Answers for IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 (Sep – Dec 2021)

IDEAS FOR ANSWERING IELTS SPEAKING PART 2 & 3 (SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2021) 

Cue Card 1. Describe a famous person that you are interested in

Idol Rosé – a renowned vocalist and dancer of a girl group based in South Korea -Black Pink.

+ Music style: – Korean pop music is my cup of tea since secondary school → I lost my heart to this talented girl since she made her debut – Crowning achievements + made a series of Asian and world records with Black Pink (but she was never given an easy ride – she focused exceptional effort on practice before and after her debut – join singing + dancing class more than 10 hours a day) – First solo album in March 2021 – a widespread phenomenon – made a deep impression on me – I was hooked by its catchy melody + meaningful lyrics – learn by heart

+ Appearance/Personality: – A gorgeous girl – have an eye for mix and match – trendy fashion – A sense of humor – I burst out laughing whenever I click on her videos or watch her livestreams – Language skill: was born in New Zealand – have a great command of English – easily communicate with international fans

+ Opinion: 01 year older than me – an inspirational icon of my generation

 

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)

1. What kinds of famous people are there in your country?

More kinds of celebrities in this day and age: – Showbiz stars: whose job is to provide public entertainment: singers, dancers, actors,… → idolized by various age groups because each focuses on a target audience – Politicians: Vietnamese people have a good grasp of political system thanks to the Press → politicians also gain widespread social acceptance – Phenomena from social media: young people who take advantage of social networking sites to create personal branding → become famous by top-trending videos, influential lifestyle

2. What are the differences between famous people today and those in the past?

– Cutting-edge technological breakthroughs → popularity of technical devices + social media have made more people famous.- A housewife/a student/a man having retired can have a Youtube channel with millions of subscribers – We figure out an ever-increasing number of talents through TV shows – Famous people have created more impact on the life of individuals, especially the youngsters. Celebrity endorsement → drive the society to more demand of goods + set new trends that people want to keep up with

3. Do you think famous people are necessarily good in their fields? – A considerable proportion of celebrities nowadays make their name by scandals relating to love affairs, plagiarism, shocking statements,… → A fact of life → More people hold the viewpoint that these stars don’t have talents → not hold them in high esteem – However, there are many others who gain reputation by excelling at their majors. Example: football players (Cristiano Ronaldo)

4. Do you think the media is putting too much attention on famous people?

Yes, people are bombarded with news about celebrities on a daily basis – these hot topics act as a hook to attract millions of viewers. → Take a heavy toll on famous people’s life – lack of privacy → high level of anxiety + pressure → The media should provide people with more useful content about education, medicine, good habits,…

 

Cue Card 2. Describe a time when you felt bored

I’m kinda an optimistic person but I felt down in the dumps with the failure of applying for an international conference.

+ Description: – 2020: Thailand hosted an international forum on leader policy → I am a big fan of going abroad and participating in global events → I put my name down for it without demur – In the application process, I had to provide a comprehensive plan to address a youth-related problem in Southeast Asia – a daunting task → I sought advice from some Professors who excelled at socio-economic issues + burnt the midnight oil to accomplish the plan in accordance with deadline – However, I received an email announcing that I was not an appropriate participant → I was upset + felt that I lost interest in registering international events

+ Opinion: – Hard work pays off but although I had focused great effort on the process, the result still didn’t live up to my expectations → Overcome the boredom, I have been improving my knowledge + social skills to grasp further opportunity

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)

1. When do people feel bored?

– People are in a bad mood when something doesn’t live up to their expectations: not passing an exam with flying colors, being refused by an employer, a broken relationship,… – When they have too much free time + nothing to idle away the time → they also die of boredom: they feel that they do nothing useful while their counterparts are trying their best to gain crowning achievements → peer pressure

2. What do people usually do when they’ve got nothing to do?

– A considerable proportion of people get addicted to social media in this day and age. → browse the internet + log in social networking sites → chat with buddies to lift up their mood – Some who lead a healthy lifestyle are keen on doing physical activities to feel on cloud nine: practise yoga + meditation to have a sound mind; do moderate and vigorous-intensity exercise (hitting the gym) to release excessive energy + enhance body’s attractiveness

3. Do children get bored more than in the past?

I have mixed opinion about this issue. – Children cramp for books + bury themselves with exams on a regular basis → pressure of study makes them feel tired + impatient + even lose interest in academic journey – On the other hand, there have been more recreational activities for kids nowadays (video games, social media,…) → It’s less likely that children have nothing to do when they have free time.

 

Cue Card 3. Describe a time that you gave advice to others

WHEN I WAS A SPEAKER AT AN ORIENTATION FAIR

+ When – To whom: Last year, I graduated from university and it was my honor to become one of the students getting the highest grade. → This milestone paved the way for me to gain more recognition + popularity within my university, presenting as a speaker at the orientation fair which provided freshmen with instruction + guidance.

+ Describe the advice: From my recollection, I allocated the most of my speech to motivate the newbies to find a happy medium between studying and doing voluntary work. – If students always cramp for books + bury themselves with exams → stand a high chance of suffering from anxiety + tension – Taking part in social activities as volunteers: A method to let our hair down + escape the studying pressure To have a wider circle of friends, sharpen interpersonal skills Getting to know people from all walks of life → grasp the difficulty others have to cope with → have greater learning momentum to ensure a bright future→ A helpful + practical advice with the prospect of there being more well-rounded students

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)

1. Should people prepare before giving advice?
– Absolutely yes, people seek advice from others with hopeful prospect of receiving reliable guide + instruction → These words of advice should be prepared carefully – not provide misleading information – If a consultant doesn’t have a good grasp of a major subject but still gives advice, people who follow this advice will be prone to troubles, even failure Example: At school, we give our buddies wrong instructions on how to do an exercise → they can’t reap high academic results

2. Is it good to ask advice from strangers online?
+ People feel more convenient when sharing their problems with strangers because their weakness & insecurity are not exposed to their existing circle of friends and acquaintances
+ However, people are put at risk when seeking advice online from somebody they don’t know well: – The source of information is not trustworthy: the advisors don’t take responsibility for their statements + they don’t understand our characteristics + conditions in order to give a suitable advice – An invasion of privacy: when cyber-criminals take advantage of online conversation to steal personal data

3. What are the personalities of people whose job is to give advice to others?
– Good listening ability: each person/company has a different problem to be addressed → advisors or consultants act as willing listeners who pay full attention + ask questions to get a thorough insight into the other’s issues
– Good communication skills: convey knowledge, experience to others in a logic + easy-to-understand way
– Honesty: individuals put their trust in advisors → if those tell lies or distorts the truth → betray others’ trust + let them down

4. What are the problems if you ask too many people for advice?
– People often seek instruction from multiple advisors with the prospect of figuring out a solution supported by the majority. – However, this can impose an adverse impact: you are bombarded with information + be unable to weigh up the pros and cons of all the options → finally come to a wrong decision → Instead, should ask 1-2 people who we hold in high esteem for guide + have our own analysis + consideration

 

Cue Card 4. Describe a perfect job you would like to have in the future

My lifelong dream is to become an Ambassador of my country.

I will be appointed to live in a foreign country as the representative of my country. One of my seniors at university had become Ambassador to the UK → his story left a long-lasting impression on me.

+ Reasons why this is an ideal job:

• My family can accompany me on overseas trips + we are granted personal safety + privileges while living abroad: high-quality education for children, exclusive medical care
• The golden chance to have a good command of foreign languages → multilingual. Get exposed to a diversity of art and culture, learn from global civilization → Taking steps to become a global citizen
• Devote great contribution to the development of motherland: Engage in negotiations of free trade agreements – enhance the efficiency of trading activities with other nations → economy is the backbone of the development of my country – Lend a helping hand to our citizens living abroad (alleviate the problems of violent attack, terrorism, labour abuse) → Instil a deep sense of satisfaction + self-fulfillment

 

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)

1.What kind of job do children like?

– Children are naive, they have a limited perspective of life → have an interest in jobs popularized by advertising or toys. Example: toothpaste advertisement features a dentist giving thorough instructions on doing personal hygiene → role model of kids – Children are often taught about particular careers which are held in high esteem: teachers, doctors, lawyers,… → create their mindset of favourable occupations

2. Do children like to choose the same profession as their parents?

– During childhood, kids tend to idolize their parents + expect to follow their career path to take a leaf out of their book – When they reach maturity, have a good grasp of their own strengths + weaknesses → chase a job which suit them

3. Will people regret their career choices when they become older?

Many individuals say that if they were to choose again, they would definitely go for another job.
– After graduation, a lot of people enter the labour force with the sole aim to make a living (not pay much attention to their personalities, their interests,…) (increased unemployment rate → people suffer from more pressure of landing a decent job, not to mention a job that they like)
– When they grow older, they recognise that these jobs are not suitable for their strengths → lose working momentum + lack self-fulfillment → but it’s hard to start over a new career

4. What should people consider when choosing jobs? – Their personalities: if a job is a good match for a person’s strengths → reach that person’s full potential → stay a higher chance of climbing ladders in career path + gaining crowning achievements – Market demand: pursuing career in a growing field → easier to land a decent job, reduce the risk of unemployment Ex: Data Analyst is forecast to be one of the most in-demand jobs by 2022.

 

Cue Card 5. Describe a person who you think wears unusual clothes

I once read an online article featuring a man wearing a raincoat while it was scorching hot in my city.
– At first, the title caught my attention and I thought that guy might suffer from a mental disorder when putting on such an unsuitable outfit on a sun-drenched day. → But the story behind this touched my heart: – That man was waiting for his wife, a cancer patient, to receive radiotherapy in the nearby hospital. – It turned out that they have young children at home, and the husband had to cover himself and indirectly protect their kids from radioactive contamination. – His wife could take a taxi but he gave her a drive to the hospital to express a deep sense of sympathy + spiritual encouragement. → This article recorded tons of likes + shares on social networking sites. → People drew a lesson from this: don’t judge a book by its cover + try to look at the silver lining of all events

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)

1.Do you think what people wear can influence their mood?

Clothes can affect our emotions:
– Get dressed up to the nines → a sense of self-confidence + feel that we can make a good impression on business partners, colleagues,… → feel on cloud nine, especially when we receive a compliment on what we wear
– Bright-colored clothes can lift up our mood, whereas dark colors create a gloomy environment → pose an adverse impact on our spirit

2. Do you think it is a good idea to buy clothes online?

I’m a big fan of online shopping (e-commercial sites have gained more social acceptance)
Pros: – Save time: stay at home, make purchase of clothes with a click of the mouse → not have to go outside, especially in scorching hot days – State-of-the-art payment methods: bank transfer, credit card,…

Cons: – Actual goods don’t live up to our expectations (different from advertisements): not try on → not fit our shape and size – Fake items: replicate branded clothes → can’t distinguish

3. What kind of clothes do people wear in the workplace?
– If you work in an environment with a strict dress code or uniform, such as a hospital → no choice but conform to these outfits – However, in professions where we have more flexibility with clothes: more freedom of choice → be smartly-dressed in a gentle way (a suit and tie for men, a long dress with a blazer for women) – Wearing jeans or short pants at work is regarded as an impolite behaviour

4. What are the differences between clothes worn by old people and those by young people?
– The elderly: show a preference for traditional clothes (not expose their body and skin) + a sense of comfort + not allocate much money for clothing – Youngsters: big fans of fashion → a desire for high-end items → keep up with new trends set by celebrities all over the world → willing to pay an arm and a leg for branded clothes

Cue Card 6. Describe a thing that you bought and felt pleased about

I ordered a brand new pair of Apple’s wireless earphones on my last birthday as a self-reward.
– Made the purchase on Shopee – a reputable e-commercial site in my country – That product of Apple, namely Airpods, cost me 150$, a reasonable price for its out-of-this-world design + functions

+ Reasons I felt satisfied: – The rich + high-quality sound lived up to my expectations – The Airpods can be automatically connected to my Iphone

+ Benefits:
– The possession of Airpods boosts my sport spirit: I no longer have to struggle with the cable of conventional earphones which often got tangled → I can’t have free body movement → Wireless earphones: suitable for all physical activities (taking a leisurely walk, doing yoga or hitting the gym) → lead a healthy lifestyle while immersing myself in music
– I have a greater command of foreign languages thanks to this device: listen to podcasts, watching movies in English  on a regular basis, with no concern about disturbing my roommate
– For many youngsters including me, this is a must-have item because it acts as an accessory, making our outfit look more trendy

 

SPEAKING PART 3

1. How often do people in your country go shopping?

It heavily depends on each preference and affordability. – People with average income + who live under the poverty line: hardly do they go shopping, just off and on to buy necessities + not allocate much money for clothes, jewelry. – The upper class: invest in products on a regular basis → take up a habit of going shopping as a way to let their hair down after working around the clock

2. Why is online shopping popular?

I’m a big fan of online shopping (cutting-edge technological breakthroughs → e-commercial sites have gained more social acceptance) – Superior convenience: stay at home, make purchase of any item with a click of the mouse → save time + not have to go outside, especially in scorching hot days (online shopping is of great value during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic)
– Get access to a diversity of types of the same products: no need to physically move from one store to another, we still can compare the prices, designs, functions,… – Appealing discounts (sales seasons → more reasonable prices in comparison with traditional purchases) + state-of-the-art payment methods: bank transfer, credit card,…

3. How should sellers set prices for their products?
– Slightly lower than market prices (still make profit) → enhance goodwill for the concern → boost sales as many customers are interested in getting bargains – The same as market price but more appealing than the prices of competitors by attractive discounts, giveaways, freebies,…

4. Do you think online shopping will replace shopping in stores?

Although e-commerce is in its heyday, conventional shopping can never be completely displaced. – Drawback of online shopping: Actual goods don’t live up to our expectations (different from advertisements): not try on clothes → not fit our shape and size – Meanwhile, consumers are keen on enjoying the in-store atmosphere (in shopping malls, hypermarkets,…): stores of branded + luxurious products are often uniquely designed and decorated

 

Cue Card 7. Describe a time when you ate something for the first time

The first time that I tried a foreign dish – Kimchi from South Korea

+Description:

• 2 years ago, I set foot in South Korea to study as an exchange student → The first meal that I had left a long-lasting impression on me – Kimchi is made of cabbage or radish – a traditional side dish which exists in almost all Korean households and restaurants Although kimchi gained a global reputation, it was the first time that I ate it.
• I can recollect vividly the feeling of my first bite: it was kinda sour + spicy

The chili powder used to make kimchi is scientifically proven not to create any adverse impact on people’s health. By contrast, kimchi is appreciated for its ability to aid in digestion + keep a balance of bacteria in our body. – That meal was full of greasy chicken + pork dishes → a vegetable-based dish like kimchi was of great value

+ Opinion: That flavour was different from all the food in my country – that first meal gave me a deep sense of fulfillment as I got exposed to a new culture with exotic cuisine + eating style.

SPEAKING PART 3

1. What kinds of foreign food are popular in your country?
– A diversity of international cuisines because there are an ever-increasing number of multinational companies with foreign technicians + staff (Japanese, Korean + Chinese food account for the highest proportion) – sushi, sashimi from Japan, Chinese hotpot,…
– I have an appetite for Korean food

2. What are young people’s opinions on new food? How about old people? – Youngsters show greater adaptability than the elderly do. They are willing to try new food, some even become big fans of foreign dishes.

The millennials + gen Z idolize celebrities from the four corners of the world.

Different food → have a better grasp of different cultural + traditional values → global citizens – Older generation: have a preference for local food (get accustomed to that eating habit for a long time → like the comfort of familiarity)

3. Should teachers and parents teach children how to cook?

Having a grasp of basic cooking is beneficial to any individual. – A necessary skill for living independently: when children reach their maturity – Knowing how to cook → highly appreciate dishes → avoid wasting food 4. Why do people like their local food? – Local cuisines represent traditional + cultural values → more than an interest, people take pride in local food – Locally-grown food is of higher quality: fresher (not travel a long distance from foreign countries → less nutrients are lost during transit) + foreign food often contains artificial preservatives in order not to be spoiled

 

Cue Card 8. Describe a time when you had to wait in a long line of people queue

I’m a big fan of shopping and the Black Friday last year left a long-lasting impression on me as I had to queue up for 3 hours to buy my favorite items. – Black Friday is regarded as the busiest shopping event in Western countries. In recent years, people in my country has kept up with this trend + all stores offered highly promoted sales – Last November: after working flat out, I ran to the biggest shopping mall within a stone’s throw from my company. I often went window shopping there -luxurious clothes, watches, jewelry (cost an arm and a leg).- That day, I went there with the prospect of buying some branded products at a deep discount – However, I was shocked to see a long queue of shoppers from the main door to the parking area. We couldn’t even set foot inside the mall.

+ How I felt: – Within the first 02 hours waiting, I was patient, giving my mind to the list of necessary goods. – I gradually felt exhausted with my tired legs + empty stomach → I ended up leaving without any bargains.

SPEAKING PART 3

1. Do you think waiting is harder now?
– Fast-paced lifestyle → people are occupied with work + study → time is money → be less willing to wait – Cutting-edge technological breakthroughs → people get accustomed to “instant” and “ready-made” things → more impatient. Example: popularity of social networking sites → keep in touch with buddies from the four corners of the world, receive an immediate reply to a text message or email instead of waiting for weeks to get a letter → In comparison with the past, citizens are much less familiar with waiting for the things they want

2. Why do some companies provide poor customer service?
– Allocate more human resources for other functions: invest in marketing campaigns to boost sales + gain more profit, focus on R&D,… → Not pay serious attention to equip staff with hands-on training in customer service – Business philosophy is not customer-oriented: not put customer satisfaction in priority, not hold consumers in high esteem → unsustainable growth

3. Prefer human beings or robot customer service? – The virtual beings: accomplish assigned tasks with utmost precision + no need for breaks – However, customer service requires high levels of flexibility, problem solving skills which are out of the question when it comes to machines Example: Human staff could base on their hands-on experience to provide customers with advices about which products suit them + sometimes, praise and compliments are offered to consumers in a sensible way

 

Cue Card 9. Something important to you that your family has had for a long time

Television – an indispensable “member” of my family which has existed in my house since I was a student at secondary school

+ Description:

A flat -screen TV whose sound and visual effects both live up to my expectations – Recently, my father has bought a network package to smartly connect this electrical device to the internet → Thanks to cutting-edge technological breakthroughs, get access to countless local + international channels + programmes, ranging from music, movies, documentaries to news about up-to-the-minute events – I am not a couch potato → it is not my cup of tea to keep my eyes glued to the TV screen. However, I turn on the television on a daily basis, esp in the evening to let my hair down after working around the clock – Television brought family and friends together, creating endless opportunities to share experiences + strengthen the ties. Example: watch European Football Championship with my grandfather → share the same interest, bridging the generation gap

+ Opinion: Although the Internet shapes our lives, I still attach great importance to watching TV because of the trustworthy + carefully censored source of information

SPEAKING PART 3

1. What things do families keep for a long time?
– Family photos: evoke vivid memories about family reunions (it touches our heart at the moment we open the albums and see our grandparents who have passed away) – Household appliances: be passed down from one generation to another: wardrobes, video cassettes → become the antiques which remind us of our forefathers

2. What’s the difference between things valued by people in the past and today? – In retrospect: people highly appreciate food because a sizable proportion of population live on breadline → lack of necessities → hardly did they waste food Besides, people evaluate things by their functions, not paying too much attention to designs, brands,… – In this day and age: consumer goods are of low value due to their excessive availability → Branded + luxurious products (cost an arm and a leg) are regarded as valuable (materialism)

3. What kinds of things are kept in museums?

It heavily depends on the type of museum. – Museums of history: Attractive collections of historical relics + objects (the remains of a plane in the war) → have a real look at past events – Art museums: renowned works of art which have gained popularity nationwide or worldwide → show respect for talents

4. What’s the influence of technology on museums?
-Apply technology in the preservation of relics which have survived from the past: state-of-the-art biotechnology conserves animal bones in a perfect condition
-Take advantage of social media to raise public awareness of the significance of museums: conduct marketing campaigns to gain more popularity + social acceptance –> more visits to museums (local people + foreign tourists) – Security system of museums also benefit from high technology

Cue Card 49. A time when you encouraged somebody to do something that he/she didn’t want to do

One occasion I inspired my younger brother to keep a balance between study and extracurricular activities – Last year, my younger brother entered the university as a freshman.

During this first year, I saw him always cramping for books + burying himself with exams → I chatted with him on Facebook, motivating him to find a happy medium between studying and doing voluntary work – However, he was afraid that social activities would distract him from schoolwork → couldn’t pass all exams with flying colours

+ Reasoning to persuade him: – If students are up to their ears with academic lessons → stand a high chance of suffering from anxiety + tension – Taking part in other tasks: A method to let our hair down + escape the studying pressure To have a wider circle of friends, sharpen interpersonal skills Getting to know people from all walks of life → grasp the difficulty others have to cope with → have greater learning momentum to ensure a bright future → From my hands-on experience, I encouraged him with the prospect of he becoming a well-rounded citizen

SPEAKING PART 3

1. When do people need to be encouraged?
   – When they face important milestones: pass an entrance exam to university, apply for a decent job, get out of a toxic relationship → they need to be in the best of spirits → Support and encouragement from family + circle of friends are of high value – When people feel down in the dumps when something does not live up to their expectations → inspire them to believe in better luck next time → have motivation to continue making progress
2. Should we encourage children to study hard? – A little encouragement → boost learning momentum + study harder to pass exams with flying colours – However, if parents and surrounding people pay too much attention to study → kids will be put under pressure to satisfy older people’s expectations → mental breakdowns (adverse effect).

3. Do people now need to be encouraged more than in the past?
   Yes – People are prone to more tension and  anxiety in modern society: fast-paced lifestyle → be occupied with work + study → A few words of encouragement with work + study → A few words of encouragements can lift up their mood + boost working and learning momentum – A society of individualism → encouraging others means we know how to express sympathy + care for others → the more we share, the more we have → get self-fulfillment

 

Cue Card 10. Describe a time when you got lost in a town or city

I lost the sense of direction in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. – Last year, I and peers officially graduated → one of my buddies hosted a party in her house (located in one of the 36 ancient streets of Hanoi Old Quarter) – I didn’t have a good grasp of that area because I lived some distance away → I drove there on my own with the intention of following Google maps. – Fate was unkind to me that day, however, my phone ran out of battery. → I kept asking surrounding people for directions to my friend’s house → each one gave a different instruction → Started to shake in my shoes (I couldn’t recollect the phone number of a single friend)

– Thank my lucky stars, I saw an old policeman → came to him as a last resort → Warm-hearted, drew the ways on the paper for me → Arrived at the party after all effort (1 hour late) – I draw a precious lesson and experience from this case → check my phone carefully before driving alone PART 3

1. Do people get lost more than in the past? – Increasing complexity of city planning: a burst in population → more similar tall buildings + skyscrapers (in retrospect: private houses of different designs) – Tourism → go travelling on a regular basis, not remaining in their local areas as in the past → tourist destinations are new cities, even mountainous areas → get lost easily as we aren’t acquainted with the roads, directions there 2. What kinds of people get lost easily? – Children: are easily attracted by an appealing toy store, a cute pet → leave their parents’ hands in the street → if parents don’t pay close attention, they will be lost within minutes → create chances for kidnapping – The elderly: memory loss is a sign of aging → It’s not strange when old people temporarily forget the way home → those often bring along a piece of paper writing their address + contact3. What should we do if one of our family members gets lost?

We have to keep a cool head. – Call the police station: the police have a grasp of hands-on experience → take quick + strong action (connect with traffic police + check street cameras) – Contact our acquaintances: whether our family member has paid a visit to their places or not + ask them to lend a helping hand in finding that person

 

Cue Card 11. Describe a short trip that you frequently make but dislike

Travelling from the company back to my apartment irritates me on a daily basis. – My flat is within a long distance of my workplace → cross many congested streets during rush hours (getting stuck in a traffic jam is never a comfortable experience) – Bumper-to-bumper vehicles on the street + the buses stop frequently → I have to move little by little → an absolute waste of time – More troublesome: surrounding atmosphere is filled with exhaust fumes emitted by a huge number of private cars → take a heavy toll on the well-being of my respiratory system in the long run – The situation goes from bad to worse if it is scorching hot or there is torrential downpours in the summer → I have came up with plans to address this problem: – Move my house: rent an apartment which is within a stone’s throw from my company → take a leisurely walk to work everyday – Negotiate with my boss to adjust the nine-to-five working schedule (1 hour later can help me escape traffic congestion)

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)

1. Do people in your country like travelling abroad?

Depends on each preference and affordability. – The upper class: are keen on taking trips abroad (pay an arm and a leg) → have a greater grasp of different cultural + traditional values + a way to show off their wealth + social status – People with average income also have an interest in travelling to seek new experience: visit other cities within the country instead

2. Who prefer travelling abroad, the young or the old? – Youngsters: have better adaptability → visit exotic locations, try new cuisines, make friends with people from the four corners of the world → global citizens – The elderly: enjoy the comfort of familiarity + not have a good command of foreign languages → had better stay in their Motherland. Hardly do they go abroad, just off and on to do business or visit their offsprings.

3. How much time do you think people should spend on a trip abroad?
It depends on the aim of that trip. – Business trips: just a few days for the contract to be signed

To enrich your knowledge of a different culture: should spend at least 1 month + immerse yourself in their normal life (eat their food + live with indigenous people) → I think a 4-5 day vacation trip is too short for tourists to understand lifestyle + social norms of a country, just enough time to take some photos.

4. Which is better for knowing more about a country? Travelling or reading books about it? – Guidebooks are sometimes biased towards the author’s viewpoint. Some travel brochures: contain images and information which distort the truth -created with advertising purpose – We’d better go on a trip + gain hands-on knowledge + experience → give our opinions about that place

 

Cue Card 12. Describe the best gift/ present that you have ever received.

My father bought me a brand new pair of Apple’s wireless earphones on my last birthday as a reward. – That product of Apple, namely Airpods, has out-of-this-world design + functions – The rich + high-quality sound lived up to my expectations – The Airpods can be automatically connected to my Iphone

+ Benefits: – The possession of Airpods boosts my sport spirit: I no longer have to struggle with the cable of conventional earphones which often got tangled → I can’t have free body movement → Wireless earphones: suitable for all physical activities (taking a leisurely walk, doing yoga or hitting the gym) → lead a healthy lifestyle while immersing myself in music – I have a greater command of foreign languages thanks to this device: listen to podcasts, watching movies in English/Chinese on a regular basis, with no concern about disturbing my roommate – For many youngsters including me, this is a must-have item because it acts as an accessory, making our outfit look more trendy.

SPEAKING PART 3

1. Toys that kids like now
   – A lot of children are into toys which stimulate cognitive development + boost IQ: legos, puzzles,…
   – Kinds of toys differ according to genders: girls are keen on playing with dolls, cooking utensil toys,…, whereas boys show a preference for toy cars, robots, assembling toys.
2. What toys did you play with when you were young?
   – A collection of dolls of all shapes and sizes: I was crazy about changing clothes for them → every time I reaped high academic results at school, my parents bought me a new doll as a reward- Jigsaw puzzle: assemble various pieces to produce a complete picture → used to play with my parents and old sister → boost connectedness and strengthen family bond (this kind of toy also helps to exercise my brain)
3. Why did people collect toys?
   – A hobby to let their hair down after working around the clock + instill a sense of satisfaction when their collection is extended day by day
   – Old toys evoke vivid memories → remind people of their childhood
   – The prospect that these collections will be valuable one day (like coins, stamps,…) → people are willing to pay an arm and a leg to possess the antiques

 

 

Cue Card 13. Describe an environmental protection law

The law against deforestation

+ When: I had a good grasp of this regulation when I was at secondary school, studying the subject Civic education.

+ Who benefit?

• Deforestation has taken a heavy toll on the nature → contribute to a great deal of serious environmental problems: The impairment of air quality: the forests are regarded as “the green lungs of the earth” → absorb carbon dioxide + breathe out oxygen → If the forests are demolished, the exhaust fumes get stuck in the atmosphere + contaminate the air Soil erosion, floods, the imbalance of ecosystem,.. → The citizens are the main beneficiary of this policy because the quality of environment creates a profound impact on our health
• Fresh air is beneficial for our respiratory system
• Agriculture + other economies will not be adversely affected by floods, global warming, climate change + Personal evaluation: It was a proper + timely measure with concern about green issues because in the past, millions of green trees had been chopped down for wood merchandise and to pave the way for cultivation and construction of factories.

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Are there laws about education in your country?
Laws and regulations play a crucial role in orienting the educational development.
I’m not an expert at laws but as far as I know, I wanna mention some highlighted contents:

• Requirement for qualification of teachers: teachers at preschools must possess at least a college diploma; those at primary, secondary and high schools must possess at least a bachelor’s degree
• The policy of waiving the tuition fees for students at primary education level all around the country
• Priority policy for students living under the poverty line, from far-flung areas, ethnic minorities,…

2. What kinds of rules do schools in your country have?
Schools have enforced a set of strict rules in order to establish a safe and pleasant learning environment – any one breaking school regulations will be punished
– Say no to school violence: apply a total ban on fighting, disorderly behaviours → rule violators will be warned or expelled from schools
– Prohibit any form of cheating: anyone cheating in exams will be automatically disqualified

3. What can teachers do to make students obey rules?
+ Impose some types of punishment:

• Tidy the classroom, stand while taking lessons → act as deterrents to students being late or having private talks in class
• Give low marks to students cheating in exams + other forms of assessment

+ Closely collaborate with families in educating youngsters:  Keep the parents updated with their children’s performance + behaviours at schools → provide students with prompt advice about complying with the rules

4. What should parents do to educate children about laws?

– Avoid family violence: children who witness domestic violence or are victims of abuse are prone to disorderly behaviours + fall prey to social evils in the future
– The parents themselves should have a good grasp of laws → convey to their kids (especially the laws aimed at children: children abuse, school violence)
– Let children take part in summer camps/forums about laws and regulations

 

Cue Card 14. Describe a natural talent (sports, music, etc.) you want to improve

My instinct for fashion design

+ When I discovered it: Since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, fashion has been my cup of tea.
I tried to be well-dressed whenever going out, either to join a class or to hang out with buddies. → Not until I put my name down for a high school contest did I recognize my ability to design clothes. (From my recollection, I made a wedding dress from recycled papers – eco-friendly materials → I won the first prize, receiving high praise for having an eye for mix and match)

+ The way to improve: Although I don’t have any career orientation towards the fashion industry, I don’t want to make this a waste of potential. → Follow renowned fashion designers on social media → keep myself updated with up-to-the-minute trends → Get dressed up to the nines on a daily basis, mixing clothes with accessories + jewelry

+ Opinion: This natural talent provides me with more self-confidence + lend friends/family a helping hand to choose outfits for their special occasions.

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Do you think artists with talents should focus on their talents?
– Some people have an instinct for arts but practice makes perfect → they shouldn’t be over-confident and should focus great efforts on improving these natural talents → stay a higher chance of climbing higher ladder in career path as artists + gain more social acceptance
– If artists with exceptional talents can’t utilize + develop them → such a waste of talents

2. Is it possible for us to know whether children who are 3 or 4 years old will become musicians and painters when they grow up?
3-4 year-old kids can show their keen interest in music or art but it’s too early to tell if they will pursue these careers or not. – Example: My niece has a collection of fine drawings of landscapes and portraits which she made at art class, but we can’t assure she’ll become a renowned painter in the next 20 years.
– The decision of a future career is influenced by many factors: the change in characteristics and hobbies, different orientation, demand of the job market,…

3. Do you think parents feel guilty for putting too much pressure on their children?
There is no need for parents to have any sense of guilt when putting their children under preesure:
– In this fast-paced life, people have to cope with a lot of challenges relating to employment, education, social circles,… → The youngsters who have got accustomed to pressure in childhood will be less vulnerable to later tension when they face the world alone.
– Parents pressure their children with the prospect of motivating them to try their best, get out of their comfort zone + gain crowning achievements

4. Why do people like to watch talent shows?
I am not a big fan of talent shows, however, I guess other people have a keen interest in this kind of program because:
– Contain entertainment value: a great number of talents are performed by individuals from the four corners of the world, each performance is well prepared to lead the audience from one surprise to another (magic shows)
– Some tell stories how artists struggle with their passion → touch people’s heart + act as a rich source of inspiration for young talents

5. Do you think it is more interesting to watch famous people’s or ordinary people’s shows?
It heavily depends on each preference. – Celebrities’ shows: provide out-of-this-world visual + sound effects (make a huge investment in planning). However: unrealistic + crowning achievements of famous people drive the audience to make comparisons and underrate themselves unconsciously – Shows of typical individuals: truly represent their real lifestyles, characteristics → people can relate + be motivated in many ways, draw lessons from these shows to figure out their own ability + strengths

 

Cue Card 15. Describe a piece of local news that people are interested in

A piece of news caught the attention of the community – Spread the information: My country launched the national Covid-19 vaccine fund

+ When: At the beginning of June
+ Where: An article from one of the most reputable online newspapers
+ Content:

• As soon as I took a glance at the headline, I had a thirst for details as this was a heated topic.
• The unrestrained outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic has spread the fear + panic to the four corners of the world → The government established a vaccine fund to raise contributions from various sources in the form of cash + vaccines → Alleviate the financial burden on national fund
• Amazingly, millions of people shared this news on social media to popularize this timely measure → ~$300 million within 1 week (from lucrative businesses + individuals)

+ Opinion: National pride + patriotism – we unite in getting rid of Corona

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Do people read the newspaper where you live?
The Press has created a significant influence on people’s life.
– The elderly: have a preference for traditional newspapers → being updated with local + global news
– Technological breakthroughs → develop platforms for online newspapers: up-to-the-minute reports + coloured illustrations → surpass paper formats in popularity

2. Do people prefer local or international news?
– Local topics: have direct impacts on our life. Example: the application of new laws/regulations
– Global updates: have a good grasp of breakthroughs + civilisation of humankind → catch up with the development of countries from the four corners of the world. Example: articles highlight cutting-edge inventions in medical field (vaccines for Covid-19)
– However, during particular periods, a heated issue draws public attention to either local or international channels (European football championship)

3. Do you think it’s important to have a national identity?
Totally agree
– Instil a sense of national pride + patriotism → promote learning + working momentum to make greater contribution to motherland
– Give a boost to tourism development: an area with unique traditional + cultural values stands a higher chance to become an appealing tourist destination → It sets a country apart from each other and makes the world diverse and varied

4. How can people develop their national identity?
– Conserve precious cultural heritage. Example: pay attention to craft villages, water puppet shows,…  In this day and age, a lot of descendants give up their family’s traditional profession → change their career for financial benefits → authorities should provide grants + support
– Promote the diversity of ethnic groups: different languages, customs, religions, traditional costumes + cuisines

 

Cue Card 16. Describe a company or organization where you live which employs a lot of people

ABC COMPANY

• Description:
  – One of our nation’s leading private enterprises + a highly prestigious conglomerate in Asia with a gigantic market capitalization value.
  – A multi-sector business which maintains its focus on technology, real estate and services.
  – Afford employment opportunities to tens of thousands of local citizens.
• How do I know about this organization: ABC has established such a legendary reputation that hardly any resident in my country hasn’t heard of its name. → A lot of applicants are keen on landing a decent job in this company because of the superior compensation policy.
• Types of job: A diversity of occupations
  – High-profile candidates stand a higher chance of being offered positions in  medical and educational systems which conform to international standards.
  – Well-trained engineers + technicians: seek jobs in the car factory equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities. → Their mission is to encourage employees to work to the best of their potential.

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. What is the difference between a big company and a small one?
There is a big gap between a big corporation and a small business:
– A large company has superiority in the amount of capitals + the range of departments + personnel
– Compensation policy: a job offer in a huge enterprise often goes along with an attractive remuneration package (higher salaries, bonuses are given on a regular basis, company trips abroad,…)
– Brand identity + social acceptance: big firms pour more money into marketing campaigns → gain widespread reputation → employees working there are also considered more marketable

2. Are there many big companies in your country?
– The majority of big corps located in my country are FDI companies (foreign direct investments) → MNCs, majoring in fast-moving consumer goods (Unilever, Coca Cola, Nestlé,…)

3. What are the good things about working for a big company?
– Compensation policy: big-sized enterprises are highly lucrative → they provide their employees with attractive remuneration packages → higher income + additional insurance,…
– Grasp opportunities to do business with a range of local and international partners → accumulate a wealth of experience + interpersonal skills
– Professional working environment + clear working process which has been practised for many years → follow the route However, benefits of working in a start-up: employees stand a higher chance of accomplishing more tasks simultaneously → have a greater grasp of hands-on knowledge + experience + enrich working ability in a wide range of aspects (this is out of the question in bigger corporations where each staff is assigned one particular mission, no way to step on others’ toes)

4. How can a small company grow big?
Most prevalent way to increase the size of a company: plan for share issue: make new shares available for sale, or raise the number of shares offered → the money invested by shareholders will be allocated for expanding the company’s business, penetrating new markets, creating more effective marketing campaigns,.. → enhance goodwill for the concern → boost sales + become more lucrative.

5. Should big companies be punished more seriously than small companies?
Not an effective policy- I agree that large corporations somewhat take more responsibility for the degradation of environmental quality because of improper waste treatment – However, it’s a fact of life that those are indispensable taxpayers → make an enormous contribution to the national budget which is spent on social welfare + infrastructure. – Big companies also provide jobs to a sizable proportion of labour force → reduce the employment rate → indirectly reduce crime rate + alleviate social unrest → These firms play a crucial role in the development of a country → should not treat them in an unfair way

 

Cue Card 17. Describe your favourite film/movie

I’m not kinda a couch potato → it’s not my cup of tea to keep my eyes glued to the screen and watch movies.
However, a movie which left a long-lasting impression on me: TRAIN TO BUSAN

+ When: I can’t recollect exactly the year I went to the cinema for that film, 05-06 years have gone by.

+ Description: A South Korean horror movie + have a strong cast + a renowned director – The main plot was developed around the unexpected outbreak of a zombie virus -posing grave threats to the safety of all passengers in a train from Seoul to Busan – I am often frightened of my own shadow → not a big fan of horror movies → there are many twists which taught the audience lessons of humanity, family ties
+ Opinion: – Deserved to become a blockbuster, breaking many records of revenue, winning many prestigious awards – The digital and sound effects + performance of both lead + supporting actors lived up to my expectations – The movie ended with only a few characters alive → touched my heart and instilled a deep sense of sympathy

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Is the film a waste of money?
– A source of entertainment: after working around the clock or cramping for books, people can watch a film as a way to compensate for mental well-being → 1-2 hours immersing ourselves in the movie and get away from the hectic pace of life Example: comedies, cartoons, romantic movies,…
– Some genres even provide the audience with a good grasp of knowledge + experience: Historical movies: feature the wars, battles + customs in the past Sci-fi: deals with space travel, life on other planets,…

2. What types of movies waste money?
We can hardly label any type of movie as a waste of money because it heavily depends on each preference + the level of satisfaction and fulfillment people get from watching that genre.
– The movies which distort the truth: contain wrong details of history, religion or popularize junk science
– The films which are not appropriate for each age group: cartoons aimed at children but consisting of too many violent scenes → young kids who get familiar with this type will be prone to disorderly behaviours

3. Is it important that a country has its own movies?
I can’t agree more! It is crucial for a country to make its own films.
– An effective way to advertise national identity to foreign friends: the scenes can be filmed in historical sites, cleverly convey local customs + social norms to the audience
– Historical movies can be of high educational value: citizens who find it tedious to study history can go to the cinema to see lively re-enactments of past events with visual + sound effects. Example: Chinese excel at raising awareness of their different emperors in the Forbidden City by making movies.

 

Cue Card 18. Describe a piece of equipment that is important to you in your home

Each household appliance performs a distinct function.
Television – an indispensable “member” of my family

+ Description:

• A flat-screen TV whose sound and visual effects both live up to my expectations – Thanks to cutting-edge technological breakthroughs, this electrical device can be smartly connected to the internet → get access to countless local + international channels + programmes, ranging from music, movies, documentaries to news about up-to-the-minute events
• I am not a couch potato → it’s not my cup of tea to keep my eyes glued to the TV screen. However, I turn on the television on a daily basis, especially in the evening to let my hair down after working around the clock
• Television brought family and friends together, creating endless opportunities to share experiences + strengthen the ties. Example: watch European Football Championship with my grandfather → share the same interest, bridging the generation gap

+ Opinion: Although the Internet shapes our lives, I still attach great importance to watching TV because of the trustworthy + carefully censored source of information.

SPEAKING PART 3
1. Do you know any equipment or machines that take the place of people’s work? – In this day and age, thanks to cutting-edge technological breakthroughs → a lot of machines have lent people a helping hand in doing household chores: robot vacuum, dishwasher → alleviate the burden of housework on people, especially housewives → more time for entertainment to release tension + find peace of mind – In Japan – a country with aging population, scientists created robots to take care of the elderly – People take advantage of robots and automation in factories to perform dangerous + repetitive tasks
2. Is people’s work like machines?
Machines can never totally replace human beings. – The virtual beings: accomplish assigned tasks with utmost precision + no need for breaks – People’s work shows creativity, problem solving and flexibility which is out of the question when it comes to machines Example: Some people believe that we can record all the lessons and provide students with distant learning by means of computers + internet → that “mechanical teacher” can’t acknowledge students’ deficiencies and help them to address their problems → we need to attach great importance to human teachers

 

Cue Card 19. Describe a tall building in your city you like or dislike

Horizon Building – an iconic building of the capital

+ Description:

• A skyscraper featuring a modern architectural style
• As far as I know, it’s the 3rd tallest building
• A recreational complex: hypermarket, shopping mall, 5-star hotel and restaurants conforming to international standards. The residential area is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities: gym, spa,…

+ Why I like:
– Being within a stone’s throw from my company → go there for window shopping, just walk around the stores of luxurious fashion, watches, jewelry (cost an arm and a leg). Sometimes (Black Friday) → make purchase of some items at a discount → A way to let my hair down after working around the clock
– It offers the city’s finest observation deck: I’m a big fan of photographing → it is my cup of tea to visit the top floor catching a stunning panoramic view of my city + taking amazing pictures
– A rooftop bar: drink cocktail + chill out with buddies

SPEAKING PART 3
1. What are the disadvantages of living in tall buildings?
Adverse impacts of living in high-rise apartment blocks
– Suffer from neighbour interference: share the elevators, corridors with neighbours → lack the sense of privacy + peace especially when you don’t maintain a close relationship with the people next door.
– Meet difficulty in repair work: you are in trouble with a leaking pipeline or the exhaust ventilation system → maintenance is a cumbersome progress as the all the apartments are connected together
– Keeping a pet is out of the question in some buildings

2. Do you think there will be more tall buildings in the future?
This will be the case in metropolitan areas.
– A burst in population growth → a shortage of accommodation will raise the need for more apartment buildings
– The development of global trade → the appearance of more big companies + multinational corporations → an increasing demand for more workplaces + recreational complexes → the construction of skyscrapers will address this issue

3. Why aren’t there many tall buildings in the countryside?
– Not enough demand: the countryside is not a densely-populated area – a sizable proportion of dwellers have moved from rural places to big cities
– It is nearly out of the question to change the lifestyle + mindset of villagers: they are not familiar with cutting-edge technological breakthroughs (taking the elevator is strange to them) + they attach great importance to houses with space for gardening + raising livestock

4. Why do some people like to live in tall buildings nowadays?
– Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities: gym, swimming pools, parking areas, convenience stores,… → easy to lead a healthy + modern lifestyle
– Private houses cost an arm and a leg in urban areas → apartments are far more affordable → a good match for young couples or nuclear families (middle class)
– More sunlight + greater flow of air can enter the living space + escape the street noises → have a sound mind, coming home means getting away from the hectic pace of life

 

Cue Card 20. Describe an occasion when many people were smiling

This speaking test evokes my memory of UNIVERSITY GRADUATION CEREMONY – a day that all the attendants had a delighted smile on their face.

+ Last year when I and my peers accomplished university education + proudly awarded the academic degree by the principal + The first time that I saw the campus in such a densely crowded condition + there was a drop of rain, but no one expressed any sign of discomfort → each had a sound reason for their happiness:

• Some recent graduates: got a deep sense of fulfillment after completing a journey
• Other students: felt on cloud nine because they no longer had to bury themselves with study and burn the midnight oil to review for exams → turn over a new leaf
• Parents: smiled with pride at what their children had achieved

+ My parents also joined me: I was luckily chosen to give the graduation speech → unforgettable milestone throughout my life + can’t help smiling whenever I recollect that day

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Do you think people who like to smile are more friendly?
– Smiling is a good way to break the ice when we get into conversation with strangers → make a good impression on colleagues, business partners,…
– People who are keen on smiling spread positive energy among surrounding individuals → the good vibes make people feel more comfortable and pleasant
– People keep a straight face → a tense atmosphere → create an invisible barrier against sharing + mutual trust

2. Why do most people smile in photographs?
– Photos are taken to capture the moments → evoke vivid memories of past events when we see them → no one expects to look anxious + gloomy in old pictures → People take up a habit of facing the camera with a smile (even if somebody is dead inside, they try to fake a smile to hide their feelings)
– Some particular photo concepts: people act cool (business concepts, memorial photos)

3. Do women smile more than men? Why?
This matter has nothing to do with gender → it heavily depends on each characteristic + occupation
– The optimists tend to usually have a smile on their face: even when they cope with unexpected situations, they believe that every cloud has a silver lining → A bright smile can lift up their mood
– People who pursue some particular careers crack a smile on a regular basis: the diplomats, customer service staffs, celebrities → smiling is a common courtesy implying the politeness + willingness to support

4. Do people smile more when they are younger or older?
Youngsters tend to express more clearly when they feel on cloud nine:
– The elderly have a grasp of hands-on experience → be able to keep their emotions + feelings under great control → those who are over the hill smile with their offsprings and friends on a regular basis, whereas they keep strangers at a distance
– Young people seem to be more friendly + generous with smiles, there is a quote: “A smile is the best makeup any girl can wear”

 

Cue Card 21. Describe a time when you helped your friend

A friend in need is a friend indeed. We can provide many types of assistance to our buddies.
For me, telling the truth to friends is sometimes a practical help. → One occasion: revealed a dark secret about my soulmate’s boyfriend, which helped her to get out of that toxic relationship.

+ Description:

• My best friend got involved in a romantic relationship with her senior colleague → By a twist of fate, that man’s apartment was within a stone’s throw from my house – One evening: when I was taking a leisurely walk around my house, I saw him bringing a girl home
• I could tell from their gestures that they were having a love affair → I caught him red-handed and quickly took some photos as evidence
• Without demur, I rushed to my friend’s place and told her the story. You can guess how shocking + disappointed my friend was! She required for a frank talk with her boyfriend + he admitted his betrayal

+ Opinion: – If I were to choose again, I would have still chosen to be honest. – Although that news broke her heart for a moment, I believed I helped my friend to get out of a relationship which was full of lies and mistrust. → Do wonders for her future in the long run: she would learn to be more conscious when placing her trust in anyone + could find a far more worthy partner.

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. In your view, should children be taught to help others?
– Lending others a helping hand → express deep sympathy + care for others’ challenges and struggles → grow to be kind and warm-hearted citizens
– This sense of humanity shapes the characteristics of young kids → be less prone to disorderly + violent behaviours which take a heavy toll on surrounding people (they pay attention to others’ feelings) → reduce the rate of crime + social unrest in the long run

2. Do you think people are less willing to help others these days compared to the past?
I have mixed opinions about this.
– Due to an ever-increasing number of frauds + crimes, people are more conscious and hesitant when being asked for help.
Example: serious wrongdoings recorded in Vietnam: some old people pretended to ask nearby students to help them cross busy streets → kidnapped these kids
– However, thanks to cutting-edge technological breakthroughs with the popularity of social networking sites, we can assist the underprivileged in the four corners of the world. Example: We can make online donations to charities which aid the victims of natural disasters, famine, Covid-19 pandemic,…

3. How can charitable organizations help people?
I’ll give an explanation about the funding + expenditure of these non-profit organizations:

• Charities call for voluntary donations from the public: they launch campaigns to raise public awareness of burning social issues (poverty, illiteracy, terrorist attacks, racism,…)
• These donations are allocated for different purposes (work for the sake of the community):
  – For the victims of violent attacks, wars, pandemics: charitable organizations provide them with shelter, foods + basic necessities
  – In order to address the problem of illiteracy in far-flung areas: build schools, libraries,…

4. What do you think are the benefits of having unpaid volunteer workers?
– Positive impact on the organizations: using volunteers as a driving workforce helps to minimize the costs of running a non-profit program/campaign → Use donations to directly reach their aim (work for the sake of the community) rather than to spend a sizable proportion on administrative costs
– Volunteers themselves benefit from this: have a good grasp of hands-on experience + working ability + widen their social circles → stand a higher chance of landing a decent job ịn the future.

 

Cue Card 22. Describe an article on health you read on magazine or the internet

A piece of news caught the attention of the community – Spread the information: My country launched the national Covid-19 vaccine fund

+ When: At the beginning of June
+ Where: An article from one of the most reputable online newspapers
+ Content:

• As soon as I took a glance at the headline, I had a thirst for details as this was a heated topic.
• The unrestrained outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic has spread the fear + panic to the four corners of the world → The government established a vaccine fund to raise contributions from various sources in the form of cash + vaccines → Alleviate the financial burden on national fund
• Amazingly, millions of people shared this news on social media to popularize this timely measure → ~$300 million within 1 week (from lucrative businesses + individuals)

+ Opinion: National pride + patriotism – we unite in getting rid of Corona

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Do you think people are healthier now than in the past?
Not totally true.
– Suffer from environmental pollution.
Degradation in air and water quality takes a heavy toll on human health. Example: Cancer villages – long-lasting consumption of the water source contaminated by industrial waste
– Excessive amount of chemical substances in food: pesticides in vegetables + fruits, antibiotic residues in seafood However, cutting-edge breakthroughs in the medical field → more ailments and diseases which were considered fatal in the past have a cure at present (flu, cholera,…).

2. How can you tell whether a website is reliable or not?
Some ways to figure out a credible website/determine website reliability:
– Look for established institutions: sites are run by trusted + reputable institutions (government agencies, educational + medical + nonprofit organizations) → proven record of integrity – Consider the site’s look + check the updated information: poorly designed + not up-to-the-minute reports → stand a higher chance of not being reliable 3. What activities can schools organize for children to keep fit?
– Add light and moderate-intensity physical activities to the curriculum (differentiate between boys and girls + students of various ages) – Host sporting events (marathon battles, swim races,…) → Boost sports spirit + popularize the potential benefits of doing exercise + leading a healthy lifestyle

4. What can governments do to improve people’s health?
Apply many measures to do wonders for the well-being of their residents:
– Impose strict laws on the quality standard of waste treatment systems in factories: industrial waste + exhaust fumes is the cause of water and air contamination which pose unwanted impacts on human health
– City planning with more public spaces + green areas – trees help to absorb carbon dioxide from the surrounding atmosphere → beneficial to the respiratory system These public places (parks, public gardens) also provide citizens, especially kids and the elderly with space for doing exercise, taking a leisurely walk, playing sports,…

 

Cue Card 23. Describe a time when you shared something with others

I made a financial donation to aid victims of severe flooding + landslide in the North last year.

+ Description:

• Last year witnessed an adverse effect of flooding on residents’ lives in the central part.
  Torrential rain bucketed down for weeks, accompanied by tropical storms + terrible landslide. → The inhabitants were isolated with insufficient consumer goods + all their crops, livestock were swept away.
• I made a money transfer to a charity which urgently supplied food, clothes + other basic necessities to these sufferers. A deep sense of sympathy + humanity urged me to share my savings.

+ Opinion: – Although that was a minor amount, I believed I could help somebody, or at least give them hope to struggle for life. The more we share, the more we have → recognize the luck of living in good condition + self-fulfillment when doing a meaningful thing

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Do you like to share?
The more we share, the more we have → I grasp a true meaning of life when I take up the habit of sharing.
– I shared the dishes that I cooked with colleagues when all the restaurants in Hanoi were closed due to Covid-19 pandemic + introduced self-help books to my circle of friends + shared learning tips so that freshmen of my university could draw some lessons and experience.
– My buddies and I share joys and sorrows on a regular basis → relieve the tension because a trouble shared is a trouble halved

2. What are the consequences if children don’t like to share?
– Lack the sense of sympathy and care for each other → be prone to self-centered lifestyle
– You get what you give → when kids are not keen on sharing, they can’t maintain close relationship with surrounding people → they stand a lower chance of receiving assistance when being in trouble. Example: Kids who are victims of school violence don’t tell their parents about his suffering → the elderly have no way to lend him a helping hand → long-lasting tension + anxiety

3. How do you feel about sharing accommodation with others on campus?
– Save accommodation cost: renting fee in metropolitan areas where universities are located is quite high → sharing room with buddies helps to alleviate financial burden on family – Have someone to share joys and sorrows, especially when students feel homesick → burn the midnight oil together to review for exams – However: a lack of privacy – no private space

4. How could parents and teachers teach young children to share?
– Parents and teachers should act as role models: Parents freely discuss about their problems at work or are willing to provide the beggar on the street with a bread. Teachers thoughtfully ask about students’ difficulty in knowledge acquisition + give some useful tips → Children take a leaf out of their books – have a sharing spirit
– Teachers can launch some campaigns: calling for voluntary donations to help the needy in far-flung areas or the victims of natural disasters,… → popularize the importance of sharing with people living in worse condition than us.

 

Cue Card 24. Describe a quiet place you like to spend your time in

The place which pops up in my mind now is my favorite book coffee shop.

+ Location: within a stone’s throw from my company

+ Description:

• First visit: My attention was caught by unique shapes of bookshelves. The minimalist design with black and white color gives a feeling of space.
• Customers with a drink can freely choose books for reading when they spend time in the café – An ideal place for bookworms: Provide a relaxing atmosphere: no strange noise + light music is played at a low volume Adequate lighting: of course I don’t expect to suffer from eye strain + vision impairment

+ Opinion: – Get away from the hectic pace of life + find peace in mind – Loyal customer: In retrospect when I was a student: after burying myself with exams → spend half day there as a way to compensate for my mental health At present: weekend or after around-the-clock hours → release work pressure – Find friends sharing the same interests

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Is it hard to find quiet places in cities?
Although urban areas are labelled as noisy and busy places with hustle and bustle, I still think that there several quiet areas here and there:
– Pay a visit to local museums, art galleries: people are encouraged not to make noise so that others will not be distracted from immersing themselves in works of art
– Libraries, book coffee shops: citizens go there to pay full attention to their reading or assignments → hardly do people have loud conversations in order not to interrupt others’ train of thoughts.

2. Why is it quieter in the countryside?
– In rural areas, there is little deafening noise generated by construction, no awful sound of impatient horn in traffic jams (the countryside is quite sparsely-populated)
– The greenery helps to absorb noise rather than reflecting it as skyscrapers do in metropolitan areas – Different lifestyle: countrymen hit the sack early, dynamic nightlife is nearly out of the question → no appearance of recreational complexes which somewhat contribute to noise pollution in big cities.

3. How would you deal with noisy neighbors?
I’m not keen on stepping on others’ toes → try my best to neglect the noise (pull the curtains, put on earphones or pay a visit to any quieter place for some hours)
– If the noise from next door creates a long-lasting disturbance → take a heavy toll on my concentration span + sleep quality → discuss the problem with them in a polite way.
– If the situation goes from bad to worse → move to another accommodation area

4. Do you think cities are much noisier than before?
Absolutely yes – An ever-increasing number of tall buildings in the progress of construction – A burst in population → more noise from private vehicles + traffic congestion – Natural sites have been demolished to make room for residential areas → fewer plants to absorb noise + sound waves are reflected by glass walls, concrete barriers,… back to the atmosphere → worsen the problem of noise pollution.

5. Compared with young people, do old people tend to live in quiet places?
– People who are over the hill expect to have a sound mind by escaping the hectic pace of life → they have a great preference for settling down in places with little unexpected noise. Example: my grandfather comes back to the countryside, listening to bird songs on a daily basis
– Younger generation: a big fan of dynamic lifestyle, someone even gets a sense of isolation + loneliness if surrounded by silence (they just visit some tourist destinations on holiday to change the atmosphere)

 

Cue Card 25. Describe an activity you often enjoy doing when your work or school day ends

Cycling around Swan lake – the largest lake in my city with approximately 18 km of shore length. → I took up the habit of riding my bicycle around this lake – It’s exhilarating to practise cycling twice or three times a week after work.
– Give me a golden chance to take a deep breath of fresh air near the lake → enjoy a sense of tranquility + peace in mind
– Admire the scenic beauty: Have you ever caught the view of sunset on the lake? I have, and that left a long-lasting impression on me. → Let my hair down after working around the clock (1 hour getting away from the hectic pace of life)
– A light-intensity physical activity → do wonders for our well-being- Improve cardiovascular fitness
– Sedentary lifestyle takes a heavy toll on the condition of my neck, backbones, shoulders → doing exercise alleviates the problems – I don’t have fixed cycling partners: roommate, colleagues, on my own
– A good habit to lead a healthy lifestyle

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)

1. What do people often enjoy doing now?
It heavily depends on personal preference + age. – Regarding the elderly: Do moderate-intensity physical activities: take a leisurely walk or run, play badminton, go fishing,… → keep them in the pink, slow down the aging process, fight against some health problems: high blood pressure, heart attack,… – The millennials + gen Z: build their personal branding in social media (take advantage of social networking sites to gain more social acceptance) 2. How do they enjoy their leisure activities compared to the past?
There are differences in ways to let people’s hair down: – In retrospect: went outside (public space – parks, riversides) → take a breath of fresh air + enjoy stunning scenic beauty to release stress and get away from the rat race – However, time went by, a lot of natural sites have been demolished to make room for residential areas, industrial zones Instead, cutting-edge technological breakthroughs → popularity of social networking sites → individuals browse the net + chat with the friends to blow off some steam More indoor activities: hang out in coffee shops, hit the gym,…

 

Cue Card 26. Describe a time when you tried to do something but you were not successful

My failure of applying for an international conference

+ Description: – 2020: Thailand hosted an international forum on leader policy → I am a big fan of going abroad and participating in global events → I put my name down for it without demur – In the application process, I had to provide a comprehensive plan to address a youth-related problem in Southeast Asia – a daunting task → I sought advice from some Professors who excelled at socio-economic issues → came up with my own idea about sexual abuse + school violence – I burnt the midnight oil to accomplish the plan in accordance with deadline + checked all the collocations + grammars as the plan was not written in my mother tongue – However, I received an email announcing that I was not an appropriate participant → be down in the dump

+ Opinion: – I guess my proposed solutions were not feasible enough – I didn’t regret because I tried my best, focusing great effort on the process – Hard work pays off → I have been improving my knowledge + social skills to grasp further opportunity

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. What is the definition of success?
Each one has their own way of defining success:
– Some people are successful when earning a fortune: landing a decent job with crowning achievements in career → the wealth gives them a sense of self-fulfillment.
– Others attribute their success to having a happy family → take pride in their children’s performance at schools + be satisfied with their mutual understanding + strong family ties – For me, success is a combination of career development + a supportive family.

2. Are people pursuing success more than in the past?
The materialism of modern society drives people to try their best to become affluent because more and more individuals evaluate others and their family based on personal properties + social status.
However, there have been real-life cases showing that the well-off also suffer from mental breakdowns because they chase success at all costs (broken families + friendship + deteriorated health) → A change in mindset: we should pursue happiness + self-fulfillment instead of material success.

3. Is it easier for young people to be successful?
– Thanks to cutting-edge technological breakthroughs → new ways to be successful: Take advantage of social media: youngsters utilize their social networking sites to create personal branding → gain more popularity + social acceptance. A lot of students have become phenomena when possessing top-trending Youtube videos → Earn a fortune from celebrity endorsement
– However, it’s more challenging for the youth to gain peace in mind + self-fulfillment (also a kind of success): fast-paced lifestyle → individuals are prone to anxiety, pressure

 

Cue Card 27. Describe a toy you liked in your childhood

Jigsaw puzzle – have been playing since childhood

+ Description: – It’s a kind of game in which the player has to assemble various pieces of different shapes, sizes, colors. Typically, each individual piece contributes to a portion of the picture, when assembled, they produce a complete picture. – From my recollection, a birthday gift – a set of assembled pictures at varied levels of challenge (from basic to advanced) → Spent hours trying to conquer one by one.
The basic: a piece of cake.
The higher level: tough + tricky → a daunting task → parents lent me a hand → spent the whole evening to solve that puzzle → When finishing: be on cloud nine + a deep sense of satisfaction & fulfilment.

+ Opinion: – Tighten family bond, boost our connectedness and mutual understanding – At present: a method to let my hair down after working around the clock – a stress-buster (can play on smartphone) – Help to exercise my brain + stimulate cognitive development

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. How do advertisements influence children?
Pros: – A great source of entertainment: appealing animations + catchy music → a stress-buster after cramping for books – Stimulate cognitive development: boost creativity + imagination Example: milk advertisement featuring animated cows dancing + singing lively
Cons: – Lose their attention + focus on studying → lack learning momentum → can’t pass exams with flying colours

2. Should advertising aimed at kids be prohibited?
Not all types of advertising for kids should be banned because: – A great source of entertainment + Stimulate intellectual development – Kids can draw lessons about good manners + useful habits from some advertising programs Example: Toothpaste/ lifebuoy: encourage them to do personal hygiene Some toxic advertisements: – Containing violent contents: fightings between robots, family/school violence – Consisting of images which are inappropriate for young age: romantic relationships

3. What’s the difference between the toys kids play now and those they played in the past? – While toys were mainly manual in retrospect, they have been developed to be automatic thanks to cutting-edge technological breakthroughs Example: Toy cars are now operated by remote control rather than being controlled by hands as in the past – An ever-increasing number of brands + types of toys designed for children: some focus on stimulating cognitive development + boosting IQ: legos, puzzles,…

4. Do you think parents should buy more toys for their kids or spend more time with them? – Parents had better invest in some toys which they can play with their children.
Example: They can spend time assembling jigsaw or lego with their kids → boost the closeness and connectedness + strengthen family ties- Due to the fast-paced lifestyle, a lot of parents just satisfy their kids’ demand for toys, foods,… but not sit down to share joys and sorrows with them → the children may be prone to loneliness + anxiety.

Cue Card 28. Describe a time when it was important to tell your friend a truth

It’s a fact of life that we sometimes have to hide the truth from our buddies or even tell white lies. → One occasion: revealed a dark secret about my soulmate’s boyfriend
+ Description:
– My best friend got involved in a romantic relationship with her senior colleague → By a twist of fate, that man’s apartment was within a stone’s throw from my house.
– One evening: when I was taking a leisurely walk around my house, I saw him bringing a girl home – I could tell from their gestures that they were having a love affair → I caught him red-handed and quickly took some photos as evidence – Without demur, I rushed to my friend’s place and told her the story.
You can guess how shocking + disappointed my friend was! She required for a frank talk with her boyfriend + he admitted his betrayal
+ Opinion: – If I were to choose again, I would have still chosen to be honest. – Although that news broke her heart for a moment, I believed I helped my friend to get out of a toxic relationship which was full of lies and mistrust. → Do wonders for her future in the long run: she would be more conscious when placing her trust in anyone + could find a far more worthy partner.

SPEAKING PART 3
1. Do you think telling the truth is important?
– Being truthful establishes deeper relationships when lying breaks them → promote a high level of trust and mutual respect
– Telling truth gives people a sense of peace in mind: not obsessed with a pack of harmful lies (liars have to continuously think of other lies matching the previous ones)
– Being dishonest – take up the bad habit of denying your wrongdoings, not shouldering the responsibility for what you have done

2. Do you think we should tell the truth all the time?
Absolutely no. There are many situations when we have to hide the truth in order not to hurt others’ feelings – white lies or lies with good intentions are of great value when the truth could be the culprit of troubles or conflicts.
Example: the doctors don’t reveal the truth about patients’ severe conditions I lied to my mom that her cooking was out of this world → she felt on cloud nine.

3. How do you know when others are telling lies?
– Facial expressions: avoid eye contact + have a worried look or unnatural smile on their faces
– Voice: they can’t speak fluently, showing slight hesitation as they have to make up a story However, some tell lies without even blinking an eye as they have got used to doing so

4. Do you think it’s more important to win a game or follow the rules in sports?
– If people cheat or break the rules to become the winner at all costs → their victory will be meaningless + can’t take pride in their achievements (rules are enforced to ensure equal efforts of all sport players) – The process is more important than the result: attach great importance to teamwork + persistence + determination. Of course winning can give us a sense of self-fulfillment, but we should obey the rules first as a way to respect the opponent + respect ourselves.

 

Cue Card 29. Describe a time when you had a problem with using the computer

The loss of connection between my laptop and the projector

+ When – where: Be on the verge of making a presentation in front of a class at university I had prepared some slides + needed to link my personal computer to the projector → That was when the issue arose
+ Why: – Our classroom was equipped with a cable connector which was not a good match for my laptop’s port → it was out of the question to attach these 02 pieces of equipment – I started to shake in my shoes as that was a completely unexpected circumstance
+ Solution: – I tried to calm down → asked my professor and classmates whether they had any proper connector → Thank my lucky stars, one of my friends had coped with the same problem before so she always carried an alternative cable connector → Finally I could accomplish my presentation to the fullest + Lesson: I drew a lesson and experience from this trouble and always had plan B from next time → take my grip on all situations.

SPEAKING PART 3
1. What kind of people use the computer more?
– People with sedentary jobs: require to keep their eyes glued to the computer screen most of their working time (IT, designers, accountants,…)
– Young people take advantage of personal computer to play video games, browse the internet and log in social networking sites → let their hair down after cramping for books or working around the clock

2. Do people living in modern countries use the computer more than those living in developing countries?
Not totally agree – In industrialized countries: more office jobs are provided to the citizens – the majority of physical tasks are performed by machines (Japan – aging population → creation of robots which are controlled by computers) – In third world countries: there exist a range of manual jobs in construction, industrial zones,…
However: researches + surveys indicated that there was a surge in the number of residents in developing countries using the internet + social media → an ever-increasing number of computer users

3. What are the methods to prevent children from playing computer games?
– Schools should collaborate with parents in raising awareness of adverse effects that playing computer games may create on children’s studying → get addicted to video games – lose learning momentum → low academic results, can’t pass the exams with flying colours – However, should not totally prohibit them from playing: let kids playing computer games as a reward for their good achievements at school or set a fixed schedule for them to play each week to blow off some steam → Avoid opposing behaviours from children

 

Cue Card 30. Describe a skill that you think you can teach other people

Presentation skills (I haven’t gained enough confidence to say that I can provide people with training. However, I excel at presentation skills so I’m able to give some practical instructions and guide.)- Should attach greater importance to this interpersonal skill as it helps in group work at schools as well as in our future career – I have accumulated this skill through practice and hands-on experience (volunteering to make the presentation in front of class, raising my voice in the company’s meeting,…)

+ Who – how: – When I was a senior at university, some freshmen + classmates seek advice from me off and on about presentation skills – I basically share what I know: the tips for controlling our tone of voice, how to create some hooks to catch the audience’s attention, how to take advantage of body language,… – Easier said than done, I will inspire these people to grasp every opportunity for practising – practice makes perfect!

+ Opinion about teaching others: A deep sense of fulfillment + satisfaction when the people receiving advice from me become successful + more self-confident.

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Should teachers be funny when they teach?
– A sense of humour can help to break the ice, creating a relaxing atmosphere in the class → students stand a lower chance of suffering from stress + anxiety
– Strengthen the bond between teachers and students → students are more willing to share the problems and difficulty in knowledge acquisition → effective teaching methods
– However, teachers should also impose stringent discipline in order to prevent students from having disorderly behaviours.

2. What qualities should teachers have?
– Most important: Great patience: teachers sometimes have to explain one concept over and over again + each child has a distinct receptive ability → teachers should not give up but to figure out new methods to help students with low academic results to catch up with the others
– Good communication skills: convey knowledge, experience to students in a logic + easy-to-understand way
– Being strict: appropriate punishments are necessary for students to build self-discipline → proper attitudes and behaviours

3. Which do you think is more important, practical skills or academic skills?
It heavily depends on each occupation.
– Academic profession: teachers, professors, lawyers, scientists,…: have a good grasp of academic knowledge and skills → meet the requirements of their jobs which highly appreciate certificates + qualifications
– Other careers: businessmen attach greater importance to negotiation skills, technicians excel at practical skills + experience,…

4. Which age group is the best at learning new things?
There is no age limit for learning. My mother is still pursuing a Master’s degree at the age of 40s. – It is scientifically proven that young kids (1-5 years old): show curiosity about everything → easier to learn new things, especially foreign languages – People find it difficult to concentrate on studying after they enter the labour force + get married: they are distracted by concern about making a living + are occupied with work + household chores

 

Cue Card 31. Describe a live sport event you watched before

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Do you prefer to watch live sports or watch it on TV/ Why do some people like to watch live sports?
If I have a choice, I’ll definitely go for live sports. – The atmosphere at the stadium or court is exhilarating: people are crazy about shouting or cheering the team/players that they idolize + the audience are super excited with their hearts beating fast – Widen social circles with people sharing the same interest. However, hardly do I have a chance to watch live sports, just off and on. Instead, TV is a device allowing me to watch sports matches from the four corners of the world.

3. What kinds of sports do people like to watch?
– People in my country are big fans of football. These years, our national football team has gained many crowning achievements → motivate people to watch all football matches that they play → football is a sport stimulating national pride + patriotism. – We are also fond of indoor sports: tennis, swimming – Golf is labelled as the sport for the upper class → increasing popularity

4. Do you think competition is good for students?
To some extent – Competition motivates students to try their best – make progress in studying -reap good academic results + pass the exams with flying colours – Extremely competitive people are prone to anxiety + stress when anything doesn’t live up to their expectations + they fall behind their friends/ colleagues Some even become arrogant + self-centered + want to defeat others at all costs (cheating, breaking the rules)

 

Cue Card 32. Describe a person’s home you visited that you liked, but would not want to live in

I paid a visit to my dear buddy’s hometown in the countryside, a place which left a long-lasting impression on me but honestly settling down there is not my cup of tea.
That rural area was located in the mountainous area in the North – it took us 5 hours to reach the destination.
+ I could do many things which were out of the question in metropolitan areas:

• The scenic beauty took my breath away: the view of paddy fields, villages + surrounding mountains – I took a deep breath of fresh air → a sense of tranquility + peace in mind
• My vision was no longer restricted by tall buildings + skyscrapers – Instead of noise pollution from the constructions, I heard bird songs

+ If I am given a chance, I will not choose to stay there permanently:

• I was born and bred in the city → get accustomed to the fast-paced lifestyle with the support of cutting-edge technological devices
• I stay a higher chance of landing a decent job in urban areas because my major is global trading, not related to farming – High-quality education + medical treatment

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Do people like to visit others’ homes?
Hardly do we pay a visit to others’ houses, just off and on. – Due to the hectic pace of life, we are occupied with work and study → just drop into the place of friends or colleagues on weekend or some special cases (birthday, housewarming party) – According to local custom, we often visit our relatives on Lunar New year festival → strengthen family ties

2. What do people do when they visit others?
– Bring some gifts, especially in the first visit: indoor plants, household appliances, food,… → express respect for the host – It’s common courtesy that the guests stay in the living room, not entering the bedroom or the kitchen (regarded as private space of the family) – If that’s an extended family and there are old people, we should bow slightly to them in greeting

3. What kind of place do people in your country like to live in?
It heavily depends on personal preference. – Some have an interest in private houses with high level of privacy + space for gardens- Others prefer the facilities that an apartment complex could provide such as gyms, swimming pools, convenience stores → live in apartment buildings → There are an ever-increasing number of tall buildings and skyscrapers in big cities nowadays in order to accommodate the rising population

4. What’s the difference between homes in cities and those in the countryside?
+ Kind of house: – Urban areas: The view of apartment buildings dominate the city: a burst in population → the construction of tall buildings can address the problem of accommodation shortage – Rural areas: private houses are more prevalent (1-2 floor designs)
+ Type of family: – Cities: nuclear families (parents + children) because grandparents often prefer to stay in their hometown when they don’t get accustomed to fast-paced lifestyle – Countrysides: extended families (3-4 generations, including relatives like uncles, aunts)

 

Cue Card 33. Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone

A phone conversation that we had little understanding of what each other was saying – I work for a global trading company → I have to deal with suppliers + customers from the four corners of the world on a daily basis – That day: we had an urgent shipment – we figured out a trouble of guarantee when the delivery was on the verge of being conducted → I sent many emails to our Chinese supplier with no reply → I made a phone call as a last resort – Unfortunately, the supplier didn’t have a good command of English → I had no choice but trying to convey my requests in Chinese – It seemed to be out of the question but I made it! – Thank my lucky stars, I studied a little communicative Chinese when I was a freshman + Chinese dramas were my cup of tea → I could speak some basic sentences.
However, I mispronounced so many words that the listener expressed their confusion, but she caught the point to check and reply to my email.
+ Opinion: The most ridiculous conversation that I have ever had It was so brave of me that I tried my best to find solutions for such a daunting task

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. What’s the most interesting conversation you’ve ever had?
I’m fond of becoming a global citizen → I often consider a conversation fascinating when talking about the diversity of culture. – When I studied as an exchange student in South Korea, I was engaged in a talk with a native who exposed the difference between South and North Korea (hair style, freedom of speech, clothing & make-up) – This topic is labelled as sensitive in Korea → I had a better grasp of other national identities + distinct social norms

2. In your opinion, what makes another person interesting to talk to?
– Possess a sense of humour → create a relaxed atmosphere + lift up others’ mood when they feel down in the dumps
– Knowledgeable people: well-informed about different fields (economics, health, culture,…) → they can change topics regularly – not tedious + enrich my knowledge

3. Is it difficult to start a conversation with someone you don’t know? Why?
I’m kinda a friendly person → hardly do I have difficulty in getting into conversation with strangers. – Break the ice by personal introduction + asking about others’ habit, study or job → Every journey begins with a single step, as long as we are enthusiastic + truthful, we will create a good first impression on others → gradually figure out the same interests, favourite topics to discuss about

 

Cue Card 34. Describe a kind of weather you like

I am a big fan of the mild climate in late autumn
+ Describe the weather: Pure blue sky + gentle breeze. There’s sometimes a drop of rain (not as many torrential downpours as in the summer) → we’re not likely to get caught in the heavy rain
+ Activities:

• The most ideal season for outdoor activities: Taking a leisurely walk or ride the bicycle Going picnic with family → boost mutual understanding + strengthen family ties → The period of the year that I spend time outdoor on the most regular basis (get sunburnt in the summer, feel bitterly cold in the winter)
• I’m a bit of a slave for fashion and the fashion in autumn is my cup of tea It’s out of the question to get dressed up to the nines if I have to wear bulky overcoats in the winter In late autumn: I can freely mix and match various types of clothes → I show a preference for skirts + cardigans

+ Why: When the hot season seems to become longer due to climate change, we should attach more significance to the comfortable weather in late autumn.

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. What kinds of clothes do people wear in summer?
On sun-drenched days when there’s not a cloud in the sky: people who have to go outside in daytime often put on thick sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, hats → not get sunburnt or suffer from heatstroke – In the evening: a pair of jeans or short pants and a shirt for men + skirts are must-have items for women (made of cotton – a good absorber of sweat) → It’s quite easy to mix and match in the summer

2. What is the least favourite season for you?
Summer is not my cup of tea – I feel exhausted during the heatwave – it is scorching hot → the body is sweaty – It comes down in torrent on a regular basis: I often get caught in the rain during rush hours → terrible experience – Pay an arm and a leg for electricity bill

3. What types of weather are suitable for outdoor activities? – Spring and autumn: light winds + the downpours are not common → people can go outside to do physical activities (taking a leisurely walk, cycling, going sightseeing or going picnic with families) – In the summer, people are keen on visiting the beach + taking part in water sports (swimming, scuba diving, wave surfing,…) → exhilarating activities which help to lead a healthy lifestyle

4. What’s the most typical weather in your country? – Located mainly in a tropical zone, Vietnam’s climate is characterized by strong monsoon, a high rate of rainfall, and high humidity. – The longest season is summer: climate change + global warming → can’t distinguish clearly summer + the beginning of fall (both witness hot weather)

 

Cue Card 35. Describe a time when you got close to wild animals

Went on a company trip to XYZ island

+ Description:

• The island was named in honour of the most outstanding feature – the monkeys. → Natural habitat for hundreds of monkeys (although a small part of the island has been demolished to make room for resorts and restaurants, the local authorities attach great significance to preserving the forest where the wild monkeys live) – This animals have got accustomed to tourists → They are bold to approach humans: They seized food from our hands and one monkey even tried to steal my luggage. Thank my lucky stars, my male colleague lent me a helping hand, taking my bags back
• We were reminded to close all the doors and windows while sleeping, otherwise we might be disturbed by some “wandering” monkeys because our rooms were within a stone’s throw from the forest

+ My reaction: – At first, I had cold feet: I was born and bred in the urban area → no chance to stay in close proximity to wild animals – Gradually got familiar to the existence of monkeys → more comfortable → took some selfies with them

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)

1. What are the differences between animals in zoos and those in the wild?
Zoos keep wild animals in a limited space, even in small cages, which do not resemble their natural habitat → gradually pose an impact on their behaviours. – Hunting behaviour: animals in the zoos are fed with food on a daily basis, whereas they chase the preys themselves in the nature – Emotions: animals also have feelings → get bored, lonely or scared when being isolated from their species → be prone to stress Example: tigers aren’t keen on running, lying all day round.

2. Why should the staff in the zoos teach the public about animals?
– Zoo staff have a grasp of knowledge + experience about behaviours of each animal → convey persuasive + realistic lessons → raise citizens’ awareness of wild animals
– When listening to these staff’s words, people can also have hands-on learning environment: a lot of zoos allow visitors to feed animals → truly immerse themselves in animal lives

3. Why are people keen on feeding pets?
I’m not a pet lover. – I guess people keep pets in order to have a companion: fast-paced life → fewer close friends (the majority of social circles are colleagues, friends on social media) → a pet is regarded as a buddy/a family member who is loyal and always willing to listen to our troubles → relieve tension after working around the clock → lift up mood – Personal safety: feeding a pit bull dog → a house guard protecting people from criminals

4. How can the increase of the human population influence wild animals?
– Forests have been chopped down to pave the way for the construction of residential areas, industrial zones → lack natural habitat for wild animals → the imbalance of biodiversity
– Illegal hunting: higher rate of unemployment → commit crime as a last resort to make ends meet → hunt for wild animals (blue whales are endangered due to excessive commercial hunting, rhinos are shot to take horns)PART 2

 

Cue Card 36. Describe a time you made a promise to someone

Rarely do I make any promise that I can’ keep or promise the earth. However, I will tell you about an occasion I had a broken promise due to unforeseen circumstances.
– In 2019, I studied exchange in South Korea → I had a wide circle of friends there + there was a Korean girl who was warm-hearted, willing to lend me a helping hand whenever I needed – Before I left that beautiful country, I made a promise: I would come back to visit her + her family after I graduate + land a decent job  → At that time: self-confident → that would be within my reach – 01 year later, all the conditions for fulfilling that promise were satisfied: I graduated + received a job offer in a multinational corporation → I could make a living with savings for travels.
– When I was on the verge of booking an air ticket to South Korea – heard the breaking news that Korea imposed a temporary ban on commercial flights to avoid the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. → By a twist of fate, I couldn’t fulfill my promise – Until now, Corona virus has taken a heavy toll on the four corners of the world → have no idea when I could freely go overseas to celebrate our reunion.

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. What kinds of promises do people often make?
– Children promise their parents + teachers that they will conform to all the rules and try to become hard-working students with great performance at school
– Couples demonstrate their commitment to a long-term relationship and promise not to betray each other
– Interestingly, individuals make a promise to lead a healthy lifestyle: a lot of people stay far from their family to pursue education, career → they promise to keep themselves in the pink to comfort others.

2. Do parents in your country make promises to their children?
On a regular basis – The most prevalent one might be to reward their children if they reap good academic results + have other crowning achievements.
Example: pass the exams with flying colours → be allowed to play computer games → these promises are a source of motivation → boost learning momentum + encourage the kids to have proper attitudes + behaviours

3. Do children keep their promises?
– They are too young to have motives for lying → kids try their best not to break any promise with their friends + parents – However, in some families where parents are not role models: they constantly tell lies + not take the promise seriously → children imitate their parents and get accustomed to this bad habit.

4. Why do some people fail to keep their promises?
Subjective + objective reasons – Lying has become widely accepted as a means to achieve goals and success at all costs Example: businessmen make promises to get a lucrative deal but then don’t keep their word – Sometimes, people have no choice but to break their promises due to circumstances. Example: A man (on a business trip) promised his son to join his birthday party but the quarantine of Corona stopped him from fulfilling that promise.

 

Cue Card 37. Describe a time when you need to use your imagination

An interesting topic – Humans are born with imagination and utilize it consciously or unconsciously, no need to become artists or authors. → Devoted much imagination to designing a backdrop for my company’s year end party
– A trading company – allocate all human resources for sales, customer service, finance → not provide employment for designers → When my company celebrated a year end party last December, we were in need of a backdrop but no one excelled at this field → I volunteered – wanted to make an impression on colleagues as a newbie – My vivid imagination + creativity were exploited to the fullest – drafted the layout on paper – drew in details by Ai (I got accustomed to this designing software thanks to a part-time job)
– Challenges: not a professional designer → facing difficulty in mixing the color and going for the most trendy font of letters – Thank my lucky stars, the backdrop lived up to everyone’s expectations → I felt on cloud nine – got out of comfort zone to do something different.

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Do you think adults can have lots of imagination?
– Adults: have fully developed their cognitive development + follow old routes of thinking + their brains are not sharp and active enough to think of new ideas → Kids show more vivid imagination than adults do
– However, people who regularly practise this ability (requirement of their career) tend to excel at imagining + making creative products even at later stages of their life

2. Do you think imagination is essential for scientists?
– Imagination makes it possible for scientists to propose hypotheses, especially about the connection of things. Example: Isaac Newton discovered the theory of Gravity when a random apple fell from a tree.

3. What kinds of jobs need imagination?
– Artists, designers, architects: in order to create works of art, designs → these people have to let their mind wander to come up with new ideas, subjects,… – Authors, playwrights: make up the whole stories → depict them in their books, plays – A lot of other tasks become easier to deal with if people have this ability: event organizer, content creator on Youtube,…

4. What subjects are helpful for children’s imagination?
– Art: kids utilize their imagination to express ideas or feelings, particularly in painting, drawing or sculpture – Literature: students are required to make up a story or to appreciate the beauty of literacy works → boost imagination + creativity → Stimulate cognitive development

 

Cue Card 38. The part of a town or city that you enjoy spending time in

Horizon Building – an iconic building of the capital

+ Description:

• A skyscraper featuring a modern architectural style
• As far as I know, it’s the 3rd tallest building
• A recreational complex: hypermarket, shopping mall, 5-star hotel and restaurants conforming to international standards. The residential area is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities: gym, spa,…

+ Why I like:
– Being within a stone’s throw from my company → go there for window shopping, just walk around the stores of luxurious fashion, watches, jewelry (cost an arm and a leg). Sometimes (Black Friday) → make purchase of some items at a discount → A way to let my hair down after working around the clock
– It offers the city’s finest observation deck: I’m a big fan of photographing → it is my cup of tea to visit the top floor catching a stunning panoramic view of my city + taking amazing pictures
– A rooftop bar: drink cocktail + chill out with buddies

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. What are the best facilities that your town has?
I’m proud to state that my hometown has a seaport with the largest harbour in my country, witnessing dynamic importing + exporting activities on a daily basis – Industrial zones + factories being erected with FDI + nationwide funds. → Afford employment to thousands of citizens – Together with manufacturing and trading, logistics services have huge potential.

2. Do people prefer to live in a city than in a town?
It heavily depends.
+ Explicit advantages of settling down in a developed urban area:
– Educational system: more top-ranking schools + universities with high-profile professors and state-of-the-art researching facilities
– Medical condition: In comparison with residents in far-flung areas, easier access to cutting-edge medical advances in leading hospitals, well-trained medical staffs
+ Benefit of living in a provincial place:- Less contaminated environment: many public areas, natural sites + less exhaust fumes emitted from private means of transport (low rate of car possession) → do wonders for human beings’ health

3. Why do the elderly like to live in the countryside?
– Old people don’t get accustomed to urban lifestyle: they don’t have a good grasp of cutting-edge technological breakthroughs, social networking sites → can’t conduct online conversations. They have a great preference for face-to-face talks with neighbours in the village
– Taking a deep breath of fresh air in rural areas gives the elderly a sense of peace + tranquility → they can escape the street noises and have a sound mind
– The high-quality food supply in the countryside do wonders for people who are over the hill. Example: vegetables + fruits grown on their own have no pesticide residues.

4. Why do young people like to go to public places?
– Widen their social circles: it’s charge-free to hang out with buddies in the city library + watch others of the same generation → keep up with up-to-the-minute trends of fashion, photography,…
– Lead a healthy lifestyle: do physical activities in the park or public gardens: taking a leisurely walk, cycling, running,… → in comparison with hitting the gym indoors, these outdoor activities give youngsters a chance to live close to the nature, take a deep breath of fresh air → have a sound mind after working around the clock

 

Cue Card 39. Describe a polite person you know

I have respect for a lot of friends and consultants in my life → I want to tell you about the general director of my current company who is a symbol of politeness

+ Description: multinational corporation – my boss is a Japanese at 40 years old
+ My feeling:
– The first working day: He left a deep impression on me as he tried to communicate with me in English to break the ice although he didn’t have a good command of this language
– Gets on well with almost all staffs – never rely on executive power to look down on the employees + a willing listener – encourage employees to raise their voice and express personal perspectives → Ease the tension at work + have a whale of time together in company trips + team building occasions
– A symbol of politeness: It’s no exaggeration to say that he is a perfect gentleman with good manners: always keeps the door open for me to come through + be willing to say the words “thank you” and “sorry” even on the slightest occasion → Contribute to company culture – Admirable dedication + devotion to work: The first member to arrive at the office and work from dawn till dusk → Hold him in high esteem + try to take a leaf out of his book

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. What’s the standard of being polite?
– Being aware of and showing respect for others’ feelings and emotions + our patterns of behaviors should conform to social norms
– Many examples of being polite + respectful: The golden rule of good manners is to know how to say “excuse me”, “sorry” and “thank you” on suitable occasions.
Not ask overly personal questions + try to put others at ease in conversations – Politeness is sometimes recognized through clothes which should be a match for surrounding atmosphere.

2. What behavior will be regarded as impolite?
Real-life examples of disrespectful behavior: – Cutting in on others’ conversation: 2 people are engaged in a talk but interrupted by another → uncomfortable feeling – Jump the queue: rude behavior being seen in front of elevators, public events,… – Asking overly private matters – excessive curiosity – partners no longer feel at ease when sharing their stories

3. Who are more polite, people from cities or those from the countryside?
People living in urban areas are more likely to be polite than their rural counterparts. – Residents in the cities are often taught good manners and etiquettes from an early age + more opportunities for practice (companies, schools, hospitals,… → no room for rude and disrespectful behavior, otherwise being isolated) – By contrast, people from provincial areas often follow old patterns of behavior, they often don’t respect others’ privacy.
Example: when I visited my hometown during the New Year holiday – my cousins and neighbors kept asking about marital status, salary,…

4. What do you think make people polite?
– Education at schools: many subjects (literature, civic education) are added to curriculum to teach good manners and etiquettes – Behavior of older family members shapes the characteristics of kids: children take a leaf out of their parents’ book → parents and grandparents should be a role model of standardized lifestyle Example: father speaks rudely to mother and children → these teenagers have a tendency to imitate

 

Cue Card 40. Describe a place (not your home) where you are able to relax

My favorite book coffee shop
+ Location: within a stone’s throw from my company
+ Description:
– First visit: My attention was caught by unique shapes of bookshelves. The minimalist design with black and white color gives a feeling of space.
– Customers with a drink can freely choose books for reading when they spend time in the café
– An ideal place for bookworms:
Provide a relaxing atmosphere: no strange noise + light music is played at a low volume
Adequate lighting: of course I don’t expect to suffer from eye strain + vision impairment
+ Opinion:
– Get away from the hectic pace of life + find peace in mind
– Loyal customer: In retrospect when I was a student: after burying myself with exams → spend half day there as a way to compensate for my mental health
At present: weekend or after around-the-clock hours → release work pressure
– Find friends sharing the same interests

SPEAKING PART 3 (Discusion)
1. How do students relax themselves?
A wide range of ways to let their hair down.
– Most popular: find joy in social networking sites Bombarded with exams, feel down in the dumps → chatting with friends → lift up their mood
– Play sports: hit the gym, take a walk in public areas to escape sedentary lifestyle → get refreshed and ease their mind

2. What activities do employers organize to help employees relax?
Bosses are paying more attention to the mental health of employees because a better compensation policy besides salary can encourage staffs to dedicate more.
– Team building: camping, festivals/contests (cooking contests, sports races) → boost mutual understanding between members + relieve working pressure
– More lucrative businesses arrange company trips to tourist destinations → the staff can blow off some steam → back in high working spirit → willing to work around the

3. Do people nowadays have more ways to relax than in the past?
Not totally true
– In retrospect, people went outside (public areas – parks, riversides → take a breath of fresh air + enjoy scenic beauty to release stress and get away from the rat race. However, as time went by, a lot of natural landscapes have been demolished to make room for factories, skyscrapers.
– On the other hand, in this day and age, cutting-edge technological breakthroughs → creation of video games + popularity of social networking sites More indoor activities: hang out in coffee shops, hit the gym (state-of-the-art facilities)

4. Do people prefer outdoor or indoor activities?
– In terms of entertainment/relaxation: Some are crazy about travelling
– enjoy stunning scenic beauty as a way to get away from the hectic pace of life Some prefer to stay at home, just surfing the net + chatting with friends on social networking sites can make them feel on cloud nine
– Regarding health benefits:
Outdoor sports: running, walking, climbing the mountain,…
Indoor physical activities: hit the gym, swimming, tennis,…

 

Cue Card 41. Describe a puzzle you have played

Jigsaw puzzle
– have been playing since childhood
+ Description: – It’s a kind of game in which the player has to assemble various pieces of different shapes, sizes, colors. Typically, each individual piece contributes to a portion of the picture, when assembled, they produce a complete picture.
– From my recollection, a birthday gift – a set of assembled pictures at varied levels of challenge (from basic to advanced)
→ Spent hours trying to conquer one by one
The basic: a piece of cake
The higher level: tough + tricky → a daunting task → parents lent me a hand → spent the whole evening to solve that puzzle
→ When finishing: be on cloud nine + a deep sense of satisfaction & fulfilment
+ Opinion:
– Tighten family bond, boost our connectedness and mutual understanding
– At present: a method to let my hair down after working around the clock – a stress-buster (can play on smartphone)
– Help to exercise my brain + stimulate cognitive development

SPEAKING PART 3 (Discussion)
1. What are popular number puzzles and word puzzles?
Number puzzles: sudoku, math riddles
Word puzzles: crossword, word search → Gain popularity thanks to being suitable to all ages and convenient for all family members/friends to solve the puzzles together
2. Why do parents let their children play puzzles?
– Beneficial for brain development: improve kids’ problem-solving + analytical skills + foster children to think beyond the conventional domain → enhance creativity
– Increase concentration span: be engrossed in the game, keep the mind active for a long period
– A stress-buster
3. What kinds of puzzles improve people’s intelligence?
Solving puzzles exercises our brain + keeps it active and sharp.
Puzzles like Sudoku, Crossword, Jigsaw, Rubik’s cube can contribute to our cognitive development and boost our IQ.
Example: my niece excels at Math thanks to early taking up the habit of playing puzzles.
4. Why are mystery stories attractive to people?
– Stimulate a sense of curiosity + foster us to use our vivid imagination
Human beings have a natural drive to find the answer to obscure phenomena → mystery stories/novels encourage this instinct
– A deep sense of satisfaction and fulfilment when secrets come to light

 

Cue Card 42. Describe a leisure activity you would like to do on or near the sea

Kayaking
+ Description: a sport involves paddling a light craft through water
+ Preparation to take up Kayaking:

• Learn to manage the paddle to drive the kayak + change direction when in need
• Wear life jacket → It doesn’t matter you excel at swimming or not

+ Opinion:

• Recreational effects:
  It offers a tranquil mode of transportation, gain control of speed, easily stop to enjoy stunning view of ocean + surrounding mountains
  Meditative: get away from the hectic pace of life, immerse in nature → have a sound mind
• Physical benefits:
  Improve cardiovascular fitness
  Increase muscle strength, particularly in the back, arms, shoulders by moving the paddle

SPEAKING PART 3 (Discussion) –  ACTIVITIES NEAR OR ON THE SEA

1. Why do you think the seaside is such a popular tourist destination?

• Recreational activities: stunning view of seashore, bays + visit aquariums → grasp knowledge of water creatures Example: Ha Long Bay is one of the most well-known tourist attractions with unique natural islands, caves + a wide range of biodiversity
• Water sports: scuba-diving, wave surfing, sailing,… → advantageous for physical well-being:
  Improve cardiovascular fitness Increase muscle strength + enhance body’s attractiveness
  Release excessive energy

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of vacations to the seaside?

• Pros:
  – Escape the hustle and bustle of city life: A deep breath of fresh air + the view of blue sea and sky give a sense of tranquility → blow off some steam
  – Doing the sightseeing broadens horizon, enriches knowledge of water creatures
  – Dynamic water sports (volleyball, sailing,…) strengthen the bonding of families, friends
• Cons:
  – Children + people not knowing how to swim: take an undeniable risk of being drown (many real-life cases serve as examples of this)
  – Tourist traps (during peak seasons): fully-booked hotels + exorbitant seafood prices

3. Who do you think enjoys the beach more, children or adults?
If I have to choose/If you ask me, I would have to say that teenagers benefit more from going to the beach.
– Young people: dynamic + adventurous → big fans of water sports
Adults: more passive + not into moving their bodies around, just sit in the sand/do sightseeing to idle their time away

– Children: intense curiosity about marine life, unique shapes of islands, caves → enrich their knowledge
The elderly: had similar experiences → not excited → The young take more advantage of sea trips.

4. Do you think children and adults do the same types of things when they go to a beach?
Honestly, I don’t think so. The range of activities on the beach vary a lot according to the age.
– Children: have a keen interest in strenuous water sports (swimming, scuba-diving,…) or sand castle building + go along the seashore/ visit aquariums to discover water creatures – satisfy the curiosity
– Adults: let their hair down, seek a sense of tranquility and peace → read a book or sunbathe to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life

5. Do you think there are any health benefits from doing recreational activities at the beach?
– On a regular basis, we breathe in low-quality air due to exhaust fumes from cars and factories → fresh air + mild climate near the sea are beneficial for respiratory system
– Mental well-being: get away from the rat race, slow down after working around the clock
– Keep fit by playing water sports:

• Increase muscle strength + keep the body in shape
• Release excessive energy, especially in children

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION) – TOPIC: MARINE LIFE
6. Do you think that human activity is posing a threat to the oceans of the world?
Human beings are doing serious harm to the sea.
– Plastic wastes: tones of plastics wastes (plastics bottles and bags) have been thrown into the ocean, polluting the water, causing long-term damage to ecosystem and putting marine animals in grave peril
Example: sea turtles died of eating plastic bags which cannot be digested or getting trapped.
– Rapid industrialisation → not all factories + industrial zones have a proper waste treatment system → raw sewage + chemicals are illegally discharged into the sea with a high frequency.

7. Do you know any examples of how some types of marine life are threatened by human activity?
Marine/sea/ocean + life/creatures/species/animals
– On a regular basis, tonnes of plastic bags have been thrown into the ocean.
Thousands of sea turtles, seals and even whales have been found dead with plastic bags in their stomach, others were killed after getting trapped.
– Overhunting of whales: excessive whaling → reduction in the number (on the verge of extinction), causing a change in deep-sea biodiversity
– Oil spill: toxic substances penetrate + take a heavy toll on water quality and ocean life

8. Do you think it’s important for us to protect these threatened forms of marine life?
– Ocean species afford humans an invaluable source of seafood → if contaminated → humans are poisoned indirectly
– If some creatures are put on the verge of extinction → adversely affect the bioscience (researches conducted on ocean species to take some substances for medical purposes). Example: seaweeds, some sea mammals,…
– Some animals contribute to the flow of ocean currents – regulate our climate

9. Do you think this is more a responsibility of governments to do something about this problem or is it a responsibility for all of us?

10. What do you think ordinary people can do in order to help preserve the environment of these places?
Each individual takes advantage of ocean life → urgent actions should not be labelled as duty of only the state officials. Both can help in proper ways.
+ Authorities:
– Impose a ban on hunting and killing endangered ocean creatures
– Levy harsher penalties on illegal disposal of sewage and industrial water waste without appropriate treatment – Raise tax on plastic stuffs
+ Citizens:
– Reuse + recycle plastic stuffs + use alternative materials: paper bags, glass bottles → reduce the amount of plastic wastes ending up in the sea
– Make small donations to marine conservation funds → conduct campaigns to clean seashore areas + address the problem of oil spill + preserve polar bears which have been put in grave peril with the Arctic ice melting…

 

Cue Card 43. Describe a street market or outdoor market that you have visited

Outdoor seafood market in South Korea

+ When: Exchange study in South Korea, took part in some field trips
That time: paid a visit to an island by ship
As soon as we disembarked the ship → caught the view of a huge seafood market within a stone’s throw from the port → took my breath away (the first time I visited such a large outdoor market)
+ Description (got closer):

• Contained a range of shops next to each other, displaying tons of seafood types for merchandising (ranging from fish to other ocean creatures: crab, shrimp, seaweed,…) → on sale here and there
• Quality: fresh – caught by local fishermen at the crack of dawn on a daily basis
• Wholesalers: collected seafood at bargain prices then distributed to retailers in city centers/supermarkets

+ Opinion:

• Saw in Korean drama – real-life seafood market lived up to my expectations
• Dislike: Wet road around the market + inconvenient when it comes down in torrents

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Do you think small markets will disappear in the eastern market?
A controversial issue

• Ensure food hygiene + quality & price standard of products
• Make room for buildings, factories, skyscrapers → Demolish/Eradicate small markets
• However:
  – In this day and age, there exist many far-flung areas with no supermarkets or shopping malls for purchasing consumer goods.
  – Job security: many breadwinners – make ends meet by selling products in small markets → leave them unemployed → social evils + rate of crimes will be on the rise

2. What do people do in shopping malls, are there other ways to shop? –
Make purchase of consumer goods at listed prices – no need for bargains
– Pass by restaurants with dishes being served
– Watch movies in the cinemas which are often integrated into shopping mall complexes
Other ways to shop:
– Traditional markets: especially for foods
– Convenience stores (in apartment areas, office buildings)
– Online shopping via e-commercial sites: Shopee, Lazada, Amazon,… → buy almost everything with a click of the mouse

3. What are the types of markets in your country ?
– Traditional markets/Street markets: prevalent in provincial areas, retail prices, limited time of shopping, no guarantee of goods quality (food hygiene)
– Supermarkets/Shopping malls: the supply of all consumer goods at listed prices, verified quality
– Convenience stores: more popular recently – apartments, office buildings with foreigners
– Online markets (online commercial sites): the most convenient way of shopping with a click of the mouse

4. What problems will the outdoor food market bring?
– The quality of goods is not verified, especially hygiene issue
Example: vegetables + fruits with excessive amount of pesticides → long-lasting dependence on this food source takes a heavy toll on health
– Environmental issue: waste from outdoor food markets can adversely affect the street cleaning
– Traffic problem: these markets are often located in densely-populated areas -traffic congestion

 

Cue Card 44. Describe an occasion when you were not allowed to use your mobile phone

From my recollection, I dealt with many cases in which I could not use the smartphone, especially in all the exams. The occasion which left the deepest impression on me was my interview for the first job.

+ Description: – Last year, I was a newbie in the labour market → apply for a position in an MNC
Before I entered the room with interviewers, they requested me to turn off my phone and hand it over to the staff.
This came as a complete surprise to me as I wasn’t informed in advance.
I started to shake in my shoes because I guessed there would be some challenging + confidential tests in the interview. → They asked me to take a test on specialized knowledge of international trade and a mobile phone is not allowed to avoid cheating.

+ How I felt: – Usually, I’m quite reliant on technical devices to search for information, learning materials,… → On that occasion, I had to make an attempt to recall all the lessons at university as a last resort. – Realize: I have the ability to accomplish many tasks without the dependence on internet + technology.

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. How do young and old people use mobile phones differently?
There are a world of differences in the way two generations make use of their phones.
+ Youngsters: are hooked on the latest versions of smartphones although they have to pay an arm and a leg.

• Besides basic functions of calling and sending messages, they allocate most of their time for browsing the net, using social networking sites, chatting with buddies via applications (Messenger, Whatsapp, Viber,…).
• A tool to take fancy photos and make videos, not as exorbitant as professional digital cameras

+ The elderly: the majority don’t follow the trend, go for basic designs and utilize this technical device to communicate with family, friends and colleagues at work. Some old people who are young at heart also spend time on social media, but that amount of time is less significant in comparison with the younger generation.

2. What positive and negative impact do mobile phones have on friendship?
Advantages: – The ability to stay in daily contact with friends even though they live distance away → get rid of geographical barrier to make friends with people from the four corners of the world
Adversely affect the ties of friendship:
– A lack of face-to-face conversations – we can’t see each other’s facial expressions so we might have misunderstandings.
– Jealousy kills the friendship: Youngsters use their cell phones mostly to join social networking sites where people try to show off their achievements and personal properties → Be green with envy

3. Is it a waste of time to take pictures with mobile phones?
I am a big fan of taking photos and videos by smartphones → not a waste of time
– High-quality pictures: cutting-edge technological breakthrough → updated versions of cell phones with high-resolution cameras → better the quality of photos and videos
– Taking pictures + posting on social media: a way to let our hair down + lift up their our mood when being down in the dumps

4. Do you think it is necessary to have laws on the use of mobile phones?
– Impose a ban on using phones while driving (answering phone calls or texting while driving or riding a motorbike can put ourselves and other drivers in grave peril). Example: In my country, pay a penalty if …
– In other cases, using mobile phones should not be prohibited but restricted: public areas (libraries, cinemas, galleries,…) – noise from mobile phones may cause unwanted distraction
– Cyber security law: The utilisation of smartphones bears close relation to the search of the internet

 

Cue Card 45. Describe an occasion when two of your friends disagreed about something

I have a narrow circle of friends → we know each other in and out + mutual respect for each other → rarely did we get into arguments. However, last year, 02 buddies were in total disagreement – choosing destination for our summer trip
+ Describe the argument: – One girl: insisted on going to seaside areas – enjoy mild weather + take part in exhilarating water sports → strengthen friendship ties – The other girl: a big fan of mountains + wild animals → came up with the idea of visiting a mountainous province → broaden horizon + acquire knowledge of ethnic groups + difficulties in far-flung places → Each hold their opinion + make no concession
+ Solution: – I cut in the quarrel + acted as a mediator to ease the tension – Introduced to the 2nd girl a trekking group with strenuous journeys to the mountains, then gave a vote to a beach holiday (seaview is my cup of tea)
+ Opinion: – The disagreement ended + we finally got on a trip to Horizon beach + had a whale of time together → Such arguments between friends could be solved in a calm way.

SPEAKING PART 3
1. What will the brothers and sisters argue about?
Sibling rivalry
– Brothers: It’s often the case that the boys fight for toys: a lego, toy car,… → heated and even violent quarrel, especially when there is a small age gap between them Also have disagreement when could not share an interest in sports/lifestyles
– Sisters: who should be responsible for household chores → arguments arise when trying to come up with an equitable distribution of housework

2. More likely to argue with family members or friends?
– We have a tendency to freely express opinions when at home, even though these ideas contradict what parents or siblings think [blood is thicker than water] → Family members have greater patience and forgiveness
– On the contrary: Breaking a social relationship (friends, colleagues,…) is of our concern → control our temper + become a willing listener + respect others’ view even when these are disagreeable

3. Is the argument important?
Constructive arguments play a vital role in human life:
– Motivate our brains to develop critical thinking + provide compelling reasoning
– Boost mutual understanding: You can see this with any relationship, couples quarrel about characteristics, circle of friends, financial issues,… → get to know more after settling the arguments + learn from others’ point of view
On the other hand, violent arguments should be abandoned. It makes no sense to unreasonably shout at others with no reasoning or explanation.

 

Cue Card 46. Describe a person whose music or singing you like

Idol Rosé – a renowned vocalist and dancer of a girl group based in South Korea -Black Pink.
+ Music style:
– Korean pop music is my cup of tea since secondary school → I lost my heart to this talented girl since she made her debut
– Crowning achievements + made a series of Asian and world records with Black Pink (but she was never given an easy ride – she focused exceptional effort on practice before and after her debut – join singing + dancing class more than 10 hours a day)
– First solo album in March 2021 – a widespread phenomenon – made a deep impression on me
– I was hooked by its catchy melody + meaningful lyrics – learn by heart

+ Appearance/Personality:
– A gorgeous girl – have an eye for mix and match – trendy fashion
– A sense of humor – I burst out laughing whenever I click on her videos or watch her livestreams
– Language skill: was born in New Zealand – have a great command of English – easily communicate with international fans + Opinion: one year older than me – an inspirational icon of my generation

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Why do people listen to music?
– I’d go as far as to say that it is a recreational activity, hands down.
Take up the hobby of listening to music – have a sound mind + let our hair down after burying ourselves with study and work Personal example: listen to music on a daily basis when I take a shower to relieve stress after working around the clock + before hitting the sack to have a sound sleep
– Stimulate cognitive development in babies
– A method of making process in studying foreign languages

2. What kind of music do people like at different ages?
The taste in music varies according to generations.
– Youngsters: are into pop, rap, rock music with catchy rhythm + influential lyrics Singers/music bands performing these types of music are in their generation → the lyrics touch their heart with similar concerns about love, quarter life crisis,…
– Adults: are less keen on these new genres of music, show preference for ballads, classical or country music with gentle melody

3. Do parents in your country require their children to learn to play musical instruments?
– It is a widely held belief in my country that the most crucial/vital/essential task of a teenager is to accomplish academic study with flying colours → the importance of knowing to play instruments is often overlooked
– Only 10-20% parents invest in this field to stimulate their children to develop emotions and intelligence + a stress-buster
– People with average income and who live under the poverty line can’t afford to buy their kids a piano or guitar for daily practice or to send them to professional classes

4. What kind of music is popular in your country now and what kind will be in the future?
I’m not a master of various genres of music.
– As far as I know, pop-ballad music has gained the most widespread popularity in my country. These songs’ lyrics focus on lovesick or romantic stories + slow and gentle melody → attract listeners of all ages

5. Is rap music accepted in your country?
Rap music is becoming more and more prevalent in my country.
– In retrospect, it was labelled as underground music with content not totally conforming to cultural norms.
– In this day and age, rappers have made an attempt to adjust the words to reach a wider audience + the appearance of some hits brought rap music nearer to the community.TV show conducted to find talents in composing and performing rap songs like “King of Rap”, made rap music become gradually mainstream in my country.

6. Do you think holding international music events has value?
– Cultural exchange: artists from the four corners of the world will gather in one place → each singer/musician is a representative of an area with distinct customs and music trends
– The host country will have a golden chance to advertise national identities to foreign friends (a huge number of music enthusiasts will come in favour of their idols → boost the tourism)

 

Cue Card 47. Describe a town or a city where you would like to live in the future

Settle down in Busan city in South Korea – Exchange study – took part in field trips – visited Busan – the second-most heavily populated city in South Korea

• Description: A combination of civilization and traditional values:
  The skyscrapers near the beach + luxurious cruise ships took my breath away
  Temples + religious sites with historical + cultural identity
• Gain global reputation for: – Stunning sandy beaches – within a stone’s throw from city center. On the weekend, go to the seaside area to enjoy scenic beauty, build sand castles, look at blue sky and sea → A sense of tranquility → let my hair down after working around the clock → Better air quality compared with my current city→ do wonders for my respiratory health
• Port: first ranking in Korea, sixth-busiest port worldwide → A good match for my major I pursue a career in logistics & supply chain management → this city is a dream destination for me to better specialized knowledge + accumulate hands-on experience → If there were no outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, I would have come back to Busan.

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Why do more and more people live in the city?
Explicit advantages of settling down in an urban area:
– Educational system: more top-ranking schools + universities with high-profile professors and state-of-the-art researching facilities
– Medical condition: easier access to cutting-edge medical advances in leading hospitals with well-trained medical staffs
– To land a decent job: attractive compensation polity

2. How does this affect the environment and nature?
Undoubtedly, a burst in population takes a heavy toll on environmental quality of urban areas.
– Shortage of accommodation – the need for an increasing number of apartment buildings – more and more public spaces have been demolished to make room for these skyscrapers → Worsen the problem of greenhouse effect
– Greater amount of exhaust fumes emitted from cars, motorbikes → degradation of air quality

4. What can be done to prevent damage to nature?
– Plant more trees: in public areas (parks, schools, riversides,…) → absorb carbon dioxide from surrounding air and alleviate the greenhouse effect – Encourage citizens to show preference for eco-friendly products Example: Utilize paper/cloth bags as replacements for plastic containers; take advantage of alternative sources of energy (sunlight, wind, tides,…) – State officials: levy heavier taxes on fuels and materials which do harm to the nature
5. Are governmental controls more important than businesses?
Both can help in proper ways.
+ The authorities: – Levy heavier taxes on the utilisation of fossil fuels and materials which do harm to the nature (example: plastic) – Adjust city planning: widen public areas and green spaces
+ The businesses: conform to appropriate standard of waste treatment system (exhaust fumes and wastewater)

 

Cue Card 48. Describe a person who is much older than you that you admire

I have respect for a lot of friends and consultants in my life → The general director of my current company
+ Description: multinational corporation – my boss is a Japanese at 40 years old
+ My feeling: – The first working day: He left a deep impression on me as he tried to communicate with me in English to break the ice although he didn’t have a good command of this language
– Gets on well with almost all staffs – never rely on executive power to look down on the employees + a willing listener – encourage employees to raise their voice and express personal perspectives → Ease the tension at work + have a whale of time together in company trips + team building occasions
– A symbol of politeness: It’s no exaggeration to say that he is a perfect gentleman with good manners: always keeps the door open for me to come through + be willing to say the words “thank you” and “sorry” even on the slightest occasion → Contribute to company culture
– Admirable dedication + devotion to work: The first member to arrive at the office and work from dawn till dusk → Hold him in high esteem + try to take a leaf out of his book

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. What kinds of things can young people learn from old people?
– Hands-on experience + social skills: The youth may pass academic exams with flying colours but lack real-life experience and skills → can’t accomplish work tasks + fall prey to social evils if not guided by older generation (grandparents, parents, seniors at work)
– History: enrich knowledge about heroic historical periods – the elderly lived in times of wars, battles, they have proud and painful memories which are more vivid than any book lessons

2. What kinds of activities do old people like to do these days?
– Take part in clubs for the elderly
Example: dance sport classes with huge participation of the retired who share the same interest
– Do moderate-intensity physical activities: take a leisurely walk, play badminton, go fishing,… → keep them in the pink, slow down the aging process, fight against some health problems: high blood pressure, heart attack,…
– Females: stay with offsprings, lending them a hand with housework, especially taking care of grandchildren

3. Why do some old people only remember happy things?
– They are over the hill – want to make the most of their remaining time to enjoy a fulfilling life Bright memories – have a sound mind → more comfortable to recollect these happy stories
– They have overcome all the sad old days → these bitter and painful things are no longer of their concern, just being first-hand experience that they will share with their descendants

4. What roles do the elderly play in the family?
– Lending their offsprings a hand with housework, especially cooking and taking care of grandchildren → unconditional love, care and patience + give us some helpful tips
– Consultants with a huge source of real-life experience and skills: Advice is always sought from them on a range of issues (traditional wedding rituals, religious practices, how to maintain social relationships,…) → Being held in high esteem by all family members
– Role models of lifestyle + good manners + behaviours conforming to social norms

5. Do you think old people enjoy their life more these days compared with the past?
You may disagree with me but I believe that the elderly may find life less enjoyable and fulfilling than it was 10-20 years ago.
– Fast-paced life leaves the old generation behind: not have first-hand knowledge of technology – can’t catch up with the development of cutting-edge + smart technological devices
– Individualism: In retrospect, our grandparents stayed in contact + got on well with the whole street + shared ups and downs with each other
At present: We even don’t pay attention to the name or job of our neighbors → The old may feel a deep sense of loneliness and isolation

 

Cue Card 49. Describe a plan in your life (that is not related to work or study)

Wedding plan
Making plans in advance is my cup of tea – Although single, come up with a complete wedding plan for 2-3 years later.
+ Description:

• Get dressed up to the nines: First part with wedding rituals (customs): pink silk dress
• Party: appear in an elegant white dress with embroidered patterns + a glitter crown is a must-have item to have a look of a princess
• The highlight is that I will not hire any singer but to sing some songs together with my husband, namely “A thousand years” & “Beautiful in white” I hope my partner will also be an enthusiast of music and good at singing.
• An intention of going on honeymoon right after the wedding – hopefully a trip to Switzerland is affordable → the reputable view of blue lakes and snow-covered mountains – get away from the hectic pace of life + have a whale of time together to boost mutual understanding

+ What to do first: – Lose my heart to someone – Improve myself to the fullest (appearance + intellectual ability)

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Should parents make plans for children?
– On the one hand, with real-life experience + social skills – parents will come up with more practical plans. Example: Orients kids towards the same occupation with a strong job network – do wonders for their later career path
– On the other hand, children tend to dislike being told what to do, especially if it’s against their will, they may express opposition and disobedience. Even if they follow the plan, they would end up leading a miserable life for being unable to do what they desire. → I suppose the best solution is for adults to become a willing listener and guide their children in making their own plans.

2. When should children start to make plans for themselves?
Can’t recollect the exact time that I came up with the 1st plan.
– Primary school: begin to make some arrangements (do homework, review for exams)
– In later stages of life: draft more important plans (how to pass high school/university entrance exams, going abroad, holding weddings,…) Lack first-hand experience, sensibility and have not developed intellectual ability to the fullest → ask for guidance and advice from parents

3. What things should be planned on a daily basis?
A to-do list (a series of tasks to be accomplished from dawn till dusk) → Allocate appropriate time for each task → keep everything under control → Most crucial + urgent jobs will be put in top priority. This kind of plan works well both in terms of professional and personal life.

4. Are plans always necessary? Can people succeed without plans?
Essential but it’s not always the case
– Plans allow people to manage their time wisely and productively. Without any specific plans, they might not know what to prioritise or what they should do next → Difficult to keep everything under control → Be prone to high levels of anxiety + tension.
– Those who make plans regularly are more well-prepared – solutions for unexpected situations However, there are exceptions: – Life is not a bed of roses → plans don’t always work well. There are moments we have to seize the opportunity quickly (financial investment)

Cue Card 50. Describe a time when you found out something very interesting through social media

A big fan of social networking sites – keep my eyes glued to smartphone hours a day -figured out many attractions → A community of students in South Korea

+ When: 2019: joined a student exchange program in South Korea – the first time I went abroad -shook in my shoes – experienced high levels of anxiety as I had no idea what to prepare
+ Where: I contacted with an alumni who introduced me to a private group on Facebook platform
+ Description: – A huge community of more than 50,000 students who were pursuing education in South Korea – Active members shared about accommodation, Korean cuisines, tourist destinations,… (all exotic + strange to me) → Take a leaf out of their book – the advice and guidance eased my tension – The most interesting point: have a wider circle of friends who were always willing to lend me a hand + have a whale of time together on the journey to explore South Korea

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. Why do people like to use social media?
It’s the mainstream.
– Have more social acceptance through these networks: show off their achievements + wealth → earn praise + compliments
– Develop their online shops: celebrities + KOLs take advantage of their huge number of followers to advertise + boost sales

2. What kinds of things are popular on social media?
– Photos + videos with a rich source of content: selfie pictures, daily vlogs, high-quality marketing products with cutting-edge digital effects → Personal or commercial purposes
– Groups of users sharing the same interest: Example: Yoga class, people having a crush in watches, luxurious cars,…

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social media?
Pros: – A stress-buster: chatting with friends is a way to let our hair down Feel down in the dumps → post photos, receive positive comments → be on cloud nine again – A marketing channel: take advantage of social media to develop e-commerce + boost sales
Cons: – Cyber bullying + fraud → mental breakdowns – Lack of sense of community: no need to have friend/family gatherings → individualism, ignorance

4. What do you think of making friends on social networks?
Pros: get rid of geographical barriers
– Make friends with people from the four corners of the world
– Maintain long-distance relationships
Cons:
– A lack of face-to-face conversations – we can’t see each other’s facial expressions so we might have misunderstandings
– Jealousy kills the friendship: Youngsters use their social networks trying to show off their achievements and personal properties → Be green with envy.

 

Cue Card 51. Describe an art or craft activity you did when you were at school?

Participated in an embroidery contest at secondary school
+ When:

• Annually organized with the aim of attaching significance to handicraft
• At first, I had no intention of putting my name down for this contest. However, the appealing award was the motivation behind my final decision.

+ Description:

• From my recollection, I spent a great deal of time practising: use a needle + coloured threads to decorate white fabrics → My mother was a master of embroidering → take a leaf out of her book + learn some techniques
• In the official contest, I embroidered the cloth with a picture of blooming flowers, highlighted by the shape of a sunflower in the center.
• Easier said than done, due to time pressure, the finished item didn’t live up to my expectation → I missed the first prize + Opinion: – Embroidery in particular + craft activities in general: a stress-buster – have a sound mind – First-hand knowledge of sewing + embroidering has practical advantages

SPEAKING PART 3 (DISCUSSION)
1. What handicraft is popular in your country / Do people make handicrafts in your country?
Reputable traditional handicraft villages in my country: engage in mat weaving, silk weaving, pottery making, folk painting,… → If foreigners visit my city, they can see a lot of handicraft streets where to make purchase of unique souvenirs. → Handicraft creating is not only a profitable business but also reflects our traditional customs + national identity

2. Do people like paper-cutting?
People don’t show a great preference for the art of paper-cutting. Although we take part in some lessons about cutting coloured papers in primary schools, there are no practical applications in later stages. –

3. Do people like to make a handicraft as a gift?
– As far as I know, people used to be fond of hand-made presents: a woolen scarf, a hand-made birthday card,… → The creation requires a great deal of time, effort, creativity → give the receiver a sense of honor + privilege
– However, materialism of modern society → handicrafts lose its popularity → people attach more significance to luxurious gifts + branded products

4. Why do you think craft activity is so popular?
– Do wonders for cognitive development → boost creativity, patience, determination
– The rising potential of merchandising hand-made products, especially eco-friendly ones (recycled materials) – customers express more concern about green issues
– Traditional craft: cultural values – providing craft items as a way to advertise national image.

5. Compare gifts made by hand and by machine?
– Thanks to high-tech devices → mass-produced goods with more catchy appearance at lower prices in comparison with hand-made ones
– Handicrafts are of great value when they are specially and uniquely designed for the gift receiver → involve more creativity and effort of creators → express higher levels of care and respect