Illustrate an instance when someone inquired about your viewpoint - Model IELTS Speaking part 2, part 3

1. IELTS Speaking part 2: Illustrate an instance when someone asked you for your opinion

1.1. The Topic

To begin, you need to provide the examiner with a general context of when the other person asked for your opinion. You can introduce the location, time of the event, the occasion it was, and any memorable aspects.

Next, you should narrate the story with more details: How did the other person feel when hearing your opinion? What was the final outcome when the other person followed or did not follow your advice? 

Finally, explain why the other person needed your opinion. This is the most crucial part, and you should allocate more time to this section.

1.2. Sample 1 - Discuss an occasion when someone sought your opinion

Alright, so I won’t tell their names outright because I believe that would betray their confidence in me, but the most significant case of this that comes to me right now was when one of my close friends inquired about a lady he was interested in.

I told him pretty forcefully that I didn’t think it was a good idea since, based on our encounters, she appeared quite shallow and self-centered. Since my buddy is an extremely kind and compassionate person, I strongly discouraged the notion since I thought she would probably take advantage of him.

Fortunately for all of us involved in this tale, he ignored my advice and went after the girl. They are a great example of not judging a book by its cover because they have been together happily for a while. I didn’t give this girl enough time to get to know her, so I spoke out before I had all the facts I needed to make a wise choice.

I hope this helps me make wiser choices in giving advice in the future. Luckily, I don't believe that one bad advice experience has significantly affected how my friends view my advice. They understand that my priorities still revolve around them.

1.2.1. Key Vocabulary

1.2.2. Translation

Alright, I won't mention their names immediately because I believe that would betray their trust in me, especially in cases that matter to me at this moment, like when one of my close friends asked about a woman he cares about.

Fortunately, for all of us involved in this story, he disregarded my advice and pursued the girl. They are a great example of not judging a book by its cover because they have been happily together for a while. I didn't give this girl enough time to get to know her, so I spoke up before having enough information to make a wise choice.

I hope this will help me give more insightful advice in the future. Fortunately, I don't think that a bad experience with advice has negatively impacted my friends' perception of my advice too much. He knows that my priorities are still for him.

1.3. Sample 2 - Describe a time when someone asked you for your opinion

Given my reputation for having strong opinions on a wide range of subjects, it is easy to figure out where I stand on the most of these arguments. I don’t think of myself as the kind of person who remains neutral during a debate to avoid possible arguments. You can count on me to put my all into everything I set my mind to, and I won’t give up until it’s done. Tell me about a time when I was sought for guidance by an old friend of mine before making a big purchase.

We always chat about everything before making any big life decisions since we are so comfortable with one another, and vice versa. He still thinks there is merit in my perspective, even if we have previously disagreed. Since I see myself as an “advisor,” I think I’m qualified to provide him wise advice on his Bluetooth speaker purchase. He came to me for guidance and counsel as a result.

He inquired about the differences between JBL and Bose, so I gladly gave him a rundown of all the features that set each company apart, including bass, treble, battery life, color choices, and product quality. After considering the choices he indicated and the financial constraints he described, I concluded that the JBL extreme addition speaker would be the best option for him. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my message.

1.3.1. Key Vocabulary

• Reputation (n): danh tiếng
• Neutral (adj): trung lập
• Be sought for guidance: đã được tìm kiếm để được hướng dẫn
• Vice versa: ngược lại
• Merit (n): công lao
• Counsel (n): lời khuyên
• Inquire (v): hỏi
• A rundown of: một danh sách
• Treble (n): âm bổng
• The financial constraints: những hạn chế tài chính

1.3.2. Translation

With my reputation for having strong opinions on various topics, it's easy to determine my stance on most arguments. I don't consider myself someone who maintains a neutral attitude in a debate to avoid potential conflicts. You can trust that I will put my utmost effort into everything I undertake and I won't give up until it's completed. Let me tell you about a time when an old friend sought guidance before making a major purchase.

We always discuss everything before making any significant decisions in life because we are very comfortable with each other and vice versa. He still believes that my opinions are valuable, even when we previously disagreed. Since I see myself as an 'advisor,' I thought I was qualified to provide him with insightful advice on purchasing Bluetooth speakers. The result was that he came to me for guidance and advice.

He asked about the difference between JBL and Bose, so I happily provided him with a list of all the features that differentiate each brand, including bass, treble, battery life, color options, and product quality. After considering the options he pointed out and the financial constraints he described, I concluded that the impressive JBL supplementary speaker would be the best choice for him. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my message.

2. IELTS Speaking part 3: Describe a time when someone asked you for your opinion

2.1. Have you ever sought someone's opinion?

Yes, I always will and I do it on a regular basis. Nobody can perform at 100% all the time, and it would be absurd to believe that many of the issues I confront haven’t previously been considered or resolved by other, more seasoned individuals. I believe that accepting advice is a type of vulnerability in and of itself, despite the tendency of some individuals to view it as an admission of weakness.

• Absurd (adj): vô lý
• Confront (v): gặp phải
• Seasoned individuals: cá nhân dày dạn kinh nghiệm

Translation: Yes, I always do and I do it frequently. No one can operate at 100% all the time, and it would be absurd to believe that many issues I've faced before haven't been considered or addressed by individuals with more experience. I believe that accepting advice itself has been a form of vulnerability, although some individuals tend to see it as acknowledging weaknesses.

2.2. Why do some individuals respond rudely when hearing others' stories?

Unfortunately, I believe that as time goes on, people in general are just growing more and more self-indulgent and distracted. Even if this could just be my own pessimism coming through, I believe it to be true. The emphasis that society has put on achieving financial and personal success is so evident that many individuals may believe that listening to others is not worthwhile unless they stand to gain anything directly from the conversation.

• Self-indulgent (adj): buông thả bản thân
• Distracted (adj): mất tập trung
• Pessimism (n): sự bi quan

Translation: Unfortunately, over time, I believe people in general are becoming more relaxed and less focused. Even if this may just be my pessimism, I still believe it to be true. Society emphasizes achieving financial and personal success so much that many individuals may believe listening to others is worthless unless they directly benefit from the conversation.

2.3. Why do people find it simpler to voice their opinions on social media?

The accessibility is, in my opinion, the most important factor. Due to the extensive usage of social media and the low barrier to entry, sharing your opinions with the world doesn’t have to be too tough. As with previous forms of communication in the past, there are no limitations on what can be discussed or posted on social media. Unlike printed media, radio stations, or television broadcasts, the reach of your is determined by its current importance and how it is presented to the public, not by where you reside.

• Printed media (n): phương tiện truyền thông in ấn
• Radio stations (n): đài phát thanh
• Television broadcasts (n): chương trình truyền hình

Translation: In my view, accessibility is the most crucial factor. Because social media is widely used and has low entry barriers, sharing your opinions with others is no longer difficult. Like previous forms of communication, there are no limits on the content that can be discussed or posted on social media. Unlike print media, radio, or television, your reach is determined by its current relevance and how it's presented to the public rather than where you reside.

2.4. What are the drawbacks of sharing information on the Internet or social media?

I believe that one of the major drawbacks of sharing personal information online is the possibility of identity theft or other criminal behavior. Numerous instances exist of people sharing every aspect of their lives on the internet, such as their home address, occupation, hobbies, preferred vacation spots, preferred products, and so forth. This can result in a variety of negative outcomes, such as being the victim of online abuse and/or cyberbullying, losing money or personal belongings while on vacation, or even being the reason behind the deaths of some.

• Identity theft (n): đánh cắp danh tính
• So forth: vân vân
• Online abuse (n): lạm dụng trực tuyến
• Cyberbullying: bắt nạt qua mạng

Dịch: Tôi tin rằng một trong những hạn chế lớn của việc chia sẻ thông tin cá nhân trực tuyến là khả năng bị đánh cắp danh tính hoặc các hành vi tội phạm khác. Có nhiều trường hợp mọi người chia sẻ mọi khía cạnh cuộc sống của họ trên internet, chẳng hạn như địa chỉ nhà, nghề nghiệp, sở thích, địa điểm nghỉ dưỡng ưa thích, sản phẩm ưa thích, v.v. Điều này có thể dẫn đến nhiều kết quả tiêu cực, chẳng hạn như trở thành nạn nhân của lạm dụng trực tuyến và/hoặc bắt nạt qua mạng, mất tiền hoặc đồ dùng cá nhân khi đi nghỉ hoặc thậm chí là nguyên nhân dẫn đến cái chết của một số người.

2.5. Tại sao mọi người không đưa ra ý kiến của mình?

When they have strong opinions about anything, some individuals voice them, while others keep quiet till they have something significant to say. This, in my opinion, is because those who are afraid to voice their thoughts know that having a public conversation always results in perspective adjustments and might draw unwelcome attention. My personal rule is to always speak highly of people I know and to never speak poorly about them. My friends think I’m not really on board with what they’re doing for the same reason.

• Voice their thought: nói lên suy nghĩ của mình
• Perspective adjustments: những điều chỉnh về quan điểm
• On board with: đồng tình với

Dịch: Khi họ có quan điểm mạnh mẽ về bất cứ điều gì, một số cá nhân lên tiếng, trong khi những người khác giữ im lặng cho đến khi họ có điều gì đó quan trọng để nói. Theo tôi, điều này là do những người ngại nói lên suy nghĩ của mình biết rằng việc trò chuyện trước công chúng luôn dẫn đến những điều chỉnh về quan điểm và có thể thu hút sự chú ý không mong muốn. Quy tắc cá nhân của tôi là luôn đánh giá cao những người tôi biết và không bao giờ nói xấu họ. Bạn bè tôi cho rằng tôi không thực sự đồng tình với những gì họ đang làm cũng vì lý do tương tự.

2.6. Bạn có nghĩ rằng việc trẻ em có và thể hiện ý kiến/ý tưởng của riêng mình là quan trọng không?

Children getting the opportunity to express their ideas and emotions is, in my opinion, a fantastic method to promote self-reliance and independent thought. Speaking their minds and discussing problems without fear of rejection or mockery at home increases the likelihood that these attitudes will follow them into adulthood.

If you allow kids the chance to express their ideas and feelings, they will feel appreciated and respected. The relationship between a parent and kid has numerous dimensions, some of which are fundamental, such as mutual respect. Children who are never given the opportunity to voice their ideas will grow up to think they are worthless.

• Self-reliance (n): tính tự lập
• Rejection (n): bị từ chối
• Mockery (n): sự chế nhạo
• Dimensions (n): khía cạnh

Dịch: Theo tôi, trẻ em có cơ hội bày tỏ ý tưởng và cảm xúc của mình là một phương pháp tuyệt vời để phát huy tính tự lập và suy nghĩ độc lập. Nói ra suy nghĩ của mình và thảo luận các vấn đề mà không sợ bị từ chối hoặc chế nhạo ở nhà sẽ làm tăng khả năng những thái độ này sẽ theo chúng đến khi trưởng thành.