UNIT 1.
LEISURE TIME
Exercise 1. Read the passage and answer the questions below.
Hello! My name’s Philip. I’m thirteen years old, and I live in England.
I want to talk about how my friends and I spend our free time. My best friends are Dave and Max.
They are in the same class as me.
Teenagers often complain they’re bored and have nothing to do. I can’t understand them. I’m never
bored.
If the weather is nice, we go for a walk, or we ride our bikes. We often play football, basketball in
the park and when it is rainy, we go to the sports centre. Here we usually play table tennis or go
swimming. If you play a musical instrument, it’s a good fun! I play the guitar and practice a lot.
At home, I usually listen to music or read magazines and books. Of course, like other teenagers, I
often go on the Internet or play computer games - but not always! It’s a pity that many teenagers live
their lives on several public sites like Facebook or Twitter! They had better make real friends!
In the evenings, I sometimes watch TV. I often invite my friends over for dinner or a teacup and
play chess or cards. At the weekend we go hiking, fishing or sometimes we go to the cinema. We
like comedies.
1. What do Philip and his friends do outside?
They go for a walk, ride their bikes, play football or basketball in the park.
2. When do they go to the sports centre?
When it is rainy.
3. What’s his opinion about teenagers who are addicted to the Internet?
He thinks that they had better make real friends.
4. Who does he invite in the evenings?
In the evenings, he often invites his friends.
5. What kind of films does he like?
He likes comedies.
Exercise 2. Read the passage and choose the correct answers.
How do people relax in other countries?
People in the U.S. do a lot of activities (1) _____________. Ranging from television viewing,
reading, doing any one of some handicrafts, and getting into sports and exercise, Americans love
their free time.
Sharing some relaxing activities (2) _____________ other cultures, people living in Germany love
hanging out at the beach. Another famous German pastime is frequenting saunas and hot tubs.
The British prefer gardening, swimming, (3) _____________ TV, going to the theatre.
In Russia, people like to get (4) _____________ to dachas in the countryside. Dachas known as
cottages are typically found (5) _____________ the outskirts of cities and towns in Russia. They
also want to go to the swimming pools, concerts, and football matches.
1. A. to relax B. relaxing C. relax D. relaxes
2. A. with B. to C. for D. about
3. A. watch B. watching C. to watch D. watches
4. A. from B. out C. up D. away
5. A. at B. on C. in D. of
Exercise 3. Read the text, then decide whether the statements that follow are True (T) or False
(F)
In my opinion, using the computer as your hobby can be harmful to both your health and your social
life. Firstly, sitting all day in front of the computer can cause health problems such as eye-tiredness
and obesity. Secondly, you may get irritated easily. Besides, if you use the computer too much, you
will not have time for your family and friends. In short, computers should only be used for a limited
time.
1. Using the computer too much can make your eyes tired. ____T___
2. Using the computer too much is not good for you. ____T___
3. We still can spend a lot of time with our family and friends. ____F___
4. According to the writer, we can use the computer for a long time. ____F___
5. Computers should only be used for a limited time. ____T___
Exercise 4. Read the following passage and choose the word in the box for each gap.
addict spent look for tired
email habits safe use
I go on the Internet every day, but I’ve never (1) spent more than an hour at a time online. I’ve got a
laptop and also a smartphone, so I can (2) use the Internet anywhere. Today, for instance, I’ve been
online three times.
Mainly I just (3) email my friends. I read online magazines and I (4) look for information, too. I also
compare prices of things, but I’ve never bought anything online because I don’t think it’s (5) safe.
I’m not an Internet (6) addict, but some of my friends are. One friend of mine always looks (7) tired
because he spends all night online. Although he’s got a lot of bad marks for the exams, he hasn’t
changed his (8) habits.
In my experience, it’s very useful for people who use the Internet sensibly.
UNIT 2. LIFE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Exercise 1. Read the passage and choose the best answers.
Many people enjoy living in a big city because they think life is more exciting there. However, I
come from a small village and in my view, there are lots of benefits. The main reason I prefer
village life is because it’s very quiet, so 1 always feel calm when I’m here. Another reason is that
the air is so fresh and clean. We have more green spaces and bigger gardens, too. In addition, I think
the people here are friendlier. Personally, I’m interested in wildlife photography, so the countryside
is perfect for me.
The only downside is transport. I have an early start for a long journey to school in Faro and the
school bus is always stopping to pick up more people. Also, it’s boring sometimes, but I enjoy
chatting to my friends. Fortunately, I’m learning to ride a moped. On balance, I disagree that city
life is better, as I think my village lifestyle is healthier and more relaxing. In spite of that, some of
my friends couldn’t cope with life in the country, so it comes down to personal opinion.
1. Where does the writer come from?
A. a big city B. a small village C. a countryside D. a small town
2. One reason why he prefers village life is that ______________.
A. it’s very noisy B. the air is so fresh and clean
C. life is more exciting there D. village lifestyle is healthier
3. What does he think about the people in his village?
A. friendlier B. boring C. exciting D. kind
4. According to the writer, what is the disadvantage of living in the village?
A. weather B. facilities C. transport D. service
5. How does he go to school?
A. bicycle B. train C. moped D. school bus
Exercise 2. Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answers.
Nowadays, some people choose to live and work in the countryside. New ways of working, such as
online working, have made it possible for more people to live there. There are both advantages and
(1) ______________ to living in the countryside.
On the one hand, life in the countryside is very peaceful. There are less cars and that means that
there is less noise, and that it is less (2) ______________. Furthermore, there is more land available
in the countryside, and people can often live in (3) ______________ houses or flats than in cities.
Finally, it is easier to do a lot of outdoor activities such as walking or cycling if you live in the
countryside. On the other hand, life in the countryside can be (4) ______________. There are fewer
restaurants, cinemas and shops to go to. Moreover, there is little public transport, which makes it
difficult to get around if you don’t have a car. Finally, you can feel isolated if you live a long way
from other people.
In conclusion, there are both pros and cons to living in the countryside. However, in my opinion, the
(5) ______________ of the countryside makes it a very attractive option.
1. A. good points B. disadvantages C. benefits D. merits
2. A. polluted B. clean C. noisy D. crowded
3. A. smaller B. more expensive C. bigger D. cheaper
4. A. interesting B. exciting C. amazing D. Boring
5. A. peacefulness B. advantages C. carefulness D. noisiness
Exercise 3. Fill each blank with a suitable word in the box to finish the passage.
cultivate traffic outdoors orchards fresh
effect livestock slower cleaner milking
Life in the countryside is a bit (1) ______________ than life in the cities. It isn’t as exciting as life
in the city. But in general people work hard - they work in the fields, in the garden, in the woods,
etc. They grow vegetables, (2) ______________ crops and raise cattle (cows, horses, buffaloes, ...).
Some people even have vineyards and fruit (3) ______________.
There is a ton of work to be done on the farm - (4) ______________ cows, taking care of (5),
______________ mucking out, ploughing fields, sowing seeds, fertilizing, harvesting,... . It is said
that a fanner works from sunrise to sunset. People use farm machinery and drive tractors.
Children can freely play (6) ______________. In rural area people know each other better. There are
no skyscrapers in the countryside. People’s home may be either a farmhouse or a cottage.
People sniff air that is definitely (7) ______________ than air in the cities. There is also less
violence and vandalism. The (8) ______________ isn’t as dense as in the cities. There are no rush
hours. Furthermore, it isn’t as noisy as it is in cities.
People living in the countryside can enjoy the green scenery. They can enjoy nature. They can hear
birds chirping, deer stopping in a clearing in a wood. Besides, people can eat (9) ______________
home-grown vegetables and fruit, ft seems that life in the countryside is not that stressful. Altogether
that must have a positive (10) ______________ on their health.
KEY:
1. slower 2. cultivate 3. orchards 4. milking 5. livestock
6. outdoors 7. cleaner 8. traffic 9. fresh 10. effect
UNIT 3. TEENAGERS
Exercise 1. Choose the correct answer that best fits the blank space.
We know that nowadays students (1) ______________ from test stress, and there are a few of the
biggest causes. First, it is important to do your best and study hard, but you may push yourself too
much to get a high grade, and (2) ______________ can be hard to deal with. Second, many schools
want to show their students’ high test grades to prove that they are doing a good job of educating
them; (3), ______________ they have high expectations for the teachers, who then have high
expectations for the students. In addition, most parents want to see great school reports, and they can
start pushing their children when test time comes around. Moreover, if you had a bad time with a
test in the past, or if you have (4) ______________ poorly on one or more tests, you could feel
anxious about the next one. Finally, sometimes other students can spread rumours about a test, (5)
______________ you might hear things from older friends or siblings. Rumours like “That teacher’s
tests are totally impossible to pass!” can make you a lot more nervous.
1. A. prevent B. suffer C. experience D. show
2. A. force B. causes C. grades D. pressure
3. A. therefore B. however C. otherwise D. but
4. A. come B. taken C. made D. done
5. A. or B. and C. so D. but
Exercise 2. Read the passage, and then decide whether the statements that follow are True (T)
or False (F).
Teenagers today live in a very competitive world. It is more important than ever to succeed at school
if you hope to have a chance in the job market afterwards. It’s no wonder that many young people
worry about letting down their parents, their peers and themselves. To try to please everyone, they
take on too many tasks until it becomes harder and harder to balance homework assignments,
parties, sports activities and friends. The result is that young people suffer from stress.
There are different ways of dealing with stress. Everyone knows that caffeine, in the form of coffee
or soft drinks, keeps you awake and alert. But caffeine is a drug which can become addictive. In the
end, like other drugs, caffeine only leads to more stress. There are better ways to deal with stress:
physical exercise is a good release for stress, because it increases certain chemicals in the brain
which calm you down. You have to get enough sleep to avoid stress and to stay healthy and full of
energy.
1. Nowadays, it is important to succeed at school. ______T________
2. Many young people take on only some tasks to please everyone. ______F________
3. Young people may not suffer from stress because of homework assignments. ______F________
4. Caffeine can keep you awake and alert. ______T________
5. Physical exercise is a better way to deal with stress. ______T________
Exercise 3. Fill each blank with a suitable word in the box to finish the passage.
or and stressful plan explain
understand finish devote student libraries
You can do a few things to make homework less (1) ______________. First, be sure you understand
the assignment. Write it down in your notebook or day planner if you need to, (2) ______________
don’t be afraid to ask questions about what is expected. It is much easier to take a minute to ask the
teacher during or after class than to struggle to remember later that night! If you want, you can also
ask how long the particular homework assignment should take to complete, so you can (3)
______________your time.
Second, use any extra time you have in school to work on your homework. Many schools have (4)
______________ that are specifically designed to allow students to study (5) ______________ get
homework done. The more work you can get done in school, the less you will have to do that night.
Third, pace yourself. If you don’t (6) ______________ your homework during school, think about
how much you have left and what else is going on that day, and then plan your time. Most middle
students should have between 1 and 3 hours of homework a night. If it is a heavy homework day,
you will need to (7) ______________ more time to do homework.
No one is expected to (8) ______________ everything, and maybe you need some help. The first
place to turn for help is your teacher. But if you don’t feel comfortable with your teacher? If you are
in a big enough school, there may be other teachers who teach the same subject. Speak to other
teachers directly and you may be in luck. Sometimes it just helps to have someone (9)
______________ something in a different way. Moreover, you might also be able to get some help
from another (10) ______________. If there is someone you like who is a good student, think about
asking that person if you can study together.
KEY:
1. stressful 2. and 3. plan 4. libraries 5. or
6. finish 7. devote 8. understand 9. explain 10. student
TEST 1 (UNIT 1-UNIT 3)
Exercise 1. Read and choose the best answer that best fits each blank.
Being engaged in a DIY project can give you a sense of (1) ______________ and satisfaction.
Finishing a DIY project can help you (2) ______________ accomplished and happy with your hard
(3) ______________ and dedication, and leaves you with something you can be proud to show off.
A 2016 study done by Occupational Therapy International showed that participants of the study who
took part (4) ______________ creative activities, including DIY projects, felt a boost in mood (5)
______________ happiness.
Another (6) ______________ DIY projects can have on your mental health is that it helps reduce (7)
______________ and anxiety. Focusing on a hands-on project can help you disengage from any life
stressors you may be facing. Some even consider DIY projects to be “meditative”. This comes from
the similarities people feel between hands-on projects and meditation (8) ______________ deep
concentration and heightened awareness.
1. A. pleasure B. anxiety C. pride D. sadness
2. A. to feel B. feel C. feeling D. felt
3. A. job B. working C. work D. study
4. A. with B. in C. of D. for
5. A. but B. so C. for D. and
6. A. benefit B. drawback C. point D. effect
7. A. happiness B. homework C. concentration D. stress
8. A. such as B. therefore C. however D. otherwise
Exercise 8. Read the passage and choose the best answers.
I was growing up and raised in a small town in the northern part of Thailand before staying in the
big city in order to finish high school. My rural town is in the middle of the way between 2 cities. It
is surrounded by a great mountain and an abundance of forest. The population density is lower than
the city, but the population increases every year.
Agriculture is a crucial industry in my hometown. Most of the folks are farmers, agriculturalists, and
orchardists. There are plenty of farmlands and hills, and there are so many traders, merchandise, and
business owners in my district. The market is the centre of exchanging goods and products. Once
said, if you want to know the economy of the community, you will have to look at the market.
People usually spend time in the market, especially in the morning. There are many restaurants and
accommodations for travellers.
My country has a diversity of food. In general, the food is divided into two groups. They are Thai
food and local food. Thai food refers to food that most Thais know well. Most restaurants sell. Thai
people can eat everywhere around the world. Local food or traditional food means food of the
region. Every region has its food and recipes. My district is in the Northern part of Thailand.
Northern Thai food or Lana food is abundant. My community has so many local food restaurants.
Moreover, some families still cook Lanna food. Thus, the people have choices about what they want
to eat and consume
1. Where was the author growing up and raised?
A. in the southern part of Thailand B. in the centre of Thailand
C. in the northern part of Thailand D. in a big city
2. What is the main industry of his/ her hometown?
A. tourism B. agriculture C. fishing D services
3. Where will you have to look if someone wants to know the economy of the community?
A. market B. communal house
C. supermarket D. shops
4. What is local food?
A. It is the food that most Thais know well.
B. It is the food that some families still cook.
C. It is the food people eat and consume today.
D. It is the food of the region.
5. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Northern Thai food or Lana food is uncommon.
B. There are only some restaurants and accommodations for travellers in the northern part of
Thailand.
C. The food is divided into two groups.
D. Most of the local people are tour guides.
Exercise 9. Read the passage and decide if the following statements are true (T) or false (F).
Social media is a big part of many teens’ lives. A 2018 Pew Research Centre survey of nearly 750
13 to 17 year olds found that 45% are online almost constantly and 97% use a social media platform,
such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat.
Social media allows teens to create online identities, communicate with others and build social
networks. These networks can provide teens with valuable support, especially helping those who
experience exclusion or have disabilities or chronic illnesses. Teens also use social media for
entertainment and self-expression. And the platforms can expose teens to current events, allow them
to interact across geographic barriers and teach them about a variety of subjects, including healthy
behaviours. Social media that’s humorous or distracting or provides a meaningful connection to
peers and a wide social network might even help teens avoid depression.
However, social media use can also negatively affect teens, distracting them, disrupting their sleep,
and exposing them to bullying, rumour spreading, unrealistic views of other people’s lives and peer
pressure. The risks might be related to how much social media teens use. A 2019 study of more than
6,500 12 to 15 year olds in the U.S. found that those who spent more than three hours a day using
social media might be at heightened risk of mental health problems. Another 2019 study of more
than 12,000 13 to 16 year olds in England found that using social media more than three times a day
predicted poor mental health and well-being in teens.
1. Teenagers’ use of social media is widespread. _____T____
2. They only use Facebook and Instagram. _____F____
3. Teens can communicate with others via social media. _____T____
4. Social media is used by teens for entertainment. _____T____
5. A wide social network can’t even help teens avoid depression. _____F____
6. Social media use only has a positive effect on teens. _____F____
7. People who spend more than three hours a day using social media might be at risk of mental
health problems. _____T____
8. Using social media more than three hours a day predicted poor mental health and well-being in
teens.
_____F____
UNIT 4. ETHNIC GROUPS OF VIET NAM
Exercise 1. Read the passage and choose the best answers.
Viet Nam is a multi-nationality country with 54 ethnic (1) ____________. The Viet (Kinh) people
account (2) ____________ 87% of the country’s population and mainly inhabit the Red River delta,
the central coastal delta, the Mekong delta and major cities. The other 53 ethnic (3) ____________
groups, totalling over 8 million people, are scattered over mountain areas (covering two-thirds of the
country’s territory) spreading from the North to the South. Among ethnic minorities, the largest ones
are Tay, Thai, Muong, Hoa, Khmer, and Nung with a (4) ____________ of around 1 million each,
while the smallest are Brau, Roman, Odu with several hundred people each.
A number of ethnic minorities had (5) ____________ some farming techniques. They grew rice
plants in swamped (6) ____________ and carried out irrigation. Others (7) ____________ hunting,
fishing, collecting and lived a semi-nomadic life. Each group has its own (8) ____________, diverse
and special. Beliefs and religions of the Vietnamese ethnic minority groups were also disparate from
each other.
1. A. groups B. team C. minorities D. majorities
2. A. in B. for C. of D. at
3. A. minority B. majority C. small D. large
4. A. religion B. inhabitants C. population D. people
5. A. invented B. developed C. created D. mastered
6. A. pasture B. paddy fields C. highland D. terraced fields
7. A. did B. made C. went D. used
8. A. belief B. style C. costume D. culture
Exercise 2. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions.
The Dao ethnic group, which has many names such as Đông, Trại, Dìu Miền, and Kim Miền, has a
total population of nearly 1 million people. They live mainly in the northern mountain provinces of
Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Lai Chau and Tuyen Quang and the midland provinces of
Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh.
A small number of the Dao group, who traditionally live in the northern mountain provinces, have
migrated to the Central Highlands. There are many subgroups differentiated by habits, customs, and
costumes, for example, the Red Dao, Dao Quần Chẹt, Dao Lo Ga, White Pants Dao, and Dao Thanh
Y. Each Dao group is easily identified by their costumes. Generally, a woman’s costume includes a
shirt, skirt, headscarf, a pair of leggings, and jewellery. A man wears a short shirt with a line of
buttons. Doctor Vo Mai Phuong of the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology says: “The Red Dao people
wear red costumes from top to toe. They have red shirts, leggings, pants, headscarves, and belts. The
Dao Tien are the only Dao group who wear skirts embroidered with the images of coins. The Dao
Quan Chat are also called Sơn Đầu, which means painted head, because the women shave off their
hair, paint their heads, and cover their heads with traditional headscarves. The White Pants Dao
always wear white pants.”
The Dao have maintained their traditional culture in costumes and language. Although they include
many groups living in many different localities, they speak one language.
Social development and integration have affected many ethnic minority customs, but the Dao people
have maintained their unique cultural values and in doing so have helped to preserve and promote
the culture of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.
1. Which ethnic group is mentioned in the passage?
A. the Viet Kinh B. the Dao C. the Thai D. the Ede
2. Which of the following provinces is NOT mentioned as the place they live in the passage?
A. Ha Giang B. Phu Tho C. Lai Chau D. Ca Mau
3. How is each Dao group easily identified?
A. by their costumes B. by their traditions
C. by their appearance D. by their language
4. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. A man wears a long shirt with a line of buttons.
B. The Dao ethnic group has a total population of nearly 1.5 million people.
C. The Dao speak one language.
D. The Red Dao people wear red costumes from top to knee.
5. Why are the Dao Quan Chat call Sơn Đầu?
A. Because the women shave off their hair, paint their heads, and cover their heads with traditional
headscarves.
B. Because a woman’s costume includes a shirt, skirt, headscarf, a pair of leggings, and jewelry.
C. Because they are the only Dao group who wear skirts embroidered with the images of coins.
D. Because many groups live in many different localities.
Exercise 3. Fill each blank with a suitable word in the box to finish the passage.
passed down highlands language goods
corn artisans minority costume
The Hmong, or Meo, who number about 800,000, are found in villages known as giao throughout
the (1) ____________ of northern Viet Nam. The Hmong migrated to Viet Nam from southern
China at the beginning of the 19th century.
The Hmong (2) ____________ group has been subdivided into branches classified by women’s (3),
____________ dialect and customs. For example, the Hmong of Sa Pa are called Black Hmong
because of their predominantly black clothing. The most colourful sub-group are the Flower Hmong,
found in large numbers around Bac Ha in Lao Cai province, who wear bright-coloured clothes with
embroidery.
(4) ____________ is the main staple of Hmong people, but rice is often grown on terraces watered
with the aid of irrigation. Hemp is grown to be woven into textiles, and cotton is also cultivated in
some villages. As skilled (5) ____________, the Hmong produce a variety of items, including
handwoven indigo-dyed cloth, paper, silver jewellery, leather (6) ____________, baskets and
embroidery. The Hmong have no written (7) ____________. Their legends, songs, folklore and
proverbs have been (8) ____________ from one generation to the next through the spoken word.
KEY:
1. highlands 2. minority 3. costume 4. Corn
5. artisans 6. goods 7. language 8. passed down
UNIT 5. OUR CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
Exercise 1. Read the passage and choose the best answers.
The Tet holiday is celebrated (1) ___________ the first day of the Lunar New Year in Viet
Nam. Several weeks before the New Year, the Vietnamese clean their houses and paint the walls.
New clothes are bought for the occasion. One or two days before the festival, people make Banh
Chung, (2) ___________ is the traditional cake, and kinds of jam. On New Year’s Eve, the whole
family gets together for a (3) ___________ dinner. Every member of the family should be present
during the dinner in which many different kinds of dishes are served. On New Year morning, the
young members of the family pay their respects (4) ___________ the elders. And the children
receive lucky money wrapped in red tiny envelopes. Then people go (5) ___________ their
neighbours, friends and relatives.
1. A. by B. in C. on D. at
2. A. which B. what C. where D. why
3. A. reunited B. union C. reunite D. reunion
4. A. at B. to C. about D. in
5. A. visited B. visiting C. to visit D. visit
Exercise 2. Read then decide whether the following sentences are True (T) or False (F).
Worshipping “Ong Cong, Ong Tao’’ (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) is a long-standing custom of
great significance as it symbolises the farewell to all bad things of the old year to help people
relaxedly enter a new year of peace and happiness. As the legend goes, “Ong Cong” (Land Genie) is
the one in charge of land while “Ong Tao” (Kitchen Gods), consisting of two males and one female,
are those who keep a watch over kitchen affairs of a family. They take note of a family’s issues in a
year and will ride carps back to Heaven on the 23 rd day of the 12th lunar month to report all the good
and bad things of that family to the God of Heaven.
Rituals and offerings vary according to region. Typically, apart from lamps, incense, votive papers,
fresh flowers, and a five-fruit tray, there is also a tray of traditional dishes such as steamed sticky
rice, chicken, pork pie, fried spring rolls, and bamboo shoot soup. However, depending on each
family’s conditions, people can also prepare vegetarian dishes as offerings.
The offerings also include a set of votive paper clothes and, especially, golden carps - the “vehicle”
for the gods to return to Heaven. People often prepare two or three alive carps and then release them
into a river or a lake after the worshipping ritual with the belief that the fish will carry the gods to
Heaven. Nowadays, live carps can also be replaced with paper ones, which will be burned together
with other paper offerings after the ritual.
The worshipping ceremony is conventionally held at any time from the noon of the 22 nd day of the
12th lunar month to the noon of the next day because people believe the gods will leave for the
Heaven after midday and thus, if the ritual were conducted after that, they would be unable to
receive offerings. With the appropriate practice of the Land Genie and Kitchen Gods worship,
people can help uphold and pass down traditional cultural values in modem life.
Statements True (T) False (F)
1. Land Genie and Kitchen Gods ride carps back to Heaven on
the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month.
2. Rituals and offerings are the same throughout the country.
3. Golden carps are the “vehicle” for the gods to return to
Heaven.
4. If the ritual were conducted after the noon of the 23 rd day,
the gods would still be able to receive offerings.
5. People can help uphold and pass down traditional cultural
values in modem life.
Exercise 3. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions.
The practise of ancestor worship is relatively straightforward. Nearly every house, office, and
business in Viet Nam has a small altar used to commune with ancestors. Incense sticks are burned
frequently. Offerings are often fruit, sweets, and gifts. The latter items arc such as votive papers,
such as motorbikes, cars, houses, etC. After worshipping, people burn the paper gifts called votive
papers so that the spirits of the gifts can ascend to heaven for the ancestors to use.
In the past, the income from a plot of land was used to maintain the altar and arrange the rituals, but
this tradition has now faded away. However, the custom that the eldest son will arrange the
ceremonial and inherit the family house upon the death of his parents is still generally observed.
Another traditional clement is placing wooden tablets on the altar for each of the ancestors over
recent generations. It is less rigorously observed today, and photographs often replace tablets. Some
pagodas house commemorative tablets for ancestors on behalf of regular worshippers.
1. Most Vietnamese people commune with their ancestors nowadays?
________________________________________________________________________________
2. What are two items frequently burned?
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Are offerings often fruit, sweets, and gifts?
________________________________________________________________________________
4. Why do people burn votive papers?
________________________________________________________________________________
5. Will the eldest son arrange the ceremonial and inherit the family house upon the death of his
parents?
________________________________________________________________________________
KEY:
1. People have a small altar used to commune with ancestors.
2. They are incense sticks and votive papers.
3. Yes, they are.
4. People burn votive papers so that the spirits of the gifts can ascend to heaven for the ancestors to
use.
5. Yes, he will.
UNIT 6. LIFESTYLES
Exercise 1. Choose the best answer to fill in each blank of the following passage.
Nowadays, with the high-speed Internet (1) ___________, people can quickly update the (2)
___________ news on the coming natural disasters in their neighborhood. For example, last year
many flood victims in Da Nang were rescued from deep flooded areas (3) ___________ to the short
videos and images of where they got stuck they posted on social networks like Facebook or TikTok.
In addition, the collaborative work on storm and flood prevention between departments goes (4)
___________ because they can have video conferences to guide and evacuate locals from dangerous
areas. In the future, the communication (5) ___________ people and the rescue teams might be
much more convenient when telepathy technology has a breakthrough.
1. A. connect B. connecting C. connection D. connector
2. A. latest B. last C. later D. late
3. A. despite B. because C. thank D. thanks
4. A. smoothy B. smoothly C. smooth D. smoother
5. A. by B. with C. between D. from
Exercise 2. Read then decide whether the following sentences are True (T) or False (F).
Technology has attracted the attention of many people in the world especially the young generation
and this has affected their lifestyle. They use electronic devices such as phones, laptops, iPods,
tablets, computers and many others. Electronic devices are so addictive that people would rather use
them for enjoyment than their necessity. Due to this addictiveness, it has resulted in negative effects
on people’s life and their mental health.
Technology has both negative and positive impacts on people’s lives; it just depends on how the
person uses the electronic gadget. Technology has made it easier to access information which is very
helpful for businesses or even a student. But not all technology was made for positive purposes as
due to technology, there was a development of weapons which is a threat to the society.
We can say that addiction refers to a situation when you like a particular thing so much that you lose
control over your mind, and this is what is happening to today’s world especially the young
generation. They became so addicted to the technology gadgets that all they think about is that it has
control over their mind. They spend most of their time on electronic devices that they don’t even
realise.
Statements True (T) False (F)
1. Technology has captured the attention of people of all ages
in the world.
2. Electronic devices are not so addictive.
3. Technology has negative effects on people’s life and their
mental health.
4. People find it easier to access information thanks to
technology.
5. The young generation spend little time on electronic
devices.
Exercise 3. Read the passage then answer the questions.
Students today are already comfortable with online platforms and online learning. This is why these
classes are becoming more widely used. They can be accessed anytime and anywhere as long as
there’s an Internet connection and a gadget to use. Online learning makes it easier for students to
access courses they can benefit from. However, students also have to deal with disadvantages that
can affect the quality of these classes.
First, online learning has more distractions. Students who take online courses are more prone to
distractions and procrastination in the same landscape. This is because these courses don’t have a
physical classroom that can help them focus on their studies. Moreover, other students cannot afford
Internet access 24/7, which means that online classes are not always convenient for students.
Second, online classes are easily disrupted. Lack of a stable Internet connection and good gadgets
can disrupt online classes. Without these two things, students cannot access their courses, which can
affect their grades and performance. Unlike traditional courses, these classes are dependent on
factors like the student’s and the teacher’s Internet connections, the gadgets being used, and the
environment where the classes are held. With so many factors affecting the classes' quality, many
students would say that traditional learning is better than online learning.
In conclusion, online learning has been around for a while now. With online education growing, its
advantages and disadvantages are worth considering. Online courses offer many benefits, such as
reduced costs and increased flexibility. But there are also some disadvantages to online learning that
need to be considered if you want to try them.
1. Are students today comfortable with online platforms and online learning?
________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why can’t students focus on their studies?
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Can lack of a stable Internet connection and a good gadget disrupt online classes?
________________________________________________________________________________
4. What are the main factors affecting the classes’ quality?
________________________________________________________________________________
5. What are the benefits that online courses offer?
________________________________________________________________________________
KEY:
1. Yes, they are.
2. Because online courses don't have a physical classroom.
3. Yes, it can.
4. They are the teacher's Internet connections, the gadgets being used, and the environment where
the classes are held.
5. They are reduced costs and increased flexibility.