Describe an occasion when you needed to seek information – IELTS Speaking part 2, part 3

1. IELTS Speaking part 2: Describe an occasion when you needed to seek information

1.1. Prompt

To start your speech, provide an overview of the time when you needed to seek information. Some details you could introduce are what information it was, the location, and when you were searching.

Next, recount the story in more detail. Remember to use the past simple tense to narrate the story. You can interweave in the story why you had to search for that information.

Finally, express your thoughts on that matter. This is the most important part where you should spend most of your time. Avoid vague emotions; you can draw lessons and experiences for yourself after the incident.

1.2. Sample 1 – Describe an occasion when you needed to search for information

I'm constantly seeking knowledge, so it was challenging for me to pick a specific aspect to discuss on this topic. However, the choice I settled on was from this past weekend. I greatly admire Google Maps. I use it regularly every week, basically whenever I'm going somewhere unfamiliar. It's incredibly useful.

In this specific case, I was heading to the headquarters of a company that I am strongly contemplating applying for an internship with. I made it as close as I could to the offices since I understood the approximate region in which they were located, until I realized that I would need further guidance. After that, I parked on the side of the road and looked up Google Maps. My city is well known for its many little lanes.

It so occurred that taking one of these passageways directly through the urban block next to me would be the fastest way to get to my goal. Although it was little, it was jam-packed with intriguing shops and eateries. Despite having an appointment, there were so many scents that I nearly stopped.

At this point, I needed knowledge, and it provided considerably more than I had anticipated. As a result, I have added a lot more restaurants to my list of places to dine.

1.2.1. Key Vocabulary

• Headquarters (n): trụ sở chính
• Contemplate (v): suy ngẫm
• Internship (n): thực tập
• It so occurred that:
  chợt nhận ra
• Jam-packed (v): đầy ắp
• Anticipated (v): dự kiến

1.2.2. Translation

I'm always searching for knowledge, so it was difficult for me to select one specific aspect to discuss on this issue. However, the choice I made was from this past weekend. I really admire Google Maps to the fullest. I use it frequently every week, basically whenever I'm heading somewhere I don’t know well. It’s quite helpful.

In this specific case, I was heading to the main office of a company where I intended to apply for an internship. I had gotten close to the nearest offices because I roughly understood the area where they were located, until I realized I needed further guidance. Subsequently, I parked on the roadside and consulted Google Maps.

My city is renowned for its numerous narrow streets. I suddenly realized that passing through one of these alleys through the adjacent urban area would be the quickest way to achieve my goal. Although small, it houses plenty of enticing shops and eateries. Despite having an appointment, there were too many fragrances that almost made me pause.

At this point, I needed information, and it provided more than I expected. As a result, I added many restaurants to my dining list.

1.3. Sample 2 – Describe a time when you needed to search for information

Because my husband and I enjoy traveling and mountains, I recall needing to search for information about a trip to Yunnan Province last year.

Thus, I wanted to organize a trip that would include everything and allow us to comfortably care for our infant at the same time. When you’re traveling, there are many of tour operators in China that offer excellent guidance and services. My ideal trip package would have included lodging, meals, and excursions.

I then began perusing a few well-known travel agencies, websites, and apps, including Feizhu in China, as well as MakeMyTrip and booking.com. Certain businesses are really industry leaders, offering every service a traveler may require. So I looked into a few well-known trip packages that fit our budgets and had all the features and conveniences we wanted. During our excursion, we also looked at a few tourist attractions.

Furthermore, I perused several reviews on platforms like Yelp. I also examined feedback from other travelers on restaurants and attractions. I felt that to fully enjoy my vacation and avoid dealing with reservations and inquiries while away, I needed to gather information beforehand. To make the most of every moment of my trip, I made sure everything was sorted before departure.

In my opinion, accuracy is crucial before taking any action. In today's digital age, information on virtually everything can be found online through search engines like Baidu and Google. Whether researching, buying a new gadget, or planning a getaway, we often browse business and organization blogs for specialized insights.

1.3.1. Vocabulary Highlights

• Infant (n): trẻ sơ sinh
• Lodging (n): chỗ ở
• Excursions (n): chuyến du ngoạn
• Peruse (v): đọc kỹ

1.3.2. Translation

Because my spouse and I enjoy traveling and mountaineering, I recall needing to look up information about a trip to Yunnan Province last year.

Therefore, I aimed to organize a trip that encompassed everything and allowed us to comfortably care for our infant simultaneously. When traveling, numerous travel companies in China provide excellent guidance and services. My ideal travel package would include accommodation, meals, and sightseeing adventures.

Subsequently, I began researching various travel companies, websites, and popular apps, including Feizhu in China, as well as MakeMyTrip and booking.com. Some companies are industry leaders, offering all services that travelers may request. Thus, I considered several well-known travel packages that fit our budget and had all the features and conveniences we desired. During our tour, we also explored several tourist attractions.

Additionally, I reviewed some evaluations on websites like Yelp. I also examined feedback from other travelers regarding restaurants and locations. I believe that to fully enjoy my vacation and avoid handling bookings and inquiries while away, I needed to research it. To enjoy every moment of my trip, I completed everything beforehand.

In my view, information must be accurate before we proceed with anything. In today's digital world, information on everything can be found online and through search engines like Baidu and Google. When conducting research, purchasing a new device, or planning a vacation, we often peruse blogs on business and organization websites for specialized information.

2. IELTS Speaking Part 3: Narrate an occasion when you had to seek information

2.1. What methods can individuals use to find information nowadays?

There are presumably hundreds more search engines available, accessible via websites or even merely by using the browser on a computer or phone. However, there’s no denying that Google is the industry leader when it comes to information searches. Even with China, home to 5% of the world’s population, blocking them, they still handle the bulk of searches worldwide.

• Blocking (v): chặn
• The bulk of: số lượng lớn

Dịch: Có lẽ có hàng trăm công cụ tìm kiếm khác có sẵn, có thể truy cập qua trang web hoặc thậm chí chỉ bằng cách sử dụng trình duyệt trên máy tính hoặc điện thoại. Tuy nhiên, không thể phủ nhận rằng Google vẫn dẫn đầu ngành về tìm kiếm thông tin. Ngay cả khi ở Trung Quốc, nơi có 5% dân số thế giới, bị chặn, họ vẫn xử lý phần lớn tìm kiếm trên toàn cầu.

2.2. What information can individuals obtain from television?

Even though cable television viewing is far less frequent than it once was, it may still provide a wealth of useful information. For example, in any emergency circumstance like the COVID-19 epidemic we just faced the television may provide us with a direct and instantaneous information update from individuals in positions of authority on changes in the crisis.

• Cable television viewing: xem truyền hình cáp
• Instantaneous (adj): tức thời

Dịch: Mặc dù việc xem truyền hình cáp đã ít phổ biến hơn trước đây, nhưng vẫn có thể cung cấp rất nhiều thông tin hữu ích. Ví dụ, trong các trường hợp khẩn cấp như dịch COVID-19 mà chúng ta đang phải đối mặt, truyền hình có thể cung cấp thông tin cập nhật trực tiếp từ các chuyên gia về những thay đổi trong cuộc khủng hoảng.

2.3. With the advent of the internet, do libraries still hold importance?

Theo tôi, vẫn còn, nhưng lý do vì sự quan trọng hiện tại của chúng khác rất nhiều so với những lý do đã tạo nên chúng. Khả năng nghiên cứu và học tập trong một môi trường yên tĩnh, bình yên, là điều tôi cho là lợi thế lớn nhất của thư viện. Vì không phải ai cũng sống trong một môi trường thuận lợi để học tập, thư viện cần mở cửa cho mọi người vào bất kỳ lúc nào để tự do học tập trên mọi chủ đề.

Dịch: Theo quan điểm của tôi, điều đó vẫn có ý nghĩa, nhưng lý do vì sự quan trọng hiện nay của chúng rất khác so với những lý do đã khơi dậy chúng. Theo tôi, khả năng học và tương tác trong một môi trường yên tĩnh, bình yên là lợi thế lớn nhất của thư viện. Vì không phải ai cũng sống trong môi trường thuận lợi để làm bài tập, thư viện cần phải mở cửa cho mọi người vào bất kỳ lúc nào để tham gia các buổi học miễn phí về bất kỳ chủ đề nào.

2.4. Tác động của sự phát triển internet đối với những người bất may​?

Yes, both the good and the bad. I’ll give you an illustration. Let’s just suppose that there is a homeless man who appears to be in great need of assistance. People would be able to come and help this impoverished man if his tale was made public online.

But this might also reinforce social separation, as some impoverished pupils in isolated places experienced. More precisely, lack of internet connectivity during the COVID-19 epidemic prevented many students from accessing online study resources; students residing in cities or other more developed locations, on the other hand, experienced less disruption.

• Impoverished (adj): nghèo khó
• Reinforce (v): củng cố
• Social separation (n): cách ly xã hội
• Isolated places (n): nơi biệt lập

Dịch: Vâng, cả mặt tích cực và tiêu cực. Hãy xem một ví dụ. Giả sử có một người đàn ông vô gia cư cần sự giúp đỡ. Nếu câu chuyện của ông được chia sẻ trên mạng, mọi người có thể đến giúp đỡ ông. Tuy nhiên, điều này cũng có thể gia tăng sự phân biệt xã hội, giống như một số học sinh nghèo ở các vùng sâu vùng xa đã trải qua.