IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời “Describe A Place Where You Go To Spend Time Outdoors” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Mở bài

Chủ đề “Describe A Place Where You Go To Spend Time Outdoors” là một trong những đề tài phổ biến và thường xuyên xuất hiện trong IELTS Speaking Part 2. Đây là topic liên quan trực tiếp đến cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích cá nhân và mối quan hệ với thiên nhiên – những khía cạnh mà giám khảo IELTS đặc biệt quan tâm để đánh giá khả năng diễn đạt tự nhiên của thí sinh.

Theo thống kê từ các trung tâm thi IELTS và website chuyên môn như IELTS-Simon.com và ieltsliz.com, chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi từ 2020 đến 2024, đặc biệt trong quý 1 và quý 3 hàng năm. Khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai được đánh giá ở mức cao do tính universal và khả năng mở rộng đa dạng của topic.

Với tư cách là examiner có hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm chấm thi IELTS, tôi nhận thấy nhiều thí sinh Việt Nam gặp khó khăn với chủ đề này do thiếu từ vựng mô tả địa điểm tự nhiên, không biết cách diễn tả cảm xúc khi tiếp xúc với thiên nhiên, và thường trả lời một cách chung chung thiếu chi tiết cụ thể. Đối với những bạn muốn tìm hiểu thêm về các chủ đề liên quan, describe a peaceful place in your neighborhood sẽ cung cấp góc nhìn bổ sung hữu ích.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Câu hỏi thực tế trong cả 3 Part của IELTS Speaking về chủ đề này
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo 3 mức band điểm (6-7, 7.5-8, 8.5-9) với phân tích sâu
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm liên quan đến outdoor activities và natural places
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của examiner
• Những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 của IELTS Speaking thường kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về đời sống hàng ngày. Đây là phần “warm-up” giúp bạn cảm thấy thoải mái trước khi đi vào các phần khó hơn. Examiner sẽ đánh giá khả năng giao tiếp tự nhiên và cách bạn mở rộng câu trả lời.

Chiến lược quan trọng nhất cho Part 1 là trả lời đủ 2-3 câu, bao gồm: câu trả lời trực tiếp, lý do/giải thích, và một ví dụ cụ thể nếu có thể. Tránh trả lời quá ngắn (Yes/No) hoặc quá dài (hơn 30 giây).

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời chỉ một câu ngắn gọn mà không mở rộng
• Sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “nice”, “interesting”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ trải nghiệm cá nhân
• Nói quá nhanh do lo lắng

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you like spending time outdoors?

Question 2: What outdoor activities do you enjoy?

Question 3: How often do you go outside for leisure?

Question 4: Did you spend much time outdoors as a child?

Question 5: Where do people usually go to spend time outdoors in your city?

Question 6: Do you prefer outdoor or indoor activities?

Question 7: What’s your favorite outdoor place near your home?

Question 8: Do you think it’s important to spend time in nature?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you like spending time outdoors?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp Yes/No
• Đưa ra lý do tại sao thích/không thích
• Thêm ví dụ về hoạt động cụ thể hoặc địa điểm yêu thích

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I like spending time outdoors. It helps me relax after a long day of work. I usually go to the park near my house on weekends to walk and breathe fresh air.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời rõ ràng, có lý do cơ bản, có đề cập địa điểm cụ thể
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (relax, fresh air), thiếu chi tiết cảm xúc, cấu trúc câu đơn giản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đủ thông tin nhưng chưa impressive, thiếu depth và variety trong vocabulary và grammar

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Absolutely! I’m quite keen on spending time outdoors, especially because it gives me a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of city life. There’s something incredibly rejuvenating about being surrounded by nature – whether it’s taking a leisurely stroll through the botanical gardens or simply sitting by the lake watching the sunset. It really helps me recharge my batteries and clear my head.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:

  • Vocabulary phong phú và natural: “keen on”, “hustle and bustle”, “rejuvenating”, “leisurely stroll”
  • Cấu trúc đa dạng: “There’s something… about…”, “whether it’s… or…”
  • Ý tưởng cụ thể với chi tiết cảm xúc (clear my head, recharge batteries)
  • Tone tự nhiên với “Absolutely!” và “quite”

• Tại sao Band 8-9:

  • Fluency: Câu trả lời trôi chảy, không hesitation
  • Vocabulary: Sử dụng collocations tự nhiên (much-needed break, leisurely stroll)
  • Grammar: Cấu trúc phức tạp nhưng accurate (whether… or…, There’s something… about)
  • Pronunciation: Các cụm từ này yêu cầu intonation và stress tốt

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• keen on (doing) something: thích thú, say mê việc gì
• much-needed break: khoảng nghỉ rất cần thiết
• hustle and bustle: sự hối hả, nhộn nhịp
• rejuvenating (adj): làm tươi trẻ, phục hồi năng lượng
• leisurely stroll: dạo chơi nhàn nhã
• recharge one’s batteries: nạp lại năng lượng
• clear one’s head: làm đầu óc tỉnh táo

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Question: What outdoor activities do you enjoy?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Đề cập 2-3 hoạt động cụ thể
• Giải thích ngắn gọn tại sao thích
• Có thể so sánh các hoạt động hoặc đề cập tần suất

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I enjoy jogging and cycling. I usually jog in the morning because it’s good for my health. Sometimes I go cycling with my friends on weekends to explore new places around the city.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Đề cập 2 hoạt động, có giải thích mục đích, có đề cập ai cùng tham gia
• Hạn chế: “Good for health” quá general, thiếu detail về feeling, từ “explore” chưa được mở rộng
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng lacks sophistication và specific details

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

I’m particularly fond of jogging and cycling, actually. I try to squeeze in a morning jog at least three times a week – there’s nothing quite like the crisp morning air to wake you up and get your blood pumping. As for cycling, I find it’s a brilliant way to kill two birds with one stone – I get my exercise while also discovering hidden gems around the city. Just last month, I stumbled upon this charming little park that I never knew existed, which has become my new favorite spot.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:

  • Vocabulary sophisticated: “particularly fond of”, “squeeze in”, “crisp morning air”, “hidden gems”
  • Idioms tự nhiên: “kill two birds with one stone”, “stumbled upon”
  • Specific example (last month story) làm câu trả lời vivid và personal
  • Grammar variety: present simple, there’s nothing quite like…, which clause
  • Natural fillers: “actually”, “As for…”

• Tại sao Band 8-9:

  • Fluency: Smooth transitions giữa hai hoạt động
  • Vocabulary: Idiomatic expressions được dùng chính xác
  • Grammar: Complex sentences với relative clause
  • Content: Personal story làm câu trả lời memorable

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• particularly fond of: đặc biệt yêu thích
• squeeze in: sắp xếp (thời gian trong lịch trình bận rộn)
• crisp morning air: không khí buổi sáng trong lành
• get your blood pumping: làm máu lưu thông, tăng nhịp tim
• kill two birds with one stone: một mũi tên trúng hai đích
• hidden gems: những viên ngọc ẩn (địa điểm đẹp ít người biết)
• stumble upon: tình cờ phát hiện ra

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Question: How often do you go outside for leisure?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Đưa ra tần suất cụ thể (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Giải thích yếu tố ảnh hưởng đến frequency (work, weather, etc.)
• Có thể so sánh với quá khứ hoặc mong muốn trong tương lai

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I go outside about two or three times a week. It depends on my work schedule and the weather. When I’m not too busy, I try to go out more often because I know it’s good for my mental health.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có frequency cụ thể, đề cập factors ảnh hưởng, có awareness về benefits
• Hạn chế: “Good for mental health” hơi generic, thiếu specific activities, cấu trúc câu đơn giản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear và adequate nhưng thiếu colourful language và depth

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Well, ideally I’d love to get out every day, but realistically, I manage about three or four times a week. It really hinges on my work commitments and, to be honest, the weather – I’m not exactly a fan of getting drenched in the rain! I’ve noticed that making a conscious effort to spend time outdoors has done wonders for my stress levels. Even just a quick 20-minute walk during my lunch break can make all the difference to how I feel for the rest of the day.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:

  • Contrast ideal vs realistic rất natural
  • Vocabulary varied: “hinges on”, “drenched”, “done wonders for”, “make all the difference”
  • Grammar: conditional (I’d love to), present perfect (I’ve noticed)
  • Personal insight về impact on wellbeing với specific example
  • Honest và conversational tone (“to be honest”, “I’m not exactly a fan”)

• Tại sao Band 8-9:

  • Fluency: Natural flow với discourse markers
  • Vocabulary: Sophisticated expressions và idioms
  • Grammar: Mix of tenses và structures
  • Personality: Câu trả lời shows character và humour

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• ideally… realistically…: lý tưởng thì… nhưng thực tế thì…
• hinge on something: phụ thuộc vào
• get drenched: bị ướt sũng
• make a conscious effort: có ý thức cố gắng
• do wonders for: có tác dụng kỳ diệu với
• make all the difference: tạo ra sự khác biệt lớn

Học viên thực hành IELTS Speaking Part 1 về chủ đề hoạt động ngoài trời trong môi trường tự nhiên

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần thách thức nhất với thời gian chuẩn bị 1 phút và thời gian nói 2-3 phút không bị gián đoạn. Đây là lúc examiner đánh giá khả năng duy trì độc thoại của bạn.

Chiến lược quan trọng:

• Sử dụng đầy đủ 1 phút để ghi chú keywords (không viết câu hoàn chỉnh)
• Nói đủ 2 phút – nếu dưới 1.5 phút sẽ bị trừ điểm Fluency
• Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả các bullet points
• Sử dụng thì quá khứ nếu đề bài yêu cầu describe một trải nghiệm cụ thể
• Mở rộng phần “explain” cuối cùng – đây là phần scoring cao nhất

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Không tận dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị để structure ideas
• Nói quá ngắn (dưới 1.5 phút)
• Bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points
• Lạc đề, nói về những thứ không liên quan
• Không mở rộng phần “explain” về feelings/reasons

Cue Card

Describe a place where you go to spend time outdoors

You should say:

• Where this place is
• How often you go there
• What you do there
• And explain why you enjoy spending time at this place

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe a place (địa điểm cụ thể)

• Thì động từ: Chủ yếu hiện tại đơn (vì là nơi bạn thường xuyên đến), có thể dùng quá khứ đơn khi kể về lần đầu tiên hoặc một kỷ niệm cụ thể

• Bullet points phải cover:

  1. Where: Địa điểm cụ thể, vị trí (trong/ngoài thành phố, cách nhà bao xa, đặc điểm địa lý)
  2. How often: Tần suất cụ thể (daily/weekly/monthly), factors ảnh hưởng đến frequency
  3. What you do: Activities cụ thể, ai đi cùng, thời gian trong ngày thường đi
  4. Explain why: Đây là phần QUAN TRỌNG NHẤT – cần chiếm 40-50% thời gian nói

• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Phần này cần explain về feelings, benefits, memories, personal connection với địa điểm. Đây là nơi bạn show được vocabulary về emotions và ability to elaborate ideas. Nhiều thí sinh chỉ nói qua loa “because it’s beautiful” hoặc “it makes me relaxed” mà không develop idea – đó là lý do chỉ đạt Band 6.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about a park near my house where I often go to spend time outdoors. It’s called Thong Nhat Park and it’s located about 10 minutes from my home by motorbike.

I try to go there at least twice a week, usually on weekend mornings. Sometimes I go more often if I have free time after work, but it depends on my schedule and the weather.

When I’m there, I usually do jogging around the lake. The park has a nice running path that goes around the water. Sometimes I also sit on a bench and read books or just watch people. There are many families with children playing, and old people doing exercise. I occasionally go with my friends and we have coffee at a small café inside the park.

I enjoy spending time there for several reasons. First, it’s very peaceful and has lots of trees and fresh air, which is different from the busy streets. The environment helps me relax and forget about work stress. Second, I like the lake view, especially in the early morning when there’s mist on the water. It’s beautiful and makes me feel calm. Also, doing exercise there is good for my health. After jogging, I always feel more energetic and ready for the day. The park is also convenient because it’s close to my house, so I can go there easily anytime I want.

Overall, this park has become an important part of my weekly routine and I always look forward to my time there.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có sequencing rõ ràng (First, Second, Also), nhưng còn một số hesitation. Linking words cơ bản. Đủ 2 phút nhưng không đạt 2.5 phút
Lexical Resource	6-7	Vocabulary adequate: “peaceful”, “mist on the water”, “energetic”. Có một số collocations: “busy streets”, “work stress”. Tuy nhiên thiếu less common vocabulary và paraphrasing (lặp lại “park”, “there”)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix of simple và complex sentences. Có relative clause (which is different from…). Tenses chính xác. Nhưng thiếu variety trong structures
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear pronunciation, có thể hiểu rõ. Intonation cơ bản đúng

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
• ✅ Structure rõ ràng, dễ follow
• ✅ Có specific details (Thong Nhat Park, 10 minutes, twice a week)
• ✅ Đủ thời gian (khoảng 2 phút)

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary đơn giản, lặp lại nhiều từ (park, there, I)
• ⚠️ Phần “explain why” chưa đủ deep – chỉ liệt kê reasons mà không elaborate
• ⚠️ Thiếu personal stories hoặc memorable moments
• ⚠️ Grammar structures không đa dạng lắm

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to describe a place that’s become something of a sanctuary for me – the West Lake waterfront in Hanoi. It’s situated in the northwest part of the city, roughly 15 minutes from my apartment by bicycle, which is actually my preferred mode of transport when heading there.

I make it a point to visit at least three or four times a week, weather permitting. My visits tend to be most frequent during spring and autumn when the climate is particularly pleasant – neither too hot nor too cold. I’m less inclined to go during the scorching summer months or the bitter winter mornings, though I do occasionally brave the elements if I’m feeling particularly restless.

My activities there vary depending on my mood and the time of day. More often than not, I go for an early morning cycle along the lakeside path, which offers stunning views of the water, especially when the sun is rising and casting golden reflections across the surface. Sometimes I’ll bring along a book and find a quiet spot under one of the ancient trees that line the shore. On weekends, I might meet friends there for coffee at one of the quaint cafés dotted around the lake, and we’ll spend hours just people-watching and chatting.

What draws me to this place is multifaceted. For one thing, there’s an incredible sense of space and openness that you simply don’t get in Hanoi’s cramped city center. Being by the water has this almost meditative quality – watching the gentle ripples and listening to the lapping of waves against the shore helps me decompress after stressful days. I’ve also formed quite an emotional attachment to the place because it’s where I go during pivotal moments in my life – when I need to make important decisions or when I’m processing difficult emotions. There’s something about the combination of natural beauty, fresh breeze, and sense of tranquility that allows me to think more clearly. It’s become my go-to retreat whenever I need to escape the urban chaos and reconnect with myself.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Smooth flow, ít hesitation. Discourse markers sophisticated (More often than not, For one thing). Coherent progression of ideas
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range: “sanctuary”, “brave the elements”, “multifaceted”, “meditative quality”, “decompress”. Good collocations: “cramped city center”, “emotional attachment”, “pivotal moments”
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety of complex structures: relative clauses, participle clauses (weather permitting), conditional hints. Generally accurate với occasional minor slips
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear articulation, good intonation patterns, appropriate stress

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“peaceful”, “beautiful”, “makes me feel calm”	“sanctuary”, “meditative quality”, “decompress”, “reconnect with myself”
Grammar	“It’s very peaceful and has lots of trees”	“Being by the water has this almost meditative quality”, “weather permitting”
Ideas	Listed reasons (First, Second, Also)	Developed ideas với personal connection và emotional depth
Details	“early morning”, “mist on water”	“sun rising and casting golden reflections”, “gentle ripples”, “lapping of waves”

Bài này tốt hơn vì có sensory details (visual, auditory), emotional depth, và variety trong cả vocabulary lẫn grammar. Câu trả lời shows personality và ability to express complex ideas.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

The place I’d like to talk about is one that holds immense personal significance for me – a relatively secluded beach called Quan Lan, located on an island about three hours from Haiphong by ferry. It’s wonderfully off the beaten track, which is precisely what makes it so special. Unlike the commercialized coastal areas you typically find in Vietnam, this beach has managed to retain its pristine character and unspoiled charm.

My visits there are admittedly less frequent than I’d like – perhaps three or four times a year – mainly because it requires quite a bit of planning and commitment to get there. However, I try to make these trips during the shoulder seasons, particularly late spring or early autumn, when the weather is absolutely glorious and, more importantly, when the place isn’t overrun with tourists. There’s something almost sacred about having nearly an entire stretch of beach to yourself, which is increasingly rare in today’s world.

When I’m there, I immerse myself completely in the experience. My mornings typically start with a solitary swim just after sunrise, when the water is mirror-calm and the light has this ethereal, soft quality that’s impossible to capture in photographs. I find it profoundly invigorating – there’s something about plunging into the cool sea water that makes you feel intensely alive. After that, I might spend hours doing essentially nothing – lounging on the sand, cloud-watching, or simply letting my mind wander. I’ve gotten quite into beachcombing as well; there’s something oddly satisfying about searching for interesting shells and sea-worn stones. In the evenings, I usually take long, meandering walks along the shoreline as the sun sets, which never fails to take my breath away – the sky transforms into this spectacular palette of oranges, pinks, and purples.

The reason this place resonates so deeply with me is rather complex. On a fundamental level, I think it’s about the stark contrast it provides to my everyday urban existence. Living in Hanoi, you’re constantly bombarded with stimuli – the noise, the crowds, the pollution, the relentless pace. This beach offers the complete antithesis of that. The rhythm of the waves, the whisper of the wind through the casuarina trees, the warmth of the sun – these elemental sensations have a way of grounding you and putting things into perspective**.

But beyond that, I think what I value most is the mental clarity it affords me. I’ve noticed that my most profound insights and creative ideas tend to come when I’m there, perhaps because my mind finally has the space and quiet it needs to process things at a deeper level. It’s where I go to recalibrate, to reconnect with what truly matters, and to remind myself of the bigger picture when I get too caught up in the minutiae of daily life. In many ways, it’s become integral to my sense of wellbeing – a place that nourishes both my body and soul.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Effortlessly fluent, no noticeable hesitation. Sophisticated cohesion (On a fundamental level, But beyond that, In many ways). Ideas flow logically và naturally
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Extensive range: “immense personal significance”, “off the beaten track”, “ethereal quality”, “stark contrast”, “complete antithesis”. Precise và idiomatic: “overrun with tourists”, “never fails to take my breath away”, “caught up in the minutiae”
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures used naturally: participle clauses, cleft sentences (“What I value most is…”), relative clauses, conditional forms. Consistently accurate
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Native-like pronunciation features, expressive intonation, appropriate stress patterns

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Câu trả lời flows naturally như native speaker, không có awkward pauses. Discourse markers rất sophisticated và được sử dụng chính xác (Admittedly, On a fundamental level, But beyond that). Speaker tự tin express complex ideas without stumbling.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• “Holds immense personal significance” thay vì “very important to me”
• “Off the beaten track” (idiom) thay vì “not many people know”
• “Retain its pristine character” thay vì “still beautiful and clean”
• “Ethereal, soft quality” – descriptive và poetic
• “Bombarded with stimuli” – precise academic vocabulary
• “Complete antithesis” – sophisticated way to express contrast
• “Nourishes both my body and soul” – eloquent conclusion

Những cụm từ này không chỉ accurate mà còn natural và expressive, showing true mastery of English.

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Cleft sentences: “What I value most is the mental clarity…”
• Participle clauses: “Located on an island…”, “Living in Hanoi, you’re constantly…”
• Relative clauses: “…which is precisely what makes it so special”
• Inversion for emphasis: “Never fails to take my breath away”
• Present perfect: “I’ve gotten quite into…”, “I’ve noticed that…”
• Complex conditionals implied: “when the place isn’t overrun with tourists”

Các structures này được weave naturally vào câu trả lời, không forced hay mechanical.

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Thay vì chỉ nói “it’s peaceful and beautiful”, candidate explores:

• Contrast giữa urban life và beach setting
• Psychological benefits: mental clarity, perspective, grounding
• Sensory details: visual (palette of colors), auditory (whisper of wind), tactile (warmth of sun)
• Personal growth: where insights và creative ideas come
• Philosophical depth: reconnecting with what truly matters, bigger picture

Đây là level of analysis và self-awareness mà examiner tìm kiếm ở Band 9.

Nếu bạn muốn tìm hiểu thêm về cách mô tả các hoạt động thư giãn ngoài trời, describe a hobby you find relaxing sẽ cung cấp thêm nhiều ý tưởng hữu ích.

Thí sinh tự tin trình bày bài Speaking Part 2 về địa điểm ngoài trời yêu thích với examiner

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

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

Question 1: Have you always enjoyed going to this place?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Actually, I discovered it only about two years ago through a friend’s recommendation, but since then it’s become my favorite outdoor spot.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Not always, actually. I only stumbled upon this place about two years ago, quite by chance when a friend suggested it. But it was love at first sight, as they say, and it’s since become absolutely indispensable to my routine – I honestly can’t imagine not having access to it anymore.

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Question 2: Do you think more young people should spend time outdoors?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, definitely. Many young people today spend too much time on their phones and computers, so going outside would be healthier for them.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, though I realize I might sound a bit preachy saying this. I think there’s growing evidence that our increasingly screen-dominated lifestyles are taking a real toll on mental health, particularly among younger generations. Getting outside more could be something of an antidote to that – it offers real-world experiences and genuine connections with nature that you simply can’t replicate digitally, no matter how advanced technology becomes.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi abstract và sâu hơn về chủ đề đã nói ở Part 2. Đây là phần khó nhất vì requires critical thinking, ability to discuss broader issues, và express opinions với supporting arguments.

Yêu cầu:

• Phân tích vấn đề từ nhiều góc độ
• So sánh (past vs present, different groups of people, advantages vs disadvantages)
• Đưa ra opinions có reasoning rõ ràng
• Sử dụng examples từ society, không chỉ personal experiences

Chiến lược:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời (3-5 câu tối thiểu)
• Structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/Nuance
• Sử dụng discourse markers để organize ideas (Well, I think…, On the one hand…, Having said that…)
• Acknowledge complexity của issues (It depends…, To some extent…, It’s difficult to say…)
• Đưa ra examples cụ thể từ society/country/world

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu) như Part 1
• Không phân tích sâu, chỉ nói surface-level ideas
• Thiếu examples để support opinions
• Không biết xử lý câu hỏi khó (trả lời “I don’t know”)
• Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Benefits & Importance of Outdoor Activities

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Question 1: Why do you think spending time outdoors is important for people’s wellbeing?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Reason/Cause-Effect (Why…)
• Key words: “important”, “wellbeing” (cần hiểu wellbeing bao gồm physical, mental, emotional health)
• Cách tiếp cận: Đưa ra 2-3 main reasons với examples cụ thể. Có thể reference scientific evidence hoặc social trends

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think spending time outdoors is important for several reasons. First, it’s good for physical health because people can do exercise like jogging or cycling. Second, it helps mental health because nature is relaxing and can reduce stress. Many people today have busy lives and high pressure from work, so they need time outside to relax. Also, fresh air and sunlight are good for the body. For example, sunlight gives us vitamin D which is important for bones.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có First, Second, Also – organized nhưng basic
• Vocabulary: “good for health”, “reduce stress”, “busy lives” – adequate nhưng repetitive và simple
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear communication nhưng lacks depth, sophisticated vocabulary, và nuanced thinking

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Well, I think this is absolutely crucial, actually, and there are multiple dimensions to consider.

From a physiological standpoint, spending time outdoors facilitates physical activity in a way that indoor environments often don’t. People are naturally more inclined to walk, run, or engage in sports when they’re surrounded by appealing natural settings. But beyond just exercise, there’s mounting scientific evidence that exposure to nature has tangible health benefits – things like lower blood pressure, reduced cortisol levels, and even improved immune function. The Japanese have this concept of “forest bathing” or “shinrin-yoku“, which is essentially the idea that immersing yourself in nature has measurable therapeutic effects.

On the mental health front, I think it’s even more significant. We’re living in an age of unprecedented screen time and digital overload, which can be mentally exhausting. Nature provides what psychologists call “soft fascination” – it engages your attention gently without demanding intense focus, which allows your mind to restore itself. This is in stark contrast to the “hard fascination” of screens and urban environments that constantly compete for your attention and leave you feeling drained.

Having said that, I think there’s also a social dimension that often gets overlooked. Outdoor spaces tend to be where communities come together – parks, beaches, hiking trails – and this organic social interaction is vital for our wellbeing as inherently social creatures. It’s very different from the curated, artificial socializing we do online.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized với clear dimensions (physiological, mental, social). Uses discourse markers expertly (From a… standpoint, On the… front, Having said that)
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise: “mounting scientific evidence”, “tangible health benefits”, “unprecedented screen time”, “organic social interaction”, “curated, artificial socializing”
• Grammar: Complex structures flow naturally: relative clauses, participle phrases, cleft sentences
• Critical Thinking: Shows depth với scientific concepts (forest bathing, soft fascination), acknowledges multiple perspectives, uses precise terminology

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: From a… standpoint, On the… front, Having said that, actually
• Tentative language: I think, tends to be, often gets overlooked
• Abstract nouns: dimensions, physiological standpoint, therapeutic effects, organic social interaction
• Academic phrases: mounting scientific evidence, tangible health benefits, in stark contrast to, vital for our wellbeing

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Question 2: Do you think people spend enough time outdoors these days?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion với implicit comparison (past vs present)
• Key words: “enough time” (need to define what’s “enough”), “these days” (compare with past)
• Cách tiếp cận: Give opinion → Explain reasons (lifestyle changes, technology) → Acknowledge variations (depends on age, location) → Suggest implications

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

No, I don’t think so. People today are very busy with work and study, so they don’t have much free time. Also, many people prefer staying indoors to use their phones or watch TV. This is especially true for young people who spend a lot of time on social media. In the past, people spent more time outside because they didn’t have these technologies. I think this is a problem because it’s not healthy to stay inside all the time.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Opinion → Reasons → Comparison with past → Consequence
• Vocabulary: Basic và repetitive (busy, free time, stay inside)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Answers the question nhưng lacks sophistication và depth of analysis

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

On the whole, I’d say the answer is a resounding no, particularly in urban areas. What we’re seeing is this troubling trend where outdoor time has been steadily declining across most demographics, though it manifests differently depending on age groups and socioeconomic factors.

For working-age adults, the primary culprit is our increasingly demanding work culture. The traditional nine-to-five has morphed into something more like 24/7 connectivity, where people feel perpetually tethered to their devices and obligated to remain available. When you factor in long commutes and domestic responsibilities, outdoor leisure time gets squeezed out almost entirely – it becomes a luxury rather than a necessity.

Children and teenagers are particularly affected, though for somewhat different reasons. There’s been this dramatic shift in how young people occupy their free time – what psychologists call the “digitalization of childhood”. Where previous generations might have played outside as a default activity, today’s kids are more likely to be found in front of screens. This is partly driven by parental anxiety about safety, partly by the seductive nature of digital entertainment, and partly by how we’ve structured our neighborhoods and cities, which often lack adequate green spaces or safe play areas.

That said, I think we’re seeing some encouraging signs of a counter-movement. There’s growing awareness of what’s been lost, and initiatives like outdoor education programs, parkrun events, and urban greening projects are trying to reverse this trend. But whether these efforts are enough to offset the broader structural forces pushing us indoors remains to be seen.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear opinion → Analysis by demographic groups → Underlying causes → Acknowledgment of counter-trends và uncertainty
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated range: “resounding no”, “troubling trend”, “steadily declining”, “manifests differently”, “perpetually tethered”, “squeezed out”, “seductive nature”, “counter-movement”
• Grammar: Complex structures used naturally and accurately throughout
• Critical Thinking:
  • Nuanced analysis (varies by demographics, socioeconomic factors)
  • Multiple causes identified (work culture, digitalization, parental anxiety, urban design)
  • Balanced view (acknowledges problems but also positive counter-movements)
  • Uses specific terminology (“digitalization of childhood”, “urban greening projects”)
  • Shows uncertainty where appropriate (“remains to be seen”)

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Theme 2: Environmental Connection & Nature

Question 1: How can spending time in nature help people appreciate the environment more?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: How (Process/Mechanism)
• Key words: “appreciate” (cần explain psychological/emotional mechanisms), “environment” (broader than just nature)
• Cách tiếp cận: Explain the connection between direct experience và appreciation → Give examples of this process → Discuss implications for environmental behavior

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

When people spend time in nature, they can see the beauty of the environment directly. This makes them understand why we need to protect it. For example, if someone visits a forest or beach, they will see clean air and water, and they will want to keep it that way. Also, people who spend time outside are more likely to care about environmental problems like pollution or climate change. They might recycle more or use less plastic. So direct experience with nature creates stronger feelings about protecting the environment.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Main point → Example → Behavioral outcomes → Conclusion
• Vocabulary: Basic terms (beauty, protect, clean air, care about)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Logical answer nhưng lacks depth về psychological mechanisms và sophisticated language

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

This is fascinating, actually, because there’s quite a bit of research on what’s called the “nature-connection hypothesis.” Essentially, the idea is that direct, sensory engagement with natural environments fosters a sense of relationship with the non-human world that’s very different from abstract, intellectual understanding.

When you physically immerse yourself in a forest, a wetland, or a coastal area, you’re not just observing nature as some distant, separate entity – you’re experiencing yourself as part of it. You feel the wind, smell the earth, hear the birdsong, and this multisensory experience creates what psychologists call “emotional affinity” or even “biophilia” – an innate love of living things. It’s much harder to feel that connection when your only engagement with nature is through nature documentaries or social media posts, however beautiful they might be.

This emotional connection translates into what researchers call “pro-environmental behavior” in some fairly predictable ways. Studies have shown that children who spend significant time outdoors are more likely to develop environmental values that persist into adulthood. They’re more inclined to make personal sacrifices for environmental causes, support conservation policies, and simply pay attention to environmental issues. There’s this great quote from Baba Dioum, the Senegalese environmentalist: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.” I think spending time in nature is a powerful form of teaching that happens through direct experience rather than instruction.

Having said that, I think we need to be somewhat cautious about assuming this connection is automatic. The type and quality of nature experience matters. A brief, superficial visit to a highly manicured urban park might not have the same impact as extended time in a more wild, biodiverse environment. And for some people, particularly those who haven’t been exposed to nature from a young age, there can be barriers like discomfort, fear, or simply not knowing how to engage meaningfully with natural spaces.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Introduces concept (nature-connection hypothesis) → Explains mechanism (multisensory experience → emotional affinity) → Discusses outcomes (pro-environmental behavior) → Adds nuance (quality matters, not automatic)
• Vocabulary: Academic và precise: “sensory engagement”, “emotional affinity”, “biophilia”, “pro-environmental behavior”, “make personal sacrifices”, “conservation policies”
• Grammar: Sophisticated structures: relative clauses, conditional implications, nominal clauses
• Critical Thinking:
  • References research và psychological concepts
  • Uses expert quote to support argument
  • Distinguishes between types of nature experiences
  • Acknowledges limitations và complexity
  • Shows balanced, nuanced thinking

Những ai quan tâm đến mối liên hệ sâu sắc với thiên nhiên có thể tham khảo thêm describe a place where you go to connect with nature để có góc nhìn toàn diện hơn.

Phân tích chi tiết câu hỏi IELTS Speaking Part 3 về môi trường và thiên nhiên

Theme 3: Urban vs Rural Outdoor Spaces

Question 1: What are the main differences between outdoor activities in cities and in the countryside?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and Contrast
• Key words: “main differences” (need to identify 2-3 key distinctions), “cities” vs “countryside”
• Cách tiếp cận: Structure comparison systematically (type of activities, accessibility, experience quality, social aspects)

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

There are several differences. First, in cities, outdoor spaces are usually smaller like parks or sports centers, while in the countryside there are bigger natural areas like forests and mountains. Second, activities in cities are more organized – people go to gyms or specific recreation areas. In rural areas, activities are more natural like hiking or farming. Also, cities are more crowded, so it’s harder to find peaceful places. The countryside is quieter and has better air quality. City people might have easier access because parks are close to their homes, but countryside activities are more adventurous.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Uses First, Second, Also – organized comparison
• Vocabulary: Basic comparisons (smaller/bigger, crowded/quieter, organized/natural)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear comparison nhưng lacks sophistication và depth of analysis

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

Well, the distinctions are quite pronounced, actually, and they operate on several different levels.

In terms of the physical environment, urban outdoor activities tend to be more constrained and curated. You’re talking about designated parks, waterfront promenades, cycling lanes – spaces that are heavily engineered and purpose-built for recreation. In contrast, countryside activities typically involve more spontaneous engagement with relatively untouched natural landscapes – hiking through forests, swimming in lakes, or simply wandering through meadows. The countryside offers what we might call “deep nature experiences” with greater biodiversity and minimal human intervention, whereas urban nature is more manicured and controlled, though not necessarily less valuable.

The accessibility and convenience factor also differs markedly. City dwellers benefit from proximity – you might have a park within a five-minute walk – but the quality and variety of experiences can be limited. You’re often sharing the space with hundreds of others, which fundamentally changes the experience. Rural outdoor activities might require more deliberate planning and longer travel times, but they offer far greater solitude and immersive experiences. It’s the difference between fitting exercise into your lunch break versus dedicating an entire day to a mountain hike.

From a social perspective, urban outdoor spaces tend to be more egalitarian and inclusive – they’re designed to be accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels. You’ll see families with young children, elderly people, office workers grabbing a quick jog. Rural activities, particularly things like mountaineering, wild camping, or long-distance hiking, often require specific skills, equipment, and physical capability, which can make them less accessible to certain populations.

Having said that, I think we’re seeing this interesting convergence happening. Cities are trying to incorporate more wild elements into their green spaces – things like “rewilding projects” or “pocket forests.” Meanwhile, rural areas are developing more infrastructure to make outdoor activities more accessible to casual visitors. So the stark divisions that once existed are gradually blurring, which I think is actually a positive development.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Multi-layered comparison organized thematically (physical environment, accessibility, social aspects, future convergence)
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise: “quite pronounced”, “heavily engineered”, “purpose-built”, “minimal human intervention”, “manicured and controlled”, “differs markedly”, “egalitarian”, “convergence”, “stark divisions”, “gradually blurring”
• Grammar: Complex comparative structures, conditional nuances, relative clauses
• Critical Thinking:
  • Systematic comparison across multiple dimensions
  • Acknowledges trade-offs (proximity vs quality, accessibility vs immersion)
  • Introduces nuanced concepts (deep nature experiences, egalitarian spaces)
  • Shows awareness of trends (rewilding, convergence)
  • Balanced evaluation (not suggesting one is superior)

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Question 2: Do you think governments should invest more in creating outdoor public spaces?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Justification (Should…)
• Key words: “governments”, “invest more” (implies cost-benefit analysis), “public spaces”
• Cách tiếp cận: State position → Explain benefits (health, social, environmental) → Acknowledge challenges/costs → Offer balanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think governments should invest more in outdoor public spaces. These spaces are very important for people’s health and happiness. When people have parks and green areas nearby, they can exercise more and this reduces health problems. This saves money for the healthcare system in the long term. Also, public spaces bring communities together and give children safe places to play. Some people might say it’s expensive to create and maintain these spaces, but I think the benefits are worth the cost. Better outdoor spaces also make cities more attractive for tourists and businesses.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Position → Health benefits → Social benefits → Address cost concern → Additional benefit
• Vocabulary: Functional nhưng basic (important, health problems, bring together, worth the cost)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Logical argument nhưng lacks sophisticated reasoning và nuanced analysis

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

I’d argue quite strongly that they should, yes, though with some important caveats about how that investment is structured.

From a public health perspective, the return on investment is actually quite compelling when you look at the numbers. There’s substantial evidence that accessible green spaces correlate with reduced rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental health issues. In fact, some health economists have calculated that every dollar spent on quality parks and green infrastructure generates multiple dollars in avoided healthcare costs and increased productivity. It’s preventive medicine on an urban planning scale. Given that most countries are grappling with exploding healthcare expenditures, this seems like a remarkably cost-effective intervention.

Beyond health, there are significant social equity dimensions to consider. Quality outdoor spaces are not evenly distributed across cities – wealthier neighborhoods typically have far better access to parks and green areas. This creates what’s sometimes called “park poverty” in lower-income communities, which exacerbates existing inequalities. Government investment can help level the playing field and ensure that all residents, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to the documented benefits of nature and outdoor recreation.

From an environmental standpoint, well-designed green spaces provide crucial ecosystem services – they mitigate urban heat island effects, manage stormwater, improve air quality, and support urban biodiversity. In the context of climate change adaptation, these functions are becoming increasingly valuable, arguably essential for urban resilience.

That said, I think the key is strategic, thoughtful investment rather than just throwing money at the problem. We’ve all seen poorly conceived parks that don’t meet community needs or high-maintenance facilities that become fiscal burdens. Effective investment requires genuine community consultation, evidence-based design, and long-term maintenance planning. It also means sometimes choosing lower-cost, nature-based solutions – like converting vacant lots into community gardens or protecting existing natural areas – over expensive, heavily built infrastructure.

So yes, absolutely more investment, but it needs to be smart, equitable, and sustainable investment that genuinely serves public needs rather than just ticking political boxes.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Strong position with caveats → Economic argument (healthcare ROI) → Social equity argument → Environmental argument → Important qualifications about implementation → Refined conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated policy language: “return on investment”, “correlate with”, “preventive medicine”, “grappling with”, “social equity dimensions”, “park poverty”, “exacerbates inequalities”, “level the playing field”, “ecosystem services”, “urban resilience”, “fiscal burdens”, “ticking political boxes”
• Grammar: Complex structures including conditional nuances, relative clauses, nominal clauses
• Critical Thinking:
  • Multi-dimensional analysis (health, social, environmental, economic)
  • Uses specific evidence and concepts (health economics, park poverty, ecosystem services)
  • Acknowledges potential problems with implementation
  • Distinguishes between quantity and quality of investment
  • Balanced, nuanced position (not simplistic yes/no)
  • Shows awareness of political realities

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic hedging: quite strongly, with some important caveats, arguably, sometimes
• Evidence-based language: substantial evidence, studies have shown, health economists have calculated
• Policy terminology: return on investment, social equity, fiscal burdens, evidence-based design
• Contrasting ideas: That said, Beyond health, From an environmental standpoint

Theme 4: Technology & Outdoor Activities

Question: How has technology changed the way people enjoy outdoor activities?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Change over time (How has… changed)
• Key words: “technology”, “changed”, “enjoy” (implies both positive and negative changes)
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify main changes → Discuss positive impacts → Discuss negative impacts → Offer balanced evaluation

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Technology has changed outdoor activities a lot. Now people use smartphones and apps when they go outside. For example, they use GPS for hiking or cycling apps to track their distance. People also take many photos and post them on social media to share their experiences. This can be good because apps can help people find new places and stay safe. But it can also be bad because people spend too much time on their phones instead of enjoying nature. Some people only go to beautiful places to take photos for Instagram, not because they really want to enjoy nature. So technology has both advantages and disadvantages for outdoor activities.

Phân tích:

• Structure: General statement → Examples → Positive aspects → Negative aspects → Conclusion
• Vocabulary: Basic và repetitive (a lot, good, bad, beautiful places)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Covers main points nhưng lacks nuance và sophisticated analysis

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9:

This is a really interesting evolution to observe, actually, because technology’s impact on outdoor recreation has been profoundly paradoxical – it’s simultaneously enhanced certain aspects while potentially undermining the core essence of what outdoor experiences traditionally offered.

On the enhancement side, there’s no question that technology has made outdoor activities more accessible and safer. Navigation apps have democratized activities like hiking and backcountry skiing that once required specialized map-reading skills. Fitness tracking technology has gamified exercise in ways that motivate people who might otherwise be sedentary. Weather apps provide critical safety information. And platforms that connect people with similar interests have fostered communities around activities like trail running, rock climbing, or bird watching. In many ways, technology has lowered barriers to entry and made outdoor pursuits less intimidating for newcomers.

But there’s a darker side that I think is becoming increasingly apparent. We’re seeing this phenomenon that some sociologists call the “Instagram effect” or “performative outdoor recreation” – where the experience itself becomes secondary to its documentation and social sharing. People are visiting natural landmarks primarily to capture the perfect shot rather than to genuinely engage with the place. This creates this strange contradiction where you’re physically present but mentally absent, more concerned with how the experience looks than how it feels. There’s also growing evidence of “hotspot overcrowding” – certain locations becoming overrun because they’ve gone viral on social media, which damages the very attributes that made them special in the first place.

Perhaps more fundamentally, constant connectivity means people often bring the stresses and distractions of their digital lives into spaces that traditionally offered refuge from exactly those things. The opportunity for what psychologists call “psychological detachment” – truly disconnecting and allowing your mind to wander – is compromised when you’re constantly checking messages or compulsively documenting everything.

That said, I think we’re in a transitional period, and there’s growing awareness of these issues. Movements like “digital detox hiking” or phone-free camping experiences are emerging as conscious alternatives. And some apps are being designed specifically to enhance rather than distract from the outdoor experience – like plant identification apps or stargazing guides that add educational value without demanding constant attention.

So in summary, technology has been a double-edged sword – it’s made outdoor activities more accessible and informative, but it’s also introduced new forms of distraction and commodification that can diminish the intrinsic value of these experiences. The challenge moving forward is to harness the benefits while mitigating the downsides, which I think requires conscious, intentional use rather than mindless integration of technology into outdoor settings.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Introduction framing the paradox → Positive impacts (detailed) → Negative impacts (detailed with specific concepts) → Transitional trends → Nuanced summary
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated: “profoundly paradoxical”, “democratized”, “gamified exercise”, “performative outdoor recreation”, “strange contradiction”, “hotspot overcrowding”, “psychological detachment”, “compulsively documenting”, “double-edged sword”, “commodification”, “intrinsic value”
• Grammar: Full range of complex structures used accurately and naturally
• Critical Thinking:
  • Identifies and names specific phenomena (Instagram effect, performative recreation)
  • Balanced analysis of benefits and drawbacks
  • Shows awareness of sociological research
  • Recognizes ongoing evolution and emerging counter-trends
  • Offers nuanced conclusion that acknowledges complexity
  • Uses precise academic terminology

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
sanctuary	n	/ˈsæŋktʃueri/	nơi ẩn náu, thánh địa	This beach has become my sanctuary from city stress.	find sanctuary, seek sanctuary, provide sanctuary
secluded	adj	/sɪˈkluːdɪd/	hẻo lánh, biệt lập	I prefer secluded beaches where there are fewer tourists.	secluded spot, secluded area, secluded location
off the beaten track	idiom	/ɒf ðə ˈbiːtn træk/	nơi ít người biết đến, hẻo lánh	This hiking trail is really off the beaten track.	well off the beaten track, far off the beaten track
pristine	adj	/ˈprɪstiːn/	nguyên sơ, hoang sơ	The island has pristine beaches with crystal-clear water.	pristine condition, pristine environment, pristine nature
rejuvenating	adj	/rɪˈdʒuːvəneɪtɪŋ/	làm trẻ lại, phục hồi	I find morning walks absolutely rejuvenating.	rejuvenating experience, feel rejuvenating
hustle and bustle	idiom	/ˈhʌsl ənd ˈbʌsl/	sự hối hả nhộn nhịp	I need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.	escape the hustle and bustle, away from the hustle and bustle
leisurely stroll	phrase	/ˈleʒəli strəʊl/	dạo chơi thư thái	We took a leisurely stroll through the botanical gardens.	take a leisurely stroll, enjoy a leisurely stroll
recharge one’s batteries	idiom	/ˌriːˈtʃɑːdʒ wʌnz ˈbætəriz/	nạp lại năng lượng	A weekend in nature helps me recharge my batteries.	need to recharge batteries, time to recharge batteries
immerse oneself	v phrase	/ɪˈmɜːs wʌnˈself/	đắm mình, chìm đắm	I love to immerse myself completely in nature.	immerse oneself in, fully immerse
ethereal	adj	/ɪˈθɪəriəl/	thanh thoát, huyền ảo	The morning mist created an ethereal atmosphere.	ethereal quality, ethereal beauty, ethereal light
decompress	v	/ˌdiːkəmˈpres/	giải tỏa căng thẳng	I go to the park to decompress after stressful days.	need to decompress, help decompress
tranquility	n	/træŋˈkwɪləti/	sự yên tĩnh, thanh bình	The tranquility of the lake is incredibly soothing.	sense of tranquility, find tranquility, tranquility and peace
meandering	adj	/miˈændərɪŋ/	uốn khúc, quanh co	I love taking meandering walks along the river.	meandering path, meandering river, meandering walk
biodiversity	n	/ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/	đa dạng sinh học	This forest has remarkable biodiversity.	rich biodiversity, protect biodiversity, biodiversity hotspot
ecosystem	n	/ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/	hệ sinh thái	Wetlands are vital ecosystems that need protection.	fragile ecosystem, marine ecosystem, ecosystem services
urban sprawl	phrase	/ˈɜːbən sprɔːl/	sự mở rộng đô thị	Urban sprawl is reducing green spaces in cities.	unchecked urban sprawl, combat urban sprawl
green infrastructure	phrase	/ɡriːn ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/	cơ sở hạ tầng xanh	Cities need more investment in green infrastructure.	develop green infrastructure, green infrastructure projects
carbon footprint	phrase	/ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/	dấu chân carbon, lượng khí thải	Walking to parks reduces your carbon footprint.	reduce carbon footprint, minimize carbon footprint
commune with nature	idiom	/kəˈmjuːn wɪð ˈneɪtʃə(r)/	hòa mình với thiên nhiên	I go camping to commune with nature.	need to commune with nature
restorative	adj	/rɪˈstɒrətɪv/	có tác dụng phục hồi	Time in nature has a restorative effect on mental health.	restorative power, restorative benefits, restorative experience

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
do wonders for	có tác dụng kỳ diệu	Spending time outdoors does wonders for my stress levels.	7.5-9
make all the difference	tạo ra sự khác biệt quan trọng	Even a short walk can make all the difference to how I feel.	7.5-9
take your breath away	làm ngạc nhiên, choáng ngợp	The sunset view never fails to take my breath away.	7-8
get away from it all	thoát khỏi mọi thứ, nghỉ ngơi	I go to the mountains to get away from it all.	7-8
at one with nature	hòa mình với thiên nhiên	Hiking makes me feel at one with nature.	7.5-8.5
a breath of fresh air	điều gì đó mới mẻ, sảng khoái	That park is literally a breath of fresh air.	7-8
the great outdoors	thiên nhiên hoang dã	I’m passionate about exploring the great outdoors.	7-8
soak up the sun	tận hưởng ánh nắng	I love to soak up the sun on the beach.	6.5-7.5
clear one’s head	làm đầu óc tỉnh táo	A walk in the park helps me clear my head.	7-8
be spoilt for choice	có quá nhiều lựa chọn	We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to hiking trails.	7.5-8.5
off the grid	không có kết nối điện tử/xa xôi	I love camping trips that are completely off the grid.	7.5-9
in the middle of nowhere	ở nơi hẻo lánh	The cabin is in the middle of nowhere, which I love.	7-8

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ hoặc để làm mềm câu trả lời
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi muốn đưa ra góc nhìn bất ngờ hoặc khác với expectation
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nhấn mạnh sự thật thà trong quan điểm
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách khéo léo đưa ra opinion
• 📝 From my perspective,… – Nhấn mạnh đây là góc nhìn cá nhân

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó (formal hơn “Also”)
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, không chỉ thế
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến (thường cho điều quan trọng)
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài ra, xa hơn thế
• 📝 In addition to that,… – Ngoài ra

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác…
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Tuy đúng là… nhưng cũng cần xem xét…
• 📝 Having said that,… – Tuy nhiên, đã nói như vậy nhưng…
• 📝 That said,… – Dù vậy thì…
• 📝 At the same time,… – Đồng thời

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, xét tất cả các yếu tố
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì (informal)
• 📝 In the final analysis,… – Xét cho cùng (formal)
• 📝 To sum up,… – Tóm lại
• 📝 Overall,… – Nhìn chung

Để thể hiện mức độ chắc chắn:

• 📝 I’m fairly certain that… – Tôi khá chắc chắn rằng
• 📝 It seems to me that… – Có vẻ như là
• 📝 I tend to think that… – Tôi có xu hướng nghĩ rằng
• 📝 I would argue that… – Tôi cho rằng (khi muốn defend một position)
• 📝 There’s no doubt that… – Không nghi ngờ gì rằng

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

• Formula: If + past perfect, would + infinitive (mixing type 3 và type 2)
• Ví dụ: “If I hadn’t discovered this beach, my weekends would be much less enjoyable.”
• Sử dụng: Thể hiện past action affecting present situation

Inversion for emphasis:

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle
• Ví dụ: “Had I known about this park earlier, I would have spent more time there.”
• Sử dụng: Formal và impressive way to express regret hoặc hypothesis

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:

• Formula: , which/who/where…,
• Ví dụ: “The botanical gardens, which are located near my house, offer a peaceful escape.”
• Sử dụng: Add extra information, làm câu sophisticated hơn

Reduced relative clauses:

• Formula: Participle phrase thay thế relative clause
• Ví dụ: “The path leading to the lake is my favorite.” (= which leads to the lake)

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive với reporting verbs:

• Formula: It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that spending time outdoors improves mental health.”
• Sử dụng: Present information objectively, không personal opinion

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What clauses:

• Formula: What + clause + is/was…
• Ví dụ: “What I find most appealing about this place is its tranquility.”
• Sử dụng: Emphasize particular information

The thing that:

• Formula: The thing that + clause + is/was…
• Ví dụ: “The thing that attracts me most is the sense of space and freedom.”

5. Participle Clauses (Mệnh đề phân từ):

Present participle (-ing) for simultaneous actions:

• Ví dụ: “Walking along the beach, I often reflect on important life decisions.”

Past participle for passive meaning:

• Ví dụ: “Surrounded by nature, I feel completely at peace.”

Perfect participle for sequence:

• Ví dụ: “Having spent the morning hiking, I felt energized for the rest of the day.”

Những cấu trúc này khi được sử dụng natural và accurate sẽ giúp bạn score cao ở Grammatical Range & Accuracy. Tuy nhiên, đừng force chúng vào câu trả lời một cách mechanical – naturalness vẫn là yếu tố quan trọng nhất.

Khi thảo luận về các hoạt động giải trí ngoài trời trong bối cảnh rộng hơn, bạn có thể tham khảo is there more to video games ielts answer để so sánh giữa hoạt động trong nhà và ngoài trời.

Infographic tổng hợp từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng cho IELTS Speaking chủ đề outdoor activities

Chiến Lược Đạt Điểm Cao và Lời Khuyên Từ Examiner

Chuẩn Bị Trước Khi Thi

1. Xây dựng vocabulary bank cá nhân:

• Tạo flashcards với từ vựng theo chủ đề
• Ghi lại collocations, không học từ đơn lẻ
• Practice sử dụng trong câu context
• Ôn tập spaced repetition (ôn lại sau 1 ngày, 3 ngày, 1 tuần, 1 tháng)

2. Chuẩn bị ideas và personal stories:

• List 5-6 outdoor places bạn thực sự biết
• Với mỗi place, brainstorm:
  • Specific details (địa điểm chính xác, đặc điểm vật lý)
  • Personal memories (lần đầu đến, memorable moment)
  • Sensory details (sights, sounds, smells)
  • Feelings và reflections
• Đừng fabricate hoàn toàn – dựa trên real experiences sẽ natural hơn

3. Practice với variety của questions:

• Không chỉ học thuộc sample answers
• Practice với bạn bè hoặc giáo viên
• Record yourself và listen back
• Focus on fluency, không phải perfection

Trong Phòng Thi

Part 1 Tips:

• Mỉm cười và eye contact với examiner
• Trả lời 2-3 câu cho mỗi question
• Đừng overthink – respond naturally
• Nếu không hiểu, lịch sự ask for clarification: “Sorry, could you repeat that?”

Part 2 Tips:

• Sử dụng đầy đủ 1 phút preparation time
• Ghi notes theo bullet points, không viết câu
• Structure notes: Where / How often / What / Why (biggest)
• Nói đủ 2 phút – nếu hết ý, expand phần “explain why”
• Đừng memorize và recite – sound natural

Part 3 Tips:

• Mở rộng answers (3-5 câu minimum)
• Structure: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Nuance
• Use discourse markers để organize ideas
• Acknowledge complexity: “It depends on…”, “That’s a complex issue…”
• Nếu không chắc, use tentative language: “I think…”, “It seems to me…”
• Đừng panic nếu gặp câu khó – take a breath, think, và give your best answer

Common Mistakes Của Thí Sinh Việt Nam

Lỗi từ vựng:

• ❌ Overuse “very”, “good”, “bad”, “beautiful”
• ✅ Use specific adjectives: spectacular, stunning, pristine, serene
• ❌ Dịch trực tiếp từ tiếng Việt: “the air is very fresh and cool”
• ✅ Use collocations: “crisp morning air”, “invigorating breeze”

Lỗi ngữ pháp:

• ❌ Lack of variety: All simple sentences
• ✅ Mix simple, compound, và complex sentences
• ❌ Tense confusion khi kể về past experience
• ✅ Consistent tense usage with clear time markers

Lỗi phát âm:

• ❌ Flat intonation, không stress content words
• ✅ Natural rhythm với appropriate pausing
• ❌ Pronounce mọi syllable equally
• ✅ Reduce function words, stress content words

Lỗi về content:

• ❌ Generic answers không có personal touch
• ✅ Specific examples và personal stories
• ❌ Yes/No answers trong Part 1
• ✅ Always extend với reason + example

Lộ Trình Luyện Tập

4-6 tuần trước thi:

• Week 1-2: Build vocabulary bank, learn collocations
• Week 3-4: Practice Part 1 và Part 2 với diverse topics
• Week 5-6: Focus on Part 3 critical thinking, practice với mock tests

1-2 tuần trước thi:

• Daily speaking practice (15-20 phút)
• Record yourself và identify weaknesses
• Review common topics và prepare flexible ideas
• Practice thinking in English, không translate

Ngày trước thi:

• Light review vocabulary
• Practice một vài câu để warm up
• Đủ ngủ và relaxed mindset
• Đừng cram – trust your preparation

Tâm Lý và Mindset

Điều cần nhớ:

• Examiner muốn bạn succeed, không phải trick you
• Mistakes nhỏ không ảnh hưởng nhiều – fluency và communication quan trọng hơn
• Be yourself – personality và natural expression được đánh giá cao
• Nếu nervous, acknowledge it: “I’m a bit nervous” và continue
• Đừng so sánh với người khác – focus on your best performance

Ngày thi:

• Arrive early để calm down
• Positive self-talk: “I’m prepared and capable”
• Deep breathing trước khi vào phòng
• Treat it như conversation với examiner, không phải interrogation
• Nếu blank out, không panic – pause, think, và continue

Nếu bạn quan tâm đến các chủ đề liên quan về tài nguyên thiên nhiên và môi trường, why has water become an important resource ielts cung cấp góc nhìn hữu ích về vấn đề này.

Với tư cách là examiner, tôi muốn nhấn mạnh rằng key to success trong IELTS Speaking không phải memorizing perfect answers mà là developing ability to communicate naturally và effectively về diverse topics. Chủ đề “Describe a place where you go to spend time outdoors” là cơ hội tuyệt vời để showcase vocabulary về nature, express personal feelings, và demonstrate your ability to elaborate ideas với depth và authenticity.

Chúc bạn học tốt và đạt band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking!