A(171)

Modern Life vs. Life 5000 Years Ago

Aspect Similarities Differences

People still need food, water, Modern technology provides easier

Basic Needs
shelter, and safety. access to these.

Ancient jobs were mostly farming,

People work to earn a living
Work & Economy crafting, or hunting; now we have diverse
and trade goods.
careers.

Humans have always From oral traditions & writing on clay

Communication communicated through tablets → Instant global communication
language. via the internet.

People travel for work, trade, Walking, horses, and boats → Cars,
Transportation
and exploration. planes, and high-speed trains.

Tools and innovations help Simple stone and metal tools →

Technology
improve daily life. Advanced AI, robotics, and space travel.

Ancient monarchies and empires →

Societies have laws and
Government Democracies, republics, and global
leaders to maintain order.
organizations.

Oral teaching & handwritten texts →

Knowledge is passed from
Education Digital learning, universities, and online
one generation to another.
courses.

People have always sought

Ancient herbal remedies → Modern
Medicine ways to heal and prevent
surgery, vaccines, and AI in healthcare.
disease.

Cave paintings & live performances →

Music, storytelling, and art
Entertainment Streaming, video games, and global
have always existed.
entertainment industries.

VIDEO

A.(172)

In my country, a monument similar to Trajan’s Column is the Victory Monument in Hanoi,

which honors soldiers who fought for Vietnam’s independence. Another example is the Ho
Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the leader’s body is preserved and displayed. These
structures, like Trajan’s Column, serve as lasting symbols of history and national pride.
In modern times, people are remembered in different ways. Instead of building columns, we
create statues, memorial parks, and museums to honor important figures. Streets, schools,
and even airports are often named after them. Additionally, modern technology allows
people to be remembered through documentaries, biographies, and online memorials.
These methods ensure that their contributions are not forgotten.

B(174)

1. I would most like to discover a coin because it can tell us a lot about ancient civilizations.
Coins often have images of rulers, symbols, or inscriptions that provide insight into history,
trade, and culture. They also help historians understand how economies worked in the past.

2. One device I use every day is my smartphone. It is very useful because it helps me
communicate, study, and stay organized. I use it for texting, calling, checking emails, and
even learning new things online. It also allows me to access important apps like dictionaries
and calendars, which make my daily life easier.

3. In addition to scanning objects from space, we use medical scanning (like X-rays and
MRIs) to check inside the human body, barcode scanning for shopping and inventory, and
security scanning at airports. These types of scanning help us in different ways, from
improving health to increasing safety and efficiency.

4. Some of the earliest settlements in my country were located near rivers and fertile lands,
such as the Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta. These areas were chosen because they
had plenty of water for drinking and farming, as well as good transportation routes. The rich
soil also made it easier to grow crops, which helped early communities survive and develop.

E. (175)

1. The last time I came across something unexpected was when I was cleaning my room and
found an old diary from when I was younger. I had completely forgotten about it, and
reading it made me laugh because of how different my thoughts were back then.

2. Yes, my family owns a vintage sewing machine from the 20th century. It’s a heavy, black
machine with gold decorations, and it still works! My grandmother used to make clothes
with it, and even though we don’t use it often now, we keep it because it has sentimental
value.

3. I collaborated with my friends when we were organizing a school event. We had to plan
activities, prepare decorations, and make sure everything ran smoothly. We divided the work
based on our strengths, and by helping each other, we managed to make the event
successful.

4. I once took a very long time to finish reading a book. I started it with excitement, but
after a few chapters, I got distracted by other things. Every time I wanted to continue, I felt
like I had forgotten the story, so I kept delaying it. Eventually, I forced myself to sit down and
finish it, and I was glad I did because it turned out to be a great book.

5. There was a time when I needed to fix my laptop because it was running very slowly. I
looked into different solutions, like deleting unnecessary files, updating the system, and even
resetting it. In the end, cleaning up storage and updating the software helped solve the
problem, and my laptop worked much better.

A (page 178)

Do you think working in a group is a good way to learn?

Yes, I believe working in a group can be an effective way to learn because it allows students
to share ideas and learn from each other’s strengths. When students discuss different
perspectives, they can develop a deeper understanding of the subject. Additionally, group
work helps improve teamwork and communication skills, which are important in real life.
However, group projects can sometimes be challenging, especially if some members do not
participate actively.

When you work in a group, how can you make sure that everyone contributes equally to
the tasks?

To ensure equal contribution, I think it is important to divide the tasks fairly based on each
person’s skills and strengths. At the beginning of the project, the group should have a
discussion to assign responsibilities clearly. Regular check-ins can also help track progress
and keep everyone accountable. If someone is not contributing enough, polite reminders or
encouragement can be useful. In some cases, asking for help from the teacher may also be
necessary to ensure fairness.

B.

When choosing a topic, I consider several factors and rank them based on their importance.

1. How interesting you find the subject or topic – I believe interest is the most
important factor because if I enjoy the topic, I will be more motivated to research
and study it. Learning becomes easier and more engaging when I find the subject
exciting.

2. How useful the information might be to you in the future – The second important
factor is how beneficial the topic is in the long run. If the information can help me in
my studies, career, or daily life, I am more likely to choose it over something that is
only interesting but not practical.

3. How easy it is to research or study the topic – A topic should be easy to find
information on. If a topic is too difficult to research, it might take too much time and
 effort, which can be frustrating. Having enough resources makes the learning process
smoother.

4. How much you already know about the topic – Finally, I consider how familiar I am
with the topic. If I already know a lot about it, I might prefer choosing something new
to expand my knowledge. However, if I need a high score or a fast result, picking a
topic I know well can be a good choice.

C.

If I had to choose one type of technology for archaeological research, I would be most
interested in studying LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). This technology is fascinating
because it allows researchers to map hidden structures beneath dense forests or rough
terrain. By using laser pulses to create detailed 3D maps, LiDAR has helped uncover ancient
cities and lost civilizations that were previously unknown.

One reason I find LiDAR interesting is that it can reveal archaeological sites without
damaging the environment. Unlike traditional excavation, which can be time-consuming and
destructive, LiDAR provides a non-invasive way to explore history. Additionally, this
technology has been successfully used in famous discoveries, such as the lost Mayan cities in
Central America, which makes it even more exciting to study.

While other technologies like drones and ground-penetrating radar are also useful, I think
LiDAR stands out because of its ability to scan large areas quickly and provide accurate
results. If I had the opportunity, I would love to learn more about how archaeologists use
this technology to make groundbreaking discoveries.

D.

Interviewer: In your view, what is the greatest technology that humans have developed?

Candidate: Well, I think maybe the greatest technology is, um, writing. Because before
writing, people can only remember things in their head, and it's easy to forget. But with
writing, we can keep information for a long time, and many people can learn from it. It
helped us to build knowledge over many generations, and I think without it, we wouldn't
have all the other technologies we have today. It's very fundamental, you know?

Interviewer: What is one way that technology has had a positive impact on your life?

Candidate: For me, I think the internet is very positive. I can easily connect with my family
who live far away. We can video call and see each other, which is much better than just
talking on the phone. Also, I can learn so many things online. If I'm curious about something,
I can just search for it and find a lot of information. It makes learning very accessible and
convenient.

Interviewer: What is one problem that you have experienced because of technology?
Candidate: Sometimes, I think I spend too much time on my phone. You know, scrolling
through social media. It can be a bit addictive, and I feel like I waste time that I could be
doing other things. Also, sometimes the information online is not correct, and it can be
difficult to know what is true and what is not. This can be a bit confusing.

Interviewer: What is one technology that you hope humans will develop in the future?

Candidate: I hope in the future we will have better ways to clean up the environment.
Maybe some kind of technology that can remove pollution from the air and the oceans more
effectively. This is a big problem for the world, and I think technology can play a very
important role in finding solutions and making the planet healthier for everyone.

Interviewer: Do you worry that technology could ever become too powerful to control?

Candidate: Yes, I think this is a worry for many people, including me. Especially with things
like artificial intelligence becoming more advanced. It's important that we have rules and
regulations to make sure that technology is used in a good way and doesn't become
dangerous. I think scientists and governments need to work together on this to prevent any
negative consequences in the future.

E.

1. What kind of archaeological site would you be most interested in excavating? Is there a
particular place you are interested in?

I would be most interested in excavating an ancient city, especially one that has been lost for
centuries. Discovering ruins, artifacts, and historical structures could help researchers
understand how people lived in the past. If I had the chance, I would love to explore
Pompeii, Italy. This Roman city was buried under volcanic ash after Mount Vesuvius erupted
in 79 AD, preserving buildings, streets, and even the remains of its people. Excavating such a
site would be fascinating because it provides a detailed look at daily life in ancient times.

2. Do you think humans will ever develop a way to travel back to the past or forward to
the future? Why or why not?

I think time travel is an exciting idea, but I don’t believe humans will ever develop a real way
to travel through time. One reason is that it goes against the laws of physics as we currently
understand them. Many scientists say that traveling to the past could create paradoxes, such
as the famous “grandfather paradox,” where changing the past might affect the present in
impossible ways.

However, traveling into the future might be more realistic. According to Einstein’s theory of
relativity, time moves slower for objects traveling at extremely high speeds. This means
astronauts moving close to the speed of light might experience time differently compared to
people on Earth. But even if this is possible, it would be very difficult to achieve with our
current technology.