SPEAKING TOPICS FOR GRADE 9

(THE FIRST SEMESTER)

TOPIC 1: LOCAL COMMUNITY
1. Name some places of interest you know.
- Some places of interest I know are Tran Bien Temple of Literature, Buu Long Tourist Area,
Bien Hung Park, Bien Hoa Night Market, and Nguyen Van Tri Park.

2. Describe a place of interest in your hometown.

- A place of interest in my hometown is Cat Tien National Park. It is a large forest with many
tall trees, rivers, and animals. People visit to see wild animals like elephants, birds, and
monkeys. There are also beautiful waterfalls and places to camp. It is very peaceful and good
for people who love nature. I like this place because it is exciting to explore and learn about
the environment.
- One interesting place in my hometown is Van Mieu Tran Bien, a historic temple in Bien
Hoa. It is a place where people honor scholars and learn about Vietnamese history. The temple
has beautiful old buildings, statues of Confucius, and a peaceful garden. Many visitors come
here to explore the history and enjoy the calm atmosphere. I like it because it is a quiet and
cultural place to relax and learn more about our traditions.

3. Talk about a speciality made in your local area or a speciality you know. (What speciality
is it?/ What do people make it from?/ Do people make it in the traditional way?/ What can
people do with it?/ Is it well known in only your country or around the world?)
- My local specialty is Tan Van pottery Ceramics are products made from clay and its mixture
with inorganic or organic additives, fired over fire. People do it the traditional way
Step 1: Soil analysis – select and treat soil
Step 2: Polishing the ceramics - Shaping the ceramics
Step 3: Decorate patterns on ceramics
Step 4: Tooth enamel
Step 5: Refractory ceramic products
Tan Van pottery is well known not only in Vietnam but also internationally.

4. Tell about your favorite community helper? (What is his/her job? / What does he look like?
/ What is he like? / What does he do for the community? / How do you feel about him?)
- My favorite community helper is Mr.Thinh, a garbage collector in my neighborhood. He is a
tall, slim, and good-looking man, with wavy hair. He usually wears an orange uniform with
reflective stripes so people can see him in the dark. He is such a kind, generous and
responsible person. Every day, he arrives in my neighborhood at 7 P.M, then he starts
collecting garbage, taking it away, and processing it. He also instructs people to sort rubbish
into two types: recyclable and non-recyclable. He plays an important role in our community
because he helps keep our environment clean and tidy. In all, I respect Mr.Thinh very much.

TOPIC 2: CITY LIFE

1. Talk about a means of transport you are using. (Name of the means of transport, its
advantage(s) and drawback(s), why you choose to use it)
- In city life, there are many means of transportation. And I often use the bus, it has many
benefits. First, it goes to many places I want and on time. Second, buses reduce pollution and
traffic jams. Besides, buses also have many disadvantages such as having to wait for a long
time and being crowded during rush hours. Finally, the reason I choose the bus is because it
saves money, convenient.

2. Talk about the city problems and suggest solutions to them. (Traffic congestion, Air
pollution, Lack of green spaces,…)
- Cities face many problems. Traffic is often heavy, causing long delays and air pollution.
There aren't enough green spaces, which can make people feel stressed. To solve these issues,
cities can improve public transportation like buses and trains, encourage people to bike or
walk, and plant more trees. They can also reduce pollution by using cleaner energy sources
and recycling more. By working together, cities can become healthier and more enjoyable
places to live.

3. What do you like about living in a city?

- I like living in a city because there are many beautiful buildings, green space. Besides, we
can easy shopping and health service here are very good.

4. Tell about your favorite city in Viet Nam?

- Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is my favorite city in Vietnam. It is the largest city
in the country and is full of energy and excitement. The city is famous for its modern
skyscrapers, traditional markets, and delicious street food. I love visiting places like Ben
Thanh Market and Nguyen Hue Walking Street. It’s a vibrant and dynamic place!
- Hai Phong City is my favorite city in Vietnam. It is a peaceful coastal city with beautiful
scenery and friendly people. Hai Phong is famous for its beaches, like Do Son, where you can
relax and enjoy the sea. The city also has delicious local food, such as "banh da cua". I enjoy
visiting Cat Ba Island, which is perfect for exploring nature. Hai Phong is a great place to
relax and have fun!

TOPIC 3: HEALTHY LIVING FOR TEENS

1. Give some tips for one of the following situations:
- A friend of yours cannot remember the words he/she learnt.
- A friend of yours does not feel very well.
- Use flashcards or write words and review daily.
- Practice using words in sentences.
- Study with friends for better memory.
2. Tell two things that make you happy at school.
- Encourage rest and drinking water.
- Suggest visiting a doctor if needed.
- Eat healthy food and do exercise.

3. Share your ideas about how to have a well-balanced life. (How can you manage your time
properly? / How can you spend time with your friends, teachers, and parents? / How can you
avoid stress and anxiety? / How can you take care of your physical health?)
To have a balanced life, I plan my day carefully. I spend time studying, relaxing, and having
fun with my friends and family. Talking to them helps me feel happy and less stressed. I also
take care of my health by eating healthy food, exercising, and sleeping well. When I feel tired,
I listen to music or draw to relax. Spending time outside and doing hobbies makes me feel
better. I try to finish my work on time so I can enjoy free time. This balance helps me stay
happy, strong, and ready for new challenges every day.

4. Give some tips to manage your time effectively?

- Make a plan: Write down everything you need to do each day. This helps you stay organized
and not forget any tasks.
- Set priorities: Decide which tasks are most important and finish them first, like studying for
a test. This ensures that you focus on what matters most.

TOPIC 4: REMEMBERING THE PAST

1. What festival (s) does your family celebrate every year?
My family always celebrate Tet festival yearly, Mid-Autumn Festival and Hùng Kings Temple
Festival.

2. How do you and your family do to celebrate a family member’s birthday?

In my family, we celebrate a member’s birthday in a warm and simple way:
- We usually prepare a small party at home with their favorite food and a birthday
cake.
- Everyone gathers, sings the birthday song, and shares happy moments together.
- We also give meaningful gifts or write heartfelt messages.

3. Talk about a typical traditional Vietnamese dish. (name of the dish, basic ingredients, on
what occasion it’s eaten, whether you like it or not)
A typical traditional Vietnamese dish is Bánh Chưng. It is made with sticky rice, green beans,
pork, and wrapped in banana leaves. People usually eat it during Tet to celebrate family and
tradition. I like it because it’s delicious and special for the New Year.

4. Talk about school days in the past. (How did students get to school in the past? When did
they go to school? What subjects did they study? What did they do during their leisure
time? How long did their summer holidays use to be?)
1.When did students go to school in the past?
- They usually only went to school on weekday mornings.
2. What subjects did they study?
- They had the usual subjects like Math, Literature, Ethics, History and Geography.
3.What did they do during their leisure time?
- They read books and played traditional games.
4.How long did their summer holidays use to be?
- It was about three months.
5. How did they get to school?
- They used to go to school by foot or by bike.

TOPIC 5: OUR EXPERIENCES

1. Name some pleasant experiences you have had in life.
- Being praised by the teacher in front of the class
- Receiving a surprise birthday party from parents.
- Listening to bedtime stories told by grandparents.
- Take a warm bath after a long day.
- A good night's sleep after a productive day.

2. Name some unpleasant experiences you have had in life.

- Falling an important exam.
- Having a Falling-Out with a Friend.
- Falling off my bike in front of many people.
- Being criticized by the teacher in front of the class.
- Being bullied by some friends.

3. Talk about one of your most memorable experiences at school.

- What the experience was.
 - When and where it happened.
- What you did then/ How you felt during and after the experience.
- Why this experience is memorable to you.
My most memorable experiences at school was attending the festival celebrating Vietnamese
Teachers' Day. It was held in our school yard when we were in grade 8. We did many fun
activities such as putting up tents and playing traditional games. This experience holds a
special place in my heart because it allowed me to develop deeper friendships with my
friends.

4. Talk about the experience of a trip you have had.

- Where did you go?
- What did you do?
- How was your experience?
- Have you ever had that experience before?
Where did you go?
- I went to the Ma Da forest.
What did you do?
- I set up tents and camped overnight. I also learned about the ecosystem by
observing the unique plants and animals. Additionally, I enjoyed the delicious local
cuisine and took photos with the scenery here.
How was your experience?
- It was memorable and unique because it helped me understand more about nature.
Have you ever had that experience before?
- No, I had never tried it before.