Buzz
1. Sample IELTS Speaking part 1 – topic Gifts
1.1. Do you prefer giving or receiving gifts?
I guess even the smallest gift can bring a smile to my face, because who doesn’t love to receive free stuff anyway? On the other hand, I’m pretty inarticulate and not good at putting things into words so I often give people a gift to show how much I care about them.
- Bring a smile to one’s face: khiến ai đó cười
- Inarticulate (adj): không giỏi diễn đạt bằng lời nói
1.2. What types of gifts do you enjoy receiving?
I personally prefer receiving practical gifts that I can use daily, such as clothing, coffee mugs, or even bathroom rugs. The cost of the gift doesn’t matter much to me; it's the utility that counts.
1.3. On what occasions do people exchange gifts in your country?
People typically exchange gifts on special occasions like birthdays, weddings, graduations, or house-warming parties. However, I believe that if you genuinely care for someone, you can give them a gift for no specific reason.
1.4. When was the last time you received a gift?
I just turned 18 last month, so on my birthday my friends bought me a bunch of presents, but I particularly love the beautiful white dress my best friend Susan got me. We see eye to eye in fashion and clothing so she picked the exact dress that I’ve always wanted and I’ve been wearing it very often.
- See eye to eye: có cùng quan điểm
2. IELTS Speaking part 2: Describe a prize or award you would like to win.
You should say:
- What prize it is
- How you know about this prize/award
- What you would need to do to get it (or, how you would win it)
- and explain why you would like to win this prize
Example
The prize I would like to get is from a quiz show called “Who wants to be a millionaire?”, which is well-known all over the world.
The show is broadcasted on VTV3 every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m and it has become a part of my childhood because it has been around for nearly 20 years. Maybe you are familiar with the format of the game, where contestants tackle 15 multiple-choice questions to win large cash prizes.
You receive the question with four options and have unlimited time to select one correct answer. The cash prize increases as you progress through increasingly challenging questions.
The maximum cash prize offered in most versions of the format is highly dependent on the local currency. In Vietnam, it is around USD100.000. For every answer that you get right, you’ll be awarded a determined amount of money.
Apparently, if you’re not sure about one particular question, you can always call it a day and go home with the money. But if you’re feeling adventurous you can just go with your gut. And there are always “aids” you can use, for example, you can call your friends for help, consult the audience or choose to have 2 of the options eliminated.
Winning first prize, which means nailing all 15 questions, is what I’m aiming for. I think the game is brilliant because it allows people to challenge themselves with some actual brain-twisters that range from current social affairs to more in-depth problems of math, physics or literature.
The game requires you to know a bit of everything, so I’m reading up on areas that I’m not interested in or familiar with, and this allows me to expand my horizon. If I had some time to spare I would definitely give this competition a whirl, to see if I could win a handsome amount of money.
Lexicon
- Well-known (adj): nổi tiếng
- Broadcast (v): chiếu (trên các phương tiện truyền thông)
- Contestant (n): thí sinh
- Local currency (n): mức tiền tệ trong nước
- Call it a day: dừng việc gì đó lại, không làm nữa
- Go with your gut: làm theo cảm tính
- Eliminate (v): loại bỏ
- Nail (down): thành công, làm được cái gì
- Brain-twister (n): câu hỏi, vấn đề gây “xoắn não”
- Expand my horizon: mở rộng kiến thức
- Give s.th a whirl: thử làm gì đó
- Handsome amount of money: số tiền lớn
3. IELTS Speaking part 3 topic: Competitions and awards
3.1. Is it beneficial for children to participate in competitions?
Healthy competition motivates children to strive for excellence rather than mediocrity. When students compete, they become more inquisitive and learn to collaborate with others. They will go above and beyond the call of duty. These skills prepare youngsters for a wide range of future circumstances. Competition can be beneficial when it offers children feedback on their performance and improvement, when winning is not the sole and primary goal, and when children learn about how adversity can bring out the best in them.
- Strive for: cố gắng
- Mediocrity (n): sự xoàng xĩnh, cẩu thả
- Inquisitive (adj): ham học hỏi
- Adversity (n): nghịch cảnh
3.2. Should parents encourage their children to achieve awards?
In my opinion, parents should not urge children to do anything against their will, because it does not benefit the children in any particular way, yet increases the tension between family members, who are supposed to be supportive. On the other hand, parents can motivate the young to trust the process and believe in themselves when entering any kind of competition.
Children should not feel disheartened if they don't succeed but should be motivated to strive harder next time. Ultimately, the award reflects their ongoing efforts and shouldn't be viewed solely as a measure of a child's progress.
- Against one’s will: trái ý muốn của ai
- Tension (n): sự căng thẳng
3.3. Do you believe it’s beneficial to offer awards in school and university?
I do think that’s a great idea. By establishing competitions, and of course, the prize, the school is providing students with an incentive to learn and work hard. Awards such as Student of the Month, Perfect Attendance Awards or Dean’s List increase students’ confidence and may even benefit their future when they include these accomplishments on their CVs.
Furthermore, while school might be considered a boring place, having competitions adds a level of amusement, making it a more enjoyable setting. Even if a pupil loses a competition, it can be turned into a valuable lesson later on. Overall, it is a good and much-needed practice in the school environment.
- Dean’s list (n): giải thưởng Học sinh xuất sắc
- Much-needed (adj): cần thiết
3.4. Do you think corporations should reward their employees?
Definitely! Employees are motivated to do their best in their jobs when they receive the award of Employee of the Month, promotions, or simply a bonus. This is, in fact, a must-have for individuals who are naturally competitive in the workplace, as it keeps them motivated during their time at the company.
Some employees, however, may get jealous or even hostile toward others, but to a certain level, it is also a motivating aspect in developing a feeling of sportsmanship and making them want to do their utmost the next time to win the prize.
- Keeps s.o motivated: giúp ai đó có động lực
- Hostile (adj): có tính thù địch
- Do one’s utmost: cố gắng hết sức
