Part 1: Language and Travelling

SET 1

Question 1: How many languages do you speak?

Well, I speak my mother tongue, Vietnamese, fluently. … And then I’m also learning English, of course. It’s definitely a challenge, but I’m getting there, give or take a few bumps along the way.

Question 2: Do you ever travel to other countries?

Absolutely! I love exploring different cultures. Australia is a special place for me, it’s like a home away from home. I have family there, so I visit every other year or so.

Question 3: What’s your dream travel destination?

Vietnam, without a doubt! It’s where my roots are, and I haven’t been back since I was a child. Once I finish college, that’s my final destination, for sure.

Question 4: What motivates you to learn other languages?

Honestly, there are a few reasons. … Out of patriotism, of course, but also out of a desire to connect with people from different backgrounds. The world has such a vast array of cultures and cuisines, and learning a language opens doors to experience them all, you know?

Question 5: What are some challenges you face while learning English?

The tricky part is definitely the idioms and expressions. They can be quite figurative and don’t always translate directly. It’s like learning a whole new dialect sometimes! But, that’s also what makes it interesting, and I’m determined to keep learning and upping my language game.

Cụm hay:

• give or take a few bumps along the way – dần dần vượt qua những khó khăn
• home away from home – ngôi nhà thứ hai
• roots – gốc gác
• patriotism – lòng yêu nước
• a vast array of cultures and cuisines – văn hóa và ẩm thực đa dạng
• opens doors – mở ra cánh cửa
• idioms and expressions – thành ngữ và cách diễn đạt
• figurative – nghĩa bóng
• translate directly – dịch trực tiếp
• dialect – phương ngữ
• every other year or so – khoảng hai năm một lần
• final destination – điểm đến cuối cùng
• a desire to connect with people from different backgrounds – mong muốn kết nối với những người từ các nền tảng khác nhau
• upping my language game (improving my language skills) – nâng cao trình độ ngoại ngữ

SET 2

Examiner: Do you enjoy travelling?

You: Absolutely! I love exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. There’s just something so exciting about getting out there and seeing the world.

Examiner: How do you usually travel? Do you prefer package tours or independent travel?

You: It depends on the destination! For some places, like big cities with lots of historical sites, I might go with a travel guide as part of a package tour. But for other trips, especially beach vacations, I prefer to do my own thing. I love finding a cute self-catering apartment or maybe even a homestay with a local family.

Examiner: So for beach vacations, do you stay at resorts or something more basic?

You: It really depends on my budget. Sometimes, I can find amazing deals on seaside villas, which are perfect for a relaxing getaway. But other times, a simple youth hostel or even a B&B (Bed and Breakfast) will do just fine.

Examiner: How do you usually travel to your destinations?

You: Mostly by plane. I love the feeling of flying and seeing the world shrink beneath me. Of course, I always try to find budget airlines (like Vietjet or Bamboo) to keep the costs down.

Examiner: Do you prefer travelling alone or with others?

You: I enjoy both! Travelling with friends lets you share experiences, but there’s something special about travelling solo. You can really come up with your own itinerary and go off the beaten track. I once found this amazing secluded beach on a solo trip – it was like paradise!

Examiner: What are some things you like to do when you travel?

You: Oh, so many things! I love exploring local markets, trying new foods (especially seafood – gotta tuck in!), and soaking up the atmosphere. Sometimes, I’ll also do some eco-travel activities, like hiking or volunteering with a conservation project. There’s nothing quite like being at one with nature.

Examiner: Sounds like you have some great travel experiences!

You: I definitely do! The key is to plan ahead, bring enough cash (don’t want to be out of pocket!), and most importantly, be open to new experiences. You never know what amazing things you might discover around the next corner!

Cụm hay:

• self-catering apartment – căn hộ tự nấu ăn
• homestay with a local family – ở nhà dân
• seaside villas – biệt thự biển
• budget airlines (like Vietjet or Bamboo) – hãng hàng không giá rẻ
• come up with your own itinerary – tự lên lịch trình
• go off the beaten track – đi đến những nơi ít người biết đến
• tucked in (enjoy a meal) – thưởng thức
• eco-travel activities – du lịch sinh thái
• volunteering with a conservation project – làm tình nguyện cho dự án bảo tồn
• be out of pocket (run out of money) – hết tiền/ cháy túi
• getting out there – khám phá thế giới
• depends on the destination – phụ thuộc vào địa điểm
• amazing deals – ưu đãi tuyệt vời
• shrinking beneath me – trở nên nhỏ bé dần bên dưới tôi