created by Bui Hoang Nhi Hc ng Hoa Trng Nguyn 212 Nguyn Hong, Nng 12/2016

TOPICS SPEAKING FOR GRADE 8- THE FIRST SEMESTER

TOPIC 1 LEISURE ACTIVITY
Talk about your favorite leisure activities. Do you think its good for you? Why?
Reading book is my favorite leisure activities. It is both interesting and useful.
Firstly, It is a way to relax when I sit in my favorite place and discover new things around the world without going
anywhere.
Secondly, books help me get knowledge of all areas that I need. Reading is a cheap and safe way to travel and go on
adventures with my favorite characters.

Whenever I have free time, I read books. I like many kinds of book such as novels, comic, and science books. I
really fancy reading science books which my father gave me on my 12 th birthday. It helps me know more about the
world where I live.
In short, reading books not only helps me become smarter but also brings me happiness.

TOPIC 2: LIFE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

What do you like about the countryside? What dont you like about the countryside?
The countryside is a wonderful place for me to visit on my holiday.

The first thing I like about the countryside is the slow pace of life. I often go there to get some peace, fresh air and
fresh food. I feel healthier when I stay in the countryside.
Another good thing is the beautiful landscapes as well as peaceful hills and forests. I love admiring them. This
makes me feel less stressed.
I also love the people here, they are very friendly and helpful.

However, it is inconvenient to live in the countryside for a long time.

The facilities here are not good. Schools, internet or medical services are not available.
Besides, theres almost nothing to do at night to I feel bored. No nightclubs, no coffee shops, no restaurants and no
amusement parks.
Talk about the advantages of living in the countryside?
In my opinion, life in the countryside has many advantages.
Firstly, village people are more friendly than city folks. Village people build their personal relationship with all
people and often take care of each other.
Secondly, village people live close to the nature and breathe in the fresh air, as well as eat fresh foods, vegetables,
fruits collected directly from the garden.
Finally, there are lots of traditional activities that they can do in the countryside such as fishing, swimming in the
river or kite-flying. For these reasons, I prefer living in the countryside.

How has your countryside changed? Are these changes positive or negative?
My hometown has changed a lot.
Firstly, the local people have different appearance with fashionable clothes.
Secondly, most people now live a modern life with smart phones, motorbikes or cars. They are living in modern
brick houses or even villas.
created by Bui Hoang Nhi Hc ng Hoa Trng Nguyn 212 Nguyn Hong, Nng 12/2016
Besides, the Internet is very popular among the residents and they use it for learning, making new friends and
playing games. They feel really happy and satisfied about these changes.

TOPIC 3: PEOPLES OF VIETNAM

Talk about life of an ethnic group.

I belong to The Kinh group, also called The Viet people, is the majority ethnic group of Vietnam, comprising about
86% of the population.
The Kinh people settle almost everywhere in Vietnam. Vietnamese is the native language of the Kinh people.
Growing rice is the main economic activity of the Kinh. We also raise cattle and poultry. We celebrate a lot of
festivals during the year. Our biggest festival is Lunar New Year festival which takes place on the first day of the
lunar calendar.
The husband is the head of the family. He will make important decisions while the wife will take care of the
children and the household chores. Vietnamese families respect customs and traditions like taking care of parents
when they get old to compensate for the gift of birth and upbringing.
Our traditional costumes are Ao Dai and Ao Ba Ba.

TOPIC 4: OUR CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Talk about your family customs and traditions.
Like other Vietnamese people, my family have tour own customs and traditions. Some of them are passed down from
the previous generations.

We have the custom of having dinner at 7 sharp. Therefore, I have the habit of always coming back home before 7
to gather with my family members.
The custom of visiting grandparents every weekend and bring them some good food helps me feel closer to them
and always try to manage my time to see them.
There is a tradition in my family that we have a reunion with all the relatives on New Years Eve. We often give
each other best wishes and lucky money.
We also follow the tradition of taking care of our parents when they get old to compensate for the gift of birth and
upbringing.

Family customs and traditions are very valuable. Whenever I go, I will never forget them.

TOPIC5: FESTIVALS
Talk about a festival in Vietnam.

I like the Hung King Temple festivals a lot.

It is held in Phu Tho province from the 8 th to 11th of the third lunar month every year.

It commemorates and worships the Hung Kings who are the founders and also the first emperors of the nation.

Its impressive because there is a procession from the foot of Nghia Linh mountain to the High Temple on the top of
the mountain.
 created by Bui Hoang Nhi Hc ng Hoa Trng Nguyn 212 Nguyn Hong, Nng 12/2016
While you are there, you can attend a ceremony of offering incense and specialities to the Hung Kings. Moreover,
there are also some great activities such as bamboo swings, lion dances, wrestling and Xoan singing performances.

I like this festival because it helps me know more our ancestors. I also like it because there are a lot of great
activities.