UNIT 1. LIFE STORIES WE ADMIRE

I. GETTING STARTED

1. Listen and read.

2. Read the conversation again and circle the correct answer to complete each of the sentences.

1. Dang Thuy Tram was born in Ha Noi/Hue.

2. Tram wrote about/operated on injured soldiers during the war.

3. She died when she was very young/old.

4. An American soldier kept her diary for 27 years/more than three decades before returning a copy to her family.

Answer:

1. Dang Thuy Tram was born in Hue.

2. Tram wrote about injured soldiers during the war.

3. She died when she was very young.

4. An American soldier kept her diary for more than three decades before returning a copy to her family.

3. Find words and a phrase in 1 with the following meanings.

Answer:

4. Complete the sentences based on the conversation.

Dang Thuy Tram was a young surgeon. She (1) ……… her diary while she (2) ………. in a field hospital during the war. One day, she (3) …………. while she (4) …………. in the jungle. She was only 27 then. An American soldier (5) ………. diary for many years before returning a copy to her family.

Answer:

Dang Thuy Tram was a young surgeon. She (1) wrote her diary while she (2) was working in a field hospital during the war. One day, she (3) was killed (by the enemy) while she (4) was doing her duty in the jungle. She was only 27 then. An American soldier (5) kept diary for many years before returning a copy to her family.

II. LANGUAGE

Pronunciation

1. Listen and repeat. Then practise saying the words.

2. Work in pairs. Underline the words that contain the /eɪ/ and /əʊ/ sounds. Listen and check. Then practise reading the whole text aloud.

In the first year when The Diary of Dang Thuy Tram was published, more than 300,000 copies were sold. The book was also translated into more than 16 different languages. A film based on the diary was made in 2009. Its name is Don't burn.

Answer:

In the first year when The Diary of Dang Thuy Tram was published, more than 300,000 copies were sold. The book was also translated into more than 16 different languages. A film based on the diary was made in 2009. Its name is Don't burn.

- /eɪ/: name, translated, based, made

- /əʊ/: sold, also, don’t

Vocabulary

1. Match the words/phrases (1-5) with the words/preposition (a-e) to make phrases with the meanings below.

Answer:

1 – c: (to) attend school/college: to go to school/college

2 – d: (to) have a happy/difficult childhood: to have a happy/difficult time when one is small

3 – b: (to be) admired for (something): to be respected because of something

4 – e: (to) have a long marriage: to be married to someone for many years

5 – a: impressive achievement: something amazing a person does successfully

2. Complete the following sentences using the correct forms of the phrases in 1.

1. My father ……… in Ha Noi between the ages of 19 and 21.

2. Like so many people in their generation, my grandparents ………. 60 years. They were together for

3. My friend ………… because his mother died when he was very small.

4. Thomas Edison's ……………. in science include the invention of the phonograph and the development of the light bulb.

5. Uncle Ho was ………… his simple lifestyle.

Answer:

1. My father attended school/college in Ha Noi between the ages of 19 and 21.

2. Like so many people in their generation, my grandparents had a long mariage. They were together for 60 years.

3. My friend had a difficult childhood because his mother died when he was very small.

4. Thomas Edison's impressive achievements in science include the invention of the phonograph and the development of the light bulb.

5. Uncle Ho was admired for his simple lifestyle.

Grammar

1. Circle the correct answer to complete each of the following sentences.

1. My dad watched/was watching a documentary about war heroes at 9 p.m. on 30 April.

2. It snowed/was snowing heavily, and icy winds were blowing/blew across the city. We lit a fire in the fireplace and sat next to it to keep warm.

3. She finished/was finishing school and applied/was applying to college at the age of 18.

4. My father started/was starting his own business in his youth and became/was becoming very successful.

Answer:

1. My dad was watching a documentary about war heroes at 9 p.m. on 30 April.

2. It was snowing heavily, and icy winds were blowing across the city. We lit a fire in the fireplace and sat next to it to keep warm.

3. She finished school and applied to college at the age of 18.

4. My father started his own business in his youth and became very successful.

2. Work in pairs. Tell the life stories of people you know and admire. Use the past simple and past continuous.

Answer:

Absolutely, I know and admire a few people with fascinating life stories. One of them is my friend Sarah. She was always passionate about helping others, so she studied to become a nurse. While she was in school, she was juggling work and classes, often staying up late to study. Despite the challenges, she never gave up and eventually graduated with top honors. After that, she worked in different hospitals, gaining experience and making a difference in the lives of her patients. Her dedication and hard work have always inspired me.

III. READING

1. Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.

1. Who is the man in the photo?

2. What is he most famous for?

Answer:

1. The man in the photo/He is Steve Jobs.

2. Steve Jobs is most famous for being the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Apple. Apple is a giant in the technology industry, and Jobs is credited as one of the pioneers of the personal computer and smartphone revolutions. Some of the most popular Apple products, like the iPhone and iPad, were introduced during his time at the helm.

2. Read the article. Choose the words or phrases with the closest meaning to the highlighted words or phrases in the text.

1. adopted

A. given birth to

B. taken by another family as their own child

2. dropped out

A. continued to study

B. left school/college before completing your studies

3. cancer

A. a serious disease

B. a dangerous animal

4. passed away

A. died

B. went past something

5. genius

A. a very intelligent person

B. an ordinary person

Answer:

1. B. taken by another family as their own child

2. B. left school/college before completing your studies

3. A. a serious disease

4. A. died

5. A. a very intelligent person

3. Read the article again. Match each section (A-C) with a heading (1-5). There are TWO extra headings.

1. Achievements

2. Early life and education

3. Marriage and family

4. Contribution to animation

5. Health issues and family

Answer:

A – 2. Early life and education

B – 1. Achievements

C – 5. Health issues and family

4. Read the article again. Complete the diagram with information from the text. Use ONE word for each gap.

Answer:

(1) adopted

(2) Apple

(3) company

(4) products

(5) cancer

5. Work in pairs. Discuss the following question. What do you admire the most about Steve Jobs?

Answer:

I admire Steve Jobs' relentless pursuit of perfection and innovation. He had a remarkable ability to envision products that would revolutionize entire industries and then drive his teams to make those visions a reality. His passion and determination to create groundbreaking technology have left an indelible mark on the world.

IV. SPEAKING

1. Work in pairs. One of you is A, the other is B. A reads the information card about General Vo Nguyen Giap below. B reads the information card about Vo Thi Sau (next page). Use the glossary (page 147) to help you.

2. Work in pairs. A asks B questions to complete his/her card about Vo Thi Sau (next page). Then B does the same to complete his/her card about General Vo Nguyen Giap above. Then compare your notes.

Answer:

• Vo Thi Sau

A: Who is Vo Thi Sau?

B: She is a national hero.

A: Where was she born?

B: She was born in Ba Ria Province.

A: When did she carry out attacks against French soldiers?

B: She carried out attacks against French soldiers in 1948.

A: When did she catch and hold in prison?

B: She caught and held in prison in 1949.

A: What happened in 1952?

B: In 1952, she was killed by the enemy at Con Son Prison, Con Dao Island.

• General Vo Nguyen Giap

B: Who is General Vo Nguyen Giap?

A: He is a military genius.

B: When and where was he born?

A: He was born in 1911 at Quang Binh Province.

B: When did he join the Communist Party of Viet Nam?

A: He joined the Communist Party of Viet Nam in 1927.

B: When did he lead the army and win many important battles?

A: He led the army and won many important battles from 1946 to 1975.

B: When was the battle of Dien Bien Phu successful?

A: The battle of Dien Bien Phu was successful in 1954.

B: When was the final Ho Chi Minh campaign successful?

A: The final Ho Chi Minh campaign was successful in 1975.

B: What happened in 2013?

A: In 2013, he passed away in Ha Noi.

3. Use your notes to tell the life story of General Vo Nguyen Giap or Vo Thi Sau to the class. Vote for the best-told story.

V. LISTENING

1. Work in pairs. Solve the crossword to reveal the secret name. Share what you know about him or his films.

1. The Little ……..

2. Snow ……… and the Seven Dwarfts

3. Mickey ………

4. The ……… King

5. ………..

6. ……… and the Beast

Answer:

…… ……. ……..

2. Listen to a talk about Walt Disney's life. Number the events in the order they are mentioned.

___ A. A difficult beginning

___ B. An introduction to Walt Disney

___ C. Creating the world's most popular tourist attraction

___ D. The birth of Mickey Mouse

___ E. The success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

___ F. The continued success of The Walt Disney Studios

Answer:

….. ……… ……..

3. Listen to the talk again. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.

1. Walt Disney moved to Hollywood because

A. his parents moved to work there

B. he wanted to start his career again

C. his company became very successful

2. Which is true about Mickey Mouse?

A. It was based on a real pet.

B. It was first voiced by a famous actor.

C. It was not very popular.

3. What is NOT mentioned as an achievement of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs?

A. It earned more than 400 million dollars.

B. It won several Oscars.

C. It was the best movie in the film industry

4. What is true about Disney's achievements?

A. He created the first animated cartoon.

B. He holds the record for the most Oscars in history.

C. He designed all the Disneyland theme parks.

5. Why did he create Disneyland theme parks?

A. So that visitors can share their magical stories with Disney characters.

B. So that fans can see Disney characters live on stage and interact with them.

C. So that visitors can learn to make animated films.

Answer:

….. ……. ……..

4. Work in pairs. Discuss the question.

What do you think is most impressive about Walt Disney's life and achievements?

Answer:

I think the most impressive thing about Walt Disney's life and achievements is his unwavering determination and creativity. Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, he never gave up on his dreams and continued to push the boundaries of animation and entertainment. His ability to create timeless characters and stories that have touched the hearts of people all over the world is truly remarkable. Disney's legacy continues to inspire generations and his impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable.

VI. WRITING

1. Work in pairs. Answer these questions, using the information from Listening. Write NG (Not Given) if you cannot find the answer.

1. When and where was Walt Disney born?

2. What schools did he attend?

3. What talent did he have?

4. What were his most impressive achievements in film-making?

5. What were his other achievements?

6. Was he married and how many children did he have?

7. When did he die?

Answer:

….. …. …..

2. Read some facts about Walt Disney. Then work in pairs to answer all the questions in 1.

Answer:

3. Write a biography (180 words) of Walt Disney for your school newspaper. Select and combine information from 1 and 2, and use the following outline and suggestions to help you.

Answer:

Walt Disney is famous around the world for his iconic creations that have brought joy to people of all ages. Born in 1901 in Chicago, Illinois, he showed an early interest in drawing and took art classes in his youth. He attended McKinley High School and later took night courses at the Chicago Art Institute.

Disney's achievements are numerous and groundbreaking. He was a very successful film-maker, creating the world's first synchronized sound and full-color cartoon, "Steamboat Willie," which introduced the beloved character Mickey Mouse. Apart from making films, he was also famous for creating Disneyland, an innovative and immersive theme park experience.

In terms of family, Disney had four brothers and one sister, as well as two daughters. He died in 1966, but his legacy lives on through The Walt Disney Studios, which continues to produce beloved films and entertainment.

Walt Disney's impact on the world of entertainment is immeasurable, and his creative spirit continues to inspire generations of dreamers and believers.

VII. COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE/CLIL

Everyday English

1. Listen and complete the conversations with the expressions in the box. Then practise them in pairs.

A. It was such a pleasure

B. That's fantastic

C. I'm on top of the world

D. I'm so happy

1. Mark: (1) ……… I've just learnt that my poem about Viet Nam's national heroes has won the first prize in the poetry competition for teenagers.

Nam: (2) ………… for you! It's a very inspiring poem.

2. Phong: I took part in a public-speaking event and gave a talk about Steve Jobs' innovations in technology. (3) ………. to be among so many talented speakers. They invited me to give another presentation.

Mai: (4) ……….! I've always thought you're a great speaker.

Answer:

1. Mark: (1) C. I'm on top of the world. I've just learnt that my poem about Viet Nam's national heroes has won the first prize in the poetry competition for teenagers.

Nam: (2) D. I'm so happy for you! It's a very inspiring poem.

2. Phong: I took part in a public-speaking event and gave a talk about Steve Jobs' innovations in technology. (3) A. It was such a pleasure to be among so many talented speakers. They invited me to give another presentation.

Mai: (4) B. That's fantastic! I've always thought you're a great speaker.

2. Work in pairs. Use the models in 1 to make similar conversations for these situations. One of you is A, the other is B. Use the expressions on page 17 to help you.

1. A has just watched a wonderful Walt Disney film, and expresses his/her pleasure to B. B responds to show his/her pleasure for A.

2. B's article about the life of Steve Jobs was published in the local newspaper. B expresses his/her pleasure to A. A responds to show his/her pleasure for B.

Answer:

1. A: I’m on cloud nine because I just watched a Disney movie – The Lion King yesterday. It’s such a great animated movie.

B: That’s amazing. I’m pleased to hear you like it.

2. B: Wow! My article about Steve Job’s life and achievements has just been published in the local newspaper.

A: I’m so excited for you. I sure that it is a great article.

Culture/CLIL

1. Read the following text and complete the comparison table on page 18.

Answer:

2. Work in groups. Discuss the questions.

Do you know any female rulers or famous women in Vietnamese history? Share what you know about them.

Answer:

Hai Ba Trung: led a rebellion against the Chinese Han Dynasty in the first century AD. Their bravery and leadership in the fight for Vietnamese independence have made them legendary figures in Vietnamese history.

VIII. LOOKING BACK

Pronunciation

1. Underline the words that contain the /eɪ/ sound and circle the ones with the /əʊ/ sound in the sentences below. Then listen and check. Practise saying these sentences in pairs.

1. Cleopatra VII, a queen of ancient Egypt, was famous for her beauty.

2. I love Disney animated films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Little Mermaid.

3. Vo Thi Sau attacked some French soldiers when she was only 14.

4. Steve Jobs passed away when he was only 56 years old.

Answer:

1. Cleopatra VII, a queen of ancient Egypt, was famous for her beauty.

2. I love Disney animated films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Little Mermaid.

3. Vo Thi Sau attacked some French soldiers when she was only 14.

4. Steve Jobs passed away when he was only 56 years old.

- /eɪ/: ancient, famous, animated, Mermaid, away

- /əʊ/: Snow, soldiers, only, old

Vocabulary

1. Replace each underlined word or phrase with ONE word you have learnt in this unit.

1. Uncle Ho gave all his love and energy to the country and people of Viet Nam.

2. Although Albert Einstein lost interest in school as a child, he became known as a very intelligent person.

3. Steve Jobs was respected for his successes in computer technology.

4. My grandfather regretted not going to college when he was young.

Answer:

1. gave => devoted

2. very intelligent person => genius

3. respected=> amired

successes => achievements

4. going => attending

Grammar

1. Circle the mistake in each sentence. Then correct it.

1. When I was looking for some books in the library, I was finding an

A B C

interesting biography about General Vo Nguyen Giap.

D

2. At the age of 16, Walt Disney was dropping out of school because he wanted

A B C

to join the army.

D

3. Vo Thi Sau was caught while she tried to attack some French soldiers.

A B C D

4. While the famous author read from his biography, everyone was listening and

A B C

taking notes.

D

Answer:

1. When I was looking for some books in the library, I was finding an

A B C

interesting biography about General Vo Nguyen Giap.

D

Correct: was finding => found

2. At the age of 16, Walt Disney was dropping out of school because he

A B wanted to join the army.

C D

Correct: was dropping => dropped

3. Vo Thi Sau was caught while she tried to attack some French soldiers.

A B C D

Correct: tried => was trying

4. While the famous author read from his biography, everyone was listening

A B C

and taking notes.

D

Correct: read => was reading

PROJECT

Work in groups. Write a visual story of a person's life. This could be a historical figure or someone you know and admire. Do some research on their life or interview them.

You can draw pictures to illustrate key events in his/her life. You can do that on a poster, on presentation slides, or in a short comic book.

Present your visual story to the class. Use these questions as cues.

Answer:

A visual story: Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela was born in 1918 in a small village in South Africa. He grew up in a time of racial segregation and oppression, and from a young age, he became involved in the struggle for equality and justice.

One of the key events in his life was when he joined the African National Congress and became a leading figure in the fight against apartheid. He was arrested and imprisoned for 27 years for his activism, but even behind bars, he continued to inspire hope and unity among his people.

Mandela's release from prison in 1990 was a turning point in the fight against apartheid, and he went on to become the first black president of South Africa in 1994. During his presidency, he worked tirelessly to heal the wounds of the past and bring about reconciliation between the country's different racial groups.

His achievements are numerous, but perhaps his most significant one was his unwavering commitment to peace and equality. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his efforts to dismantle the country's apartheid system and establish multiracial elections.

I think Nelson Mandela's life and achievements are truly remarkable. Despite facing immense adversity, he remained dedicated to his cause and never wavered in his pursuit of justice. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world to stand up for what is right and work towards a more inclusive society.