Sample Speaking Part 2, 3: Describe a recent art exhibition you attended

2. Structure of Part 2

2.1. Sample idea (Vietnamese)

2.2. Quick notes in 1 minute (English)

3. Example Speaking: Discuss a recent art exhibition you attended

I’ve always been a fan of art, but I wasn’t very involved in Vietnam’s art scene. It wasn’t until the Tet holiday in 2020 that I attended my first art exhibition, called “Tỏa 3”, at the Vincom Center for Contemporary Art. This exhibition made a lasting impression on me, and I'll share more about my experience today.

To be honest, I didn't even know about this exhibition beforehand, which highlights the lack of media coverage on art exhibitions in Vietnam. A few days after Tet in 2020, my friends invited me to visit this 'viral' exhibition near my home. They had given me promising reviews, such as “an enlightening experience” and “strangely fascinating but definitely worth seeing”, so I decided to join them to see what all the excitement was about. And I have to say, this exhibition was one of the most memorable art experiences I’ve had so far.

What impressed me most during this visit were the artworks on display. The artworks at this exhibition were contemporary, spanning various genres including paintings, installations, ceramics, sculptures, and 3D projections. The themes explored by the many artists featured in this exhibition were also remarkably diverse, covering topics from remnants of war to the intricate relationship between humans and nature, and the juxtaposition of the grand and the mundane in everyday life.

While all the pieces were impressive, my favorite was a series of projections depicting an alternate universe devoid of human presence. These projections were visually stunning, presenting unfamiliar cityscapes adorned with flowers—a combination that provoked profound thoughts for me.

I was captivated throughout my journey through each section of the exhibition, as each section seemed distinct yet connected, all posing a central question: Is the world as you have always perceived it? This exhibition prompted me to contemplate themes I hadn’t previously considered, offering a glimpse into the intricate, sensitive, and oddly relatable souls of other artists.

Not all artworks were easy to grasp or even enjoy. Many seemed designed to challenge the viewer’s perspectives, yet none were dull or uninteresting. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this exhibition and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone if it were to be exhibited again.

Below are some key scoring vocabulary used in the sample Describe an art exhibition you attended:

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  • frankly (adv): thẳng thắn mà nói, nói thẳng ra
  • in the first place (adv): ban đầu
  • shortage (n): sự thiếu hụt
  • media coverage (phr): phủ sóng truyền thông
  • to be to blame (phr): là lỗi của ai, cái gì
  • viral (a): phổ biến nhanh chóng
  • eye-opening (a): mở mang tầm mắt
  • bizarre (a): kỳ lạ, kỳ quặc
  • tag along (phrasal verb): đi cùng
  • what the fuss was about: mọi người bàn tán, phản ứng nồng nhiệt vì lý do gì
  • contemporary art (n): nghệ thuật đương đại
  • installation (n): tác phẩm sắp đặt
  • war remnant (n): tàn dư chiến tranh
  • mundane (a): thế tục, cõi trần
  • top notch (a): chất lượng cao
  • visually (adv): về mặt hình ảnh
  • cityscape (n): khung cảnh thành thị
  • in awe (adj): ngỡ ngàng
  • ponder (v): băn khoăn, trăn trở
  • get a glimpse of (phr): nhìn thoáng qua
  • relatable (a): có thể liên hệ, đồng cảm được
  • grasp (v): thấu hiểu, nắm được
  • perspective (n): góc nhìn, quan điểm
  • stale (a): cũ kĩ

II. Sample Answer IELTS Speaking Part 3: Art

1. Why do some individuals enjoy observing paintings and sculptures while others do not?

It's challenging to identify a single reason as the definitive cause. I believe some people naturally possess a love for paintings, sculptures, and similar forms, being more sensitive to art. They grasp the underlying symbolism more easily and find themselves more engaged when viewing a compelling painting, thus explaining their interest.

However, I think many people lack proper education on art and its appreciation, which is why they may perceive artworks merely as ornate decorations for the privileged few or certain individuals in society. 

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    • pinpoint (v): chỉ ra 
    • ultimate (a): cơ bản, nền tảng
    • underlying (a): ngầm, ẩn tàng
    • metaphor (n): ẩn dụ
    • stimulate (v): kích thích
    • inadequate (a): thiếu hụt
    • fancy (a): hào nhoáng
    • aesthetics (n): trường phái mỹ học
    • elite (n): thành phần tinh túy, ưu tú

2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of being an artist?

The greatest advantage? Living a life filled with inspiration, expressing thoughts and emotions through various media, and exploring personal identity to convey that through art. If you're a master of your craft, you may also earn a good living, which undoubtedly is a significant perk. However, creating art can be pressurizing as inspiration can easily wane.

As both public taste and personal preferences evolve over time, striking a subtle balance between creating what's popular and potentially profitable and producing art that truly resonates with you as an artist can pose a considerable challenge. 

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    • identity (n): cá tính, đặc tính
    • a master of one’s own craft (phr): bậc thầy trong lĩnh vực/công việc của mình
    • come and go (idiom): đến và đi rất nhanh
    • delicate balance (phr): sự cân bằng mong manh
    • speak to you: quan trọng với bạn

3. Do you believe that some individuals are naturally more skilled artists than others?

There are certainly art prodigies who can create exceptional paintings, sculptures, or music without formal training. These individuals possess innate talent and a deep sensitivity to art, which facilitates their ability to sell their works and secure placements in prestigious exhibitions more swiftly and easily.

Conversely, the number of individuals born with such innate talent is arguably limited compared to those who develop proficiency in art despite not having natural gifts. Therefore, while some may excel in art due to natural talent, art is not exclusively restricted to those with inherent talent but is accessible to passionate artists regardless. 

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    • prodigy (n): thiên tài
    • prior (a): trước đó
    • rare sight (n): hiện tượng hiếm
    • get featured in (phr): xuất hiện trong
    • prestigious (a): danh giá
    • arguably (adv): được cho rằng
    • modest (a): khiêm tốn
    • excel at (phr): tài giỏi
    • gatekeep (v): việc người khác cho rằng ai đó không được tham gia vào một lĩnh vực nào đó
    • inherent (a): bẩm sinh

Here is a comprehensive IELTS Speaking Part 2 + 3 sample topic on describing an art exhibition you visited. We wish you effective Mytouraration and success in achieving a high Speaking band score!