IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời Chủ Đề “Describe A Person Who Is A Great Leader” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Mở bài

Chủ đề “Describe A Person Who Is A Great Leader” là một trong những đề bài kinh điển và xuất hiện thường xuyên trong IELTS Speaking Part 2. Đây là câu hỏi yêu cầu thí sinh miêu tả một người lãnh đạo xuất sắc, có thể là nhà lãnh đạo chính trị, doanh nhân, giáo viên, thậm chí là người trong gia đình bạn. Chủ đề này không chỉ kiểm tra khả năng miêu tả con người mà còn đánh giá khả năng phân tích phẩm chất lãnh đạo và tầm ảnh hưởng của họ đến cộng đồng.

Theo thống kê từ các kỳ thi IELTS thực tế, chủ đề về “Leader” xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong giai đoạn 2022-2024, đặc biệt tăng trong các quý đầu năm. Khả năng chủ đề này tiếp tục xuất hiện trong tương lai được đánh giá ở mức Cao, do tính ứng dụng rộng rãi và khả năng mở rộng sang nhiều góc độ thảo luận trong Part 3.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được cách trả lời hiệu quả cho cả ba phần thi Speaking với chủ đề này. Cụ thể, bài viết cung cấp câu hỏi thường gặp trong Part 1 về leadership qualities, bài mẫu chi tiết cho Part 2 ở các band điểm khác nhau từ 6-7, 7.5-8 đến 8.5-9, cùng với phân tích sâu về tiêu chí chấm điểm. Bạn cũng sẽ được trang bị từ vựng chuyên ngành về leadership, cụm từ ăn điểm, và chiến lược trả lời từ góc nhìn của một examiner giàu kinh nghiệm. Đặc biệt, phần Part 3 sẽ giúp bạn thảo luận sâu về các khía cạnh trừu tượng như phẩm chất lãnh đạo trong thời đại hiện đại, sự khác biệt giữa leader và manager, và vai trò của leadership trong xã hội.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 của IELTS Speaking kéo dài 4-5 phút, tập trung vào các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày và kinh nghiệm cá nhân. Đây là phần “warm-up” giúp bạn làm quen với examiner và môi trường thi. Chiến lược hiệu quả nhất là trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi trong 1-2 câu đầu tiên, sau đó mở rộng bằng lý do, ví dụ hoặc chi tiết bổ sung để đạt 2-3 câu hoàn chỉnh.

Học viên Việt Nam thường mắc một số lỗi điển hình trong Part 1: trả lời quá ngắn gọn chỉ “Yes” hoặc “No” mà không giải thích, sử dụng từ vựng đơn giản ở trình độ phổ thông, và thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân. Để đạt band điểm cao, bạn cần thể hiện khả năng giao tiếp tự nhiên, sử dụng từ vựng đa dạng và đưa ra câu trả lời có chiều sâu ngay cả với những câu hỏi đơn giản.

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you think leadership skills are important?

Question 2: Who do you consider a good leader in your life?

Question 3: What qualities make someone a good leader?

Question 4: Have you ever been in a leadership position?

Question 5: Do you prefer to be a leader or a follower?

Question 6: Can leadership skills be learned or are they natural?

Question 7: Who was a leader you admired when you were younger?

Question 8: How do leaders in your country inspire people?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you think leadership skills are important?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp có hay không
• Giải thích tại sao quan trọng
• Đưa ra ví dụ thực tế từ công việc hoặc học tập

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think leadership skills are very important. They help people work together better and achieve goals. For example, in my university project, our team leader helped us finish on time.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, có ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm cá nhân, cấu trúc câu đúng ngữ pháp.
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn đơn giản (very important, work together, help), thiếu collocations chuyên ngành, ý tưởng chưa được phát triển sâu.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời adequate và relevant nhưng thiếu sophistication trong vocabulary và depth of ideas. Grammar đúng nhưng structures khá basic.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely, I’d say leadership skills are crucial in virtually every aspect of life. They’re not just about directing teams but also about inspiring individuals to reach their full potential. In my workplace, for instance, leaders who possess strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence tend to create more cohesive and productive environments.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng từ vựng tinh vi (crucial, virtually, directing teams, inspiring individuals), collocations chuyên ngành (interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, cohesive environments), cấu trúc câu phức tạp với mệnh đề quan hệ. Ý tưởng được phát triển từ general đến specific với ví dụ workplace.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency tự nhiên với discourse marker “Absolutely, I’d say”, Vocabulary precise và idiomatic, Grammar với relative clause và advanced structures, Ideas có depth với việc mở rộng definition của leadership.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• crucial: cực kỳ quan trọng, thiết yếu
• directing teams: chỉ đạo, điều hành nhóm
• inspiring individuals: truyền cảm hứng cho mọi người
• emotional intelligence: trí tuệ cảm xúc
• cohesive and productive environments: môi trường gắn kết và hiệu quả

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Question: What qualities make someone a good leader?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Liệt kê 2-3 phẩm chất quan trọng
• Giải thích tại sao mỗi phẩm chất lại quan trọng
• Có thể thêm contrast với bad leadership

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think good leaders need to be confident and good at communication. They should listen to other people’s ideas and make fair decisions. Also, they need to be responsible for their team’s work.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Liệt kê được nhiều qualities, có explanation cơ bản, structure logic.
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary repetitive (good leaders, good at), thiếu advanced adjectives, ideas khá general và predictable.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đáp ứng yêu cầu câu hỏi nhưng thiếu sophistication và specificity trong cách diễn đạt.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Well, I believe effective leaders need to possess several key attributes. First and foremost, they must have exceptional communication skills – the ability to articulate their vision clearly while also being receptive to feedback. Additionally, decisiveness is crucial, especially when facing challenging situations. What really sets great leaders apart, though, is their capacity for empathy and understanding their team members’ perspectives. This creates mutual trust and respect, which are the foundations of successful leadership.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Vocabulary sophisticated (exceptional, articulate, receptive to, decisiveness, capacity for empathy), excellent use of discourse markers (First and foremost, Additionally, though), complex sentence structures, ideas well-developed với prioritization (What really sets apart).
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluency với natural pauses và linking, Lexical Resource với precise collocations, Grammatical Range với multiple complex structures, Ideas showing critical thinking về hierarchy of leadership qualities.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• exceptional communication skills: kỹ năng giao tiếp xuất sắc
• articulate their vision clearly: diễn đạt tầm nhìn một cách rõ ràng
• receptive to feedback: cởi mở với phản hồi
• decisiveness: tính quyết đoán
• capacity for empathy: khả năng đồng cảm
• mutual trust and respect: sự tin tưởng và tôn trọng lẫn nhau

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Question: Have you ever been in a leadership position?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời có hoặc không một cách honest
• Nếu có: mô tả experience ngắn gọn
• Nếu không: giải thích tại sao hoặc nói về aspiration

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I was a team leader in a university project last year. I had to organize meetings and divide tasks among team members. It was difficult sometimes, but we finished successfully.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp với ví dụ cụ thể, có mention về challenges và outcome.
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary basic (organize meetings, divide tasks, difficult), thiếu reflection về what learned, grammar structures đơn giản.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate answer nhưng thiếu depth trong việc describe experience và personal growth.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Yes, actually I’ve had the opportunity to lead a cross-functional team during an internship at a marketing agency. It was quite eye-opening as I had to coordinate between designers, content creators, and analysts. The experience taught me that effective leadership isn’t about wielding authority but rather about facilitating collaboration and bringing out the best in each team member. Looking back, it was instrumental in developing my interpersonal skills and understanding different working styles.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Rich vocabulary (cross-functional team, eye-opening, wielding authority, facilitating collaboration), reflective language showing personal growth, complex ideas about leadership philosophy, natural storytelling flow.
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Excellent fluency với natural discourse markers, sophisticated vocabulary with precise collocations, varied grammar including gerunds và complex sentences, deep reflection showing maturity.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• cross-functional team: nhóm liên chức năng (nhiều bộ phận khác nhau)
• eye-opening: mở mang tầm mắt, bổ ích
• wielding authority: vung quyền lực
• facilitating collaboration: tạo điều kiện cho sự hợp tác
• instrumental in developing: đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc phát triển

Học viên IELTS thực hành kỹ năng lãnh đạo qua hoạt động nhóm với giáo viên hướng dẫn

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần quan trọng nhất của bài thi IELTS Speaking, kéo dài 3-4 phút bao gồm 1 phút chuẩn bị và 2 phút nói liên tục. Đây là phần kiểm tra khả năng độc thoại của bạn về một chủ đề cụ thể mà không bị gián đoạn. Examiner sẽ đưa cho bạn một cue card với chủ đề và các bullet points cần đề cập.

Chiến lược hiệu quả cho Part 2 bao gồm: tận dụng trọn vẹn 1 phút chuẩn bị để ghi chú keywords quan trọng chứ không viết câu hoàn chỉnh, đảm bảo nói đủ 2 phút với mục tiêu tối thiểu 1.5 phút, trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points trên thẻ, và sử dụng thì quá khứ khi kể về trải nghiệm đã xảy ra.

Lỗi thường gặp của thí sinh Việt Nam trong Part 2 là không sử dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị để brainstorm ý tưởng, nói ngắn hơn 1.5 phút do thiếu kỹ năng elaboration, bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points quan trọng, và sử dụng sai thì động từ khi kể chuyện quá khứ.

Cue Card

Describe a person who is a great leader

You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you know this person
• What makes him/her a great leader
• And explain how this person has influenced you or others

Phân Tích Đề Bài

Dạng câu hỏi: Describe a person – đây là dạng miêu tả con người, yêu cầu bạn trình bày chi tiết về một cá nhân cụ thể.

Thì động từ: Có thể sử dụng cả thì Hiện tại (nếu người đó vẫn còn sống và đang hoạt động) hoặc thì Quá khứ (nếu miêu tả các hành động đã xảy ra). Tuy nhiên, phần ảnh hưởng nên dùng Present Perfect để thể hiện tác động kéo dài đến hiện tại.

Bullet points phải cover:

• Who this person is: Giới thiệu danh tính, nghề nghiệp, vai trò của người đó
• How you know this person: Mối quan hệ của bạn với người này, cách bạn biết đến họ
• What makes him/her a great leader: Phân tích các phẩm chất lãnh đạo cụ thể với ví dụ minh họa
• And explain how this person has influenced you or others: Đây là phần quan trọng nhất, cần thể hiện impact cụ thể

Câu “explain” quan trọng: Bullet point cuối cùng về influence là phần ghi điểm cao nhất vì yêu cầu bạn phân tích, đánh giá và reflection sâu sắc. Đây là nơi thể hiện critical thinking và khả năng articulate complex ideas.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about my former manager, Mr. Nguyen, who I think is a great leader. I worked with him for two years at a technology company in Ho Chi Minh City.

I first met Mr. Nguyen when I joined the company as a junior developer. He was the head of our department and responsible for managing about twenty people. From the beginning, I noticed that he was different from other managers I had known before.

What makes him a great leader is his ability to listen to everyone’s ideas. He always encourages team members to share their opinions in meetings, even if they are junior staff. He is also very patient when teaching new employees. Whenever someone makes a mistake, he doesn’t get angry but helps them understand what went wrong and how to improve. Another quality is that he works very hard and sets a good example for the team. He often stays late to help us finish important projects.

Mr. Nguyen has influenced me a lot in my career. He taught me that leadership is not about giving orders but about supporting your team. Because of his guidance, I became more confident in my work and learned to take responsibility for my projects. Many colleagues also respect him and try to learn from his leadership style. He created a positive working environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to do their best.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Câu chuyện được kể một cách logic với clear sequence, sử dụng basic linking words (from the beginning, also, another, because of). Có occasional hesitation nhưng không ảnh hưởng nhiều đến communication
Lexical Resource	6-7	Vocabulary adequate cho topic với các từ như former manager, junior developer, set a good example. Có attempt to use less common words nhưng còn limited. Collocations khá basic (get angry, work hard, positive environment)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Sử dụng mix of simple và complex sentences. Có relative clauses (who I think, what went wrong). Tenses generally correct với Present Simple cho general facts và Past Simple cho specific events. Một số structures còn repetitive
Pronunciation	6-7	Generally clear pronunciation, có thể maintain flow of speech. Word stress và intonation adequate để convey meaning

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points trên cue card
• ✅ Có ví dụ cụ thể về leadership qualities (listening, patience, hard work)
• ✅ Structure rõ ràng với introduction, body và conclusion
• ✅ Grammar tenses được sử dụng đúng cơ bản

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary còn predictable và thiếu sophisticated expressions
• ⚠️ Ideas về leadership qualities khá surface-level, chưa deeply analyzed
• ⚠️ Thiếu advanced grammar structures như conditionals, inversion, cleft sentences

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to describe my uncle, Tran Van Minh, who I consider to be an exceptional leader in both his professional and personal life. He’s currently the CEO of a medium-sized manufacturing company in Hanoi, and I’ve had the privilege of knowing him since childhood as he’s my father’s younger brother.

I’ve observed his leadership journey quite closely over the years. He started from humble beginnings as a factory floor supervisor and worked his way up through sheer determination and strategic thinking. What really struck me was how he maintained his down-to-earth nature despite his professional success.

What distinguishes him as a great leader are several key attributes. Firstly, he possesses remarkable vision and foresight. When the pandemic hit in 2020, while many companies were struggling, he pivoted the business model to focus on domestic markets and invested heavily in automation, which ultimately saved hundreds of jobs. Secondly, he has an incredible ability to inspire and motivate his workforce. He doesn’t just delegate tasks – he takes time to explain the bigger picture and how each person’s contribution matters. I’ve witnessed him spending hours on the factory floor, talking to workers and genuinely listening to their concerns. Additionally, he demonstrates integrity in every decision, even when it means sacrificing short-term profits for ethical considerations.

The influence he’s had on me has been profound and multifaceted. Growing up, I watched him balance empathy with decisiveness, which taught me that being a leader doesn’t mean being tough all the time. His approach has shaped my own perspective on leadership – I’ve learned that authentic leadership comes from earning respect rather than demanding it. Moreover, many young professionals in his company have gone on to establish successful ventures of their own, which speaks volumes about his mentorship capabilities. His leadership style has created a ripple effect, inspiring not just me but an entire generation of employees to think beyond their immediate roles and contribute meaningfully to society.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Speaks fluently với minimal hesitation. Excellent use of cohesive devices (Firstly, Secondly, Additionally, Moreover). Ideas logically sequenced với clear progression from introduction → qualities → influence
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range of vocabulary với sophisticated expressions (sheer determination, down-to-earth nature, pivoted the business model). Good use of collocations (remarkable vision, sacrifice short-term profits, ripple effect). Some less common idiomatic language (speaks volumes about)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety of complex structures including relative clauses, participle clauses (Growing up, I watched), conditionals implied. Good control of tenses với Present Perfect cho current relevance (has had, has shaped). Minor errors không ảnh hưởng communication
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear pronunciation với appropriate word stress và sentence stress. Natural intonation patterns giúp enhance meaning

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“ability to listen”, “works very hard”	“remarkable vision and foresight”, “pivoted the business model”, “invested heavily in automation”
Grammar	Simple + some complex: “He is also very patient when teaching”	Advanced structures: “which ultimately saved hundreds of jobs”, “I’ve witnessed him spending hours”
Ideas	Basic qualities: listening, patience, hard work	Specific examples với depth: pivoting business during pandemic, balancing empathy with decisiveness, creating ripple effect

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to talk about Nguyen Thi Phuong, the principal of a public high school where I volunteered several years ago. What makes her story particularly compelling is that she transformed what was once considered a struggling institution into one of the most sought-after schools in the province – and she did so through genuine leadership rather than just administrative changes.

I first encountered her when I participated in an educational charity program during my university years. Initially, I was merely an external volunteer, but over time, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand her leadership philosophy in action, and it left an indelible impression on me.

What truly sets her apart as an exceptional leader is her holistic approach to education and her unwavering commitment to every stakeholder involved. Rather than focusing solely on academic achievements, she pioneered a comprehensive program that addressed students’ mental health, teachers’ professional development, and even parents’ involvement in the educational process. What I found most remarkable was her ability to mobilize resources in an environment of severe budget constraints. She leveraged partnerships with local businesses and universities, securing funding for computer labs and science equipment that public schools typically can’t afford. But beyond the tangible improvements, it’s her emotional intelligence that truly resonates. I’ve observed her defusing tense situations with parents, empowering even the most reticent teachers to contribute ideas, and instilling confidence in students from disadvantaged backgrounds who’d internalized the belief that they couldn’t succeed academically.

The impact she’s had extends far beyond the immediate school community. On a personal level, she fundamentally altered my understanding of what leadership entails. I used to equate leadership with charisma and authority, but she demonstrated that authentic influence stems from consistency, empathy, and an unwavering vision. Her approach has become somewhat of a blueprint that I try to emulate in my own professional endeavors. More broadly, the school’s transformation has sparked a movement across the province, with other principals adopting similar methodologies. Several of her former students have returned as teachers, perpetuating her philosophy of inclusive excellence. What’s particularly noteworthy is that she achieved all this without compromising her principles or resorting to the authoritarian tactics that unfortunately still characterize many educational institutions in Vietnam. In many ways, she’s proven that transformational leadership isn’t about wielding power but about cultivating potential – not just in students, but in every individual within the organization’s ecosystem.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Speaks fluently và coherently với full range of cohesive devices. Natural flow không có noticeable hesitation. Ideas perfectly sequenced với sophisticated progression of thought. Excellent use of referencing (she, her approach, this)
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Wide range of sophisticated vocabulary với precise usage (indelible impression, holistic approach, unwavering commitment, defusing tense situations). Natural idiomatic language (sets apart, extends beyond, springs from). Sophisticated collocations throughout (mobilize resources, leverage partnerships, instilling confidence, perpetuating philosophy)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures với accuracy và flexibility. Complex sentences với multiple clauses. Perfect control of tenses including Past Simple, Present Perfect, và conditionals. Advanced structures (Rather than focusing, What I found most remarkable was, It’s her emotional intelligence that truly resonates)
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Pronunciation precise với sustained intelligibility. Uses features of connected speech naturally. Intonation enhances meaning effectively

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói flow tự nhiên như native speaker với zero hesitation. Sử dụng discourse markers tinh tế (Initially, Rather than, But beyond, On a personal level, More broadly) tạo ra coherence hoàn hảo. Không có filler words thừa thãi.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• “left an indelible impression” – thay vì “impressed me a lot”, thể hiện lasting impact
• “mobilize resources” vs “get money” – sophisticated business terminology
• “defusing tense situations” – precise verb cho conflict management
• “perpetuating her philosophy” – abstract noun + academic verb cho continuation
• “cultivating potential” – metaphorical language về nurturing

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Cleft sentence: “What truly sets her apart is…” – nhấn mạnh focus
• Relative clause complex: “students from disadvantaged backgrounds who’d internalized the belief that they couldn’t succeed” – multiple embedded clauses
• Participle phrases: “securing funding for computer labs” – concise và sophisticated
• Inversion implied: “Not just in students, but in every individual” – contrastive structure

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Không chỉ describe qualities mà analyze transformation process, compare different leadership approaches (authoritarian vs transformational), và demonstrate understanding of systemic impact (ripple effect across province). Shows critical thinking về what makes leadership effective trong educational context.

Một nhà lãnh đạo đang truyền cảm hứng và tương tác với đội ngũ nhân viên trong môi trường làm việc chuyên nghiệp

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Question 1: What aspect of this person’s leadership style do you find most impressive?

Band 6-7 Answer:
I think the most impressive thing is how she treats everyone equally and listens to their problems carefully.

Band 8-9 Answer:
I’d say what stands out most is her capacity to balance seemingly contradictory qualities – she’s simultaneously empathetic yet decisive, approachable yet commanding respect. This nuanced approach creates an environment where people feel psychologically safe to take risks and innovate.

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Question 2: Do you think you could become a leader like this person?

Band 6-7 Answer:
I hope so, but I think I need more experience and training. She has worked for many years to develop her skills.

Band 8-9 Answer:
That’s quite a benchmark to aspire to, honestly. While I believe leadership skills can be cultivated through deliberate practice and reflection, I recognize that her level of emotional intelligence and strategic thinking comes from decades of navigating complex situations. What I can do is consciously adopt certain principles she embodies – particularly her commitment to inclusive decision-making – and adapt them to my own context. Tương tự như describe a person you consider a role model, việc học hỏi từ những người lãnh đạo xuất sắc là một quá trình liên tục và đòi hỏi sự kiên nhẫn.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 là phần thử thách nhất của IELTS Speaking, kéo dài 4-5 phút với những câu hỏi thảo luận trừu tượng và phức tạp hơn nhiều so với Part 2. Examiner sẽ mở rộng chủ đề từ Part 2 sang những vấn đề xã hội, văn hóa, và xu hướng tương lai liên quan đến leadership.

Yêu cầu của Part 3 bao gồm: khả năng phân tích và so sánh các khía cạnh khác nhau của vấn đề, đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ chặt chẽ, xem xét nhiều góc độ và perspectives khác nhau, và sử dụng ngôn ngữ trừu tượng để discuss concepts rather than concrete examples.

Chiến lược hiệu quả cho Part 3 là mở rộng câu trả lời đến 3-5 câu với structure rõ ràng, sử dụng discourse markers để signal your thinking process, đưa ra examples từ xã hội hoặc global context chứ không chỉ personal experience, và thừa nhận sự phức tạp của vấn đề bằng cách present multiple perspectives.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam trong Part 3 là trả lời quá ngắn gọn giống Part 1 mà không elaboration, thiếu khả năng phân tích sâu với lý lẽ rõ ràng, không có đủ từ vựng trừu tượng để discuss complex issues, và chỉ đưa ra một góc nhìn duy nhất mà không acknowledge different perspectives.

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Leadership Qualities and Skills

Question 1: What is the difference between a leader and a manager?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and contrast – yêu cầu phân biệt hai concepts
• Key words: difference, leader, manager
• Cách tiếp cận: Define cả hai terms trước, sau đó contrast về philosophy, approach, và focus areas

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Well, I think leaders and managers are different in some ways. Managers usually focus on organizing work and making sure tasks are completed on time. They follow rules and procedures. Leaders, on the other hand, inspire people and create new ideas. They think about the future and motivate their team to achieve big goals. Both are important in companies.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có basic comparison với “on the other hand” nhưng khá simple
• Vocabulary: Adequate với các từ như organize, inspire, motivate nhưng thiếu technical terms
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses câu hỏi adequately nhưng lacks depth và sophisticated vocabulary để fully explore the distinction

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Well, this is a fundamental distinction that’s often blurred in practice, but there are some key philosophical differences. Essentially, managers tend to focus on operational efficiency and maintaining systems – they’re concerned with executing strategies that have already been defined. Leadership, by contrast, is more about setting direction and inspiring transformation. To put it another way, managers work within the existing paradigm, ensuring things run smoothly, whereas leaders challenge the status quo and envision new possibilities.

That said, in reality, the most effective professionals embody both skill sets. A manager who can’t inspire their team will struggle with employee engagement, while a visionary leader who neglects operational details may find their grand ideas never materialize into tangible results. I’d argue that the distinction is becoming less relevant in modern organizations, where we need people who can seamlessly transition between these roles depending on what the situation demands.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized với clear definition → contrast → nuanced conclusion. Excellent progression từ theoretical distinction đến practical reality
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated terms (operational efficiency, maintaining systems, challenge the status quo, envision new possibilities, embody both skill sets, seamlessly transition)
• Grammar: Complex structures với relative clauses, conditionals (who can’t inspire, who neglects), và advanced phrases (To put it another way, That said)
• Critical Thinking: Shows balanced view bằng cách acknowledge the distinction nhưng cũng recognize its limitations trong modern context

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, Essentially, by contrast, That said, To put it another way
• Tentative language: tend to, I’d argue that, may find
• Abstract nouns: distinction, paradigm, transformation, engagement

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Question 2: Can anyone become a good leader, or is it an innate quality?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Nature vs nurture debate – opinion question với two opposing views
• Key words: anyone, become, innate quality
• Cách tiếp cận: Present both sides → give your opinion → support với reasoning

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I believe leadership skills can be learned to some extent. Some people are naturally confident and good at communication, which helps them become leaders. However, other people can develop these skills through training and experience. For example, many companies provide leadership courses for their employees. So I think it’s a combination of natural ability and learning.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Presents both sides và concludes với balanced view
• Vocabulary: Basic terms (naturally confident, develop skills, training and experience)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng lacks sophisticated argumentation và evidence

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

This is quite a contentious question in leadership studies, and I’d say the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. On the one hand, there’s compelling evidence that certain personality traits – things like extraversion, emotional resilience, and cognitive flexibility – do have genetic components and predispose individuals toward leadership roles. Research suggests that people with these innate characteristics often gravitate naturally toward positions of influence.

However, what I find more convincing is the developmental perspective. Leadership is fundamentally a set of competencies that can be systematically cultivated through deliberate practice, mentorship, and experiential learning. We have countless examples of individuals who were initially introverted or lacking in confidence but evolved into exceptional leaders through conscious effort and structured development. Đối với những ai quan tâm đến describe a time when you were very inspired, câu chuyện về sự phát triển kỹ năng lãnh đạo có thể mang lại nhiều nguồn cảm hứng và bài học giá trị.

What’s crucial to understand is that while baseline aptitude might vary, the ceiling for improvement is remarkably high for most people. The caveat, though, is that it requires genuine commitment – you can’t simply attend a weekend seminar and expect to emerge as a transformational leader. It’s an ongoing journey of self-awareness, skill refinement, and adaptive learning. So to answer directly: I believe almost anyone can become a competent leader, but exceptional leadership might require both favorable predispositions and extensive development.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated với clear signposting: presents genetic argument → counters with developmental perspective → synthesizes both với nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Academic language (contentious question, genetic components, predispose individuals, deliberate practice, structured development, baseline aptitude, ceiling for improvement)
• Grammar: Full range including relative clauses, participles (lacking in confidence), conditionals (can’t simply attend), passive constructions (can be systematically cultivated)
• Critical Thinking: Excellent balance between both perspectives, acknowledges complexity (more nuanced than, The caveat), provides specific examples và research-backed reasoning

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: On the one hand, However, What’s crucial, The caveat, So to answer directly
• Tentative language: I’d say, I find more convincing, might require, suggests that
• Abstract nouns: contentious question, developmental perspective, competencies, self-awareness, adaptive learning

Theme 2: Leadership in Modern Society

Question 1: How has the concept of leadership changed in recent decades?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Change over time – yêu cầu compare past và present
• Key words: changed, recent decades
• Cách tiếp cận: Describe traditional leadership → contrast với modern leadership → explain reasons for change

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Leadership has changed a lot in recent years. In the past, leaders were usually very strict and made all decisions by themselves. Employees just followed orders. Now, modern leaders are more open and listen to their team’s ideas. They encourage teamwork and collaboration. This change happened because of new technology and younger generations who want to participate more in decision-making.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear past vs present comparison
• Vocabulary: Basic descriptive words (strict, open, teamwork)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses the change adequately nhưng lacks depth trong analysis of underlying factors

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

The transformation has been quite profound, actually. Historically, leadership was heavily hierarchical and authoritarian – think of the command-and-control model where leaders were expected to have all the answers and employees were meant to execute without questioning. This top-down approach was emblematic of the industrial era when work was more routine and standardized.

Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing a paradigm shift toward what’s often called servant leadership or transformational leadership. Modern leaders are expected to be facilitators rather than dictators, creating environments where innovation can flourish and diverse perspectives are valued. This shift has been catalyzed by several factors: the rise of knowledge-based economies where intellectual capital matters more than physical labor, generational changes with millennials and Gen Z demanding more meaningful engagement and work-life integration, and technological disruption that requires agile, adaptive organizations.

Perhaps most significantly, there’s been a fundamental reconceptualization of what legitimates authority. Leadership is no longer automatically conferred by position or tenure but must be earned through competence, integrity, and the ability to inspire. We’re also seeing greater emphasis on emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and ethical considerations – dimensions that were largely overlooked in traditional leadership models. The concept has evolved from being role-centric to relationship-centric, which I think is a positive evolution that better aligns with our understanding of how humans thrive in organizational settings.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated temporal progression: historical context → present situation → underlying causes → deeper analysis of fundamental change. Excellent coherence với clear signposting
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (profound transformation, emblematic of, paradigm shift, catalyzed by, intellectual capital, fundamental reconceptualization, legitimates authority, role-centric vs relationship-centric)
• Grammar: Complex structures throughout including relative clauses, passive voice, participle clauses, và advanced transitional phrases
• Critical Thinking: Deep analysis không chỉ describe change mà explain WHY it happened và evaluate its implications. Shows understanding of historical, sociological, và economic factors

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Historically, Fast forward to today, Perhaps most significantly, which I think
• Tentative language: often called, demanding more, I think
• Abstract nouns: transformation, paradigm shift, intellectual capital, reconceptualization, legitimates authority

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Question 2: Do you think social media has changed how leaders communicate with people?

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, definitely. Social media has made it easier for leaders to communicate with many people quickly. For example, company CEOs can post updates on Twitter or LinkedIn and reach thousands of followers immediately. This is faster than traditional methods like newspapers or TV. However, there are also problems because sometimes leaders post things without thinking carefully, which can create controversies.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Direct answer → example → consideration of drawbacks
• Vocabulary: Adequate với familiar platforms và terms
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Competent response nhưng thiếu sophisticated analysis of deeper implications

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Absolutely, and the implications are quite far-reaching. Social media has fundamentally democratized leadership communication in ways that would have been unimaginable just two decades ago. Leaders can now bypass traditional gatekeepers – media outlets, PR departments – and engage directly with stakeholders in real-time. This creates a sense of accessibility and transparency that, when done well, can significantly enhance a leader’s authenticity and relatability.

That being said, this direct channel is a double-edged sword. On one level, it enables leaders to shape narratives and respond to crises with unprecedented speed. We’ve seen political leaders, CEOs, and even school principals leveraging platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook to build personal brands and mobilize support. The immediacy can be powerful for crisis management or galvanizing communities around shared goals.

On another level, though, this unfiltered access brings significant risks. Leaders may feel pressured to maintain constant visibility, leading to impulsive posts that lack strategic consideration. We’ve witnessed numerous instances where a poorly thought-out tweet has sparked public backlash, damaged reputations, or even affected stock prices. Moreover, social media tends to amplify polarization – leaders may inadvertently create echo chambers where they only hear from supporters, insulating themselves from constructive criticism.

I’d also argue there’s a generational divide in how effective this communication style is. Younger audiences might expect and appreciate this direct engagement, viewing it as authentic, while others might see it as unprofessional or undignified for someone in a leadership position. Ultimately, I think social media has made leadership communication more dynamic and multifaceted, but it’s also raised the stakes considerably – leaders now need to be digitally literate, culturally aware, and extraordinarily careful about how they present themselves in these public forums.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-organized với multiple layers: introduction → positive aspects → negative aspects → generational perspective → nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated range (fundamentally democratized, bypass traditional gatekeepers, double-edged sword, unprecedented speed, leveraging platforms, galvanizing communities, spark public backlash, amplify polarization, echo chambers)
• Grammar: Full range of complex structures including conditionals (when done well), participles (leading to, viewing it as), passive constructions, và advanced cohesive devices
• Critical Thinking: Outstanding depth với consideration of multiple perspectives (positive/negative, different generations), specific examples, và recognition of complexity. Shows understanding of communication theory, organizational behavior, và digital culture

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Absolutely, That being said, On one level, On another level, Moreover, I’d also argue, Ultimately
• Tentative language: can be, might see it as, I think
• Abstract nouns: implications, democratization, authenticity, relatability, immediacy, polarization, generational divide

Nhóm người đa dạng đang thảo luận về kỹ năng lãnh đạo trong bối cảnh hiện đại với công nghệ

Theme 3: Cultural Aspects of Leadership

Question 1: Are leadership styles different across cultures?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare cultural differences
• Key words: different, across cultures
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge differences → provide examples from specific cultures → explain cultural factors that influence leadership

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think leadership styles vary between cultures. In Asian countries like Vietnam or Japan, leaders are usually more formal and respect hierarchy. People don’t often question their leaders’ decisions. But in Western countries like America or England, leadership is more relaxed and democratic. Employees feel free to share their opinions. These differences come from cultural values about respect and individualism.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear comparison between Asian và Western styles
• Vocabulary: Basic cultural terms (formal, hierarchy, democratic, individualism)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate understanding nhưng somewhat stereotypical và lacks nuanced analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Undoubtedly, and this is a fascinating area that’s been extensively researched in organizational psychology. Leadership styles are deeply embedded in cultural contexts and reflect fundamental differences in how societies conceptualize authority, relationships, and collective wellbeing.

Take power distance, for instance – a concept from Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory. In cultures with high power distance like many Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American societies, there’s greater acceptance of hierarchical structures and unequal power distribution. Leaders in these contexts are often expected to be decisive and directive, and there’s generally more deference to authority. Conversely, in low power distance cultures like Scandinavia, the Netherlands, or New Zealand, leadership tends to be more egalitarian and participative, with flatter organizational structures and expectation that leaders are accessible and consultative.

Another dimension is individualism versus collectivism. In individualistic cultures such as the United States or Australia, effective leaders often emphasize personal achievement, autonomy, and individual recognition. They might use competitive incentives and celebrate individual accomplishments. By contrast, in collectivist societies like Japan, Korea, or Vietnam, leadership is more about fostering group harmony, building consensus, and ensuring that team success takes precedence over individual glory. Leaders are expected to demonstrate concern for the collective welfare and maintain face-saving behaviors.

However, I think it’s crucial not to over-generalize or treat cultures as monolithic. Within any given culture, you’ll find considerable variation based on industry, organization type, and generational factors. Moreover, globalization has created increasingly hybrid leadership models. Many Asian companies are adopting more participative approaches, while Western organizations are recognizing the value of relationship-building and long-term orientation traditionally associated with Eastern cultures. Một ví dụ chi tiết về describe a person who often appears in the news whom you would like to meet cho thấy các nhà lãnh đạo hiện đại thường kết hợp nhiều phong cách từ các nền văn hóa khác nhau.

What’s particularly interesting is how multicultural leaders – those who’ve worked across different cultural contexts – often develop adaptive leadership styles. They learn to read cultural cues and adjust their approach depending on the context, which I believe is becoming an increasingly essential competency in our interconnected world.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally sophisticated với theoretical framework → specific examples → acknowledgment of complexity → future implications
• Vocabulary: Academic và precise (deeply embedded in, power distance, deference to authority, egalitarian and participative, individualism versus collectivism, over-generalize, monolithic, hybrid leadership models, adaptive leadership styles)
• Grammar: Full range including complex nominalizations, passive voice, conditionals, relative clauses, và sophisticated cohesive devices
• Critical Thinking: Outstanding depth với use of theoretical frameworks (Hofstede), multiple cultural examples, recognition of within-culture variation, awareness of globalization effects, và forward-looking perspective

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Undoubtedly, Take for instance, Conversely, By contrast, However, Moreover, What’s particularly interesting
• Tentative language: often expected, tends to be, might use, I think, I believe
• Abstract nouns: power distance, deference, autonomy, individualism, collectivism, globalization, competency

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Question 2: Should companies adapt their leadership styles when operating in different countries?

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I believe companies should adapt their leadership approaches when they work in different countries. If they don’t change, they might face problems with local employees who have different expectations. For example, a Western company in Vietnam should understand that Vietnamese workers might not be comfortable with very direct criticism. Companies need to respect local culture to be successful.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Direct answer → reasoning → example → conclusion
• Vocabulary: Adequate but basic (adapt, face problems, different expectations, respect local culture)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Logical response nhưng lacks depth trong discussing implementation challenges và strategic considerations

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

This is quite a strategic dilemma that multinational corporations grapple with constantly, and I’d say the answer isn’t a simple yes or no but rather “it depends” on several factors.

On the one hand, there’s a compelling case for adaptation. Leadership practices that are effective in one cultural context may be completely counterproductive in another. A highly individualistic, results-oriented approach that works well in American corporate culture could alienate employees in more collectivist Asian societies where relationship-building and group harmony are prioritized. Companies that fail to acknowledge these differences often experience high turnover, low engagement, and difficulties in attracting local talent. Cultural intelligence – the ability to function effectively across national, ethnic, and organizational cultures – has become a critical success factor for global organizations.

That said, there’s also a risk of over-adaptation that can dilute a company’s core values and identity. Some organizational principles – like commitment to ethical behavior, transparency, or meritocracy – arguably should be non-negotiable regardless of local norms. Moreover, employees often join multinational companies precisely because they’re attracted to different leadership approaches and corporate cultures. Excessive localization might undermine what makes the company distinctive and appealing.

I’d argue the optimal approach is what scholars call “glocalization” – a hybrid strategy that maintains core organizational principles while flexing on implementation. For instance, a company might uphold its commitment to participative decision-making as a core value, but the mechanisms for achieving this could vary. In some cultures, this might mean open floor discussions, while in others, it might involve more structured feedback channels that allow employees to contribute anonymously, thereby respecting hierarchical sensitivities. Nội dung này có điểm tương đồng với describe a challenging task you completed at work khi phải cân bằng giữa tiêu chuẩn quốc tế và yêu cầu địa phương trong môi trường đa văn hóa.

Additionally, companies should invest in cross-cultural training for both expatriate leaders and local management, creating shared understanding and mutual adaptation rather than expecting one side to do all the adjusting. The most successful global companies I’ve observed are those that view cultural diversity as a strategic asset, leveraging different perspectives to drive innovation rather than seeing cultural differences as obstacles to be homogenized away.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly sophisticated với presentation of dilemma → case for adaptation → risks of over-adaptation → optimal hybrid solution → practical implementation suggestions
• Vocabulary: Executive-level language (strategic dilemma, grapple with, compelling case, counterproductive, cultural intelligence, over-adaptation, dilute core values, glocalization, hybrid strategy, expatriate leaders, leveraging different perspectives)
• Grammar: Full mastery including complex conditionals (that are effective, could alienate), relative clauses, nominalization (commitment to, mechanisms for achieving), và advanced cohesive devices
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional depth với consideration of multiple stakeholders (company, employees), recognition of trade-offs, practical solutions based on scholarly concepts, và strategic business perspective

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: On the one hand, That said, I’d argue, For instance, Additionally
• Tentative language: I’d say, arguably, might mean, should invest in
• Abstract nouns: strategic dilemma, cultural intelligence, meritocracy, glocalization, mutual adaptation

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
visionary leader	noun phrase	/ˈvɪʒənəri ˈliːdə(r)/	nhà lãnh đạo có tầm nhìn xa	A visionary leader can anticipate future trends and prepare their organization accordingly.	visionary thinking, visionary approach, visionary goals
emotional intelligence	noun phrase	/ɪˈməʊʃənl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/	trí tuệ cảm xúc	Leaders with high emotional intelligence can better understand and manage team dynamics.	develop emotional intelligence, demonstrate emotional intelligence, lack emotional intelligence
transformational leadership	noun phrase	/ˌtrænsfəˈmeɪʃənl ˈliːdəʃɪp/	lãnh đạo chuyển đổi/biến đổi	Transformational leadership focuses on inspiring and motivating followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes.	practice transformational leadership, exhibit transformational leadership, model of transformational leadership
decisive	adjective	/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/	quyết đoán	A decisive leader can make tough choices quickly, even under pressure.	decisive action, decisive moment, decisive leadership, be decisive in
inspire confidence	verb phrase	/ɪnˈspaɪə(r) ˈkɒnfɪdəns/	truyền sự tự tin	Great leaders inspire confidence in their team members through consistent actions.	inspire confidence in others, inspire confidence among staff
delegate effectively	verb phrase	/ˈdelɪɡeɪt ɪˈfektɪvli/	phân công hiệu quả	Leaders who can delegate effectively empower their team and free up time for strategic thinking.	delegate tasks effectively, delegate responsibility effectively
strategic thinking	noun phrase	/strəˈtiːdʒɪk ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/	tư duy chiến lược	Strategic thinking allows leaders to see the bigger picture and plan long-term.	demonstrate strategic thinking, develop strategic thinking, apply strategic thinking
empowerment	noun	/ɪmˈpaʊəmənt/	trao quyền, làm chủ	Employee empowerment leads to greater job satisfaction and innovation.	promote empowerment, culture of empowerment, empowerment of staff
accountability	noun	/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/	trách nhiệm giải trình	Leaders must demonstrate accountability by taking responsibility for both successes and failures.	take accountability, hold someone accountable, lack of accountability, culture of accountability
collaborative approach	noun phrase	/kəˈlæbərətɪv əˈprəʊtʃ/	cách tiếp cận hợp tác	A collaborative approach to leadership encourages team input and shared decision-making.	adopt a collaborative approach, foster a collaborative approach
resilience	noun	/rɪˈzɪliəns/	khả năng phục hồi, tính kiên cường	Leadership requires resilience to bounce back from setbacks and continue moving forward.	show resilience, build resilience, demonstrate resilience, lack resilience
cultivate talent	verb phrase	/ˈkʌltɪveɪt ˈtælənt/	nuôi dưỡng tài năng	Effective leaders cultivate talent within their organization through mentoring and development opportunities.	cultivate young talent, cultivate leadership talent
foster innovation	verb phrase	/ˈfɒstə(r) ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/	thúc đẩy sự đổi mới	Great leaders foster innovation by creating an environment where new ideas are welcomed.	foster innovation and creativity, foster technological innovation
integrity	noun	/ɪnˈteɡrəti/	sự chính trực, liêm chính	Leaders with integrity earn lasting respect from their teams and stakeholders.	act with integrity, maintain integrity, person of integrity, demonstrate integrity
crisis management	noun phrase	/ˈkraɪsɪs ˈmænɪdʒmənt/	quản lý khủng hoảng	Effective crisis management requires calm decision-making and clear communication.	crisis management skills, handle crisis management, crisis management strategy
inclusive leadership	noun phrase	/ɪnˈkluːsɪv ˈliːdəʃɪp/	lãnh đạo hòa nhập	Inclusive leadership values diverse perspectives and creates a sense of belonging for all team members.	practice inclusive leadership, model of inclusive leadership, promote inclusive leadership
mobilize resources	verb phrase	/ˈməʊbəlaɪz rɪˈsɔːsɪz/	huy động nguồn lực	Successful leaders can mobilize resources quickly when opportunities or challenges arise.	mobilize financial resources, mobilize human resources
stakeholder engagement	noun phrase	/ˈsteɪkhəʊldə(r) ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/	sự tham gia của các bên liên quan	Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial for gaining support for organizational initiatives.	improve stakeholder engagement, stakeholder engagement strategy

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
lead by example	nêu gương, làm gương	Great leaders lead by example, demonstrating the work ethic and values they expect from others.	7.0-7.5
think outside the box	suy nghĩ sáng tạo, phá cách	Innovative leaders encourage their teams to think outside the box and challenge conventional approaches.	7.0-7.5
at the helm	đang lãnh đạo, ở vị trí chỉ huy	With her at the helm, the company navigated through the recession successfully.	7.5-8.0
take the reins	nắm quyền chỉ huy	When the CEO retired, she took the reins and immediately implemented new policies.	7.5-8.0
steer the ship	điều khiển, lãnh đạo tổ chức	During uncertain times, strong leaders are needed to steer the ship through turbulent waters.	7.5-8.0
move the needle	tạo ra sự thay đổi đáng kể	His innovative strategies really moved the needle in terms of company performance.	8.0-8.5
rally the troops	tập hợp, động viên đội ngũ	When morale was low, she knew how to rally the troops and restore confidence.	7.5-8.0
break new ground	mở đường mới, tiên phong	The company broke new ground with its sustainability initiatives under her leadership.	8.0-8.5
set the bar high	đặt ra tiêu chuẩn cao	Leaders who set the bar high inspire their teams to reach their full potential.	7.0-7.5
weather the storm	vượt qua khó khăn	Strong leadership is essential to weather the storm during economic downturns.	7.5-8.0
call the shots	ra quyết định quan trọng	As the founder, she calls the shots on all major strategic decisions.	7.0-7.5
hold the fort	giữ vững vị trí, duy trì	While the CEO was away, the vice president held the fort and managed operations smoothly.	7.5-8.0

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần chút thời gian suy nghĩ trước khi trả lời
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi muốn đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc thông tin surprising
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi nói thành thật về quan điểm cá nhân
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách formal để đưa ra opinion
• 📝 Essentially,… – Khi muốn đi vào điểm cốt lõi

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, ngoài ra
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, thêm nữa
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến, nói gì đến
• 📝 Additionally,… – Thêm vào đó (formal)
• 📝 Moreover,… – Hơn nữa (formal)

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 cũng cần xem xét
• 📝 That being said,… – Dù vậy, tuy nhiên
• 📝 By contrast,… – Ngược lại
• 📝 Conversely,… – Ngược lại (formal)

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, xét cho cùng
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Cuối cùng (formal)
• 📝 In the final analysis,… – Xét đến cùng (very formal)

Để nhấn mạnh điểm quan trọng:

• 📝 What’s crucial is… – Điều quan trọng là
• 📝 The key point is… – Điểm then chốt là
• 📝 What really matters is… – Điều thực sự quan trọng là
• 📝 Perhaps most significantly,… – Có lẽ quan trọng nhất là

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional (Quá khứ → Hiện tại):

• Formula: If + Past Perfect, would + infinitive
• Ví dụ: “If she hadn’t demonstrated such strong leadership during the crisis, the company wouldn’t be thriving today.”

Inversion (Đảo ngữ):

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle, subject + would have
• Ví dụ: “Had he listened to his team’s concerns earlier, the project failure could have been prevented.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clause:

• Formula: …, which/who + verb…
• Ví dụ: “She implemented a mentorship program, which significantly improved employee retention rates.”

Reduced relative clause:

• Formula: noun + participle phrase
• Ví dụ: “Leaders possessing emotional intelligence tend to build stronger team relationships.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive:

• Formula: It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that leadership skills can be developed through deliberate practice and experience.”

Advanced passive:

• Formula: Subject + is considered/regarded as…
• Ví dụ: “Transformational leadership is regarded as one of the most effective approaches in modern organizations.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-cleft:

• Formula: What + subject + verb + is/was…
• Ví dụ: “What distinguishes great leaders from good ones is their ability to inspire others to exceed their own expectations.”

It-cleft:

• Formula: It is/was… that/who…
• Ví dụ: “It was her unwavering commitment to ethical practices that earned her team’s lasting respect.”

5. Advanced Emphasis Structures:

Not only… but also:

• Ví dụ: “She not only achieved record profits but also improved employee satisfaction significantly.”

So/Such… that:

• Ví dụ: “He demonstrated such exceptional strategic thinking that he was promoted to CEO within five years.”

Để hiểu rõ hơn về Describe a person who has a good sense of humor, bạn có thể thấy rằng các kỹ năng mềm như khiếu hài hước cũng đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc xây dựng hình ảnh một nhà lãnh đạo đáng tin cậy và dễ gần.

6. Nominalization (Danh từ hóa):

Chuyển động từ/tính từ thành danh từ để tạo formal academic style:

• “She decided quickly” → “Her decisiveness”
• “The team collaborated” → “Team collaboration”
• Ví dụ: “The implementation of inclusive policies contributed to the organization’s transformation.”

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Bài viết này đã cung cấp cho bạn một roadmap toàn diện để chuẩn bị cho chủ đề “Describe a person who is a great leader” trong IELTS Speaking. Từ các câu hỏi Part 1 về leadership qualities, đến bài mẫu chi tiết ở nhiều band điểm khác nhau cho Part 2, và những câu hỏi thảo luận sâu trong Part 3, bạn đã có đủ tools và strategies để tự tin bước vào phòng thi.

Điều quan trọng nhất là đừng học thuộc lòng các câu trả lời mẫu. Thay vào đó, hãy hiểu cách structure ideas, sử dụng vocabulary appropriately trong context, và phát triển critical thinking để analyze complex issues về leadership. Examiner có thể dễ dàng nhận ra candidates đang recite memorized answers, và điều này sẽ impact negative đến band score của bạn.

Hãy practice regularly với các câu hỏi tương tự, record yourself để identify areas for improvement, và gradually incorporate sophisticated vocabulary và grammar structures vào speaking của bạn một cách natural. Remember rằng IELTS Speaking đánh giá khả năng communication thực tế của bạn, không chỉ là vocabulary size hay grammar knowledge.

Chúc bạn thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking và đạt được band điểm mục tiêu!