GIẢI CHI TIẾT các đề SPEAKING RA NHIỀU THÁNG 5 đên THÁNG 9 2022 BY NGOCBACH

For example, when people have to work overtime, they can ask their neighbor to pick their children up at school without the fear of them being kidnapped 4.. relics of the past [expressio

GIẢI CHI TIẾT CÁC ĐỀ SPEAKING RA NHIỀU

QUÝ 2/2022 (THÁNG 5 ĐẾN THÁNG 9) BY NGOCBACH

Describe a neighbour you are interested in

You should say:

Who this person is

How you know this person

What this person likes to do

And explain why you think this neighbor is interesting

(Who this person is) A person who immediately pops into my head is Mr.Phil, who

lived in room 19 just right next to my family In terms of his appearance, he is a tall man with curly hair and deep blue eyes He is an ex-pilot that just moved in with his wife a couple months ago Although he is not usually around, my encounters with him were indeed very interesting

(How do you know this person? ) My neighborhood is very welcoming to new

residents Naturally, when he first moved in, I was introduced to him and his wife

through our landlord Although it was quite awkward at the beginning since I am an introvert, I then found out we have so much in common from favorite TV shows to our

obsession with brunch Just a few days later, they invited me to their house warming party

(What this person likes to do) Because he is already retired, he has a lot of time on his

hands I would usually see the old couple travel very frequently They will buy souvenirs for their neighbor and talk about their journey for hours It was fascinating to see how they are still very excited to go to new places or try new food

(And explain why you think this neighbor is interesting) Mr Phil is a very interesting man as he is a great story-teller His story from when he was still working as a pilot is

always full of wonders Although they are not in Vietnam at the moment, I still miss the time when I can interact with such great people

Vocabulary:

- Storyteller: người kể chuyện

He was the one who first set down the stories of the Celtic storytellers

- Brunch: bữa sáng muộn

he cobbled together a brunch of cold remains from the fridge

- Housewarming party: tiệc tân gia

We're having a housewarming on Friday if you'd like to come

- In terms of: khi nói về

In terms of his personality, he is a kind person

Part 3

1 Do you think people are familiar with their neighbors?

I think it depends on the regions people live in In the countryside, people usually know their neighbor as they would usually help each other on the farm However, in the city,

people are very cautious of strangers as anyone could be an easy target for burglars or robbers

2 How do children build relationships with others in a community?

In Vietnam, as neighbors are quite close to each other, children enjoy playing with their peers in the same neighborhood That is why in order to encourage children to build a relationship, parents need to be open-minded and trust people within the neighborhood

3 Is it beneficial to get along well with neighbors?

There are many benefits when we are on good terms with our neighbor Firstly, it is easier to have someone look after the children when an emergency occurs For example, when people have to work overtime, they can ask their neighbor to pick their children up

at school without the fear of them being kidnapped

4 How can big business help local neighborhood?

Businesses have a wide choice of options when it comes to helping their local

community Firms could allocate a percentage of profits or a certain amount each month

to their chosen community group or charity to provide financial support, which is less time-consuming

5 What negative impact does technology have on our community?

As technology develops, people tend to be more negative when it comes to interacting

with other people For example, as there is more and more news on home invasions,

people are becoming more cautious when talking to each other Sometimes, they think it would be best to avoid any interaction which can make them grow distant

- Burglars: kẻ đột nhập

It was brave of you to chase after the burglar

- Robber: kẻ trộm

The robbers shot a policeman before making their getaway

- Home invasion: đột nhập vào nhà bất hợp pháp

- An easy target: mục tiêu dễ dàng

Tourists are easy targets for criminals

33 Describe an important river/lake in your country

You should say:

What is this place?

Where is this place?

Why you like this place

And explain what you would like to do there

I’m going to talk about a very beautiful lake, which is referred to as a symbol of the capital city of Vietnam It’s relatively famous not only to the Vietnamese, but also to foreigners

(What and where is this place?)

I’m talking about Hoan Kiem lake, a very large lake located in the center of Hanoi, which

is known for its historic beauty There is even a legend related to the name that went down in history It was said that the King turtle living at the bottom of the lake lent the contemporary leader a very precious sword, which helped him to end up winning a

major battle The King turtle then turned up again after the victory and asked for his sword back The lake was then named “Hoan Kiem”, which stands for “returning the sword.”

(Why you like this place)

As a child, I really liked the story so I always wished to visit it someday Yet due to the

great distance, I had no chance to see it with the naked eye until I turned 18 and went to

a university nearby My first visit to Hoan Kiem lake remains an unforgettable memory

Its elegant beauty is out of this world, with a turtle tower in the middle of the lake and a

shrimp-shaped red bridge leading to an old temple To be frank, I’m strongly attracted by

historical monuments and relics of the past– they always make me feel a pang of

nostalgia upon seeing them, because they provide a link to our roots That’s why I

really love this lake

(Explain what you would like to do there)

One of the various things I’d like to do there is to wander around with my friends, let out the negative feelings in my mind, and I’d take some tasty types of street food Another

thing I strongly wish to do but which is out of the question is to climb up the tower on the lake and observe the aquatic life Maybe I could even watch the turtle of the legend

sleeping like a baby! As far as I know, the authority won’t allow that, so I really hope that

in the future, it’ll be approved so that my wish can be fulfilled

Vocabulary

Từ vựng trong chủ đề Traditional vs Modern

1 historical monument [noun]

Meaning: ancient buildings or statues that have historical importance

Example: Visits to see historical monuments are organised by tourist companies in

countries like Thailand, Cambodia and India

2 relics of the past [expression]

Meaning: old objects that have survived from the past

Example: People are still curious about seeing relics of the past, such as the Pyramids of

Egypt

3 provide a link to our roots [expression]

Meaning: to connect with previous generations

Example: Traditional skills provide a link to our roots, and they are part of our shared

heritage

Từ vựng trong chủ đề Water

1 aquatic life

Meaning: plants or animals living in or near water

Example: Unpolluted water is vital for aquatic life, such as freshwater fish, to survive Vocabulary

1 To go down in history [expression]

Meaning: to be or do something so important that it will be recorded in history: đi vào lịch sử

Example: It’s a discovery that has gone down in medical history

2 To end up doing something [phrasal verb]

Meaning: to find yourself in a place or situation that you did not intend or expect to be in

Example: I ended up doing all the work myself

3 The naked eye [expression]

Meaning: the normal power of your eye without the help of an instrument: mắt trần

Example: The planet should be visible to the naked eye

4 Out of this world [expression]

Meaning: used to emphasize how good, beautiful, etc something is

Example: The fantastic meal was out of this world

5 Nostalgia [noun]

Meaning: a feeling of sadness mixed with pleasure and affection when you think of

happy times in the past: hoài niệm

Example: She is filled with nostalgia for her own happy college days

6 Out of the question [expression]

Meaning: impossible: không thể được

Example: Another trip abroad this year is out of the question – we can’t afford it

34 Describe a quiet place you like to go to

(Tham khảo bài: Describe a place where you can read and write|)

You should say

· Where the place is

· How you know this place

· What you do there

· And explain why you think it is a good place for reading and writing

Answer

(where the place is)

I’m going to describe a coffee shop called Tranquil, where I often spend my time

engrossed in reading and writing It’s actually quite a long way from my house,

but that doesn’t put me off visiting there again and again

(how you know this place)

This coffee shop came highly recommended by one of my friends, a writer She loves cosy places which possess real character, in which she can spend hours

writing film scripts, and this is one of her favourite haunts She took me there

about three months ago, and I fell in love with it at first sight It is a romantic old

spot with wooden tables, vintage book desks, and beautiful windows, all works of traditional craftsmanship Each floor has separate areas, and I felt like I was lost

in a wonderland, with many seats specially situated to offer beautiful views

through various windows

(what you do there)

As a freelancer, I visit Tranquil frequently to read over my documents and do my online jobs Sometimes, I even come across some fascinating reading matter on

their desks, because there are a large number of books and documents donated to

this coffee shop by loyal customers and book lovers So, I broaden my literary

horizons in some unexpected directions I have also joined a literary

appreciation circle there, which meets every month to discuss books which we

have all read

I have to admit that, though I’m hard to please, I’m always satisfied when I go

there, secure in the knowledge of a pleasurable visit Not only is its design

uniquely relaxing, but Tranquil’s service is second to none You always get good,

consistently delicious food at Tranquil, whether you have lunch or just morning

coffee or afternoon tea The atmosphere is warm and homely with gentle music

and quiet people, which suits bookworms like me down to the ground

35 Describe something that surprised you and made you happy

You should say:

When it was

Who/ what surprised you

Where you were then

And explain why this surprise made you happy

(When it was) Today, I’m going to talk about my stay in JW Marriott Phu Quoc, one of the most famous holiday resorts here in Vietnam Although the stay cost a fortune, I found it good value as their service just blew me away I went there with my boyfriend

in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out

(Who/what surprised you) Upon arrival at the airport, a representative met and greeted

us The check-in process was hassle-free and took less than 5 minutes Then, one of the employees escorted us to our room in their electric car, commonly known as buggy I was literally awed by the decorations of graduation pictures after opening the door

(Where you were then) I entered the room and saw many photos of me in the

graduation gown I’d taken at school Also, there were some balloons and a small

tiramisu cake with my name and graduation wishes on it After the employee had left the room, my boyfriend admitted sending the photos to the hotel for this decoration But he said everything was free of charge

(And explain why this surprise made you happy) I was overwhelmed with joy as my

vacation was so well-prepared I didn’t know my boyfriend was such a conscientious person as he had been pretty much care free Also, kudos to the hotel for treating my graduation vacation so well!

Vocabulary

1 To cost a fortune (idiom): rất mắc

The cars on this list won't cost a fortune to insure

2 Good value (phrase): đáng đồng tiền

I thought the offer was good value

3 Escort (v): hộ tống

Security guards escorted the intruders from the building

4 To blow someone away (phrase): làm ai đó bất ngờ

Winning first prize and a full scholarship blew her away

5 To be overwhelmed with/by sth (v): choáng ngợp

They were overwhelmed with/by grief when their baby died

Part3:

1 How do people express happiness in your culture?

Naturally, people, regardless of their culture, are likely to smile and thank those making them happy I don’t think the way people express happiness varies from culture to

culture

2 Do you think happiness has any effect on people? How?

Happiness has a significant effect on people’s mental and even physical health

Satisfaction produces dopamine, which is a substance that makes people feel positive and motivated In terms of physical health, when being happy, people are likely to lead a

healthy lifestyle instead of being down in the dumps and abusing unhealthy substances,

such as drugs or alcohol

3 How can people be happy?

Doing something you enjoy is beneficial to your emotional well-being Simple things such as watching sports with a buddy, taking a bath, or meeting up with friends for

coffee can all help to brighten your day Doing something you're good at, such as

cooking or dancing, is a terrific way to have fun while also feeling accomplished Avoid doing activities that seem fun at the time but make you feel bad later, such as drinking too much alcohol or eating junk food

4 Is it good for people to be unhappy? Why?

Sometimes we are joyful (for example, when we are having fun), and other times we are sad (such as when we lose a loved one) Whatever the sentiments are, they are part of life A negative mood may even be beneficial Our society prioritizes happiness and regards misery as a waste of time However, sorrow may slow you down and cause you

to reflect about your life, your feelings, and the people around you It might help you

keep your relationships and dreams in focus

Vocabulary

1 To be down in the dumps (phrase): rất buồn

She's down in the dumps because she failed one of her exams

36 Describe a competition (e.g music, cooking, sport) you would like to take part in

You should say:

- What the competition is

- Where you can take part in it

- Who won it before

- And what you think about it

(What the competition is)

I’d like to share my dream with you, which is to win Britain’s Got Talent It’s been my ambition since I was a little boy Britain’s Got Talent is the original version of this kind

of show all over the world, and was started by one of the judges of the show named

Simon Cowell The first programme was broadcast on TV in 2007 and it’s gone viral in other countries across the globe in recent years I stumbled upon a group called

“Attraction” who performed shadow puppet theatre in 2013 and have fallen in love

with the group and the show ever since

(Where you can take part in it)

On hearing the name of the show, everyone will know where it takes place Britain’s Got

Talent is held annually in the U.K including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland However, there is no limit based on your nationality, which means that people

from any country are eligible to participate in the show, not only the British The

audition round takes place in some big cities in the UK like London, Manchester, and

Edinburgh Personally, I would like to go along to the auditions in London, ‘cause it’s

probably the most exciting venue

(Who won it before)

I have already mentioned a group called ‘Attraction’ Not many people expected

foreigners to come first in a show which consisted of more than 90% of native British

people Although Attraction were outstanding, they were not expected to actually win However, these Hungarian nationals blew the British away with their final performance

in which they staged a great act about the British Monarchy and British culture As a

result, they became champions in that year

(And what you think about it)

I really love the programme as it is one of the most prestigious and entertaining shows in

the world Also, the show is able to attract lots of people from different backgrounds and nationalities to take part I really admire Simon Cowell due to his great efforts to make the show worth watching every single year

Vocabulary:

Các từ thuộc chủ đề Technology:

1 to go viral (expression): to become very popular on the internet: phổ biến / lan rộng

Eg: Pictures of the volcano went viral just a few seconds after it erupted, and they were

seen by millions of people online

Vocabulary:

• to broadcast (verb): to send out programmes on the TV or radio: phát sóng Eg: The clash between Vietnam and Uzbekistan was broadcast all over the world

Trận đấu giữa Việt Nam và Uzbekistan được phát sóng trên toàn thế giới

• all over the world / across the globe: everywhere in the world: trên toàn thế

giới

Example: Albert Einstein is well-known all over the world / across the globe

Albert Einstein nổi tiếng trên toàn thế giới

• to stumble upon (phrasal verb): to discover something unexpectedly: vô tình gặp

cái gì đó

Eg: I have stumbled upon a good book and I just cannot put it down now

Tôi vừa mới thấy một cuốn sách hay và không thể ngừng đọc nó

• shadow puppet theatre (noun): a form of theatre using models that move, so that

we see only the shadows behind a curtain or screen: múa bóng

Eg: Attraction are a shadow puppet theatre group who always present a great show

Attraction là một nhóm múa bóng

• to take place (verb): to happen, especially after being arranged or planned: diễn

ra

Eg: The presidential election of the USA takes place every 4 years

Cứ bốn năm thì cuộc bầu cử tổng thống Mỹ diễn ra một lần

• to be eligible (expression): to be able to do or to have something, because you

have the necessary qualifications: đủ điều kiện

Eg: Those who are committed for trial or who are in prison are not eligible to vote

Những người đang bị tòa án xét xử hoặc đang bị bỏ tù không đủ điều kiện để bầu cử

• to go along to the auditions (expression): to go to a short performance at which

people are judged on their talents: tham gia vòng casting

Eg: Why don’t you go along to the auditions for the school play? You are a good actor

Tại sao bạn không tham gia casting vào đội kịch của trường? Bạn diễn rất tốt mà

• outstanding (adjective): excellent, very good: vượt trội

Eg: John is an outstanding student He receives a scholarship every month

John là một học sinh rất giỏi / vượt trội Bạn ấy nhận học bổng mỗi tháng

• national (noun): a citizen of a particular country: người có quốc tịch gì đó

Eg: Vietnamese nationals can go to other ASEAN countries without entry clearance

Người có quốc tịch Việt Nam có thể đi đến các quốc gia ASEAN mà không cần phải xin visa

• blow someone away (expression): to impress somebody a lot: làm ai đó sững sờ

vì mình làm quá xuất sắc

Eg: She blew the audience away with her outstanding voice

Cô ấy làm mọi người sững sờ với giọng hát rất hay của mình

• to stage (verb): to organise and present a play or event

Eg: The finals of the World Cup will be staged in Russia

• prestigious (adjective): respected and admired as very important or ov very high

quality: uy tín

Eg: Tan Tock Seng is a prestigious hospital in Singapore, at which the Prime Minister

and the President usually are treated

Tan Tock Seng là một bệnh viên rất có uy tín ở Singapore mà Thủ tướng và Tổng thống thường đến khám bệnh

Part 3: Competition at school

Why do you think some school teachers use competitions as class activities?

(Give a direct answer) I consider that competitions should be used in class because they will increase children’s academic performance to some extent (Example) For example,

in my class, the teacher usually holds academic competitions and also accelerates

competitiveness by putting students into different groups, and the group which has the best results in a month will receive rewards from the teacher This has increased our

performance significantly If I study on my own and there is no competitiveness among

us, I will not be encouraged to try my best

Is it a good thing to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why?

(Give a direct answer) Absolutely yes, I believe that it is beneficial to reward children who are academically strong (Explain) On the one hand, this makes sense because they

should have prizes for making great efforts to perform well On the other hand, this will

motivate these individuals as well as others to make more efforts to achieve further

rewards afterwards, which will contribute to their increased academic performance in

general (Example) In my province, those in high school getting 7.0 or over in IELTS

will be given a scholarship of up to around 400 dollars As a result, the English

proficiency of students in my province is higher than that of those in other provinces

Would you say that schools for young children have become more or less

competitive since you were that age? Why?

(Direct answer) To the best of my experience, I really think that competitiveness among young students is higher than ever (Explain) School pressure to make the grade has

become an alarming crisis here in Vietnam and the rate of suicides has never stopped

increasing in the past few years (Example) Kids now have to study all day long at school

and extra classes, and streaming in schools adds to the pressure even on young pupils

When I was young, all that came to my mind when studying was making friends,

playing games, not outcompeting my friends or seeing my friends as studying rivals

Therefore, education now is definitely more competitive

Vocabulary:

Các từ thuộc chủ đề Education:

1 to make the grade

Meaning: to successfully reach the necessary standard

Example: Nobody can succeed in their studies if they rely on luck rather than hard work

to make the grade

2 streaming in schools

Meaning: the policy of dividing pupils into groups of the same level of ability

Example: One disadvantage of streaming in schools is that children in the lower groups

have less motivation to study, because they think of themselves as failures

Vocabulary:

• academic performance (noun): how well or badly you do something in your

schoolwork: sức học

Eg: The academic performance of students in prestigious schools is higher than that of

those in normal schools

Sức học của học sinh trường chuyên cao hơn của những học sinh trong trường thường

• to accelerate (verb): to make something happen faster or earlier than expected:

tăng

Eg: The Prime Minister believes that air strikes will not accelerate tensions in Syria

Thủ tướng tin rằng những cuộc không kích sẽ không làm tăng căng thẳng ở Syria

• on my own (expression): alone, without any help: một mình

Eg: Many people hold an opinion that travelling on their own is dangerous

Nhiều người tin rằng đi du lịch một mình rất nguy hiểm

• to make sense (expression): to be a sensible thing to do: dễ hiểu / có nghĩa

Eg: Everything he said made sense so I’d definitely vote for him

Những gì ông ấy nói dễ hiểu và đáng tin, vì thế tôi sẽ bầu cho ông ấy

• to make efforts (expression): to try to do something: nỗ lực

Eg: They are making efforts to improve the quality of education

Họ đang nỗ lực để cải thiện chất lượng nền giáo dục

• proficiency (noun): the ability to do something well because of training and

practice: độ lưu loát ngôn ngữ

Eg: European countries usually top English proficiency ranking by EF

Những quốc gia Châu Âu thường đứng đầu bảng xếp hạng độ lưu loát tiếng Anh được thực hiện bởi EF

• suicide (noun): the act of killing yourself: tự tử

Eg: The rate of suicides in Japan is relatively high due to working pressure

Mức độ tự tử ở Nhật Bản khá cao bởi áp lực công việc

• to come to my mind (expression): an idea or fact which you suddenly remember:

suy nghĩ về

Eg: The idea of travelling on my own suddenly came to my mind and I made up my

mind to do it 2 months later

Tôi tự dưng nghĩ về việc đi du lịch một mình và tôi quyết định thực hiện nó 2 tháng sau

• to outcompete (verb): to do better than others, for example in sport, studies or

work

Eg: In the last Olympic Games, US basketball players outcompeted those of all the other

countries

• rival (noun): a person, company or thing that competes with another in sport,

business etc: đối thủ

Eg: China is one of the biggest rivals of the U.S.A

Trung Quốc là một trong những đối thủ lớn nhất của Hoa Kỳ

37 Describe an invention which changed the world in a good way

You should say:

What it is

What benefits it has brought

How it influences people of different ages

And explain how it changed people’s lives

(What it is) Before the Internet, no innovation accomplished more to expand and

democratise information than Johannes Gutenberg's printing press, developed in 1440 in Mainz, Germany However, he was far from the first to automate the book-printing

process Woodblock printing dates back to the 9th century in China, while Korean

bookmakers used movable metal type a century before Gutenberg Yet, most historians

feel Gutenberg's adaption was crucial in ushering in the modern era

(What benefits it has brought) The printing press not only made books available to the

lower classes, but it also contributed to the Age of Enlightenment and promoted the

dissemination of new and often divisive ideas Martin Luther, a religious reformer, used

the power of the printing press to spread his ideas and opinions, leading to one of the largest reformations in history

(How it influences people of different ages) Later on, as printing technology

developed, more advanced printing machines have been developed An enormous

number of books have been printed, which has played a crucial role in scientific

revolutions

(And explain how it changed people’s lives) The impact of the printing press on

people’s lives is enormous Without it, school children wouldn’t have a wide variety of books to read, meaning that knowledge couldn’t reach the general public and many other inventions would not have been invented So, I would say that the printing press is one

of the most important inventions in history

Vocabulary

1 To usher in sth (n): dẫn vào

These changes could usher in a period of dramatic economic growth

2 Dissemination (n): sự phổ biến kiến thức/thông tin

Anything that stands in the way of the dissemination of knowledge is a real problem

3 Later on (phrase): về sau này

Later on, we could go and have a meal if you like

Part 3:

1 What is the most helpful innovation at home?

Well, from my own personal experience, the most helpful innovation at home is light

Many people take this for granted until there is a blackout and everything is in the

dark We've become accustomed to seeing these bright lights almost everywhere we go, making our streets safer, our nights easier, and allowing us to do everything we do

during the day after the sun has set

2 What household appliances make us lazy?

Washing machines have greatly simplified our lives, cutting down a great deal of time spent on washing garments, including clothes, bedsheets However, they’re also making

us lazier Nowadays, it’s easy for students living far away from home to leave their

clothes dirty for a whole week before taking them to a launderette instead of washing

clothes manually The same can be true for dishes Lots of teenagers nowadays do not

clean up after themselves as they just put dirty dishes in the sink and wait for their

parents to wash for them

3 What kind of invention can be used at school?

The Internet of Things should be implemented at school Indeed, it has been a boon for

education With the growth of mobile technology and the Internet of Things, schools can

improve campus safety, keep track of vital resources, and increase access to

information in the learning environment Teachers can also employ this technology to develop "smart lesson plans," as opposed to the standard rigid plans of the past

4 Do you think AI will replace human teachers? Why?

Definitely no Although AI has gone a long way since its infancy, there are some

drawbacks that prevent AI from replacing human teachers For example, it may be

unable to explain uncommon answers from students Also, there are many problems at school that need to be solved, such as accidents or violence that cannot be solved by AI

So, human teachers will continue to play a crucial role in education

Vocabulary

1 Take something for granted (idiom): coi gì đó là điều hiển nhiên (không trân trọng)

It’s easy to take your parents for granted

2 Blackout (n): cúp điện

A blackout ended the game early

3 Launderette (n): dịch vụ giặt ủi

4 Clean up after someone (phrase): dọn dẹp sau khi ai đó sử dụng

I'm fed up with cleaning up after you all the time

5 Boon (n): tiện ích

Guide dogs are a great boon to the partially sighted

6 Keep track of (phrase): theo dõi

Keep track of the hours you work

38 Describe a time when you helped a child

You should say:

When it was

Why you helped him/her

How you helped him/her

And explain how you felt about it

Part3:

1 Do you often help kids? How?

2 Do you think people will do a lot of volunteering to help their neighbors?

3 Who benefit more from the volunteer services, the volunteers or the people helped? 4 What can schools do to develop students’ awareness of volunteering?

39 Describe an occasion when you lost something important

You should say:

what is it

why it is important

how did you lose it

how did you do after lost it

Answer:

(what is it)

The most important and valuable thing I have ever lost is probably my motorcycle

(why it is important)

This item was particularly important to me because it was my main means of

transportation, and my university is quite far away from my home It was also especially meaningful to me because it was the result of so much hard work and savings from my parents

(how did you lose it)

This may sound crazy, but I was a victim of a burglary Apparently, a thief broke into our parking room and took my motorcycle away

(how did you do after lost it)

After I lost my motorbike, I freaked out because I had to be extremely punctual

for school This meant that I had to wake up very early in the morning and take a bus

during off-peak travel hours before traffic ground to a halt Going to school by bus, I really broke with precedent as I had never done this before Although I was saddened

by the loss of my motorbike, this experience was not all bad; as a matter of fact, I even grew fond of taking the bus While I normally struggled with the weather, the pollution,

and the irritation of traffic congestion, on the bus I could appreciate a work of

literature and read until I arrived at school Plus, the government was raising the price of petrol, so I saved greatly! I guess every cloud has a silver lining, and you just have to make the most of it!

1 to be punctual

Meaning: to arrive at the correct time

Nghĩa: đến đúng giờ

Example: In order to attract more people to use public transport, it is essential that it is

clean, reliable, safe and punctual

2 off-peak travel

Meaning: travel at times when fewer people are using public transport

Nghĩa: di chuyển vào thời gian khi có ít người tham gia giao thông hơn

Example: Cheap fares should be introduced for off-peak travel

3 to grind to a halt

Meaning: to go slower and then stop completely

Nghĩa: đi chậm lại rồi dừng lại hoàn toàn

Example: In my city, Paris, traffic regularly grinds to a halt during the rush hour

4 to raise petrol prices

Meaning: to increase the price which people pay for petrol

Nghĩa: tăng giá nhiên liệu

Example: Raising petrol prices would not be an effective method of reducing the

amount of traffic on the roads

Từ vựng chủ đề Business

1 To make the most of something

Meaning: to make something appear as good as possible; to exploit something; to get as much out of something as is possible

Nghĩa: tạo ra cái gì một cách tốt nhất cái gì hoặc khai thác cái gì một cách triệt để

Example: They designed the advertisements to make the most of the product's features

Chủ đề Reading

2 to break with precedent

Meaning: to do something in a different way

Nghĩa: làm cái gì đó theo cách khác

Example: I believe that universities should break with precedent and admit more

women to engineering and science courses

3 to read on

Meaning: to continue reading

Nghĩa: tiếp tục việc đọc

Example: In the busy lives which many people lead today, we have become accustomed

to glance quickly at news stories and we fail to read on and discover the facts behind

the headlines

Chủ đề Arts

1 a work of art/a work of music/a work of literature

Meaning: a painting, sculpture, book, play, piece of music etc

Nghĩa: một bức họa, tác phẩm điêu khắc, cuốn sách, vở kịch, đoạn nhạc…

Example: Shakespeare’s plays are considered as one of the greatest works of literature

in the English language

Từ vựng khác:

every cloud has a silver lining (idm): Every negative situation has the potential to

result in or produce something positive or beneficial

Nghĩa: mọi tình huống tiêu cực đều có khả năng sẽ có kết quả là một thứ tích cực hoặc hữu ích

Example: I know you're upset about not getting the lead in the school play, but just keep

in mind that every cloud has a silver lining—you'll get lots of experience as the

understudy!

40 Describe a traditional product madee in your country which you like

You should say:

What the product is

When did you try this product for the first time

What it is made of

And explain how you feel about it

(What the product is) The first thing that springs to my mind when I go to Hanoi, the

capital of Vietnam, is cốm This is a seasonal dish associated with autumn and is a

popular seasonal dessert across Vietnam, especially in Red River Delta cuisine I first heard of this traditional product in a Vietnamese poem when I was in grade 8 It is

described as pearls from God because of its tastiness and beauty

(When did you try this product for the first time) I got to try cốm for the first time on

my trip to Hanoi in 2016, just one year after I had heard the poem The poet exactly described cốm, from its flavour to its texture and taste The taste is slightly sweet with a nutty flavour It can be eaten plain or with coconut shavings At first, I was afraid that cốm would fall short of my expectations as poems often exaggerated the tastiness of food But I was really overwhelmed by this traditional food

(What it is made of) Cốm, commonly known as green rice, is basically a flattened

rice dish in Vietnamese cuisine It is not dyed green, as can be done with pandan, but is immature rice kernels roasted over very low heat then pounded in a pestle and mortar until flattened It is wrapped in lotus leaves instead of plastic, which gives it an even better flavour

(And explain how you feel about it) I think this type of food is underestimated by

foreign tourists and even Vietnamese people My friends always say that the food tastes too plain I think it is because they’re used to eating food with strong flavours and

spices Cốm is pretty natural, which makes it quite special in today’s world So, I believe that it should be valued more by both Vietnamese and foreign tourists

Part 3

1 Why do traditional products attract tourists?

Strange things attract humans by nature In particular, whenever going to another

country, tourists often expect to discover the culture of that country, through their food, lifestyle, music, and traditional products Moreover, it’s easy for them to bring

traditional products home as souvenirs which help keep the good memories of their trip

Those factors make traditional products appeal to tourists

2 What different types of traditional products are produced in your country?

Tourists in Vietnam treasure tribal textiles because the ability to witness and purchase such fine, hand-stitched handiwork is a rare treat for those travelling from the West

Vietnam boasts a diverse range of ethnic groups that continue to live in the same way

they have for hundreds of years Other than that, traditional lanterns, which are flat, packable, and ready to go, will give a touch of sensuous Vietnamese elegance to any garden or bedroom and are available in a rainbow of magnificent colors and materials

3 Why do people like to buy imported products?

Again, humans are easily attracted by things which are new to them Other than that, I believe that some people think imported goods are of higher quality than domestically produced ones This is because in order for products to be accepted into a foreign

market, they need to go through many rounds of inspection This may be true in some but not all cases, however

41 Describe something you do that can help you to concentrate in work or study

You should say:

- What it is

- How it helps you

- What you think about it

(What it is)

Today I’m going to tell you about a great aid of mine in improving my concentration on study: that is instrumental music By instrumental music I mean music with a bare

melody and without any lyrics, played using acoustic instruments

(How it helps you)

I had experienced the problem of short attention span for a long time until my brother gave me a tip: listening to music while studying At first I doubted his suggestion, but so hopeless was I that I followed his advice anyway I created a playlist of instrumental music, which was neither too loud nor too boring, under the name “Various Artists” on Spotify Eventually, the solution turned out to be far more effective than I ever expected

It was and has been a workable solution up to now

To begin with, putting on headphones and listening to just one single source of sound reduces almost all other disturbing noises around Now that I can’t hear anything else other than the music, my concentration is no longer disturbed by the traffic noise, people mingling and giggling, or other mixed noises coming from elsewhere The other way this approach works is that instrumental music helps you establish a very peaceful state of mind, which is perfect for paying attention and making you ready for receiving

knowledge As it does not contain lyrics, it generally does not ask listeners to engage and understand the words, thereby not distracting them When I listen to that playlist, the melody simply releases my mind from stress and various irrelevant thoughts, just to focus

on one thing: the assignment I’m working on

After just a month of trying out this technique, my attention span has been considerably extended, and I have become more productive and gained significantly better study

results

(What you think about it)

Although it didn’t seem to be a good idea at first, the musical idea has been working so well on my studies that I would recommend it to anybody having the same problem

VOCABULARY AND STRUCTURES

- Attention span: the length of time that you can concentrate on some ideas or activities : khả năng tập trung

Social networks these days seem to stunt my children’s attention span (Mạng xã hội thời nay làm thui chột khả năng tập trung của lũ trẻ nhà tôi.)

Extend one’s attention span: kéo dài khả năng tập trung

- Aid (n): người giúp đỡ, sự giúp đỡ, phụ trợ

- Give someone a tip (on something): cho ai đó một bí kíp (để làm gì đó)

My friend gave me a tip on playing truant without being noticed (Bạn tôi chỉ tôi bí kíp trốn học mà không bị phát hiện)

- Doubt (something/someone): nghi ngờ (điều gì/ai đó)

I doubt your honesty (Tôi nghi ngờ sự thành thật của cô quá)

- So hopeless was I that I followed him anyway: Hồi đó tôi vô vọng quá rồi nên cứ làm

theo anh ấy vậy

Cấu trúc đảo ngữ của cấu trúc “So…that…”: So + adj + verb + subject + that …: Quá như thế nên…

So handsome was he that I fell in love with him at very first sight (Anh ấy đẹp mê ly luôn nên tôi đã đổ đứ đừ từ hôm đầu tiên gặp)

- Workable: khả thi = feasible

Selling all these books away is the only workable approach (Bán hết số sách này là cách duy nhất có thể thực hiện được.)

- Now that = because = as = since: bởi vì

Now that I love you so much, I can do anything you want me to do (Anh yêu em nhiều lắm, nên em muốn gì anh cũng chiều hết.)

- Mingling and giggling: trò chuyện, giao lưu và cười đùa

This is a camp for freshmen, you should mingle and giggle with your new friends as much as possible! (Đây là hội trại dành cho sinh viên năm nhất, các cậu nên làm quen nói chuyện và cười đùa với bạn bè mới quen nhiều nhất có thể!)

- Playlist: danh sách nhạc

- Instrumental music: nhạc không lời, tạo nên bởi nhạc cụ hoặc nhóm nhạc cụ

- Lyric: lời bài hát

- State of mind: trạng thái thần kinh, tâm trạng

Balanced state of mind: trạng thái thần kinh ổn định

- irrelevant thought: suy nghĩ không liên quan

- Productive (adj): hiệu quả, năng suất

Productive farming method: phương pháp canh tác năng suất

Productive working style: Phong cách làm việc hiệu quả

- Recommend something to someone: giới thiệu, đề xuất cái gì cho ai

I recommend visiting St Paul’s Cathedral when you come to Melbourne (Tôi đề xuất

là ông nên tham quan Nhà thờ St Paul’s khi ông đến Melbourne)

Part 3:

Is it important to keep concentrating on something?

- (Give a direct answer to the question) Yes, the ability to keep yourself focused

is of absolute importance (Explain your reason or reasons) A high level of

concentration is followed by high productivity and efficiency, which means not only can it bring about better results, it can help save a great deal of time and

effort as well (Give an example) For example, when I really pay attention to

doing my homework, it will only take me about 30 minutes to submit a quality

answer (Explain the opposite or negative) In contrast, if I keep getting

distracted; then procrastinate finishing it, it can take days and finally get me

nowhere

What can be done if there is too much noise around?

- (Give a direct answer to the question+ Explain) I suggest two solutions when you are distracted by a lot of noise around One way is that you can simply find another place to work, a much quieter place and stay away from those sources of disturbing sounds The other way is to try to reduce the effect or intensity of the

noise (Give an example) For instance, if your concentration is affected by the

traffic noise, you should close all doors and windows, or install soundproof

equipment

When is it the easiest to be concentrated on something?

- (Give a direct answer to the question) It depends on who we are when it is that

we find optimal for concentration (Explanation) Because according to the

differences in each person’s body functioning, people may differ in living habits

(Give an example) In everyday life I have seen some people who wake up early

in the morning because they consider this time the best part of the day to work; but also when it comes to a great many others, they find themselves most productive and focused only in the late evening

VOCABULARY AND STRUCTURE:

- be of great/absolute importance = be really important: rất quan trọng

This document is of great importance to our company (Tài liệu này tối quan trọng đối với công ty chúng ta.)

- high level of concentration: khả năng tập trung cao độ

Soundproof curtain: Rèm cách âm

- Optimal (adj): tối ưu

This is the optimal time for action (Đây là thời điểm tối ưu cho hành động.)

I need to maintain an optimal temperature for the experiment (Tôi cần phải duy trì một nhiệt độ lý tưởng nhất cho thí nghiệm này)

- Body’s functioning (n) : chức năng cơ thể

- Living habits (n): thói quen sống

- A great many = many = a lot of

- When it comes to (something/someone) = As regards to (something/someone) = Regarding (something/someone) = …: Liên quan đến (ai/cái gì), Khi nói về (ai/cái gì)

When it comes to football, I’m a big fan of Spain’s national team (Nói về bóng đá thì tôi hâm mộ đội tuyển quốc gia Tây Ban Nha)

42 Describe a time when you use your mobile phone for something

You should say:

When you use it

So, I’ll get started by talking about how I use my phone to do my schoolwork It sounds

very counterintuitive, especially when the impression that mobile phones are

distracting to students’ learning is so well-imprinted on people’s mind Of course, I

don’t personally agree with this opinion, but I do see the potential harms that they might give out when there is no self-control when using them Anyways, I actually depend