A. Discuss
💬 We'll kick off the lesson by watching the video below, then dive into a discussion about a related question 😉
What is your favorite color? Why?
💬 I'm all ears and eagerly waiting for your response! 👉 A. Discuss
B. Vocabulary
💬 We'll dive into some essential vocabulary to help you understand the material and express yourself confidently on the topic. Feel free to enjoy it!
| Term | Pronunciation (IPA) | Example |
| a perennial favorite [một sở thích lâu năm] | /ə pəˈren.i.əl ˈfeɪ.vər.ɪt/ | The classic novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen is a perennial favorite among readers of all ages. |
| go-to [luôn dùng] | /ˈɡoʊ ˌtuː/ | When I need a quick and delicious dinner, pasta is my go-to meal. |
| forgiving [dễ mặc] | /fərˈɡɪv.ɪŋ/ | The stretchy fabric of these pants is very forgiving, allowing for comfort even after a big meal. |
| make or break [làm nên thành bại] | /meɪk ɔːr breɪk/ | The final exam is make or break for my overall grade in the course. |
| vertically challenged [chiều cao khiêm tốn] | /ˈvɜːr.tɪ.kəl.i ˈtʃæl.ɪndʒd/ | Being vertically challenged, Maria always sits in the front row during concerts to get a better view. |
| associated with [gắn liền với] | /əˈsoʊ.si.eɪ.tɪd wɪð/ | The color red is often associated with passion and love. |
| shy away from [tránh xa] | /ʃaɪ əˈweɪ frəm/ | He tends to shy away from public speaking because it makes him nervous. |
| in your face [đập vào mắt] | /ɪn jʊr feɪs/ | The advertising campaign was very in your face, with bold colors and loud slogans. |
| superstitious [mê tín] | /ˌsuː.pɚˈstɪʃ.əs/ | Many athletes are superstitious, often wearing the same socks for every game to bring good luck. |
Practicing with Flashcards
💬 Memorizing vocabulary for the first time can be challenging, but the flashcards below offer a fun way to review and practice through various activities 👇
Vocab Task 👉 B. Vocab
💬 Once you've reviewed the vocabulary, strengthen your memorization by completing the Vocab Task.
C. Listen
💬 You will now listen to an interview about "Colors" and complete some comprehension tasks. The interview is divided into three parts, so be sure to review the questions beforehand.
Listening Task
C. Listen 1 Favorite color
C. Listen 2 Culture attachment
C. Listen 3 Loud colors
D. Materials
💬 I’ve put together a summary or transcript of the material for you. Take a look when you get the chance!
Woman What is your favorite color?
Man I have to say that when it comes to colors, blue is a perennial favorite. I wear almost exclusively blue oxford shirts, and denim is my go-to for trousers. I don't know since when I started wearing so much blue; I just think it's a very forgiving color. When in doubt, just go with blue. I also think blue is a very rich color, because it can take on so many different shades: from dark navy to sky blue to turquoise, and all of them look good. Of course, you also need to consider things like whether you can afford something or whether it fits you properly, but if the color is just a hair off, it is unlikely that you'll purchase the item.
W Is color an important factor when you're shopping for clothes?
M Absolutely. Personally, colors can make or break an item of clothing. I also think that nailing the colors can help you disguise your physical limitations. For example, someone who is a bit vertically challenged can benefit hugely from wearing dark colors.
W Do colors have special meanings in your culture?
M For sure, Vietnamese people are very superstitious, and different colors have different associations in our culture. For example, red signifies good fortune and happiness, so it's the color of choice in traditional festivals. Vietnamese also fervently believe that certain colors suit certain ages, and they make it a point to pick a color that suits them when shopping for anything from something as trivial as a lipstick to a grand purchase like a car.
W Do you wear loud colors?
M No, I tend to shy away from colors that are too attention-grabbing and in your face. I think people look best in muted colors anyway. Even celebrities are not infallible - some of them make the mistake of wearing colors that are just outlandish and end up being the laughing stock when they show up on the red carpet. Don't get me wrong, there are certain people who wear loud colors very tastefully, but I don't think it's a look that most of us can pull off.
*Source: Tran Tung, D. (2022). How to crack the IELTS speaking test.
E. Reflect
💬 You've come a long way on this journey, and now it's time to reflect on what you've learned by answering these questions on your own. 👇
Critical Thinking
- How do colors that are associated with certain emotions, like red with passion, influence people’s feelings or behavior in daily life?
- Why might some people shy away from wearing in-your-face colors, while others embrace them confidently?
- Can using forgiving or subtle colors in clothing or interior design be a make-or-break factor in how comfortable or successful an environment feels?
F. Speak
💬 For this part, you will practice a speaking sample in the IELTS speaking part 2 format, incorporating all the lesson vocabulary.
🤖 Describe a color that you like. You should say:
- What color it is
- Why you like this color
- How it makes you feel
- And explain if this color has any special significance to you.
.
Sample Answer 👉 F. Speak
💬 I created a sample answer featuring the target vocabulary. Take a look!
Practice with ChatGPT 👉 ChatGPT
💬 Use this prompt as a guide for your practice
I’d like you to be my English coach for pronunciation and intonation. When I read a text aloud, please give me detailed feedback in Vietnamese using a table. Focus on my pronunciation, word stress, connected speech, and intonation. Point out specific mistakes with the correct IPA and tell me how to improve. Also, give me separate scores for how closely I sound like a native speaker in sounds, stress, and intonation.
Congratulations! You've done a great job.
I hope you found the material both engaging and informative. Your feedback means a lot, so feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments below. Until next time, happy studying!