Unicorn
Opening the Mind | Warm-Up Questions
Read each question carefully. Answer in complete sentences
Where did you travel most recently, and what was the main purpose of the trip?
Who accompanied you, and how did their presence influence the experience?
What usually makes a trip genuinely memorable for you?
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Snapshot of Reality | Situational Lens
Read the situation once. Imagine you are the student. Pay attention to your instinctive reaction
You have returned from a recent holiday and are meeting friends who want to hear about your experience. They ask you to explain exactly where you went, who travelled with you, how you reached each destination, and what you did during the trip. They are particularly interested in understanding why the journey became memorable rather than simply hearing a list of places you visited.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Language of Nuance | Vocabulary & Expressions
Read each item carefully. Say it aloud once. Then write one paragraph using at least four of the expressions
Destination – a place to which someone travels
Sentence: The coastal village became their preferred destination after several recommendations from friends.Itinerary – a planned schedule or route for a journey
Sentence: Our itinerary included three cities and several historical sites.Excursion – a short journey made for pleasure or exploration
Sentence: The group arranged an afternoon excursion to a nearby island.Transit – the movement of people from one location to another, especially through transportation systems
Sentence: Efficient public transit made it easier to explore the city without renting a car.Companion – a person who travels or spends time with another person
Sentence: Her travel companion helped her navigate the unfamiliar transportation system.Logistics – the practical arrangements required to organize an activity or journey
Sentence: Careful planning of the transportation logistics prevented unnecessary delays.Reflection – careful consideration of an experience, event, or idea
Sentence: After returning home, he spent time in reflection and realized that the relationships he strengthened were more valuable than the places he visited.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
The Core Text | Reading
Read the article slowly. Focus on the writer’s argument and examples, not on speed.
Last July, Sofia travelled to northern Vietnam with her older brother and two university friends. Their primary destination was Hanoi, where they planned to spend four days exploring historical sites, local markets, and nearby communities. Although the trip had been organized several weeks in advance, the group deliberately left some parts of their itinerary flexible.
They flew from Manila to Hanoi and used airport transportation to reach their hotel. During their stay, they relied primarily on trains, buses, and short taxi journeys. On their second day, they decided to take a two-day excursion to Ninh Binh, a region known for its dramatic landscape and historical sites. The journey required careful coordination because the group had to arrange transportation, accommodation, and return tickets within a limited period.
Initially, Sofia believed the trip would be memorable because of the destinations themselves. However, her perspective changed during the final evening. The four companions sat together at a small restaurant and discussed everything that had happened during their journey. They laughed about missed buses, unexpected weather, confusing directions, and the occasions when their plans had changed.
Sofia realized that the most valuable part of the trip had not been visiting every location on their itinerary. Instead, it had been the opportunity to strengthen relationships, experience unfamiliar surroundings, and learn how to adapt to circumstances outside their control.
When she returned home, she understood that memorable travel is not necessarily determined by distance, luxury, or the number of destinations visited. Sometimes, the most significant journeys are those that provide people with meaningful experiences and a deeper appreciation of the people who share them.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Beneath the Surface | Discussion Questions
Choose two or three questions. Support your answers with examples, observations, or comparisons.
What information should travellers consider when planning transportation logistics?
How can travel companions influence the quality of a journey?
Is a detailed itinerary necessary for a successful trip, or is flexibility equally important?
Why do some ordinary travel experiences become more memorable than expensive or luxurious vacations?
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Turning Inward | Reflection Questions
Answer honestly. Short answers are acceptable, but aim for clarity and insight.
What was the most recent trip or excursion you took, and where did you go?
Who accompanied you, and what did you enjoy most about travelling with them?
Looking back on your most memorable journey, what was the real reason it was important to you?
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Precision Matters | G-Notes
Read the structures below.
1. Advanced Grammar Focus: "Having + Past Participle"
Having completed their planned activities in Hanoi, the group decided to visit Ninh Binh.
Having returned home, Sofia began reflecting on the experiences she had shared with her companions.
Why this matters:
The structure "having + past participle" is a perfect participial construction used to show that one action happened before another. It is particularly useful in advanced narratives because it establishes a clear sequence without requiring several separate sentences. This structure is common in formal writing, travel narratives, reports, and sophisticated storytelling.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.