IELTS Speaking – a sporting event you watched or took part in

Yes, I play badminton with a group of friends twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday evenings. It's a great way to stay in shape, and it's quite social as well, because we always grab something to eat afterwards. I'm not particularly talented, but I've improved a lot since I started last year.

Without question, it's football. Vietnamese people are absolutely crazy about it. Whenever the national team plays in a big tournament, the streets are packed with fans waving flags and honking their horns after a win. Lately, though, badminton and pickleball have become hugely popular too, especially among office workers.

I'd say in person, if I have the chance. Being in a stadium surrounded by thousands of cheering fans gives you a buzz that you just can't get from a screen. Realistically, though, I watch most matches on TV, because tickets can be expensive and it's more convenient. Plus, you get replays and expert commentary at home.

Yes, I was in my secondary school's volleyball team for about three years. We trained after class twice a week and competed against other schools in the district. We weren't very successful, to be honest, but I loved the team spirit, and it taught me how to cope with losing gracefully.

I'd like to describe a sporting event I took part in rather than just watched, which was a ten-kilometre charity run in Hanoi about a year and a half ago. It took place on a Sunday morning in early November, starting and finishing near Hoan Kiem Lake, right in the heart of the city. The route went around the lake and through some of the streets of the Old Quarter, which had been closed to traffic for the day. The money raised from entry fees went to a programme that builds schools in remote mountain areas, which was one of the reasons I signed up. I took part with three colleagues from my part-time job. None of us were serious runners, so we spent about two months training together in the evenings, gradually building up our distance. On the day itself, we met at half past five in the morning, when it was still dark, and the atmosphere was incredible. There were thousands of runners, music was blasting from speakers, and lots of people had come out to cheer us on. As for how I felt, it was a real mix of emotions. At the start, I was nervous and worried that I wouldn't finish. Around the seventh kilometre, my legs felt like lead and I seriously considered walking, but one of my colleagues encouraged me to keep going. Then, when I saw the finish line, I got a sudden burst of energy and sprinted the last hundred metres. Crossing that line gave me an enormous sense of achievement, and I felt really proud of myself and of my friends. I also felt good knowing we'd contributed to a worthwhile cause. Since then, I've done two more races.

I think the main motivation is prestige. Hosting something like the Olympics or the World Cup puts a country in the global spotlight, so it's a chance to show off its culture, organisation and economic progress. Governments also hope for economic benefits, such as a boom in tourism and investment in infrastructure like new roads and stadiums. However, the evidence is mixed. Several host cities have been left with huge debts and empty venues that are hardly ever used afterwards. So while it can boost national pride, I think countries need to be realistic about the costs.

Many of them are, I think. Top athletes show children the value of discipline, hard work and resilience, because nobody reaches that level without years of training and setbacks. Footballers who do charity work or speak out about important issues can have a very positive influence. That said, not every athlete behaves well. Some are involved in scandals, cheating or aggressive behaviour, and children might copy that. So I'd say athletes can be excellent role models, but parents and teachers should help children understand that admiring someone's talent doesn't mean copying everything they do.

I think the most effective approach is to make exercise part of everyday life rather than something extra. Governments could build safe cycle lanes and pleasant pavements, so people can walk or cycle to work instead of driving. Investing in free public facilities, such as parks with outdoor gym equipment, would also help, especially for people who can't afford gym memberships. In Hanoi, for example, those simple exercise machines around the lakes are always busy early in the morning. Schools also have a big role to play, since habits formed in childhood tend to last a lifetime.

I'd say they teach different lessons rather than more valuable ones. Team sports are excellent for learning cooperation and communication, because you have to rely on others and put the team's interests before your own. Individual sports, on the other hand, build self-discipline and responsibility, since there's nobody else to blame if things go wrong. A tennis player, for example, has to solve problems alone during a match. Personally, I think children benefit from trying both, because the ability to work in a team and the ability to motivate yourself are equally important in adult life.