IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời Chủ Đề “Describe a Person Who Has Been a Great Mentor to You” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Mở bài

Chủ đề “Describe A Person Who Has Been A Great Mentor To You” là một trong những đề tài phổ biến và có ý nghĩa sâu sắc trong IELTS Speaking Part 2. Đây là cơ hội tuyệt vời để bạn thể hiện khả năng miêu tả con người, kể về mối quan hệ và ảnh hưởng của họ đến cuộc sống bạn. Chủ đề này không chỉ kiểm tra vốn từ vựng về tính cách, nghề nghiệp mà còn đánh giá khả năng diễn đạt cảm xúc và phân tích sâu sắc của thí sinh.

Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế, chủ đề về “người có ảnh hưởng” xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ 2020 đến 2024, đặc biệt là các biến thể về mentor, teacher, role model. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao do tính practical và relatable của chủ đề này.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Câu hỏi thường gặp trong cả 3 Part liên quan đến chủ đề mentor và người có ảnh hưởng
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo nhiều band điểm từ 6-7, 7.5-8 đến 8.5-9 với phân tích cụ thể
• Từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm để miêu tả con người, tính cách và ảnh hưởng
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả cho từng Part
• Lời khuyên quý báu từ góc nhìn của một Examiner với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm
• Những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích và kinh nghiệm cá nhân. Đối với chủ đề mentor, examiner thường không hỏi trực tiếp mà sẽ dẫn dắt qua các câu hỏi về learning, teachers, advice hoặc role models.

Chiến lược quan trọng cho Part 1 là trả lời tự nhiên trong 2-3 câu, mở rộng ý bằng cách thêm lý do hoặc ví dụ ngắn gọn. Đừng chỉ trả lời “Yes” hay “No” – đây là lỗi phổ biến nhất của học viên Việt Nam.

Các lỗi thường gặp khác bao gồm:

• Sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản (good, bad, nice)
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Nói quá nhanh hoặc quá chậm do căng thẳng
• Không duy trì eye contact với examiner

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you like learning new things?

Question 2: Who taught you the most important things in your life?

Question 3: Do you prefer learning from others or by yourself?

Question 4: Have you ever asked someone for advice about your career or studies?

Question 5: What kind of people do you look up to?

Question 6: Do you think it’s important to have a mentor in life?

Question 7: Who was your favorite teacher at school?

Question 8: Do you still keep in touch with your teachers from school?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you like learning new things?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi (Yes/No)
• Đưa ra lý do hoặc ví dụ cụ thể
• Thêm chi tiết về loại kiến thức bạn thích học

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I do. I think learning new things is interesting and helps me improve myself. For example, I recently learned how to use some new software for my work and it made my job easier.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng, có ví dụ cụ thể từ công việc
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn basic (interesting, improve, easier), cấu trúc câu đơn giản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đáp ứng đủ yêu cầu với ý tưởng rõ ràng nhưng thiếu sophistication trong ngôn ngữ

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely! I’m quite passionate about expanding my knowledge in various areas. I find that acquiring new skills not only keeps my mind sharp but also opens up new opportunities in both my personal and professional life. Recently, I’ve been delving into digital marketing, which has proven to be incredibly rewarding and has given me a fresh perspective on how businesses operate.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng collocations tự nhiên (passionate about, expanding knowledge, keeps my mind sharp), cấu trúc phức tạp với relative clause, ví dụ cụ thể và giải thích impact
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Thể hiện Fluency tốt với discourse markers, Vocabulary đa dạng và precise, Grammar range rộng với complex sentences, Ideas được phát triển tốt

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• passionate about: say mê, đam mê
• expanding my knowledge: mở rộng kiến thức
• acquiring new skills: thu nhận kỹ năng mới
• keeps my mind sharp: giữ đầu óc minh mẫn
• delving into: tìm hiểu sâu về
• incredibly rewarding: vô cùng bổ ích
• fresh perspective: góc nhìn mới mẻ

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Question: Who taught you the most important things in your life?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Nêu rõ người đó là ai
• Giải thích họ đã dạy bạn điều gì
• Tại sao điều đó quan trọng

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think my father taught me the most important things. He taught me to be honest and work hard. These values are very important for my life and help me in my job.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời đúng trọng tâm, có mention về values
• Hạn chế: Quá ngắn gọn, thiếu chi tiết về cách học những điều này, từ vựng limited
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate nhưng lacks development và sophisticated language

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’d have to say my father has been my primary mentor throughout my life. He instilled in me the values of integrity and perseverance from a very young age. What I appreciate most is that he didn’t just tell me these things – he led by example. Watching him navigate challenges with grace and determination taught me more than any lecture could. These fundamental principles continue to shape my decisions both personally and professionally.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary tinh vi (instilled, integrity, perseverance, navigate challenges), cấu trúc đa dạng (relative clause, gerund), ý tưởng sâu sắc về learning by example
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency xuất sắc với linking natural, Lexical Resource đạt mức sophisticated với collocations chính xác, Grammar đa dạng, Ideas được develop logically với depth

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• primary mentor: người dẫn dắt chính
• instilled in me: thấm nhuần cho tôi
• integrity: tính chính trực
• perseverance: sự kiên trì
• led by example: nêu gương bằng hành động
• navigate challenges: vượt qua thử thách
• grace and determination: sự điềm tĩnh và quyết tâm
• fundamental principles: nguyên tắc nền tảng
• shape my decisions: định hình quyết định của tôi

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Question: Do you think it’s important to have a mentor in life?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Đưa ra quan điểm rõ ràng
• Giải thích lý do
• Có thể thêm ví dụ hoặc consequence

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think having a mentor is important. A mentor can give you advice and help you avoid mistakes. They have more experience than you, so they can guide you in the right direction.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Opinion rõ ràng, có supporting reasons
• Hạn chế: Generic ideas, thiếu personal touch hoặc specific examples
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication nhưng lacks sophistication và depth

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely, I believe having a mentor is invaluable, especially during pivotal moments in one’s life or career. A good mentor provides not just practical advice but also serves as a sounding board for your ideas and concerns. They’ve already walked the path you’re on, so they can help you sidestep potential pitfalls and capitalize on opportunities you might otherwise miss. Beyond that, they offer emotional support and encouragement when you’re facing setbacks, which I think is equally crucial for long-term success.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sophisticated vocabulary (invaluable, pivotal moments, sounding board, sidestep pitfalls), multiple reasons được develop well, balanced view covering practical và emotional aspects
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Exceptional fluency với natural discourse markers, precise và idiomatic language, complex grammar structures, well-developed ideas showing critical thinking

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• invaluable: vô giá, cực kỳ quý báu
• pivotal moments: những thời điểm then chốt
• serves as a sounding board: là người để thảo luận ý tưởng
• walked the path: đã đi qua con đường đó
• sidestep potential pitfalls: tránh được những cạm bẫy tiềm ẩn
• capitalize on opportunities: tận dụng cơ hội
• emotional support: sự hỗ trợ tinh thần
• long-term success: thành công lâu dài

Giáo viên đang hướng dẫn học sinh chuẩn bị IELTS Speaking về chủ đề người thầy cố vấn

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 và ghi chú. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để demonstrate khả năng nói liên tục và phát triển ý tưởng.

Thời gian chuẩn bị 1 phút là cực kỳ quý giá – đừng lãng phí nó. Hãy ghi keywords cho mỗi bullet point, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh. Cấu trúc ghi chú nên bao gồm: tên người, mối quan hệ, đặc điểm nổi bật, câu chuyện cụ thể, ảnh hưởng.

Chiến lược quan trọng:

• Nói đủ 2 phút (tối thiểu 1.5 phút) – nếu dưới 1.5 phút sẽ bị trừ điểm
• Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points – đây là requirement bắt buộc
• Sử dụng thì quá khứ khi kể về người đã ảnh hưởng đến bạn
• Dành thời gian nhiều nhất cho câu “explain” – đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Không sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị, vội vàng bắt đầu nói
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút do thiếu ví dụ và chi tiết
• Bỏ sót bullet points, đặc biệt là câu “explain”
• Học thuộc template và áp dụng cứng nhắc

Cue Card

Describe a person who has been a great mentor to you

You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you met this person
• What this person has taught you
• And explain why this person has been such an important mentor to you

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe a person – về một người cụ thể đã ảnh hưởng đến bạn

• Thì động từ: Chủ yếu dùng quá khứ (met, taught, helped) khi kể về những gì đã xảy ra, hiện tại (is, continues) khi miêu tả tình trạng hiện tại

• Bullet points phải cover:

  • Who: Giới thiệu người đó là ai, mối quan hệ với bạn
  • How you met: Bối cảnh gặp gỡ, thời điểm, hoàn cảnh
  • What taught: Những bài học cụ thể, kỹ năng, giá trị được truyền đạt
  • Explain why important: Phần quan trọng nhất – giải thích impact sâu sắc như thế nào đến cuộc sống, sự nghiệp, tính cách của bạn

• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần bạn cần dành thời gian nhiều nhất (khoảng 40-50% bài nói). Examiner đánh giá cao khả năng phân tích, reflection và emotional depth ở phần này. Đừng chỉ liệt kê những gì học được mà hãy show được transformation và lasting impact.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about my high school English teacher, Mr. Nguyen, who has been a great mentor to me. I met him when I was in grade 10, about 6 years ago. He was my English teacher and also my homeroom teacher for two years.

Mr. Nguyen taught me many important things. First, he helped me improve my English a lot. He always encouraged me to speak English in class and not be afraid of making mistakes. He said mistakes are part of learning. He also taught me how to study effectively. He showed me how to make study plans and manage my time better.

But more than just English, he taught me about life. He always told us to be confident and believe in ourselves. He shared his own experiences and challenges when he was young, which made me feel that I could overcome my difficulties too.

This person has been such an important mentor to me because he changed the way I think about learning. Before meeting him, I was very shy and afraid to speak English. But he made me more confident. He also helped me discover my interest in languages, and now I’m studying to become an English teacher like him. His encouragement and support meant a lot to me during difficult times in high school. Even now, I still remember his advice when I face challenges. He showed me that a good teacher can really change a student’s life, and that’s what I want to do in the future too.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Nói được liên tục với một số hesitations tự nhiên, có sử dụng linking words cơ bản (first, but, because, even now), tuy nhiên transitions chưa sophisticated
Lexical Resource	6-7	Từ vựng adequate và relevant (encouraged, overcome difficulties, discover interest), có một số collocations (study effectively, manage time), nhưng còn nhiều từ basic (improve a lot, meant a lot)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Có sử dụng mix của simple và complex sentences, một số cấu trúc tốt (how to + verb, made me + adj), nhưng chủ yếu vẫn là simple past và present simple
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear và understandable, có thể có một số lỗi phát âm nhỏ nhưng không ảnh hưởng communication

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points theo đúng thứ tự
• ✅ Có ví dụ cụ thể và personal (shy → confident, muốn trở thành giáo viên)
• ✅ Câu trả lời có structure rõ ràng, dễ follow
• ✅ Đủ thời lượng khoảng 2 phút

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Từ vựng còn simple và repetitive (taught me, helped me xuất hiện nhiều lần)
• ⚠️ Thiếu sophisticated expressions và idioms
• ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng, ít complex sentences
• ⚠️ Phần “explain why important” chưa đủ depth và emotional resonance

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to talk about my former manager, Ms. Linh, who has been an exceptional mentor throughout my early career. I first met her about four years ago when I joined a marketing agency in Ho Chi Minh City as a fresh graduate. She was the head of the digital marketing department and became my direct supervisor.

What made our first meeting memorable was her welcoming approach. Unlike the intimidating image I had of senior managers, she was incredibly approachable and took the time to understand my aspirations and concerns. From day one, she made it clear that she wasn’t just there to assign tasks but to nurture my professional growth.

Over the two years I worked under her guidance, Ms. Linh taught me invaluable lessons that extended far beyond technical skills. Professionally, she honed my abilities in strategic thinking and client management. She had this unique way of breaking down complex concepts into digestible pieces, which made learning both effective and enjoyable. She would often share real-world case studies and encourage me to think critically about different approaches.

But what I value most were the life lessons she imparted. She taught me the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks and how to maintain composure under pressure. I remember when I made a significant mistake with a client campaign – instead of reprimanding me, she used it as a teaching moment, helping me understand what went wrong and how to prevent similar issues in the future.

Ms. Linh has been such an important mentor because she fundamentally shaped my professional identity. She didn’t just teach me how to do my job well; she showed me what kind of professional I wanted to become. Her leadership style, which balanced high standards with genuine care, inspired me to adopt a similar approach in my own work. Tương tự như describe someone you know who is a good teacher, cô ấy đã cho tôi thấy rằng người dẫn dắt giỏi không chỉ truyền đạt kiến thức mà còn instills confidence và empowers others to reach their potential.

Even though I’ve moved on to a different company, her influence continues to guide my decisions and shape my perspective on both work and life. She set a benchmark for what mentorship should look like, and I aspire to provide the same level of guidance to others as I advance in my career.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Nói trôi chảy với minimal hesitation, sử dụng sophisticated discourse markers (Unlike, Over the two years, But what I value most, Even though), progression logic và natural
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range vocabulary với nhiều collocations chính xác (exceptional mentor, fresh graduate, nurture professional growth, honed my abilities, maintain composure), paraphrasing tốt, một số less common words (reprimanding, aspire, benchmark)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety of complex structures (relative clauses, participle clauses, conditionals), mix tenses appropriately, minimal errors
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear articulation, appropriate stress và intonation, natural rhythm

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“helped me improve”, “taught me many things”	“honed my abilities”, “imparted invaluable lessons”, “shaped my professional identity”
Grammar	Simple past dominates: “He taught me…”, “He helped me…”	Complex mix: “What made our first meeting memorable was…”, “She had this unique way of breaking down…”
Ideas	General impact: “made me more confident”	Specific transformation: “fundamentally shaped my professional identity”, với examples cụ thể về case study mistake

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to talk about Dr. Pham, my undergraduate thesis supervisor, who has been nothing short of a transformative mentor in my academic and personal journey. Our paths crossed during my third year at university when I was seeking guidance for my research project on sustainable urban development. He was a distinguished professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies, known for his groundbreaking research and, as I would later discover, his exceptional mentorship.

Our first meeting was rather serendipitous. I had attended one of his public lectures on climate change adaptation and was utterly captivated by not only his profound expertise but also his ability to articulate complex ideas in an accessible yet intellectually stimulating manner. After the lecture, I mustered the courage to approach him about supervising my thesis. What struck me immediately was his genuine enthusiasm – rather than dismissing me as just another student seeking supervision, he engaged in a thought-provoking discussion about my research interests and encouraged me to think more ambitiously.

Over the course of eighteen months working under Dr. Pham’s mentorship, I received an education that transcended the boundaries of traditional academic learning. On an intellectual level, he refined my critical thinking abilities and taught me the rigorous methodology required for quality research. He had this remarkable talent for asking probing questions that challenged my assumptions and pushed me to dig deeper into issues I thought I understood. His feedback was always constructive yet challenging, striking that delicate balance between encouragement and intellectual honesty.

However, what truly set him apart as a mentor were the broader life lessons he imparted, often through subtle example rather than explicit instruction. He demonstrated what it means to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout one’s life – despite his distinguished career, he remained genuinely interested in learning from his students and acknowledged when he didn’t know something. This humility coupled with confidence was profoundly inspiring.

I vividly remember a pivotal moment when I was grappling with self-doubt about whether my research was significant enough. Instead of offering empty reassurance, Dr. Pham shared his own experiences of facing rejection and criticism early in his career. He emphasized that intellectual growth comes not from avoiding failure but from embracing it as an integral part of the learning process. That conversation fundamentally shifted my perspective on resilience and perseverance.

Dr. Pham has been such an important mentor because his influence extends far beyond the confines of my academic work. He didn’t just teach me how to conduct research; he shaped my intellectual character and instilled values that continue to guide my approach to both professional and personal challenges. His mentorship style, which I can only describe as empowering rather than prescriptive, taught me that true education is about developing one’s capacity to think independently rather than simply absorbing information.

Moreover, his example has profoundly influenced my own aspirations regarding how I want to contribute to my field and interact with others. Như những gì được miêu tả trong describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting, Dr. Pham’s passion for sustainable development và commitment to mentoring young researchers have inspired me to pursue a career where I can similarly make a meaningful impact.

Even now, several years after completing my undergraduate studies, I find myself drawing upon the lessons he taught me. When facing difficult decisions, I often think about his emphasis on intellectual integrity and long-term vision over short-term gains. He set a standard for what meaningful mentorship looks like – a holistic investment in someone’s development that acknowledges their potential and challenges them to exceed their own expectations. That’s a legacy I aspire to carry forward in my own interactions with others.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Speaks fluently với natural hesitations chỉ để emphasize hoặc organize thoughts, sophisticated cohesive devices (However, Moreover, Even now), logical development với clear topic progression, tự nhiên và engaging
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Wide và sophisticated vocabulary với precision (serendipitous, mustered the courage, transcended the boundaries, probing questions, intellectual integrity), natural collocations (groundbreaking research, delicate balance, pivotal moment), idiomatic language (nothing short of, struck me, drawing upon), skillful paraphrasing
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures với flexibility và accuracy, complex sentences natural và appropriate (relative clauses, participle clauses, cleft sentences, conditionals), error-free hoặc only rare slips
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Fully operational command, appropriate stress, rhythm và intonation, effortless to understand

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói demonstrates effortless fluency với natural flow. Discourse markers được sử dụng sophisticated và varied (Our paths crossed, What struck me, However, Moreover, I vividly remember). Không có template-like phrases mà tất cả nghe rất natural và spontaneous.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• Ví dụ 1: “nothing short of a transformative mentor” – cụm từ này sophisticated hơn nhiều so với “very important mentor”, shows precise và emphatic language
• Ví dụ 2: “mustered the courage” – idiomatic expression natural hơn “got brave” hoặc “had courage”
• Ví dụ 3: “transcended the boundaries of traditional academic learning” – abstract noun phrase cho thấy sophisticated thinking
• Ví dụ 4: “striking that delicate balance” – collocation chính xác thể hiện nuanced understanding

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Ví dụ 1: “What struck me immediately was his genuine enthusiasm” – cleft sentence để emphasize
• Ví dụ 2: “Despite his distinguished career, he remained genuinely interested in learning from his students” – concessive clause cho contrast
• Ví dụ 3: “I had attended one of his public lectures… and was utterly captivated by…” – past perfect với passive voice showing time sequence
• Ví dụ 4: “He demonstrated what it means to maintain intellectual curiosity” – embedded question structure

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Bài nói không chỉ describe người này mà còn analyze và reflect sâu sắc về impact của mentorship. Có specific anecdote về moment of self-doubt và conversation về failure, cho thấy emotional depth và authentic experience. Phần explain được develop rất chi tiết với multiple layers: academic impact, personal growth, long-term influence, và aspiration for future.

Người cố vấn thành công đang truyền cảm hứng và hướng dẫn trong môi trường làm việc chuyên nghiệp

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Examiner có thể hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn sau Part 2 để transition sang Part 3:

Question 1: Do you still keep in touch with this mentor?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I do. We still message each other sometimes, especially during holidays. I also ask for his advice when I need help with important decisions.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely. We’ve maintained regular contact, though the nature of our relationship has naturally evolved over time. We typically catch up every few months, and I still seek his counsel on significant career decisions. He continues to be someone whose perspective I deeply value, and I’m grateful that our mentor-mentee relationship has transitioned into a more collegial friendship.”

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Question 2: Would you like to be a mentor to someone yourself?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I would like to be a mentor in the future. I think it’s important to help younger people like my mentor helped me. I want to share my knowledge and experience with others.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“I’d be honored to take on that role. In fact, I’ve already begun informally mentoring some junior colleagues, and I find it incredibly fulfilling. Having experienced firsthand the profound impact a good mentor can have, I feel a sense of responsibility to pay it forward. I believe effective mentorship creates a positive ripple effect that extends beyond the individual relationship and contributes to building a more supportive professional community.”

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần thảo luận chuyên sâu, trừu tượng về chủ đề đã đề cập trong Part 2. Đây là phần challenging nhất vì yêu cầu bạn phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá và đưa ra quan điểm có chiều sâu về các vấn đề xã hội.

Khác với Part 1 và 2, Part 3 đòi hỏi:

• Khả năng thinking abstractly và discussing ideas rather than personal experiences
• Đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ rõ ràng và evidence
• Xem xét nhiều góc độ của vấn đề (not just one-sided)
• Sử dụng examples từ society, not just personal anecdotes

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời đủ 3-5 câu (không quá ngắn như Part 1)
• Sử dụng discourse markers để organize ideas (Well, Actually, On the one hand…)
• Acknowledge complexity của issues (It’s a complex issue, It depends on…)
• Support opinions với reasons và examples từ real-world observations

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn, thiếu elaboration và analysis
• Không đưa ra lý lẽ rõ ràng để support opinion
• Thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng (abstract nouns, academic vocabulary)
• Chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì societal perspective
• Không thừa nhận complexity hoặc different viewpoints

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: The Role of Mentorship in Society

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Question 1: Why do you think some people become good mentors while others don’t?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause/Reason question – hỏi về nguyên nhân tại sao
• Key words: “some people… while others” – so sánh hai nhóm người
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify qualities/characteristics của good mentors, contrast với những người không phù hợp, có thể mention về personality, skills, motivation

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think good mentors are people who are patient and like to help others. They need to have good communication skills to explain things clearly. Some people are too busy or don’t have the personality to be mentors. They might be good at their job but not good at teaching others. Also, good mentors need to have experience and knowledge to share.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có identify qualities nhưng lacks depth trong comparison
• Vocabulary: Basic adjectives (patient, busy, good) dominates
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Answers the question adequately nhưng thiếu sophisticated analysis và specific examples

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Well, I believe effective mentorship requires a unique combination of qualities and circumstances. First and foremost, good mentors possess what I’d call emotional intelligence – they’re not just technically proficient in their field but also have the empathy and interpersonal skills to understand their mentee’s needs and tailor their guidance accordingly.

Beyond that, I think there’s a motivational component. The best mentors are intrinsically driven to help others grow, rather than viewing mentorship as an obligation or a status symbol. They derive genuine satisfaction from seeing others succeed, which fundamentally shapes their approach to mentoring.

On the other hand, some individuals, despite their expertise, may lack the patience or communication skills necessary for effective knowledge transfer. They might be exceptional practitioners but struggle to break down their expertise into digestible lessons. It’s also worth noting that time constraints and competing priorities can hinder even well-intentioned individuals from fulfilling the mentor role effectively. Meaningful mentorship requires a sustained investment of time and energy that not everyone can commit to.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized with clear points: emotional intelligence → motivation → contrast với lacking qualities → acknowledge practical constraints
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (intrinsically driven, status symbol, knowledge transfer, sustained investment, tailor their guidance)
• Grammar: Rich variety – relative clauses (what I’d call), comparison (rather than), cleft structures (it’s also worth noting that)
• Critical Thinking: Balanced view covering personal qualities, motivation, và practical considerations; acknowledges complexity

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, First and foremost, Beyond that, On the other hand, It’s also worth noting
• Tentative language: I believe, I think, may lack, can hinder
• Abstract nouns: emotional intelligence, motivational component, knowledge transfer, sustained investment
• Collocations: effective mentorship, technically proficient, intrinsically driven, competing priorities

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Question 2: How has the concept of mentorship changed over the years?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Change over time question – so sánh past và present
• Key words: “changed over the years” – focus on evolution
• Cách tiếp cận: Compare traditional mentorship với modern approaches, mention technology impact, changing workplace dynamics

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“In the past, mentorship was more formal. Young people learned from older people in their family or workplace. Now, mentorship is more flexible. People can find mentors online and learn from people in different countries. Technology has made it easier to connect with mentors. Also, now people can have multiple mentors for different areas of their life, not just one.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Basic past-present comparison với some valid points
• Vocabulary: Simple transitions (In the past, Now, Also)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Covers main ideas nhưng lacks sophistication và detailed analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“The evolution of mentorship has been quite profound, particularly over the last few decades. Traditionally, mentorship followed a rather rigid, hierarchical model – it was typically a senior figure in one’s immediate professional environment, often determined by organizational structure rather than personal compatibility. There was an implicit expectation of long-term commitment, almost apprentice-like in nature.

However, the contemporary landscape of mentorship has become significantly more fluid and diverse. Technology has been a game-changer in this regard – virtual mentorship is now commonplace, transcending geographical boundaries and enabling people to connect with mentors who possess specialized expertise regardless of location. Online platforms and professional networks have democratized access to mentorship opportunities that were previously limited to those with existing connections.

Moreover, there’s been a fundamental shift in how we conceptualize the mentor-mentee relationship. It’s evolved from a one-directional knowledge transfer to a more collaborative exchange. The notion of ‘reverse mentoring,’ where younger individuals mentor senior professionals on topics like technology or emerging trends, exemplifies this change. We’re also seeing more informal, project-based mentoring relationships that are shorter in duration but highly focused, rather than the traditional career-long mentorships.

That said, while these changes have made mentorship more accessible and flexible, there’s an argument to be made that something may have been lost in terms of the depth and continuity that characterized traditional mentoring relationships. It’s a trade-off between breadth and depth that reflects broader societal changes in how we approach professional development.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated organization: traditional model → modern changes → technology impact → conceptual shift → balanced conclusion acknowledging trade-offs
• Vocabulary: Academic và precise (profound evolution, hierarchical model, implicit expectation, democratized access, exemplifies, trade-off)
• Grammar: Complex structures throughout – passive voice (has been…), participle clauses (transcending…, enabling…), cleft sentences
• Critical Thinking: Shows nuanced understanding với historical context, multiple dimensions of change, và balanced perspective on pros/cons

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Traditionally, However, Moreover, That said
• Comparison language: evolved from… to…, rather than, more… than
• Academic vocabulary: rigid hierarchical model, democratized access, fundamental shift, exemplifies
• Hedging: quite profound, there’s an argument to be made, may have been lost

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Theme 2: Mentorship in Different Life Stages

Question 3: At what age do you think people most need mentors?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion question with age/timing focus
• Key words: “most need” – yêu cầu identify critical period
• Cách tiếp cận: Có thể argue for specific age range hoặc acknowledge different stages have different needs, provide reasons cho choice

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think young people need mentors the most, especially when they are in high school or just starting their career. This is when they need to make important decisions about their future. They don’t have much experience, so having a mentor to guide them is very helpful. Older people already know what to do, so they don’t need mentors as much.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear opinion với basic reasoning
• Vocabulary: Simple and repetitive (need, important, helpful)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Answers directly nhưng lacks nuanced thinking và acknowledgment of complexity

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“That’s an interesting question, and I’d argue that while the nature of mentorship needs certainly varies, there isn’t necessarily one definitive age when people need mentors most. However, if I had to identify critical junctures, I’d say there are several pivotal periods.

Early career transitions – roughly in one’s twenties – represent a crucial time when mentorship can be particularly impactful. This is when individuals are navigating the gap between academic theory and professional practice, establishing their career trajectory, and developing their professional identity. The guidance and reality check a mentor provides during this phase can significantly influence long-term career success and satisfaction.

That being said, I’d argue that mid-career professionals – those in their thirties and forties – often need mentorship just as much, though it may look different. At this stage, people are often facing complex decisions about specialization versus generalization, work-life balance, or career pivots. They may have accumulated expertise but lack perspective on strategic career moves or leadership development. Mentorship at this stage tends to be more about refining judgment and navigating organizational politics than acquiring basic skills.

Interestingly, I think we’re also seeing a growing recognition that continuous mentorship throughout one’s life can be valuable. Even senior professionals benefit from mentorship, whether it’s reverse mentorship from younger colleagues on emerging technologies or peer mentorship from others facing similar challenges. Như được đề cập trong describe a goal you have set for yourself this year, việc có một người dẫn dắt có thể giúp chúng ta stay accountable và maintain perspective regardless of age.

So while early career might be when mentorship is most obviously beneficial, I believe the need for guidance and perspective is somewhat age-agnostic – it’s more about transitional moments and personal readiness than chronological age.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated approach – challenges the premise gently, then provides nuanced answer covering multiple life stages với specific reasoning for each
• Vocabulary: Rich và varied (critical junctures, pivotal periods, navigating the gap, career pivots, age-agnostic)
• Grammar: Complex throughout với variety of structures
• Critical Thinking: Shows deep analysis covering different types của mentorship needs, acknowledges evolving nature, provides balanced conclusion

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Question 4: Do you think formal mentorship programs in companies are effective?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Evaluation question – assess effectiveness
• Key words: “formal mentorship programs”, “companies”, “effective”
• Cách tiếp cận: Balanced answer covering pros và cons của formal programs, có thể compare với informal mentorship

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think formal mentorship programs can be effective, but it depends on how the company organizes them. If the company carefully matches mentors and mentees, it can work well. These programs give structure and make sure everyone has access to mentorship. However, sometimes these programs feel forced and the relationships don’t feel natural. Informal mentorship that develops naturally might be better in some cases.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Balanced view với pros và cons mentioned
• Vocabulary: Adequate (carefully matches, give structure, feel forced)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Good attempt at balanced analysis nhưng lacks depth và specific examples

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“It’s a complex issue because the effectiveness of formal mentorship programs really hinges on several factors, and I think there are both merits and limitations to this approach.

On the positive side, formal programs can democratize access to mentorship, ensuring that it’s not just the well-connected or naturally outgoing employees who benefit. They provide structure and accountability that might be lacking in purely organic mentoring relationships. Well-designed programs typically include clear objectives, regular check-ins, and assessment mechanisms that can maximize the value both parties derive from the relationship. Moreover, when companies invest in these programs, it sends a strong signal about organizational culture and commitment to employee development.

However, I’d argue that therein lies the challenge as well. Mentorship is fundamentally a personal relationship that thrives on genuine connection and mutual respect. When it’s mandated or feels overly structured, it can become somewhat perfunctory – participants may go through the motions without the authentic engagement that characterizes truly transformative mentoring relationships. The matching process is critical – if it’s based solely on hierarchical position or departmental alignment rather than personality fit and shared interests, the relationship may never develop meaningful depth.

I think the most effective approach is often a hybrid model where companies provide the framework and facilitate connections, but allow relationships to develop organically within that structure. This might include offering multiple potential mentors, encouraging informal interactions before formalizing the relationship, and maintaining flexibility in how the mentorship unfolds. Some organizations are also experimenting with peer mentoring circles or mentoring networks rather than traditional one-on-one pairings, which can be more dynamic and sustainable.

Ultimately, I believe formal programs work best when they create opportunities rather than impose relationships – when they’re designed to facilitate genuine connections rather than manufacture them. The human element remains paramount, and no amount of formal structure can substitute for authentic chemistry and shared commitment.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-organized: introduce complexity → positive aspects với details → challenges và limitations → proposed solution (hybrid approach) → concluding insight
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (hinges on, democratize access, perfunctory, go through the motions, hierarchical position, paramount)
• Grammar: Full range – conditional structures, cleft sentences, passive voice, participle clauses all used naturally
• Critical Thinking: Shows expert-level analysis với multiple perspectives, acknowledges trade-offs, proposes solutions, shows awareness of emerging trends

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: On the positive side, However, Moreover, Ultimately
• Hedging và tentative language: I’d argue that, may never develop, I believe, can be
• Contrast language: rather than, instead of, while… however
• Academic expressions: hinges on, therein lies the challenge, fundamentally, paramount

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Theme 3: Cultural and Societal Perspectives

Question 5: How does mentorship differ across cultures?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare/contrast across cultures
• Key words: “differ across cultures” – focus on cultural variations
• Cách tiếp cận: Compare different cultural approaches, có thể mention collectivist vs individualist cultures, Asian vs Western perspectives, formality levels

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Mentorship is different in different cultures. In Asian cultures like Vietnam, we respect older people a lot, so mentorship is often based on age and position. Students respect their teachers very much. In Western cultures, mentorship might be more casual and equal. The mentor and mentee might be more like friends. Also, in some cultures, family members are the main mentors, while in other cultures, people look for mentors outside their family.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Basic comparison between Asian và Western cultures
• Vocabulary: Simple comparatives (different, more casual, more like)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Identifies some valid differences nhưng lacks depth và nuanced cultural analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Cultural variations in mentorship are quite fascinating and reflect deeper societal values about knowledge transmission, authority, and interpersonal relationships.

In collectivist cultures, particularly throughout Asia, mentorship often carries a more hierarchical dimension. There’s typically a deeply ingrained respect for seniority and expertise, which shapes the mentoring dynamic into something more formal and reverential. The relationship often extends beyond professional boundaries – mentors may feel a sense of responsibility for their mentee’s overall well-being, not just their career development. In Vietnamese culture, for instance, the concept of ‘thầy‘ (teacher/master) embodies this holistic mentoring role where the mentor is viewed almost as a surrogate parent figure. This cultural framework creates strong loyalty but can sometimes limit the mentee’s willingness to challenge or question the mentor’s advice.

Conversely, in more individualistic societies, particularly in Western contexts, mentorship tends to be more egalitarian and transactional. The emphasis is often on specific skill development or career advancement rather than holistic personal guidance. Mentoring relationships might be more fluid, with individuals having multiple mentors simultaneously for different purposes, and there’s generally greater comfort with bidirectional learning – the idea that mentors can also learn from mentees is more readily embraced.

There are also intriguing differences in how mentorship is initiated and formalized. In some Scandinavian countries, for example, there’s a cultural emphasis on self-direction and independence, which might mean mentorship is less formalized but also less hierarchical when it does occur. Meanwhile, in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, mentorship is deeply intertwined with kinship networks and personal connections – who you know often determines the quality of mentorship you receive.

It’s worth noting, though, that globalization and digital connectivity are gradually blurring these cultural boundaries. Younger generations across cultures are increasingly exposed to different mentoring paradigms, creating what we might call hybrid mentoring cultures that blend traditional values with contemporary practices. This evolution is particularly evident in multinational corporations where employees from diverse backgrounds must navigate different cultural expectations around mentorship.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly sophisticated – starts with broad cultural framework (collectivist vs individualist) → specific examples (Vietnam, Western, Scandinavian, Middle Eastern) → acknowledges evolution và globalization
• Vocabulary: Academic và culturally sophisticated (ingrained respect, reverential, surrogate parent figure, egalitarian, transactional, kinship networks, paradigms)
• Grammar: Complex throughout với embedded clauses, participle phrases, relative clauses used expertly
• Critical Thinking: Shows deep cultural awareness, specific examples, acknowledges nuances, considers contemporary changes

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Question 6: Do you think everyone needs a mentor, or can some people succeed without one?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Either/or opinion question challenging absolute statement
• Key words: “everyone needs”, “can some people succeed without”
• Cách tiếp cận: Balanced answer acknowledging both possibilities, discuss different personality types, learning styles, circumstances

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I don’t think everyone needs a mentor to succeed. Some people are very independent and can learn things by themselves. They read books, watch videos, and learn from their own mistakes. However, having a mentor can make success easier and faster. Mentors can help you avoid mistakes and give you good advice. So while it’s possible to succeed without a mentor, it’s probably easier with one.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear position với supporting points
• Vocabulary: Basic và straightforward
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng lacks sophistication trong analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“I’d say this is less about absolute necessity and more about optimal pathways to success. While it’s certainly possible to achieve success without formal mentorship, I believe the journey is often more circuitous and potentially fraught with avoidable setbacks.

Individual differences play a crucial role here. Some people are remarkably self-directed and possess what psychologists call ‘learning agility‘ – the ability to rapidly extract lessons from experience and adapt accordingly. These individuals might thrive through independent experimentation and self-directed learning. Autodidacts throughout history, from Leonardo da Vinci to more contemporary figures, have demonstrated that extraordinary achievement is possible without traditional mentorship.

However, I’d argue that even these self-made success stories typically had some form of informal mentorship, whether through books that shaped their thinking, peers who challenged their ideas, or even historical figures they studied and emulated. The question might not be whether mentorship is necessary but rather how we define it. Một cách tương tự, describe a person who is very inspiring có thể là một dạng mentorship gián tiếp, nơi chúng ta học hỏi từ 榜样 (role models) mà không cần direct interaction.

From a practical standpoint, mentorship offers several advantages that are difficult to replicate independently. It provides tacit knowledge – the kind of insider understanding and contextual wisdom that isn’t readily available in books or courses. Mentors can offer pattern recognition based on their experience: ‘I’ve seen this situation before, and here’s what typically happens.’ This kind of accelerated learning through vicarious experience is incredibly valuable, particularly in complex or ambiguous situations.

Moreover, in highly competitive fields where networks and relationships are paramount, mentorship often provides access to opportunities and connections that might otherwise be inaccessible. It’s not just about what you know but also who can vouch for you and open doors.

That said, dependency on mentorship can also be limiting if it stifles independent thinking or creates excessive reliance on external validation. The ideal scenario is perhaps what we might call ‘mentored independence‘ – having access to guidance while maintaining one’s own critical thinking and decision-making autonomy.

So to directly answer the question: while people can undoubtedly succeed without formal mentorship, I believe most would benefit from some form of guidance, whether that’s traditional mentorship, peer learning networks, or even virtual mentorship through the works and examples of those we admire. Success without any form of guidance is possible, but it’s likely to be a longer and lonelier journey.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptional organization – reframes the question → discusses individual differences với examples → broadens definition of mentorship → analyzes practical advantages → acknowledges limitations → provides nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (circuitous, autodidacts, tacit knowledge, vicarious experience, stifles, autonomy)
• Grammar: Full mastery với variety: conditional sentences, relative clauses, cleft structures, rhetorical questions
• Critical Thinking: Shows philosophical depth, historical context, psychological insights, acknowledges complexity, proposes nuanced position

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: However, Moreover, That said, So to directly answer
• Hedging: I’d say, I’d argue, might, typically, perhaps
• Academic vocabulary: absolute necessity, optimal pathways, learning agility, dependency, autonomy
• Rhetorical devices: pattern recognition question, mentored independence concept

Nhóm thảo luận về vai trò quan trọng của người hướng dẫn trong phát triển sự nghiệp

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
mentor	n	/ˈmen.tɔːr/	người cố vấn, người dẫn dắt	My professor became my mentor during my final year.	great mentor, experienced mentor, find a mentor, serve as a mentor
mentorship	n	/ˈmen.tɔː.ʃɪp/	sự hướng dẫn, vai trò người cố vấn	Effective mentorship requires time and commitment.	effective mentorship, formal mentorship, provide mentorship, mentorship program
guidance	n	/ˈɡaɪ.dəns/	sự chỉ dẫn, hướng dẫn	I sought his guidance on career decisions.	seek guidance, provide guidance, career guidance, valuable guidance
instill	v	/ɪnˈstɪl/	thấm nhuần, gieo vào	She instilled confidence in her students.	instill values, instill confidence, instill discipline, instill passion
nurture	v	/ˈnɜː.tʃər/	nuôi dưỡng, bồi dưỡng	Good mentors nurture talent and potential.	nurture talent, nurture growth, nurture relationships, nurture potential
profound	adj	/prəˈfaʊnd/	sâu sắc, có ý nghĩa lớn	His advice had a profound impact on my life.	profound impact, profound influence, profound effect, profound understanding
transformative	adj	/trænsˈfɔː.mə.tɪv/	mang tính chất thay đổi căn bản	The mentorship was truly transformative.	transformative experience, transformative impact, transformative journey, transformative effect
invaluable	adj	/ɪnˈvæl.ju.ə.bəl/	vô giá, cực kỳ quý báu	Her advice proved invaluable during tough times.	invaluable advice, invaluable experience, invaluable support, invaluable lessons
aspiration	n	/ˌæs.pɪˈreɪ.ʃən/	khát vọng, nguyện vọng	He understood my aspirations and supported them.	career aspirations, personal aspirations, achieve aspirations, share aspirations
resilience	n	/rɪˈzɪl.i.əns/	khả năng phục hồi, sức bền	She taught me resilience in the face of failure.	build resilience, demonstrate resilience, develop resilience, emotional resilience
perseverance	n	/ˌpɜː.sɪˈvɪə.rəns/	sự kiên trì, bền bỉ	His perseverance inspired me to never give up.	show perseverance, require perseverance, through perseverance, remarkable perseverance
empowerment	n	/ɪmˈpaʊə.mənt/	sự trao quyền, sự làm mạnh mẽ	Good mentorship leads to empowerment, not dependency.	personal empowerment, employee empowerment, sense of empowerment, promote empowerment
integrity	n	/ɪnˈteɡ.rə.ti/	tính chính trực, liêm chính	He always emphasized the importance of integrity.	personal integrity, maintain integrity, professional integrity, moral integrity
navigate	v	/ˈnæv.ɪ.ɡeɪt/	điều hướng, vượt qua	She helped me navigate complex situations.	navigate challenges, navigate through, navigate carefully, navigate successfully
cultivate	v	/ˈkʌl.tɪ.veɪt/	trau dồi, phát triển	He cultivated my interest in research.	cultivate relationships, cultivate skills, cultivate interest, cultivate talent
exemplify	v	/ɪɡˈzem.plɪ.faɪ/	làm gương, minh họa	He exemplified the qualities of a great leader.	exemplify values, exemplify excellence, exemplify characteristics, exemplify principles
foster	v	/ˈfɒs.tər/	thúc đẩy, nuôi dưỡng	Great mentors foster independence in their mentees.	foster growth, foster development, foster relationships, foster innovation
emulate	v	/ˈem.jə.leɪt/	noi theo, bắt chước	I tried to emulate his work ethic.	emulate success, emulate behavior, emulate style, seek to emulate
pivotal	adj	/ˈpɪv.ə.təl/	then chốt, cực kỳ quan trọng	Meeting him was a pivotal moment in my career.	pivotal moment, pivotal role, pivotal point, pivotal experience
instrumental	adj	/ˌɪn.strəˈmen.təl/	có vai trò quan trọng	She was instrumental in my success.	instrumental in, instrumental role, prove instrumental, be instrumental

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
take someone under one’s wing	nhận ai đó dưới sự bảo trợ, hướng dẫn	My manager took me under her wing when I first joined the company.	7.5-8.5
show someone the ropes	chỉ dẫn cho ai đó những điều cơ bản	He showed me the ropes during my first week at work.	7.0-8.0
a guiding light	nguồn sáng dẫn đường, người chỉ dẫn	She’s been a guiding light throughout my academic journey.	7.5-8.5
walk in someone’s footsteps	noi gương ai đó	I hope to walk in his footsteps and become a teacher myself.	7.0-8.0
lead by example	nêu gương bằng hành động	The best mentors lead by example rather than just giving advice.	7.5-8.5
pay it forward	trả ơn bằng cách giúp đỡ người khác	Having received great mentorship, I feel obligated to pay it forward.	8.0-9.0
stand on the shoulders of giants	đứng trên vai những người đi trước	We all stand on the shoulders of giants who mentored us.	8.0-9.0
bring out the best in someone	làm ai đó tỏa sáng, phát huy tốt nhất	A good mentor brings out the best in their mentees.	7.5-8.5
a sounding board	người để thảo luận ý tưởng	My mentor serves as a sounding board for my ideas.	8.0-9.0
shape someone’s perspective	định hình quan điểm của ai đó	Her insights shaped my perspective on leadership.	7.5-8.5
nurture potential	nuôi dưỡng tiềm năng	Effective mentors know how to nurture potential in others.	7.5-8.5
open doors	mở ra cơ hội	His connections helped open doors for my career.	7.0-8.0

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ hoặc transition sang ý mới
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi muốn đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc correct một assumption
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nói thật, thẳng thắn về quan điểm
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách sophisticated hơn “I think” để đưa ra opinion
• 📝 From my perspective,… – Nhấn mạnh đây là quan điểm cá nhân
• 📝 Looking at it from… – Giới thiệu một góc nhìn cụ thể

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, hơn nữa
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa (tương tự moreover nhưng informal hơn)
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến (để add thêm point quan trọng)
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài ra, xa hơn điều đó
• 📝 Moreover,… – Hơn nữa (formal)
• 📝 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 cũng cần xem xét
• 📝 Having said that,… – Tuy đã nói vậy nhưng…
• 📝 That said,… – Điều đó đã nói, tuy nhiên…
• 📝 Conversely,… – Ngược lại
• 📝 By contrast,… – Trái lại

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì (informal nhưng natural)
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Cuối cùng, sau cùng
• 📝 In the final analysis,… – Sau khi phân tích kỹ lưỡng
• 📝 To sum up,… – Tóm lại

Để giải thích hoặc clarify:

• 📝 What I mean is… – Ý tôi là…
• 📝 In other words,… – Nói cách khác
• 📝 To put it another way,… – Nói theo cách khác
• 📝 That is to say,… – Nghĩa là
• 📝 More specifically,… – Cụ thể hơn

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

• Mixed conditional:

  • Formula: If + Past Perfect, would/could + Verb (base form)
  • Ví dụ: “If I hadn’t met my mentor, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Nói về past condition với present result

• Inversion (Đảo ngữ):

  • Formula: Had + Subject + Past Participle, would have…
  • Ví dụ: “Had it not been for his guidance, I would have made serious mistakes.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Muốn sound formal và sophisticated

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

• Non-defining relative clauses:

  • Formula: …, which/who + verb…
  • Ví dụ: “My mentor, who has over 20 years of experience, taught me the importance of perseverance.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Thêm extra information về người/vật

• Reduced relative clauses:

  • Formula: Noun + V-ing/V-ed…
  • Ví dụ: “The advice given by my mentor proved invaluable.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Làm câu concise hơn

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

• Impersonal passive:

  • Formula: It is thought/believed/said that…
  • Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that having a mentor significantly accelerates career development.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Present general opinions without specifying source

• Passive with modals:

  • Formula: can/should/might be + Past Participle
  • Ví dụ: “Mentorship skills can be developed through practice and reflection.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Discuss possibilities hoặc recommendations

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

• What-cleft:

  • Formula: What + Subject + Verb + is/was…
  • Ví dụ: “What I appreciated most about my mentor was his patience and understanding.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Emphasize specific information

• It-cleft:

  • Formula: It + is/was + focus element + that/who…
  • Ví dụ: “It was his encouragement that helped me overcome my self-doubt.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Focus attention on một phần cụ thể của câu

5. Participle Clauses:

• Present participle:

  • Formula: V-ing…, Subject + Verb
  • Ví dụ: “Having experienced great mentorship myself, I understand its value.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Show cause/reason hoặc time sequence

• Past participle:

  • Formula: V-ed…, Subject + Verb
  • Ví dụ: “Inspired by my mentor’s dedication, I decided to pursue a similar career path.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Show passive meaning hoặc completed action

6. Inversion for Emphasis:

• Negative inversion:

  • Formula: Never/Rarely/Seldom + auxiliary + Subject + Verb
  • Ví dụ: “Never have I met someone so dedicated to helping others grow.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Make dramatic emphasis

• Only inversion:

  • Formula: Only + time expression + auxiliary + Subject + Verb
  • Ví dụ: “Only after working with my mentor did I realize my true potential.”
  • Sử dụng khi: Emphasize timing hoặc conditions

Khi xem xét describe a time when you were involved in a decision-making process, việc có một mentor có thể giúp chúng ta đưa ra quyết định tốt hơn thông qua việc cung cấp nhiều góc nhìn và kinh nghiệm thực tế.

Chiến lược và lời khuyên từ Examiner

Chuẩn bị hiệu quả cho chủ đề Mentor

Từ góc độ một Examiner với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm, tôi muốn chia sẻ những insights quan trọng để giúp bạn tự tin đạt band điểm cao cho chủ đề này:

1. Chọn người phù hợp để miêu tả:

Không nhất thiết phải là ai đó nổi tiếng hoặc có địa vị cao. Examiner đánh giá cao authenticity hơn là impressive background. Một giáo viên trung học, người quản lý đầu tiên, hoặc thậm chí một anh chị trong gia đình có thể là lựa chọn tuyệt vời nếu bạn có câu chuyện genuine và specific về ảnh hưởng của họ.

2. Chuẩn bị câu chuyện cụ thể:

Thay vì nói chung chung “he taught me many things”, hãy có sẵn 2-3 specific anecdotes. Ví dụ: một lần bạn mắc sai lầm và người mentor phản ứng như thế nào, một lời khuyên cụ thể đã thay đổi cách bạn approach vấn đề, một moment bạn nhận ra importance của họ.

3. Balance giữa professional và personal:

Đừng chỉ tập trung vào những gì họ dạy về công việc/học tập. Những bài nói đạt band 8+ thường có cả personal development – như confidence, resilience, values. Điều này shows depth và maturity trong thinking.

4. Show transformation, not just information:

Thay vì “He taught me Excel”, hãy nói “Before working with him, I approached problems in a linear way. He taught me to think strategically, which fundamentally changed how I approach challenges today.”

5. Practice emotional language:

Trong Part 2, đừng ngại show emotions. Phrases như “I was deeply moved when…”, “It was a turning point…”, “I felt incredibly grateful…” làm bài nói của bạn human và engaging hơn.

Lỗi phổ biến cần tránh

Lỗi 1: Học thuộc template cứng nhắc

Nhiều học viên Việt Nam học thuộc template kiểu “The person I’d like to talk about is… who is a… I met him/her when…” Examiner nghe rất nhiều bài như vậy mỗi ngày. Thay vào đó, hãy vary opening của bạn: “I’d like to talk about…”, “If I had to choose…”, “The person who comes to mind is…”

Lỗi 2: Quá chung chung, thiếu details

“He is a good teacher” vs “He has this unique way of breaking down complex concepts into digestible pieces, which made learning both effective and enjoyable.” Details makes the difference between Band 6 và Band 8.

Lỗi 3: Không maintain tense consistency

Khi kể về quá khứ, nhiều bạn switch liên tục giữa past và present. Hãy conscious về việc này. Generally: past tenses cho những gì đã happened, present tenses cho impact hiện tại.

Lỗi 4: Overuse từ “very” và “so”

Thay vì “very important”, dùng “crucial”, “invaluable”, “instrumental”. Thay vì “so good”, dùng “exceptional”, “outstanding”, “remarkable”.

Lỗi 5: Không trả lời đủ bullet points

Trong Part 2, examiner check xem bạn có cover hết các bullet points không. Thiếu một point có thể cost bạn 0.5-1 band điểm.

Tips để đạt Band 8+

Về Fluency:

• Practice speaking continuously for 2 minutes về different mentors/teachers
• Record yourself và listen back – identify hesitations và filler words
• Don’t aim for perfection – natural pauses are fine, but avoid long silences

Về Vocabulary:

• Create personal vocabulary lists với examples from your life
• Don’t force sophisticated words – use them when natural
• Focus on collocations: “provide guidance” rather than “give guidance”

Về Grammar:

• Mix simple và complex sentences – all complex sounds unnatural
• Practice one advanced structure per day until it becomes automatic
• Use grammar to enhance meaning, not to show off

Về Pronunciation:

• Work on word stress – it’s more important than individual sounds
• Practice intonation patterns for different sentence types
• Don’t try to sound native – clear communication is the goal

Lộ trình học tập 4 tuần

Tuần 1: Foundation

• Ngày 1-2: Brainstorm về các mentors/người có ảnh hưởng trong đời bạn
• Ngày 3-4: Write down specific stories và details về một người
• Ngày 5-6: Learn 20 key vocabulary items từ bài viết này
• Ngày 7: Practice Part 1 questions with timer (30 seconds per answer)

Tuần 2: Building Confidence

• Ngày 1-3: Practice Part 2 với different people (3 lần/ngày)
• Ngày 4-5: Record yourself và compare với sample Band 8-9
• Ngày 6-7: Focus on using 5 idiomatic expressions naturally

Tuần 3: Advanced Practice

• Ngày 1-3: Practice Part 3 questions, extend answers to 4-5 sentences
• Ngày 4-5: Work on discourse markers và transitions
• Ngày 6-7: Mock test – complete Part 1, 2, 3 về topic này

Tuần 4: Refinement

• Ngày 1-3: Polish pronunciation và intonation
• Ngày 4-5: Practice với speaking partner hoặc teacher
• Ngày 6-7: Final review và confidence building

Nhớ rằng, IELTS Speaking không chỉ test English của bạn mà còn test ability để communicate ideas effectively và engagingly. Với chủ đề mentorship, bạn có opportunity tuyệt vời để show examiner not just language skills nhưng cả emotional intelligence và personal depth. Hãy authentic, specific, và passionate – đó là recipe cho success.

Chúc bạn đạt band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking sắp tới!