Essay topic: Do you think that homework should be abolished? Discuss its value.
Bài tập về nhà có nên bỏ đi hay không? Thảo luận giá trị của nó!
Homework is a bitter pill for many students. Teachers always give homework. They are given to help
students to revise what has been done in the class and also the finish task set in school which the pupil
could not finish on time.
Education and mastery of knowledge, is a matter of skill so the more practice one has the better skill.
There are skill subjects and knowledge subjects. Both these categories require drill and repetition. The
teacher, to some extend, drill the student in the class but each individual student cannot be expected to
do the same amount as skills of students vary from each other.
Homework need not necessarily be repeating what has been done in the class, it may be more study. The
student goes through references and acquires more and better knowledge. The world of knowledge is so
wide that the class alone cannot bring everything into the grasp of the student. So the student must take
up some initiative of his own. This is one of the purposes of homework.
The school also must see that the students are overburdened homework. The teachers must see to it
that the homework is distributed evenly throughout the week. Still there are subjects like mathematics
or transcription in the lower classes which require daily attention. There are other aspects of school
work which can be attended to during the weekend, for example, map making and drawing diagrams.
Simply because some boys find homework too much to cope up with, it cannot be abolished. The school
should provide some facilities, so that the boys can conveniently attend to their home work and the
teachers can come willingly forward to help such boys.
Essay topic: My family
My family consists of four people. There are my parents, my sister and me. My father is an engineer
working for a government office. My mother is a housewife. My sisteris a primary school teacher, and I
am a high school student.
We get up at 6 o’clock every morning. After breakfast, my father and my sister go to work, my mother
does the housework and I go to school. We have lunch at noon and dinner at 7 p.m. In the evening after
dinner, we sit together in the living-room talking or watching television for about an hour. Then my
sister and I go to our own rooms to prepare the lessons for the coming week.
My family is a very happy one. We love each other very much and expect to live together under the same
roof forever.
Essay topic: Your most frightening experience
My worst experience happened on an airplane a long time ago.
After graduating from High-School in Hue, I was quite happy when my parents allowed me to continue
my study in Saigon.
Living far from my family, I longed for an opportunity to see my dear people again and at that time the
best way to travel to Hue was to use DC2 or DC4 planes. It took me only one and a half hours to fly from
Tan Son Nhat airport to Phu Bai Airport. I often enjoyed comfortable and pleasant flights, but one day
during my air trip to Hue I experienced the most frightening incident I have ever had in my life.
It was in the winter when I received a letter from my parents informing me off my sister’s approaching
wedding ceremony. I hurried to Vietnam Airline Office to buy a return-ticket to Hue. I boarded a DC4
plane that morning. When I was flying over Nha Trang city, it began to rain.
Looking out of the window, I saw Nha Trang surrounded in a dense veil of rain. We were making good
time; but when we flew to Da Nang the weather suddenly got worse. It was raining heavily and the wind
was blowing furiously. I was a little nervous. The plane was all right for about 30 minutes. I was listening
to the music on the plane’s radio. Other passengers were talking. The stewardesses were serving drinks
and food to the passengers. Looking out of the window, I saw masses of dense black clouds flying past
and Hai Van pass was veiled in a curtain of heavy rain, dimly winding below. Suddenly lightning struck
one of the engines. The plane dropped rapidly. Some people were screaming and the stewardesses were
falling down. From the cabin the co-pilot’s voice was heard to advise passengers to fasten their seatbelts and keep calm. Looking around, I notice some nuns taking out their rosaries and starting to say
prayers. Their faces were as pale as death.
Though I was a hardened traveler and I got used to remaining calm, I felt quite frightened too. My heart
was beating very fast and I was trembling with fear. I thought I was going to die. But my fear did not last
long. After about 3 minutes, the pilot started the engine again. Everybody on board heaved a deep sigh
of relief. We landed safely at last.
I had to cancel my return to Saigon by plane and took a sea voyage and from that time on I have never
traveled by air when the weather is bad.
Essay topic: Talk about a frightening experience
I am not one who is frightened easily; but I must admit that one night I saw a figure that struck terror
into my heart.
I remembered a moon-lit night when I was walking home on foot. I had to go on foot a few miles from a
town. It was the first night of my whole life that I was alone in such a late time. There were often few
people in the road at night. On that day, it seemed quieter in my consideration. Even during the day,
the road was used by only some who worked in the rubber and banana plantations. While I was walking, I
could hear some noises made by squirrels, insects and owls. They are creatures that love the night
world. In the dark, I could see bats. There were hundreds of them in the shadows. I had a stick in my
hand and moved really fast towards home. It was partly because I was hungry. I therefore moved rapidly
for a dinner. All of a sudden, I caught a sight of an old lady in a short distance away. Her head was
covered with a white cloth. She was waving to me, I think.
I was a bit curious. I wanted to know why she was there at that time of the late night. I stopped walking
for a while. As I stood there, vague memories of stories about ghosts began to come back to my mind
one after another. I was soon gripped with fear and took to my heels. I ran as fast as I could, and when I
reached home I could hardly speak.
On the next day, however, I visited that place again to make sure that the woman was indeed a real
person and not a ghost. But I could find no footprints there. Only a banana plant stood there with its
leaves moving in the breeze. I realized then that it was the banana plant with its leaves moving in the
breeze that looked like a woman waving her hand. I had indeed made a fool of myself; but after the
previous night’s experience, this discovery was small relief to me.
Essay topic: Your favorite hobby
Everybody has his or her own hobby. For me, my favorite hobby is reading books.
My father was not only a writer but a researcher as well. He had a great collection of books on many
fields: literature, science, art, fiction and non-fiction. After his death, I inherited the most valuable
treasure which has been preserved carefully up to now.
As I have a large collection of books of my own now, I usually spend hours reading and thinking about
facts described in each kind of books. Sitting comfortably in an arm-chair in the library with a book open
on my knee, I recall my father who was absorbed in his reading, perusing the poems of John Keats,
William Words Worth, Chateaubriand and Lamartine. I still hear his sonorous voice reciting rhythmical
lines of poems in Kim Van Kieu’s story while his face was radiant with ecstasy and raptures.
Through books I see many countries rise and fall. Kings and Presidents pass before my eyes and I can
follow the history of nations. Each book has a story to tell me of remote countries and strange people.
I am greatly indebted to books indeed. For me a good book is not only a true companion but also a wellexperienced teacher guiding me through my life. It has the miracle to relieve my suffering and my
hardship and reveal to me strange and new horizons.
Reading books broadens my mind and improves my knowledge. Instead of indulging myself in futile
entertainments, I am often keen on reading books which are always a source of comfort and relief to me
and I am determined to preserve my father’s valuable treasure for my posterity.
In a few words, the reading of books contributes to the moral and intellectual formation of a man’s
personality.
Essay topic: Describe a visit to an interesting exhibition
Last week an exhibition of paintings by famous artists was organized by the cultural and Artistic
Association at The Art Gallery on Nguyen Hue street. Being very fond of paintings, I myself went there
early in the morning.
When I arrived, the Art Gallery had been packed with people. Groups by groups of people were entering
the exhibition halls, their faces were radiant with joy.
On the walls, different patterns of modern paintings were hung: charcoal drawings, pencil drawings and
oil paintings were on display. Most of them reflect daily activities and some of them bring us into a
world of imagination and dreams. As I strolled through the exhibition halls, I heard the voices of
lecturers who were telling the visitors about the artists and their works.
An oil painting by Lu Tong Dao, one of the most famous artists in HCM city, portraying a scene at twilight
in the country attracted my attention best: on a long and lonely road, a buffalo tender, sitting astride on
his animal, is leisurely playing a flute on his way home. Gorgeous glows of the twilight are spreading on
the golden rice fields, turning them into yellow velvet carpets. From afar, in the blue sky, a flock of
storks are stretching their white wings, gently flying towards their warm nests. The painting did remind
me of my happy boyhood in my native village where I lived my happiest days in my life.
Being rather tired after hours of walking I sat down on a bench and talked to others about the
exhibition. The exhibition offered me precious minutes of relaxation and enriched my imagination. It
brought me back into my happy and peaceful past, full of love and tenderness, among my dear ones.
Before leaving the exhibition halls, I bought the postcards of my favorite paintings to keep as souvenirs
or to send to friends abroad.
Essay topic: Describe your best friend and tell why you like him or her
In our daily activities we often get in touch with the others and from these relations we meet some
people whose interests, characteristics and behaviors are similar to ours and we choose them as our
friends.
To me, one of my best friends is Nam. Nam is only over eighteen but he is well developed; so he is
thought to be twenty or more. He has black hair, a broad forehead, a straight nose and bright eyes. He is
very good-looking. He has a kind heart and is easy to get on with everybody. We have been friends for a
very long time. The deeper our mutual understanding becomes the more we feel closely attached to
each other. “Birds of a feather flock together”, Nam and I are keen on learning. We are the best pupils
in our class. Nam is always at the top. He is good at every subject, but he never shows pride in his
abilities and always tries to learn harder.
Nam’s family is not rich enough. His parents are retired workers. Realizing the hardships of his parents,
although he is absorbed in his study, he often spends most of his spare time doing useful things to help
his parents in their old age. He gets up early in the morning to have enough time to deliver newspapers
to subscribers before going to school. After school in the afternoon, he repairs bicycles and motorbikes.
Therefore the money he gets from his manual job is sufficient for his school fees and for his parents’
presents. I like Nam very much because of his honesty and straight forwardness. He is always ready to
help his weak friends in their study; as a result, lots of friends, thanks to his whole-hearted help, have
become good ones.
In my relation with Nam, I have got precious experience: thirst for learning, patience to overcome
difficulties, helpfulness and filial piety.
Essay topic: Describe your schoolmates and whom do you like best.
I have many schoolmates, but Tom is the one I like best of all. He is the biggest boy in class. He is about
fourteen years old, his shoulders are broad. He is good as one can see when he smiles. I already know
several of my classmates. Another one I like too is named George. He wears chocolate-colored trousers
and a catkin cap. He is always jolly. There is little John, a poor hunchback, a weak boy with a thin face.
Near him is Edwin who is very well-dressed. On the bench in front of me, there is a boy who is called
Jake. His face is as round with a small nose. He possesses a special talent; he knows how to make a
hare’s face and they all get him to do it and then they laugh.
And there is another curious fellow – my neighbor on the left Jack – small and thick set, with no neck, a
gruff fellow, who speaks to no one, and doesn’t seem to understand much but stands watching the
master without winking, his brow lined with wrinkles, and his teeth set and if he is questioned when the
master is speaking, he make no reply the first and the third time he gives a kick.
And beside him there is a bold, cunning face belonging to a boy named Peter, who has already been
expelled from another school. There are, in addition, two brothers who are dressed exactly alike who
resemble each other to a hair.
But the most handsome of all, the one who has the most talent, who will surely be the head this year
also, is Edward.
Truly I like Edward, the son of the blacksmith, the one with the long jacket who seems sickly and pitiful.
It is said that his father often beats him so he is very timid and every time that he addresses or touches
someone, he says “Excuse me” and gazes them with his kind, sad eyes. But Tom the biggest is the best
of all, I think.
Essay topic: Express your opinion on the importance of studying Geography.
Geography is a fascinating subject. It reveals all the wonderful changes and activities that have been
going on in the world since the beginning of time.
By reading geography we learn not only about our own country but also about countries beyond the seas.
We also learn about the mountains, oceans, islands, lakes, volcanoes, the winds and a number of other
interesting things about the world and the universe.
Among the important things that we learn in Geography are the infinite varieties of creatures, plants,
birds and land features that exist in the world. We know that there are millions of creatures, small and
large, of various kinds in all parts of the earth. We also know that many of the early creatures have now
become extinct, while many of them have changed from their original forms. Reading about all these is
indeed very interesting.
We also learn about the various types of plants and birds that exist throughout the world. The plants and
birds in the cold lands are not the same as those in warmer lands. In the same way, the land forms in the
cold regions are different from those in other regions. In the equatorial regions, for example, plant and
animal life is luxuriant, while in the poles the land is covered with snow, and animal and plant life is less
abundant. In equatorial regions abundant rain has produced large rivers and lakes, while in areas where
little rain falls there are large deserts without many rivers and lakes.
As the climate and vegetation of one place are not the same as those of another, the habits and
activities of the people of different regions are also different. Even their religious convictions and
languages are different from those of other parts of the world.
Thus, Geography is a very important subject, and because of its width and variety it is one of the most
interesting subjects to read.
Essay topic: Talk about the importance of rivers
Rivers have been very useful to men in all parts of the earth since very early times. They provide water
to slake the thirst of men, to fertilize their lands and to provide a means of communication for the goods
that transport from place to place.
Early civilization began on the banks of the great rivers of the world, such as the Nile and the Indus.
These rivers provided the water, the people on their banks needed for all their purposes. As people in
those early days did not have the transport facilities that we have today, they had to live close to the
rivers to transport their goods to places along the rivers and to draw the water that they needed.
Rivers not only provided water for their domestic needs and agricultural purposes but also enabled the
people to move from place to place among their banks. Boats or rafts were used to travel from one end
of a river to another. In the same way, goods were also transported. With the transport of goods and the
contacts of people between different parts of the same river, there were also many cultural exchanges.
Thus, rivers helped to spread civilization.
It is true, however, that rivers have also caused much misery and unhappiness to millions of people
throughout history. They have caused floods and destroyed lives and property in all parts of the earth.
For example, the Hwang Ho in China has been described as “the sorrow of China” because of the
destruction that it had caused in the past.
But it should be realized that floods occur once in several years. Therefore, the damage that rivers
cause is not so great as the benefits that they confer on humanity. Today, rivers continue to be used not
only as a source of water for drinking and fertilizing the lands or as a means of transport but also as a
source of electricity which has revolutionized society.
The importance of rivers is therefore not difficult to appreciate.
Essay topic: Talk about the importance of water
Since the beginning of time, water has continued to be an important thing to all living things. Without
water nothing could live. We may change our food according to the climate of a place but we may find
no substitute for water. Man has always looked for pure fresh water to slake his thirst.
Water not only quenches our thirst but it is also a source of food to us. From the sea we catch large
quantities of fish and other creatures. We use water to irrigate our lands to produce crops. Many parts of
the world are dry and barren because there is no water there. People in such places lead a very hard
life. Even the plants and animals find it a real struggle to survive. They can obtain water only by some
means of ingenuity. Water also helps to increase the fertility of the land in several parts of the world.
The alluvium that is brought down by rivers is very fertile. Even electricity, which has changed our lives
completely, is produced by water-power in many countries.
Further, water is an important means of communication. We use waterways to carry our goods or trade.
Water transport is cheaper than land transport and in many remote regions, rivers are the only means of
communication. In many countries rivers are used to bring down timber from the hilly regions to the
lower regions where the timber mills are. In this way much money is saved.
It is true, however, that water has also caused much destruction to life and property throughout human
history. Heavy rainfall, swollen rivers and the angry waves of the sea have killed thousands of people
and destroyed homes and crops. Yet, water is indispensable to life, and people everywhere are trying
their best to bring water to places where it is scarce, to control its flow in times of floods and to make
greater use of it.
Essay topic: How you spent your last holiday (Describe my last holiday)
During my last school holidays, I spent a few days at my cousin’s house at Morib, a well-known sea
resort. I shall never forget that visit.
On the day I arrived at Morib, my cousin told me that he would do to make my stay there a very
interesting one. He said that he would make a raft to use it in the sea. Then he would buy fishing net to
catch some fish in the shallow water near the coast. When I heard all this, I was very delighted because
it was one of the reasons that I had decided to visit my cousin. We then walked up to the beach which is
near his house.
While we were there, sometime in the evening, the sea looked extremely beautiful. I saw the islands
and hills in the distance, the birds in the air, and a few boys and girls playing on the beach. I also saw
some fishermen coming out of the water with their catch. All this was indeed very interesting to look at.
On the next day, my cousin and I collected some tree trunks from the forest nearby. As my cousin’s
house is close to the sea, we decided to make the raft on the beach itself. It took us almost the whole
morning to make the raft. We then had our lunch and went to Banting, the nearest town, to buy fishing
net. After that we returned to my cousin’s house.
In the evening we put the raft on the sea. The water was still high, but the raft floated quite well. My
cousin and I sat on it and began to row it by using the oars that we had made ourselves. We felt very
happy indeed and continued to row it. We remained on it for a long time, but as it was already getting
dark we did not go far. We returned to the shore and tied the raft to a tree.
On the next day, we went out to catch some crabs and fish. We used the net that we had bought and
caught a lot of fish. Then, we had our lunch and went out again on the raft. We continued to row it as
far as we could. It was really a pleasure to be away from the shore. The sea was calm and we could row
with ease. My cousin told me many interesting things about Morib. We then returned to the shore.
In this way, I spent my holidays happily at Morib, a place I shall never forget.
Essay Topic: Talk about the importance of newspaper
The newspaper, today, plays a vital role in human affairs. Its importance has not been diminished by the
appearance of the radio or the television. Men no longer have travel to get information. The newspaper
has become the main source of information. The newspaper has become the main source of information
about local and foreign affairs. Though the radio and television convey important news and messages
quicker than the newspaper, they seldom give the details of an incident. The newspaper, on the other
hand, gives not only more detail about a particular incident but it also contains more new items. This is
greatly important today when political changes occur with rapidity unknown before. Besides, the
newspaper is easier to carry and it could be read at any time during the day. Further, the permanence of
the printed word helps one to refresh one’s memory of certain facts and incidents reported in the past.
The importance of newspaper has been increased greatly by the spread of education. Education sharpens
one’s curiosity about events in distant lands and also makes one conscious of the necessity to maintain
one’s reading habits. In both respects the newspaper appeals most, especially if one finds little time to
read books.
The newspaper should, however, be read with caution, for its capacity to do harm is great. Most people
believe everything that is reported by the newspaper. As a result, the newspaper exerts a profound
influence on the minds of reader. Therefore, when some news is reported wrongly either by mistake or
design, it may cause a lot of harm. One the other hand, if the policy of the newspaper is to promote the
welfare of the people, it could do a lot of good. For example, it could exercise its influence to persuade
the government of a country to do many things for the benefit of the people. In a country like Malaysia,
where there are many races of people, the newspaper could also use its influence to promote good-will
and harmony among the people. It is therefore important to know the policy of the newspaper that one
reads.
In general, however, the newspaper tries to report as accurately as possible, for there are various
magazines and periodicals competing with the newspaper to provide accurate information on world
developments, and it is the newspaper that links us with the outside world.
Essay topic: A picnic I enjoyed
The outline:
1. When? Where?
2. Who went along?
3. How much I enjoyed
4. The end
One day, a few of my friends and I went on a picnic to Minyak Beku, a small interesting place on the
coast of Malaya.
Minyak Beku is about five miles from Batu Pahat, a well known town in the state of Johore in Malaya.
There is a small ancient fort at the entrance to Minyak Beku. The beach at Minyak Beku is beautiful, and
there is an iron mine near by.
We arrived at that place in the morning. After getting out of the bus, we separated into different groups
and looked for shady places to spend the day.
Soon, most of us went swimming. While in the water, we were playing a few interesting games. Those
who were on the beach were playing other games. Some of them even sang songs and danced. There
were still others who were interested in nothing, except picking shells.
In short, everyone enjoyed the trip. In the evening, we returned home in our bus, thinking of the fun we
had had at that place. I enjoyed the trip so much.
Essay topic: The importance of reading newspaper.
As the name suggests newspapers are a source of news and information. In several respects they are also
a medium of communication among the peoples of the world.
Today there are hundreds of newspapers all over the world. Everywhere there is a keen desire to learn
more and more about the affairs of the world. This is partly the result of the spread of education which
sharpens one’s curiosity to learn about distant lands.
As a source of news, the newspaper is almost indispensable to those whose thirst for knowledge is
insatiable. They contain news on events in distant corners of the earth. Information about such events
arrives almost immediately. As a result, people everywhere are informed about the most important
event in the world very quickly and almost at the same time. For example, if a war breaks out in one
part of the world today, the people in the other parts will certainly come to know about it tomorrow. As
a result, all the countries of the world are able to do something quickly to help those who have suffered
because of the war or to persuade the countries at war to cease fighting.
Newspaper also play an important part in keeping the people of the world informed about the troubles
that might arise in the future, if nothing is done to prevent them from happening. For example, if a
dispute arises between the two countries for any reason, the newspapers can keep the people of the
world informed about what might happen if nothing is done to persuade the two countries to resolve
their differences peacefully.
In this way many wars have been avoided because of the intervention of some countries in the disputes
of many countries which were given prominence in newspapers.
When all this is considered, we feel that there is some silent communication among countries through
the medium of newspapers for the common benefit of the countries of the world.
Further, constant reading of newspapers improves one’s outlook on life and makes one a more
reasonable person. The importance of the newspaper is therefore obvious.
Essay topic: What in your opinion are the qualities of a good judge?
The judiciary, especially in a democratic state, is well known for its impartiality. In numerous cases it
has taken decisions even against the state for the achievement of the ends of justice. This impartiality
of the judicial system in a democratic state can be attributed to the good qualities of judges who have
always asserted their independence from executive control.
The qualities of a good judge include patience, wisdom, courage, firmness, alertness, incorruptibility
and the gifts of sympathy and insight. In a democracy, a judge is accorded great respect by the state as
well as its citizens. He is not only permitted to assert his freedom and impartiality but also expected to
use all his forensic skill to protect the rights of the individual against arbitrariness. Though such a state
of affairs makes it easy for the judge to exercise his functions, he still requires many qualities to
perform his duties effectively.
In the execution of his functions, a judge has to exercise patience and alertness so that he can hear all
the arguments of the contending parties to a dispute and arrive at a wise decision. An impatient judge
can hardly act with reason, however wise he may be. Patience and alertness are therefore essential
qualities of a good judge.
The decisions of a judge sometimes provoke the anger of certain individuals and he becomes the victim
of revenge. In condemning a person to death, for example, a judge might cause the relatives of the
condemned man to nurse feelings of revenge against him. The life of the judge is thus exposed to
danger, sometimes even after his retirement from judicial service. Therefore, a good judge is also a man
of courage, who is incorruptible and prepared to accept the consequences of his decisions. A
pusillanimous and corruptible judge is no bulwark of justice.
A good judge is, however, not destitute of sympathy. He considers the feelings of all parties with
sympathy and understanding. His knowledge of the law and human affairs is so extensive that he
experiences little difficulty in grasping the main issues of the dispute quickly. His insight into human
nature enables him to detect the criminal almost immediately; yet he is prepared, at times to set the
accused free if the charge against him is not framed properly by the police. This proves his impartiality,
an attribute that inspires the confidence of the citizens in his ability and sense of justice.
These arguments point to the conclusion that a good judge is a person of many qualities.
Essay topic: My hobbies
Almost everybody has some kind of hobby. My hobbies are listening to music and watching television.
I am very fond of music. When I am free, I often listen to my favorite songs from an old cassette
recorder. At weekends, I usually go to music shops in the downtown areas to buy good CDs. Of the
famous pop singers, I prefer Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Madona and Paul MC Cartney.
I also spend an hour after dinner watching news and documentary programmes. I particularly enjoy the
program "The World Here and There" because it broadens my knowledge of nature and human
civilizations.
I think that my hobbies are very useful. They widen my knowledge, relax my mind, and make me feel
better about myself.
Essay topic: talk about the country you would like to visit.
I have heard much about the beauty of the East as well as the West, about the wonderful islands in the
Pacific and also in the Atlantic. In short, the whole world seems to be full of beautiful places. The
country that I would like to visit, however, is the United States of America.
My knowledge of the United States of America is derived from the geography and history books that I
have read, the films that I have seen and the stories that I have heard from people who have visited this
country.
The United States of America is a vast country with a mixed population. People from many different
lands have come and settled here. This mixture of different races of people with different customs,
religions, cultures and abilities have created a nation unique in history. Although this country has a very
short history compared with that of the other large countries in the world, it is an example to the world
of how people of different races could live together in peace and harmony. The exchange of ideas
among the people of so many racial origins here has contributed greatly to the progress and prosperity of
the nation. There are world famous scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers and politicians
whose original homes were in many different lands. The work of such men has made this country a
wonderful land indeed. The roads, buildings and cinemas here may be said to be the best in the world.
There are many places and things of interest such as Hollywood, the United Nations building, Niagara
Falls and the sky-scrapers. Even the natural vegetation and features are rich in variety. If one travels
across the land, one will find different kinds of scenery in different places. Further, as the people here
still follow their original customs and traditions, one will also have the feeling that one is passing
through many different countries.
The people of the United States are proud of their country, for it was their country that gave the
modern world ideas of freedom. The name of Abraham Lincoln will always be remembered by those who
believe in the freedom of men. It was the United States, again, who saved the world from destruction in
two world wars. Such a country must be a wonderful land, and it is for this reason that I would like to
visit this country some day.
Essay Topic: Talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the cinema
Revised
The influence that the cinema exerts on the minds of those who visit it is at once beneficial and
harmful.
Today, there is a cinema in almost every town. The cinema provides so much entertainment that few
people fail to visit it. One of the reasons for the popularity of the cinema is that it entertains all types or
people, young and old, literate and illiterate. Because it is so popular, it must exercise some influence
on those whom it attracts.
The films shown in the cinema are often very instructive and informative. Almost every film shows
something about the activities and customs of the people in other lands. By seeing such films, one learns
a lot about human activities. One also gains a better understanding of people of the world.
Further, some films show the battles that were fought in the past. They also sometimes show very
vividly how man has struggled through the centuries to remove discomfort from his life. In this way,
some films have given many people an insight into the past. Even illiterate people have benefited from
such films. What they cannot acquire from books owing to their inability to read, they can acquire from
films. School students, too, often benefit from a visit to the cinema. What they see and hear in the
cinema makes a better impression on their minds than only the spoken words of their teachers. For
example, a teacher of history can hardly describe a battle scene to his students as vividly as a film does.
For all these reasons, the cinema is often regarded as an important means of spreading knowledge.
It must be admitted, however, that some films have exerted an evil influence on many people. Films
which show the activities of criminals have encouraged many youths to commit acts of crime. Other
films, too, such as those dealing with sex and other natural weaknesses of man, have corrupted the
morals of many people. As a result, the governments of many countries have been compelled to
interfere in the display and production of certain films. Yet, the cinema continues to retain its
popularity.
Topic: Give a comment about the uses of the hobby.
An activity in which we take an interest outside our regular work becomes a hobby. Some students make
drawing or painting a hobby, for others collection of stamps or gardening. Shell collecting on the beach
is the hobby of some children.
Hobby benefits bring individuals. For example, a person who collects stamps of various countries of the
world takes a special interest in the study of the subject of the stamp as well as the country where it is
used. He may spend a lot of money to buy rare stamps for his album and takes a great pride in owning
them. Hobby also teaches a person the value of things or activity he is interested in.
As for me I have had a few hobbies at different stages in my life. My earliest hobby was stamp
collecting. Then it was keeping pets. I had two pet dogs and a parrot. Presently my hobby is gardening. I
plant flowers and vegetables in my house compound and water them everyday. I nurse the plants by
weeding or putting manures at times. Very often I sell my flowers to florists and get a small income.
Essay topic: The advantages and disadvantages of money
Everybody knows the value of money. Nothing is more powerful than money.
In fact, if we have no money, we cannot buy goods, clothes and other necessaries we need. Without
money, we cannot go to the movies, theaters or other amusements places.
How can we spend our free time pleasantly on rainy evenings without a color television in front of us?
Music from a new hi-fi can relax us quickly after a hard day of work. But how can we satisfy our needs,
our desires and our pleasures when we cannot afford to buy them?
Thanks to money we can improve our spiritual activities easily. We can go to any schools, any
universities we like to further our knowledge. If our parents are wealthy and powerful we may be sent
abroad to study. Moreover, we can enjoy pure happiness by contributing our money to Charity funds to
help the poor, the wretched and the victims of other disasters.
But money not only brings us the good but the bad as well. This accounts for much of the wickedness in
the world. The rich often depend on it to oppress the poor and millionaires sometimes treat their
servants with great cruelty. Many young people, being purse proud of their parent’s wealth and richness,
neglect their school activities, always play truant and indulge themselves in alcohol, gambling and
debaucheries. They often commit suicide after playing ducks and drakes with all their parents’ fortune.
Money, in this way, is the root of all evils.
To sum up, happiness does not depend on the quantity of money but on the way how we use it. We
should use our money properly. The right use of money may bring us a comfortable life and a cheerful
heart.
Topic: "Money is the root of all evil". Give your opinion.
"Tiền bạc là nguồn gốc của tội lỗi." Bạn hãy cho biết ý kiến
Money is the instrument of exchange, helping in buying and selling and also in fixing a value on things and
commodities. It may be in metal or in paper. With the market getting more and more complicated, there are
other negotiable instruments which are as good as the minted coins or the printed notes. Money gives
purchasing power but this power is not absolute as it is on various factors. In such a case it is termed
currency and according to their purchasing power they are termed hard, soft and weak. Though coins and
notes are issued by the Government of the country, there is a limit to their minting.
Let us see why money is needed. It is simply because it helps the processor to buy things. The days of
battering are gone though it is indirectly resorted to at international level. Money is helpful as a standard of
price. Money helps the owner to have power not only in buying things but also in influencing many human
activities. Money is used for good things such as using it to build a temple, a church or a museum. Great
educational institutions can be built. Students can be helped by providing them with scholarships in
furthering their studies. The Nobel Prize would not have been there but for the huge sum of money earned
by Alfred Nobel.
Money can buy men as it does things. Thus money plays an important role in fighting and winning
elections. Money mars men’s and women’s morals. It is the evil influence in corrupting people. “Sell out” is
the new term used for bribery.
There are people who could do anything for the sake of money. Moneyed people can buy many things
which the poor cannot do.
With the power of money, individuals as well as states can dictate terms. The Middle East countries have
found new wealth because of their oil deposits and they have become a very powerful group.
This kind of power should not go to one’s head. One should remember that the money coming into him was
by chance. He must not use it for evil purposes. But wherever there is evil there is usually money involved.
Other motivating forces for evil action are jealousy, vengeance, hatred and so on.
Money is normally the fruit of labour. The question is how one spends that money. Great thinkers have
suggested that one who has money enough and enough to spare must look upon himself as the trustee of the
money and see to it that it is spent in a wise and useful way. There is nothing good or evil about money. It
depends on how one puts it to. The same money which could help bring relief to the suffering million, can
be used to build up armaments. The hope of getting money spurs one into action. The power decides how to
spend the money. Money can be used morally or immorally. A morally strong man may not use money in
evil ways and vice versa.
Essay topic: The advantages and disadvantages of money
Everybody knows the value of money. Nothing is more powerful than money.
In fact, if we have no money, we cannot buy goods, clothes and other necessaries we need. Without
money, we cannot go to the movies, theaters or other amusements places.
How can we spend our free time pleasantly on rainy evenings without a color television in front of us?
Music from a new hi-fi can relax us quickly after a hard day of work. But how can we satisfy our needs,
our desires and our pleasures when we cannot afford to buy them?
Thanks to money we can improve our spiritual activities easily. We can go to any schools, any
universities we like to further our knowledge. If our parents are wealthy and powerful we may be sent
abroad to study. Moreover, we can enjoy pure happiness by contributing our money to Charity funds to
help the poor, the wretched and the victims of other disasters.
But money not only brings us the good but the bad as well. This accounts for much of the wickedness in
the world. The rich often depend on it to oppress the poor and millionaires sometimes treat their
servants with great cruelty. Many young people, being purse proud of their parent’s wealth and richness,
neglect their school activities, always play truant and indulge themselves in alcohol, gambling and
debaucheries. They often commit suicide after playing ducks and drakes with all their parents’ fortune.
Money, in this way, is the root of all evils.
To sum up, happiness does not depend on the quantity of money but on the way how we use it. We
should use our money properly. The right use of money may bring us a comfortable life and a cheerful
heart.
Essay topic: The advantages and disadvantages of television
Nowadays many people all over the world spent most of their free time watching television; but since its
appearance, television has brought to man many advantages as well as disadvantages.
First, television plays an important role in our daily activities: it keeps us informed of all current affairs
in the world. Events through television are more vivid than those through books and magazines.
Second, television helps us enrich our spiritual lives. Our knowledge is broadened in many ways. Through
language teaching programs, we can learn the language we like such as: English, French, German,
Chinese, Japanese and so on. We can become skilful and clever at doing jobs, making cakes or arranging
flowers through practical courses taught on television.
Finally, television is a source of recreation. Humorous stories and funny films bring us minutes of
relaxation after a hard day’s work. For me, sitting comfortably in an arm-chair to watch an international
football match on television is more interesting than having to queue for tickets at a crowded stadium.
Apart from its advantages, however, television also brings lots of disadvantages to viewers too.
First, television viewers gradually become passive in their action. Television may be a splendid media of
communication, but it prevents us from communicating with each other or with the outer world. The
world seen through television is only the restricted one: It separates us from the real world.
Second, television, with its fascinating power, makes people of all ages sink into oblivion: whole
generations are growing up addicted to the telly. Pupils and students are so absorbed in television that
they neglect their school activities. Food is left uneaten, homework undone and lessons unprepared.
Housewives are so keen on watching television that they neglect their duties toward their husbands and
their children. Instead of watching television, we may use the time for a real family hour. Without the
distraction of television, we may sit around together after dinner and actually talk to one another to
know and like each other better.
Finally, the evil influence of television on the young generation is inevitable; it encourages them to
commit crimes. Spectacles of sadism and violence on television lead them to robbery, theft, rape and
murder.
In a nutshell, television is useful to us when we know how to use it: Be careful not to overindulge
ourselves in it and use it in a discerning manner.
Essay Topic: Talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the cinema
Revised
The influence that the cinema exerts on the minds of those who visit it is at once beneficial and
harmful.
Today, there is a cinema in almost every town. The cinema provides so much entertainment that few
people fail to visit it. One of the reasons for the popularity of the cinema is that it entertains all types or
people, young and old, literate and illiterate. Because it is so popular, it must exercise some influence
on those whom it attracts.
The films shown in the cinema are often very instructive and informative. Almost every film shows
something about the activities and customs of the people in other lands. By seeing such films, one learns
a lot about human activities. One also gains a better understanding of people of the world.
Further, some films show the battles that were fought in the past. They also sometimes show very
vividly how man has struggled through the centuries to remove discomfort from his life. In this way,
some films have given many people an insight into the past. Even illiterate people have benefited from
such films. What they cannot acquire from books owing to their inability to read, they can acquire from
films. School students, too, often benefit from a visit to the cinema. What they see and hear in the
cinema makes a better impression on their minds than only the spoken words of their teachers. For
example, a teacher of history can hardly describe a battle scene to his students as vividly as a film does.
For all these reasons, the cinema is often regarded as an important means of spreading knowledge.
It must be admitted, however, that some films have exerted an evil influence on many people. Films
which show the activities of criminals have encouraged many youths to commit acts of crime. Other
films, too, such as those dealing with sex and other natural weaknesses of man, have corrupted the
morals of many people. As a result, the governments of many countries have been compelled to
interfere in the display and production of certain films. Yet, the cinema continues to retain its
popularity.
Topic: Tell about your hobby in free time.
My hobby is stamp colleting. When I was still only a baby, my mother began to collect for me. Of course,
she did not let me touch the stamps until I was old enough not to spoil them. I remember that it was on my
fifteenth birthday that she first put them into my hands. They were in four fat books, but since that time I
have added three more, so that now I have a bigger collection than any of my friends.
How do I get my stamps? I have never bought a single one from a shop -- so my collection has really cost
me nothing. My father, who works in a big office, sometimes brings me home stamps from many countries
of the world. And I have friends both here and in other lands who send me stamps in return for ones which I
send to them.
Now that I am working for my living, I do not have as much time as before to spend on my stamps. But in
the evenings, what can be better than to sit down at a table with my precious books, arranging new stamps in
them, writing in the names of countries, or, if I am too tired, only looking through the stamps already in the
books? Each stamp has a story to tell me of far countries and strange peoples. I see pictures of men and
women, birds and animals that I have never seen. Kings and presidents pass before my eyes, and I can
follow the history of nations -- I can see Hitler's Germany spreading over Europe and then suddenly
breaking into pieces; Pakistan is born before my eyes; countries rise and countries fall - and the whole time I
remain comfortably in my armchair at home.
But my stamp collection does not make me think only of the past. Just as my mother collected for me, so I,
too, am collecting for my future child. What better way will there be of interesting him in history, geography
and languages, and of making these subjects live for him instead of being only things in school books? If I
pass my hobby on to him, he will bless me for it as I have blessed my mother for her wise action.
Topic: Talk about the hobbies of your two close friends.
I have two close friends, Tom and Peter. They are twins but they are very different in their hobbies.
Tom likes to read true stories and books on real life. He likes to watch the news, late movies and special
programs on weekends. He does not like to play any outdoor sports, event though he does not miss a
single minute of sports news on television. Instead, he prefers indoor games such as ping pong and some
other electronic games. In contrast to Tom, Peter likes to read science fiction stories and mystery ones.
He enjoys making battle-ships, carriers and freighters in cardboard. In addition, he likes to design things.
Whereas Tom likes to play indoor games, Peter likes to play football and swimming.
I guess that you could say Tom is more of an intellectual and realistic, whereas Peter is more
adventurous.
Topic: An interesting program which you heard on the radio
I always look forward to Sunday afternoons because there are some interesting programs on the radio.
School children take part in the children’s program. There will be sound track of popular film hit. Very
often this is the program which we all wait anxiously at home. Lat week, there was a very good program
of a famous play.
The story is simply this. There were two friends. They loved the same girl without being aware. The girl
loved only one of them. As the story progressed, the lovers found out that the girl he loved was also
loved by his friend and that the girl also loved his friend. So he sacrificed his love, for the sake of his
friend. Thereafter he looked upon the girl as his own sister.
The play was a dramatic expression in music terms. The “sacrifice” was described on effective words,
which conveyed a sense of reality so much that the characters seemed to emerge as real people. The
emotional discords in my mind were removed by the power of harmony in the play and established a
sense of tranquility and peace. Such programs will certainly enliven the daily routine of the average man
with a much-needed break. It was a heart warming program.
The choreography has been provided by some famous cine artists of Malaysia. The dialogue had been
written by a famous director. The tempo of the theme was kept up. The light music had been
entertaining. One could enjoy the play very well without seeing it on film. The one hour entertainment
was soon over, but its magic spell remained.
Topic: Give one of the activities you like to do in your spare time
Watching television is one of the activities I like to do in my spare time. I enjoy watching cartoons on
Saturday mornings and sports programs on Sunday afternoons. I also watch television during the week
after I have finished all my school work. At night, I especially like to watch movies and situation
comedies. If I have a lot of homework, I try to arrange my schedule so that I can watch at least one of
my favorite shows. Watching television is not the only activity that I do in my spare time. My other
favorite activities are making paper flowers and going shopping with my friends. However, when I have
spare time, I spend more time watching television than any other activities. Watching television can help
me not only relax but also build me a huge knowledge of the open world.
Topic: Talk about the film you like best.
The film “Journey to the West” always fascinates me though I have seen it many times. It is a fairy story
about the long journey make by four people to the place of Buddha. They have overcome eighty-one
challenges and beaten many wicked people to get true Buddhism books for saving mankind from fighting
each other aggressively. Above all, it leads us to the realization of human individual desertions and our
long life self-training process to get rid of the selfishness to perfect ourselves.
The combination of the East’s body of folklores and the book of the same title written by Wu Cheng'en
makes the plot of “Journey to the West”. It is considered a great work of Chinese filmmakers, gathering
over a hundred actors and beautiful actresses. Among them is the talented Liu Xiao Ling Tong who plays
the active and faithful monkeyman Sun Wukong, the hero of the film besides the exemplary monk Xuanzang, the pigman - Zhu Bajie and monsterman - Sha Wujing. The film’s background is set in the year
BC with the scences of paradise, hell, the waterworld and man from other majestic holylands. This
famous film shows the good preparation and good imagination of human beings.
In short, besides its success in art, the film, in fact, advises man to live a nicer life.
Essay topic: The advantages of living in the country and the disadvantages
of living in the city.
Although I was born and brought up in the country, I spent most of my time in the city; however, a
comfortable life in the city has never appealed to me at all. And the country with its advantages still has
a call to me for good.
First, the fresh and clean air of the country makes you feel healthier. How relaxed and pleasant you are
when you can enjoy the pure air wafted with soft fragrance of areca and grapefruit trees in your garden!
Therefore, you can take a stroll around the garden every morning and night. The stifling and polluted
atmosphere of a crowded city, on the contrary, makes you suffocated and annoyed. It may breed
neurosis and other fatal diseases to urban residents.
Second, living in the country may feel safer while in town, the city dwellers are in state of continuously
being afraid of committing violent deaths caused by careless drivers or foolhardy motor-cyclists.
Third, if you have a poetic soul, you will find in the country a source of “divine inspiration”. To my
mind, nothing can be compared with the moonlight through foliages or the gorgeous slow of the sunset
on yellow rice-fields. I often see the moon shedding its light on the city but how desperate I feel! The
moon itself has lost its natural beauty and it seems to me a pale disc hanging shamelessly in a zone
surrounded by angrily dazzling neon lights. The silvery moonlight in the country has a mystic power to
soothe your pains and sufferings and it does help you escape from the material world.
Fourth, if you are fond of gardening, you can spend your free time digging, planting and watering.
Gardening is my favorite hobby. What a serene joy I feel when I watch my fruit trees growing amid the
melodious twitters of birds and how sweet and delicious their fruit are when I taste my first successful
result! I cannot help feeling sorry for the city dwellers who day and night have indulged themselves in
debaucheries and can never enjoy a minute of pure bliss in the countryside.
Finally, in the country you can rest from the noise and bustle of the town. Even though you have to get
up early to catch buses to get to work in town, you can sleep better at night without being disturbed by
deafening sirens of cars or machines running noisily all the time.
Essay topic: The reason why the young people prefer to live in town
Young people are always active and keen on learning; so most of them prefer to live in town.
First of all, living in town, they have many chances to widen their knowledge. Nowadays many language
schools and centers open in town. They can go to any evening classes to improve their foreign languages
such as French, English, Russian, German, Japanese and Chinese. Experienced teachers and professors
are ready to provide them with what they want to know. Besides that, they can go to public libraries or
English speaking clubs to broaden their knowledge and improve their English speaking skills.
Second, living in town, they can keep abreast of current affairs all over the world by reading
newspapers, magazines or by watching television or listening to the radio. In the morning, they saw
Kuwait occupied by Irag troops but in the evening, they saw them driven out of this oil-producing
country by powerful allied forces.
Third, our country is open to all foreign investments and town is the cradle of industrial development.
Therefore, upon graduating from university, they can have favorable opportunities to make full use of
their ability.
Finally, there are many comfortable means of communication and entertainment in town. They can go
anywhere they like and after a hard day’s work they can enjoy minutes of recreation by watching
interesting films on a large screen in a modern and air-conditioned cinema in town.
For the above-mentioned reasons, an urban life has always been a fascinating appeal to all young men in
the world.
Topic: Life in the city, compared with life in the country
In my opinion, urban life or rural life has its own advantages and disadvantages.
First, living in the city we may enjoy those benefits.
- Communication and transportation systems are better. There are so many means of communication and
transport that we can choose the ones we like best. We can get in touch with a friend or talk to him by
phone without having to go out of home.
- Thanks to electricity network and running water, our material lives are more comfortable.
Supermarkets, markets and shops are found everywhere and we can buy anything we need providing that
we can afford it.
- Urban life provides us with all sorts of entertainments: televisions, radios, movies, theatres, concerts
and famous recreation centers.
- Living in town we can improve our knowledge easily by attending any schools, universities or evening
classes where experienced teachers and professors are ready to satisfy our thirst for knowledge.
Besides its advantages, urban life also has its disadvantages:
- Our health is in danger: pollution by factories and heavy traffic may cause serious diseases to all of us.
- Evil influence upon the young generation by obscene video films is inevitable.
- Violent deaths happen regularly in such a crowded city with all kinds of vehicles.
On the contrary, rural life seems ideal to all of us, especially to the old.
- We can enjoy fresh, cool air and behold beautiful landscapes in the country.
- How safe and delighted we are when we can sleep a sound sleep at any time of the day without being
disturbed by sirens of cars or by deafening noises from manufacturing factories.
- Our social lives in the country are easier: we can eat the food and vegetables we grow, the chickens
and goats we raise. The countrymen lead a very simple life and they are quick at mutual help in any
case.
Apart from these advantages, living in the country we may meet lots of difficulties too.
- Communication and transportation are obstructed by lack of means of transport or by floods in the
rainy season.
- Our knowledge is limited by being short of mass media.
- Our social and physical lives are not as comfortable as those in town because of lack of electricity and
medical care.
In a nutshell, our love for town life or country life depends on our outlook and age. As for me, I always
prefer rural life to urban life.
Essay topic: Living in a city
The outline:
1. The things found in a city
2. Why it is noisy, etc.
3. Why people like it
4. The end
A city is very noisy; yet most people like to live in it. Many interesting things and places for
entertainment can be found.
There are many people and a variety of vehicles in streets. Cars, buses and other vehicles can be seen
running to and fro in the streets throughout the day. All these make a city very noisy and busy. Accidents
occur now and then. Some people die as a result.
There are a lot of schools and hospitals in a city; therefore, people who live in it know that it is very
easy to find a school for their children and to visit the hospital so quickly when necessary.
At night a city is full of colorful lights. They make the city a nice place. Some parts of the city,
especially where the cinemas and music shows are, are very crowded.
Many people also attend school at night to improve themselves. Today there are evening classes in
almost every city.
For all these reasons, living in a city is very exciting. I like living in it.
Topic: Life in the city
Life in the city is full of activity. Early in the morning hundreds of people rush out of their homes in the
manner ants do when their nest is broken. Soon the streets are full of traffic. Shops and offices open,
students flock to their schools and the day's work begins. The city now throb with activity, and it is full
of noise. Hundreds of sight-seers tourists and others visit many place of interest in the city while
businessmen from various parts of the world arrive to transact business.
The towards evening, the offices and day schools begin to close. Many of the shops too close. There is
now a rush for buses and other means of transport. Everyone seems to be in a hurry to reach home. As a
result of this rush, many accidents occur. One who has not been to the city before finds it hard to move
about at this time. Soon, however, there is almost no activity in several parts of the city. These parts
are usually the business centers.
With the coming of night, another kind of activity begins. The streets are now full of colorful lights. The
air is cooler and life becomes more leisurely. People now seek entertainment. Many visit the cinemas,
parks, and clubs, while others remain indoors to watch television or listen to the radio. Some visit
friends and relatives and some spend their time reading books and magazines. Those who are interested
in politics discuss the latest political developments. At the same time, hundreds of crimes are
committed. Thieves and robbers who wait for the coming of night become active, and misfortune
descends upon many. For the greed of a few, many are killed, and some live in constant fear. To bring
criminals to justice, the officers of the law are always on the move.
Workers and others who seek advancement in their careers attend educational institutions which are
open till late in the night. Hundreds of them sit for various examinations every year. The facilities and
opportunities that the people in the city have to further their studies and increase their knowledge of
human affairs are indeed many. As a result, the people of the city are usually better informed than
those of the village, where even a newspaper is sometimes difficult to get.
The city could, therefore, be described as a place of ceaseless activity. Here, the drama of life is
enacted every day.
Essay topic: Some people enjoy living in the country but others prefer big
city life. Compare these two places and give your opinion.
In the country, we can live in the midst of nature. Countryside houses are spread out and there is plenty
of greenery. Sometimes green paddy fields or orchards are found in the neighborhood. The beautiful
surroundings with trees and shrubs are pleasing to our eyes. Moreover the air is fresh and cool, which is
good for a healthy living. A country life is full of charms. The rippling rivers, the grazing cows and the
chirping birds give us great pleasures in life. Country life is cheaper than town life. The people who live
in the country are a contented community because they have few desires.
Houses in the city are generally provided with modern conveniences such as electricity, running water,
telephones and all sorts of labour-saving devices. There are plenty of means of communication: buses,
taxi-cabs, etc. City dwellers have more means of improving their minds than countrymen: day schools
and night courses, public and private libraries, lectures and exhibitions.
There are many places in the city where you can get a bite or a drink: restaurants, coffee-houses, tearooms, bars and refreshment rooms, etc.
Last but not least, the city provides its inhabitants with various sorts of entertainments, playgrounds and
sports fields, public gardens, museums, movie-theaters, concerts…
For my part, no matter how comfortable or convenient the city life may be, I till prefer living in the
country. I think it is healthier and more peaceful to live in countryside than in a city.
Essay topic: The reasons for your study of English and the ways you have
been learning it
It cannot be denied that today English is the most widely used language in the world. It has been used in
all spheres of public activity. Because of its importance I have chosen English as the second language
after my mother tongue.
In fact, English has become the international language. If I master this language I can go to any
continent in the world: Asia, Europe, Africa, America and Australia. Everywhere people speak English.
Because of its popularity, innumerable books have been written in English; so one of my ways of
improving my English is to read books on a variety of subjects: science, sociology, anthropology, geology,
entomology, political science and so on. If I read books on one or two subjects only my vocabulary will
not increase fast enough. Therefore I try my best to accumulate as many vocabularies as possible by
reading about different subjects because each subject has its own vocabularies. The more subjects I
read in English the more words I can acquire to express my ideas and thoughts with great ease and
satisfaction.
I have dreamed of becoming a tourist guide one day. In order to realize this hope I should read more
books on traveling and learn more vocabulary on different aspects. Standing before one of my historical
vestiges, how can I tell my tourists about the history of my country and the courageous struggles of my
people during the period of founding the nation and defending it against foreign invaders if I am not able
to obtain any knowledge, any words on this domain?
After French, English is a living language because of its vitality and lucidity. Thanks to these
characteristics, English has been used in all important meetings and conferences or in summit talks
between leaders of powerful countries. To acquire correct and fluent English I should learn the basic
rules of English Grammar and practice speaking English regularly with my friends and my teachers.
“Practice makes perfect”. I should frequently listen to native English speakers through videos, television
and radio. Whenever I find a new word whose pronunciation I do not know I should look it up in the
“Every man’s English Pronouncing Dictionary” by Daniel Jones, a very precious dictionary for English
beginners.
Being aware of the preeminence of the English language in every aspect of man’s activity, I have been
learning it with great zeal and avidity.
Essay topic: The difficulties in learning English and how to overcome them
Beginners of foreign language always meet difficulties from the outset. For me, I had to overcome these
problems when I started learning English.
English pronunciation is my first obstacle. The pronunciation in English puzzles me a lot because the
same letter has different sounds. For example the letter “a” in “bath” is not pronounced in the same
way of that in “bathe”. The “ou” in “South” is also different from “ou” in “Southern”. Generally verbs
and nouns are pronounced differently although they are written the same. Record is a good example to
illustrate it.
In order to solve this puzzling question I carefully study The A.P.A (The International Phonetic Alphabets)
which helps me pronounce English words correctly.
In order to have an accent just like the native speakers, I often listen to tapes and repeat after them,
trying to imitate them. Moreover, my everyday conversation with the foreigners I meet in the street will
enable me to acquire a proper accent.
Compared with French, English grammar is much easier. However, this does not mean that learners meet
no difficulties in learning it. It took me a long time to learn how to master the tenses in English
grammar, to endeavor to do as many grammar exercises as possible and read various grammar books.
In writing English, English language has its own style. In order to drill writing skills, I have tried to read
famous novels of distinguished America and English writers. I enjoy the humorous style of writing in Mark
Twain’s masterpieces, the elaborate and polished style of George Eliot and the sentimental and lyrical
style of John Keats.
After long and hard years of English study, how pleased I feel when I am able to read English and
American authors without any obstacles and difficulties at all.
Essay topic: Your most embarrassing experience
Our family live in the suburb of HCM city, not far from the central city. It is about 30 kilometers to the
South.
Last week my parents, my brothers and my sisters paid a visit to my grandparents in the country and I
therefore stayed at home alone. I used to get up very early in the morning. As usual, after going to the
market to buy some necessary things, I came back home to start doing the housework such as cleaning
the floor, making the bed, making coffee and preparing lunch. The house now was so clean and tidy that
it seemed bigger and larger. I had worked from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. I was so tired that I had to stop
working for a rest. After 15 minutes of relaxation, I started working again.
Right after I had taken the teapot from the cupboard, I suddenly felt something burning downstairs. I got
so embarrassed and frightened that I dropped the teapot while I was hurrying downstairs. To my horror
and surprise, the kettle on the electric stove was on fire. I was in such a confusing state that I was quite
at a loss. Then I came up an idea: I rushed to the switchboard to cut off the electric power. The house
suddenly became as dark as pitch. In the pitch-dark kitchen, the kettle turned so dazzling red that it
looked just like a hot burning sun on a stifling summer afternoon.
Essay topic: Describe a visit you have made to a factory and show what
benefits you have derived from the visit.
Last week, under our form-teacher’s guidance we visited the Bicycle Factory.
On our arrival at the factory, we were warmly greeted by the director who gave us some information
about the factory.
It is a long, low building with different workshops. There are 500 workers in the factory. Many of them
live in the factory grounds but many others live in the nearby towns or villages and go to work by bus
everyday.
When we entered the first workshop, the workers, in their overalls, were cutting steel tubes with
hacksaws. It was very noisy here but the workers had got used to the noise.
The newly-cut steel tubes were brought to the next workshop where they were joined together into
frames by soldering irons. Flashes of red and blue light sent out from soldering irons dazzled our eyes.
The workers were absorbed in their work. Drops of sweat were rolling on their cheeks and their overalls
were soaked with sweat. We went to the next workshop. The newly joined frames were brought there to
be polished before they were painted. The final process of production was to assemble accessories
together before the bicycles were put on the market.
The visit of the Bicycle Factory gave us a precious lesson: the existence of a society depends largely on
the working class. The workers themselves create properly and material comforts for society with the
sweat of their brow. And on impulse, we thought: “If our government hadn’t imported such a large
number of motorbikes and if all people had used bicycles as their means of transport, the environment
wouldn’t have been so seriously polluted”.
Essay topic: Anatole France said: “Family is a very good school”. Explain
this sentence and comment on it.
School is the place where the pupils’ parents entrust the teachers with the education and training of
their children. School is the place where useful citizens have been formed for society. However, a
French writer said: “Family is a very good school”. By adducing concrete proofs, let’s find out the
meaning of it and try to appreciate its value.
Family is a school. The role of the mother in the family is of utmost importance. She is both a mother
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