IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời Chủ Đề Festival Ấn Tượng – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề về lễ hội và sự kiện văn hóa là một trong những đề tài phổ biến nhất trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking. Với tư cách là giám khảo IELTS có hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm, tôi nhận thấy đây là chủ đề xuất hiện với tần suất rất cao trong các đề thi từ năm 2020 đến nay, đặc biệt trong các kỳ thi vào dịp cuối năm và đầu năm mới. Khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao do tính universal và cultural relevance của chủ đề.

Điều đặc biệt là chủ đề này cho phép bạn thể hiện khả năng kể chuyện, miêu tả chi tiết và phân tích văn hóa – những yếu tố quan trọng để đạt band điểm cao. Tuy nhiên, nhiều học viên Việt Nam thường gặp khó khăn khi phải mô tả các lễ hội truyền thống bằng tiếng Anh một cách tự nhiên và ấn tượng.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• Câu hỏi thường gặp về lễ hội trong cả 3 Part của IELTS Speaking
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo từng band điểm 6-7, 7.5-8 và 8.5-9 với phân tích cụ thể
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm liên quan đến festivals và celebrations
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của examiner
• Những lỗi phổ biến cần tránh và cách khắc phục
• Tips thực tế để tự tin thể hiện kiến thức văn hóa của bạn

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi về cuộc sống hàng ngày và sở thích cá nhân. Đối với chủ đề festivals, examiner thường hỏi về trải nghiệm và quan điểm của bạn một cách general trước khi đi sâu vào Part 2 và 3.

Chiến lược quan trọng nhất cho Part 1 là trả lời trực tiếp, tự nhiên và mở rộng ý trong 2-3 câu. Đây không phải lúc để “khoe” vocabulary quá phức tạp – hãy tập trung vào sự fluent và authentic.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn gọn chỉ với “Yes” hoặc “No”
• Sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “nice”, “happy” mà không có synonyms
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm cá nhân
• Không tự nhiên, nghe như đang đọc thuộc script

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you enjoy celebrating festivals?

Question 2: What is your favorite festival in your country?

Question 3: How do people in your country celebrate festivals?

Question 4: Did you celebrate festivals when you were a child?

Question 5: Are festivals important in your culture?

Question 6: What do you usually do during festivals?

Question 7: Do you prefer traditional or modern festivals?

Question 8: Have festivals changed in your country over the years?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you enjoy celebrating festivals?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời có/không rõ ràng ngay đầu câu
• Đưa ra lý do cụ thể tại sao bạn thích/không thích
• Thêm một ví dụ ngắn gọn về trải nghiệm cá nhân

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I really enjoy festivals. They give me a chance to relax and spend time with my family. During Tet holiday, we usually have big meals together and visit relatives, which makes me feel happy.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Câu trả lời trực tiếp, có lý do và ví dụ cụ thể về Tết
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng còn đơn giản (happy, big meals), cấu trúc câu chưa đa dạng
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đáp ứng yêu cầu cơ bản với ideas rõ ràng nhưng vocabulary và grammar chưa sophisticated. Thiếu depth trong explanation.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely! I’m quite fond of festivals as they offer a welcome break from the daily grind. What I particularly enjoy is the sense of togetherness they bring – during Tet, for instance, my extended family gathers for elaborate feasts, and it’s one of those rare occasions when we can really catch up and strengthen our family bonds.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Từ vựng phong phú và natural (fond of, welcome break, daily grind, extended family, elaborate feasts), cấu trúc câu phức tạp với relative clause và dash để thêm thông tin
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrating high-level vocabulary use với collocations tự nhiên, grammar đa dạng, và ý tưởng được elaborated well với specific details. Pronunciation cần rõ ràng với strong word stress trên “absolutely” và “particularly”.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• fond of (adj phrase): yêu thích, có cảm tình với
• welcome break (n): khoảng nghỉ đáng mong đợi
• daily grind (n): công việc hàng ngày nhàm chán
• sense of togetherness (n): cảm giác gắn kết, sum họp
• extended family (n): đại gia đình (bao gồm cả ông bà, chú bác)
• elaborate feast (n): bữa tiệc thịnh soạn
• catch up (phrasal verb): trò chuyện, cập nhật tin tức
• strengthen family bonds (v phrase): củng cố mối quan hệ gia đình

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Question: What is your favorite festival in your country?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Nêu tên lễ hội ngay lập tức
• Giải thích ngắn gọn về lễ hội đó (không cần quá chi tiết)
• Nói tại sao đó là lễ hội yêu thích

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“My favorite festival is Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. It’s the biggest celebration in Vietnam and it happens in January or February. I like it because everyone has a long holiday and the atmosphere is very exciting with lots of decorations everywhere.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Clear answer với basic information về Tết, có lý do cụ thể
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary và expressions còn basic (biggest, very exciting, lots of), thiếu personal touch
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response với clear message nhưng lacks sophistication trong language use và depth of description

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Without a doubt, Tet Nguyen Dan – our Lunar New Year – holds a special place in my heart. It’s the most significant cultural event in Vietnam, typically falling in late January or early February. What makes it my favorite is the infectious festive atmosphere that permeates the whole country – streets are adorned with colorful blossoms, especially peach and apricot flowers, and there’s this palpable excitement in the air as families prepare for the celebration.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng Vietnamese cultural terms đúng cách (Tet Nguyen Dan), vocabulary rất sophisticated (infectious, permeates, palpable, adorned with), descriptive language tạo vivid imagery, grammar structures phức tạp (relative clauses, present participle)
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Demonstrates excellent command of English với precise vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, và complex sentence structures. Shows cultural knowledge trong authentic way. Clear pronunciation với appropriate intonation patterns cho descriptive language.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• hold a special place in one’s heart (idiom): có vị trí đặc biệt trong lòng
• Lunar New Year (n): Tết Nguyên Đán
• significant cultural event (n phrase): sự kiện văn hóa quan trọng
• infectious festive atmosphere (adj + n): bầu không khí lễ hội sôi động, lan tỏa
• permeate (v): thấm đẫm, lan tỏa khắp
• be adorned with (v phrase): được trang trí bằng
• blossom (n): hoa (trên cây)
• palpable excitement (adj + n): sự phấn khích có thể cảm nhận được

Tương tự như describe a festival in your culture that you enjoy celebrating, việc thể hiện hiểu biết sâu sắc về các yếu tố văn hóa đặc trưng sẽ giúp bạn ghi điểm với examiner.

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Question: Did you celebrate festivals when you were a child?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Sử dụng thì quá khứ consistently
• So sánh subtle giữa childhood và hiện tại nếu có thể
• Thêm chi tiết cụ thể về memories

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I celebrated many festivals when I was young. My family always celebrated Tet together. I remember I was very excited because I could receive lucky money from my parents and relatives. We also ate special food like banh chung.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng past tense correctly, có specific memories
• Hạn chế: Grammar structures đơn giản, vocabulary basic (very excited, special food)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates the message clearly với appropriate tenses nhưng lacks variety trong structures và vocabulary range

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

“Absolutely! Festivals were actually the highlights of my childhood. Tet, in particular, was something I would eagerly anticipate for months. What made it so memorable was the ritual of receiving li xi – lucky money in red envelopes – from my elders, which felt like a small fortune to my younger self. I also have vivid recollections of helping my mother prepare traditional delicacies like banh chung – those glutinous rice cakes that took hours to cook. Looking back, those experiences instilled in me a deep appreciation for our cultural heritage.”

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Rich vocabulary với emotional depth (eagerly anticipate, vivid recollections, instilled in me), excellent use of past tense với variety (simple past, would + verb cho repeated past actions), cultural terminology used naturally, reflective ending shows maturity
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Sophisticated language với idiomatic expressions, complex grammar including relative clauses và participle phrases, demonstrates ability to reflect on past experiences với insight. Pronunciation needs clear differentiation between simple past và present perfect.

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• the highlight of something (n phrase): điểm nhấn, khoảnh khắc đáng nhớ nhất
• eagerly anticipate (adv + v): mong đợi một cách háo hức
• memorable (adj): đáng nhớ
• ritual (n): nghi lễ, tập tục
• a small fortune (n phrase): một khoản tiền lớn (dùng hài hước)
• vivid recollection (adj + n): ký ức sống động
• traditional delicacy (adj + n): món ăn truyền thống đặc biệt
• glutinous rice cake (n phrase): bánh làm từ gạo nếp
• instill in someone (v phrase): thấm nhuần, truyền đạt vào ai đó
• deep appreciation (adj + n): sự trân trọng sâu sắc

Học sinh Việt Nam luyện tập IELTS Speaking chủ đề Festival với giáo viên

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút, được coi là challenging nhất trong IELTS Speaking test. Bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị và cần nói liên tục không bị ngắt lời.

Chiến lược quan trọng:

• Sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị: Ghi chú keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh. Tôi khuyên bạn ghi theo structure của bullet points
• Nói đủ 2 phút: Examiner sẽ stop bạn nếu đạt 2 phút, nhưng nói dưới 1.5 phút sẽ ảnh hưởng điểm Fluency
• Cover tất cả bullet points: Mỗi bullet nên có ít nhất 2-3 câu
• Tense awareness: Với describe a festival, bạn có thể dùng present simple (general facts) hoặc past simple (specific experience)

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Viết full sentences trong preparation time, waste time
• Chỉ nói được 1-1.5 phút rồi hết ý
• Bỏ sót bullet points, đặc biệt là “explain” question ở cuối
• Dùng sai thì (chuyển đổi giữa past và present không logic)

Cue Card

Describe A Festival Or Celebration In Your Country

You should say:

• What the festival is
• When it takes place
• How people celebrate it
• And explain why this festival is important in your culture

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an event – đây là dạng mixed giữa describing và explaining
• Thì động từ: Present Simple (cho general facts về festival) hoặc Past Simple (nếu bạn describe một lần celebrate cụ thể). Tôi recommend dùng Present Simple vì safer và easier để maintain
• Bullet points phải cover:
  • What: Name và brief introduction
  • When: Time of year, duration
  • How: Activities, customs, traditions
  • Explain why: Cultural significance, personal meaning
• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất! Bạn cần show deeper understanding về cultural importance, không chỉ mô tả surface-level

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about Tet holiday, which is the most important festival in Vietnam. It’s also called the Vietnamese New Year.

Tet usually takes place in late January or early February, based on the lunar calendar. The celebration can last for about one week, but the main days are the first three days of the new year.

People celebrate Tet in many ways. Before Tet, families clean their houses and buy new clothes. They also prepare special food like banh chung, which is a traditional cake made from rice. During Tet, people visit their relatives and friends. Children receive lucky money in red envelopes from older people. Everyone tries to be nice and avoid arguments because they believe it will bring good luck for the whole year. Streets are decorated with flowers, especially peach and kumquat trees.

This festival is important for several reasons. First, it’s a time for family reunion. Vietnamese people, even those working far from home, try to come back to celebrate with their families. Second, Tet marks the beginning of spring and a new year, so it represents new hopes and new beginnings. Finally, Tet helps preserve Vietnamese traditions and culture. Many customs during Tet have been passed down from generation to generation, and celebrating this festival helps people remember their roots.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có discourse markers cơ bản (First, Second, Finally), logical flow nhưng còn mechanical. Một số hesitation có thể xảy ra.
Lexical Resource	6-7	Vocabulary adequate cho topic (lunar calendar, special food, good luck, preserve traditions) nhưng thiếu collocations sophisticated. Có một số less common words nhưng chưa nhiều.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix của simple và complex sentences (relative clause: “which is a traditional cake”). Present simple được sử dụng correctly. Một số attempts ở complex structures.
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear và intelligible, có thể có một số Vietnamese accent nhưng không ảnh hưởng comprehension.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
• ✅ Logical organization với clear structure
• ✅ Đủ length (khoảng 1.5 phút khi đọc tự nhiên)
• ✅ Relevant ideas và examples

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary còn basic ở nhiều chỗ (special food, nice, good luck)
• ⚠️ Thiếu personal touch và emotional depth
• ⚠️ Linking words còn mechanical (First, Second, Finally)
• ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng enough

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to describe Tet Nguyen Dan, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, which is undoubtedly the most significant celebration in Vietnamese culture.

Tet typically falls in late January or early February, depending on the lunar calendar, and the festivities can extend over a week, though the focal point is the first three days of the new year. What makes the timing particularly interesting is that the entire country seems to come to a standstill – businesses close, streets empty out, and there’s this collective shift towards family and tradition.

The celebration itself is quite elaborate. In the weeks leading up to Tet, there’s this palpable sense of anticipation as families thoroughly clean their homes – it’s believed to sweep away bad luck from the old year. People also splurge on new clothes and stock up on traditional delicacies. The centerpiece of Tet cuisine is banh chung, those square glutinous rice cakes filled with pork and beans, which families often make together. During Tet itself, the focus is on family reunions – people travel from far and wide to gather with their loved ones. There’s also the tradition of li xi, where children and unmarried adults receive lucky money in ornate red envelopes. What I find particularly charming is how homes and streets are adorned with blossoming peach and kumquat trees, creating this wonderfully festive ambiance.

This festival holds profound cultural significance for multiple reasons. Foremost, it represents the epitome of family values in Vietnamese culture – it’s the one time of year when family supersedes everything else. Additionally, Tet symbolizes renewal and fresh starts, as it coincides with the arrival of spring. People believe that how you spend the first days of Tet will set the tone for the entire year, which is why everyone strives to be on their best behavior. Perhaps most importantly, Tet serves as a cultural anchor that connects Vietnamese people to their heritage, no matter where they are in the world. For me personally, it’s when I feel most connected to my roots and most proud of my cultural identity.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Smooth delivery với sophisticated linking (What makes…particularly interesting, Additionally, Perhaps most importantly). Natural progression of ideas với minimal hesitation.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range của topic-specific vocabulary (festivities, focal point, palpable sense, splurge on, centerpiece, ornate, adorned with, profound significance, epitome). Good use của collocations và idiomatic language.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Variety của complex structures (relative clauses, participle phrases, passive voice). Accurate use với occasional minor errors không ảnh hưởng communication.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear articulation với appropriate word stress và intonation. Minimal accent features không affect intelligibility.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“special food”, “good luck”, “decorated”	“traditional delicacies”, “sweep away bad luck”, “adorned with”
Grammar	Simple: “Streets are decorated with flowers”	Complex: “What I find particularly charming is how homes and streets are adorned with…”
Ideas	“Important for family reunion”	“Represents the epitome of family values”, “cultural anchor that connects Vietnamese people to their heritage”
Personal Touch	Minimal	“For me personally, it’s when I feel most connected to my roots”

Nếu bạn quan tâm đến cách miêu tả các trải nghiệm văn hóa khác, describe a time when you tried a new cuisine cũng cung cấp nhiều insights hữu ích về cách kể chuyện với cultural elements.

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to talk about Tet Nguyen Dan – the Vietnamese Lunar New Year – which I would say is not merely a festival but rather the cultural heartbeat of Vietnam, embodying centuries of tradition and collective identity.

Tet falls on the first day of the lunar calendar, typically somewhere between late January and mid-February in the Gregorian calendar. What’s fascinating is that the preparation phase actually begins weeks, if not months, in advance, creating this gradual crescendo of anticipation that permeates every aspect of Vietnamese life. The actual celebration spans roughly a week, though the pinnacle is undoubtedly the first three days, when the country essentially grinds to a halt and transforms into what I can only describe as a nationwide family reunion.

The celebration itself is remarkably multifaceted. The preparatory phase involves what we call “Tet Cleaning” – a meticulous purging of the old year’s accumulated misfortunes, both literal and metaphorical. Families embark on extensive home renovations, repaint walls, and dispose of old items, all underpinned by the belief that you’re creating space for good fortune to enter. The culinary preparations are equally elaborate – banh chung, those iconic square rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves, are prepared through an almost ceremonial process that often involves multiple generations collaborating. Then there’s the visual spectacle of hoa dao and hoa mai – the peach and apricot blossoms that line every street, their delicate pink and yellow hues creating an ethereal atmosphere.

During Tet itself, there’s this beautiful choreography of social rituals – the “xong dat” or first-footer tradition, where the first visitor to your home supposedly determines your luck for the year; the “li xi” custom, where crisp banknotes in scarlet envelopes exchange hands, symbolizing prosperity; and the elaborate feasts where families reconnect over dishes that carry symbolic meanings – whole chickens representing completeness, spring rolls symbolizing wealth accumulation.

What elevates Tet beyond mere festivity to something truly profound is its multilayered cultural significance. On one level, it’s the ultimate manifestation of Vietnamese filial piety – children and grandchildren traverse vast distances, often at considerable expense, simply to pay respects to their elders and maintain ancestral bonds. There’s actually a Vietnamese saying: “Ăn Tết tức là ăn Tết với gia đình” – essentially, celebrating Tet means celebrating with family – which encapsulates this non-negotiable primacy of family ties.

On another level, Tet functions as a powerful agent of cultural continuity. In an increasingly globalized world where traditional practices are often relegated to museums, Tet remains vibrantly alive, transmitted organically from one generation to the next. I’ve noticed that even thoroughly Westernized Vietnamese friends, who might dismiss other traditions as antiquated, still gravitate toward home during Tet, suggesting something deeply embedded in our collective psyche.

Personally, what resonates most deeply with me is Tet’s philosophy of temporal renewal – this idea that we can draw a line under the past year’s disappointments and setbacks and approach the new year with renewed optimism. There’s something profoundly therapeutic about that collective reset, that shared commitment to starting afresh. It’s why, despite living abroad for years, I’ve made it a point to return to Vietnam for Tet whenever possible – it’s when I feel most authentically myself, most grounded in my cultural identity, and most cognizant of the rich tapestry of traditions that have shaped who I am.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Exceptional fluency với sophisticated discourse markers (What’s fascinating, What elevates, On one level/another level). Seamless transitions between ideas. Natural, spontaneous delivery.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Extensive vocabulary range với precise usage (embodying, crescendo of anticipation, meticulous purging, underpinned by, ethereal atmosphere, multilayered significance). Natural use của idiomatic expressions và less common lexis. Effective paraphrasing.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range của structures used naturally và accurately (complex conditionals, participle phrases, relative clauses). Rare minor errors không affect communication.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Clear, effortless articulation. Natural intonation patterns. Effectively uses pronunciation features to enhance meaning.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói có natural flow với no apparent effort. Discourse markers được sử dụng sophisticated và naturally (What’s fascinating, What elevates, On one level, Personally). Không có awkward pauses hay hesitation. Speaker demonstrates confidence trong topic development.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
Ví dụ: “not merely a festival but rather the cultural heartbeat” – metaphorical language cho emotional depth
Ví dụ: “gradual crescendo of anticipation” – musical metaphor thể hiện building excitement
Ví dụ: “meticulous purging of accumulated misfortunes” – sophisticated word choice với powerful imagery
Ví dụ: “beautiful choreography of social rituals” – creative metaphor elevates description

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
Ví dụ: “creating this gradual crescendo… that permeates every aspect…” – present participle phrase + relative clause
Ví dụ: “I’ve noticed that even thoroughly Westernized Vietnamese friends, who might dismiss other traditions as antiquated, still gravitate toward home” – complex sentence với embedded clause
Ví dụ: “It’s why, despite living abroad for years, I’ve made it a point to return” – cleft sentence với concessive clause

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Không chỉ describe mà còn analyze deeper meaning. Thảo luận về cultural continuity, filial piety, temporal renewal – concepts showing sophisticated thinking. Personal reflection được woven throughout, không chỉ tập trung cuối. Cultural knowledge được demonstrated authentically với Vietnamese saying và specific terminology.

Khi miêu tả các sự kiện văn hóa, việc thể hiện sự hiểu biết sâu sắc giống như cách bạn có thể làm trong describe a time when you visited a foreign country sẽ giúp câu trả lời của bạn nổi bật hơn.

Thí sinh tự tin trình bày IELTS Speaking Part 2 về chủ đề lễ hội truyền thống

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

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

Question 1: Do you celebrate this festival every year?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I try to celebrate Tet every year with my family. It’s a tradition that’s very important to me.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“Absolutely, it’s non-negotiable for me. Even when I was studying abroad, I would make every effort to fly back home for Tet. There’s something about being physically present with family during this time that can’t be replicated through video calls or messages – it’s the shared experience and collective energy that make it so special.”

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Question 2: Is this festival changing in modern times?

Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I think Tet is changing a bit. Young people now celebrate differently, and some traditions are not followed as strictly as before.”

Band 8-9 Answer:
“It’s definitely evolving, I’d say. While the core essence remains intact – family reunion, ancestral worship – we’re seeing contemporary adaptations. For instance, banh chung that once took hours to prepare is now readily available in supermarkets. Some families opt for restaurant gatherings rather than cooking at home. But interestingly, there’s also a counter-movement among young people trying to revive forgotten traditions, suggesting that change isn’t unidirectional.”

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần most challenging của IELTS Speaking test. Đây là lúc examiner đánh giá khả năng discuss abstract ideas, analyze issues, và present arguments của bạn.

Yêu cầu:

• Phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá issues từ multiple perspectives
• Đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ chặt chẽ
• Xem xét complexity của vấn đề, không just black and white
• Sử dụng examples từ society/world, không chỉ personal experience

Chiến lược:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời đến 3-5 câu minimum
• Sử dụng discourse markers naturally (Well, Actually, To be honest…)
• Structure: Direct answer → Reason/Explanation → Example → Nuance/Alternative view
• Thừa nhận khi issues are complex: “It depends…”, “There are multiple factors…”

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu) without elaboration
• Không support opinions với clear reasoning
• Thiếu vocabulary để discuss abstract concepts
• Chỉ give one-sided view thay vì balanced perspective
• Quá focus vào personal experience thay vì broader societal view

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Social and Cultural Impact

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Question 1: Why do you think festivals are important for a community?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Why question – yêu cầu explanation với multiple reasons
• Key words: important, community (focus on collective benefit, not individual)
• Cách tiếp cận: Give 2-3 reasons với examples, có thể thêm counter-argument về potential drawbacks

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think festivals are important for communities because they bring people together. When there’s a festival, everyone participates and this creates a sense of unity. Also, festivals help preserve culture and traditions, which is important for maintaining identity. For example, during Tet, young people learn about Vietnamese customs from older generations.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear main points (bring people together, preserve culture) với basic example
• Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng general (bring together, sense of unity, preserve culture)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Answers the question với relevant ideas nhưng lacks depth. Vocabulary và grammar không sophisticated enough. Thiếu nuanced thinking.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“Well, I’d argue that festivals serve multiple crucial functions in community cohesion. First and foremost, they act as social glue, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds who might otherwise have little interaction. There’s something about collective celebration that transcends individual differences – during Tet, for instance, socioeconomic boundaries seem to temporarily dissolve as everyone participates in shared rituals.

Beyond social bonding, festivals play a vital role in cultural transmission. They’re essentially living classrooms where traditions are passed down organically through participation rather than formal instruction. Children absorbing the significance of ancestral worship during Tet, for example, are learning about filial piety and historical continuity in a much more meaningful way than any textbook could achieve.

That said, we should acknowledge that not all festivals equally benefit every community member. Some people might feel excluded by traditions that don’t resonate with their personal beliefs, or economically marginalized if celebrations place financial strain on lower-income families. So while festivals generally strengthen community bonds, their impact isn’t universally positive.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptional organization: Direct answer → Reason 1 (social function) + example → Reason 2 (cultural function) + example → Nuanced acknowledgment of limitations. Uses discourse markers naturally.
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (social glue, transcends, socioeconomic boundaries, dissolve, cultural transmission, living classrooms, filial piety, resonate with, marginalized)
• Grammar: Complex structures (relative clauses, conditional phrases, passive voice, participle phrases) used accurately
• Critical Thinking: Shows balanced perspective, acknowledges complexity, uses tentative language appropriately

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “Well”, “First and foremost”, “Beyond social bonding”, “That said”
• Tentative language: “I’d argue”, “might feel”, “generally strengthen”
• Abstract nouns: community cohesion, cultural transmission, ancestral worship, filial piety, historical continuity
• Advanced collocations: serve crucial functions, collective celebration, transcends differences, passed down organically

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Question 2: How have festivals changed in modern society compared to the past?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare and contrast – past vs. present
• Key words: changed, modern society (cần so sánh specific aspects)
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify 2-3 key changes, explain causes, có thể evaluate whether changes are positive/negative

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Festivals have changed a lot in modern times. In the past, people celebrated festivals in more traditional ways, but now it’s more modern. For example, people used to make everything themselves, but now they buy things from shops. Also, young people are less interested in traditional festivals and prefer modern entertainment. Technology has also changed how people celebrate, like using social media during festivals.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Lists changes nhưng without clear organization
• Vocabulary: Very general (a lot, traditional ways, modern, less interested)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Basic comparison được made nhưng lacks specificity và sophistication. Grammar adequate nhưng không varied.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“That’s an interesting question because the transformation has been quite profound in several dimensions. Perhaps the most obvious shift is the commercialization of festivals. Where celebrations were once community-driven and home-centered – with families painstakingly preparing traditional foods and decorations – we’re now seeing a trend toward purchasing ready-made festival goods. Tet, for instance, has become a massive commercial opportunity, with businesses capitalizing on the holiday season. While this makes celebration more accessible and less labor-intensive, some would argue it dilutes the authenticity and personal meaning that came with hand-crafted traditions.

Another significant change involves the digital dimension. Social media has fundamentally altered how festivals are experienced and shared. People now feel compelled to document every moment, sometimes prioritizing the perfect photo over genuine participation. We’re seeing what sociologists call “performative celebration” – where the act of showing you’re celebrating becomes as important as the celebration itself. On the flip side, technology has enabled diaspora communities to maintain cultural connections – Vietnamese people abroad can virtually participate in Tet celebrations back home, which is remarkably positive.

I’d also note a generational dimension to these changes. Younger people are increasingly selective about which traditions to maintain, often retaining elements they find meaningful while discarding others they perceive as outdated. This isn’t necessarily cultural erosion – it could be seen as adaptive evolution, ensuring traditions remain relevant to contemporary life. The challenge, of course, is striking a balance between modernization and preservation of cultural essence.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Masterful organization với three distinct dimensions (commercialization, digital transformation, generational shifts), each fully developed với examples và balanced evaluation
• Vocabulary: Extensive range của topic-specific và academic vocabulary (commercialization, community-driven, painstakingly preparing, capitalizing on, dilutes authenticity, performative celebration, diaspora communities, adaptive evolution)
• Grammar: Full range của complex structures used naturally (where clauses, participle phrases, while/on the flip side contrasts)
• Critical Thinking: Sophisticated analysis với multiple perspectives, acknowledges both positive và negative aspects, references sociological concepts, shows nuanced understanding

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “Perhaps the most obvious”, “Another significant change”, “On the flip side”, “I’d also note”, “The challenge”
• Tentative language: “some would argue”, “could be seen as”, “isn’t necessarily”
• Academic vocabulary: transformation, dimension, trend toward, fundamentally altered, perceived as, adaptive evolution
• Contrast structures: “While this makes… it dilutes…”, “On the flip side”

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Theme 2: Economic and Practical Aspects

Question 3: Do you think governments should spend money on traditional festivals?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion question với government policy implication
• Key words: should spend money (ethical/practical consideration), traditional festivals
• Cách tiếp cận: State position clearly, provide reasons, acknowledge opposing view, possibly suggest balanced approach

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think governments should spend money on traditional festivals because they are part of our culture and heritage. If the government doesn’t support festivals, they might disappear. The money can be used to organize events and preserve traditions. However, the government also needs to spend money on other important things like education and healthcare, so they need to find a balance.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear position với basic reasoning và acknowledgment of other priorities
• Vocabulary: General vocabulary (part of culture, organize events, find a balance)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question adequately với logical argument nhưng lacks sophistication trong language và depth trong analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“This is actually quite a contentious issue that requires nuanced consideration. In principle, I believe there’s a legitimate case for public funding of traditional festivals, but with important caveats.

The argument in favor centers on intangible cultural heritage being a public good that warrants state protection. Festivals often carry historical significance and educational value that transcends mere entertainment – they’re essentially repositories of collective memory and cultural identity. Without governmental support, particularly for minority cultural festivals that lack commercial viability, we risk cultural homogenization where only economically sustainable celebrations survive. From this perspective, public funding for festivals is analogous to funding museums or heritage site preservation – it’s an investment in cultural continuity.

That said, the extent and nature of such funding requires careful calibration. In countries grappling with pressing issues like poverty, healthcare inadequacies, or educational deficits, lavish expenditure on festivals would be difficult to justify. There’s also the question of which festivals deserve support – in pluralistic societies, allocating resources among diverse cultural celebrations can become politically fraught.

Perhaps the most sensible approach would be targeted, strategic investment rather than blanket funding. Governments could focus on capacity building – training cultural practitioners, documenting traditions, creating educational resources – rather than just bankrolling large-scale events. They might also explore public-private partnerships where governmental seed funding catalyzes commercial and community contributions. This way, festivals can be supported without diverting resources from critical public services.

Ultimately, I’d argue that moderate, well-designed public investment in traditional festivals represents sound cultural policy, provided it’s proportionate to a nation’s overall budgetary constraints and complemented by community and private sector engagement.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-organized: State nuanced position → Argument for + reasoning → Counter-considerations → Balanced solution → Conclusion. Perfect use của discourse markers for academic discussion.
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated với policy-specific terms (contentious issue, intangible cultural heritage, public good, warrants state protection, repositories of collective memory, cultural homogenization, analogous to, capacity building, catalyzes, diverting resources)
• Grammar: Full range including complex conditionals, passive structures, relative clauses, participle phrases, all used accurately
• Critical Thinking: Exceptional depth showing understanding of policy implications, budget constraints, equity considerations, practical implementation challenges. Presents balanced argument with nuanced solution.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “In principle”, “The argument in favor”, “That said”, “Perhaps the most sensible approach”, “Ultimately”
• Tentative/Academic language: “I believe there’s a legitimate case”, “requires careful calibration”, “would be difficult to justify”, “I’d argue that”
• Abstract nouns: intangible cultural heritage, commercial viability, cultural homogenization, capacity building, budgetary constraints
• Policy vocabulary: warrants state protection, public-private partnerships, seed funding, sound cultural policy

Tương tự như cách bạn cần cân nhắc nhiều góc độ trong describe a competition you want to participate in, việc thể hiện suy nghĩ đa chiều về các vấn đề xã hội sẽ giúp bạn đạt band cao trong Part 3.

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Theme 3: Future Trends and Globalization

Question 4: How might festivals evolve in the future with increasing globalization?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Prediction/Speculation về future trends
• Key words: might evolve, future, globalization (cần discuss impact của global interconnection)
• Cách tiếp cận: Predict 2-3 possible scenarios, explain reasoning, acknowledge uncertainty

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“I think globalization will affect festivals in different ways. Some traditional festivals might become less popular because young people are more interested in international celebrations like Christmas or Halloween. But globalization also helps festivals spread to other countries. For example, Vietnamese people living abroad can still celebrate Tet, and some foreigners also become interested in Vietnamese festivals. So festivals might become more mixed in the future, combining traditional and modern elements.”

Phán tích:

• Structure: Identifies both negative và positive effects với basic examples
• Vocabulary: General predictive language (will affect, might become, become more mixed)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question với relevant ideas nhưng predictions lack specificity. Language không sophisticated enough for complex speculation.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“That’s a fascinating question because we’re already witnessing some intriguing trends that might offer clues to future trajectories. I’d say the evolution will likely be paradoxical – simultaneously involving both homogenization and differentiation.

On one hand, we might see what anthropologists call “cultural convergence”, where globally dominant festivals gain traction across diverse cultures. Halloween, for instance, has been remarkably successful at penetrating Asian markets, including Vietnam, despite having no indigenous roots there. This cross-cultural adoption could accelerate with digital connectivity enabling viral spread of cultural practices. We might end up with a kind of “global festival calendar” where certain celebrations become quasi-universal.

Conversely – and this is where it gets interesting – globalization might actually intensify desire for cultural distinctiveness. As the world becomes more homogeneous, there’s often a counter-movement toward asserting unique identity. We’re seeing this with “heritage tourism” and “cultural authentication” – festivals being self-consciously preserved and marketed as unique cultural products. Tet, for example, might become more elaborately celebrated precisely because it distinguishes Vietnamese culture in a globalized world.

Another likely scenario involves “hybrid festivals” – celebrations that blend elements from multiple traditions, creating something entirely novel. Young people, particularly those from transnational backgrounds, might forge new traditions that draw from multiple cultural sources while remaining meaningful to their specific contexts. Think of how Lunar New Year celebrations in diaspora communities often incorporate both ancestral traditions and host country influences.

Technologically, I’d anticipate festivals becoming increasingly immersive through virtual and augmented reality. People might virtually participate in festivals happening continents away, or augmented reality could overlay digital elements onto physical celebrations, creating enhanced experiences. This could democratize access to cultural festivals while potentially altering their fundamental nature.

The wildcard, of course, is climate change and environmental consciousness. As ecological concerns intensify, festivals might evolve toward more sustainable practices, moving away from wasteful consumption traditions. We might see “eco-festivals” that celebrate cultural heritage while embodying environmental values – a fusion that previous generations might not have envisioned.

Ultimately, I suspect we’ll see all these trends coexisting rather than one dominating. The festival landscape of 2050 will likely be remarkably diverse, featuring everything from meticulously preserved ancient traditions to cutting-edge hybrid celebrations, all shaped by the complex interplay between globalization, technology, and human desire for both connection and distinctiveness.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Masterful organization covering multiple scenarios systematically (cultural convergence, counter-movement, hybrid forms, technological transformation, environmental factors) với sophisticated conclusion acknowledging complexity
• Vocabulary: Exceptional range với academic và specialized terms (paradoxical, homogenization, differentiation, cultural convergence, quasi-universal, heritage tourism, cultural authentication, transnational backgrounds, diaspora communities, augmented reality, democratize access, complex interplay)
• Grammar: Full sophisticated range including complex conditionals (might become, could accelerate, might forge), passive voice, relative clauses, participle phrases, all used naturally
• Critical Thinking: Outstanding depth showing understanding of sociological theories, multiple competing trends, technological implications, environmental considerations. Acknowledges uncertainty appropriately với “wildcard”, “likely”, “might”.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “On one hand”, “Conversely”, “Another likely scenario”, “Technologically”, “The wildcard”, “Ultimately”
• Speculative language: “might offer clues”, “will likely be”, “could accelerate”, “I’d anticipate”, “I suspect”
• Academic vocabulary: trajectories, paradoxical, anthropologists, penetrating, viral spread, quasi-universal, self-consciously, diaspora, embodying, envisioned
• Sophisticated structures: “As the world becomes more homogeneous, there’s often a counter-movement…”, “Think of how…”, “This is where it gets interesting”

Khi thảo luận về các xu hướng xã hội và văn hóa, việc thể hiện nhận thức về multiple perspectives cũng quan trọng như cách bạn miêu tả trong describe a recent family gathering that was enjoyable, nơi bạn có thể demonstrate understanding về changing family dynamics.

Giám khảo IELTS đánh giá thí sinh trong Part 3 về chủ đề festivals và globalization

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Question 5: Are young people less interested in traditional festivals nowadays?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Yes/No with explanation – generational comparison
• Key words: young people, less interested, traditional festivals
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge complexity, provide balanced view, use evidence/examples, consider multiple factors

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

“Yes, I think many young people are less interested in traditional festivals compared to older generations. They prefer modern entertainment and international celebrations. However, not all young people feel this way. Some still value traditional festivals and want to preserve them. I think it depends on education and family influence whether young people appreciate traditional culture or not.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: States general trend, provides qualification, identifies influencing factor
• Vocabulary: Basic language (less interested, prefer, value, appreciate)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question adequately với some nuance nhưng analysis lacks depth and sophistication

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

“This is actually a more complex phenomenon than it might initially appear, and I’d caution against making sweeping generalizations. The reality seems to be considerably more nuanced.

On the surface, there are certainly observable trends suggesting diminished engagement among youth with traditional festivals. Young people today have exponentially more entertainment options than previous generations – from streaming platforms to social media to global pop culture – which inevitably competes for their attention. Traditional festivals, with their prescribed rituals and lengthy ceremonies, might seem less appealing to a generation accustomed to instant gratification and customizable experiences. Research in Vietnam, for instance, shows that younger cohorts are less likely to participate in certain Tet traditions like ancestral worship or extended family visits.

However, I’d argue this apparent disinterest is often misinterpreted. What we’re actually seeing might be selective engagement rather than wholesale rejection. Young people are increasingly pragmatic about cultural practices – they retain elements they find personally meaningful while adapting or discarding aspects they consider outdated or incompatible with contemporary lifestyles. This isn’t necessarily cultural apathy but rather active curation of tradition.

Moreover, there’s an interesting counter-trend we shouldn’t overlook. In some contexts, young people are actually driving festival revival. We’re seeing youth-led initiatives to document endangered traditions, modernize festival formats to enhance appeal, and even create hybrid celebrations that honor heritage while reflecting contemporary values. Social media has amplified this – young Vietnamese people showcasing traditional ao dai during Tet or sharing festival preparations on Instagram are simultaneously engaging with tradition and making it relevant to their peer groups.

I’d also note that interest levels are highly context-dependent. Young people from culturally immersed families who grew up with positive festival experiences tend to maintain strong connections. Conversely, those with limited exposure or who associate festivals with obligatory burden rather than joyful celebration might indeed be disengaged.

Rather than framing this as simple disinterest, I’d characterize it as an evolutionary phase where younger generations are renegotiating their relationship with tradition – determining what resonates, what requires adaptation, and what might naturally fade away. This is actually a historically normal process; every generation redefines cultural practices to align with their contemporary reality. The challenge is ensuring this evolution preserves core cultural essence while allowing necessary innovation.”

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptional organization: Challenges oversimplification → Presents surface evidence → Deeper analysis with reframing → Counter-evidence → Contextual factors → Sophisticated conclusion. Uses discourse markers expertly.
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated với academic và analytical terms (complex phenomenon, sweeping generalizations, considerably more nuanced, diminished engagement, prescribed rituals, wholesale rejection, selective engagement, cultural apathy, active curation, context-dependent, evolutionary phase, renegotiating relationship)
• Grammar: Full range với complex structures including conditionals (might seem, might be), relative clauses, participle phrases, passive constructions, all accurate
• Critical Thinking: Outstanding depth challenging the premise of question, presenting multiple perspectives, acknowledging complexity, using research reference, providing nuanced conclusion about generational change as normal evolution

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “On the surface”, “However”, “Moreover”, “I’d also note”, “Rather than”
• Tentative/Academic language: “I’d caution against”, “seems to be”, “I’d argue”, “might be”, “I’d characterize it as”
• Abstract nouns: phenomenon, engagement, prescribed rituals, wholesale rejection, cultural apathy, active curation, counter-trend, evolutionary phase
• Sophisticated phrases: “exponentially more options”, “competes for attention”, “accustomed to”, “incompatible with”, “align with”, “preserves core essence”

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
festivities	n	/feˈstɪvətiz/	các hoạt động lễ hội	The festivities lasted for three days.	national festivities, festive celebrations, join the festivities, festivities commence
commemorate	v	/kəˈmeməreɪt/	kỷ niệm, tưởng nhớ	This festival commemorates our ancestors.	commemorate an event, commemorate the anniversary, commemorative ceremony
elaborate	adj	/ɪˈlæbərət/	công phu, tỉ mỉ	They prepared elaborate decorations.	elaborate preparation, elaborate ceremony, elaborate feast, elaborate ritual
ritual	n	/ˈrɪtʃuəl/	nghi lễ, nghi thức	Ancestral worship is an important ritual.	ancient ritual, religious ritual, traditional ritual, perform a ritual
heritage	n	/ˈherɪtɪdʒ/	di sản (văn hóa)	Festivals preserve our cultural heritage.	cultural heritage, rich heritage, heritage site, preserve heritage
festive atmosphere	n phrase	/ˈfestɪv ˈætməsfɪə(r)/	không khí lễ hội	The city had a festive atmosphere.	create festive atmosphere, festive mood, festive spirit, festive ambiance
cultural significance	n phrase	/ˈkʌltʃərəl sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/	ý nghĩa văn hóa	This festival has great cultural significance.	hold cultural significance, cultural importance, cultural value, profound significance
observance	n	/əbˈzɜːvəns/	việc tuân thủ, kỷ niệm	The observance of Tet is widespread.	religious observance, strict observance, observance of traditions
palpable	adj	/ˈpælpəbl/	có thể cảm nhận rõ	There was palpable excitement in the air.	palpable tension, palpable sense, palpable relief, palpable enthusiasm
permeate	v	/ˈpɜːmieɪt/	thấm nhuần, lan tỏa	Joy permeates the whole community.	permeate society, permeate culture, permeate the atmosphere
adorn	v	/əˈdɔːn/	trang trí, tô điểm	Streets are adorned with lanterns.	adorned with flowers, beautifully adorned, ornately adorned, adorn the streets
reunion	n	/ˌriːˈjuːniən/	sự sum họp, đoàn tụ	Tet is a time for family reunion.	family reunion, reunion dinner, class reunion, reunion celebration
prosperity	n	/prɒˈsperəti/	sự thịnh vượng, phát đạt	People wish each other prosperity.	economic prosperity, bring prosperity, prosperity and health, wish prosperity
auspicious	adj	/ɔːˈspɪʃəs/	tốt lành, may mắn	Red is considered an auspicious color.	auspicious occasion, auspicious day, auspicious beginning, auspicious sign
filial piety	n phrase	/ˈfɪliəl ˈpaɪəti/	lòng hiếu thảo	Filial piety is central to the festival.	demonstrate filial piety, value of filial piety, express filial piety
embody	v	/ɪmˈbɒdi/	thể hiện, hiện thân	This festival embodies our values.	embody tradition, embody the spirit, embody cultural values, embody principles
culmination	n	/ˌkʌlmɪˈneɪʃn/	đỉnh điểm, cao trào	The parade is the culmination of festivities.	culmination of celebrations, culmination of efforts, reach culmination
revelry	n	/ˈrevlri/	sự vui chơi ầm ĩ	The streets were filled with revelry.	joyous revelry, festive revelry, engage in revelry, night of revelry
congregate	v	/ˈkɒŋɡrɪɡeɪt/	tụ tập, tập trung	Families congregate during festivals.	congregate together, congregate at temples, people congregate
meticulous	adj	/məˈtɪkjələs/	tỉ mỉ, kỹ lưỡng	They made meticulous preparations.	meticulous attention, meticulous planning, meticulous care, meticulous preparation

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
hold a special place in one’s heart	có vị trí đặc biệt trong lòng	Tet holds a special place in Vietnamese people’s hearts.	7.5-9
the highlight of	điểm nhấn, phần đáng chú ý nhất của	The fireworks display is the highlight of the celebration.	7-8
come to a standstill	ngừng trệ hoàn toàn	The entire country comes to a standstill during Tet.	7.5-8.5
a sense of togetherness	cảm giác gắn kết, sum họp	Festivals create a strong sense of togetherness.	7-8
be steeped in tradition	thấm nhuần truyền thống	This festival is steeped in centuries of tradition.	8-9
strike a chord with	tạo được sự đồng cảm với	Traditional music strikes a chord with older generations.	7.5-8.5
cultural anchor	điểm neo văn hóa (giữ gìn bản sắc)	Festivals serve as cultural anchors for diaspora communities.	8-9
the fabric of society	kết cấu xã hội	Festivals are woven into the very fabric of society.	8-9
transcend boundaries	vượt qua ranh giới	Music and celebration transcend cultural boundaries.	8-9
pass down from generation to generation	truyền từ thế hệ này sang thế hệ khác	These customs have been passed down for centuries.	7-8
maintain cultural continuity	duy trì sự kế thừa văn hóa	Festivals help maintain cultural continuity.	8-9
foster community spirit	nuôi dưỡng tinh thần cộng đồng	Such celebrations foster community spirit effectively.	7.5-8.5

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Khi cần thời gian suy nghĩ ngắn
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra thông tin đi ngược kỳ vọng hoặc góc nhìn khác
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn thể hiện sự thẳng thắn, chân thành
• 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân một cách diplomatic
• 📝 That’s an interesting question because… – Khi cần thời gian organize thoughts cho câu trả lời phức tạp

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó (formal hơn “also”)
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, ngoài ra
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến (thêm điểm quan trọng)
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Vượt ra ngoài điều đó
• 📝 Additionally,… – Thêm vào đó (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 ta cũng cần xem xét
• 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên, dù vậy (sau khi đưa ra một quan điểm)
• 📝 Having said that,… – Sau khi nói điều đó (để introduce contrasting idea)
• 📝 Conversely,… – Ngược lại (formal, academic)

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, xét cho cùng
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, suy cho cùng
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Cuối cùng, về cơ bản
• 📝 In the final analysis,… – Xét đến cùng (very formal)
• 📝 To sum up,… – Tóm lại

Để giải thích hoặc elaborate:

• 📝 What I mean is… – Ý tôi là
• 📝 In other words,… – Nói cách khác
• 📝 To put it another way,… – Diễn đạt theo cách khác
• 📝 Essentially,… – Về cơ bản
• 📝 Basically,… – Cơ bản là (less formal)

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional (Type 2 + 3):
Formula: If + past simple, would + have + past participle (hoặc ngược lại)

• Ví dụ: “If our ancestors hadn’t preserved these traditions, we wouldn’t have such rich cultural heritage today.”

Inversion in conditionals:
Formula: Should/Were/Had + subject + verb

• Ví dụ: “Were festivals to disappear, our cultural identity would be significantly weakened.”
• Ví dụ: “Had I not participated in Tet celebrations as a child, I might not appreciate their value now.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:
Formula: , which/who/where + clause,

• Ví dụ: “Tet, which falls in late January or early February, is Vietnam’s most important festival.”
• Ví dụ: “My grandmother, who has celebrated Tet for over 80 years, maintains all traditional customs.”

Reduced relative clauses:

• Ví dụ: “Festivals celebrated in rural areas tend to be more traditional.” (= which are celebrated)
• Ví dụ: “The customs passed down through generations remain meaningful.” (= which have been passed down)

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive (formal academic style):

• It is thought/believed/said that…
  • Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that festivals strengthen social bonds.”
• It is considered/regarded as…
  • Ví dụ: “Tet is considered the most significant cultural event in Vietnam.”

Passive with reporting verbs:

• Ví dụ: “Traditional festivals are said to be declining among younger generations.” (= People say that…)
• Ví dụ: “Festivals have been shown to contribute to community cohesion.” (= Research has shown…)

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-cleft for emphasis:
Formula: What + clause + is/was + focus

• Ví dụ: “What I find most meaningful about Tet is the emphasis on family reunion.”
• Ví dụ: “What distinguishes traditional festivals from modern ones is their cultural authenticity.”

It-cleft:
Formula: It + is/was + focus + that/who + clause

• Ví dụ: “It’s the sense of community that makes festivals so valuable.”
• Ví dụ: “It was during my childhood Tet celebrations that I developed my cultural identity.”

5. Advanced Participle Clauses:

Present participle (-ing) for simultaneous actions:

• Ví dụ: “Families gather together, sharing stories and strengthening bonds.”
• Ví dụ: “Young people are increasingly engaging with festivals, adapting traditions to modern contexts.”

Past participle for passive meaning:

• Ví dụ: “Celebrated for thousands of years, this festival remains culturally significant.”
• Ví dụ: “Rooted in agricultural traditions, many festivals mark seasonal changes.”

6. Inversion for Emphasis:

Negative adverbials at beginning:

• Ví dụ: “Never before have festivals faced such pressure from commercialization.”
• Ví dụ: “Rarely do we see such authentic preservation of ancient customs.”
• Ví dụ: “Not only do festivals preserve culture, but they also strengthen community bonds.”

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Nắm vững các từ vựng, cấu trúc này và áp dụng chúng một cách tự nhiên vào câu trả lời sẽ giúp bạn demonstrate được language range và accuracy cần thiết cho band điểm cao. Hãy nhớ rằng, quan trọng nhất không phải là cố nhồi nhét tất cả structures phức tạp vào một câu trả lời, mà là sử dụng chúng một cách appropriate và natural phù hợp với context.

Chúc bạn ôn luyện hiệu quả và tự tin chinh phục IELTS Speaking với chủ đề Festivals!