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PART 1

Topic 1: History

Vocabulary:

  • history (n) – study of the past
  • historical events (n) – important events in the past
  • heritage (n) – cultural legacy from the past
  • civilization (n) – advanced human society
  • ancient (adj) – very old
  • modern history (n) – recent historical period
  • document (n) – written historical record
  • timeline (n) – sequence of historical events
  • museum (n) – place showing historical items
  • dynasty (n) – ruling family period
  • revolution (n) – major political change
  • independence (n) – freedom of a country
  • battlefield (n) – place where wars happened
  • preserve (v) – protect and keep
  • historical figure (n) – important person from the past
  • background (n) – past conditions
  • tradition (n) – long-standing custom
  • influence (v/n) – effect on something
  • educate (v) – teach
  • academic subject (n) – school subject

Sample Answers:

  • Are you interested in history?
     🟢 Yes, I’m quite interested in history because it helps me understand how society developed and why things are the way they are today. I especially enjoy learning about Vietnamese history.
     🔴 However, some historical details can be boring, especially when there are too many dates and names to remember.

     

  • Did you study much history at school?
     🟢 Yes, I studied history regularly at school, especially in secondary school, where it was a compulsory subject. It helped me build general knowledge.
     🔴 That said, the lessons were sometimes too focused on memorization, which made them less engaging.

     

  • Do you think learning history is important?
     🟢 I believe learning history is important because it teaches us valuable lessons from the past and helps us avoid repeating mistakes.
     🔴 Some people feel it’s less practical than science or technology subjects, so they don’t take it very seriously.

Topic 2: Shopping

Vocabulary:

  • shopping (n) – buying goods
  • mall (n) – shopping centre
  • marketplace (n) – place to buy goods
  • online store (n) – website selling products
  • customer (n) – buyer
  • purchase (n/v) – buy something
  • bargain (n/v) – good deal / negotiate price
  • budget (n) – amount of money available
  • discount (n) – price reduction
  • receipt (n) – proof of purchase
  • try on (v) – wear to test size
  • convenience (n) – ease of use
  • preference (n) – personal choice
  • quality (n) – standard of a product
  • brand (n) – product name
  • impulse buying (n) – buying without planning
  • refund (n) – money returned
  • return policy (n) – rules for returns
  • crowded (adj) – full of people
  • satisfaction (n) – feeling pleased

Sample Answers:

  • Do you enjoy shopping?
     🟢 Yes, I enjoy shopping because it’s relaxing and allows me to explore new products, especially clothes or electronics. It can also be fun to shop with friends.
     🔴 However, I don’t enjoy shopping when places are crowded or when I feel pressured to buy something.

  • How often do you go shopping?
     🟢 I usually go shopping once or twice a month, mainly for daily necessities or clothes. I try to plan my shopping in advance.
     🔴 I don’t shop very often because I prefer saving money rather than buying unnecessary things.

  • Do you prefer shopping alone or with others?
     🟢 I prefer shopping with friends because they can give advice and make the experience more enjoyable.
     🔴 But sometimes I like shopping alone since it’s faster and I don’t have to compromise on my choices.

Topic 3: Advertising

Vocabulary:

  • advertisement (n) – promotional message
  • commercial (n) – TV or online ad
  • brand awareness (n) – knowing a brand
  • consumer (n) – customer
  • promotion (n) – advertising activity
  • billboard (n) – large outdoor ad
  • social media ad (n) – online promotion
  • influencer (n) – online promoter
  • slogan (n) – catchy phrase
  • visual appeal (n) – attractiveness
  • persuasive (adj) – convincing
  • exaggerate (v) – overstate
  • misleading (adj) – giving false impression
  • target audience (n) – intended viewers
  • marketing strategy (n) – advertising plan
  • repetitive (adj) – repeated many times
  • attention-grabbing (adj) – noticeable
  • trust (n) – belief in honesty
  • regulation (n) – control by law
  • brand image (n) – public perception

Sample Answers:

  • Do you pay attention to advertisements?
     🟢 Yes, I usually notice advertisements on social media or YouTube because they are visually attractive and short.
     🔴 However, I tend to ignore ads that appear too frequently or interrupt what I’m watching.

  • What types of advertisements do you usually see?
     🟢 I mostly see online advertisements, especially on social media platforms and shopping apps.
     🔴 I don’t see many newspaper or TV ads anymore because I rarely use traditional media.

  • Do you think advertisements are useful?
     🟢 Yes, advertisements are useful because they introduce new products and help consumers compare options.
     🔴 On the other hand, some ads exaggerate benefits, which can mislead people.

PART 2

Describe something you bought but returned in the end.

Describe something you bought but returned in the end.
You should say:
– what it was
– when you bought it
– why you returned it
and explain how you returned it.

Vocabulary:

  • purchase (n/v) – buy something
  • receipt (n) – proof of payment
  • refund (n/v) – return of money
  • return policy (n) – rules for returning items
  • defective (adj) – not working properly
  • disappointed (adj) – unhappy with result
  • customer service (n) – help for customers
  • exchange (n/v) – replace product
  • packaging (n) – wrapping
  • delivery (n) – transport of goods
  • online platform (n) – shopping website/app
  • product description (n) – item details
  • quality issue (n) – problem with product
  • complaint (n) – expression of dissatisfaction
  • process (n) – steps taken
  • inconvenient (adj) – troublesome
  • efficient (adj) – quick and effective
  • confirmation (n) – official approval
  • return request (n) – application to return
  • experience (n) – event that happened

Sample Answer:

One item I bought but eventually returned was a pair of wireless earphones that I ordered online about six months ago. I purchased them during a big online sale because they were heavily discounted and looked quite high-quality in the pictures.

Unfortunately, when the earphones arrived, I quickly realized there was a problem. The sound quality was much worse than expected, and one side stopped working after just two days. Since I use earphones daily for studying and commuting, this was very inconvenient.

I decided to return the product, even though I had never returned an item before. First, I contacted customer service through the shopping app and explained the issue. They asked me to upload photos and a short video as evidence. After my return request was approved, I sent the earphones back using a delivery service.

The whole process took about a week, and I eventually received a full refund. Although the experience was a bit disappointing, I felt relieved that the return system worked smoothly. It taught me to read reviews more carefully before buying expensive electronics online.

PART 3

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online compared to shopping in stores?

Shopping online is convenient because people can buy things anytime without leaving home. It also offers more choices and better price comparisons. However, the main disadvantage is that customers can’t see or try products in person, which increases the risk of disappointment.

2. Do you think online shopping will completely replace traditional shopping in the future? Why or why not?

I don’t think it will completely replace traditional shopping. While online shopping is growing rapidly, many people still enjoy the in-store experience, especially for clothes or fresh food. Physical stores also allow immediate purchase without waiting for delivery.

3. How do advertisements influence people’s buying decisions?

Advertisements influence people by highlighting attractive features and creating emotional appeal. For example, limited-time discounts can make people feel pressured to buy quickly. As a result, some consumers make impulsive decisions without careful consideration.

4. What are the benefits and drawbacks of using celebrities in advertisements?

Using celebrities can increase brand trust and visibility because fans tend to admire and follow them. However, if a celebrity behaves badly or loses popularity, it can negatively affect the brand’s image. In some cases, people focus more on the celebrity than the product itself.

5. Should advertisements be strictly regulated? Why or why not?

Yes, advertisements should be regulated to prevent misleading information and protect consumers. This is especially important for products related to health or finance. At the same time, regulations should still allow creativity so businesses can promote products effectively.