IELTS Speaking: Cách Miêu Tả Lúc Bạn Cảm Thấy Rất Có Động Lực – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề về động lực (motivation) là một trong những đề tài phổ biến và đáng chú ý trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking. Với vai trò là một examiner chính thức với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm, tôi nhận thấy chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất khá cao trong các kỳ thi từ 2020 đến nay, đặc biệt là ở Part 2 và Part 3. Theo thống kê từ các nguồn uy tín như IELTS-Simon.com và ieltsliz.com, chủ đề “motivation” xuất hiện khoảng 15-20% trong tổng số đề thi, với khả năng tiếp tục xuất hiện trong tương lai ở mức Cao.

Điều thú vị là nhiều thí sinh Việt Nam thường gặp khó khăn khi miêu tả cảm xúc và trải nghiệm cá nhân về động lực một cách tự nhiên và thuyết phục. Họ thường sa vào việc kể chuyện quá chung chung hoặc sử dụng từ vựng đơn điệu, thiếu chiều sâu trong việc giải thích tại sao một trải nghiệm cụ thể lại tạo động lực mạnh mẽ cho bản thân.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Các câu hỏi thực tế về motivation trong cả 3 Part của IELTS Speaking
• Bài mẫu chi tiết từ Band 6-7 đến Band 8.5-9 với phân tích sâu sắc
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm liên quan đến chủ đề động lực
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của examiner
• Những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục
• Cấu trúc ngữ pháp nâng cao giúp bạn ghi điểm cao

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 của IELTS Speaking thường kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn gọn về cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích, công việc, học tập. Đối với chủ đề motivation, examiner có thể hỏi những câu hỏi liên quan đến thói quen, mục tiêu và nguồn cảm hứng của bạn.

Đặc điểm chính:

• Câu hỏi ngắn, đời sống hàng ngày
• Yêu cầu trả lời tự nhiên, không quá dài dòng
• Nên mở rộng ý với 2-3 câu, bao gồm: trả lời trực tiếp + lý do/ví dụ + mở rộng thêm

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn gọn chỉ Yes/No
• Sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “bad”, “like”, “don’t like”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Không sử dụng discourse markers để câu trả lời nghe tự nhiên hơn

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: What motivates you to study or work hard?

Question 2: Do you consider yourself a motivated person?

Question 3: What do you do when you feel unmotivated?

Question 4: Who has been the most motivating person in your life?

Question 5: Do you prefer working towards long-term or short-term goals?

Question 6: How do you motivate yourself to do things you don’t enjoy?

Question 7: What kind of rewards motivate you most?

Question 8: Do you think motivation comes from inside or from other people?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

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Question: What motivates you to study or work hard?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp về nguồn động lực chính
• Đưa ra lý do cụ thể tại sao điều đó tạo động lực
• Thêm ví dụ hoặc kết quả từ việc có động lực đó

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I’m motivated by my future career goals. I want to get a good job after graduation, so I study hard every day. Also, my parents support me a lot, which makes me want to do well.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Câu trả lời rõ ràng, có lý do (career goals, parental support) và dễ hiểu
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng khá cơ bản (good job, study hard, support), thiếu chi tiết cụ thể, cấu trúc câu đơn giản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Trả lời đầy đủ câu hỏi với ý tưởng phù hợp nhưng chưa thể hiện được vốn từ vựng phong phú hay cấu trúc ngữ pháp phức tạp. Pronunciation cần rõ ràng và fluency chấp nhận được với một vài pauses ngắn.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d say my primary driving force is personal growth and the sense of accomplishment I get from mastering new skills. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about pushing through challenges and seeing tangible results from my efforts. On top of that, I’m quite goal-oriented, so having a clear roadmap of what I want to achieve keeps me on track even when things get tough.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:

  • Từ vựng sophisticated: “driving force”, “sense of accomplishment”, “tangible results”, “goal-oriented”, “clear roadmap”
  • Cấu trúc phức tạp: “There’s something incredibly fulfilling about…” (cleft sentence variant)
  • Discourse marker tự nhiên: “Well, I’d say”, “On top of that”
  • Ý tưởng sâu sắc: Không chỉ nói về kết quả bên ngoài mà về personal growth và internal satisfaction

• Tại sao Band 8-9:

  • Fluency: Trôi chảy với các linking phrases tự nhiên
  • Vocabulary: Wide range với collocations chính xác (sense of accomplishment, tangible results)
  • Grammar: Complex structures xuất hiện tự nhiên
  • Pronunciation: Cần có intonation tốt, nhấn mạnh đúng từ khóa

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• driving force: (n) động lực chính, sức mạnh thúc đẩy
• sense of accomplishment: (n) cảm giác thành tựu
• fulfilling: (adj) mang lại sự thỏa mãn, trọn vẹn
• tangible results: (n) kết quả cụ thể, hữu hình
• goal-oriented: (adj) hướng đến mục tiêu
• clear roadmap: (n) lộ trình rõ ràng
• on track: (idiom) đúng hướng, theo đúng kế hoạch

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Question: Do you consider yourself a motivated person?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời Yes/No một cách tự tin
• Giải thích bằng đặc điểm tính cách hoặc hành vi cụ thể
• Có thể thêm context khi nào motivated nhất

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think I’m quite motivated. When I set a goal, I usually try my best to achieve it. For example, I wanted to improve my English, so I studied every day for six months.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có câu trả lời trực tiếp, có ví dụ cụ thể (studying English)
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng lặp lại từ câu hỏi (motivated), cụm từ “try my best” quá phổ biến, thiếu depth trong việc mô tả tính cách
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đủ thông tin nhưng chưa impressive. Cần vocabulary đa dạng hơn và insights sâu hơn về bản thân.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’d say I’m generally quite self-driven, though like anyone, I have my off days. What really sets me apart is my ability to maintain momentum even when I don’t feel particularly inspired. I’ve developed personal systems and routines that keep me productive regardless of my mood. For instance, I use habit-stacking techniques where I link new goals to existing habits, which has been remarkably effective in keeping me consistent.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:

  • Vocabulary chính xác và natural: “self-driven”, “off days”, “maintain momentum”, “habit-stacking”
  • Honest và balanced: thừa nhận có “off days” nhưng vẫn highlight điểm mạnh
  • Specific example: Habit-stacking techniques cho thấy self-awareness cao
  • Complex grammar: “What really sets me apart is…” (Cleft sentence)

• Tại sao Band 8-9:

  • Fluency: Very natural flow với hedging language (“I’d say”, “generally quite”)
  • Vocabulary: Sophisticated với precise collocations
  • Grammar: Mix của simple và complex structures một cách linh hoạt
  • Ideas: Shows depth of self-reflection

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• self-driven: (adj) tự thúc đẩy bản thân
• off days: (n) những ngày không được tốt lắm
• sets apart: (phrasal verb) tạo sự khác biệt
• maintain momentum: (v) duy trì đà phát triển
• habit-stacking: (n) kỹ thuật xếp chồng thói quen
• remarkably effective: (adj) hiệu quả đáng kể

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Question: What do you do when you feel unmotivated?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Mô tả cách xử lý thực tế khi thiếu động lực
• Đưa ra 2-3 strategies cụ thể
• Có thể đề cập đến hiệu quả của các phương pháp này

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“When I feel unmotivated, I usually take a short break. I might watch a movie or talk to my friends. After that, I feel better and can continue working. Sometimes I also think about my goals to remind myself why I’m doing this.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Practical approaches (break, social interaction, goal reminder), câu trả lời có structure
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng basic (feel better, continue working), thiếu detail về cách exactly những actions này giúp restore motivation
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response với ý tưởng relevant nhưng lacks sophistication trong cách diễn đạt.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“When I’m going through a motivational slump, I’ve learned not to force productivity because that usually backfires. Instead, I take a step back and reassess my priorities. Sometimes it’s just a matter of recharging my batteries with activities completely unrelated to work, like going for a long walk in nature or immersing myself in a good book. I also find it helpful to break down daunting tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks, which makes getting started much less overwhelming. What works best for me is reconnecting with my ‘why’ – reminding myself of the bigger picture and long-term vision behind what I’m doing.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:

  • Rich vocabulary: “motivational slump”, “backfires”, “reassess priorities”, “daunting tasks”
  • Multiple strategies được elaborate: rest, task breakdown, reconnecting with purpose
  • Self-awareness: “I’ve learned” shows reflection và growth
  • Natural idiomatic expressions: “take a step back”, “bigger picture”
  • Complex grammar: “which makes getting started…” (relative clause)

• Tại sao Band 8-9:

  • Fluency: Smooth transitions between ideas
  • Vocabulary: Idiomatic và precise
  • Grammar: Sophisticated structures used naturally
  • Ideas: Thoughtful và practical, shows maturity

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• motivational slump: (n) giai đoạn thiếu động lực
• backfires: (v) phản tác dụng
• take a step back: (idiom) lùi lại một bước để nhìn nhận
• reassess priorities: (v) đánh giá lại mức độ ưu tiên
• recharge batteries: (idiom) nạp lại năng lượng
• immersing myself in: (v) đắm chìm vào
• daunting tasks: (n) nhiệm vụ khó khăn, nản lòng
• manageable chunks: (n) những phần có thể quản lý được
• overwhelming: (adj) quá sức, áp đảo
• reconnecting with my ‘why’: (phrase) kết nối lại với mục đích ban đầu
• bigger picture: (idiom) bức tranh toàn cảnh, tầm nhìn tổng thể

Học viên IELTS tự tin trả lời câu hỏi về động lực trong phần thi Speaking Part 1

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IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần quan trọng nhất của IELTS Speaking, nơi bạn có cơ hội thể hiện khả năng độc thoại trong 2-3 phút không bị gián đoạn. Đây là phần tạo ấn tượng mạnh nhất với examiner.

Thời gian chuẩn bị: 1 phút
Thời gian nói: 2-3 phút (tối thiểu 1.5 phút)

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Sử dụng đầy đủ 1 phút để ghi chú, tập trung vào keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh
• Structure rõ ràng: Introduction → Body (cover tất cả bullet points) → Conclusion
• Nói đủ 2 phút, tối ưu là 2-2.5 phút
• Trả lời đầy đủ TẤT CẢ các bullet points
• Câu “And explain…” thường chiếm 30-40% bài nói và là phần ghi điểm cao nhất
• Sử dụng thì quá khứ khi kể về trải nghiệm cụ thể

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Không tận dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị, rush vào việc nói
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút hoặc dừng đột ngột
• Bỏ qua một hoặc nhiều bullet points
• Focus quá nhiều vào story mà quên phần “explain” quan trọng
• Kể chuyện thiếu chi tiết cụ thể, quá general
• Không có structure rõ ràng, nhảy lung tung giữa các ý

Cue Card

Describe a time when you felt very motivated

You should say:

• When and where this happened
• What you were trying to achieve
• What or who motivated you
• And explain why you felt so motivated at that time

Phân Tích Đề Bài

Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience/event (Miêu tả một trải nghiệm/sự kiện)

Thì động từ: Quá khứ đơn và quá khứ tiếp diễn (vì đây là sự kiện đã xảy ra)

Bullet points phải cover:

1. When and where: Cung cấp context về thời gian và địa điểm cụ thể (không cần quá chi tiết nhưng đủ để hình dung)
2. What you were trying to achieve: Mục tiêu hoặc challenge bạn đang đối mặt
3. What or who motivated you: Nguồn động lực – có thể là người, sự kiện, phần thưởng, hoặc nội tại
4. And explain why: Đây là phần QUAN TRỌNG NHẤT – phân tích cảm xúc, lý do sâu xa, impact của động lực đó

Câu “explain” quan trọng:
Phần “explain why you felt so motivated” thường chiếm 30-40% bài nói và là nơi bạn thể hiện:

• Critical thinking: Phân tích nguyên nhân sâu xa
• Emotional intelligence: Mô tả cảm xúc một cách tinh tế
• Vocabulary range: Sử dụng từ vựng về cảm xúc, psychology
• Personal insight: Cho thấy self-awareness

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about a time when I felt really motivated, which happened about two years ago when I was preparing for my university entrance exam.

It was during my final year of high school, around April and May. I was studying at home most of the time because schools were closed due to the pandemic. The goal I was trying to achieve was to get into my dream university, which required a very high score.

What motivated me the most was my family, especially my parents. They always encouraged me and told me that I could do it. My mother would wake up early every morning to prepare breakfast for me, and my father helped me with difficult math problems. I also had a close friend who was studying hard too, so we motivated each other by sharing study materials and discussing questions together.

I felt so motivated because I didn’t want to disappoint my parents. They had worked hard to support my education, and I wanted to make them proud. Also, I was excited about the future and imagined myself studying at the university. When I felt tired, I looked at pictures of the campus and that gave me energy to continue.

In the end, I passed the exam with a good score and got accepted. That period taught me that with strong motivation and support from people around you, you can achieve difficult goals.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có sequencing rõ ràng (during, when, in the end), câu chuyện dễ follow. Tuy nhiên có một số basic linking words và có thể pause để tìm từ
Lexical Resource	6-7	Từ vựng adequate với collocations như “entrance exam”, “make them proud”, “sharing study materials”. Chưa có nhiều less common vocabulary
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix của simple và complex sentences. Có relative clauses (“which required a very high score”). Chủ yếu accurate nhưng chưa đa dạng structures
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear và dễ hiểu. Cần có appropriate intonation và word stress

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
• ✅ Story coherent và dễ follow với clear chronology
• ✅ Có cả internal (personal goals) và external motivation (family support)
• ✅ Có conclusion tốt với reflection về bài học

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Từ vựng còn khá basic: “really motivated”, “very high score”, “felt tired”
• ⚠️ Thiếu descriptive language để tạo vivid picture
• ⚠️ Phần “explain why” chưa đủ sâu, còn surface-level (không muốn làm bố mẹ thất vọng)
• ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đủ varied và sophisticated

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to share an experience from about 18 months ago when I felt incredibly motivated, and it actually stands out as one of the most pivotal moments in my life.

This took place during the summer of 2022, specifically in June and July. I had just finished my second year at university and decided to take on the challenge of participating in a national startup competition. My goal was to develop a viable business plan for a social enterprise that could address environmental issues in urban areas.

What really fueled my motivation was a combination of factors. First and foremost, I attended a workshop where a renowned social entrepreneur shared her journey of building a sustainable business from scratch. Her story really resonated with me because she had faced numerous setbacks but persevered through them all. Additionally, I was part of a like-minded team – four other students who were equally passionate about making a difference. We would meet every evening, bouncing ideas off each other and pushing each other’s boundaries.

The reason I felt so motivated during this period was multifaceted. On a personal level, I had always been concerned about environmental degradation, but I’d never found a concrete way to contribute. This competition gave me a platform to channel my concerns into actionable solutions. Moreover, the sense of camaraderie within my team was incredibly energizing. There’s something powerful about working with people who share your vision and hold you accountable. We created a supportive environment where failure was seen as a learning opportunity rather than something to be ashamed of.

What made it even more special was that we actually made it to the finals, which was beyond our expectations. Although we didn’t win, the entire experience taught me that genuine motivation comes from aligning your actions with your values and surrounding yourself with the right people.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Smooth delivery với sophisticated linking (“First and foremost”, “Moreover”, “What made it even more special”). Logic progression từ context → motivation sources → deep explanation
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range của topic-specific vocabulary (“viable business plan”, “social enterprise”, “persevered through setbacks”). Collocations precise (“fueled my motivation”, “bouncing ideas off”, “hold accountable”)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety của structures: relative clauses, passives (“was seen as”), participle clauses (“working with people who…”). Mix complex và compound sentences naturally
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Cần clear articulation với good stress và intonation patterns, highlighting key information effectively

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“really motivated”, “difficult goals”	“incredibly motivated”, “pivotal moments”, “fueled my motivation”
Grammar	“which required a very high score”	“where failure was seen as a learning opportunity” (passive + relative clause)
Ideas	Surface explanation (không muốn làm thất vọng bố mẹ)	Deep analysis (aligning actions with values, sense of camaraderie, learning from failure)
Detail	General description	Specific details (national competition, June-July 2022, team of 5 students)

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to recount an experience that profoundly shaped my understanding of motivation, which occurred during the winter of 2021 when I embarked on what I can only describe as the most challenging yet rewarding period of my life.

The setting was my hometown, where I had returned after being laid off from my first job due to the pandemic’s economic impact. Rather than wallowing in self-pity, I decided to channel my energy into something I’d been putting off for years – preparing for the IELTS exam and applying for a prestigious scholarship to study abroad. My ultimate objective was to achieve a band score of 8.0 or higher, which seemed like a monumental task given that I’d barely touched English in the previous two years.

What catalyzed my motivation was, interestingly, a combination of internal drive and external circumstances. On the one hand, the job loss, while initially devastating, served as a wake-up call. It made me realize I had been coasting along in my comfort zone and that I needed to take charge of my future proactively. I was also deeply inspired by an online community of self-improvement enthusiasts I’d joined. The daily stories of people overcoming adversity and achieving remarkable transformations created a ripple effect that kept my spirits high even on difficult days.

However, what truly distinguished this experience from previous attempts to stay motivated was the intrinsic nature of my drive. For the first time, I wasn’t working toward something because others expected it of me or because it looked good on paper. Instead, I had this visceral desire to prove to myself that I was capable of bouncing back from failure. Every morning, I would visualize not just the end goal, but the person I would become through the process – more resilient, more disciplined, more self-reliant.

The psychological impact was nothing short of transformative. I developed a structured routine that left no room for procrastination: waking at 5:30 AM, dedicating three hours to intensive study before breakfast, then alternating between practice tests and immersing myself in English media. What sustained my momentum was breaking down the daunting goal into micro-achievements. Rather than fixating on the final score, I celebrated small victories – mastering a new grammatical structure, improving my speaking fluency by 10%, or finishing a challenging reading passage without checking the dictionary.

What made this period particularly memorable was the profound shift in my mindset. I learned that sustainable motivation isn’t about maintaining constant enthusiasm – that’s actually impossible. Rather, it’s about building systems and habits that carry you forward even when initial excitement wanes. There were definitely days when I felt completely burned out, but I had created accountability mechanisms like study partners and public commitments that kept me going.

Looking back, I recognize that this experience fundamentally altered my relationship with challenges. I eventually scored 8.5 on the IELTS and secured the scholarship, but more importantly, I discovered that genuine motivation stems from having a compelling reason that transcends superficial rewards – in my case, the opportunity to redefine my potential and reclaim control over my trajectory.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Exceptionally smooth với sophisticated cohesive devices (“However, what truly distinguished…”, “Looking back”). Ideas được develop logically với clear progression. Natural hesitation devices (“I can only describe as”, “interestingly”)
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Wide range của less common và idiomatic expressions (“wallowing in self-pity”, “ripple effect”, “visceral desire”). Precise collocations (“catalyzed my motivation”, “sustained my momentum”). Skillful use của paraphrasing
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range của structures used naturally: complex conditionals, cleft sentences (“What made this period particularly memorable”), participle clauses, inversion. Consistent accuracy throughout
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Cần effortless delivery với subtle intonation changes, appropriate stress patterns, và clear articulation. Pronunciation enhances comprehension

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói flow một cách tự nhiên với coherence devices tinh vi như “Rather than”, “On the one hand”, “However, what truly distinguished”. Không có unnatural pauses, transitions mượt mà giữa các ideas.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• Less common expressions: “wallowing in self-pity”, “coasting along”, “visceral desire”, “nothing short of transformative”
• Precise collocations: “catalyzed my motivation”, “sustained my momentum”, “reclaim control”
• Academic/Formal tone phù hợp: “profoundly shaped”, “intrinsic nature”, “sustainable motivation”
• Idiomatic language natural: “wake-up call”, “bouncing back”, “take charge of”

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Cleft sentence: “What catalyzed my motivation was…”
• Complex participle clauses: “Rather than wallowing in self-pity, I decided to…”
• Reduced relative clauses: “people overcoming adversity”
• Gerunds và infinitives varied: “embarked on”, “putting off for years”

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

• Không chỉ kể story mà có deep psychological analysis
• Reflection về sustainable motivation vs constant enthusiasm
• Recognition về role của systems and accountability
• Honest về struggles (burned out days) nhưng explain cách overcome
• Meta-awareness: “fundamental shift in mindset”, “redefined my potential”

🎭 Structure Hoàn Hảo:

• Introduction: Hook với “profoundly shaped” + context setting
• Body 1: When/where/what (với vivid details)
• Body 2: What/who motivated (external factors)
• Body 3: Deep dive into WHY (internal psychology)
• Body 4: HOW sustained motivation (systems, habits)
• Conclusion: Reflection và broader lesson learned

Thí sinh IELTS Speaking Part 2 tự tin trình bày về thời điểm có động lực cao

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Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn hoàn thành Part 2, examiner thường hỏi 1-2 câu ngắn để transition sang Part 3. Đây là câu hỏi đơn giản nên trả lời tự nhiên.

Question 1: Do you still feel motivated about that goal now?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I do. That experience taught me a lot, and I still use the same methods to motivate myself when I have new goals.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely. That experience was a turning point for me, and the lessons I internalized during that period have become integral to how I approach challenges now. I’d say I’ve managed to translate that intense motivation into a more sustainable, long-term drive that doesn’t depend on external circumstances.”

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Question 2: Would you say motivation is more important than talent?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“I think both are important. Talent helps you do things easier, but motivation helps you keep going when things are difficult.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“That’s an interesting question. While talent certainly gives you a head start, I’d argue that sustained motivation and consistent effort can often compensate for a lack of natural ability. I’ve seen countless examples of highly talented individuals who failed to reach their potential simply because they lacked the drive to push through obstacles. Conversely, people with moderate talent but exceptional determination often surpass expectations.”

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IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 là phần challenging nhất của IELTS Speaking, yêu cầu bạn discuss các vấn đề abstract liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Đây là nơi examiner đánh giá khả năng critical thinking và express complex ideas của bạn.

Thời gian: 4-5 phút

Đặc điểm:

• Câu hỏi trừu tượng, theoretical, và often về society, trends, comparisons
• Không còn về personal experience mà về general observations và opinions
• Yêu cầu analyze, evaluate, speculate, compare

Yêu cầu:

• Phân tích đa chiều vấn đề
• Đưa ra quan điểm có lý lẽ rõ ràng
• So sánh different perspectives
• Speculate về future trends hoặc implications
• Support ideas bằng examples từ society, không chỉ personal anecdotes

Chiến lược:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời đến 3-5 câu (tối thiểu)
• Structure: Direct answer → Reason/Explanation → Example/Evidence → Further development/Nuance
• Sử dụng discourse markers để organize ideas: “Well”, “Actually”, “On the one hand… On the other hand”
• Acknowledge complexity: “It depends”, “To some extent”, “While it’s true that…”
• Demonstrate critical thinking bằng cách present multiple viewpoints

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn, thiếu elaboration
• Chỉ đưa ra một góc nhìn, không balanced
• Không support ideas bằng reasoning hay examples
• Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic
• Speaking style quá casual, không formal enough cho discussion level
• Sợ disagree hoặc express strong opinions

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Motivation in Education and Career

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Question 1: Do you think schools should focus more on motivating students rather than just teaching them knowledge?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion question (Do you think…?)
• Key words: schools, focus more, motivating vs teaching knowledge
• Cách tiếp cận: Present balanced view – acknowledge importance của cả hai, nhưng có thể argue for một side mạnh hơn với clear reasoning

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think motivation is very important. If students are not motivated, they won’t study well even if teachers teach them a lot. Schools should help students find their interests and encourage them. However, knowledge is also necessary because students need to learn basic things. So I think schools should do both – teach knowledge and also motivate students.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có clear position (both are important) với basic reasoning
• Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng repetitive (“motivate/motivation”, “teach/knowledge”)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Answers the question với relevant ideas, nhưng lacks depth và sophisticated language. Development còn limited.

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d say this is a false dichotomy because effective education inherently involves both elements. However, if I had to weigh in on which deserves more emphasis, I’d argue that intrinsic motivation should be prioritized, particularly in today’s information-rich environment.

The reality is that knowledge is now readily accessible through various online platforms, but what’s conspicuously lacking is the drive to acquire and apply that knowledge meaningfully. Schools that solely focus on content transmission often produce students who can recite facts but lack the curiosity or initiative to explore beyond the curriculum. Take Finland’s education system, for instance – it’s consistently ranked among the world’s best, and one of its core principles is fostering intrinsic motivation through student autonomy and inquiry-based learning.

That said, we shouldn’t swing to the opposite extreme. A solid foundation of core knowledge remains essential, especially in fundamental subjects like mathematics, literacy, and critical thinking skills. The key is finding the right balance – using knowledge as a vehicle to ignite curiosity rather than as an end in itself. When students are motivated, they naturally seek out knowledge; but when they’re simply force-fed information, retention is poor and learning becomes superficial.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-organized

  • Acknowledge complexity (“false dichotomy”)
  • State position với nuance (“if I had to weigh in…”)
  • Reason 1: Knowledge accessibility vs motivation scarcity
  • Example: Finland’s education system
  • Counter-argument: Need for foundational knowledge
  • Synthesis: Finding balance

• Vocabulary:

  • Abstract/Academic: “false dichotomy”, “inherently involves”, “intrinsic motivation”
  • Precise verbs: “prioritized”, “transmission”, “ignite curiosity”
  • Topic-specific: “inquiry-based learning”, “student autonomy”, “core principles”

• Grammar:

  • Conditionals: “if I had to weigh in”
  • Participle clauses: “using knowledge as a vehicle”
  • Complex structures: “when students are motivated, they naturally…”

• Critical Thinking:

  • Acknowledges complexity rather than simplistic yes/no
  • Provides concrete example (Finland)
  • Considers counter-argument
  • Arrives at nuanced conclusion

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “Well, I’d say”, “However”, “That said”, “The key is”
• Hedging language: “I’d argue that”, “to some extent”, “rather than”
• Academic phrases: “weigh in on”, “conspicuously lacking”, “swing to the opposite extreme”
• Contrast structures: “not X but Y”, “while X… Y”

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Question 2: What’s the difference between how young people and older people stay motivated?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and contrast question
• Key words: difference, young people vs older people, stay motivated
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify 2-3 key differences với explanations cho each, có thể discuss reasons behind những differences này

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Young people and older people have different motivations. Young people are usually motivated by things like success, money, or becoming famous. They want to achieve things quickly. Older people are more motivated by stability and family. They don’t take as many risks as young people. Also, young people get motivated by social media and what their friends do, while older people are more independent in their thinking.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Lists differences nhưng development còn shallow
• Vocabulary: Basic descriptive words, lacks precision
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question với relevant points nhưng lacks elaboration và sophisticated analysis

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“There are some striking differences in how different age groups approach motivation, largely stemming from their distinct life stages and psychological development.

From what I’ve observed, younger individuals tend to be driven by more external and immediate rewards – they’re often motivated by social recognition, career advancement, and novelty. There’s also a strong element of peer influence; young people are highly susceptible to social comparison, particularly in our social media-saturated culture where success is constantly on display. They have what psychologists call a ‘promotion focus’ – they’re motivated by gains, growth, and aspirations.

In contrast, older adults typically exhibit a ‘prevention focus’ – they’re more concerned with maintaining what they’ve built and avoiding losses. Their motivation often revolves around legacy, contribution, and meaning rather than achievement for its own sake. They’ve usually outgrown the need for external validation and are more intrinsically motivated. Take retirement planning, for example – older people are motivated by security and stability, whereas younger people might be motivated by the excitement of entrepreneurship, even if it means financial uncertainty.

Another crucial distinction is time perspective. Young people have a longer time horizon, so they’re willing to defer gratification for long-term gains – think about students sacrificing their social lives to study for exams that will pay off years later. Older adults, being more cognizant of their mortality, tend to be motivated by immediate meaning and fulfillment. This is why you see many people in their 50s and 60s pivoting to careers or activities that align with their values, even if it means taking a pay cut.

Of course, these are generalizations and there’s considerable individual variation, but these patterns hold true across numerous psychological studies.”

Phân tích:

• Structure:

  • Introduction: Acknowledge differences và reasons
  • Point 1: External vs internal motivation (với psychological terms)
  • Point 2: Promotion vs prevention focus
  • Point 3: Time perspective difference
  • Caveat: Acknowledge individual variation

• Vocabulary:

  • Psychological terms: “promotion focus”, “prevention focus”, “susceptible to”, “cognizant of”
  • Sophisticated adjectives: “striking differences”, “distinct life stages”, “intrinsically motivated”
  • Academic phrases: “stemming from”, “revolves around”, “holds true”

• Grammar:

  • Reduced relative clauses: “being more cognizant of”
  • Participle phrases: “thinking about students sacrificing”
  • Contrast structures: “In contrast”, “whereas”

• Critical Thinking:

  • Uses psychological frameworks (promotion/prevention focus)
  • Provides concrete examples for each point
  • Acknowledges exceptions và complexity
  • References research (“psychological studies”)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Tentative language: “From what I’ve observed”, “tend to be”, “typically exhibit”
• Academic vocabulary: “susceptible to”, “mortality”, “defer gratification”
• Examples: Retirement planning, entrepreneurship, career pivoting
• Cohesive devices: “In contrast”, “Another crucial distinction”, “Of course”

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Theme 2: Motivation in Modern Society

Question 3: Do you think social media makes people more or less motivated nowadays?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Evaluate question (impact assessment)
• Key words: social media, more or less motivated
• Cách tiếp cận: Present both sides (positive và negative effects) trước khi give overall assessment, hoặc argue for one side strongly với acknowledge counter-arguments

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think social media has both good and bad effects on motivation. On the good side, people can see others’ success stories and feel inspired to work harder. They can also join online groups with similar goals. On the bad side, social media can make people feel bad about themselves when they compare with others. They might feel they can never be as successful, so they give up. Overall, I think it depends on how people use social media.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Basic both-sides approach với generic conclusion
• Ideas: Relevant nhưng surface-level
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng lacks specific examples và sophisticated analysis

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“This is a fascinating paradox of the digital age, and I’d argue that social media acts as a double-edged sword when it comes to motivation.

On one hand, social media has democratized inspiration in unprecedented ways. People now have instant access to success narratives, motivational content, and communities of like-minded individuals pursuing similar goals. Take fitness influencers, for instance – they’ve galvanized millions to adopt healthier lifestyles through relatable content and accountability systems. The gamification elements built into many platforms – likes, followers, streaks – can create positive feedback loops that reinforce productive behaviors.

However, the flipside is that social media has also given rise to what psychologists call ‘compare and despair’ syndrome. The curated nature of social media content means people are constantly bombarded with highlight reels of others’ lives, which distorts reality and creates unrealistic benchmarks. This perpetual comparison can be profoundly demotivating, especially for young people whose sense of self is still developing. Moreover, the instant gratification culture fostered by social media can erode people’s capacity for sustained effort toward long-term goals. Why spend years mastering a skill when you can get temporary validation from a viral post?

What tips the scale toward demotivation, in my view, is the algorithmic manipulation of our attention. Platforms are engineered to keep users endlessly scrolling rather than taking action. People can spend hours consuming motivational content without actually being motivated to do anything – it’s what I call ‘passive motivation’, which is essentially motivational procrastination.

That said, I believe the impact hinges on digital literacy and self-awareness. People who use social media intentionally – curating their feeds to include genuinely inspiring rather than envy-inducing content, setting boundaries on usage time, and focusing on communities rather than celebrity culture – can harness its motivational potential. But for the average user who mindlessly consumes content, the net effect is likely negative.”

Phân tích:

• Structure:

  • Introduction: Frame as paradox
  • Positive effects với examples
  • Negative effects với psychological concepts
  • What determines the outcome (digital literacy)
  • Nuanced conclusion

• Vocabulary:

  • Sophisticated phrases: “double-edged sword”, “democratized inspiration”, “curated nature”
  • Psychology terms: “compare and despair”, “instant gratification”, “algorithmic manipulation”
  • Precise verbs: “galvanized”, “erode”, “harness”, “hinges on”

• Grammar:

  • Complex sentences: “The curated nature… means people are constantly bombarded…”
  • Relative clauses: “People who use social media intentionally”
  • Conditional implications: “for people who mindlessly consume…”

• Critical Thinking:

  • Introduces psychological framework
  • Creates own term: “passive motivation”/”motivational procrastination”
  • Recognizes nuance (depends on how it’s used)
  • Acknowledges systemic issues (algorithmic manipulation)

Examiner và thí sinh thảo luận sâu về động lực trong xã hội hiện đại Part 3

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Theme 3: Cultural Perspectives on Motivation

Question 4: How do cultural differences affect what motivates people?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause-effect/Explanation question
• Key words: cultural differences, affect, what motivates
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify 2-3 dimensions of culture that influence motivation, provide examples from different cultures

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Culture affects motivation a lot. In some cultures like Asian countries, people are motivated by family expectations and duty. They work hard to make their families proud. In Western cultures, people are more motivated by personal goals and individual success. Also, some cultures value education more than others, so people in those cultures are more motivated to study. Religion can also play a role in what motivates people.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Lists some cultural factors
• Examples: Broad generalizations (Asian vs Western)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question với some relevant points nhưng lacks depth và specific examples

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“Cultural factors have a profound influence on motivational drivers, and I think this manifests itself in several key dimensions.

Perhaps the most fundamental distinction is between individualistic and collectivistic cultures. In individualistic societies like the United States or Australia, motivation typically stems from personal achievement, self-actualization, and standing out from the crowd. People are incentivized by personal recognition and the opportunity to forge their own path. Conversely, in collectivistic cultures – think Japan, Korea, or Vietnam – motivation is often rooted in group harmony, fulfilling obligations, and avoiding bringing shame to one’s family or community. This means people might be motivated to succeed not primarily for themselves but to honor their parents or contribute to their in-group.

Another cultural variable is what psychologists call ‘power distance’ – the extent to which hierarchical structures are accepted. In high power distance cultures, people might be more motivated by deference to authority and climbing the hierarchical ladder. In contrast, low power distance societies tend to be motivated by autonomy, egalitarian values, and challenging the status quo.

Time orientation also plays a crucial role. Cultures with a long-term orientation, such as China or Singapore, tend to be motivated by delayed gratification, perseverance, and strategic planning. You see this in the emphasis on rigorous education and savings culture. Short-term oriented cultures, on the other hand, might be more motivated by immediate results and quick wins.

To illustrate, let me contrast motivational approaches in education. In Vietnam, students are often motivated by high-stakes exams and family pride – there’s enormous societal pressure to excel academically because education is seen as the primary vehicle for social mobility. In Finland, however, the education system deliberately minimizes external pressures like standardized testing, instead cultivating intrinsic motivation through curiosity and love of learning. Both systems produce results, but they’re tapping into fundamentally different motivational drivers shaped by distinct cultural values.

It’s worth noting that in our globalized world, these cultural boundaries are becoming increasingly permeable, and you’re seeing more hybrid motivational patterns, especially among cosmopolitan populations and younger generations exposed to diverse cultural influences.”

Phân tích:

• Structure:

  • Introduction: Acknowledge profound influence
  • Dimension 1: Individualism vs Collectivism (với clear explanations)
  • Dimension 2: Power distance
  • Dimension 3: Time orientation
  • Extended example: Education in Vietnam vs Finland
  • Conclusion: Note về globalization effects

• Vocabulary:

  • Academic terminology: “individualistic/collectivistic”, “power distance”, “long-term orientation”
  • Sophisticated collocations: “manifests itself in”, “rooted in”, “tapping into”
  • Precise verbs: “incentivized by”, “cultivating”, “minimizes”

• Grammar:

  • Complex comparisons: “not primarily for themselves but to honor…”
  • Participle phrases: “shaped by distinct cultural values”
  • Relative clauses: “cultures with a long-term orientation”

• Critical Thinking:

  • Uses psychological frameworks (individualism-collectivism, power distance)
  • Provides concrete cross-cultural comparison (Vietnam vs Finland)
  • Acknowledges changing dynamics (globalization)
  • Shows cultural sensitivity và avoids stereotyping

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic discourse: “fundamental distinction”, “cultural variable”, “manifests itself in”
• Hedging: “typically”, “tend to be”, “might be”
• Exemplification: “think Japan, Korea…”, “To illustrate”
• Synthesis: Bringing together theory và real-world examples

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Question 5: Is it easier to stay motivated in wealthy countries compared to developing countries?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare và evaluate question
• Key words: easier, stay motivated, wealthy countries vs developing countries
• Cách tiếp cận: Avoid simplistic answer, explore multiple factors that affect motivation in both contexts

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7-8:

“This is a complex question. In wealthy countries, people have better resources like good schools and stable jobs, which can help them stay motivated. They don’t have to worry about basic needs. However, in developing countries, people might be more motivated because they see opportunities to improve their lives significantly. They have a stronger hunger for success. Also, wealthy countries sometimes have problems like too much comfort, which can reduce motivation. So I think both situations have advantages and disadvantages for motivation.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Acknowledges complexity, presents both sides
• Ideas: Relevant points about resources và hunger for success
• Tại sao Band 7-8: Good attempt at balanced view nhưng could be more nuanced và detailed

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

“This question touches on a fundamental paradox in human psychology – the relationship between material conditions and intrinsic drive – and I don’t think there’s a straightforward answer.

On the surface, you might assume that wealthy countries provide more favorable conditions for motivation: stable social infrastructure, access to quality education, functioning meritocracies where hard work reliably translates into success, and critically, Maslow’s base-level needs are generally met. When you’re not preoccupied with survival concerns, you theoretically have more mental bandwidth to pursue higher-order goals. The abundance of opportunities and social safety nets should, in theory, liberate people to take risks and pursue their passions.

However, the reality is more nuanced. Wealthy societies often grapple with what I’d call ‘motivational abundance paralysis’ – when you have too many options, decision fatigue sets in and purpose becomes elusive. There’s also the diminishing returns of material success; once basic needs are met, additional wealth contributes progressively less to motivation and life satisfaction – a concept economists call the ‘hedonic treadmill’. Moreover, entrenched privilege can breed complacency. Young people in wealthy nations sometimes lack the urgency that scarcity creates.

Conversely, in developing contexts, there’s often a palpable hunger and urgency that can be incredibly motivating. When upward mobility is within reach but not guaranteed, people often exhibit remarkable drive. Witness the entrepreneurial energy in countries like Vietnam, India, or Kenya – people are building businesses, upskilling relentlessly, and seizing opportunities with a fervor that’s sometimes lacking in saturated economies. The stakes are higher, which can sharpen focus and intensify commitment.

That said, we shouldn’t romanticize struggle. The reality in developing countries is that systemic barriers – corruption, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to education – can be profoundly demotivating. When hard work doesn’t reliably lead to advancement because the system is rigged or unstable, learned helplessness can set in. The psychological toll of constant uncertainty and resource scarcity can actually undermine motivation and foster a short-term survival mentality rather than long-term planning.

In essence, I’d argue it’s not about which context makes motivation easier, but rather that they present different motivational challenges. Wealthy countries need to combat complacency and help people find purpose amid abundance. Developing countries need to channel existing drive into sustainable systems that reward effort and provide pathways for advancement. The sweet spot for motivation might actually be in emerging economies – countries that have overcome extreme poverty but haven’t yet fallen into post-industrial malaise.”

Phân tích:

• Structure:

  • Introduction: Acknowledge paradox
  • Wealthy countries: advantages → but nuances and pitfalls
  • Developing countries: advantages of hunger → but systemic challenges
  • Synthesis: Different challenges, not easier/harder
  • Conclusion: Suggests sweet spot

• Vocabulary:

  • Economic concepts: “meritocracies”, “hedonic treadmill”, “diminishing returns”
  • Sophisticated phrases: “motivational abundance paralysis”, “palpable hunger”, “post-industrial malaise”
  • Academic language: “touches on”, “grapple with”, “romanticize struggle”

• Grammar:

  • Complex conditionals: “When you’re not preoccupied with…”
  • Balanced structures: “not about X but rather that…”
  • Advanced relative clauses: “countries that have overcome…”

• Critical Thinking:

  • Challenges simplistic assumptions
  • Introduces economic/psychological concepts (Maslow’s hierarchy, hedonic treadmill)
  • Provides balanced analysis of both contexts
  • Avoids both romanticizing poverty và dismissing challenges in wealthy nations
  • Offers nuanced conclusion (sweet spot in emerging economies)

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Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
driving force	n	/ˈdraɪvɪŋ fɔːrs/	động lực chính, sức mạnh thúc đẩy	“Personal growth was the driving force behind my decision.”	main/primary/key driving force, become a driving force
self-driven	adj	/self ˈdrɪvən/	tự thúc đẩy bản thân	“She’s a highly self-driven individual.”	self-driven individual/person/professional
maintain momentum	v	/meɪnˈteɪn məʊˈmentəm/	duy trì đà phát triển	“It’s challenging to maintain momentum over long periods.”	maintain/build/lose momentum, gain momentum
tangible results	n	/ˈtændʒəbl rɪˈzʌlts/	kết quả cụ thể, hữu hình	“I need to see tangible results from my efforts.”	achieve/deliver/produce tangible results
goal-oriented	adj	/ɡəʊl ˈɔːriəntɪd/	hướng đến mục tiêu	“The company culture is very goal-oriented.”	highly/extremely goal-oriented
intrinsic motivation	n	/ɪnˈtrɪnsɪk ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃən/	động lực nội tại	“Intrinsic motivation is more sustainable than external rewards.”	develop/foster/cultivate intrinsic motivation
sense of accomplishment	n	/sens əv əˈkʌmplɪʃmənt/	cảm giác thành tựu	“Completing the project gave me a great sense of accomplishment.”	feel/experience/get a sense of accomplishment
persevere through	v	/ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪə θruː/	kiên trì vượt qua	“She persevered through numerous setbacks.”	persevere through challenges/difficulties/adversity
setback	n	/ˈsetbæk/	trở ngại, thất bại tạm thời	“The project faced several setbacks.”	major/significant/temporary setback, suffer/experience a setback
bounce back	v	/baʊns bæk/	phục hồi, vượt qua khó khăn	“He managed to bounce back after the failure.”	bounce back from failure/adversity/disappointment
resilient	adj	/rɪˈzɪliənt/	kiên cường, có khả năng phục hồi	“You need to be resilient to succeed in this field.”	highly/remarkably/extraordinarily resilient
viable	adj	/ˈvaɪəbl/	khả thi, có thể thực hiện được	“We need a viable business plan.”	viable option/solution/alternative/plan
daunting task	n	/ˈdɔːntɪŋ tɑːsk/	nhiệm vụ khó khăn, nản lòng	“Learning a new language seemed like a daunting task.”	face/tackle/undertake a daunting task
overwhelming	adj	/ˌəʊvəˈwelmɪŋ/	quá sức, áp đảo	“The workload became overwhelming.”	feel/find something overwhelming
hold accountable	v	/həʊld əˈkaʊntəbl/	giữ trách nhiệm, đòi hỏi ai đó chịu trách nhiệm	“My study partner holds me accountable.”	hold someone accountable for something
catalyze	v	/ˈkætəlaɪz/	xúc tác, thúc đẩy mạnh mẽ	“The event catalyzed my interest in social work.”	catalyze change/growth/development
visceral desire	n	/ˈvɪsərəl dɪˈzaɪə/	khao khát mãnh liệt, sâu sắc	“I had a visceral desire to prove myself.”	feel/have a visceral desire
sustainable motivation	n	/səˈsteɪnəbl ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃən/	động lực bền vững	“Building sustainable motivation requires daily habits.”	develop/maintain sustainable motivation
micro-achievements	n	/ˈmaɪkrəʊ əˈtʃiːvmənts/	thành tựu nhỏ	“Celebrating micro-achievements keeps me motivated.”	celebrate/recognize micro-achievements
accountability mechanisms	n	/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti ˈmekənɪzəmz/	cơ chế trách nhiệm	“I created accountability mechanisms to stay on track.”	establish/implement accountability mechanisms

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
take a step back	lùi lại một bước để nhìn nhận	“Sometimes you need to take a step back and reassess.”	7.5-8
recharge one’s batteries	nạp lại năng lượng	“I took a weekend off to recharge my batteries.”	7.5-8
the bigger picture	bức tranh toàn cảnh	“Focus on the bigger picture, not just immediate problems.”	7.5-8
on track	đúng hướng, theo đúng kế hoạch	“Her progress reports show she’s on track to meet her goals.”	7-8
off days	những ngày không được tốt	“Everyone has off days when motivation is low.”	7-8
push one’s boundaries	vượt qua giới hạn của mình	“The program really pushed my boundaries.”	7.5-8
double-edged sword	con dao hai lưỡi	“Social media is a double-edged sword for motivation.”	8-9
wake-up call	hồi chuông cảnh tỉnh	“Losing my job was a wake-up call.”	7.5-8
coast along	trôi dạt, sống qua loa	“I had been coasting along without real purpose.”	8-9
take charge of	nắm quyền kiểm soát	“I decided to take charge of my future.”	7.5-8
nothing short of transformative	không gì khác ngoài sự chuyển đổi	“The experience was nothing short of transformative.”	8.5-9
leave no room for	không để chỗ cho	“My schedule leaves no room for procrastination.”	8-9
wallow in self-pity	đắm chìm trong tự thương hại	“Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I took action.”	8.5-9
channel one’s energy	dồn năng lượng vào	“I channeled my energy into productive activities.”	7.5-8
make it to the finals	lọt vào vòng chung kết	“Our team made it to the finals of the competition.”	7-8
beyond expectations	vượt quá mong đợi	“The results were beyond our expectations.”	7-8
stand out	nổi bật	“This experience stands out as pivotal in my life.”	7-8
embark on	bắt đầu (hành trình)	“I embarked on a challenging learning journey.”	8-9

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần suy nghĩ ngắn hoặc muốn câu trả lời nghe tự nhiên hơn

  • “Well, I’d say motivation depends on many factors.”

• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc thông tin unexpected

  • “Actually, I found it quite easy to stay motivated during that period.”

• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nhấn mạnh sự chân thật

  • “To be honest, I struggled with motivation in the beginning.”

• 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân

  • “I’d say that intrinsic motivation is more powerful than external rewards.”

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, hơn nữa

  • “The job paid well. On top of that, it offered great learning opportunities.”

• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa (formal hơn)

  • “She was talented. What’s more, she was incredibly hardworking.”

• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến

  • “The project was challenging, not to mention time-consuming.”

• 📝 On top of all that,… – Trên hết tất cả

  • “On top of all that, I had family support throughout the journey.”

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,…

  • “On the one hand, competition can motivate people. On the other hand, it can create unhealthy stress.”

• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider…

  • “While it’s true that money motivates many people, we also need to consider intrinsic factors.”

• 📝 That said,… – Dù vậy, mặc dù vậy

  • “External rewards help. That said, lasting motivation comes from within.”

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại

  • “All in all, maintaining motivation requires both internal drive and external support.”

• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì

  • “At the end of the day, you have to want it for yourself.”

• 📝 In essence,… – Về bản chất

  • “In essence, motivation is about finding your ‘why.'”

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

• Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb (mixing past và present)
• Ví dụ: “If I hadn’t lost my job, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
• Giải thích: Diễn tả điều kiện trong quá khứ ảnh hưởng đến hiện tại

Inversion (đảo ngữ):

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle, would have…
• Ví dụ: “Had I known how challenging it would be, I might have prepared differently.”
• Giải thích: Formal hơn standard conditional, tạo emphasis

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:

• Formula: …, which/who + clause, …
• Ví dụ: “My mentor, who had faced similar challenges, gave me invaluable advice.”
• Giải thích: Thêm thông tin không thiết yếu, phải có dấu phẩy

Reduced relative clauses:

• Formula: Subject + V-ing/V3 (bỏ who/which + be)
• Ví dụ: “People lacking motivation often need external support.” (= who lack)
• Giải thích: Làm câu ngắn gọn hơn, academic hơn

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

It is thought/believed/said that…

• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that intrinsic motivation leads to better long-term outcomes.”
• Giải thích: Để refer đến general opinion mà không cần specify ai nói

Get passive (cho informal situations):

• Ví dụ: “I got motivated by watching success stories.”
• Giải thích: “Get” passive nghe natural hơn trong speaking

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What I find most…, is…

• Ví dụ: “What I find most motivating is seeing tangible progress.”
• Giải thích: Nhấn mạnh information quan trọng

The thing that…, is…

• Ví dụ: “The thing that kept me going was my family’s support.”
• Giải thích: Focus attention vào một aspect cụ thể

It was… that…

• Ví dụ: “It was my coach who really inspired me to push harder.”
• Giải thích: Emphasize ai/cái gì đặc biệt quan trọng

5. Participle Clauses:

Present participle (-ing):

• Ví dụ: “Feeling unmotivated, I decided to take a short break.”
• Giải thích: Shows simultaneous actions hoặc reasons

Past participle (-ed):

• Ví dụ: “Inspired by her speech, I set new goals for myself.”
• Giải thích: Passive meaning, shows cause-effect

6. Inversion for Emphasis:

Not only… but also…

• Ví dụ: “Not only did I achieve my goal, but I also discovered my passion.”
• Giải thích: Emphasize extent hoặc unexpectedness

Seldom/Rarely/Never at the beginning:

• Ví dụ: “Rarely have I felt so motivated in my life.”
• Giải thích: Very emphatic, formal

7. Advanced Conjunctions:

While/Whereas (contrast):

• Ví dụ: “While external rewards provide short-term motivation, intrinsic factors sustain long-term commitment.”

Given that/Considering that:

• Ví dụ: “Given that I had limited resources, I had to be creative with my approach.”

Provided that/As long as:

• Ví dụ: “I can stay motivated as long as I see progress, no matter how small.”

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Motivation là một chủ đề phong phú và đa chiều trong IELTS Speaking, cho phép bạn thể hiện không chỉ khả năng ngôn ngữ mà còn sự sâu sắc trong suy nghĩ và tự nhận thức. Bằng cách nắm vững các từ vựng chuyên biệt, cấu trúc ngữ pháp nâng cao, và chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả mà tôi đã chia sẻ, bạn hoàn toàn có thể tự tin đạt band điểm mục tiêu.

Hãy nhớ rằng, điều khiến một câu trả lời thực sự ấn tượng không chỉ là từ vựng cao cấp hay ngữ pháp phức tạp, mà là khả năng diễn đạt ý tưởng một cách tự nhiên, logic và chân thực. Practice thường xuyên với các câu hỏi mẫu, record lại để tự đánh giá, và đừng ngại thử nghiệm những cách diễn đạt mới. Chúc bạn thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking!