Writing

1. SPEAKING Work in pairs. Read the definition of vocational. Then think of three jobs for which you would need to do a vocational degree.

(Làm việc theo cặp. Đọc định nghĩa về dạy nghề. Sau đó, nghĩ về ba công việc mà bạn sẽ cần phải có bằng cấp nghề)

vocational /vau'kerfanl/ adj (of education or training) preparing students for a particular job:

Vocational courses such as costume design and catering are becoming very popular

Answer:

1. Electrician - An electrician is a skilled tradesperson who installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems. A vocational degree in electrical engineering or a related field would be necessary to pursue a career as an electrician.

2. Dental Hygienist - A dental hygienist works under the supervision of a dentist to provide preventative dental care, such as teeth cleaning and fluoride treatments. To become a dental hygienist, a vocational degree in dental hygiene is required.

3. Computer Network Architect - A computer network architect designs and builds data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets. A vocational degree in computer networking or a related field would be necessary to pursue this career.

2. Read the task and the essay. Do you agree with the writer’s general opinion? Why? / Why not?

(Đọc nhiệm vụ và bài luận. Bạn có đồng ý với quan điểm chung của người viết không? Tại sao? / Tại sao không?)

Students should be encouraged to choose vocational courses at university instead of more traditional courses. Discuss.

Some people maintain that the benefits of vocational courses are greater than those of more traditional ones. That is the question we need to consider. It is certainly true that the workplace is becoming more competitive. A vocational course may be a more direct route into employment compared to traditional courses. It is also undeniable that certain jobs (for example nurse, hairdresser) are only available to people with a vocational qualification. On the other hand, choosing a vocational course means deciding what job you want to do when you are still at school. Many people believe this is too early. How can a teenager know what job is right for him or her? Another problem is that vocational courses only focus on what you need to learn for a particular job. Is it not better for students to explore other interests while at university? On balance, I do not believe that students should choose vocational courses unless they are sure what career they want to follow. It is wiser to opt for a course that really interests you.

Answer:

In my opinion, I think that vocational courses can be a good option for some students who know what they want to do in the future. It's true that choosing a vocational course means deciding what career path to pursue earlier, but for some students, it can provide a clearer direction and a more practical approach to learning. Additionally, some jobs require specific vocational qualifications, and choosing a vocational course can lead to better job prospects and a more direct route into employment.

On the other hand, I also agree with the writer that vocational courses can limit opportunities for exploration and may not be the best choice for students who are still unsure about their career aspirations. Traditional courses can provide a broader range of knowledge and skills, allowing students to explore different fields and interests.

Overall, I believe that the decision to choose a vocational or traditional course depends on individual goals, interests, and career aspirations. It's important for students to consider their options carefully and choose a course that aligns with their passions and future plans.

3. Look at the paragraph plan for a for and against essay. Then decide where the paragraph breaks should come in the essay in exercise 2.

(Nhìn vào kế hoạch đoạn văn cho một bài luận ủng hộ và chống lại. Sau đó quyết định vị trí ngắt đoạn trong bài luận ở bài tập 2)

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paragraph 2: Arguments for

Paragraph 3: Arguments against

Paragraph 4: Conclusion (the writer's opinion)

Answer:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

• Some people maintain that the benefits of vocational courses are greater than those of more traditional ones. That is the question we need to consider.

Paragraph 2: Arguments for

• It is certainly true that the workplace is becoming more competitive.

• A vocational course may be a more direct route into employment compared to traditional courses.

• Certain jobs (for example nurse, hairdresser) are only available to people with a vocational qualification.

Paragraph 3: Arguments against

• Choosing a vocational course means deciding what job you want to do when you are still at school. Many people believe this is too early. How can a teenager know what job is right for him or her?

• Vocational courses only focus on what you need to learn for a particular job. Is it not better for students to explore other interests while at university?

Paragraph 4: Conclusion (the writer's opinion)

• On balance, I do not believe that students should choose vocational courses unless they are sure what career they want to follow. It is wiser to opt for a course that really interests you.

4. Look at the essay in exercise 2 again. What phrase does the writer use to

(Xem lại bài viết ở bài tập 2. Tác giả dùng cụm từ nào để)

1. introduce the first argument for?

2. introduce the second argument for?

3. introduce the first argument against?

4. introduce the second argument against?

5. begin the conclusion?

Answer:

1. To introduce the first argument for,

• the writer uses the phrase "It is certainly true that..." in the second paragraph.

2. To introduce the second argument for,

• the writer uses the phrase "It is also undeniable that..." in the second paragraph.

3. To introduce the first argument against,

• the writer uses the phrase "On the other hand, choosing a vocational course means..." in the third paragraph.

4. To introduce the second argument against,

• the writer uses the phrase "Another problem is that vocational courses only focus on..." in the third paragraph.

5. To begin the conclusion,

• the writer uses the phrase "On balance, I do not believe that..." in the fourth paragraph.

Writing Strategy

Rhetorical questions can make an essay more persuasive, provided you only include one or two. You do not have to answer the questions, but always make sure that the expected answer is clear, e.g.

Some people work long hours for very low pay. How can this be right? (Expected answer: it can't be right.)

5. Read the Writing Strategy. Underline two rhetorical questions in the essay in exercise 2. What are the expected answers?

(Đọc Chiến lược viết. Gạch dưới hai câu hỏi tu từ trong bài văn ở bài tập 2. Dự kiến ​​câu trả lời nào?)

Answer:

Two rhetorical questions in the essay are:

1. How can a teenager know what job is right for him or her? (Expected answer: It's difficult for a teenager to know what job is right for them.)

2. Is it not better for students to explore other interests while at university? (Expected answer: Yes, it's better for students to explore other interests while at university.)

6. Read the task. Then plan your essay following the paragraph plan below.

(Đọc nhiệm vụ. Sau đó lập kế hoạch cho bài luận của bạn theo kế hoạch đoạn dưới đây)

More students should choose to do voluntary work during the long holidays rather than working for money. Discuss.

Paragraph 1: Introduction (rephrase the statement in the task)

Paragraph 2: Arguments for (include two)

Paragraph 3: Arguments against (include two)

Paragraph 4: Conclusion (state your opinion)

Answer:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

• During long holidays, students can either choose to work for money or engage in voluntary work. This essay aims to argue that it is more beneficial for students to engage in voluntary work rather than working for money.

Paragraph 2: Arguments for

• Engaging in voluntary work helps students to develop various skills, including communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, which can boost their resumes and increase their chances of getting employed in the future. Additionally, voluntary work provides students with a chance to give back to the community, which can be rewarding and fulfilling.

Paragraph 3: Arguments against

• Working for money during long holidays provides students with an opportunity to earn extra income, which can help them to support their education and other financial needs. Additionally, some students may not be interested in voluntary work or may not have access to such opportunities.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

• In conclusion, while working for money during long holidays may have its benefits, engaging in voluntary work can provide students with unique opportunities to develop important skills and give back to the community. Therefore, it is recommended that more students should consider engaging in voluntary work during the long holidays.

7. Write your essay (150-180 words) using your plan from exercise 6. Include one or two rhetorical questions.

(Viết bài luận của bạn (150-180 từ) sử dụng kế hoạch của bạn từ bài tập 6. Bao gồm một hoặc hai câu hỏi tu từ)

Answer:

During long holidays, students face the choice of whether to work for money or engage in voluntary work. While both options have their benefits, this essay argues that it is more beneficial for students to engage in voluntary work rather than working for money.

One key argument for engaging in voluntary work is that it helps students to develop various skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. These skills can boost their resumes and increase their chances of getting employed in the future. Moreover, voluntary work provides students with a chance to give back to the community, which can be rewarding and fulfilling.

However, it can be argued that working for money during long holidays provides students with an opportunity to earn extra income, which can help them to support their education and other financial needs. Additionally, some students may not be interested in voluntary work or may not have access to such opportunities.

In conclusion, while working for money during long holidays may have its benefits, engaging in voluntary work can provide students with unique opportunities to develop important skills and give back to the community. Therefore, it is recommended that more students should consider engaging in voluntary work during the long holidays. How can we expect students to become responsible citizens without engaging in voluntary work?