ASEAN and the ASEAN Charter

(ASEAN và Hiến chương ASEAN)

1. Listen and read.

(Nghe và đọc.)

Bao Thy: Dad, I’m thinking of participating in a competition on ASEAN and the ASEAN Charter. I can see that my classmates have practised answering the questions. They know a lot more and are more confident than me.

Mr Lam: Oh, is that why you look worried? I can help you. First, what is ASEAN? 

Bao Thy: Well, | know that ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and it was formed on August 8th 1967.

Mr Lam: Correct. How many members does it have?

Bao Thy: As of 2010, it consists of ten member states, but may get bigger because other countries have applied to join the bloc.

Mr Lam: Well done. Do you know its aims and purposes?

Bao Thy: | know that it focuses on improving member states' economies and maintaining regional peace and stability. But Dad, how do ASEAN members help each other?

Mr Lam: Well, they do what they can. Singapore, for example, offers the Singapore Scholarship and the ASEAN Scholarships to students from other ASEAN countries.

Bao Thy: Thanks, Dad. I'll try to remember that. | think that ASEAN also holds sports activities like the Southeast Asian Games, the ASEAN Para Games for athletes with disabilities and the ASEAN Schools Games.

Mr Lam: Good job. How about the ASEAN Charter? Do you remember its main principles?

Bao Thy: Hold on a minute. Mmm ... is that the ‘Right to live without external interference’?

Mr Lam: Yes, but there are still other principles. I suggest reading through the Charter again. I'll continue quizzing you tonight after work.

Bao Thy: Great! Thanks, Dad. I’m now hoping to win a prize!

2. What is the conversation about. Choose the best answer.

(Đoạn hội thoại trên nói về điều gì? Hãy chọn câu trả lời đúng nhất.)

a. Preparation for a competition on ASEAN and the ASEAN Charter.

(Chuẩn bị cho một cuộc thi về ASEAN và Hiến chương ASEAN.)

b. Discussion about the ASEAN Scholarships.

(Thảo luận về Học bổng ASEAN.)

c. The importance of ASEAN and its Charter.

(Tầm quan trọng của ASEAN và Hiến chương.)

3. Match each word with its definition. Then practise reading the words aloud.  

(Hãy ghép từ đúng với định nghĩa của nó. Sau đó tập đọc to những từ đó lên.)

4. Read the conversation again and answer the questions. 

(Đọc lại đoạn hội thoại rồi trả lời câu hỏi.)

1. Why does Bao Thy look worried?

(Tại sao trông Bảo Thy có lẻ lo lắng?)

2. How many members does ASEAN have?

(ASEAN có bao nhiêu thành viên?)

3. What are its aims and purposes?

(Mục tiêu và mục đích của nó là gì?)

4. How does Singapore help other ASEAN countries?

(Singapore giúp đỡ các nước ASEAN khác như thế nào?)

5. What does Mr Lam want Bao Thy to tell him about the ASEAN Charter?

(Ông Lâm muốn Bảo Thy kể cho ông nghe điều gì về Hiến chương ASEAN?)

6. When will Mr Lam continue quizzing his daughter?”

(Khi nào Ông Lâm sẽ tiếp tục đố con gái mình?)

5. Underline the phrases with the -ing form in the conversation. Compare the answers with your partner's.  

(Gạch dưới những cụm từ có -ing trong đoạn hội thoại. So sánh câu trả lời của em với của bạn bên cạnh.)

Bao Thy: Dad, I'm thinking of participating in a competition on ASEAN and the ASEAN Charter. I can see that my classmates have practised answering the questions. They know a lot more and are more confident than me.

Mr Lam: Oh, is that why you look worried? I can help you. First, what is ASEAN?

Bao Thy: Well, I know that ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and it was formed on August 8th 1967.

Mr Lam: Correct. How many members does it have?

Bao Thy: As of 2010, it consists of ten member states, but may get bigger because other countries have applied to join the bloc.

Mr Lam: Well done. Do you know its aims and purposes?

Bao Thy: I know that it focuses on improving member states' economies and maintaining regional peace and stability. But Dad, how do ASEAN members help each other?

Mr Lam: Well, they do what they can. Singapore, for example, offers the Singapore Scholarship and the ASEAN Scholarships to students from other ASEAN countries.

Bao Thy: Thanks, Dad. I'll try to remember that. I think that ASEAN also holds sports activities like the Southeast Asian Games, the ASEAN Para Games for athletes with disabilities and the ASEAN Schools Games.

Mr Lam: Good job. How about the ASEAN Charter? Do you remember its main principles?

Bao Thy: Hold on a minute. Mmm … is that the ‛Right to live without external interference'?

Mr Lam: Yes, but there are still other principles. I suggest reading through the Charter again. I'll continue quizzing you tonight after work.

Bao Thy: Great! Thanks, Dad. I'm now hoping to win a prize!