Topic 1

1. Which kinds of people like reading news and which don’t like it?
I suppose that people who like to stay well-informed1 enjoy reading the news. Generally speaking, I
believe businessmen are regular readers of the news because they need to focus on whether new
policies have a good or bad influence on their business. On the flip side2, people who have a small
attention span3 or care about less serious things probably don’t like reading the news. You know, those
people aren’t that concerned with what’s going on in the world around them. They may care more
about their daily life and their own family.

2. What kind of news do people like?

Well, in general, people like news about celebrities. There are dozens of tabloid magazines4 that make
money off of5 people wanting to hear all the latest gossip about their favorite stars. Personally, I think
it’s really shallow6 of people to want to know so much about strangers, but I guess it can’t be helped
when we live in a society that focuses so much on famous people. Everyone just wants to know the
latest goings-on.

3. Do young people and old people like the same type of news?
I don’t think so. If you ask me7, young people like news about celebrities or pop culture. For example,
lots of my friends spend hours scrolling through news articles about their favorite stars. But when it
comes to old people, I think they probably enjoy news that are focused on politics. For example, my
grandpa likes staying up to date with the latest actions of famous politicians. They’re much more
serious in that regard8.

1 well-informed:
2 On the flip side
3 have a small attention span：
4 tabloid magazines
5 make money off of

6 shallow

7 If you ask me:

8 in that regard
4. Besides TV, how do people get news?
Well, when it comes to people my age, I know that getting news from social media websites is actually
pretty common. For example, I often check out sites like Sina9 so I’m in the know with what’s going
on. But I know lots of other people get news the old-fashioned way through actual newspapers. Many
old people are subscribed to a ton of newspapers that keep them informed. To each their own10.

5. Do you think children should start watching news from a young age?
I don’t really think children should start watching news from a young age. A lot of what you see on
the news or read about in the papers is pretty serious. For example, there are lots of stories about violent
acts like robberies and murders. I think kids should be allowed to be kids11 and not have to worry about
heavy stuff like that. Maybe they can start paying attention to the news when they’re older.

6. Do you think we should pay attention to the latest news?

Yeah, I believe it’s important to pay attention to the latest news. After all, a good citizen is an informed
citizen. If you watch or read the latest news, you can know more about what’s going on in the world.
That’ll give you material for interesting and informative conversations with the people around you.
Actually nowadays, people are too focused on themselves. It’s good to branch out 12 and pay attention
to stuff like that.

9 check out sites like Sina

10 To each their own
11 kids should be allowed to be kids

12 branch out：
Topic 2
1. Are public facilities important?
Yes, I believe public facilities are key when it comes to a healthy and happy society. Some of them
meet our basic needs, like hospitals, while others help with our sense of security and safety, like police
stations. Without those two, it would be hard to live peacefully. Plus, some others lend a hand in
building community, like libraries. Without public facilities, it’s much harder for society to function
the way it should13.

2. What are the public facilities near your home?

Well, I don’t live downtown, so there aren’t too many public facilities around. I know for sure there’s
a hospital nearby, which is a big relief14 in case I ever get injured. It’s good to know that help is just a
hop, skip, and a jump away15. And there might be a police station close by too, which also sets my
mind at ease. It definitely makes me feel a lot safer when I sleep at night.

3. What are the differences between public facilities used by young people and old people?
I think young people tend to use public facilities that match their lifestyles, which in their case are very
active and engaging. So they tend to use recreational centers or public gyms. Anywhere they can work
up a sweat is usually a good place for them. On the flip side16, old people use more basic facilities like
libraries. They enjoy more relaxed places where they can just wind down and enjoy some peace and
quiet.

13 to function the way it should

14 a big relief
15 a hop, skip, and a jump away

16 On the flip side

4. Are new public facilities better than old ones?
I suppose that it’s safe to say17 new public facilities are better than old ones. Since they’re more up-to-
date, their quality is worlds away from18 that of the run-down facilities. When it comes to facilities like
hospitals in particular, quality is super important. But that doesn’t mean we should get rid of all the
old facilities. You don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater19. Those places can still have
uses.

5. What’s the difference between facilities in the countryside and the ones in the cities?
I think facilities in the countryside are more basic. You know, you’d probably just have hospitals and
police stations but nothing more up-to-date like gyms or recreational centers. They’re probably not as
high-quality either, since there aren’t as many people in the countryside as there are in the cities so
nicer, more expensive equipment is harder to afford. But when it comes to cities, public facilities
usually need to cater to a larger number of people, so they have to be bigger in terms of both size and
quantity.

17 it’s
safe to say
18 worlds away from
19 You don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater
Topic 3
1. How should schools teach students to live healthily?
I think schools can teach students to live healthily by keeping them informed. For instance, they can
explain what kinds of foods are best to eat and how to properly exercise to stay fit. They can also
include that kind of information in science classes. If kids know more about how their bodies work
through studying biology, they can figure out how to treat their body in order to keep things running
smoothly20.

2. What do people usually do to maintain their health?

As far as I know, the two main things people do to maintain their health are exercising and eating right.
The first one is super important. Keeping a nice body shape is good not only for appearances, but for
your overall health. Your weight can become an issue if you don’t keep it in check21. But it’s also
important to eat the right kinds of foods, like fruits and vegetables. Nutritional foods can provide all
the vitamins you need as well as enough calories.

3. Is health education important?

Yes, health education is definitely important, especially for younger and more impressionable students.
They need to learn at an early age how to take care of themselves, or they run the risk of22 developing
unhealthy habits that can negatively impact their health in the long run23. So learning about what kinds
of foods to eat and how to exercise the right way is key for individuals’ health. Health education is the
first step in creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

20 keep things running smoothly

21 keep it in check
22 run the risk of

23 in the long run

4. What kinds of lifestyles are unhealthy?
Well, off the top of my head, I guess I’d have to say that a sedentary lifestyle24 is pretty unhealthy. It’s
not good to just lie around all day without exercising. It can make you less fit or even have back pain.
You also need to eat properly, so lifestyles full of over-eating are also bad for your health. Basically,
to stay healthy you need to exercise and eat good food. Otherwise, you might end up developing lots
of different health issues.

5. What can doctors do to help people solve health-related problems?

The first thing that comes to mind is giving patients medicine. Different kinds of medicines can be
used to solve a wide variety of illnesses and other health-related problems. Another thing doctors can
do to help people with health issues is giving them instructions for their daily life. For example, they
can suggest types of exercises to help with muscle pain. At the end of the day25, doctors really are life-
savers.

24 a sedentary lifestyle
25 At the end of the day
Topic 4
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing outdoor sports?
Honestly, sports really aren’t my cup of tea so I might be a little biased. But if I have to think of
advantages, I guess one is that you usually have much larger areas to play in. Another advantage is
that you get fresh air while you play. But the downsides would be that you’re subject to the weather,
which can change on a dime26. It would suck27 to be caught in a downpour.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing indoor sports?

Off the top of my head, I would say that the advantages are that the environment is way cleaner and
more controlled than it is outside. When you’re playing outdoors, you have to deal with inclement
weather28. But inside, you can manage the temperature and you don’t have to worry about getting too
dirty. But on the flip side, indoor sports can often get crowded since facilities tend to be small.

3. What sports involve teamwork?

There are tons of sports that require you to be a team player. I’m not exactly an expert when it comes
to sports, but I can think of a few like basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Those ones obviously require
teams. But there are also smaller-scale sports like badminton, which involves teamwork when you play
it in pairs. In all of those sports, you have to trust your teammates and make sure you work well together.

4. What kinds of outdoor sports are popular in your country?

I’m not a giant fan of outdoor sports, but a lot of my friends are. As far as I know, badminton and
volleyball are really popular, especially in the summer. During the last summer holiday, some people
I know actually set up a badminton tournament29. It was a blast just to watch them all go at it30. I guess
another one would be soccer. It’s probably a good way to blow off steam but I’d rather just watch.

26 change on a dime
27 suck：
28 inclement weather:
29 set up a badminton tournament
30 go at it： 以
5. Which one is more exciting, indoor sports or outdoor sports?
Personally, I think outdoor sports are a lot more exciting. As far as I know, many outdoor sports are
more intense than indoor sports. And people also get more active and adventurous when they’re outside.
For example, a ton of people like playing football because you get to run in a really large field as well
as have a lot of fun playing against the other team. In contrast, many indoor games like yoga or dancing
are less competitive than outdoor sports.
Topic 5
1. Is time management important?
Time management is super important, especially if you’re a student. In order to juggle all your
assignments well31, you have to make and stick to a schedule. It’s not that easy to plan out your time,
but once you get the hang of it32, you realize that time management is such a life-saver. It helps people
get things done on time and avoid procrastinating. It really comes in handy33 when it comes to getting
good grades.

2. What are the effective ways to manage time?

The first thing that comes to mind is making a to-do list. When you have a ton of stuff to do, you
should order them from most important to least important. Then, starting at the top, you can work your
way down34 so you get your high-priority tasks done first. Another effective way to manage time is
getting rid of distractions. Turn off your phone or anything else that isn’t helping you focus.

3. Which kinds of things will occupy a whole day for people?

Well this is a tricky question…Actually now people are always tied up with their work or study, so
they spend most of their time on their schoolwork or jobs. Another thing I can think of is that young
couples often spend a whole day on a date. You know, lots of young guys want to have a full-on
experience when it comes to a date. So as far as I know, young couples do a lot of fun activities with
their partner during a day, like having a good meal, watching a movie, or going shopping. All of those
cost time.

4. Do you think most people can manage their time well?

I suppose that in general, most people can manage their time well. I’m thinking more of adults, who
have had more experience and know how to schedule better. You know, most Chinese adults don’t
have that much free time; many of them need to work overtime as well as run errands after work35. So
they have to know how to make the most of the free time they have. If you think of it this way, you’ll
find that many people are really good at handling their time.

31 juggle all your assignments well

32 get the hang of it
33 comes in handy

34 work your way down

35 run errands after work

5. What do old people and young people do during their free time?
Well, as far as I know, a ton of elders in China love square dancing. It’s a kind of group dance that
many Chinese people love doing in an open space. It’s quite popular among seniors. And it’s a very
healthy activity both physically and mentally. When it comes to young people, I think what they do
the most to kill free time is playing cellphone games. Honestly, many people my age look at screens
day in and day out, which is really a decadence36.

6. Apart from study and work, is it necessary to have time for relaxing?
Yes, it’s really important to have time to just kick back and relax. Work and study are definitely
important because they keep us productive and help maintain our livelihood, but if we don’t have time
to unwind37, we might press ourselves until we break. Relaxing is good for our physical and mental
health. Nobody wants to overwork themselves. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is
take time to wind down.

36 a decadence
37 unwind
Topic 6

1. What kinds of water sports are popular nowadays?

Well, sports aren’t really my cup of tea, so I don’t keep track of them38 too much. But when it comes
to water sports, I’m fairly sure that swimming and water-skiing are pretty popular. You know,
swimming is such a common activity. Basically everyone I know enjoys a good swim. But water-
skiing isn’t as typical39 because it takes more skill, and it can be pretty expensive. But from what I’ve
heard40, it’s a total blast to do.

2. Why do people like to do things near water (even though they can’t swim)?
I guess people like doing things near water because of the environment. Even if they can’t swim, they
can still enjoy the sound of the waves41 and the fresh air if they’re around a lake or an ocean. It can
really set your mind at ease to be around water. It’s such a beautiful sight as well. Personally, I like
being around water even if I’m not swimming. It just calms me down.

3. Do you think schools should teach students how to swim?

I think it would be great if schools taught students how to swim. For one, it’s actually an important life
skill. You might find yourself knocked out of42 a boat, or even a plane, and in that case swimming
could save your life. Secondly, swimming is great exercise. Schools are trying to help their students
become better, well-rounded43 individuals. So swimming could be a part of that. It definitely improves
people’s health.

38 don’t keep track of them:

39 isn’tas typical：
40 But from what I’ve heard

41 the sound of the waves

42 knocked out of

43 well-rounded
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of water transportation?
Well, water transportation is great because it can fit a lot of people. When it comes to crossing the
ocean, planes can only take hundreds of people at a time. But normally, a cruise44 can take thousands
of people on it. Plus, air travel can cost an arm and a leg. So boats and ships are a really great
alternative45. It’s very scenic46 too. But on the downside, water transportation can be very slow. Plus,
some people get very seasick47 when travelling by water.

5. What are the differences between people’s feelings about living inland and living by the sea?
Well, it’s hard to say. It really depends on the person. Someone who’s very introverted and quiet might
feel that living inland is too crowded. They might prefer living by the sea, since it means being
surrounded by nature and not living such a hectic life48. But people who are extroverted and outgoing
probably feel that living by the sea is too boring for those same reasons49. They might feel that living
inland is the way to go50.

44 cruise

45 a really great alternative

46 scenic:

47 seasick:

48 such a hectic life

49 for those same reasons
50 is the way to go
Topic 7
1. Can shopping boost an economy?
I believe shopping can definitely boost an economy. Granted51, I don’t really have a head for52 financial
stuff. But from my perspective, I think that shopping contributes positively to the economy because
sales can help grow businesses. When there are lots of businesses, the economy naturally grows and
everyone benefits from it. That being said53, you have to take what I say with a grain of salt54. I’m not
an expert on the subject.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping at a mall?

Well, I’m a pretty avid shopper55, so the advantages are easy to think of. The first one I want to mention
is variety. When you go to a mall, there are lots of different stores to browse around in. Another
advantage is convenience since you don’t have to waste time going from place to place. But in terms
of disadvantages, I guess one is that shopping malls can get super crowded. During the holidays, people
are packed in like sardines56.

3. Which one is more important for buying an item, quality or price?

I think quality is definitely more important when it comes to buying something. I get it when people
are tight with their budgets57; after all, money doesn’t grow on trees58. But it’s more important to focus
on the quality. If you buy something high-quality, you won’t have to spend extra money replacing it.
So in a way59, it actually saves you money. As my parents always say, a penny saved is a penny
earned60.

51 Granted

52 have a head for:

53 That being said
54 with a grain of salt

55 prettyavid shopper
56 packed in like sardines
57 tight with their budgets

58 money doesn’t grow on trees

59 in a way

60 a penny saved is a penny earned

4. Are used items recycled in your country? Is it common?
I’m not too sure, but I think it’s pretty common for used items to be recycled in China. A lot of items
can be recycled and resold for money, such as aluminum cans61, paper, or plastic bottles. And it’s
pretty common in China. Actually nowadays people are way more environmentally conscious62 than
they used to be. So it’s a great thing that we find ways to help protect the environment. I suppose that
recycling is a small way for everyone to help share a huge responsibility.

5. Do you pay attention to environmental protection?

Honestly, I probably don’t pay as much attention as I should when it comes to environmental protection.
Sometimes I read articles about movements that are meant to help the environment, but I couldn’t tell
you one off the top of my head. Personally I just try to stay aware about63 how I can change my habits
to help out the earth. For example, I use public transportation whenever I can and I recycle all my used
items.

61 aluminum cans:
62 way more environmentally conscious
63 stay aware about：
 Topic 8
1. What are the common useful home appliances that people often use these days?
There are tons, but the first one that comes to mind is a microwave. As a student, I use a microwave day
in and day out to warm up leftovers64, whether it’s food that I made or food that I bought from a takeout
place. Plus, you can actually cook using a microwave. My favorite dish to make in a microwave is instant
noodles. And…some other helpful home appliances are toasters65 and coffee-makers.

2. Are you good at handling problems on your own?

Well, that honestly depends on what the problem is. If it’s something to do with my personal life, I can
usually sort it out66 on my own. I’m pretty good at settling conflicts67 that come up between me and my
family or friends. But if it’s something that requires a lot of experience, especially if it’s a mechanical
issue, then I have to call my parents, or even an expert if the problem’s pretty bad.

3. What do people feel when they buy new equipment?

I think a lot of people feel really pleased when they buy new equipment. It’s a way of treating themselves68,
even if it’s a necessary replacement. For example, I felt really happy when I bought a new rice cooker69.
The old one made the rice too dry, so getting a new one made my day70 because it meant better-made
meals. Plus, it was nice to be able to afford a replacement. It made me feel very accomplished71.

64 leftovers：
65 toasters:

66 sort it out：
67 settling conflicts：
68 treating themselves
69 rice cooker:

70 made my day

71 accomplished
4. Do you think modern technology makes people lazier?
Well, yes…I suppose that back in the olden days, when people had to do a lot of basic tasks themselves,
it made them more hard-working and dedicated. But now that everything is designed to be as convenient
as possible, people tend to be a lot lazier when it comes to handling business in their everyday lives72.
They don’t want to do something themselves if a machine can do it for them. It’s a real pity when you
think about it.

5. When an electronic item of yours does not work, would you repair it or buy a new one?
Well, I generally try to repair an electronic item if it doesn’t work. For example, I recently broke the
display on my laptop. Fixing it wasn’t exactly cheap, but buying a new one would’ve cost me an arm and
a leg73. So I decided that it was worth it to invest in my current laptop since it was still working fine, other
than the screen. I think in the end, that’s usually the best option.

72 handling business in their everyday lives

73 cost me an arm and a leg
Topic 9
1. In which circumstances do people tell white lies?
It sounds kind of funny, but I think that74 people usually only tell white lies to be polite. For example,
you might not like your friend’s outfit, but you might tell a white lie and say that you do because you
don’t want to hurt their feelings. After all, you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar 75.
Besides, some people tell white lies to their family to keep them from being worried76. I remember that
when my parents called me to see how I was doing, I always told them I was good even though
sometimes I was not.

2. Is telling small lies harmful? Is telling small lies a big deal?

I like to think that I’m an honest person, but I suppose that telling small lies isn’t that bad in the right
situation. Sometimes you don’t want to hurt other people’s feelings or step on their toes77, so you try
to lie your way around it. If it’s just to be polite I don’t think it’s a big deal, but telling small lies can
add up to bigger problems. As we all know, to hide a lie, a thousand lies are needed. So it’s best to be
honest whenever you can.

3. Do you think is it okay to lie? What is the harm of lying?

Well, I don’t think it’s okay to lie in all circumstances. Sometimes it happens, but you should try to
avoid it. The harm of lying is that it can lead to people’s feelings getting hurt if they find out you
weren’t telling the truth. And telling lies not only hurts people, but also causes them to lose trust in
you. Once people know you are a liar, they can hardly believe you anymore.

74 It sounds kind of funny, but I think that

75 you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar

76 keep them from being worried
77 step on their toes
4. Which modern techniques can help police solve a crime case?
Nowadays, technology is worlds away from what it used to be. When it comes to solving crimes,
there’s all kinds of cool gadgets and gizmos78 that can help the police. For example, examining DNA
79 80
from a crime scene can usually help officers track down the criminal. Another cool modern
technique is having surveillance81 in public places. If a robbery takes place, the store usually has
security footage82 that shows whoever is responsible for the crime.

5. Do you think it’s important to teach children to be honest?

Yes, it’s definitely important to teach children to be honest. Even though there are some situations
where they’ll want to lie, they should learn that honesty is the best policy. If they don’t learn that, they
might think it’s okay to tell lies just to get what they want. That’s definitely a bad behavior that can
negatively affect their relationships in the future. It’s up to parents to teach them right from wrong 83
and make sure they know not to lie.

6. Some people say that liars are those who have a good memory; what do you think?
Well, I’ve never actually heard that expression before. But I guess it makes sense84. If you lie a lot,
you’d have to have a good memory to stay on your toes and not get caught 85. I have watched several
detective dramas, and liars in the dramas have to remember all the details they lied about or they will
be easily found out. So maybe there’s some truth behind it86. Personally, I try not to lie, so I don’t
have a lot of experience on the subject87.

78 gadgets and gizmos

79 a crime scene
80 track down

81 surveillance

82 security footage

83 teach them right from wrong

84 I’ve never actually heard that expression before. But I guess it makes sense

85 stay on your toes and not get caught

86 maybe there’s some truth behind it
87 I don’t have a lot of experience on the subject
Topic 10
1. What kinds of service are bad service?
Thankfully I haven’t experienced a lot of bad service in my lifetime, but I would say that bad service
is anything that makes the customer uncomfortable or upset. For example, if a staff member is impolite
or ticks you off88, then they’re not doing their job right. Service should be friendly and helpful.
Employees should assist you with your problem in the best way possible89. This also includes being
efficient and effective.

2. What would most people do when they have bad service?

I think most people would be impatient or even angry if they get bad service. People come to expect
professionalism and cooperation from staff members, so if they get anything less they can easily lose
their cool. And many of them would complain about the service issue to the managers or supervisors
of the place. Plus, nowadays it’s so easy to write a bad review on the internet. And tons of people,
especially young guys, would choose to share their feedback about the terrible service they had on
social media.

3. Why do some people choose to remain silent when they receive bad service?
In my opinion, some people just don’t want to get staff members in trouble. I always feel bad reporting
an employee for bad service. Even though it was their fault, I don’t like being responsible for what
may happen to them. I would feel awful if someone got fired just because I spoke up. So I guess a lot
of people think that way as well. But it’s also possible they just don’t think it’s worth the trouble. After
all, making a complaint can cost a lot of time and might not solve the problem.

88 ticks you off

89 assist you with your problem in the best way possible
4. What can a company do to promote service?
I’m no expert, but I believe there are definitely some easy ways for companies to improve their service.
The first one that comes to mind is doing employee training specifically for good service. This would
involve teaching all staff members how to be polite, friendly, and helpful when helping out customers.
Another way is having customer feedback available. If people can talk about their experiences at the
company, then the company can use those reports to improve any problem areas.

5. What kinds of jobs require good service?

I think jobs that involve working face-to-face with customers require good service. Off the top of my
head, a good example is a salesperson. Whether you’re selling clothes or cars, you have to interact
with the customer and give them any help they might need. Since all your interactions are in person,
you have to be friendly and polite. A lot of sales jobs include commissions90, so that motivates you to
step up91 your service to get good wages.

90 commissions

91 step up
Topic 11
1. What kinds of colleagues do you like to work with?
I like to work with colleagues who are nice and responsible. Since you have to spend a lot of time with
the people you work with, it makes a world of difference92 if you can get along with them. Having
things in common93 with them also helps. But they should be responsible too. One of my favorite
coworkers is always accountable for her actions94. When we work on something together, she always
does her part carefully and makes sure we are on the same page95.

2. What abilities do you need to get along with coworkers?

I think you need to be patient and considerate to get along with coworkers. Even though your goal
should always be acting nice towards others, it’s just a given that96 you won’t like everybody you meet.
So to get along with them, you have to be really patient and be on your best behavior. Plus, you have
to be considerate about their thoughts and feelings so you can get along.

3. Which is more important to you at work, development in work-related skills or recognition

from your supervisors?
Well, development in work-related skills is definitely more important to me at work. It’s really nice to
get recognition from my supervisors, but in the end, that won’t get me as far in life as developing skills
will. You can always take skills with you to the next job in case you want to switch things up97. In
other words, building more skills is equivalent to building up your resume.

92 itmakes a world of difference

93 Having things in common
94 accountable for her actions

95 on the same page

96 it’s just a given that

97 switch things up
4. Do students have the right to choose who they share a desk with?
That’s definitely a tough question. On the one hand, students have to spend a lot of time with their
desk-mate and they’re very close to them, so it would help if they had a say in the matter98. But on the
other hand, especially when students are young, they need to learn how to get along with their peers,
so maybe it’s best to leave those decisions with the teachers.

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of seats assigned by teachers?

Well, talking about the advantages, one thing I can think of is that teachers can pair students who can
help each other with studying by letting them share a desk. My desk-mate in high school, who was
also my best friend, often gave me a hand when I had difficulty in math. But the disadvantage is that
you might end up sitting with a student you can't get along with.

98 if they had a say in the matter

Topic 12

1. Do children need to get encouragement?

Yes, I definitely think children need to get encouragement. It helps them develop a healthy sense of
self-esteem. When you’re that young, you can easily get discouraged99 if things don’t go your way. If
children don’t get any encouragement, they might become anxious and develop unhealthy behaviours
later in life. So parents should encourage their children when they’re facing difficulties, or even if they
make a mistake. It’s all part of learning how to get through life100.

2. What do parents do to encourage children to learn more?

I suppose that generally, parents encourage their kids to learn more by setting a good example101. Even
if the parents aren’t trying to learn something, they can show their kids how to be hard-working and
responsible. Plus, they can encourage them by giving them rewards when they improve their learning.
For example, they can take their children on a special trip if they show improvement in their studies.

3. Do you think it’s important for teenagers to set goals?

Yes, it’s definitely important for teenagers to set goals. Even though it might be tempting to just wing102
everything, setting goals and achieving them teaches teenagers responsibility. They need to learn those
types of skills in order to make it103 in the real world. After they graduate and try to get jobs, setting
goals will help them have better careers. Plus, when they achieve a goal, it’ll encourage them and boost
their self-esteem.

99 get discouraged
100 get through life
101 setting a good example

102 wing

103 make it:

4. Who do you think has the greater influence on the goal-setting of children? Teachers or
parents?
It’s a tough call104, but I think that teachers might actually have a greater influence on children’s goal-
setting. Parents are definitely important as well, don’t get me wrong105. But when it comes down to
it106, teachers actually spend more time with children, at least in the earlier parts of their lives. So
they’re the ones who can encourage them over time to set goals and achieve them. Plus, a lot of goals
are based on education.

5. Is money the only tool to motivate employees to work better?

No, I don’t think money is the only tool. Well, it’s definitely one of the most powerful tools. But
employees can also be motivated by different kinds of rewards, like getting more time off work. If
employees often work overtime and don’t have enough vacation, it’s very easy for them to develop
anxiety, which might negatively affect their productivity. Plus, I know a lot of people who just want
to do better because they love what they do. They just want to do better for their own sense of
satisfaction. So sometimes, improvement comes from self-motivation107.

6. Is competition between employees a good thing? Are there any disadvantages of it?
Well, it depends. Sometimes, competition between employees can help them improve their job
performance. If they’re trying to beat out another employee108 for a raise or a promotion, then they’ll
put their all into their work. But I think there are some disadvantages. Sometimes, competition can
make employees rush through their work109, which ends up being less productive when they make
mistakes. Plus, it can also put too much stress on them.

104 It’sa tough call

105 don’t get me wrong
106 when it comes down to it

107 self-motivation

108 beat out:

109 rush through their work

Topic13

1. What kinds of advice do parents give to their children?

I think that in general, parents want their children to succeed and be happy. So they give them advice
that will help with that. For instance, if children are facing a problem, parents will encourage them to
work through it110 and not give up. Or they might tell their children to see the bright side of the problem
and not just complain about it. Everyone wants their kid to do well, so they give them the best advice
they can.

2. What advice do parents often give to teenagers about making friends?

Usually, parents encourage teenagers to be active when it comes to making friends. It’s easier to get
others to accept you when you start the conversation first. We can often see that outgoing and
extroverted people have more friends than people who are shy and don’t like talking with others
actively. A lot of parents also tell teenagers not to give into peer pressure 111. Sometimes when you
make friends, you might be tempted to follow along with the crowd. But it’s best to stick to your
guns112 and avoid doing anything stupid.

3. Should parents get involved in their children’s friendships?

I don’t think parents should take actions with their children’s friendships, even if they have a falling
out with their friends. Actually, it’s natural for children to fall out and make friends again. If parents
help too much, they might make the situation even worse. They can just teach their children what
qualities a good friend should have and let them choose who to be friends with.

110 work through it

111 give into peer pressure
112 stick to your guns
4. How do experts give advice to others? (e.g. a doctor gives advice to his patients); What personal
qualities should experts have?
I find that in general, experts are very calm and helpful when they give advice. They make sure to give
their client all the right information. And if needed, they can explain it more than once so their client
gets the full picture113. So to be an expert in something114, you should be patient and hardworking. You
can’t just give up at the first sign of trouble115. Otherwise, you won’t do very well in your field.

5. Whose advice is more helpful? Parents’ or friends’?

I suppose that in general, parents’ advice is more helpful than advice from friends. Even though your
friends might know you even better than your parents do, your parents have way more experience.
They’ve been alive way longer than you or your friends. So it’s best to take advice from the wise. Your
friends might end up leading you astray116, even if they don’t mean to. I always listen to my parents
before my friends

113 gets the full picture

114 to be an expert in something
115 give up at the first sign of trouble

116 end up leading you astray

Topic 14

1. Should schools and parents teach children to help others?

Yes, schools and parents should definitely teach children to help others. Having compassion and
lending a hand117 are really important skills that will benefit them in the long run. If they learn to help
others, they can develop better personalities. They’re more likely to be kind and generous in the future.
That makes them more attractive for friends and significant others. So helping others is definitely a
valuable life skill.

2. How should parents and schools teach children to help others?

Parents can teach children to help others by demonstrating that kind of behaviour. For example, if a
parent sees someone in need, they can help them out and then explain why they did that to their child.
If their child has siblings, they can also encourage them to help their brother or sister out. As for schools,
I think they can teach children to help others by letting them do group activities. When they work
together, they’ll learn to help each other as well.

3. Why are children nowadays less likely to help others?

I guess it’s because nowadays, our society is becoming more focused on individuals. People think
more about themselves than they do about others. Children pick up on118 those things, and they start
to model selfish behaviours. Sometimes, children are even taught to put themselves before anyone
else119. So they don’t think they need to help anyone else. It’s really a shame120, honestly. I hope that
future generations learn to be kinder.

4. In what kinds of professions do people help others more?

I think any job that involves protecting people automatically means helping them more. For example,
it’s a police officer’s job to protect society by catching criminals and ensuring the public’s safety. The
same goes for firefighters. Plus, there are jobs in healthcare that involve helping people a lot. For
example, doctors and nurses help others by curing their illnesses and treating their injuries. We
definitely wouldn’t get very far in life without these kinds of workers.

117 Having compassion and lending a hand

118 pick up on
119 put themselves before anyone else

120 It’s really a shame

5. How can children help others?
There are tons of ways for children to help others. For one, they can spend time with each other. For
example, when their friends are lonely or upset, they can just simply offer companionship121. After all,
being someone’s friend helps them avoid boredom and loneliness. They can also be generous by
sharing their toys or even their clothes with kids in poor areas. A little kindness goes a long way122.
Besides, at home, children can also help their parents do chores. Sometimes it’s not about how they
can help, it’s all about their attitude. I believe parents would be very happy seeing their children help
out at home.

121 companionship

122 A little kindness goes a long way

Topic 15
1. Do you think beautiful looks are important to people?
It’s a shame, but123 I think nowadays people are pretty focused on looks. So people who are attractive
are usually more popular. I know that looks shouldn’t really matter that much, but I have to admit, I’m
more likely to pay attention to people who look nice. That includes wearing a stylish outfit and having
an up-to-date hairstyle. Whether we want to admit or not, looks can really get you far in this world124.
People naturally tend to help others who look attractive.

2. Is it a good thing that companies use models in their advertisement?

Yeah, it’s a good thing that companies use models in their advertisement. It’s a way of appealing to
people’s humanity. If they see models using the company’s products, they can picture themselves125
using the products more easily. But on a less positive note126, using models can sometimes produce
really unhealthy standards for what people should look like. For example, companies often use really
attractive people to sell their products, which can make more ordinary people feel self-conscious127.

3. What are the disadvantages of being beautiful?

It’s hard to think of one, but I guess every rose has its thorn128 . So if I have to talk about the
disadvantages of being beautiful, the first one that comes to mind is that people can assume you’re
shallow. For example, my friend in high school was drop-dead gorgeous129. But that made everyone
think she spent all her time on her appearance and didn’t care about anything else. It was a shame
because she’s a sweet and very hardworking person.

123 It’sa shame, but

124 get you far in this world
125 picture themselves

126 on a less positive note

127 self-conscious

128 every rose has its thorn

129 drop-dead gorgeous

4. Which part of country is the most beautiful place?
Well, actually China is a huge country and has countless beautiful natural landscapes. Each part of
China has its distinct130, beautiful places. I really hope I can travel to most of them in the future. But
among all the natural sceneries I’ve been to, the most breathtaking one is the top of Tai Mountain. It’s
a really grand mountain. And I saw the most wonderful sunrise on the top of it. It was stunning!

5. Which is more beautiful, cultural attractions or natural landscapes?

From my perspective, natural landscapes are way more beautiful. I think there’s something admirable
about cultural attractions, like the Great Wall and other manmade places, but they’re not really my cup
of tea. Natural landscapes are just so stunning; they can literally take your breath away131. I would
much rather check out an awesome mountain range than see a cool building. I also think that being in
nature is a good way to set your mind at ease132.

130 distinct

131 take your breath away

132 set your mind at ease
Topic 16
1. What kinds of people are clever?
That’s a tough question to answer. But I guess that people who are clever are usually smart. They’re
able to look at a problem and come up with133 an interesting or unique solution. They think outside the
box134 and look at things from a bunch of different perspectives. You can also call clever people crazy
as a fox135; it might seem like they’re acting weirdly but they’re as smart as a fox is supposed to be.

2. Which kinds of ways can develop children’s intelligence?

Well, there are many different ways to develop a child’s intelligence. The first one I can think of is
having them read136. Reading helps them develop literacy skills and allows them to start thinking
critically, both of which are very important when it comes to smarts. Another way is exposing them to
a variety of subjects to help them have a well-rounded mind. That could include doing math and
different kinds of physical exercises. I believe this can help students think better from the perspective
of science.

3. Are cleverer people happier? Why?

Well, to be honest, I don’t think cleverer people are necessarily happier137 than anyone else. I mean,
on the one hand, clever people can be happier because in general they have more successful careers
and higher income than normal people. Being clever can make your life more comfortable. But on
the other hand, we all have challenges in life whether we’re clever or not. Sometimes, problems like
family conflicts and emotion struggles are even harder for clever people to solve because they might
overthink the issues. So I don’t really think that cleverer people are automatically happier.

4. Do you think smart people tend to be selfish?

Well, I’ve been called smart myself, so I really hope not! But I can see why some people might think
that. Smart people can get their way a lot easier, so in that sense they could be selfish and use their
intelligence just to better themselves138 and no one else. But I believe a lot of smart people are very
generous to others, so it’s not fair to call them all selfish. For example, a lot of famous and genius
entrepreneurs like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have donated most of their wealth to charity. That’s
very respectful.

133 come up with

134 think outside the box
135 crazy as a fox

136 having them read

137 necessarily happier

138 better themselves

5. Who do you think plays a more important role in a child’s development, teachers or parents?
I suppose that parents play a more important role in a child’s development. For one, they’re with the
child from the day they’re born. So they have a huge influence on them for basically their whole life.
Plus, the parents are the ones in charge of raising the child. They can affect what the child believes and
how they behave. Teachers still have an important role in children’s lives, but I think parents take the
cake139.

6. How should teachers develop children’s intelligence?

I suppose that teachers should develop children’s intelligence by challenging them in lots of different
ways. They should obviously teach them how to read and write, but they should also teach them
different skills that involve math and science. By expanding their horizons through different subjects,
they can help them become well-rounded and intelligent students. They can also help them develop
intelligence by giving them challenging questions and encouraging them to work it out as much as
they can. After all, the more you use your brain the better it works.

7. What are the qualities of good teachers?

Off the top of my head, the first thing that comes to mind is patience. Good teachers stick with their
students no matter how hard they’re struggling. They always encourage them to do their best. It kind
of goes without saying140, but good teachers should also be smart and clever. They should know how
to teach in different ways to help get the point across to different kinds of students.

8. Has the invention of the computer made people smarter? Or does it make people think less
than before?
Well, personally I suppose that computers are lifesavers. They can help us think in different and
challenging ways because of all the new technologies it uses. For example, you can analyze data and
learn science easily on computer. But on the flip side, computers can also make us think less because
they give us answers at the press of a button. People don’t really have to put their minds to141 anything
anymore because the computers do it for them. So it’s definitely a double-edged sword142.

139 take the cake

140 It kind of goes without saying

141 put their minds to

142 a double-edged sword
Topic 17

1. Do you think English will be the mainstream language of the world in the future? Why?
It’s hard to tell, but I think that that’s a real possibility143. English is already one of the top languages
in the world. Almost everywhere you go, people speak it. So I don’t think it’s such a leap to say that144
it could be the mainstream language in the future. But then again145, Mandarin and Spanish are catching
up146 as really popular languages as well. So I can’t say for sure147.

2. What benefits can a foreign language bring to one’s career?

Well, knowing a foreign language can definitely help your career. For one, a foreign language can help
you work in different places. If you wanted to travel in your career, knowing another language would
definitely come in handy148. Besides, knowing a foreign language can also help you speak with clients
from different countries, which is helpful if you work in business.

3. When learning a foreign language, which part is more difficult? Speaking or writing?
I suppose that speaking is probably more difficult. Writing can be hard in its own right149, but you
usually have more resources to help you learn, like dictionaries. But speaking a language is harder
because in addition to knowing grammar rules, you have to learn how to pronounce new sounds. Plus,
if you’re having a conversation with a native speaker, you might get easily confused since they usually
speak very quickly.

4. Do you think non-native speakers can master a foreign language perfectly?

Well, I think they can definitely master it really well. A lot of people just have the knack for learning
new languages. And with enough time and practice, it’s possible to speak another language fluently.
Sometimes, you can’t even tell that they aren’t native speakers. But I don’t know if they can ever be
perfect with a foreign language. For example, there are some idioms in English that a non-native
speaker might have trouble with learning.

143 that’s a real possibility

144 I don’t think it’s such a leap to say that

145 But then again

146 catching up
147 I can’t say for sure

148 come in handy

149 in its own right

5. Do children learn a foreign language easier?
Yes, children can definitely learn a foreign language faster and easier. Since they’re still developing,
children’s brains can take in150 new information much quicker than adults can. They can adapt to new
ways of speaking much better as well. Lots of people have learned one or even two new languages in
their childhood, and it’s stuck with them for the long run151. It’s amazing how quickly children can
pick up new things152.

6. What are the relations between language and culture? / Do you think learning a foreign
language is helpful to understand the local culture?
I think that language helps define a culture. For example, there are some sayings153 that relate to a
culture, and can’t really be translated to another language. More generally speaking, learning a
language is equivalent to learning a culture. Besides the language skill, you can also learn the values
of the culture. For example, you can learn a lot about how a culture views money by focusing on how
the language describes money. So yes, learning a foreign language can help you understand the local
culture better.

150 take in：

151 it’sstuck with them for the long run
152 pick up new things

153 sayings
Topic 18
1. What are the factors of being successful?
Off the top of my head, I’d say that you need to be really motivated to be successful. Sometimes life
will throw you a curveball154, so you have to stick to your plan no matter what. People who don’t have
a lot of motivation might just give up when things get difficult. Other than that155, I think you should
also be confident and good at communicating. People who have a knack for communication can
convince others easily. In that way, they’re more likely to be successful.

2. Do you think a university degree would guarantee one’s success in a career?

Actually, I don’t think having a university degree is a guarantee for success in a career. Nowadays,
people rise through the ranks156 in lots of different ways. Having a university degree definitely gives
you a boost157, but it’s not the only way to be successful. Many people never get a university degree,
but they are still great at what they do and have an awesome career. As we all know, lots of famous
entrepreneurs, like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, were even dropouts158 from college.

3. How would you define a student’s success?

Well, that’s a hard question to answer since every student is so different. But I suppose that in general,
a student is successful when they’ve become proficient in a subject and when they can extend their
skills in that class to real life159. It’s one thing to know160 how to read a book; it’s another to use
thinking skills to get a job. I think that’s how you can define success when it comes to students.

154 life will throw you a curveball

155 Other than that
156 rise through the ranks

157 gives you a boost

158 dropouts

159 extend their skills in that class to real life

160 It’s one thing to know… it’s another to use…

4. How can you be successful at work? How can you be successful at your company?
It seems to me that in order to be successful at work, you need to be driven and responsible. You also
have to have a clear goal and work hard to achieve it. As far as I know, most bosses like employees
who show those qualities, so they are more likely to be promoted faster than others. Besides, you
should also be passionate about your job. After all, if you love what you do, you’ll never have to work
a day in your life. Caring about your job can help you be better at it.

5. How should successful students be rewarded?

I suppose successful students should be rewarded with praise from their teachers. It’s always helpful
to receive constructive criticism161, but it’s even better when your teachers are building you up162 and
making you feel good about your work. I also think awards are a good way of motivating students and
rewarding them when they do well. That’s a way of recognizing their efforts so they can be more
confident and have more passion to study hard.

161 receive constructive criticism

162 building you up
Topic 19
1. What kinds of jobs are difficult to do in your country?
I believe any job that involves big risks is difficult. A good example is a police officer or a firefighter.
Those jobs put you face-to-face with danger pretty much on a daily basis. For those kinds of jobs, you
have to be really brave as well as physically fit. It’s definitely not a walk in the park163. Some difficult
jobs also involve a lot of intelligence, like doctors and scientists. Actually only a very small proportion
of people have the talent to be doctors and scientists. And those jobs also require years of study and
training.

2. Do you think difficult jobs are more interesting than easy jobs?
Yeah, I would say so. Difficult jobs might be riskier, but they’re also more interesting because of it.
For example, being a police officer would be way cooler than being a salesperson because police
officers get to help keep the community safe. They get to investigate cases164 and do interesting kinds
of work. Being a scientist would also be more interesting than an office job because of all the new
discoveries they can make.

3. Do difficult jobs offer high wages?

I mean, I sure hope so. If you’re doing hard work, you should be paid well for it. Thankfully, I think
that’s usually the case165. Lots of difficult jobs give you high wages, like police officers and firefighters.
Since they technically work for the government, I think they get paid a pretty penny166. Doctors and
scientists usually make good money as well, at least to my knowledge167. It makes the difficulty of the
job worth it.

163 It’s definitely not a walk in the park

164 investigate cases
165 Thankfully, I think that’s usually the case

166 a pretty penny

167 at least to my knowledge

4. Do you think robots would replace human workers in the future?
I believe they’ll replace some human workers, but definitely not all of them. For one, it would be pretty
expensive to actually make all those robot workers. For another, there are lots of jobs that robots can’t
do, like being therapists168 or police officers or artists. Most importantly, robots can’t create and control
things the way humans do. So I don’t think we have to be worry about robots stealing all our jobs.

5. What kinds of jobs cannot be replaced by robots? What kinds of jobs can be replaced by
robots?
I mean, robots can take care of manufacturing jobs, which has already happened in a lot of factories.
They can even do jobs that involve selling things or serving people. But I don’t think they can replace
that human touch when it comes to more arts-based jobs, like writing books, making movies, or even
designing things. I definitely hope robots won’t take over all jobs in the future. It would make the
future pretty bleak169.

6. Do you think it would be beneficial to provide training to employees?

Yes, I definitely think it’s beneficial to provide training to employees. Every company has expectations
for their employees. So if they give their employees training, there’s good communication and
understanding between both ends170. The company can make it clear how they want their employees
to behave while on the job. Without training, employees might try to do things their own way and
cause confusion. I can’t imagine the kind of chaos171 that would cause.

168 therapists

169 bleak

170 both ends

171 chaos
Topic 20
1. What are the common hobbies that young people and old people have?
I think that both young people and old people like doing relaxing activities. The first one that comes
to mind is going to the movies. It’s a fun social event that doesn’t take up that much time or energy,
so people of all ages enjoy it. Another common hobby is reading. The only difference might be how
they read. Old people probably prefer paper books while young people often read on their phone or
tablet.

2. What can old people teach young people?

Well, old people have tons of wisdom to share with young people. For one, they can teach them
practical skills, like how to manage their time and money. Old people have had way more experience
so they can share their knowledge with the younger generations. Another thing old people can teach
young people is knowledge about the past. For example, they can tell them about what life used to be
like and pass down important family traditions.

3. What can young people teach old people?

Well, being a young person myself, a lot of things come to mind. The first one I can think of is that
young people can help old people learn about technology. They can teach them how to use the latest
gadgets172 like tablets and cellphones. Young people can also teach old people how to adapt to new
trends in society173. Things can change pretty dramatically within a few generations, such as dress
styles and the ways of entertainment.

4. What are the differences between old people and young people when they learn new things?
I believe young people are a lot more enthusiastic about learning new things. They don’t have as much
experience as old people so they’re eager to expand their horizons. From my own experience, it’s really
exciting to learn something that you don’t already know. But I suppose that in general, old people are
more hesitant to learn new things. They don’t like change as much, so it’s hard for them to take in new
knowledge174 that might change things.

172 the latest gadgets

173 adapt to new trends in society
174 take in new knowledge
5. Do you think old people should live with their family?
Well, it would be really nice for old people to live with their family. For one, it helps keep the family
close. It’s important to respect your elders, and there’s no better way to respect them than to take them
into your own home. That way the younger generation can still bond with175 the older one. But on the
flipside, elders might have different lifestyles than young people. So sometimes living with an elder
means you have to compromise in your daily life.

6. Why are some people considered boring?

I think some people are considered boring because they never go out of their comfort zone. For
example, there are many people who never like doing anything new. So whenever their friends want
to try something exciting, they refuse. It makes them seem like a total bore176. People can also be
boring if they never get excited about anything. It’s healthy to have a passion, and people who don’t
tend to be downers177.

175 bond with

176 atotal bore
177 downers
Topic 21

1. Describe a respectful Chinese celebrity who has creative and interesting thoughts.
Speaking of such a person, the first one I can think of is definitely the founder of Taobao, Jack Ma. He
is well-known for his creative ideas and fantastic thoughts about E-commerce. His vision for178 online
shopping and great work of establishing one of the largest online shopping websites in the world have
changed tons of Chinese people’s lifestyles, which is also the reason why so many people respect him.

2. When do children begin to have their own ideas?

I guess children usually start to have their own ideas when they’re five or six. Before that, they’re
pretty young and they don’t really have a sense of who they are. They don’t understand the world that
well179 either. But once they start learning in earnest180, they form their own ideas about how things
work. More importantly, they can actually express those ideas to others. It’s pretty cool to watch.

3. Do children have ideas that are similar to their parents? Are their ideas often influenced by
their parents?
In most cases, children have ideas that are similar to their parents’. After all, their parents are the ones
raising them. I think it’s pretty impossible not to be influenced by your parents. They’re the ones who
teach you about the world. So their biases are bound to181 affect you. But as people grow up, they can
start to form ideas that are different from their parents’.

178 vision for

179 that well：that
180 in earnest
181 bound to：
4. Why are there more and more differences between children and their parents?
I suppose it’s because nowadays, everyone is being encouraged to be unique. You know, we’re always
told that we should think for ourselves182. We shouldn’t depend on our parents’ ideas. If children
always listen to their parents and act like their parents, they will be less likely to become independent.
So that encourages children to have separate ideas183 and act differently than their parents. I don’t
know if it’s necessarily a good or bad thing. It’s hard to say for sure184.

5. How can teachers inspire children to have different opinions?

I suppose that teachers can inspire children to have more different and interesting opinions by exposing
them to all kinds of ideas. After all, if you only pay attention to what your parents or friends say, you’ll
probably just have the same opinions as them. So you should take in a wide range of opinions and
ideas, and then form your own opinions based on that. It’s always best to expand your horizons before
forming opinions.

182 think for ourselves

183 separate ideas
184 It’s hard to say for sure
Topic 22
1. What kinds of famous people do children like?
It seems to me that children are interested in famous people who act and sing. Those kinds of talents
are really easy to see and admire. For example, I have a young cousin who really loves the American
singer Taylor Swift. She’s little but she likes that kind of music, and she can recognize a Taylor Swift
song at the drop of a hat185. Besides actors and singers, I think famous magicians also have an impact
on children. Their performances can always attract children.

2. What are the changes to children’s lives compared with before? Are they positive or negative?
I suppose that children’s lives are a lot better than they used to be. The past was a lot more difficult for
basically everyone. People didn’t have the same luxuries as they do nowadays. My parents told me
that children didn't have any toys when they were young. And they even had to help parents do a lot
of chores that children today won’t do, like washing clothes and making meals. Nowadays, kids are
treated to the latest technologies and they have tons of entertainment at their fingertips186. So I think
it’s mostly a positive change from the past.

3. Should celebrities be role models to children?

Yeah, celebrities should set a good example for kids. Even though it’s not technically their job, being
in the public eye187 means that you have a huge influence on people, no matter what their age. So I
think that celebrities should be on their best behavior188 in public. That way, they can be good role
models for kids. I wouldn’t want any child of mine to admire someone who acted really badly, even if
they were famous.

185 atthe drop of a hat

186 attheir fingertips
187 being in the public eye

188 be on their best behavior

4. What are the responsibilities of celebrities to society? Why?
Well, it’s weird to think that189 celebrities have responsibilities to society. But in a way, they definitely
do. Just like everyone else, they owe it to society to be good citizens190 and help contribute positively
to the community. But since celebrities have such a huge influence on the public, I suppose that they
should use their fame to support important social movements and bring awareness to some public
issues191. It’s a way of using their status for good.

5. Is it a good thing to be famous as a child?

I actually think it’s really bad to be famous as a child. Growing up is tough enough without everyone
watching your every move192. When children are famous, they can quickly let the attention get to their
head and become really spoiled. They also run the risk of having more anxiety since they’re in the
public eye so often. So I guess fame would add too much stress to their daily life.

6. Do you think advertisements aimed at children should be endorsed by famous people?

Well… I don't think advertisements aimed at children should really exist to begin with. Advertisers
should just leave kids alone. They shouldn’t be targets of advertising; they’re too young to think about
that stuff. So in that sense, I don’t think famous people should endorse those types of advertisements.
When companies use popular actors or singers to sponsor their products, they can take advantage of193
children easily and end up ripping off194 them.

189 it’sweird to think that…

190 owe it to society to be good citizens
191 bring awareness to some public issues

192 without everyone watching your every move

193 take advantage of

194 ripping off

Topic 23
1. Should students learn many subjects or learn a few subjects but learn them deeply?
I suppose that it’s best for students to learn a wide range of subjects. There are definitely benefits to
learning only a few subjects well, but students need to be exposed to a variety of things first. That way,
they can narrow down their interests195 as they grow older. They might not know they’re interested in
something until they’re taught about it. That discovery wouldn’t happen if they only got to learn a few
subjects.

2. What are the influences of teachers’ course design and teaching methods on students?
Teachers obviously have a huge influence on students. The courses they pick and the way they teach
them affect the subjects that students will be interested in. For example, if a teacher has a very boring
course design for history and doesn’t use effective teaching methods, students might be turned off
from196 the subject of history and not want to study it anymore. On the flip side, if a teacher can teach
children in an interesting way, I guess even those students who don't like studying might be attracted
by the course. So teachers have to balance those things in order to make every subject as appealing as
possible.

3. Should school classes be interesting? Do interesting classes help students to learn better?
I definitely think classes should be interesting. I mean, the main thing is that they should be educational
above all else197. But it really helps if classes are interesting as well. That way, students are way more
likely to pay attention, and thus they’ll study better. I don’t think anyone wants to sit through 198 a
boring class. That’s about as fun as watching paint dry199. It’s much better to be in a class that’s both
educational and interesting.

195 narrow down their interests

196 turned off from：lose interest in something,
197 above all else
198 sit through

199 as fun as watching paint dry

4. How can teachers make math class more interesting?
Well, math has never been my cup of tea. But I suppose a way to make math classes more interesting
is by having real-life examples. In that way, it’s easier for students to understand the math theories.
For example, I remember I had a math teacher who taught us about percentages. She made it interesting
for us by talking about sales. You know, if something was thirty percent off at a store, I could calculate
the price on the spot200 because of her class. That skill has really come in handy201.

5. Do you think the internet is an important source of information?

Yeah, I would say the internet is a good source of information. There are so many interesting articles
about all different kinds of topics. From news to pop culture, you can stay in the know202 by looking
at the internet. It’s really amazing when you think about it. However, there’s also a lot of fake
information on the internet. So you just have to be careful about where you get your info from.

6. What subjects are more practical to learn nowadays?

Nowadays, I think it’s practical to learn subjects in the sciences, like physics, biology, and chemistry.
Those things can be applied to tons of different jobs. They’re especially practical because they help
other people out. Besides those basic subjects, I believe computer science and programming are the
most practical subjects in today’s world, since we basically use computers to work and study every
day. I believe no matter what you do in the future, knowing how to code will be a great advantage at
work.

200 on the spot：

201 come in handy
202 in the know
Topic 24
1. Is motivation important for learning new things?
Yes, I believe motivation is key when it comes to203 learning new things. To be specific, when you
want to learn something new outside of work or school, the only thing that will get you to learn it is
your own will. You have to be determined and motivated because there isn’t any outside pressure for
you to learn. I suppose that people can be motivated to learn new things by focusing on the benefits
that knowledge can bring them.

2. What do people learn from parents and teachers respectively?

Well, since your parents are with you literally for your whole life, they have a huge influence on you.
I think parents teach you how to treat others, whether they’re friends or other family members. They
help shape your outlook on the world204. But teachers mainly teach knowledge related to academic
subjects, like language and science. They also teach you about the world and give you new
perspectives.

3. What skills should be taught to kids before they go to school?

It seems to me that kids should be taught interpersonal skills205. They need to know how to get along
with other kids, even if they don’t immediately like them. In that way, they can make school a more
welcome environment for all the students. They can also get the most out of206 their education by
making friends as well as learning new things. So their parents should teach them how to be kind and
considerate towards others.

4. In general, what skills do adults need to have?

Well, from my perspective, adults should have good communication and interpersonal skills. They
need to know how to express themselves and explain what they want and expect from others. If they
don’t know how to communicate properly, they could end up stepping on someone else’s toes207 or
cause confusion. They should also know how to get along with others, whether they’re colleagues or
coworkers. That’s an important skill you need for life.

203 A is key when it comes to B:

204 shape your outlook on the world
205 interpersonal skills

206 get the most out of

207 end up stepping on someone else’s toes

5. What are the skills that you want to learn?
I would really love to learn some sports-related skills. Sports have never really been my cup of tea, but
lately I’ve been looking for a way to keep fit and my friend recommended getting into swimming. Of
course I’ve swum before, but just for kicks, never for an actual sport or anything. So I hope I can learn
some swimming skills like the butterfly stroke208. It would help me stay healthy and hopefully be fun
as well.

208 the butterfly stroke:

Topic 25

1. What do people do online in their spare time?

Well, there’s a ton of things to do in the internet. But when people have spare time, I think they usually
just scroll through social media209. You know, it’s a pretty mindless210 activity that can kill several
hours at a time. But some people like using their minds a little more, so they might check out online
news sites. That way, they can stay up to date with what’s happening in the world211.

2. Do you think many people waste their time online?

Yeah, I guess it’s a big problem nowadays. With the development of technology, it’s easier than ever212
to access the internet and just waste hours online. A lot of people I know, including myself, waste time
scrolling through social media. It’s such a mindless activity that can waste several hours of your day.
Some people like to play games online too, which can be pretty unproductive. It’s such a shame213.

3. Have you solved problems or found solutions on the internet?

Yeah, I’ve definitely solved problems by turning to the internet. There have been so many times where
I wasn’t sure about something, so I googled214 it to find the answer. For example, I was having an
argument with my friend over the name of a famous author. We were both sure we were right, but to
double check, we looked it up online. It turns out I was right! The internet was a real life-saver215 that
day.

209 scroll through social media

210 mindless

211 stay up to date with what’s happening in the world

212 it’s easier than ever
213 It’s such a shame

214 googled

215 a real life-saver

4. Do people use the internet to learn knowledge?
Yes, I think lots of people use the internet to gain knowledge. For example, there are plenty of online
courses you can take about a wide range of subjects. Last summer, my cousin took an online accounting
course. It really helped him figure out his finances. Plus, people can learn from the internet on a smaller
scale too. It’s easy to find tutorial resources216 on the internet for any specific skill. There are tons of
online articles about interesting things that are available to the public. For example, I know a website
that has taught lots of people how to shoot photos like a professional photographer.

5. Do you think the government should post information on the internet?

Well, I suppose it depends on the type of information. If they’re posting about new laws or other things
that affect all citizens, then it’s great to put it online. That way, it’s easily accessible to everyone. But
if it’s private information that they’ve gained from ordinary people, they should definitely not post it
somewhere where anyone could find it. So I think that within reason217, the government should post
information online.

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of students using the internet?
There are tons of advantages. Students can learn a ton of new things by going on the internet. They
can also connect with friends and stay up to date on each other’s lives through social media. But every
rose has its thorn218. The internet can be a source of distraction that keeps students from reaching their
full potential. Students can also be exposed to lots of dangerous or inappropriate materials by using
the internet, like browsing content related to violence and pornography.

216 tutorialresources
217 within reason
218 every rose has its thorn
Topic 26

1. What is the most important practical skill in modern society?

I suppose that being able to use a computer is the most important practical skill in modern society.
Everyone should know how to use a computer, whether it’s for work, study, or just entertainment.
Nowadays, everyone is focused on the digital world because the internet has connected most aspects
of our life and work. And almost all the occupations in modern society need people to have a certain
level of computer literacy219. So it’s definitely the most practical skill I can think of.

2. What kinds of jobs require practical skills?

Well, jobs that involve hands-on work220 definitely require practical skills. If you’re a technician or
maintenance worker221, you have to know how to handle all kinds of equipment without breaking it.
There are lots of skills you have to learn in order to work safely. It might not seem like an obvious
choice, but222 athletes also need to have practical skills. For example, a professional basketball player
has to learn different basketball techniques.

3. Which method is better for learning practical skills, learning from teachers or learning from
the internet?
Well, it’s definitely better to learn practical skills from teachers. The internet can be helpful because it
has such a wide range of information. But when it comes down to it223, teachers are there in real life,
and they can show you how to do things in real time. Plus, you can usually trust their expertise, whereas
there’s a lot of false information going around on the internet.

219 have a certain level of computer literacy

220 hands-on work
221 a technician or maintenance worker

222 It might not seem like an obvious choice, but…

223 when it comes down to it

4. What kinds of skills are difficult to learn?
I think any skills that involve computer programing are hard to learn. Learning programming and
related computer skills often require you to have good logical thinking as well as strong math skills,
which are hard for most people. And it would take you a lot of time to do the proper training. Plus,
skills where you have to have good physical coordination224, like sports, are hard to master if you aren’t
built for it.

5. Do you think practical skills will be replaced by computers?

Well, some of them already have, especially skills related to repetitive work, like bookkeeping225 and
manufacturing. But I don’t think all practical skills can be replaced by computers. For example, you
need a human touch to make different kinds of art, like knitting or sculpting. Any kind of skill that
involves being creative is pretty hard to replace. So I don’t think people with those kinds of skills
should be worried at all.

224 have good physical coordination

225 bookkeeping
Topic 27

1. How can people check whether a piece of information is correct or not?

I think the best way to fact-check226 a piece of information is to look at multiple sources. For example,
when you are not sure if some news is true or not, you can check the news from different mediums,
like news shows, online news outlets, and even social networks. When all the sources report an affair
similarly, you can tell the news is true. Otherwise, you shouldn’t believe it completely.

2. What kinds of jobs need to convey information to the public?

Off the top of my head, I would say that jobs in the media require conveying information to the public.
Take journalists as an example, whether it’s news from all over the world or just local politics,
journalists are responsible for keeping the public in the know227. They help spread important news,
including local emergencies and anything that might put people in danger. Other jobs in the media,
like news reporters and even magazine writers, also do this work.

3. What’s the difference between giving information by phone and by email?

Well, I suppose calling someone is faster. For example, if you want to do an interview with someone,
it’s probably better to call them so you can get their answers in real time228. But email is more effective.
Compared with phone calls, you can usually send a lot more information over email. When you have
things written out229, they can be spread around more easily. And you can also share information with
a lot of people simultaneously by sending a mass email230.

226 fact-check

227 keeping the public in the know

228 inreal time
229 have things written out

230 sending a mass email

4. Why are some people good at delivering information while others are not? (Why can some
people deliver information accurately?)
I suppose that some people are good at delivering information because they are detail-focused and
responsible. To spread info accurately, you have to have a good memory so you don’t mess any of the
details up231. You also have to avoid tampering with the truth in any way232. As for those who can’t
pass on information accurately, I guess they aren’t good at it because they forget the details, or they
add their own bias233.
5. Do people trust the information online?
Yes, most people trust information they find online. Nowadays, so much important information is
spread online that people usually take it at face value234. It depends on what they’re looking for, though.
You can usually get up-to-date news when you check the internet. But at the same time, there’s a lot
of fake news going around. So it’s always best to double-check and look at more than one source.

6. Where do people usually get information from?

People usually get information either online or from other people. If they want to know something
about a certain subject, they’ll probably just search for it on the internet. Or they can ask the people
around them. Not as many people get information the old-fashioned way, by going to a library or
reading a newspaper. Plus, even though news is still broadcast on TV, a lot of people just google what’s
going on because it’s so easy to access the internet nowadays. Actually there are less and less people
solely235 receiving news and information through traditional mediums236.

231 mess any of the details up

232 avoid tampering with the truth in any way
233 add their own bias

234 take it at face value

235 solely

236 traditional mediums

Topic 28

1. Do most people eat at home or eat at restaurants?

Well, I have to say most people eat at home because it’s less expensive. Going to restaurants is usually
saved for special occasions. After all, money doesn’t grow on trees237, and eating out can really cost
you an arm and a leg238 if you go to a fancy restaurant. Plus, when you eat at home, you can make sure
the ingredients you use are healthy and organic. You know, restaurants might have food safety issues,
like using gutter oil or expired ingredients239.

2. What are the pros and cons of eating at home and eating at restaurants?
When it comes to eating at home, you can save more money. As we all know, food in restaurants is
way more expensive than food you cook at home. And you can eat healthier at home because you have
total control over240 what you eat. In contrast, restaurants do all the cooking and cleaning for you,
which saves time for you. And food cooked by professional cooks usually tastes better than home-
made food.

3. Which one do you think will be more popular in the future, eating at home or eating at
restaurants?
I suppose that in the future, eating at restaurants will be more popular. Even though eating at home
saves money, it also costs people a lot of time on cooking and washing dishes. Nowadays, most people
are living a fast-paced lifestyle and don’t have much time for cooking their own meals. So, it’s not
uncommon to see more people, especially young guys, eating at restaurants or ordering take-out food.
Plus, since people’s income has been increasing over the years, eating at restaurants has become very
affordable and I believe more people will be able to afford eating at a restaurant on a daily basis in the
future.

237 money doesn’t grow on trees

238 cost you an arm and a leg
239 gutter oil or expired ingredients

240 have total control over

4. What are the differences between food we have normally and food we have during festivals?
Well, in China, people normally don’t spend that much on dining, and the food is also just what they
usually buy from grocery stores. After all, it’s just part of your daily routine. But when it comes to a
festival, Chinese families will make a good feast241 to enjoy together, which often has way more dishes
than usual. Some rich families even buy fancy ingredients for the meal, like lobsters and crabs242.

5. Do Chinese families hold parties?

No. I don’t think Chinese families hold parties as often as western families. When Chinese people
celebrate their birthday, anniversary, or other meaningful days, we do like inviting a lot of family
members and friends to celebrate together. But it’s quite different with typical western parties. It’s
more like having a good feast together. But compared to the old days, Chinese people, especially young
guys, are more invested in having parties now. And a lot of them do love going to parties.

6. Are there more people spending a lot of money on their wedding?

I actually think there are less people who spend a lot of money on their wedding. It used to be very
popular to spend a fortune on243 getting married. But nowadays, people have tighter budgets244. A lot
of young people would rather spend that money on travel instead of a fancy wedding ceremony. So
expensive weddings are going to get less and less popular. Personally, I think it’s a good change.

241 make a good feast

242 lobsters and crabs
243 spend a fortune on

244 people have tighter budgets

Topic 29

1. What are the benefits of getting up early?

There are definitely tons of pros to getting up early. The first one that comes to mind is having more
time throughout the day. If you’re up and ready early in the morning, you can get a lot more done than
if you sleep in until noon. So it’s great for work. You can check so many things off your to-do list. I
also believe getting up early can give you more energy. Sometimes you can be tired from over-
sleeping245.

2. What kind of people usually get up early, why?

I guess people who are super busy get up early. They have tons of work to do, so they have to make
the most of their time246. That means waking up at the crack of dawn247 so they have as much time as
possible in a day. I also think people who have to take care of young children get up early. Since
younger kids don’t sleep in248, their parents have to be awake early to take care of them.

3. Who sleeps longer, young people or old people?

I suppose that young people sleep longer than old people. For one, their bodies might still be changing,
which requires a lot of rest. For another, young people are a bit lazier than old people. They don’t mind
sleeping the day away249. They also tend to be busier than old people, so they need rest whenever they
can get it. Old people get to retire and just hang around250, so I don’t think they need to sleep for as
long.

245 be tired from over-sleeping

246 make the most of their time
247 at the crack of dawn

248 sleep in

249 sleeping the day away

250 hang around

4. Is it good to work till late at night?
I don’t think it’s good to push yourself to extremes251. So ideally, you shouldn’t be working late into
the night252. And you shouldn’t necessarily be up at the crack of dawn to start working. If you do either
of those things, you’re probably going to tire yourself out. You might end up getting anxiety or
something bad like that. For people who do night shifts253, they should definitely sleep during the day
so they don’t push themselves too far.

5. Is it good to take a nap during the day?

Well, as long as you don’t make a habit of it254, I think that it’s good. If you’re running on fumes255
and need a break, then a nap during the day can help you out. It’ll recharge your battery256 and allow
you to keep working afterwards. A lack of rest can ruin every aspect of your life, so it’s good to catch
a wink of sleep257 when you can. But if you nap all the time, you might become lazy.

6. What effect does sleeping in late have on a person’s life patterns?

I suppose that sleeping in late mostly has bad effects. For one, it’ll probably make you really lazy. If
you don’t get up and go258, you’ll just laze around the house all day. Or if you sleep in late and miss
work, you’ll start to get a bad reputation and might even lose your job. It’s really important to be
punctual. Sleeping in late can also make you a disorganized person. It’ll definitely throw you off your
game259.

251 push yourself to extremes

252 working late into the night
253 do night shifts

254 make a habit of it

255 running on fumes

256 recharge your battery

257 catch a wink of sleep

258 don’t get up and go

259 definitely throw you off your game

Topic 30

1. What souvenirs do people usually buy from tourist attractions?

When shopping at tourist attractions, people usually buy souvenirs that are affordable and stylish, like
crafts or hand-made accessories260. And lots of people like customized souvenirs261, like small crafts
with their name on it. It sounds kind of vain262, but I think everyone likes having a personalized
souvenir. Sometimes, they like buying souvenirs that could only be bought at THAT tourist attraction.
For example, they’ll buy merch263 produced by the attractions, like T-shirt or keychains. Those are
always classic gifts to bring home and share with their friends and family.

2. Is it good that the locals sell things to tourists?

Yeah, I believe it’s good that locals sell things to tourists. For one, it’s a great way to help teach visitors
about local customs and handcrafts. For example, I once bought a unique quilt from a local when I was
on vacation. I learned a lot about why the images on the quilt were important to that place’s culture.
Plus, selling souvenirs helps locals make a living for themselves. So in that sense264, it definitely helps
the economy.

3. What are the pros and cons of taking professional cameras when travelling?
Well, one advantage I can think of is that you can take really nice, high-quality photos of your trip.
You can get angles that you might not be able to with just a phone or a crappy265 camera. That helps
you remember the trip even better. But a downside is that you have to carry that camera around
everywhere, which can be a real pain. Plus, you run the risk of266 losing or damaging it.

4. Why do people like to take photos when traveling?

I think there are tons of reasons. The first one that comes to mind is that it helps them remember their
trips better. If they have photos to show for the experience, then they can look at them and think back
on what they did and saw267. Another reason is that a lot of people just enjoy photography. They like
the challenge of capturing what they see. It can be very fun for them.

260 hand-made accessories

261 customized souvenirs
262 vain

263 merch: merchandise

264 So in that sense
265 crappy

266 run the risk of

267 think back on what they did and saw

5. Why do people like showing others their travel photos?
I guess people like sharing their travel photos with others because it can help expand their horizons.
When you see pictures of certain places, it might make you want to go there yourself, or even just learn
more about the world. Another reason is that people want to share the joy of their trip. To be less
generous, some people just like showing off. So they show their travel photos to others as a way of
bragging268.

268 bragging
Topic 31

1. What is the most interesting historical building in your city / in your country.
Well, it’s really hard to think of which historical building is the most interesting one in my city
(country). But a temple that was built hundred years ago is definitely one of the most attractive
historical relics in my hometown. It’s a massive temple made of wood that has a giant Buddha statue269
inside the praying hall. I’m always amazed by the great wisdom of ancient builders every time I visit
the temple.

2. Why do historical buildings look beautiful? / Why do some people like to visit historical
buildings?
I suppose historical buildings look fancy because there’s a lot of attention to detail. Some older
buildings have things like engraved columns270 that make them look really sophisticated271. Plus,
compared to architecture today, historical buildings are more artful 272
. They’re usually made of
materials like marble273 and stone instead of just glass and steel. It really sets them apart from the
rest274.

3. Should government protect historical buildings?/ Is it necessary to protect historical

buildings?
Yeah, the government definitely should protect historical buildings. For one, it helps the whole city
look more beautiful. But another, more important thing is that historical buildings have a sense of
history275, just like the name suggests. If we keep historical buildings intact276, then future generations
can learn more about what the past was like by having parts of it right in front of their eyes.

269 a giant Buddha statue:

270 engraved columns
271 Sophisticated

272 artful:

273 marble:

274 sets them apart from the rest:

275 a sense of history

276 intact:
4. What are differences between people’s homes in the past and people’s homes nowadays?
I suppose that the biggest differences are the size and purpose of people’s homes. In the past, people
usually had smaller homes, like bungalows277 and small apartments. And the apartment buildings were
all low-rises no taller than six stories. They were more practical, and had to fit three generations of a
family who usually lived together. But nowadays, people mostly live in high-rise buildings. Their
homes are bigger than before, but they live in them alone. Plus, some people have multiple homes278
and use their extra one for vacationing.

5. What is the most significant reason for people to choose a place to settle in?
I think the most significant reason is work. You know, people generally want to live close to where
they work. It’s a pain if279 you have a really long commute. So you find a house that’s close to your
workplace, if possible. Plus, the type of work affects where you live. If you want to be an IT worker,
then you would probably have to settle down in a metro city like Shanghai or Shenzhen where there
are developed IT industries.

277 bungalows

278 have multiple homes

279 It’s a pain if…
Topic 32

1. What are the benefits that a park can bring to a city?

For one, a park can provide some beautiful scenery to a city. It’s very easy for a city to start to look
dreary280. If it’s just all buildings, there’s nothing really pretty to look at. So a park is a place where
people can see something other than concrete281. Another benefit is that people of all ages can hang
out in a park. Parks usually make people feel relaxed, which is good for their health in the long run.

2. Which age group would like to go to a park?

I believe people of all ages like going to a park. But I think that older people usually like going to parks
more. Retired people especially have a lot of time on their hands282. So it’s nice for them to take a walk
in a park or just sit down and enjoy the scenery. Young people like going to parks too, but they have
more energy so they might want to go somewhere more exciting.

3. Why do some people like to plant flowers and grasses?

Well, some people plant flowers and grasses as a hobby because it helps them relax. Gardening doesn’t
take that much energy, and it can be really rewarding when your plants finally grow and bloom. Plus,
if you grow your own vegetables, you can save money on groceries. It’s very satisfying to know that
you made all the parts of your meal. I guess that’s why a lot of people get a kick out of gardening283.

4. Do you think people should help clean public parks/gardens?

Yeah, people should help clean public parks and gardens. Even though it’s not their main responsibility,
as citizens they get to enjoy those spaces. So it would be nice if they helped keep them clean. It doesn’t
have to be their top priority284, but I think everyone should do their share285 to help public parks and
gardens look their best. I believe it’s a good way to bring the community together286 as well.

280 look dreary

281 concrete

282 have a lot of time on their hands

283 get a kick out of gardening
284 doesn’t have to be their top priority

285 do their share

286 bring the community together

5. How can the government let people protect public gardens?
I guess the government can let people protect public gardens by making official rules287. For example,
they can make it illegal to destroy public gardens. And the government can also enforce the rules that
already exist288. They can help stop people who litter or make a mess in public gardens. Honestly, it
should be a joint effort289 between governments and citizens. After all, public gardens are spaces that
everyone can enjoy.

287 making official rules

288 enforce the rules that already exist
289 a joint effort
Topic 33
1. Where do Chinese people like to travel to?
As far as I know, tons of people in my country, including me and my family, really love having a
vacation at seaside resorts during their holidays. I mean, the beautiful natural sceneries at the beach
and variety of fun activities there can allow you to blow off steam easily. Plus, many Chinese people,
especially the elderly, also prefer to travel to historical attractions. Places like the Forbidden City and
the Temple of Heaven290 can truly blow you away.

2. What kinds of activities do people like to do for holidays?

Well, I suppose it depends on what type of people you’re talking about. Some introverted people might
like just kicking back and relaxing at home, but more extroverted people probably like travelling far
from their normal environment and doing activities outside their comfort zone. I think in general,
people like doing something that gives them a break from their normal routines291, whether that’s
something calm like reading books at home or exciting like going skiing.

3. Why do some people prefer to stay at home during holidays?

It seems to me that some people prefer staying at home during holidays because they’re more
introverted. Homebodies like being where they’re most comfortable, which is in a familiar
environment. So it makes sense that they wouldn’t want to go outside their comfort zone by travelling
somewhere new during the holidays. Sometimes it’s about practicality292 though. My parents like
staying at home because they think travelling is too hectic293 during the holiday season.

290 the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven

291 gives them a break from their normal routines
292 practicality

293 too hectic

4. What do you think about young people having a gap year before they enter university?
I think having a gap year can be very helpful for some young people before they start working or enter
university. Some of them don’t have an inkling of294 what they want to do with their lives, so instead
of throwing their money down the drain on295 a degree they might not be interested in, it’s better to
take a gap year and explore their options. Sometimes they need a break before they begin the next
chapter of their lives.

5. Do people in China have enough holidays? Do people want more holidays?

Um…definitely no. I mean, who doesn’t want more holidays? Even though there are technically
enough holidays for people in my country, I believe they would appreciate some more. Everyone needs
time to just blow off steam or kick back and relax, which can be hard to do even when on holiday. I
suppose that it could really help people be more productive at work and school if they had more time
off.

294 don’t have an inkling of…:

295 throwing their money down the drain on
Topic 34

1. What do people usually do during long holidays?

If they have a lot of time off, people usually like going on vacation. They might go on a trip across the
country, or even go to another continent296. Lots of people like going on cruises, which take you to lots
of different places in a shorter amount of time. I know a lot of people like visiting family during the
holidays, which is always nice. It’s also fun to just be lazy and not do that much.

2. Where do Chinese people like to go to spend their holiday?

Well, it’s really hard to say where people like to go during holidays, but I guess most people would
avoid going to places far from home and just hang around at shopping malls nearby. You can always
see malls crowded with people during holidays. Since there are movie theatres, restaurants, and all
kinds of shops there, it’s hard to get bored in a mall. I think that’s why people always flock to malls297
when it’s a holiday.

3. Is the tourism industry important in China?

Yes, it definitely is. In many areas of China, the tourism industry is a critical pillar of the economy298
there. Tons of people make a living from businesses related to tourism. The developed tourism industry
employs tons of locals, which is very important to the society. Actually in recent years, tourism is
getting increasingly popular in China, since Chinese families are living more comfortable lives299. So
the demand for travel and sightseeing is huge. And accordingly300, more cities are becoming popular
travel destinations.

296 go to another continent

297 flock to malls
298 a critical pillar of the economy

299 living more comfortable lives

300 accordingly
4. Do you think tourism could bring benefits to the economy?
Yeah, tourism can definitely bring benefits to the economy. If people are visiting from outside the
area301, they’re going to have to spend money on tons of things. For example, they’ll have to pay for
accommodation and food, and that’s just the beginning. Tourists buy lots of other things, like souvenirs,
which also supports locals. So tourists bring lots of money to the places they visit, which boosts the
economy.

5. Why do many people like to travel abroad?

I think lots of people like travelling abroad because it expands their horizons. When they see all kinds
of new sights, it teaches them more about the world. They feel more educated afterwards. But it’s also
just a ton of fun to travel abroad. You get to try a bunch of302 new things, whether it’s a new activity
or a new food. It’s a great way to take a break from work or school.

6. Do people in China have enough holidays? Do people want more holidays? (

Um…definitely no. I mean, who doesn’t want more holidays? Even though there are technically
enough holidays for people in my country, I believe they would appreciate some more. Everyone needs
time to just blow off steam or kick back and relax, which can be hard to do even when on holiday. I
suppose that it could really help people be more productive at work and school if they had more time
off.

301 visiting from outside the area

302 a bunch of
Topic 35

1. Who do people usually like to spend more time with? Family or friends?
I think people usually like spending more time with their friends. Don’t get me wrong303, family is
really important and I know a lot of people who enjoy hanging out with their relatives. But when it
comes down to it, friends are just easier to spend time with. For one, you usually have more in common
with your friends. For another, it’s easier to be yourself around them. They aren’t really expecting
anything from you304.

2. What’s the difference between staying with friends and staying with family?
When you’re staying with friends, you can let loose305 a bit more. You don’t have to follow all the
rules your family might have. But on the flip side, your friends might not take care of you as well as
your family would. When you stay with family, you know they’ll provide you with whatever you need.
However, you might feel like you have to be on your best behaviour306 around them.

3. Do people prefer being with a large group of people or with a few friends?
I guess most people like being with a few friends instead of a large group. Large groups can be really
fun for certain occasions, like weddings or big parties. But it’s very easy to feel crowded with a large
group. And it’s awkward307 and lonely when you’re with a ton of people but can’t find a person you
can really talk with. In general, it’s nicer to just hang out with a few friends. That way, you don’t get
overwhelmed308. You can actually spend quality time with each person. It’s about quality, not quantity.

303 Don’t get me wrong

304 expecting anything from you
305 let loose

306 on your best behaviour

307 awkward

308 don’t get overwhelmed

4. Some researchers say people naturally like socializing, what do you think about it?
I definitely agree. I know lots of people who are crazy about socializing. They are literally social
butterflies309. I find most people who like socializing can easily strike up a conversation with310 just
about anyone. They can always find something to talk about with others even if they’re total strangers.
So I think there are always people who are naturally good at socialising and love it too. I’m definitely
not like that. But I really admire those who can make friends so easily.

5. What kinds of socialising skills can be improved from being with friends?
The first one that comes to mind is communication. When you’re around friends, you end up talking
about what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling. That skill comes in handy in all parts of life 311.
After all, nobody can help you or relate to you if they don’t understand you. You can also learn how
to be a better listener. You should be able to give as well as receive. Everyone likes a listening ear312.

6. Do science and technology improve the relationship between people?

I believe that in some cases, science and technology can help strengthen people’s relationships. The
first thing that comes to mind is video-chat. Because of developments in technology, people who are
really far apart313 can talk to each other as if they’re in the same room. They can see each other’s faces
and hear each other in real time. It’s really amazing when you think about it. Plus, it helps improve
long-distance relationships.

309 social butterflies

310 strike up a conversation with
311 comes in handy in all parts of life

312 a listening ear

313 far apart

Topic 36
1. What kind of public transportation is popular in China?
As far as I know, buses and subway trains are very popular in China, especially in developed cities.
Like most other cities in the world, they are the best ways for you to get around the city. And the fare314
for buses and subway trains is also very affordable, which is the main reason why people like taking
them. Plus, the bus and subway networks usually cover the whole urban area. Even you want to go
somewhere across the city, you might only have to take one or two transfers315. That’s very convenient.

2. What are the problems caused by increasing vehicles?

There are definitely lots of problems caused by an increasing amount of vehicles. The first one I can
think of is traffic congestion. It’s such a pain316 when you’re on your way to work, but you end up late
because of all the traffic. Sometimes it just takes one car to result in a jam. A lot of vehicles also means
a lot of pollution. The fumes317 aren’t good for the environment at all.

3. What do you think needs to be improved in public transport?

Well, one thing that needs to be improved with public transportation is speed. Even in big cities, you
can end up waiting for ages because your bus isn’t on time. So people should work on improving the
system to avoid delays. It’s a real pain when you have to just sit around318 waiting for a bus or a subway.
It would also be really nice if buses and subways could come around more often.

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of public transport?

One big advantage is the cost. It s usually way cheaper to take public transportation compared to
driving your own car. Besides, when you consider parking, public transportation is definitely a less
stressful alternative319 . Another advantage is that it’s more environmentally friendly than private
transportation. It cuts down on carbon emissions320. But on the downside321, public transportation can
take way longer. Plus, you have to share the space with other people, and they can be rude sometimes.

314 fare

315 take one or two transfers

316 It’s such a pain
317 fumes

318 sit around

319 a less stressful alternative

320 cuts down on carbon emissions

321 But on the downside

5. Who takes public transportation more often, young people or old people?
I suppose that young people take public transportation more often. For one, not all young people have
a license. Some younger teenagers might not be able to drive themselves. Plus, those who do have
licenses might not have their own vehicle. So you can see tons of young people taking public
transportation. As for old people in China, they’re often worried about traffic safety322 and don’t like
going too far from their home. So they prefer walking to places near their home and rarely take public
transportation.

6. How do you think the subway system will develop in the future?
I don’t see it changing that much, since the design is tried and true323 and it’s been working pretty well
so far. If anything324, I think that subways will just become faster and more tech-friendly. For example,
some subway systems could have Wi-Fi available all the time, or even outlets325 for people to charge
their devices. Maybe some of them could use different kinds of energy in the future.

322 traffic safety

323 tried and true
324 If anything

325 outlets
Topic 37

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of making a career plan for young people?
Well, one advantage I can think of is that it prepares them for the future. Making a career plan teaches
young people how to be responsible and pursue their dreams. It gives them a goal and encourages them
to achieve it. But on the flip side, making a career plan might just stress them out. Not everything in
life goes according to plan326. Young people might feel pressured to follow that plan even if their goals
change.

2. Should parents help children make plans?

Yes, it would be good for parents to help children make plans. After all, children don’t really know
what they’re doing when it comes to those kinds of things. They need their parents’ experience and
advice to make good plans. Otherwise, they might just waste time or not get anything done. Granted327,
parents shouldn’t try to control every aspect of their kids’ lives. It might make their children resent328
them.

3. When it comes to making a study plan, who can make better plans for children, teachers or
parents?
I suppose that teachers can probably make better study plans for children. After all, their job is literally
all about education. Studying is a big part of that, so it makes more sense to329 ask for teachers’ help.
They’ve been trained for that kind of thing. Parents can still offer some good advice, but I think
teachers have more expertise330. So I would trust teachers more when it comes to making study plans.

4. Is it good or bad to have a plan?

It’s really good to have a plan, as long as you don’t worry too much about it. You know, it’s really
helpful to be organized and know what you’re doing. Otherwise you might end up wasting your time
and messing up. But you don’t want to be so focused on a plan that you freak out if not everything
goes the way you expect it to331. After all, life doesn’t always go according to plan.

326 Not everything in life goes according to plan

327 Granted
328 resent：
329 itmakes more sense to
330 have more expertise

331 goes the way you expect it to

5. What are the main reasons that make people change their mind?
Well, it depends on the situation. Sometimes, I think that people change their mind when they receive
advice. For example, if someone wants to move out, but a friend they trust tells them it would be a bad
idea, then that person will probably change their mind about it. But sometimes, they change their mind
because the circumstances change. Those are usually outside of people’s control332.

6. What would you do if you need to convince someone to change their mind or plan?
I would try to be as logical as possible. It’s important to know and stick to facts, not feelings, especially
when you’re trying to make someone change their mind. I know a lot of people who are as stubborn
as an ox333, so it can be a real challenge to get them to listen to reason334. But reason is the best tool to
use when it comes to changing people’s minds.

7. How would you tell your friends when you must change your plan?
The important thing is to give them plenty of notice, if possible. The last thing you want to do is ditch
them at the last second335 if you’ve made plans together. When it comes to changes in plan, you need
to be open and honest about the reasons why you’re changing your plan and what’s going to happen
because of this decision.

8. Does technology, like cellphone and the internet, make people change their mind or plan
easier than before?
Yes, I believe technology definitely helps people change their mind or plan things easier than before.
For one, technology like cell phones and the internet help people keep track of all their plans by
creating calendars and schedules. So when it comes to changing plans, they can easily switch things
around according to what works the best for them. Staying organized is easier than ever.

9. Who often change their plans, young people or old people?

Um…I guess young people are more likely to change their plans. They tend to be more spontaneous336,
so they can switch their plans at the drop of a hat337. But when it comes to old people, they’re generally
stricter about planning things. They don’t like switching things up at the last second. Instead, they like
having everything set in stone338.

332 outside of people’s control

333 as stubborn as an ox
334 listen to reason

335 ditch them at the last second

336 spontaneous

337 at the drop of a hat:

338 set in stone

Topic 38

1. What is the difference between the games children play now and those that children played in
the past?
I suppose that in the past, children played games outdoors. They were very physically active339. For
example, they’d play simple games like catch or hide-and-seek340. If they had to stay inside, they would
play board games. But nowadays, children are all crazy about digital games. They love playing video
games with each other, or just playing mindless games on different apps. They definitely don’t run
around the way they used to.

2. Do people nowadays like watching TV with their family?

Yes, I think a lot of people like watching TV with their family nowadays. It can be a great bonding
experience341 to watch a show together. For example, my family always watches a talent show together.
We all get invested in342 the contestants, and sometimes we even place bets343 to see which one will
win. It’s really fun, and it gets us to spend some quality time together. It’s a total blast.

3. How long do people usually watch TV shows?

Well, it depends on the person, but in general, I guess people spend about a couple hours watching TV
shows. You know, a lot of shows nowadays can be as long as an hour to begin with. But some sitcoms
are short, so it’s easy to watch a few of them in a row. When you’re all tired out from work 344, it’s so
nice to just kick back and relax and let the TV distract you.

339 physically active:

340 catch or hide-and-seek
341 a great bonding experience

342 get invested in

343 place bets

344 tired out from work

4. What kinds of TV shows do people like to watch?
As far as I know, people like watching funny and entertaining TV shows. There are plenty of serious,
educational programs on the air345, but when you want to wind down at the end of the day, it’s more
fun to watch a sitcom. You know, those shows are always good for taking your mind off things 346.
They just let you laugh at someone else’s problems. Variety shows are fun to watch too, especially if
they have talented people on them.

5. Why do some people watch TV shows online?

I think people watch TV shows online for convenience. Sometimes it’s just easier to watch something
on your phone or laptop instead of investing in a TV. Plus, since so many shows are streaming online,
it can be cheaper than subscribing to TV the normal way. Personally, I love watching TV online. It
takes less effort than changing channels with a remote. Everything is at my fingertips 347. Plus, there
are tons of shows that are exclusively348 online to watch.

345 on the air

346 taking your mind off things
347 Everything is at my fingertips

348 exclusively
Topic 39

1. Do you think people should be trained before they become parents?

Well, there are definitely ways they can prepare themselves. For example, they can take courses and
read books on how to raise children. But I don’t think they necessarily have to be trained. Some people
are just naturally good with kids349. And most knowledge and skills can be easily acquired through the
internet. So, parenting classes shouldn’t be a mandatory task for those who are going to be parents.

2. What do you think is the best age for people to have children?
I suppose people should have children when they’re in their late twenties or early thirties. To me, that’s
the best age for people to have kids because they’re old enough to be experienced. They generally
know what they want, and they’ve had time to learn how to be good parents. Plus, they’re young
enough to be in their children’s lives for a long time. I think that’s the perfect balance.

3. Do you think childhood is the best and the most important period of life?
I believe childhood is definitely a very important part of life. But I don’t really think it’s the best or
the most important. At that stage of life350, you’re discovering everything for the first time. But I don’t
think it means anything to you until you’re older. You definitely don’t have a lot of freedom as a child.
There’s way more you can do as an adult. So I wouldn’t say childhood is as good as it gets.

4. What can make children laugh?

Well, when they’re young enough, basically anything can make a kid laugh. But generally, children
laugh at really silly stuff351. You know, they think it’s funny if someone falls over or messes up
something. They also like really cheesy jokes352. They’re very easy to entertain. Besides, they tend to
laugh when they’re having a lot of fun. It’s very cute to watch them laugh and play together. Kids are
just so carefree and innocent353.

349 naturally good with kids

350 At that stage of life
351 laugh at really silly stuff

352 cheesy jokes

353 carefree and innocent

5. Should children play alone or with others?
Children should definitely play with others. If they only play by themselves, they might get really
bored and lonely. But if they play with others, they can learn how to make friends and get along with
children their age. That’s a big part of developing healthy relationships later in life. Plus, it’s important
to have social skills. Otherwise you won’t get too far in life. So it’s best for them to play with others.
Topic 40

1. In China, what rewards do children often get from school?

Children often get small rewards, like stickers, pencils, or notebooks, when they do well in school. It’s
been ages since I was a young student, but I remember my primary school teachers usually gave us a
red flower sticker when we did really well on a test. It made us so happy to get that little piece of
recognition354. Sometimes children get special privileges355 instead. For example, when you did well
in school, you could have less homework than other students.

2. Should children be given rewards? What are the disadvantages of it?

Yes, children should be given rewards, at least to some extent356. It’s not a bad thing to treat them
when they do something well. For example, if they achieve good grades, it’s nice to give them some
kind of present. But at the same time, their motivations might not be so great anymore. If they only do
things to get rewards, they may become very greedy. It’s a hard line to walk357.

3. Should parents push their children to get prizes?

I don’t think parents should necessarily push their children to get prizes. On the one hand, it’s nice to
give their children a sense of ambition. Nobody wants to have a lazy kid who doesn’t care about doing
good work. But on the other hand, if parents push their kids too hard, they might develop anxiety and
not want to do work at all. So I suppose that parents should find a healthy balance.

4. What kinds of rewards do companies often offer to their outstanding employees?

I think companies usually give their employees raises358 when they do really well. Money is very
powerful when it comes to motivating employees. After all, everyone works for a paycheck359. Some
companies are really generous and give their outstanding employees paid vacation time 360 or even a
promotion. Those are also good ways to recognize employees’ achievements and efforts.

354 get that little piece of recognition

355 get special privileges
356 at least to some extent

357 It’s a hard line to walk

358 give their employees raises

359 works for a paycheck

360 paid vacation time

5. What are the advantages of giving rewards to employees?
Well, the first one that comes to mind is that they’ll probably work harder. If they know they can get
a special reward, like a raise or even a promotion, they’re bound to do their best. After all, who doesn’t
want to get something nice in exchange for good work? Another advantage is that they’ll feel
appreciated. It’s always nice to be recognized for the work you do. When employees are happy, they
are usually more productive.

6. Other than money, what can motivate employees to be more active at work? What other ways
can make people work harder?
Well, there are definitely lots of other ways to motivate employees. Apart from money, vacation time
is a good way to get employees working harder. Everyone likes time off, after all. But you can also
motivate employees by giving them positive feedback. Having that encouragement can make them
more active and involved at work. You can also make sure their work environment is very
welcoming361. If they feel comfortable, they’re more likely to work harder.

361 work environment is very welcoming

Topic 41

1. How do you feel when someone is speaking loudly on the phone or talking aloud on public
transport?
I mean, I know that sometimes they have a good excuse. But personally, I find it really annoying. I
don’t want to listen to a random person’s conversation362. People should be aware that they’re in a
public space and respect everyone else by keeping their voice down. Plus, it’s actually kind of
dangerous. If you speak really loudly on public transportation, someone might overhear363 private
information and use it against you364.

2. Should people be banned from talking aloud in public places?

Well, I don’t think they should be banned from speaking loudly in public places. After all, it’s very
rare to be perfectly quiet when you’re out and about. They definitely shouldn’t be raising their voices
if they’re in public. But I don’t think it’s fair to ban them from talking at all. As long as they’re being
respectful of others, it’s fine for people to talk out loud.

3. Do you prefer staying beside a person who is on the phone or two people who are talking?
I think I prefer being around two people who are talking. It’s kind of entertaining to hear another
conversation. But if you’re around just one person on the phone, you won’t know the whole
conversation. It’s definitely a lot more boring. Just last week, I was on the bus and two girls were
talking in front of me. I ended up hearing about a big fight one of them had with her boyfriend. It was
just like watching TV.

362 listen to a random person’s conversation

363 overhear

364 use it against you

4. What are the side effects of making phone calls in a public place?
The first one that comes to mind is annoying other people. Not everyone is fine with hearing other
conversations right in front of them365. Sometimes, they might get annoyed or even mad at you for
talking on the phone, especially if you’re being really loud. Another side effect is that strangers could
overhear private information and use it to scam you. You definitely want to steer clear of that
situation366.

5. Why do some people always break rules in public places?

Well, one reason is that they just don’t respect the people around them. If you don’t care about other
people’s comfort367, then you don’t see anything wrong with littering or being really loud. It’s totally
rude, but I guess some people just don’t care about being polite. Another reason could be that they just
don’t know any better. Maybe they aren’t aware of the rules to begin with368. It’s hard to say.

365 right in front of them

366 steer clear of that situation
367 care about other people’s comfort

368 to begin with

Topic 42

1. What kind of music is popular in China?

In China, pop music is probably the most popular genre369. You know, they like something you can
dance to. Plus, pop music is really generic, so it appeals to lots of different people. Pop songs usually
have catchy melodies and lyrics370 that are super easy to learn and sing along to. They’re just fun to
listen to, no matter what your age is.

2. What kind of music do people like at different ages?

I think that when people are young, they like music with a good beat, like pop or rap. They just want
something they can dance to or sing along with. But as they get older, they might try different kinds
of music, like folk or jazz. I find that old people enjoy music that’s very relaxed, like classical music.
But music is something you can enjoy at any age, and sometimes it doesn’t matter what the genre is.

3. In your opinion, what kinds of music will be popular in the future?

Well, I don’t think people’s taste in music changes that much. I mean, even decades ago, pop music
was still as popular as it is now. So I believe that pop music will have a lot of fans in the future as well.
Plus, rock and rap are also really popular genres. People are crazy about some of those songs. So I
guess that those will continue to be on top in the years to come.

4. How do you think a song can be successful?

I suppose that in order for a song to be successful, it has to have a catchy melody. You know, you want
a song that’s going to get stuck in people’s heads371. It should also be easy to sing along to. I find that
people enjoy songs they can sing to while they’re in the car or even in the shower. A good beat is also
important. People like songs they can dance to.

369 genre

370 catchy melodies and lyrics

371 get stuck in people’s heads
5. Should record companies focus on making money or good music?
I think that record companies should focus more on making good music. It’s the whole reason they
exist, after all. So they should prioritize372 making music that people will love and enjoy. That’s what
helps them make money in the first place. If they turn out good songs, people are going to support
them by buying and listening to those songs. If money is all they focus on, the quality of their music
is going to suffer373.

6. Can everyone be a singer by training hard?

I don’t think everyone can be a singer. It doesn’t always make a difference374 if they try really hard.
Some people are just naturally talented at singing. But others don’t necessarily have the knack for375
it. For example, some people are born tone-deaf376, so it’s kind of impossible for them to sing well.
But I think that training hard can definitely improve people’s talents. It just might not make them a
successful singer.

7. What are the conditions of being a good singer?

It seems to me that to be a good singer, you first have to have a natural gift for it377. Some people can
train to be better at singing, but you can tell when someone just has the knack for it. Those are the ones
who usually make it big as singers378. But even if you have that gift, you still have to work hard to
improve yourself. After all, practice makes perfect379.

372 prioritize

373 going to suffer:

374 Itdoesn’t always make a difference
375 have the knack for

376 are born tone-deaf

377 have a natural gift for it

378 make it big as

379 practice makes perfect

Topic 43

1. How can people become famous?

Well, it’s different for every person. But I believe there are some things that famous people have in
common. They’re usually hard-working and talented in some way. If you want to make it big, you
have to have a big dream and do whatever it takes to make it come true. But luck is also involved. If
you happen to know the right people, you can become a household name380 pretty quickly.

2. Why can some celebrities stay famous for a long time while some cannot?
I think it’s based on the work they put in. For example, some singers become one-hit wonders381
because they can’t come up with any other good songs. But others stay at it and constantly produce
new, well-made music. The same goes for382 actors. The more movies they star in, the more likely they
are to stay famous. If you want to be a celebrity, you have to keep putting yourself out there383.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a celebrity?

The first advantage I can think of is that you usually earn a lot of money. You can afford to spoil
yourself, plus your friends and family. You can also go to cool events and parties with other celebrities.
But every rose has its thorn. Being famous means you don’t have as much privacy. People don’t usually
give celebrities a lot of personal space when they see them in person.

4. How famous people influence teenagers?

I think that at that young age, teenagers are really impressionable384. So they’ll basically follow after
whatever their idols do. Famous people can influence teenagers through what they wear and what
values they hold. For example, a lot of Chinese celebrities post about charities385, which influenced
tons of teenagers to donate to and care about charities. But this can go wrong really quickly. If a
teenager idolizes a celebrity that’s often violent, they might have the same bad behaviours.

380 a household name

381 one-hitwonders
382 The same goes for…

383 keep putting yourself out there

384 impressionable

385 post about charities:

5. What influences can famous people have on society?
I suppose that famous people can influence society through the values they hold. For example, if a
celebrity is really passionate about protecting the environment, they could convince all their fans to
donate to environmental charities. That in turn386 has a better effect on the environment at large.
Famous people can also influence the economy. A lot of celebrities have merchandise based on their
movies or songs, which creates jobs for factory workers and improves the economy.

386 in turn
Topic 44
1. What types of residential houses are popular in China?
Most Chinese people prefer living in flats or apartments in high rise buildings. It’s especially the most
popular living option for urban people. I suppose that the most important reason why Chinese people
have this preference is that apartments are more affordable than a detached house387, even though most
of them still carry the burden of a huge mortgage388 through buying an apartment. Plus, living in an
apartment isn’t high-maintenance389. As long as it’s well-decorated, it can easily be a sweet home.

2. Do people prefer living in an apartment or a house?

I think it depends on the person, but usually people prefer living in an apartment. For one, apartments
are a lot cheaper than houses. In general, families can afford to buy an apartment, even though most
families will get saddled with a mortgage390. But it’s unrealistic to buy a house in China for an average
family391. Plus, apartment buildings, especially the high-rises, are usually located in urban areas.
Living in an apartment usually means being closer to the downtown area of a city, which means more
convenience and easy access to a lot of public services.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in an apartment or a flat?

A big advantage is that it’s a lot cheaper compared to living in a house. You don’t have to worry about
up-keep392 as much. You can also get a cooler view if you’re living on a higher floor. But on the
downside, apartments don’t have as much space as houses do. You get a small balcony instead of a big
backyard. Plus, you might have noisy neighbors that would bug393 you more in an apartment than in a
house.

387 a detached house

388 carry the burden of a huge mortgage
389 high-maintenance

390 get saddled with a mortgage

391 an average family

392 up-keep

393 bug
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a house?
The first advantage that comes to mind is that you have lots of space when you live in a house. You
can have a large living room as well as multiple bedrooms. If it’s big enough, you can also put a gym
in there. Plus, living in a house usually means you have a front yard or a backyard where you can grow
flowers or plants that you like. However, houses are way more expensive to live in. You usually have
to get a mortgage, which really costs a pretty penny394.

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in cities?

Off the top of my head, an advantage of living in a city is that you have access to lots of different
things. There’s a variety of facilities and stores to go to. There are usually more job opportunities as
well. But every rose has its thorn. Cities can be very crowded and expensive to live in. It’s very
common to see people packed like sardines on public transportation in cities, especially during rush
hour. Plus, a lot of urban people in China say the cost of living in a city makes them very stressed
nowadays.

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the countryside?

One big plus of living in the countryside is that you get to be around nature 395. Most of the time, you
get to breathe fresh air and enjoy beautiful natural scenery. Another nice thing is that there’s lots of
space. It isn’t all jam-packed with buildings. But on the downside, there may not be as many stores
and facilities to enjoy. Life in the countryside tends to be very slow-paced, which can eventually
become boring.

7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a new house? How about living in an
old house?
Well, when you live in a newly built house, everything is up-to-date and usually suits your tastes396.
It’s really nice living in a place like that because it feels very modern and stylish. But that can be pretty
expensive. Some new houses cost an arm and a leg to move into. Old houses are usually much cheaper.
So they’re more affordable for average families. But they probably require a lot more maintenance to
keep up.

394 costs a pretty penny

395 get to be around nature
396 suits your tastes
Topic 45
1. Why do some people hate advertisements?
I suppose that some people hate advertisements because they can be very loud and annoying. For
example, it’s really loud and obnoxious397 when you’re watching a video online that’s suddenly
interrupted by a gum commercial398. It actually puts you in a bad mood because it wastes your time.
Personally, I think there are way too many advertisements out there. They’re such a pain to sit
through399.

2. Is background music useful in advertising?

Well, it depends on the type of advertisement. If it’s a serious advertisement, then some background
400
music can help set the tone and make people pay attention. The same thing goes for funny
advertisements. Sometimes you can use music to get people interested in what they’re seeing. But if
the background music is too loud or doesn’t coordinate with the theme401, it can be very distracting.

3. What is the main form of advertising in your country?

The main form of advertising in my country is definitely online advertising. You know, there are tons
of ads on every website I visit. After a while, you actually start to ignore them. Sometimes, I don’t
even notice there are ads until somebody points them out. Still, it can be really annoying when you’re
trying to access a website and an ad pops up402. It’s very distracting. It’s just a pain to deal with in
general.

4. What are the differences between advertisements on the internet and on TV?
I think advertisements on the internet are usually focused more on visuals, whereas403 ads on TV
usually use visuals and sound. There are definitely some ads that have sound on the internet, but since
people get annoyed with those a lot quicker and they can skip the ads or close the window with ads
easily404, a lot of companies just focus on having an eye-catching design and slogan405. But on TV,
you can include a lot more sound. You can focus on dialogue and stuff like that.

397 obnoxious

398 a gum commercial:

399 such a pain to sit through
400 set the tone

401 coordinate with the theme

402 an ad pops up

403 whereas

404 skip the ads or close the window with ads easily

405 having an eye-catching design and slogan

5. Do people usually buy stuff after watching an advertisement?
Well, advertisements don’t always work on everyone. But I suppose that a lot of people can be easily
influenced by an advertisement. It appeals to your needs and desires406, and sometimes hooks your
emotions to shop impulsively407. So I would say that at least some of the time, people buy stuff after
watching an advertisement. For example, my uncle bought a new blender because he saw an ad for it
online. It turned out that the blender actually worked just like the ad said it would. So that worked out
well for him.

6. Are advertisements targeting children good? Are they necessary?

I don’t think it’s good to have advertisements targeting children. Children barely know what they want.
They’re very easily influenced. So I don’t think companies should take advantage of that408. If children
are swayed by advertisements409, they might grow up to be very greedy. They’ll just want everything
they see in ads and commercials. Plus, they might end up asking their parents for stuff that’s bad for
them. So that kind of advertising isn’t necessary.

406 appeals to your needs and desires

407 hooks your emotions to shop impulsive
408 take advantage of that

409 are swayed by advertisements

Topic 46/47

1. What do young people like to wear?

Well, it depends on their personality. But generally speaking, young people always like wearing
clothes that express who they are. They don’t really care about convention as much. So you could see
young people dressed in the latest, wildest410 fashions, or you could see young people who like dressing
more subtly411. I suppose that young people aren’t afraid to try new styles. It’s part of what makes
them unique.

2. What’s the difference between the dressing style of young people and that of old people?
In general, young people dress more freely and old people dress more conservatively. To be specific,
young people are obsessed with the latest trends. They don’t care if they aren’t modest or traditional.
They just like wearing clothes that express their personalities. But old people are more set in their
ways412. They like wearing clothes that are more old-fashioned. They definitely don’t like showing off
a lot of skin.

3. When do people wear formal clothes?

People usually wear formal clothes to special occasions, like weddings or funerals. It’s a courtesy to413
dress up properly for those events. It’s just part of showing your respect to whoever is being honoured.
Some people wear formal clothes for job interviews, or if they work somewhere fancy. Plus, it’s
common to wear formal clothes if you go to special events, like a conference or something like that.

4. Do you think students should wear uniforms?

I don’t really think that students should wear uniforms. On the one hand, uniforms make things simpler
for students. They don’t have to feel as pressured to fit in and keep up with the latest fashions. But on
the other hand, wearing uniforms limits students’ creativity. If they have to wear uniforms, it’s harder
for them to express themselves through what they choose to wear. Plus, wearing the same thing every
day would be really boring.

410 wildest:

411 subtly:

412 set in their ways

413 It’s a courtesy to
5. What are the differences between people’s clothes in the southern vs northern part of a country?
I think that in general, people in the northern part of China wear clothes designed for cold weather.
But it’s the opposite in the south. You know, in the north, the temperatures are usually lower, and there
might even be lots of snow. So they probably wear heavier clothes made out of warm fabrics414. People
living in northern cities like Harbin all have a heavy winter coat. But people in the south usually
experience warmer weather. So they might wear lighter, looser clothes instead. I heard people in
Hainan province can wear shorts throughout the year.

414 heavier clothes made out of warm fabrics

Topic 48
1. Which food is popular in China?
There are tons of popular foods in China since the Chinese have a very rich food culture. A dish that a
ton of Chinese people love eating is ramen, especially Lanzhou Ramen. It’s definitely one of the tastiest
kinds of noodles in China. Another one of the best kinds of traditional food is hotpot, which is a little
similar to fondue. We can put all kinds of meats and vegetables into the hotpot and eat it with dipping
sauce415. There are dozens of styles of hotpot in China but without a doubt, they all taste amazing. I
especially love the spicy Sichuan hotpot.

2. Have people’s eating habit changed compared to the past?

Yes, people’s diets today are very different from their diets in the past. Young people especially have
diets that are worlds away from those of our grandparents and great-grandparents. In the past, China’s
economy wasn’t as developed so people didn’t have the wide range of choices for food that we have
today. For example, vegetables and fruits like okra416 and cranberries417 are popular food ingredients
nowadays, but didn't exist in farmers’ markets even a decade ago.

3. What’s the difference between North and South of China when it comes to eating habit?
Well, talking about differences in diet among people in different parts of China, I have to say people’s
tastes vary a lot in terms of location. For example, a ton of northern dishes are quite salty. In contrast,
many people in southern parts of China prefer sweetness, so you will find many kinds of dishes with
a sweet flavor. However, China is a huge country, and each town has its own features in terms of food.

4. Why do some people grow their own food these days?

I believe some people grow their own food because they want to have more control over what they eat.
A lot of people think that store-bought food418 has too many chemicals in it. They want to know exactly
where their food comes from and what goes into it. Others just grow their own food because it’s a fun
hobby that helps them wind down. I think both are good reasons. It’s pretty cool to make your own
meals like that.

415 dipping sauce：

416 okra：
417 cranberries:

418 store-bought food:

5. Is it hard to grow a plant?
No, I don’t think it’s that hard. All you really have to do is make sure you give it the right conditions
to grow. For example, if it needs a lot of sunlight, you can make sure it’s in an open area that gets lots
of light. The tricky thing is remembering to water it every day. Personally, I can be really forgetful, so
I wouldn’t trust myself to take care of a plant.

6. Will more people grow vegetables in the future?

Well, right now, growing vegetables is a big trend419. So I think that in the future, more and more
people will give it a try. It’s a pretty cool habit that makes for a good conversation topic. It’s probably
also healthier to grow your own food instead of getting it from the store. If you grow vegetables
yourself, you have control over the whole process. I think it’s pretty neat.

7. Do you think people should eat every meal with their family?
Well, that’s tough. I suppose that it would be nice if people ate every meal with their family. Eating
together is a great way to strengthen relationships between family members. But at the same time, it’s
not always possible to eat every single meal with family. People have different work schedules and are
often apart during the day420. I think as long as you can have one meal a day with your family, you’re
doing fine.

8. What are the influences of industrial development in the food industry on our eating habits?
I’m not really an expert on this subject. But the first thing that comes to mind is the types of food we
eat nowadays. Basically, we have to watch our eating habits and diet421, because the industrialization
of the food industry has made many people used to eating processed food422. As we all know, processed
food usually contains a ton of calories but way less nutrition than natural food423. I believe it’s an
important reason why we can see more people becoming overweight. We should eat less food produced
by factories and more natural food, like vegetables and fruits.

419 a big trend

420 are often apart during the day
421 watch our eating habits and diet

422 processed food

423 natural food

Topic 49
1. What’s the routine of people in your country?
As far as I know, most people in China work 9-5 jobs. So basically they’re busy during most of the
day, but they have evenings and weekends off to spend at home. If they’re students like me, their
routine is based around school. They go to classes during the day and then study at night. People
usually only break their routine for vacations or holidays, which usually come around summer or
winter.

2. Some people don't have a daily routine. Is it good?

Honestly, that sounds really relaxing. But I believe that having a daily routine is important. It keeps
you on track424 and prevents wasting time on meaningless things. I think that a routine can help people
from falling into a slump425. It’s not good to just sit around or to constantly change what you’re doing
from day to day. Having a set routine to follow can definitely help you be productive and make the
most of a day.

3. Is it important for children to have a daily routine? Why?

Yes, it’s really important for children to have a set routine. For one, it gives them a sense of order426.
By having a schedule to follow, kids can feel like things are in control. This will help them have less
stress and anxiety. Another advantage is that it teaches them how important it is to manage time well.
That’s a skill that’ll really help them out in the long run. In general, people with good time management
are usually more productive at work as well.

424 keeps you on track

425 slump

426 a sense of order

4. Which kinds of jobs need a routine? Which kinds of jobs don't need a routine? Why?
Off the top of my head, manufacturing jobs require a routine. You have to do things in a very specific
order427 in factories and other places like that, so it’s safe to say things are pretty routine in those kinds
of occupations. But jobs that involve service, whether it’s sales or designing, don’t have the same kind
of routines. You can be more flexible in those types of jobs since customers’ demands change over
time. Besides, I believe jobs that involve research also don't need a routine because people who need
to do that have to be creative and can’t be limited by a fixed schedule.

5. Should daily routine on holidays be the same as usual?

Well, if you’re on holiday, there’s no need to follow your usual daily routine. One of the best things
about holidays is that they’re a break from routine. It gives you the chance to shake things up428, but
not for so long that you become out of touch with429 your routine altogether. Honestly, I think it’s
important to take a break, because otherwise you can get sick and tired of the same old thing and feel
really bored with your life.

427 ina very specific order

428 shake things up
429 out of touch with
Topic 50
1. What can we learn from historical heritages?/Why should we protect old buildings?
Historical heritages can teach us about society and culture before our time. They’re an important part
of understanding who we are and where we came from. It can help explain why things are the way
they are now, like why we have certain traditions and beliefs. Actually nothing is set in stone430; history
is always changing, and understanding the history of our heritages can help us continue to shape them.

2. How can we protect old buildings? (government and common people)

I think the government can protect old buildings by putting rules in place that forbid their destruction.
If they make laws about preserving old buildings because of their historic and cultural value, then
nobody can legally tear them down431 or repurpose them432. Ordinary citizens can help protect old
buildings by advocating for those kinds of laws and raising awareness about how important they are.
In the end, everyone can do their part433 to protect these buildings.

3. Is it useful to learn history?/What can we learn from history?

Yes, I believe it’s definitely worth your while434 to learn about history. After all, history helps explain
how we got to where we are today, and why that’s important. For example, history can teach you about
the place where you live, where certain traditions and beliefs come from, and important and inspiring
figures from the past. Plus, it helps us learn from past mistakes.

4. What are the ways to learn history?

Well, we can learn about history from studying history textbooks, but there are definitely more ways
than that. For example, we can watch old documentaries to see what life was like before we were even
born. We can also watch films and look at paintings from different time periods to learn about the
culture they came from. Plus, younger people can always talk to the older generations to learn about
their lives.

430 setin stone：

431 tearthem down:
432 repurpose them
433 do their part：
434 worth your while:
5. Do people prefer learning history through books or movies?

I suppose that people prefer learning about history through movies. Most of the people I know don’t
care for reading; books just aren’t their cup of tea. Instead, they like watching movies to learn about
history. It’s much more visual and engaging435 than books are. After all, everything is shown on screen
in front of you. You don’t have to imagine it for yourself. Plus, things are easier to remember when
you see them acted out436.

6. Why are some people not interested in history?

Well, some people don’t have any interest in history mainly because they only care about what’s
happening now. They don’t want to pay attention to what happened in the past. Honestly, many people
think history is too far from their daily life and feel learning history isn’t that helpful to one’s job and
life. Another reason is that history classes can often be really boring, so they focus on other things and
get distracted very easily. They may not realize how cool history can be. Personally, I’ve never been a
big fan of history. I think learning about the present is more important.

7. How can teachers make history classes more interesting?

I suppose that teachers can make history classes more interesting by using different kinds of media.
Instead of just using textbooks, they can show their students historical movies or let them read
historical novels. They can also try to get students to imagine what it would be like to live in past
centuries. This could involve assigning interesting projects that get students to think outside the box
and use their imagination.

435 engaging

436 acted out:

Topic 51
1. What kinds of things do people usually find?
Well, lots of people are forgetful these days, so I think it’s pretty common to find small objects like
sunglasses and keys lying around. Those things can easily fall out of people’s pockets. Sometimes
people even lose their phones, which is pretty unfortunate. I remember just the other day437 my friend
and I found someone’s wallet on a bench at a shopping mall. We didn't have time to contact the owner
myself so we gave it to the lost and found of the shopping mall.

2. What would normal people do when they find something doesn't belong to them?
I think the normal response is to438 bring the item to the lost and found. Normally, people don’t take
things they find for themselves. After all, it’s rude to take something that doesn’t belong to you. So it
seems to me that the proper protocol439 is bringing the item somewhere it can be found by its owner.
Another good idea is to give it to the authorities, but usually that’s just if it’s a big-ticket item440 like a
laptop.

3. How should parents educate their children when they find something that doesn't belong to
them?
Parents should be gentle but firm441 if their children have something that doesn’t belong to them. They
have to teach them that it’s wrong to take something that isn’t yours. But the child might not know
that, so the parents should patiently explain it. If possible, maybe they can get the child to return the
item to its proper owner. When I was little, I accidentally took a toy from my friend, and my parents
corrected me right away.

437 justthe other day

438 the normal response is to
439 protocol

440 a big-ticket item:

441 gentle but firm

4. Generally speaking, why do some people like to collect things?
Well, some people like collecting things because it relaxes them. It’s a good habit to develop if you
want something to wind you down at the end of a long day. It gives you something to focus on other
than your own stress and worries. For example, many office workers are comic books collectors; this
is a good way for them to unwind442. I also think collecting things can be really satisfying. When you
find something to add to the collection, it gives you a sense of fulfillment.

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of keeping collections?

I suppose one big advantage is that it’s a cool subject of conversation. You can bond over it 443
with
people who have similar collections or people who are interested in what you collect. Another
advantage is that it gives you an interesting habit. But on the flip side, it can create a lot of clutter444 in
your house. Plus, keeping collections can stress you out if you take them too seriously. For example,
my cousin collects stamps. Whenever a new kind of stamp comes out, he is so worried about not being
able to get it, because most stamps are limited edition.

442 unwind

443 bond over sth

444 clutter:
Topic 52

1. How do children in China celebrate birthday party?

I think children usually celebrate birthday parties by giving gifts and doing a fun activity like playing
video games or visiting a zoo. At a young age, they don’t really know why birthdays are that important;
to them, it’s just a fun day where they get to pig out445 on cake and goof off446. But they like having
birthday parties, because it’s a chance for them to play with each other and enjoy each other’s
company447.

2. What do children often do in a birthday party? / What do children love to do in a party?

I haven’t taken part in a child’s party for years. But I guess children like to do party games pretty often
when it comes to celebrating birthday parties. Besides, when I was young, what children liked the most
was unwrapping448 their birthday gifts. I’m sure that’s a big deal for a lot of children, and there’s a ton
of fun in opening the gift wrap and finding out what toys are in there. Young kids are no exception 449
when it comes to getting a kick out of having many new toys.

3. Should parents spend a lot of money on children’s parties?

Well, I don’t think parents should spend a ton of money on children’s parties. It’s kind of crazy to
break the bank450 on a party that the kids probably won’t even remember when they’re grown up. Plus,
when they’re young, kids don’t need super elaborate451 or expensive things to keep them entertained.
So spending the big bucks452 on a children’s party is kind of ridiculous.

445 pig out:

446 goof off
447 company

448 unwrapping

449 no exception

450 break the bank

451 elaborate

452 the big bucks

4. What are the differences between adults’ party and children’s party?
I suppose adults’ parties are a lot more serious and often have a purpose, like for a business where it’s
all about building networks or having a formal ceremony. Usually they just focus on conversation, and
there isn’t a lot in terms of entertainment. But when it comes to children’s parties, the atmosphere is a
lot crazier. After all, most parents just let their kids run around and blow off steam453 by playing with
each other. It can get out of hand pretty quickly.

5. Do you think people can make more friends if they often join parties?
Yeah, people can definitely make more friends that way. Even though sometimes, going to parties
means stepping out of454 your comfort zone, it’s a great way to get to know new people by meeting
them face-to-face. Nowadays, so many people just stay at home and socialize with the people they
already know. It’s good to get out once in a while and make new friends.

6. Why do so many people love playing computer games at home?

Well, to be honest, I think it’s a form of escapism455. You know, a lot of people are really wound up456
after a long day of work or study. So for them, playing computer games at home is a way of blowing
off steam and escaping into a made-up world457. Even though it’s not that productive, it’s important
because it gives them a chance to just kick back and relax458.

453 blow off steam

454 step out of:
455 escapism

456 wound up

457 made-up world

458 kick back and relax

Topic 53
1. What do people like to do when they are free in your country?
I mean, I can’t really speak for everyone, but as far as I know, people like doing relaxing activities like
going for a walk around the neighborhood or watching a movie at the theater. Nowadays, we can get
so tied up with work and study that we barely have any time to just kick back and relax. Whenever we
have free time, it’s best to just chill out459 and do something with as little stress as possible.

2. Do people have more or less days off than before?

I actually think people have more days off than they used to. First of all, people dozens of years ago
didn’t have as many public holidays as we do now. My father mentioned that mid-autumn day was not
a public holiday when he was young. Plus, higher productivity in today’s society allows us to have
more holidays and free time to relax. We don't need to work day in and day out like our previous
generations.

3. Will future technology bring people more free time?

I believe future technology can definitely bring people more free time. A lot of our time is consumed
with doing jobs that could eventually be done by robots. For example, cleaning the house can take the
better part of a day460, but if everyone had cleaning robots, they could just kick back and relax and not
have to worry about housework. On the downside461, I think that would make everyone pretty lazy.

4. Do men and women do different things on their free days?

From my own experience, men and women like to do different kinds of activities on their days off.
Men usually like to watch sports or TV when they have free time. Lots of young guys spend their time
at the gym or playing video games. But women like doing more social activities, like shopping or
having lunch together. But actually both men and women like doing relaxing things like going to see
a movie.

459 chillout：relax,
460 takethe better part of a day
461 On the downside
5. What do children always do when they are free? Do you think parents should make plans for
their children?
From what I remember, kids just like playing with each other. Whether that means going to a
playground or just talking with each other, they enjoy spending time with one another. I think parents
can be involved with what their kids do, and they should definitely be in the know462, but I don’t think
they have to make plans for their children because only the children know what they want to do or play
the most during free time.

6. What do young people usually do during free time?

In my personal experience, young people usually do fun things together during their free time. It’s not
uncommon to see463 groups of them going to the movies or hanging out at the mall. Young people are
pretty social. They like chilling with each other464 and just shooting the breeze465. Sometimes they also
like playing on their phones and checking social media. Older generations might call them lazy, but I
suppose that they just like building friendships.

7. Do you think it is good for workers to work overtime?

It seems to me that it’s good, but only to a certain extent. Working overtime usually means you get
paid more, so it does wonders for your bank account466. It can also give you a sense of achievement
when you go beyond expectations and do the extra work. But every rose has its thorn467. If you
overwork yourself, you can easily get stressed out, which negatively impacts your mental and physical
health.

8. Can limited free time affect family life?

Yeah, I believe limited free time can affect family life. The biggest concern is usually with parents. If
they’re always busy with work, they won’t have enough time to spend time with their kids. As a result,
their kids might feel lonely or neglected. This can negatively impact them in the long term. Also, if the
kids spend more time away when they grow up, they might not be able to have a strong relationship

with their parents.

462 definitelybe in the know

463 It’snot uncommon to see
464 chilling with each other

465 shooting the breeze

466 it does wonders for your bank account：it does wonders for

467 every rose has its thorn

Topic 54
1. What kind of books do children read?
I think children like reading fantastical books about made-up lands468 because it lets their imagination
run free469. They also love books that have lots of adventure in them, or at least a lot of pictures. Since
kids aren’t fully developed yet, they’re more attracted to things that are very visual, so a lot of them
love reading picture books, at least until they’re old enough to like words as well.

2. What kind of books do adults read?

Well, it really depends on the person. I’ve found that idealistic people470 love reading romances or
action-packed471 books, while more down-to-earth people472 like reading biographies or nonfiction.
Generally, I guess adults like books that are about real-life topics and issues. I don’t think they’re as
interested473 in things that are completely made up, like fantasy. That being said, an adult friend of
mine loves reading about dragons. Sometimes I think he believes they’re real! He’s a little off his
rocker474.

3. When it comes to cultivating children’s reading habits, who are more important - teachers or
parents?
Well, it’s tough to say, because I believe both parents and teachers are very influential in a child’s life.
However, I suppose that parents are more important when it comes to cultivating children’s reading
habits. Teachers can show their students ways to develop habits, but the responsibility for enforcing
those habits is in the parents’ hands. The parents have more of an influence in their children’s lives, so
it’s up to them to make sure their children are reading regularly.

468 made-up lands

469 lets their imagination run free
470 idealistic people

471 action-packed

472 down-to-earth people

473 as interested

474 off his rocker

4. Which is more beneficial - reading books or watching TV and films?
Well, I’m a little biased because I love reading books more than watching TV and films. In my opinion,
reading books is more beneficial because it helps teach people critical thinking skills475. With TV and
films, the information is very obviously presented to you and they don’t make you think as hard. But
476
with books, you usually have more room for interpretation, and you can also exercise your
imagination more.

5. How should parents encourage their children to read books?

I suppose parents can encourage their children to read books in lots of ways. One of the easiest and
most important ways is to expose them to books at an early age. This can be done by reading them
bedtime stories before they go to sleep. That way, the child will have a positive association with reading
because it reminds them of the time spent bonding with their parents. It definitely did the trick477 for
me!

6. What do you think about bedtime stories?

It seems to me that bedtime stories can be a very important part of someone’s childhood. For example,
I really bonded with my mom because she read me lots of stories right before I went to sleep. It was a
nice time for us to hang out and feel close to one another. So in that respect478, I think bedtime stories
are great for children’s development. They also help them develop a sense of imagination.

7. What are the influences of modern technology on reading habits?

Well, modern technology has definitely changed the way that people read things, whether it’s books
or magazines or newspapers. With the development of technology, more and more people are reading
information online. Many newspapers have adjusted by publishing their issues on their websites, while
books are increasingly being published as e-books rather than paper books.

475 critical thinking skills

476 more room
477 did the trick (for me):

478 in that respect

Topic 55
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a family business?
I believe one main advantage is that you have way more control over how business is carried out.
When it’s a small, family-owned business, the day-to-day stuff is all under the family’s control.
Another advantage is that you can build the business from the ground up479 and have that satisfaction
to yourself. But the disadvantage is that you can run into personal conflicts easier. When you are
480
working with the people closest to you, the disputes in business may damage your family
relationships.

2. What qualities does a successful businessman need?

I think a successful businessman needs to have ambition and confidence. They need to have clear goals
and pursue them, which requires both of those qualities. Additionally, they have to have good people
skills. A lot of business comes from successful relationships with clients and other companies. Plus, I
believe a successful businessman also needs to have a good head for numbers481. They should know
about as many aspects of business as they can.

3. Do people like to work for a big company or a small company?

I guess people like working for small companies better. Even though the job might not come with as
many perks as a big company could offer, I think there are more opportunities to become close with
coworkers and have a more welcoming work environment. Big companies can be too concerned with
making a profit and neglect their employees in the process, but in general small companies usually
value their employees more.

479 from the ground up

480 disputes

481 have a good head for number

4. What conditions are needed to start up a business?
I suppose you482 need to have lots of financial resources and a great team of employees. It’s very hard
to start up a business by yourself and without a lot of money. You need people you can trust to work
hard and do well. You also need a great business plan to set yourself apart from483 other companies. I
don’t think I’d be able to start up a business myself, but those are the things I think you need.

5. Do you think globalization is a positive development?

Well, I believe there are definitely pros and cons, but overall globalization seems to be a positive
development. For one, it helps expose people to new and different cultures. In this way, they can
broaden their horizons and become more sympathetic to people from other countries. Globalization
can also help boost national economies and increase a country’s international trades. But every rose
has its thorn484, one downside I know is that it may decrease the number of jobs and wages because of
a cheaper foreign workforce.

483 set yourself apart from…

484 every rose has its thorn
Topic 56
1. Is it important to be a good listener?
Yeah, I think it’s definitely important to be a good listener. For one, it can teach you sympathy and
empathy485. If you’re hearing someone else’s point of view, it can help you become a better, well-
rounded person486. Another reason why it’s important is that it helps you build stronger friendships.
People appreciate it when you make them feel heard. It’s a way for you to gain their trust and
understand them better.

2. How to be a good listener?

You can be a good listener by letting the person express themselves fully without interrupting. Even
though it can be tempting to butt in487 and give your own opinion on what they’re saying, it’s much
better to just sit back and listen to them. Another way to be a good listener is to avoid being distracted
and give the person your full attention. The speaker will be more focused when they see you are
listening carefully.

3. What techniques do you use to remember content when you are listening a speech?
Honestly my memory isn’t the most reliable, but there are a couple techniques I use to remember things
when I’m listening to a speech. The first one is relating things the speaker says back to my own personal
life. If something they say reminds me of a person in my life, I use a mental association to remember
the info. Another technique is making quick notes. As people always say, the palest ink is better than
the best memory488.

485 sympathy and empathy

486 well-rounded person
487 butt in

488 the palest ink is better than the best memory

4. What kind of jobs require the skill of speaking in public?
There are definitely lots of jobs that require you to be able to speak well in public. The first one that
comes to mind is a teacher or professor. You have to able to give a lesson to tons of people, whether
they’re high school or university students. Another job that I can think of off the top of my head is an
activist489. Sometimes you have to give speeches about your cause to giant crowds490.

5. What is required to be a good public speaker? Is confidence important?

I think that in order to be a good public speaker, you definitely have to be confident. If you aren’t sure
of yourself, it’ll show and people won’t be as engaged with your speech. Another important quality is
having a clear, loud voice that can reach crowds. It’s good not to stutter491 or trip over your words492.
I believe a lot of it comes with practice. After all, practice makes perfect493.

489 activist

490 giant crowds

491 stutter

492 trip over your words

493 practice makes perfect
Topic 57
1. Do you think it is important to protect the environment?
Yes, I think it’s very important to protect the environment! We depend on the environment to maintain
our way of living, and if we keep damaging it, we won’t be able to live very well. So it’s important for
everyone, no matter their age or occupation, to do their part to help keep the Earth healthy. If we don’t
look out for494 the environment, we’re basically not looking out for ourselves either.

2. Should schools teach students to protect the environment? /Is it necessary to make
environmental protection a subject?
Yes, I believe it’s literally a matter of life and death when it comes to protecting the environment, so
it’s definitely important for students to learn about it. After all, they are the future generation who are
going to inherit the earth. So I think that schools should take up that cause495 and educate students
about how to protect the environment.

3. What should individuals do to protect environment?

I suppose individuals should try to change their daily habits so that they can lend a hand to the wider
environmental protection movement. For example, instead of driving everywhere in a private vehicle,
they could take public transportation to cut down on carbon emissions496. Additionally, they could try
to reduce the amount of plastic and other wasteful materials they go through on a daily basis. It all
adds up in the end497.

494 look out for

495 take up that cause
496 cut down on carbon emissions

497 It all adds up in the end

4. Which industry causes the most environmental pollution? Why?
Well, I don’t know a ton about that kind of stuff498, but I believe the manufacturing
industry causes the most environmental pollution. A lot of factories create greenhouse
gases and carbon emissions, which is very harmful to the atmosphere. Furthermore,
manufacturing creates products that are often wasted or thrown by the wayside499 in our
daily lives, such as plastic bags. Those products end up in landfills500 and result in a lot of
pollution.

5. Do you think companies should take responsibility for environmental protection?

Why? Yeah, I definitely think that companies should take responsibility for environmental
protection. We all have to do our part to help protect the environment, and companies are
hardly an exception to the rule501. In fact, I believe they carry more responsibility because
they also produce a lot of waste that can be harmful to the environment. They should try to
go paperless502 as much as possible and work on using environmentally-friendly products
in the workplace.

6. What should the government do to reduce pollution?

I suppose the government should take practical measures that help people maintain a high
standard of living while also reducing pollution. For example, they should try to cut down
carbon emissions by implementing a carbon tax503. They should also try to encourage
people to use public transportation, which helps reduce air pollution, and it’ll be better if
they can introduce other laws that keep companies from creating too much environmental
waste. It’s important that we all do our part.

498 I don’t know a ton about that kind of stuff

499 thrown by the wayside
500 landfills

501 hardlyan exception to the rule

502 gopaperless
503 implementing a carbon tax

APPENDIX

Topic 1:

1. well-informed:
(adjective) /ˌwel ɪnˈfɔːmd/
having a lot of knowledge or information about a particular subject or things in general
có nhiều hiểu biết hoặc thông tin về lĩnh vực cụ thể nào đó
How well informed is the customer about the range, quality, and cost
of the products on offer?
2. On the flip side:
(noun) /ˈflɪp ˌsaɪd/
the opposite, less good, or less popular side of something
mặt khác, mặt ít tốt hơn, ít phổ biến hơn của thứ gì đó
We're now starting to see the flip side of the government's economic
policy.
3. have a small attention span：
có khoảng chú ý nhỏ
4. tabloid magazines:
tạp chí lá cải
5. make money off of
kiếm từ dựa trên
6. shallow:
(adjective) /ˈʃæl.əʊ/ - nông cạn
I thought the film was pretty shallow.
7. If you ask me:
Nếu bạn hỏi tôi
8. in that regard:
in this particular way
bằng cách nhất định
The union is the largest in the country and in this/that regard is best
placed to serve its members.
9. check out sites like Sina:
kiểm tra những trang như Sina
10. To each their own:
used to say that everyone likes different things
mỗi người một sở thích
You actually like modern jazz, do you? Each to their own.
 11. kids should be allowed to be kids:
hãy để con trẻ được làm trẻ con
12. branch out：
to start to do something different from what you usually do, especially in your job
bắt đầu làm gì đó khách với những gì bạn thường làm, đặc biệt là trong công việc
This designer has recently branched out into children's wear.

Topic 2:

13. to function the way it should:

hoạt động đúng như cách nó đáng ra phải thế
14. a big relief:
(noun) /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of happiness that something unpleasant has not happened or has ended
cảm giác được giải tỏa sau khi một điều gì đó không dễ chịu đã không diễn ra hoặc
đã kết thúc
It was such a relief to hear that Marta was found safe and well.
15. a hop, skip, and a jump away
một khoảng cách ngắn
16. On the flip side:
(noun) /ˈflɪp ˌsaɪd/
the opposite, less good, or less popular side of something
mặt khác, mặt ít tốt hơn, ít phổ biến hơn của thứ gì đó
We're now starting to see the flip side of the government's economic
policy.
17. it’s safe to say:
có thể nói rằng
18. worlds away from:
vượt xa
19. You don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater:
to lose valuable ideas or things in your attempt to get rid of what is not wanted
đánh mất một ý tưởng hay một vật đáng giá khi cố bỏ đi thứ không cần thiết

Topic 3:

20. keep things running smoothly:

giữ mọi thứ hoạt động trơn tru
21. keep it in check :
to limit something
hạn chế điều gì
We need to find ways of keeping our expenditure in check.
22. run the risk of :
 to make a particular result possible
biến một kết quả cụ thể thành hiện thực
When doctors do not follow government guidelines, they run the risk
of being sued.
23. in the long run:
trong một khoảng thời gian dài
It seems a lot of effort but I'm sure it's the best solution in the long
run.
24. a sedentary lifestyle:
Lối sống ít vận động
25. At the end of the day:
something that you say before you give the most important fact of a situation
điều được nói trước khi bạn nêu ra điều quan trọng nhất trong trường hợp nào đó.
Of course I'll listen to what she has to say but at the end of the day,
it's my decision.

Topic 4:
26. change on a dime:
thay đổi ngay tức thì
27. suck：
(verb) /sʌk/ - tồi tệ
Man, this job sucks!
28. inclement weather:
Inclement weather is unpleasant, especially with cold wind and rain
Thời tiết bất lợi, đặc biệt là khi có mưa rét
29. set up a badminton tournament:
tổ chức một giải đấu cầu lông
30. go at it:
to start doing something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm
bắt đầu làm việc gì với nhiều năng lượng và nhiệt huyết

Topic 5:

31. juggle all your assignments well:

thu xếp ổn thỏa các bài tập
Juggle: to succeed in arranging your life so that you have time to involve yourself in
two or more different activities or groups of people
Thu xếp cuộc sống để có thời gian tham gia vào hai hoặc hiều hơn hoạt động hoặc
nhóm người.
Many parents find it hard to juggle children and a career.
32. get the hang of it:
to learn how to do something, esp. when it is not simple or obvious
học cách làm điều gì
 I’ll teach you how to use the design program – you’ll get the hang of
it after a while.
33. comes in handy:
hữu dụng
This money will come in handy when we go on vacation.
34. work your way down:
hoàn thiện từng công việc từ trên xuống dưới
35. run errands after work:
ra ngoài sau giờ làm việc
run errands: to go out to buy or do something
ra ngoài để làm hoặc mua gì đó
After school he runs errands for his father.
36. a decadence:
(noun) /ˈdek.ə.dəns/ - sự sa sút, sự suy đồi
37. unwind:
to relax and allow your mind to be free from worry after a period of work or some
other activity that has made you worried
thư giãn và để tâm trí được thoải mái sau một thời gian làm việc hoặc hoạt động
khách khiến bạn mệt mỏi
A glass of wine in the evening helps me to unwind after work.

Topic 6:

38. don’t keep track of them:

không quan tâm cập nhật thường xuyên
39. isn’t as typical：
không được phổ biến bằng
40. But from what I’ve heard:
Những gì tôi nghe được
41. the sound of the waves:
tiếng của những con sóng
42. knocked out of:
bị văng khỏi
43. well-rounded:
(verb) /ˌwel ˈraʊn.dɪd/
involving or having experience in a wide range of ideas or activities
tham gia hoặc có trải nghiệm trong các hoạt động có phạm vi rộng
She describes herself as a "well-rounded individual" who works hard
but has a varied social life.
44. cruise:
(noun) /kruz/ - du thuyền
 45. a really great alternative:
một sự thay thế tuyệt vời
46. scenic:
(adjective) /ˈsiː.nɪk/ - có phong cảnh đẹp
We took the scenic route home.
47. seasick:
(adjective) /ˈsiː.sɪk/ - say sóng
I was/felt seasick, so I went up on deck for some fresh air.
48. such a hectic life:
một cuộc sống sôi động
The area has become a haven for people tired of the hectic pace of
city life.
49. for those same reasons:
vì cùng những lý do đó
50. is the way to go:
the best or most suitable decision, option, or method.
Quyết định, lựa chọn hay phương cách tốt nhất hoặc phù hợp nhất
A: "I think we need to hold a vote with the board members."
B: "Yes, that's definitely the way to go."

Topic 7:

51. Granted:
(conjunction) /ˈɡrɑːn.tɪd/
used to admit that something is true, before saying something else about it
thừa nhận rằng một điều gì đó là đúng trước khi nói điều gì đó về nó
Granted that the story's true, there's not a lot you can do about it.
52. have a head for:
to be very good at something
giỏi làm một điều gì đó
She had a good head for business.
53. That being said:
Như đã nói
54. with a grain of salt:
to not completely believe something that you are told, because you think it is unlikely
to be true
không hoàn toàn tin vào điều gì được kể, vì bạn nghĩ rằng nó không chính xác
You have to take everything she says with a pinch of salt, because
she tends to exaggerate.
55. pretty avid shopper:
một người khá ưa mua sắm
 56. packed in like sardines:
chật kín người
57. tight with their budgets:
kinh phí eo hẹp
58. money doesn’t grow on trees:
said to warn someone to be careful how much money they spend, because there is
only a limited amount
câu nói để cảnh báo ai đó về số tiền họ đã tiêu vì tiền bạc có hạn
"Mum, I'd like a new bike." "I'll have to think about it - money doesn't
grow on trees, you know!"
59. in a way:
bằng cách nào đó
60. a penny saved is a penny earned:
something you say that means it is wise to save money
tiết kiệm tiền là điều thông thái
I'd advise anyone to put aside a proportion of their earnings - a
penny saved is a penny earned.
61. aluminum cans:
lon nhôm
62. way more environmentally conscious
mang ý thức môi trường hơn nhiều
63. stay aware about：
giữ nhận thức về…

Topic 8:

64. leftovers：
(noun) /ˈleftˌəʊ.vər/ - thức ăn thừa
This recipe can serve four easily, and the leftovers are just as good
eaten cold.
65. toasters:
(noun) /ˈtəʊ.stər/ - máy nướng bánh mì
66. sort it out：
to deal in a satisfactory or successful way with a problem or situation
giải quyết một vấn đề một cách thành công
Industry groups say that the market will sort this out itself.
67. settling conflicts：
giải quyết xung đột
68. treating themselves:
tự thưởng cho bản thân họ
 69. rice cooker:
nồi cơm điện
70. made my day:
khiến tôi hạnh phúc
71. accomplished:
(adjective) /əˈkʌm.plɪʃt/ - điêu luyện
She's a very accomplished pianist/painter/horsewoman.
72. handling business in their everyday lives:
xử lý những công việc hàng ngày
73. cost me an arm and a leg:
to be extremely expensive
vô cùng đắt đỏ
I'd love to buy a Porsche, but they cost an arm and a leg.

Topic 9:

74. It sounds kind of funny, but I think that:

Nghe có vẻ buồn cười, nhưng tôi nghĩ rằng…
75. you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar:
You can win people to your side more easily by gentle persuasion and flattery than by
hostile confrontation.
Bạn sẽ được lòng người một cách dễ dàng hơn với sự nhẹ nhàng hơn là bằng một
thái độ thù địch
76. keep them from being worried:
giữ cho họ khỏi lo lắng
77. step on their toes:
to upset someone, esp. by getting involved in something that is that person’s
responsibility
khiến ai đó khó chịu đặc biệt là khi tham gia vào thứ gì đó thuộc trách nhiệm của
người đó
It’s a very competitive business – you can’t afford to step on too
many toes.
78. gadgets and gizmos:
79. a crime scene:
một hiện trường vụ án
80. track down:
to search for someone or something, often when it is difficult to find that person or
thing
tìm kiếm ai hoặc thứ gì đó khó tìm
81. surveillance:
(noun) /səˈveɪ.ləns/ - sự giám sát
 The police have kept the nightclub under surveillance because of
suspected illegal drug activity.
82. security footage:
băng an ninh
83. teach them right from wrong:
dạy họ những điều đúng đắn từ những sai lầm
84. I’ve never actually heard that expression before. But I guess it makes sense:
Tôi chưa từng nghe về cách giải thích đó trước đây. Nhưng tôi đoán là nó có lý
85. stay on your toes and not get caught:
tập trung toàn bộ vào việc đó để không bị phát hiện
86. maybe there’s some truth behind it:
có thể có một chút sự thật đằng sau nó
87. I don’t have a lot of experience on the subject:
Tôi không có nhiều kinh nghiệm trên lĩnh vực này

Topic 10:

88. ticks you off:

khiến bạn khó chịu
89. assist you with your problem in the best way possible:
giúp đỡ bạn giải quyết những vấn đề bằng cách tốt nhất có thể
90. it makes a world of difference:
nó tạo nên một sự khác biệt to lớn
91. commissions:
a payment given to someone when they sell something, which is directly related to
the amount they sell
tiền hoa hồng
92. step up:
to increase what you are doing to try to achieve something
cải thiện những gì bạn đang làm để đạt được một điều gì đó
Police have stepped up their efforts to find the man.

Topic 11:
93. Having things in common :
Có nhiều điểm chung
94. accountable for her actions:
có trách nhiệm với những hành động của cô ấy
95. on the same page:
to have the same ideas as someone else
 cùng chí hướng với ai đó
Everyone in the office has to be on the same page about what our
top priorities are.
96. it’s just a given that:
đồng ý rằng
97. switch things up:
to change something, usually in a way that improves it
thay đổi điều gì, thường là theo hướng cải thiện nó
I love the way they switched it up by playing the song acoustically.
98. if they had a say in the matter:
nếu họ có tiếng nói trong vấn đề này

Topic 12:

99. get discouraged:

bị làm cho nản lòng
having lost your confidence or enthusiasm for something
I think he felt discouraged because of all the criticism he'd received.
100.get through life:
vượt qua những khó khăn của cuộc sống
101.setting a good example:
tạo nên một ví dụ tốt
102.wing:
(verb) /wɪŋ/
to perform or speak without having prepared what you are going to do or say
biểu diễn hoặc nói mà không chuẩn bị trước những gì mình định làm hoặc định nói
I didn't have time to prepare for the talk, so I just had to wing it.
103.make it:
thành công
She's very ambitious but I doubt she'll ever make it to the top.
104.It’s a tough call:
a difficult judgment to make
đó là một phán quyết khó khăn
It's a tough call, but I choose Fred and Mary. Sorry Tom and Carole.
We're still undecided on whether to buy a place or rent—it's a tough
call.
105.don’t get me wrong:
đừng hiểu sai ý tôi
106.when it comes down to it:
khi nói đến…
107.self-motivation:
 sự tự tạo động lực cho bản thân
108.beat out:
to be more successful than your competitors
trở nên thành công hơn những đối thủ của mình
The New York-based accounting and consulting firm beat out eight
rival bids to win the contract.
109.rush through their work:
làm việc một cách vội vàng
Rush sth though: to cause something to happen or be produced too quickly
khiến thứ gì xảy ra hoặc được sản xuất một cách quá nhanh
The bill was rushed through parliament.

Topic 13:

110.work through it:

to manage a problem that has many different parts step by step
xử lý một vấn đề với nhiều phần khác nhau từng bước một
There are a lot of details we need to work through.
111.give into peer pressure:
không đi theo số đông
peer pressure: the strong influence of a group, especially of children, on members of
that group to behave as everyone else does.
Sự ảnh hưởng mạnh mẽ của một nhóm, đặc biệt là trẻ em, lên các thành viên của
nhóm đó buộc họ phải hành xử như những người khác.
There is tremendous peer pressure to wear fashionable clothes.
112.stick to your guns:
to continue to have your beliefs or continue with a plan of action, even if other people
disagree with you
tiếp tục tin vào những đức tin của bạn hoặc tiếp tục với những kế hoạch hành động
của bạn, kể cả khi những người khác không đồng tình với bạn
Despite harsh criticism, she's sticking to her guns on this issue.
113.gets the full picture:
có được cái nhìn toàn cảnh
114.to be an expert in something:
trở thành chuyên gia trong một lĩnh vực nào đó
115.give up at the first sign of trouble:
từ bỏ ngay khi gặp dấu hiệu của rắc rối
116.end up leading you astray:
cuối cùng khiến bạn lạc lối
Topic 14:

117.Having compassion and lending a hand:

Có lòng trắc ẩn và biết giúp đỡ
118.pick up on:
to give particular attention to something that someone has said or done
chú ý đến thứ mà người khác nói hoặc làm
Sporting-goods makers were quick to pick up on surfers' innovations
like foot straps for leaping giant waves.
119.put themselves before anyone else:
đặt bản thân họ lên trên người khác
120.It’s really a shame:
Đó quả là một điều đáng tiếc
121.Companionship:
(noun) /kəmˈpæn.jən.ʃɪp/
the enjoyment of spending time with other people
niềm vui khi được dành thời gian với người khác
I lived on my own for a while but I missed the companionship of
others.
122.A little kindness goes a long way:
Một chút lòng tốt dù nhỏ nhoi cũng sẽ lan tỏa rộng rãi

Topic 15:

123. It’s a shame, but:

Thật đáng tiếc, nhưng…
124. get you far in this world:
khiến bạn tiến xa trên thế giới này
125. picture themselves:
tưởng tượng bản thân họ…
126. on a less positive note:
ở điểm ít lạc quan hơn
127. self-conscious:
(adjective) /ˌselfˈkɒn.ʃəs/
nervous or uncomfortable because you are worried about what people think about
you or your actions
cảm thấy lo lắng hoặc khó chịu vì lo nghĩ về những gì người khác nghĩ về mình hoặc
những hành động của mình
He looked uncomfortable, like a self-conscious adolescent.
128. every rose has its thorn:
 mỗi thứ tốt đẹp đều có mặt xấu của nó
“Every rose has its thorn
Just as every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings a sad,sad song
Every rose has its thorn”
Every rose has its thorn – Poison.
129. drop-dead gorgeous:
nói để diễn tả một ai đó cực kỳ xinh đẹp
130. Distinct:
(adjective) /dɪˈstɪŋkt/ - khác biệt
The two languages are quite distinct from each other.
131. take your breath away:
đẹp tới ngẹt thở
132. set your mind at ease:
khiến tâm trí bạn thoải mái

Topic 16:

133. come up with:

to suggest or think of an idea or plan
gợi ý một hoặc nghĩ ra một ý tưởng hay kế hoạch
He came up with a great idea for the ad campaign.
134. think outside the box:
to think imaginatively using new ideas instead of traditional or expected ideas
suy nghĩ và sử dụng những ý tưởng sáng tạo thay vì sử dụng những cách truyền
thống
135. crazy as a fox:
Implys the opposite. The individual refered to is not crazy at all, rather cunning (like a
fox). Used when one appears to be 'crazy', but is acting with a hidden motive, in a
cunning way
Ngụ ý ngược lại. Ý rằng người được cho rằng là điên thực chất không hề điên rồ mà
thay vào đó là xảo quyệt (như một con cáo). Sử dụng khi ai đó có vẻ “điên” nhưng
hành động có mục đích theo một cách gian xảo.
A: "What's that guy doing? He's crazy"
B: "Yeah...Crazy like a FOX!"
136. having them read:
khiến chúng đọc
137. necessarily happier:
nhất thiết phải hạnh phúc hơn
138. better themselves:
khiến cho bản thân họ tốt đẹp hơn
 139. take the cake:
To be the best or the most outstanding
Tốt nhất hoặc là ấn tượng nhất
You've done some nice murals, but this one takes the cake!
140. It kind of goes without saying:
used to mean that something is obvious
có nghĩa rằng điều gì đó là hiển nhiên
Of course, it goes without saying that you'll be paid for the extra
hours you work.
141. put their minds to:
To give something one's complete attention, determination, and effort.
Để tâm vào việc gì
I know we can win this game, but we all have to put our minds to it.
142. a double-edged sword:
một con dao hai lưỡi

Topic 17:

143. that’s a real possibility:

đó là một khả năng thực sự
144. I don’t think it’s such a leap to say that:
145. But then again:
Thế nhưng
146. catching up:
to reach the same quality or standard as someone or something else
bắt kịp
He was off school for a while and is finding it hard to catch up.
147. I can’t say for sure:
Tôi không thể nói chắc chắn
148. come in handy:
hữu dụng
This money will come in handy when we go on vacation.
149. in its own right:
bằng bản thân nó
150. take in：
to understand completely the meaning or importance of something
để hiểu được ý nghĩa hoặc sự quan trọng của thứ gì đó
I had to read the letter twice before I could take it all in.
151. it’s stuck with them for the long run:
 nó sẽ gắn liền với họ trong tương lai lâu dài
152. pick up new things:
học được những điều mới mẻ
153. Sayings:
(noun) /ˈseɪ.ɪŋ/ - danh ngôn
As the saying goes, "Don't count your chickens before they're
hatched."

Topic 18:

154.life will throw you a curveball:

cuộc sống sẽ có những tình huống khó khăn
155.Other than that:
Bên cạnh đó
156.rise through the ranks:
vươn lên
157.gives you a boost:
cho bạn thêm sức mạnh
158.dropouts:
If a student drops out, they stop going to classes before they have finished their
course.
Bỏ học
159.extend their skills in that class to real life:
mở rộng những kỹ năng của khóa học đó trong thực tế
160.It’s one thing to know… it’s another to use…
Biết…là một chuyện, biết sử dụng….lại là một chuyện khác
161.receive constructive criticism:
chấp nhận những chỉ trích mang tính xây dựng
162. building you up:
to increase or become larger or stronger, or to cause someone or something to do
this
khiến cho ai đó hoặc thứ gì đó trở nên lớn hơn hoặc mạnh mẽ hơn
They gave him soup to build up his strength.

Topic 19:

163. It’s definitely not a walk in the park:

Không phải điều dễ dàng
A walk in the park: something that is very easy to do, and usually pleasant
Điều gì đó dễ dàng và dễ chịu
 He's used to hard physical work - this is a walk in the park to him.
164. investigate cases:
điều tra vụ án
165. Thankfully, I think that’s usually the case:
Rất may mắn, tôi tin rằng điều đó thường đúng
166. a pretty penny:
A large amount of money.
Một số tiền lớn
A fancy car like that costs a pretty penny, so I definitely can't afford
it!
167. at least to my knowledge:
ít nhất thì theo như hiểu biết của tôi…
168. Therapists:
(noun) /ˈθer.ə.pɪst/ - bác sĩ tâm lý
I'm seeing my therapist on Friday morning.
169. Bleak:
(adjective) /bliːk/ - tăm tối, không hy vọng
The economic outlook is bleak.
170. both ends:
cả hai phía
171. Chaos:
(noun) /ˈkeɪ.ɒs/ - hỗn loạn
Ever since our secretary walked out, the office has been in a state of
total/utter chaos.

Topic 20:

172. the latest gadgets:

những thiết bị tối tân
173. adapt to new trends in society:
thích ứng với những xu hướng mới trong xã hội
174. take in new knowledge:
hiểu được những kiến thức mới
175. bond with:
to develop a close connection or strong relationship with someone, or to make
someone do this
phát triển một mối liên kết bền chặt hoặc mối quan hệ gần gũi với ai đó
The hospital gives mothers no quiet private time in which to bond
with their babies.
176. a total bore:
 (noun) /bɔːr/
someone or something that is not interesting
người chán ngắt
All he talks about is money – he’s such a bore.
177.Downers:
(noun) /ˈdɑʊ·nər/ - điều gây chán nản
You lost your job? That's a real downer!

Topic 21:

178. vision for:

(noun) /ˈvɪʒ.ən/ - tầm nhìn
The theater’s director is a woman of great artistic vision.
179. that well：
tốt đến vậy
that: (adverb) /ðæt/ - như thế, như vậy
She's too young to walk that far.
180.in earnest:
If something is done in earnest, it is done seriously
Một cách nghiêm túc
Work on the building began, in earnest, in late spring.
181. bound to：
certain or extremely likely to happen
chắc chắn hoặc gần như chắc chắn sẽ xảy ra
You’re bound to feel nervous about your interview.
182. think for ourselves:
nghĩ theo cách của bản thân
183. separate ideas:
những ý tưởng riêng biệt
184. It’s hard to say for sure:
Khó để nói chắc chắn

Topic 22:

185. at the drop of a hat:

làm gì đó ngay lập tức mà không ngừng lại để suy nghĩ
People will file lawsuits at the drop of a hat these days.
186. at their fingertips:
 convenient and easy to find
thuận tiện và dễ dàng để tìm/sử dụng
She had all the facts at her fingertips.
187. being in the public eye:
đứng trước công chúng
188. be on their best behavior:
hành xử một cách tốt nhất
189. It’s weird to think that…
Thật kỳ lạ để nghĩ là…
190. owe it to society to be good citizens:
có trách nhiệm với xã hội để trở thành một công dân tốt
191. bring awareness to some public issues:
mang đến nhận thức về một vài vấn đề xã hội
192. without everyone watching your every move:
mà không có mọi người dõi theo mọi cử chỉ của bạn
193. take advantage of:
to treat someone badly in order to get something good from them
lợi dụng ai đó
I know she's offered to babysit, but I don't want her to think we're
taking advantage of her.
194. ripping off:
to cheat someone by making them pay too much money for something
lừa đảo ai đó bằng cách khiến họ trả quá nhiều tiền cho thứ gì
Bob's tickets cost much less than ours - I think we've been ripped
off.

Topic 23:

195. narrow down their interests:

thu hẹp những sở thích của họ
196. turned off from：
lose interest in something
mất hứng thú vào việc gì
197. above all else:
bên trên mọi thứ khác
198. sit through:
to stay until something is completed
ở lại đến khi ths gì đó được hoàn thành
It’s hard for little kids to sit through a whole baseball game.
199. as fun as watching paint dry:
 used to refer to an activity that you consider extremely boring
dùng để chỉ một hoạt động mà bạn cho rằng là cực kỳ buồn chán
"Don't you want to watch the football?" "To be honest, I would rather
watch paint dry."
200. on the spot：
ngay lập tức
You can be sacked on the spot for stealing.
201. come in handy:
hữu dụng
This money will come in handy when we go on vacation.
202. in the know:
to have knowledge about something that most people do not have
có hiểu biết về điều gì đó mà phần đông người khác không biết
This resort is considered by those who are in the know to have the
best downhill skiing in Europe.

Topic 24:

203. A is key when it comes to B:

A là điều then chốt khi nói đến B
204. shape your outlook on the world:
hình thành tầm nhìn của bạn về thế giới
205. interpersonal skills:
kỹ năng giao tiếp
The successful applicant will have excellent interpersonal skills.
206. get the most out of:
To benefit from something as much as is possible.
Hưởng lợi ích tối đa từ việc gì
I really want you to get the most out of your college experience, so I
think you should consider participating in more activities on campus.
207. end up stepping on someone else’s toes:
cuối cùng lại khiến người khác khó chịu
208. the butterfly stroke:
kiểu bơi bướm

Topic 25:

209. scroll through social media:

lướt qua mạng xã hội
210. Mindless:
 (adjective) /ˈmaɪnd.ləs/ - vô bổ, vô nghĩa, không cần động não nhiều
It's fairly mindless work - opening mail and keying data into a
computer.
211. stay up to date with what’s happening in the world:
cập nhật những gì đang xảy ra trên thế giới
212. it’s easier than ever :
nó dễ dàng hơn bao giờ hết
213. It’s such a shame :
Thật đáng tiếc là
214. Googled:
(verb) /ˈɡuː.ɡəl/ - tìm kiếm thứ gì đó bằng Google
215. a real life-saver:
(noun) /ˈlaɪfˌseɪ.vər/
someone or something that gives you a lot of help when you are in a very difficult
situation
một ai đó hoặc điều gì đó đem đến sự giúp đỡ khi bạn đang trong tình trạng khó khăn
When you're stuck in traffic, a mobile phone's an absolute life-saver.
216. tutorial resources:
nguồn hướng dẫn
217. within reason:
có lý do
218. every rose has its thorn:
mỗi thứ tốt đẹp đều có mặt xấu của nó
“Every rose has its thorn
Just as every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings a sad,sad song
Every rose has its thorn”
Every rose has its thorn – Poison.

Topic 26:

219. have a certain level of computer literacy:

có một trình độ về máy tính nhất định
220. hands-on work:
những công việc đòi hỏi kinh nghiệm thực tế
Many employers consider hands-on experience to be as useful as
academic qualifications.
221. a technician or maintenance worker:
một kỹ thuật viên hay một người bảo trì
222. It might not seem like an obvious choice, but…
Nó có vẻ không phải là một sự lựa chọn hiển nhiên, nhưng…
 223. when it comes down to it:
224. have good physical coordination:
có sự phối hợp tốt về mặt thể chất
225. Bookkeeping:
(noun) /ˈbʊkˌkiː.pɪŋ/
the activity of keeping records of all the money a company spends and receives
công việc kế toán
A thorough and comprehensive system of bookkeeping and
accounting was installed.

Topic 27:

226. fact-check:
(verb) /ˈfæktˌtʃek/ - xác thực thông tin được viết hoặc nói
Why don't people fact-check before they publish this stuff?
227. keeping the public in the know:
giữ cho công chúng được hiểu biết
228. in real time:
trong thời gian thực
229. have things written out:
để cho mọi thức được viết ra
230. sending a mass email:
gửi một bức thư cho nhiều người
231. mess any of the details up:
làm rối tung một chi tiết nào đó lên
232. avoid tampering with the truth in any way:
chống lại sự giả mạo bằng sự thật bằng bất cứ cách nào
233. add their own bias :
thêm vào sự thiên vị của riêng họ
234. take it at face value:
to accept something as it appears to be rather than studying it more closely
chấp nhận một thứ gì đó như vẻ ngoài của nó thay vì tìm hiểu sâu xa về nó
I took the offer at face value. I didn't think they might be trying to trick
me.
235. Solely:
(adverb) /ˈsɔː.li/ - cự kỳ, rất nhiều
You'll be sorely missed by everyone here, and we wish you success
in your new job.
236. traditional mediums:
những phương tiện truyền thống
Topic 28:

237. money doesn’t grow on trees:

nói để cảnh báo ai đó về số tiền họ đã tiêu vì số lượng chỉ có hạn
"Mum, I'd like a new bike." "I'll have to think about it - money doesn't
grow on trees, you know!"
238. cost you an arm and a leg:
vô cùng đắt đỏ
I'd love to buy a Porsche, but they cost an arm and a leg.
239. gutter oil or expired ingredients:
dầu đã qua sử dụng hoặc nguyên liệu quá hạn
240. have total control over:
có sự kiểm soát hoàn toàn..
241. make a good feast :
nấu một bữa ăn thịnh soạn
242. lobsters and crabs:
tôm hùm và cua
243. spend a fortune on:
chi tiêu một khoản lớn vào…
244. people have tighter budgets:
những người có kinh phí eo hẹp hơn

Topic 29:

245. be tired from over-sleeping:

mệt mỏi do ngủ quá nhiều
246. make the most of their time:
tận hưởng tối đa thời gian của họ
247. at the crack of dawn:
(noun) /ˈkræk əv ˈdɔn/ - lúc bình minh
248. sleep in:
to sleep until later in the morning than you usually do
ngủ nướng
I usually sleep in on Saturdays.
249. sleeping the day away:
ngủ luôn cả ngày
 250. hang around:
to move or do things slowly
di chuyển hoặc làm việc một cách thong thả
Go and pack but don't hang around - we have to go in an hour.
251. push yourself to extremes:
đẩy mình đến cực hạn
252. working late into the night:
làm việc muộn tới khuya
253. do night shifts:
làm ca đêm
254. make a habit of it:
tạo nên thói quen từ đó
255. running on fumes:
Continuing to operate with no or very little enthusiasm, energy, or resources left. A
reference to a car that has nearly run out of fuel.
Tiếp tục hoạt động với không hoặc rất ít nhiệt huyết, năng lượng hoặc tài nguyên,
giống như một chiếc xe gần hết nhiên liệu.
We were running on fumes by the time our team made it to the
championship round.
256. recharge your battery:
sạc lại năng lượng
257. catch a wink of sleep:
chợp mắt
258. don’t get up and go:
không dậy mà đi
259. definitely throw you off your game:
Unable to perform as well as usual.
Không thể làm tốt như bình thường
Staying up late last night really put me off my game at work.

Topic 30:

260. hand-made accessories:

trang sức hand-made
261. customized souvenirs:
đồ lưu niệm được tùy biến theo ý khách hàng
262. Vain:
(adjective) /veɪn/ - vô nghĩa
The doctors gave him more powerful drugs in the vain hope that he
might recover.
 263. merch: merchandise
(noun) ˈmɜː.tʃən.daɪs/ - hàng hóa
Japan exported $117 billion in merchandise to the US in 1999.
264. So in that sense:
Vì vậy theo cách đó
265. Crappy:
(adjective) /ˈkræp.i/ - kém chất lượng
He had a series of crappy jobs.
266. run the risk of:
to make a particular result possible
biến một kết quả cụ thể thành có thể
When doctors do not follow government guidelines, they run the risk
of being sued.
267. think back on what they did and saw:
hồi tưởng về những gì họ làm và đã thấy
268. Bragging:
(verb) /bræɡ/ - khoe khoang
She's always bragging about how much money she earns.

Topic 31:

269. a giant Buddha statue:

một bức tượng Đức Phật khổng lồ
270. engraved columns:
những hàng cột được chạm trổ
271. Sophisticated:
(adjective) /səˈfɪs.tɪ.keɪ.tɪd/ - tinh xảo
These are among the most sophisticated weapons in the world.
272. artful:
(adjective) /ˈɑːt.fəl/ - đây tính nghệ thuật
The music makes them coincide exactly, creating an artful and
meaningful simultaneity.
273. marble:
(noun) /ˈmɑː.bəl/ - đá hoa cương
274. sets them apart from the rest:
khiến chúng nổi bật với phần còn lại
275. a sense of history:
ý thức về lịch sử
276. intact:
(adjective) /ɪnˈtækt/ - nguyên vẹn
The church was destroyed in the bombing but the altar survived
 intact.
277. Bungalows:
(noun) /ˈbʌŋ.ɡəl.əʊ/
a house that usually has only one storey (= level), sometimes with a smaller upper
storey set in the roof and windows that come out from the roof
một ngôi nhà thường chỉ có một tầng, đôi khi là có thêm một tầng thứ hai ở gác mái
và có cửa sổ nhô lên từ mái
There were small, white bungalows dotted over the hillside.
278. have multiple homes:
có nhiều ngôi nhà
279. It’s a pain if…
Quả là đau đớn nếu

Topic 32:

280. look dreary:

(adjective) ˈdrɪə.ri/ - ảm đạm, thê lương
She had spent another dreary day in the office.
281. Concrete:
(noun) /ˈkɒŋ.kriːt/ - bê tông
a grey concrete building
282. have a lot of time on their hands:
trong tay họ có rất nhiều thời gian
283. get a kick out of gardening:
To get a sense of enjoyment, amusement, or excitement from something.
Có được cảm giác tận hưởng, vui vẻ, phấn khởi từ việc gì đó
She really gets a kick out of doing wheelies on her motorcycle in
front of an audience.
284. doesn’t have to be their top priority:
không nhất thiết phải là ưu tiên hàng đầu của họ
285. do their share:
làm phần việc của họ
286. bring the community together:
mang cộng đồng đến gần nhau hơn
287. making official rules:
tạo ra những quy định chính thức
288. enforce the rules that already exist:
thi hành những quy định đã ban hành
289. a joint effort:
là một cố gắng của tập thể
Topic 33:

290. the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven:

Tử Cấm Thành và Thiên Đàn
291. gives them a break from their normal routines:
cho họ một thời gian nghỉ ngơi từ những công việc thường ngày
292. Practicality:
(noun) /ˌpræk.tɪˈkæl.ə.ti/ - tính thực tế
I bought these shoes for their practicality, not their appearance.
293. too hectic:
(adjective) /ˈhek.tɪk/ - bận rộn
The area has become a haven for people tired of the hectic pace of
city life.
294. don’t have an inkling of…:
Tôi không có cảm giác gì về…
(noun) /ˈɪŋ.klɪŋ/
a feeling that something is true or likely to happen, although you are not certain
càm giác điều gì đó là đúng hoặc có khả năng xảy ra mặc dù bạn không chắc chắn
He must have had some inkling of what was happening.
295. throwing their money down the drain on:
to waste money by spending it on something that will never be a success or make
any profit
lãng phí tiền bạc bằng cách chi tiêu vào những điều sẽ không thành công hoặc không
đem lại lợi nhuận
Investors threw money down the drain by making regular
contributions to the failed pension plan.

Topic 34:

296. go to another continent:

đến một châu lục khác
297. flock to malls:
ùa vào các trung tâm thương mại
298. a critical pillar of the economy:
trụ cột quan trọng của nền kinh tế
299. living more comfortable lives :
sống một cuộc sống dễ chịu hơn
300. Accordingly:
 (adverb) /əˈkɔː.dɪŋ.li/ - theo đó
Surveys suggest that these shows are not what most people want to
watch. Accordingly (= Therefore), one network is now scheduling a
made-for-TV movie every Sunday night.
301. visiting from outside the area:
đến tham quan từ một khu vực khác
302. a bunch of:
(noun) /bʌntʃ/ - rất nhiều
The reorganization will give us a whole bunch (= a lot) of problems.

Topic 35:

303. Don’t get me wrong:

Đừng hiểu sai ý của tôi
304. expecting anything from you:
trông đợi bất kỳ điều gì từ bạn
305. let loose:
thả lỏng
306. on your best behaviour:
cư xử một cách tốt nhất
307. Awkward:
(adjective) /ˈɔː.kwəd/ - khó xử, xấu hổ
There followed an awkward silence while we all tried to think of
something to say.
308. don’t get overwhelmed:
không bị choáng ngợp
309. social butterflies:
Someone who enjoys frequently mingling with other people at social events.
Dùng để chỉ người thích thường xuyên hòa nhập với người khác ở những sự kiện xã
hội.
Tom's always been something of a social butterfly, so we've never
really worried about him making friends or finding his way in the
world.
310. strike up a conversation with:
bắt chuyện với ai đó
I just find it so hard to strike up a conversation with someone I don't
know.
311. comes in handy in all parts of life:
hữu dụng trong mọi mặt của cuộc sống
312. a listening ear:
một người biết lắng nghe
313. far apart:
 xa cách

Topic 36:

314. Fare:
(noun) /feər/ - phí trả cho các phương tiện công cộng
Train fares are going up again.
315. take one or two transfers:
cần chuyển tuyến một hoặc hai lần
316. It’s such a pain:
Quả là một điều đau đớn
317. Fumes:
(noun) /fjuːmz/
strong, unpleasant, and sometimes dangerous gas or smoke
hơi hoặc khói có mùi mạnh và khó chịu, đôi khi còn nguy hiểm
Petrol fumes always make me feel ill.
318. sit around:
to spend time sitting down and doing very little
dành thời gian để ngồi và làm rất ít
We sat around most of the evening, waiting for Jake and drinking
beer.
319. a less stressful alternative:
một sự thay thế ít căng thẳng hơn
320. cuts down on carbon emissions:
giảm thiểu khí thải carbon
321. But on the downside:
Downside: (noun) /ˈdaʊn.saɪd/ - mặt bất lợi
The downside of living here, of course, is that it is expensive.
322. traffic safety:
an toàn giao thông
323. tried and true:
used many times in the past and proven to work well
đã được sử dụng nhiều lần trong quá khứ và được khẳng định là hoạt động tốt
A cup of warm milk is my tried-and-true remedy for insomnia.
324. If anything:
used when saying that what people may believe is not true, and the opposite may be
true
sử dụng khi nói điều mọi người thường tin là không đúng và ở chiều ngược lại có thể
đúng.
If anything, you have to work even harder when your dad's the boss.
325. Outlets:
 (noun) /ˈaʊt.let/ - ổ cắm điện

Topic 37:

326. Not everything in life goes according to plan:

Không phải điều gì trong cuộc sống cũng diễn ra như kế hoạch
327. Granted:
(conjunction) /ˈɡrɑːn.tɪd/ - thừa nhận rằng
Granted, many horror films don't make sense until the ending, but
they at least provide a few scares along the way.
328. resent：
(verb) /rɪˈzent/
to feel angry because you have been forced to accept someone or something that
you do not like
cảm thấy bực bội vì bạn bị ép phải chấp nhận ai đó hoặc điều gì đó mà bạn không
thích
She bitterly resented her father's new wife.
329. it makes more sense to:
nó sẽ có lý hơn
330. have more expertise:
có nhiều chuyên môn hơn
expertise: (noun) /ˌek.spɜːˈtiːz/ - chuyên môn
We admired the expertise with which he prepared the meal.
331. goes the way you expect it to:
đi theo hướng mà bạn mong đợi
332. outside of people’s control:
vượt ngoài tầm kiểm soát của mọi người
333. as stubborn as an ox:
vô cùng cứng đầu
334. listen to reason:
nghe theo lý lẽ
335. ditch them at the last second:
bỏ rơi họ vào phút cuối
336. Spontaneous:
(adjective) /spɒnˈteɪ.ni.əs/ - tự phát, tự nhiên
His jokes seemed spontaneous, but were in fact carefully prepared
beforehand.
337. at the drop of a hat:
làm việc gì đó ngay lập tức mà không ngừng lại suy nghĩ
People will file lawsuits at the drop of a hat these days.
 338. set in stone:
to be very difficult or impossible to change
chắc chắn, khó hoặc không thể thay đổi
The schedule isn’t set in stone, but we’d like to stick to it pretty
closely.

Topic 38:

339. physically active:

năng động
340. catch or hide-and-seek:
trò đuổi bắt hoặc trốn tìm
341. a great bonding experience:
có một trải nghiệm gắn kết tuyệt vời
342. get invested in:
đầu tư vào
343. place bets:
đặt cược
344. tired out from work:
mệt mỏi do công việc
345. on the air:
trên sóng truyền hình
346. taking your mind off things :
thu hút tâm trí bạn khỏi những điều xung quanh
347. Everything is at my fingertips :
Mọi thứ đều trên đầu ngón tay tôi
348. Exclusively:
(adverb) /ɪkˈskluː.sɪv.li/ - chỉ dành cho
This offer is available exclusively to our established customers.

Topic 39:

349. naturally good with kids:

biết cách chăm nom trẻ em một cách tự nhiên
350. At that stage of life:
ở giai đoạn đó của cuộc đời
351. laugh at really silly stuff:
cười vì những điều ngớ ngẩn
 352. cheesy jokes:
những câu đùa nhạt nhẽo
353. carefree and innocent
vô lo nghĩ và ngây thơ

Topic 40:

354. get that little piece of recognition:

nhận được một chút sự công nhận
355. get special privileges :
được hưởng những ưu thế đặc biệt
356. at least to some extent:
ít nhất là ở một mức độ nào đó
357. It’s a hard line to walk:
Đó là một con đường khó đi
358. give their employees raises:
tăng lương cho nhân viên
359. works for a paycheck:
làm việc vì tiền lương
360. paid vacation time:
một kỳ nghỉ đã được trả phí
361. work environment is very welcoming:
môi trường làm việc rất rộng mở

Topic 41:

362. listen to a random person’s conversation:

nghe cuộc hội thoại của một người bất kỳ
363. Overhear:
(verb) /ˌəʊ.vəˈhɪər/ - vô tình nghe được
We overheard them say that they didn't really like the food.
364. use it against you:
sử dụng nó chống lại bạn
365. right in front of them:
ngay phía trước họ
366. steer clear of that situation:
tránh khỏi tình huống đó
steer clear of sth: to avoid someone or something that seems unpleasant, dangerous,
or likely to cause problems
tránh mặt ai đó hoặc thứ gì đó gây khó chịu, nguy hiểm hoặc có thể gây rắc rối
 Her speech steered clear of controversial issues.
367. care about other people’s comfort:
quan tâm đến sự thoải mái của người khác
368. to begin with:
để bắt đầu với

Topic 42:

369. Genre:
(noun) /ˈʒɑ̃ː.rə/ /ˈʒɒn.rə/ - thể loại, phong cách
What genre does the book fall into - comedy or tragedy?
370. catchy melodies and lyrics:
giai điệu và lời nhạc bắt tai
371. get stuck in people’s heads:
mắc kẹt trong đầu của mọi người
372. Prioritize:
(verb) /praɪˈɒr.ɪ.taɪz/ - ưu tiên
You must learn to prioritize your work.
373. going to suffer:
sẽ phải chịu đựng
374. It doesn’t always make a difference:
Nó không phải lúc nào cũng tạo ra sự khác biệt
375. have the knack for:
có năng khiếu trong việc gì
There’s a knack to using this quick-drying paint.
376. are born tone-deaf:
sinh ra đã không phân biệt được các nốt nhạc
Tone-deaf: (adjective) /ˌtəʊnˈdef/
Someone who is tone-deaf is not able to recognize different notes or sing tunes
accurately.
Không có khả năng phân biệt được các nốt nhạc hay hát theo đúng giai điệu
377. have a natural gift for it:
có khả năng thiên phú về nó
378. make it big as:
trở nên nổi tiếng và thành công như…
379. practice makes perfect:
có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim

Topic 43:
 380. a household name:
(noun) /ˌhaʊs.həʊld ˈneɪm/ - người nổi tiếng mà nhà nhà đều biết
He was a household name in the 1950s.
381. one-hit wonders:
(noun) /ˌwʌn.hɪt ˈwʌn.dər/
a performer of popular music who makes one successful recording but then no others
một ca sĩ nhạc pop với chỉ một bản thu thành công nhưng sau đó không có thêm nữa
382. The same goes for…
Điều tương tự cũng xảy đến với…
383. keep putting yourself out there:
384. Impressionable:
(adjective) /ɪmˈpreʃ.ən.ə.bəl/
easily influenced by other people, especially because you are young
dễ dàng bị ảnh hưởng bởi người khác, đặc biệt là vì bạn còn trẻ
He's at that impressionable age when he's very easily led by other
children.
385. post about charities:
đăng tải về những chuyến từ thiện
386. in turn:
đổi lại

Topic 44:

387. a detached house:

một ngôi nhà ở riêng lẻ
388. carry the burden of a huge mortgage:
mang gánh nặng của một khoản thế chấp lớn
389. high-maintenance:
needing a lot of work to keep in good condition.
Cần nhiều sự chăm sóc để giữ được trạng thái tốt
390. get saddled with a mortgage:
phải chịu một khoản thế chấp
saddle sb with sth: to give someone a responsibility or problem that they do not
want and that will cause them a lot of work or difficulty
khiến cho ai đó phải chịu trách nhiệm hoặc một vấn đề mà họ không mong muốn và
điều đó khiến họ phải làm việc nhiều hơn hoặc gặp khó khăn
The company is saddled with debt.
391. an average family:
gia đình trung lưu
392. up-keep:
 (noun) /ˈʌp.kiːp/
the cost or process of keeping something, such as a building, in good condition
phí tổn hoặc quá trình để giữ cho thứ gì đó như một tòa nhà trong tình trạng tốt
Council employees are responsible for the upkeep of the gardens.
393. Bug:
(verb) /bʌɡ/ - khiến ai đó khó chịu
He's been bugging me all morning.
394. costs a pretty penny:
tốn một khoản tiền lớn
395. get to be around nature:
được ở gần thiên nhiên
396. suits your tastes:
phù hợp với thị hiếu của bạn

Topic 45:

397. Obnoxious:
(adjective) /əbˈnɒk.ʃəs/ - đáng ghét, khó chịu
When she's in a bad mood she's obnoxious to everyone.
398. a gum commercial:
quảng cáo kẹo cao su
399. such a pain to sit through:
thật là khó chịu để ngồi xem hết
400. set the tone:
to establish a particular mood or character for something
tạo nên một cảm xúc hoặc đặc trưng nhất định cho một thứ gì đó
The good financial news set an optimistic tone for the year.
401. coordinate with the theme:
phối hợp cùng với chủ đề
402. an ad pops up:
một quảng cáo hiện lên
403. Whereas:
(conjunction) /weərˈæz/ - trong khi
You eat a huge plate of food for lunch, whereas I have just a
sandwich.
404. skip the ads or close the window with ads easily:
bỏ qua quảng cáo hoặc đóng cửa sổ quảng cáo một cách dễ dàng
405. having an eye-catching design and slogan:
có một thiết kế và khẩu hiệu bắt mắt
 406. appeals to your needs and desires:
hấp dẫn với những cần thiết và mong muốn của bạn
407. hooks your emotions to shop impulsive:
đánh trúng cảm xúc khiến bạn mua sắm một cách bốc đồng
408. take advantage of that:
lợi dụng từ đó
409. are swayed by advertisements:
bị bối rối bởi những quảng cáo

Topic 46/47:

410. wildest:
(adjective) /waɪld/ - bất thường, nhưng theo cách hấp dẫn hoặc gây phấn khích
Those are wild trousers you're wearing, Maddy.
411. subtly:
(adverb) /ˈsʌt.əl.i/ - một cách tinh tế
If you're more subtly sexy you're still noticed but in a different way.
412. set in their ways:
not liking change in life
không thích sự thay đổi trong cuộc sống
They’re very set in their ways – they always eat dinner exactly at
6:00.
413. It’s a courtesy to:
Đó là phép sự lịch sự khi…
414. heavier clothes made out of warm fabrics
những quần áo nặng hơn được may bằng những loại vải có thể giữ ấm

Topic 48:

415. dipping sauce：

nước chấm
416. okra：
(noun) /ˈəʊ.krə/ - đậu bắp
417. Cranberries:
(noun) /ˈkræn.bər.i/ - nam việt quất
418. store-bought food:
thức ăn mua ngoài hàng
419. a big trend:
một xu hướng lớn
420. are often apart during the day:
 thường tách rời trong ngày
421. watch our eating habits and diet:
để ý đến thói quen và chế độ ăn uống của chúng ta
422. processed food:
thực phẩm chế biến sẵn
423. natural food:
đồ ăn từ thiên nhiên

Topic 49:

424. keeps you on track:

giữ bạn đi đúng hướng
425. Slump:
(noun) /slʌmp/ - sự sụt giảm
426. a sense of order:
một cảm giác về sự ngăn nắp
427. in a very specific order:
theo một thứ tự đặc biệt
428. shake things up:
làm xáo trộn mọi thứ
429. out of touch with:
not informed or not having the same ideas as most people about something, so that
you make mistakes
không được thông báo hoặc không có cùng ý tưởng với người khác về thứ gì đó và
điều đó khiến bạn mắc sai lầm
A few of the older teachers are completely out of touch with their
students.

Topic 50:

430. set in stone：

to be very difficult or impossible to change
chắc chắn, khó hoặc không thể thay đổi
The schedule isn’t set in stone, but we’d like to stick to it pretty
closely.
431. tear them down:
to intentionally destroy a building or other structure because it is not being used or it
is not wanted any more:
phá hủy một tòa nhà hoặc những cấu trúc khác vì nó không còn được sử dụng hay
không còn được cần đến
They're going to tear down the old hospital and build a new one.
 432. repurpose them:
(verb) /ˌriːˈpɜː.pəs/ - sử dụng với mục đích khác
Cinemas are harder to repurpose than ordinary shops.
433. do their part：
thực hiện phần của họ
434. worth your while:
important, useful, or satisfying enough to be worth the effort you make
quan trọng, hữu ích hay thỏa mãn đủ để xứng đáng với những cố nỗ lực bạn tạo ra
It would be worth your while to see if you can still get tickets to the
show.
435. Engaging:
(adjective) /ɪnˈɡeɪ.dʒɪŋ/ - hấp dẫn
He has an engaging manner.
436. acted out:
được thể hiện qua diễn xuất

Topic 51:

437. just the other day:

chỉ mới vài ngày trước
438. the normal response is to:
phản ứng thông thường là
439. Protocol:
(noun) /ˈprəʊ.tə.kɒl/ - giao thức
a breach of Royal protocol
440. a big-ticket item:
(adjective) /ˌbɪɡˈtɪk.ɪt – đắt tiền
Do people shop online for big-ticket items?
441. gentle but firm:
nhẹ nhàng nhưng cứng rắn
442. Unwind:
(verb) /ʌnˈwaɪnd/
to relax and allow your mind to be free from worry after a period of work or some
other activity that has made you worried
thư giãn và để tâm trí của bạn được giải phóng khỏi những âu lo sau một quy trình
làm việc hay những hoạt động khác khiến bạn lo lắng
A glass of wine in the evening helps me to unwind after work.
443. bond over sth:
trò chuyện về một điều gì và qua đó tạo ra sự gắn kết
444. clutter:
 (noun) ˈklʌt.ər/ - bừa bộn
My desk is covered in/full of clutter.

Topic 52:

445. pig out:

ăn rất nhiều
We pigged out on all the delicious cakes and pastries.
446. goof off:
to avoid doing any work
tránh làm bất kỳ việc gì
The teacher told them to stop goofing off and get back to work.
447. Company:
(noun) /ˈkʌm.pə.ni/ - sự đồng hành
It was a long trip and I was grateful for his company.
448. Unwrapping:
(verb) /ʌnˈræp/ - mở gói quà
Aren't you going to unwrap your presents?
449. no exception:
không có ngoại lệ
450. break the bank :
tiêu quá nhiều tiền
It only costs $2. That's not going to break the bank.
451. Elaborate:
(adjective) /iˈlæb.ər.ət/ - chi tiết
452. the big bucks:
(noun) /ˌbɪɡ ˈbʌks/ - một khoản tiền lớn
453. blow off steam:
xả hơi
454. step out of:
bước ra khỏi
455. Escapism:
(noun) /ɪˈskeɪ.pɪ.zəm/ - thoát ly
These adventure movies are pure escapism.
456. wound up:
(adjective) /ˌwuːnd ˈʌp/ - vô cùng mệt mỏi, lo lắng, hoặc tức giận
She gets pretty wound up before a game.
457. made-up world:
thế giới tưởng tượng
458. kick back and relax:
 to stop doing things and relax
ngừng làm việc gì đó và thư giãn
What good is life if a guy can’t kick back and watch a good movie?

Topic 53:

459. chill out：

thư giãn
I'm just chilling out in front of the TV.
460. take the better part of a day:
chiếm phần lớn thời gian của một ngày
461. On the downside:
(noun) /ˈdaʊn.saɪd/ - mặt bất lợi của một tình huống
The downside of living here, of course, is that it is expensive.
462. definitely be in the know:
chắc chắn nên được biết
463. It’s not uncommon to see:
Nó không phải là không phổ biến để thấy
464. chilling with each other :
thư giãn cùng nhau
465. shooting the breeze:
to spend time talking about things that are not important
dành thời gian để trò chuyện về những điều không quan trọng
466. it does wonders for your bank account：
nó có ảnh hưởng tốt với tài khoản ngân hàng của bạn
it does wonders for:
to cause improvements or have a very good effect
tạo ra sự cải thiện ảnh hưởng quả tốt
That new guy is great – he’s done wonders for the company.
467. every rose has its thorn:
mọi thứ tốt đẹp đều có mặt xấu của nó

Topic 54:

468. made-up lands:

những vùng đất tưởng tượng
469. lets their imagination run free:
để cho trí tưởng tượng bay xa
 470. idealistic people:
(adjective) /ˌaɪ.dɪəˈlɪs.tɪk/ - tin tưởng vào những điều lý tưởng
When I was young and idealistic I believed it was possible to change
the world.
471. action-packed:
(adjective) /ˌæk.ʃənˈpækt/ - đầy những sự kiện thú vị
an action-packed thriller/weekend/finale
472. down-to-earth people:
(adjective) /ˌdaʊn.tuːˈɜːθ/ - thực tế, hợp lý và thân thiện
She's a down-to-earth woman with no pretensions.
473. as interested:
có hứng thú nhiều như
474. off his rocker:
If you say that someone is off their rocker, you mean that that person is behaving in a
very strange or silly way.
Hành xử một cách kỳ lạ hay ngốc nghếch
475. critical thinking skills:
kỹ năng suy nghĩ quan trọng
476. more room
nhiều cơ hội hơn
477. did the trick (for me):
If something does the trick, it has the necessary or wanted effect
Có được hiệu quả cần thiết hoặc mong muốn
This sauce needs more flavour - I know, some lemon juice
should/ought to do the trick.
478. in that respect:
về điểm đó

Topic 55:

479. from the ground up:

From the first step through to completion; entirely.
Hoàn toàn, từ đầu tới cuối
I built this company from the ground up—I'm not going to sell it, ever.
480. Disputes:
(noun) /dɪˈspjuːt/ /ˈdɪs.pjuːt/ - tranh chấp
They have been unable to settle/resolve the dispute over working
conditions.
481. have a good head for number:
rất giỏi với những con số
 have a good head for sth:
rất giỏi trong việc gì
She had a good head for business.
482. Suppose:
(verb) /səˈpəʊz/ - cho rằng
He found it a lot more difficult to get a job than he supposed it would
be.
483. set yourself apart from…:
khiến bạn trở nên khác biệt với…
What set her apart from the other candidates for the job was that she
had a lot of original ideas.
484. every rose has its thorn:
mỗi điều tốt đẹp đều có mặt xấu của nó

Topic 56:

485. sympathy and empathy:

(noun) /ˈsɪm.pə.θi/ /ˈem.pə.θi/
Sự cảm thông và sự đồng cảm
486. well-rounded person:
(adjective) /ˈwelˈrɑʊn·dɪd/
having or providing experience and knowledge in a number of different areas
sở hữu hoặc cung cấp kinh nghiệm và hiểu biết trong nhiều lĩnh vực khá nhau
Some experts say that home-schooled children may not receive a
well-rounded education.
487. butt in:
to interrupt a conversation or discussion or someone who is talking
nói chen vào một cuộc hội thoại hoặc tranh luận hoặc ai đó đang nói
He kept on butting in with silly comments.
488. the palest ink is better than the best memory:
những điều được ghi chép dù mờ nhạt vẫn hơn là một trí nhớ tốt
489. Activist:
(noun) /ˈæk.tɪ.vɪst/ - nhà hoạt động
an animal rights activist
490. giant crowds:
những đám đông khổng lồ
491. Stutter:
(verb) /ˈstʌt.ər/ - nói lắp
She stutters a little, so be patient and let her finish what she's
saying.
492. trip over your words:
 lắp lắp khi muốn nói gì đó
493. practice makes perfect:
có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim

Topic 57:

494. look out for:

to try to notice someone or something
cố gắng để ý tới ai đó hoặc thứ gì đó
Look out for Anna while you're there.
495. take up that cause:
496. cut down on carbon emissions:
cắt giảm khí thải carbon
497. It all adds up in the end:
Cuối cùng mọi điều đều có đóng góp
498. I don’t know a ton about that kind of stuff:
Tôi không biết nhiều về thứ như vậy
499. thrown by the wayside:
vứt bỏ
500. Landfills:
(noun) /ˈlænd.fɪl/
the process of getting rid of large amounts of rubbish by burying it, or a place where
rubbish is buried
việc chôn lấp rác thải hoặc nơi chôn lấp rác thải
90 percent of American rubbish is dumped in landfill sites.
501. hardly an exception to the rule:
gần như không có ngoại lệ đối với quy định
502. go paperless:
không sử dụng giấy
503. implementing a carbon tax:
thực thi thuế phát thải khí carbon