IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời “Describe A Live Sports Match That You Have Watched” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề thể thao luôn là một trong những topic phổ biến và được yêu thích nhất trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking. Đặc biệt, đề bài yêu cầu mô tả một trận đấu thể thao trực tiếp mà bạn đã xem không chỉ xuất hiện thường xuyên ở Part 2 mà còn mở ra nhiều hướng thảo luận sâu sắc ở Part 3 về văn hóa thể thao, sức khỏe cộng đồng và vai trò của các sự kiện thể thao trong xã hội hiện đại.

Theo thống kê từ các nguồn đề thi thực tế trên IELTS-blog.com và ieltsliz.com, chủ đề về trận đấu thể thao trực tiếp xuất hiện với tần suất khá cao, khoảng 3-4 lần mỗi quý trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ 2022 đến 2024. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao, đặc biệt trong bối cảnh các sự kiện thể thao lớn như World Cup, Olympic hay các giải đấu khu vực đang thu hút sự chú ý toàn cầu.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được cách trả lời đầy đủ và tự tin cho cả ba phần thi Speaking với chủ đề này. Cụ thể, bạn sẽ có trong tay các câu hỏi thường gặp nhất từ đề thi thực tế, bài mẫu chi tiết theo từng band điểm 6-7, 7.5-8 và 8.5-9 với phân tích chuyên sâu từ góc nhìn của examiner, kho từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm giúp bạn ghi điểm cao, cùng với các chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả được rút ra từ hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm chấm thi. Bài viết cũng chỉ ra những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục chúng một cách thực tế nhất.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 của IELTS Speaking kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích và kinh nghiệm cá nhân. Đây là phần khởi động giúp bạn làm quen với examiner và tạo ấn tượng ban đầu tốt. Chiến lược hiệu quả nhất là trả lời tự nhiên, mở rộng mỗi câu trả lời với 2-3 câu bao gồm câu trả lời trực tiếp, lý do và một ví dụ cụ thể.

Học viên Việt Nam thường mắc phải một số lỗi điển hình trong Part 1. Lỗi đầu tiên là trả lời quá ngắn gọn, chỉ dừng lại ở Yes/No hoặc một câu đơn giản mà không mở rộng thêm ý. Lỗi thứ hai là sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản, lặp đi lặp lại các từ như “good”, “nice”, “interesting” mà không thể hiện được vốn từ vựng phong phú hơn. Lỗi thứ ba là thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân, khiến câu trả lời trở nên chung chung và thiếu tính thuyết phục.

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Dưới đây là các câu hỏi Part 1 thường gặp nhất liên quan đến chủ đề thể thao và xem trận đấu, được tổng hợp từ các đề thi thực tế:

Question 1: Do you like watching sports?

Question 2: What sports are popular in your country?

Question 3: Have you ever been to watch a live sports match?

Question 4: Do you prefer watching sports on TV or at the stadium?

Question 5: Did you play any sports when you were younger?

Question 6: Do you think sports are important for children?

Question 7: What’s your favorite sport to watch?

Question 8: How often do you watch sports?

Question 9: Do you like playing sports or watching sports more?

Question 10: Are there any sports facilities near your home?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you like watching sports?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

Đây là câu hỏi yes/no cơ bản nhưng bạn cần mở rộng bằng cách trả lời trực tiếp, giải thích lý do tại sao thích hoặc không thích, và đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể về môn thể thao bạn thường xem.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I do enjoy watching sports, especially football. I usually watch matches on weekends with my friends. It’s exciting to see the players compete and score goals.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Câu trả lời rõ ràng, có đề cập đến môn thể thao cụ thể (football) và thói quen xem (weekends, with friends). Có sử dụng từ “exciting” để thể hiện cảm xúc.
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn đơn giản (enjoy, exciting, compete), cấu trúc câu khá basic, thiếu chi tiết cụ thể hơn về lý do tại sao lại thích.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời đáp ứng được yêu cầu cơ bản với độ dài phù hợp và có mở rộng ý, nhưng chưa thể hiện được lexical resource và grammatical range đa dạng.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Absolutely! I’m quite passionate about watching sports, particularly football and basketball. There’s something truly captivating about the adrenaline rush you get when watching a close match, especially during crucial moments like penalty shootouts or last-minute goals. I find that it’s not just about the game itself, but also the sense of camaraderie you share with fellow fans, whether you’re at the stadium or watching at home with friends.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng từ vựng nâng cao và đa dạng (passionate about, captivating, adrenaline rush, sense of camaraderie). Cấu trúc câu phức tạp hơn với mệnh đề quan hệ và cụm từ mở rộng. Thể hiện được chiều sâu suy nghĩ khi không chỉ nói về trận đấu mà còn về khía cạnh xã hội của việc xem thể thao.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tốt với các linking words tự nhiên (particularly, especially, whether…or). Vocabulary sophisticated với các collocations chính xác. Grammar đa dạng với cấu trúc There’s something…about, not just…but also. Pronunciation cần tự nhiên và clear với stress đúng trọng âm.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• passionate about: say mê, đam mê điều gì đó
• captivating: hấp dẫn, cuốn hút
• adrenaline rush: cảm giác hồi hộp, phấn khích mạnh
• sense of camaraderie: tinh thần đồng đội, sự gắn kết

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Question: Have you ever been to watch a live sports match?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

Câu hỏi về kinh nghiệm trong quá khứ, cần dùng thì quá khứ đơn. Nếu có kinh nghiệm, hãy kể ngắn gọn về trận đấu đó (khi nào, môn gì, ở đâu). Nếu chưa có, giải thích lý do và có thể nói về mong muốn trong tương lai.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I have. Last year, I went to see a football match at the national stadium. It was between two local teams and the atmosphere was very exciting. Everyone was cheering loudly and I really enjoyed the experience.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Câu trả lời có cấu trúc logic, đề cập được thời gian (last year), địa điểm (national stadium), và cảm nhận (exciting, enjoyed). Sử dụng thì quá khứ đơn chính xác.
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng vẫn ở mức basic (exciting, cheering, enjoyed), thiếu detail cụ thể về bầu không khí hay cảm xúc sâu sắc hơn. Câu văn còn ngắn và đơn giản.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate vocabulary và grammar đúng, nhưng chưa impressive. Thiếu các cụm từ chuyên về thể thao hay mô tả cảm xúc tinh tế hơn.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Yes, definitely! About six months ago, I had the privilege of attending a V.League match at Thống Nhất Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City. The electric atmosphere was absolutely mind-blowing – the roar of the crowd, the chanting and drumming from the supporters, and the palpable tension during close plays made it an unforgettable experience. What struck me most was how different it felt compared to watching on TV; being there in the flesh gave me a much deeper appreciation for the skill and athleticism of the players.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary rất rich với các từ và cụm từ sophisticated (privilege, electric atmosphere, mind-blowing, palpable tension, in the flesh). Cấu trúc phức tạp với mệnh đề danh từ (What struck me most…). Detail cụ thể về địa điểm thực tế (Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, V.League) tăng tính authentic. So sánh với xem TV thể hiện critical thinking.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates full control của language với natural flow. Lexical resource xuất sắc với topic-specific vocabulary và idiomatic expressions. Grammatical structures đa dạng và accurate. Ideas được develop well với sensory details.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• privilege: đặc quyền, vinh dự
• electric atmosphere: bầu không khí sôi động, đầy năng lượng
• mind-blowing: choáng ngợp, ấn tượng mạnh
• palpable tension: sự căng thẳng có thể cảm nhận được
• in the flesh: tận mắt, trực tiếp (không qua màn hình)

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Question: Do you prefer watching sports on TV or at the stadium?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

Đây là câu hỏi so sánh, bạn cần chọn một phương án rõ ràng (hoặc có thể nói “it depends”), sau đó đưa ra ít nhất 2 lý do hỗ trợ quan điểm của mình. Nên đề cập đến cả ưu điểm của lựa chọn bạn thích và nhược điểm của lựa chọn còn lại để thể hiện khả năng phân tích.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I prefer watching sports at the stadium because the atmosphere is much better than at home. You can feel the energy from the crowd and it’s more exciting. However, watching on TV is more comfortable and you can see the replays clearly.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có so sánh rõ ràng, đưa ra được lý do (atmosphere, energy, comfort, replays). Sử dụng “however” để nối hai ý tương phản, cho thấy khả năng nhìn nhận nhiều góc độ.
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary còn limited (better, exciting, comfortable), thiếu các cụm từ chuyên ngành hơn. Lý do chưa được elaborate đầy đủ với examples cụ thể.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Structure cơ bản tốt với comparison, nhưng development chưa sâu. Cần thêm specific details và advanced vocabulary để đạt band cao hơn.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

I’d have to say I have a strong preference for watching matches live at the stadium, even though it comes with its own inconveniences like travel time and ticket costs. The immersive experience you get from being surrounded by thousands of passionate fans simply can’t be replicated on a screen. The collective energy, the spontaneous eruption of cheers, and even the shared disappointment during tense moments create a sense of being part of something bigger. That said, I do appreciate the convenience and comfort of watching at home when I’m pressed for time, plus the close-up replays and expert commentary can really enhance your understanding of the tactical aspects of the game.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Balanced answer thể hiện critical thinking tốt, acknowledging cả hai phương án. Vocabulary xuất sắc (immersive experience, spontaneous eruption, collective energy, being part of something bigger). Grammar complex với mệnh đề nhượng bộ (even though), cụm danh từ (the immersive experience you get), và parallel structures. Ideas được develop fully với specific benefits của mỗi option.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Shows sophisticated control của language với natural expressions. Coherence tốt với discourse markers (That said, plus). Demonstrates ability to compare and contrast hiệu quả. Personal voice rõ ràng nhưng vẫn objective.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• strong preference for: thích cái gì đó hơn rất nhiều
• immersive experience: trải nghiệm đắm chìm, sống động
• spontaneous eruption of cheers: tiếng reo hò bùng nổ tự nhiên
• being part of something bigger: cảm giác được là một phần của điều gì đó lớn lao hơn
• enhance your understanding: nâng cao hiểu biết của bạn

Sinh viên Việt Nam xem trực tiếp trận bóng đá tại sân vận động với bầu không khí sôi động

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 3-4 phút, bao gồm 1 phút chuẩn bị và 2-3 phút trình bày không bị ngắt. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để bạn thể hiện khả năng nói dài, duy trì fluency và sử dụng ngôn ngữ đa dạng. Khi người ta nói về describe a journey you took by public transport, điều quan trọng là biết cách tận dụng tối đa thời gian chuẩn bị.

Chiến lược hiệu quả nhất là sử dụng đúng 1 phút để ghi chú các keywords chứ không phải viết câu hoàn chỉnh. Bạn cần lưu ý những điểm chính như: tên sự kiện, thời gian, địa điểm, ai tham gia, điều gì xảy ra, và cảm xúc của bạn. Đừng cố gắng viết script vì bạn sẽ không có đủ thời gian và việc đọc thuộc sẽ làm mất điểm tự nhiên.

Hãy nhớ nói đủ 2 phút, tối thiểu là 1.5 phút. Nếu nói dưới thời gian này, examiner sẽ nghĩ bạn thiếu ideas hoặc khả năng develop topic. Đảm bảo trả lời đầy đủ tất cả các bullet points trong cue card vì mỗi điểm là một cơ hội để bạn ghi điểm.

Đối với câu chuyện trong quá khứ như trận đấu bạn đã xem, hãy sử dụng thì quá khứ làm chủ đạo, nhưng có thể xen kẽ hiện tại khi nói về cảm xúc hiện tại hoặc đánh giá. Học viên Việt Nam thường mắc lỗi không sử dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị, nói quá ngắn (dưới 1.5 phút), hoặc bỏ sót các bullet points quan trọng.

Cue Card

Describe A Live Sports Match That You Have Watched

You should say:

• What the match was
• When and where you watched it
• Who you watched it with
• And explain how you felt about this sports match

Phân Tích Đề Bài

Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an event/experience – kể về một sự kiện thể thao cụ thể trong quá khứ

Thì động từ: Chủ yếu dùng quá khứ đơn và quá khứ tiếp diễn để kể chuyện, có thể dùng hiện tại khi nói về cảm xúc hiện tại hoặc general statements

Bullet points phải cover:

• What the match was: Môn thể thao gì, đội nào đấu với đội nào, giải đấu gì
• When and where: Thời gian cụ thể và địa điểm (sân vận động, quán café, nhà bạn…)
• Who you watched it with: Một mình hay với ai (bạn bè, gia đình, đồng nghiệp…)
• How you felt: Cảm xúc trước, trong và sau trận đấu – đây là phần quan trọng nhất

Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất vì examiner muốn nghe bạn phân tích cảm xúc và ý nghĩa của trải nghiệm này. Đừng chỉ nói “I felt happy” mà hãy giải thích WHY you felt that way, WHAT made it memorable, và HOW it impacted you. Càng có depth trong explanation, band điểm càng cao.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about a football match I watched last year. It was the final match of the national championship between two popular teams in Vietnam.

I watched this match at a local café near my house with some of my close friends. It was on a Saturday evening, around 7 PM, and the café was completely packed with fans. Everyone was wearing their team colors and the atmosphere was really exciting.

The match itself was very intense. Both teams played really well and the score was tied for most of the game. In the last ten minutes, one team scored a dramatic goal and everyone in the café started cheering loudly. Some people even jumped up from their seats. The energy in the room was incredible.

I felt extremely excited throughout the match. My heart was beating fast during the close moments, especially near the end. When the winning goal was scored, I felt both happy and relieved because the team I was supporting won. It was a memorable experience because watching sports with other fans makes it much more enjoyable than watching alone at home. The shared excitement and the collective reactions of the crowd made it unforgettable. Even now, when I think about that evening, I still remember how thrilling it was.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có flow tốt với linking words cơ bản (It was, When, Even now). Các ý được organize theo thứ tự logic. Tuy nhiên chưa có nhiều discourse markers sophisticated và một vài chỗ có thể hesitate khi tìm từ
Lexical Resource	6-7	Sử dụng vocabulary phù hợp với topic (final match, intense, dramatic goal, beating fast, relieved). Có một số collocations tốt (completely packed, shared excitement, collective reactions) nhưng vẫn còn lặp lại một số từ (really, exciting)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix được các thì (past simple, past continuous). Có một số câu phức (when…, because…) nhưng chủ yếu là simple và compound sentences. Ít complex structures
Pronunciation	6-7	Pronunciation cần clear và có thể hiểu được. Stress đúng ở các từ quan trọng. Intonation phù hợp với ý nghĩa

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả các bullet points trong cue card
• ✅ Có structure rõ ràng: introduction → context → description → feelings
• ✅ Đủ thời lượng (khoảng 1.5-2 phút khi nói với tốc độ bình thường)
• ✅ Vocabulary relevant và appropriate cho topic

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary chưa đủ sophisticated, thiếu idioms và advanced expressions
• ⚠️ Grammar structures còn đơn giản, thiếu relative clauses phức tạp, conditional sentences
• ⚠️ Explanation về feelings chưa đủ depth, chưa analyze thoroughly why it was memorable

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to describe a thrilling football match I had the pleasure of watching live last year, which turned out to be one of the most memorable sporting experiences of my life.

The match was the V.League Cup final between Hanoi FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC, two arch-rivals in Vietnamese football. I attended this match in October 2023 at Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi, which has a capacity of around 40,000 spectators. I went with a group of my university friends, all of whom are passionate football enthusiasts like myself.

What made this experience particularly special was the electrifying atmosphere from the moment we entered the stadium. The stands were a sea of red and blue – the colors of the two competing teams. Fans were chanting team songs, waving massive banners, and the energy was absolutely palpable. Throughout the 90 minutes, the match was nail-bitingly close. Both teams demonstrated exceptional skill and tactical prowess, with the score remaining 1-1 until the final minutes. Then, in the 88th minute, Hanoi FC scored a stunning goal that sent half the stadium into absolute euphoria.

Honestly, my emotions were all over the place during this match. Before it started, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness, wondering if my team would perform well. During the game, especially during close calls and near-misses, my adrenaline was through the roof. The moment that winning goal went in, I experienced this incredible rush of joy – I was jumping, hugging my friends, and cheering at the top of my lungs along with thousands of other fans.

What struck me most was how this experience created such a strong sense of connection with complete strangers. Everyone in our section was united by a common passion, and that collective emotional journey – from tension to triumph – was something truly special. Tương tự như describe a time when you attended a traditional ceremony khi bạn cảm nhận được sự gắn kết cộng đồng, trải nghiệm này đã củng cố niềm tin của tôi rằng watching sports live isn’t just about the game itself, but about being part of something bigger than yourself.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Flow xuất sắc với minimal hesitation. Sử dụng discourse markers tự nhiên (What made this special, Honestly, What struck me most). Cohesive devices đa dạng (which, from…to…, then) tạo coherence tốt
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Vocabulary phong phú và precise (arch-rivals, electrifying atmosphere, palpable, nail-bitingly close, tactical prowess, absolute euphoria). Có idiomatic expressions (through the roof, all over the place, at the top of my lungs) và collocations chính xác
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety tốt với complex sentences, relative clauses (which turned out, which has a capacity, wondering if), participles (remaining 1-1, wondering if). Sử dụng thì chính xác và đa dạng
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear pronunciation với natural stress và intonation patterns. Chunking appropriate tạo natural flow

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“exciting”, “intense”, “dramatic goal”	“electrifying atmosphere”, “nail-bitingly close”, “tactical prowess”, “absolute euphoria”
Grammar	Simple past + some compound sentences: “The match was very intense. Both teams played well.”	Complex structures with participles and clauses: “Throughout the 90 minutes, the match was nail-bitingly close, with the score remaining 1-1 until the final minutes.”
Ideas	“I felt excited… it was memorable because watching with others is more fun”	“My emotions were all over the place… this created a sense of connection… that collective emotional journey from tension to triumph was truly special” – more analytical và reflective

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to recount what I consider to be an absolutely riveting sporting experience – attending the Southeast Asian Games football final between Vietnam and Thailand in May 2023, a match that has stayed with me ever since for multiple compelling reasons.

The match took place at the state-of-the-art Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi on a balmy evening. I was fortunate enough to secure tickets through a friend who works in sports journalism, and I attended with my father, who’s been a lifelong football aficionado. This was particularly meaningful as we’d been talking about attending a major match together for years, so it felt like we were finally ticking off a shared bucket list item.

What truly set this experience apart was the sheer magnitude of the occasion. This wasn’t just any match – it was steeped in decades of sporting rivalry between two nations. The stadium was packed to the rafters with over 40,000 spectators, and the atmosphere could only be described as absolutely electric. From the moment we took our seats, we were immersed in a sensory overload – the deafening chants echoing around the stadium, the sea of red and gold flags creating this mesmerizing visual spectacle, and the palpable tension you could almost cut with a knife.

The match itself was nothing short of spectacular. Both teams displayed extraordinary technical ability and tactical sophistication. What made it particularly gripping was how evenly matched the teams were – for 90 minutes, the score remained goalless, with both sides creating opportunities but failing to convert. The tension was almost unbearable. Every near-miss sent ripples of collective groans through our half of the stadium. Then, in the dying moments of extra time, Vietnam scored, and the stadium absolutely erupted. It’s hard to put into words the sheer pandemonium that followed – grown men were openly weeping with joy, strangers were embracing each other, and the noise level was off the charts.

Looking back, what resonates with me most isn’t just the victory itself, but the profound sense of communal experience it created. In that moment, social barriers dissolved – it didn’t matter what anyone did for a living or where they came from. We were all connected by this shared emotional journey. There’s something incredibly powerful about experiencing such raw, unfiltered emotion with thousands of others. Tương tự như khi các describe a famous personality in your country fans tụ tập để ủng hộ thần tượng của mình, the collective energy at that match was absolutely transformative.

Moreover, sharing this with my father added another layer of significance. I saw a side of him I rarely see – completely uninhibited, jumping and celebrating like a teenager. It strengthened our bond in a way that ordinary conversations never could. Even now, months later, we still occasionally reminisce about that evening, and it never fails to bring smiles to our faces. The experience reinforced my belief that live sporting events offer something that no amount of high-definition television can replicate – that irreplaceable feeling of being present for a historic moment.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Fluency hoàn hảo, natural và effortless. Discourse markers sophisticated (Looking back, Moreover, Even now). Logical progression xuất sắc từ description → analysis → reflection. Không có hesitation
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Vocabulary exceptionally precise và varied (riveting, steeped in rivalry, packed to the rafters, sensory overload, mesmerizing visual spectacle, cut with a knife, dying moments, sheer pandemonium, openly weeping, off the charts). Natural idiomatic language (ticking off, stayed with me, resonates with me). Collocations hoàn hảo
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures: complex conditionals, passive constructions (was steeped in, was packed to), participle clauses (looking back, sharing this), relative clauses. Perfect control với zero errors. Natural use của inversion (What truly set this apart, What made it particularly gripping)
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Native-like pronunciation với perfect stress, intonation và rhythm. Natural chunking và pausing. Emphasis được đặt chính xác để highlight key points

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:

Bài nói demonstrates complete fluency với zero hesitation. Speaker tự tin mở rộng ideas một cách tự nhiên, không bị gián đoạn hay tìm kiếm từ ngữ. Transitions giữa các ý mượt mà và logical, tạo ra một narrative cohesive và engaging. Việc sử dụng các discourse markers như “Looking back”, “Moreover”, “Even now” cho thấy khả năng structure thoughts một cách sophisticated.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

Ví dụ: “steeped in decades of sporting rivalry” – cụm từ này sophisticated hơn nhiều so với “there was a long history of competition”. “Steeped in” là một collocation advanced thể hiện something deeply rooted và permeated với một quality nào đó. “Packed to the rafters” – idiom này vivid và expressive hơn nhiều so với simple “very crowded”, painting a clear picture của stadium đông nghẹt người đến tận những hàng ghế cao nhất.

“Sheer pandemonium” – “sheer” là một intensifier tinh tế, còn “pandemonium” là từ formal và powerful để describe chaos và wild excitement. “Off the charts” – idiom này natural và conversational để express something exceeding normal levels. Những từ như “riveting”, “mesmerizing”, “unbearable” đều là precise vocabulary choices thay vì generic words như “interesting”, “beautiful”, “difficult”.

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

Ví dụ: “What truly set this experience apart was the sheer magnitude of the occasion.” – Đây là cleft sentence structure (What…was…) được dùng để emphasize. Cấu trúc này sophisticated hơn câu đơn giản “The sheer magnitude of the occasion set this experience apart.”

“From the moment we took our seats, we were immersed in a sensory overload” – Sử dụng time clause với perfect prepositional phrase, passive voice tự nhiên, và metaphorical language. “Every near-miss sent ripples of collective groans through our half of the stadium” – Personification với subject-verb agreement phức tạp, demonstrating advanced grammatical control.

Bài nói còn sử dụng varied sentence structures: simple cho emphasis, compound để connect related ideas, và complex để show relationships. Mix của các thì (past, past perfect, present) được control hoàn hảo để narrate events và reflect về experience.

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

Bài nói không chỉ describe surface-level details mà còn analyze deeper meaning của experience. Speaker reflects về “profound sense of communal experience” và “social barriers dissolving” – đây là abstract thinking ở level cao, showing ability to see beyond immediate experience đến broader social implications.

Phần về sharing experience with father adds emotional depth và personal significance, making the narrative more compelling và authentic. Kết luận về “irreplaceable feeling of being present for a historic moment” demonstrates critical thinking về unique value của live sports versus mediated experiences. Đây là level của analysis mà examiner expects ở band 9 – không chỉ kể chuyện mà còn extract meaning và significance từ experience.

Người hâm mộ Việt Nam xem trận chung kết bóng đá tại sân Mỹ Đình với cờ đỏ sao vàng

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn hoàn thành phần độc thoại 2 phút, examiner thường sẽ hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn để kết thúc Part 2 trước khi chuyển sang Part 3. Những câu hỏi này liên quan trực tiếp đến topic bạn vừa nói.

Question 1: Do you think you will watch more live sports matches in the future?

Band 6-7 Answer:

Yes, I think I will. I really enjoyed the experience and it was much better than watching on TV. If I have the opportunity and time, I would definitely go to watch more matches, especially important ones.

Band 8-9 Answer:

Absolutely! That experience really opened my eyes to what I’d been missing by only watching sports on television. I’m actually actively looking into season tickets for next year’s V.League, and I’ve even considered planning trips around major sporting events. There’s just something incomparable about the live atmosphere that I now feel somewhat addicted to.

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Question 2: Would you recommend others to watch live sports matches?

Band 6-7 Answer:

Yes, I would recommend it. It’s a great experience and people can enjoy the atmosphere and excitement. It’s especially good to go with friends because you can share the experience together.

Band 8-9 Answer:

Without a doubt! I think it’s one of those experiences that everyone should try at least once, even if they’re not typically sports enthusiasts. The collective energy and shared emotional journey transcend the sport itself – it’s really about connecting with humanity in its most raw and authentic form. That said, I’d advise going with an open mind and perhaps choosing a match where the stakes are high, as that’s when you really get the full spectacle.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần challenging nhất của IELTS Speaking vì yêu cầu bạn thảo luận về các vấn đề trừu tượng và phức tạp hơn liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Khác với Part 1 và 2 tập trung vào personal experiences, Part 3 đòi hỏi bạn phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá các xu hướng xã hội, cultural differences, future predictions và moral implications.

Để đạt điểm cao ở Part 3, bạn cần mở rộng câu trả lời với 3-5 câu hoặc hơn, sử dụng discourse markers một cách tự nhiên như “Well”, “Actually”, “I think”, “From my perspective” để bắt đầu câu trả lời. Quan trọng là đưa ra examples từ góc độ xã hội rộng hơn, không chỉ giới hạn ở kinh nghiệm cá nhân. Bạn cũng nên thừa nhận sự phức tạp của vấn đề bằng cách xem xét nhiều góc độ khác nhau.

Chiến lược hiệu quả là structure câu trả lời theo pattern: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/Alternative view. Sử dụng tentative language để thể hiện critical thinking như “It seems to me”, “To some extent”, “One could argue that” thay vì nói quá absolute. Đây chính là sự khác biệt lớn so với cách học viên thường được dạy ở Việt Nam – không cần có một câu trả lời “đúng”, mà cần show ability to think critically và discuss ideas.

Học viên Việt Nam thường gặp khó khăn ở Part 3 vì: trả lời quá ngắn và thiếu phân tích sâu, không đưa ra lý lẽ rõ ràng để support quan điểm, thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng để discuss complex ideas, và có xu hướng đưa ra câu trả lời one-sided mà không acknowledge different perspectives.

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Benefits and Importance of Sports

Question 1: Why do you think people enjoy watching sports events?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Why question – yêu cầu explain reasons/causes
• Key words: “enjoy”, “watching sports events” – focus vào psychological và social reasons
• Cách tiếp cận: Đưa ra multiple reasons với examples. Có thể categorize theo different types of people hoặc different aspects (emotional, social, entertainment)

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think people enjoy watching sports for several reasons. First, it’s very entertaining and exciting to watch skilled athletes compete. Many people find it thrilling when there are close matches or unexpected results. Also, sports bring people together. When people watch matches with friends or family, they can share emotions and have fun together. Finally, some people like supporting their favorite teams and feeling proud when they win.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có structure cơ bản với “several reasons”, “First”, “Also”, “Finally” tạo coherence
• Vocabulary: Adequate với “entertaining”, “exciting”, “skilled athletes”, “thrilling”, “unexpected results” nhưng chưa sophisticated
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đưa ra được 3 reasons rõ ràng với explanation basic. Tuy nhiên thiếu depth analysis và sophisticated vocabulary. Ideas còn surface-level, chưa explore underlying psychology hay broader social implications.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Well, I think the appeal of watching sports is multifaceted and taps into several fundamental human needs. First and foremost, there’s the vicarious thrill we get from witnessing extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill. When we watch elite athletes pushing the boundaries of what’s physically possible, it triggers our admiration and gives us a sense of inspiration that’s quite unique.

Beyond that, sports serve as a powerful social glue. They provide a shared cultural touchstone that allows people from diverse backgrounds to connect over a common interest. In Vietnam, for instance, when our national football team plays, you’ll see the entire country united in collective support, which creates this wonderful sense of national solidarity. It’s arguably one of the few occasions where social divisions temporarily dissolve.

On a more psychological level, I’d say sports also offer us a safe outlet for intense emotions. In our daily lives, we often have to suppress feelings and maintain composure, but watching sports gives us permission to be uninhibited – to shout, to celebrate, even to feel disappointed – without social judgment. There’s something cathartic about that emotional release.

Finally, I think there’s an element of escapism involved. For a couple of hours, we can set aside our personal worries and immerse ourselves in the drama unfolding on the field. It’s a form of entertainment that’s genuinely unpredictable – unlike scripted shows, you never know how it’ll end, and that uncertainty is part of what makes it so compelling.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Xuất sắc với clear organization: Multiple aspects được present systematically (thrill → social → psychological → escapism). Mỗi point được explain fully với examples và deeper analysis. Transition words sophisticated (First and foremost, Beyond that, On a more psychological level, Finally)
• Vocabulary: Exceptionally precise và varied: “multifaceted”, “vicarious thrill”, “extraordinary feats”, “pushing the boundaries”, “social glue”, “shared cultural touchstone”, “national solidarity”, “cathartic”, “emotional release”, “compelling”. Collocations perfect (taps into needs, triggers admiration, arguably one of, permission to be uninhibited)
• Grammar: Full range of complex structures: relative clauses (that allows people, where social divisions), participle phrases (witnessing extraordinary feats), cleft sentences (It’s arguably one of), conditional implications. Perfect control
• Critical Thinking: Shows nuanced understanding về multi-dimensional nature của appeal. Acknowledges different levels (physical, social, psychological) và provides Vietnam-specific example. Uses tentative language appropriately (I think, I’d say, arguably) showing intellectual sophistication

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, First and foremost, Beyond that, On a more psychological level, Finally – tạo flow tự nhiên và logical
• Tentative language: I think, I’d say, arguably – show critical thinking và avoid sounding dogmatic
• Abstract nouns: appeal, thrill, solidarity, escapism, uncertainty – essential cho Part 3 discussions
• Advanced phrases: taps into, pushing the boundaries, serve as, provide outlet for, immerse ourselves in

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Question 2: Do you think the popularity of traditional sports is declining?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion question về trend – yêu cầu present view và provide evidence
• Key words: “popularity”, “traditional sports”, “declining” – cần define “traditional sports” và analyze trend
• Cách tiếp cận: Có thể agree/disagree/partially agree. Best approach là acknowledge complexity – some declining, some maintaining, depends on factors. Support với examples và reasons

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think it depends on the sport and the country. In my country, football is still very popular and many people watch it. However, some traditional sports like martial arts are becoming less popular, especially among young people. This is because young people now prefer modern activities and e-sports. But I think if traditional sports are promoted better, they can remain popular.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Basic structure với conditional thinking (it depends). Có example về Vietnam
• Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary (very popular, becoming less popular, modern activities, promoted better)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Shows some ability to see different angles (depends on sport/country) và mention e-sports as modern alternative. However, analysis chưa deep và vocabulary limited. Thiếu specific reasons WHY young people prefer modern activities hay factors affecting popularity

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

That’s quite a nuanced question because I think we need to differentiate between various types of traditional sports and consider regional variations. Generally speaking, I’d say there’s a mixed picture rather than a straightforward decline.

On the one hand, certain traditional sports are indeed struggling to maintain relevance, particularly among younger demographics. Take traditional martial arts in Vietnam, for instance – compared to a few decades ago, participation rates have noticeably dropped. This is partly attributable to the rise of what we might call “imported sports” like basketball and tennis, which are perceived as more cosmopolitan and globally connected. Moreover, the proliferation of digital entertainment has fundamentally changed how young people spend their leisure time. Why practice a martial art that requires years of discipline when you can achieve instant gratification through gaming?

On the other hand, some traditional sports have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Football, which you could argue has traditional roots in many cultures, continues to command massive followings worldwide. In fact, with sophisticated marketing and the professionalization of leagues, some sports have actually expanded their reach. The English Premier League, for example, has unprecedented global viewership, including here in Vietnam where matches are watched by millions despite the time zone inconvenience.

Looking at the broader picture, I think what’s happening is more of a transformation than a wholesale decline. Traditional sports that adapt to modern contexts – through technological integration, social media engagement, and appealing to younger audiences – tend to thrive. Those that remain rigidly traditional in their approach may indeed face diminishing interest. Ultimately, it’s less about the sport itself and more about how it’s packaged and presented to contemporary audiences.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated với balanced argument structure: Acknowledge complexity → One hand (decline perspective with examples) → Other hand (resilience perspective with examples) → Broader synthesis. Shows high-level critical thinking
• Vocabulary: Exceptionally rich: “nuanced question”, “differentiate between”, “mixed picture”, “struggling to maintain relevance”, “noticeably dropped”, “partly attributable to”, “proliferation of”, “demonstrated remarkable resilience”, “command massive followings”, “unprecedented global viewership”, “wholesale decline”, “rigidly traditional”, “face diminishing interest”. Perfect collocations throughout
• Grammar: Full range: comparative structures (compared to a few decades ago), conditional reasoning (Why practice…when you can), relative clauses (sports that adapt), cleft sentences (what’s happening is…, it’s less about…more about). Zero errors
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional nuance acknowledging complexity. Provides specific examples (martial arts in Vietnam, English Premier League). Analyzes underlying causes (digital entertainment, marketing, globalization). Offers sophisticated conclusion about transformation rather than simple decline. Uses hedging language appropriately (I’d say, you could argue, tend to, may indeed)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers for balanced view: On the one hand, On the other hand, Looking at the broader picture, Ultimately
• Hedging/Tentative language: quite a nuanced question, I’d say, partly attributable to, you could argue, tend to, may indeed – shows intellectual sophistication
• Comparative structures: compared to a few decades ago, more of a transformation than a decline, less about…more about
• Abstract concepts: relevance, resilience, transformation, adaptation, context

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Theme 2: Impact of Media and Technology

Question 1: How has television coverage changed the way people experience sports?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: How question về change/impact – cần compare past vs present và analyze effects
• Key words: “television coverage”, “changed”, “experience sports” – focus on transformation brought by TV technology
• Cách tiếp cận: Contrast past (limited access) với present (widespread access). Discuss both positive impacts (accessibility, analysis) và potential negatives (loss of live atmosphere). Use specific examples

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Television has changed sports a lot. In the past, people could only watch sports if they went to the stadium, but now they can watch from home. TV provides many camera angles and replays, so viewers can see details they might miss in person. Also, experts comment on the games and explain tactics, which helps people understand better. However, some people think watching on TV is not as exciting as being at the stadium because the atmosphere is different.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Good basic comparison (past vs present) với some positive và negative points
• Vocabulary: Adequate (camera angles, replays, experts, tactics, atmosphere) nhưng còn basic
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Shows awareness của main changes và mentions both advantages và disadvantages. However, analysis chưa deep và vocabulary chưa sophisticated. Thiếu specific examples hay discussion về broader implications như commercialization, global reach

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Television coverage has fundamentally revolutionized the sports viewing experience in ways that are both empowering and, arguably, somewhat problematic.

From an accessibility standpoint, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Historically, experiencing major sporting events was the preserve of those who could physically attend or lived in proximity to venues. Television has democratized this access, allowing someone in a remote village in Vietnam to watch the World Cup final in real-time with the same visual access as someone in the stadium – perhaps even better, given the strategic camera placements and high-definition technology. This has exponentially expanded the fan base for virtually all major sports.

Furthermore, modern broadcasting has added layers of sophistication to the viewing experience. Với slow-motion replays, tactical analysis, and expert commentary, viewers now gain insights that even stadium attendees miss. When I watch football on TV, I appreciate the instant replays from multiple angles that reveal the intricacies of a particular play or the strategic formations teams employ. This pedagogical dimension has actually enhanced spectator literacy – fans today understand sports at a much deeper tactical level than previous generations.

However, we must acknowledge that something has been lost in translation. Television necessarily mediates the experience – you see what the director chooses to show you, which is a curated perspective rather than an organic one. The visceral impact of being physically present – the collective energy, the sensory immersion, the unfiltered atmosphere – these elements are virtually impossible to capture through a screen. There’s a troubling trend where some fans develop a primarily mediated relationship with sports, never experiencing the live version.

Perhaps most significantly, television has fundamentally altered the economics and culture of sports. Games are now scheduled to maximize viewership in key markets, often at inconvenient times for local fans. The sport itself sometimes adapts to television demands – with rule changes to accommodate commercial breaks or make games more “television-friendly.” This represents a profound shift where the medium shapes the content rather than simply transmitting it.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally sophisticated với multiple dimensions explored systematically: accessibility → enhanced experience → losses → economic/cultural impact. Each paragraph develops one main idea thoroughly. Clear progression showing depth of analysis
• Vocabulary: Outstanding range và precision: “fundamentally revolutionized”, “the preserve of”, “democratized”, “exponentially expanded”, “layers of sophistication”, “pedagogical dimension”, “enhanced spectator literacy”, “lost in translation”, “mediates the experience”, “curated perspective”, “visceral impact”, “sensory immersion”, “mediated relationship”, “medium shapes the content”. Perfect collocations throughout
• Grammar: Full mastery: participle phrases (allowing someone to watch), relative clauses with complex antecedents (insights that even stadium attendees miss), passive voice used naturally (has been lost, are scheduled), cleft sentences (what the director chooses, where some fans develop). Zero errors, completely natural
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional analytical depth. Acknowledges multiple dimensions (accessibility, sophistication, losses, economics). Provides concrete examples (World Cup, football tactics, scheduling). Shows understanding của complex trade-offs và unintended consequences. Uses hedging appropriately (arguably, perhaps, sometimes) showing intellectual sophistication. Vietnam-specific reference grounds discussion

Bài trả lời này demonstrates Band 9 characteristics bởi vì nó không chỉ answer question directly mà còn explores implications và complications. Speaker shows ability to think critically về both intended và unintended consequences, và articulate complex ideas precisely.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Advanced discourse markers: From an accessibility standpoint, Furthermore, However, Perhaps most significantly – guide listener through complex argument
• Evaluative language: nothing short of remarkable, troubling trend, profound shift – show critical assessment
• Academic/formal expressions: the preserve of, democratized, pedagogical dimension, mediates the experience, lost in translation, virtually impossible
• Cause-effect language: This has exponentially expanded, has enhanced spectator literacy, has fundamentally altered

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Theme 3: Sports and Society

Question 1: What role do international sports events play in bringing nations together?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: What role – yêu cầu explain function/purpose/significance
• Key words: “international sports events”, “bringing nations together” – focus on diplomatic, cultural, và social unifying effects
• Cách tiếp cận: Discuss positive unifying effects nhưng also acknowledge limitations và controversies. Provide specific examples of events (Olympics, World Cup). Consider both idealistic view và realistic complications

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

International sports events like the Olympics and World Cup bring countries together in many ways. When athletes from different countries compete, it promotes peace and friendship between nations. People can learn about other cultures through these events. Also, when countries host these events, they can improve their international image. However, sometimes politics can affect sports, which is not good. Overall, I think sports events help create better understanding between countries.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Basic structure với main points (peace/friendship, learning cultures, host benefits) và brief acknowledgment of limitations (politics)
• Vocabulary: Simple và appropriate (compete, promotes peace, friendship, cultures, international image, politics affects sports) nhưng lacks sophistication
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Covers main ideas adequately và shows awareness of complexity (politics affecting sports). However, lacks specific examples, deeper analysis của mechanisms, và sophisticated vocabulary. Conclusion chung chung without nuance

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

International sporting events ostensibly serve as powerful vehicles for international cooperation and understanding, though the reality is considerably more complex and sometimes contradictory than the idealistic rhetoric suggests.

At their best, these events do create remarkable moments of unity. When athletes from diverse nations compete on a level playing field, transcending political boundaries and ideological differences, it sends a powerful symbolic message about our shared humanity. The Olympics, for instance, have historically provided rare opportunities for nations in conflict to engage in peaceful competition. I’m thinking of the famous examples of athletes from North and South Korea marching together under a unified flag, or the countless instances of competitors from rival nations showing mutual respect and sportsmanship. These moments, however fleeting, remind us that beneath political differences, we’re all human beings capable of appreciating excellence regardless of its national origin.

Moreover, hosting major international events can catalyze positive changes within nations. Việc Việt Nam được chọn để đồng đăng cai SEA Games, chẳng hạn, đã thúc đẩy sự phát triển cơ sở vật chất và nâng cao vị thế quốc tế của đất nước. Tương tự như khi chúng ta theo dõi describe an international news event that caught your attention, những sự kiện thể thao lớn tạo ra cơ hội để các quốc gia thể hiện bản sắc văn hóa trên sân khấu toàn cầu. Countries invest in infrastructure, showcase their culture, and often implement social reforms to present a positive image to the world. This soft power dimension shouldn’t be underestimated – it can genuinely improve a nation’s standing and foster goodwill.

However, we must be realistic about the limitations and contradictions. These events are frequently politicized despite official claims of political neutrality. Geopolitical tensions don’t disappear just because athletes are competing – if anything, sports can become another arena for political rivalries. The decision about which countries host events is often mired in corruption, and the actual hosting can exacerbate inequalities within nations, with massive expenditures on stadiums while social needs go unmet. The notion that a football match can fundamentally resolve deep-seated political conflicts is, frankly, rather naive.

What I would say is that international sports events create potential for bringing nations together, but this potential is only realized when there’s genuine commitment beyond the symbolic gestures. They work best as catalysts for dialogue rather than solutions in themselves – providing neutral ground where people can connect through shared passion, which might then create openings for deeper understanding and cooperation.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptional với sophisticated argumentation: Acknowledge premise with caveat → Explore positive aspects with examples → Provide counter-argument with realistic assessment → Offer nuanced conclusion. Shows university-level critical thinking
• Vocabulary: Outstanding range: “ostensibly”, “powerful vehicles for”, “idealistic rhetoric”, “transcending”, “shared humanity”, “catalyze positive changes”, “soft power dimension”, “foster goodwill”, “mired in corruption”, “exacerbate inequalities”, “deep-seated conflicts”, “symbolic gestures”, “catalysts for dialogue”, “neutral ground”. Perfect register cho academic discussion
• Grammar: Full mastery với complex structures perfectly executed: participle clauses (transcending boundaries, hosting events), conditional meanings (is only realized when), relative clauses with abstract antecedents (moments that remind us), cleft sentences for emphasis (what I would say is). Natural use của hedging và modal verbs (can become, might then create)
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional depth showing ability to see multiple perspectives. Acknowledges idealistic view but provides realistic counter-arguments. Uses specific examples (Olympics, North/South Korea, Vietnam SEA Games). Shows awareness of complexity (corruption, inequality, political reality). Arrives at nuanced conclusion avoiding oversimplification. Uses appropriate hedging (ostensibly, sometimes, however fleeting, frankly rather naive) demonstrating intellectual honesty

This is Band 9 quality vì speaker demonstrates complete command của language để express sophisticated ideas với precision. Critical thinking outstanding với balanced argument recognizing complexity. Natural discourse markers guide listener through complex reasoning. Vietnam-specific example shows cultural awareness và ability to relate abstract ideas to concrete context.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Hedging for sophistication: ostensibly, supposedly, considerably more complex, however fleeting, frankly rather naive, potential – shows nuanced thinking
• Cohesive devices for complex arguments: At their best, Moreover, However, What I would say is – structure multi-layered argument
• Academic expressions: serve as vehicles for, transcending boundaries, soft power dimension, mired in, exacerbate inequalities, catalysts for dialogue
• Conditional/modal language: can catalyze, might create, would work best – discuss possibilities and hypotheticals

Sức hút của thể thao quốc tế với giới trẻ Việt Nam qua màn hình tivi và thiết bị di động

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Question 2: Do you think professional athletes are overpaid?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion question về controversial topic – requires balanced discussion
• Key words: “professional athletes”, “overpaid” – need to define “overpaid” và consider market value, societal priorities
• Cách tiếp cận: Present both sides: arguments for high salaries (market forces, entertainment value, short careers) và arguments against (comparison với essential workers, societal values). Best to acknowledge complexity rather than give absolute answer

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

This is a difficult question. I think some athletes earn too much money compared to important jobs like teachers or doctors. However, athletes have short careers and they bring entertainment to many people. Also, their salaries are decided by market demand – if many people want to watch them, they can earn more. So I think it’s not completely unfair, but maybe the difference is too large.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Shows balanced thinking với consideration of both sides. Conclusion acknowledges complexity
• Vocabulary: Basic comparative language (too much, compared to, short careers, market demand, not completely unfair) but limited range
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Demonstrates ability to see different perspectives và uses comparison effectively. However, lacks depth in explaining WHY salaries are high, specific examples, và sophisticated vocabulary. Analysis relatively surface-level without exploring underlying economic principles or broader implications

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

This is one of those questions that reveals a lot about our societal values, and I think any answer requires us to grapple with some fundamental contradictions in how we assign worth to different types of work.

From a purely economic perspective, it’s hard to argue that top athletes are “overpaid” in the traditional sense. Their salaries are determined by market forces – the enormous revenue streams they generate through ticket sales, broadcasting rights, merchandising, and sponsorship deals. When a football star like Ronaldo or Messi can single-handedly increase a club’s global brand value by hundreds of millions of dollars, paying them tens of millions annually is simply sound business practice. In this context, they’re being compensated proportionally to the economic value they create.

Moreover, we need to consider the unique circumstances of athletic careers. Unlike doctors or teachers who can work for decades, professional athletes have extremely compressed career spans – often just 10-15 years at the elite level, and that’s assuming they avoid career-ending injuries. They’re also operating in a highly competitive field where only an infinitesimal percentage of those who attempt to reach the professional level succeed. The high salaries of top athletes represent not just their current performance but also compensation for the countless years of sacrifice, the risk of injury, and the opportunity costs of forgoing other career paths.

That said, when we step back and examine this from a broader societal lens, there’s undeniably something troubling about the disparity. We live in a world where an athlete can earn in a week what a teacher earns in a decade, or where entertainment commands vastly more resources than healthcare or education. This speaks to a certain misalignment between what we claim to value as a society and what we actually reward financially. The fact that someone who saves lives or educates future generations earns a tiny fraction of someone who excels at kicking a ball does raise legitimate questions about our priorities.

However, I think the issue is less about athletes being overpaid and more about other essential professions being chronically undervalued. The problem isn’t that we over-reward athletic excellence – humans have always been fascinated by exceptional physical performance, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. Tương tự như việc chúng ta quan tâm đến is it easier to become famous now ielts, fame trong thể thao phản ánh sự chú ý của công chúng. The problem is that we’ve created economic systems where market value and social value are completely decoupled, where teachers and nurses – whose work is objectively essential – are systematically underpaid relative to their contribution to society.

So to directly answer your question, I’d say it’s not that athletes are overpaid so much as it’s a symptom of broader economic distortions where entertainment and spectacle are highly monetizable while essential services are not. The solution isn’t to arbitrarily cap athlete salaries – that would be both impractical and unfair – but rather to fundamentally reassess how we compensate and value work that’s truly indispensable to society.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally sophisticated với multi-layered argument: Economic perspective (market justification) → Athlete-specific factors (career constraints) → Societal critique (values misalignment) → Reframing the question (not overpaid but others underpaid) → Conclusion (systemic issue). Shows postgraduate-level analytical ability
• Vocabulary: Outstanding precision và range: “grapple with”, “fundamental contradictions”, “assign worth”, “enormous revenue streams”, “single-handedly”, “sound business practice”, “proportionally”, “compressed career spans”, “infinitesimal percentage”, “opportunity costs”, “forgoing other career paths”, “troubling disparity”, “speaks to a misalignment”, “chronically undervalued”, “completely decoupled”, “monetizable”, “arbitrarily cap”, “fundamentally reassess”, “truly indispensable”
• Grammar: Complete mastery: complex conditional reasoning (assuming they avoid), comparative structures (less about…more about, not that…so much as), relative clauses with abstract antecedents (where market value and social value are decoupled), gerunds as objects (forgoing career paths), cleft sentences (What we claim to value vs what we reward). Perfect control với zero errors
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional depth và sophistication. Examines question từ multiple angles (economic, individual, societal). Uses specific examples (Ronaldo, Messi, teachers) để ground abstract discussion. Shows awareness của complexity và contradictions. Reframes question intelligently (not that athletes overpaid but others underpaid). Proposes thoughtful conclusion acknowledging systemic nature. Uses extensive hedging (I think, undeniably, I’d say) showing intellectual honesty và avoiding dogmatism

This represents Band 9 achievement vì speaker demonstrates complete fluency trong discussing highly complex societal issues với precision và nuance. Shows ability to synthesize economic theory, ethics, và social critique. Natural use của sophisticated academic language. Arrives at insightful conclusion that reframes issue rather than giving simplistic answer.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers for complex arguments: From a purely economic perspective, Moreover, That said, However, So to directly answer – guide through sophisticated multi-part argument
• Contrastive structures: it’s less about…more about, not that…so much as, what we claim vs what we reward – highlight contradictions
• Academic/analytical language: grapple with, fundamental contradictions, speaks to, symptom of broader distortions, systematically underpaid, objectively essential
• Hedging for intellectual sophistication: I think, undeniably, I’d say, arguably – appropriate tentativeness on complex moral question

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
live sports match	noun phrase	/laɪv spɔːts mætʃ/	trận đấu thể thao trực tiếp	I attended a live sports match at the national stadium.	watch/attend a live sports match, exciting live sports match
electric atmosphere	noun phrase	/ɪˈlektrɪk ˈætməsfɪə(r)/	bầu không khí sôi động, đầy năng lượng	The electric atmosphere in the stadium was incredible.	create an electric atmosphere, electric atmosphere of excitement
nail-biting	adj	/ˈneɪlbaɪtɪŋ/	hồi hộp, căng thẳng (khiến bạn cắn móng tay)	It was a nail-biting finish with both teams tied.	nail-biting finish, nail-biting moment, nail-biting match
arch-rivals	noun	/ɑːtʃ ˈraɪvəlz/	đối thủ truyền kiếp	The match was between two arch-rivals in Vietnamese football.	fierce/bitter arch-rivals, clash of arch-rivals
passionate fans	noun phrase	/ˈpæʃənət fænz/	người hâm mộ nhiệt tình	The stadium was filled with passionate fans.	passionate fans cheering, attract passionate fans
adrenaline rush	noun phrase	/əˈdrenəlɪn rʌʃ/	cảm giác phấn khích mạnh, hồi hộp	I felt an adrenaline rush when the goal was scored.	experience/get an adrenaline rush, incredible adrenaline rush
stunning goal	noun phrase	/ˈstʌnɪŋ ɡəʊl/	bàn thắng tuyệt đẹp, ngoạn mục	The striker scored a stunning goal in the final minute.	score a stunning goal, stunning goal from distance
tactical prowess	noun phrase	/ˈtæktɪkəl ˈpraʊəs/	tài năng chiến thuật	Both coaches demonstrated exceptional tactical prowess.	display/show tactical prowess, tactical prowess and strategy
euphoria	noun	/juːˈfɔːriə/	cảm giác vui sướng tột độ, phấn khích cực độ	The stadium erupted in euphoria after the winning goal.	moment of euphoria, feel euphoria, euphoria and celebration
palpable tension	noun phrase	/ˈpælpəbl ˈtenʃn/	sự căng thẳng có thể cảm nhận được	There was palpable tension in the air during penalty kicks.	palpable tension in the stadium, sense of palpable tension
immersive experience	noun phrase	/ɪˈmɜːsɪv ɪkˈspɪəriəns/	trải nghiệm đắm chìm, sống động	Watching live gives you an immersive experience.	truly immersive experience, immersive experience of being there
sense of camaraderie	noun phrase	/sens əv ˌkæməˈrɑːdəri/	tinh thần đồng đội, sự gắn kết	There’s a wonderful sense of camaraderie among fans.	foster/create a sense of camaraderie, strong sense of camaraderie
collective energy	noun phrase	/kəˈlektɪv ˈenədʒi/	năng lượng tập thể	The collective energy of the crowd was amazing.	harness/feel collective energy, incredible collective energy
evenly matched	adj phrase	/ˈiːvəli mætʃt/	ngang sức, thế cân bằng	The two teams were evenly matched throughout.	evenly matched teams, evenly matched contest/game
dying moments	noun phrase	/ˈdaɪɪŋ ˈməʊmənts/	những phút cuối cùng	They scored in the dying moments of the match.	in the dying moments, dramatic dying moments
passionate about	adj phrase	/ˈpæʃənət əˈbaʊt/	đam mê, say mê	I’m passionate about watching football.	passionate about sports, truly/very passionate about
packed to the rafters	idiom	/pækt tə ðə ˈrɑːftəz/	đông nghẹt người (đến tận trần nhà)	The stadium was packed to the rafters.	stadium packed to the rafters, venue packed to the rafters
spontaneous eruption	noun phrase	/spɒnˈteɪniəs ɪˈrʌpʃn/	sự bùng nổ tự nhiên, không kiểm soát	There was a spontaneous eruption of cheers.	spontaneous eruption of joy/celebration, spontaneous eruption of excitement

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
on the edge of one’s seat	hồi hộp, căng thẳng theo dõi	Throughout the match, we were on the edge of our seats.	7.5-9
give someone an adrenaline rush	khiến ai đó phấn khích mạnh	Close matches really give me an adrenaline rush.	7.5-9
blow someone away	làm ai đó kinh ngạc, choáng ngợp	The atmosphere in the stadium just blew me away.	7.5-9
be/get caught up in the moment	bị cuốn theo khoảnh khắc, quên hết mọi thứ	I got so caught up in the moment that I lost my voice from cheering.	7.5-9
nothing short of spectacular	thực sự ngoạn mục	The final goal was nothing short of spectacular.	8-9
send ripples through	tạo làn sóng ảnh hưởng, lan tỏa	The winning goal sent ripples of excitement through the crowd.	8-9
at the top of one’s lungs	hét to hết cỡ	Everyone was screaming at the top of their lungs.	7.5-9
in the flesh	tận mắt, trực tiếp (không qua màn hình)	Seeing world-class athletes perform in the flesh is incredible.	7.5-9
be part of something bigger	là một phần của điều gì đó lớn lao hơn	Being in that stadium made me feel part of something bigger than myself.	8-9
open someone’s eyes to	mở mang tầm mắt của ai đó về điều gì	That experience opened my eyes to what I’d been missing.	7.5-9
off the charts	vượt xa mức bình thường	The noise level was absolutely off the charts.	7.5-9
mind-blowing	choáng ngợp, ấn tượng mạnh	The atmosphere was absolutely mind-blowing.	7.5-9

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần một chút thời gian để suy nghĩ hoặc muốn bắt đầu một cách tự nhiên: “Well, I think watching live sports creates a unique connection with other fans.”

• 📝 Actually,… – Khi bạn muốn đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc điều chỉnh câu trả lời: “Actually, I’ve noticed that young people are becoming more interested in traditional sports lately.”

• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi bạn muốn thể hiện sự thẳng thắn hoặc ý kiến cá nhân mạnh mẽ: “To be honest, I find watching sports on TV more comfortable than going to the stadium.”

• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách lịch sự để đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân: “I’d say that live sports matches create memories that last a lifetime.”

• 📝 From my perspective,… – Thể hiện đây là góc nhìn cá nhân của bạn: “From my perspective, sports bring communities together in remarkable ways.”

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, bổ sung thông tin: “The atmosphere was electric. On top of that, the quality of play was exceptional.”

• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, nhấn mạnh thêm: “It was exciting to watch. What’s more, the result was completely unexpected.”

• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến, thêm điểm quan trọng khác: “The match was thrilling, not to mention the fact that it was decided in the last minute.”

• 📝 Moreover,… / Furthermore,… – Hơn nữa (formal hơn): “Live matches provide excitement. Moreover, they create a sense of community among fans.”

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác…: “On the one hand, TV coverage makes sports accessible. On the other hand, it can’t replicate the live atmosphere.”

• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Mặc dù đúng là… nhưng ta cũng cần xem xét…: “While it’s true that athletes earn high salaries, we also need to consider their short career spans.”

• 📝 That said,… – Nói như vậy, tuy nhiên (để chuyển sang góc nhìn khác): “Watching at home is comfortable. That said, nothing compares to being there in person.”

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, xét tất cả các khía cạnh: “All in all, attending that live match was one of the best experiences of my life.”

• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, điều quan trọng nhất là: “At the end of the day, sports are about bringing people together through shared passion.”

• 📝 Overall,… / In general,… – Nhìn chung: “Overall, I believe live sports events have an irreplaceable value in our society.”

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

• Mixed conditional: “If I hadn’t attended that match (past), I would still be missing out on what live sports can offer (present).” – Kết hợp điều kiện quá khứ với kết quả hiện tại để thể hiện hối tiếc hoặc nhận thức.

• Third conditional for reflection: “If the match had ended differently, the atmosphere would have been completely different.” – Dùng để suy ngẫm về các kịch bản khác có thể xảy ra.

• Inversion for emphasis: “Had I known how amazing the atmosphere would be, I would have attended matches much earlier.” – Cấu trúc đảo ngữ tạo formal tone và nhấn mạnh.

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

• Non-defining relative clauses: “The match, which took place at My Dinh Stadium, was one of the most exciting I’ve ever seen.” – Thêm thông tin bổ sung không thiết yếu, tạo câu phong phú hơn.

• Reduced relative clauses: “The fans supporting the home team were incredibly passionate.” – Rút gọn mệnh đề quan hệ với participle, tạo câu gọn gàng hơn.

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

• It is thought/believed/said that…: “It’s widely believed that watching sports live creates stronger emotional connections than watching on TV.” – Cấu trúc impersonal passive để present general opinions một cách academic.

• Passive for emphasis: “The winning goal was scored in the dying moments, sending the entire stadium into euphoria.” – Nhấn mạnh action/result hơn là doer.

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

• What I find most… is…: “What I find most compelling about live sports is the collective energy you feel from thousands of fans.” – Nhấn mạnh điều bạn thấy quan trọng nhất.

• The thing that… is…: “The thing that struck me most about that match was how it brought complete strangers together.” – Tương tự, highlight specific aspect.

• It was… that…: “It was the atmosphere in the stadium that made the experience so memorable, not just the match itself.” – Nhấn mạnh một yếu tố cụ thể.

5. Participle Clauses (Mệnh đề phân từ):

• Present participle: “Watching the match unfold, I felt a range of emotions from anxiety to pure joy.” – Diễn tả hai hành động xảy ra đồng thời.

• Perfect participle: “Having attended several matches, I can confidently say that live sports offer an unmatched experience.” – Thể hiện một hành động hoàn thành trước hành động khác, strengthen your credibility.

6. Inversion Structures (Đảo ngữ):

• Not only… but also…: “Not only did the match provide entertainment, but it also created lasting memories.” – Nhấn mạnh hai điểm tích cực.

• Rarely/Seldom: “Rarely have I experienced such an electric atmosphere as I did at that match.” – Thể hiện something exceptional hoặc unusual.

7. Emphatic Structures:

• Do/Does/Did for emphasis: “I did enjoy watching the match on TV, but being there in person was completely different.” – Nhấn mạnh tính xác thực của statement.

• It is/was… who/that…: “It is the collective experience that makes live sports so special.” – Focus attention vào specific element.

Việc sử dụng thành thạo những cấu trúc ngữ pháp này không chỉ giúp bạn đạt điểm cao về Grammatical Range & Accuracy mà còn làm cho câu trả lời của bạn trở nên sophisticated và impressive hơn rất nhiều. Hãy nhớ rằng trong IELTS Speaking, không cần dùng tất cả những cấu trúc này trong một câu trả lời – quan trọng là biết khi nào dùng cấu trúc nào một cách tự nhiên và chính xác.

Chúc bạn thành công với kỳ thi IELTS Speaking! Hãy nhớ rằng sự tự tin và khả năng express ideas clearly luôn quan trọng hơn việc cố gắng sử dụng quá nhiều từ vựng phức tạp. Practice regularly, record yourself speaking, và đừng ngại mắc lỗi trong quá trình học – đó là cách tốt nhất để improve. Khi nói về trải nghiệm xem thể thao trực tiếp, hãy genuine và enthusiastic – examiner có thể cảm nhận được sự chân thật trong câu chuyện của bạn!