Trong hành trình chinh phục IELTS Speaking, chủ đề về các sản phẩm và mua sắm là một trong những đề tài quen thuộc và xuất hiện với tần suất cao. Đặc biệt, đề bài “Describe A Product You Purchased That You Are Satisfied With” đã trở thành câu hỏi phổ biến trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ năm 2020 đến nay, xuất hiện ở mức độ trung bình đến cao trong cả ba phần thi Speaking.
Chủ đề này quan trọng vì nó cho phép giám khảo đánh giá khả năng mô tả chi tiết, giải thích lý do, và thể hiện cảm xúc của bạn về một trải nghiệm thực tế. Từ góc độ của một examiner với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm, tôi nhận thấy nhiều thí sinh Việt Nam thường gặp khó khăn khi phải mô tả sản phẩm một cách chi tiết và giải thích rõ ràng tại sao họ hài lòng với nó.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:
- Các câu hỏi thường gặp về shopping và products trong cả 3 Part
- Bài mẫu chi tiết theo từng band điểm (6-7, 7.5-8, 8.5-9) với phân tích kỹ lưỡng
- Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm liên quan đến mua sắm và sản phẩm
- Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của examiner
- Lỗi phổ biến cần tránh và cách khắc phục
Dự đoán cho các kỳ thi sắp tới: Khả năng xuất hiện của chủ đề này vẫn ở mức cao, đặc biệt trong bối cảnh văn hóa tiêu dùng và mua sắm trực tuyến ngày càng phát triển.
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. Đây là phần “khởi động” để bạn làm quen với giám khảo và tạo ấn tượng ban đầu. Chiến lược quan trọng nhất là trả lời tự nhiên, mở rộng mỗi câu trả lời thành 2-3 câu với cấu trúc: trả lời trực tiếp → lý do/giải thích → ví dụ cụ thể.
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam trong Part 1:
- Trả lời quá ngắn gọn, chỉ Yes/No mà không giải thích
- Sử dụng từ vựng đơn giản, lặp đi lặp lại như “good”, “nice”, “interesting”
- Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
- Không tự nhiên, nghe như đang đọc thuộc lòng
Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp
Question 1: Do you enjoy shopping?
Question 2: How often do you go shopping?
Question 3: Do you prefer shopping online or in physical stores?
Question 4: What kind of products do you usually buy?
Question 5: Do you compare prices before buying something?
Question 6: Have you ever bought something you later regretted?
Question 7: Do you think shopping is a waste of time or money?
Question 8: What’s your favorite place to go shopping?
Question 9: Do you prefer shopping alone or with friends?
Question 10: How has your shopping habit changed over the years?
Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết
Question: Do you enjoy shopping?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời Yes/No rõ ràng ngay từ đầu
- Giải thích lý do (tại sao thích hoặc không thích)
- Đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể về loại sản phẩm hoặc trải nghiệm mua sắm
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I do enjoy shopping, especially for clothes and electronics. I find it relaxing to browse through different stores and look for good deals. I usually go shopping on weekends when I have free time.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, có đề cập đến loại sản phẩm cụ thể, có thông tin về thời gian
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng khá cơ bản (enjoy, relaxing, good deals), thiếu sự phát triển ý sâu hơn, cấu trúc câu đơn giản
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời đáp ứng yêu cầu cơ bản, có mở rộng nhưng chưa thể hiện được khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ linh hoạt và từ vựng phong phú. Không có discourse markers tự nhiên.
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Well, I’d say I’m quite selective when it comes to shopping. I do enjoy it, but only when I’m looking for something specific rather than just browsing aimlessly. What I find most satisfying is the research process – comparing different products, reading reviews, and eventually finding something that ticks all the boxes. That sense of achievement when you get exactly what you need at a reasonable price is quite rewarding.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng discourse marker “Well, I’d say” tự nhiên, từ vựng đa dạng và chính xác (selective, browsing aimlessly, ticks all the boxes), thể hiện quan điểm cá nhân rõ ràng với sự phát triển ý logic (enjoy → but có điều kiện → what I find satisfying → sense of achievement)
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tốt với linking natural, Lexical Resource phong phú với collocations chính xác (research process, reasonable price, sense of achievement), Grammar đa dạng với cấu trúc phức (when clause, what clause), thể hiện khả năng express nuanced ideas (selective, specific rather than aimless)
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- selective: có chọn lọc, kỹ tính
- browsing aimlessly: dạo xem không có mục đích cụ thể
- ticks all the boxes: đáp ứng tất cả các tiêu chí
- sense of achievement: cảm giác thành tựu
- reasonable price: giá cả hợp lý
Question: Do you prefer shopping online or in physical stores?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Chọn một trong hai hoặc nói cả hai tùy vào hoàn cảnh
- Giải thích ưu điểm của lựa chọn của bạn
- So sánh một chút với lựa chọn còn lại nếu có thể
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I prefer shopping online because it’s more convenient. I can shop from home and compare prices easily. However, for clothes, I sometimes go to physical stores because I want to try them on first.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Có so sánh hai phương thức, đưa ra lý do rõ ràng, có ví dụ cụ thể với quần áo
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (convenient, compare prices), cấu trúc câu chưa đa dạng, thiếu sự phát triển sâu hơn về lợi ích cụ thể
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời adequate nhưng chưa sophisticated, có compare nhưng chưa elaborate đủ
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Actually, it really depends on what I’m buying. For tech gadgets and books, I’m definitely more inclined to shop online because of the wider selection and competitive pricing. Plus, I can read customer reviews before making a decision, which is invaluable. That said, when it comes to perishables like groceries or items where quality matters, such as fresh produce, I still prefer brick-and-mortar stores where I can inspect the products firsthand. There’s something about the tactile experience that online shopping just can’t replicate.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng “Actually” và “depends on” rất tự nhiên, từ vựng sophisticated (inclined to, competitive pricing, invaluable, perishables, brick-and-mortar, tactile experience), có sự phân biệt rõ ràng giữa các loại sản phẩm, thể hiện critical thinking tốt
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Câu trả lời demonstrate flexibility (depends on context), vocabulary precise và topic-specific, grammar đa dạng với relative clauses và comparative structures, ideas well-developed với clear reasoning
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- depends on: tùy thuộc vào
- more inclined to: thiên về, có xu hướng
- competitive pricing: giá cạnh tranh
- invaluable: vô cùng quý giá
- perishables: hàng hóa dễ hỏng
- brick-and-mortar stores: cửa hàng truyền thống (có mặt bằng thực)
- inspect the products firsthand: kiểm tra sản phẩm trực tiếp
- tactile experience: trải nghiệm xúc giác
Question: Have you ever bought something you later regretted?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời trung thực (Yes sẽ interesting hơn No)
- Kể một ví dụ cụ thể nhưng ngắn gọn
- Giải thích tại sao bạn hối hận và bài học rút ra
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I have. Last year, I bought an expensive pair of headphones because they looked nice. But after a few weeks, I realized the sound quality wasn’t very good and I rarely used them. It was a waste of money.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Có ví dụ cụ thể với thời gian và sản phẩm, có kết luận về waste of money
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng basic (expensive, looked nice, sound quality wasn’t very good), thiếu detail về tại sao mua và lesson learned, câu trúc đơn giản
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Answer adequate với clear example nhưng lacks depth và sophisticated language
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Oh, absolutely! I think everyone has impulse purchases they regret. Mine was a high-end smartphone I bought about two years ago. I was caught up in all the marketing hype and persuasive advertising, thinking I needed the latest model. However, once the novelty wore off, I realized I was barely using half of its features, and my previous phone would have been perfectly adequate. It was a valuable lesson in not falling for clever marketing and actually considering whether something meets my genuine needs rather than just wants. Now I’m much more mindful about my purchases.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Opening “Oh, absolutely!” rất tự nhiên, vocabulary sophisticated (impulse purchases, caught up in, marketing hype, novelty wore off, falling for, genuine needs vs wants, mindful), có reflection và lesson learned chi tiết, thể hiện personal growth
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Natural fluency với appropriate discourse markers, lexical resource excellent với precise collocations, grammar complex với multiple clauses, demonstrates self-awareness và critical reflection
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- impulse purchases: mua hàng theo cảm tính
- caught up in: bị cuốn vào, bị ảnh hưởng bởi
- marketing hype: chiêu trò quảng cáo phóng đại
- novelty wore off: sự mới mẻ phai nhạt
- falling for: sa vào bẫy, tin vào
- meets my genuine needs: đáp ứng nhu cầu thực sự
- mindful: cẩn trọng, có ý thức
Học viên đang luyện tập trả lời câu hỏi IELTS Speaking Part 1 về chủ đề mua sắm với giáo viên
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Tổng Quan Về Part 2
Part 2 là phần thử thách nhất của IELTS Speaking vì bạn phải nói liên tục 2-3 phút về một chủ đề cụ thể. Bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị và nên sử dụng tối đa thời gian này để ghi chú các từ khóa (không viết câu hoàn chỉnh).
Chiến lược quan trọng:
- Ghi chú theo từng bullet point, mỗi bullet 2-3 keywords
- Nghĩ về một sản phẩm thật mà bạn thực sự mua và hài lòng (điều này giúp bạn nói tự nhiên hơn)
- Nói đủ 2 phút (tối thiểu 1.5 phút) – nếu dưới 1.5 phút, điểm sẽ bị ảnh hưởng
- Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points, đặc biệt là câu “explain” ở cuối
- Sử dụng thì quá khứ khi kể về việc mua hàng (bought, purchased, decided)
Lỗi thường gặp:
- Không sử dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị, vội vàng bắt đầu
- Nói quá ngắn (dưới 1.5 phút) hoặc dừng giữa chừng
- Bỏ sót một số bullet points, đặc biệt là “explain”
- Nói không có structure, nhảy lung tung giữa các ý
- Không maintain tense consistency (nhảy giữa past và present)
Cue Card
Describe a product you purchased that you are satisfied with
You should say:
- What the product is
- When and where you bought it
- What you use it for
- And explain why you are satisfied with it
Phân Tích Đề Bài
- Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an object/product (mô tả vật phẩm)
- Thì động từ: Chủ yếu là quá khứ đơn cho phần mua hàng (bought, purchased, decided), hiện tại đơn cho phần sử dụng (use, help, work) và hiện tại hoàn thành cho trải nghiệm đến hiện tại (have been using, has served)
- Bullet points phải cover:
- What: Tên sản phẩm, loại gì, brand, model (nếu nhớ)
- When/Where: Thời gian cụ thể, địa điểm mua (online hay offline, tên shop nếu nhớ)
- What for: Mục đích sử dụng, tần suất sử dụng
- Why satisfied: Chất lượng, giá cả, độ bền, features, so với kỳ vọng
- Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất! Cần elaborate với nhiều lý do cụ thể (quality, value for money, durability, functionality, exceeded expectations), đưa ra examples và có thể so sánh với products khác
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7
Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút
“I’d like to talk about a wireless speaker I bought about six months ago. It’s a JBL speaker, which is quite popular in Vietnam.
I purchased it from an electronics store in a shopping mall near my house. I remember it was on a weekend, and the store was having a sale, so I got a good discount.
I mainly use it to listen to music when I’m at home. Sometimes I also use it when I have friends over, because it’s loud enough for a small gathering. The sound quality is really good, and I can connect it to my phone easily via Bluetooth.
I’m satisfied with this speaker for several reasons. First, the price was reasonable – I paid about 1.5 million dong, which I think is good value. Second, the battery life is excellent. I can use it for the whole day without charging. Third, it’s portable, so I can move it around the house easily. The design is also nice and modern.
Overall, this has been a great purchase and I use it almost every day. It has made listening to music at home much more enjoyable.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 6-7 | Nói tương đối trôi chảy, có structure logic (what → when/where → what for → why), sử dụng một số connectors cơ bản (first, second, third, overall) nhưng chưa sophisticated |
| Lexical Resource | 6-7 | Từ vựng adequate với một số collocations (wireless speaker, sound quality, battery life, great purchase) nhưng còn nhiều từ cơ bản (good, nice, really good, loud enough) |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 6-7 | Sử dụng đúng past simple cho purchasing, present simple cho current use, có một số complex sentences (when I have friends over, which I think is…) nhưng chủ yếu là simple structures |
| Pronunciation | 6-7 | (Giả định) phát âm rõ ràng, có thể hiểu được, stress patterns cơ bản đúng |
Điểm mạnh:
- ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ cả 4 bullet points
- ✅ Có structure rõ ràng và logic
- ✅ Thời lượng đủ (gần 2 phút)
- ✅ Ví dụ cụ thể về giá cả và sử dụng
Hạn chế:
- ⚠️ Từ vựng chưa đa dạng, lặp lại “good”, “really good”
- ⚠️ Thiếu descriptive language cho sản phẩm
- ⚠️ Phần “explain why satisfied” có lý do nhưng chưa elaborate sâu, chưa có so sánh với expectations hoặc sản phẩm khác
- ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng, thiếu advanced structures
📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8
Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút
“I’d like to describe a noise-canceling headset I purchased roughly eight months ago, which has honestly become one of my most valued possessions.
It’s a Sony WH-1000XM4, quite a premium model in the headphone market. I bought it from an authorized retailer on an e-commerce platform called Shopee during their mid-year sale. I’d been eyeing this particular model for months, but the price was quite steep – around 7 million dong. However, when the sale came around, I managed to snag it for about 5.5 million, which was a steal considering its regular retail price.
I use these headphones primarily for work and study. Since I work from home quite often, I need something that can block out distractions and help me maintain focus. The active noise cancellation is phenomenal – it literally creates a bubble of silence around me. I also use them during my daily commute and when I’m at the gym, so they’ve become an essential part of my daily routine.
What makes me particularly satisfied with this purchase is the exceptional audio quality combined with the noise-canceling technology. The sound is crisp and well-balanced, bringing out both the bass and the treble beautifully. But beyond the technical specs, what really impressed me was how it has improved my productivity. I can now work in noisy environments without any disruption. The battery life is also remarkable – I only need to charge it once a week despite daily use. Another aspect I appreciate is the comfort level; I can wear them for hours without any discomfort, which is crucial for long work sessions.
Looking back, while it was quite an investment, it has been absolutely worth every penny.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 7.5-8 | Nói trôi chảy tự nhiên với minimal hesitation, structure rõ ràng và logic, sử dụng discourse markers sophisticated (honestly, however, literally, looking back) |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5-8 | Từ vựng phong phú với nhiều collocations chính xác (valued possessions, premium model, snag it, a steal, block out distractions, phenomenal, crisp and well-balanced), có paraphrasing tốt |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 7.5-8 | Đa dạng structures: past perfect (had been eyeing), present perfect (has become), relative clauses (which was a steal, what makes me satisfied), participle clauses, conditional implied (while it was an investment) |
| Pronunciation | 7.5-8 | (Giả định) phát âm chính xác, intonation tự nhiên, stress và rhythm tốt |
So Sánh Với Band 6-7
| Khía cạnh | Band 6-7 | Band 7.5-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | “good discount”, “sound quality is really good”, “great purchase” | “snag it for a steal”, “exceptional audio quality”, “phenomenal noise-cancellation”, “worth every penny” |
| Grammar | “I bought it from an electronics store” (simple past) | “I’d been eyeing this particular model for months” (past perfect continuous) |
| Ideas | Lý do satisfied: price, battery life, portable | Lý do satisfied: audio quality + noise-cancellation + productivity improvement + comfort + battery life (với detailed explanation cho mỗi điểm) |
| Details | “about 1.5 million dong” | “7 million dong… managed to snag it for 5.5 million” (comparative pricing) |
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9
Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ
“I’d like to talk about a mechanical keyboard I acquired approximately a year ago, which has genuinely transformed my working experience and has proven to be one of the most worthwhile investments I’ve made in recent years.
It’s a Keychron K8 mechanical keyboard, a relatively niche product in Vietnam’s tech market. What drew me to this particular model was its reputation among the programming community for both durability and tactile satisfaction. I purchased it through an official distributor’s website after conducting extensive research across various tech forums and YouTube reviews. The timing was quite fortuitous – I bought it during Black Friday sales, which allowed me to secure it at roughly 2.8 million dong, down from its usual price point of around 3.5 million. What particularly appealed to me was that this wasn’t just a run-of-the-mill discount but a genuine opportunity to own a premium peripheral at a more accessible price.
As for its primary function, I use it exclusively for my work as a content writer. The keyboard has become absolutely indispensable to my daily routine – I’m literally glued to it for eight to ten hours a day. The hot-swappable switches mean I can customize the typing experience to my exact preferences, and I’ve experimented with various switch types to find the optimal setup. Beyond work, I occasionally use it for gaming, though that’s more of a secondary benefit than the main purpose.
Now, what truly makes me satisfied with this purchase goes beyond the product’s inherent qualities. First and foremost, the typing experience is in a league of its own compared to traditional membrane keyboards. There’s a certain tactile feedback and auditory satisfaction – the distinctive click of each keystroke – that makes typing feel less like work and more like a pleasurable activity. This might sound overly sentimental, but it genuinely has made my work sessions more engaging.
Moreover, from a practical standpoint, it has significantly reduced the strain on my wrists and fingers. I used to experience considerable discomfort after long typing sessions with my previous keyboard, but since switching to this mechanical one, those issues have virtually disappeared. The ergonomic design and key spacing are clearly well thought out.
What also contributes to my satisfaction is the keyboard’s build quality and longevity. While the initial cost might seem substantial, especially in the Vietnamese market where such specialized equipment is considered a luxury, the durability means it’s likely to last for years, if not decades. It’s a stark contrast to the cheap peripherals I used to cycle through every year or two. In that sense, it represents a shift in my purchasing philosophy – prioritizing quality over quantity and long-term value over short-term savings.
Lastly, there’s an intangible element of satisfaction that comes from owning something well-crafted and purposefully designed. It’s one of those products that demonstrates how thoughtful engineering can elevate an everyday object into something that brings genuine joy to its use. In retrospect, this purchase has taught me the importance of investing in tools that you use daily, as the cumulative benefit over time far outweighs the upfront cost.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 8.5-9 | Nói cực kỳ trôi chảy, tự nhiên, không có hesitation, develops topics fully với clear progression, sophisticated cohesive devices (first and foremost, moreover, lastly, in retrospect) |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5-9 | Vocabulary exceptional với less common items và idiomatic expressions (in a league of its own, virtually disappeared, stark contrast, intangible element, cumulative benefit far outweighs), precise và natural collocations (worthwhile investment, fortuitous timing, run-of-the-mill discount, ergonomic design) |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 8.5-9 | Full range của structures sử dụng chính xác và natural: past perfect, present perfect, relative clauses, participles, conditionals, passive constructions, inversion implied, complex noun phrases |
| Pronunciation | 8.5-9 | (Giả định) pronunciation excellent với natural stress, rhythm và intonation của native-level speaker |
Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc
🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
- Không có bất kỳ hesitation nào, nói tự nhiên như đang kể chuyện
- Mỗi ý được develop đầy đủ trước khi chuyển sang ý tiếp theo
- Sử dụng discourse markers một cách organic (genuinely, literally, in retrospect)
📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
- “in a league of its own” (vô cùng xuất sắc, không gì sánh bằng) – idiomatic expression thể hiện superiority
- “hot-swappable switches” – technical vocabulary cho thấy domain knowledge
- “cumulative benefit over time far outweighs the upfront cost” – sophisticated economic reasoning với precise word choice
- “shift in my purchasing philosophy” – abstract noun phrase showing deep reflection
📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
- “I’d been eyeing” → past perfect continuous cho action kéo dài trước purchasing
- “which has genuinely transformed my working experience” → relative clause với present perfect
- “This might sound overly sentimental, but it genuinely has made…” → concessive structure với modal
- “those issues have virtually disappeared” → present perfect với adverb placement
- “It’s a stark contrast to the cheap peripherals I used to cycle through” → complex comparison với phrasal verb
💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
- Không chỉ describe product mà còn reflect về philosophy (quality over quantity, long-term value)
- Acknowledge intangible benefits (joy of use, thoughtful engineering)
- Show personal growth (shift in purchasing philosophy)
- Economic reasoning (cumulative benefit vs upfront cost)
- Holistic evaluation (functional + ergonomic + psychological + financial aspects)
Bàn phím cơ Keychron K8 minh họa cho bài thi IELTS Speaking Part 2 về sản phẩm hài lòng
Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)
Sau khi bạn nói xong Part 2, examiner thường hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn liên quan. Đây là phần transition sang Part 3.
Question 1: Do you still use this product regularly?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I use it every day for work. It’s become an important part of my routine and I can’t imagine working without it now.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely! It’s become such an integral part of my daily workflow that I honestly can’t envision going back to a conventional keyboard. What’s interesting is that the more I use it, the more I appreciate its subtle design features that I didn’t even notice initially. It’s one of those products where the value appreciation grows over time rather than diminishing with use.”
Question 2: Would you recommend it to others?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, definitely. I think anyone who types a lot for work should consider getting a good keyboard. It makes a big difference.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“I would, but with a caveat. It’s not a one-size-fits-all product. For people who spend substantial amounts of time typing – writers, programmers, students – it’s an investment that pays dividends. However, for casual users who only occasionally type, the price point might not be justified. It really boils down to your specific needs and how much you value the enhanced typing experience.”
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Tổng Quan Về Part 3
Part 3 là phần challenging nhất vì yêu cầu bạn discuss abstract ideas liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Thời gian kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi về social issues, trends, comparisons, predictions.
Yêu cầu:
- Phân tích, so sánh, đưa ra quan điểm có lý lẽ
- Xem xét nhiều góc độ của vấn đề (not just personal opinion)
- Sử dụng abstract và academic language
- Provide examples từ society, không chỉ cá nhân
Chiến lược:
- Mở rộng câu trả lời thành 4-6 câu với structure: opinion → reason 1 + example → reason 2 + example → conclusion/nuance
- Sử dụng discourse markers (Well, Actually, I’d say that…)
- Acknowledge complexity (It’s a complex issue, It depends on…)
- Không sợ admit khi không chắc chắn (I’m not entirely sure, but I’d say…)
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn gọn (1-2 câu)
- Chỉ nói về bản thân thay vì society
- Không có lý lẽ rõ ràng supporting opinion
- Thiếu từ vựng abstract và academic
- Không acknowledge different perspectives
Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu
Theme 1: Consumer Behavior and Shopping Habits
Question 1: Why do people sometimes buy things they don’t really need?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Cause-Effect / Analysis
- Key words: “sometimes buy”, “don’t really need” – focus vào psychological và social reasons
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify multiple reasons (psychological, social, marketing influence) → give examples → acknowledge complexity
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think there are several reasons. First, advertising makes products look very attractive and people want to buy them. Second, sometimes people buy things because of emotional reasons, like when they feel sad or stressed. Also, peer pressure can make people buy things because their friends have them. In modern society, shopping has become a way to feel better.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Có listing reasons (First, Second, Also) nhưng chưa develop đầy đủ
- Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng basic (advertising, attractive, emotional reasons, peer pressure, feel better)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Trả lời đúng câu hỏi với multiple reasons nhưng thiếu depth, examples không cụ thể, vocabulary chưa sophisticated
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Well, I think this phenomenon stems from a combination of psychological and societal factors. First and foremost, there’s the powerful influence of targeted marketing and persuasive advertising. Companies have become incredibly sophisticated at exploiting our psychological triggers – creating a sense of urgency with limited-time offers or tapping into our aspirations by associating products with desirable lifestyles. For instance, luxury brands don’t just sell products; they sell the illusion of status and success.
Beyond that, there’s the emotional dimension of shopping. Many people engage in what psychologists call ‘retail therapy’ – using shopping as a coping mechanism for stress, boredom, or dissatisfaction. The temporary dopamine rush from making a purchase can provide instant gratification, even if the satisfaction is fleeting.
What’s more, we live in an era of conspicuous consumption where our purchases have become markers of identity and social standing. Social media has amplified this tendency, with people feeling pressured to keep up with the lifestyles portrayed online. There’s a certain fear of missing out that drives unnecessary purchases.
That said, I think it’s important to recognize that this behavior isn’t purely negative – sometimes these ‘unnecessary’ purchases can bring genuine joy or serve as meaningful self-expression. It really boils down to finding a balance between mindful consumption and falling prey to every marketing ploy.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Well-organized với clear progression: psychological factors → emotional dimension → social pressure → nuanced conclusion. Sử dụng “First and foremost”, “Beyond that”, “What’s more”, “That said” để link ideas smoothly
- Vocabulary: Precise và sophisticated (stems from, exploiting psychological triggers, tapping into aspirations, fleeting satisfaction, conspicuous consumption, markers of identity, falling prey to marketing ploy)
- Grammar: Complex structures xuất sắc: relative clauses (what psychologists call), participles (using shopping as…), passives (has amplified, is portrayed), gerunds (finding a balance)
- Critical Thinking: Shows depth với multiple perspectives, acknowledges nuance (not purely negative), uses academic reference (psychologists call), provides specific examples (luxury brands, social media)
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: Well, First and foremost, Beyond that, What’s more, That said – tạo coherence tự nhiên
- Tentative language: I think this phenomenon, It really boils down to – shows thoughtful consideration
- Abstract nouns: phenomenon, aspirations, gratification, consumption, identity – academic style
- Collocations: powerful influence, psychological triggers, coping mechanism, instant gratification, conspicuous consumption, markers of identity
Question 2: How has online shopping changed the way people buy products?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Change/Comparison (Past vs Present)
- Key words: “how”, “changed” – focus vào specific changes và impact
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify major changes (convenience, selection, comparison) → explain impact → consider downsides
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Online shopping has changed shopping a lot. Now people can shop from home anytime they want, which is very convenient. They can also compare prices from different websites easily. Another change is that people can read reviews from other customers before buying. However, there are some disadvantages like not being able to see the actual product.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Có compare và mention cả advantages và disadvantages
- Vocabulary: Basic terms (convenient, compare prices, read reviews, disadvantages)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Answer adequate với clear points nhưng lacks elaboration và sophisticated language
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Online shopping has fundamentally transformed consumer behavior in several profound ways. Perhaps most significantly, it has eliminated the geographical constraints that once limited shopping options. Consumers now have unprecedented access to global markets – someone in a small town in Vietnam can effortlessly purchase products from international brands that would have been virtually inaccessible just a decade ago. This democratization of access has been truly revolutionary.
Moreover, online platforms have empowered consumers with information transparency that was unimaginable in traditional retail. The ability to instantly compare prices across multiple vendors, read authentic user reviews, and access detailed product specifications has shifted the power dynamic from sellers to buyers. Consumers are now far more informed and discerning, which has forced retailers to become more competitive and transparent.
The shopping experience itself has also been fundamentally altered. The convenience of browsing and purchasing at any time, without the constraints of store hours or physical distance, has made shopping seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. Coupled with features like personalized recommendations based on browsing history and one-click purchasing, the barrier between wanting something and acquiring it has become remarkably thin, which is both a blessing and a curse.
On the flip side, this transformation hasn’t been without drawbacks. The lack of tactile experience – the inability to physically examine products – remains a significant limitation, particularly for items like clothing or furniture where touch and feel matter. There’s also the issue of increased impulse buying due to the frictionless nature of online transactions, and growing concerns about the environmental impact of packaging and delivery logistics.
In essence, online shopping has made the consumer experience more convenient, informed, and global, but it’s also introduced new challenges around overconsumption and sustainability that society is still grappling with.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptional organization: geographical access → information transparency → experience transformation → drawbacks → balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated với precise terms (fundamentally transformed, democratization of access, power dynamic, seamlessly integrated, frictionless transactions, grappling with)
- Grammar: Full range: relative clauses, participles, passive constructions, comparative structures, complex noun phrases
- Critical Thinking: Balanced analysis với both positive transformations và acknowledging downsides, shows awareness of broader implications (environmental impact, sustainability)
💡 Key Language Features:
- Academic phrases: fundamentally transformed, profound ways, democratization of access, power dynamic shifted
- Cause-effect language: has empowered, has forced retailers, has made shopping, has introduced challenges
- Contrast markers: Moreover, On the flip side, In essence – showing different aspects
- Evaluative language: truly revolutionary, remarkably thin, significant limitation
Theme 2: Quality vs Price
Question 3: Do you think expensive products are always better quality than cheaper ones?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion với absolute statement (“always”)
- Key words: “expensive”, “always”, “better quality” – nên challenge the absolute statement
- Cách tiếp cận: Disagree với “always” → explain nuanced relationship between price and quality → give examples của cả correlations và exceptions
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I don’t think expensive products are always better. Sometimes expensive products have good quality, but not always. Some companies charge high prices just because of the brand name, not because of quality. On the other hand, some cheaper products can have good quality too. I think it depends on the product and the company. People should research before buying expensive things.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Có present opinion clearly và provide some reasoning
- Vocabulary: Basic (good quality, high prices, brand name, research)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Valid points nhưng lacks depth và sophisticated analysis of the price-quality relationship
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“I’d say that’s an oversimplification of a rather complex relationship between price and quality. While there’s often a correlation, it’s certainly not an absolute rule, and there are numerous exceptions that challenge this assumption.
In many cases, particularly with technical products or specialized equipment, higher prices do reflect superior quality – better materials, more rigorous quality control, advanced features, or more ethical production practices. For instance, in the electronics sector, premium brands like Apple or Sony typically command higher prices because they invest heavily in research and development, use higher-grade components, and offer better after-sales support. The price premium is, to some extent, justified by tangible benefits.
However, there’s also a significant psychological component to pricing that has nothing to do with objective quality. Luxury brands, particularly in fashion, often leverage what economists call ‘price signaling’ – using high prices to create perceptions of exclusivity and prestige. A designer handbag selling for tens of thousands of dollars isn’t necessarily constructed with materials that are proportionally more valuable than those in a mid-range bag; much of that price is attributed to brand cachet and artificial scarcity.
What’s more, the proliferation of direct-to-consumer brands has disrupted traditional pricing models. Many emerging companies now bypass expensive retail markups and brand positioning costs, offering comparable quality at significantly lower price points. This trend has exposed how much of traditional retail pricing was about covering overhead rather than reflecting actual quality.
Additionally, ‘better quality’ itself is quite subjective and context-dependent. A $20 pair of sneakers might be perfectly adequate for casual wear, making a $200 pair superfluous for that purpose, even if the expensive pair is objectively more durable or technologically advanced.
In conclusion, while price can be an indicator of quality, it’s far from infallible. Discerning consumers should look beyond the price tag to evaluate actual materials, craftsmanship, brand reputation, and most importantly, whether the product aligns with their specific needs. The sweet spot is often found in the mid-range, where you’re getting genuine quality improvements without paying a premium for brand prestige alone.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Masterful organization: challenge absolute statement → acknowledge genuine correlations → explain psychological pricing → discuss market disruptions → address subjectivity → nuanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Exceptional (oversimplification, correlation, rigorous, command higher prices, leverage price signaling, cachet, proliferation, bypass markups, superfluous, infallible, discerning consumers)
- Grammar: Full sophisticated range: relative clauses, conditionals, passive voice, participle constructions, complex comparisons
- Critical Thinking: Shows deep analysis với multiple perspectives, economic reasoning, acknowledgment of exceptions, balanced evaluation
💡 Key Language Features:
- Academic discourse: oversimplification, correlation, psychological component, price signaling, direct-to-consumer model
- Hedging language: often, typically, to some extent, far from infallible – showing nuanced thinking
- Economic terminology: price premium, retail markups, brand cachet, artificial scarcity
- Evaluative phrases: is justified by, is attributed to, look beyond, aligns with
Biểu đồ so sánh mối quan hệ giữa giá cả và chất lượng sản phẩm trong IELTS Speaking Part 3
Theme 3: Consumer Rights and Satisfaction
Question 4: What should companies do to ensure customer satisfaction?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Solution/Recommendation
- Key words: “what should”, “ensure customer satisfaction” – requires specific strategies
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify multiple strategies (product quality, service, feedback, after-sales) → explain why each matters → provide examples
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Companies should do several things to keep customers happy. First, they should provide good quality products at fair prices. Second, they need good customer service to help customers when they have problems. Also, companies should listen to customer feedback and improve their products. Having a good return policy is important too, so customers feel safe when buying.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Lists multiple suggestions với basic linking (First, Second, Also)
- Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng general (good quality, fair prices, customer service, feedback)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Covers main points nhưng lacks specific examples và sophisticated business terminology
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Ensuring customer satisfaction requires a multifaceted approach that extends beyond just delivering a quality product. Let me outline what I consider the key pillars.
First and foremost, companies need to prioritize product quality and consistency. There’s nothing more damaging to customer satisfaction than a product that fails to meet expectations or varies significantly in quality from batch to batch. This means investing in robust quality control systems and being transparent about product specifications and limitations. Overpromising and underdelivering is a surefire way to erode customer trust.
Equally important is responsive and empathetic customer service. When issues inevitably arise, how a company handles them often matters more than the issue itself. Customers appreciate companies that make it easy to get help, whether through multiple channels like phone, email, or chat, and that empower their customer service teams to actually resolve problems rather than just following scripts. Amazon, for example, has built much of its reputation on hassle-free returns and customer-centric policies.
Moreover, companies should actively solicit and act upon customer feedback. This means not just collecting data through surveys but genuinely analyzing it to identify patterns and pain points. The best companies treat customer complaints as valuable insights rather than nuisances. They implement feedback loops where customers can see that their input has led to tangible improvements.
From a broader perspective, I believe transparency and honest communication are increasingly crucial. With social media, any misstep or dishonest practice can quickly go viral, so companies need to be upfront about everything from pricing to data usage to supply chain practices. Consumers today value authenticity and ethical behavior almost as much as product quality.
Finally, after-sales support is often overlooked but critical. A warranty that’s actually honored, accessible technical support, and even loyalty programs that provide genuine value – these elements contribute significantly to long-term satisfaction and customer retention.
In essence, customer satisfaction isn’t achieved through any single strategy but through a consistent commitment to putting the customer’s experience at the center of business decisions. Companies that genuinely prioritize this tend to build not just satisfied customers but loyal advocates.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptional với clear roadmap (Let me outline key pillars) followed by systematic development của each strategy, ending với synthesizing conclusion
- Vocabulary: Business-appropriate và sophisticated (multifaceted approach, robust quality control, empathetic customer service, solicit feedback, implement feedback loops, after-sales support, customer retention, loyal advocates)
- Grammar: Advanced structures: participle clauses (ensuring, extending, following), relative clauses, conditionals, passive constructions, complex noun phrases
- Critical Thinking: Comprehensive analysis với specific strategies, real examples (Amazon), acknowledgment của broader trends (social media impact, ethical behavior), holistic view
💡 Key Language Features:
- Business terminology: quality control systems, customer-centric policies, feedback loops, pain points, customer retention, after-sales support
- Recommendation language: should prioritize, need to invest in, requires a multifaceted approach
- Cause-effect: leads to improvements, contributes to satisfaction, tends to build loyalty
- Emphatic structures: First and foremost, Equally important, From a broader perspective, In essence
Question 5: How do cultural differences affect shopping preferences?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Analysis/Comparison across cultures
- Key words: “cultural differences”, “affect”, “shopping preferences”
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify specific cultural factors (values, traditions, social norms) → explain mechanisms → provide cross-cultural examples
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Cultural differences have a big impact on shopping. For example, in Asian cultures, people often prefer well-known brands because of social status. In Western cultures, people might focus more on individual preference. Also, gift-giving customs are different in different cultures. In Vietnam, people often give gifts during Tet, so shopping increases during that time. Different cultures also have different ideas about bargaining and negotiation.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Presents several cultural factors với some examples
- Vocabulary: Basic descriptors (big impact, well-known brands, social status, individual preference)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Valid observations nhưng lacks depth in explaining underlying cultural mechanisms
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Cultural factors play a profound role in shaping consumer behavior and shopping preferences, often in ways that extend far beyond superficial differences.
To begin with, there are fundamental variations in individualistic versus collectivist cultural orientations that manifest in purchasing decisions. In predominantly individualistic societies like the United States or Australia, consumers tend to prioritize personal taste, self-expression, and uniqueness in their purchases. Marketing in these contexts often emphasizes being different or standing out. In contrast, in more collectivist cultures common in Asia, there’s often greater concern with social harmony and conformity. This translates into a preference for established brands that signal reliability and social acceptance rather than novelty or individual distinction. The phenomenon of luxury brand consumption in China, for instance, is partly driven by the cultural importance of ‘face’ or social standing.
Religious and traditional beliefs also exert considerable influence. In predominantly Muslim countries, there’s significant demand for halal products and modest fashion, which has spawned entire market segments. Similarly, color symbolism varies dramatically – while white represents purity in Western contexts, it’s associated with mourning in some Asian cultures, affecting everything from wedding dress choices to product packaging.
Communication styles also impact shopping behavior. In high-context cultures like Japan or Korea, where much communication is indirect and relationship-based, the shopping experience often involves more personal interaction, careful gift wrapping, and attention to ceremonial aspects. Conversely, in low-context cultures like Germany or the Netherlands, consumers typically appreciate straightforward transactions and factual product information without extensive interpersonal elements.
Economic history and development stages create cultural mindsets too. Societies that have recently experienced rapid economic growth, like Vietnam or India, often exhibit what’s called ‘aspirational consumption’ – using purchases to signal upward mobility. Meanwhile, in mature economies like Japan or Scandinavia, there’s often a countertrend toward minimalism and sustainable consumption, reflecting different stages of consumer culture evolution.
Furthermore, cultural attitudes toward bargaining and price negotiation vary significantly. In many Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures, haggling is not just accepted but expected as part of the social ritual of shopping. In contrast, in places like the UK or Japan, fixed pricing is the norm, and attempting to negotiate might be considered inappropriate or embarrassing.
What’s particularly interesting is how globalization is creating a dual phenomenon – convergence in some areas, especially among younger, urban consumers who share similar tastes through global media, but also a reassertion of local cultural values as a counterbalance to cultural homogenization. We’re seeing global brands adapt their strategies to accommodate local preferences – what marketing experts call ‘glocalization’.
In summary, culture shapes not just what people buy but how they shop, why they buy, and what products symbolize to them. Understanding these nuances is crucial for both businesses operating internationally and for appreciating the rich diversity of global consumer behavior.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Sophisticated organization: cultural orientation → religious/traditional beliefs → communication styles → economic factors → bargaining attitudes → globalization trends → synthesizing summary
- Vocabulary: Academic và precise (profound role, manifest in, collectivist orientations, exert considerable influence, spawned market segments, aspirational consumption, cultural homogenization, glocalization)
- Grammar: Full advanced range: relative clauses, participle constructions, passive voice, complex comparisons, conditionals
- Critical Thinking: Demonstrates deep cultural awareness với cross-cultural comparisons, explains underlying mechanisms (not just surface differences), acknowledges complexity (globalization’s dual effects), provides specific examples from multiple cultures
💡 Key Language Features:
- Academic discourse: fundamental variations, cultural orientations, phenomenon of consumption, exert influence, stages of evolution
- Comparative language: In contrast, Conversely, Meanwhile – showing cross-cultural comparisons
- Sociological terminology: collectivist cultures, high-context/low-context, aspirational consumption, cultural homogenization
- Nuanced expressions: partly driven by, translates into, reflecting different stages, as a counterbalance to
Theme 4: Future Trends
Question 6: How do you think shopping will change in the future?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Prediction/Future trends
- Key words: “future”, “will change” – requires speculation với reasonable basis
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify technological/social trends → predict impacts → acknowledge uncertainty
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think shopping will become more convenient in the future. More people will shop online using their phones. Technology like virtual reality might let people try products virtually before buying. Also, delivery will probably be faster, maybe using drones. Physical stores might become less common. Shopping will also be more personalized based on people’s preferences and past purchases.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Lists several predictions with basic development
- Vocabulary: Adequate future-oriented terms (virtual reality, drones, personalized) but not sophisticated
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Valid predictions nhưng lacks detailed reasoning and sophisticated speculation language
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Predicting the future of shopping is inherently speculative, but based on current trajectories, I can envision several transformative shifts that are likely to reshape the retail landscape.
Most prominently, I believe we’ll see the continued integration of augmented reality and virtual reality technologies into the shopping experience. Imagine being able to virtually place furniture in your room to see exactly how it fits, or trying on clothes through highly accurate digital avatars that reflect your exact measurements and body type. Early iterations of these technologies already exist, but as they become more sophisticated and accessible, they could fundamentally bridge the gap between online convenience and the tactile experience of physical retail. This might actually revitalize brick-and-mortar stores by transforming them into experiential spaces rather than just transaction points.
Artificial intelligence will likely play an increasingly central role in personalizing the shopping experience to an unprecedented degree. We’re already seeing rudimentary personalization through recommendation algorithms, but future systems might anticipate your needs before you’re even consciously aware of them, analyzing everything from your schedule to weather patterns to suggest products at optimal times. This raises interesting questions about consumer autonomy versus convenience.
From a logistical standpoint, I anticipate dramatic improvements in delivery efficiency and sustainability. We might see the proliferation of autonomous delivery vehicles and drones for last-mile delivery, as well as more localized micro-fulfillment centers that enable same-hour delivery. Simultaneously, environmental concerns will likely drive innovations like reusable packaging systems and carbon-neutral delivery options, as consumers become increasingly conscious of the ecological footprint of their shopping habits.
The payment infrastructure will also evolve. Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology might facilitate more secure and transparent transactions, while biometric payment systems could make the checkout process virtually seamless. Some futurists even predict the emergence of ‘invisible commerce’ where purchases are so integrated into our daily lives through IoT devices that we barely notice them happening.
However, I think it’s important to note that these technological advances will likely coexist with, rather than completely replace, traditional shopping methods. There will probably always be a segment of consumers who value the social aspect and physical experience of shopping. Moreover, in many developing economies, the infrastructure for these advanced technologies may take decades to fully materialize.
What concerns me slightly is the potential for these changes to exacerbate social inequalities – creating a two-tier system where those with access to technology enjoy unprecedented convenience while others are left behind. There’s also the looming question of how these changes will impact employment in the retail sector, which currently provides livelihoods for millions worldwide.
In conclusion, I envision a future where shopping is more convenient, personalized, and technologically integrated, but hopefully also more sustainable and equitable. The challenge will be ensuring that innovation serves genuine human needs rather than just generating consumer dependency.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Masterful với systematic coverage: AR/VR technology → AI personalization → logistics → payment systems → coexistence of methods → social implications → balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated futuristic và technical terms (inherently speculative, transformative shifts, augmented reality, micro-fulfillment centers, blockchain, biometric payment, IoT, two-tier system, exacerbate inequalities)
- Grammar: Full advanced range với extensive use of future forms (will see, might anticipate, could bridge), conditionals, passive constructions, complex noun phrases
- Critical Thinking: Demonstrates forward-thinking với concrete predictions grounded in current trends, acknowledges both opportunities và concerns (autonomy, inequality, employment), shows balanced perspective (technology won’t replace everything)
💡 Key Language Features:
- Speculation language: I believe we’ll see, I can envision, I anticipate, Some futurists predict, likely, probably, might, could
- Future-oriented vocabulary: trajectories, transformative shifts, early iterations, proliferation, emergence, looming question
- Technical terminology: augmented reality, autonomous delivery, blockchain, biometric payment, IoT, micro-fulfillment centers
- Balanced evaluation: However, Moreover, What concerns me, The challenge will be
Hình ảnh minh họa tương lai mua sắm với công nghệ AR VR trong IELTS Speaking
Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng
Topic-Specific Vocabulary
| Từ vựng/Cụm từ | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| impulse purchase | n | /ˈɪmpʌls ˈpɜːtʃəs/ | mua hàng theo cảm tính | I regret that impulse purchase I made last week. | make an impulse purchase, resist impulse purchases, impulse buying behavior |
| value for money | phrase | /ˈvæljuː fɔː ˈmʌni/ | đáng đồng tiền bát gạo | This product offers excellent value for money. | good/excellent value for money, provide value for money, offer great value |
| durable | adj | /ˈdjʊərəbl/ | bền, lâu dài | I prefer durable products that last for years. | highly durable, extremely durable, durable goods, durable materials |
| cutting-edge | adj | /ˌkʌtɪŋ ˈedʒ/ | tiên tiến nhất, hiện đại nhất | This smartphone has cutting-edge technology. | cutting-edge technology, cutting-edge design, cutting-edge features |
| premium quality | phrase | /ˈpriːmiəm ˈkwɒləti/ | chất lượng cao cấp | The brand is known for its premium quality products. | premium quality materials, offer premium quality, maintain premium quality |
| exceed expectations | v phrase | /ɪkˈsiːd ˌekspekˈteɪʃnz/ | vượt quá mong đợi | The product exceeded my expectations in every way. | far exceed expectations, consistently exceed, expectations were exceeded |
| after-sales service | n | /ˈɑːftə seɪlz ˈsɜːvɪs/ | dịch vụ hậu mãi | Good after-sales service is crucial for customer satisfaction. | excellent after-sales service, provide after-sales service, after-sales support |
| brick-and-mortar store | n | /brɪk ənd ˈmɔːtə stɔː/ | cửa hàng truyền thống (có mặt bằng thực) | Many brick-and-mortar stores are struggling due to online competition. | traditional brick-and-mortar, brick-and-mortar retail, physical brick-and-mortar location |
| bargain | n/v | /ˈbɑːɡɪn/ | món hời, mặc cả | I got a real bargain during the sale. | great bargain, hunt for bargains, bargain hunting, bargain price |
| warranty | n | /ˈwɒrənti/ | bảo hành | The product comes with a two-year warranty. | extended warranty, warranty period, under warranty, warranty coverage |
| refund policy | n | /ˈriːfʌnd ˈpɒləsi/ | chính sách hoàn tiền | Their refund policy is very customer-friendly. | flexible refund policy, refund policy states, no-questions-asked refund policy |
| user-friendly | adj | /ˈjuːzə ˈfrendli/ | dễ sử dụng | The interface is very user-friendly. | highly user-friendly, user-friendly design, user-friendly features |
| specifications | n (pl) | /ˌspesɪfɪˈkeɪʃnz/ | thông số kỹ thuật | Check the product specifications before buying. | technical specifications, detailed specifications, meet specifications |
| competitive pricing | n | /kəmˈpetətɪv ˈpraɪsɪŋ/ | giá cạnh tranh | The company maintains competitive pricing. | highly competitive pricing, offer competitive pricing, competitive pricing strategy |
| state-of-the-art | adj | /ˌsteɪt əv ði ˈɑːt/ | hiện đại nhất, công nghệ tiên tiến | They use state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. | state-of-the-art technology, state-of-the-art facilities, state-of-the-art equipment |
| brand loyalty | n | /brænd ˈlɔɪəlti/ | lòng trung thành với thương hiệu | Apple has successfully built strong brand loyalty. | build brand loyalty, maintain brand loyalty, strong brand loyalty |
| obsolete | adj | /ˈɒbsəliːt/ | lỗi thời, không còn dùng | Technology products quickly become obsolete. | become obsolete, rapidly obsolete, obsolete technology |
| ergonomic | adj | /ˌɜːɡəˈnɒmɪk/ | tiện dụng, thiết kế phù hợp với cơ thể | This chair has an ergonomic design. | ergonomic design, ergonomically designed, ergonomic features |
| cost-effective | adj | /kɒst ɪˈfektɪv/ | hiệu quả về chi phí | This solution is more cost-effective in the long run. | highly cost-effective, cost-effective alternative, cost-effective solution |
| tangible benefits | n phrase | /ˈtændʒəbl ˈbenɪfɪts/ | lợi ích hữu hình, cụ thể | The investment provided tangible benefits within months. | deliver tangible benefits, provide tangible benefits, tangible and intangible benefits |
Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases
| Cụm từ | Nghĩa | Ví dụ sử dụng | Band điểm |
|---|---|---|---|
| worth every penny | đáng từng đồng bỏ ra | Although expensive, the laptop was worth every penny. | 7.5-9 |
| a steal | món hời, giá rất tốt | At that price, it was an absolute steal! | 7.5-8 |
| break the bank | tốn rất nhiều tiền | The new phone won’t break the bank if you buy it on sale. | 7-8 |
| get what you pay for | một giá một hàng | With cheap products, you get what you pay for. | 7-8 |
| bells and whistles | các tính năng phụ thêm | I don’t need all the bells and whistles, just basic features. | 7.5-8 |
| window shopping | dạo xem không mua | I enjoy window shopping even when I don’t plan to buy anything. | 6.5-7 |
| shop around | so sánh giá ở nhiều nơi | It’s worth shopping around before making a big purchase. | 7-7.5 |
| buyer’s remorse | hối hận sau khi mua | I experienced buyer’s remorse after purchasing the expensive watch. | 7.5-8 |
| money well spent | tiền tiêu xứng đáng | The investment in quality tools was money well spent. | 7-7.5 |
| ticks all the boxes | đáp ứng tất cả các tiêu chí | This product ticks all the boxes for what I was looking for. | 7.5-8 |
| in a league of its own | vô cùng xuất sắc, không gì sánh bằng | In terms of quality, this brand is in a league of its own. | 8-9 |
| fall prey to | sa vào bẫy, bị lừa | Don’t fall prey to aggressive marketing tactics. | 7.5-8 |
Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)
Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:
- 📝 Well,… – Được dùng khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ hoặc khi bắt đầu một câu trả lời thoughtful
- 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra một góc nhìn khác hoặc sự thật bất ngờ
- 📝 To be honest,… / Honestly,… – Khi nói thật về quan điểm cá nhân
- 📝 I’d say that… / I would say… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm có suy nghĩ
- 📝 From my perspective,… / In my view,… – Thể hiện đây là ý kiến cá nhân
Để bổ sung ý:
- 📝 On top of that,… / Besides that,… – Thêm vào đó
- 📝 What’s more,… / Moreover,… – Hơn nữa (formal hơn)
- 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
- 📝 Another thing is… / Another point worth mentioning is… – Một điều khác là
- 📝 Plus,… / Additionally,… – Thêm vào đó
Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:
- 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác
- 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Mặc dù đúng là… nhưng ta cũng cần xem xét
- 📝 That said,… / Having said that,… – Dù vậy thì
- 📝 On the flip side,… / Conversely,… – Mặt trái của vấn đề
Để kết luận:
- 📝 All in all,… / All things considered,… – Tóm lại, xét mọi mặt
- 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì
- 📝 In essence,… / Essentially,… – Về bản chất thì
- 📝 To sum up,… / In summary,… – Tóm tắt lại
Để giải thích hoặc làm rõ:
- 📝 What I mean is… – Ý tôi là
- 📝 In other words,… – Nói cách khác
- 📝 To put it simply,… / Simply put,… – Nói đơn giản là
- 📝 Let me elaborate,… / Let me explain,… – Để tôi giải thích rõ hơn
Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng
1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):
-
Mixed conditional: “If I hadn’t researched thoroughly, I would still be using inferior products now.” (Nếu tôi không nghiên cứu kỹ lúc đó, bây giờ tôi vẫn đang dùng sản phẩm kém chất lượng)
-
Third conditional với inversion: “Had I known about this product earlier, I would have purchased it years ago.” (Nếu tôi biết về sản phẩm này sớm hơn, tôi đã mua nó từ nhiều năm trước)
2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):
-
Non-defining relative clause: “This keyboard, which I purchased last year, has significantly improved my productivity.” (Chiếc bàn phím này, mà tôi đã mua năm ngoái, đã cải thiện đáng kể năng suất của tôi)
-
What-clause for emphasis: “What impressed me most was the attention to detail in the packaging.” (Điều khiến tôi ấn tượng nhất là sự chú ý đến từng chi tiết trong bao bì)
3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động) – Đặc biệt quan trọng trong Part 3:
-
Impersonal passive: “It is widely believed that online shopping will continue to grow.” (Người ta tin rằng mua sắm trực tuyến sẽ tiếp tục phát triển)
-
Passive with modal verbs: “Quality should be prioritized over price when making important purchases.” (Chất lượng nên được ưu tiên hơn giá cả khi mua những thứ quan trọng)
4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ) – Nhấn mạnh thông tin:
-
What-cleft: “What I find most satisfying about this purchase is its durability.” (Điều tôi thấy hài lòng nhất về việc mua này là độ bền của nó)
-
It-cleft: “It was the excellent customer reviews that convinced me to buy this product.” (Chính những đánh giá xuất sắc của khách hàng đã thuyết phục tôi mua sản phẩm này)
5. Inversion for Emphasis:
-
Not only… but also: “Not only was the product high quality, but it also came with excellent customer service.” (Không chỉ sản phẩm có chất lượng cao mà còn đi kèm dịch vụ khách hàng xuất sắc)
-
Rarely/Seldom: “Rarely have I been so satisfied with a purchase.” (Hiếm khi tôi hài lòng với một lần mua hàng đến vậy)
6. Participle Clauses (Mệnh đề phân từ):
-
Present participle: “Having used the product for six months, I can confidently recommend it.” (Sau khi sử dụng sản phẩm trong sáu tháng, tôi có thể tự tin giới thiệu nó)
-
Past participle: “Impressed by the quality, I immediately recommended it to my friends.” (Ấn tượng với chất lượng, tôi ngay lập tức giới thiệu nó với bạn bè)
7. Reduced Relative Clauses:
- “The features offered by this product make it stand out from competitors.” (Các tính năng được cung cấp bởi sản phẩm này làm nó nổi bật so với đối thủ)
8. Subjunctive Mood (Thức giả định) – Rất academic:
-
“I would recommend that companies invest in quality control.” (Tôi khuyên các công ty nên đầu tư vào kiểm soát chất lượng)
-
“It’s essential that consumers be informed about product specifications.” (Việc người tiêu dùng được thông báo về thông số sản phẩm là thiết yếu)
Lời khuyên cuối từ một Examiner:
Khi chuẩn bị cho chủ đề “describe a product you purchased that you are satisfied with”, điều quan trọng nhất không phải là học thuộc template hay cố nhồi nhét quá nhiều từ vựng phức tạp. Thay vào đó, hãy:
✅ Chọn một sản phẩm thật mà bạn thực sự mua và hài lòng – Sự chân thành sẽ giúp bạn nói tự nhiên và có cảm xúc hơn
✅ Thực hành kể chi tiết – Nhiều học viên Việt Nam mắc lỗi nói quá chung chung. Hãy thực hành mô tả cụ thể về màu sắc, kích thước, cảm giác khi sử dụng, nơi mua, giá cả…
✅ Chuẩn bị câu “explain why satisfied” – Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất. Đừng chỉ nói “because it’s good quality”. Hãy elaborate: So với kỳ vọng thế nào? So với sản phẩm khác? Nó giúp cuộc sống bạn tốt hơn ra sao?
✅ Học từ vựng trong context – Đừng học từ riêng lẻ. Học collocations và sử dụng chúng trong câu hoàn chỉnh
✅ Record và nghe lại bản thân – Đây là cách tốt nhất để phát hiện lỗi fluency và phát âm
Nhớ rằng, IELTS Speaking không kiểm tra kiến thức của bạn về sản phẩm hay khả năng nói như người bản ngữ. Examiner đánh giá khả năng communicate effectively, express ideas clearly, và sử dụng ngôn ngữ appropriately. Hãy tập trung vào những điều này!
Chúc các bạn đạt band điểm cao trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking!