topic clue card for English file

INTRODUCTION
Introduce: Good morning sir and ma’am. My full name is Nguyen Van Nam and
I’m 21 years old. I come from Ba Vi – a nice district but now I am living in Son Tay
town – a soldier town because I’m a cadet of Chemical Defence Officers College. In my
free time I like playing sports such as football, volleyball, badminton, guitar. I also love
English very much.
Possible questions for discussion:
1. How many people are there in your family?
2. How about your college?
3. What do you think about your plan for your future?
Suggestion:
1.There are 5 people in my family. They are my father, my mother, my older sister, my
younger brother and me. And I love my family so much.
2.It is not big but very beautiful. I love my school very much. At CDOC, I can learn a
lot of things.
3.I will try my best to graduate with the best result and continue to contribute to the
army and my nation.
TOPIC 1: FAMILY
Part 1: Interview
Part 2: Monologue: Describe your family.
You should say:
1. Where is your family living?
2. How many people are there in your family? Who are they?
3. What activities do your family members often do together?
4. Who do you love most in your family? Why?
Part 3: Possible questions for discussion
1.What can you learn from your father/mother?
2. Do you want to follow your father’s/mother’s job?
Suggestion:
Part 2:
Now, I’d like to talk a bit about my family. Well, my family is living in Ba Vi, a

nice district with so many dreamlike landscapes. There are five people in my family.
They are my father, my mother, my older sister, my younger brother and me. And I love
my family so much. My family usually has dinner together and in the evening we often
watch TV and talk about a working day whether it is interesting or not. We sometimes
go for a picnic somewhere to relax and make me closer to each other. It is very hard to
say but I love my mother most because she’s always beside me whenever I need. She
always sacrifices her everything for me to make me happy. For me she is the greatest
mother in the world.

1


Part 3:
1. I want to learn kindness, optimism, understanding from my mother and generousity,
and bravery from my father.
2. Actually, I don’t like following my father’s job. Because I want to go on my own
road. I love the army and I strongly dream of being a chemical officer in the future.
TOPIC 2: YOUR UNFORGETTABLE HOLIDAY.
Part 1: Interview
Part 2: Monologue: Describe your unforgettable holiday.
You should say:
1. Where did you spend your unforgettable holiday?
2. Who did you go with?
3. What did you do there?
4. Why has it become a memorable holiday?
Part 3: Possible questions for discussion
1. Why is it unforgettable?
2. Do you want to go again? Why/ why not?
Part 2:
Now, I’d like to talk a bit about my last holiday . Actually, last summer I went to

Co To island with my family. It is far from my house and we went there by car and
ship. Co To island is in the north of East Sea and is very beautiful. We took a cruise
around the islands and also did sightseeing. Besides we enjoyed some delicious seafood
and bought some gifts from the local people. Actually, it has become an unforgetable
holiday because after 3 days on Co To island, we felt happy and comfortable.
Part 3:
1. I like its peace and beautyy that I can’t forget it.
2. Definitely. I will if I can. I love seeing the colorful lifestyle of the locals and
spectacular scenery.
TOPIC 3: YOUR HOMETOWN
Part 1: Interview
Part 2: Monologue: Describe your unforgettable holiday.
You should say:
1. Where is your hometown?
2. What are the people in your hometown like?
3. What are specialties in your hometown?
4. What do you like most about your hometown?
Part 3: Possible questions for discussion
1. What don’t you like most about your hometown?
2. Do you like living in your hometown forever? Why/ Why not?
3. If you had a chance to change something about your hometown, what would you do?
Suggestion:
2


Part 2:
Now, I’d like to talk a bit about my hometown . Well, I was born and grew up in
Ba Vi a nice province, it is not far from Hanoi, you can drive 2 hours from Hanoi. It is
an agricultural province, so people are farmers. In the past, my hometown is very poor,
but everybody is very friendly and helpful. Until now the living standard has been

improved so much. You know, my hometown is famous for milk. You can see Ba Vi
milk sold everywhere. For me the best thing about my hometown is the moutain which
has a tranquil atmosphere and I think you will agree with me.
Part 3:
1.You know my hometown is a countryside so on rainy day, roads is always muddy and
it is difficult to pass over.
2.Yes, I do. I like living in my hometown forever because it always in my heart forever.
3. As I said before, my hometown is moutainous, so it is very slippery on the rainy days.
If possible, I wish to improve the road system.
TOPIC 4: YOUR HOBBIES
Part 1: Interview
Part 2: Monologue: Describe some activites you like doing.
You should say:
1. What do you like doing in the free time?
2. Why do you like doing that?
3. What kind of sports can you play?
4. Why do you like playing that sport?
5. Do you like reading books? why/ why not?
Part 3: Possible questions for discussion
1. Do you think playing sports or playing games is better?
2. Why do you think people like having a hobby?
3. Do men and women enjoy the same type of leisure activities?
Suggestion:
Part 2:
Now, I’d like to talk a bit about my hobbies. In my free time, I like playing guitar
with some my friends. Sometime, I like chatting with my classmates. Because I like
music so I play guitar and I don’t worry about anything when I play it. Futhermore, I am
a good player with soccer and badminton. I play soccer in the afternoon every day and
play badminton at the weekend. I love playing sports very much because they are very
useful to my heath and help me keep fit. Also, I like reading books very much because it

helps me to widen my knowledge.
Part 3: Suggestion
1. I think playing sports is better because it helps people improve their health and make
a healthy lifestyle.
2. One reason might be it’s something they can lose themselves in for a while – like an
escape from other stuff that’s going on in their life.
3


3. Yes and no. I think both men and women enjoy things like eating in restaurants or
going to the cinema, but I'm sure there are other activities that are more popular with
one gender. For example, I think more men than women go to football matches.
TOPIC 4: YOUR HOBBIES
Part 1: Interview
Part 2: Monologue: Describe one activity you like doing.
You should say:
1. What do you like doing in the free time?
2. When did you start it?
3. How often do you do it?
5. Why do you like doing that ?
Suggestion:
Part 2:
One of my hobbies is photography. I take photos on my phone almost every day,
and I have a proper camera that I use on special occasions. If I see something
interesting or I want to record a particular memory, I take photos wherever I can. Most
of my photos are of friends and family, but I also take pictures of interesting things
that I see. I like photography because I love capturing special moments or unusual or
beautiful images, and it’s a great feeling to be able to look back through my pictures
and different experiences.
TOPIC 5: SEASON AND WEATHER IN VIETNAM

Part 1: Interview
Part 2: Monologue: Describe seasons and weather in Vietnam
You should say:
1. How many seasons are there in the North of Vietnam? What are they?
2. How many seasons are there in the South of Vietnam? What are they?
3. What is the weather like in seasons?
4. In your opinion, which seasons in the most beautiful?
Part 3: Possible questions for discussion
1.What do you usually do on the rainy days?
2.What do you usually do on the sunny days?
3.Does the weather influence on your mood?
4. Do you prefer to live in a cold region or hot region?
Suggestion:
Part 2:
There are 3 regions in Viet Nam: North Vietnam, South Vietnam and Middle
Vietnam. The weather in each region is different. In North Vietnam, there are 4 seasons:
summer, winter, spring and autumn but there are only 2 seasons in South and middle
Vietnam, namely rainy and sunny seasons. It is warm and nice in spring, hot in summer,
cool in autumn and cold in winter. Spring is the most beautiful season in the year.

4


Spring lasts from January to March. Actually, I like spring most because it is season of
new things and we often have Tet holiday for hanging out.
Part 3:
1.On the rainy day, I usually stay at home and read book.
2.On the sunny day, I usually hang out with my friends, eat ice cream, that’s so great.
3. Yes, it certainly does. It is the rain that influences my mood the most. It makes me feel
so down. I feel very happy and fresh on the sunny days.

4. I prefer to live in the cold region because there are many kinds of food I like such as
hot pot, grilled meat ball, toast corn. Cold weather makes people closer and warmer.
One more reason is that there are many kind of fashionable clothes to wear in cold
weather.
TOPIC 6: YOUR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Part 1: Interview
Part 2: Monologue: Describe one activity you like doing.
You should say:
1. What is the official name of your college/university?
2. Where is your college/university located?
3. When was your college/university founded?
4. How big is it?
5.Why do you join in the army?
Part 3: Possible questions for discussion
1.Which unit do you wish to work after graduating ? Why?
2.What do you think about learning English in your college?
3. If you had a chance to change something about your college, what would you do?
Suggestion:
2. Part 2:
Now I am going to talk about my college. Well, its official name is Chemical
Defence Officers College. As you know, it is located in Sontay town, the soldier town.
It was founded on the twenty first of September, 1976. The first rector is Senior Colonel
Nguyen Xuan Tan. And The current rector is Senior Colonel Nguyen Văn Thinh. As you
know, my college is not too big but beautiful. There is only one major which my
college offers to officer cadets which is Chemical Technique Command. After
graduating, the cadets often work in the chemical warfare units. There are three
divisions/departments, five sections, six faculties and three battalions. Now I am a
teacher of Chemical Warfare defence. The reason I joined the army is that my Daddy
was a soldier in the past and I want to follow my family tradition. I love military
environment because it helps me to become a disciplined person.

3. Part 3:
1.After graduating, I wish to work in a combat unit because I want to become a good
commander in the future.
2. Like other military schools, English is getting more and more important in my
college. Recently, we have had a lot of positive changes in teaching and learning
English and some progress has been made as you see.
5


3. If possible, I wish to build up a gym for teachers and cadres. You know, gyms provide
you a lot of equipment for physical training activites to have good health.
TOPIC 7: YOUR DAILY AND WEEKLY TYPICAL ACTIVITIES
Part 1: Interview
Part 2: Monologue: Describe a daily life.
You should say:
1. What activities do you often do in the morning?
2. What activities do you often do in the aftenoon?
3. What activities do you often do in the evening?
4. What do you often do at weekends?
5. Do you like activites you often do on your typical day?
Part 3: Possible questions for discussion
1. What housework do you often do to help your family?
2. What activities do your family often do together?
3. Do you prefer relaxing at home or going out ? Why?
4. Would you like to change your daily routine?
2. Part 2:
Now I’d like to talk about my daily activities. In the morning I often get up at 5
am.Then I often do PT and have breakfast. I leave home at 6.15 because my class starts
at 06.30. The class finishes at 11.30 am and then I go home. After a quick lunch, I
usually take a nap. We sometimes have lessons in the afternoon. After working hours, I

come back home to help my family with household chores. I often play football with
my sons because they love football very much. Actually, playing with them is so fun.
Then we have dinner together. After dinner I and my wife watch TV and my kids selfstudy. We can help them if they really need. Then Our family often go to bed at 10.p.m.
At weekend, we don’t go to work, so my family often come back my hometown to visit
my parents. Sometimes we go shopping or to the cinema together.
3. Part 3:
1. I often cook, clean the floor and help my kids with their homework.
2. I often have dinner, go shopping and go to the cinema together.
3. Usually, I relax at home because as you know it is said that home is the only place
that people want to come back.
4. If possible, I hope that my classes starts at 7am so that I get up a bit late.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TOPIC 7: YOUR ENGLISH STUDY
Part 1: Personal introduction
Part 2: Topic
6


Now, I’d like to talk about my English study. I have learnt English since I was 10 years
old. I’ve learnt it because it is a compulsory subject at my school and I find it very
interesting. Unlike other subjects, which can be easily make me asleep….English
lessons are full of fun and the teachers are often open-minded and friendly. Besides,
learning English helps me to widen my knowledge of foreign cultures. Personally I
think that of 4 English skills, listening is the most difficult. So now I am trying to listen
English by native speakers via videos and audios and imitate their pronunciation. Thus,
English is more and more important and I am most interested in.
Part 3:
1. How many hours do you learn English a day?
I often spend 1 hour a day learning English. I’d like to focus on listening native
speakers.
2. Do you think that English is difficult to learn?

Yes, I think it takes quite a long time to practice English fluently.
3. Do you think learning foreign language is important?
Absolutely. Learning languages, especially English, allows us to be able to
communicate with others. It also helps us study more effectively, since we can search
for almost everything on the Internet in English.
4. Do you think that all children should learn foreign languages at school?
Yes, I think that kids are better at learning a second or more foreign languages at school.
They learn things fast at a young age
TOPIC 8: YOUR BEST FRIEND
Part 1: Personal introduction
Part 2: Topic
Now, I’d like to talk about my best friend. His name is Ngo Thanh Tung. We have
known each other for 15 years. The first time I met him was we were at Thang Long
high school. He sat next to met for 3 years. I was good at maths and he was good at
English so we can support well in learning. He looks very tall and handsome. The best
thing I love him is his honest, which is the foundation for our friendship. Well, we
haven’t seen him very often since I joined the army. Now he is an English lecturer at
Vietnam National University. Whenever I come back Hanoi, I often visit his family
when I have free time. Actually, Tung is my best friend forever.
Part 3: Questions
1. Are your friends mostly your age or different ages?
Most of my friends are about the same age as me because we met at school or
university. I've got one or two friends who are older or younger that I met through work.
2. Do you usually see your friends during the week or at weekends?
I tend to meet up with my friends at weekends because everyone's too busy during the
week.
7


3. In what ways are your friends important to you?

I think it's important to have friends that you can talk to and share experiences with. My
friends make me laugh, but I know I can also rely on them whenever I need help or
support.
4. Do you think that close friends should have many things in common? Why or
whynot?
It depends. A close friend means the one you can share with and count on. It is fun if
you have many things in common with your close friend but I don’t think it is too
necessary.
TOPIC 9: YOUR HOUSE
Part 1: Personal introduction
Part 2: Topic
I’d like to talk about my house. It is a two storied house with 6 rooms: a living-room, a
kitchen, a bathroom and three bedrooms. There is a Sony TV, a yellow leather sofa and
some family photos on the wall in the living-room. Next to the living-room is the
kitchen where is used for cooking and enjoying the meals. In each bedroom, we have a
bedroom, a wardrobe a desk and chair for studying or reading books. In the middle of
two bedrooms is the bathroom which is well-equipped. There is also a altar and a
bedroom upstairs.I love my house very much because it’s the place where my family
members often happy minutes together.
Part 3: Questions
1.Who do you live with?
I live with my family. There are 4 of us and we all have our own room. I think that
our house is big enough for us yet still a warm and cozy place that I call home.
2. Do you plan to live there for a long time?
The answer would be yes. I love our house very much.
3. If you had chance to change something your house, what would you do?
If possible, I would build the third floor.

8