SPEAKING PART 1

1. Introduction

1.1. Work or Study

1.1.1. Are you a student or are you working?

1.1.1.1. Currently, I work as a Project Manager at FWD Vietnam Insurance Company, major in Analyst Business. I have 3 main responsibilities. To begin with, collecting requirements from business users. Next, I will analyze requirements or make the questionnaires to get further information. Then I will discuss with the development team to implement the software. In conclusion, the application is built to support users and data can be stored more confidentially.

1.1.2. Why did you choose this subject?

1.1.2.1. Well, I have graduated from Information Technology Department, major in Software Engineering. The reason why I decided on this subject is that I did not know anything about the computer and how it works or how the software is installed in it. Moreover, the development of all countries throughout the world and life gets more and more modern, Information Technology has an upward trend on the social so I will have many opportunities and challenges to get a decent job and learn more from technology and co-workers.

1.1.3. Do you like your job?

1.1.3.1. Well, definitely yes. You know, I work as a Business Analyst in a multinational company. Hence, working certainly broadens my horizons because I take a holistic approach to a variety of new businesses, or I have an opportunity to apply for the relocation offer to another country. Besides, the company's benefits, which offer me well, such as health care service for the whole family and the high salary, help me get a higher quality standard of living. So for all the reasons, I am really grateful for my job.

1.1.4. Is there anything you don't like your job?

1.1.4.1. Well, as you know, any job has some advantages and disadvantage (bất cứ công việc nào cũng có mặt tốt và mặt chưa tốt), and my job is implementation to develop the software. Hence, there are some changes during this period and affect to timelines of projects. So, I am facing the change of Project Plan or Business Requirements, and I must work overtime or at weekends with my colleagues (co-workers) to release the software on time.

1.1.5. What are the advantages of studying instead of working?

1.1.5.1. In my opinion, studying is a wonderful time in my life and is the only way to learn about other fields and update my knowledge too. Moreover, educational qualification plays an important role in getting ahead. On the other hand, studying wisely will help you to find a decent job easily and the expertise skills that you get from education will support your career path.

1.1.6. What do you like about your job?

1.1.6.1. WELL, I work as a Business Analyst so the new business requirements has attracted me since I graduated and applied CV (Curriculum Vitae) in this job. They created a huge impression in me and ever since I have developed a love towards that analyzing requirements. It broadens my horizons when I have approach a variety of fields as banking, education, medical and insurance. So that is the reasons that I like my job.

1.1.7. Why do you find the most interesting aspect about your subject?

1.1.7.1. You know, Information Technology is one of the most popular fields in our life and variety of useful software is produced to contribute in the numerical management trend and I find it interesting to study the subject that I chose.

1.1.8. Why do you dislike about your subject/study?

1.1.8.1. Honestly, when I was a high school student, the subject that I really hated was literature. First of all, I studied well/ was good at natural science, that was why I always got five scores for literature but maximum ones for math. The second reason was also the most critical factor that impacted negatively on my writing skill. I remember that I had to write unreal things in my essays. For example, Dalat is a city which I have never been to before but I had to describe it by my imagination via what I read in newspapers or watched on TV. You know that I couldn’t write well when the lack of experience always stopped my ideas. That explains why I disliked literature.

1.1.9. What do you hope to do after your graduation?

1.1.9.1. I would prefer to work in a multinational company that will offer me a position related to my academic background and have a positive working environment to learn and explore new things. I would not worry too much about my designation and initial salary but the company must have sufficient scope for my career enhancement.

1.1.10. What are your ambitions for the future?

1.1.10.1. To be honest, I have a plan to apply for the relocation offer to Canada of my company in the future and my son can go with me. You know, studying abroad and acquiring the International Culture to become a global citizen are all my aims with my son, so that is why I always try my best to get good performance related to job offers.

2. Place

2.1. Hometown

2.1.1. What kind of place is it?

2.1.1.1. My hometown is Danang city which is located in the middle of Vietnam. Danang has the many beautiful beaches with the sand....(bãi cát mịn và nước biển trong xanh) and many visited places that attracted variety of the foreign tourists every year. As one of the Geographical location is unfavorable and the harsh weather, my hometown gets the storms or flood in rain season.

2.1.2. What is the most interesting part of your hometown?

2.1.2.1. I suppose it might be the Hoi An Province, the most ancient part of my hometown. If people, especially foreign tourists come here, they will have a chance to immerse themselves in a traditional culture and close the nature with the friendly lifestyle and special local foods of residents at here, which they can hardly find in other regions of other hometown.

2.1.3. What kind of jobs do people in your town/ village do?

2.1.3.1. Well, as you know, my hometown is Danang which is the middle of Vietnam. So there is a wide range of jobs for people, mainly agriculture and travelling. I mean, with the advantage of having a lot of beaches so going fishing is the major job in the rural which helps to improve the finance for fisherman. Meanwhile, the tourism has increasing significantly so the hand-made souvenirs are also the job in my hometown.

2.1.4. Is your hometown changing?

2.1.4.1. Yes, of course, every day. With the investment and development to expand the city which gets more convenience and modern life for citizens. The public transport system is being upgraded and skyscrapers are springing up like mushrooms. Besides, there are more coffee shops and luxury restaurants are opened along the Han River.

2.1.4.2. There have been considerable changes in the area. The most significant one is that there are more residential buildings than ever. I don’t really like it when my city is gradually becoming a concrete jungle and all the big trees on the roads have been cut down to make space for more shopping malls, which makes the summer even hotter and hotter. Besides, there has been a surge in the number of cars, which has made the city more polluted and caused serious congestion.

2.1.5. Would you say it is a good place to live in? Why?

2.1.6. What changes would you like to make to your hometown?

2.1.7. What are the advantages of living in your hometown?

2.1.7.1. Let’s see. See food is the first thing that comes to my mind. Danang is famous for its yummy see food, so one of the benefits of living here is the chance to immerse myself in its special cuisine. Another thing is the nightlife, people will never feel bored in Danang, with different places to chill out at night like river sightseeing by ship or enjoy the fresh air at the beaches or view multiple color lighting of beautiful bridges.

2.1.8. Is your major a popular major in your country?

2.1.9. What are some problems that your hometown is faced with?

2.1.10. Compare your hometown with a nearby city.

2.1.11. What are some environmental problems in your hometown?

2.1.12. Where are you from?

2.1.12.1. Well, my hometown is Da Nang city, which is on the central coast of Vietnam. In my opinion, it is an ideal city to live in thanks to its unique culinary culture with beautiful natural landscapes. Quê hương tôi là thành phố Đà Nẵng, một thành phố ở khu vực duyên hải miền Trung Việt Nam. Theo quan điểm của tôi nó là một thành phố đáng sống nhờ nền văn hóa ẩm thực độc đáo với cảnh quan thiên nhiên tươi đẹp.

2.1.12.2. Well, I come from Danang city. As you know, my home town is the city which is based in the middle of Vietnam. Actually, Danang has the many beautiful beaches with the clean and fine sand beach with pure water has a slight blue (bãi cát mịn và nước biển trong xanh) and many visited places that attached a variety of the foreign tourists every year. To be honest, as one of the Geographical locations is unfavourable and the harsh weather, my hometown gets the storms or flood in rain season.

2.1.13. Is your hometown famous for anthing?

2.1.13.1. Well, it is difficult to tell you about the special thing about my home town because Danang is a well-known city with many beautiful places to visit like Bana Hills or Hoi An Province, which is the most ancient part of my hometown. If people, especially foreign tourists come here, they will have a chance to immerse themselves in traditional culture and be close to nature with the friendly lifestyle and special local foods of residents here, which they can hardly find in other regions of another hometown.

2.1.14. Would you say it 's a fantastic place?

2.1.14.1. Well, have you heard about this sentence "Danang is one of the livable cities in Vietnam" yet? Yeah, it is my hometown and it is pretty interesting to live here. Danang city not only has many beautiful places to visit but also get special local foods of residents here, which they can hardly find in other regions of another hometown.

2.1.15. Would you want to live in your hometown forever?

2.1.15.1. Well, to be honest, I just would like to come back hometown to enjoy my old age. As you know, I am living in HCM city which is the biggest industrial city and it gives me many chances to find a good job and develop myself. Currently, I work as an IT engineer so I prefer to work in a more active and modern environment like HCM city than Danang. And the youth lifestyle might suitable for me than the peaceful in my hometown.

2.1.16. As there any changes you would like to make in your hometown?

2.1.16.1. Well, as you know, Danang is one of the Geographical locations that is unfavourable and the harsh weather, my hometown gets the storms or floods in the rainy season. So it would be worth getting in improve the sewer line (đường ống thoát nước), planting many trees and widening the streets to reduce traffic jams at the cross on the road which goes to the airport.

2.1.17. What do you like the most about the city where you live?

2.1.17.1. If you were me, I believe you would be attracted to HCM City's rapid development. To be honest, I've been here for about two decades and I would say I like everything. But what I like the most maybe its modern style. I mean Ho Chi Minh is an industrial city with the many challenges and opportunities, as well as nice infrastructure for us such as employment opportunities, shopping malls, entertainment venues, and gym locations to improve the health.

2.1.18. What do you dislike the most about the city where you live?

2.1.18.1. As you may be aware, Ho Chi Minh Metropolis is an industrial city with several benefits and drawbacks. To be honest, traffic jams around rush hour are my least favorite thing. The more people who drive, the worse the air pollution and traffic congestion will get.

2.2. Accommodation/Home

2.2.1. Do you live in a flat or a house?

2.2.2. Do you prefer to live in a house or a flat?

2.2.3. Why do you like your home?

2.2.4. Which room do you like the best at home?

2.2.5. What do you usually do in your house?

2.2.5.1. Well, I usually spend some times to clean and redecorate my home at weekends. After changing the arrangement of things in the house, the living space seems to be more bright and pervades (tràn ngập) happiness. Moreover, I also relax by listening to the melody from various instruments like piano or guitar. Sometimes, I also invite the friends to enjoy leisure time with me, we ’ll watch some movies and tell about endless stories together.

2.2.6. Do you have a plan to move to a new house or a flat in the future?

2.2.7. Do you know your neighbors? It is good to know your neighbors?

2.2.8. Do you prefer young or old neighbors?

2.3. Buildings

2.4. City

2.4.1. Do you prefer the city or the countryside? What kind of cities do you like?

2.4.2. Do you like the city you are living now?

2.4.3. Which city have you been recently?

2.4.4. Which cities you want to go?

2.5. Museum

2.6. Park and Garden

2.6.1. Do you often go to a park or a public garden?

2.6.2. How often do you go there?

2.6.3. What do other people do there?

2.6.4. What do you think are the functions of parks and public gardens?

2.6.5. Does your family have a garden?

2.6.6. Do many people in Vietnam have their own garden?

2.6.7. If someone has a private garden in Vietnam, do they usually prefer to grow flowers or vegetables?

2.6.8. Have you ever grown anything? (in a garden, or possibly in a flower pot)

2.6.9. Do Vietnamese people like growing flowers?

2.7. Beaches

2.8. Mountain

2.9. Martket

2.10. Cinema

3. Experience

3.1. Foreign Language Studies

3.1.1. What do you find difficult about learning English?

3.1.1.1. Well, in my opinion, speaking is the most challenging skill. I mean, I can learn the grammar and recognize the pronunciation, but when I try to speak out, I get so nervous (lo lắng) because I am not sure about correct pronunciation or grammar while I am speaking. So, I see that is the principal problem to learn English.

3.1.2. How long have you been learning English

3.1.2.1. I have studied in an English secondary school since my childhood. And then, I have continued learning English, major in IT languages (tiếng Anh chuyên ngành của IT) during the university period. So, overall, I have been learning English for past 16 years but the thorough understanding of English has come to me only while preparing for IELTS.

3.2. Birthday

3.2.1. How do children celebrate birthdays in your country?

3.2.1.1. Well, in Vietnam, parents would buy a big cake, fruits, candies and some gifts for their child and celebrate birthday's party at home with beloved members. The kids also have a party, play some games and have fun together at class with teacher and friends. In recent years, birthday party of child are happened at the pizza 's restaurants or fast food shops like Jollibee or Loteria.

3.3. Travel and Holiday

3.3.1. How do you usually spend your holidays?

3.3.1.1. I go on trips whenever I have holidays. Since, I am into taking pictures of people, places, and cultures of various places. Holidays excite me tremendously. My trips are well planned and budgeted because of the limited finances I can afford. And therefore, I am working extra hours to be able to fund my vacation on my own.

3.3.2. Is there anywhere you would particularly like to visit? Why?

3.3.2.1. Yes. I would like to visit Egypt. They have wonderful ancient monuments and buildings. The history is precious and they have all sorts of Artists who visit the monuments every year. I hope to learn about their rich culture and tradition when I visit.

3.3.3. Have you visited many foreign countries?

3.3.3.1. To be honest, I have not visited any foreign country. I had an opportunity to go on a business trip to Singapore last January. However, this trip still has been delayed until now because of Covid 19 (dịch bệnh Covid bùng phát), which affected the project plan and my company 's development strategy. So I practise English to improve my skills. If I am good at English, I can feel more confident and get ready to go abroad next time.

3.3.4. Do you like travelling?

3.3.4.1. WELL, I go on trips whenever I have holidays. YOU KNOW, I come from Danang city, which is located in the middle of Vietnam. So, if I have a holiday or leave day, Danang is the first place I choose a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life to coastal cities. I believe that we feel comfortable with the beautiful beach, enjoy the fresh air and recharge our energy after a hard-working period. We need to have leisure time by traveling to give us a work-life balance.

3.3.5. What public holidays do you have in your country?

3.3.6. Do you like public holidays?

3.3.7. Which public holidays do you like the most?

3.3.8. What do other people in your country usually do on public holidays?

3.3.9. Do you think public holidays are important?

3.4. Leisure Time

3.4.1. Do you have any hobbies or interests? What are they

3.4.1.1. Yes, I do. I love Photography. It has attracted me since my childhood and the attraction has ever since grew up tremendously. Beautifully captured images always fascinate me. Photography is a passion in itself and needs persistence. To be a good photographer is something that takes years of hard work and I guess, I am halfway there.

3.4.2. How did you become interested in that hobby/interest?

3.4.2.1. When I was in the 5th grade, I had an opportunity to travel to Spain and visit an Art Gallery there. The breathtaking images created a huge impression in me and ever since I have developed a love towards that art form. Museums and Art Galleries are always my priority whenever I visit a new place.

3.4.3. What do you do in your spare time?

3.4.3.1. It varies, I mean, it depends on the amount of free time I have. A few weeks ago, I would normally immerse myself in a light novel during lunch breaks or after dinner, but these days, I’m just too busy with my work that the only thing I crave is some sleep, so all my spare time would be devoted to taking a quick nap.

3.4.4. What do you do to relax?

3.4.4.1. These days, I’ve been suffering from/ severe stress and depression due to the excessive amount of workload I have/, and the only time I can relax is during my 4 – 5 hours of sleep every night. So, it may sound a little bit weird, but the only thing I can do to relax is, sadly, sleep.

3.4.5. How do you spend your time in the evening?

3.4.5.1. It’s the same every day. I just keep running around in circles: going to work, coming back home, working at home then going back to work the next morning. That’s why the evening is, somehow, just another chance for me to satisfy my workaholic self./That’s it.

3.4.6. Do you think modern lifestyles give people enough time for leisure?

3.4.6.1. It’s hard to say. Nowadays, people can have access to more and more entertainment facilities, and these facilities can accommodate our demands for recreation at any time. That’s why it becomes harder to distinguish (differentiate) between working hours and leisure time, which means you can’t really tell whether the current lifestyles can give people an adequate amount of time for leisure.

3.4.7. What do you think is the importance of leisure time in life?

3.4.7.1. Adequate and frequent leisure time keeps our lives balanced. What I mean is if we just stay focused on our work and study without proper relaxation, we would eventually find ourselves exhausted and may suffer from all kinds of mental conditions related to stress, like depression or bipolar disorder. So, I do believe that leisure time plays an integral part in people’s lives.

3.4.8. Do men and women enjoy the same leisure activities?

3.4.8.1. WELL, I don’t think so. YOU KNOW, I believe that men and women are born with distinct characteristics and personalities; therefore, their choices of leisure activities might also differ from each other. For example, while men tend to be involved in sports activities, women prefer shopping or eating with their friends to playing games.

3.4.9. What types of leisure activities are popular in your country?

3.4.9.1. WELL, there is a wide variety of hobbies/ in my country. YOU KNOW, though I think the most popular would be traveling. I MEAN, people can take it easy/ after a long hard-working week. FOR EXAMPLE, a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life/ to coastal cities on weekends/ can help relieve stress. As you know, with current social distance, I hope when I can get back to work and have holiday, I will go to Vung Tau with my family to enjoy the sea air and fresh my metal health.

3.4.10. Why is it important for people to have time for leisure activities?

3.4.10.1. WELL, spending time on leisure activities plays a vital role/ in shaping people’s state of health. YOU KNOW, it helps us recharge our energy/ after an exhausting day./ For example, reading books when you have free time/ helps you become a well-rounded person/ and helps let out some steam ( I mean you can relax) after working/ under a lot of pressure. From my experience, I usually I go to supper market to buy food and cook the delicious for my family and enjoy the meal together. It helps us to maintain relationship.

3.4.11. Why are some leisure activities more popular than others?

3.4.11.1. WELL, it is quite natural that people would prefer some sorts of leisure activities than others. YOU KNOW, I believe that the history and socio-cultural background of a nation influences the type of leisure activities. For example, teenagers in some Asian countries often make kites and fly them while this is not the case in many western countries.

3.4.12. Are there types of leisure activities that are as popular today as those that were popular when your parents were young?

3.4.12.1. No, the popularity of different leisure activities has changed. For example, when our parents were young, activities, like watching TV/movies and visiting famous cafés/restaurants and visiting families/relatives, were more popular. Today, activities like visiting a gym nearby, shopping, and playing video games/ have grown equally popular/ because of technological advancements/ and with increasing awareness/ in health and fashion./

3.4.13. When do you have free time?

3.4.13.1. Well, in actual fact, I suppose I would have to say that it really depends. Like for instance, if I’m not up to my ears in urgent project, then it’s quite possible that I will have time to take my son to kid‘s entertainment place or do outdoor activities in the park which is near my home at weekends. Whereas in contrast, when the final deadline comes, I would hardly to recharge my energy.

3.4.14. Do you think it is important to have leisure time?

3.4.14.1. Well, as a matter of fact, I would like to say yes. With the hustle and bustle of city life, I consider myself as a workaholic, which means that I have less time for beloved ones and the time that I spend for taking care my son or his education makes me stress. So, I really need leisure time to recharge my energy or review myself, it means review my work, my knowledge or relationship or relieve boredom. With the above reasons, I think the leisure time has an important role because when I can take care of myself well, I can take good care of others.

3.4.15. How does that (the way Vietnamese people like to relax) compare with Western countries?

3.4.15.1. Well, in my point of view, the way in which Westerners and Vietnamese people entertain themselves has many aspects in difference. Like for instance, Vietnamese ‘s culture has the trend of family more than themselves, they prefer travelling with beloved ones. Mean while, Westerners can go travelling alone in their leisure time.

3.4.16. Do your friends ever come to your home in their free time?

3.4.16.1. Well, this is intriguing question. Let me see… no. As you know, we come variety of cities or provinces to Ho Chi Minh city to study or work, so major of us rent the room to live with the small area. It is inconvenience to invite our house when we have free time. Instead of, we usually make an appointment at the coffee shop or restaurant to celebrate birthday or relax at weekend. We are excited with this option and enjoy happy time together.

3.4.17. Compare the way people in Vietnam relax today and the way they used to relax years ago?

3.4.17.1. WELL, as the quality of life has improved substantially in recent years. I mean, in general, there have been considerable changes to the way Vietnamese people indulge themselves. YOU KNOW, nowadays, the elders seem to be more enjoyable as they spend their free time with their friends at the coffee shop or luxury restaurant in the special event, or go shopping, compared with visiting each other's home in the past. Talking about teenagers, they are more active with outdoor activities like visiting a gym nearby, playing sports, or hanging out with friends to watch the film in the cinema than staying at home to help their parents with the housework. The children do not make the kites and fly them anymore; instead, they consider high-tech devices as playing video games on iPad or smartphones.

3.4.18. Is there some other hobby or sport you would like to try? Why

3.4.18.1. Well, I’m crazy about music and all kinds of musical instruments. You know, it’s such a miracle how each instrument makes a different sound, but when they’re performed together, they can create perfect combinations of melodies. Perhaps, in the near future, I would learn about the mechanism behind this miracle. This is also a hobby, isn’t it?

3.5. Help

3.5.1. Do you like to help others?

3.5.2. Have you ever refused to help others?

3.5.2.1. Yes, sometimes when I am in hurry or on business I don’t have time so I have to say sorry that I can’t help. I remember that at once time, my colleague went home by asking for free rides in my bike but I refused for helping her because I was hurry up for picking up my son, he was waiting for me at school.

3.5.3. When was the last time you helped others?

3.5.4. Would you like to keep helping others in the future?

3.5.5. Did your parents teach you the importance of helping others?

3.6. Daily Routine

3.6.1. What would you like to change in your daily routine?

3.6.2. Are you all day the same?

3.6.3. Tell me about your typical weekday and your typical weekend.

3.6.4. Do you get up early in the morning?

3.6.5. Is breakfast important?

3.6.6. What do you remember to do every day?

3.6.6.1. Well, there are many things I have to remember to do every day. For example, after getting up in the morning, I need to take some simple yoga exercises like breathing and some effortless movements (hít thở và tập vài động tác nhẹ nhàng). Besides, another important thing that I should keep in mind is to review and teach my son to do homeworks in the evening.

3.7. Reading

3.7.1. Do you like readings?

3.7.1.1. Yes, I’m definitely a bibliophile (a person who loves to read)! I believe that books are a way to not only escape, but also gain more knowledge. By the same token, people who read tend to have a richer vocabulary and a higher level of general knowledge, so they tend to have more to talk about, and are thus more interesting.

3.7.1.2. To be honest, I did not like reading before. I only read books in case I needed to find the information related to my exercises like science or other subjects. But, my routine has changed since I become a mother. Reading books certainly broadens my horizons and helps me to be able to answer a lot of kid 's questions. I think reading book is good not only for me but also for my son, so I will try to keep this routine.

3.7.2. What do you like to read?

3.7.2.1. To be honest, I prefer to read the "Nha Dep" magazine of Vietnamese architects' Association. The beautiful houses created a huge impression in me and ever since I have developed a love towards that architecture. For example, architects can design the house adapt the expectation of host with small area in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi City, which has separation function rooms and adapts the clients' demand.

3.7.3. Do you read electronic book ?

3.7.3.1. Definitely yes. I’m a real sucker for e-books as they are portable. I often download my favorite books and copy them to my smartphones or Ipads and when I’m on the bus in other public places, I will take my hi-tech devices out and start to read right on my phone.

3.7.4. What kind of books do you like to read?

3.7.4.1. I love reading anything that falls under literary fiction. By this I mean authors like Virginia Woolf, Jane Austen and Haruki Murakami. I can’t get enough of Kafka on the shore!

3.7.5. What was your favorite book as a child?

3.7.5.1. I remember being very fond of a book called “My Sister’s Keeper”. I recall that it was the story of two sisters, one of which needed a kidney transplant. Although the sister was initially apprehensive (scared; nervous) to do so, she ended up donating a kidney to her sister and saving her.

3.7.6. Have you lent books to other?

3.7.6.1. At times, I reckon. My friends and I are avid readers and would love to exchange books with one another. So, I often lend my books, mostly English books to my besties and get in return some comic books to read in my free time.

3.7.7. Have you borrowed books from others?

3.7.7.1. As I have said, I have a circle of friends who are bookworms! which means I’m in the habit of borrowing some comic books from my friends to while away the time during days off or just to catch up on things in the Manga world.

3.7.8. Do you read professional books ?

3.7.8.1. At the moment, I’m getting bogged down with work! so I can’t manage decent time for reading books related to my major field of study, but in the past during my university years, I had to say I was a bookworm, and purchased books every week to enhance my expertise.

3.8. Weekend

3.8.1. How do you usually spend your weekends?

3.8.1.1. I’m not a party animal, so during weekends, I always refuse all the party invitations from my friends. Instead, I would visit a café on my own and indulge myself with a nice cup of earl grey and some new books I’ve found on Amazon. That couldn’t be more perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

3.8.2. What do you do in your spare time?

3.8.3. When do you spend time with your family?

3.8.4. What do other people in your hometown usually do on weekends?

3.8.5. Do you think it is important to make the most of your weekend?

3.8.6. Do you feel that weekends now are more important to you than when you were a child?

3.9. Relaxation

3.10. Shopping

3.10.1. What is the worst thing about shopping?

3.10.1.1. Well, recently, office workers tend to shop online more than shopping at stores or malls. But, in my experience, the worst thing about shopping is receiving the ordered item is not like the photo which shops posted on the web or not fix with me (mặc ko vừa do ko đúng size của mình).

3.10.2. Do you prefer to go shopping alone or with friends?

3.10.2.1. Well, I do not like to go shopping alone. The market is flooded with choices and I find it very confusing to select things on my own so I usually go shopping with my friends or my older sisters to give me advices to buy the suitable clothes for me.

3.11. Changes

3.11.1. Is there any difference in your life now from when you were a child?

3.11.1.1. This is an intriguing (interesting) question since I, honestly, don’t know what to tell you. But overall, my life has changed considerably compared to what it was throughout my childhood. Everything, from my feelings, my thoughts to my relationships or accommodation, is so different now that I nearly have no recollections about the past.

3.12. Swimming

3.12.1. Is swimming a very popular activity in your country?

3.12.1.1. Well, not really! Surprisingly, there are a lot of people who don’t know how to swim in Ho Chi Minh city, maybe it isn’t very close to the coast so I think it may be related to that. However, people who live along the coastal cities or Western in my country tend to know how to swim well.

3.13. Outdoor Activities

3.13.1. What do you do in your spare time?

3.13.2. Do you like outdoor activities?

3.13.3. What outdoor activities do you most like to do?

3.13.4. How much time do you spend outdoors every week?

3.13.4.1. It varies, I mean, it depends on the amount of free time I have. When I am free of worries about work or private things (việc cá nhân), I could go outside a lot, such as going shopping or hanging out with my friends. But when I am busy with my working or urgent project deadline, I could stay at office for working extra hours at weekend.

3.13.5. What types of outdoor activities are popular in your country?

3.13.6. What outdoor sports do you like?

3.13.6.1. Well, I’m really into outdoor activities. In my experience, the main factor is that I can do some physical activities to keep fit like riding a bike if I am free or going jogging around my house in the morning to enjoy the fresh air.

4. Media

4.1. TV

4.1.1. How often do you watch TV?

4.1.1.1. To be honest, I don’t really watch television. If I want to know about some specific news or incidents, I usually read on website or e-newspapers because I have to stay at my office and other things most of the times, which are more important to me than watching the television. In my point of view, I like to spend time with my family by having conversations with them or doing some fun things together, I do not get much time to watch television.

4.1.2. What’s your favorite TV program?

4.1.2.1. Definitely music channels such as MTV or V-channel. These channels offer a wide variety of music every day. Also, they also interact with their audience by allowing them to vote for the Top 20 songs of each week or to play the songs they requested.

4.1.3. What types of TV programs are popular in your country?

4.1.3.1. In my country, these days reality shows and comedy shows are among the most popular TV programs. I guess it’s because its content is suitable for the audience of any age from children to the elderly. The fans of reality shows feel interactive and familiar with the competitors while that of comedy shows generally want to be entertained with jokes and laughter.

4.1.4. Do you ever watch foreign programs or films?

4.1.4.1. I did enjoy quite a lot of shows and programs, from music, movies, fashion, news and scientific documentaries since the foreign are so good at visual editing and content management. Most of them are in English because I’m more familiar with this language compare to French or Japanese.

4.1.5. What types of programs did you watch when you were a child?

4.1.5.1. Like other children, I watched a number of cartoons and music programs for children when I was a child. Tom and Jerry, Barbie, Disney series are my favourites which still gets me excited whenever I see them on TV now. My mom said I also was kind of attracted to music programs for children that I focused on them completely while eating.

4.1.6. Do you think TV has changed in the past few decades?/ Do you think TV has changed since you were a child?

4.1.6.1. Televisions indeed have been changing remarkably for the past few years. The technology has become so innovative and competitive to meet the customers’ high demand for entertainment. The variety of TV programs is no longer limited to the national level but has reached to a number of foreign countries, and is significantly diversifying in content for audience preference.

4.1.6.1.1. - To be innovative (adj.): to be developed in the technology

4.1.6.1.2. - To meet one’s demand on Something (v): to provide someone with Something/to provide Somthing for Someone

4.1.6.1.3. - To diversify (v): to vary, to have many choices available

4.1.7. Has TV changed your life in any way?

4.1.7.1. I think watching TV has become a habit that I would hardly change. My family always watch the news while having dinner together. Personally, I’d love watching TV for relaxing after studying as well as keeping myself updated on showbiz, music, movies, landscape discoveries and fields of science. Thus as long as I do not become a couch potato, TV has always played an important role in my life, making my life more colourful and opening in front of my eyes the places I’ve never been to.

4.1.7.1.1. - Couch potato (phrase): a person who is addicted to watching TV

4.1.7.1.2. - To play an important/key/crucial role in Something (phrase): to be essential

4.2. Films

4.2.1. Is music an important subject at school in Vietnam?

4.2.1.1. Music is one of the compulsory subjects for primary and secondary students in my country. However, mainly singing is focused. We can also add some movements to make the songs more lively. Only those who are selected for the big performances are allowed to use musical instruments.

4.2.2. How often do you go to the cinema?

4.2.2.1. Not very often actually. I used to go there with my friends when the cinema has good movie (phim hay, được đánh giá tốt và đáng để xem) or with my son in the summer holidays because there are a lot of cartoon films. But now I have lots of things to worry about so I rather focus on my work and just choose a film to watch at home. It is still a satisfying /ˈsætɪsfaɪɪŋ/ experience, thanks to the emergence /ɪˈmɜːrdʒəns/of many streaming /ˈstriːmɪŋ/ services like Netflix.

4.2.3. Do you like watching films?

4.2.4. Do you prefer foreign films or Vietnamese films?

4.2.4.1. Since my country doesn’t have a huge film industry, I’ve always been really into American films. Not to knock (to insult; discredit) other film industries, but American ones are incredibly entertaining and well-made; the evolution of film continues to amaze me. Moreover, I only watch films in English so it helps me to learn new slang and expressions.

4.2.5. Do you prefer foreign films or films made in your country?

4.2.5.1. To be honest, I like both foreign as well as Vietnam movies. whenever my mom wants to watch local films, I will go with her and the latest VN movie which we enjoyed together is "Bố già". Moreover, I also watch the cartoon film with my son on Tet or summer holidays. But for action movies, I usually watch foreign movies with my friends.

4.2.6. How often do you go to the cinema or watch a movie?

4.2.7. Do Vietnamese people like to go to a cinema to watch of them?

4.2.8. What kind of movies do you like best?

4.2.9. What was the first film that you watched?

4.3. Internet

4.4. Advertisements

4.4.1. Are there many advertisements in your country?

4.4.1.1. Definitely, there are. They appear all over the place from the streets to social media with a high density. For example, there is a multitude of colourful flyers stuck on the street walls in Sydney.

4.4.1.1.1. All over the place (expression) everywhere

4.4.1.1.2. Density (n) the number of people or things in a given area or space.

4.4.1.1.3. A multitude of (expression) a very large number of people or things

4.4.1.1.4. Flyers (n) a small handbill advertising an event or product.

4.4.2. Why do you think there are so many advertisements now?

4.4.2.1. I guess it’s due to the benefits of the companies. First, advertisements are the easiest way to reach customers to attract their attention to a particular brand or product. From that attractive information, customers will be able to choose an appropriate one. Second, it also plays a crucial role in the marketing strategy that the company apply to attract customers.

4.4.2.1.1. To be able to do (v) having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something.

4.4.2.1.2. To play a (an) crucial/essential/key/main role in (v): of great importance

4.4.2.1.3. Campaign (n) an organized course of action to achieve a goal

4.4.3. What are the various places where we see advertisements?

4.4.3.1. Advertising is here, there, and everywhere. It gets to people through different types of communication such as flyers and banners on the streets or printed ones on newspaper, magazines or electronic ones on social media. It could be written, verbal or a short movie.

4.4.3.1.1. Here, there, and everywhere (expression) everywhere

4.4.4. How do you feel about advertisements?

4.4.4.1. Sometimes, I find it a little bit disappointing because the quality products are usually overrated. However, there are other beneficial advertisements in supermarkets which has informative contents for customers such as on which days there will be promotions or which new products will be launched.

4.4.4.1.1. Informative (adj.) to provide useful or interesting information

4.4.4.1.2. Promotions (n) activity that supports or encourages a cause, venture, or aim.

4.4.4.1.3. Launch (v) to introduce (a new product or publication) to the public for the first time.

4.4.4.1.4. Overrated (adj.) to have a higher opinion of (someone or something) than is deserved

5. People

5.1. Family

5.1.1. Who do you live with?

5.1.1.1. To be honest, I divorced 8 years ago so now I am a single mom and I live with my mom and son in a happy house which is located in District 12 with a small garden and back yard. Everyday I still keep up my work and take care my mother and kid. Moreover, I fell comfortable and peaceful with current life.

5.1.2. Do you like to be alone?

5.1.2.1. To be honest, I’d like to stay alone for some period of time if I have to do something without interruption. But if I have spare time, I would prefer to stay with my beloved ones to enjoy my free time. I really enjoy being alone on the weekend morning, reading some books and playing computer games. During that time, I can do something I am interested in, and don’t have to think about how to brace for the coming problems.

5.1.3. When do you spend time with your family?

5.1.3.1. Well, I usually spend my time as much as I can for my family. I mean, I am so busy in working days so when I come back home, I spend quality time together to eat delicious meals prepared by my mom, chatting with each other while enjoying our favorite foods. At weekends, I spend whole my time for beloved one like riding bike, watching a film or redecorating my home. It’s a precious time when we can get away from the hectic (bận rộn) of daily activities.

5.2. Friends

5.2.1. Are your friends mostly your age or different ages?

5.2.1.1. To be honest, my friends are mostly different ages and I find it an enjoyable experience. From my point of view, the younger friends give me the feelings of active, fast (sự nhanh nhạy, sự nhạy bén) and funny. On the other hand, I can practice patience, get the life experience (kinh nghiệm sống), and broaden my knowledge from the elders, as well. So, I am very grateful for these friends and relationships in my life. .

5.2.2. In what ways are your friends important to you?

5.2.2.1. Well, my friends are important to me in many ways. Firstly, I can talk to and share experiences with them. Moreover, I know I can also rely on them whenever I need help or support. Secondly, sometimes I have some finance or work pressures that I cannot tell about them to my mom and son. At these times, the best friends usually listen my stories although they do not give any advices or they can raise me up when I have trouble. So, I really appreciate them.

5.3. Teachers

5.3.1. What’s your opinion of teachers?/What makes a teacher in your opinion?

5.3.1.1. In my opinion, a good teacher should be one who puts her heart into teaching. This is because only by doing so will the students feel their passion and hard work. When a teacher strives hard for the students, students will put in their effort as well. If a teacher dislikes her job, goes to classes in a bad mood, her teaching would also be affected and students would not be able to enjoy lessons as well.

5.3.1.1.1. - puts her heart into teaching

5.3.1.1.2. - strives hard for sth/sb = attempt

5.3.1.1.3. - put in sb's effort

5.3.1.1.4. - in a bad/good mood:

5.3.1.2. I respect teachers enormously. They allow children to grow into educated and intelligent people, ready to understand the world and succeed in it. Without teachers, we would all be ignorant.

5.3.1.2.1. - ignorant /ˈɪɡnərənt/= uneducated: thiếu hiểu biết

5.3.2. Do you think it’s important to like your teachers?

5.3.2.1. You don’t have to like your teacher personally for them to be a good teacher. In fact, from time to time if you see a teacher as your friend, it can cause some problems down the line.

5.3.2.1.1. - down the line = at that time: ở một thời điểm nào đấy

5.3.2.1.2. - from time to time = sometimes

5.3.3. Did any teachers in your high school have a big influence on you?

5.3.3.1. My history teacher has had a lasting impact on me. I learnt so much from his entertaining and educational lessons, and he helped me begin my lifelong love of history. I’ll always be grateful to him for that. I can’t say if one teacher inspired me greatly. I’ve had a few teachers that were awesome and gave me that little push.

5.3.3.1.1. - have had a lasting impact on me

5.3.3.1.2. - be grateful to sb: biết ơn ai

5.3.3.1.3. - lifelong love of sth: tình yêu suốt đời

5.3.3.1.4. - gave me that little push

5.3.4. Were your high school teachers very strict?

5.3.4.1. It depended on the teacher in question. Some were very strict indeed while others were more chilled out and let you get away with. Compared to most schools, I think my teachers weren’t strict.

5.3.4.1.1. - chilled out: rất thoải mái

5.3.4.1.2. - to get away with sth: tự do với cái gì

5.3.5. What sort of personality do teachers need to have?

5.3.5.1. Patience is a virtue” as the saying goes, and I believe teachers need to possess this quality in abundance. It’s a tiring and stressful job, so teachers have to be calm and in control at all times. They also need to have a passion for their subject. I think that a few good qualities include being down-to-earth with students, understanding their problems before judging them as right or wrong.

5.3.5.1.1. - tiring and stressful: mệt mỏi và căng thẳng

5.3.5.1.2. - down-to-earth: thực tế

5.3.5.1.3. - virtue:/ˈvɜːrtʃuː/: behaviour or attitudes that show high moral standards: đức hạnh

5.3.5.1.4. - have a passion for = be passionate about

5.3.5.2. Firstly, I think a teacher needs to be patient. Secondly, I think the teacher must be kind and encouraging, which creates a warm, open learning environment. I also think they should have interpersonal skills to be able to understand the needs of all different students. There are different kinds of teachers, but I would use this as rule of thumb (a general rule).

5.3.5.2.1. - creates a warm, open learning environment

5.3.5.2.2. - interpersonal skills: kỹ năng xã hội

5.3.5.2.3. - rule of thumb (a general rule)

5.3.6. Do you like any teachers of yours?/ Who was your favorite teacher?/ Do you remember your fav teacher from primary school?

5.3.6.1. There were a few teachers that I was particularly fond of. Let me tell you about my high school PE teacher, Mrs. Burrier. Since she knew I was painfully shy and especially clumsy (can easily trip or fall) when it comes to gym class, she allowed me to do the dance routine that she assigned to us in a private room only in front of her to save me any possible embarrassment. I appreciated it, a lot!

5.3.6.1.1. - clumsy (can easily trip or fall): hậu đậu

5.3.6.2. I had so many favorite teachers it’s a bit difficult to pick one, but I would say my math teacher in high school was the one who had the most influence on me in a positive way. Math used to be my least favorite subject but he had his own way of making the lessons fun and engaging. He was definitely my go-to teacher whenever I got a math problem. In my student life, my English teacher left the deepest impression on me. I can describe her as a person who has a heart of gold and always puts students first. Thanks to her assistance, I did have a good English performance in my university entrance exam.

5.3.6.2.1. - have the most influence on me

5.3.6.2.2. - go-to

5.3.6.2.3. - leave the deepest impression on me

5.3.6.2.4. - have a heart of gold

5.3.6.2.5. - put students first: đặt học sinh lên hàng đầu

5.3.6.3. Of course! I’ll tell you about my second grade teacher, Ms. Puleo. She was always kind, encouraging, and incredibly patient, even with us little rascals /ˈræskl/ (slang for kids). I always felt a sense of warmth in her classroom, which the students responded well to. The world needs more teachers like her.

5.3.6.3.1. - feel a sense of warmth: cảm nhận sự ấm áp

5.3.7. Do you still keep in touch with your teacher?

5.3.7.1. I’ve lost contact with all elementary and middle school teachers, but I keep in touch with a couple of university professors. As uni professors are allowed to have more of a relationship with students, it was easier to get to know them. My Spanish professor and I message back and forth every year to catch up.

5.3.7.1.1. - back and forth: ​from one place to another and back again repeatedly: qua lại

5.3.8. Do you want to be a teacher?

5.3.8.1. As I’m not a patient person, I don’t think teaching is for me. Furthermore, I dread (don’t look forward to) the thought of standing in front of the classroom trying to get the class’s attention while the children fool around (play). I think it takes a special person to be a teacher, and unfortunately I don’t meet the criteria!

5.3.8.1.1. - dread: to be very afraid of something; to fear that something bad is going to happen: kinh sợ

5.3.8.1.2. - meet the criteria

5.3.8.1.3. - fool around: play

5.3.9. Did you pretend to be a teacher in the childhood?

5.3.9.1. Oh yes! I remember playing teacher with a small chalkboard my friend had at her house. I used to think it was so entertaining to be the teacher and give the class assignments to do; I usually focused on Math and Art. I loved pretending to give orders!

5.3.9.1.1. - give the class assignments

5.3.9.1.2. - give orders: ra lệnh

5.4. Celebrities

5.4.1. Who is your favorite celebrity in your country?

5.4.1.1. I guess not only me, but a number of young people have also been highly impressed by her for the past months- Deshauna Barber. She is our 2016 Miss USA and the representative of the USA in Miss Universe taking place in Las Vegas in the same year. After the beauty contests, she became well-known for her outstanding beauty, her amazing characteristics and also her professionalism.

5.4.1.1.1. Representative (n) A person chosen or appointed to act or speak for another or others, in particular.

5.4.1.1.2. Professionalism (n) The competence or skill expected of a professional (in terms of personalities, lifestyle, social relationships)

5.4.1.1.3. Outstanding (adj) exceptionally good

5.4.2. Do you like any foreign celebrities?

5.4.2.1. Absolutely. The person I’m gonna talk about is my bias ever since I was a teenage girl-Miley Cyrus. I guess most people at the same age as I, grew up with Disney Channel and among its successful series, Hannah Montana starring Miley Cyrus would always be on top of my list. Although now she’s grown up, I’m still a big fan of her amazing voice and highly inspiring songs.

5.4.2.1.1. Bias (n) A concentration on our interest in one particular area or subject.

5.4.2.1.2. To be on top of the list (expression) to be the highest priority

5.4.2.1.3. To be a (big/huge/avid) fan of (expression) to admire SO

5.4.3. Would you like to be a celebrity?

5.4.3.1. Well though I’ve never thought about it, I’m pretty sure that rising to stardom would never be one of my life goals. I appreciate all the efforts that the celebrities, no matter which field they’re working on, are making every single day. However, I find myself not belonging to that world, I mean, you never know what’s going on when the curtains close, right? So yeah, I don’t think I want to become a public figure, to be honest.

5.4.3.1.1. To appreciate (v): Recognize the full worth of/To be grateful of Sth

5.4.3.1.2. What’s going on when the curtains close (phrase): the secrets lie behind the showbiz

5.4.3.1.3. To rise to stardom (expression): to become famous

5.4.3.1.4. Public figure (np): a well-known and notable person

5.4.4. Do you think we should protect famous people’s privacy?

5.4.4.1. Indeed. As you probably can tell, these days fans, anti-fans and even non-fans are so curious about what their bias is doing. Some are aggressive that they mentally attack their bias by leaving bad comments online. Some even approach them in person on the street, especially the so-called paparazzi. Thus I strongly agree that there should be some regulations to protect the celebrities’ privacy.

5.4.4.1.1. Bias (n): prejudice in favour of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another

5.4.4.1.2. So-called (adj) used to introduce a new word or phrase that is not yet known by many people

5.4.4.1.3. Paparazzi (n) a freelance photographer, especially one who takes candid pictures of celebrities for publication.

5.4.5. How do celebrities influence their fans in your country?

5.4.5.1. I think the influence of celebrities on fans is extensive. It’s somehow natural to follow our bias and try to be like them. At the first place, it could probably be just physical changes like clothing, hairstyle or makeup. However thanks to the social network, fans and idols are much closer now, sometimes it’s just a status away. However, this mental connection is a two-edged sword, meaning the idols actually need to be more careful about their lifestyle or their manners.

5.4.5.1.1. physical changes (n) changes in appearance

5.4.5.1.2. two-edged sword (idiom) pros and cons

6. Objects

6.1. Food/Cooking/Meals

6.1.1. Do you often do any cooking?

6.1.2. What cooking experience have you had?

6.1.3. What is the staple food in Vietnam?

6.1.4. Do you prefer eating at home or at restaurants?

6.1.5. Are you good at cooking?

6.1.6. Who taught you how to cook?

6.1.7. What is your favorite food?

6.1.8. What are the advantages of being able to cook?

6.1.8.1. Well, I think it’s a really important life skill that children should learn when they are young. Being able to cook allows you to live a healthy life without relying on junk food and other snacks and you cook the food for your own taste. Sometimes, you can prepare the delicious meals and invite the beloved ones or friends to enjoy at weekends.

6.1.9. Who usually does cooking in your home?

6.1.9.1. Well, my mother is a retired doctor and she does all the cooking at my home. I guess I am blessed for having such a talented mother, who happens to be a retired doctor. I have always had some sort of a fitness plan, but my mother's home-cooked meals somehow have stood in the way (cản trở, đứng yên tại chỗ), so I suppose I just have to live with that.

6.1.10. Are there any foods you dislike?

6.1.11. What are some traditional cells in your country?

6.1.12. Do you have a healthy diet?

6.1.13. What kinds of meals do you like?

6.1.14. Do you often have dinner with your family or friends?

6.1.15. What is your favorite cuisine?

6.2. Foreign Food

6.2.1. What is your favorite foreign food?

6.2.2. Have you ever tried some strange foreign food?

6.2.3. When did you eat the foreign food the first time?

6.2.4. Do you often eat the foreign food and What kind of foreign food do you often eat?

6.2.5. Is foreign food popular in Vietnam?

6.3. Photography

6.3.1. Do you like to take photographs?

6.3.1.1. Yes of course. They are a way to capture a moment in time. Moreover, I like to be able to show them to people so they can imagine that they were there with me. As I’m a big traveler, photos are my way of sharing my experiences without words.

6.3.2. How often do you take photos?

6.3.2.1. I would say everyday. I’m a big fan of selfies, so I often snap a few of them to send to my boyfriend every morning before work. Moreover, I take hundreds of photos when I travel.

6.3.3. Do you prefer to take pictures of people or of scenery?

6.3.3.1. Definitely people. I like to capture the raw (real; candid) emotions on their faces. I feel that photos of people can be quite powerful. Moreover, I feel that scenery photography never does the actual place any justice.

6.3.4. Do you prefer to takes photos yourself or to have other people to take your photos?

6.3.4.1. Definitely myself. As I’m quite picky about the photos that I take and post, I take this responsibility upon myself. Call me a snob (a person who feels superior to others), but I feel that most people don’t have any idea of what makes a good photo and end up taking unflattering photos of me.

6.3.4.2. To be honest, I like to take photos by myself so that the precious (quý báu) moments are captured /ˈkæptʃər/ from my perspective /pərˈspektɪv/ (phối cảnh). Moreover, as I’m not good at posing for pictures, I always find it embarrassing /ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ/ to model someone.

6.3.5. I which situation do you like take photos?

6.3.5.1. Any situation! But especially when I see something out of the ordinary. For example, I like to take photos when the light is setting just right on my street, or when I catch a glimpse (a look) of two children holding hands.

6.3.6. How do you keep your photos?

6.3.6.1. On my iCloud! I’m really grateful for this type of technology that keeps this record of my photos for me. Moreover, I post my photos on social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, so that also keeps them secure.

6.3.7. Do you frame any of your photos?

6.3.7.1. Many times! Although not too often anymore, as social media is taking over. However, I’ve often framed photos to give to my boyfriend or family members as gifts for their special occasions.

6.4. Weather/ Climate

6.4.1. Weather

6.4.1.1. What’s your favorite kind of weather?

6.4.1.2. What kind of weather does Vietnam have?

6.4.1.2.1. Well, it depends on which part of the country you are referring to. I’m currently living in Southern part of Vietnam, the weather is hot all year round and only have two seasons which are rainy season and dry season. But in the Northern, I would say the weather is a bit comfortable because it has all four seasons.

6.4.1.3. Does the weather ever affect what you do?

6.4.1.3.1. Absolutely. I mean, when the weather is unfavourable like when it’s too sunny, I tend to procrastinate my plan until late afternoon. 5 or 6 pm, because that’s when the temperature lowers a little bit. On the other hand, when it rains heavily for too long, I’m kinda reluctant to drive so I think I would just get a Grab to get around.

6.4.1.3.2. You know, I gotta say yes, especially when it rains. I mean, I cannot go out and run my errands if it’s pouring outside. The roads get slippery, so it’s quite dangerous to drive. Besides, you will be soaked if you do decide to go out.

6.4.2. Sunny days

6.4.2.1. Do you like sunny days or rainy days?

6.4.2.2. Do you like sunny days?

6.4.2.2.1. I definitely love sunny days, I can hang out with friends or do some sports. It is even better with the winds blowing. Sunny days are somehow helpful for laundry as well as cleaning both inside and outside the house.

6.4.2.2.2. To be honest, I’m not into sunny weather. I’d prefer a partially /ˈpɑːrʃəli/ cloudy day without rain, when the weather is pretty cool so that I could pleasantly /ˈplezntli/ take part in outdoor activities without getting sunburn /ˈsʌnbɜːrn/ or sweating /swet/ from the heat of the sun’s rays.

6.4.2.3. What do you like to do when it’s a sunny day?

6.4.2.3.1. I’d love to participate in some outdoor activities under the sun like meeting up with some friends or do some sports, especially swimming. Or I’ll grab the chance for a photography tour. Everything becomes so clear and stunning on sunny days, no matter whether it’s early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as long as the sun shines, I’m sure I’ll find inspiration almost everywhere.

6.4.2.4. Would you like to stay at home or go outside when the weather is great?

6.4.2.4.1. I think I would say it depends on my mood and my workload. I definitely cannot go out and enjoy myself if my work schedule is still a mess, even though it is a nice weather and unless I feel super energetic and motivated. I think most of the time I’d prefer staying inside, no matter how the sun shines or how cool the weather is.

6.4.2.5. Would you move to another city because of the weather?

6.4.2.5.1. 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 never wish to do so.

6.4.2.6. Are there many sunny days in your hometown?

6.4.2.6.1. It is a modern big city so unless it’s our rainy season, otherwise the sun would shine most of the time, either during the day or the whole year. Sometimes the temperature rises so high that it feels like burning, that’s when people prefer staying indoors enjoying the cool air produced by air conditioners.

6.4.2.7. Would you prefer to live in a place that has the same weather all year round, or a place that has four seasons?

6.4.2.7.1. 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.

6.4.3. Rainy days

6.4.3.1. Do you like rainy days?

6.4.3.1.1. Yes, absolutely! I love all the freshness around, the cool breeze and petrichor after heavy rain. It’s wonderful!

6.4.3.2. Do you like rain?

6.4.3.3. What do you do on rainy days?

6.4.3.3.1. Well, rainy days are the best days to watch movies I have been longing to watch or catch up on my unfinished reading. Movies and books will take up my whole day. Sometimes, I would rather spend the day with my pet and teach it new tricks.

6.4.3.4. Can you remember any time when it rained particularly heavily in your hometown?

6.4.3.5. When (in what month/ season) does it rain most in your hometown?

6.4.3.6. In which season does it rain most in other parts of Vietnam?

6.4.3.7. Is there any part of Vietnam where it doesn’t rain much?

6.4.3.7.1. To tell you the truth, I have no clue about this. I do not give a hoot about geography and the amount of rain in my country. I think the most rainfall is in the North where there is an intricate system of rivers.

6.4.3.8. Does it rain much in Vietnam?

6.4.3.8.1. I would say yes. It rains a lot in the summer when tropical storms strike our country. There is torrential rain in the region in June, July and August, and the rainfall tends to be higher in the North than in the South.

6.4.3.9. Does it rain a lot in your hometown?

6.4.3.9.1. Well, it depends on the season. In winter and spring, there is a dearth of rain associated with the arid weather. In contrast, it is usually raining cats and dogs in summer and august, causing loads of troubles for people travelling on the road.

6.4.3.10. Does it rain much in your country? (Where? When?)

6.4.3.10.1. I would say yes. It rains a lot in the summer when tropical storms strike our country. There is torrential rain in the region in June, July and August, and the rainfall tends to be higher in the North than in the South.

6.4.3.10.2. As it is entirely located in the tropical belt, it receives quite a great amount of precipitation every year. However, the part that records the highest rainfall in the northern part. This region can also be affected by the typhoon season in the Western Pacific, which can see severe storms lashing the coast from August to November.

6.4.3.11. Is there any part of your country where it doesn’t rain much? (Where?)

6.4.3.11.1. In general, I guess the driest place might possibly be X, which is situated on the south-central coast. The weather there is quite extreme with a lot of wind as well as a hot and dry atmosphere during the year. Also, there is no winter here, and the average temperature is considerably higher than in most other parts of the country.

6.4.3.12. Does it rain much in your hometown? Can you remember any time when it rained particularly heavily? (When?)

6.4.3.12.1. Yes, of course. I suppose it was about a year or so ago, when we had several days of torrential rain, almost non-stop, and so the whole of my neighborhood got flooded. You know, the water was, like, up to my knees, and so the traffic came to a complete standstill. So, yeah, that was probably the worst time I can remember.

6.4.3.13. Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown? (How?)

6.4.3.13.1. Yeah, of course. Traffic is often held up when it rains. All the roads are clogged, and people find it difficult to escape from traffic congestion. I would stay at home and watch TV rather than going out and being caught up in traffic.

6.4.3.13.2. Yeah, for sure. As a matter of fact, rain often causes severe traffic congestion, especially when there is a heavy downpour. People should expect to be stuck for hours in a traffic jam. I’m not exactly sure why, but it’s possibly because vehicles tend to move slower in the rain

6.5. Music

6.5.1. Do you often like to listen to music?

6.5.2. What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

6.5.2.1. Well, that’s an interesting question. I like various kinds of music, but I’d have to go with (decide) 80’s music because it’s pretty nostalgic/nɑːˈstældʒɪk/ for me, (I mean, making I miss the past) as I’m a middle 80’s baby. When it comes to the music of that decade, I prefer pop, alternative, and rock ballads. I’m most fond of this era because of the light-hearted (thư thái), easy-listening (dễ nghe) sounds.

6.5.3. Have you ever been to a musical performance?

6.5.4. Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?

6.5.5. Did you often listen to music when you were a child?

6.5.6. What kinds of music are most popular in Vietnam?

6.6. Watches

6.6.1. Why do people like to wear expensive watches?

6.6.1.1. Well, as you know, over the past years, social economics has increased significantly, and people have had a higher quality standard of living. I mean, they want to enjoy delicious meals and dress fashionably /ˈfæʃnəbli/, as well. Therefore, they wear expensive watches as their accessories to mix with the beautiful dresses. From my point of view, I tend to choose a watch to check the time and is suitable for me more than a costly one.

6.6.2. Do you usually wear a watch?

6.6.3. What do you use your watch for?

6.6.4. Do you think time is very important?

6.6.5. Are you ever late for anything?

6.6.6. Do you think it’s important to be on time?

6.6.7. Do you feel that time moves fast or slowly?

6.7. Transportation

6.7.1. What form of transport do you prefer to use?

6.7.1.1. Without any doubt, I would say motorbikes. You can see people driving a motorbike all over the place in my country. Almost everyone travels by motorbike. The reason why a motorbike is so popular is due to their reasonable price and convenience. They also extremely varied in terms of size, color and quality, thus a wide variety of choices is available for everyone.

6.7.1.1.1. Without any doubt/There is no doubt that (expression) a phrase expressing certainty or agreement; yes

6.7.1.1.2. A wide variety of (collocation) a number or range of things of the same general class that is distinct in character or quality.

6.7.2. How often do you take buses?

6.7.2.1. Almost every day. Since my house is so far away from my university, it’s impossible for me to travel by motorbike. In addition, the air is heavily polluted by exhaust fumes [khí thải] x and traffic jams always take place, especially during peak hours. Thus, I’d prefer to take the bus, to save time, save gasoline and causing less pollution.

6.7.2.1.1. Exhaust fumes (n) waste gasses or air expelled from an engine, turbine, or another machine in the course of its operation.

6.7.2.1.2. Traffic jam (n) a line or lines of stationary or very slow-moving traffic, caused by roadworks, an accident, or heavy congestion.

6.7.2.1.3. Peak hours/Rush hours (n) the busiest hours

6.7.3. Which do you prefer to use a bus or a taxi?

6.7.3.1. Well, to be honest, I like to use public transportation like a bus to go to workplace. When I sit on a bus, I feel comfortable because I can read a book, listen to music or take a nap; instead of focusing on riding a motorbike or finding a way out of a traffic jam. Besides, there are some disadvantages of using the bus when I leave the office late or have an urgent meeting, there are less frequent buses and it could take me a great deal of time waiting to catch one. So, in these urgent cases, I will use taxi flexibility for my work or ride the motorbike by myself. the number of buses is limit and on time (giới hạn số chuyến xe buýt và có khung giờ cố định)

6.7.4. Can you compare the advantages of planes and trains?

6.7.4.1. Planes and trains regularly depart and arrive on time. Plus, there are many convenient facilities catering particularly to certain groups of passengers. However, travelling by plane is clearly time-saving and enjoyable in terms of onboard services like meals or comfortable seats, while travelling by train offers you a chance to see the world outside, admire the views from their seats. It’s totally a great experience for most train-travellers.

6.7.4.1.1. On-board services (n) provided on or within a vehicle

6.7.4.1.2. Cater (v) provide with what is needed or required

6.7.5. How much time do you spend traveling on a normal day?

6.7.5.1. I have to commute from my home to my workplace on a daily basis. It normally takes me 30 minutes to travel back and forth.

6.7.6. What will become the most popular means of transport in your country?

6.7.6.1. I think buses will take the lead. You can travel the distance without much worries about ticket price or rainy weather outside. Also, new buses now offer better services like comfortable seats for the elderly or good air conditioning systems.

6.7.6.1.1. To take the lead (v) to start winning a race or competition

6.7.7. Do you prefer public transport or private transport?

6.7.7.1. I think I’d prefer public transport. It’s much more inexpensive and because it can contain a large number of people, it helps ease the intensity of traffic jams during peak hours and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by vehicles. Private transportation is more costly in terms of fees, taxes and gasoline.

6.7.7.1.1. Intensity (n) of extreme force, degree, or strength

6.7.7.1.2. Greenhouse gas emissions (np) the emission into the earth’s atmosphere of any of various gases, esp carbon dioxide, that contributes to the greenhouse effect.

6.7.8. Would you ride bikes/ bicycles to work in the future?

6.7.8.1. Definitely not. Riding a bike means you’re exposing yourself to the unpredictable weather and to air pollution. What is worse, I’m afraid are the main streets or the highway which is too dangerous for cyclists, as cars, motorbikes and buses will travel at a very high speed. Thus I’d rather ride a motorbike or take the bus instead.

6.7.8.1.1. Unpredictable weather (n) to not able to be predicted; changeable

6.7.9. Do you think people will drive more in the future?

6.7.9.1. Well, as you know, over the past years, social economics has increased significantly, and everyone has a higher quality standard of living. I think in the next several years, the cost will decrease dramatically and it is easy to buy a car. Moreover, the car will protect us better than a motorbike, and it takes us less time to move. Besides, I think the more people will drive in the future, the more air pollution and traffic jams will rise.

6.7.10. What is the most popular means of transportation in your hometown?

6.7.10.1. Well, in my opinion there are many kinds of transportation in Ho Chi Minh city like: bus, train, airplane... but I think the motorbike is probably the most popular because it is flexible and convenience for everyone, which is not only in HCM but also through out Vietnam.

6.7.11. Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown?

6.7.11.1. Yeah, of course. Traffic is often held up when it rains. All the roads are clogged, and people find it difficult to escape from traffic congestion. I would stay at home and watch TV rather than going out and being caught up in traffic.

6.8. Paintings

6.8.1. How often do you visit art gallaries?

6.8.1.1. It is so embarrassing to admit that I have never been to an art gallery because I am not really artistic. However, I have a friend who is a designer, and she is fascinated with pictures and paintings. She told me many things about the galleries she had been to worldwide, which sounded quite intriguing.

6.8.2. What kind of paintings do people like?

6.8.2.1. Well, I don’t have lots of knowledge about painting but what I know is people enjoy what they draw themselves. For example, we sometimes keep our first drawings from first grade as a memento or reminder. When we grow up, we have less time for activities like painting or drawing so we usually just buy them to decorate our houses.

6.8.3. Do you like paintings?

6.8.4. What are some famous paintings that you like?

6.8.5. What type of painting do you do?

6.8.6. Do you have a painting of yourself?

6.8.7. Do you like to watch a person painting?

6.8.8. Do you know Leonard da Vinci and his paintings?

6.8.9. Do you have paintings at home for decoration?

6.8.10. If you could be given the talent to paint, what would you paint?

6.9. Colors

6.9.1. What are your favorite colors?

6.9.2. When you are buying something, is the color important to you?

6.9.3. Do you usually wear clothes in your favorite color?

6.9.4. Do you prefer light or dark colors?

6.9.5. Are there any colors that have a special meaning in your country?

6.9.6. Are there any colors you dislike?

6.10. Art

6.10.1. Do you like art?

6.10.1.1. I have a lifelong passion for art since I was a child. Beside the official art class in school, I also joined a drawing class in The Children’ House and my teachers were very pleased with my drawings. I also participated in some drawing competitions back then. Until now I still draw in my free time, although not as often as I used to do.

6.10.1.1.1. have a passion for (v) to be enthusiastic about Sth

6.10.1.1.2. participate in (v) to join in

6.10.2. Do you think art classes are necessary?

6.10.2.1. Yes, definitely. Learning arts, especially at a young age, can help stimulate children’s cognitive development and encourage them to think outside the box. Because they’re still little, their ideas are very fresh and lovely, which is worth appreciating.

6.10.2.1.1. Think outside the box (idiom) think creatively

6.10.2.1.2. Cognitive development (noun) the construction of thought processes, including remembering, problem-solving, and decision-making, etc..

6.10.3. How do you think art classes affect children’s development?

6.10.3.1. Yes, definitely. Learning arts, especially at a young age, can help stimulate children’s cognitive development and encourage them to think outside the box. Because they’re still little, their ideas are very fresh and lovely, which is worth appreciating.

6.10.3.1.1. Cognitive development (noun) the construction of thought processes, including remembering, problem-solving, and decision-making, etc..

6.10.3.1.2. Think outside the box (idiom) think creatively

6.10.4. What kind of paintings do people like?

6.10.4.1. In my opinion, people love hanging landscape paintings at home. Bringing in the beauty of Mother Nature somehow ease people’s mind after a long day at work. Another style of drawing that most people also like is portrait. It could be portraits of someone important to them or even their lovely pets.

6.10.4.1.1. Landscape (n) scenery, a large area of land

6.10.4.1.2. Portrait: A painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, especially one depicting only the face or head and shoulders

6.10.5. What benefits can you get from painting as a hobby?

6.10.5.1. I think the mediation efficiency worth mentioning first. Colours in some ways reflect our thoughts and emotions very well and somehow stimulate our body to defend against our negativity inside. For me, in particular, I think what’s so interesting about painting is that you have no idea how harmonized colours can become until you actually try.

6.10.5.1.1. Mediation (n) psychological treatment to stay calm

6.10.5.1.2. To be harmonized (n) to be well combined

6.10.6. How often do you visit art galleries?

6.10.6.1. To tell you the truth, I have never visited art galleries before. Unless I have a guide to acknowledge me, art galleries would be quite boring for me.

6.10.7. What kinds of things do you like to draw?

6.10.7.1. My main inspiration is Japanese manga. The drawing topic is extremely varied, however only manga seems to show great potency for my level. I have a big collection at home and as I sometimes go through it again, I can see how much I’ve improved.

6.10.7.1.1. To go through Sth (v) to check Sth again

6.10.8. Is it easy to learn how to draw?

6.10.8.1. I think I must say it’s even challenging for a lot of people. I absolutely failed when it comes to drawing still life paintings like fruit and flowers. I think for those who succeed in drawing or arts in general, they first must have God-gifted talent, then comes to the long-term commitment to arts that requires extreme practice and high patience.

6.10.8.1.1. Still life (n) a painting or drawing of an arrangement of objects

6.10.9. Are you good at art?

6.10.9.1. Art is a really vast subject, I believe and if it is about drawing things here and there, I would say I am pretty fine at it. But, I am surely not one of those who can make some masterpieces. I think I am good at it, all thanks to the art classes that I attended during my teen years. They were a great help during my growing years and taught me lot of creativity. Now, I can easily draw simple day to day things like pen or a face.

6.10.9.1.1. Masterpiece(noun) A work of outstanding artistic skill

6.11. Shoes

6.11.1. Do you like shopping for shoes?

6.11.2. Do you prefer comfortable shoes or good-looking shoes?

6.11.3. What do you think about shoes?

6.11.4. How often do you buy shoes?

6.11.5. Have you ever bought shoes online?

6.12. Letters/Emails

6.12.1. Do you write many letters or emails?

6.12.2. Do you prefer to write letters by hand or to use a computer?

6.12.3. How do you feel when you receive a letter or email?

6.12.4. Which do you prefer to make a phone call or write an email?

6.12.5. Do you think people will still write letters in the future?

6.12.6. Do you prefer to write letters or emails? Why?

6.13. Maps

6.13.1. Do you ever use a map?

6.13.2. When do you use a map?

6.13.3. Who taught you how to use a map?

6.13.4. Do you prefer to use electronic maps or those made of paper?

6.13.5. When you go abroad do you use maps?

6.14. Flowers

6.14.1. Do you like flowers?

6.14.1.1. Yes, I do like flowers. As an introvert, sometimes, I find myself feeling peaceful and relaxed while enjoying nice flowers in my garden. I have a habit of taking pictures of flowers after the rain. I feel most at peace spending chunks of a good time on my own, in relative silence, contemplating the beauty of flowers with raindrops through my camera lens.

6.14.1.1.1. - introvert (n) a shy, reticent person.

6.14.1.1.2. - chunk of (n) a significant amount of something

6.14.1.1.3. - good-time (n) (of a person) having the pursuit of pleasure as one’s chief aim

6.14.1.1.4. - contemplate (v) to look thoughtfully for a long time at

6.14.2. Which/ What is your favorite flower?

6.14.2.1. White roses are truly my favourite flower. They are traditionally associated with marriages and new beginnings. However, their beauty has also made them a gesture of remembrance. Therefore, a bouquet of white rose is a perfect way to say “I’m thinking of you”.

6.14.2.1.1. - gesture (n) a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning

6.14.2.1.2. - bouquet of (flowers) (phrase) an attractively arranged bunch of flowers, especially one presented as a gift or carried at a ceremony

6.14.3. Do you think flowers are important?

6.14.3.1. For an introvert like me, enjoying the harmonization of various types of flowers with different gorgeous colours in the garden or in florist shops could brighten up my days and lift my spirits.

6.14.3.1.1. Harmonization (n) a good combination

6.14.3.1.2. Gorgeous (adj) beautiful, very attractive

6.14.3.1.3. Brighten up (phrasal verb) make something more pleasant and happy

6.14.3.1.4. Lift our spirits (expression) make us feel happier

6.14.4. Are flowers important in your culture?

6.14.4.1. Definitely. With beautiful meanings, some flowers are chosen to show people’s key virtues. Lotus flowers, for example, have been regarded as the national flower. The lotus plants grow from the marsh but their leaves and flowers grow toward the direction of the sunlight, which symbolizes the purity and faithfulness of people’s spirits.

6.14.4.1.1. Virtue (n) good qualities or characteristics

6.14.4.1.2. To regard as (v) to consider or think of in a specified way

6.14.4.1.3. To symbolize (v) to be a symbol of

6.14.5. Do people in your country ever use flowers for special occasions?

6.14.5.1. Flowers are widely used in many occasions and festivals in our country to represent for a blessing, happiness and good luck. Most families have at least one kind of plants or flowers at home.

6.14.6. What are the occasions when people give or receive flowers?

6.14.6.1. A bunch of flowers is considered as a gift for a wide range of occasions for both people to send and receive flowers. For example, at a birthday party, Women’s Day, or Valentine’s day, colourful flowers are arranged nicely in a small vase and given to each other.

6.14.6.1.1. A bunch of flowers (phrase) a number of things, typically of the same kind, growing or fastened together.

6.14.7. In your country, do people ever give flowers as a gift?

6.14.7.1. Yes, they do. As mention above, flowers play an essential role on different occasions as a special gift for people to show love to one another. People, especially girls, are happy and pleased when they receive their favourite flowers from beloved ones on their birthday.

6.14.8. When was the last time you gave flowers to someone?

6.14.8.1. It was a couple of weeks ago when I bought a bouquet of flowers as a present for my mom. She was deliriously happy when receiving it and put in in the sitting room so that everyone in my family can admire its beauty too.

6.14.9. Have you ever given flowers as a present to someone?

6.14.9.1. Definitely, yes. I’ve sent orchids to my Mom every year on her birthday. She really love it. I do remember that I sent flowers to my colleague as well with a "Congratulation" note on her university graduation ceremony (lễ tốt nghiệp ĐH).

6.14.10. When was the last time you receive flowers?

6.14.10.1. Well, I received a large bunch of flowers with yellow tulips from my mom on my last birthday. I still remember this special day because it made me so surprised and really happy when the flower boutique delivered it in the early morning to start a new day new age. I am very grateful for this gift because my mom selected it for me which is on my wish list.

6.15. Noise

6.15.1. Do you mind noises?

6.15.1.1. It’s really hard for me to say no. I mean, I really can’t bear noisy people, noisy places or even noisy things. For me, noise is the number-one distractor when it comes to studying or working. You know, they actually just go ahead and interrupt my flow of thoughts.

6.15.2. What types of noise do you come across in your daily life?

6.15.2.1. Well, I have to say that I face up to a rich variety of noises on a daily basis. The first type of noise is from traffic, especially during the rush hours. The second is noise from factories, construction sites which never fail to distract me from working, thereby reducing my productivity.

6.15.2.1.1. - Face up to (phrasal verb) to confront an unpleasant situation

6.15.2.1.2. - Productivity (n) The quality of being productive

6.15.3. Are there any sounds that you like?

6.15.3.1. I think there is one sound that can always lull me to sleep, the rain sound. There are nights I was so stressed out that I can hardly sleep no matter how much I tried, and then I went online searching for some sound for deep sleep or relaxation, and rain sound is always one of the top choices. And since then rain sound has become my go-to on sleepless nights.

6.15.3.1.1. - To lull SO to sleep (v) to calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements

6.15.3.1.2. - To be stressed out (adj) a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.

6.15.3.1.3. - Top recommendations (n) to be highly recommended

6.15.3.1.4. - Go-to (adj) ideal, first choice

6.15.4. Where can you hear loud noise?

6.15.4.1. From a number of sources. It can come from the crazy drivers down there on the streets. It can come from a building being built. It can come from a music festivals or a DJ party where the crowd totally go wild. It can even come from a crying baby or a fight nextdoor.

6.15.5. Do you think there’s too much noise in modern society?

6.15.5.1. Indeed. I do think the level of noise is increasing overtime mainly due to human activities. The situation gets even worse if you live in a big modern city at a young age. Your auditory must be trained so hard to tolerate such noise everyday. It is really alarming now to raise people’s awareness towards this “invisible” killer.

6.15.5.1.1. - Auditory (n) relating to the sense of hearing

6.15.5.1.2. - Tolerate (v) to accept or endure (someone or something unpleasant or disliked) with forbearance

6.15.6. Are cities becoming noisier?

6.15.6.1. Most cities in our country are suffering serious noise pollution due to rapidly increasing population and a massive amount of daily transportation. The consistently intense presence of noise does serious harm to the public health.

6.16. Bags

6.16.1. Do you like bags?

6.16.1.1. Bag is not really must-have item to me. I just use a backpack due to its convenience. Probably I’ll spend some time getting to know more about bags later on.

6.16.1.1.1. Get to know (phrase) to start to be familiar with someone or something

6.16.1.1.2. Later on (phrase) in the future, or after the time already mentioned

6.16.2. What kinds of bags do you like?

6.16.2.1. ’m not a big fan of this item so the only bag I use from time to time is the backpack. I love backpack because I tend to put a lot of heavy stuff inside such as my laptop, my water bottles, etc. whenever I get outdoors. It’s the long-term convenience that makes high-quality backpacks worth my money.

6.16.2.2. Well, I would like to use a backpack or paper bag more than a plastic one because I can carry all the things and no need to take extra plastic bags. Moreover, if we use backpacks, paper bags, or self-destruct bags, we contribute to environmental protection.

6.16.2.3. Well, I prefer all kinds of bags which are easy to carry and accommodate the things I need. I also like bags that have a few compartments /kəmˈpɑːrtmənt/ (ngăn), so that I can keep my stuff organized. In my experience, I choose the bag which is suitable for my using purposes like a backpack for going to school, sling bags for going to work, or paper bags for shopping.

6.16.3. Do you usually carry a bag (when you go out)?

6.16.3.1. As aforementioned I carry my backpack all the time, when I go to school or hang out with friends. Although it may not give me a fashionable look, I think comfort and convenience is the top priority to me.

6.16.3.1.1. To give a fashionable look (v) to look fashionable with Sth

6.16.4. Do you have different bags for different occasions (or different purposes)?

6.16.4.1. Well I must say that at present I have no idea about different types of bags or that sort of things. And it also costs me an arm and a leg if I ever want to become a bag collector with, say, twenty different bags for different occasions. However, I do have one fashionable small satchel for special occasions. I’m also kind of afraid that wearing heavy bags all the time will somehow affect my spine and my shoulders.

6.16.4.1.1. All the time (idiom) repeatedly; habitually

6.16.4.1.2. Spine (n) a series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the small of the back, enclosing the spinal cord and providing support for the thorax and abdomen; the backbone

6.16.5. What do you put in these bags?

6.16.5.1. Well, when I go out or go to work, I usually put my laptop, cellphone, charger, basic beauty products like lipsticks, lotions , water bottle and probably a pair of earphones. When I use the smaller backpack, I tend to leave everything at home but my makeup kit and water bottles.

6.16.6. What sorts of bags do women like to buy?

6.16.6.1. I think every women regardless of age, occupation, tastes, needs, etc has at least one backpack with them. As I’ve already explained about its convenience, backpack is ideal for everyday life. However, the top favorite bag would be the well-designed handbag.

6.17. Hats

6.17.1. Do you like to wear hats?

6.17.1.1. Although hats help shield your hair and face from direct sunlight, to be honest I don’t really like wearing hats daily. My hair is always a mess after I take them off. Instead of wearing hats, I think I prefer bringing an umbrella with me.

6.17.2. What kinds of hats do you have?

6.17.2.1. As I’ve mentioned, wearing hats is definitely not my daily style, so generally I don’t have any hats at home. There is the only type of hat I’m particularly fond of, which is baseball caps. This kind of hat can give me a sporty and strong look, you know.

6.17.3. Where do you like to buy hats?

6.17.4. Is wearing hats popular in your country?

6.17.4.1. It’s not much sought after in my country where the motorbike is the most common means of transportation, and it is a must to wear a helmet whenever you ride a motorbike for safety. I think you can imagine how much uncomfortable it is to wear a hat under the helmet. Thus in most of the case, hats are for pedestrians and fashionista.

6.17.4.1.1. Sought after (adj) in demand; generally desired

6.17.4.1.2. Pedestrian (n) a person walking rather than travelling in a vehicle

6.17.4.1.3. Fashionista (n) a person who dresses in fashion

6.18. Save Money

6.18.1. Did you save money when you were young?

6.18.2. Have you given money to other people?

6.18.3. Do you think parents should teach children to save money?

6.18.4. Why do some people like to save money?

6.18.5. What is the best way of saving money?

6.18.6. What are the consequences of not saving money?

6.19. Sports

6.19.1. Do you like to watch sports on TV?

6.19.1.1. Not at all! I despise (hate) it. I get extremely bored and disinterested. I usually try to avoid watching sports on TV at all costs unless it’s an exciting event, like the World Cup or Super Bowl. In that case, I go for the social event rather than the game itself.

6.19.2. Do you play any sports?

6.19.2.1. Not anymore. I was an avid (enthusiastic) swimmer as a child, but I gave that up after high school, as it was quite time-consuming. Nowadays, I enjoy going to the gym, running around the lake by my house, and going on mountain treks. I’m not sure if these are considered sports, but I’m really into physical activity.

6.19.3. What is the most popular sport in your country?

6.19.3.1. Soccer of course! As soccer is the sport of the world, that would be number one. People go wild when our team wins a game- they even drive around waving flags, blocking off the streets! Apart from this, many people enjoy playing tennis and doing martial arts.

6.19.4. Who is your favorite sports star?

6.19.4.1. As I’m not a big sports fan, I don’t really have one. However, I think I may like Cristiano Ronaldo. Although I don’t know anything about him or his athletic abilities, I think I’ve always been drawn to him (attracted to) because of his looks.

6.19.5. What kinds of sports would you like to try in the future?

6.19.5.1. I’m really intrigued by soccer. I think it’s something that can really connect people, as well as is good cardiovascular and coordination activity. Actually, I wish I had gotten into it as a child. I think it would be interesting to join a league in my city.

6.19.6. How do people in your country stay fit?

6.19.7. Is it important for children to play sports?

6.20. Gifts

6.20.1. Do you like to receive gifts? (Why/ Why not?)

6.20.2. What kind of gifts do you like to receive?

6.20.3. What gifts did you receive in your childhood?

6.20.4. Do you like giving gifts to people?

6.20.5. What gifts did you give to others in your childhood?

6.21. Handwriting

6.21.1. Do you often write things? / Do you write every day?

6.21.2. Do you usually write by hand or write using a computer?

6.21.3. Do you like writing to people?

6.21.4. Nowadays, how do most people write things?

6.21.5. When do children begin to write in your country?

6.22. Chocolate

6.22.1. Do you like sweets or chocolate?

6.22.1.1. Well, chocolate is my all-time favorite. After working my butt off all day long, I usually decompress with a chocolate bar.

6.22.1.1.1. All-time favorite (noun) favorite of all choices, during all times

6.22.1.1.2. working my butt off (idiom) work really hard

6.22.1.1.3. Decompress (verb) sit down and chill

6.22.2. What’s your favorite flavor?

6.22.2.1. To be honest, I’m addicted to chocolate, I do have my all-time favorite flavor, which is the white chocolate. Since I have a sweet tooth, dark chocolate would be too bitter for me. Meanwhile, milk chocolate just isn’t sweet enough. So white chocolate is just a perfect fit.

6.22.2.1.1. To have a sweet tooth (n) to like sweet foods

6.22.3. How often do you eat chocolate?

6.22.3.1. Well, although it’s quite pricey, I usually buy myself a box of hand-made dark Belgian chocolates when I receive my wages.

6.22.4. When was the first time you ate chocolate?

6.22.4.1. To the best of my recollection, it was 20 years ago when I ate chocolate for the first time. The 7-year-old me was over the moon/on cloud nine/deliriously happy when eating something that moreish. Now that my taste changed though, still I enjoy having some dark chocolate after working hard all day long.

6.22.4.1.1. All day long (phrase) throughout the day

6.22.4.1.2. Moreish (adj) delicious

6.22.5. Is chocolate popular in your country?

6.22.5.1. There are a variety of chocolate brands with different price range and quality available in the market nowadays. Thanks to the health benefits that it offers for human, consuming chocolate at a suitable level is encouraged. The sweetness of chocolate also makes it a common present that men choose to give their beloved women in special days, especially Valentine’s Day or International Women’s Day.

6.22.6. Is chocolate good for our health?

6.22.6.1. Scientifically, chocolate provides human a number of health benefits. Firstly, eating chocolate helps improve our mood and lift our spirits, even when we’re under pressure. Secondly, consuming chocolate at a reasonable amount is good for cardiovascular system. Interestingly, chocolate has been proved to contain antioxidants, which benefits women as well. However, if people have an over-consumption, it can pose a dire threat to their bone density.

6.22.6.1.1. To benefit (v) to provide advantages to SO Antioxidant (n) a substance such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism.

6.22.6.1.2. Cardiovascular system (n) The system that circulates blood and lymph through the body, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, blood, lymph, and the lymphatic vessels and glands

6.22.6.2. Well, scientifically, chocolate provides a number of health benefits. Firstly, eating chocolate helps improve our mood and lift our spirits. Secondly, consuming a reasonable amount of chocolate is good for the cardiovascular (tim mạch) system. Interestingly, chocolate has been proved (chứng minh) to contain antioxidants (chất chống oxy hóa), which benefits women as well. So for all the reasons, I think chocolate is good for our health but it’s important to remember the old adage (câu ngạn ngữ) “nothing in excess.” (cái gì quá cũng không tốt)

6.22.7. Do you think people use chocolate differently now than in the past?

6.22.7.1. Well, I have never ever thought about it. However, I suppose that people living in this modern life prefer eating chocolate than their ancestors. In my country, the number of chocolate consumption is on the rise, especially in young consumers.

6.22.8. Have you ever given chocolate as a present to someone? Why?

6.22.8.1. Yes. The sweetness of chocolate also makes it a common present that people choose to give their beloved ones in special days, especially Valentine’s Day or International Women’s Day.

6.22.8.2. Definitely /ˈdefɪnətli/, yes. To be honest, I am a big fan of all kinds of chocolates but to be more specific, I would prefer the dark one because it is healthier than the other kind of chocolates. From my point of view, the sweetness of chocolate also makes it a common present that I choose to give my beloved ones on special days, especially Valentine’s Day or International Women’s Day.

6.23. Clothing

6.23.1. What clothes do people usually wear at weddings in your country?

6.23.1.1. Well, (let me tell you about the clothes which people usually wear at weddings in Vietnam.) In my experience, brides wear a particular dress called a wedding gown designed especially for them. They looked so beautiful in white. On the other hand, grooms wear special suits called tuxedos /tʌkˈsiːdəʊ/. About the guests, girls or women may wear a beautiful dress, whereas boys or men wear traditional clothes or other formal ones. Moreover, the guests could be suggested to wear by dress code.

6.23.2. What types of clothes do you like wearing?

6.23.2.1. Well, I really love wearing all kinds of clothes which are sewing by linen. I mean, it is the handmade material with a variety of color, simple style and friendly with environment. I think, the casual style will never be out of trend. The linen clothes are suitable for everyday use for going to work or leisure activities like going shopping, travelling or hangout. So, I fell comfortable and fashionable when I wear them.

6.23.2.2. Well, I usually wear the regular jeans and T-shirt for casual days or formal clothes on business events. But, I think since the trend has changed, the kind of these basic clothing has also changed for me, especially when it comes to the style of the jeans and T-shirts. I used to wear straight-cut jeans but nowadays, I wear contemporary style such as slim-fit clothes.

6.24. Festival

6.25. Number

6.26. Bird

6.26.1. Do you like birds?

6.26.1.1. I take a very keen interest in nature, so I love to learn about different species of plants, animal kingdom, and yes, birds. They are truly fascinating creatures, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Bird watching is one of my favorite things to do.

6.26.1.1.1. - Develop a keen interest In (expression) to be very interested in something

6.26.1.1.2. - Animal kingdom (phrase) the world of animals

6.26.2. Have you seen many kinds of birds?

6.26.2.1. Well, living in the city, birds are a rare sight. Most of the stuff about birds that I’ve seen is on documentaries of the great outdoors. I mean, I’ve seen some common breeds in real life like pigeons and such, but nothing too exotic.

6.26.2.1.1. - a rare sight

6.26.2.1.2. - Great outdoors (phrase) the woods, the wilderness, the wild

6.26.2.1.3. - Exotic (adj) originating in or characteristic of a distant foreign country

6.26.3. How do people in your country feel about birds?

6.26.3.1. Overall, they are not very into birds. Only elderly people are fond of keeping birds. Most of people only like to eat them especially game birds like pheasants. People in remote areas often hunt for birds in the wild and roast them over an open fire. They are considered a delicacy where I come from.

6.26.3.1.1. - Game birds (noun) a bird that may be legally hunted according to the laws

6.26.3.1.2. - Delicacy (noun) a choice or expensive food

6.26.4. Have you seen many different kinds of birds?

6.26.4.1. I have only seen a few, I am not much of a bird watcher The ones I have seen are pretty common, like pigeons and sparrows. I haven’t sighted any exotic breeds.

6.27. Bicycle

6.28. Collection

6.29. Computer

6.29.1. When did you start using computer?

6.29.1.1. Well, I remember that when I was in the fourth grade, my parents purchased the computer, and it was the first time I began using it. Firstly, I did not know how to use the computer so I only used it to play some games. Then, I learnt more and more about computers and now, I do most of the things with the help of a computer and the internet. I am very grateful for making my works much more accessible.

6.30. Pet/ Animals

6.30.1. Do you have any pets?

6.30.1.1. Right now, I don’t. However, my family used to have really lovely cat and smart dog. Unfortunately /ʌnˈfɔːrtʃənətli/, our cat just wandered off (=left) out of the blue randomly one day (đi lạc). As for the dog, he was stole one day so my mom decided we should not have any pets. Whenever, I think about them, my painful memories (ký ức đau buồn) came flooding back (ùa về) and I feel a great nostalgia/nɑːˈstældʒə/ (nỗi nhớ da diết, sự luyến tiếc).

6.30.2. What’s your favorite animal?

6.30.2.1. Hmm…..I would have to say whales. I’ve been fascinated by them ever since I was a child. There’s just something so majestic about them; maybe it has to do with (is related to) their size. Plus they’re highly intelligent and family-oriented creatures. It’s believed that they even have their own languages!

6.30.3. Do you like to see animals in the zoo?

6.30.3.1. Not really. Sure, it’s interesting to see them, but I also feel sad seeing them in cages. In my opinion, wild animals should not be in captivity (caged) unless they have some sort of injury. Actually, I think it’s a shame that humans feel the need to see nature so badly that they cage them and charge people to enter.

6.30.4. Do you keep a pet?

6.30.4.1. Not currently. I would like to, but I’m actually not allowed to because of my apartment regulations. Additionally, I live in a small studio apartment so it wouldn’t be the best environment for a pet, unless it were a cat or small animal. Moreover, I work full-time so I wouldn’t have a lot of time to tend to the pet.

6.30.5. Did you have a pet when you were young?

6.30.5.1. Yes, I did. My parents were both animal lovers (people who love animals), so we always had a house full of pets. My first pet was a lizard named Charlie, then I had my very own black kitten named Pal. Although I played too hard with my pets and made them annoyed, I still got a lot of joy from them. Additionally, I also learned a sense of responsibility from a young age.

6.30.6. What pet will you have later?

6.30.6.1. Hmm. I think I want a dog and a cat. When I think about it more, I cannot imagine having a family without a dog for my children one day. I can envision them playing with a Golden Retriever or a Labrador retriever, as they have a friendly demeanor (way of being). On the other hand, I’m more of a cat person (a person who prefers cats to dogs), so I would like to have one as well.

6.30.7. If you raise children in the future, will you allow them to keep a pet?

6.30.7.1. Yes, for sure. I would like to make their dreams come true of having a pet, as many children want. Moreover, I feel a pet is a great addition to a family. Lastly, I think allowing them to have a pet is a good opportunity for them to begin to have a sense of responsibility when it comes to walking their pet, changing the litter box (the box where cats go to the bathroom), feeding them, cleaning the cage, etc.

6.31. Drinking Water

6.31.1. How often do you drink water?

6.31.1.1. Well, everyday of course! Staying hydrated (provide water for someone to keep them healthy) is a priority for me since I easily get a headache if I don’t, not to mention my weight loss goals. Drinking enough water is of paramount importance for health.

6.31.2. What kind of water do you like to drink?

6.31.2.1. All different kinds; I’m not too picky (selective)! I either drink tap water that I put in a Brita filter, or bottled water from time to time (sometimes). I usually put water in my refillable water bottle and carry it around me with me all day.

6.31.3. Do you drink bottled water or water from water machines?

6.31.3.1. Bottled water. Since the water in my country is potable (drinkable), I usually opt for that with a filter to improve the flavor. If this isn’t available to me, I buy a bottle of water, although I prefer not to because of my environmental concerns.

6.31.4. Do you like to play in water?

6.31.4.1. Oh my God, I love to! It’s just so much fun. I often say that one of the best feelings in life is to just jump in a cold pool on a super-hot day. It’s one of my favourite ways to unwind on a summer afternoon.