IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời “Describe a Time When You Had to Make a Tough Decision Quickly” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Trong hành trình chinh phục IELTS Speaking, việc kể về những quyết định khó khăn phải đưa ra nhanh chóng là một chủ đề thường xuyên xuất hiện và khiến nhiều thí sinh băn khoăn. Chủ đề “Describe A Time When You Had To Make A Tough Decision Quickly” không chỉ kiểm tra khả năng sử dụng thì quá khứ mà còn đánh giá khả năng tổ chức ý tưởng, diễn đạt cảm xúc và phản ánh sâu sắc về trải nghiệm cá nhân.

Theo thống kê từ các kỳ thi IELTS thực tế, chủ đề về decision-making xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong khoảng thời gian từ 2020 đến 2024, đặc biệt trong Part 2 và Part 3. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao do tính ứng dụng thực tế và khả năng mở rộng thảo luận sâu của chủ đề này.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Các câu hỏi thường gặp liên quan đến decision-making trong cả 3 Part của IELTS Speaking
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo từng band điểm (6-7, 7.5-8, 8.5-9) với phân tích cụ thể
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm giúp nâng band
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của Examiner
• Những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 của IELTS Speaking kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn gọn về cuộc sống hàng ngày. Với chủ đề decision-making, examiner thường hỏi về thói quen ra quyết định trong các tình huống thông thường.

Đặc điểm chính:

• Câu hỏi đời sống thực tế, không quá phức tạp
• Mỗi câu trả lời nên dài 2-3 câu
• Cần thể hiện sự tự nhiên, không cứng nhắc

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi trước
• Mở rộng với lý do hoặc ví dụ cụ thể
• Sử dụng thì hiện tại đơn cho thói quen

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn chỉ một câu (Yes/No)
• Dùng từ vựng basic như “good”, “bad”, “important”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Không maintain eye contact vì lo sợ

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you think you are good at making decisions?

Question 2: How do you usually make important decisions?

Question 3: Do you prefer to make decisions quickly or take your time?

Question 4: Have you ever regretted a decision you made?

Question 5: Who do you usually ask for advice when making decisions?

Question 6: Do you think young people today make decisions differently from older generations?

Question 7: What kind of decisions do you find most difficult to make?

Question 8: Do you prefer making decisions alone or with others?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you think you are good at making decisions?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Đưa ra self-assessment (trả lời có/không/sometimes)
• Giải thích tại sao với ví dụ cụ thể
• Có thể đề cập đến loại quyết định nào đó

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think I’m quite good at making small decisions like what to eat or what to wear. However, I find it difficult to make big decisions like choosing my career path. I usually need time to think carefully about important things.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp, có phân loại decision (small vs big), đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn basic (good, difficult, important), cấu trúc câu đơn giản, thiếu depth
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Vocabulary adequate nhưng chưa impressive, grammar chính xác nhưng không complex, ideas clear nhưng chưa sophisticated

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d say I’m fairly decisive when it comes to day-to-day choices, but I tend to be more cautious and deliberate with life-changing decisions. For instance, I can quickly decide what course to take at university, but when it comes to committing to a long-term career path, I prefer to weigh all the options carefully before taking the plunge.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Từ vựng sophisticated (decisive, cautious and deliberate, life-changing, weigh options, taking the plunge), cấu trúc phức tạp (when it comes to…, prefer to…), ý tưởng nuanced với sự phân biệt rõ ràng
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tự nhiên với “Well, I’d say”, Lexical Resource đa dạng với collocations (day-to-day choices, commit to, weigh options), Grammar range cao với cấu trúc phức, Pronunciation tốt với stress patterns tự nhiên

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• decisive /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/: quyết đoán
• day-to-day choices: các lựa chọn hàng ngày
• cautious and deliberate: thận trọng và cân nhắc kỹ
• life-changing decisions: quyết định thay đổi cuộc đời
• weigh all the options: cân nhắc tất cả các phương án
• take the plunge: quyết định làm điều gì đó quan trọng

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Question: How do you usually make important decisions?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Mô tả quy trình ra quyết định của bạn
• Đề cập đến factors bạn xem xét
• Có thể nói về người bạn tham khảo ý kiến

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“When I need to make important decisions, I usually talk to my parents first. Then I think about the good and bad points of each choice. Sometimes I search for information on the Internet to help me decide better.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có structure rõ ràng (first, then, sometimes), đề cập nhiều bước trong process
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary basic (good and bad points, help me decide better), thiếu từ vựng chuyên ngành về decision-making
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicative và clear nhưng chưa show lexical range, grammar đơn giản

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“My approach is quite systematic, actually. I usually start by outlining the pros and cons of each option, then I seek input from people I trust, particularly those with relevant experience. I also try to envision the long-term implications rather than just focusing on immediate benefits. If time permits, I like to sleep on it before making a final call.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary sophisticated và precise (systematic, outlining, seek input, envision, long-term implications), cấu trúc đa dạng (start by…ing, rather than…ing, if time permits), idiomatic expression (sleep on it, making a final call)
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates lexical range với topic-specific vocabulary, complex grammar structures, coherent với clear sequencing, natural với discourse markers

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• systematic /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk/: có hệ thống
• outline the pros and cons: liệt kê ưu và nhược điểm
• seek input from: tìm kiếm ý kiến từ
• envision the long-term implications: hình dung các tác động dài hạn
• sleep on it: suy nghĩ thêm một đêm trước khi quyết định
• make a final call: đưa ra quyết định cuối cùng

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Question: Do you prefer to make decisions quickly or take your time?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Nêu rõ preference của bạn
• Giải thích lý do với ví dụ
• Có thể đề cập situations khác nhau

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“It depends on the situation. For small things like what to eat for lunch, I decide quickly. But for important decisions like buying a laptop, I need more time to compare different products and prices.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Flexible answer với “it depends”, có examples cụ thể, phân biệt được types of decisions
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng repetitive (small things, important decisions), cấu trúc tương tự với câu trước
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate communication nhưng limited vocabulary range, grammar correct nhưng simple

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I’m quite context-dependent in that regard. For trivial matters, I tend to go with my gut instinct and decide quickly, as I believe overthinking minor choices can be counterproductive. However, when it comes to consequential decisions, I’m more inclined to take a measured approach, gathering information and mulling over the options before committing.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sophisticated vocabulary (context-dependent, trivial matters, gut instinct, consequential, measured approach, mulling over), complex structures (I’m inclined to…, when it comes to…, as I believe…), shows critical thinking
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Natural fluency với hesitation devices used effectively, lexical resource sophisticated với precise word choice, grammatical range với various structures, demonstrates ability to discuss abstract concepts

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• context-dependent: phụ thuộc vào hoàn cảnh
• trivial matters: những vấn đề nhỏ nhặt
• go with my gut instinct: làm theo trực giác
• overthinking: suy nghĩ quá nhiều
• consequential decisions: quyết định quan trọng, có hậu quả
• take a measured approach: có cách tiếp cận thận trọng
• mull over: suy ngẫm kỹ

Học viên đang luyện tập IELTS Speaking Part 1 về chủ đề ra quyết định với giáo viên

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút, trong đó bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị với giấy và bút. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để show lexical range và grammatical structures.

Thời gian phân bổ:

• Chuẩn bị: 1 phút (dùng hết thời gian này)
• Nói: 2-3 phút (tối thiểu 1.5 phút)

Đặc điểm chính:

• Examiner không ngắt lời trong lúc bạn nói
• Phải cover tất cả bullet points trong cue card
• Thường sử dụng thì quá khứ khi kể về experience
• Bullet point cuối “explain” là phần quan trọng nhất để show depth

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Trong 1 phút chuẩn bị, chỉ ghi keywords, không viết câu đầy đủ
• Organize ideas theo chronological order
• Dành 30-40 giây cho phần “explain” để show critical thinking
• Sử dụng past tenses chính xác
• Thêm descriptive language để tăng Lexical Resource

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Không sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị vì nervous
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút hoặc quá 3 phút
• Bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points
• Dùng thì hiện tại thay vì quá khứ
• Không elaborate đủ cho phần “explain”

Cue Card

Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision quickly

You should say:

• When and where this happened
• What decision you had to make
• Why you had to make it quickly
• And explain how you felt about this decision afterwards

Phân Tích Đề Bài

Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience/event (kể về một trải nghiệm cụ thể trong quá khứ)

Thì động từ: Quá khứ (Past Simple, Past Continuous, Past Perfect) – vì đây là sự việc đã xảy ra

Bullet points phải cover:

1. When and where: Context về thời gian và địa điểm (setting the scene)
2. What decision: Quyết định cụ thể là gì – cần rõ ràng và detailed
3. Why quickly: Lý do tại sao phải quyết định nhanh – pressure/urgency
4. How you felt afterwards: Cảm xúc và reflection sau khi quyết định – đây là phần scoring cao nhất

Câu “explain” quan trọng: Phần này chiếm tới 30-40% thời gian nói của bạn. Đây là nơi bạn demonstrate:

• Emotional intelligence
• Critical thinking
• Vocabulary range (để mô tả feelings và reflections)
• Depth of ideas

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

“I’d like to talk about a difficult decision I made last year when I was in my final year at university. It happened in September, during the career fair at my campus.

At that time, I received two job offers on the same day. One was from a big international company in Ho Chi Minh City with a good salary, and the other was from a smaller local company in Hanoi, near my family, but with less pay. Both companies wanted my answer by the end of that day, so I had to decide quickly.

I had to make the decision fast because both companies said they had other candidates waiting. If I didn’t decide soon, I might lose both opportunities. I felt very stressed because this was about my future career.

I decided to choose the job in Hanoi because I thought being close to my family was more important than money at that time. My parents were getting older and I wanted to help them.

After making this decision, I felt relieved but also a bit worried. I was happy because I could stay near my family, but I sometimes wondered if I made the right choice. The salary was lower, and I thought maybe I missed a chance for my career. However, now I think it was a good decision because I value family time, and I’m learning a lot at my current job.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có sequence rõ ràng, dùng time markers (at that time, after), nhưng còn basic. Một vài hesitations nhẹ. Connecting ideas adequate nhưng chưa sophisticated
Lexical Resource	6-7	Vocabulary phù hợp (career fair, job offers, relieved, missed a chance) nhưng còn repetitive (good, big, important). Collocations adequate (make a decision, final year)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Sử dụng past tenses chính xác, có một số complex sentences (because clauses, if clauses) nhưng chủ yếu là simple và compound sentences
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear và understandable, word stress đúng, intonation tự nhiên ở mức basic

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
• ✅ Có clear timeline và context
• ✅ Ideas relevant và personal
• ✅ Grammar chính xác, không có lỗi major

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary còn basic và repetitive
• ⚠️ Thiếu descriptive language và emotional depth
• ⚠️ Sentence structures chủ yếu simple
• ⚠️ Phần “explain” chưa đủ elaborate 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 a year ago when I was on the verge of graduating from university. This happened during a recruitment drive at my campus in September.

On that particular day, I found myself in quite a predicament. I had been offered positions by two different companies – one was a multinational corporation based in Ho Chi Minh City, offering an attractive compensation package, while the other was a mid-sized domestic firm in Hanoi, closer to home but with a more modest salary. The catch was that both employers needed my decision by the close of business that day.

The urgency stemmed from the fact that both companies were in the final stages of their recruitment process and had backup candidates on standby. They made it clear that if I didn’t commit promptly, they would move on to other applicants. This time constraint put me under considerable pressure, as this decision would significantly impact my career trajectory.

After some intense deliberation, I opted for the position in Hanoi. My reasoning was that proximity to my family outweighed the financial benefits at that stage of my life. My parents were advancing in age, and I felt a sense of responsibility to be available for them.

Looking back, I experienced mixed emotions about this decision. Initially, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief that I’d made a choice, but this was tinged with doubt about whether I’d passed up a golden opportunity for career advancement. I occasionally found myself second-guessing my choice, wondering about the path not taken. However, with the benefit of hindsight, I believe it was the right call. I’ve come to realize that work-life balance and family connections are invaluable, and I’m actually gaining substantial experience in my current role that’s setting a solid foundation for my future.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Smooth delivery với minimal hesitation, sophisticated linking (while, however, looking back), clear progression of ideas với good paragraphing
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range of vocabulary (predicament, compensation package, trajectory, tinged with doubt, second-guessing, benefit of hindsight), good collocations, less common phrases (on the verge of, close of business)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety of complex structures (passive voice, relative clauses, participle clauses), accurate use of past perfect và conditionals, sophisticated sentence constructions
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear pronunciation với good stress và intonation patterns, effective use of pausing for emphasis

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“big international company”, “good salary”	“multinational corporation”, “attractive compensation package”
Grammar	“Both companies wanted my answer”	“Both employers needed my decision by the close of business”
Ideas	“I felt relieved but worried”	“I experienced mixed emotions… overwhelming sense of relief tinged with doubt”
Depth	Basic explanation of feelings	Detailed reflection với “benefit of hindsight”, “work-life balance”, “substantial experience”

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

“I’d like to recount a rather pivotal moment from approximately a year ago, when I was standing at the crossroads of my academic and professional life. This took place during my university’s annual graduate recruitment fair in September, an event that would prove to be more consequential than I’d anticipated.

That day threw me into quite a quandary. I’d been courted by two employers – on one hand, a prestigious multinational firm headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, dangling what could only be described as a lucrative offer with comprehensive benefits and clear advancement prospects. On the other hand, there was a well-established local enterprise in Hanoi, offering a considerably more modest remuneration but with the undeniable advantage of geographical proximity to my family. The complication was that both companies had imposed a same-day deadline for my acceptance.

The pressing timeframe was dictated by their recruitment schedules – both were in the eleventh hour of their hiring cycle and had reserve candidates waiting in the wings. They were quite explicit that any vacillation on my part would result in the offers being extended to the next person in line. This time-sensitive situation was particularly nerve-wracking because I was acutely aware that this choice would set the tone for my early career path and potentially have far-reaching ramifications for years to come.

After what felt like hours but was probably just thirty minutes of agonizing contemplation, I came down on the side of the Hanoi position. My rationale centered on the conviction that at this juncture in my life, maintaining strong familial bonds and being a present support system for my aging parents held greater value than pure financial gain or the prestige associated with a multinational brand. It was, essentially, a decision to prioritize personal values over conventional markers of success.

Reflecting on this decision afterwards, I went through quite an emotional rollercoaster. Initially, there was an immense sense of relief at having made the call, but this was almost immediately overshadowed by nagging self-doubt. I found myself plagued by “what ifs” and battling with buyer’s remorse, questioning whether I’d sacrificed long-term career momentum for short-term emotional comfort. For weeks, I was haunted by the specter of the road not taken, wondering if I’d foreclosed opportunities that might never come again.

However, as time has passed and I’ve settled into my role, my perspective has undergone a significant shift. I’ve come to appreciate that the decision, while difficult, was fundamentally aligned with my core values. The experience has taught me that there’s no objectively “correct” choice in such situations – rather, it’s about being authentic to oneself and accepting the trade-offs inherent in any decision. I’m now deriving considerable satisfaction from both my professional development and the ability to maintain meaningful connections with my family. Moreover, I’ve realized that career paths are rarely linear, and what might have seemed like forfeiting an opportunity was actually just choosing a different trajectory – one that, for me, has proven to be fulfilling in unexpected ways.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Effortless delivery, sophisticated discourse markers (essentially, moreover, however), seamless flow between ideas, excellent cohesion với advanced linking devices
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Sophisticated và precise vocabulary (pivotal, quandary, vacillation, juncture, ramifications, emotional rollercoaster, buyer’s remorse, foreclosed), natural idiomatic language (standing at the crossroads, in the eleventh hour, came down on the side of), skillful paraphrasing
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures used naturally (relative clauses, participle phrases, inversion, conditionals), error-free, sophisticated constructions (what felt like…, what might have seemed like…)
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Native-like pronunciation features, natural rhythm and stress patterns, effective use of intonation for emphasis and meaning

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói demonstrates effortless flow với sophisticated discourse markers như “essentially”, “moreover”, “however, as time has passed”. Speaker tự tin extend ideas without hesitation, showing ability to speak at length coherently.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• “Standing at the crossroads” – idiom expressing critical decision point
• “Thrown into a quandary” – sophisticated expression for difficult situation
• “Vacillation” – formal term for hesitation
• “Far-reaching ramifications” – high-level collocation
• “Plagued by what-ifs” – expressive language showing emotional depth
• “Foreclosed opportunities” – sophisticated vocabulary showing advanced language
• “Undergone a significant shift” – formal collocation

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Complex relative clauses: “an event that would prove to be more consequential than I’d anticipated”
• Participle phrases: “dangling what could only be described as a lucrative offer”
• Inversion: “rarely are career paths linear” (implied)
• Mixed conditionals and hypothetical language
• Advanced passive structures: “the offers being extended”

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Bài nói không chỉ kể story mà còn shows:

• Philosophical reflection: “there’s no objectively correct choice”
• Emotional maturity: “accepting the trade-offs inherent in any decision”
• Self-awareness: “being authentic to oneself”
• Growth mindset: “choosing a different trajectory”
• Sophisticated understanding của career development và life choices

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:

Question 1: Would you make the same decision if you had to choose again?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I think so. I’m happy with my choice now because I can spend time with my family and I’m learning a lot at work.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“That’s an interesting question. With the benefit of hindsight, I believe I would, yes. While the alternative path certainly had its merits, I’ve come to realize that decisions are less about choosing the “perfect” option and more about making the most of the path you’ve chosen. I’m genuinely content with how things have unfolded.”

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Question 2: Do you think you’re better at making quick decisions now?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“I think I’ve improved a little. Now I try to think about the important things first when I need to decide quickly.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“I’d say that experience has certainly honed my decision-making skills. I’ve learned to identify the core factors that truly matter and to trust my judgment more readily. That said, I still believe in taking time when circumstances allow, as hasty decisions can sometimes lead to unforeseen complications.”

Thí sinh IELTS Speaking đang trình bày bài nói Part 2 về quyết định khó khăn với examiner

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần khó nhất trong IELTS Speaking Test. Đây là cuộc thảo luận hai chiều về các vấn đề abstract liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2.

Thời gian: 4-5 phút

Đặc điểm chính:

• Câu hỏi trừu tượng, sâu sắc hơn nhiều so với Part 1
• Yêu cầu phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá
• Cần đưa ra quan điểm có lý lẽ rõ ràng
• Thường về social trends, cultural aspects, future predictions

Yêu cầu cụ thể:

• Phân tích causes and effects
• So sánh different perspectives
• Đánh giá pros and cons
• Đưa ra predictions hoặc solutions
• Xem xét multiple dimensions của vấn đề

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Mỗi câu trả lời nên dài 3-5 câu hoặc hơn
• Sử dụng discourse markers một cách tự nhiên (Well, Actually, To be honest)
• Structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/qualification
• Đưa ra examples từ society, không chỉ personal experience
• Thừa nhận complexity: “It depends on…”, “While X is true, we also need to consider Y”
• Paraphrase lại câu hỏi trong câu trả lời

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu), thiếu elaboration
• Không đưa ra reasons và examples rõ ràng
• Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic
• Chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì social perspective
• Không acknowledge different viewpoints
• Sử dụng grammar structures quá đơn giản

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Decision-Making in Society

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Question 1: Why do you think some people find it difficult to make decisions?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause/Reason question – yêu cầu phân tích nguyên nhân
• Key words: “some people”, “find it difficult”, “make decisions”
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify 2-3 main reasons, provide explanations and examples cho mỗi reason, có thể categorize theo personality, upbringing, hoặc social factors

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think there are several reasons why people find it difficult to decide. First, some people worry too much about making mistakes, so they think for a long time. Second, when there are too many choices, people can feel confused about which one is best. Also, some people don’t have much experience, so they don’t know how to choose well.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có list reasons (first, second, also) nhưng thiếu sophistication
• Vocabulary: Basic (worry, mistakes, confused, experience) – adequate nhưng không impressive
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication nhưng lacks depth, examples missing, vocabulary range limited, grammar structures simple

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Well, I think indecisiveness can stem from various factors. One primary reason is what psychologists call “analysis paralysis” – when people are confronted with an abundance of options, they become overwhelmed and struggle to evaluate each one effectively. This is particularly prevalent in today’s consumer-driven society where we’re constantly bombarded with choices.

Another significant factor is fear of regret. Many individuals agonize over decisions because they’re acutely aware of the opportunity cost – what they might be giving up by choosing one path over another. This can be especially paralyzing when the stakes are high, such as career changes or major financial commitments.

I’d also say that upbringing plays a crucial role. People who were never encouraged to make independent choices during their formative years often lack confidence in their judgment as adults. They may have become overly reliant on others’ opinions, which compounds the difficulty when they need to make autonomous decisions.

To some extent, personality traits matter too – naturally cautious individuals tend to be more deliberate in their decision-making, which isn’t necessarily negative, but can border on excessive hesitation in certain situations.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized với multiple reasons, each fully developed với explanation và example/context. Natural flow với excellent signposting
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (indecisiveness, analysis paralysis, bombarded with choices, agonize over, opportunity cost, paralyzing, formative years, compounds the difficulty, autonomous, deliberate, border on excessive hesitation)
• Grammar: Complex structures: relative clauses, participle phrases, conditional implications, inversion (never were they encouraged – implied)
• Critical Thinking: Shows psychological insight (reference to psychology), societal awareness (consumer-driven society), acknowledges complexity (to some extent, not necessarily negative), considers multiple dimensions (cognitive, emotional, developmental)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, I think; Another significant factor; I’d also say; To some extent
• Tentative language: can stem from; tend to be; isn’t necessarily negative – shows sophisticated academic style
• Abstract nouns: indecisiveness, analysis paralysis, abundance, opportunity cost, upbringing, autonomy
• Advanced collocations: stem from various factors, confronted with options, bombarded with choices, agonize over decisions, formative years, overly reliant on, compounds the difficulty

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Question 2: Do you think modern technology makes decision-making easier or more difficult?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion with comparison – yêu cầu so sánh và evaluate
• Key words: “modern technology”, “easier or more difficult”
• Cách tiếp cận: Present balanced view (both sides), give specific examples của technology impact, conclude với personal stance có qualified

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think technology can make decisions both easier and harder. On one hand, we can search for information quickly on the Internet to help us decide. For example, when we want to buy something, we can read reviews online. On the other hand, there is too much information now, so sometimes we feel more confused. Also, social media shows us many different opinions, which makes it harder to choose.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Has balanced structure (on one hand, on the other hand) nhưng development còn basic
• Vocabulary: Adequate (search for information, reviews, confused, social media) nhưng lacks precision
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication with relevant ideas, basic compare/contrast, but limited depth và sophistication in expression

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“That’s a fascinating question because I think technology presents a double-edged sword when it comes to decision-making. On the positive side, we now have unprecedented access to information at our fingertips. Consumer choices, for instance, have become more informed and evidence-based thanks to review platforms, comparison websites, and data analytics tools that can synthesize vast amounts of information in seconds. This democratization of information has certainly leveled the playing field in many respects.

However, paradoxically, this information abundance has created what experts call “choice overload” or “decision fatigue”. When we’re inundated with options and conflicting data points, the cognitive burden actually increases rather than decreases. Take something as simple as booking a hotel – decades ago, you might have had three options to consider; now you’re sifting through hundreds of listings, each with dozens of variables to weigh.

Moreover, technology has introduced new psychological pressures into decision-making. Social media comparison means we’re constantly exposed to others’ choices and outcomes, which can fuel self-doubt and second-guessing. There’s also the fear of missing out that technology amplifies, making us perpetually question whether we’ve made the optimal choice.

All things considered, I’d argue that while technology has made the mechanics of decision-making more efficient – faster access to data, better tools for analysis – it has actually made the psychology of decision-making more challenging. We have better tools, but we’re also navigating a more complex decision landscape. The key, I think, is learning to harness technology’s benefits while guarding against its tendency to overwhelm.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated argument structure: introduce complexity → positive aspects with examples → counterpoint with explanation → additional dimension → nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (double-edged sword, unprecedented access, democratization of information, leveled the playing field, choice overload, inundated with, cognitive burden, sifting through, fuel self-doubt, perpetually question, harness benefits, guard against)
• Grammar: Full range naturally used: complex conditionals, participle phrases, relative clauses, passive constructions, cleft sentences (it is…that)
• Critical Thinking: Shows deep analysis (acknowledges paradox), uses expert terminology (decision fatigue), provides specific contemporary examples (review platforms, social media), draws sophisticated distinction (mechanics vs psychology), offers qualified conclusion

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: On the positive side; However, paradoxically; Moreover; All things considered; I’d argue that
• Tentative language: I think technology presents; can fuel; has introduced; I’d argue – academic hedging
• Abstract concepts: democratization, cognitive burden, psychological pressures, decision landscape
• Sophisticated structures: “what experts call”, “when we’re inundated with”, “while technology has made X, it has made Y”

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Theme 2: Decision-Making Across Age Groups

Question 3: Do you think young people today make decisions differently from their parents’ generation?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and contrast across generations
• Key words: “young people today”, “differently”, “parents’ generation”
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify key differences, explain underlying reasons (social, technological, cultural changes), provide concrete examples, acknowledge some similarities

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think young people decide differently from older generations. Young people now use the Internet and social media a lot to get information before deciding. Also, they care more about their own happiness than about traditional ideas. For example, many young people choose jobs they like, not just jobs that pay well. However, older people usually think more about stability and family responsibilities.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Comparison present với some examples, nhưng thiếu depth in analysis
• Vocabulary: Basic comparative language, adequate but limited
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear comparison with relevant points, but lacks sophisticated analysis of underlying causes and social context

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely, there are striking generational differences in decision-making approaches, which I think reflect broader societal shifts. The most obvious distinction lies in information gathering. Today’s young people are digital natives who instinctively turn to online resources, crowdsourced reviews, and social validation before making choices. Their parents’ generation, by contrast, relied more heavily on established authorities – be it consumer reports, expert opinions, or word-of-mouth recommendations from their immediate social circle.

Another fundamental difference concerns value systems. Younger generations tend to prioritize personal fulfillment and authenticity over traditional markers of success. We’re seeing more young people willing to take unconventional paths – whether that’s pursuing creative careers with uncertain financial prospects, prioritizing work-life balance over climbing the corporate ladder, or delaying major life milestones like marriage and homeownership. Their parents’ generation was more likely to follow prescribed life trajectories shaped by social expectations and economic realities of their time.

That said, I think we should be careful not to overgeneralize. There are risk-averse young people just as there were pioneering spirits in older generations. What has changed more is the context in which decisions are made. Young people today face both more opportunities – thanks to globalization and technology – and more uncertainty – with volatile job markets and evolving social norms. This creates a decision-making environment that’s fundamentally different from what their parents navigated.

There’s also an interesting psychological dimension. Some researchers argue that constant exposure to others’ curated lives on social media makes young people more susceptible to comparison and self-doubt, potentially making decision-making more fraught despite having more information. It’s a fascinating interplay between technological advancement and human psychology.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated multi-layered argument: main differences clearly outlined → each point fully developed → acknowledges complexity → additional dimension → nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Rich range (striking generational differences, digital natives, crowdsourced, prescribed trajectories, overgeneralize, volatile job markets, curated lives, susceptible to, interplay)
• Grammar: Full range with complex constructions: whether clauses, inversion (more is the context), participle phrases, cleft sentences
• Critical Thinking: Shows sociological awareness (broader societal shifts), avoids stereotyping (careful not to overgeneralize), considers context (technological and economic factors), references research (some researchers argue), acknowledges complexity (fascinating interplay)

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Question 4: Should parents let children make their own decisions, or should they guide them?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion với ethical dimension – parenting philosophy
• Key words: “should”, “let children make own decisions”, “guide them”
• Cách tiếp cận: Present balanced view, consider age factors, discuss benefits and risks của both approaches, give nuanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think both are important. Parents should guide children when they are young because children don’t have enough experience. But as children grow older, parents should let them make some decisions by themselves. This helps children learn and become independent. However, for important decisions, parents should still give advice to help children avoid big mistakes.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Logical progression với balance, nhưng còn straightforward
• Vocabulary: Basic (guide, experience, independent, advice, mistakes)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Sensible answer with balanced view, but lacks depth in exploring psychological and developmental aspects

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“I think this is a question of striking the right balance, and that balance evolves as children mature. It’s not a case of binary choice between complete autonomy and total control, but rather a gradual transfer of decision-making authority that should be calibrated to the child’s developmental stage.

In the early years, children clearly need substantial parental guidance because they lack the cognitive frameworks and life experience to assess consequences effectively. However, even young children benefit from age-appropriate choices – what to wear, which book to read before bed – as these low-stakes decisions help them develop agency and confidence in their judgment.

As children enter adolescence, the calculus shifts. This is when they’re forming their identity and testing boundaries, and allowing them autonomy in certain domains becomes crucial for healthy development. Micromanaging decisions at this stage can stifle independence and even breed resentment or undermine self-confidence. That said, parents should still provide guardrails – not making decisions for teens, but helping them think through implications, weigh alternatives, and anticipate outcomes.

The key, I believe, lies in what’s called “scaffolded independence” – parents gradually stepping back while remaining available as a sounding board. The goal isn’t to protect children from all mistakes, which are actually valuable learning opportunities, but to ensure the mistakes aren’t catastrophic. It’s about empowering children to make decisions while equipping them with the tools to make good ones – critical thinking, risk assessment, and emotional regulation.

What concerns me is when I see either extreme – helicopter parents who make every decision for their grown children, or completely hands-off parents who provide no guidance at all. Both approaches can have detrimental effects on a young person’s capacity for sound decision-making in adulthood.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly sophisticated: introduces nuance → age-specific analysis → developmental progression → explains optimal approach → warns against extremes
• Vocabulary: Advanced and precise (striking balance, binary choice, calibrated, cognitive frameworks, agency, calculus shifts, micromanaging, stifle independence, breed resentment, guardrails, scaffolded independence, sounding board, equipping them with tools, helicopter parents, detrimental effects)
• Grammar: Full sophisticated range: relative clauses, participle constructions, gerunds, cleft sentences, conditionals
• Critical Thinking: Shows developmental psychology understanding (scaffolded independence, developmental stages), acknowledges complexity (evolves as children mature), uses specialist terminology (helicopter parents), considers long-term implications, balanced and nuanced throughout

Giáo viên IELTS đang hướng dẫn chiến lược trả lời Part 3 cho học viên về chủ đề quyết định

Theme 3: Decisions and Technology

Question 5: How has technology changed the way people make important life decisions?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause-effect focusing on technological impact
• Key words: “technology changed”, “important life decisions”
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify specific ways technology influences decisions, provide concrete examples, discuss both processes và outcomes, consider positive và negative impacts

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Technology has changed decision-making in many ways. Now people can find information easily on the Internet to help them decide about jobs, education, or where to live. For example, people can research different universities online before choosing where to study. Also, people can connect with others around the world, so they have more options for work and relationships. But sometimes too much information makes it harder to decide.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Lists changes với some examples, basic cause-effect
• Vocabulary: Adequate (research, connect with, options) but lacks sophistication
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Relevant points với clear examples, but limited depth in analysis of how technology fundamentally transforms decision-making processes

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Technology has fundamentally transformed the landscape of life decisions in ways that would have been unimaginable even two decades ago. Perhaps most significantly, it has democratized access to information and opportunities. Someone in a remote Vietnamese province can now research universities worldwide, compare career prospects across different industries, or even explore potential places to live through virtual tours and expatriate communities online. This has opened up possibilities that previous generations simply couldn’t have entertained.

Another profound impact relates to social connectivity. Technology has dismantled geographical barriers to relationships and communities. People now make life decisions – where to live, what career to pursue – with a global perspective rather than a local one. Online communities of practice allow people to gauge whether a particular career path suits them by connecting with practitioners worldwide. Dating apps have completely revolutionized how people navigate romantic relationships and make partnership decisions.

However, this expanded opportunity space comes with cognitive costs. What psychologists call “FOMO” – fear of missing out – is amplified by technology. When you can see infinite alternatives at every turn, it becomes harder to commit fully to any single path. There’s also what I’d call “algorithmic anxiety” – the sense that there’s some optimal decision out there that data and algorithms should help us find, which can make natural human ambiguity in decision-making feel like failure.

Technology has also introduced new decision-making tools – from AI-powered career counseling to data-driven matchmaking – that claim to optimize our choices. While these can be helpful, they may also lead us to overly rationalize decisions that inherently involve emotion and intuition. There’s a risk of outsourcing our judgment to digital systems that can’t capture the full complexity of human values and circumstances.

On balance, I’d say technology has made the process of gathering information for life decisions exponentially more efficient, but it hasn’t necessarily made the actual decision-making easier or the outcomes better. If anything, it’s created a new kind of burden – the burden of near-infinite choice and constant second-guessing enabled by immediate access to alternatives. The challenge for our generation is learning to leverage technology’s benefits while maintaining confidence in our decisions despite the perpetual awareness of roads not taken.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptional organization: introduces transformation → information access → connectivity → cognitive costs → new tools/risks → balanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (fundamentally transformed, democratized access, entertained possibilities, dismantled barriers, communities of practice, expanded opportunity space, cognitive costs, algorithmic anxiety, outsourcing judgment, exponential efficiency, near-infinite choice, perpetual awareness)
• Grammar: Full complex range naturally deployed: relative clauses, participle phrases, cleft sentences, conditionals, sophisticated noun phrases
• Critical Thinking: Shows psychological insight (FOMO, algorithmic anxiety), sociological awareness (democratization, geographical barriers), philosophical depth (human ambiguity, emotion vs. rationalization), acknowledges complexity throughout, coined own term (algorithmic anxiety), nuanced conclusion recognizing paradox

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Perhaps most significantly; Another profound impact; However; On balance; If anything
• Tentative language: I’d say; would have been; may also lead; there’s a risk – academic hedging
• Abstract concepts: democratization, cognitive costs, algorithmic anxiety, outsourcing judgment, perpetual awareness
• Sophisticated comparisons: “exponentially more efficient but not necessarily easier”, “process vs. outcomes”

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Question 6: Do you think people rely too much on others’ opinions when making decisions?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion với evaluation – assess behavior pattern
• Key words: “rely too much”, “others’ opinions”
• Cách tiếp cận: Define what “too much” means, discuss when seeking input is beneficial vs. problematic, consider cultural và individual factors, provide balanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think many people do rely too much on others’ opinions, especially young people. They often ask friends or check social media before deciding. Sometimes this is good because we can learn from others’ experiences. But if we always listen to others, we may not develop our own judgment. I think it’s better to consider others’ opinions but make our own final decision based on our situation.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Opinion stated với pros and cons, logical conclusion
• Vocabulary: Basic (rely on, learn from, develop judgment, consider)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear stance with reasoning, but lacks depth in exploring psychological và social dimensions

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“This is a nuanced issue because the line between healthy consultation and excessive dependence on others’ input can be quite blurry. I’d argue that the key isn’t how much we seek others’ opinions, but rather how we integrate that input into our decision-making process.

In many contexts, seeking diverse perspectives is actually a hallmark of wise decision-making. Cognitive biases – like confirmation bias or blind spots in our thinking – mean that consulting others can help us see angles we’d otherwise miss. This is particularly valuable for consequential decisions where the stakes are high and our personal experience is limited. There’s nothing wrong with crowdsourcing wisdom from people who’ve walked a similar path.

The problem arises when people abdicate responsibility for decisions to others, essentially seeking permission rather than input. I see this frequently with indecisive individuals who poll endlessly without actually synthesizing the information or making a call. What’s worse is when people use others’ opinions as a scapegoat – a way to deflect accountability if things go wrong: “Well, everyone said I should do this.”

Social media has exacerbated this tendency. The ease of soliciting opinions from hundreds of people creates an illusion that more input equals better decisions, but it often just amplifies confusion and dilutes personal agency. There’s also a performative aspect – people broadcasting their decisions for validation rather than genuinely seeking constructive feedback.

Culturally, this varies considerably. In collectivist societies, factoring in family and community input is considered appropriate and respectful, not a sign of weakness. In more individualistic cultures, there’s greater emphasis on autonomous decision-making. Neither is inherently superior – what matters is whether the approach aligns with one’s values and leads to decisions one can stand behind.

My view is that seeking input is wisdom, but requiring validation is weakness. The optimal approach is to actively solicit diverse viewpoints, critically evaluate that input against your own values and circumstances, and then take ownership of whatever you decide. It’s about using others as resources while maintaining the locus of control within yourself. The danger isn’t in listening to others, but in losing your own voice in the process.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Masterful organization: introduces complexity → defends consultation → identifies problems → social media factor → cultural dimension → personal philosophy
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (nuanced issue, blurry line, hallmark of wisdom, cognitive biases, blind spots, abdicate responsibility, deflect accountability, exacerbated, soliciting opinions, dilutes agency, performative aspect, collectivist societies, locus of control)
• Grammar: Full sophisticated range: cleft sentences, relative clauses, gerunds, parallel structures, conditionals
• Critical Thinking: Shows psychological understanding (cognitive biases, personal agency), sociological awareness (cultural variations), ethical dimension (responsibility and accountability), avoids absolutism (neither is inherently superior), sophisticated conclusion with clear principle (seeking input vs. requiring validation)

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
decisive	adj	/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/	quyết đoán	She’s quite decisive when it comes to business matters.	decisive action, decisive moment, decisive factor, decisive leader
predicament	n	/prɪˈdɪkəmənt/	tình thế khó khăn	I found myself in a difficult predicament when both offers came at once.	in a predicament, face a predicament, difficult predicament, tricky predicament
weigh options	v phrase	/weɪ ˈɒpʃənz/	cân nhắc các lựa chọn	I need time to weigh my options before making a final decision.	weigh options carefully, weigh all options, weigh the options against each other
deliberation	n	/dɪˌlɪbəˈreɪʃən/	sự cân nhắc, thảo luận	After much deliberation, I chose the job in Hanoi.	careful deliberation, lengthy deliberation, after deliberation, without deliberation
ramifications	n	/ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz/	hậu quả, tác động	We need to consider the long-term ramifications of this decision.	long-term ramifications, serious ramifications, financial ramifications, unforeseen ramifications
gut instinct	n phrase	/ɡʌt ˈɪnstɪŋkt/	trực giác	Sometimes you just have to go with your gut instinct.	trust your gut instinct, follow gut instinct, rely on gut instinct, go with gut instinct
second-guessing	n/v	/ˈsekənd ˈɡesɪŋ/	nghi ngờ, xem xét lại quyết định	I kept second-guessing my choice for weeks.	constant second-guessing, stop second-guessing, second-guess yourself, second-guess decisions
take the plunge	idiom	/teɪk ðə plʌndʒ/	quyết định làm điều quan trọng	After years of planning, she finally took the plunge and started her own business.	finally take the plunge, ready to take the plunge, decide to take the plunge
crossroads	n	/ˈkrɒsrəʊdz/	ngã rẽ quan trọng	I’m at a crossroads in my career.	at a crossroads, reach a crossroads, stand at a crossroads, career crossroads
dilemma	n	/dɪˈlemə/	tình thế tiến thoái lưỡng nan	I faced a real dilemma about which university to attend.	face a dilemma, moral dilemma, difficult dilemma, resolve a dilemma
cognitive burden	n phrase	/ˈkɒɡnətɪv ˈbɜːdən/	gánh nặng nhận thức	Too many choices create an unnecessary cognitive burden.	heavy cognitive burden, reduce cognitive burden, cognitive burden increases, impose cognitive burden
opportunity cost	n phrase	/ˌɒpəˈtjuːnəti kɒst/	chi phí cơ hội	Every decision has an opportunity cost we must consider.	consider opportunity cost, high opportunity cost, opportunity cost analysis, weigh opportunity cost
indecisiveness	n	/ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪvnəs/	tính do dự, thiếu quyết đoán	His indecisiveness cost him several good opportunities.	chronic indecisiveness, overcome indecisiveness, paralyzed by indecisiveness
analysis paralysis	n phrase	/əˈnæləsɪs pəˈræləsɪs/	tình trạng phân tích quá mức không thể quyết định	She suffered from analysis paralysis and couldn’t choose a major.	suffer from analysis paralysis, avoid analysis paralysis, stuck in analysis paralysis
calculated risk	n phrase	/ˈkælkjuleɪtɪd rɪsk/	rủi ro đã tính toán	Starting a business is always a calculated risk.	take a calculated risk, calculated risk-taking, acceptable calculated risk
point of no return	idiom	/pɔɪnt əv nəʊ rɪˈtɜːn/	điểm không thể quay lại	Once I signed the contract, I’d reached the point of no return.	reach the point of no return, pass the point of no return, beyond the point of no return
spur of the moment	idiom	/spɜːr əv ðə ˈməʊmənt/	trong tích tắc, bốc đồng	It was a spur of the moment decision I later regretted.	spur of the moment decision, on the spur of the moment, spur of the moment action
hindsight	n	/ˈhaɪndsaɪt/	nhận thức sau sự việc	In hindsight, I should have chosen differently.	with hindsight, benefit of hindsight, in hindsight, perfect hindsight
trade-off	n	/ˈtreɪd ɒf/	sự đánh đổi	Every choice involves trade-offs.	make trade-offs, accept trade-offs, necessary trade-off, difficult trade-off

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
sleep on it	suy nghĩ thêm một đêm trước khi quyết định	Before accepting the job offer, I decided to sleep on it.	7.5-9
sitting on the fence	không quyết định được, đứng giữa hai lằn ranh	Stop sitting on the fence and make a choice.	7.5-9
burn bridges	phá hủy mối quan hệ, cắt đứt con đường lui	I didn’t want to burn any bridges with my old employer.	7.5-9
bite the bullet	chấp nhận làm điều khó khăn nhưng cần thiết	I had to bite the bullet and tell them my decision.	7.5-9
throw caution to the wind	hành động táo bạo không quan tâm đến rủi ro	Sometimes you just need to throw caution to the wind.	8-9
on the horns of a dilemma	trong tình thế khó xử phải chọn giữa hai điều không tốt	I was on the horns of a dilemma – both options had serious drawbacks.	8.5-9
play it by ear	xử lý tình huống linh hoạt, không theo kế hoạch cố định	I don’t have a fixed plan; I’ll just play it by ear.	7.5-9
call the shots	là người quyết định, nắm quyền kiểm soát	Now that I’m independent, I get to call the shots.	7.5-9
be in two minds	phân vân, do dự giữa hai lựa chọn	I’m in two minds about whether to accept the promotion.	7.5-9
the ball is in your court	quyền quyết định thuộc về bạn	I’ve given you all the information; the ball is in your court now.	7.5-9
cross that bridge when you come to it	lo lắng việc đó khi nó xảy ra	Don’t worry about that now; we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.	7.5-9
think outside the box	suy nghĩ sáng tạo, không theo lối mòn	To solve this problem, we need to think outside the box.	7-8.5

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ hoặc muốn bắt đầu thoughtfully
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc correction nhẹ
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nói thật, thẳng thắn
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách sophisticated để đưa ra quan điểm
• 📝 That’s an interesting question… – Mua thời gian và shows engagement

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, hơn nữa
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, quan trọng hơn
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến, chưa nói đến
• 📝 Besides,… – Bên cạnh đó
• 📝 Additionally,… – Ngoài ra (formal hơn)

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Tuy đúng là… nhưng ta cũng cần xem xét
• 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên, mặc dù vậy
• 📝 Having said that,… – Sau khi nói điều đó
• 📝 In contrast,… – Ngược lại

Để đưa ra examples:

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

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, xét cho cùng
• 📝 On balance,… – Cân nhắc tổng thể
• 📝 All things considered,… – Xét tất cả mọi yếu tố

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed Conditional (Third + Second):

• Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb
• Ví dụ: “If I had chosen the other job, I would be living in Ho Chi Minh City now.”
• Giải thích: Diễn tả hậu quả hiện tại của một quyết định trong quá khứ

Inversion in Conditionals:

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle
• Ví dụ: “Had I known the consequences, I would have decided differently.”
• Giải thích: Formal và sophisticated hơn “If I had known”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining Relative Clauses:

• Formula: …, which/who + clause, …
• Ví dụ: “The job offer, which came unexpectedly, forced me to make a quick decision.”
• Giải thích: Thêm thông tin không thiết yếu, nâng cao tính descriptive

Reduced Relative Clauses:

• Formula: noun + participle phrase
• Ví dụ: “The decision facing me required immediate action.”
• Giải thích: Concise và sophisticated

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal Passive:

• Formula: It is thought/believed/said/considered that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that quick decisions are often the best ones.”
• Giải thích: Academic và formal, tránh “people say/think”

Passive with Modal Verbs:

• Formula: Modal + be + past participle
• Ví dụ: “Such important decisions should be made carefully.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-cleft:

• Formula: What + clause + is/was…
• Ví dụ: “What I find most challenging about decision-making is the uncertainty.”
• Giải thích: Nhấn mạnh information, sophisticated

It-cleft:

• Formula: It + be + focus + that/who…
• Ví dụ: “It was the time pressure that made this decision so difficult.”

The thing-cleft:

• Formula: The thing that… is…
• Ví dụ: “The thing that worries me most is making the wrong choice.”

5. Inversion for Emphasis:

Negative Inversion:

• Formula: Never/Rarely/Seldom + auxiliary + subject + verb
• Ví dụ: “Never have I faced such a difficult decision.”
• Giải thích: Dramatic emphasis, literary

Only Inversion:

• Formula: Only + adverbial + auxiliary + subject + verb
• Ví dụ: “Only after making the decision did I realize its implications.”

6. Participle Clauses:

Present Participle:

• Ví dụ: “Feeling uncertain, I asked my parents for advice.”
• Giải thích: Shows simultaneous actions, concise

Past Participle:

• Ví dụ: “Faced with two excellent options, I found it hard to choose.”
• Giải thích: Shows passive meaning, sophisticated

Perfect Participle:

• Ví dụ: “Having considered all the factors, I made my final choice.”
• Giải thích: Shows sequence, one action before another

7. Wish & Regret Structures:

Wish + Past Perfect:

• Ví dụ: “I wish I had taken more time to think about it.”
• Giải thích: Express regret về quá khứ

If only:

• Ví dụ: “If only I had known the outcome beforehand.”
• Giải thích: Stronger than “wish”

Should have + past participle:

• Ví dụ: “I should have consulted more people before deciding.”
• Giải thích: Express regret hoặc criticism

Việc sử dụng đúng và tự nhiên các cấu trúc này sẽ giúp bạn demonstrate grammatical range and accuracy ở mức Band 8-9. Tuy nhiên, điều quan trọng là không lạm dụng – chỉ dùng khi phù hợp với context và ý bạn muốn diễn đạt. Tính tự nhiên vẫn quan trọng hơn sự phức tạp cưỡng ép.

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Hy vọng bài viết này đã cung cấp cho bạn cái nhìn toàn diện về cách trả lời chủ đề “Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision quickly” trong IELTS Speaking. Hãy nhớ rằng, điểm cao không chỉ đến từ việc học thuộc từ vựng hay template, mà từ khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ một cách tự nhiên, linh hoạt và sâu sắc để thể hiện ý tưởng của bạn. Chúc bạn tự tin và thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking!