing. Thus, in my free time, I tend to close my room, listen to music and dance. In addition, dancing also helps me
maintain a fit figure and improve my health. After dancing, I feel that I eat and sleep better.
Task 3: On what occasions do people usually dance in your country?
There are many occasions when people dance in my country such as weddings, birthdays, Tet holidays, etc. This is because
people want to celebrate an exciting party for such special events. All relatives and friends dance together. Dancing is an
important part of the party. When dancing, everyone will have the opportunity to interact with each other. Dancing with
music will also make the atmosphere of each party more vibrant and exciting.
Those will be beautiful memories that we will recall every time we meet lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071 10
Task 1: Describe this picture
In this picture I can see a group of people in a cinema. I think they are watching a funny movie or a comedy because they
are all laughing and smiling. Some people are eating popcorn and some people are drinking soft drinks. The people all look
different, maybe they are from different countries. because their skin color and hair color are different from white skin,
yellow skin to black skin and from blonde, brown hair to black hair,... I like this picture because I am into watching movies in the cinema.
Task 2: Tell me about time when you laughed a lot?
Last Friday was my close friend’s birthday. We bought 10 mini cupcakes and took out any five cupcakes to stuff chili powder
inside. We then swapped their positions and each chose five to eat. Unfortunately for her, out of the five cakes she chose,
four had chili powder inside. It was very funny because she ate them so miserable /ˈmɪzrəbl/ and even then her face
turned red. I couldn't help but laugh because her face was so cute at that time so I took a few photos of hers.
Task 3: Do you think people from different countries laugh at different things?
Yes, I think so. They laugh at different things because the people come from different cultures. Therefore, they have
different perceptions and some customs. For example, in Vietnam, when we Northerners watch the South's comedy, we
rarely find it funny and vice versa /ˌvaɪs ˈvɜːsə/. But there is a TV show that everyone from around the world can find
funny, it is Mr Bean. He’s funny because he’s so stupid. He always does something silly or dirty. There are many funny episodes /ˈepɪsəʊd/. 11
Task 1: Describe this picture
Looking at the picture, I can see five people playing outdoors. I guess they are a family. There are three boys and two girls.
The two girls are both wearing a white dress. The boy on the left is wearing a green shirt and pants. The boy on the right is
wearing a blue shirt and shorts. They are playing with a hoola hoop. In the background, I can see a lot of grass and clouds. I
think they are in the park. When I see this picture, it reminds me of the time I went to the park with my friends two days ago.
Task 2: Tell me about game you played when you were a child?
If my memory serves me right, when I was a child, I used to play hide-and-seek. It was a vey popular game because in
those days we had neither phones nor internet. I always invited some of my friends to play it with me on the street. With lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
this game, one person closes his eyes with his face against the wall and counts to 100, the rest quickly find a place to hide
during that time. I felt very happy when playing it. When I remember that moment, I feel my childhood is very exciting.
Task 3: How have the children’s games changed in the last 50 years?
In the last 50 years, children’s games have changed a lot. In the past children played mostly outside. They played games
like football or skipping rope,... They didn’t have phones or tablets. Therefore, the children at that time were able to
communicate with each other more and they were also more creative when making their own toys. Nowadays children
play inside a lot. They play games on their phones everyday. I think it’s not good for their health, it can reduce eyesight and cause obesity. 12
Task 1: Describe this picture
In this picture I can see a chubby woman eating fast food at a table. She looks quite young with a short dark straight hair.
She is wearing a grey T shirt. She is holding a hotdog and a cola. She's about to bite that hotdog. In addition, there are
many dishes on the table in front of her such as burgers, fries, pizza,... I don't know if anyone is eating with her but if she is
eating alone, the amount of food is too much for a person. Moreover, they are all fast food so it is not good for her health and will increase her weight.
Task 2: What kinds of foods are not good for our health?
There are many kinds of food that are not good for our health. Fast food, for example is bad for our health. Sweets weaken
our health, like chocolate and candies. Soft drinks are not good for our health. These foods will give you many health
problems including obesity, diabetes /ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz/, heart disease and they cause cavities /ˈkævəti/. We should eat more
healthy food such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, ... Besides, everyone should cook at home and reduce eating fast food.
Task 3: What should we do to keep healthy?
There are many things we can do to keep healthy. Firstly, we can eat healthy food such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, ... to add
vitamins and fiber to our body. Secondly, we should do some regular exercise to enhance our health. Next, we should go to
the doctor every 6 months for a check up, sleep 8 hours a night, drink at least two liters /ˈliːtə(r)/ of water per day and
sunbathe sometimes in the morning. Besides, we should keep ourselves a comfortable mind, avoid stress and balance between work and life. 13
Task 1: Describe this picture
In this picture I can see a family of a mother and a father, son and daughter in a park. They are sitting on a pink carpet
/ˈkɑːpɪt/. On that carpet there is a lot of food and drink. I guess they are having a picnic. They are driking juice and eating lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
fruit and other foods. They look happy as everyone is smiling. I think it’s lunch time because it’s sunny, not night time.
Around them is a green lawn and a few trees. This picture reminds me of my family's camping trip last summer.
Task 2: Tell me how you and your family spend free time together?
Usually in the weekend we go to my family’s house. We eat lunch together. Sometimes my mother cooks lunch. Sometimes
my father brings food from a restaurant. After finishing lunch, the children play in the garden and me and my family drink
tea and eat sweets. Also, at night, we sit toghether on the sofa to watch our favorite movies or tell each other some
interesting stories. I love weekends with my family because at that time we are closer to each other and the atmosphere in the family is very warm.
Task 3: Do you think today’s parents should spend more quality time with their children and why?
No. I think parents now spend enough time with their children. Parents need a break, they need to relax after working.
Their works are often very stressful and give them frequent headaches. It’s also true that they have to balance between
their work and family life. Because children need to be cared for and taught by their parents in order to grow up healthy.
When balancing time for children, parents should also let them play outside so that they can interact with other children
to enhance their social skills. 14
1. Describe this picture
Looking at the picture, I can see a couple standing in a room. They look quite young with healthy brown skin and short
black hair. They are both wearing casual clothes. The man is mopping /mɒp/ the floor and his girl is standing next to and
supporting him. She's holding a rag and a spray bottle. This couple looks very happy as they are smiling. At the back of
them, I see a sofa a shelf and a few other decorations. I guess they are in a living room. The space of the room is quite large and cozy.
2. Tell me a time when you cleaned your house?
House cleaning is one of the jobs that I hate the most, especially during Tet holiday. To prepare for this occasion, I have to
clean every part of my house. The place I spend the most time cleaning is probably the kitchen. Because in the kitchen
there are so many things like cupboard, pots and pans,… and utensils /juːˈtensl/ DỤNG CỤ NHÀ BẾP that I have to clean or
wash them and rearrange. So I usually clean the kitchen first, then clean the remaining rooms such as the bathroom, bedroom and living room.
3. Do you think machines will replace people in doing housework?
In my opinion, machines will replace people in doing housework in the near future because of some reasons. Firstly,
nowadays, our society is more and more developing. People have a lot of machines such as: washing machine, microwave, lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
dish washer, hair dryer…. which are so useful for people’s life. When using machines, we can save a lot of time and we can
use that time to rest more. In terms of health, they also help us reduce the incidence /ˈɪnsɪdəns/of skin diseases and back pain, ...
Part 2 : Tranh 1 người nằm trên ghế sofa và cầm điều khiển TV 15
1 . Describe this pictue
Look at the picture, I can see a man sitting in a room by himself. He is quite young, about 30 years old. He is wearing a blue
T-shirt and black pants. I guess he is sitting on the sofa in his living room. In front of him, I can see a TV with a large screen.
He is watching a basketball match on it. He seems very excited happy. I guess his favorite team is scoring. In addition, the
room space looks quite large and modern. When I see this picture, it reminds me of my dad watching football on TV.
2. Do you usually watch TV? Why?
This is an absolute yes. I watch it every night. Because that is the time that my whole family sit together on the sofa to
watch our favourtie programs such as news, game shows or a movie. Nowadays, everyone has their own smartphone. They
often sit in a corner and watch the things they like. That causes human interaction to plummet, even within a family. So I
still like watching programs on the TV with my loved ones. It’s also a time that I feel very meaningful and cozy.
3. Why do a lot of people think that Watching TV is not important?
As you know, our world is more and more developing, So we have a lot of ways to update information. For example, we
can use smart phone, laptop, tablets to get news instantly. These devices are very compact, can be held in the hand, so it is
much more convenient than TV. Even, with just a smartphone, we can watch something whenever and wherever there is a
signal. Moreover, with a device connected to the Internet, we can update news faster than TV because each program on
TV has a specific broadcast schedule. lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071
Part 2 : 3 ng ườ i n ằ m trên c ỏ đọc sách 16
1. Describe this picture
Looking at the picture, I can see three people lying on the grass. I think they are a family. The man is on the right, he has
white hair. His wife is on the left, she looks quite young and beautiful with short blonde hair. The girl in the middle is about
10 years old, she has long brown hair. They are all wearing casual clothes. The weather is so pleasant and sunny. This family
is focused on reading a book. They look very happy and relaxed. Maybe they are enjoying their weekend in the park.
2. What are the benefits of reading books
In my opinion, reading books brings us many benefits. Firstly, books are the perfect tool to entertain, for example comic
books, novels,… It helps us relax and sleep better. Secondly, You know, human knowledge is almost summed up in books.
So this is an endless /ˈendləs/ treasure of knowledge for us to discover. Therefore, reading books broadens our
understanding and makes people have more imagination. Overall, reading books is a good habit that we should maintain every day.
3. Should children read books early?
My answer is yes. Firstly, because reading books has a good impact on children's development. It can help children
improve their knowledge. Besides, reading books can develop their linguistic skills, for instance vocabulary and grammar.
Moreover, reading is also a good way for children to relax. They often love reading comic books or novels. Also, authors
/ˈɔːθə(r)/ of these books often put some meaningful lessons into their books, so the kids are not only entertained but also learn those lessons. P art 2: lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071 17
1. Describe this picture
Look at the picture I can see a woman and her baby standing outside. She is young and beautiful, about 30 years old. She is
wearing casual clothes. She is holding a baby. The baby is so cute with tiny hands and chubby face. Maybe the mother
today is free so she spends time going out with her kid. They look so happy. The weather is so nice and sunny. I see a lot of
trees behind them. Especially, their surroundings are covered with yellow leaves, so I think it's autumn or winter at that
time. Maybe they are staying in a park.
2. Tell me the last time when you visited a new place
Traveling is my passion, so I usually visit new places whenever I’m free. Last year, I went to Dubai with my sister. First of all,
I found that it was a very developed city. People there were so wealthy. I was impressed by the beauty of this city. All
things were so luxury /ˈlʌkʃəri/. In particular, they had the busiest commercial centers in the world. In addition, the people
were also quite friendly and hospitable. I stayed there about 3 days and then I came back home. I like Dubai and of course, I will visit it again.
3. Why do people like visiting new places
People usually like visiting new places because of many reasons. Firstly, travelling is a good way for people to relax after
stressful days. They will feel better and have high productivity. Besides, visiting new places can help people broaden their
knowledge, experience and skills. They can meet new people and make friends. They will know more about different
cultures, customs which makes people happier and more wonderful. In addition, people can also enjoy coutless dishes of those places. Part 2 : lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071 18
1. Describe this picture
Look at the picture I can see a girl sitting in a bus. She looks young and beautiful. She has a black curly hair. She is wearing
casual clothes. she is listening to music through a headphone. I think she is listening to music to pass a time during stay in
the bus. She seems to be very happy annd relaxed. I guess she is going to school because she is also reading a book.
Behind her, I see some people, maybe they are also going to work or school. The weather is so nice and sunny.
2. Tell me the last time when you travelled
Traveling is my passion, so I usually visit new places whenever I’m free. Last week, I went to Dubai with my sister. First of
all, I found that it was a developed city. People there were so wealthy. I was so impressed by the beauty of this city. All
things were so luxury. In particular, they have the busiest commercial centers in the world. In addition, the people here are
also quite friendly and hospitable.I stayed there about 3 days and then I came back home. I like Dubai and of course, I will visit it again.
3. What are benefits of traveling in group?
There are many benefits of traveling in group. First, when we go in group, we will have collective activities such as mini
games, singing, dancing,... Those are good opportunities for us to interact with our loved ones. Next, when traveling,
sometimes we will encounter some difficulties, so if we go in group, we will have people to support or take care of each
other. In addition, we can take photos in group as memories and after coming back, we can recall those memories every time we meet. Part 2 : lOMoAR cPSD| 47206071 19
1. Describe this picture
Look at the picture, I can see a man standing in a bus. He looks about 30 years old. He is wearing a blue shirt with a black
suit. He is listening to music through a smartphone. I think he is listening to music to pass a time during stay in the bus. He
seems to be very happy annd relax. . Based on his look, I guess he is going to work or come back home form his office.
Behind him, I see some people, maybe they also go to work or go to school. The weather is so nice and sunny.
2. tell me a time when you travelled by public transport?
I usually go to school by public transport. Yesterday, I also traveled by a bus. It was a blue bus. It looked quite large and
modern. When I took this bus, I found it was crowded. Because it was time for people to go to work or school. The staff
was so polite /pəˈlaɪt/and kind. Although having a lot of people in the bus that I had to stand, I didn’t feel uncomfortable.
Because, during that time i listened to my favorite songs. It only took about 20 minutes to get to my university.
3. How to pass a time during staying in public transport?
When I was a freshman, I used to travel by a bus to go to school because I didn't have a motorbike at that time. The distance
is quite long so I usually do something during the trip. I mainly listen to my favorite songs through my headphone because
the bus is quite noisy. I also surf facebook or watch youtube but quite rarely. Because when I look at the phone screen for a
long time, I often get bus sickness. In addition, I often review my lessons if there are not too many people in the bus. 20
Task 1: Describe this picture
This is a picture of a boy lying in a room by himself. He looks quite young, about 10 years old. He has short black hair and
fair skin. He is wearing a red hoodie and a pair of black jeans. I guess he is in his bedroom because I can see a bed. He is
lying and reading books attentively. I think it could be a storybook or a novel that he likes. He seems to be very relaxed and
comfortable. When I see this picture, it reminds me of my habit of reading comic books when I was a kid.
Task 2: Tell me about a book you read in the past, what when where how?