Work in pairs. Ask and answer the following questions.

(Làm việc từng đôi. Hỏi và trả lời câu hỏi sau.)

1. What does ASEAN stand for?

(ASEAN là tên viết tắt cho cái gì?)

2. When did Vietnam join the association?

(Việt Nam gia nhập hiệp hội này khi nào?)

While You Read

Read the passage and do the tasks that follow.

(Đọc đoạn văn và làm bài tập kèm theo.)

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was founded on 8^th August, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand by the five original member countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei joined ASEAN in 1984. Vietnam became its seventh member in 1995. Laos and Myanmar were admitted to this association in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999. The main goals of the Association are to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development; and to promote peace and stability through respect for justice, and the rule of law, in the relationship between countries in the region.

ASEAN has a population of 575.5 million, accounting for about 8.7% of the world’s population. Its total area is 4,464,322 square kilometres. It is a region of diverse cultures, and people in some countries such as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore speak English besides their own languages. According to the statistics recorded in 2007, ASEAN had a combined gross domestic product of about US$1282 billion. This combined GDP grew at an average rate of around 6% per year from 2003 to 2007. The economies of the member countries are diverse, although its major products include electronic goods, oil and wood. The Governments of ASEAN countries have paid special attention to trade. In 2006, the ASEAN region had a total trade of US$ 1405 billion. It has been estimated that a free trade area would be established in the region by 2020. The ASEAN leaders have also adopted the ASEAN Vision 2020, which is aimed at forging closer economic integration within the region. The Hanoi Plan of Action, adopted in 1998, serves as the first in a series of planned actions leading up to the realization of the ASEAN Vision.

Today, ASEAN economic cooperation covers many areas: trade, investment, industry, services, finance, agriculture, rural development, forestry, energy, transportation and communication, science and technology, small and medium enterprises, and tourism. ASEAN has actively worked to improve the socio-economic situation and solve problems among its member countries.

Task 1: The words in the box all appear in the passage. Fill in each blank with a suitable word.

(Tất cả những từ trong khung xuất hiện ở đoạn văn. Điền mỗi chỗ trống với từ thích hợp.)

1. They are demanding equal rights and ________. 

2.  ________is the total value of goods and services produced by a country- in one year.

3. Her interests are very  ________.

4. He talked about the  ________of black children into the school system in the southern states of America.

5. At present, Vietnam is trying its best to  ________the rate of economic growth.

6. The road is bordered by shopping centres, restaurants and other commercial  ________.

Task 2: Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).

(Quyết định những câu sau đúng (T) hay sai (F).)

1. ASEAN was founded in 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand.

2. The ASEAN region has a total area of 4.5 million sq. kilometres, with a population of 575.5 billion.

3. It had a combined GDP of USS 1282 billion, with a growth rate of around 6% per year from 2000 to 2004.

4. The objective of the ASEAN Vision 2020 is to create economic integration among the member countries.

5. The ASEAN Vision 2020 was adopted in 1998.

Task 3: Answer the following questions.

(Trả lời các câu hỏi sau.)

1. Which countries founded ASEAN?

(Các nước thành lập nên ASEAN?)

2. What are the two main goals of the Association?

(Mục tiêu chính của Hiệp hội là gì?)

3. What was the total trade value of ASEAN in 2006?

(Tổng giá trị thương mại của ASEAN trong năm 2006 là bao nhiêu?)

4. When was the Hanoi Plan of Action adopted?

(Kế hoạch Hành động Hà Nội được thông qua khi nào?)

5. What sectors does ASEAN economic cooperation include?

(Hợp tác kinh tế ASEAN bao gồm các lĩnh vực nào?)

After You Read

Work in groups. Summarize the passage, based on the years: 1967, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2007, 2020.

(Làm việc nhóm. Tóm tắt đoạn văn, dựa trên những năm: 1967, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2007, 2020.)