Từ Vựng Chất Và ý Tưởng Hay Theo Chủ Đề Cho Bài Thi IELTS Speaking
Từ Vựng Chất Và ý Tưởng Hay Theo Chủ Đề Cho Bài Thi IELTS Speaking
LỜI MỞ ĐẦU 6
HOMETOWN 9
1. Location 9
2. People 10
3. Landscape 12
4. Transportation 13
5. Tourist Attraction 16
6. Changes in recent years 17
WORK/ JOBS 20
1. What you do 20
2. What you like & dislike 22
3. Reasons for choosing the job 24
4. Other favourite jobs 25
5. Activities after work 27
STUDY 29
1. School & Major 29
2. What you like & dislike 31
3. Reasons for choosing the school/ major 33
4. Extracurricular activities 35
5. Opinions of the Vietnamese education system 37
HOUSE/ ACCOMMODATION 51
1. Where you live 51
2. Who you live with 53
3. What you like & dislike 54
4. Your ideal house 56
5. Current trend in choosing where to live 58
HISTORY 61
1. Interest in history 61
2. Learning history 62
3. Going to museums 64
4. Benefits of learning history 66
5. Local and international history 67
NEIGHBOURS 70
1. Where you live 70
2. What you like 71
3. What you dislike/ recommendations for improvement 73
4. Recent changes 75
5. Relationships with your neighbours 76
SPORTS 89
1. Favourite sports 89
2. Playing sports 90
3. Watching sports 92
4. Changes in doing physical activities 93
5. Extreme sports 95
PARKS 97
1. The park where you live 97
2. Going to parks 98
3. Benefits of parks 100
4. How to encourage people to go to parks 102
5. Parks of the future 103
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LANGUAGES 122
1. Languages you can speak 122
2. Reasons for learning foreign languages 123
3. Methods of learning foreign languages 125
4. Using dictionaries 126
5. Criteria for a good dictionary 128
6. A common language of the whole world 129
MUSIC 132
1. Favourite genre 132
2. Favourite song 133
3. Favourite singer 135
4. Habit of listening to music 136
5. Changes in musical taste over time 138
6. Paying for music 140
FILMS 142
1. Favourite Genres & Films 142
2. Who to watch films with 144
3. Where to watch films 145
4. Purposes for watching films 146
5. Technologies’ effects on films 148
SHOPPING 169
1. Frequency 169
2. Companion 170
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3. Benefits 172
4. Advantages and disadvantages of online shopping 174
TOYS 176
1. Favourite toys 176
2. Keeping childhood toys 177
3. Advantages of playing with toys 179
4. Disadvantages of playing with toys 181
MARRIAGE 195
1. Ideal age to get married 195
2. Arranged marriage 197
3. Couples living with parents or own their own 200
4. Responsibilities of husband and wife 203
TECHNOLOGY 213
1. Frequency of using the Internet 213
2. Technological device 214
3. Positive and negative impacts of technology 217
4. Advantages of robots in the workplace 220
5. Disadvantages of robots in the workplace 221
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2. Frequency of eating desserts 234
3. Places to buy a dessert 237
4. Negative impacts of eating too much sweet food 238
ADVERTISING 259
1. Places to see advertisements 259
2. Feelings about advertisements 262
3. Positive and negative impacts of advertisements 264
4. Ways to advertise a product 269
ENVIRONMENT 272
1. Environmental problems in your country 272
2. Actions to be taken to protect the environment 275
3. Bad habits harming the environment 278
4. Responsibilities of governments and businesses for environment protection 280
HEALTH 285
1. Frequency of a medical check-up 285
2. An activity good for health 286
3. Benefits of playing a sport 289
4. Ways to promote a healthy lifestyle 291
5. Impacts of technology on people’s health 293
TRANSPORTATION 298
1. Means of transport 298
2. Frequency of using public transport 300
3. Public transport vs private transport 301
4. Ways to improve the transportation system 304
BIRTHDAYS 307
1. Birthday gifts 307
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2. Frequency of celebrating your birthday 309
3. A birthday party you took part in 311
4. Why to need to hold a birthday party 313
5. Holding a party is a waste 315
READING 328
1. Favourite types of books 328
2. How to read books 329
3. Where to read books 331
4. Benefits of reading 332
5. Changes in reading habits in the future 334
COLORS 345
1. Favourite colours 345
2. Colours that you dislike 347
3. Popular/ special colours in your country 348
4. Colours and personality 350
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LỜI MỞ ĐẦU
Để phục vụ cho việc luyện thi kỹ năng Nói trong kỳ thi IELTS của các học viên tại
IELTS Thanh Loan và các sĩ tử khác, đội ngũ IELTS Thanh Loan đã cho ra đời cuốn
sách “Từ vựng chất và ý tưởng hay theo chủ đề cho bài thi IELTS Speaking”. Đúng như
tên gọi của nó, cuốn sách là tổng hợp các ý tưởng kèm theo các từ vựng thuộc 36 chủ
đề có độ phủ sóng cao nhất trong các đề thi IELTS của những năm gần đây.
Cuốn sách này đưa ra nhiều cách tiếp cận khác nhau cho cùng một vấn đề để từ đó bạn
đọc có thể linh hoạt hơn trong các câu trả lời của mình. Ví dụ, với một câu hỏi về tần
suất của một hoạt động, cuốn sách đưa ra đa dạng các sự lựa chọn như là “thường
xuyên”, “thỉnh thoảng”, “hiếm khi” và “không bao giờ” với các lối diễn đạt tự nhiên.
Từ đó người đọc có thể tự do lựa chọn cách tiếp cận phù hợp với bản thân mình và áp
dụng trong bài thi của mình. Điểm hay của cuốn sách này là: Dựa trên những gợi ý từ
cuốn sách, bạn học cách truyền tải ý tưởng của riêng mình với những từ vựng hay, chứ
không phải ‘học thuộc lòng’ ý tưởng của người khác.
Để có thể tận dụng tối ưu cuốn sách này, các bạn hãy làm theo các bước như sau:
- Bước 1: Đi theo từng chủ đề, đọc bài mẫu, chọn lọc ý tưởng phù hợp với bản
thân và áp dụng những từ vựng “ăn điểm” trong bài mẫu để tạo ra một câu trả
lời của riêng mình.
- Bước 2: Chuyển xuống phần câu hỏi thực hành, dựa trên những gợi ý ở trên, bạn
xây dựng câu trả lời riêng cho mình
- Bước 3: Thực hành (cá nhân hoặc theo nhóm)
Giám khảo có thể phát hiện thí sinh học thuộc bài mẫu và trừ điểm rất nặng; vì vậy,
Thanh Loan không khuyến khích các bạn luyện tập theo cách đó. Hãy cứ bám sát vào ý
tưởng và từ vựng để có được câu trả lời tự nhiên nhất. Cuốn sách này chắc chắn sẽ là
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bộ tài liệu hữu ích cho các bạn sĩ tử chuẩn bị thi IELTS, giúp các bạn rút ngắn thời gian
ôn thi kỹ năng Nói của mình.
Cám ơn tất cả các bạn đã mua sách và ủng hộ IELTS Thanh Loan. Chúc các bạn sớm
chinh phục được IELTS với số điểm mong muốn.
Mọi ý kiến đóng góp để hoàn thiện hơn cuốn sách, các bạn có thể gửi về email
[email protected].
Thanh Loan
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HOMETOWN
1. Location
I’m from a small village on the outskirts of Hanoi. It’s quite far from the university I
go to. That’s why I rent a mini flat in the city centre to facilitate my study.
My hometown is located in the suburbs of Saigon. Actually, it’s just a small town with
around 500 residents.
I was born and bred in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, so I would say it’s my hometown
although my grandparents are actually from Nam Định province. They joined the mass
rural exodus last century to the capital and have settled here since then.
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- born and bred (idiom): sinh ra và lớn lên
ENG: born and having grown up in a particular place with a particular
background and education
- rural exodus (noun phrase): di cư từ vùng nông thôn lên thành thị
ENG: the migratory pattern of peoples from rural areas into urban areas
2. People
The residents in my hometown are generally amiable and outgoing. We live so close
together and are willing to lend each other a helping hand when needed. When I get
back to my hometown, I really feel a sense of community.
Actually I don’t know jack about the people in my hometown in general. The hustle
and bustle of the city makes it hard for us to socialize with one another. I don’t even
communicate with my neighbours. We act like we’re strangers.
The people in my hometown are really supportive. Even though we are constantly up
to our ears in work and study, we are willing to give each other a hand when needed.
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Giải thích từ vựng:
- feel a sense of community (verb phrase): cảm thấy thuộc về một cộng đồng
ENG: to feel that you belong to a community
- the hustle and bustle of the city (noun phrase): sự xô bồ, hối hả ở thành phố
ENG: busy and noisy activities
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are the people in your hometown like?
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3. Landscape
Well, there is nothing special about the landscapes in my hometown. It’s just a typical
village in the countryside with vast paddy fields, long winding rivers and majestic
mountains.
I’m living in the centre of Hanoi where there are tons of town-house complexes and
high-rises. These housing units are built to accommodate a tidal wave of people
gravitating towards the city in search of work.
Well, my hometown, Danang, is a coastal city. Coming there, you can feel a burst of
energy between its fast modernization and the charm of the old towns. Mỹ Khê beach
has a long stretch of white sand and the water is crystal clear.
- vast paddy fields (noun phrase): đồng lúa mênh mông bát ngát
ENG: extremely large paddy fields
- long winding rivers (noun phrase): những con sông dài uốn lượn
ENG: long, curving and twisting rivers
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- high-rise (noun): tòa nhà cao tầng
ENG: a building that is very tall and has a lot of floors
- a tidal wave of somebody/ something (noun phrase): số lượng lớn đột ngột
ENG: a sudden large amount/ number of somebody/ something
4. Transportation
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I find that more and more people in my city can afford to buy a car. Now, we can easily
notice the ubiquity of cars in every nook and cranny of the city. It proves that city
dwellers are getting richer and richer.
Well, my hometown is located in remote areas so getting there from here is really
problematic. There are no direct flight routes so motorcycles are the only means that
can take us there. The roads are seriously degraded, which has caused a lot of accidents.
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- in every nook and cranny of something (idiom): ở mọi ngóc ngách
ENG: in every part or aspect of something.
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5. Tourist Attraction
Definitely yes, not only a busy and vibrant city, Hanoi has a lot of tourist attractions
that are really worth coming to. The city has its own uniqueness and is synonymous
with many museums and other historical sites.
I would consider the whole city as a tourist attraction. Coming to Danang, tourists can
experience vibrant coastal city life as well as the relaxing countryside at the same time.
They can enjoy both local foods at food stalls overrunning the streets and international
foods in gourmet restaurants.
Well, my village is just ordinary as compared to others. There are no tourist attractions
or whatever. I actually don’t like the idea of my hometown being overrun by a tidal
wave of tourists. They would definitely ruin tranquility there.
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- overrun something (verb): tràn ngập, chạy ầm ầm
ENG: (especially of something bad or not wanted) to fill or spread over an area
quickly, especially in large numbers
Well, in the past, my hometown just had long winding alleys and narrow streets. But
it’s the gateway to the capital. Traffic congestion used to be really problematic.
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That’s why many new large roads have been constructed in recent years to tackle the
problem.
- gravitate towards somebody/ something (phrasal verb): thiên về, hướng về, đổ
về
ENG: to move towards somebody/ something that you are attracted to
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- problematic (adj): nan giải, khó giải quyết
ENG: difficult to deal with or to understand; full of problems; not certain to be
successful
- with the advent of something (prepositional phrase): với sự ra đời, xuất hiện
của …
ENG: with the coming of an important event, person, invention, etc.
Câu hỏi luyện tập: How has your hometown changed in recent years?
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WORK/ JOBS
1. What you do
I’m currently working as a content writer at a small private English centre, which is a
prevalent job in Vietnam. My main job is to compile academic materials for the
English learners at the centre.
I’m freelancing for different design firms in Hanoi. In other words, I’m a freelance
designer. I work with my clients to create illustrations and images for them. By using
computer applications and software, I can develop layouts and sketches that bring their
ideas to life.
I’ve been doing translation work since I graduated from college 3 years back. I can work
for translation agencies, multinational companies or even occasional private
individuals. So I would call myself a freelance/ freelancer.
I’m a financial analyst working for LTP Group, a multinational corporation based
in Ho Chi Minh city. My job is to examine financial data and use my findings to help
the firm make business decisions in general and investing decisions in particular.
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- compile something (verb): biên soạn
ENG: to produce a book, list, report, etc. by bringing together different items,
articles, songs, etc.; to collect information in order to produce a book, list, etc.
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2. What you like & dislike
Well, for the most part, I would say the most enjoyable about my job is the
environment. My boss is really understanding. He always encourages us to work
harder and play harder and is willing to forgive us when we do something wrong. As
for my colleagues, it is comforting to know that they support me, cheer for me, and
we can work together as a solid team.
I instantly fell in love with the company right on the first day I went there. The office
is on the 26th floor and it enjoys a panoramic view of the city from a great height. I
think it’s one of the major perks of working there.
Well, the most important perk of freelancing is flexibility. With such freedom over
clients and workload, I have the flexibility that most people dream of. For instance, if I
want to work full-time most of the year and only part-time during the summer, I have
the control to make that decision.
There are not many things I actively dislike about my job. But to answer this question,
I would say it’s the workload. There are always a lot of assignments and we are
constantly under pressure. But to finish all of them is not really challenging. I mean
although my job is quite straightforward to do, it takes time and energy.
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- understanding (adj): thấu hiểu
ENG: showing sympathy for other people’s problems and being willing to
forgive them when they do something wrong
- instantly fall in love with somebody/ something (verb phrase): yêu ngay lập tức
ENG: to love somebody/ something immediately
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- challenging (adj): khó, đầy thử thách
ENG: difficult in an interesting way that tests your ability
Although it’s not a really well-paid job, it gives me the satisfaction of making a
contribution to society. I have a liking for education and this work is one kind of
education and training careers. The progress of the students is my motivation for trying
harder.
I would say wages are among the most important considerations when I choose a job
and this job really lives up to my expectations. It’s an easy well-paid job. In addition,
there are many bonuses when we finish a project.
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- have a liking for somebody/ something (verb phrase): thích, quan tâm
ENG: to have the feeling that you like somebody/something; the pleasure in
something
- never in one’s wildest dreams + đảo ngữ (idiom): có mơ cũng không nghĩ đến
ENG: used to say that you did not expect or imagine that something would
happen
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Why did you choose the job?
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Well, as a little boy, I always dreamt of becoming a police officer. So, if I didn’t study
the English language, I definitely would apply for admission to The People’s Police
Academy. I sometimes feel that it’s my duty to serve society and the job can give me
the satisfaction of making a contribution to society.
My childhood dream job was to become a professional football player. But the job
entails not only great perseverance, but great talents as well. I don’t have a knack for
playing football. That’s why I can’t work as a footballer, but consider football as a
means of entertainment.
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- have a knack for something (verb phrase): có khiếu
ENG: to have a special skill or ability that you have naturally or can learn
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?
I like the idea of having a shower and then cooking myself a meal after work. Then, I
usually crash out on the sofa in front of the TV. I also read or listen to music but mostly
the TV gets the most attention. Later on, before turning in, I check my email and social
media, but I like a few computer-free hours immediately after work.
I’m a photo freak. After work, I often wander and take snapshots of vivid life on the
streets. Then, when I get home, I post the photos on social networking sites to share
with my friends. I’m the admin of a photography Facebook fanpage which is followed
by tens of thousands of Facebook users.
Well, for the most part, I would hang out with my friends. We often enjoy some drinks
at a coffee shop and have idle chit-chat about what’s going on in our lives. Otherwise,
I would just go home and spend quality time with my family.
- crash (out) (verb): ngủ (ở nơi mình không thường ngủ, ví dụ như sofa)
ENG: (informal) to go to sleep, especially suddenly or in a place where you do
not usually sleep
- computer-free hour (noun phrase): thời gian không dùng máy tính
ENG: a hour when you don’t use computers
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- freak (noun): người cuồng …
ENG: (informal) a person with a very strong interest in a particular subject
- have idle chit-chat about something (verb phrase): chém gió linh tinh
ENG: to have a conversation about things that are not important
- quality time (noun phrase): thời gian rảnh bên gia đình, bạn bè
ENG: time spent giving your full attention to somebody, especially to your
children or partner after work
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STUDY
1. School & Major
I’m majoring in the English language at Hanoi University, one of the top schools in
the nation. Admission was really competitive, so I feel so proud to be a student there.
As you can guess, I have to deal a lot with something like phonetics and phonology,
lexicology or grammar. They are sometimes overwhelming to me but I would say I
have a knack for linguistics, so it’s OK.
I’m an IT major at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, one of the most
prestigious universities in Vietnam. To me, gaining admission to the school was like
achieving an amazing feat as admission was really competitive. In fact, my family
threw a big party to celebrate this achievement.
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- have a knack for something (verb phrase): có khiếu
ENG: to have a special skill or ability that you have naturally or can learn
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2. What you like & dislike
Well, for the most part, I would say the most enjoyable about my school is the
environment. We study in English-speaking classes, which really facilitates our process
of learning English. Besides, the facilities are top-notch. All of the classrooms are well
equipped with overhead projectors and air conditioners. My teachers and friends are
amiable as well. All in all, it’s a great place to study.
I instantly fell in love with the school right on the first day I went there. It’s like a
botanical garden with tons of trees and flowers which create a fresh and relaxing
atmosphere. At first glance, I could recognize it’s a college. On top of that, I have a
liking for the library. It really helps me with my self-learning before exams.
There are not many things I actively dislike about my school. But to answer this
question, I would say it’s the workload. There are always a lot of assignments and we
are constantly under pressure. But exams are quite predictable. We generally can ace
them with a bit of revision.
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- amiable (adj): thân thiện, dễ mến
ENG: pleasant; friendly and easy to like
- instantly fall in love with somebody/ something (verb phrase): ngay lập tức yêu
ENG: to love somebody/ something immediately
- have a liking for somebody/ something (verb phrase): thích ai/ cái gì
ENG: to like somebody/ something
- ace an exam (verb phrase): xử lý gọn bài thi, thi rất tốt
ENG: to be successful in an exam
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Câu hỏi luyện tập:
Well, with the advent of globalization, there was a tidal wave of international
companies coming to Vietnam and I thought that English would be the requisite tool
for me to land a job in such companies. That’s why I decided to go for the English
language major at Hanoi University.
The job market in computing and information technology has been growing. As
technology progresses, the need for information technology professionals will only be
on the increase. That’s why I believe majoring in information technology will expose
me to a lot of opportunities and jobs.
Well, it’s undeniable that tourism has been witnessing huge global growth over the
past decades and it is forecast to grow far into the future. It is definitely an industry of
the future. It means that increasing numbers of skilled workers are needed all over the
world. That’s why I enrolled in the course.
- with the advent of something (prepositional phrase): với sự xuất hiện, ra đời
của ...
ENG: with the coming of an important event, person, invention, etc.
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- requisite (adj): cần thiết, là điều kiện cần
ENG: [only before noun] (formal) necessary for a particular purpose
- expose somebody to something (verb): mang lại, giúp ai trải nghiệm thứ gì
ENG: to let somebody find out about something by giving them experience of
it or showing them what it is like
- enroll in + tên khóa học (phrasal verb): đăng ký học, theo học
ENG: to arrange for yourself or for somebody else to officially join a course,
school, etc.
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Why did you choose your major?
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4. Extracurricular activities
I’m a die-hard fan of football and the only club I join at school is the football club of
the department. Being part of the team, I make the acquaintance of many other
students, especially my seniors by one or two years in the same department. I often
turn to them for advice when I am faced with a problem in my study.
I consider myself really extroverted. I’m part of many clubs at college. Most of them
aim at helping enhance academic skills as well as social skills. I particularly take a
keen interest in the club ‘Future Debaters’ because experiences at the club really help
me perform better in the debate class.
- indulge yourself (with something): thả mình, đắm chìm, chiều chuộng bản thân
ENG: to allow yourself to have or do something that you like, especially
something that is considered bad for you
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- die-hard fan (noun phrase): fan cứng
ENG: somebody who is completely 100% obsessed with their favorite game,
band, movie, etc
- turn to somebody for advice (verb phrase): tìm đến ai xin lời khuyên
ENG: to meet somebody to ask for advice
- aim at doing something (verb): mục đích là, hướng đến việc
ENG: to try or plan to achieve something
- take a keen interest in something (verb phrase): đặc biệt quan tâm, đặc biệt
thích
ENG: to get the feeling that you want to know or learn more about something
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What do you often do after school?/ Do you participate in any clubs
at college?
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5. Opinions of the Vietnamese education system
Honestly, I think that the education system in our nation still focuses on impractical
exam-oriented curriculums, which put a lot of pressure on students. The reason is
that it is the parents that care way too much about grades. In fact, many high schoolers
considered as good at English can’t say a single word in English. I think it needs
changing.
In my opinion, there’s a lot of problems with the education system, when it comes to
teaching method and approach. There’s still a fear of teachers, in general, especially in
public schools. It makes students scared of asking questions, thereby reducing the
chances of them learning. Being wrong or asking a stupid question is often looked down
on.
Well, education in Vietnam has widely been criticized as impractical or ineffective and
I agree with this viewpoint. But recently I’ve seen some signs of betterment as the
government is making every effort to make school free of charge. Standards for
teachers have also been raised. I believe the Vietnamese education system will have a
completely new face in the not-too-distant future.
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- look down on somebody (phrasal verb): coi thường
ENG: to think that you are better than somebody
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you think that education in Vietnam is effective and practical?
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FAMILY AND FRIENDS
1. Your family
My immediate family is not very big but I have a close-knit large extended family
including many uncles, aunts, and cousins. We keep in touch with one another, so
celebrations are always crowded and noisy.
Well, we are a nuclear family consisting of my parents and me. Yes, I’m the only child
in my family. So, I’m so close to my parents and can have free and frank discussions
about my problems with them which helps for the better development of my personality.
We’ve been living in an extended family with different generations under the same
roof. We really get on well with each other and generational conflicts rarely occur.
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- only child (noun phrase): con một
ENG: a child who has no sisters or brothers
- under the same roof (prepositional phrase): dưới cùng một mái nhà
ENG: in the same building
2. Family members
My parents are really caring and willing to give others a hand when needed. They
always want their children, which are my siblings and me, to be able to develop a sense
of sympathy for underprivileged people. They believe in karma.
Well, my parents are patient, understanding and especially have a good sense of
humour. They always create a happy atmosphere in my house which is full of laughter
by cracking jokes. I think I’ve somewhat inherited this quality from them.
My parents have always been strict people. They attach great importance to
standards of morality and want my siblings and me to become decent citizens when
we grow up.
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I’ve got an elder brother who is my senior by just two years; that’s why the generation
gap between us is insignificant. However, we don’t really get along with each other.
We are often not on the same wavelength.
I’ve got an older sister who is 10 years older than me. She’s like my second mother.
Actually as my parents were always occupied with their work, it was my sister who
took care of me when I was a little kid.
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- inherit something from somebody (verb): thừa hưởng
ENG: to have qualities, physical features, etc. that are similar to those of your
parents, grandparents, etc.
- decent (adj): tử tế
ENG: of a good enough standard or quality
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Câu hỏi luyện tập:
I’ve been living in the city centre which is far from my family. On weekends, when I
get back home, I make sure to spend most of the time with my parents. We just update
ourselves on what’s going on in our lives.
To me, simply being with my family is rewarding. We don’t do anything special. When
I get back from the city, we just cook together, enjoy the reunion meal, and have idle
chit-chat about what’s going on in our lives. That’s it and it’s enough.
My father takes a keen interest in action films and so do I. So when we have some
spare time, we turn on a film of this genre and watch it together. Then we could discuss
the details of the film together.
On weekends, when I have some me time, I spend most of it with my mother. Recently
she has taught me how to cook a simple meal and it really helps as I’ve been living
independently in a mini flat in the city to facilitate my study.
Well, my siblings, my cousins and I really get on well with each other. Actually, we are
kind of the same age and in the same group. We gather around with one another every
weekend and throw parties really often.
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- rewarding (adj): đáng quý, mang lại cảm giác thỏa mãn
ENG: worth doing; that makes you happy because you think it is useful or
important
- have idle chit-chat about something (verb phrase): chém gió linh tinh
ENG: to have a conversation about things that are not important
- take a keen interest in something (verb phrase): thích, quan tâm
ENG: to be interested in something
- spare time ~ me time (noun phrase): thời gian rảnh rỗi
ENG: free time
- live independently (verb phrase): sống tự lập
ENG: to live without relying on somebody else for money or support
- facilitate something (verb): tạo điều kiện thuận lợi
ENG: to make an action or a process possible or easier
- get on well (phrasal verb): hòa thuận
ENG: to have a friendly relationship with somebody
- gather (around) (verb): tụ tập
ENG: to come together, or bring people together, in one place to form a group
- throw a party (verb phrase): mở tiệc
ENG: to hold a party
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4. Your friends
Well, I have a lot of friends. I would say I am typically a social butterfly and I find it
so easy to strike up a conversation with strangers and make friends with them. But it
doesn’t mean I have many close friends. Most of my friends are superficial ones.
Well, although I enjoy socializing with other people, I just cherry-pick my good friends
from the crowd. In fact, I’ve got three close friends from childhood who have gone
through all the ups and downs with me for years.
I would prefer to have one close friend instead of tons of friends. The reason is simply
that the former will surely be there for you when you need support but the latter will or
will not. That’s why I would go for a good friend who is a shoulder to cry on.
I believe it depends on each person’s criteria. As for me, I always look for a friend who
gives his word of honor and then keeps his promise. Besides, a good friend should be
caring and supportive. Such a friend would be willing to give others a hand when
needed.
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- socialize (verb): xã giao, gặp gỡ
ENG: to meet and spend time with people in a friendly way, in order to enjoy
yourself
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- Would you prefer to have one good friend or many friends?
For the most part, we will go out for a coffee. We are all coffeeholics and take a keen
interest in exploring cafes around the city. Otherwise, we’ll go on a picnic if the
weather favours this activity.
Well, after a long day of study, I go home and gather around with my buddies. We are
all die-hard fans of the computer game League of Legends and playing the game with
them is always exhilarating.
It all depends on the day. We all need some time on our own. After a long and stressful
working day, I just get home and relax, turning on a movie or something. But on
weekends when I have some spare time, I usually hang out with my friends in the
evening.
I think I will gravitate towards hanging out with my friends. When I am in a bad
mood, they are really a shoulder to cry on. They always know how to make me laugh
by cracking a joke or something. When I’m happy, it’s a waste to stay at home. In
short, spending quality time with my friends is always my go-to choice.
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- favour something (verb): thích hợp cho, thuận lợi cho
ENG: to provide suitable conditions for a particular person, group, etc.
- quality time (noun phrase): thời gian bên gia đình, bạn bè
ENG: free time you spend with your family or friends
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6. Family or friends
As for me personally, I would choose family over friends because they were there in
the beginning, during the process, and I know they will still be there at the end too. I
was able to live and come this far, mainly due to my family’s efforts to put food on the
table, provide the best education, and care for me.
It’s definitely my family. Friends will come and go throughout our life but our families
will always be there for us in most cases. Blood ties are strong. I have friends that are
very kind and truly good people but I realize some will move, marry and take jobs. I
mean they may be out of state people.
I would say it’s my friends. I’ve got a broken family. My parents separated several
years back. They are extremely neglectful and do not really cater to my needs and
attention. Meanwhile, some of my friends are like my soulmates. I consider them as
close as my brothers and sisters.
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- separate (verb): ly thân
ENG: to stop living together as a couple with your husband, wife or partner
- neglectful (adj): lơ là
ENG: not giving enough care or attention to somebody/something
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you think friends or families are more important?
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HOUSE/ ACCOMMODATION
1. Where you live
For the better part of the last 4 years, I’ve been living in a mini flat in a small side
street in the heart of the city. All amenities are available in the proximity of my home,
like supermarkets, restaurants, fashion stores, cinemas or hospitals. I can easily grab
anything I need in just a few minutes.
Well, I live in a detached house on the outskirts of Hanoi. I’ve been living there since
I was born and I’ve grown so attached to this place.
Well, the flat is not really roomy, but it’s just right for us. It is styled in a minimalist
way. All the walls are painted plain white. All the rooms have big windows with bright
curtains adding a decorative touch to them. The interior design is simple, yet
convenient.
I live in a two-storey house with an amazing rooftop as its specialty. My home has three
bedrooms; one spacious living room and a beautiful kitchen. All the rooms are
comfortably furnished.
- for the better part of something (time) (prepositional phrase): phần lớn (thời
gian)
ENG: for most of something (time)
- side street (noun phrase): ngõ (dẫn ra các con phố chính)
ENG: a less important street leading off a road in a town
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- amenity (noun): tiện nghi
ENG: a feature or service that makes a place pleasant, comfortable or easy to
live in
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Câu hỏi luyện tập:
I've been living with three of my best friends. We go back a long way. Our hometown
is quite far from the colleges we go to. Therefore, 4 years back, we decided to rent this
mini flat to facilitate our study.
Well, I’ve been living independently from my parents since I started going to college.
At first, I was faced with some problems but I would say I am used to living alone. It
has done wonders for me as I feel I’m more and more mature.
I’ve still been living with my family since I was born. Actually, I can’t imagine leaving
home and settling somewhere on my own. I am just so used to being with my family
in my daily life.
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- be used to (doing) something: quen với
ENG: to be familiar with something because you do it or experience it often
- do wonders for somebody/ something (idiom): mang lại nhiều lợi ích
ENG: to have a very good effect on somebody/something
It’s definitely my own bedroom. It's where I can do whatever I want without getting
disturbed and irritated by others. I call it my comfort zone or hideaway. After a long
and stressful working day, I just want to be alone in my bedroom, chilling out with a
movie or something.
Well, the balcony is my favourite. It has a panoramic view of the city. I love windy
afternoons when I bring the armchair to the balcony. Then I chill out there with a cup
of coffee or a book.
Well, my current residential area is very noisy because the children living in the flats
next door are really naughty. We are planning to soundproof the walls of our flat so
that we can avoid being annoyed by them.
I actively dislike the colour of the walls. They are painted yellow and yellow is not my
favourite colour. If I can, I would repaint them plain white so that the flat will look
brighter.
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Giải thích từ vựng:
- hideaway (noun): nơi một người tìm đến để ở một mình, chỗ trốn
ENG: a place where you can go to hide or to be alone
- panoramic view of something (noun phrase): góc nhìn toàn cảnh, view toàn
cảnh
ENG: a view of a wide area of something
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- actively dislike somebody/ something (verb phrase): rất không thích
ENG: to dislike somebody/ something greatly
In fact, I’ve been dreaming of purchasing a townhouse in the city. I know that the price
of it is not inexpensive and I always try to stay motivated and work hard for my dream.
I used to go to a townhouse complex in Hanoi and was instantly impressed by the
elegant designs and fresh air there.
I love the idea of constructing a two-storey house in the countryside which would be
cosy enough for a small family. Leading a minimalist lifestyle, I want the house to be
painted plain white and the interior design to be as simple as possible.
When it comes to a place to settle in, what I attach great importance to is tranquility.
That’s why my dream house should be located in a peaceful country setting far away
from the hustle and bustle of the city. It should have a garden so that I can do the
gardening in my me-time.
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- townhouse (noun): nhà phố
ENG: a house that is one of a row of houses that are joined together on each
side
- inexpensive (adj): rẻ
ENG: not costing a lot of money
- attach great importance to something (verb phrase): đặt nặng, coi trọng
ENG: to consider something as very important
- the hustle and bustle of the city (noun phrase): sự xô bồ ở thành phố
ENG: busy noisy activity of a lot of people in the city
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- do the gardening (verb phrase): làm vườn
ENG: to work in a garden, especially for pleasure
As far as I’m concerned, living in an apartment is now the pattern among youngsters
in Vietnam. But for the most part, they just can afford to live in rented accommodation
because the price of an apartment is usually well beyond their budget, let alone that
of a house.
Over the past decades, a tidal wave of people from rural areas have gravitated towards
urban areas in search of work and they have a tendency to purchase apartments to live
in. However, I’ve seen some reversing recently as an increasing number of affluent
people have come back to the countryside, built houses or villas and enjoyed the
peaceful life there.
Well, I must say having our own house is so much better than renting one. What really
matters is whether we can afford it or not. On the one hand, owning a house is important
to have a stable life, I suppose. Besides, in Vietnam, the price of property has been on
the rise in recent years and shown no signs of reduction. That’s why I believe
purchasing a piece of land and constructing a house on it is a good investment.
People, especially youngsters, tend to be out of state. They change their jobs and
relocate to different places so often. That’s why I believe living in rented
accommodation is the better option as compared to buying a house or a flat. Maybe
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during their retirement, they should think of having their own house because it’s when
they settle down.
- beyond one’s budget (prepositional phrase): vượt khả năng tài chính
ENG: beyond the amount of money one has
- a tidal wave of somebody/ something (noun phrase): rất nhiều một cách đột
ngột
ENG: a sudden large amount/ number of somebody/ something
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- on the rise (prepositional phrase): đang trên đà tăng
ENG: becoming greater or more numerous; increasing
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What is the current trend in choosing accommodation in Vietnam?
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HISTORY
1. Interest in history
Honestly speaking, I paid no attention to history when I was a high schooler. Back
then, I found other subjects, like maths, literature, and English more significant for my
future career. However, as I get older I get more interested in historical stories and
movies.
Well, I am into reading about the past events of Vietnam and other countries. The
historical period of the Nguyen dynasty which was the last imperial family of my
country is always of interest to me.
Actually, I’ve always shown a love for history, especially international history. I take
a keen interest in World War I and World War II and their effects on humans as a
whole. Reading about such events is always exhilarating.
- of interest to somebody (prepositional phrase): là mối quan tâm của ai, hấp dẫn
ai
ENG: interesting to somebody
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- show a love for somebody/ something (verb phrase): thể hiện tình yêu
ENG: to love somebody/ something
2. Learning history
When I was a child, I had a history class at school but I was not into this subject because
there were too many need-to-remember details. My teacher just read the information
out loud and we jotted them down. The class was always monotonous.
As a student, I studied history largely at school. But learning about important events in
history through textbooks is really dry. I believe that going to museums or searching
for objective facts on the Internet is far more intriguing.
Well, I learn about historical events through TV. I have watched a lot of history movies
especially the ones that depict my country in the Indochina war and the Vietnam war.
Watching this genre, I appreciate life more.
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- be into something (idiom): quan tâm, thích
ENG: (informal) to be interested in something in an active way
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- vividly (adv): sinh động
ENG: in a way that produces very clear pictures in your mind
3. Going to museums
Well, to be honest, I just pay a visit to a museum once in a while because these days,
I’m constantly up to my ears in work and study and don’t have much time for this
activity. Although I’m into visiting museums and agree that they provide a reservoir
of knowledge, I believe the ones in Vietnam are not really interactive.
I have visited the Hoa Lo Museum in Hanoi several times. This museum was originally
a prison for Vietnamese prisoners by the French and then for Americans by the
Vietnamese. Its highlights are graphic photos and military weapons in war times.
Last year when I was still part of a local tour guide club in Hanoi, I led a tour to the Hoa
Lo museum. We really had a whale of a time. The Hoa Lo museum is truly a must-
see place for any tourists visiting Hanoi. The museum gives a general overview of the
period of the French domination of Vietnam and our resistance war against France.
When I was a student at primary school, the teacher arranged a visit to the Museum of
Ethnology, which highlights the lives and cultures of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.
As a child, I took no interest in such a topic. I vividly remember the visit was really
dry and monotonous.
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The museums in my hometown are crucial in broadening people’s horizons about the
history of the nation. Besides, they are a great source of information for those who are
doing research and want to gain deeper insights into their field of study.
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- crucial in (doing) something (adj): rất quan trọng
ENG: extremely important, because it will affect other things
Studying history is important because it allows us to understand our past, which in turn
allows us to understand our present. If we want to know how and why our world is the
way it is today, we have to take a look at history for answers.
We have to look to the past to understand why the country is what it’s like today. History
gives us the reflection of ourselves in former days. And when we reflect on our
mistakes in the past, we can avoid them at present and in the future. So everything
including a country is able to become a better version thanks to history, I suppose.
Learning history is gaining an insight into our identity. Nations are made up of a
collection of stories, legends and how they’ve contributed to where we are today.
Looking back at incredible fellow countrymen is a way of establishing our own
identity, I suppose.
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- take a look at somebody/ something (verb phrase): nhìn
ENG: to look at somebody/ something
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are some benefits of learning history?
I would go for learning about local history. I believe having profound insights into
what happened in the past in our homeland develops our patriotism. In Vietnam,
students are taught about how our ancestors defended our land against outside intruders
and reclaimed sovereignty. Therefore, we grow up taking pride in our origin and
treasuring the life we know as it is today.
I think world history is more important. Acquiring knowledge about the world’s
historical events equips us with a more well-rounded perspective of life because the
history of all the nations combined creates the history of the whole world which would
help learners enhance their understanding of various aspects of the world.
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It’s hard to say which one is better. But to opt for one, I would gravitate towards
learning the history of the whole world. I think that being taught about other countries’
historical backgrounds would benefit young learners in their future careers. For
example, understanding the Japanese culture is a golden selling point for a person to
work for Japanese enterprises who highly value company cultures.
- reclaim sovereignty (verb phrase): giành lại chủ quyền lãnh thổ
ENG: to get back the state of being a country with freedom to govern itself
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- gravitate towards somebody/ something (phrasal verb): nghiêng về, hướng về
ENG: to move towards somebody/something that you are attracted to
- highly value something (verb phrase): đánh giá cao, coi trọng
ENG: to think that somebody/something is really important
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Should we learn about local history or world history?
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NEIGHBOURS
1. Where you live
I’ve been living in a rented flat in the city centre. My parents’ house is quite far from
the college I go to. That’s why I’ve rented this flat to facilitate my study.
I was born and bred in an ordinary family in the countryside. I’ve grown so attached
to this place and I can’t imagine moving elsewhere in the future.
I’ve been living in my current residential area for the better part of the last 4 years
since I started going to university. As I said, I had to leave my parents’ house and live
independently there.
Actually, I just moved there 4 months back and I haven’t got used to the hectic pace
of life in the city. But, in general, I quite enjoy life in the fast lane.
- grow attached to somebody/ something (verb phrase): trở nên gắn bó, yêu thích
ENG: to like somebody/ something very much
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- for the better part of something (time) (prepositional phrase): phần lớn
ENG: for most of something (tine)
- hectic pace of life (noun phrase): nhịp sống bận rộn hối hả
ENG: busy life
Well, in the locality of my house, all amenities are available like supermarkets,
restaurants, fashion stores, cinemas or hospitals. I can easily grab anything I need in just
a few minutes. Yeah, everything just comes in handy.
What I enjoy the most about my neighbourhood is the atmosphere. It’s a sparsely
populated area in the outdoors. I love the atmosphere of peace and tranquility there.
The air is also unpolluted. All in all, it’s a great place to settle.
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My all-time favourite place is An Binh park which has been established recently. It is
within walking distance of my house. We enjoy having a walk around the park to
decompress after a busy tiring day.
My place of choice is the area of paddy fields, rivers and such like in my village. My
friends and I often hung out there when we were still little country boys. We did a lot
of activities like swimming or fishing.
- sparsely populated area (noun phrase): khu vực dân cư thưa thớt
ENG: an area that contains few people
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- tranquility (noun): sự yên bình
ENG: the state of being quiet and peaceful
I wish more trash bins would be placed around the area. The exterior of my apartment
block is dirty because people often litter the streets due to a lack of trash bins. It’s a
shame to see such a horrible thing happening.
I recommend that the government (should) set up more open green space in my area in
particular and around the city in general. Most city dwellers are leading a sedentary
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lifestyle and such a scheme can give them a place to do exercise and decompress after
work.
Well, living in the countryside, we largely get around on foot. I think the public
transport system should be more developed in my area so that we could travel from
place to place with ease.
- lead a sedentary lifestyle (verb phrase): sống cuộc sống thụ động, hay ngồi
trước màn hình làm việc
ENG: to live a life in which you spend a lot of time sitting down
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What do you dislike about your place and what are some of your
recommendations for improvement?
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4. Recent changes
Well, there is a public park built in the proximity of my flat recently. It’s called An
Binh park. This park is an ideal place to get around, have some fresh air, and do
physical exercises to get lean.
Well, to accommodate the residents’ wishes, the local authority has recently erected
a large playground. It’s an excellent place for children to gather around and play games
like hide-and-seek and for the elderly to do some taichi in the afternoon.
The most significant change in my current residential area is the advent of the modern
public transport system. This helps us a lot in commuting to and from work.
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- do taichi (verb phrase): tập dưỡng sinh
ENG: to practice a Chinese martial art and system of exercises consisting of
sets of very slow movements
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are some changes in your neighbourhood in recent times?
Honestly, I don’t know jack about them. We never talk to each other. Actually, we
just act like strangers. So I don’t know who they are. I think it’s the norm there and it’s
something I don’t like about city life.
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My neighbours are really nice. They help watch our house whenever we go on holiday
and take delivery of stuff when something arrives by post and we are not at home. In
general, we get on well with each other and are willing to lend each other a helping
hand.
I would say I’ve got terrible neighbours as they usually get on my nerves. They very
often throw parties and blast out music at full volume at night. Despite tons of
complaints from us and other families, they haven’t changed.
- the norm (noun phrase): chuyện thường thấy, kiểu phổ biến
ENG: a situation or a pattern of behaviour that is usual or expected
- get on well with somebody (phrasal verb): hòa thuận, quan hệ tốt
ENG: to have a friendly relationship with somebody
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Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you have a good relationship with the people living next door to
you?
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NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
1. Habits of reading newspapers and magazines
I’ll go for reading magazines in my spare time because they have in-depth information
on specific topics and my go-to choice is sports. As for news updates, I prefer watching
TV to reading newspapers.
I think I would gravitate towards reading newspapers. Well, between gaining insights
into specific topics and being updated on current affairs, I would go for the latter. It’s
because I take a keen interest in politics.
Well, sadly, I’ve never developed the habit of reading, so I would say I’m into neither
of them. Instead, I prefer watching news programs on TV and browsing the Internet
for informative videos.
There is no exact answer to this question. Every day, I just browse some news websites
when I have some spare time and opt for several outstanding articles to read.
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- gravitate towards somebody/ something (phrasal verb): nghiêng về
ENG: to move towards somebody/something that you are attracted to
- the latter (noun phrase): lựa chọn thứ 2, lựa chọn sau
ENG: the second of two things or people mentioned
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2. Methods of reading newspapers and magazines
I definitely will go for reading news online because of all the benefits it can bring. With
a smartphone and the Internet, I can have access to up-to-the-minute news around the
world.
I believe that these days, printed newspapers cannot gain as much popularity as they
used to in former days. I mean many of the elderly in Vietnam still read newspapers
as a means of news updates but youngsters tend to read online more.
Talking about online reading in Vietnam nowadays, I believe that it’s one of the most
prevalent ways to be updated on all the up-to-date news around the world. Loads of
people go for it because reading online articles is a fast, convenient and inexpensive
process with the advent of the Internet and smartphones.
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- without a doubt (idiom): chắc chắn rồi, khỏi cần nghĩ
ENG: used when you are giving your opinion and emphasizing the point that
you are making
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3. Reasons for reading newspapers and magazines
When it comes to the influence or benefits of reading, I can think of the two most
important ones. First, the ability to read opens the door to all aspects of education.
Reading can really broaden our horizons and update us on the up-to-the-minute news
around the world. Besides, when we have to be faced with countless issues in daily life,
a well-written engaging article can make tensions drain away and allow us to
decompress.
Well, I read newspapers because I like to keep abreast of current affairs. Newspapers
can provide news about all events happening in the country and all over the world:
political and economic situations, sports, games, entertainment, trade and commerce.
Well, reading newspapers and magazines really enhances my writing and reading skills
as many uncommon words come when I read a passage. Then, I utilize my dictionary
to look up their meanings, thereby broadening my vocabulary.
- broaden one’s horizons (verb phrase): mở mang tầm mắt, kiến thức
ENG: to broaden the limit of your desires, knowledge or interests
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- drain away (phrasal verb): tan biến
ENG: If something drains away, it disappears completely
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Câu hỏi luyện tập:
In former days, newspapers were the most prevalent source of news but over the last
few decades, there has been a significant decline in its readership because of the advent
of satellite TV channels and the Internet. In fact, these new sources bring news to the
consumers much faster and in a more “visually-appealing” manner than newspapers.
These days, only low-tech people rely on printed newspapers, I suppose.
It’s safe to say that with the advent of the Internet and modern gadgets, people have
been turning to online sources over the past decades. But recently, I’ve seen the reverse
as an increasing number of print newspapers and magazines have been sold. As far as
I’m concerned, the reason is because many have lost faith in online news which either
is fake or exaggerates issues. Meanwhile, it’s not the case for traditional print
newspapers and magazines which are censored by the authorities.
I think that newspapers and magazines are likely to disappear in the future in their
current forms. The internet has been gaining so much popularity and Internet users are
increasingly turning online to receive all kinds of news and information for free.
Besides, some argue that newspapers and magazines will fall into disuse because they
are not eco-friendly. The production takes tons of wood materials and electricity and
the cost of transport is not low at all.
I believe that print newspapers and magazines will survive forever. The simple reason
is that there is nothing quite like holding a newspaper in our hands with the comforting
scent of the pages. There is still a strong contingent of people who prefer printed
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versions of news. Besides, there is a universal perception that physical pieces are
authentic as each one of them has undergone proofreading and review.
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- a contingent of somebody (noun phrase): nhiều, nhóm, đội ngũ
ENG: a group of people at a meeting or an event who have something in
common, especially the place they come from, that is not shared by other
people at the event
- How have newspapers changed over the last few decades in your country?
5. Press censorship
I believe the government is already censoring the media, but I think this is very bad. I
believe we are only given parts and pieces of stories from around the world and very
often our sources are biased. I do not believe the media should be censored and I believe
they should be able to carry out fact-finding missions and help people blow the whistle
on something wrong.
It’s important to bear in mind that media censorship has its advantages when used with
the best of intentions. It stops fake news. If more content was closely monitored, it could
cut down on the mass amounts of fraudulent information including false advertising.
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- blow the whistle on something (idiom): tố giác
ENG: to bring something to the attention of other people in order to stop
something bad from happening
- bear in mind somebody/ something/ that ... (idiom): ghi nhớ, nhớ kỹ
ENG: to remember somebody/ something; to remember or consider that…
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you think the government has the right to censor the press?
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SPORTS
1. Favourite sports
Well, my all-time favourite sport is football. I took up this sport when I was still a
little kid, a four-or-five-year-old boy. In Vietnam, it’s the most prevalent sport. We
often call it the king of sports.
Well, it’s definitely running. Running is right up my alley. It’s the kind of exercise I
do on a daily basis despite the fact that many people may find it dry and exhausting.
If walking counts, I think it’s my go-to choice. To be honest, it’s the only option I can
opt for because I don’t take a keen interest in sports in general.
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- go-to choice (noun phrase): lựa chọn đầu tiên
ENG: the first thing you think of
2. Playing sports
I would say playing football is part and parcel of my daily activities. Even though I’m
constantly occupied in study and work, I make sure to spare some time to play this
sport with my friends on a daily basis.
As I’m constantly up to my ears in work and study, I can only go for a run once in a
while. I know the amazing benefits of running but I just don’t have the luxury of time
to do that kind of exercise.
I’m not a frequent walker but I sometimes enjoy strolling around my neighbourhood in
the evening, especially in a scenic park in the proximity of my house. I find walking
is a good way to get lean and relieve stress after a long stressful day of work.
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- on a daily basis (prepositional phrase): hằng ngày
ENG: daily; every day
- have the luxury of time (verb phrase): có nhiều thời gian rảnh
ENG: have pleasant and convenient time (that you are not always able to have)
to do something
Câu hỏi luyện tập: How often do you play football/ go for a running/ go for a walk/ …
?
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3. Watching sports
I am a die-hard fan of Chelsea - an English football club. I’ve been rooting for them
since I was still a primary schooler. I always look forward to weekends when I can
turn the television on and watch them play the games.
Unlike many others who may find running races monotonous, I have a liking for
watching this sport. I idolize Usain Bolt - a Jamaican sprinter, widely considered to be
the greatest sprinter of all time. He’s so energetic and inspirational.
I don’t support any clubs or sportspeople. Many of my friends go crazy about football
matches. They watch and talk about the so-called “El Clasico” or “English Derby
matches” year after year without getting bored. I find watching sports is just a waste of
time.
- look forward to (doing) something (phrasal verb): háo hức, mong chờ
ENG: to be thinking with pleasure about something that is going to happen
(because you expect to enjoy it)
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- have a liking for something (verb phrase): thích
ENG: to like somebody
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you like any sports teams or sportspeople?
With the advent of many modern conveniences, humans have increasingly worked
indoors, which means we do physical activities less often. These days, manual jobs
entailing working outside are generally considered as low class. The increase in indoor
jobs and people leading a sedentary lifestyle lead to the fact that people don’t get
sufficient amounts of exercise and become weaker and more prone to sickness.
I believe we partake in physical activities less than we did in former days and walking
is a good case in point. In the past, we largely had to rely on our feet to get around. But
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now, we hardly travel on foot. We now travel by many means of transport like
motorcycles, cars, buses or planes. We order food, drinks, clothes and such like on apps
and get them delivered to our place. We only walk once in a while when we have the
luxury of time for it.
It’s safe to say that these days, most people lead a sedentary lifestyle and take part in
fewer physical activities. Many children get addicted to video games and squander
hours on them every day, leaving very little time for playing sports. Meanwhile, adults,
especially office workers, often go for a drink after work, thus leaving no time for
physical activities. I mean people nowadays are attracted to a lot of temptations, their
time is just occupied with such stuff and this leads to a lack of time spent on physical
activities.
- lead a sedentary lifestyle (verb phrase): sống cuộc sống thụ động, ngồi làm việc
nhiều
ENG: to live a life in which you spend a lot of time sitting down
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- a good case in point (noun phrase): trường hợp điển hình
ENG: a good example of something you have just mentioned
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do people nowadays do physical activities more often than they
used to in the past?
5. Extreme sports
I believe a ban on risky sports is necessary. In fact, even when participants are well-
prepared and have all the right equipment to participate in these sports, the dangers are
still present. This means that prohibiting all those sports can help prevent individuals
from being seriously injured or having fatal consequences which are caused by these
hidden dangers.
I believe that so-called extreme sports are not as dangerous as many people think. Every
sport entails certain elements of risks, and there should always be clear regulations and
safety procedures to minimize the possibility of accidents. People taking part in risky
sports are usually required to undergo appropriate training so that the dangers can be
zeroed out.
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- fatal (adj): gây chết người
ENG: causing or ending in death
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PARKS
1. The park where you live
Well, the city is just like a concrete jungle full of high-rises. The government makes
use of every square meter for construction work, so there is no space for a park. It’s
regrettable that greenery is gradually disappearing in the city.
Well, yes. There are loads of public parks in the city centre. Several years ago, my
neighbourhood was like a concrete jungle surrounded by apartment blocks. Recently,
new public parks have been constructed nearby to create green spaces for the dwellers.
Actually, there are no parks in my neighbourhood. I was born and bred in the
countryside where I would say green spaces are everywhere. I mean there is no need to
erect a public park in the outdoors.
- concrete jungle (noun phrase): ‘rừng bê tông’ (ám chỉ thành phố ngột ngạt)
ENG: a modern city or urban area, especially when perceived as an unpleasant
or challenging place to live
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- loads of somebody/ something (noun phrase): rất nhiều
ENG: a large number or amount of people or things; plenty
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Are there any parks near your home?
2. Going to parks
These days, I’m constantly up to my ears in work and study so I don’t have the luxury
of time to visit parks on a regular basis. I just visit the park near my house once in a
while to immerse myself in nature.
Well, despite the fact that these days, I’m constantly occupied in work and study, I
make sure to spare some time in the evening every day to stroll around the park near
my home.
My friends and I often go for a walk in the park because it’s surrounded by massive
trees and the paths really favour walking. It’s also like a playground where children can
play football or other sports.
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I would say such a green space is really suitable for many outdoor activities like running,
playing football or kite flying. On weekends, many families even get there to go on a
picnic. This place really gives a sense of tranquility.
- have the luxury of time (verb phrase): có nhiều thời gian rảnh
ENG: have pleasant and convenient time (that you are not always able to have)
to do something
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- favour something (verb): thuận lợi, phù hợp với
ENG: to provide suitable conditions for a particular person, group, etc.
3. Benefits of parks
To me, the construction of the park is a lifesaver. My current residential area used to
suffer from the deleterious effects of air pollution. Since the establishment of the park,
the issue has been somewhat alleviated as massive trees in the park have really helped
clean the air.
Well, the park provides the city dwellers with green spaces. Many people, instead of
being couch potatoes in their spare time, have taken up new activities in the park like
playing sports or exercising. Their new habits have really helped enhance their well-
being.
I believe that this park along with any other urban parks is far more than the lungs of
the city. They help to fight pollution, encourage biodiversity in the city centre and help
to control temperatures and humidity. Green zones in the city are also crucial to social
cohesion.
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Giải thích từ vựng:
- couch potato (noun phrase): người lười biếng hay nằm xem TV
ENG: a person who watches a lot of television and does not have an active life
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are some benefits that parks can bring?
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4. How to encourage people to go to parks
I think that adding park amenities that appeal to both older adults and children is a great
way to encourage grandparents to bring their grandchildren to a park. For example,
chess and checkerboard tables may be included in an area near the playground to
encourage adults to socialize with one another while children and grandchildren play
nearby.
Well, I always think of installing outdoor fitness equipment in every park as a good
idea to attract more visitors. People may feel like they are in an outdoor gym but don’t
have to pay any fees.
Actually, I’ve never thought about this issue before. Maybe, the authorities should
organise some professional sports trainers to conduct a free demonstration in parks on
a regular basis to promote healthy living and outdoor workouts. It is an excellent way
to keep people interested in these parks and they are more likely to come back.
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- demonstration (noun): buổi demo, buổi hướng dẫn minh họa
ENG: an act of showing or explaining how something works or is done
Câu hỏi luyện tập: How can we encourage people to go to parks more often?
I don’t think there will be changes in the form of urban parks. Typical parks will still
feature greenery, lakes, and such like. However, I’m sure that more parks will be
constructed in the city as both the government and populace are increasingly conscious
of the importance of parks.
I believe when we run out of space, public parks and gardens will be constructed
beneath our feet. Actually, this idea has already been implemented in some countries
such as the UK or the US as the governments of these nations repurposed abandoned
networks of tunnels to create parks.
I just guess that in the future, parks may take the form of islands lying right off coasts,
or even lie on the rooftops of skyscrapers. Who knows what the future holds. Science
has proved that even the craziest thing can happen.
- feature something (verb): bao gồm thứ gì (như một đặc điểm nổi bật)
ENG: to include a particular person or thing as a special feature
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- run out of something (phrasal verb): hết
ENG: to use up or finish a supply of something
- what the future holds (noun phrase): chuyện xảy ra trong tương lai
ENG: what is likely to happen in the future
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What do you think parks will look like in the future?
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FOODS AND DRINKS
1. Favourite foods and drinks
Actually, it’s impossible to list all my favourite foods. There are tons of scrumptious
foods that I love eating. One of them is Vietnamese traditional sweet soup because I
have a sweet tooth. Besides, I have a liking for chocolates as well.
Without a doubt, I would say it’s Phở or Vietnamese rice noodle soup with chicken or
beef. It’s among the best-known delicacies in Hanoi - my hometown. It’s light, not
fattening, yet nutritious, scrumptious and fragrant with many different Vietnamese
spices.
Well, it’s definitely coffee. I couldn’t imagine life without coffee. Drinking coffee is
part and parcel of my daily routine. Without it, I couldn’t work efficiently most
especially when I need to burn the midnight oil.
Well, I’m a big fan of tea. Grabbing a cup of tea in the morning is a must for me. It
gives me an excellent energy boost and helps me stay energetic throughout the day.
I love cola and Coca-Cola is my all-time favourite brand. Just like a morning cup of
coffee, Coca-Cola offers a good whack of the stimulant caffeine. If my attention levels
are dipping, a mouthful or two of Coke could get me back up to speed.
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- without a doubt (idiom): chắc chắn, khỏi bàn cãi
ENG: used when you are giving your opinion and emphasizing the point that
you are making
- burn the midnight oil (idiom): làm việc chăm chỉ lúc đêm khuya
ENG: to study or work until late at night
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- a mouthful of something (noun phrase): một miếng, một ngụm
ENG: an amount of food or drink that you put in your mouth at one time
- up to speed (idiom): phong độ cao nhất, thể hiện ở mức tốt nhất
ENG: (of a person, company, etc.) performing at an expected rate or level
I’m not a big fan of eating fish. I hate the smell of it and I feel uncomfortable with its
texture when I start chewing and swallowing it. Maybe I am too picky.
I have intolerances to seafood, in particular shellfish, despite the fact that I love its
taste and smell. It’s weird. I’d had shellfish without any problems before I started
developing an allergy to it several years back.
I don’t dislike tea or coffee but I avoid drinking these two kinds of drinks as much as I
can. They contain too much caffeine that sometimes can keep me up at night.
I wouldn’t say I hate Cola but I actively dislike it. There is too much sugar in it and it
leads to much more than just obesity. It also contributes to rotting teeth, higher risks
of cancer or heart diseases and such like.
- texture (noun): cảm giác khi thức ăn được nhai trong miệng
ENG: the way food or drink tastes or feels in your mouth, for example whether
it is rough, smooth, light, heavy, etc.
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- intolerance to something (noun): dị ứng
ENG: the fact of not being able to eat particular foods, use particular
medicines, etc. without becoming ill
3. Diets
I don’t stick to any particular diet. I just eat what I fancy and avoid what I dislike or
what I cannot eat. For instance, I love eating meat but for the most part, I prefer beef
and chicken over lamb and duck meat.
Well, I am really conscious of the high risk of getting obese and now I’m following a
low-fat diet. With the diet, I can reduce overall calorie intake and improve cholesterol
levels, which helps lower the risk of heart disease, I suppose.
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Several years back, I got overweight, so I decided to go vegan. And as you can see, now
I really get myself into shape. Many people think that vegans can’t get enough protein
or something. But vegans eating varied diets containing vegetables, beans, grains, nuts,
and seeds rarely have any difficulty getting enough protein.
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4. Cooking skills
To be honest, I didn’t learn how to cook a meal as a little boy. My parents and siblings
pampered me and always did the cooking when I was young. Now I’m living
independently and most of the time, I eat out.
Well, I’m not a chef or an excellent cook but I think my cooking skills are acceptable.
I like preparing a special meal for family or friends who visit, but everyday cooking is
monotonous; it's something that has to be done, and it's not really fun.
To be honest, my cooking skills are bad. I just learnt how to cook a simple meal recently
when I started going to college and living independently in the dorm. But I believe it’s
worth it. Learning to cook, I also can learn life skills like eating healthy, budgeting my
money, and cleaning.
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- cook (noun): người nấu ăn, đầu bếp
ENG: a person who cooks food or whose job is cooking
It’s my mother who is the home-maker of my family. She goes grocery shopping
every morning and does most of the cooking as well. But sometimes, we cook together
as a family.
When I was a little kid, my parents shared household chores because they both went to
work and brought home the bacon. Now, I take the responsibility to do most of the
housework including cooking.
It might sound strange but it’s my father who is usually in charge of preparing food
and looking after the menu. Honestly, he cooks way better than my mother. Sometimes
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my elder sister assists my parents in cooking but this is a very rare occasion as she is
often occupied in her study.
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Who does the cooking in your family?
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ANIMALS/ PETS
1. Wild animals
I have seen wild animals several times in person and plenty of times on TV through
National Geographic TV shows. I vividly remember the first time when I went to the
zoo in the city centre with my family. I was instantly smitten by all the wild animals
when seeing them.
Well, to be honest, I’ve never seen any wild animals in real life before. In the
countryside where I’ve been living, there are no zoos, nature reserves or such like. I
just see some on TV in nature shows.
My all-time favourite wild animals are lions. I admire how fierce they are and how they
value unity when hunting prey. The lion is the king of the jungle but it’s a myth because
they inhabit grasslands, but not jungles.
I don’t take any keen interest in wild animals, so it’s hard to answer this question. But
in case I have to give a definite answer, I will opt for mammoths - a group of elephants
that lived thousands of years ago and is now extinct. They are the main characters in the
blockbuster Ice Age.
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- nature reserve (noun phrase): khu bảo tồn thiên nhiên
ENG: an area of land where the animals and plants are protected
- take a keen interest in something (verb phrase): quan tâm, hứng thú
ENG: to be interested in something
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2. Going to zoos
Well. Going to zoos is one of my greatest pleasures. Visiting zoos can really broaden
my horizons about behaviours of different wild animals that I couldn’t learn at school.
Besides, I love the tranquillity of nature at zoos.
I love visiting zoos. Seeing wild animals in person really fulfils my curiosity about
them. I’m always eager to learn about the way they behave. It’s always exhilarating
being close to wild animals.
I believe visiting zoos is just a pastime of kids. As a little boy, I used to jump for joy
whenever my parents took me to the zoo in the city. But now, I no longer have this great
excitement. I am now occupied with work so I can’t spare any time for this activity.
Actually, I’m against zoos or any kinds of establishments keeping wild animals for
entertainment and commercial purposes. That’s why I will never pay any visits to zoos
during my lifetime. Such animals look so miserable in cages.
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- exhilarating (adj): thú vị, vui vẻ
ENG: very exciting and great fun
3. Pets
Yes, I have! I used to take care of my cat 5 years back. Andy is such a lovely and
playful cat. He’s actually my best friend! Unfortunately, he went away and never came
back. I don’t know what happened to him. I still miss him dreadfully.
To be honest, I’m not much of an animal lover. Dogs and cats are sometimes really
annoying and keeping them as pets is not as easy as I thought. Looking after a pet is
like looking after a kid. It takes time, money and energy.
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I love pets but my current situation doesn’t favour raising an animal. I’ve been living
in a mini flat in the city centre and animals are not allowed in the building. On top of
that, raising an animal means I’m likely to go beyond my budget as I have to buy them
food and other stuff.
I would say I’m an animal lover and I absolutely adore cats and dogs. But, sadly, I’m
allergic to their hair. That’s why I can’t keep them in my home.
- take care of somebody ~ look after somebody (phrasal verb): chăm sóc
ENG: to care for somebody/ something
- favour something (verb): ủng hộ, tạo điều kiện thuận lợi
ENG: to provide suitable conditions for a particular person, group, etc.
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- allergic to something (adj): dị ứng
ENG: having an allergy to something
Well, the cat is like my companion on the journey of losing weight. I used to be a lazy
obese boy until he came. Now, I walk him around the park in the locality on a daily
basis and this activity really helps me get myself into shape.
I was an introvert finding it hard to befriend others. I mean I had few friends. That’s
why I adopted Mike from a dog rescue organization in the city and treated him as a
family member and my best friend as well. He was loyal and playful, not to mention the
fact that he could serve as a guard in our home.
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- relieved (adj): nhẹ nhõm
ENG: feeling happy because something unpleasant has stopped or has not
happened; showing this
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Why did you keep that dog/ cat?
I believe that humans have been so cruel to Mother Nature. With the advent of
industrialization, tons of industrial parks have been springing up over the last decades
and many of them have unlawfully released toxic waste into the environment, causing
the death of many animals and plants as well. The extinction of an individual species
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can lead to an ecological imbalance because each organism has a unique place in the
food chain.
Well, I think we are all aware of the repercussions of what we’ve done to the wildlife.
We created wars that caused tremendous damage to all species on this planet. We’ve
been destroying natural habitats for commercial purposes. Consequently, the number of
species has declined at an unprecedented rate. I believe if we don’t take action
promptly, the damage will run out of control and doomsday will come closer.
- as far as I’m concerned: theo như tôi biết, theo tôi thì
ENG: used when you are giving your opinion
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- tremendous (adj): cực kỳ lớn, khủng khiếp
ENG: very great
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are some effects human activities have on wild animals?
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LANGUAGES
1. Languages you can speak
English is the only foreign language I can speak. I find learning a new language really
challenging. It takes a decade for me to be able to speak English at a conversational
level and I’ve never thought of learning another language.
Well, I learned to speak English when I was still a primary schooler. At that time,
English was the dominant language spoken all over the world. Then, I picked Chinese
as my major at college as China became a superpower.
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- beat around the bush (idiom): nói vòng vo tam quốc
ENG: to talk about something for a long time without coming to the main point
- dominant language (noun phrase): ngôn ngữ phổ thông, nhiều người sử dụng
ENG: the language that is widely spoken
For the better part of the last decades, a tidal wave of major enterprises around the
world have been coming to Vietnam and I believe English would be an essential
precondition for anyone to land a job in such organizations. That’s why I chose
English as my major at college.
I always have a love of exploring different cultures and I believe that learning a new
language is learning a new culture. I’m actually thinking of learning Chinese simply
because I want to gain deeper insights into the Chinese culture.
Well, I learned Korean just because I idolized DBSK - a five-member boy band in South
Korea. I was desperate to understand what my idols were singing. Ironically, later on,
when I was finally proficient in Korean, I realized that they were singing Japanese
songs.
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- for the better part of something (prepositional phrase): phần lớn (thời gian)
ENG: for almost all of something
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Why did you choose to learn that language?
124
3. Methods of learning foreign languages
I make sure to expose myself to the languages in my daily life. Apart from English
classes at school, in my spare time, I binge-watch foreign movies with English
subtitles, listen to the USUK music and read online articles written in English.
Well, I believe that talking with foreigners is the most effective way to learn a foreign
language. I joined a tour guide club in Hanoi and had opportunities to meet and talk
with people from different parts of the world. It’s how I practiced and absorbed
English.
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- absorb something (verb): tiếp thu, hấp thụ
ENG: to take something into the mind and learn or understand it
Câu hỏi luyện tập: How have you learned the language?
4. Using dictionaries
Countless times a day, and seven days a week, I have to say. I’m an English learner so
I look up new or uncommon words in dictionaries each time I encounter them. Using
dictionaries is part and parcel of my daily activities.
I’ve used quite a lot of dictionaries; but the one that I make use of the most is the Oxford
Learner’s Dictionary. As its name suggests, it’s absolutely necessary for any English
learners, I believe.
Well, the Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary is kind of a boon companion of mine on
my English learning journey. It’s compact but really powerful especially when I’m on
the way to school or home.
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- countless (adj): vô hạn, không đếm được
ENG: very many; too many to be counted or mentioned
- part and parcel of something (idiom): phần không thể thiếu, rất quan trọng
ENG: an essential part of something
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- boon companion (noun phrase): trợ thủ đắc lực, bạn đồng hành rất quan trọng
ENG: a very close and helpful friend
I believe the standards for dictionaries vary from person to person. As far as I’m
concerned, the more examples a dictionary offers, the better it is. I believe that a good
dictionary must give example sentences for every word. Such sentences show how a
word is used by natives and in which contexts it is acceptable.
Well, it all depends. As a beginner, I believe a good dictionary has to be written in two
languages. I mean bilingual dictionaries. Such dictionaries have words listed in
English and their equivalents in another language. It is very straightforward to find
out what words mean quickly.
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- such like (noun phrase): vân vân
ENG: a person or thing that is similar to another
- vary from person to person (verb phrase): mỗi người có một quan điểm riêng
(về một vấn đề nào đó)
ENG: to change or be different according to each person’s perspective
I reckon that the idea of creating a global language has its own merits and demerits.
On the one hand, it surely will aid understanding between individuals all over the world,
which can enhance our relationships. Besides, removing language barriers can promote
trade between countries, thereby boosting the growth of economies. However, as I said,
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languages are like cultures. When everyone shares the same language, cultural diversity
will gradually disappear, I suppose.
No, I don’t think so. A diversity of languages helps preserve the diversity of people who
speak them and their cultures. To me, a people’s language is the single most important
artefact of their culture rather than clothing, food or tools. If the whole world spoke the
same language, it could lead to the extinction of many customs and cultures. I believe
that instead of trying to create a common language, we should focus on preserving and
promoting existing languages.
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you think humans should speak the same language?
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MUSIC
1. Favourite genre
Well, personally, I have a liking for EDM. I love dancing and dancing hard. The unique
combination of beats and rhythms always makes for an exhilarating experience.
I take a keen interest in Pop music. I love its intricate rhythm and catchy melody.
It’s the most prevalent kind of music in the world as its name suggests.
I’m a die-hard fan of RnB, which stands for Rhythm and Blues. As well as giving me
a real buzz, R&B is also capable of uplifting me and improving my mood.
- have a liking for somebody/ something (verb phrase): cảm thấy thích
ENG: to have the feeling that you like somebody/something; to have the
pleasure in something
- take a keen interest in somebody/ something (verb phrase): cực kỳ quan tâm
đến
ENG: the feeling that you have when you want to know or learn more about
somebody/something
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- an intricate rhythm (noun phrase): nhịp điệu hay, khủng, tinh vi
ENG: a rhythm which has a lot of different parts and small details that fit
together
- give somebody a real buzz (verb phrase): khiến ai vô cùng vui, phấn khích
ENG: to give somebody a strong feeling of pleasure, excitement or
achievement
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What music do you often listen to?/ What is your favourite music
genre?
2. Favourite song
Well, for the most part, the song “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran has been my all-time
favourite pop song since it was released in 2017. I never get bored with listening to
this song which has an incredibly catchy melody and impressive lyrics.
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Recently, I came across an EDM song called “Season” on Youtube and I can’t help
turning on this song whenever I have some me-time. The melody and lyrics are really
intriguing.
- all-time favourite (adj): (cái gì) yêu thích nhất từ trước đến nay
ENG: that is liked the most of any time
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- intriguing (adj): hấp dẫn, thú vị
ENG: very interesting because of being unusual or not having an obvious
answer
3. Favourite singer
Well, I’ve always been rooting for Son Tung MTP, a megastar in the Vietnamese
music industry. His music is simply the best. He’s also the one who usually sets fashion
trends among youngsters.
I’m a big fan of Ed Sheeran - an English musician and singer. He began playing guitar
at a young age and soon after started writing his own songs. His outpouring of
creativity added up to many beautiful songs like ‘Perfect’ or ‘Happier’.
I’ve idolized My Tam - a Vietnamese singer with a beautiful voice. Not only is she a
talented singer she’s also synonymous with doing a lot of charity activities. She’s such
a kind-hearted person.
- set fashion trends (verb phrase): tạo nên xu hướng thời trang
ENG: to create fashion trends
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- a big fan of somebody (noun phrase): người hâm mộ cuồng nhiệt
ENG: a person who admires somebody/something or enjoys watching or
listening to somebody/something very much
Listening to music is part and parcel of my daily activities and I cannot imagine my
life without music. Listening to music is an excellent way to unwind after a long
working day.
Well, whenever I have some spare time, I turn on some music to relax. I usually listen
to cheerful music when I need motivation whereas sad music is my go-to choice when
I’m in a bad mood.
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I prefer working in a quiet environment, so no music is allowed during my working
hours. After a long day at school, I probably want to chill out for like half an hour with
music to help me stay energetic.
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- chill out (phrasal verb): thư giãn
ENG: (informal) to spend time relaxing; to relax and stop feeling angry or
nervous about something
- gravitate towards somebody/ something (phrasal verb): hướng đến, thiên về,
chọn
ENG: to move towards somebody/something that you are attracted to
I believe people of different ages are into different genres. When I was younger, I was
fond of rock music. However, at the moment, classic music is a particular favourite of
mine because its slow melody can relax my mind.
My taste in music has remained unchanged since I was a little kid. I vividly
remember I first came to know the USUK music when I was a secondary schooler and
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now I still listen to classic songs like ‘My Love’ by Westlife or ‘One Thing’ by One
Direction.
139
6. Paying for music
Well, I think that paying for music we listen to really makes good sense. Musicians
invest time, blood, sweat and tears into their music. A chef or a doctor could do the
same, yet they are paid for their services. So there are no reasons why music should be
free of charge. Although I agree that music should be produced for fun, getting no
income from record sales would influence the starters in the music world.
I strongly believe that music should be free. The music industry relies largely on
touring currently. It used to be the pattern that a singer went on a tour to promote an
album but now an album is released to promote a tour. Albums are just a small fraction
of income whereas most of an artist’s income comes from advertising, concert or merch
revenues.
- rely largely on somebody/ something (verb phrase): chủ yếu phụ thuộc vào
ENG: to rely mainly on somebody/ something
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- release an album (verb phrase): ra mắt album
ENG: to make an album available to the public
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FILMS
1. Favourite Genres & Films
I love watching all genres. I try to absorb and enjoy as many different kinds of films as
I can, whether it be the blockbuster Avengers: End Game or the comedy-drama musical
film La La Land.
My movie of choice is Parasite, a 2019 South Korean black comedy film directed by
Bong Joon-ho. It won a leading award for Best Picture at the Academy Awards,
becoming the first Korean film to receive the award.
When it comes to favourite genres, I am quite picky. The only genre I watch is comedy.
Actually, I rarely watch films these days because I’m constantly occupied with work
but when I feel stressed out, watching comedies is an excellent option.
My all-time favourite comedy series is “Weekend Gatherings”. This series has been
really popular in Vietnam since it was released. Its content is suitable for audiences of
any age from the elderly, youngsters to children.
It’s hard to speak for others. I believe it all boils down to each person’s taste in movies.
Many people think that youngsters would go for action films but as a young person, I
don’t take a keen interest in this genre. My go-to choice is comedy. So it’s safe to say
each person has his own favourite genre whether he is young or old.
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- blockbuster (noun): phim bom tấn
ENG: something very successful, especially a very successful book or film
143
- What is your favourite film?
I believe I will gravitate towards watching movies with my friends despite the fact that
the idea of watching movies alone is fascinating. I enjoy being in the company of
friends. Then, we can discuss movie details later on.
Well, I enjoy it more when watching films alone. When I watch a film, I feel that I get
the chance to escape reality for a few hours. When I watch films, I want peace of mind
and quiet surroundings. Watching films with others is not exactly that relaxing for me.
Well, whether I fancy watching a film alone or with others really depends on the day.
If I feel upbeat, I will invite my friends out to watch a film in the cinema. If I feel a bit
down, being alone is the better option.
- gravitate towards somebody/ something (phrasal verb): chọn, hướng về, thiên
về
ENG: to move towards somebody/something that you are attracted to
- escape reality (verb phrase): thoát khỏi thực tại, tạm quên đi vấn đề trong cuộc
sống
ENG: to forget one’s concerns in life
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- upbeat (adj): lạc quan, vui vẻ
ENG: optimistic
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you prefer to watch movies alone or with others?
I would say I’m a film freak. My friends and I share the same interest in films and we
try to see as many films in the cinema as we can. It’s exhilarating to spend time
together. Afterwards, we discuss and debate the details of the films.
Well, the Internet really comes in handy today when it comes to watching movies
online, so I rarely spend time watching movies in cinemas. Besides, I don’t need to
spend too much money on things like tickets or popcorn.
Well, I would say a typical cinema can attract thousands of visitors every weekend.
However, most of them are youngsters. As for the elderly in Vietnam, they have a
tendency to watch films at home. Perhaps they prefer the cozy atmosphere of their
homes and actively dislike crowded places.
- film freak (noun phrase): người nghiện phim, biết rất nhiều về phim
ENG: a person with a very strong interest in films
- exhilarating (adj): thú vị, hấp dẫn, mang lại niềm vui
ENG: very exciting and great fun
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- come in handy (idiom): thuận tiện, có ích
ENG: (informal) to be useful
Well, watching films is one of my pastimes. These days, I’m up to my ears in work
and study. After a long week of study or work, spending quality time with family or
friends watching a comedy film is an excellent way to alleviate stress.
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Many people consider watching films as a means of entertainment. But as for me, for
the most part, I see films as a source of education. For example, Parasite gives me
insights into hidden issues behind the glamour of Korean society which are class
conflict and social inequality.
Well, going to a cinema to watch a film is a great date option. Some couples tend to be
terribly shy on their first date and can’t break the ice. Watching a movie together can
help them a lot in that case as later on they can talk about the film and the conversation
can become more natural.
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- break the ice (idiom): phá bỏ sự thẹn thùng ban đầu bằng cách mở lời trước
ENG: to say or do something that makes people feel more relaxed, especially at
the beginning of a meeting, party, etc.
Everything related to movies has changed especially the way we watch them. What we
experience today is basically unrecognizable from the past. In former days, movies
used to be only accessible in theaters but now we have easy access to thousands of
films at any given time with a smartphone and internet connection. As for movies
themselves, there are more genres today as compared to the past such as action movies
and they also have a higher quality with additional visual and sound effects.
There is still value left in the big-screen movie experience. Even as digital media have
badly affected newspapers, books, and traditional television, the cinema business has
stood relatively firm and even flourished. Many people choose to go to cinemas when
they go on a date or hang out with their friends. Besides, sitting in the auditorium in
the proximity of others and enjoying laughter, shock, or excitement spreading across
the audience is really exhilarating. Finally, I believe seeing a movie with big screens,
big images, and great sound is the best.
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- accessible (adj): có thể tiếp cận
ENG: that can be reached, entered, used, seen, etc.
- visual and sound effects (noun phrase): hiệu ứng hình ảnh và âm thanh
ENG: lights, sounds, special scenery, computer images, etc. used in a play or
film, especially in order to show things that do not normally exist or happen
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TRAVELLING/ HOLIDAY
1. Frequency
Well, I do some travelling on a monthly basis in order to escape from the hustle and
bustle of the city for the weekend. You know, it’s kinda a great way for me to recharge
my batteries and be willing to start a new week.
I go travelling from time to time. Though I’m fully occupied with my full-time work
and taking care of my kids, I still spend a bit of time unwinding in remote areas
whenever I’m in need of some rejuvenation.
- escape from the hustle and bustle of the city (verb phrase): thoát khỏi cuộc
sống xô bồ của thành phố
ENG: avoid busy noisy activity of a lot of people in the city
- fully occupied with something (adj): quá bận rộn với việc gì
ENG: busy with something
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- take care of somebody (phrasal verb): chăm sóc ai đó
ENG: look after somebody
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you often go travelling/ How often do you go travelling?
2. Travelling companion
Well, actually I’m a solo traveller since I just wanna explore a new destination on my
own. As for me, choosing the right travel partner is really difficult and wastes a great
deal of time, I opt for travelling independently instead of going with other people.
In order to have a great experience and make snap decisions, I think it’s crucial to be
on the same page with a travel buddy. That’s why I always go travelling with my
close friends. They’re the ones who make my travel experience much more fulfilling
and fun.
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Giải thích từ vựng:
- make snap decisions (verb phrase): đưa ra quyết định nhanh chóng
ENG: decide quickly
I prefer to go on a self-catering holiday since it’s much cheaper. Also, I know for sure
what I’m eating, so I can ensure food safety.
I prefer to go on a guided tour as it helps me save a great deal of time. You know, this
type includes all of the planning for my trip, including making reservations and travel
arrangements. Besides, it’s much safer when travelling with a tour guide who is
familiar with local weather conditions and aware of danger zones.
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Giải thích từ vựng:
ENG: a holiday which provides you with accommodation and the equipment
that is necessary to cook your own meals
ENG: to book a seat on a plane or train, a room in a hotel, etc. to be kept for
you
4. Activities
Well, the very first thing that I have to do when I go to the beach is doing some
sunbathing. I’m really into sunbathing in the morning when the sun is not so hot. You
know, sun exposure can help me to reduce depression. Besides, it also helps the body
absorb calcium, which leads to stronger bones.
In addition to that, I really like to go for a swim if I have a chance to go to the beach.
Deep into water helps me feel refreshed and get in shape as it provides an all-body
workout.
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When I travel to a mountainous area, the first thing I have to do immediately after
reaching a destination is to do some sightseeing and snap some landscape photos
simultaneously. From then, I can explore spectacular landscapes there.
Furthermore, I also wanna sample as many local delicacies as possible, especially from
street stalls as I have a great passion for exploring local specialities.
Last but not least, I do something that is renowned for a particular place I pay a visit
to. For example, if I travel to Sapa, I will try a cable car to the top of Fansipan.
- sun exposure (noun phrase): tiếp xúc với ánh nắng mặt trời
ENG: a medical condition in which a person feels very sad and anxious and
often has physical symptoms such as being unable to sleep, etc.
ENG: to take in and keep heat, light, energy, sound, etc. instead of reflecting it
ENG: to go swimming
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- feel refreshed (verb phrase): cảm thấy sảng khoái
ENG: a period of physical exercise that you do to keep fit for the whole body
ENG: used to describe something special that is not likely to happen to you
again
- capture memorable moments (verb phrase): ghi lại những khoảnh khắc đáng
nhớ
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ENG: a table or small shop with an open front that people sell things from, on
streets
- pay a visit to somewhere (verb phrase): đi du lịch đến một nơi nào đó
5. Benefits
I always have a blast on my travels. That’s why whenever I feel down in the dumps,
I just do some travelling with my travel buddy. It’s usually just a round-to-city trip
rather than far-away places.
As for me, going travelling is a completely eye-opening experience that forces me out
of my comfort zone and immerses myself in new cultures. So, it kinda helps me
broaden my cultural horizons.
Travelling is also a great way for me to cement a relationship with my friends. And I
had a once-in-a-lifetime experience with my friends when we went to Sapa last year.
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- on one’s travels (noun phrase): đi du lịch
ENG: go travelling
- a completely eye-opening experience (noun phrase): một trải nghiệm hoàn toàn
mở rộng tầm mắt
ENG: an experience causing a feeling of a surprise because it shows you
something that you did not already know
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6. Advantages and disadvantages of travelling alone and in a group
In terms of the advantages of solo travel, it gives you a great sense of comfort as you
can do things at your own pace and on your own timetable. Furthermore, you can get a
greater sense of achievement as you have to navigate your way on your own.
In terms of the disadvantages of solo travel, I think it may be more expensive because
you don’t have someone to share costs with. Moreover, it’s easier to feel a sense of
loneliness when travelling alone.
As for the advantages of travelling in a group, it gives you a blast because there’s
always somebody around to do things with. Travel buddies are also the ones who can
help take your picture. Besides, you can get reduced rates for a group, like
accommodation or means of transport as you have someone to split on costs. Moreover,
group travel is much safer as when you journey with a companion, you have someone
to watch your back.
As for the disadvantages of travelling in a group, you are restricted by a fixed schedule
and can’t choose to stay somewhere longer when you wanna explore more. Besides, it’s
not easy to find travel companions who have something in common with you, you
may clash with them over stuff.
- navigate one’s way (verb phrase): tìm ra cách giải quyết cho vấn đề gì
ENG: to find the right way to deal with a difficult or complicated situation
- feel a sense of loneliness (verb phrase): cảm thấy cô đơn
ENG: to feel lonely
- a blast (noun): vui vẻ
ENG: fun
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- travel buddy = travel companion (noun): bạn đồng hành đi du lịch
ENG: another adult who travels with you
- clash with somebody (over something) (verb): tranh cãi với ai về vấn đề
ENG: to argue with somebody
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FASHION AND
CLOTHING
1. Favourite types of clothes/ fashion
Well, I’m a big fan of sporty outfits like oversize sweatshirts, hoodies or leggings
because they give me a great sense of comfort, but I still look fashionable. Besides, I
can easily mix and match them with a pair of sneakers.
I have a nine-to-five job in the office, so I really love classic style. I often wear blazers,
pencil skirts, and khakis most of the time, not only when I go to work but also hang out
with friends. That’s why my buddies always tell me that I take much pride in my
appearance.
I love smart-casual clothes like T-shirts, shirts and blazers because I do not only feel
comfy, but also look elegant and professional. I always wanna appear presentable, but
don’t wanna waste a lot of money to buy clothes that dress for the occasion. So, I opt
for this style as I can wear almost anywhere and be appropriately dressed.
- give somebody a great sense of comfort (verb phrase): cho ai cảm giác thoải
mái
ENG: make somebody comfortable
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- mix and match (verb): phối đồ
ENG: to combine things in different ways for different purposes
- dress for the occasion (verb phrase): mặc phù hợp với các dịp cụ thể
ENG: (of clothes) wear for a particular occasion
161
- appropriately dressed (adj phrase): ăn mặc phù hợp
ENG: wearing something suitable for a certain situation
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What type of clothes do you like to wear?
Well, to be honest, I never wear eccentric clothes or flashy clothes because I’m the
sort of person who doesn't wanna stand out in a crowd. Moreover, these outfits are
usually much more expensive than others, so I don’t wanna splurge on these items.
I don’t like to wear ripped blue jeans because I don’t look elegant. Also, I think that
this type of clothes is just suitable for several informal situations. I mean I’m the sort of
person who prefers clothes that can wear almost anywhere, not just for certain
occasions.
I feel uncomfortable in high heels, so I never wear this pair of shoes. Every time I put
high-heeled shoes on, my feet get injured.
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- high heels = high-heeled shoes (noun phrase): giày cao gót
ENG: shoes that have very high heels, usually worn by women
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What type of clothes don’t you like to wear?
Since I have a great passion for designer clothes, I often go to shopping malls like
Royal City to buy clothes. You know, there are lots of first-class fashion brands there,
so I have a wider range of options to buy what I want. Furthermore, although these items
have prohibitive prices, I can know for sure they’re authentic, not fake.
Well, you know, I mostly buy clothes at markets because they’re quite affordable for
a poor student like me. Moreover, I like to make a real bargain with street vendors.
Actually, I feel a sense of triumph whenever I succeed in bargaining.
As I’m up to my ears in work, I don’t find any idle time to hit the brick-and-mortar
stores on a regular basis. Therefore, I usually go shopping for clothes on the Internet
because you know, it helps me save a great deal of time. Besides, I can avoid spending
extravagantly on unnecessary items.
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- first-class fashion brand (noun phrase): thương hiệu thời trang hạng nhất
ENG: fashion brand with the best quality
- make a real bargain with somebody (verb phrase): trả giá với ai
ENG: to discuss prices, conditions, etc. with somebody in order to reach an
agreement that is acceptable
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Where do you usually shop for clothes?
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4. Brand of clothing is important
Personally, I don’t really care about the brand of clothing or clothes that are on trend.
To be honest, designer clothes are too unaffordable for me, so I don’t wanna spend
extravagantly on these items. Instead, I save money to pursue my hobbies like
travelling or taking photographs.
Well, I’m the sort of person who is concerned much about keeping up with the latest
fashion, so the brand of clothing is of great importance to me. Also, I always wanna be
stylishly dressed in front of others, so only wearing outfits from fashion houses can
meet my requirement.
As I’m a fashionista, I’m really into fashion, especially designer labels. In other words,
I’m the sort of person who creates fashion trends, so fashion brands are indispensable
to me.
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- keep up with the latest fashion (verb phrase): bắt kịp xu hướng thời trang mới
nhất
ENG: to learn about or be aware of the current fashion
- indispensable to somebody/ something (adj): không thể thiếu với ai/ cái gì
ENG: too important to be without
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Well, to be quite honest, I don’t concur in the idea of wearing uniforms at workplaces.
As I’m a slave to fashion, I always want to be dressed to kill so that I can stand out
in the crowd. Moreover, I feel uncomfortable wearing standardised clothing all the
time, particularly pencil skirts and shirts. Also, I think that wearing uniforms curtails
the freedom of employees, and it might restrict their performance.
- promote brand awareness (verb phrase): thúc đẩy nhận thức về thương hiệu
ENG: increase knowledge of the name of a company and the products it sells
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- concur (with somebody) in something (verb): đồng ý với ai về việc gì
ENG: to agree
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Are you willing to wear uniform at work?
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SHOPPING
1. Frequency
I do some shopping on a regular basis, not only to purchase basic necessities but also to
stroll in shopping malls with my buddies on the weekend in order to release stress
after a hard-working week.
You know, I’m such a social butterfly; I always want to be in fashion in front of other
people. That’s why I go shopping every week so that I can follow the latest fashions
and acquire better taste in fashion.
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- follow the latest fashions (verb phrase): theo kịp xu hướng thời trang mới nhất
ENG: to do what is popular at the time
- acquire good taste in fashion (verb phrase): có được gu thời trang tốt
ENG: be able to discover what looks good on them
- take a lot of pride in one’s appearance (verb phrase): chú trọng nhiều vào hình
thức
ENG: to wear very carefully and well, in a way that gives you a lot of
satisfaction
- every now and then (adv): hiếm khi
ENG: not very often
- posh item (noun phrase): đồ vật xa xỉ
ENG: attractive and expensive thing
2. Companion
Well, I often shop with my mom as I regard her as such a wise woman. When buying
daily necessities, she is able to choose fresh and gourmet food. Besides, she has an
eye for fashion since she can choose outfits that always look good on me. Furthermore,
I’m never worried about running out of money while buying stuff with her.
I usually spend the weekend doing a bit of shopping with a circle of my friends.
They’re the ones who have a lot in common with me and have great taste in clothes,
so I can not only choose suitable attire, but also take advantage of this time to shoot
the breeze with my friends.
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To be quite honest, I'm one of those fiercely independent types, so I mostly go
shopping on my own. Besides, my buddies are always up to their ears in work, so I
don’t wanna bother them.
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- shoot the breeze (idiom): chém gió
ENG: to have a conversation in an informal way
- fiercely independent types (noun phrase): kiểu người cực kỳ độc lập
ENG: a person who is very confident and free to do things without needing
help from other people
- up to one’s ears in something (idiom): bận rộn với việc gì
ENG: busy with something
3. Benefits
Going shopping is an enjoyable pastime to me, so this activity sorta helps me relieve
my stress. That’s why whenever I feel overloaded with work or feel down in the
dumps, I just do some shopping, even aimless window-shopping uplifts me.
Well, I think hitting the stores might be a good work-out for me because I have to
shop from one department store to the next while carrying heavy bags. As I lead a
sedentary life, this physical activity is actually helpful for my health.
Well, as I’m a shopaholic, I regard doing a bit of shopping every day as a reward for
me after working hard. In other words, it helps me recharge my batteries and work
harder on the next day.
You know, I’m on the go with my study all day, shopping on the weekend is a great
chance for me to spend quality time with my beloved people like my mom or sister.
Thus, this activity is kinda a way to cement the relationship between me and my family
members.
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- pastime (noun): sự giải trí
ENG: something that you enjoy doing when you are not working
- overloaded with something (adj): quá tải với việc gì
ENG: having too much of something to do
- down in the dumps (idiom): buồn
ENG: feeling unhappy
- aimless window-shopping (noun): hành động đi ngó vòng vòng một cách
không có chủ đích và ý định mua
ENG: the activity of spending time looking at the goods on sale in shop
windows without intending to buy any of them aimlessly
- uplift somebody (verb): khiến ai vui
ENG: to make somebody feel happier or give somebody more hope
- hit the stores (verb phrase): đến cửa hàng
ENG: go to stores
- a work-out (noun): sự vận động
ENG: a period of physical exercise that you do to keep fit
- lead a sedentary life (verb phrase): sống một cuộc sống ít vận động
ENG: live a life in which you spend a lot of time sitting down
- shopaholic (noun): người nghiện mua sắm
ENG: a person who enjoys shopping very much and spends too much time or
money doing it
- a reward (noun): phần thưởng
ENG: a thing that you are given because you have done something good,
worked hard, etc.
- recharge one’s batteries (idiom): nạp lại năng lượng
ENG: to get back your strength and energy by resting for a while
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- on the go (with something) (idiom): bận rộn với việc gì
ENG: busy (with something)
- cement the relationship (verb phrase): củng cố mối quan hệ
ENG: to make a relationship stronger
When it comes to the benefits of shopping on the Internet, I think we can get more
inexpensive deals than buying at brick-and-mortar stores because items usually come
to us directly from manufacturers without middlemen involved. Besides, shopping
online helps us save a great deal of time and energy as we don’t waste time hitting the
stores or making a bargain. Moreover, online stores are usually high on inventory,
so they can offer a far greater selection of colors and sizes. In other words, there’re a
wider range of options for us to purchase.
However, online shopping brings several great drawbacks. First, we don’t have the
experience of actually seeing and touching the item that we consider buying. For
example, we can’t try on clothes to see whether it looks good on us or not. So, it might
not live up to our expectations. Second, the risk of fraud is quite high when buying
stuff on the Internet. Sellers might send an item that doesn’t look like its pictures or
description.
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- middlemen (noun): người trung gian
ENG: a person who buys goods from the company that has produced them and
makes a profit by selling them to a shop or a user
- hit the stores (verb phrase): đến cửa hàng
ENG: go to stores
- make a bargain (verb phrase): trả giá
ENG: to try to make someone agree to give you something that is better for
you, such as a better price or better working conditions
- high on inventory (adj phrase): có nhiều hàng trong kho
ENG: many goods in a store
- try on something (phrasal verb): thử quần áo
ENG: to put on clothes to see how they look or if they fit
- look good on somebody (verb phrase): ai đó trông hợp với cái gì
ENG: a person's hair cut, makeup, or clothes match that person well, and make
that person look good
- live up to one’s expectations (verb phrase): đáp ứng được kỳ vọng của ai đó
ENG: to achieve what is expected, esp. high standards
- fraud (noun): lừa đảo
ENG: the crime of getting money by deceiving people
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TOYS
1. Favourite toys
When I was young, I loved my teddy more than any other toys. Whenever I felt sad, I
would just talk to it. He was really a shoulder to cry on. If I needed comfort, I would
hug him and cry, and I would feel better afterwards.
Our childhood favorite toy was a bubble blowing machine. Actually, it was a total
impulse buy when my family went shopping at the supermarket. It turned out to be a
huge hit as my siblings and I were really into it.
I was always something of an introvert and I had far too much imagination for my own
good. My plastic army men were worth their weight in gold. I was forever reenacting
World War II throughout the house. I still remember one specific playset that my big
sister brought home on my 8th birthday that was by far my favorite gift.
- a shoulder to cry on (idiom): một bờ vai để dựa vào khi gặp khó khăn
ENG: used to describe a person who listens to your problems and gives you
sympathy
- impulse buy (noun): món đồ mua không có chủ đích, món đồ mua vội
ENG: something that you buy without planning to do so in advance, and
without thinking about it carefully
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- huge hit (noun phrase): người/ thứ phổ biến, được yêu thích
ENG: a person or thing that is very popular
- worth one’s weight in gold (idiom): rất có giá trị, hữu dụng
ENG: very useful or valuable
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What was your favourite toy when you were a child?
Toys and stuffed animals can be hard to let go of because they are filled with memories
of when we were little. As a kid, I used to have a hard time prioritizing which items
are more special than others. Then I kept all of them in a big wooden box in the basement
and it’s still there until now.
Some people like to keep their childhood junk because it brings a lot of memories. A
lot of people are afraid of forgetting the time that has gone by, so keeping childhood
toys may be an excellent way to help them recollect their good old days. Or maybe they
are just in the habit of not throwing away anything.
I believe that to some people, their childhood toys are like a treasure. Such toys are
inextricably linked with stories in their childhood and more valuable than anything
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else with even exorbitant prices. My father is a good case in point. He still keeps his
torn teddy bear because it reminds him of my grandma who passed away several years
back.
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- exorbitant (adj): (giá cả) cắt cổ
ENG: (of a price) much too high
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Why do some people keep their childhood toys?
Toys like ride-on toys help babies learn to master developmental skills like sitting,
crawling or even riding a means of transport.
Besides, this facilitates toddlers exploring the world enthusiastically. For example,
stack and match allows kids to actively learn how to recognize different colors or letters.
So, these educational toys help kids broaden their horizons and develop skills like
spatial awareness or motor skills.
Furthermore, I suppose all toys encourage kids to use their imagination and creativity
to spark joy, so these toys help them stimulate creativity. Moreover, kids consider
toys as their playmates, so they don’t feel a sense of loneliness and depression thanks
to them.
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- ride-on toy (noun phrase): đồ chơi để ngồi lên, cưỡi lên,..và đi
ENG: a toy car that a child can sit in and move
- feel a sense of loneliness and depression (verb phrase): cảm thấy cô đơn, buồn
chán
ENG: to feel lonely and depressed
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are some benefits of children playing toys?
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4. Disadvantages of playing with toys
Firstly, it may put kids at risk because toys that usually contain small parts could be
swallowed. In other words, kids can choke on such tiny parts.
Secondly, that children play with dolls all day might make them bad at social skills.
They might not wanna go out to partake in outdoor activities, and lead a sedentary
life. Eventually, they might become not sociable.
Thirdly, some toys, particularly modern ones are highly addictive, which causes
children to pester their parents constantly.
- put somebody at risk (idiom): đưa ai vào tình thế nguy hiểm
ENG: to put somebody in danger of something unpleasant or harmful
happening
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- lead a sedentary life (verb phrase): sống cuộc sống ít vận động, hay ngồi trước
màn hình máy tính
ENG: to live a life in which you spend a lot of time sitting down
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are some disadvantages of children playing toys?
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WEATHER AND SEASONS
1. Description of weather
Well, the weather is baking hot today, and it seems completely still. So, I don’t wanna
go out in such an extreme weather condition. I just wanna sit in front of the fan all day
and do nothing.
The temperature today is below freezing. I’m gonna go out on a date with my friends,
so I have to bundle up so that I can’t catch a cold.
It’s chucking it down, and the sky is heavily overcast. So, I will sit at home to kick
back on a comfortable sofa and be engrossed in reading books all day. I just bought
several real-page turners that my friend recommended for me.
Well, the wind picks up, so I guess it’s almost a gale. I shouldn’t go out right now to
avoid being soaked to the skin.
Well, the weather in my country is really changeable, especially in summer. There are
periods of time with cloudless skies, but suddenly we get caught in a torrential
downpour. That’s why we always bring an umbrella or raincoat with us when going
out.
There’re four seasons in my country, which are spring, summer, fall and winter
respectively. But as a whole the weather is typically either boiling hot or freezing. My
country experiences a blanket of snow once in a blue moon.
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- baking hot = boiling hot (adj): nắng nóng
ENG: very hot
- completely still (adj phrase): không có gió
ENG: with no wind
- freezing (adj): lạnh buốt
ENG: very cold
- go out on a date with somebody (verb phrase): có hẹn với ai
ENG: go out with somebody
- bundle somebody up (in something) (phrasal verb): bận rộn với việc gì
ENG: to put warm clothes or thick material on somebody
- It’s chucking it down (idiom): trời đang mưa
ENG: it’s raining heavily
- heavily overcast (adj phrase): u ám
ENG: covered with clouds; not bright
- engrossed in something (adj): chìm đắm vào cái gì
ENG: so interested or involved in something that you give it all your attention
- real page-turner (noun phrase): sách hay
ENG: a book that is very exciting
- kick back (phrasal verb): thư giãn
ENG: to relax
- a gale (noun): cơn lốc, cơn gió mạnh
ENG: an extremely strong wind
- be soaked to the skin (adj phrase): ướt sũng người
ENG: completely wet
- changeable (adj): hay thay đổi
ENG: often changing
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- cloudless skies (noun phrase): trời không một gợn mây
ENG: skies with clear; with no clouds
- a torrential downpour (noun phrase): một trận mưa xối xả
ENG: rain falling in large amounts
- a blanket of snow (noun phrase): một lớp tuyết phủ
ENG: a thick layer or mass of snow
- once in a blue moon (idiom): hiếm khi
ENG: rarely
I love spring most because it’s the ideal period of time that I don’t have to suffer from
long-summer heatwaves or the freezing wind of winter. Besides, as I’m a nature
lover, I have chances to see many fruit trees like apricot trees in full blossom.
Moreover, this is an occasion for family reunions and many festivals, so I can spend
more quality time with my beloved ones to cement our relationship. It’s a real blast
for me.
Summer is my all-time favourite season. I love still summer’s days because I can grasp
this opportunity to hang out with my friends, and snap a lot of superb photographs.
Furthermore, summer usually experiences heatwaves, so I can spend every afternoon
sunbathing and swimming, which is one of my hobbies. I also can take advantage of
a three-month vacation to go on a trip to the countryside and mountainous areas so that
I can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
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Autumn is my all-time favourite season since the weather is really nice. I particularly
enjoy gentle breezes in this season. Moreover, this period is specially suitable for
outdoor activities like camping or fishing. I also cycle around the city on the weekend
without worry about heatstroke like in the summer or colds in the winter.
Personally, I’m really into winter as I have a chance to see blankets of snow and make
a snowman. Though it’s always windy, and usually dull and overcast in this season, I
still love that feeling. Also, it is the right time for me to put on stylish clothes like
overcoats or cardigans. That makes me more fashionable and elegant.
- long-summer heatwave (noun phrase): đợt nắng nóng kéo dài mùa hè
ENG: a period of unusually hot weather in summer
- freezing (adj): lạnh buốt
ENG: very cold
- a nature lover (noun phrase): người yêu thiên nhiên
ENG: a person who loves nature
- in full blossom (noun phrase): (hoa) nở rộ
ENG: a flower has reached full maturity
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- grasp the opportunity (verb phrase): tận dụng cơ hội
ENG: to take an opportunity without hesitating and use it
- superb photograph (noun phrase): bức ảnh đẹp, chất lượng cao
ENG: excellent, very good quality photograph
- take advantage of something/ somebody (phrasal verb): tận dụng cái gì, lợi
dụng ai
ENG: to make use of something well; to make use of an opportunity
- escape from the hustle and bustle of the city (verb phrase): thoát khỏi cuộc
sống xô bồ của thành phố
ENG: to be far away from a large amount of activity and work, in a noisy city
- all-time favourite (adj): (cái gì) yêu thích nhất từ trước đến nay
ENG: that is liked the most of any time
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- heatstroke (noun): say nắng
ENG: an illness with a high temperature and often loss of consciousness,
caused by being in too great a heat for too long
My mood depends a lot on what the weather’s like. I’m usually in a negative frame of
mind in winter. Specifically, I often experience drowsiness when it’s overcast and
freezing outside because I can’t hang around and chit chat with my friends. Besides,
I usually feel in a gloomy mood whenever it’s raining cats and dogs. But summer
sunlight can uplift my mood as I can participate in a lot of outdoor activities. So, as a
whole, the weather has a significant effect on my mood.
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The weather doesn’t affect my mood a lot as I know what to do in different weather to
lift my mood up. You know, I’m a couch potato, so on rainy days I just sit in front of
the TV all day to watch a series of drama films or reality shows. It’s actually a real
blast for me. But when it’s sunny, I usually hit the town to do a bit of shopping with
my buddies or spend the whole afternoon in idle chit-chat with them. We share with
each other about different stuff. So, I just don’t care much about how nice the weather
is.
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- have a significant effect on somebody/ something (verb phrase): có ảnh hưởng
lớn đến ai/ cái gì
ENG: to influence greatly somebody/ something
- a couch potato (adj): người nghiện xem TV
ENG: a person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television
- reality shows (noun phrase): chương trình thực tế
ENG: a television programme about ordinary people who are filmed in real
situations
- a real blast (noun phrase): niềm vui
ENG: fun
- hit the town (verb phrase): xuống phố
ENG: go to the town
- idle chit-chat (noun phrase): chém gió với ai
ENG: conversation about things that are not important
Well, I think it depends much on what kind of sport you are playing. To be more
specific, the weather has a great impact on people playing sports, especially those who
engage in outdoor sports. For example, if it’s chucking it down, the chances are some
outdoor sports like football or biking have to be rained off. Besides, high temperature
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can have a significant influence on the performance of players as it’s likely to cause
heat illnesses like heatstroke or heat cramps. However, it doesn’t affect a lot if people
play indoor sports like badminton or boxing because they play in sports complexes.
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you think the weather is more important to you/ people who play
sports?
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5. Climate change
The weather has become growingly abnormal during the last several years. We’re
suffering long-summer heatwaves and seeing out-of-season downpours every year.
Especially, central Vietnam is experiencing the rainy season and the floods that come
late but happen repeatedly and last longer than usual. This leads to some extreme
weather like devastating floods and landslides that cause substantial damage to
property and local people. On top of that, there are also concerns about rising sea
levels in my country.
Climate change causes a lot of devastating effects on both people and property. First,
there appears more severe, frequent droughts and floods which cause a lot of crops to
be destroyed completely. Also, this leads to the increasing frequency of wildfires
occurring all over my country. Second, warmer temperatures increase the risk of many
diseases like mosquito-borne diseases that pose a great threat to human health.
Particularly, the spread of these diseases to human beings leads to millions of deaths
annually.
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- devastating flood (noun phrase): lũ lụt tàn khốc
ENG: flood that causes a lot of damage and destroying things
- landslide (noun): sạt lở
ENG: a mass of earth, rock, etc. that falls down the slope of a mountain or a
cliff
- substantial damage to somebody/ something (noun phrase): thiệt hại lớn đến cái
gì
ENG: greatly harmful effects on somebody/something
- on top of that (linking words): thêm vào đó
ENG: in addition
- rising sea level (noun phrase): mực nước biển tăng cao
ENG: the increase in the average height of the sea, used as the basis for
measuring the height of all places on land
- devastating effect (noun phrase): ảnh hưởng nặng nề
ENG: greatly harmful effects
- drought (noun): hạn hán
ENG: a long period of time when there is little or no rain
- destroy a crop (verb phrase): phá hủy vụ mùa
ENG: to damage a crop so badly that it cannot be used
- wildfire (noun): cháy rừng
ENG: a very big fire that spreads quickly and burns natural areas like woods,
forests and grassland
- mosquito-borne disease (noun phrase): bệnh do muỗi truyền
ENG: diseases that are spread to people by mosquitoes
- pose a great threat to somebody/ something (verb phrase): đặt ra một mối đe
dọa lớn
ENG: to have the possibility of trouble, danger or disaster
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Câu hỏi luyện tập:
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MARRIAGE
1. Ideal age to get married
I think the right time to tie the knot doesn’t depend much on a particular age, but I take
other different factors into account to make up my mind whether or not it’s an ideal
time for me to get married.
First, it’s about the maturity of the two people. I will get married only when my partner
and I are mature enough, both physically and emotionally. I mean it’s when we’re well
aware of life issues and marriage problems, and know how to handle these issues with
rationale and thorough consideration.
Second, the financial independence of the two people also plays an important part
in this once-in-a-lifetime decision. You know, before getting ready to step into the new
phase of life, I have to ensure my partner and I have enough income to fully cover not
only the bare basics but also to pursue our hobbies like money to go travelling on a
monthly basis or to eat out from time to time.
Third, of course, I get married only when I find my Mr Right to come along because I
don’t wanna get married in a hurry. I would prefer to stay single rather than end up
with the wrong person. You know, I just don’t wanna take a gamble on the rest of my
life.
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- take something into account (idiom): cân nhắc đến điều gì
ENG: to consider particular facts, circumstances, etc. when making a decision
about something
- play an important part in something (verb phrase): đóng vai trò quan trọng
trong vấn đề gì
ENG: to help to achieve something
196
- cover the bare basics (verb phrase): chi trả cho những nhu cầu thiết yếu
ENG: be able to pay for the most basic needs
- end up with somebody/ something (phrasal verb): kết thúc với ai/ cái gì
ENG: to finally be in a particular place or situation
2. Arranged marriage
I can’t accept the idea of allowing my parents to choose who I will marry for a number
of reasons.
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together overcome a lot of inevitable ups and downs of marriage, and still be there
for the other instead of easily ending up splitting up when a problem arises. But how
we can love each other unconditionally if we just meet a couple of times before
marriage.
On top of that, if I’m at liberty to choose my life partner, I’m entirely responsible for
my own choice and happiness. You know, I just don’t wanna blame my parents for any
failure.
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- overcome inevitable ups and downs (verb phrase): vượt qua những thăng trầm
không thể tránh khỏi
ENG: to succeed in dealing with the mixture of good and bad things in life or
in a particular situation or relationship that you cannot avoid or prevent
- casual conversation (noun phrase): cuộc nói chuyện bình thường hàng ngày
ENG: chit-chat
- play a crucial part in something (verb phrase): đóng vai trò quan trọng trong
việc gì
ENG: to help to achieve something
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- companionship (uncountable noun): sự đồng hành
ENG: the pleasant feeling that you have when you have a friendly relationship
with somebody and are not alone
- take an active part in something (verb phrase): tham gia một cách chủ động
trong việc gì
ENG: participate actively in something
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Is it easy for you to accept an arranged marriage?
I really want co-living with my parents or my in-laws after marriage. They’re the ones
who bring me and my husband up really well, so I wanna take good care of them when
they grow older. In other words, I just wanna maintain an enduring relationship with
my parents. Furthermore, as parents retire from work, they can lend us a helping hand.
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They can help us look after my children. Well, to be quite honest, I feel safer knowing
that my kid is in the hands of my family relatives instead of a babysitter. They also
help prepare for home-cooked meals so that we don’t have to eat from take-aways when
we’re fully occupied with our work. So, they kinda help us lead a healthier lifestyle.
Actually I don’t want to reside with my in-laws after marriage. I don’t feel comfortable
living with them as most in-laws usually attempt to interfere in marriage problems like
how to raise my kids. Sometimes, they can keep minding my business too far. Second,
living in an extended family might lead to family conflict due to the generation gap.
This might cause a broken relationship between us.
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- babysitter (noun): người trông trẻ
ENG: a person who takes care of babies or children while their parents are
away from home and is usually paid to do this
- take-away (noun): cửa hàng bán đồ ăn mang đi
ENG: a restaurant that cooks and sells food that you take away and eat
somewhere else
- lead a healthy lifestyle (verb phrase): có lối sống khỏe mạnh
ENG: to live healthily
- reside with somebody (verb): sống với ai
ENG: to live with somebody
- interfere in something (verb): can thiệp vào chuyện gì
ENG: to get involved in and try to influence a situation that should not really
involve you, in a way that annoys other people
- mind your business (idiom): can thiệp vào chuyện của ai
ENG: think about your own affairs and do not ask questions about or try to get
involved in other people’s lives
- an extended family (noun): gia đình gồm nhiều thế hệ sống chung
ENG: a family group with a close relationship among the members that
includes not only parents and children but also uncles, aunts, grandparents, etc.
- the generation gap (noun): khoảng cách giữa các thế hệ
ENG: a situation in which older and younger people do not understand each
other because of their different experiences, opinions, habits, and behaviour
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you want to live with your parents after marriage?/ Do you think
couples should live with their parents or on their own?
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4. Responsibilities of husband and wife
Personally, I don’t think that husbands and wives should have different roles within the
family. Instead, they should share the same responsibilities for earning money and doing
household chores.
In the past, men used to be the sole breadwinner of the family, and they were fully
responsible for the financial situation of the family. Meanwhile, women just stayed at
home, and took on housekeeping and parenting responsibilities.
However, recently, both husbands and wives land a full-time job outside; or in other
words, they both fulfill the financial needs of the family. So, wives are no longer the
sole home-maker or just stay-at-home moms. That’s why men should also take an
active part in taking care of children and handling household chores.
So, as a whole, husbands and wives should equally share earning money and
upbringing rather than have clear-cut roles in the family.
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- land a job (verb phrase): có việc làm
ENG: to have a job
- home-maker (verb): nội trợ
ENG: a person, especially a woman, who manages a home and takes care of the
house and family
- stay-at-home (adj): (bố/ mẹ) ở nhà chăm sóc con cái
ENG: a stay-at-home mother or father is one who stays at home to take care of
their children instead of going out to work
- take an active part in something (verb phrase): tham gia một cách chủ động
trong việc gì
ENG: participate actively in something
- take care of somebody/ something (phrasal verb): chăm sóc ai/ cái gì
ENG: to care for somebody/something/yourself
- upbringing (noun): nuôi dưỡng
ENG: the way in which a child is cared for and taught how to behave while it is
growing up
- clear-cut (adj): rõ ràng
ENG: definite and easy to see or identify
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Should husbands and wives have different roles within the family?
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CITIES AND THE COUNTRYSIDE
1. Living in the city or the countryside
I want to live in urban areas because I enjoy the hectic pace of life instead of a
monotonous life in the countryside.
In addition, there are a myriad of sources of recreation I can take part in when living
downtown. For example, I usually do a bit of shopping at shopping malls or go to the
movies on the weekend so that all daily stress can be relieved.
Furthermore, there are more job opportunities in big cities, so I can land a fulfilling
job.
I prefer to live in rural areas for a number of reasons. As I’m a nature lover, I have a
chance to live closer to nature when living in the countryside. Specifically, I have a
chance to take care of trees and flowers while hearing birds singing.
Besides, I’m able to enjoy fresh air, so I can lead a healthy life in such a pollution-
free place.
Moreover, the cost of living is quite low, so I don’t have to burn the midnight oil to
pay for daily expenses like living in a big city. That’s how I can get the right work-
life balance.
On top of that, the countryside has a strong sense of community. You know,
neighbours come to talk to each other on a daily basis, so they can give me a helping
hand when a problem arises. As a whole, I enjoy the relaxed pace of rural life.
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- the hectic pace of life (noun phrase): nhịp sống hối hả
ENG: a life that is very busy and involves a lot of rushed activity
- monotonous (adj): buồn tẻ
ENG: not changing and therefore boring
- a myriad of something (noun): nhiều cái gì
ENG: a lot of something
- downtown (adj/ adv): thành phố
ENG: in or to the central part of a city
- shopping mall (noun): trung tâm thương mại
ENG: a large building or covered area that has many shops, restaurants, etc.
inside it
- go to the movies (verb phrase): đi xem phim ở rạp
ENG: to go to the theatre
- land a fulfilling job (verb phrase): có công việc tốt
ENG: to have a good job
- a nature lover (noun phrase): người yêu thiên nhiên
ENG: a person who loves nature
- lead a healthy life (verb phrase): có lối sống khỏe mạnh
ENG: to live healthily
- pollution-free (adj): không ô nhiễm
ENG: unpolluted
- the cost of living (noun phrase): chi phí sinh hoạt
ENG: the amount of money that a person needs to live
- burn the midnight oil (idiom): học hành/ làm việc đến đêm khuya
ENG: to study or work until late at night
- daily expenses (noun phrase): chi phí hàng ngày
ENG: the money that you spend on daily bills
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- get the right work-life balance (verb phrase): rõ ràng
ENG: maintain the equal amount of time you spend doing your job compared
with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you
enjoy
- a strong sense of community (noun phrase): rõ ràng
ENG: very sociable
- give a helping hand (verb phrase): giúp đỡ ai
ENG: to help somebody
- the relaxed pace of life (noun phrase): nhịp sống chậm
ENG: a life that isn’t very busy
2. Activities
When I’m down in the dumps, I often hang around with my buddies so that we can
do a bit of sightseeing and take some photographs to uplift me.
In addition, I hit the gym every afternoon to keep fit and avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
But, in summer, I choose to go swimming because this activity provides me with a full-
body workout.
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I also spend the weekend trying street foods that are die-to-for in every corner of the
city because I have a big passion for exploring new things.
I’m an early bird, so I go to the market early every morning. I love making a bargain
with vendors.
Besides, as I have a lovely garden in front of my house, I spend every morning growing
crops and feeding animals. Well, to be quite honest, I have a great sense of
accomplishment after harvesting the plants I took good care of.
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- hit the gym (verb phrase): đến phòng tập
ENG: to go to the gym
- a sedentary lifestyle (noun phrase): lối sống ít vận động
ENG: a lifestyle in which you spend a lot of time sitting down
- full-body workout (noun phrase): bài tập toàn thân
ENG: a period of physical exercise that you do to keep fit for your whole body
- die-to-for (adj): ngon, rất muốn cái gì
ENG: excellent or to be strongly wished for
- have a big passion for something (verb phrase): có đam mê với cái gì
ENG: am interested in something
- engage in something (phrasal verb): tham gia vào việc gì
ENG: to take part in something
- an early bird (idiom): người thức dậy sớm
ENG: a person who gets up, arrives, etc. very early
- make a bargain (with somebody): trả giá
ENG: a thing bought for less than the usual price
- a great sense of accomplishment (noun phrase): cảm giác đạt được gì
ENG: an impressive thing that is done or achieved after a lot of work
- take good care of somebody/ something (phrasal verb): chăm sóc ai/ cái gì tốt
ENG: to care for somebody/something very well
- breathtaking (adj): (cảnh) đẹp
ENG: very exciting or impressive (usually in a pleasant way)
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3. Problems in big cities and solutions
First, I think traffic jams might be one of the most severe issues when living downtown.
Commuters usually get stuck in traffic congestion, especially in the rush hour due to
the very high volume of traffic in every corner of the city.
Second, the atmosphere becomes more and more polluted. And this causes respiratory
diseases and other health-related problems. In other words, people living in big cities
might suffer from more serious ailments than those in the countryside.
Third, the crime rate tends to be much higher in a metropolis. People are usually
charged with several common crimes like driving while intoxicated, or robbery.
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- metropolis (noun): thành phố
ENG: a large city
- be charged with something (verb phrase): bị buộc tội gì
ENG: to accuse somebody formally of a crime so that there can be a trial in
court
- driving while intoxicated (noun): lái xe trong khi say
ENG: the crime of driving a vehicle after drinking too much alcohol or taking
drugs that affect your ability to drive
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What problems do people in big cities have to deal with?
First, the countryside usually doesn’t have enough basic amenities like clean water,
not to mention a lack of infrastructure such as hospitals or transport. So, rural residents
suffer from the much lower standard of living as compared with those in urban areas.
Second, it’s difficult for people to find a fulfilling job in the countryside because there
are few companies and factories running there. This is especially acute for young
people because they have difficulty making a living.
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- the standard of living (noun phrase): mức sống
ENG: the amount of money and comfort people have in a particular society
- acute (adj): nghiêm trọng
ENG: very serious or severe
- have difficulty (in doing something) (verb phrase): gặp khó khăn trong việc gì
ENG: to be in the state or quality of being hard to do or to understand
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What problems do people in the countryside have to deal with?
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TECHNOLOGY
1. Frequency of using the Internet
Well, I surf the Internet on a daily basis since it assists me not only in working,
studying, but also in entertainment. Also, I usually keep abreast of current affairs and
stay in touch with my old friends by surfing Facebook.
I use the Internet from time to time. You know, I have to burn the midnight oil in the
factory, so I don’t have anything to do with the Internet. Sometimes I just make a video
call via Zalo or Facetime thanks to Internet connection.
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- at all times (idiom): luôn luôn, mọi lúc
ENG: always
- from time to time (idiom): thỉnh thoảng
ENG: sometimes
- burn the midnight oil (idiom): học tập/ làm việc muộn đến khuya
ENG: to study or work until late at night
2. Technological device
First, I use it to stay in touch with my relatives and my friends more easily. You know,
just by making a video call or sending a message, I can know what they’re up to
irrespective of long distance.
Second, I use it to improve my english ability. This smartphone has a myriad of apps
that play a vital part in my english acquisition. For example, I usually learn new
english words via flashcards and audios in Quizlet.
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Well, my laptop is an indispensable part of my daily life as I use it every day. In other
words, I can describe myself as a mouse potato. Every morning, I write blogs about
my experience to learn english so that I can post them on my website.
Also, thanks to this laptop, I can binge-watch any entire season of a film on the
weekend without going to the movies.
I use a house-cleaning robot every morning. You know, this is one of the most cutting-
edge technological devices. Thanks to this gadget, I don’t have to worry much about
tedious household chores like cleaning.
Also, it helps me save a great deal of time and energy. And I have more me-time to
immerse myself in real page-turners.
- stay/ keep in touch with somebody (phrasal verb): giữ liên lạc với ai
ENG: to see someone or communicate with someone regularly
- be up to something (idiom): đang làm gì
ENG: to be doing something
- irrespective of (prep): bất kể
ENG: without considering something or being influenced by it
- a myriad of something (noun): có nhiều cái gì
ENG: an extremely large number of something
- play a vital part in (doing) something (idiom): đóng vai trò quan trọng trong
việc gì
ENG: to help to achieve (doing) something
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- acquisition (noun): đạt được kỹ năng, kiến thức gì
ENG: the act of getting something, especially knowledge, a skill, etc.
- browse a website (verb phrase): lướt web
ENG: to look through a website without reading everything
- indispensable (adj): không thể thiếu
ENG: too important to be without
- a mouse potato (idiom): người nghiện dùng máy tính
ENG: a person who spends too much time using a computer
- an Internet-based course (noun phrase): khóa học trên mạng
ENG: a course that is done using the internet
- video conference (with somebody) (verb): đang làm gì
ENG: watch and listen to each other using video screens
- binge-watch (verb): cày phim
ENG: to watch several episodes (= separate parts) of a television series or
programme, one after another
- go to the movies (verb phrase): đến rạp chiếu phim
ENG: to go to the theatre
- cutting-edge (adj): (công nghệ) tân tiến
ENG: at the newest, most advanced stage in the development of something
- gadget (noun): thiết bị công nghệ
ENG: a small tool or device that does something useful
- me-time (uncountable noun): thời gian cho bản thân
ENG: time when a person who is normally very busy relaxes or does
something they enjoy
- immerse yourself in something (adj): chìm đắm vào cái gì
ENG: to become or make somebody completely involved in something
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- a real page-turner (noun): sách hay
ENG: a book that is very exciting
Well, honestly speaking, state-of-the-art technological devices affect our daily lives
both positively and negatively.
As for its benefits, a gadget like a smartphone enables families and friends worldwide
to keep in closer touch with each other. For example, parents can see and talk to their
son who is studying abroad via making a video call.
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First, the development of technology causes technology addiction among youngsters. I
mean, a legion of teenagers are addicted to playing video games, surfing the web, and
social networking. In other words, they’re kinda mouse potatoes who are glued to the
screen all day instead of going out to take part in outdoor activities. So, this causes them
to lead a sedentary lifestyle.
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- sign up for something (phrasal verb): đăng ký vào khóa học gì
ENG: to arrange to do a course of study by adding your name to the list of
people doing it
- eminent (adj): nổi tiếng
ENG: (of people) famous and respected, especially in a particular profession
- top-notch knowledge (noun phrase): kiến thức chất lượng
ENG: excellent knowledge
- gain English acquisition (verb phrase): thành thạo tiếng Anh
ENG: to master the English ability
- a legion of somebody (noun): nhiều người
ENG: a large number of people of one particular type
- social networking (uncountable noun): sử dụng các trang mạng xã hội
ENG: the use of websites and other internet services to communicate with other
people and make friends
- mouse potato (noun): người nghiện xem máy tính
ENG: a person who spends too much time using a computer
- glued to the screen (idiom): dán mắt vào màn hình
ENG: to give all your attention to a computer
- lead a sedentary lifestyle (verb phrase): có lối sống ít vận động
ENG: to live a life in which you spend a lot of time sitting down
- face-to-face (adj): mặt đối mặt
ENG: involving people who are close together and looking at each other
- engage in (doing) something (phrasal verb): tham gia vào hoạt động gì
ENG: to take part in something; to make somebody take part in something
- opt to do something (verb): chọn làm gì
ENG: to choose to take or not to take a particular course of action
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Câu hỏi luyện tập:
Second, using robots can improve the quality of products. As humans easily have a
lapse of concentration due to having to do repetitive tasks, industrial robots can do
these tasks with ease and precision.
Third, automated robots help humans to work in hazardous environments. You see,
some tasks like working on construction sites are deemed too dangerous or laborious
for humans to carry out. So, humans can have better working conditions and avoid
getting their hands dirty.
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- a repetitive task (noun phrase): chọn làm gì
ENG: a task that has to do the same thing many times, so that it becomes
boring
- with ease (adv): một cách dễ dàng
ENG: lack of difficulty
- with precision (adv): một cách chính xác
ENG: the quality of being exact, accurate and careful
- hazardous (adj): nguy hiểm
ENG: involving risk or danger, especially to somebody’s health or safety
- construction site (noun phrase): công trường
ENG: an area or piece of land on which construction works are being carried
out
- deem somebody/ something + adj (verb): cân nhắc ai/ cái gì như thế nào
ENG: to have a particular opinion about somebody/something
- laborious (adj): (việc) nặng nhọc
ENG: taking a lot of time and effort
- get one’s hands dirty (idiom): làm việc nặng nhọc
ENG: to do physical work
First, robots take humans’ jobs, which leads to an increase in job losses. For some, it
might be the bread and butter of their families. In other words, some people can’t
make a living anymore as the fact that robots force people out of work they’ve done
their entire lives.
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Second, businesses have to spend a fortune to buy these robots. And then, they still
have to pay for maintenance and get it repaired. So, this kinda leads to a fall in profits.
Third, factories might be too reliant on robots when over-using them. When they
suddenly malfunction, there would be no replacement for them. As a result, the
operations of factories can be interrupted.
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- replacement for somebody/ something (uncountable noun): sự thay thế
ENG: the act of replacing one thing with another
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are the disadvantages of using robots in the workplace?
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TREES/ PLANTS
1. Favourite trees/ flowers
My all-time favourite tree is the cherry tree. You see, all varieties of cherry trees bear
unpalatable fruits or edible cherries. What I love most about this tree is its blossoms
which are nearly pure white, tinged with pale pink. Especially, the blossoms can cover
the tree and uplift everyone. Besides, it’s one of the first signs of spring. So, whenever
I see it’s in blossom, I know for sure that spring is coming.
I’m really into the paddy plant as it plays a vital part in my daily life. You know, it’s
considered as the most widely consumed staple food for a large part of the world's
human population. On top of that, I can behold a panoramic view of the spectacular
landscape a paddy field has. You see, the landscape is carpeted in a stunning greenish
yellow when it’s ripe.
I love roses the most because this flower is considered as the symbol of love. On
Valentine’s Day, a man usually gives a bouquet of red roses to his woman to express
his love. Besides, this blossom has a wide range of colours, such as red, purple, yellow,
white and so on, and each kind has a different meaning. Moreover, roses have
fragrance, so it is used in perfumery.
- all-time favourite (adj): (cái gì) yêu thích nhất từ trước đến nay
ENG: that is liked the most of any time
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- bear something (verb): nở hoa/ kết trái
ENG: to produce flowers or fruit
- play a vital part in (doing) something (verb phrase): đóng vai trò quan trọng
trong việc gì
ENG: to help to achieve something
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- staple food (noun phrase): lương thực
ENG: a basic type of food that is used a lot
- be carpeted in/ with something (verb phrase): được bao phủ bởi cái gì
ENG: to cover something with a thick layer of something
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Describe A Plant, Flower Or Tree That You Like
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2. A place that has many trees
As I’m a nature lover, I’m really into living in a place entirely covered with a myriad
of trees. I can grasp this chance to have a closer-to-nature life. Besides, one of my
all-time favourite hobbies is taking care of trees, so living in such a greenish place is
definitely my go-to place. On top of that, it helps me to lead a healthy life because I
can breathe in such clean and fresh air.
- be entirely covered with something (verb phrase): bị bao phủ hoàn toàn bởi cái
gì
ENG: to be placed over or in front of something in order to hide, protect or
decorate it
- grasp the chance (to do something) (verb phrase): tận dụng cơ hội để làm gì
ENG: to take an opportunity without hesitating and use it
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- a closer-to-nature life (noun phrase): cuộc sống gần gũi với thiên nhiên
ENG: a life that you have a chance to live closer to nature
- all-time favourite (adj): (cái gì) yêu thích nhất từ trước đến nay
ENG: that is liked the most of any time
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- in search of something (prep): tìm kiếm cái gì
ENG: to find something
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Would you like to live in a place that has a lot of trees?
First, growing trees is considered as an enjoyable pastime for people of all ages.
Besides, we can enjoy planting all year round. It’s so rewarding to grow a plant,
particularly when the tree bears flowers and fruits. It’s kinda a sense of
accomplishment.
Second, planting trees is a great way to make our living environment better. You know,
they give off oxygen that we need to breathe. Also, they provide clean air and greenery
for us to enjoy.
Third, trees help to beautify landscapes as we can see colorful blossoms in the spring,
lush green leaves in the summer and vibrant hues in the fall. They actually provide an
ever-changing landscape.
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- a sense of accomplishment (noun phrase): cảm giác đạt được thành tựu
ENG: an impressive thing that is done or achieved after a lot of work
- an ever-changing landscape (noun phrase): một cảnh quan luôn thay đổi
ENG: a landscape that always changes
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are the benefits of planting more trees?
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SWEET/ DESSERTS
1. Favourite desserts
As I have a sweet tooth, I’m really into a myriad of desserts. But my all-time
favourite one is a strawberry cheesecake. It’s made from a soft mixture of cream
cheese, sugar, eggs on a base of biscuits broken into small pieces and topped with fresh
strawberry sauce. For me, this dessert is not only out of this world, but it’s also a guilt-
free cake because it’s made without fat. So, I won’t put on a great deal of weight
compared to the consumption of other sweet cakes.
Well, I’m really keen on lemon, so my favourite dessert dish is a lemon tart. It’s kinda
a pastry shell with a lemon-flavoured filling. I usually dust the tart with icing sugar
prior to serving so that it looks more stunning. I still remember vividly that when I
was in primary school, my mom usually made a lemon tart for me as a treat whenever
I aced an exam.
My signature dish is molten chocolate cake. You know, I fancy chocolate, so I always
discover a recipe for rich chocolate desserts. And I have to say molten chocolate cake
is the most mouth-watering dessert dish I have ever made. While the outer part of the
cake is quite firm and looks super yummy, the runny inner is kinda moist and a little
bit crunchy. That’s why I head over heels in love with this cake.
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- be really into something (idiom) = be really keen on something (phrasal adj):
cực kỳ thích cái gì
ENG: to be really interested into something
- all-time favourite (adj): (cái gì) yêu thích nhất từ trước đến nay
ENG: that is liked the most of any time
- be topped by/with something (verb phrase): đặt cái gì lên đỉnh của cái gì
ENG: to put something on the top of something else
- a guilt-free cake (noun phrase): bánh ăn vào không cảm thấy tội lỗi
ENG: a cake allowing you to enjoy something without feeling unhappy that
you are doing something bad
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- lemon tart (verb phrase): bánh tart (một loại bánh ngọt hở nhân) chanh
ENG: an open pastry case with a lemon-flavoured filling
- ace an exam (verb phrase): đạt kết quả cao trong kỳ thi
ENG: to be successful in an exam
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- molten chocolate cake (noun): bánh socola chảy
ENG: a chocolate cake containing hot chocolate sauce which flows out from
the middle.
- rich chocolate dessert (noun phrase): món tráng miệng chứa nhiều socola
ENG: a dessert containing a large supply of chocolate
- head over heels in love with somebody/ something (idiom): rất thích ai/ cái gì
ENG: completely in love with somebody/ something
Well, to be honest with you, I would say I lead a life of indulgence as I always finish
off with a rich dessert. I usually eat some pastries with a cup of tea in my afters. I know
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that this habit causes me to gain a great deal of weight, but it’s actually a great way for
me to relieve my daily stress.
I have to say that I don’t have a sweet tooth, so I eat desserts once in a blue moon. I
just have some kinds of desserts when I hang out with my friends and dine in a
restaurant which serves the dessert. But, actually I don’t eat a lot. That’s why I never
have to worry about cutting down on sweet foods.
Well, in the past I used to have a tiramisu on a regular basis, but after that I became
seriously overweight and suffered from a poor body image. So, now I have to control
my weight. I try my best to avoid sweet foods and work out at the gym in order to
keep in shape.
- finish something off (with something) (phrasal verb): kết thúc bằng cái gì
ENG: to do the last part of something
- relieve daily stress (verb phrase): giảm căng thẳng hàng ngày
ENG: to reduce daily stress
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- have a sweet tooth (idiom): thích đồ ngọt
ENG: to like food that contains a lot of sugar
- suffer from a poor body image (verb phrase): trải qua hình ảnh tiêu cực về hình
thể
ENG: to experience the negative idea that someone has of what their own body
looks like
- work out at the gym (phrasal verb): tập thể hình ở phòng tập
ENG: to exercise in order to improve the strength or appearance of your body
at the gym
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3. Places to buy a dessert
Well, to be honest with you, I’m a big fan of desserts, but I have never had a crack
at making a cake by myself. So, I always eat store-bought cakes. My all-time
favourite bakery is Fresh Garden, which is situated near my house.
I usually buy desserts in notable bakeries like Origato or Nguyễn Sơn bakery. They
serve a wide range of desserts that I can choose freely, but my go-to choice is always
a molten chocolate cake.
- all-time favourite bakery (noun phrase): quán bánh yêu thích nhất
ENG: bakery that is liked the most of any time
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- signature dish (noun phrase): món ăn tủ
ENG: used to refer to a dish for which a person is particularly known
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Besides, eating too much sugar can increase your chances of developing depression.
As blood sugar swings may be a reason for sugar’s detrimental impact on mental
health, the overconsumption of sugar may make you depressed.
Furthermore, eating high amounts of sugar can speed the skin aging process. As
consuming a diet high in sugar leads to the production of AGEs standing for
advanced glycation end products, it may cause your skin to age prematurely.
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- diabetes (uncountable noun): bệnh tiểu đường
ENG: a medical condition in which the body cannot produce enough insulin to
control the amount of sugar in the blood
- AGEs = advanced glycation end products (noun phrase): sản phẩm glycat hóa
bền vững
ENG: proteins or lipids that become glycated as a result of exposure to sugars
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are the negative impacts of eating too much sweet food?
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CHARACTERS/ PERSONALITIES
1. Your personality
I would say that I have a great sense of humour. You see, I’m always the life and soul
of the party that I take part in. That’s why I have a wide circle of friends. Most of my
friends told me that my jokes and funny stories could easily crack them up.
Well, I’m kinda the person who is extroverted. I prefer to hang out with others, and
chit chat with them about this and that. That’s why my friends and I usually spend
every evening sipping a cup of coffee at our all-time favourite coffee shop and being
deep in conversation with one another.
Honestly speaking, I find myself rather unapproachable as it’s very difficult for me to
make new friends. I would prefer to stay at home and immerse myself in a real-page
turner rather than to go out and engage in an outdoor activity. That’s why I just have
a few friends who share the same interest in reading books.
- the life and soul of the party (idiom): trung tâm của bữa tiệc
ENG: someone who is energetic and funny and at the centre of activity during
social occasions
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- a wide circle of somebody (noun phrase): một nhóm người
ENG: a big group of people
- chit chat with somebody about something (verb): nói chuyện phiếm với ai về
vấn đề gì
ENG: to talk informally about matters that are not important
- all-time favourite (adj): (cái gì) yêu thích nhất từ trước đến nay
ENG: that is liked the most of any time
- deep in conversation (with somebody) (noun phrase): chìm đắm vào cuộc trò
chuyện với ai
ENG: to be get fully involved in conversation with somebody
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- make friends with somebody (verb phrase): kết bạn với ai
ENG: to become a friend of somebody
- immerse yourself in (doing) something (verb phrase): chìm đắm trong việc gì
ENG: to become or make somebody completely involved in something
- engage in (doing) something (phrasal verb): tham gia vào hoạt động gì
ENG: to take part in something
I’m gonna describe my father. Unlike other men, he isn’t the breadwinner in my
family. But he’s actually a stay-at-home father who takes really good care of me and
my sisters. He’s a very hard-working person who is an early riser. He always wakes
up very early in the morning and prepares a hearty breakfast for us. Besides, he’s
really kind as he’s always willing to give others a helping hand, even if it's just a
complete stranger.
I would like to tell you about Dung, one of my best friends, whom I admire a lot. I
would say she is such a single-minded person. When she sets a goal, she always does
her level best to accomplish that goal. For example, I still remember vividly that
when she took the entrance exam, she aimed to get 9 in Maths. That’s why she usually
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burnt the midnight oil, and eventually she aced the test. In addition to that, she is
really trustworthy. She’ll always be there for me whenever I’m in trouble.
I’m gonna talk about Min, whom I really look up to. Though she is an A-list celebrity,
she’s very approachable. I still remember vividly that when I came across her, I
grasped this chance to have my photo taken with her and she was really willing to do
so. Besides, she owns a beautiful voice, she just released a myriad of the greatest hits
which are my all-time favourite songs. On top of that, she is a multilingual person as
she is fluent in English and German
- take really good care of somebody (phrasal verb): chăm sóc ai rất tốt
ENG: to care for somebody really well
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- a complete stranger (noun phrase): một người hoàn toàn xa lạ
ENG: a person that you do not know
- take the entrance exam (verb phrase): dự thi kỳ thi Đại học
ENG: to take an exam that you take to be accepted into a school, etc.
- burn the midnight oil (idiom): học hành/ làm việc chăm chỉ
ENG: to study or work until late at night
- ace the test (verb phrase): đạt kết quả tốt trong kỳ thi
ENG: to be successful in the test
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- look up to somebody (phrasal verb): ngưỡng mộ ai đó
ENG: to admire somebody
- come across somebody/ something (phrasal verb): tình cờ gặp ai/ thấy cái gì
ENG: to meet or find somebody/something by chance
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3. Personality traits of a good friend
Also, he/ she needs to be trustworthy so that you count on him/ her. To be more
specific, he/ she is always honest, and speaks openly from the heart. He/ she will be the
kind of person who doesn’t divulge your secret to others. And he/ she won’t gossip
about your private life.
In addition to that, he/ she needs to be a good listener who is always ready to lend an
ear to you. For example, if you fail a test and feel down in the dumps, he/ she will
listen to your problems sympathetically. So, you and your friend can easily develop
mutual understanding.
Besides, forgiveness is one of the key personality traits of a good friend. You know,
everyone can make a mistake, so a good friend is the kind of person who is able to
forgive this mistake and not hold any grudges.
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- a fair-weather friend (noun phrase): một người bạn chỉ làm bạn với bạn khi mọi
việc dễ dàng và tốt đẹp và sẽ bỏ mặc bạn khi gặp khó khăn
ENG: somebody who stops being a friend when you are in trouble
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- lend an ear to somebody (idiom): lắng nghe ai đó một cách kiên nhẫn
ENG: to listen in a patient and kind way to somebody
- develop mutual understanding (verb phrase): phát triển sự thấu hiểu lẫn nhau
ENG: to develop the understanding of two or more people have for each other
equally
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What do you think a true friend should be like?
Well, I would say perseverance is the key to success. Successful people always
demonstrate a remarkable single-mindedness in pursuing their goals. When they set
a goal, they will stay really focused on their goal, and work really hard to accomplish
the goal.
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Another personality trait of a successful person is hard work. They can work from dawn
till dusk in order to complete their daily tasks. In other words, they aren’t the kind of
person who is bone-idle.
In addition to that, they are the ones who alway think outside of the box. They always
try to come up with a new answer to one problem so that this problem can be solved
most effectively. That’s why they can take the initiative in any situation.
- pursue a goal (verb phrase): cố gắng đạt được một mục tiêu
ENG: to do something or try to achieve a goal over a period of time
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- think outside of the box (idiom): suy nghĩ sáng tạo
ENG: to think about something, or how to do something, in a way that is new,
different or shows imagination
- come up with something (phrasal verb): nghĩ ra câu trả lời cho vấn đề gì
ENG: to find or produce an answer
- What personal characteristics do you think most successful people (need to)
have?
- Do you think that all successful people have good character traits?
- Do you think that all successful people are honest?
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FEELINGS / EMOTIONS
1. Things make you happy
I’m always in a cheery mood when I ace an exam. It actually gives me a feeling of
achievement, and I feel like all of my hard work paid off. For example, getting 8 in the
IELTS exam can make me full of the joys of spring.
Well, what makes me thrilled to bits is to hang out with my friends and to have some
coffee at our all-time favourite coffee shop. And then, we definitely spend the whole
day in idle chit-chat and share problems with each other.
I feel delighted when I can do whatever I’m really into. For example, as I’m an avid
traveller, especially going backpacking, I always feel over the moon about my trips
to explore different places around the world.
I’m a couch potato, particularly a big fan of comedy shows. So, I can spend hours
watching comedy on television. These shows can easily crack me up. All in all, I mean
having a chance to watch TV for hours can really make me chirpy.
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Giải thích từ vựng:
- ace an exam (verb phrase): làm bài thi đạt kết quả cao
ENG: to be successful in an exam
- pay off (phrasal verb): làm gì và được đền đáp xứng đáng
ENG: to be successful and bring good results
- all-time favourite (adj): (cái gì) yêu thích nhất từ trước đến nay
ENG: that is liked the most of any time
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- an avid traveller (noun phrase): người đam mê du lịch
ENG: a person who is very enthusiastic about travelling
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2. Things make you sad
Well, there are many things that could make me feel down in the dumps, but the most
obvious thing might be that I have to do monotonous work. I’m kinda the person who
likes to think out of the box, so having to do the same tasks on a daily basis really
makes me downhearted.
I’m usually in a gloomy mood whenever I flunk an exam. Well, to be quite honest,
nothing can uplift me at that time. I just stay at home and am filled with deep
unhappiness.
Honestly speaking, my feelings really depend on the weather. To be more specific, I’m
really on a downer if the rain is coming down in buckets. You see, as I’m a social
butterfly, I can’t go out to chit chat with somebody or engage in an outdoor activity
in such weather. So, I’m bored to death when it’s raining heavily.
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- flunk an exam (verb phrase): trượt kỳ thi
ENG: to fail an exam
- fill somebody with something (verb): khiến ai cảm thấy như thế nào
ENG: to make somebody have a strong feeling
- engage in (doing) something (phrasal verb): tham gia vào hoạt động gì
ENG: to take part in (doing) something
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Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are the things that make you unhappy?
Well, I think it depends on different situations. I think that it’s best to tell my friends or
someone in my family that they do something that drives me nuts. It’s better to give
vent to my anger so that my loved ones can understand what is happening to me and
be sympathetic to me. However, I don’t think it helps to argue with strangers; it’s
better to control the anger and just explain what’s wrong.
I would say that it is not healthy to suppress your anger. First, if you don’t express
your anger and tell the problem, nothing will be solved. And then, you still have to bear
that problem by yourself. Second, hiding your true feelings might cause addictive
behavior such as alcoholism or binge eating. To be more specific, you wanna eat as
much as you can so that you can forget about the problem.
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- suppress anger (verb phrase): kìm nén sự tức giận
ENG: to prevent yourself from having or expressing a feeling or an emotion
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you think it’s good to show your emotions when you’re angry?
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ADVERTISING
1. Places to see advertisements
Well, to be quite honest, ads appear here, there and everywhere, from every corner of
streets to social media.
In the past, we just saw TV commercials or radio ads. I mean when we watched TV,
advertisers usually played a couple of adverts in between our programmes. Especially
in prime time, a myriad of advertisements were placed on television and radio so that
businesses could appeal to a larger fan base.
Besides, we also saw that advertisers usually handed out leaflets to passers-by.
Though this method isn’t really effective as compared to other methods, it’s quite
affordable for businesses. So, they can save a great deal of money.
Commercials embedded in music videos and movies also gain in popularity because
this is an effective way to promote products to potential customers.
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- commercial (noun): quảng cáo
ENG: an advertisement on television, on the radio or on a website
- hand out something to somebody (phrasal verb): phân phát cái gì cho ai
ENG: to give a number of things to the members of a group
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- affordable (adj): rẻ, phải chăng
ENG: cheap enough that people can afford to pay it or buy it
- take advantage of somebody/ something (idiom): lợi dụng ai, tận dụng cái gì
ENG: to make use of something well; to make use of an opportunity
- promote one’s brand name (verb phrase): quảng bá tên thương hiệu
ENG: to make the name given to a product by the company that produces it
known by a lot of people
- increase one’s customer base (verb phrase): tăng số lượng khách hàng
ENG: to increase the number of people who buy or use a particular product or
service
- come across somebody/ something (phrasal verb): tình cờ gặp ai/ thấy cái gì
ENG: to meet or find somebody/something by chance
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- potential customer (noun phrase): khách hàng tiềm năng
ENG: someone who is capable of becoming a purchaser of product and/or
services
Adverts always drive me nuts, especially TV commercials. When I’m fully focusing
on watching my favourite TV programmes, I’m often interrupted by the adverts.
They’re really annoying. They actually make me in no mood for continuing to watch
the programme.
My niece is really into watching TV commercials. I realize that every ad can keep her
in suspense. I don’t know why the content of these ads can easily crack her up. But,
this brings a great benefit to her mom. Whenever her mom wanna spoon-feed her, her
mom just plays several adverts, and then she can eat like a horse.
It depends on the content of different adverts. I can get inspired if an ad contains such
persuasive content. For example, one of the top-notch adverts of Nike, a renowned
American multinational corporation, placed the importance of women in this world.
This ad includes a motivational statement “If they say you are crazy, show them what
crazy can do. It’s only crazy when you do it.” However, I can get mad at the ads that
just try to exaggerate the features of their products.
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- commercial (noun): quảng cáo
ENG: an advertisement on television, on the radio or on a website
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- renowned (adj): nổi tiếng
ENG: famous and respected
Advertisements tell customers about different products and services. So, people can
compare the features, prices and functions of different products so as to find the one
that is most suitable for their needs.
Besides, thanks to advertising, people are getting more and more brand-aware. In other
words, businesses are more likely to reach more potential clients when they play
adverts on different social media. As a result, it helps to increase their customer base,
and helps businesses to boost sales and increase profits.
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Additionally, the advertising industry helps to bring more job opportunities for people.
As the demand for products and services increases thanks to advertising, more people
are employed to manufacture or supply those products, not to mention some
emerging jobs like Graphic Designer and Advertising Copywriter. So, advertising is
kinda beneficial to increased employment rate.
First, the purchase price of a product includes the prohibitive cost of advertising. It
means that consumers have to pay more money for the same items.
Second, advertising manipulates people, and makes them into impulse shoppers by
exaggerating the benefits of products. So, a lot of people tend to buy items that are
unnecessary for them, and this is really a huge waste of money.
Fourth, a lot of ads aimed at children promote products like junk food and video games
that aren’t good for children’s health. But, advertisers routinely remind kids that these
are must-have items, so they own these items at all cost. All in all, I mean advertising
has negative effects on children’s health.
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- reach somebody (verb): thu hút sự chú ý của ai
ENG: to come to somebody’s attention
- increase one’s customer base (verb phrase): tăng số lượng khách hàng
ENG: to increase the number of people who buy or use a particular product or
service
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- interrupt somebody/ something (verb): làm phiền ai/ cái gì
ENG: to say or do something that makes somebody stop what they are saying
or doing
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- expose somebody/something/yourself to something (verb): tiếp xúc với cái gì
độc hại
ENG: to put somebody/something in a place or situation where they are not
protected from something harmful or unpleasant
- end up doing something (phrasal verb): kết thúc trong tình huống như thế nào
ENG: to find yourself in a place or situation at the end of a process or period of
time
- increase financial pressures on somebody (verb phrase): tăng áp lực tài chính
lên ai đó
ENG: to increase strain or stress due to monetary matters
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- What are the positive and negative impacts of advertising?
I guess product placement might be the best way to promote a product. Unlike TV
commercials or radio ads that viewers are usually interrupted by ads in among
programmes, a product is placed appropriately in a film or a music video. So, this
advertising method doesn't drive viewers nuts. In other words, this helps viewers to
have a positive attitude towards this product. As a result, businesses can increase
their fan base.
I think celebrity endorsement might be the most effective way to advertise to the
public. By allowing a product to carry an endorsement from a celebrity, this product’s
brand name can reach a larger number of prospective consumers because the positive
image of the celebrity endorser will be passed on to the product. That’s why
businesses usually spend a fortune to employ A-list celebrities rather than lesser-
known ones.
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- have a positive attitude towards something (verb phrase): có cái nhìn thiện cảm
về cái gì
ENG: to have a good feeling about something
- increase one’s fan base (verb phrase): tăng số lượng người hâm mộ
ENG: to increase the number of the fans of a singer, group, team, etc.
considered as a group
- celebrity endorsement (noun): quảng bá thương hiệu bằng người nổi tiếng
ENG: the fact of a famous person appearing in an advertisement saying that
they use and like a product
- endorser (noun): người chứng thực (về chất lượng của một sản phẩm)
ENG: someone, especially a well-known person, who appears in an
advertisement saying that they use and like a particular product
- pass something on (to somebody) (phrasal verb): truyền lại cái gì cho người
khác
ENG: to give something to somebody else, especially after receiving it or using
it yourself
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- A-list celebrity (noun): ngôi sao hạng A
ENG: the group of people who are considered to be the most famous,
successful or important
- What are the best ways for people to advertise something they want to sell in
your country?
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ENVIRONMENT
1. Environmental problems in your country
The most severe problem in terms of the environment in my hometown might be air
pollution. The air is becoming seriously polluted in recent years. Actually, this issue
results from the heavy volume of traffic on every corner of the hometown. Also, some
factories located surrounding my hometown emit a great deal of smoke and carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere. So, the air in my hometown is becoming more and more
contaminated.
Well, to be quite honest, water pollution might be the most serious environmental
problem in my hometown. This is due to the fact that a great deal of wastewater from
factories and local parks is discharged directly into rivers and streams. You know, this
issue is kinda harmful to our health as it’s one of the leading causes of chronic
poisoning and cancer.
I guess noise pollution might be the most serious problem regarding the environment
in my hometown. I have to suffer from very high noise levels on a daily basis, which
makes me nearly go deaf. This environmental issue stems from the daily activities of
machines and transport by side-by-side industrial and residential buildings. Those
factors result in noise pollution in the residential areas in my city.
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- in terms of = regarding (idiom): khi nói về vấn đề gì
ENG: used to show what aspect of a subject you are talking about or how you
are thinking about it
- the heavy volume of traffic (noun phrase): khối lượng giao thông đông đúc
ENG: the large amount of traffic
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- discharge something (into something) (verb phrase): xả cái gì vào đâu
ENG: when a gas or a liquid discharges or is discharged, or somebody
discharges it, it flows somewhere
- a leading cause of something (noun phrase): nguyên nhân chính dẫn đến vấn đề
gì
ENG: the most important or most successful cause
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- residential building (noun phrase): khu dân cư
ENG: an area suitable for living in; consisting of houses rather than factories
or offices
Second, when my mom and I go shopping, we use reusable shopping bags rather than
single-use plastic bags. You know, though those plastic bags are lightweight and
inexpensive, we have to pay the prohibitive costs in terms of the environment when
they end up in landfills or as litter in the environment. Helping to reduce the amount
of waste stemming from plastic bags is kinda really beneficial to the environment.
Third, we try to recycle and reuse as much as we can. I mean instead of throwing
unusable items into trash, we try to take advantage of them, and come up with ideas
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so that they can be usable again. Most of the time, those items are made into craft
products that we can use for decorations or beautify our house.
All in all, all members in my family are trying to adopt a greener lifestyle.
- the heavy volume of traffic (noun phrase): khối lượng giao thông đông đúc
ENG: the large amount of traffic
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- lightweight (adj): nhẹ
ENG: made of thinner material and less heavy than usual
- take advantage of somebody/ something (phrasal verb): lợi dụng ai/ tận dụng
cái gì
ENG: to make use of something well; to make use of an opportunity
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- come up with ideas (phrasal verb): nghĩ ra ý tưởng gì
ENG: to find or produce an answer, a sum of money, etc.
- beautify somebody/ something (verb): làm cho ai đó/ cái gì đẹp hơn
ENG: to make somebody/something beautiful or more beautiful
- adopt a greener lifestyle (verb phrase): có một lối sống bảo vệ môi trường hơn
ENG: to have a lifestyle supporting the protection of the environment
Well, I think one of our worst habits might be the overuse of private vehicles. We drive
in our own cars to go everywhere, to the supermarket, to our workplaces or even to hit
the gym. As a result, the amount of exhaust fumes increases rapidly, and it takes a
heavy toll on the environment.
In addition to that, smoking releases pollutants into the atmosphere, but a lot of people
smoke everywhere, even in public places like on a bus or in a restaurant. Therefore, the
air is becoming increasingly severe.
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Well, we all know that plastic is one of the major pollutants to the environment
because of its inability to decompose naturally. But there has been an excessive use of
plastic during the last several decades. You know, most items in stores are packaged in
plastic containers.
Binge drinking is also one of our very bad habits severely affecting the environment.
You may not know that the production of alcohol requires a huge number of raw
materials and land that might otherwise be taken advantage of to feed people. And
actually this process creates a ton of greenhouse gases that are devastating to the
environment.
- overuse = an excessive use (uncountable noun): sử dụng quá nhiều ENG: the
fact that something is used too often or too much
- take a heavy toll on somebody/ something (noun phrase): ảnh hưởng xấu đến
ai/ cái gì
ENG: to have a bad effect on somebody/something
- increasingly severe (adj phrase): ngày càng trở nên nghiêm trọng
ENG: more and more serious
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- a major pollutant to something (noun phrase): chất gây ô nhiễm lớn
ENG: a substance that pollutes something, especially air and water
- devastating to somebody/ something (noun phrase): gây thiệt hại cho ai/ cái gì
ENG: causing a lot of damage and destroying things
- take advantage of somebody/ something (phrasal verb): lợi dụng ai/ tận dụng
cái gì
ENG: to make use of something well; to make use of an opportunity
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are our bad habits harming the environment?
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First, governments can propose the introduction of tax incentives to go green. To be
more specific, they should impose a levy on the distribution of single-use plastic bags
in retail outlets so that it helps to reduce the indiscriminate use of plastic bags.
Third, governments should enact laws in terms of dealing with industrial waste. A
ton of material that is rendered useless during a manufacturing process from factories
and power plants isn’t treated appropriately. This is the leading factor to
environmental issues, so offenders should be liable to such a heavy fine that
outnumbers the cost of having an appropriate treatment system.
Businesses should come up with ideas to promote green energy that reduces the use of
fossil fuels. They should take using alternative energy sources from wind or the sun
into account so that it helps to save natural energy for the next generations.
They also have to store waste safely and securely, and ensure that it is treated
appropriately.
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- the introduction of something (noun phrase): áp dụng cái gì
ENG: the act of bringing something into use or existence for the first time
- propose a crackdown on something (verb phrase): đề xuất một sự hạn chế vào
cái gì
ENG: to give a severe action taken to limit the activities of criminals or of
people opposed to the government or somebody in authority
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- industrial waste (noun phrase): rác thải công nghiệp
ENG: waste produced by industrial activities
- render something + adj (verb): khiến cái gì trở nên như thế nào
ENG: to cause somebody/something to be in a particular state or condition
- a leading factor to something (noun phrase): một yếu tố chính cho một vấn đề
gì đó
ENG: the most important factor to something
- be liable for something (adj): chịu trách nhiệm cho một cái gì đó
ENG: legally responsible for paying the cost of something
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- take something into account (idiom): cân nhắc đến điều gì
ENG: to consider particular facts, circumstances, etc. when making a decision
about something
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are the responsibilities of governments and businesses for
protecting the environment?
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HEALTH
1. Frequency of a medical check-up
I go for a check-up every 3 months as I wanna make sure that I have no health
problems. Besides, getting screened for diseases kinda helps me to keep track of my
health and find a treatment in a more timely fashion.
Honestly speaking, I just visit a hospital when I’m off-colour. I think that a routine visit
to the doctor costs a fortune, so a dirt-poor person like me can’t afford to do so.
Moreover, I’m up to my ears in work and study, so I don’t find much time to go to the
hospital.
Well, to be quite honest, I pay a visit to a hospital once in a blue moon. As I always
feel as fit as a fiddle, I am not necessarily hospitalized. In addition to that, I live far
from the nearest hospital, so I have to waste a great deal of time commuting if I wanna
get a health check.
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- in a more timely fashion (idiom): một cách kịp thời
ENG: happening at exactly the right time
- off-colour (adj): không khỏe
ENG: not in good health; looking or feeling ill
- cost a fortune (verb phrase): tốn nhiều tiền
ENG: to cost a large amount of money
- dirt-poor (adj): rất nghèo
ENG: very poor
- up to one’s ears in something (idiom): bận rộn với việc gì
ENG: to have a lot of something to deal with
- once in a blue moon (idiom): hiếm khi
ENG: rarely
- as fit as a fiddle (idiom): khỏe mạnh
ENG: in very good physical condition
- be hospitalized (verb): được đưa đến bệnh viện thăm khám
ENG: to send somebody to a hospital for treatment
- get a health check (verb phrase): nghĩ ra biện pháp, câu trả lời cho câu hỏi gì
ENG: to have a medical examination to assess the condition of a person’s body
or mind
I just took up swimming recently, and actually I go swimming every afternoon because
this activity helps me to maintain both my physical and mental health. You know,
swimming provides me with an all-over body workout since nearly all of my muscles
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are used during swimming. In addition to that, it allows me to alleviate daily stress.
Whenever I’m under water, I kinda chillax after hectic working hours. On top of that,
this activity helps me to lose some weight and keep fit.
I attend a yoga class every other day. You know, yoga is a perfect blend of pranayama
and meditation, so doing yoga regularly helps me to lead a healthy lifestyle. To be
more specific, this activity is really good for curing headaches and digestion-related
problems. Moreover, I have a chance to wind down after stressful working hours. I
also grasp this opportunity to make friends with those who have something in
common with me.
Well, I go jogging for about 20 minutes every morning. I usually jog around the local
park near my house which is large and full of greenery. You know, mornings are an
ideal time to go out for jogging as it’s when the air is fresh and less contaminated than
any other time of the day. That’s why I always feel refreshed and more ready to face
the day after completing a lap.
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- chillax (verb): thư giãn
ENG: to relax
- hectic (adj): bận rộn
ENG: very busy; full of activity
- on top of that (linking words): thêm vào đó
ENG: in addition
- keep fit (verb phrase): giữ dáng
ENG: to stay healthy and strong, especially because you do regular physical
exercise
- pranayama (noun): sự điều chỉnh hơi thở
ENG: breath control
- meditation (noun): thiền
ENG: the practice of focusing your mind in silence, especially for religious
reasons or in order to make your mind calm
- lead a healthy lifestyle (verb phrase): có lối sống khỏe mạnh
ENG: to live healthily
- digestion-related problems (noun phrase): các vấn đề liên quan đến tiêu hóa
ENG: problems related to the process of digesting food
- wind down (phrasal verb): thư giãn
ENG: to relax
- grasp the opportunity/ chance to do something (verb phrase): tận dụng cơ hội
để làm gì
ENG: to take an opportunity without hesitating and use it
- have something in common (with somebody) (verb phrase): có điểm gì chung
với ai
ENG: to share the same interests or have similar characteristics with somebody
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- greenery (uncountable noun): cây xanh
ENG: attractive green leaves and plants
- contaminated (adj): bị ô nhiễm
ENG: polluted
- a lap (noun): một vòng (chạy/ đi bộ)
ENG: one journey from the beginning to the end of a track used for running,
etc.
Second, playing sports is an ideal way to get away from daily strains of life. People
nowadays are snowed under with work, so they usually put themselves under great
pressure. This is one of the leading factors to depression. But, if people are actively
involved in a sport, they can improve their mood.
Third, people can grasp this chance to build better relationships with others. Engaging
in team sports like football or badminton is a great chance for people to meet new people
or make new friends. As a result, we can build up our network, and this is really
helpful for our career.
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Giải thích từ vựng:
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- depression (noun): trầm cảm
ENG: a medical condition in which a person feels very sad and anxious and
often has physical symptoms such as being unable to sleep
- grasp the chance/ opportunity to do something (verb phrase): tận dụng cơ hội
để làm gì
ENG: to take an opportunity without hesitating and use it
- engage in something (phrasal verb): tham gia vào hoạt động gì
ENG: to take part in something
- build up one’s network (verb phrase): xây dựng mạng lưới xã hội
ENG: to build up a closely connected group of people, companies, etc. that
exchange information
Second, the government should bring in healthy food rationing on television or social
media so that people are well aware of a balanced diet. At the same time, the
government can raise taxes on junk food so that people can cut down on these fatty
and unhealthy foods.
Third, the government should make visiting the hospital more affordable and time-
saving for people from all walks of life, not just for high-income people or those who
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have a lot of leisure time. As a result, a larger number of people can have regular
medical check-ups and have more chances to maintain a disease-free lifestyle.
Fourth, the government should help to reduce the working hours of workers and the
heavy workload of students with the same pay. So, they have more free time to
participate in a sport or prepare for their own meals at home.
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- junk food (noun phrase): đồ ăn nhanh
ENG: fast food
- cut down on something (phrasal verb): cắt giảm lượng gì
ENG: to reduce the size, amount or number of something
- affordable (adj): rẻ
ENG: cheap enough that people can afford to pay it or buy it
- all walks of life (idiom): mọi tầng lớp xã hội
ENG: a person’s job or position in society
- have regular medical check-ups (noun phrase): đi khám bệnh thường xuyên
ENG: to have a regular examination of a medical one
- maintain a disease-free lifestyle (verb phrase): duy trì lối sống khỏe mạnh
ENG: to keep a healthy life
- working hours (noun): giờ làm việc
ENG: the amount of time someone spends at work during a day
- heavy workload (noun): khối lượng công việc nặng
ENG: the huge amount of work that has to be done by a particular person or
organization
- participate in (doing) something (verb): tham gia vào việc gì
ENG: to take part in (doing) something
Câu hỏi luyện tập: How can people be encouraged to stay healthy?
Advances in technology helps to come up with ideas to develop new drugs and
medicines that can reduce symptoms or cure ailments. As a result, people can enjoy a
better quality of life.
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The invention of medical technologies like minimally-invasive surgeries and better
monitoring systems allows people to spend less time on the mend and to enjoy a healthy
life.
This development also helps to prevent, diagnose, and treat ailments. Also, it also
plays a vital part in eradicating many diseases, and reducing the prevalence of others.
So, people can have a longer life expectancy as a whole.
An excessive use of electronic gadgets disrupts sleep seriously, and develops poor
sleeping habits. Actually, this can lead to sleep deprivation as a lot of people are willing
to sacrifice their sleep to spending more time on social media.
In addition to that, advances in technology cause people to spend more time being
sedentary. In other words, more and more people become mouse potatoes as they
prefer to spend their free time with electric gadgets rather than to go out to take part in
outdoor activities. This is one of the leading factors to some diseases like obesity or
cardiovascular disease.
Moreover, that technological gadgets like mobile phones, computers or iPads hold a
person’s attention for long periods increases the likelihood of eye strain. To be more
specific, this causes blurred vision and dry eyes for users.
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- symptom (noun): triệu chứng
ENG: a change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy
- cure ailments (verb phrase): chữa bệnh
ENG: to treat an illness
- minimally-invasive surgeries (noun phrase): phẫu thuật xâm lấn tối thiểu
ENG: treatment involving cutting into the body at a minimum
- on the mend (idiom): dễ dàng tiếp cận với ai đó
ENG: getting better after an illness or injury; improving after a difficult
situation
- play a vital part in something (verb phrase): đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc
gì
ENG: to help to achieve something
- eradicate something (verb): xóa bỏ cái gì
ENG: to destroy or get rid of something completely, especially something bad
- prevalence (uncountable noun): sự phổ biến
ENG: the fact of existing or being very common at a particular time or in a
particular place
- have a longer life expectancy (verb phrase): có tuổi thọ cao hơn
ENG: to have the higher number of years that a person is likely to live
- expose yourself to something (verb): tiếp xúc với thứ gì độc hại
ENG: to put somebody/something in a place or situation where they are not
protected from something harmful or unpleasant
- gadget (noun): thiết bị công nghệ
ENG: a small tool or device that does something useful
- an excessive use of something (noun phrase): sử dụng cái gì quá mức
ENG: use of something too much
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- disrupt something (verb): làm cái gì bị gián đoạn
ENG: to prevent something, especially a system, process, or event, from
continuing as usual or as expected
- sleep deprivation (noun phrase): sự thiếu ngủ
ENG: a lack of sleep
- sacrifice something to something (verb): hi sinh cái gì cho cái gì
ENG: to give up something that is important or valuable to you in order to get
or do something that seems more important for yourself or for another person
- advances in technology (noun phrase): sự phát triển công nghệ
ENG: an improvement or development in technology
- sedentary (adj): ít vận động
ENG: (of people) spending a lot of time sitting down and not moving
- mouse potatoes (noun): người nghiện sử dụng máy tính
ENG: a person who spends too much time using a computer
- leading (adj): quan trọng nhất
ENG: most important or most successful
- obesity (noun): béo phì
ENG: the quality or fact of being very fat, in a way that is not healthy
- cardiovascular disease (noun phrase): dễ dàng tiếp cận với ai đó
ENG: disease relating to the heart and the blood vessels
- hold someone’s attention (verb phrase): giữ sự chú ý của ai
ENG: to make someone notice you
- eye strain (uncountable noun): mỏi mắt
ENG: a condition of the eyes caused, for example, by a long period of reading
or looking at a computer screen
- blurred vision (noun phrase): mắt mờ
ENG: eyes cannot see clearly
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Câu hỏi luyện tập: Would you say modern science and technology has more of a
positive or a negative influence on people’s health?
297
TRANSPORTATION
1. Means of transport
Well, I mostly travel on my own motorbike. You know, it’s easier to get around the
city centre especially in the rush hour by riding a motorbike. Furthermore, this vehicle
saves more gasoline as compared with a car. Also, I can cruise at any speed I want.
Sometimes, when I wanna do a bit of sightseeing, the motorbike just slows down a bit.
I drive in my own car every day. Though it’s considered as a gas guzzler which
detrimentally affects the environment, I opt for this vehicle as it’s faster than any other
ones. I mean I can save a great deal of time.
Well, I take a bus to go to school on a daily basis. You know, the air is getting more and
more heavily polluted by exhaust fumes, so using public transport on a daily commute
offers a small contribution to dealing with air pollution. Besides, the bus is the most
relatively affordable means of transport, so it kinda helps me save a lot of money.
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- do a bit of sightseeing (verb phrase): ngắm cảnh
ENG: to do the activity of visiting interesting buildings and places as a tourist
- slow down (phrasal verb): (phương tiện giao thông) giảm tốc độ
ENG: to go or to make something/somebody go at a slower speed
- a gas guzzler (noun phrase): phương tiện ăn xăng
ENG: a car or other vehicle that needs a lot of petrol
- detrimentally (adv): một cách có hại
ENG: in a way that is harmful
- opt for something (verb): chọn cái gì
ENG: to choose to take or not to take a particular course of action
- exhaust fumes (noun): khí thải
ENG: smoke, gas, or something similar that smells strongly or is dangerous to
breathe in
- commute (noun): sự đi lại
ENG: the journey that a person makes when they commute to work
- offer a small contribution to something (verb phrase): đóng góp nhỏ vào việc gì
ENG: to have little to give something to help achieve or provide something
- air pollution (noun phrase): ô nhiễm môi trường
ENG: the process of making air dirty
- relatively affordable (adj): khá rẻ
ENG: cheap enough that people can afford to pay it or buy it
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2. Frequency of using public transport
Well, I travel by bus almost everyday. You know, as it's the cheapest way to get around,
it seems to be the most suitable means of transport for a dirt-poor person like me.
Besides, I would say that it’s the vehicle that I can just sit and admire the view.
To be quite honest, I take a bus from time to time, and it depends mostly on the weather.
If the weather is fine, I prefer to travel on my own motorbike to the bus because of its
mobility and convenience. But if it's pouring with rain, I would definitely choose to
travel by bus because I don’t wanna put a raincoat on. Besides, it’s too dangerous for
me to get around when the road is wet and slippery.
Honestly speaking, I rarely travel by bus because it’s always jam-packed. Moreover,
it’s not particularly punctual, so I can always be late for work if I commute by bus. On
top of that, whenever I hop a bus, I feel uncomfortable, and the smell of a bus always
makes me want to vomit.
- get around (phrasal verb): đi lại (từ nơi này đến nơi khác)
ENG: to move from place to place or from person to person
- a means of transport (noun phrase): phương tiện giao thông
ENG: a vehicle
- dirt-poor (adj): rất nghèo
ENG: very poor
- admire the view (verb phrase): thưởng thức cảnh
ENG: to look at something and think that it is attractive and/or impressive
- from time to time (idiom): thỉnh thoảng
ENG: sometimes
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- mobility (noun): dễ dàng đi lại
ENG: the ability to move or travel around easily
- be pouring with rain (verb phrase): mưa to
ENG: to rain heavily
- wet and slippery (adj phrase): (đường) ướt và trơn
ENG: difficult to hold or to stand or move on
- jam-packed (adj): đông đúc
ENG: very full or crowded
- hop a bus (verb phrase): lên xe bus
ENG: to get on a bus
- on top of that (linking words): thêm vào đó
ENG: in addition
- vomit (verb): buồn nôn
ENG: to bring food from the stomach back out through the mouth
- punctual (adj): đúng giờ
ENG: happening or doing something at the arranged or correct time; not late
Honestly speaking, I prefer to use public transport to get to work because of its great
benefits.
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First, I don’t wanna put up with constant traffic jams that occur in the city centre
every day. So, travelling by public transport like buses is a go-to choice that helps to
alleviate the heavy traffic congestion.
Second, if I ride my own bike or motorbike, I will have to expose myself to the
unpredictable weather as well as to air pollution on a daily basis. This is kinda bad
for my health, so I choose to travel by bus in order to avoid these problems.
Third, public transport is much more inexpensive in terms of fees and gasoline because
it caters particularly to large groups of passengers. So, it helps not only to save money
but also to reduce exhaust fumes caused by vehicles.
However, if my sister has to choose between private transport and public transport, she
will definitely opt for the former one.
As it’s her own vehicle, she’s at liberty to go anywhere she wants, and at any time she
desires. In other words, she doesn’t have to follow a fixed route like travelling by public
transport.
In addition to that, she has a chance to enjoy all the comfort and convenience of a
private vehicle. For example, she doesn’t need to check for a schedule in advance as
she does for public transportation.
- put up with somebody/ something (phrasal verb): chịu đựng ai/ cái gì
ENG: to accept somebody/something that is annoying, unpleasant, etc. without
complaining
- constant traffic jams (noun phrase): khá rẻ
ENG: a long line of vehicles on a road that cannot move or that can only move
very slowly that happens constantly
302
- a go-to choice (noun phrase): lựa chọn tốt nhất
ENG: the best choice
- alleviate the heavy traffic congestion (verb phrase): giảm bớt tắc nghẽn giao
thông nặng nề
ENG: to reduce the state of being crowded and full of traffic
- expose yourself to something (verb): tiếp xúc với thứ gì độc hại
ENG: to put somebody/something in a place or situation where they are not
protected from something harmful or unpleasant
- unpredictable (adj): không thể đoán trước được
ENG: that cannot be predicted because it changes a lot or depends on too many
different things
- air pollution (noun phrase): ô nhiễm môi trường
ENG: the process of making air dirty
- in terms of something (idiom): khi đề cập đến vấn đề gì
ENG: used to show what aspect of a subject you are talking about or how you
are thinking about it
- cater to somebody/ something (phrasal verb): đáp ứng nhu cầu của ai/ cái gì
ENG: to provide the things that a particular type of person wants, especially
things that you do not approve of
- exhaust fumes (noun): khí thải
ENG: smoke, gas, or something similar that smells strongly or is dangerous to
breathe in
- opt for something (verb): chọn cái gì
ENG: to choose to take or not to take a particular course of action
- the former ... (adj): cái thứ nhất (được đề cập trong 2 cái)
ENG: used to refer to the first of two things or people mentioned
303
- at liberty to do something (idiom): tự do làm gì
ENG: having the right or freedom to do something
- enjoy all the comfort and convenience (verb phrase): tận hưởng tất cả sự thoải
mái và tiện lợi
ENG: to be very comfortable
- in advance (idiom): làm gì trước
ENG: before the time that is expected
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you prefer public transport or private transport?
Well, I just came up with several solutions to improve the transportation system in my
country.
First, one of the first steps towards improvement would be to widen the roads. This
might help to reduce overcrowding on the roads.
Third, bus service is improved to make it run more frequently as one of the key reasons
why most people don’t consider buses as their preferred choice is due to their lateness.
In other words, passengers won’t have a long wait to hop a bus. So, this would lead
to a larger number of people travelling by bus instead of their private vehicles.
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Giải thích từ vựng:
- come up with something (phrasal verb): nghĩ ra biện pháp, câu trả lời cho câu
hỏi gì
ENG: to find or produce an answer
- step towards something (noun): bước để đạt được điều gì
ENG: one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve something
- overcrowding (noun): sự đông đúc
ENG: a situation when a place contains too many people or things
- overpass (noun): cầu vượt
ENG: a bridge that carries one road over another one
- underpass (noun): đường hầm
ENG: a road or path that goes under another road or railway track
- downtown (noun): trung tâm thành phố
ENG: the centre of a city, especially its main business area
- reduce severe traffic congestion (verb phrase): giảm ùn tắc giao thông nghiêm
trọng
ENG: to reduce the state of being crowded and full of traffic
- have a long wait (verb phrase): đợi lâu
ENG: to wait for a long time
- hop a bus (verb phrase): lên xe bus
ENG: to get on a bus
- lead to something (verb): dẫn đến điều gì
ENG: to have something as a result
- an environmentally-friendly means of transport (noun phrase): phương tiện
giao thông thân thiện với môi trường
ENG: a method of transport that is not harming the environment
305
- pedestrianised street (noun phrase): đường dành cho người đi bộ
ENG: streets only for people who are walking, not for vehicles
- pedestrian (noun): người đi bộ
ENG: a person walking in the street and not travelling in a vehicle
Câu hỏi luyện tập: How could the transportation system be improved in your country?
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BIRTHDAYS
1. Birthday gifts
Well, I would say that there are a ton of things that I can get my friends for a birthday
present. But, as a whole, most of my friends share the same interest in reading books,
I mean they’re all bookworms, so I always give them a real page-turner as a birthday
present.
My close friends and I all take a keen interest in travelling. So, on their birthdays, I
usually spend the whole weekend going on a trip to a mountainous area with them and
throw a birthday party for them there. I think this is kinda a special party treat, and
is also a great way for us to strengthen our relationship.
- get somebody for a birthday present (verb phrase): tặng quà sinh nhật cho ai đó
ENG: to give a birthday gift to somebody
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- a real page-turner (noun phrase): cuốn sách hay
ENG: a book that is very exciting
- as a (small/ special) birthday treat (verb phrase): là món quà sinh nhật
ENG: something very pleasant that somebody can enjoy, especially something
that you give somebody or do for them
- throw a birthday party (verb phrase): tổ chức bữa tiệc sinh nhật
ENG: to hold a birthday party
- strengthen one’s relationship (verb phrase): cải thiện mối quan hệ với ai
ENG: to improve a relationship with somebody
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What kind of birthday gifts do you like to give your friends?
308
2. Frequency of celebrating your birthday
I have a birthday bash on a yearly basis. Actually my friends are usually the ones
who throw a birthday party for me every year. On my birthday, all of my friends
usually flock together at my house and hold a surprise party for me.
I’m not a very big birthday fan, so I just celebrate my birthday from time to time,
maybe every other year. It won’t definitely be a lavish party, but just a small one
that I have all of my nearest and dearest surrounding me.
Well, to be honest with you, in the past, I never thought about the idea of throwing a
birthday party. I even couldn’t remember that special day. But now, my buddies
usually hang out with me, and we usually party in a restaurant on my birthday.
- hold a surprise party (for somebody) (verb phrase): tổ chức tiệc sinh nhật bất
ngờ cho ai đó
ENG: a secretly planned party for someone who is not told about it until he or
she arrives
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- a very big birthday fan (noun phrase): người yêu thích tiệc sinh nhật
ENG: a person who admires holding a birthday
- one’s nearest and dearest (idiom): người nhà và bạn bè thân thiết
ENG: your close family and friends
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3. A birthday party you took part in
I’m gonna describe the last birthday party of my bestie. I still remember vividly that
on that day my friend and I planned to throw a surprise party for her because we knew
that she was up to her ears in work and would not remember her birthday at all. As
soon as she arrived, we played a birthday tune and wished her all the best. You know,
it took her completely by surprise. And then, we went out to wine and dine her. This
event is unforgettable for me as this was the first time my bestie to be thrown a
birthday party.
I would like to talk about my attendance at a recent party. It was a birthday party of
my co-worker who turned 30 that day. I think he invited all of his colleagues, so we
all congregated and bought him a present. We dined in a French restaurant and had a
delicious feast. While he cut the birthday cake, we sang the birthday song and wished
him a prosperous life afterwards. After that, we spent the whole evening in idle chit-
chat. And actually this helped us develop our mutual understanding.
- hold a surprise party (for somebody) (verb phrase): tổ chức tiệc sinh nhật bất
ngờ cho ai đó
ENG: a secretly planned party for someone who is not told about it until he or
she arrives
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- up to one’s ears in something (idiom): bận rộn với việc gì
ENG: to have a lot of something to deal with
- take her completely by surprise (idiom): khiến ai hoàn toàn bất ngờ
ENG: to surprise somebody
- throw a birthday party (verb phrase): tổ chức bữa tiệc sinh nhật
ENG: to hold a birthday party
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- have a delicious feast (noun phrase): có bữa ăn thịnh soạn
ENG: to have a large or special meal, especially for a lot of people and to
celebrate something
- develop mutual understanding (noun phrase): phát triển sự thấu hiểu lẫn nhau
ENG: to develop the sympathy of each person for the other
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Describe a birthday party you took part in
Well, I think throwing a birthday party is kinda to mark a milestone in every stage
of a human’s life. We all work hard, so we deserve to have a special day in every year
of our life.
In addition to that, I think a birthday is a great time to get somebody for a present so
that you can express your love to somebody. You know, that’s why children might be
the ones who adore a birthday party the most, as they will be spoilt with a myriad of
presents and toys on that day.
On top of that, it's an ideal time for you to spend the quality time with your nearest
and dearest and bond with your relatives and friends. I mean it's time to flock together
with your beloved ones.
Furthermore, you can grasp this opportunity to indulge yourself with a lavish meal,
which can help you to decompress after hectic working days.
313
Giải thích từ vựng:
- throw a birthday party (verb phrase): tổ chức bữa tiệc sinh nhật
ENG: to hold a birthday party
- mark a milestone (verb phrase): đánh dấu một cột mốc quan trọng
ENG: to mark a very important stage or event in the development of something
- spend the quality time (with somebody) (verb): tặng quà sinh nhật cho ai đó
ENG: to spend time giving your full attention to somebody, especially to your
children or partner after work to somebody
- one’s nearest and dearest (idiom): người nhà và bạn bè thân thiết
ENG: your close family and friends
314
- grasp the opportunity to do something (verb): tận dụng cơ hội để làm gì
ENG: to take an opportunity without hesitating and use it
- indulge yourself with something (verb): nuông chiều bản thân với cái gì
ENG: to allow yourself to have or do something that you like, especially
something that is considered bad for you
It’s actually a good way to stay in touch with relatives and friends. Nowadays, we tend
to lead a hectic life, and we seem not to have so many face-to-face conversations with
our beloved ones. So, a birthday party kinda reminds people about hanging out with
somebody and expressing their love.
In addition to that, having a birthday party helps us enjoy life. You see, if we just
worked from dawn till dusk, and we had no parties, how we could have any sense of
purpose in life. I mean we need to get the right work-life balance so that we can live
comfortably.
315
Besides, indulging yourself in a sumptuous meal and birthday presents is also a great
way to wind down after nerve-racking working days. We all need something to
recharge our batteries so that we can try our damnedest to work productively in the
following days.
Giải thích từ vựng:
- stay in touch (with somebody) (uncountable noun): giữ liên lạc với ai đó
ENG: to communicate with somebody, especially by writing to them or
phoning them
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- work from dawn till dusk (verb phrase): làm việc từ sáng tới đêm
ENG: to work from morning till night
- a sense of purpose in life (noun phrase): mục đích trong cuộc sống
ENG: meaning that is important and valuable to you
- get the right work-life balance (verb phrase): có được sự cân bằng giữa công
việc và cuộc sống
ENG: to get the equal amount of time you spend doing your job compared with
the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy
- indulge yourself with something (verb): nuông chiều bản thân với cái gì
ENG: to allow yourself to have or do something that you like, especially
something that is considered bad for you
317
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318
DAILY ROUTINES
1. A morning person or a night person
Well, I would say I’m an early bird. I can wake up very early in the morning, but I
can’t stay up late at night. My day usually begins around 5 a.m. And the first thing in
my mind is always indulging in a cup of coffee as it kinda helps me to feel alive and
be ready for the day.
To be honest with you, I’m a night owl. I usually get out of the bed quite late, at around
10 a.m, and hit the sack at around 2 a.m. I don’t know why but I can only fully focus
on work at night. Every morning I just wanna lie in till almost lunch time.
I’m an early riser, I usually wake up at about 5 a.m, and then take gentle exercise in
the park located near my house. Getting up early is really beneficial to me. It kinda helps
me feel refreshed and productive. Besides, it also prevents my skin from having
wrinkles.
- an early bird (idiom) = an early riser (noun phrase): người thức dậy sớm
ENG: a person who gets up, arrives, etc. very early
319
- indulge in (doing) something (verb): nuông chiều bản thân với cái gì
ENG: to allow yourself to have or do something that you like, especially
something that is considered bad for you
- take gentle exercise (verb phrase): tập thể dục nhẹ nhàng
ENG: to take not violent, severe, or strong exercise
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Are you a morning person or a night person?
320
2. All days are the same
No, I don’t. On weekdays, as I work nine to five, I usually go to work in the early
morning, and come home at around 6 p.m. And then, I do nothing but watch my
favourite TV shows in order to decompress after a hectic working day. But, on the
weekends, I either hang out with friends or spend this quality time with my family
members. This breathes new life into my daily rigid routine.
Yes, as I’m a freelancer, most of the days are the same. Every morning I go to a coffee
shop, sip a cup of coffee and work simultaneously. After that, I hit the gym in the
afternoon to get in shape. And then I have some me-time in the evening. I usually look
after my skin, and immerse myself in a real page-turner. It’s only on holidays when
I spend time with my nearest and dearest. We either visit a near-by place or dine in a
restaurant.
I’m a tour guide, so for most of the time I’m travelling, and I think every minute is
different. Each day I travel to a particular tourist attraction, and meet up with new
people. I don’t really know what is going to happen in the next days. However, as I
don't really fancy leading a monotonous life, I love the routine that isn’t so rigid.
321
- hang out (with somebody) (phrasal verb): dành thời gian ra ngoài với ai
ENG: to spend a lot of time in a place or with someone
- breathe new life into something (idiom): đưa một làn gió mới vào cái gì
ENG: to improve something by introducing new ideas and making people more
interested in it
322
- a real page-turner (noun phrase): cuốn sách hay
ENG: a book that is very exciting
- lead a monotonous life (verb phrase): sống một cuộc sống đơn điệu
ENG: to live a life that is never changing and therefore boring
Well, I would say that forming a proper daily routine brings a myriad of great benefits.
323
A daily routine helps to organise your time during the day as you’re following a specific
pattern of activities instead of doing things spontaneously. As a result, it doesn’t waste
your time and helps to increase your work efficiency.
In addition to that, it’s a means for getting the right work-life balance. Thanks to it,
you can clearly know when things get out of your hands. So, you can reorganise your
schedule and adjust to possible changes if there is something not sensible. So, you
cannot only work efficiently, but also have time to let your hair down or pursue your
personal interests.
Besides, it helps to eliminate distractions because you concentrate only on those things
that need to be done. As a result, you can increase your productivity.
On top of that, it’s a good way to learn new things about yourself, what triggers the
positive parts of your personality and what affect them negatively. So, you can eliminate
those bad ones, and see what works best for you by the trial and error method. For
example, by following a daily routine, you know when you can work most effectively.
324
- get the right work-life balance (verb phrase): có được sự cân bằng giữa công
việc và cuộc sống
ENG: to get the equal number of hours per week you spend working, compared
with the number of hours you spend with your family, relaxing, etc.
325
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Is it important to have a daily routine?
Well, the very first thing people need to do is to form a sensible daily routine. With this
routine, people can have enough time to complete all of their daily tasks, and still
manage time to put their feet up and pursue their personal interests each day.
In addition to that, people need to prioritize their tasks. In such a fast-paced life, people
have a ton of things to deal with each day, but they can’t complete all of them just in a
short period of time. So, people need to divide them into different categories namely
“urgent and important”, “important but not urgent” and “neither important nor urgent”.
And then, people should focus on the first group first.
Besides, people should set a schedule according to your peaks and troughs. For
example, if you are an early bird, you should assign high-concentration tasks to
mornings so that you can complete these tough tasks in the shortest period of time. And
don’t leave them until it’s night time when you need some rest and unwind.
326
- a fast-paced life (noun): cuộc sống nhịp độ nhanh
ENG: a moving, changing or happening very quickly life
Câu hỏi luyện tập: How can people maintain the work-life balance?
327
READING
1. Favourite types of books
I would say my interest in books has developed dramatically. Now I have a particular
liking for non-fiction books such as biographies or history books whereas before, this
would never spark my intention.
I consider myself a bookworm and I read all sorts of things from fiction books to non-
fiction books. I realize that each genre has its own distinctive characteristics that are
so fascinating, so I’ve tried to absorb as many books as I can.
Well, as a child, I was a die-hard fan of comic books and my passion for this genre has
never changed since then. My all-time favourite series is Doraemon - a Japanese anime
series. I’ll bet you that almost all Vietnamese children read this series because of its
exhilarating storylines and vivid illustrations.
328
- distinctive characteristic (noun phrase): đặc điểm riêng biệt
ENG: a quality or characteristic that makes something different and easily
noticed
- vivid illustration (noun phrase): hình ảnh minh họa sống động
ENG: a picture that can be produced very clearly in your mind
Well, in former days, reading printed books was the only option I could choose. But,
since the Internet burst on the scene, I’ve gravitated towards reading online because
of all the benefits it can bring.
I would definitely go for reading printed books. It’s undeniable that with the advent of
online versions, printed books can’t gain as much popularity as they used to in the past.
But the problem is that glaring at a screen is really detrimental to my eyesight. That’s
why I rarely go online when I read.
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Well, whether I opt for printed books or e-books depends on the situation. If I’m at
home lounging around, I prefer to hold a paperback. I love the smell of a new book
and the feeling of touching it. But in case I’m on the way to work or home on a bus, I
would go for reading online because my portable smartphone really comes in handy.
- burst on the scene (idiom): xuất hiện và trở nên nổi tiếng, phổ biến
ENG: to suddenly gain fame, attention, or recognition
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- portable (adj): di động, dễ mang, gọn gàng tiện lợi
ENG: that is easy to carry or to move
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you like reading printed books or reading online?
I usually read books at home because it is the coziest place for me. When I want to read
a book, I like to be at the most comfortable corner of my house, which is my bed so that
no distractions can come my way.
Well, I’ve become a regular at a book cafe in the locality in recent months because I
love the playlists that are often streamed there. Listening to soothing music while
reading is simply the best.
Well, actually, where to read a book doesn’t really matter to me. Even when I’m at
home, on public transport, at school or in a book cafe, I can read a book without feeling
annoyed about the noise around me. I’ve sharpened my focus capacity for years.
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- in the locality (prepositional phrase): ở khu mình sống
ENG: the area that surrounds the place you are in or are talking about
- sharpen focus capacity (verb phrase): rèn khả năng tập trung
ENG: make the ability to stay focused better, more effective, etc. than before
4. Benefits of reading
I believe that reading is among the most vital life skills that people should learn at a
young age. The ability to read opens the door to all aspects of education in life.
Well, reading is part and parcel of my daily activities because it’s an excellent means
of entertainment. As an introvert, I don’t befriend many people and books have
become the closest friends of mine.
Reading books, newspapers and any other sources of information is the most effective
way to keep abreast of everything happening around us and to gain insights into
particular subjects. Things like how to cook a simple meal or what makes humans
superior to other animals are all included in books.
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Giải thích từ vựng:
- part and parcel of something (idiom): phần quan trọng không thể thiếu
ENG: an essential part of something
- keep abreast of something (idiom): liên tục cập nhật thông tin
ENG: to make sure that you know all the most recent facts about a subject
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5. Changes in reading habits in the future
It’s safe to say that people are reading fewer books and fewer people are reading books.
But it’s just the case when it comes to reading printed books in particular. With regard
to reading in general, I believe that humans will still read as much as we’ve been doing.
The difference lies in the way we read. More people are gravitating towards online
versions of books because of all the benefits modern gadgets and the Internet bring.
Technology really comes in handy these days.
Well, I don't think so. Although paperback sales are already declining and purchases
made in-store for physical books are seeing dramatic decreases, people still buy books.
Kindle and other e-books remain popular and easy to access. One format has
supplanted the other. Even I know there are still many people who prefer physical
copies of books to electronic ones.
Yes. Our society is in a state of de-evolution. People want only to be entertained. They
are so often glued to screens. They play video games for hours and hours. They prefer
to hang out with friends and go for a drink rather than sitting at a corner at home and
reading a book. Serious people who want to grow their minds and accomplish great
things tend to read but these types of people are becoming fewer and fewer.
- with regard to somebody/ something (idiom): liên quan đến, nhắc đến
ENG: relating to somebody/ something
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- Kindle (noun): tên một loại máy đọc sách
ENG: the name of an e-book reader
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you think people will read less in the future?
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FAMOUS PEOPLE
1. Celebrities you like and dislike
I’m a die-hard fan of football so I have a particular liking for famous football players.
My all-time favorite one is Messi, but I wish I can meet him in person someday. Just
watching him play football on TV can be really enjoyable.
I’m a music freak and I idolize Mỹ Tâm - a megastar in the Vietnamese music industry.
Her velvety voice is just perfect for lyrical melodies. Not only is she a talented singer
she’s also synonymous with doing a lot of charity activities.
Despite the fact that Odlanor is an excellent wonderkid in the football world, I have
never really sympathized with him because of all the controversies and scandals he’s
been involved in. Assaulting fans, sex scandals and such like are unacceptable to me.
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- in person (idiom): trực tiếp, ngoài đời
ENG: if you do something in person, you go somewhere and do it yourself,
instead of doing it by letter, asking somebody else to do it, etc.
- synonymous with something (adj): nổi tiếng với, gắn liền với
ENG: so closely connected with something that the two things appear to be the
same
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- arrogant (adj): ngạo mạn
ENG: behaving in a proud, unpleasant way, showing little thought for other
people
Well, yes. Being well-known means I’m likely to make a good living. Endorsement
deals can bring me in a tidal wave of money. Luxurious homes and cars, fancy gifts,
expensive clothes and other such materialistic pleasures of life can convert from a dream
to a reality when I become famous.
Well, I don’t really fancy the idea of being a celebrity. I don’t have any particular talent
for acting, singing, or dancing. Besides, I value privacy, but being famous means you
are constantly surrounded by paparazzi and public attention. I just can’t imagine having
that kind of life.
Well, there are always two sides of the same coin and I believe that being famous, apart
from some benefits, has its own price.
On the one hand, fame generally brings lots of fortune. Celebrities, such as football
players, can have six-figure incomes from their weekly salaries and endorsement
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contracts. On top of that, they have fans. Fan mail and other forms of appreciation that
celebrities receive can be inspirational and motivational.
On the other hand, tabloids, newspapers and other forms of media constantly judge
celebrities on their personalities, bodies, and a lot more. Celebrities have to accept that
and be mentally prepared for any lies or exaggerations. Additionally, famous people
are often harassed by phone or mail by followers who cross the line and become
obsessed. Obsession can turn into threats and even physical harm.
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- two sides of the same coin (idiom): hai mặt của một vấn đề
ENG: used to talk about two ways of looking at the same situation
- cross the line (idiom): đi xa quá mức chấp nhận, quá giới hạn
ENG: to do something that is not considered to be acceptable behaviour
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What are some advantages/ disadvantages of being famous?
No, celebrities are not overpaid for what they are worth because they work as hard as
most people. We have to recognize that celebrities' salaries are paid by us, our choice.
We can choose whether we will go to Justin Bieber’s concerts, or watch Ronaldo at a
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football game. They don’t demand our money at gunpoint. It's a want in our lives, not
a must.
Well, no. Celebrities can earn a fortune because they are influencers and brands are
keen to profit from their prestige through endorsement deals. Both sides stand to
benefit from such deals, so their high income is what they deserve.
Yes, I think celebrities are way overpaid. Of course, it takes hard work and talent to be
at where they are but compared to average people, famous people are overpaid. Well,
life is unfair. There are tons of people with the same amount of talent and devotion
making less than a fraction of what celebrities earn.
Yes, I believe they're overpaid for what they're worth. A lot of famous people today
don't really have talent but it's their attractive appearance that helps them grab the
limelight. In fact, the values they bring don't contribute much to society as compared
to what doctors or firefighters do.
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- stand to benefit from something (verb phrase): hưởng lợi
ENG: to be in a better position because of something
- grab the limelight (verb phrase): chiếm sóng, thu hút chú ý
ENG: to take the centre of public attention
Well, most people become famous because of their natural talents. These people might
be synonymous with singing, acting, or hitting a baseball. In addition, natural beauty
might even lead a person to become a famous supermodel one day.
These days, in the world of technology and sudden Internet fame, one might become
well-known merely by posting a funny video of him and his friends that goes viral.
Internet websites, such as YouTube, have made many people “Internet famous" for a
short period of time.
Perhaps, one has superior intelligence or a special talent that could lead to fame one
day. He may invent something that would revolutionize the way people live in the
future. That would probably make him a household name. Or he might be able to set a
world record of some sort that would get his name in the Guinness Book of World
Records!
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We definitely don’t want to become famous for doing something bad but it’s actually
the case that some guys get fame after violating laws and getting caught. Khá Bảnh is
a good case in point as this Internet gangster was sent into prison for illegal gambling.
He was once in the spotlight for so long.
- household name (noun phrase): cái tên phổ biến, nổi tiếng, nhà nhà đều biết
đến
ENG: a person, thing or name that has become very well known
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member, usually because they are hoping to gain the respect that they lack in
their real life
- in the spotlight (prepositional phrase): là tâm điểm của sự chú ý, nổi tiếng
ENG: If someone is in the spotlight, he/ she is getting a great deal of public
attention.
Câu hỏi luyện tập: What kinds of people can become famous?
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COLORS
1. Favourite colours
I am a die-hard fan of green. Thinking of green, I can get the feeling of mint herbal tea
- my favourite drink - in my mouth which is inviting and invigorating. On top of that,
it’s the colour of nature and vegetation. After a long stressful working day, just looking
at green trees on the way home can help me to relax my eyes.
My all-time favourite colour is black. I find that everyone and everything can look good
in black. The colour represents power and elegance. When I go shopping, I can’t resist
buying black clothes because it is a shade that makes me feel so comfy.
It’s definitely yellow. It’s the colour of sunshine which filters in through my window
heralding a new morning during summertime. It really leaves me energised. Or even a
small candle with a sliver of a yellow flame can dispel darkness and bring warmth to
the dreariest of places.
I adore the colour pink. I don’t think anyone around this colour can ever feel sad; it
makes everything look gorgeous. This fancy and elegant colour is definitely the colour
of happiness.
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- fond of something (adj): thích
ENG: finding something pleasant, especially something you have liked or
enjoyed for a long time
- filter + adv./ prep. (verb): (ánh sáng, âm thanh) len lỏi chầm chậm
ENG: (of light or sound) to come into a place slowly or in small amounts
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- herald something (verb): là dấu hiệu của, báo trước
ENG: to be a sign that something is going to happen
Well, I actively dislike black, grey, and such like. I call them depressing colours and I
tend to consider those wearing shirts with those colours pessimistic. I have a positive
outlook on life so you can never see me wearing shirts in those colours.
I hate the colour yellow despite the fact that someone calls it the colour of hope. This
bright and cheery colour can easily grab attention. So it’s usually used in
advertisements that can drive me crazy when I’m watching TV or browsing the
Internet.
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I’m really not a fan of bright colours. They can cause headaches. I don’t know whether
it’s scientifically proven or not but just seeing flashy colours such as neon colours can
drive me mad. That’s why I always avoid wearing clothes with those colours.
- have a positive outlook on life (verb phrase): nhìn đời theo hướng tích cực
ENG: to have a positive attitude to life and the world
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Are there any colours that you dislike?
Well, many say red and yellow are the colours of Vietnam. Just look at the national flag
of our country, which is a large yellow star centered on a red field. The red field
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represents the bloodshed during the struggle for liberation, while yellow represents
the skin colour of the majority of Vietnamese people.
I would say green and yellow are the colours which represent our country. We’ve been
largely relying on agriculture, rice cultivation in particular, to make a living and
develop the economy for so long and green is the colour of young rice sprouts while
yellow is the colour of paddy fields amid harvest seasons. We’ve grown so
accustomed and attached to these colours since we’re born.
Red is the most popular and most meaningful colour in the traditional culture of
Vietnam. For the concept of Vietnamese people, red is a lucky colour, bringing
happiness and often used in weddings and festivals. In contrast, the colour black
symbolizes misfortune and evil and thus is often used in funerals.
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- amid something (preposition): giữa
ENG: in the middle of or during something, especially something that causes
excitement or fear
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Are there any special colours in your country?
I suppose colours can speak volumes about who you are. We can learn about people’s
personality, such as whether they’re grumpy or amiable, or whether they are
introverted or extroverted, based on their favourite colours. For instance, I’ve got a
positive outlook on life so I tend to wear clothes with bright colours.
Many people may think that colours can’t help us get to know more about a person’s
personality. But as far as I’m concerned, some scientists say they are inextricably
linked. For example, if your favourite colour is blue, you are likely very calm and non-
temperamental. However, if your favourite colour is red, you are likely filled with
passion and can get heated at any moment.
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I believe that colours have nothing to do with personality. That I love black clothes
doesn’t mean I have a negative outlook on life and vice versa. In contrast, I’m quite a
talkative optimist. It’s merely a matter of preference, I suppose.
- speak volumes about somebody/ something (idiom): nói lên rất nhiều điều
ENG: to tell you a lot about somebody/ something
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- merely (adv): chỉ, đơn giản
ENG: used meaning ‘only’ or ‘simply’ to emphasize a fact or something that
you are saying
Câu hỏi luyện tập: Do you think a person’s favourite colours can say something about
him?
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