Part 1 — Education and Learning (Giáo dục và học tập)

Chủ đề Education and Learning rất phổ biến ở Part 1. Giám khảo thường hỏi về trải nghiệm học tập, phương pháp học, và quan điểm về giáo dục.

Câu hỏi 1: What subject did you enjoy most at school?

Trả lời mẫu: "I enjoyed English the most when I was in school. I found it fascinating to learn a new language and discover different cultures through textbooks and listening exercises. My English teacher was also very inspiring — she made the lessons interactive with games and group discussions. That's probably why I developed a passion for languages that continues to this day."

Câu hỏi 2: How do you prefer to learn new things?

Trả lời mẫu: "I'm quite a visual learner, so I prefer watching videos and using diagrams to understand new concepts. YouTube has been incredibly helpful for me — I've learned everything from cooking techniques to Excel shortcuts through tutorials. I also find that practicing immediately after learning something new helps me retain the information much better than just reading about it."

Câu hỏi 3: Do you think the education system in Vietnam has improved?

Trả lời mẫu: "Yes, I think there have been significant improvements. The new general education curriculum introduced in recent years focuses more on developing critical thinking and practical skills rather than rote memorization. Schools now have better facilities, and technology is being integrated into classrooms. However, there's still a lot of pressure on students from exams, which I think needs to be addressed."

Từ vựng hữu ích — Education

Part 1 — Shopping and Money (Mua sắm và tiền bạc)

Chủ đề Shopping and Money là topic thực tế mà hầu hết thí sinh đều có trải nghiệm để chia sẻ.

Câu hỏi 1: Do you prefer shopping online or in stores?

Trả lời mẫu: "I'd say I prefer shopping online these days. It's much more convenient — I can browse hundreds of products from my phone, compare prices easily, and have everything delivered to my door. Apps like Shopee and Lazada often have great discounts too. However, for clothes and shoes, I still prefer going to physical stores because I need to try things on to make sure they fit properly."

Câu hỏi 2: Are you good at saving money?

Trả lời mẫu: "I'd like to think so, but it's not always easy. I try to save at least 20 percent of my salary every month by transferring it to a separate savings account right after payday. I also avoid impulse buying by waiting 24 hours before purchasing anything that costs more than 500,000 dong. This simple rule has helped me save a significant amount over the years."

Câu hỏi 3: What was the last thing you bought that made you happy?

Trả lời mẫu: "The last purchase that really made me happy was a pair of running shoes. I'd been using old, worn-out sneakers for months, and the new shoes made such a difference. They're lightweight, comfortable, and have excellent cushioning. Since I bought them, I've been running more frequently and even improved my personal best time. It was definitely money well spent."

Từ vựng hữu ích — Shopping

Part 1 — Weather and Seasons (Thời tiết và các mùa)

Chủ đề Weather and Seasons tưởng đơn giản nhưng cho phép bạn thể hiện từ vựng miêu tả phong phú.

Câu hỏi 1: What is the weather like in your city?

Trả lời mẫu: "I live in Hanoi, which has four distinct seasons. Summers are extremely hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching 38 or 39 degrees Celsius. Winters can be quite chilly and damp, especially in January. My favorite time is autumn — from September to November — when the weather is pleasantly cool and the sky is beautifully clear. Spring is lovely too, but it tends to be drizzly."

Câu hỏi 2: What is your favorite season and why?

Trả lời mẫu: "Autumn is definitely my favorite season. I love the mild temperatures and the golden sunlight in the late afternoon. In Hanoi, autumn is especially beautiful with the falling leaves and the fragrance of 'hoa sữa' — milk flowers that bloom along the streets. It's also the perfect weather for outdoor activities like cycling around West Lake or having coffee at a sidewalk café."

Câu hỏi 3: Does the weather affect your mood?

Trả lời mẫu: "Absolutely. I find that sunny days make me feel more energetic and motivated, while rainy, gloomy days tend to make me feel a bit lazy and sleepy. During the hot summer months, I sometimes feel irritable because of the heat. That's why I try to be aware of how weather affects me and adjust my plans accordingly — for example, I schedule outdoor activities on nice days and save indoor tasks for rainy ones."

Từ vựng hữu ích — Weather

Chủ đề Environment đòi hỏi từ vựng ở mức B1-B2. Đây là cơ hội để bạn thể hiện vốn từ học thuật hơn.

Câu hỏi 1: What environmental problems are common in your area?

Trả lời mẫu: "The biggest environmental problem in my city is air pollution. During winter, the air quality index often reaches unhealthy levels due to traffic emissions, construction dust, and crop burning in surrounding areas. Another serious issue is plastic waste — you can see plastic bags and bottles littered along rivers and canals. The local government has been trying to address these issues, but progress has been slow."

Câu hỏi 2: Do you do anything to protect the environment?

Trả lời mẫu: "I try to do my part, although I know it's not enough. I bring my own reusable bags when shopping and always carry a water bottle instead of buying plastic ones. I also sort my waste into recyclable and non-recyclable categories. Recently, I started using public transportation more often instead of driving my motorbike. Small actions may seem insignificant, but I believe they add up if everyone contributes."

Câu hỏi 3: Do you think environmental education is important for children?

Trả lời mẫu: "Definitely. I think environmental education should start from a very young age. Children who understand the importance of protecting nature are more likely to develop responsible habits as adults. Schools can organize activities like planting trees, cleaning up beaches, or visiting recycling centers. When children experience environmental issues firsthand, the lessons become much more meaningful than just reading about them in textbooks."

Từ vựng hữu ích — Environment

Part 1 — Media and News (Truyền thông và tin tức)

Chủ đề Media and News ngày càng xuất hiện nhiều trong đề thi VSTEP. Hãy chuẩn bị quan điểm về cách bạn tiếp nhận tin tức.

Câu hỏi 1: How do you usually get your news?

Trả lời mẫu: "I mainly get my news from online sources. Every morning, I scroll through VnExpress and Tuoi Tre on my phone during breakfast. I also follow several news pages on Facebook and Zalo. I rarely watch TV news anymore because online articles are more convenient — I can read them anytime and choose the topics I'm interested in. For important events, I sometimes listen to podcasts that provide in-depth analysis."

Câu hỏi 2: Do you think social media is a reliable source of news?

Trả lời mẫu: "Not entirely. While social media helps news spread quickly, it also makes it easier for misinformation to go viral. I've seen many cases where false stories were shared thousands of times before being corrected. That's why I always try to verify information by checking official news sources before sharing anything. I think media literacy is a crucial skill that everyone needs to develop."

Câu hỏi 3: What type of news interests you the most?

Trả lời mẫu: "I'm most interested in news about education and technology. Since I work in the public sector, I also follow policy updates and civil service news closely. I find economic news helpful for making personal financial decisions. I tend to avoid sensational crime news because I find it quite disturbing. I believe it's important to be well-informed, but you also need to be selective about what you consume."

Từ vựng hữu ích — Media

Part 1 — Culture and Traditions (Văn hóa và truyền thống)

Chủ đề Culture and Traditions cho phép bạn chia sẻ kiến thức về văn hóa Việt Nam, tạo ấn tượng tốt với giám khảo.

Câu hỏi 1: What is the most important festival in Vietnam?

Trả lời mẫu: "Without a doubt, Tet — the Lunar New Year — is the most important festival in Vietnam. It usually falls in late January or February and lasts about a week. Families reunite, visit temples, and exchange lucky money in red envelopes. The atmosphere is incredibly festive with flower markets, traditional foods like 'bánh chưng', and firecrackers at midnight. For Vietnamese people, Tet represents new beginnings and family togetherness."

Câu hỏi 2: Are young people in Vietnam interested in traditional culture?

Trả lời mẫu: "I think it's a mixed picture. On one hand, many young people are more attracted to modern pop culture — K-pop, Western movies, and social media trends. On the other hand, I've noticed a growing movement among young Vietnamese to rediscover and preserve traditional culture. For example, wearing 'áo dài' has become fashionable again, and many young people now attend traditional music concerts. I find this trend very encouraging."

Câu hỏi 3: Do you think it's important to preserve traditions?

Trả lời mẫu: "Absolutely. Traditions are part of our identity and connect us to our roots. Without them, we risk losing our cultural uniqueness in an increasingly globalized world. However, I also believe that some traditions need to evolve with the times. For instance, the custom of burning paper offerings during festivals is now being reconsidered due to environmental concerns. I think the key is to keep the meaningful aspects of traditions while adapting practices that no longer serve us well."

Từ vựng hữu ích — Culture

Part 2 — Cấu trúc và kỹ thuật trả lời

Part 2 kéo dài 4 phút. Bạn nhận một tình huống (situation) với 3 lựa chọn (options). Bạn thảo luận với giám khảo về ưu/nhược điểm từng option, rồi đưa ra quyết định cuối cùng.

1. Quy trình 4 phút

2. Mẫu câu thảo luận từng option

Nêu ưu điểm:

• "The main advantage of this option is..."
• "One strong point about this is..."
• "I think this could work well because..."

Nêu nhược điểm:

• "However, the downside is..."
• "On the other hand, one concern is..."
• "The potential problem with this is..."

So sánh các options:

• "Compared to the first option, this one..."
• "This seems more practical than..."
• "While option A focuses on..., this one addresses..."

3. Mẫu câu đưa ra quyết định

• "After considering all three options, I'd go with... because..."
• "Overall, I think option... is the best choice because..."
• "Taking everything into account, I believe... would be most effective."

4. Mẹo quan trọng cho Part 2

5. Ví dụ mẫu ngắn

Situation: Your office wants to organize a team-building activity. There are three options:

• A. A day trip to a nearby beach
• B. A cooking class together
• C. A sports tournament

Mẫu trả lời (đoạn mở đầu): "Let's discuss these options. The first one — a day trip to a nearby beach — sounds really appealing. The main advantage is that everyone can relax in a natural setting, away from the office environment. However, the downside is that it depends heavily on the weather. If it rains, the whole plan could be ruined..."

Situation

Your school is planning an event to celebrate the end of the academic year. There are three options:

• Option A: A talent show where students can perform
• Option B: A sports day with various competitions
• Option C: A charity fair to raise money for local children

Gợi ý thảo luận

Bài trả lời mẫu

"Let me discuss these three options. Starting with Option A — the talent show, I think it's a great idea because it gives students a chance to showcase their abilities, whether it's singing, dancing, or playing music. It can be very entertaining for everyone. However, the drawback is that only a few students would actively participate while others just watch.

Moving on to Option B — the sports day, this is a more inclusive option because almost everyone can join different sports activities. It promotes physical health and teamwork. The concern though is that outdoor events depend on weather, and there's always a risk of injuries.

As for Option C — the charity fair, I find this the most meaningful because it combines fun with a good cause. Students can set up booths, sell handmade products, and raise money for underprivileged children. It teaches students about social responsibility.

After considering all three, I'd choose Option C. Although it requires more planning, the educational value and social impact make it the best choice for a school event. Students would not only have fun but also learn the importance of giving back to the community."

Từ vựng nổi bật

• showcase abilities — thể hiện khả năng
• inclusive option — lựa chọn bao trùm (ai cũng tham gia được)
• good cause — mục đích tốt đẹp
• underprivileged children — trẻ em có hoàn cảnh khó khăn
• giving back to the community — đóng góp cho cộng đồng

Situation

You and your family are planning a 3-day holiday. There are three destination options:

• Option A: A beach resort in Phu Quoc
• Option B: A mountain retreat in Sa Pa
• Option C: A cultural tour in Hue

Gợi ý thảo luận

Bài trả lời mẫu

"These are all wonderful destinations. Let me consider each one. Option A — a beach resort in Phu Quoc would be fantastic for relaxation. My family loves swimming and sunbathing, and Phu Quoc has some of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. However, if we go during peak season, it might be very crowded and expensive.

Option B — Sa Pa appeals to me because of its cool climate and stunning scenery. The terraced rice fields are breathtaking, and we could learn about ethnic minority cultures. The downside is that the terrain might be challenging for my elderly parents and young niece.

Option C — Hue offers a rich cultural experience. We could visit the Imperial Citadel, royal tombs, and enjoy the famous Hue cuisine. It's also more affordable compared to the other two options. However, there might not be enough fun activities for children.

Considering that my family includes elderly parents and young children, I'd choose Option A — Phu Quoc. A beach resort is the most suitable for all ages. Everyone can enjoy themselves — children can play in the sand, adults can swim, and grandparents can relax by the pool."

Từ vựng nổi bật

• peak season — mùa cao điểm
• stunning scenery — phong cảnh tuyệt đẹp
• terraced rice fields — ruộng bậc thang
• breathtaking — đẹp ngoạn mục
• suitable for all ages — phù hợp mọi lứa tuổi

Situation

Your neighborhood has received funding for a community project. There are three proposals:

• Option A: Build a small public library
• Option B: Create a community garden
• Option C: Set up a free Wi-Fi zone with outdoor seating

Gợi ý thảo luận

Bài trả lời mẫu

"Let's look at these three proposals. Option A — building a public library is a noble idea. It would provide a quiet space for reading and studying, especially beneficial for students who don't have a good study environment at home. However, the construction and ongoing operational costs would be quite high, and we'd need to hire a librarian.

For Option B — a community garden, I think this is a wonderful way to bring neighbors together. People could grow vegetables, flowers, and enjoy outdoor activities. It would also make the neighborhood greener and more attractive. The challenge is that it requires regular maintenance — someone needs to water the plants, trim the hedges, and keep the area clean.

Option C — a free Wi-Fi zone is very practical in today's digital age. People could work remotely, students could do research, and elderly residents could video-call their families. The outdoor seating would also create a pleasant social space. The running costs are relatively low compared to a library.

After weighing all the options, I'd recommend Option B — the community garden. I believe it addresses something our neighborhood really needs — a green space where people can connect with nature and with each other. In an increasingly digital world, having a physical space for community interaction is invaluable."

Từ vựng nổi bật

• ongoing operational costs — chi phí vận hành liên tục
• regular maintenance — bảo trì thường xuyên
• work remotely — làm việc từ xa
• weighing all the options — cân nhắc tất cả lựa chọn
• community interaction — tương tác cộng đồng