Describe a Time When You Received Something Without Having to Pay for It 🎁
Suggested Ideas for Each Part
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What the gift was 🎁
- A book 📖
- A piece of clothing 👕
- A free meal at a restaurant 🍽️
- A souvenir from a friend 🌍
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When you got this gift ⏳
- On a birthday or special occasion 🎂
- During a promotion or lucky draw 🍀
- As a token of appreciation 🙏
-
Where you had it 📍
- At home, school, or work
- At a store or shopping mall 🏬
- At an event or festival 🎉
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How you felt about it 😊
- Excited and grateful
- Surprised because it was unexpected
- Happy because it was useful or meaningful
Useful Grammar Structures
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Past Simple for describing when you received it
- I got this gift on my birthday. 🎂
- A friend gave it to me last year. 🎁
-
Present Perfect for its lasting impact
- I have used this gift for many years.
- It has become one of my favorite things.
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Conditionals for hypothetical situations
- If I hadn’t received this gift, I wouldn’t have known about it.
- If I get another free gift like this, I’ll be even happier!
Collocations
- A thoughtful gift 🎁 (món quà đầy ý nghĩa)
- A pleasant surprise 😲 (một điều bất ngờ thú vị)
- A token of appreciation 🙏 (một biểu tượng của sự trân trọng)
- An unexpected gift 🎉 (món quà không ngờ tới)
- A limited-time promotion 🛍️ (chương trình khuyến mãi có thời hạn)
Full Sample Answer (2 Minutes) 🎤
One time, I received a free book from a bookstore promotion 📖. It happened about a year ago when I went shopping at a local bookstore. I had no idea that they were giving away free books as part of a limited-time promotion 🛍️. When I bought a notebook, the cashier told me that I was eligible for a free book of my choice!
I picked a novel that I had always wanted to read. It was such a pleasant surprise 😲 because I didn’t expect to get anything for free. I remember feeling really lucky and grateful. The book turned out to be amazing, and I still keep it on my shelf. To me, this gift was not just an unexpected bonus but also a motivation to read more. It’s always nice to receive something without having to pay for it!
Part 3: Discussion Questions & Sample Answers
1. Do you like giving gifts? 🎁
Ideas
- It’s a way to show appreciation and love
- Seeing people’s happy reactions is rewarding
- Choosing the perfect gift can be exciting
Collocations
- Strengthen relationships 🤝 (củng cố mối quan hệ)
- Bring joy to others 😊 (mang lại niềm vui cho người khác)
- Put thought into a gift 🎀 (đặt tâm huyết vào món quà)
Sample Answer
Yes, I love giving gifts because it’s a great way to strengthen relationships 🤝 and bring joy to others 😊. I enjoy putting thought into a gift 🎀 to make sure it’s meaningful for the recipient. It makes me happy when I see someone’s reaction to a gift they truly love. Even small gifts can make a big difference in someone’s day!
2. What gifts do parents give to children? 👶🎁
Ideas
- Toys and books for young kids 🧸📚
- Clothes or school supplies for older children
- Money or experiences (e.g., trips, concerts)
Collocations
- Educational gifts 📚 (món quà mang tính giáo dục)
- Something practical and useful 🎒 (món quà thực tế và hữu ích)
- Create lasting memories 📸 (tạo ra những kỷ niệm đáng nhớ)
Sample Answer
Parents often give their children educational gifts 📚 like books and puzzles to help them learn. They also buy something practical and useful 🎒, such as clothes or school supplies. Some parents prefer to give experiences instead of material gifts, like a fun trip or a concert, because these create lasting memories 📸. It depends on the child’s age and interests.
3. What factors do parents consider when choosing a gift for children? 🤔
Ideas
- Age-appropriateness
- Educational value
- Safety and durability
Collocations
- Suit the child’s age and needs 🎯 (phù hợp với độ tuổi và nhu cầu của trẻ)
- Something fun yet beneficial 🎮📖 (món quà vừa thú vị vừa có lợi)
- A well-thought-out gift 🎀 (một món quà được cân nhắc kỹ lưỡng)
Sample Answer
When choosing a gift, parents usually make sure it suits the child’s age and needs 🎯. They also consider whether it’s something fun yet beneficial 🎮📖. For example, they might choose a toy that is both entertaining and educational. Most parents also prefer a well-thought-out gift 🎀 that is safe and long-lasting.
4. What kinds of free gifts do companies give? Why do people feel happy when they receive free gifts? 🎉
Ideas
- Free samples of food, beauty products, or tech gadgets
- Promotional items like keychains and tote bags
- People feel happy because everyone loves free things
Collocations
- Boost customer engagement 📢 (tăng sự tương tác với khách hàng)
- A marketing strategy to attract buyers 🛍️ (chiến lược tiếp thị để thu hút người mua)
- Make customers feel valued ❤️ (khiến khách hàng cảm thấy được trân trọng)
Sample Answer
Companies often give out free samples of food, beauty products, or tech gadgets to boost customer engagement 📢. They also offer promotional items like keychains or tote bags as a marketing strategy to attract buyers 🛍️. People feel happy when they receive free gifts because it makes them feel special and appreciated. It’s a great way for businesses to make customers feel valued ❤️ and increase brand loyalty.
5. Do you think our government should provide free gifts for our citizens? 🎁🏛️
Ideas
- Free essentials (e.g., food, healthcare) are beneficial
- Taxpayer money should be used wisely
- Free things encourage social welfare
Collocations
- Improve people’s quality of life 🌍 (cải thiện chất lượng cuộc sống của người dân)
- Government-funded programs 🏛️ (các chương trình do chính phủ tài trợ)
- A positive social impact 🌱 (tác động tích cực đến xã hội)
Sample Answer
Yes, I think the government should provide free essentials like food, healthcare, and education to improve people’s quality of life 🌍. However, it’s important that government-funded programs 🏛️ are well-managed and use taxpayer money wisely. Free services and support can have a positive social impact 🌱, especially for low-income families. But unnecessary free gifts may not be the best use of resources.