Cách Sử Dụng According To Trong IELTS – Công Thức & Ví Dụ Band 8.0

“According to” là một cụm từ quan trọng và xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong kỳ thi IELTS, đặc biệt ở phần Reading, Writing Task 1 và Speaking Part 3. Cấu trúc này được sử dụng để trích dẫn nguồn thông tin, dẫn chứng số liệu hoặc nêu quan điểm của người/tổ chức khác, giúp bài làm của bạn trở nên học thuật và đáng tin cậy hơn.

Theo thống kê từ các đề thi IELTS thực tế, “according to” xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong:

• Speaking: Part 3 (đưa ra ý kiến dựa trên nguồn tin)
• Writing Task 1: Mô tả biểu đồ, bảng số liệu
• Writing Task 2: Dẫn chứng, trích dẫn nghiên cứu
• Reading: Hiểu ý tác giả và nguồn thông tin

Ví dụ vận dụng trong IELTS:

Writing Task 1 (Line graph):
“According to the graph, the number of international students increased significantly between 2010 and 2020.”
→ Phân tích: According to + [nguồn dữ liệu] + [mệnh đề chính]

Speaking Part 3 (Discussing research):
“According to recent studies, young people spend an average of 6 hours per day on social media.”
→ Phân tích: According to + [nguồn nghiên cứu] + [thông tin cụ thể]

Writing Task 2 (Academic argument):
“According to environmental experts, climate change poses the greatest threat to biodiversity.”
→ Phân tích: According to + [chuyên gia/tổ chức] + [ý kiến/nhận định]

Reading passage understanding:
“According to the passage, the primary cause of deforestation is agricultural expansion.”
→ Phân tích: According to + [the passage/author] + [thông tin từ bài đọc]

Speaking Part 3 (Citing statistics):
“According to government statistics, unemployment rates have fallen by 15% in the past five years.”
→ Phân tích: According to + [nguồn số liệu] + [dữ liệu cụ thể]

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học:

✅ Định nghĩa và ý nghĩa của cấu trúc “according to”
✅ Công thức chi tiết với thành phần câu
✅ Cách vận dụng vào 4 kỹ năng IELTS
✅ 25+ câu ví dụ Band 7-9
✅ Các biến thể nâng cao cho Band 8+
✅ Lỗi thường gặp và cách tránh
✅ Bài tập thực hành có đáp án

According To Là Gì?

Định Nghĩa

“According to” là một cụm giới từ (prepositional phrase) được sử dụng để trích dẫn nguồn thông tin, chỉ rõ rằng thông tin đang được nêu ra đến từ một người, tổ chức, nghiên cứu hoặc tài liệu cụ thể. Đây là cấu trúc học thuật quan trọng giúp tăng tính thuyết phục và độ tin cậy cho lập luận.

Chức năng chính:

• Trích dẫn nguồn thông tin một cách chính thức và học thuật
• Giới thiệu dữ liệu, số liệu, thống kê từ các nghiên cứu
• Nêu quan điểm của người khác mà không thể hiện ý kiến cá nhân
• Tham chiếu đến biểu đồ, bảng số liệu trong Writing Task 1
• Tăng tính khách quan và đáng tin cậy cho bài viết/bài nói

Khi nào dùng trong IELTS:

• Speaking: Khi trả lời Part 3, đặc biệt với câu hỏi về xu hướng xã hội, nghiên cứu khoa học
• Writing Task 1: Mô tả biểu đồ, bảng số liệu, quy trình
• Writing Task 2: Dẫn chứng từ nghiên cứu, chuyên gia để hỗ trợ lập luận
• Reading: Hiểu nguồn gốc thông tin trong passage
• Listening: Nhận diện người nói đang trích dẫn ai/nguồn nào

Tần Suất Xuất Hiện Trong IELTS

Theo phân tích từ Cambridge IELTS 10-19:

Speaking:

• Part 1: Thấp (5%) – Ít sử dụng vì câu hỏi về bản thân
• Part 2: Trung bình (15%) – Có thể dùng khi mô tả sự kiện, trích dẫn người khác
• Part 3: Cao (40%) – Rất phù hợp cho câu hỏi về xu hướng, nghiên cứu, ý kiến chuyên gia

Các câu hỏi Part 3 thường gặp:

• “What do experts say about…?”
• “How has society changed according to research?”
• “What are the statistics showing?”

Writing:

• Task 1: Rất cao (70%) – Cấu trúc bắt buộc khi mô tả biểu đồ/bảng số liệu
• Task 2: Cao (50%) – Quan trọng trong Academic essay để dẫn chứng

Các dạng Task 1 sử dụng:

• Line graphs, bar charts, pie charts
• Tables with data
• Process diagrams (ít hơn)

Listening/Reading:

• Xuất hiện thường xuyên trong Academic passages
• Cần nhận diện để xác định nguồn thông tin
• Quan trọng cho câu hỏi True/False/Not Given

Band Score Impact:

• Band 6: Hiểu và sử dụng cơ bản “according to the graph/chart”
• Band 7: Sử dụng đa dạng nguồn “according to recent research/experts/statistics”
• Band 8-9: Kết hợp tự nhiên với paraphrasing, sử dụng các cấu trúc tương đương linh hoạt

Cách sử dụng according to trong IELTS để đạt điểm cao Writing và Speaking

Công Thức & Cấu Trúc

Công Thức Cơ Bản

📌 CÔNG THỨC CHÍNH:

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ According to + [Noun/Source] + [Main Clause]    │
│                                                  │
│ Ví dụ: According to the report, sales increased │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Thành phần câu:

• According to: Cụm giới từ cố định, không thay đổi hình thái
• Noun/Source: Nguồn thông tin (người, tổ chức, tài liệu, dữ liệu)
• Main Clause: Mệnh đề chính chứa thông tin từ nguồn đó

Các loại nguồn thông tin thường dùng:

• Nghiên cứu/báo cáo: according to the study/research/report/survey
• Người: according to the author/expert/scientist/professor
• Tổ chức: according to the WHO/government/company
• Dữ liệu trực quan: according to the graph/chart/table/figure
• Tài liệu: according to the article/passage/data

Ví dụ phân tích chi tiết:

Câu: “According to recent statistics, over 60% of adults use smartphones daily.”

Phân tích:

• Giới từ: According to (cụm giới từ dẫn nguồn)
• Source: recent statistics (nguồn thông tin – danh từ)
• Main clause: over 60% of adults use smartphones daily (mệnh đề chính)
• Subject trong main clause: over 60% of adults
• Verb: use
• Object: smartphones
• Adverb: daily

Vị trí trong câu: “According to” thường đứng đầu câu, theo sau là dấu phẩy trước mệnh đề chính.

Các Biến Thể

Dạng 1: According to + Person

According to [Dr. Smith/experts/the author], + [statement]

Ví dụ:

• “According to Professor Johnson, artificial intelligence will revolutionize healthcare within the next decade.”
• “According to environmental scientists, global temperatures have risen by 1.2°C since pre-industrial times.”

Dạng 2: According to + Organization/Institution

According to [the WHO/UNESCO/the government], + [statement]

Ví dụ:

• “According to the World Health Organization, mental health issues affect one in four people worldwide.”
• “According to the Ministry of Education, literacy rates have improved significantly over the past decade.”

Dạng 3: According to + Research/Study

According to [recent research/a study/the survey], + [findings]

Ví dụ:

• “According to a recent study conducted by Harvard University, regular exercise reduces stress levels by up to 40%.”
• “According to the survey, 75% of respondents prefer online shopping to traditional retail.”

Dạng 4: According to + Visual Data (Task 1)

According to [the graph/chart/table/diagram], + [description]

Ví dụ:

• “According to the line graph, electricity consumption peaked in summer months between 2015 and 2020.”
• “According to the pie chart, transportation accounts for the largest share of carbon emissions at 35%.”

Dạng 5: According to + Document/Text

According to [the passage/article/report], + [information]

Ví dụ:

• “According to the article, urbanization has accelerated dramatically in developing countries.”
• “According to the passage, Shakespeare wrote 37 plays during his lifetime.”

Các Cấu Trúc Tương Đương

Để tránh lặp từ và đạt Band 8+, bạn có thể sử dụng các cấu trúc thay thế:

Cấu trúc	Ví dụ	Mức độ học thuật
As stated in…	As stated in the report, unemployment has fallen.	Cao
As shown in…	As shown in the graph, sales doubled.	Cao
As indicated by…	As indicated by recent data, pollution is worsening.	Cao
Based on…	Based on the survey, most people prefer flexibility.	Trung bình-Cao
In accordance with…	In accordance with WHO guidelines, masks are recommended.	Rất cao (formal)
The data shows that…	The data shows that consumption has increased.	Trung bình
It is reported that…	It is reported that the economy is recovering.	Cao

Cách Vận Dụng Vào IELTS

Speaking

Part 1 – Introduction & Interview:

Topic thường gặp: Hometown, work, study, hobbies

Mặc dù Part 1 ít sử dụng “according to” vì tập trung vào kinh nghiệm cá nhân, bạn vẫn có thể dùng để tăng điểm:

Ví dụ câu hỏi & trả lời:

Q: “Is your hometown a good place for young people?”

A (Band 6): “Yes, my hometown is good for young people because there are many jobs and entertainment.”

A (Band 8): “Yes, definitely. According to local surveys, young people are increasingly attracted to my hometown because of its growing job market and vibrant entertainment scene. The city government has also invested heavily in youth facilities.”

→ Phân tích: Sử dụng “according to local surveys” tạo độ tin cậy và cho thấy bạn có kiến thức rộng, không chỉ nói về cảm nhận cá nhân.

Part 2 – Long Turn:

Cue card example:
Describe a technological development that has changed people’s lives.

Sample answer (Band 8+):

“I’d like to talk about smartphones, which have fundamentally transformed how we communicate and access information. According to technology analysts, smartphones have become the most widely adopted technology in human history, with over 6 billion users globally.

When smartphones first became popular around 2010, according to my observations, people were mainly using them for calls and basic messaging. However, nowadays, according to recent statistics, the average person spends approximately 3-4 hours per day on their smartphone, using it for everything from banking to entertainment.

The impact has been profound. According to research from Stanford University, smartphones have changed not only how we communicate but also how our brains process information. While this has brought convenience, according to health experts, it has also led to issues like digital addiction and reduced face-to-face interaction…”

→ Phân tích:

• Sử dụng đa dạng nguồn: technology analysts, statistics, research, health experts
• Kết hợp với kinh nghiệm cá nhân (according to my observations)
• Tạo cấu trúc bài nói logic và đáng tin cậy

Part 3 – Discussion:

Part 3 là nơi “according to” phát huy tác dụng mạnh mẽ nhất trong Speaking.

Q: “How has technology changed the way people work?”

A (Band 8-9): “Technology has revolutionized the workplace in numerous ways. According to recent workplace studies, remote working has increased by over 300% in the past five years, particularly accelerated by the pandemic. According to business experts, this shift has fundamentally changed employer-employee relationships, with companies now focusing more on output rather than hours worked.

Furthermore, according to economic analysts, automation and artificial intelligence are transforming traditional job roles. The data indicates that approximately 40% of current jobs will be significantly altered by technology within the next decade. However, according to optimistic researchers, this will also create new opportunities in fields we haven’t even imagined yet.”

→ Band 9 features:

• Multiple academic sources (studies, experts, analysts, data)
• Paraphrasing với “the data indicates that”
• Kết nối ý mạch lạc giữa các trích dẫn
• Vocabulary cao cấp kết hợp với cấu trúc

Ví dụ sử dụng according to trong IELTS Speaking Part 3 để đạt Band 8

Writing Task 1

Khi nào dùng:

“According to” là cấu trúc CỐT LÕI trong Writing Task 1, đặc biệt với:

• Line graphs (biểu đồ đường)
• Bar charts (biểu đồ cột)
• Pie charts (biểu đồ tròn)
• Tables (bảng số liệu)
• Multiple data sources (nhiều nguồn dữ liệu)

Cách dùng hiệu quả:

Overview paragraph:
“According to the chart, the most noticeable trend was the steady increase in renewable energy consumption over the 20-year period.”

Body paragraph với specific data:

Line graph example:

Task: The line graph shows the number of international students in Australia from 2010 to 2020.

Sample paragraph (Band 8):

“According to the line graph, the number of international students in Australia experienced significant growth over the ten-year period. In 2010, there were approximately 250,000 overseas students, but according to the data, this figure rose steadily to reach 400,000 by 2015. The graph indicates that growth accelerated between 2016 and 2019, with numbers peaking at 550,000. However, according to the final data point, there was a sharp decline to 450,000 in 2020, likely due to the global pandemic.”

→ Vận dụng:

• Sử dụng “according to” để giới thiệu nguồn dữ liệu
• Paraphrase với “the graph indicates that”
• Kết hợp số liệu cụ thể
• Tránh lặp từ bằng cách thay đổi cấu trúc

Comparison structures:

Bar chart example:

Task: The bar chart compares energy consumption across four countries in 2020.

Sample sentences:

“According to the bar chart, the USA had the highest energy consumption at 95 quadrillion BTUs, which was nearly double that of China. As shown in the data, India and Brazil consumed significantly less energy, at 25 and 15 quadrillion BTUs respectively.”

Table example:

Task: The table shows employment rates by age group in three years.

Sample paragraph:

“According to the table, employment rates varied considerably across different age groups. For the 25-34 age bracket, the data reveals that employment stood at 78% in 2010, rising to 82% by 2020. In contrast, according to the figures for older workers, those aged 55-64 experienced a more modest increase from 65% to 68% over the same period.”

Writing Task 2

Essay types sử dụng “according to”:

Opinion Essay:

Topic: Some people believe that technology has made our lives more complex. Others think it has simplified things. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Body paragraph (Band 8+):

“Those who argue that technology complicates life have valid concerns. According to psychological research, the constant connectivity enabled by smartphones has led to increased stress levels and reduced attention spans. A study published in the Journal of Mental Health indicates that digital overwhelm affects nearly 60% of regular technology users. Furthermore, according to workplace experts, employees now feel pressured to respond to work communications outside office hours, blurring the boundaries between professional and personal life.

However, according to technological optimists, these challenges are outweighed by the benefits. Research from MIT demonstrates that automation has freed humans from repetitive tasks, allowing more time for creative pursuits. According to economic data, productivity has increased by 40% in sectors that have embraced digital transformation.”

→ Phân tích:

• Dẫn chứng từ nghiên cứu tâm lý học
• Trích dẫn tạp chí học thuật cụ thể
• Cân bằng hai quan điểm với nguồn tin đáng tin cậy
• Số liệu cụ thể tăng tính thuyết phục

Problem/Solution Essay:

Topic: Environmental pollution is a serious problem. What are the causes and solutions?

Causes paragraph:

“According to environmental scientists, the primary cause of air pollution is fossil fuel combustion, which accounts for approximately 75% of carbon emissions globally. The data from the International Energy Agency shows that transportation and industrial activities are the main contributors. Additionally, according to waste management studies, improper disposal of plastic waste has resulted in over 8 million tons of plastic entering oceans annually.”

Solutions paragraph:

“According to renewable energy experts, transitioning to clean energy sources could reduce emissions by up to 80% by 2050. Government reports indicate that countries investing heavily in solar and wind power have already seen significant improvements in air quality. Moreover, according to behavioural economists, implementing carbon taxes has proven effective in 23 countries, reducing consumption of high-emission products by an average of 15%.”

Advantage/Disadvantage Essay:

Topic: International tourism has become increasingly affordable. What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Advantages paragraph:

“According to tourism industry reports, affordable international travel has generated significant economic benefits for developing countries. The World Tourism Organization states that tourism contributes over $1.5 trillion to global GDP and supports 10% of jobs worldwide. Furthermore, cultural studies indicate that cross-cultural exchange through tourism promotes understanding and reduces prejudice between nations.”

Discussion Essay:

Topic: Some believe university education should be free. Others think students should pay. Discuss both views.

“According to educational researchers, free university education significantly increases social mobility. Data from Nordic countries shows that when higher education is publicly funded, students from low-income backgrounds are three times more likely to obtain degrees. Conversely, according to economists, this places enormous strain on government budgets. The OECD reports that countries with free tertiary education spend an average of 2.5% of GDP on this sector alone.”

Sample Paragraphs Band 7-9

Band 7 Sample (Writing Task 2 – Environment):

“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity today. According to the United Nations, global temperatures have increased by 1.1°C since pre-industrial times, and this trend is accelerating. According to climate scientists, if current emission levels continue, we could see a rise of 3-4°C by the end of this century, which would have catastrophic consequences. The research shows that extreme weather events have become more frequent and severe. According to insurance industry data, weather-related damages have tripled in the past two decades. Therefore, immediate action is essential to mitigate these effects.”

Phân tích Band 7:

• Sử dụng “according to” chính xác với 4 nguồn khác nhau
• Số liệu cụ thể (1.1°C, 3-4°C, tripled)
• Cấu trúc câu đa dạng
• Vocabulary tốt (pressing, accelerating, catastrophic, mitigate)
• Có một chút lặp cấu trúc “according to”

Band 8-9 Sample (Writing Task 2 – Technology):

“The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed educational paradigms over the past two decades. According to UNESCO’s 2023 Global Education Report, over 1.5 billion students worldwide now have access to digital learning platforms, representing a 400% increase since 2010. This transformation extends beyond mere access; research from Stanford’s Graduate School of Education demonstrates that adaptive learning technologies can personalize instruction in ways traditional classrooms cannot, with students showing 35% faster progression rates in core subjects.

However, the picture is not uniformly positive. As indicated by the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment, excessive screen time without proper pedagogical frameworks correlates with decreased reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Data from longitudinal studies in South Korea and Japan reveal that students spending more than four hours daily on digital devices for non-educational purposes score consistently lower in standardized assessments. Moreover, according to digital equity researchers, the technology gap between affluent and disadvantaged communities has widened rather than narrowed, with World Bank statistics showing that only 35% of students in low-income countries have reliable internet access compared to 95% in developed nations.”

Phân tích Band 8-9:

• Đa dạng cấu trúc trích dẫn (according to, demonstrates that, as indicated by, reveal that, statistics showing that)
• Nguồn cụ thể và đáng tin cậy (UNESCO, Stanford, OECD, World Bank)
• Số liệu chính xác và relevant
• Vocabulary học thuật cao (paradigms, pedagogical frameworks, longitudinal studies, digital equity)
• Cấu trúc câu phức tạp (participle phrases, relative clauses)
• Luồng ý logic, kết nối mạch lạc
• Không lặp cấu trúc, sử dụng paraphrasing thành thạo

Nâng Cao – Cách Dùng Để Đạt Band 8+

Kết Hợp Với Các Cấu Trúc Khác

“According to” + Relative Clause:

“According to a study conducted by Harvard University, which surveyed over 10,000 participants across 15 countries, social media usage correlates strongly with feelings of loneliness among young adults.”

→ Band 8+ features: Relative clause bổ sung thông tin chi tiết về nguồn nghiên cứu, tạo độ tin cậy cao

“According to” + Passive Voice:

“According to recent research published in Nature journal, it has been found that microplastic particles are present in 90% of bottled water samples tested worldwide.”

→ Advanced usage: Kết hợp passive voice để nhấn mạnh kết quả nghiên cứu, phong cách học thuật

“According to” + Perfect Tenses:

“According to economic analysts, the tourism industry has suffered unprecedented losses since the pandemic began, with revenues having declined by approximately 65% compared to pre-2020 levels.”

→ Sophistication: Present perfect và perfect continuous thể hiện mối liên hệ quá khứ-hiện tại

“According to” + Modal Verbs:

“According to climate projections from the IPCC, global sea levels could rise by up to one meter by 2100 if current warming trends continue, which would displace millions of coastal residents.”

→ Advanced usage: Modal verbs (could, would, may, might) thể hiện khả năng, dự đoán dựa trên dữ liệu

“According to” + Complex Noun Phrases:

“According to the comprehensive five-year longitudinal study examining sleep patterns and academic performance in adolescents, insufficient rest directly correlates with diminished cognitive function and lower grade point averages.”

→ Band 9 feature: Noun phrase phức tạp mô tả chi tiết nguồn nghiên cứu

Cụm Từ Nâng Cao

Academic collocations with “according to”:

Collocation	Ví dụ	Band Level
According to preliminary findings	According to preliminary findings, the new treatment shows promising results in early trials.	8+
According to empirical evidence	According to empirical evidence gathered over two decades, bilingual education enhances cognitive flexibility.	8+
According to mainstream economists	According to mainstream economists, moderate inflation between 2-3% annually is optimal for economic growth.	7+
According to prevailing theories	According to prevailing theories in neuroscience, memory consolidation occurs primarily during sleep.	8+
According to longitudinal research	According to longitudinal research spanning 30 years, childhood poverty has lasting effects on adult health outcomes.	9
According to peer-reviewed studies	According to peer-reviewed studies, intermittent fasting may extend lifespan in certain organisms.	8+
According to scholarly consensus	According to scholarly consensus, Shakespeare authored his plays between 1590 and 1613.	8+
According to the prevailing view	According to the prevailing view among historians, industrialization was the primary driver of urbanization.	8+

Paraphrasing “according to” để tránh lặp:

Original	Advanced Paraphrase	Context
According to the report	As documented in the report	Writing Task 2
According to experts	Expert opinion suggests that	Speaking Part 3
According to the graph	As illustrated by the graph	Writing Task 1
According to research	Research findings indicate that	Academic writing
According to statistics	Statistical evidence reveals that	Writing Task 2
According to the data	The data demonstrates that	Writing Task 1
According to the author	The author contends/argues that	Reading comprehension

Câu Phức & Ghép

Tích hợp vào câu phức với nhiều mệnh đề:

Example 1:
“Although according to government statistics, crime rates have fallen by 20% over the past decade, according to public perception surveys, most citizens still believe their communities have become less safe, which suggests a disconnect between reality and media portrayal.”

→ Phân tích:

• Mệnh đề nhượng bộ (Although)
• Hai nguồn trích dẫn đối lập (statistics vs perception)
• Relative clause giải thích (which suggests)
• Thể hiện tư duy phản biện cao

Example 2:
“According to epidemiologists who have studied pandemic responses across multiple countries, nations that implemented early lockdown measures, as shown by data from New Zealand and South Korea, experienced significantly lower mortality rates, whereas those that delayed action, according to comparative analyses, suffered proportionally higher casualties.”

→ Phân tích:

• Relative clause bổ nghĩa (who have studied)
• Multiple sources (epidemiologists, data, analyses)
• Contrast structure (whereas)
• Band 9 complexity

Example 3:
“While according to technology enthusiasts, artificial intelligence represents humanity’s greatest opportunity for advancement, according to ethicists and social scientists, the same technology poses existential risks that according to risk assessment frameworks must be carefully managed through international regulation.”

→ Phân tích:

• Contrast của hai quan điểm (While…according to X vs according to Y)
• Ba nguồn trích dẫn trong một câu
• Relative clause (that must be managed)
• Academic vocabulary (existential risks, frameworks, regulation)

Kết hợp according to với các cấu trúc ngữ pháp phức tạp trong IELTS Writing

So Sánh Với Cấu Trúc Tương Tự

According To vs As Per vs In Accordance With

Tiêu chí	According To	As Per	In Accordance With
Công thức	According to + source	As per + document/instructions	In accordance with + rules/regulations
Ý nghĩa	Theo như (trích dẫn thông tin)	Theo như (theo chỉ dẫn/tài liệu)	Phù hợp với (tuân thủ quy định)
Mức độ formal	Neutral-Formal	Formal (Business English)	Very Formal (Legal/Official)
Dùng khi	Trích dẫn nghiên cứu, dữ liệu, ý kiến	Theo tài liệu, hướng dẫn cụ thể	Tuân thủ luật, quy định, tiêu chuẩn
IELTS context	Rất phổ biến (All parts)	Ít dùng (Task 1 – instructions)	Ít dùng (Formal Writing Task 2)
Ví dụ	According to the survey, 70% agree.	As per the instructions, submit by Friday.	In accordance with company policy, masks are required.

Khi nào dùng cấu trúc nào:

Dùng “According to” khi:

• Trích dẫn nghiên cứu, báo cáo, thống kê
• Nêu quan điểm của chuyên gia, tác giả
• Mô tả dữ liệu từ biểu đồ, bảng số liệu (Task 1)
• Đưa ra thông tin từ nguồn tin cậy

Ví dụ: “According to WHO guidelines, regular handwashing reduces infection risk.”

Dùng “As per” khi:

• Làm theo hướng dẫn, chỉ thị cụ thể
• Business English, email chính thức
• Task 1 khi đề bài yêu cầu cụ thể

Ví dụ: “As per the graph provided, sales peaked in December.”

Dùng “In accordance with” khi:

• Nói về việc tuân thủ luật pháp, quy định
• Context rất formal (legal, official documents)
• Writing Task 2 với topic về law, regulations

Ví dụ: “In accordance with international law, all countries must protect human rights.”

According To vs Based On

Tiêu chí	According To	Based On
Ý nghĩa	Theo như (ai/cái gì nói)	Dựa trên (thông tin/dữ liệu)
Focus	Nguồn thông tin	Nền tảng của kết luận
Usage	Trích dẫn trực tiếp	Rút ra kết luận từ evidence
Ví dụ	According to experts, the economy is improving.	Based on current trends, the economy will improve.

Sự khác biệt quan trọng:

• “According to” = trích dẫn những gì nguồn đã nói/viết
• “Based on” = sử dụng thông tin đó để đưa ra kết luận của mình

Example comparison:

“According to the research, 80% of participants reported improved sleep quality.” (Nghiên cứu nói vậy)

“Based on the research findings, we can conclude that the treatment is effective.” (Tôi kết luận dựa trên nghiên cứu)

Lỗi Thường Gặp & Cách Sửa

Lỗi 1: Dùng Động Từ Sau “According To”

❌ SAI:
“According to increases in the graph, sales improved.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“According to the graph, sales increased significantly.”

Giải thích:
“According to” phải theo sau bởi DANH TỪ (noun), không phải động từ. Nhiều học viên Việt Nam mắc lỗi này vì nghĩ “according to” có nghĩa “theo như việc…” nên đặt động từ V-ing phía sau.

Công thức đúng: According to + NOUN/NOUN PHRASE

Các ví dụ đúng:

• According to the increase shown in the graph (danh từ “increase”)
• According to recent data (danh từ “data”)
• According to what the experts say (noun clause)

Lưu ý:
Nếu muốn dùng động từ, phải chuyển thành danh từ hoặc gerund trong noun phrase:

• ❌ According to improve → ✅ According to the improvement
• ❌ According to rises → ✅ According to the rising trend

Lỗi 2: Nhầm Lẫn “According To” Với “According To Me/My Opinion”

❌ SAI:
“According to me, technology is very important.”
“According to my opinion, students should study abroad.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“In my opinion, technology is very important.”
“I believe that students should study abroad.”
“From my perspective, studying abroad is beneficial.”

Giải thích:
“According to” chỉ dùng để trích dẫn nguồn BÊN NGOÀI (external sources), KHÔNG được dùng với “me/my opinion/my view”. Đây là lỗi CỰC KỲ PHỔ BIẾN của học viên Việt Nam vì dịch trực tiếp “theo tôi” sang tiếng Anh.

Khi nói về ý kiến CÁ NHÂN, dùng:

• In my opinion/view
• From my perspective
• I believe/think/feel that
• Personally, I think
• As far as I’m concerned

Khi nói về người KHÁC, dùng “according to”:

• According to experts
• According to my teacher
• According to Dr. Smith

Lưu ý:
Trong IELTS Speaking/Writing, thí sinh thường phải nêu ý kiến cá nhân, vì vậy TUYỆT ĐỐI TRÁNH “according to me”.

Lỗi 3: Thiếu Dấu Phẩy Sau “According To” Ở Đầu Câu

❌ SAI:
“According to the report unemployment has risen.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“According to the report, unemployment has risen.”

Giải thích:
Khi “according to + noun” đứng đầu câu, BẮT BUỘC phải có dấu phẩy trước mệnh đề chính. Đây là quy tắc punctuation trong tiếng Anh học thuật.

Quy tắc:

• According to [source], [main clause]. ← Có dấu phẩy
• [Main clause] according to [source]. ← Không cần dấu phẩy

Ví dụ:

• ✅ “According to recent studies, exercise improves mental health.”
• ✅ “Exercise improves mental health according to recent studies.”

Lưu ý:
Trong IELTS Writing, lỗi punctuation có thể ảnh hưởng đến band score của Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Học viên Việt Nam thường bỏ qua dấu phẩy vì tiếng Việt không có quy tắc tương tự.

Lỗi 4: Dùng Sai Thì Động Từ Trong Mệnh Đề Chính

❌ SAI:
“According to the graph, sales are increased dramatically between 2010 and 2020.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“According to the graph, sales increased dramatically between 2010 and 2020.”

Giải thích:
Khi mô tả dữ liệu quá khứ trong Writing Task 1, phải dùng PAST SIMPLE, không dùng Present Simple hay Present Continuous. “According to” không ảnh hưởng đến thì của động từ chính.

Quy tắc chọn thì:

• Dữ liệu quá khứ (2010-2020) → Past Simple
• Dữ liệu hiện tại hoặc general trends → Present Simple
• Dự đoán tương lai → Future tenses với modal verbs

Ví dụ đúng:

• “According to the chart, population grew by 15% in 2019.” (past)
• “According to current statistics, over 50% of people use smartphones.” (present)
• “According to projections, temperatures will rise by 2°C.” (future)

Lưu ý:
Học viên Việt Nam thường nhầm giữa “increased” (V2) và “is increased” (passive), dẫn đến dùng sai voice.

Lỗi 5: Dùng “According To” Cho Nguồn Không Đáng Tin Cậy

❌ SAI (trong IELTS context):
“According to my friend, climate change is not real.”
“According to Facebook posts, vaccines are dangerous.”
“According to some people, studying is boring.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“According to climate scientists, global temperatures have risen by 1.2°C.”
“According to peer-reviewed medical research, vaccines are safe and effective.”
“According to educational studies, student engagement depends on teaching methods.”

Giải thích:
Trong IELTS, đặc biệt Writing Task 2, bạn phải trích dẫn nguồn ĐÁng TIN CẬY và HỌC THUẬT. Dùng “according to” với nguồn không credible sẽ LÀM GIẢM BAND SCORE.

Nguồn đáng tin cậy:

• Nghiên cứu khoa học (research, studies)
• Chuyên gia (experts, scientists, economists)
• Tổ chức quốc tế (WHO, UN, World Bank)
• Dữ liệu chính thức (government statistics, official reports)
• Tạp chí học thuật (Nature, Science, The Lancet)

Nguồn KHÔNG nên dùng:

• Bạn bè, người quen (my friend, people I know)
• Social media (Facebook, Twitter posts)
• “Some people say” (quá chung chung)
• Tin đồn, nghe nói (rumors, hearsay)

Lưu ý:
Nếu đề bài yêu cầu “Some people believe…”, dùng cấu trúc đó thay vì “according to”, vì đó là opinion chung chung, không phải nguồn cụ thể.

Top 5 mistakes Vietnamese learners make:

1. According to + Verb: Đặt động từ thay vì danh từ sau “according to”
2. “According to me”: Dùng cho ý kiến cá nhân thay vì external sources
3. Missing comma: Quên dấu phẩy khi “according to” ở đầu câu
4. Wrong tense: Dùng sai thì động từ trong mệnh đề chính (đặc biệt Task 1)
5. Unreliable sources: Trích dẫn nguồn không học thuật hoặc không đáng tin cậy

Bài Tập Thực Hành

Bài Tập 1: Điền Từ

Hoàn thành câu với dạng đúng của cấu trúc “according to” và động từ trong ngoặc:

1. (the World Bank / report), global poverty (decrease) by 50% since 2000.

2. (recent surveys), approximately 70% of young people (prefer) online shopping to traditional retail.

3. (climate scientists), sea levels (rise) by an average of 3mm per year over the past decade.

4. (the graph / show), smartphone sales (peak) in 2017 and _____ (decline) steadily since then.

5. (research / conduct) by Harvard University, bilingual children (develop) better problem-solving skills than monolingual peers.

6. (government statistics), unemployment rates (fall) to a record low of 3.5% last year.

7. (the passage), Shakespeare (write) approximately 37 plays during his lifetime.

8. (data / collect) from 50 countries, air pollution (cause) over 7 million premature deaths annually.

9. (expert opinion), renewable energy sources (can / replace) fossil fuels by 2050.

10. (the pie chart), transportation (account) for the largest share of carbon emissions at 40%.

Bài Tập 2: Tìm Và Sửa Lỗi

Tìm lỗi sai trong các câu sau và sửa lại cho đúng:

1. According to increases in the data, sales improved significantly. [❌]

2. According to me, technology is the most important invention. [❌]

3. According to the report unemployment has doubled in five years. [❌]

4. According to the graph, population are increased by 20%. [❌]

5. According to my friend, learning English is very difficult. [❌]

6. According to recent research shows that exercise improves health. [❌]

7. According to experts say, climate change is accelerating. [❌]

8. Based to the data, consumption has risen. [❌]

9. According the survey, 60% of respondents agreed. [❌]

10. According to scientists, the temperature has been rising since 1850. [✅]

Bài Tập 3: Viết Câu

Viết câu hoàn chỉnh sử dụng “according to” với thông tin cho sẵn:

1. (The WHO / mental health problems / affect / one in four people)
   → Your answer: ___

2. (Recent studies / regular exercise / reduce / stress levels / 40%)
   → Your answer: ___

3. (The line graph / electricity consumption / increase / 25% / between 2010-2020)
   → Your answer: ___

4. (Economic analysts / global trade / recover / by 2025)
   → Your answer: ___

5. (The survey / 85% of students / prefer / interactive learning methods)
   → Your answer: ___

6. (UNESCO / literacy rates / improve / significantly / developing countries)
   → Your answer: ___

7. (The data / young people / spend / average / 6 hours daily / smartphones)
   → Your answer: ___

8. (Environmental experts / plastic pollution / pose / greatest threat / marine life)
   → Your answer: ___

Bài Tập 4: Paraphrase “According To”

Viết lại các câu sau, thay “according to” bằng cấu trúc tương đương:

1. According to the report, air quality has improved in major cities.
   → ___

2. According to recent research, meditation reduces anxiety.
   → ___

3. According to the graph, sales doubled between 2015 and 2020.
   → ___

4. According to experts, artificial intelligence will transform healthcare.
   → ___

5. According to government data, tourism revenue increased by 30%.
   → ___

Bài Tập 5: Writing Task 1 Practice

Mô tả biểu đồ sau bằng 3-4 câu sử dụng “according to” và các cấu trúc tương đương:

Task: The bar chart shows the percentage of household waste recycled in four countries in 2020.

• Germany: 65%
• Japan: 55%
• UK: 45%
• USA: 35%

Your answer:

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Bài Tập 6: Writing Task 2 Practice

Viết một đoạn body paragraph (120-150 words) cho topic sau, sử dụng “according to” ít nhất 3 lần:

Topic: Some people think that technology has made our lives more stressful. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Your answer:

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ĐÁP ÁN CHI TIẾT

Đáp Án Bài Tập 1:

1. According to the World Bank report, global poverty has decreased / decreased by 50% since 2000.

   • Giải thích: Có thể dùng Present Perfect (has decreased) vì có “since 2000” hoặc Simple Past nếu nhấn mạnh sự kiện đã hoàn thành.

2. According to recent surveys, approximately 70% of young people prefer online shopping to traditional retail.

   • Giải thích: Present Simple vì đây là thói quen/sự thật hiện tại.

3. According to climate scientists, sea levels have risen / have been rising by an average of 3mm per year over the past decade.

   • Giải thích: Present Perfect hoặc Present Perfect Continuous với “over the past decade”.

4. According to the graph / As shown in the graph, smartphone sales peaked in 2017 and have declined steadily since then.

   • Giải thích: Past Simple cho sự kiện cụ thể 2017, Present Perfect cho xu hướng từ đó đến nay.

5. According to research conducted by Harvard University, bilingual children develop better problem-solving skills than monolingual peers.

   • Giải thích: Present Simple cho general truth/research finding.

6. According to government statistics, unemployment rates fell to a record low of 3.5% last year.

   • Giải thích: Past Simple vì có “last year”.

7. According to the passage, Shakespeare wrote approximately 37 plays during his lifetime.

   • Giải thích: Past Simple cho sự kiện lịch sử.

8. According to data collected from 50 countries, air pollution causes over 7 million premature deaths annually.

   • Giải thích: Present Simple cho fact/statistic hiện tại với “annually”.

9. According to expert opinion, renewable energy sources can replace fossil fuels by 2050.

   • Giải thích: Modal verb “can” cho khả năng trong tương lai.

10. According to the pie chart, transportation accounts for the largest share of carbon emissions at 40%.

    • Giải thích: Present Simple khi mô tả dữ liệu trong biểu đồ không có time frame cụ thể.

Đáp Án Bài Tập 2:

1. ❌ According to increases in the data → ✅ According to the data, sales increased significantly.

   • Lỗi: Dùng động từ “increases” sau “according to”. Phải dùng danh từ “data” và chuyển “increase” thành động từ chính.

2. ❌ According to me → ✅ In my opinion / I believe that technology is the most important invention.

   • Lỗi: Không được dùng “according to me” cho ý kiến cá nhân.

3. ❌ Thiếu dấu phẩy → ✅ According to the report, unemployment has doubled in five years.

   • Lỗi: Missing comma sau “according to” phrase ở đầu câu.

4. ❌ are increased → ✅ According to the graph, population increased by 20%.

   • Lỗi: Sai voice (passive thay vì active) và thì (present thay vì past).

5. ❌ According to my friend → ✅ From my friend’s experience / My friend believes that learning English is challenging.

   • Lỗi: “My friend” không phải nguồn academic đáng tin cậy trong IELTS context. Hoặc đổi thành: “According to language acquisition research, learners often find English challenging.”

6. ❌ According to recent research shows → ✅ According to recent research, exercise improves health. / Recent research shows that exercise improves health.

   • Lỗi: Không thể có hai động từ chính (shows và improves). Bỏ “shows” hoặc bỏ “according to”.

7. ❌ According to experts say → ✅ According to experts, climate change is accelerating. / Experts say that climate change is accelerating.

   • Lỗi: Tương tự lỗi 6, không thể có “say” sau “according to experts”.

8. ❌ Based to → ✅ Based on the data / According to the data, consumption has risen.

   • Lỗi: “Based” đi với giới từ “on”, không phải “to”.

9. ❌ According the survey → ✅ According to the survey, 60% of respondents agreed.

   • Lỗi: Thiếu giới từ “to”. Cấu trúc đúng: “according TO”.

10. ✅ Câu này ĐÚNG.

    • Phân tích: According to + scientists (noun) + comma + present perfect (has been rising) + since 1850 (time marker). Hoàn toàn chính xác.

Đáp Án Bài Tập 3:

1. According to the WHO, mental health problems affect one in four people worldwide.

   • Hoặc: According to the World Health Organization, approximately 25% of the global population experiences mental health issues.

2. According to recent studies, regular exercise can reduce stress levels by up to 40%.

   • Hoặc: Recent research indicates that consistent physical activity reduces stress by approximately 40%.

3. According to the line graph, electricity consumption increased by 25% between 2010 and 2020.

   • Hoặc: As shown in the line graph, there was a 25% rise in electricity consumption over the ten-year period from 2010 to 2020.

4. According to economic analysts, global trade is expected to recover by 2025.

   • Hoặc: Economic experts predict that international commerce will return to pre-pandemic levels by 2025.

5. According to the survey, 85% of students prefer interactive learning methods to traditional lectures.

   • Hoặc: Survey results reveal that the vast majority of students (85%) favor hands-on, interactive approaches to education.

6. According to UNESCO, literacy rates have improved significantly in developing countries over the past two decades.

   • Hoặc: UNESCO reports indicate substantial progress in literacy levels across developing nations since 2000.

7. According to the data, young people spend an average of 6 hours daily on their smartphones.

   • Hoặc: Statistics show that youth dedicate approximately six hours per day to smartphone usage.

8. According to environmental experts, plastic pollution poses the greatest threat to marine life.

   • Hoặc: Marine biologists warn that plastic waste represents the most severe danger to ocean ecosystems.

Đáp Án Bài Tập 4:

1. According to the report, air quality has improved in major cities.
   → As stated in the report, air quality has improved in major cities.
   → The report indicates that air quality has improved in major cities.
   → As documented in the report, there has been an improvement in urban air quality.

2. According to recent research, meditation reduces anxiety.
   → Recent research demonstrates that meditation reduces anxiety.
   → Studies have shown that meditation is effective in reducing anxiety.
   → Research findings suggest that meditation alleviates anxiety symptoms.

3. According to the graph, sales doubled between 2015 and 2020.
   → As illustrated by the graph, sales doubled between 2015 and 2020.
   → The graph shows that sales experienced a twofold increase from 2015 to 2020.
   → As depicted in the graph, there was a 100% rise in sales over the five-year period.

4. According to experts, artificial intelligence will transform healthcare.
   → Experts predict that artificial intelligence will revolutionize healthcare.
   → Expert opinion suggests that AI will fundamentally change medical practice.
   → As experts contend, artificial intelligence is poised to transform healthcare delivery.

5. According to government data, tourism revenue increased by 30%.
   → Government statistics reveal a 30% increase in tourism revenue.
   → Official data indicates that tourism income rose by 30%.
   → As shown by government figures, tourism revenue grew by nearly one-third.

Đáp Án Bài Tập 5:

Sample answer (Band 8):

“According to the bar chart, Germany had the highest household waste recycling rate among the four countries in 2020, with 65% of waste being recycled. As shown in the data, Japan followed with 55%, while the UK recycled 45% of household waste. The chart indicates that the USA had the lowest recycling rate at just 35%, which was nearly half that of Germany. Overall, European countries demonstrated significantly higher recycling rates compared to other developed nations.”

Phân tích:

• Sử dụng 3 cấu trúc khác nhau: “According to the bar chart”, “As shown in the data”, “The chart indicates that”
• So sánh rõ ràng giữa các quốc gia
• Câu overview cuối tổng hợp xu hướng chính
• Vocabulary: household waste, recycling rate, significantly

Đáp Án Bài Tập 6:

Sample paragraph (Band 8+):

“While technology offers numerous benefits, there is substantial evidence suggesting it has indeed increased stress levels in modern life. According to research from the American Psychological Association, constant connectivity through smartphones and computers has created an ‘always-on’ culture where people feel unable to disconnect from work obligations, with 65% of employees reporting that they check work emails outside office hours. Furthermore, according to neuroscience studies, the constant stimulation from digital devices affects brain chemistry, reducing our ability to relax and focus deeply on single tasks. Social media platforms, as indicated by mental health research, have been particularly problematic, with studies showing a direct correlation between social media usage and increased anxiety, especially among young people. The pressure to maintain an online presence and compare oneself to others’ curated lives creates psychological stress that previous generations did not experience. Therefore, while technology has certainly improved efficiency and connectivity, these advantages come at a significant cost to our mental wellbeing.”

Phân tích Band 8+ features:

• Ba lần sử dụng “according to” với nguồn khác nhau và paraphrase một lần
• Nguồn đáng tin cậy: American Psychological Association, neuroscience studies, mental health research
• Số liệu cụ thể: 65% of employees
• Vocabulary cao: substantial evidence, constant connectivity, curated lives, psychological stress, mental wellbeing
• Cấu trúc câu phức: relative clauses, participle phrases
• Cohesion tốt: Furthermore, Therefore, While…these
• Arguments được develop đầy đủ với examples và explanations

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Kết Bài

“According to” là một cấu trúc ngữ pháp thiết yếu không chỉ trong IELTS mà còn trong giao tiếp học thuật và chuyên nghiệp. Việc sử dụng thành thạo cấu trúc này sẽ giúp bạn:

✅ Tăng tính học thuật cho bài Writing Task 1 và Task 2
✅ Nâng band score Speaking Part 3 với cách trích dẫn chuyên nghiệp
✅ Tăng độ tin cậy cho lập luận bằng cách dẫn nguồn cụ thể
✅ Tránh plagiarism khi paraphrase ý tưởng từ nguồn khác
✅ Thể hiện critical thinking bằng cách phân biệt fact và opinion

Những điểm cần nhớ:

1. “According to” + NOUN, không phải verb
2. KHÔNG dùng “according to me” cho ý kiến cá nhân
3. Luôn có dấu phẩy sau “according to phrase” ở đầu câu
4. Chọn nguồn đáng tin cậy: nghiên cứu, chuyên gia, tổ chức quốc tế
5. Paraphrase để đạt Band 8+: as shown in, as indicated by, based on
6. Kết hợp với cấu trúc phức: relative clauses, passive voice, perfect tenses

Lộ trình luyện tập:

• Tuần 1-2: Làm quen công thức cơ bản, tập viết câu đơn giản
• Tuần 3-4: Thực hành Writing Task 1 với biểu đồ
• Tuần 5-6: Áp dụng vào Writing Task 2, tập dẫn nguồn học thuật
• Tuần 7-8: Luyện Speaking Part 3, tích hợp vào câu trả lời tự nhiên

Đề Luyện Tập

Speaking Topics:

1. Describe a scientific discovery that has changed society.

   • Yêu cầu: Sử dụng “according to scientists/research” ít nhất 3 lần
   • Focus: Trích dẫn nghiên cứu, số liệu về impact

2. Talk about how education has changed in your country.

   • Yêu cầu: Dùng “according to statistics/reports” để nêu xu hướng
   • Focus: So sánh quá khứ-hiện tại với dữ liệu cụ thể

3. Discuss the effects of social media on young people.

   • Yêu cầu: Trích dẫn “according to psychological research/studies”
   • Focus: Mental health impacts, statistical evidence

Writing Task 1 Topics:

1. The line graph shows the percentage of households owning computers in three countries from 1995 to 2020.

   • Yêu cầu: Mỗi đoạn body bắt đầu với “according to” hoặc paraphrase
   • Focus: Trends, comparisons, specific data points

2. The table displays average income levels across different education levels in 2023.

   • Yêu cầu: Sử dụng đa dạng cách trích dẫn data
   • Focus: Comparisons, significant differences, overall pattern

Writing Task 2 Topics:

1. Environmental problems are too big for individual countries to solve. Do you agree or disagree?

   • Yêu cầu: Mỗi body paragraph có ít nhất 2 trích dẫn từ nguồn học thuật
   • Focus: Environmental studies, international organizations (UN, WHO)

2. Technology has made children less creative. To what extent do you agree?

   • Yêu cầu: Balance hai quan điểm với evidence từ research
   • Focus: Educational research, psychological studies, statistics

3. Some say governments should invest more in railways than roads. Discuss both views.

   • Yêu cầu: Dẫn chứng từ transportation studies, economic data
   • Focus: Cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact data

Tiêu chí đánh giá bài làm:

• Accuracy: Sử dụng đúng công thức “according to + noun”
• Variety: Paraphrase với ít nhất 3 cấu trúc khác nhau
• Source credibility: Nguồn trích dẫn có đáng tin cậy không?
• Integration: Tích hợp tự nhiên vào câu phức, không rời rạc
• Punctuation: Dấu phẩy, capitalization đúng quy tắc

Hãy thực hành đều đặn với các bài tập trên và ghi âm/viết ra để tự đánh giá. Mục tiêu là sử dụng “according to” một cách TỰ NHIÊN và CHÍNH XÁC, không gượng ép. Chúc bạn thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS!