IELTS Modest · Đầu vào · Speaking: Family and Home

Do you live in a house or a flat?

I live in a flat in the centre of the city. It is quite small, but it is very convenient because it is near my school and the market.

Who do you live with?

I live with my parents and my younger brother. My grandmother also stays with us sometimes, especially at Tet holiday.

What do you usually do with your family at the weekend?

At the weekend we usually have a big lunch together on Sunday. Sometimes we go to a park or visit my uncle’s house in the countryside, and in the evening we watch TV together.

Do you prefer spending time with your family or with your friends? Why?

I think I prefer spending time with my friends, because we have the same hobbies, like playing badminton and watching films. But I still enjoy family meals, because I can talk with my parents about my week.

I would like to talk about my mother, who is the person I admire most in my family. She is fifty years old and she works as a nurse in a hospital near my house. Her job is very busy and sometimes she has to work at night, so she does not have much free time.

I see her every day because we live together, but on weekdays we only meet in the evening. At the weekend we have more time, so we often cook together or go shopping at the market.

There are a few reasons why I admire her. Firstly, she is very hard-working. Even when she is tired after work, she still helps me with my problems and cooks dinner for the family. Secondly, she is very kind. In her job she takes care of many sick people, and she always talks to them in a gentle way. Finally, she taught me to be patient and to never give up. When I failed an exam last year, she told me that mistakes are normal and I should try again. So I think she is a really good example for me, and I hope I can be like her in the future.

How have families in your country changed in the last thirty years?

I think families have become smaller. In the past, many people had four or five children, but now most couples have only one or two. Also, many young people move to big cities for work, so they do not live with their parents any more.

Is it a good idea for grandparents to live with their grandchildren? Why or why not?

In my opinion, it has many advantages. Grandparents can look after the children when the parents are at work, and children can learn a lot from their grandparents’ experience. However, sometimes there are problems because the two generations have different ideas about how to raise children.

Should children help their parents with housework?

Yes, I think so. Doing housework helps children to become more responsible and independent. For example, if they learn to cook or clean their room, it will be easier for them when they live alone later. But the jobs should be simple and not take too much time from their study.

Who should take care of old people: their families or the government?

I believe families should be the main people who take care of old people, because old people usually feel happier with their children and grandchildren. But the government should also help, for example by building more care homes and giving money to families who cannot afford medical costs.