Speaking: talk about what makes your city great?

I lived in Ho Chi Minh City for 6 months. HCMC is a pretty famous for tourist when
they come to VN. There are a lot of things that we should not miss when we come
here. HCMC has many icomic places to visit such as Ben Thanh market, Nguyen
Hue walking street, Grand Theater and so on. These places all have a great
beauty, if you have the opportunity you will go to these places to visit. In HCMC,
you can’t help but think the food, If you are a lover of street food, you are
absolutely set for places to go. On every street corner, you can enjoy the culinary(
có lơ na ry) delights of this country. The food here is very diverse, cheap and
attractive. In HCMC in particular, you have the opportunity to enjoy Pho, Banh mi
or Bun Bo Hue. Furthermore,( fơ ther more) the night markets are true heaven for
us to discover and try those foods, and we better prepare our wallet to eat as
much as we can. Besides, people are what makes HCMC better. People in here is
friendly, humorous, open mind and generous. They always smile and help us. This
is what makes me feel like I have friends and good people around me wherever I
go. Especially, there are many places for entertainment such as festivals, big
events on important occasions or reataurants and beautiful coffee shops to take
pictures, relax on weekend. In conclusion, all these things will make HCMC great
and special.
1. Have you ever experienced cheating wether in an exam or in a relationship?
How did you feel?
I cheated in my exam and I didn't get caught. It was the worst situation . I hated
myself I felt guilty and depressed. Although I passed the exam, I still feel ashamed
and my self esteem became very low . I am embarrassed to face my fellow
classmates and teacher . Actually I am not bad in studies, I cheated that time
because of exam stress and couldn't stop myself that time due to fear of failure .It
happens you know so what I want to tell you is let it go. I make stupid decisions
but this is not the end,there will be time where I get the opportunity to make the
same mistake but you will turn away remembering this feeling of guilt. so let's just
learn to forgive myseft and not repeat again.
2. What would you plan to be in the future? Why?
Learning is what will follow me throughout life. I constantly learn to make myself
more perfect. Nowadays, cultural and economic exchanges between countries are
no longer unfamiliar. Therefore, English is an important language that enables me
to communicate in almost every country in the world. I have developed a plan for
myself to learn English to ensure I will get the best results in the shortest amount
of time. My goal is to get 700 TOEIC by the end of the year. After the last check, I
realized that I still lacked in listening and speaking, so my English study plan
focused heavily on these two parts. Every day I spend at least 1 hours listening
and 1 hours practicing speaking. I use the listening materials of the English
speaking center that I am attending. Also, I practice listening through movies and
music. To practice speaking, I use websites that allow chatting with foreigners and
people who have English speaking needs like me. I find this learning quite
effective. It helps me to respond faster. With my own discipline and
determination, I think I will execute the plan I set out and achieve my goals.
3. What is your country's good tradition that we cannot find anywhere else?
The traditions of Vietnam date back thousands of years and are instilled with a
respect for the land, sea and people.
Firstly, it is Ancestor Worship, Vietnamese ancestors are believed to continue to
live in another realm and a small altar is placed in almost every house in Vietnam,
the rites consist of making offerings of fruits, food, wine, votive paper, lighting
candles and burning incense before praying in front of the altar.
Secondly, it is burning votive paper, when visiting Vietnam, many are our
travellers and friends who wonder “Why Vietnamese people burn colored
papers?” These papers are known as “votive papers”, which can be houses,
clothes, fake money, cars, motorbikes... made of paper. They represent gifts for
their ancestors. This ritual takes place regularly on particular days such as
festivals, new and full moon days, yearly ancestors’ death anniversaries or the
Lunar New Year.
Finally, Lunar New Year reunion (Tet holiday), The Vietnamese New Year takes
place from the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar (around late
January or early February) for at least three days. It is a joyful family reunion full
of smiles and blessings to express the filial piety, the family bonds and the desire
for an coming year full of happiness, prosperity and goodness.
As you can see, Vietnam is not only a country with beautiful beaches, mountains
and delicious food. Throughout Vietnam’s rich and long history, what features
prominently is the entire country’s effort to preserve the national identity and the
fascinating cultural heritage which has been passed down from generation to
generation, obtaining as a result, a sublime fusion between traditional and
contemporary values.
How will you describe the beauty of your country to a foreign friend?
Your recommendations for someone travelling in your country( you can sugget
one or two places the tourist can visit, describe the place, say what you can do
there, tell the tourist any important information about visiting the place)
Vietnam is a pretty famous for tourist. If you have the opportunity you can go to
VN to visit. Along the S-shaped country spread out wonderful natural sceneries
and many of them were in “the most wonderful landscapes in the worlds” list for
times. They are the city of peace - Hanoi, the world natural wonder of Ha Long,
the world’s largest cave of Son Doong, the earth’s most beautiful beach along the
coast. In VN, you can’t help but think the food. Vietnamese food is highly
recommended by the contribution of pho, banh mi , bun cha, which are allwell-
known for its tasty flavor. Moreover, it is Vietnamese street food with the variety
of tasty dishes. Especially, coffee did not have its origin from Vietnam but in this
country its special flavor has been spreading over the world. Vietnamese often
add some condensed milk into coffee. Besides, most of travelers when coming to
Vietnam can feel sense of friendliness and hospitality of local people here. They
are always willing to show you the way, help you to take the bus. People in here is
friendly, humorous, open mind and generous. They always smile and help us. In
conclusion, it is an ideal country to live in thanks to its natural beauty, friendly
people and the interesting tradition.

Write ten sentences for a for-and-against essay on one of these topics: “The
government should tax unhealthy foods.” OR “Using plastic bags is a crime –
people who use them should pay large fines.”

Harmful effects of fast food consumption( why people like eating fast food, its
bad effects on mental and physical heath, some solutions to solve the
problems…)
It is considered as a scientific fact that unhealthy food such as fast-food and
convenience food has become a ubiquitous part of the contemporary society.
Eating healthy food does not only contribute to the rise of obesity, but also
increases the risk of associated diseases such as diabetes, heart condition and
cancer, which costs millions of dollars on medical treatment every year. Hence,
some people advocate that the government should impose a "tax unhealthy
foods." on unhealthy food in order to discourage over consumption, while others
disagree and feel that this may interpreted as discriminatory to some people.
Although unhealthy food may not be independent factor of becoming obese, I
believe that rising prices on unhealthy sustenance is sensible idea in terms of
reducing the rate of obesity and obesity-related diseases as well as lowering the
costs in medical treatment. Unhealthy items should be overpriced for each
individual by adding more taxes on those items. Not only it will reduce the
demand it will also increase the revenue for the local ministry.For instance,
energy drinks, cigarettes, etc., should have a double levy to reduce their sale
which will help to scale up natural nutritional products. It will reduce the intake of
slow-killer foods. In conclusion, there are some compelling arguments in favour of
and against unhealthy food,however, any shortcoming of the tax unhealthy
foods is eclipsed by the fact the unhealthy food has a detrimental effect on
individuals and society, and by taxing it higher may help to avert people away
from overconsumption.

Your favourite place to eat out

Dear my classmate,

As the end of the term is approaching, I thought it would be great to celebrate

and have dinner together. I would like to suggest a restaurant that I recently
visited and enjoyed, called "Buffet Ping Pong " It is located on Nguyen Xi Street,
about 10 kilometers from my house. Buffet Ping Pong is a cozy and inviting
restaurant serving a variety of dishes. The restaurant has a warm and friendly
atmosphere with comfortable seating and soft lighting creating a relaxing
atmosphere. The menu includes many buffet dishes such as beef, seafood,
snanks, vegetables, fruits and so on. I would highly recommend Buffet Ping Pong
for its delicious food, student-friendly prices, and excellent service. The staff are
friendly, patient and quickly made us feel relaxed, and they are happy to help
with any dietary restrictions or preferences.
I hope you will consider Buffet Ping Pong for our final dinner and I look forward
to hearing your thoughts. Buffet Ping Pong is one of the best ones I’ve ever
visited.
Best regards,

My favourite movie

My favourite movie of all times is Ttanic. The Titanic is one of the most famous
film in the world, which is the best love story I have ever watched. I watched this
movie many times but I never got tired watching it. It was released in 1917 and
the director was James Cameron. The real life tragedy in 1912 of the ship Titanic,
which caused many deaths, was retold realistically in the film. The film tell the
love story of Rose and Jack. Jack is a poor young man but he got a ticket for a
luxurious ship, Titanic. Rose is a beautiful and intelligent girl. She was forced to
kiss Hockey- a person of the aristocracy. Rose and Jack in Titanic and they fell
deeply in love eventhough there was a huge gap between them. However, the
ship had an accident on its way on. An iceberg caused the to crash and it was
overflowed with water. Not everyone can escape safely. Jack sacrifices himself to
keep Rose alive. They both tried to save each other. It showed the power of love
could do everything. I think the moive had excellent content which was based on
a real story. The twomain actor had an outstanding performance. Even Jack leave
Rose forever, her heart will keep going on.

How to have a heathier lifestyle ( diet, daily routines, staying in shape, list some
tips/steps that you think people should practice, make recommendations or
suggetions)
Something you can do to get in shape( are there many ways to keep fit? What
would we do? Why? Give some examples)
A healthy life can give us a better health. There are many ways to lead a healthy
life. The first way is that we should take care of the basics. For example, we avoid
fast food or junk food because they are not good for our healthy and we have
better eat vegetables, fruits. We should drink water as much as possible.
Moreover, we have to do exercise , run or go for a walk every day because they
will help us stronger. If we are too busy, we can take only 15 minutes to do these
things. We should cook at home and not eat out so that we can ensure about our
food. We have to stop smoking, should not drink beer or wine because they are
very harmful. We have to check out health at least twice a year. Seeing the doctor
regularly is really necessary. Especially, do not go to bed late or watch TV over
night. To sum up, people have many appropriate ways to have a healthy life.

Writing: city or countryside ? Which place do you prefer to live ? Why ?

I grew up in a small countryside and then move to big city to study, so I have
experienced the good and bad side of both. I never thought that I would like to
live in a big city, but I was wrong. Living in a city has more advantages than living
in countryside. To begin with, the city is the symbol of human civilization and
there are many facilities for living, recreation, better education systems and heath
care. For example, we can find a plenty of malls around our neighborhood, where
we can buy everday necessities at a low price. Furthermore, people concern more
about their heath and safety than other things in their lives. In big city, medical
facilities and emergency services are easily accessible than in countryside. Big city
also has convienent transportation and utility symtems, they offer faster Internet
connectons. These all make our life easier in big city. In addition, we can take part
in a variety of events. Human being likes to live together and need to interact
with each other. In the city, there are always plenty of social activities, sports
events and concerts, more recreational places such as opera houses, movie
theatres, clubs, music, and swimming pools. You’ll have many kinds of
entertainment and meet many people. I like a big city about the diversity of the
people, many people from many provinces come to city to live and work. This
allows me to interact with more people, make me more confident. Especially,
living in the city will has more job opportunities and higher salary jobs. Besides
the advantages, living in the city also has disadvantages such as pollution, fact
food affecting heath. In conclusion, with my personality, age, dynamism and
creativity, I think that I would rather be a bit more cautions and live in a big city
than to feel secure and live in the countryside.

A Surprise trip
It was a trip that my mom surprised my sister and me, it’s something I have never
experienced before. It’s was about 10:30 Sunday morning when I woke up, still
feeling bad from the night before. My mother decided at the last minute to
surprise my sister and me with a day at the beach. We left the house with only
the clothes and wallet without any preparation. It was only after we arrived that
we decided to stay the night, so we stayed at a hotel in Vung Tau. In here, we
experienced new cultures, foods, traditions and so on. The first time we rided a
bike to saw the scenery and beach, we met friendly people here. I was surprised
with the weather here, it was cooler and sunnier than Ho Chi Minh City made me
unfamiliar. It was a fun experience that we experienced. The first time traveling
without a plan, traveling there are 3 people, surprised about people, culture here.
Maybe this is a memory I can’t forget.
Have you ever found something that some else had lost( describe a time you
found something that someone lost, where did you find, what did you do)
Last week, my mom lost his wallet. She was sure she had dropped it somewhere
in the house, so she went everywhere looking for it but found nothing. I know my
mom is a bit forgetful, so it could have been anywhere, in her room, outside the
house, or in one of the restaurants that she frequents. The wallet contained
important papers and bank cards. I thought I’d lend her a hand, looking first inside
our house, then went out asking around to see if anyone has picked it up.
Unfortunately, after hours of searching the wallet was still nowhere to be seen.
I’d gone home and almost given up hope when I noticed something in dark brown
lying under a chest of drawers in our living room. It was none other than my
mom’s wallet! She must’ve accidentally dropped it there.
Describe a good law in your country (what the law is, how you came to know
about this law, whom it affects, why it is good)
Today I’m going to talk about a law that I find very effective in my country. It is a
law that bans people from throwing garbage in public places.
A few days ago, I watched TV that this law had been enacted after the
Environmental Protection Conference last month. It says that no one is allowed to
litter in public sites, especially tourist attractions. If anyone is caught throwing
rubbish in such places, he or she must pay a fine of about 1 million to 5 million
Vietnamese Dong, which is a huge amount of money. After this law came into
force. The strict punishment and strong criticism from the media as well have
discouraged citizens from throwing rubbish anywhere they want. Also, the views
and natural landscapes of some famous tourist attractions in Vietnam have been
protected. There are also fewer complaints from tourists about so much litter
such as used cans and bottles appearing on the beach. And the most important
thing is that the citizens’ awareness of protecting the environment has greatly
improved.
Your favourite food or drink( what the food or drink is, how it is made, and
explain why it is your favourite food,…)
I'll tell you about one my most favorite foods, which is fried chicken. I like it best
when it is served with potatoes .As you know, making fried chicken isn’t very
complicated. You only need common ingredients like flour, garlic salt, pepper, and
poultry spice. Then, you mix all of them with a few pieces of chicken. Afterwards,
you fried those pieces to about 300 degrees. I frequently have fried chicken with
some Coca-Cola for dinner. I know it isn’t the healthiest meal but it has brought
me so much comfort. The first reason I can think of is there is something about
the crispiness of the chicken paired with the refreshing taste of Coca, making it a
fantastic combination. Another reason is this meal takes me back to my childhood
when all I had to do was stay on a couch and watch TV all day long.
Some things you can do to prevent crime ( robbery, burgalary or theft) in big
cities (is it important to know about how to keep us safe from crime in big
cities? What can you do to prevent crime? Why? Give some example)
There are a few ways to reduce these crimes:
Don’t use your phone on the street. If you use your phone a lot, you will Leave
your iPhone in your bag. Don’t carry a wallet in your back pocket. If it is seen then
it can be taken. Don’t show people where you keep your money. Don’t carry a big
handbag. Ladies who carry a large shoulder-type handbag are highly vulnerable to
robberies. Leave all your stuff at home and only carry essential things in a small
purse. When walking always carry your belongings in the outside hand or outside
pocket. By keeping your belongings away from the street you reduce the risk of a
drive-by attack. Don’t use your smartphone. You must remain vigilant of who is
around you and who is looking at you. A thief will not attack you immediately.
They will plan the attack. This means they will follow you for 3 to 15 minutes
before attacking. If you are observant you are able to make changes to your
movements and even take evasive action before a crime is committed. Overall I
feel rather safe in Ho Chi Minh City but the police and community need to
continue to be active to reduce the opportunity for robberies and punish those
who commit them, especially on tourists.
Some popular types of entertainment in 21 century (what are they, who often
do them, where could people do them, why do people do them).
We all need a way to relax and have fun, and there are many different types of
entertainment available to us. From watching TV and movies to playing sports or
listening to music, there is no shortage of entertainment options in the world
today. Watching TV has continued to be one of the most popular types of
entertainment. It’s a great way to relax after a long day. TV offers a wide variety
of programming options, including comedies, dramas, reality shows, news shows,
soap operas, talk shows. Going to the movies is the perfect way to spend a few
hours in a group or even alone. It is a time to enjoy a classic or a new release with
someone who will love it just as much as you do or just by yourself. The movies
are an opportunity to enjoy time with your family, and they are a great form of
entertainment. Soccer, basketball, and baseball are just a few of the sports that
are super entertaining if you enjoy playing sports. Some people enjoy playing
informal games with friends and family members, while others play more formal
competitive sports for fun. Playing sports can be a great way to stay active and
healthy. It can also be a fun way to socialize with others and spend time with
friends and family. Many people have turned to the internet as a form of
entertainment. With so many fun things to do online, it is a great way to keep
yourself occupied without spending money. Of the many things you can do
online, you can play a game, watch videos, or browse popular sites like Instagram,
Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. Traveling can be an incredibly fun and
rewarding way to spend your time. People go to different places for fun and
relaxation. Whether you’re exploring a new city or country, there’s always
something new to see and do. There are many types of travel, but they offer a
unique form of entertainment. Some people enjoy sightseeing and visiting tourist
destinations. Others love adventure sports or simply relaxing on a beach. No
matter your preferences, travel can always provide an enjoyable experience and
is a perfect way to get a little bit of adventure in your life. Whether you’re looking
for something to do on a weekend or you’re looking for an escape from your
everyday life, there’s a type of entertainment that will fit your needs. With so
many different options available, there’s something for everyone.
Effects of natural disasters and ways to prevent them ( what types of natural
disasters are there? What are the effects of each type of natural disasters? What
should human do to prevent them?
Natural disasters can cause great damage on the environment, property, wildlife
and human health. These events may include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes,
tornadoes, tsunamis, landslides, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and extreme
temperatures. Natural disasters generally constitute an emergency since they
require immediate intervention due to their high impact on human health and
safety; they affect the normal functioning of working infrastructure, interrupting
normal day activities and representing a risk for residents and workers in affected
areas. Therefore, it is imperative to implement appropriate measures to assure
the health and safety of emergency responders, including the implementation of
a disaster management plan that prepares responders before an emergency,
informs them about how to act during an emergency and provides guidance on
how to perform the necessary activities after a particular event. Some solutions
include: Avoiding excess use of pesticides and fertilizer. Picking up litter so it isn’t
ingested by animals or infecting waterways.
Cooking
Alright now some people may think cooking is a daily chore to make meals, but
for me, cooking is the best hobby, because it can be very useful in my life. If my
memory serves me right, I took up learning how to cook when I was in secondary
school. At that time, my mother were so busy with her work so I helped her with
the cooking to reduce her burden. So I would say that I’ve been cooking for about
10 years now. After graduation, I had to live far away from my house and did
everything on my own. So I came to realize that culinary skills play an important
role in my life. This is because it makes us more independent. I can choose fresh
ingredients of my choice, such as adding more fruits and vegetables, and adjust
spices to meet my tastes. Cooking the perfect meal is going to bring a smile to my
face. I believe cooking a homemade meal for my loved ones can provide us with a
great feeling of accomplishment. Another benefit of this survival skill is that it can
help connect bonds and build rapport between family members. I believe that the
image of a family gathering around on Tet holiday to enjoy Vietnamese traditional
food is the most valuable and precious thing that nothing can compare with. In
conclusion, cooking is an important part of my life, and it's both relaxing and
challenging. It allows me to explore my creativity, learn new skills, and try out
diverse cuisines. Cooking is a rewarding hobby that anyone can enjoy because it's
an excellent way to improve your mental well-being and bring people together.
1: What are your hobbies
Honestly, i'm keen on cooking, maybe you do not believe but I can stand in the
kitchen all of the day. When I cooked, I feel really comfortable, especially it hepls
me increase my creative I also become deft. But that, I don’t mind about eating
out, I can go out and eat something with my friends from time to time but I feel it
is not happy.
2: What is your favorite musical instrument? Why?
Well, actually I not care about instrument, but im keen on Piano because I have so
many friends who know to play it so they usually play it and they want I give a
comment. When the sound of the piano , i can imagine the lyrics of the song, the
character’s life, every thing became so romantic.
3:Do you prefer action films or comedies ? why?
If you want me choose between action films or comedies, my answer is I
watching action movies. To be honest, im a fan of horror films, especially the films
which talks about the death, the ghost,…around my country. You know, I watched
horror films so many time that’s why i even can watch them at midnight and I
went to bed then so easily. Because of their sensational, the scene really
actractive and it show the professional of the producer, the main characters.
4: Do you think it is important to read novels or poetry? Why?
Actually, Im a big fan of reading poetry, especially romantic poetry. I think it take
a important part in our life. Because we will learn lots of things from them as:
control your feeling, improve communication skills, that is important in our life. In
the other hand, I feel like I can better in studying because when I read novels or
poetry, i learn so many new words, idioms,…and they actually helpful.
A happy childhood memory
One of my happiest childhood memories was when I went on a family vacation to
the beach. I was 10 years old at that time, ad I was thw first time that I has ever
seen the ocean. My mother, younger sister and I stayed in a small beach house for
two day. During the vacation, we spent most of our days on the beach. We played
in the sand,swimming and surfing. I remember feeling so amazed on the beach.
We went to eat at a seafood restaurant near the beach and got ice cream. We
had so much fun together and did things that we had never done before. It was
the first time that we had taken a family vacation, so it was a happiest childhood
memories.
1. What is your most vivid childhood memory ?
I remember going out walking with my friends one day. We often used to
go walking in the countryside near my home, and this time we walked really
far over the fields. It started to rain really heavily, so we hid under a big
tree, but then there was a thunderstorm, and you really shouldn’t stay
under a tree when there’s lightning. It was really scary.
2. Are you still in touch with your childhood friends ?
Yes, I do still keep in touch with some of my friends from childhood. In fact,
I think it’s important to maintain those relationships because childhood
friends have a special place in our hearts and can provide a sense
of comfort and familiarity that is hard to find elsewhere.
3. What was your favorite toy when you were a child ?
When I was 5 years old, my mom bought me a mini – kitchen when we
went back home from my school. It was everything to me att that time and
I even showed it to my friends. So I often invited my friends to play made-
up games together.
4. Is it important for children to have fun ? Why ?
 Yes, it's important for children to have fun. Fun is an essential component
of a child's development. Social Development: Play and fun activities
provide opportunities for children to interact with their peers, develop
social skills, and learn important lessons about cooperation,
communication, and conflict resolution. Emotional Development: Fun
activities can help children express themselves.
5. Are you the only child in your family?
No, I’m not. I have as younger sister. She is 16 years old and is a student at
high school in her countryside.
6. Have you been a latchkey child in your childhood?
No, I have not been latchkey child in my childhood. When I was a child, I
came home from school, my mother was often at home, cooking for the
family, watching TV with me and teaching me homework.
7. Do you think you has a happy childhood?
Yes, I do. I enjoy playing hide and sick with my friends and I was with my
beloved family.