MYSELF
Về bản thân
If you ever see a tall and skinny boy with a mole on his chin, you will know that it’s me. My name is Phong and I will be twelve on the first of June this year. I wear thick glasses because I did not take proper care of my eye-sight when I was young.
I attend school in the morning session at Dinh Tien Hoang Primary School. My school is within a stone’s throw of my house. Every morning, I walk to school with my neighbour, Duy, who is also my classmate.
My hobbies are playing football and assembling model aeroplanes. I am very proud of my model airplane collection. Most of the models were given to me as presents over the years. The rest were bought with the pocket-money I saved.
As the eldest child in the family, I always try to set a good example for my twin sisters. My parents often praise me for being an obedient boy. When I grow up, I want to be a doctor. I want to be able to cure patients. In order to fulfill my ambition, I must study hard to go to the university.
Vocabulary
- nốt ruồi
- mắt kính
- ước vọng, hoài bão
- một quãng ngắn
- lắp ráp
- chữa trị, trị bệnh
MY CHILDHOOD
Thời thơ ấu của tôi
As I looked at the photographs taken during my childhood days, it seemed only yesterday that I was a little child.
My childhood was a pleasant one. Being the only child in my family, my grandparents doted on me. As a result, I was a rather mischievous boy. I liked snacks like chocolates, ice-cream and candies, but I hated proper meals.
I can recall how my granny had to run after me, one hand holding a bowl of porridge and the other holding a spoon. I would run faster, shouting noisily as I played with my toy aeroplane. What a little brat I must have been!
I also remember the time when I mistook the laundry soap for a bar of chocolate and wanted to munch it. Luckily, my granny saw it before I took the first bite.
Since I have no brothers or sisters, I would play with my neighbours at times. There was a boy, Thien, whom I looked up to. He was very good at playing marbles and he used to share the marbles he won with me.
Now I am a big boy, my childhood days have become a beautiful past which is worthy of recollection.
Vocabulary
- yêu thương hết mực
- cháo
- cái muỗng, thìa
- đứa trẻ nghịch ngợm
- kính trọng, nể
- trò chơi bắn bi, những viên bi
- sự hồi tưởng
MY FAVOURITE TEACHER
Cô giáo yêu quý của tôi
(Phần tiếp theo chưa được cung cấp đầy đủ trong ảnh — bạn hãy gửi nếu muốn mình chép tiếp nguyên văn.)
HOW I SPENT MY HOLIDAYS
Kỳ nghỉ hè của tôi
When the bell rang, everyone jumped for joy. The school holidays which would last one month had just begun.
That night, my whole family caught the flight to Da Lat. We spent an interesting week at the beautiful place, doing some sightseeing and enjoying the delights of the local dishes.
Back in the city, my piano lesson resumed. My Grade IV piano examination was scheduled for the last day of the school holidays. Therefore, I spent two hours every morning practicing the piano.
Of course, I spent time doing other things as well. I visited my grandparents, bringing with me cakes that my mother had specially baked for them. In addition, Daddy lined up a series of programs for my brother and me like picnics, fishing trips and shopping.
It was usually when we were having fun that we felt time pass quickly. The last week of my holidays was mostly spent on my studies and my piano practices.
I passed my piano examination. It was certainly a good way to welcome school. I wished my school holidays were longer. I was also eager to see the familiar faces of my friends and teachers in school again.
Vocabulary
- delight: niềm vui thích
- dish: món ăn
- resume: bắt đầu lại
- schedule: xếp lịch
- in addition: hơn nữa
- to line up: vạch ra
MY FAMILY
Gia đình tôi
My family is small. There are only four members in my family. They are my father, my mother, my sister and I.
My father is a teacher. He is about forty-five years old. My mother works at home. She is a few years younger than my father.
My sister goes to school. She is sixteen years old. I am five years younger than my sister.
Everyone in my family is kind and happy. My father and my mother love my sister and me very much. They buy many things for us. Sometimes they take us to the cinema. They also tell us many interesting stories. Sometimes they help us in our studies.
Indeed, I love my family very much.
MY BEST FRIEND
Người bạn thân nhất của tôi
When I was in Primary Four, a new boy joined my class during the second semester. As I was sitting next to him, I was asked to help him to get used to the new environment. We hit it off instantly.
Two years have passed since. Now, we have become the best of friends. That boy’s name is Quan.
Quan is much taller and skinnier than me. He is also very agile. That is why he has qualified for our school basketball team. He is also one of our school’s best athletes. He specializes in the hurdles and high jump events.
Though Quan is very involved in sports and games, he is very disciplined. He always finishes his homework on time. In fact, he has always been one of the top students in class.
One major belief that both of us agree on is that friends should share their thoughts and knowledge. This enables us to know each other very well. Thus, in spite of the fact that he is an extrovert and I am not, we are still such close friends. I really treasure this friendship and hope that it will last forever.
Vocabulary
- học kỳ
- tâm đầu ý hợp
- lanh lợi, nhanh nhẹn
- chạy vượt rào
- cuộc thi
- đam mê
- người hướng ngoại
- trân trọng
THE HAPPIEST DAY IN MY LIFE
Ngày hạnh phúc nhất trong đời tôi
It was Prize-presentation Day. I was chosen to be the model student of the year on the recommendation of my teachers and classmates. I was happy that they thought so well of me.
When I went up the stage to collect the prestigious medal and cash award, I was filled with pride and joy. All my teachers and friends congratulated me warmly. My parents beamed widely. They were very proud of me.
After the prize-giving ceremony, my parents brought me to a toy shop. There, they bought me a remote-controlled model aircraft as a reward for being such a good student. I was overjoyed because I had wanted the model for a long time.
In extremely good moods, we proceeded to McDonald’s for dinner. We had French fries, milkshakes and my favourite, fried chicken.
That night, I played with my model aircraft before going to bed. For once, my puppy was allowed to sleep with me since it was such a special day. Even the night was filled with sweet dreams. It was probably the happiest day in my life.
Vocabulary
- ngày phát thưởng
- sự đề cử, tiến cử
- cao quý
- rạng rỡ
- trong tâm trạng cực kì vui vẻ
MY FAVOURITE SPORTS
Môn thể thao mà tôi yêu thích
I like swimming. It is my favourite sport for I know that it is healthy as well as a good chance for one to exercise one’s body.
Last Sunday morning, as the weather was fine, I went to Vung Tau with my family. It took us about two hours by car to arrive at our destination, and I felt very excited about it.
When our car reached the top of the cliff overlooking the bay, I admired the golden sand of the long beach, the blue sky and water, and the splendid country surroundings which looked like an artist’s painting.
We put on our bathing suits and ran into the water. It was a very happy swim for me. We played ball, challenged each other in swimming a certain distance. Of course, I was always beaten by my bigger brothers, but I was satisfied with my good effort.
When we felt tired, we lay down on the beach to rest and to have some sunbath. At about noon, we returned to our tent and had lunch.
About 3 p.m., we went once more into the water and enjoyed the afternoon bath till 5 p.m. Finally, we got ready to start for home. Everyone was delighted to have spent such a wonderful day.
Vocabulary
- to exercise one’s body
- cliff
- to feel excited
- to be beaten
WHAT KIND OF ENTERTAINMENT DO YOU LIKE BEST? WHY?
Bạn thích môn giải trí nào nhất? Tại sao?
In addition to the hours we spend doing physical and mental work, we need to have some free hours to relax our bodies and minds. The harder the struggle for life is, the more important recreation becomes.
There are numerous kinds of recreation: quiet, active, moral and immoral. There is a type of recreation to suit each person’s interest. As for me, I like fishing as a form of recreation.
Nothing is more wonderful than to spend a day fishing in a pond, river, lake, or a rice field in the countryside. During these trips I can inhale clean air in fresh and uncrowded open areas and see beautiful natural scenery. I can watch the boats rowing and observe the water and its movements.
Sometimes I see various kinds of wild birds, butterflies and other interesting insects and animals. I get a special thrill from baiting my hook and casting my line into the water, anticipating that the cast will surely attract a fish.
Then, to catch a fish is another kind of special excitement for me. It is the result of long hours of quiet waiting and patience. In addition, fishing helps me to form good qualities of calmness, observation, patience, etc. It is exciting, rewarding and doesn’t make me nervous or self-conscious. I don’t have to exert myself like I would have to if I were in competitive recreation.
Then, too, it is relatively safe and not as dangerous as playing soccer or other types of active sports. Fishing is easy to learn and doesn’t require long hours of practice.
The above reasons explain why I enjoy fishing. However, I realize this is only a recreation and that I cannot become addicted to it to the point where I neglect my studies and other responsibilities.
Vocabulary
- sự giải trí
- rất nhiều
- liệt kê
- theo đuổi
- một cách rộng lớn, quá độ
- sao lãng, không chú ý
- cái ao, cái hồ nhỏ
- thở, hít
- móc mồi
- lưỡi câu
- ném, quăng
- đoán trước
- thưởng, khích lệ
- nóng nảy, bồn chồn
- mặc cảm
- làm quá sức mình
- ganh đua
- một cách tương đối
I LIKE OR DISLIKE THE RAINY SEASON. WHY?
Tôi thích hoặc không thích mùa mưa. Vì sao?
In South Vietnam, there are two main seasons. There are the rainy season and the dry season.
The rainy season, which is also called the wet season, usually starts in May or June and ends in December. The dry season or the sunny one runs from December to May. Each season has its own characteristics which may be interesting to different people.
As far as I am concerned, I dislike the rainy season because of the following reasons:
During this season there are often storms and floods caused by continuous and heavy rains, damaging houses, roads, bridges, crops. Dirty water ruins my clothes. Even though I always wear a raincoat, my clothes are still ruined.
And the street leading to my school is always so flooded after any heavy rain that I find going to school a great problem. Apart from that, the sewers in most parts of the city are still in bad condition, causing pollution everywhere. This makes everyone feel very uncomfortable and contributes to illness.
Vocabulary
- bị hư hại
- nước dơ (bẩn)
- những nét đặc trưng
- cống rãnh
- làm dơ bẩn
I LIKE THE AUTUMN BEST
Tôi thích mùa thu nhất
I was born in Northern Vietnam, where there are four clear seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each season has its own charms and attractions.
Spring offers beautiful flowers and warm weather. Summer is the season of holidays. Autumn is so beautiful with its ideal weather. Winter can give us such delight as gathering by a fire to chat or tell funny stories.
As far as I am concerned, I like Autumn best because of the following reasons.
During Autumn, which lasts more or less from late July to early October, it is sunny most of the time. The Autumn sun is often splendid, dyeing nature yellow. The weather is also ideal because it is not too cold nor too hot.
Then the coldish northwesterly wind, which blows gently, thrills everyone with the breath of Autumn. The leaves of the trees turning yellow or red put a gorgeous coat of colours on nature.
Autumn is such a wonderful season that many poems and songs have been composed to sing the praises of the season. Autumn also reminds me of my first day at school, when my mother took me by the hand and led me to school for the first time.
Last but not least, Autumn is the time when I can enjoy my favourite fruit and dish: the Japanese persimmons and the green rice flakes. These are found only in Autumn.
WHAT DO YOU USUALLY DO IN THE EVENING?
Bạn thường làm gì vào buổi tối?
I’m a first-year student at university. I go to school six days a week with only Sunday off. I leave home for school at 7:00 a.m every day except Sunday and usually return home at 6 o’clock in the evening.
When I come home, I am busy helping my mother prepare dinner or do some housework such as washing clothes, cleaning the floor, dusting the furniture, etc. After I finish dinner, I either study or tutor my younger brothers and sisters.
I don’t like to go out because of my heavy schedule. So I have no time to lose. Nevertheless, once in a while I manage to join my friends on Sunday evening at a Karaoke restaurant and we all have a good time together.
Most of the time, though, I just stay at home listening to music, watching videos or reading novels whenever I can find the time.
Vocabulary
- with only Sunday off
- to be busy + V-ing
- to dust
- once in a while
- to have no time to lose
- to manage to + inf
- to find the time
I LIKE TO GO SHOPPING AT A SUPERMARKET. WHY?
Tôi thích đi mua sắm ở siêu thị. Vì sao?
I like to go shopping at a supermarket because of the following reasons:
The supermarket is large, comfortable and conveniently located. It takes me only a few minutes to walk there from my house.
I usually don’t have much time for shopping, so I have to buy things according to a plan, or from a shopping list. At the supermarket, I can buy exactly what I need very quickly because everything is placed on open shelves. All I have to do is choose whatever I want and take it to the check-out counter.
Apart from that, I don’t have to bargain over prices before buying, yet I’m never afraid of being overcharged for anything. Goods are sold at fixed prices and the supermarket guarantees the things we buy. Should the items become faulty, the supermarket will either have them replaced or repaired for free.
Vocabulary
- conveniently located
- check-out counter
- to be overcharged
- should the items become faulty
TELL ABOUT YOUR INDOOR HOBBY AND WHY YOU ENJOY IT
Sở thích trong nhà của bạn và lý do bạn thích nó
Experience has taught me a valuable lesson, which is that I should have an indoor hobby to occupy myself in my spare time, otherwise I might spend my leisure time on entertaining games which are either mindless or wasteful.
After careful consideration, I decided to start stamp collecting since I regard postage stamps as objects of interest and value.
Stamps teach lessons on geography and history. I have to look up dictionaries or other books to discover more about the origin of stamps. This will broaden my geographical and historical knowledge more and more.
Collecting stamps is quite a relaxing activity. I can imagine how a new beautiful stamp, whether domestic or overseas, could make me happy watching it for hours on end. So my hobby can help me relax.
All in all, stamp collecting further stimulates my creative and intellectual growth, which makes me never feel guilty about wasting time.
THE SUBJECT I ENJOY LEARNING
Môn học mà tôi yêu thích
I learn many subjects in school. But the one I enjoy learning is History.
History tells us how people lived ages ago. It also tells us how men had to struggle to make the world a better place to live in.
Many pupils, however, do not like to read History. They say that there are too many names and dates to remember. But they do not understand that if we do not know about the past, we cannot understand the present properly.
In fact, only a study of History will make us realize that everything we do today is the result of what our grandfathers and others before them did in the past. So, History is the long story of man’s struggle through the ages. As we read this story, we learn many interesting things.
I love history so much that I have a lot of history books in my house. Some day, I might even write a history book myself.
Vocabulary
- realise
- struggle
- in fact
- story
MY FAVOURITE GAME
Môn thể thao mà tôi yêu thích
My most favourite game is football. It is a world-famous game. Football is such a popular game that it is played even in the most remote corner of my country.
People walk long distances to watch a football match. Even old people enjoy watching this game.
To play this most interesting game, I go to the field near my house where my friends wait for me every late afternoon. My friends also love this game very much. We play until dark.
But it is a very hard game. It requires a lot of running. Those who love the game, however, run about with tireless energy. Even I can run the field continuously for at least two hours.
Football players should also have a lot of strength to kick the ball. They must also be skillful in controlling the ball. All this makes this game a difficult game indeed; yet it also makes it interesting.