TOPIC 1: NUMBERS
To be good at something: giỏi việc gì đó
On a daily basis = every day: hàng ngày
PIN number: mã PIN (số bí mật dùng khi rút tiền hoặc giao dịch tại ngân hàng)
1. Do you have a favourite number or a number that is special to you?
Yes, my favourite number is … because it’s the day I was born on, and it’s my lucky number.
2. Do any numbers have special importance in your country?
Yes. The number 7, for example, is supposed to be a special number in my country. It appears in so many places, like the seven days of the week, the seven main notes in music, and the seven ages of man that Shakespeare described.
3. Are you good at remembering numbers? Why / why not?
No, I’m not very good at remembering numbers. I don’t think it’s necessary to learn them by heart; I just save them on my phone.
4. What numbers do people often have to memorise?
The most important number to remember on a daily basis is the PIN number for your bank card. Without this you can’t pay for anything or get cash out.
TOPIC 2: ROBOTS
To speak to someone: có ý nghĩa, quan trọng với bạn
A robot helper: robot giúp việc
A driverless car: xe tự lái (tự di chuyển không cần người điều khiển)
1. What do you think of robots?
I think robots are a clever idea. I’d love to have a robot that could speak to me and do things for me!
2. Did you watch any cartoons related to robots in your childhood?
I can’t remember watching cartoons with robots, but I remember that I liked the robots in films like Star Wars.
3. Do you like the idea of robots helping you at home or driving your car?
Yes, definitely. It would be great to have a robot helper at home, and I like the idea of driverless cars – I think driving would be safer if cars were controlled by robots.
TOPIC 3: HOLIDAYS
Take a break: nghỉ giải lao, nghỉ ngơi
Unwind (v): thư giãn
A change of scenery: thay đổi không gian, cảnh quan
1. Do you like holidays? Why / why not?
Yes, I love holidays because I get the chance to take a break from work, to relax and unwind, and to spend time with my family.
2. Do you prefer to travel or stay at home during holiday periods? Why?
If I can, I prefer to travel. It’s nice to get away from everything and to have a change of scenery. Also, I like visiting new places and doing some sightseeing.
3. What do most people do during their holidays in your country? Why?
During the summer especially, I think most British people go somewhere hot and sunny, to escape from the British weather!
4. When do you prefer to take your holidays? Why?
I like taking my holidays just outside the main summer season, which is July and August. If you go on holiday in May, June or September, everything is cheaper and places aren’t so crowded with tourists.
TOPIC 4: SHOES
Be interested in … = like: thích …
Following the latest fashions: theo mốt thời trang mới nhất
Try something on: mặc/mang thử quần áo hoặc giày dép
1. Do you like to buy expensive shoes?
No. I tend to buy average-priced shoes because I’m more interested in comfort than expensive brands.
2. When you buy shoes, do you prefer convenience or style?
I mainly look for comfort and convenience. But obviously I consider the style too, because I do choose shoes that match the clothes I wear.
3. Why do you think some people buy many pairs of shoes?
I suppose they either like following the latest fashions, or they want a pair of shoes to match all of the different clothes or outfits that they have.
4. Have you ever bought shoes online?
No, I haven’t. I always like to try shoes on before I buy them, to make sure that they fit properly and feel comfortable.
TOPIC 5: CHOCOLATE
Texture (n): kết cấu, cảm giác khi ăn hoặc uống (mịn, mềm, nhẹ, nặng,…)
Goes really well with: rất hợp với
Give … as a gift: tặng quà …
1. Do you like chocolate? Why / why not?
Yes, I love chocolate. I like the taste, the texture and the feeling that you get when you eat it. And it goes really well with my favourite drink, coffee.
2. What type of chocolate do you prefer? Why?
I prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate, because it has a stronger taste. I also like chocolate when it’s in a cake, and I love drinking hot chocolate too.
3. When do you usually eat chocolate?
I try not to eat too much, but I probably eat or drink something that contains chocolate every couple of days.
4. Do people give chocolate as a present in your country? When?
Yes, it’s very common to give boxes of individual chocolates as a gift. You can give chocolates on any special occasion really: birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas, and so on.
TOPIC 6: NEIGHBOURS
It’s difficult to …: thật khó để làm gì
Go on holiday: đi nghỉ dưỡng
Favour (n): ân huệ, sự giúp đỡ
1. How well do you know the people who live next door to you?
I know my neighbours quite well. They’re really nice people, and I always stop to talk whenever I see them.
2. How often do you see them?
I see my neighbours at least a few times a week. We usually see each other when we’re leaving for work in the morning or coming home in the evening.
3. What kinds of problem do people sometimes have with their neighbours?
I think the most common problem is probably noise. It’s difficult to live next to people who have a dog that barks at night, or who play loud music.
4. How do you think neighbours can help each other?
Neighbours can do little things like watching your house if you go on holiday or taking a delivery if something arrives by post when you’re not at home. I think these little favours are a good way for neighbours to help each other.
TOPIC 7: NAMES
Look something up: tra cứu, tìm kiếm thông tin
Curious (adj): tò mò
Identity (n): danh tính, bản sắc
1. How did your parents choose your name?
To be honest, I’m not sure how they chose it; I’ve never asked them. I suppose it was just a name that they both liked, and maybe they thought it suited me.
2. Does your name have any special meaning?
It might do, but I don’t know what that meaning is; I’ve never looked it up. Maybe I’ll google it later today; you’ve made me curious to find out!
3. Is your name common or unusual in your country?
Yes, it’s quite a common name. I remember that there were two other people with the same name as me in my class at school.
4. If you could change your name, would you?
No, I definitely wouldn’t. My name is part of my identity now, and it would feel strange to suddenly change it. I don’t think my friends and family would like that either.
TOPIC 8: FREE TIME
Busy with work: bận rộn với công việc
Meet up (with someone): gặp gỡ
Prefer … rather than …: thích … hơn …
1. How much time do you spend at home?
Obviously I sleep at home, but I don’t spend very much time at home during the day, because I’m usually busy with work.
2. Do you prefer to spend your free time at home or outside the house?
During the day I prefer to be out of the house, so I like visiting family or meeting up with friends. But I do like relaxing at home in the evenings.
3. What do you do when you have some free time and you’re at home?
I usually sit and watch some TV or a film, or I listen to some music. I also like sitting outside if the weather is nice.
4. Would you like to have more spare time to spend at home in the future?
No, not really. I get bored if I’m at home for too long. In the future, I imagine I’ll still prefer to go out and do things rather than stay indoors.