PART 2

1. Describe an intelligent person you know (person)

2. Describe a success you friend has had

Who
- Best buddy - I have known him since I was ​knee-high to a grasshopper.
- It has been nearly 15 years and we still maintain a ​close-knit​ relationship.
what the success was
- As you can guess, he has crammed for an abundance of language tests for example
SAT or GMAT, etc. And lately, he has just finished his IELTS test with the scores that
blew my mind: 8.0 overall and 8.5 in speaking
what he or she did
- As you can guess, he ​has a knack/flair for learning languages – I mean he can
speak a multitude of languages, about 3, Chinese, English, and Japanese.
- Those are very challenging to learn. For example, the ​syntax is ​radically different
from VNese.
- When he first started out, he took some lessons but he was mostly ​self–taught.
- You know, he reads a lot of English publications and ​spends hours on end
binge-watching ​movies and TV series without subtitles ​and this did better his
listening and reading comprehension.
how you felt about the success
- So first, to be honest, although he is my best buddy, I was a little bit shocked and
green with envy because of his talents
- Moreover, I also really admire his timeless efforts and I feel like he literally deserves
this result

3. Describe a person you have seen who is beautiful or handsome

Where you saw (who)
- Bich Phuong - who is a nationally acclaimed pop singer in Vietnam
- She has acquired a reputation for one of the most well-known singers in Vietnam with
scores of hits and she has a sexy body
- Her latest song has been topping the chart for so many weeks and it has propelled
her towards international stardom when she is really young
When you saw (where)
- So I cannot remember exactly but I guess it was about 2 weeks ago, it was quite a
nerve-racking time for me because I had to cram for exam
- After exam season, I and my friends decided to hit the bar to alleviate stress and
unwind
- And that was my first time meeting this singer
What the person look like
- So first, I was really hooked by her sexy, immaculate body. I have to say that she is a
curvaceous ​girl and I’m sure that all eyes on her wherever she is
- In addition, she has a great taste in fashion, she always dresses with panache
+ Wears basic pieces -> but the way she combines them is very tasteful
 + Amazing physique -> clothes look very flattering on her -> know how to
emphasize her best assets
why you think this person is beautiful or handsome
- All things natural -> unlike other singers, who have plastic surgery
- Admire her a lot -> my role model to follow in the future

4. Describe a kind of food people eat during a special event

What it was
- So as you can guess, Vietnam ​is renowned for​ an eclectic mix of dishes and one of
the signature dishes of Vnese people is Banh Chung, which is called ​square sticky
rice cake
What event people usually eat it
- In all reality, Banh Chung is considered an essential element of the family altar on Tet
Holiday, which is Lunar New Year in Vietnam
- Beside the Tet holiday, it is also eaten all year round as Vietnamese cuisine.
How it is cooked
- The required ingredients of bánh chưng are rice, mung bean, fatty pork and black
pepper, salt, sometimes green onion
- In the wrapping stage, one usually wrapped by Lá dong which would give Banh
Chung a better shape. It must be washed carefully in order to preserve the taste of
the cake, it may be soaked in salt water or steamed so that they can become flexible
enough for wrapping.
- The prepared cakes are tightly arranged in large pot, the pot is filled with fresh water
and boiled for hours until they are done from the inside stuffing to outside.
- After unwrapping, bánh chưng can stay good for several days while a wrapped one
can be kept for two weeks.
Explain why it is for special event
- The making and eating of ​Banh Chung​ during this time is a well-preserved tradition of
Vietnamese people.

5. Describe an item you bought but not often use

When
- So it was a pair of sneakers which I bought in Japan
- You know, it was manufactured by Adidas, which is renowned for one of the
prominent sport brands all over the world
- In addition to sneakers, they also offer a wide range of stuff such as bag, clothes, etc.
Where you bought it
- As I mentioned before, I bought it in Japan
- That was my vacation with my family after my exam season. So just basically to
alleviate stress and unwind
Why you bought it
- I went there on Christmas Holiday, which meant that there were a big sale on items,
half price off or even 70% off.
- To be honest, one thing you should know about me is that i’m kind of a sneakerhead
- a person who are really into shoes
 - So as you can guess, it was really a good chance for me to score a great deal and I
decided to splurge money on buying shoes
Explain why you don’t often use it
- Given the fact that my size was out of stock but I was really into that sneakers at that
time so I decided to half my size down
- However, after wearing it for several times, I did a lot of walking and I felt that it was
too ​snug​ and it ​blistered my feet.
- Moreover, it was a bright red color one and it did not match with all of my wardrobe
- So I did not wear it anymore

6. Describe a present you received which was made by hand (đổi lại ngôi)
What?
- It was actually a birthday cake made from ​an eclectic mix of​ ingredients
- As you can guess, I’m just a student with ​a meager income so don’t have that much
money to purchase some luxury gift to give to my friend.
- So decided to make a cake on her birthday.
- Given the fact that, I don’t know the first thing about cooking so it was so
challenging for me at the first time baking.
- I had to watch some tutorials ​on youtube to learn how to bake and finally I came up
with ​tiramisu​ which ​is a ​coffee-flavored​ Italian ​dessert​.
- It is made of Ladyfingers ​dipped in coffee, layered with ​a whipped mixture of eggs,
sugar, and ​mascarpone cheese​, flavored with cocoa.
When?
- So It was last week after I finished my first exam at high school, we had a week break
to unwind.
- At the same time it was my friend’s birthday so I decided to make her a cake.
Who?
- As I mentioned before, it was my best buddy - I have known her since we were
knee-high to a grasshopper.
- It has been nearly 15 years and we still maintain a ​close-knit ​relationship.
How you felt about it?
- To be honest, actually, I failed 2 times, but they said ​third time lucky​, and it turned
out to be awesome.
- The cake had an ​impeccable taste​ so I have to say that I was really ​elated.
- Then when I gave it to my friends, she was incredibly surprised because she knows
that I’m just a novice cook.
- All in all​, it was such a memorable experience for me.

7. Describe a piece of good news you heard (from TV or the internet) (law cam an thit
cho)

8. Describe a newly built public facility (such as parks) that influences your city​ ​What
is this development
- There are a number of things have been developing in my city and swimming pool is
one of that
How could it help people
- it is located in in the downtown HN so given its prominent location, this place is
always packed. And it is also in the vicinity of my house so i can go there on regular
basis
- So as… other swimming pools in the city are quite primitive, the water quality… so
this new state of the art swimming pools with an eclectic mix of water types like hot
water, helps people a lot
- changing room - spotlessly clean
What benefits it could bring
- This swimming pool in reasonably priced, I mean it’s accessible to everyone even the
elderly or youngsters
- Swimming benefits physically and mentally
Explain whether it changes your life or not
- go there on regular basis, I usually go there with my best buddies – have a blast

9. Describe an outdoor sport you played for the first time (oiii too easy)

10. Describe a healthy lifestyle you know

What it is
- Well, I mean, I have a multitude of methods that I strictly stick to better my health
- For example, eating habits and doing exercise regularly. These two things ​are of
paramount importance ​which help create a healthy lifestyle
How you know it
- Back in time, when I was in grade 6, I was a little overweight, people always talked
about my chubby face and I was so ​neurotic​ about my weight - I weighed myself 3
times a day
- And then with the help of my sister, who is a ​health conscious person​, she did help
me plan the meals properly and gave me a lot of motivation to work out.
What one would do to live this healthy lifestyle
- After the exam season I decided to exercise – ran a lot – burn tons of calories –
shedded some fat to get leaner
- In addition, I also ate healthier, I mean just added more greens and grain than eating
carbs – ​abstain from​ greasy food
Explain why it is healthy
- As a result, after about 3 months my body was leaner and I felt like my health was
much better and the most important thing was I felt confident with my appearance.
- From that result, I believe having a healthy diet and doing exercise regularly ​in
tandem​ are absolutely a very healthy lifestyle

11. Describe a book you want to write

When you have this idea
- Since I’m a big fan of books, so I have read a multitude of books with an eclectic mix
of book genres. For example, self-help, science-fiction, autobiography but novel is
really my thing
What kind of book you want to write
 - So when it comes to this topic, I guess I cannot tell you much about a story that I
want to pen because I don’t purport to be a good writer
- But I guess I could tell you a book what I want to rewrite the ending
What the book is about
- It was novel name Me Before You - which is penned by Jojo Moyes, a prominent US
author
- The story revolves around a wealthy man, who suffers from ​paralysis ​and he has an
intention to kill himself painlessly by drinking toxic drugs
- However, he meets a ​sidekick and the girl gives him a feeling of life. They travel,
they love, they suffer together and he wants live again
- However, when she ​makes an offer of marriage​, this man reconsiders his decision
and he frantically ask for ​euthanasia just because he doesn’t want his love to
marriage a man on the wheel chair
Why you want to write this kind of book
- so If I have a chance, I aspire to rewrite the ending because it was a little bit tragic
- I would switch the old situation to a new happy ending, such as they would have a
memorable wedding together, being a family with their children
- and I guess the most appealing thing would be he might be cured and their family
would live happily ever after

12. Describe your grandparents job

What it was
- As you can guess, my grandfather is a physics teacher but now he has already
retired
How long he or she have this job
- You know he started teaching since he was 30 years old, since 1980
- At first, my grandfather taught mathematics for about 10 years and back then, he
decided to teach physics because he had a burning desire for physics
How he or she got this job
- Well, to be honest, I guess I cannot tell you exactly the reason why my grandfather
got this profession
- But according to stories that he told me, when he was in the army, he was really into
fixing technical devices and always curious about how things works, especially guns
- So after regaining independence, he came back and was responsible for teaching
physics at Vietnam Military University
Whether you would like to have this job
- To be quite honest, I am ​in dilemma​ at the moment for choosing ​my career path.
- My grandfather is a teacher and people around hold him in high esteem so I have
to say that, I really want to follow in his step.
- However, I also have ​a burning desire for becoming a Chef, which helps me to ​have
money to burn​ as well as challenge myself more.

13. Describe a person you wanted to be similar to when you were growing up (celeb or
de 12)
14. Describe something lost by others but found by you
Who it belong to
 - As you can guess, it was an earring which was manufactured by Pandora
- Pandora has acquired a reputation for accessories and high-end jewelry, but the
price is incredibly exorbitant
- So this actually belonged to my little sister, this present was given by my mom when
my sister was 10 years old.
- As you can imagine, she really appreciated this gift
When it was lost
- Back in the day, a few months ago, while she was preparing stuff to join/take part in
extracurricular activities with her class
- To be frank, she was a scatterbrained and careless person so she usually forgets
things. As a result, I had to help her prepare stuff
- And then she realized that her favorite earring was nowhere to be found, she was so
apprehensive firstly because she was really into it and second, she dreaded to think
that my mom would scold at her
How the person lost it
How you found it
- Right before the morning she left the house, it was my day-off and I stayed at home
and helped my mom do the house work and somehow I found an earring stuck on
her sweater
- I had the feeling that she forgot putting the earring into her sweater’s pocket without
any notice. As a result, I did check her dirty clothes and luckily, it was right there
- So I felt really elated when I could help her

15. ​Describe a subject you used to dislike but now you find it is interesting
what
- English
- As you can guess, languages in general or to be specific, English is a fundamental
subject that students in Vietnam have to study
- To be frank, one thing you should now about me is that I don’t have a flair for
languages so I have to say that I really hated/loathed English
why u disliked
- The reason that I was not really into this subject was you know, I had to learn by
heart the new grammar which I found really sophisticated for me to remember
because it was completely different from my mother tongue
- Besides, vocabulary was the real struggle for me because my teachers at primary
school gave me a bunch of new words. However, I found her teaching method was
lack of motivation and interest so I was not a big fan of English
what you are interested in now
- However, now English is really appealing to me.
- In all reality, I found a lot of motivation from my older sister, who has been studying in
the US for nearly 5 years and as you can guess, her English and accent are
incredibly impeccable
- Moreover, in high school my English teacher does inspire a lot by his journey of
learning languages especially English and shows me some effective ways to better
this subject
explain why you are interested in it
 - So I used to hate English -> right now, it is my forte/strong suit
- I can watch my favorite TV series, or movies without subtitles -> I was so elated

16. Describe a time when someone did not tell you the whole truth about something
When
- I was in secondary school - in the middle of final and I was up to the ears in my
assignments -> it was quite a nerve-racking time for me
What the situation was
- So as you can imagine, my 14th birthday was actually on my test day
- And I did have the intention to invite my best buddies come to house and celebrate
- However, they said that none of them was able to take part in due to their hectic
schedule and deadlines
- As you can guess, I was like really disappointed and I think my 14th birthday was the
worst day of my life
Who you were with
- But the truth was, after the test day, I went home with full of surprises
- My friends and my family did well prepared the party for me
- You know, there are scores of sparkling light bulbs and pink ribbons and the most
interesting part is the birthday gifts
- One of my friends made a birthday cake by herself which did make me shed a tear
and I was floating on air
Why that person did not tell you the whole truth
- I guess the main reason is that they wanted to give me a big surprise and made my
14th birthday more appealing because I’ve been friends with them for 5 years since I
entered secondary school

17. Describe someone you would like to study or work with (friends)

18. Described a time you enjoyed your free time (activity u do in ur free time) (de 32)

19. Describe something you do to help you study or work

What it is
- Well first of all, there is an ​eclectic mix of ways that can ​enhance my performance
at work or study.
- You might have heard that watching cat videos, taking a walk, or closing your eyes
for a few minutes at a time might help you to concentrate on your work.
- Given the fact that, I really easily fall asleep when studying, and from all the ways I
have ever tried, coffee is ​by far the most effective way.
How you learn it
- As I still remember, it was two weeks ago. When I was ​in the middle of finals​, it was
such ​a nerve-racking time​ for me so I was really t​ ired and sleepy.
- So as you may know, I decided to surf the internet to find something that can help me
concentrate on my work and study → Choose coffee.
- And I was not able to finish my homework and actually there was a lot left so I think I
might have to ​burn the midnight oil/pull an all-nighter.
When you do
 - As you can guess, I think it was really helpful for me and I usually drink coffee
whenever I have to ​cram for exam.
How you feel about the method
- According to scientists, you know, the intake of caffeine can boost ​mental focus and
concentration ​and caffeine easily activates many​ brain shells​ in a positive way
- Moderate amount of coffee can boost one’s ability to concentrates and makes the
mind alerts​. It doesn’t mean you become smarter or your cognitive ability improved.
- If someone consumes excessively, they might suffer from​ insomnia/sleep deprived.

20. Describe an old person who is interesting

Who this person is
- So today I’m going to tell you about a real character and it was actually my
grandmother
- I don’t think of this person as old, but I suppose she is because she will be 70 next
year
- She is now living my family and as you can guess, she has had a full and interesting
life and done many amazing, brave and brilliant things.
How you know this person
- As I mentioned before, she is my grandmother so I think it’s really weird when I talk
about how I knew this person
- But I can tell you that she is really important to me and I love her a lot
What you do with this person
- Whenever I have free time, I usually spend hours on end hearing her stories about
her youth and how she met her husband,​ which is really appealing to me
- She has insight and great skill in academic writing and over the years I’ve shared
with her my own writing efforts, looked to her for advice on what to do when facing
certain decisions, and gained inspiration from her lifestyle.
Why you think this person is interesting
- She is a very well educated woman with many academic and cultural interests
- My grandmother is intelligent, well-travelled and very independent.
- Although she is already 70, she is very good at setting herself goals and getting on
with things ​which I find really interesting

21. Describe a time you received horrible service/something you bought and feel
unhappy
When it happened (di du lich)
Where you received
- Last summer, I went on a vacation to FLC Quy Nhon, which is located in the center of
Vietnam
- As you can guess, FLC Quy Nhon ​acquires a reputation for one of the biggest
hotels & resorts in Vietnam with high-quality products and services with reasonable
prices for customers
- However, my experience there was really ​horrendous
What happened
- As you can imagine, a room attendant of FLC Quy Nhon has ​arbitrary broke into my
room at midnight not only once but twice with his reason of “room mistaken”.
 - Me and my family were directly and ​adversely affected by the incident. We were so
scared and wanted to talk to the manager but still got nothing sorted out.
- After an hour, a group of security guards and a Front Office Manager came and
talked to our family, however, they represented ​flimsy excuse which we found
unacceptable
Why the service were horrible
- This is not the first time FLC Corporation has been accused of the ​execrable ​quality
of its customer service.
- And the untimely response of the night shift staff was considered substandard and
horrible because they gave us really unpleasant experience

22. Describe an ideal house

Where this place is
- So I’m going to talk about the perfect house that I would like to live in
- Since I found metropolis is quite bustle and hustle, so I aspire to reside in the rural
area
- I would like it to be spacious, comfy and tranquil and it should therefore be located in
a rural area with a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
what it is like
- So as you can guess, I ideal home would be Painted white and pink, the house would
somehow look like a little palace for a royal family.
- Natural light is a must for this house and it would be equipped with modern
appliances such as smart tv, elevator and air-conditioning for comfort and
convenience. Trees and flowers would be planted around it for decoration and to
make it look beautiful.
when you want to live there
- would be the perfect place for me when I am in need of relaxation, and an escape
from my heavy workload in the city. I would be able to enjoy the fresh air, and living
there would be the perfect way to relieve stress.
why you think it is ideal for you
- To be honest, having the chance to live in such a house would be a dream come true
for me, feeling like a king in his own castle, and I hope that one day I can actually
build a house like this to live in.

23. Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person

Who and what you taught
- That was my little brother. Right now he is 16 teen years old and he is studying at…
When
- That was quite a long time, about 10 years ago I guess
- I still remember that was when he was in grade 1
why you taught this person
- And as you can guess, he went to an English center to study English
- After class, he went home and said that I had nothing on his mind, I guess the class
was quite challenging for him to study. Basically, he did not know the first thing about
what teacher said at that time
- Therefore, my parents asked me to teach him after class. I was responsible for
checking his homework; teaching new grammar and new words, how to pronounce
properly because he had a problem with his accent
how you felt about the teaching
- So I was a little bit angry and lost my patience because he was so so lazy and he
didn’t pay much attention to what I told him

OR

Who this person was – ​Best buddy

What you taught this person and when
- I’m quite a technophile so I taught him to use adobe photoshop – which is a
prominent app manufactured by Adobe systems – technology behemoth.
- This app is used to edit pictures, design websites, draw some matte paintings and so
on… sophomore in the college, in the middle of final – design a magazine –
accounted for 50% of my total point – he wanted me to give him a hand on learning
how to use the software
Whether it was easy or difficult
- it is quite ez to get the hang of the basic skills like, how to brighten the pictures or
adjust the contrast …
- As you progress there are scores of factors you have to account for, for example the
colour of your picture, whether it is RGB or CMYK, which is of paramount importance
when you edit your masterpiece.
Explain how useful this skill was
- Incredibly essential, it does come in handy, he can design and edit the photo, like
everything, it is easier, unlike in the past, this kind of activity is impossible at least for
him and guess what, he passed test with flying color

24. Describe a historical period you would like to know

When was this era
- Well, I’m not into history so I’m afraid I cannot tell you much about any particular era.
That’s said, when talking about history, there’s a specific event that springs to mind,
so I guess I could tell you about the period of history around that event, which is VN’s
independence day.
- You know, ID was a big deal to us, it marks the day Vietnam officially became a
sovereign state and had its own government.
How did you learn about it
- First learned about this event when I was a sophomore in college – nerve…
- History was one of the exams that I really struggled with because I had to cram a
bunch of stuff about the ID
- As I was saying I’m not exactly a history lover, so It was incredibly challenging for me
​What was it famous for
- Anyway, what I learnt was that the ID ​ushered ​(mở ra 1 thời kì thịnh vượng) ​in a new
era of economic prosperity ​for VN. Before that, the country had been destroyed by
war, which kind of stifled (ngăn cản) the economy
- However, after we regained our freedom, things started to change in a big way and
we were able to attract foreign investments, and scores of people began to go to
work or start their own business. You know, people lives were dramatically better
Why you are interested in the era
 - Even though I don’t take a keen interest in history, I’d have to say this era was a
pretty exciting time for our people, we were able to live better, have better things so
yeah I guess that’s pretty cool.

25. Describe a party that you joined

When?
- So as you can imagine, it was 3 years ago
- After I graduated from secondary school and actually, it was after exam season -
which was a ​nerve-racking time ​for me.
- At that time my friend decided to organize his fifteen birthday party at his house.
Where it was?
- As you can guess, his apartment is ​in the vicinity of my house
- It was just 10 minutes walk so I could easily go to his birthday party without asking
my parents.
Whose party it was?
- As I mentioned before, it was my best buddy’s birthday - I have known him since we
were knee-high to a grasshopper - It has been nearly 10 years and we still maintain a
close-knit ​relationship.
What you did there?
- We did scores of activities:
+ When I got there, I received a nice welcome by his parents, who then offered
me some drinks and took me through to the living room to wait for a bit while
they finished preparing the dinner.
+ Because it was his birthday, so it goes without saying that we did eat a giant
birthday cake which was given by his parents.
+ In addition, after having a dine​, we gathered around and lost ourselves in
playing video games until 11 pm. It was ​a tad late ​but I have to say that we
did ​have a blast.
- And that was a party I really enjoyed.

26. Describe a time that you had to change your plan/ you changed your mind
When this happened?
- It was about three years ago when I became the first-year student in my high school
which is the most prominent and prestigious school in Hanoi.
- But to be frank with you, my school is not in the vicinity of my house, it takes about an
hour by car so I have to say that it’s not convenient for me to go school everyday.
What made you change the plan?
- Fortunately, I found out that my school also has a dorm which is located behind the
campus.
- So I made my decision and asked my parents to move out. At first, my parents was
hesitate​ with the plan but after hours of ​convincing​, my parents agreed finally.
What the new plan was?
- So my new plan was, you know, I stayed there on weekdays and I would get back
home at the weekend with my parents.
- And when I live in the school dorm, I actually live with my best buddies so everyday
we together cook and study.
 - It is quite fun because I have someone lives with me but to be frank with you,
sometimes I feel sad and get homesick.
How you felt about the change?
- Firstly, travelling to school is easier for me and I can study at my dream school.
- Moving out was one of my biggest changes and actually, it did have a positive impact
on me.

27. Describe a language you want to learn (not English)

What?
- For some unknown reasons, I have always felt a passion for learning the Japanese
language.
- The idea of learning this language is ​rooted back in my teenage days when one of
my aunts learned this language
- I’m going to study in Japan next year so I’m planning learn this language.
How you would learn it?
- Firstly, I would like to ​enroll in a Japanese course ​and hopefully, that would give a
good grip​ on the ​basic of ​the language.
- After that, I will surely take advantage of the online resources to enhance my skills.
- In addition, I’m also a big fan of Japanese books, I read an abundance of comics and
usually ​lose myself in watching ​Japanese movies and this did better my listening
and reading ​comprehension.
Where you would learn it?
- As I mentioned before, there is a multitude of methods, but in fact, I have found such
a ​well-organized institute​ from where I can learn this language.
- I saw an advertisement from one of our local university about offering a six month
course to learn a second language for students so I guess why not?
Why you want to learn that language
- As I mentioned before, I’m planning to study abroad in Japan and it will help me to
communicate with the people and particularly with the students and teachers.
- Moreover, there are some courses in Japanese language and if I do not know it, I
would not be able to ​cross the examination barriers​.
- Hence, knowing the language completely will be an advantage for me. So, I really
want to learn it.
- These are my plans to master the language but I am sure with the course of time​, I
would be able to devise some more ​feasible ways of becoming ​proficient at the
language.

28. Describe a person who helps protect the environment

(famous person?) not technically her responsibility …
- Chi Pu, who is a prominent female pop star in VN.
- She wears a number of hats – singer, actress and as you may know, she’s also an
environmental activist.
How you knew about this person?
- I first ​came across/stumbled upon​ Chi Pu on the Internet.
- I was ​struck by​ her confidence as well as her ​charisma.
 - Later, she was featured on a TV interview where she talks about green habits → it
really ​resonates​ with me in a number of ways.
- Do away with ​non-biodegradable products​ (plastic cups, etc.).
- Participates and endorses a number of environmental campaigns.
- I aspire to her success and she really inspires me on many levels.
Eschew A in favor of B

29. Describe a complaint that you made and you were satisfied with the result
[Talk about yourself]
- To tell you the truth, I’m not too ​fussy/picky ​(kiểu cách, cầu kỳ) and I’d like to think I
have a lot of ​tolerance.
- So it is rare that I file a complaint when I go to a shop/restaurant.
- Having said that, I guess I could tell you …
​When?
- Swanky (khoe khoang) dining establishment.
- It acquires a reputation for fine Japanese cuisine.
- Given the high-end clientele that the restaurant caters to, it goes without saying that
the service is top-notch.
- My family went there for a celebratory meal after I passed the test with flying colors.
- At the beginning of the meal, everything went swimmingly.
- As you may know, the ​courteous​ waiters get us seated/ get us situated.
- We ordered a bunch of dishes, the food was so delectable and cooked to perfection
and I was pretty ​stoked. ​However, the dish I liked the most and ordered came out
cold (rubbery/stale). It was a bit of a letdown.
Who / What / Why?
- So then I told the waiter about this dish in a bid to ​rectify the situation (khắc phục
tình huống): we received a complimentary platter of assorted (nhieu loai) fruits and a
coupon to redeem (chuoc lai) on the next visit.
- I appreciate it that they were willing to go the extra mile/ to go above and beyond to
accommodate the guests [compare vs …].
- I was elated by the good services → Definitely recommend this restaurant.

30. Describe a game that you played in your childhood

When you met him or her?
- Best buddy – I have known him since we were ​knee-high to a grasshopper.
- It has been nearly 15 years and we still maintain a ​close-knit​ relationship.
- He is not only my classmate but also my approachable neighbor.
Where you met him or her?
What you did with your friend?
- When we were wee kids​, we always spent a copious amount of time together,
playing ​an eclectic mix of recreational activities: soccer, chess, but a leisure pursuit
which gave me the best memories was swimming.
- There was a swimming pool which was located in the ​vicinity of our houses, so we
usually went there on regular basis especially in summer months.
 - So as you can imagine, we usually ​hold a competition like who is the fastest
swimmer or who can dive deeper.
- The one who lost the game had to buy food for the rest so it was always ​a blast.
How you felt about the friend?
- As I mentioned before, he has been my ​close confidant ​since we were little.
- Good things we been through that he’s always right there, so all in all I’m sure our
friendship would last forever.

31. Describe a time someone gave you money as a gift

When?
- So as you can imagine, I usually receive money as a present on a special occasion.
- Especially on Tet Holiday - which is the Lunar New Year in Vietnam.
Who?
- Given the fact that last January, on the first day of the new year. My uncle came back
from Japan, he came to my house and visited my family without informing anything.
- Actually, my family was so surprised when he came back and met my family first
because my uncle has been living in Japan for nearly 10 years and he has just got
back to VN for 2 times and last Jan was his 2nd time.
What?
- So after having dinner, we ​gathered around and he suddenly gave me and ​my
sibling ​red envelopes with brand new money inside - I don’t remember exactly but it
was about 5 million Dong - it is also called ​lucky money​ in Vietnam.
- Traditionally, everyone is one year older on Tet holiday, so children would wish their
parents or ​relatives​ health and ​longevity ​in exchange for lucky money.
Why?
- As you can imagine, when I received the money I was so elated because I was my
very first time I got that much lucky money from him → elated.

32. ​Describe an activity you do when you are alone in your free time
What?
- Well, given the fact that I’m ​an ambivert. ​I mean I love going out but sometimes I
really need time to be alone.
- So in my ​leisure time and there is just me, myself and I, so my ​recreation activity is
reading books.
Where?
- As you can imagine, I usually ​spend hours on end ​reading books in ​the little
corner of​ my bedroom, or sometimes in ​the balcony.
- In addition, I also read books at the coffee shop and my ​go-to place is The Coffee
House, which is a ​tranquil place.
How?
- As you can guess, I’m a ​bookworm so I read ​an eclectic mix of ​book genres such
as science fiction, drama but my favorite type of book is ​self-help​ ​publication.
- Recently I read a book named ‘How to win friends and influence people’ which was
penned by​ Dale Carnegie who is an eminent author.
- This book ​gets me out of ​a mental rut​, give me ​new thoughts, new visions, new
ambitions​, etc and I really love it.
Why?
- As you can get, it can ​broaden my horizons and in my opinion, reading books
actually is a good way to travel around the world without paying for a ticket.
- So I think in my free time, my​ all-time​ favorite activity will always be reading books.

33. Describe an important plant in your country

What is it?
- To be honest, I don’t ​purport to be an expert in plants but I guess I would tell you
about bamboo.
Where you see it?
- As you can guess, it was a long time ago and I cannot remember exactly when but I
probably first saw it when I was studying in primary school because that was the time
we learnt the first thing about bamboo.
Why it is important?
- Anyway, I have to say that there are scores of reasons why bamboo is ​of paramount
importance.
- The main reason is that bamboo is used to make an eclectic mix of things such as
chopsticks, chopping board, flooring, and musical instruments​. For example the
bamboo flute​ as well.
- Bamboo is also used for ​carrying stuffs​. As you can guess, I have seen an
abundance of people ​rest it on their shoulders​, and ​hang things on each end​,
because as well as being strong, it’s also very flexible, so it won’t break even with
heavy loads.
- What is more, bamboo grows incredibly fast, not like most other trees, and so
although it is being ​cut down to make stuff, there will still always be an abundant
supply of it here.
- I am really into bamboo because it reminds me of my own culture …

34. Describe a time when you looked for information on the internet
When?
- I don’t remember exactly but I guess it was 3 years ago.
- After exam season, I have to say that it was a nerve-racking time for me - I was
always up to the ears in revision.
- So I and my parents decided to go on a trip to blow off some steam.
What you were looking for?
- Basically, as you can guess, we had a trip to Nha Trang, which is a coastal city in
central Vietnam.
- Each person in my family has their own roles, ​I was the one who was responsible for
booking the flight and finding some prominent places in Nha Trang to visit.
Where you were searching on the internet?
- At first, I just googled the airplane ticket from Hanoi to Nha Trang.
- And I ​stumbled upon a website called Tripadvisor - which is an eminent ​American
travel and restaurant website company that shows hotel and restaurant reviews,
accommodation bookings and other travel-related content.
- There were a lot of information on this website and I was able to book hotel where we
stayed with a more reasonable price and every booking steps are ​just a breeze.
How you felt about the info?
- I was incredibly pleasant with the rich detailed information that this website provided.
- Besides that, the service is ​out of this world, ​they did give me some promotion and
coupon to ​redeem ​on the next booking session.

35. Describe something given to you that you really need (iPhone)
What
- Smartphone, an Iphone X, which is produced by Apple - a ​technology giant
- So in addition to smartphone, Apple also offers an eclectic mix of products such as
smart watch, tablet and laptop as well
- But the price is quite exorbitant
What the problem was
- So last summer, I went on holiday with my family to Da Nang, which is coastal city in
Vietnam to unwind
- So when I came there, the first thing I did was going for a swim immediately.
However, I went to the sea and swam for a long time without noticing that my phone
was still right there, in my pocket.
- I nearly shedded a tear because there were so many documents and images that I
kept for a long time
- I asked the local to show the way to some technical services in Danang but
unfortunately, it was soaked in the water for a couple of hours, therefore it was totally
damages and it was really a real pain to me
who gave it to you
- After the trip was my 17th birthday and my dad surprised me with a brand new
iPhone at that time with top-notch functions
- I was so elated because my dad knew me so well that I could not live without a
smartphone

36. Describe a family business that you like

What?
- The family business I know and would like to talk about is owned by a joint family in
our community. It is a business related to producing slime - which is a sticky liquid
substance, that is unpleasant to touch.
- It consisted of a ​non-toxic viscous (sền sệt), ​squishy (mềm và ướt) and ​oozy (rỉ
nước) green or other color material made primarily from guar gum.
- This is in fact quite a successful business.
Who / When?
- My friend’s brother, who is actually an owner of the shop and it is growing day by
day.
- He owns an instagram account with more than 10.000 followers where he sells slime
online.
- As I heard, he has started selling slime a year ago and he is exporting his products to
neighbouring countries as well.
- As I have witnessed the rise and progress of this business I think that was a nice
model.
Why?
 - At the beginning, he only sold slime in his neighborhood and over a year, it had
expanded to a greater and bigger business.
- Secondly, he is able to make a lucrative income without asking money from parents.
- I think the plan, hard-work, dedication, and luck have flavoured the business and his
brand has become a renowned slime business over the country.
- I really idolize him.

37. ​Describe a place where it is easy for you to study

Where
-​ TCH – which is located in the heart of HN
- It has acquired a reputation for/is renowned for/makes a name for themselves for the
drinks and the decoration
- Given its prominent/prime location, this coffee shop is always packed and frequented by
an abundance of tourists
How often you go there
- As you may know, it is in the vicinity of my house, just 5 mins walk so I go thereon a
regular basis
- Sometimes with my family, sometimes with my friends to unwind a little bit
Why do you like this coffee shop
-​ There are scores of things I like about this coffee shop
- The coffee shop is exquisitely decorated with mirror and pictures on the walls
-​ First of all, the menu is so large, ranging from coffee to smoothies, and the price is
incredibly reasonable, unlike other coffee shops i have been to, which tend to cost a
pretty penny
- The staff, i mean waiters and waitresses are really accommodating, approachable. Like
they are always willing to go extra mile to please the customers
- Definitely I’m a regular here and TCH is my go-to coffee shop

38. Describe someone you haven’t seen before but you would like to know more (My
Tam)

39. ​Describe an occasion that you borrow something from friends or family members
What?
- Iphone 6 - which was a top-notch smartphone and as you can guess, it was
manufactured by Apple, a technology giant.
When?
- I’m a forgetful person so I cannot remember exactly the time but I guess it was 2
years ago, when my uncle came back to Vietnam because he lived in Japan.
- And at that time, this iphone was all the rage, only wealthy individuals could afford it
and yeah, my uncle got it so I borrowed it from my uncle.
Who?
- So as you can imagine, I’m a big fan of technology so at that time, I was so excited to
touch the new iphone to check it out.
- I have to say that it was one of the best iphones I have ever seen, it had scores of
interesting features.
 - For example, the camera is cutting-edge, which could help to take ​exquisite
pictures.
- And the super cool thing is that it has touch ID, which is an unique feature ​of iphone
6, I could open the phone without typing password, which made me feel really
mind-boggling.
Why?
- As I mentioned before I’m quite much of a ​technophile so…

40. Describe a good law in your country

[talk about yourself]
- This question is ​putting me on the spot.
- I don’t ​purport to be an expert in law → I’m not aware of all the ​legislations and
strictures​ that are in place in VN.
- Having said that (however), that is waiting to be passed and it may sound ​bizarre to
some of the foreigners.
What it is?
- As you can guess, it’s a ban on the consumption of dogs.
- Dog is considered a ​delicacy​ (đồ ăn) in VN.
- Well, it seems ​off-putting​ (disgusting) to foreigners.
- Dog lovers ​at large rejoice (hân hoan) when they hear that the government is
imposing this stringent law.
How you knew it?
- ... came across it on the internet ...
- I was pretty stoked (cực kỳ vui vẻ) …
What it affects?
- There are 2 main effects:
→ thousands of dining establishments that serve dog meat are gonna go under/go
belly up/go out of business [ubiquitous].
→ Dog thieves are going to be put behind bars (bị bắt vào tù).
Why you think it is good?
- Savage (dã man) -> … emotional attachment to this animal.
- [health] … rabid - rabies (chó dại)/ unclear provenance.

41. Describe a film or TV program that made you laugh

What type?
- I’m really into watching Mr Bean, which is an animated movies produced by Disney.
- As you can guess, it is a prominent film studio. It is most known for animations and
movies for children.
When?
- I watched this cartoon a long time ago when I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I
usually sat in front of TV and ​spent hours on end ​watching with my sibling.
What it talk about?
- As you may know, this film has really high ratings and has a lot of viewership.
- Because it is incredibly hilarious, I mean there are scores of clever jokes and it
cracked me up everytime.
 - Actor Rowan Atkinson is the star of this British TV shows and he became one of the
most ​iconic character​ and his ​sense of humour​ was​ decidedly quirky.
Why you like?
42. Describe a skill that made a long time to learn (time-management, public speaking
skill)
What is the skill?
- Swimming – wee kid, 7 years old, dad taught me how to swim since he wanted me to
strengthen my health.
Where you learn it?
- As you can guess, the swimming pool is in ​the vicinity of my house so I went there
on ​a regular basis​ to practice swimming.
How to learn it?
- Given the fact that at that time I was ​frightened of water, I was so ​apprehensive
that there had certainly been times that I ​choked.
- But you know ​gradually and progressively​, my dad taught me how to ​float ​and how
to ​breathe under the water, he also encouraged me to try ​an eclectic mix of styles
for example: freestyle swimming or breaststroke and so on.
- It was incredibly hard at the first time but thanks to my father, water is not my fear
anymore, actually swimming is​ my forte ​now.
Explain why it is important?
- I have to say that, swimming is of paramount importance, it’s a healthy sport and it
can benefit physically and mentally as well.
+ Old people:​ insist on ​swimming, ​mitigate ​the risk of chronic disease like ...
+ Young people: ​alleviate​ stress, daily study p​ ressure​.

43. Describe a book that you read recently

What kind of book it was? ​- Novel.
What it was about?
- As you can guess, its name is “the tale of Kieu” which is ​penned by Nguyen Du -
who was a ​nationally acclaimed​ author.
- He ​acquires a reputation for​ poems and novels in the 17th century.
- And the most ​notable work​ of Nguyen Du was “the tale of Kieu”.
Why you read this book?
- As you may know, when I was in the middle of finals​, I was always ​up to the ears
in work, deadlines, it was such ​a nerve-racking time​ for me.
- So my best buddies took me to the bookstore with him to buy reference books to do
some revisions.
- Then I ​stumbled upon​ “the tale of Kieu” – I was h ​ ooked by​ the story so I bought it.
Explain why you found it exciting?
- As you can guess, the book ​revolves around Thuy Kieu, who is an immaculate girl​,
she is​ the desire of​ every guy in town.
- However, she had to sell her body in a bid to ​redeem her father’s freedom – back
then she was sold to many different ​brothels​ (lầu xanh).
- She ​overcame​ many ​struggles​ to find true happiness.
- I have to say that I am ​really into this book, because there are ​scores of qualities
that I admire about this character -​ resilience​ - she was able to get back on her feet.
44. Describe a place away from home where you stayed (Da Nang)
Where
- Da Nang – which is coastal city located in the center of VN – it is just 2 hour...
- DN is ​renowned for/has acquired a reputation​ for ​splendid​ places/sceneries
- For ex: My Khe – which is one of the most ​immaculate beaches and it is ​frequented by
scores of tourists
When
- Sophomore in the college – at that time I was ​up to the ears in deadlines and revision,
It was a ​nerve-racking time​ for me
- So after exam season, I decided to go to Dn for a holiday
What did you do there
- Went for a dip – water is ​crystal clear​/cloudy
- Took a hike to the mountain – I had a chance to see a ​panoramic view of the city – it is
breathtaking
- Ate a lot of staple foods here which is my quang – which is vietnamese rice noodles
served with pork, beef, mushrooms
- In addition, I have to say seafood here are ​out of this world, ​lobster and crabs were
cooked to perfection ​with a variety of ingredients but the meals were ​cheap and
cheerful.
How do you feel
- Repeat this experience in the future

45. Describe a beautiful city (Da Nang)

46. Describe a teenager you know

Who:
- ​Phuong, my lovely cousin who was born in 2005, so as you can guess she is 13 years old
right now, and she is a secondary student.
- Although she is 10 years younger than me but we actually have a very close-knit
relationship
How you know this teenager
- My mom has an older brother, and he has a little child whose name is Phuong -> so yeah,
obviously I know her because we’re relatives.
- I first knew her when I was just a wee kid- about 10 years old.
What this teenager likes to do
- Given the fact that we have close-knit relationship, so we often do things together at the
weekend.
- I know her so well that she is a big fan of reading books. One thing you should know about
her is that she is much of a bookworm, like she can spend hours on end sitting in her own
room and reading her favorite novel.
- In addition, she also has a keen interest in TV programs, kind of a couch potato, and you
know if she doesn’t have homework, she could immerse herself in watching the telly.
How you feel about this teenager
- I love her very much and see her as my younger sister.
- Although we have almost 10 years of age difference, we share a special friendship bond
between us.
- We always have lots of fun together.

47. Describe an important decision made with the help of other people
When this happened?
- It was about three years ago when I became the first-year student in my high school
which is the most prominent and prestigious school in Hanoi.
- But to be frank with you, my school is not in the vicinity of my house, it takes about an
hour by car so I have to say that it’s not convenient for me to go school everyday.
What made you change the plan?
- Fortunately, I found out that my school also has a dorm which is located behind the
campus.
- So I made my decision and asked my parents to move out. At first, my parents was
hesitate​ with the plan but after hours of ​convincing​, my parents agreed finally.
What the new plan was?
- So my new plan was, you know, I stayed there on weekdays and I would get back
home at the weekend with my parents.
- And when I live in the school dorm, I actually live with my best buddies so everyday
we together cook and study.
- It is quite fun because I have someone lives with me but to be frank with you,
sometimes I feel sad and get homesick.
How you felt about the change?
- Firstly, travelling to school is easier for me and I can study at my dream school.
- Moving out was one of my biggest changes and actually, it did have a positive impact
on me.

48. Describe an interesting part of your country (Da Nang)

49. Describe a time that a piece of equipment of yours was broken

What the equipment was
- Smartphone, an Iphone 6. So as you can guess, I have been using this phone for
about 2 years and it was actually a birthday gift from my parents when I passed the
entrance exam to high school
- So I really appreciate this gift
What the problem was
- As you can imagine, I cannot live a day without my smartphone, I use it practically
every minutes of a day
- So last summer, I went on holiday with my family to Da Nang, which is coastal city in
Vietnam to unwind
- So when I came there, the first thing I did was going for a swim immediately.
However, I went to the sea and swam for a long time without noticing that my phone
was still right there, in my pocket.
- That moment I knew that struggle is real
What you did after it was broken
 - I nearly shedded a tear because there were so many documents and images that I
kept for a long time
- I asked the local to show the way to some technical services in Danang but
unfortunately, it was soaked in the water for a couple of hours, therefore it was totally
damages and it was really a real pain to me

50. Describe an interesting talk or speech you heard recently

Who gave the speech
What the topic of the speech was
Whether it impressed you or not
Explain why you like
So today I am gonna tell you about a speech and the speech was delivered by Mr Tung who
is an eminent health expert in VN. He acquired a reputation for his health research and in
addition to human health, he also studies genetics of both humans and animals. And in the
speech, he discussed how to live a healthy lifestyle on two fronts. So the first meeting, the
importance of exercising routinely, I mean he advised to hit the gym in a bid to burn off some
calories. Nowadays, I know that many of us have a very hectic schedule, we always up to
the ears, but we try to make an effort…

51. Describe an outdoor sport you play for the first time
what is it
- So when it comes to this topic, I guess I cannot tell you much about sports and one
thing you should know about me is that I don’t have keen interest in sports
- But I could tell you my very first time I played badminton - which is all the rage in VN
especially among youngsters
when you first play
- As you can imagine, I first played badminton a long time ago and my father was the
one who taught me
- Because he wanted me to strengthen my health at that time because I was kind of
chubby and overweight
how you learn to play the sport
- Well I mean because I just played recreationally so there were not so many things to
account for (quan tam)
- At first, it was quite challenging to use the racket (cai vot) properly, and all I had to do
was using my racket to hit the shuttlecock
- But as I progressed, I played it much better
how you feel about the sport
- I guess it was quite easy to play, of course it would be harder if people play
competitively
- It could benefit physically and mentally
- Badminton involves an abundance of intense movements - it will help burn tons of
calories -> shed some fat and get leaner. As a result, it could mitigate the risk of
obesity, diabetes and heart attack
- mentally …

52. Describe someone you met recently and you would like to know more about
Who
- Bich Phuong, who is a very prominent pop singer in Vietnam
- As you can guess, she is renowned for her sexy appearance and an abundance of
hits lately
- So her latest album has been topping the chart for so many weeks and it has
propelled her towards​ international stardom when she was really young
Where
- So I don’t remember exactly how was the first time I met her, but I guess about a
year ago.
- At that time, I was in the middle of final and as you can imagine, I was so stressful
because of assignments and deadlines
- So after that time, I decided to go to the pub to unwind a little bit and I met Bich
Phuong
- However, she was just nothing more than a normal singer so I didn’t pay too much
attention
Why you would like to know more about him
- Right now, Bich Phuong has become a trend, she has acquired a reputation for her
immaculate performances and exquisite voice, her music videos have very high
ratings and viewership
- However, she leads a very low profile lifestyle, I mean she rarely posts images or
status on social media so I really want to get to know more about her daily lifestyle
because I’m a big fan of/​idolize​ her right now. who doesn’t want to know more about
their idols?

53. Describe one time someone say good words about what you have done
Who
- That was nobody else except for my parents
- So as you can imagine, my parents are always trying to understand what I really like
and lucky for me, they never chew me out for not having a good result in studying
When
- I still remember it was about 3 years ago, when I was preparing for the entrance
exam to high school
- As you can guess, at that time it was a very nerve-racking time for me, I had to ​pull
an all nighter​ to do revision.
- I had to take part in math, literature examination but to be frank, math was not my
strong suit at that time, ​I​ ​dreaded to think​ that I might miss my shot
What did they say
- Fortunately, when I received the results, I did pass the exam with flying colors
- As you can guess, I was floating on air, didn’t believe that I finally could make it
through
How do you feel about that
- But the thing that left the deepest impression on me was my father’s saying. He told
me that I did make a great job and he took a lot of pride in my endless efforts and
accomplishments
- So basically ..
54. Describe an interesting place in your country that not many tourists get there
Where
- So this place is Con Dao - which is an island located in South China Sea, Southern
Vietnam
- Con Dao acquires a reputation for splendid sceneries, immaculate beaches and
historical sites
How long
- Well, I have been there twice on my holidays with my family
- As you can imagine, there was no direct flight from Hanoi to Con Dao.
- In all reality you have to book a ticket flight to Ho Chi Minh city and travel to Con Dao
by another flight, which is exorbitantly priced
- And I believe this is one of the reasons why not many tourists get there
Why not many tourists get there
- In addition to the exorbitant flight tickets, as I mentioned before Con Dao is renowned
for historical sites. There were a lot of soldiers fighting to death to protect the country
in the past
- This place is very sacred and isolated. There are scores of tourists visit and they
have a feeling that they are haunted by the soldiers at night, forcing visitors to leave
their holy island.
How do you feel about that place
- 2 times visited this place I felt thing but peaceful and the beauty of this place
- But I believe the aforementioned factors are the reasons why not many tourists get
there