Part 2: Describe a game you played in your childhood
You should say:
What the game was
When you played it
Who you played with
How you felt about the game
Các bài mẫu trên trang web này có khá nhiều từ vựng nâng cao. Mình không phải muốn ‘nhồi nhét’ để các bạn ‘ngợp’ đâu, mà mong muốn tạo thêm nhiều cơ hội để các bạn trau dồi thêm vốn từ vựng. Nếu có phần nào cảm thấy hơi khó, các bạn cứ thoải mái đơn giản hóa lại nhé!
Các bài mẫu chỉ mang tính chất tham khảo và đều đạt tiêu chuẩn từ vựng (lexical resource) và ngữ pháp (grammatical range and accuracy) ở mức 8+. Tuy nhiên, bạn không nên học thuộc lòng mà hãy trả lời theo cách/câu chuyện của riêng mình. Đồng thời, đừng quên chú trọng vào hai tiêu chí quan trọng nhất: phát âm (pronunciation) và độ trôi chảy (fluency).
Với đề này thì hồi nhỏ mình cũng không chơi nhiều game lắm, chỉ có oẳn tù tì xong búng tai (cái này thì hơi đơn giản), chơi nhảy dây với chơi đồ đoàn (cái này thì hơi nữ tính và chơi đồ đoàn thì cũng không gọi là game), còn lại thì có chơi trốn tìm, nên mình sẽ nói về cái này nhé.
Bài mẫu
Growing up in the countryside, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of vast green fields, serene rivers, rolling hills, and endless blue skies, I often reminisce about my childhood as the most joyful period of my life. It was a time of innocence, freedom, and endless play, where I indulged in various games. Among them, hide-and-seek holds a particularly special place in my heart.
Hide-and-seek is a classic game that requires a minimum of 4-5 players. One child is designated as the seeker, responsible for finding the rest of the participants, the hiders. The game would begin with the seeker covering their eyes and counting to 10, giving the hiders just enough time to dash off and conceal themselves. Once the countdown ended, the real excitement started—the seeker embarked on a meticulous search for those hidden. What I loved most about the game was the intense suspense that came with waiting in silence, trying not to make a sound. The thrill of hiding, holding your breath, and praying not to be discovered was exhilarating. Of course, someone inevitably got caught, and that person would take on the role of the next seeker.
I used to play this game with my cousins, neighborhood friends, and classmates. We were all around 6 or 7 years old at the time, and it was a daily ritual during holidays or weekends. Sadly, as I progressed to secondary school, the tradition faded. In my country, hide-and-seek is considered a game for children, rarely played by adults.
The simplicity of the game was what made it so captivating. In contrast to today’s digital world, where children often become absorbed in video games and technology, I sometimes find myself nostalgic for those days of simple yet profound joy. Hide-and-seek offered pure, unadulterated fun, and I fondly miss the sense of freedom it brought.
Vocabulary
- Breathtaking: /ˈbrɛθˌteɪkɪŋ/: Extremely beautiful or astonishing
Vietnamese: Đẹp đến ngỡ ngàng - Reminisce: /ˌrɛmɪˈnɪs/: To think, talk, or write about a past event or experience with fondness. Vietnamese: Hồi tưởng, nhớ lại
- Innocence: /ˈɪnəsəns/: Lack of experience or understanding of the bad things in life
Vietnamese: Sự ngây thơ - Indulged: /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/: Allow oneself to enjoy something
Vietnamese: Thưởng thức, đắm chìm vào - Dash off: /dæʃ ɔf/: To run or move quickly
Vietnamese: Chạy vội - Meticulous: /məˈtɪkjələs/: Very careful and with great attention to every detail
Vietnamese: Tỉ mỉ, kỹ càng - Exhilarating: /ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪŋ/: Making one feel very happy and excited
Vietnamese: Hào hứng, phấn khởi - Conceal: /kənˈsiːl/: To hide or keep secret
Vietnamese: Giấu, che giấu - Nostalgic: /nɑˈstælʤɪk/: Longing for the past or remembering it fondly
Vietnamese: Hoài niệm, nhớ lại những điều đã qua - Unadulterated: /ˌʌnəˈdʌltəˌreɪtɪd/: Not mixed with any other substances; pure
Vietnamese: Thuần túy, không pha tạp - Profound: /prəˈfaʊnd/: Deep and meaningful
Vietnamese: Sâu sắc, thâm thúy - Captivating: /ˈkæptɪˌveɪtɪŋ/: Holding your attention completely because something is so interesting or charming. Vietnamese: Quyến rũ, thu hút
Part 3:
1. Do you think traditional games are still important for children today?
Absolutely! Traditional games foster creativity, teamwork, and physical activity, which are essential for a child’s development. Unlike digital games, traditional games encourage face-to-face interaction, helping children build social skills. Moreover, they are often passed down through generations, serving as a link between the past and present. However, with the rise of technology, many children today may not have the chance to experience the joy of these games, which I think is unfortunate.
2. How do games that children play today differ from the ones you played?
The main difference lies in the fact that children today are more inclined to play technology-driven games, like video games or online multiplayer games. These games can be captivating, but they often lack the physical and outdoor elements that traditional games like hide-and-seek or tag offer. Back in my childhood, our games were simple, yet they required a lot of imagination and physical activity, whereas today’s games can be more about virtual environments and screens.
3. What can children learn from playing traditional games?
Children can learn a wide array of skills from traditional games. For instance, they develop problem-solving skills when strategizing during a game, and they also learn about the importance of cooperation and fair play. Traditional games can also teach children how to handle losing gracefully, which is a crucial life lesson. Moreover, these games often require physical agility, so they help children stay active and healthy.
4. Do you think outdoor games are better for children than indoor games? Why or why not?
In my opinion, outdoor games are far more beneficial for children. They offer the chance to breathe fresh air and engage in physical activity, which is vital for their physical and mental well-being. Playing outdoors also fosters creativity as children often need to make use of their surroundings for the games. However, indoor games, especially board games or puzzles, have their own virtues as they encourage cognitive development and problem-solving. A balance between both is ideal.
5. Why do some games become popular across different cultures?
Some games become popular across different cultures because they tap into universal human experiences, like competition, fun, or collaboration. Games like soccer or chess have simple rules but require skill and strategy, making them appealing to people of all backgrounds. Additionally, with the rise of globalization, many games are now shared through the internet, movies, and social media, which further enhances their cross-cultural appeal. The simplicity and adaptability of certain games allow them to transcend cultural barriers.
Vocabulary
- Foster (v): /ˈfɑstər/: to promote or encourage development. (Khuyến khích)
- Social skills (n): /ˈsoʊʃəl skɪlz/: abilities that facilitate interaction and communication. (Kỹ năng xã hội)
- Generations (n): /ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃənz/: groups of people born and living during the same time period. (Thế hệ)
- Technology-driven (adj): /tɛkˈnɑlədʒi-ˈdrɪvən/: powered or influenced by modern technology.
(Thúc đẩy bởi công nghệ) - Imagination (n): /ɪˌmædʒɪˈneɪʃən/: the ability to form ideas or pictures in your mind.
(Trí tưởng tượng) - Virtual environments (n): /ˈvɜrʧuəl ɪnˈvaɪrənmənts/: computer-generated spaces where
(Môi trường ảo) - Problem-solving (n): /ˈprɑbləm-ˈsɑlvɪŋ/: the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues. (Giải quyết vấn đề)
- Fair play (n): /fɛr pleɪ/: respect for the rules and the equal treatment of all involved. (Chơi công bằng)
- Physical agility (n): /ˈfɪzɪkəl əˈdʒɪləti/: the ability to move quickly and easily. (Sự linh hoạt thể chất)
- Physical and mental well-being (n): /ˈfɪzɪkəl ənd ˈmɛntəl wɛl-ˈbiɪŋ/: the state of being healthy in body and mind. (Sức khỏe thể chất và tinh thần)
- Cognitive development (n): /ˈkɑgnɪtɪv dɪˈvɛləpmənt/: the growth of a child’s ability to think and understand. (Phát triển nhận thức)
- Tap into (phr v): /tæp ˈɪntu/: to make use of something in a way that brings good results. (Khai thác)
- Collaboration (n): /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/: working together towards a common goal. (Sự hợp tác)
- Globalization (n): /ˌgloʊbələˈzeɪʃən/: the process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence. (Toàn cầu hóa)