IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời “Describe a Book That Had a Major Impact on Your Life” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Mở bài

Chủ đề về sách và đọc sách là một trong những đề tài kinh điển và cực kỳ phổ biến trong IELTS Speaking. Đặc biệt, câu hỏi yêu cầu bạn miêu tả một cuốn sách có ảnh hưởng lớn đến cuộc đời mình thường xuyên xuất hiện trong Part 2, và các câu hỏi mở rộng liên quan đến thói quen đọc sách, vai trò của sách trong xã hội hiện đại cũng được khai thác sâu ở Part 1 và Part 3.

Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế, chủ đề “Books and Reading” xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ năm 2020 đến nay, đặc biệt là trong quý 1 và quý 3 hàng năm. Khả năng bạn gặp phải chủ đề này trong phòng thi là rất cao, với mức độ dự đoán xuất hiện ở mức cao.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được cách tiếp cận chuyên nghiệp để xử lý chủ đề “Describe A Book That Had A Major Impact On Your Life” qua cả ba phần thi Speaking. Cụ thể, bài viết cung cấp các câu hỏi thường gặp trong Part 1 về thói quen đọc sách, một cue card chi tiết cho Part 2 với ba bài mẫu ở các band điểm khác nhau từ 6-7, 7.5-8 đến 8.5-9, cùng với phân tích sâu về lý do đạt được band điểm đó. Phần Part 3 sẽ đi sâu vào các câu hỏi thảo luận trừu tượng về vai trò của sách trong giáo dục, sự thay đổi của thói quen đọc và tương lai của sách giấy. Cuối cùng, bạn sẽ có một bộ từ vựng chuyên sâu, các cụm từ idiom ăn điểm và những cấu trúc ngữ pháp giúp bạn tự tin đạt band điểm mục tiêu.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 của IELTS Speaking kéo dài khoảng 4-5 phút, trong đó examiner sẽ hỏi bạn những câu hỏi về cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích cá nhân và các chủ đề quen thuộc. Đặc điểm của Part 1 là các câu hỏi ngắn gọn, trực tiếp và không quá phức tạp về mặt tư duy.

Chiến lược quan trọng nhất cho Part 1 là trả lời tự nhiên, mở rộng câu trả lời với 2-3 câu thay vì chỉ một câu ngắn. Bạn nên cung cấp câu trả lời trực tiếp, sau đó giải thích thêm hoặc đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể từ trải nghiệm bản thân.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam trong Part 1:

• Trả lời quá ngắn chỉ với Yes/No hoặc một câu đơn
• Sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản, lặp lại nhiều lần
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể, chỉ nói chung chung
• Không sử dụng linking words để nối ý
• Ngại mở rộng câu trả lời vì sợ sai ngữ pháp

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you like reading books?

Question 2: What kinds of books do you usually read?

Question 3: Did you read much when you were a child?

Question 4: Do you prefer reading physical books or e-books?

Question 5: How often do you read books nowadays?

Question 6: Have you ever given a book as a gift?

Question 7: Is there a library near where you live?

Question 8: Do you think reading books is important for children?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you like reading books?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Đưa ra câu trả lời trực tiếp: Yes/No hoặc It depends
• Giải thích lý do tại sao thích hoặc không thích
• Đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể về loại sách hoặc thói quen đọc

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I like reading books, especially novels. I usually read before going to bed because it helps me relax. I think reading is a good way to improve my knowledge and reduce stress after a long day at work.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, có đưa ra lý do và thời điểm đọc sách, ngôn ngữ đơn giản nhưng chính xác.
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn basic (good way, improve knowledge), cấu trúc câu đơn giản, thiếu chi tiết cụ thể về loại sách hoặc tác giả.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời đủ dài và có mạch lạc, nhưng từ vựng chưa sophisticated và thiếu sự đa dạng về cấu trúc ngữ pháp. Ideas được trình bày rõ ràng nhưng chưa có depth.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Absolutely! I’m quite an avid reader, actually. I find that reading is not just a hobby but a form of mental escape for me. I’m particularly drawn to contemporary fiction and non-fiction works about psychology. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about immersing myself in a well-written story, especially after a demanding day. Reading helps me unwind while simultaneously broadening my perspective on various aspects of life.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng từ vựng chuyên sâu và chính xác như “avid reader”, “mental escape”, “therapeutic”, “immersing myself”. Cấu trúc câu đa dạng với cả simple và complex sentences. Ý tưởng được phát triển chi tiết với cả emotional và intellectual benefits.
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Câu trả lời trôi chảy, tự nhiên với discourse marker “actually”
  • Vocabulary: Precise và sophisticated (avid reader, therapeutic, immersing, unwind, broadening perspective)
  • Grammar: Sử dụng thành thạo các cấu trúc như “not just… but”, “There’s something… about”, “while simultaneously”
  • Ideas: Sâu sắc, đề cập đến cả mục đích giải trí lẫn phát triển bản thân

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• avid reader: người đam mê đọc sách, đọc nhiều và thường xuyên
• mental escape: sự giải thoát, thoát ly về mặt tinh thần
• therapeutic: có tác dụng chữa lành, thư giãn tinh thần
• immerse myself in: đắm mình vào, chìm đắm trong
• unwind: thư giãn, xả stress
• broaden my perspective: mở rộng tầm nhìn, quan điểm

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Question: What kinds of books do you usually read?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Nêu rõ thể loại sách ưa thích
• Giải thích tại sao thích thể loại đó
• Có thể so sánh với các thể loại khác hoặc đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I usually read fiction books, like mystery novels and romance stories. I like them because they are interesting and entertaining. Sometimes I also read self-help books to learn new things about personal development. I don’t really like reading textbooks because they are boring.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Đưa ra được nhiều thể loại sách khác nhau, có contrast giữa sở thích và không thích.
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn cơ bản (interesting, entertaining, boring), lý do chưa được phát triển sâu, thiếu ví dụ cụ thể về tác phẩm hoặc tác giả.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời adequate nhưng thiếu sophistication trong vocabulary và depth trong explanation.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

My reading preferences are quite eclectic, to be honest. I’m particularly fond of psychological thrillers because they keep me on the edge of my seat with their intricate plot twists. Authors like Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins are my go-to choices. That said, I also dabble in self-improvement literature when I feel the need for some practical insights into productivity or emotional intelligence. What I tend to avoid, though, are overly formulaic romance novels – I find them rather predictable and lacking in depth.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary rất sophisticated và precise (eclectic, fond of, intricate plot twists, dabble in, formulaic). Đưa ra tên tác giả cụ thể cho thấy genuine knowledge. Structure phức tạp với nhiều clauses và transitions tự nhiên.
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Sử dụng “to be honest”, “that said”, “though” làm cho câu nói tự nhiên
  • Vocabulary: Idiomatic (on the edge of my seat, go-to choices, dabble in) và topic-specific (psychological thrillers, intricate plot twists)
  • Grammar: Complex sentences với relative clauses, conditional structures
  • Ideas: Nuanced view – nói về cả thích, đôi khi đọc, và không thích, cho thấy critical thinking

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• eclectic: đa dạng, không theo một phong cách nhất định
• particularly fond of: đặc biệt yêu thích
• on the edge of my seat: hồi hộp, căng thẳng theo dõi
• intricate plot twists: những tình tiết phức tạp, bất ngờ
• go-to choices: sự lựa chọn ưu tiên, thường xuyên
• dabble in: thử sức, tìm hiểu sơ qua
• formulaic: theo công thức, khuôn mẫu
• predictable: dễ đoán, không bất ngờ

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Question: Did you read much when you were a child?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Sử dụng thì quá khứ consistently
• So sánh giữa quá khứ và hiện tại nếu có thể
• Đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể về sách hoặc trải nghiệm đọc sách thuở nhỏ

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I read a lot when I was young. My parents bought me many story books and comic books. I especially liked fairy tales and adventure stories. Reading was my favorite hobby at that time, and I spent most of my free time reading instead of playing outside.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng đúng thì quá khứ, có đưa ra ví dụ về loại sách, có so sánh với activity khác.
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary basic, structure đơn giản, thiếu detail về impact hoặc memorable experience.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response với grammar chính xác nhưng thiếu complexity và sophistication.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Actually, I was quite a bookworm as a child. I vividly remember spending countless hours buried in books at the local library. My reading diet ranged from classic fairy tales like Grimm’s to more adventurous series like The Famous Five. What’s interesting is that my parents actively fostered this habit by setting up a small reading corner in my bedroom and enrolling me in a summer reading program. Looking back, I think this early exposure to books really laid the foundation for my love of reading today and significantly shaped my imagination during those formative years.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary xuất sắc (bookworm, buried in, fostered this habit, formative years), structure phức tạp với nhiều clauses, có reflection về impact. Đưa ra specific details (tên sách, reading program) cho thấy authenticity.
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Natural flow với “Actually”, “What’s interesting”, “Looking back”
  • Vocabulary: Rich và precise với idiomatic expressions
  • Grammar: Complex structures: relative clauses, gerunds, past continuous
  • Ideas: Reflective và insightful, connects past to present

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• bookworm: người mọt sách
• buried in: chìm đắm trong, mải mê với
• range from… to…: từ… đến… (chỉ phạm vi đa dạng)
• foster this habit: nuôi dưỡng, khuyến khích thói quen này
• enroll in: đăng ký tham gia
• lay the foundation: đặt nền móng
• formative years: những năm tháng hình thành nhân cách

Học sinh đọc sách tại thư viện chuẩn bị cho IELTS Speaking chủ đề sách có ảnh hưởng đến cuộc đời

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần quan trọng nhất của IELTS Speaking, chiếm thời gian 3-4 phút bao gồm 1 phút chuẩn bị và 2-3 phút nói. Đây là phần độc thoại, bạn sẽ không bị examiner ngắt lời trong khi nói.

Thời gian chuẩn bị 1 phút là vô cùng quý giá. Bạn cần sử dụng thời gian này để ghi chú những keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh. Kỹ thuật hiệu quả là ghi từ khóa tương ứng với từng bullet point trong cue card.

Chiến lược quan trọng:

• Sử dụng hết 1 phút để lên ý tưởng và note keywords
• Nói đủ 2 phút (tối thiểu 1.5 phút) để cho examiner thấy khả năng nói liên tục
• Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả các bullet points trong cue card
• Với chủ đề về sách, thường sử dụng thì quá khứ khi kể về lần đầu đọc và ảnh hưởng
• Phần “explain” là quan trọng nhất, cần dành nhiều thời gian cho phần này

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Không tận dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị, bắt đầu nói ngay
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút, khiến examiner phải hỏi thêm
• Bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points
• Quá tập trung vào miêu tả sách mà quên giải thích impact
• Sử dụng thì động từ không nhất quán

Cue Card

Describe a book that had a major impact on your life

You should say:

• What the book was about
• When and where you read it
• Why you decided to read it
• And explain how this book impacted your life

Phân Tích Đề Bài

Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an object/experience – trong trường hợp này là một cuốn sách có ảnh hưởng

Thì động từ: Chủ yếu là quá khứ đơn (Simple Past) khi kể về việc đọc sách và ảnh hưởng ban đầu. Có thể dùng hiện tại hoàn thành (Present Perfect) khi nói về ảnh hưởng kéo dài đến hiện tại.

Bullet points phải cover:

1. Nội dung của cuốn sách – cần tóm tắt ngắn gọn, không kể quá chi tiết cốt truyện
2. Thời gian và địa điểm đọc – cung cấp context rõ ràng
3. Lý do quyết định đọc – có thể là được giới thiệu, tình cờ, hoặc chủ đích
4. Giải thích impact – đây là phần quan trọng nhất

Câu “explain” quan trọng: Phần explain về impact là nơi bạn ghi điểm cao nhất. Đây không chỉ là nói “nó giúp tôi thay đổi” mà cần giải thích cụ thể: thay đổi như thế nào, ảnh hưởng đến khía cạnh nào của cuộc sống (mindset, career, relationships, habits), và tại sao ảnh hưởng đó meaningful. Examiner đánh giá cao candidates có thể reflect deeply về personal impact.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about a book called “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. It’s a story about a young shepherd boy who travels from Spain to Egypt to find treasure. The book is about following your dreams and finding your purpose in life.

I read this book about three years ago when I was in university. I remember I read it in my dormitory during the summer vacation. I had a lot of free time, so I could finish the whole book in just two days.

I decided to read this book because my friend recommended it to me. She said it was very inspirational and could change my thinking about life. I was interested in self-improvement at that time, so I thought it would be a good book to read.

This book had a big impact on my life. After reading it, I started to think more about what I really want to do in the future. The main message of the book is that we should follow our dreams and not be afraid of failures. This helped me become more confident in making decisions. For example, I decided to study abroad, which was a big decision for me. Before reading this book, I was very worried and scared, but the book taught me that I should try new things and trust myself. Now I always remember the lessons from this book when I face difficulties in life.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Câu trả lời có cấu trúc rõ ràng, cover đủ bullet points. Có sử dụng linking words cơ bản (because, so, after, for example). Tuy nhiên thiếu flexibility trong việc paraphrase và một số chỗ còn hesitation.
Lexical Resource	6-7	Từ vựng adequate cho chủ đề (inspirational, self-improvement, confident, decisions). Có một số collocations đơn giản (follow dreams, face difficulties). Thiếu từ vựng sophisticated và idiomatic expressions.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Sử dụng đúng các thì cơ bản (past simple, present perfect). Có attempt sử dụng complex sentences nhưng chủ yếu vẫn là simple và compound sentences. Ít lỗi ngữ pháp nghiêm trọng.
Pronunciation	6-7	Phát âm rõ ràng, dễ hiểu. Có một số lỗi về word stress và sentence stress nhưng không ảnh hưởng đến comprehension.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points trong cue card
• ✅ Có cung cấp ví dụ cụ thể về impact (quyết định du học)
• ✅ Cấu trúc rõ ràng, dễ follow
• ✅ Thì động từ sử dụng chính xác

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Từ vựng chưa sophisticated, còn nhiều từ basic (big impact, very worried, good book)
• ⚠️ Thiếu detail về nội dung sách và emotional connection
• ⚠️ Phần giải thích impact chưa deep, chưa có reflection về long-term effects
• ⚠️ Ít sử dụng advanced grammar structures

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to talk about a book that truly resonated with me – “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. It’s a profound memoir written by an Austrian psychiatrist who survived the Nazi concentration camps during World War II. The book explores how he found purpose and meaning even in the most horrific circumstances, and it presents his theory of logotherapy, which suggests that the primary drive in human life is the search for meaning.

I came across this book about four years ago when I was going through a particularly challenging period in my life. I was in my final year at university, feeling quite lost and uncertain about my career direction. I stumbled upon it at a local bookstore while browsing the psychology section, and the compelling title immediately caught my attention.

What motivated me to read it was actually a combination of factors. I’d been struggling with anxiety about my future, and a professor of mine had briefly mentioned Frankl’s work in a lecture about resilience. I was intrigued by the premise – how someone could find hope in such desperate situations – and I thought it might offer me some perspective on my own problems.

The impact this book had on me was quite transformative, honestly. Frankl’s central message that we cannot always control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond, was genuinely eye-opening. It helped me reframe my anxiety about the future. Instead of seeing uncertainty as threatening, I started viewing it as an opportunity to actively create meaning in my life. The book also inspired me to shift my focus from seeking happiness to seeking purpose, which has made me more resilient when facing setbacks. Even now, when I encounter difficulties, I recall Frankl’s words and ask myself what meaning I can find in the situation. This mindset shift has made me a more grounded and purposeful person.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Speak smoothly với ít hesitation. Sử dụng discourse markers hiệu quả (honestly, actually, even now). Logical sequencing và cohesive devices đa dạng (what motivated me, the impact… was, instead of… I started).
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range vocabulary với nhiều collocations chính xác (resonated with me, profound memoir, horrific circumstances, challenging period, compelling title, mindset shift). Paraphrasing tốt (uncertain → lost, difficult → challenging).
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety of complex structures: relative clauses (which suggests that…, who survived…), participle phrases (feeling quite lost), conditional forms. Mostly error-free với accurate tense usage.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear pronunciation với good intonation patterns. Word stress và sentence stress được sử dụng hiệu quả để emphasize key points.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“big impact”, “very worried”, “good book”	“transformative”, “resonated with me”, “profound memoir”, “eye-opening”
Grammar	Simple sentences: “I read this book about three years ago”	Complex: “I came across this book about four years ago when I was going through a particularly challenging period”
Ideas	Surface level: “helped me become more confident”	Deeper analysis: “helped me reframe my anxiety… Instead of seeing uncertainty as threatening, I started viewing it as an opportunity”

Bài trả lời Band 7.5-8 có sự khác biệt rõ rệt về vocabulary precision, grammar complexity và idea development. Candidate không chỉ nói về impact mà còn giải thích cụ thể mechanism của sự thay đổi đó.

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to talk about a book that has been absolutely instrumental in shaping my worldview – “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari. This ambitious work offers a sweeping narrative of human history, from the emergence of Homo sapiens in the Stone Age to the present day. What makes it particularly compelling is how Harari weaves together insights from biology, anthropology, and economics to explain how we became the dominant species on Earth. The book challenges conventional wisdom about human progress and poses profound questions about where we’re heading as a species.

I encountered this book about five years ago during what I’d describe as an intellectually formative period of my life. I was in my early twenties, working my first job after graduation, and experiencing a growing sense of disillusionment with the conventional career path I’d embarked upon. I remember purchasing it at an airport bookstore before a long flight – one of those serendipitous moments that, in hindsight, proved to be quite significant. The striking cover design and the intriguing subtitle piqued my curiosity, but I had no idea just how profoundly it would affect me.

What prompted me to delve into it was partly curiosity and partly a desire to understand the bigger picture of human existence. I’d always been interested in history, but traditional history books had always felt rather fragmented, focusing on specific periods or regions. Harari’s promise to provide a cohesive narrative spanning the entire human story was incredibly appealing. I was also at a point where I was questioning a lot of taken-for-granted assumptions about modern life – career success, happiness, progress – and I sensed this book might offer some alternative perspectives.

The impact this book has had on me is difficult to overstate, to be honest. On an intellectual level, it fundamentally altered my understanding of humanity’s place in history and the forces that shape our societies. Harari’s discussion of cognitive revolution – how our ability to believe in shared myths enabled large-scale cooperation – made me realize how much of what we consider “natural” or “inevitable” is actually socially constructed. This revelation has made me much more critical and analytical when confronting societal norms and expectations.

More practically, the book inspired a dramatic shift in my career trajectory. Reading about how humans have constantly reinvented themselves throughout history gave me the courage to make a significant career change. I left my corporate job to pursue work in education and social impact, something I’d always felt drawn to but had been too risk-averse to attempt. The book’s message that there’s no predetermined script for human life – that we are, in many ways, the authors of our own story – was incredibly emancipating.

Perhaps most significantly, it’s instilled in me a sense of humility and perspective. Whenever I find myself caught up in the minutiae of daily life or stressed about relatively trivial matters, I think back to the vast tapestry of human history that Harari describes. It reminds me that my individual problems are infinitesimally small in the grand scheme of things, which is oddly comforting. At the same time, it’s made me more conscious of my responsibility as a member of this species to contribute positively to our collective future. This dual perspective – humility about my place in history combined with agency in shaping the future – has become a guiding principle in how I approach life.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Extremely fluent với natural flow, no apparent effort. Sophisticated discourse markers (in hindsight, to be honest, perhaps most significantly). Seamless progression of ideas với excellent cohesion.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Sophisticated vocabulary sử dụng naturally: instrumental, sweeping narrative, disillusionment, serendipitous, overstate, emancipating, infinitesimally. Precise collocations và idiomatic language (caught up in, in the grand scheme of things). Wide range with effortless flexibility.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures used accurately and appropriately: complex conditionals, cleft sentences, participle clauses, relative clauses. Consistently error-free với natural use of grammatical features to enhance meaning.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Fully operational command với sophisticated prosodic features. Stress, rhythm and intonation enhance meaning. Native-like pronunciation features (though not necessarily native accent).

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Câu trả lời dài hơn 3 phút với absolutely no hesitation. Candidate nói tự nhiên như đang kể chuyện, sử dụng fillers một cách strategic (to be honest, in hindsight) để tạo authenticity chứ không phải do lack of fluency. Transitions giữa các ideas mượt mà, creating a compelling narrative.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
Ví dụ: “instrumental in shaping my worldview” – thay vì nói đơn giản “important to me”, candidate dùng “instrumental” (quan trọng có tính quyết định) và “shaping worldview” (hình thành thế giới quan) cho thấy precise và sophisticated vocabulary.

Ví dụ: “serendipitous moments” – từ này mang nghĩa “tình cờ may mắn”, sophisticated hơn nhiều so với “lucky chance”.

Ví dụ: “infinitesimally small in the grand scheme of things” – idiomatic expression hoàn hảo để diễn tả perspective về scale.

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
Ví dụ: “What makes it particularly compelling is how Harari weaves together insights…” – đây là cleft sentence (câu chẻ) để emphasize, structure rất advanced.

Ví dụ: “I’d always been interested in history, but traditional history books had always felt rather fragmented” – sử dụng past perfect continuous để show long-term past situation, sau đó contrast với “had felt” trong past perfect.

Ví dụ: “The book’s message that there’s no predetermined script for human life – that we are, in many ways, the authors of our own story – was incredibly emancipating” – complex sentence với embedded clauses và dash để add explanation, very sophisticated structure.

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Candidate không chỉ nói “sách này thay đổi tôi” mà phân tích chi tiết impact ở ba levels:

1. Intellectual level – thay đổi understanding về humanity
2. Practical level – career change với concrete decision
3. Philosophical level – perspective và responsibility

Quan trọng hơn, candidate shows reflection và critical thinking: “humility about my place in history combined with agency in shaping the future” – đây là nuanced thinking, thể hiện mature worldview.

Bạn trẻ đọc sách Sapiens tại quán cafe chuẩn bị IELTS Speaking về cuốn sách ảnh hưởng cuộc đời

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn hoàn thành phần nói 2 phút trong Part 2, examiner thường hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn để kết thúc Part 2 trước khi chuyển sang Part 3. Đây là những câu hỏi liên quan trực tiếp đến câu chuyện bạn vừa kể.

Question 1: Would you recommend this book to others?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I would definitely recommend it to my friends and family. I think it’s a very meaningful book that everyone should read at least once.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, though I’d say it’s particularly suited to people who are at a crossroads in their life or anyone interested in big-picture thinking. The book can be quite dense and philosophical at times, so it might not appeal to everyone, but for those who are receptive to challenging ideas, it’s genuinely thought-provoking and worth the investment of time.

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Question 2: Do you still remember the book clearly?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I still remember the main ideas very well because they were very impressive. I sometimes think about the lessons when I face problems.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Remarkably well, actually. Certain passages and concepts have really stuck with me over the years. I find myself drawing on ideas from the book quite frequently, especially Harari’s discussion of how shared beliefs shape societies. It’s one of those books that continues to resonate long after you’ve finished it – the kind that you find yourself mentally revisiting in various situations.

Lưu ý sự khác biệt: Band 8-9 answer sử dụng sophisticated expressions (stuck with me, drawing on, continues to resonate, mentally revisiting), provides specific examples (shared beliefs), và shows ongoing engagement with the material.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 là phần thảo luận sâu nhất trong IELTS Speaking, kéo dài 4-5 phút. Đây không còn là nói về bản thân như Part 2, mà là thảo luận về các vấn đề xã hội, trends, và abstract ideas liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2.

Yêu cầu của Part 3:

• Phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá các vấn đề một cách khách quan
• Đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ rõ ràng
• Xem xét nhiều góc độ của vấn đề (advantages/disadvantages, past/present/future)
• Sử dụng examples từ society, không chỉ personal experience

Chiến lược quan trọng:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời đầy đủ với 3-5 câu
• Sử dụng discourse markers để structure ideas (Well, Actually, On the one hand)
• Đưa ra general examples hoặc statistics nếu có thể
• Thừa nhận complexity của issue (It depends, There’s no simple answer)
• Balance personal opinion với objective analysis

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn gọn, không elaborate
• Chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì societal perspective
• Không structure câu trả lời rõ ràng
• Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic
• Không biết cách paraphrase câu hỏi

Điều quan trọng là trong Part 3, bạn đang demonstrate ability to discuss complex issues, không phải recite facts. Examiner đánh giá cao critical thinking và ability to sustain a discussion.

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Reading Habits and Society

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Question 1: Why do you think fewer people are reading books nowadays compared to the past?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause-Effect (giải thích nguyên nhân của một xu hướng)
• Key words: fewer people, reading books, nowadays, compared to the past
• Cách tiếp cận:
  1. Acknowledge the trend
  2. Đưa ra 2-3 main reasons
  3. Provide examples cho mỗi reason
  4. Có thể kết thúc bằng consequence hoặc nuanced view

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think there are several reasons for this. First, people are very busy nowadays with work and study, so they don’t have much free time for reading. Second, there are many other forms of entertainment now, like social media, movies, and video games, which are more attractive to young people. Also, many people prefer to watch videos or listen to podcasts instead of reading because it’s easier and more convenient. So I think modern lifestyle and technology are the main reasons why people read less.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có organization với First, Second, Also – cho thấy logical thinking
• Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng basic (very busy, attractive, easier, convenient)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Ideas relevant và clear, grammar chính xác, nhưng thiếu sophistication trong language và depth trong analysis. Không có specific examples hoặc nuanced perspective.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

Well, I think this is a multifaceted phenomenon with several contributing factors. Perhaps the most significant is the proliferation of digital distractions. We’re now living in what some researchers call the “attention economy,” where countless apps and platforms are vying for our focus. Social media, streaming services, and mobile games are designed to be instantly gratifying and highly addictive, making the sustained concentration required for reading seem comparatively arduous to many people.

Another crucial factor is the changing pace of modern life. People today are often juggling multiple responsibilities – work, family, personal development – and when they do have leisure time, they’re often too mentally exhausted to engage with dense text. There’s also been a shift in content consumption patterns toward bite-sized, digestible information – think Twitter threads or TikTok videos – which has recalibrated people’s attention spans, making longer-form reading more challenging.

That said, I wouldn’t paint an entirely pessimistic picture. While traditional book reading may have declined, reading as a whole hasn’t disappeared – it’s merely migrated to different formats. People are reading blogs, online articles, and e-books. The question perhaps isn’t whether people are reading less, but whether they’re reading differently and in shorter bursts. So it’s quite a nuanced situation rather than a simple decline.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized: Acknowledgment → Reason 1 + explanation → Reason 2 + explanation → Balanced conclusion. Sử dụng “Perhaps the most significant”, “Another crucial factor”, “That said” để guide listener.
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (multifaceted phenomenon, proliferation, vying for, instantly gratifying, arduous, juggling responsibilities, recalibrated, pessimistic picture, migrated to different formats). Precise academic language.
• Grammar: Complex structures including:
  • Relative clauses: “what some researchers call”, “where countless apps are vying”
  • Passive voice: “are designed to be”
  • Participle phrases: “making the sustained concentration required”
  • Conditional implications: “when they do have leisure time”
• Critical Thinking: Shows balanced view – acknowledges trend but provides nuance (reading hasn’t disappeared, just changed format). References research concepts (attention economy) để add credibility. Concludes with sophisticated perspective về nature of change.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well (mở đầu tự nhiên), Perhaps (tentative language), That said (contrast marker), So (conclusion)
• Tentative language: “I think this is”, “Perhaps the most significant”, “may have declined” – shows academic caution
• Abstract nouns: phenomenon, proliferation, distractions, gratification, exhaustion, patterns – academic vocabulary
• Hedging devices: “some researchers call”, “quite a nuanced situation” – avoiding absolute statements

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Question 2: Do you think the government should do more to encourage people to read?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Suggestion (đưa ra quan điểm và có thể đề xuất giải pháp)
• Key words: government, should do more, encourage, read
• Cách tiếp cận:
  1. State your position clearly (Yes/No/It depends)
  2. Explain reasoning
  3. Suggest specific measures if saying yes
  4. Acknowledge potential challenges hoặc alternative views

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think the government should encourage reading more. They could build more public libraries and make them free for everyone. Also, they could organize reading campaigns in schools to help children develop good reading habits from a young age. The government could also give discounts on books to make them more affordable. Reading is important for education and personal development, so the government has a responsibility to promote it.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear position → Suggestions → Reason. Logical và easy to follow.
• Vocabulary: Basic (build more, organize, give discounts, important, promote)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response với clear ideas, nhưng thiếu sophistication. Solutions khá generic, không có depth về how these would work hoặc potential challenges.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

I’d say yes, but with some caveats. While I believe fostering a reading culture should be a priority, the approach needs to be nuanced rather than heavy-handed.

On the one hand, there’s a strong rationale for government intervention. Reading cultivates critical thinking, enhances empathy, and provides foundational skills essential for informed citizenship in a democracy. From this perspective, governments could take several strategic measures. For instance, they could substantially increase funding for public libraries and ensure they’re equipped with modern facilities and diverse collections. Beyond simply providing access, libraries could be transformed into community hubs offering reading programs, author talks, and book clubs that make reading a more social and engaging activity.

Educational policy is another leverage point. Rather than simply mandating more reading in schools – which can actually backfire by making it feel like a chore – governments could incentivize innovative teaching methods that make reading genuinely enjoyable. This might involve incorporating contemporary, relevant literature that resonates with young people’s lives, or using technology to create interactive reading experiences.

On the other hand, we need to be mindful of the limitations of government intervention. Reading is ultimately a personal choice, and attempts to impose it top-down can feel paternalistic and may generate resistance. There’s also the question of resource allocation – in countries with pressing issues like healthcare or infrastructure, diverting significant funds to reading promotion might not be the most prudent use of public money.

All in all, I believe the government has a role to play, but it should focus on removing barriers – ensuring access to books, creating conducive environments – rather than prescribing what or how much people should read. The goal should be to make reading accessible and attractive, not mandatory.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated structure: Position with caveat → Strong rationale + specific measures → Counter-perspective → Balanced conclusion. Uses “On the one hand… On the other hand” effectively.
• Vocabulary: Exceptional range (caveats, fostering, nuanced, heavy-handed, rationale, cultivates, foundational, leverage point, mandating, backfire, paternalistic, diverting funds, prudent, prescribing). Topic-specific và academic vocabulary used naturally.
• Grammar: Full range including:
  • Conditional structures: “could take”, “might involve”
  • Passive constructions: “could be transformed into”, “are equipped with”
  • Complex noun phrases: “informed citizenship in a democracy”
  • Gerunds as subjects: “Reading cultivates”, “fostering a reading culture”
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates sophisticated thinking by:
  • Acknowledging complexity (with some caveats)
  • Presenting balanced argument (benefits vs. limitations)
  • Providing specific, nuanced solutions
  • Considering potential problems (can backfire, paternalistic)
  • Concluding with principled stance (remove barriers, not prescribe)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Advanced discourse markers: “On the one hand… On the other hand”, “From this perspective”, “Beyond simply”, “All in all”
• Hedging and tentative language: “I’d say”, “might not be”, “should focus on” – academic caution
• Collocations: “fostering a reading culture”, “strategic measures”, “leverage point”, “generate resistance”, “diverting funds”

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Theme 2: Digital vs Physical Books

Question 3: Do you think e-books will completely replace physical books in the future?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Future Prediction + Opinion
• Key words: e-books, completely replace, physical books, future
• Cách tiếp cận:
  1. State your position on likelihood
  2. Arguments supporting e-books
  3. Reasons physical books will remain
  4. Nuanced conclusion về coexistence

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I don’t think e-books will completely replace physical books. While e-books are convenient and easy to carry, many people still prefer reading paper books. Physical books give readers a different feeling and experience that e-books cannot provide. Also, some people like to collect books and display them on bookshelves. However, e-books will probably become more popular, especially among young people, because they are cheaper and more convenient. So I think both will exist together in the future.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear position → Reasons for both sides → Conclusion about coexistence
• Vocabulary: Basic (convenient, easy to carry, different feeling, become more popular)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response với balanced view, nhưng reasons chưa được developed in depth. Vocabulary và grammar structures đơn giản.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

I’d be quite surprised if physical books were to completely vanish, though I do think their role will continue to evolve significantly. This is less about technology’s capabilities and more about the multidimensional nature of reading as an experience.

From a purely functional standpoint, e-books have undeniable advantages. They’re environmentally sustainable – no paper, no shipping – infinitely portable, and often more affordable. For avid readers who consume vast quantities of books, the convenience of having an entire library in your pocket is hard to overstate. We’re also seeing continuous innovations in e-reader technology, with devices that increasingly approximate the reading experience of paper through e-ink displays and sophisticated typography.

However, physical books offer what I’d call an immersive tactile experience that many readers find irreplaceable. There’s something about the weight of a book, the texture of pages, and even the distinctive smell of paper that creates a more embodied reading experience. Research in cognitive psychology actually suggests that physical books may enhance retention and comprehension because the spatial memory of where something appeared on a page helps with recall.

Beyond the individual experience, physical books carry significant cultural and social value. They serve as physical artifacts that can be gifted, displayed, and passed down through generations. Brick-and-mortar bookstores remain important community spaces where serendipitous discovery happens in ways that algorithmic recommendations can’t quite replicate. There’s also a certain aesthetic and status dimension – a well-curated bookshelf is often seen as a reflection of one’s intellectual identity in a way that a Kindle library simply isn’t.

What I think we’ll see is increasing segmentation of the market. E-books will likely dominate in certain categories – reference materials, genre fiction, textbooks – where convenience and searchability are paramount. Physical books will probably become more niche but remain important for literary fiction, art books, and collectors’ editions where the physical object itself adds value. So rather than complete replacement, I’d anticipate a coexistence where each format carves out its own niche based on use cases and reader preferences.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-organized: Clear position → E-book advantages → Physical book advantages (individual + societal) → Future prediction with segmentation. Each paragraph has clear topic and development.
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (vanish, evolve significantly, multidimensional nature, undeniable advantages, infinitely portable, avid readers, immersive tactile experience, embodied reading experience, serendipitous discovery, well-curated bookshelf, increasing segmentation, carves out its own niche). Rich topic-specific vocabulary.
• Grammar: Full range expertly used:
  • Conditional (subjunctive): “I’d be quite surprised if physical books were to completely vanish”
  • Complex relative clauses: “Research in cognitive psychology actually suggests that…”
  • Comparative structures: “more about… than about”
  • Future predictions with modals: “will likely dominate”, “will probably become”
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates exceptional analytical ability:
  • Multi-dimensional analysis (functional, experiential, cultural, social aspects)
  • References research (cognitive psychology on retention)
  • Nuanced future prediction with segmentation
  • Specific examples for different categories
  • Sophisticated conclusion about coexistence based on use cases

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic hedging: “I’d be quite surprised if”, “I think we’ll see”, “likely”, “probably” – showing caution in predictions
• Advanced discourse markers: “From a purely functional standpoint”, “However”, “Beyond the individual experience”, “So rather than”
• Abstract concepts: multidimensional nature, embodied experience, cultural value, aesthetic dimension, intellectual identity
• Sophisticated collocations: “continuous innovations”, “approximate the reading experience”, “enhance retention”, “serendipitous discovery”, “carves out its own niche”

So sánh giữa sách giấy và ebook trong IELTS Speaking về xu hướng đọc sách hiện đại

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Theme 3: Impact of Books on Society

Question 4: What role do books play in educating children compared to the internet?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and Contrast
• Key words: role, books, educating children, compared to, internet
• Cách tiếp cận:
  1. Acknowledge both có vai trò quan trọng
  2. Unique strengths của books
  3. Unique strengths của internet
  4. Conclude về complementary roles

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Both books and the internet are important for children’s education. Books are good because they help children focus better and develop reading skills. They also teach children to be patient because reading takes time. However, the internet has more information and it’s faster to find what you need. Children can watch videos and see pictures, which makes learning more interesting. I think books are better for deep learning while the internet is better for quick information. Both are useful and children should use both of them.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Introduction → Books advantages → Internet advantages → Balanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Basic (good, help, develop, more information, faster, interesting, useful)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear comparison với adequate ideas, nhưng analysis lacks depth. Limited vocabulary range và simple grammar structures.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

That’s an interesting question because both serve distinct but complementary roles in children’s education, and I think the key is understanding their respective strengths rather than viewing them as competing alternatives.

Books offer what I’d describe as a structured, sequential learning experience. When a child reads a book, they’re engaging with a carefully curated narrative or body of knowledge that has typically been vetted by educators and publishers. This creates a sense of authority and reliability that’s particularly important for foundational learning. Books also promote sustained attention and deep reading skills – the ability to immerse oneself in complex ideas and follow extended arguments. This kind of focused, linear engagement is crucial for developing critical thinking and analytical skills. There’s also something about the self-paced nature of reading from a book that allows children to absorb and reflect on information at their own speed, which can enhance comprehension and retention.

The internet, by contrast, excels at providing breadth, immediacy, and interactivity. Children can access an unprecedented volume of information on virtually any topic, which is fantastic for satisfying curiosity and exploring diverse perspectives. The multimedia nature of online content – combining text, images, videos, and interactive elements – can make learning more engaging and accessible, particularly for children who might struggle with traditional text-heavy formats. The internet is also invaluable for developing digital literacy skills that are essential in our modern world – learning to search effectively, evaluate sources critically, and navigate complex information landscapes.

However, there are inherent challenges with internet-based learning for children. The internet is a largely unregulated space where misinformation proliferates, and children may lack the critical faculties to distinguish reliable sources from unreliable ones. The constant distractions and hyperlinked nature of online content can also fragment attention and discourage the deep engagement that books naturally foster. There’s growing concern among educators about how excessive screen time and surface-level browsing might be impacting children’s cognitive development and attention spans.

In my view, the optimal approach is an integrated one where books provide the foundation – teaching patience, concentration, and structured thinking – while the internet serves as a supplementary tool for exploration, current information, and skill development. Books are particularly crucial in early childhood education when children are still developing basic literacy and cognitive frameworks. As children mature and develop stronger critical thinking skills, the internet becomes increasingly valuable. But even then, books remain important for in-depth study and sustained intellectual engagement. So rather than choosing one over the other, we should be thinking about how to leverage the strengths of each in a balanced educational approach.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly sophisticated: Introduction establishing framework → Books’ strengths (detailed with multiple aspects) → Internet’s strengths (equally detailed) → Critical analysis of challenges → Balanced, nuanced conclusion about integration. Each section thoroughly developed với specific examples và reasoning.
• Vocabulary: Exceptional range and precision (distinct but complementary, curated narrative, vetted, foundational learning, sustained attention, linear engagement, unprecedented volume, proliferates, critical faculties, fragment attention, optimal approach, leverage the strengths). Academic và topic-specific vocabulary used naturally và accurately.
• Grammar: Full range used expertly:
  • Complex conditionals: “might be impacting”
  • Relative clauses: “which is fantastic for satisfying curiosity”
  • Gerunds and participles: “teaching patience”, “learning to search”
  • Comparative structures: “rather than viewing them as competing alternatives”
  • Passive voice: “has typically been vetted by”
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates exceptional analytical ability:
  • Multi-dimensional comparison (cognitive, educational, developmental aspects)
  • References contemporary concerns (misinformation, attention spans, cognitive development)
  • Acknowledges complexity and nuance throughout
  • Provides age-appropriate differentiation (early childhood vs. mature students)
  • Sophisticated conclusion about integration rather than replacement
  • Specific examples for each point
  • Considers potential problems with each medium

💡 Key Language Features:

• Sophisticated discourse markers: “That’s an interesting question because”, “by contrast”, “However”, “In my view”, “So rather than”
• Hedging and tentative language: “I think the key is”, “can make learning”, “might be impacting”, “should be thinking” – academic caution
• Abstract nouns: authority, reliability, engagement, immediacy, interactivity, misinformation, optimal approach
• Advanced collocations: “distinct but complementary roles”, “competing alternatives”, “curated narrative”, “sustained attention”, “digital literacy skills”, “information landscapes”, “proliferates”, “fragment attention”, “leverage the strengths”
• Complex noun phrases: “the self-paced nature of reading”, “the constant distractions and hyperlinked nature of online content”, “structured, sequential learning experience”

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Question 5: How do you think people’s reading habits will change in the next 20 years?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Future Prediction
• Key words: reading habits, change, next 20 years
• Cách tiếp cận:
  1. Identify current trends
  2. Project how these might develop
  3. Consider technological and social factors
  4. Acknowledge uncertainty

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think reading habits will change a lot in the future. More people will read on electronic devices like tablets and phones instead of paper books. Reading will also become faster because people want quick information. Young people might read shorter content like articles or posts on social media. However, some people will still enjoy reading traditional books. I also think more people will listen to audiobooks because they can do other things while listening. Overall, technology will make reading more convenient but also different from what it is now.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear progression of predictions
• Vocabulary: Basic (a lot, electronic devices, quick, shorter, convenient, different)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Relevant predictions nhưng lacks depth và specific reasoning. Simple vocabulary và grammar structures.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

Predicting 20 years ahead is admittedly speculative, but based on current trends, I think we’ll see some fundamental shifts in how people engage with written content.

First and foremost, I anticipate a continued fragmentation of reading habits. We’re already seeing this, but I think it will intensify – people will increasingly read in shorter bursts across multiple platforms and formats throughout the day. The traditional notion of sitting down with a book for an extended period might become more of a niche activity rather than the norm. Instead, reading will be more seamlessly integrated into our daily routines through various devices – from smartwatches displaying news snippets to AR glasses overlaying information on the physical world.

Technology will likely revolutionize the reading experience in ways we can barely imagine. We might see AI-powered personalization where content dynamically adapts to our comprehension level and interests. Imagine books that reconfigure themselves based on your reading speed, knowledge gaps, or even your emotional state as detected by biometric sensors. We’re probably moving toward more immersive reading experiences that blend text with augmented reality, 3D visualizations, and interactive elements – making the line between reading and experiencing increasingly blurred.

I also think we’ll see significant changes in content creation and distribution. The gatekeeping role of traditional publishers will continue to diminish, with more authors self-publishing and reaching audiences directly. This could lead to an explosion of diverse voices but also presents challenges around quality control and discoverability. AI-generated content will likely become more prevalent, raising interesting questions about authorship and originality.

From a societal perspective, I’m somewhat concerned about increasing polarization in reading habits. On one end, we might have a segment of the population that becomes highly literate and engages with sophisticated, long-form content. On the other, there may be growing numbers who primarily consume bite-sized, algorithmically-curated content that reinforces their existing views – creating what some scholars call “information cocoons”. This could exacerbate existing inequalities in critical thinking skills and civic engagement.

Audiobooks will almost certainly become even more prominent, potentially overtaking traditional reading for many genres. With advances in voice synthesis and personalized narration, the auditory experience might become just as rich and varied as visual reading. We might even see hybrid formats that seamlessly transition between text, audio, and visual media based on context – reading text while commuting, switching to audio while cooking, for example.

However, I’d also venture to predict that there will be a counter-movement – a conscious resistance to this hyper-digitized, fragmented approach to reading. Much like we’ve seen the resurgence of vinyl records and artisanal crafts in an increasingly digital world, I think physical books will acquire a premium status. Reading a physical book might become a deliberate act of mindfulness and digital detox – something people do specifically to disconnect and engage more deeply.

All in all, the next 20 years will likely see reading become more diverse, personalized, and technologically mediated, but also potentially more stratified and fragmented. The challenge will be ensuring that these changes enhance rather than diminish our capacity for sustained attention, critical thinking, and deep engagement with ideas – qualities that have traditionally made reading such a valuable human activity.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally comprehensive và well-organized: Acknowledgment of speculation → Multiple detailed predictions (fragmentation, technology, content creation, societal impact, audiobooks, counter-movement) → Thoughtful, balanced conclusion. Each prediction thoroughly developed với reasoning và examples.
• Vocabulary: Outstanding range and precision (speculative, fundamental shifts, fragmentation, intensify, seamlessly integrated, revolutionize, dynamically adapts, reconfigure, gatekeeping role, discoverability, polarization, exacerbate, venture to predict, resurgence, artisanal, stratified, mediated). Sophisticated academic và topic-specific vocabulary used naturally.
• Grammar: Full mastery of complex structures:
  • Future predictions with various modals: “might become”, “will likely revolutionize”, “could lead to”, “may be growing”
  • Conditional structures: “making the line between… increasingly blurred”
  • Passive voice: “will be more seamlessly integrated”, “can barely imagine”
  • Gerunds and participles: “sitting down with a book”, “reinforces their existing views”
  • Complex comparative structures: “just as rich and varied as”, “rather than the norm”
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates exceptional analytical và speculative ability:
  • Multiple dimensions explored (technological, social, economic, cultural)
  • Specific technological predictions (AR glasses, AI personalization, biometric sensors)
  • Acknowledges both positive và negative possibilities
  • References scholarly concepts (information cocoons, digital detox)
  • Historical parallels (vinyl records analogy)
  • Considers different socioeconomic segments
  • Sophisticated understanding of counter-trends
  • Concludes với thoughtful reflection on values

💡 Key Language Features:

• Future prediction language: “I anticipate”, “will likely”, “might become”, “probably moving toward”, “I’d venture to predict” – variety của prediction expressions
• Hedging devices: “admittedly speculative”, “based on current trends”, “we can barely imagine”, “potentially”, “almost certainly” – academic caution về future predictions
• Sophisticated discourse markers: “First and foremost”, “From a societal perspective”, “However”, “All in all”, “Much like”
• Abstract concepts: fragmentation, personalization, polarization, stratification, mindfulness, civic engagement
• Advanced collocations: “fundamental shifts”, “niche activity”, “seamlessly integrated”, “revolutionize the reading experience”, “gatekeeping role”, “exacerbate inequalities”, “counter-movement”, “conscious resistance”, “premium status”, “digital detox”
• Academic expressions: “based on current trends”, “raises interesting questions”, “from a societal perspective”, “what some scholars call”

Tương tự như describe a virtual event you attended recently, khả năng dự đoán xu hướng tương lai và phân tích tác động xã hội của công nghệ là kỹ năng quan trọng trong IELTS Speaking Part 3, giúp thí sinh thể hiện critical thinking và breadth of knowledge.

Từ Vựng và Cụm Từ Quan Trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
avid reader	noun phrase	/ˈævɪd ˈriːdə(r)/	người đam mê đọc sách	I’ve been an avid reader since childhood.	avid book collector, avid fan
page-turner	noun	/ˈpeɪdʒ tɜːnə(r)/	sách hấp dẫn khó đặt xuống	The thriller was such a page-turner that I finished it in one sitting.	absolute page-turner, real page-turner
literary work	noun phrase	/ˈlɪtərəri wɜːk/	tác phẩm văn học	This literary work explores themes of identity and belonging.	classic literary work, contemporary literary work
broaden one’s horizons	verb phrase	/ˈbrɔːdn wʌnz həˈraɪznz/	mở rộng tầm hiểu biết	Reading foreign literature helps broaden one’s horizons.	significantly broaden, gradually broaden
thought-provoking	adj	/ˈθɔːt prəˌvəʊkɪŋ/	kích thích tư duy, gợi suy ngẫm	The book raised thought-provoking questions about human nature.	deeply thought-provoking, highly thought-provoking
captivating narrative	noun phrase	/ˈkæptɪveɪtɪŋ ˈnærətɪv/	câu chuyện hấp dẫn, lôi cuốn	The author wove a captivating narrative about life in wartime.	compelling narrative, gripping narrative
immerse oneself in	verb phrase	/ɪˈmɜːs wʌnˈself ɪn/	đắm mình vào	I love to immerse myself in fantasy novels on weekends.	completely immerse, fully immerse
profound impact	noun phrase	/prəˈfaʊnd ˈɪmpækt/	ảnh hưởng sâu sắc	The book had a profound impact on my career choices.	lasting impact, significant impact
gripping plot	noun phrase	/ˈɡrɪpɪŋ plɒt/	cốt truyện hấp dẫn	The mystery novel had such a gripping plot I couldn’t stop reading.	intricate plot, compelling plot
well-developed characters	noun phrase	/wel dɪˈveləpt ˈkærəktəz/	nhân vật được phát triển tốt	The novel featured well-developed characters that felt realistic.	richly developed, fully developed
foster a love of reading	verb phrase	/ˈfɒstə(r) ə lʌv əv ˈriːdɪŋ/	nuôi dưỡng tình yêu đọc sách	Parents play a crucial role in fostering a love of reading in children.	actively foster, help foster
unputdownable	adj	/ˌʌnpʊtˈdaʊnəbl/	không thể đặt xuống (quá hấp dẫn)	The thriller was absolutely unputdownable.	totally unputdownable, completely unputdownable
literacy rate	noun phrase	/ˈlɪtərəsi reɪt/	tỷ lệ biết chữ	The country has achieved a literacy rate of over 95%.	high literacy rate, improve literacy rate
reading comprehension	noun phrase	/ˈriːdɪŋ ˌkɒmprɪˈhenʃn/	khả năng đọc hiểu	Regular reading improves reading comprehension skills.	enhance comprehension, develop comprehension
literary genre	noun phrase	/ˈlɪtərəri ˈʒɒnrə/	thể loại văn học	Science fiction is my favorite literary genre.	popular genre, diverse genre
critically acclaimed	adj phrase	/ˈkrɪtɪkli əˈkleɪmd/	được giới phê bình đánh giá cao	The critically acclaimed novel won several awards.	highly acclaimed, widely acclaimed
bestseller	noun	/ˌbestˈselə(r)/	sách bán chạy nhất	Her latest book became an international bestseller.	instant bestseller, chart-topping bestseller
plot twist	noun phrase	/plɒt twɪst/	tình tiết bất ngờ	The unexpected plot twist completely changed my understanding of the story.	shocking plot twist, clever plot twist
character development	noun phrase	/ˈkærəktə dɪˈveləpmənt/	sự phát triển nhân vật	The novel’s strength lies in its excellent character development.	strong character development, weak character development
page by page	adverb phrase	/peɪdʒ baɪ peɪdʒ/	từng trang một	The suspense built page by page throughout the novel.	unfold page by page, reveal page by page

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
on the edge of one’s seat	hồi hộp, căng thẳng theo dõi	The thriller kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.	7.5-9
couldn’t put it down	không thể đặt sách xuống (quá hấp dẫn)	The novel was so gripping I couldn’t put it down for three days.	7-8
bury oneself in a book	chìm đắm trong sách	I love to bury myself in a good book on lazy Sunday afternoons.	7.5-8.5
devour a book	đọc ngấu nghiến, say mê	I devoured the entire trilogy in just one week.	7-8
read between the lines	đọc ý nghĩa ngầm, hiểu điều không nói ra	To fully appreciate the novel, you need to read between the lines.	7.5-9
a real page-turner	sách cực kỳ hấp dẫn	The detective story was a real page-turner from start to finish.	7-8
turn over a new leaf	bắt đầu trang mới, thay đổi tích cực	After reading that self-help book, I decided to turn over a new leaf.	7.5-8.5
by the book	theo đúng quy tắc, nguyên tắc	She always does everything by the book, following every guideline.	7-8
judge a book by its cover	đánh giá qua vẻ ngoài	You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover – the story was much deeper than I expected.	7-8
be in someone’s good books	được ai đó yêu mến, đánh giá cao	He’s been in the teacher’s good books since he started reading more.	7.5-8.5
take a leaf out of someone’s book	học hỏi, noi gương ai đó	I should take a leaf out of my sister’s book and read more regularly.	7.5-8.5
an open book	dễ hiểu, không che giấu gì	The protagonist was an open book, making readers easily connect with her emotions.	7-8

Khi nói về những trải nghiệm quan trọng trong cuộc sống, bạn có thể tham khảo thêm cách mô tả describe a time when you received valuable feedback để thấy được cách kết nối các ý tưởng về personal development và growth mindset một cách tự nhiên trong IELTS Speaking.

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần vài giây để suy nghĩ, tạo sự tự nhiên
• 📝 Actually,… – Dùng khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc thông tin bất ngờ
• 📝 To be honest,… – Dùng khi nói thật, chia sẻ opinion chân thành
• 📝 I’d say that… – Dùng khi đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân
• 📝 From my perspective,… – Dùng khi muốn nhấn mạnh đây là personal view

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, hơn nữa
• 📝 What’s more,… – Điều quan trọng hơn là
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến, chưa nói đến
• 📝 Furthermore,… – Hơn nữa (formal hơn)
• 📝 In addition to that,… – Thêm vào đó

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác…
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Mặc dù đúng là…, nhưng ta cũng cần xem xét…
• 📝 That said,… – Dù vậy, tuy nhiên
• 📝 Having said that,… – Nói như vậy thì, tuy nhiên
• 📝 By contrast,… – Ngược lại

Để đưa ra ví dụ:

• 📝 For instance,… – Ví dụ như
• 📝 Take… for example – Lấy… làm ví dụ
• 📝 A case in point is… – Một trường hợp điển hình là
• 📝 To illustrate this point,… – Để minh họa điểm này

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, về căn bản
• 📝 In a nutshell,… – Tóm gọn lại
• 📝 To sum up,… – Tóm lại
• 📝 All things considered,… – Xét mọi mặt thì

Để thể hiện uncertainty hoặc tentative opinion:

• 📝 I would say… – Tôi có thể nói rằng
• 📝 I suppose… – Tôi cho rằng (không chắc lắm)
• 📝 It seems to me that… – Có vẻ như, theo tôi thấy
• 📝 To some extent… – Ở một mức độ nào đó
• 📝 In some ways… – Theo một cách nào đó

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

• Mixed conditional: “If I hadn’t read that book, I would still be uncertain about my career path today.” (Kết hợp quá khứ và hiện tại)
• Inversion for emphasis: “Had I known how impactful the book would be, I would have read it sooner.” (Đảo ngữ trong điều kiện)

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

• Non-defining: “The book, which was recommended by my professor, completely changed my perspective on life.” (Thêm thông tin, có dấu phẩy)
• Reduced relative clause: “The lessons learned from reading have stayed with me throughout my life.” (Rút gọn mệnh đề)

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

• It is thought/believed/said that… “It is widely believed that reading enhances empathy and emotional intelligence.”
• Advanced passive: “The book has been credited with inspiring a generation of young readers.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

• What I find most… “What I find most remarkable about the book is how it addresses universal themes through personal stories.”
• The thing that… “The thing that impressed me most was the author’s ability to create such vivid characters.”
• It was… that… “It was the book’s profound message about resilience that had the greatest impact on me.”

5. Participle Clauses:

• Present participle: “Reading extensively as a child, I developed strong language skills early on.”
• Perfect participle: “Having finished the book, I felt both satisfied and contemplative.”

6. Inversion for Emphasis:

• Never have I… “Never have I encountered a book that resonated with me so deeply.”
• Rarely do we… “Rarely do we find books that can truly change our worldview.”

7. Subjunctive Mood:

• I’d be surprised if… “I’d be quite surprised if physical books were to completely disappear in the next few decades.”
• Were it not for… “Were it not for that book, I might have taken a completely different career path.”

Đối với những ai đang tìm hiểu về cách trình bày các chủ đề liên quan đến học tập, what subject are you studying ielts answer cung cấp những cách tiếp cận hữu ích về việc nói về quá trình học tập và phát triển bản thân, có thể áp dụng tương tự khi nói về reading journey.

Bộ từ vựng IELTS Speaking chủ đề sách và thói quen đọc minh họa bằng flashcards

Chiến Lược Và Lời Khuyên Từ Examiner

Chuẩn Bị Hiệu Quả Cho Chủ Đề Books

Xây dựng Personal Library of Examples:
Đừng chỉ học template chung chung. Hãy thực sự nghĩ về 3-4 cuốn sách đã thực sự ảnh hưởng đến bạn và chuẩn bị chi tiết về chúng. Với mỗi cuốn, bạn nên biết:

• Tác giả và thể loại
• Nội dung chính (tóm tắt trong 2-3 câu)
• Khi nào và tại sao bạn đọc
• Impact cụ thể trên cuộc sống bạn
• Quotes hoặc scenes đáng nhớ

Việc có những ví dụ authentic này sẽ giúp bạn nói tự nhiên hơn nhiều so với việc bịa ra một cuốn sách giả tạo.

Phát triển “Reading Vocabulary”:
Chủ đề books có một bộ từ vựng chuyên biệt. Thay vì dùng “good book” hay “interesting story”, hãy học những từ như:

• Captivating, gripping, compelling, riveting (thay cho interesting)
• Profound, thought-provoking, insightful (thay cho good/important)
• Well-crafted, eloquent, evocative (miêu tả writing style)
• Resonate with, strike a chord, speak to (miêu tả connection với reader)

Practice Describing Impact:
Đây là phần khó nhất nhưng cũng quan trọng nhất. Đừng chỉ nói “it changed me”. Hãy specific:

• Changed HOW? (mindset, behavior, career direction, relationships)
• Changed WHEN? (immediate impact vs. gradual realization)
• Changed WHY? (what specific ideas or characters influenced you)

Ví dụ tốt: “The book fundamentally shifted my perspective on failure. Rather than seeing it as something to avoid, I began viewing it as an essential part of growth. This mindset change led me to take more risks in my career, ultimately resulting in opportunities I wouldn’t have pursued otherwise.”

Common Mistakes và Cách Khắc Phục

Mistake 1: Spending Too Much Time on Plot Summary
Nhiều thí sinh dành phần lớn thời gian kể lại cốt truyện chi tiết. Đây không phải mục đích của bài nói.

Solution: Tóm tắt plot trong 2-3 câu rồi chuyển sang nói về themes, characters, và quan trọng nhất là impact. Examiner muốn nghe về YOUR experience với sách, không phải book report.

Mistake 2: Using Only Simple Vocabulary
Nói “The book was good and I liked it” không thể đạt band cao.

Solution: Học và sử dụng sophisticated vocabulary như “captivating narrative”, “thought-provoking themes”, “resonated deeply with me”. Practice paraphrasing: thay “like” bằng “be drawn to”, “find compelling”, “resonate with”.

Mistake 3: Not Providing Enough Detail About Impact
Nói chung chung “it changed my life” không convincing.

Solution: Use specific examples. Instead of “it made me more confident”, say “it inspired me to apply for a scholarship I initially thought was beyond my reach, which ultimately opened up incredible opportunities”.

Mistake 4: Being Too Honest About Not Reading
Nếu bạn thật sự không thích đọc sách, đừng nói trực tiếp “I don’t like reading books”.

Solution: Frame it differently: “I’m more of a visual learner, so I tend to prefer documentaries or podcasts, but there are certain books that have left a lasting impression on me…” Sau đó nói về 1-2 cuốn bạn thực sự đã đọc.

Mistake 5: Memorizing and Reciting Templates
Examiner dễ dàng nhận ra khi thí sinh đang recite một đoạn đã học thuộc.

Solution: Prepare ideas và vocabulary, không phải whole paragraphs. Practice speaking naturally về chủ đề, allowing for some hesitation và self-correction – đây là dấu hiệu của authentic speech.

Những Điều Examiner Thực Sự Đánh Giá Cao

Authenticity Over Perfection:
Một câu chuyện thật với vài lỗi ngữ pháp nhỏ thường score cao hơn một đoạn văn perfect nhưng nghe giả tạo. Đừng sợ pause để suy nghĩ, đừng sợ self-correct – đây là natural features của spontaneous speech.

Personal Connection:
Khi bạn nói về sách thực sự ảnh hưởng đến bạn, sự nhiệt tình và emotion sẽ thể hiện qua voice và delivery. Đây là điều examiner đánh giá cao vì nó shows genuine communication ability.

Critical Thinking:
Thay vì chỉ accept mọi thứ trong sách, show rằng bạn engaged critically: “While I agreed with the author’s main argument about…, I found some of the examples less convincing because…” Điều này demonstrates sophisticated thinking.

Cultural Awareness:
Nếu có thể, connect sách với broader cultural hoặc social context: “This book was particularly impactful in Vietnam where success is often narrowly defined in terms of academic achievement…” Shows depth of understanding.

Việc kết nối reading habits với các hoạt động xã hội cũng rất quan trọng, tương tự như describe a park in your area where families like to gather, bạn có thể nói về việc đọc sách trong các không gian cộng đồng như library hay book cafes để thể hiện social dimension của reading.

Lộ Trình Luyện Tập 4 Tuần

Week 1: Building Foundation

• Days 1-2: Chọn và đọc lại 3-4 cuốn sách bạn thích, note down key details
• Days 3-4: Học vocabulary chuyên ngành (20-30 từ mỗi ngày)
• Days 5-7: Practice answering Part 1 questions, record và listen để identify weaknesses

Week 2: Developing Part 2 Skills

• Days 1-3: Viết detailed notes cho 3 different cue cards về books
• Days 4-5: Practice speaking Part 2 với timer (aim for full 2 minutes)
• Days 6-7: Record yourself, analyze using band descriptors, identify areas to improve

Week 3: Mastering Part 3

• Days 1-3: Study Part 3 questions, practice structuring complex answers
• Days 4-5: Focus on discourse markers và linking ideas smoothly
• Days 6-7: Practice với partner hoặc tutor nếu có thể

Week 4: Integration và Polish

• Days 1-3: Full mock tests (all 3 parts), focusing on fluency
• Days 4-5: Work on pronunciation và intonation
• Days 6-7: Final review of vocabulary và relaxation trước thi

Tips Cho Ngày Thi

Before the Test:

• Đừng cram vocabulary vào phút cuối – dễ gây confusion
• Review những examples cụ thể bạn đã chuẩn bị
• Đọc một article bằng tiếng Anh để “warm up” English brain
• Arrive early để calm down và acclimatize

During Part 1:

• Smile và maintain eye contact
• Đừng overthink – trả lời naturally
• Mở rộng answers nhưng đừng ramble (2-3 câu là đủ)

During Part 2:

• Use toàn bộ 1 phút chuẩn bị
• Note keywords only, không viết sentences
• Nếu run out of ideas trước 2 phút, expand trên bullet point cuối (“explain” part)
• Nếu đã nói hết ý trước khi examiner nói stop, conclude naturally

During Part 3:

• Đừng panic nếu không biết answer ngay – it’s okay to pause và say “That’s an interesting question… I’d say that…”
• Nếu không hiểu question, politely ask examiner to repeat
• Use discourse markers liberally để structure response
• Acknowledge complexity: “There’s no simple answer to this, but…”

Tương tự như khi describe a successful small business you know about, việc có một cấu trúc rõ ràng và ví dụ cụ thể sẽ giúp bạn tự tin hơn rất nhiều trong phòng thi.

Tài Nguyên Hữu Ích

Để cải thiện vocabulary:

• IELTS Vocabulary apps: focus on topic-specific words
• Read book reviews trên The Guardian, NY Times Books section
• Listen to book podcasts để học cách native speakers discuss books

Để practice speaking:

• HelloTalk, Tandem: tìm language partners
• Record yourself regularly và compare với native speakers
• Join book clubs (online hoặc offline) để practice discussing books

Để nâng cao ideas:

• Watch TED talks về reading, books, literacy
• Read opinion pieces về future of books, digital reading
• Follow book bloggers và reviewers để học cách articulate opinions về books

Hãy nhớ rằng, IELTS Speaking không phải là test về knowledge của bạn về books hay literature. Nó là test về ability to communicate effectively in English về chủ đề đó. Focus on expressing your genuine thoughts clearly và confidently, rather than trying to sound overly academic or impressive.

Chúc bạn thành công với IELTS Speaking test của mình, đặc biệt với chủ đề “describe a book that had a major impact on your life”!