Buzz
1. Mẫu đề chủ đề Sweets and Cakes – IELTS Speaking part 1
1.1. Are you fond of consuming sweet treats?
Yes, sure. I guess everyone enjoys a little sweetness in life, as it makes us all happy and more energetic. Whenever I have the blues, eating a piece of candy or chocolate provides me an immediate surge of pleasure so I feel much better.
- Have the blues: buồn
- A surge of pleasure (n): sự vui sướng tăng dần
1.2. Do you currently prefer sweets more or less than when you were a child?
Less, of course. I used to have a sweet tooth when I was young, and chocolate was my absolute favorite. Now I only eat sweet foods every now and then, when I’m in need of an energy booster to uplift my mood.
- Have a sweet tooth: thích ăn ngọt
- Every now and then (adv): thỉnh thoảng
- Energy booster (n): sự tăng cường năng lượng
- Uplift one’s mood: cải thiện tâm trạng
1.3. Are there traditional sweet delicacies in your country?
Well, you name it. I can say that Vietnam boasts mouth-watering street foods, and desserts in particular. Chè would be the one that pops into my mind. Thus pudding-like beverage usually incorporates fruit, beans, seeds, tapioca powder and coconut milk, which is a perfect combo for a scorching summer days. It is favored by most people in my country.
- You name it: Dùng khi quá nhiều thứ, cái gì cũng có
- Mouth-watering (adj): ngon chảy nước miếng
- Pop into one’s mind: nảy ra trong đầu
- Scorching (adj): nóng chảy mỡ
1.4. Do you indulge in cakes or sweets after a meal?
I try not to, to be honest. As much as I love it, eating a slice of cake or a cup of pudding would add to the fullness of my stomach after a hearty meal, so I prefer having some citrus fruits instead, you know, to help with digestion.
- Citrus fruit (n): quả chứa vitamin C
- Digestion (n): sự tiêu hoá
2. Sample topic: Sweets and Cakes – IELTS Speaking part 2
Describe a special cake you received from others
You are expected to say:
- When it happened
- Where it happened
- Who you got the cake from
And elaborate on why this particular cake is special
When I turned 18, my younger sister, Kim, went all out to bake me a cake as a gift for my special day. So today, I'd like to share that story.
I’ve always had a soft spot for cakes and desserts, and I cannot seem to refrain from trying a slice of cake whenever I am in a café. I’ve also tasted many cakes in my life, but nothing can beat the one my little sister, Kim, made me.
Kim was not much of a homemaker, but she wanted to do something to surprise me, so she made up her mind to bake me a bento cake – which is a minimal, two-by-four-inch Korean-style cake, put in a small lunch box.
When she showed up with the little cake on her hands, I could not help it but burst into tears. I have to admit that I was foolishly cry-laughing, seeing such a beautiful gift from my beloved sister. The cake was decorated with sophisticatedly arranged writing that said “Happy birthday! You’re old!”, along with a tiny candle. After making a wish, I gave it a try and everything about it was inexplicably amazing.
The inner yellow cake was so spongy and fluffy, and even though it was not perfectly baked, its soft moist texture was actually much better than that of some other cakes that I had eaten, which was a bonus. And that is not to mention the scrumptious frosting made from fresh raspberries – my absolute favorite. It just simply melted in my mouth on having the first bite of the cake and needless to say, it was such an indescribable feeling.
Kim was surprised too when she succeeded at her first attempt. She couldn’t believe that she was able to make it, and she was deliriously happy when she knew that I did relish every taste of it. I can say that the cake was just to my liking, not just because of how good it was, but I was over the moon to receive a cake from my little sister, who did her utmost to bring a smile to my face on such a special occasion.
Lexicon
- Have a soft spot for s.o/ s.th: yêu thích ai/ cái gì
- Make up one’s mind: đưa ra quyết định
- Burst into tears: bật khóc
- Sophisticatedly (adv): một cách tinh tế
- Inexplicably (adv): một cách không thể giải thích được
- Spongy/ fluffy (adj): mềm, xốp
- Moist (adj): ẩm
- Scrumptious (adj): ngon
- Frosting (n): lớp kem trên mặt bánh
- Deliriously happy (adj): cực kì vui sướng
- Relish (v): thích thú
- Be over the moon: cực kì vui sướng
- Do one’s utmost: cố gắng hết sức
- Bring a smile to one’s face: làm ai đó cười
3. Sample topic: Sweets and Cakes – IELTS Speaking part 3
3.1. Những điểm khác biệt giữa món ăn đặc trưng của Việt Nam và các nước khác?
Well, I’m not a food expert so I’m not sure how all the dishes are made all over the world, to tell the truth. But from my observation, most typical food in Vietnam is eaten with more herbs and leafy vegetables that are eaten raw as accompaniments to the dishes, compared to foreign cuisine, where the food is served with whether soy sauce, dressing, or flavored cooking oils.
Vietnamese signatures like Pho or Bun bo also have a fresher taste and often have a hint of mint, cilantro, or lime which provides a lighter taste. Besides, protein ingredients like chicken, pork, or beef are often cut into thinner and narrower strips, compared to large-sized portions in Western-style eateries.
- Herbs (n): rau thơm
- Leafy vegetables (n): các loại rau lá
- Dressing (n): nước sốt
- Have a hint of s.th: phảng phất (mùi, vị)
3.2. Người dân Việt Nam thường xuyên nấu món ăn đặc biệt không?
Theo tôi, các món ăn đặc trưng của Việt Nam có thể được dùng vào những ngày thường hay những dịp đặc biệt như tiệc sinh nhật, sum họp gia đình hay đêm giao thừa. Phở, Bún bò Huế hay Cơm tấm, chỉ là một vài trong số những lựa chọn hàng đầu cho bữa sáng.
Bánh chưng, ví dụ, được coi là một thành phần không thể thiếu trên bàn thờ gia tiên trong dịp Tết – ngày lễ lớn nhất trong năm, bánh chưng cũng được ăn quanh năm như một phần của ẩm thực Việt Nam và người dân có thể tìm thấy nó ở khắp mọi nơi trên đất nước.
3.3. Is it necessary to make speciality food more affordable?
It is known that specialty food is often considered unique and high-value so it is made in small quantities from high-quality ingredients, which can cost an arm and a leg. Consumers typically pay higher prices for these foods and may perceive them as having various benefits compared to non-specialty ones.
To be honest, even when being sold on the retail level, not a lot of people can afford these due to their expensive ingredients and labor. But I think that is what makes it so special. People can choose whatever food suits their pockets so lowering the prices of specialty food is almost impossible.
- Specialty food (n): đồ ăn đặc sản
- Cost an arm and a leg: rất đắt đỏ
- Perceive (v): cảm nhận
- Suit one’s pocket: phù hợp với túi tiền
