BI LUN TING ANH MU THEO CH

PHN 1
Life in the city
Bi mu
Life in the city is full of activity. Early in the morning hundreds of people rush out of their homes
in the manner ants do when their nest is broken. Soon the streets are full of traffic. Shops and
offices open, students flock to their schools and the day's work begins. The city now throb with
activity, and it is full of noise. Hundreds of sight-seers, tourists and others visit many places of
interest in the city while businessmen from various parts of the world arrive to transact business.
Then towards evening, the offices and day schools begin to close. Many of the shops too close.
There is now a rush for buses and other means of transport. Everyone seems to be in a hurry to
reach home. As a result of this rush, many accidents occur. One who has not been to the city
before finds it hard to move about at this time. Soon, however, there is almost no activity in
several parts of the city. These parts are usually the business centres. With the coming of night,
another kind of actvity begins. The streets are now full of colorful lights. The air is cooler and
life becomes more leisurely. People now seek entertainment. Many visit the cinemas, parks and
clubs, while others remain indoors to watch television or listen to the radio. Some visit friends
and relatives and some spend their time reading books and magazines. Those who are interested
in politics discuss the latest political developments. At the same time, hundreds of crimes are
committed. Thieves and robbers who wait for the coming of night become active, and misfortune
descends upon many. For the greed of a few, many are killed, and some live in constant fear. To
bring criminals to justice, the officers of the law are always on the move.
Workers and others who seek advancement in their careers attend educational institutions which
are open till late in the night. Hundreds of them sit for various examinations every year. The
facilities and opportunities that the people in the city have to further their studies and increase
their knowledge of human affairs are indeed many. As a result, the people of the city are usually
better informed than those of the village, where even a newspaper is sometimes difficult to get.
The city could, therefore, be described as a place of ceaseless activity. Here, the drama of life is
enacted every day.
Bi dch
Cuc sng thnh th cuc sng thnh th rt nhn nhp. T t m sng hng trm ngi a ra
khi nh nh n kin v t. Chng bao lu sau ng ph ngnght xe c. Cc ca hng v
vn phng m ca. Hc sinh hi h cp sch n trng v mt ngy lm vic bt u. Gi y
thnh ph hot ng nhn nhp v y p ting huyn no. Hng trm ngi ngon cnh, du
khch v nhiu ngi khc ving thm nhng thng cnh ca thnh ph trong khi cc doanh nhn
t nhiu ni trn th gii n trao i cng vic lm n.
Tri v chiu, nhng vn phng v trng hc bt u ng ca. Nhiu ca hng cng ng ca.
Lc ny din ra mt cuc x n xe but v cc phng tin vn chuyn khc. Dng nh
mi ngi u vi v v nh. Kt qu ca s.vi v ny l nhiu tai nn xy ra. Nhng ai cha
tng n thnh ph cm thy kh m i li vo gi ny. Tuy v khng bao lu sau mt s khu
vc ca thnh ph nh ngng hot ng. Nhng ni ny thng l cc trung tm kinh doanh.
m xung, mt hnh thc hot ng khc li bt u. ng ph trn ngp nh n mu. Bu
khng kh du xung v cuc sng tr nn th th hn. Gi y ngi tm n nhng th vui gii
tr. Nhiu ngi n rp chiu bng, cng vin v cu lc b, trong khi nhng ngi khc nh

xem ti vi v nghe i pht thanh. C ngi i thm bn b v b con. C ngi dnh th gi c

sch v tp ch. Nhng ngi quan tm n chnh tr bn lun v nhng s kin chnh tr nng
hi. Cng trong thi gian ny, hng trm v trm cp din ra. Trm cp ch m xung
hot ng, v vn ri p xung nhiu ngi. Ch v lng tham ca mt s t ngi m nhiu
ngi s b git, v nhiu ngi khc phi sng trong cnh s hi trin min . a ti phm ra
trc cng l, cc vin chc lut php lun lun sn sng hnh ng.
Ngi lao ng v nhng ngi mun tin trin trn con ng cng danh s nghip ca mnh
th tham gia cc lp hc ban m. Mi nm c hng trm ngi trong s h tham d vo nhiu k
thi khc nhau. Cc phng tin v c hi dnh cho ngi dn thnh th m rng hc hi v gia
tng kin thc nhn sinh thc s rt phong ph. Do ngi dn thnh ph lun nm bt thng
tin nhanh hn ngi dn vng nng thn, ni m c khi ngay n mt t bo cng kh kim.
Tm li thnh th c th ni l ni ca nhng hot ng khng ngng ngh. Chnh ti y v kch
cuc i ti din mi ngy.
New words:
1. flock (v): l lt ko n, t tp, quy quanh
2 . throb (v): rn rng, ni rn ln, rung ng
3. sight-seer (n): ngi i tham quan
4. transact (v): thc hin, tin hnh; gii quyt
5. means of transport: phng tin vn chuyn
6. commit (v): phm phi
7. misfortune (n): ri ro, s bt hnh, iu khng may
8. descend upon (v): p xung bt ng, n bt ng
9. greed (n): tnh tham lam
10. to bring S.O to justice: em ai ra ta, truy t ai trc ta
11. on the move: di chuyn
12. facility (n): iu kin thun li, phng tin d dng
Living in a multiracial community
Bi mu
Living in a community where there are people of various races could be a rewarding and an
exciting experience. Such a community is like a small world with many types and races of people
in it.
Everyone, young or old, enjoys listening to stories about people in other lands. We read books
and newspapers to learn about the habits, customs and beliefs) of people who do not belong to
our race, but when we live in a community composed of many races, we have the opportunity to
meet and talk with people or various races. We can learn about their customs and beliefs directly
from them. In this way, w have a better understanding of their ways of life. For example, in
Singapore and Malaysia, which are known as multi-racial countries, Malays, Chinese, Indians
and others have lived together for several decades. They have learnt a lot about the cultures of
one another, more than what they could have learnt by reading books or newspapers. By living
together, they have also absorbed many of the habits of one another to their common benefit.
Further, living in a multi-racial community teaches us how to respect the views and beliefs of
people of other races. We learn to be tolerant and to understand and appreciate the peculiarities of
those who are not of our race. In this way, we learn to live in peace and harmony with foreigners
whose ways of life are different from ours in several respects. We become less suspicious of
strangers and foreigners.

The relationship that develops among the people from common understanding in a multi-racial
community makes life in such a community very exciting. Any celebration of any race becomes a
celebration of all the other races. Thus, there is a lot of fun and excitement during every
celebration. In this way, better understanding is promoted among the peoples of the world.
Through each of the races of the people in a multi-racial community, we come to know about
their respective countries. For example, through the Chinese and the Indians in Malaysia or
Singapore we have come to know much about China and India. As a result, we have a better
understanding of the peoples of China and India as a whole.
It could therefore be said that life in a multi-racial community teaches us many useful lessons in
human relations.
Bi dch
Sng trong mt cng ng a chng tc Sng trong mt cng ng m cc c dn thuc nhiu
chng tc khc nhau c.th l mt tri nghim th v v b ch. Mt cng ng nh th cng
ging nh mt th gii thu nh gm nhiu sc tc v kiu tnh cch.
Tt c mt ngi, d gi hay tr, u thch nghe chuyn k v nhng ngi dn x khc. Chng
ta c sch, bo bit v nhng thi quen phong tc v tn ngng ca cc dn tc khc, nhng
khi chng ta sng trong mt cng ng a sc tc, chng ta c c hi gp g v tr chuyn vi
ngi dn.thuc nhiu chng tc khc nhau. Chng ta c th trc tip hc hi v nhng phong
tc v tn ngng ca h. Bng cch ny, chng ta c th hiu nhiu hn v li sng ca h.
Chng hn nh ti Singapore v Malaysia, nhng nc c xem l a Sc tc, ngi M Lai,
Trung Quc, n v cc sc dn khc chung sng vi nhau qua vi thp k. H hc hi
rt nhiu v vn ha ca nhau m vic c sch bo khng .th snh bng. Qua vic chung sng
vi nhau, h cng tip thu nhiu tp qun ca nhau mang li li ch chung cho cng ng.
Thm vo , cuc sng trong mt cng ng a sc tc dy cho ta bit tn trng quan im v
tn ngng ca dn tc khc. Chng ta bit khoan dung, hiu bit v nh gi cao nt c th ca
nhng ngi khng thuc chng tc mnh. Bng cch ny, chng ta hc chung sng trong ha
bnh v ha thun vi nhng ngi ngoi quc m li sng ca h khc chng ta trn vi phng
din. Chng ta tr nn t nghi ngi nhng ngi l v ngi nc ngoi.
Mi quan h ny sinh gia cc dn tc t s hiu bit chung trong mt cng ng a sc tc lm
cho cuc sng trong cng ng nh th tr nn ht sc th v. Bt k l k nim ca mt dn tc
no cng tr thnh l k nim ca tt c cc dn tc khc. Nh vy c rt nhiu nim vui thch v
th v trong mi mt dp l hi. Bng cch ny, s hiu bit ln nhau gia cc dn tc trn th
gii c y mnh. Thng qua mi mt dn tc trong cng ng a chng tc, chng ta dn dn
hiu bit v quc gia m h l i din. Chng hn, thng qua ngi Trung Quc v n
Malaysia hay Singapo. chng ta bit nhiu v Trung Hoa v n . V vy chng ta hiu nhiu
hn v tng th dn tc v t nc Trung Hoa v n .
V th c th ni rng cuc sng mt cng ng a chng tc dy cho ta nhiu bi hc hu ch
v mi quan h ca con ngi.
New words:
1. race (n): chng tc, ging ngi
2. belief (n): tn ngng
3. composed (adj): gm c, bao gm
4. multi-racial (adj): a chng tc, nhiu chng tc
5. decade (n): thi k mi nm, thp k
6. absorb (v): hp thu
7. peculiarity (n): tnh cht ring, nt ring bit, nt c bit

8. in peace and harmony with: trong ha bnh v ho thun

9. promote (v): nng cao, xc tin, y mnh
10. as a whole: ni chung, ton b
A visit to a famous city
Bi mu
A few months ago my father and I visited Singapore, one of the most famous cities in Asia.
Singapore, a small island, lies at the southern and of West Malaysia. A long and narrow piece of
land joins Singapore with Johore Hahru, the southern-most town of West Malaysia. Singapore is
now an independent.
The city of Singapore is extremely beautiful. It is well known for its centres of business and other
activities. There are many places of interest such as the Tiger Balm Garden, the Botanical
Gardens and Raffles Museum. There are also many important centres of learning such as the
University of Singapore, Science Centre, the Nanyang University and the Polytechnic. Being a
famous city, hundreds of people come every day from various parts of the world to do business or
to enjoy the sights of the city. Singapore therefore has large and beautiful airports and its
harbours are full of ships.
There are many night schools where people who cannot go to the day schools for some reason or
other can continue their studies. And, the government of Singapore is still doing its best to make
further improvements in the city for the benefit of the people.
During my stay in Singapore, I went out every day with my father to see the beautiful and
interesting places and things in the city. One day we went to the Tiger Balm Garden where I saw
several statues of people, animals and other strange creature beautifully made and kept. The sea
near this garden makes this a pleasant place to visit. We spent almost half of the day at this place.
Another day we visited the museum where I saw hundreds of curious things preserved for
scholars and others. It was indeed an education to see all those things. There is so much to learn
here that every visit by any person is sure to add to his knowledge.
I also visited some of the harbours and saw the large ships anchored there. The sight of the ships
aroused a desire in me to cross the oceans and go round the world. I was indeed deeply impressed
by the activities at the harbour.
Then every night, I went round the town and visited some of the parks and other places of interest.
The numerous sights and the constant stream of traffic kept the city alive. I visited a few of the
cinemas as well. In short, I enjoyed every moment of my stay in this famous city of Singapore
Bi dch
Cch y vi thng, b ti v ti i tham quan Singapore, mt trong nhng thnh ph ni ting
nht chu .
Singapore l mt hn o nh nm pha nam v thuc min trung ty Ma1aysia. Mt di t
nh v hp ni lin Singapore vi Johore Bahru, thnh ph cc nam ca vng Ty Malayxia.
Singapore hin nay l mt quc gia c lp.
Thnh ph Singapore cc k dim l. N ni ting bi nhng trung tm bun bn v cc hot
ng khc. C nhiu thng cnh nh Vn Tiger Banh, vn sinh hc v vin Bo tng Raffles.
Ngoi ra cn c nhiu trung tm nghin cu quan trng nh i hc tng hp Singapore, Trung
tm khoa hc, i hc Nanyang v i hc Bch khoa. V l mt thnh ph ni ting nn hng
ngy c hng trm ngi t cc nc khc nhau trn th gii n lm vic hay chim ngng

cnh quan thnh ph. V th Singapore c nhng sn bay to v p, cn nhng hi cng ca n

lc no cng tp np tu b.
C nhng lp hc ban m cho nhng ngi khng th n trng vo ban ngy v mt l do
no h tip tc hc tp. V hin nay chnh ph Singapore ang lm ht sc mnh ngy
cng pht trin thnh ph v li ch cho ngi dn Singapore.
Trong khi dng chn Singapore, hng ngy ti ra ph do chi vi b v ngm nhn cnh vt
thi v r p ca thnh ph. Mt ngy n ti n vn Tiger Balm ni ti thy c vi bc
tng ngi, nhiu loi th v nhng to vt l k c to tc v gn gi rt cng phu. Chng
ti gn na ngy.
Chng ti cng tham quan vin bo tng, ti thy hng trm th qu gi c gi gn cho
cc hc gi v nhng ngi khc. Tht l mt c hi hc tp khi c xem tt c cc vt ny.
y c rt nhiu iu hc hi n ni bt c ngi no n thm vin bo tng cng c thm
kin thc cho mnh.
Ti cng i thm vi hi cng v thy nhng con tu ln th neo . Cnh tng tu b khuy
ng trong ti c mun vt i dng i vng quanh th gii. Cc hot ng bn cng tht
s gy cho ti n tng su sc.
Ri mi m ti u i quanh thnh ph ving thm nhng cng vin v thng cnh khc. V s
nh n v dng xe c bt tn lm thnh ph rt sng ng. Ti cng n thm mt vi rp chiu
bng. Tm li ti yu thch mi khonh khc ti sng ti thnh ph Singopore ni ting ny.
New words:
1. places of interest: nhng ni ng ch , nhng ni th vi
2. strange creatures: nhng sinh vt l
3. curious (adj): ham hiu bit, t m, hiu k
4. anchor (v): b neo, th neo
5. arouse a desire: gi ln s khao kht
6. impress (v): gy n tng
7. numerous lights: nhiu nh n
8. scholar (n): thnh phn tr thc
An unusual opportunity I had
Bi mu
Seldom does one have opportunity of seeing a fight between a tiger and a crocodile. I, however,
had this opportunity one day when I went with my father into a forest in search of some wild
plants.
I had never been to a forest before. Therefore, whatever I saw in the forest interested me greatly. I
looked t the rich vegetation all round as well as the variety of colourful flowers and birds, large
and small. I saw the activity of some of the wild creatures, such as snakes, squirrels and insects.
Occasionally, I heard the cry of some strange animal in pain, perhaps while being eaten by a
larger animal. I also heard some rustling noises in the undergrowth; but I was not afraid of all
these. Such things, I knew, were natural to the forest.
My father whose only interest was in the type of plants he wanted for my mother's garden,

however, paid little attention to the sounds and movements in these green depths. He continued
his search for more and more of those plants until we reached one of the banks of a large river in
the forest. There we stopped for a while to enjoy the sights around.
The scene was peaceful. Then, to our surprises and honor, we saw a tiger on the other side of the
river. It was moving quietly and cautiously towards the water for a drink. A hush fell upon the
jungle. My father and I were now too frightened to move from there.
However, as the tiger put its mouth into the river there was a sudden swirl of the waters, and
before the tiger could rush out, it was seized by a huge crocodile. The tiger's howl of pain and
anger filled me and my father with terrors. Yet we waited there to see the end of the struggle
between these two lords of the forest and the river. The crocodile had the advantage from the
beginning. It used all its strength to pull the tiger deeper into the water, and the tiger too fought
desperately to free itself from the jaws of the merciless reptile; but the tiger soon gave up the
struggle and all was quiet again. I now felt pity for the tiger which had died just to slake its thirst.
Then, my father reminded me of the narrow escape that we had ourselves had. If the tiger had
been on this side of the river, one of us might have died in the way the tiger did, a victim of
animal appetite. And as we were returning home, I began to think of the struggle for life and
savagery that lurks beneath peaceful scenes.
Bi dch
Rt him khi ngi ta c dp xem mt trn nh nhau gia mt con h v mt con c su. Tuy
nhin ti tng c c hi ny vo mt ngy n, khi cng vi b ti vo rng tm cy di.
Trc , ti cha bao gi bc chn vo rng. V th bt c iu g ti thy trong khu rng
cng lm cho ti thch th. Ti nhn nhng loi tho mc sum xu khp ni cng nh nhng
loi hoa c v chim mung ln nh sc s mu. Ti thy nhng loi th hoang nh rn sc v
cn trng ang hot ng. Thnh thong ti nghe ting ku ca mt loi th l b thng, c l l
b mt con th ln hn n tht. Ti cn nghe thy ting xo xc ca nhng lm cy thp; nhng
ti khng s. Ti bit nhng iu ny l phi c trong mt khu rng.
Cha ti ch quan tm n nhng loi cy m ng mun trng trong vn ca m nn t ti
nhng m thanh v hot ng trong khu rng rm su thm ny. ng mi m tm thm nhiu cy
di cho n khi chng ti n bn b mt con sng ln trong rng. Chng ti dng li mt
chc ngm cnh vt xung quanh.
Khung cnh rt thnh bnh. Th ri ht sc ngc nhin v s hi, chng ti thy mt con h bn
kia b sng. N ang lng l v thn trng tin ti ung nc. Im lng bao trm ln khu rng
rm. C cha ti v ti u kinh s ng chn chn mt ch.
Tuy nhin, khi con h ci su xung mt sng, bt ng mt xoy nc xng ln v, khng kp
chy thot, con h b mt con c su khng l tm cht. Ting r au n v gin d ca con
h lm ti v cha ti ht sc kinh hong. Nhng chng ti vn ng xem kt cc ca trn
quyt chin gia hai loi cha t ca rng xanh v sng nc. Con c su c li th ngay t lc
u. N dng ht sc ko con h xung nc, v con h cng chin u mt cch tuyt vng
thot khi hm con c su tn bo. Nhng chng bao lu sau con h thua cuc v im lng li trm
ln khu rng. Lc ti cm thy ng thng cho con h b cht ch v kht nc.
Th ri cha ti nhc ti nh n s thot cht mong manh va qua. Nu con h b sng bn
ny, hn l mt trong hai chng ti cht nh con h, nn nhn ca loi th kht mu. V trn
sut qung ng v nh, ti bt u ngh v s u tranh sinh tn v s bo tn n su di
ci v thanh bnh ca cuc sng.

New words:
1. rustling noise (n): ting ng st sot, xo xc
2. in these green depths: trong su thm ca khu rng, trong cng thm ca khu rng
3. cautiously (adv): cn thn, thn trng
4. hush (n): s im lng
5. swirl (n): ch nc xoy, ch nc cun
6. howl (n): r (au n)
7. fill (v): lm trn ngp, lm y
8. terror (n): s kinh hong, ni khip s
9. merciless (adj): nhn tm, tn nhn
10. reptile (n) : loi b st
11. slake one's thirst : lm cho kht, gii kht
12. savagery (n) : s tn bo, s c c, hnh vi tn bo, hnh vi c c
13. 1urk (v) : ngm ngm, n np, np, trn
The value of libraries
Bi mu
A good library is an ocean of information, whose boundaries continue to extend with the endless
contribution of the numerous streams of knowledge. Thus, it has a peculiar fascination for
scholars, and all those whose thirst for knowledge is instable.
The usefulness of libraries in the spread of knowledge has been proved through the years. The
field of knowledge is so extensive and life is so brief that even the most avid reader can never
expect to absorb it all. Those who have a love for knowledge, therefore, try to master only a small
fraction of it. Even this requires reading of hundreds of books, cheap and expensive, new and old.
But few people are able to buy all the books on the subject in which they wish to attain
proficiency. It is therefore necessary for them to visit a good library, where they can read a great
variety of books on the subject they love. Besides, many old and valuable books on certain
subjects are found only in a good library. Even the original manuscript of an author, who died
several years ago, can be found in it, sometimes.
Today, men everywhere have discovered the benefits of learning. More and more books are being
written to extend human knowledge and experience. Governments and individuals throughout the
world are, therefore, opening more and more libraries to enable people to read as many books as
possible. Libraries have been opened even in the remotest regions of the earth, so that people who
are unable to buy books from the towns can still gain access to the various sources of knowledge.
Mobile libraries serve the people in various parts of the earth.
The importance of libraries, however, is felt most acutely by students in schools and universities,
where most students are engaged in deep studies. The number of books that a student has to study,
especially at a university, is so large that unless he comes from a rich family, he can hardly buy
them all. Besides, many of the books may not be available in the book-shops within his reach. It
is therefore to his advantage to visit a good library. Some people even have then own private
libraries in which they spend their leisure, reading the books that they have collected over the

years and drive great intellectual benefit and pleasure.

In short, libraries have contributed so much to the extension of knowledge that they have become
almost indispensable to all literate men.
Bi dch
Mt th vin ln l mt i dng ca thng tin m ranh gii ca n tip tc m rng vi s
ng gp v tn nhng dng sui tri thc khng bao gi ngng li. V vy n c sc quyn r
c bit i vi cc hc gi v nhng ngi kht khao chn tri kin thc.
S hu dng ca th vin trong vic truyn b kin thc c Minh chng hng bao nm qua.
Cnh ng ca tri thc th qu rng v cuc i th qu ngn cho nn ngay c nhng c gi
tham lam nht cng ng bao gi mong rng s c c tt c. V th, nhng ngi yu mn tri
thc ch nm vng mt phn no m thi. M ch th thi cng phi c hng trm quyn sch,
r v t, mi v c. Nhng t ai c th mua tt c nhng quyn sch v chuyn mn m h mun
thnh tho. V th h cn phi n th vin ni h c th c tht nhiu sch v ch yu thch.
Hn na nhiu quyn sch qu gi ch c trong th vin. i khi c mt bn tho nguyn gc ca
mt tc gi qua i cch y vi nm cng c th tm thy trong th vin.
Ngy nay, con ngi khp ni pht hin ra li ch ca vic hc tp. Ngy cng c nhiu
cun sch c vit m rng kin thc v kinh nghim con ngi. V th cc chnh ph v c
nhn trn th gii khng ngng m nhng th vin gip ngi ta c cng nhiu sch cng tt.
Th vin cng xut hin ti ngay c nhng vng xa xi nht ca tri t nhng ai khng th
mua sch t thnh ph vn c th tip thu nhng ngun kin thc a dng. Nhng th vin di
ng phc v ngi c sch mi ni trn th gii.
Tuy nhin tm quan trng ca th vin l d thy nht sinh vin, hc sinh cc trng ph thng
v i hc, ni m phn ln hc sinh lun bn rn nghin cu. Con s nhng quyn sch m mt
sinh vin phi nghin cu c bit trng i hc l kh ln n ni gn nh khng th mua
ht c, tr khi gia cnh ca anh ta ht sc giu c. Hn na, nhiu quyn sch c th khng c
sn trong hiu sch anh ta mua. V vy n th vin rt l tin li. Mt s ngi c th vin
ring khi nhn ri c nhng quyn sch h su tp hng bao nm tri v mang v nim
vui v ngun tri thc.
Tm li, th vin ng gp rt nhiu trong vic m mang kin thc n ni n tr nn khng
th thiu c i vi tt c con ngi.
New words:
1. fascination (n): s thi min; s m hoc, s quyn r
2. instable (adj): khng n nh
3. avid (adj): khao kht, thm kht, thm thung
4. fraction (n): phn nh, ming nh
5. to attain proficiency (v): tr nn thnh tho, gii giang
6. manuscript (n): bn vit tay
7. acutely (adv): su sc
8. intellectual (adj): (thuc) tr tu
9. to drive great intellectual benefit: theo ui li ch tri thc ln
10. indispensable (adj): tuyt i cn thit, khng th thiu c
11. literate men (n): nhng ngi c hc

A horrible sight
Bi mu
On the main roads of West Malaysia accidents occur almost every day. Most of them are caused
by young drivers who are long of speed. The recklessness has caused the death of even careful
drivers. What I am about to relate concems the death of some young people, resulting from the
reckless driving of a young man.
On the day in question, I was travelling with my brother to Ipoh. As my brother's car was old, he
had to drive slowly. We left Singapore, our hometown, very early in the morning, so that we
could reach our destination before . The slow journey soon made me so tired that I fell asleep.
However, we broke our Journey at Yong Peng, a small town in Johore for some refreshment.
When we resumed our journey, we saw a number of badly damaged vehicles in front of the
Police Station of that town. My brother then began to talk about the various accidents that he had
seen on that road. I began to grow uneasy about the rest of the journey. My brother had told me
that most of the accidents occurred within a few miles of that town. I now began to fear for our
own safety. Then, suddenly, a car, running at great speed, outtook our car. My brother then
predicted that the car would be involved in an accident soon. After that my heart began to beat
fast. The car was soon out of sight. My brother, however, assured me that I would have an
opportunity to see a very bad accident, and sure enough, we soon arrived at a distressing scene.
The car that had overtaken our car was in a ditch and four young girls were lying dead on the
road-side. Their faces and clothes were covered with blood. Some people were trying to extricate
the other occupants, including the young driver, who were still alive in the car. But all of a
sudden, the car was on fire, and their efforts failed. Thus, the occupants in the car were burnt
alive, and it was indeed heart-rending to hear their last screams. Soon a fire engine and the police
arrived with an ambulance, but it was too late.
This was indeed a horrible sight, and even today the mention of accidents reminds me of those
piteous screams of the dying ones in that car.
Bi dch
Trn nhng con ng chnh Ty Malayxia tai nn xy ra hu nh mi ngy. Phn ln cc tai
nn l do nhng tay li tr a thch tc . S liu lnh ca h gy nn ci cht ca nhng li
xe thn trng khc. Nhng g ti sp k sau y lin quan n ci cht ca mt s thanh nin gy
ra do s khinh sut ca mt ti x tr.
Vo mt ngy nh vy, ti ang trn ng n Ipoh vi anh ti. V chic xe c, anh ti phi
li rt chm. Chng ti t gi Singapore qu hng chng ti vo bui sng sm c th n
ni trc khi tri ti. Chuyn khi hnh chm chp chng my chc lm ti bun chn n ng
thip i. Tuy nhin, chng ti dng li Yong Pens, mt th trn nh Johore mua thc phm
ti. Khi ln ng tr li, chng ti thy vi chic xe hng nng trc s cnh st ca thnh ph.
Anh ti bt u k v nhng tai nn anh chng kin trn con ng . Cn ti cm thy bn
chn sut c qung ng cn li. Anh ti bo ti rng phn ln cc tai nn xy ra cch th trn
vi dm. Lc ti cm thy lo s cho s an ton ca chng ti. Th ri bng nhin mt chic
xe hi chy ht tc lc vt qua xe chng ti. Anh ti on rng th no chic xe kia cng gy tai
nn. Sau tim ti bt u p nhanh hn. Chng bao lu, chic xe chy khut dng. Nhng anh
ti qu quyt vi ti rng ti s c dp nhn thy mt tai nn ti t, v ng nh th, mt lt sau
chng ti i n mt quang cnh th lng.
Chic xe vt xe chng ti lc ny ang nm trong con mng v bn c gi tr nm cht trn
ng ph. Mt v qun o h b bt mu. Mt s ngi c sc gii thot hnh khch cn sng
trong xe, v ngi ti x tr; nhng tht bt ng, chic xe bng chy v n lc ca h tiu tan.

Th l nhng ngi trong xe b thiu sng v ting go hp hi ca h nh x lng. Ngay sau ,

xe cu ha v cnh st n vi xe cp cu nhng qu mun.
y tht l mt cnh tng kinh hong v cho n tn hm nay, khi ni n tai nn ti li nh
n nhng ting ku cu thm khc ca nhng ngi sp cht trong chic xe kia.
New words:
1. recklessness (n): tnh thiu thn trng, tnh khinh sut, tnh liu lnh
2. to be about to: nh lm g ngay, sp lm g
3. in question: c ni n, c bn n
4. resume (v): bt u li, li tip tc (sau khi ngh, dng)
5. overtake - overtook - overtaken (v): vt qua
6. ditch (n): rnh, mng
7. extricate (v): g, g thot, gii thot
8. occupant (n): ngi s hu, ngi s dng
9. heart-rending (adj): au lng, no lng
10. piteous (adj): thm thng, ng thng hi
Discuss the part that money plays in our lives
Bi mu
Money plays an important part in our lives. In several aspects, it is the most important thing in
life. It is therefore much sought after.
Without money we could not buy our food, clothes and all the other things that we need to live
comfortably. We require money to travel, to buy medicine when we are ill and also to pay for the
services rendered to us by others. In truth, money is almost indispensable to our survival. Most of
our activities are therefore directed towards earning as much money as possible.
We use money not only to meet the basic needs of life but also to pay for our own advancement.
We use it for education which helps us to live a better life. Thousands of students are unable to
attend school or continue their studies for want of money. Lack of money also causes great
hardship and sorrow in hundreds of families. Thousands of people are dying everyday throughout
the world because they are not able to pay their doctors fee or because they cannot buy nutritious
food.
As money is so important, many crimes are committed everyday in all parts or the world to gain
possession of it. Some are driven by hunger and desperation to steal, rob, and even kill to get at
least what they require to keep body and soul together. Others commit the most serious crimes
out of sheer greed for money. Such people cause much trouble and unpleasantness in society, and
to bring them to justice, large sums of money are spent by every government.
Today, millions of dollars are being spent by the various governments in the world for the
betterment of the people. Numerous schools and hospitals are being built, and hundreds of acres
or land are being cultivated to produce more food for the growing population of the world. As a
result, the world is gradually becoming a better place to live in.
At the same time, however, much money is being wasted in producing deadly weapons of war.
Countries which have more money than the others have become more powerful by strengthening

their armed forces. This has led to rivalries among the powerful nations, and several parts of the
world are in turmoil. All this shows what an important part money plays in human affairs.
Bi dch
Tin gi vai tr quan trng trong i sng chng ta. Trn mt vi phng din no , tin l
quan trng nht trong cuc sng. V vy ngi ta chy theo tin.
Khng c tin chng ra khng th mua thc phm, o qun v tt c nhng vt dng cn thit cho
mt cuc sng tin nghi. Chng ta cn tin i li mua thuc khi au m v tr cho nhng dch
v m ngi khc lm cho chng ta. Ni cho ng, tin hu nh khng th thiu vi s tn ti
ca chng ta. Phn ln cc hot ng ca chng ta v th hng ti vic kim ra cng nhiu tin
cng tt.
Chng ta dng tin bc khng ch tha mn nhng nhu cu ti thiu trong cuc sng m cn
nng cp cuc sng ca mnh. Chng ta dng tin trong gio dc c cuc sng tt hn.
Hng ngn hc sinh khng th n trng hay tip tc hc tp ch v thiu tin. Vic thiu tin
gy ra kh khn v nhng ni lo ln cho hng trm gia nh. Trn th gii hng ngn ngi ang
cht dn v h khng c tin n bc s hay v h khng c tin mua thc phm giu cht
dinh dng.
V tin quan trng nh th nn hng ngy trn th gii din ra rt nhiu v phm php ginh
ly quyn s hu tin. C ngi in khng v i kht v tuyt vng phi i n cp, n trm v
ngay c git ngi t nht gi cho phn hn v phn xc ca h khng phi la nhau. C ngi
phm nhng ti c nghim trng nht n gin ch v tham tin. Nhng ngi nh vy gy ra rt
nhiu phin toi v kh chu trong x hi v a h ra trc cng l, mi mt quc gia phi
b ra nhng mn tin rt ln.
Ngy nay, nhiu quc gia ang b ra hng triu la ci thin i sng nhn dn. Nhiu
trng hc v bnh vin ang c xy dng. Hng trm mnh t ang c trng trt sn
xut ra nhiu thc phm cho dn s ang gia tng trn th gii. V vy th gii dn dn tr thnh
mt ni c ng tt hn.
Tuy nhin cng lc , rt nhiu tin b hoang ph sn xut nhng v kh git ngi trong
chin tranh. Nhng quc gia nhiu tin hn tr nn hng mnh hn bng cch tng cng lc
lng v trang ca h. iu ny lm cc cng quc i n th ch v nhiu ni trn th gii
ang trong tnh trng ri lon. Tt c nhng iu ni ln rng tin quan trng nh th no
trong cuc sng con ngi.
New words:
1. play an important part: ng mt vai tr quan trng
2. in several aspects: xt trn mt vi kha cnh
3. render (v): render a service: gip
4. in truth: tht s, tht ra
5. survival (n): s sng cn, s tn ti
6. not only... but also... khng nhng... m cn...
7. be unable to: khng th
8. 1ack of : thiu
9. hardship: s gian kh, s th thch gay go
10. at least: t nht

11. sheer (adj): ch l

12. at the same time: cng lc
13. in turmoil: trong tnh trng ri lon, hn n
14. affairs (n): cng vic, cuc sng
Science and its effects
Bi mu
One of the most striking features of the present century is the progress of science and its effects
on almost every aspect of social life. Building on the foundation laid by the predecessors, the
scientists of today are carrying their investigation into ever-widening fields of knowledge.
Modern civilization depends largely on the scientist and inventor. We depend on the doctor who
seeks the cause and cure of disease, the chemist who analyses our food and purifies our water, the
entomologist who wages war on the insect pests, the engineer who conquers time and space, and
a host of other specialists who aid in the development of agriculture and industry.
The advance of science and technology has brought the different parts of the world into closer
touch with one another than ever before. We are able to reach distant lands within a very short
time. We are also able to communicate with people far away by means of the telephone and the
wireless. The invention of the printing machine has made it possible for us to learn from books
and newspapers about people in other lands.
Indeed, man's curiosity and resourcefulness have been responsible for the steady stream of
inventions that have created our civilization.
At the same time, however, there have been harmful effects. Our machine civilization is
responsible for numerous accidents and industrial rivalries among nations. Everyday hundreds of
people are dying from serious wounds and injuries. Further, the rapid tempo of modern life
results in wide-spread nervous disorder. Moreover, science, which has helped man to secure
control over nature, has also made it possible for him to develop more deadly weapons or war.
More and more countries are competing with one another in the production of war material. But
in these instances the fault lies not with science, but rather with mans intention to misuse the
discoveries of science.
Science is admittedly the dominating intellectual force of the modern age.
Bi dch
Mt trong nhng c im ni bt nht trong th k hin nay l s tin b ca khoa hc v nh
hng ca n trn hu nh mi mt ca cuc sng x hi. Xy dng trn nn tng ca nhng
ngi i trc, cc nh khoa hc ngy nay ang tin hnh nghin cu nhng lnh vc kin thc
ln cha tng c.
Nn vn minh hin i ph thuc phn ln vo cc nh khoa hc v nh pht minh. Cuc sng
chng ta ph thuc vo cc bc s trong vic tm kim nguyn nhn v cch cha bnh, vo cc
nh ho hc phn tch thc phm v lm sch ngun nc ung, vo cc nh cn trng hc chin
u vi cc loi cn trng gy hi, vo k s chinh phc thi gian v khng gian v rt nhiu
nhng chuyn gia khc gp phn vo s pht trin ca nng nghip v cng nghip.
S tin b ca khoa hc v k thut lm cho cc nc khc nhau trn th gii xch li gn
nhau hn bao gi ht. Chng ta c th n nhng vng t xa xi trong mt thi gian rt ngn.
Chng ta c th lin lc vi nhng ngi xa qua phng tin in thoi v my v tuyn. Vic

pht minh ra my in gip chng ta c sch, bo v con ngi nhng t nc khc.

Tht vy tnh t m v ti tho vt ca con ngi l nguyn nhn ca ngun pht minh bn vng
to ra thi i vn minh ca chng ta ngy
Tuy nhin, bn cnh khoa hc cng c nhng nh hng tai hi. Thi i vn minh my mc
ca chng ta l nguyn nhn ca v s tai nn v nhng s i u v cng nghip gia cc quc
gia. Hng ngy hng trm ngi ang hp hi v cc thng tch trm trng. Hn na nhp tt
bt ca cuc sng hin i gy nn s ri lon thn kinh ang ngy cng lan rng. Bn cnh ,
chnh khoa hc gip con ngi t c quyn kim sot thin nhin, nhng cng chnh khoa
hc gip con ngi to ra cng nhiu v kh git ngi trong chin tranh. Ngy cng nhiu
quc gia cnh tranh vi nhau sn xut ra trang thit bi chin tranh. Nhng trong nhng trng
hp ny li lm khng thuc v khoa hc m thuc v con ngi s dng sai lm nhng pht
minh khoa hc.
Khoa hc c cng nhn v lc lng tri thc then cht ca k nguyn hin i ngy nay.
New words:
1. striking (adj): ni bt, thu ht s ch , thu ht s quan tm, ng ch , gy n tng
2. foundation (n): nn tng, nn mng
3. predecessor (n): ngi i trc, ngi tin nhim
4. depend on (v): ph thuc vo
5. analyse (v): phn tch
6. purify (v): lm sch, lc trong, tinh ch
7. communicate with (v): lin lc vi, giao thip vi
8. invention (n): s pht minh, s sng ch
9. curiosity (n): s ham tm hiu, tr t m, tnh hiu k
10. harmful (adi): gy tai hi, c hi
11. compete (v): ua tranh, ganh ua, cnh tranh
12. intention (n): nh, mc ch
The rights and duties of a citizen
Bi mu
Almost every modern state, especially a democracy, allows its citizens several rights; but in
return, it expects its citizens to perform certain duties.
Among the rights enjoyed by the citizen in a democracy are the right to pursue his own affairs as
he prefers;. the right to express his views, however silly they may appear to others, and the right
to move about as he pleases. The citizen is considered so important that his rights are protected
by the law of the state, and whenever they are infringed, he can secure redress.
But in a totalitarian state, the rights of the citizen are so restricted that he has practically no
freedom. The citizen is supposed to exist for the state. His interests are always subordinated to
those of the state. Thus, his duties exceed his rights.
Even in a democracy, however, the citizen is expected to exercise his rights within the limits of
the law. He should not do or say anything that may affect the rights of others. In exercising his

right to act as he pleases, for example, he should not try to elope with another man's wife or say
anything slanderous about her or anyone. In the same way, his actions should not cause injury or
damage to any individual or his property. He cannot kill as he pleases. If his conduct infringes the
rights of others, then those who have been affected by his misconduct could take legal action
against him and he will be punished according to the law of the state. In this way, the state
protects its citizens and their rights from the thoughtlessness of any individual in the state. This
means, of course, that every citizen in the state is expected to do his duty to his fellow citizens.
The citizen is also expected to give his services for the protection of the state in times of war, and
to maintain law and order in his state, at all times.
Thus every citizen who is conscious of his rights should also be conscious of his duties to the
state and his fellow citizens.
Bi dch
Hu nh mi mt quc gia hin i, c bit l mt quc gia dn ch, u cho php cng dn c
nhng quyn li nht nh; nhng ngc li nh nc cng yu cu cng dn thi hnh nhng bn
phn ca mnh.
Trong s cc quyn li m cng dn ca mt quc gia dn ch c hng th, c bao gm
quyn theo ui nhng vic lm ta thch, quyn c by t cc quan im ca mnh d cho
chng nghe c v ng ngn, v quyn c i li ty thch. Ngi cng dn rt c tn trng
n mc cc quyn li ca cng dn c lut php nh nc bo v v bt k lc no nhng
quyn ny b vi phm ngi cng dn c th yu cu bi thng.
Nhng trong mt quc gia c ti, cc quyn li ca cng dn b hn ch nhiu n ni trn thc
t anh ta chng c cht t do no. Ngi cng dn c xem l phi tn ti v nh nc. Cc li
ch ca anh ta lun b xem nh so vi li ch ca nh nc. Nh vy, ngha v ca cng dn vt
qu quyn li ca h. Tuy nhin ngay c trong ch dn ch ngi cng dn vn phi s dng
quyn li ca mnh trong gii hn ca php lut. Anh ta khng c lm hay ni iu g nh
hng n quyn li ca ngi khc. Chng hn trong khi s dng quyn c lm nhng g
mnh mun, anh ta khng c c gng tn tnh v ngi khc hay vu khng c ta hoc bt k
ngi no khc. Tng t, nhng hnh ng ca anh ta khng c gy thng tch hao tn hi
n bt k c nhn no cng nh ti sn ca h. Nu anh ta vi phm quyn li ca ngi khc th
nhng ngi b nh hng bi hnh vi sai tri ca anh ta c th nh n lut php xt x anh ta
v anh ta s b trng tr theo php lut nh nc. Bng cch ny, nh nc bo v cc cng dn
v quyn li ca h khi s v thc ca bt k cc c nhn no trong t nc. ng nhin
iu ny c ngha l mi cng dn trong nc phi thc hin ngha v ca mnh vi nhng cng
dn khc.
Ngi cng dn cng c yu cu thc hin ngha v bo v t quc trong chin tranh, duy tr
trt t v lut php trong mi thi im.
V th mi cng dn hiu bit v quyn li cng nn hiu bit v ngha v ca mnh i vi quc
gia v cc cng dn khc.
New words:
1. democracy (n): nn dn ch, ch dn ch
2. rights (n): cc quyn li
3. infringe (v): xm phm, vi phm
4 . redress (n): s sa sai, s un nn, s n b, s bi thng
5. totalitarian (adj): chuyn ch

6. subordinated to (v): lm cho ph thuc vo

7. slanderous (adj): vu khng, ph bng
8. misconduct (n): hnh vi sai tri
9. thoughtlessness (n): s v thc, nng cn, hi ht
10. conscious (adj): bit c, nhn ra, c thc
The most important day in my life
Bi mu
The most important day in my life was the day when my parents decided to send me to school.
I was then about seven years old. I had been playing with the children living around my house for
some years. I had no thought of ever going to school. I enjoyed playing to catch fish from the
shallow streams near by. Sometimes we went to the forest to catch birds and squirrels, and I had
always thought that life would continue to be the same for me. But, one day, to my great sorrow,
my parents suddenly announced that I was no longer to play about and that I was to go to a
school.
Words can hardly describe how sad I felt at the thought of having to go to a school. I had often
heard that school teachers were very strict and cruel. I had also been told that there were many
difficult subjects to learn in school and I could not bear the thought of being compelled to learn
them. But everything had been decided for me and I had no choice but to go to school.
Soon after I was admitted to school, however, I discovered to my great joy that learning in school
was a pleasure. I began to learn about the people and other wonderful things spread throughout
the world. The teachers were very kind and friendly and they often told many interesting stories.
The subjects that they taught were also very interesting as a result of all this, I began to take a
keen interest in my lessons and I no longer wanted to waste my time playing about.
Today, I am older and I am in a secondary school, learning more and more about the world
around us. The knowledge that I have gained has enriched my mind and I have a better
understanding of human problems. I am also able to speak the English language with some ease,
and I know that my knowledge of English will prove of great value in all my future activities. I
also know that if I can pass all my examinations, I will some day occupy an important position in
some profession. I might even become a minister in the government of my country or a
well-known person in some way.
Therefore, when I now think of the day when my parents arrived at the decision to send me to
school, I am filled with love for them. That was indeed the most important day in my life, a day
which has changed the whole course of my life.
Bi dch
Ngy quan trng nht trong i ti l ngy ba m ti quyt nh gi ti n trng.
Lc ti ln by. Ti rong chi vi nm vi cc tr em quanh nh. Ti cha bao gi ngh n
vic i hc. Ti thch chi cu c trong con sui cn nc gn . i khi chng ti vo lng bt
chim v sc v ti lun ngh rng cuc i s mi nh th. Th nhng vo mt ngy n, tht bun
cho ti, cha m ti bt ng tuyn b rng ti khng c rong chi na m phi n trng.
Khng c t no din t ni bun ca ti khi phi i hc. Ti thng nghe rng cc thy gio
trng rt nghim khc v d tn. Ti cng nghe ni rng c nhiu mn hc rt kh trng v
ti khng ti no chu c ngh rng mnh b buc phi hc chng. Nhng mi vic nh

sn cho ti. Ti khng cn s la chn no khc ngoi vic n trng.

Tuy nhin, chng bao lu sau khi ng thun i hc, ti vui sng thy rng i hc tht l th v.
Ti bt u hc v con ngi v nhng iu k diu khc ang din ra trn khp th gii. Cc
thy gio rt tt bng v thn thin, h thng k nhiu cu chuyn l th. V th ti bt u yu
thch cc bi hc v khng cn mun ph thi gian rong chi na.
Gi y ti ln hn v l mt hc sinh trung hc ang hc ngy cng nhiu v th gii xung
quanh chng ra. Nhng kin thc ti thu lm c lm phong ph tr c ti v ti hiu bit
nhiu hn v cc vn ca nhn loi. Ti cng c th ni ting Anh lu lot, v ti bit rng
kin thc ting Anh ca ti s c ch trong cuc sng tng lai ca mnh. Ti cng bit rng nu
ti tt c cc k thi, mt ngy no ti s gi mt v tr quan trng trong mt ngnh ngh
no . Bit u thm ch ti s tr mt b trng trong chnh quyn nh nc hay mt nhn vt
ni ting trong mt lnh vc no .
V th ngh v ci ngy ba m quyt nh gi ti n hc ng, trong ti trn ngp yu thng.
thc s l ngy ng nh nht trong cuc i ti l ngy thay i ton b cuc i ti.
New words:
1. squirrel (n): con sc
2. as a result: do, v
3. ease (n): s d dng, s thoi mi
4. minister (n): B trng
The subject I consider most important
Bi mu
Of all the subjects that I study in school, I think that English is the most important subject. It is
mainly through the English language that we gain access to the various sources of knowledge.
English is a language which is spoken and understood by many people in most countries of the
world. It is, in fact, the most important means of communication among the vanous countries of
the wodd. Knowledge of new discoveries and inventions in one country is transmitted to other
countries through English for the benefit of the world. In this way English helps to spread
knowledge and progress.
It is true, however, that in the modern age, the study of Science and Mathematics too should be
considered very important. Science has conferred many benefits in man. But it requires little
thought to realise that scientific principles cannot be understood well without a good knowledge
of a language. And, though other languages such as German and Russian are important in the
world of Science, it is English that plays the most important role in spreading scientific
knowledge. There is in fact no branch of study that has not been communicated in English. The
original writings of great scientists, economists, philosophers, psychologists and others who did
not speak and write the English language have all been translated into English. Therefore, one
who has a good knowledge of English has access to all the sources of information.
Further, as the English language is used by people of different lands and cultures, it has become
very rich. It contains so many words, ideas and thoughts that a good knowledge of English
enriches the mind and enables one to express oneself well. It also helps one to think better and to
understand the people of other lands. It is for all these reasons that I consider English the most
important subject in school.

Bi dch
Trong tt c cc mn ti hc trng, ti ngh rng ting Anh l quan trng nht. Ch yu nh
thng qua ting Anh m chng ta c th tip cn nhiu ngun kin thc a dng.
Ting Anh l ngn ng c ni v hiu bit rt nhiu ngi ang sng ti phn ln cc quc gia
trn th gii. Trn thc t ting Anh l phng tin giao tip quan trng nht gia nhiu quc gia
khc nhau trn th gii. Kin thc v nhng pht minh v khm ph mi trong mt nc c
truyn sang cc nc khc thng qua ting Anh mang li li ch cho cng ng th gii. Bng
cch ny ting Anh gp phn truyn b kin thc v s tin b.
Tuy nhin, hon ton ng khi cho rng trong k nguyn hin i, vic nghin cu Khoa hc v
Ton cng nn c xem trng. Khoa hc ban cho loi ngi nhiu ch li. Nhng khng cn
suy ngh cng nhn thy rng ngi ta khng th hiu bit cc nguyn l khoa hc m khng c
kin thc v ngn ng. V mc d cc ngn ng khc nh ting c v ting Nga cng quan
trng trong gii khoa hc, nhng chnh ting Anh chim gi vai tr quan trng nht trong vic
truyn b kin thc khoa hc. Tht vy khng c ngnh nghin cu no m khng lin quan n
ting Anh. Tt c nhng cng trnh nghin cu nguyn bn ca cc nh khoa hc, kinh t hc,
trit hc, tm l hc v i u c dch sang ting Anh. V th nhng ai hiu bit v ting
Anh c th tip cn c mi ngun thng tin.
Hn na v c s dng bi nhiu ngi ca nhiu t nc v nn vn ha khc nhau, ting
Anh tr nn rt phong ph. N bao gm rt nhiu t ng, kin v t tng, cho nn mt s hiu
bit su sc v ting Anh s lm phong ph tr tu v gip ta din t tng ca mnh tt hn.
N cng gip ta suy ngh tt hn v hiu bit v con ngi ca nhng t nc khc. Vi tt c
nhng l do ny ti cho rng ting Anh l mn hc quan trng nht trng.
New words:
1. various (adj): khc nhau, thuc v nhiu loi, a dng
2. transmit (v): truyn i (qua cc phng tin thng tin i chng)
3. progress (n): s tin b, s pht trin
4. confer (v): trao tng, bn bc, hi , hi kin
5. role (n): chc nng, vai tr
6. philosopher (n): nh trit hc, trit gia
7. psychologist (n): nh tm l hc
An incident I shall never forget
Bi mu
Certain incidents so impress us that they leave an indelible mark on our memory. I was once
involved in an incident of which I shall always have vivid recollections. The incident occurred
when I visited a village in India together with my parents, sometime during my holidays last year.
Early in the morning on the day the incident occurred, I was talking with a few of my new friends
in that village. All of a sudden, a boy of my age came rushing towards us to break the news that
violence had broken out in the neighbourhood. Alarmed at this news, we began to protect
ourselves, and before long the violence spread like wild fire throughout our area. I was a little
confused at first for I had no idea about the cause of the outbreak of violence there. One of my
friends told me that the area had been notorious for such occurrence owing to rivalry between
two parties. Each party tried to destroy the influence of the other in that area, and the bad blood

that existed between them had caused several deaths and great misery to innocent people for a
long time. Official influence could not be exercised effectively in this area owing to its
remoteness from the centres of authority. The members of the rival parties therefore enjoyed
almost complete freedom of action. The police arrived only when there was news of violence,
and often long after the damage has been done.
While I was listening to this account of facts and events, the situation suddenly took an ugly turn.
A man who had been standing a short distance away from us ran into his house most
unexpectedly, and within minutes his house was ablaze. My friends and I then ran towards his
house to put out the fire; but we were stopped by a few burly men who were holding lethal
weapons in their hands. They threatened to kill if we offered any help to anyone. One of them
had even struck me on my head with a stick. We realised instantly that we were no match for
them and that discretion was the better part valour. We therefore decided to proceed no further.
Soon the fire from that house began to spread and several houses were burning. There were
frantic cries for help. Men, women and children were running in all directions in their desparate
attempts to save whatever they could from the fire, in spite of the interference of the gangsters. A
few of the unfortunate ones were burned to death, including the man who had set fire to his own
house. We then concluded that the man must have been so disgusted with what we had seen for
so long that he had no more desire to live, and this was his way of putting an end to himself. It
was indeed a pathetic sight.
Then, after several hours, the police arrived when more than a quarter of the village had already
been burned to ashes. They asked us several questions to find out if we had ourselves participated
in the violence. As I was foreigner who would be leaving that village the following day, I had the
courage to answer all their questions and to point out the men who had threatened to kill us.
Those men were then arrested together with other suspects. Early next morning, my parents and I
left the village with no more desire to re-visit this place; but my memory of this incident will
remain fresh forever.
Bi dch
C nhng s vic m n tng v chng mnh m n mc li du n khng th xa nha
trong k c chng ta. Mt ln ti chng kin mt s kin m k c v n vn mi sng ng
trong ti. S vic xy ra khi ti ving thm mt lng qu n cng vi b m ti trong k ngh
nm ngoi.
Vo bui sng sm ngy xy ra cu chuyn, ti ang tr chuyn vi vi ngi bn mi trong lng.
Bng nhin, mt a con trai trc tui ti chy v pha chng ti bo tin rng bo ng xy ra
vng ln cn. c bo ng, chng ti bt u t v v chng bao lu cuc bo ng lan
nhanh nh la chy qua vng chng ti. Thot u ti hi bi ri v khng bit nguyn nhn n
ra bo ng . Mt ngi bn cho ti bit rng vng ny kht ting v nhng s v nh th
do s th nghch gia hai ng phi. ng ny c gng trit h nh hng ca ng kia trong khu
vc v s mu thun gia h lm mt s ngi thit mng v gy ra s bt hnh cho nhng
ngi v ti trong mt thi gian di. Nhng nh hng ca chnh quyn khng c hiu qu
vng ny bi n qu xa cc trung tm quyn lc. Cc phn t ca hai ng phi th nghch v th
hu nh c t do hot ng. Cnh st ch xut hin khi c tin tc v v bo ng v thng l
rt lu sau khi cc thit hi xy ra.
Trong khi ti lng nghe gii thch v tin tc v s vic ny, tnh th bng chuyn sang mt
bc ngot nguy him. Mt ngi n ng ng cch chng ti khng xa bng chy vo nh, v
ch trong vi pht ngi nh ca ng ta bc la. Cc bn ti v ti chy v pha ngi nh dp tt
la, nhng chng ti b ngn cn bi nhng ngi n ng lc lng mang v kh git ngi
trong tay. H da s git chng ti nu chng ti gip bt k ngi no. Mt ngi trong s

h thm ch dng gy nh vo u ti. Ngay lp tc chng ti thy mnh khng phi l i

th ca h, ng thi cng nhn ra rng liu lnh lc ny l khng thch hp. V th chng ti
quyt nh khng tin thm bc no na.
Trong pht chc la t ngi nh chy lan ra v vi ngi nh khc cng b chy. y vang ln
nhng ting ku cu in cung. n ng, n b v tr em chy ton lon trong s n lc tuyt
vng cu ly bt c ci g c th t ngn la bt k s can thip ca nhng tn cn . Mt
vi ngi ri ro b thiu cho n cht, trong s c ngi n ng t nh mnh. Sau
chng ti kt lun rng hn l ngi n ng v qu gh tm vi nhng g chng ti chng
kin trong mt thi gian di n ni ng ta khng mun sng na v y l cch ng kt thc
cuc i ng. Tht l mt cnh tng bi thng.
Ri sau vi gi cnh st xut hin khi hn mt phn t ngi lng chy ra tro. H cht vn
chng ti xem chng ti c tham d vo cuc bo ng hay khng. V l mt ngi ngoi
quc s ri lng vo ngy hm sau, ti can m tr li tt c cu hi v im mt nhng k
e da git chng ti. Nhng ngi ny b bt gi cng vi nhng ngi b tnh nghi khc. Sng
sm hm sau b m ti v ti tm bit ngi lng m khng mong tr li; nhng k c v s kin
ny s mi mi khng phai m trong ti.
New words:
1. incident (n): bin c
2. indelible (adj): khng th ty sch, khng th gt sch
3. vivid (adj): sng ng, mnh m
4. all of a sudden: bt thnh lnh; mt cch bt ng
5. confused (adj): bi ri, lng tng
6. notorious (adj): kht ting, c ting xu
7. owing to (adj): do, v, bi v
8. rivalry (n): s knh ch, s ganh ua
9. remoteness (n): s xa xi, ho lnh
10. ablaze (adj): rc chy, bc chy
11. lethal weapons (n): v kh cht ngi
12. discretion was the better part of valour: liu lnh ng ch th mi ng liu lnh
13. frantic (adj): in cung, in r
14. desperate (adj): tuyt vng, liu mng, liu lnh
15. conclude (v): kt lun
16. disgusted (adj): chn ght, phn n
The value of music in the happiness of man
Bi mu
Music has always been a source of happiness to all men on the earth. From their primitive days,
men's love of music has led them to make instruments of all descriptions to produce beautiful
music for their enjoyment and happiness.
Without music the world would indeed be a very dull place to live in. Even nature is full of music.

There is music in the movements of the winds, the sea, as well as the trees; there is music in the
calls of the birds, flies and insects and also in the night of the birds and animals. It is from all
these things that men have learnt to appreciate the value of music. The same things have also
taught men how to produce music from the simplest of things such as sticks, bamboos, and
animal horns. Men make many kinds of flutes with bamboos which produce beautiful music.
That music is very important for men's happiness is hard to deny. Music removes men's
depression and fills them with gladness. It is for this reason that music is played even in hospitals
to cheer up the sick people. As music has the capacity to make men happy, it contributes greatly
to men's success in life. A happy man is a good and hard worker. He works happily among people
and arns the good-will or all around. People like to associate with him and to employ him in all
kinds of work. Thus, he leads a happy and successful life. The value of music in the happiness of
man is therefore great.
Bi dch
m nhc lun lun l ngun hnh phc cho mi ngi trn tri t ny. T thu ban s, lng say
m m nhc khin con ngi sng to nhng nhc c loi to ra m iu tuyt vi mang
li thch th v hnh phc cho mnh.
Khng c m nhc th gii thc s tr thnh ni c ng bun t. Ngay c thin nhin cng trn
y m nhc. C ting du dng trong nhng chuyn ng ca gi, ca bin c cng nh ca cy
xanh. C m iu ro rt trong ting ht ca chim chc, ting vo ve ca rui mui v cn trng
cng nh m thanh trong ting v cnh bay i hay chy nhy ca chim v th rng. T con
ngi bit cm nhn gi tr ca m nhc. Cng chnh nhng m thanh gip con ngi
to ra m nhc t nhng dng c th s nht nh gy, tre v sng ng vt. Con ngi ch to
ra nhiu loi so bng tre pht ra nhng m thanh du dng.
Kh m ph nhn rng nhc rt quan trng ti hnh phc con ngi. m nhc xoa du ni bun
ca con ngi v lm h trn y nim vui. l l do ti sao m nhc c s dng trong bnh
vin khch l tinh thn bnh nhn. V m nhc c th lm cho con ngi hnh phc, n gp
phn quan trng cho s thnh cng ca cn ngi trong cuc sng. Mt ngi hnh phc l mt
ngi lm vic tt v sing nng. Anh ta lm vic gia mi ngi v lun c mi ngi yu
mn. Ngi ta thch kt bn vi anh ta, thch thu anh ta lm mi cng vic. V th cuc sng ca
anh ta lun sung sng v thnh cng. Tm li m nhc c gi tr to ln trong hnh phc con
ngi.
New words:
1. instrument (n): nhc c
2. appreciate (v): nh gi ng, nh gi cao, hiu r gi tr, thng thc
3. flute (n): ng so
4. capacity (n): c kh nng
5. associate (v): kt giao, giao thip
The advantages and disadvantages of the cinema
Bi mu
The influence that the cinema exerts on the minds of those who visit it is at once beneficial and
harmful. Today, there is a cinema in almost every town. The cinema provides so much
entertainment that few people fail to visit it. One of the reasons for the popularity of the cinema is
that, it entertains all types of people, young and old, literate and illiterate. Because it is so popular,

it must exercise some influence on those whom it attracts.

The films shown in the cinema are often very instructive and informative. Almost every film
shows something about the activities and customs of the people in other lands. By seeing such
films, one learns a lot about human activities. One also gains a better understanding of people of
the world.
Further, some films show the battles that were fought in the past. They also sometimes show very
vividly how man has struggled through the centuries to remove discomfort from his life. In this
way, some films have given many people an insight into the past. Even illiterate people have
benefited from such films. What they cannot acquire from books owing to their inability to read,
they can acquire from films. School students, too, often benefit from a visit to the cinema. What
they see and hear in the cinema makes a better impression on their minds than only the spoken
words or their teachers. For example, a teacher of history can hardly describe a battle scene to his
students as vividly as a film does. For all these reasons, the cinema is often regarded as an
important means of spreading knowledge.
It must be admitted, however, that some films have exerted an evil influence on many people.
Films which show the activities of criminals have encouraged many youths to commit acts or
crime. Other films, too, such as those dealing with sex and other natural weaknesses of man, have
corrupted the morals of many people. As a result, the governments of many countries have been
compelled to interfere in the display and production of certain films. Yet, the cinema continues to
retain its popularity.
Bi dch
Nhng nh hng m rp chiu phim tc ng n t tng ca cc khn gi n xem va c li
cng va c hi. Ngy nay hu nh thnh ph, th trn no cng c rp chiu bng. Rp chiu
bng mang li s gii tr to ln n ni khng my ai cha tng n rp xem phim. Mt trong
nhng l do lm cho rp chiu bng c a thch l v y l phng tin gii tr ca mi ngi
dn, d gi hay tr, tr thc hay tht hc. V phim nh kh ph bin, n c tc ng n nhng
ngi thch xem phim.
Nhng b phim c chiu rp thng c tnh cht truyn b kin thc v thng tin. Hu nh
mi b phim u k chuyn v nhng sinh hot, phong tc ca con ngi nhng x s khc.
Bng cch xem phim, ngi ta hc c rt nhiu v sinh hot con ngi. Ngi ta cng c th
hiu nhiu hn v cc dn tc trn th gii.
Hn na, c nhng phim k v cc cuc chin tranh trong qu kh. Nhiu b phim k li mt
cch rt sinh ng cuc u tranh ca con ngi qua hng th k ci thin i sng ca mnh.
Bng cch ny phim nh cho con ngi ci nhn su sc v qu kh. Ngay c ngi hc cng
thu c nhiu li ch khi xem cc phim ny. H c th xem phim nm bt c nhng iu
m h khng c c trong sch v m ch. Hc sinh, sinh vin cng hc c nhiu iu b
ch sau khi xem phim. Tt c nhng iu h nghe v thy trong phim c n tng su m trong
tr tng ca h hn bt k bi ging no ca gio vin. Chng hn mt gio vin lch s hu nh
khng th miu t cho hc sinh quang cnh trn nh sinh ng nh phim nh. V th phim nh
c xem l mt phng tin quan trng truyn b kin thc.
Tuy nhin phi tha nhn rng phim nh gy ra nh hng ti li cho nhiu ngi. Nhng b
phim v cc hot ng ti phm khuyn khch nhiu thanh nin phm php. Nhng b phim
khc v tnh dc v bn nng yu ui ca con ngi lm suy i o c ca kh nhiu
ngi. V vy chnh quyn ca nhiu nc buc phi can thip vo vic sn xut v trnh
chiu phim nh. D vy, rp chiu phim vn tip tc duy tr c tnh i chng ca mnh.

New words:
1. entertainment (n): s gii tr, s tiu khin
2. entertain (v): phc v
3. literate (adj): c hc, bit c bit vit
illiterate (adj): m ch tht hc
4. struggle (v): u tranh
5. acquire (v): c, ginh c, thu c
6. regard (v): coi nh, xem nh
7. commit (v): phm php, can phm vo
8. weakness (n): im yu, khuyt im, li
9. corrupt (v): lm bng hoi, lm cho i bi
10. morals (n): o c, c hnh, phm hnh
Describe some of the interesting places in your country
Bi mu
Though my country is small, yet there are many places of interest spread throughout the country.
In the southern most part of the country, where the state of Johore lies, there are some very
interesting and beautiful places. In Kota Tinggi, for example, there are beautiful waterfalls which
are visited by many people everyday. Then, there is Johore Lama, a place of great historical
interest. In Johore Bahru, there is a beautiful beach which is visited daily by several people who
love the sea. In Batu Pahat, another town in Johore, is Minyak Buku, an interesting place on the
coast.
As we go towards the north, we arrive at Malacca, the oldest town that the Europeans occupied in
Malaya in the past. The influences of the Portuguese and the Dutch can still be seen in many of
the buildings there. Further north lies Port Dickson which is well known for its beautiful beaches.
In Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, there are many places of interest such as Batu Caves,
the zoo and the museum. The city itself is an interesting place to visit.
Another beautiful town is Penang, situated on an island. The sea around it makes it the most
beautiful town in the country.
Finally, the paddy ficlds in the northern most parts of the country are also very beautiful and
interesting to look at. On the east coast of the country too there are some beautiful towns such as
Kuantan and Kuala Trenganu. All these places have indeed made my country an interesting place
to live in.
Bi dch
D ch l mt quc gia nh b nhng trn khp t nc ti c rt nhiu thng cnh.
vng cc nam ca t nc, ni c tiu bang Johore, c rt nhiu cnh sc p v th v.
Kota Tinggi chng hn c nhng thc nc tuyt vi m hng ngy c rt nhiu du khch n
chim ngng. Sau l Johore Lama, mt thng cnh lch s ni ting. Johore Bahru c mt
bi bin p m nhiu ngi yu bin thng gh n mi ngy. Batu Pahat, mt th trn khc
ca Johore, c Minyak Buku, mt phong cnh l th vng duyn hi.

V pha bc chng ta n Malacca, th trn c xa nht m ngi chu u chim ng ti

Malaya trc y. C th thy trn cc to nh y du n su m ca ngi B o Nha v
H Lan. Xa hn v pha bc l cng Dickson ni ting vi nhng bi bin p. Kuala Lumpur
th Malayxia c nhiu thng cnh nh hang ng Batu, vn th v vin bo tng. Ngay
chnh thnh ph ny cng l mt ni th v cho du khch tham quan.
Mt th trn xinh p khc l Penang, to lc trn mt hn o. Vng bin quanh o gip cho
Penang tr thnh thnh ph p nht ca t nc.
Cui cng l nhng cnh ng la vng cc bc ca t nc, to nn cnh quan p mt v
hp dn. Ti vng bin pha ng ca t nc cng c mt vi th trn xinh p nh Kuantan v
Kuala Trengalu. Tt c nhng thng cnh ny tht s lm cho t nc chng ti tr thnh mt
vng t tuyt vi sinh sng.
New words:
1. waterfall (n): thc nc
2. occupy (v): chim, chim lnh, chim c
3. situate (v): nm, xy dng
4. paddy field (n): rung la, cnh ng, nng la
What career would you like to choose after leaving school
Bi mu
Today, it is not easy to choose a career. Hundreds of students pass various examinations every
year and compete with one another for positions in the various professions which are not so many
as there are applicants. I would, however, like to choose teaching as my career.
Teaching is an interesting career for several reasons. As a teacher I can learn many things,
especially if I teach to an udder-secondary school. If I teach History or English, for example, I
have to read many books to make my teaching lessons more interesting to my pupils. Thus, I can
acquire more knowledge of the subjects that I teach than what I can learn from the class text
books. It is indeed a fact that a teacher learns a lot from the class text books; but that is hardly
enough to make the teacher's lessons interesting to pupils. A good teacher must therefore read
many other books.
Again, as a teacher, I have to speak well so that my pupils will be able to understand my
instructions well. In this way I can improve my powers of expression. Even my pronunciation of
words will improve to great extent.
Further, as a teacher, I shall have enough leisure to read and prepare for various examinations. It
is possible today to sit for many important examinations by studying entirely at home. Thus, I can
acquire important qualifications.
Finally, as a teacher I will be respected as an educated person. People will assume that I have
certain qualifications and show their regard for me and the opinions that I express. Thus, I shall
be able to live a happy
Bi dch
Ngy nay, chn ngh l mt iu chng d dng. Hng trm sinh vin tri qua nhiu k thi mi
nm v tranh ua vi nhau ginh ch trong nhiu ngnh ngh khc nhau m s lng t i hn
nhiu so vi s ng c vin. Cn ti, ti mun tr thnh mt thy gio.

C nhiu l do cho rng dy hc l mt ngh th v. Lm gio vin ti c th hc hi c

nhiu iu, c bit nu ti dy mt trng trung hc ph thng. Nu ti dy Lch s hay Anh
vn chng hn, ti phi c nhiu sch bi ging tr nn th v hn i vi hc sinh. Nh vy
ti s tip thu c nhiu kin thc v cc ti mnh ang dy hn l nhng g c th c qua
sch gio khoa lp. Qu thc khng th ph nhn rng mt gio vin hc c rt nhiu iu
t sch gio khoa; nhng nh th vn cha lm cho bi hc hp dn vi hc sinh. Mt gio
vin gii phi c nhiu quyn sch khc na.
Tng t, lm mt gio vin gii ti phi c kh nng din t tt hc sinh c th hiu
c nhng ch dn ca mnh. Bng cch ny ti c th pht trin kh nng din t ca mnh.
Ngay c cch pht m ca ti cng s tt hn nhiu.
Hn na, nu l mt gio vin ti s c thi gian rnh ri c sch v n luyn cho nhiu
k thi khc nhau. Ngy nay chng ta c th hon ton t hc nh n luyn cho nhiu k thi
quan trng. Nh vy ti c th c nhng bng cp quan trong.
Cui cng, khi lm gio vin ti s c knh trng nh mt ngi tr thc. Mi ngi s cng
nhn rng ti c nng lc, h s coi trng ti cng nh nhng kin ti a ra. Nh vy cuc
sng ca ti s rt hnh phc.
New words:
1. career (n): ngh nghip, s nghip
2. applicant (n): ngi xin vic
3. upper-secondary school: trng trung hc, ph thng, cp ba
4. pronunciation (n): s pht m, cch pht m
5. leisure (n): thi gian nhn ri
7. entirely (adv): hon ton, ton vn, trn vn
7. qualification (n): kh nng chuyn mn, trnh chuyn mn, tiu chun chuyn mn, vn
bng, hc v
8. respect (v): knh trng, tn trng
9. assume (v): cho rng, tha nhn
Why is agriculture important in the world of today?
Bi mu
Since the dawn of history, agriculture has been one of the important means of producing food for
human consumption. Today more and more lands are being developed for the production of a
large variety of crops. In Asia, vast areas of land are being used to produce rice, wheat, rubber
and a variety of other crops. More than half of the lands occupied and developed by human
beings in the world are devoted to agriculture.
That agriculture is one of the most essential means of producing food is realised easily when we
think of the types of things that we eat. The rice or wheat that we eat comes from the land. Even
potatoes and other roots or vegetables and even leaves such as tea, as well as the fruits that men
eat are the products of the soil that covers the earth. In fact, everything that we eat, except meat,
fish and other kinds of flesh come from the land, and what grows on the land is part of agriculture.
Even the sugar, oil, coffee and other beverages that we use are products of plants that grow on
land. In the same way, many of the medicines that we use are made of plants that grow in various

parts of the world. The tobacco that we use for relaxation also comes from a plant.
Thus, it can be easily observed that without agriculture we would be almost without food. It is
true, however, that in the remote past men did live mainly on flesh that he obtained by hunting.
But such a kind of life was unhappy and inconvenient, for animals were not found everywhere
easily. Therefore, men turned to agriculture for his livelihood. Today, agriculture continues to
provide almost all the food that men require to survive on the earth.
Bi dch
T bui bnh minh ca lch s, nng nghip tr thnh phng tin sn xut thc phm quan
trng cho con ngi tiu th. Hin nay ngy cng c nhiu t ai c khai khn sn xut
nhng v ma ln. chu nhng vng t mnh mng ang c s dng trng la go,
la mch, cao su v nhiu hoa mu khc. Hn mt na din tch t ai m con ngi chim
hu v khai ph trn th gii c dnh pht trin nng nghip.
Tm quan trng thit yu ca nng nghip trong vai tr phng tin sn xut thc phm c th
c d dng nhn ra khi chng ta ngh n cc loi thc phm mnh thng n. La go v la
mch chng ta n mc t ng rung. Ngay c khoai ty hay nhng loi rau c khc, k c l cy
nh l tr, cng nh cc loi tri cy m cng l sn phm ca lp t bao ph b mt tri t.
Trn thc t, tt c nhng g chng ta n tr tht, c v nhng th tht sng khc u sinh ra t t
ai, v nhng g mc trn t u l mt phn ca nng nghip. Ngay c ng, du, c ph v
cc thc ung khc cng u l sn phm ca thc vt mc trn t. Tng t, nhiu v thuc
chng ta ly t cc thc vt nhiu ni trn th gii. Thuc l m chng ta dng th gin
cng ly t mt loi cy.
Nh vy d dng nhn thy rng khng c nng nghip, chng ta hu nh cng khng c thc
phm. Tuy nhin s tht l vo thi xa xa con ngi sng ch yu nh vo tht ng vt kim
c khi sn bn. Nhng mt cuc sng nh th khng sung sng v thoi mi bi v khng
phi u cng d dng tm thy th vt. V vy con ngi chuyn sang nng nghip nui
sng bn thn h. Ngy nay, nng nghip tip tc cung cp phn ln lng thc cn thit cho s
tn ti ca loi ngi trn tri t.
New words:
1. dawn (n): bnh minh, bui u
2. agriculture (n): nng nghip
3. consumption (n): s tiu th, s tiu dng
4. variety (n): nhiu th 1oi, s a dng
5. flesh : tht
6. remote (adj): xa xi, xa xm
7. inconvenient (adj): bt tin, thiu tin nghi
8. livelihood (n): phng k sinh nhai, sinh k

PHN 2
A heroic deed
The story of man is full of heroic deeds. One of the acts of heroism that I have seen myself was
that of my uncle, who was attacked by a huge tiger while we were in our plantation, one day. My
uncle, a young and well-built man, and I had left our home early in the morning to do some work
in the plantation. When we reached there, we could hear some dogs barking in the distance. But
we did not suspect anything, and began to do our work.
While we were working, however, we noticed some foot-prints of some animal. We then
examined them closely and were satisfied that they did not belong to any member of the cat
family, the most ferocious of animals. We then resumed our work. My uncle took a long knife
and began to cut some sticks and branches of plants scattered throughout the plantation, while I
did some other work. Soon, however, I saw a movement in the bush, a short distance away. I was
alarmed. I ran up to my uncle to draw his attention, but he was hardly interested in what I had to
say. He continued to do his work. But shortly afterwards, my uncle himself observed the
movement in the bush. Yet, he showed no signs of fear, and his composure dispelled my anxieties.
He warned me, however, to be careful, and picked up an axe that had been lying on the ground.
His knife, he gave to me. Then, he moved slowly and cautiously towards the bush, ready for any
attack.
To our horror, a huge tiger soon emerged from the bush. But my uncle was prepared to face it, to
escape seemed impossible. The tiger too seemed to be fully aware of the strength and courage of
its adversary. It paused several times while advancing towards my uncle. Then all of a sudden, it
sprang on my uncle, but his agility enabled him to escape the sharp claws of the brute with the
slightest injury. Now with the axe still in his firm grip, my uncle struck the tigers face again and
again, until it was bleeding profusely. The length of the handle of the axe made it difficult for the
tiger to get to close to my uncle. That the tiger was at a disadvantage was clear to me from the
beginning. In the end, however, the tiger collapsed and died. Within hours, after that all the
people in our area heard of my uncle's bravery, which saved us both from death. It was indeed a
greatest act of heroism that I had witnessed.
New words:
1. heroic deed (n): hnh ng dng cm
2. plantation (n): n in, vn cy, khu t trng trt
3. well-built (adj): lc lng, cng trng
4. suspect (v): nghi, nghi ng, hoi nghi, ng vc
5. ferocious (adj): d tn, hung c
6. composure (n): s bnh tnh, s im tnh
7. cautiously (adv): cn thn, thn trng
8 . horror (n): ni kinh hong, s khip s, s gh rn
9. spring (sprang-sprung) (v): nhy, bt mnh
10. agility (n): s nhanh nhn, s l lng, s lanh li
11. profusely (adv): t m, nhiu, di do
12. collapse (v): sp xung, ng gc

Crimes in society
The human society is full of activity. People work in all kinds of business Firms, government
offices, factories and other places, to earn their livelihood. Some work from dawn till dark; many
work only at night; and others work during the day. At the same time men with criminal tendency
are engaged in all kinds of activity, which often cause great hardship and sorrow to a large
number of people in society.
Men develop criminal tendencies because of numerous frustrations. Society has always failed to
satisfy the social, emotional and other needs of a large number of people, many of whom have
therefore turned to crime for either survival or recognition. The activities of such men represent a
constant threat to the welfare society, and much being done to reform them.
But criminals cannot be reformed until they are apprehended. By that time, hundreds of people
are forced to live in fear at the hands of criminals, who resort to violence at the slightest
provocation. Numerous people of various descriptions have been killed by criminals without
proper cause. Society is therefore straining all its resources to bring criminals to justice. Large
sums of money are being spent to employ men and equipment for the prevention and detection of
crime.
Criminals are desperate men, and when they are pursued, they fight tooth and nail to escape
capture. Therefore, those who are employed to capture them have to be brave, intelligent and
well-trained men. To have such men always on the alert for the protection of society involves
much expenditure.
Punishment of criminals today, however, is not the same as what it was in the past. Society has
realized its responsibility towards individuals who always find a bone to pick with t. It is now
believed that criminals could be reformed. Therefore, psychologists and others who are
responsible for the welfare of criminals are doing their utmost to train criminals to live a good
life in the future. Only those who commit the most serious crimes are punished severely to deter
others from committing such crimes.
New words:
1. tendency (n): xu hng, khuynh hng
2. engage (v): tham gia vo
3. hardship (n): s th thch gay go; s gian kh
4. numerous (adj): nhiu, ng o
5. frustration (n): tm trng tht vng, tm trng v mng, s lm tht bi, s lm hng
6. welfare (n): hnh phc, s thnh vng
7. provocation (n): s khiu khch
8. well-trained (n): c gio dc tt
9. expenditure (n): chi ph, ph tn
10. utmost (adj): mc sng
A strange happening
The mysteries of nature have always fascinated the human mind, and many of them remain
unsolved for a long time. The story that I am about to relate concerns a mysterious relationship
between a baby boy and a snake somewhere in Malaysia.

I was indeed intrigued when I read a report in a newspaper sometime ago that a snake had
suddenly appeared in a room, with the birth of a child and that it had attempted to show some
relationship with the child. I could hardly believe it. The report added that the mother or the child
was finally convinced that there was indeed some relationship between her child and the snake
and she allowed the snake complete freedom to play and live with the child. To make sure that
the report was true, I made up my mind to visit the house where this unnatural relationship
between a reptile and a human being was established.
Then, one morning, my brothers, sisters and I arrived at the house, not very far from ours. As we
enter the house we were greatly surprised to find a baby boy and a large snake playing with each
other mirthfully. Soon, the mother of the child appeared and narrated the events that led to the
snake and the child to live together. It seems that the snake was found lying near the baby just a
few hours after the baby was born. A man was called in to kill the snake; but every time the man
struck at it with the stick that he brought, the child cried with pain. The man then tried to take the
snake out of the room, but again the child began to cry. The child's mother then realised that there
was some mysterious relationship between the snake and her child. She ordered the man to stop
molesting the reptile, and to the surprise of all those who had arrived on the scene, the child
stopped crying. The snake then returned to the child without attempting to harm anyone. Since
then the snake has been fed by the mother of the child, and the snake and the child have been
living together as brothers.
To see this strange occurrence, many people from all parts of the country come everyday. It is
said that the snake, by its touch, has cured many sick people; but the mystery remains unsolved.
New words:
1. fascinate (v): m hoc, quyn r, lm m
2. intrigue (v): hp dn, gi thch th, kch thch t m
3. convince (adj): tin chc, on chc
4. reptile (n): loi b st
5. mirthfully (adv): vui, vui v
6. narrate (v): k li, thut li
7. bitterly (adv): mt cch au n, quyt lit, cay ng, chua cht
8. molest (v): quy ry, quy nhiu, lm phin
A journey by train
The house in which I lived before was near the railway station. Trains used to pass by at regular
interval and I had become so familiar with their sound and sight that I took little interest in them.
It never occurred to me that I might make journey by train some day. However, when my father
decided to take up a new appointment in the place where we now live, it was decided that we
should travel by train. It was only then that I discovered how pleasant a journey by train might
be.
My father, mother and I boarded a train one afternoon. As the train moved out of the station, I
began to think of the days I had spent in our old house which I could still see from the train. But
soon the house went out of sight, and I began to think of my journey itself.
The train was now moving quite fast. The first thing that impressed me was the beauty of the

landscape. There were green valleys, and tropical plants could be seen everywhere. In certain
places there was tall grass. All this reminded me of the geography lessons I had in the classroom.
Several palm-oil and rubber plantations could be seen now and then. Sometimes I saw a few
houses here and there. I also saw many vegetable gardens at several places.
The train stopped at many stations, and soon it became dark. But sometime later the moon
appeared and the landscape looked romantic. As I looked outside, I felt a thrill of admiration for
the great artistry of nature.
Inside the train, too, everything was interesting. Some restless passengers moved about aimlessly
and their restlessness was amusing. Some were sleeping with their mouths wide open, into which
some mosquitoes blundered. Others were reading magazines and newspapers. Occasionally, the
ticket-checker passed by. At one corner I saw two policemen keeping a close watch on a man
who was hand-cuffed.
At every station a few passengers alighted from the train while a few boarded it. Whenever the
train stopped at a big station, I saw a large number of people on the platforms, smartly dressed,
and often smiling. As the train moved out, many waved their hands and the passengers too waved
in response. After we had passed several stations, I felt sleepy and closed my eyes. When I
opened them, I saw the dim light of the dawn. I looked outside and saw the mist-covered plants.
The air was fresh, and some birds were flying about. The scene looked extremely beautiful and I
was lost in admiration of it. But we soon arrived at our destination and my enjoyment came to an
end.
New words:
1. interval (n): thi gian gia hai s kin; khong thi gian
2. appointment (n): cng vic c b nhim, s hn gp
3. admiration (n): s say m, ngng m
4. mosquito (n): con mui
5. blunder (v): m mm vo
6. hand-cuff (v): xch tay, cng tay
7. extremely (adv): v cng, cc , cc k
Discuss "news travel fast"
Until a few decades ago news travelled very slowly. It took several days to know what was
happening in places only a few miles away. But today news travels at a speed much greater than
ever before.
In the past, men had to travel on root to get information, even about the most unimportant thing.
There were no motor vehicles and travel was slow and difficult. As a result, news too travelled
very slowly. If one's relative died in some distant place, one received the news of the death
several days later. Sometimes there was no news at all. The difficulty in getting news and
information about people in other places made life dull and miserable. There was little
communication among those whom we would regard as neighbours today. News was therefore
difficult to send and in times of need, it was hard to obtain help.
But all this has changed today. The invention of the means of communication such as the
telephone, the wireless and several others has made it possible to send and receive news within a
matter of hours and minutes. Even the newspaper and the post office help to spread news and

information quickly. As a result, we know what is happening today in all parts of the world. If a
great man dies or a war breaks out in some corner or the earth. we receive news about it almost
immediately. The ease and speed with which news travels today have helped greatly in promoting
better understanding and co-operation among the peoples of the world. When the people of one
place or country suffer a sudden calamity, news is at once sent to all parts of the world and help
comes from many countries within a very short time. This is not possible in the past when news
travelled slowly.
That news travels fast can also be known from our own personal affairs. If we are ill or if
something unfortunate happens to us, our friends and relatives come to know about it very
quickly. It is therefore true to say that today. "news travels fast".
New words:
1. decade (n): thik mi nm, thp k
2. motor vehicle (n): xe my
3. miserable (adj): ngho nn
4. wireless (n): radio, my thu thanh, v tuyn
5. promote (v) xc tin, y mnh; thng chc
6. co-operation (n): s hp tc, cng tc
7. calamity (n): tai ha, tai ng, thin tai
World trade
In the past when mens needs were few, it was not necessary to get things from distant lands. But
today, the people of one country depend on the people of another country for a variety of things.
As a result, world trade has developed.
Without world trade, it would be difficult for the people of any country to get many things which
are now considered necessaries. Some countries are not rich in mineral resources. They have no
iron or coal mines, while others have too many of them. Again, some countries are not suitable
for agriculture while others have several fertile plains to grow crops
Further, even if a country is rich in natural resources, it may not have enough skilled men to
exploit them. For such geographical and other reasons the peoples of the world have learnt to buy
things which they cannot produce profitably and to sell things for which they have a special
ability to produce. West Malaysia, for example, specialises in producing rubber for which there is
a great demand from several courtiers in the world. But she has no ability to produce machinery
and several other things. West Malaysia therefore depends on other courtiers for many of her
needs. In the same way, all the countries of the world co-operate and exchange things with one
another. From other countries we get motor- cars, radios, television sets and several other things,
which we cannot produce ourselves. At the same time we give to other countries the things that
we can produce better than many others. In this way, every country specialises in producing only
a few things. As a result, the quality of goods is improved to the common benefit of the people of
the world.
World trade has also raised the standard of living of the people in the world. We are able to use
things made in countries across miles of ocean. As a result of all this, life has become more
comfortable than what it was before; and it is realised that a country could hardly progress
without world trade.

New words:
1. mineral (adj): khong, (thuc) khong sn
2. fertile (adj): ph nhiu, mu m
3. exploit (v): khai thc, bc lt, li dng
A narrow escape
Whenever my mind travels over the past events in my lif, one incident stands out prominently to
remind me of the narrow escape I once had from almost certain death.
In the rubber estates of west Malaysia there are hundreds of snakes of which the cobra is the most
dangerous and venomous. This snake has a preference for cool places along the numerous
streams found in the estates, where it relaxes, especially in the afternoons. Those who catch fish
from these streams have, therefore, to be on the look-out for cobras. All this I did not know until I
came face to face with a cobra one day, while fishing with my brother.
My brother and I were then spending our holidays in an estate where our father was employed. In
the afternoons, my brother, who loves fishing, and I would go out to catch fish from the streams
not very far from our father's house. Wherever the water was shallow, we got down into the
streams and searched for holes where fish usually like to shelter. When we found one, we put our
hands in and often caught some fish. Fishing in this way had its moments of excitement, for at
times we also caught some water- snakes, which we found to be harmless. Then, one day, I came
so close to death that I made up my mind never to catch fish again in that way.
A cobra, about six feet long, was lying along the water's edge of one side of the stream in which
we were fishing. Its tail was in the water, but it was concealed by the reeds and grasses along that
stream. As I put my hand into the water, my searching fingers touched something tender.
Thinking that it was a fish, I gripped it at once and tried to bring it out of the water. But it resisted
violently, and to my consternation I discovered that it was a cobra. I relaxed my grip at once and
rushed for safety. My brother, who was a few yards away, was too surprised to speak. But he soon
saw the cobra which was now rushing towards him with its hood fully opened. I picked up stick
hurriedly and threw it at the cobra. Surprisingly, the cobra now turned towards me, and I took to
my heels. My brother then picked up a stick and ran after the cobra and managed to kill it just at
the time when I was almost exhausted. lf he had been a little late, I might have been killed by the
cobra. That was indeed a very narrow escape, an escape I shall never forget.
New words:
1. prominently (adv): d thy, ni bt
2. narrow escape (n): sut cht
3. estate (n): vng t (nht l nng thn)
4. cobra (n): rn mang bnh
5. shelter (v): n nu, nng ta
6. conceal (v): giu gim, giu, che y
7. resist (v): khng c, chng li
8. consternation (n): s kinh hong
9. exhaust (adj): kit sc, mt l

Travel as a means of education

In the past travel was considered an essential part of education. Poets and writers realised the
value of travel and went out to other countries in search of knowledge. A man's education was not
completed until he had visited foreign lands.
That travel broadens the mind cannot be denied. Those who remain within the confines of their
homes are cut off from the outside world. As a result, they develop a narrow outlook on life. But
those who travel come into contact with various types of people whose ways of life are
completely different from theirs. They see things with their own eyes and have a better
understanding of the affairs of the world. The impressions that they receive while they travel
remain fresh in their minds for many years, and all false impressions and ideas are removed from
their minds. Thus, they are able to see things in their proper perspective and make correct
judgments and decisions, and to be able to make connect decisions is a valuable part of
education.
It is argued, however, that the presence of the great variety of books, newspapers, the radio and
television today obviates the need for travel to acquire knowledge. One would study in the
comfort and privacy of one's own home and absorb all the knowledge that one desires. But there
are many things which books cannot describe effectively. For example, the love and respect
people in other lands have for us and the natural beauty of the various parts or the world cannot
be described properly in words. They have to be seen and felt. Besides, not all can understand
everything that they read about people away from their homes. To such people, especially, travel
is an important means of education. Of course, travel involves time and money which most
people cannot afford. But the value of travel as a means of education is so great that time and
money spent on travel are not a waste of effort.
New words:
1. broaden (v): m rng
2. confines (n): bin gii, ranh gii
3. outlook (n): quan im, cch nhn
4. perspective (n): phi cnh, vin cnh
5. obviate (v): xo b, ty tr
6. absorb (v): hp th
The country I would like to visit
I have heard much about the beauty of the East as well as the West, about the wonderful islands
in the Pacific and also in the Atlantic. In short, the whole world seems to be full of beautiful
places. The country that I would like to visit, however, is the United States of America.
My knowledge of the United States of America is derived from the geography and history books
that I have read, the films that I have seen and the stories that I have heard from people who have
visited this country.
The United States of America is a vast country with a mixed population. People from many
different lands have come and settled here. This mixture of different races of people with
different customs, religions, cultures and abilities have created a nation unique in history.
Although this country has a very short history compared with that of the other large countries in
the world, it is an example to the world of how people of different races could live together in
peace and harmony. The exchange of ideas among the people of so many racial origins here has

contributed greatly to the progress and prosperity of the nation. There are world famous scientists,
doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers and politicians whose original homes were in many different
lands. The work of such men has made this country a wonderful land indeed. The roads,
buildings and cinemas here may be said to be the best in the world. There are many places and
things of interest such as Hollywood, the United Nations building. Niagara Falls and the
skyscrapers. Even the natural vegetation and features are rich in variety. If one travels across the
land, one will find different kinds of scenery in different places. Further, as the people here still
follow their original customs and traditions, one will also have the feeling that one is passing
through many different countries.
The people of the United States are proud of their country, for it was their country that gave the
modern world ideas of freedom. The name of Abraham Lincoln will always be remembered by
those who believe in the freedom of man. It was the United States, again, who saved the world
from destruction in two World Wars. Such a country must be a wonderful land, and it is for this
reason that I would like to visit this country some day.
New words:
1. derive (v): xut pht t, bt ngun t
2. racial (adj): thuc chng tc
3. sky-scraper (n): nh chc tri
4. destruction (n): s ph hu, s tiu dit
Good manners
Good manners play an important part in maintaining peace and good- will in a community. A
man who has good manners does not hurt the feelings of others, and therefore he is on good
terms with his friends and neighbors and also with others. In this way he helps to keep peace in
society.
But a man whose manners are bad has no respect for others. He uses words carelessly and
behaves rudely towards other and causes a lot of ill- will and unpleasantness. In the end, it is he
himself who suffers the most. Everyone avoids him and he is forced to live almost in isolation.
To live well in a society, money alone is not enough. We should also have good manners, for it is
human nature to seek friendship; and friendship cannot be bought with money. Friendship with
others makes life pleasant and it has to be earned through our own attitude towards others. If we
are kind to others, they will be kind to us, and kindness is the essence of good manners. Bad
manners not only drive away friends but also others, including our own family members.
Even the richest man cannot afford to have had manners. For a man may have enough money to
buy all the things than he wants; but if his manners are bad he will have no friends, and no one
can live happily without friends. Even the members of his own family may not respect him and
finally he will become a lonely man.
On the other hand, a man whose manners are good has many friends. He commands the respect
of all those who come into contact with him. He does not talk ill about others. Even when he is
provoked, he tries his best to use words in a way which will not offend others. He is also
sympathetic towards the weak and ignorant and does not poke fun at the deformities and
weaknesses of others.
There are, however, many people who behave so well outside their homes that they are respected
and admired by everyone outside. But in their own homes they are worse than the devil. Such

people could not be said to have good manners. Their whole behavior is a pretence and it does
not take long for others to discover this. If one's manners are good, one behaves well everywhere,
even when one is away from the critical eyes of others. Only such a person can live well in
society. It is therefore essential for everyone to cultivate good manners.
New words:
1. maintain (v): duy tr, gi vng
2. isolation (n) : s c lp hoc cch ly
3. seek (v): tm, tm kim
4. attitude (n): thi , quan im
5. provoke (v): khiu khch, chc tc, kch ng
6. sympathetic (n): thng cm, ng cm
7. deformity (n): d dng, d hnh
Choosing a career
It is not easy to choose a career today. Hundreds of students are leaving schools and universities
every year to seek employment in the various professions, though employment opportunities are
not increasing proportionately. As a result, there is a lot of unemployment.
The inability of the various professions to absorb all those seeking employment makes the choice
of a career more difficult. Before one leaves school or university, one has many plans, confident
that choosing a career will not be difficult. But when the time comes to choose a career, one finds
that there are others with better qualifications waiting to enter the same profession. Disillusioned,
one then looks for any kind of employment. In this way, many who wanted to become police,
inspectors or field assistants in the rubber estates in this country, become teachers instead, and
many who wanted to become teachers, have become clerks.
The lack of institutions where people could acquire the skills necessary for a particular career
makes the choice of a career even more difficult. For example, if one desires to become a
journalist, one has to receive some training and instruction in a school of journalism. But if there
is no such school, one is compelled to think of some other career. On the other hand, even if there
are institutions where one could acquire the necessary skills, one may still experience difficulty in
gaining admission to them because one may not have the financial resources or the academic
ability. Thus, many who wanted to become doctors and lawyers have actually become clerks and
teachers.
Further, even if one has all the academic and intellectual requirements for the career that one has
chosen, one's temperament may not enable one to make a success of that career. Thus, many who
passed several professional examinations and began their career as teachers are now working in
the banks and other commercial firms.
All this indicates the difficulty in choosing a career. Only a few are able to remain in the
professions of their choice.
New words:
1. opportunity (n): c hi, thi c
2. proportionately (adv): cn xng, tng xng
3. disillusion (v): lm v mng, lm tan v o tng

4. institution (n): c quan, t chc

5. on the other hand: tri li
6. academic (adj): thuc v hc thut, hc vn
7. intellectual (adj): (thuc) tr c, (thuc) tr tu
8. commercial (adj): thuc v hoc dnh cho thng mi
A visit to a zoo
The zoo is an artificial forest created by man. Though there are few trees compared with the
natural forest, the animals, birds and other creatures found in the zoo must always remind us of
the forest. It is indeed an interesting place to visit.
Even in the natural forest such a variety of animals, birds and other creatures cannot be found as
are found in a big zoo. Animals which are not found in the forests of one country are caught in
other parts of the world and brought to the zoo. The lion, for example, is not found in Malaysia;
but one may see an African lion in the zoo at Johore Bahru.
Until I visited the zoo at Johore Bahru, a few months ago, I had no idea how informative a visit to
a zoo might be. Though the zoo at Johore Bahru is not big, I found many kinds of interesting
animals and other creatures there. Lions, tigers and other animals were moving about lazily in
their cages. Some of the animals appeared to be bored, and they took little interest in the visitors.
The monkeys, however. showed their natural agility. Whenever they saw a visitor, they ran
towards him and begged for something to eat. I was indeed amused at their behavior. Most of
them were caught in Malaysia and their variety was amazing.
Some of the birds too were very interesting to see. Their beautiful feathers and looks fascinated
me. Birds are indeed one of the loveliest creations of God. A few birds are larger than many
animals.
The lions and the tigers in this zoo were so docile that I could not but treat them as domestic
animals like the dog and the cat. I went very close to them, but they showed little interest in me. I
then began to think of how the animal or even human spirit could be broken by confinement.
Confined to their cages, these animals had become spiritless. Even the sight of food did not seem
to excite them much.
Then, there was the crocodile with its usual pretence of innocence. It refused to be disturbed.
Heaven knows how it might have reacted if a child had fallen into its pit. However, my visit to
the zoo had increased my knowledge of animals.
New words:
1. informative (adj): cung cp nhiu thng tin, c tc dng nng cao kin thc
2. agility (n): s nhanh nhn, s lanh li
3. beg (v): xin, cu xin
4. fascinate (v): m hoc, quyn r
5. docile (adj): d bo, d sai khin, ngoan ngon
6. crocodile (adj): c su chu Phi, c su

The importance of the newspaper

The newspaper, today, plays a vital role in human affairs. Its importance has not been diminished
by the appearance of the radio or the television. Men no longer have travel to get information.
The newspaper has become the main source of information about local and foreign affairs.
Though the radio and television convey important news and messages quicker than the
newspaper, they seldom give the details of an incident. The newspaper, on the other hand, gives
not only more details about a particular incident but it also contains more new items. This is of
great importance today when political changes occur with a rapidity unknown before. Besides,
the newspaper is easier to carry and it could be read at any time during the day. Further, the
permanence of the printed word helps one to refresh ones memory of certain facts and incidents
reported in the past.
The importance of the newspaper has been increased greatly by the spread of education.
Education sharpens one's curiosity about events in distant lands and also makes one conscious of
the necessity to maintain one's reading habits. In both respects the newspaper appeals most,
especially if one finds little time to read books.
The newspaper should, however, be read with caution, for its capacity to do harm is great. Most
people believe every thing that is reported by the newspaper. As a result, the newspaper exerts a
profound influence on the minds of its reader. Therefore, when some news is reported wrongly
either by mistake or design, it may cause a lot of harm. On the other hand, if the policy of the
newspaper is to promote the welfare of the people, it could do a lot of good. For example, it could
exercise its influence to persuade the government of a country to do many things for the benefit
of the people. In a country like Malaysia, where there are many races of people, the newspaper
could also use its influence to promote good-will and harmony among the people. It is therefore
important to know the policy of the newspaper that one reads.
In general, however, the newspaper tries to report as accurately as possible, for there are various
magazines and periodicals competing with the newspaper to provide accurate information on
world developments, and it is the newspaper that links us with the outside world.
New words:
1. vital role (n): vai tr thit yu
2. diminish (v): gim bt, thu nh
3. convey (v): truyn t, chuyn ti
4. permanence (n): tnh lu di, lu bn, tnh vnh cu
5. conscious (adj): c thc, bit c, nhn ra
6. policy (n): ng li hnh ng, chnh sch
7. accurately (adv): mt cch ng n, chnh xc
8. periodical (n): tp ch xut bn nh k
The things that I like most
There are so many things around us that one finds it hard to have a special preference for a few
particular things. I, however, take a special interest in motor-car and television.
Motor-cars have always fascinated me. Since my childhood I have been travelling in motor-cars,
and I have visited hundreds of places in this country. I have been to remote villages and almost
all the towns, large and small. Travel has broadened my outlook on life. I have met various types

of people, and my knowledge of the people and places of this country has increased greatly. If I
am at home or if I am walking along a road, I feel the urge to travel as soon as I see a car.
It is because of motor-cars that I am able to do various types of work. In the morning I go to my
school, a long distance away, in my father's car. After school I go to my father's plantation to help
him in his work. Then I visit one of my class-mates and discuss our school work. Sometimes I
visit the cinema, miles away. If there were no motor-cars, I would not have seen so much. Even
in this small country, I would perhaps not have been able even to attend school.
The next thing that I like is television. Television helps us to see and hear some of the famous
leaders of the world. We are also able to see some of the great events of the day. In addition, we
can get news from all parts of the world, and listen to songs and music. Sometimes there are
special programmes which are very amusing. The television programmes become more
interesting on a rainy day. We can then sit in the comfort of our home and watch the television
programme. Even if we cannot read the newspaper for some reason, television keeps us well
informed about the latest developments in the world. In this respect, television is better than the
radio because the pictures and incidents shown on television convey a better impression than only
the spoken words of the radio.
I shall therefore always have a special preference for the motor-car and television.
New words:
1. childhood (n): tui th u, thi th u
2. broaden (v): m rng
3. urge (adv): s thi thc, s thc y mnh m, s ham mun mnh m
My hobby
To have a hobby is to know how to spend one's leisure moments. A hobby, besides providing an
avenue of escape from boredom, can also add to one's knowledge of human affairs. My hobby is
reading.
When my day's work is over, I sit down in the privacy of my room and read the newspaper.
Reading the newspaper is like travelling round the world. As I read about the developments in the
various parts of the world, I fell that I am there myself observing the incidents. I also feel that I
am having contacts with many leaders and peoples of the world. This feeling is a source of
pleasure to me. By reading the newspaper I have acquired a better knowledge of the world. I am
aware of what scientists, economists and politicians are doing to make this world a better place to
live in. At the same time, I am also aware of the activities of those who are trying to create chaos
in the world.
After reading the newspaper, I take a book which requires deep concentration, such as a history
book or a book on psychology. Sometimes I read a novel or a popular magazine. Through this
hobby I have learned that people everywhere are the same, in all ages, and in all countries. I have
also learned that the world was made not for man alone but for every creature that can feel
hunger and thirst, warm and cold. It has also helped me to see not only into the most remote
regions of the world today but also into the world in which our ancestors lived.
My hobby has deepened and widened my knowledge of man and his place in the universe.
Reading, I think, has made men more human, broad-minded and sympathetic. It has brought me
into contact with many great minds, and acquainted with the beauty of language and ideas. It has
also improved my powers of expression. I have little difficulty in expressing my thoughts and

feelings. Therefore, I could say that my hobby has made me a better person.
New words:
1. avenue (n): i l
2. privacy (n): s ring t, s cch bit
3. chaos (n): s hn n, s hn lon, s ln xn
4. concentration (n): s tp trung
5. ancestor (n): ng b, t tin
6. universe (n): v tr
7. acquaint (v): lm quen
The advantages and disadvantages of the cinema
Cinemas are a common sight nowadays. They are found in every town. The existence of so many
cinemas reflects their popularity. They have indeed become the most popular places of
entertainment.
The cinema attracts large numbers of people everyday. It is the magnet of the town. It sometimes
attracts even those who do not wish to see a film.
As it is so popular, the cinema exerts a profound influence on the minds of many people, young
and old. The influence is sometimes good, and sometimes it is bad. Films showing criminal
activities and the sensual desires of man have caused much harm to many youths. Some youths
have become criminals themselves though almost every film shows how the good always
triumphs over the evil. The cinema has also caused many people to waste money. Such people
have become so addicted to visiting the cinema that they see almost every film, good or bad. In
this way money is wasted not only on purchasing tickets for admittance to the cinema but also on
travelling and many other things.
Often, however, the cinema helps to spread knowledge. There are many films which show the
activities of the various races of people living in the remote regions of the earth. Some films
show how man has struggled through the centuries to make the world a better place to live in.
There are also films which show the events that led to some of the important battles in the past.
They are shown with so much realism that one remembers them for a long time. Such films are
indeed invaluable, especially to those who are illiterate. In this respect the cinema could be
regarded as a school. Even the dullest student learns many things if he sees an educational film in
the cinema though he may learn nothing from his teacher or his books. Such is the effect of the
film, and in many countries, educational authorities are trying to make the best use of the cinema
to spread knowledge and information.
It is therefore clear that the cinema has many advantages as well as disadvantages. Often the
advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Those who visit the cinema with the purpose of learning
something good are sure to benefit from almost every visit to the cinema.
New words:
1. entertainment (n): tiu khin, gii tr
2. magnet (n): nam chm
3. profound (adj): su sc, su rng

4. sensual (adj): (thuc) xc tht, nhc dc

5. triumph (v): chin thng, thng li
6. addicted (adj): say m, nghin
7. purchase (v): mua sm
8. realism (n): ch ngha hin thc
9. outweigh (v): nng hn, c nhiu gi tr hn, c nhiu nh hng hn
The importance of examinations
Life today has become so complex that examinations have come to play an important part in
one's educational career. Examinations are considered so important that most students are afraid
of them.
The ability to pass an examination is indeed a valuable quality. It shows that the student is able to
express his thought and ideas to a manner others can understand. It also shows that the student
has acquired a certain amount of knowledge in some branches of study. Besides, the mind of a
student, even if he is dull, receives good exercise when he prepares for an examination. A
student's success in an examination, therefore, helps employers and others to assess his mental or
general ability.
Some people, however, argue that examinations test only a certain kind of skill. They say that
many people have a good memory and a special ability to pass examinations and achieve brilliant
results, though they have no capacity for original thought or imagination. But it should be
realized that today the syllabuses are so extensive that a student cannot expect to pass an
examination by relying entirely on his memory. The student of today must not only have a fair
knowledge of the subject manner but also be able to show his intelligence and power of reasoning,
especially if he is sitting for a higher examination. Therefore, a student's ability to pass an
examination must indicate some of his mental powers as well as his grasp of the subjects that he
has studied.
If there were no examinations, most scholars would have been less informed than they are today.
Examinations compel students to read as much as they can, and as they do so, they absorb
knowledge unconsciously. Further, because of examinations; teachers have to confine themselves
to the syllabuses which are aimed at imparting knowledge in a systematic manner, and thus
develop mental discipline. Examinations are therefore an important part of academic studies.
New words:
1. complex (adj): phc tp, rc ri
2. acquire (v): thu c, t c
3. assess (v): nh gi, c nh
4. argue (v): bin lun, tranh 1un
5. achieve (v): t c, ginh c
6. syllabus (n): chng trnh hc, cng bi ging
7. entirely (adv): hon ton
8. grasp (n): s nm c, s hiu thu
9. scholar (n): hc gi

10. compel (v): buc phi, bt buc, thc p

11. unconsciously (adv): khng t gic, khng c nh, khng c thc
12. impart (v): truyn t, k cho hay, ph bin
13. systematic (adj): c phng php
A week in hospital
I had always dreaded the thought of being admitted to hospital. The peculiar smell of the hospital,
the sight of deformed and critically ill persons and dead bodies in the hospital are things that I
had always wished to avoid. But a serious illness sometime ago necessitated my admission to the
General Hospital in Malacca.
Though I was seriously ill and required special attention, yet the knowledge that I was in the
hospital made me feel miserable during the first few days. The clothes that I had to wear in the
hospital were uncomfortable and the food was tasteless. At night, when all the patients were
asleep, I used to wake up and think of what might happen it the dead bodies in the mortuary
nearby came back to life. I also thought of the patients who might die at anytime. Sometimes I
thought that I myself might not wake up from my sleep; that I might have to leave my dear
parents, brothers and sisters and never return. Tears would then flow from my eyes.
From the fourth day, however, my spirits were high. The doctors and nurses assured me that I
would recover completely in a few days and that I could move about in the hospital as I wished.
I now began to think of the good work that was being done in the hospital to reduce pain and
suffering. Hundreds of sick people were coming to the hospital, many with serious injuries
caused by various kinds of accidents, with the last hope of survival. And while many were dying,
many more were returning home with smiles on their faces. Working every minute and
sacrificing their own pleasures and pastimes, the doctors, nurses, hospital assistants and all the
other staffs were doing their utmost to save another life. Their humanity impressed me deeply.
I now realised what an important role the hospitals were playing in our daily life, and the disgust
that I fell on the first few days was gone. After being in the hospital for a week, I returned home
with a better knowledge of human misery and sacrifice.
New words:
1. dread (v): kinh hi, kinh s
2. peculiar (adj): l k, ring bit
3. critically (adv): nguy kch, trm trng
4. necessitate (n): bt phi, i hi phi, cn phi c
5. tasteless (adj): v v, nht nho
6. mortuary (n): nh xc
7. assure (v): qu quyt, cam oan
8. sacrifice (v): hy sinh
9. disgust (n): s gh tm, s kinh tm

A frightening experience
Discuss "fire is a good servant but a bad master"
How man first learnt to use fire is still unknown, but it is known that even the most primitive man,
centuries ago, found it to be of great service to him as it is to us today. Man, in his early days, did
not cook his food. He ate everything raw, including meat and fish. But the discovery of fire
changed his eating habits completely. He now learnt to cook his food; and, when he found that
cooked food was more delicious, fire became an important thing in his life.
Fire also gave the early man warmth and light. Even in his scanty clothes he could keep himself
warm in his cave on rainy or cold nights. His cave was no longer dark and he could move about
freely at night. Further, fire gave him protection from wild beasts, and his life was more secure
than it was before. In fact, fire, like water and air, became indispensable to man; and, today, we
use fire for a diversity of purposes. We use it even to operate machinery to produce goods.
But fire has to be kept under strict control, for its capacity to destroy his great. Once it is out of
control, it will destroy life and property at tremendous speed and the world has lost things worth
millions of dollars because of fire. And, people often use fire's enormous capacity to great
advantage. They use it to burn thousands of acres of forest and grow crops: As a result, we now
find green fields where once there were forests.
On the other hand, fire has been used by men, especially of the modern age, to destroy men. In
every human battle in the past fire was used to destroy the enemy. Even today, thousands of
people.in many parts of the world are being destroyed by fire; and, when furious men try to make
the best use of fire's extreme anger, misery is hard to avoid. lt then reigns supremes. Innocent
people, young and old, must die in thousands. It is, therefore, true to say that, "fire is a good
servant, but a bad master".
New words:
1. scanty (adj): t i, thiu, khng
2. indispensable (adj): tuyt i cn thit, khng th thiu c
3. diversity (n): tnh a dng
4. out of control: vt ngoi tm kim sot
5. tremendous (adj): gh gm, kinh khng, khng khip, d di
6. acre (n): mu Anh (khong 0.4 hecta)
7. furious (adj): gin d
8. supreme (adj): tt nh, ti cao
An accident I have witnessed
One rainy day last year, while I was returning home from Mersing, a town in the east coast of
Malaysia, I witnessed an accident which I shall never forget.
I was returning home in my father's car. It was raining heavily and the road could not be seen
clearly. My father, an old man, was driving slowly to avoid an accident. The journey, therefore,
seemed unusually long, and I began to feel tired. Then, suddenly, a small car, running at great
speed, overtook our car. My father was shocked at the recklessness of the driver of that car. We
could not count the number of persons in that car, but were sure that there were at least five,
including two children. My father at once predicted that tragedy would befall the occupants of the

car. After this prediction I began to grow impatient. I did not wish to see any ugly scene resulting
from an accident. Though the car had gone quite far its rear lights would still be seen.
In the distance there was a narrow bridge. Looking at the way the car was being driven, I too was
now sure that an accident would occur and sure enough it did occur. This is how it happened.
A lorry was coming from the opposite direction. It was already on the bridge. The driver of the
small car, however, could not slow down in good time. He lost control of the car which skidded
and plunged into the swollen river. Somehow, the driver managed to slip out of the car, but the
others were doomed. When we arrived at the bridge, we were touched deeply by what we saw.
Two children were struggling in the river and we could do nothing to save them. Their mother, as
we came to know later, was at the bottom of the river, trapped in the car, and they were swept
away by the rush of the current and drowned. The driver, and father of the children, began to cry
piteously for the wife and children he had lost so suddenly. It was indeed a very touching scene
and I shall never forget this day.
New words:
1. witness (v): chng kin, lm chng
2. overtake (v): (overtook- overtaken): bt kp, vt
3. recklessness (n): tnh thiu thn trng, tnh hp tp, tnh khinh sut, tnh liu lnh
4. tragedy (n): thm kch, bi kch
5. occupant (n): ngi s hu, ngi s dng
6. skid (v): trt xe
7. swollen (adj): dng ln cao; phnh ra
8. doomed (adj): phi chu s phn bi t
9. struggle (v): vng vy, vt ln
10. piteously (adv): thm thng, ng thng hi
The importance of good roads in a country
Good roads are essential for the development of a country. The Romans realised this centuries
ago, and wherever they established themselves, , they tried to improve the roads there. Today, the
governments of all countries in the world are building more and more roads to gain access to the
remotest regions of their countries.
Roads link towns and villages and enable the people of one place to communicate with the people
of another place. When food is scarce in one place, it can be brought from another place without
much difficulty. Even things which cannot be produced in one region can be brought from
another region where they are produced in abundance. The invention of motor-vehicles has made
it easy to transport goods from place to place. But these vehicles require good roads to travel
quickly, and the better the roads the more goods can be transported from one place to another in a
very short time. Thus, trade is improved.
Further, good roads help people to travel easily to places where they can work and develop their
lands and industries. In Malaysia, for example, the improvement of roads has made it easy for
skilled workers from the towns to work in remote villages. The people of the villages, on the
other hand, have been able to learn much from the towns. As a result, there has been a lot of
improvement in this country in all spheres of activity.

Finally, in times of war good roads help armies to move about without difficulty. Sometimes, a
country is defeated because its army is not able to reach a place in good time owing to bad roads.
Even the police may not be able to reach a place where there is some trouble if the roads are bad.
For all these reasons: it is always necessary for a country to have good roads.
New words:
1. establish (v): thnh lp, thit lp, kin lp
2. scarce (adj): khan him
3. abundance (n): nhiu, d dt, giu c, phong ph
4. sphere (n): lnh vc, phm vi, tm nh hng
5. defeat (v): nh bi, lm tht bi
Life in the village
The village has always been known to be a place of peace and quiet. The scattered houses among
hundreds of plants and trees at once indicate the lack of activity in the village.
The workers in the village leave their homes early in the morning to work in the plantations or
towns nearby. Some have their own plantations, and some make certain articles in their homes to
sell them in the towns. A few of the villagers, including women, go out to catch fish in the
streams and rivers found in the village. Though the people of the village do not usually earn
much, yet they seem to be contented.
In the afternoon, most of the villagers are at home. Some of them take a nap after lunch; some
work in their small gardens, and some visit the small shops in the village. In various parts of the
village children may be seen playing the popular games of the village. Occasionally, a cyclist
passes by.
Then, in the evening, the villagers meet one another. Some play cards and other types of games
peculiar to the village. Some talk about the day's incidents in the village, and those whose minds
go beyond the village discuss world events.
In almost every village there is a headman whose duty is to settle quarrels among the villagers
and maintain peace in the village. Whenever there is a dispute, the villagers go to the headman
who is held in such esteem that his word has the force or law. In this way the villagers have
developed their own simple laws, and the crimes of cities are almost unknown to the people of
the village.
During a festival, the whole village is alive with activities. Everyone is in a happy mood and
plays his part to make the festival a success. This is the time for the men, women and children of
the village to wear their best clothes and the village is full of colour. These simple ways of life in
the village, however, must soon change. Progress in science and education has already begun to
affect the outlook of the people in the village, and hundreds are leaving the village to seek their
fortunes in the towns and cities.
New words:
1. scattered (adj): lc c, la tha, ri rc
2. article (n): hng, vt phm, c
3. contented (adj): tho mn, mn nguyn

4. nap (n): gic ng tra

take a nap after lunch: ng mt gic sau ba n tra
5. cyclist (n): ngi i xe p
5. headman (n): trng lng, gi lng, t trng
7. dispute (n): cuc bn ci, cuc tranh lun
8. esteem (n): s knh mn, s qu trng
9. mood (adj): tm trng, tnh kh, tm tnh
10. fortune (n): vn may
My favourite author
My favourite author is William Shakespeare, a man who has written enough for immortality.
Though a few hundred years have elapsed since the death of Shakespeare and volumes have been
written on the life and work of this great writer, his early life still remains a subject for
speculation and conjecture. It is generally believed that Shakespeare had very little schooling. Yet
his keen intellect and mastery of language have earned for him the appreciation and applause of
the literary world.
Shakespeare's fame, 'I think, originates from his ability to identify his readers with the characters
in his stories. In most of his stories we find reflections of our own experiences. This shows
strikingly that Shakespeare had an insight into 'human nature and the problems of life. His
tragedies such as "Macbeth' and "Hamlet clearly show his deep knowledge of the human mind.
Man's ambition, desperation, sorrows, frustrations and hopes are dealt with in these tragedies
with such skill that the reader himself experiences all the mental conflicts and emotions, and thus
gets a better idea about human nature. With equal skill, Shakespeare deals with man's joys and
pleasures in all his comedies. His comedies like, "Twelfth Night" and "As You Like It,' are a
delight to read. Through the characters in his stories Shakespeare conveys his views on life and
the world. Most of his characters, such as Hamlet, are vehicles for moral instruction. Man's
nature is the theme of all his writings. By a skillful combination of words and situations, he
reveals the worst as well as the best in man. His choice of words is masterly and many of his
phrases are literary gems. As man's nature is his theme, what he wrote years ago remains true
even today, and it will remain so till the end of time. It is for all these reasons that I enjoy reading
Shakespeare.
However, I do enjoy reading the works of other writers too, such as those of Charles Dickens and
Jane Austen. But they do not give the satisfaction that Shakespeare gives. I find Shakespeare's
stories so interesting that I have read the same stories several times in last few years; and, every
time I read the same story, I learn something new about human nature. Shakespeare was indeed a
genius.
New words:
1 favourite (adj): c mn chung nht c a thch nht
2. immortality (n): bt t bt dit, bt h, danh ting mun thu
3. elapse (v): (ni v thi gian) tri qua
4. speculation (n): s nghin cu, s suy xt
5. conjecture (n): s phng on

6. applause (n): s hoan nghnh, s tn thng

7. ambition (n): hoi bo, tham vng
8. frustration (n): s lm tht bi, tm trng v mng
9. conflict (n): s xung t, cuc xung t
10. theme (n): ti, ch
11. combination (n): s kt hp, s ph hp
12. reveal (v): bc l, biu l, khm ph
13. masterly (adj): rt gii, bc thy, ti tnh
14. gem (n): qu, vin ngc
15. genius (n): ngi thin ti, ngi anh ti, bc k ti
A frightening experience
I am not one who is frightened easily; but I must admit that one night I saw a figure that struck
terror into my heart.
It was a moonlit-night. I was returning home on foot from a town a few miles away. That was the
first night in my life that I was out alone. The road along which I was walking was not used much
at night. Even during the day, it was used only by those who worked in the rubber and banana
plantations long that road. As I was walking, I could hear the noises made by squirrels, insects
and owls. Creatures that love the night world such as bats were very active, and there were
hundreds of shadows. All these did not, however, frighten me. I held a stick in my hand and
moved rapidly towards home for my dinner. Then, suddenly, I caught sight of an old lady, a short
distance away. Her head was covered with a white cloth, and she was waving to me.
Curious to know why she was there at that time of the night, I stopped for a while. As I stood
there, however, vague memories of stories about ghosts began to come back to my mind. I was
soon gripped with fear and took to my heels. I ran as fast as I could, and when I reached home I
could hardly speak.
On the next day, however, I visited that place again to make sure that the woman was indeed a
real person and not a ghost. But I could find no footprints there. Only a banana plant stood there
with its leaves moving in the breeze. I realised then that it was the banana plant with its leaves
moving in the breeze that looked like a woman waving her hand. I had indeed made a tool of
myself; but after the previous night's experience, this discovery was small relief to me.
New words:
1. frighten (v): lm hong s, lm s
2. moon-lit night: m sng trng
3. vague (adj): m h, l m, mp m
4. breeze (n): gi nh
5. previous (adj): trc

The value of higher education

Since the dawn of civilization, great thinkers like Plato and Aristotle have been doing their
utmost to spread education to the remotest corners of the earth. It is realised that education
develops the intellect and enables one to discriminate between the good and the bad. More and
more universities and other education institutions are therefore being opened in all parts of the
world to provide higher education.
In almost every country today, there is a lot of unemployment. Only those who have received a
high standard of education are able to secure high positions in society and in the various
professions. It has therefore become necessary for many people to attend institutions or higher
learning to improve their prospects of employment.
Higher education confers many other benefits. It broadens the mind and increases one's powers of
thinking, reasoning and imagination. Further, it makes one more sympathetic towards others. It
helps us to understand the problems and weaknesses of man, and we become less suspicious of
strangers and others. We also become more thoughtful of the feelings and needs of others. As a
result, we are able to mix better with people. Besides, higher education helps us greatly in
deciding what is right and what is wrong, what is true and what is false. Therefore, people can
hardly deceive or mislead us. Higher education also teaches us how to spend our leisure moments.
We learn to make the best use of our spare time. Even during old age we know how to keep
ourselves occupied. Again, higher education develops self-confidence. We learn to have faith in
our own abilities. As a result, we are able to meet and talk with people anywhere. All these
qualities, acquired through higher education, combine to make one a leader among men. One is
able to live a better life in society.
The benefits of education are therefore many, and everyone should try his best to acquire the
highest of education, either by attendance at an educational institution or by private studies.
New words:
1 civilization (n): nn vn minh
2. discriminate (v): phn bit
3. institution (n): c quan, t chc
4. suspicious (adj): nghi ng, t ra c s nghi ng
5. mislead (v): lm cho m mui, lm cho lc ng, lc li
6. self-confidence (n): s t tin, lng t tin
7. combine (v): phi hp, kt hp
The rainy season
When the grass dry, the trees have lost their leaves, the rivers have very little water in them and
the fields are parched, everyone prays for the coming of rain. But when it continues to rain for
several days, there are prayers everywhere for the rain to stop, for heavy and continuous rain
often causes great hardship to many people, especially in the equatorial region. The rainy season
is therefore welcomed at times, and at other times, it is hated.
In equatorial countries like Malaysia, the rainy season often causes much damage to crops, life
and property. People who work in the paddy- fields, rubber and other plantations have to stop
their work for sometime. As a result, they lose income and suffer hardship. Farmers too suffer as
they have to stop selling vegetables and poultry for a few days. Even school children experience

a lot of inconvenience. They find it difficult to go to school in comfort and ease. Some places are
completely under water and many children are unable to go to school. Sometimes the schools
have to be closed. Even to go to the market becomes a problem, and people cannot go out to
enjoy or do any work.
Continuous rain during the rainy season also causes much illness among children and adults.
Sometimes many children are drowned in the floods caused by heavy rains. Bridges and houses
are swept away by the floods and there is much suffering.
But if the rains are not heavy, the rainy season can bring a lot of joy to farmers and others. Rains
bring water for our crops and for use in our homes. Light rains make the day cool and pleasant
and people find it easy to work in the fields and other places. The soil remains moist. Plants and
flowers grow easily to make our gardens beautiful. Vegetables too grow well and markets are full
of green vegetables. Even animals, like cows and goats find enough grass to eat. There is also
enough water for them to drink.
Yet, those who live in places where there is a lot of rainfall do not realise how fortunate they are.
Only those who live in the hot deserts realise the value of rainfall. They would surely welcome
the rainy season.
New words:
1. parch (v): kh n, rang, nung
2. equatorial (adj): (thuc) xch o, gn xch o
3. poultry (n): gia cm, g, vt, tht gia cm
4. inconvenience (adj): s bt tin, s phin phc
5. moist (adj): m t
The importance of water
Since the beginning of time, water has continued to be an important thing to all living things.
Without water nothing could live. We may change our food according to the climate of a place
but we find no substitute for water. Man has always looked for pure fresh water to slake his thirst.
Water not only quenches our thirst but it is also a source of food to us. From the sea we catch
large quantities of fish and other creatures. We use water to irrigate our lands to produce crops.
Many parts of the world are dry and barren because there is no water there. People in such places
lead a very hard life. Even the plants and animals find it a real struggle to survive. They can
obtain water only by some means of ingenuity. Water also helps to increase the fertility of the
land in several parts of the world. The alluvium that is brought down by rivers is very fertile and
yields large quantities of crops. Even electricity, which has changed our lives completely, is
produced by water-power in many countries.
Further, water is an important means of communication. We use waterways to carry our goods or
trade. Water transport is cheaper than land transport and in many remote regions, rivers are the
only means of communication. In many countries rivers are used to bring down timber from the
hilly regions to the lower regions where the timber mills are. In this way much money is saved.
It is true, however, that water has also caused much destruction to life and property throughout
human history. Heavy rainfall, swollen rivers and the angry waves of the sea have killed
thousands of people and destroyed homes and crops. Yet, water is indispensable to life, and
people everywhere are trying their best to bring water to places where it is scarce, to control its
flow in times of floods and to make greater use of it.

New words:
1. substitute (n): vt thay th, ngi thay th
2. slake (v): lm nh, lm du (au n), lm ngui
3. quench (v): lm ht kht
4. irrigate (v): ti, lm t t.
5. barren (adj): cn ci
6. ingenuity (n): ti kho !o, tnh cht kho lo
7. fertility (n): tnh trng mu m
8. alluvium (n): t ph sa, bi tch, t bi
9. yield (v): mang li, sinh ra, sn xut
10. timber mill (n): xng g
11. indispensable (adj): tuyt i cn thit, khng th thiu c
How I spend my time after school
As I am now preparing for an important examination which will be held at the end of this year, I
spend most of my time reading my books. There are, however, a few other things that I
sometimes do during my leisure.
As soon as I reach home everyday after school. I have my lunch quickly in order to have as much
time as possible to read my books. Eating quickly is not good for health but I have to pass my
examination. Therefore, the more I am able to read the more certain I can be of passing my
examination. It is for this reason that I read my books for about two hours after lunch everyday.
After reading in the afternoon, I have my bath and then a cup of tea. Having done these, I go out
to my friend's house nearby and discuss our lessons for about an hour with my friend. Sometimes
we go for a walk and as we do so, we talk mainly about our lessons. My friend is very good at her
lessons and she explains many of the things that I do not understand clearly in school.
Sometimes, however, I remain at home to help my mother in the kitchen, especially if we expect
some visitors. I must admit that I enjoy doing such work, as it helps me to learn how to prepare a
good meal. I have already learned how to make some delicious cakes by helping my mother.
There are times when I spend some time working in our vegetable garden. My parents have
planted many varieties of vegetables, and I help them to water the plants so that they may grow
well. Further, I also spend some time decorating my house, when I feel that things in my house
have become too dull to look at. At night, I study my lesson again, and go to bed late after dinner.
Thus, my time after school is spent in a variety of way.
New words:
1 prepare (v): chun b
2. leisure (n): thi gian ri
3. delicious (adj): ngon
4. decorate (v): trang hong, trang tr

The things I dislike the most

There are many things that most people dislike. The things that I dislike the most are noise,
crowds and laziness.
Noise disturbs me greatly. This is why I do not like to live in a city where noise predominates.
From dawn till mid-night, vehicles run to and for in the city to make the place extremely noisy.
The noise is further increased by the voices of thousands of people engaged in all kinds of
activity and the sounds of other things such as busy factories and machines. For this reason, the
very thought of going to a city, even for a short visit, is distasteful to me.
In the same way, I also dislike crowds. Crowds make movement difficult. If a place is crowded, it
is not easy to move about or do any work. If we are in a hurry to go somewhere, a crowd can
delay our progress.
A crowd can also interfere with our enjoyment of sights and visits. For example, if we go with
others to places like the museum and the zoo, we may not be able to enjoy looking at the things
around because of the constant fear of losing sight of the others with us, especially if they are
small.
Finally, I dislike laziness because I feel that a lazy person is always a burden not only to his
parents but also to others. By refusing to do any work he compels others to work for his comforts.
Sometimes even a weak and poor person has to struggle to provide for a strong and healthy man
who will not exert himself only because he is lazy. Such a person is certainly inconsiderate and
ill-mannered towards others. As long as he gets what he needs and wants, he does not care what
others think of him. I hate to see such a person, even if he is my own brother or father.
These arguments explain why I hate the things that I mentioned above.
New words:
1. laziness (n): s li bing, tnh li bing
2. predominate (v): chim u th, vt tri
3. run to and fro (v): i i, li li
4. distasteful (adj): kh chu, khng va
5. interfere (v): gy tr ngi
6. constant (adj): khng ngt, khng dt, lin min
7. burden (n): gnh nng
8. compel (v): bt buc, p buc, thc p
9. inconsiderate (adj): thiu n cn, thiu chu o, thiu quan tm
10. argument (n): l l, lun c
Describe the things you enjoy doing
I do many things everyday: but the things I enjoy doing most are picking flowers and preparing
my school lessons.
As a girl of fourteen years of age, I help my mother everyday. My mother is a very religious lady.
Every evening, before her prayers, I go out in search of flowers which she needs during her
prayers. I must admit that looking for flowers around my house is a very pleasant exercise. I go to
all our neighbours' gardens where a great variety of flowers can be found. Our neighbours are

very kind and they allow me to pick as many flowers as 1 like.

As I look at the flowers, I fell extremely happy. They are so beautiful and colourful that they
make the gardens the best place to visit in our area. Once I am in these gardens I spend a long
time to pick flowers because of the sheer pleasure of walking inside the gardens. Then, I return to
the house with the best flowers that grow in these gardens, and my mother is always happy to see
them. Thus, I must say that I enjoy picking f1owers very much.
Preparing my school lessons also gives me a lot of pleasure. As I prepare them. I learn many
things about the world and its affairs, past and present. 1 also learn about the people around us as
well as those who are thousands of miles away in different lands across the oceans. Further, I
1earn more and more new words and phrases which help me to express my own thoughts and
feelings better. Besides, the knowledge that I acquire while preparing my lessons helps me to
meet and talk with people with greater confidence. It is for these reasons that I like to prepare my
lessons.
Thus, the things that I like to do most not only amuse my mind but also contribute to the
extension of my knowledge.
New words:
1. pick (v): hi (hoa)
2. religious (adj): sng o, m o, ngoan o
3. sheer (adj): hon ton, n thun
4. confidence (n): s tin cy, s qu quyt
5. extension (n): s m rng

PHN 3
Express your opinion on the importance of studying geography
Geography is a fascinating subject. It reveals all the wonderful changes and activities that have
been going on in the world since the beginning of time.
By reading geography we learn not only about our own country but also about countries beyond
the seas. We also learn about the mountains, oceans, islands, lakes, volcanoes, the winds and a
number of other very interesting things about the world and the niverse.
Among the important things that we learn in Geography are the infinite varieties of creatures.
plants, birds and land features that exist in the world. We know that there are millions of creatures:
small and large, of various kinds in all parts of the earth. We also know that many of the early
creatures have now become extinct, while many of them have changed from their original forms.
Reading about all these is indeed very interesting.
We also learn about the various types of plants and birds that exist throughout the world. The
plants and birds in the cold lands are not the same as those in warmer lands. In the same way, the
land forms in the cold regions are different from those in other regions. In the equatorial regions,
for example, plant and animal life is luxuriant while in the poles the land is covered with snow,
and animal and plant life is less abundant. In equatorial regions abundant rain has produced large
rivers and lakes, while in areas where little rain falls there are large deserts without many rivers
and lakes.

As the climate and vegetation of one place are not the same as those of another, the habits and
activities of the people of different regions are also different. Even their religious convictions and
languages are different from those of other parts of the world.
Thus, Geography is a very important subject, and because of its width and variety it is one of the
most interesting subjects to read.
New words:
1. geography (n): a l hc
2. volcano (n): ni la
3. universe (n): v tr, vn vt
4. luxuriant (adi): phong ph, phn thnh, um tm
5. abundant (adj): nhiu, phong ph, di do
6. vegetation (n) : thc vt, cy ci, thm thc vt .
7. conviction (n): s nhn thc, thy ti li
The importance of rivers
Rivers have been very useful to men in all parts of the earth since very early times. They provide
water to slake the thirst of men, to fertilize their lands and to provide a means of communication
for the goods that they transport from place to place.
Early civilization began on the banks of the great rivers of the world, such as the Nile and the
Indus. These rivers provided the water, the people on their banks needed for all their purposes. As
people in those early days did not have the transport facilities that we have today . They had to
live close to the rivers to transport their goods to places along the rivers and to draw the water
that they needed.
Rivers not only provided water for their domestic needs and agricultural purposes but also
enabled the people to move from place to place along their banks. Boats or rafts were used to
travel from one end of a river to another. In the same way, goods were also transported. With the
transport of good and the contacts of people between different parts of the same river there were
also many cultural exchanges. Thus, rivers helped to spread civilization.
It is true, however, that rivers have also caused much misery and unhappiness to millions of
people throughout history. They have caused floods and destroyed lives and property in all parts
of the earth. For example, the Hwang Ho in China has been described as the sorrow of China"
because of the destruction that it had caused in the past.
But it should be realised that floods occur once in several years. Therefore, the damage that rivers
cause is not so great as the benefits that they confer on humanity. Today,rivers continue to be
used not only as a source of water for drinking and fertilizing the lands or as a means of transport
but also as a source of electricity which has revolutionized society. The importance of rivers is
therefore not difficult to appreciate.
New words:
1. slake the thirst (v): lm gim cn kht, kht
2. civilization (n): nn vn minh
3. bank (n): b sng

4. facilities (n): iu kin d dng, thun li, tin nghi

5. domestic (adj): trong nh, trong gia nh
6. raft ( n ): b, mng, b g
7. revolutionize (v): cch mng ho
8. appreciate (v): nh gi ng, nh gi cao, thng thc
The value of books
Deep in the heart of every good book lies the distilled wisdom of centuries. To read it is to
become wiser.
Books are written for the benefit and pleasure of all those who like to read them. But they are of
various types. There are books for children, as well as for adults. Some books are written for the
specialists, some are written for students in the schools and universities, and many are written
just for the pleasures of the mind. Indeed, the variety of books is infinite.
One of the reasons for the existence of such a wide variety of books is that the field of knowledge
is very extensive. Even to grasp a small part of it one has to read several books for many years.
Another reason is that different people have different likes and dislikes. The book that one likes
to read, the other may not like. To meet these broad and varying needs of people for information,
knowledge, recreation and aesthetic enjoyment, more and more books are being written every
year.
Those who aim to specialize in a certain branch of knowledge concentrate more on the books that
provide information on their particular field of study. In the libraries and book shops they look
mainly for such books. But those who have no particular interest in any subject read and buy all
types of books. Sometimes they buy books intended for the specialist, sometimes they buy those
written for children. and sometimes if they are preparing for some examination, they buy books
which give some information on their examination subjects.
Almost every book extends the knowledge of the reader and develops his intellect as well. Even
if the reader does not learn any new facts from the book, he may at least learn a few new words,
expressions or ideas. In fact, certain books are written mainly to acquaint the reader with the
beauty of language and ideas. They do not deal with facts or actual human experiences. Books of
this type provide great pleasure to the mind, and almost everyone who loves reading buys a few
of such books. Books have also helped to promote better understanding among the peoples of the
world. By reading books. The people of one country have come to know about the achievements
of those in other countries.
Thus, books could be regarded as one of the channels of communication among men. Indeed,
without books man would not have made so much progress as he has made today. By applying
the knowledge that he has gained from books to practical purposes, he has made the world a
pleasant place to live in. Civilization therefore owes a great debt to these inanimate things called
books.
New words:
1. distil (v): c kt, chng ct
2. specialist (n): chuyn gia, chuyn vin
3. varying (adj): hay thay i, hay bin i, khng n nh
4. aesthetic (adj): (thuc) m hc, thm m

5. field (n): lnh vc, phm vi

6. intellect (n): tr tu
7. at least : t nht, ti thiu
8. promote (v): thc y, khch 1, xc tin
9. achievement (n): thnh tch, thnh tu
10. channel (n): knh, ngun (thng tin, tin tc...)
11. inanimate (adj): v tri, v gic
Do you think that physical education is important?
The value of physical education has been realized since the earliest times of human existence.
The Greeks and the Romans considered it indispensable to the development of a good personality
and character.
Today in all the schools and universities in the world, a great deal emphasis is being placed on
physical education as a means of producing citizens of good character and personality.
Physical education develops the muscles of the body scientifically and increases muscular
activity and physical strength. All this makes the body active and efficient. It is now also realized
that there is a close connection between the body and the mind. Therefore, if the body is active,
the mind too is active. Proof of this can be easily found among children. Children who are
inactive physically are usually also mentally lazy. An active and efficient body is a healthy body.
When the body is healthy, the mind too is and therefore happy. Thus, physical education
contributes greatly to the health and happiness of an individual such an individual could do a
great deal for the good of society.
Physical education can also contribute to the strength of a nation. If the youths of a country
receive proper physical education, they can build up a strong country to protect itself from
foreign attacks or invasions.
Further, physical education provides opportunities for contacts with people of other lands.
Athletes of all countries meet at various countries at various times to compete with one another
and thus promote common understanding among countries for the benefit of one another.
It is therefore, not without reason that physical education has been a part and parcel of academic
pursuit today. I do therefore agree that physical education is important to all people.
New words:
1. physical (adj): (thuc) th cht
2. indispensable (adj): tuyt i cn thit
3. emphasis (n): s nhn mnh, tm quan trng
4. muscle (n): bp tht, c
5. proof (n): chng c, bng chng
6. inactive (adj): khng hot ng, thiu hot ng
7. individual (adj): c nhn
8. invasion (n): s xm lc
9. opportunity (adj): c hi, thi c

10. athlete (n): vn ng vin; lc s

11. part and parcel : thnh phn khng th thiu
12. pursuit (n): s theo ui ngh nghip hoc hot ng
The importance of reading newspapers
As the name suggests newspapers are a source of news and information. In several respects they
are also a medium of communication among the peoples of the world.
Today there are hundreds of newspapers all over the world. Everywhere there is a keen desire to
learn more and more about the affairs of the world. This is partly the result of the spread of
education which sharpens one's curiosity to learn about distant lands.
As a source of news: the newspaper is almost indispensable to those whose thirst for knowledge
is insatiable. They contain news on events in distant corners of the earth. Information about such
events arrives almost immediately. As a result. people everywhere are informed about the most
important events in the world ver quickly and almost all the same time. For example, if a war
breaks out in one part of the world today , the people in the other parts will certainly come to
know about it tomorrow. As a result, all the countries of the world are able to do something
quickly to help those who have suffered because of the war or to persuade the countries at war to
cease fighting.
Newspapers also play an important part in keeping the peoples of the world informed about the
troubles that might arise in the future, if nothing is done to prevent them from happening. For
example, if a dispute arises between two countries for any reason: the newspapers can keep the
peoples of the world informed about what might happen if nothing is done to persuade the two
countries to resolve their differences peacefully. In this way many wars have been avoided
because of the intervention of some countries in the disputes of many countries which were given
prominences in newspapers.
When all this is considered, we feel that there is some silent communication among countries
through the medium of newspapers for the common benefit of the countries of the world.
Further, constant reading of newspapers improves ones outlook on life and makes one a more
reasonable person. The importance of the newspaper is therefore obvious.
New words:
1. respect (n): phng din, kha cnh
2. medium (n): phng tin
3. keen (adj): mnh lit, thit tha, nhit tnh
4. insatiable (adj): khng th tho mn c
5. cease (v): dng, ngng, ngt, tnh
6. arise (v): xut hin, ny sinh ra, xy ra
7. intervention (n): s can thip, s xen vo
8. prominence(n): s ni bt, s ng ch

Discuss the part played by science in the promotion of public health during the last
hundreds years
One of the most striking features of the present century is the progress of science and its effects
on almost every aspect of social life. Building on the foundations laid by their precedessors the
scientists of today are carrying their investigation into ever widening fields of knowledge.
The contribution of science to the promotion of public health in the last hundred years has indeed
been tremendous. The unceasing work and experiments of scientists during this time have led to
numerous discoveries and removed many misconceptions that many people had before, regarding
health illness. The causes of many of the diseases have become generally known. Indeed, many
of the facts relating to public health, which are now regarded as common knowledge, were
unknown even to the doctors of those days. The fact that germs were the cause of most of the
common diseases was not realised by doctors of high repute in the not very distant past. Today,
however, even a pupil of a primary school has some knowledge of the destruction that germs can
cause. The discovery of germs has indeed revolutionised all medical concepts of disease and
illness: everywhere people have come to realise the importance of cleanliness in the prevention of
disease.
The researchers or scientists of all countries have also revealed other secrets. It is now known
that illness and diseases can be caused by other living creatures also, such as flies, insects and
even birds, animals and human beings. Their discoveries have contributed to the progress of
medical science. Today, people in all parts of the world are doing their utmost to destroy the
creatures that carry diseases. At the same time, however, scientists have also discovered that
certain animals and creatures could provide some cure for a variety of diseases that are dangerous
to human beings. Even the curative value of certain plants has been discovered.
An important result of the discoveries of scientists has been that, they have also found the cure of
almost every disease. It is a practice of the scientists to work for the discovery of a cure as soon
as they have discovered the causes of a certain disease. This service of the scientists has
promoted the welfare of the human race. In this field of research, scientists make no distinction
between races. Whatever they discover is used for the advantage of men everywhere. The
progress of humanity is their main aim.
The work of medical scientists also reduced pain to great extent. In the past operations were
performed on individuals in a very crude manner. Amputation was a very painful affair. Today,
however. the whole body of a man could be cut open without his feeling any pain by the use of
chloroform. In this way science has relieved the misery of men tremendously.
Another very important discovery has been that, water, without which life cannot exist,
sometimes contains the elements of destruction as well. impure water could spread disease and
death at tremendous speed. This knowledge has led people in all parts of the world to use only
pure water tor all domestic and other purposes. Water is considered so important a factor in
public health that all the governments of the world control its use for drinking purposes. All these
discoveries have indeed promoted public health during the last hundred years.
New words:
1. foundation(n): s thnh lp, s sng lp
2. precedessor (n): ngi i trc, ngi tin nhim
3. unceasing (adj): lin tc, khng ngng, khng mt mi
4. misconception (n): quan nim sai lm
5. germ(n): vi trng, mm bnh

6. crude (adj): th thin, th bo

7. amputation (n): th thut ct ct
8. chloroform (n): cloroform mt loi ha cht gy m
9. factor (n): nhn t
Water is important for all living things. Do you agree or disagree? Give your reasons.
Without water no living thing on the earth could survive. We need water To quench our thirst.
water our lands to grow crops or to keep the animals and fowls in our homes alive. Even the
plants and insects in all parts in the world need water to live.
We also need water to produce electricity and to carry our goods or trade. Electricity is very
important for our comforts today. Almost everything that we use in our homes today depends on
the use of electricity. In the same way, water also helps to transport many or the goods that we
need for our homes. Ships, rafts and boats carry many things from distant lands and help to
exchange goods between one country and another. Transport by water is easier and cheaper than
by air or land.
But water has also caused much sorrow and hardship in all parts of the world floods and heavy
rains have destroyed crops, lives and property through the centuries and caused much sorrow
everywhere.
Yet, water is so important that all living things, including the tiniest of creatures, will continue to
struggle to get it whenever or wherever they can.
New words:
1. quench (v): lm ht kht
2. fowl (n): chim, g
The value of education
Briefly, education means the acquisition of knowledge and abilities, and the development of one's
character and mental powers by systematic training and instruction. Education is therefore of
great value to any person.
It has been realized that a person without education is deprived of many benefits. He not only
lacks the knowledge of human affairs but also the ability to appreciate the value of many of the
things that concern his own welfare. Thus, he is not able to contribute his full share to the
progress of society and the world. Neither is he able to develop his personality to the fullest
extent.
One of the greatest benefits of education is that it helps a person to understand the position that
he occupies in society. It helps him to speak and conduct himself with confidence and dignity
which earn him the respect and admiration of others. Thus, he occupies an important position in
society, and people look up to him as their leader.
Another benefit of education today is that it helps one to secure lucrative employment. In the
world of today, almost every kind of employment requires some understanding of a few basic
principles of science, mathematics, economics, engineering, accountancy or some other subjects
on the part of the worker. Thus, the better education a person has better prospects he has of
securing attractive positions in the various professions.

Finally, education makes a person sympathetic and considerate towards others. He is helpful to
those who need his advice and guidance, and is not critical of those who commit offences or
mistakes out of ignorance or necessity. Further, he does not like to hurt the feelings of others.
Even if he is extremely provoked, he tries to express his displeasure or anger in words which give
the slightest offence to others and yet express his outraged feelings adequately.
As a result of all these qualities that a person acquires through education, he becomes a very
pleasant person to associate with. He thus lives a fuller life in socially.
New words:
1. briefly(adv): mt cch vn tt, ngn gn
2. acquisition (n): s ginh c, s thu c
3. deprive (v): ly i, tc i
4 . dignity ( n ): phm gi, nhn cch, lng t trng
5. lucrative (adi): c li, sinh li
5. accountancy (n): ngh k ton
7. prospects (n. plu.): kh nng thnh cng, trin vng
8. offence (n): s phm ti
9. ignorance(n): ngu dt
10. provoke (v): khiu khch, chc tc
11. adequately (adv): tng xng, thch ng, tho ng
12. associate (v): kt giao, giao thip
An interesting story I have heard
An interesting story that I have heard is about a deserted house in a remote village somewhere in
India.
The house had not been occupied for several years after the death of its owner. For some reason
no one liked or cared for the owner. Therefore, when he died, he was not buried. His dead body
remained in his bed until it was reduced to its skeleton.
One evening a traveller was passing by this house when it suddenly began to rain heavily.
Looking for shelter , he ran into this house, where, to his surprise and terror, he saw a human
skeleton. But the rain had not stopped and it was rapidly growing dark. He has therefore no
choice but to sit there, in the hope that somebody like him might come in to keep him company.
But no one came. It was now too dark to see anything outside. He therefore decided to spend the
night in that dark and lonely house. The rain continued to fall unabated. The wind was strong and
there was much lightning. The traveller lay on the floor but he could not sleep with the skeleton
inside the house. After several hours, there was a sudden very cold crawling over his body. he
was now too frightened to move. After a while, he heard another strange cry. Just at that moment,
a lightning flashed across the sky when he saw a large animal jump out of the house through a
window which had been open. He now began to pray for his safety.
While he was in this position, some robbers happened to take shelter in the verandah of the house.
They began to talk and laugh loudly. Hearing the voices, the traveller began to ask some
questions from inside to make sure that there were some people outside. But the robbers were

now frightened. They thought that it was the voice of ghost. They ran away as fast as they could.
when morning came. The traveller rushed out of the house and never returned to that part of the
country.
New words:
1. skeleton (n): b xng
2. shelter (n): ch nng ta, ch n nu
3. keep s.b company : c ai bn cnh lm bu bn
4. unabated (adj): khng gim st, khng yu i
5. crawl (n): lm sn gai c
6. robber (n): k cp; k trm
7. verandah (n): hin, h, hnh lang
My most favorite subject
My most favourite subject is English which is today one of the most important languages in the
world. It is spoken and understood in all parts of the earth.
English has become an international language for a variety of reasons. One of the most important
of them is that the English people have been well-known for their knowledge of science medicine,
engineering, government and all other matters that are useful for the progress of the human race.
It is because of the scientists of England that the motor- engine has become the most important
machine in the world today. In the same way, English scholar have studied the past and
discovered many things of great value to the peoples of the world. Some of the things which were
useful to men in the early days were later forgotten by others. Such things are now again being
used, owing to the work of English scholars.
The insatiable thirst for knowledge of the English scholars has contributed to the progress of man
in almost all fields of his activity. Thousands of books have been written by such scholars on
almost every subject that one can think of. Thus, people whose native tongue is not English have
learnt English with great interest as a means of acquiring knowledge of all human affairs.
As a result or this interest English is used almost everywhere in the world. It is used in all the
important meetings and conferences and debates such as in United Nation. It is also used in all
the leading universities in the world and in international trade and commerce. As it is used so
widely, English has indeed become a very rich language. People of all the countries of the world
have contributed new ideas and thoughts to this language.
Thus, more and more new words are being coined to make this language more and more useful
tor the communication of ideas and information among the peoples of the world. It is for all these
reasons that I like to study the English language.
New words:
1. scholar (n): hc gi
2. insatiable thirst : s kht khao khng th tha mn
3. native tongue (n): ting m
4. debate (n): cuc tranh lun, cuc tho lun, cuc tranh ci
5. commerce (n): thng mi, thng nghip

Describe an unpleasant dream you have had

Everyone dreams. Some dreams are pleasant and some are not. One of the most unpleasant
dreams that I have had concerns a wild creature which used to visit a village every night in search
of blood and flesh.
It is difficult for me to give a proper description of the creature. It was tall, black and hairy. Its
legs and hands resembled those of a man, but its face was like that of a leopard. It walked like a
man but it could also run like an animal when it wished. Its home was not on land but in the sea.
However, its thirst for blood was insatiable. Every night when all the people in the village that it
used to visit went to bed, it would come out of the sea and quietly go into the village. It would
look for a man who might be outside. Such was its luck that it found at least one man every night.
Its method of attack was simple. As soon as it saw a man, it would put its powerful hands round
his neck and strangle him. At the same time it would sink its teeth into the flesh and drink his
blood. This unfortunate man would have no time to shout, for death came swiftly.
In this way, the creature had killed a lot of people, but no one could explain their disappearance.
As the foot prints of the creature were similar to those of a tall and big man, no one could
distinguish between the foot prints of the creature and those of a man. Then, one night, I
happened to be in the village. The creature, however, did not see me when it came. I was at first
frightened. but when I saw it had caught and killed a man, 1 felt brave. I knew that it would now
not bother to kill me. I therefore decided to follow the creature.
Not suspecting that it was being followed, the creature stopped at a place and began to eat the
man. When it was satisfied, it picked up the remains of the man and slowly walked back into the
sea which was only a short distance from the village. All the while I moved very cautiously. Then,
I ran back to the village and told the people what had happened. On the next day, the villagers
waited near the sea with all the weapons that they had. The creature came out for its usual meals,
but this was an unfortunate day for the creature. As soon as it was on the land, the villagers
surrounded it and killed it. Its cries of pain and anger before it died were such that I suddenly
woke up to find that I was only dreaming. I felt greatly relieved.
New words:
1. concern (v): lin quan n, dnh lu ti
2. description (n): s din t, s miu t
3. resemble (v): ging vi, tng t
4. leopard (n): con bo
5. strangle (v): bp nght
5. swiftly (adv): nhanh; nhanh chng, ngay lp tc
7. distinguish (v): phn bit
8. bother (v): y ny, bn khon, lo ngi
9. cautiously (adv): cn thn, thn trng
10. surround (v): vy quanh, bao quanh

Describe your last holiday

During my last school holidays. I spent a few days at my cousin's house at Morib, a well-known
sea resort. I shall never forget that visit.
On the day I arrived at Morib, my cousin told me that he would do to make my stay there a very
interesting one. He said that he would first make a raft to use it in the sea. Then he would buy
fishing net to catch some fish in the shallow waters near the coast. When I heard all this, I was
very delighted because it was for these reasons that I had decided to visit my cousin. We then
walked up to the beach which is near his house.
While we were there, sometime in the evening, the sea looked extremely beautiful. I saw the
islands and hills in the distance, the birds in the air, and a few boys and girls playing on the beach.
I also saw some fishermen coming out of the water with their catch. All this was indeed very
interesting to look at.
On the next day, my cousin and I collected some tree trunks from the forest nearby. As my
cousin's house is close to the sea, we decided to make the raft on the beach itself. It took us
almost the whole morning to make the raft. We then had our lunch and went to Banting, the
nearest town, to buy fishing net. After that we returned to my cousin's house.
In the evening we put the ran on the sea. The water was still high, but the raft floated quite well.
My cousin and I sat on it and began to row it by using the oars that we had made ourselves. We
felt very happy indeed and continued to row it. We remained on it for a long time, but as it was
already getting dark we did not go far. We returned to the shore and tied the raft to a tree.
On the next day, we went out to catch some crabs and fish. We used the net that we had bought
and caught a lot of fish. Then, we had our lunch and went out again on the ran. we continued to
row it as far as we could. It was really a pleasure to be away from the shore. The sea was calm
and we could row with ease. My cousin told me many interesting things about Morib. We then
returned to the shore.
In this way, I spent my holidays happily at Morib, a place I shall never forget.
New words:
1. sea resort (n): ni ngh mt b bin
2. raft (n): ci b, ci mng
3. delighted (adj): ho hng, hi lng
4. extremely (adv): tt cng, cc , cc k
5. trunk (n): thn cy
7. row (v): cho thuyn
8. oar (n): mi cho
9. remain (v): li
10. to get dark : (tri) ti dn
11. tie (v): buc, ct, tr
12. crab (n): con cua
13. ease (n): s d dng

Journalism as a career
Almost everyone who can read and write sometimes feels the urge to write on some favourite
topic. But some people love writing so much that they spend much of their time in writing
something on various subjects for the sheer pleasure of writing. Such people usually become
skillful writers; and if the ability to write with ease and facility was enough to achieve success in
the field of journalism, many people would make journalism their career.
In countries like England and Japan, where there are hundreds of newspapers and journals,
journalism is an attractive profession. It is a very good source or income to many. But in
Malaysia there are so few newspapers and journals that journalism offers almost no prospect of
success. Even in England and Japan, however, many people have failed to achieve any success in
this field. To be successful in journalism, one must have many other qualities, besides the ability
to write effectively. One of the most important qualities is the ability to judge what the average
reader likes or dislikes. If one writes for a political journal, one should have a fair knowledge of
what the readers of that journal expect from it. If one writes for a women's journal, one should
know almost instinctively what its readers prefer. Accordingly, the journalist should gather
information from all possible sources for his articles and stories for publication. He may even
have to distort or omit certain facts and information, which in his judgement may appear
unpleasant to his readers. Further, if certain unpleasant facts have to be revealed to his readers, he
has to employ words with such skill that his readers will take almost no offence. All these require
great intellectual qualities.
Besides, to collect information, the journalist has to travel extensively and meet many people, far
and near. As too much travelling involve great physical activity, the journalist has to pay
sufficient attention to his health to keep himself strong. He has also to cultivate pleasing habits to
meet all sorts of people. He must also he prepared to work under very unpleasant circumstances.
For example, if he is working for a popular newspaper, he may have to be at the scene or a battle
and risk his life to send his report to his newspaper office. All this involves great personal
sacrifice.
Finally, a good journalist should have a good grasp of the constitutional rights of the citizens of
his country and the policies of his government. He should also know the laws of libel and slander.
Ignorance of any or these may lead him to make unfair criticisms and disclosures which may
cause serious troubles in the country. Thus, success in journalism is not easy to attain, and only a
few people make it their career.
New words:
1. facility (n): kh nng hc hoc lm vic mt cch d dng
2. achieve (v): t c, ginh c
3. journalism (n): ngh lm bo, vit bo
4 . judge ( v ): xt on, phn on, nh gi
5. instinctively (adv): theo bn nng, do bn nng
6. distort (n): bp mo, xuyn tc
7. sufficient (adj): y
8. circumstance (n) : hon cnh, trng hp
9. constitutional (adj) : thuc hin php, theo hin php
10. libel (n) : li ph bng, ti ph bng

11. slander (n): s vu khng. s vu co

12. disclosure (n) : s vch trn, s phi by
Beauty in nature
Beauty is hard to define but easy to recognise. In nature beauty may be discerned in all things and
places, even in the most unexpected regions of the earth. There is beauty in the infinite variety of
flowers, birds, animals and plants, many of which are vividly colourful.
There is beauty in mountains, valleys and hills, and in the skies. Thus, beauty can be found in all
the creations of God. Then hunter who scans the forests for his quarry is often fascinated by the
beauty that he finds in objects, which conceal beautiful flowers from human sight, suddenly
reveal their secrets to him when he stumbles over them. The fisherman who turns to the sea for
his livelihood is fascinated by the beauty of the multitudinous creatures that swarm in the seas.
Many of these creatures are found even on the shore. But the oceans often conceal the beauty that
lies below their surface, and to catch a glimpse of the beauty of the world below the sea,
hundreds of divers everywhere explore the bottoms of the oceans, even at the risk of losing their
lives in the unknown regions of the world below.
Even the farmer and the traveller appreciate the beauty that is found in nature. The farmer finds
beauty in the variety of the plants that he grows. The traveller is impressed with the beauty of
distant hills and mountains, and the beauty of meadering rivers in large valleys. He is also
appreciative of the beauty of the night. As he travel in the moon-light, he looks at the landscape
and is lost in admiration of it.
The beauty in nature is also appreciated by others. Almost every one delights to see the rushing
streams and the numerous birds and animals that may be found in every part of the earth, for
these are part of the ornaments of nature. Even the tiniest of creatures has a beauty of its own. In
search of this beauty in nature, men in all parts of the world are travelling great distances and
spending a great deal of money, even in some cases, even their life savings. It is this appreciation
of natural beauty that impels men to visit distant lands which have a beauty of their own. Men
have also visited the islands that are spread throughout the world in search of the natural beauty.
Many have seen visited the cold deserts in the Artics as well as the hot deserts where few plants
grow, in search of the beauty that may be found in these regions, despite the lack of vegetation
and animals life. The deserts are indeed the home of many beautiful plants and animals which
find sufficient refuge in these pans, and many of the birds too, here are remarkable for their
beauty.
But the person who is most appreciative of natural beauty is the poet who finds music and beauty
even in the movement of the clouds and winds. His deep appreciation of the beauty that he finds
around him impels him to give utterance to it in the most expressive language, which is itself
often of imperishable beauty.
New words:
1. discern (v): nhn thc, thy r
2. God (n): cha tri, thng
3. scan (v): xem t m, kim tra cn thn
4. quarry (n): con mi
5. conceal (v): giu gim, che y
6. reveal (v): bc l, biu l, tit l

7. stumble (v): vp, trt chn

8. multitudinous (adj): rt nhiu, v s k
9. glimpse (n): ci nhn thong qua
10. meander (v): ngon ngoo, quanh co, khc khuu
11. ornament (n): trang hong, trang tr
12. impel (v): thc p, bt buc
13. refuge (n): ni trn trnh, ni n nu, ni tr n
14. remarkable (adj): ng ch , ng
15. utterance (n): s pht biu, s by t
16. imperishable (adj): bt h, bt t, bt dit
Do you agree that the study of Mathematics is essential
to the progress of the human race?
Though the study of Mathematics had occupied the attention of Egyptian and Greek scholars
centuries ago, yet it was only after the advent of the Industrial Revolution that the importance of
the subject was fully realised by scholars and educationists everywhere. Today, Mathematics is
one of the most important subjects in all the schools and universities of the world.
Before the Industrial Revolution, men lived very simple lives. Agriculture, hunting and fishing
were then their main sources of livelihood. It did not occur to them that their lives could be made
more comfortable if they only exercised their mental faculties a little more and organised a
system of knowledge, which we now call the Science, and applied it to practical purposes. Thus,
they turned to nature for sustenance, and were satisfied with what they could acquire from nature
with their skills. This simple mode of existence was, however, disturbed by the inventions of a
few men, sometime in the eighteenth century, which caused people everywhere to think of new
ways of improving their conditions of living. The inventions revealed new sources of comfort,
and power for the production of goods. Thus, the Industrial Revolution began. More and more
machines were invented for the rapid production of goods, and the study of Mathematics began to
receive great encouragement, for it was realised that machines function on mathematical
principles.
The intensive study of Mathematics revealed its potentialities. It was soon applied not only to
invent new machinery but also to explain abstruse subjects such as Physics, Logic and many
others. In fact, Mathematics is now used to teach and explain almost every important subject in
schools and universities. Even the construction of buildings and bridges requires a deep
knowledge of Mathematics.
The study of Mathematics has also helped to increase the mental powers of men. They are not
only able to think more clearly than they could before but are also able to understand and explain
many of the things which they could not understand earlier.
Sometimes, however, Mathematical principles have been applied for tragic consequences. In
battles and wars, bombs and cannon-balls have been released with remarkable accuracy to
destroy the enemy. This fact reveals how knowledge of Mathematics could be used to hinder
human progress. But such a situation develops only when men have lost their patience and their
capacity for compromise and fortunately the leaders of the world today are trying their utmost to
remove the causes for war.

In general, however, men have a natural impulse to live in peace and harmony with others, and
almost every invention is aimed at promoting the welfare of the peoples of the world. Thus, the
human race has benefited from the efforts of those who have made the fullest use of
Mathematical principles for all their inventions. I therefore agree that the study of Mathematics is
essential to the progress of the human race.
New words:
1. the mental faculties: nng lc, tr tu
2. sustenance (n): cht b, s b dng
3. encouragement (n): nim khch l, nim c v, nim ng vin
4. intensive (adj): chuyn su, cao , mnh m, su sc, tp trung
5. potentiality (n): tim nng, tim lc
6. abstruse (adj): kh hiu, thm thu, su sc
7. consequence (n): hu qu, kt qu
8. cannon-ball (n): n tri ph
9. impulse (n): s thc y, s thi thc
10. welfare (n): hnh phc, s thnh vng
What contributions can writers make to the promtion of goodwill
among the people of a country?
Since remote antiquity writers in every country have exerted a profound influence on the minds
of the people. The writings or political philosophers, like Rousseau and Voltaire, have even
caused revolutions and diverted the course of history. Such is the power of writers who express
their ideas and views with lucidity and cogency. Most writers who dwell upon the affairs of their
countries are deeply conscious of their responsibility towards their countries and compatriots.
This consciousness not only impels them to avoid issues which tend to divide the people but also
to express their views on delicate issues in the most temperate language. Their main aim is to
promote goodwill among the people of the country, and this they try to achieve in various ways.
In a country dominated by people of the same race and language, writers can promote goodwill
among its people by clarifying political and economic issues which the people understand only
vaguely. If the people are divided by ideological differences or by differences of economic status,
writers can exercise their influence to remove the resentment and prejudices among the people.
Even those who write on social problems can emphasise the issues that tend to unite the people.
They can also suggest ways and means of removing the causes of resentment and frustration that
exist among the people. As the written word is more effective than the spoken word, people tend
to accept the views of writers more readily than those expressed verbally by various people.
But it is in countries in which people of various races reside that writers can make the greatest
contribution to the promotion of goodwill among the people. In a country like Malaya, for
example, writers can concentrate on the issues that tend to unite the people. They should not be
too critical of the attitudes of one race to gratify the emotions of another race. If they do so, they
will incite racial discord and even violence which may affect the whole country adversely. If
short speeches to a small group of people can cause riots and racial conflicts in all parts of the
country, writers can do greater harm, for the written word circulates more extensively for a longer
period.

This power of the written word, however, could be used by writers for the benefit of the whole
nation. By giving prominence to the social aspects of life that affect the people as human beings
and as individuals of a particular race, writers can help in the development of a common outlook
among the people. They could also help in making the people realise the benefits in peace and
harmony. A study of the history of many countries reveals how the ways and habits of its people
are influenced by the pen of distinguished writers. Even the leaders of the country are often
guided by the opinions of noted writers.
Indeed, in times of great discontent in a country, writers advise the people to exercise patience
and moderation in expressing their grievance. There are many examples of how writers in various
countries have been able to remove feelings of hatred among the people. The newspaper, for
example, which is the product of the combined effort of many writers, is able to exert a
restraining influence on people who are easily provoked. This is the best example of what writers
could do to promote goodwill among the people of a country.
New words:
1. antiquity (n): thi xa
2. divert (v) : lm i hng
3. lucidity (n): s r rng, minh bch
4. cogency (v): s vng chc, sc thuyt phc
5. dwell upon (v): chuyn ch vo
6. conscious (adj): c thc, bit r
7. compatriot (n): ng bo
8. delicate (adj): tinh vi, tinh t, t nh
9. dominate (v): chim u th, chi phi, thng tr
10. clarify (v): lm cho d hiu
11. vaguely (adv): m h, ng ng
12. ideological (adj): thuc h t tng
13. prejudice (n): s thnh kin, nh kin, thin kin
14. frustration (n): tm trng tht vng, v mng
15. verbally (adv): bng li ni
16. adversely (adv): bt li
17. circulate (v): lu truyn, truyn b
18. discontent (n): s bt mn, s bt bnh
19. grievance (n): li phn nn, li ku ca, li than phin, ni bt bnh
Which language do you think has made the greatest contribution
to the promotion of better understanding among the peoples of the world?
The human race is divided by a multiplicity of languages, many of which have come to play an
important part in the affairs of the world. A little reflection reveals that the importance of a
language is associated mainly with the ideas and knowledge it contains. The more ideas a
language can convey to the peoples of the world, the more it will be used by people everywhere.

Thus, the language that is used most extensively is the language that makes the greatest
contribution to human progress and mutual understanding between peoples.
It cannot be denied that today the most widely used language is the English language. There are
few countries in which this language is not understood or used. Even the countries which
preached hatred for everything English, including the English language, during their struggle for
independence from British rule such as India, found it difficult to dispense with this language
after they became independent. Therefore, they not only continued to use English in all spheres of
public activity but also began to encourage the use and study of the English language as means of
achieving national progress and unity. These efforts on the part of the various countries of the
world convey an idea of the importance of the English language.
It would be instructive, however to consider the reason for the extensive use of the English
language. One of the reasons is that several countries in the world have been occupied mainly by
immigrants from England such as the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand. It is
therefore not surprising that the people of such countries have continued to use the English
language, though they have severed their political connexions with their mother country and
acquired independent status, for one cannot discard ones language easily. Another reason is that,
in the course or history, a large number of countries throughout the world came directly under
British rule, where English was made the main language for administrative, commercial and all
other purposes.
As the leading colonial power in the world, England has indeed exerted a profound influence on
the affairs of the world, though her colonial possessions are rapidly becoming independent one
after the other. Concomitantly, the English language too has come to play a leading role in
international communication. Thus, many people whose native language is not English have
studied English and become more conversation with English than with their own languages. This
is especially true with the leaders of the people to whom English is a foreign language. As a
result, the English language is used by them not only in the administration of their countries but
also in all their institutions of higher learning.
The most important reason for the pre-eminence of the English language, however, is that it is the
source of all knowledge. The Industrial Revolution that began in England and spread to other
countries revealed the English genius for invention. Even the political and social institutions of
England, which were affected tremendously by the Industrial Revolution, have evoked the
admiration of all countries. The knowledge, ideas, experiences and profound thoughts of the
English people have made a deep impression on the minds of the people of other countries.
Innumerable books have been written in the English language on all branches of study, and such
is the thirst of English scholars for knowledge and their desire to communicate it, that they have
even translated books of great value from other language to English for the benefit of all. Writers
of other nationalities too have written a great number of books in English and made a substantial
contribution to the enrichment of the English language. As a result of all these efforts, the English
language has become the main avenue to the greatest storehouse or information. Therefore,
people everywhere have developed a special respect for the language and they continue to learn it
with avidity.
As the English language is used so extensively it is mainly in this language that the peoples of the
world communicate with and understand one another. No other language has such a wide appeal
or popularity. I am therefore of the opinion that it is the English language that has made the
greatest contribution to the promotion of the better understanding among the peoples of the
world.

New words:
1. multiplicity (n): v s
2. mutual (adj): qua li, ln nhau
3. preach (v): ch trng, thuyt gio
4. immigrant (n) : ngi nhp c
5. connexion (n) : mi quan h
6. discard (v) : vt b, thi hi
7. administrative (adj) : (thuc) hnh chnh
8. commercial (adj) : (thuc) thng mi
9. concomitantly (adv) : i i vi, ng thi
10. pre-eminence (n) : su vit hn hn
11. evoke (v): gi ln
12. innumerable (adj) : v s
13. substantial (adj) : ln lao, ng k, quan trng
14. avidity (n) : s kht khao
15. appeal (n) : s hp dn
Liberty
Since his appearance on the earth, man has instinctively longed for liberty, an ideal which has
inspired revolts and revolutions throughout the long history of the human race.
The yearning for liberty or freedom is not restricted to man alone. Even animals, birds and all
living creatures love the freedom that God has given to them. Like men, these creatures will
never submit to captivity without resistance. Neither will they cease to make tenacious efforts to
escape, once they are captured.
In the early days of their existence, men were free to pursue their own affairs, within the limits of
their own ability. They moved from place to place in small isolated groups and families, in search
of food, which consisted of edible plants. fruits and the flesh of animals. The pursuit of the means
of survival was their only occupation, and the things that restricted their freedom of movement,
to some extent, were their own fears of the unknown and natural barriers such as mountains,
dense forests, and rivers. These were no restraints imposed upon them by human institution and
they enjoyed their liberty.
Gradually, men learned to live in communities and various institutions were established, which
soon curtailed their liberty to a great extent. Rules were made for the cohesions of each
community and obedience to those rules was secured by the threat of punishment. This element
of compulsion imposed upon the conduct of the individuals in the community restricted the
liberty of the people; but the greater security that men enjoyed in community life provided the
incentive to partial sacrifices.
Soon, however, conflicts developed among the various communities. The stronger one conquered
the weaker one and in the contest for power and domination, hundreds of people lost their liberty
completely. The enslavement and suppression of one group of people by another provided the
stimulus for numerous revolts and revolutions for liberty which have not ceased till this day.

Even in the same community. Sometimes, there were divisions. The rulers, who came to be
known as kings, with the development of the communities into countries, were at variance with
their subjects. To maintain their status and to assert their authority, kings developed their own
theories of kingship, and many of them ruled in the most despotic manner. Defiance of the king's
authority was punished by death and imprisonment. What constituted defiance was decided
arbitrarily by the king or his ministers, and thousands or people were deprived of their liberty.
Eventually, however, despotism aroused the fury of political thinkers and writers in many
countries. A crusade then began against oppression and despotism, and the cry for liberty was
heard everywhere. Revolutions erupted; despotic rulers were overthrown, and new rulers were
compelled to rule with the consent of the people. The French Revolution of the eighteenth
century is the best example of the extremity to which people were prepared to go to retain or
regain their liberty, which is claimed to be the birth-right of every man.
But liberty does not mean licence. In other words, men's liberty of action should not be excessive.
The French Revolution is, unfortunately, also the best example of how men may lose their sense
of proportion and justice, in their attempts to assert their liberty. In that revolution hundreds of
innocent men, women, and children lost their lives at the hands of those who took full advantage
of the anarchy that then prevailed in France, to assert their liberty of action. Such actions are
indeed licentious .
Thus, it may be argued that liberty will remain the battle-cry of all the people, but those who have
it should not use it to hurt or offend others or to deprive others of their liberty.
New words:
1. liberty (n): s t do, quyn t do
2. revolt (n): cuc ni dy, cuc khi ngha, cuc ni lon
3. submit (v): chu phc tng, quy phc, ngng phn khng
4. tenacious (adj): kin tr, ngoan cng, ngoan c
5. isolated (adj): bit lp, c n
6. restraint (n): s kim ch, s g b, s rng buc
7. curtail (v): tc i, ly i
8. cohesion (n): s dnh lin, s c kt
9. compulsion (n): s p buc, s cng bc
10. conquer (v): chinh phc, ch ng
11. enslavement (n): s n dch ho, tnh trng b n dch
12. suppression (n): s n p hoc b n p
13. stimulus (n): s kch thch, tc nhn kch thch
14. status (n): ia v, thn phn, thn th
15. despotic (adj): chuyn ch, chuyn quyn, bo ngc
16. defiance (n): s cng khai khng c hoc khng tun theo
17. constitute (v): cu thnh, to thnh
18. arbitrarily (adv): chuyn quyn, c on
19. arouse (v): nh thc, khu ng, gi

20. crusade (n): chin dch; cuc vn ng ln

21. claim (v): khng nh, qu quyt
22. excessive (adj): qu th, qu ng
23. anarchy (n): tnh trng v chnh ph, tnh trng hn lon
24. prevail (v): thng th, chim u th, ph bin khp ni
25. licentious (adj): ba bi, phng tng
26. oppress (v): p bc, n p
Discuss the role of the police force in society
The police force plays a vital role in the maintenance of law and order in society. It is a source of
moral strength, confidence and happiness to all individuals who seek to live a good life in society.
The ideal of a police force has been conceived centuries ago, when lawyers acts were committed
everywhere; but it was only in the nineteenth century that effectual steps were taken to build up a
strong police force in almost every country. Life, before the introduction of the police force, was
indeed insecure. Violent acts such as murder were committed with impunity by cruel and reckless
men. Even those who were weak and feared revenge by stronger men nevertheless found it safe
sometimes to commit lesser crimes such as theft and robbery. Without the restraining influence of
a powerful organization such as the police force, the passions of men were aroused easily, and
lawlessness prevailed everywhere. Individuals grouped themselves together and terrorized whole
villages and towns, and there were wars between rival groups. This state of affairs caused great
sorrow and acute anxiety to whole communities and everyone lived in constant fear, uncertain
even about his immediate future.
The establishment of the police force, however, has changed the state of affairs in society. The
police force has enabled the law courts, which have existed since ancient times, in certain
countries even before the introduction of the police force, to function more efficiently. Criminals
are apprehended and punished, with the help of the police force, to deter others from committing
acts injurious to innocent citizens. Most people therefore have learned to control their criminal
tendencies. The alertness of the police force in the detection of crimes has not only discouraged
most people from breaking the laws of society but also compelled them to exercise restrain and
self-discipline. Consequently, society as a whole is more peaceful than what it was before the
establishment of the police force.
As the aim of the police force is to promote the welfare of society, it is constantly engaged in
creating the conditions in which people can live and pursue their own affairs without interference
from thoughtless individuals. The rights of every member in society are protected by the courts
through the agency of the police force, which is therefore a source of inspiration and hope to all
law-abiding citizens. Any interference with the rights of one citizen by another is frowned upon
by the police force.
In their efforts to promote the welfare of society the police force extends its activities even to the
remotest regions of the country. If a man is lost in a dense forest or at sea by his own fault or
otherwise, members of the force do their utmost to find and bring him back to his family,
however unpleasant the effort may prove. Seldom do they give up their search if they are certain
that the man still survives. Dedicated to the service of society, they are prepared to work under
any conditions to protect a person, sometimes even at the risk of losing their own lives.
The knowledge of the activities in which the police force is engaged has increased the confidence

and moral strength of people in society. Even the cripple and invalid are given every protection.
Thus, people today can live in greater security and happiness than they could before. Society
therefore owes a great debt of gratitude to the police force.
New words:
1. vital (adj): sng cn, quan trng
2. seek (v): mu cu, theo ui
3. conceive (v): hnh thnh 1 ngh, trong u c tng
4. commit (v): phm li
5. impunity (n): s khng b trng pht
5 . rival (adj ): i ch, cnh tranh
7. ancient (adj) : xa, c
8. apprehend (v) : bt, tm, nm, ly
9. deter (v) : ngn cn, ngn chn, lm nn lng
10. alertness (n): s tnh to, s cnh gic
11. discourage (v) : lm nn lng, lm chn nn
12. compel (v) : bt buc, thc p
13. consequently (adv) : do , v vy, bi vy, cho nn
14. interference (n) : s can thip, s xen vo
15. law-abiding : trung thnh vi php lut, tun theo lut php
16. frown (v) : khng bng lng, phn i
17. prove (v): t ra, chng t, chng minh
18. dedicated (adj): tn ty, tn tm
19. gratitude (n): lng bit n, s nh n
Discuss the view that tolerance is essential
for peace and harmony in any community or country
The progress of any community or country depends largely on the conduct of the people who
reside in it. Discontent, jealousies, prejudices, and intolerance among a few of the people can
cause great damage to the whole community or country.
Gregarious by nature, men hate to live in isolation. The urge for association, therefore, enables
men to tolerate the views and habits of others, to great extent. Most men have come to realise that
the cohesion of society cannot be secured without the exercise of tolerance on the part of its
members.
A community or country is composed of various types of people, whose psychological social an
temperamental attitudes and needs are not the same. In a great number of cases, there are
fundamental differences even in race, language and religion among the people. This is the result
of the economic and social necessities of the modern age, which have compelled people to leave
their original homes and live among people of foreign descent. These diversities in a community
or country necessitate the maintenance of a tolerant attitude on the part of the people towards one

another. They have to respect the cultural and social habits and beliefs of one another and refrain
themselves from doing, or saying things which might offend the susceptibilities of some people.
The racial and religious clashes that have occurred in various parts of the world indicate the
damage that the expression of hatred and prejudice can cause in a country. Even differences in the
colour of the skin can cause trouble and violence in a community, and when passions are aroused,
men lose their reason and sense of proportion and indulge in the most barbaric acts. Innocent
lives become the victims of insensate cruelty.
That tolerance is essential for peace and harmony in a country could be illustrated by reference to
the people in Malaysia, a country in which people of various races reside. Despite cultural, racial
and religious differences among themselves, the people here have lived for generations in peace
and harmony. They have also helped one another in various ways at various times. It must be
admitted, however, there have been a few incidents from time to time caused by communal
differences in certain localities, yet they can hardly be attributed to the general uprising of the
races against one another. In fact, the goodwill that prevails among the different races of people
here has contributed to the development of a new nation, which has become the envy of many
countries. The racial unity among the people is the main factor that has contributed to the
progress of the country in all spheres of activity.
Another country that deserves mention is the United States of America. The people of this
country too are made up of a diversity of races and cultures. Yet, by tolerance, co-operation and
goodwill among the people as a whole, it has become the richest country in the world. All this
proves what could be achieved by the people of a community or country who exercise tolerance
among themselves.
New words:
1. tolerance (n): s khoan dung, lng khoan dung, s tha th
2. conduct (n): hnh kim, t cch o c
3. reside (v): c nh ca mnh mt ni nht nh, c tr
4. prejudice (n): nh kin, thnh kin
5. gregarious (adj): sng thnh tp th
6. psychological (adj): thuc tm l
7. temperamental (adj): tht thng, hay thay i khng bnh tnh
8. diversity (n): tnh a dng
9. necessitate (v): i hi cn phi c
10. refrain (v): kim ch lm vic g, c nhn, c nn
11. susceptibility (n): tnh nhy cm, d xc cm, t i
12. clash (n): s xung t, s va chm
13. hatred (n): lng cm th, cm hn, cm ght
14. proportion (n): s cn xng, s cn i
15. indulge (v): ham m, theo ui
15. barbaric (adj): d man, man r
17. insensate (adi): khng cm xc, nhn tm, in r
18. despite (prep): bt chp, mc d

19. communal (adj) (thuc) cc nhm chng tc v tn gio i lp 1 vng

20. attribute (v) : cho l do, quy cho
21. uprising (n) cuc ni dy, cuc khi ngha
22. contribute (n) : ng gp, gp phn
23. envy (n) : s thm mun, s ghen t, s k
24. sphere (n) : lnh vc, phm vi nh hng
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having
too many university graduates in your country
University education confers many benefits on the individual. It develops his intellect and
broadens his outlook on life, and enables him to discriminate between the good and the bad. Thus,
in the past, only those who sought to acquire these benefits proceeded to the various universities
in the world. Today, however, men are usually driven to the universities by economic necessity.
Few of them seek the true benefits of education, for the growing competition for positions in the
various professions has made it difficult to secure proper employment without some university
degrees. As a consequence, there are a large number of university graduates today in almost every
country.
The advantages of having too many university graduates in a country, however, are many. In my
country, for example, the presence of a large number of graduates would enable the government
of my country lo find sufficient men to assume responsible positions in the various administrative
departments. It would also raise the status of the country in the eyes of the world, as one with a
high literacy rate. The efficiency of the administrative organs of the state would also be increased,
and in time of national crises, the government could draw on the intellectual resources of the
people. Even the younger generation of men would benefit from the contacts with university
graduates. They would draw inspiration from the work of the graduates and themselves develop,
consciously or unconsciously, some of the mental abilities of the graduates. In other words, the
presence of a large number of university graduates would create an atmosphere conducive to the
mental development of the younger people in the country.
The various private firms and industries too would benefit from the presence of large number of
university graduates in my country. It would facilitate the selection of suitable men for positions
of responsibility in the firms and industries. This would contribute substantially to the progress
and productivity of the business concerns. There would, however, also be certain disadvantages
in having too many university graduates in my country. The worst of them would be that people
without university qualifications would find themselves in a precarious position. Good positions
in the various professions would be closed to them. Thus, they would have to be content with
humble positions and meagre incomes, Without any prospects of promotion in their respective
places of work. Besides, the general drop in salary scales owing to the competition among
graduates for position, would further add to the misery of those without university training, for
employers would always look for university graduates, even for low positions.
Another disadvantage would be that those without university degrees would be regarded as
ignorant and of no consequence. They would receive little respect, unless they were wealthy.
Though the university graduates may not deliberately adopt such an attitude towards them, yet
they would always remain sensitive to any remarks upon their abilities. Such a situation would
produce a group of disgruntle men, and there would be much unemployment among those
without university education, thus giving rise to many problems in the country.

New words:
1. confer (v): trao hoc tng
2. intellect (n): kh nng hiu bit, tr tu, tr nng
3. discriminate (v): phn bit
4. consequence (n): hu qu, kt qu
5. sufficient (adj) :
6. assume (v) : nm ly, chim ly
7. literacy (n) : s bit vit, bit c
8. efficiency (adj): hiu qu, nng lc, kh nng
9. conducive (adj): c ch, c li
10. facilitate (v) : lm cho d dng, lm cho thun tin
11. substantially (adv): v thc cht, cn bn
12. precarious (adj) : tm thi, nht thi, khng n nh
13. humble (adj) : thp km, hn mn
14. meagre (adj) : ngho nn, xong, m bc
15. scale (n) : quy m, phm vi
16. owing to (prep): do v, bi v
17. deliberately (adv): mt cch tnh ton, c ch tm
18. adopt (v): chp nhn, thng qua
19. disgruntled (adj): bc tc
War and peace
Since the time men learned to live in communities, in the remote past, wars have been fought at
regular intervals in various parts of the world. In fact, the history of the human race is mainly a
record of the battles and wars fought in the past between communities and nations.
Wars are caused mainly by human greed and ambition. In the early days of men's existence, many
communities lived a very hard life, owing perhaps to the lack of geographical advantages or
intellectual ability. As a result, the prosperity of other communities aroused their greed and envy,
and wars between communities became inevitable. One side fought to conquer the prosperous
communities in order to gain control of the means of prosperity, and the other side fought to
defend its independence and way of life. With the passage of time, the communities developed
into nations, and wars were fought on a bigger scale; but the basic causes of war remained the
same. It was only occasionally that battles were fought with other aims such as the capture of a
woman to satisfy the sexual of a conqueror or ruler.
However, success in wars stirred the ambition of many nations. Wars were then fought for
domination and extension of power. Several small nations soon came under the dominion of a
powerful country, which then developed into an Empire. The Roman Empire, for example, was
created mainly by conquest. Even the personal ambitions of some individuals have been the
cause of wars at times. The ambitions of Napoleon and Hitler for world conquest caused many
battles, in which millions of people, young and old, gave their lives.

The devastation caused by wars, however, has always aroused the conscience of several nations,
and attempts have been made by such nations to prevent wars in the future. Their leaders have
met at various times, in the course of history, to discuss peace and to find a way of removing the
causes of war. It is this urge that led to the creation of the United Nations, after the failure of the
League of Nations, which today is doing its utmost to maintain peace between nations.
But the desire peace has instead led to further wars, for peace often demands the destruction of
the ambitions of those who begin wars. The wars begun by Napoleon and Hitler could be ended
only by fighting further wars to destroy these men, who have been responsible for the greatest
sufferings in the history of the world. Human ambition, however, is indifferent to the lessons of
history. In times of wars, men seek peace; but when there is peace, there are attempts to begin
wars. Once a war is begun, however, those responsible for it are crushed in the end. Yet ambitious
countries and individuals are still trying to extend their power. but they are being opposed by
those who love peace. Thus, wars will continue to exist, while at the same time attempts will be
made to attain peace in the world.
New words:
1. at regular intervals (n): u n
2. greed (n): tnh tham lam
3. prosperity (n): s thnh vng
4 . conquer (v): chinh phc, xm chim
5. defend (v): bo v
6. lust (n): s thm kht, lng tham
7. stir (v): kch thch, khch ng, xi gic
8. domination (n): s thng tr
9. dominion (n): quyn thng tr, quyn chi phi
10. devastation (n): s tn ph, s ph hy
11. conscience (n): lng tm
12 . failure (n): s tht bi, c gng khng thnh cng
13. League of Nations (n): Hi Quc Lin
14. destruction (n): s ph hy, s tiu dit
1S. crush (v): tiu dit ch, dp tan, lm tiu tan
16. oppose (v): chng i, phn i
17. attain (v): t c, ginh c
Courage
Courage, like all human qualities, is an abstract thing; but it is this quality in man that has
enabled him to advance against all natural obstacles through the centuries. Endowed with
intelligence and manual skills man's courage, even in the early days of his existence, enabled him
to accept the challenges of nature. He not only lived in the midst of wild animals but also began
to domesticate many of them for his own advantage. Soon, even the most ferocious and largest of
animals learnt to respect his courage. They began to avoid him as far as they could.

Indeed, without courage man would never be able to advance from the primitive stage. He would
never try to reach the skies or explore the depths of the oceans; but impelled by courage, he left
his immediate confines to defy nature, and soon made the world more hospitable and secure for
himself. It is this irrespressible energy of man, aided by his courage, that has contributed to the
comfort and happiness that people everywhere enjoy today.
Courage is therefore indispensable to almost all human activities. Men need courage to face their
enemies and the uncertainties of life. They need courage to operate machinery, to fly aeroplanes,
to construct tall buildings. In fact, they need courage to meet all the dangers that constantly
threaten them in all their pursuits. Even to accept the responsibilities of a family requires extreme
courage.
Human courage and valour have been displayed most strikingly in all the battles that have been
fought in the history of mankind. Men have fought against men with deadly weapons to protect
themselves their countries, families and home. For the protection and comfort of their families,
men have also faced other dangers. They have defied dangerous currents in rivers to bring food
for their families by boats and rafts. They have also defied storm and battled the waves of the
oceans to extract food from them.
Courage, however, does not assert itself always. The instinct of self- preservation usually impels
men to seek safety in fight or concealment whenever there is a threat to personal security. It is in
moments of desperation that courage asserts itself and enables one to meet all threats; and it is in
such moments that men also discover their own physical strength, and other advantages of
resistance. For instance, a man who is attacked by an animal will fiercely in an effort to avert
tragedy to himself, and in the process discover his own strength and the advantages of using
certain weapons to overpower his adversary.
Feelings of loyalty and devotion too have often aroused the courage of amen. A person who is
devoted to his family fights tooth and nail to protect his family from destruction or extinction,
whatever the consequences to himself. Similarly, a loyal servant may give his life for the
protection of his master.
Thus, courage is the most important quality in man. He needs it for his own advancement and to
meet all the challenges of his existence.
New words:
1. obstacle (n): s cn tr, tr ngi, chng ngi vt
2. endow (v): ph cho, ban cho
3. manual (adj): th cng
4. challenge (n): s thch thc
5. ferocious(adj): d tn, hung c, d man, tn bo
6. hospitable (adj): mn khch, hiu khch
7. irrepressible (adj): khng th km nn c
8. indispensable (adj): tuyt i khng th thiu c
9. strikingly (adv): ni bt, ng ch
10. assert oneself (v): khng nh, qu quyt
11. self-preservation (n): s thc bch t nhin sinh tn
12. desperation (n): s tuyt vng

13. fiercely (adv): d di, mnh lit

14. overpower (v): p o, ch ng, khut phc
15. adversary (n): k ch, k th, i phng
16. devotion (n): s tn ty, s thnh tm, s hin dng
Do you think that literary education is preferable to scientific education today?
A literary education has always been regarded as indispensable to the development of character
and a broad outlook on life. Whether such an education is preferable to a scientific education is,
however, a moot question.
Before the advent of the Scientific Age most scholars pursued a literary education which
conferred many benefits on them. It not only gave them an insight into the affairs of the world but
also equipped them with a vocabulary that enabled them to express their views and feelings with
cogency and facility. Besides, it developed their mental ability and intellectual powers, and many
of the achieved distinction in public life as forcible speakers and writers or even as lawyers and
political thinkers. Having discovered the benefits of such an education, ambitious men in all
countries proceeded to the universities or other institutions of learning to acquire the advantages
of a literary education, and this tendency is discernible even today, though a scientific education
is being considered more advantageous to the needs of the present day.
The inventions of the modern age have indeed revolutionised society. Numerous goods are being
produced, with rapidity unknown before in various parts of the earth with the aid of science and
scientists of all countries are continuing to exert their brains to extend the realms of science.
Every invention has helped to increase the leisure and convenience of men everywhere, and the
demand for goods is increasing everyday. As a consequence, more and more machines are being
invented to increase the production of goods within the shortest time possible.
Every mechanical invention, however, has to be operated by skilled men. The larger the machine
the more complicated its operation, and any mechanical faults in it can be detected only by men
with a scientific education, who are but few in number compared with those with a literary
education. It is this scarcity of men with a scientific education that has led to the assumption that
a scientific education today is preferable to a literary education. The large factories require men
to operate machinery, dealers in motor-vehicles require men for all types of work in the industry,
and there are a diversity of other industries which are looking for men with a scientific education.
The demand for men with a scientific education is, therefore, great, and this serves as an
incentive to young men to acquire industrial and technical skills, for the possession of such skills
will not only enable them to secure remunerative occupations but also enable them to manage
their own factories or workshops in the future to increase their earnings.
All this, however, does not imply that the man with a literary education is losing his importance
rapidly. In truth, he is an indispensable person even today in various departments of human
activity. He provides the managerial skill in an industry, contributes his literary abilities to the
promotion of literacy in the country, provides ministerial and judicial services in the state, and
performs a host of other functions.
Thus, it is not possible to say with finality that a certain type of education is preferable to another.
It is for the individual to make the best of the type of education that he has received.

New words:
1. indispensable (adj): rt cn, khng th thiu
2. moot (adj): c th bn 1un
3. equip (v): trang b
4. cogency (n): s vng chc, sc thuyt phc
5. distinction (n) s u t, s xut chng, s li lc
6. forcible (adj): sinh ng, c sc thuyt phc
7. discernible (adj): c th nhn thc c, c th thy r
8. exert (v): a vo s dng, p dng
9. realm (n): lnh vc
10. complicated (adj): phc tp, rc ri
11. scarcity (n): s khan him, s kh tm
12. diversity (n): s a dng
13. incentive (n): s khuyn khch; s khch l, ng vin
14. remunerative (adj): c tr hu, c li
15. imply (v): hm , ng
16. ministerial (adj): thuc b trng
17. judicial (adj): thuc hoc bi mt to n