IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời “Describe A Time When You Were Very Curious About Something” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Sự tò mò là động lực thúc đẩy con người khám phá và học hỏi điều mới mẻ. Trong IELTS Speaking, chủ đề “Describe A Time When You Were Very Curious About Something” là một đề bài phổ biến thuộc nhóm câu hỏi về trải nghiệm cá nhân và quá trình học hỏi. Đề tài này thường xuyên xuất hiện trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ năm 2022 đến nay với tần suất trung bình đến cao, đặc biệt trong quý 1 và quý 3 hàng năm. Khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai được đánh giá ở mức cao do tính phổ biến và liên quan trực tiếp đến trải nghiệm sống của mọi người.

Chủ đề này cho phép bạn chia sẻ về những khoảnh khắc bạn khao khát tìm hiểu điều gì đó, có thể là một hiện tượng tự nhiên, một lĩnh vực kiến thức mới, hoặc một câu chuyện bí ẩn. Examiner đánh giá cao khả năng kể chuyện sinh động, sử dụng từ vựng liên quan đến sự tò mò và quá trình khám phá, cũng như cách bạn thể hiện cảm xúc và động lực cá nhân.

Những gì bạn sẽ học được trong bài viết này:

• 10 câu hỏi Part 1 thường gặp về sự tò mò và học hỏi với phân tích chi tiết
• Bài mẫu Part 2 hoàn chỉnh theo 3 mức band điểm: 6-7, 7.5-8, và 8.5-9
• Phân tích sâu về tiêu chí chấm điểm và điểm khác biệt giữa các band
• 6-8 câu hỏi Part 3 về các góc độ xã hội, giáo dục và công nghệ
• Hơn 20 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm với phiên âm và ví dụ cụ thể
• Chiến lược trả lời từ góc nhìn của một IELTS Examiner chính thức
• Những lỗi phổ biến của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 là phần khởi động của bài thi, kéo dài 4-5 phút với những câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích và kinh nghiệm cá nhân. Đây là cơ hội để bạn tạo ấn tượng tốt ngay từ đầu với examiner.

Đặc điểm của Part 1:

• Câu hỏi ngắn gọn, dễ hiểu về các chủ đề quen thuộc
• Yêu cầu trả lời tự nhiên như trong cuộc trò chuyện thường ngày
• Mỗi câu trả lời nên kéo dài 2-3 câu (khoảng 15-20 giây)
• Cần mở rộng ý với lý do hoặc ví dụ cụ thể

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi ngay ở câu đầu tiên
• Bổ sung thêm lý do hoặc giải thích ở câu thứ hai
• Thêm một ví dụ hoặc chi tiết cụ thể ở câu thứ ba
• Giữ giọng điệu tự nhiên, thân thiện

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn chỉ có “Yes” hoặc “No” mà không giải thích
• Dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “bad”, “interesting” mà không có từ đồng nghĩa
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Nói quá nhanh hoặc quá chậm, không tự nhiên
• Dùng cấu trúc câu lặp đi lặp lại

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Are you a curious person?

Question 2: What kinds of things do you like to learn about?

Question 3: How do you usually find out about things that interest you?

Question 4: Did you ask many questions when you were a child?

Question 5: Do you think it’s important to ask questions?

Question 6: What was something you were curious about recently?

Question 7: Do you prefer to learn by reading or by asking people?

Question 8: Have you ever taken a course to satisfy your curiosity?

Question 9: Do you think children today are more curious than in the past?

Question 10: What do you do when you can’t find the answer to something?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Are you a curious person?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
Đây là câu hỏi Yes/No nhưng bạn cần mở rộng bằng cách giải thích mức độ tò mò của mình và đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể. Nên thừa nhận đặc điểm tính cách thật của bản thân thay vì cố tạo hình ảnh hoàn hảo.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think I am quite curious. I always want to know how things work, especially technology. For example, when I get a new phone, I like to explore all the features and settings.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, có ví dụ cụ thể về điện thoại, câu văn rõ ràng và dễ hiểu
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn đơn giản (quite, want to know, like to), cấu trúc câu cơ bản, thiếu sự đa dạng trong cách diễn đạt
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đáp ứng yêu cầu cơ bản với fluency ổn định nhưng vocabulary chưa impressive và grammar structures chưa đa dạng

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely! I’d describe myself as naturally inquisitive, especially when it comes to understanding how things function. Just recently, I found myself delving into the mechanics of AI chatbots after trying one, and I spent hours researching the underlying algorithms. I think this innate curiosity has always driven me to explore beyond surface-level knowledge.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Từ vựng tinh vi và academic (inquisitive, delving into, underlying algorithms, innate curiosity), cấu trúc đa dạng với present perfect và gerunds, ví dụ cụ thể và thời sự (AI chatbots), thể hiện suy nghĩ sâu sắc về bản thân
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tự nhiên với discourse markers phù hợp, lexical resource phong phú và precise, grammatical structures phức tạp và chính xác, ideas có chiều sâu và authentic

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• naturally inquisitive: tính tò mò tự nhiên, bẩm sinh
• delve into something: đào sâu tìm hiểu điều gì đó
• underlying algorithms: các thuật toán nền tảng
• innate curiosity: sự tò mò bẩm sinh
• drive someone to do something: thúc đẩy ai đó làm gì

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Question: What kinds of things do you like to learn about?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
Nêu rõ 1-2 lĩnh vực cụ thể bạn thích tìm hiểu và giải thích lý do. Tránh trả lời chung chung kiểu “many things” mà không có chi tiết.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I’m interested in learning about history and culture. I like watching documentaries about ancient civilizations because they are very interesting. I also enjoy learning about different countries and their traditions.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có hai lĩnh vực cụ thể (lịch sử và văn hóa), có phương pháp học (xem phim tài liệu)
• Hạn chế: Dùng từ “interesting” quá chung chung, thiếu giải thích sâu về lý do hứng thú, vocabulary còn basic
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Nội dung adequate nhưng thiếu precision và depth trong cách diễn đạt

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“I have a particular fascination with psychology and human behavior. What captivates me most is understanding why people make certain decisions or react in specific ways under pressure. I’m also drawn to linguistics, especially how languages evolve over time and how they shape our perception of reality. These subjects feed my intellectual curiosity because they’re constantly evolving fields with no definitive answers.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary sophisticated (fascination with, captivates, drawn to, shape perception, feed curiosity), giải thích rõ lý do hứng thú với depth, thể hiện critical thinking về tính chất của các lĩnh vực này, cấu trúc câu đa dạng với relative clauses và gerunds
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Thể hiện khả năng articulate complex ideas một cách fluent và coherent, vocabulary precise và idiomatic, grammar structures sophisticated

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• have a particular fascination with: có sự đam mê đặc biệt với
• captivate someone: làm say mê, lôi cuốn ai đó
• be drawn to something: bị cuốn hút bởi điều gì đó
• shape perception: định hình nhận thức
• feed one’s curiosity: nuôi dưỡng sự tò mò

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Question: How do you usually find out about things that interest you?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
Mô tả các phương pháp cụ thể bạn sử dụng để tìm hiểu thông tin, có thể kết hợp nhiều cách khác nhau và giải thích ưu nhược điểm.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I usually use the internet to search for information. I read articles on websites or watch YouTube videos. Sometimes I also ask my friends if they know about the topic I’m interested in.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Nêu được nhiều phương pháp (internet, videos, hỏi bạn bè), câu trả lời logical
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng basic (use, search, read, watch), thiếu sự so sánh giữa các phương pháp, không có personal touch
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicative và clear nhưng thiếu sophistication và personal insight

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“It really depends on the nature of the topic. For theoretical concepts, I tend to gravitate towards academic articles or specialized books because they offer in-depth analysis. However, for more practical knowledge, I find YouTube tutorials or online forums incredibly valuable since they provide hands-on demonstrations. I’m also a big advocate of reaching out to experts directly through social media platforms like LinkedIn, as first-hand insights are often more nuanced than what you’d find in published materials.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Thể hiện flexibility trong approach (depends on nature), vocabulary precise và academic (theoretical concepts, gravitate towards, in-depth analysis, hands-on demonstrations, first-hand insights), cấu trúc đa dạng với conditionals và comparisons, shows critical thinking về ưu điểm của từng phương pháp
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates sophisticated language use, logical organization, và ability to discuss abstract ideas với clarity

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• theoretical concepts: các khái niệm lý thuyết
• gravitate towards: có xu hướng nghiêng về
• in-depth analysis: phân tích chuyên sâu
• hands-on demonstrations: hướng dẫn thực hành
• first-hand insights: góc nhìn trực tiếp, kinh nghiệm thực tế
• be a big advocate of: ủng hộ mạnh mẽ điều gì

Học sinh Việt Nam tìm kiếm thông tin và học tập qua internet với máy tính xách tay

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút, trong đó bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị và ghi chú trước khi nói. Đây là phần thách thức nhất vì yêu cầu bạn duy trì câu chuyện liên tục mà không bị examiner ngắt lời.

Đặc điểm của Part 2:

• Thời gian chuẩn bị: đúng 1 phút với giấy và bút ghi chú
• Thời gian trình bày: 2-3 phút (tối thiểu 1.5 phút)
• Phải trả lời đầy đủ tất cả các bullet points trong cue card
• Nội dung phải có mạch logic, chronological order

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị: Ghi keywords cho mỗi bullet point, không viết câu đầy đủ
• Tổ chức ý theo thứ tự: Mở đầu ngắn gọn → trả lời từng bullet point → kết luận về cảm xúc
• Quản lý thời gian: Phân bổ đều cho mỗi bullet point, không dành quá nhiều thời gian cho một ý
• Sử dụng linking words: Firstly, Then, After that, Eventually, Looking back
• Mở rộng với details: WHO (ai liên quan), WHEN (khi nào), WHERE (ở đâu), HOW (như thế nào), WHY (tại sao)

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Không sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị và bắt đầu nói quá sớm
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút khiến examiner phải hỏi thêm
• Bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points
• Không có mạch kể chuyện rõ ràng, nhảy lung tung giữa các ý
• Dùng quá nhiều “and then” mà không có discourse markers đa dạng

Cue Card

Describe a time when you were very curious about something

You should say:

• What it was that you were curious about
• When and how you first became curious about it
• What you did to satisfy your curiosity
• And explain how you felt about the experience

Phân Tích Đề Bài

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

Thì động từ chính: Past Simple và Past Continuous (vì kể về sự việc đã xảy ra)

Bullet points phải cover:

1. What it was: Chủ đề, hiện tượng, hoặc vấn đề gì đã khiến bạn tò mò – cần nói rõ và cụ thể
2. When and how: Thời điểm và hoàn cảnh bạn bắt đầu tò mò – bối cảnh của câu chuyện
3. What you did: Hành động cụ thể bạn đã làm để tìm hiểu – đây là phần quan trọng nhất, nên mô tả chi tiết
4. How you felt: Cảm xúc và suy nghĩ của bạn về trải nghiệm này – phần này ghi điểm cao nhất

Câu “explain” quan trọng:
Phần “explain how you felt” là nơi bạn thể hiện khả năng reflection và emotional intelligence. Examiner đánh giá cao khi bạn không chỉ kể sự việc mà còn phân tích cảm xúc, ý nghĩa, và bài học rút ra. Đây là điểm phân biệt giữa band 7 và band 8+.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

“I’d like to talk about a time when I was very curious about how to make traditional Vietnamese coffee. This happened about two years ago when I visited a coffee shop in Hanoi.

I became curious about it when I saw the barista making coffee using a special filter. The way the coffee dripped slowly looked interesting, and I wanted to learn how to do it myself. I had always drunk instant coffee before, so this was completely new to me.

To satisfy my curiosity, I first watched some YouTube videos about Vietnamese coffee making. Then I bought a traditional coffee filter and some Vietnamese coffee beans from a local market. I practiced making coffee at home many times. At first, it was quite difficult because I didn’t know the right amount of coffee to use or how long to wait. I also asked my mother, who is good at making Vietnamese coffee, to teach me some tips. She showed me how to pour the hot water correctly and how to wait for the right time.

I felt really happy when I finally learned how to make good Vietnamese coffee. It was satisfying to understand the process and to be able to make my own coffee. I think this experience taught me that being curious and willing to learn new things can make life more interesting. Now I enjoy making Vietnamese coffee for my friends and family.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có logic flow với first, then, at first, finally. Một số hesitation nhẹ nhưng không ảnh hưởng nhiều. Linking words basic nhưng adequate
Lexical Resource	6-7	Vocabulary functional và clear (traditional filter, dripped slowly, instant coffee) nhưng chưa sophisticated. Paraphrase hạn chế (curious xuất hiện nhiều lần)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Sử dụng past simple chính xác, có một số complex sentences (when I saw, because I didn’t know) nhưng chủ yếu là simple và compound sentences
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear và understandable, word stress đúng trọng tâm, intonation tự nhiên

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
• ✅ Có mạch kể chuyện rõ ràng theo trình tự thời gian
• ✅ Ví dụ cụ thể và relatable (Vietnamese coffee)
• ✅ Kết luận có reflection về bài học

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary repetitive và chưa impressive
• ⚠️ Grammar structures không đa dạng, chủ yếu past simple
• ⚠️ Thiếu emotional depth trong phần feelings
• ⚠️ Có thể ngắn hơn 2 phút nếu nói với tốc độ bình thường

📝 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 became utterly fascinated by the concept of lucid dreaming. This is the phenomenon where you become aware that you’re dreaming while still in the dream state, and can potentially control the dream’s narrative.

My curiosity was sparked one evening when I was scrolling through a science documentary on Netflix. The program featured a segment on consciousness and dream research, showing people who could manipulate their dreams at will. What struck me most was that this wasn’t science fiction – it was a documented psychological phenomenon that anyone could learn. I found myself captivated by the idea that we spend roughly a third of our lives sleeping, yet most people never tap into this potential.

To delve deeper into the subject, I took a rather systematic approach. Initially, I devoured several books on the topic, particularly “Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming” by Stephen LaBerge. I also joined online forums where practitioners shared their experiences and techniques. The most hands-on part was keeping a dream journal – every morning for three months, I’d immediately write down whatever I could remember from my dreams. I practiced reality checks throughout the day, like trying to push my finger through my palm, which supposedly transfers into dreams and helps trigger awareness. I even experimented with different sleep schedules and meditation techniques to increase my chances of achieving lucidity.

Looking back, I felt an incredible sense of intellectual excitement throughout this journey. What made it particularly rewarding was the gradual progress – after about six weeks, I experienced my first brief lucid dream, which was absolutely exhilarating. Beyond the curiosity itself, this experience taught me the value of methodical exploration and patience. It showed me that even seemingly abstract or esoteric subjects can be approached scientifically and systematically. I’m still pursuing this interest occasionally, and it’s opened up a whole new dimension of self-awareness for me.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Smooth flow với sophisticated linking (Initially, What struck me most, Looking back). Ít hesitation, coherence tốt với clear progression
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range với collocations tự nhiên (sparked curiosity, delve deeper, devoured books, tap into potential). Paraphrase hiệu quả
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Complex structures đa dạng (relative clauses, conditionals, passive voice). Accurate với minimal errors
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear với natural stress và intonation patterns

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“interesting”, “new to me”, “difficult”	“utterly fascinated”, “sparked”, “captivated”, “esoteric”
Grammar	“I became curious when I saw…”	“What struck me most was that this wasn’t science fiction…”
Ideas	Học làm cà phê – practical và đơn giản	Lucid dreaming – abstract, intellectual, và systematic approach
Details	“watched YouTube, asked mother”	“systematic approach, dream journal, reality checks, meditation”
Reflection	“taught me being curious is good”	“value of methodical exploration, opened up new dimension of self-awareness”

Tương tự như describe a person you know who is very optimistic, khi kể về trải nghiệm tò mò, việc thể hiện emotional journey và personal growth sẽ giúp bạn ghi điểm cao hơn đáng kể so với chỉ liệt kê các sự kiện khô khan.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

“I’d like to recount a period about eighteen months ago when I found myself consumed by curiosity about the intricate workings of the human microbiome – essentially, the vast ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that inhabit our bodies and play a crucial role in everything from digestion to mental health.

This fascination was ignited rather unexpectedly when I was recovering from a bout of food poisoning. My doctor prescribed antibiotics, but also cautioned me about disrupting my gut flora and recommended probiotics. This seemingly simple interaction triggered a cascade of questions in my mind: If bacteria in our gut could be both harmful and beneficial, what exactly determined which type thrived? How did these microscopic organisms communicate with our brain? And perhaps most intriguingly, could manipulating our microbiome hold the key to treating conditions previously thought to be purely genetic or neurological?

What followed was nothing short of an intellectual odyssey. I approached this with the rigor of someone conducting personal research. First, I immersed myself in scientific literature, reading peer-reviewed papers on platforms like PubMed and Google Scholar. I was particularly drawn to research on the gut-brain axis and the emerging field of psychobiotics. To gain more nuanced perspectives, I attended several online webinars hosted by microbiologists and reached out via email to a professor at Hanoi University of Science, who graciously shared some unpublished findings from her lab. I even went so far as to experiment with dietary modifications, keeping meticulous records of how different foods affected my energy levels and mood, effectively treating myself as a case study – though I fully acknowledge this wasn’t scientifically rigorous.

Reflecting on this experience, what I felt was a profound sense of intellectual vitality – that rare feeling when you’re genuinely expanding your understanding of something fundamental yet previously taken for granted. The most revelatory aspect was recognizing how interconnected biological systems are; it shattered my previous compartmentalized view of the body as separate, independent systems. There was also a humbling dimension to it all – the more I learned, the more I realized how much remains unknown even to experts in the field. This journey reinforced my belief that curiosity isn’t just about seeking answers, but about developing comfort with complexity and ambiguity. It’s transformed the way I approach health and wellness, making me more discerning about dietary choices and more skeptical of oversimplified health claims. Even now, I continue to follow developments in microbiome research, and this curiosity has branched out into related fields like epigenetics and nutrigenomics.”

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Completely fluent với sophisticated discourse markers. Seamless transitions, complex ideas expressed effortlessly. Perfect coherence
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Exceptional range với precise, sophisticated vocabulary (ignited, cascade of questions, intellectual odyssey, meticulous records). Natural idiomatic language
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures used flexibly và accurately. Complex sentences với multiple clauses. Consistent grammatical control
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Effortless, natural với native-like features. Perfect stress, intonation, rhythm

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Không có hesitation, ideas flow naturally như một câu chuyện được kể một cách tự nhiên. Các discourse markers được sử dụng tinh tế (rather unexpectedly, what followed, reflecting on this, even now) không làm gián đoạn flow mà còn enhance coherence.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• “consumed by curiosity” thay vì “very curious” – thể hiện intensity
• “triggered a cascade of questions” – metaphor mạnh mẽ cho chuỗi suy nghĩ
• “intellectual odyssey” – literary reference nâng tầm cách diễn đạt
• “meticulous records” thay vì “careful notes” – precise và academic
• “revelatory aspect” thay vì “interesting part” – sophisticated choice

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Complex noun phrases: “the vast ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that inhabit our bodies”
• Relative clauses: “which type thrived”, “who graciously shared”
• Gerund structures: “treating myself as a case study”
• Conditional implications: “could manipulating our microbiome hold the key to…”
• Present perfect continuous: “I continue to follow developments”

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

• Không chỉ describe what happened mà còn analyze intellectual process
• Thể hiện critical thinking: “though I fully acknowledge this wasn’t scientifically rigorous”
• Meta-cognitive reflection: “curiosity isn’t just about seeking answers, but about developing comfort with complexity”
• Long-term impact: “transformed the way I approach health and wellness”

Khi phân tích cảm xúc và tác động, bài này giống như cách describe a competition you participated in thể hiện sự trưởng thành qua trải nghiệm, không chỉ dừng lại ở việc kể chuyện mà còn deeper reflection về personal development.

Sinh viên nghiên cứu tài liệu khoa học về vi sinh vật trên máy tính

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn hoàn thành phần độc thoại 2 phút, examiner thường hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn liên quan trực tiếp đến câu chuyện bạn vừa kể. Đây không phải Part 3 chính thức mà chỉ là cầu nối.

Question 1: Do you still maintain that interest now?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I do. I still read about it sometimes when I have free time, and I find it interesting to learn new things about the topic.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely. In fact, my initial curiosity has evolved into a more sustained interest. I’ve integrated what I learned into my daily routine, and I occasionally keep up with the latest research through scientific podcasts and journals. It’s become part of my intellectual landscape rather than just a passing fascination.”

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Question 2: Would you recommend others to explore that topic?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I think it’s a good topic to learn about because it’s useful and interesting for everyone.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“I would, but with a caveat – it depends on whether they have a genuine inclination toward that type of subject matter. The beauty of curiosity is that it’s inherently personal, and what captivates one person might not resonate with another. That said, I think everyone should pursue at least one intellectual passion outside their professional field – it enriches life in ways that transcend practical utility.”

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 là phần thảo luận hai chiều về các vấn đề trừu tượng và rộng hơn liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Đây là phần khó nhất, yêu cầu bạn phân tích, so sánh, và đưa ra quan điểm có chiều sâu.

Thời gian: 4-5 phút

Đặc điểm:

• Câu hỏi mang tính xã hội, văn hóa, giáo dục
• Yêu cầu critical thinking và analytical skills
• Không còn về personal experience mà về general trends và opinions
• Examiner có thể challenge hoặc probe deeper vào câu trả lời của bạn

Yêu cầu:

• Phân tích nhiều góc độ của vấn đề (pros and cons, past vs. present, etc.)
• Đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ chặt chẽ
• Support với examples từ xã hội, không chỉ cá nhân
• Xem xét complexity và không nói absolute (always, never)

Chiến lược:

• Structure rõ ràng: Well/Actually (pause to think) → Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/Nuance
• Mở rộng câu trả lời: Mỗi câu trả lời nên 3-5 câu (30-45 giây)
• Sử dụng tentative language: I think, It seems, To some extent, Generally speaking
• Acknowledge complexity: “It’s not a simple issue…”, “There are multiple factors…”
• Đưa ra examples cụ thể: Studies show, In many countries, For instance

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn, chỉ 1-2 câu rồi im lặng
• Không đưa ra lý lẽ rõ ràng, chỉ nói general statements
• Thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng để discuss abstract concepts
• Không balance nhiều góc nhìn, chỉ nói một chiều
• Overuse personal examples thay vì societal examples

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Education and Learning

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Question 1: Do you think schools do enough to encourage curiosity in children?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Evaluation
• Key words: schools, encourage curiosity, children
• Cách tiếp cận: Đưa opinion trước (Yes/No/Partially) → Explain current situation → Give reasons → Suggest what could be better

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think schools try to encourage curiosity, but they don’t always do it well. Many schools focus too much on exams and tests, so students just memorize things instead of asking questions. Teachers are often too busy with the curriculum to answer all the students’ questions. I think schools should have more activities where students can explore and discover things by themselves.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Opinion → Problem → Solution, but lacks depth
• Vocabulary: Basic words (try, focus, memorize, busy)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng lacks sophistication và specific examples

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d say it’s a mixed picture. While many educational institutions pay lip service to fostering curiosity, the reality is that traditional schooling systems are often fundamentally at odds with genuine intellectual exploration. The prevailing emphasis on standardized testing and rigid curricula tends to inadvertently stifle the very curiosity educators claim to nurture. Students are frequently conditioned to seek the “right answer” rather than formulate their own questions.

That said, there are promising developments. Some progressive schools have adopted inquiry-based learning approaches where children drive their own learning through questions and projects. Montessori and Reggio Emilia pedagogies, for instance, place curiosity at the core of education. However, these remain the exception rather than the rule, particularly in countries where examination culture dominates.

To truly cultivate curiosity, schools would need to fundamentally reimagine their approach – perhaps allowing more unstructured exploration time, celebrating questions as much as answers, and training teachers to be facilitators of discovery rather than dispensers of information. In Vietnam specifically, the recent education reforms are steps in the right direction, but there’s still considerable ground to cover.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear position → Current problems → Positive examples → Balanced view → Suggestion for improvement. Shows sophisticated organization
• Vocabulary: Highly precise và academic (pay lip service, at odds with, inadvertently stifle, conditioned to seek, pedagogies, facilitators)
• Grammar: Complex structures with relative clauses, passive constructions, gerunds
• Critical Thinking: Shows nuanced understanding – acknowledges both problems và positive developments, specific về Vietnamese context

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, That said, However, To truly
• Tentative language: I’d say, tends to, would need to
• Abstract nouns: emphasis, curricula, exploration, pedagogies, reforms
• Academic collocations: pay lip service, at odds with, place at the core, ground to cover

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Question 2: Why do some people lose their curiosity as they grow older?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause and Effect / Explanation
• Key words: lose curiosity, grow older
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify multiple reasons → Explain each với examples → Consider psychological và social factors

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think people become less curious when they get older because they are busy with work and family responsibilities. They don’t have much time to learn new things. Also, when people have more experience, they might think they already know everything, so they stop asking questions. Society also expects adults to be serious and focused on practical things, not curious about everything.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Lists reasons but lacks depth in explanation
• Vocabulary: Basic (busy, don’t have time, think, expect)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question adequately nhưng lacks sophistication và psychological insight

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“This is a fascinating phenomenon with multiple underlying causes. I think the primary factor is what psychologists call cognitive closure – as we accumulate life experience, we develop mental frameworks and heuristics that make daily functioning more efficient, but paradoxically, this can make us less receptive to novel information that doesn’t fit our established worldview. We become intellectually comfortable, so to speak.

There’s also a socioeconomic dimension. Adult life often brings mounting responsibilities – careers, mortgages, childcare – that consume cognitive bandwidth. Curiosity requires mental space and energy, which become scarce commodities when you’re juggling multiple obligations. The opportunity cost of exploring something purely out of interest becomes too high.

Moreover, there’s a subtle social conditioning at play. Childhood curiosity is celebrated, but adult curiosity can be misconstrued as impracticality or lack of focus. We’re implicitly encouraged to specialize, to become experts in our field, which can inadvertently narrow our intellectual aperture.

However, I should note this isn’t inevitable – some individuals manage to retain their sense of wonder throughout life. Often, these are people who consciously prioritize learning and maintain what’s called a growth mindset. The difference lies not in circumstances but in deliberate cultivation of curiosity as a lifelong value.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Multiple causes explored with depth → Psychological → Economic → Social → Counter-example showing it’s not universal
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (cognitive closure, heuristics, paradoxically, cognitive bandwidth, misconstrued, intellectual aperture)
• Grammar: Advanced structures (what psychologists call, which can make, which become)
• Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis, acknowledges exceptions, uses psychological terminology appropriately

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic references: “what psychologists call”, “called a growth mindset”
• Cause-effect language: underlying causes, this can make, brings mounting responsibilities
• Hedging language: often, can be, tend to, I should note
• Metaphorical language: cognitive bandwidth, intellectual aperture, mental space

Khi thảo luận về sự phát triển cá nhân theo thời gian, cách tiếp cận này có điểm tương đồng với How to talk about a time you had to learn from a mistake in IELTS Speaking trong việc phân tích psychological và developmental aspects của human behavior.

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Theme 2: Technology and Information

Question 3: How has the internet changed the way people satisfy their curiosity?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and Contrast (past vs. present), Impact Analysis
• Key words: internet, changed, satisfy curiosity
• Cách tiếp cận: Describe past → Describe present → Analyze positive changes → Acknowledge negative aspects → Overall assessment

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“The internet has made it much easier for people to find information. In the past, people had to go to libraries or ask experts to learn about things. Now, they can just search on Google and get answers immediately. This is very convenient and saves a lot of time. However, not all information on the internet is reliable, so people need to be careful about what they read.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Past vs. Present comparison, but surface level
• Vocabulary: Basic (easier, go to, search, convenient, reliable)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses the question but lacks depth and sophistication

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

“The internet has fundamentally revolutionized the landscape of knowledge acquisition in ways that are both empowering and problematic. Perhaps the most dramatic shift is the democratization of information – what was once the exclusive domain of academic institutions and libraries is now accessible at our fingertips. This has lowered the barriers to entry for intellectual exploration across virtually every field.

The immediacy is particularly striking. Whereas previous generations might have spent days or weeks tracking down obscure information through interlibrary loans or correspondence, we can now instantaneously access scholarly articles, expert forums, and multimedia resources. This has accelerated the pace of learning and enabled serendipitous discoveries through hyperlinks and algorithmic recommendations.

However, this abundance comes with significant caveats. The internet has created what some researchers call “the illusion of knowledge” – the ability to quickly Google something can make us conflate access with understanding. We might skim superficially across multiple sources without engaging deeply with any single one. There’s also the proliferation of misinformation, which means curiosity can lead us down rabbit holes of pseudoscience and conspiracy theories if we lack critical evaluation skills.

On balance, I’d argue the internet has been net positive for curiosity, but it’s also shifted the skill set required. Intellectual curiosity now demands not just the desire to know, but also digital literacy, source evaluation, and perhaps most crucially, the discipline to engage with complexity rather than settling for easily digestible soundbites. The tool itself is neutral – it’s how we wield it that determines whether our curiosity is truly satisfied or merely superficially indulged.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Masterful organization – transformation described → benefits → drawbacks → balanced conclusion with nuance
• Vocabulary: Exceptional precision (democratization, serendipitous, proliferation, pseudoscience, conflate, wield)
• Grammar: Full range with embedded clauses, conditionals, contrasts
• Critical Thinking: Sophisticated analysis showing both sides, introduces research concepts, makes philosophical distinction

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Question 4: Do you think there’s such a thing as too much information?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion on Abstract Concept
• Key words: too much information
• Cách tiếp cận: Define the concept → Give opinion → Explain when/how it becomes “too much” → Real-world implications

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

“Absolutely, and this is an increasingly pressing concern in our digital age. The concept of “information overload” isn’t just a colloquial expression – it’s a well-documented psychological phenomenon where excessive data impairs rather than enhances decision-making and understanding.

The problem manifests in several ways. First, there’s paralysis by analysis – when confronted with overwhelming amounts of information, people often struggle to synthesize it into actionable knowledge, or simply become decision-fatigued. We see this in everything from trivial choices like selecting a product on e-commerce sites with thousands of reviews, to more consequential decisions about health or investments.

Second, the sheer volume of information creates what I’d call “attention fragmentation.” Our curiosity becomes scattered rather than focused. We might start researching one topic, get sidetracked by tangential links, and end up down a completely different rabbit hole, absorbing snippets but retaining little depth. This superficial engagement contradicts the very essence of meaningful curiosity, which requires sustained attention and deep processing.

There’s also a psychological toll. Studies suggest constant information consumption, particularly of news and social media, can lead to anxiety and a distorted perception of reality, since negative information tends to propagate faster than positive content – this is known as “mean world syndrome.”

The antidote, I believe, lies not in restricting access to information, but in cultivating what might be called “curated curiosity” – being intentional and selective about what we choose to explore deeply. It’s about quality over quantity, and developing the metacognitive skill of knowing when you have sufficient information to satisfy a particular curiosity versus when you’re simply consuming for consumption’s sake. In essence, too much information becomes a problem when it eclipses understanding, and the solution is mindful curation rather than indiscriminate consumption.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear yes with immediate concept definition → Multiple dimensions explained (paralysis, fragmentation, psychological) → Solution-oriented conclusion
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (colloquial expression, manifests, tangential, propagate, metacognitive, indiscriminate)
• Grammar: Complex sentence structures với precision
• Critical Thinking: References psychological concepts, balances problem với solution, shows deep reflection

Người dùng bối rối trước lượng thông tin khổng lồ trên nhiều thiết bị điện tử

Theme 3: Society and Cultural Perspectives

Question 5: Are people in your country generally encouraged to ask questions and be curious?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cultural Analysis + Evaluation
• Key words: your country, encouraged, ask questions, curious
• Cách tiếp cận: Describe cultural context → Historical/educational factors → Current trends → Personal observation

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“In Vietnam, I think it depends on the situation. In traditional culture, children are taught to respect elders and teachers, so sometimes asking too many questions is considered rude. In school, students usually listen to teachers and don’t ask many questions. But nowadays, this is changing because younger people are more open and teachers encourage students to participate more in class.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Situational answer, some cultural context
• Vocabulary: Basic (depends, respect, considered, changing, encourage)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Relevant response but lacks depth in cultural analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

“This is a nuanced question because Vietnam presents an interesting cultural paradox. Traditionally, Vietnamese society has been heavily influenced by Confucian values, which emphasize hierarchical relationships and deference to authority – particularly toward elders, teachers, and those in positions of knowledge. Within this framework, excessive questioning could be perceived as challenging authority or implying inadequacy in the teacher’s explanation, which runs counter to the concept of “saving face” that’s deeply embedded in Asian cultures.

This manifests particularly in educational settings, where rote learning has historically predominated. Students are often socialized to absorb and replicate information rather than interrogate its premises. The Vietnamese proverb “học trò hay hơn thầy là nhà suy” – roughly translated as “when the student surpasses the teacher, the house falls into decline” – encapsulates this traditional mindset that discourages overt questioning.

However, there’s a generational shift underway. The post-Đổi Mới generation, particularly those exposed to Western educational philosophies through international schools or overseas study, are challenging these norms. There’s growing recognition in educational reform circles that critical thinking and inquiry-based learning are essential for Vietnam’s knowledge economy ambitions. Some progressive institutions are now explicitly cultivating questioning skills.

That said, the transition is uneven. Urban, cosmopolitan environments like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City show more openness, while more traditional or rural settings still adhere to conventional hierarchies. It’s also domain-specific – curiosity about technology and business is generally celebrated, while questioning in areas touching social norms or authority structures remains somewhat taboo.

So to directly answer, I’d say Vietnamese culture is in a transitional phase – moving toward greater encouragement of curiosity, but still grappling with deep-seated cultural patterns that can inhibit questioning, particularly in formal or hierarchical contexts.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptional organization – traditional context → specific manifestations → current changes → geographical/domain variations → nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated cultural terminology (paradox, deference, rote learning, encapsulates, post-Đổi Mới, domain-specific, taboo)
• Grammar: Complex structures showing advanced control
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates deep cultural understanding, historical context, acknowledges complexity và ongoing changes, uses Vietnamese language reference appropriately

Đối với những ai quan tâm đến describe a cultural performance you attended, việc hiểu rõ cultural context trong communication patterns như phân tích trên sẽ giúp bạn có cái nhìn sâu sắc hơn về Vietnamese cultural dynamics.

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Question 6: Do you think curiosity is more important in some professions than others?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Comparison across categories
• Key words: curiosity, important, professions
• Cách tiếp cận: Initial opinion → Examples of professions where it’s crucial → Counterargument → Balanced conclusion

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

“While I believe curiosity is a valuable trait across virtually all professions, it’s undeniably more central to certain fields than others. The distinction lies in whether the profession fundamentally requires continuous learning and innovation, or whether it’s primarily execution-focused.

Research and creative fields obviously place curiosity at their very core. Scientists, for instance, are literally in the business of asking questions – their entire methodology revolves around hypothesis generation, which stems from curiosity about unexplained phenomena. Similarly, artists, writers, and designers rely on curiosity to push boundaries and challenge conventions. Without that intrinsic drive to explore, these professions would stagnate.

However, I’d argue that even in traditionally procedural professions, curiosity has become increasingly vital in our rapidly evolving world. Take accounting, often stereotyped as routine and rule-based. With the advent of AI and automation, accountants who are merely technically proficient face obsolescence, while those curious about emerging technologies, data analytics, and their application to financial strategy remain highly valuable. The same principle applies to fields like law, medicine, or engineering – curiosity about best practices, emerging research, or innovative methodologies separates exceptional practitioners from merely competent ones.

That said, there are contexts where excessive curiosity might be counterproductive. In high-stakes, time-sensitive situations – emergency surgery, firefighting, or crisis management – adherence to established protocols often supersedes exploratory thinking. Curiosity has its place in these fields during training and preparation, but in the moment, disciplined execution takes priority.

On the whole, though, I believe we’re moving toward an era where curiosity is becoming a meta-skill – valuable not just within specific professions but as a fundamental capacity for adapting to change, which is increasingly the defining challenge of modern professional life across all sectors.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated argumentation – initial position → supporting examples → acknowledgment of exceptions → nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Precise professional terminology (execution-focused, hypothesis generation, obsolescence, counterproductive, meta-skill)
• Grammar: Advanced structures with embedded clauses
• Critical Thinking: Shows ability to think across multiple domains, considers exceptions, forward-looking perspective

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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
inquisitive	adj	/ɪnˈkwɪzətɪv/	tò mò, hay hỏi	She has an inquisitive mind that never stops asking questions.	naturally inquisitive, intellectually inquisitive, inquisitive nature
fascination	n	/ˌfæsɪˈneɪʃn/	sự say mê, mê hoặc	His fascination with astronomy began in childhood.	have a fascination with, endless fascination, growing fascination
delve into	phrasal verb	/delv ˈɪntuː/	đào sâu, tìm hiểu kỹ	I decided to delve into the history of ancient civilizations.	delve deeper into, delve into details
spark curiosity	phrase	/spɑːrk ˌkjʊriˈɒsəti/	khơi dậy sự tò mò	The documentary sparked my curiosity about marine biology.	spark interest, spark questions
insatiable	adj	/ɪnˈseɪʃəbl/	không thể thỏa mãn, vô hạn	She has an insatiable appetite for knowledge.	insatiable curiosity, insatiable thirst for knowledge
intellectual pursuit	phrase	/ˌɪntəˈlektʃuəl pəˈsjuːt/	sự theo đuổi trí tuệ	Reading philosophy is one of his intellectual pursuits.	engage in intellectual pursuits, various intellectual pursuits
broaden horizons	idiom	/ˈbrɔːdn həˈraɪznz/	mở rộng tầm nhìn	Traveling abroad broadened my horizons significantly.	broaden one’s mind, broaden perspectives
contemplate	v	/ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/	suy ngẫm, trầm tư	I spent hours contemplating the meaning of life.	contemplate deeply, contemplate questions
profound	adj	/prəˈfaʊnd/	sâu sắc, thâm thúy	The lecture had a profound impact on my thinking.	profound understanding, profound effect, profound questions
cognitive	adj	/ˈkɒɡnətɪv/	thuộc về nhận thức	Curiosity stimulates cognitive development in children.	cognitive abilities, cognitive processes
inquiry-based	adj	/ɪnˈkwaɪəri beɪst/	dựa trên tìm hiểu, khám phá	The school uses inquiry-based learning methods.	inquiry-based approach, inquiry-based research
unravel	v	/ʌnˈrævl/	làm sáng tỏ, giải mã	Scientists are trying to unravel the mysteries of dark matter.	unravel mysteries, unravel secrets
stimulate	v	/ˈstɪmjuleɪt/	kích thích, khuyến khích	Reading diverse materials stimulates intellectual curiosity.	stimulate thinking, stimulate interest
empirical	adj	/ɪmˈpɪrɪkl/	dựa trên thực nghiệm	He preferred empirical evidence over theoretical arguments.	empirical research, empirical data
phenomenon	n	/fəˈnɒmɪnən/	hiện tượng	The Northern Lights are a fascinating natural phenomenon.	strange phenomenon, social phenomenon
absorb information	phrase	/əbˈzɔːb ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃn/	hấp thụ thông tin	Children absorb information like sponges.	absorb knowledge, quickly absorb
critical thinking	phrase	/ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/	tư duy phản biện	The course develops students’ critical thinking skills.	develop critical thinking, apply critical thinking
intriguing	adj	/ɪnˈtriːɡɪŋ/	hấp dẫn, thú vị	The research revealed some intriguing findings.	intriguing question, intriguing possibility
epiphany	n	/ɪˈpɪfəni/	sự ngộ ra, khoảnh khắc hiểu ra	I had an epiphany about how the system works.	sudden epiphany, moment of epiphany
meticulous	adj	/məˈtɪkjələs/	tỉ mỉ, cẩn thận	She kept meticulous records of her experiments.	meticulous attention, meticulous research

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
scratch beneath the surface	tìm hiểu sâu hơn bề mặt	I wanted to scratch beneath the surface and understand the real causes.	7.5-9
go down a rabbit hole	đi sâu vào nghiên cứu một cách say mê	I went down a rabbit hole researching ancient languages.	7.5-8
food for thought	điều đáng suy nghĩ	The lecture provided plenty of food for thought.	7-8
pique someone’s interest	khơi gợi sự quan tâm của ai	The article piqued my interest in neuroscience.	7.5-8.5
intellectual odyssey	hành trình trí tuệ	My research became an intellectual odyssey lasting years.	8.5-9
whet one’s appetite	kích thích sự thèm muốn	The introduction whetted my appetite for more knowledge.	7.5-8.5
burning question	câu hỏi bức thiết	I had a burning question about how the universe began.	7-8
open up a can of worms	mở ra một loạt vấn đề phức tạp	My initial question opened up a can of worms.	7.5-8
at the cutting edge	ở tiên phong, tân tiến nhất	The research was at the cutting edge of the field.	7.5-8.5
shed light on	làm sáng tỏ, giải thích	The study shed light on previously unexplained phenomena.	7-8
the tip of the iceberg	chỉ là phần nổi của tảng băng	What I learned was just the tip of the iceberg.	7-8
feed one’s mind	nuôi dưỡng trí tuệ	Reading diverse subjects feeds my mind constantly.	7.5-8

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ, tạo cảm giác tự nhiên
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi muốn đưa ra góc nhìn hơi khác hoặc unexpected
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn thể hiện sự chân thành trong ý kiến
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách mềm mại để đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân
• 📝 From my perspective,… – Nhấn mạnh đây là góc nhìn cá nhân
• 📝 Looking at it from another angle,… – Khi muốn đưa ra cách nhìn khác

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, hơn nữa
• 📝 What’s more,… – Ngoài ra, thêm nữa
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến, không nói đến
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài điều đó ra
• 📝 Additionally,… – Thêm vào đó (formal hơn)
• 📝 Furthermore,… – Hơn nữa (academic tone)

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác…
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Mặc dù đúng là… chúng ta cũng cần xem xét…
• 📝 Having said that,… – Tuy nhiên, mặc dù đã nói như vậy
• 📝 That said,… – Như đã nói, tuy nhiên
• 📝 To be fair,… – Để công bằng thì…
• 📝 By the same token,… – Theo cùng logic đó

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, xét tất cả
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, xét cho cùng
• 📝 In the final analysis,… – Khi phân tích cuối cùng
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Cuối cùng, về căn bản
• 📝 To sum up,… – Tóm lại
• 📝 On balance,… – Xét về tổng thể, cân nhắc kỹ

Để thể hiện mức độ chắc chắn:

• 📝 I’m fairly certain that… – Tôi khá chắc rằng
• 📝 I strongly believe… – Tôi tin chắc rằng
• 📝 It seems to me that… – Dường như với tôi
• 📝 I’d venture to say… – Tôi dám nói rằng
• 📝 To some extent,… – Ở một mức độ nào đó
• 📝 Generally speaking,… – Nói chung thì

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

• Formula: If + Past Perfect, would/could + base verb (present result of past condition)
• Ví dụ: “If I hadn’t become curious about psychology, I wouldn’t be studying it at university now.”

Inversion for emphasis:

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle…, subject + would have…
• Ví dụ: “Had I not stumbled upon that article, I would never have discovered my passion for astrophysics.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:

• Formula: Subject + , which/who + verb + ,
• Ví dụ: “My curiosity about ancient civilizations, which began in childhood, has shaped my academic path.”

Reduced relative clauses:

• Formula: Subject + participle phrase
• Ví dụ: “The questions arising from my research led me to explore new fields.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive:

• Formula: It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that curiosity declines with age, though research suggests otherwise.”

Passive with modal verbs:

• Ví dụ: “Curiosity can be cultivated through specific educational practices.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-cleft for emphasis:

• Formula: What + subject + verb + is/was…
• Ví dụ: “What really captivated me about the subject was its interdisciplinary nature.”

It-cleft:

• Formula: It + be + emphasized element + that…
• Ví dụ: “It was the complexity of human behavior that sparked my curiosity.”

5. Inversion Structures:

After negative adverbials:

• Ví dụ: “Never have I been so curious about a topic as when I first learned about quantum physics.”
• “Seldom do people realize how important curiosity is for innovation.”

6. Participle Clauses:

Present participle:

• Ví dụ: “Being naturally curious, I couldn’t resist researching the phenomenon further.”

Past participle:

• Ví dụ: “Driven by curiosity, I spent months investigating the mystery.”

7. Subjunctive Mood:

For suggestions/importance:

• Formula: It is important/essential/vital that + subject + base verb
• Ví dụ: “It is essential that education systems encourage students to ask questions.”

Một ví dụ chi tiết về việc áp dụng các cấu trúc này trong bài nói là khi bạn kết hợp multiple advanced structures như trong describe a weekend that you enjoyed, nơi grammar complexity được tích hợp tự nhiên vào narrative flow.

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Bài viết này cung cấp một framework toàn diện để bạn chuẩn bị cho chủ đề “Describe a time when you were very curious about something” trong IELTS Speaking. Hãy nhớ rằng, điểm số cao không chỉ đến từ việc thuộc từ vựng hay template, mà từ khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ một cách tự nhiên, linh hoạt để thể hiện ý tưởng có chiều sâu. Hãy thực hành thường xuyên, ghi âm câu trả lời của mình, và phân tích để cải thiện từng ngày. Chúc bạn đạt band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking!