Bộ đề IELTS Speaking Quý IV/ 2021 đầy đủ nhất

Bộ đề IELTS Speaking Quý IV/ 2021 toàn diện

Tháng Mười năm hai không

Bộ đề IELTS Speaking ngày 3 tháng 10 năm 2021

Phần 1 của IELTS Speaking

Topic: Study

1. Bạn là sinh viên hay bạn đã đi làm?

I’m currently a freshman/ sophomore/ junior/ senior (1) at Saigon University, majoring in Business Administration. I also (2) have a part-time job as a salesperson at a convenience store near my house, but(3) school work is still my top priority (ưu tiên hàng đầu).

•  (1): Thay vì dùng 1st/ 2nd-year student thì nên chuyển thành từ vựng chỉ sinh viên các cấp trên, nghe tự nhiên và không mắc lỗi lặp từ “student” ở câu hỏi. 
• (2), (3): Không nên bỏ qua liên từ -> giúp câu trả lời mạch lạc. 

Tất cả các câu đều là câu phức, được tạo thành từ ít nhất 2 câu -> nâng cao điểm về phạm vi và độ chính xác ngữ pháp.

2. Những môn học bạn đang học là gì?

We cover a wide range of (số lượng lớn) (4) subjects, most of which (5) are business-related. Microeconomics (kinh tế vi mô), Macroeconomics (kinh tế vĩ mô) and Calculus (Toán cao cấp) are the ones(6) that any Business student must sail through (trải qua). English is another thing(7) that we need to brush up on (trau dồi) regularly because of its immense benefits to our future career.

• (4): Paraphrase chữ “study” trong câu hỏi sẽ giúp tăng điểm Lexical Resource;
• (5): Sử dụng relative clause giúp kết nối 2 vế câu chặt chẽ;
• (6), (7): Sử dụng đại từ phiếm chỉ để đỡ lặp từ “subject” quá nhiều lần;

Câu này tối ưu việc paraphrase và sử dụng một số collocations để thay thế các từ đơn giản như “nhiều”, “học” hoặc “luyện tập”.

3. Có điều gì bạn không thích về việc học của bạn không?

One aspect of school work that I find pretty daunting (đáng sợ) is teamwork (8). You know, we are often required (9) to give presentations about different topics during courses and working in harmony (một cách hoà hợp) with other classmates is indispensable (không thể thiếu) to complete such tasks. However (10), as an introverted (hướng nội) person, I think I’m better off (tốt hơn) working on individual projects. Sometimes I just can’t get on well (hoà thuận) with people around me.

• (8) Paraphrase cả câu hỏi bằng cấu trúc S + find + s.th + adj (cho rằng, nghĩ rằng); Kết hợp với từ “daunting” sẽ giúp nhấn mạnh điều mình không thích;  
• (9): Cấu trúc bị động xen lẫn chủ động -> thay đổi mạch văn một cách tự nhiên;
• (10): Đừng quên “however” giữa các ý đối lập. 

Câu này sử dụng các cấu trúc, cụm từ khá tự nhiên, giúp câu nói nghe không quá trang trọng trong văn phong hàng ngày nhưng vẫn đảm bảo tính phù hợp cho bài thi.

Topic: Holidays

4. Bạn đã đi nghỉ lễ ở đâu vào lần nghỉ lễ cuối cùng của bạn?

Last year, I took a journey (12) to Phu Quoc island with a close friend. We spent five days (13) at a secluded beach resort, and it was an amazing trip since I felt like I could (14) escape from everything for a few days. 

(12) – (15): Verbs in the simple past tense, matching the question.

To avoid losing grammar points, remember to conjugate verbs. 

5. Are you fond of vacations? Why?

You bet. (16) I am often snowed under with a lot of work (ngập trong công việc), so being able to have some “me time” (khẩu ngữ – thời gian cho bản thân) is probably the thing I look forward to the most. And, to be honest, who doesn’t love a good holiday? (17) Whether you’re setting off on a trip (đi du lịch) or lazing around (lười biếng) on the bed, I think having some time to chill out (thư giãn) is already a precious gift.

• (16): Ngoài “Of course”, “yes”, hãy trả lời câu hỏi khẳng định bằng những từ như “You bet”, “definitely”, “no doubt”, “needless to say”,…-> nghe tự nhiên hơn rất nhiều. 
• (17): Dùng câu hỏi tu từ để tăng thêm sự nhấn mạnh cho câu nói, nhớ lên xuống giọng điệu một cách tự nhiên.

IELTS Speaking part 2

The topic

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a recreational activity you would like to engage in at or near the sea.

You need to mention:

• What it is
• What preparations you would need to do
• How easy/difficult it would be 

And justify why you would like to participate in this activity.

When I see this cue card, snorkeling (lặn ống thở) crosses my mind as a recreational activity I would love to try. To define what it is (18), snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or under the water to fully observe the marine creatures (sinh vật biển) in a natural setting.

It is a friendly activity and almost anyone can do it without much preparation(19). All you have to do is to have yourself equipped with a diving mask (mặt nạ lặn), an L-shaped breathing tube called the snorkel and a pair of swim fins (chân vịt).

These are usually provided by snorkeling tour companies, so it shouldn't be a major issue. Perhaps a practice session would be beneficial for those unfamiliar with swimming equipment.

To tell the truth (20), I think it would be as easy as pie (dễ như ăn bánh) to me since I already know how to swim and control my breath under the water. As to why I would love to give it a shot (21), snorkeling is one of the most rewarding (có nhiều lợi ích) activities because you can do it all year round.

In other words, I can plan a trip to the beach to do it whenever I can without having to worry too much about freak weather conditions (điều kiện thời tiết bất thường). I have always had a soft spot (yêu thích) for watching oceanic species and I wouldn’t want to miss the chance to observe those beautiful creatures with my naked eye (tận mắt).

Moreover, I believe I can delight in snorkeling with most of my family members and friends, whether they have prior experience or not, in participating in such an extraordinary activity. 

(19) – (21): Adhere closely to the 4 prompts provided; Each time you transition to answer a new prompt, use signposting phrases to help listeners easily follow and know that you are closely addressing the task. For each prompt, you can provide 1-3 sentences in a single response and move on without revisiting or repeating previous points. 

Throughout your speech, continuously paraphrase words to avoid losing Lexical resource points (leisure activity -> recreational activity; try it -> give it a shot; enjoy/ like/ love -> have a soft spot for, marine creatures -> oceanic species…), and use some effective collocations/ idioms (but refrain from overuse if unsure of meaning).

IELTS Speaking part 3 topic: Activities near/ on the ocean

1. Why do you think coastal areas are such popular tourist destinations?

When it comes to vacations (22), many people head to the beach for several reasons. One of the primary reasons I can think of is that (23)the sea has the ability to promote a sense of well-being and stimulate the release of happy hormones that promote a refreshed feeling in people.

To those who live in the concrete jungle (rừng bê tông, ý chỉ thành phố ngột ngạt chật hẹp), it is extremely pleasant to be able to feel the breeze (cơn gió nhẹ) while listening to the sound of the beach waves. On top of that (24), a variety of fascinating water sports by the beach is also the thing that attracts thousands of visitors each year.

For Opinion questions, it's advisable to present at least two major points of view and support them with additional minor arguments. Always remember to use transitional markers (23), (24) when moving to a new viewpoint and include opinion indicators such as “think,” “from my observation,” “in my opinion,”... Starting with a paraphrased answer (22) will always be a plus point. 

2. In your opinion, do children and adults engage in similar activities when they visit the beach?

There are apparently differences between the age groups when it comes to beach activities (25). Most children (26) are drawn to (bị thu hút) beach games like building sandcastles, beach bowling or tug of war, which are not just simply about creating memorable experiences, but also open up so many opportunities for play-based learning (Hoạt động chơi mà học).

Adults, on the other hand (26), view the beach as a place of relaxation, rest and tranquility (sự yên tĩnh) so they often go for sunbathing while taking a sip of (nhấp một ngụm) a good cocktail by the seaside.

Comparison questions are relatively straightforward. After answering the question (25), proceed to outline the characteristics of each subject to be compared (26) and (27), and then sequentially elaborate on the reasons for your choices. Remember to use conjunctions to link your ideas together. 

IELTS Speaking test analysis from October 4th, 2021

In the IELTS exam, the Speaking section requires candidates to speak naturally, fluently, and proficiently using a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures. However, achieving this demands candidates to undergo extensive practice and preparation.

Therefore, the analysis of the IELTS Speaking test on October 4th, 2021 provided by Mytour not only addresses your concerns about sentence structure but also offers new ideas for your exam, check it out!

IELTS Speaking part 1

Topic Focus

1. Do you find it challenging to maintain your concentration?

It surely is (1). I am not the one with a long attention span (mức độ tập trung), and (2) I find it extremely hard to concentrate on the tasks at hand (những việc đang làm). I often doze off (ngủ gật) in the middle of a book or a movie.

• (1): Luôn bắt đầu trả lời câu hỏi Yes/ No bằng việc khẳng định hoặc phủ định.
• (2): Sử dụng câu phức và nối các vế bằng liên từ. 

2. What methods do you employ to aid your focus?

When I need to stay focused, like studying for a test or reading my handouts, I usually go to a co-working space (không gian làm việc chung) with very little background noise, like the library or my favorite book cafe. Putting my phone away (3) is another thing I do to help.

(3): Alter the sentence structure by placing the gerund form at the beginning; This prevents both sentences from having the same structure.

3. What factors might divert your attention when you are trying to concentrate?

Like most people nowadays, I am often get distracted by the notification sounds from my iPhone. I have to admit that (4) though these buzzing noises are pretty annoying, sometimes I just can’t help (không thể cưỡng lại) picking the phone up to check if there’s anything new on social media. This will be the biggest obstacle (trở ngại) that I have to overcome if I want to improve my work performance.

(4): When acknowledging something you typically wouldn’t (often not positive), employ structures like “I have to admit that,” “I have to confess that,” “I must say,”… to make your voice more natural. 

Topic Job

4. What is your occupation?

I work as a (5) Customer Service Representative in the Retail sector (ngành bán lẻ). My daily tasks involve making and taking calls (6) from customers and keeping them updated about our company’s latest promotions (chương trình khuyến mãi). I also (7) have to reply to emails and answer their inquiries (câu hỏi) about our products and services.

• (5): Một cách nói thay cho “I am a…”;
• (6): Cụm từ rất hay để thay cho việc dùng cấu trúc “I make calls and take calls” như bình thường. Ngoài ra có thể thay thế bằng “include” hay “consist of”;
• (7): Đừng quên liên từ khi mở rộng câu trả lời. 

5. What motivated you to choose that profession? 

I have to say that working in Retail can ensure me a stable (ổn định) job, as (8) it has become one of the fastest-growing (phát triển nhanh nhất) sectors nowadays. This job, though not a lucrative (kiếm được nhiều tiền) one, allows me to cover my monthly expenses (chi phí). On top of that (9), I believe it opens up a lot of opportunities for me to brush up on (trau dồi) essential soft skills, including communication and negotiation skills (kỹ năng đàm phán).

• (8): Because. Có thể thay bằng “since”;
• (9): Tương đương với Additionally; furthermore: sử dụng khi bổ sung thêm thông tin cho ý trước đó;

6. Do you long for your student days?

For sure (10). I often look back at the old senior book (kỷ yếu) photos and they remind me of (nhắc nhở tôi về) the time when I was so carefree about everything and all I had to do was going to school and creating beautiful memories with my friends. Being a grown-up (người lớn) is not at all easy (11), so escaping from reality and reminiscing (hồi tưởng) the good old days can act as (12) therapy for my soul (liều thuốc cho tâm hồn).

• (10): Trả lời câu hỏi Yes/ No;
• (11): Tương tự “not easy at all”, tuy nhiên nói ngược lại sẽ giúp ý được nhấn mạnh hơn;
• (12): “act as” cũng là lối nói giúp paraphrase rất tốt, mang ý nghĩa là “đóng vai trò”.

7. Do you prefer working in the morning or in the afternoon?

Definitely in the morning (13). Though waking up early to leave for work (14) (đi làm) is not always the best, I think I focus much better when the sun is out (15) (khi mặt trời ló dạng), and I can finish all my tasks with greater efficiency (16).

• (13): Trả lời câu hỏi lựa chọn;
• (14) – (16): Paraphrase cho các từ đơn giản như “go to work”, “in the morning” và “well”. 

8. Have you ever changed your job before?

You bet (chắc chắn rồi) (17). I have done several kinds of work before landing this job (có công việc mới) (18). When I was in college, I worked as a salesperson at a convenience store near my house, and I even tutored English for high school students when I had time. Each kind of occupation (ngành nghề) (19) helped me train different skills and I really appreciate all of them for giving me unforgettable memories.

• (17): Trả lời câu hỏi Yes/ No;
• (18)- (19): Paraphrase các từ đơn giản “got a new job”, “job”.

IELTS Speaking part 2 topic: Describe a businessman you admire

IELTS Speaking Part 2: You should discuss:

• Who this person is
• How you know this person
• What kinds of business he/she does

And explain the reasons why you admire this individual

I would like to talk about a successful businessman(1) who is also my idol (2) – Elon Musk. Elon Musk was born in 1971, who is now in his 50s. The African-born American billionaire (tỷ phú) (3) showed his inborn talents (tài năng thiên bẩm) for programming and engineering at an early age.

Being known as the co-founder (nhà đồng sáng lập) (4) of PayPal, the founder (5) of SpaceX as well as the CEO (6) of Tesla – one of the biggest electric car manufacturers, the entrepreneur (doanh nhân) (7) is now worth 281.6 billion USD and becomes the richest man alive.

Unlike other CEOs, who own excellent public speaking skills, Musk always appears to be an introvert (người hướng nội) (8) with humility (sự khiêm tốn) on stage, and that is what makes him more approachable, for sure.

I first heard about Musk around 2015, when I was researching about the application of “green energy” in manufacturing vehicles. That was also when Tesla’s cutting-edge (tiên tiến) battery technology was unveiled (lộ diện), grasping the public attention and myself included.

As an environmentally – conscious (quan tâm đến môi trường) person, I pay tremendous admiration (sự ngưỡng mộ to lớn) for Musk, who devoted his life to making significant innovations and advancements to eliminate (loại bỏ) the use of fossil fuel.

His brilliant mind and exceptional (xuất chúng) business abilities are what most people see when they think of Musk. But on top of that, I look up to (ngưỡng mộ) the man (9) mostly for his attempts to change the world we’re living in.

(9): Các danh từ chỉ con người để đặt lại cho Elon Musk -> tránh lặp từ, gia tăng vốn từ vựng.

Bài phát biểu tiếp cận gần với các câu hỏi mẫu của đề bài, đáp ứng các câu hỏi về tên, tuổi, tính cách, ngoại hình, nghề nghiệp, thành tựu… của một cá nhân và lý do mình hâm mộ nhân vật này. Đây cũng là một mẫu chung cho các bài phát biểu miêu tả con người nên có thể áp dụng cho các đề tương tự. 

IELTS Speaking Part 3 chủ đề Kinh Doanh

1. Những phẩm chất nào cần thiết để khởi nghiệp kinh doanh?

Well, different factors make up the success of an entrepreneur (doanh nhân), and one of which is determination (lòng quyết tâm) (1). A businessman should have a strong fighting spirit, which means he should not let the initial failures (thất bại ban đầu) affect his focus but must keep the perseverance (sự kiên trì) to overcome all difficulties.

On top of that, the ability to take the initiative (tiên phong, chủ động) is what it takes to achieve success in business operation (2). A successful leader should never wait for things to happen but must grab the opportunities as they come, especially in a world full of competitiveness (sự cạnh tranh).

(1), (2): Danh sách các quan điểm không nên sử dụng lại từ vựng trong câu hỏi và tránh việc lặp lại 2 câu giống nhau để diễn đạt 2 quan điểm, nhằm tránh bị mất điểm về từ vựng; Nên áp dụng những cấu trúc câu đa dạng hơn. Sau mỗi quan điểm sẽ có các lý do bổ sung để phát triển ý tưởng thêm. 

2. Bạn cho rằng những yếu tố chính nào góp phần vào thành công của một doanh nghiệp?

A crucial factor in a business’s success is probably distinction (sự khác biệt) (3). In a world where most businesses resemble one another (giống nhau), it is essential to create a positive brand image in the public eye (trong mắt công chúng) and distinguish yourself from others. In addition, the human factor is surely the key to future organizational success (4). Without the long-term vision of a leader, together with the whole-hearted dedication of employees, a business is not likely to achieve the goals it has set from the very beginning.

(3), (4): Tương tự như câu hỏi trên, mỗi quan điểm sẽ được diễn đạt bằng một cấu trúc câu khác nhau. Hãy sử dụng các cụm từ mở rộng ý tưởng như: in addition, on top of that, additionally, besides, furthermore, moreover,…

3. Nếu có cơ hội sở hữu một doanh nghiệp của riêng bạn, bạn sẽ chọn loại hình kinh doanh gì? Tại sao?

I am passionate about clothing and fashion, and I have always dreamed of (mơ về) opening a fashion brand of my own. However, as an environmentally-conscious (quan tâm đến môi trường) person, I am against fast fashion (thời trang phân khúc nhanh – giá rẻ), which is designed to be consumed quickly at cheap prices.

What I aspire is to establish a sustainable (bền vững) clothing brand, with the use of organic materials, biodegradable dyes (màu nhuộm phân huỷ sinh học) and engineering patterns that create zero waste (không rác thải).

Với những câu hỏi thể hiện sự ước ao trong tương lai, bạn có thể trả lời theo quan điểm cá nhân; Tuy nhiên luôn đảm bảo đầy đủ câu trả lời chính xác và phát triển ý tưởng để đảm bảo độ dài nhé! 

Giải bài thi IELTS Speaking ngày 10/10/2021

Phần 1 của đề thi IELTS Speaking

Topic: Pets and Animals

1. Do you enjoy observing animals at the zoo?

Of course! 1 They say the zoo is just for children, but 2 I believe a lot of grown-ups (người lớn) are keen on watching animals, too. Visiting the zoo enables me to expand my horizon (mở rộng kiến thức) about all kinds of animals and their behavior, which is something I don’t get to see very often 3 since we are living in the city. I show a keen interest in (đặc biệt thích thú) safari tours where I can interact (tương tác) with the animals in a close distance.

• (1): Trả lời câu hỏi Yes/ No;
• (2): Liên từ “but” giúp nối các vế câu lại;
• (3): Mệnh đề quan hệ giúp bổ sung ý nghĩa cho danh từ, mở rộng thêm câu trả lời hiệu quả.

2. What is your favorite animal and why?

I’d say I like monkeys the most among wildlife animals. Their imitation (sự bắt chước) of human behavior has always been something I found inexplicably (không thể giải thích được) amazing 4. They are adorable and amusing when they play with each other, you know, just like little babies.

(4): Cấu trúc “S + find + O + adjective” có nghĩa tương đương với “I think”, nhưng mang tính trang trọng hơn; Đồng thời kết hợp với thì hiện tại hoàn thành để thể hiện quan điểm vẫn còn kéo dài đến hiện tại.

3. Bạn đã từng nuôi thú cưng chưa?

Khi còn nhỏ, tôi đã có 2 chú nhím màu nâu và trắng tên là Tom và Jerry, đây cũng là những chú thú cưng đầu tiên của tôi. Chúng có kích thước như một cốc cà phê. Tôi nhớ cách chăm sóc và chơi đùa với chúng mỗi ngày sau khi học xong và đó là một trong những kỷ niệm khó quên nhất khi còn bé. ⁵ 

(5): Để kể lại các sự kiện đã xảy ra trong quá khứ, bạn nên sử dụng thì quá khứ đơn. 

Topic: Getting Lost

4. Bạn đã từng bị lạc đường chưa?

Who hasn’t? 6 I am not the best navigator in the world so 7 I get lost every now and then. When visiting foreign countries for the first time, I was like a fish out of water (chơ vơ, lạ lẫm), not knowing where to go or what to do 8. Fortunately, (may mắn thay) I always got some help from the locals who gave me detailed directions 9 to the place I wanted.

• (6): Câu hỏi tu từ thể hiện sự khẳng định;
• (7): Liên từ kết nối 2 vế câu;
• (8): Cấu trúc câu chẻ Wh- giúp nhấn mạnh sự việc đang muốn đề cập đến;
• (9): Mệnh đề quan hệ. 

5. Làm thế nào để bạn tìm lại đường khi bạn bị lạc?

With the aid (sự giúp đỡ) of GPS, 10 most people know where they are located nowadays. As long as 11 my phone can access the Internet (kết nối mạng), I don’t have to worry too much about getting lost. However, 12 asking people for directions is never a bad choice, because they know the area like the back of their hands (biết rõ như lòng bàn tay) and they can even take you to the place, which is much more time-saving (tiết kiệm thời gian).

• (10): Cụm trạng từ này có thể đặt trước hoặc sau vế câu; 
• (11), (12): Liên từ; “As long as” có thể thay bằng ‘provided that’, ‘providing that’ hoặc ‘on condition that’.

6. Bạn đã từng giúp đỡ ai đó khi họ bị lạc đường chưa?

Yeah, sure.13 About a month ago there was this middle-aged  (trung niên) lady who did not know how to get to the market and she asked me for help. I guess older generations are not familiar with (quen với) the use of technology in general, therefore 14 not being able to use e-maps is unsurprising (không bất ngờ) among senior citizens (người lớn tuổi). After my explanation, she remained a bit confused (bối rối) so 15 I decided to take her there, eventually (cuối cùng).

• (13): Trả lời câu hỏi Yes/ No.
• (14), (15): Liên từ.

→ Sử dụng các từ đồng nghĩa như ‘trung niên’, ‘thế hệ lớn tuổi’, ‘người cao tuổi’,… để làm phong phú từ vựng.

IELTS Speaking phần 2

Tell about a time you showed kindness to someone you didn't like.

You should say:

• When and where it happened;
• Who he/she was;
• Why you didn’t like this person;
• And explain why you were friendly to him/her on the occasion

Exemplar

The time I had to maintain a happy disposition (thái độ vui tươi) in spite of irritation was when I went on a coffee date with my best friend Suzy and her boyfriend. 1 It was a long time ago but that experience still lingers in my mind (vương trong đầu).

Suzy and I were very close-knit (thân thiết), but that was before John, her new boyfriend came along (xuất hiện) because 2 he always seemed to drive a wedge between us (chia cắt chúng tôi). Suzy set up an arrangement at our favorite coffee shop, with John this time, in hope that we would get along and become friends.

I constantly put in ice-breaker questions (câu hỏi làm thân) in order to encourage the love birds (cặp đôi yêu nhau) to participate in the conversation. However,3 that did not seem to hold their interest (khiến họ quan tâm) as all they did was to exchange intimacy (sự thân mật) in different ways and totally forget about my presence. I tried to reach Suzy as much as possible, but 4 John kept butting in (xen vào) our talk with his bragging and boasting (khoe khoang, khoác lác).

That was when I started to show a strong dislike for this guy.5 I really wanted to talk back (phản ứng lại) to him, but then 6 I refrained from (cưỡng lại) doing such a thing as 7 that would definitely put Suzy in an awkward situation and even upset her. Though 8 I tried to be smiling and cheerful, deep down I was feeling completely left out  (lạc lõng) and I kept waiting for that meeting to end.

They are no longer together, and Suzy also 9 expressed her regret over her disregard (sự vô tâm) so I don’t have to worry about a random guy who continuously interferes in (chen ngang) our friendship anymore. I never confessed my bitter outlook (cái nhìn cay nghiệt) for that guy, and I think that’s a judicious decision (quyết định sáng suốt).

• (1), (5): Áp dụng Cleft sentence – câu chẻ để nhấn mạnh sự việc đang muốn đề cập đến; 
• (2) – (9): Thường xuyên lồng ghép liên từ để kết nối các ý với nhau, tăng điểm Fluency and Coherence; 

→ Thì quá khứ đơn được sử dụng xuyên suốt bài nói, kết hợp thêm các lối nói idiomatic expressions mang tính hình tượng như ‘drive a wedge between’, ‘love birds’,… Các phrasal verbs cũng được sử dụng hiệu quả.

IELTS Speaking phần 3

1. What are the reasons why people act friendly towards others they don't like?

There are various reasons behind it.1 If both are working in the same sector and require support from one another regularly, they need to be, or at least pretend to be, amicable (hoà nhã, vui vẻ). This is not hard to find in an office environment, you know, where the employees often have to show certain respect to their boss, no matter how annoyed they might be.

Others, act in a friendly manner to people simply because they feel the need to maintain civil and polite relationships at all times. Acting rude can adversely affect (ảnh hưởng tiêu cực) one’s reputation (uy tín) in general so I think showing tactfulness (sự khéo léo) even to people you dislike, is for your own good.2

• (1) : Đối với câu hỏi ‘Why?’ có thể bắt đầu bằng cụm từ này để dẫn dắt người nghe. 
• (2): Sử dụng V-ing làm chủ ngữ cho các vế câu giúp thay đổi mạch văn tự nhiên và góp phần nhấn mạnh hành động. 

2. What types of individuals tend to be friendly?

From my observation 3, people whose jobs involve 4 interaction (sự tương tác) with people on a daily basis (hằng ngày) are the ones that are cheerful and smiling all the time. Salespersons and nurses would be the best examples of this since they have to deal with people of all ages day in and day out (mỗi ngày).

If they possess the ability to talk in a friendly manner, they are likely to make their customers feel at ease (cảm thấy thoải mái) and this would help them to climb the career ladder (thăng tiến trong công việc) in the future. However 5 some people are amicable by nature, especially if they are more extroverted (hướng ngoại). These people find it easy to blend in (hoà nhập) and they seem to win people’s hearts (lấy được lòng mọi người), hands down (một cách dễ dàng).

• (3): Thể hiện quan điểm cá nhân;
• (4), (5): Mệnh đề quan hệ và liên từ giúp các ý được gắn kết. 

3. How do being friendly and being polite differ?

I would say that you can tell if someone is actually amicable or just showing courtesy  (lịch sự) by how enthusiastic and eager he/she is while maintaining a conversation.6 People who are being polite may exchange pleasantries during the talk, but they may speak in a robotic (nghe như robot), monotone (một màu) voice, or avoid discussing in great detail (sâu sắc, kỹ lưỡng).

On the other hand, friendly people are excellent at maintaining eye contact to others and they make good use of both verbal (bằng lời) and non-verbal  (bằng hành động) expressions while ta lking. These people often possess a very sweet aura (thần thái) that promotes a sense of comfort (cảm giác thoải mái) for people around them.

(6): Rewrite the question without repeating the prompt using different sentence structure and synonyms;

→ In Part 3, for each point, provide clarification in 1 – 2 subsequent sentences to elucidate the argument; Examples, personal viewpoints,... that you find relevant and suitable may be used.

Answer key for IELTS Speaking on October 21, 2021

IELTS Speaking part 1 – Technology in your workplace or studies

1. What types of technology assist you in your job?

Technology has shaped my workplace (định hình nơi làm việc) in many ways, from the Internet and email for communications, to writing tools and spreadsheets for office productivity. I guess nowadays no one can work without a computer or at least a smartphone.

2. How frequently do you utilize the Internet?

I use the Internet on a daily basis1, to the point that I almost became an Internet addict (người nghiện Internet). The very first thing I do in the morning is to log into my social media accounts to see if there are any updates from my friends and before bedtime I frequently binge-watch (cày (phim)) my favorite shows on movie streaming services. So that’d be up to 12 hours of browsing the Internet every day, including work and entertainment. Curbing (giảm) my Internet use seems to be an arduous (khó khăn) task.

(1): Respond to inquiries about frequency; Afterwards, expand your response by listing activities performed during that time period. 

3. Do you possess your own personal computer?

Yeah, sure. I cannot say that I’m a computer geek (chuyên gia máy tính) or anything but I do enjoy trying new technological devices. I’ve been keeping my laptop for 2 years now2 and it’s a worthwhile investment,(khoản đầu tư xứng đáng) in my opinion. Also, I’m thinking about buying one more lightweight tablet (máy tính bảng) for better portability (sự dễ di chuyển) when I’m on the go. (trên đường đi)

(2): Utilize the present perfect continuous to emphasize actions that have been ongoing up to the present moment. 

4. Will automation entirely replace humans in the workplace?

Robots are now replacing humans in many jobs, including labor work on the farm and production lines in factories. As they will make us smarter and more proficient, I don’t think robots will fully replace humans.3 That would result in a massive loss (sự mất mát to lớn) of jobs and the world would be a dull (buồn tẻ) place with no sign of life.

(3): Lưu ý: không nên sửa thành ‘I think robots won’t fully replace humans’, vì lối nói này kém tự nhiên. Từ phủ định phải nằm trước động từ ‘think’.

IELTS Speaking part 2

Discuss an innate talent you wish to enhance

You are required to:

• What it is?
• When did you discover it?
• How do you want to improve it?
• And how do you feel about it?

We are all granted (được ban tặng) inborn qualities (tài năng thiên bẩm) in one way or another and to figure them out it is just a matter of time. Today I would like to talk about oil painting – a skill that I have long forgotten about, and now want to take it up a notch (nâng lên một tầm cao mới).

At the age of 6, I was lucky enough to attend my first painting class with a renowned (nổi tiếng) female artist in town, who was also one of my father’s friends. She was the one who sailed me through (hướng dẫn tôi) the process of how to create an acrylic painting, from setting up the painting easel (giá vẽ), cardinal rules of color mixing to brush techniques.

With the dedicated assistance of my mentor, I managed to accomplish a nicely-arranged painting of sunflowers. I was on top of the world (to finish my first artwork ever, and even happier to receive flattering remarks (lời khen có cánh) from a top-notch (xuất sắc) artist.

I continued to take on painting as a hobby in the following years until I had to put a stop to it (dừng lại) due to heavy school work. My mom was worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep track (bắt kịp) of my studies so she hasn’t let me paint since then.

However, something tells me that drawing is in my blood (ăn sâu vào máu) and I wouldn’t want to see my god-gifted talent (tài năng trời phú) go down the drain (phí phạm),  as that would leave me in remorse later on. After a long break, my painting skill may become a little rusty (cùn, không được như trước) but I believe if I gave it my best shot (cố gắng hết sức), I would be able to regain my confidence in no time.

I’ve always had this appreciation for art, as I believe it is a reflection of our lifestyles and cultural values. I feel it touching deep within my core and it inspires me to strive (cố gắng) and even thrive (phát triển).

• Nội dung: Bài nói chia thành các phần tương ứng với các câu hỏi trong đề bài, kể về quá trình phát hiện ra năng khiếu của mình (tại lớp học vẽ); lý do phải dừng lại việc này (vì bận việc học); và thái độ hướng tới việc sẽ bắt đầu vẽ lại trong tương lai (vì biết rằng vẽ là tài năng thiên bẩm và sẽ phí phạm nếu như bỏ dở). 
• Từ vựng: Trong bài sử dụng các từ thay thế cho ‘natural talent’ như ‘inborn qualities’, ‘god-gifted talents’, ‘in my blood’,…để tránh lỗi lặp từ. Bên cạnh đó, các cụm từ cũng được lồng ghép tự nhiên xuyên suốt bài nói: ‘take it up a notch’,‘on top of the world’,’go down the drain’,…để giúp bài thêm sinh động và giúp tăng điểm từ vựng.
• Cấu trúc ngữ pháp: Sử dụng chủ yếu thì quá khứ đơn để thuật lại các sự kiện đã xảy ra trong quá khứ; Bên cạnh đó thì hiện tại giúp bộc lộ cảm xúc hiện tại dành cho đối tượng đang được nói đến.

IELTS Speaking part 3

1. Should talented artists focus exclusively on their talents?

Exceptional talent is what sets an artist apart from (tách biệt) others, and therefore should be given top priority (được đưa lên hàng đầu).1 If they concentrate on their talents, they are likely to achieve immeasurable (to lớn, vĩ đại) success in the field and earn a handsome amount of money (số tiền lớn). At the same time, they should invest in their manners, appearance and interpersonal skills (kĩ năng xã hội) as well.2

If an artist is arrogant (kiêu căng) or poorly dressed (ăn mặc xuề xoà) on stage, by no means is he going to receive certain respect from the audience no matter how talented he is. All in all, many different factors make up the success of artists, but as long as they wish to change for the better (thay đổi để tốt hơn), they will surely get the recognition they deserve.3

• (1): Khẳng định tầm quan trọng của việc tập trung vào phát triển tài năng, đi kèm với các lý do giải thích phía sau;
• (2): Chuyển ý có cụm từ chỉ dẫn, và hướng sang các yếu tố khác làm nên thành công của người nghệ sĩ (thái độ, ngoại hình, phong cách,…);
• (3): Khẳng định lại sự cần thiết của tất cả các yếu tố trên. 

2. Can we predict at the age of 3 or 4 whether children will grow up to be musicians or painters?

In Vietnam, we have the career prediction ritual (lễ bốc đồ chọn nghề)4, based on their keen interest in everyday objects. Though some children are expected to do certain jobs when reaching adulthood, I wouldn’t say this is something we can heavily rely on.5 Children at this age are often curious (tò mò) and most of them gravitate towards (nghiêng về) things like drawing and music. It’s not easy for parents to know what their children will become an artist, even when he or she possesses certain innate (bẩm sinh) skills.

• (4): Liên hệ tới phong tục truyền thống để có thêm ý tưởng dẫn vào câu trả lời; 
• (5): Tuy nhiên khẳng định rằng đó chỉ là một hình thức tham khảo chứ không thể chắc chắn. Trẻ em thường thích những thứ tương tự nhau nên khó để khẳng định. 

3. Should parents feel remorseful for placing too much pressure on their children?

The way I see it 6, most parents are in high hopes (mang hy vọng lớn) that their children would achieve educational success from a young age, and this can lead to pressure among the innocent (những đứa trẻ ngây thơ). Though7 it is well-meant (có ý tốt), this kind of invisible pressure can result in a student having low self-esteem, panic attacks, or even depression during their childhood.

However8, I guess the feeling of guilt is of no help in this case, but to listen and fully understand9 one’s children is something parents should do to make the young feel at ease (cảm thấy thoải mái).

• (6): Thể hiện quan điểm;
• (7); (8): Các liên từ chỉ sự đối lập;
• (9): To + infinitive đóng vai trò chủ ngữ, giúp hành động được nhắn mạnh.

4. What attracts people to watch talent competitions?

From my point of view10, the reason why a lot of people are into watching talent shows is that such shows are based on reality and are full of entertainment. It’s amusing to enjoy out-of-this-world (ngoài sức tưởng tượng) performances as people are impressed with things they don’t get to see on a daily basis.

Talent shows, in addition11, serve educational purposes, as it helps prevent juvenile delinquency (tội phạm thanh thiếu niên). Being encouraged to participate in activities that promote personal values, the young are less likely to be involved in social problems.

• (10): Thể hiện quan điểm;
• (11): Có thể đặt sau chủ ngữ để tránh làm ngắt mạch văn.

Giải đề IELTS Speaking ngày 23/10/2021

IELTS Speaking part 1 – Current living situation

Topic Place of living

1. Where do you currently reside?

I live under my parents’ roof (ở nhà bố mẹ), which is a 3-storey house (nhà 3 tầng) located in district 3. It takes me only 15 to 20 minutes to wander around (đi vòng quanh) the city and that is the biggest plus point of living there.

2. Are you fond of your residence?

I sure do1. Though our house is not the most spacious (rộng) or the one with expensive furniture, it is a beautifully designed house with the touch of classic elements (yếu tố cổ điển) like oil paintings and sculptures (bức tượng). On top of that 2, our house is always full of laughter and it is the place where we can come together and escape from all the worries of the outside world.

• (1): Trả lời câu hỏi Yes/No;
• (2): Bổ sung ý tưởng, tương tự ‘in addition’, ‘furthermore’; 

3. Do you plan to reside there in the future?

To be honest, I’m not really sure.3  I have always been with my parents so I haven’t thought about moving out, like ever. Living with parents is much more economical (tiết kiệm) as I can save on utility bills, renovations, grocery bills, and a lot more. Though I might have more control and privacy when having my own home, it would result in me living beyond my means4 (tiêu tiền quá giới hạn bản thân).

• (3): Nói về những thứ mình chưa nghĩ đến; 
• (4): Câu sử dụng từ nối ‘though’ giúp kết nối các vế câu với nhau.

Topic Environment

4. Did your school teach any subjects related to the environment?

Well, we did have some seminars back in highschool where some professionals came to raise environmental awareness. However,5 these activities only took place (diễn ra) once or twice a year, so I wouldn’t call them a proper subject.6

(5): Express contrasting viewpoints

Responses should use simple past tense, corresponding to the question.

5. Have you ever participated in any environmental projects?

I remember taking part in (tham gia) a DIY recycling workshop in my school where the students could bring their plastic waste and transform it into new products. My friends and I did an amazing job (làm tốt) in turning plastic bottles into toy cars for local children.7

(7): Use simple past tense to narrate a story

6. How frequently do you take part in activities related to environmental protection?

As much as possible, I can proudly say.8 I show a keen interest in those events and wish to make a humble contribution (đóng góp nhỏ bé) to protect the environment. What’s more,9 I try to integrate (kết hợp) good deeds (việc làm tốt) like reducing the use of plastic, recycling plastic waste or riding bicycles into my daily schedule, as I believe those will surely create a greater impact in the long run (về lâu về dài).

• (8): Trả lời câu hỏi về tần suất, kèm với thái độ tự tin;
• (9): Chuyển qua ý mới sử dụng từ dấu hiệu.

IELTS Speaking part 2

Describe an artistic or handicraft activity you engaged in during your school years

• What it was
• What you do for this activity
• Who you did it with
• And explain how you felt about this activity.

This cue card reminds me of a beautiful memory I had with origami, which is a well-known form of paper-folding art from Japan. I would like to share with you about the time I managed to make paper cranes (hạc giấy).

If my memory serves me right, (nếu tôi nhớ không nhầm), I was in grade 2 when my school set up a charity program, in which students across the district were involved to help raise the spirits (nâng cao tinh thần) of the brave children and their families fighting cancer at the local Children’s hospital.

In keeping with (để phù hợp với) the famous Japanese legend saying ‘the one who creates a thousand origami cranes will earn one wish’, the whole school got down (bắt tay vào) to make thousands of cranes to support the kids during their challenging times.

Our art teacher sailed us through (hướng dẫn) the process, which included about 10 steps, if I remember correctly, starting with a square piece of paper and ending with pulling the wings straight out from the body so that the body inflates (phồng lên). I was the one with butterfingers (ngón tay vụng về) so it was a tough nut to crack (điều khó khăn) at the beginning. I found all the folding and flipping steps arduous (khó khăn) tasks to follow and needed detailed instructions.

However, with the assistance of our beloved teacher, I managed to finish my very first paper crane after about 15 minutes. After getting familiarized (làm quen) with the technique, I quickly became skillful and took less time to finish the next paper cranes. Within only 1 hour, I successfully completed about 10 of these origami products.

We gathered thousands of paper cranes in no time (không lâu sau) and put them in gigantic (khổng lồ) jars to send to the hospital. We received a number of thanks from the unfortunate children and this made the program even more meaningful. All in all, I enjoyed this crafting activity as much as the story behind it.

Speech structured using Storytelling method, incorporating elements such as time, place, characters, reasons, outcomes, significance... while ensuring adherence to the suggested prompts.

Thì quá khứ đơn được sử dụng xuyên suốt bài viết tạo sự mạch lạc, kết hợp thêm việc sử dụng các từ nối ‘however’, ‘after’, ‘all in all’ hay mệnh đề quan hệ giúp câu chuyện trở nên thống nhất hơn; Một số idioms (thành ngữ và collocations (kết hợp từ) quen thuộc cũng được chèn vào một cách tự nhiên.

Flexibly utilize vocabulary related to craft activities: origami, paper-folding art, paper cranes, process, folding and flipping steps, origami products, handicrafts... to diversify the speech.

IELTS Speaking part 3 – Art and craft

1. What types of handicrafts are popular in Vietnam?

​​Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city with a thousand-year history boasts (nổi tiếng về) many handicraft streets. Each craft village, whose name starts with ‘Hang’, meaning ‘craft’, has its own know-how (công thức) and this is passed down (truyền) from one generation to the next. There have been villages specialized in silk painting, pottery making (làm gốm), blacksmithing (rèn sắt), embroidery (thêu), bamboo basket weaving (đan giỏ tre), a lot of which have been recognized as intangible cultural heritage (di sản văn hoá phi vật thể).1

These activities attract thousands of visitors each year, not only to watch the artisans (nghệ nhân) execute exotic pieces of artwork, but to gain first-hand experience (kinh nghiệm thực tế) on how to create art themselves.

(1): List the names of various art forms, along with their characteristics and popularity.

2. Do individuals enjoy crafting handmade gifts?

As far as I know,2 most people enjoy making and receiving hand-made presents. Personalization (sự cá nhân hoá) is what sets these gifts apart from (tách biệt) store-bought ones, as you can create customized (được làm riêng) gifts in so many different ways by including a favorite saying, name, color or pattern that expresses one’s individual traits, which is a unique way of telling your recipient that they are special. Moreover, I believe the value of the gift does not always lie in the cost, but the time and effort put in to make it is what actually counts (điều thực sự ý nghĩa).3

• (2): Thể hiện quan điểm cá nhân;
• (3): Phân tích điểm nổi bật nhất của quà tặng thủ công là tính riêng biệt và tính cá nhân; Thêm vào đó, ý nghĩa món quà nằm ở thời gian và công sức của người tặng.

3. What factors contribute to the widespread popularity of craft activities?

There can be several reasons why these activities are favourable, one of which is the benefit of stress relief. When you become immersed in (chìm đắm vào) creating art, your mind is able to break away from distracting thoughts and really focus on the task at hand (việc đang làm). This creates a meditative state (trạng thái thiền định) where concerns are temporarily (tạm thời) forgotten, thus lowering stress levels and creating mental clarity (sự sáng suốt).

Moreover, many individuals have discovered their innate talent for creating handmade items through art and craft projects. This brings them a sense of accomplishment, thereby enhancing their confidence and self-esteem. ⁴

(4): A significant benefit of engaging in handicrafts is enhancing mental clarity and concentration. Additionally, it brings joy upon completing a product, thereby boosting self-confidence.

4. What are the distinctions between handmade gifts and those made by machines?

It is a fact that though machine-made articles have a much finer finish, they come at a lower cost. The machine is bound to possess more productivity than a human hand within a given time, and as a result they will be reasonably priced. On the other hand, the hand-made presents will have unique designs compared to their machine-produced counterparts (vật đồng cấp) as they cannot be identically (giống nhau hoàn toàn) made.

This results in them being much more expensive but I guess the quality comes with a price (tiền nào của nấy). When made by machines these items are simply products while for a human being they have become artwork.5

(5): Differences in price, quality, and core value of each type of product.

November

Solving the IELTS Speaking test on November 1, 2021

IELTS Speaking part 1

Topic: Footwear

1. Are you fond of purchasing shoes?

I love buying shoes.1 I’m not a sneaker-head (người chơi giày) or anything, but I do buy new shoes on a regular basis (thường xuyên). I have a whole collection of shoes, ranging from sneakers, sandals, boots, slip-ons, loafers to high heels.2 Shoes, in my opinion, are indispensable in completing a look, especially to someone who owns a wide variety of clothing items like I do.

• (1): Trả lời câu hỏi Yes/ No;
• (2): Mở rộng câu trả lời bằng cách liệt kê tên một số loại giày

2. Have you ever made a purchase of shoes through the internet?

Countless times, I have to say.3 I mean I buy most of my things online and shoes are no exception (không phải ngoại lệ). Though I do enjoy in-store shoe shopping, as I can try them on to see if they fit (vừa vặn), purchasing footwear on websites is a much more convenient experience.4 There is an accurate size chart for every kind of shoes, so all I have to do is to pick up the color I love and wait for the package to be delivered.

• (3): Trả lời câu hỏi;
• (4): Kết hợp sử dụng nhiều liên từ (though, as,…) trong 1 câu giúp câu được kéo dài và bao gồm được nhiều ý tưởng

3. How much money do you typically allocate for footwear?

I try not to splurge on (tiêu nhiều tiền) shoes, because it would result in me living beyond my means (tiêu tiền quá tay). However, I do think a good pair of shoes is a worthy investment, as it doesn’t only protect my feet, but can also support my stability (sự cân bằng) as I walk. If the quality of those shoes is worth the price, I am willing to spend millions of VND to own them.5

(5): Responses combining various conjunctions to express cause-effect, contrast, and condition.

4. Between fashionable shoes and comfortable shoes, which do you prefer?

Wow, I wish I could choose both as they are equally important, I guess. It’s not easy at all to decide which one outweighs the other, but as a person who is passionate about fashion, I would go for the shoes that are in vogue  (thời thượng).6 To be honest, I don’t walk that often, so spending 15-20 minutes per day walking in a pair of high heels should not be a big problem. As long as I look good in those shoes, you know, I feel better.

(6): When addressing a choice question, one can start with introductory sentences reflecting hesitation to extend the idea, then make a choice and provide an explanation for that choice.

Topic: Handwriting

5. Do you enjoy handwriting?

Though I don’t write by hand very often now, as I make frequent use of smartphones and laptops, I still show a keen interest in (thích thú) Calligraphy (nghệ thuật viết chữ). I think it’s brilliant how people can create mesmerizing (đầy mê hoặc) handwritten fonts in different styles, from soft and dreamy letterforms to the spiky (nhọn) handwriting of another era. These man-made artworks look as if they were the products of computer programming.7

(7): Use complex structures with conjunctions like ‘though’ and phrases like ‘from..to’ to expand your answer. 

6. Do you consider handwriting significant?

Though it is believed that 8 your handwriting styles reveal some of your personality traits (tính cách) I don’t think it is that important, especially in this age of advanced technology, where most of us do not bother  (màng tới) writing by hand anymore. The way I see it, no one has the right to judge that you’re insufficient or inadequate (không đủ năng lực) just because your handwriting doesn’t look nice.

(8): Passive structures help omit the subject (because it is not important).

7. What are the distinctions between handwriting and typing?

I guess the most significant difference between these two is how closely we are connected to the information. When you jot down (viết nhanh) things by hand, you develop a stronger conceptual understanding (sự hiểu nhận thức về khái niệm) Handwriting forces your brain to mentally engage with the concepts, thus improving literacy and reading comprehension simultaneously (đồng thời). On the other hand, typing encourages verbatim (nguyên văn) reports without giving much thought to the content.9

(9): When addressing comparison/differentiation questions, present ideas about the first object and then use conjunctions to show contrast. 

IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe something intriguing that you discovered on the internet. You should say:

• What you learnt?
• What website did you learn it from?
• How did you learn it?
• And explain why you think it was interesting?

The Internet has changed my way of studying for the better (thay đổi để tốt hơn) as it provides me with an endless supply of information. Today I would like to talk about Studyphim.vn, a website that was extremely useful for me to brush up on (trau dồi) my English speaking skills.

I first learned about the “shadowing technique” (kỹ thuật cái bóng) when I was attending a seminar on how to speak English fluently. It’s quite a simple concept – you listen to a model and you repeat what they say in real time, you know, like a shadow. As a big fan of movies, I realized that I could practice this technique while enjoying my favorite films. I came across (vô tình gặp) Studyphim.vn when I was browsing through movies with English subtitles.

Just like other movie streaming platforms, Studyphim.vn had a wide range of genres (thể loại) to choose from: action, romance, comedy to TV shows,…you name it (dùng để liệt kê khi quá nhiều lựa chọn). But what set this website apart (tạo nên sự khác biệt) from their counterparts was the provision of thousands of English spoken films with bilingual subtitles (phụ đề song ngữ).

This allowed English learners to easily follow the lines of actors and actresses, while having a full understanding of what they were talking about. On top of that, before and after the viewing, I could take a listening and vocabulary test to evaluate (đánh giá) my speech perception (nhận thức ngôn ngữ) and vocabulary acquisition in English.

The test results revealed (hé lộ) that watching the English subtitled versions was a cut above (điều tốt hơn) compared to the Vietnamese subtitled or no-subtitled versions in enhancing my overall skills.

This site helped me enhance my English significantly. It was truly an effective method of learning, and I was pleased to discover such an engaging movie-based learning resource online. 

Phân tích:

Speech based on the questions given in the prompt, introducing the knowledge learned (shadowing technique), where I studied (Studyphim.vn website), how I studied (watching bilingual subtitled movies, doing tests,…), and my feelings after learning it (satisfied, intrigued,…)

An article incorporating several easy-to-use phrasal verbs like ‘provide with’, ‘brush up on’, ‘come across’, ‘set apart’, in simple past tense combined with complex sentence structures using conjunctions. Each transition is indicated with phrases like: ‘I would like to talk about…’, ‘I first learned about…’, ‘What set this apart…’,…

IELTS Speaking part 3: Internet 

1. What are some benefits of the internet?

Ahh.. the Internet, one of the greatest inventions of humankind, provides people with instant access (sự tiếp cận nhanh) to an endless supply of knowledge and entertainment.1 The network system has completely revolutionized (cách mạng hoá) communication around the globe, as no matter where you are, you can communicate with others even from the remotest of the locations. Working from home, online education, and E-commerce, along with many other services, have now been brought closer to us than ever.

1. : Đánh giá chung về đối tượng được nói đến, sau đó mới đi sâu vào các luận cứ bổ sung 

2. Is internet usage prevalent in your country?

According to a recent survey on Internet usage 2 that I bumped into (vô tình gặp), Vietnam is among the countries with the most internet users in the Asia Pacific region. Out of 96 million people in the population, the number of internet users reached approximately 69 million. You can see that using the internet has become a daily habit among many Vietnamese people, with multiple purposes including work, study, entertainment, and more.

(2): To substantiate, one could incorporate words indicating real data to enhance the persuasiveness of the response. 

3. In what ways has the internet impacted our lives?

The Internet is, undoubtedly, one of the most significant game-changers (thứ thay đổi cục diện) to humanity, as it has turned our existence upside down (thay đổi hoàn toàn). It has shifted (thay đổi) the way we communicate, to the extent that it is now our preferred medium of everyday communication.

The Internet, in addition, has an immense wealth of possibilities for buying content, news, and leisure products, and all sorts of advantages arise from e-commerce. You can reserve a table at a restaurant, get a T-shirt from the US, or order a pizza in no time with the aid of new applications. Everything is now in the palm of our hands (trong lòng bàn tay), thanks to the world’s largest network system.

4. Are internet advertisements effectively noticed by people?

Most of the advertisements today are made to aim at a number of targeted audiences, so they do, to some extent, successfully draw people’s attention (thu hút sự chú ý). When seen multiple times, advertisements make products ingrain (khắc sâu vào) in people’s mind, so when they want to buy something, they will go for a brand that they are familiar with, or at least come across (vô tình gặp) once while scrolling their newsfeed.

Though some advertisements may cause irritation (sự khó chịu) among Internet users because of their annoying sounds and ridiculous messages, their great impact on people’s subsequent buying decisions is inarguable (không có gì bàn cãi).

Analysis of the IELTS Speaking test on November 14, 2021

IELTS Speaking part 1

Topic Colors

1. What is your preferred color?

Blue has always been my go-to color. Most of my clothing items are blue and so are my bedsheets and room walls. To me, all shades of blue are pleasant to the eyes as they are not as bright as red and orange yet not as dull as black or white.

• Go-to (adj): thường xuyên được sử dụng 
• Shade (n): sắc 
• Pleasant to the eyes: vừa mắt 
• Dull (adj): nhàm chán 

Instead of just stating the name of a color, try to think of reasons why you like that color (its practical use in daily life, the comfort it brings,…)

2. Which color do you dislike? Why?

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of vibrant colors like red, orange or yellow as they are a bit overwhelming to me. Staring at these shades for too long may result in me having fatigue and irritation, so I often avoid using these colors in home decoration.

• Vibrant (adj): chói 
• Overwhelming (adj): choáng ngợp 
• Fatigue (n): sự mệt mỏi 
• Irritation (n): sự khó chịu 

Similarly to the previous question, explain why you dislike those colors (they cause eye strain, discomfort, fatigue,…)

3. What are the most popular colors in your country?

The way I see it, Asian culture, and Vietnam included, show a keen interest in feng shui, in which the colors chosen for clothing items or house decoration can, in some ways, affect your success, health, and happiness. In this sense, red proclaims the most favorable color in my country, as it is believed to represent joy, luck and the power to ward off evils.

• Feng shui (n): Phong thuỷ 
• Represent (v): Tượng trưng 
• Ward off (v): xua đuổi 

Questions related to your country, its people,… can incorporate cultural factors to expand ideas.

Topic Phone applications

4. What application have you recently utilized?

Well, just like other youngsters, I’m a big fan of social media so Facebook and Instagram have always been the apps I make most frequent use of. Scrolling through a never-ending list of videos and posts is the first thing I do waking up in the morning and every night before bed.

• Make use of s.th: sử dụng 
• Never-ending (adj): không bao giờ kết thúc 

5. What types of applications are you generally interested in?

Besides social networking applications, I find online shopping platforms particularly beneficial. Shopee, one of the most widely-used app-based platforms has provided millions of users with a myriad of consumer products ranging from electrical devices, household appliances, fashion, and even food. As a shopaholic, I often browse through the app to pick up my favorite items.

• Online shopping platform (n): nền tảng mua sắm online 
• Myriad (n): số lượng lớn 
• Widely-used (adj): được sử dụng rộng rãi 

6. What types of applications would you prefer to use in the future?

I do have some language study applications on my iPhone, but I haven’t used them very much, the reason for which is mostly because I’m too lazy. However, I am fully aware of how easy these apps have made my learning journey become, as I can learn from them anytime and anywhere. I would definitely put them into use more often in the future.

• Put s.th into use: ứng dụng 

IELTS Speaking part 2

Describe a book you read that you found beneficial – You should say:

• When you read it?
• What type of book is it?
• What is it about?
• Why did you find it useful?

I would like to take this opportunity to share about a cookbook that I found extremely useful – ‘My Family kitchen’ by actress and celebrity Masterchef winner, Sophie Thompson.

I am passionate about cooking, and Western cuisine in particular. I stumbled across a review of ‘My Family kitchen’ while sifting through a cookery website about British recipes and got amused by how creative the book was. I then decided to purchase it from Amazon and finally got it after a few weeks of waiting.

The book is an eclectic collection of recipes, which are ideal for modern family life. The book includes hearty meals to feed a crowd at weekends, quick suppers to satisfy hungry children, as well as indulgent puddings for special occasions. While the recipes reflect the melting pot of international cuisines, the author has a soft spot for childhood favorites like Fish ‘n’ chips, Meatloaf, Beef olives and Clapshot.

Rather than just a collection of Sophie’s cooking instructions, ‘My Family Kitchen’ is more of a family gathering. The cookbook also included photographs from Sophie’s family life, which made me feel like home from the very first pages.

I learned a lot from her recipes as well as British culture through the book. I have had it for 3 years now, I guess, but I still reread it whenever I want to spice up my family meals. The way Sophie integrated her hobby with her family life was truly one-of-a-kind, and that’s what made me fall in love with her publication the most.

• Cookbook (n): sách dạy nấu ăn 
• Be passionate about s.th: đam mê điều gì
• Cuisine (n): ẩm thực 
• Stumbled across: tình cờ gặp 
• Sift through (v): lướt qua 
• Eclectic (adj): chiết trung (giao thoa giữa cái cũ và cái mới)
• Supper (n): bữa ăn khuya 
• Indulgent (adj): nuông chiều
• Melting pot (n): nồi lẩu thập cẩm, ý chỉ sự đa dạng 
• Have a soft spot for s.th: Yêu thích điều gì đó 
• Hearty meal (n): bữa ăn lớn
• Spice up: khuấy động
• One-of-a-kind (adj): độc nhất vô nhị 
• Publication (n): xuất bản, sách 

The speech closely follows the suggested essay questions (where to buy the book, when, what the content discusses, what useful knowledge is gained from it,…); Additionally, it incorporates various collocations (sift through) and idioms (hearty meal, have a soft spot, melting pot,…) to make the speech more vivid.

IELTS Speaking part 3 – Reading books

1. Do people in your country enjoy reading books?

From my observation, most Vietnamese people have a quest for gathering knowledge, and books, undoubtedly, are an infinite source of information. In Vietnam, reading has been developing so significantly in recent years that it has become a preferred hobby among young people. Some people even set proper goals to cover at least 3 books per week and that is a solid proof of how advanced Vietnamese people’s intellectual level has become.

• Have a quest for s.th: có nhu cầu làm gì đó 
• Solid proof (n): chứng cứ vững chắc 
• Intellectual level (n): trình độ dân trí 

2. Do you believe electronic books will eventually replace traditional paper books?

From my point of view, it’s very likely for printed books to be totally supplanted by E-books. Almost everyone today, as you may know, has instant access to electronic books with merely a few clicks on their smartphones, tablets, and computers.

These smart reading devices provide readers with a wider range of genres all in one place, and the soft copies can also be integrated with illustrations and audios rather than with text only. In addition, e-books are more eco-friendly and cost-effective in many ways so they are believed to predominate the future world, leaving their physical learning materials a thing of the past.

• Supplant (v): thay thế
• Instant (adj): ngay lập tức 
• Access (n): sự tiếp cận 
• Cost-effective (adj): tiết kiệm 
• Predominate (v): thống lĩnh 

3. Some individuals enjoy collecting books. Why do you think they engage in this activity?

I guess people have multiple reasons to keep a collection of books. For some people, a book is a medium that carries the author’s content—and that is all. Though they genuinely wish to acquire knowledge from the writers, they set the book aside or discard it on the shelf after they finish it. Other book lovers, however, show a great appreciation for books and view them as physical objects of beauty and romance.

Many of these people claim that they simply love the books and develop a sense of ownership while keeping them within their homes. They consider their book collections as extensions of their interests, perhaps as a record of their intellectual and artistic experiences.

• Set s.th aside: dẹp qua một bên 
• Sense of ownership (n): cảm giác được sở hữu 

4. Do you think it's beneficial to have mandatory reading in schools?

Most of a child’s learning is done from reading books. It is unarguable that books bring about immense benefits to a youngster’s cognitive development, while helping them improve concentration, memory and language skills. However, I’m against the view that reading should be made mandatory as not all children are skillful readers, and some of them even suffer from dyslexia. A child shall not be graded as inadequate just because they are not into reading, as they may be a cut above in arts or sports.

• Cognitive development (n): sự phát triển về trí tuệ 
• Dyslexia (n): chứng khó đọc 
• A cut above (n): sự vượt trội hơn so với những thứ khác 

December

IELTS Speaking test on December 4th, 2021

IELTS Speaking section 1

Being updated…

IELTS Speaking section 2

Describe a time when you relocated to a new home or school – You should mention:

• When you moved
• Where you moved to
• Why you moved
• And how you felt about it

Today I would like to share about the time I moved to the house I’m living in now. Though it happened a long time ago, the experience still lingers in my mind.

The house my family resided in 10 years ago was a compact house in the outskirts of town. Though living there allowed me to lead a healthier lifestyle thanks to cleaner air and easier access to organic food, there were very few education opportunities and entertainment options. My parents were fully aware of how important those factors are to my cognitive and social development, so they made up their mind to move to the city to live.

The whole moving process lasted for about 3 months, as my parents had to sell our former house and dealt with some paperwork. The most daunting aspect of moving was probably packing, as we kept most of our items with us. I spent nearly 2 weeks helping my parents put everything in boxes before they were delivered to the city.

Arriving at our new home was a life-changing moment to me, as that was the first time ever I set foot in it. I finally had my own spacious room which I could decorate however I wish. I also had to get used to a new life with new people, but all in all I love my current house and I feel grateful for my parents because they had worked around the clock to ensure a better life for all of us.

• Lingers in one’s mind: còn trong tâm trí 
• Compact house (n): nhà ống 
• Outskirts of town (n): vùng ngoại ô
• Cognitive and social development: sự phát triển về nhận thức và xã hội
• Make up one’s mind: quyết định 
• Daunting (adj): gây mệt mỏi 
• Life-changing moment: thời khắc thay đổi cuộc đời 
• Set foot in (a place): đặt chân đến
• Work around the clock: làm việc ngày đêm 

Speech aligning closely with the essay prompts: When did you move (10 years ago), explain why you moved (parents felt life in the old home was no longer suitable), where did you move to (the city), how did the moving process unfold, and how did you feel (happy, grateful),…

Incorporate idioms like ‘work around the clock’ and familiar collocations like ‘make up one’s mind’, ‘set foot in’,… to enhance the natural flow of speech.

IELTS Speaking part 3 – Relocating to new residences

1. What are the reasons why people move to a new home?

Well, this is not difficult to tell. Firstly, people may relocate due to a change in their job. A promotion, let’s say, can open up many new opportunities in a person’s life, including reinvesting in himself by moving into a new home in a different city or even a new country. A growing family is another reason why people are settling down in new homes.

Adding children to the family structure may require more house space, priorities and expenses, and buying a new home seems to be one of the best ways to reorganize one’s family system. Others, however, move to a different neighborhood simply because they find it daunting to cope with problems taking place around their old homes, including noisy neighbors, filthy streets or inappropriate living conditions.

• Settle down: ổn định cuộc sống 
• Filthy (adj): dơ, bẩn 
• Cope with s.th: giải quyết vấn đề gì đó 

For the question listing reasons, you should mention at least 2 ideas (moving due to job changes, expanding family, or issues with the old residence,…) and then explain with 1-2 examples, arguments,… Each transition of ideas should use directive sentences to signal.

2. What challenges will individuals encounter after moving to a new location?

There will surely be a lot of issues occurring when relocating to a new place. The first thing that comes to my mind is that people would have to take some time to adjust to the local environment, especially when they moved to another city or country. Weather, food and culture differences may make one feel like they do not belong to the place, but I believe this problem shall be addressed after a few months.

Another nerve-racking experience when moving house will be about making sure you don’t overspend your money on furniture, decoration or utilities. Everyone wants to enhance the comfort and enjoyment within their new homes, but housing services can cost an arm and a leg nowadays.

• Relocate (v): di dời
• Address (v): giải quyết
• Nerve-racking (adj): gây đau đầu
• Cost an arm and a leg: rất đắt đỏ

Two common issues people often face when moving house are the difficulty of adapting to a new environment and overspending on household amenities. Each of these issues should be further elaborated with a few comments or solutions to expand the ideas.

3. Is it beneficial to frequently relocate? Why?

Well, in my opinion, it depends on what kind of personality a person possesses. If one has itchy feet and is prone to new changes, he or she may find moving to a new place a fascinating experience. Changing one’s residential areas frequently may open education and employment opportunities.

However, constantly moving would put your family life under a lot of pressure since they’d have to start a new life all over again. This is particularly harmful to young children, as they would need to start in a new school, try hard to fit in a new social environment and do their best to make new friends. Moving cost is another thing to be taken into consideration, as having to spend savings on packing materials, truck rentals, or professional packers and movers is not always a pleasant experience.

• Have itchy feet: cuồng chân, muốn đi đây đó 
• Prone to s.th: có xu hướng theo cái gì đó
• Take s.th into consideration: xem xét cái gì đó kỹ lưỡng

For choice questions, you can lean towards one side or present a neutral opinion to generate more ideas. For each aspect of the question, discuss the pros/cons to reach a decision. Frequent relocation may suit those who enjoy change but it also poses numerous challenges.

IELTS Speaking test on December 9th, 2021

IELTS Speaking section 1

Being updated

IELTS Speaking section 2

Describe a market stall or open-air market you have visited – You should mention:

• What it is like
• When you went there
• Why you went there 

And your emotional response to it

This cue card reminds me of the time I paid a flying visit to one of the most popular flower markets in Hanoi, which I would like to share with you today.

3 years ago, on a trip to Hanoi with my boyfriend, I decided to spend a sleepless night wandering around the city and Quang An night flower market was our last stop. It was located in Tay Ho District and was best experienced between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. This market was only open at night, beginning around 12 a.m, when local vendors began selling a wide variety of roses, carnations, and daisies.

This flower market served not only as a venue for locally grown flowers but also housed some of the world’s most renowned flower brands. Domestic and exotic flowers from China, Korea, Vietnam, and even the Netherlands, known for its flower production, could be found throughout the market.

I spotted floods of photographers, locals and young couples who escaped here for the romantic atmosphere and scenery. The view was absolutely out-of-this-world, and the enchanted world full of intense and vibrant natural colours truly blew me away. I also took the chance to buy a bunch of tulips and snap some amazing photos with my boyfriend. Overall, it was such an unforgettable memory for both of us.

• Pay a flying visit: đến thăm nhanh 
• Wander (v): đi xung quanh
• Local vendor (n): người bán hàng rong
• Carnation (n): hoa cẩm chướng
• Daisies (n): hoa cúc 
• Out-of-this-world (adj): ngoài sức tưởng tượng
• Blew s.o away: làm ai đó choáng ngợp
• Take the chance: giành lấy cơ hội

IELTS Speaking part 3 Marketplaces 

1. Do you believe that small markets in your country will vanish due to shopping malls and supermarkets?

As a result of urbanization and changes in State policies – not to mention the impact of big superstores and online shopping – food and goods markets in many towns and cities around the world are in danger of disappearing. However, most markets in Vietnam have been in operation for hundreds of years, and they are among the best places in our country for experiencing the daily lives of its local population.

Not only a place to exchange goods and produce, flea markets are closely associated with Vietnamese culture and lifestyles. That is a major reason why I don’t think they will ever become a thing of the past.

• Urbanization (n): đô thị hoá
• State policy (n): chính sách của nhà nước
• Closely associated with s.o: liên kết chặt chẽ với điều gì 

2. What kinds of markets exist in Vietnam?

The first type of market that comes across my mind is floating markets, representing Vietnam’s unique culture along the Mekong Delta. Taking advantage of the river, people go right along the banks and use their boats to set up shops. Some floating markets are open all day long but are busiest in the morning. In addition, minor ethnic communities mostly visit the markets found in mountainous areas.

Apart from trading activities, these markets are also a hub of cultural exchange. Held once or twice a month, these markets are seen as an event within communities. People dress up and travel very long distances to reach these markets, and sometimes locals spend an entire day commuting to get there.

3. What challenges are associated with open-air food markets?

Eating outdoors, despite being a great experience to immerse in the local culture, can increase the risk of food poisoning. Food can be exposed to contamination from insects, pests, animals and dust. Bacteria grow more easily when food is stored in the temperature danger zone of between 20 and 30 degrees celsius, which is common in Vietnam’s tropical climate.

Facilities for cleaning and hand washing may be inadequate, and clean water is not always available in the great outdoors. On top of that, food served in street stalls is often high in fat, cholesterol, and sugar, which are detrimental to one’s health if consumed at a large amount.

• Immerse in s.th: đắm chìm vào điều gì 
• Food poisoning (n): ngộ độc thực phẩm 
• Inadequate (adj): không đầy đủ 
• Detrimental (adj): có hại 

IELTS Speaking exam on 26th December 2021

IELTS Speaking part 1

Weather

1. What type of climate is typical in your hometown?

I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh city, whose tropical wet and dry climate is characterized by its two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. During the dry season, the weather can be boiling hot, with the temperature lurching as high as 38 degrees Celsius. However, it gets more mild and comfortable during the last quarter of the year.

• Be born and raised: được sinh ra và lớn lên
• Boiling hot (adj): nóng như đổ lửa
• Lurch (v): thay đổi bất thường 
• Quarter (n): quý 

→ Describe the typical regional weather: seasons, weather conditions, temperatures, etc.

2. Which season do you like the most?

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. Regarding the weather, Autumn is the “cooling off” month right between the blazing summer and chilling winter. When the cooler temperatures of fall start rolling in, saying goodbye to summer is not hard to do. It is also the perfect time to put on my jackets, coats, boots, scarves and hats and snap some amazing photos under the leaf-changing trees.

• Cool off (v): làm mát
• Blazing (adj): bùng cháy 

→ Choose your favorite season and explain why you prefer it (weather, scenery, activities, etc.)

3. Do you favor dry or rainy weather?

I would go for the dry season, for sure. As a person who is constantly on the go, I think driving in wet weather conditions can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Car breakdowns always increase during periods of wet weather, and driving in severe rain and high water can cause extreme damage to my motorbike and myself.

• Go for (v): lựa chọn 
• Be on the go (adj): ở trên đường 
• Life-threatening (adj): đe doạ đến mạng sống 
• Severe (adj): nặng nề, nghiêm trọng 

→ State your preference and explain the reason (Rainy weather causes slippery roads, posing dangers to drivers)

IELTS Speaking part 2

Describe a situation when you faced a challenging decision – You should say:

• what the decision was
• when you made it
• how long it took to make the decision

And clarify why it posed a dilemma.

I have to say that I’ve never been good at decision-making. Oftentimes I have to rack my brain thinking what to do and not to do and this often puts me in a dilemma. Today I would like to talk about the time when I had to decide whether to buy a new phone when I was living on a tight budget.

Back when I was away from home for college, I did not have that much money to spend, so I tried not to splurge on anything that was unnecessary. During those years I did not ask my parents for pocket money as I wanted to lead a financially independent life. I did have a part-time job as a salesperson at a convenience store near the dormitory, but the money was just enough to get my belly fueled with enough nutrition every day.

However, things did not always go as planned, as my phone was gradually getting slower, causing me a lot of difficulties in my work and studies. Being strapped for cash, I was in two minds as to whether I should purchase a new phone, which also means I have to struggle to make ends meet. It takes me nearly a month with nights of tossing and turning, because that new iPhone cost me as much as my 3-month salary.

I kept telling myself about how inconvenient my life would be without a properly functioning phone, but again, I hesitated when realizing I would have to get by on instant noodles for the following months.

I was in a relentless internal battle before making up my mind to get that iPhone with all my savings. Though I was deliriously happy holding the new hi-tech device in my hands, I had to get one more part-time job as an English tutor on the weekends to earn some extra money. Now thinking back to that story, I just couldn’t wrap my mind around why I could make it through such a hard time. But I guess adversity brings out the best in me, as I learned how to deal with financial issues on my own, without asking anyone for help.

• Rack one’s brain: vắt óc (suy nghĩ)
• Live on a tight budget: sống dè sẻn (vì thiếu tiền)
• Splurge on s.th: tiêu nhiều tiền cho cái gì
• Be strapped for cash: cần tiền
• Be in two minds: phân vân 
• Make ends meet: chi trả cho cuộc sống 
• Toss and turn: trằn trọc 
• Get by (v): gắng gượng vượt qua
• Internal battle (n): cuộc chiến với nội tâm
• Make up one’s mind: quyết định 
• Wrap one’s mind around: tìm cách hiểu

→ Use storytelling techniques to discuss the dilemma of deciding whether to buy a new phone as a student with limited funds. Ensure to closely adhere to suggested questions (what, when, how long, why,…) to stay on topic. Throughout the speech, integrate idiomatic expressions (splurge on, get by, strapped for cash, make up one’s mind,…) to make the narrative natural and avoid repetition.

IELTS Speaking part 3 Decision-making

1. What choices do individuals typically make in their everyday lives?

Well, when it comes to minor decisions, they can range from deciding what to eat for lunch, choosing the mode of transportation for work, to deciding whether to bring a raincoat when the sky looks grey,...

However, people do have to make important decisions throughout their lives, which might include choices about where to live, what to do as a job, how to spend time and money wisely, and who to be in relationships with. The way we make life-changing decisions shapes the person we are, and our values are accordingly defined.

• Life-changing (adj): có thể thay đổi cả cuộc đời

2. Which is simpler: making a decision independently or making a decision after group discussion?

In my opinion, making decisions by yourself may be faster, but you would find yourself not having as many ideas and less likely to reach the most judicious decision. I believe when the decision is made by a group rather than a single individual, the implementation of it will be easier because group members will be invested in the decision with different ideas based on their background and experiences.

• Implementation (n): sự thực hiện 

3. Why do many young people resist following their parents' advice?

Well, I think it all goes down to the fact that young people’s role models have changed, and some of parents’ pieces of advice no longer produce the outcome they desire or might be inappropriate to keep due to their new living environments or new ways of thinking.

Instead, social media influencers are increasingly gaining their popularity, by expressing the collective values of young people and addressing the issues facing today’s youth. These people provide a voice and a cohesive force for a generation that often feels displaced or separated from traditional forms, most of which derive from their own parents.

• Outcome (n): kết quả 
• Inappropriate (adj): không phù hợp
• Cohesive force (n): năng lực kết nối 

4. What causes middle-aged individuals to often doubt their own decisions?

The way I see it, when people get older, and may be wiser, their tendency to second-guess their own decisions can be amplified by a sense of regret. They often look back at the choices they made and decide if they were ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and people who feel they made unwise, unsafe, foolish or rash choices are more likely to pass judgements about themselves. This indicates that a person has become more of a perfectionist, who often pauses to weigh the pros and cons before any verdict is reached.

• Second-guess (v): phê bình
• Amplify (v): làm khuếch đại 
• Perfectionist (n): người hướng tới sự hoàn hảo 
• Weigh the pros and cons: cân nhắc giữa mặt tốt và xấu