IELTS Speaking: Cách Xử Lý Tình Huống Reschedule Exam – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Mở bài

Việc thay đổi lịch thi IELTS với British Council là một tình huống khá phổ biến mà nhiều thí sinh gặp phải. Có thể do lý do sức khỏe, công việc đột xuất, hoặc các vấn đề cá nhân không lường trước được. Tuy nhiên, không phải ai cũng biết cách xử lý tình huống này một cách hiệu quả, đặc biệt khi phải giải thích bằng tiếng Anh trong bài thi Speaking.

Chủ đề về “rescheduling” và “dealing with unexpected situations” xuất hiện với tần suất khá cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS thực tế từ năm 2022 đến nay, đặc biệt trong Part 1 (về plans và changes) và Part 2 (describe a time you had to change your plans). Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai: Cao, vì đây là chủ đề liên quan đến kỹ năng sống thực tế và khả năng xử lý tình huống.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Các câu hỏi thường gặp về chủ đề thay đổi kế hoạch và xử lý tình huống trong cả 3 Part
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo nhiều band điểm từ 6-7, 7.5-8 đến 8.5-9
• Từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm về flexibility, problem-solving, time management
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả khi gặp câu hỏi về changes và unexpected events
• Lời khuyên từ góc nhìn Examiner với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm chấm thi

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về đời sống hàng ngày. Đây là phần “warm-up” để bạn làm quen với examiner và tạo ấn tượng ban đầu. Chiến lược quan trọng nhất là trả lời tự nhiên, mở rộng ý với 2-3 câu, và thêm ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn, chỉ Yes/No mà không giải thích
• Dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “bad”, “interesting”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể, chỉ nói chung chung
• Không tự nhiên, nghe như đang đọc thuộc template

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you prefer to plan things in advance or do things spontaneously?

Question 2: Have you ever had to change your plans at the last minute?

Question 3: How do you feel when your plans don’t work out?

Question 4: Are you good at adapting to unexpected situations?

Question 5: Do you think it’s important to be flexible in life?

Question 6: What do you usually do when something unexpected happens?

Question 7: Have you ever missed an important appointment or event?

Question 8: How do you manage your time when you have many things to do?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you prefer to plan things in advance or do things spontaneously?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp preference của bạn
• Đưa ra lý do tại sao bạn thích cách đó
• Thêm ví dụ cụ thể từ cuộc sống hàng ngày

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I prefer to plan things in advance. I like to know what will happen so I can prepare well. For example, before I take an exam, I always make a study schedule. This helps me feel less stressed.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng, có lý do và ví dụ cụ thể
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (like, know, helps), cấu trúc câu cơ bản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Fluent và coherent nhưng thiếu sophisticated vocabulary và complex structures

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’m definitely more of a planner than a spontaneous person. I find that having a clear roadmap gives me a sense of control and helps me allocate my time more efficiently. For instance, when I was preparing for my IELTS exam, I mapped out a three-month study plan with specific goals for each week. That said, I’ve learned to build in some flexibility because life doesn’t always go according to plan.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary đa dạng và chính xác (roadmap, allocate, mapped out, build in flexibility), cấu trúc phức tạp với “that said” để thêm nuance, ý tưởng sâu sắc về balance
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Trôi chảy với discourse markers tự nhiên
  • Vocabulary: Collocations chính xác (allocate time, build in flexibility)
  • Grammar: Mixed structures với complex sentences
  • Ideas: Balanced view, không absolute

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• planner (n): người thích lập kế hoạch
• roadmap (n): lộ trình, kế hoạch chi tiết
• allocate time efficiently: phân bổ thời gian hiệu quả
• map out: vạch ra, lập kế hoạch chi tiết
• build in flexibility: tạo sự linh hoạt

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Question: Have you ever had to change your plans at the last minute?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời Yes/No trực tiếp
• Kể một ví dụ cụ thể (when, what happened)
• Đề cập đến feeling hoặc lesson learned

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I have. Last month, I planned to meet my friend, but she suddenly got sick. So I had to cancel the plan. I felt a bit disappointed but I understood the situation.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Clear answer với example cụ thể, có emotional response
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary cơ bản (got sick, cancel, disappointed), thiếu detail
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate nhưng chưa engaging, thiếu depth

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely, just last week actually. I had arranged to attend a friend’s birthday dinner, but on the morning of the event, I came down with a terrible migraine. I felt awful about bailing on her at such short notice, so I immediately sent her a message explaining the situation and a small gift as an apology. Fortunately, she was very understanding. It taught me the importance of having contingency plans and being upfront when circumstances force you to change arrangements.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Vocabulary chính xác và idiomatic (came down with, bailing on, short notice, upfront)
  • Detail cụ thể về actions taken (sent message, gift)
  • Reflection về lesson learned
  • Grammar đa dạng với past perfect, gerunds
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Natural với filler “actually” và “Absolutely”
  • Vocabulary: Precise và idiomatic expressions
  • Grammar: Complex structures fluent
  • Ideas: Demonstrates maturity với reflection

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• arrange (v): sắp xếp, thu xếp
• come down with (phrasal verb): bị mắc bệnh
• bail on someone (informal): bỏ rơi ai, không đến như hẹn
• at short notice: trong thời gian ngắn, đột xuất
• understanding (adj): thông cảm, hiểu biết
• contingency plan: kế hoạch dự phòng
• upfront (adj): thẳng thắn, trung thực

Nếu bạn muốn tìm hiểu thêm về cách xử lý các tình huống bất ngờ khác trong Speaking, hãy xem thêm describe a shopping center you often go to để học cách miêu tả địa điểm và các hoạt động linh hoạt trong cuộc sống hàng ngày.

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Question: How do you feel when your plans don’t work out?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Mô tả cảm xúc thật của bạn
• Giải thích tại sao bạn có cảm xúc đó
• Đề cập đến cách bạn handle emotions

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I usually feel frustrated when things don’t go as planned. But I try to stay calm and think of another solution. I know that being angry doesn’t help the situation.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Honest về feelings, có mention cách cope
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary limited (frustrated, calm, angry), thiếu sophistication
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication nhưng lacks depth

Cảm xúc khi thay đổi kế hoạch trong IELTS Speaking – Biểu hiện người học viên đang suy nghĩ về tình huống

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Initially, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a pang of disappointment or even frustration. I’m someone who invests considerable effort in planning, so when things fall through, it can be quite deflating. However, I’ve learned over time not to dwell on what went wrong but rather to pivot and look for alternative solutions. I think this adaptability has become increasingly important in today’s unpredictable world. Plus, I’ve come to realize that some of my best experiences have actually come from unplanned detours.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Sophisticated vocabulary (pang of disappointment, deflating, dwell on, pivot, unplanned detours)
  • Honest về initial reaction rồi mới đến growth
  • Grammar phức tạp với conditional, relative clauses
  • Mature perspective về adaptation
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Natural progression của thoughts
  • Vocabulary: Precise emotional vocabulary và metaphors
  • Grammar: Various complex structures used accurately
  • Ideas: Shows personal growth và philosophical perspective

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• pang of disappointment: cơn thất vọng nhói lên
• invest considerable effort: đầu tư công sức đáng kể
• fall through: thất bại, không thành công (về kế hoạch)
• deflating (adj): làm nản lòng, chán nản
• dwell on: suy nghĩ mãi về, đắm chìm trong
• pivot (v): xoay chuyển, thay đổi hướng
• adaptability (n): khả năng thích nghi
• unplanned detours: những đường vòng không lên kế hoạch

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút sau 1 phút chuẩn bị. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để thể hiện khả năng Speaking liên tục mà không bị ngắt quãng.

Chiến lược quan trọng:

• Sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị để ghi chú keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh
• Nói tối thiểu 1.5 phút, lý tưởng là 2 phút đầy đủ
• Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points theo thứ tự
• Sử dụng đúng thì động từ (thường là quá khứ khi kể chuyện)
• Phát triển chi tiết phần “explain” để ghi điểm cao

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Không note-taking hiệu quả, lãng phí 1 phút chuẩn bị
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút do thiếu ý tưởng
• Bỏ sót bullet points hoặc trả lời không đầy đủ
• Dùng ngôn ngữ quá formal như văn viết

Cue Card

Describe a time when you had to change your plans

You should say:

• When this happened
• What your original plan was
• Why you had to change it
• And explain how you felt about this change

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience/event (kể về một trải nghiệm)

• Thì động từ: Quá khứ (past simple, past continuous, past perfect)

• Bullet points phải cover:

  • When: Cần nêu rõ thời điểm cụ thể (last summer, two months ago…)
  • What: Miêu tả chi tiết kế hoạch ban đầu
  • Why: Giải thích lý do thay đổi – phần này cần detail
  • How you felt: Cảm xúc và reflection – đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất

• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là nơi bạn thể hiện khả năng phân tích cảm xúc, suy nghĩ sâu sắc và vocabulary range. Đừng chỉ nói “I felt sad” mà phải elaborate với reasons và impact.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

“I’d like to talk about a time when I had to change my plans. This happened last summer when I was planning to take my IELTS exam.

My original plan was to take the test on July 15th because I had prepared for three months and felt ready. I had booked the exam with British Council and was quite confident.

However, about two weeks before the exam, my grandmother suddenly became very sick and was hospitalized. My family needed me to help take care of her and my younger cousins. So I had to contact British Council to reschedule my exam to August 20th. The process was quite simple – I just filled out an online form and paid a small fee.

At first, I felt quite disappointed and worried because I thought I would forget what I had studied. But later, I realized it was actually a good thing because I had more time to practice speaking. When I finally took the exam in August, I felt more prepared and confident. This experience taught me that sometimes unexpected changes can bring positive results.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Câu chuyện mạch lạc, có sequencing rõ ràng nhưng còn đơn giản. Linking words cơ bản (However, At first, But later). Không có hesitation nhiều.
Lexical Resource	6-7	Từ vựng adequate và relevant (hospitalized, reschedule, disappointed) nhưng chưa sophisticated. Một số collocations đúng (original plan, quite confident).
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix của simple và complex sentences. Past tenses được sử dụng đúng. Có một số structures phức tạp (when I was planning, I thought I would forget) nhưng chưa đa dạng.
Pronunciation	6-7	Rõ ràng, dễ hiểu, có thể có vài lỗi nhỏ về trọng âm nhưng không ảnh hưởng communication.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points theo thứ tự logic
• ✅ Câu chuyện có beginning, middle, end rõ ràng
• ✅ Có cả negative và positive feelings, shows balance
• ✅ Thời lượng đủ khoảng 1.5-2 phút

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary chưa impressive, nhiều từ đơn giản (sick, good thing, positive results)
• ⚠️ Thiếu detail cụ thể về cảm xúc và suy nghĩ
• ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng, chủ yếu simple và compound sentences

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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 last year that really taught me the importance of flexibility. It was when I had to postpone my IELTS Speaking test with British Council, which was quite a nerve-wracking experience at the time.

My initial plan was to sit for the exam on July 15th. I had been preparing religiously for about three months, following a strict study schedule and even attending a preparation course. I was feeling reasonably confident and had mentally prepared myself for that specific date.

Unfortunately, about ten days prior to the exam, I came down with a severe case of tonsillitis. My throat was so inflamed that I could barely speak without wincing in pain. I knew there was no way I could perform to the best of my ability in the Speaking test. After consulting with my doctor, who advised at least two weeks of rest, I reluctantly decided to reschedule.

I immediately contacted British Council through their website. The process was relatively straightforward – I had to fill out a rescheduling form, provide my registration details, and pay a rescheduling fee of around 70 USD. They were quite accommodating and offered me several alternative dates. I opted for August 22nd, which gave me ample time to recover and even brush up on my skills.

Initially, I felt quite frustrated and anxious. I was worried that the momentum I’d built up would be lost and that I’d have to start from scratch with my motivation. There was also the financial aspect – the rescheduling fee felt like a setback. However, as time passed, my perspective shifted. The extra five weeks actually allowed me to iron out some weaknesses in my vocabulary and gave me more time to practice with native speakers online. When I eventually sat for the exam, I felt much more composed and well-prepared.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Highly fluent với minimal hesitation. Sequencing rõ ràng với sophisticated linking (Unfortunately, Initially, However). Ideas được develop logically và fully.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide vocabulary range với precise word choice (nerve-wracking, inflamed, wincing, accommodating). Good collocations (religiously prepare, mental preparation, momentum built up). Some less common expressions (iron out weaknesses).
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Wide range of structures including conditionals, relative clauses, passive voice. Complex sentences handled với confidence. Occasional errors không ảnh hưởng communication.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear với features của natural speech (sentence stress, intonation). Easy to understand throughout.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“sick”, “disappointed”, “good thing”	“came down with”, “nerve-wracking”, “perspective shifted”, “iron out weaknesses”
Grammar	“I had to contact”, “I felt disappointed”	“I reluctantly decided”, “The momentum I’d built up would be lost”
Ideas	Basic emotions: disappointed → realized it was good	Detailed progression: frustrated → anxious về specific things → perspective shifted với concrete reasons
Detail	“filled out form and paid fee”	“fill out rescheduling form, provide registration details, pay rescheduling fee of around 70 USD”

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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 from roughly six months ago that truly put my adaptability to the test. It involved having to reschedule my IELTS examination with the British Council, which turned out to be quite an eye-opening experience in terms of crisis management and personal resilience.

The backstory is that I had meticulously planned to take my IELTS on September 10th. This wasn’t just a random date – I had strategically chosen it because it fell right after my university semester break, giving me a solid eight weeks of uninterrupted preparation time. I had invested considerably in my preparation: enrolled in an intensive course, purchased all the official Cambridge materials, and even arranged weekly mock speaking sessions with a native English tutor. By all accounts, I was on track to achieve my target band score of 7.5.

However, as the saying goes, life threw me a curveball. Approximately two weeks before the exam, my father was involved in a serious car accident and required urgent surgery. As the eldest child, I suddenly found myself juggling hospital visits, liaising with doctors, managing household responsibilities, and trying to keep my younger siblings’ spirits up. Understandably, my IELTS preparation fell by the wayside, and the mounting stress was affecting my ability to focus and speak coherently – hardly the ideal condition for a Speaking test.

After much deliberation, I decided to bite the bullet and reschedule. I logged onto the British Council website and navigated to their rescheduling portal. The system was surprisingly user-friendly – I simply had to input my candidate number, select from available alternative dates, and process the rescheduling fee of approximately 70 USD via online payment. Within 24 hours, I received confirmation via email with my new test date: October 29th. The administrative side was handled seamlessly, which was a relief given everything else on my plate.

Emotionally, this whole ordeal was a rollercoaster. Initially, I experienced a profound sense of frustration and self-reproach. I felt I was letting myself down after all that preparation, and the financial sting of the rescheduling fee felt like adding insult to injury. There was also this nagging anxiety that I’d lose my edge – you know that sharp, focused state you get into after intensive preparation.

In retrospect, however, the delay proved to be something of a blessing in disguise. The additional seven weeks gave me time not only to be there for my family during a critical period but also to return to my studies with renewed vigor. I used the extended timeframe to address some persistent weaknesses in my academic writing and to refine my speaking fluency. More importantly, dealing with such a high-pressure situation actually equipped me with real-life stress management skills that paradoxically made me calmer during the actual exam. When I eventually sat for the test in late October, I felt remarkably composed and ended up surpassing my target score. This experience reinforced my belief that setbacks, when handled constructively, can become stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Completely fluent và coherent với sophisticated discourse markers. Ideas được develop fully với excellent progression. Natural, effortless delivery giống native speaker.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Exceptional range với precise và sophisticated vocabulary (meticulously, curveball, fell by the wayside, bite the bullet, blessing in disguise). Natural idiomatic expressions. Skillful use của less common items.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range của structures với natural accuracy. Complex sentences handled với complete flexibility. Rare errors không ảnh hưởng.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Native-like với full range của pronunciation features. Sustained use của features như intonation, sentence stress. Completely intelligible.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Không có hesitation, ý tưởng chảy tự nhiên từ backstory → problem → action → reflection. Sử dụng discourse markers một cách tự nhiên (However, Understandably, In retrospect) không giống template.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• “life threw me a curveball” – idiom tự nhiên thay vì “something unexpected happened”
• “fell by the wayside” – less common expression cho “was neglected”
• “adding insult to injury” – sophisticated idiom cho “making things worse”
• “blessing in disguise” – philosophical expression cho positive outcome

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• “As the eldest child, I suddenly found myself juggling…” – complex nominal structure với gerund
• “This wasn’t just a random date – I had strategically chosen it because it fell right after…” – past perfect với embedded reason clause
• “Setbacks, when handled constructively, can become stepping stones…” – conditional với passive voice trong reduced adverb clause

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Không chỉ kể chuyện mà còn reflect deeply về psychological journey (frustration → self-reproach → anxiety → acceptance → growth). Kết thúc với philosophical insight về setbacks as stepping stones, thể hiện maturity trong thinking.

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Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

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

Question 1: Do you think you’ll be more flexible with your plans in the future?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I think so. This experience taught me that things can change suddenly, so I should be ready to adapt.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely. This experience was quite instructive in that regard. I’ve learned to build in contingency plans and not be too rigid with my scheduling. That said, I still believe in planning – I’ve just become more comfortable with ambiguity and better at rolling with the punches when circumstances shift.”

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Question 2: Would you recommend others to buy insurance or protection when booking exams?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I would recommend it because you never know what might happen. It’s better to be safe.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“I’d say it depends on individual circumstances. For something as consequential as IELTS, where there’s a significant financial investment and often time-sensitive goals like university applications, having that safety net can provide invaluable peace of mind. However, for those on a tight budget, it might be worth weighing the cost-benefit ratio based on how likely unforeseen circumstances are in their specific situation.”

Đối với những ai đang tìm hiểu về các trải nghiệm thay đổi kế hoạch, bạn có thể tham khảo thêm describe a person who is known for their creative ideas để học cách miêu tả người có khả năng thích nghi và sáng tạo trong các tình huống khó khăn.

Chiến lược trả lời Part 2 về reschedule IELTS Speaking – Sơ đồ tư duy với các bullet points và từ vựng

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 là phần thảo luận trừu tượng kéo dài 4-5 phút, nơi examiner sẽ hỏi các câu hỏi phức tạp hơn liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Đây là phần phân biệt band 6-7 với 8-9 rõ rệt nhất.

Yêu cầu:

• Phân tích vấn đề từ nhiều góc độ
• So sánh, đánh giá trends hoặc situations
• Đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ vững chắc
• Sử dụng examples từ xã hội, không chỉ personal

Chiến lược:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời 3-5 câu với structure rõ ràng
• Sử dụng discourse markers để organize ideas (Well, Actually, On the one hand…)
• Đưa ra examples cụ thể từ society, trends, research
• Acknowledge complexity của vấn đề (It’s not black and white…)
• Sử dụng tentative language để sound academic (tend to, might, could be argued that…)

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn như Part 1, không develop ideas
• Không đưa ra lý lẽ rõ ràng, chỉ nói opinion không có support
• Thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng và academic
• Không biết cách acknowledge different perspectives
• Too absolute trong opinions (always, never, everybody…)

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Flexibility and Planning in Modern Life

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Question 1: Why do you think some people find it more difficult to adapt to changes than others?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause and Effect (Why) – yêu cầu phân tích reasons
• Key words: “some people”, “more difficult”, “adapt to changes”
• Cách tiếp cận:
  1. Direct answer về main reason
  2. Explain reason 1 với example
  3. Explain reason 2 với example
  4. Acknowledge complexity (có nhiều factors)

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think it depends on personality. Some people like routine and stability, so when things change, they feel uncomfortable. Also, older people might find it harder to adapt because they are used to doing things in a certain way. For example, my grandmother finds it difficult to use smartphones because she’s not familiar with technology.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có opinion → reason → example nhưng chưa sâu
• Vocabulary: Adequate (routine, stability, adapt) nhưng basic
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication nhưng thiếu depth, analysis chưa sophisticated, grammar structures đơn giản

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d say there are multiple factors at play here. First and foremost, it often boils down to personality traits. People with what psychologists call a ‘fixed mindset‘ tend to view change as threatening rather than as an opportunity for growth. They derive comfort from predictability and routine, so any deviation from the norm can trigger anxiety.

Beyond personality, I think life experiences play a crucial role. Those who’ve encountered and successfully navigated changes before develop a kind of resilience that makes future adaptations easier. Conversely, if someone has had negative experiences with change – perhaps a poorly handled restructuring at work or a difficult relocation – they might develop an aversion to change altogether.

Additionally, there’s the generational aspect to consider. While it’s not universally true, older generations who came of age in more stable, predictable times may find today’s rapid pace of change more jarring. For instance, the digital transformation we’ve witnessed over the past two decades requires continuous learning and adaptation, which can be overwhelming for those who are set in their ways.

That said, I don’t think it’s entirely deterministic. Adaptability can be cultivated through conscious effort and exposure to diverse situations.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized với multiple perspectives: personality → life experience → generational factors → conclusion about growth
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (boils down to, fixed mindset, deviation, jarring, deterministic, cultivated)
• Grammar: Complex structures với passive voice, conditionals, relative clauses được sử dụng naturally
• Critical Thinking: Balanced view, acknowledges complexity với “That said”, avoids generalizations với “While it’s not universally true”

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, First and foremost, Beyond…, Additionally, That said
• Tentative language: I’d say, tend to, might, can be (avoiding absolute statements)
• Abstract nouns: resilience, deviation, aversion, adaptability, deterministic
• Academic expressions: multiple factors at play, boils down to, came of age, set in their ways

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Question 2: Do you think modern life requires people to be more flexible than in the past?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Comparison (present vs. past)
• Key words: “modern life”, “requires”, “more flexible”, “than in the past”
• Cách tiếp cận:
  1. Clear position (Yes/No/Partially)
  2. Compare past vs. present với examples
  3. Explain why modern life demands flexibility
  4. Acknowledge counter-argument nếu có

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I agree. In the past, people usually had one job for their whole life and lived in one place. But now, everything changes very quickly. Technology develops fast, so people need to learn new skills. Also, people change jobs more often now, so they must be flexible and adapt to new environments.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear opinion với comparison
• Vocabulary: Basic (job, live, change quickly, learn new skills)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate nhưng lacks sophistication và depth of analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely, and I think the difference is quite stark. If we look back just a few generations, people often followed fairly predictable life trajectories – you’d typically pursue a single career, possibly with one employer, live in the same community, and maintain relatively stable social networks. The world was, in many ways, more static.

In stark contrast, today’s reality is characterized by what some sociologists call ‘liquid modernity‘ – everything is in constant flux. Career-wise, the concept of a ‘job for life‘ has become virtually obsolete. People now average seven to ten career changes over their lifetime, necessitating constant upskilling and reinvention. The advent of disruptive technologies like AI means that jobs that exist today might be automated tomorrow, demanding a level of adaptability that previous generations rarely encountered.

Moreover, globalization has made our world simultaneously smaller yet more complex. People are more likely to relocate for opportunities, work in multicultural teams, or even work remotely for companies on different continents. This requires cultural flexibility and the ability to navigate diverse communication styles and expectations.

The pace of change itself has accelerated exponentially. Whereas previous generations might have experienced a few major technological shifts in a lifetime, we now see paradigm-shifting innovations every few years. The COVID-19 pandemic is a prime example – almost overnight, millions had to pivot to remote work, online learning, and digital communication. Those who could adapt quickly fared better than those who resisted change.

Having said that, I wouldn’t want to romanticize the past as entirely stable or dismiss the positive aspects of modern flexibility. Greater mobility and diverse opportunities can be empowering, even if they come with increased uncertainty.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-organized: Past description → Present contrast → Career aspect → Globalization aspect → Pace of change với COVID example → Balanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (stark, trajectories, liquid modernity, constant flux, obsolete, upskilling, disruptive technologies, paradigm-shifting, fared)
• Grammar: Wide range được sử dụng naturally: relative clauses, passive constructions, comparatives, conditionals
• Critical Thinking: Deep analysis với sociological concepts, historical comparison, contemporary examples, và balanced conclusion

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Absolutely, If we look back, In stark contrast, Moreover, Whereas, Having said that
• Tentative language: often, virtually, might be, can be
• Abstract nouns: trajectories, flux, reinvention, advent, mobility, uncertainty
• Comparative structures: more static vs. constant flux, few major shifts vs. paradigm-shifting innovations
• Academic expressions: liquid modernity, disruptive technologies, simultaneously smaller yet more complex, accelerated exponentially

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Theme 2: Technology and Change Management

Question 3: How has technology affected people’s ability to change their plans?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause and Effect về Technology Impact
• Key words: “technology”, “affected”, “ability to change plans”
• Cách tiếp cận: Discuss both positive and negative impacts với examples

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Technology has made it easier to change plans. For example, we can use apps to reschedule appointments or buy new tickets online quickly. We can also communicate changes immediately through messages or emails. In the past, it was more difficult because people had to meet face-to-face or call by phone.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear với examples
• Vocabulary: Functional (apps, reschedule, immediately)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate but lacks sophistication

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Technology has been a double-edged sword in this regard. On the positive side, it’s dramatically increased our flexibility. Take rescheduling, for instance – whether it’s flights, restaurant reservations, or professional appointments, we can often make changes with just a few taps on our smartphones. Platforms like the British Council’s online system allow candidates to modify exam dates relatively painlessly, which would have involved considerable bureaucracy in the pre-digital era.

Furthermore, technology has enhanced our ability to communicate changes instantly. If I need to postpone a meeting, I can notify all stakeholders immediately via email or messaging apps, minimizing disruption. This real-time communication capacity was unimaginable just two decades ago.

However, there’s a flipside. This ease of change has, paradoxically, made some people less committed to their original plans. There’s been a rise in ‘flaking culture‘ – people casually cancelling at the last minute because it’s so easy to do so. This can undermine trust and make coordinating group activities increasingly frustrating.

Additionally, while technology offers flexibility, it also creates new dependencies. We’re reliant on systems working properly – server outages, website glitches, or poor internet connectivity can leave us stranded when we need to make urgent changes. Plus, the digital divide means not everyone has equal access to these convenient tools, which can exacerbate inequalities.

All in all, technology has undoubtedly made changing plans more feasible, but it’s also introduced new challenges around accountability and universal access.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Balanced với positive aspects → negative aspects → conclusion
• Vocabulary: Rich và precise (double-edged sword, stakeholders, flaking culture, dependencies, digital divide, exacerbate)
• Grammar: Complex với conditionals, relative clauses, passive voice
• Critical Thinking: Nuanced view recognizing both benefits và drawbacks, với specific examples

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: On the positive side, Furthermore, However, Additionally, All in all
• Tentative language: can often, can undermine, undoubtedly (while still acknowledging complexity)
• Abstract nouns: bureaucracy, disruption, dependencies, accountability
• Idiomatic expressions: double-edged sword, flipside, left stranded

Nếu bạn quan tâm đến việc áp dụng sự linh hoạt trong các tình huống thực tế khác, hãy tham khảo describe a successful small business you know about để hiểu cách các doanh nghiệp thành công cũng cần thích nghi với thay đổi.

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Theme 3: Education and Exam Systems

Question 4: Should educational institutions be more flexible with their examination policies?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion về Policy – Should question
• Key words: “educational institutions”, “more flexible”, “examination policies”
• Cách tiếp cận: Present both sides then give balanced opinion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think schools should be flexible to some degree. Sometimes students have emergencies or get sick, so they should be allowed to reschedule exams. However, schools also need rules to be fair to everyone. If they are too flexible, some students might abuse the system. So there should be a balance.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Opinion với reasons
• Vocabulary: Adequate (flexible, emergencies, reschedule, abuse the system)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear position but analysis lacks depth

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“This is quite a nuanced issue that requires balancing competing priorities. I’d argue that institutions should indeed be more flexible, but with appropriate safeguards in place.

The case for flexibility is compelling. Firstly, life is inherently unpredictable – students face genuine emergencies ranging from serious illness to family crises. Rigid policies that don’t accommodate such circumstances are not only inhumane but also undermine the validity of assessment. If a student performs poorly because they’re dealing with a bereavement, the exam score doesn’t accurately reflect their actual abilities.

Moreover, different students have different needs. Those with learning disabilities, mental health challenges, or even just different cognitive styles might benefit from alternative assessment arrangements. Progressive institutions are increasingly recognizing that ‘one size fits all‘ approaches can be inadvertently discriminatory.

That said, flexibility must be tempered with fairness and academic integrity. There need to be clear protocols for what constitutes a legitimate reason for rescheduling, supported by appropriate documentation. Otherwise, you risk creating a system where those who are better at working the system – or who have access to resources to fabricate excuses – gain unfair advantages.

What’s more, excessive flexibility can compromise the logistical feasibility of running large-scale examinations. Organizations like the British Council or Cambridge already face significant administrative burdens – unlimited rescheduling would be operationally unsustainable.

Ideally, I think the sweet spot lies in having tiered flexibility – straightforward processes for emergencies with robust verification, reasonable fees to deter frivolous requests, and perhaps built-in contingency options like designated alternative dates. This approach respects both human needs and institutional constraints.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally organized: acknowledge complexity → case for flexibility (2 reasons) → case for limitations (2 reasons) → proposed solution
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated (nuanced, safeguards, inherently, inadvertently discriminatory, tempered with, fabricate, logistical feasibility, frivolous)
• Grammar: Complex with variety: conditionals, relative clauses, passive constructions, nominalization
• Critical Thinking: Deep analysis với recognition of multiple stakeholders, practical constraints, và proposed balanced solution

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Firstly, Moreover, That said, What’s more, Ideally
• Tentative language: I’d argue that, might benefit from, can be
• Abstract nouns: validity, integrity, protocols, verification, constraints
• Academic expressions: nuanced issue, compelling case, tempered with, sweet spot, tiered flexibility

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Question 5: How do cultural differences affect people’s attitudes toward changing plans?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause and Effect về Cultural Factors
• Key words: “cultural differences”, “attitudes”, “changing plans”
• Cách tiếp cận: Compare different cultural approaches với examples, avoid stereotypes

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Different cultures have different attitudes about plans. In Western countries, people are usually more flexible and it’s okay to change plans. But in Asian cultures, especially in countries like Japan, people value commitment and punctuality more, so changing plans might be seen as rude or irresponsible.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Comparison between cultures
• Vocabulary: Basic (flexible, commitment, punctuality)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate but somewhat stereotypical, lacks nuance

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“This is a fascinating area where we see significant variation, though I should preface this by saying we must be careful not to overgeneralize or perpetuate stereotypes.

Generally speaking, cultures can be plotted along a spectrum from what anthropologists call ‘monochronic‘ to ‘polychronic‘ time orientations. Monochronic cultures – often associated with Northern European and North American societies – tend to view time as linear and compartmentalized. In these contexts, schedules are sacrosanct, and changing plans, especially at short notice, can be seen as unprofessional or disrespectful. There’s a strong emphasis on punctuality and adherence to pre-arranged commitments.

Conversely, polychronic cultures – which you might find more prevalently in Latin America, the Middle East, or parts of Asia – adopt a more fluid approach to time. Relationships and present circumstances often take precedence over rigid schedules. In these contexts, changing plans to accommodate an immediate need or seize an opportunity isn’t necessarily viewed negatively – it’s seen as responsive and human-centered.

However, these are broad patterns, and there’s tremendous variation within cultures. Urban professionals in Bangkok might operate very differently from rural communities in the same country. Moreover, globalization and cross-cultural exposure are blurring these distinctions. Young professionals in Asian megacities, for instance, often navigate both systems – adopting more structured approaches for international business dealings while maintaining flexibility in personal relationships.

In my observation, what really matters is mutual understanding and clear communication of expectations. When I encountered this during international collaborations, establishing upfront whether we’re operating on a ‘meeting starts at 9am sharp‘ or a ‘meeting around 9am-ish‘ understanding can prevent considerable friction.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated với theoretical framework (monochronic vs. polychronic) → examples → acknowledgment of variation → practical takeaway
• Vocabulary: Academic và precise (preface, overgeneralize, perpetuate, sacrosanct, adherence, prevalently, responsive, blurring, friction)
• Grammar: Complex structures với relative clauses, conditionals, gerunds
• Critical Thinking: Avoids stereotypes, acknowledges complexity, uses anthropological concepts, gives practical advice

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Generally speaking, Conversely, However, Moreover, In my observation
• Tentative language: can be plotted, often associated with, isn’t necessarily, might find
• Abstract nouns: orientation, adherence, variation, exposure, friction
• Academic expressions: plotted along a spectrum, take precedence over, tremendous variation within, mutual understanding

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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
reschedule	v	/riːˈʃedjuːl/	Thay đổi lịch, sắp xếp lại	I had to reschedule my exam due to illness.	reschedule an appointment/meeting/exam, reschedule for a later date
postpone	v	/pəʊstˈpəʊn/	Hoãn lại	They decided to postpone the event until next month.	postpone indefinitely, postpone until, postpone due to
flexibility	n	/ˌfleksəˈbɪləti/	Sự linh hoạt	Having flexibility in your schedule is important.	demonstrate flexibility, lack flexibility, build in flexibility, offer flexibility
adaptability	n	/əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/	Khả năng thích nghi	Adaptability is a crucial skill in modern life.	demonstrate adaptability, lack adaptability, enhance adaptability, require adaptability
contingency plan	n	/kənˈtɪndʒənsi plæn/	Kế hoạch dự phòng	Always have a contingency plan for unexpected situations.	develop a contingency plan, implement contingency plan, have contingency plans in place
at short notice	phrase	/ət ʃɔːt ˈnəʊtɪs/	Trong thời gian ngắn, đột xuất	I had to cancel the meeting at short notice.	cancel at short notice, arrange at short notice, given short notice
accommodate	v	/əˈkɒmədeɪt/	Điều chỉnh để phù hợp, thu xếp	The system can accommodate last-minute changes.	accommodate changes, accommodate requests, accommodate needs, fail to accommodate
disruption	n	/dɪsˈrʌpʃn/	Sự gián đoạn, xáo trộn	The cancellation caused major disruption to our plans.	cause disruption, minimize disruption, face disruption, deal with disruption
pivot	v	/ˈpɪvət/	Xoay chuyển, thay đổi hướng	When plans fell through, we had to pivot quickly.	pivot quickly, pivot to, need to pivot, ability to pivot
fall through	phrasal v	/fɔːl θruː/	Thất bại, không thành (về kế hoạch)	Our original plans fell through at the last minute.	plans fall through, deal falls through, arrangement falls through
at the eleventh hour	idiom	/ət ði ɪˈlevnθ ˈaʊə(r)/	Vào phút chót	They made the decision at the eleventh hour.	change at the eleventh hour, decide at the eleventh hour, cancel at the eleventh hour
setback	n	/ˈsetbæk/	Trở ngại, sự đảo lộn	The rescheduling fee felt like a financial setback.	suffer a setback, overcome setbacks, temporary setback, major setback
upfront	adj	/ˌʌpˈfrʌnt/	Thẳng thắn, trung thực	She was very upfront about why she needed to reschedule.	be upfront about, upfront communication, upfront and honest
juggle	v	/ˈdʒʌɡl/	Xoay sở với nhiều việc	I had to juggle work, study, and family commitments.	juggle responsibilities, juggle commitments, juggle multiple tasks
unforeseen	adj	/ˌʌnfɔːˈsiːn/	Không lường trước	Unforeseen circumstances forced me to change my plans.	unforeseen circumstances, unforeseen events, unforeseen problems, unforeseen consequences
rigid	adj	/ˈrɪdʒɪd/	Cứng nhắc, không linh hoạt	Their rigid policies don’t allow for any changes.	rigid rules, rigid schedule, rigid approach, too rigid
seamlessly	adv	/ˈsiːmləsli/	Trơn tru, không gặp trở ngại	The administrative process was handled seamlessly.	work seamlessly, integrate seamlessly, transition seamlessly, run seamlessly
momentum	n	/məˈmentəm/	Đà, động lực	I was worried about losing the momentum I’d built up.	lose momentum, gain momentum, maintain momentum, build momentum

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
life threw me a curveball	Cuộc sống ném cho tôi một quả bóng cong (điều bất ngờ khó xử lý)	Just when I thought everything was going smoothly, life threw me a curveball.	8-9
blessing in disguise	Điều tốt ẩn sau vẻ ngoài xấu	The delay turned out to be a blessing in disguise.	7.5-8
bite the bullet	Chấp nhận làm điều khó khăn nhưng cần thiết	I had to bite the bullet and pay the rescheduling fee.	7.5-8
adding insult to injury	Thêm dầu vào lửa, làm tệ hơn	The rescheduling fee felt like adding insult to injury.	8-9
fell by the wayside	Bị bỏ qua, bị bỏ rơi	My study plans fell by the wayside during the crisis.	8-9
on the same page	Đồng ý, có cùng quan điểm	We need to make sure everyone’s on the same page about the new schedule.	7-8
roll with the punches	Thích nghi với khó khăn	I’ve learned to roll with the punches when plans change.	7.5-8
back to square one	Quay về điểm xuất phát	After the cancellation, I felt like I was back to square one.	7-8
at the drop of a hat	Ngay lập tức, không do dự	She can change her plans at the drop of a hat.	7.5-8
in the same boat	Trong cùng tình huống (khó khăn)	Many other candidates were in the same boat when the exam was postponed.	7-8
weather the storm	Vượt qua thời kỳ khó khăn	We managed to weather the storm and eventually took the exam successfully.	8-9
make the best of a bad situation	Tận dụng tối đa tình huống xấu	I tried to make the best of a bad situation by using the extra time to improve.	7-8

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ hoặc khi câu trả lời phức tạp
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc correct một misconception
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi nói thật về feelings hoặc opinions
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách tự nhiên để đưa ra quan điểm
• 📝 In my view,… – Formal hơn một chút, thể hiện personal perspective
• 📝 From my perspective,… – Tương tự “in my view” nhưng academic hơn

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, hơn nữa
• 📝 What’s more,… – Thêm information quan trọng
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến (thường là something significant)
• 📝 Furthermore,… – Formal, để add information
• 📝 Moreover,… – Tương tự furthermore nhưng academic hơn
• 📝 Additionally,… – Thêm điểm bổ sung

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Thể hiện hai mặt của vấn đề
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Acknowledge một điểm nhưng add perspective khác
• 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên, mặc dù vậy (để introduce contrasting point)
• 📝 Having said that,… – Tương tự “that said”
• 📝 Conversely,… – Ngược lại (formal)

Để contrast hoặc show opposite view:

• 📝 However,… – Tuy nhiên
• 📝 Nevertheless,… – Tuy nhiên (formal hơn)
• 📝 In contrast,… – Ngược lại
• 📝 On the contrary,… – Trái lại hoàn toàn

Để đưa ra examples:

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

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì
• 📝 In conclusion,… – Kết luận lại (formal, dùng cẩn thận trong Speaking)
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Cuối cùng, căn bản nhất
• 📝 In the final analysis,… – Sau cùng, khi phân tích kỹ (very formal)

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

• Formula: If + past perfect, would/could + bare infinitive
• Ví dụ: “If I had known about the rescheduling policy earlier, I would be less stressed now.”
• Giải thích: Diễn tả điều kiện trong quá khứ và kết quả ở hiện tại

Inversion (Đảo ngữ):

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle, subject + would have…
• Ví dụ: “Had I been more flexible with my plans, the situation wouldn’t have been so stressful.”
• Giải thích: Cách nói formal của conditional, rất impressive trong Speaking Part 3

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:

• Formula: …, which/who + clause, …
• Ví dụ: “The rescheduling process, which took about 24 hours, was surprisingly straightforward.”
• Giải thích: Thêm information không essential, giữa hai dấu phẩy

Reduced relative clauses:

• Ví dụ: “People dealing with unexpected situations often feel stressed.” (thay vì “who are dealing with”)

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive:

• Formula: It is thought/believed/said/considered that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that flexibility is becoming increasingly important in modern life.”
• Giải thích: Cách nói academic, tránh “people think” quá đơn giản

Passive with modals:

• Ví dụ: “Plans should be made with some flexibility built in.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-cleft:

• Formula: What + clause + is/was…
• Ví dụ: “What I found most challenging about rescheduling was the uncertainty.”
• Giải thích: Emphasize một phần của câu

It-cleft:

• Formula: It + be + emphasized element + that/who…
• Ví dụ: “It was the financial burden that bothered me most, not the delay itself.”

5. Gerunds and Infinitives (Danh động từ):

As subject:

• Ví dụ: “Adapting to changes requires both mental flexibility and practical skills.”

After prepositions:

• Ví dụ: “I’m not particularly good at dealing with last-minute changes.”

6. Nominalization (Danh từ hóa):

Thay vì dùng verbs, dùng noun forms:

• “People adapt” → “Adaptability is crucial”
• “Things are flexible” → “Flexibility has increased”
• “We can be resilient” → “Resilience helps us overcome challenges”

Việc áp dụng các cấu trúc này một cách tự nhiên và chính xác sẽ giúp bạn ghi điểm cao trong IELTS Speaking, đặc biệt là Part 3 nơi yêu cầu grammatical range cao hơn.