Speaking Part 1
1 Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, the economic and financial center of Vietnam. Our city, which was named after Uncle Ho, one of the greatest leaders in Vietnam’s and the world’s history, has witnessed several remarkable historical events and transformed significantly since its declaration of independence.
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2 Do you work or study?
I have recently graduated with a bachelors degree in economics, which took me 3 years and a half to accomplish. At the moment, I am doing an internship at a British company focusing on providing world-class and highly exclusive services for our members.
3 Do you like flowers?
Well, on behalf of all pretty ladies out there, or at least most of them, I must say that we don’t like flowers, we love them tremendously. Flower is a true embodiment of women: feminine, delicate, soft, yet resilient and most importantly, deserved to be handled with care and love.
4 When was the last time you bought flowers? What was the occasion?
Occasionally, I would wander around flower shop to pick up some for house decoration, as a delicate gift to someone or simply because I want to. Just last week, on Vietnamese Women’s Day, I had a huge bouquet of baby lily delivered to my mom’s office as a sweet surprise. And unsurprisingly, she was over the moon and kept smiling all day.
5 Do you read newspapers or magazines?
I’m more a book lover than any other types of printed materials. I do read newspaper quite often though, when I have time to spare. Columns about high-tech, self-development and lifestyle interest me the most because I couldn’t care less about political issues which is too complicated and shady for my taste.
6 Do you think newspapers are still popular? Why do you think so?
Due to the proliferation of digital media and hi-tech devices, lots of people have been depending on their smartphones or reading machines to keep up-to-date with everything around. It’s more convenient, accessible and environmentally friendly – in terms of paper saving. As a result, there are not many who prefer a stack of papers on their hands left. However, the minority of those old-school readers still enjoy the smell of newly printed papers over a cup of coffee every morning.
Speaking Part 2
You should say:
- when and where was it?
- what did you share?
- how did you feel later?
Sample Answer
Here is an audio of the sample answers given below. Please listen to it for more clarity on the Speaking Test.
I hadn’t shared the same room with my sister for many years since we moved to our new house, in which each of us has our own. It was not until 4 months ago when a relative from our hometown dropped by to visit us during his trip to Ho Chi Minh City that my sister and I, once again, slept on the same bed.
Sharing your personal space with others required a certain amount of closeness and familiarity to make one another comfortable. That was what my younger sister, Jade, and I have always been: close and open. However, there was still a difference between sharing the same room back then and now when we were all grow-ups. Even though we usually confided in each other, sharing secrets and providing mutual support, hardly have we ever seen each other more than a few hours a day, which was a real pity. Due to our tight schedule, Jade studying at school and participating in other activities, me working and traveling back and forth between home and office – a 2 hour drive on a daily basis, spending more quality time together wasn’t quite appealing since we were both exhausted. Thanks to a surprised visit from our relative, we found a way to rectify the issue: telling each other bed time stories. Instead of real ones, we talked about our day at work and school, people we met, things we did and how they affected us. We had more time and it was less tiring since we did that lying on bed and sleep could come anytime. More interesting, our sharing appeared to be deeper and more genuine as all guards had been laid off and our inner emotions just kept pouring out. After that, our already strong bond got even stronger and we dedicated more time to each other, especially when either of us sensed any problem. Every once in a while, we share the same bed again even if there’s no visitor in the house.
Vocabulary For Cue card
- back and forth: moving in one direction and then the opposite and so making no progress in either.
Eg: I heard him walking back and forth in the prayer hall at night. - Familiarity: close acquaintance with or knowledge of something.
Eg: Her familiarity with magic skills helped her get a job - Rectify the issue: to correct something or make something right.
Eg: “please rectify the issue at the earliest” - been laid off: the act of an employer suspending or terminating a worker, either temporarily or permanently, for reasons other than an employee’s actual performance.
Eg: She was laid off from her company. - confided: to share your feelings and secrets with someone.
Eg: Ram confided the company secrets with John. - Providing mutual support: the provision of task assistance, social support, and feedback to one or more team members, as needed.
Eg: The team is winning by providing mutual support - personal space: the physical space immediately surrounding someone, into which encroachment can feel threatening or uncomfortable.
Eg: She needs some personal space for her comfort. - strong bond: A bond between people is a strong feeling of friendship, love, or shared beliefs and experiences that unites them.
Eg: They have had a strong bond for years. - Inner emotions: Their actions and other external events can lead to thoughts and feelings that can become increasingly internal.
Eg: She was troubled by her inner emotions.
Speaking Part 3
1 Do you believe in sharing? And why is that?
As far as I’m concerned, sharing seems to be the highest and most visible form of compassion and generosity. I was raised to be humble, be respectful and be kind to others and I also was taught how to do so – by sharing. With those who are younger and inexperienced, you’ll share with them your knowledge, the right attitude to deal with setbacks if you’re humble enough to admit your mistakes and show your weaknesses. As regards to the seniors, they are the one who share valuable lessons that would cost you a lifetime to learn unless there is a sign of respect. Hence, sharing is the source of power and one of the most basic skills that no one should ever take for granted. Better yet, learn how to share in order to open your heart as well as enrich your soul because the more you give, the more you get.
2 How do you develop sharing in children?
Children are the most vulnerable creatures and quickest learners in the world, especially in their formative years of childhood. They can easily adopt new habits, the bad ones particularly, merely by imitating and replication if there’s no qualified role model. Therefore, if you want them to learn something, set a good example. Teach your children how to share by sharing with them and start with your time. For instance, tell them a bed-time story, teach them how to play ball or show them how to bait a fish. Those are simple things parents can do to cultivate the sense of love, sharing and appreciation. Then, ask them to help you with the chores, share the workload with their siblings and at the same time, remind them how helping each other makes them faster and has more fun. Take one step at a time to have them gradually familiarized with supporting and sharing with others so they don’t feel reluctant and are willing to do it by their own when someone is in need.
Vocabulary For Speaking Part 3
- Generosity: the quality of being kind and generous.
Eg: The minister spoke about my father’s generosity to those in need. - Admit your mistakes: something bad, unpleasant, or embarrassing is true
Eg: “It is good to admit your mistakes” - Enrich your soul: by doing good deeds and having good thoughts.
Eg: “ Enrich your soul by reading good books” - Reluctant: feeling or showing , hesitation, or unwillingness
Eg: the girl was reluctant to speak.
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