english_speaking_task_2_20141205193234

Question 1

Describe a piece of equipment you often use at home or at work.- What it is- What you do with it/ How to use it- How long you have had it- How important it is to you

Answer 1

• What are the impacts of electrical equipment on human’s life in the past ten years?- What are the differences of the life in the past and at the present?- What role does technological development play in people’s life?- How will technology develop in the future?- Do you have a mobile phone? What are its advantages?- Why do many foreign countries develop faster than China?- Why does the China’s West develop faster than China’s East?- What are the advantages and disadvantages of computer and internet?

Question 2

Describe a wild animal from your country.- what the animal is- what it looks like- where it lives and explain how people in your country (or, you) feel about this animal.

Answer 2

• Why do you think some people don’t want to have a pet?- What kinds of pets are most popular in your country?- What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a pet?- Do you think animals have feelings and rights? (Why?/Why not?)- Some people breed animals such as dogs for money. How do you feel about that?

Question 3

Describe something you bought (or borrowed) recently but have never used (or not often used).- what it is- when you bought it- where you got it from and explain why you have not used it very much.

Answer 3

• What products do people buy in China?- Do young people and old(er) people buy the same kinds of things?- What are the advantages and disadvantages of huge shopping malls (or, huge supermarkets/huge department stores)?- When people go shopping, do you think they are more concerned about price or quality?- When people go shopping, do you think they are more concerned about the appearance of the product or its quality?

Question 4

Describe a photograph that you remember.- when it was taken- who took it- what is in the photographand explain why you remember this photograph

Answer 4

It’s easy, right?

Question 5

Describe an electrical (or electronic) machine or device you would like to buy.- what special features you would like it to have- how you know about it- how much it would costand explain why you would like to buy it.

Answer 5

• Do you think science and technology are very important in today’s society?- What are the advantages and disadvantages of this situation?- How have the changes in communication technology changed society?- How are the computers used in education today?- How has modern science and technology changed the way people work in the past generation (20 to 30 years)?

Question 6

Describe a toy that was special to you when you were a child.- when you got it- what it looked like- who gave it to you and explain how you used it (how you played with it).

Answer 6

• What are the most popular kinds of toys in China?- Do boys and girls like the same toys?- Do you think it’s good for kids to play with toys?- Do you think it’s good if parents only buy “educational” toys for their children?- Which do you think is better to give a child, a computer or a toy?- What are some typical children’s hobbies and leisure time activities?- Do you think any of these hobbies would be useful for the children when they grow up?- Do you think people will have more free time in the future?

Question 7

Describe something special you want to buy in the future. - what it is- what it is like (or, what you think it will be like or look like)- how long you have wanted to buy it (when you intend to buy it)- (who you want to buy it for *) and explain why you want to buy it.

Answer 7

• In general, are men and women the same when it comes to shopping?- In general, do you think shopping has positive or negative effects on society?- Do you think shopping is beneficial to people?- Do you think shopping is a good way to pass the time?- Do you think shopping (as a way to pass the time) has become more popular than it was in the past?- Some people say shopping is a waste of time. What’s your view on this?- Some people become “shopaholics” (i.e., addicted to shopping). Why do you think this happens?- In Vietnam, how has the way people do their shopping changed in the past 20 or 30 years?

Question 8

Talk about something you or someone you know collects. You should say:- How many pieces there is in the collection- How the collection is stored- How quickly the collection is growingAnd say what kind of person would enjoy collecting that thing, and why

Answer 8

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Question 9

Talk about a dish you know how to cook. You should describe: - What the ingredients are- How it is cooked- Other preparation you have to doAnd say if you think this is an easy dish to cook or not, and why

Answer 9

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Question 10

Describe a wild animal from your country.You should saywhat the animal is and what it looks likewhere it livesand explain how people in your country (or you) feel about this animal.

Answer 10

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Question 11

Describe a toy that was special to you when you were a child.You should say:- when you got it- what it looked like- who gave it to you- and how you used it or played with it.

Answer 11

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Question 12

Describe a well-known person.Who he/she isWhat makes him/her famousWhy you admire him/her

Answer 12

• Do you want to become famous?- How to become a well-known person in China?- What kind of people can become famous in China?- What are the advantages and disadvantages of being famous?- What do you think of the privacy of a well-known person?- What do you think of the relationship between a well-know person and advertising?- Would you be influenced by the well-known persons in TV commercials?- Do you often talk about singers with your friends? What do you often talk about?

Question 13

Describe a friend in your school time you like most.- Who he/she is- When did you became friends?- Why do you like him/her or why do you think that he/she is important to you?- How he/she influences you

Answer 13

• What are the differences between adults and children in terms of making friends?- Can adults make friends with children?- What do you think are the most important factors when making friends?- What are the possible factors that cause the break-up of friendship?- Why is it difficult for adults to make friends?- What will the friendship become like when getting old?

Question 14

Describe a person whom you like to work or study with.- Who is he/she?- When did you work/study together?- What do you often do together?- Why do you like to work with him/her?/ What can you learn from him/her?- Why is he/she particular?

Answer 14

• Do you like to work alone or with a partner?- What do you think of teamwork and team spirit?- What kind of people are good to work with?- Do you like group work or group learning?- What is your opinion on efficiency?- What are the advantages of studying by yourself?- What do you think of efficiency?

Question 15

Talk about a hobby that a brother or sister, or other relative, likes. You should mention:- Where and when they do that hobby- How long they have been doing it- If you have ever done it with themAnd say if you think that is a good hobby or not, and why.

Answer 15

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Question 16

Describe a restaurant or a cafe.- Where it is- What it looks like- What kind of services are provided- What kind of food you like there/ What kind of food is famous?- Why you like it

Answer 16

• Do you like cooking?- Will you cook for your friends when they visit you?- Who cooks in a Chinese family?- What do you think of the advantages and disadvantages of fast food?- Why is fast food so popular?- Where would Chinese go when they eat out?- What changes would take place in terms of Chinese eating habits?- What food is popular?- What is the difference between fresh food and canned food?- What can we do to solve the problem of food shortage?- What are the advantages and disadvantages of family food?

Question 17

Describe an interesting building.- Where it is located- What it looks like- What services are provided- How you like it

Answer 17

• What role do old buildings and new buildings play in modern society?- What changes have taken place in architecture in the past two decades?- Do you think it necessary to protect old buildings?

Question 18

Describe a place where you often go on your days off You should say:- Where it is- Who you go with- Why you go thereAnd say how it compares to other places where you could spend your free time

Answer 18

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Question 19

Talk about what you are going to do or will probably do on your next day off. You should include in your answer:- Where you will go- Who you will meet- How long you will spend at each placeAnd say if you think you will enjoy that day or not, and why

Answer 19

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Question 20

Describe a kind of book you like.- What kind of books you like most- What they are about- Why you like them most- What effect have books brought on you?

Answer 20

• What is the difference between men and women when choosing what to read?- What kind books do children like? Why do they like reading?- What is the difference between reading and watching TV?- What is the relationship between reading and computer?- What are the advantages of reading books?- Why do children like pictorials?- What books are popular in your country?

Question 21

Describe one of your favorite books.- What kind of books you like- What is your favorite book?- What it is about- When did you get it?- Why you like it

Answer 21

• Do you like other books?- What kind of books do Vietnamese people like?- What kind of books do Vietnamese women like?- What kind of books do Vietnamese children like?- What kind of books do you recommend to others?

Question 22

Describe a letter.- When you received it- Who sent it to you- What it is about- Whether it is important to you

Answer 22

• What is the difference between letter and e-mail?- Do you often keep diaries?- What is the difference between diary and letter?- What is the difference in the past and at the present as regards communications?- What is the role of letter 50 years ago and at the present?- What do you think of the role 50 years later?- What do you think of creative writing?- Would post office disappear 50 years later?- What role does computer play in our society?- What changes have been brought by the computer? What is professors’ attitude?

Question 23

Describe a kind of music.- Whether you like music- What kind of music you like best- What role music plays in people’s life

Answer 23

• How long do you listen to music everyday?- Why is it easier for children to learn playing a musical instrument?- What are the benefits of learning to play musical instruments?- Discuss the impact of western music on the world music?

Question 24

Describe a news story that made you feel happy.- what the news was about- where you got this news from- what people were involved with this news story and explain why it made you feel happy.

Answer 24

• Do people in your country like reading newspapers?- What different kinds of newspapers are there in your country?- Have you ever read an English language newspaper from overseas?- How do you think newspapers in your country compare to newspapers in Western countries? - Compare the differences and similarities of newspapers and magazines. - Do you think newspapers are important for people?

Question 25

Talk about a book you have read in the last year You should say:- Why you decided to read that book- How long you it took you to finish it- What genre of book it wasAnd say if you would like to read something else by the same author or not, and why

Answer 25

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Question 26

Talk about a book you have never read but would like to in the future. You should mention:- Why you would like to read it- Why you have never read it before- What you think it will be likeAnd say how you think it will compare to other books you have read

Answer 26

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Question 27

Talk about a book that impressed you. You should say:- What it was about- Why it impressed you- If any other books have impressed you the same wayAnd say what kind of person you would recommend that book to, and why

Answer 27

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Question 28

Talk about a book you have at home. You should mention:- What it looks like- What the topic of the book is- Where you got the book fromAnd say how it compares to other books you have read or know about

Answer 28

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Question 29

Describe an interesting advertisement that you have seen. You should say:where you saw itwhat it was aboutwhy you think it was an interesting advertisement.

Answer 29

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Question 30

Describe a traditional festival in your country.- What it is- When is it celebrated?- How to celebrate? / what you usually do on that day- What you like and what you don’t like

Answer 30

• What is the concept of holiday in your country?- Why is holiday so important to modern people?- Do you think it is necessary to observe the traditional customs?- What changes in terms of spending festivals and holidays have taken place in the past decade?- What is the difference as regards celebration in different part of the country?

Question 31

Describe a perfect trip/holiday.- Where you would go- When would you go?- Whom you would go with- What you are going to do

Answer 31

• What is the difference in the past and at the present as regards travelling?- How would the tourist industry develop in the future?- What should the government do to attract tourists?- What should the people do to attract tourists?

Question 32

Describe an interesting trip you have taken.- Where you went- When you went there- Whom you went with- What you did there- Why you like it

Answer 32

• What is the difference in the past and at the present as regards traveling?- How would the tourist industry develop in the future?- What should the government do to attract tourists?- What should the people do to attract tourists?

Question 33

Describe an interesting hobby.- What it is- How long you spend on it- How often you do it- Why you like it

Answer 33

• Do you think that surfing the Internet, watching TV, listening to music or keeping a pet are interesting hobbies?- Do you think it will cost too much time to do them?- Do you like hobbies requiring teamwork?- Why do people usually do in their spare time?

Question 34

Describe some interesting news that you have recently read about or heard about- what the story was- who was involved in the story- where you read or heard about this storyand explain why this news story was interesting to you.

Answer 34

One trap is to repeat the word “interesting” all the time. You can use it once or twice but good candidates will look for other ways to say this. You can try:fascinatingremarkableunusualthought-provokingthe interest of

Question 35

Describe a tourist attraction that you have visited. You should say- What the attraction was- When you visited it- Why you went thereAnd say whether you enjoyed the visit or not

Answer 35

friendly topic

Question 36

Describe a TV program that you watched but didn’t like.- what program it was- when you saw it- what it was about and explain why you didn’t like it.

Answer 36

• Do you think TV celebrities are good role models for children?- Television and film stars are often role models for young people. What do you think of that?- (Similar to above) Do you think it’s good that TV celebrities are often role models for young people?- In your opinion, what qualities does someone need to have to become a TV celebrity?- (Similar to above) What skills and abilities does a person need to be a TV celebrity?- Many TV stars have an income that is very high. Do you think this is reasonable?

Question 37

Describe a well-known traditional story from your country.- who told you the story- when you (first) heard it- what it was about and explain how you felt when you heard this story.

Answer 37

• Why do you think (little) kids like listening to stories?- (Similar to above) Do you think (young) children prefer to be read a story or to read a story themselves?- (Similar to above) Parents often read bedtime stories to their children. - Why do you think children like that?- Please compare kids’ stories today with kids’ stories in the past.

Question 38

Describe something you do that is good for your health.- what you do- when you do it / Or: when you began to do it- whether you enjoy doing this (or, how much you enjoy doing it) and explain why you think this is important for your health.

Answer 38

• What do you think are the differences between healthy food and ‘junk food’?- What things do you think people in your country need to do (or, need to change) in order to improve their health?- Do you think modern people do enough regular exercise?- How do schools in your country teach about health?- Do you think the media can play a role in educating people about health? (How?)

Question 39

Describe a type of music that is popular in your country. - what type of music it is- where people listen to (or, can hear) it- what types of people usually like this type of musicand explain why you it is so popular. Task 3:- Would you say that people of all ages like music?- Would you say that people of all ages like the same types of music?- What’s your favourite type of music?- (Similar to above) What types of music are popular with your generation?- Do your parents also like that kind of music?- (Similar to above) What types of music are popular with people of your parents’ generation?

Answer 39

• Compare the music that young people like to listen to with the music that older people like to listen to.- Compare classical music and modern music.- What’s the difference (the differences) between traditional music and modern music?- Can you suggest how classical music could be made more attractive for young people?- Do you think some people tend to classify others according to the music they like?- Do you think friends should have the same tastes in music?- Do young people and older people have the same views concerning music? (Hint: This wording is not asking about likes and dislikes but about attitudes.)- Why do you think people in different age groups like different kinds of music?- Compare the music that people of different age groups like.- Do you think people’s tastes in music change as they get older?

Question 40

Describe a hobby you had when you were a child.- what it was- how you did this activity - how you became interested in this hobbyand explain why you liked this hobby.

Answer 40

• What are the most popular hobbies in your country?- How important do you think it is for people to have hobbies?- What benefits do people get from having hobbies?- Can a hobby ever become a “problem”?- Do people of different ages have the same hobbies?- Compare children’s hobbies with adults’ hobbies?- Compare young people’s hobbies with old(er) people’s hobbies?- Compare men’s and women’s hobbies.- Compare hobbies today with hobbies of several decades ago.- What influences (factors) cause people to choose one hobby instead of another?- How do you think people’s choice of hobbies will (or might) change in the future?- If you had the choice of any new hobby, which one would you choose (and why)?

Question 41

Describe an activity you like doing. You should say:- Where you do it- Who you do it with- Why you enjoy itAnd say what kind of people you would recommend that activity to, and why

Answer 41

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Question 42

Talk about a hobby you were interested in when you were a child: You should say:- How you first became interested in it- How long you did it for- Why you enjoyed itAnd say if you became more or less interested in that hobby as you got older, and why

Answer 42

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Question 43

Talk about something you can do on a computer that you think is enjoyable. You should mention:- What equipment or software you need to do that- What you need to do to do it- What kind of people it is popular withAnd say if you would like to spend more time doing that or not, and why

Answer 43

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Question 44

Describe something you often do in the evening. You should say:- When you usually do it- Where you usually do it- Who you usually do it withAnd say if you enjoy doing it or not, and why

Answer 44

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Question 45

Describe something you like doing in the evening. You should say:- How it makes you feel- How often you do it- How long you spend doing itAnd say if you think most people would enjoy doing the same thing or not, and why

Answer 45

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Question 46

Describe something you think is exciting. You should say:- Why it makes you excited- If it is always exciting- What other feelings that thing can give peopleAnd say how it compares to other things that people usually find exciting

Answer 46

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Question 47

Talk about something that makes you excited. You should include:- How often you do that thing- Where you do it- Who you do it withAnd say if other people who do the same thing feel exactly the same way or not, and why

Answer 47

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Question 48

Give a presentation about something you think is a good way of doing exercise. You should include in your answer:- What equipment is needed- Where people usually do this form of exercise- What they usually wearAnd say if you think this form of exercise is getting more or less popular, and why

Answer 48

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Question 49

Talk about a form of exercise you used to do but no longer do now. You should say:- Where you used to do it- Who you used to do it with-Why you stoppedAnd say if you would like to restart that sport or not, and why

Answer 49

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Question 50

Talk about something you often do or used to do in your free time with your family.You should say:- Why you often did that- Who suggested doing it- Who enjoyed it mostAnd say if you would like to do the same thing with your own children or not, and why

Answer 50

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Question 51

Talk about a hobby someone in your family has. You should say: - Whose hobby it is- Where and when they do it- Why they enjoy itAnd say if you would enjoy doing the same thing or not, and why

Answer 51

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Question 52

Describe your favourite film. You should say:- What the film is about- Who the main characters are - What the ending isAnd explain why it is your favourite film.

Answer 52

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Question 53

Describe your favourite place to eat out. You should include in your answer:- Where it is- What kind of food is served- What the décor is likeAnd say what kind of people you think would enjoy that restaurant, and why

Answer 53

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Question 54

Describe your favourite song or piece of music. You should say:- What kind of music it is- Where you usually listen to it- Why you like itAnd say what kind of mood this music puts you in, and why

Answer 54

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Question 55

Give a short presentation about your favourite place to spend your free time. Points to include:- Where it is- How to get there from the place you live- What you do thereAnd say how you would improve that place if you could

Answer 55

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Question 56

Describe an environmental problem.- What it is- How long it has existed- What effect it has brought to people’s life- What we can do to solve it

Answer 56

• What causes environmental problems?- What should the government do to protect the environment?- What should we do to protect the environment?- What other measures can you think of to protect the environment?- How should we educate children to protect environment?- What’s the difference between the old and the young as regards environmental protection?

Question 57

Describe a kind of extreme weather.- What it is- When did it happen?- Where you were- How you felt at that time

Answer 57

• What should you do in a bad weather?- Will bad weather mould or change people’s personality?- What is the relationship between weather and culture?- The climate has changed these 50 years. Have you noticed the changes?- What changes do you predict in the following years?- Are the people interested in gathering the weather information in your place?- How does weather influence people’s personalities in your country?

Question 58

Talking about learning English.- When and where you began studying English- What is the most interesting thing in an English class?- What is the most effective way of learning English?- What difficulties you have when learning English- What are the advantages of learning English?

Answer 58

• What problems do you have when studying English?- Do you think that English is the most important language in the world?- Can English take the place of Chinese in China?What other languages are taught in China?- Do you think that age is the most important factor of learning English? Why?- What difficulties would a foreigner have when he learns your native language?- What problems would Chinese people have when communicating with foreigners?- When would be most suitable for children to learn English?- How will translation and interpretation develop in the future?

Question 59

Describe different ways of getting news.- Whether you get news every day- Whether the news is national or international- How you get news (via newspaper, TV, Internet, radio or other people?)- How do most Chinese people think about the importance of getting update news everyday?

Answer 59

• Do you think the information on the Internet believable or not?- What is the most effective way of getting news?- How do reporters gather information?- What do you think of the importance of privacy?- How do journalists entertain their customers?- What role do media play in people’s life?- How do Chinese people gather information?- What are the advantages and disadvantages of different media?- Do you think it necessary to control the news coverage?What kind of news do you think should be controlled?

Question 60

Describe a skill you want to learn.- What it is- Why you think it is important- How you are going to learn it- What role it will play in you future life

Answer 60

• What do you think of the traditional skills?- What skill do you think the university has provided for your job?- What skills can you learn in school?- What kind of skills have your parents learned?- What do you think of the role of family for children to learn skills?- What is the most popular skill that people want to learn?- What kind of school would you send your children to? Why?- What are the advantages and disadvantages of school education and family education?

Question 61

Describe a major decision you have taken in your life.- What the decision was- What other choices were available to you- Why you made the decision you didAnd explain if you think the decision was a good one.

Answer 61

You can do it :)

Question 62

Describe something you do to forget about work or study.- What the activity is- How often you do it- How it helps you forgetAnd say whether you would recommend other people try the same thing.

Answer 62

Try your best :)

Question 63

Describe a language you would like to learn.- What the language is- Where it is spoken- Why you are interested in this languageAnd say if you think you will ever actually have the chance to learn it.

Answer 63

show off your love :)

Question 64

Describe something you have learned to do on computers (such as studying).- what it was- when you learned it- how you learned itand explain what benefits you get from having this skill.

Answer 64

• The Benefits of Computers in the Home- What do you think are the benefits of using computers at home?- Please compare writing by hand and writing on a computer.- Do you think that people who are very sociable use computers very much?- Do you think the next generation (about 30 years in the future) will use computers the same way as we do today?

Question 65

Describe the work (the job) that you plan to do in the future.- where you plan to work (what country/city etc)- how you plan to prepare for this work- why you choose this kind of workand explain what skills are necessary for this work.

Answer 65

• (In VN,) why (or how) do people choose what job to do in life? (career)- What are your views on the different kinds of jobs that exist? For example, a street sweeper. Why don’t you choose to do that job?- What’s the main reason why people go to work?  What makes a job enjoyable?- Do people in VN change their jobs very often? (= change to a different employer)- What’s your opinion of people who often change their job(s)?- What do you think is the most important factor when choosing a job or career - the salary, how interesting the job is, or how much power one can gain from the job?- Why do you think it’s important for people to have goals?

Question 66

Describe a useful practical skill that you learned (such as driving a car, speaking a foreign language, cooking etc).- why you learned this skill- how (and when) you learned it- how difficult it was to learn and explain how this skill is useful to you.

Answer 66

• What are some differences between the skills people learn today and the skills people learned in the past?- What skills do you think children should (or, need to) learn?- Do you think it’s better to learn things in “real life” or from textbooks?- What kinds of skills do you think are the most useful (in everyday life)?- Should women also learn (these) skills?- Compare the skills women learn with those that men learn.- Which do you think are more important, the skills that children learn at home or those they learn at school- Do you think high school students should learn skills that will be useful in the workplace?

Question 67

Describe a good law in your country.- what the law is- how you first learned about this law- who benefits from this law (or, who is affected by this law) and explain why you think this is a good law. *

Answer 67

• What role does law play in society?- Do you think laws have much influence on (or relationship with) the economy? - If there were no laws, what do you think society (or life) would be like?- Can you give any examples of what is illegal in Vietnam?- Which job would most people prefer - to be a policeman/policewoman (= a member of the police force) or a lawyer? (Why?)- In what situations (or, areas of activity) do you think international law is most important? - Can you think of any foreign law that Vietnam could adapt for use here?

Question 68

Describe a project or some work that you did with others.- what the project or work was.- who was with you- how easy or difficult it wasand explain why you did this with other people.

Answer 68

• Can you give any examples of how people in your culture co-operation with others?- Do you think students in China have too much homework? (Why do you say that?)- Do you think homework is necessary (or, important)? (Why?/Why not?)- Do you think it’s important (or, necessary) for children to go to school to be educated or is it possible for a child to be educated at home, without attending a school?

Question 69

Describe something you are good at doing.- what it is- how often you do it- how you learned to do it (or, who taught you how to do it)and explain how you feel when you do it

Answer 69

• Are you very confident that you will reach the goal that you just spoke about (in Part 2)?- What successes have you had in your life?- How would you define the word, ‘success’?- Do you think that failure is always a bad thing?- What are the factors that lead to success?- Why do some people not succeed?- How do you think parents can encourage their children to be successful in life?- Do you think most people want to succeed in life? (Why do they feel this way?)- When do people most want to be successful? (At what stage in their lives?)- What do you think is a good definition of the word, “success”?- In (Vietnamese) society, how is success defined or measured? - What are the good and bad results of this type of thinking?