Describe an accomplished individual with whom you once studied or collaborated | IELTS Speaking Part 2+3

Part 2: Describe an accomplished individual with whom you once studied or worked with

Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked withYou should say:Who this person isWhen you studied/worked with this personWhat you did togetherWhat this person did to become successfulAnd explain how you felt about studying or working with this person

Here is a sample essay for the topic “Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked with“.

1. Model Essay (Sample)

Illustration 1:

Illustration 2:

2. Lexicon (Vocabulary)

Lexicon Example 1:

• encountered: gặp
• excellent individuals: những cá nhân xuất sắc
• exceed: vượt quá
• a very deep impression on me: để lại một ấn tượng sâu đậm trong tôi
• body figure: hình thể
• don’t get me wrong: đừng hiểu lầm tôi
• cooperating with: hợp tác với
• launch: triển khai
• campaigns: chiến dịch
• put a lot of efforts: dồn rất nhiều nỗ lực
• negotiating: thương lượng
• heavy workload: khối lượng công việc lớn
• burn the midnight oil: làm thâu đêm
• burned out: mệt mỏi, cạn kiệt sức lực
• bullet journal: nhật ký
• give us a hand to facilitate: thúc đẩy tiến trình
• dedication: tận hiến
• recognized: ghi nhận
• executive board: ban lãnh đạo
• pride in: tự hào
• look up to as a role model: lấy làm gương
• go the extra mile: làm cần hơn những gì được yêu cầu

Lexicon Example 2:

• To have nothing to do with something: không liên quan gì với
• Social status: địa vị xã hội
• Entrance exams to university: bài thi tuyển sinh đại học
• Cramming for tests: học nhồi nhét để luyện thi
• Pulling all-nighters: thức trắng đêm
• Remember vividly: nhớ một cách sống động

Segment 3

1. Is wealth the sole measure of success in your nation?

Illustration 1: The concept of wealth is certainly a way to define success, but it's not the sole criterion. On one hand, being financially well-off garners attention and admiration from others. This means that individuals with a substantial income often receive care and affection wherever they go, which some consider as success. However, others view successful individuals as those who achieve extraordinary feats or are dedicated homemakers or husbands. 

• define: định nghĩa
• well-off: dư dả, giàu có
• a lucrative income: nguồn thu nhập hậu hĩnh
• extraordinary achievements: thành tựu xuất chúng

Illustration 2: Indeed. Generally speaking, this phenomenon occurs not only in Vietnam but also in other nations. Money serves as a powerful tool to accomplish many things in life. For instance, it can facilitate children's access to quality education. Many private schools provide an excellent environment but come with high tuition fees, correct? Similarly, having sufficient funds allows us to enjoy superior services such as luxury hotel suites and business-class flights. Of course, fame and social status also play roles in defining success.

Nevertheless, without money, everything else would become meaningless. Who would want to have 10 million subscribers on their YouTube channel without earning any income from it, right?

• exorbitant tuition fees: học phí đắt đỏ
• meaningless: vô nghĩa

2. How do you define what makes a person successful?

As mentioned earlier, money is often seen as a significant indicator of success by many people, including myself. However, besides financial wealth, I believe there are other crucial aspects to success. For example, a person cannot be deemed successful solely based on their financial status.

A successful physician is someone who not only earns significantly in their profession but also ascends various career steps. They must also be an expert in their field and earn respect or recognition from institutions, patients, and colleagues. Moreover, if a person appears successful outwardly but harbors inner fears, insecurities, or emotional battles and mental health challenges, I don’t believe that person can truly epitomize success.

• career ladders: thang sự nghiệp
• emotional struggles: đấu tranh cảm xúc
• exemplify: làm gương

3. Is there a conflict between success and happiness?

Illustration 1: Yes and no. Essentially, both success and happiness are elements that bring satisfaction to us. In certain contexts, there is a strong connection between these two ideas. When one achieves success, they find contentment in life, thereby achieving happiness. Similarly, when one is joyful, they are motivated to excel. On the other hand, excessive success can lead to stress, which directly opposes happiness. This is also true when one becomes overly fulfilled and loses motivation to strive further.  

• At its core: về bản chất
• a sense of satisfaction: cảm giác thoả mãn
• a strong correlation: mối tương quan mạnh mẽ
• concepts: khái niệm
• content: hài lòng
• delighted: vui vẻ, hạnh phúc
• fulfilled: viên mãn, đủ đầy

Illustration 2: I don’t believe so. I understand that historically, people believed that success comes at a price, such as sacrificing love or happiness. This seems logical because extreme success in one's career often necessitates prioritizing work over other aspects of life, such as relationships.

However, I think this is only a temporary scenario. In the long run, achieving true success requires achieving a work-life balance. In fact, success and happiness do not conflict with each other; rather, they complement each other. For instance, without relationships, we lack the support needed to alleviate stress and pressure, which can hinder our productivity. I don't believe this approach is healthy or effective. Therefore, achieving both success and happiness simultaneously is challenging but necessary for long-term fulfillment in life.

• contradict: mâu thuẫn

4. Are national exams easy to pass in your country?  

I would argue not. In Vietnam, national exams pose the greatest challenge to all test-takers. Because these exams are nationwide, Vietnamese students typically spend an entire year attending extra classes and studying intensively for the exams. Moreover, the exam contents are highly varied, covering diverse aspects of life. This necessitates students to equip themselves thoroughly with a deep knowledge base, the ability to comprehend and analyze problems, and quick thinking to succeed in the exams with flying colors. 

• cramming for: học nhồi nhét
• diverse: đa dạng
• a profound background knowledge: kiến thức nền sâu rộng
• pass the exams with flying colors: vượt qua bài kiểm tra với điểm số cao

5. What factors influence students' academic performance at school? 

• determinants: yếu tố
• peer pressure: áp lực đồng trang lứa
• try their utmost: cố gắng hết sức
• Parental support: sự hỗ trợ từ phía cha mẹ
• negative criticism: chỉ trích tiêu cực
• corporal punishment: phạt đòn roi
• giving it the best shot: cố gắng hết sức