Discuss a time when you were provided with inaccurate information | IELTS Speaking Part 2

Part 2: Discuss a time when you were provided with inaccurate information

Describe an occasion when you received incorrect information You should say: What was the incorrect information? When did it happen? How you found out the information was incorrect? And explain how you felt about it?

Below is a model response for the topic “Discuss a time when you were provided with inaccurate information”.

1. Sample Article

2. Vocabulary

• worm past other cinemagoers into our seats: luồn lách qua những người khác để vào chỗ ngồi
• it is not my day: 1 cách nói “đó là 1 ngày xui xẻo với tôi”
• Oversight: sơ suất
• lift my mood: khiến tâm trạng tôi tốt hơn

Part 3

1. What professions involve providing information to others?
2. How does giving information differ between phone calls and emails?
3. How can people verify the accuracy of information?
4. Do people rely on online information?

1. What professions are involved in communicating information to others?

I believe effective communication of information is crucial in every profession. Even seemingly solitary roles like that of a factory worker involve reporting progress to supervisors. However, the frequency and nature of communication vary across professions. For example, a salesperson in a small company might handle frequent micro-communications such as reporting sales figures, whereas a government official regularly addresses important matters in public speeches.

• Micro-communication: giao tiếp trong phạm vi nhỏ, ít người

2. What are the differences between providing information over the phone and via email?

In my view, it boils down to oral versus written communication. Phone conversations allow for more immediate feedback through visual and auditory cues, such as facial expressions and tone of voice. These cues can indicate interest or confusion, like furrowed brows or head scratching. On the other hand, written communication, especially for longer or formal messages, offers the advantage of careful planning and audience consideration. It allows for precise wording and the application of appropriate email etiquette when necessary. The main distinction lies in the real-time interaction of phone calls versus the deliberate composition for an anticipated audience in emails.

• it can be boiled down to: nó có thể được quy về
• pick up cues: nhận biết được các dấu hiệu
• knit their eyebrows: nhíu mày
• instantaneous: ngay lập tức, tại chỗ

3. How can individuals verify the accuracy of information?

In today's digital era, the Internet serves not only as a vast information resource but also as a tool for verifying facts. It's advisable to begin your research on reputable websites, typically those with high search engine traffic, and then cross-reference information across multiple platforms. Considering diverse viewpoints helps mitigate bias—for instance, relying on a single online product review for a purchase decision is risky, as reviewers may be incentivized. Therefore, consulting several sources and seeking anecdotal evidence from friends or family who have firsthand experience with the product ensures a more informed decision-making process.

• fact-checking tool: công cụ kiểm chứng thông tin
• traffic(n): lưu lượng truy cập
• bias (n): sự thiên vị
• anecdotal evidence: bằng chứng qua thử nghiệm

4. Is online information trustworthy?

While people are wary of online information, they often still act upon it. There's awareness of hidden agendas behind content; for instance, a blog post on healthy eating may appear informative but could subtly promote a specific meal plan or diet product. Readers are increasingly discerning of clickbait headlines and cautious about sharing sensationalized content. Despite efforts to avoid misleading articles, distrust continues to grow with each new victim.

• act on st: hành động dựa trên thông tin
• underlying agenda: mục đích ngầm
• judicious (adj): khôn ngoan
• err on the side of caution: cẩn trọng
• clickbait (n): đường link có tính chất gây tranh cãi để thu hút người dùng
• misleading: gây nhầm lẫn