Skills 1
Kỹ năng 1 - Đọc hiểu về lối sống Việt Nam xưa và nay, và nói về sự thay đổi lối sống.
Skills 1 - Reading & Speaking
11. Reading: Vietnamese Lifestyles Then and Now
Pre-reading questions: What do you know about Vietnamese life 50 years ago? What has changed?
Read the passage about changes in Vietnamese lifestyles.
VIETNAMESE LIFESTYLES: THEN AND NOW
Viet Nam has changed a lot over the past 50 years. In the past, Viet Nam was mainly an agricultural country. Most people lived in rural areas and worked as farmers. Their daily life was simple and peaceful. They grew rice, raised animals, and wove fabric by hand. Entertainment meant folk games, traditional festivals, and visiting local markets. People walked or rode bicycles because cars were rare.
Today, Viet Nam is developing quickly. Many cities have modern buildings, shopping malls, and factories. Young people enjoy using smartphones, browsing social media, and shopping online. The streets are busy with motorbikes and cars.
However, not everything about modern life is better. Many people feel stressed because of the fast pace of life. Some traditional values and customs are slowly disappearing. For example, fewer young people know how to make traditional handicrafts or join folk games.
It is important to remember that we should preserve our cultural heritage while enjoying modern conveniences. We need to find a balance between the old and the new. By doing so, we can keep our traditions alive and still enjoy a modern lifestyle.
22. Comprehension Questions
- What was Viet Nam mainly in the past? → An agricultural country
- Where did most people live in the past? → In rural areas
- What did people do for entertainment in the past? → Folk games, traditional festivals, visiting local markets
- Why do many people feel stressed today? → Because of the fast pace of life
- What should we do to preserve our traditions? → Find a balance between old and new; preserve cultural heritage while enjoying modern life
33. Speaking: Talk about lifestyle changes
Work in pairs. Talk about how Vietnamese lifestyles have changed. Use the following prompts:
- Living places (rural vs urban)
- Transportation (bicycle, walk vs motorbike, car)
- Communication (letters vs smartphones, social media)
- Entertainment (folk games, festivals vs video games, internet)
- Work (farming, handmade vs industrial, office jobs)
Sample speech:
Vietnamese lifestyles have changed greatly over the years. In the past, most people lived in rural areas and worked in agriculture. They used bicycles or walked to get around. For entertainment, they enjoyed folk games and festivals. Today, many people live in cities and work in offices or factories. They use motorbikes and cars. Young people spend time on social media and video games. Life today is more convenient but also more stressful.