SAMPLE TEST 01

PART 1. INTERVIEW (2-3 minutes)

The examiner will ask each candidate 1 or 2 questions from the following topic:
Hometown:
1. Where are you from?
2. What places of interest are there in your hometown?
3. What do you like about your hometown?

PART 2. INDIVIDUAL LONG TURN (3 minutes)

Cue card: Describe a successful business in your country
You should say:
 What it is
 How you know about it
 How it becomes successful
And explain how you felt about it
You have one minute to prepare. You can make notes if you wish.

PART 3. DISCUSSION (3-4 minutes)

The examiner will ask each candidate 1 or 2 questions from the following topic:

Topic: Linguistics:
1. What difficulties do you have while communicating in English?
2. With the growth of the importance of English in Vietnam’s education nowadays, do you think
one day, the Vietnamese language will become endangered?
3. Do you believe that language reflects the culture of the people who speak it? Why or why
not?

ANSWER SAMPLE 01
PART 1: HOMETOWN

Q1: "### Question 1: Where are you from?

I am from Quang Ngai, a coastal city in central Vietnam. The city may not be as big as Ho Chi Minh
City, but it has its own charm, with beautiful beaches, rich history and a peaceful atmosphere. The city
is famous for its natural beauty, fresh seafood and friendly people.

### Question 2: What are some places to visit in your hometown?

Quang Ngai has many interesting places to visit. One of the most famous is **Ly Son Island**, a
volcanic island with crystal clear waters, beautiful scenery and delicious seafood. **My Lai Massacre
Memorial** is an important historical site that reminds people of Vietnam's past and the importance
of peace. **Minh Duc Pagoda** 1 of the tallest pagodas in Southeast Asia. In addition, **Sa Huynh
Beach** is a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Central Vietnam.

### Question 3: What do you like about your hometown?

What I like most about Quang Ngai is its peaceful and natural beauty. Unlike the big cities, life here is
slower and more relaxed, making it a great place to escape stress. The local cuisine is also a highlight
– **sầu don**, fresh seafood and **Ram bap Quảng Ngãi** are some of my favorites. The people
here are warm and welcoming, always willing to help each other. I also appreciate the close
connection to history and nature, from historical sites to pristine beaches. Quang Ngai may not be like
other cities, but it has its own special charm that makes it a great place to live.

PART 2: SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

TEST: PART 2. INDIVIDUAL LONG TURN (3 minutes)

Cue card: Describe a successful business in your country

You should say:

 What it is

 How you know about it

 How it becomes successful

And explain how you felt about it

You have one minute to prepare. You can make notes if you wish.

Describe a successful business in your country

You should say:
What the business is
How you heard about it
How the business became successful
And explain how you feel about it
You have one minute to prepare. You may take notes if you wish.
ANSWER:

I would like to discuss Bach Hoa Xanh, a retail chain that operates grocery stores in Ho Chi Minh
City and elsewhere.
Bach Hoa Xanh, owned by Mobile World Group, has become a household name in our city since its
inception in 2015. I know the business well because there are several stores in my neighborhood and I
have witnessed its remarkable expansion from a small grocery chain to a large retail force with over
1,700 stores across Vietnam.
The company’s success can be attributed to a number of innovative strategies. First, they identified a
key gap in the market – the need for clean, reliable neighborhood grocery stores with transparent
pricing and quality products. They positioned themselves between traditional wet markets and large
supermarkets, offering the convenience of modern retail with access to local markets.

Second, their digital transformation was impressive. They developed a user-friendly mobile app for
online ordering, which was especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also introduced
their own private label products, offering quality goods at competitive prices.

Third, their positioning strategy was brilliant. By establishing stores in residential areas rather than
high streets, they created a network of convenience stores that effectively served the local community.

What impresses me most about Bach Hoa Xanh’s success is how they have modernized Vietnamese
grocery shopping while respecting local shopping habits. Their success proves that understanding
local consumer behavior and adapting modern retail concepts to suit Vietnamese preferences is the
key to business success in our market.
PART 3. DISCUSSION (3-4 minutes)
The examiner will ask each candidate 1 or 2 questions from the following topic:

Topic: Linguistics:
What are your challenges when communicating in English?

I face some significant challenges when communicating in English. The most basic difficulty lies in
the pronunciation system, especially since English and Vietnamese have very different phonetic
patterns. For example, I often cannot distinguish sounds that are not present in Vietnamese, such as
distinguishing between 'ship' and 'sheep' or 'thin' and 'thing'. Another big challenge is mastering the
intonation and stress patterns of English - while English stresses sounds over time, Vietnamese
stresses sounds over syllables, making it difficult to achieve a natural accent.

### Do you think Vietnamese is in danger because of the growth of English in education?
I do not think Vietnamese is in danger and I have good reasons to support this view. Firstly, our
language is an important part of our identity and daily life. In Ho Chi Minh City, technology and
international business have actually helped strengthen the Vietnamese language rather than weaken it.
Many local companies, especially in District 2 and District 7, are creating new Vietnamese words for
modern ideas.

Our education system encourages both Vietnamese and English, not just English. This helps students
improve their English skills while still maintaining their mother tongue. Vietnamese is also very
popular on social media, in entertainment, and in everyday conversations, which keeps Vietnamese
relevant to young people. Even foreign businesses in Vietnam use Vietnamese in their work, showing
that the language is still very important in both business and daily life.

### Do you believe that language reflects culture?

Yes, I firmly believe that language and culture go hand in hand. In Ho Chi Minh City, we can clearly
see this in the way people speak. Our system of personal pronouns, such as “anh”, “chi”, “em” and
“bac”, shows that we respect age and social relationships. The Saigon dialect also has many Chinese,
French and English words, reflecting the city’s long history as a commercial centre.

In many places in Ho Chi Minh City, we can hear both traditional and modern speech, proving that
language is always changing but never losing its cultural significance.

Pronunciati Word Vietnames Example from

Word/Phrase on Type Definition e Meaning Responses

A large, Ho Chi Minh City is

important thành phố Vietnam's largest
metropolis /məˈtrɒpəlɪs/ noun city lớn metropolis

Full of HCMC is one of the

adjecti energy and sôi động, most vibrant urban
vibrant /ˈvaɪbrənt/ ve life năng động centers

The iconic
Widely Independence Palace
recognized stands as a
adjecti and testament to our
iconic /aɪˈkɒnɪk/ ve symbolic biểu tượng history

testament /ˈtestəmənt/ noun Something minh chứng The building stands

that proves as a testament to our
 Pronunciati Word Vietnames Example from
Word/Phrase on Type Definition e Meaning Responses

or shows
evidence history

Modern The cathedral

version of showcases neo-
neo- /ˌniːəʊ rəʊ adjecti Roman Romanesque
Romanesque ˈmænɛsk/ ve architecture tân La Mã architecture

Characteriz
ed by The city's
entrepreneuria /ˌɒntrəprə adjecti business tinh thần entrepreneurial spirit
l ˈnɜːriəl/ ve initiative kinh doanh is infectious

Large
corporation Vingroup has become
/kən of different Vietnam's largest
conglomerate ˈɡlɒmərət/ noun businesses tập đoàn conglomerate

To vary or
expand into
different They diversified their
diversify /daɪˈvɜːsɪfaɪ/ verb areas đa dạng hóa business portfolio

Related to English and

sound Vietnamese have
/ˌfəʊnə adjecti systems in thuộc về ngữ different phonological
phonological ˈlɒdʒɪkəl/ ve language âm patterns

Language
rhythm
based on
adjecti stressed nhịp điệu English is a stress-
stress-timed /ˈstres taɪmd/ ve syllables trọng âm timed language

Ability to Our education

/baɪ use two system promotes
bilingualism ˈlɪŋɡwəlɪzəm/ noun languages song ngữ bilingualism

Our language is
adjecti Closely đan xen, gắn deeply intertwined
intertwined /ˌɪntəˈtwaɪnd/ ve connected kết with our identity

Technical or
special
/ˌtɜːmɪ words used Business terminology
terminology ˈnɒlədʒi/ noun in a field thuật ngữ can be challenging

The museum
adjecti Deep, provides profound
profound /prəˈfaʊnd/ ve intense sâu sắc insights

Ben Thanh Market

adjecti Genuine, offers an authentic
authentic /ɔːˈθentɪk/ ve real chân thực glimpse of local life

They use
sophisticated
inventory
adjecti Advanced, tinh vi, phức management
sophisticated /səˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd/ ve complex tạp systems

adjecti New and đổi mới, Bach Hoa Xanh used

innovative /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/ ve creative sáng tạo innovative strategies

demographic /ˌdemə noun Population nhân khẩu The city has a young
 Pronunciati Word Vietnames Example from
Word/Phrase on Type Definition e Meaning Responses

ˈɡræfɪk/ statistics học demographic

Basic
physical The city is developing
infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/ noun structures cơ sở hạ tầng its infrastructure

Cultural
traditions
passed The city maintains its
heritage /ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ noun down di sản cultural heritage

TEST 02
PART 1. INTERVIEW (2-3 minutes)
The examiner will ask each candidate 1 or 2 questions from the following topic:
Holidays:
1. Where do you usually spend your holidays?
2. Who do you spend your holiday with?
3. What do you like to do when you are on holiday?

PART 2. INDIVIDUAL LONG TURN (3 minutes)

Cue card: Describe a small business that you would like to start.

You should say

 What would this business be?

 How would you start/open this business?

 How would you run this business?

 And explain why you would like to run this kind of business.

You have one minute to prepare. You can make notes if you wish.

PART 3. DISCUSSION (3-4 minutes)

The examiner will ask each candidate 1 or 2 questions from the following topic:

Topic: Linguistics:
 1. How do you think technology can help people who lose the ability to use language?
2. Which effect of a stroke seems more serious or upsetting: the loss of the ability to
speak or the loss of past memories? Why?
3. Do you think you focus more on the “big picture” and general ideas or on details?
Would you say that you are more “right-brained” or “left-brained”?

SAMPLE ANSWER 02
PART 1: HOLIDAYS

Q1: Where do you usually spend your holidays?

Living in Ho Chi Minh City, I typically split my holidays between local destinations and international
travel. Within Vietnam, I frequently visit Da Lat, which is just a 6-hour drive from our city, because
its cool climate offers a perfect escape from Saigon's heat. For longer holidays, I enjoy exploring
nearby countries like Thailand or Singapore, which are easily accessible through Tan Son Nhat
International Airport. However, during the recent pandemic period, I've discovered many hidden gems
right here in Ho Chi Minh City, like the peaceful Can Gio Mangrove Forest and the historical Cu Chi
Tunnels.

Q2: Who do you spend your holiday with?

I usually plan my holidays with different groups depending on the destination and occasion. For
family-oriented celebrations like Tet holiday, I spend time with my extended family at our ancestral
home in District 5, where we maintain traditional customs. For weekend getaways, I often travel with
my close friends from university - we're a group of six who regularly organize trips together.
Sometimes, I also join group tours organized by local travel communities in Saigon, which is a great
way to meet new people who share similar interests in exploration and adventure.

Q3: "What do you like to do when you are on holiday?"

My holiday activities typically revolve around experiencing local culture and cuisine. When visiting
new places, I particularly enjoy exploring local markets and food streets - something I've grown to
appreciate having grown up in Ho Chi Minh City's vibrant food scene. I'm also passionate about
photography, so I often wake up early to capture the morning life of the destinations I visit.
Additionally, I make it a point to engage in cultural activities, whether it's visiting historical sites,
participating in local workshops, or simply sitting at a café and observing daily life. I find these
activities help me truly understand and connect with the places I visit.
PART 2: SMALL BUSINESS

Cue card: Describe a small business that you would like to start.

You should say

 What would this business be?

 How would you start/open this business?

 How would you run this business?

 And explain why you would like to run this kind of business.

You have one minute to prepare. You can make notes if you wish.
ANSWER

I want to talk about a coffee business I would like to open in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City.

My idea is to create a special café called "Saigon Creative Hub," which is a mix between a
traditional Vietnamese coffee shop and a modern co-working space. The café will serve both
classic Vietnamese coffee and new coffee styles, along with a menu that combines
Vietnamese and international food.

To start this business, I will first study the market in Thao Dien, an area in District 2 where
many young professionals and foreigner live. I will create a clear business plan that
highlights what makes my café different. I will use my savings and ask my family for
financial support, which is common in Vietnam. I will also work with coffee farmers from
the Central Highlands to get the best quality coffee beans.

For daily operations, I will focus on creating a strong community. The space will have
different areas for working alone or in groups. I will also introduce a membership program
for regular customers and organize weekly events, such as cultural nights or business
networking. The café will be open from early morning to late at night to suit different
schedules.

I love this idea because it brings together many things that represent modern Ho Chi Minh
City. Also, District 2 is developing fast and becoming a center for young professionals and
creative people, making it a great location for this kind of café.

PART 3: LINGUISTICS AND COGNITION

How can technology help people who lose the ability to use language?

Technology is very helpful for people who have trouble speaking or understanding language.
In Ho Chi Minh City, hospitals and medical centers use different tools to support them. Text-
to-speech apps let people type messages that are then spoken aloud, making communication
easier. Some new devices can even read brain signals and turn them into speech, which is
very useful for stroke patients. Virtual reality is also being used in therapy to help people
practice language skills in an interactive way. These technologies not only improve
communication but also help people stay independent and connected with others.

Which is more serious: losing the ability to speak or losing past memories?

Both are difficult, but I think losing the ability to speak is more upsetting, especially in
Vietnamese culture, where talking is very important for family and social life. If someone
cannot speak, they may feel lonely because they cannot join in family gatherings, share
stories, or express love and emotions. Losing memories is also very sad, but people can still
create new experiences and relationships. However, when someone loses their speech, it
becomes much harder to interact with others, work, or take part in everyday life.

Do you focus more on big ideas or small details? Are you more 'right-brained'
or 'left-brained'?

I think I focus more on the big picture, which means I look at overall goals and creative ideas
rather than small details. At work, I am good at planning projects and coming up with new
ideas, but I sometimes need to remind myself to pay attention to details. This way of thinking
has helped me understand business trends and changes in a fast-growing city like Ho Chi
Minh City. However, I know that both creative thinking and attention to detail are important.
Working in a busy business environment like Saigon has taught me to balance both—being
creative while also making sure everything is well-organized and accurate.

Example
Word/ Pronunc Word Definiti Vietnames from
Phrase iation Type on e Meaning Responses

We celebrate
Belongi at our
ng to ancestral
ancestr /æn adject ancesto thuộc về tổ home in
al ˈsestrəl/ ive rs tiên District 5

A short I enjoy
holiday weekend
getawa / or kỳ nghỉ getaways with
y ˈɡetəweɪ/ noun escape ngắn friends

Combin
ation of The café
differen pha trộn, would serve
fusion /ˈfjuːʒən/ noun t styles kết hợp fusion dishes
 Example
Word/ Pronunc Word Definiti Vietnames from
Phrase iation Type on e Meaning Responses

Work I'd collaborate

jointly with local
collabor /kə with coffee
ate ˈlæbəreɪt/ verb others hợp tác suppliers

Providin
g deep Immersive
immersi adject engage đắm chìm, exercises help
ve /ɪˈmɜːsɪv/ ive ment chìm đắm patients learn

Highly
destruc
/ tive or Both losses
devasta ˈdevəsteɪ adject distress tàn phá, are
ting tɪŋ/ ive ing đau đớn devastating

/ New Creating
innovati ˈɪnəveɪtɪv adject and đổi mới, innovative
ve / ive creative sáng tạo solutions

Conduct
Comple thorough
thoroug adject te and kỹ lưỡng, tỉ market
h /ˈθʌrə/ ive detailed mỉ research

Person
living
outside Many
their người nước expatriates
expatria /eks native ngoài sinh live in Thao
te ˈpætrɪət/ noun country sống Dien

Process
of Rehabilitation
rehabilit /ˌriːəˌbɪlɪ recover phục hồi centers use
ation ˈteɪʃən/ noun y chức năng VR programs

impairm /ɪm noun Weaken suy giảm, People with

ent ˈpeəmənt ing or khiếm language
 Example
Word/ Pronunc Word Definiti Vietnames from
Phrase iation Type on e Meaning Responses

/ damage khuyết impairments

One might
State of feel isolation
/ˌaɪsə being without
isolation ˈleɪʃən/ noun alone sự cô lập speech

verb Show or biểu hiện

/ demons This tendency
manifes ˈmænɪfes trate manifests in
t t/ clearly my work

verb Add to bổ sung Complement

/ or my thinking
comple ˈkɒmplɪm enhanc with attention
ment ent/ e to detail

Charact
erized
by
constan Living in a
dynami /daɪ adject t dynamic
c ˈnæmɪk/ ive change năng động business hub

Accurac Partners
y and expect
precisio /prɪ exactne sự chính creativity and
n ˈsɪʒən/ noun ss xác precision

Full of Ho Chi Minh

/ adject energy City's vibrant
vibrant ˈvaɪbrənt/ ive and life sôi động food scene

/kən Contemporary
contem ˈtempərər adject Modern, coffee
porary i/ ive current đương đại creations

traditio /trə adject Followin truyền Traditional

nal ˈdɪʃənəl/ ive g Vietnamese
 Example
Word/ Pronunc Word Definiti Vietnames from
Phrase iation Type on e Meaning Responses

establis
hed
custom
s thống coffee

Interact
ing for
professi
/ onal Business
network ˈnetwɜːkɪ purpose networking
ing ŋ/ noun s kết nối sessions