HYEC - The Best English Speaking Club in Hanoi (since 1992) - CLB Tiếng Anh lâu đời nhất Hà Nội

To face the threat of global warming, the loudest battle cry from all over the world has been “REDUCTION!!!” Everyone is encouraged to reduce their consumptions: foods, water, electricity, etc. Firms are told to reduce their input of everything from raw materials to petrol. Meanwhile in Vietnam, our lovely ladies are calling for the reduction of clothing!

Riding around on a beautiful summer day in Vietnam, it’s impossible not to notice the bare backs of our modern Cô Tấms with various numbers of strings: two, three, four, one, or even one and a half! The police are calling this: “the number 1 traffic hazard.” Our elderly citizens call this: “the decadence of society.” Wives: “Look at them, what a shame!” And husbands (with a feint surprise): “What? What are you talking about? I didn’t see anything!”

And all the while, in his comfy grave, Shakespeare is rolling around and mumbling: “Two strings or not two strings: that is the question.”

Debate Questions:

1. Do you like all those “strings” floating on the streets around you? Would you personally wear any of those?
2. Pro List: Make a list of reasons that “strings” should be encouraged. Cons List: Do another list of reasons why they should be discouraged.
3. For each of the items in the Cons List, try to come up with a remedy. For each of the items in the Pro List, try to come up with a counter-example.

Vocabulary:

battle cry (noun):

tiếng xung trận

raw material (noun phrase):

nguyên liệu thô

petrol (noun):

(trong ngữ cảnh của bài này) dầu mỏ

hazard (noun):

mối nguy hiểm

decadence (noun):

sự xuống cấp

faint (adjective/verb):

giả vờ

comfy (adjective) = comfortable:

thoải mái, tiện nghi (dạng thu gọn dùng trong văn nói)

remedy (noun):

cách giải quyết, chữa chạy

counter-example (noun):

phản ví dụ

A very funny topic!