I love the idea of having a two-storey house because I think it would be enough for a small family to live cosily. It would have to be painted blue, which is my favourite colour, and the ceiling would be beautifully decorated with star and moon ornaments.

I love natural lights rather than artificial lights so each room would have its own windows. The windows would also be decorated with coloured string lights and various flowers, which would create a cosy atmosphere for my family. I would hang some photos of inspirational quotes on the walls in case I need some motivation. Each bedroom would have a balcony where we can enjoy the breathtaking view of the sea.

The perfect location would be by the sea because I love the idea of sitting on the beach and watching the sunrise and the sunset every day. Another reason is that the weather in coastal areas is usually nice―not too hot and not too cold. It’s pleasant almost all year round.

I think I would have to save a lot of money if I want to buy a house like this. The price of property has gone up dramatically in recent years, especially in coastal areas, but I think it’s really worth it.

• I think
• I believe
• I feel
• I suppose
• I guess
• According to me
• In my view
• In my opinion
• It seems to me that
• From my perspective
• It appears that
• From/ In my point of view
• From my standpoint
• From my viewpoint
• As far/So far as I’m concerned
• As far as I know
• Personally, I think
• I’d like to point out that
• What I mean is
• Generally it is thought that
• Some people say that
• Well, it is considered that
• It is generally accepted that
• My impression is that
• It goes without saying that
• First of all I’d like to point out
• The main problem is
• Speaking of
• What we have to decide is

• … well …
• … actually …
• … you know/you see …
• … it’s like this …
• … it’s sort of/kind of …
• … the thing is …
• … what I’m trying to say is …
• … what I mean is …
• … as a matter of fact …
• … as I say …
• … how shall I put it?

• There are two sides to the question.
• On the one hand …, on the other hand
• An argument for/in favor of/against is
• While admitting that … one should not forget that
• Some people think that …, others say that
• Although I must admit that

• I hold the view that
• I’m of the opinion that
• I agree
• I totally agree
• Definitely
• I couldn’t agree more
• Absolutely
• Precisely….
• I’d go along with that view to a point
• Sure, that’s one way of looking at it
• I suppose so
• I think so too
• I’d go along with that
• I second that
• I’m convinced that
• I’m (absolutely) sure
• I have no doubt that
• I think/don’t think that
• As I see it
• I tend to think
• I have the feeling that
• The way I see it,
• Let me back up/support this idea with a few
• I’ve reached this conclusion for a number of reasons
• The main problem is
• As everyone knows
• There can be no doubt that
• It is a fact that
• Nobody will deny that

• That’s one way of looking at it, however
• I completely disagree
• Well, I see things rather differently
• Umm, I’m not sure about that
• I’m not sure I go along with that view
• I don’t really agree with that idea
• I agree up to a point, but
• I wouldn’t quite put it that way myself
• I still have my doubts
• I can’t/ couldn’t go along with that
• I find that very difficult to accept
• Not necessarily
• That’s not always true
• There is no way I could agree with that
• I don’t think so
• No, I’m not sure about that because
• I’m afraid I have to disagree
• I’m of a different
• I doubt whether
• I tend to
• I’m not sure if/whether that’s
• That may be (the case), but

• The obvious conclusion is
• Last but not least
• The only alternative (left) is
• The only possible solution/conclusion is
• Summing up, I’d like to say that
• In conclusion we can say that
• To cut a long story short,
• Just to give you the main points again,

Scuba diving is not an easy sport compared to some others, like kayaking or sailing because, unlike the latter, it requires special gear and training beforehand. Nonetheless, I believe it is worth trying, especially for those who want to explore a whole new world underwater. When we dive, it is as if we are flying underwater. We can see incredible sea creatures and also hear the sound of bubbles while we breathe.

It is possible to scuba dive in my home country of Vietnam. The country has a very long coastline with diverse marine life and a lot of colourful coral, so there are many diving spots, one of which is a small island in the southern region called Con Dao, which I highly recommend. The main reason is that the waters are crystal clear all year round, and the coral there is impressively large.

I have only ever been scuba diving once when I was a senior at university. I travelled to Con Dao, the island I recommend, and scuba-dived with one of my close friends. I hope that one day soon, we will be able to return to Con Dao and scuba dive in other locations across the island.

Additionally, the character development was subpar = unprofesstional. The main protagonist, who was meant to be relatable and compelling, came across as shallow and uninteresting. Their actions and decisions throughout the movie lacked depth and didn't evoke any emotional connection. I found myself not caring about what happened to them, which greatly impacted my overall viewing experience.

Moreover, the pacing of the film was off. It started off promisingly, but as the story progressed, it became slow and dragged on unnecessarily. This contributed to a sense of boredom and made it challenging to stay invested in the movie's outcome.

Lastly, the film's ending left a lot to be desired. It felt rushed and lacked a satisfying resolution. Many plot points were left unresolved, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and questioning the purpose of certain storylines.

Overall, the movie "Lost in the Shadows" disappointed me due to its weak storyline, lackluster character development, poor pacing, and unsatisfying ending. Despite watching it with a group of friends, we all felt let down by the film's execution and the missed opportunities to create a captivating and engaging experience.

In my school, there’s a really long list of rules we have to follow, and one of them is the strict policy against cheating during examinations and assignments. 

If students break this rule, it will definitely lead to severe consequences. If a student is caught cheating, they often receive a failing grade for that assignment or exam. In some cases, repeated violations can result in suspension or expulsion from the school. 

(The importance of this rule cannot be overstated)= It's really important because it ensures that students are evaluated fairly based on their knowledge and skills rather than dishonest tactics. Moreover, it fosters a culture of honesty and integrity, which are essential values in both education and society.

Lastly, it encourages students to truly learn and understand the subject matter, as cheating undermines their own educational development. 

Personally, I feel that this rule is crucial to maintaining the quality and credibility of our education system. It ensures that hard work and genuine effort are rewarded, and it creates an environment where students are motivated to excel through their own abilities.

While it may seem strict, it ultimately contributes to a more honest and trustworthy academic atmosphere, which benefits all students in the long run.

• without a doubt: không nghi ngờ gì, rõ ràng là
• medium of communication: phương tiện giao tiếp
• internet connectivity: kết nối mạng internet
• virtual (adj): ảo
• contain (v): chứa đựng
• enormous (adj): khổng lồ 
• rummage (v): lục lọi, tìm kiếm
• search engine (n): công cụ tìm kiếm
• platform (n): nền tảng
• obtain (v): đạt được 
• access (n) (v): truy cập
• endless (adj): vô tận

You probably know the Western version of this game, which is known as King chess. The former is more popular among younger generations, whereas the latter is mostly played by older people. I personally enjoy both of them equally.

These games are difficult in that you have think to ahead and plan your steps carefully, while keeping an eye on your opponent’s moves. This is exactly the kind of challenge that I relish, and I feel excited whenever I manage to outwit the other player.

Chess games are also a good way to build a bond with your friends, since they encourage healthy rivalry and prevent you from being arrogant because there’s always someone who’s able to beat you.

- I was a freshman in university and I was invited to make a Chinese public speaking at the beginning day of the year.

- At that time, I knew a little bit Chinese and I didn't think that I was good enough to make any speaking in public in that kind of language.

- So I had to learn day by day to improve my Chinese quickly. I listened to Chinese all the time, when I did the housework, cook(ed) and even when I was taking a bath.

- I gotta tell you I feel extremely uncomfortable and shy when talking in front of many people in Chinese, so this was almost hard for me. But finally, I could do it well.

- Since then, I haven’t felt /afraid of /public speaking in Chinese at all, I have become more confident and I think that is good!