IELTS SPEAKING PART 1

By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting IELTS SPEAKING BOOK PARTS - Các bạn nên in sách để học cho đỡ mỏi mắt dễ ghi Sách viết cho band 8.0 - 9.0 IDV ưu tiên dùng ngôn ngữ thông dụng khơng cho Ielts mà cịn áp dụng cho giao tiếp hàng ngày Tuy nhiên học, bạn tra từ điển để chuyển số từ/ cụm khó sang từ đồng nghĩa level mà bạn cảm thấy phù hợp thoải mái nói hơn: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/ - - - - - Sách viết khơng phải bạn học thuộc (vì bị trừ điểm nặng) mà giúp bạn nắm vững vốn từ vựng theo Topic từ vựng thơng dụng mà bạn dùng xuyên suốt nhiều topic khác Những từ tô đậm từ cấu trúc bạn cần nắm rõ muốn đạt trình độ từ 6.5 trở lên Có nhiều cách học quan trọng bạn phải đọc kĩ, tự tra từ vựng để hiểu tồn nói mẫu ghi chép lại cụm từ hay dùng Đọc kĩ mẫu viết lại khung nói, từ lồng ghép trải nghiệm bạn vào khung ngơn ngữ đó, bạn có nói Nên nói trải nghiệm mình, bạn nhớ lâu giữ trôi chảy (Fluency), không bị lúng túng với câu hỏi phụ cuối part Với bạn học CẤP TỐC áp dụng cách dịch mẫu sang tiếng Việt sau tự dịch ngược lại sang tiếng Anh so sánh với mẫu gốc Cách giup học nhiều từ vựng ngày Hoặc bạn áp dụng tất cách Để đạt band 6.0 trở lên, bạn cần lưu ý sửa lỗi phát âm (phải âm, nói to, trịn vành, rõ ràng), ngữ pháp (như chia THỜI động từ, ngơi số ít, số nhiều, dùng trợ động từ…) Các học LIVE dựa theo nội dung sách, bạn theo dõi Group (từ 10/3/2020) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/ielts8vn/ Sách review kĩ, nhiên khơng thể tránh khỏi sai sót Nếu phát lỗi, bạn đừng ngần ngại gửi feedback cho IDV để team hoàn thiện sách Chúc bạn học tốt thành thạo tiếng Anh thời gian sớm! IDV TEAM – 20206 COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting IELTS SPEAKING PART GUIDE – COMMON QUESTION TYPES LIKE questions: Do you like …? / Do you like V-ing …? /…your favourite…? Answer: paraphrase lại từ dùng câu hỏi = cụm sau + câu nêu benefit reason (*ST = something V-ing, SO = someone) - Yes I’m really into art, music, fashion…(*chỉ dùng với nhóm hobby, giải trí, lifestyle, sports… Hạn chế nói I’m really into animals/ đồ vật / người nhé) - Yes I adore + đồ vật (Yes, I adore all kinds of animals) người - I’m fond of ST/ SO = I’m keen on ST = I’m enthusiastic about ST (*2 cụm sau không + người) - Yes I’m a big fan of ST/ SO (mạnh hơn: a huge/ a massive/ a passionate fan of ST/ SO) giống be into something + người: I’m a huge fan of her - Yes I enjoy + V-ing ST (câu hỏi Do you like V-ing ST?) - Yes I absolutely love …(nếu thích) - Yes, I’m passionate about (= I’m very fond of) + ST (music, fashion, walking…) - Yes I find ST + ADJ: I find instrumental music very relaxing (adj = tính từ) - I find it + ADJ + to ST: I find it easier to concentrate in a quiet place (cấu trúc tương đối khó hợp số câu hỏi ví dụ: Do you prefer a quiet place or a place with some noise?) DISLIKE questions Câu hỏi: Is there anything you don’t like about… ? Hoặc câu hỏi: Do you like… ? ý trả lời don’t like dùng cấu trúc sau + giải thích nguyên nhân - Well, I’m not really fond of … - I have never been a fan of… - I have no interest in… - I completely hate … - I totally detest …(nếu ghét) - I can’t stand (thường + V-ing) - I find it quite boring/ annoying/ bothering/ disturbing/ a complete waste of time Do you prefer X or Y questions X/ Y + Definitely I find + X/ Y + ADJ (so sánh hơn) than Y HOẶC It seems to me that X is + (so sánh hơn) than Y / HOẶC : While X is … , I find Y…(adj) What type(s) of / what kind(s) of X is are popular/ common in your country/ area? Paraphrase: câu hỏi dùng popular => trả lời dùng common ngược lại Câu hỏi dùng kind => trả lời type - Well, there is a wide range / a wide variety of + X (fruit/ public transport, food …) in Vietnam The most common + type/ kind/ one is … Nếu liệt kê thêm nhiều dùng: Another widely-used/ widely loved/ important/ crucial / commonlyused + type/ kind/ way/ means is … COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting WH: WHAT / WHEN/ HOW/ HOW OFTEN/ What was the last time … ? Loại Wh questions có nhiều dạng Bạn trả lời thẳng vào hỏi, cố paraphrase lại từ câu hỏi Nếu câu hỏi khó thêm cụm dẫn để câu (buy time) như: Let me see/ What an interesting question!/ That’s a tough question! WOULD YOU …question – câu hỏi giả thuyết Would you like to move to another city? Would you like to change your job? - Nếu chắn: Oh yes / Definitely / Absolutely I always wish to…(do ST) / I’ve always wanted to …/ I’m thinking of V-ing/ I have planned to / I’ve been looking for … (ví dụ: I’ve been looking for a new job for ages) (*for ages = for a long time/ for a while = quite a long time phút/ giờ/ ngày/ tháng/ năm) - Nếu không chắn: I’m not sure Currently/ At the moment… + Điều kiện loại or 2: If I had a chance, I would … (Ví dụ: I’m not so sure I’m quite happy with my job at the moment However, if I’m able to find a better one, I might go for it - Nếu không muốn: Absolutely not I have no wish / I have no desire/ I have no intention + to ST (paraphrase lại câu hỏi) …IMPORTANT question Are friends important to you? Trả lời: - Absolutely/ Definitely / Certainly …is/ are an essential part of … (our life/ my job…) - … play(s) a vital/ crucial role in our life - … is/ are essential to / vital to/ crucial for something (V-ing ST) PART TIPS - Trả lời thẳng vào info hỏi – ý chính: what, when, where, how, how often, Yes/ No sau đưa thêm ý phụ - Mục đích dùng complex sentence với thời loại câu đa dạng từ nối because, and, but, though, if, while, also, too, additionally, apart from this, besides, however, used to…but now…Do bạn cần nghĩ ý phụ kiểu vậy: bên cạnh cịn khác, người khác có khơng, có khơng, với câu hỏi YES/ NO cần phải nói ln lại thế: (because/ since/ as) / This is mainly because … - Sử dụng từ mang tính tích cực cho câu trả lời chắn như: I do, Definitely (phủ định: Definitely not), Absolutely, Sure, Certainly COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting PART 1 Name Hometown Study Work Pen – pencil Water Sports Running Cycling Being alone 10 Art 11 Science 12 Park visit 13 History learning 14 Math & numbers 15 Place & View 16 Sweets – desserts – cakes 17 Tea or coffee 18 Holidays 19 Sleep – routine 20 Music 21 Haircut COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 22 Jeans 23 Wild animals 24 Smile – laugh 25 Exercise – health 26 Living area 27 Patience 28 Weather 29 Friends 30 Family & relatives 31 Learning languages 32 Social media/ social network 33 Concentration/ focus 34 Taking photos 35 Rubbish & recycling 36 Borrowing / lending 37 Perfume 38 Voice 39 Walking 40 Teacher & school 41 Countryside 42 Breaks By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting PART SAMPLE ANSWERS Name Who gave you your name ? - My Mom gave it to me She came up with my name even before I was born Luckily, it’s a gender-neutral name Do you think your name is special? - Definitely, it means / represents the sun in Vietnamese I suppose by giving me this lovely name, my parents had hoped my future could be as bright as sunshine Do you like your name? - Absolutely I adore it It evokes a warm feeling and sense of confidence and trust What your friends call you? - Well, they have given me all sorts of nicknames: pig, buffalo, rabbit, nerd and so on I love them all since I know they are just for fun Hometown /home What kind of accommodation are you living in? - I’m living in a small house with cozy bedrooms, a sitting room and a kitchen I moved into this place a couple of years ago What you like/ dislike about your home? - Well, I adore its colour scheme, wooden floors and spacious balconies The only thing I’m unhappy about it is the top floor which gets super hot during summers What kind of accomodation would you like to live in? (Cue card An ideal house part 2) Well, I’ve always dreamt of owning a private house set in a tranquil area like city outskirts or the countryside It doesn’t have to be a mansion or a villa but for a nature lover like me, a large garden is definitely a must Can you describe your room? - Well, it’s quite lovely It’s painted in ivory- white and complete with a private balcony over-looking a little garden Especially, my room can be filled with natural light during the day thanks to a large window Tell me something about your hometown? - Well, it’s just a collection of some little villages surrounded by immense rice fields and rivers I always feel fortunate to be born and grow up in the countryside where life is so laid-back and relaxing COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting Study What's your major? - My major is business English / business administration / social engineering/ social science… Do you like it? - Yes, I’m quite passionate about it I have a lot of fun learning how to… - I’m not so sure While … and … are fun to learn, I find some other subjects such as….and …quite boring/ tough/ demanding Why did you choose that major? - Because I’d like to follow in the footsteps of my mother/ father, a passionate/ devoted teacher/ doctor…He/ she has been an outstanding role model for me since I was little - Because I believe it has a bright future Everyone is talking about …these days - Because I’ve always wanted to become an excellent … and make a difference in the world Being able to… (do ST) and to…(do ST) sounds fantastic/ super cool Is it different from what you had in mind? - Oh yes I thought it would be a piece of cake but in fact, it is quite tricky/ tough/ demanding I struggle with V-ing…(= have a hard time learning how to …) Will you change it if you have the chance? - Definitely If I was able to go back in time, I wouldn’t have chosen it in the first place - Definitely I’d love to change it to … - No The deeper I dig into this field, the more enthusiastic I get I’m really looking forward to finishing my high school/ university education and having an opportunity to put the knowledge into practice Work Do you work? What you do? what is your job? - I am a small business owner I run a boutique providing both ready-to-wear and custom-made clothes What work you do? - I’m responsible for designing and marketing and my sister is in charge of the tailor team who actually make the clothes COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting What specific things you on your job? - Well, I’m a multitasker I all sorts of things: visual merchandising, purchasing materials, managing our Facebook page, dealing with clients’ complaints and recruiting & training staffs for our store Why did you choose that job? - Fashion is my ultimate passion I love helping people develop their own style, boost their confidence and consequently become more successful and happy in life What you like most about your job? - The best part of my work is getting an opportunity to meet and be friends with interesting people from all walks of life Some are truly a breath of fresh air Would you recommend that job to others? - Definitely, I find it incredibly rewarding Developing a career in fashion industry is really tough and takes a lot of hard work and determination, but it’s all worth it Do you think this job has a bright future? - Absolutely, people never stop wanting to look beautiful and distinctive from others Creative and elegant fashion designs are always in high demand I believe Pen – pencil - Do you usually use a pen or a pencil? Well, a pencil I guess I used to write everything with a pen but now I only use it when required - Which you prefer, pens or pencils? Pencils definitely I find it much more convenient to take notes or sketch something in pencil With it, I can write anywhere, in any posture, even when I’m lying on the bed Also, unlike ink, pencil can be erased easily - When was the last time you bought a pen or pencil? A couple of months ago As my work involves quite a lot of writing & sketching, I usually stock up on them I don’t want to drop by stationary shops every single day you know How would you feel if someone give you a pen as a gift? I’d really appreciate it In Vietnamese culture, a high-quality pen is considered a symbol of outstanding academic achievements and business success, so it would make a perfect gift - COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting - What did your teachers ask you to use? Pen or pencil? I remembered using pens for most of my school work as instructed by our teachers Pencils were only used in drawing class and multiple choice paper tests Sports – water sports - Have you done water sports? I learned a bit of swimming in high school and just that My life has been so hectic and boring lately I’m thinking of taking up a new hobby next year and a water sport sounds like a great idea (* I’m thinking of V-ing ST = I plan to ST) - What water sports you like doing? I’ve always been enthusiastic about marine life so scuba diving is definitely on top of the list I’m also a massive fan of surfing To be able to conquer challenging waves must be an incredible experience - Are water sports popular in Vietnam? They are not so common, I think In the north, apart from swimming, we can go kayaking in Halong Bay and some lakes Surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving are increasingly popular in the south, but mainly for tourists Running - Do you like running? I I am not an avid runner but I am really into outdoor exercise Also, running is considered the most sociable sport, a perfect opportunity for me to make new friends - Where you usually go (for) running? There is a little lake just few steps from my house and I enjoy running or jogging around it several times a week - Have you ever run a long distance? Well, actually I’m not a big fan of marathon However, back in high school days, we used to run laps around a running track to warm up for our physical education class The total distance added up each time was quite impressive Cycling - Do you like cycling? Absolutely I love all things that are eco-friendly I find it truly relaxing and convenient to get around my neighbourhood on a bicycle COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting - Did you learn riding a bicycle when you were a child? Yes, I guess everyone did It was a lot of fun and I took great pride in learning to pedal on my own, without help from my busy-working parents - Do Vietnamese people like cycling? Well, they used to love it Two decades ago, bicycle was a major means of transport for most families in Vietnam Sadly, cars and motorcycles have replaced it now - Do you think they will cycle more in the future? It’s unlikely that people will give up the comfort of their private vehicles unless the government takes a bold step to encourage people to cycle more For many, cycling seems to be a thing of the past now (**many, some, those … = rut gon many people, some people, those people…) Being alone - Do you like to be alone? I I love being in solitude, especially when I need some time to sort things out Spending some quality “me” time always brings me back on track whenever I get frustrated about life - What you usually when you are alone? Well, not much really It’s time to find a balance after a hectic day, so I always go for light activities such as listening to relaxing music, getting lost in a book, practicing yoga or mindfulness, or just doing nothing - What was the last time when you were alone and what did you then? Just yesterday I had a row with one of my close friends and I confined myself in my room for nearly an hour to reflect on everything (*a row = an argument) 10 Art Do you like art? - Absolutely I love all things that are creative, things that only humans are capable of creating Performing arts and visual arts help us relax and stimulate our imagination, which then leads to new ideas and innovations Do you like going to museums? - I’m very fond of museums and cultural heritage sites in general They are always on top of my things-to-do list while travelling COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting Have you ever been to an art gallery? - There are several art galleries in the Old Quarter of Hanoi and I check them out from time to time Their collections of oil paintings and lacquer paintings look amazing but a bit pricey for me (*from time to time = occasionally, check ST out = visit ) Are there any paintings on the wall in your bedroom? - Yes On my 25th birthday, my dearest friend gave me a floral painting created by herself, portraying a bunch of daisy, my favourite flower It is truly a treasure I it right above my bed so that I could see it every morning 11 Science Do you like science? - To be honest, I’m not really into science I feel like science is always a subject I had to pass in schools I love science fiction movies though (*dùng I + verb để nhấn mạnh) How did you study science? - Back in high school, I remember taking Biology, Chemistry and Physics I must admit that they did give me a hard time Learning by heart all those formulas and facts was a real struggle for me If I had been able to get some hands-on experience, I would have gotten more interested in this field (*cau dieu kien loai 3) Did you study science in primary school? - Unfortunately not Back then, we only had Math, Literature and moral classes I was envious of some of my friends in private schools who were able to conduct fantastic experiments during their science class Do you think it’s important to study science? - Definitely Science plays an essential role in our life It has laid the foundation for almost all inventions and discoveries of humankind However, I believe there is no need to force people to study unless they are genuinely interested in it Is it the government’s responsibility to encourage science study? - I would say that family, school and the government should all have a fair share of responsibility in encouraging young people to study this pivotal subject A highquality free education system for all children would be a brilliant idea COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 10 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting 26 Living area Where are you living now? - I’m currently living in a nice and quiet neighbourhood which is extremely rare in Hanoi’s downtown We have a lake, an open market and a tiny park in our neighbourhood Do many people live in your neighbourhood? - It is just a small community of around 50 families I think Several houses have been turned into shops and offices so there aren’t many people actually The area is very tranquil at night Are there many shops in your area? - Oh yes, there are hundreds of places for me to shop, from shopping malls, open market, mini-supermarkets, convenience stores, gift shops, flower shops, fashion stores, hair salons to hi-tech gadget stores All are within easy walking distance (= are conveniently to reach) Do you have many friends there?/ Do you know many people living nearby? - I’m a newcomer here but my neighbours are super friendly and helpful They even let us park our vehicles in front of their houses when we need to I’ve made quite a lot of new friends who are shop owners, barbers, tailors and others How long have you been living there? - I moved to this place around years ago I’m glad I did Earlier, I lived in a filthy, bustling area packed with people and vehicles, which was truly a nightmare What changes would you like to see in this area? - I hope there will be a playground for children to enjoy some fun time outdoors Also, it would be better if all locals became more aware of keeping public spaces tidy I see people dumping rubbish on the streets from time to time Who you live with? - I share the house with my younger brother and sister My parents are still living in our countryside home They aren’t used to city life What you like about the area around where you live? - I really like it here The surroundings are so airy and pleasant thanks to the lake and verdant trees around it Streets here aren’t as narrow as in other places I’ve lived People can park cars in front of their houses without blocking the traffic COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 21 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting What you dislike about this area? - Nothing really The surroundings, the neighbours, services and facilities, I love everything about it Are you planning to move to another area to live? - For now, I have no intention to move yet It’s hard to find a place like this in Hanoi Also, moving house is extremely troublesome and stressful you know What changes have you seen in this area since you have been living there? - Well, I can see some significant improvements in public facilities and people’s awareness of the environment A low wall has been built around the lake to prevent rubbish from getting into the water In addition, a small park and an outdoor fitness zone have also been set up by the lake for people to keep fit It is nice to see such changes 27 Patience Are you a patient person? - I guess so I don’t mind waiting in queue or being held up in traffic Also, when I’m determined to something, I will stick through it till the end no matter how hard it gets (*UK: in queue / US : in line) When are you impatient? - I always feel uneasy, anxious or even annoyed when someone receives my emails but fails to get back to me within a day They should at least confirm of receiving my messages Do you think you are more patient now than when you were younger? - Sure, I used to lose my temper when being kept waiting even for just 10 minutes and I would try to rush things Now, I have no problem waiting as long as I know I don’t wait for nothing Do you think you will be more patient in the future? - Probably I’ve learned to be patient with other people and I hope I will be able to be more patient with myself too I need to stop pushing myself too hard The older I get, the better I understand that any worthwhile achievements take time Are you patient in your work or study? - Well, yes In the past, I couldn’t sit at my desk studying for an hour straight but now I can spend several hours in a row preparing a presentation or a report for a business COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 22 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting meeting Deadline is one thing but what’s more important is that my ability to concentrate also increases with age I think Can you explain why some people are not very patient? - Well, some people are born impatient, as part of their character I believe They easily lose control or get stressed out when things are not going their way Another reason is that due to fast-paced modern life, people want quick results and they just can’t wait Do you think people should be patient? - Definitely, haste makes waste A lack of patience would urge people to give up easily and thus fail to achieve anything significant It’s important to take small steps and make little progress over time Perseverance really makes the difference How you feel when other people are impatient? - In the past, I would feel nervous and began to lose patience too Now I tend to stay calm and try to figure out why they become impatient so that I could help them if necessary Would you say young people are more patient than older people? - I don’t think so I believe young people especially little children and teenagers are less patient than older people They just can’t stand the boredom of waiting while adults are more experienced and know how life really works Can you give any examples of work that require patience? - Well, anyone who wishes to succeed at work has to be patient However, I believe there are several kinds of jobs that require a high level of patience such as teaching children with autism or dealing with customer complaints 28 Weather Does the weather affect your mood? - I don’t think so I’m not sure why people say they feel “under the weather” to mean they’re ill or in low spirits Some people tend to get grumpy whenever it rains but I think it’s best to keep a positive attitude in life Which season you like best? /Do you have a favourite type of weather? - My favourite season is autumn when the weather is bright and mild It’s sunny but not as scorching hot and steamy as summer Most importantly, it is the season I was born in COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 23 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting What's the weather like in your city? - Generally, it’s quite pleasant all year round in Hanoi Extreme weather such as heat waves and storms is very rare We experience four distinctive seasons with a considerable number of sunny days every year Are there four different seasons in your hometown/ city? - Yes, spring is cool with frequent drizzle Summer is hot and humid with occasional downpours Autumn is most pleasant but it is subject to storms In winter, it is dry and quite cold but we can still expect several sunny days in a row Would you move to another city because of the weather? - No, I enjoy the diversity in Hanoi’s culture and climate Some of my friends moved to Ho Chi Minh City because there is no chilly winter in the south but I’ve never intended to so Do you different things in different weather? - Absolutely When I go on a vacation, it’s very important to check the weather forecast regularly and plan the trip programme accordingly If it’s raining, I’ll cut down on outdoor activities Would you prefer to live in a place that has the same weather all year round, or a place that has four seasons? - I would go for the second option because I can’t stand boredom I love the diversity and variety in nature that four seasons offer For me, life is worth living only when there is always something different to look forward to Does the weather in your country change often? - We have rather stable weather during spring and winter but it might get a bit unpredictable during rainy season It can rain cats and dogs all of a sudden and after a short downpour, the sun will come out again as nothing has happened Do you like it when it's raining? - I love summer rain, I mean the downpours They are short and refreshing However, when winter or spring comes, it might be drizzling all day long or even for several days in a row, which I find a little bit inconvenient Do you feel the climate is changing? - I am not so sure It seems to me that winter is becoming shorter and not as cold as it used to be This is just my personal observation, however (*This = thay câu trước) COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 24 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting Do you think the weather is important to people who play sports? - I suppose so Favourable weather conditions are vital to the success of any outdoor activities, including outdoor sports For those who play indoor sports, however, the weather doesn’t matter that much (*those = people) 29 Friends Do you have a lot of friends? - I suppose so I have thousands of friends on my social network but in real life, my circle of friends is not so big, just some close friends and co-workers What makes a good friend? - In my view, people who are counted as “true friends” must be loyal, trustworthy and caring They never fail to show up for us and stay by our side through thick and thin Do you think you make a good friend? - I As a light-hearted person, I am able to get along with people from all walks of life I always try to find the good things in others, support them and cheer them up when they are having a tough time (*others = other people) Do you like to make new friends or keep old friends? - What an interesting question! Well, when it comes to true friends, I believe quality matters more than quantity I’d make it a priority to take a good care of what I have rather than look for new relationships Do you have close friends who live far away? - Yes, my best friend at university is living in Ho Chi Minh city now She moved there for work but we still manage to share everything in life thanks to social media and chat apps Do you still stay in touch with friends from your childhood? - No, I’ve lost touch with all my childhood friends We haven’t met or talked to each other for ages Are your friends mostly your age or different ages? - Well, I’d say I only hang out with people of the same age as me I believe generation gap is a significant factor to consider when we make new friends Is it easy or dificult for you to make new friends? - Well, that’s a tough question I’ve never tried to make friends or seek friendship on purpose I prefer to keep it natural, and this way I think it’s not necessarily a struggle to build a meaningful relationship COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 25 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting Do you usually see your friends during the week or at weekends? - At weekends definitely Most of my friends are office workers just like me, so we are all too busy for a get-together on weekdays The last time you saw your friends, what did you together? - Last week, I had a wonderful time hanging out with some colleagues from my previous job We didn’t much really, just meet up in a cozy coffee shop to catch up on each other’s news I have no idea why time always flies so fast when I’m with them In what ways (why) are your friends important to you? - Well, they’re just like my family They provide an endless source of joy that brings so much positivity into my lives They are always there for me, listen to me, give me advice and try to get me out of trouble I’m truly grateful to have them around 30 Family & relatives Do you have a large family or small family? - Well, it’s quite big I think There are people in my family, my parents, older sisters, younger sisters, younger brother and me My extended family is huge too, upto several hundreds of people I feel like I have uncles, aunts and cousins throughout Vietnam Is your family important to you? (see part topic family) How much time you manage to spend with members of your family? - Well, despite my hectic workload, I always try to spend as much time with my family as I could I always go home for dinner and stay home for most weekends What sorts of things you like to together? (see part topic family) Do you often visit your relatives? (Why?) - Well, I see my uncles and aunts every once in a while, mainly at the weekend Most of my relatives live in other distant provinces and given my busy schedule now, I find it hard to call on them frequently What you when you visit them? - Not much really We usually cook, have a nice meal together and catch up on our news or any special plans Every time I visit them, I feel like coming back home COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 26 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting When was the last time you visited them? What did you do? - Last month, I came over my uncle’s house in Yen Bai province for my cousin’s wedding and stayed over night The following day, my cousins took me to the terraced rice fields and showed me around I truly had a great time there Do you prefer visiting your relatives or your friends? - Well that’s a tough question They are equally important in our life and I don’t think deciding whom to visit is a matter of personal preference Do you take anything when you visit your relatives? - Yes, my uncles and aunts always give me a lot of fruit and vegetables and other kinds of local specialties I couldn’t turn them down because they would be upset if I so 31 Learning languages Do you like learning languages? Why? - Absolutely To me, a language is like a windows into another culture I find it fascinating to talk to people from other countries and discover their unique ways of life Every language is charming in its own way What languages you speak? - I can speak English and Vietnamese fluently and a bit of Spanish, just for basic conversations really What are some difficulties in learning a new language? - I suppose most people struggle with language learning because they lack a motivational environment to practice their skills Also, languages are completely different from each other in terms of pronunciation, word formation and grammar For example, people from America or Europe may have a hard time learning character languages such as Chinese, Japanese or Korean What is the best way for you to learn a new language? - I believe hard work is the only way to acquire a new skill and learning a language is no exception I remember when I started learning English, I used to spend several hours each day listening to native speakers and try to repeat after them Practice makes perfect I believe COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 27 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting Do you want to learn another language in the future? - I’ve become increasingly enthusiastic about Japan lately and I’m thinking of learning Japanese I know it’s not going to be a walk in the park as character languages seem a lot more daunting than the Latin-based ones 32 Social media/ social network Do you use social media? - Definitely I have Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts I use them mainly for business Do you like Facebook? - I used to love it, a fantastic way to stay connected to family and friends Now, I have mixed feelings about it To some extent, it’s still useful but sometimes I find it a bit annoying as too many irrelevant advertisements are shown in my daily newsfeed How did you first find out about social media websites? - I first learnt about Facebook through my friends They uploaded some nice photos of their recent trip and sent me a link to see And I discovered YouTube when searching for a video of my favourite song Is social media very popular in your country? - Absolutely Many people even got addicted to social network sites and apps, especially Facebook They mindlessly scroll through their newsfeed every few minutes to see what their friends are doing or what’s on trend, such a complete waste of time Do you think social media will become more popular in the future? - I doubt that The rise of social media platforms in the past few years is incredible and I think they are reaching their peaks They might continue to attract more users for a short while but in the long terms, I believe people are leaving them for private networks or real life interactions In the future, you think you will use social media more than you now, or less? - Well, I think I’ll use them less I’m trying to cut down on my Facebook time and spend more time with my family and friends in real life, which is obviously more meaningful and healthier too 33 Concentration COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 28 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting Is concentration important? - Definitely, it helps boost productivity & efficiency at work or study When focusing on what we’re doing, we can get more things done in less time and avoid making errors Is it difficult for you to concentrate? (Why?) - Yes, I get distracted easily I find it hard to stay focused on the tasks at hand When I get down to work, it always takes me up to 30 minutes or even an hour to truly get in the zone (*get down to ST = start to ST / get in the zone = to concentrate on ST) What affects your ability to concentrate? - Mainly external factors I think In our hectic modern life, we are constanly exposed to too much noise and too many distractions such as TV, smartphones, social media, stuffs like that Do you prefer to study/ work in a quiet environment or in a place with some noise? - I find it easier to concentrate in a quiet place or a place with some relaxing instrumental music in the background I can’t stand noisy places Do you (ever) anything to help you concentrate? - Well, when I’m working on an important project or have a hanging deadline to meet, I usually block out all possible distractions, put my phone in silent mode and stay away from it until I finish work Do you think people can two things at the same time? - I suppose so Some people are excellent at multi-tasking For example, a talented singer can sing beautifully while playing a guitar My colleague can handle a phone conversation while typing a report on her laptop I find them truly amazing 34 Taking photos Do you like taking photos? - Definitely I’m passionate about capturing spectacular sceneries or fantastic moments in daily life and saving them on my phone so that I can view them later What kind of photos you like to take? Sceneries or people? Why? - I love taking pictures of natural landscape since they are static I find them more relaxing and easier to capture than people or activities Also, it might not be a great idea to take photos of someone without asking for their permission first and I’m too shy for this COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 29 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting Do you often take pictures by your mobile phone or a camera? - I’m really into photography but high-quality professional cameras may cost an arm and a leg They also seem too complicated for me to handle and a bit inconvenient to carry around Anyway, I’m currently happy using my smartphone to pursue this hobby What you usually with pictures you’ve taken? - Well, I just save them in my phone and laptop for later viewing or editing Particularly, when I’m able to take an amazing shot, I always upload it on social media right away to show off my photography skill 35 Rubbish & recycling * UK: rubbish, US: garbage/ trash * Litter = rubbish on streets (UK) = trash (US) (US: garbage = waste from kitchens) Do you think it's important to keep the city clean? - Absolutely A tidy and rubbish-free living environment is vital to people’s health Also, no visitors would return to a city or town with litter everywhere (rubbish – free: khơng có rác / be vital to ST = extremely important to ST) What you when you see rubbish on the street? - Well, if there is just a small amount, I will collect it and put it in the nearest bin In case of a huge pile or heavy old furniture, I have no choice but leave it to our street cleaners Can you suggest why some people throw their litter on the ground? - The way I see it, there might be two main reasons for this: a lack of awareness and ineffective law enforcement Litterers believe that there is no consequence for doing so and someone else will clean it up for them Do you think plastic bags are a serious environmental problem? - Absolutely Plastic waste is a major cause of land pollution, ocean pollution and fresh water contamination Additionally, a great number of animals have been killed after swallowing plastic bags It’s time for us to get rid of them altogether Do you ever recycle? - Certainly I’m highly concerned about current environment issues and always try my best to reduce my carbon footprint Obviously, recycling seems to be the easiest and most effective way to so COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 30 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting What can be recycled? - Well, almost all kinds of things Plastic items such as shopping bags and refillable bottles can be recycled easily Even old clothes and broken household appliances can serve a number of other different purposes They shouldn’t be thrown away Is it important to recycle? - Definitely Recycling leads to a reduction in the amount of waste disposed, thus mitigating humans’ impacts on the ecosystem The world would be amazingly beautiful if all people on earth followed a more sustainable lifestyle 36 Borrowing / lending Do you like to lend things to others? - Yes, I’m happy to lend and share things but only with those I can trust I’ve had some painful experience with people borrowing my stuffs and returning them in an awful condition or even worse, I can never get them back Have you ever lent a book to others? - Definitely When I graduated from university, I had a ton of books on English learning and I decided to lend or give most of them to my cousins Have you ever borrowed money from someone else? - Sure I started my first business years ago and I ran out of money right at the end of the first year due to poor investments My sister had to lend me some until I saw some profit Have you ever borrowed a book from others? - I have Once I liked a novel so much but in Vietnam we could only find a Vietnamese version Luckily, my uncle managed to get an English copy of it during his trip in Europe, so I asked him to borrow it for two weeks Would you lend money to someone else? - Yes I know how depressing and desperate being broke is For a small amount, I would never think twice However, I wouldn’t lend a large sum of money to people I can’t trust or those who are not so close to me COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 31 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting 37 Perfume Do you like perfume? - To be honest, I don’t care much about it I love pure and fresh scents of natural flowers and some perfumes smell quite the same However, I can’t stand superheavy fragrances that many people use Do you use perfume? - I used to wear a light citrus-scented fragrance on special occasions but now I prefer to keep it natural Also, I have a rather sensitive nose so I always try to avoid artificial smells at all cost (xài nước hoa: wear perfume/ rather = quite / tránh làm gì: avoid doing ST) Would you ever give perfume as a gift? - No, I haven’t and will not It seems very risky to give perfume to someone unless we know their personality and personal taste perfectly well Are you willing to pay a lot of money for perfume? - Absolutely not I can’t figure out why many people are willing to pay a fortune for a tiny bottle of synthetic fragrances It just doesn’t make sense to me (Không thể hiểu nổi: can’t figure out ST= ST not make sense to SO; tiêu xài xa hoa: pay a fortune for ST) 38 Voice Is your voice different from when you were young? - Definitely I find my voice now much softer and lower than it used to be Actually, I didn’t notice that at first but one of my high school friends told me so Is your voice similar to that of a family member? - Yes, I guess I share the same voice with my mom I love the way she speaks, so gentle and calm Do you like listening to your voice in recordings? - Absolutely Several people said I sound like a broadcaster (an announcer) in recordings Yeah, my voice is quite different in recorded conversations – it’s amazingly clear and sweet On what occasions is your voice not normal? - Well, I tend to get a husky voice when I have a sore throat, which I find quite interesting Also, when I’m too overwhelmed, frustrated or angry, my voice will automatically change its pitch COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 32 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting 39 Walking Do you like walking? / Do you walk a lot? - Oh yes I’m really fond of walking I find it extremely relaxing to stroll around my neighborhood every morning Also, I tend to go out for a walk (take a walk) whenever I get stressed or need to think something through Where you usually go for a walk? (Lake/ park) - There is a small lake just few steps from my house and I go briskwalking around it every morning or late afternoon I especially love going hiking in mountainous areas to escape from city hustle and bustle Is there any change to the way you walk now and in the past (when you’re younger)? - Well, when I was young, I would try to avoid walking or just ran for the sole purpose of getting from place to place Now, I enjoy walking slowly (meditation walking) and taking the time to reflect on my life events Do people in your country walk a lot? - Definitely not It’s clear to see that most people in Vietnam are not fans of walking Pedestrian roads are limited and streets are always packed with motorcycles, taxies and private cars Do you think they will walk more in the future? - Well, I doubt that Due to increasing level of air polution and fear of accidents, they will probably continue to avoid going on foot Unless the government takes bold actions to encourage people to walk more, this trend cannot be reversed 40 Teacher – school - What makes a good teacher? / What types of teachers you like best? Well, that’s a tough question! I guess everyone has their own image of an amazing teacher For me, excellent teachers must know how to inspire and transfer enthusiasm in their class They don’t stick to textbooks but teach by examples and pass on their valuable experiences to students, not just theoretical knowledge - Who was your favourite teacher when you were young? Why? I’d say it’s my high school physics teacher He was super strict and soft at the same time With a great sense of humour, he was able to make rigid equations and formulas more fascinating and easier to remember We never wanted to skip any of his classes COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 33 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com/duong5ting - What is the difference between young teachers and old teachers? The way I see it, young teachers can easily get along with their students Also, their teaching methods might be more updated and relevant to students Old teachers, on the other hand, can be more experienced and capable of capturing students’ attention However, they may be too conservative to adopt modern teaching techniques and equipment - Would you like to be a teacher? / Do you think you could be a teacher? I don’t think I’m suitable Teaching is a tough job and a multi- skilled vocation In order to perform well, educators must play the roles of a parent, mentor, leader, facilitator, entertainer and administrator at the same time Such work is too demanding for me - Have you ever had bad teachers before? Sure, I still remember how hard I struggled with geography at high school Our teacher was so stiff, forcing us to learn by heart all those boring pages in the textbook On top of that, she never smiled to us or made any effort to get us engaged in her lessons I dreaded of her classes COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 34 FOLLOW ME: https://www.facebook.com/duong5ting 41 Countryside Do you like the countryside? - Absolutely I always wish to stay as close to nature as possible and if all my work could be done from home, I would immediately return to my hometown and live there forever As a huge fan of gardening and a relaxing lifestyle, I find myself belong to rural areas, not the city Do you spend much time in the countryside? - Yes, I spend most of my weekends traveling around the outskirts of Hanoi and to distant provinces where modernisation has not yet taken place These are perfect places to stay away from city hustle & bustle, get a lot of fresh air and recharge my energy Do you consider living in the countryside in the future? - Definitely I’ll move to the countryside when I get older, maybe 50 or so I always cherish my childhood days, growing up in a laid-back village where life was worryfree and full of joy 42 Breaks Do you like to take breaks? - Definitely I can’t work for or hours in a row without taking a break My job involves a lot of screen time so it is crucial to stretch my body after sitting at my desk for so long A break is healthy for my eyes too as they can rest for a while Do you prefer a long break or several short breaks? - I don’t like frequent, short breaks as it’s hard for me to get back in the zone (concentrate) after staying away from the task at hand I’d rather take a long break, maybe 15 to 30 minutes, to have some coffee and a bit of exercise, which I find more productive and efficient COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD - https://idvielts.com/ 35 ... IDVIELTS.COM By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com /duong5 ting PART 1 Name Hometown Study Work Pen – pencil Water Sports Running Cycling Being alone 10 Art 11 Science... 10 Art 11 Science 12 Park visit 13 History learning 14 Math & numbers 15 Place & View 16 Sweets – desserts – cakes 17 Tea or coffee 18 Holidays 19 Sleep – routine 20 Music 21 Haircut COPYRIGHT... troops in 19 75 I came across it in a bookstore a couple of years ago COPYRIGHT BY IDV EDU.CO., LTD – IDVIELTS.COM 11 By DUONG VU – IDV - https://idvielts.com/ Follow me: www.facebook.com /duong5 ting