Contents

1. Describe a difficult decision that you made. ..................................................................................... 3

2. Describe a place you have visited that has been affected by pollution. .......................................... 4
3. Describe a product you bought that you were (or, are) happy with.................................................. 6
4. Describe a person (you know), much older than you, who you admire. ......................................... 10
5. Describe a television program that you like to watch. ..................................................................... 12
6. Describe one of your best (= one of your close, or good) friends. ................................................... 14
7. Describe a family (not your own family) that you like...................................................................... 15
8. Describe a sport that you would like to learn. .................................................................................. 18
9. Describe a photo of yourself that you had taken.............................................................................. 19
10. Describe one of your childhood toys that was special to you. ................................................... 23
11. Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal. ................................................................. 24
12. Describe a meal you had your friends or family (in someone's home or in a restaurant). ......... 26
13. Describe an item of clothing that someone (recently) gave to you. ............................................ 28
14. Describe a time when the weather caused you to change your plans......................................... 30
15. Describe a goal that you hope to achieve in the future. .............................................................. 32
16. Describe a time when someone apologized to you. ..................................................................... 34
17. Describe a story or novel you have (recently) read that you found to be particularly interesting.
36
18. Describe some local news that people in your locality interested in........................................... 38
19. Describe the first time you used a foreign language to communicate. ....................................... 40
20. Describe an occasion when you helped someone. ....................................................................... 42
21. Describe what you think would be the perfect job (or "dream job") for you. ............................ 44
22. Describe a magazine or newspaper that you like to read. ......................................................... 46
23. Describe a happy family event from your childhood. ................................................................... 48
24. Describe a place with a lot of water (such as a river, a lake or the ocean) that you enjoyed
visiting......................................................................................................................................................... 51
25. Describe a new skill you would like to learn. ................................................................................ 54
26. Describe a short holiday (vacation) that was special for you. ................................................... 56
27. Describe a leader who you admire. ............................................................................................... 59

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28. Describe an interesting public place in your hometown, or where you are living now, that
you like to go to ......................................................................................................................................... 60
29. Describe a wedding that you have attended. .............................................................................. 63
30. Describe a time when you tried a new food for the first time. .................................................. 66
31. Describe a useful app or computer program for a smart phone, computer or tablet that you
have used.................................................................................................................................................... 68
32. Describe an activity you do for your health or fitness. ................................................................. 71
33. Describe an antique or some other old thing that your family has kept for a long time. ........... 74
34. Describe a time when you made a mistake. ................................................................................. 77
35. Describe a big company that you would like to work in. ........................................................... 79
36. Describe something that you have shared with others (or another person)............................... 83
37. Describe a creative person who you admire (e.g., a scientist, an inventor) ............................. 86
38. Describe a course you would like to study (or, do)..................................................................... 89
39. Describe a positive change that you made to your life. ............................................................... 91
40. Describe a situation that made you a little angry. ...................................................................... 94
41. Describe your favourite season or time of the year. ................................................................... 97
42. Describe a person who you like to spend time with. ................................................................ 100
43. Describe a skill you learned when you were a child. ................................................................ 103
44. Describe someone you know who recently moved to new accommodation. .......................... 107
45. Describe a good part of your personality or character. ........................................................... 110
46. Describe a short trip that you frequently make (or, take) but dislike. ................................... 112
47. Describe an occasion when you got up very early. ................................................................... 116
48. Describe a garden or park you enjoyed visiting. ...................................................................... 118
49. Describe a free-time activity that you like to do after you have finished your study or work.
121
50. Describe a time when you forgot something important. .......................................................... 124

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 162 chu
Ielts Part 2 topics and questions
(List v p n update
cho thng 5 n thng 10 nm 2016)
1. Describe a difficult decision that you made.
You should say:
quyet dinh
what decision it was la gi
what difficulties you faced kho khan doi mat
how you made the decision quyet dinh ntn
and explain why it was a difficult decision. giai thich
ANSWER: tai sao
don xin viec no la quyet dinh kho
It was when I prepared the application form for the university entrance exam
quan trong kho khan do
that I had to make an important but difficult decision. At that time, I was at a
truong nao
crossroads, where I had to decide which university to apply for. Actually, my
kinh te
interest was in economics, which was taught in two separate universities, one of
thuong mai quoc te
which specialized in international trade while the other focused more on the
quoc gia national economy. cao dang kinh te
chi
Fortunately, my sister, who graduated from an economics college, gave me
moi truong
some sound advice. Having weighed up the pros and cons of each school, she
thuong mai quoc te
encouraged me to choose the university specializing in international trade.
nop ho so
Finally, I applied for this school after thinking carefully about all the options.
thoa man moi truong hoc
At present, I feel so satisfied with the learning environment of this university
ma khong
that I am always thankful for my decision as well as my sisters advice. Without
her guidance, I probably wouldnt be as content with my university life as I am.
su huong dan cua co ay

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 VOCABULARY
at a crossroads: [expression] at an important point in someones life or
development. buoc ngoac cuoc doi
Example: His life was at a crossroads whether to join the army or to
continue studying at university.
sound advice: [adjective and noun combination] sensible and reliable
advice. nhung loi khuyen chan thanh
Example: My parents gave me sound advice about my choice of career.
weighed up the pros and cons: [expression] considered carefully the
advantages and disadvantages of something. xem xet can than.
Example: Having weighed up the pros and cons, I decided that it would
be more useful for me to learn English rather than French.
learning environment: [noun phrase] the conditions that affect the
behaviour and development of people who are learning a subject. moi truong hoc
Example: The school had the latest technology, the buildings were
modern and the teachers were very helpful it was the perfect learning
environment.

2. Describe a place you have visited that has been affected by pollution.
You should say:
what place it was
why you went there
how it was affected by pollution
and explain how you felt about this situation.
ANSWER:

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 It is regrettable that Hanoi, where Im living, is negatively affected by pollution
and the major environmental problems it is facing are water pollution, air pollution
and noise pollution.
There are various reasons why this city is badly polluted. Firstly, due to
modernization, more and more vehicles such as cars and motorbikes are used.
This leads to an increase in exhaust emissions which contaminate the atmosphere,
not to mention the rising level of noise pollution. Secondly, factories and industrial
zones in the city have discharged a huge amount of untreated waste into rivers,
causing death to many fish and other aquatic animals.
In fact, pollution makes people here less healthy, and some even suffer from
life-threatening diseases such as lung cancer, skin cancer, and so on. Therefore,
the government must deal with this problem right away. Cutting down on vehicle
use is the best way to reduce air pollution and noise pollution. We can do this by
encouraging people to use public transportation. Besides, those who litter should
pay a heavy fine. Finally, I think the best solution is to raise awareness and
educate people to protect the environment.
VOCABULARY
regrettable: [adjective] something that you are sorry about and wish that it
had not happened.
Example: It is regrettable that only a minority of people are concerned
about the environment.
exhaust emissions: [noun phrase] waste gases that come out of a car or
other vehicle.
Example: The exhaust emissions from big trucks cause serious air pollution
in my city.

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 contaminate: [verb] make a place or thing dirty, by adding a substance that
is dangerous or polluting.
Example: Every day, more and more vehicles enter the city centre and
contaminate the atmosphere with their exhaust emissions.
discharge: [verb] when somebody discharges a gas or liquid, they release it
and it goes into the water or the air.
Example: The factory was fined for discharging chemicals into the river.
aquatic: [adjective] living in water
Example: Rivers which are clean have a lot of aquatic life, such as fish and
frogs.
life-threatening: [adjective] likely to kill someone.
Example: Aid workers in poor countries often have to deal with difficult,
life-threatening situations.
cutting down on: [phrasal verb] reducing the size, amount or number of
something.
Example: You will improve your health by cutting down on cigarettes.
awareness: [noun] knowing that something exists and is important.
Example: In schools, campaigns about awareness of road safety are
essential for young children.

3. Describe a product you bought that you were (or, are) happy with.
You should say:
what you bought
how you bought it
why you bought it
and explain why you were (or are) happy with it.
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 ANSWER
Version 1
It was last summer that I bought a new yogurt maker and I am very satisfied
with it.
This machine is quite small and fits conveniently into my kitchen.
Interestingly, it looks like a cooker with six glasses inside. And the most
important thing is that it is very easy to use. You just have to pour the mixture of
ingredients to make yogurt into these glasses, turn the yogurt maker on and leave it
for a few hours. Then, you will have delicious home-made yogurt.
Thanks to the simple instructions, I can make yogurt for my whole family any
time I want. As yogurt is good for our health, eating it daily can make people
healthier, it can help to prevent some potentially fatal diseases and boost the
human immune system. Therefore, the members of my family have all adopted
the habit of eating yogurt every day. Owning a yogurt maker helped me to cut
down considerably the amount of time that it took to make yogurt, not to mention
the higher quality as opposed to the traditional method.
At present, I still make yogurt every day for my family with this machine and I
think that this is an indispensable product for preparing an essential part of our
regular diet.
VOCABULARY:
fits: [verb] is the right shape and size for something.
Example: This jacket fits me perfectly, but those shoes dont fit at all.
pour: [verb] to make a liquid flow from a container.
Example: Pour some milk into my glass, please.
potentially: [adverb] used to say that something may develop into
something.
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 Example: Smoking will not kill you immediately, but it is potentially
harmful for your health.
fatal: [adjective] causing or ending in death.
Example: Police were called to a fatal accident, in which 3 people were
killed.
immune system: [expression] the system in your body that helps it fight
against infection and disease.
Example: A strong immune system is necessary to remain fit and healthy.
adopted the habit: [expression] started to use a particular method of doing
something.
Example: Last month, my friend adopted the habit of running for one hour
every day in order to keep fit.
cut down: [phrasal verb] reduce the amount, size or number of something.
Example: I should cut down my working hours and spend more time just
relaxing.
indispensable: [adjective] too important to be without it
Example: A good dictionary is indispensable for learning a foreign
language.

VERSION 2: (Bn ny mnh sa li sn phm l in thoi nn s ph hp vi

nhiu bn hn)
Last summer, I bought a Nokia smart phone that I was really satisfied with.
My cell phone was the latest product from Nokia, so there were various useful
applications such as video calling, emails, games, music players, and so on. I
intended to use this smart phone to listen to music, make phone calls, send

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messages and check emails. I must say that this portable device helps me a lot no
matter where I am.
There were numerous reasons why I took an interest in this product. Firstly, I
wanted to use it for entertainment purposes. I could refresh myself after a hard
days work by enjoying music or watching reality shows on the Internet.
Moreover, thanks to this smart phone, I was able to keep in touch with my old
friends whom I could not meet in person regularly. Besides, this mobile phone
helped me to handle my workload effectively. For example, I could check emails
when waiting for the bus, which saved a lot of time.
As a final point, I would emphasize that I chose the mobile phone myself.
That was the main reason why I felt so happy with this product.

VOCABULARY
portable device: [noun] an object that is easy to carry or to move.
Example: A lot of people on my flight were using portable devices, such as
their laptops, during the journey.
took an interest in: [expression] wanted to know more about the product.
Example: My parents took an interest in my grades at school, because they
wanted me to go to university.
entertainment: [noun] for interest and amusement.
Example: The local newspaper gives news about entertainment, with
information on all the latest films, music, shows and events in our city.
refresh myself: [verb] make myself feel less tired and stressed.
Example: After work, I usually refresh myself with a shower and a hot
drink.

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 reality shows: [noun] shows that use real people [not actors] in real
situations, in order to provide entertainment.
Example: Reality shows like Big Brother are very cheap to make, because
there are no actors to pay.
handle my workload: [expression] manage the amount of work that I have
to do.
Example: The company has paid me for some extra hours to handle my
increased workload.

4. Describe a person (you know), much older than you, who you admire.
You should say:
who this person is
how you know this person
how this person has influenced you
and explain why you admire this person.
ANSWER:
I would like to describe one of my teachers who taught me at high school.
She had a great influence on me and was a role model whom I look up to.
Her name is Yen and she taught me Math for 3 years of high school. She
was in her 50s, and so she had a lot of teaching experience. Actually, we met each
other almost everyday as she was also my form teacher. She cared about us as if
we had been her sons and daughters. For example, she always brought some kinds
of medicines so that whenever her students got a cold, coughed or something like
that, she would give them the medicines immediately.
Above all, I was most influenced by the way she taught us in class. Her
thoroughness in teaching inspired me to study Math, even though I had not been
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interested in the subject before. Thanks to her effective teaching method, I was
able to pass the university entrance exam with a high Math grade. Besides, I was
also influenced by her lifestyle, which was so simple and worthy of respect that I
really wanted to copy her. As she is a warm-hearted person, she always gave us
advice about any problems we faced. At times, I felt that she was like my friend
who I could share everything with.
Although we have now all graduated from high school, my friends and I
often visit her at the weekends to tell her about our daily life at university.
VOCABULARY
role model: [noun phrase] a person that you admire and try to copy.
Example: Parents are usually the most important role models for a child.\
in her 50s: [expression] between the ages of 50 and 59.
Example: My mother retired from her job as a teacher when she was in her
50s.
cared about: [phrasal verb] felt that we were important and worth worrying
about.
Example: Everybody had a good opinion of the hospital the doctors and
nurses really cared about the health of the patients.
thoroughness: [noun] the quality of doing things very carefully and with
great attention to detail.
Example: The report was perfectly organised and included every important
detail, and I had to admire his thoroughness.
lifestyle: [noun] the way in which a person or group of people live and
work.
Example: When I moved to the countryside from Hanoi, I had to change my
lifestyle completely.
warm-hearted: [adjective] kind and generous 11
Example: He often gave money and chatted in the street to poor people that
he knew he was a very warm- hearted person.
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 5. Describe a television program that you like to watch.
You should say:
what program it is
what the program is about
how often you watch it
and explain why you like watching this program.
Describe a television program that makes you laugh.
You should say:
what program it is
how often you watch it
what it is about
and explain why you laugh at this program (= explain what is funny in this
program).
ANSWER:
A TV program that I found really funny was an American show called How I
met your mother which was broadcast every Sunday last summer.
It was a sitcom with 9 series, each of which included about 24 episodes. I
watched all of the episodes and found them absolutely hilarious. The series
followed the main character, Ted, who recounted to his son and daughter the time
when he met and got married to their mother. The special thing was this - all the
events Ted had experienced with his best friends before meeting his wife were
illustrated in a highly amusing way. For example, in one episode, Ted described
his dates with a girlfriend whose name he had forgotten, so Ted and the other
characters had to refer to her as Blah-blah all the time.
Because of the characters eccentric humor and natural acting, this show made
me laugh a lot. So, at present, whenever I feel stressed, I replay this series so that
I can just put my feet up and have a good laugh. 12

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VOCABULARY
sitcom: [noun] a regular TV program that shows the same characters in
different funny situations.
Example: In a good sitcom, all the characters who appear regularly make
us laugh.
episodes: [noun] parts of a story on TV or the radio which is broadcast in
several parts.
Example: The sitcom finally ended after 200 episodes.
absolutely hilarious: [adverb+adjective] extremely funny.
Example: At the party, he told me an absolutely hilarious story, and I
couldnt stop laughing.
recounted: [verb] told someone about something that you experienced.
Example: My father sometimes recounted to me stories of his time as a
student.
dates: [noun] aromantic meetings with a boy or girl.
Example: Although they had several dates, they decided to remain just
good friends.
eccentric: [adjective] considered by other people to be strange or unusual.
Example: A person who wears a suit to go to the beach would certainly be
considered as eccentric.
put my feet up: [expression] relax and do nothing
Example: After a hard day at work, I like to come home and put my feet up
for an hour or two.

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 6. Describe one of your best (= one of your close, or good) friends.
You should say:
who this person is
who long you have known them (= him or her)
Or, How you first met
what you do together
and explain why you think this person is a good friend
ANSWER:
m t ban than
I would like to describe my best friend, Huong, whom I have known for
tieu hoc
roughly 10 years. I first met her at primary school when she was my classmate.
dau tien kh nhut nhat
At first, she was quite shy and did not want to talk with anyone, which made me
1 chut tu hao
feel that she was a bit proud. However, when we became close friends, she was
hoa dong tot bung
more sociable and amiable.
cugn truong
We have done a lot of things together. Studying at the same schools, we have
dai tiec
various mutual friends. So, we usually throw parties at the weekends or have a
picnic together. Besides, whenever I get into trouble, I turn to her for help. For
bai thi dai hoc
example, I remember when I got bad marks in the mock university entrance exam,
an ui chinh thuc
she consoled me and then we studied together until the official exam took place.
co hoi
Finally, we had the opportunity to study at our favorite college.
hien tai ke hoach muc tieu
At present, despite the fact that we have different plans and goals to pursue, I
theo duoi
believe that we will be best friends for good and we will try our best to maintain
this relationship. mai mai no luc het minhduy tri
mqh
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 VOCABULARY
khong
roughly: [adverb] approximately, but not exactly.
Example: In the exam, I wrote roughly 300 words for my essay.
close friends: [expression] friends who know each other very well and
like each other a lot.
Example: Close friends usually share the same interests and have no
secrets from each other.
amiable: [adjective] pleasant and easy to like tt bng
Example: Our form teacher is very amiable and we all enjoy the relaxed
atmosphere in her classes.
mutual friends: [expression] friends which are shared by two or more
people. bn chung
Example: Although we had not met before, when we started chatting, we
discovered that we had some mutual friends.
throw parties: [expression] give parties. t chc tic, i tic
Example: Some Hollywood film stars throw parties which hundreds of
people attend.
cm thng ng cm
consoled: [verb] gave sympathy to someone who is unhappy.
Example:
cm thng
After the team lost the match, the coach consoled the players
and told them that they had played well.
for good: [expression] permanently mi mi
Example: I decided to leave New York for good and move to Europe.
try our best: do as much as possible to achieve something
Example: Although we tried our best, we failed the exam.
n lc ht mnh

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 7. Describe a family (not your own family) that you like.

You should say:

where this family lives
who the members of the family are
how you know them
what each person in this family does in life (student/work/retired etc.)
and explain why you like this family.
ANSWER: gn gi
I would like to talk about a family that I am very close to, its my uncles
family.
His family has 2 daughters who are around the same age as me; therefore, I
ghe qua nuong banh
usually drop in to his house to chat with them. At times, we bake some cakes and
take them to our grandparents house; then we have an overnight sleep there.
i chi
Besides, we often hang out together, especially at the weekends just to take it
thu gian easy and enjoy ourselves so as to get ready for a new week. nhn hu
Their parents, I mean my uncle and aunt, are very warm-hearted, and they
gap kh
both work as college teachers. So, whenever I run into difficulties with my
homework, I usually turn to them for help. I remember when I was small, I used
to live in my uncles house and they looked after me as if I had been their
tuyet voi
daughter. Hence, our relationships are out-of-this-world, although we dont have
much time together like before. But on special occasions such as the Tet holiday,
banh chung phao hoa
we will gather at my grandparents house to make Chung cake, enjoy a firework
trinh dien
performance as well as wish New years greetings to each other.
As a final point, I hope that we can maintain this close relationship for ever.
VOCABULARY
gn gi close to: [adjective] knowing someone very well and liking them a lot.

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 Example: I am still very close to my best friend, and we meet up
regularly.
gh qua drop in: [phrasal verb] pay an informal visit to someone.
Example: I was passing your house, so I decided to drop in and have a
chat.
qua m overnight: [adjective] for one night.
Example: All the hotels were full and I could not find any overnight
accommodation.
i chi hang out: [phrasal verb] spend a lot of time in a place.
Example: During the school holidays, a lot of kids hang out at the
shopping mall.
th gin take it easy: [expression] relax and avoid working too hard or doing too
much.
Example: The doctor told me to take it easy for a few days until I felt
better.
nhn hu warm-hearted: [adjective] kind and generous.
Example: My parents were very warm-hearted and they always helped
other people with their problems.
gp kh run into difficulties: [expression] experience difficulties.
khn Example: As I did not understand much French, I soon ran into
difficulties when I visited Paris.
chm sc looked after: [phrasal verb] were responsible for and took care of me.
Example: My aunt looked after us while our mother was in hospital.
tuyt vi out-of-this-world: [expression] used to emphasize how good something
is.
I am speechless
No words to say. 17

It is none of your business.

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 Example: Visitors to Vietnam think that the traditional food is out-of-
this-world.

8. Describe a sport that you would like to learn.

You should say:
what sport it is
how you would learn it
how difficult you think it would be to learn
and explain why you would like to learn this sport.
ANSWER

ho hng lu ri
Basketball is the sport which I have been interested in for a long time.
bt u gn y
Therefore, I have taken up this sport recently.
ch nht sn
Basketball is played by two teams of five members on a rectangular court,
nm bng i th vng bin
where the players of each team try to shoot the ball through the rivals hoop. As
ph bin
far as I know, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. This is
nhiu li ch sc khe c bp
because of basketballs great benefits to our health, such as muscular
pht trin pt chiu cao vn vn
development, height growth, and so on. Of course, its also fast-moving and
exciting. nng ng
d nhin di chuyn nhanh
khng
Considering its huge l I decided to tham
advantages,
gia
take up this sport. Actually, I
li ch trung tm
have been learning it for three months at a sport center. Here, I am taking the
c bn cung cp n gin
beginner course which provides me with basic skills to play basketball such as
nn nhy nm c hi
dribbling, jumping and shooting. Also, I have many opportunities to practise
c kinh nghim gip
these skills with experienced basketball players, which helps to improve my game
a lot.

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 im cui nhn mnh gn
As a final point, I would emphasize that in the near future, I hope that I will be
thnh tho
c th able to play basketball skillfully to improve my physical condition and really
th cht
enjoy the sport to the full. tuyt nh
VOCABULARY
bt u take up: [phrasal verb] learn or start to do something.
Example: I decided to take up a new hobby jogging.
i th rival: [noun] a person, team or company which competes with another in
sport or business.
Example: Nike and Adidas are rivals in the sportswear business.
vng bin hoop: [noun] the ring through which players throw the ball in basketball to
score points.
Example: The best basketball players consistently shoot the ball through the
hoop.
pht trin muscular development: [expression] the process by which your muscles
c bp become stronger.
Example: He uses the equipment at the gym every day in order to increase
his muscular development.
nn bng dribbling: [gerund] a way of moving the ball with several short bounces on
the basketball court.
Example: I practice running and bouncing the ball in order to improve my
dribbling for basketball.
tuyt i to the full: [adverb] to the greatest possible degree.
Example: Staying fit and healthy helps us to enjoy life to the full.

9. Describe a photo of yourself that you had taken

You should say:
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 when the photo was taken
how this photograph was taken
where the photo was taken
who took the photo
and explain why the photo was taken or why you think it is a good photo

Today, I would like to describe a photo of myself that I had taken by a friend.
Honestly, I kind of do not like posing for pictures and I only do so on very special
occasions. That photo was taken at my university with my extended family last
year during the graduation ceremony, you know, and it was special because it was
one of the best family moments in our lives.
When I graduated from university, my whole family that is my grandparents, my
parents and a lot of my siblings brothers and sisters - came to celebrate the day
with me. Everyone was extremely cheerful and really proud of me. I remembered
that we had not had a family get-together for ages, so I came up with the idea of
taking a photo together in order to save our memorable day on film.
The House of Culture in my university was the place that we chose to take this
photo. I asked one of my classmates to help us to capture that moment. He was
really good at photography and so I had total confidence in him. He put everyone
at their ease, so it was really a wonderful photo because there were brilliant smiles
from all the members of our whole family group.
Whenever I look back at that photo, I feel very emotional and happy because it not
only marked a major turning-point in my life, but it was also a valuable
opportunity for my extended family to strengthen our relationship. I think
sometimes it is necessary for us to capture moments and save them as notable
memories in our lives.
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VOCABULARY

posing: [verb] sitting or standing in a particular position in order to be

photographed.
Example: I have an old photo of my grandparents, posing in front of a statue in
the park.

extended family: [noun] a family group that includes not only children and
parents, but also uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins......
Example: When our extended family all met for a meal, there were probably
about 50 of us at the restaurant.

sibling: [noun] a brother or sister.

Example: I went to a different school from most of my siblings.

get-together: [noun] an informal meeting or party.

Example: Most of the students were more interested in social get-togethers than
going to lectures.

for ages: [expression] for a long time.

Example: How are you? I havent seen you for ages.

put...at their ease: [expression] make someone relaxed, so they do not feel
nervous or embarrassed.
Example: Our friendly host at the party soon put everyone at their ease.
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smiles: [noun] the expression that you have on your face when you are happy.
Example: After they won the match, all the players had big smiles on their faces.

look back: [phrasal verb] think about something in your past.

Example: When I look back at my schooldays, I realise that I was not happy at
that time.

marked: [verb] indicated an event that was important.

Example: The celebrations last month marked the 90th birthday of the Queen.

turning point: [noun] a time when an important change takes place, usually with
the result that a situation improves.
Example: The promotion to manager marked a turning point in her career.

capture: [verb] film or record something/someone.

Example: The video camera captured the moment of the accident.

strengthen: [verb] make stronger.

Example: The President said that he was determined to strengthen his countrys
relations with China.

notable: [adjective] important and deserving to receive attention.

Example: She achieved notable success as a famous writer of books for children.

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 10.Describe one of your childhood toys that was special to you.
You should say:
what it was
who gave it to you
how you played with it
and explain why it was special for you.
ANSWER:
I remember that when I was young, I was keen on watching the cartoon
called The many adventures of Winnie the Pooh, so much that I kept pestering
my father for the stuffed bear Winnie the Pooh. Finally, my father gave me one as
a present for my 6th birthday. When I got this toy, I jumped for joy and even paid
no attention to my other presents.
This stuffed bear was, incredibly, identical to the character in the cartoon I
had watched. He also had a short red shirt and was holding a jar of honey which
was his favorite food. Therefore, I felt as if he had come from the movie.
Since then, I considered him my closest friend and I couldnt go anywhere
without him, even when I went to sleep. Every day, I talked with the bear and told
him about my daily routine. Unfortunately, I lost the bear at an amusement center,
which made me cry for almost a week. At that time, I felt like I had lost a good
friend who I could share everything with.
At present, whenever I watch this cartoon or see any photos of Winnie the
Pooh, all the wonderful memories about him are brought back. Thanks to the
bear, I experienced a happy childhood.
VOCABULARY:
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 was keen on: [phrasal verb] was eager to/was enthusiastic about
Example: He was keen on fishing when he was a boy, and he still loves to
go fishing at weekends.
pestering: [verb] annoying someone by asking them many times.
Example: In the shop, some children were pestering their mother to buy ice-
cream.
stuffed bear: [noun] a toy in the shape of a bear, made of cloth and filled
with soft material.
Example: Stuffed bears have always been popular as toys for young
children.
identical to: [adjective] exactly the same as someone or something else.
Example: His sports bag is identical to mine, and as a result one day I took
his bag by mistake.
amusement center: [noun] a center which has a lot of things which you can
play on and many different activities to enjoy.
Example: Our city has a huge shopping mall, and it has a fantastic
amusement center for children to play while their parents are shopping.

11.Describe a time when you saw an interesting animal.

You should say:
what animal it was
where you saw it
what happened when you saw it *
how you felt when you saw it
and explain why you thought it was interesting.
ANSWER:
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 I am raising an Alaska dog, which is a large breed of domestic dog. My dog
has a double coat: the undercoat is soft while the outer one is coarse and water-
proof. Also, his coat has two colors, black and white. In my opinion, his most
attractive feature is the small upright ears which are out of proportion to the
head.
Having had this dog for almost a year, I find him intriguing. He is very
smart, so he learns everything quickly. I once taught him how to fetch.
Surprisingly enough, he successfully chased and retrieved the object after I tossed
it for the second time. He acted as if he had intrinsically understood the game. He
is also friendly to everyone, especially children. Whenever someone visits my
house, instead of barking, he welcomes them by licking their feet.
For me, my dog is a friend I can play with after school. I often walk him
around the park at the weekends and he seems to like this, as there are different
dogs there. I also talk with him regularly and I feel that he can understand what I
say.
As a final point, I hope that my dog can live with me for a long time.
VOCABULARY:
breed: [noun] an animal such as a dog, horse or cat that has been developed
by people in a controlled way.
Example: The airport police use a breed of dog which can smell hidden
drugs in bags and suitcases.
coat: [noun] the fur or hair which covers the body of an animal.
Example: Some breeds of cows have a thick winter coat to protect against
cold weather.
coarse: [adjective] rough

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 Example: As a result of working on a construction site all his life, his hands
were coarse.
upright: [adjective] straight, not lying down or bent.
Example: My dogs ears appear to be large, because they are upright and
this helps him to hear everything very well.
intriguing: [adjective] interesting and unusual
Example: It is intriguing to see how my teacher explains things so clearly
to the class.
fetch: [verb] go to where something is and bring it back.
Example: It started to rain, so I went back to the house to fetch the umbrella
for me and my wife.
retrieved: [verb] to bring something back, especially from a place where it
should not be.
Example: The wind blew my hat into the road, so I quickly retrieved it
before any cars came.
tossed it: threw it, but in no special direction.
Example: After he had read the newspaper, he tossed it on to the ground.
intrinsically: [adverb] in a way that was part of his real nature or character.
Example: I believed his story, because he is an intrinsically honest man.
barking: [verb] the sound made by a dog.
Example: When the postman arrived, the dog started barking.
licking: [verb] moving its tongue over someone or something.
Example: I saw the cat licking its whiskers after it had finished eating.
12.Describe a meal you had your friends or family (in someone's home or
in a restaurant).
You should say:
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 who organized this meal
where you had it
what you talked about during the meal
what you ate and drank
and explain why you had this meal with your friends.
ANSWER:
Last month, I had a get-together with some of my high school friends whom
I had not met since we graduated. Then, we decided to have lunch at a well-known
pizza restaurant in the city centre.
Arriving at the restaurant, we were quickly given the menu. What surprised
me the most was that there were various types of pizza and drinks; hence, it took
me quite a long time to choose the food. After that, we talked with each other
while waiting for the dishes. Some of my friends were studying at the same
university, some had decided to get a job. And I was especially impressed by the
decision of one friend to take a gap year. She said that as she had a strong passion
for traveling, she would spend one year visiting lots of places.
Then, the dishes were served. The pizza was out-of-this-world and the drinks
were tasty although they were a bit pricey. We kept talking and enjoyed the meal
and drinks for about two hours. Actually, meeting them reminded me of the time
when we studied at high school and I realized that now we were all grown-up,
we had our own plans to pursue. But we all promised to meet up regularly.
VOCABULARY:
get-together: [noun] an informal meeting or gathering of friends.
Example: We usually have a family get-together during the New Year
celebrations.

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 gap year: [noun] the year that a young person spends working and/or
travelling after leaving school and starting university.
Example: Im planning to take a gap year before I start my university
course, and I have decided to go to see India and China.
have a passion for: [expression] have a hobby or activity that you like very
much.
Example: He has a passion for traditional music, and he is learning to play
some traditional musical instruments.
out-of-this-world: [adjective] used to emphasize how good or beautiful
something is.
Example: The variety of Vietnamese food available during the Tet holiday
is out-of-this-world.
tasty: [adjective] having a very delicious flavour.
Example: When I want something tasty to eat, I often buy some chocolates
or ice-cream.
a bit pricey: [adjective] a little expensive.
Example: Although my favourite restaurant serves food that is out-of-this-
world, it is unfortunately a bit pricey, so I cant afford to eat there often.
grown-up: [adjective] mentally and physically an adult.
Example: She has a grown-up daughter who works in our local hospital.
meet up: [phrasal verb] to meet someone, usually by arranging a time and
place with them first.
Example: After work, we all met up at the cinema to watch the new James
Bond movie.

13.Describe an item of clothing that someone (recently) gave to you.

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 You should say:
what it was
who gave it to you
what it looked like
why they gave it to you
and explain how you felt about this gift.
ANSWER:
I would like to describe a coat my parents gave me as a present on my 18th
birthday. I must say that it is really smart and exactly to my liking.
The coat is made of cotton only and by a Vietnamese clothes brand. It is a
knee-length black coat, which was in fashion at that time. What I like the most is
that there are two deep side pockets, so in winter, I always put my hands into
those pockets to avoid the cold. Besides, I can button the coat from top to bottom
and its also got a decorative waist belt.
I am so fond of this coat that I usually wear it every winter. It fits me
perfectly and makes me feel comfortable and warm, no matter how cold the
weather is. I keep myself warm by wearing the coat with jeans and boots, which
match it well.
In fact, I have never thought whether it will be out of fashion. As this coat
is a gift from my parents, I treasure it a lot and for sure - I will keep wearing
this coat in the future.
VOCABULARY:
really smart: [adjective] very clean, neat and attractive.
Example: If you want to look good on special social occasions, or
even at work, it is important to dress in really smart clothes.

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 to my liking: [expression] suitable, and how somebody likes
something.
Example: The smart way in which she has decorated my house is
exactly to my liking.
button the coat: [verbal phrase] fasten the coat with buttons.
Example: Stepping outside my warm house, I quickly buttoned the
coat which I was wearing to try and keep warm.
decorative: [adjective] intended to look attractive, because of the
way in which it is decorated.
Example: Many tourists visit the Temple of Literature because of the
many decorative sculptures which they can see there.
fond of: [expression] finding something pleasant or enjoyable,
especially something that you have liked or enjoyed for a long time.
Example: My uncle is an excellent musician, and he is very fond of
his hobby.
match: [verb] if things match each other, they have the same colour
or style and therefore look attractive together.
Example: None of these shoes match my jeans they are all very
different and they are too formal.
treasure: [verb] have or keep something that you love and that is
very valuable to you.
Example: Thank you for e-mailing the photos. They are superb and
I will always treasure them and the memories that they bring.

14.Describe a time when the weather caused you to change your plans.
You should say:
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 what your plan was (or, plans were)
what weather you were hoping for (or expecting)
what happened
and explain how you felt when you had to change your plans.
ANSWER:
Last month, I was going to have a picnic with my friends at a camping site
on the outskirts of the city. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, we had to cancel
our plan.
In fact, we planned to have a picnic to refresh ourselves and to relax after
the final term examination. Everything needed such as food, drinks and even a
change of clothes was well-prepared. I was so excited about this trip that I
couldnt sleep, and ended up chatting with my friends all night. However, on the
next day, it was raining heavily, despite the fact that the weather was forecast to
be nice and warm. As a result, we made a decision to put off our plans.
Instead, we threw a party at my friends house. We made some favorite
dishes together, and then played cards. The ones who lost had to buy snacks for
all of us. Surprisingly, we soon forgot all about our misfortune over the picnic. By
the way, we enjoyed this party a lot, it helped us to chill out and get ready for the
new term.
VOCABULARY
a change of clothes: [expression] an extra set of clothes.
Example: In case it rained, we took a change of clothes so that we would
have some dry things to wear.
ended up: [phrasal verb] found myself in a situation that I had not expected
to be in.
Example: After I was hit by a car, I ended up in hospital for three months.
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 put off: [phrasal verb] cancel a meeting or arrangement.
Example: Plans to open the new supermarket have been put off until next
month.
threw a party: [expression] organized a party.
Example: We threw a party when my sister came to visit us from
Australia.
forgot all about: [expression] forgot completely.
Example: He enjoyed the concert so much that he forgot all about his
problems at work.
chill out: [phrasal verb] spend time relaxing and forgetting your worries.
Example: On holiday, I like to chill out on the beach and enjoy the fresh
air.

15.Describe a goal that you hope to achieve in the future.

You should say:
what the goal is
when you first began to have this goal
how you would achieve the first step of your goal *
how easy or difficult you think it will be to reach this goal
and explain why you have this goal.
ANSWER
One of my goals in the near future is to improve my proficiency in Japanese.
Actually, I have been studying Japanese for two months; therefore, I can just
hold some simple conversations about daily life. There are various reasons why I
want to study this language. Firstly, I am keen on Japanese culture, which is so
incredibly unique and diverse. By learning Japanese, I can know more about
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traditions there. Secondly, I have always longed to work for a Japanese company.
Since people in Japan are organized and hard-working, collaborating with them
gives me a good chance to improve myself. Thats why I really want to master this
language.
To achieve this goal, I am taking a Japanese course with a native teacher who
gives me the best methods to study Japanese effectively. Besides, I am trying to
practice speaking Japanese with my friends and watch as many Japanese films as
possible, so that my level of Japanese can be improved considerably. I hope that
soon I will have a good command of Japanese and I am sure that I will remain
motivated to achieve my goal.
VOCABULARY
hold conversations: [expression] have conversations
Example: It is impossible to hold conversations in that place it is too
noisy !
keen on: [adjective] very interested in an idea or activity
Example: My parents are very keen on visiting my uncle in the US.
diverse: [adjective] very different and varied.
Example: New York is a big city with people from diverse cultures.
longed to: [phrasal verb] wanted to do something very much.
Example: It is just a dream, but I have always longed to be a famous
musician.
master: [verb] learn or understand something completely.
Example: In many jobs we have to master new techniques, such as
computer skills.
have a command of: [expression] have an ability to do or use something
especially a language.
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 Example: You must have a good command of English in order to pass the
IELTS exam.

16.Describe a time when someone apologized to you.

You should say:
who apologised to you
why they apologised
where it happened
and explain how you felt (or what you said) after this person apologised.
ANSWER:
On Tuesday last week, I was riding my motorbike to school. Actually, I
was in a hurry; otherwise, I would have been late for the class. Unfortunately,
there was heavy traffic congestion. In front of me there was just a long stream of
cars and bikes. Therefore, I had no choice but to slow down and join the queue of
vehicles.
Suddenly, a scooter hit me from behind, which made me panic and fall off
my bike. I suffered a few bruises and a minor elbow injury. A few seconds later,
the rider on the scooter got off, came up to me and apologized for his carelessness.
He also offered to take me to hospital for a checkup, but it was unnecessary as I
was okay.
To be honest, at first, I was very angry with him for crashing into my
motorbike, but his sincere concern calmed me down and I decided to accept his
apology. Then, I continued on my way to school.
I realize that we can all make mistakes sometimes, but if we make an apology,
almost everyone will forgive us. So, it is best to own up and accept responsibility
for your mistakes.
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VOCABULARY
heavy traffic congestion: [expression] the state of being crowded and full
of traffic.
Example: In an attempt to reduce heavy traffic congestion in the centre of
London, motorists now have to pay to enter the city centre.
a long stream of: [expression] a continuous flow of cars and bikes.
Example: A long stream of vehicles was waiting to cross the bridge, but they
were moving slowly because of the traffic congestion.
slow down: [phrasal verb] go at a slower speed.
Example: Near schools and hospitals, motorists should slow down in order to
reduce the chances of an accident.
suffer: [verb] experience something unpleasant, like an injury.
Example: During the meal, he suffered a heart attack and an ambulance took
him to hospital.
bruises: [noun] blue or brown marks that appear on your body after you
have fallen or been hit.
Example: After the accident, he suffered some cuts and bruises as a result of
falling on to the ground.
came up to me: [phrasal verb] approached me.
Example: After the match, a journalist came up to me and asked my opinion
about the result.
calmed me down: [phrasal verb] made me less angry.
Example: I was angry with the boy and I wanted to hit him, but the teacher
calmed me down by telling the boy to apologise for what he had done.
on my way: [expression] going.
Example: I am on my way to the park do you want to come?
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 own up: [phrasal verb] admit that you are responsible for something bad
or wrong.
Example: When the teacher collected our homework, I had to own up and
explain that I had not finished it.

17.Describe a story or novel you have (recently) read that you found to be
particularly interesting.
You should say:
what the plot of the story or novel was
who wrote it
why you read it
how much time it took to read it
and explain why you thought it was interesting.
ANSWER:
I would like to talk about my favorite classic novel called The Godfather, which
is written by a well-known Italian author, Mario Puzo. I came across this novel
when I was trying to find a dictionary at a bookstore. It was published in hard-cover
version and there was a colourful illustration on the front which caught my eye.
At first, although I was not much impressed by the novels preview, I still
bought it and started to read the story right after getting home. Surprisingly, the
more I read The Godfather, the more it appealed to me. This novel told the
story of an Italian imaginary character named Vito Corleone, who was a mafia
boss in America after World War I. What attracted me in this story was the way
the author described Vitos tricks to survive in a chaotic society. Thanks to this
novel, I learned a lot about the course of American history in that lawless period.

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 After finishing this book, I read some more novels by Mario Puzo and they were
all fascinating. I realize that reading books is a good way to gain knowledge;
therefore, everyone should get into the habit of reading.
VOCABULARY
classic: [adjective] accepted as being one of the best or most important of
its type.
Example: The story of Romeo and Juliet is a classic tale of love and
revenge.
come across: [phrasal verb] to meet or find somebody or something by
chance.
Example: Yesterday, I came across some old photographs in a drawer.
hard-cover: [adjective] with a stiff cover which does not bend.
Example: The hard-cover version of the book is expensive, so I am waiting
for the paperback version to be published.
caught my eye: [expression] attracted my attention.
Example: As I looked at the shop window, a dark blue jacket caught my
eye.
right after: [adverb] immediately after.
Example: Yesterday, I spoke to the teacher right after the class.
appeal to: [phrasal verb] attract or interest someone.
Example: The companys new website is designed to appeal to people of
all ages.
chaotic: [adjective] confused and without any order.
Example: At busy times, the traffic situation is chaotic in New York.
lawless: [adjective] where laws do not exist or are not obeyed.

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 Example: Chicago was known as a lawless city, controlled by gangsters and
the mafia.
fascinating: [adjective] very interesting.
Example: She has written a fascinating book about the history of crime in
America.
get into the habit of: [expression] do something regularly, so that you do it
almost without thinking.
Example: My sister has got into the habit of turning on the TV when she
arrives home.

18.Describe some local news that people in your locality interested in.
You should say:
what the news
how you know about this news
who involved in this news
and explain why it interesting to people.
ANSWER:
bao chi
I came across this intriguing article in a newspaper I read at my schools
thu vien tHAI DO TICH CUC
library. It involved how positive attitudes have greatly affected peoples success,
PHU NUA BAN DIA
based on the story of how a local woman had never given up her dream and had
TIEU THUEYT GIA NOI TIENG THE GIOI
now become a world-famous novelist.
NGUOI LAC QUAN
According to the news story, optimistic people are more likely to be
successful. Since they look at the bright side, their lives are always full of
enjoyment. Therefore, when running into problems, optimists try their best to
work out solutions. This leads them to great achievements. In contrast,

I am under the weather.

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 pessimistic people tend to act negatively, which not only puts them under a lot of
strain, but also has a bad impact on their performance and people around them.
Since I read this news, I have tried to maintain positive attitudes about
everything. Whenever I fail to do something, I will not blame myself but work
harder to overcome such failure. I hope that, like this woman, everybody can
learn to be optimistic about whatever situation they face.
VOCABULARY
HAP DAN intriguing: [adjective] very interesting, because the news was
unusual.
Example: He told me an intriguing story about how a shark had
once attacked him while he was swimming in the sea.
KHONG TU BO had never given up: [phrasal verb] had never abandoned: she had
always continued to believe in her dream.
Example: The police announced that after 10 days they had
finally given up looking for survivors of the air crash.
world-famous: [adjective] known all over the world
NOI TIENG THE GIOI
Example: McDonalds is a world-famous chain of fast-food
restaurants.
novelist: [noun] a person who writes novels fictional stories.
TIEU THUYET GIA
Example: The author of the Harry Potter books used to teach
English, but now she is a world-famous novelist.
LAC QUAN optimistic: [adjective] expecting good things to happen or to be
successful.
Example: He was optimistic about his chances of passing the exam,
because he had studied hard.

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 look at/on the bright side: [expression] to be cheerful about a bad
SUY NGHI LAC QUAN
situation, by thinking of the advantages not the disadvantages.
Example: Although you have lost your keys, look on the bright side
your brother has a copy of all of them.
NGHI VE work out (solutions): [phrasal verb] think of (solutions).
Example: Engineers work out solutions to many technical problems
when they design new buildings.
BI QUAN pessimistic: [adjective] expecting bad things to happen or expecting
things to fail.
Example: The patient was very ill, and the doctors were pessimistic
about his chances of recovering.
puts them under a lot of strain: [expression] puts a lot of pressure
CAN DO DONG DEM
on them, because they are worried about being able to solve a
difficulty.
Example: The team have lost every match, so this puts them under
a lot of strain when they have to face new opponents.
BAT CU CAI GI whatever: any or every (situation)
Example: Whatever the situation about your travel visa, we will
work out a solution together.

19.Describe the first time you used a foreign language to communicate.

You should say:
who you communicated with
what the situation was *
what you said (or wrote)
and explain how you felt during this experience.
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 ANSWER:
I have been learning English for a long time, but I havent had many
chances to practice speaking English with native speakers. To the best of my
recollection, the first time I used it was on Christmas Eve three years ago.
At that time, I was hanging out with my friends. Suddenly, a foreigner
came up to me and asked for directions to a supermarket. Honestly, he spoke too
quickly for me to catch everything. But after he repeated his words, I finally
understood and showed him the way to the nearest supermarket. I used body
language a lot to explain the directions to him, since I didnt speak English well
then. After that, he said Thank you to me and headed for the supermarket.
I realize that English plays an important role in our life, despite the fact
that we dont live in English-speaking countries. It is spoken globally and its
becoming the dominant language. Therefore, I have been trying to practice
speaking English daily so that I can have a good command of this language, and I
can talk confidently with foreigners, whatever the topic of conversation.
VOCABULARY
to the best of my recollection: [expression] if I remember correctly.
Example: I was not present at that meeting, to the best of my
recollection.
hanging out: [phrasal verb] spending a lot of time in a particular place,
but doing no special activity.
Example: My friends and I enjoy hanging out at our local coffee shop,
just chatting and enjoying a coffee.
came up to: [phrasal verb] approached.
Example: The manager came up to me and shook my hand.

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 catch everything: [expression] hear or understand everything that he
said.
Example: At the train station it was too noisy to hear all the information
clearly, and I was unable to catch everything.
body language: [noun] the way that you show what you feel or think
by moving your body.
Example: Sometimes, our teacher uses body language, not words, to
help to communicate an idea.
headed for: [phrasal verb] moved in a particular direction.
Example: After the show finished, everyone headed for the exits.
have a good command of: [expression] have a good knowledge of
something.
Example: People who apply for this job must have a good command of
English, in order to communicate with our American customers.

20. Describe an occasion when you helped someone.

You should say:
who you helped
how you helped them
where it happened
why you helped them
and explain how this person reacted to your help
or
and explain how you felt after helping this person.
ANSWER:

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 Yesterday, when walking to school, I came across a pregnant woman.
She was holding a baby and carrying a lot of plastic bags containing fruit and
vegetables. Those bags seemed to be heavy, which made it difficult for her to hold
her child. So, I quickly walked up to her and offered to help her by carrying all of
the bags.
At first, she was quite suspicious about my sudden appearance. Well, it is
understandable to be cautious with strangers. If I were her, I would do the same.
But then, she recognized the school uniform I was wearing. Therefore, she
thanked me in advance and gave me all of her plastic bags, and I carried them to
her house. When we arrived, she offered me a cup of tea and even invited me to
stay for lunch, but I politely declined as I had to go back to school. Otherwise, I
would have been late for classes.
To my mind, doing a good deed makes me feel more comfortable and
optimistic about everything, so I hope that everyone will help each other regularly
for the sake of our mutual well-being.
VOCABULARY
came across: [phrasal verb] met her by accident.
Example: Last week, I came across an old school friend in the supermarket.
walked up to: [phrasal verb] walked towards her, in a confident way.
Example: In the shop, I walked up to the manager and demanded my
money back.
suspicious: [adjective] she was unwilling to trust me, because I had
appeared suddenly and she did not know me.
Example: Parents teach children to be suspicious of strangers who approach
them in the street.

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 understandable: [adjective] seeming normal and reasonable in a particular
situation.
Example: Being nervous before an exam is perfectly understandable.
politely declined: [adverb+verb] I refused in a polite way to accept her
offer.
Example: I offered to give them a lift in my car, but they politely declined.
doing a good deed: [expression] doing an action that is good.
Example: I enjoy doing a good deed, such as going to the shops, for my
elderly neighbour.
our mutual well-being: [expression] actions that benefit two or more
people equally.
Example: We should always try to be honest and generous with others, for
the sake of our mutual well-being.

21.Describe what you think would be the perfect job (or "dream job") for
you.
You should say:
what job it would be (or is)
what you would do in this job
what skills you would need to learn for this job
and explain why you think this would be the perfect job for you.
ANSWER
For me, the ideal job that I would like to have is to be an air hostess.
This job involves taking care of customers on planes, serving food and
drinks, and making sure that they have a safe flight. In Vietnam, to apply for this
position, an applicant has to meet various requirements, including being at least
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20 years old, having good communication and problem-solving skills, having a
good command of language, and so on. One special thing is this career is open to
both men and women, although women are preferred.
There are many reasons why I think this job would suit me. Firstly, I
have a passion for traveling. Taking this job, I could travel to many countries on a
regular basis. Occasionally, when I have free time between flights, I would be able
to go sightseeing and enjoy a variety of local food. Secondly, I have quite a good
command of English and French, which are spoken by the majority of people
around the world. Therefore, this would help me a lot if I could get this job.
Lastly, I am really interested in talking with others. So, I believe that this job is
perfect for me since I would meet hundreds of people every day. As a final
point, I hope that I can follow my dream career in the future.
VOCABULARY
taking care of: [phrasal verb] providing customers with everything that
they need for their comfort and protection.
Example: My mother is taking care of my children while I am away on
business.
applicant: [noun] a person who makes a formal request for something,
such as a job or a place at university.
Example: I dont think that I will get the job, because there were hundreds
of applicants.
having a good command of: [expression] having a good knowledge,
especially of a language, and the ability to speak it well.
Example: Having a good command of at least one foreign language is
necessary for most people working in the tourist industry.

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 open to: [adjective] available to, because both men and women can enter
this profession.
Example: This job is open to people of all ages, but applicants must have a
university qualification.
on a regular basis: [expression] regularly.
Example: The fire equipment is checked on a regular basis, usually at the
end of each month.
go sightseeing: [verb] visit interesting places as a tourist.
Example: I would like to go sightseeing in Hanoi and visit the Old City and
the Temple of Literature.
dream career: [noun] the profession that I would really love to have.
Example: For a lot of boys, their dream career is to be a football player.

22. Describe a magazine or newspaper that you like to read.

You should say:
what magazine or newspaper it is
what the magazine or newspaper is about
how often you read it
what kinds of people generally read this magazine or newspaper
and explain why you like to read it.
ANSWER:
To be honest, I dont read magazines much these days, but I still read the
one called Vietraveler, which is a tourism magazine.
The magazine contains all that we need to know in terms of traveling,
such as reviews of numerous famous destinations, tips to save money when
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traveling or what we need to prepare for a trip. Besides, at the back of the
magazine, there are a few discount coupons for some particular domestic tours
which are run by tourist companies.
Always, when a new issue is published, I get it delivered to my house by
post. Actually, I have been a subscriber to this magazine for almost 5 years and I
fully intend to carry on reading it. As all the information in it is arranged
logically, therefore, I find it quite easy to locate every article that interests me. In
addition, I highly appreciate the quality of the magazines contents. The
attractiveness of the glossy photos and the high standard of journalism are just
two of its outstanding features.
As a final point, I would emphasize that I usually depend on this magazine
to plan a good trip or suggest one to my friends.
VOCABULARY
discount coupons: [noun] small pieces of printed paper that gives you the
right to buy something at a cheaper price than normal.
Example: I cut the discount coupons out of the newspaper and used them
to buy an Iphone at a reduced price.
run: [verb] provided and made available to people.
Example: The school runs special courses for teenagers during the summer.
issue: [noun] one of a regular series of a magazine.
Example: In the last issue of the magazine, there is an article about
restaurants in Hanoi.
subscriber: [noun] a person who pays money usually once a year to
receive regular copies of a magazine or newspaper.
Example: The number of subscribers to the magazine has now reached
10,000.
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 fully intend to: [adverb+verb] to have a definite plan about something
which you will do.
Example: If I dont go on holiday this month, then I fully intend to take a
holiday next month.
carry on: [phrasal verb] continue.
Example: Even if I pass the exam, I fully intend to carry on studying
English to an advanced level.
glossy: [adjective] smooth and shiny, so as to look real and attractive.
Example: The shiny paper used in glossy magazines is very expensive, so
the magazines too are always expensive.
outstanding: [adjective] extremely good and very important.
Example: The outstanding tourist attraction in New York is the Statue of
Liberty.

23.Describe a happy family event from your childhood.

You should say:
what the event was
where it happened
what you saw and did *
and explain why you remember this event so well.
ANSWER
what the event was, where it happened: A happy family event that I still
remember clearly from my childhood was making chung cake for Tet holiday at
my grandparents house.
what you saw and did: When I was small, our family would get together to
make chung cake for Tet holiday. My grandparents had six children; therefore, I
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had many cousins. And the great thing was that my cousins and I were around the
same age. At that time, we were too small to do anything, so basically, we played
with each other while we watched the adults prepare the ingredients for the cake.
Sometimes, we got to eat the leftover food after all the cakes were finished. Tet
holiday was the only time of the year that we were allowed to stay up late, one
reason why it is so memorable. Although the winter was cold, we all felt cozy
inside; we had so much fun together.
and explain why you remember this event so well: Since my grandfather
passed away a couple of years ago, we stopped our family tradition. In addition,
some of my cousins had already gotten married and had their own families, and
some had gone to study abroad. Consequently, it was very difficult for us to get
together like old times. Missing this special family tradition makes it so
unforgettable for me and I hope we can start doing it again in the future.
VOCABULARY
remember clearly - to see something in your mind with detail from before,
to remember something very well. I remember very clearly where I was
when J.F.K. was shot.
to be around the same age - to describe when a group of people have similar
ages - they are around the same age. In this context, the person and his
cousins were young, so maybe they were between 4 and 7 years old. All my
classmates who went to the concert were around the same age.
basically - used to indicate that a statement summarizes the most important
aspects, or gives a roughly accurate account, of a more complex situation.
So basically, I am one of the best students in the class.
leftover food - the food that remains after you have created something with
certain ingredients and dont need any more of those ingredients or it is the
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 food that is left over after everybody has already eaten what they wanted.
They said theyd eat the leftover food for lunch tomorrow.
to stay up late - to stay awake past your normal bed time. In this context, the
child was young and so staying up until later in the evening was special.
My son wants to stay up late every night during the summer.
memorable - when something is easy to remember or when you actually
remember it well. Her wedding was a memorable event for all.
felt cozy - to feel nice and warm and good inside. It felt cozy to snuggle up
to my lover in bed.
passed away - to die. My friends husband passed away this evening. He
had cancer.
to study abroad - to go to a foreign country to study. Many Chinese
students are studying abroad these days.
Consequently - as a consequence of, as a result of something. My airplane
arrived late last night. Consequently, I didnt make it to the meeting on
time.
like old times - used to describe when something happens like it used to, in
the past. They danced and danced, just like old times.
missing (this event)- to miss something means that you wish it were
happening still, but it isnt. In this context, he misses getting together with
his family to make the special cakes. I was missing our family dinners, now
that all the kids were away at college.
unforgettable - something that you cant forget. The Taylor Swift concert
was unforgettable.

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 24.Describe a place with a lot of water (such as a river, a lake or the ocean)
that you enjoyed visiting.
You should say:
where this place wasnoi nao
nguoi tawhat lampeoplegiwereodoingdoat this place (Or, what you did there)
why you went there
tai sao ban den
who you went there with *
and explain why you liked this place.
di voi ai
ANSWER:
ki nghi dao
Last summer, my family went on a vacation to Cat Ba island, which is
nam that su
located in Hai Phong city and I was really impressed with the beach there.
diem den pha dat lien
To arrive at this destination, we had to take a ferry from the mainland, a
hanh trinh khoang may thay
journey which lasted roughly one hour. Fortunately, I was not seasick. When we
den
reached there, to bethat long
honest,
canh thu hut dac biet
the scenery appealed to me a lot, especially thela
beach.
hoan toan dep trong duong nhu
The beach itself was absolutely breathtaking and the crystal clear water seemed
keo dai vo tan chan troi xa xa khong lo
to stretch endlessly to the horizon. In addition, from a distance, huge waves were
dap bo nghe giai dieu song
crashing onto the shore, which sounded like a melody. I was so excited that I just
wanted to jump into the sea right away. ngay lap tuc hao hung
ngam canh
On the beach, many people were enjoying the scenery, and some were
lau dai cat
swimming while their children were making sandcastles. My family quickly
thu tuc thay our
checked into the hotel, we changed ao clothes
quanand joined
hoa thenhappeople there.
co hoi
Actually, this vacation gave me the chance to relax and all my worries
bien mat
seemed to fall away. Therefore, I hope that we will be able to enjoy more holidays
vi vay co the
like this every year.
VOCABULARY
impressed: [adjective] admiring something because it is good or beautiful.
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 Example: He never quit until he passed the exam, and we were impressed
with his determination.
ferry: [noun] a boat that carries people, vehicles or goods across a river or a
short journey by sea.
Example: Some people take the ferry every day to cross Hong Kong
harbour and arrive at work.
the mainland: [noun] the main area of land of a country not including
any islands near it.
Example: The island is a short journey from the mainland by ferry.
roughly: [adverb] approximately, but not exactly.
Example: I didnt count them, but there were roughly 50 students in the
exam hall.
seasick: [adjective] feeling ill and wanting to vomit when you travel on a
boat or ship.
Example: During the storm, most of the passengers on the boat felt seasick
and they did not recover until they reached the mainland.
scenery: [noun] the natural features of an area, such as mountains, forests,
rivers, when you are thinking about them as being attractive to look at.
Example: Many tourists go to Thailand to enjoy the magnificent scenery,
especially on the coast.
breathtaking: [adjective] very exciting or impressive.
Example: My hotel has a breathtaking view of the city I can see all the
famous buildings from the window of my room.
crystal clear: [adjective] completely clear and bright.
Example: The sea is not polluted on Cat Ba island it is crystal clear and
you can see lots of beautiful fish.
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 stretch: [verb] spread over an area of land or sea.
Example: The desert stretches for thousands of kilometres until you reach
the sea.
endlessly: [adverb] in a way that seems to have no end.
Example: The road appeared to continue endlessly into the distance.
the horizon: [noun] the furthest point that you can see, where the sky and
the land or sea appear to meet.
Example: When the ship appeared on the horizon, we knew that it had
crossed the ocean safely.
crashing: [verb] hitting something hard while moving and making a lot of
noise as a result.
Example: The sea was crashing onto the rocks and it was much too
dangerous to swim there.
the shore: [noun] the land along the edge of a sea or ocean.
Example: In some areas of the beach, the shore was littered with rubbish
left by tourists.
melody: [noun] a piece of music with a simple, clear tune.
Example: The sound of the birds singing in the morning is so beautiful that
it is like a melody.
right away: [adverb] immediately.
Example: I would like you to go right away, because the shops will close
very soon
sandcastle: [noun] a pile of sand made to look like a castle [children make
these on the beach].
Example: The children made two big sandcastles and put a flag on top of
each one.
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 checked into: [phrasal verb] arrived and registered at a hotel.
Example: We checked into our hotel and the receptionist gave us the keys
to our room.
fall away: [phrasal verb] gradually become smaller or fewer until they
disappear.
Example: When I relax with my friends, my worries fall away and I can
just enjoy myself.

25.Describe a new skill you would like to learn.

You should say:
what skill (= what you would like to learn to do)
where you would learn it (or, where you think would be the best
place to learn it)
how difficult you think it would be
and explain why you would like to learn this skill.

ANSWER:
Id like to talk about a new skill that I want to learn. Im the kind of adventurous
person who enjoys the challenge of learning new things, whether it is a new sport
or a skill that would be useful to me.
I would like to have the skills to set up my own website. Probably the best place to
learn to do this would be online, using a distance-learning course run by a
university, which I could take free of charge. I wouldnt need to travel and I could
complete the course at my own pace in my spare time.

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Although there would be a lot to learn, I already use computers all the time, so I
think that I could pick up the basics quite quickly. With practice, I would become
more creative and able to incorporate new features on my website.
Of course, I imagine that I would find the course interesting, but I have a practical
reason for wanting to master this skill. I have recently started my own company,
selling sports goods, so it would be a really cost-effective and attractive way to
advertise my products.
VOCABULARY
adventurous: [adjective] willing to take risks and try new ideas.
Example: My friend is very adventurous and she loves to try the local
cuisine when we travel to other countries.
challenge: [noun] a new or difficult task that tests someones ability or
skill.
Example: It will be a big challenge to pass my final exams.
set up: [phrasal verb] create or start something.
Example: The government has set up a new clinic in the city centre.
distance learning: [noun] a system of education where people study at
home with the help of special Internet sites, and e-mail work to their
teachers.
Example: Although he lives in the countryside, he is able to take a distance
learning course to qualify as an engineer.
at my own pace: [expression] at the speed which is best for me.
Example: She prefers to study alone, so that she can work at her own pace.
pick up: [phrasal verb] get information or a skill quite easily, without too
much work.
Example: I picked up a lot of English during my visit to New York.
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 creative: [adjective] able to use skill and imagination to produce something
new.
Example: The advertising company employs a creative team to think of
new ideas and designs.
incorporate: [verb] to include something, so that it then forms part of
something else.
Example: The teacher incorporates music into his English lessons, to make
them more enjoyable.
master: [verb] learn or understanding something completely.
Example: I was never able to master the French language when I was at
school.
cost-effective: [adjective] giving the best possible results for the money and
time spent on something.
Example: Using more security cameras in public places is a cost-effective
way to reduce crime.
attractive: [adjective] having features or qualities that make something
seem interesting or pleasant.
Example: My flat is opposite some attractive gardens, which are full of
trees and flowers.

26.Describe a short holiday (vacation) that was special for you.

You should say:
where you went
who you spent time with
what you did
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 and explain why it was special for you.

ANSWER:
I would like to talk about my recent holiday in Thailand with my best
friend last summer, which was really memorable for us. Although this trip only
lasted for 4 days, it involved a lot of planning ahead.
To be honest, travelling to Thailand can be quite costly and, due to financial
constraints, we started saving up for our holiday. We booked the plane tickets a
month ahead to get a couple of cheaper ones. Because we definitely did not want
to use a travel agent or book a package tour, we had to search for a lot of
information online to organize our own journey.
Throughout the trip, there were a lot of interesting things that we had a
chance to experience together. We visited some well-known tourist attractions in
Thailand, which allowed us to discover a new culture and traditional customs
there. What we really enjoyed was Thai cuisine. Despite the fact that we did not
like food that is too spicy, the variety of Thai street dishes tempted us to try them.
We also stopped by open markets at night to buy clothing and souvenirs for our
families back home.
I think travelling is really the best way to practice relaxation. It dawned on
me that we had been very caught up in study during the year, and so this trip
helped us to get away from it all, leave our worries behind and enjoy ourselves.

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VOCABULARY
memorable: [adjective] something special, good or unusual that we will
remember for a long time.
Example: My first visit to New York was the most memorable trip of my
life.
costly: [adjective] expensive
Example: A new car would be too costly for me, so I decided to look for a
used car.
financial constraints: [noun] a lack of money that restricts your freedom to
buy or do something.
Example: The economic crisis will impose serious financial constraints on
the spending on schools this year.
save up: [phrasal verb] to keep money, not spend it, to buy a particular
thing.
Example: Im saving up for a new TV.
book: [verb] to buy or reserve something in advance.
Example: She has booked her IELTS exam in October.
travel agent: [noun] a person or business that makes holiday or travel
arrangements for people, like booking a flight or hotel room.
Example: A travel agent can often give good advice when you explain the
type of holiday that you want.
package tour: [noun] a holiday in which everything is organized by the
travel company at a fixed price and includes flights, hotels and any extras,
such as hiring a car.

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 Example: Package tours are popular with people who dont have much
time to organize their holiday themselves.
cuisine: [noun] a style of cooking.
Example: Tourists who visit Italy usually enjoy the Italian cuisine.
spicy: [adjective] having a hot, strong taste because spices have been used
to make it.
Example: I like Indian cuisine, but I prefer the dishes that are not too spicy.
tempt: [verb] attract somebody to have or to do something.
Example: The delicious smell of Thai meals tempted him to try some
dishes.
back home: [expression] in the town or country that you came from.
Example: She often thinks of her friends back home in Vietnam.
dawn on: [phrasal verb] if something dawns on you, you realize it for the
first time.
Example: It dawned on me that I had not replied to his e-mail.
caught up: [phrasal verb] to become involved in something.
Example: We were very caught up in our studies last year, often studying
until late at night.
get away from it all: [expression] to have a holiday in a place where you
can relax.
Example: I like to go camping in the countryside, to get away from it all
and enjoy being alone.
worries: [noun] things that cause you to worry or to be stressed.
Example: After he had passed the exam, all his worries disappeared.

27.Describe a leader who you admire.

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 You should say:
who this person is
what this person does (as a leader)
how he or she became a leader
how you know about this person (or, how you personally know
this person)
and explain explain why you admire this leader (= explain how (or why)
this leader's qualities impress you)

28.Describe an interesting public place in your hometown, or where you

are living now, that you like to go to
You should say:
where it is
how often you go there
what you do there
and explain why you think it is interesting.
ANSWER
Today, Im going to share with you an interesting public place where I really
enjoy going to to hang out with my close friends in my spare time, which is a
lovely caf named The Hanoi Social Club.
It is situated at Hoi Vu alley a small quiet lane near Hang Bong street in
the centre of Hanoi. The coffee house is decorated in an old, traditional French
style, with a lot of paintings on the wall, and it attracts a lot of foreign customers.
As a full-time student, I have been so caught up in my studies, therefore, I just take
a day off to go there on weekends after a long stressful week.

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 There are many live music events taking place there performed by acoustic
guitarists, so I often check them out on the internet and come with my friends.
Because this type of music is my kind of thing, I am in my element just humming
the tune of the songs and relaxing in a comfy chair to enjoy myself.
The fast food tastes quite savoury and especially the coffee in The Hanoi
Social Club is always irresistibly delicious. That might be the reason why it was
ranked among the top 5 best coffee shops in Hanoi in 2015. What I really love is
how cozy the atmosphere is, something which I have not found in any other coffee
shop yet.
Whenever things go wrong, I often go there as a hideaway to escape from all
the pressures and order a cup of coffee to relieve my stress. It always works
wonders. I find it extremely therapeutic and soothing. Therefore, its more than
likely that I will still keep coming back to it as my favourite place in the near
future.
VOCABULARY
hang out: [phrasal verb] spend time in a particular place.
Example: I sometimes hang out at the shopping mall on Sundays and meet
up with my friends.
lane: [noun] a narrow street in a city, with buildings on both sides.
Example: The lane behind the museum will take you directly to the train
station.
decorate: [verb] make something more attractive.
Example: Her living room is always decorated with flowers.
caught up: [phrasal verb] involved in a concentrated way, so that you forget
other things around you.
Example: I was so caught up in the film that I forgot to feed the cat.
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 acoustic: [adjective] designed to make natural sound, not sound produced
by electrical equipment.
Example: Artists who play traditional music usually use acoustic
instruments, copying the way in which the music was originally played.
in my element: [expression] doing what I enjoy.
Example: I am really in my element at parties, because I love dancing and
mixing with friends.
hum: [verb] sing a tune with your lips closed.
Example: He began humming along to the music.
comfy: [adjective] comfortable.
Example: This new jacket isnt as comfy as my old one.
irresistibly: [adverb] in a way that is so strong that it cannot be stopped.
Example: Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeares play were two young lovers
who were irresistibly attracted to each other.
cozy: [adjective] warm and comfortable and safe, often used to refer to
something small.
Example: I felt cozy and relaxed sitting by the fire.

hideaway: [noun] a place where you can go to be alone.

Example: He escapes to his hideaway in the country at weekends.
relieve: [verb] remove or reduce an unpleasant feeling or pain.
Example: To relieve his feeling of guilt, he decided to tell the truth to the
police.
work wonders: [expression] have a very good effect on someone or
something.

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 Example: If you have a bad cold, a hot lemon drink at night works
wonders.
therapeutic: [adjective] helping you to relax.
Example: I find that yoga is very therapeutic, and I always feel better after
my yoga class.
soothing: [adjective] that makes someone who is anxious or stressed, feel
better.
Example: The doctor has such a soothing voice that his patients feel relaxed
immediately.

29.Describe a wedding that you have attended.

You should say:
whose wedding it was
who was there
what happened
and explain how you felt.

ANSWER (Bi ny mnh vit hi di. Cc bn c th ly chnh sa dng cho

bi ca chnh cc bn)
Today, Im gonna share with you a wedding of my friend that I attended.
Last month, I received a wedding invitation from my old friend from primary
school. The wedding was held at the beginning of April. We have been close to
each other for over 15 years, therefore, I definitely wanted to attend at all costs,
due to the fact that we hadnt had a chance to get together for ages.
Her wedding ceremony took place at The Sum Villa, located near West
Lake. It was decorated impressively with a lot of lights, candles and flowers
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around the room. There were three glamorous wedding photo albums, showing
tables right at the centre of the official gate. The principal colours were likely to be
white and violet, so all the guests were requested to wear clothes with one or both
of these colours. Personally, I wore a white dress with small accessories.
It was meant to be a casual wedding, which I had never attended before. It
turned out to be refreshingly informal. One of the best moments that really
touched me was when the bridegroom sang a song for the bride and all the guests
sang along with him. Also, he made a photo clip by himself marking their 4-year
romance, to show to everyone in the room. It was no surprise that everyone
clapped their hands and cheered them. Of course, I was no exception.
It was also a good chance to catch up with my old friends and we all had a
great time. We definitely made the most of the occasion and took a lot of pictures
with the bride and the bridegroom. I gave my friend a gift to celebrate her wedding
day. I had given much thought to my wedding present when I was choosing it, and
I wished her lots of happiness for the future.
VOCABULARY
hold: [verb] have a meeting/conversation/party/wedding/event.
Example: The next Olympic Games will be held in Brazil.
close to: [expression] knowing someone well and liking them very much.
Example: She has always been close to her grandparents and often visits
them.
at all costs: [expression] whatever is needed to achieve something.
Example: I knew that, at all costs, I had to catch the last train home.
for ages: [expression] for a long time.
Example: I waited for ages to speak to the doctor.
decorate: [verb] make something more attractive.
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 Example: Her living room is always decorated with flowers.
glamorous: [adjective] especially attractive and exciting.
Example: When my sister was young, she wanted to have a glamorous job,
like a model or a film actress.
albums: [noun] a book in which you keep photographs.
Example: All of my parents photographs are still in the family photo
albums in my drawer.
accessories: [noun] things like belts or bags, which you carry to match your
clothes.
Example: The shop sells only fashion accessories, and my friend buys all
her bracelets there.
bridegroom: [noun] a man on his wedding day.
Example: The bridegroom was very nervous during the wedding
ceremony.
bride: [noun] a woman on her wedding day.
Example: The bride wore a very beautiful white dress.
romance: [noun] a relationship between two people who are in love.
Example: Romeo and Juliet is a play about the romance of two young
lovers.
clapped their hands: [expression] hit their open hands together, to show that
they liked or enjoyed something.
Example: At the end of the fantastic show, all the audience clapped their
hands.
cheer: [verb] to shout loudly, to show support or to encourage someone.
Example: The crowd cheered when Barcelona scored the winning goal.

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 30.Describe a time when you tried a new food for the first time.
You should say:
what food it was
where you ate it
what it tasted like
and explain whether or not you liked this food
ANSWER
Well, Im a great fan of barbecues and I would like to talk about the first
time I tried some typical barbecue food. This happened when I was 10 years old.
My familiy went out to have dinner to celebrate my younger sisters birthday.
After putting so much thought into some new savoury food to have for our meal,
we decided to go to a BBQ restautant on Ba Trieu street.
We ordered four dishes with three different tastes. One of them which
really interested me was grilled-Australian beef, flavoured with something spicy,
rich and aromatic. It not only tasted delicious, but also looked appealing. Also, it
went well with two kinds of dipping sauces and was served with baguettes. There
was also a salad, which gave it a mild taste to contrast with the spicy flavours.
The idea of a barbecue originated in America, and for us it was a novel and
sophisticated meal.
What I really enjoyed was that we could watch as it was cooked in front of
us. I loved how juicy it was and the aroma it had. Just mentioning it makes my
mouth water. I mean, the BBQ was out of this world. That was the first time I had
tried it, and I would have liked to have kept on coming back for more, but I was
just too full.
VOCABULARY

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 barbecues: [noun] a meal, usually eaten outdoors, which is cooked over an
open fire.
Example: Every summer, my friends and I have barbecues on the beach
and we each bring some beef or other meat to grill.
put thought into: [expression] considered seriously and carefully.
Example: I put so much thought into my school project that I received a
very high score.
savoury: [adjective] having a delicious taste, usually containing salt.
Example: We ate some tasty savoury biscuits with cheese to finish our
meal.
dish: [noun] food prepared in a particular way as part of a meal.
Example: Our meal arrived at the table two dishes of meat, with rice and
salad.
flavour: [verb] add to food to give it a special taste.
Example: The fish was flavoured with spices and it tasted delicious.
aromatic: [adjective] having a pleasant smell or aroma.
Example: She grows a number of aromatic plants in her garden.
dipping sauces: [noun] different types of sauces in which you can put your
food quickly, take the food out again and eat it.
Example: The chef flavours his dipping sauces with different spices some
sweet spices and some hot ones.
baguettes: [noun] white bread in the shape of long sticks.
Example: The cheese baguettes which we ordered were hard on the outside
and soft on the inside.
mild: [adjective] not strong or severe.

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 Example: I prefer cheese that is mild rather than cheese with a strong
flavour.
originate: [verb] happen or appear for the first time in a particular place or
situation.
Example: Tobacco originated in America and was later brought to Europe.
novel: [adjective] new, and different from anything known before.
Example: Drive-in restaurants are a novel idea which originated in
America.
sophisticated: [adjective] typical of rich or socially important people.
Example: They like to dress in very sophisticated clothes, although they
dont have a lot of money.
juicy: [adjective] having a lot of juice, so that it is good to eat.
Example: He bought some delicious juicy oranges at the market.
makes my mouth water: [expression] makes me feel hungry.
Example: Thinking about Thai cuisine makes my mouth water.
out of this world: [expression] wonderful and exciting.
Example: The new James Bond film is out of this world.
full: [adjective] having had enough to eat.
Example: Although I was full after lunch, I still ate an ice-cream in the
afternoon.

31.Describe a useful app or computer program for a smart phone,

computer or tablet that you have used.
You should say:
what the app is
how long/how often you have used it (or, been using it)
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 what you use it for
and explain why you think it is useful.
ANSWER
Well, developments in technology have been providing a lot of smart
applications for users, which allows them to access entertainment and also to
work more effectively. One of those apps that youngsters have been using more
and more in their tablets and mobile phones is definitely Camera 360. And I am
no exception. This application is all about taking pictures and editing photos.
I have been a big fan of this application since I started using my Iphone 5 years
ago. Like many other apps, the designer has kept working on it to incorporate
more impressive effects so that it can compete with any other photo application.
My hobby is taking photos with my friends no matter what mood Im in, so I tend
to use this particular app as my favourite tool to make changes to the pictures to
make them look more lively and interesting. This is where Camera 360 comes in
handy.
What I really appreciate is that Camera 360 is full of fun features bringing
many options with special filters, effects, themes and frames. I love how easily it
can help my photos appear more professional than my original ones, although Im
not really a photoshop expert. Thanks to this app, I am likely to be taking pictures
more frequently now that I feel extremely confident about posting them on social
networking sites.
VOCABULARY
edit: [verb] make changes to text, data or images on a screen.
Example: Editing photos can make them appear much more professional by
removing unwanted parts of the image.

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 fan: [noun] a person who admires or enjoys watching or listening to
someone/something.
Example: My son is a big football fan of Barcelona, and he watches all their
games on TV.
work on: [phrasal verb] try hard to improve something, or how something
functions.
Example: She works on her yoga skills by practising the exercises every
day.
incorporate: [verb] include something, so that it then forms part of
something.
Example: Many of your ideas have been incorporated into the project.
impressive: [adjective] people or things that make you feel admiration, for
some good quality that they have.
Example: The examiners agreed that she was very impressive during the
speaking test.
compete with: [phrasal verb] try to be better or more successful than
someone who is trying to do the same thing as you.
Example: In the race, I had to compete with 5 other athletes to win the gold
medal.
mood: [noun] the way that you are feeling at a particular time.
Example: Im not really in the mood to go to the party tonight.
come in handy: [expression] be useful.
Example: Dont throw your revision notes away they may come in handy
for next years course.

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 fun features: [noun] entertaining characteristics or things about a particular
object.
Example: My latest iphone comes with lots of fun features which keep me
amused for hours.
post: [verb] put information or pictures on a website.
Example: Her brother has just posted some photos on their holiday on
Facebook.

32. Describe an activity you do for your health or fitness.

You should say:
what you do
how often you do it
where you do it
and explain how you think this activity helps you stay healthy or fit.
ANSWER
Staying in good shape is everyones concern and I am no exception. To be
honest, I have been so caught up in my study since I entered university that I have
a problem in organizing my daily routine. However, I have been participating in
a yoga class for about 2 years, which takes me only 1 hour a day, to try to lead a
healthy lifestyle.
Unlike dancing or running, yoga definitely involves stretching actions. You
might look at yoga and think that it is light and easy but it is more demanding than
it appears. Yoga allows me to work on all the parts of my body. It can burn a lot
of calories in just one hour of training. Also, it enhances my flexibility and
suppleness in every single movement.

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 What I enjoy the most about yoga is meditation. It is all about regulating
your breathing and helping you take things off your mind easily. Another thing is
that doing yoga is supposed to be good for curing headaches and digestion-related
problems, so it benefits not only physical well-being but also mental health.
By maintaining a schedule of taking part in the yoga class on a daily basis, I feel
extremely relaxed and full of energy after the class. It helps me to keep fit and
refresh my mind after a long stressful day. And of course, I dont see myself
stopping practicing this activity any time soon.
VOCABULARY
in good shape: [expression] the good physical condition of someone.
Example: For a man of his age, he is in good shape.
caught up: [phrasal verb] completely involved in something.
Example: He was so caught up in the TV program, that he forgot to do his
homework.
stretching actions: [noun] actions which make your muscles stronger by
exercises in which you extend your arms and legs.
Example: When I get up in the morning, I do some stretching actions to
exercise the muscles in my arms.
demanding: [adjective] needing a lot of effort.
Example: The work of a farmer is physically very demanding.
work on: [phrasal verb] try hard to improve something, or how something
functions.
Example: She works on her yoga skills by practising the exercises every
day.
burn a lot of calories: [expression] use up a lot of energy [that comes from
the food we eat].
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 Example: One reason why people do exercise is to burn a lot of calories
and lose weight.
flexibility: [noun] the ability to move and bend your body easily.
Example: Regular exercise helps older people to maintain their flexibility,
especially by stretching their muscles.
suppleness: [noun] the ability to move and bend your body into different
positions it is a synonym for flexibility.
Example: Different yoga movements develop suppleness in different
muscles.
meditation: [noun] thinking deeply in silence, to make you feel calm.
Example: To help you to relax, try meditation after a stressful day at work.
regulating your breathing: [expression] controlling the way in which you
breathe in and out.
Example: An important part of learning how to swim is regulating your
breathing.
take things off your mind: [expression] forget things which are causing you
anxiety or stress.
Example: After an exam, I usually have a short holiday, to take things off
my mind and enjoy myself.
cure: [verb] make an illness go away.
Example: The website advertises a new drug for curing AIDS.
digestion: [noun] the process of changing the food you eat into substances
that the body can use.
Example: Unlike cows or horses, the digestion of grass is impossible for
humans.
well-being: [noun] general health and happiness.
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 Example: The company tries to ensure the well-being of its employees by
providing good working conditions.
schedule: [noun] a plan that lists all the things that you have to do and
when you must do them.
Example: For the next few days, I have a busy schedule, which includes my
yoga class each morning.
I dont see myself stopping: [expression] I dont think that I will stop.
Example: I dont see myself stopping working in the next 10 years because
I have to support my family.
any time soon: [expression] in the near future, soon.
Example: I should receive the exam results any time soon perhaps
tomorrow.

33.Describe an antique or some other old thing that your family has kept
for a long time.
You should say:
what it is
how (or when) your family first got this thing
how long your family has kept it
and explain why this thing is important to your family.

ANSWER:
Today, I am going to share with you an old possession that my family has kept for
a long time. It is an antique terra-cotta dish, which is displayed in an honoured
position in the living room.

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This old dish originated from feudal times in Vietnam, although I am not sure of
the year exactly. It might have belonged to the Nguyen Dynasty. It is made from
pottery material with some small artificial fissures, and it was my grandfathers
favourite thing when he was still alive. There is a village picture painted in blue in
the centre of the dish.
When I was a child, my grandfather used to tell me the story of this dish. His close
friend gave it to him to celebrate his house-warming in the past. They had been
companions in arms for a long time, so that was the reason why he really treasured
their ties and that gift as a reminder of their friendship.
There is a lot of other modern furniture arranged in my house nowadays, however,
this antique object is still a treasured possession for each member of my family.
We have kept this antique dish for over 30 years, even when my grandpa passed
away and left it for my family. Whenever I look at this dish, it always reminds me
of my grandfather as a fond memento.
Vocabulary:
possession: [noun] something that you own.
Example: When leaving the plane, please make sure that you have all your
possessions with you.

antique: [adjective] old and often valuable

Example: I have an antique table in my living room which is about 200 years old.

terracotta: [noun] material of a red-brown colour, used to make pots.

Example: My mother still cooks using traditional terracotta pots.
honoured: [adjective] very respected, showing respect for something.
Example: The President was an honoured guest at the ceremony.
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feudal: [adjective] describing a time in the past when given land and protection by
a rich person, and had to work and fight for him in return.
Example: Life in feudal times in Vietnam was very hard for poor people who
worked on the land.

dynasty: [noun] a series of rulers of a country who all belong to the same family.
Example: Pottery from the time of the Ming Dynasty in China is very valuable.

pottery: [noun] pots or dishes, usually made by hand from a type of earth called
clay and made hard by baking in an oven.
Example: I learned to make traditional dishes by hand by going to a pottery class.

fissures: [noun] long cracks in something.

Example: The rocks had many fissures, some of which were very deep.

house-warming: [noun] a party given by someone who has moved into a new
house.
Example: My new neighbours invited our family to their house-warming party.

companions-in-arms: [noun] people who have been soldiers, fighting together.

Example: My two uncles were companions-in-arms during World War 2.

treasure: [verb] to have or keep something that you love and is very valuable to
you.
Example: Thank you for your gift. I will always treasure it.
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ties: [noun] strong connections between people, especially friendships or family
relationships.
Example: She continues to have close ties with her old school friends, and she
often visits or calls them.

fond: [adjective] kind, happy and loving [when used before a noun].
Example: I have fond memories of my years in London.

memento: [noun] a thing that you have which reminds you of a person or place.
Example: We returned home with some mementos of our holiday in China.

34. Describe a time when you made a mistake.

You should say:
where you were
what you were doing
what mistake you made
and explain what was the result of your mistake.

ANSWER
Today, I am going to share with you a time when I made a mistake. This situation
happened last year when I had to attend a final exam for my business management
qualification.

The test required candidates to use a calculator because the exam involved doing a
lot of calculations. I was sure that putting the calculator into my bag was the first
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thing I had done in the morning. As it turned out, I had not. I realized that I would
definitely not pass if I was not be able to borrow a calculator immediately.

I really did not want to put myself at risk of delaying my graduation plan, because
I had devoted a lot of valuable time to this subject, and had even paid money for
the upcoming semester. In panic, I figured out that I had to ask for help. I decided
to make a call to one of my classmates living in the dormitory to borrow her
calculator.

Unfortunately, she was not in Hanoi at that time. As a result, I had to manage
without a calculator to deal with this difficult situation. Although I scraped by in
the exam, I failed to get a high mark. It was an extremely valuable lesson for me. I
learnt the hard way that I need to be more careful and well-prepared for the
important things in my life.

Vocabulary:
calculator: [noun] a small electronic device for dealing with numbers.
Example: As my course is based on mathematics, I always carry a pocket
calculator with me.

turn out: [phrasal verb] to be discovered [for example, in a particular situation].

Example: The hotel room, as it turned out, was facing a busy road.

devote to: [phrasal verb] give an amount of time or attention to something.

Example: I devote two hours every evening to doing my homework.

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upcoming: [adjective] going to happen soon.
Example: Who do you think will win the upcoming US Presidential election?

figure out: [phrasal verb] think about something until you understand it.
Example: I couldnt figure out how to install the software, so I asked my best
friend for advice.

dormitory: [noun] a room for several people to sleep, especially in a school,

college or other institution.
Example: He shares a dormitory with 4 other students, but he would prefer to
have his own private room.

manage: [verb] succeed in doing something difficult.

Example: Despite all the traffic on the roads, we managed to arrive at the airport
on time.

scrape by: [phrasal verb] to succeed in doing something, but with difficulty.
Example: He is happy that he scraped by in the exam, because he did not do any
revision.

learn the hard way: [expression] learn something by experience usually in an

unpleasant way.
Example: Since I fell off my motorbike last year and hurt my head, I have learnt
the hard way that I should always wear a helmet.

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

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 You should say:
the name of this company
what this company does
where this company is
and explain why you would like to work in this company.

ANSWER:
Today, I would like to talk about a big company that I would like to work in. Last
year, I had a chance to do an internship in Vincom for 3 months, and it is my
dream workplace where I want to apply for a job when I graduate.

The Vingroup, as you know, is one of the biggest corporations involved in many
different key fields, not only in Vietnam but also in other countries all over the
world. Vincom, the real estate company, is supposed to be the most important
sector contributing to the success of the Vingroup. They have taken over a lot of
well-known resorts, luxury villas and apartment buildings around Vietnam,
incorporating a huge range of additional facilities.

My major involves the property business, so I decided to do my internship there. It

is an extremely big company with dynamic and loyal staff, and a highly
professional working style as well. They formulate their business strategy clearly
and try to reach the targets which they have set. Their staff receive excellent
compensation and benefits packages.

It was a valuable chance for me to broaden my own knowledge not only in my

major but also in many other fields. It enhanced my soft skills and allowed me to
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enlarge my social network. Therefore, I will try my best to become an employee in
Vincom in the near future.

Vocabulary:
internship: [noun] a period of time in which a student or new graduate gets
experience in a job, for example during vacations.
Example: My cousin is doing an internship with a company of lawyers after
graduating in law last month.

dream workplace: [noun] the ideal place where you would like to work.
Example: If you love chocolates, a chocolate factory would be your dream
workplace.

real estate: [noun] property in the form of land or buildings.

Example: My aunt works in a real estate company, selling and renting houses to
customers.

take over: [phrasal verb] gain control of.

Example: His small electronics company was taken over by Samsung.

resorts: [noun] a place where a lot of people go on holiday/vacation.

Example: Many British tourists go to beach resorts in Thailand.

luxury villas: [noun] expensive houses where people stay on holiday/vacation.

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Example: The luxury villas in Spain have private swimming pools and expensive
furniture.

facilities: [noun] services or equipment that are provided for a particular purpose.
Example: The hotel has many facilities, such as satellite TVs in every room and
free wi-fi internet connection.

dynamic: [adjective] having a lot of energy and strong personality.

Example: We have to say that Batman and Superman are dynamic characters.

loyal: [adjective] always supporting someone or something.

Example: The minister has always been a loyal friend to the President.

formulate: [verb] to create or prepare something carefully and in detail.

Example: The owners of the company formulated a plan to take over a rival firm.

compensation: [noun] something, especially money, which you receive if you

have been hurt, injured or if you have suffered in some way.
Example: When my father lost his job, the company paid him compensation of a
full salary for 1 year.

benefits package: [noun] a number of things which an employer provides in

addition to paying your salary.
Example: The job offers a good benefits package, which includes free health
insurance and the use of a company car.

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soft skills: [noun] personal qualities that enable you to deal successfully with
other people.
Example: Candidates for the job should have soft skills, such as working well in a
team and an ability to listen to and respect the opinions of work colleagues.

36.Describe something that you have shared with others (or another
person)
You should say:
what you shared
who you shared it with.
why you shared it
and explain how you felt about sharing it

ANSWER:

Well, Im kind of an introverted person so I do not tend to share my stories with

others. The only person I fully trust to confide in is my best friend from secondary
school, because we have been close for over 10 years.
At my first year in university, I was a little bored with the major that I had been
studying, because it was not exactly what I had signed up for at first. I meant to
apply for the commercial English department, but unfortunately I did not have a
high enough score and, therefore, business management was my second choice. A
lot of thoughts crossed my mind at that time, like this major was not really my
thing, I would not be able to make it and similar negative feelings.
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I was really depressed and eventually turned to her to ask for help. We had a
conversation and she helped me analyze my interests, personality, strengths and
weaknesses, which allowed me to reach a decision by myself. As a result, I kept
studying my major and made time for learning English besides. As we enjoyed
such a close relationship, I felt really reassured when I received her useful advice.
Now, Im a final-year student at university, I am pleased with my decision, thanks
to her. She really is my best friend, always stays by my side and never turns her
back on me, and I treasure our friendship a lot.

Vocabulary:
introverted: [adjective] more interested in your own thoughts and feelings than in
spending time with other people.
Example: As John never interacted with others in class, his teachers considered
him to be an introverted student.

confide in: [phrasal verb] tell someone personal secrets or information because
you believe that you can trust them.
Example: Whenever she had a problem, she confided in her mother.

close: [adjective] knowing someone very well and liking them very much.
Example: I have always been close to my grandfather, and I visit him regularly.

sign up: [phrasal verb] arrange to do a course of study by adding your name to
the list of people doing it.
Example: I decided to sign up for extra English classes to help me with my
business course.
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crossed my mind: [expression] came into my mind.
Example: This morning, it crossed my mind that I need to see my tutor tomorrow.

not my thing: [expression] not something that I like to do.

Example: I dont want to go to the concert, because listening to rock music is not
really my thing.

be able to make it: [expression] be able to succeed in something.

Example: I was surprised to win the competition I never thought Id be able to
make it.

depressed: [adjective] feeling sad and without hope.

Example: He felt depressed when he failed the exam, but now he is determined to
succeed next time.

reach a decision: [expression] decide something after some difficulty.

Example: I was not sure whether to visit Thailand or Singapore, but finally I
reached a decision I would go to Singapore.

reassured: [adjective] feel less frightened or anxious.

Example: The doctor told him that the medical tests were OK, so he felt very
reassured.

turns her back on: [expression] rejects someone that she is close to.

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Example: She never turns her back on the people in her family she is always
ready to support them.

treasure: [verb] have or keep something that is very valuable to you.

Example: Although he is no longer living, I will always treasure my memories of
my grandfather.

37.Describe a creative person who you admire (e.g., a scientist, an inventor)

You should say:
who this person is
what area of creativity they work in
how you know about this person
and explain what work they have created that you particularly admire.

I am going to talk about a creative person who I really admire. That person is
Albert Einstein - one of the most well-known physics scientists in the world. He
was born in 1879 in a Jewish family in Germany.
He was a theorical physicist and is now recognized as the father of modern
physics. Above all, he was the founder of the Theory of Relativity, which
became an important contribution to the science of mankind. It was to be the
biggest achievement of his life. In 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Physics
Prize. He was a prolific writer and published about 300 scientific articles
covering150 topics as well during his career.
I came across a new biography about him on the internet and there was a lot of
interesting information which really inspired me a lot. His childhood was not
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carefree as I had thought. He had a problem learning how to talk until he was about
8 years old. Besides, because of his unconventional character, he tended to be
bullied and teased a lot, however, he ignored all these taunts and concentrated on
doing experiments in the laboratory.
What I really admire him is how passionately he worked and what he contributed
to physics and our understanding of the world. He lived and worked with passion
and the enthusiam all his life, and he is a shining example for me to follow.

Vocabulary:
theoretical physicist: [noun] a person who studies some branch of physics, using
mathematical models to understand, explain and predict nature. This is in contrast
to a physicist who uses experiments to test ideas.
Example: People who study the world through building mathematical models are
called theoretical physicists.

founder: [noun] a person who creates an organization, company or idea.

Example: Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft.

relativity: [noun] the word for how things only have importance in relation to
other things.
Example: Einsteins Theory of Relativity says that the way that anything [except
light] moves through time and space depends on the position and movement of
someone who is watching.
prolific: [adjective] producing many written works.
Example: Picasso was a prolific artist who produced many paintings.

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came across: [phrasal verb] met or found something/someone by chance.
Example: While I was looking for my passport, I came across some old photos
from my schooldays.

biography: [noun] the story of a persons life written by another person.

Example: I have just read a new biography about the life of Shakespeare.

inspired: [verb] gave me the confidence and enthusiasm to do something well.

Example: My father inspired me to follow his example and to study hard at
school.

carefree: [adjective] having no worries or problems.

Example: After she retired from work, she had a carefree life with no
reponsibilies.

unconventional: not following what is done or considered normal or acceptable by

most people.
Example: The normal solutions to traffic congestion have not been effective, so a
more unconventional approach is necessary.

bullied: [verb] frightened or hurt a weaker person.

Example: My son was bullied by the older boys at school.

teased: [verb] laughed at somebody and made jokes about them sometimes in an
unfriendly way.
Example: The boy was teased at school because he was fat.
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taunts: [noun] insulting remarks intended to make someone angry or upset.
Example: Racist taunts were often shouted at black football players in the past.

shining example: [noun] excellent and inspiring example.

Example: President Obama is a shining example for young, black people in
America who want to have a successful career.

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

You should say:
what course it is (or, would be)
where you would do it
what you would learn in that course
and explain why you would like to do this course.
ANSWER
Well, speaking of the course Id like to do, I would say that its an English
course. Today, English is considered to be the most important language in the
world. Thats why it became one of the compulsory subjects and we now have to
study English from elementary onwards.
Id like to get admitted to the Foreign Trade University which offers a professional
course in Business English. They have a good reputation for teaching this course
effectively to a high standard. As I have other classes in the morning, I would like
to enroll in the afternoon course. Also, the course fee is both cheap and convenient
for me to pay using my bank account.
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There are so many reasons why Id like to enroll in an English course. First of all,
English is an international language, hence, having a knowledge of English can
help people around the world to communicate better. Second, it also gives us
countless opportunities to become more acquainted with other cultures. We depend
on English to keep up to date with the latest news from all over the world, since
almost all the books and magazines are written in this language. Finally, learning
English can really help us in our careers and enhance our CVs, as these days, many
firms need good office employees to conduct international business.
VOCABULARY
compulsory: [adjective] that must be done because of a rule or law.
Example: In some countries, it is compulsory to attend school until the age
of 16.
onwards: [adverb] continuing from a particular time.
Example: I will be in my office from 8:00 am onwards, until I leave at 6:00
in the evening.
reputation: [noun] the opinion that people have about someone/something
is like, based on what has happened in the past.
Example: The restaurant enjoys an international reputation for the best
Thai cuisine.
countless: [adjective] very many; too many to be counted or mentioned.
Example: The teacher has warned him countless times to pay attention in
class.
acquainted: [adjective] familiar with something having seen, heard or read
it.
Example: The students are already acquainted with the history of our
country, having studied it at elementary level.
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 keep up to date with: [expression] be informed about the latest information.
Example: I watch the news on TV every day, in order to keep up to date
with the political situation.
CVs: [noun] short descriptions of your education and qualifications, which
you give to an employer when you go for an interview.
Example: Students should make sure that they write good CVs, to help
them when they apply for a job.
firm: [noun] company.
Example: She works for a firm of lawyers in Paris.
conduct: [verb] organize or do a particular activity.
Example: The school has decided to conduct all its classes in English.

39.Describe a positive change that you made to your life.

You should say:
when it happened
where it happened
what the change was
and explain how you have benefited from this change
( or, explain how you feel about this change)

Im going to talk about a positive change that I made to my life. To be honest,

going to bed early was not really my kind of thing before. But, because it was not
good for my health, I decided to change my bad habit of late nights about a year
ago.
As far as I remember, my late sleeping pattern had begun when I was studying for
my university entrance exam 4 years ago. During that time, I had tended to stay up
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pretty late to do my assignments. Gradually, I became used to the habit and still
kept it up until a year ago. Then, I found myself having eye-related problems and
headaches, which naturally made me very anxious. Therefore, I went to see a
doctor for a medical check-up. It turned out that the major cause of these health
problems was my late nights. The doctor advised me to change my routine as soon
as possible to treat the symptoms effectively.
Since that time, I have tried my best to maintain an early sleeping habit, because I
dont want to put my health at unnecessary risk. Now, I usually read something
light before going to bed at 11pm. Of course, this also helps me to get up earlier
the next morning.
At the moment, I find that it has been a good decision to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
I learnt the hard way that, sometimes, you should do something to break harmful
habits in order to make your life better, despite the fact that those habits are
sometimes so tough to change.

VOCABULARY:

my kind of thing: [expression] something in which I am interested and like.

Example: I did not accept her invitation to go to the rock concert, because rock
music in not really my kind of thing.

late nights: [noun] nights when you dont go to bed until very late.
Example: I spent many late nights studying for the exam.

tend: [verb] be likely to do something, because this is what often or usually

happens.
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Example: She tended to get nervous before taking exams, but now she is more
confident.

keep up: [phrasal verb] continue to do something.

Example: My sister started going to a yoga class a year ago, and she has kept it
up ever since.

anxious: [adjective] feeling worried or nervous.

Example: I felt anxious when she did not call me from the airport.

check-up: [noun] a general examination to make sure that you are healthy.
Example: My doctor arranges a regular medical check-up for all patients over 60.

turn out: [phrasal verb] be discovered to be, prove to be.

Example: It turned out that we had been to the same school, although I did not
recognize her when we were introduced to each other.

symptoms: [noun] a change in your body that shows you are not healthy.
Example: One of the first symptoms of a cold is having a high temperature.

light: [adjective] entertaining, and not very serious.

Example: When I go to the beach, I like to read something light, such as a
detective story.

adopt: [verb] start to show a particular attitude towards someone/something.

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Example: After failing the exam several times, he started to adopt a pessimistic
view of his chances.

learn the hard way: [expression] learn by unpleasant experiences, rather than by
being taught.
Example: If she wont listen to my advice, she will have to learn the hard way.

break: [verb] make something end.

Example: Because of his illness, he broke his daily habit of taking a walk every
morning.

tough: [adjective] difficult.

Example: The exam is really tough, so we will have spend some late nights
studying.

40.Describe a situation that made you a little angry.

You should say:
what it was that made you angry
where you were when this happened
what you were doing at the time
who you were with
and explain how you handled this situation or
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 and explain why you felt angry.

Today, I would like to share with you a situation that made me a little angry. Two
months ago when I did some online shopping for a jacket on the internet, I had the
worst online shopping experience ever, which made me so annoyed.
I was surfing the internet to browse the options, looking for a warm casual jacket
to get me through the colder weather that will soon be upon us. I stumbled upon
one that was exactly what I wanted, so I left a comment to catch the sellers
attention. I decided to order and pay for it and asked for it to be delivered to my
house as soon as possible. She promised me that it would arrive within 2 days.
However, after 2 days I had received nothing. I found myself being cheated and it
really made my blood boil. I tried my best to reach her to ask about the jacket
which I had paid for, but there was never any answer at all when I tried to contact
her. Thats when it dawned on me that she had lied to me and the whole thing was
a scam. My anger grew and I felt frustrated and confused at that time, because I
could not do anything about it.
So, I learned the hard way that it was so risky to buy products online. I should not
have done it. In future, if I come across something on the internet that I would
really like, I will head for a store to check it out carefully before making a purchase
decision.

VOCABULARY:

surf: [verb] use [the internet].

Example: I am surfing the internet for information about the new James Bond
film.
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browse: [verb] look at a lot of things, hoping to find something that you like.
Example: I sometimes go to my local bookstore to browse through the fiction
section.

casual: [adjective] comfortable and informal clothes.

Example: In my spare time, when I dont have to go to work, I prefer to wear
casual clothes.

get me through: [expression] help me to cope with a situation successfully.

Example: When I cant sleep, I sometimes watch TV to help get me through the
night.

stumble upon: [phrasal verb] discover something/someone unexpectedly.

Example: While I was browsing through some websites, I stumbled upon the
information that I needed for my essay.

cheat: [verb] trick someone or make them believe something which is not true.
Example: Many people felt cheated when the government failed to build more
schools, as it had promised to do.

made my blood boil: [expression] cause someone to be angry.

Example: When my laptop was stolen, it made my blood boil and I needed a few
minutes to calm down.

dawn on: [phrasal verb] realize something for the first time.
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Example: When I entered the airport, it dawned on me that I had forgotten my
passport.

scam: [noun] a clever and dishonest plan for making money.

Example: The offer of a free holiday was false. It was simply a scam to
encourage people to buy tickets from the airline.

learned the hard way: [expression] learn from a bad experience, rather than being
taught.
Example: After I had an accident on my bike, I learned the hard way that I
should always wear a protective helmet.

risky: [adjective] involving the possibility of something bad happening.

Example: Working on a construction site is a risky job you always have to be
careful.

head for: [phrasal verb] go towards, go to find something.

Example: While my wife went looking for a new coat to buy, I headed for the
nearest coffee shop!

41.Describe your favourite season or time of the year.

You should say:
what season (or time of the year) it is
what the weather is like at this time
what people usually do at this time
and explain why you enjoy that season or time of the year or
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 and explain why you enjoy that season or time of the year more than other
seasons or times of the year.
Well, Im living in Hanoi and you know, the weather patterns are quite different
between the North and the South of Vietnam. There are four distinct seasons in
Hanoi and the one that I like the most is autumn.
Autumn in Hanoi usually lasts for about 3 months, starting in September and
ending in November. It seems to be the most comfortable season in the whole year.
The weather during the fall is normally cool with some sunny spells. The
temperature tends to fluctuate from 20 to 25 degree celsius. Occasionally, there are
light rains in the evening but they are often just short showers.
With the cool breezes, it is ideal for people to get together outside and hang out
with their friends. Anothing thing is that everyone wants to have picnics in the
urban areas near Hanoi and take some pictures with their family. Also, this time of
the year marks the beginning of a new school year for students around Vietnam.
In contrast, the summer is boiling, so it is torturing to have to go out in the streets
under the hot sun. Likewise, the winter is freezing and in a typical spring there are
usually heavy rains. So, these are really unattractive features of the other seasons.
However, the fresh weather during the autumn really makes me feel relaxed and
energizes me to do a lot of things. That is the major reason why I prefer the fall and
why it has always been my favourite time of the year.

Vocabulary:
weather patterns: [noun] the regular way in which the weather changes
throughout the year.
Example: Due to climate change, the familiar weather patterns are becoming less
predictable.
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distinct: [adjective] clearly different or of a different type.
Example: Traditional Vietnamese dishes are very distinct from Thai cuisine.

fall: [noun] North American English uses fall and British English uses
autumn.
Example: In the fall, many people are already buying warm winter clothes ready
for the really cold weather.

spells: [noun] short periods of time.

Example: It will rain for most of the day, but there will be some dry spells.

light: [adjective] not great in amount.

Example: The weather forecast is for light showers only, so dont worry if you
forget to take your umbrella.

showers: [noun] short periods of rain.

Example: Today, there will be some showers, but there will also be many sunny
spells.

breezes: [noun] winds that are not strong.

Example: The gentle breezes moved the curtains in my window just a little.

hang out: [phrasal verb] spend a lot of time in a place.

Example: During the school holidays, I hang out in the park with my friends.

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marks: [verb] indicates the time of an event or when something regularly
happens.
Example: When the leaves of the trees turn to red, this marks the beginning of
autumn/the fall.

boiling: [adjective] extremely hot.

Example: In the summer weather, I was boiling in my overcoat!

torturing: [verb] causing severe discomfort or unhappiness.

Example: It was torturing for me to see him slowly becoming more and more ill.

freezing: [adjective] extremely cold.

Example: Dont forget to wear your winter coat and hat its freezing outside.

energize: [verb] give someone more energy or strength.

Example: The words of the football manager during the interval really energized
the players.

42.Describe a person who you like to spend time with.

You should say:
what relationship the two of you have
how often you are together
what you usually do together
and explain why you like to spend time with this person.

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Today, Im going to share with you my description of a person who I like to spend
time with. There are 5 members in my small family, but my dad is the one that I
am closer to than the others. I get along with him pretty well because we have
many things in common.
My father is getting on a bit. Hes in his 50s but he looks quite young for his age.
He works as a teacher in a high school. I have been told that I take after him and it
makes me feel proud because a lot of people look up to him as a devoted teacher in
his school.
Although he is so caught up in his work, he always tries his best to make time for
the family that he loves and me, of course. Playing tennis is one of our shared
hobbies, so we tend to play together every other weekend, which is really a great
time for us to get to bond with each other. We also have an interest in watching
football matches on TV and comment about them enthusiastically like real close
friends.
He has high expectations for me to become a teacher when I graduate so I will try
my best to live up to them. We usually talk to each other about many things in our
life, you know, his work in the school, my study, current affairs and sports, and
stuff like that. He imparts valuable knowledge to me, not only about his career but
also about real life experiences. I treasure my dad a lot. I realize that he really
relates to me a lot and stays by my side whenever Im in trouble.

Vocabulary:
get along with: [phrasal verb] have a friendly relationship with someone.
Example: I get along with my brother really well we never have an argument.

getting on a bit: [expression] quite old.

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Example: I will be 70 next year, so I have to admit that I am getting on a bit now.

in his 50s: [expression] aged between 50 and 59.

Example: President Obama was quite young when he was elected, but now he is
in his 50s.

take after: [phrasal verb] look or behave like an older member of a family.
Example: Like her mother, she is very patient and everyone says that she takes
after her mother.

look up to: [phrasal verb] admire or respect someone.

Example: He is a very dedicated doctor and everyone looks up to him.

be caught up in: [phrasal verb] be involved in something.

Example: I am very caught up in revising for my exams, so I dont have any free
time.

every other weekend: [expression] each alternate one = the 1st, the 3rd, the 5th; but
not the 2nd, the 4th, the 6th.
Example: About twice a month, that is every other weekend, she travels to
London to see her sister.

bond: [verb] develop a close relationship of trust and friendship.

Example: To enable students to bond with each other, the teachers in our school
encourage a lot of team projects, in which students work together.
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expectations: [noun] strong beliefs about what will happen or how somebody
should behave.
Example: I studied hard for the exam, so I have high expectations that I will pass.

live up to: [phrasal verb] do as well or be as good as other people expect.

Example: She hopes that she can live up to her fathers expectations and qualify
as a doctor.

stuff: [noun] used to refer to any things or objects when the name is not
important.
Example: We talked about our hopes, our dreams, our fears stuff like that.

treasure: [verb] have or keep something/someone that you love.

Example: I treasure his friendship and I hope that we will continue to be best
friends for many years.

relates to: [phrasal verb] is able to understand and have sympathy for someone.
Example: Most children relate to their parents, although they may not always
agree about everything.

43.Describe a skill you learned when you were a child.

You should say:
what skill it was
who taught you this skill
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 how you learned it
and explain why you learned this skill.

Today, I would like to share with you a skill I learned when I was a child.
Music is really my kind of thing, especially the sound of musical instruments. One
of those that I enjoyed immensely was piano. I had always been attracted to this
sound, therefore, I signed up for a piano course when I was in grade 5.
My piano teacher was on the wrong side of 30, but she looked quite young for
her age. To be honest, I didnt pick up playing the piano very easily, so I had a
problem in learning this skill at first. Fortunately, she was a very experienced and
enthusiastic teacher, and she helped to familiarize me with every single lesson. I
definitely found it soothing and inspiring when she taught me how to play the
piano effectively.
Besides taking piano lessons, I also tried my best to learn on my own through
the internet, spending a lot of time searching for online lessons to work on. I did
pretty well, and as a result, I had a chance to join a piano contest that took place at
The Opera House in Hanoi. I was really proud of that.
I have discovered that music plays an integral part in my life, getting me
through tough situations, even the hardest days. Sometimes, I think everybody
needs to take a little time to wind down and enjoy ourselves. Playing piano is
actually how I usually spend my free time because it is really a good way for me to
relax and refresh my mind.

Vocabulary

my kind of thing (expression): something that you like or that you are into
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 Example: Hip hop music is my kind of thing, but I cant stand country music.

immensely (adv): greatly, especially

Example: She loves Taylor Swift immensely. I think she is her biggest fan.

to be attracted to (expression): to really like someone or something

Example: She has been attracted to fashion since she was only two or three
years old. She loves to shop for clothing.

on the wrong side of 30 (expression): to be on the downhill side of a decade, so

after 35, going toward 40, in this case.
Example: My professor must be on the wrong side of 50, but his girlfriend
doesnt care.

pick up (phrasal verb): to learn something

Example: When I was living in France, I picked up French very easily after
only a few months.

Fortunately (adv): used to say that something good or lucky has happened
Example: Fortunately for him, his mother paid for his plane ticket to New
York.

enthusiastic (adj): excited, having a positive and upbeat attitude

Example: He is an enthusiastic swimmer; he swims every day for 2 hours.

familiarize me with (expression): to learn about something new

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 Example: I need to familiarize myself with this new cell phone that I just
purchased yesterday.

definitely (adv): for sure

Example: I definitely do not want to eat pizza again this evening. I have eaten
it every night this week.

soothing (adj): relaxing, usually something soft and quiet

Example: She put on some soothing music and took a bath.

inspiring (adj): that which motivates you to do something

Example: The speech that the president gave turned out to be so inspiring that
the workers decided to stop their strike.

to work on (phrasal verb): to do, to practice

Example: I have to work on my English if I want to pass the IELTS exam.

to play an integral part in (something) (expression): to be an important part of

something
Example: My husband plays an integral part in running the day-to-day
operations of our family business.

wind down (phrasal verb): to relax, usually after doing something hard
Example: After coming home from work, she had a glass of wine and a bath to
wind down.

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 refresh (verb): to make (someone) have more energy and feel less tired or less
hot
Example: When he finishes his workout, he takes a shower to refresh himself
before going to work.

44.Describe someone you know who recently moved to new

accommodation.
You should say:
who he or she is
what kind of accommodation they moved to
and explain why they moved.

Im going to share with you a story about one of my friends who recently moved to
new accommodation. We had a chance to meet 5 years ago when I travelled to Ho
Chi Minh city, and we hit it off pretty well. We have kept in touch with each other
regularly since then. And she has now left there for Hanoi because of her
upcoming job.
Before moving here, she gave me a call to ask me to help her to find a small
apartment in the centre of Hanoi. Fortunately, I knew a person who had one to rent
near Hoan Kiem lake. It seemed to fit her needs, I guess, so I sent her some photos
of this apartment. Although I still could not be sure if she would like it, it turned
out that she was really interested in it.
It is kind of a serviced fully furnished aparment including air conditioner, washing
machine, hair dryer just about everything you can think of. It is about 50 metres
square with only one bedroom and modern interior decor. What she really loved
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was the small balcony with a view of Hoan Kiem lake. She finds it wonderful and
relaxing when sitting there and enjoying a cup of coffee after a long stressful day at
work. Also she can get to work in almost no time, just about 5 minutes.
My friend and I threw a house warming party for her. At weekends, the three of
us tend to get together just to hang out and take it easy. Because she lives away
from her family, I have tried my best to help her deal with unfamiliar situations in
her new accommodation as much as possible. She is really grateful to me and she
treated me to a dinner as a way of thank you.
Vocabulary:
hit it off: [expression] have a good friendly relationship with someone.
Example: I met some new work colleagues at the office today, and we hit it off
straight away.
kept in touch: [expression] maintained contact with someone, by calling or
writing to them.
Example: Have you kept in touch with your old friends from university?

upcoming: [adjective] something that will happen soon.

Example: It is not certain who will win the upcoming presidential election.

fit her needs: [expression] be suitable for her.

Example: The course was perfect to fit her needs, because the qualification at the
end would enable her to become a teacher.

turned out: [phrasal verb] happened or ended in a particular way.

Example: I was not allowed to enter the country, because it turned out that my
visa had expired.
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serviced apartment: [noun] services like housekeeping, regular cleaning, parking,
security are usually provided.
Example: A serviced apartment provides many of the comforts and conveniences
of a hotel room.

just about: [adverb] almost.

Example: Although I only started the course last week, I know just about all of
my fellow students.

decor: [noun] the style in which the inside of a building is decorated.

Example: The restaurant has an elegant new decor, including lighter colours and
large paintings.

in almost no time: [expression] very rapidly.

Example: If you take the fast train, you should arrive there in almost no time.

house warming party: [noun] a party given by someone who has just moved into a
new house.
Example: At my house warming party, I invited all my new neighbours.

hang out: [phrasal verb] spend time in a place, without any special purpose.
Example: I sometimes hang out at my local coffee shop, in case any of my friends
call in for a coffee.

take it easy: [expression] relax.

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Example: My doctor told me to take it easy and not to do any heavy physical
work.

45.Describe a good part of your personality or character.

You should say:
what it is
what this part of your personality or character is like
how it affects your life or work
and explain why you think it is good.

Well, Im going to talk about a good aspect of my character. Im kind of an

ambitious person, even though Im not sure if this personal trait is really beneficial
for me in every situation. I think it helps me pretty well, not only in my studies but
also in my own life, though.
Personally, I suppose it is quite good for young people to have this kind of
personal trait, because it allows them to live and work more positively. I normally
tend to set high goals and show strong determination to achieve them by all means,
no matter what difficult situations Im in. I mean, I do not like playing it safe.
Instead, I like being challenged in general.
However, when you have too high expectations of something and you are not able
to live up to them, you may feel under pressure and lose confidence in yourself. So
you should be careful and be sure that your goals are realistic for you to pursue.

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Up to now, I have found that my ambition has had more of a positive influence on
me than a negative one. Because of my ambitious nature, I force myself to set clear
targets, to be committed and to try my best to attain my goals, and all these things
motivate me a lot to follow my plans with drive and energy. Its an amazing
feeling of achievement on those occasions when my efforts are successful.

Vocabulary:
aspect: [noun] a particular part or feature of something.
Example: Her impatience is one aspect of her character that I dont like.

trait: [noun] a particular quality in your personality.

Example: The most notable trait of British people is their politeness.

beneficial: [adjective] having a helpful or useful effect or result.

Example: A good diet and regular exercise are beneficial for your health.

playing it safe: [expression] being careful and avoiding risks.

Example: When meeting strangers, I advise playing it safe do not tell them too
many details about your life.

challenge: [verb] test someones ability or skill, especially in an interesting way.

Example: In the IELTS exam, students are being challenged to show their English
language skills.

expectations: [noun] hopes that something good will happen.

Example: She went to college with great expectations.
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live up to: [phrasal verb] to do as well as you expect or hope.
Example: I did not enjoy the film it did not live up to all the great reviews that I
had read.

under pressure: [expression] anxious about something which you have to do.
Example: The team is under pressure to win an important match tomorrow.

pursue: [verb] do something or try to achieve something over a period of time.

Example: My brother wants to pursue his ambition to become an actor.
attain: [verb] succeed in getting something, usually after a lot of effort.
Example: After many hours of climbing, they attained their goal of reaching the
top of the mountain.

motivate: [verb] make somebody want to do something, usually something which

requires a lot of hard work or effort.
Example: The teacher motivates all her students to work hard and pass their
exams.

drive: [noun] energy and determination to achieve things.

Example: No sportsperson will succeed without a strong drive to be the best.

46.Describe a short trip that you frequently make (or, take) but dislike.
You should say:
where you travel from and to
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 how often you make this trip
why you make this trip
and explain why you dislike this trip.

I would like to talk about a short trip that I frequently take but dislike. My family
and I have been living in Hanoi, however, we always make time for visiting my
grandparents every other weekend in our hometown. It is situated in Ninh Binh
province, which lies about 90 kms from Hanoi.
It normally takes us around 1 hour and a half to get there by car. To be honest, I
usually get carsick, so I do not really enjoy travelling by car on trips outside the
city. I mean, it makes me feel very tired and I have a headache throughout the
journey, therefore I tend to fall asleep instead of staying awake to talk.
Despite the fact that carsickness makes it difficult for me to put up with even this
short trip, I still try my best to take time to visit my grandparents with my small
family. You know, because we are living in a big city, we are so caught up in work
and study as well, that our lifestyle does not allow us to have much time to get
together too often.
We always make the most of the family get-together, sharing the cooking, having
meals and swapping a lot of stories with each other. What I really enjoy are the
beautiful views of the countryside that my hometown offers. Once you have seen
it, I guess, you would keep coming back for more. Although it is so tough to stop
my carsickness, our family ties and the beauty of my small hometown will keep
drawing me back there.
Vocabulary:
every other: [adjective] each alternate, every second.

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Example: We have to pay the electricity bill every other month in January,
March, May and so on.

carsick: [adjective] a feeling in your stomach that makes you want to be

sick/vomit because of the movement of a car.
Example: Whenever I try to read a book or newspaper in a car, I start to feel
carsick.

staying awake: [expression] not going to sleep.

Example: After studying all night, I found it difficult staying awake during the
exam.

carsickness: [noun] the feeling that you are going to be sick when you travel in a
car.
Example: We had to stop the car several times during the journey, because I was
suffering from carsickness. I felt better after a short break and a walk for a couple
of minutes.

put up with: [phrasal verb] accept someone or something which is annoying or

unpleasant, without complaining.
Example: Although our hotel room was small and uncomfortable, we decided to
put up with it for one night.

caught up in: [phrasal verb] very involved in an activity, so that you do not notice
other things.
Example: I was so caught up in my revision that I forgot to feed the dog.
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get together: [expression] if two or more people get together, they meet each
other, having arranged the meeting before.
Example: Shall we get together for a coffee and a chat on Friday?

make the most of: [expression] use to the best advantage.

Example: I will make the most of my year in Spain to improve my Spanish.

swapping: [verb] giving something and receiving something in exchange.

Example: Swapping e-mails after the holiday, we arranged to keep in contact in
future.

offers: [verb] provides the opportunity for something.

Example: The hotel offers excellent facilities for families.

tough: [adjective] difficult.

Example: I will have to study hard, because the exam is really tough.

family ties: [noun] strong connections between members of a family.

Example: Now that my sister has moved to Australia, it is difficult to maintain our
old family ties.

drawing me back: [phrasal verb] attracting or encouraging me to return.

Example: My memories of Paris keep drawing me back to visit the city.

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 47.Describe an occasion when you got up very early.
You should say:
when it happened
why you got up early
who you were with
and explain how you felt about getting up early.

Well, I am going to share with you a story of one time when I got up very early. To
be honest, getting up early was not really my sort of thing on a regular basis, only
on some very special occasions. One such time was during the summer holiday last
year.
It was our trip to Da Nang with my whole family, which lasted for 5 days. There
were lots of things planned ahead, so I did the homework carefully. Because we
wanted to avoid rush hours that would probably ruin our whole trip, we had to
wake up at 5am to allow time for our careful preparations. It took us 2 hours to get
to the airport and fly to Da Nang in the morning.
I felt a little bit sleepy because this was the first time I had had to deal with such
an early start. However, it promised to be a great time for my extended family to
get together, so I was really excited about it. There were 10 of us altogether, and of
course we were chatting to each other all the way there. When we arrived, what
really attracted me was the fresh air at Da Nang beach. At once, the incredible
view totally banished all thoughts of sleep.
This amazing trip included many fun times to look back on and it gave all of us a
chance to bond with each other. I learnt the hard way that getting up early was as
not challenging as I had thought. If I tried my best, I knew that I could do it

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without too much trouble. For sure, I will make more trips like that in the near
future.
Vocabulary:
my sort of thing: [expression] something which interests me or something which I
like to do.
Example: Rock music is not my sort of thing, so I always listen to classical
music.

rush hours: [noun] the times of day when the roads are full of traffic, so it is
difficult to reach your destination.
Example: There are usually more car accidents during the morning and evening
rush hours.

ruin: [verb] spoil something, so that there is no longer any pleasure in it.
Example: The wind and rain every day ruined our holiday.

sleepy: [adjective] feeling tired and wanting to go to sleep.

Example: After working hard all day, I felt sleepy and went to bed early.

get together: [verb] if two or more people get together, they meet each other,
having arranged the meeting before.
Example: Shall we get together for a coffee and a chat on Friday?

chatting: [verb] talking together in a friendly way.

Example: When the teacher arrived, the students stopped chatting and paid
attention.
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fresh air: [noun] pleasantly clean and cool.
Example: After working in the office all day, it was nice to go outside and get
some fresh air walking home through the park.

banished: [verb] made someone or something go away.

Example: The confidence of the driving instructor banished all my fears of
learning to drive.

look back: [phrasal verb] think about something in your past.

Example: She looks back on her childhood as the happiest time of her life.

bond: [verb] develop or create a friendly relationship with someone.

Example: If a project is to be successful, the team members must all bond and
work together effectively.

learnt the hard way: [expression] did something in a way which was more
difficult than necessary.
Example: He learnt the hard way not to drink and drive. He is now recovering
in hospital after the car accident.

without too much trouble: [expression] with no great difficulty.

Example: He has a natural talent for music, so he learnt to play the piano without
too much trouble.

48.Describe a garden or park you enjoyed visiting.

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 You should say:
where it was
what it looked like
what you did there or, what people did there
and explain why you liked it.

I would like to share with you my impressions of a garden that I visited last
summer, which was full of colour and interest: Claude Monets house and garden
in Giverny, France.
As a big fan of Monets paintings, especially the famous Water Lilies, I had
always dreamed of seeing the scene in real life. So, when some friends suggested a
visit last year, I jumped at the chance. After a journey of about an hour by train
from our hotel, we arrived at Giverny. The garden was exactly as he had painted it
it was a riot of colour, from the peaceful white of the water lilies to the striking
reds and oranges which filled some of the flowerbeds.
The two parts of the garden complemented each other perfectly. We first
admired the array of bright flowers and fruit trees in the Clos Normand, but my
favourite part was the water garden, and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll, taking in
all the colours, perfumes and bird songs. Monet avidly collected prints of
Japanese gardens, and these inspired the Japanese bridges covered with wisterias,
the water lilies in the pond, and the bamboo and weeping willows which he
planted.
For me, it was like a wonderland of colours and a dream come true after so many
years.

VOCABULARY
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 impression: feeling or feelings (in the plural) about the garden
(impressions) His impression of the meeting was that it didnt go very
well.
fan: although the word is often used in the context of football nowadays,
here it means a person who admires [ Monets paintings]. She is a huge fan
of Maroon 5.
jumped at the chance: I enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to visit
the garden. He jumped at the chance to go to Las Vegas with his boss.
a riot of colour: a collection of many different colours. Sandras rose
garden is a riot of colour.
striking: very attractive and unusual. The woman he was with was wearing
a striking outfit last night.
flowerbeds: a piece of a garden or park in which flowers are grown. He
loves digging in his flowerbeds.
complemented each other: each part of the garden added something
different to the other part, so that the garden as a whole became more
attractive. The wine and the fish complemented each other to form a perfect
meal.
the array of bright flowers: the large and impressive collection of flowers.
The array of bright flowers in her garden surprised everybody. They didnt
realize she had planted so many varieties.
a leisurely stroll: a slow, relaxing walk. We went for a leisurely stroll
along the beach this morning.
taking in all the colours: our eyes noticed all the colours and features of the
garden. We were taking in all the colours of his garden, when all of a

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 sudden we heard a large crash outside the garden gate. Two cars had just
bumped into each other.
avidly: Monet collected prints of Japanese gardens enthusiastically. He
studied English avidly, from morning until late in the evening.
prints: copies of original drawings or paintings. The artist offered her
prints for $100 each.
wisterias: white or purple flowers which cover walls, bridges or trees. The
wisterias in the garden were in full bloom.
pond: a small area of still water, usually in a garden. There are many
beautiful fish in the pond.
bamboo: tall tropical plants which have hollow stems [the long, thin part
of the plant] used for building or furniture. Pandas love to eat bamboo.
weeping willows: trees which grow near water and have branches which
hang downwards. There are two weeping willows on the property, but we
should cut one down.
wonderland: an imaginary place in childrens stories. The amusement park
was a wonderland for both children and adults.

49. Describe a free-time activity that you like to do after you have finished
your study or work.
You should say:
what you do
where you do it
when you do it
who you do it with
and explain why you like to do this activity.
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Well, I am kind of a workaholic. I am so caught up in my work on a daily basis
that I do not have too much time to relax after a long working day. Listening to
music is the only thing that I really want to do to relax at home.
There are a few things that I normally try to do to wind down, but listening to
music is how I usually like to spend my free time. Because my work takes almost
all the time during the day, I want to make the most of my evening by creating a
cozy atmostphere for myself and just put my feet up. When I stay home, I like to
dim the lights, turn on some soft music and enjoy myself for the rest of the
evening. Soft light and sounds help me to chill out pretty well.
I also enjoy grabbing a favourite book and relaxing in a big comfy chair with a
blanket and my pet cat on my lap, while listening to music in the background. It
works wonders. I find it therapeutic and relaxing when I take a little time for
myself to play an inspirational song to unwind. You see, you dont have to waste a
lot of time and money in order to have a restful evening.
If I take some days off, I will go for a short holiday to get away from all the
pressures. However, for the rest of the days when I have finished my work already,
listening to music is my preferred choice. That is wonderful for me, and so I do not
see myself changing my habit any time soon.
Vocabulary:
workaholic: [noun] a person who works very hard and finds it difficult to stop
working and do other things.
Example: My sister is a workaholic she never takes a day off to relax and have
fun.

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caught up in: [phrasal verb] very involved in an activity, so that you do not notice
other things.
Example: I was so caught up in my revision that I forgot to feed the dog.

wind down: [phrasal verb] rest or relax after a period of activity.

Example: After teaching all day, its nice to go and have a coffee to wind down.

make the most of: [expression] use to the best advantage.

Example: I intend to make the most of the holidays by finishing my assignment.

cozy: [adjective] warm and comfortable, because you are in a small space.
Example: I feel cozy sitting in front of the fire in my small house.

put my feet up: [expression] sit down, lie back and rest.
Example: I like to sit in my favourite armchair with a cup of coffee and just put
my feet up after I come home.

dim: [verb] make a light less bright.

Example: In the theatre, the play was about to begin. The lights were dimmed
and the audience fell silent.

chill out: [phrasal verb] spend time relaxing.

Example: I like to go out with my friends and chill out just chatting and having
a coffee.

grabbing: [verb] having or taking something quickly.

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Example: You should have a good lunch grabbing a sandwich is a bad habit.

comfy: [adjective] comfortable.

Example: My new bed is really comfy and I fall asleep straight away.

works wonders: [expression] has a very good effect on someone or something.

Example: A good nights sleep works wonders for your mind and body.

therapeutic: [adjective] helping you to relax.

Example: My dentist plays soft music while her patients are waiting, because she
says that it is therapeutic.

inspirational: [adjective] something that motivates you and makes you have
exciting ideas.
Example: The President gave an inspirational speech to his supporters.

unwind: [verb] SEE: wind down.

any time soon: [expression] in the near future.

Example: After our big argument, I am not expecting her to call me any time
soon.

50.Describe a time when you forgot something important.

You should say:
when it happened
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 what you forgot
what was the result of your forgetting
and explain why it was important.

Today I am going to share with you the time when I forgot something
important/ I (once) borrowed something useful. It happened a few months ago
when I had to attend an important exam for my accounting qualification.
The test strictly required candidates to use black ball point pen to write the
paper. I was sure that morning when I left for the exam that I had put two pens
in my backpack. However, I was not sure of their ink colors. So by the time I
reached the examination hall, I quickly opened my backpack to check. To my
surprise, they were both blue pens.
This could have resulted in my answer booklet being disqualified and I would
have had to re-take the exam. Since the exam was held twice a year only, this
mistake would not only have cost me valuable time but also a lot of money for
the upcoming exams.
In panic, I looked around to see any familiar face to ask for help; however, I
did not see anyone but the examiner. I took a deep breath and decided to ask
him if he had a spare black pen that I could borrow.
Luckily, he did. He was willing to lend me one and did not forget to remind me
about the regulation. I was relieved and ready to sit my exam, thanks to a kind
examiner.
VOCABULARY

disqualified: [verb] prevent somebody from doing something, because they

have broken the regulations.
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 Example: The police stopped the man in his car. He had been drinking and
driving and he was disqualified from driving for 3 years.

upcoming: [adjective] something which is upcoming is going to happen

soon.
Example: Brazil is preparing for the upcoming Olympic Games in 2016.

panic: [noun] a sudden feeling of fear.

Example: As the fire spread through the school, the students ran out in
panic.

breath: [noun] an amount of air which enters your lungs at one time.
Example: He can count from 1 to 20 in one breath.

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