Đề thi VSTEP Speaking: 30 đề 3 phần có đồng hồ (30 Timed Tasks with B2 Model Answers)

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

1. I come from Huế, in central Vietnam. It is best known for the old citadel and the royal tombs along the Perfume River, and of course for bún bò Huế, which is spicier than most people expect.

2. What I like most is how calm it is. People walk more slowly, my neighbours have known me since I was a child, and in the evening you can sit by the river without hearing a single horn.

3. It has changed quite a lot. There are many more hotels and coffee shops now, and the roads near the centre have been widened. The downside is that the traffic has become much heavier, especially during festivals.

4. On weekdays I usually listen to podcasts or watch football highlights after class. At weekends I go for coffee with my roommates, and sometimes we cycle around the lake early in the morning, before it gets too hot.

5. I prefer being with other people, because I spend most of the week studying on my own. Talking to friends helps me relax. Still, I need a quiet evening now and then just to read or sleep.

6. Yes, I would really like to learn the guitar. A friend of mine plays at parties and everyone joins in. I have watched a few online lessons, but I think I need a real teacher to stop repeating the same mistakes.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Lan has three choices: the dormitory, a rented room with friends, or her aunt's house. In my opinion, the dormitory is the best choice, at least for her first year.

The main reason is location. The dormitory is on campus, so she can walk to class in five minutes instead of riding through rush-hour traffic. That saves time and money every day, and she will never miss an early lecture because of a traffic jam. The second reason is people. In the first year everyone is new, and the dormitory is where study groups and clubs begin. For a student from a small town, that kind of support matters a lot.

So why not rent a room with friends? It is true that she would have more freedom and probably a nicer room. However, renting in Hanoi is expensive once you add electricity, water and a deposit, and she would have to sign a contract before she even knows the city. If one friend moves out, the other two have to pay more. I think this option suits the second or third year better, when she knows which area she likes.

Living with her aunt is the cheapest option, and her parents would feel reassured. The problem is distance. Ten kilometres in Hanoi can take forty minutes at peak times, and she might feel she has to follow the family's rules and come home early. That would make it hard to join evening activities and make friends.

So, all things considered, I would recommend the dormitory. It is cheap, safe and close to everything she needs. If she finds it too noisy, she can move into a shared room next year.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Today I would like to talk about the benefits of reading books. I will focus on knowledge, imagination and relaxation, and then add one idea of my own.

The first and most obvious benefit is knowledge. A good book goes much deeper than a short video. For example, last year I read a book about the Mekong Delta, and I learnt more about how a river shapes people's lives than I had in years of school geography. Books are also written slowly and checked carefully, so the information is usually more reliable than what we see on social media.

The second benefit is imagination. When you watch a film, the director decides what everything looks like. When you read a novel, you build the characters and places in your own head. I think this also makes readers more understanding, because they spend hours inside the mind of someone very different from themselves, such as a fisherman, a soldier or a girl growing up in another country.

Third, reading helps us relax. After a day of lectures and messages, half an hour with a book before bed calms me down far more than scrolling on my phone. There are no notifications and no adverts, just one story.

Finally, I would add that reading improves our language. Most of my English vocabulary came from simple English readers, not from word lists, because I saw each word used in a real sentence several times.

To sum up, books give us knowledge, imagination, rest and better language. That is why I try to read a few pages every day, even in the exam season.

Follow-up 1: I think they read just as much, but in a different way. They read messages, comments and short articles all day. What has really fallen is reading long texts, because short videos compete for the same free time.

Follow-up 2: E-books are better for carrying many books and for reading at night, and they are often cheaper. For studying, though, I still prefer paper, because I remember more when I can see where something is on the page.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

1. I am a third-year accounting student at a university in Hanoi. I chose it because my mother runs a small shop, and I saw how much she needed someone she could trust with the numbers.

2. Honestly, the hardest part is English. The textbooks are getting easier for me, but I still need a certificate to graduate, and speaking for twelve minutes in English makes me nervous.

3. I hope to work for an auditing firm for a few years to get experience. After that, I would like to do a master's degree, possibly abroad if I can win a scholarship.

4. During the semester I get up at about six, because my first class starts at seven. At weekends I let myself sleep until eight, but my body usually wakes me up earlier anyway.

5. Usually something quick, like a bánh mì from the stall near my dormitory or a small packet of sticky rice. On Sundays, when I have more time, I go out for phở with friends.

6. For me, the morning is better. My mind is clearer and the dormitory is quiet. At night I get tired easily and I tend to check my phone instead of reading, so I keep the evening for lighter tasks.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

We have to choose between a day trip, a class dinner and a donation to a charity for children in a mountain area. I believe the donation is the best way to use the prize.

First, the money will make a much bigger difference there than it would for us. For thirty students, a dinner is one pleasant evening. For a small school in the mountains, the same amount could buy warm jackets, books or school bags for many children before winter. Second, our project was about community development, so donating the prize fits what we actually worked on. It would show that we meant what we wrote.

Of course, a day trip has real advantages. It would bring the class closer together, and we have hardly spent any time together outside lectures. But a trip costs more than it seems. Transport, tickets and food for thirty people would probably need extra money from each student, and not everyone can afford that. It would also be difficult to find a date when everyone is free.

A class dinner is easier to organise, and it is a nice way to celebrate. The problem is that it is over in two hours, and people usually sit with the friends they already have, so it does not really build the class. We could easily have a simple dinner later and each pay for ourselves.

So my choice is the donation. If the class agrees, we could even deliver the things ourselves next semester. That would give us a shared trip as well, and a much better story to tell.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

I am going to talk about why learning a foreign language at university is essential. I will look at three reasons: jobs, studying abroad and understanding other cultures.

Let me start with jobs. Vietnam trades with almost every country in the world, and many companies here work with foreign partners every day. An accountant who can read an English contract, or an engineer who can explain a problem to a Korean manager, is worth much more to an employer. In job advertisements, a foreign language is often listed as a requirement, not just an advantage.

The second reason is studying abroad. Every year many Vietnamese students apply for scholarships in Australia, Japan, Europe and the United States. Without a good level of English, or the language of that country, even an excellent student cannot get in. University is the right time to prepare, because the language takes years to build, and the application deadlines come quickly after graduation.

Third, a language helps us understand other cultures. When I read news in English, I see how other countries talk about the same events, and sometimes their view is very different from ours. That makes me more open-minded. A language is not only a tool; it is a window into how other people think.

I would like to add one more point. Learning a language trains the brain. It improves memory and teaches discipline, because nobody becomes fluent without practising a little every day.

So, to conclude, a foreign language gives students better jobs, more chances to study abroad and a wider view of the world. In my opinion, every university should treat it as a core subject.

Follow-up 1: Translation apps are useful for travelling, but I do not think they will replace learning. In a job interview or a business meeting, you cannot stop every sentence to use your phone, and an app cannot build a relationship for you.

Follow-up 2: I think it is fine to start early with songs and games, as long as it is fun. The bigger problem is that many young children learn only from worksheets, which makes them dislike English before they really start.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

1. My favourite dish is bún chả. I love the smell of the grilled pork and the way you mix the noodles, herbs and dipping sauce yourself, so every bite is slightly different. It also reminds me of lunches with my grandfather.

2. Not very often, to be honest. I share a room with no proper kitchen, so I only cook simple things like eggs or noodles. When I go home, though, I help my mother prepare dinner.

3. Yes, I think so. There are many more fried chicken and burger shops near schools now, and delivery apps make ordering very easy. Most students choose it because it is fast, not because it is healthy.

4. It is getting cooler now, which is a relief after the summer. The mornings are fresh, but it can still rain heavily in the afternoon, so I keep a raincoat under my motorbike seat.

5. I like autumn best. In Hanoi the air is dry and cool, the sky is clear, and you can smell the milk flowers in the streets in the evening. It is the best time to walk around the lakes.

6. Quite a lot. When it is very hot, I stay indoors and study in an air-conditioned café. In the rainy season I plan my journeys more carefully, because some streets flood quickly after a big storm.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Minh has three months and one clear problem, which is speaking. He could join the English club, take an online course with a teacher, or find a language exchange partner. I think the online course is the best option for him.

The main reason is feedback. Minh does not only need to speak more; he needs someone to tell him exactly what is wrong, for example that he drops the final sounds of words or that his answers are too short. A teacher can hear these problems and correct them every week. The second reason is focus. A good course follows the test format, so he can practise the three parts under time pressure, which is very different from chatting.

The English club is a good idea, and it is free. However, most members are at a similar level, so nobody corrects anyone, and the same mistakes simply get repeated. Also, a club usually talks about whatever topic comes up, which is enjoyable but not the same as preparing for an exam.

A language exchange partner would give him a lot of speaking time, and he might make a friend. The problem is that it depends on another person. Partners often cancel, or they want to practise Vietnamese more than English. And a partner is not a teacher, so they may not notice Minh's mistakes, or they may be too polite to mention them.

So, in my view, the course is the best choice for the next three months. If Minh has free evenings as well, he could join the club for extra practice, but the teacher's feedback should come first.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Today's topic is the negative effects of social media on teenagers. I agree that the effects can be serious, and I will talk about three of them: wasted time, mental health, and privacy and safety.

First, social media wastes a huge amount of time. Apps are designed to keep us scrolling, with endless videos and notifications. A teenager who opens an app for five minutes before doing homework often looks up an hour later. My younger brother is in grade nine, and his biggest problem is not difficult homework; it is starting it at all.

The second effect is on mental health. Teenagers compare themselves with the perfect photos they see online: perfect faces, perfect holidays, perfect grades. They forget that people only post their best moments. This can make them feel ugly, boring or not good enough. There is also cyberbullying, which is worse than bullying at school because it follows you home and never stops.

Third, there are risks to privacy and safety. Many teenagers share their school, their location and even their phone number without thinking. Strangers can use that information, and some pretend to be young people to gain trust. Teenagers also do not realise that a photo they post at fifteen can still be found when they apply for a job at twenty-two.

In my own view, there is one more problem: sleep. Many teenagers use their phones in bed, and the light and the content keep their brains awake, so they are tired at school the next day.

To sum up, social media can waste teenagers' time, harm their mental health, put their privacy at risk and damage their sleep. It is not all bad, but young people need clear rules and guidance to use it safely.

Follow-up 1: Parents should set simple rules, like no phones after ten at night, and follow the same rules themselves. Talking openly is also important, so children feel they can tell their parents when something goes wrong online.

Follow-up 2: Yes, it does. Teenagers can learn skills from short videos, join study groups and keep in touch with friends who have moved away. The problem is not the tool itself but how much and how carefully they use it.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

1. I ride a motorbike, like most people in my city. It normally takes me about twenty minutes to get to campus, but in the rush hour it can easily take forty.

2. The biggest problem is congestion at peak times, especially at large junctions. There is also a lot of noise and dust, and when it rains hard some roads flood, so the traffic gets even slower.

3. Yes, I would. A few of my friends have started taking the metro, and they say it is cheaper and much less tiring. If there were a station closer to my house, I would switch tomorrow.

4. Too much, honestly. My phone says around five hours a day, although part of that is studying with online dictionaries and lecture slides.

5. Mainly for messaging and studying. I use Zalo to talk to my family and classmates, and I watch English videos on the bus. I also pay for almost everything with a banking app now.

6. I think thirteen or fourteen is about right. Before that, children only need a phone to call their parents, so a simple one is enough. A smartphone too early can pull them away from homework and playing outside.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Mr Hùng needs to travel twelve kilometres to the city centre every day, and he could use his motorbike, the bus or an electric bicycle. I would advise him to take the bus.

My first reason is that the bus is the least stressful option. Riding through rush-hour traffic for twelve kilometres means breathing in smoke, watching for other drivers and arriving tired before the day has even started. On the bus he can sit, listen to music or answer emails, so the journey becomes useful time. My second reason is cost. A monthly bus pass is much cheaper than petrol and parking in the city centre, where parking is hard to find and often expensive.

Of course, the motorbike is the most flexible. He can leave whenever he wants and go straight to the door. However, flexibility is less important for a regular trip to the same office at the same time every day. And in heavy rain or in the summer heat, riding for half an hour is unpleasant and not very safe.

The electric bicycle is cheap to run and better for the environment, and I like the idea. The problem is the distance. Twelve kilometres each way is a long ride, especially in a shirt and trousers, and an electric bicycle is slow on busy main roads. He would also have to worry about charging it and keeping it safe from thieves.

So, overall, I think the bus is the most sensible choice. If the route is not convenient, he could ride to a nearby bus stop and take the bus from there, which combines the best of two options.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

I am going to talk about whether living in a big city has more advantages than disadvantages. My answer is yes, for most young people, and I will explain why using three ideas: jobs, education and health care, and the costs.

The biggest advantage is job opportunities. Most large companies, banks and foreign firms have their offices in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. A graduate in the city can attend interviews, change jobs and build a network much more easily than in a small town. Even part-time work is easier to find, which helps students pay for their studies.

The second advantage is better education and health care. The best universities, language centres and libraries are in the cities. The same is true for hospitals. When my grandmother needed an operation, my family had to bring her from our province to a hospital in Hanoi, because the specialist was only there.

However, I have to admit that city life has real disadvantages, and the main ones are cost and pollution. Rent in the centre is very expensive, and many young workers spend a large part of their salary on a small room. The air quality is also poor on many days, especially in winter, and traffic jams waste hours every week.

I would add one more point that people often forget, which is loneliness. In the countryside everyone knows each other, while in the city you can live next door to someone for years without speaking.

So, in summary, I believe the advantages are greater, especially for young people who want to build a career. But the city is better for a period of life rather than forever. Many people move back home later, when they want a calmer life.

Follow-up 1: Yes, probably. When I am older and have children, I would like a house with a garden and cleaner air. With online work becoming more common, it may be possible to live in the countryside and still have a good job.

Follow-up 2: Cities could build more metro lines and make buses faster with their own lanes. They could also encourage companies to let staff start work at different times, so that not everyone is on the road at eight o'clock.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

1. We always go back to my grandparents' house in the countryside. On the last day of the old year we clean the house and wrap bánh chưng together, and on the first morning we visit relatives and give lucky money to the children.

2. I enjoy having time without deadlines. During the semester I always feel I am rushing, so a holiday is a chance to sleep properly, see old friends and eat my mother's cooking.

3. Yes, quite a lot. More families now travel during Tết instead of staying at home, and many people send greetings by message rather than visiting. My grandparents feel the holiday has become a little less warm.

4. There are five of us: my parents, my younger brother, my grandmother and me. My grandmother moved in with us a few years ago, after my grandfather passed away.

5. I am closest to my mother. She is the person I call when I have a problem, because she listens first and gives advice later. My father is kind too, but he is quieter and works long hours.

6. Not really, I am afraid. Parents work late and children have extra classes, so dinner is often the only time everyone is together, and even then people look at their phones. In my family we have a rule: no phones at the table.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Thảo has six free weeks and three ways to use them: a café job, volunteering in a rural area, or a short course in a skill like graphic design. In my opinion, the course is the best use of her summer.

The first reason is that a skill lasts much longer than six weeks. If she learns graphic design, she can use it in her studies, in a part-time job next year and later on her CV. Many employers now expect young staff to make simple posters or social media posts, so it gives her a real advantage. The second reason is that summer is the only time she can study something properly. During the semester she will be too busy with her main subjects.

A café job would give her some money and experience of dealing with customers, which is useful. However, the work is repetitive, and after the first week she would not learn much more. The money is also quite small compared with what a new skill could help her earn later.

Volunteering in a rural area is a wonderful experience, and I really respect people who do it. The problem is that a good volunteer programme needs preparation, and six weeks is short for building a relationship with the children. It can also cost money for travel and food, which she may not have.

So I would recommend the course. If she still wants to help others, she could offer to design posters for a charity for free. That way she practises her new skill and does something good at the same time.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

My topic is whether university students should work part-time while they study. I think they should, as long as the job is not too many hours, and I will give three reasons: money, experience and time management.

First, a part-time job helps students earn money. Life in the city is expensive, and many families in the countryside struggle to pay for rent and food as well as tuition. Even a small income from tutoring or working in a shop reduces the pressure on parents. It also teaches students the real value of money, because they know how many hours it takes to earn it.

Second, students gain work experience. Employers often ask for experience, even for a first job, and a part-time job is a way to get it. Working in a café, for example, teaches you to deal with customers, to work in a team and to stay calm when it is busy. These soft skills are hard to learn in a classroom, and they look good on a CV.

Third, a job teaches time management. When you have only a few free hours, you cannot waste them. Many of my friends who work actually study more efficiently than those who do not, because they plan their week carefully.

From my own experience, I would add that a job builds confidence. When I started tutoring, I was nervous about speaking to parents. After a few months, I felt much more comfortable talking to adults and explaining my ideas.

To sum up, part-time work brings money, experience, better time management and confidence. However, students should limit it to around fifteen hours a week, because their studies must come first.

Follow-up 1: Yes, it can, if the job takes too many hours or finishes late at night. A student who works until eleven every evening will be tired in class. That is why the number of hours matters more than the job itself.

Follow-up 2: Jobs that are flexible and related to your studies are best, such as tutoring, translating or helping in a university office. They give experience in your field and usually let you change your hours during exams.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

1. Yes, I do, although I read less than I would like. I mostly read science articles and books about habits and productivity. At the moment I am reading a translated book about how to build a daily routine.

2. I prefer printed books. I can concentrate better without notifications, and I like writing notes in the margins. For news and short articles, though, my phone is more convenient.

3. Yes, a lot. My parents bought me comic books every month, and I used to read them under the blanket with a torch after bedtime. That is probably where my love of stories came from.

4. I listen to almost everything, but my favourite is Vietnamese indie music. The lyrics are often poetic, and the singers write about ordinary life in the city, which I find easy to relate to.

5. Only when I am doing something simple, like tidying my notes. If I need to memorise or understand something difficult, I turn it off, because I start following the lyrics instead of my book.

6. I can play the piano a little. I had lessons for two years at primary school, but I stopped when I moved to secondary school. I wish I had continued, because now I can only play a few easy songs.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

The family wants to use less plastic, and they could bring their own bags and boxes, sort their rubbish for recycling, or buy a water filter. I think bringing their own bags and boxes is the best place to start.

The main reason is that it stops plastic before it enters the house. Every trip to the market or the supermarket usually ends with five or six plastic bags, and takeaway food comes in boxes and cups that are used for ten minutes and then thrown away. If the family keeps a few cloth bags and two lunch boxes by the door, they can cut most of that immediately. The second reason is that it costs almost nothing, and the children can see the difference, so it becomes a family habit.

Sorting rubbish for recycling is also important. However, it deals with plastic after it has already been bought. In many areas, sorted waste is collected together with everything else, so the family's effort may not lead to real recycling. It is still worth doing, but it is a second step, not the first.

A water filter is a good investment, and it would replace a lot of bottles. The problem is the cost at the beginning, and it only solves one kind of plastic. If the family does not buy much bottled water, the filter will not change very much.

So, all in all, I would advise them to start with bags and boxes. Once that is a habit, they can add sorting at home. Small steps that the whole family can keep doing are better than one big change that they give up after a month.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Today I would like to talk about how ordinary people can protect the environment in daily life. I will discuss reducing plastic, saving electricity and water, and using public transport, and then add an idea of my own.

The first way is to reduce plastic. In Vietnam we use plastic bags for almost everything, from vegetables at the market to a cup of iced coffee. Most of these are used once and end up in rivers or the sea. If everyone carried a cloth bag and a reusable bottle, the amount of waste would fall dramatically. It is a small habit, but millions of small habits make a big difference.

The second way is to save electricity and water. In the hot season, air conditioners run all day, and most of our electricity still comes from burning fuel. Simple actions, like setting the air conditioner to twenty-six degrees, turning off lights when we leave a room and taking shorter showers, save energy and also reduce the family's bills. So it helps the environment and our wallets at the same time.

Third, we can use public transport more. Millions of motorbikes on the roads produce a lot of smoke, which is one reason why the air in big cities is so polluted. Taking the bus or the metro, or cycling for short trips, reduces this pollution. It is also less stressful than riding in traffic.

My own idea is to buy less in general. We often buy clothes and gadgets that we do not really need, and producing them uses energy and creates waste. Repairing things and buying second-hand are good ways to change that.

To sum up, reducing plastic, saving energy and water, using public transport and buying less are all practical ways to help. None of them is difficult, and if we start today, we can protect the environment for the next generation.

Follow-up 1: I think both are responsible, but governments have more power. Individuals can change their habits, but only the government can build metro lines, collect waste properly and make rules for factories. Each needs the other.

Follow-up 2: A complete ban might be too sudden for small sellers at markets. I would prefer a small charge for every bag first, as some countries have done, and a ban later when people are used to bringing their own.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

1. For clothes I prefer real shops, because I want to try things on. For everything else, like books, phone cases or things for my room, I buy online. It is cheaper and it arrives at my dormitory in a day or two.

2. The last thing I bought was a pair of running shoes. My old ones had a hole in the side, and I am training for a charity run next month, so I needed something more comfortable.

3. Always. I check two or three shopping apps and read the reviews that have photos. Sometimes the same product is much cheaper on one site, but I also look at how long the delivery takes.

4. I see my close friends about once a week, usually on Saturday evening. During exam weeks we hardly meet at all, but we keep in touch through a group chat.

5. We usually sit in a café and talk for hours, or we play badminton in the park near the university. Once or twice a semester we take a day trip out of the city.

6. For me, a good friend is someone who is honest with you, even when the truth is uncomfortable. They also stay with you when things go wrong, not only when everything is going well.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Vy is stressed, she is not sleeping, and she has two weeks left. She could make a strict timetable, exercise every day, or study with a group. Although it may sound surprising, I think daily exercise is the best solution.

My reason is that Vy's real problem is not a lack of study time. It is stress, and stress is stopping her from using the time she already has. Thirty minutes of running, cycling or even fast walking helps the body release tension, and most people sleep much better after it. If she sleeps well, she will concentrate better the next day, and every hour of study will be worth more. Secondly, exercise gives her a short break from her books and her phone, which she probably needs.

A strict timetable sounds sensible, and some planning is necessary. However, a timetable for every hour can make stress worse. As soon as she falls behind, which always happens, she will feel she has failed, and that will add to the pressure. A simple daily list of three tasks would be better than a strict hourly plan.

Studying with a group can be motivating, and friends can explain difficult points. The problem is that groups often become chatting sessions, and if the others are also stressed, their worries can spread to Vy. In the last two weeks, she needs to control her own time.

So my advice is to start with exercise. Once she is sleeping better, she can add a light plan for each day. A calm mind will help her more than an extra hour at the desk.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

My topic today is whether online learning can replace classroom learning. My view is that online learning is an excellent addition to the classroom, but it cannot fully replace it. I will explain this by looking at flexibility, cost and interaction.

Let me begin with flexibility, which is the strongest argument for online learning. Students can watch a lecture at any time, pause it and watch difficult parts again. This is very helpful for people who work or live far from a university. A civil servant in a rural district, for example, can take a master's course in the evening without moving to the city.

The second point is cost. Online courses are often cheaper, because there is no building to maintain, and students save money on rent and transport. However, the costs do not disappear completely. Students need a good laptop and a stable internet connection, which not every family in the countryside has.

The third point, and in my opinion the most important, is interaction. In a classroom, a teacher can see from your face that you are confused and explain again. You can also discuss ideas with classmates, work in groups and build friendships. Online, many students switch off their cameras and stay silent, and it is easy to lose concentration and start checking social media.

I would also add that some skills simply need to be practised in person, such as laboratory work in science, medical training or sports. You cannot learn to examine a patient through a screen.

To sum up, online learning offers flexibility and can lower costs, but it lacks the interaction and practical training that a classroom provides. The best solution is to combine the two, so that students get the advantages of both.

Follow-up 1: For me, the hardest part was staying motivated. At home there were too many distractions, and without classmates around me, I often postponed watching the recorded lectures until the night before a test.

Follow-up 2: Subjects with practical skills are the most difficult, for example chemistry experiments, nursing or physical education. Speaking a language is also harder online, because conversation with a delay feels unnatural.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

1. I play badminton twice a week with my roommates. It is cheap, there is a court next to our dormitory, and an hour of it makes me forget about my assignments.

2. Football is by far the most popular. When the national team plays an important match, the whole country stops to watch, and people ride around waving flags if we win. Badminton and running are also becoming popular.

3. Yes, I think they should. Students sit in classrooms and extra classes for most of the day, and many of them hardly move at all. Even one or two more hours of sport a week would help their health and their concentration.

4. I live in a narrow lane near Cầu Giấy, where a lot of students rent rooms. The houses are tall and close together, with street food stalls at the end of the lane. It is noisy during the day, but very convenient.

5. I would love a small park or a public library nearby. At the moment, if I want to study somewhere quiet or go for a walk, I have to ride for fifteen minutes.

6. Not very well, to be honest. Most people in my lane are students like me who move every year. I do know the woman who runs the shop downstairs, though. She always keeps my parcels when I am out.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

My brother and I want to celebrate our parents' twenty-fifth anniversary, and we can choose a restaurant dinner, a photo book with a video, or a weekend at the beach. I think the photo book and video would be the best gift.

First of all, it is personal. A dinner or a trip is something they could buy for themselves, but nobody else could make this present. We would collect old photos from our grandparents and relatives, and record short messages from the people who know them best. I am sure my mother would cry, in a good way. Second, it fits our budget. It costs time rather than money, and we have more time than money at the moment.

A dinner at a nice restaurant is a lovely idea, and it is easy to organise. However, it lasts one evening, and my parents always worry about the prices on the menu, so they might not really enjoy it. Also, after twenty-five years, they have had many dinners out. It would not feel special enough.

A weekend at the beach would be relaxing, and they rarely take a holiday. The problem is the cost. With hotel, transport and food for two people, it would take most of our savings. My father also finds it hard to leave his work for two days, so the trip might cause stress instead of joy.

So, overall, I would choose the photo book and the video. The best part is that it will last. Years from now, they can open the book and remember the day. If we have a little money left, we could cook a special dinner for them at home as well.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

I am going to talk about the benefits that tourism brings to local communities. I will focus on jobs and income, better roads and services, and the protection of local culture.

The first and biggest benefit is jobs and income. When tourists come to a town, they need hotels, restaurants, guides, drivers and souvenir shops. In many coastal and mountain areas of Vietnam, families who used to depend only on farming or fishing now run homestays or sell local products. This extra income allows them to send their children to better schools.

The second benefit is better infrastructure. To attract visitors, local authorities often build new roads, improve the electricity supply and open health centres. These improvements are not only for tourists. Local people use the same roads to take their products to market and the same clinics when they are ill. A road built for tour buses can change life for a whole valley.

Third, tourism can help protect local culture. When visitors are interested in traditional music, crafts or festivals, young people see that their culture has value, and they are more likely to learn it. In some villages, old weaving or pottery skills that were disappearing are now taught again because tourists want to buy the products and watch them being made.

However, I must add one idea of my own, which is that these benefits only come if tourism is managed well. Too many visitors can bring rubbish, noise and higher prices, and sometimes the money goes to companies from outside rather than to local people.

To sum up, tourism can create jobs, improve infrastructure and keep traditions alive. If it is planned carefully, with local people involved, it brings far more good than harm.

Follow-up 1: The main problems are pollution, overcrowding and rising prices. In some popular places, rents become so high that local families have to move out, and the town starts to look the same as every other tourist town.

Follow-up 2: Yes, I think very popular places should. A daily limit with online booking would protect the site and give every visitor a better experience. The money from tickets could be used to maintain the area.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

1. Last summer I went to Đà Nẵng with three classmates. We stayed for four days, swam every morning and spent one whole day walking around the old town in Hội An, which is not far away.

2. I prefer a small group. Travelling alone sounds exciting, but I like sharing meals and costs, and it is safer to have someone with you if something goes wrong.

3. I would recommend Ninh Bình. You can take a small boat along the river between limestone mountains, and climb a hill to see the rice fields from above. It is also close enough to Hanoi for a day trip.

4. I have been learning English since grade three, so for about twelve years. However, I only started practising speaking seriously last year, when I realised I needed a certificate to graduate.

5. Speaking is definitely the hardest. At school we mainly did grammar and reading exercises, so I understand a lot, but when I have to answer quickly my mind goes blank.

6. I watch English videos with subtitles on the bus, and every evening I record myself answering one question for two minutes. Listening back is uncomfortable, but it shows me exactly where I stop or repeat words.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Parents are worried about a primary school on a busy main road, and the local authorities could station traffic police at the gate, lower the speed limit with speed bumps, or start a school bus. In my view, the lower speed limit with speed bumps is the best solution.

The main reason is that it works all day, every day, without anyone having to be there. Speed is what makes an accident serious. A car or motorbike at thirty kilometres an hour has time to stop when a child runs into the road; at fifty it often does not. Speed bumps force drivers to slow down even when they are in a hurry or not paying attention. The second reason is cost. Once the bumps and signs are built, they need very little money to maintain.

Traffic police at the gate would certainly help, and parents would feel reassured. However, they would only be there for an hour or so in the morning and afternoon. Children also come early, stay late for activities and cross the road at lunchtime. And paying officers to stand at every school gate is expensive for the authorities.

A school bus service is safe for the children who use it. The problem is that many families live close to the school and would still walk or ride, so the busy road would remain dangerous for them. A bus service also costs parents money, and not every family can afford it.

So, overall, I support the speed limit and the speed bumps. If there is enough budget later, the authorities could add a zebra crossing with a crossing guard, which would make the road safer still.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Today I am going to explain why people should do exercise regularly. I will talk about physical health, mental health and social life, and then share one idea of my own.

The first reason is physical health. Regular exercise strengthens the heart, keeps our weight under control and makes our bones and muscles stronger. Many office workers and students sit for eight or ten hours a day, and this can lead to back pain and serious illnesses later in life. Even thirty minutes of walking or cycling most days can make a real difference.

The second reason is mental health. When we exercise, the body releases chemicals that make us feel happier and calmer. I notice this myself: on days when I play badminton, I sleep better and I feel less worried about my exams. For people under a lot of pressure at work or at university, exercise is a cheap and natural way to deal with stress.

Third, exercise improves our social life. Joining a football team, a running club or a dance class is a great way to meet new people, especially when you move to a new city. In the parks of Hanoi early in the morning, you can see groups of older people doing exercise together, and for many of them it is the best part of the day because they meet their friends.

My own idea is that exercise teaches discipline. If you can make yourself go for a run when it is cold or when you are tired, you can use the same discipline for studying or working.

To sum up, regular exercise keeps our bodies healthy, protects our mental health, helps us make friends and builds discipline. It does not need to be expensive or difficult; the important thing is to do it regularly.

Follow-up 1: I think the main reasons are lack of time and lack of motivation. After a long day, people are tired and prefer to rest on the sofa. Also, the results of exercise come slowly, so many people give up before they see any change.

Follow-up 2: Yes, I think it would be a good idea. Even a short exercise break would make staff healthier and more productive, and companies would probably save money because fewer people would take sick leave.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

1. Yes, I tutor a ten-year-old boy in English three evenings a week. Before that I worked in a milk tea shop for one summer, which taught me to stay polite when customers were rude.

2. I would like to work in the public sector, perhaps in a provincial department of education. I want a stable job where I can help improve schools in my home province.

3. It depends on what you want. A big company usually offers better training and a clear career path, while in a small one you learn many different things quickly. For a first job, I think a big company is safer.

4. I use Facebook for news and university groups, and TikTok for short videos when I am tired. I spend less time on Instagram these days, because it makes me compare my life with other people's.

5. Yes, definitely. I learnt to cook several simple dishes from short videos, and I follow an account that explains one English idiom a day. It is a small habit, but it adds up.

6. Some people do. They post where they are, what they are eating and even their family problems. Apart from the privacy risks, it can make other people feel that their own lives are not good enough.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

Ngọc has three offers: a well-paid job at a large company in Ho Chi Minh City, a job at a start-up in Hanoi, or a public-sector job in her home province. In my opinion, the public-sector job is the best choice for her.

My first reason is stability. A public-sector position offers a steady income, clear rules for promotion and good benefits, so she can plan her life, for example saving to buy a home. Many private jobs, and especially start-up jobs, can disappear quickly when the economy is difficult. My second reason is family. Living near her parents means lower living costs, because she will not pay high rent, and she can support them as they get older. That matters a lot in Vietnamese families.

The job in Ho Chi Minh City has the highest salary, and I understand why it is attractive. However, the cost of living there is much higher, so the difference in salary would be smaller than it looks. She would also be far from home, and long working hours in a big private company can be exhausting.

The start-up would teach her many skills quickly, which is a real advantage for a young graduate. The problem is risk. Small start-ups often run out of money, and she might have to look for a new job within a year or two. The salary may also be low at the beginning.

So, all things considered, I would advise her to accept the public-sector job. It gives her security and keeps her close to her family. If she later wants a new challenge, she will have experience and savings to make the move safely.

Model answer written by TalkDrill at B2 (VSTEP Level 4). Not an official answer and not marked by ULIS.

My topic is why traditional festivals should be preserved. I strongly agree with this idea, and I will support it with three points: family bonds, cultural identity, and tourism and the local economy.

First of all, festivals bring families together. Tết is the clearest example. People who work far away, even abroad, travel home to spend those days with their parents and grandparents. Cooking together, visiting relatives and remembering our ancestors make family members feel close again after a busy year. Without the festival, many families would rarely all be in the same place.

Secondly, festivals are part of our cultural identity. The Mid-Autumn Festival, with its lanterns, lion dances and mooncakes, teaches children stories and values that have been passed down for generations. In a world where young people watch the same films and use the same apps everywhere, festivals remind us who we are and where we come from.

Thirdly, festivals can support tourism and the local economy. Many visitors come to Vietnam specifically to see traditional celebrations, such as lantern nights or village festivals. During these events, local people sell food, crafts and decorations, and hotels and restaurants are full. So preserving festivals is not only about the past; it also creates income today.

I would like to add that festivals do not have to stay exactly the same. They can change a little to suit modern life, for example by using fewer firecrackers or more environmentally friendly decorations, as long as their meaning is kept.

To sum up, traditional festivals strengthen family bonds, protect our cultural identity and benefit the economy. That is why we should keep them alive and pass them on to the next generation.

Follow-up 1: I think some young people are less interested in the rituals, but they still love the family time and the food. Many of them celebrate in their own way, for example by sharing photos and greetings online, so the interest is changing rather than disappearing.

Follow-up 2: Personally, I would not make it much shorter, because it is the only long holiday when families can travel home. But businesses could be more flexible, for example by letting staff choose some of the days, so the economy does not stop for too long.