Speaking Trang Bui

Question 1

Talk about the role of a police officer in your country

Answer 1

I guess police officers play an extremely important role in any society. They maintain law and order, protect members of the public and their property, prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and improve the quality of life for all citizens in the communities that they serve.

Question 2

What are the criteria to be a good police officer

Answer 2

This is such an interesting question to think about. I think a police officer should, above all, be brave because his job may require him to get into dangerous situations which can even threaten his own life in order to protect others. Also, it takes an educated, kind hearted and motivated person to be a good police officer, in my opinion.

Question 3

How about a lawyer ?

Answer 3

Lawyers are similar to police officers in a sense that their work is also to maintain peace and order in communities. However, in order to become a good lawyer, one may need different qualities from those of a police officer, for example, public speaking skills as his jobs delivering speeches in front of large crowds. Analytical skills and creativity are among the most important qualities of a good lawyer as well.

Question 4

What job is more popular in your country, a policeman or a lawyer ? Why?

Answer 4

To be honest, when it comes to comparing the popularity of those two occupations, I have a rather vague idea. I mean, lawyer should probably be more popular because lawyers are supposed to work in an office, which is a lot safer than dealing directly with criminals and life-threatening situations like police do. On the other hand, police are believed to make much more money and enjoy better welfare policies.

Question 5

Do most people in your country abide the law?

Answer 5

It should depend on which part of the country we are talking about. As far as I know, in big cities like HCM where there is a bigger police presence than in other parts, most people abide the law to some extent so that they don’t have anything to do with police or the government. In less developed regions, however, people tend to ignore many laws due to the lack of police monitoring

Question 6

Do you think the law should be broken sometimes? If so, under what circumstances ?

Answer 6

Most people would like to consider themselves law-abiding citizens. Yet, in some special cases where breaking a law can help save more lives and property than obeying it, it should definitely be broken. Also, sometimes people break law just to have the experience without doing any harm to their community, which I personally think is acceptable

Question 7

Talk about a good law in your country. Please say

• What law is it?
• Why is it a good law?
• Who does the law affect?
• What would have happened without the law?

Answer 7

One of the laws in my country that most Vietnamese people including myself consider to be highly effective is the mandatory motorcycle helmet law
As you know, Vietnam has a high burden of road traffic injuries, being the country where motorcycles are by far the primary mode of transport across the nation with thousands of new motorcycles on the road each day, according to WHO. It has been estimated that more accidents in Vietnam occur among motorcycle drivers and passengers than any other mode of transport.
Therefore, back in 2007, the government released a resolution which made it mandatory for all motorcycles and passengers to wear a helmet on every type of road. According to this resolution, motorcycle drivers and passengers, if seen not wearing a helmet, can be stopped and given financial penalties by police.
Obviously, since this law was introduced in Vietnam, it has faced quite many challenges concerning the quality of helmets, the enforcement of it on children and people’s lack of awareness. However, it can’t be denied that this law has made travelling by road in Vietnam significantly safer. Researchers from the government have shown that the number of road traffic injuries and fatalities has witnessed a decrease as helmet lower the frequency and severity of head injuries resulting from traffic crashes

Question 8

Do you like taking photos with your phone or camera?

Answer 8

Well, I guess like most young people today, I tend to take more pictures with my smart phone than with a camera. This is simply because it is much more convenient to bring a phone with you all the time more than a professional camera. Yet, I do think that photos taken with a camera usually have higher quality

Question 9

What photos do you like to take ?

Answer 9

I love taking pictures of interesting things that I see, which may include the places I travel to, the people I meet and the food I eat. I know a lot of people nowadays are obsessed with taking pictures of themselves to post on social networking sites. Although I don’t do that very often, I think it is pretty fun too.

Question 10

What will you do with these photos? Why?

Answer 10

After taking pictures, I will post them on Facebook to share with my friends and family so they can know what I’m up to. I personally think it is a great way to keep in touch with people

Question 11

Would you like to do a course in photography

Answer 11

Funny that you asked, I am thinking about taking a course in photography after I’m done with the IELTS exam. I love looking at beautiful pictures because they are very inspiring, so I hope that one day I’ll be able to take professional photos myself

Question 12

What kinds of gifts do people often give each other in your country?

Answer 12

In my country, people most usually choose to give each other money as a gift because of its practically. It is not always easy to guess what people want so sometimes you may spend lots of money on something that is not going to be used at all. In order to avoid this from happening, Vietnamese prefer giving each other money so that the receivers can get themselves whatever they want

Question 13

On what occasions do people in your country give gifts?

Answer 13

There are many occasions on which people in my country give presents such as Birthday, Women’s day or Valentines. As a matter of fact, exchanging gifts is not our traditional practice. However, for last few decades, this has become extremely popular, especially among young generations. On special occasions, people give gifts as a way to express affection to or show gratitude for family members or friends.

Question 14

Describe a book that you have recently read. Please say

• What was the name of the book?
• What was the book about?
• Do you think it was interesting? Why?

Answer 14

Admittedly, for the past few months, I haven’t been reading as much as I should because of my new projects at work. it’s a shame, because reading it, without a doubt, the best way to learn as well as to relax. The last book that I read.”A still forest pool”, is also the one that has had the most significant impact on me.
Basically, “A still forest pool” is a book about meditation written by Ajahn Chah, a Buddhist master in Thailand. Ajahn had spent years meditating in forest monasteries, which are not as easy to be found as they were several decade ago. Being among the most influential and respected teacher of Buddhism in his own country, he has been known as a man of great wisdom who people seek advice from
“A still forest pool” is such a remarkable book which reflects the author’s simple yet powerful message about Buddhist practice of “everyday mindfulness”. Not only does it describe the importance of staying fully awake in everyday life, but it also shows people how to start living mindfully. The book has profound insights, especially for the West, where Buddhism has recently become more popular.
This is definitely the most interesting book that I have ever read. It helps me realize how important it is to live fully in the present instead of the past or the future. I would recommend it to everyone who is in search for inspiration, motivation or simply a change in attitude in order to live more meaningfully

Question 15

Do you think more places on earth should be green ? Why?

Answer 15

I certainly think we don’t just need to, but must, have more green space on earth. Our planet is facing serious environmental problems that are directly connected to the massive loss of forests. If actions are not taken over the next few decades, it will be a challenge for future generations to survive on a planet where little or no green space to be found.

Question 16

Do you think gardens are destroyed for the purpose of building new apartments ?

Answer 16

In my opinion, there are several factors is leading to the fact that natural gardens are disappearing, one of which is the growing demand for living spaces. Especially in big cities, where job opportunities and living standards are believed to be better than in the countryside, there is a severe lack of space. As a result, new apartments have been built because they take up less space and accommodate more people than houses do.

Question 17

Do you go to nature parks a lot?

Answer 17

As a matter of fact, going to a green park is my favorite thing to do in the freetime. Unfortunately, there are not many nature parks left in HCM. I guess this is not very surprising, considering the fact that this city has the largest population of 8 million people while not being particularly big in size. Nevertheless. there is a big park downtown that I visit every weekend with my friends and family

Question 18

Why do you go to the nature park ?

Answer 18

The main reason why I enjoy going to nature parks immensely is because it relaxes me. Studying and living in such a big city as HCM can really stress me out sometimes, especially when exams are coming. At those times, I find it helpful to turn to the nature for inspiration. I have found sitting under the warm sun, feeling cool breezes blowing through my hair and listening to birds singing therapeutic and joyful

Question 19

Talk about a place near water that you have visited. Please say:

• Where did you go?
• Why did you go there?
• Did you enjoy it?

Answer 19

Every once in a while I visit a palace with water such as a lake, a river or a beach because I love being near water very much. Of all the places I have been to, West Lake is definitely my favorite.
West Lake is located in the center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam and also the city I am living in. This is the largest lake in the city with a shore length of 17km. Legend has it that the lake was formed from a struggle of a buffalo after losing her calf.
There are many recreational activities to do here. The lake is surrounded by cafes and restaurants with chair facing the water. On sunny days, I often have a cup of coffee at one of my favorite spots and read a book while enjoying the warm sun kissing my skin
When I feel more energetic, there is always a boat trip to cruise on the lake or I can sign up for a kayak at one of the most renowned kayaking clubs in Hanoi located right beside the lake. Fishing is also a popular activity at West Lake although I have never tried it myself.
I guess the reason I find places near water like West Lake attractive is because water has a calming effect on me. With all the pressure that we are going under from work and relationships nowadays, is essential for us to remind ourselves sometimes to restore the inner peace. Whenever I feel stressed or disoriented, I go to a quite place near the lake and sit for hours, doing nothing but looking over the water. This will almost certainly improve my mood and inspire me to deal with the problems with a more positive attitude.

Question 20

What is the major use of water in your country ?

Answer 20

Although Vietnam counts as one of the countries with highest annual rainfall in the world, irrigation still accounts for a significantly large proportion of water use here. This is due to the uneven distribution of rain water regarding space and time. Some regions in my country, especially the lowlands, receive more rain than the others. Also it rains much more during certain months of the year. Besides agriculture, water is used for other purposes including power generating, manufacturing and recreational activities as well.

Question 21

Is it important to conserve water?

Answer 21

I certainly think it is of extreme importance to conserve water. it is a fact that population, household size as well as living standards are all increasing, which inevitably means a rise in water consumption worldwide. Unfortunately, water resources have been polluted because of human’s activities. Unless people start learning to manage water use more wisely, many countries in the world will soon face a water crisis in the future.

Question 22

Why should scientists focus on space exploration rather than exploring water?

Answer 22

To be honest, I have very little idea when it come to scientific subjects like this one. Yet, I think it make sense that exploring the universe attracts much interest from scientists. Like I said previously, the world’s population is growing when the size of the world itself isn’t. It will soon come to a point where humans need more space preferably on another planet with unexploited resources.

Question 23

What is the importance of sunlight?

Answer 23

Sunlight is essential to the existence of human on earth in several senses. To begin with, the sun keeps the world warms and therefore, makes life possible. It also maintains the rotation of day and night, which provides a natural timing mechanism crucial for many living creatures including people. Moreover, sunlight is believed to be good for our health. Regular exposure to sunlight plays an important role in bones development and prevention of some popular diseases like cancer.

Question 24

What will happen if there will be no sunlight?

Answer 24

It is really challenging to imagine what life would be like without sunlight. I think it is quite safe to assume that there wouldn’t be any life at all. Scientists have long concluded that if there were no sunlight, the planet that we call Earth would be too cold for any form of life. Sunlight provides vital mechanism as well as chemicals without which, life would simply be impossible

Question 25

How long for are you exposed to sunlight daily?

Answer 25

I love spending time outdoor in sunlight not only as a hobby but also as a way to stay healthy. Sunlight is the main source of Vitamin D, which has long been known for numerous positive health effects. However, long-term exposure to sunlight can lead to skin cancer, deterioration of the immune system and eye diseases. Therefore, I limit my daily exposure to the sun to one to two hours. It also depends on the weather. I tend to enjoy more outdoor activities in sunny weather than in other kinds of weather.

Question 26

Do you think being punctual is important? Why?

Answer 26

I definitely think that punctuality is one of the most essential qualifies that one should have in order to be successful in career as well as relationships. Just imagine what the employer would think of a candidate who arrives late for his job interview. He would certainly think that this candidate doesn’t take the job seriously enough and, therefore, offer it to someone else who does. Similarly, in relationships, being punctual shows your respect to others. Being late, on the other hand, often makes people feel under-valued and abandoned.

Question 27

Are you always punctual?

Answer 27

As much as I always try to be punctual, I’m afraid that sometimes I have to keep people or things waiting. There are just many unexpected and out-of-control situations that can happen and blow the plans away, no matter how well-organized they seem tobe. Also, I tend to under estimate how long things will take. For example, I used to set aside only 30 minutes to prepare for a meeting because I thought that was all I needed to get ready, but it turned out that the preparation took much longer than 30 minutes, so I ran late.

Question 28

What would you say or do to people who keep you waiting for an appointment?

Answer 28

Waiting for someone can be rather frustrating experience, in some cases, it can affect the whole relationship. When people keep me waiting, I usually expect them to have good excuses for doing so. If it is something that they can’t control, for example, traffic or weather, I would let it pass. However, if it is obviously their fault that I have to wait, I would let them know precisely how I feel and ask them to try to be on time in the future or I will simply not wait.

Question 29

Part 2:

What are the things which you save money to buy them?

Answer 29

I still remember the time I had to save money to buy my mom a gift. It was three years ago, when I was still in college. Her birthday was coming and I wanted to get her something really special. Back then, I was only a student who worked part-time in a small café near our schools and the salary could barely cover my basic expenses like food or rent. Of course my parents took care of my tuition fee but I wanted to be independent so I managed to live by my modest salary working as a waitress.
Nevertheless, I made up my mind to buy my mom a pair of high heels which I saw in a showroom. I fell in love with these ocean blue open toe shoes at the first sight and I knew immediately that my mom would love them too because, when it comes to fashion, we share pretty much the same taste. The shoes, however, were costly, which means I had to not only spend all of my savings but also work for extra hours in a month to have enough money to buy them.
I felt extremely proud of myself because up until then, I had never really bought anything expensive using my own money. I had never had a proper financial plan either. So this was a huge deal for me. I learnt a whole lot about making money, saving it and spending it wisely. It gave me a sense of responsibility.
More importantly, when I saw that smile on my mother’s face when she opened the gift, I knew it was totally worth it. She was moved not because of the shoes which, of course, she loved, but because she knew how hard it must have been for me to able to get her those shoes. Later she told me that it was the best gift ever and it made her feel special. It wasn’t about shoes. It was all about letting people I love know how much I love them.

Question 30

Describe an intelligent person you know
You should say:
-Who this person is ?
- When and where you first met them?
-What kind of person they are and explain why you think this person is intelligent ?

Answer 30

Among all the people that I know, Ngo Bao Chau is definitely the most intelligent man. Châu is 42 years old, a dual citizens of Vietnam and France and currently teaching mathematics at the University of Chicago in the US.
Well, I have always have been grateful for the fact that I actually know Ngo Bao Chau as a person. We are neighbors. In fact, he and my father were good friends back when they were teenagers. They lost touch, however, after Chau went to France to study after high school and decided to settle down there. In 2005, Uncle Chau returned to Vietnam. Every once in a while when he visits his family in Hanoi, I get to see him and even talk to him.
Chau has been considered a mathematical genius ever since high school, when he became the first Vietnamese student to win two International Mathematical Olympiad gold medals in grades 11 and 12. At the age of 33, he received the title of professor in Vietnam, becoming our country’s youngest-ever professor. Nonetheless, not untill Bao Chau won the prestigious Fields Medal in 2010 for succeeding in finding the proof for a fundamental lemma did the world learn his name.
I like Ngo Bao Chau for not only his mathematical talent but also his personality. Despite being a super rich and famous person, he is very friendly and humble, I can’t remember hearing him boasting about his achievements. With a smile on his face, he makes people feel comfortable yet inspired at the same time. I do think that no one can make a better role model for Vietnamese young generations than him.

Question 31

Talk about a comic actor popular in your country. Please say:
-Who is he/she ?
-Do you like her/his shows? Why?
-Why is he/she so popular ?
-

Answer 31

This is definitely a very interesting topic to talk about. I am huge fan of comedies. I can literally spend the whole day watching them without getting bored at all. There are many talented comedians in Vietnam, among whom my favorite is Hoai Linh
Hoai Linh was born in 1969 in the central province of Khanh Hoa. In 1993, he followed his family to move in California, USA where there is a large Vietnamese community. Being the most popular comic actor today, Hoai Linh actually started his career as a singer and dancer. Not until he moved to the US was his talent for making people laugh was accidentally discovered by a friend, which got several entertainment companies such as Van Son and Thuy Nga Paris by Night interested and brought him contracts. He quickly gained popularity not only among Vietnamese communities in America but also in his home country. Now he often travels between the two countries to perform in sold-out shows.
I personally think Hoai Linh’s show are extremely enjoyable because they are original. he is such a multi-talented artist who has successfully combined comedies and singing. He creates hilarious parodies of famous songs which get stuck in my head. Besides, Hoai Linh is one of the very few comic actors who can speak different dialects in many parts of Vietnam, which is why he has audiences everywhere. He also has an unique way of being sarcastic yet gentle and funny at the same time, tickling people’s funny bone while communicating meaningful messages.
Hoai Linh stands out from other artists because of his personality. As rich and famous as he is, he doesn’t act like a superstar. It is not likely to see him wearing brand name clothes or driving expensive cars. He doesn’t boast about his house or his family, unlike most celebrities. In fact, he has tried to keep his personal life as private as he can. He makes people feel comfortable around him.

Question 32

Describe a competition that you would like to take in or watch.
You should say:
-What competition it would be ?
-What happens in such a competition?
-What preparations you would need to make for this competition and explain why you would like to take part in this competition?

Answer 32

Recently I’ve become fascinated about a reality cooking competition called “MasterChef”. I haven’t missed a single episode. If I had a chance, I would definitely like to sign up for this competition.
Basically, this is a cooking competition between home cooks who are passionate about the art of cooking. They have to go through several rounds in which they are asked to cook with ingredients appointed by a panel of judges. In each round, a few cooks are eliminated until the Master Chef is found.
I guess there would be several things I should take into consideration if I want to join this reality show. First of all, I should certainly spend more time in the kitchen making not only delicious foods but also beautiful ones. Besides, it is inevitable that I would have to ask for at least a few months off work. Many home cooks even decided to quit their job in order to follow their dream of becoming the best chef
I am very interested in this cooking competition because it has drastically changed my attitude towards cooking. I used to think that cooking is a boring chore which I tried to avoid whenver I could. However, now I see it as an art in which the people who cook can use their imagination and creativity to create breathtaking dishes. I have been inspired to spend more time in kitchen with my family. To me, cooking is no longer a task to be done, it is one way of showing my family and friends how much I love them.

Question 33

Describe an activity that you like to do with older people

Answer 33

Living in an extended family, I usually find myself in the company of people who are older than me, for example, my grandparents, aunts and uncles. As strange as it may sound, I quite enjoy spending time with my older family members, even more than I do with my friends sometimes. My favorite activity is definitely talking with them.
We talk very often when we watch a movie, prepare a family dinner or whenever we can manage to spend time with each other.
Normally people would assume that there are not many things to talk about between family members, especially those from different generations, and that most the conversations are either awkward or boring.
However, in my family, we talk about everything from school to relationships. I fell extremely comfortable telling my older family members about my personal problems. Their stories fascinate me as well.
I think one of the reasons why I love talking with older people is because they have many interesting and useful life experiences which I can learn from. Somehow they always have solutions to my problems. Their pieces of advice have proved to be helpful. After talking with them, I often feel inspired by their wisdom and positive attitude.
Another thing about older people which attracts me is the fact that they seem to be very good listeners. They don’t interrupt or try to finish my sentences. My grandparents just wait patiently until they are sure that I’ve hold them everything that’s on my mind. I guess this is because they have been in my situation many times before, so they know exactly what it’s like to be heard.
I believe some people don’t grow old. They simply grow up as long as they are willing to learn and share.

Question 34

What type of people live in big city?

Answer 34

I guess people living in big cities are generally more work-driven and move at a faster pace. They are also more open to new ideas. Besides, city dwellers enjoy more of a variety of entertainment, culture, and food than rural people.

Question 35

Are people migrating to big cities in your country? Why?

Answer 35

Yes, definitely. For the past few years, big cities in my country have witnessed large-scale migration from rural to urban areas. Especially, the population in HCM has been estimated to reach 10 million, almost one-tenth of the country’s population.

Question 36

Do you think there are more problems in a big city compared to a small town?

Answer 36

I think it is true that people living in big cities these days are likely to face more problems than those living in small towns. While being thought to be less exciting, living in the countryside has its own positive aspects, for example, better air conditions, less stress, and friendlier neighborhood.

Question 37

What are these problems in your opinion?

Answer 37

The biggest problem that most big cities are facing now is overpopulation because of massive rural urban migration. This leads to other concerns including pollution, poor living conditions and increasing crime rates.

Question 38

What can be done to solve them permanently?

Answer 38

A more subtle solution to put an end to these problems, in my opinion, would be for the government to create more jobs in the countryside. This would hopefully make the idea of leaving home and family to work in big cities less attractive, which means fewer burdens on big cities.