Chocolate

1. Do you like eating chocolate? (Why/Why not?)
Not particularly. I don’t have a sweet tooth, and I tend to prioritize a healthier, leaner diet. While I do enjoy the occasional treat, I usually steer clear of sugary foods like chocolate to maintain my fitness goals.

2. Have you ever given chocolate to someone as a gift?
Yes, I have. After studying in the UK, I brought back some premium chocolate as gifts for my friends and students in Vietnam. It felt like a thoughtful souvenir, representing a small part of my experience abroad, and it was something I knew they would enjoy.

3. Did you often eat chocolate when you were a child?
No, not really. Chocolate wasn’t as widely available or popular in Vietnam during my childhood. Instead, I preferred local snacks, like mixed mangoes or savory treats like Oishi crisps, which were more common and suited my tastes better.

4. When was the first time you ate chocolate?
I honestly can’t recall the exact moment I first tried chocolate. It was probably when I was a kid, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me at the time. I remember being more captivated by local snacks like mixed mangoes or savory treats, which were far more common in my childhood environment. Chocolate simply didn’t stand out to me the way it might for others who grew up in places where it was more readily available or celebrated.

5. Why do you think chocolate is popular around the world?
I believe chocolate’s global popularity stems from its universal appeal. It’s easy to eat, comes in many varieties, and suits a wide range of tastes. Its versatility, whether eaten on its own or incorporated into desserts, is likely why so many people around the world love it.

6. What’s your favorite flavor of chocolate?
Mint chocolate is definitely my favorite. There’s something about the cool, refreshing taste of mint combined with the richness of chocolate that makes it feel unique and more exciting than the usual flavors. I enjoy the balance between the two contrasting tastes—sweet and refreshing—which gives it a sophisticated twist that always leaves me feeling satisfied without being overwhelmed by sweetness.

Vocabulary

1. Sweet tooth: /liːn ˈbɒdi/: A slim and toned physique with minimal body fat.
   Meaning (Vietnamese): Thân hình thon gọn, ít mỡ.
2. Captivated: /ˈkæp.tɪ.veɪ.tɪd/: Strongly attracted or charmed by something.
   Meaning (Vietnamese): Bị cuốn hút, mê hoặc.
3. Savory/ˈseɪvəri/: (Of food) having a salty or spicy flavor rather than a sweet one.
   Meaning (Vietnamese): Thơm ngon, vị mặn hoặc cay.
4. Readily available: /ˈrɛdɪli əˈveɪləb(ə)l/: Easy to obtain or access without much effort.
   Meaning (Vietnamese): Có sẵn, dễ tiếp cận.
5. Refreshing: /rɪˈfreʃɪŋ/: Pleasantly fresh or different; making you feel energized.
   Meaning (Vietnamese): Sảng khoái, tươi mới.
6. Appeal:/əˈpiːl/: The quality of being attractive or interesting; the ability to attract or engage interest.
   Meaning (Vietnamese): Sự hấp dẫn, lôi cuốn.
7. Impressed: /ɪmˈprɛst/: To feel admiration or respect for something or someone.
   Meaning (Vietnamese): Bị ấn tượng.
8. Mint:/mɪnt/: A herb often used to add a refreshing flavor, particularly in sweets like chocolate.
   Meaning (Vietnamese): Bạc hà.
9. Sophisticated: /səˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd/: Having a refined, worldly sense; highly developed or complex.
   Meaning (Vietnamese): Tinh vi, phức tạp, tinh tế.
10. Contrasting: /ˈkɒntræstɪŋ/: Showing a significant difference between two or more things.
    Meaning (Vietnamese): Tương phản, khác biệt.