Listen to four people talk about their experiences living abroad. For questions 16 to 23, decide whether the following statements are T (True) or F (False).

Andrew's landlord sent him an apology letter.

T

Andrew isn't good at wrapping gifts.

(Andrew không giỏi gói quà)

Thông tin: But what I found most interesting was how much thought people put into choosing the perfect way to wrap a gift. It's an art form I haven't mastered yet…

(…Đó là một hình thức nghệ thuật mà tôi vẫn chưa thành thạo)

=> Andrew nói anh ấy chưa thành thạo gói quà.

F

Erica wasn't the typical Brit when she first arrived in Brazil.

(Erica không phải là người Anh điển hình khi cô mới đến Brazil)

Thông tin: I was invited to a barbecue and, Brits being Brits, I showed up exactly at 1 p.m.—the time I was told the event would start. To my surprise, no one else arrived until well past 2!

(Tôi được mời đến một bữa tiệc nướng và, người Anh thì vẫn luôn là người Anh, tôi đến đúng 1 giờ chiều—thời điểm tôi được thông báo sự kiện sẽ bắt đầu. Thật ngạc nhiên, không có ai khác đến cho đến tận hơn 2 giờ!)

=> Erica ban đầu đến đúng giờ theo văn hóa người Anh điển hình

=> Erica là người Anh điển hình

T

Now, Erica has to make an effort when she's in England.

(Bây giờ, Erica phải nỗ lực khi ở Anh)

Thông tin: And I have to admit, when I visit England, it's hard for me to adapt back to the rigid schedules.

(Và tôi phải thừa nhận rằng, khi đến thăm Anh, tôi thấy khó có thể thích nghi lại với lịch trình cứng nhắc)

=> Erica thấy khó thích nghi lại với giờ giấc của Anh.

T

April went to Vietnam because she wanted to change her life.

(April đến Việt Nam vì cô ấy muốn thay đổi cuộc sống của mình)

Thông tin: I moved to Vietnam because I was in a bad place personally, and I wanted to experience something completely new.

(Tôi đã chuyển đến Việt Nam vì đang gặp khủng hoảng trong cuộc sống cá nhân và tôi muốn trải nghiệm một điều gì đó hoàn toàn mới mẻ.)

=> April đến Việt Nam để thay đổi cuộc sống.

F

April talks about what happens to the people who visit her.

(April kể về những điều xảy ra với những người đến thăm cô)

Thông tin: Now, whenever someone from the States visits me, I can't wait to see their reaction when they experience it for the first time.

(Bây giờ, bất cứ khi nào có ai đó từ Mỹ đến thăm tôi, tôi đều háo hức muốn xem phản ứng của họ khi họ trải nghiệm điều đó lần đầu tiên)

=> April mong chờ, không kể về phản ứng của khách đến thăm cô ở Việt Nam.

F

For Scott, wildlife is the most remarkable thing about Kenya.

(Đối với Scott, động vật hoang dã là điều đáng chú ý nhất ở Kenya)

Thông tin: But what really surprised me was how much people rely on community.

(Nhưng điều thực sự khiến tôi ngạc nhiên là mọi người ở đây sống phụ thuộc vào cộng đồng nhiều đến mức nào)

=> Scott cho rằng điều đáng chú ý nhất là sự gắn bó cộng đồng, không phải động vật hoang dã.

T

Back home, Scott once had to wait hours to receive road assistance.

(Trở về nhà, Scott đã từng phải chờ hàng giờ để nhận được sự hỗ trợ trên đường)

Thông tin: It was such a contrast to what I was used to—back home, I might have been stranded for hours, waiting for roadside assistance.

(Điều đó thực sự trái ngược hoàn toàn với những gì tôi từng quen – ở quê nhà, có khi tôi đã phải mắc kẹt hàng giờ chỉ để chờ cứu hộ đường bộ)

=> Scott từng phải đợi hàng giờ mới được hỗ trợ ở quê nhà.

Nội dung bài nghe:

ANDREW: I moved to Japan two years ago to teach English, and something that really surprised me was the culture around gift-giving. When I first moved in, there was a small issue with my apartment - nothing major, just a small leak. But to my surprise, my landlord gave me a beautifully wrapped towel set as an apology! I later learned that in Japan, people give small gifts on many different occasions. Now, I love giving small gifts too - it's such a thoughtful tradition. But what I found most interesting was how much thought people put into choosing the perfect way to wrap a gift. It's an art form I haven't mastered yet—but I hope it's the thought that counts!

ERICA: I moved to Brazil for love—my partner's Brazilian. When I first moved here from the UK, I was quite surprised at how relaxed people were about arrival times for social events. Once, I was invited to a barbecue and, Brits being Brits, I showed up exactly at 1 p.m.—the time I was told the event would start. To my surprise, no one else arrived until well past 2! I soon realised that was just common practice. It was a shock at first, but I've learnt to embrace the relaxed approach to time. Now, I actually enjoy how everything feels more spontaneous and less rushed. And I have to admit, when I visit England, it's hard for me to adapt back to the rigid schedules.

APRIL: I moved to Vietnam because I was in a bad place personally, and I wanted to experience something completely new. The first thing that struck me was the traffic. Crossing the street felt like a real-life video game! There's a constant flow of traffic, so you just walk slowly and trust that the scooters will swerve around you. It was terrifying at first, but you get used to it—until you don't even think about it anymore. Now, whenever someone from the States visits me, I can't wait to see their reaction when they experience it for the first time. It's so much fun! Cities here are so vibrant and full of life. I love how people gather at little street stalls, sitting on tiny plastic stools, chatting over steaming bowls of pho—a fragrant noodle soup with fresh herbs and meat. There's an energy in the air—music, motorbikes, the scent of grilled meat. Life here moves fast, but in the best way. Looking back, I can't believe how much this place has changed me. I came here feeling lost, but now I feel more alive than ever.

SCOTT: I moved to Kenya to work on a wildlife conservation project. The sheer scale of the landscapes here is breathtaking—nothing prepared me for seeing elephants roam freely under the vast, open skies. But what really surprised me was how much people rely on community. People's lives here are deeply connected—whether it's families sharing meals, neighbours looking out for each other, or strangers offering a helping hand without hesitation. Once, my car broke down in a remote area, and within minutes, locals came to help, chatting and laughing as they fixed it. It was such a contrast to what I was used to—back home, I might have been stranded for hours, waiting for roadside assistance. This sense of togetherness has changed how I see life. It is a reminder of how much we miss out on by living so independently. Here, people understand that no one truly thrives alone, and that is something I will carry with me wherever I go.