Describe a person who has influenced you.

You should say:

•      who this person is

•      how you know them

•      what they have done

•      and explain how they have influenced you.

The person who has influenced me most is my grandmother. She lived with my family when I was growing up in the countryside, so I spent a lot of time with her. She never went to university, but she ran a small noodle stall for over thirty years, and she knew every customer by name. What I admired most was her attitude. Even on the hottest days, she was patient and cheerful, and she always said that treating people kindly mattered more than making money. I think she influenced me in two ways. First, she taught me the value of hard work, which really helps now that I have a demanding job. Second, she showed me that small acts of kindness make a difference. Whenever I feel stressed at work, I try to remember how calm she always was, and honestly, it helps.

Describe a place in your city that you like to visit.

You should say:

•      where it is

•      when you go there

•      what you do there

•      and explain why you like it.

One place I love to visit is a small café by the Saigon River. It’s on the top floor of an old building, so you get a great view of the boats and the city skyline, especially at sunset. I usually go there on Sunday afternoons, either alone with a book or with a couple of close friends. The café itself isn’t fancy at all. The furniture is simple and the menu is quite short, but the coffee is excellent and the staff are really friendly. What I like most is that it feels peaceful, even though it’s in the middle of such a busy city. Ho Chi Minh City can be noisy and hectic, so having a quiet spot like this helps me recharge before a new week starts. I’ve actually recommended it to several colleagues, and they all love it too.

Describe a trip that you remember well.

You should say:

•      where you went

•      who you went with

•      what you did

•      and explain why it was memorable.

I’d like to talk about a trip I took to Da Lat with my university friends about three years ago. We had just finished our final exams, so we wanted to celebrate. We took an overnight bus from Ho Chi Minh City, which was quite uncomfortable, but we were so excited that nobody really cared. During the trip, we rented motorbikes and rode around the pine forests and flower farms. The weather was cool, which was a nice change from the heat in the south. One evening, we had a barbecue at our homestay and stayed up talking until very late. The reason this trip was so memorable is that it was the last time all of us were together before we started working in different cities. Whenever I look at the photos, I feel both happy and a little nostalgic.

Describe a skill you learned that you think is useful.

You should say:

•      what the skill is

•      when and how you learned it

•      how difficult it was

•      and explain why it is useful to you.

A skill I learned recently is cooking, which might sound simple, but it was a big challenge for me. Before last year, I could barely fry an egg. When I started living alone for work, I realised I was spending far too much money on takeaway food, so I decided to learn. At first, I watched online videos and followed recipes step by step. My first few dishes were honestly terrible, but I kept practising. After a few months, I could cook basic Vietnamese dishes like caramelised fish and sour soup. Learning to cook has helped me in several ways. I eat more healthily, I save money, and I’ve become more patient, because cooking teaches you that you can’t rush things. Now I even invite friends over for dinner, which I would never have imagined a year ago.

Describe a film or documentary you watched recently.

You should say:

•      what it was about

•      when and where you watched it

•      what you learned from it

•      and explain how you felt about it.

I’d like to describe a documentary I watched recently about the ocean. I found it on a streaming platform when I was looking for something relaxing to watch at the weekend. The documentary follows several marine scientists as they study coral reefs, and it explains how rising sea temperatures are affecting them. The filming was absolutely stunning. There were scenes of whales and colourful fish that looked almost unreal. But what stayed with me most was the message. It showed how everyday choices, like how much plastic we use, can have a huge impact on the environment. After watching it, I started carrying a reusable water bottle and bringing my own bag when I go shopping. It’s a small change, but the documentary made me realise that individual actions really do add up.

Describe something you own that is important to you.

You should say:

•      what it is

•      how you got it

•      how long you have had it

•      and explain why it is important to you.

Something that means a lot to me is an old watch my father gave me when I graduated from university. It isn’t expensive or fashionable, and the leather strap is quite worn now, but I wear it almost every day. My father had worn it for many years himself, so when he handed it to me, it felt like he was passing on something personal. He told me it was a reminder to always be on time and respect other people’s time. I’ll be honest, I’m not always punctual, but whenever I look at the watch, I think of his advice. It’s also a connection to my family, because I work far from my hometown and don’t see my parents very often. If I ever lost it, I’d be really upset, even though it wouldn’t cost much to replace.

Describe a time when you helped someone.

You should say:

•      who you helped

•      what the situation was

•      what you did

•      and explain how you felt about it.

I remember a time when I helped a tourist who was lost near my office in District 1. It was raining heavily, and she was standing outside a convenience store looking at her phone, clearly confused. I asked if she needed help, and she explained that her phone battery was almost dead and she couldn’t find her hotel. Luckily, I recognised the name of the hotel, so I walked her there, which only took about ten minutes. On the way, we chatted about her trip. She was from Canada, and it was her first time in Vietnam. She was really grateful, and before we said goodbye, she thanked me several times. It was a small thing, but it made me feel good, and it was also a great chance to practise my English in a real situation.

Describe an app or website that you use often.

You should say:

•      what it is

•      how you found it

•      what you use it for

•      and explain why you find it useful.

An app I use every day is a language-learning app with short daily lessons. I downloaded it about a year ago because I wanted to review English vocabulary during my commute. The app is very simple to use. Each lesson takes about five to ten minutes, and it includes listening, matching words and short speaking exercises. It also tracks your progress and sends reminders, which keeps me motivated. What I like most is the convenience. I can study on the bus, during my lunch break or before I go to sleep. Of course, an app alone isn’t enough to become fluent. It can’t really correct my pronunciation or help me hold a real conversation, so I combine it with lessons with a teacher. But as a daily habit, it’s been really useful.

Describe a goal you would like to achieve in the future.

You should say:

•      what the goal is

•      when you set it

•      what you are doing to achieve it

•      and explain why it is important to you.

One goal I really want to achieve is to get a master’s degree abroad, ideally in Australia. I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of years now. I work in marketing, and I feel that studying overseas would give me more advanced knowledge and a more international perspective. The first step is getting an IELTS score of 6.5, so I’m currently taking lessons three times a week and studying on my own in the evenings. I’m also saving money, because tuition and living costs are quite high. I hope to apply next year. This goal is important to me because it’s not only about my career. I think living in another country would help me become more independent and confident. It’ll take a lot of effort, but I believe it’ll be worth it.

Describe a traditional festival in your country.

You should say:

•      what the festival is

•      when it takes place

•      what people do during it

•      and explain what you like about it.

I’d like to talk about Tết, the Lunar New Year, which is the most important festival in Vietnam. It usually takes place in late January or February, and most people get about a week off work. Before Tết, families clean and decorate their homes with peach or apricot blossoms, and people travel back to their hometowns, so the roads are incredibly busy. On the first days of the new year, we visit relatives and give lucky money in red envelopes to children and older people. We also eat traditional food like bánh chưng, a square sticky rice cake filled with pork and green beans. For me, the best part of Tết is spending time with my family, because I’m usually too busy to go home during the year. It’s a time to relax, reflect and start the new year with good wishes.

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