IELTS_SPEAKING 2019 _BY NGOC BACH

Sách update giải toàn bộ các câu hỏi có thể ra khi thi IELTS Speaking và cập nhật liên tục đảm bảo sát với đề thi thật nhất có thể. Xác suất trúng 95%. Ở phiên bản mới nhất, sách không chỉ update giải đề mà còn hướng dẫn bạn cách đưa ra câu trả lời sao cho đơn giản hiệu quả, dễ ăn điểm nhất. Các bài mẫu trong sách được thầy Bách viết theo phong cách đơn giản nhưng vẫn đảm bảo đủ tốt đạt 9.0 IELTS SPEAKING 2019 BY NGOC BACH

MỤC LỤC

I Part 1 7

1. Celebrity 7

2. Advertisements 9

3. Gifts 11

4. Transportation 12

5. Colors 15

6. Flowers 17

7. Bus and taxi 20

8. Computers 22

9. Noises 23

10 Home/ Accommodation 26

11. Visitors 30

12. Newspapers and magazines 32

13 Outdoor Activities 35

14. Photos 38

15. Teachers 42

16. Walking 44

17. Books 45

18. Music 48

19. Study 54

20. Work 57

21. Activities near water 60

22. Birthday 62

23. Chocolate 63

24. Hometown 65

25. Singing 67

26. Sunny days 68

27. Weekends 70

28. Art 73

29. Family 75

30. Handcrafts 78

31. Hats and bags 79

II Part 2 and Part 3 83

1 Describe a person/something that made you laugh 83

2 Describe your favorite movie 87

3 Describe a piece of equipment in your home 94

4 Describe a gift that you recently gave to others 100

5 Describe an interesting song 106

6 Describe a creative inventor or musician 112

7 Describe a special meal you have had 118

8. Describe a favorite part of your city or home that you often visit/ Describe a place where you relaxed 124

9 Describe a bicycle/motorbike/car trip that is interesting 130

10 Describe a person that you admire 137

11 Describe an interesting photo 146

12 Describe a sport that you prefer to do and is a little expensive 152

13. Describe a garden you visited and like 158

14 Describe an area of subject that you are interested in (such as physics, mathematics) 166

15. Describe someone who has a great influence on you/ Describe a person who you have met before and you want to know more about 174

16. Describe a tall building you like or dislike 182

17 Describe a wild animal 189

18 Describe a time when you were very busy 194

19 Describe a famous person in your country 200

20 Describe an outdoor activity you like to do 206

21. Describe an advertisement you have seen 215

22. Describe a website that you like to visit 223

23. Describe a small business that you would like to open, (or, start or run or own or have) if you had

the chance 228

24. Describe a time you needed to use imagination 235

25. Describe an interesting or unusual thing you do in your spare time 241

26. Describe a time you missed an important appointment for something 250

27 Describe a team project for study or entertainment 254

28 Describe a place in other countries where you would like to work 259

29 Describe a sport stadium that’s important in your city 264

30. Describe an important holiday (or festival) that is celebrated in your country 269

31. Describe an event that resulted in a positive change in your life Or Describe a positive change that you made to your life 274

32. Describe a piece of good news that you received 279

33. Describe something special that you saved money to buy 283

34. Describe a good part of your personality or character 287

35. Describe a person who you like to spend time with 292

36. Describe an item that you received and made you happy 297

37. Describe an antique or some other old thing that your family has kept for a long time 303

38. Describe a time when you made a mistake 309

39. Describe a big company that you would like to work in 314

40. Describe a useful app or computer program for a smart phone, computer or tablet that you have used 321

41. Describe a course you would like to study (or, do) 326

42. Describe a difficult decision that you made 331

43. Describe a time when you tried a new food for the first time 335

44. Describe an activity you do for your health or fitness 341

45. Describe a situation that made you a little angry 346

46. Describe an occasion when you got up very early 351

47. Describe a skill you learned when you were a child 357

48. Describe a short trip that you frequently make (or, take) but dislike 363

49. Describe a wedding that you have attended 369

50. Describesomething that you have shared with others (or another person) 375

Về cách học:

+ Các bạn có thể dựa vào bộ đề, đáp án tham khảo, giải thích từ vựng chi tiết do mình

soạn -> học lấy các ideas hay áp dụng vào chính bài nói của các bạn Mình không khuyến khích học thuộc lòng

+ Nhiều bạn hỏi học thuộc lòng có sợ bị giám khảo phát hiện và trừ điểm không? Câu trả lời:

Thứ nhất, về nguyên tắc, miễn là bài nói của bạn trôi chảy, phát âm sử dụng từ vựng chính xác, đúng ngữ cảnh -> không ai có quyền trừ điểm bạn

Thứ hai, không ai nhớ hết & thuộc làu tất cả đáp án trong bộ này cả nên chẳng bao giờ các bạn đi thi nói giống hoàn toàn nhau được Ít nhất là hơn 2 năm sách speaking của mình ra đời chưa ghi nhận trường hợp nào giám khảo phát hiện vì nói giống nhau

cả (toàn là điểm tốt báo về… hehe)

Cuối cùng, các bạn hãy biết rằng, khi các bạn đã đăng ký mua sách, nếu có bất cứ thay đổi nào trong bộ đề cả 3 part, mình sẽ luôn theo dõi và cập nhật đề thi & đáp án sớm nhất cho các bạn Các bạn không cần (và không nên) nhắn giục nhé, mình sẽ mất thêm thời gian trả lời từng bạn thôi, lại chậm cập nhật hơn

LƯU Ý CÁC BẠN CẦN CAM KẾT KHÔNG PUBLIC, SHARE SÁCH DƯỚI MỌI HÌNH THỨC

CÁC KIẾN THỨC TRONG SÁCH TỪNG CÂU, TỪNG CHỮ ĐỀU LÀ TÂM HUYẾT, CÔNG SỨC CỦA MÌNH SOẠN ĐÚC RÚT KINH NGHIỆM NHIỀU NĂM DẠY IELTS KHÔNG PHẢI TRONG MỘT SỚM, MỘT CHIỀU MÀ VIẾT ĐƯỢC

HÃY TÔN TRỌNG VÀ ỦNG HỘ SẢN PHẨM CỦA NGƯỜI VIỆT.

Một lần nữa cám ơn các bạn đã đăng ký mua sách của mình !

-Ngọc Bách-

I Part 1

1 Celebrity

1.1 Who is your favorite celebrity in Vietnam?

Well, to be honest, I adore quite a number of Vietnamese stars Regarding music, young and celebrated singers like Toc Tien and Dong Nhi are definitely my top choices whereas if it’s acting, veteran actors like Binh Minh or Manh Truong always give a really convincing performance

1.2 Do you like any foreign celebrities?

As a matter of fact, yes I’ve been an avid fan of Western contemporary pop singers for quite a time now, especially those who have excellent vocal skills like Adele,

Bruno Mars or John Legend I even created a special playlist on my phone which contains only their songs to listen to whenever I want

1.3 Would you want to be a celebrity in the future?

I’ve never given this much thought but I’d have to say that entering showbiz isn’t

really the path I’d choose Rising to stardom means losing a great deal of privacy as

well as having less time with family and friends, so I guess I’d prefer to stay as a part

of the general public

1.4 Do you think we should protect famous people's privacy?

Well, definitely It’s a human right to have your private information kept

confidential and to have freedom in whatever you want to do, without being followed

by paparazzis all the time Just because celebrities are public figures doesn’t mean their private life has to be exposed to everyone for gossip

1.5 How do celebrities influence their fans in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, as in any other countries, admirers consider celebrities a source of

inspiration as well as consolation For example, they might watch videos or read

articles about their favourite artists to cheer themselves up when they feel down

Additionally, fans can be affected in the way they behave or dress, since most of

these fans are impressionable teenagers who want to appear like their idols

VOCABULARY

ü To adore [v]: to love or admire (someone) very much

Eg: He's a good doctor All his patients adore him

ü Celebrated [adj]: known and praised by many people

Eg: He is one of today's most celebrated young writers

ü Veteran [adj]: someone who has a lot of experience in a particular activity, job, etc

Eg: He's been an event organiser for over 20 years and, as a veteran, he

is widely respected for his vast experience

ü Convincing [adj]: that makes somebody believe that something is real or true

Eg: The actor gave a convincing performance as 007 in the latest James Bond

film

ü To be an avid fan sth [expression]: to be very enthusiastic about sth

Eg: I like to play the electric guitar as I’m an avid fan of rock

ü Contemporary [adj]: modern, happening or beginning now or in recent times

Eg: ‘Vogue’ is a magazine devoted to contemporary fashions

ü Vocal skills [n]: singing skills

Eg: Having great vocal skills is the most important talent for a singer

ü To rise to stardom [expression]: to become famous

Eg: He rose to stardom in such a short time after winning a TV talent show

ü Human right [n]: The basic rights and freedoms to which all humans

are considered to be given

Eg: Everybody should be entitled to free medical care as a basic human right

ü Public figure [np]: a well-knowned and notable person

Eg: She is a famous public figure as a result of her appearances on TV

ü To be exposed to [expression]: Make (something) visible or know by uncovering it

Eg: The real truth about the war was exposed to the public through a series of

newspaper articles

ü Gossip [n]: an informal talk about other people’s private lives, that may be unkind or untrue

Eg: He had been spreading gossip about his co-workers

ü Consolation [n]: something that makes a person feel less sadness, disappointment, etc

Eg: His kind words were a consolation to me

ü To feel down [expression]: to feel blue, to feel sad

Eg: I listen to upbeat songs when I feel down

ü Impressionable [adj]: easily influenced by someone or something

Eg: Teenagers are at an impressionable age and they often copy their friends or

even their favourite celebrities

2 Advertisements

2.1 Are there many advertisements in your country?

I would say yes You can easily see a wide range of advertisements almost everywhere in my hometown For example, almost half of a newspaper is made up

of ads

2.2 Why do you think there are so many advertisements now?

I guess it’s due to their benefits First, advertising is an essential part of promotional campaigns for companies to reach their end users It helps raise the visibility of a

company's brand Second, advertisements can act as decoration on the street I find a street better-looking with advertisements

2.3 What are the various places where we see advertisements?

Today advertising gets to people through different forms of communication, from

print media to electronic ones, so you can see advertisements on websites, social networks or in the newspapers and magazines There are also ads you see outdoors

as well, for example, large banners and posters hung on the roads, on the buses or

trains

2.4 How do you feel about advertisements?

Most people may find those ways of product promotion annoying, but I’m an exception I’m quite into advertisements They’re colourful, brilliantly designed,

illustrated, photographed or typeset pieces and often have useful, informative

contents

VOCABULARY

ü Promotional campaign: [noun] A series of advertisements using various marketing tools that share the same message and ideas to promote a business or event to a target audience

Example: Promotional campaigns play a crucial role in the marketing strategy of a company

ü End users: [noun] Person or organization that actually uses a product

Example: We provide the best quality products to our end users

ü Print media: [noun] refers to paper publications circulated in the form of physical editions of newspapers, articles, journals, etc

ü Electronic media: [noun] refers to television, radio, etc

ü Informative: [adjective] giving useful information

Example: The professor’s lecture was very informative and I learned a lot

from it

3 Gifts

3.1 How often do you buy others gifts?

Not very often, I think I used to send gifts to my friends on most occasions when I was younger, but I haven’t been doing that these days

3.2 Do you like to send expensive gifts?

Well I’m still a student, so sending expensive presents is a no-no for me I prefer

giving gifts that show my love and care for that person, for example handmade ones

3.3 What kinds of gifts are popular in your country?

Birthday gifts, such as books, clothes or accessories are always popular Or teddies; when I was in secondary school and high school, we used to send each other teddies

or photo frames as birthday gifts

3.4 Why do people send gifts?

I think people send gifts to show that they care for the other party and that they

treasure the relationship between the two It can be more specific, like to express their affection, gratitude, or even to ask for forgiveness

VOCABULARY

ü To be a no-no for smb [expression] to be impossible or inadvisable for smb

e.g Meeting this weekend is a no-no for me; I’ve already got something to do

ü Handmade [adj] made by a person using their hands rather than by machines

e.g He asked me to give him a handmade scarf on his birthday

ü Accessory [n] something added to a machine or to clothing that has a useful or decorative purpose

e.g She wore a green wool suit with matching accessories

ü Treasure [v] to take great care of something because you love it or consider it valuable

e.g I always treasure those memories of my dad

ü Affection [n] a feeling of liking for a person or place

e.g She felt no affection for the child

ü Gratitude [n] the feeling of being grateful and wanting to express your thanks

e.g He smiled at them with gratitude after he had opened their present

4 Transportation

4.1 What's the most popular means of transportation in your hometown?

The most common vehicle in my hometown is the motorbike As I’ve read in a

current newspaper, most Vietnamese adults have their own motorbikes Moreover, I

can easily catch sight of motorbikes whenever I go outside

4.2 How often do you take buses?

I take buses to go to school at least twice a day as I haven’t got my own vehicle yet I also usually use buses to visit my relatives or friends’ homes

4.3 Can you compare the advantages of planes and trains?

Obviously, airplanes and trains have their own particular benefits for passengers

Regarding planes, they have been the fastest means of passenger transport invented

so far They enable people to travel all around the world in the shortest possible time

The biggest advantage of trains is their impressive safety record Accidents are rare, and so people can feel relaxed and just sit back and admire the views from their

comfortable seats

4.4 Is driving to work popular in your country?

Yes I’m pretty sure that private cars and motorbikes are the two most popular vehicles in my country Therefore, it is obvious that there are a large number of people who tend to drive to work

4.5 Do you think people will drive more in the future?

Yes, I think so There will be more drivers on the roads in the future due to the

convenience of motoring and the affordable prices of cars

4.6 Would you ride bikes to work in the future?

Yes As I’m a young person, I like to do energetic activities to help me keep fit, so I

will give priority to a job that is within cycling distance of my home

4.7 What will become the most popular means of transportation in

Vietnam?

Personally, I think the prevalence of motorbikes will continue to dominate in Vietnam due to their advantages, namely they are great for getting around quickly, they are easy to park and economical to run

4.8 Do you prefer public transportation or private transportation?

Although owning a private vehicle has various advantages, I prefer using public

transportation in order to economize as well as to help protect the environment

VOCABULARY

ü Catch sight of (expression): to see something only for a moment

Ex: I caught sight of someone with red hair, so I knew that it was you

ü Safety record (noun): details of how many accidents a company has had

Ex: With no accidents in the last 5 years, this airline has a good safety record

ü Admire (verb): to look at something and think that it is attractive/impressive

Ex: We stood for a few moments, admiring the beautiful view

ü Motoring (noun): the activity of driving a car

Ex: She’s planning a motoring holiday in France next year

ü Affordable (adjective): cheap enough for people to be able to buy

Ex: This type of car is affordable for people who have a low income

ü Give priority to (expression): deal with something first, because you think it is more important than other things

Ex: This month I must give priority to revision for the exam, so I have taken

some time off work

ü Prevalence (noun): the fact of being very common at a particular time or in a particular place

Ex: There is a worrying increase in the prevalence of smoking among young

people

ü Dominate (verb): to be the largest, highest or most obvious thing in a place

Ex: The skyline is dominated by smoking factory chimneys

ü Get around (phrasal verb): to move from place to place

Ex: Getting around in this city is hard, because there is too much traffic

ü Park (verb): to leave a vehicle that you are driving in a particular place for a period of time

Ex: I parked my car in front of the supermarket while I did my shopping

ü Economical (adjective): providing good value in relation to the amount of money spent

Ex: Buy a small car – it will be more economical to run

ü Run (verb): to own and use a car or other vehicle

Ex: On my low salary, I can’t afford to run a car

ü Economize (verb): to use less money than you normally use

Ex: In winter, don’t economize on heating – it is more important to keep

warm

5 Colors

5.1 What colors do you like?

I am an outgoing person who is usually in a buoyant mood, so I like warm colors

such as red, orange and yellow Although I have a lot of vivid-colored clothes, my favourite color is white The reason behind this is that I have a great sense of cleanliness

5.2 Do you like to wear dark or bright colors?

I prefer wearing bright colors as a way to cheer up not only myself but also people around me and remind us to look on the bright side whenever our mood is down 5.3 What's the difference between men’s and women's preference on

colors?

In my opinion, gentlemen like to wear dark colors whereas ladies often prefer vivid colors However, there is also an opposite trend due to divergent personalities, so it’s hard to generalize

5.4 Do colors affect your mood?

Yes they do have some effects on my mood Apart from the influence of warm colors

I mentioned before, cool colors including blue, green and purple give me a peaceful

feeling, while brown and black make me feel gloomy

VOCABULARY:

ü outgoing [adjective] liking to meet other people and enjoying their company

Example: She has an outgoing personality and enjoys going to parties with all

her friends

ü buoyant (sôi nổi, vui tươi) [adjective] cheerful and optimistic

Example: After receiving the message from her crush, Anna was in a buoyant mood for the whole day

ü cheer up [phrasal verb] become more cheerful/happy, make somebody happier

Example: Let’s invite him to the party – we need to cheer him up after his bad exam results

ü look on the bright side (nhìn theo hướng tích cực) [idiom] consider the positive aspects of a negative situation

Example: There are always challenges on your way to success, so just look on the bright side and do your best to overcome them

ü vivid (chói, rực rỡ) [adjective] very brightly coloured

Example: I remember on the first day at school she was wearing a vivid pink shirt

ü divergent (khác biệt, bất đồng) [adjective] Tending to be different or develop

in different directions

Example: Vietnamese is one of the most difficult languages because there are a

lot of slang phrases which have divergent interpretations

ü generalize [verb] to make a general statement about something

Example: It is difficult to generalize about current fashions, because they are

always changing

ü gloomy (u ám, tối tăm) [adjective] depressed or dark

Example: The news said the world’s economic forecast was going to be less gloomy than the previous year

6 Flowers

6.1 Do you like flowers? (Why?)

Yes, flowers give me a lot of pleasure, especially bright colored ones I love the way various types of flowers harmonize with each other in a garden or in florist shops, creating a beautiful picture Every time I admire a gorgeous bunch of flowers, I feel relaxed, and optimistic

6.2 Which/What is your favorite flower?

I’m really keen on colorful flowers and sunflowers are definitely my favorite flower due to their symbolic meaning This flower represents the flexibility to overcome obstacles, happiness and good luck

6.3 Do you think flowers are important?

Personally, I think flowers play an important role in our lives They make people feel positive, energetic and they lift our spirits Without gorgeous and colorful

flowers, the world seems to be dark and boring, and that causes people to feel,

depressed and lacking in inspiration

6.4 Are flowers important in your culture? (Give examples)

Of course, besides representing beauty, some flowers also show our Vietnamese

people’s key virtues

For instance, the Lotus was chosen to be our national flower due to its beauty and its

representation of the virtues of the Vietnamese people namely purity, and

faithfulness

6.5 Do people in your country ever use flowers for special occasions?

Yes Flowers are widely used on special occasions in my country such as birthday parties, weddings and graduation days in order to show the respect of senders to

receivers

6.6 What are the occasions when people give or receive flowers?

There is a wide range of reasons for people to send or receive flowers

One of the most popular occasions is a birthday party Colorful flowers will always

brighten up that special day Another occasion which would not be complete without flowers is graduation day, when flowers are used as congratulation gifts 6.7 In your country, do people (ever) give flowers as a gift?

Yes, they do Generally speaking, Vietnamese people tend to give flowers as a gift on some occasions like graduation day, a birthday party, international women’s day and many other celebrations

VOCABULARY

ü Bright colored flowers (noun phrase): (những bông hoa nhiều màu sắc) flowers which have bright colors such as yellow, red or orange

Ex: Bright colored flowers make our gardens cheerful and beautiful

ü Harmonize (verb): (hòa hợp) harmonize (with something) if two or more things harmonize with each other or one thing harmonizes with the other, the things go well together and produce an attractive result

Ex: The new building does not harmonize with its surroundings

ü Florist shop: a shop which sells flowers

Ex: I saw some beautiful roses in the florist shop near the bus station

ü Bunch of flowers (noun phrase): (một bó hoa) a group of cut flowers that you hold together or that someone has tied together

Ex: He was given a bunch of flowers as a graduation gift

something to be successful; showing this feeling

Ex: They are cautiously optimistic that the reforms will take place

ü Be keen on (phrasal verb): (hứng thú vào việc gì) be very interested in

something

Ex: He's mad keen on planes as he always keeps searching for information about

how to make his own airplane

Ex: The skull at the bottom of the picture is symbolic of death

Ex: Each color on the chart represents a different department

problem that has been preventing you from achieving something

Ex: The two parties managed to overcome their differences on the issue

ü Play an important role: (expression) be an important part of something

Ex: Computers play an increasingly important role in education

ü Lift our spirits (expression): make us feel happier

Ex: After the long walk, a hot shower and a tasty meal lifted our spirits

ü Depressed (adjective): very sad and without hope

Ex: When he failed his exams, he felt very depressed about his future

ü Inspiration (noun): something that makes you have new ideas or makes you feel creative

Ex: Her new novel is lacking in inspiration – she has no exciting new ideas

ü Virtues (noun): good qualities or characteristics

Ex: Patience is one of her virtues - she never gets angry when she has to wait

ü Purity (noun): the state of being morally good

Ex: The Buddha was famous as an example of spiritual purity

ü Brighten up (phrasal verb): make something become more pleasant and

enjoyable

Ex: Your invitation to the party really brightened up my day

ü Congratulation (noun): the act of telling somebody that you are happy about their good luck or success

Ex: After I graduated from university, I received a new laptop as a congratulation gift from my parents

7 Bus and taxi

7.1 How often do you take the bus?

Well, since I’m still a student and buying a private motorbike remains unaffordable for me, I have to take the bus to go to my university on a daily basis Though I don’t

really enjoy buses, I have no other choice

7.2 When was the first time you took a taxi?

It was 10 years ago when I took a taxi for the very first time The 10 – year –old me, together with my 8-year-old brother, took a taxi to travel around the city on our own

It was one of my fondest memories, though we frightened our parents to death 7.3 What are the advantages of taking a taxi compared with buses?

Taxi companies today provide their customers with 24/7 service and can be tailored

to your need So hiring a taxi is more flexible and can save us a great deal of time and energy, compared with taking the bus For example, if you opt for taking a bus, you’ll have to deal with everyday hassles like walking to the destination and waiting for the

vehicle

7.4 Is it convenient to take the bus/taxi in your city?

To be honest, a large number of citizens in Ha noi prefer using their private vehicles

to travel due to the inconvenience of taking buses Ha noi buses often arrive late and are overcrowded

VOCABULARY

ü Unaffordable (quá khả năng chi trả) [adj] too expensive for people to be able

to buy or pay for

Example: For many people, this type of treatment is unaffordable

ü On a daily basis (hàng ngày) [adv] everyday

Example: Though we fall short of our ideals on a daily basis, Americans are committed to the principle of the level playing field

ü Fond (tình cảm, hạnh phúc) [adj] Happy and loving

Example: We said a fond farewell to each other and promised to write

ü Frighten someone to death (làm ai sợ chết khiếp) [expression] to make someone feel extremely fear

Example: I was frightened to death by the anger in his voice

ü Opt for (chọn cái gì) [verb] To choose something, especially over some other option

Example: I opted for a king-sized bed when I made my hotel reservation

ü Hassle (Sự rắc rối) [noun] (a situation causing) difficulty or trouble

Example: It was such a hassle trying to get my bank account changed that I nearly gave up

ü Customize (chiều theo yêu cầu của khách) [verb] to make or change something according to the buyer's or user's needs

Example: The company specializes in customized computer systems

8 Computers

8.1 How often do you use computer ?

Very often, I guess Because right now I’m a university student and I wouldn’t be able to finish my school projects without a computer

8.2 What kinds of computers are popular in Vietnam?

I think Dell is ahead of the game in the computer market, but HP, Lenovo and

especially ASUS have also become really popular recently

8.3 What do you usually use your computer for?

For entertainment and education purposes most of the time Like when I have to finish an essay for Macroeconomics, when we have group work or but also when I want to watch a movie on the Internet

8.4 Who taught you how to use a computer?

My brother and dad My dad bought a PC back in 2009, I think, and he taught me and

my brother how to use it first but I’ve learnt most computer tricks from my brother

8.5 Do you think computers have changed your life a lot?

Yes I first loved it because of the games but now I can’t live a day without it It has made my life much more convenient and interesting, not to mention the fact that my

study and my part-time job now require a lot of computer use

VOCABULARY

ü Ahead of the game (vượt trên đối thủ/người cùng địa vị trong cùng một lĩnh

vực) [expression] ahead of one’s competitors or peers in the same sphere of

activity

e.g This investment is needed if we are to stay ahead of the game

ü Trick (mánh lới, thủ thuật) [noun] a skilful act; a clever or particular way of doing something

e.g With a few cunning camera tricks and makeup, he literally becomes a paralyzed

man, both of body and of heart

ü Require (đòi hỏi) [verb] need for a particular purpose

e.g Being a teacher requires a high level of patience

9 Noises

9.1 Do you mind noises?

To be honest, I really can’t stand being in noisy places, especially when I have work

to focus on Then, I wouldn’t be able to put my mind into what I’m doing, which would undoubtedly reduce my productivity

9.2 What types of noise do you come across in your daily life?

Actually, there are a variety of noises a person may come across on a daily basis The first type is traffic noise such as the engine sounds/ noise or honks, which can get worse during traffic jams The second is noise coming from factories, construction sites or maybe stores where there are lots of machines in use

9.3 Are there any sounds that you like?

Well, as a matter of fact, I don’t mind nature sounds, I enjoy them actually I love to

surround myself with nature, listening to the chirping birds or blowing winds It has

a great calming effect and is an excellent way to unwind I’m also keen on listening

to the sounds of musical instruments, especially pianos or violins

9.4 Where can you hear loud noise?

There are many places in the cities where you can hear loud noises Construction sites are one of them as they are filled with large machines Another place is on busy

roads where there are a lot of vehicles or in stations where many people chatter and

announcements are played again and again

9.5 Do you think there's too much noise in modern society?

Actually, I do agree that the level of noise is increasing overtime and most of it is caused by human activity Industrial activities such as factory operations has contributed greatly to the rising level of noise pollution Together with this are noises coming from traffic, concerts or stores that play loud music to attract consumers

9.6 Are cities becoming noisier?

To be honest, I think it depends on the development of each city Those that are

undergoing industrialisation or modernisation are definitely getting noisier while

those which are not or have already undergone this process might be unaffected

VOCABULARY

ü Cannot stand V-ing (không thể chịu đựng nổi việc gì) [expression]: unable

to tolerate something

Example: Mary can’t stand being distracted while studying

ü To put one’s mind into sth (chú tâm vào việc gì) [expression]: to focus on something

Example: I need to put my mind into the project or else I might fail

ü Productivity (hiệu suất, năng suất) [noun]: efficiency in doing something Example: The factory needs to increase its productivity

ü On a daily basis (thường xuyên, hàng ngày) [expression]: everyday

Example: I go to the gym on a daily basis

ü To surround oneself with sth (bao quanh ai đó với cái gì) [expression]: to be surrounded by something

Example: She often feels lonely so she wants to surround herself wih people

ü Unwind (thư giãn) [verb]: relax

Example: I’m going on a vacationto unwind

ü Chatter (nói huyên thuyên) [verb]: to talk in a quick or casual way

Example: Children chattered in the middle of the playground

ü To have calming effects (có tác dụng thư giãn, ổn định tâm lý) [expression]: have the ability to calm someone down

Example: Classical music has great calming effects

ü Consumer (người mua hàng) [noun]: buyer

Example: Many consumers are still not comfortable making purchases on the Internet

ü Industrialisaton (sự công nghiệp hóa) [noun]: to build and operate factories and businesses in a city, region, country, etc

Example: Some developing countries are still undergoing industrialisation

10 Home/ Accommodation

10.1 What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?

I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bed rooms, two

bathrooms and a lovely back garden It’s not really a spacious house, but it’s just

right for me and my family

10.2 Who do you live with?

I live with my parents and my siblings We always get on well with each other and

have a lot of fun

10.3 How long have you lived there?

I’ve lived there since I was a child, until I graduated from high school and moved to the city to enroll at university, where I lived in a student dormitory during the semester

10.4 (If you answer you haven't lived there long) What’s the difference

between where you are living now and where you have lived in the past?

Living in a dorm with other roommates is totally different from living in my own house

My current residential area is quite small and it’s very noisy because there are a lot

of people there and I don’t have my own space Conversely, when I was living at home, I had my own spacious room and it made me feel comfortable

10.5 Do you plan to live there for a long time?

To be honest, I intend to buy an apartment in an urban area after I graduate from university I can decorate and design my ideal home with whatever facilities I want 10.6 Which room does your family spend most of the time in?

It’s definitely the kitchen Not only lunch or dinner time but all our family reunions

take place in the kitchen where all the family members get together to eat tasty meals, and chat to each other – it’s a really harmonious atmosphere

10.7 Are the transport facilities to your home very good?

To be honest, most of the transport facilities to my place are not very modern The

bus service from my work place to home is irregular and usually overcrowded 10.8 Do you prefer living in a house or a flat?

I prefer living in a house to a flat because I value my privacy and need my own space Owning an independent house, I can plan and design a house layout to suit myself Moreover, I can modify a house according to the size of the family

10.9 Please describe the room you live in

My current room is actually more like a bedsit It is a multi – purpose room, I use it

to sleep and study as well It is painted in pink, that’s my favorite color with a bed, a cupboard and desk It’s not really spacious but it’s just right for me

10.10 What part of your home do you like the most ?

I prefer my bedroom most due to its convenience and privacy Because of my

stressful work I want to be in a quiet place and concentrate on my work In my own

room, I’m never disturbed by anyone else

Moreover, in my own space I can do whatever I want without bothering others

VOCABULARY

ü Terraced house (noun): (ngôi nhà trong dãy nhà cùng kiểu) a house

connected on both sides by other properties

Ex: In England, most people seem to live in terraced houses with lovely back

gardens

ü Back garden (noun phrase): (vườn ở phía sau nhà) a garden at the rear of the house

Ex: I live in a terraced house that has a living room, a kitchen, three bed

rooms, two bathrooms and a lovely back garden

of space for people to move around in

Ex: The hotel rooms are spacious and comfortable

ü Sibling(s) (noun): (anh/ chị em) a brother or sister

Ex: The younger children were badly treated by older siblings

ü Get on well with sb (phrasal verb): (hòa hợp với ai đó) to have a friendly

relationship with somebody

Ex: She and her sister have never really got on well with each other

ü Dormitory (noun): (kí túc xá) a room for several people to sleep in, especially

in a school or other institution

Ex: I’ve lived there since I was a child, until I graduated high school and moved to the city to enroll in university where I lived in a dormitory

ü Residential area (noun): (nơi ở) (of an area of a town) suitable for living in; consisting of houses rather than factories or offices

Ex: It was not safe to locate the chemicals factory in a residential area

ü Urban area (noun): (vùng thành thị) connected with a town or city

Ex: Pollution has reached disturbingly high levels in some urban areas

ü Reunion (noun): (tụ họp, xum họp) a social occasion or party attended by a group of people who have not seen each other for a long time

Ex: The College has an annual reunion for former students

ü Harmonious (adjective): (ấm cúng, yên bình) friendly, peaceful and without any disagreement

Ex: It is important to have harmonious relations between the

country's ethnic groups

ü Irregular (adjective): not happening at the arranged time intervals

Ex: His irregular attendance at school resulted in his failure in the final

exams

ü Overcrowded (adjective): with too many people or things in it

Ex: The train was so overcrowded this evening that I was unable to find an

empty seat

ü Privacy (noun): being alone and not disturbed by other people

Ex: I read the letter in the privacy of my own room

ü Suit oneself (verb): to do exactly what you like/want

Ex: Everyone had a different opinion about what colour to paint my room, so

in the end I decided to just suit myself

ü Modify (verb): (sửa đổi, thay đổi) to change something slightly, especially in order to make it more suitable for a particular purpose

Ex: We found it cheaper to modify the existing equipment rather than buy

new

ü Bedsit (noun): (phòng vừa để ngủ vừa để học, tiếp khách) a room that a person rents and uses for both living and sleeping in

Ex: He lives in a tiny student bedsit used for both sleeping and studying

ü Multi-purpose (adjective): (đa chức năng) having many different uses

Ex: This room is multi-purpose – we use it for meetings, interviews and

taking breaks

11 Visitors

11.1 Do you often invite friends to visit your home?

Yes, I usually invite my friends to get together with me at my home, maybe once a week We normally spend the whole day cooking and watching movies together

11.2 Do you like visitors coming to your home?

Well, I’m really into inviting others to my house… especially my friends This is

mainly because of the relaxed atmosphere at home, so we can talk freely My parents are also pleased to welcome them and always prepare some delicious food for us

11.3 When do visitors come to your home?

Actually, it depends when everyone is free Normally, they come to my home at the weekends as it’s the time when we all finish an arduous week and want to relax and chill out However, on some special occassions, such as birthdays, holidays, or simply when I successfully try out a new recipe, I love to invite my friends to come

and try my food

11.4 Do you prefer to have friends visit you, or relatives?

Well, it’s hard to say, but I think that I invite my friends to my home more often than

my relatives, whereas I tend to go out to my relatives’ houses more regularly… I don’t know why… for no special reason

11.5 What do you usually do together with your visitors?

Honestly, one thing that we always do is to enjoy dinner or lunch together I’m pretty

keen on trying out new recipes, and for me, the time preparing food is the most enjoyable part of the day that my visitors and I can share, it’s like a kind of teamwork After finishing the meal, we may watch our favourite movies or sing karaoke at home

11.6 When someone visits you, how do you usually show hospitality (or, entertain them)?

Well, most of the time, I’d ask them to enjoy my favourite kinds of tea and sweets

I’m passionate about baking and making tea, so I always want other people to eat

and drink what I’ve made and I then ask them to tell me what they think about it Luckily, all of them enjoy it… and that’s the way I welcome people who come to my home

Ex: He’s into surfing in a big way – he goes to the beach every weekend

ü Free (adjective): available to do something

Ex: Let’s get together for lunch on Sunday, if you are free

ü Arduous (adjective): Vất vả, khó khăn involving a lot of effort and energy, especially over a period of time

Ex: Studying for the exam is certainly arduous, and I still have 3 more

months before the exam date

ü Chill out (phrasal verb): to spend time relaxing

Ex: After work, I sometimes like to just sit on the sofa and chill out by

listening to some music

ü Try out (phrasal verb): Thử to test something/somebody to see how good or effective it is

Ex: They're trying out a new presenter for the show

ü Recipe (noun): Công thức nấu ăn a set of instructions that tells you how to cook something and the ingredients you need for it

Ex: There are a lot of tasty recipes in this book – would you like to borrow it?

ü Keen on (expression): Rất thích liking sth/somebody very much; very interested in something

Ex: He’s mad keen on planes – he has a huge collection of photos of aircraft

ü Passionate (adjective): Đam mê having or showing strong feelings of enthusiasm for something or belief in something

Ex: She has a passionate interest in music, so we often go to concerts together

12 Newspapers and magazines

12.1 Do you often read newspapers?

Yes, I read the newspaper everyday to keep up to date with the latest news and see what the hottest topic of the day is I’ve been in the habit of doing this for a long

time

12.2 Do you prefer to read local news or international news?

Well, I suppose that I have an inclination towards international news, especially

news about relationships among countries around the world This is probably because

I’m quite fond of diplomatic issues and want to keep track of what’s happening

outside my country

12.3 Which is more popular where you live, newspapers or magazines?

Well, I think that people read newspapers more often than magazines, normally

because newspapers provide information that is relatively easy to understand for almost everyone On the other hand, magazines contain longer articles and

specifically focus on a particular topic which may be quite difficult or unfamiliar to

some readers

12.4 Do many people today read newspapers?

I guess… yes, maybe Because every morning when I go to my office, I can see many

people reading the daily newspapers at pavement cafés However, I think nowadays people are tending to gradually change their habits and accessing the latest news

online

12.5 In the future, do you think more people than today will read

magazines, or fewer people?

I’m not really sure about this, but I suppose that there will be fewer people reading magazines in the future It’s probably because nowadays there are various sources of information, so people can search if they want to find knowledge of any field,

especially on the Internet… it’s easier and cheaper Maybe in the future perhaps

specialists will be the only ones who read the magazines which relate to their own

particular fields

12.6 Do you think newspapers will be very important to you in the future?

Well, honestly, I haven’t ever thought about that before, but I love my routine of reading newspapers while drinking coffee every morning, it’s completely relaxing …

so I’ll try to keep reading newspapers as a regular habit as long as possible

VOCABULARY

ü Keep up to date (expression): Cập nhật to provide the latest information to

someone or for something

Ex: I keep up to date with world events by watching the news on CNN

ü Be in the habit of (expression): to do something regularly and almost without needing to think about it

Ex: My grandfather is in the habit of taking a walk in the park every morning

ü Inclination (noun): Xu hướng a feeling that makes you want to do something

Ex: Her inclination has always been to live and work in Australia

ü Diplomatic (adjective): Ngoại giao connected with managing relations between countries

Ex: Attempts are being made to settle the dispute by diplomatic means in

order to avoid a war

ü Keep track of (expression): Theo dõi to be informed about what is happening or where somebody/something is

Ex: Bank statements help you keep track of where your money is going

ü Unfamiliar (adjective): Không quen, lạ that you do not know or recognize Ex: Although I knew some people at the party, there were also some

unfamiliar faces among the guests

ü Pavement (noun): Vỉa hè a part at the side of the road for people to walk on

Ex: In summer, the restaurant puts a few tables and chairs outside on the

pavement

ü Tend to do something (expression): Có xu hướng làm gì đó to be likely to

do something or to happen in a particular way because this is what often or usually happens

Ex: When I'm tired, I tend to make mistakes

ü Access (verb): to enter or use something, such as a computer file

Ex: If you want to access information about the exam, there is a new website

that I can recommend

ü Specialist (noun): Chuyên gia a person who is an expert in a particular area

of work or study

Ex: He is a specialist in Japanese history

13 Outdoor Activities

13.1 Do you like outdoor activities?

Definitely! I think outdoor activities do wonders for our mental and physical health

So, I often spend my leisure time playing sports or taking a walk around the park

13.2 What outdoor activities do you (most) like to do?

Well, I enjoy lots of activities like hiking, camping or skateboarding, but I’m

particularly keen on cycling, especially in the open countryside It’s fun, relaxing

and easy to do, you know More than that, biking helps me get energized and ward off feelings of exhaustion

13.3 What outdoor sports do you like? (Why?)

I’m really into playing badminton It’s quite popular in my country so I can play it with my friends, my family members or my next-door neighbor and strengthen the

bond with them Moreover, badminton develops my quick reflexes as well, so I do

think it’s a fantastic sport

13.4 How much time do you spend outdoors every week?

On average, I guess that I do some outdoors activity 2 or 3 times a week I normally spend at least one morning per week cycling, and take part in some sports or other outdoor activities when I’m free It’s not so frequent, I know, which is due to my

busy schedule, but I always try to arrange as much time as possible for some outdoor

exercise

13.5 Do Vietnamese people go out a lot?

It’s kind of hard to say, but people around me tend to spend more time indoors

They’re living a fast-paced lifestyle with most of their time devoted to working,

commuting and connecting on social media, so, doing things outdoors doesn’t seem

to be a regular or important part of their calendar

13.6 What (types of) outdoor activities are popular in your country?

Well, probably jogging and yoga I’m not sure about this but in my country, you can

easily catch sight of groups of people from all walks of life jogging or doing yoga in

the parks every morning or in the evening So, these may be the most popular outdoor activities, I guess

13.7 How and where do people in your country usually socialize?

People in my country nowadays tend to socialize at work or at school Besides,

people of my age often meet up and chat in coffee shops or restaurants which are popular and often beautifully designed, while the older usually get together in the parks or gather at someone’s home to cook and have a chat

VOCABULARY

ü Do wonders (for sb/sth) có lợi cho [expression] have a beneficial effect

Example: Fresh air and excercise do wonders for your health

ü Be keen on (expression): Rất thích liking sth/somebody very much; be very

interested in something

Ex: He’s mad keen on planes – he has a huge collection of photos of aircraft

ü The open countryside (expression): far from cities or many houses or other buildings

Ex: I love to walk in the open countryside, through the fields and over the

mountains

ü Energized (adjective): cảm thấy tràn đầy năng lượng feel full of energy or enthusiasm

Example: Doing some morning yoga is a natural way to get more energized

ü ward off (phrasal verb) né, tránh to protect yourself against danger or illness

Example: She often carries a bit of fresh ginger to ward off headache

ü Be into something (expression): Thích thú to be interested in something in an active way

Ex: He’s into surfing in a big way – he goes to the beach every weekend

ü Strengthen the bond (expression): to make a connection stronger between people or things

Ex: The peace treaty strengthened the bond of friendship between the

governments of the two countries

ü reflex (noun): phản xạ a person’s ability to respond to new or changing stimuli

Example: A sportsperson must have quick reflexes, especially in sports such as

tennis or football

ü Schedule (noun): a plan of all the things that you have to do

Ex: My schedule today includes lunch with the company director and a

meeting with a client in the afternoon

ü Fast-paced (adjective): nhịp độ nhanh happening very quickly

Example: It’s a myth that all older people struggle with the fast-paced

evolution of technology

ü Catch sight of (expression): bắt gặp, nhìn thấy see something for only a moment

Example: I caught sight of someone with red hair and I knew it was you

ü Socialize (verb): to meet and spend time with people in a friendly way, in order to enjoy yourself

Ex: At university, I enjoyed socializing with other students

14 Photos

14.1 Do you like to take photographs? (Why?)

Yes, I do Absolutely! I think photography is great because it helps us to document

our life to keep our memories from fading And, the process of taking a photo is also enthralling and fun

14.2 Do you prefer to take photos yourself or to have other people take

photos? (Why?)

Normally I’d like to take photos by myself, so that the memories captured are from

my perspective, and are what I really want to remember But I guess I’ll need a

professional for high-quality pictures when it comes to significant moments in life