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EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE MARRIED - Children living with married parents tend to be much safer than children living with single parents because they are statistically less likel[r]

ENGLISH FOR B1-LEVEL STUDENTS Designed by Nguyen Van Tuan, MA Lecturer Department of English College of Foreign Languages What’s my hobby? I don’t mind being on my own or staying at home I like computer and indoor activities which are quiet and relaxing I like doing things outdoors and love animals, but I am also artistic I also like doing things on my own I can’t stand staying at home I prefer being outside and doing sports, but I don’t really like animals 1.1 I love meeting people Write an online profile Hi, I’m and I’m from _ I like and I hate and I can’t stand _ I want to and 1.2 Keeping in touch Give reasons for your answers I think text is the best because it would be very noisy and difficult to hear a telephone conversation I think email is best because you can send a link to the website I think mobile phone is the best because you can explain why you are going to be late and how long you will be 1.2 Keeping in touch I think a postcard is best because you can send a picture of the place where you are staying I think landline is best because you might want to talk for a long time 10 Write an email Hi Alex, Would you like to come over to my house tomorrow? I’ve just bought a new computer It’s great because it is much quicker than my old one We can play this new game that I’ve discovered Hope you can come From _ 1.2 Keeping in touch Writing extra Discuss the questions in pairs How much time you spend on the computer? Do you use chat rooms? Why/why not/ What games you play on the computer? What is your favourite website? Do you think the internet is safe? 2.1 He’s the youngest brother Vocabulary A: cheerful, confident, kind, lazy, shy B: elderly, in his/her thirties C: bald, a beard, curly hair, fair hair, glasses, handsome, a moustache, pretty, slim, tall D: a grandparent, a twin To be: bald, cheerful, confident, elderly, a grandparent, handsome, in his thirties, kind, lazy, pretty, shy, slim, tall, a twin To have: a beard, curly hair, fair hair, glasses, a moustache 2.1 He’s the youngest brother Write sentences I think teenagers are friendlier than elderly people because they need to have more friends Men are more hard working than women because women waste hours every day chatting Shy people are not as attractive as confident people because a big smile makes everyone looks better 2.2 Such a messy room armchair blinds ceiling 1,2,3,4 carpet 1,3 cupboard cushion 1,2,4desk drawers duvet 1,2,3 fan mirror 3,4 pillow 1,2,4 photos rubbish bin 3shelf 2,3 posters curtains 3.1 It used to be different 1 The people are singing around the piano The boy is writing a letter The man is making a phone call The women are getting dressed The woman is washing clothes 3.1 It used to be different Today people watch TV for entertainment Today people phone or use emails Today people have mobile phones Today people wear jeans or T-shirts Today people have washing machines 3.1 It used to be different Photo 1: This family is watching television together They are eating something in the bowl They are all laughing Three of them are sitting in the sofa Three of the people are wearing jeans There is a lamp next to the sofa The man is saying something to the woman The children are talking about the cartoon film on the TV They look about 10 and 12 The boy is playing with a cat and the girl is eating an ice-cream 3.1 It used to be different Photo 2: This family is playing football on the beach It is a sunny day and the sky is blue The man is standing in the goal The woman is holding a ball in her arms, They are all wearing shorts and have bare feet The woman is wearing a sun hat The girl is shouting to the boy The boy is running toward the goal The man is waiting for the boy to come The man is wearing sunglasses 3.1 It used to be different 3.1 It used to be different 3.1 It used to be different Dimitri eats meals, plays sport and watches sport He used to homework, housework and go on holiday Elena eats meals She used to housework and go on holiday Dimitri asks Elena a question to start the conversation They both talk for about the same length of time The involve each other by asking questions and using phases such as What about you? 3.2 The street is lined with trees 3.2 The street is lined with trees 3.2 The street is lined with trees 3.2 The street is lined with trees 3.2 The street is lined with trees - Photo shows New Jersey port in New York This is the largest port in the east coast of North America, and is at the centre of the busiest consumer market in the world - Photo is the Red Square in Moscow The photo shows Basil’s Cathedral, at the south east end of Red Square It is one of the most famous squares in the world 3.2 The street is lined with trees - Photo shows Carnaby Street in Central London This is a famous pedestrianised shopping area near Oxford Street - Photo shows a metro/an underground station outside one of the most famous department stores in Paris, Galeries La fayettes A What can you in the cities? Do you visit the museums? go shopping? Go to the cinema? Take photographs? etc B What’s your favourite city? Why? port pedestrian statue tower square underground A B B A B A 5.B A A 10 A - In pairs, plan a day out in Montreal - Language for making suggestion: Why don’t we ? We could Let’s - Time sequences: First, , after that ., next ., finally In 1852 much of the city was destroyed by a large fire In the 1960s and 70s many old buildings were repaired Old Montreal was declared a historic district in 1964 In 1988 an ice storm caused $1 billion worth of damage to the city Many famous films were made in Montreal 66% of Montrealers speak French as their first language EXAM GUIDE Dear Jerome, There will be a classical concert in the park at this weekend I will go to the concert because I like this kind of music very much and my favourite musician will perform in the band Would you like to go for the concert with me? Best wishes, EXAM GUIDE Dear Mark, Yes, I had a job in a shop last summer and I loved it It was a shoe shop in the town centre I had to work long hours but I met some really nice people and I made a lot of money I will use it to buy a car when I go to college next year You are lucky that your uncle has a shop If you do, you will save money too If you not work, you will get bored because the summer holidays are quite long Let me know your decision Best wishes, Jack EXAM GUIDE Dear Hayley, Thank you for your letter How are you? You are right I worked in a clothes shop last summer, but I did not like it I had to work from a.m until p.m and it was hard I not know about working in a book shop I have never worked in a book shop I not think you should work all the summer If you work, you will be tired and maybe you will not have time for fun on the beach Write soon and tell me what you decide Lots of love, Emilie EXAM GUIDE It was my birthday last month, so I had a party and I got lots of presents I put all the presents in my bedroom and I opened them after my party I liked the presents and I said thank you to everyone Two weeks later the phone rang It was my grandmother, who asked me if I had liked my present I was very embarrassed because I did not know anything about a present from my grandmother I went upstairs and looked in my bedroom Under the bed there was a little box I pulled it out and opened it It was a beautiful necklace from my grandmother I loved it READING LITTLE THINGS Little drops of water Little grains of sand Make the vast ocean And the pleasant land Little deeds of kindness Little words of love Make the Earth happy Like the Heaven above DREAMS Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly Hold fast to dreams For if dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow UNIT 4: Speaking Win the lottery, rob a bank, write a bestseller, invent something, become a leader… Oprah Winfrey: popular US chat show who owns a production company; Stella McCartney: successful fashion designer with a famous dad, Richard Brandson; built the Virgin Empire (includes Virgin Airlines, Trains and Records); Paul Newman used to be a film star and used some of his earnings to start a successful salad cream company Bill Gates, Madona, Mark Zuckerberg cocreating the social networking site UNIT 4: Listening 4a Payphone: John Paul Getty put payphones in the bedroom of his house so his friends couldn’t make free phone calls Mice: Matthew Preud sold mice to his friends when he was at school Suit: Bill Gates doesn’t wear suits because he knows he doesn’t have to look good Five o’clock: Rupert Murdoch goes to five o’clock meetings (in the mornings) UNIT 8: CHANGE a change of heart   a decision that what you thought earlier is not true or right now He'd been active in the organization for years, but after a change of heart, Yang left the group for a change   as something different Why don't we eat dinner on the porch for a change? UNIT 8: CHANGE (It's) time for a change  an expression announcing a decision to make a change  Bill: Are you really going to take a new job? Mary: Yes, it's time for a change Jane: Are you going to Florida for your vacation again? Fred: No It's time for a change We're going skiing UNIT 8: CHANGE change horses in midstream  to make major changes in an activity that has already begun;  The house is half-built It's too late to hire a different architect You can't change horses in midstream UNIT 8: CHANGE change your mind  to have a different opinion or intention than you had before  If you don't buy the painting now, he may change his mind and refuse to sell it After the interview I completely changed my mind about her abilities UNIT 8: CHANGE READING One and a half billion people watched the Live Aid concerts There was a terrible famine in sub-Saharan Africa The concert raised 140 million pounds Live Aid was a miracle, because the concert achieved things that previously people did not think were possible UNIT 8: CHANGE READING In 1985 there were no and mobile phones computers were outside the experience of most ordinary people Ten cities around the world held the Live concerts Bob Geldof says the linga franca is rock music, not English English is often described as a ‘linga franca’, because people all over the world use it to communicate UNIT 8: CHANGE READING Live Aid started new ways of thinking and behaving in broadcasting, in putting political pressure on government s and in raising money Previously, people had not thought about using a huge concert to raise money, or to change politics They had not considered how simultaneous broadcasting could be used to unite people around the world UNIT 8: CHANGE READING The message that Live Aid delivered was need for change the The concert raised awareness of the sensible situation in Africa, and how the developed countries were partially responsible People realized that this situation should change There were simultaneous concerts on the two different continents The concerts were broadcast all over the world at the same time Concorde was put on stand-by for the concert so it would be used if necessary JOBS Which jobs can be done by robots? no longer exist? require absolutely no intelligence? have low salaries but high prestige? require very long training? will be most needed in the future? JOBS Which jobs are overpaid? young children typically want to do? can be done from home? 10 you would really hate to do? 11 are well-paid but dangerous? 12 are most suitable for females? JOBS Semco is a company which sells parts for ships The company is organised differently from the majority of businesses Unnecessary jobs were cut by the company boss, Ricardo Semier, with the result that even top managers photocopying and dial the phones Uniforms have been relaxed and employees work flexible hours The new way of operating has proved successful for Semco JOBS Employees set their own salaries, meet guests in reception, the photocopying, send faxes, type letters, dial the phones an even fix equipment Semco has plants instead walls, staff can decorate their own workplace so it looks different, and some of the staff wear uniforms while others wear T-shirts Rubin Agater is a sales manager at Semco He is important because he knows how to fix oil pumps JOBS Workers can decide their own work hours and use Semco machinery Yes Profits have increased and the company is growing Peer pressure is the strong feeling that you must the same things as the other people around you It is important because this is what makes people work hard at Semco 9.3 JOBS Listening 11a Air hostess/She still does the job now She says she has to be good at dealing with people When people have arguments, she needs to be able to listen to people and solve their problems She also needs to persuade people to things they not want to 9.3 JOBS Listening 11a Office manager She did the job in the past She needed to prioritize and delegate She worked under a lot of pressure and worked irregular hours It was useful to be able to type fast and she used a range of computer software 9.3 JOBS Listening 11a Medical scientist He did this job in the past He had to be able to work accurately, and be good with figures Nowadays they use a lot of computer software to help solve problems 9.3 JOBS Listening 11a, b Bus driver He does the job now He says he needs to be able to drive well, and be patient He has to be good at dealing with people who get angry, and he works irregular hours 9.3 JOBS Listening 12 - dealing with people S1 - drive well S - solving problems S 1,3 - listening to people S - persuading people S - languages S - use a range of computer - delegating S software S - prioritizing S - work accurately S - work irregular hours S 2,4 - speak more than one language S - type fast S2 TEST WRITING Hello Alex, How are you doing? I have spent my holiday in Dalat for more than three days and I am enjoying my holiday here I’ve stayed in a luxury hotel with a good view from my room There are a lot of beautiful hills with pine trees behind my hotel The hotel service is excellent and the food in the restaurant is delicious I am really happy with these See you Peter TEST WRITING Dear Alex, I am happy to hear that you want to travel to Vietnam I will give you some good advice before you come to my country First of all, you should travel by plane, flying directly from Sydney to Saigon where you can have many interesting places to visit and different kinds of local food to enjoy Please don’t forget to bring sunglasses and summer clothes with you because it is sunny and hot at the moment in Vietnam If you want to understand more about the religion and royal culture, you ought to visit Hue where you can go to the pagodas and the King’s tombs I hope that you will have a good time and unforgettable memories after your visit to my country See you soon Lot of love, John TEST WRITING Hello Maria, We are going to have a party on 24 May to celebrate Nam’s 20th birthday We’ve booked a table for ten people at Huong Giang Restaurant, at 24 Le Loi Street The party will start at p.m and go on till late There will be a four-course meal and music I would like to invite you to the party I’ll pick you up at your school at 6.30 Peter TEST WRITING Dear Alex, Thank you for your letter in which you asked me about the changes to my room Last week, I decided to buy a new shelf and a sofa at a furniture shop They were delivered to my house yesterday I put the shelf next to the table on the left The bright color of the shelf goes well with the color of the wall behind it I put the sofa at the right corner to the left of the bed I can sit on the sofa to watch TV or to read books comfortably I am happy with the changes to my room because it seems to look tidier and more comfortable now Best wishes, John Upper-Inter CONNECT Step-sister: girl or woman whose father or mother has married her mother or father Half-sister: a sister who is the child of only one of your parent Acquaintance: someone you know but not very well Soulmate: someone you have very close relationship because you share or understand the same emotion and interests Upper-Inter CONNECT Close friend: someone you are good friends with Partner: someone you are having a serious relationship with CONNECT Lead-in 2b make people think well when they first meet you like someone as soon as you meet them for the first time have many similar attitudes or experiences to another person have similar view about something to somebody else feel you see things in a similar way to someone else CONNECT Reading A true friend         shows respect for your view on things takes you just the way you are will treat you honestly won't mess with your feelings will help you in every way he/she can won't 'demand' things from you is loyal if you don't overstep his/her bounderies can last forever, but you both have to work on it CONNECT Reading 1 Supportive A good friend knows your dreams and will try to make the best in helping you achieve what you want Trustworthy A good friend is someone whom you can trust They won't something stupid that could bring you down Caring and Thoughtful Good friends care about you Although there are many ways of letting you know that they care Perhaps they may give you a hug, talk to you on the phone or invite you to their home CONNECT Reading Loyal A good friend would always be there for you in times of good and bad Being loyal is what almost everyone looks for in a friend A loyal friend could try his/her best to keep in touch, even though you're far apart Once a friend, always a friend Even though the distance is there, the friendship still remains CONNECT Reading Supportive A good friend knows your dreams and will try to make the best in helping you achieve what you want Writing Alison-Keith called about tonight Jackie and Steve can’t come You still want to go to the film? Please call Kith on mobile James-Please call Tina Jenkins (HSBS Customer Service) 01303813843 a.s.a.p re large credit card payment Brian-Please ring Sarah Shiali- 01273443750 to arrange when she can come and see car you’re selling Writing p7 Harry talks to Jamie about his family; Paula about his relationships and love life; Alex about work and practical things; Nigel is Harry’s best friend from school but they have lost touch Family ties p9 The Boehmer family is the world’s largest family of jugglers (tung hung) and has won a number of awards, performing all over the US and beyond They have been performing to audiences with their varied juggling Family ties p9 I think a big family is good You're never lonely and there's always someone to hang around with or play with or something with and lots of things to share and you learn some good values about sharing and being patient and, yeah, I think big families are better than small families Family ties p9 I would like to be from a big family, because in a big family, you always have company You have a wider variety of people to spend time with, and I associate big families with fun and laughter, so I think I would prefer a big family even though I like my small family Family ties p9 you'll have special memories and when you get older you'll be able to look back and think of all the good times you had with your brothers and sisters When there’s so many people it’s impossible to be bored; it’s never quiet, but it’s easy to have a lot of fun You never feel alone or left out Family ties p9 It’s always better to have someone beside you — and here, in this house, you have somebody everywhere, so you always feel strong It’s difficult for parents to spend equal time with all of their children Family ties p9 You may get less parental time, but its compensated for by siblings You may get less inheritance, but you will have a very rich family life You may spend more time mentoring, but mentoring skills are invaluable You may spend more time baby-sitting, but that will make you a better parent Mobile connections p12 The number of young people who have a mobile phone: one quarter of 4-15 years old in Tokyo; half of Japanese high school students The reasons why young people want a mobile phone: “lifestyle”, parents, to keep in touch with friends Mobile connections p12 How parents feel about their children having a mobile phone: they think they spend too much time on the phone; makes it difficult to keep a check on who their children are communicating with The amount of contacts teenagers feel they need with their friends: several times a day Mobile connections p12 The effect of mobile phone on reading for pleasure: reducing the amount children read for pleasure The health risks of mobile phones to children: children under 16 should only use mobile phones to make calls in an emergency 10 Some possible educational uses of mobile phones: to get revision, mock exam questions; for teachers to keep in touch with pupils Mobile connections p12 look up to Admire, respect, as in The students really looked up to Mr Jones grow up Become an adult, as in Sam wants to be a policeman when he grows up Read more: Mobile connections p12 show off seek attention by displaying one's accomplishments, abilities, or possessions For example, I'm wearing shorts to show off my Florida tan Get on To be or continue on harmonious terms: He gets on well with the neighbors Mobile connections p12 go out with someone: to date Jesse has been going out with Luke since they met last winter Fall out  Meaning: Argue and be on bad terms with someone  Example: They FELL OUT over the decision and hardly speak to each other any more Mobile connections p12  Split up  Meaning: Finish a relationship  Example: They are always SPLITTING UP and then getting back together again  Make up  Meaning: Stop being angry with someone  Example: They are always arguing, but they MAKE UP again very quickly 5.2 (4) Rambling: having an irregular shape and covering a large area Pretty much to ourselves: almost nobody else used it (the garden) Haven’t changed a bit: not different Mess around: behave in a silly way when you should be paying attention or doing something sensible Model child: a child who is considered to be good Reasonably well: quite well Apparently: you have heard something is true but you are not completely sure about it Shame really: you are disappointed about something/ It’s a pity 5.2 (9) CAMELIA HER BROTHER Was able to swim well by eight Can swim but does not like it Really good at chess Never managed to beat Camelia at chess Recently succeeded in Great at skiing- a real coming down her first natural black slope Communication-2 p72 Choose material for your time capsule is made of carefully e.g aluminum or stainless steel so that it will last a long time Make sure that books and newspapers are printed on the highest quality paper so they not deteriorate any faster than necessary Use black and white photographs rather than color as they are more stable and last longer Do not use technology which will become redundant Better to use things that only need eyes or hands Label the outside of the time capsule clearly with a permanent marker pen EXPLORE- Lead in p75 3b To have itchy feet: want to go somewhere new or something different To go into uncharted territory: go to a place which is quite unexplored, where there are few maps To go as an independent traveler: travel on your own not as part of an organized group or tour To wander around: walk slowly around an area, usually without clear direction or aim To be bitten by the travel bug: have a sudden strong urge to travel more To experience culture shock: feel confused or anxious when you visit a place that is very different from the one you are used to EXPLORE- Reading p77 F (she fits in both places) F ( she was worried the ropes would break) F ( the sand flies were the itchiest) Don’t know ( it mentioned tears but we don’t know if she cried) Don’t know ( they might have done, but they also wanted to film the leeches) T Don’t know (there wasn’t much water but we don’t know if it was dirty or not Don’t know (she enjoys eating with her family but the text does not mention cooking EXPLORE- Reading p77 Fascinating: extremely interesting Daunting: frightening in a way that you feel less confident Challenging: difficult in interesting or enjoyable way Petrified: extremely frightened so that you cannot move or think Annoying: making you feel slightly angry Disgusting: extremely unpleasant, making you feel sick Inspiring: giving people a feeling of excitement and desire to something great Worried: unhappy because you keep thinking about a problem/something bad might happen EXPLORE- 6.2 A magical kingdom p79 The environment is very clean, nature is flourishing and there is peace amongst the people with no discrimination Few tourists go because tourism is strictly controlled by the government to preserve the peaceful, clean state of the country EXPLORE- 6.2 A magical kingdom p79 a One of the main beliefs of the Bhutanese people is that you shouldn’t harm any kind of living thing, human or nonhuman b The natural environment in Bhutan is incredibly clean and contains a huge variety of different animals and plants c The few tourists that Bhutan allows to have to come on organized trips, not as independent travelers Vocabulary p.79 Cool: low in temperature but not cold, often in a way that feels pleasant Chilly: cold enough to make you feel uncomfortable Subzero temperatures: below zero or freezing Mild: fairly warm Humid: wet and usually hot air Scorching: extremely hot To pour: rain very hard; Showery: short periods of rain Drizzle: light rain; Breeze: gentle wind Clear: no clouds; bright: sunny and light Overcast: dark with clouds Changeable: change very often 10 11 SUCCESS Voc p106 Outgoing: someone who likes meeting and talking to new people Open: honest and not wanting to hide things from people Proactive: someone who makes things happen or change, does not just react to events Opinionated: someone who expresses very strong opinions about things in a way that annoys people Single-minded: having one aim and working hard to achieve it Easy-going: not easy upset or worried SUCCESS Voc p106 Selfish: caring only about yourself rather than other people Witty: using words in a funny, interesting and intelligent way Manipulative: good at secretly controlling or tricking people to get what you want 10 Headstrong: very determined to what you want SUCCESS Voc p106 Outgoing = extrovert  introvert Open = sociable  reserved Proactive = enthuastic  lazy Opinionated = arrogant  modest Single-minded = determined  undecided Easygoing = relaxed  uptight Selfish = egotistic  generous Witty = amusing  dull Manipulative = controlling  upfront 10 Headstrong = determined  irresolute SUCCESS Voc 12a p106 To be a complete doormat= to be someone who lets other people treat them badly and never complaint To be the center of attention= to be the person who everyone is interested in, listen to To be down-to-earth = to be practical and direct in a sensible, honest way To be really high maintenance= to be someone who demands or expects people to look after them a great deal To be a party animal = to be someone who enjoys going to parties and drink a lot of alcohol and behaves in a loud and often rude way SUCCESS Listening p107 There are some famous athletes like Mohamed Ali and Michael Schumacher who have succeeded because they have complete self-belief in their ability to win Sports psychologists can work with sportspeople to help change their negative thoughts about falling into positive ones about winning Some athletes and teams have specific routine that they in order to focus themselves on the goal or to bring the players together as a team TEST 2- WRITING PART Content: Explain you are writing on behalf of Mr and Mrs Stanton Say you want to reserve a room for the dates given Give the details about the type of room you want Check that vegetarian food can be served both lunch and dinner Ask for a list of tours and check that there are Englishspeaking guides Ask for information on price and check that breakfast is included in the price Ask the manager to confirm the arrangement in writing TEST 2- WRITING PART Dear Sir or Madam I am writing on behalf of Mr and Mrs Stanton who will stay in your hotel during their trip Your hotel, Hotel Bella Vistal, has been recommended to me by Mr Charles Brown, your regular guest, who has told me quite a lot about the hotel I wish to reserve a double room for nights from 16th November I would like to have a quiet room with a bathroom and a good sea view Would you please inform me the cost of the room and let me know if the breakfast is included? Mr and Mrs Stanton are vegetarians from Australia Please confirm that you can provide a list of tours with English-speaking tour guides and that vegetarian food can be served for them I would also like you to confirm the arrangement in writing as soon as possible I look forward to receiving your reply Yours faithfully TEST 2- WRITING PART Content: In your introduction state your opinion clearly Which of the two you think is best In the body of your essay give reasons for your choice and support them with examples Make a list of possible disadvantages of your preferred lifestyle and give examples In your conclusion summarize which lifestyle you prefer and why TEST 2- WRITING PART Choosing to live in a big city or in a small country village has been a matter of great concern Despite some disadvantages urban life may have, I prefer to live in a big city because a big city can bring me a better life with a range of choices In a big city, there are many choices I can make for many aspects of my life For instance, I am likely to be able to find many different types of food and this could lead to good health In addition, I can have chances to join different cultural events as I have a large list to choose from In education, I can also select from a long list of good schools to send my children to, which leads to the potential for my children’s better future Furthermore, it is worth noting that a big city offers me good opportunities for employment at any companies or organizations I have better access to choices in healthcare as well If I suffer from a serious disease, I have specialists to effectively treat the disease TEST 2- WRITING PART However, I may lead a stressful lifestyle in a big city Actually, I can be in a hurry because I not have enough time for myself Moreover, a big city is often very crowded and as a result I have to suffer from the constant noise and traffic congestion Additionally, an urban area is so polluted that I can be deprived of fresh air Besides this, I may have to live in tiny flats where I hardly have enough fresh air and privacy In conclusion, living in a big city has both advantages and disadvantages Despite many drawbacks like stress, pollution and lack of space, I have a strong belief that a big city always creates a favour condition for me to have a better life TEST 3- WRITING PART Content: In your introduction state clearly that you are writing to complain Provide the background information about the date and destination of your trip Complain about the coach being old and dirty, and about it leaving 30 minutes late Complain about the driver being rude and unhelpful Say that he refused to help you with your luggage Explain that you were not given a 25% discount, as stated in the advertisement because the online booking had to be made at least a month in advance, which is not stated in the advert In your conclusion ask for a full refund or a free return ticket TEST 3- WRITING PART Dear Sir I am writing to complain about the service of a long coach journey provided by your company I made a long journey to Ho Chi Minh City in your company coach on 20 th October this year but I felt deeply dissatisfied with the service The coach is supposed to be modern and punctual according to your advert but the it was old and dirty In addition, it left 30 minutes late To make matter worse, the driver is described as a friendly and helpful person However, I found that he was rude and unhelpful He refused to help me with my luggage I was not given a 25% discount, as stated in your advertisement because the online booking had to be made at least a month in advance, which is not mentioned in the advert I would be grateful if I could get a full refund or a return ticket from your company Please let me know what you action you intend to take as soon as you can Yours faithfully Yours faithfully TEST 5- WRITING PART Dear Ms Richarson, On behalf of the music society, I would like to say thank you for your letter dated th November I am very interested in the idea of your visit to my hometown I especially appreciate the information you have provided but I would like to know more about your group so that I will be able to make a better plan for your group’s performance I would also like you to confirm your arrival time Would it be possible to have a discussion about the British folk music after the concert? To welcome your group, I wish to invite all the members to have dinner with us after the discussion Concerning the accommodation, I suggest that all of you could either stay in a good hotel in the town center or stay in the homes of my society members Our music society consists of 16 amateur members whose ages range from 20 to 25 They are keen on royal music which used to be played for the Kings and the royal families but now is played to serve domestic and foreign tourists I am looking forward to hearing from you soon Yours sincerely Yours faithfully TEST 5- WRITING PART Growing up in whatever type of family always has its benefits and drawbacks However, the major differences between growing up in small family and a large one lie in parental care and child companionship Parents in a big family hardly have enough time to take care of their children because both of them have to work in order to support such a big family They are usually tired after a long day of hard work and unable to perform their parental duties Due to their neglect of duty, their children may have neither nourishing meals nor good learning results On the contrary, children in a small family tend to receive more financial support and better care from their parents Because the have fewer children, they could spend more time and money on their children food, clothes and education Yours faithfully TEST 5- WRITING PART Children in a small family often lack companionship They tend to everything on their own because they find it difficult to have their siblings share their hardship with In contrast, children in a large family never anything or play any games alone Their brothers and sisters are ready to help them or share happiness and sadness with them Despite the little care and small amount money I may receive from my parents, I believe a large family is better for me because it brings me greater creativity and better sense of responsibility In fact, because of the little money spent on food, clothes and toys, I have to be more creative to make my own toys, prepare my nutritious meals and alter my brother’s clothes In addition, I must be more responsible for doing housework, learning hard and taking care of my younger brothers when my parents not have enough time to perform their duties Yours faithfully TEST - SPEAKING PART Tests ability: to use language for social purposes, e.g making introductions, answering questions about yourself Part of the FCE Speaking test lasts about minutes The examiner will ask some 'getting-to-know-you' questions perhaps to find out where you come from, your interests, your family or your studies etc Example Questions Q: Where are you from? Q: Tell me something about your family Q: What did you enjoy most when you were at primary school? Q: Do you have any plans for a holiday this year? Q: Do you play any musical instruments? TEST - SPEAKING PART Tips! Giving full answers to the examiner's questions will help get the interview off to a good start 1) Avoid giving short, uncommunicative replies Q: Tell me something about your family A: I live with my mum, dad and sister and brother (Don't stop there!) My sister's younger than me and still goes to school My brother works as a computer technician TEST - SPEAKING PART Tips! 2) Avoid short, 'yes', 'no' answers to closed questions (These are questions beginning 'Have you ', 'Do you ', 'Is it ' etc which can be answered simply with a yes or no answer) Q: Do you have any plans for a holiday this year? A: Yes (Don't stop there!) If I get the chance I'd like to visit my friend in Hanoi We haven't seen each other for a while and I'm really looking forward to seeing him and getting to know Germany Q: Do you play any musical instruments? A: No (Don't stop there!) We had music lessons when I was at school but I was never very good TEST - SPEAKING PART Tips! 3) Offer examples to help you explain a statement Q: Why are you preparing for the FCE exam? A: No reason really (Don't stop there!) I enjoy learning English and I think it would be good to have a qualification to show my level TEST - SPEAKING PART  Tests ability: to speak at length coherently, use language to describe, compare and contrast and comment upon a topic  Part of the FCE Speaking test lasts between minutes (6 minutes for groups of three) The examiner gives you two photographs and your partner a different pair of photographs You have to speak about your two photos without interruption for about minute and also answer a question about your partner's photographs when he or she has finished their long turn TEST - SPEAKING PART Example Task The interview will begin with the examiner saying something like: Q: In this part of the test I'm going to give each of you two photographs I'd like you to talk about your photographs on your own for about minute and also to answer a short question about your partner's photographs Q: (Candidate A), here are your photographs They show people participating in sporting activities Q: I'd like you to compare the two photographs and say why sport is important to people Q: All right? TEST - SPEAKING PART Notice there are TWO instructions here: first to 'compare' the two photographs and also 'to say why' sport is important to people In Part candidates need to show they can compare but also give an opinion TEST - SPEAKING PART TEST - SPEAKING PART The examiner will then ask Candidate B a short question about these photographs Q: Thank you (Candidate A) (Candidate B) which sport would you most like to try? Candidate B will then their long turn with a different set of photographs and at the end, Candidate A will be asked a short question TEST - SPEAKING PART Tips! Listen to the instructions carefully and make sure you know what you have to talk about If you don't understand the instructions you should ask the examiner to repeat them: "Excuse me, could you say that again?" "I'm sorry, but would you mind repeating that?" TEST - SPEAKING PART 2 The question will help you with the structure of your talk A) Start with a general summary of the topic: 'These two photographs show people involved in a sport.' B) Then move on to a comparison of the two pictures, using words to help explain the comparison: TEST - SPEAKING PART Both photographs were taken outside and each of the people are concentrating hard on what they're doing 'The top photo shows a woman rock climbing while the bottom photo is of a young skating It looks like the woman is out in the natural world whereas the boy is in a man-made skating park etc.' TEST - SPEAKING PART C) Finally give your opinion with examples, again using signposting words and expressions to help the examiner follow your argument 'In my opinion, sport is important for people in lots of ways For example, it's a way to keep fit of course, but we also meet new people and can get a lot of enjoyment from a sport etc.' TEST - SPEAKING PART Tests ability: to use language to discuss, express an opinion, to agree and disagree, speculate and evaluate etc In Part of the test, which lasts about minutes, the examiner will give both candidates instructions and a set of visuals and the candidates will have to try to reach some form of agreement TEST - SPEAKING PART The examiner will say something like: Q: Now, I'd like you to talk about something together for about minutes Q: I'd like you to imagine that you are planning a week-long touring holiday with your partner around the country that you're studying in You want to see as much as possible but don't want to spend too much money on transport Look at the types of transport shown in the photographs Q: First talk to each other about how useful each of these forms of transport might be for your holiday Then decide which one would be best Q: All right? TEST - SPEAKING PART TEST - SPEAKING PART Tips! It will help both yourself and your partner if you work together collaboratively on this task Be prepared to ask your partner for his or her opinion rather than simply stating your own For example: 'What you think?' 'How about you?' 'Do you think ?' TEST - SPEAKING PART Tips! Listen carefully' to what your partner says and respond to comments he or she makes to help the discussion flow For example: 'Do/Have/Are you?' 'Don't/Haven't/Aren't you?' 'Do you think so? 'Really?‘ If you disagree try expressing this politely For example: 'I see what you mean but ' 'I can see your point but ' 'But don't you think ' TEST - SPEAKING PART Tips! Use expressions to allow yourself time to think For example: 'That's a good question.' 'Well, let me think ' 'It's difficult to say ' You'll possibly find you don't understand something your partner has said If this happens, take control with simple questions like those below to help you deal positively with the situation This will also give you the chance to impress the examiner with your communication skills TEST - SPEAKING PART Tips! Tests ability: to use language to express and justify an opinion, to agree and disagree etc In Part of the test, which lasts about minutes, the examiner will join both candidates in a discussion about the general topic that appeared in Part TEST - SPEAKING PART Example Questions Q: Which sports are popular with young people in your country? Q: Some people say people don't participate in sport as much as they should Do you think this is true? Q: Do you think team sports are more fun than individuial sports TEST - SPEAKING PART Tips Again, as with earlier sections of the test, avoid short, 'yes', 'no' answers to the examiner's questions Continue to work with your partner Respond constructively and show interest in things he or she says Your comments - Hindu women wear nose rings as a sign of chastity - The atmosphere becomes pure around the nose Your comments Why women choose to wear makeup - To enhance their natural beauty If a woman has pretty eyes, she may use eyeliner to make them stand out more - To hide some deficiencies After a night of little sleep, a woman may have dark circles under her eyes Her wellapplied makeup can hide them right away Why women choose to wear makeup -To give her face a more youthful appearance She may use makeup to hide lines, blemishes, and age spots - To give them confidence The first thing a person usually notices is a woman's face If it has been enhanced with skillfully applied makeup, a woman often feels ready for the world Comments Only bad women use heavy make-up to attract men We would consider them immoral I think I’d be interested to talk to someone who’s got a lot of tattoos to find out the story behind each tattoo, find out why they did it and what it means for them Comments I think old people who get their hair dyed want to be younger than their ages As far as I am concerned, those who are not thinking about themselves never look at themselves in the mirror every morning BELIEFS If you swallow a seed a plant will grow inside you You can get pregnant from kissing I believe that women are born to be loved and respected BELIEFS I have a belief that my life depends largely on my fate God saves our life I believe that one should not fall in love while being a student I hold a belief that marriage should be a five-year renewable contract not a life long commitment Vietnamese Superstitions A Vietnamese man tries to borrow money to buy lottery tickets because he dreamed of a food the night before An old Vietnamese grandfather believes the charm of a certain necklace could chase away evil spirits and he may give it to his grandson to protect the boy An businessman does not start his new business on the fifth day of the lunar month because he believes that particular date brings him bad luck Vietnamese Superstitions A Vietnamese man tries not to leave his house when he sees a female passing by his gate Many Vietnamese men avoid eating dog meat on certain dates of the lunar months Some Vietnamese mothers ask their daughters not to wear white shirts to go out at nights Now Your Turns…… In groups of five, discuss some more Vietnamese superstitions Remember that the superstitions could come from your region, your experience, or your culture Explain why…… Why you usually give children money on Lunar New Year? Why Vietnamese people always pay off all their debts before Lunar New Year? Why Vietnamese never let any person who has just got some bad luck step into their house during Lunar New Year? Why Vietnamese people prefer children to be their firstfooters during Lunar New Year? Explain why…… Why Vietnamese people believe if it rains during the wedding, it means prosperity and happiness for the newlyweds? Why Vietnamese people believe breaking something during the wedding reception brings bad luck to the newlyweds? Why should you usually go shopping from lunchtime onwards? Explain why…… Why Vietnamese people believe the dead must be buried in their homeland? Why Vietnamese people believe that the 5th, 14th and 23rd dates of the month are not lucky days? Why should you usually avoid eating bananas before your examinations? We think about some interesting things related to superstitions On such occasions as marriages, funerals and moving house, people will try to choose a propitious date On the Vietnamese New Year, people believe that the first person who visits their home during 'Tet' has a bearing on their welfare for the whole year, and those who sweep the floor on the first three days of this festive occasion might sweep away their wealth We think about some interesting things related to superstitions As for other things such as setting out for an examination or embarking on a business venture, people will try to avoid "crossing the path of a woman“ I remember when I was on my way to sitting for any important examination, my father would keep a watch out in the street for any women who might happen to cross my path, for fear that bad luck may dog me We think about some interesting things related to superstitions Vietnamese people believe that if you are unlucky in gambling, you will be lucky in love According to the Vietnamese customs, you should never give the newborn baby a good praise because it could invite the attention of demon and ghosts We think about some interesting things related to superstitions In the morning of the baby’s 30th day, sacrifices are offered to the gods so that the gods will care for the baby in his following life Furthermore, in the morning of the baby’s 30th day, it is also the time to inform officially to all ancestors that the new member of the family so they will protect the newborn baby DECISIONS Think about the most important decisions you have to make in your life - Choosing a school/university Choosing friends Leaving home Choosing a life-long partner Deciding to have children Choosing a job Deciding to change career Breaking up with your partner Moving house MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS Which would you rather be- a man or a woman? Would you prefer a year in prison or a year completely alone on a beautiful desert island? What would you prefer to do? Not to eat for days or not to sleep for three days? What you want- a beautiful house but kilometers from anywhere or a small house near everything you want? If you had to spend a month in Siberia or a month in Sahara, which would you prefer? MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS Imagine this- you can either be very rich but full of regrets and with no hope, or poor but full of hope You can either be taller and less intelligent or shorter and more intelligent Which is going to be? If you could have two weeks visiting 10 different towns or weeks in one particular interesting city, which kind of holiday would you go for? Would you rather you had 20 exciting eventful years ahead of you, or 40 fairly routine years? MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS 10 Which would you rather lose- your sense of taste or sense of smell? 11 Choose between being extremely ugly and very intelligent, or incredibly beautiful but particularly stupid? 12 Would you prefer to never see your family again, or never see any of your partners again? Example Outline Thesis Statement: It does not seem to be a good idea to add new universities to the system of higher education due to the staffing and financial difficulties Topic Sentence 1: The new universities will experience staffing problems Topic Sentence 2: In addition to recruitment problems, small town universities will have financial difficulties Refutation: It is argued that the establishment of a university in a developing town will contribute to the development of local culture, community and economy Concluding Statement: In short, despite the predicted cultural, communal and economic benefits, the establishment of new universities in a developing town will have problems with teaching staffs and finance Introductory Paragraph Your introduction should:  Introduce the topic with a general statement  State why it is important  State there is a difference of opinion about this topic  Thesis statement must state what YOUR claim is and can include the “parts” of the argument you are going to state Example Introductory Paragraph There has been much discussion about the use of nuclear power ever since the first reactor was built People who support nuclear power think that it provides a cheap and effective means of supplying energy needs However, in reality it is not cheap at all and the dangers are well-known after the accidents at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island The fact is that nuclear power is a tried, tested and failed technology Because of its cost, risk and alternatives, the building of nuclear reactors should not continue Example Introductory Paragraph In a material-based community, there is a very close connection between one person's success and his income For this reason, it is assumed that a large income equals success I believe, however, that success is more than how much money one person makes Some of those measures of success include fame, respect and knowledge Example Introductory Paragraph Each person has to experience a number of stages during his own life but his childhood years have certainly exerted a great influence on the later life stages no matter what he becomes I completely agree that a person's childhood years are the most important because these are the years that form us During the years we learn about relationships, begin our formal education, and develop our moral sense of right and wrong Example Introductory Paragraph “The responsibility for the environment rests with the individual and not only with the government.”  To what extent you agree or disagree with this opinion?  Example Introductory Paragraph Environmental protection has become a matter of great concerns in recent years The question arises whether the government should be fully responsible for protecting the environment or the individuals should share the responsibility with the government I really believe that the responsibility for protecting the environment should be taken by both the individuals and the government because the joint responsibility will raise the public awareness and create more funds from different social organizations Example Introductory Paragraph “Because of the pressure of new subjects such as business studies, many schools have dropped sport or physical education (PE) from the curriculum How important is sport or PE in a young person’s education?” Example Introductory Paragraph  It is true that increasing pressure on schools today to prepare their students to work in the 21st century As a result, physical education is losing ground on the school curriculum to employmentrelated subjects like business While many believe this shift is inevitable, I would argue that physical education is a vital part of the school program and thus should be maintained Sports and PE add variety to the curriculum, broaden the students’ experience and teach essential life skills Example Introductory Paragraph It is right that college graduates earn higher salaries than the less well-educated in the community, but they should also pay the full cost of their study Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Example Introductory Paragraph The discussion about the earning power of college graduates and the less well-educated community is an endless one The question arises whether college graduates should earn higher salaries compared to those who not undergo tertiary education I am most inclined to agree that college graduates should earn higher salaries because college graduates are more mentally developed, flexible and in need of the financial imbursement Body Paragraphs     Arguments for: The reasons “parts” of your thesis statement will be in your body paragraphs Give clear arguments for your claim with support (examples, statistics, explanations, etc.) Use transition words as you move from paragraph to paragraph (Firstly, secondly, furthermore, in addition, moreover, finally) You can also use any of the transitions from the other essay types as long as they are appropriate for your argument (You may want to compare/contrast things, give reasons/results, descriptions, definitions etc.) Example Body Paragraphs    Most people assume that famous people are rich people, but that is not always true For example, some day I would like to be famous in my field as a professor of English, I will still only make a professor's salary, which by Vietnamese standards will not mean that I am rich Still, I will feel myself to be successful if I am well-known In addition, there are a great number of humanitarians who are not wealthy Mother Theresa was one interesting example Certainly, no one would say she was not successful I also have a strong belief that being respected by coworkers indicates success Without that respect, money means little For instance, I once did some work for a top lawyer in a law firm He made a very good salary, but he was not a nice man No one ever did work for him willingly He ordered everyone around, and we did not respect him In contrast, I had a band director in high school who had to extra jobs just to make enough money to support his family His students showed great respect to him and always listened to what he said As a result, we were a very good band In my opinion, my band director was more successful than the lawyer was Finally, no one can deny that one of the most important indicators of success is knowledge Wealthy people not always know all the answers, and sometimes pay others to what they cannot Similarly, in the movie Good Will Hunting, the only person who could solve some complex problems was the janitor He knew a lot and decided what he wanted to with that knowledge rather than just think about money In my opinion, he was extremely successful Example Body Paragraphs 1.1 Most people assume that famous people are rich people, but that is not always true For example, some day I would like to be famous in my field as a professor of English, I will still only make a professor's salary, which by Vietnamese standards will not mean that I am rich Still, I will feel myself to be successful if I am well-known In addition, there are a great number of humanitarians who are not wealthy Mother Theresa was one interesting example Certainly, no one would say she was not successful Example Body Paragraphs 1.2 I also have a strong belief that being respected by coworkers indicates success Without that respect, money means little For instance, I once did some work for a top lawyer in a law firm He made a very good salary, but he was not a nice man No one ever did work for him willingly He ordered everyone around, and we did not respect him In contrast, I had a band director in high school who had to extra jobs just to make enough money to support his family His students showed great respect to him and always listened to what he said As a result, we were a very good band In my opinion, my band director was more successful than the lawyer was Example Body Paragraphs 1.3 Finally, no one can deny that one of the most important indicators of success is knowledge Wealthy people not always know all the answers, and sometimes pay others to what they cannot Similarly, in the movie Good Will Hunting, the only person who could solve some complex problems was the janitor He knew a lot and decided what he wanted to with that knowledge rather than just think about money In my opinion, he was extremely successful Example Body Paragraphs No doubt, the early years are the time when we learn about relationships, first with our family, then with the rest of the world We learn how to respond to others based on the way the others treat us If we are loved, we will learn how to love On the contrary, if we are treated harshly, we learn to treat others in the same way We also form the ideas about selfworth based on the way others treat us during the years They can teach us that we are worthless, or they can show us that we deserve to love and respect  These are years when we begin our formal education In school we learn the basic skills of reading, writing, and working with numbers Those are skills that we will use throughout our lives We also learn how to analyze and use information This is perhaps the most important thing we learn during these years Presumably, these are skills that will always be useful for the rest of our lives  Most important, from my point of view, we develop our moral sense of right and wrong during these years At first others teach us about good and bad As we grow, we begin to decide for ourselves During this time we also begin to develop self-discipline to live according to our moral criteria  Example Body Paragraphs 2.1  No doubt, the early years are the time when we learn about relationships, first with our family, then with the rest of the world We learn how to respond to others based on the way the others treat us If we are loved, we will learn how to love On the contrary, if we are treated harshly, we learn to treat others in the same way We also form the ideas about self-worth based on the way others treat us during the years They can teach us that we are worthless, or they can show us that we deserve to love and respect Example Body Paragraphs 2.2 These are years when we begin our formal education In school we learn the basic skills of reading, writing, and working with numbers Those are skills that we will use throughout our lives We also learn how to analyze and use information This is perhaps the most important thing we learn during these years Presumably, these are skills that will always be useful for the rest of our lives Example Body Paragraphs 2.3 Most importantly, from my point of view, we develop our moral sense of right and wrong during these years At first others teach us about good and bad things As we grow, we begin to decide for ourselves During this time we also begin to develop self-discipline to live according to our moral criteria Refutation Paragraph  This is also used to support your claim  Use the counter arguments to show that your idea is the stronger one  Do not focus only on the opposing ideas Refutation Paragraph THREE methods to refute an argument: A Show that the other side's arguments are incorrect B Show that the other arguments are irrelevant C Show that the other side's arguments, although true and relevant, are not enough Useful words and phrases When you can think of the opposing opinion but you have not seen it written anywhere: It could be claimed may be asserted that However, might be argued Useful words and phrases contd When you have seen the opposing opinion written in another text: claimed It has been asserted that However, argued Useful words and phrases contd When you have seen the opposing opinion written in another text: claimed It has been asserted that However, argued Useful words and phrases contd Opponents of the idea say that…….There may be some truth in their argument, however, it can not be denied that… Those who disagree point out that… Perhaps this is true, but it can not be denied that… Those who disagree point out that….This point has some merits on its surface However,… Others may argue that…, I find it hard to agree because… Example Refutation Some people might claim that there is no real alternative to a new generation of nuclear reactors However, combined heat and power units, which generate electricity, are already economical for large houses or blocks of flats and smaller units will be on the market next year Local generation of electricity eliminates the enormous losses of wasted heat in electricity generation by fossil fuels or nuclear reactors Wind turbines and solar cells on the roof can also provide home solutions and will become more economical as costs come down with mass production Example Refutation It has been claimed that students should be required to wear uniforms to make the school environment more interesting Perhaps this is true, but it can not be denied that whether a school environment is interesting or not depends on a number of factors including teaching methods, extra-curricular activities other than student’s uniforms In fact, the main purpose of school is to provide an environment for students to learn and obtain knowledge and skills, not a place to show their fashions Example Refutation Some people may argue that the role of teachers started to fade because computers have helped some students to make more progress in their studies compared with a traditional classroom Example Refutation Some people may argue that the role of teachers started to fade because computers have helped some students to make greater progress in their studies compared with a traditional classroom Perhaps this is true, but it can not be denied that the presence of a teacher is essential for students because the human contact influences them in positive ways Actually, students realize that they are not dealing with a machine but with a human being who deserves attention and respect Moreover, teachers are required in the learning process because they acknowledge some student's deficiencies and help them to solve their problems by repeating the same explanation, giving extra exercises or even suggesting a private tutor Hence, students can avoid failing in a subject Example Refutation It has been argued that parents should pass on their values to their children Example Refutation It has been argued that parents should pass on their values to their children However, things have changed quickly The children of today are growing up in a world different from their parents' world Sometimes parents, especially older ones, can not keep up with rapid social or technological changes The students who have friends of different races at school may find that their parents have narrower views Other students who love computers may find that their parents are unable to understand or value the digital revolution Example Refutation It has been argued that Studying a language in a country where it is widely spoken has many advantages Example Refutation It has been argued that parents should pass on their values to their children This point has some merits on its surface However, most students in non-English-speaking countries now learn English at secondary schools, and sometimes at universities in their countries Although their spoken English is not usually of a very high standard, their knowledge of grammar is often quite advanced In addition, studying basic English at domestic secondary schools is less stressful than learning the language abroad This is because students living at home not have to worry about problems such as finding accommodation, paying for their study and living costs, and trying to survive in a foreign country Concluding paragraph Your conclusion should:  Restate the main claim  Present one or two general sentences which accurately summarise your arguments which support the main premise  Provide a general warning of the consequences of not following the premise that you put forward and/or a general statement of how the community will benefit from following that premise Example Concluding paragraph To summarize, in my personal view, teachers will play an important role in the classroom activities, especially at the primary level No matter how complex and effective computers become, there will be no replacement for the human interaction, except for the way how this interaction takes place Example Concluding paragraph  In conclusion, even though it is preferable to study English in an English-speaking country, a reasonable level of English can be achieved in one’s own country, if a student is gifted and dedicated to study Example Concluding paragraph In conclusion, nuclear technology certainly has positive uses, but is dangerous However, it would have been better if it had never been used to create nuclear weapons If life on Earth is to continue, all the nuclear nation of the world should agree to disarm as soon as possible Example Concluding paragraph In conclusion, the effects of television on teenagers are just too harmful to ignore Teenagers need to get away from television and out into the real world Instead of sitting in front of a black box, they should be meeting people, playing sports, doing homework, and developing their talents Example Concluding paragraph It can be concluded that individuals must take responsibility for the environment, otherwise it will soon be too late, and we and the next generation will suffer serious consequences Concluding paragraph Exercise In today's competitive world, many families find it necessary for both parents to go out to work While some say the children in these families benefit from the additional income, others feel they lack support because of their parents' absence Concluding paragraph Exercise In conclusion, we cannot change the fact that both parents have to work nowadays It is not an ideal situation, but if parents make time for their children in the evenings and at the weekends, the children will not suffer in any way It must be stated that the extra income generated by both parents working, makes for a higher standard of living which benefits the whole family Concluding paragraph Exercise In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to this Concluding paragraph Exercise In summary, young people should be encouraged to broaden their horizons That is the best way for them to get a clear perspective of what they are hoping to with their lives and why Students with such a perspective are usually the most effective and motivated ones and taking a year off may be the best way to gain this Concluding paragraph Exercise Governments should make more effort to promote alternative sources of energy To what extent you agree or disagree with this opinion? Concluding paragraph Exercise In conclusion, I believe that, if governments forced everyone to have a wind turbine and solar panels on the building they live in, made more use of wave power and built more nuclear power stations, they would manage to avoid the dangers that are seriously threatening the Earth Concluding paragraph Exercise In some countries, marriages are arranged by the parents but in other cases, people choose their own marriage partner What kind of marriage you prefer? And why? Concluding paragraph Exercise In conclusion, although it is always better when families support the relationship and welcome the grandchildren, arranged marriages have some disadvantages The important thing to ensure is that people are never forced into a marriage which will make them unhappy or lead to an unequal relationship where one partner is exploited by the other This applies in all societies and situations Concluding paragraph Exercise Many people say that the only way to guarantee getting a good job is to complete a course of university education Others claim that it is better to start work after school and gain experience in the world of work How far you agree or disagree with the above views? Concluding paragraph Exercise In conclusion, it is possible to get a good job without going to university However, some professions such as lawyers, teachers and doctors require you to have a degree Therefore, a university degree could potentially open more doors for you when you are looking for a job Your turn Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "Only people who earn a great amount of money are successful." Use specific reasons and examples to support your argument Introduction In a material-based community, there is a very close connection between one person's success and his income For this reason, it is assumed that a large income equals success I believe, however, that success is more than how much money one person makes Some of those measures of success include fame, respect and knowledge Body Most people assume that famous people are rich people, but that is not always true For example, some day I would like to be famous in my field as a professor of English, I will still only make a professor's salary, which by Vietnamese standards will not mean that I am rich Still, I will feel myself to be successful if I am well-known In addition, there are a great number of humanitarians who are not wealthy Mother Theresa was one interesting example Certainly, no one would say she was not successful Body I also have a strong belief that being respected by coworkers indicates success Without that respect, money means little For instance, I once did some work for a top lawyer in a law firm He made a very good salary, but he was not a nice man No one ever did work for him willingly He ordered everyone around, and we did not respect him In contrast, I had a band director in high school who had to extra jobs just to make enough money to support his family His students showed great respect to him and always listened to what he said As a result, we were a very good band In my opinion, my band director was more successful than the lawyer was Body Finally, no one can deny that one of the most important indicators of success is knowledge Wealthy people not always know all the answers, and sometimes pay others to what they cannot Similarly, in the movie Good Will Hunting, the only person who could solve some complex problems was the janitor He knew a lot and decided what he wanted to with that knowledge rather than just think about money In my opinion, he was extremely successful Conclusion It can be concluded that in history, there are few people who have been remembered simply because they were rich Overall, we remember people who have devoted their lives to meaningful things for life In fact, they were influential in politics, or contributed to science, art and religion If history is the ultimate judge of success, money surely is not everything Your turn Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "Technology has made our life better." Use specific reasons and examples to support your argument Introduction Our modern life has witnessed the advancement of technology in recent decades Many people believe that technology has made our life better in many ways However, in my opinion, it has made our life more complicated for many reasons Technology could be expensive to buy and difficult to use and to repair Body Technology is not very cheap The more we depend on technology in our life, the more money we have to spend on the technology Everyone in our modern society is eager to have a multi-system VCR player, a digital camera or a DVD player Even though these things might be considered luxuries, an increasing number of people want to own them In addition, some technology is more than a luxury For example, teachers nowadays expect their students to have computers at home for their schoolwork Parents have to buy the latest computers so that their children can keep up with their classmates This can be a real hardship for many families Body Technology is not always easy to use In fact, it is getting more and more complicated The modern computers can more things than those made just five or ten years ago This means that far more things that computers users have to learn how to Even a simple way of using a VCR to record a movie takes some practice and learning Body Technology is hard to repair If an average person has a problem with his computer or DVD player, he probably does not know how to fix it himself He is likely to spend time and money taking it to a place to get fixed In the past, a large number of people enjoyed doing routine maintenance work on their cars Modern technology has made today's cars, especially computer-controlled cars, more complicated It is harder for the drivers to learn how to repair and maintain them Conclusion In summary, although some people may argue that technology has made our life easier, in reality technology has bothered its users in many ways Actually, modern technology can cost us a large amount of money and time and can add more complications to our life Therefore, the users should think very carefully before deciding to buy a modern technological device Your turn Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "A person's childhood years are the most of important years of a person's life." Use specific reasons and examples to support your argument Introduction Each person has to experience a number of stages during his own life but his childhood years have certainly exerted a great influence on the later life stages no matter what he becomes I completely agree that a person's childhood years are the most important because these are years that form us During the years we learn about relationships, begin our formal education, and develop our moral sense of right and wrong Body No doubt, the early years are the time when we learn about relationships, first with our family, then with the rest of the world We learn how to respond to others based on the way the others treat us If we are loved, we will learn how to love On the contrary, if we are treated harshly, we learn to treat others in the same way We also form the ideas about self-worth based on the way others treat us during the years They can teach us that we are worthless, or they can show us that we deserve to love and respect Body These are years when we begin our formal education In school we learn the basic skills of reading, writing, and working with numbers Those are skills that we will use throughout our lives We also learn how to analyze and use information This is perhaps the most important thing we learn during these years Presumably, these are skills that will always be useful for the rest of our lives Body Most important, from my point of view, we develop our moral sense of right and wrong during these years At first others teach us about good and bad As we grow, we begin to decide for ourselves During this time we also begin to develop self-discipline to live according to our moral criteria Conclusion I believe a person grows and changes throughout many stages of life The development and changes could depend mainly on his surrounding environment However, no matter what the environment is, the foundation is laid in those first few years of life EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE MARRIED - Children living with married parents tend to be much safer than children living with single parents because they are statistically less likely to be aborted and less likely to be abused or neglected EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE MARRIED - Compared to children in single-parent families, children raised in married-parent homes have better emotional and physical health and engage in fewer risky behaviors, such as premarital sex and suicide EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE MARRIED - Married people have better emotional and physical health and statistically live longer than unmarried people - Married couples have greater incomes than single adults, and the longer they stay married, the more wealth they accumulate EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE MARRIED - Married couples enjoy greater sexual satisfaction than unmarried people because they tend to be more secure with one another - Married women are safer than unmarried women Never-married, cohabiting, separated, and divorced women experience higher rates of domestic violence than married women EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE MARRIED - Married couples enjoy greater sexual satisfaction than unmarried people because they tend to be more secure with one another - Married women are safer than unmarried women Never-married, cohabiting, separated, and divorced women experience higher rates of domestic violence than married women EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE MARRIED Marriage makes homes safer places to live, because it can avoid social problems such as domestic violence and child abuse Communities with more married-parent families are safer and more attractive places to live, because they are less likely to have crime among young people EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE MARRIED Married people are more likely to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens, which benefits businesses in particular and the economy in general Married people are more emotionally and financially stable and goal-oriented They tend to be more committed to the relationship than single or cohabitating people EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE MARRIED - By getting married women avoid the cultural stigma of being single - Married people enjoy the satisfaction of caring for someone else in a way that single people often never experience - Married people enjoy the satisfaction of caring for someone else in a way that single people often never experience EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE MARRIED - In an extended family married people have a much larger support base if their needs arise - Married people are often extended greater credit because of dual incomes and combined credit ratings - The courtship process that leads to the marriage is an important growth phase that is viewed by most people as extremely rewarding and satisfying EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE SINGLE  No need to compromise with choices  Freedom  No to whatever pleases you need to bother about forgetting important days EXPLORING IDEAS IT IS BETTER TO BE SINGLE         Fewer responsibilities More Freedom More time for friends and hobbies Fewer expenses and more money in hand to spend Less Stress No sharing of space or belongings More time to concentrate on career or studies No one to interfere with life EXPLORING IDEAS Without You What would I be without you? Without you I would be like: The ocean without water The night sky minus the stars The world without people The pen without ink Living without a heart Without you my life would not be complete EXPLORING IDEAS Women should depend on men Women are smaller and weaker than men so women and their children are easy to become the victims of attackers, and violence EXPLORING IDEAS Women should depend on men Women have always been seen as the weaker sex Women cannot pull large loads, fix cars, or build homes In the eyes of a man females are laughable EXPLORING IDEAS Women should depend on men Girls learn to get married and have children This causes their mind to focus on finding a man in their life instead of school Education turns into the second detail Finding a man fit for marriage is first While working or studying, she looks for a good man who fits her standards EXPLORING IDEAS Women should depend on men Girls learn to get married and have children This causes their mind to focus on finding a man in their life instead of school Education turns into the second detail Finding a man fit for marriage is first While working or studying, she looks for a good man who fits her standards EXPLORING IDEAS Women should depend on men Girls learn to get married and have children This causes their mind to focus on finding a man in their life instead of school Education turns into the second detail Finding a man fit for marriage is first While working or studying, she looks for a good man who fits her standards EXPLORING IDEAS Women should depend on men Women tend to give up a lot of freedom in order to have children and be taken care of by men They give up their right for equal pay and opportunities in the workplace They are usually the ones who stay home or work parttime so that they can take care of the children EXPLORING IDEAS Women should depend on men Women are created weak and dependent upon men for the purpose of keeping them in their own homes in which they must work for future generations by bearing children and training them for the future EXPLORING IDEAS Women should depend on men A man thinks more of his wife and daughters than he does of his life and will sacrifice it at any time for their preservation He only wishes that he could more for them than he is able to EXPLORING IDEAS Women should depend on men A woman was made from the rib of man, she was not created from his head to top him, nor from his feet to be stepped upon She was made from his side to be close to him, to be at his side all the time (for good or bad), from beneath his arm to be protected by him, from near his heart to be loved by him EXPLORING IDEAS Women should not depend on men Women, in their nature are soft, and this is good for them and good for men, and therefore, God has created them in such a way to complete each other, and not to compete with each other EXPLORING IDEAS Women should not depend on men Women, in their nature are soft, and this is good for them and good for men, and therefore, God has created them in such a way to complete each other, and not to compete with each other