Introduction
The NLTV B1 level demonstrates an intermediate proficiency in Vietnamese, allowing individuals to understand and produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. At this stage, learners can manage daily situations encountered when travelling in Vietnam and describe experiences, events, dreams, and ambitions, as well as briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. This overview will prepare you for the structure and content of the B1 exam.
Exam Format
| Section | Duration | Questions | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | ~20 min | 15-20 | Short dialogues, announcements |
| Reading | ~30 min | 15-20 | Signs, messages, short passages |
| Writing | ~20 min | 10-15 | Fill-in-blanks, short sentences |
| Speaking | ~10 min | 5-8 | Self-intro, daily topics |
What You Need to Know
Grammar Points for B1
- Compound Sentences with Conjunctions: Using
mặc dù... nhưng...(although... but...),vì... nên...(because... so...),nếu... thì...(if... then...),khi... thì...(when... then...) to connect clauses with logical relationships. - Purpose Clauses: Using
để(in order to, for the purpose of) to express the reason or goal of an action. - Duration & Frequency: Asking and stating how long something takes (
bao lâu) or how often it happens (mấy lần,thường xuyên,thỉnh thoảng). - Comparatives and Superlatives: Using
hơn(more than),bằng(equal to),nhất(most/least) to compare qualities, quantities, and identify extremes. - Passive Voice: Distinguishing between
bị(negative/unwanted passive action) andđược(positive/neutral passive action). - Expressing Future Plans/Intentions: Various ways to talk about the future and what one plans to do, such as
sẽ(will),định(intend to),chuẩn bị(preparing to). - Aspect Markers Review: Reinforcing the core temporal markers:
đã(past action),đang(present continuous),sẽ(future action). - Existence & Possession: Using
có(to have, there is/are) andkhông có(to not have, there isn't/aren't) to express existence or possession and their negation. - Modal Verbs: Expressing obligation (
phải- must), advice (nên- should), and possibility (có thể- can/may). - Relative Clauses (simple): Using
màto introduce simple descriptive clauses, e.g.,người mà tôi gặp hôm qua(the person whom I met yesterday).
Essential Vocabulary Topics
- Personal Information & Relationships: Family members, friends, colleagues, describing people (appearance, personality).
- Daily Routines & Hobbies: Activities, free time, sports, arts, interests.
- Shopping & Services: Types of stores, products, prices, making purchases, asking for help, basic public services.
- Food & Drink: Dishes, ingredients, eating out, ordering, discussing preferences and tastes.
- Travel & Transportation: Directions, places to visit, types of transport, accommodation, making bookings.
- Health & Wellness: Basic illnesses, symptoms, going to the doctor, healthy habits and lifestyle.
- Work & Study: Professions, workplaces, subjects, academic activities, basic job searching.
- Weather & Environment: Describing weather conditions, seasons, simple environmental issues.
Sample Questions
Listening Sample
A: Chiều nay bạn có rảnh không? Mình đi uống cà phê nhé?
B: À, chiều nay mình bận rồi. Mình phải làm bài tập. Mai đi được không?
Question: What does person B suggest?
- A. Go for coffee this afternoon
- B. Do homework tomorrow
- C. Go for coffee tomorrow
Answer
Answer: C. Go for coffee tomorrow
Explanation: Person B states they are busy this afternoon (chiều nay mình bận rồi) and need to do homework (Mình phải làm bài tập), then asks if they can go tomorrow (Mai đi được không?), implying they still want to go for coffee but at a later time.
Reading Sample
Announcement:
Thông báo: Cửa hàng sẽ đóng cửa lúc 6 giờ chiều ngày 20 tháng 11 để sửa chữa. Chúng tôi sẽ mở cửa lại vào 9 giờ sáng ngày 22 tháng 11. Xin lỗi vì sự bất tiện này.
Question: For how long will the store be closed?
- A. One day
- B. Two days
- C. Three days
Answer
Answer: A. One day Explanation: The store closes at 6 PM on November 20 and reopens at 9 AM on November 22. This means it is closed for the entire day of November 21, which is one full day.
Writing Sample
Complete the sentence with an appropriate word:
Hôm qua tôi đi _____ mua nhiều rau củ quả.
Answer
Answer: chợ
Explanation: The sentence means "Yesterday I went to the _____ to buy many vegetables and fruits." The most logical place to buy vegetables and fruits is chợ (market).
Study Tips
- Practice Daily Communication: Engage in short conversations, describe your day, or talk about your plans using B1-level grammar and vocabulary.
- Immerse Yourself: Watch Vietnamese vlogs, listen to simple podcasts, or read short articles (e.g., news for learners) to internalize sentence structures and expand vocabulary.
- Review Grammar Systematically: Focus on understanding the function and usage of each grammar point rather than just memorizing rules. Practice forming your own sentences using new structures.