SPEAKING 3

INSTRUCTOR: NGUYEN NGOC TAM

SUGGESTED TOPICS FOR FINAL EXAM

Card 1
Describe a newspaper or magazine which you read.
You should say:
which newspaper or magazine it is and what it is about
how often you read it
where you read it
and say whether or not you enjoy reading this newspaper or magazine, and why.
Follow-up questions:
1. How often do you read newspapers? Do you prefer to read online news or
papers?
2. Would you recommend this newspaper/magazine to others?
3. Do you have much time to read?

Card 2
Describe a break you took recently to relax from work or study.
You should say:
why you needed a break
what you did to relax
how you felt before and after taking the break
and say whether or not you felt relaxed afterwards or not.
Follow-up questions:
1. Do you often take breaks?
2. Do you generally find it easy or difficult to relax?
3. Is taking breaks like yours popular in your country?

Card 3
Describe a picture or photograph that you have seen which you remember clearly.
You should say:
what the image was
where and when you saw it
what type of feelings you had when you saw it.
and say why you think you remember it.
Follow-up questions:
1. Do you enjoy photographic images/paintings/pictures?
2. Would you recommend this to others?

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 3. What qualities are important to be a good photographer?
Card 4
Describe a famous person whom you would like to meet.
You should say
who the person is and why he/she is famous
why you would like to meet him/her
what type of questions you would ask
and say whether it is likely that you would ever meet this person.
Follow-up questions:
1. Have you ever met a famous person?
2. Do you like to read about famous people?
3. What kind jobs can bring fame quickly in your country?

Card 5
Describe an interesting advertisement you have seen.
You should say:
where you saw the advertisement
what it was advertising
why you thought it was interesting
and say why whether or not this advertisement influenced to buy the product or
service it was promoting.
Follow-up questions:
1. Do you often watch advertisements on television?
2. Do you generally find advertisements interesting?
3. Do you believe in what is said in advertisements?

Card 6
Describe an activity which you enjoy doing outdoors.
You should say:
where and when you like to do it
who you like to do with
how often you do it
and say why you enjoy doing this activity.
Follow-up questions
1. Do you often do this outdoor activity?
2. Is the location for this activity close to home?
3. What season is suitable for this activity?

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Card 7
Describe something naughty you did when you were a child.
You should say:
why you did it
who else was involved
what happened afterwards
and say what impact this incident had on you.
Follow-up questions
1. Did you ever do the same thing again?
2. Did you often get into trouble as a child?
3. Did you feel any regret afterwards?

Card 8
Talk about a rule or law you would suggest to improve your country.
You should say:
why it would improve your country
why it is necessary
how difficult it would be to enforce
and mention whether or not you think it is ever likely to be introduced.
Follow-up questions
1. Have you ever heard of a country which has this type of law?
2. Do you often think about the laws in your country?
3. Do you think such law or rule should be applied soon?

Card 9
Talk about a person you have lived with.
You should say:
who the person was
what he or she was like
how long have you lived with that person
and mention whether you enjoyed living with this person, or not.
Follow-up questions
4. Do you keep in touch with this person?
5. Do you like living with other people?
6. What characteristics are necessary to live in harmony with other people?

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Card 10
Describe a traditional story that is popular in your country.
You should say:
what the story is about
why the story is well-known
how you came to know this story
and explain what you learnt from this story.
Follow-up questions:
1. Would you recommend this story to others?
2. Do you enjoy traditional stories?
3. Are you a good story-teller?

Card 11
Describe a famous person you would like to meet.
You should say:
who the person is
why he/she is famous
why you would like to meet this celebrity
and what you would like to do if you meet this person
Follow-up questions:
1. Do you want to become famous?
2. Is becoming famous easier or more difficult in your country?
3. In which field do you find more celebrities?

Card 12
Describe a successful leader who you admire.
You should say:
who the person is
what makes him/her a good leader
why you admire this person
and say whether this person has influenced you.
Follow-up questions:
1. Do you think you can be a good leader?
2. Are there many successful leaders who are female in your country?
What think you think good leaders have in common?

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Card 13
Describe an occasion when someone’s appearance contributes to his/her success.
You should say
- who the person is
- what happens to him/her
- how you know him/her
and say whether his/her appearance brings him/her success.
Follow-up questions:
1. Is appearance important for a person success?
2. What do you think success comes from?
3. Does a person’s appearance tell us about that his or her personality?

Card 14
Describe a messy or disorganized place/person you have ever seen.
You should say
- which thing /what the person was
- where you saw it or him/her
- what happened to it/him/her
and say whether or not what you saw changed you.
Follow-up questions:
1. Why do people sometimes make a mess?
2. Do you like to working with organized people?
3. Is being organized important?
Card 15
Describe an important decision you’ve made.
You should say
- what the decision was
- why you made it
- what consequences it resulted in
and say whether you felt any regret.
Following questions
1. Do you often make big decisions?
2. Are you are quick-minded person?
3. Have you ever felt regret about any of your decisions?

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Card 16
Describe a well-behaved action or a good deed you ever witnessed.
You should say
- what the action / deed was
- when and how you witnessed
- who/what was involved
and say whether or not any lessons you learnt from it.
Follow-up questions:
1. Do people frequently do such good things in your country?
2. Why do people do good things?
3. Do you like doing volunteer jobs?
Card 17

Describe a leader who you admire.

You should say:
who this person is
what this person did (has done) that you admire
how you know this person or know about this person
and explain how this leader’s qualities impressed you.

Follow-up questions:
1. Would you like to be a doctor?
2. Why do some people not want to be leaders?
3. Why do we need leaders?
4. What are important qualities of a good leader?
5. How do people become leaders?
6. What do you think leaders in future will be different from current leaders?

Card 18

Describe a special occasion in your life.

You should say:
where and when this occasion take place
who involved in this occasion
how you felt then
and explain whether this occasion has changed your life.

Follow-up questions:
1. What is an important festival in your country?
2. What your favorite parts in this festival?
3. How have special occasions such as weddings changed in your country?
4. Do you think special occasions and festivals are important for a society?

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Card 19

Describe a job that you would most like to do in the future.

You should say:
what the job is
what tasks the job involves
what skills and qualifications you would need to get the job
and explain what appeals to you about this kind of job.

Follow-up questions:
1. Do you think many people would like that job?
2. Why do you think people change their jobs?
3. What kind of job is widely done by young people in your country?

Card 20

Describe a job that you think is very important for society.

You should say:
what the job is
what responsibilities of this job are
what kind of person would do this job well
and explain why you think it is important for the society.

Follow-up questions:
1. Do you like doing that job?
2. Why do people like doing voluntary jobs?
3. Is there any risk doing that job?