1.

Describe something you own that you want to replace

You should say:

● What it is

● Where it is

● How you got it

And explain why you want to replace it.

Answer:

The item that I really want to replace is my laptop. I keep it in my bedroom, and I use it for

studying, browsing the internet, and watching movies. My dad gave it to me as a gift two

years ago after I passed the national entrance examination. It was a reward for my hard work

and to help me with my studies.

At first, the laptop worked perfectly and did everything I needed it to do. But over time, it’s

become really slow and often lags, especially when I try to run multiple applications at once.

This makes it hard to finish my school assignments efficiently. Plus, it overheats quickly,

even when I’m just browsing the web or streaming videos, which makes it uncomfortable to

use for long periods.

The main reason I want to replace this laptop is its poor performance. Its sluggish speed and

frequent overheating are really frustrating and they hinder my productivity. I end up spending

more time waiting for programs to load and dealing with unexpected shutdowns than actually

working on my tasks. This has become a big inconvenience, especially as my academic

workload has increased.

So, the current condition of the laptop is far from ideal for my needs. Getting a more

innovative and efficient model would really improve my ability to study and complete

assignments. And of course, my daily tasks will be much easier and less stressful.

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Part 3:
• What are other things that you want to replace?

• What kinds of things do young people like to replace?

• Do old people in Vietnam like to collect and store things?

• Who do you think will want new things, children or old people?

• What's the difference between new things and old things?

2. Describe a thing you cannot live without except cell phone or computer

You should say:

• What it is

• Why you can’t manage without it

• How long you have had it for

And explain how you felt when you were without it.

Answer:

Apart from my computer and cell phone, I cannot live without my wallet. It holds my cash,

credit cards and identification cards and whenever I need them in a certain situation, I can just

get my wallet out and pull them out to use. The wallet I have right now is black with two

separate pockets for cash, three slots for my credit and ID cards and a pouch for coins. I’ve

had it for nearly seven years and it’s not showing its age at all. In short, it is a nifty item with

a simple look and functional design.

I cannot live without my wallet because if I don’t have it with me, then I would be stuck as to

what I can do when I’m out in the city. I can’t buy anything, I can’t go into bars and nightclubs

without verifying my age and I can’t keep my receipts. Therefore, whenever I’m about to go

out somewhere, I would always remember to bring my wallet in case I need my money or

cards to do something. I would feel lost if I didn’t carry it with me.

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Part 3:

• Why do you think teenagers always want to have the latest devices such as the
iPhone?

• Why do they often buy a new one even though they already have one?

• What do they do with the old one after buying a new one?

• How hard is it for parents to convince their children not to buy an expensive phone?

3. Describe an impressive work of art you saw

You should say:

• Where did you first see the artist

• What the painting is about

• Who the painter is

And explain why you enjoy it.

Answer:

To be honest, I’m not an art aficionado in any way so I rarely make a point of heading out to

exhibitions or museums, you know. So, I don’t know all that much about paintings. But today

I’m gonna tell you about a time I came across a piece of art online that left a huge impression

on me. It was a painting by a female artist who has really distinctive, unruly red hair. I don’t

remember her name because I’m lousy with names but I do remember the work. I saw her

video several months ago killing time on Facebook. In the video, she replicates the same oil

painting in 3 different time spans, 1 hour, 10 hours, and 100 hours. That’s the concept.

The painting is called "The Swordsman''. It depicts a soldier kneeling next to an enormous

old tree and behind him are hundreds of swords sticking out of the ground. The way I see it,

it’s about the aftermath of war and the consequences: one man lives but his comrades have

all fallen. She had to create this painting within those 3 different time durations. And the more

time she had, the more complicated the painting got. In particular, the tree bark patterns on

the tree got more shading and sophistication. Also, the layering of colors became more

complex gradually and it brought out a new depth, a greater sense of weight and space. I

admire this artwork not only for the visual impact but also for the creativity of the painter as

49
she invented a completely new approach to painting which transcends traditional art spaces

and reaches global audiences through the internet. That might be a bit much but it was a cool

video.

Part 3:

• What are the differences between painting and drawing?

• Why do some people keep a painting for a long time?

• How does building style affect people’s lives?

• What is the meaning of what they draw? What do they often draw?

• How do young people share art?

4. Describe a special cake you received from others

You should say:

• When it happened

• Where it happened

• Who you got the cake from

And explain why it’s a special cake.

Answer:

Whenever a person receives a cake, it is usually for a rather special occasion. It can be

anything from a birthday or a wedding anniversary to a celebration of a particular milestone

in work or life. In my case, the cake I got was for my birthday last year and it was offered to

me by my colleagues at work.

On my birthday last year, I got a cake from my colleagues in the high-rise office I was working

at. It was a vanilla-flavored ice cream cake covered in chocolate and on the top it said ‘Happy

Birthday’, which was nice. However, the cake was rather small as it was only enough for 8

people so not everyone was able to have a piece. Nevertheless, my colleagues and I were all

there to celebrate, especially since it was after work. As for why it was a special cake, it turned

out that ever since I told them when my birthday was, they’ve been planning it for a while
and all of them decided to get me an ice-cream cake since I randomly told them one time that

50

it was my favorite kind of cake. Thus, it not only showed that my colleagues at work cared

about me but they also had good taste in cakes as it was very delicious and we all managed to

finish it with no pieces left.

Part 3:

• What are the differences between the special food in Vietnam and foreign countries?

• Do people usually cook special food in Vietnam?

• Should special food be easily available?

5. Describe the most expensive item you have ever bought

You should say:

• When and where you bought it

• What it was

• What you used it for

And explain how you liked it.

Answer:

Well, the most expensive item I’ve ever bought is my scooter, which I purchased about three

years ago. In Vietnam, scooters are essential for daily transportation and most people use

them in their daily lives, and for me, I needed one that was reliable and durable.

After doing some research, I decided to invest in a high-quality Honda model, which cost

quite a bit, around 40 million dongs. I bought it from a dealership in Ho Chi Minh City in

District 1, and at the time, it felt like a huge financial commitment to me.

I use the scooter almost every day, whether it’s commuting to work, running errands, or

taking short trips outside the city. What I love about it is how fuel-efficient and comfortable

it is, especially for long rides. To tell you the truth, I was hesitant about spending so much
money at first, but in hindsight, it was definitely worth it. The motorbike has served me well,

and I’ve had very few issues with it so far.

51

Purchasing the motorbike gave me a sense of independence and freedom. I no longer had to

rely on public transport or others to get around. Although it was expensive, I consider it one

of the best investments I’ve ever made, and it’s something that I use daily. I’m quite satisfied

with it at the moment to be honest.

Part 3:

• Do people spend too much time shopping these days? Why?

• What kind of expensive things do people like to buy?

• Do you think expensive things are worth their prices?

• Do you think women enjoy buying expensive things more than men?

• What is the difference between men and women in buying things?

6. Describe a photo that makes you feel happy

You should say:

• What the photo looks like

• When and where you took this photo

• How often you look at the photo

And explain why it makes you feel happy.

Answer:

The photo that never fails to make me smile is from way back - my high school graduation

ceremony. It's a snapshot that brings back a flood of happy memories. In the photo, I'm all

dressed up in the iconic graduation gown, complete with a funny-looking, square cap.

Standing alongside me is my closest friend, and we both have these huge grins on our faces.

We're holding our diplomas like they're the most precious things in the world - which they
were at the time. In the background, a bunch of our fellow graduates share in the jubilation,

creating a festive feel for the photo.

This photo was taken a few years ago, on a sunny June morning, right in the school courtyard,

a place where we’d had so many great times. The atmosphere that day was electric, and

everyone was buzzing as we prepared to step up on stage, get our diplomas and embark on a

52

new chapter of life. I don't look at this photo all that regularly, but I've got it a special place

in an album of important moments from my life. It's one of those pictures that I revisit to feel

nostalgic or when I need a reminder of what determination and hard work can achieve. It

gives me a pick-me-up.

This photo means the world to me because it marks a huge milestone in my life. It's a reminder

of all those late-night study sessions, cramming until nearly dawn, the challenges we faced,

and the incredible sense of accomplishment we felt that day. But more than anything, it's a

symbol of the bonds of friendship that got us through high school life together. My best friend

and I were like partners in crime, and this photo captures that sense of camaraderie perfectly.

It's visual proof that hard work pays off, and it fills me with a profound sense of pride and

happiness every time I take it out to look at it.

Part 3:

• Are professional photographers important in your country?

• Do you think people take more photos now than in the past?

• Is equipment important to photography?

• Do you think being a professional videographer is a good job?

• Why do some people like to post their photos on social media?

7. Describe an invention which changed the world in a good way

You should say:

• What benefits it has brought

• How it influences people of different ages

And explain how it changed people’s lives.

Answer:

One invention that has changed the world for the better is the car. It was first invented and

patented by Carl Benz in the late 1800s. The benefits that the invention of the car have brought

53

are numerous. One of them is travel time has been reduced by a large margin. Since cars go

at a faster average speed than something like a horse carriage, they take less time to travel to

a particular place on the road. Another benefit is that the journey is generally more

comfortable. Cars are built with tough suspension that can absorb bumps on the road, which

will not be felt by the driver and passengers, thus making the drive more pleasurable.

I like to think that the car positively influenced people of all ages (barring children of course).

Firstly, it has allowed people to travel more pleasantly on the road. In the past, people had to

travel by either foot or horse carriage, neither of which are known for being cozy modes of

transport. But when the car came along, drivers and passengers were allowed to just sit and

relax and let the car glide smoothly on the road to their intended destination. Secondly, the

car has changed people’s lives by allowing them to travel greater distances without stopping

than they did in the past. Cars can drive further than most other road-based transport since

they have more vast reserves of power in the engines and their fuel capacity is larger as well.

Part 3:

• Can you name any other inventions that have made a big impact on human society?

• What do you think makes an invention "useful"?

• What new invention(s) would you like to be available in the future?

• Do you think these inventions tend to make people lazy?

• What are some examples of electronic or electrical equipment that are used in

schools (in classrooms)?

8. Describe a gift you have received that was important to you

You should say:

• Who gave it to you and for what occasion

• What it looks like

• How you use it

And explain why it is important to you.

54

Answer:

I’d like to talk about a gift that holds a special place in my heart. It was given to me by my

best friend during my second year at university, on the occasion of my 20th birthday.

The gift is a French-Vietnamese dictionary. It’s quite a remarkable book, with an eye-catching

cover that draws you in. The dictionary contains around 300,000 words, and the print is crisp

and clear. What I love most is that it provides definitions in French, followed by Vietnamese

translations, which include part of speech and phonetic transcriptions. Additionally, each

word is expanded with example sentences that show how it’s used in different contexts,

making it very practical for learners.

I use this dictionary frequently, especially when I decided to learn French as my second

foreign language. At that time, I had to choose between French and Chinese, but I opted for

French due to its similarities with English. I needed to reach a B2 level to graduate, and this

dictionary became my go-to resource. Back then, French learning tools like apps and online

resources weren’t as popular as they are now, so this dictionary really opened doors for my

studies.

This gift is important to me not only because of its usefulness but also because it represents
the encouragement and support from my friend as I embarked on my language-learning

journey.

Part 3:

• Can we sometimes hate a gift?

• Do people enjoy giving and receiving gifts? Why or why not?

• Do you think gift-giving customs are different now than they were in the past? How?

• Why do we usually give gifts to children to praise their studies, but not to children

for sports awards?

• In what situations do you think it is good or bad to give gifts to children?

55

9. Describe an item of clothing that someone gave you

You should say:

• What the clothing was

• Who gave it to you?

• When you got it

And explain why this person gave you the clothing.

Answer:

In any situation, clothing is rather easy to find and give to someone. Therefore, it is normal

for people to receive clothes from others. In my case, I was given a water-proof by my aunt

which is rather useful as I live in a wet climate.

As I said before, I was given this water-proof jacket by my aunt a couple of days ago and it

was rather puffy as it was designed to keep the wearer warm. It was made from polyester and

it was all black, as well as having two large pockets on both sides with zippers to close them.

Finally, it had a hood on the top which keeps my head from being wet and cold. All in all, it

was a particularly nifty jacket that had a nice and simple aesthetic design and I quite liked
it.

As for why my aunt gave me that jacket, she was concerned that I had to go to school without

anything to protect me from the rain. Therefore, out of her kindness, she went out of her way

to get me a nice water-proof jacket and best of all, it was rather inexpensive so anyone could

easily buy it.

Part 3:

• Have you ever given clothes to others?

• Why do people dress casually everyday but dress formally at work?

• Why do people from different countries wear different clothing?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing uniforms at work and school?

56

[Link] an important plant that grows in your country

You should say:

• What it is

• Where you see it

• What it looks like

And explain why it is important.

Answer:

Rice is a significant plant that grows in Vietnam, a nation with a robust agricultural tradition

that dates back thousands of years. This plant is most commonly seen in the vast, flat deltas

of two major rivers, the Red River in the North and the Mekong in the South. These fertile

regions, blessed with rich alluvial soil and favorable climatic conditions, serve as the nation's

rice bowls, producing ample harvests year after year.

Rice holds an irreplaceable position in Vietnam's socio-economic fabric. It forms the

backbone of the Vietnamese diet, serving as a staple food consumed in every meal. Its
versatility allows it to be used in a variety of dishes, ranging from the simple steamed rice

served with other dishes, to the iconic 'Pho', a popular rice noodle soup.

More than just a food source, rice is also Vietnam's main export product, contributing

significantly to the national economy. It creates employment opportunities for millions of

Vietnamese people, either directly in cultivation or indirectly in related industries like milling,

packaging, and transportation.

Furthermore, rice cultivation plays a vital role in shaping Vietnamese cultural identity. The

image of farmers tending to their verdant rice fields is an enduring symbol of Vietnamese

diligence and resilience. Traditional festivals and customs are also tied to the rice planting

and harvesting cycle, reflecting the deep reverence that Vietnamese people hold for this

humble grain.

57

In conclusion, while it may seem like an ordinary plant, rice is integral to Vietnam's economic,

social, and cultural landscapes. Its impact stretches far beyond the fields where it grows,

touching every aspect of Vietnamese life.

Part 3:

• What are the features of living in the countryside?

• Should schools teach children how to grow plants?

• Why do some people prefer to live in the countryside?

• Have new kinds of plants been grown in your city recently?

• Why do some people like to keep plants at home?

• Are there many trees in your city?

[Link] a toy that you often played with as a child

You should say:

• What the toy was

• Who you played the toy with

And explain how you felt about this particular toy.

Answer:

I played with many kinds of toys when I was a kid, from Legos to toy guns. However, my

favorite kind of toy from my childhood was Hot Wheels, which were basically miniature

versions of real-life cars. There was one specific Hot Wheels model that I held very dearly

and that was the 1970 Dodge Challenger.

I played with that toy a lot back then because firstly, it was such a cool model. I first got it

when I was 5 years old as a birthday present and at that time I thought it was the most awesome

toy anyone could get. It had a sleek design that projected coolness and strength which are

traditionally masculine traits. It also was painted completely black, which added to the

coolness of the car. Secondly, I played with that specific Hot Wheels model a lot because I

58

liked to imagine myself as if I was in an action movie where I had to drive fast to chase after

or run away from the bad guys. Many of the action movies I watched as a kid had the hero

drive this kind of car so I basically emulated what the heroes in driving this miniature Dodge

Challenger.

All in all, I really enjoyed playing with Hot Wheels as a kid because not only did they look

cool but they also unlocked my imagination in more ways than one.

Part 3:

• What kind of toys was famous in your childhood? How about these days?

• Do you think parents should buy more toys their children or they should spend more

time with them instead?

• Should advertising aimed at kids be prohibited?

[Link] an important letter that you received

You should say:

• Who wrote it to you

• What the letter was about

• How you felt about the letter

And explain why the letter was important to you.

Answer:

The most impactful letter I've ever received was the one from Foreign Trade University in

Vietnam. It was written by the university admissions department, confirming that I was

accepted to their Business program.

The letter mentioned that they had reviewed my application thoroughly and found it

impressive. They appreciated my academic achievements, my extracurricular activities

participation, and commitment expressed through my personal essay. The letter went on to

59

provide necessary information about my course commencement, registration process, and the

orientation schedule.

When I first saw the envelope, my heart swelled with apprehension. As I began reading the

content, my mood quickly swung from nervous to jubilation. I was over the moon; it was hard

to put into words those feelings of immense happiness and immense relief washing over me.

This letter held immense importance for me. This was a major milestone in my life: it was the

first step towards achieving my career aspirations and paving a path towards a successful

future in international trade. More importantly, it was a testament to my hard work, a

confirmation of my abilities and my potential. This letter, therefore, not only marked a

successful educational pursuit but also played a significant role in shaping my self-
confidence.

Part 3:

• What are the different kinds of letters that the post office delivers?

• What can people do if they receive unwanted advertising in the mail?

• Why do people write letters to newspapers?

• Do you think it is better to apply for a job by letter or by email? Why/Why not?

• What do you think is the most difficult kind of letter to write?

[Link] a gift you would like to buy for your friend

You should say:

• When it happened

• What gift it was

• Who you gave it to

And explain why you chose that gift.

Answer:

Gift-giving has been around for as long as human civilization began developing. When

someone gives a gift, it is usually a sign that person is showing affection or gratitude towards

60

another person for whatever reason it may be. This is especially true in my case, where I gave

my mother a scarf for Christmas last year.

As I’ve said in the beginning, last Christmas I went out shopping for gifts and I came across

a scarf made from silk. It had a nice color and texture to it so I went ahead and bought it.

While it wasn’t particularly cheap, it wasn’t super expensive either. Afterwards I went home

and wrapped it in secret and by the time the Christmas dinner was finished, I immediately

brought out the wrapped scarf and gave it to my mother, who was in need of a scarf to keep

herself warm for the winter. She unwrapped it and was delighted about how thoughtful I was
to buy a scarf.

As for why I chose a scarf, it is because it is a nifty item of clothing for the winter and it can

define a person’s sense of style. Would I give a scarf to other people as a gift? It depends on

the person as he/she may want something different because their needs are different as well.

Therefore, I may sometimes give a scarf to my other family members and friends since it is a

nifty clothing item after all.

Part 3:

• When do people normally send gifts to others?

• Do people give gifts or red packets on traditional festivals?

• Is it easy to choose clothes as gifts?

• Will people feel happy when receiving an expensive gift?

[Link] one of your favourite books from your childhood

You should say:

• What it is/was

• Who is the writer of the book

• What was the story of the book

And explain why it is one of your favourite books from your childhood.

61

Answer:

When I was a child, I was an avid reader of novels and fairy tales. I read many funny stories

to entertain myself after long study hours, and today, I’d like to talk about one of my favorite

novels, "Harry Potter" by J.K Rowling.

It’s a fantasy novel set in a magical world. Originally written in English, it has been translated

into many different languages, including Vietnamese. It garnered widespread attention

globally, leading to its adaptation into a movie. Many of my friends were passionate about

the book and recommended it to me, which is how I came to know about it.
The novel revolves around the adventures of Harry Potter and his two best friends at the

wizarding school named Hogwarts. They battle against the Dark Lord Voldemort to prevent

him from dominating the wizarding world and enslaving non-magical people. In the end, the

Dark Lord is defeated, and everyone lives happily ever after.

I was completely drawn into this story because it was so captivating. Every page turn unveils

new mysteries, and there are several plot twists that enhance the story's intrigue and drama.

Also, "Harry Potter" imparts valuable life lessons about friendship, courage, good, and evil.

Moreover, it serves as a means for me to escape the stresses of reality and immerse myself in

a fantasy world to unwind after school.

Part 3:

• What kind of books do children like?

• What should parents do to encourage their children to read books?

• Why do adults still have to read books?

• How do you think reading habits will change in the future?