Tổng hợp từ A đến Z Đề thi THẬT IELTS Speaking 2019 Tháng 9-12, kèm giải chi tiết

IETLS TUTOR đã tổng hợp toàn bộ đề thi thật IELTS SPEAKING trong năm 2019 với mong muốn giúp các bạn luyện thi IELTS đạt hiệu quả cao hơn, cùng với các bộ đề được dự đoán sẽ được ra thi trong các Quý. Các bạn tham khảo nhé !

Part 1:

- House and accommodation:

• Where do you live?
• Is there any interesting places near the places you live?

- Sport:

•  What is the most popular sport in your country?
• Did you play any sport when you were a child?

- Cooking

• How often do you cook?

Part 2: Describe a good law in your country.

Part 3:

• Are police officer popular in your country?
• Do people like being a police officer in your country?
• What qualities should a police officer have? (*)
• Why some people prefer to be a lawyer?

Part 1: Choose take photo or camera

Part 2: Describe the old person you know

Part 1:

• Where do you study?
• What do you want to change about your school?
• Do you like drinking water from bottle or tap? Why?
• What color do you like? Did you like other color when you were younger? If you can paint your room with a color, what would it be? 

Part 2: Describe a book you have read recently

Part 3:

• What kinds of book are popular among children in your country?
• Do children like fairytale? Why?
• How to encourage children to read? 
• Do people teach children to read at home or send them to school? Why?

Part 1:

- Work or study

• Đi làm hay đi học?
• Thích điều gì ở cv đang làm?
• Nhiệm vụ là gì?

- SKY

• Có dành nhiều tg ngắm bầu trời không?
• Trời đêm hay ban ngày đẹp hơn?
• Địa điểm nào ở thành phố ngắm trời đẹp?
• Hồi bé có học gì liên quan đến trời đất không?

- Photograph

• Có thích chụp ảnh không?
• Hay chụp người hay cảnh?
• Chụp bằng điện thoại hay camera thích hơn?
• Chụp ảnh xong thì làm gì?

Part 2: Something you do to to help you work/study

Part 3: ti tỉ câu hỏi về routines và creativity

• Set routines có tốt không?
• Làm thế nào để có thể creative mà vẫn theo routine?
• Ngta có thể làm gì để tăng creativity?
• Nhiều lắm luôn

Part 1: nói về

• nơi bạn ở hiện tại
• shoes
• sunglasses

Part 2: a book you read recently

Part 3: về chilren và adult với việc đọc sách

Part 1:

•  Work or study?
•  Is that a good job?
• What your company should change?

Music

• How often do you listen to music?
• Are there any kind of music that you don’t like?
• Have you ever come to a live music concert?

Cooking

• Do you like cooking?
• Why people like cooking?
• Home cooked food and food bought from restaurants?

Part 2: Talk about a problem you had with a device ( TV, mobile phone...)

Part 3:

• What kind of devices that people often use in their life?
• Are there any things you can do with a laptop but can’t do with mobile phone?
• What can people feel when they have a new device?
• Is it true that inventions make you lazier?
• Do you think the talent to create new invention is something from practice or innate one?

Part 1:

• Study - major - university - learn subjects include or do not include in course -> affect to you? 
• Do you want to change sth in university ? Why?
• Picture - which one do you like? - why - have picture in family? Important?

Part 2: piece of equipment is broken

• what is it?
• when ?
• who did it?
• how you feel about it?

Part 3:

• Equipment ? When it broke, how it was broken?
• Consider to fix or buy a new one?
• How can you compare with other countries? 
• Music? Which equipment you use to listen to music? When are you listen?
• Live concert - prefer it or not? - been there? - how you feel about live concert outside?
• Book ? Children prefer read book to enrich knowledge in science? Or not?

Part 1: Work or study? Tea or coffee? Sky

Part 2: Describe a situation you didn’t have enough time

Part 3:Time spending, time management and how to deal with stress

Part 1:

- Area

• How long have you been living at your current area?
• Do you like it?
• What change do you think wilk make it better?
• ...

- Movie stars

• Your favorite movie star?
• Do people in your couuntry like movie stars?
• Do you want to be a movie star?
• ...

Part 2: Describe a person who you wanted to be like when you were a child.

Part 3: Children

• Difference between children now and in the past
• Is it a good thing or bad thing
• What do children need the most

Part 1:

- Work:

• Are you worker or student?
• Where do you work?
• Do you think your company is good place to work?
• Do you want anything to change about your workplace?

- Shoes:

• Do you feel comfortable when wearing shoes?
• Do you have favourite pair of shoes?
• How often do you buy shoes?

Part 2:

Describe about a faraway place that you would like to visit in the future?

Bonus: Do you have know anybody that has come there?

Part 3: Các câu hỏi liên quan đến Holiday và travelling:

• Việt Nam có những địa điểm du lịch nào nổi tiếng?
• Có nhiều người Việt Nam du lịch đến các địa điểm đó hay không?
• Có phải tất cả mọi người đều thích đi du lịch vào các kì nghỉ lễ hay không?
• Tại sao lại có một số người không thích đi du lịch vào các kì nghỉ?
• Có phải người Việt Nam muốn kéo dài các kì nghỉ hay không?
• Những người trẻ dùng 1 năm gap year đi du lịch có lợi hay hại?)

Part 1: về study or work.

Part 2: thing you taught younger person.

Part 3: về phát triển trẻ em, dạng như trước khi đi học thì bố mẹ nên dạy gì, trẻ em học trên trường khác gì học ở nhà, các skills ntn...

Part 1:

• Where do you live
• Do you know many people living in your areas
• What kinds of picture do you like
• Is your house decorated with pictures
• Do you want someone will draw a picture of you in the future

Part 2: Describe a beautiful city

Part 3:

• Ở nước bạn có những thành phố cổ nào? Tại sao nó lại thu hút khách du lịch?
• Làm sao để bảo vệ nó?
• Bạn nghĩ các thành phố hiện đại trên khắp thế giới có được xây dựng giống nhau không?
• Trong tương lai các thành phố sẽ như thế nào
• Sự cải thiện ở thành phố của bạn

Part 1:

• Talk about where you are living? How long have you lived there?
• What is the difference between there and your old area? What's new improvement in your current area?
• Do Vietnamese people have pet? Did you have pet when you were a child?
• Do you look at sky? Do you learn about star in school?
• Where do you often look at sky?

Part 2: Tell about a beautiful/ handsome person you met

Part 3:

• Do you think clothes are important in making impression?
• Do mình có nói tới việc "people often make snap judgement about a person within few seconds so it is important to wear smart clothes..." nên thầy hỏi thêm là: is snap judgement fair?
• Why do almost brands use beautiful person as model?
• Do you think they (beautiful people) have any disadvantages?

Part 1:

• Talk about the city where you are living at the moment.
• Do you think you live in a good city, why ?
• Do you have breakfast habbit ? Why do you think its important ?

Part 2: Describe a good law in your country.

Part 3:

• Does your country resident like to do police officer ? Why or why not ?
• Do you think your country people prefer to do lawyer than police ?
• Do you think your country people offen obey the law ? If not, how to solve this problem ?

Part 1:Work, music

Part 2:: Describe a game that you played when you was a child.

Part 3: Trẻ con VN hay chơi outdoor game gì?

Vì sao chúng lại chơi game đó, chúng có quan tâm nhiều đến thắng thua không?

Ba mẹ có dạy chúng là không nên quan tâm thắng thua mà hãy enjoy game đó không,...

Part 1:

• Where do you live?
• What do you like about the place you are living?
• Do you know many people in your neighbourhood?
• What is your favourite colour?
• Which colour will you choose to paint your wall?
• Did your mom often dress you in bright colour when you was a child?
• Do you often wear sunglasses?
• Do you often buy sunglasses?
• Have you lost any sunglassess?

Part 2: Describe a teenager you know

Part 3:

• Do you think personality of kids will change when they are teenager?
• Was childhood more enjoyable in the past?
• What do teenagers think about the old?

Part 1:

• Student or job ?
• Is a good place ?
• Do you like drink ? Why ?
• Drink bottle or machine ?
• Do you like cook ? Why ?
• Home cook food - restaurant ?

Part 2: Describe a skill learn long time ?

Part 3:

• Ngoài cái skill trên còn skill nào học long time nữa không ?
• Bonus thêm Ngoài 2 skills đó còn skill nào nữa không ? Ví dụ như language ?
• Patient ?
• Design cần patient không ?
• Old people or young people patient more ?

Đề 1:

Part 1:

•  Where do you live
• Glasses
• Music

Part 2: Describe another language (not English) that you want to learn in the future

Part 3:

• Should student learn another language?
• Some question about international language

Đề 2:

Part 1: Place you lived in, share something to others, star movie

Part 2: A person you enjoyed study with

Part 3: Children & their classmate

Part 1:

• like and dislike people have pet,
• have you ever praise animal
• why you have pet
• which animal do you like/dislike, why

Part 2: Describe an old person.

Part 3:

• Người già và người trẻ có share interesting với nhau được không? Tại sao
• Người già thường dạy người trẻ cái gì, tại sao?
• Người già có học gì từ người trẻ không? Tại sao?

Part 1:

• Talk about the area you are living ?
• What do you like about it ?
• Would you like to see some changes in the area ?
• Your favorite move star?
• Do you want to be a movie star ?

Part 2: Describe a time you felt proud of a friend?

Part 3:

• What do u thank about success in study and work ?
• How they should be awarded?

Part 1:

• Student or worker?
• What you like most about your study?
• How much time you spend per week for your study?
• Một số câu nữa về học hành 

Part 2: Describe a party that you went to

Part 3: Hỏi về festival với party ở Việt Nam.

Part 1:

• Do you work or study?
• What do you want to o in the futủe to be better at your work?
• What difficulties you get at work?
• How do you feel if you I have to wait for someone?
• Were you a patient person when you were younger?
• Are you patient now?

Part 2:. Describe a person you want to become similar when you were growing up?

• How do you know about that person?
• What that person do that you admire?
• Why do you want to be similar?

Part 3:

• Do you think celebrities in Vietnam are setting a good example for children?
• Do you think they should advertise for products for children?

Part 1:

• Work - study
• Movie stars
• Crowded places

Part 2: Describe a party that you enjoyed.

Part 3: Hỏi xoay quanh về parties, celebrations, wedding.

• Người Việt tổ chức party vì lí do gì, với mỗi đối tượng bạn bè hay người thân thì tổ chức loại party nào?
• Có nên chi nhiều tiền cho đám cưới không? Chi một lúc hết luôn tiền cho đám cưới hay để tiết kiệm thì cái nào tốt hơn?
• Người Việt tổ chức celebration nào? Có nhiều người nước ngoài tham gia không? Tại sao họ nên tham gia vào celebration bạn kể?

Part 1: Study, coffe and tea, handwriting.

Part 2: Decribe a party you went to.

Part 3: Party and festival

WORK

1. What do you do? For the past few months I’ve been working for Thanh Nien
newspaper as a news editor. In fact this is my first job ever, I’m working really hard to
contribute to the success of this prestigious newspaper.
2. What are your responsibilities?

As a part-time editor, I am responsible for editing news related to different current affairs as well as collecting information for the newspaper edition.
3. Why did you choose to do that type of work (or, that job)? I guess it’s mainly
because of the job flexibility & my passion for journalism. To be more specific, this job
offers me alternatives to the typical nine-to-five work schedule, enabling me to find a
better balance between work and life. Besides, this job gives me opportunities to pursue
my dream to become a journalist down the road.
4. Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?
At present, I don’t think I’m able to dedicate myself to any other job rather than this one.
In fact, to me it’s the experiences and opportunities I can gain that really matters.

5. Do you enjoy your work?

Most of the time. Contributing to the news production for a prestigious newspaper gives me a sense of satisfaction and pride.
6. What do you like/dislike about your job?
Well the perk of being a news editor is that you’ll surround yourself with inspiring
news on a daily basis. What I don’t like about this job is that I have to do a thousand
edits to get the final one to meet the requirement of my boss. Sometimes I feel a bit
overloaded with tons of tasks.

 STUDY

1. Are you a student or are you working?
I’m currently a senior at ABC University, which is one of the top schools in the
nation. Admission is incredibly competitive so I’m very proud of being a student
here.
2. What are you studying?
Well, I’m majoring in Accountancy, so as you can guess, I deal a lot with numbers and
figures day in, day out. It can be overwhelming at times, but I’d like to think that I have
a knack for mathematics and calculations so it’s okay.
3. Why did you choose to study that major?
There are many reasons for my choice. As I’ve already explained about my long-term
interest in Accountancy, another reason could be because of accountancy itself, since I’ve
found my personalities have changed in a positive way, you know, like I’ve become more
patient and skillful.
4. What’s the most difficult part of your study?
Well, for the most part, I’d say it’s the workload. I mean there are so many assignments
and students are always under a lot of pressures from deadlines. But on the other
hand, exams are a piece of cake. They are quite predictable, and I can pretty
much breeze through them with a bit of revision.
5: What do you like most about your school?
I guess the aspect I find most enjoyable is the environment. I mean, I get to study in
English-speaking classrooms and the facilities are top-notch; I mean, all the classrooms
are air-conditioned and equipped with projectors. My friends and teachers are all
very nice as well, so all in all it’s a great place to study.

HOUSING/ACCOMMODATION

1. What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?

For the past 21 years I have lived in a house with my family. And I think if I can move out
and start making a living on my own, I would try my best to have an independent place
where I can plan and design a house layout to suit myself since sharing a room or a flat
with strangers sounds so troublesome to me.
2. What do you usually do in your house/flat/room?
Well definitely I’ll spend some me-time there. I study, I chill out by reading, drawing
and dancing all by myself. Sometimes I also invite one or two friends to spend time
with. We’ll watch some movies together and tell each other endless stories.
3. Who do you live with?
I live with my family. There are 5 of us and we all have our own room, which is way more
comfortable as the older we grow, the more privacy we need for ourselves. I think
our house is big enough for us yet still a warm and cozy place that I call home.
4. How long have you lived there?
Although during my childhood my family had to move a lot, I’ve lived in the most recent
house for almost ten years. Comparing to the old houses, I think this house has been the
best so far.
5. Do you plan to live there for a long time?
The answer would be yes if the respondent is my parents, since moving in and out is too
time-consuming and exhausting. Cleaning and arranging everything all over
again would be liketorture to them. For me, on the other hand, as I’m thinking of moving
out to start my adult life, hopefully soon I’ll be able to afford to live in a flat or an
apartment.
6. What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you
have lived in the past?
As I’ve already mentioned my family moved several times when I was younger. And the
most current house where we’ve been living for about ten years is the best house so far. All of us have separate rooms for our need of privacy yet a big dining room where we can spend the whole evenings together watching TV or having dinner.
7. Can you describe the place where you live?/ Please describe the room you
live in

Briefly, my humble house locates in a small and quite street, so coming home to me is like all the craziness happened outside is left behind. Just beside my house stands a big old tree. I have my own room with walls painted violet, which is kind of a peaceful color. The air outside is fresh. I usually open the window to enjoy the wind and sunshine, which will help cool down my room without an air conditioner. Since I spend most of my time staying at home, my room means the whole world to me. It’s like a friend who is always there to share ups and downs with me. So yeah, I would always miss my house, my room whenever I’m away.
8. Which part of your home do you like the most?
It’s the dining room where my family spends our time together. Not only lunch or dinner
but all our family reunions take place in the dining room where we can enjoy
a harmonious atmosphere. We always try to keep the family dinner as something
we cannot go a day without, since for us it’s the family bonding that lies behind.

HOMETOWN

1. What’s (the name of) your hometown?
... is my hometown which’s a province located in the west of my country.
2. Is that a big city or a small place?
Actually, it is a small province with slightly more than 1 million people. It has breathtaking view of picturesque landscapes with rolling mountains and greenish lakes. However, due to the increasing economy, a number of business, especially in sugarcane, are invested in my hometown that turns it into a promising area.
3. Please describe your hometown a little?
My hometown is both traditional and modern. On the one hand, tradition is preserved by a number of festivals celebrated by local people, and the locals and authorities preserve

the historical sites for tourism and education. On the other hand, a whole lot of high-
rise buildings as residential places or shopping malls are built, which turns our little

hometown into a worth-living place.
4. How long have you been living there?
I had lived there around 15 years before my family left for Cần Thơ Vĩnh Long City. It’s
more than ten years since the day I left my hometown, but it is indeed a good memory of my childhood.

5. What do you like (most) about your hometown?
I like the hospitality and the love of people there which I hardly find them in my current
place. Everyone is living close together and willing to give others a hand when they
need help.
6. Is there anything you dislike about it?
Personally, it’s a bit boring for me because as a small town, there is not much shopping
mall or any other means of entertainment. The streets are not very crowded as well.
However, I believe that it has been improving day by day and becoming a potential hotspot due to the increasing number of annual visitors.
7. Do you think you will continue living there for a long time?
To be honest, I hope I could come back there one day to visit my relatives and friends, but to settle down my life there is not my plan. I am getting familiar with city life and
there are more job opportunities for my future career.
8. Has your hometown changed much since you were a child?
Actually yes. It has changed enormously. 20 years ago I could barely find tall building
around my area, but now I can easily catch sight of skyscrapers and tower blocks there.
9. Are there any changes you would like to make in your hometown?
I would like to ameliorate the infrastructure conditions there so that I can avoid being
stuck in the traffic jam during the rush hours.

TRANSPORTATION

1. What form of transport do you prefer to use? Why?
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
motorbike is so popular I think 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.
2. How often do you take buses?

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 and traffic jamsalways take place, especially during peak hours. Thus, I’d prefer to take the bus, to save time, save gasoline and causing less pollution.
3. Can you compare the advantages of planes and trains?
Planes and trains regularly depart and arrive on time. Plus, there are many convenient
facilities catering particularly to certain groups of passengers. However, traveling by
plane is clearly time-saving and enjoyable in terms of on-board services like meals or
comfortable seats, while traveling 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-travelers.
4.How much time do you spend travelling on a normal day?
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.
5. Would you ride bikes to work in the future?
Definitely not. Riding a bike means you’re exposing yourself to the unpredictable
weatherand to air pollution. What is worse, I’m afraid the main streets or the highway
are 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. What will become the most popular means of transport in your country?
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.
7. Do you prefer public transport or private transport ?
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.

GIFT

1. How often do you buy gifts for other people?
I have been in the habit of buying gifts on important occasions such as birthdays or

house-warming parties because I consider it as a way to express my affection to others.
2. Do you like to buy expensive gifts?

Actually buying high-cost gifts is a no-no for me. In fact, I’m really into giving hand-
made gifts so that receiver can feel my love and care for them.

3. What kinds of gifts are popular in your country? Birthday gifts such as clothes,
flowers, cakes, books or jewelry are some kinds of popular gifts that adults prefer to give
in my country, whereas children tend to choose teddy bears or souvenirs for their
friends.
4. Why do people send gifts?
In my opinion, sending gifts is considered a way to convey love and care for each other,
which means that the relationship between the two people is precious to cherish.
Besides, this act may show affection, gratitude or asking for forgiveness.

MUSIC

1. Do you often (like to) listen to music? Or Do you like listening to music?
So far I haven’t met anyone who dislikes listening to music. However, when the workload is too heavy that requires me to stay highly focused, music is a huge distraction. Unlike many people who like listening to instrumental music because it highly benefits for their concentration and study, in my case the music makes me feel instantly sleepy.
2. When do you listen to music?
Well, music is essential to human in the whole world so I’m no exception. I usually listen
to cheerful music when I need motivation while sad music is my preference if I’m in a
bad mood.
3. How much time do you spend listening to music every day?
As I’ve mentioned I prefer working in silence. To put it simply, no music is allowed
during my working hours. After a long day at school, I probably want to chill out for like
half an hour with music to help me stay energetic so I can get back to work later.
4. What kinds of music do you like to listen to? Or What’s your favorite kind of
music?
My music taste varies widely from West to East and from the 90s to modern EDM. But if
Korean pop is considered as a kind of music, then yeah, that’s my favorite of all time. More than half of my playlists are Korean songs and I always keep myself updated with thenews related to Korean showbiz.

5. Have you ever been to a concert before? Or Have you ever been to a musical
performance?
Once in a blue moon I attend a concert, since the ticket price for foreign artists’ concerts
is so out of my reach that I can only stay home and watch online. It was 2014 that I
finally did go to a concert on my own, obviously it was an international music concert. It
was absolutely mind-blowing and unforgettable for me.

TEACHERS

1. What kinds of teachers do you like best?
My favorite kind of teacher is someone who is helpful, quite firmed and has high
expectations for students, especially if he/she teaches the subject I love. That kind of
teachers always have admirable passion for their job which motivates me to work harder
in order to impress them.
2. Who was your favorite teacher when you were young?
Definitely my Literature teachers in my high school. The first reason is because Literature is my favorite subject that I believed my knowledge and efforts could impress the teachers. Secondly, my Literature teachers tended to have a soft voice and inspiring teaching style that got me excited whenever the class began.
3. Would you want to be a teacher in the future?
I think I would, but I want to become a lecturer instead. Although teaching has always
been my dream job since I was a kid, my specialization is not pedagogy, which makes
it difficult for me to teach at schools.
4. Have you ever had bad teachers before?
Luckily I haven’t met such an evil teacher. I think as long as you’re hard-working and you
do all the homework, learn the lessons well enough and don’t break any school’s
regulations, your name shall not appear on the teachers’ blacklist.

SPORTS

1. Do you like to watch sports on TV?
Yes, I do. It is very exciting, especially when you see two world-lead players or teams
try their best to beat each other. You do not know which one will win until the very last
second. Sometimes the match is so intensive that I feel I cannot breathe.
2. Do you play any sports?

Yes, I do various sports. Back in college, I liked playing football with my classmates. But
after I graduate, I find it quite difficult to call up a team and book a football court. So
now, I usually go swimming, which I can do whenever is appropriate and do not need to
care about others timetable.
3. Do you have favorite sports star?
Yes, it would be DL, who is the first VNmese champion in a world-class tennis match.
Besides her achievement, I also like her bluntness. She always speaks out what she
really thinks in front of the media, even though sometimes it is not very appropriate.
4. What kinds of sports are popular in your country?
Well, I am not sure. But from my own experience, I think football, basketball,
badminton, and table tennis are the most popular sports in VN because you can see people playing almost everywhere, from streets to stadiums, from schools to workplaces.
5. What kinds of sports would you like to try in the future?
Probably extreme sports like sky-diving, because it is very thrilling and I always
wonder what it feels like to jump from thousands of meters high. The earth and sceneries must look different from that on the ground.

SKY

1. Do you like to watch the sky?
Yes, I am really into watching the sky, especially at night to count the countless
stars when I was a kid. I remember I sometimes laid down in the grass for hours to
watch the shining stars when in summer because I was fond of imaging the folk
stories about the stars.
2. What is the sky like at night in your hometown?
Well, as my hometown is a tourism city and there is no any industrial pollution, the
sky is always clean and clear, and I can see the stunning night sky with countless and
glittering stars and sometimes even the galaxy. But unfortunately, in
a metropolis like HCMcity light pollution makes the night sky invisible.
3. Have you ever taken a course about stars?
No, I have never been in any sorts of courses about stars because actually there were no
such courses in the schools or university. But fortunately, my grandmother once sent me

an encyclopedia about nature in which there were loads of stories about stars, I got
the most of the knowledge about stars from it.
4. Is it important to study stars?
Yes, I believe that astronomy has always had a significant impact on our worldview as
it can help open our eyes, give context to our place in the cosmos and that can
definitely reshape how we see the world.
5. What’s your favorite star?
My favorite star constellation is Orion. It’s very easy to spot on winter nights. Firstly,
it has a huge red giant star, which may explode any time soon. Besides, it has a
massive blue star which is very young. On top of that it also has a big
nebula where new stars are being born – so it has everything!

SLEEP

1. How many hours do you sleep every day? It depends on how heavy my
workload is on that day. But I usually try to get around 7 to 8 hours of sleep so
that I can always be wide awake and work effectively for the whole day.
2. Is it necessary to take a nap every day? Yes, I believe that people need to have a
snooze after lunch because after eating, we can start to feel sleepy and lose focus.
Therefore, a quick nap can bring our energy back and help us become more productive
after that.
3. Do old people sleep a lot? Why? Actually, I think elderly people generally have the
same amount of sleep as young people. But the thing is they often find it hard to fall
asleep, so they go to bed earlier than young adults, which makes us think that they
sleep a lot.
4. What time do you usually go to bed? To be honest, I’m a night owl. I usually go
to sleep at around 1 or 2 a.m. I know it is not a healthy habit but if I can’t get all my
work done, it’s very hard for me to get to sleep.
5. Do you always have a good sleep? I’m a busy person. I go to work from 9 a.m to 9
p.m, so at the end of the day, I often feel extremely exhausted and sleep like a rock.

TEA OR COFFEE

1. Do VNmese people like to drink tea or coffee?

Well, I think most VNmese are keen on drinking tea instead of coffee. There’s so much
culture of tea here in This country. Also, there’s been an increasing number of tea houses
built in both cities and towns.
2 Do you prepare tea or coffee for the guests at home? I prepare tea for the guests at
home because tea is easier to make than coffee, you just need to steep the tea bag or put some tea leaves into the hot water, then it’s done.
3. When was the last time you drank tea or coffee? I just drank some tea his morning
before I took the paper test of IELTS. I felt like it’s effective to prevent me from getting
drowsy the whole morning.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

1. What public holidays do you have in your country?
My country has a great range of public holidays but to me the most important one is the
Independence Day. It is considered as a national holiday, which is annually celebrated on
2nd, September. These day are to celebrate the day VN S secured independence from the USA after the Revolutionary War and usher in a new era of peace and reunification.
2. Do people in your country celebrate foreign festivals?
Of course we do. We celebrate Christmas with extraordinarily colorful lights and
decorations similar to those found in Western countries. It is a grand party when the
fun-loving and sociable citizens, whether being a Christian or not, celebrate with
gusto. Besides, there are also sparkling lighting decorations on the streets and in front of
houses, turning particular places into Christmas area. Usually the shops will have their
signs advertising sales for Christmas seasons, and the piercing cold is a wonderful
chance for people to get dressed up.
3. What do you usually do during public holidays?
Well, I often spend my time gathering with my beloved family and friends. Maybe go
shopping and take advantage of the sales which my favorite shops are offering
or hanging out with friends and having a whale of time at some entertaining places.
4. Do you like short holidays or long holidays?
Both options have their own merits, but if I have to choose one, I would pick short
holidays. The reason for this is that I can feel more prepared to go back to study and
feel less fatigued than spending a week for playing or travelling. Tthe purpose of holiday

should be to give people a temporary rest and help them recharge the batteries for
a fresh period ahead. Therefore, it is not recommended that people turn their days
off into a long holiday, indulge themselves and neglect their study and work.

SHARING

1. Do you have anything to share with others recently?
Yes, I have bought a hair dryer which is from Dyson. It’s been quite popular on the
Internet recently. You know I couldn’t resist my temptation and bought it with nearly
3 million VND. After a few days’ trials, I’ve found it pretty useful and shared it with
my besties. They were all into it.
2. What kind of things are not suitable for sharing?
I think it depends on different types of people you are going to share with. But, generally
speaking, things that cause negative impacts on people are better not to be shared with
others. For example, those meaningless complaints about people’s behaviors.
3. What kind of things do you like to share with others?
Oh, it must be good news. You know whenever I got a piece of good news, big or small, I
would immediately tell my friends. I think good news deserves to be shared with
others because it can spread positive energy to others.
4. Did your parents teach you to share when you were a child?
Yes, they did. They even told me an old story in ancient VN to remind me of the good
merit of sharing things to others. From that on, I always follow their advice to share
whenever possible, for example, some stationaries when my classmates needed.

MOVIES

1. Do you watch movies?
Of course, I do. It is my favorite activity during my free time. I would even collect DVDs of my favorite movies so that I can rewatch them from time to time.
2. How often do you watch movies?
Almost every week. As I am a student, I do not have much time during the weekdays.
When it comes to the weekend, I would browse the internet and pick a movie that
seems interesting.
3. What kind of movies do you like?

I like all of them. But my favorite is the action. The blast and car chasing are thrilling. And what is more important is that they rarely have complicated plots, which means I can relax and empty my brain.
4. Do you prefer to go to a movie alone or with others?
I prefer to watch movies with my friends. When the film comes to end, we can talk
about it, like who is your favorite character, or how stupid the bad guys are. If I go to
a movie alone, I will feel quite lonely, especially when I see other audiences come with
their companies.
5. Do you prefer to watch movies at home or in a cinema?
It is hard to say. I like both of them. Watching movies at home is more relaxing and
comfortable. I can lie on the couch and talk with my friend at any time and at any
volume I want. But a cinema often has more advanced facilities, like the huge screen
and high-quality soundtrack, which can provide a better watching experience.

MORNING ROUTINE

2. Is breakfast important?
I think it is very important. It guarantees you to have a vibrant morning and prevents
you from eating too much for lunch. If I do not have breakfast, I might sometimes feel
sick and even pass out.
3. What is your morning routine?
I usually get up at 8 o’clock. After cleaning my face and brushing my teeth, I would go
jogging for half an hour. On the way back, I would have some breakfast at the canteen
in my university, then have a shower and start study.
4. Do you like to get up early in the morning?
No, I do not like to get up very early in morning. Because I usually go to bed late at
night, getting up early would mean I do not have sufficient rest, which would make me
upset and sometimes event irritable.

COOKING

1: What kinds of food do you particularly like?
I’d have to say Asian cuisine is my favorite. I am a huge fan of the bold flavors and
spices used in Korean and Vietnamese dishes. Something I often daydream abouteating
is X, which is a tip-smacking noodle soup dish served with a crab broth. It’s every bit as
delicious as it sounds.
2: Is there any food you don’t like?
It’s true that there are a few things that kind of put me off. For example, I cannot stand Y, which is essentially a shrimp paste. A lot of people like it, though, but I think it smells
awful. Definitely not my cup of tea.
3: What kinds of food are most popular in your country?
I think street food is a staple around here. You can find bustling food stalls all around
our nation, and they are my go-tos for a cheap and cheerful meal. I mean gourmet
restaurantsare nice and all, but street food is what our country is all about.
4: Do you like cooking? (Why?/ Why not?)
Actually, I’d like to think that cooking is my forte. I developed a passion for culinary
artswhen I first watched the cooking show Masterchef. Since then, I have learnt a lot of
recipes and I can easily whip up a good dinner.

SHOES

1. Do you like shopping for shoes?
Yes, I love to do so. I can go on a hunt for a pair of the latest Nike or Adidas sneakers,
just to make an addition to my shoe collection and not to be old-fashioned.
2. How often do you buy shoes?
Well, I can say that I get new shoes every month. Whenever I get my salary, I always
try to keep my collection updated with a new pair of trendy shoes. I have such a big
love for shoes and I cannot stand wearing old ones.
3. What kinds of shoes do you usually buy?
I spend most of my money on trainers and boots. Mostly I’ll choose trainers and I’ve
got around 20 pairs of them so far because they bring comfort and performance, but
for formal occasions, I definitely go for some boots, especially leather ones because it
feels more posh and elegant.
4. Do you prefer comfortable shoes, or good-looking shoes?
I think I do like comfy shoes better than good-looking ones. I’m a pretty active person
and I’m always up for adventures so I move and run a lot the whole day. Because of
that, I would love to have comfortable running shoes as my companion.

5. Do you have a pair of shoes that you especially like?
Yes, and it is a white pair of Converse. I got it on my 23rd birthday from my mother
and they were very light and durable. Sadly, my beloved dog bit and tore them to
pieces the other day. The left shoe was nowhere to be seen.

WEATHER

1: What’s the weather like where you live?
Well, I was born and grew up in a tropical country, so it’s pretty much hot and humid
year round. However, in Northern cities, we actually enjoy four distinct seasons. In
summery months, it can get really sweltering, and by contrast, temperatures can
really dip in winter.
2: What type of weather do you like best?
I’d consider myself a cold weather person. I love the crisp mornings at the end of fall
and the chill of winter. Maybe it’s because we have to bundle up as the weather turns
cold, and I love wearing sweaters and overcoats.
3: Does the weather ever affect what you do?
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 really slippery, so it’s quite dangerous to
drive. Besides, you will definitely be soaked if you do decide to go out.
4: Does it rain a lot in your hometown?
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.
5: Does rain ever affect transportation in your hometown?
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.

PHOTOS.

1. Do you like to take photographs? (Why?)
Yes, definitely. I think photography is great since it helps us to document our life and
keep our memories from fading, and the photographic process is also fun.
2. Do you prefer to take photos yourself or to have other people take your
photo? Why?
To be honest, I like to take photos by myself so that the precious moments are captured
from my perspective. Moreover, as I’m not really good at posing for pictures, I always
find it embarrassing when being a model for someone.

3. How often do you take photographs?
In the past, I used to take photos on a weekly basis as I was really addicted to it.
However, as I’ve grown up and have had many tasks to deal with, I rarely use my
camera anymore.
4. How (why) did you become interested in photography?
Well, my father, who is a very seasoned photographer, has taught me many principles
of photography. Thanks to him, I won first prize in a photography contest when I was
10 years old and have fallen in love with it ever since.
5. Do you prefer to take pictures of people or of scenery?
Oh I could say without hesitation that landscape photography is more appealing to me
as I was born and lived for quite a long time in ABC, a small city whose population is
low but the scenery is gorgeous. I’ve shot lots of great pictures there.
6. What kind of photos do you like to take? Why?
Well, I think the kinds of photos do not matter. I tend to capture things that are not

moving, since it is easier for me to catch the right angle to make the picture more eye-
catching.

7. How do you keep your photos?
I usually print them out and keep them in albums so they will be protected. Besides, I
also store my photos on my computer disk and on the internet for backup.

COLOR

1. What is your favorite color?
My favorite color is grey because I like the saying ” between black and white there
is a long grey area”。

2. Do you like dark colors?
No, I do not, because dark colors are a bit of depressing. They are often associated
with death, murder or suffering.
3. Are there any colors you dislike?
No, I do not have any specific color on my dislike list. I believe any color can be
attractive as long as you make a suitable match or put them in the right place.
4. Do you usually wear clothes in your favorite color?
Yes, I do. I have many grey clothes. Actually, I am wearing one of them right now. I
think they help to create an impression of what kind of person I am.

HOLIDAYS

1. What do you do in your holidays?
Sometimes I travel to broaden my horizons, to admire the beauty of nature and
to plunge myself into the picturesque landscape in other regions in my

country. Every now and then, I just stay at home with my family and have a little get-
together to celebrate the holidays.

2. Who do you usually spend holiday with?
It depends on what kind of holiday it is. If it’s Christmas vacation, I prefer hang out with
my friends here and there and have a chit-chat. If it’s New Year holiday, I just want
to celebrate the holiday with my family and relatives in a cozy ambiance.
3. Do you prefer travelling alone or in a group?
I would say that I’m kind of an introvert so I would rather travel alone to some tranquil
and peaceful beauty spots than travel with a group of people during the holiday.
4. Why are holidays and important to you?
Holiday is a perfect time for recharging my batteries after a year full of challenges
and obstacles, having some me time and planning ahead for the upcoming year.
5. If you could take a holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Why?
If the choice is in my hands, I’m yearning for travelling to [.....] on Christmas vacation
when the weather is neither too cold or too hot. There I can contemplate the picturesque scenery.

SUNGLASSES

1. Do you like to wear sunglasses?
I want to, but I cannot. You see, I am wearing glasses and they are necessary for me to
get a clear view. Most sunglasses do not serve this purpose, so I have to give them
up.
2. Where can you buy sunglasses?
You can buy them at various places. There are glasses shops, which often sell sunglasses
with a particular function. Most supermarkets also have one or two shelves for
sunglasses.

3. Do people in your country wear sunglasses?
Yes, they do. They used to be a fashion item in the 1980s. Back then, everybody was
wearing them. Now, they are still popular. You can see many people on the street
wearing them, especially in the summer when the sunshine is too strong.

DRINK WATER

1. How often do you drink water?
I am not sure, but pretty often. I am quite easy to feel thirsty, so I always keep a glass of
water at my hand and take a sip of it every now and then.
2. What kinds of water do you like to drink?
I like pure water without anything in it. Some people like to drink VNmese tea, but I find it a little bitter. There are also others who like to put a piece of lemon in it. I have never
bothered to do so.
3. Do you drink bottled water or water from water machines?
I usually drink water from the water machine. It is very convenient and much cheaper
than the bottled water. I know some people believe bottled water is tastier, but I cannot tell the difference.

CITIES

1. Do you like the city you are living in now?
Yes, I do. It has various shopping centers and entertainment facilities, which can
satisfy most of my demands. It is also very convenient to do online shopping here. It
only takes a day to deliver the items you have bought to your home.
2. Which city have you been to recently?
I went to Xi’an in the northwest of VN last month. It is a city with such a long history. 13
dynasties had set their capitals there. It still has a well-preserved rampart and a
tower that was built over 1400 years ago.
3. Do you prefer the city or the countryside?
I prefer the city because it is convenient and full of opportunities. Some people like the
peace and slow pace of life in the countryside, but I find it a little boring.
4. What kind of cities do you like?

I like cities like Hcm. The climate there is quite mild, not too hot in the summer and not
too cold in the winter. Its economy is well developed, with many famous companies.
It is still one of the most popular tourist attractions in This country.
do you want to go to?
I want to go to Cantho. It is in the southeast of VN and near the sea. It is a perfect
combination of economic development, environmental conservation, and local culture.

PAINTINGS

1. What do you know about paintings?

I know there are various kinds of paintings, such as oil, watercolor, pencil, and VNmese
style. All of them are beautiful and can be used to record an event, depict a scenery, or
express a specific mood.
2. Have you learned drawing or painting?
Yes, I have. I used to learn VNmese painting when I was in the primary school. But I soon
stopped learning, because I found I did not have the talent and it took up most of my spare time.
3. Is it important to hang pictures at home?
I believe it depends on the preference of the family. Pictures are surely a good way to
decorate home. But there are also people who prefer other means of decoration. For them, I think hanging pictures is not important at all.
4. What kind of paintings do you like?
I like VNmese paintings. They put more emphasis on the spirit of the subjects and ignore
their authentic shapes to some extent. This is probably because of the culture I have grown up in and the education I have received.
5. If someone wants to draw a picture of you, will you agree?
Yes, sure. Why won’t I. But I do have a condition that the picture of me has to be handsome and I can get a copy of it.

PARK

1. Are public gardens very important in This country?
Yes, public gardens are quite essential in This country. They provide perfect places for
people no matter old and young to relax when they get some pressure.
2. Are there many public gardens in This country?
I think there aren’t enough public gardens in This country now. Some cities or big districts only got one public garden, which is obviously not enough for the need of the increasing population.
3. Do you think there are enough public gardens in your hometown?
Well, I think there are enough public gardens in my hometown. My hometown has at least six gardens if my memory is clear. There’s a big one near my home. We usually go there for a walk after dinner. Nobody around me seems to complain about the gardens.
4. What do you think are the benefits of having gardens in the city?
Well, I think the benefits are very obvious. First, it absolutely gives people especially the
old a place to relax and have fun with their retired mates. Also, this place provides the
white collars a good chance to get one step closer to nature, especially when they see the green plants in the garden.
5. Why do people who live in cities like public gardens?
Probably, the main reason is that public gardens gave those busy citizens an escape from
their endless working hours. When they see the green plants or some creatures in the
garden, their pressure would be alleviated to some extent.

PET

1. Have you ever had a pet before?
I have three dogs, and they are pretty adorable companies. I’m a real sucker
for animals, in fact, my whole family love animals. Time flies when you are with your
beloved pets, and I usually have a whale of a time playing with them.
2. What pet will you keep if you want
If I were to take the pick, it would be dogs. Dogs are so loyal to their owner, as well as
this, they are great companions. Every time I’m down in the dumps, my dogs would
wave its tail to cheer me up.

3. Are there many people keeping pets in your country?
I think most of Chinese love pets because pets are great listeners and excellent companions, but some of Chinese might have a high standard of cleanliness, so they don't think it is safe to have a pet at home.

EMAILS

1. Do you write many letters or e-mails? [Why/ Why not?]
I don't often write handwritten letters to people since it is time-consuming and tiring.
Nevertheless, writing e-mails or text messages is more common for me nowadays as
they are convenient and instantaneous. For instance, I send e-mails to family
members and friends and I can attach documents, music, videos or photos, which can
enhance the content of the message.
2. Which do you write more often, e-mails or letters? Although I believe it is more
personal and informative to send a letter, I write e-mails more often. E-mail
accounts are free and easy to set up, whereas letters require the sender to buy a
stamp and go to a post office or drop box to mail them. E-mails can also be written
conveniently on a phone, tablet or computer.
3. How often do you write an e-mail or a letter? I frequently send several e-mails each
day, particularly for the reason that I need to send messages to my teachers and
classmates. Additionally, whenever I encounter interesting news and articles or
simply need to communicate, I send e-mails to relatives and friends. As for letters, I don't regularly write them or only on special occasions, I will write one by hand.
4. Who do you usually write to? I mostly write emails to family members or friends on
a weekly basis. For instance, I may send my parents advice or articles about how to
improve their lifestyles. On the other hand, I normally send my friends humorous or
amusing e-mails about events I have encountered and want to share with them.

PATIENCE

1. What do you think “patience” is?
Well, I think patience is a virtue. Unfortunately, nowadays most people are quite
impatient. For example, many people want to get rich quickly but are willing to get their
hands dirty, so they always complain about how harsh life is.

2. Do you think patience is important?
Absolutely. I think it’s a quality that everybody should try to learn. Learning to wait until
the timing is right is the key to success, in my opinion. In fact, most successful entrepreneurs are very patient people.

3. Do you think being patient is an important part of being polite?
Yes, I think patience is an indicator of politeness. I mean, a polite person would
never chew someone out for keeping them waiting. If there’s a good excuse for being
late, a polite person should be willing to overlook such minor mistakes.
4. Have you ever lost your patience?
Well, yeah, without a doubt, there have certainly been times when I lost my cool. For
example, there was this one time when I had to wait forever to be seated at a popular
restaurant. Then someone suddenly cut in line and that really ticked me off.

CELEBRITY

1. Who is your favorite celebrity in your country?
I guess not only me, a number of young people have been highly impressed by her for
the past months- miss H Hen Nie. She is our 2018 Miss Vietnam and the representative of Vietnam in Miss Universe. After the beauty contests, she became well- known for her outstanding beauty, her amazing characteristics and also her professionalism.
2. Do you like any foreign celebrities?

Absolutely. The person I’m going to talk about is my bias ever since I was a teenage girl-
Miley Cyrus. I guess most people at the same age as me grew up with Disney Channel and among its successful series, Hannah Montanah 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.
3. Would you like to be a celebrity? Why?
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
belong 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.
4. Have you ever met a celebrity/superstar in real life?
When I was a student in university, I went to several live music concerts held on campus. There were famous artists performing in those concerts so, yes, I have seen some celebrities, literally, but I have never had a chance to meet or talk with any of them in person.

HANDWRITING

1. Do you prefer to write by hand or on computer? For business contact, I prefer to
write on computer because it is more official and much quicker; but for personal contact, I think writing by hand would be nicer. It would be of great sentimental value.
2. How is your handwriting? My handwriting is all right. Although not beautiful, it is
still recognizable, which I guess is a natural result of the fact that I have been typing on
computer most of the time.
3. Do you think one's handwriting can show one's personality?
Definitely. As much as the tone of voice in conversation, one's handwriting always conveys a unique type of information. People can tell a writer's character, personality and abilities through the handwriting.
4. Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer?
It depends on what I’m doing. I prefer the computer for most things because it’s faster
and you can save or copy things, but I still like making notes or writing ideas down
by hand.

CROWDED PLACE

1. What places do you think are often crowded?
one of the most crowded places in the country is The Chinatown located in District 5, This is the home of Chinese people living in Saigon, a great number of people visit there, it is surrounded by some other residential and commercial areas.
2. When was the last time you were in a crowded place?
I visited this place a couple of months ago. I went there to meet one of my Chinese mates and greet her on her birthday. It was difficult for me to seek out the location at the beginning. The entire area was crowded with lots of people, the majority of them were Chinese. They were speaking in their own language
3. How do you feel when you are in crowded places?
The feelings were mixed. In fact, it was the very first time I visited to a Chinese home. So, Icould not think what to do or how to respond. Besides, travelling to the crowded place wasanother exciting event. At first, I was a bit anxious but gradually everything turned normal.

1. Describe someone you have not seen before but you would like to know
more
2. Describe a teenager you know
3. Describe a person who helps to protect the environment
4. Describe someone you would like to study or work with
5. Describe an intelligent person you know
6. Describe a person you have seen who is beautiful or handsome
7. Describe an old person who is interesting
8. Describe a person you want to be similar to when you grow up
9. Describe your grandparent’s job

1. Describe an interesting part of your country
2. Describe an indoor or outdoor place where it was easy for you to study
3. Describe a beautiful city
4. Describe a place you plan to travel to that is far away from your home
5. Describe an ideal house

1. Describe a time you borrowed something from your friends or family
2. Describe a game that you played in your childhood
3. Describe an important decision made with the help of other people
4. Describe a time that you had to change your plan / you changed your
mind
5. Describe a time when you received money as a present
6.Describe a party that you joined
7. Describe an activity you would do when you are alone in your free time
8.Describe a time when you looked for information from the internet
9.Describe a complaint that you made and you were satisfied with the
result
10.Describe an outdoor sport you played for the first time
11.Describe a piece of good news you heard (from TV or the internet)
12.Describe a time that someone did not tell you the whole truth about
something
13. Describe a success your friend has achieved
14.Describe a situation when you don’t have enough time
15.Describe a time you received horrible service
16.Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person
17. Describe a healthy lifestyle you know

18.Describe a time you enjoyed your free time

1.Describe a language you want to learn (not English)
2.Describe a good law in your country
3. Describe the last book you read
4.Describe an interesting talk or lecture
5. Describe something given to you that you really need
6.Describe a historical period that you are interested in
7.Describe a skill that took you a long time to learn
8.Describe an important plant in your country
9. Describe a film or TV program that made you laugh
10.Describe a time that a piece of equipment of yours was broken (such as
TV)
11.Describe a family business you know
12.Describe a new public facility (such as parks, cinemas etc) that influences
your city
13.Describe a kind of food people eat during a special event
14.Describe an item you bought but do not often use
15. Describe a book you want to write
16.Describe a subject you used to dislike but now have interest in
17.Describe a present you received which was made by hand
18.Describe something lost by others but found by you
19. Describe something you do to help you study or work

The person I am going to tell you is a student at my university. We are doing the
same degree in the same department. But because he is one grade below me, we have
never taken the same class and I have never met him before.
I knew him from the newsletter sent by my school. It said Xiaoming, his name,
decided to answer the call from the country and suspend his study to join the army

for two years. There were 9 individuals who made the same choice but he was the
only one in my department.
I was quite curious why he did that. Being a soldier was not an easy thing in
China. You had to undertake heavy training, obey the orders without hesitation and
go through a lot of physical exercises. All of these are quite different from the relaxed
atmosphere in university. So I want to know his motivation.
But at the same time, I admire him. It is soldiers who protect us from attack and
save us from various natural disasters. They are the most adorable people in China. I
want to be his friend and show my respect. That is why I want to know more about
him.

The teenager I am going to tell you is my cousin, whose name is Xiaoming. He is
17 years old and over 180 centimeters, which makes me feel like a dwarf when
standing beside him. He is a senior high school student and is preparing for the
university entrance exam next year.
Although he is my cousin, I did not meet him until this summer vacation. He
and his parents live in Hainan, the most southern province in China, thousands of
miles away from here, and they rarely come back. But this year is my grandpa’s 80th
birthday, which is a very important event in Chinese culture, so they set aside their
work, took a plane and returned to their hometown. That is when I saw my brother
and we soon got familiar with each other.
I should say we have a wonderful time together. We were both addicted to a cell
phone game called Wangzherongyao, where you team up with four other players and
try to destroy the base of the other side. I had to admit he is a pro. Under his
guidance, we had never been defeated, which was unbelievable. We were indulged in
the feelings of victory and sometimes even forgot to eat.

It is a pity he had to return to Hainan after the summer vacation. I am sure I will miss him. But luckily, we can still play the game together.

The environmentally friendly person I am going to tell you is my grandma. She
is already 83 years old, but quite healthy. Every morning after breakfast, she takes a
walk in a park nearby, which usually lasts an hour. In the evening, she would sit in
front of the house and chat with other old ladies.
The way she protects the environment is quite simple. She insists to bring her
own cloth bag to the supermarket to buy some vegetables on her way home from the
walk so that she will not need the plastic bags. A year ago, she did not do that. She
loved to use the plastic bags because they are light and convenient. But when I told
her that plastic bags are almost impossible to dissolve in nature and can kill animals
when they accidentally eat them, her behavior changed. Now, wherever she goes, she
will take her cloth bag.
Giving up plastic bags and using a cloth bag instead is quite an easy way to
protect the environment, but insistence is another thing. Even though we know how
harmful plastic is to the environment, sometimes we would still use it because of its
convenience.
That is why I admire my grandma. She never forges to bring her cloth bag. If
everybody behaves like her, I believe our environmental issue will be significantly
alleviated in a short time.

The person I am going to tell you is Stephen Hawking, a world-renowned
scientist. He was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author. He was
also the director of a research department and the professor of Mathematics at the
University of Cambridge.
When he was 21st, he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease, which affects
and causes the deaths of neurons that control the brain and the spinal cord. At

first,the doctor predicted that he could only live for another two years. But he kept
fighting and did not die until 2018 when he was 76 years old.
Stephen Hawking had done profound work in physics, especially in the theories
about the university and the black hole. Due to my limitation of knowledge, I could
not understand his various researches and conclusions, but from the reports on the
newspapers and comments of other scientists, I know he made a great contribution
to the development of cutting-edge physical theories.
However, what makes me think he was intelligent is not his research, but his
several works of popular science. He magically turns those boring, complex figures
and equations into something the general public can understand and arouses their
interest into this subject, which is amazing.

The handsome person I am going to tell you is Xiaoming, who was my classmate
and roommate back in high school. The first time I met him was on the enrolment
day. When I finally completed the complex registration process and carried the huge
box of my belongings to the dormitory, he was already there. He has made his bed
and was standing in front of a mirror, adjusting his clothes.
Noticing my arrival, he turned around, said hello, took the various stuff off my
hand and put them on the ground, which was a great help.He was wearing jeans and
a white jacket, with a pink shirt inside. He had sparkling eyes and a high-bridged
nose. His skin was as white as pearls and his hair was divided at the side.
He seemed to value his appearance very much. Every morning, he spent a lot of
time picking clothes and taking care of his hair. Even during the class, he would take
out a small mirror to check whether his hairstyle was mussed.
His appearance brought him many conveniences. When doing some group work
or team project, people would volunteer to be his partner and do most of the task.

When he and other students made some mistakes, teachers were more likely to
pardon him and blame others. I really envied him.

An interesting old person I met is an Italian cruise ship pianist named Will, who
was probably in his 50s.
It was about a year and a half ago, my friends and I were on the National Day
Holiday, and we took an Italian cruise ship to Kagoshima in Japan. That’s was the
first time in my life to travel by sea, and it was indeed a totally different experience.
I met this pianist at a corner of a café lounge on this cruise ship. His music was
so soothing to us when we were relaxing on the couch enjoying the endless blue sea
outside the window. He came at 2 pm every day on shift, and I had become his loyal
listener since the first day on board. He sometimes also sang and played some
Chinese classic songs from singers like Zhou Huajian, who was my parents’ age, but
is still very popular nowadays in China.
He was so nice to his listeners and I even had some chitchat with him after his
performance. What made me so interesting about him was that he sang perfectly in
Chinese, which was amazing. At least most of the Chinese senior singers I met at his
age wouldn’t be able to sing in English well. You know, he told me he was quite into
Chinese culture and had been there for many times.
Well, I think the craziest and coolest thing he did I think was that he chose to live his
life on this cruise, and it’s been almost 3 years! That reminds me of a movie called
The Legend of 1900, in which there’s a pianist who also had his piano career on the
sea. I think Will is one of a few who I’ve met that have lived life in the most
interesting way

The person I am going to tell you is Uncle Li, my father’s best friend. They were
born in the same village and went to the same primary school, secondary school, and
high school. After graduation, my father chose to further his education at the
university, while my uncle chose to answer the call to join the army.
The first time I met him was at my home, when I was 8 years old. Then, he just
retired from the military and came back. Since they had not met for almost 10 years,
my father was quite excited. Instead of going to a restaurant, he got up early, bought
some vegetables and meat, and made dinner by himself.
Uncle Li was a medium-sized man, not very strong, but looked really robust. He
told me the tough training he had gone through, . the friendship he had formed with
his colleagues, and the conflict against Vietnam he had participated. His arm was
injured in the battlefield. But he said he did not regret. Someone had to stand up to
protect our country.
I was deeply touched and inspired. Being a soldier was so cool in the eyes of an
8-year-old boy. I made a resolution that I would also join the army and fight against
the enemies when I grew up.

My grandfather is a chef, working at the most historical hotel in our city. It used
to be quite prestigious. Whenever there was a celebrity or a high-rank government
official came to my city, this hotel would be his first choice. With time passing by, the
hotel’s status has declined, but it is still among the top players.
My grandfather has been a cook for more than 40 years. At first, he was only
allowed to stand aside, pass on the kitchen wares, and wash them after a day’s work.

Gradually he gained the right to prepare ingredients,like chopping vegetables, slicing
meat, and peeling potatoes. After 5 years, he could finally cook food by himself. And
now, he is the king of the kitchen. Everybody has to follow his command and make
dishes under his instructions.
My grandfather chose this job quite accidentally. When he was a child,
everything was scarce, especially food. He was always hungry. So he wanted to do
some job that could fill his stomach. And he found that even in the most difficult
years, cooks could still feed their family. So he went to the hotel and became a
kitchen assistant.
Although I love cooking for my parents and girlfriend, being a cook has never
been on my list. It is quite physically demanding. You have to stand in front of a
cooker for hours and kept swinging the scoop. I do not think I am fit enough to
manage that.

The interesting part I am going to tell you is Chongqing. It is located in the
southwest of China and surrounded by mountains. In the past, it is often referred to
as the “land of abundance”, since it has fertile soil and the mountains keep it from
the damage caused by wars.
I knew this place from my textbooks, but just its name and location. I did not
know what it actually looks like until quite recently because a lot of people take
videos of this place and post it on Douyin, a very popular short video application.
The city is famous for two things, its food and landscape. Hotpot is the
representative of the city’s food, which is hot and spicy. If you are not familiar with
the taste, you may not be able to feel your tongues and lips when you take the first
bite. But a huge number of people are crazy about it. Some even fly there to have a
dinner. The city’s landscape is also unique. As it is built on the mountains, something
interesting happens. Usually, we step out of a building on the ground floor and hit on

the road. But here, you can also leave the building on the 8th floor or even 15th floor.
there are roads out of these floors.
Its food and landscape make it an interesting place and I believe they are also
the reasons why so many people post videos about it.

The place that I find easy to study is the library in my university. It is a huge
building with 8 floors, which was completed only last year. As it is located right in the
center of the campus, no matter where you are, you can get there quite easily.
I go there whenever I do not have a class, usually every evening, but sometimes
also in the afternoon. What I study there depends on the assignments of courses. If I
have finished all of them, I will randomly pick a book from the shelf and start
reading. There were one or two times that the book was so boring that it put me off.
I usually go to the library by myself, because I believe study is quite a personal
thing. I do not like to talk with others or share the feelings after reading a book.
Instead, I prefer sitting there and retrospecting the content. But before the math
exam, I would go there with my best friend, because I need his help to do the review.
The library is a perfect place for study. Firstly, it is very quiet. People consciously
keep their voice down and slow their pace. There is no one to interrupt me. Secondly,
it has a unique atmosphere. With thousands of books around, I feel I am already
smarter.

The beautiful city I am going tell you is Phuket. It is located in the south of
Thailand, Southeast Asian. It consists of one main island and 32 small islands off its
coast. You can fly there by plane, which usually takes 3-5 hours, depending on where
you are in China.
It is quite a hot place for vacations nowadays. Every year, thousands of Chinese
go there to enjoy their holidays. I know this place from a friend. He and his family
went there during Spring festival last year and he posted a number of photos on his
wechat. I was astonished by the beautiful views and various entertainments there.
The city is famous for a range of things. Since it is surrounded by the sea, you
can try diving, swimming, fishing, and other water activities, or you can just sit on
the beach and enjoy the sunbathing. There are also a lot of pubs, bars, Thai boxing
performance and Thai style massage, which make it a perfect place to relax.
Phuket’s main industry is tourism, so the environment has not been damaged.
The sky is clear blue with several clouds floating. The breeze brings fresh air and the
smell of the sea. The water is so clear that you can even see the fish swimming below
the surface. The beach is full of white soft sand, which invites you to lay down and
have a rest. All of these are the reasons why I think it is a beautiful city.

The place I intend to travel to is Queenstown. It is in the southwest of New
Zealand’s South Island. I knew it from a TV program called “travel around the world”
and was astonished by its beautiful sceneries. Since then, I have always been
planning to go there.

As New Zealand is on the other side of the Pacific ocean, it seems like I have no
other choice but the plane, which would take 14 hours. I could also travel by boat.
But this will mean I have to float on the ocean for over a month. I do not think my
university will grant me such a long holiday.
Queenstown is the home of extreme sports. I want to try Bunjee, skydiving, and
mountain bike. Local shops provide everything I need. there are also a lot of
professional guides and trains there, so I will not need to worry about my lack of
experience.
Life in Queenstown represents another choice. In China, I am always told to
study hard and work hard. It is like somebody is constantly pushing me forward. It is
not bad but can be exhausting. In Queenstown, with so many extreme sports, I can
release myself, challenge myself and indulge myself. That is why I want to go there.

I want to talk about the most gigantic house that I visited. It’s the Istana Nurul
Iman Palace, which is located in Brunei.
I went there last summer with my classmates on vocation. Our first-day schedule
of traveling in Brunei was to visit some scenic spots in the Capital Bandar Seri
Begawan, which was also the place where we landed by air. We were told by a kind
local, who accommodated us, that the Palace is the must-see place to visit. It’s
considered the largest known private residence in the world. So, we put in on our list
as our priority.
Well, the moment I got close to that building wasn’t so exciting. It looks like very
similar to other traditional Muslim structures. However, when we were led by the
tour guide to the inside of this building, I soon found the greatness in this house. You
know the ceiling was very high and the whole house was decorated with different
shining transparent materials. Oh, one thing I nearly forgot to mention is that the

chairs designated to the royal family that I saw were pretty and luxurious but not too
exaggerated.
The reason why I love this house is that its grandness has opened my eyes. I’ve
never seen a building like this before. Also, I was quite into the peaceful
environment, which made me feel very relaxed.

The experience I am going to tell you happened about two years ago when I
borrowed money from a friend. That day was my birthday and according to the local
customs, I should invite my friends to dinner to enhance our friendship and show my
gratitude for their concerns. So I made a reservation at a restaurant near my school.
Back then, the mobile pay was not as developed as it is now, which means I had
to take cash. I put it in the pocket of my jacket in advance, but when I left the
dormitory I forgot to wear it. My friends and I had such a good time. When the
dinner came to the end, I went to the cashier to pay the bill. Then I found I did not
have the money. I asked the waiter if I could pay by debit card, but he said they did
not have the device. I was so embarrassed.
I had to call my best friend who was at the table and asked him to come to the
cashier, pretending that he needed to use the toilet. After learning about what
happened, he laughed like an idiot. I asked him to lend me some money and he
agreed without hesitation, which saved me. Until now, he still makes fun of me on
this from time to time.

The game I am going to talk about is called “Three words”. To play it, you need
at least three people. One of them is given the role of ghost, whose job is to hunt
ordinary people. Anyone he touches becomes the new ghost and he becomes normal.
An interesting setting about this game is that if you anticipate that you are not going
to escape the claw of the ghost, you can say three words. Any word would be OK, but
the number has to be three. Then you are frozen. You cannot move until your
companions come to save you. During this process, the ghost cannot turn you.
This game was very popular when I was in primary school. We played it after
school, but we would not give up the 10-minute break between courses either. When
the bell rang, we rushed out of the class and began playing. We would not stop until
the teacher came in. At school, I played with my classmates, and when I came home,
I played with my neighbors. I also played with strangers. Usually, they were very
friendly. As long as you asked, they would let you in.
I think this is a very good game. It consumes the excess energy of children and
strengthens their bodies because to play it, they have to keep running. It also
enhances children’s friendship as they have to save each other from the status of
frozen.

The important decision I am going to tell you happened in my senior high
school. Back then I was faced with the problem of the division of arts and sciences.
According to the Chinese educational system, everyone had to choose one as his or
her major and this would affect the subjects he or she took in the university entrance
exam. If you choose the sciences, you need to study physics, chemistry, and biology,
and if you choose the arts, you need to study geography, politics, and history.

I was so confused and did not know which one is better, so I went to my teacher
and asked for her advice. As I was good at all the subjects, she suggested me to
choose the sciences. She said that at this stage of my life, I would not know what I
wanted to do in the future. If I had chosen the sciences, I could still change into arts
degrees in the university. But if I had chosen the arts, it would almost be impossible
to study the sciences because of the lack of background knowledge. I thought her
words did make a sense and followed her advice.
It turned out that I had made a good decision. When I chose the universities and
majors after the exam, I could choose almost whatever I want. I am really grateful to
my teacher.

The thing that I had to change my plan happened two weeks ago. That Saturday
was my girlfriend’s birthday. I was going to take her a fancy restaurant to have
dinner. That restaurant is located on the top of a television tower and is a revolved
one. If the weather is great, you can appreciate the wonderful scenery of the city
ablaze with lights.
However, just before the day of the date, I was suddenly told that there was an
exam of history on the next day. To pass it, I needed to memorize the whole book,
while I had not even started on page one. If I failed this subject, I would have to
retake this course. It would not only be a waste of time, but also a waste of money
since I had to pay for these credits. As a result, I had no choice but to give up the
arrangement for next day’s date and turned to study.
The textbook had about 500 pages, and I only had a day and a half to put them
into my mind. Obviously, only the daytime would not be enough and my dormitory
would be powered off during the night. So I got a room in a hotel, had food delivered
to my room and slept for one or two hours if I was too asleep. Eventually, I
completed this mission 4 hours before the exam.

Although I got great grades for this course, I was not happy at all. My girlfriend
was mad at me because I missed her birthday. I regretted so much that I had not
spent more time on the study in normal times.

The experience I am going to tell you happened between my best friend and me.
We have been classmates since high school and now we even live in the same
dormitory. He is an energetic boy, crazy about basketball. He is also careless, not
very good at picking gifts.
June the 13th was my birthday. He had been preparing for this since a month
ago, mainly thinking about what he should give as a present. I was also curious, but I
did not ask. On that day, he gave me a small box. I could not wait to open it and
found 500 RMB lying there. He said he did not know what I wanted, so he left the
choice to me.
With this money, I bought a shuffle, which is a small, convenient music player
produced by Apple. I had longed for it for about a year, but did not have the enough
money. I loved it so much that I carried it wherever I went.
When I recieved the money, I was a little surprised at first, because it is quite
rare for people to do this in Chinese culture. But then I was happy because I could
choose something I really wanted, not just accepted what they thought I wanted,
which often went wrong. So I like this present.

Well, a party which I went to was the one held right after I took my college
entrance examination. That was a bittersweet summer.
It was sort of a farewell party and was organized by our school’s international
department. The school administration thought that we might have little chance to
meet together again as a whole class, so they decided to make it special and unique
and definitely not cheap as well. It was supposed to be held in a fancy 5-star hotel,
and we were all required to dress formally, like ladies should wear high-heels, and
gentlemen’s tuxedo is highly recommended. You know what? I really took it
seriously. It took me like a month to seek for a suit that fit me well.
Honestly, it’s a little bit uneasy for me to dress in such a formal way, and I even
felt a little bit shy and intimidated when I stepped into the party hall. Maybe simply
because I was a kind of green when it comes to party stuff. But somehow I managed
to find my partner in the dancing session. After that, we talked a lot and shared our
future aspirations and indeed I had a perfect time there.
That party was a pretty memorable one actually. We’ve been through so many
rough times together in our school, and to say good-bye in that summer was really
difficult and sad. I think the most important reason why it left my the deepest
impression during my senior high school time was that I really cared, and I still do,
about the friendship I had with those lovely classmates during that period.

two hours even during the weekdays. There are also some times that I am so busy
that I do not touch it for a month. The frequency highly depends on my daily routine.
It is a console game and the AI would play my enemies. So I do not need a
partner or an opponent. But there was a time when my friends and I compete with
each other to see who would be the first to unify the country.
The game is based on a period of real history in China when numerous heroes
fought against each other and left their legends. By playing this game, you can
change their destiny and experience their lives. That is why I like playing it when I
am alone in my spare time.

The experience I am going to tell you happened just a few days ago. A month
ago, I bought a puppy from the pet market. It is really cute. I do not know its breed,
but kind of like corky, with a pair of large ears and pretty short legs. It looks like a
rabbit when jumping across the threshold. I decided to bring it home at the first
sight.
However, I soon found a problem. It poops and pees everywhere. I feel like its
servant, with mops and brooms at hands all the time. So I decided to train it to
excrete at a fixed location, and I went to the internet to find out how.
I first use Baidu, a search engine, the Chinese version of Google, to look for what
I want. Then I went to Zhihu, an ask-and-answer community, to see if there was
anybody else who had the same problem.
Honestly speaking, I am not satisfied with the information I found. Most of them
are the same with only a few words’ difference, and there was no specific explanation.
So until now, I still have not solved the problem

The complaint I am going to tell you happened a few months ago. Then I was in
the middle of a financial crisis. I had to cut my budget on other aspects so that I
could afford the textbooks that teachers required me to buy. After reviewing my bills,
I found I had spent too much money on my cell phone. So I decided to degrade the
package.
When I called the customer service of the operating company, the representative
said that I could upgrade my package any time I wanted, but if I wanted to degrade
it, I had to wait until next year. It was totally absurd. But no matter what I said, the
staff insisted that this was the regulation and there was no room for negotiation. I
called several times. Every representative gave the same answer.
I was enraged. I went to the website of the Ministry of Industry and Information
Technology, which is a government body supervising all the mobile operating
companies. I filled a form, explaining what happened in details and why I thought
this was unfair. After I submitting it, the website said it would give me a reply in 7
working days.
In fact, it did not take that long. On the second day, the company’s customer
service called. He said he was the manager of the relevant department and was sorry
about the inconvenience his colleagues had caused. The package of my number was
degraded immediately. I was satisfied with his attitude and the result.

One of the outdoor sports I played for the first time was snorkeling when I was
abroad for traveling.
I remember it was the time after graduation that I went to Phuket Island in
Thailand with my classmates for vocation. I got to know about this sport from our
tour guide who led us to a small tourist island for sightseeing.
Snorkeling is kind of a practice for real swimming in the sea. In order to make
sure that everyone one of us in the touring group could swim in the sea and that
nobody would accidentally get injured because of lack of practice, our tour guide
Jack gave us a roughly two-hour training in a huge swimming pool of a villa on that
small island.
To snorkel, you have to be equipped with a kind of diving mask with a long tube
that enables you to breathe the air in the water. Honestly,I was a little scared because
I seldom swam before, not to mention diving in the water just with a help of a tube.
You know, Jack was extremely nice. He helped me conquer the fear by teaching me
how to snorkel step by step. I saw his movement was so natural, and mine was like a
zombie. Then, I followed his advice to practice every single step time and time again.
It took me almost the entire two hours to master it. I felt it’s really worthwhile and I
really appreciate his guidance.
Well, I think snorkeling was not that really hard after I learned how to let go in
terms of our inner fear. From that on, snorkeling has been one of my favorite
outdoor sport in my life.

A piece of good news that I heard from the Internet was that residents from other
provinces of China can renew their ID cards in Beijing.

The exact policy enacted by the local government stated that people who are
working or studying in Beijing but do not have Beijing Hukou, which is a Chinese
household registration system, can apply to renew their ID cards in Beijing if they
have legal evidence that they have been living in Beijing.
I heard about this news from the Internet when I lost my ID card one day on my
way home and began to search a possible way to get a new one. You know, I’ve once
heard from someone that it’s way too complex to get a new legal document like ID in
a city that didn’t have your personal information stored in their local government,
not to mention about this mega capital city.I felt quite worried about this situation at
that time because, without my ID card, I wouldn’t be able to anything like buying a
train ticket. Without a ticket to go back to my hometown, it’s impossible for me to
renew it, which was a kind of dilemma.
Thank God that I got to know this news by searching the answer from Baidu,
which is a Chinese online search engine. The reason why I thought it’s such a
wonderful piece of good news was that it’s a savior that helped me get out of the trap.
Also, I’m glad that our government has become better and better in serving its
citizens in China.

I want to talk about an occasion that happened in my high school. It was about
my little cat Daisy.
I clearly remember it was in the last but one month of my last semester in high
school. At that time, I was in my final busy round of preparation for the GAOKAO,
which is the college entrance examination in China.
The moment I got home from school one night, my mother told me that our
Daisy, a Persian Cat that I have kept since the first year of my junior high school, has
been sent to my aunt’s home for a while because she worried that it might affect my
studies, and that probably it was about to be back after my GAOKAO.

You know I immediately thought something wasn’t right there because Daisy
was very obedient and silent mostly, it didn’t bother me too much while I was
studying. But later, my mother’s calm facial expression, while she was knitting the
sweater, made my doubt soon disappear. Two months later, after I had taken the
exam, my mother hugged me and said that she felt so sorry not to tell the truth about
Daisy’s accident.She got lost when she was outing with my mother in the market and
couldn’t somehow find it. You know, I was sad to hear about that, but I didn’t blame
my mother for this tragedy.
I think the reason why my mother didn’t tell me the truth at the very beginning
was that she wanted me to put my whole heart into the preparation for the most
significant exam in high school. I felt like the movie’s plot had lived in my real life.
But, I do appreciate my mother’s care, without which I wouldn’t be able to make it in
the exam.

I would like to talk about my friend Xu Ke, who is one year older than me and is
my fellow student in the college. We knew each other from a school association on
campus.
His most recent success in my memory was that he got an offer from the LSE,
which was a prestigious university in the UK. Xu was the most hardworking person I
have met in school.
I remember when we were organizing different activities like school’s speech
competition, tree planting on the tree planting day so and so forth, he was one of the
most passionate members. It’s like everything single activity was his baby that
needed to be cared much. What made me feel quite impressed about him was his 100
percent determination and execution. No matter what idea has been made, he’s
always the pioneer to do it. Even though those extra-curricular activities took up a lot
of his time, he was still a straight-A student in his grade, which made me so jealous.

Well, I don’t think his successful application to this well-known university in the
world is just luck. It’s the large amount of effort and time he put behind the scenes to
make things happen step by step that made him achieve this success. He is truly a
man that I admire.

Something I desire to do but don’t have time to do is getting a scuba diving
license.
Scuba diving is a kind of dangerous sport to newbies, so a license is supposed to
be a professional preparation for amateurs to dive freely in the sea. To do that, you
need to get three to four days for the training. That’s just for one level of the
certificate, there’re at least two more advanced ones.
One of the biggest reasons why I want to be trained for a certificate is that I hope
one day I could join with my friend Jack who is a scuba diving lover so that we could
have more adventures in the sea and I will be less fearful with a companion. Plus,I
am a person who has a weakness to sea creatures, which are the cuties animals to me.
You know, right now I’m concentrating on my own studies in school, and it’s
about one more year to fish. At least, in this coming school year, I wouldn’t be able to
make this little dream come true. But, hopefully, I could go to Thailand to learn that
license training course right after my graduation.

A time I received horrible service was actually from a property agent in Beijing.

It happened on a weekend last summer at my rental apartment. I remember that
day was tipping down quite often and I was busy working in my office as usual. When
I got home from work, my room was like a disaster, you know a lot of water leaked in
from outside of the window and the ceiling. I asked my roommate about what was
happened and he told me that it was probably because the ceiling had a fissure that
let the rain water come in. He also told me that he had called the agent but there’s
was nobody coming to fix it.
So, I dialed the number of the agent again and was told that they had already
arranged a professional and promised me to solve this problem. My roommate and I
thought this time this matter would be done soon, but they disappointed us
again.Nobody showed up the following days. What’s quite annoying for us was that it
kept raining cats and dogs for many days, which was normal in summer Beijing, but
we had nothing to do except for waiting.
Later on, we’ve found that it’s because the repairing professional was quite busy
to take the job, and the property agent still wanted to make some profits between us,
so they gave a false promise to put it off.
The reason why I think the service from the property agent was horrible was that
the agent was acting so unprofessionally, you know, they should have informed us of
the real situation so that we could reduce the cost to the minimum.

The experience I am going to tell you happened during last summer vacation. I
returned from the university and had nothing to do at home. I was bored to death
and desperately wanted to find something to occupy my endless free time.
Then, my little brother, a boy who just entered secondary school, became
interested in badminton after watching some matches played by Lindan, the best
badminton player around the world, and wanted to learn. Since I had received

professional badminton training, this article is from laokaoya websie, I thought
maybe I could teach him. In this way, he could save the money to employ a coach and
I got a good way to kill the time. It was a win-win situation.
We bought a racket and found a badminton court near his home. Everything was
ready. Every morning at 8 o’clock, we met at the court and began our training
session. I showed him how to move his feet, aim at the shuttlecock and swing the
racket. He was very talented and progressed pretty fast. After a month, he could play
several rounds with me.
I really like this teaching experience. It enhanced our relationship. We are much
closer after that. Meanwhile, I obtain a sense of achievement from his progress.

The healthy lifestyle I am going to tell you is early to bed and early to rise. I do
not remember when and where I first heard about this saying. But my parents keep
repeating it recently and hope I can follow their advice. They believe staying up late
has a negative impact on health and can cause various disease.
According to my parents, one had better go to bed before 11 o’clock in the
evening and get up at about 7 o’clock in the morning. Even if you cannot fall asleep
immediately, closing your eyes and lying on the bed is better than doing other things.
This is in chord with a person’s internal clock, and thus good for health.
To do this, a person needs to be highly organized. In the evening, he must resist
the lure of smartphone, games, and TV series. When the time comes, he is able to put
them aside at once and empty his mind. In the morning, he needs to have the
courage to say goodbye to the warm bed and welcome the chilly morning.
But this lifestyle does have many benefits. I used to insist it for two months. I
felt my memory got better, mind got sharper and sleep got sounder. Diseases like
cold had stayed away.

A time I enjoyed my free time was in Cancun, which was a coastal city in Mexico.
I often got chilled living in the winter of Beijing, so I went to Cancun last New
Year’s Holiday with my family to stay warm.
It’s quite far from here, and there’s no direct flight to Mexico. I remember it took
us around 16 hours to get to there, which made me exhausted. But the moment I got
out of the airport, I felt a sense of relief. Maybe it’s because I needed some fresh air at
that time, or it’s the nice taxi driver that made me feel so.
On the first day, we didn’t visit some big scenic spots there but just toured
around the area where we were staying, which I think was a pretty good tip for newly
arrived weary travelers, you know, to chill out a little bit by getting familiar with the
surroundings. Then, the followings days were quite exciting. I had seen the most
breathtaking coastal scenery in my life, and the ancient pyramid, which were all my
favorites. You know, I was quite into this place, not only because the trip to Cancun
gave me a place to escape the cold weather in Beijing, but also was a precious
opportunity for me to get to experience a totally different and interesting culture
there.
I wish I could have had more free time to stay in this place!

The language I want to learn is Cantonese. It is mainly used in Guangdong
Province and Hongkong. Though it shares some vocabulary with Mandarin, the two

varieties have huge differences in pronunciation, grammar, and lexicon. Many
Chinese in the north including me cannot understand it at all. One of my roommates is from Guangdong. Every evening, he calls his mother and talks about what happens in the school in Cantonese. After two years, I unconsciously learned two or three words, but that is all. I still do not know what he says. There are many books and videos that teach people how to speak Cantonese. I may buy some in the future. The best place to learn Cantonese is definitely Guangdong or Hongkong. Most people, especially the elders there, still speak this native language. In fact, I believe to truly master a language, you have to go to its origin and immerse into the local culture.
I want to learn this language because I am quite into Hongkong films. They used
to be very popular in the 1990s and leave a deep impression on a generation. But so
far, all the Hongkong films I have watched are dubbed with mandarin. They are not
bad, but I believe something must have missed during the process. So I want to learn
this language so that I can experience the original films.

The law I am going to tell you is about drunk driving. It was issued in 2006 and
rules that anyone who drives after drinking alcoholic will receive punishments from a
certain amount of fine to the prison sentence, depending how much alcoholic there is
in his blood and the type of the car he is driving.
I knew it from my father, who used to do a lot of drunk driving. One day, after
having some beer, he chose to take a taxi rather than drive himself. I was curious and
ask why. He told me the law and said he was afraid of the punishment, so he would
never do that again.

The law affects the drivers and the pedestrians. By deterring drivers from
drinking, it makes the road a much safer place for both of them. Since the publication
of this law, the number of traffic accidents caused by drinking has dramatically
reduced.
As a pedestrian, because of the law, I do not need to worry about being hit by a
drunk driver who is too woozy to notice the traffic lights. That is why I think this is a
good law.

The book I am going to tell you is called “The Three-body problem”. It is science
fiction written by Liu cixin, who is a famous writer in China. The book was published
in 2006 and won the science fiction achievement award.

The story happened between the earth and an alien civilization called the three-
body. Unlike the typical American movie where the alien suddenly invaded the earth

and the earth army fought back, the three-body blocked the earth’s scientific
progress and sponsored a group of people who welcomed them. In the end, a person
found something that could threaten the alien’s survival and they agreed to coexist
with the human on earth.
I read this book on my way home. It was a long train journey which took 25
hours. To avoid being bored, I bought this book at the train station and finished it on
the train.
After reading this book, my feelings are quite complicated. I am glad that the
two civilizations finally accept each other and live peacefully on earth. But this is
under the condition of mutually assured destruction. I cannot imagine what would
happen if one side finds a solution to the other’s threat.

I am going to talk about an interesting lecture that I heard 3 years ago. It is still
vivid in my mind. Back then I was eager to improve my English and my teacher
recommended a lot of materials and websites, which might be useful. One of them is
TED, a website where various people share their experience, research, and
knowledge. Its motto is “ideas worth spreading”.
I spent a great deal of time on it. Every day, I browsed through hundreds of
lectures, trying to find something that aroused my interest. Then I found one lecture
that ranked first at the list of the most played.
It is about how people’s attention works. Every day, our brain receives enormous
information, most of which is useless. So during the process of evolution, our brain
has gradually developed a filter mechanism. It rules out a lot of things unconsciously
so that we can focus on a specific issue. However, the drawback of this mechanism is
that it disables us from doing two things at the same time.
The interesting thing about this lecture is that the lecturer illustrates this by
showing how picking pocket works. Through distracting people and making them
focus on what he is saying, he takes belongings from them without being noticed. It
was amazing.

The item I am going to talk about is the power bank. It is a small device that can
charge your phone when you are away from any socket. As most of us cannot endure
a minute without cellphones, many people have the habit of bringing one wherever
they go. But I do not.
One day, I was taking a coach back home and talking with my girlfriend over the
phone to kill time. Somehow, we started quarreling with each other. I do not even

remember why. I was so agitated that I did not notice that my mobile battery was
running low. Suddenly, I was cut off and my phone was dead.
Do you know how angry and horrible a girlfriend can be when you cut off her
call? Not to mention that we were in a fight. I seemed to see the god of death was
waving to me. I was a little panic. The girl sitting beside me must have noticed my
unease. She asked me if I needed any help, and after learning about what happened,
she lent me her power bank.
At that moment, she was my angel. I was so thankful to the man who invented
the power bank and even more thankful to the girl.

The historical period I am going to talk about is the core era. It is a concept came
up by Karl Jaspers, a German philosopher, in his book, ‘the Origin and Goal of
History; It refers to the period from 600 A.D. to 300 A.D.
The first time I heard this phrase was in the history of western philosophy, a
course in my senior year. After reading some reference materials, I found this era
was amazing. Almost at the same time, great men were born in the four isolated great
ancient civilizations. China had Confucius. India had Sakyamuni. Greece had
Socrates. And Egypt had prophets. The theories put forward by these men
dramatically changed the way people perceived the world, affected the development
of philosophies in the following 2000 years, and laid the foundation of different
characteristics of those countries. There is a saying that all the theories and ideas
generated after the core era are making annotations for those sages’ thoughts.
The fascinating point about the core era is that these countries did not have
much communication then, but almost simultaneously produce their national
philosophies. How did they achieve that? Did they somehow secretly reach an
agreement?

The skill that I going to tell you is roller skating. It is a form of recreational
activity as well as a sport. Basically, it is traveling on surfaces with roller skates. It is
now quite popular. You can see many children practicing it in front of shopping
malls, at squares or even on the streets.
I first saw it on TV when I was in the secondary school and was attracted. I
begged my father to buy me one. When the pair of shoes arrived, I could not wait to
put them on. It was much harder than I thought. I could not even stand steadily
without holding something and put my whole weight on it. As long as I let it go, I fell,
sometimes forward, sometimes backward. It really hurt.
But I did not give up. I found a quiet narrow street with few people passing by. I
leaned on the walls and moved my feet very carefully and slowly. One step, two steps.
I was so happy. But the moment I got rid of the wall, I fell again. I practiced from day
to day and observed the movements of professional players and tried to imitate
them. After three months’ hard training, I finally mastered this skill.
Feeling the breeze against my face and the falling back of sceneries around me, I
was really excited. My effort finally paid off.

The important plant I am going to tell you is bamboo. It is an evergreen
perennial flowering plant and has many sub-species. In the south, it can grow to
more than 10 meters and as thick as a small tree. In the north, it is often very slim
and its height rarely exceeds three meters.

My grandma used to plant some bamboos in her garden and that is where I first
saw them. They had played an important part in my childhood. I cut off their stems
to make bows and arrows, imagining I was an archer shooting enemies in the
battleground. I also took off some branches and pretended that I was a swordsman.
As I grow up, I gradually realize its importance in China, which does not come
from its rarity, but from what it symbolizes in Chinese culture. It is regarded as a
behavior model of the gentleman. As bamboo has features such as uprightness,
tenacity, and hollow heart, people endow bamboo with integrity, elegance, and
plainness, though it is not physically strong. Countless poems praising bamboo
written by ancient Chinese poets are actually metaphorically about people who
exhibited these characteristics.

The comedy I am going to tell you is called “Hello, Mr. Billionare”. In it, a loser
in life, who earned very little money and took a bribe to cheat in an amateur football
match, was suddenly going to inherit a 20-billion-RMB heritage from a distant
relative. But to get the money, he was required to spend 1 billion RMB in a month.
I watched it on a Saturday last month. My roommate and I did not have any
class that day and decided to waste ourselves. Since we got up, we had been playing
our favorite game, “league of legends”. By the late afternoon, we were exhausted and
I felt like that I would throw up if I played one more minute.
He proposed why not we went to the cinema and watched a film. I thought that
was a good idea. We browsed all the options and found “Hello, Mr. Billionare”. Its
reviews were pretty good and got an 8.9 out of ten. We booked two tickets online
and set out.
What made me laugh is the dramatic change in people’s attitude towards the
man. They used to despise him. But after they learned about the news, they thronged
to fawn upon him. His shortages suddenly became his strong points, which is quite
ironic.

I really want to say something about my retired laptop, which is a 13 inches
Macbook Air bought in late 2013 when got sums from my first part-time job.
This laptop has lots of merits. I barely see anything counterpart that has the
same good-looking and slim appearance. Plus, the system is awesome as it never
slows my work, and I can definitely start it in seconds, which is extremely efficient.
That’s probably the main reason why I chose this IT thing at the very beginning.
However, here comes the sad part. Being portable and slim isn’t always the
perfect thing. When I was sitting in the Starbucks while processing my left work, I
took it out from my backpack and was about to lay it on the desk with my hand. But I
kind of overestimated my carefulness, you know one side of my Macbook Air just hit
right on the wooden corner of the desk. When I realized it, it already got a pit on my
little precious baby. When I open the lid, the display wasn’t functioning well.
Then, I immediately rushed to the Apple chain store to have it fixed. The staff
told me that the display was broken and I should replace it. Luckily, it wasn’t the
hard disk, otherwise, the information stored in there would be damaged, and that’s
the last thing I want to see.
I paid the money and got the repaired one after like a month. Since then, I put it
in a case and took it on firmly on my hands. Well, I think this is what I can do the
most. Hopefully, I wouldn’t be such a careless person in the future.

The family business I am going to tell you is a small restaurant near my home. It
is run by a couple and their parents. Sometimes, their 16-year-old son also comes to
help. The restaurant is so popular that you have to wait for about 10 minutes to get a
seat during the lunchtime.
At first, I did not know it is a family business. I thought the women was the
owner and everybody else was just her employees. Then one day, when I was eating, I
heard that she called the waiter father. I was surprised and realized that they are a
family. She told me that they came from the Southwest of China and many people
there migrated to other cities to start their own businesses, most of which were
restaurants.
The restaurant sells various noodles. They vary in length, width and taste. But all
of them are tasty. Most of its customers are inhabitants nearby, but there are also
people who hear about it from others and drive a long way to give it a try. I believe
they will find the food is totally worth the effort.
I admire the family, who came to a foreign city and established their own
business from nothing. They must have gone through a lot of difficulties and
obstacles.

A new public facility which improves my local area is the ice rink, which has just
been renovated this year.
This rink is actually located in the center of Zi Zhu Yuan, which is a park in
Weigongcun, Haidian district. This place is quite near to the place where I live. It’s
probably ten minutes’ walk from my home to the park. So, I often went there to
unwind after work.

This park has many different areas of creation like the artificial lake for boating,
and some small square for seniors go square dancing. But, only the newly furnished
rink has met the needs of all residents ranging from the kids to the old. You can
expect excitement brought by different ice tracks, high and low. Most of the time, I
saw more children than adults played there during the weekdays, but the whole area
usually got filled with people of different ages during the weekends. There were lots
of people laughing and jubilating, which was an extremely joyful scene.
Well, I think rink has brought a lot of benefits to the residents nearby. It
provides a great opportunity for families to gather together and to spend some
quality time there. You see, lots of people are busy working or studying in this city,
they don’t have many near places to relax. Now, they have one more good option!

I would like to say something about Niangao, which is a traditional Chinese food
usually served as a kind of snack during the celebration of the Chinese New Year. So,
it’s also commonly known as the Chinese New Year Cake.
It is a kind of food made from glutinous rice, which is quite sticky and not feels
very comfortable to touch before it’s been cooked. I don’t know whether it has
varieties in different regions of China, but what I’ve seen since I was a little kid is that
Niangao is typically white just like the color of the rice. But it has various shapes
which depend on how you are going to make it.
The cooking methods are not very complex. The most common way is to cut it
into pieces and steep them into the water before placing them into the steam
pot. But there’s another cool way, which is my granny’s favorite. I remember when I
was a kid, she always put these small pieces into the oil to fry. And then, cover them
with some vegetables and some seasonings. It’s become one of the delicious dishes
for our family’s New Year gathering dinner.
I think most people eat it not only because it can be regarded as part of a dinner,
but also because of the meaning of its name. Niangao symbolizes the meaning that

people can be better in the coming new year. I guess that’s another reason why
people eat it. Well, I eat it simply because it is indeed tasty.

An item that I bought but do not often use was a set of Beats headphones, which
I got from an APPLE store in Beijing Sanlitun.
I remember it was on a weekend before I started my new semester that I bought
this headphone. It was on sale for students at that time in the store. So, I bought it
along with my new laptop, which was a 13-inch MacBook Pro 2018 model.
When I got to the Apple store, the salesperson was so welcoming and was always
ready to answer any questions I had in terms of the technology stuff. Well, I regarded
myself as tech savvy, but honestly, I still got some problems in choosing different
types. So, that guy literally solved all the problems I had met using these gadgets.
Well, honestly, the reason why I bout this set of headphones is that I loved its
design, which was cool but low key, I mean the black model. I knew its sound quality
wouldn’t be that much classic, but in terms of the discount, I thought it was worth it.
However, just several weeks after I bought it, I felt like I kind of overestimated
its quality and the design. You know, the longer I put them on my head, the more
pain I could get. It’s too tight, they should have made it bigger! That’s the reason why
I didn’t use it often now.

A book I want to write is an autobiography, which can reflect my trajectory and
meaning of life.
It was after I finished a course about (auto)biography last semester that I had
this idea of writing. Initially, I thought this course would bore me to death, because
to my view at that time, nobody except for the well-known could write a good
(auto)biography. But, my understanding was totally wrong after I took this amazing
course. Our professor showed us her piece of work to demonstrate how he could
write a biography by, for example, playing the “straw person ” in his magic land of
Oz, a story full of adventures. Her story told us that everyone was unique and special
in his or her life story.
Just as Maxine Greene, an American education philosopher, said, “life is like one
damn thing after another”. It was pretty hard to muster up our courage and face
every obstacle in our lives. So, I think the most difficult thing to write a good
(auto)biography would be that I need to experience more obstacles in lives and try to
understand them in retrospect of my life so that I could get things to write.
Well, I have always wanted to experience more in life. And to write an
autobiography would help me keep a record of them. Also, I think writing this book
can give me more time to contemplate about things in life that I haven’t thought
thoroughly.

I would like to talk about Classical Chinese, which was a subject that I hated in
middle school but now favor the most.
Actually, we had our Classical Chinese course since the first day our middle
school, it’s been quite a while. But I somehow couldn’t pick up any interest from it. It
might be the reason that my Chinese teacher was extremely harsh to us, you know,
she sometimes punished students by not allowing them to have dinner if we didn’t

manage to recite the entire piece of article learned from the last course, which was
quite discouraging and made me feel sick about learning Chinese.
This kind of reluctance in learning Chinese has been with me for years until I
came to study in college, where I got much exposure to Classical Chinese literature in
different genres. This Chinese literature, especially during the early period of the
Republic of China, has enabled me to have a bigger picture of the world. For
example, John C.H. Wu, who was a Chinese jurist and writer, wrote some
annotations for Tao Te Ching and other traditional Chinese work, which helped me
discover the beauty of Chinese and the culture behind the language.
I think the main reason why I become interested in this subject is that I have
realized the power of the Chinese language. It is a language that helped contain a lot
of ancient Chinese wisdom. But, unfortunately, it seems that most of the Chinese
people don’t know much about it, and they lost direct contact with those wise
ancestors.

A gift that I received which was made by hand was a piece of soap, which was
given by my friend Wang Lei on my 16thbirthday.
I remember I invited my intimate friends to have a birthday party at my home.
And there was the present opening moment, so I got this little thing. It was brought
to me by Wang from New Zealand where he was having a working holiday trip. It was
a yellow hexagon shape soap, which was made of something I didn’t know but was
told that a mixture of a very special kind of honey that only can be produced in New
Zealand. I was also told by him that it has some curative effects and protection for
the skin.
I didn’t see too much difference in it compared with some Korean soaps bought
by my mother. But, after I applied it to my face and washed it away, that sudden
sense of coolness made me feel very soothing.

You know, I was pretty thankful that my friend sent me this little but useful soap
as a gift. From that on, I was very much keen on using it and became a regular
customer of this product.

Something lost by others but found by me was a Prada wallet, which contains
lots of cash and some documents.
I still remember it was on a winter day last year, my friends and I were at the
Yunqiao Sports Center, which was a nice place for ice skating. We bought the tickets
through Alipay, which was mobile application and was given a code for a locker to
store our personal belongs. Mine was like number seven, and when I got to the
storage compartment and unlocked it, there was a white plastic bag there. When I
was complaining the last customer for discarding this garbage bag inside the locker
and dragging it out, I soon found that there’s a wallet in the bag, and it’s the Prada
brand.
I thought it would be a trouble for me if this luxury stayed with me any longer.
So, I opened it and tried to find the contact number of the owner. However, it only
contained lots of cash and ID stuff. In order to let the owner know he lost his wallet, I
immediately took it to the reception and asked them to keep it. I don’t know what’s
happened, but I hope the owner had found it at that center.
I felt my decision was right because that’s the only effective way to let the owner
know where it was and nobody would steal it, even though my friends told me that
it’s possible the receptionist would conceal the truth about the lost. But, let’s
optimistic. Not all people are supposed to be that bad, right?

Something I do to help me study or work is actually listening to the piano
soundtrack.
I got to know a music APP named Spotify from my friends and downloaded it
from the Internet. I was told by my friend that it was the best music APP, better than
APPLE MUSIC. It allows you to stream everything you subscribe and it’s got very
high-quality sound.
Well, I often use this APP to listen to some piano soundtrack while I was
working or studying too long, like three hours or more. But, I didn’t use it quite much
during the daytime, when everybody was rushing their own business, and I would be
influenced by the vibe. Usually, I would listen to it during the night time, when I
need some light music to maintain focus after a tiring day.
So far, I’ve found this method has been pretty effective to help me to loosen up
or to concentrate on my own stuff. Sometimes I need a little bit sound in silence to
help me keep focused, and sometimes I need piano music in a noisy environment so
that I won’t be easily distracted. So, I will definitely keep using this way to improve
my life quality in the future.

How often do you look at the sky?
I seldom watch the sky as I was quite busy working/studying, which took up nearly the entire day. I
couldn’t be able to take any time to look up above my head to see what’s happening there in the sky. I looked at them only someone told me to do so.

Do you prefer the sky in the morning or the sky at night?
I prefer the sky at night because its darkness makes me contemplate. If I was feeling blue, I would watch the huge night sky to remind me that all human beings are quite tiny compared to the universe and that I should always enjoy the positive sides of life.

Can you see the moon and stars at night where you live?
Yes, thanks to the less air pollution in my living area, which is in hometown. I can see the shining stars during the night. The sky is clearer than that in most big cities like Saigon, where the fog prevents us from seeing the stars clearly.

Is there a good place to look at the sky where you live?
Yes, in the place where I live, the best position is on a mountain, which was about 700m high. Standing on top, you could see the blue sky is right above the cloud sea after the sunrise. And during the night, you can see the stars much more clearly as there’s less air pollution.

Who is your favorite movie star?
Ngô Thanh Vân is my favorite. I grew up watching his action movies, which were fantastic. She was the first actress that let me know what Kong Fu was really about.

Are international superstars popular in your country?

Yes, they are popular in my country. In VIETNAM, there are many movie theaters displaying the
blockbusters of the world. So, Vietnamese audiences have constant exposure to western movies in on the websites and movie theaters. Once those celebrities have a chance to visit VIETNAM, Vietnamese fans were very excited.

Have you ever met a celebrity/superstar in real life?
Yes, I have. I once bumped into Angela Baby who is a very popular Vietnamese movie actress. I remember I was waiting for my flight at the airport. She was wearing a black trench coat walking beside me.

Do you want to be a superstar?
No, I don’t want to. Being a superstar means my private life would be deprived of. Plus, I have to be
careful about the words and actions I have so that no fans would do crazy things because of me.

How much sleep do you need every day?
I’m kind of sleepy-head. I usually go to bed at about 11 pm and get up at 7 am. So, it’s nearly eight hours, which is longer than the average of other people as I have checked the data on my wrist band APP.

Do you take naps at noon?
No, I don’t. For me, I can’t fall asleep so quickly. It usually takes me half an hour to get into the sleeping mode. You know, time is quite limited at noon, which doesn’t allow me to do so.

Do you like to read before bed?
Yes, I like to do some readings before bed because I think it’s a very comfortable period of time to read some words. Nobody would disturb me. I once read paper books, but recently I have been keen on reading on my phone.

How have your sleeping habits changed since you were young?
The change is huge. You know, in my childhood, I had a lot of free time to play and sleep. Also, I usually slept for more than 9 hours. But, now, there’s a lot of digital devices like phones and pads that attract me a lot, which has deprived me of at least one or two hours of sleep per day.

Do Vietnamese people like to drink tea or coffee?
Well, I think most Vietnamese are keen on drinking tea instead of coffee. There’s so much culture of tea here in VIETNAM. Also, there’s been an increasing number of tea houses built in both cities and towns. I think the reason why they prefer tea is that people, tea caters more to Vietnamese people’s taste.

Do you prepare tea or coffee for the guests at home?
I prepare tea for the guests at home because tea is easier to make than coffee, you just need to steep the tea bag or put some tea leaves into the hot water, then it’s done.

When was the last time you drank tea or coffee?
I just drank some tea his morning before I took the paper test of IELTS. I felt like it’s effective to prevent me from getting drowsy the whole morning.

Do you like the area that you live in?
Yes, I enjoy the place that I live in now. It’s a place that I’ve just moved to with my friend. The facilities of that community are new. Most residents there are nice to me and always give me some help if I need.

What are some changes in the area recently?
Well, I don’t see many changes, but there’s one I remember very clearly. It’s a public area, which was used to be a street market where lots of people squeezed to sell or buy foods. It now has been renovated recently and looks more like a supermarket which is way cleaner than before.

Do you know any famous people in your area?
Yes, there’s a celebrity living in my area. Her name is Hoàng Yến, a well-known actress in the Vietnamese TV series. She often dropped by her neighbors including my house and have a chit chat with us. She’s so nice.

Where do you like to go in that area?
I love to go to the public garden that sits behind our community. It has an artificial river and lots of
beautiful flowers and trees, which has made this garden a wonderful place for walking with my families.

How many public holidays do you have in VIETNAM?
Sorry, I can’t remember the exact number, but I think there’re at least four, which are the Vietnamese Spring Festival Holiday, Tomb-sweeping Festival, Mid-autumn Festival and the National Day holiday. These are all legal holidays that set us free from work or studies to celebrate.

Do you think people need more public holidays?
Yes, I people desperately need more public holidays, which are good days for them to get an escape from their working or studying pressure. People would be more efficient in their work if they were given more public holidays to loosen up. We need more holidays just like those countries in Europe.

Which holiday is your favorite?
It must be the Vietnamese Spring Festival, which lasts long and in which lots of foods can be tasted. Also, I love it because I can meet friends and relatives who I haven’t met for months. You know, it’s the only time that I can meet them in a year

How do you feel when you are in crowded places? 

I feel quite uncomfortable when I was in a quite squishy place. You know I feel like I couldn’t breathe in a place that’s filled with lots of people and sometimes makes indeed the air quality in a crowded place is bad.

When was the last time you were in a crowded place? 

I remember it was last year when I was about to take the CRH to Shanghai for travel. I was standing at the podium of Saigon Xi Station, I saw lots of people flowing and during the rush hour, it’s quite difficult for me to move.

What places do you think are often crowded?

Definitely, it’s the train station in VIETNAM. You know you will always see lots of passengers filled in the station every day. It’s getting more and more crowded when some big national holidays approach.

Do you usually write by hand or write using a computer (typewriter or word processor) ?
I type for the most time. Because there’s actually not that much homework that really requires me to
write by hand. Plus, it’s way more time-saving and eligible to read.

Nowadays, how do most people write things?
I think most people write things by a pen. Not all of in VIETNAM own a PC (personal computer) or even a smartphone which makes typing easier than hand writing. So, using a pen to write something is quite common nowadays.

Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?
Yes, I assume that handwriting would be replaced in the near future by some new technologies like
computers. Right now, there’re already some new things that are changing the habit we write. For
example, a software called X-Factor Typing, which can enable us to type anything just by talking to the phone, then, our voice would be interpreted into words.

When do children begin to write in your country?
Kids in our country begin to write at the age of 3, which is the time for kindergarten. They are usually encouraged to write some simple Vietnamese characters or some ABCs to practice their brain and language ability.

How did you learn to write?
Let me think about it, well, actually it was my father, not my teacher, that taught me how to write. I
remember my father gave me a chopstick and let me draw something like he did on a small piece of the blackboard. I thought it’s quite interesting even though I couldn’t fully comprehend what I wrote.

Do you think handwriting is very important (nowadays)?

Yes, I think it’s quite important. Because handwriting shows one’s personality to others. If you have
perfect handwriting, I guess it won’t be difficult to impress others when it comes to job hunting or even a good relationship.

How can children today improve (or, practice) their handwriting?
There are actually many ways children can find to practice handwriting. For example, there’s the
handwriting guidebook that teaches you how to write beautiful cursive English or Vietnamese. Plus, you will find some videos on the websites that show you how to write.

What is the difference between writing with a pen and typing on a computer?
I think the biggest difference would be that typing on a computer is way faster than writing. I can type more words than in a short limit of time.

Have you ever had a pet when you were young?
Yes. When I was in primary school, I once had a Persian cat which had very white fur. It was adopted by our family when it was about 3 months old.

What pet will you keep if you want?
I want to have a dog in the future. I think the dog is very loyal to the family and can help keep the door if nobody is at home. Also, I like the dog’s cute appearance, which made me feel very warm.

Do you have anything to share with others recently?
Yes, I have bought a hair dryer which is from Dyson. It’s been quite popular on the Internet recently. You know I couldn’t resist my temptation and bought it with nearly 3000 RMB. After a few days’ trials, I’ve found it pretty useful and shared it with my besties. They were all into it.

What kind of things do you like to share with others?
Oh, it must be good news. You know whenever I got a piece of good news, big or small, I would
immediately tell my friends. I think good news deserves to be shared with others because it can spread positive energy to others.

Did your parents teach you to share when you were a child?
Yes, they did. They even told me an old story in ancient VIETNAM to remind me of the good merit of sharing things to others. From that on, I always follow their advice to share whenever possible, for
example, some stationaries when my classmates needed.

Do you write many emails?
Yes, I do. As I am applying for universities right now, I write so many emails to communicate with their student administration offices and make inquiries about their programs.

What are the differences between emails and letters?
In my eyes, emails are much more efficient than letters. Your correspondent can receive it at the moment you send it. But, it is less formal than letters. When somebody sends you a hand-writing letter, you must have an important place in his or her heart.

What kind of email do you think is the hardest to write?
It must be the email to ask for time off. I have to be very sincere and manage to find a good excuse, which I often lack, so that the professor would approve it.

How do you feel when you receive emails?
Well, my feelings will highly depend on what kind of email I receive. If it is a junk mail or advertisement, I will be annoyed. But if it brings good news, it will cheer me up.

What kinds of email do you receive that make you feel excited?
I would say the email that the professor finally grants my time off. Apart from that, I will be really
overwhelmed if the email contains my dream university’s offer.

How do you communicate with others at work?
If it is something formal, like a notification or a regulation, I will choose Email. It leaves proof and is easy to check. If it is just daily-routine communication, like some details about a specific job, I will choose Zalo, it more convenient and I can send a voice message.

Do you think it is important to reply to emails quickly?
Yes, I think so. Responding to the emails quickly is a good way to show your sincerity and also helps
improve the progress of the whole matter. Nobody wants to wait too long for an email that involves a quite urgent issue.

Who do you write to?

I usually write to my classmates and teachers. Our teachers have a lot of assignments that need to be
done on Word. So, I usually communicate with my classmates on our shared work through email and forward the final doc to my teachers.

What kind of email do you receive that makes you happy?
Definitely, it’s the email that tells me the good news, for example, offers from my ideal universities or an email from the school telling us that we will have a day off due to the terrible weather condition.

How often do you write an email?
I write emails nearly every day. I usually write emails to my classmates to discuss something about our shared assignments. Sometimes, I write emails to my professors to ask some difficult questions that I have while reading the academic articles.

Are you less or more patient when you are angry?
I think I am less patient when I am angry. I remember there was a time that I completely lost my temper when I had a disagreement with my friend on a decision making. At that moment, I was so impatient that I was not listening to any words my friend had told me.

Were you patient when you were young?
Yes, I was quite patient when I was young. This was probably because that I knew little about everything and was always being an attentive listener who seldom lost his temper.

Can you describe the place where you live?
I live in the dormitory that my university provides. It is an old building constructed in the 1980s. Along the aisle, a great number of rooms are scattered, kind of like the layout of a hotel.

Who do you live with?
I live with 5 classmates. They come from different places all over the country. We share the bathroom, toilet and some tables. There may be some arguments sometimes, but they will be settled very soon. All of them are my good friends
 

Do you plan to live there for a long time?
To be honest, it is not up to me. I have to follow the arrangement of the university. There has been a
rumor that next year, we will move to another building with whole-brand new facilities. But I cannot be sure.

Do you prefer living in a house or flat?
I prefer living in a flat. As a student who does not have much money to hire servants, I do not think I can handle all the clean-up of a big house. Also, I am not used to the garden, swimming pool, pets and all that.

In the future, what type of place would you like to live in?
If I have enough money, I would like to live in a flat near the sea, where you can enjoy the wonderful view when the sun jumps out of the sea. In my spare time, I would go surfing, swimming, or walk my lovely do along the seashore.

How did you come here today?
I came here by bus. There is a direct line from my home to the school. It is very convenient.
 

Why did you choose that form of transport?
I had no other choice. Since there is not a subway station nearby, subway is ruled out. I was planning to take a taxi, but could not find one. After waiting at the side of the road for 20 minutes, I gave up and took the bus.

Do you usually take the bus?
No, not very often. It is very crowded especially during the peak hours. With so many people around, I can barely move. Also, you have to wait for the bus coming. Considering the traffic condition of this city, you can never know how long the time will be.

Is it convenient to take a bus / taxi in your city?
Yes, Bus routes connect every corner of the city. You can get wherever you want without much trouble. Yes, with the GoViet application, a Vietnamese version of Uber, taking a taxi is very convenient now. You just need to make an order on the app and wait for the driver to call when he arrives.

Is driving to work popular in your country?
Yes, and it is becoming more and more popular because an increasing number of people can afford a car and most of them would choose to drive to work. After all, it is more comfortable and private.

What work do you do?
Well, I’m doing fashion designing at Fashion Bazaar, which is a big fashion magazine company in
VIETNAM.

Do you like your job?
Right now, I am really into this job, because this job not only makes me financially independent but also gives me a nice platform to make a lot of friends who have a lot in common with me.

Is it very interesting?
This job is very interesting to me, you know, every day I can get exposure to different designs that are really excellent, which really gives me a new perspective on generating my own ideas.

Why did you choose to do that kind of work?
Like I said, I need to do something to be financially independent first. And this job helped me made it. So, I think that’s probably the most important reason I did this job.

Will you continue doing this job in the future?
I will, but I probably won’t continue doing it in my current company. I wanted to start my own business since I was young. So, maybe in the future, I will start my own designing company.
 

What are your responsibilities at work?
My responsibilities are identifying creative art pieces and incubating new ideas from different cultures and elements from other designs, then try creating something innovative. These things are probably quite boring for others. But, it really excites me every day. Because I love keeping myself challenged.

What subject(s) are you studying?
I have many subjects to learn at school, they are Math, Physics, Chemistry and something like that. They are categorized as the Science subjects.

Is it very interesting?
Well, I think most of them are very interesting. Because they all teach me how to get to know the world better in a scientific perspective instead of just have a superficial or sentimental feeling about everything in the world.

What school/university do you attend?
I am now studying at RDFZ, which is a prestigious school located in Phú Nhuận District, Saigon.

What do you plan to do after you finish your studies?
I am going to apply for a G5 university and I hope I could get admitted to a program about Chemistry, which is my favorite.

Are you looking forward to working?

Not really. Because I’m now just a senior high school student, I’m not really prepared. Working means years of sacrificing your private time, so I don’t want to work very soon.

When do you listen to music?
It’s hard to say. I listen to music on a random basis. For example, when I am waiting for or on the CRH to my hometown before the Spring Festival, I would usually listen to some light music to relax.
 

How much time do you spend listening to music every day?
Roughly half an hour I should say. Why? Because the work/study place is half an hour ride to my home. So, I usually choose to listen to some music when I am on the way home.

What kinds of music do you like to listen to?
I listen to all kinds of music, especially Rock & Roll. My favorite songs are from a very popular band called The Linkin Park. Gosh, how I wish I could attend one of their concerts one day if I got enough money and time.

Have you ever been to a concert before?
I’ve never been to a live concert in my life. So, as I said, I would love to attend one in the future if I got some bucks and time. It would really be enjoyable if I could listen to some music from my favorite band.

How often do you buy shoes?
Maybe twice a year. I am not sure. I am not a fashionable guy who loves to follow the latest trend and buy various shoes. As long as my shoes are in good condition, I will not think of buying new ones.

Have you ever bought shoes online?
Yes, I had once. It was not a satisfactory shopping experience. The shoes I bought were a bit bigger and the changing process was full of obstacles. So since then, I have never bought another one online.

What is your favorite type of shoes?
It would be canvas shoes. They are light and comfortable, and they match almost all sorts of casual
trousers.

Do you like to take photos?

Yes, I do. I like to use photos to record things in life. It has become a kind of habit. But I do not like to take photos of myself.

Do you prefer to take photos yourself or to have other people to take photos?
I prefer to take photos by myself, because I think it is quite impolite to bother somebody else, especially when they have their own things. And nowadays, with the invention of the selfie stick, it is very easy to do so.

How often do you take photos?
Several times a day. The camera in my cell phone is quite powerful. I use it to shoot sceneries, plants, flowers, toys and people.

How do you keep your photos?
I usually save them on my computer. I have created several folders, each with a specific theme. I also have a copy of all the photos in my removable disk, in case my computer goes wrong and all the files are lost.

Do you prefer dry or wet weather?
I prefer dry weather. Although I have to drink a lot of water to stay healthy, it is still better than wet
weather, which causes a great deal of inconvenience.

What kind of weather do you like most?
Well, It would be a sunny, breezy day in the spring, with few clouds decorating the sky. The temperature is perfect and you can either do some outdoor sports or just sit outside to enjoy the sun.

What is your favorite season?
My favorite season is spring when the flowers are going to bloom and grasses just spring out of the earth. Everything is vibrant and lively under the sun.

What kind of weather is typical in your hometown?
It is hard to say. Every season has its own feature. In spring, it is often cloudy and rains a lot. In summer, it is often very hot and stuffy. Autumn has bright sunshine and clear blue sky. Winter is freezing with the wind howling.

Do you watch movies?

Of course, I do. It is my favorite activity during my free time. I would even collect DVDs of my favorite movies so that I can rewatch them from time to time.

How often do you watch movies?
Almost every week. As I am a student, I do not have much time during the weekdays. When it comes to the weekend, I would browse the internet and pick a movie that seems interesting.

What kind of movies do you like?
I like all of them. But my favorite is the action. The blast and car chasing are thrilling. And what is more important is that they rarely have complicated plots, which means I can relax and empty my brain.

Do you prefer to go to a movie alone or with others?
I prefer to watch movies with my friends. When the film comes to end, we can talk about it, like who is your favorite character, or how stupid the bad guys are. If I go to a movie alone, I will feel quite lonely, especially when I see other audiences come with their companies.

Do you prefer to watch movies at home or in a cinema?
It is hard to say. I like both of them. Watching movies at home is more relaxing and comfortable. I can lie on the couch and talk with my friend at any time and at any volume I want. But a cinema often has more advanced facilities, like the huge screen and high-quality soundtrack, which can provide a better watching experience.

How often do you drink water?
I am not sure, but pretty often. I am quite easy to feel thirsty, so I always keep a glass of water at my hand and take a sip of it every now and then.

What kinds of water do you like to drink?
I like pure water without anything in it. Some people like to drink Vietnamese tea, but I find it a little bitter. There are also others who like to put a piece of lemon in it. I have never bothered to do so.

Do you drink bottled water or water from water machines?
I usually drink water from the water machine. It is very convenient and much cheaper than the bottled water. I know some people believe bottled water is tastier, but I cannot tell the difference.

What’s (the name of) your hometown? Where are you from?
The name of my hometown is called YC, which was originated from a famous person in Three Kingdoms Time.

Is that a big city or a small place?
Well, my hometown is YC, which is a relatively small city compared to Saigon, Shanghai and those
metropolitan cities. It’s only an hour’s ride to get to one corner from the farthest place within YC.

How long have you lived there?
I’ve been living there for nearly two decades. I left this city after graduation from my senior high school. I could still remember the old streets and buildings, but now things changed totally.

Do you like it?
Yes, I love my hometown just like I love my parents. It’s a place that saw my growth and gave me
countless happy memories.

Do you like living there?
I love living there, the most important reason is that the people there are extremely friendly. You know, they give you help whenever possible, which is really not common in today’s metropolitan cities.

Do you give perfume as a gift?
No, I really don’t. I am not a perfume person, so it would be difficult for me to choose a suitable bottle of perfume for others as a gift. I would rather give them a gift card so that they can buy a perfect one themselves.

What does perfume mean to you?
Well, perfume is a good thing for me I should say because it would save my day if I am in a rush and don’t have enough time to clean myself up, you know, it helps prevent some odor from coming out of my body.

What kind of perfume do you like?
Oh, definitely Cologne is my favorite. I love it because it permeates a fragrance that is exactly what I am keen on. You know it smells so soothing and helps me loosen up a little bit while I am concentrating on my studies or work.

Do you use perfume?
Yes, I do. I use it from time to time. I love to use it because it can help me avoid the body odor that is
unpleasant to the people around me. So, I usually use it while I am attending some formal conferences where there’re lots of guests.

Why do some people throw garbage on the street?
I think the main reason why they throw garbage on the street is that they don’t have the awareness of protecting the public environment. They just think that it doesn’t matter to liter around and that somebody like the street cleaners will clean it up. Plus, some of them are probably in a hurry, they just can’t find a dust bin, so they have no choice but throw the garbage on the street.

Do you think your city is clean or not?

Well, I think it is clean and pretty cleaner than in the past. A lot of thanks to our street cleaners. You know, there has been a huge development in our city, wider roads and more modern infrastructures which have allowed more people than ever to use, and that definitely would cause a lot of pollution without those hardworking cleaners.

What do you do with garbage when you are on the street?
Well, honestly, I just leave it on the street. I mean, I don’t mean to do so. Sometimes, I’m just rushing from one place to another, and I feel that It’s a little bit awkward for me to pick the garbage up and throw it into the dustbin while nobody does the same thing. However, if it’s in a small place like on the street near our community, I would definitely collect them and throw them properly.

Do you think it is good to make friends online?
Yes, I do. I think it’s not like the situation in the past. We are more familiar with the Internet than people in the past. So, it’s not easy to get cheated, and friends online are usually from different backgrounds or even cultures that we can definitely learn from.

Why do you use social networking apps?
The reason why I use social networking apps is that I find it convenient to communicate with my friends. You know, they are always on it, so whenever I have some needs they are always easy to contact.

How often do you use social networking applications?
I use social networking applications occasionally. For example, when I was in need, I would seek help from friends on the apps because they are easy to reach. Also, I would use them when I want to express my best wishes to my friends during different important festivals.

Do you often use a calculator?
Yes, I use it a lot. I usually use it when I am doing math assignments or sitting for an exam that allows me to take a calculator. I honestly find it quite useful as it helps me save my time.

Are girls generally good at mathematics?
No, I don’t think they are generally. I don’t think mathematics is what they are good at. But, don’t get me wrong. The reason why I think so is that most girls just somehow don’t find any interest in it.

Do you thnk mathematics is important?
Definitely, I do! I feel that math has become one of the most essential things people have to master in the 21st century if you want to succeed in a way. You know what, technology has been developed so boomingly, for example, the AI and the 5G. Without having a concrete knowledge of basic math, it’s really hard to get a job in this circle.

What part of your day do you like best?
Well, actually I’m really into the end of the day, especially the time after dinner. Because this period of time is the official start of my own recreation. I don’t need to think anything about my work/studies.

What’s your daily routine?
My daily routine is kind of ordinary compared to some big potatoes. I usually get up at 7:30 and begin my study/work after breakfast. The rest of my daytime is all about study/work. Well, during the nighttime, things get a little bit different. I usually watch some movies and write some blogs on laokaoya.com, which I think is one of the most meaningful things for me and for some learners of English.

What is the best part of the day for you?
The best part of my life is actually the time before getting up. You know, especially in winter, I feel a
strong sense of resistance of stepping out of my warm and soft bed. I always thought nothing would be better than just staying a few more minutes on bed in the morning.

What’s the difference of routine between you and your teenager’s times?
I think we are pretty much the same, because we have work to do, and so do they. They need to get up early and so do I. But, there’s a tiny difference in the activities we do. I guess ours are more mature than those they do in schools.

Will you change your daily routine in the future?
No, I won’t. I think my current daily routine works perfectly for me. You know, it allows me to have a relatively good work-life balance. Plus, I don’t feel much pressure doing executing it.

What’s the difference between people’s daily routine in the past and that in the present?

Well, in the past, people’s daily routine was casual and slow in pace. For instance, they usually took a long time to do some laundry, this was partly because they do have automatic washing machine. But now, people’s daily routine is very intense and grueling. You know, people need to do more things than in the past, and sometimes multiple things at the same time.

How has your daily routine changed? And how?
Three years ago, when I was a senior high school student, my daily routine was pretty packed. I had loads of textbooks to brush up and piles of assignment to finish. Just so exam-oriented. But, now, what I do on a daily basis are just one-third of my previous tasks. I think this is because I’m now a college student, and I’m supposed to some social work except for the assignments.

What do you usually do on weekends?
I have many things to do during the weekends. For instance, I usually finish my assignments on Saturday at a public library near my home. Also, I usually hang out with my friends for a while at the central business district during the afternoon or evening to have fun.

What kind of cities do you like to travel to?
Well, I enjoy traveling to varies kinds of cities. Generally, I love to travel to some exotic cities because they are good places for me to know about different cultures. Plus, I’m also into cities that have a good sanitary condition. I just can’t stand people liter around in the city.

Which cities have you traveled to?
I have been to many cities. The last one is Auckland, which is the biggest city in New Zealand. I remember while I was staying there, I was stunned by the beautiful sceneries. I wish I could go there again in the near future.

What is the place that left you the deepest impression when traveling?
I think it’s the Christchurch, which is a southern city in New Zealand. There’s a botanic garden that gave me the deepest impression. It has various kinds of plants dating back from the Dinosaurs’ period, and the pure water, which was drinkable and sweet, made me really want to take some home.

What do you do when visiting relatives?
I have a lot of things to do when I visit my relatives. For instance, during the Spring Festival period, I usually have dinner with them at their places to enjoy the delicious foods. Plus, I often play some video games with my peers because I think it’s a good way to loosen up.

Why do people visit their relatives?

Well, I think the main reason people visit their relatives is that they want to maintain or even strengthen their relationship with them. You know, we are living in a society where the interpersonal relationship is of vital importance for our social activities. Sometimes, when I need some help, those people we usually visit can give us a hand.

When was the last time you visited a relative?
It’s the last Spring Festival, which is the biggest and most important holiday in VIETNAM. You know, I have lots of relatives. I remember my father drove me to many different families to visit them. In most occasions, we even didn’t have enough time to have dinner with some of them as we were quite in a rush.

Do you often visit your relatives?
Not really. I don’t often visit my relatives. This is because I am living in another city that is far away from my hometown where my relatives are living. So, the only time in a year to visit them is the Spring Festival period.

Can you recognize a fake smile?
Yes but no. Mostly, I can tell if the smile of the person in front of me is genuine or not. This is often judged by my observation of his or her facial expression, especially the eyes. However, if I met someone who is so experienced, then it’s difficult to tell a fake smile.

Do you smile when people take pictures of you?
Yes, definitely. I always smile while others take photos of me. I feel that smiling can express positive
energy to the people who appreciate the pictures taken. Plus, I feel it’s just my second nature, so why not?

When do people smile at others?
There are many occasions where smile at others. For example, people mostly smile at others while
meeting their friends or strangers because they think it’s a good way to express their respect. Also, as I’ve mentioned earlier, I think people smile when they take pictures with others.

Do you like to smile?
Yes, I do. I’m keen on smiling. This is definitely one of the best ways to show my respect and warmth to people in my life. I love to smile especially when I meet strangers or new friends. You know, they don’t know much about me and would sometimes feel anxious while talking to me, then a smile can make them feel comfortable.

Do you read books related to your profession?
Yes, I do. I enjoy reading books that are correlated with my profession. I feel like it’s a good way to help me enhance my understanding of what I’ve been practicing. You know, books are usually written by professionals whose ideas deserve our consideration.

Do you read electronic books?
Yes, I do. I actually read them quite a lot. I’ve had a Kindle with me for many years. This little electronic device enables me to read through many books at one go, and I don’t have to worry about its weight.

What kind of books do you read?
I love reading novels, especially detective ones. The reason why I’m quite into reading those books is that it’s a pretty good way to loosen up after a day of schoolwork. You know, the intriguing plots in the books can immediately eradicate the heavy burden from the assignment.

Do you like reading?
Yes, as I mentioned before. Reading is a good way to help me relax. Plus, I enjoy reading it because it opens a door or maybe many doors for me to appreciate the different life perspectives of others.

What is the hardest part about making plans?
Well, generally the most difficult part in making plans is how to appropriately allocate your time for
specific things that need to be finished. You know, I always kind of overestimate my ability to accomplish things. Things always take longer time to finish, which is a headache for me.

What is the latest plan you made?
The lasted plan I have made is to have a trip to Thailand right after I finish my final. Honestly, this time, I am sure that I have confidence in terms of time management, and I guess the plan will go well. You know, I just can’t wait to have this trip with my friends.

Do you make plans every day?
No, not really. I usually make plans when I feel it’s necessary to do so. For instance, during the weekdays, I usually make some plans regarding my studies so that I can follow all the school lessons. Whereas, during the weekends, I just don’t want myself to be that self-regulated, so no plan is the best plan.
 

Are you good at managing your time?
Yes. I think am better than before regarding managing my own time. I now understand that execution is the best policy. I usually try to force myself to do it instead of putting it off. I once overestimated my ability to finish things, which was the biggest cause of my procrastination, and I often didn’t have enough time. Now, things are getting better.

How do you feel when people do not return things they borrowed from you?
I honestly will feel a little bit sad about that. You know, I sacrificed my trust and ended up getting back an unfriendly behavior which is unacceptable. The worst thing is that I can’t even tell them directly because that will hurt their ego.

Yes, I do. I enjoy giving things out because I think it’s a good way to make myself happy. You might not understand this, but the way I see it, to give a hand to others would also give me a chance of seeking help when in need.

Have you ever borrowed money from others?
Yes, I have. I remember I borrowed some money from my best friend Wang before I took the CFA, which is a very important and expensive Finance exam. I was running out of money during that time and I couldn’t ask more from my parents. So, Wang just lent the money to me to help me get registered for the exam, which I felt quite grateful.

Have you borrowed books from others?
Yes, I have. I have many friends who are quite into reading. They always recommend me some interesting books while we are chatting during dinner time. The last book that I borrowed from them was a book called Educated, which was a very educational autobiography.

Are there many street markets in VIETNAM?
Yes, there are. Usually, it’s quite common in small towns where there are fewer supermarkets to get easy access to. Street markets are very convenient in VIETNAM for people to buy some groceries, so you don’t have to take buses or walk a long distance to get them.

What are the differences between street markets and supermarkets?
Well, interesting question. Compared to street markets, supermarkets have way more items, and the
price is usually set and you can’t change it. On the other hand, at the street markets, you can bargain a little bit for the price with the merchants and the sanitary condition there is usually not that good.
 

What do street markets sell?
There are many products we can see in street markets. Usually, they sell groceries, for example, veggies and fruits, which are daily necessities and are often cheaper than those in the supermarkets. Also, you can sometimes expect to see some antiques there, but it’s better to have a double check because they might be fake.

Is it important for children to play outdoors?
Yes, it is. I think it’s essential for kids to do some exercises outdoors. Doing outdoors sports is a good way to enhance our physical and mental condition. You know, kids nowadays have much pressure from school work, they need some time to breathe some air outside.

Did you often go over to your friends’ house when you were young?
Yes, I did. I often went over to my friends’ houses especially during the big holidays while I was a kid. I remember I usually played some computer games with them to have fun during the evening, which was awesome. I wish I could have more fun time like that these days.

Did you like to go outside when you were young?
Yes, I did. I often go outside with my close friends to play sports like basketball outside. We usually played outside the entire day and got home late in the evening. You know, my parents always blame me for my lateness.

Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors?
I prefer to be indoors than outdoors now. I think I don’t have as much energy as I did while I was a kid to play outdoors. Plus, now I think being indoors helps me to be calm and patient, which I think is very important for my future office work.

Is it important for children to play outdoors?
Yes, it is. I think it’s essential for kids to do some exercises outdoors. Doing outdoors sports is a good way to enhance our physical and mental condition. You know, kids nowadays have much pressure from school work, they need some time to breathe some air outside.

Did you often go over to your friends’ house when you were young?
Yes, I did. I often went over to my friends’ houses especially during the big holidays while I was a kid. I remember I usually played some computer games with them to have fun during the evening, which was awesome. I wish I could have more fun time like that these days.

Did you like to go outside when you were young?
Yes, I did. I often go outside with my close friends to play sports like basketball outside. We usually played outside the entire day and got home late in the evening. You know, my parents always blame me for my lateness.

Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors?
I prefer to be indoors than outdoors now. I think I don’t have as much energy as I did while I was a kid to play outdoors. Plus, now I think being indoors helps me to be calm and patient, which I think is very important for my future office work.

1. Describe someone you would like to study or work with
2. Describe a person you want to be similar to when you grow up
3. Describe a person who helps to protect the environment
4. Describe an old person who is interesting
5. Describe an intelligent person you know
6. Describe your grandparent’s job
7. Describe a person you have seen who is beautiful or handsome
8. Describe someone you have not seen before but you would like to know more
9. Describe someone who speaks a foreign language well
10. Describe a person who often helps others
11. Describe a person who encouraged and helped you to achieve a goal
12. Describe your favorite singer or band
13. Describe a foreign celebrity you want to meet in person
14. Describe a person who has interesting ideas or opinions
15. Describe a person who made you laugh happily when you were a child
16. Describe a park/garden you like visiting
17. Describe a place you plan to travel to that is far away from your home
18. Describe a time that you had to change your plan / you changed your mind
19. Describe an ideal house
20. Describe a historical building you have been to
21. Describe a newly built public facility (such as parks, cinemas etc) that influences your city
22. Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person
23. Describe a time you received horrible service
24. Describe a complaint that you made and you were satisfied with the result
25. Describe a time when you looked for information from the internet
26. Describe a success your friend has achieved
27. Describe a time that someone did not tell you the whole truth about something
28. Describe a time you borrowed something from your friends or family 从
29. Describe a party that you joined
30. Describe a time you enjoyed your free time
31. Describe a situation when you don’t have enough time
32. Describe an important decision made with the help of other people
33. Describe an occasion when you got up early
34. Describe a time when you solved a problem through the internet
35. Describe an occasion when you invite your family or friends to dinner

36. Describe an experience that you received a call from someone you don’t know in the public place
37. Describe an unusual experience of traveling
38. Describe an occasion when you got incorrect information
39. Describe a time that you give advice to others
40. Describe a water sport you would like to try in the future
41. Describe an experience that the vehicle you took broke down during your travel
42. Describe something you do to help you study or work
43. Describe a healthy lifestyle you know
44. Describe an important plant in your country
45. Describe a language you want to learn (not English)
46. Describe a time that a piece of equipment of yours was broken (such as TV)
47. Describe an activity you would do when you are alone in your free time
48. Describe a family business you know
49. Describe the last book you read
50. Describe a historical period that you are interested in
51. Describe an interesting talk or lecture
52. Describe something lost by others but found by you
53. Describe an outdoor sport you played for the first time
54. Describe a piece of good news you heard (from TV or the internet)
55. Describe a kind of food people eat during a special event
56. Describe a subject you used to dislike but now have interest in
57. Describe an item you bought but do not often use
58. Describe a practical skill you learned
59. Describe an advertisement you remember well
60. Describe something special that you took home from a tourist attraction
61. Describe a game show or a quiz program you watched on TV or online
62. Describe a prize you want to win
63. Describe a piece of clothing you enjoy wearing