Topic: Reading

1. Which do you prefer, reading books or watching

movies?
Sample
I enjoy both, but if I had to choose, I'd say reading books. Books allow me
to imagine the characters and settings in my own way, and they usually
provide more detail than films. I also find reading more relaxing.
Useful expressions
●​ use my imagination
●​ provide more detail
●​ relaxing activity
●​ enjoy both
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ imagination (n.) – trí tưởng tượng
●​ literature (n.) – văn học
●​ adaptation (n.) – bản chuyển thể
Idioms / Collocations
●​ get lost in a book (đắm chìm vào một cuốn sách)
●​ bring a story to life (làm câu chuyện trở nên sống động)
2. Have you ever read a novel that has been adapted
into a film?
Sample
Yes, I have. I enjoy comparing the original novel with the film adaptation
because it's interesting to see what has been changed. In most cases, I
think the book offers more depth, while the movie provides a more visual
experience.
Useful expressions
●​ film adaptation
●​ compare the two versions
●​ original novel
●​ visual experience
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ adaptation (n.) – bản chuyển thể
●​ storyline (n.) – cốt truyện
●​ character (n.) – nhân vật
Idioms / Collocations
 ●​ stay true to the original (bám sát nguyên tác)
●​ bring the story to life (làm câu chuyện trở nên sống động)
3. Are your reading habits now different than before?
Sample
Yes, they are. When I was younger, I mostly read comic books and
adventure stories. Nowadays, I prefer non-fiction books and
self-improvement books because I enjoy learning new things and
developing useful skills.
Useful expressions
●​ reading habits
●​ self-improvement books
●​ non-fiction
●​ develop useful skills
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ habit (n.) – thói quen
●​ knowledge (n.) – kiến thức
●​ personal development (n.) – phát triển bản thân
Idioms / Collocations
●​ broaden my horizons (mở mang tầm nhìn)
●​ turn the page (bước sang giai đoạn mới)
4. Do you often read books? When?
Sample
Yes, I do. I usually read in the evening before going to bed because it's a
good way to relax after a busy day. Sometimes I also read during weekends
when I have more free time.
Useful expressions
●​ before going to bed
●​ relax after a busy day
●​ in my free time
●​ evening routine
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ leisure (n.) – thời gian rảnh
●​ relaxation (n.) – sự thư giãn
●​ routine (n.) – thói quen
Idioms / Collocations
●​ unwind with a book (thư giãn bằng cách đọc sách)
●​ make time for reading (dành thời gian để đọc sách)
5. Do you read more or less now than when you were
younger?
Sample
I probably read more now, although the types of books have changed. As a
child, I mainly read for entertainment, but now I read to improve my
knowledge and learn new skills as well.
Useful expressions
●​ read for pleasure
●​ improve my knowledge
●​ lifelong learning
●​ different purposes
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ entertainment (n.) – sự giải trí
●​ knowledge (n.) – kiến thức
●​ education (n.) – giáo dục
Idioms / Collocations
●​ never stop learning (không bao giờ ngừng học hỏi)
●​ feed my curiosity (thỏa mãn sự tò mò)
6. Do you like reading?
Sample
Yes, I do. Reading helps me relax, expand my knowledge, and improve my
vocabulary. It's also a great way to escape from daily stress and spend my
free time in a meaningful way.
Useful expressions
●​ expand my knowledge
●​ improve my vocabulary
●​ meaningful activity
●​ reduce stress
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ vocabulary (n.) – từ vựng
●​ concentration (n.) – sự tập trung
●​ insight (n.) – sự hiểu biết sâu sắc
Idioms / Collocations
●​ get lost in a book (đắm chìm vào một cuốn sách)
●​ open my mind (mở mang đầu óc)
7. Do you prefer to read on paper or on a screen?
Sample
 I prefer reading on paper because it's easier to concentrate and I don't get
distracted by notifications. Physical books also feel more comfortable to
read for a long time. However, I still use my phone or tablet when I need
quick access to information.
Useful expressions
●​ physical books
●​ stay focused
●​ digital devices
●​ avoid distractions
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ concentration (n.) – sự tập trung
●​ distraction (n.) – sự xao nhãng
●​ accessibility (n.) – khả năng tiếp cận
Idioms / Collocations
●​ turn the pages (lật từng trang sách)
●​ stay focused (giữ tập trung)
8. When do you need to read carefully, and when not?
Sample
I read carefully when I'm reading contracts, instructions, academic
materials, or important emails because missing a small detail could cause
problems. On the other hand, I usually skim through news articles or social
media posts when I'm just looking for the main idea.
Useful expressions
●​ read carefully
●​ skim through
●​ important documents
●​ understand the main idea
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ comprehension (n.) – sự hiểu
●​ accuracy (n.) – độ chính xác
●​ instruction (n.) – hướng dẫn
Idioms / Collocations
●​ pay attention to detail (chú ý đến từng chi tiết)
●​ get the gist (nắm được ý chính)
9. Do you prefer scanning or detailed reading?
Sample
 It depends on my purpose. If I only need specific information, I prefer
scanning because it saves time. However, when I'm reading a book or
studying, I always read carefully to understand the content more deeply.
Useful expressions
●​ scan for information
●​ detailed reading
●​ save time
●​ understand deeply
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ scanning (n.) – đọc lướt để tìm thông tin
●​ comprehension (n.) – sự hiểu
●​ efficiency (n.) – hiệu quả
Idioms / Collocations
●​ get straight to the point (đi thẳng vào ý chính)
●​ read from cover to cover (đọc từ đầu đến cuối)
10. What books do you like to read?
Sample
I mainly enjoy reading non-fiction books, especially those about
psychology, self-improvement, and personal development. Occasionally, I
also read novels when I want to relax and take a break from work.
Useful expressions
●​ non-fiction books
●​ self-improvement
●​ personal development
●​ read for relaxation
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ psychology (n.) – tâm lý học
●​ biography (n.) – tiểu sử
●​ literature (n.) – văn học
Idioms / Collocations
●​ broaden my horizons (mở mang tầm nhìn)
●​ food for thought (điều đáng để suy ngẫm)
11. What book did you read recently?
Sample
The most recent book I read was an English learning book that focused on
communication skills. I chose it because I wanted to improve both my
vocabulary and speaking ability. I found it practical and easy to apply in
everyday situations.
Useful expressions
●​ communication skills
●​ improve my vocabulary
●​ practical advice
●​ easy to apply
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ communication (n.) – giao tiếp
●​ vocabulary (n.) – từ vựng
●​ fluency (n.) – sự trôi chảy
Idioms / Collocations
●​ learn something new (học được điều mới)
●​ put something into practice (áp dụng vào thực tế)
12. What did you learn from it?
Sample
It taught me several useful communication techniques and introduced me
to many natural English expressions. More importantly, it reminded me that
improving a skill requires consistent practice rather than relying on talent
alone.
Useful expressions
●​ useful techniques
●​ natural expressions
●​ consistent practice
●​ improve gradually
Band 8 vocabulary
●​ consistency (n.) – sự kiên trì
●​ technique (n.) – kỹ thuật
●​ improvement (n.) – sự cải thiện
Idioms / Collocations
●​ practice makes perfect (có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim)
●​ put knowledge into practice (đưa kiến thức vào thực tế)