How to speak english well

In my free time, I like listening to music, watching movies, reading newspapers, and going shopping.. Do you usually have breakfast at home or at work or on the way to work.. Also, there

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P R E F A C E

The book " H o w To Speak English W e ll" is designed to provide yo u English learners of pre-intermediate and intermediate levels with 50 hot topics related to daily life Each topic helps yo u enrich yo u r vocabulary

as w ell as get m ore ideas about the topic you are involved in In addition, questions in each topic facilitate you to practice you r speaking skills.

Practicing speaking is not o nly speaking Besides, the learners have to improve their reading and listening skills, grammar and vocabulary.

O n e of the most important factors that can help you get the good result

in speaking English is the self-<onfidence Moreover, you should enounce yo u r ideas and jo in class discussions actively In English speaking, shyness prevents you from mastering i t Also, when you do not know h o w to pronounce or h o w to use an English word, you shoufd check it up in a dictionary or ask your classmates or teachers about i t

O ver all, don't be afraid o f making mistakes when practicing speaking

i hope that this book can partly help you improve your English speaking skill Surely, limitations in this book could not be avoided, so you r contributions w ill be h igh ly appreciated.

T O P IC Is M Y SE L F I M R 0 i n C T 1 0 \

I’m very happy to introduce myself My name is Linh

I live in Bac U e u province, a province in the west of Vietnam My family consists of four people: m y parents,

m y younger brother and i M y father is a farmer, and m y mother is a house-wife who always takes a good care of

m y family My brother is an 11th grade student And l am

a junior of Van Lang University

I like learning English very much I have learnt it for years at high school and university, but m y speaking skill is not good enough Therefore, I try

m y best to leam it now, and I hope I can speak it well one day When l graduate from university, I will be a teacher of English because it is my major

In my free time, I like listening to music, watching movies, reading newspapers, and going shopping O n Sunda ys, i usually go to the coffee shop to chat with m y friends in the morning, and I always join the English Speaking Club to improve my speaking skill in the afternoon

but m y friends usually call m e Katy

In short, I am very happy with m y life O f course, ! am going to make it happier and more meaningful

VOCABULARY T IP

1 to consist (of) [kan'sist] =

Ex: The committee consists often mmbers

N guyen H o ttg A n h , M.A in

QUESTIO NS FO R P1SCPSSIOM

1 May ! know your nam e? W here are you from? W hat do you do?

2 How m any people are there in your family? W hat is yo ur position in your family? W h o do you think loves you most in your family?

3 Which school are you studying at? W hat is your major? W h y do you choose it?

4 W nat do you like about your classroom? W hat do you dislike about your classroom?

5 What do you think about your classmates? W hat do you think about your instructors

6 W hat are you going to do after graduating from your university? Do you think you will be successful in your future job?

7 Do you like listening to music? If yes, what kind of m usic do you like

8 W hat do you think about watching T V or films? What is your favorite channel?

9 What do you often do at w eekends? W hich activity do you like best?

10 Do you want to change your daily life? If yes, how will be it changed?

TOPIC 2 : TBOEFIKST B A Y I WENT TO SCHOOL

plenty of time to ourselves

A

I will never forget the first day 1 went to school O n that day, my mother accompanied m e to school.Soon a teacher cam e and led us to som e classrooms T h e re we were put into four separate classes Th is w as when som e children began to cry a s T h e parents w ere not allowed into the classrooms I did not cry because I had been to kindergarten before

it w as an enjoyable time for me as I got to know m y new classmates

Th e teacher w as very busy writing down our particulars, so w e had

‘When the break came, m y new friends and I m anaged to make friend with two girls Soon w e were laughing and playing together O n ce in a while the teacher had to tell us to keep quiet as w e w ere making too much noise

e reunited with our parents I too w as glad to see m y mother wafting for

le at the school gate I had m ade m any friends It had been a

"St day at school

O C A B U U R i TIP

to accompany [a ’k A m p s n i]: to go with

Ex: l s hould ask m y friend io accompany me to school

Tói phài nhò ban tói dr cùng töi den truòng

separate ['se p ra t] ( a ) : dii

Ex: We were put into four separate classes

Chùng tói duoc phàn vào càc lop khàc nhau

kindergarten ['k in d s ,g o :t n ] ( n ) : a school for children to be busy + v-ing {»nth something)

Ex: She 's busy with her homework

Có ày b$n cóng wee ò nhà

She's busy writing letters

Co ay dang ban viét this

particular [petikjule(r)] (n):

to manage =

Once in a while (exp.) =

Ex: Once in a while we go to a restaurant

Thtnh thoàng chùng tói di än nhà häng

A

detail, event

to bysometimes

O tE ST lO M S FOK D ISC U SSIO X

W hen did you start your schooling? Did you go to a public high school or a private one?

Did you have to w ear a uniform in high school? How about elementary school?

Have you ever been absent from class? If yes, how m any times were you absent from school?

Have you ever been late for class? If so, w hy? W hen w as the last time? Did the teacher get angry?

Did your school have a ban d? If so, did you play in it? Do you play

on any of the school's sports team s?

Did you have any close friends at elementary school? Do you still keep in touch with them?

What classes did you not like? W h y didn't you like them? W hat did you like best about high school? 4

4

10 W hat w as yo u r favourite subject? W h y do you like it? Which subjects were you good at? W hich subjects w ere you poor at?

T O P IC 3s M V F A iu n v r

Th e re are five m em bers in m y family: m y parents,

m y older bother, m y younger sister and l

'

M y parents are living in one of the central provinces

M y m other is 53 years old S h e is a housewife M y father is 55 years old H e is a fisherman M y older brother gets married, living separately near m y parents1 hom e He has two children and works for

an industrial park with his wife M y younger sister is

a schoolgirl S h e is three years older than me W e are very united

N o w i'm living in H C M C for m y higher education How ever, I always miss and think about m y family because it is the best place for m e in the world Th e re I can feel safe, warm , and free My hom e is a place where 1 keep all things that I love and am with people who love me m o s t It is also the place w here I spend the happiest m oments in m y life, in addition, l believe that m y hom e is a foundation for me to develop myself and a school that forms m y personality

it the sam e or different between the family structure in the past and

ie at present? W hat do you think of the traditional family? is it better

¡an the m odem one? W hy/why not?

Ihich one do you prefer between living in a large family with m any snerations and living in a small one? W hat are advantages and sadvantages of living in a large / small family?

s a saying goes “T h e re is no place like home* D o you think so? 'hat should w e do to preserve the structure of Vietnamese family?

ow is a happy family? Do you want to live with your parents, others or sisters in the sam e house? W h y (or w hy not)?

o you agree that the more m odem society is, the more easily the mily is broken? W hat m akes the value of family in Vietnam

ave you ever left your family for a long time? If yes, how did you 6

6

T O P IC 4 ; M Y C H U J fflO O P

j§ It is said that childhood is the best period of one’s

g life I also have a beautiful childhood

I Since I w as bom, m y mother has always taken a

I good care of m e in everything M y father usually

1 appeared at important events in m y life For

H example, he took me to the school on the first day

M y grandparents also loved me so much W henever they cam e back

home from their business trips or from the market, they always had

presents for- me M y unforgettable m em ory is when I sat on the verandah

with m y grandma listening to her fairy tales M y favorite story was “ T a m

and C am ”.

\ also have a lot of memories during m y schooling years O nce I cut

class to go to the cinema with m y classmates But my teacher and m y

mother punished m e seriously for that T h e teacher made m e kneel for

one hour at the com e r of the classroom, and m y mother gave me a

sound spanking ■

V - /

In short, 1 never forget my childhood

V

his care, I always got good results

1 period fpieriad] (n): stage

Ex: Our country has many periods of history

Day nu&c ta c6 nhieu giai (Scan Ijch sir

2 event [Tvent] (n): incident

Ex: Graduating from university is a big event in my life.

3 to encourage [irikQridG]: to stimulate

Ex: My friends usually encourage me to lose weight

4 verandah [va'raenda] (n):

5 fairy tale:

6 serious psiarias] (a)

-the open porch fairy story strict

c i fwy leacner nas a se

Thay t6; co ve nghiem khac

Y W to kneel jni:Q:

a sound spanking:

Ex: My teacher has a serious look

to go down on knees the act of slapping

| H o w To S p e a k E nglish W ell

\)dng gop PDF bcri GV Nguyen Thanh Tu

7

o you think that we had best time w hen we were in our childhood?

ow did you spend your childhood? W hat did you like best w hen you ere a child?

/ho w as your best friend when you w ere a child? C a n you describe m/her? D o you still keep relation with him/her?

/hen you w ere a little child, who did you love m ost? W hich toy did )U like best? W hat kinds of entertainment did you use to have? 'hat kinds of gam es did you usually play? W ho did you usually play

Tiat did you hate eating? W h a fs your m ost vivid m em ory of the )use or flat where you grew up?

d you think that ifs very hard for us to get what have gone? Do you

;ual?y talk to your friends about your childhood?

d you ever wish that you could live a childhood life again?

3y usually begins at 6 I get up and do

exercise for about an hour Th e n I take

After that I get dressed and have

fast with my family I usually have a

breakfast A t 7.30 I leave for school

n take a bus to school I catch the bus

my house, and it takes m e about 30

es to get to school M y first class starts

)Q a m and finishes at 1*1 a.m Som etim es I stay there for the oon class How ever, I usually stay at home in the afternoons

! evening, I go to evening classes I’m teaming English at Youth

jn Language School W hen I get home, I have dinner and watch

To S p e a k E n glish W ell

friends I usuaiiy go to bed at 12.

O n Sundays, I usually go to coffee shops for chatting with m y friends Sometimes we go fishing or singing karaoke You know, every Sunda y afternoon, I go to the English Speaking Club to improve my speaking skill

c ?When I have free time, I usually listen to music I like English songs very much because they help me improve m y English A da y in my life is very '

QUESTIONS F O B PISC U SSIO X

1 W hat time do you usually get up? Do you take any exercise after getting up? W hat form of exercise, if any, do you take?

2 Do you usually have breakfast at home or at work or on the way to work? Do you often have coffee?

3 What do you have for lunch? Do you bring your lunch to work or have

4 What time do you leave your work? Do you have to work overtime?

In night shifts? Do you like your jo b ? ^

5 W hat time do you arrive home from work? W hen do you usually have dinner? Do you stay home and watch T V , read books or m agazines,

do the needle work, listen to music, or have a talk with your partner?

6 How often do you go out after dinner? Do you go to evening classes?

W hat courses of study are, you taking? W hat plans do you have for such courses?

7 How do you spend your time on Sundays? W hat do you do in your free time? W hat do you do at weekends?

8 D o you think that your daily life is O K , compared with others in your family? Do you think your daily routine is boring? Have you ever thought of doing something else for a change?

9 Are you still going to school? W hat time does your school begin? What do you often do before school? How do you prepare your lessons before school? H ow do you go to school? How long does it take you to get there? W hen does your school finish? Do you go straight home after school?

10 Are you pleased with a day in your life?

r V

B o te To S p e a k E nglish W ell

TO PIC te THOE SUBJECT I LIK E

If I would have the opportunity to study a subject

I do not know yet, I would choose to study the

I think it is very interesting to work on a space­ship, gathering different kinds of information, probes and specimens Also I have chances to know what is beyond our solar system as well as

t is beyond our universe

ther reason for studying the space is that I might make new overies I think it is a great feeling to give people new knowledge, srtunities and experience Thanks to these discoveries, people know

s about our universe

lort, I believe that in the future, people will be able to visit the space

as they go to a museum now

P A B U L A R Y T I P

E x : Fuji and other mountains beyond are covered in snow.

NOi Phü S i vä cäc ngpn nOi phia xa kta dSu phü däy tuyet

>o you think the teacher should assign seats to students? W hat is

ie ideal seating plan or arrangement m a classroom?

tfhat are five things you would like to change in your classroom? Do

ou enjoy changing classrooms for different classes?

; there any air-conditioning in your classroom? Is your classroom a ice place to study?

5 H ow m any subjects do you have to study? W hich subjects are you bad at? W hich subjects are you good at?

7 W hich subject do you like best? W h y do you like it? A re you good at this subject?

8 Do you learn English as one subject in yo u r school? Do you like it?

A m ong four skills, which one do you like best?

9 Which subjects do you think are not practical? W h y do you think so?

A

« 5

T O PIC 7z W HAT I H ATE DOING

*

A s human beings, we all have four main feeling

as happiness, anger, likes and dislikes O f course, w e want to do what w e like; however,

s ometimes, w e m ust do things that we do not like T a k e m e for example

I hate getting up early ve ry m uch , tt is so relaxing to w ake up without the help of an alarm d o c k and to lie fifteen minutes more recalling your dream s H o w e ve r, I have to get

up at 6 o’clock every morning T h e n I put on m y T-sh irt and shorts and

go jogging Som etim es I want to break m y alarm d o c k , but I can’t because I have to go to school on time J h

In short, in our life, w e cannot avoid doing things w e do not w a n t

to have enough money

QUESTIO NS FO R D ISC U SSIO N

i.

I What annoys you most about living at home with your family? W hat

• annoys you about the place where you live now?

L What annoys you about taking buses to work or to school? W hat annoys you about driving a motorbike?

What annoying habits does your best friend have? W hat is the most annoying thing for you?

Do you get annoyed when other people display bad m anners? G ive some examples

> Do you annoy people with some of your habits? W hat is something that your parents like to do but you don’t?

5 What do you often like doing everyday? W h y do you like doing it? Do you think your family m em bers like what you like?

r Do you like getting up early? W h y or w hy not? W hat do you think if someone wakes you up early?

1 What do you hate doing during a day? W h y do you hate it? W hat will

happen if you don’t do what you hate?

i W ho usually forces you to do what you don’t like? D o you often ask someone to do what they don’t like?

10 What can you draw from today’s discussion?

t o p i c fc m y v i t n f i o f y o i i k u f e

I do not know what you think of your life I myself think that m y life is very beautiful and lucky W hy

do I say so?

I find that at least two people in this world love

m e so much that they would devote themselves

'm* to me Moreover, m any people around me love

me because I often make them happy with m y help and smiles

n addition, I ’am optimistic W henever I make a mistake, 1 find that

omething good com es from it W hen m any people say that the world ias turned its back on them, I myself think that I have likely turned m y iack on the world And when' people think they have no chances of letting what they want, 1 believe that sooner or later I will get It

live happily, I always rem em ber the compliments I’ve received and orget about the rude remarks

conceptions of life W h y don’t w e share them together to make our life better and better?

V O C A BU LA R Y TCP

1 to devote [di’vout] =

Ex: I devote m y time to learn English

73/ danh het thdi gian de hoc tieng Anh

2 optimistic [.Upti'mistik] (a):

Ex: Nam is not optimstic about the result

3 to turn back on s.o:

4 com plim ent (n):

5 rude [ru:d] {a):

Ex: It's rude to interrupt the teacher

Ngat icri t h iy co la khiem nha

to sacrifice

expecting the bestnot pay attention to praise 0 , impolite

Q U ESTIO N S FO R D ISC U SSIO N

1 W hat do you think of your life: lucky or unlucky? Do you think that

G o d doesn't give us everything w e ask for?

2 Is it right to say that it's those small daily happenings that make life

so special? In which w a y do you think so?

3 It is said that unde r everyone's hard shell is som eon e w ho w ants to

be appreciated and loved D o you agree with it?

4 W hat do you think about an idea that 'to ignore the facts do es not change the facts??

5 W h o love you m ost in yo u r life? W hat will happen to you If you lose

that one som e d a ? ? /

6 H ave you ever thought that the world turns its back on yo u ? A t that time do you think that you turn yo u r back on the w orld?

7 A re you in love now ? A re you of the opinion that love, not time, heals all wounds'?

8 I believe that the easiest w a y for m e to grow a s a person is to surround m yself with people w ho are sm arter than I am W h at do you think?:

9 D o you agree with m e that life is tough, but w e are tougher, and no one is perfect until w e fall in love with them ?

10 I've learned that everyon e wants to live on the top of the mountain, but ail happiness occurs while I’m climbing it Do you think so?

T o p ic 9s A N T1YFOBGETTABUB MEMORY

Graduat ion is a very important event in a person’s life, and it is my pleasure to share with you m y high school day graduation

My mother helped me prepare for the day A t first, w e went shopping to buy a dress and a pair

of shoes However, we could not find a pair of shoes that would fit to m y dress Therefore, two days before the graduation day, t had hot 'got any shoes However, my mother assured me that she could m anage it and promised me that she would show up when the grad day came Unfortunately, she could not do that because she had an important business to do on that day

Th e event took place from 8 am till 11 am Looking at m y schoolmates, I felt a little sad because they were with their relatives However, it happened for just a m om ent During the ceremony, l was very excited to wait for m y turn to hold the degree

Well! i forgot to tell you that m y mother appeared at the end of the graduation She hugged, kissed and congratulated me She also gave

me a present that l have kep as m y most valuable thing in my life After that, she took me to a small restaurant and treated me a special lunch

That day has gone, but I never forget it It is the first step for me to enter

VOCABULARY T IP

Ex: Hard work usually assures success

Cham chi thu-cmg bao dam sis thanh cong

Ex: Will you show up at her wedding party?

Ex: Our meeting will take place next Monday.

X j l x : My friend wedding ceremony will take place in church.

g u E s n o x s f o b m s c u s s io r c

1. Do you have a good m em ory or a bad m emory? Do you usually rem ember or forget things? A re there some things or times that you will never forget?

2 Would you like to have a perfect mem ory? W h y or w hy not? A re there some things or times that you wish you could forget?

3 Have you ever forgotten something important like your keys or ypur phone?

4 Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten w h y you went there? Have you ever forgotten an important date, like a birthday or an anniversary?

5 W hat’s your earliest m em ory? W hen w as it? W h a fs your most vivid (clear or sharp) m em ory? W hen was it?

6 “Memories make the man’ W hat do you think of this saying? G ive examples

7 Th o se who forget the past will repeat it W hat do you think this means? G ive examples

Many people find that visiting certain place brings back a childhood memory very strongly (such as the scene of an old family holiday)

W h y do you think this is?

If you could edit your memories, which ones would you erase and why? Which ones would you make d e arer and more vivid?

10 W hat can you draw from today’s discussion?

8 .

9

TO PIC 10: M Y H O BBIES

Everyone has his own hobbies'7such as reading,/

watching T V or f ilm s / travelling/ listening to

music/etc I also have m y own hobbies In m y free time/l have some things to enjoy

T h e hobby i like best/is playing guitar.jkut i can just play/a few simple tunes My uncle tells m e / that 1 have to practice a lot/and then it will be

O K Another hobby I alsp spend much time on/is/ keeping fish I have a small beautiful aquarium/where I keep a variety of little fish I Jove watching them swimming about very much I collect stamps, too But I just take the stamps from envelopes/that m y relatives and friends send to m e Most of them are local stamps One more hobby

I d like to mention here/is singing Karaoke How exciting it is when I can enjoy m y own voice/klthough it is not very good

r chatting on the Internet ^ r with m y friends in coffee shops Jar bars/at

eekends Sometimes/l also go shopping for some things I need How

re your hobbies?

VOCABULARY TIP

4

Ex: My friend always sings in tune.

Ban toi tuon hat dung dieu

aquarium [aTcwesriam] (n): a place where fish is raised

Do you like watching films? W hat kinds of films do you prefer? What

is your favorite film? Can you tell me which film stars are your idols? Where do usually see films: at home or cinema?

Do you listen to the radio a lot? How much time do you listen to it every day? W hen do you,listen to it? W hat kinds of programs do you often listen to? Do you ever listen to programs in English? W hat’s your favorite radio station? Do you ever listen to the radio in bed? Do you like listening to music? W hat kinds of music do you listen to?

W ho are your favorite singers and groups? Do you like listening to Music Programs on H C M Radio Station? H ave you ever asked the station for songs you like?

Do you play any sports? W hat sports do you like most? W hen do you usually play? How do you feel after playing?

What do you usually dp at the weekends? W hat do you think of singing karaoke? Do you like it? Do you often go to Karaoke Bars? Which one do you like best? W hy? H ow often do you go singing karaoke?

Singing karaoke is good or bad to you? D oes singing karaoke help you get rid of the burden or difficulty in your life? Do you think you are more confident when singing karaoke? Is it the best way for you to improve your confidence?

best? C a n you explain it dearly, please?

TO PIC 11; M AKW G FKIFJVBS

W hen making new friends, there are usually three parts to the conversation y o u will have with your new friend

T h e first is the greeting In this part, you and your new friend will greet each other and tell each other your names

T h e second part is the conversation Sometimes the conversation is a small talk, and some times the conversation is about important matters, such as business A "small talk" means that the conversation is about matters that are not very important W hen conversing with your new friend, it is customary to give information about yp u r family, your work, or you will talk about any matter that is important to you and your new friend

T h e third part of the conversation is the leave-taking In this part, you tell your new friend that you are happy to meet him and that you must end the conversation

1 hope w e will have more and more friends thanks to our ways of behaviour

C F

V O C A B U L A R Y U P

□

Ex: Please send my greetings to your family

Xin vui Jdng gCri ten chao cua toi den gia dinh ban nhe.

Ex: Is it customary to tip waiters in your country?

O nuoc ban, ngudi ta co tbudng cho hau ban ti&n boa bay khong?

0 QUESTIO NS FO B DISC U SSIO N

m O b you enjoy meeting new people? W hat are some good things to ask someone you just met? W hat are som e things you shouldn't ask people you just met?

2 Is it O K to ask a person's age in your country?

are some w ays to overcome being nervous about meeting new people?

4 ’ About how m any new people do you meet a week? What kind of people do you like to meet?

5 Where are some good places to meet people? How important arefirst impressions to you?

6 W hat do you do rf you forget the name of someone you’ve just been introduced to?

7 How do you “w in p e o p le 's h e a rt”! Have you ever won anyone’s

heart?

8 W hat are the advantages of winning others’ affection? W hat happens

if people around you hate you?

9 W h y should we be a good listener and not talk much about ourselves? W hat do you think about those w ho are talkative? Are youtollrotniAO

nping is a great

w ay to spend time with classmates However, sometimes at weekends

or on holidays, I go camping with m y family and close friends In most cases, I look for a campsite that has a lot of shade from the sun, is near

a river or on the hill, and has a good spot to pitch a tent

Th e most interesting time is when the camp-fire is built After dinner, we all sit around the fire and telLstones, sing songs or play games together Thanks to these activities, our relation is closer Moreover, we can forget ail tiredness of our daily life

W hen you have enough free time, you should go camping to feel its real merest

ffotr T o S p o o k E nglish W eil

Camping is a very popular activity to all Vietnamese pupils and students O n special occasions such as the Teacher’s Day, the

¡Hlffi Anniversary of T h e Ho Chi Minh

Quê toi à mot noi hèo lânh.

QUESTIO NS FO R D ISC U SSIO N

1 Do you like cam ping? If yes, how often do you do that? 0 ?

2 W hat camping opportunities are available in and around your

hometown?

3 W hat should w e prepare for a camping trip? H o w long does it usually

take you to prepare for it?

4 Do you have to make a campsite reservation? H o w do you make it?

5 Suppose yo ur are preparing to go camping a couple of days in a

famous place like Mui Ne, how can you reserve a campsite at one of

these locations or one of your own choice?

6 W hen going camping, do you always avoid polluting the

environment? W hat are some commonsense rules for keeping safe

while cam ping?

7 Are there any restrictions on what you can do and bring into the park

in our city? W hich park in our city do you like best?

8 W hat activities are most popular in a cam ping trip in Vietnam? Which

activity do you like best? W h y do you like it?

9 W ho do you prefer to go camping with between your friends and your

family m em bers? W h ic h c a m p in g trip is unforgettable in y o u r

-10 W hat can you draw from today’s discussion?

19

TO PIC 13s SIJPK BW ABK ETS

In order to satisfy the need of shopping in a big

city, supermarkets have com e into existence

with their ever-incre asin g number, and shopping

supermarkets is no longer a “m o d e ’ to city

dwellers It is a m ust in a m odem city like

H C M C I also like shopping at a supermarket,

and I usually go to the supermarket once or

twice a w eek to b u y things I need

Since I do a lot of shopping, I usually need a shopping cart to ca n y

everything 1 first stop by the ready-food counter to pick up som e food 1 like T h e n , I look for som e fruits and vegetables in the produce section, but I make sure they are fresh M y roommates like milk, so 1 swing by the dairy section and grab a few boxes of milk Also, there are times

w hen l do not have much time to cook, so I usually pick up som e frozen food If the store is out of stock of any of the items I need, then I drop by

a different supermarket on m y w ay hom e I generally pay with cash at the checkout counter

Supermarkets are really convenient for us now O n ce we come into any supermarket, we can find almost everything we want there It does not take us much time to go to different stores Moreover, goods of nearly all kinds are displayed on open shelves, so w e can choose whatever we

w ant and take them to the checkout counter

Th a n ks to supermarkets, our lives seem to be easier I hope more and more supermarket are opened near our com m unity so that w e do not waste time on shopping

to m ove back and forth

The car swung sharply round the comer

OL ESTIOIVS FO R DISCUSSION

1 Which shops do you often visit? How often you go shopping? W ho do you often go with? W hy? D o you find it interesting to go shopping? shopping your hobby?

2 How do you spend your money on shopping? Are you willing to spend a lot of money on shopping? Do you have any budget for shopping?

3 Have you ever gone shopping for fun? And what do you Iflce doing there? If you buy faulty goods, what will you do with it?

4 W hat is the difference between “g o s h o p p in g ” and “g o to the

m a rk e t? W ho has a higher demand for shopping, man or w om an? Is

it true that only women are interested in shopping?

in your opinion, when does shopping activity become busiest? What are reasons for supermarkets to boom?

W hat do you think of the competition among manufacturers in our city now? What do you think about prices of commodities displayed and sold in supermarkets?

W hat are main commodities sold in the marts, domestic or imported products? W hat do you think of the iifdrig of imported commodities?

8 W hat should the government do to help local manufacturers to compete with foreigners?

9 W hat do comment on the supermarkets in our city? Between traditional markets and supermarkets, which one do you prefer?

W h y?

5

6.

7

H tne T o S p e a k E nglish W ell

f t ?

A s we see, more and more people are coming to big cities to live or earn their living now Although I am living and working in H C M City, I prefer to live in the countryside

First of ail, most cities now are polluted Th e smoke from factories, industrial waste and noise spoil the environment seriously Moreover, many people drop litter everywhere Then, traffic jams happen all the time causing m e a lot of trouble Another problem is that the sanitary system does not work very well; as

a consequence, streets are flooded whenever it rains heaviiy Also, citypeople lose their touch with nature Last but not least, human

21

because of crimes, social evils, or unemployment.

On the contrary, in the countryside, life is very peaceful, and people are too Moreover, country people treat one another quite well T h e y are always very hospitable and wiling to help others Moreover, the countryman can live with nature and enjoy its real beauty

In short, although the standard of living in the countryside is not high and

it lacks schools, hospitals, or entertainment activities, I still prefer to live

E x : Mekong Delta is flooded every year.

Chinese motorcycles flood the Vietnamese market.

6 to lose s.o's touch with s.tft / s.o else:

Do you think rural men are more honest than urban ones? W hat do you think of Saigonese? What are their characteristics?

p i What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city?

Do you think jiving in the big city, mart becomes a robot? Why/why not?

S.

22

9

graduating, w ant to com e back to their provinces to w ork? D o you think this m atter makes the gap between the rural and the urban areas bigger and bigger?

T o you, what is the main gap between the rural and the urban in our country? If you w ere President, w hat would you do to fill this g ap?

C a n you guess how rural areas in our country will be in ten years’ tim e? W h a t should the governm ent do to speed up the process of urbanization?

T O PIC 15; T H E IM PO RTANCE O F B R E A K F A ST

T h e first meal of the day, breakfast, is actually the most important one H o w ever, this m eal is often ignored or neglected b y m any people in the mad rush to m ake it to the workplace Since the time gap between the last food w e eat like dinner

or supper and the next one like breakfast is rather long, skipping breakfast can seriously affect our health

According to experts, breakfast boosts our brain-power, keeps us slim and lifts our mood It is not advisable to m anage on a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits till lunchtime En su re that you and your family

m em bers have a proper breakfast, which will supply you the required energy to start your d a y well Th e re are different choices for breakfast items W hile som e sw ear b y toast and egg variety, others go in for porridge, milk and cornflakes, noodles, pasta, bacon or other options Because of being busy, m any people have breakfast out, but I usually cook breakfast for myself

Cooking breakfast can be fun if w e enjoy it, and making food for ourselves is even better I usually cook eggs for m y breakfast First, l

w arm up the stove and then beat the eggs in a bowl, i prefer scrambled eggs, but I can m ake just about any type 1 w arm up the oil, and I pour the eggs in a frying pan I use a spatula to mix and turn over the eggs

O n c e the eggs are done, 1 rem ove them from the pan and serve myself, I usually enjoy it with a loaf and som e salad B y this way, I can save a little m oney because eating out is expensive now In the future, I will learn to cook m ore types of breakfast so that I can ch a n ge it e ve ry day

energy to begin your day well.

1 Are you a good cook? W hat food do you cook the most often?

2 Are you a vegetarian? Are you concerned about your daily calorie intake when choosing something to eat?

3 At what times do you usually eat your meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)? Do you eat beef? Do you eat bread every day? Do you eat fruit every day?

4 Did you eat breakfast today? D o you always eat breakfast with your

5 W hat kinds of food do you often make for breakfast? Are there any foods you eat for breakfast that are specific to y o u r country or hometown?

6 If an international student from a different country ate breakfast at your house, what would you serve him or her?

7 Did you drink coffee this morning? Do you drink milk every day? Do you drink tea every day? Do you have coffee for breakfast?

8 Do you ever skip breakfast? If so, how often and w hy? Do you have a favorite bar or cafe? If so, where is it? W h y do you like it?

9 Do you have coffee for "breakfast? Do you like food from other countries? If yes, which do you like the most?

i l k Do you like to eat at fast food restaurants? How often do you eat at a fast-food restaurant?

11 Do you like to eat cakes? Do you like to eat junk food? Have you ever been a diet? If so, how long did you stayed on it?

TO PIC lfcF A S X F O O B

In recent years, more and more fast food restaurants like Lotteria, Kentucky, or Fried Chicken are open in our city Th e s e restaurants are very convenient for city people

W hen 1 need a bite to eat, i drop by a fast food restaurant and buy a quick meal 1 usually order a pizza or hamburger, and som e fries O n the hamburger, I ask them to put everything on it onions, lettuce, mustard, ketchup, pickles, and tomato, but I don’t like the mayonnaise I also order a bottle of soft drink to wash everything down &

Sometimes at weekend, m y family and f go there to change our taste Going out to eat together can be a pleasurable experience, particuiarfy if foe atmosphere is just right and foe prices are within our budget

I do not eat fast food too often because it contains a lot of fat However, fast food restaurants are good for those who are always busy with their business

mù tacniróc sôt cà chua

dò chua, dua chua xót ma-don-ne the sense of food

et asideEx: I always have budget for my future study

QUESTIONS UOK DISCUSSIO N

1 How m any meals do you have a day? What are they? Do you often eat something between main meals?

2 ,What kinds of food do you eat most often? W hy? What is your opinion about an ideal meal?

W W hat influences your appetite in eating? H ow much does foodinfluence your health? Do you eat before the bedtime?

restaurant? Consider convenience, cost, and nutrition in your answer.

5 With so m any fast food restaurants in business, it is difficult to know which provides the best value in terms of price and healthy food choices

6 W hat kind of pizza do you like and what toppings do you like on it?

7 W here would you like to eat (at Home, in a restaurant, in a canteen,

in a cafeteria, at a party)? W hat are reasons for people to eat out?

8 Which is cheaper, eating in or out? In which w ays is eating at home better for us? W hat are advantages and disadvantages of eating in and out?

9 How is a good meal? D o you think the atmosphere affect a lot to our appetite? Do you eat to live or live to eat?

10 W hat can you draw from today’s discussion?

is not high several areas, they throw rubbish on the street or canals and rivers It is easy for us to seerubbish of all kinds floating on the water Moreover, uncultured people even “make water" in the public place

Now, let’s c o m e to other reason O u r city is overloaded with vehicles that expel a lot of smoke and dust Th is contributes to the heat of the air, and causes pollution

Besides that, in several places, trees have been cut down to have room for buildings, hotels, or supermarkets Th is makes the atmosphere in ourcity m uggy and stuffy

In addition, many plants and factories send out waste into the canals or poisonous gas into the air

26

downgrade, so it’s always flooded w henever it rains.

Thus, how can we solve this problem? Let’s talk about it

QUESTIO NS FO R D ISC U SSIO N

1 Do you agree that air pollution is really alarming problem now? W hat are in your opinion, the causes leading to air pollution?

2 W hat do you think about the smoke from industrial factories, from motorcycles and automobiles in our city? W hat measures do you recommend to limit such smoke?

3 Can you give the harmful effect that air pollution exerts on people’s health? D o you w ear mask when going out? W h y?

4 W hat do you think about the fact that m any city dwellers litter anywhere they like? Could you suggest som e measures to help stop this situation?

5 Could you find some bad actions of the people who make our city dirtier? W hat are some difficulties for us in keeping the city clean and green?

6 Are you disturbed b y the noise around you when working or studying? W hat kind of noise is it? W hat are the original causes of that noise?

7 How do you feel when passing a bridge in our city? In your opinion, who has to suffer most from those black rivers and canals?

8 Have you ever heard of “T h e W eek of Keeping the City Clean and Green?" Can you forecast the future situation of our city in the next few years, clearer or dirtier?

S W h y are we concerned about the environment not only in our country but also all over the world? Can you name some environmental dangers that happened recently in our country and in the world?

10 W hat should people do to prevent environmental pollution? Do you think that a dirty city will make bad impression on foreign tourists?

thicknesshomechannel, a small river

to drift

to urinate

to eject uncomfortable system of waste water

27

TOPIC 18; VACATION PLAN

I love going traveling very much, so 1 usually

Before going traveling, I always plan m y trip

Fo r starters, I usually take a look at travel guide books or go online and review possible destinations Th e n , ! check the costs involved

in traveling to that particular place I also

go somewhere when l have a few days off

:

consider means of transportation such as going by plane, train, or by motorbike Besides, I need to locate a hotel for m y accommodation Finally, I try to budget money for meals and other sightseeing expenses

A : W hat do you think of package holidays?

B : Well, they're usually very cheap, but joining a crowd of noisy people and eating plastic food is not m y idea of a holiday.

A : Are the resorts worth visiting?

B : Som e of them are, but m fny experience it’s better to arrange private accommodation rather than accepting the tour operator's

choice of hotel

A : But surely, you can see what you’re getting in the holiday brochure.

B : You m ay see a picture of the hotel and there m ay even be a

popular beach, but if you want to go to a nicer locality, you can spend all day getting there

A : Th e n ho w do yo u go about making your own arrangements?

B : !t’s not as difficult as yo u think First, you look at the advertisement

in some newspapers or travel shop windows to get an idea of the best time to go I usually go in early June or mid Septem ber to avoid school children Th e re ’s a good range of flights and prices aren’t too high

A : H o w do you find private accommodation?

B : That's very easy in our city T h e y advertise in journals.

suppose that if they own these homes, they must be in nice

that's the point Also, they are usually well maintained and the

>wners will leave you details of the best shops, restaurants and )laces to visit Th e y really want you to recommend their homes toDcations

B:

especially if you don’t drive

Surety, m ost of these resorts would have bus services.

There are two problem s here S om e of these hom es are a long w a y from bus routes M oreover, bus services can disappear altogether

when the tourist season com es to an end M a n y of these resorts are like ghost towns from October to M ay

room and board visiting sights

Q U ESTIO NS FO R PISC C SSIO M

3 A friend w ants to get to know your country and is planning a tour

W hat advice would you give about places to visit, travel, accommodation, eating out, shopping, sightseeing, things to bring and souvenirs to buy?

4 W h e n is the holiday celebrated? Is it celebrated as a family or a group? D oes your family celebrate this holiday? H a s your family always celebrated this holiday? If not, w hen did you start celebratingit?

5 W hat are your favorite holiday activities? W ould you like to go on a cruise? W h y o r w h y not? Will you go bade to the sam e place again?

6 in your opinion, what are the five most essential items to pack on any holiday?

7 W ho do y p ii know that really needs a holiday, and w h y? W here

should they go and what should they do?

8 C om pare traveling alone to traveling with a companion C o m pare package tours with do-it-yourself tours

9 H o w m a n y holidays do you have in your country? W hat special foodsare associated with yo u r favorite holiday? W h a t is your favorite

T O P IC 1 9 : U E A B T O G EN G LISH

English has become the international language around the world, and I m ay be able to get better employment and make more friends if l

I attend English classes at a language school

in m y city because I want to improve my communication skills

learn to speak fluently

I take four classes a day that ail focus on different language skills including reading, writing, listening, speaking, and g ra m m a r.! don’t know why some people can leam a foreign language and master it very quickly, but I don't think I can do that T o me, teaming to speak English well requires a great amount of effort, patience, and practice T o o often, I just speak English in m y classes, but I go back to using m y native language after school ends

spend more time teaming, reviewing, and practicing everything I am studying Otherwise, I will never leam a n d master it

1 W hat do you expect from your English? Please tell me your main purposes and motivations'

2 What do you think about teaching and learning English in our country now? W hat are advantages and disadvantages?

Have you got any difficulties when you are teaming English? If yes, how do you overcome your difficulties?

I think I should adjust m y w ays of teaming English F o r example, I should

to know for sure

2 effort fefot]:

E x : They tiffed

3 native language:

4 to adjust [a’dOQsfJ

E x : She carefu, She carefully adjusted her clothes before going out

Nang chinh don quan ao kyhrdng trudc khi di ra ngoai

They tiffed the heavy rock without effort

mother tongue

to alterattempt

do you think is the most important and difficult?

5 Please share your own experience in learning English with me and tell me the best w ay to improve each skill?

6 How do you improve your speaking skills? D o you think joining English Speaking Club is one the best ways to improve it?

7 W hat can you derive from your study? W hat is the importance of

English language when it is used as an international language? % "

8 In addition to your professional qualifications, is it necessary that a certificate of English should be included?

9 H ow can the English ability help your work and your study?

10 What can you draw from today’s discussion?

is because they do not have to travel to school at a set timetable to listen

In short, it is easy for us to get some kinds of degree online now I hope more and more educational organizations have such programs online

to communicate homework

31

9 Do you think traditional classes will disappear in the future because - \

they will be replaced by this new kind of learning?

10 What can you draw from today's discussion?

I have great news to report I just got a promotion and a raise!

£ /1‘ve been working for my com pany for the past six months, and everything has gone very well First, I helped m y department increase sales quickly during that time I am working for the Marketing Department, so I have advertised and promoted my company's products at trade shows, in the newspaper, and on T V A s a result, customers have really enjoyed our products Now, more and more customers are learning about my com pany by word of mouth

In addition to increased sales, I've established a apod^w orking relationship with my colleagues W e recognize each p e ra jn ’iTstrengths and respect other’s ^ i m o r i s 1 think my co-workers fee! 1 can lead the department in the right direction

A iaavIaaa

N g u yen S o n g A n h , M~A in T E SO L t

¿Thanks to m y contribution to the development of the com pany, I got the

1 H o w m any days a w eek do you work? W hat time do you start and finish your work? Describe your first job C a n you describe a typical day at your current job?

2 Do you ever work overtime? If so, how often? Do you have to work

on Sunda ys? If so, do you get paid m ore for overtime work?

3 Do you like your job? W h y or w h y not? D o you like your boss? W hy

or w hy not?

4 Have you ever been promoted? H o w m any times have you been promoted? W hen w as the last time you were promoted? Did you get

a large pay raise at that time?

5 W hat factors and personal qualities do you think companies consider when giving an employee a promotion?

6 H o w have working conditions changed in recent years? Do you think that working conditions have improved? If so, in what w ays?

7 H o w long have you been working at your present job? H o w long do you plan to continue working where you are?

8 At what age do people usually begin to work in your country? At what age do people usually retire in your country?

9 A t what age would you like to retire? W hat do you think you will do after you retire?

10 What do you think is the best job? W hat influenced your choice of job? {W h y did you choose your jo b ? )

■ft^Vpromotion and raise, j also promise myself to do m y best for my

vv com pany and m y customers in the future

V O C A B U L A R Y T IP

3 to promote a p ro d u c t

1 to get promotion =

2 to get a raise =

to get higher/better position

to get higher salary

6 contribution f.kDntri’bjuiJn] (n):

TOPIC 22s JO B DiTEBYEEW

If you are looking for a new job, here are sc tips you should think about when sitting i

d job interview.inh interview

First, you should be sure to dress appropriately for the situation If possible, you should leam about the com pany’s rules of dressing Next, you should get as much information about thecom pany as possible This will help you know if you have the needed

skills or experience to work for that com pany Finding out something

about the com pany will also help you ask wise questions about their

business to show them you are interested in their company Finally, you

should be prepared to tell them w h y you would be their best choice for

the position You shouldn’t boast about your accomplishments, but you

can tell them in a confident and direct w a v w h y you can help their

com pany m ore than other applicants

Finding a job you like is not easy now, so you should be well-prepared

1 Are you a student or are you working now ? H ave you ever sat in a

job interview?

2 If you are going to sit in a job interview, what will you prepare for it?

Do you pay attention to your dress? If yes, how can you do that?

3 H o w can you get information about the com pany you want to work

for?

4 Tell me about yourself W hat do people say about you? D o you

consider yourself successful?

5 C a n you explain how you would be an asset to an organization? W h y

should a company hire you?

6 W hat is your greatest strength? W hat is your weakest strength?

Can you tell me about your dream job? W h y do you think you would

do well at the job you want?

![

QUESTIONS FO R P IS C U S SIO *

34

H o w T o S p e a k E nglish W eü

would you refuse to work with?

9 W hat kind of salary do you need? W hat is more important to you: the

m oney or the work?

1 0 W hat should you do to improve your knowledge when you go to work?

TO PIC 2 3 : COMMITTING TO WORK

M y friends usually go to school by motorbike, but I like doing it by bus

I choose to travel to school by bus because it is economical, safe and unpolluted, ft only costs me 3,000 V N D to go to school Moreover, l fee! very safe on the bus because I c a n ; avoid traffic accidents that usually happen o r the street Also,

on the bus, I do not have to inhale polluted air from

m any kinds of vehicles

I usually leave for work about 6:30 sum., and I walk to a bus stop not too far from my house, i catch a bus that com es by around 6:45 Th e bus

isn’t very crowded when \ get on, but it fills up by the end of the One

Then, I get off the bus and catch another one going into the downtown

Th e second bus takes about 30 minutes, and it's usually standing-room only Th e re is a bus stop about two blocks from my office Th e entire trip takes me about an hour

f buy a monthly bus pass, and 1 save a lot of money by using public transportation instead of riding m y own motorbike

r V

35

4 P

Q U ESTIO N S FO R D ISC U SSIO N

1 * H o w do you get to school? H o w long does it take? How m uch is the bus fare or the train fare? Do you often use public transportation?

2 W hat kind of transportation do you use most often? W hat’s the moist readily available form of public transportation where you live?

3 W hat do you think is the m ost dangerous form of transportation?

W h y ? W hat do you think is the safest fonn of transportation? W h y?

4. W hat do you usually do w hen riding a train or bus? Do you read? Do you sleep?

5 C a n you ride a motorcycle? Do you have a bicycle? If so, when did you get it? H o w much did it cost? H o w often do you ride it? W hat color is it?

6 D o you have a driver’s license? If so, w h e n did you get it? W hat do you have to do to get a driver’s license in your country? W hat do you need to do in your country to get a driver’s license? A t what age does the average person obtain a driver's license?

7 H ave you ever been in a traffic accident? H ave you ever been

stopped for speeding? H a ve you ever gotten a parking ticket?

8 W h at are the most annoying bad driving habits of other drivers in your country (/or this country /or com pared to this country)?

9 H ave you ever missed your last train o r bus hom e? If so, how did you get hom e that night?

1 0 !s parking a problem in your country (shopping malls, etc)? is there any environmentally-friendly transportation in your area?

TO PIC 2 4 ; M ARRIAG E O R CAREER F IR S T ?

Traditionally, to a w om an, her own family is too important that she can give up her career

H o w ever, m any young ladies are afraid of getting married soon because of their career now

A t present, wom en have the same opportunity

as m en, and they can decide their life themselves T o them, the family is not eveiything any more, but the career is T h a t is the reason w hy more and more w om en get married late N ow w om en w ant to get higher and higher education Th e n , they indulge in their job to earn a lot of money W hen they have a little free time, they spend it learning foreign languages or surfing the internet to get information A s a result, they have no time for love

and position in society, they realize that choosing a life-partner is not easy at all because th e y cannot accept those who are not equal to them Being different from those w h o get married early and are pleased with their families, these w om en always set goals to go ahead and are willing

-E x : You should give up smoking.

2 to indulge [IridDldO] (in):

1 W h a t do you think of w o m en now a d a ys? W h y do m any w o m e n w a n t

to get married late now adays? 3

2 W hat do you think of successful w om en? D o you think that wom en

w ho are successful in their career find it hard to succeed in their own families?

3 Do you agree that love is an ever-lasting topic? D o you think love is everything? D o you think the young should have stable careers before thinking of love?

4 W hat is an attractive man/ w om an, in your opinion? W hich one

attracts you m o s t politeness, friendliness, g o o d looks, strength, tenderness, beauty, intelligence, sense of humor, o r g oo d personality?

5 C a n w e live without love? W h o can live without love? Is it worth dying

for love? H a ve you ever said to your partner, “/ c a n ’t live if living without i/o if?

6 A t w hat a g e do men/women in our country usualfy start to love and

m arry? W hat do you think when m any young couples cohabit now a days?

^ W hat factors can ensure your m arriage ( religion, characteristics faith, love, rom anticism mutual respect, com patibility )

everyday, giving attention, mental/finandal support, being understood, satisfying y o u r partner’s needs, etc.

9 >What do you expect from your future partner? Do your desireschange when you grow older?

TOPIC 2 5 : LISTENING TO M USIC

spiritual life

N o one can deny the fact that music plays an important role in our life It com es to our soul with ever-lasting songs and unforgettable melodies It also brings us better thoughts and wonderful feelings, giving us both innocent and profound emotion in a romantic and beautiful world, encouraging us in, life, and enriching our

I really enjoy listening to music because it helps me relax and takes, my mind away from other cares of the day

Personally, I really like ja z z m usic because of its soft rhythms and beat

Other times, I enjoy listening to country and western music So m e of the

lyrics to these songs are inspirational and moving Occasionally, I listen

to slow rock or classical music, but I c a n t stand heavy metal o r rap music W hen I’m on the road, I listen tD music on m y M P3 player or on

my cell phone I've also downloaded hundreds of songs to my computer,

so it's easy to search and play m y favorite music W henever I get home, the first thing I do is turning on m y stereo system or computer and enjoying the music I hope all of you also like listening to music

However, we have to admit that music nowadays is very chaotic Singers and songs are easily forgotten because it is very easy to become singers, and songs are not as profound as ones in the past How do you

feel when you listen to some sentences in some songs such as 7 don't expect the love to come; I never regret the love to leave", "please don't rem em ber m e when being with the other* o r 7 only keep quiet listening

to yo u r c ry." H ow silly they are!