IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời Chủ Đề “Describe a Person Who is Very Dependable at Work” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Trong hành trình chinh phục IELTS Speaking, chủ đề về con người luôn chiếm tỷ trọng lớn và xuất hiện thường xuyên. Đặc biệt, đề bài “Describe A Person Who Is Very Dependable At Work” là một trong những topic phổ biến nhất, xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ năm 2020 đến nay. Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế, chủ đề này xuất hiện trung bình 2-3 lần mỗi quý và có khả năng tiếp tục xuất hiện trong tương lai ở mức độ cao.

Chủ đề này đánh giá khả năng mô tả con người trong bối cảnh công việc – một tình huống vô cùng thực tế và gần gũi. Giám khảo muốn nghe cách bạn diễn đạt về phẩm chất chuyên nghiệp, trách nhiệm và sự đáng tin cậy – những giá trị quan trọng trong môi trường làm việc hiện đại.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được cách trả lời hiệu quả cho cả 3 phần thi, từ câu hỏi khởi động ở Part 1, đến bài nói dài Part 2, và thảo luận sâu Part 3. Bài viết cung cấp bài mẫu chi tiết theo nhiều band điểm từ 6-9, phân tích cụ thể từng điểm mạnh và hạn chế, kèm theo kho từ vựng phong phú và chiến lược trả lời từ góc nhìn của một examiner giàu kinh nghiệm. Đây chính là những gì bạn cần để tự tin bước vào phòng thi và đạt được band điểm mong muốn.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 của IELTS Speaking thường kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích cá nhân và những trải nghiệm quen thuộc. Đây là phần khởi động giúp bạn làm quen với giám khảo và môi trường thi.

Đặc điểm của Part 1 là các câu hỏi đơn giản, dễ hiểu và liên quan trực tiếp đến bản thân. Tuy nhiên, nhiều thí sinh Việt Nam thường mắc lỗi trả lời quá ngắn gọn, chỉ một hai từ kiểu “Yes, I do” hoặc “No, I don’t”. Chiến lược hiệu quả là mở rộng câu trả lời thành 2-3 câu với cấu trúc: Trả lời trực tiếp + Lý do/Giải thích + Ví dụ cụ thể.

Lỗi phổ biến khác của học viên Việt Nam bao gồm việc sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản, lặp lại cấu trúc câu, thiếu ví dụ minh họa, và đặc biệt là không tận dụng cơ hội để thể hiện vốn từ vựng của mình. Hãy nhớ rằng Part 1 tuy đơn giản nhưng là cơ hội tuyệt vời để tạo ấn tượng ban đầu tốt với giám khảo.

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you think it’s important to be reliable at work?

Question 2: What qualities do you think make a good colleague?

Question 3: Have you ever worked with someone who is very dependable?

Question 4: How do you feel when someone lets you down at work or school?

Question 5: Do you consider yourself a reliable person?

Question 6: What do you do to build trust with your colleagues?

Question 7: Who is the most dependable person you know?

Question 8: How important is teamwork in your workplace or study environment?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you think it’s important to be reliable at work?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp với “Yes” hoặc “Absolutely”
• Đưa ra 1-2 lý do cụ thể
• Thêm ví dụ ngắn gọn từ kinh nghiệm cá nhân hoặc quan sát

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think it’s very important to be reliable at work. When people can trust you, they will give you more responsibilities. In my experience, reliable people often get promoted faster than others.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, có lý do rõ ràng và đưa ra quan sát từ kinh nghiệm.
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn đơn giản (very important, trust, responsibilities), thiếu cụm từ nâng cao, câu văn tương đối ngắn.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Fluency ổn định, grammar chính xác nhưng đơn giản, vocabulary adequate nhưng chưa impressive, ideas rõ ràng nhưng chưa sâu sắc.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Absolutely, I’d say reliability is paramount in any professional setting. When you consistently deliver on your commitments, you build a reputation that opens doors to better opportunities. For instance, in my previous internship, the colleagues who were known for their dependability were always the first ones assigned to high-profile projects, simply because managers knew they could count on them without constant supervision.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng từ vựng sophisticated (“paramount”, “deliver on commitments”, “build a reputation”), cụm từ tự nhiên (“count on them”, “high-profile projects”), cấu trúc câu phức (relative clause), ví dụ cụ thể và thuyết phục từ kinh nghiệm thực tế.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency xuất sắc với discourse marker “Absolutely, I’d say”, Vocabulary precise và topic-specific, Grammar đa dạng với cấu trúc phức tạp, Ideas được phát triển tốt với supporting evidence cụ thể.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• paramount (adj): vô cùng quan trọng, tối thượng
• deliver on commitments: thực hiện đúng cam kết
• build a reputation: xây dựng danh tiếng
• dependability (n): sự đáng tin cậy, đáng dựa vào
• count on someone: tin tưởng vào ai đó, dựa vào ai đó

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Question: Have you ever worked with someone who is very dependable?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời Yes/No một cách tự nhiên
• Mô tả ngắn gọn về người đó
• Đưa ra một tình huống cụ thể thể hiện sự đáng tin cậy

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I have. My former team leader was very dependable. She always finished her tasks on time and helped us when we had problems. Everyone in the team trusted her because she never broke her promises.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có example cụ thể, câu văn mạch lạc, grammar chính xác.
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary cơ bản (very dependable, finished tasks, had problems), thiếu detail về tình huống cụ thể, chưa có cảm xúc hoặc impact.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Answer đầy đủ và clear nhưng chưa impressive, thiếu depth và sophisticated language.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Yes, definitely. I had the pleasure of working with a senior colleague who was the epitome of reliability. What really set her apart was her consistency – she would always follow through on her word, whether it was meeting deadlines or being there for team members who needed guidance. I particularly remember when our team faced a critical deadline, and she went above and beyond by staying late to ensure everything was delivered flawlessly. Her unwavering commitment really earned everyone’s respect.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary nâng cao và precise (“epitome of reliability”, “set her apart”, “follow through”, “unwavering commitment”), grammar complex với nhiều clause, ví dụ cụ thể và vivid với details về situation và impact, tone tự nhiên và conversational.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tuyệt vời với linking natural, Lexical Resource excellent với collocations và idiomatic language, Grammar sophisticated với variety of structures, Ideas well-developed với specific example và emotional connection.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• the epitome of: hình mẫu của, điển hình của
• set someone apart: làm ai đó nổi bật, khác biệt
• follow through on one’s word: thực hiện đúng lời hứa
• go above and beyond: làm nhiều hơn mong đợi
• unwavering commitment: sự cam kết không lay chuyển
• earn someone’s respect: giành được sự tôn trọng của ai đó

Giao tiếp hiệu quả trong môi trường làm việc chuyên nghiệp giúp xây dựng mối quan hệ tin cậy

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Question: How do you feel when someone lets you down at work or school?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Diễn tả cảm xúc một cách honest nhưng professional
• Giải thích tại sao cảm thấy như vậy
• Có thể đề cập cách xử lý tình huống

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I feel disappointed when someone doesn’t keep their promise. It affects the whole team’s work. But I try to understand that everyone can make mistakes sometimes.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Honest và balanced view, có cả emotion và understanding.
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary đơn giản (disappointed, doesn’t keep promise, make mistakes), thiếu detail về impact và cách handle, câu ngắn và simple structure.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication nhưng lacks sophistication, grammar đơn giản, ideas cơ bản.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Well, I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t frustrate me when someone fails to deliver on what they’ve promised. It’s not just about the inconvenience; it disrupts the workflow and can put additional pressure on other team members who have to pick up the slack. That said, I try to be understanding because I recognize that unexpected circumstances can arise. What bothers me more than the initial letdown is when people don’t communicate proactively or take accountability for their actions. I believe transparency is key in these situations.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Natural opening với “I’d be lying if I said”, vocabulary sophisticated và precise (“disrupts the workflow”, “pick up the slack”, “take accountability”, “transparency”), balanced perspective showing maturity, complex sentence structures với multiple clauses, clear organization of ideas.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency xuất sắc với natural discourse markers, Vocabulary rich và topic-specific với excellent collocations, Grammar highly complex và accurate, Ideas thoughtful và nuanced, showing emotional intelligence.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• fail to deliver: không hoàn thành, thất bại trong việc thực hiện
• disrupt the workflow: làm gián đoạn quy trình làm việc
• pick up the slack: gánh vác phần việc của người khác
• letdown (n): sự thất vọng, sự làm người khác thất vọng
• communicate proactively: giao tiếp chủ động
• take accountability: chịu trách nhiệm, thừa nhận lỗi lầm

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút, trong đó bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị để ghi chú trước khi nói. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để thể hiện khả năng diễn đạt liên tục và chi tiết của bạn.

Thời gian chuẩn bị 1 phút là vô cùng quý giá – hãy sử dụng nó để ghi chú keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh. Tập trung vào các bullet points trong đề bài và lên ý tưởng cho từng điểm. Nhiều thí sinh Việt Nam thường không tận dụng hết thời gian này hoặc viết quá nhiều, dẫn đến không đọc kịp khi nói.

Chiến lược quan trọng nhất là nói đủ 2 phút (tối thiểu 1.5 phút). Nếu nói dưới 1.5 phút, điểm Fluency của bạn sẽ bị ảnh hưởng đáng kể. Hãy trả lời đầy đủ tất cả các bullet points và mở rộng ý tưởng bằng examples, feelings, và details cụ thể. Với chủ đề kể về người đã biết, bạn nên sử dụng thì quá khứ cho phần kể chuyện, nhưng có thể dùng thì hiện tại khi nói về qualities hiện tại của họ.

Lỗi phổ biến của học viên Việt Nam bao gồm không sử dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị, nói dưới 1.5 phút, bỏ sót các bullet points (đặc biệt là câu “explain” cuối cùng), và sử dụng quá nhiều filler words thay vì pause tự nhiên.

Cue Card

Describe a person who is very dependable at work

You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you know this person
• What kind of work this person does
• And explain why you think this person is very dependable at work

Phân Tích Đề Bài

Dạng câu hỏi: Describe a person – Mô tả về một người cụ thể trong bối cảnh công việc.

Thì động từ: Kết hợp giữa Quá khứ (khi kể về cách biết, tình huống cụ thể trong quá khứ) và Hiện tại (khi mô tả phẩm chất, công việc hiện tại của người đó).

Bullet points phải cover:

• Who this person is: Giới thiệu tổng quan về người này (vai trò, mối quan hệ với bạn, đặc điểm nổi bật)
• How you know this person: Bối cảnh làm quen (nơi làm việc chung, dự án, hoặc môi trường khác)
• What kind of work this person does: Mô tả công việc/vai trò cụ thể, trách nhiệm chính
• Why you think this person is very dependable: Đây là phần quan trọng nhất – đưa ra qualities cụ thể, examples minh họa, impact của sự đáng tin cậy

Câu “explain” quan trọng: Phần “explain why” thường chiếm 40-50% thời gian nói và là nơi bạn ghi điểm cao nhất. Đây là lúc bạn cần đưa ra specific examples, personal feelings, và detailed analysis về tại sao người này dependable. Đừng chỉ list ra các qualities; hãy kể stories và demonstrate through actions.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about my former supervisor, Mr. Nam, who I worked with at a marketing company two years ago. He was the team leader of our department and I reported directly to him for about 18 months.

I got to know Mr. Nam when I first joined the company as a junior marketing executive. He was responsible for training me and other new employees. His main job was managing our team’s projects and making sure everything ran smoothly.

Mr. Nam works as a marketing manager, which means he has to handle many different tasks. He manages client relationships, oversees our campaigns, and coordinates with other departments. He also has to prepare reports for senior management every week.

I think Mr. Nam is very dependable for several reasons. First, he always arrives at work on time and never misses deadlines. When he promises to do something, he always does it. I remember one time when we had a very urgent project and had to work late. Mr. Nam stayed with us until midnight to make sure everything was finished properly. He never complained even though it was very tiring.

Another reason is that he always supports his team members. When I made mistakes, he didn’t get angry but helped me learn from them. He was very patient and willing to explain things multiple times if needed. Everyone in the team trusted him because he was fair and honest.

Finally, Mr. Nam was very organized. He kept detailed records of all our projects and made sure nothing was forgotten. This made our work much easier because we always knew what we needed to do. Thanks to his reliability, our team achieved good results and clients were always satisfied with our work.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Nói liên tục không gián đoạn, có sử dụng linking words cơ bản (First, Another reason, Finally). Tuy nhiên, thiếu variety trong discourse markers và một số chỗ còn mechanical.
Lexical Resource	6-7	Từ vựng adequate cho topic (supervisor, team leader, oversees campaigns, urgent project). Có một số collocations tốt (miss deadlines, supports team members) nhưng chưa sophisticated. Lặp lại một số từ (very, always).
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Sử dụng đa dạng thì (past, present) chính xác. Có một số câu phức (when clauses, which means) nhưng chủ yếu là simple và compound sentences. Không có lỗi grammar nghiêm trọng.
Pronunciation	6-7	Rõ ràng, dễ hiểu với pronunciation đúng. Stress và intonation tự nhiên ở mức cơ bản.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả các bullet points một cách rõ ràng
• ✅ Có examples cụ thể (tình huống làm việc đến nửa đêm)
• ✅ Structure logic với introduction, body, và conclusion
• ✅ Grammar chính xác, không có lỗi nghiêm trọng
• ✅ Thời lượng đủ (khoảng 1.5-2 phút)

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Từ vựng chưa đủ impressive, còn basic (very dependable, very tiring, good results)
• ⚠️ Thiếu sophisticated language và advanced expressions
• ⚠️ Examples chưa được mô tả đủ vivid và detailed
• ⚠️ Chưa thể hiện được emotional connection sâu sắc

Tương tự như chủ đề Describe a person who is very reliable, việc lựa chọn từ vựng chính xác và examples sinh động là yếu tố phân biệt giữa band 7 và band 8+.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to tell you about Sarah Chen, my project coordinator when I was working at a tech startup about three years ago. She’s someone who truly embodies the concept of reliability in the workplace, and I still consider her one of the most professional individuals I’ve had the privilege of working with.

I first met Sarah during my onboarding process at the company. She was assigned as my mentor, which meant she was responsible for helping me navigate the company culture and get up to speed with our ongoing projects. Over the course of two years, we worked closely together on numerous high-stakes projects, and I got to witness firsthand what genuine dependability looks like in a professional setting.

As for her role, Sarah worked as a senior project coordinator in our product development team. Her job entailed managing multiple projects simultaneously, liaising with different stakeholders – from developers and designers to clients and executives – and ensuring that all deliverables were met on time and to the highest standards. It was a position that required exceptional organizational skills and the ability to juggle competing priorities without dropping the ball.

What made Sarah incredibly dependable, in my view, was her consistency and attention to detail. Unlike many people who might occasionally slip up, Sarah had this remarkable ability to maintain high standards regardless of the pressure. I particularly remember one instance when our team was working on a critical product launch. We encountered unexpected technical issues just days before the deadline, and everyone was on edge. While others were panicking, Sarah remained calm and methodically worked through each problem. She stayed late – not just one night but an entire week – to ensure every aspect was thoroughly checked and nothing was overlooked.

Beyond just being punctual and meeting deadlines, what really set her apart was her proactive communication. She never waited for problems to escalate; instead, she would identify potential issues early and address them before they became serious. This forward-thinking approach saved our team countless headaches and earned her tremendous respect from both colleagues and management.

Moreover, Sarah was someone you could count on emotionally as well. When team members were struggling, she would offer support without being asked. Her door was always open, and she created an environment where people felt comfortable seeking help. This combination of professional competence and personal integrity made her truly invaluable to our team.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Nói trôi chảy, tự nhiên với hesitation tối thiểu. Sử dụng discourse markers đa dạng và natural (As for, What made…was, Beyond just, Moreover). Cohesion tốt với các ý liên kết logic.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Vocabulary range rộng và sophisticated (embodies, navigate, liaising with, juggle competing priorities, methodically worked through). Collocation precise và natural. Paraphrasing hiệu quả.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Sử dụng wide range of structures: relative clauses, conditionals, participle clauses. Accuracy cao với complex sentences. Flexibility trong việc dùng thì.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear và effortless để hiểu. Word stress và sentence stress tự nhiên. Intonation patterns appropriate.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“very dependable”, “team leader”, “urgent project”	“truly embodies”, “project coordinator”, “high-stakes projects”, “exceptional organizational skills”
Grammar	Simple and some complex sentences	Wide variety: “Unlike many people who might…”, “While others were panicking, Sarah remained calm”
Ideas	General qualities với 1-2 examples	Detailed qualities với vivid examples và emotional connection
Detail	“He stayed until midnight”	“She stayed late – not just one night but an entire week – to ensure every aspect was thoroughly checked”

Kỹ năng lãnh đạo đội nhóm hiệu quả trong môi trường công nghệ đòi hỏi sự tin cậy cao

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to talk about Lisa Martinez, who was my direct supervisor during my time at an international consulting firm about four years ago. She’s the kind of person who epitomizes what it means to be dependable – not just in terms of meeting expectations, but in consistently exceeding them while maintaining integrity throughout.

Our paths crossed when I joined the firm as a junior consultant straight out of university. Lisa was the head of the strategy division, and I was fortunate enough to be placed on her team. What initially struck me was how she took a genuine interest in my professional development from day one, going out of her way to ensure I wasn’t just thrown in the deep end but was properly equipped to thrive in a demanding environment. Over the next three years, we worked in tandem on numerous high-profile projects, ranging from corporate restructuring to market entry strategies for Fortune 500 companies.

In terms of her role, Lisa served as a senior partner specializing in strategic consulting. Her responsibilities were multifaceted – she spearheaded client engagements, oversaw a team of about fifteen consultants, and played a pivotal role in business development. What made her position particularly challenging was the sheer breadth of her portfolio. She was juggling multiple clients across different industries, each with their own unique challenges and tight deadlines, while also mentoring junior staff and contributing to the firm’s thought leadership.

What made Lisa extraordinarily dependable – and I don’t use that word lightly – was her unwavering reliability under pressure. There’s one particular incident that stands out vividly in my memory. We were working on a mission-critical project for a major client who was considering a significant acquisition. The analysis was incredibly complex, requiring us to sift through mountains of data and deliver actionable insights within an impossibly tight timeframe. Two weeks before the presentation, one of our key team members suddenly had to take emergency leave, leaving us severely understaffed.

Most managers would have panicked or passed the buck, but not Lisa. She rolled up her sleeves and immersed herself in the nitty-gritty details alongside us. I’m talking about someone at partner level spending ungodly hours doing granular analysis that was technically beneath her pay grade. She worked through weekends, meticulously reviewed every slide, and never once made us feel like we were imposing on her time. Her dedication was infectious – it galvanized the entire team to give their absolute best.

But what truly set her apart wasn’t just her work ethic; it was her holistic approach to reliability. She understood that being dependable meant more than delivering results – it meant being emotionally present for her team. When I was going through a particularly rough patch personally, she noticed the signs before I even said anything. She carved out time from her packed schedule to have a heart-to-heart conversation, offering not just professional guidance but genuine emotional support. That level of attentiveness is rare, especially at her level.

Another dimension of her dependability was her commitment to transparency. In our industry, it’s not uncommon for senior leaders to operate behind closed doors or sugarcoat difficult truths. Lisa was the polar opposite. She kept us in the loop about client concerns, firm dynamics, and even potential challenges ahead. This radical honesty meant we were never blindsided, and it fostered an environment of mutual trust that made our team incredibly cohesive and resilient.

Looking back, what I valued most about Lisa was that her reliability wasn’t just professional – it was deeply personal. She invested in people as individuals, not just as resources on a spreadsheet. Her dependability created a ripple effect: because we knew she had our backs, we were willing to go the extra mile for her and for each other. That’s the hallmark of true leadership and why, even years later, I still consider her the gold standard of what it means to be dependable in the workplace.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Nói cực kỳ trôi chảy, tự nhiên như native speaker. Discourse markers sophisticated và varied (What initially struck me, In terms of, Looking back). Coherence hoàn hảo với progression logic của ideas.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Vocabulary exceptionally sophisticated và precise (epitomizes, thrown in the deep end, spearheaded, sift through mountains of data, rolled up her sleeves, ungodly hours, radical honesty, ripple effect). Idiomatic expressions natural. Collocations impeccable.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures sử dụng flexibly và accurately. Complex sentences với multiple clauses handled effortlessly. Advanced structures: inversion, cleft sentences, participle phrases, conditionals.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Effortlessly understandable. Native-like features trong word stress, sentence stress, intonation. Clear articulation.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói demonstrate hesitation-free delivery với natural pace. Sử dụng discourse markers một cách organic, không forced. Các ý được develop smoothly từ general → specific → reflection, tạo nên một narrative compelling.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• “epitomizes what it means to be dependable” – Cách diễn đạt này shows sophistication, không chỉ nói “very dependable”
• “thrown in the deep end” – Idiom tự nhiên thể hiện native-like expression
• “rolled up her sleeves” – Vivid imagery thay vì “worked hard”
• “ungodly hours” – Colloquial expression appropriate cho speaking
• “radical honesty” – Precise collocation thể hiện nuanced understanding
• “ripple effect” – Metaphorical language elevates the response

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• “She’s the kind of person who epitomizes…” – Cleft-like structure
• “What made her position particularly challenging was the sheer breadth…” – Cleft sentence cho emphasis
• “Most managers would have panicked… but not Lisa” – Conditional + contrast
• “I’m talking about someone at partner level spending ungodly hours doing…” – Complex participle structure
• “That level of attentiveness is rare, especially at her level” – Comparative structure với nuance

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Bài không chỉ list qualities mà explore multiple dimensions của dependability: professional competence, emotional intelligence, transparency, personal investment. Story về acquisition project được kể với vivid details, creating emotional connection. Phần reflection cuối shows maturity và appreciation của long-term impact.

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Examiner có thể hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn sau Part 2:

Question 1: Would you like to work with her again?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, definitely. She taught me a lot about work and I learned many useful skills from her. It would be great to work together again.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, in a heartbeat. Working with Lisa was genuinely transformative for my career. She didn’t just impart technical skills; she modeled a way of approaching work that balanced excellence with empathy. If the opportunity arose, I’d jump at the chance to collaborate with her again, though I imagine she’s probably scaled even greater heights by now.

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Question 2: Do you think you’ve learned anything from this person?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I learned many things. I learned to be more organized and responsible at work. I also learned how to work better with my team members.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Immensely. Beyond the technical acumen she shared, what I really absorbed was her philosophy that reliability isn’t just about deliverables – it’s about building trust through consistent integrity. She taught me that true dependability means being present not just when things are going well, but especially when challenges arise. That mindset has fundamentally shaped how I approach my own professional relationships.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần thách thức nhất của IELTS Speaking. Khác với Part 1 và Part 2, Part 3 yêu cầu bạn thảo luận về các vấn đề trừu tượng, phức tạp hơn liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2.

Đặc điểm của Part 3 là các câu hỏi đòi hỏi critical thinking: phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá, dự đoán xu hướng, hoặc xem xét ảnh hưởng xã hội. Bạn cần đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ, xem xét nhiều góc độ của vấn đề, và support bằng examples từ xã hội, không chỉ từ kinh nghiệm cá nhân.

Chiến lược hiệu quả là mở rộng câu trả lời thành 3-5 câu với structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/Nuance. Sử dụng discourse markers để organize ideas (Well, Actually, On the one hand) và tentative language để show sophistication (I would say, It seems to me, To some extent).

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam bao gồm trả lời quá ngắn gọn chỉ 1-2 câu, không đưa ra lý lẽ rõ ràng để support quan điểm, thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng để express complex ideas, và chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì societal perspective. Hãy nhớ rằng Part 3 là cơ hội để bạn demonstrate analytical thinking và advanced language skills.

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Workplace Values and Professional Qualities

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Question 1: What qualities do you think are most important for success in the workplace?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion question – yêu cầu đưa ra quan điểm về multiple qualities
• Key words: qualities, most important, success, workplace
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify 2-3 key qualities → Explain why each is important → Provide examples từ workplace context → Acknowledge có thể vary depending on industry/role

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think there are several important qualities for workplace success. First, reliability is very important because employers need people they can trust. If you are dependable, you will get more opportunities. Second, good communication skills are necessary because you need to work with others. Finally, being adaptable is important because workplaces change quickly these days. People who can learn new things will be more successful.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear structure với First, Second, Finally nhưng còn mechanical
• Vocabulary: Basic (very important, good communication, learn new things)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Ideas clear và relevant nhưng lack depth, vocabulary adequate nhưng not sophisticated, examples general chưa specific

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Well, I’d say there are several crucial attributes that contribute to professional success, though their relative importance might vary depending on the field. First and foremost, I believe reliability is paramount. In today’s fast-paced business environment, organizations are increasingly operating on tight margins, which means they need people they can genuinely count on to deliver consistently. Someone who’s dependable becomes invaluable because they reduce uncertainty – managers don’t have to waste time and energy worrying about whether tasks will be completed.

Equally important, I think, is adaptability. We’re living in an era of unprecedented change – technological disruption, shifting market dynamics, evolving consumer preferences. Professionals who cling to the way things have always been done are increasingly finding themselves left behind. Those who thrive are the ones who can embrace change, acquire new skills, and pivot when circumstances demand it.

Beyond these, I’d also highlight emotional intelligence as a critical factor that’s often underestimated. Technical skills can take you far, but the ability to navigate workplace relationships, read situations, and collaborate effectively often determines who rises to leadership positions. In fact, studies have shown that EQ frequently outweighs IQ as a predictor of success at senior levels.

That said, I’d acknowledge that the optimal mix of qualities really depends on the specific role and industry. What makes someone successful in a creative field might be quite different from what’s valued in, say, regulatory compliance or financial auditing.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated organization: Introduction with nuance → Quality 1 with detailed explanation → Quality 2 với contemporary context → Quality 3 with research reference → Balanced conclusion acknowledging complexity
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated và precise (crucial attributes, paramount, unprecedented change, technological disruption, emotional intelligence, outweighs, predictor of success)
• Grammar: Complex structures: conditionals, relative clauses, participle phrases (those who thrive are the ones who can…), cleft sentences
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates nuanced understanding, acknowledges complexity (vary depending on, optimal mix depends on), cites broader context (studies have shown)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well I’d say, First and foremost, Equally important, Beyond these, That said
• Tentative language: I believe, I think, I’d acknowledge, might be quite different
• Abstract nouns: adaptability, uncertainty, disruption, dynamics, compliance, auditing
• Advanced verbs: contribute to, reduce, cling to, embrace, pivot, navigate, highlight, outweigh

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Question 2: Do you think reliability is more important than creativity in the workplace?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and contrast – so sánh hai qualities
• Key words: reliability, creativity, more important
• Cách tiếp cận: Avoid absolute answer → Present both sides → Acknowledge depends on context → Ideally need both

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think both are important but in different ways. Reliability is important because companies need people who can finish their work on time. But creativity is also necessary, especially for companies that want to be innovative. In my opinion, the best employees have both qualities. They can do their work well and also think of new ideas.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có attempt at balanced view nhưng còn superficial
• Vocabulary: Basic comparisons (both are important, in different ways)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Shows awareness of complexity nhưng lack detailed analysis, examples vague

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

That’s an interesting question, and I don’t think it’s an either-or proposition – both qualities are valuable, though their importance fluctuates depending on the context. If I had to generalize, I’d say reliability forms the foundation, while creativity provides the competitive edge.

Let me elaborate. Reliability is what I’d call a baseline requirement – it’s the bedrock upon which professional relationships are built. Without it, even the most creative person will struggle to make an impact because no one will trust them with significant responsibilities. You might have groundbreaking ideas, but if you consistently miss deadlines or fail to execute, those ideas remain just that – ideas.

On the other hand, creativity is what drives innovation and differentiates organizations in crowded markets. In industries like advertising, product design, or content creation, creativity is arguably the primary currency. Companies in these sectors might tolerate someone who’s occasionally a bit disorganized if they consistently generate brilliant ideas that translate into business value.

However, I’d argue that the sweet spot lies in the intersection of both qualities. The most valuable professionals are those who can think outside the box while also following through on their innovative ideas. Consider someone like Steve Jobs – he was famously creative but also notoriously demanding about execution and attention to detail. That combination is what made Apple extraordinary.

Moreover, I think the modern workplace increasingly demands this synthesis. With automation handling many routine tasks, the human value proposition is shifting toward roles that require both imaginative thinking and reliable execution. Organizations don’t want flaky creatives or uninspired bureaucrats – they want people who can conceptualize novel solutions and systematically bring them to life.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated argumentation: Reject false dichotomy → Establish foundation vs edge distinction → Explore both sides với examples → Argue for synthesis → Contextualize in modern trends
• Vocabulary: Precise và nuanced (either-or proposition, fluctuates, bedrock, groundbreaking ideas, primary currency, sweet spot, intersection, synthesis, flaky creatives)
• Grammar: Highly complex: embedded clauses, conditional structures, passive constructions, relative clauses
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates sophisticated analysis, rejects simplistic thinking, provides concrete examples (Steve Jobs), considers broader trends (automation, modern workplace)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Let me elaborate, On the other hand, However, Moreover
• Hedging language: If I had to generalize, I’d say, I’d argue, I think
• Comparison structures: While…provides, Both…though, Not…or…but
• Advanced phrases: baseline requirement, drives innovation, translate into, think outside the box, following through, bring them to life

Sự kết hợp giữa sáng tạo và độ tin cậy trong môi trường khởi nghiệp hiện đại

Theme 2: Workplace Changes and Future Trends

Question 3: How has the concept of being dependable changed with remote work?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Change over time – so sánh past/traditional với present/modern
• Key words: concept, dependable, changed, remote work
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge traditional meaning → Explain how remote work shifts this → Discuss new challenges and expectations → Consider positive and negative aspects

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Remote work has changed how we think about dependability. In the past, being dependable meant coming to the office on time. Now, it’s more about getting your work done and communicating well. With remote work, managers can’t see if you’re working, so you need to show your progress in other ways. I think it’s actually harder to be dependable when working from home because there are many distractions.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Has comparison between past và present
• Vocabulary: Basic descriptions (coming to office, getting work done, show your progress)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses the question với relevant points nhưng analysis superficial, lacks specific examples

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

The advent of remote work has fundamentally redefined what it means to be dependable in quite profound ways. Traditionally, dependability was often conflated with physical presence – showing up to the office on time, being visible at your desk, staying late to demonstrate commitment. It was a rather tangible concept that could be easily monitored through observable behaviors.

However, the shift to remote work has stripped away these visible markers, forcing organizations to rethink how they assess reliability. Now, dependability is less about face time and more about deliverables and outcomes. It’s become more results-oriented rather than process-oriented. Employees need to demonstrate reliability through consistent output, proactive communication, and self-management rather than through their physical presence.

Interestingly, this shift has made dependability simultaneously easier and harder to achieve. On one hand, it’s leveled the playing field for people who are genuinely productive but may not thrive in traditional office environments. Someone who does their best work at unconventional hours can now be considered just as dependable as the traditional 9-to-5 office worker, provided they meet their commitments.

On the flip side, remote work has raised the bar in certain respects. Transparency has become crucial – you need to be more intentional about keeping stakeholders informed since they can’t just glance over and see you’re working. Responsiveness to messages has taken on greater importance because colleagues can’t simply walk over to your desk. And self-discipline is paramount since there’s no physical separation between work and home life.

Moreover, I think remote work has introduced a new dimension to dependability: technological competence. Being dependable now means being reliably accessible through various digital platforms, managing your online presence effectively, and troubleshooting basic technical issues independently. Someone who’s constantly experiencing connectivity problems or can’t navigate collaboration tools is now viewed as less dependable, even if they’re excellent at their core work.

Looking ahead, I suspect we’ll see dependability evolve to mean something more holistic – not just delivering work, but being a reliable presence in a hybrid ecosystem where flexibility, communication, and outcomes matter more than any single traditional marker of reliability.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-organized: Define traditional concept → Explain fundamental shift → Present paradox (easier and harder) → Discuss new requirements → Introduce new dimension (tech competence) → Future-looking conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và topic-specific (advent, conflated with, tangible concept, deliverables, outcomes, face time, leveled the playing field, raised the bar, transparency, holistic)
• Grammar: Full range của complex structures: passive voice, participle clauses, comparative structures, conditional implications
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates nuanced analysis, explores paradox, considers multiple dimensions, forward-thinking with future prediction

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: However, Interestingly, On the flip side, Moreover, Looking ahead
• Tentative language: I suspect, I think
• Comparison structures: less about…more about, simultaneously easier and harder, not just…but
• Time references: Traditionally, Now, Looking ahead

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Question 4: Do you think younger generations are as dependable as older generations in the workplace?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Generational comparison – sensitive topic requiring balanced approach
• Key words: younger generations, older generations, as dependable
• Cách tiếp cận: Avoid stereotyping → Acknowledge different contexts → Discuss how definitions of dependability may differ → Consider strengths of each → Conclude with balanced view

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think both generations are dependable but in different ways. Older workers have more experience and know how to handle problems. They are used to working hard. Younger workers are good with technology and can adapt to changes quickly. Some people say young people are not as committed, but I think they just have different priorities. Both generations have important strengths.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Balanced attempt nhưng còn general
• Vocabulary: Basic comparisons (more experience, good with technology, different priorities)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Shows awareness of stereotypes và attempts balance nhưng lacks depth and specific analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

This is quite a loaded question that I think requires us to challenge some assumptions. I’d be hesitant to make sweeping generalizations about entire generations because there’s tremendous variation within any age cohort. However, I do think it’s fair to say that different generations often demonstrate dependability in distinct ways that reflect their formative experiences and values.

What’s often misinterpreted as younger workers being less dependable might actually be a difference in how they conceptualize commitment. Traditional employment culture, which older generations grew up with, emphasized loyalty to employers and staying power – you proved your dependability through longevity and unwavering dedication to one organization. Younger professionals, having witnessed massive layoffs, corporate restructuring, and the erosion of job security, tend to be more pragmatic. They’re often equally committed to delivering quality work, but they frame that commitment in terms of projects and outcomes rather than institutional loyalty.

From my observation, younger workers can be extremely dependable when they find their work meaningful and see opportunities for growth. They’re often more communicative about their needs and boundaries, which older generations might interpret as lack of commitment. For instance, a younger employee might push back on unreasonable deadlines or advocate for work-life balance – not because they’re unreliable, but because they prioritize sustainable productivity over performative overwork.

Conversely, older generations bring a type of dependability that comes from experience – they’ve weathered many workplace storms and have institutional knowledge that’s invaluable. They often have more refined judgment about when to escalate issues and can mentor younger colleagues through political dynamics. Their dependability manifests in steadiness and accumulated wisdom.

That said, I think the most effective workplaces are those that leverage the complementary strengths of different generations. Younger workers’ technological fluency, adaptability, and fresh perspectives combine beautifully with older workers’ experience, networks, and strategic thinking. The question shouldn’t be which generation is more dependable, but how we can create environments where all forms of dependability are recognized and valued.

Ultimately, I believe dependability is less about age and more about individual character, alignment with organizational values, and feeling genuinely valued in one’s role. I’ve seen incredibly reliable 25-year-olds and deeply unreliable 55-year-olds, and vice versa. Painting entire generations with a broad brush does everyone a disservice.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated argumentation: Challenge premise → Reframe question → Present older generation perspective → Present younger generation perspective → Argue for synthesis → Conclude with individual-focused view
• Vocabulary: Nuanced và precise (loaded question, sweeping generalizations, conceptualize commitment, longevity, erosion, institutional loyalty, performative overwork, weathered storms, institutional knowledge, complementary strengths, painting with broad brush)
• Grammar: Highly complex: embedded clauses, passive structures, participle phrases, conditional implications, comparative structures
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional critical analysis, challenges stereotypes, reframes debate, acknowledges complexity, considers multiple perspectives, concludes with balanced wisdom

💡 Key Language Features:

• Hedging language: I’d be hesitant, I think it’s fair to say, From my observation, I believe
• Discourse markers: However, From my observation, Conversely, That said, Ultimately
• Reframing language: What’s often misinterpreted as, not because…but because, The question shouldn’t be…but
• Abstract concepts: commitment, loyalty, pragmatic, sustainable productivity, institutional knowledge, political dynamics

Theme 3: Building Trust and Professional Relationships

Question 5: What can companies do to create a culture of dependability?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Solution/Suggestion – yêu cầu recommend actions
• Key words: companies, create, culture, dependability
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify multiple strategies → Explain rationale for each → Provide examples → Consider challenges in implementation

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Companies can do several things to create a dependable culture. First, they should hire people who are reliable. Second, they need to train employees well so everyone knows what to do. Managers should also set a good example by being dependable themselves. Additionally, companies should reward employees who are reliable and give them bonuses or promotions. If companies do these things, employees will understand that dependability is important.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear listing của solutions (First, Second, Additionally)
• Vocabulary: Basic và general (hire people, train employees, set a good example, give bonuses)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Practical suggestions nhưng lack depth, examples vague, doesn’t explore nuance or challenges

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Creating a genuine culture of dependability requires a multifaceted approach that goes well beyond just hiring for this trait – it needs to be embedded in organizational systems, leadership behaviors, and reward mechanisms.

First and foremost, I think modeling from the top is absolutely crucial. Culture cascades down from leadership, and if executives are consistently missing commitments or shifting priorities without explanation, it sends a message that dependability is more rhetoric than reality. Leaders need to walk the talk by honoring their commitments, being transparent when they can’t, and acknowledging mistakes when they drop the ball. This creates psychological safety where dependability is normalized rather than exceptional.

Beyond leadership, companies need to create structural supports for reliability. This means ensuring workloads are realistic, deadlines are achievable, and employees have the resources they need to succeed. It’s hypocritical to expect dependability when you’re constantly setting people up for failure with unreasonable expectations. Organizations should conduct regular capacity assessments, buffer time for unforeseen challenges, and resist the temptation to perpetually operate in crisis mode.

Another critical element is making dependability visible and valued in tangible ways. This could mean incorporating reliability metrics into performance evaluations, publicly recognizing those who consistently deliver on commitments, or providing career advancement opportunities that reward this quality. When people see that being dependable actually influences their trajectory rather than just making them the person who gets assigned more work, they’re more likely to prioritize it.

I’d also emphasize the importance of bidirectional accountability. Dependability can’t just be a one-way street where employees are expected to be reliable while employers feel free to change terms, eliminate positions, or fail to honor their commitments. Companies that demonstrate loyalty during difficult times – say, by avoiding layoffs when possible or providing genuine support for employee development – cultivate a workforce that reciprocates that commitment.

Finally, organizations should foster a culture where people feel comfortable raising red flags early rather than overpromising and underdelivering. This means rewarding transparency about capacity constraints and potential roadblocks rather than punishing those who speak up. When people can be honest about challenges without fear of retribution, you actually get more reliability because problems get addressed proactively rather than becoming last-minute crises.

The common thread through all of this is authenticity – dependability culture can’t be manufactured through inspirational posters and hollow mission statements. It has to be woven into the fabric of how the organization operates day-to-day, supported by concrete practices that make being dependable both feasible and rewarding.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Comprehensive và logical: Leadership modeling → Structural support → Recognition systems → Bidirectional accountability → Psychological safety → Overarching principle (authenticity)
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và business-specific (multifaceted approach, embedded, cascades down, psychological safety, hypocritical, capacity assessments, buffer time, perpetually operate, bidirectional accountability, reciprocates, raising red flags, overpromising, retribution)
• Grammar: Full range: complex conditionals, passive constructions, relative clauses, participle phrases, advanced verb patterns
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates systems thinking, explores multiple layers, considers behavioral psychology, acknowledges paradoxes, provides actionable insights

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: First and foremost, Beyond leadership, Another critical element, I’d also emphasize, Finally
• Tentative language: I think, could mean, should
• Cause-effect language: This creates, This means, When people see that, The common thread
• Academic phrases: multifaceted approach, structural supports, critical element, bidirectional accountability, common thread

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Question 6: Is it possible to rebuild trust after someone has been unreliable?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Possibility question with nuance – requires balanced consideration
• Key words: possible, rebuild trust, unreliable
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge complexity → Discuss conditions under which rebuilding possible → Discuss factors that make it difficult → Provide examples → Conclude with balanced view

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think it’s possible but it takes time. The person who was unreliable needs to apologize and explain what went wrong. Then they need to prove they have changed by being reliable consistently. However, some people find it hard to trust again after being disappointed. It depends on how serious the problem was and whether the person is willing to make an effort to change.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có structure với conditions và qualifications
• Vocabulary: Adequate (takes time, apologize, prove, being reliable consistently)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses complexity nhưng chưa explore deeply, lacks vivid examples and psychological insights

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

This is a nuanced question because while trust can theoretically be rebuilt, the reality is often considerably more complex and contingent on multiple factors. I’d say it’s definitely possible, but it requires genuine effort, considerable time, and importantly, willingness on both sides to engage in the messy process of repair.

From the perspective of the person who’s been unreliable, rebuilding trust demands more than just verbal apologies – it requires demonstrating through consistent action that they’ve genuinely changed. This means acknowledging the specific harm caused, taking full ownership without making excuses, and most crucially, implementing tangible changes in behavior. Trust is rebuilt incrementally, not through grand gestures but through repeated small acts of reliability over an extended period.

There’s actually a concept in psychology called the “trust battery” – the idea that trust gets depleted through negative experiences and can only be recharged through positive ones, but at a much slower rate. If someone has completely drained their trust battery through repeated unreliability, it might take dozens of instances of being dependable to restore it to even a moderate level. This is why patterns of unreliability are so damaging – each breach makes the next one harder to recover from.

That said, I think context matters enormously. If someone was unreliable due to exceptional circumstances – a personal crisis, health issues, or factors beyond their control – and they communicated transparently about these challenges, trust may be easier to rebuild. Compare that to someone who was unreliable due to negligence or indifference – that’s a much steeper hill to climb because it reflects character issues rather than situational factors.

From the other side, the person who’s been let down also has a role to play. If they’re holding onto resentment or unwilling to give the person a genuine second chance, rebuilding becomes nearly impossible no matter how much the other person changes. I think there’s a delicate balance between healthy skepticism – not being naively trusting again immediately – and giving someone room to demonstrate growth.

In workplace contexts, I’ve seen this play out where someone who dropped the ball on a project was gradually given increasing levels of responsibility as they proved themselves. It’s almost like earning back privileges – you might start with lower-stakes tasks and work your way up to mission-critical assignments as you reestablish credibility. This graduated approach protects the organization while giving the person meaningful opportunities to demonstrate change.

However, I’d be remiss not to mention that sometimes, despite best efforts, trust cannot be fully restored – and that’s okay. Some breaches are simply too significant, or the working relationship has been too fundamentally damaged. In those cases, the most constructive path might be acknowledging that while you can maintain professional courtesy, the level of trust needed for close collaboration may not be recoverable, and it’s better to move on rather than forcing something that’s irreparably broken.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated exploration: State position with nuance → Requirements from unreliable person → Psychological framework (trust battery) → Consider context and circumstances → Bilateral responsibility → Workplace application with graduated approach → Acknowledge limitations
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (contingent on, engage in messy process, incremental, tangible changes, depleted, recharged, negligence, holding onto resentment, healthy skepticism, reestablish credibility, graduated approach, remiss not to mention, irreparably broken)
• Grammar: Full sophisticated range: complex conditionals, comparative structures, passive voice, participle phrases, embedded clauses
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional depth, explores psychological concepts, considers multiple perspectives, acknowledges complexity and limitations, provides practical application, shows emotional intelligence

💡 Key Language Features:

• Hedging language: I’d say, I think, might be, may not be
• Discourse markers: From the perspective of, That said, From the other side, In workplace contexts, However
• Psychological concepts: trust battery, gets depleted, recharged, patterns of unreliability
• Nuanced phrases: considerably more complex, genuine effort, messy process, steeper hill to climb, delicate balance, graduated approach

Từ Vựng và Cụm Từ Quan Trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
dependable	adj	/dɪˈpendəbl/	đáng tin cậy, có thể dựa vào	She’s proven herself to be highly dependable under pressure.	extremely/highly/very dependable, dependable colleague/employee/person
reliability	n	/rɪˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/	sự đáng tin cậy, độ tin cậy	His reliability makes him the first choice for important projects.	demonstrate/show reliability, question someone’s reliability, proven reliability
accountable	adj	/əˈkaʊntəbl/	có trách nhiệm, chịu trách nhiệm	Team leaders must be accountable for their decisions.	hold someone accountable, accountable for something, fully accountable
commitment	n	/kəˈmɪtmənt/	sự cam kết, sự tận tụy	Her commitment to the project never wavered.	demonstrate/show commitment, strong/unwavering commitment, make a commitment
consistent	adj	/kənˈsɪstənt/	nhất quán, kiên định	He’s been consistent in delivering quality work.	remarkably/consistently/highly consistent, consistent performance/quality
deliver	v	/dɪˈlɪvə(r)/	hoàn thành, thực hiện (cam kết)	She always delivers on her promises.	deliver on commitments/promises, deliver results/outcomes, consistently deliver
follow through	phrasal verb	/ˈfɒləʊ θruː/	thực hiện đến cùng, hoàn thành	He’s excellent at following through on his commitments.	follow through on promises/plans, follow through with something
count on	phrasal verb	/kaʊnt ɒn/	tin tưởng vào, dựa vào	You can always count on her in difficult situations.	count on someone for support, count on someone to do something
punctual	adj	/ˈpʌŋktʃuəl/	đúng giờ, đúng hẹn	He’s extremely punctual and never misses deadlines.	very/extremely punctual, punctual attendance/arrival
thoroughness	n	/ˈθʌrənəs/	sự tỉ mỉ, chu đáo	Her thoroughness in checking details prevents mistakes.	attention to detail and thoroughness, demonstrate thoroughness
proactive	adj	/ˌprəʊˈæktɪv/	chủ động, tích cực	She takes a proactive approach to problem-solving.	proactive approach/attitude, proactive communication, be proactive about
integrity	n	/ɪnˈteɡrəti/	liêm chính, chính trực	His integrity makes him trusted by everyone.	personal/professional integrity, act with integrity, question someone’s integrity
conscientious	adj	/ˌkɒnʃiˈenʃəs/	tận tâm, chu đáo	She’s a conscientious worker who pays attention to detail.	highly/very conscientious, conscientious employee/worker
steadfast	adj	/ˈstedfɑːst/	kiên định, không lay chuyển	He remained steadfast in his support for the team.	steadfast commitment/support/dedication, remain steadfast
diligent	adj	/ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/	cần cù, siêng năng	Her diligent work ethic inspires others.	diligent worker/student, diligent in one’s duties
trustworthy	adj	/ˈtrʌstˌwɜːði/	đáng tin cậy	He’s proven himself to be thoroughly trustworthy.	completely/thoroughly trustworthy, trustworthy colleague/advisor
meticulous	adj	/məˈtɪkjələs/	tỉ mỉ, cẩn thận	She’s meticulous about checking her work for errors.	meticulous attention to detail, meticulous planning/preparation
stake	n	/steɪk/	rủi ro, cược, lợi ích liên quan	The stakes are high in this negotiation.	high-stakes project/situation, raise the stakes, at stake

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
go above and beyond	làm nhiều hơn mong đợi, vượt trội	She always goes above and beyond what’s required in her role.	7.5-9
roll up one’s sleeves	bắt tay vào làm việc chăm chỉ	When the crisis hit, he rolled up his sleeves and helped the team.	7.5-9
the backbone of	trụ cột của, nền tảng của	Reliable employees are the backbone of any successful organization.	7.5-9
drop the ball	thất bại trong trách nhiệm, làm hỏng việc	I can’t believe he dropped the ball on such an important project.	7-8.5
pick up the slack	gánh vác phần việc của người khác	When team members are absent, others have to pick up the slack.	7-8.5
walk the talk	thực hiện đúng những gì nói	Good leaders don’t just talk about reliability – they walk the talk.	7.5-9
through thick and thin	trong mọi hoàn cảnh, gian khó hay thuận lợi	She’s supported the company through thick and thin.	7-8.5
someone’s word is their bond	lời nói của ai đó là cam kết	His word is his bond – if he says he’ll do it, you know it will happen.	8-9
make or break	quyết định thành bại	Reliability can make or break your career in this industry.	7-8
come through	thực hiện thành công, không làm thất vọng	She always comes through when we need her most.	7-8
pull one’s weight	làm đủ phần việc của mình	Everyone on the team needs to pull their weight for us to succeed.	7-8
hold the fort	giữ gìn, quản lý trong khi người khác vắng mặt	Can I count on you to hold the fort while I’m away?	7-8.5

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Tốt thôi,… (khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ ngắn)
• 📝 Actually,… – Thực ra thì,… (khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác)
• 📝 To be honest,… – Thành thật mà nói,… (khi nói thật lòng)
• 📝 I’d say that… – Tôi muốn nói rằng,… (khi đưa ra quan điểm)
• 📝 From my perspective,… – Từ góc nhìn của tôi,… (khi đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân)

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó,… (thêm điểm mới)
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa,… (nhấn mạnh thêm)
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến,… (thêm điểm quan trọng khác)
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài ra,… (mở rộng thêm)
• 📝 Moreover,… – Hơn thế nữa,… (formal hơn)

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác… (so sánh hai khía cạnh)
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Mặc dù đúng là… nhưng cũng cần xem xét…
• 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên,… (chuyển sang góc nhìn khác)
• 📝 Having said that,… – Nói như vậy thì,… (nuance khác)

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại,… (kết luận tổng quan)
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì,… (điều quan trọng nhất)
• 📝 Looking at the bigger picture,… – Nhìn vào bức tranh tổng thể,… (tổng kết rộng hơn)

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

• Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb (hoặc ngược lại)
• Ví dụ: “If she hadn’t been so dependable throughout her career, she wouldn’t be in such a senior position now.”

Inversion for emphasis:

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle
• Ví dụ: “Had he not demonstrated such reliability, he would never have been promoted to team leader.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:

• Formula: Subject + comma + who/which + clause + comma
• Ví dụ: “My former colleague, who was known for her exceptional reliability, now runs her own consulting firm.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive (formal):

• Formula: It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that reliability is the most valued trait in employees.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-cleft for emphasis:

• Formula: What + clause + is/was + noun phrase
• Ví dụ: “What I find most impressive about dependable people is their consistency under pressure.”

It-cleft:

• Formula: It + is/was + emphasized part + that + remaining clause
• Ví dụ: “It was her unwavering commitment that earned everyone’s respect.”

5. Inversion After Negative Adverbials:

• Formula: Never/Rarely/Seldom + auxiliary + subject + main verb
• Ví dụ: “Never have I worked with someone as dependable as Sarah.”
• Ví dụ: “Rarely do you find people who combine creativity with such reliability.”

Với những kiến thức và chiến lược trên, bạn đã được trang bị đầy đủ để tự tin trả lời chủ đề “Describe a person who is very dependable at work” trong IELTS Speaking. Hãy nhớ rằng điều quan trọng nhất không phải là học thuộc lòng các câu trả lời mẫu, mà là hiểu cách structure ý tưởng, sử dụng vocabulary phù hợp với band điểm mục tiêu, và thể hiện critical thinking trong Part 3. Luyện tập thường xuyên với các câu hỏi tương tự và ghi âm để tự đánh giá sẽ giúp bạn cải thiện đáng kể. Chúc bạn đạt được band điểm như mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking sắp tới.