Chủ đề về việc nhận được lời khen bất ngờ là một trong những đề tài thú vị và khá phổ biến trong IELTS Speaking Part 2. Từ kinh nghiệm chấm thi của tôi, đây là dạng câu hỏi xuất hiện với tần suất trung bình đến cao trong các kỳ thi từ 2020 đến nay, đặc biệt trong quý 1 và quý 3 hàng năm. Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế được ghi nhận, chủ đề “compliment” hoặc “praise” xuất hiện khoảng 3-4 lần mỗi năm dưới nhiều góc độ khác nhau.
Điều đặc biệt của chủ đề này là nó yêu cầu thí sinh không chỉ kể lại một câu chuyện cá nhân mà còn phải thể hiện cảm xúc, phản ứng và suy nghĩ sâu sắc về trải nghiệm đó. Nhiều học viên Việt Nam thường gặp khó khăn khi miêu tả cảm xúc bằng tiếng Anh một cách tự nhiên và chân thực.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:
- Các câu hỏi Part 1 liên quan đến lời khen và sự đánh giá cao
- Cue card chi tiết với bài mẫu từ Band 6-7 đến Band 8.5-9
- Phân tích sâu về cách nâng band điểm thông qua từ vựng và cấu trúc
- Câu hỏi Part 3 về văn hóa khen ngợi và tác động xã hội
- Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ thiết yếu kèm cách sử dụng
- Chiến lược xử lý tình huống từ góc nhìn của một Examiner
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Tổng Quan Về Part 1
Part 1 kéo dài khoảng 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi về đời sống hàng ngày và sở thích cá nhân. Với chủ đề compliments, examiner thường hỏi về thói quen khen ngợi, phản ứng khi nhận lời khen, và văn hóa trong gia đình hoặc xã hội bạn.
Chiến lược quan trọng nhất là trả lời tự nhiên với 2-3 câu, tránh học thuộc template. Mỗi câu trả lời nên bao gồm: direct answer, reason/explanation, và một example ngắn gọn nếu phù hợp.
Lỗi phổ biến của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn kiểu “Yes, I do” rồi im lặng
- Dùng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “nice” lặp đi lặp lại
- Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
- Ngữ điệu đơn điệu, thiếu sự nhiệt tình
Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp
Question 1: Do you often give compliments to others?
Question 2: What kinds of compliments do Vietnamese people usually give?
Question 3: Do you feel embarrassed when receiving compliments?
Question 4: Is it important to praise children when they do well?
Question 5: How do you react when someone compliments you?
Question 6: Do you prefer receiving compliments in private or in public?
Question 7: Have compliments ever motivated you to work harder?
Question 8: Do you think people in your country are generous with compliments?
Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết
Question: Do you often give compliments to others?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời trực tiếp có hay không
- Giải thích tần suất và trong hoàn cảnh nào
- Đưa ra lý do tại sao bạn làm vậy hoặc không làm vậy
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I try to give compliments quite often, especially to my close friends and family members. I think it’s important to let people know when they do something good because it makes them feel happy and appreciated.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Có direct answer rõ ràng, giải thích được lý do cơ bản
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn đơn giản (good, happy), thiếu ví dụ cụ thể, chưa có personal touch
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời adequate và coherent nhưng thiếu sophistication trong vocabulary và ideas. Grammar đơn giản với các cấu trúc cơ bản.
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“I’d say I’m fairly generous with compliments, particularly when I notice someone’s genuine effort or improvement. For instance, just yesterday I praised my colleague for her meticulous attention to detail on a project we’re working on. I believe acknowledging people’s strengths not only boosts their confidence but also fosters a more positive atmosphere in any relationship or workplace.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng collocations tự nhiên (generous with compliments, genuine effort, meticulous attention to detail), có ví dụ cụ thể với context rõ ràng, thể hiện suy nghĩ sâu sắc về impact của compliments
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tốt với hesitation markers tự nhiên (I’d say), vocabulary range rộng và precise, grammar đa dạng (participle phrases, compound structures), ideas sophisticated với cause-effect reasoning
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- generous with compliments: hào phóng với lời khen, hay khen ngợi
- genuine effort: nỗ lực chân thành
- meticulous attention to detail: sự chú ý tỉ mỉ đến chi tiết
- boost someone’s confidence: tăng cường sự tự tin của ai đó
- foster a positive atmosphere: nuôi dưỡng bầu không khí tích cực
Question: Do you feel embarrassed when receiving compliments?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời về cảm giác thật của bạn
- Giải thích tại sao có cảm giác đó (cultural background, personality)
- Có thể đề cập đến sự thay đổi theo thời gian
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Sometimes I do feel a bit uncomfortable when people compliment me, especially if it’s in front of many people. I think it’s because in Vietnamese culture, we are taught to be modest and not show off. But I always say thank you politely.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Đề cập đến yếu tố văn hóa, có explain về cultural background
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng về cảm xúc còn hạn chế (uncomfortable, modest), thiếu depth trong việc phân tích cultural aspect
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Communication effective nhưng vocabulary range còn limited, ideas đã có cultural awareness nhưng chưa develop fully
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“To be honest, I used to feel quite self-conscious when receiving compliments, particularly in public settings. It’s partly rooted in Vietnamese cultural values where humility is highly regarded, and there’s an implicit expectation not to appear boastful. However, I’ve gradually learned to graciously accept praise by simply expressing genuine gratitude rather than downplaying my achievements. I’ve come to realize that deflecting compliments can sometimes undermine the giver’s sincerity and make the situation more awkward.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary về emotions và cultural concepts rất precise (self-conscious, humility, implicit expectation), có sự phát triển ý tưởng (used to → now), critical thinking về impact của việc từ chối lời khen
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency xuất sắc với các linking phrases tự nhiên, lexical resource sophisticated với academic collocations, grammar structures đa dạng (present perfect continuous, passive voice), ideas nuanced với personal development narrative
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- self-conscious: e thẹn, ngại ngùng
- rooted in cultural values: bắt nguồn từ giá trị văn hóa
- humility is highly regarded: sự khiêm tốn được đánh giá cao
- implicit expectation: kỳ vọng ngầm hiểu
- graciously accept praise: nhận lời khen một cách tao nhã
- downplay achievements: hạ thấp thành tựu của bản thân
- deflecting compliments: từ chối/né tránh lời khen
- undermine the giver’s sincerity: làm giảm đi sự chân thành của người khen
Question: Is it important to praise children when they do well?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Đưa ra opinion rõ ràng
- Giải thích benefits của việc khen ngợi
- Có thể đề cập đến potential drawbacks để show balanced view
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I think it’s very important to praise children when they achieve something. This helps them feel confident and encourages them to continue working hard. My parents often praised me when I was young, and it really motivated me to study better.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Opinion rõ ràng, có personal example, có logic explanation
- Hạn chế: Ideas còn basic, vocabulary đơn giản (confident, working hard), không có nuanced view
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate communication với clear position, nhưng thiếu depth và sophistication trong analysis
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Absolutely, I believe positive reinforcement plays a crucial role in child development. When children receive genuine, specific praise for their efforts rather than just outcomes, it cultivates a growth mindset and intrinsic motivation. However, it’s worth noting that excessive or unwarranted praise can be counterproductive, potentially leading to inflated self-esteem or fear of failure. The key is to strike a balance, acknowledging genuine achievement while also teaching resilience when things don’t go as planned. Research has shown that process-oriented praise like ‘I’m proud of how hard you worked’ is far more effective than trait-oriented praise like ‘You’re so smart.'”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary academic và precise, có balanced view với both sides, reference đến research, phân biệt types of praise
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Exceptional lexical resource với technical terms, complex ideas với nuanced understanding, sophisticated grammar với multiple clause structures, critical thinking rõ rệt
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- positive reinforcement: sự củng cố tích cực
- play a crucial role: đóng vai trò then chốt
- cultivate a growth mindset: nuôi dưỡng tư duy phát triển
- intrinsic motivation: động lực nội tại
- excessive/unwarranted praise: lời khen quá mức/không xứng đáng
- inflated self-esteem: lòng tự trọng phồng lên quá mức
- process-oriented praise: lời khen hướng vào quá trình
- trait-oriented praise: lời khen hướng vào đặc điểm bẩm sinh
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Tổng Quan Về Part 2
Part 2 là phần quan trọng nhất, chiếm 1 phút chuẩn bị và 2-3 phút nói liên tục. Đây là cơ hội để bạn showcase vocabulary range và storytelling skills của mình.
Với chủ đề “unexpected compliment”, bạn cần kể một câu chuyện có đầy đủ context, plot và emotional impact. Đây là dạng đề “describe an experience” nên bạn sẽ sử dụng chủ yếu thì quá khứ.
Chiến lược hiệu quả:
- Dùng đủ 1 phút để note down keywords theo từng bullet point
- Không viết câu hoàn chỉnh, chỉ ghi từ khóa để nhắc nhở
- Structure rõ ràng: Setting → Event → Reaction → Reflection
- Sử dụng vivid descriptions để câu chuyện sinh động
- Nói đủ ít nhất 1.5-2 phút
Lỗi thường gặp:
- Không sử dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị, vội vàng bắt đầu
- Nói quá ngắn (dưới 1.5 phút) vì thiếu details
- Bỏ sót bullet point cuối về “explain feelings”
- Kể chuyện thiếu coherence, nhảy từ ý này sang ý khác
Cue Card
Describe A Time When You Received A Compliment Unexpectedly
You should say:
- When and where it happened
- Who gave you the compliment
- What the compliment was about
- And explain how you felt about receiving this unexpected compliment
Phân Tích Đề Bài
- Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience/event (past memory)
- Thì động từ: Chủ yếu past tenses (past simple, past continuous, past perfect)
- Bullet points phải cover:
- When/Where: Time frame và setting cụ thể
- Who: Người khen (relationship, background)
- What: Nội dung lời khen (chi tiết, không general)
- Explain feelings: Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để ghi điểm cao – cần phân tích cảm xúc, suy nghĩ và impact
- Câu “explain” quan trọng: Phần này chiếm 30-40% bài nói và quyết định band điểm. Bạn cần explain không chỉ immediate feelings mà còn why it was unexpected, why it mattered, và lasting impact.
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7
Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút
“I’d like to talk about a time when I received an unexpected compliment from my English teacher last year. It happened during my final year at university, in December if I remember correctly.
My teacher, Ms. Linh, was quite strict and she rarely gave compliments to students. One day after our presentation class, she asked me to stay behind. I was worried because I thought I did something wrong. But surprisingly, she told me that my presentation skills had improved a lot and that I showed good leadership when working with my team.
The compliment was about my communication skills and how I helped other team members during the project. She said I was patient and explained things clearly to everyone. This was very unexpected because I always thought I was not good at public speaking and I was quite nervous during presentations.
I felt really happy and surprised when she said those words. It made me more confident about my English abilities. This compliment motivated me to continue improving my speaking skills, and it’s one of the reasons why I decided to take the IELTS exam. I still remember that moment clearly because it changed how I see myself.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 6-7 | Có sequencing rõ ràng với time markers (last year, one day, during), sử dụng basic linking words (but, because, and), story có structure nhưng transitions còn đơn giản |
| Lexical Resource | 6-7 | Vocabulary adequate với một số collocations tốt (presentation skills, public speaking, motivated me to), nhưng còn repetition (good, happy) và thiếu less common expressions |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 6-7 | Mix của simple và complex sentences, sử dụng past tenses chính xác, có một số structures như relative clause và reported speech, nhưng chưa đa dạng |
| Pronunciation | 6-7 | Giả định rõ ràng, có pausing phù hợp, word stress cơ bản chính xác |
Điểm mạnh:
- ✅ Story có đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
- ✅ Timeline và context rõ ràng
- ✅ Có emotional response và impact
- ✅ Length đủ khoảng 1.5-2 phút
Hạn chế:
- ⚠️ Vocabulary còn trong comfort zone, thiếu sophistication
- ⚠️ Descriptions chưa vivid, thiếu sensory details
- ⚠️ Feelings được express khá surface-level
- ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa demonstrate range
📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8
Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút
“I’d like to share an experience that really caught me off guard about two years ago, during my internship at a marketing agency in Ho Chi Minh City.
At that time, I was just a junior intern, basically the most inexperienced person on the team, and I was working on a social media campaign for a local coffee brand. To be honest, I felt quite overwhelmed by the whole experience because everyone around me seemed so professional and confident, while I was still finding my feet.
One afternoon, after a particularly challenging client meeting, the Creative Director, Mr. Tan, who was quite intimidating and known for his high standards, asked to speak with me privately. My heart was racing because I assumed I’d made some mistake or hadn’t met expectations. But instead, he complimented me on my creative approach to the campaign visuals and, more surprisingly, on how I’d handled client feedback during the meeting. He specifically mentioned that my ability to stay composed and think on my feet was impressive for someone at my level.
What made this compliment so unexpected was that Mr. Tan rarely praised anyone, especially interns. The whole office knew him as someone who focused on improvement rather than celebration. So hearing those words from him felt incredibly validating.
Honestly, I was stunned at first – I didn’t quite know how to respond and probably just mumbled a thank you. But as it sank in, I felt this surge of confidence that I hadn’t experienced before. It made me realize that maybe I wasn’t as out of my depth as I thought. That compliment became a turning point for me; it reinforced my belief that I could actually build a career in this field, and it’s partly why I pursued marketing after graduation.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 7.5-8 | Smooth delivery với natural hesitation markers (to be honest, honestly), excellent use của progression markers, story flows logically với clear narrative arc |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5-8 | Wide range của vocabulary (caught me off guard, finding my feet, intimidating), good collocations (handled feedback, stay composed, think on my feet), some less common phrases |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 7.5-8 | Variety của structures including participle clauses (feeling overwhelmed), relative clauses, reported speech, complex sentences, generally accurate |
| Pronunciation | 7.5-8 | Giả định clear với appropriate intonation, effective use của stress và pausing for emphasis |
So Sánh Với Band 6-7
| Khía cạnh | Band 6-7 | Band 7.5-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | “quite strict”, “improved a lot” | “intimidating”, “high standards”, “caught me off guard” |
| Grammar | “She said I was patient” | “hearing those words from him felt incredibly validating” |
| Ideas | Kể event một cách straightforward | Có buildup tension, contrast expectations, deeper emotional journey |
| Details | Basic context | Vivid descriptions của setting, people, và internal feelings |
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9
Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ
“I’d like to recount an experience that genuinely took me by surprise and has stuck with me ever since. This happened roughly three years ago when I was volunteering as an English tutor for underprivileged children in a rural community just outside Hanoi.
The context is important here – I’d been volunteering there for about six months, traveling out every Saturday to teach basic English to a group of around fifteen kids aged between eight and twelve. The conditions were quite rudimentary – we held classes in a makeshift classroom with minimal resources, and honestly, I often questioned whether I was making any real difference. The children were sweet but progress seemed painfully slow, and I frequently battled with self-doubt about my teaching abilities.
One particular Saturday, after what I considered a rather mediocre lesson where I felt I’d failed to engage the students properly, I was packing up my materials feeling somewhat dejected. That’s when a girl named Mai, who was usually quite reserved and rarely spoke up in class, approached me tentatively. She handed me a handmade card – really just a folded piece of paper with colored pencil drawings – and in halting English said: ‘Teacher, you make me believe I can have big dreams.’
I have to admit, I was completely blindsided. This wasn’t the kind of eloquent, articulate compliment you might expect; it was simple, even a bit awkward in its delivery. But that’s precisely what made it so profoundly moving. Here was a child from a family struggling to make ends meet, living in circumstances where educational opportunities were scarce, telling me that our basic English lessons had ignited something in her.
The emotional impact was overwhelming. I felt this peculiar mixture of humility and joy – humility because I realized I’d been so fixated on tangible metrics of success, like test scores or perfect pronunciation, that I’d completely overlooked the more intangible but infinitely more valuable impact of simply showing up consistently and believing in these kids. And joy because her words made me understand that sometimes the most meaningful contributions we make are the ones we’re least conscious of.
That moment fundamentally altered my perspective not just on teaching, but on the nature of impact itself. It taught me that we often underestimate the influence of our actions, especially when we’re caught up in our own insecurities and perceived shortcomings. Mai’s unexpected words of appreciation reminded me that authenticity and dedication often resonate more deeply than technical perfection, and that genuine connection can transcend language barriers and resource limitations.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 8.5-9 | Effortlessly fluent với sophisticated discourse markers, narrative có clear progression với excellent pacing, ideas developed fully với natural digressions that add depth |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5-9 | Exceptional range với precise, nuanced vocabulary (rudimentary, mediocre, dejected, tentatively, blindsided), idiomatic expressions used naturally (stuck with me, make ends meet, caught up in), collocations sophisticated và varied |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 8.5-9 | Full range của structures used accurately và flexibly: participle constructions, complex relative clauses, cleft sentences, inversion, mixed conditionals implied in reflection, zero errors |
| Pronunciation | 8.5-9 | Giả định effortless với native-like features, exceptional control của intonation patterns for emphasis và emotion, strategic pausing for dramatic effect |
Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc
🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Câu chuyện được kể với pacing tự nhiên, có những pauses để reflect và emphasize key moments. Không có forced transitions – mọi thứ flows naturally như đang share một meaningful story với friend.
📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
- “took me by surprise” vs “surprised me” – more sophisticated expression
- “rudimentary conditions” vs “basic conditions” – shows academic register
- “painfully slow” – adverb adds emotional intensity
- “blindsided” – powerful metaphorical verb showing complete unexpectedness
- “intangible but infinitely more valuable” – complex modification showing nuanced thinking
- “least conscious of” – philosophical depth
📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
- Participle clauses: “traveling out every Saturday”, “feeling somewhat dejected”
- Cleft sentence: “that’s precisely what made it so profoundly moving”
- Complex relative clause: “a child from a family struggling to make ends meet, living in circumstances where…”
- Inversion implied: “rarely spoke up” (literary style)
- Noun clauses as subjects: “the most meaningful contributions we make are the ones we’re least conscious of”
💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Không chỉ kể story mà còn reflect deeply về meaning của experience. Có contrast giữa expectations và reality, có philosophical insight về nature of impact, và lasting lessons learned. Story có emotional arc hoàn chỉnh.
🎭 Storytelling Excellence:
- Setup: Establishes context với vivid details
- Build-up: Creates tension với self-doubt và perceived failure
- Climax: The unexpected compliment
- Reflection: Deep analysis của meaning
- Resolution: Lasting impact và lessons learned
Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)
Examiner thường hỏi 1-2 câu ngắn sau khi bạn kết thúc Part 2 để transition sang Part 3:
Question 1: Have you stayed in touch with that person?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I have. We still keep in contact through social media and sometimes meet up when I visit the area.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Actually, I have. Mai and I have maintained contact over the years, primarily through social messaging apps. She’s now in secondary school and her English has improved remarkably. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness her continued progress and to know that our paths crossed at such a pivotal moment in her educational journey.”
💡 Key expressions: maintained contact, remarkably, pivotal moment, educational journey
Question 2: Do you think that compliment changed you in any way?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, definitely. It made me more confident about volunteering and teaching. I realized that small actions can have big impacts.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Undoubtedly. That encounter fundamentally reshaped my understanding of what it means to make a difference. It taught me to look beyond immediate, measurable outcomes and appreciate the subtle, long-term influence we can have on others. I’d say it made me more mindful and present in my interactions, rather than constantly second-guessing my effectiveness.”
💡 Key expressions: reshaped my understanding, look beyond immediate outcomes, subtle long-term influence, second-guessing
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Tổng Quan Về Part 3
Part 3 là phần thử thách nhất, kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi trừu tượng và phức tạp hơn. Examiner muốn test khả năng phân tích, so sánh, đưa ra opinion có lý lẽ, và thảo luận về societal issues.
Với chủ đề compliments, Part 3 thường expand sang các góc độ như: văn hóa khen ngợi trong xã hội, tác động tâm lý, sự khác biệt giữa các thế hệ, và vai trò trong giáo dục/công việc.
Yêu cầu quan trọng:
- Trả lời dài hơn Part 1 (3-5 câu thành đoạn)
- Phân tích nhiều góc độ của vấn đề
- Sử dụng examples từ society, không chỉ personal
- Show critical thinking và nuanced understanding
- Acknowledge complexity của issues
Chiến lược hiệu quả:
- Bắt đầu với discourse marker (Well, Actually, That’s an interesting question…)
- Structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + support → Reason 2 + support → Conclusion/Nuance
- Sử dụng tentative language để sound thoughtful (I would say, It seems to me, To some extent)
- Compare/contrast khi phù hợp
- Admit khi topic is complex hoặc có multiple perspectives
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn, chỉ 1-2 câu như Part 1
- Không develop ideas với reasons và examples
- Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic
- Chỉ đưa ra một góc nhìn, không balanced
- Oversimplify complex issues
Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu
Theme 1: Cultural Aspects of Giving Compliments
Question 1: Do you think there are cultural differences in how people give and receive compliments?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Compare and contrast different cultures
- Key words: cultural differences, give and receive
- Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge differences exist → Give specific examples from different cultures → Explain underlying reasons → Conclude with implication
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I think different cultures have different ways of giving compliments. In Western countries, people are very direct and open with compliments. They say nice things easily. But in Asian cultures like Vietnam, people are more careful and modest. We don’t give or receive compliments as openly because we don’t want to seem like we’re showing off. For example, when someone compliments a Vietnamese person, they usually say something like ‘no, it’s nothing special’ instead of just saying thank you.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Có comparison giữa Western và Asian cultures, có example
- Vocabulary: Basic descriptors (direct, careful, modest) nhưng thiếu sophistication
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Ideas relevant và coherent nhưng lack depth trong analysis. Không explain underlying cultural values. Vocabulary adequate nhưng không academic.
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Absolutely, and I think these differences are quite profound and deeply rooted in contrasting cultural values. In individualistic societies, particularly in North America, compliments tend to be explicit, frequent, and enthusiastically received. There’s a cultural norm that acknowledging one’s achievements is not only acceptable but encouraged, as it reflects confidence and self-worth.
In contrast, many collectivist Asian cultures, including Vietnamese society, operate on principles of modesty and group harmony. Deflecting compliments is often seen as a sign of humility rather than false modesty. When someone praises you, the expected response might involve downplaying your contribution or attributing success to others – your team, your family, or even luck. This stems from Confucian values that emphasize humility and warn against standing out from the group.
Interestingly, these patterns are evolving, particularly among younger, more globally-minded generations who’ve been exposed to Western media and international perspectives. They’re more comfortable receiving praise graciously without the automatic self-deprecating response. However, this cultural adaptation can sometimes create intergenerational tensions, where older family members might view such behavior as overly assertive or lacking in proper humility.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Well-organized với clear progression: Western culture → Asian culture → Evolution → Implications
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (profound, deeply rooted in, explicit, deflecting, self-deprecating, intergenerational tensions)
- Grammar: Complex structures with multiple clauses, participle phrases, relative clauses
- Critical Thinking: Shows understanding của underlying values, acknowledges change over time, identifies tensions
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: Absolutely, In contrast, Interestingly
- Tentative language: tend to be, might involve, can sometimes create
- Abstract nouns: individualism, collectivism, modesty, humility, harmony
- Academic collocations: deeply rooted in, stems from, cultural adaptation
Question 2: Why do you think some people find it difficult to accept compliments?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Cause and effect / Explanation
- Key words: difficult to accept, why
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify multiple reasons → Explain each with psychological/social basis → Provide examples → Conclude
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think there are several reasons. First, some people have low self-esteem, so they don’t believe the compliment is true. They think people are just being polite. Second, cultural background matters. As I mentioned before, in some cultures, people are taught to be humble and not accept praise easily. Also, some people worry that if they accept compliments, others will think they are arrogant or proud.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Lists multiple reasons systematically
- Vocabulary: Basic psychological terms (low self-esteem, humble, arrogant)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Ideas adequate với reasonable explanations nhưng lack psychological depth và sophisticated vocabulary
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Well, I believe this difficulty stems from a complex interplay of psychological and social factors.
Firstly, there’s the imposter syndrome phenomenon, where individuals, despite evidence of their competence, harbor deep-seated doubts about their abilities. When such people receive compliments, there’s a cognitive dissonance between the external validation and their internalized negative self-perception. They may attribute their success to luck rather than skill, making it psychologically uncomfortable to accept praise.
Secondly, past experiences play a significant role. People who’ve been subjected to criticism or conditional approval during their formative years often develop defense mechanisms against positive feedback. They might subconsciously associate compliments with subsequent disappointment or heightened expectations they fear they can’t meet.
Additionally, there’s a social dimension. In many contexts, accepting compliments can feel like violating unspoken social scripts. People worry about appearing immodest or attention-seeking, particularly in cultures or professional environments where self-promotion is frowned upon. There’s also the fear of social comparison – accepting that you’re good at something might implicitly suggest others aren’t, which can create awkwardness.
What’s particularly interesting is that this difficulty often creates a self-perpetuating cycle. The inability to accept positive feedback reinforces low self-worth, which in turn makes future compliments even harder to process. Breaking this pattern typically requires conscious effort and sometimes professional support to rewire these deeply ingrained responses.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Sophisticated organization: Introduction → Reason 1 (psychological) → Reason 2 (developmental) → Reason 3 (social) → Concluding insight about cycle
- Vocabulary: Advanced psychological terminology (imposter syndrome, cognitive dissonance, defense mechanisms, self-perpetuating cycle)
- Grammar: Full range including complex relative clauses, participle phrases, abstract noun phrases
- Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis covering psychology, sociology, development; identifies patterns and implications
💡 Key Language Features:
- Academic phrases: stems from a complex interplay, cognitive dissonance, self-perpetuating cycle
- Cause-effect language: making it uncomfortable, which can create awkwardness, in turn makes
- Hedging: I believe, might, can feel like, often
Theme 2: Impact and Importance of Praise
Question 3: How important are compliments in the workplace?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Evaluate importance / Opinion with justification
- Key words: important, workplace
- Cách tiếp cận: State position → Explain benefits → Address potential drawbacks → Conclude with balanced view
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think compliments are quite important in the workplace. When managers praise employees, it makes them feel valued and motivated to work harder. This can improve productivity and create a better working atmosphere. However, compliments should be sincere and not fake, otherwise people won’t trust them. In my experience, when my boss appreciated my work, I felt more loyal to the company and wanted to do my best.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear position với supporting points và personal example
- Vocabulary: Workplace vocabulary adequate (productivity, atmosphere, loyal)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates ideas clearly nhưng analysis không deep, vocabulary common rather than sophisticated
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“I’d argue that genuine, well-delivered compliments are absolutely essential for organizational health and employee wellbeing, though their effectiveness depends critically on how they’re implemented.
From a psychological standpoint, regular recognition fulfills fundamental human needs for validation and belonging. Research in organizational psychology consistently shows that employees who receive authentic appreciation demonstrate higher engagement levels, increased productivity, and lower turnover rates. This isn’t merely about feeling good – positive reinforcement actually activates reward centers in the brain, creating neural pathways that associate work with positive emotions, essentially wiring people for better performance.
Moreover, compliments serve as a powerful management tool for shaping organizational culture. When leaders consistently acknowledge specific behaviors and achievements, they’re implicitly communicating which values and actions the organization prioritizes. For instance, if a manager regularly praises collaborative efforts rather than just individual achievements, it signals that teamwork is valued, which can fundamentally alter how employees approach their work.
However, and this is crucial, indiscriminate or insincere praise can be counterproductive. If compliments are doled out liberally without genuine basis, they lose their currency and can even breed cynicism. Employees become attuned to hollow flattery versus meaningful recognition. The most effective approach is what psychologists call specific, timely, and proportionate feedback – praising concrete actions or outcomes soon after they occur, with enthusiasm matching the significance of the achievement.
There’s also an interesting equity dimension here. In diverse workplaces, it’s vital that recognition is distributed fairly across different demographics. Studies have shown that unconscious biases can lead to certain groups being systematically overlooked for praise, which can perpetuate inequality and create resentment. So effective praise requires not just sincerity but also mindful awareness of who’s being recognized and for what.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptional organization: Position → Psychological research → Management implications → Caveats about authenticity → Equity considerations
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated academic và professional terms (organizational health, neural pathways, counterproductive, breed cynicism, equity dimension, unconscious biases)
- Grammar: Full range expertly deployed: participle constructions, relative clauses, conditionals, cleft structures
- Critical Thinking: Multi-faceted analysis incorporating psychology, management theory, neuroscience, and social justice; acknowledges complexity and provides nuanced view
💡 Key Language Features:
- Academic citation style: “Research in organizational psychology shows”, “Studies have shown”
- Cause-effect chains: “activates reward centers… creating neural pathways… wiring people for better performance”
- Contrasting structures: “not merely about… actually”, “not just… but also”
- Hedging with strength: “I’d argue”, “critically on”, “vital that”
Question 4: Do you think people compliment each other more now than in the past?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Compare past and present / Trends
- Key words: more now than in the past
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify trend → Explain reasons for change → Discuss implications → Nuanced conclusion
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I think people give more compliments nowadays, especially young people. This is because of social media. On platforms like Facebook or Instagram, people often write nice comments under friends’ photos like ‘You look beautiful’ or ‘Great job’. In the past, people only gave compliments face-to-face, so it happened less often. However, I’m not sure if these online compliments are as meaningful as traditional ones because sometimes people just do it out of habit or politeness.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Identifies trend, gives reason (social media), questions authenticity
- Vocabulary: Basic but relevant (social media, face-to-face, meaningful, out of habit)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Answer adequate với reasonable comparison nhưng lacks depth về societal changes và detailed analysis
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“That’s a fascinating question, and I think the answer is both yes and no, depending on how we frame the concept of compliments.
On the surface, there’s undeniably been an exponential increase in the sheer volume of compliments, primarily driven by digital communication. Social media platforms have created a culture of continuous validation where affirming comments and reactions are practically expected. We’re living in an era of performative positivity where complimenting someone’s post or achievement is almost a social obligation. The low barrier to entry – just typing a few words or clicking a heart emoji – means compliments flow far more freely than when they required face-to-face interaction or even written correspondence.
However, paradoxically, I’d argue that genuine, meaningful compliments might actually be rarer than before. There’s been a kind of inflation of praise where because compliments are so ubiquitous, individual ones carry less weight. When everyone’s photos receive a flood of ‘gorgeous!’ comments, or every LinkedIn update gets generic congratulations, these affirmations can feel hollow or automatic rather than thoughtfully considered. It’s the difference between quantity and quality.
Moreover, I think there’s been a shift in the nature and purpose of compliments. Historically, compliments often served as genuine expressions of admiration or acknowledgment of achievement within close-knit communities. Today, they frequently function as social currency – ways to maintain online presence, signal allegiance to one’s social network, or even seek reciprocal validation. There’s an transactional element that wasn’t as prominent before.
That said, I don’t want to sound entirely cynical. The democratization of praise through digital platforms has also had positive ramifications. People who might have been too inhibited to compliment others face-to-face can now express appreciation more easily. Marginalized voices that historically received little recognition can now find communities that celebrate their contributions. So while the landscape has changed dramatically, whether that represents progress or decline is perhaps more nuanced than it initially appears.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Brilliant organization: Reframe question → Surface trend (increase) → Deeper analysis (quality decrease) → Nature/purpose shift → Balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Exceptional academic sophistication (exponential increase, performative positivity, ubiquitous, hollow, transactional element, democratization, marginalized voices)
- Grammar: Full mastery với complex embedding, abstract noun constructions, sophisticated conditionals
- Critical Thinking: Outstanding nuanced analysis acknowledging paradox, multiple dimensions, both positive and negative aspects; avoids oversimplification
💡 Key Language Features:
- Reframing: “depending on how we frame the concept”
- Contrasting ideas: “On the surface… However, paradoxically”
- Hedging sophisticated: “I’d argue”, “might actually be”, “perhaps more nuanced”
- Abstract conceptualization: “landscape has changed”, “social currency”, “inflation of praise”
Theme 3: Teaching and Receiving Feedback
Question 5: Should parents teach their children how to give compliments to others?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion with justification / Should question
- Key words: should parents teach, give compliments
- Cách tiếp cận: Clear position → Benefits of teaching this skill → How to teach effectively → Potential concerns → Conclusion
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, definitely. Parents should teach children to give compliments because it’s an important social skill. When children learn to say nice things to others, they become more polite and kind. It also helps them make friends more easily. Parents can teach this by being good examples – when they compliment others in front of their children, the children will learn to do the same. This is important for children’s development and their future relationships.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear position với reasons và practical suggestion
- Vocabulary: Basic terms (social skill, polite, kind, good examples)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Answer clear và relevant nhưng lacks depth về developmental psychology và sophisticated analysis về teaching methods
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Absolutely, and I’d go further to say that teaching children to give authentic, thoughtful compliments should be considered a core component of social-emotional learning, right alongside skills like empathy and conflict resolution.
The benefits are multifaceted. Firstly, learning to recognize and articulate others’ strengths helps children develop observational skills and emotional intelligence. When a child notices that their friend is good at drawing or that a classmate showed kindness, and then verbalizes that observation, they’re actively training their brain to focus on positive attributes rather than defaulting to criticism or comparison. This cognitive pattern can profoundly shape their worldview and interpersonal relationships throughout life.
Moreover, genuine appreciation is a fundamental building block of healthy relationships. Children who learn to express admiration appropriately are more likely to form meaningful connections and cultivate supportive social networks. In an era where social media often encourages superficial interactions and even cyberbullying, the ability to uplift others through sincere words becomes even more crucial.
However – and this is where parental guidance becomes critical – children need to learn the distinction between authentic compliments and empty flattery. Parents should model and teach specificity: instead of generic ‘good job’, encouraging ‘I really liked how you helped your brother without being asked’ or ‘The colors in your painting create such a cheerful feeling.’ This teaches children that effective compliments are observant, specific, and genuine, not obligatory or manipulative.
There’s also an important lesson in recognizing appropriate contexts. Children need to understand that compliments about physical appearance, while sometimes appropriate, should be balanced with appreciation for effort, character, and achievements. This helps counteract societal tendencies to overemphasize external attributes, particularly for girls.
Parents can facilitate this learning through deliberate modeling, explicit discussion, and positive reinforcement when they observe their children offering sincere praise. Family dinner conversations about ‘something nice someone did today’ or ‘someone we appreciate and why’ can make this practice routine rather than forced. The goal is to cultivate a habit of noticing and acknowledging good in others, which ultimately enriches both the giver and receiver.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptional depth: Strong position → Developmental benefits → Relationship benefits → Important distinctions (authentic vs empty) → Appropriate contexts → Practical implementation → Philosophical conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated pedagogical và psychological terms (social-emotional learning, verbalizes, cognitive pattern, cultivate, authentic vs empty flattery, deliberate modeling)
- Grammar: Complete range including complex embeddings, participle phrases, cleft sentences, abstract constructions
- Critical Thinking: Multi-layered analysis covering psychology, education theory, social development, gender considerations; provides practical applications; philosophical depth
💡 Key Language Features:
- Strong position with nuance: “Absolutely, and I’d go further to say”
- Academic framing: “core component of social-emotional learning”, “fundamental building block”
- Contrast structures: “not obligatory or manipulative”, “balanced with appreciation for”
- Process language: “actively training”, “profoundly shape”, “cultivate a habit”
Question 6: How do you think the way people respond to compliments has changed across generations?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Generational comparison / Change over time
- Key words: respond to compliments, changed, across generations
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify generational patterns → Explain underlying causes → Discuss cultural shifts → Consider implications
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think older generations and younger generations respond to compliments quite differently. Older people, like my grandparents’ generation, usually reject compliments politely. They say things like ‘Oh no, I’m not that good’ because they were taught to be very humble. But younger people today are more comfortable accepting compliments. They often just say ‘Thank you’ directly. This is probably because of Western influence and globalization. Young people see how people in other countries accept compliments on social media and movies, so they adopt similar behaviors.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear comparison with explanation for difference
- Vocabulary: Basic but appropriate (reject, humble, Western influence, globalization)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Identifies key difference và offers reasonable explanation nhưng analysis không deep về underlying cultural shifts và specific examples
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“This is quite revealing of broader societal transformations, actually. The generational divide in how people respond to compliments essentially reflects a fundamental shift in cultural values and self-perception paradigms.
If we consider the oldest living generation in Vietnam – those who lived through wartime and post-war austerity – their responses to compliments are typically characterized by vigorous deflection. This isn’t just cultural conditioning; it’s rooted in genuine historical circumstances where standing out could be dangerous, where resources were scarce and collective survival depended on subduing individual ego. For them, vehemently denying one’s accomplishments wasn’t false modesty – it was existential wisdom. The stock phrase “Dạ không, bình thường thôi ạ” (No, it’s nothing special) became almost reflexive.
The middle generation – roughly Baby Boomers and Gen X in Vietnamese context – straddles two worlds. Many received traditional upbringing emphasizing humility but also witnessed Đổi Mới (economic reforms) and the gradual opening to global influences. Their responses tend to be more nuanced: they might acknowledge a compliment but immediately redirect credit to others or circumstances. There’s a kind of compromise between traditional self-effacement and emerging individualistic values.
Now, Millennials and Gen Z display markedly different patterns. There’s been a seismic shift toward accepting compliments graciously with simple gratitude. Several factors converge here. Firstly, exposure to global, particularly Western, communication norms through media and education has normalized direct acceptance of praise. Secondly, younger generations have grown up in relative economic stability where individual achievement is celebrated rather than viewed with suspicion. Thirdly, the rise of personal branding culture – especially on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram – has reframed self-promotion from taboo to necessity.
However, I’d caution against oversimplifying this as purely Westernization. What we’re seeing is perhaps more complex: a recalibration where younger people are developing context-dependent responses. They might accept compliments confidently in professional or international settings while still deferring to traditional modesty in hierarchical or family contexts. This cultural code-switching represents sophistication rather than abandonment of values.
The implications are interesting too. This generational shift can create communication gaps – older family members might perceive younger ones’ acceptance of praise as arrogance, while younger people might find their elders’ self-deprecation unnecessarily humble or even frustrating when trying to celebrate their achievements. Navigating these differences requires mutual understanding of the historical and cultural contexts that shaped each generation’s relationship with recognition.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Masterful organization: Frames as societal transformation → Analyzes three generations separately with historical context → Adds nuance about complexity → Discusses implications
- Vocabulary: Exceptional academic range (societal transformations, generational divide, existential wisdom, seismic shift, recalibration, cultural code-switching)
- Grammar: Full mastery with sophisticated embeddings, abstract noun phrases, complex modification, varied sentence structures
- Critical Thinking: Outstanding depth incorporating history, economics, sociology, psychology; avoids stereotyping; acknowledges complexity; considers practical implications; shows cultural sensitivity
💡 Key Language Features:
- Academic framing: “reflects fundamental shift”, “rooted in”, “characterized by”
- Temporal markers: “If we consider”, “roughly”, “Now”, demonstrating clear progression
- Cautionary language: “I’d caution against”, “perhaps more complex”, showing intellectual humility
- Sociological terminology: “self-perception paradigms”, “cultural code-switching”, “hierarchical contexts”
Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng
Topic-Specific Vocabulary
| Từ vựng/Cụm từ | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| catch someone off guard | phrase | /kætʃ ˈsʌmwʌn ɒf ɡɑːd/ | làm ai đó bất ngờ, không kịp chuẩn bị | The unexpected compliment from my boss caught me completely off guard. | take/catch off guard, completely off guard |
| overwhelmed | adj | /ˌəʊvəˈwelmd/ | choáng ngợp, bị áp đảo | I felt overwhelmed by the generous praise from the entire team. | feel overwhelmed, completely/totally overwhelmed, overwhelmed with emotion |
| genuine | adj | /ˈdʒenjuɪn/ | chân thành, thực sự | Her genuine appreciation for my work meant more than any bonus. | genuine interest, genuine concern, genuine compliment, seem genuine |
| validate | v | /ˈvælɪdeɪt/ | xác nhận giá trị, công nhận | That compliment validated all the hard work I’d put into the project. | validate someone’s feelings, validate efforts, feel validated |
| boost someone’s confidence | phrase | /buːst ˈkʌnfɪdəns/ | tăng cường sự tự tin | Receiving praise from an expert really boosted my confidence. | significantly boost, help boost, boost self-confidence |
| taken aback | phrase | /ˈteɪkən əˈbæk/ | ngạc nhiên, bất ngờ (thường là pleasant surprise) | I was quite taken aback when she complimented my presentation skills. | completely/totally taken aback, taken aback by |
| acknowledge | v | /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/ | thừa nhận, công nhận | It’s important to acknowledge people’s efforts and achievements. | acknowledge contribution, acknowledge achievement, publicly acknowledge |
| downplay | v | /ˌdaʊnˈpleɪ/ | hạ thấp, giảm thiểu tầm quan trọng | In Vietnamese culture, people often downplay their accomplishments. | downplay achievements, downplay importance, tend to downplay |
| flattery | n | /ˈflætəri/ | sự nịnh hót, lời tâng bốc (không chân thành) | I could tell the difference between genuine praise and empty flattery. | empty flattery, blatant flattery, flattery vs compliment |
| self-deprecating | adj | /self ˈdeprəkeɪtɪŋ/ | hay tự hạ thấp bản thân | His self-deprecating response to the compliment was typical of his humble nature. | self-deprecating humor, self-deprecating comment/remark |
| affirm | v | /əˈfɜːm/ | khẳng định, củng cố | Compliments affirm our value and contributions to the team. | affirm someone’s worth, affirm beliefs, strongly affirm |
| uplift | v | /ʌpˈlɪft/ | nâng cao tinh thần, khích lệ | A sincere compliment can really uplift someone’s spirits. | uplift someone’s mood, uplift spirits, emotionally uplift |
| recognition | n | /ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃn/ | sự công nhận, sự đánh giá cao | The recognition from my mentor was unexpected but deeply meaningful. | public recognition, deserve recognition, receive/gain recognition |
| humility | n | /hjuːˈmɪləti/ | sự khiêm tốn | Vietnamese culture places great value on humility and modesty. | show humility, false humility, with humility |
| deflect | v | /dɪˈflekt/ | né tránh, đánh lạc hướng | Many people deflect compliments because they feel uncomfortable. | deflect attention, deflect praise, tend to deflect |
| appreciate | v | /əˈpriːʃieɪt/ | đánh giá cao, trân trọng | I really appreciate when people take time to compliment others’ work. | deeply appreciate, truly appreciate, appreciate effort |
| self-conscious | adj | /self ˈkɒnʃəs/ | tự ti, e ngại | I used to feel very self-conscious when receiving compliments in public. | feel self-conscious, become self-conscious, extremely self-conscious |
| sincere/sincerity | adj/n | /sɪnˈsɪə(r)/ /sɪnˈserəti/ | chân thành/sự chân thành | The sincerity in her voice made the compliment even more meaningful. | sincere thanks, question someone’s sincerity, with sincerity |
| articulate | v | /ɑːˈtɪkjuleɪt/ | diễn đạt rõ ràng | He articulated his appreciation for my work in very specific terms. | clearly articulate, articulate feelings, well-articulated |
| reciprocate | v | /rɪˈsɪprəkeɪt/ | đáp lại, có đi có lại | When someone compliments you, it’s natural to want to reciprocate. | reciprocate feelings, reciprocate kindness, feel obliged to reciprocate |
Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases
| Cụm từ | Nghĩa | Ví dụ sử dụng | Band điểm |
|---|---|---|---|
| make someone’s day | làm ai đó vui cả ngày | That unexpected compliment from a stranger really made my day. | 7.5-8 |
| over the moon | vô cùng vui sướng, hạnh phúc tột độ | I was over the moon when my professor praised my research paper in front of the class. | 7.5-8 |
| it meant the world to me | điều đó có ý nghĩa rất lớn với tôi | Her words of encouragement meant the world to me during that difficult time. | 7.5-8 |
| took my breath away | làm tôi ngạc nhiên/xúc động đến không nói được | The depth of his compliment about my character took my breath away. | 8-8.5 |
| stuck with me | in sâu vào tâm trí, không quên được | That compliment has stuck with me for years and still motivates me today. | 8-8.5 |
| out of the blue | bất ngờ, không báo trước | The compliment came completely out of the blue when I least expected it. | 7.5-8 |
| blow someone away | làm ai đó vô cùng ấn tượng | I was blown away by the specific details she noticed in my work. | 8-8.5 |
| second nature | thành thói quen tự nhiên | For some people, giving compliments is second nature, but for others it requires conscious effort. | 8-8.5 |
| strike a chord | chạm đến trái tim, gây xúc động | Her words struck a chord because they addressed something I’d been insecure about. | 8.5-9 |
| get a confidence boost | được tăng cường sự tự tin | I got a real confidence boost from that unexpected praise. | 7-7.5 |
| sing someone’s praises | ca ngợi ai đó nhiệt tình | My manager was singing my praises to the whole department, which was quite embarrassing. | 8-8.5 |
| go a long way | có tác dụng lớn, đi được xa | A simple compliment can go a long way in building positive relationships. | 7.5-8 |
Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)
Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:
- 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ một chút
- 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc điều gì đó surprising
- 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nói thật lòng, chân thành
- 📝 I’d say that… – Cách mềm mại để đưa ra quan điểm
- 📝 That’s an interesting question,… – Tạo thời gian suy nghĩ và thể hiện engagement
Để bổ sung ý:
- 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó (formal hơn “also”)
- 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa
- 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
- 📝 Moreover,…/Furthermore,… – Hơn thế nữa (academic)
- 📝 In addition to that,… – Thêm vào đó
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… nhưng ta cũng cần xem xét…
- 📝 Having said that,… – Tuy nhiên, sau khi nói điều đó…
- 📝 That being said,… – Dù vậy…
Để đưa ra ví dụ:
- 📝 For instance,…/For example,… – Ví dụ
- 📝 To illustrate this point,… – Để minh họa điểm này
- 📝 A case in point is… – Một ví dụ điển hình là
- 📝 Take… for example – Lấy… làm ví dụ
Để kết luận:
- 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại
- 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì
- 📝 In conclusion,… – Kết luận (formal, ít dùng trong speaking)
- 📝 Ultimately,… – Rốt cuộc thì
Để thể hiện hesitation (tự nhiên):
- 📝 Let me think… – Để tôi nghĩ…
- 📝 How should I put it? – Tôi nên diễn đạt thế nào nhỉ?
- 📝 It’s hard to say, but… – Khó nói, nhưng…
Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng
1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):
-
Mixed conditional: “If I hadn’t received that compliment years ago, I wouldn’t be pursuing this career today.”
- Công thức: If + past perfect, would + infinitive (kết hợp quá khứ và hiện tại)
-
Inversion for emphasis: “Had I known how much that compliment would impact me, I would have expressed my gratitude more fully.”
- Công thức: Had/Were + subject + verb, subject + would + verb
2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):
-
Non-defining relative clause: “My teacher, who was usually very reserved with praise, surprised everyone with her generous compliment.”
- Thêm thông tin không thiết yếu, có dấu phẩy
-
Which referring to whole clause: “She complimented my creative approach, which gave me confidence to continue innovating.”
- “Which” thay thế cho cả mệnh đề phía trước
3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):
-
It is thought/believed/said that…: “It is widely believed that authentic compliments have a lasting positive impact on self-esteem.”
- Dùng để express general opinions một cách academic
-
Being + past participle: “Being complimented in front of my peers was both embarrassing and gratifying.”
- Gerund form của passive voice
4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):
-
What I find most…, is…: “What I find most meaningful about compliments is not the praise itself but the fact that someone noticed your effort.”
- Nhấn mạnh một phần của câu
-
The thing that…, is…: “The thing that made this compliment so special was its unexpected timing.”
- Structure tương tự để emphasize
-
It was… that…: “It was her sincerity that made the compliment so memorable, not the words themselves.”
- Focus vào một element cụ thể
5. Participle Clauses (Mệnh đề phân từ):
-
Present participle: “Feeling overwhelmed by the unexpected praise, I struggled to find appropriate words to respond.”
- Thay thế cho because/when clause
-
Past participle: “Caught off guard by his compliment, I initially thought he was joking.”
- Thể hiện passive meaning
6. Inversion After Negative Adverbials:
-
Rarely/Seldom: “Rarely have I felt so validated as when she acknowledged my contribution.”
- Công thức: Negative adverb + auxiliary + subject + main verb
-
Not only… but also: “Not only did her compliment boost my confidence, but it also motivated me to help others.”
7. Subjunctive Mood:
- It is essential/important that…: “It’s essential that compliments be specific and genuine rather than generic.”
- Dùng base form của verb sau “that”
8. Fronting for Emphasis:
- Object fronting: “That unexpected compliment, I will never forget.”
- Đảo object lên đầu câu để nhấn mạnh
Chiến Lược Xử Lý Tình Huống Từ Góc Nhìn Examiner
Với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm chấm thi IELTS Speaking, tôi muốn chia sẻ một số insights thực tế về những gì examiners thực sự đánh giá và cách xử lý các tình huống khó khăn.
Khi Bạn Không Hiểu Câu Hỏi
Đừng làm:
- Đoán mò và trả lời câu hỏi khác
- Im lặng quá lâu
- Nói “I don’t understand” rồi chờ đợi
Nên làm:
- Xin examiner paraphrase: “I’m sorry, could you rephrase that question?”
- Confirm understanding: “Do you mean…?” hoặc “Are you asking about…?”
- Trả lời phần bạn hiểu và yêu cầu clarification về phần còn lại
Example handling:
Examiner: “Do you think the propensity for giving compliments varies across socioeconomic strata?”
You: “I’m sorry, could you explain what you mean by ‘socioeconomic strata’? Do you mean different income levels or social classes?”
Đây KHÔNG bị trừ điểm. Examiners expect candidates to ask for clarification khi cần.
Khi Bạn Không Có Ý Tưởng
Strategies:
-
Buy time naturally:
- “That’s an interesting question. Let me think…”
- “Well, I’ve never really thought about it in that way, but…”
- “Hmm, that’s quite complex. I suppose…”
-
Relate to something you know:
- “I don’t have direct experience with that, but from what I’ve observed…”
- “I’m not entirely sure, but if I had to guess, I’d say…”
-
Speak hypothetically:
- “I imagine it would be…”
- “If I were in that situation, I would probably…”
Example:
Question: “How do compliments function differently in professional versus personal relationships?”
You: “That’s an interesting distinction. Let me think… pause Well, I haven’t analyzed it from that angle before, but I suppose in professional settings, compliments might serve more strategic purposes – like building rapport with colleagues or encouraging team performance – whereas in personal relationships, they’re more about expressing genuine affection and appreciation without any ulterior motive. Though of course, there’s overlap between the two…”
Khi Bạn Mắc Lỗi Giữa Chừng
What to do:
-
Minor mistakes: Ignore them and continue naturally. Examiners don’t expect perfection.
-
Major mistakes affecting meaning: Self-correct quickly and move on.
- “Sorry, I meant to say…”
- “Let me rephrase that…”
-
Don’t overthink: Excessive self-correction shows lack of fluency.
Example:
“Yesterday, my boss give – sorry, gave me a compliment about my presentation. He said…” ✓
Better than: “Yesterday my boss give… oh no wait, gave, because it’s past tense, and past tense of give is gave, so my boss gave…” ✗ (too much correction)
Khi Bạn Nói Quá Ngắn (Dưới 2 Phút) Trong Part 2
Recovery strategies:
-
Add a related anecdote:
“Actually, now that I think about it, there was also another aspect to this experience…” -
Expand on feelings:
“To elaborate on how I felt, it wasn’t just happiness but more like…” -
Discuss lasting impact:
“Looking back now, I realize that moment had a bigger impact than I initially thought…” -
Compare with other experiences:
“This was quite different from other times when I received compliments because…”
Khi Examiner Ngắt Lời Bạn
Don’t worry! Examiners interrupt for these reasons:
- Time management: Part 2 has strict timing
- You’ve demonstrated sufficient ability: They’ve heard enough to assess
- Steering to different topic area: To test range
Being interrupted trong Part 2 sau 2 phút thường là good sign – bạn đã nói đủ và fluently.
Red Flags Examiners Notice
Memorized answers:
- Same intonation pattern repeated
- Unnatural vocabulary choices
- No hesitation markers
- Disconnected from actual question
How to sound authentic:
- Include natural hesitations: “um”, “let me see”, “how should I put it”
- Vary sentence length
- Self-correct occasionally
- Show thinking process: “Well, on second thought…”
What Actually Impresses Examiners
Not just fancy vocabulary! Examiners are impressed by:
- Natural, appropriate language use: Right words in right contexts
- Coherent idea development: Logical flow of thoughts
- Genuine engagement: Actually thinking about questions, not reciting
- Cultural intelligence: Thoughtful perspectives on complex issues
- Communication effectiveness: Getting your meaning across clearly
Specific Tips for Vietnamese Learners
Common issues I see:
-
Translating directly from Vietnamese thinking patterns:
- Vietnamese: Topic-prominent (focus on topic first)
- English: Subject-prominent (need clear subject)
- Practice restructuring thoughts in English patterns
-
Overusing “I think”:
- Vary with: I believe, I’d say, In my opinion, It seems to me, I reckon
-
Yes/No answers without development:
- Train yourself: Yes/No + Because + Example structure
-
Avoiding personal opinions:
- IELTS values your perspective! Don’t be afraid to disagree or present controversial views
-
Excessive modesty:
- It’s okay to speak confidently about your experiences and abilities in IELTS
Final Examiner Insights
Band 7+ candidates typically:
- Speak at natural pace (not too fast, trying to impress)
- Self-correct smoothly without dwelling on mistakes
- Use fillers naturally (“you know”, “I mean”) without overusing
- Show flexibility in discussing unexpected angles
- Demonstrate critical thinking, not just descriptions
Remember: Examiners are trained to make you feel comfortable. We want you to perform your best. We’re assessing your English ability, not trying to trick you.
The real “secret” to high bands isn’t memorizing complex vocabulary or templates – it’s developing genuine communicative competence and the confidence to use English naturally in conversation.
Lộ Trình Học Tập Hiệu Quả
Cho Học Viên Band 5-6 Muốn Lên 7
Week 1-2: Foundation Building
- Luyện trả lời 10 câu hỏi Part 1 mỗi ngày với extension (2-3 câu)
- Record và listen back để identify cải thiện
- Học 15 từ vựng mới mỗi ngày với collocations
- Practice nói về personal experiences 1-2 phút
Week 3-4: Structure Development
- Luyện 3 cue cards mỗi ngày với full 2 phút
- Focus vào coherence: sequencing, time markers, linking words
- Mở rộng vocabulary range cho emotions và descriptions
- Practice Part 3 questions với 2-minute answers
Week 5-6: Refinement
- Mock tests đầy đủ 3 parts
- Record và tự chấm theo band descriptors
- Identify patterns của lỗi riêng
- Work on pronunciation issues
- Practice với partner hoặc tutor để có feedback
Week 7-8: Polish
- Focus vào natural delivery
- Reduce hesitation về content (biết nói gì)
- Increase grammatical accuracy
- Build confidence với timed practices
- Review và consolidate vocabulary
Cho Học Viên Band 6-7 Muốn Lên 8
Focus Areas:
-
Lexical Sophistication:
- Replace common words với less common alternatives
- Use idiomatic expressions naturally
- Master collocations và academic vocabulary
- Practice paraphrasing skills
-
Grammatical Complexity:
- Incorporate advanced structures naturally
- Use conditional sentences fluently
- Master participle clauses và cleft sentences
- Reduce errors in complex structures
-
Idea Development:
- Develop critical thinking về social issues
- Practice presenting balanced arguments
- Add depth với examples from society, not just personal
- Show sophisticated understanding của complexity
-
Natural Delivery:
- Reduce over-preparation symptoms
- Use appropriate hesitation devices
- Vary intonation for emphasis
- Sound conversational, not rehearsed
Practice Routine:
Daily (30-45 minutes):
- 10 phút: Vocabulary review với usage examples
- 15 phút: Answer 3 Part 3 questions recording yourself
- 10 phút: Listen back và note improvements
- 10 phút: Read IELTS-related articles để build ideas
3x per week:
- Full mock test (11-14 phút)
- Get feedback từ teacher/study partner
- Identify specific weaknesses
- Create improvement plan
Weekly:
- Review all recordings from the week
- Note vocabulary successfully used
- Identify recurring mistakes
- Set goals for next week
Tài Nguyên Học Tập Recommended
For Practice Questions:
- IELTS-Simon.com – Realistic questions và sample answers
- IELTS Liz – Comprehensive topic coverage
- IELTS Speaking Assistant app – Topic-based practice
For Vocabulary:
- “Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS Advanced” book
- Academic Word List with collocations
- Anki flashcards với spaced repetition
For Ideas and Critical Thinking:
- BBC Learning English – 6 Minute English podcast
- TED Talks về social issues
- The Guardian opinion section
For Pronunciation:
- ELSA Speak app
- Rachel’s English YouTube channel
- Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary online
Mindset for Success
Remember:
- Progress over perfection: Aim for consistent improvement, not flawless English
- Quantity builds quality: Speak regularly, even if imperfectly
- Mistakes are data: Each error shows you what to improve
- Authentic > Impressive: Natural communication beats forced vocabulary
- Confidence is earned: Through preparation and practice, not wishful thinking
IELTS Speaking success comes from sustainable practice habits, not cramming. Dedicate 30-45 phút mỗi ngày thường hiệu quả hơn 4-5 giờ ngày trước thi.
Chúc bạn học tốt và đạt được band điểm mục tiêu! Remember, the skills you build preparing for IELTS Speaking will serve you far beyond the test – they’re real communicative competence you’ll use throughout your academic and professional life.
