🎤 Speaking Part 2:
Topic: Describe your first day at school that you remember.
You should say:
- When it was
- Where you went
- What happened
- And explain how you felt about it
Sample Answer
The first day at school that I remember vividly was my first day at high school. It was a major milestone because I was leaving behind my old friends and starting a new chapter.
It happened when I was about fifteen, at a high school in my hometown. The school was much bigger than my old one, and there were students everywhere. I felt like a small fish in a big pond because I barely knew anyone.
My mom dropped me off that morning, and I walked through the school gate feeling excited but nervous. While looking for my classroom, I suddenly realized I had gone to the wrong building! I panicked and started racking my brain to figure out where to go.
Luckily, I bumped into a friendly girl who was also lost. We helped each other find our classroom and hit it off right away.
At first, I was on edge because everything was unfamiliar. But after meeting that girl, I gradually calmed down and started enjoying myself.
Looking back, that stressful morning turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It taught me that stepping into an unfamiliar situation can sometimes lead to something surprisingly positive.
💡 Speaking Structure
1. WHAT / WHO – What was your first day at school like?
The first day at school that I remember vividly was my first day at high school. It was a major milestone for me because I was leaving my old friends behind and starting a new chapter
I was excited about going to a new school, but I was also a little nervous because everything was going to be different.
📚 Vocabulary:
🔹 a major milestone: một cột mốc quan trọng
🔹 a new chapter: một chương mới
2. WHEN / WHERE – When and where did it happen?
It happened when I was about fifteen, at a high school in my hometown. The school was much bigger than my old one, and there were students everywhere. I felt like a small fish in a big pond because I barely knew anyone.
📚 Vocabulary:
🔹 a small fish in a big pond: cảm thấy nhỏ bé, lạc lõng trong một môi trường lớn
3. HOW – What happened?
My mom dropped me off at school that morning. I walked through the school gate feeling excited but nervous. While looking for my classroom, I suddenly realized that I had gone to the wrong building!
I panicked and started racking my brain to figure out where I was supposed to go. Luckily, I bumped into a friendly girl who was also lost. We helped each other find our classroom and hit it off right away.
📚 Vocabulary:
🔹 drop someone off: đưa ai đến một nơi
🔹 rack my brain: vắt óc suy nghĩ
4. WHY / FEELING – How did you feel?
At first, I was on edge because everything was unfamiliar. I didn't know where my classroom was, and I didn't know many people. But after meeting that girl, I gradually calmed down and started enjoying myself.
Looking back, that stressful morning turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It taught me that stepping into an unfamiliar situation can sometimes lead to something surprisingly positive.
📚 Vocabulary:
🔹 on edge: lo lắng, căng thẳng
🔹 calm down: bình tĩnh lại
🔹 a blessing in disguise: trong cái rủi có cái may
🧠 Vocabulary to Remember
Vocabulary | Meaning | Easy example |
a major milestone | một cột mốc quan trọng | Starting high school was a major milestone. |
a new chapter | một chương mới | It was the beginning of a new chapter. |
a small fish in a big pond | cảm thấy nhỏ bé, lạc lõng | I felt like a small fish in a big pond. |
drop someone off | đưa ai đến một nơi | My mom dropped me off at school. |
panic | hoảng loạn | I panicked when I got lost. |
rack my brain | vắt óc suy nghĩ | I racked my brain to find the classroom. |
bump into someone | tình cờ gặp ai | I bumped into a friendly girl. |
hit it off | nhanh chóng thân thiết | We hit it off right away. |
on edge | lo lắng, căng thẳng | I was on edge at first. |
calm down | bình tĩnh lại | I gradually calmed down. |
a blessing in disguise | trong cái rủi có cái may | It was a blessing in disguise. |
🎤 Speaking Part 3:
1. What would parents prepare when their kids go to school on the first day?
I’d say parents usually prepare school essentials like uniforms, stationery, and a backpack. They make sure everything is ready beforehand so their child doesn’t feel rushed.
More importantly, they should reassure their kids, because the first day can be quite nerve-racking. This helps children settle into their new environment more easily.
📚 Vocabulary:
🔹school essentials: đồ dùng thiết yếu cho việc học
🔹reassure someone: trấn an ai
🔹nerve-racking: căng thẳng, hồi hộp
🔹settle into: thích nghi với
2. How do children socialize with each other?
I think children mainly socialize through play and group activities. Playing games or working together gives them plenty of chances to interact with one another.
They also learn social skills by joining conversations and activities. Over time, they figure out how to make friends and get along with different personalities.
📚 Vocabulary:
🔹group activities: hoạt động nhóm
🔹interact with: tương tác với
🔹get along with: hòa hợp với
3. Is socialization important for children?
Absolutely. Socialization helps children build up their confidence because they learn how to express their opinions and communicate with others.
It also teaches them how to cooperate and work things out when conflicts come up. These are important skills that they can carry into adulthood.
📚 Vocabulary:
🔹build up one’s confidence: xây dựng sự tự tin
🔹work things out: giải quyết bất đồng
🔹carry something into adulthood: áp dụng/mang theo vào tuổi trưởng thành
4. What are the reasons for job change?
There are quite a few reasons. Some people change jobs because they want better career prospects, a higher salary, or opportunities to move up the career ladder.
Others may feel burned out or undervalued in their current position. In that case, they may decide to move on and find a healthier workplace.
📚 Vocabulary:
🔹better career prospects: triển vọng nghề nghiệp tốt hơn
🔹move up the career ladder: thăng tiến
🔹burned out: kiệt sức vì công việc
🔹move on: bước tiếp, chuyển sang điều mới
5. Are big companies better than small companies? Why?
I wouldn’t say one is necessarily better than the other. Big companies often offer more career opportunities, better training, and clearer promotion paths.
That said, small companies can be more flexible and less hierarchical. Employees may take on different responsibilities and gain a wider range of skills.
📚 Vocabulary:
🔹career opportunities: cơ hội nghề nghiệp
🔹promotion paths: lộ trình thăng tiến
🔹hierarchical: có nhiều cấp bậc
🔹take on: đảm nhận
6. What are the advantages and disadvantages that come along with changing jobs?
One major advantage is that changing jobs can open up new opportunities. People may get a better salary, learn new skills, and step out of their comfort zone.
However, starting over can be stressful because it takes time to settle into a new workplace. If someone changes jobs too frequently, it might work against them.
📚 Vocabulary:
🔹open up new opportunities: mở ra cơ hội mới
🔹step out of one’s comfort zone: bước ra khỏi vùng an toàn
🔹settle into: thích nghi với
🔹work against someone: gây bất lợi cho ai
