Tài liệu này rất bổ ích cho những bạn đang chuẩn bị luyện thi lấy chứng chỉ B1,B2, C1. Được biên soạn theo các chủ đề trong tài liệu luyện nói VSTEP dành cho sinh viên và giáo viên tiếng anh: tai liệu bao gồm : SPEAKING QUESTIONS FOR PART 1 , PART 2 , PART 3 VSTEP EXAMINATION ( cả câu hỏi và gợi ý trả lời cho ca ba phần ) Không tải được liên hệ zalo: 0853221306
SPEAKING QUESTIONS FOR PART 1- VSTEP EXAMINATION PART : People and relationship 1/ Who are closest to you in your family? 2/ If you have any brothers or sisters what things you enjoy doing together? 3/ Who has had the greatest influence on your life so far? 4/ Do you have any close friends? What makes a good friend? 5/ How you like to spend your time with your friends? 6/ Would you prefer to spend your free time with your family or with your friends? Why? 1/ What you to keep fit 2/ What sports you play? 3/ Are you an active person in your free time? What sort of thing you 4/ Do you prefer to exercise with other people or on your own? Why? 5/ Do you have any unhealthy habits? 6/ Do you eat what you like or what is good for health The media and entertainment 1/ What kind of music you like best? 2/ Do you prefer listening to live music or recorded music? 3/ What kind of film you like best? 4/ DO you prefer to watch films at the cinema or on video? 5/ Do you buy magazines or newspapers regularly? 6/ Do You play computer games? What you think about computer games? Hobbies 1/ What is your hobbies? 2/ Do you prefer action films or comedies? 3/ Do you often read books? Do you think it is important to read novels? 4/ What is your favourite song? 5/ What kind of TV programme you like watching? Technology 1/ How much time you spend using a computer at work and at home? 2/ what you use the internet for? 3/ Has the internet make your job/ studies easier? 4/ Do you think older people are scared of new technology? 5/ Do you think young children should have mobile phones? Transport 1/ How you usually get to work or school? 2/ How people in your country get to where they want to go? 3/ Do you often take public transport? 4/ What is your preferred means of getting round? 5/ What means of transport you use when you are in a hurry? Youth 1/ Where did you grow up? Was that a good place to grow up? 2/ Do you miss anything about your childhood? 3/ Did you get on well with your parents? 4/ Did you ever get into trouble at home or school? The world aound us 1/ How you get about mostly? By bus/ by car/ by bicycle/ on foot ( 2/ Where you most of your shopping? 3/ Which of the following you recycle regularly? Studies and work 1/ What is the most interesting part of being a teacher? 2/ What’s the most difficult part of being a teacher? 3/ Would you say it is a good occupation? QUESTIONS FOR PART 2- VSTEP EXAMINATION Part 2/ Situation 1: Your friend is in his/ her early 30s He or she is looking for the love of his/ her life What you think the best way to find out the person he/ she loves- speed dating, online dating/ dating service Think about: - time consumed - The person’ feeling - The reliability of the information Situation 2: Your mother has just retired She is considering taking up something as a way to keep fit What you think is best choice for her: going to the gym, jogging or doing yoga? Think about the cost/ the age of your mother/ how hard the activity Situation 3: You are a student It’s Saturday evening You would like to enjoy an evening out with some of your close friends You want to have fun with friends but you don’t have much money to spend There are three suggested options: going to the cinema, eating out and singing karaoke Which you think is the best choice? Think about the cost, how much fun you have, the interest of your friends Situation 4: Your friend, a university student, is planning to join a club at his university He is considering music club, reading club and movie club In your opinion , which is the best choice? Situation 5: Someone is going to retire He /she wants to take up a hobby He/she is consid ering piano lessons, swimming lessons Or joining a yoga club In your opinion, which is the best choice? Situation 6: Your friend has just pass the university entrance exam He/ she has been given some money for establishment He is considering buying a mobile phone, a laptop, or a digital camera What you think is the best choice? Situation 7: Your friends, who are a group of students, are planning a trip from DN to HCM city They are considering travelling by train, by car or by plane In your opinion, what is the best choice Situation 8: your friend is hired to look after a seven-year-old boy every Sunday evening when his parents are away She wants to make his evening interesting She is considering helping him with his homework, letting him watch his favourite TV programme, taking him to a park nearby In your opinion, which is the best choice? Situation 8: A group of students from England are going to take a tour around your country on their fieldtrip They want to visit different landscapes, organise and enjoy some activities with local people, They want to know more information about the weather in your country In your opinion, Which is the best season for them to carry out their plan? Summer, spring or autumn Situation 9: You have just graduated from college with a degree on English You want to apply a job in your local area These are some jobs advertised on Employment centre website: a language teacher in a local secondary school, a tourist guide for a travel agency, a secretary for a foreign company In your opinion, which is the best choice? QUESTIONS FOR PART 3- VSTEP EXAMINATION Topic 1: The important qualities of an ideal parent Topic 2: How to cope with stress Coping with stress: Topic 3: What are the bad impacts of TV on children? Bad impacts of TV on children: Topic 4: Everyone needs to take up a hobby Hobbies: Topic 5: People change their hobbies over time Changing hobbies: Topic 6: The internet has made our life better The internet Topic 7: Computers have negative effects on our life Computers Topic 8: What are the most serious transport problems in your country? Transport problems: Topic 9: Young and old people can learn from each other Learning from each other: PART : People and relationship 1/ Who are closest to you in your family? (mother/ beside/ appear in time/ supportive/ sympathize/ tolerant/ instead of complaining ) 2/ If you have any brothers or sisters what things you enjoy doing together? (play/ share sadness/happiness/ personal secrets/ cooking/ go shopping ) 3/ Who has had the greatest influence on your life so far? (father/ strict/ determined/ good advice/ more experience ) 4/ Do you have any close friends? What makes a good friend? (yes/ my colleague/ lower secondary schoolunselfishness, trust, sympathy) 5/ How you like to spend your time with your friends? (visit/ cook simple dishes/ have some fun/ go out for a drink/ go shopping ) 6/ Would you prefer to spend your free time with your family or with your friends? Why? (my family-working person/ friends=colleagues/ meet everyday -> spare time with family/ make parents happy/ show love/ concern to parents/ old/ alone) 7/ When you have trouble in life, who you turn for help- family members or friends? (depend- problems with family-husband/children-> parents/ sister/ more experience in family life- proplems in working/school-> ask friends for advice) 8/ How important is your family to you? (the most important/ was born/grew up/ closest relatives/ parents/ keep an eye on me/ sacrifice) Health and fitness: 1/ What you to keep fit? (do morning exercise/ go jogging/ balance diet- nutritious enough/ more vegetables/ fruits/ enough sleep) 2/ What sports you play? (badminton/ in the afternoon/ son/ husband/ weekend / neigbours) 3/ Are you an active person in your free time? What sort of thing you do? (yes/ whenever having spare time/ housework/ the gardening/ entertain/ play sports/ go out for a drink with friends/ acquaintances) 4/ Do you prefer to exercise with other people or on your own? Why? (would rather/ other people than on my own/ chat/ share experience/ be encouraged/ bored/ tired) 5/ Do you have any unhealthy habits? (stay up late/ eat much meat/ sugar/ lazy to exercise in winter) 6/ Do you eat what you like or what is good for health? (most of the cases/ eat what if good for health- buy food/ decide nutritious/ healthy food/ sometimes / eat something I like) The media and entertainment 1/ What kind of music you like best? (really love lyrical music-spare time/ before sleeping/ listen to some lyric songs from my computer or smart phone/ its gentle tone/make/ relaxed/ easy to fall into sleep/ I listen to Quang Le and Le Quyen songs almost everynight 2/ Do you prefer listening to live music or recorded music? ( I’d rather listen to recorded music/b/c I can easily choose the song and the singer that I love/ live music/ available at certain time/ recorded music/ listen whenever I want) 3/ What kind of film you like best? (comedy/ young/ romantic film/ but/ bored/ take long time to watch the end/ often has unhappy ending/ comedy is short/ funny/ relaxed/ reduce stress ) 4/ DO you prefer to watch films at the cinema or on video? (video-watch whereever and whenever/ at my leisure/ no need for schedule arrangement/ cost less/mot pay for tickets/ sit at home/ not go out/ avoid trouble/ traffic jam/ pick pocket…) 5/ Do you buy magazines or newspapers regularly? No- never bought any newspapers or magazines/ read magazines/ newspaper/ school library/ gap period/ at home/ read newspapers on the innternet/ my most favourite one / Dantri/ express) 6/ Do You play computer games? What you think about computer games? (No, long time ago / young/ single woman/ play some times/ have children/ never think of computer games/ waste of time and harmful/ better/ spend spare time/ reading newspapers/ the gardening…/set good example for my sons) Hobbies 1/ What is your hobbies? ( One of the hobbies that I have pursued for over years is doing the gardening/ small garden/ at my leisure / plant vegatables/ flowers- some kinds of orchid/ take care of/ water every morning/ ) 2/ Do you prefer action films or comedies? (comedies to action films- b/c really scared of violent/ comedies/ funny/ keep my mind relaxed/ peaceful /it would be enjoyalbe/ pleasure/ to see comedies) 3/ Do you often read books? Do you think it is important to read novels? (NO, at present I don’t read any books, but most of my free time I often read newspaper However, I also love novels When I was young I often read some novels that taught me lots of things in life SO I think reading novels benefits us a large number of useful things) 4/ What is your favourite song? I’m interested in some folk songs, especially I really adore the song named “Dan Sao Hau Giang” whenever/ listen/ gentle/ imagine /how peaceful the Hau Giang land is/ blue sky/school of birds/ rice field/ river…beautiful sight/ feel great) 5/ What kind of TV programme you like watching?(I keen on /News programme / quiz show/ keep me updated with the information happening around the country and in the world/ quiz show brings me lots of knowledge/ academic/ social/ review sth / experience) Technology 1/ How much time you spend using a computer at work and at home? (sometimes / at school/ two or three times a week/ B.c the school/inadequate/ projectors or TV for teaching in class/ T.V /r 24 classes./ However/at home/ most / preparation / teaching / work with a computer /s preparing lesson plan/, updating sts’s record / seeking reference documents) 2/ what you use the internet for? (various purposes/ ujpdating sts’ record/ send / receive email/(exchange)/document/colleagues/ seeking reference documents/ learning english/ reading newspaper/seeking information/ chating with friends/ listen to music…) 3/ Has the internet make your job/ studies easier? (Yes/ not only my job but also other fields of our lives are made easier and easier by the internet./ benefit/ ex: help/ prepare/ my lesson plan/ whereever/ whenever/can/ with a computer connected to the internet/ especially/ / job/ better/ exchanging/ sharing/ experience/ with others colleagues/worldwide) 4/ Do you think older people are scared of new technology? (No/persuasive example/more and more old people/ use cell phone/ smart phone / communicate with their friends/ retired teachers/ parents/ keep in touch with/ old colleagues/ old classmates via social network/ facebook…) 5/ Do you think young children should have mobile phones? (yes/ vital/case/ connect/ parents/ urgent situation or / keep in touch with /parents/away from home/ however/ not mature enough/the older/ parents/ keep an eye on them/ control/ direct/ use / right purposes/ necessary situation/ not misuse) Transport 1/ How you usually get to work or school? (by motorbike/ house/ not very far/ the place/ working/about 300 metres/am used to going out by motorbike/ faster /more convenient) 2/ How people in your country get to where they want to go? (most of pp in my hometown go to and fro by motorbike/ some pp / low living standard/ go to market/ bikes/ a few pp / high living standard/ businessmen/ rich officers/ go to work/ cars) 3/ Do you often take public transport? (recently/ I haven’t almost used public transport/ b.c/ always get car sickness when travelling by bus/car./ by my own motorbike/ even/travelling for long distance/ DN/ Tky/ 50- 60 km) 4/ What is your preferred means of getting round? (would rather/ motorbike/ car sickness/ convenient/ better/ health) 5/ What means of transport you use when you are in a hurry? (motorbike/ bus/ have to wait/ proper schedule/ motorbike/ faster/ 60km/hour) Youth 1/ Where did you grow up? Was that a good place to grow up? (countryside/ small village/ QS district/ West of Quangnam./ poor/ village/ but/ find/ quite good place/ quiet/ peaceful/ fresh air/ unpolluted environment/especially/ completely safe/ secure from crimes/ social evils) 2/ Do you miss anything about your childhood? (sometimes/ interesting memories from my childhood/ recalled / my mind/life now/ busy/ hard/ remember/ good days/ had/ still young/ that time/ spent time/ take care of / cows/ buffalos/field/quite peaceful/ play/ traditional games/ really fantastic/ think of them/ everything seem / refresh / my mind) 3/ Did you get on well with your parents? (yes/ got on quite well with my parents/ we have been living in harmony until now/ My sister/ I / obedient children/ my parents/ caring/ supportive/ a close-knit family) 4/ Did you ever get into trouble at home or school? ( think/ did/ rather well at school/ everything/ seemed to go smoothly at school/ but once/ found my life rather difficult when my father got seriously ill/ was treated/ hospital/ very long time/ hardest days/ got over everything/ after all) The world aound us 1/ How you get about mostly? By bus/ by car/ by bicycle/ on foot (everyday /work/ motorbike/ not/ far/ home/ workplace/ find/ motorbike/ more convenient/ easy/ speedy/ besides/ some occasions/ have to travel far from home/ also/ use motorbike/ get carsick/ rarely travel by bus/ car) 2/ Where you most of your shopping? In an out-of-town hyppermarket -cua hang tu phuc vu/ in local stores/ in the supermarket/ on the internet (most/ things/ food/ groceries/ some furniture/ necessary/ family/ bought/ local market/ b/c / no supermarket/ place/ living/ since the growth of the internet/ sometimes/ some shopping online/ buy sth/ cosmetic/ clothes…, much convenient) 3/ Which of the following you recycle regularly? Newspapers/ bottles/ aluminum cans/ none of these? (reuse/ bottles/ plastic boxes/ plant/ trees/ flowers/ vegetables) Studies and work 1/ What is the most interesting part of being a teacher? (I find teaching job/ really fantastic/ convey knowledge to sts/ help/students/ children/ hometown/ English language/ long time ago/ no one/ hometown/ speak English/ many/ communicate/ foreigners/ whenever/ vivit/ the village/ consider/ the most ineresting part of being a teacher of English ) 2/ What’s the most difficult part of being a teacher? (face some troubles/ teaching/ find/ most challenging/ deal with/ mischievous/ neglect sts/ some sts/ lazy/ not have right sense of responsibility/ studying/ play truant/ not follow/ school/ discipline/ not finish duty/ really hard/ us/ take time/ control/ advise/ make/ go/ right way) 3/ Would you say it is a good occupation? (yes/ believe/ really good jobs/ for society/ help bring knowledge/ sts/ for myself: stable job/ get enough money/ my expense/not very hard/ stay in door/ safe/ benefit a lot/ teaching children at home) Part 2/ Situation 1: Your friend is in his/ her early 30s He or she is looking for the love of his/ her life What you think the best way to find out the person he/ she loves- speed dating, online dating/ dating service Think about: - time consumed - The person’ feeling - The reliability of the information In this part I am required to consider the options for my friends who is in his/ her early 30s to find out the person she/ he love According to me, Dating service is the best choice because of the following reasons: -reliable information about the person The dating service has already known everything about the person such as his/ her age /family/ status/ personality… - time-saving- not spend time getting to know about the person - right person- same family condition, status, occupation… Considerating the other two options, I think Speed dating is not good can not have enough information -> first impression might be inaccurate/wrong + meeting too many pp at the same time might get my friend confused and not sure about who’s suitable For online dating, it is rather common nowadays but I think it is risky What I mean is that my friend is easy to be cheated because the person often gives some wrong information The person who is in picture is rarely the same as the person in real life in appearance After considerating the options I decide to advise my friend to choose dating service as the best way in term of reliable information and saving time Situation 2: Your mother has just retired She is considering taking up something as a way to keep fit What you think is best choice for her: going to the gym, jogging or doing yoga? Think about the cost/ the age of your mother/ how hard the activity Doing yoga: suitable for retirement age- lot of free time, gentle exercise/Cheap- no equipments, teacher ,no need for large space / Easy-not to be trained hard, can at home by following some online tutorials / good ways to prevent lot of diseases-reduce stress, sleep well, prevent trouble with bones/ ankles, knees of the old Going to the gym: Cost much, pay for equipment/, unaffordable/ Strong exercise-suitable for the young/ Have to go out-traffic problems, not safe for the old Go jogging: cheap but not suitable for the old- problems with knees, ankes/ Out door acitities- suffer from weather-cold-disease/ not take regularly in winter-rain heavily Situation 3: You are a student It’s Saturday evening You would like to enjoy an evening out with some of your close friends You want to have fun with friends but you don’t have much money to spend There are three suggested options: going to the cinema, eating out and singing karaoke Which you think is the best choice? Think about the cost, how much fun you have, the interest of your friends Eating out is the best choice – Most of us love eating out/ don’t have to prespare meal at home/ can eat sth new/ sth we can not prepare at home - Not cost much if we choose to eat sth simple at a cheap foodstall - Main purpose/ having some fun together/ during eating time/ lot of time / talk/ lively chat/share interest/ experience/ study/ work/ family life/ try delicious food Going to the cinema: not suitable/ in term of having fun/ keep silence during the time we keep watching films/ no time for chatting/ - expensive/ pay for tickets / - depend on the chedule of the cinema- suitable for the young/The couples Singing the karaoke: bad choice/ much noisy in karaoke room/ can’t talk or have fun together/ bad at singing/ not interest in singing/ feel isolated/ much expensive/ more suitable for the young- the teenagers Situation 4: Your friend, a university student, is planning to join a club at his university He is considering music club, reading club and movie club In your opinion , which is the best choice? Reading club: benefit him a lot in studying/ broaden knowledge/ both academic/ various fields in life/ don’t depend on others/ read alone/ east to choose the book he loves/ share/ exchange books with others/ the participant/ young/ same age/ easy to exchange ideas/ experience in studying / campus life Music club: about gifted subject/ require some good taste/ talent in music/ know to play some kinds of instrument/ not helpful for students/ distract his study / cost much/ need lot of instruments Movie club: not bad/ help relaxed/ but/ can’t choose the film he likes/ depend on others people in the club/ see the film/ not love/ bored/ keep watching film/ little time for exchanging ideas/ experience with others/ romantic film/ violent films/ bad impact on his study/ don’t think watching film gives hime more knowledge than reading book Situation 5: Someone is going to retire He /she wants to take up a hobby He/she is consid ering piano lessons, swimming lessons Or joining a yoga club In your opinion, which is the best choice? Joining a yoga club: popular for the old/ make friends/ companions/ suitable for the old/ don’t have to train hard/ gentle movement/ easy to take up/ help treat some disease that the old often suffer from/ easy to sleep/ very beneficial for the old people’s health/ Piano lessons: common to the young/ not for the old/ not play well/ hard/slow/ depend on the gift/ talent of the person/ for long time sitting for practice/ problem with back/ bad for physical health./ expensive- pay for many lessons Swimming lesson: not good idea/ fit for the young/ require some skills/ train hard/ long time under water/ cause some disease/ flu/ cold/ not good for the person’s health too./ better for the young Situation 6: Your friend has just pass the university entrance exam He/ she has been given some money for establishment He is considering buying a mobile phone, a laptop, or a digital camera What you think is the best choice? Think about: How much it costs/ how useful it is/ How often he/she uses it Buying a laptop: benefit a lots/ various purposes/ studying/ enteraining/ study: wifi/ available everywhere/ easy/ get access/ information/ assignment/ type documents/ communicate/ friends/ relatives/ exchange/ share/ ideas/ experiences/ friends/ teacher/ via email/ facebook Entrertainment: relax/ hard studying days/ listen to music/ watching films/ read newspaper…/ also take photos/ record… A mobile phone: -small screen/ harm his health/ eye problems/ short -sighted./ leave negative effect on the brain// - portable always with him/ disturb/ distract / study/ interupt his attention in class/ interfere with other activities/ not have time for talking with friends/ family members/ spend time playing games/ checking notification form emails/ facebook all the time too much interference A digital camera: not good/ use / one purpose- taking photos/ not as useful for studying/ entertaining as a laptop Advise friend/ a laptop/ b.c/ the most useful thing/ necessary means for a student in this modern time Situation 7: Your friends, who are a group of students, are planning a trip from DN to HCM city They are considering travelling by train, by car or by plane In your opinion, what is the best choice? Think about: speed/ scenery/ cost/ convenient By car: best choice: - time-saving/ with affordable price/ sometimes/ car/ fast/ get to the destination the next morning/- comvenient: case/ want / visit/some interesting places / stop/ sightseeing/ tired/ stop for some food/ refreshment/ - affordable/ cheap for sts By plane: though/faster/ too expensive/ pay for ticket/ - don’t have chance for sightseeing a long the trip/- plane crash/ much more serious than other means of transport By train: cheaper/ but/ too slow/ more one day to reach the destination/ - not interesting/ can’t stop for sightseeing/ - tired / can’t stop to refresh/ not convenient for students/ enjoy the sight along the roads By car/ most convenient/ suitable for the students who don’t have much money/ save money/ but/love experiencing sth interesting during the trip Situation 8: your friend is hired to look after a seven-year-old boy every Sunday evening when his parents are away She wants to make his evening interesting She is considering helping him with his homework, letting him watch his favourite TV programme, taking him to a park nearby In your opinion, which is the best choice? Think about: Effect on health; potential danger, time and effort to put him -Taking him to the park: enjoy fresh air/ help/ relax/ feel better after hard studying week/take part some outdoor activities/ jogging/ playing some sports/ may good / his health/ spirit/ improve/ ftness/- some fun activities with other children / park/ develop communicative ability - Helping him with his homework/ not suitable/ weekend evening/better/ sth funny/ interesting/ to relax/ reduce study pressure/ doing homwork/ boring/ get tired soon - Letting him watching his favourite TV programme: not good/ let/ boy/ watch TV/ passive/ less active/ lack of physical activities/ spending all day studying at school/-watching TV/ harmful/ his eye Taking the boy to the park/ most suitable for a child’s weekend evening/ quite useful/ both mental and physical health Situation 8: A group of students from England are going to take a tour around your country on their fieldtrip They want to visit different landscapes, organise and enjoy some activities with local people, They want to know more information about the weather in your country In your opinion, Which is the best season for them to carry out their plan? Summer, spring or autumn -Spring is the best choice: - weather/ cool/ warm/ not too cold/ not too hot/ wonderful/ out door activities/ fieldtrip/ -time/ trees/ flowers/ in blossom/ lots of spectacular scenery/ visitors/ make sightseeing tour/ - occasion/ celebrate New year/ the most important holiday/ VN/ many festivals/ held- Huong Pagoda festival/ Lim festival…/ best chance/ foreign visitors/ enjoy varous activies/ welcome New year/ get to know more/ Vnamese culture - Summer: so hot/sweating/ exhausted/ travelling/ under the sun/ get sunburnt/ not suitable for outdoor activities/ time/ severe droughts/ occur/ lack of water/ some areas/ counntryside> difficult - Autumn: rainy season/ start/ often rain/ late afternoon/ heavy rain/ violent lightening/ thunderstorm-> quite dangerous => Spring: best time for travelling/ sightseeing tour/ enjoy more interesting activities in VN Situation 9: You have just graduated from college with a degree on English You want to apply a job in your local area These are some jobs advertised on Employment centre website: a language teacher in a local secondary school, a tourist guide for a travel agency, a secretary for a foreign company In your opinion, which is the best choice? - A language teacher in a local secondary school: - stable job/ enough money/ expense/ at local place/ - more time off school/ free time on regular basic/ summer holiday/ lots of thing/ more time for family/ have some extra classes/ earn extra income/ look after/ family/ simultaneously/- stay in door/ safe- not dangerous/ in comparison with other jobs/ experience in teaching children - A tourist guide: physically demanding- always travel around the country/ need to be healthy/- stay away from home/ often/ inconvenient/ not time/ family/ children/ old-aged parents/ -regular trip / far distance/ dangerous/ case/ having accidents/ - Secretary: be under high work pressure/ loads of work everyday/ travel a lot/ go on business/ boss/ manager/ away from home/ inconvenient/ - not stable job/ foreign company/ try/ best/ not well enough/ be sacked/ dismissed/ any time => teacher/ best/ in case/ need stable job/ time children/ old-aged parents PART Topic 1: The important qualities of an ideal parent The important quality of an ideal parent: Responsibility : take care of/keep an eye on/ provide/ material/ mental life/ earn enough / support/ give/best condition/ live a healthy life/ Sympathy: understand/ feeling/ share emotion/ put ourselves in their position/ sympathize/ good advice/ difficult situation/ stand by… Tolerance: mistakes/ something wrong/ calmly find out/ reasons/ general enough/ forgive/ direct/ right way./ help/ solve problems Own idea: good teacher: (parent/first teacher/ all you teach them /young/ nurture/their upbringing/ teach your child in such a way that it will make them sensible enough to deal with various situations in their life/ become good manner/ good citizen/ society Follow up questions: - Many mothers today work and are away from home all day How does this affect her and her family? (can not fulfill their roles as a housewife/ not have time to housework/ teach children ) - Would it better for the family to have less money but have the mother at home? (hard for mothers/ don’t think…/ both earn money/ better/ however/ mothers/ arrange suitable schedule/ fulfill their roles/ at home & in society) - Why is the number of single mothers increasing nowadays? ( not want to be commited to family life/ more freedom/partly influenced by Western culture) Topic 2: How to cope with stress Coping with stress: Positive thingking : Nothing is important/ optimistic/ confident/ overcome problem/ keep calm- never get angry/ be tolerant to others’ mistakes/ take everything easy Healthy lifestyle: balance diet/ be smart in choosing food/ good habit in eating- rich vitamine, less fat, avoid smoking, alcohol/ Regular exercise- train physical health/ have enough sleep Social engagement: social activities/ out door activities – join sport club, dancing club, english club, take part in voluntary work/ some charity work chance to meet different people… Own idea: various kind of entertainment -take up some hobbies: music, dancing, cooking , gardening, planting flowers Ex: Social interaction: playing sports/ travelling/ meet lots of different people/ share ideas/ experience/ make many friends/ fellows/ improve communicative skills Educational opportunities: reading books/ watching films/ collecting things- stamp/ books… / broaden knowledge/ academic/ areas in daily life/ benefit/ learning/ educating Own idea: physical health improvement: (play sports/ improve health/ keep fit/ strong body/ avoid diseases… Topic 5: People change their hobbies over time Changing hobbies: Living standard: hard life/ poor/ play football/ watching films richer/ take up expensive sports/ playing golf/ travelling/ Trend: - old days: collecting stamps as we often wrote letters as a means of communication => now: the era of technologies -> collecting new models of mobile phones (instead of stamps) Age: Young : playing sports/ travelling/ older/ hobbies are not appropriate for our age => change./ doing the gardening/ planting flowers/ raising birds/ chicken/ playing yoga Own idea: location: countryside: jogging/ fishing move to the city-change/ sport club/ go to the gym/ take up some modern sports/ tennis/ baseball… Follow up questions: - What is the most popular hobby in your country? Do you think it will remain popular in the future? (more and more people play sports Especially football, badminton- after working time / go to sport centre/ play football/ badminton…other kinds of sports/ for the old/ go jogging every morning to improve their health/ Yes/ b/c the better standard of life is, the more people become concerned with their health - What are the social benefits of hobbies?(improve interaction between people/ bring people closer/better people lives/ mental/ physical health) - What is the balance between life and work like in your country? Will there be changes in this balance in the future? (old day/ work/ earn for living/ not have time for mental activities/ nowadays/ pay more attention to leisure activities/ certainly/ there will be some changes/ b/c hobbies/ depend much on living standard and social trend) - Do you think it can be a disadvantage to have too much free time?(lazy/ less active/ much money for entertainment) Topic 6: The internet has made our life better The internet: Researching: good means/ fastest means/ get information/ necessary/ your research/ easy/ find some piece of news/ some pictures/ articles/ academic work you need with a laptop/ computer/ a smart phone/ connected to the internet Entertaining: provides a variety of entertainment forms including music, movies, online magazines/newspapers/ with a computer/smart phone connected to the internet/ enjoy/ various types of music/ films/ Ex: - Allows us to upload / create our own videos, photo series, stories to share with others E.g we can blog, upload videos/ our great photos on fb Communicating: the availabity of the internet/ easier and easier for us / communicate with others/ Constantly stay in touch with friends and relatives/ family members when/ we/ away from home E.g via skyper/ messenger/ zalo/ talk face to face/ our friends/ family members who are from far distance/ -much more interesting than through a phone number - easily make friends / people around the country/ around the world/ exchange emails /chat online with them Own idea: online shopping: bring chance for people to open online stores/ companies/considered/ easy/ faster way for sellẻrs to get access to their customers/ good/ convenient way for customers / buy products Ex: just a little time/ surfing on the net/ we /find the items/ products we need/ products/ delivered/ home/ after a short time (educating: more and more e-learning/ distance courses appear/ internet/ accessible/ people/ learners/ take the course/ without have to move to other places/ convenient/ cheap/ don’t have to pay for transport/ tuition fee/ cheaper than direct courses.) Topic 7: Computers have negative effects on our life Computers: Health: overuse the computers poor eye sight-short sighted/body aches/ backache/ spine-related problems such as bone degeneration/disc herniation caused by long stay(keeping staying for so long time) in front of a computer ) + less physical activities/- obesity These diseases are very common nowadays/especially people who work with computers for long hours Employment: Carry our tasks that are used to done by human beings => many pp become jobless E.g lots of workers are fired/dismissed by their factories/employers when machines are operated by a computer Relationship: long hours using computers, e.g chatting, watching videos, playing games online… => lack of social interaction/ not have time for talking with family members/ neighbors-> family/ not close-knit as it used to be/ not have close relationship in the neighborhood Own Idea: personality: keep working/ enjoying the entertainment on the computers/ lack of social activities/ social interaction-> slow / less active/ passive/ isolated with pp around/ cold-hearted/ aggressive Follow up questions: - What have been the most significant technological developments of recent years? (computers/ internet/ everything/studying/ working/communicating/ made easier and easier by the internet/ keep pp worldwide closer and closer/ just stay/ home/ computers/ connected / internet/ know/ what happen/ around the world/ in a few seconds) - Does technology help workers or does it make their life more difficult? (more helpful than / of course/ certain extent/ create some difficulties/ benefits outweigh the negatives/ help workers a lot/ dealing with difficult jobs/ convenient/ communicating/ looking for a suitable jobs) - Do you think we are too dependent on technology? (yes,this modern life/ depend on technology/ working/ studying/ communicating…/ but obvious/ necessary/ b/c technology/ make our better and better) - Do you think that eventually technology will be able to solve every problem? (No, I think so/ technology / ability/ / a variety of things/ even most difficult things/ discovering the space/universe/but it can not replace human/ it is human that control the technology / /not reverse) Topic 8: What are the most serious transport problems in your country? Transport problems: Parking: Lack of parking space => pavements are occupied for parking => no space for pedestrians Traffic: busy traffic/ narrow streets => traffic jams often take place during rush hours (after work/school /busy traffic => high risks of road accident/ some crossroads / not/ traffic lights/ dangerous for transport paticipants Public transport: unsatisfactory: dirty, old facilities, no airconditioning, untimely, careless drivers Own idea: Route systems: not suitable for cars, just for motorbikes => more and more cars, the infrastructures hardly/barely meet the needs -> traffic jams (traffic participants/ citizens’ awareness/ most people don’t stop at traffic lights / they wouldn’t follow the laws without the presence of the police => more risks of road accident/ drunk/ driving) Topic 9: How can transport problems be solved? Solutions to transport problems: Build more roads: some areas where/ population/ crowded/ towns/ big cities/ not enough roads/ roads/ narrow/ variety/ types/ means of transport/ problems/ for the government/ build more roads/ these places/ tackle/ traffic issues/ reduce traffic accidents/ traffic jams/ rush hours Build underground train lines:traffic/ some foreign countries like Singappore/ Korea/much better/ more underground train lines/ help/ solve/ traffic problems/ government/ build more underground railways/ offer more choices for people/ use/ public transport/ travelling to work Introduce tough environmental law: enact/Some strict laws / protect the environment / E.g offices/ factories/ implement/ rules/ citizens/ workers have to spend one day of the week using public transport or cycling to work Otherwise, they’ll get fined by their companies/ offices./ a moun of vehicles/ streets/ be reduced Own idea:offer more public transportation: provide/ more means of public transport/ with low prices/ high quality/ available/ streets/ workplaces/ schools/ factories/ all the time/punctual/ people/ encouraged/ use/ public transport more often (Keep the high tax / Increasing sales tax for buying a car / motorbkes=>pp wouldn’t want to own a car/ motorbike/ but use public transport) Follow up questions: - In your opinion, in what ways can governments encourage people to use public transports? (some ways/ government / foster/ pp use public transportation/ but / one effective way is that/ provide cheap public means of transports/ high quality/ modern facilities/ punctuality/ availability of public transport/ help ) - Do you think public transport should be free? ( yes/ obviously the most fantastic thing/ everybody/ chance/ share public transport/ with free public transport/ most pp use/ it/ also afraid/ government/ not have enough budget/ this solution) - - How you think transport will change in the next ten years? ( it is difficult to answer/ I personally think that/ next ten years/less pp will use cars and motorbikes than they are today/ b.c human will be more concerned/worried about the environment which is more and more serious these days) Do you think we should spend more money on roads or railways? (yes, I think it worth spending more money on building/ upgrading roads/ railways/ it/ one of the best ways/tackle/ transport problems) Topic 9: Young and old people can learn from each other Learning from each other: Technology: young/ help / old/ catch up with new technology// modern devices/ working/ as wel as communication Ex: the old/ learn/ how to use/ computer/ / work/ more effectively/ how to keep updated with new information/ share information/ other partner/ via google/ parents/ learn/ use/ smart phone/ communicate/ others/ quickly/ via social network Behaviour: the young/ learn/ behaviour/ the old/ the old/ set good example of good social behaviour/ social etiquette/ the young/ follow/ e.g: parents/ grandparents/ teach/ children/ how/ behave/ the elder/ senior/ right ways/ the old/ benefit/from adopting professional work styles frome younger people/ some changes/ differences/ working relationship between the junior/ senior/ the old should adopt History: important the old/ share/ the young/ history/ country/ the young/ earn about past events/ what happened/ old time/ where/ they came from/ how/ they /have such better life Own idea: Experience: the old/ have more experience/ work/ life/ relationship…/ give the young good advice/ idea/ eg: whenever/ meet difficulty/ trouble/ work/ family/ ask/ father/ the senior for help/ give / best way/ solve/ overcome/ problems/ mother/ teach/ me how/cook/ special dishes/ good taste Topic 10: Childhood is the best stage in one’s life Childhood: Learning new things: a child/ described/ “white/ clear piece of paper”- no knowledge/ no experience/ quite immature/ everything around/ completely/ new/ strange/ -> really wonderful/ learn/ various things/ from nature/the surroundings/ academic knowladge No worry: may have main duties/ eating/ learning/ not have to worry about any matters in life/ don’t care/ the work/ meal/ no need to think of how to earn money/how to please other people / office/ neighborhood/ community/ how to deal with difficult problems/ daily life Being cared: always/ taken care of / the elders/ parents/ grandparents/ baby sister/ play with toys/ kept an eye/ by s.o/ almost nothing/ except/ eating/ sleeping/ fed / washed/dressed/ every day/ parents… Own idea: No work: many years ago/ some children/ simple work / help/ parents/ nowadays/ most children/ especially/ cities/ town/ don’t have to any things/ when/ a baby/ looked after/ parents/ get older/ go / school/ study/ all day/ weekend/ taken/ s.w for entertaining/ enjoy/ outdoor activities/ Obvious/ quite young/ no job/ suitable / them/ that’s why/ law/ defined/children/ right/ be cared/ parents/ educated/ protected/ the elder/ not/ work B/c of the what/ mention above/Childhood/ considered/ the best time or stage/ people have had in their life/ Follow up question: Are children in your country gernerally well brought up? (most children/ taken care of/ well/ their family/ well- educated/ except/ some children/ live/ in the remote area/ not have good condition/ enjoy/ childhood/ poor/ work/ when still young/don’t have fed adequately/ not / have warm clothes/bad weather/ don’t have good education) Is it important for children to have fun? (yes/ necessary/essential/ children/ have fun/ sth enjoyful/ their life/ beside/ studying/ b.c it / benefits/ a great deal/ mental/ physical development) At what age children become adult? (depend/ each country/ VN/ adult/ when enough/ 18 years old/ b.c/ full mental/ physical development/ get enough general knowledge/ mature enough/ live on their own) How does a person’s childhood influence what kind of adult he/ she becomes? ( basic/ background for a peson’s development/ both social/ physical/ e.g: goodparenting/ behave right way/ good manners/ grow up) Topic 11: Individuals can take some actions to save our planet from climate change Actions to save our planets: Use public transport/ travel s.w: such as/ take the bus/ work/ take/ train/ go/ business instead of driving a car-> reduce vehicles exhaust-> decrease air pollution Plant more trees: some kinds of fruits/ flowers/ vegetables/ garden/ green trees/ along / streets/ school/ - join planting campaign/ run by local community-> help prevent soild erosion/ create more oxygen/ earth atmosphere Recycle things/ reuse glass/ plastic bottles/ other purposes/ make full use of used objects/ e.g: plastic boxes / used / planting vegetables/ flowers/ waste paper/ used / post cards/posters in class Own idea: reducing energy: using water sparingly, turn off all electric appliances/ unnecessary/ encourage/ children/ students/ others / use energy/ right way (change our anti-environment habit: stop littering/ street/ beaches/ put/ rubbish/ proper dustbins…) Topic : People should read regularly Nowadays/ young children are more interested in playing than reading books As a result, they often lack of necessary reading skills that are useful for their study.Therefore they should be encouraged to read because of some reasons: Important way /gain knowledge : increase vocabulary/ ability/ getting infromation/ express /thoughts// memory capacity/ be enhanced/read/ get information day by day/ good habits Reduce stress: stressfull day/ funny story/ best choice.reading works better than any other relaxation method.b/c their mind will be invited to an oher world that is free The good way to learn a language: encounter new words/ context/ guess meaning of the words without using dictionary/ learn grammar/ use language better/own speech/ VSTEP’S SPEAKING: ĐỊNH DẠNG ĐỀ VÀ HƯỚNG TIẾP CẬN Định dạng đề thi: Các phần thi Thời gian Định dạng đề thi Hướng tiếp cận – Với chủ đề quen thuộc, bạn trả lời từ trải nghiệm thực tế thân Phần 1: Tương tác xã hội 2-3 phút Trả lời 3-6 câu hỏi chủ đề quen thuộc, gần gũi ( thói quen, sở thích…) – Đề tình với giải pháp Phần 2: Thảo luận giải pháp Phần 3: Phát triển chủ đề -5 phút phút – Tuy nhiên, nhiều bạn có xu hướng trả lời ngắn đơn giản Ngoài việc trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, bạn nên nêu thêm lí số ý liên quan – Nên tận dụng tối đa liệu từ đề để lựa chọn giải pháp phù hợp đưa lí thuyết phục – Nhiệm vụ: chọn giải pháp tốt giải pháp phản biện giải pháp lại – Đồng thời, đừng quên phản biện giải pháp lại Với phần này, bạn chủ yếu đưa mặt lợi mặt bất lợi giải pháp, đem so sánh chúng đưa kết luận – Nhận topic card có ghi rõ chủ đề – Nên tận dụng gợi ý có sẵn để tiết kiệm thời gian suy nghĩ mà có cấu trúc mạch lạc để nói ( nhiên, có ý tưởng hay, bạn hồn tồn đưa ra) số gợi ý – phút chuẩn bị + 2/3 phút để trình bày chủ đề nêu -Sau đó, người vấn tiếp tục hỏi bạn số câu hỏi mở rộng khác liên quan đến vấn đề mà bạn vừa trình bày -Các câu hỏi thảo luận đòi hỏi cao chút chúng phần mở rộng, nâng cao vấn đề Dù gặp phải câu hỏi khó thay im lặng, bạn nên trả lời bạn biết Vì không trả lời đồng nghĩa với việc bạn không ghi thêm điểm Các tiêu chí chấm chung thi nói VSTEP: • Pronunciation: phát âm xác, nói có trọng âm, ngữ điệu • Grammar: Sử dụng ngữ pháp, tránh tối đa lỗi động từ, chia động từ số ít/số nhiều… • Vocabulary: + Sử dụng “ related vocabulary” từ vựng liên quan đến chủ đề + Thể vốn từ phong phú cách paraphrase, sử dụng “uncommon words” số collocations idioms Ví dụ: Một nói Reading Nouns:Short story, novel, a work of fiction, best-seller… Verb: Scan, skim, flick through… Adjectives: gripping, fictional, captivating… Collocations: have a keen interest in… Idioms: read up on = read about… • Fluency and coherence: + Nói trơi chảy, lưu lốt, ngập ngừng vài chỗ không nên ậm ngừng lại lâu + Sử dụng phương tiện liên kết để nói mạch lạc liên kết với Ví dụ: and/so/but/because, addition,… firstly/secondly/finally, besides/in Tuy nhiên từ quen thuộc, dễ gây cảm giác nhàm chán cho người vấn nên bạn vận dụng số cách khác như: As well as/since/therefore/as a result/nevertheless… The first point I’d like to mention is that… The next reason is… On top of that,… In a nutshell,… Làm để đạt tiêu chí trên? • Luyện phát âm: + Chịu khó tra từ điển từ chưa rõ cách phát âm + Tự ghi âm nói nghe lại + Xem phim với phụ đề tiếng Anh ( đặc biệt sitcoms) • Trau dồi vốn từ vựng, tìm cách diễn đạt khác thay cho cấu trúc quen thuộc Khi học từ/cách diễn đạt nên áp dụng nói để tránh qn • Tích cực, chủ động nói học tiếng Anh để tạo thói quen nói thường xuyên tiếp thu nhận xét thầy bạn bè Khi nói ln ý sử dụng phương tiện liên kết, sử dụng liên tục, trở thành “phản xạ tự nhiên” nói Summary: VSTEP Speaking part & Useful speaking tips I Giới thiệu thi nói phần – Thi nói phần 1: Tương tác xã hội (Social interaction) – Thời gian: – phút – Số lượng câu hỏi phụ thuộc vào độ dài câu trả lời thí sinh – Tiêu chí chấm điểm: Mức độ trôi chảy mạch lạc, từ vựng, ngữ pháp đa dạng xác, phát âm, phát triển ý II Nội dung học Về câu hỏi: – Câu hỏi phần thi nói chia thành dạng sau: • Câu hỏi nghi vấn (Yes/ No questions) “Do you like playing sports? “Are you good at remembering numbers? • Câu hỏi dung từ để hỏi (What, Why, When, How,…) “What you think is the most difficult problem of learning English?” “When did you start learning English?” Về câu trả lời – Câu trả lời nên dài đến câu bao gồm kinh nghiệm ý kiến cá nhân 2.1 Chiến lược kéo dài câu trả lời Có nhiều cách để kéo dài câu trả lời phần thi nói Hơm xin giới thiệu đến bạn cách dễ hiểu dạng câu hỏi nêu • Points – Reasons/ Examples/ Details POINT REASONS EXAMPLES DETAILS Trong câu trả lời thí sinh nên thẳng quan điểm từ đầu, theo sau thí sinh phải đưa lý giải thích cho quan điểm thêm vài chi tiết cần thiếtvào câu trả lời Nói cách khác, thí sinh ln phải ghi nhớ câu hỏi “Tại sao…?” “Như nào…?” sau nêu rõ quan điểm VD: Câu hỏi: “Who usually does the cooking in your family?” Trả lời: + Point: “Well, because I still live at home, so my mother does the cooking most of the time.” + Reasons: “My mother is a housewife and therefore, she regards cooking as her duty + Details: That’s why she hardly let in the kitchen when I was small But now that I have grown up, my mother has decided to teach me cooking, and so just occasionally we the cooking together.” • Chia câu trả lời thành trường hợp khác POINT SITUATION A SITUATION B (SITUATION C) Hơm muốn làm rõ cách phát triển ý chia trường hợp, phương pháp mẻ với bạn – Khi nhận câu hỏi như: How often you go to the cinema? Where you buy clothes? When you listen to music? – Thơng thường, người có xu hướng trả lời trực tiếp như: Maybe once a week… In the New Department store… In the evening before sleeping… -Tuy nhiên, có cách trả lời khác giúp bạn dễ dàng đưa câu trả lời dài thu hút giám khảo hơn, chia trường hợp khác Sample 1: How often you go to the cinema? “Well to be honest, I think I would say that it really depends Like for instance, if I have money, I will go to the cinema with my friends two or three times a month to enjoy the latest blockbusters You know that cinema tickets are pretty expensive Whereas in contrast, if I am penniless, it’s likely that I will stay at home and watch movies on television.” Sample 2: Where would you go to buy flowers? It would depend on the occasion or event, and who I was buying them for If it is just a small gift for someone and it isn’t a particularly special event then I will probably pick some flowers up at the supermarket because it is very convenient If it is for an important event, or someone really special, then I guess I will go to a florist where I can find something a little different or out of the ordinary Các cấu trúc hữu ích : Opening phrases Well to be honest Well in truth “Depend” phrases I would say that I really depends I guess it would depend on Liking phrases Like for instance, Like more specifically Conditional structures If (situation A) … it will be likely … If (situation B)… I will probably Compare linking phrases to compare situation A and situation B Whereas in contrast … Though, at the same time Các lỗi thường mắc phần thi speaking part VSTEP Như bạn thấy, phần thi nói kì thi VSTEP có tương đối nhiều điểm tương đồng (về câu hỏi câu trả lời, cách tạo câu trả lời) Vì xin tổng hợp số lỗi mà thí sinh thi nói IELTS phần thường hay mắc phải Câu trả lời ngắn What kinds of food you like to eat? Fruit • Câu trả lời lạc đề Do you enjoy cooking? I don’t eat much for breakfast or lunch I usually have my main meal in the evening • Câu trả lời hợp lý người nói khơng tận dụng hội để nói thêm Why some people avoid eating food they are not familiar with? I am not altogether sure, but maybe they were brought up to only eat what they know it’s safe • Câu trả lời khó hiểu Do you have any plan affecting your work? I have plans, yes certainly I want to live in Canada or find a nice apartment On the other hand, it’s work, too • Câu trả lời dài Do you think it’s important to visit other countries? Umm….yes…hmm…maybe…people should go abroad…so that…they can compare that country with their own There have been many technological developments in the 20th century, for example in transport, telecommunications and health What technological development you think has been the most important? How has it changed people's lives? Have all the changes been positive? Give reasons for your answer You should write at least 250 words Model Answer 1: The 20th century has been the century of inventions and innovations Fields like transport, telecom, medical, education etc all have seen the phenomenal developments but one of the significant revolutions in the technology is the internet The internet has changed the landscape of human life to an unimaginable level The computer has made this planet just like a global village and created millions of employment opportunities Firstly, the computer has transformed this planet into one family Everyone who wants information regarding anything can access through the internet in just a matter of seconds regardless of his place and location You can view of information, lifestyle, population and other geographical information of any country in the world For instance, if I want to compare the top universities of the world it would hardly take a minute which would otherwise be not possible without this blessing It is evident that the internet has shrunken this world like one home in which everyone is a family member Secondly, the internet has created job opportunities for millions of people Work options have been created in the form of web designing, web hosting, online product sales, software development and hundreds more which cannot be listed here For example, the biggest company in the world which has the most expensive share in New York Stock exchange is none other than Google This supports the logic that the internet has been one of the significant causes of job creation However, there are some drawbacks also of this technology Cyber crimes and fake business have entered in this world of internet To illustrate that, many hackers have hacked the important and national security websites of not only third world countries but also leading nations like the United States These cyber crimes are playing the havoc with the intelligence agencies of the world Thus, it can be seen that these crimes are depicting the negative pictures of this technology To summarise, the internet has truly changed the face of the world making it a very small one and giving the opportunities of millions of people to earn their livelihood The internet has truly been the greatest development of 20th century It is recommended that states should make tight laws to curb the illegal activity going on the internet ... gym: Cost much, pay for equipment/, unaffordable/ Strong exercise-suitable for the young/ Have to go out-traffic problems, not safe for the old Go jogging: cheap but not suitable for the old- problems... a local secondary school, a tourist guide for a travel agency, a secretary for a foreign company In your opinion, which is the best choice? QUESTIONS FOR PART 3- VSTEP EXAMINATION Topic 1: The... beneficial for the old people’s health/ Piano lessons: common to the young/ not for the old/ not play well/ hard/slow/ depend on the gift/ talent of the person/ for long time sitting for practice/