Buzz
Sample essay topic Illustrating a period you were busy
Describe a period when you were very busy You should say:
and explain how you managed your time during this period. |
Examining the prompt
Thí sinh cần mô tả một khoảng thời gian mà bản thân từng rất bận rộn. Các từ khóa quan trọng ở đây là 'a period’ và ‘you were very busy’. Dưới đây là sơ đồ tư duy bao gồm các khía cạnh của đề bài mà thí sinh cần giải quyết:
Áp dụng phương pháp “IWHC” để tạo phần ghi chú tóm tắt câu trả lời cho đề bài ở trên. Phần ghi chú này có thể áp dụng trong khoảng thời gian 1 phút chuẩn bị trước khi nói trong phòng thi, góp phần giúp thí sinh nhớ được những nội dung chính cần phải đưa ra trong 1 phút rưỡi tới 2 phút trả lời sau đó (thí sinh có thể lược bỏ phần “introduction” và “conclusion” nếu cần thiết):
introduction: chock-full, non-stop action, dawn till dusk when it was: two years ago, final semester, whirlwind, looming over why you were busy: flurry of activity, piled my plate too high, juggling, keep all the balls in the air what you had to do: off to the races, man possessed, hunkered down, weekends, job and group projects how you managed your time during this period: the real kicker, time-blocking techniques, mantra, honing, crucial tasks first conclusion: dropping, spinning plates, art of time mangagment |
Sample essay
introduction | Today, I'd like to delve into a time when my days were chock-full, I mean, just non-stop action from dawn till dusk. |
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when it was | This was, let's see, about two years ago when I was in the thick of my final semester at university. It was a whirlwind of lectures, assignments, and, of course, the dreaded dissertation looming over me. |
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why you were busy | So, in terms of why I was caught up in this flurry of activity, well, I had piled my plate too high, academically speaking. I was juggling a part-time job, a full course load, and my role as the editor of the university's journal. Each day was a balancing act, with me trying to keep all the balls in the air. |
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what you had to do | What did my typical day involve? Wake up, quick coffee, and then it was off to the races. I'd dash to class, scribble notes like a man possessed, and in the evenings, you'd find me hunkered down in the library, knee-deep in research papers. The weekends weren't my own either; they were reserved for my job and any group projects that needed extra attention. |
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and explain how you managed your time during this period | Now, managing my time, that was the real kicker. I had to get smart about it—real smart. I started using time-blocking techniques, which is, you know, dedicating specific chunks of time to different tasks. And I adopted the mantra 'work smarter, not harder.' That meant honing in on the most crucial tasks first, not the loudest ones. |
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conclusion | Looking back, it was a crazy time, but somehow, I made it through without dropping any of those spinning plates. And, I've got to say, it taught me a thing or two about the art of time management. |
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Example of IELTS Speaking Part 3
1. Do you believe that very young children are pressured to work too hard in school in your country?
Câu trả lời mẫu: “Yeah, you know, that's a bit of a hot topic these days. In my country, there's definitely a trend toward starting education early and, um, really pushing kids quite hard. I see little ones with backpacks heavier than, you know, it seems they should be carrying. The workload can be intense, with not just academics but also extracurriculars. So yeah, I'd say they do work pretty hard, maybe sometimes too hard for their age. It's all well-intentioned, though, aiming for a good start in life, but there's a fine line, isn't there?”
Phân tích từ vựng:
Intense: Having a very strong effect or felt very strongly.
Phiên âm IPA: /ɪnˈtɛns/
Nghĩa: Mạnh mẽ hoặc cực độ.
Lưu ý: Thường được dùng để mô tả mức độ cao của cảm xúc, hoạt động, hoặc áp lực.
Extracurriculars: Activities that students do outside of their regular school curriculum.
Phiên âm IPA: /ˌɛkstrəkəˈrɪkjʊlərz/
Nghĩa: Hoạt động ngoại khóa.
Lưu ý: Dùng để chỉ các hoạt động bao gồm thể thao, nghệ thuật, âm nhạc, và các câu lạc bộ, giúp phát triển kỹ năng và sở thích cá nhân của học sinh sinh viên.
A fine line: A small and often unclear difference between two things.
Phiên âm IPA: /ə faɪn laɪn/
Nghĩa: Sự khác biệt nhỏ, mơ hồ.
Lưu ý: Thường được dùng để mô tả một sự khác biệt tinh tế và không thực sự rõ ràng giữa hai thứ - khó mà có thể phân biệt rạch ròi được.
2. Do you concur that young children acquire more knowledge through play than through classroom lessons?
Câu trả lời mẫu: “Oh, absolutely! Play is like, it's the language of kids, right? It's how they explore the world, learn social skills, and, well, let their imaginations run wild. Through play, they learn problem-solving, they learn to share, negotiate, all that good stuff. It's hands-on learning, which I reckon often sticks better than what's taught in the formal setting of a classroom. Not to knock the classroom though; it's also important. But play is a child's natural way of learning about life.”
Phân tích từ vựng:
Negotiate: To discuss something in order to reach an agreement.
Phiên âm IPA: /nɪˈɡoʊʃieɪt/
Nghĩa: Thỏa thuận.
Lưu ý: Dùng để chỉ các bên (cá nhân hoặc tổ chức) có ý định chung tự nguyện cùng nhau thực hiện những nghĩa vụ mà họ đã cùng nhau chấp nhận vì lợi ích của các bên.
Hands-on learning: Learning through doing and direct experience.
Phiên âm IPA: /ˈhændzˌɒn ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/
Nghĩa: Học thông qua việc làm và trải nghiệm trực tiếp.
Lưu ý: Phương pháp học này giúp tăng cường hiểu biết và kỹ năng thực tế.
Formal setting: An official or structured environment.
Phiên âm IPA: /ˈfɔːrməl ˈsɛtɪŋ/
Nghĩa: Một môi trường trang trọng.
Lưu ý: Thường được dùng để mô tả một tình huống hoặc địa điểm tổ chức nghiêm túc, như trường học hoặc nơi làm việc.
3. Do you believe it is necessary for children to have lengthy school breaks/vacations?
Câu trả lời mẫu: “For sure, I think they do. I mean, kids need a break just as much as adults do, maybe even more. They're at this stage where their brains are like sponges, soaking up everything. A break from school allows them to, you know, recharge, pursue other interests, and just be kids! Long holidays give them the chance to spend time with family, travel, and enjoy leisure activities, which are all super important for their development and well-being.”
Phân tích từ vựng:
Sponges: Used metaphorically to describe someone who absorbs information easily.
Phiên âm IPA: /spʌndʒɪz/
Nghĩa: Bọt biển.
Lưu ý: Thường được dùng để ví von khả năng học và tiếp thu kiến thức mới nhanh chóng của một người.
Leisure activities: Activities done for enjoyment in one's free time.
Phiên âm IPA: /ˈliːʒər ækˈtɪvɪtiz/
Nghĩa: Các hoạt động giải trí thư giãn.
Lưu ý: Bao gồm các hoạt động liên quan tới sở thích và giải trí như đọc sách, thể thao, du lịch, v.v.
4. What are the pros and cons of having a heavy workload?
Câu trả lời mẫu: “Well, on the plus side, having a lot on your plate at work can make the day fly by. You're never bored, and it can be really satisfying to check things off your list. It can lead to learning a ton and, you know, rapid skill development. But the downside? It can be overwhelming, can't it? Too much work can lead to stress, burnout, and, well, it might mean you're not able to do everything to the best of your ability. It's all about balance, isn't it?”
Phân tích từ vựng:
Rapid skill development: The quick acquisition of new abilities and knowledge.
Phiên âm IPA: /ˈræpɪd skɪl dɪˈvɛləpmənt/
Nghĩa: Sự phát triển kỹ năng nhanh chóng.
Lưu ý: Thường được dùng để chỉ về việc tiếp thu kỹ năng mới trong thời gian rất ngắn.
Overwhelming: Causing someone to feel suddenly very confused or unable to cope.
Phiên âm IPA: /ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/
Nghĩa: Gây cho ai đó cảm giác bối rối đột ngột hoặc không thể đối phó.
Lưu ý: Thường được dùng để mô tả cảm giác áp đảo do áp lực hoặc thông tin quá nhiều.
5. Could you propose some methods for companies to compensate employees for working extended hours?
Câu trả lời mẫu: “Yeah, rewarding hard work, that's key to keeping staff happy and motivated. So, like, one way could be through bonuses or extra pay for those hours. Or maybe some time off in lieu—like, 'you put in the extra hours this week, take an afternoon off next week.' Companies could also offer things like flexible working arrangements, more holiday time, or even just a simple recognition program, you know, to show that the extra effort doesn't go unnoticed. It's about showing appreciation, isn't it?”
Phân tích từ vựng:
Extra pay: Additional money earned for work done beyond the usual hours.
Phiên âm IPA: /ˈɛkstrə peɪ/
Nghĩa: Tiền thưởng thêm.
Lưu ý: Thường được dùng làm động viên cho nhân viên làm thêm giờ hoặc công việc đặc biệt.
Flexible working arrangements: Work schedules that allow employees to vary their hours and locations.
Phiên âm IPA: /ˈflɛksɪbəl ˈwɜrkɪŋ əˈreɪndʒmənts/
Nghĩa: Lịch trình làm việc linh hoạt.
Lưu ý: Giúp cân bằng giữa công việc và cuộc sống cá nhân, thường bao gồm làm việc từ xa hoặc giờ làm việc linh hoạt.
Acknowledgment program: A structured system or strategy to formally recognize employees' accomplishments and contributions.
IPA pronunciation: /rɛkəgˈnɪʃən ˈproʊgræm/
Meaning: A program to acknowledge achievements.
Note: Designed to enhance motivation and job satisfaction, may include rewards, praise, or other benefits.
Hopefully, through this article, learners have grasped how to develop ideas for the topic Describe a period you were busy.
