PRIMARY SCHOOL

1. What did you like to do the most when you were in primary school?

To be honest, it’s a long time ago and my memory about this period is a
bit blurry. There’re some fond memories which I still remember ‘till today,
though. I remember playing hopscotch with my friends and we were having a
lot of fun.

 blurry (adj): mờ
 fond (adj): vui vẻ (khi nói về kí ức)
 hopscotch (n): nhảy lò cò

2. How did you go to your primary school?

My mum used to take me to school on her motorbike before going to work so I

had to get up very early. In every evening, she also came and picked me up
from school.

 3. How do you like your primary school?

Although I don’t have much recollection about my primary school, I can

still recall the image of the gigantic red flamboyant tree in the middle of the
schoolyard. In the summer, its flowers blossomed and the whole tree was
bright red. It was really beautiful.

 recollection (n): kí ức
 recall (v): nhớ lại.

 4. What did you do in your leisure time in your primary school?

Apart from playing with my friends, I also spent a lot of time in the cafeteria
where all the snacks were. My mum used to give me 5000 or 10000 VND
each morning and I could use the cash to buy a can of soda or some crisp.

 Apart from: ngoài trừ, ngoài ra

 crisp (n): bánh snack, bim bim

CAR TRIP
Why do you like travelling by car?
Well, I love to commute by car because one of the most significant benefits of travelling
by car is flexibility that I can stop whenever and wherever I want. As well as that,
travelling by car provides adequate protection from inclement weather.

When do you travel by car?

I prefer to travel by car when I go to farthest places. Car allow me to travel in an air-
conditioned environment and provides adequate protection from inclement weather. In
addition, cars are fast and perfect for covering long distances in a short period of time. 

Where is the farthest place you have traveled by car?

Last year my family had a trip to Da Nang because it was nothing plan ticket left for my
family so my father decided to travel by car and it was a memorable trip for me.

Do you like to sit in the back or front when travelling by car?

Well, it depends on the situation like when I go with my family then I like to sit in the
back seat but when I go with my partner then I love to sit in the front row. I see the
various majestic views whenever I sit in the front seat.

RELAX
1.What do you do to relax?
Listening to music gives me a great relief when I’m stressed. In addition to music, any
time I need to let off a bit of steam, I call my friends and and talk. I believe friendly chit-
chat is an excellent stress buster.
These days, I’ve been suffering from severe stress and depression due to the excessive
amount of workload I have, and the only time I can relax is during my 4 – 5 hours of
sleep every night. So, it may sound a little bit weird, but the only thing I can do to relax
is, sadly, sleep.

2.Do u think doing sports is a good way to relax?

Yes, doing sports is a good way to relax. The physical action involved in sports is not
only beneficial for our physical health but also our mental and psychological well-being.
When we play sports, our bodies produce endorphins that make us feel good. Also,
playing sports helps us sleep better and gives us a chance to socialize with other players.

3.Do u think vacation is a good way to relax?

Well, It seems to me that a holiday is a perfect time to loosen up a bit. Vacations can
have physical and psychological health benefits. People who take a break have lower
stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve
goals.
4.Do u think students need more relaxing time?
Yes, students need more relaxing time. Students have a very packed schedule and stress
is inevitable. More relaxing time in between classes or after school is essential for their
mental health and well-being. it also makes them more productive and improves their
focus.

WALLET
1.Do u use wallet?
Yes, I have a wallet but it’s for my different cards like debit, credit, and any other
important receipt because nowadays, our society has become a cashless society so that’s
why no one carries a huge amount of cash.
2. Have you ever lost a wallet?
Not at all. I’m proud of to say that im really careful with my wallet. Most of the time I
keep it safe. I cant imagine losing my wallet, I think I might not be able to sleep if it
happens.
3.Have you ever sent a wallet to someone as a gift?
Yes, I remember I gave my mom a wallet on her 40th birthday. It was actually expensive
but I didn’t mind it as I was just wanting to give st very special for her and she did like it.
4.Do most of your friends use wallet?
yes, most of my friend’s wallets are the same as mine. I have a card case wallet and a few
of my friends are using a phone case wallet, where its main purpose is for phone
protection.
FESTIVALS
Do you like celebrations?
Yes, absolutely. I love the atmosphere of excitement and joy when everyone comes
together to celebrate a special occasion. It’s the perfect excuse to let your hair down,
forget about all of your usual commitments and spend time with your beloved ones. With
most celebrations, there’s also usually amazing food and plenty of alcohol. So what’s not
to love? 
Which is your favourite festivals?
Lunar New Year has got to be my most favoured festival. It normally lasts for a week or
more allowing us a pretty long time to recharge our batteries. As well as this, new year
always brings a fresh feeling of the start of something new. No matter what happened,
you always have a second chance to make it great again in the new year. We all can
celebrate new year with great joy, hope and festivity for the upcoming year.
Are there many celebrations in your hometown?
Yes, Vietnam hosts of diverse array of  festivals throughout the year. The most common
ones are New Year, Hung King’s Festival or Vu Lan festival. These types of festivals are
celebrated as a crucial part in our tradition. On those special occasions, we all have a
great time enjoying mouth-watering cuisine, music and dance of the people and magical
firework displays which are memorable for people of all ages.
Do you think festivals are important?
Without a doubt. I mean, festivals are of great importance to any culture. They all bring
us golden opportunities to express our respect to the country’s ancestors and heroes. Most
people enjoy these precious times to get away from it all. 
HOMETOWN
What do you like most about your hometown?
I like the city’s dynamic lifestyle: young and busy. It attracts me and people from every
walks of life thanks to its open atmosphere, a practical attitude, a mix culture, a rapid
rhythm….the city never sleeps. This city provides everyone so many opportunities to
build up their careers, especially young people who want to build a brilliant social
position.
Would you prefer to live somewhere else? (Why)?
For the moment, I am quite happy living here, but sometimes I really want to live in a
place with a lower cost of living and leisurely pace of life. Ha Noi always makes me get
in the rat race which sometimes annoys me because I prefer a sense of community. That
is why I usually close down a weekend, and visit some places on the outskirt of the city
like BN.
BBQ
1.Do people in your country like barbecues?
Definitely, as that’s part of our culture. We have easy access to different barbecue street
foods wherever we go. Also, when there’s a special gathering in a family, like celebrating
a birthday or anniversaries, barbecue is one of the sought-after foods, so it’s undeniable
that barbecuing is one of the ways to prepare food for visitors.
2.What kind of food do you like to eat at barbecues?
I enjoy eating barbecues such as sausages, marshmallows, beef, chicken and some
vegetables like potatoes, corn and carrots.
3. Would u like to have a barbecue with your friends or family?
Both. I mean I love having a barbecue dinner or party with frs or family. I love the
different vibes. Whenever I do that with friends, there’s so much laughter and craziness
because we talk about our silly experiences in life. As for doing that with my family, I
feel like our relationship as a family becomes stronger and we become much closer.
4.Did you have barbecue when you were a child?
Of course.. Actually, my family host a barbecue party every summer when we go on a
vacation with my aunts, uncles and grandparents. Honestly, it was one of the best
memories of my childhood that I hold dear.
Sky and stars
1.Do you like to look at the sky?
Definitely! The beauty of the sky should be appreciated as it's one of the best gifts of natu
re that people can enjoy. Honestly, I feel sorry for some people who are stuck at home pla
ying mobile or computer games and don't make any effort to pause and enjoy the magnifi
cent beauty of the sky.
2.Do you like to watch stars?
Absolutely! For one, it’s a very romantic activity, so I like to do it with my boyfriend.
Moreover, I like to go out to star-gaze with my friends. We have a fun activity where we
try to find different shapes in the stars then call them out to each other.
3.What is the sky like at night in your hometown?
Marvelous! Since there isn’t much light pollution here, you can see the stars very clearly
at night. I sometimes like to go out on the beach at night with a blanket
and gaze (watch) at the brilliance of the shining stars. It makes me feel in awe of just how
amazing the universe is. There are few things more romantic than that!
4.Have you ever taken a course about stars?
No, I have never formally studied Astronomy since it wasn’t available at my school.
However, I think it would be interesting. Fortunately, my grandfather was really into
astronomy so he shared his knowledge with me, as well as gifted me an encyclopedia
loaded with useful information.

5.How often do you look at the sky? 
That's an interesting question! To be honest, that has never crossed my mind, I can't even 
remember the last time I looked at the sky. My time is always occupied by my busy sched
ule at home like doing house chores and raising my kids and at work, I am much busier – 
meeting clients and training some workers. It's a pity that I haven't stopped for some time 
and enjoyed the beauty of the sky.
6.Do you prefer the sky in the morning or the sky at night?
I don’t think I can choose one over the other. They are incomparable as each has its own 
beauty to love. I love the clear blue sky during the day and the tranquility of the sky durin
g the night.

7.Which parts of your country are the best places to look at the moon and the stars at nigh
t? 
I suppose all rural areas in my country are the best places to enjoy looking at the moon an
d the stars at night as those places have usually clear skies. As I said, metropolitan areas a
re polluted, it's always impossible to see the moon and the stars.
8.Do you like to see the stars at night? 
Absolutely! I find it romantic seeing stars lighting up the sky, especially when the moon i
s reflected on the river or lake while hearing the noise of crickets. That's what I always fe
el in my hometown during a full moon. How I wish I could experience that here in this cit
y
FLOWER
1Do you like flowers? (Why?)
Yes, I do like flowers. As an introvert, sometimes, I find myself feeling peaceful and
relaxed while enjoying nice flowers in my garden. I have a habit of taking pictures of
flowers after the rain. I feel most at peace spending chunks of a good time on my own, in
relative silence, contemplating the beauty of flowers with raindrops through my camera
lens.
2 Which/What is your favourite flower?
White roses are truly my favorite flower. They are traditionally associated with marriages
and new beginnings. However, their beauty has also made them a gesture of
remembrance. Therefore, a bouquet of white rose is a perfect way to say “I’m thinking of
you”.
3 Do you think flowers are important?
For an introvert like me, enjoying the harmonization of various types of flowers with
different gorgeous colors in the garden or in florist shops could brighten up my days and
lift my spirits.
4 Are flowers important in your culture? (Give examples)
Definitely. With beautiful meanings, some flowers are chosen to show people’s key
virtues. Lotus flowers, for example, have been regarded as the national flower. The lotus
plants grow from the marsh but their leaves and flowers grow toward the direction of the
sunlight, which symbolizes the purity and faithfulness of people’s spirits.

5 Do people in your country ever use flowers for special occasions?
Flowers are widely used in many occasions and festivals in our country to represent for a
blessing, happiness and good luck. Most families have at least one kind of plants or
flowers at home.
6 What are the occasions when people give or receive flowers?
A bunch of flowers is considered as a gift for a wide range of occasions for both people
to send and receive flowers. For example, at a birthday party, Women’s Day, or
Valentine’s day, colorful flowers are arranged nicely in a small vase and given to each
other.
7 In your country, do people (ever) give flowers as a gift?
Yes, they do. As mention above, flowers play an essential role on different occasions as a
special gift for people to show love to one another. People, especially girls, are happy and
pleased when they receive their favorite flowers from beloved ones on their birthday.
8 When was the last time you gave flowers to someone?
It was a couple of weeks ago when I bought a bouquet of flowers as a present for my
mom. She was deliriously happy when receiving it and put it in the sitting room so that
everyone in my family can admire its beauty too.

HOLIDAY
1What 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.

2Who do you usually spend the holiday with?

It depends on what kind of holiday it is. If it’s Christmas vacation, I prefer to 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 ambience.

3Do 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.
4Why are holidays important to you?
A holiday is a perfect time for recharging my batteries after a year full of challenges and
obstacles, having some me time, and planning for the upcoming year.
5If 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 nor too hot. There I can contemplate the picturesque
scenery.
Do you often switch off your phone? (follow up question part 2)
No, I only turn it off at night as I’ve read somewhere that phone connection can disturb our sleep.
When I need to concentrate on a critical task or when I’m on an airplane, I’ll put it in silent mode or
disconnected mode.
Are there any places in your country where mobile/ cell phones are banned?
Of course there are various situations in which people are not advised to use their phones. For
example, using mobile phones while driving is against the law and violators will face heavy fines.
Additionally, mobile phone use is not allowed in some museums, petrol stations or other restricted
areas where phone connection might interfere with or cause other devices to malfunction, posing a
threat to people’s safety.
Advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones?
I think mobile phones, especially smartphones, are among  the coolest gadgets that have been
invented so far. They have transformed the way people communicate, entertain, study and work.
With a ton of functions and compatible apps, these handy little devices have made life much easier
and more comfortable. People can now play games, watch TV, enjoy music or go shopping just with
a mobile phone right at the comfort of their home. Unfortunately, mobile phones can have
detrimental effects on users’ health if misused or overused. Too much screen time is unhealthy for
their eyes and may disturb their sleep. Also, mobile phones can make it hard for people to
concentrate on work or study, leading to low productivity and poor performance.
Do young people and old people use mobile phones the same way?
Definitely not. Old people tend to use their phones for basic functions such as calling or texting, I
mean mainly for communication purposes. Young people, on the other hand, use the device for a
much wider range of activities: to stay in touch with others, to take photos, to relax and entertain, to
take notes, to make plans, to learn languages or even to work. As a result, they spend much more
time on gadgets than old people.
Should children be allowed to use mobile phones? At what age?
I’d say yes. The most obvious reason is that most parents are now getting busier with work while
children tend to spend more time having fun outside of their home. Mobile phones help adults keep
track of their kids to ensure their safety. Besides, children need to get in touch with their friends and
teachers too. I believe teenagers should be allowed to use mobile phones under supervision,
possibly from the age of 12.
Why are young people addicted to their mobile phone?
Well, this is mainly because the device is super cool and children love having fun. With a
smartphone, they can do almost anything, all at their fingertips, from surfing the Internet, playing
games, chatting with friends, listening to music, taking photos, watching films to learning languages.
Another reason is that these days most parents seem too busy to spend time with their kids and
even leave them playing on smartphones unsupervised. It’s easy to see why youngsters tend to
spend too much screen time.