Since 2010 SPEAKING B1B2C1 IELTS WORK 1 What do you do? For the past few months I’ve been working for Thanh Nien newspaper as a news editor In fact this is my first job ever, I’m working really hard t.WORK 1. What do you do? For the past few months I’ve been working for Thanh Nien newspaper as a news editor. In fact this is my first job ever, I’m working really hard to contribute to the success of this prestigious newspaper. 2. What are your responsibilities? As a parttime editor, I am responsible for editing news related to different current affairs as well as collecting information for the newspaper edition. 3. Why did you choose to do that type of work (or, that job)? I guess it’s mainly because of the job flexibility my passion for journalism. To be more specific, this job offers me alternatives to the typical ninetofive work schedule, enabling me to find a better balance between work and life. Besides, this job gives me opportunities to pursue my dream to become a journalist down the road. 4. Is there some other kind of work you would rather do? At present, I don’t think I’m able to dedicate myself to any other job rather than this one. In fact, to me it’s the experiences and opportunities I can gain that really matters. 5. Do you enjoy your work? Most of the time. Contributing to the news production for a prestigious newspaper gives me a sense of satisfaction and pride. 6. What do you likedislike about your job? Well the perk of being a news editor is that you’ll surround yourself with inspiring news on a daily basis. What I don’t like about this job is that I have to do a thousand edits to get the final one to meet the requirement of my boss. Sometimes I feel a bit overloaded with tons of tasks.
Since 2010 SPEAKING B1B2C1-IELTS WORK What you do? For the past few months I’ve been working for Thanh Nien newspaper as a news editor In fact this is my first job ever, I’m working really hard to contribute to the success of this prestigious newspaper What are your responsibilities? As a part-time editor, I am responsible for editing news related to different current affairs as well as collecting information for the newspaper edition Why did you choose to that type of work (or, that job)? I guess it’s mainly because of the job flexibility & my passion for journalism To be more specific, this job offers me alternatives to the typical nine-to-five work schedule, enabling me to find a better balance between work and life Besides, this job gives me opportunities to pursue my dream to become a journalist down the road Is there some other kind of work you would rather do? At present, I don’t think I’m able to dedicate myself to any other job rather than this one In fact, to me it’s the experiences and opportunities I can gain that really matters Do you enjoy your work? Most of the time Contributing to the news production for a prestigious newspaper gives me a sense of satisfaction and pride What you like/dislike about your job? Well the perk of being a news editor is that you’ll surround yourself with inspiring news on a daily basis What I don’t like about this job is that I have to a thousand edits to get the final one to meet the requirement of my boss Sometimes I feel a bit overloaded with tons of tasks STUDY Are you a student or are you working? I’m currently a senior at ABC University, which is one of the top schools in the nation Admission is incredibly competitive so I’m very proud of being a student here What are you studying? Well, I’m majoring in Accountancy, so as you can guess, I deal a lot with numbers and Since 2010 figures day in, day out It can be overwhelming at times, but I’d like to think that I have a knack for mathematics and calculations so it’s okay Why did you choose to study that major? There are many reasons for my choice As I’ve already explained about my long-term interest in Accountancy, another reason could be because of accountancy itself, since I’ve found my personalities have changed in a positive way, you know, like I’ve become more patient and skillful What’s the most difficult part of your study? Well, for the most part, I’d say it’s the workload I mean there are so many assignments and students are always under a lot of pressures from deadlines But on the other hand, exams are a piece of cake They are quite predictable, and I can pretty much breeze through them with a bit of revision 5: What you like most about your school? I guess the aspect I find most enjoyable is the environment I mean, I get to study in English-speaking classrooms and the facilities are top-notch; I mean, all the classrooms are air-conditioned and equipped with projectors My friends and teachers are all very nice as well, so all in all it’s a great place to study HOUSING/ACCOMMODATION What kind of housing/accommodation you live in? For the past 21 years I have lived in a house with my family And I think if I can move out and start making a living on my own, I would try my best to have an independent place where I can plan and design a house layout to suit myself since sharing a room or a flat with strangers sounds so troublesome to me What you usually in your house/flat/room? Well definitely I’ll spend some me-time there I study, I chill out by reading, drawing and dancing all by myself Sometimes I also invite one or two friends to spend time with We’ll watch some movies together and tell each other endless stories Who you live with? I live with my family There are of us and we all have our own room, which is way more comfortable as the older we grow, the more privacy we need for ourselves I think our house is big enough for us yet still a warm and cozy place that I call home How long have you lived there? Although during my childhood my family had to move a lot, I’ve lived in the most recent house for almost ten years Comparing to the old houses, I think this house has been the best so far Do you plan to live there for a long time? Since 2010 The answer would be yes if the respondent is my parents, since moving in and out is too time-consuming and exhausting Cleaning and arranging everything all over again would be liketorture to them For me, on the other hand, as I’m thinking of moving out to start my adult life, hopefully soon I’ll be able to afford to live in a flat or an apartment What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have lived in the past? As I’ve already mentioned my family moved several times when I was younger And the most current house where we’ve been living for about ten years is the best house so far All of us have separate rooms for our need of privacy yet a big dining room where we can spend the whole evenings together watching TV or having dinner Can you describe the place where you live?/ Please describe the room you live in Briefly, my humble house locates in a small and quite street, so coming home to me is like all the craziness happened outside is left behind Just beside my house stands a big old tree I have my own room with walls painted violet, which is kind of a peaceful color The air outside is fresh I usually open the window to enjoy the wind and sunshine, which will help cool down my room without an air conditioner Since I spend most of my time staying at home, my room means the whole world to me It’s like a friend who is always there to share ups and downs with me So yeah, I would always miss my house, my room whenever I’m away Which part of your home you like the most? It’s the dining room where my family spends our time together Not only lunch or dinner but all our family reunions take place in the dining room where we can enjoy a harmonious atmosphere We always try to keep the family dinner as something we cannot go a day without, since for us it’s the family bonding that lies behind HOMETOWN What’s (the name of) your hometown? is my hometown which’s a province located in the west of my country Is that a big city or a small place? Actually, it is a small province with slightly more than million people It has breathtaking view of picturesque landscapes with rolling mountains and greenish lakes However, due to the increasing economy, a number of business, especially in sugarcane, are invested in my hometown that turns it into a promising area Please describe your hometown a little? Since 2010 My hometown is both traditional and modern On the one hand, tradition is preserved by a number of festivals celebrated by local people, and the locals and authorities preserve the historical sites for tourism and education On the other hand, a whole lot of highrise buildings as residential places or shopping malls are built, which turns our little hometown into a worth-living place How long have you been living there? I had lived there around 15 years before my family left for Cần Thơ Vĩnh Long City It’s more than ten years since the day I left my hometown, but it is indeed a good memory of my childhood What you like (most) about your hometown? I like the hospitality and the love of people there which I hardly find them in my current place Everyone is living close together and willing to give others a hand when they need help Is there anything you dislike about it? Personally, it’s a bit boring for me because as a small town, there is not much shopping mall or any other means of entertainment The streets are not very crowded as well However, I believe that it has been improving day by day and becoming a potential hotspot due to the increasing number of annual visitors Do you think you will continue living there for a long time? To be honest, I hope I could come back there one day to visit my relatives and friends, but to settle down my life there is not my plan I am getting familiar with city life and there are more job opportunities for my future career Has your hometown changed much since you were a child? Actually yes It has changed enormously 20 years ago I could barely find tall building around my area, but now I can easily catch sight of skyscrapers and tower blocks there Are there any changes you would like to make in your hometown? I would like to ameliorate the infrastructure conditions there so that I can avoid being stuck in the traffic jam during the rush hours TRANSPORTATION What form of transport you prefer to use? Why? Without any doubt I would say motorbikes You can see people driving a motorbike all over the place in my country Almost everyone travels by motorbike The reason why motorbike is so popular I think is due to their reasonable price and convenience They also extremely varied in terms of size, color and quality, thus a wide variety of choices is Since 2010 available for everyone How often you take buses? Almost every day Since my house is so far away from my university, it’s impossible for me to travel by motorbike In addition, the air is heavily polluted by exhaust fumes and traffic jamsalways take place, especially during peak hours Thus, I’d prefer to take the bus, to save time, save gasoline and causing less pollution Can you compare the advantages of planes and trains? Planes and trains regularly depart and arrive on time Plus, there are many convenient facilities catering particularly to certain groups of passengers However, traveling by plane is clearly time-saving and enjoyable in terms of on-board services like meals or comfortable seats, while traveling by train offers you a chance to see the world outside, admire the views from their seats It’s totally a great experience for most train-travelers 4.How much time you spend travelling on a normal day? I have to commute from my home to my workplace on a daily basis It normally takes me 30 minutes to travel back and forth Would you ride bikes to work in the future? Definitely not Riding a bike means you’re exposing yourself to the unpredictable weatherand to air pollution What is worse, I’m afraid the main streets or the highway are too dangerous for cyclists, as cars, motorbikes and buses will travel at a very high speed Thus I’d rather ride a motorbike or take the bus instead What will become the most popular means of transport in your country? I think buses will take the lead You can travel the distance without much worries about ticket price or rainy weather outside Also new buses now offer better services like comfortable seats for the elderly or good air conditioning systems Do you prefer public transport or private transport ? I think I’d prefer public transport It’s much more inexpensive and because it can contain a large number of people, it helps ease the intensity of traffic jams during peak hours and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by vehicles Private transportation is more costly in terms of fees, taxes and gasoline GIFT How often you buy gifts for other people? I have been in the habit of buying gifts on important occasions such as birthdays or house-warming parties because I consider it as a way to express my affection to others Do you like to buy expensive gifts? Since 2010 Actually buying high-cost gifts is a no-no for me In fact, I’m really into giving handmade gifts so that receiver can feel my love and care for them What kinds of gifts are popular in your country? Birthday gifts such as clothes, flowers, cakes, books or jewelry are some kinds of popular gifts that adults prefer to give in my country, whereas children tend to choose teddy bears or souvenirs for their friends Why people send gifts? In my opinion, sending gifts is considered a way to convey love and care for each other, which means that the relationship between the two people is precious to cherish Besides, this act may show affection, gratitude or asking for forgiveness MUSIC Do you often (like to) listen to music? Or Do you like listening to music? So far I haven’t met anyone who dislikes listening to music However, when the workload is too heavy that requires me to stay highly focused, music is a huge distraction Unlike many people who like listening to instrumental music because it highly benefits for their concentration and study, in my case the music makes me feel instantly sleepy When you listen to music? Well, music is essential to human in the whole world so I’m no exception I usually listen to cheerful music when I need motivation while sad music is my preference if I’m in a bad mood How much time you spend listening to music every day? As I’ve mentioned I prefer working in silence To put it simply, 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 so I can get back to work later What kinds of music you like to listen to? Or What’s your favorite kind of music? My music taste varies widely from West to East and from the 90s to modern EDM But if Korean pop is considered as a kind of music, then yeah, that’s my favorite of all time More than half of my playlists are Korean songs and I always keep myself updated with thenews related to Korean showbiz Have you ever been to a concert before? Or Have you ever been to a musical performance? Once in a blue moon I attend a concert, since the ticket price for foreign artists’ concerts is so out of my reach that I can only stay home and watch online It was 2014 that I Since 2010 finally did go to a concert on my own, obviously it was an international music concert It was absolutely mind-blowing and unforgettable for me TEACHERS What kinds of teachers you like best? My favorite kind of teacher is someone who is helpful, quite firmed and has high expectations for students, especially if he/she teaches the subject I love That kind of teachers always have admirable passion for their job which motivates me to work harder in order to impress them Who was your favorite teacher when you were young? Definitely my Literature teachers in my high school The first reason is because Literature is my favorite subject that I believed my knowledge and efforts could impress the teachers Secondly, my Literature teachers tended to have a soft voice and inspiring teaching style that got me excited whenever the class began Would you want to be a teacher in the future? I think I would, but I want to become a lecturer instead Although teaching has always been my dream job since I was a kid, my specialization is not pedagogy, which makes it difficult for me to teach at schools Have you ever had bad teachers before? Luckily I haven’t met such an evil teacher I think as long as you’re hard-working and you all the homework, learn the lessons well enough and don’t break any school’s regulations, your name shall not appear on the teachers’ blacklist SPORTS Do you like to watch sports on TV? Yes, I It is very exciting, especially when you see two world-lead players or teams try their best to beat each other You not know which one will win until the very last second Sometimes the match is so intensive that I feel I cannot breathe Do you play any sports? Yes, I various sports Back in college, I liked playing football with my classmates But after I graduate, I find it quite difficult to call up a team and book a football court So now, I usually go swimming, which I can whenever is appropriate and not need to care about others timetable Do you have favorite sports star? Yes, it would be DL, who is the first VNmese champion in a world-class tennis match Besides her achievement, I also like her bluntness She always speaks out what she Since 2010 really thinks in front of the media, even though sometimes it is not very appropriate What kinds of sports are popular in your country? Well, I am not sure But from my own experience, I think football, basketball, badminton, and table tennis are the most popular sports in VN because you can see people playing almost everywhere, from streets to stadiums, from schools to workplaces What kinds of sports would you like to try in the future? Probably extreme sports like sky-diving, because it is very thrilling and I always wonder what it feels like to jump from thousands of meters high The earth and sceneries must look different from that on the ground SKY Do you like to watch the sky? Yes, I am really into watching the sky, especially at night to count the countless stars when I was a kid I remember I sometimes laid down in the grass for hours to watch the shining stars when in summer because I was fond of imaging the folk stories about the stars What is the sky like at night in your hometown? Well, as my hometown is a tourism city and there is no any industrial pollution, the sky is always clean and clear, and I can see the stunning night sky with countless and glittering stars and sometimes even the galaxy But unfortunately, in a metropolis like HCMcity light pollution makes the night sky invisible Have you ever taken a course about stars? No, I have never been in any sorts of courses about stars because actually there were no such courses in the schools or university But fortunately, my grandmother once sent me an encyclopedia about nature in which there were loads of stories about stars, I got the most of the knowledge about stars from it Is it important to study stars? Yes, I believe that astronomy has always had a significant impact on our worldview as it can help open our eyes, give context to our place in the cosmos and that can definitely reshape how we see the world What’s your favorite star? My favorite star constellation is Orion It’s very easy to spot on winter nights Firstly, it has a huge red giant star, which may explode any time soon Besides, it has a massive blue star which is very young On top of that it also has a big nebula where new stars are being born – so it has everything! SLEEP Since 2010 How many hours you sleep every day? It depends on how heavy my workload is on that day But I usually try to get around to hours of sleep so that I can always be wide awake and work effectively for the whole day Is it necessary to take a nap every day? Yes, I believe that people need to have a snooze after lunch because after eating, we can start to feel sleepy and lose focus Therefore, a quick nap can bring our energy back and help us become more productive after that Do old people sleep a lot? Why? Actually, I think elderly people generally have the same amount of sleep as young people But the thing is they often find it hard to fall asleep, so they go to bed earlier than young adults, which makes us think that they sleep a lot What time you usually go to bed? To be honest, I’m a night owl I usually go to sleep at around or a.m I know it is not a healthy habit but if I can’t get all my work done, it’s very hard for me to get to sleep Do you always have a good sleep? I’m a busy person I go to work from a.m to p.m, so at the end of the day, I often feel extremely exhausted and sleep like a rock TEA OR COFFEE Do VNmese people like to drink tea or coffee? Well, I think most VNmese are keen on drinking tea instead of coffee There’s so much culture of tea here in This country Also, there’s been an increasing number of tea houses built in both cities and towns Do you prepare tea or coffee for the guests at home? I prepare tea for the guests at home because tea is easier to make than coffee, you just need to steep the tea bag or put some tea leaves into the hot water, then it’s done When was the last time you drank tea or coffee? I just drank some tea his morning before I took the paper test of IELTS I felt like it’s effective to prevent me from getting drowsy the whole morning PUBLIC HOLIDAYS What public holidays you have in your country? My country has a great range of public holidays but to me the most important one is the Independence Day It is considered as a national holiday, which is annually celebrated on 2nd, September These day are to celebrate the day VN S secured independence from the USA after the Revolutionary War and usher in a new era of peace and reunification Do people in your country celebrate foreign festivals? Since 2010 Of course we We celebrate Christmas with extraordinarily colorful lights and decorations similar to those found in Western countries It is a grand party when the fun-loving and sociable citizens, whether being a Christian or not, celebrate with gusto Besides, there are also sparkling lighting decorations on the streets and in front of houses, turning particular places into Christmas area Usually the shops will have their signs advertising sales for Christmas seasons, and the piercing cold is a wonderful chance for people to get dressed up What you usually during public holidays? Well, I often spend my time gathering with my beloved family and friends Maybe go shopping and take advantage of the sales which my favorite shops are offering or hanging out with friends and having a whale of time at some entertaining places Do you like short holidays or long holidays? Both options have their own merits, but if I have to choose one, I would pick short holidays The reason for this is that I can feel more prepared to go back to study and feel less fatigued than spending a week for playing or travelling Tthe purpose of holiday should be to give people a temporary rest and help them recharge the batteries for a fresh period ahead Therefore, it is not recommended that people turn their days off into a long holiday, indulge themselves and neglect their study and work SHARING Do you have anything to share with others recently? Yes, I have bought a hair dryer which is from Dyson It’s been quite popular on the Internet recently You know I couldn’t resist my temptation and bought it with nearly million VND After a few days’ trials, I’ve found it pretty useful and shared it with my besties They were all into it What kind of things are not suitable for sharing? I think it depends on different types of people you are going to share with But, generally speaking, things that cause negative impacts on people are better not to be shared with others For example, those meaningless complaints about people’s behaviors What kind of things you like to share with others? Oh, it must be good news You know whenever I got a piece of good news, big or small, I would immediately tell my friends I think good news deserves to be shared with others because it can spread positive energy to others Did your parents teach you to share when you were a child? Yes, they did They even told me an old story in ancient VN to remind me of the good merit of sharing things to others From that on, I always follow their advice to share whenever possible, for example, some stationaries when my classmates needed 10 Since 2010 How often you buy shoes? Maybe twice a year I am not sure I am not a fashionable guy who loves to follow the latest trend and buy various shoes As long as my shoes are in good condition, I will not think of buying new ones Have you ever bought shoes online? Yes, I had once It was not a satisfactory shopping experience The shoes I bought were a bit bigger and the changing process was full of obstacles So since then, I have never bought another one online Do you know anyone who likes to buy a lot of shoes? Yes, it would be my classmate, Hoàng Yến He is crazy about Nike’s sneakers Whenever a new model of shoes is published, he will rush into the shop and bring one home He said he had more than 20 pairs of shoes and most of them are brand new What is your favorite type of shoes? It would be canvas shoes They are light and comfortable, and they match almost all sorts of casual trousers 19 Photos Do you like to take photos? Yes, I I like to use photos to record things in life It has become a kind of habit But I not like to take photos of myself Do you prefer to take photos yourself or to have other people to take photos? I prefer to take photos by myself, because I think it is quite impolite to bother somebody else, especially when they have their own things And nowadays, with the invention of the selfie stick, it is very easy to so How often you take photos? Several times a day The camera in my cell phone is quite powerful I use it to shoot sceneries, plants, flowers, toys and people In what situations you take photos? I often take photos when I notice something interesting and want to share it with my friends For 34 Since 2010 example, on my way here, I saw a really cute dog So I took a picture and sent it to my girlfriend We had a nice chat about having our own dog in the future How you keep your photos? I usually save them on my computer I have created several folders, each with a specific theme I also have a copy of all the photos in my removable disk, in case my computer goes wrong and all the files are lost 20 Weather Do you prefer dry or wet weather? I prefer dry weather Although I have to drink a lot of water to stay healthy, it is still better than wet weather, which causes a great deal of inconvenience What kind of weather you like most? Well, It would be a sunny, breezy day in the spring, with few clouds decorating the sky The temperature is perfect and you can either some outdoor sports or just sit outside to enjoy the sun What is your favorite season? My favorite season is spring when the flowers are going to bloom and grasses just spring out of the earth Everything is vibrant and lively under the sun What kind of weather is typical in your hometown? It is hard to say Every season has its own feature In spring, it is often cloudy and rains a lot In summer, it is often very hot and stuffy Autumn has bright sunshine and clear blue sky Winter is freezing with the wind howling 21 Movies Do you watch movies? Of course, I It is my favorite activity during my free time I would even collect DVDs of my favorite movies so that I can rewatch them from time to time How often you watch movies? Almost every week As I am a student, I not have much time during the weekdays 35 Since 2010 When it comes to the weekend, I would browse the internet and pick a movie that seems interesting What kind of movies you like? I like all of them But my favorite is the action The blast and car chasing are thrilling And what is more important is that they rarely have complicated plots, which means I can relax and empty my brain Do you prefer to go to a movie alone or with others? I prefer to watch movies with my friends When the film comes to end, we can talk about it, like who is your favorite character, or how stupid the bad guys are If I go to a movie alone, I will feel quite lonely, especially when I see other audiences come with their companies Do you prefer to watch movies at home or in a cinema? It is hard to say I like both of them Watching movies at home is more relaxing and comfortable I can lie on the couch and talk with my friend at any time and at any volume I want But a cinema often has more advanced facilities, like the huge screen and highquality soundtrack, which can provide a better watching experience 22 Drink Water How often you drink water? I am not sure, but pretty often I am quite easy to feel thirsty, so I always keep a glass of water at my hand and take a sip of it every now and then What kinds of water you like to drink? I like pure water without anything in it Some people like to drink Vietnamese tea, but I find it a little bitter There are also others who like to put a piece of lemon in it I have never bothered to so Do you drink bottled water or water from water machines? I usually drink water from the water machine It is very convenient and much cheaper than the bottled water I know some people believe bottled water is tastier, but I cannot tell the difference 23 Hometown 36 Since 2010 What’s (the name of) your hometown? Where are you from? The name of my hometown is called YC, which was originated from a famous person in Three Kingdoms Time Is that a big city or a small place? Well, my hometown is YC, which is a relatively small city compared to Saigon, Shanghai and those metropolitan cities It’s only an hour’s ride to get to one corner from the farthest place within YC How long have you lived there? I’ve been living there for nearly two decades I left this city after graduation from my senior high school I could still remember the old streets and buildings, but now things changed totally Do you like it? Yes, I love my hometown just like I love my parents It’s a place that saw my growth and gave me countless happy memories Do you like living there? I love living there, the most important reason is that the people there are extremely friendly You know, they give you help whenever possible, which is really not common in today’s metropolitan cities 24: Perfume Do you give perfume as a gift? No, I really don’t I am not a perfume person, so it would be difficult for me to choose a suitable bottle of perfume for others as a gift I would rather give them a gift card so that they can buy a perfect one themselves What does perfume mean to you? Well, perfume is a good thing for me I should say because it would save my day if I am in a rush and don’t have enough time to clean myself up, you know, it helps prevent some odor from coming out of my body 37 Since 2010 What kind of perfume you like? Oh, definitely Cologne is my favorite I love it because it permeates a fragrance that is exactly what I am keen on You know it smells so soothing and helps me loosen up a little bit while I am concentrating on my studies or work Do you use perfume? Yes, I I use it from time to time I love to use it because it can help me avoid the body odor that is unpleasant to the people around me So, I usually use it while I am attending some formal conferences where there’re lots of guests 25 Garbage Why some people throw garbage on the street? I think the main reason why they throw garbage on the street is that they don’t have the awareness of protecting the public environment They just think that it doesn’t matter to liter around and that somebody like the street cleaners will clean it up Plus, some of them are probably in a hurry, they just can’t find a dust bin, so they have no choice but throw the garbage on the street Do you think your city is clean or not? Well, I think it is clean and pretty cleaner than in the past A lot of thanks to our street cleaners You know, there has been a huge development in our city, wider roads and more modern infrastructures which have allowed more people than ever to use, and that definitely would cause a lot of pollution without those hardworking cleaners How you feel when you see people throwing garbage on the street? This is so bad This behavior would pose a danger to the environment I have found that those who liter around are mostly those who are middle-aged pedestrians who gave us the impression that they are obviously not well educated regarding keeping the public places sanitary Also, this kind of action might leave a bad impression on visitors especially those foreigners What you with garbage when you are on the street? Well, honestly, I just leave it on the street I mean, I don’t mean to so Sometimes, I’m just rushing from one place to another, and I feel that It’s a little bit awkward for me to pick the garbage up and throw it into the dustbin while nobody does the same thing 38 Since 2010 However, if it’s in a small place like on the street near our community, I would definitely collect them and throw them properly 26 Social network Do you think it is good to make friends online? Yes, I I think it’s not like the situation in the past We are more familiar with the Internet than people in the past So, it’s not easy to get cheated, and friends online are usually from different backgrounds or even cultures that we can definitely learn from What are the disadvantages of social networking apps? Well, the most obvious cons of social networking apps are that they make people more superficial and they’re sometimes time-consuming You know, those apps like Zalo, or even Instagram encourage us to show off our pictures or some lines of words that represent our current happy or sad moments and ideas, but actually they are sometimes not well thought of, so it’s quite easy to get parochial, and definitely it consumes much time to read the information on the apps Why you use social networking apps? The reason why I use social networking apps is that I find it convenient to communicate with my friends You know, they are always on it, so whenever I have some needs they are always easy to contact How often you use social networking applications? I use social networking applications occasionally For example, when I was in need, I would seek help from friends on the apps because they are easy to reach Also, I would use them when I want to express my best wishes to my friends during different important festivals 27 Math Do you often use a calculator? Yes, I use it a lot I usually use it when I am doing math assignments or sitting for an exam that allows me to take a calculator I honestly find it quite useful as it helps me save my time Are girls generally good at mathematics? No, I don’t think they are generally I don’t think mathematics is what they are good at 39 Since 2010 But, don’t get me wrong The reason why I think so is that most girls just somehow don’t find any interest in it Do you think it is difficult to learn mathematics well? Yes, I Mathematics is regarded as one of the most difficult subjects in school I just feel that the hardest part is that you have to have a very clear logic while understanding and doing math assignments Plus, it requires a lot of time and effort to practice Do you thnk mathematics is important? Definitely, I do! I feel that math has become one of the most essential things people have to master in the 21st century if you want to succeed in a way You know what, technology has been developed so boomingly, for example, the AI and the 5G Without having a concrete knowledge of basic math, it’s really hard to get a job in this circle 28 Daily routine What part of your day you like best? Well, actually I’m really into the end of the day, especially the time after dinner Because this period of time is the official start of my own recreation I don’t need to think anything about my work/studies What’s your daily routine? My daily routine is kind of ordinary compared to some big potatoes I usually get up at 7:30 and begin my study/work after breakfast The rest of my daytime is all about study/work Well, during the nighttime, things get a little bit different I usually watch some movies and write some blogs on laokaoya.com, which I think is one of the most meaningful things for me and for some learners of English What is the busiest part of the day for you? Well, the busiest period of the day for me is actually the evening We got piles of homework right after attending lectures and seminars of the day Sometimes when things get stuck at the same time, I even have to burn the midnight oil to finish them, which really drives me nuts What is the best part of the day for you? The best part of my life is actually the time before getting up You know, especially in winter, I feel a 40 Since 2010 strong sense of resistance of stepping out of my warm and soft bed I always thought nothing would be better than just staying a few more minutes on bed in the morning What’s the difference of routine between you and your teenager’s times? I think we are pretty much the same, because we have work to do, and so they They need to get up early and so I But, there’s a tiny difference in the activities we I guess ours are more mature than those they in schools Will you change your daily routine in the future? No, I won’t I think my current daily routine works perfectly for me You know, it allows me to have a relatively good work-life balance Plus, I don’t feel much pressure doing executing it What’s the difference between people’s daily routine in the past and that in the present? Well, in the past, people’s daily routine was casual and slow in pace For instance, they usually took a long time to some laundry, this was partly because they have automatic washing machine But now, people’s daily routine is very intense and grueling You know, people need to more things than in the past, and sometimes multiple things at the same time How has your daily routine changed? And how? Three years ago, when I was a senior high school student, my daily routine was pretty packed I had loads of textbooks to brush up and piles of assignment to finish Just so exam-oriented But, now, what I on a daily basis are just one-third of my previous tasks I think this is because I’m now a college student, and I’m supposed to some social work except for the assignments What you usually on weekends? I have many things to during the weekends For instance, I usually finish my assignments on Saturday at a public library near my home Also, I usually hang out with my friends for a while at the central business district during the afternoon or evening to have fun 41 Since 2010 29 Travel What kind of cities you like to travel to? Well, I enjoy traveling to varies kinds of cities Generally, I love to travel to some exotic cities because they are good places for me to know about different cultures Plus, I’m also into cities that have a good sanitary condition I just can’t stand people liter around in the city Do you like traveling? Yes, I Traveling is part of my life It’s not an escape from my busy life in the city but also enables me to discover and appreciate the diversity of this world I’ve always felt that traveling is another way of receiving an education, and it’s more authentic! Which cities have you traveled to? I have been to many cities The last one is Auckland, which is the biggest city in New Zealand I remember while I was staying there, I was stunned by the beautiful sceneries I wish I could go there again in the near future What is the place that left you the deepest impression when traveling? I think it’s the Christchurch, which is a southern city in New Zealand There’s a botanic garden that gave me the deepest impression It has various kinds of plants dating back from the Dinosaurs’ period, and the pure water, which was drinkable and sweet, made me really want to take some home 30 Visit relatives What you when visiting relatives? I have a lot of things to when I visit my relatives For instance, during the Spring Festival period, I usually have dinner with them at their places to enjoy the delicious foods Plus, I often play some video games with my peers because I think it’s a good way to loosen up Why people visit their relatives? Well, I think the main reason people visit their relatives is that they want to maintain or even strengthen their relationship with them You know, we are living in a society where the interpersonal relationship is of vital importance for our social activities Sometimes, when I need some help, those people we usually visit can give us a hand 42 Since 2010 When was the last time you visited a relative? It’s the last Spring Festival, which is the biggest and most important holiday in VIETNAM You know, I have lots of relatives I remember my father drove me to many different families to visit them In most occasions, we even didn’t have enough time to have dinner with some of them as we were quite in a rush Do you often visit your relatives? Not really I don’t often visit my relatives This is because I am living in another city that is far away from my hometown where my relatives are living So, the only time in a year to visit them is the Spring Festival period 31 Smile Can you recognize a fake smile? Yes but no Mostly, I can tell if the smile of the person in front of me is genuine or not This is often judged by my observation of his or her facial expression, especially the eyes However, if I met someone who is so experienced, then it’s difficult to tell a fake smile Do you smile when people take pictures of you? Yes, definitely I always smile while others take photos of me I feel that smiling can express positive energy to the people who appreciate the pictures taken Plus, I feel it’s just my second nature, so why not? When people smile at others? There are many occasions where smile at others For example, people mostly smile at others while meeting their friends or strangers because they think it’s a good way to express their respect Also, as I’ve mentioned earlier, I think people smile when they take pictures with others Do you like to smile? Yes, I I’m keen on smiling This is definitely one of the best ways to show my respect and warmth to people in my life I love to smile especially when I meet strangers or new friends You know, they don’t know much about me and would sometimes feel anxious while talking to me, then a smile can make them feel comfortable 32 Reading 43 Since 2010 Do you read books related to your profession? Yes, I I enjoy reading books that are correlated with my profession I feel like it’s a good way to help me enhance my understanding of what I’ve been practicing You know, books are usually written by professionals whose ideas deserve our consideration Do you read electronic books? Yes, I I actually read them quite a lot I’ve had a Kindle with me for many years This little electronic device enables me to read through many books at one go, and I don’t have to worry about its weight What kind of books you read? I love reading novels, especially detective ones The reason why I’m quite into reading those books is that it’s a pretty good way to loosen up after a day of schoolwork You know, the intriguing plots in the books can immediately eradicate the heavy burden from the assignment Do you like reading? Yes, as I mentioned before Reading is a good way to help me relax Plus, I enjoy reading it because it opens a door or maybe many doors for me to appreciate the different life perspectives of others 33 Plan What is the hardest part about making plans? Well, generally the most difficult part in making plans is how to appropriately allocate your time for specific things that need to be finished You know, I always kind of overestimate my ability to accomplish things Things always take longer time to finish, which is a headache for me What is the latest plan you made? The lasted plan I have made is to have a trip to Thailand right after I finish my final Honestly, this time, I am sure that I have confidence in terms of time management, and I guess the plan will go well You know, I just can’t wait to have this trip with my friends Do you make plans every day? No, not really I usually make plans when I feel it’s necessary to so For instance, during the weekdays, I usually make some plans regarding my studies so that I can follow 44 Since 2010 all the school lessons Whereas, during the weekends, I just don’t want myself to be that self-regulated, so no plan is the best plan Are you good at managing your time? Yes I think am better than before regarding managing my own time I now understand that execution is the best policy I usually try to force myself to it instead of putting it off I once overestimated my ability to finish things, which was the biggest cause of my procrastination, and I often didn’t have enough time Now, things are getting better 34 Borrowing/lending How you feel when people not return things they borrowed from you? I honestly will feel a little bit sad about that You know, I sacrificed my trust and ended up getting back an unfriendly behavior which is unacceptable The worst thing is that I can’t even tell them directly because that will hurt their ego Do you like to lend things to others? Yes, I I enjoy giving things out because I think it’s a good way to make myself happy You might not understand this, but the way I see it, to give a hand to others would also give me a chance of seeking help when in need Have you ever borrowed money from others? Yes, I have I remember I borrowed some money from my best friend Wang before I took the CFA, which is a very important and expensive Finance exam I was running out of money during that time and I couldn’t ask more from my parents So, Wang just lent the money to me to help me get registered for the exam, which I felt quite grateful Have you borrowed books from others? Yes, I have I have many friends who are quite into reading They always recommend me some interesting books while we are chatting during dinner time The last book that I borrowed from them was a book called Educated, which was a very educational autobiography 35 Market Are there many street markets in VIETNAM? Yes, there are Usually, it’s quite common in small towns where there are fewer 45 Since 2010 supermarkets to get easy access to Street markets are very convenient in VIETNAM for people to buy some groceries, so you don’t have to take buses or walk a long distance to get them Do you often go to the supermarket? Yes, I There’s a supermarket just near my apartment building I usually go there during the evenings to get some daily necessities for the next day You know, to make sure the foods I eat are fresh, it’s better to go there every day or at least three times a week What are the differences between street markets and supermarkets? Well, interesting question Compared to street markets, supermarkets have way more items, and the price is usually set and you can’t change it On the other hand, at the street markets, you can bargain a little bit for the price with the merchants and the sanitary condition there is usually not that good What street markets sell? There are many products we can see in street markets Usually, they sell groceries, for example, veggies and fruits, which are daily necessities and are often cheaper than those in the supermarkets Also, you can sometimes expect to see some antiques there, but it’s better to have a double check because they might be fake 36 Outdoor Is it important for children to play outdoors? Yes, it is I think it’s essential for kids to some exercises outdoors Doing outdoors sports is a good way to enhance our physical and mental condition You know, kids nowadays have much pressure from school work, they need some time to breathe some air outside Did you often go over to your friends’ house when you were young? Yes, I did I often went over to my friends’ houses especially during the big holidays while I was a kid I remember I usually played some computer games with them to have fun during the evening, which was awesome I wish I could have more fun time like that these days 46 Since 2010 Did you like to go outside when you were young? Yes, I did I often go outside with my close friends to play sports like basketball outside We usually played outside the entire day and got home late in the evening You know, my parents always blame me for my lateness Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors? I prefer to be indoors than outdoors now I think I don’t have as much energy as I did while I was a kid to play outdoors Plus, now I think being indoors helps me to be calm and patient, which I think is very important for my future office work Is it important for children to play outdoors? Yes, it is I think it’s essential for kids to some exercises outdoors Doing outdoors sports is a good way to enhance our physical and mental condition You know, kids nowadays have much pressure from school work, they need some time to breathe some air outside Did you often go over to your friends’ house when you were young? Yes, I did I often went over to my friends’ houses especially during the big holidays while I was a kid I remember I usually played some computer games with them to have fun during the evening, which was awesome I wish I could have more fun like that these days Did you like to go outside when you were young? Yes, I did I often go outside with my close friends to play sports like basketball outside We usually played outside the entire day and got home late in the evening You know, my parents always blame me for my lateness Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors? I prefer to be indoors than outdoors now I think I don’t have as much energy as I did when I was a kid to play outdoors Plus, now I think being indoors helps me to be calm and patient, which I think is very important for my future office work 47 ... school? I guess the aspect I find most enjoyable is the environment I mean, I get to study in English -speaking classrooms and the facilities are top-notch; I mean, all the classrooms are air-conditioned... cannot go a day without, since for us it’s the family bonding that lies behind HOMETOWN What’s (the name of) your hometown? is my hometown which’s a province located in the west of my country... since the day I left my hometown, but it is indeed a good memory of my childhood What you like (most) about your hometown? I like the hospitality and the love of people there which I hardly find