Cách Sử Dụng Basically Informal Core Trong IELTS – Nâng Cao Điểm Speaking & Writing

“Basically Informal Core” là khái niệm đề cập đến nhóm từ vựng và cấu trúc ngữ pháp thuộc lối nói thân mật, không trang trọng nhưng lại rất phổ biến trong giao tiếp tiếng Anh hàng ngày. Trong bối cảnh IELTS, việc hiểu và kiểm soát các yếu tố informal này là vô cùng quan trọng. Mặc dù IELTS yêu cầu ngôn ngữ tương đối formal, đặc biệt trong Writing, nhưng ở Speaking – đặc biệt là Part 1, việc sử dụng một số yếu tố informal một cách có chọn lọc có thể giúp bạn nghe tự nhiên hơn mà không mất điểm.

Theo phân tích từ Cambridge IELTS 10-19 và các bài thi thực tế, các từ và cấu trúc thuộc “basically informal core” xuất hiện thường xuyên trong:

Speaking: Part 1 (60% các câu trả lời tự nhiên), Part 2 (40% khi kể chuyện), Part 3 (20% khi diễn đạt ý kiến cá nhân)

Writing: Cần TRÁNH hoàn toàn trong Task 1 và Task 2 chính thức, nhưng cần nhận biết để paraphrase sang formal equivalents

Listening: Xuất hiện rất nhiều trong Section 1 và 2 (conversations, monologues về chủ đề đời sống)

Ví dụ vận dụng trong IELTS:

Speaking Part 1 (Personal questions):

“Basically, I love reading because it helps me relax after a long day.”

→ Phân tích: “Basically” ở đây là discourse marker informal, giúp câu trả lời nghe tự nhiên như người bản ngữ

“I’m really into photography, especially landscape shots.”

→ Phân tích: “really into” là informal expression thay cho “very interested in”

“I usually hang out with my friends on weekends.”

→ Phân tích: “hang out” là phrasal verb informal thay cho “spend time with”

Writing Task 2 – LỖI phổ biến (cần tránh):

❌ “Kids these days are basically addicted to their phones.”

→ Cần sửa thành: “Children nowadays tend to be overly dependent on mobile devices.”

Listening Section 1:

“So, I was wondering if you could help me out with this problem.”

→ Phân tích: “help me out” là informal collocation thường gặp trong conversations

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học:

✅ Định nghĩa “Basically Informal Core” và tầm quan trọng trong IELTS

✅ Danh sách các từ vựng và cấu trúc informal thường gặp

✅ Khi nào NÊN và KHÔNG NÊN dùng trong từng phần thi

✅ Cách chuyển đổi giữa informal và formal register

✅ 25+ ví dụ thực tế từ các bài thi Band 7-9

✅ Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam

✅ Bài tập thực hành với đáp án chi tiết

“Basically Informal Core” Là Gì?

Định Nghĩa

Basically informal core là tập hợp các từ vựng, cụm từ, và cấu trúc ngữ pháp thuộc văn phong không trang trọng (informal/casual register) mà người bản ngữ sử dụng thường xuyên trong giao tiếp hàng ngày. Đây không phải là lối nói slang hay quá thô tục, mà là ngôn ngữ “conversational” – tự nhiên, thân thiện và dễ tiếp cận.

Các thành phần chính của Informal Core:

• Discourse markers: basically, actually, honestly, you know, I mean, sort of, kind of
• Phrasal verbs: hang out, catch up, figure out, put up with, get by
• Contractions: I’m, you’re, it’s, haven’t, won’t, can’t
• Colloquial expressions: a lot of, loads of, tons of, heaps of
• Personal pronouns: Frequent use of “I”, “you”, “we”
• Simple sentence structures: Shorter, less complex sentences
• Casual vocabulary: kids (instead of children), stuff (instead of things/matters)

Chức năng chính:

• Tạo sự tự nhiên và trôi chảy trong giao tiếp
• Giúp người nói nghe thân thiện, dễ gần
• Phản ánh cách người bản ngữ thực sự nói chuyện
• Làm mềm tone của câu, tránh nghe quá cứng nhắc

Khi nào dùng trong IELTS:

• Speaking Part 1: NÊN dùng một cách có chọn lọc để nghe tự nhiên
• Speaking Part 2: CÓ THỂ dùng khi kể chuyện cá nhân
• Speaking Part 3: HẠN CHẾ, chỉ dùng discourse markers nhẹ
• Writing Task 1 & 2: TRÁNH hoàn toàn, sử dụng formal alternatives

Tần Suất Xuất Hiện Trong IELTS

Theo phân tích từ Cambridge IELTS 10-19:

Speaking:

Part 1: Frequency: 60-70%

Typical questions: hobbies, daily routines, hometown, family

Natural answers thường chứa informal elements

Band 7+ candidates sử dụng informal vocabulary một cách tự nhiên nhưng vẫn đúng ngữ cảnh

Part 2: Frequency: 40-50%

Typical topics: personal experiences, memorable events, people you know

Informal language phù hợp khi kể chuyện (narrative)

Cần cân bằng với descriptive vocabulary phong phú

Part 3: Frequency: 20-30%

Typical questions: abstract topics, social issues, opinions

Vẫn có thể dùng một số discourse markers informal

Nhưng cần shift sang semi-formal/formal vocabulary cho main content

Writing:

Task 1: Frequency: 0% (MUST AVOID)

Academic/formal register required

Report writing không chấp nhận informal language

Phải dùng passive voice, formal vocabulary, no contractions

Task 2: Frequency: 0% (MUST AVOID)

Academic essay format

Formal arguments, evidence, examples

Using informal language = Band 5-6 maximum for vocabulary/grammar

Listening:

Section 1-2: 70-80% (conversations, everyday situations)

Section 3-4: 30-40% (academic discussions có thể mix formal/informal)

Cần nhận biết để hiểu chính xác ý nghĩa

Reading:

Jarang xuất hiện (chủ yếu formal/academic texts)

Có thể gặp trong quotes hoặc opinions được trích dẫn

Band Score Impact:

Band 6: Sử dụng informal language không phù hợp context (VD: dùng trong Writing)

Band 7: Biết phân biệt và sử dụng đúng register trong Speaking, tránh hoàn toàn trong Writing

Band 8-9: Chuyển đổi linh hoạt giữa registers, sử dụng informal elements một cách strategic để tạo naturalness trong Speaking

Sơ đồ phân biệt ngôn ngữ informal và formal trong bài thi IELTS Speaking và Writing

Các Thành Phần Của Informal Core

Discourse Markers (Từ Đánh Dấu Diễn Ngôn)

📌 CHỨC NĂNG:

Discourse markers là các từ/cụm từ không thay đổi nghĩa chính của câu, nhưng giúp tổ chức ý tưởng, thể hiện thái độ, hoặc làm mềm tone.

Các discourse markers informal thường gặp:

1. Basically

Nghĩa: Used to summarize or simplify something (về cơ bản, nói chung là)

Vị trí: Đầu câu hoặc giữa câu

Ví dụ:

• “Basically, I prefer reading to watching TV.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “The problem is, basically, that people don’t recycle enough.” (Speaking Part 3)

Formal equivalent: Essentially, Fundamentally, In essence

2. Actually

Nghĩa: To introduce a truth/correction, or add information (thực ra, trên thực tế)

Ví dụ:

• “I don’t like coffee much. Actually, I prefer tea.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “Many people think it’s easy, but actually, it requires a lot of practice.” (Speaking Part 3)

Formal equivalent: In fact, In reality, As a matter of fact

3. Honestly

Nghĩa: To emphasize sincerity (thật lòng mà nói, thành thật mà nói)

Ví dụ:

• “Honestly, I haven’t read many books this year.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “Honestly speaking, I believe technology has more advantages than disadvantages.” (Speaking Part 3)

Formal equivalent: To be frank, Candidly speaking, In all honesty

4. You know / I mean

Nghĩa: Fillers để tạo thời gian suy nghĩ hoặc clarify ý

Ví dụ:

• “I like outdoor activities, you know, like hiking and cycling.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “I’m interested in technology, I mean, things like AI and robotics.” (Speaking Part 2)

Lưu ý: ⚠️ Không lạm dụng – dùng quá nhiều sẽ làm giảm fluency score

Formal equivalent: That is to say, In other words, Specifically

5. Sort of / Kind of

Nghĩa: To soften a statement or show uncertainty (có phần, hơi)

Ví dụ:

• “I’m sort of interested in photography.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “The city has kind of changed a lot over the years.” (Speaking Part 2)

Formal equivalent: Somewhat, To some extent, Rather

Discourse Marker	Informal Level	IELTS Speaking Part 1	IELTS Speaking Part 3	IELTS Writing
Basically	Medium	✅ Recommended	⚠️ Limited use	❌ Avoid
Actually	Low-Medium	✅ Recommended	✅ Acceptable	❌ Avoid
Honestly	Medium	✅ Natural	⚠️ Limited use	❌ Avoid
You know	High	⚠️ Once/twice max	❌ Avoid	❌ Avoid
Sort of/Kind of	High	⚠️ Limited use	❌ Avoid	❌ Avoid

Phrasal Verbs (Động Từ Cụm)

📌 ĐẶC ĐIỂM:

Phrasal verbs = Verb + Particle(s) (preposition/adverb)

Thường informal hơn single-word verbs

Người bản ngữ dùng rất nhiều trong giao tiếp

Common Phrasal Verbs trong IELTS Speaking:

1. Hang out (with someone)

Nghĩa: To spend time with someone casually (đi chơi, đi lang thang cùng ai)

Ví dụ:

• “I usually hang out with my friends on weekends.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “When I was younger, we used to hang out at the local park.” (Speaking Part 2)

Formal alternative: Spend time with, Socialize with

2. Catch up (with someone)

Nghĩa: To meet and talk after not seeing someone for a while (gặp gỡ để cập nhật chuyện)

Ví dụ:

• “I like catching up with old friends over coffee.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “We try to catch up at least once a month.” (Speaking Part 2)

Formal alternative: Reconnect with, Meet with

3. Figure out

Nghĩa: To understand or solve something (tìm ra, hiểu ra)

Ví dụ:

• “I’m trying to figure out how to use this new app.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “It took me a while to figure out the solution.” (Speaking Part 2)

Formal alternative: Determine, Ascertain, Understand

4. Get by

Nghĩa: To manage with difficulty (xoay sở được, sống qua ngày)

Ví dụ:

• “My English isn’t perfect, but I can get by in most situations.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “Many people are struggling to get by financially.” (Speaking Part 3)

Formal alternative: Manage, Cope, Survive

5. Put up with

Nghĩa: To tolerate something unpleasant (chịu đựng)

Ví dụ:

• “I can’t put up with noisy environments when I study.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “People shouldn’t have to put up with poor working conditions.” (Speaking Part 3)

Formal alternative: Tolerate, Endure, Bear

6. Look forward to

Nghĩa: To be excited about something in the future (mong chờ)

Ví dụ:

• “I’m really looking forward to my summer vacation.” (Speaking Part 1)
• “Students look forward to graduation day.” (Speaking Part 2)

Formal alternative: Anticipate with pleasure, Await eagerly

7. Give up

Nghĩa: To stop trying or quit (từ bỏ)

Ví dụ:

• “I tried learning the guitar but gave up after a few months.” (Speaking Part 2)
• “People shouldn’t give up on their dreams easily.” (Speaking Part 3)

Formal alternative: Abandon, Discontinue, Cease

8. Carry out

Nghĩa: To perform or conduct (thực hiện)

Ví dụ:

• “The company carried out a survey to understand customer needs.” (Speaking Part 3)
• “Researchers carried out experiments over several years.” (Academic context)

Lưu ý: “Carry out” có thể dùng trong Writing (less informal than others)

Formal alternative: Conduct, Perform, Execute

9. Come across

Nghĩa: To find or meet by chance (tình cờ gặp, bắt gặp)

Ví dụ:

• “I came across an interesting article about climate change.” (Speaking Part 2)
• “While traveling, I came across many friendly locals.” (Speaking Part 2)

Formal alternative: Encounter, Discover

10. Set up

Nghĩa: To establish or arrange (thành lập, thiết lập)

Ví dụ:

• “My uncle set up his own business last year.” (Speaking Part 2)
• “The government should set up more recycling facilities.” (Speaking Part 3)

Formal alternative: Establish, Create, Found

Phrasal Verb	Formality Level	Speaking Part 1-2	Speaking Part 3	Writing Alternative
hang out	Informal	✅	⚠️	spend time with
catch up	Informal	✅	⚠️	reconnect with
figure out	Medium	✅	✅	determine
get by	Medium	✅	✅	manage
put up with	Medium	✅	✅	tolerate
give up	Medium	✅	✅	abandon
carry out	Semi-formal	✅	✅	conduct (OK in Writing)
come across	Medium	✅	✅	encounter

Contractions (Dạng Rút Gọn)

📌 QUY TẮC:

Contractions là dạng rút gọn của hai từ, thường là subject + verb hoặc verb + not

Bắt buộc sử dụng trong Speaking để nghe tự nhiên

Nghiêm cấm trong Writing Task 1 và 2

Common Contractions:

Affirmative (Khẳng định):

• I’m (I am) – “I’m interested in learning languages.”
• You’re (You are) – “You’re right about that point.”
• He’s/She’s/It’s (He is/She is/It is) – “He’s my best friend.”
• We’re (We are) – “We’re planning to travel next month.”
• They’re (They are) – “They’re very helpful people.”
• I’ve (I have) – “I’ve been to Japan twice.”
• I’ll (I will) – “I’ll definitely consider your suggestion.”
• I’d (I would/I had) – “I’d love to visit Europe someday.”

Negative (Phủ định):

• Don’t (Do not) – “I don’t like spicy food.”
• Doesn’t (Does not) – “It doesn’t make sense to me.”
• Didn’t (Did not) – “I didn’t expect that result.”
• Haven’t (Have not) – “I haven’t finished reading that book.”
• Hasn’t (Has not) – “She hasn’t replied to my message yet.”
• Won’t (Will not) – “I won’t have time tomorrow.”
• Wouldn’t (Would not) – “I wouldn’t recommend that restaurant.”
• Can’t (Cannot) – “I can’t speak French fluently.”
• Couldn’t (Could not) – “I couldn’t find my keys this morning.”
• Shouldn’t (Should not) – “People shouldn’t waste food.”

Ví dụ Speaking Band 7+:

“I’ve been studying English for about ten years, and I’d say I’m quite comfortable with it now. I can’t speak perfectly, but I don’t struggle with everyday conversations. When I first started, I couldn’t understand native speakers at all, but now it’s much easier.”

→ Phân tích: Tự nhiên, sử dụng contractions đúng cách, nghe như người bản ngữ

❌ LỖI trong Writing:

“Children shouldn’t spend too much time on smartphones because it’s harmful to their development.”

✅ ĐÚNG – Writing:

“Children should not spend excessive time on smartphones because it is detrimental to their development.”

Colloquial Vocabulary (Từ Vựng Thông Dụng)

📌 ĐỊNH NGHĨA:

Colloquial vocabulary là từ vựng thông dụng trong giao tiếp hàng ngày, không trang trọng nhưng không phải slang.

Common Colloquial Words and Their Formal Equivalents:

Informal/Colloquial	Formal Alternative	Example Context
kids	children	“Many kids spend too much time online.” → “Many children…”
lots of/loads of	many, numerous, considerable	“I have lots of hobbies.” → “I have numerous hobbies.”
stuff	things, matters, issues	“I need to buy some stuff.” → “I need to purchase some items.”
guy	man, person, individual	“He’s a nice guy.” → “He is a pleasant individual.”
get (obtain)	obtain, acquire, receive	“I got a new job.” → “I obtained a new position.”
big	large, significant, substantial	“It’s a big problem.” → “It is a significant issue.”
little	small, minor, slight	“Just a little mistake.” → “Just a minor error.”
pretty (adverb)	quite, rather, fairly	“It’s pretty good.” → “It is quite good.”
a bit	somewhat, slightly	“I’m a bit tired.” → “I am somewhat fatigued.”
really	very, extremely, particularly	“It’s really important.” → “It is extremely important.”

Bảng chuyển đổi từ vựng informal sang formal cho IELTS Writing Task 2

Ví dụ Speaking – Acceptable:

“I really enjoy spending time with my friends. We usually hang out at cafes and talk about all sorts of stuff – school, hobbies, future plans. Most of my friends are really supportive, and I think having good friends is pretty important for your mental health.”

→ Phân tích: Natural, conversational, appropriate for Speaking Part 1-2

Ví dụ Writing – INCORRECT:

❌ “Lots of kids these days are really into video games. This stuff can be pretty bad for their health because they don’t get enough exercise.”

Corrected – Writing:

✅ “Many children nowadays are particularly interested in video games. This phenomenon can be detrimental to their health because they do not obtain sufficient physical exercise.”

Khi Nào Nên và Không Nên Sử Dụng Informal Language

Speaking – Part 1 (Introduction & Interview)

✅ NÊN SỬ DỤNG:

Discourse markers tự nhiên:

• “Basically, I’m a student at Hanoi University.”
• “Actually, I’ve changed my opinion about that recently.”
• “To be honest, I don’t watch TV very often.”

Contractions:

• “I’m from Vietnam, and I’ve lived here all my life.”
• “I don’t have much free time during the week.”
• “I’d say my favorite hobby is reading.”

Common phrasal verbs:

• “I usually hang out with my classmates after school.”
• “I catch up with friends on weekends.”
• “I’m trying to figure out what career path to choose.”

Natural vocabulary:

• “I have loads of books at home.”
• “I’m really into photography.”
• “It’s pretty challenging but interesting.”

❌ VẪN CẦN TRÁNH:

Slang và từ ngữ quá casual:

• ❌ “Yeah, nah, I dunno about that.”
• ❌ “It’s gonna be awesome.”
• ❌ “My job is kinda boring.”

Quá nhiều fillers:

• ❌ “Well, you know, like, I mean, sort of, I think, you know…”

Sample Band 7+ Answer:

Q: “Do you enjoy cooking?”

A: “Yes, I really do. I’ve been cooking for myself since I moved out for university. Basically, I find it quite relaxing after a stressful day. I’m not a professional chef or anything, but I can make a decent meal. Actually, I’ve been trying out new recipes recently, especially Vietnamese dishes. It’s pretty satisfying when something turns out well.”

→ Phân tích:

• Sử dụng contractions tự nhiên (I’ve, I’m, It’s)
• Discourse markers phù hợp (basically, actually, pretty)
• Colloquial expressions (really do, quite, decent, turns out)
• Vẫn maintain good grammar và vocabulary range

Speaking – Part 2 (Long Turn)

✅ CÓ THỂ SỬ DỤNG:

Trong Part 2, bạn kể một câu chuyện cá nhân, nên informal language vẫn acceptable và natural.

Narrative-friendly informal elements:

• Time expressions: “the other day”, “a while ago”, “back then”
• Phrasal verbs: “came across”, “set up”, “gave up”, “figured out”
• Personal reactions: “I was really excited”, “It was pretty amazing”
• Contractions: Sử dụng tự nhiên

⚠️ NHƯNG CẦN CÂN BẰNG VỚI:

• Descriptive vocabulary
• Some advanced structures
• Clear organization
• Varied grammar

Sample Band 8+ Answer:

Topic: Describe a skill you learned

“I’d like to talk about photography, which I’ve been learning for about two years now. I actually got into it quite by accident – I came across an amazing photo exhibition in Hanoi, and it really inspired me to give it a try.

At first, I didn’t know anything about cameras. Honestly, I couldn’t even figure out the basic settings. But I was determined to learn, so I signed up for a course. The instructor was really helpful, and he taught us everything from the fundamentals to more advanced techniques.

What I love most about photography is that it’s changed the way I see the world. Now, I notice little details I’d never paid attention to before – the way light falls on buildings, interesting faces in crowds, stuff like that. I’ve taken hundreds of photos, and while many didn’t turn out well, some I’m genuinely proud of.

It’s been a pretty rewarding journey. I wouldn’t say I’m a professional yet, but I’ve definitely improved a lot. Actually, I’m planning to exhibit some of my work next month, which is quite exciting.”

→ Phân tích Band 8+:

• Natural informal elements (I’d like, I’ve been, actually, really, pretty, stuff like that)
• Balanced with sophisticated vocabulary (by accident, fundamentals, genuinely, rewarding)
• Good narrative flow with discourse markers
• Complex grammar structures alongside contractions
• Authentic personal voice

Speaking – Part 3 (Discussion)

⚠️ HẠN CHẾ INFORMAL ELEMENTS:

Part 3 là discussion về abstract topics, nên cần shift towards semi-formal register.

✅ VẪN CHẤP NHẬN ĐƯỢC:

Light discourse markers:

• “Actually, I think this is a complex issue.”
• “Personally, I believe that…”
• “To be honest, I’m not entirely sure about that.”

Moderate contractions:

• “It’s important to consider…”
• “There’s been a lot of debate about…”
• “I don’t think we can ignore…”

❌ NÊN TRÁNH:

Overly casual vocabulary:

• ❌ “Lots of kids” → ✅ “Many young people”
• ❌ “Stuff like that” → ✅ “Issues of this nature”
• ❌ “It’s really bad” → ✅ “It’s particularly problematic”

Too many informal phrasal verbs:

• ❌ “hang out” → ✅ “spend time” / “socialize”
• ❌ “figure out” → ✅ “determine” / “understand”

Sample Band 8+ Answer:

Q: “Do you think technology has improved people’s lives?”

A: “Well, I’d say it’s a double-edged sword, to be honest. Technology has certainly brought numerous benefits – it’s revolutionized communication, education, and healthcare. For instance, people can now access information instantly, which wasn’t possible a few decades ago.

However, there are some drawbacks we shouldn’t ignore. Many people, particularly young individuals, have become overly dependent on their devices. This has led to issues like reduced face-to-face interaction and mental health problems.

So, while I acknowledge that technology has improved our lives in many ways, I believe we need to use it more mindfully. It’s not about rejecting technology entirely, but rather finding a balance between digital and real-world experiences.”

→ Phân tích Band 8+:

• Formal vocabulary dominant (numerous, revolutionized, overly dependent, acknowledge)
• Limited informal elements (I’d say, to be honest, it’s)
• Academic structures (double-edged sword, for instance, this has led to)
• Clear argumentation with examples
• Sophisticated hedging and qualifying language

Writing Task 1 – MUST BE FORMAL

❌ HOÀN TOÀN TRÁNH:

1. Contractions:

   • ❌ “The graph shows that there’s been an increase…”
   • ✅ “The graph shows that there has been an increase…”

2. Informal vocabulary:

   • ❌ “Lots of people” → ✅ “A significant number of people”
   • ❌ “got bigger” → ✅ “increased” / “expanded”
   • ❌ “went down” → ✅ “decreased” / “declined”

3. Phrasal verbs:

   • ❌ “went up” → ✅ “rose” / “increased”
   • ❌ “came to” → ✅ “reached” / “amounted to”
   • ❌ “made up” → ✅ “constituted” / “represented”

4. Personal language:

   • ❌ “I can see that…” → ✅ “It can be seen that…” / “The data shows…”
   • ❌ “I think” / “I believe” → Remove entirely

5. Casual expressions:

   • ❌ “a bit” → ✅ “slightly” / “marginally”
   • ❌ “really big” → ✅ “substantial” / “considerable”
   • ❌ “pretty much the same” → ✅ “relatively similar” / “comparable”

❌ INCORRECT Task 1 Sample:

“The chart shows stuff about how many kids went to school from 2000 to 2020. Basically, there’s been a really big increase. The number of students went up from about 1,000 to 5,000. That’s pretty impressive. Lots of girls went to school too, which is great.”

✅ CORRECT Task 1 Sample:

“The chart illustrates data regarding school enrollment from 2000 to 2020. Overall, there has been a substantial increase in the number of students. The enrollment figures rose from approximately 1,000 to 5,000 over this period. Notably, female enrollment also experienced significant growth, indicating improved access to education.”

Writing Task 2 – MUST BE FORMAL

❌ HOÀN TOÀN TRÁNH:

1. Contractions – ZERO TOLERANCE:

   • ❌ All forms: don’t, can’t, won’t, it’s, etc.
   • ✅ Write out fully: do not, cannot, will not, it is

2. Colloquial vocabulary:

   • ❌ “kids” → ✅ “children” / “young people” / “minors”
   • ❌ “nowadays” → ✅ “in contemporary society” / “in recent times”
   • ❌ “a lot of” → ✅ “numerous” / “considerable” / “substantial”
   • ❌ “get” → ✅ “obtain” / “acquire” / “receive”

3. Informal phrasal verbs:

   • ❌ “give up” → ✅ “abandon” / “discontinue”
   • ❌ “put up with” → ✅ “tolerate” / “endure”
   • ❌ “find out” → ✅ “discover” / “ascertain”
   • ❌ “go on” → ✅ “continue” / “persist”

4. Personal pronouns (minimize):

   • ❌ “I think” → ✅ “It can be argued that” / “Evidence suggests”
   • ❌ “In my opinion” → ✅ “From a considered perspective”
   • ❌ “We can see” → ✅ “It is evident that”

5. Discourse markers informal:

   • ❌ “Basically” → ✅ “Essentially” / “Fundamentally”
   • ❌ “Honestly” → ✅ Remove or use “Candidly”
   • ❌ “Actually” → ✅ “In fact” / “Indeed”

❌ INCORRECT Task 2 Sample (Band 5-6):

“Nowadays, lots of kids spend too much time on their phones. This is really bad for them because they don’t get enough exercise and stuff. Basically, parents should make sure their kids don’t use phones too much. I think this is a pretty serious problem that we need to sort out.”

✅ CORRECT Task 2 Sample (Band 8):

“In contemporary society, numerous children dedicate excessive time to mobile devices. This trend is particularly detrimental to their well-being, as it contributes to insufficient physical activity and associated health issues. Essentially, parents bear the responsibility of monitoring and limiting their children’s screen time. This constitutes a significant concern that requires immediate attention and intervention.”

→ Phân tích:

• Removed all contractions
• Replaced informal vocabulary (kids→children, lots of→numerous, really bad→particularly detrimental)
• Changed phrasal verbs (sort out→requires intervention)
• More sophisticated structures
• Academic tone throughout

Bảng so sánh cụm từ informal và formal trong IELTS Writing với ví dụ đúng sai

Chuyển Đổi Từ Informal Sang Formal

Transformation Strategy

📌 4 BƯỚC CHUYỂN ĐỔI:

BƯỚC 1: Identify informal elements (Nhận diện yếu tố informal)

• Contractions
• Phrasal verbs
• Colloquial vocabulary
• Personal pronouns
• Casual expressions

BƯỚC 2: Find formal equivalents (Tìm từ formal tương đương)

• Sử dụng bảng chuyển đổi
• Tra academic vocabulary
• Học synonyms nâng cao

BƯỚC 3: Restructure sentences (Cấu trúc lại câu)

• Passive voice
• Complex sentences
• Academic phrases

BƯỚC 4: Check overall tone (Kiểm tra tone tổng thể)

• Đọc lại toàn bộ
• Đảm bảo consistency
• Maintain objectivity

Comprehensive Transformation Examples

Example 1: Personal Experience → Academic Discussion

❌ Informal (Speaking style):
“I think kids nowadays spend way too much time on social media. It’s pretty obvious that this is really bad for them. They don’t hang out with friends in real life anymore, and they’re getting more stressed out. Basically, parents need to figure out how to deal with this problem.”

✅ Formal (Writing style):
“It can be argued that children in contemporary society allocate excessive time to social media platforms. It is evident that this phenomenon has detrimental effects on their well-being. Young people increasingly lack face-to-face social interaction, which contributes to elevated stress levels. Essentially, parents must determine effective strategies to address this issue.”

Phân tích các thay đổi:

• “I think” → “It can be argued that” (less personal)
• “kids” → “children” / “young people”
• “nowadays” → “in contemporary society”
• “way too much” → “excessive”
• “pretty obvious” → “evident”
• “really bad” → “detrimental effects”
• “hang out” → “face-to-face social interaction”
• “getting more stressed out” → “elevated stress levels”
• “Basically” → “Essentially”
• “figure out” → “determine”
• “deal with” → “address”

Example 2: Opinion → Academic Argument

❌ Informal:
“Lots of people can’t afford to go to university because it’s too expensive. I’ve seen lots of smart kids give up on their dreams because they don’t have enough money. This isn’t fair at all. The government should really do something about this and help these students out.”

✅ Formal:
“A considerable number of individuals are unable to pursue higher education due to prohibitive costs. Evidence suggests that numerous academically capable young people abandon their aspirations owing to insufficient financial resources. This situation represents a significant inequity in the educational system. The government bears the responsibility to implement supportive measures to assist these students in accessing tertiary education.”

Phân tích:

• “Lots of people” → “A considerable number of individuals”
• “can’t afford” → “are unable to pursue”
• “too expensive” → “prohibitive costs”
• “I’ve seen” → “Evidence suggests”
• “smart kids” → “academically capable young people”
• “give up on” → “abandon”
• “don’t have enough money” → “insufficient financial resources”
• “isn’t fair at all” → “represents a significant inequity”
• “should really do something” → “bears the responsibility to implement”
• “help…out” → “assist…in accessing”

Example 3: Description → Formal Report

❌ Informal:
“The graph shows that there’s been a big increase in online shopping. Basically, more and more people are buying stuff online instead of going to actual stores. This has gone up a lot since 2020, probably because of COVID. Lots of older people who didn’t use online shopping before have started doing it now.”

✅ Formal:
“The graph illustrates that there has been a substantial increase in online retail activity. Essentially, a growing proportion of consumers are purchasing products through digital platforms rather than visiting physical stores. This trend has experienced significant growth since 2020, likely attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. A considerable number of senior consumers who previously did not engage in e-commerce have begun to adopt this practice.”

Phân tích:

• Removed all contractions (there’s→there has, didn’t→did not)
• “big increase” → “substantial increase”
• “Basically” → “Essentially”
• “more and more people” → “a growing proportion of consumers”
• “buying stuff” → “purchasing products”
• “actual stores” → “physical stores”
• “gone up a lot” → “experienced significant growth”
• “probably because” → “likely attributable to”
• “Lots of” → “A considerable number of”
• “older people” → “senior consumers”
• “started doing it” → “begun to adopt this practice”

Formal Alternatives – Reference Table

Informal	Formal Alternative	Context
Discourse Markers
basically	essentially, fundamentally, in essence	All formal contexts
actually	in fact, indeed, in reality	All formal contexts
honestly	candidly, frankly	Limited use even formally
you know	(omit or use “notably”)	Avoid in writing
I mean	that is to say, in other words	Sparingly in formal
Phrasal Verbs
hang out	socialize, spend time	All formal contexts
catch up	reconnect, meet	All formal contexts
figure out	determine, ascertain	All formal contexts
give up	abandon, discontinue	All formal contexts
put up with	tolerate, endure	All formal contexts
find out	discover, learn, ascertain	All formal contexts
carry out	conduct, perform, execute	Acceptable in writing
set up	establish, create	Acceptable in writing
go on	continue, persist	All formal contexts
come up with	develop, devise, formulate	All formal contexts
Vocabulary
kids	children, young people, minors	All formal contexts
stuff	items, matters, issues, things	All formal contexts
a lot of	numerous, considerable, substantial	All formal contexts
lots of	many, numerous	All formal contexts
really	particularly, especially, extremely	All formal contexts
pretty (adv)	quite, rather, fairly	All formal contexts
big	large, significant, substantial	All formal contexts
get	obtain, acquire, receive	All formal contexts
guy	individual, person	All formal contexts
nowadays	currently, in contemporary society	All formal contexts

Common Mistakes của Học Viên Việt Nam

Lỗi 1: Dùng Informal Language Trong IELTS Writing

❌ SAI:

“In today’s world, lots of kids are really into video games. They spend tons of time playing games and don’t do other stuff. Basically, this is pretty bad because it affects their health. Parents can’t control what their kids do online, and this is a big problem.”

✅ ĐÚNG:

“In contemporary society, numerous children demonstrate considerable interest in video games. They allocate substantial time to gaming activities at the expense of other pursuits. Essentially, this phenomenon is particularly detrimental as it adversely affects their health. Parents face challenges in monitoring their children’s online activities, which constitutes a significant concern.”

Giải thích:

Đây là lỗi phổ biến nhất: học viên Việt Nam thường viết Writing giống cách nói Speaking. Writing Task 2 yêu cầu formal academic style, không được dùng:

• Contractions (don’t, can’t)
• Informal words (kids, stuff, lots of, really, pretty, big)
• Informal discourse markers (basically)

Lưu ý:

Band score tối đa chỉ 6.0 nếu dùng informal language trong Writing, dù grammar và ideas tốt.

Lỗi 2: Không Dùng Contractions Trong Speaking

❌ SAI (nghe rất không tự nhiên):

“I am a student, and I have been studying English for ten years. I do not like watching television because it is boring. I would prefer to read books. I have never been to another country, but I would like to travel in the future.”

✅ ĐÚNG (tự nhiên):

“I’m a student, and I’ve been studying English for ten years. I don’t like watching TV because it’s boring. I’d prefer to read books. I’ve never been to another country, but I’d like to travel in the future.”

Giải thích:

Học viên Việt Nam thường nghĩ rằng không dùng contractions là “formal” và “đúng hơn” trong Speaking. Sai! Không dùng contractions trong Speaking khiến bạn nghe như robot, không tự nhiên như native speaker.

Lưu ý:

Examiner sẽ đánh giá pronunciation và fluency thấp hơn nếu bạn không dùng contractions tự nhiên.

Lỗi 3: Lạm Dụng Discourse Markers

❌ SAI:

“Well, basically, you know, I think, like, education is, sort of, really important. Actually, um, I mean, it’s kind of obvious that, you know, students need, like, good teachers. Honestly, basically, I believe that, you know, the government should, like, invest more.”

✅ ĐÚNG:

“I believe education is extremely important. It’s evident that students require competent teachers. The government should invest more resources in the education sector.”

Giải thích:

Nhiều học viên dùng quá nhiều fillers và discourse markers, nghĩ rằng điều này khiến họ nghe như người bản ngữ. Thực tế, điều này làm giảm fluency score và khiến câu trả lời khó hiểu.

Lưu ý:

Chỉ dùng 1-2 discourse markers tự nhiên trong một câu trả lời. “You know”, “like”, “sort of” chỉ nên dùng tối đa 1-2 lần trong toàn bộ Part 1 hoặc Part 2.

Lỗi 4: Không Biết Khi Nào Shift Register Trong Speaking Part 3

❌ SAI (quá informal cho Part 3):

Q: “What do you think are the main environmental problems facing the world today?”

A: “Well, there’s loads of stuff going wrong with the environment. Basically, people are messing up the planet. We’ve got pollution, global warming, and all that kind of stuff. It’s really bad, and we need to sort it out before it’s too late. Governments should really get their act together and do something about it.”

✅ ĐÚNG (appropriate formality):

Q: “What do you think are the main environmental problems facing the world today?”

A: “I’d say there are several significant environmental issues that require urgent attention. Climate change is perhaps the most pressing concern, as it affects ecosystems globally. Additionally, pollution – whether air, water, or soil contamination – poses serious health risks. Deforestation is another critical problem that’s contributing to biodiversity loss. These issues demand coordinated governmental action and policy implementation at both national and international levels.”

Giải thích:

Part 3 thảo luận về abstract topics, nên cần formal hơn Part 1-2. Học viên Việt Nam thường maintain cùng một level of formality xuyên suốt cả 3 Parts, điều này không phù hợp.

Lưu ý:

• Part 1: Conversational, natural, contractions + mild informal vocabulary OK
• Part 2: Narrative style, personal, contractions + some informal elements OK
• Part 3: Semi-formal discussion, academic vocabulary, limit informal elements

Lỗi 5: Dịch Trực Tiếp Từ Tiếng Việt Sang Informal English

❌ SAI:

“Young people nowadays are very lazy. They don’t want to work hard. They just want to play games and hang out with friends. Parents give them too much money, so they don’t know the value of money.”

(Dịch trực tiếp: “Giới trẻ bây giờ rất lười. Họ không muốn làm việc chăm chỉ. Họ chỉ muốn chơi game và đi chơi với bạn bè…”)

✅ ĐÚNG (Writing formal):

“It can be argued that some young people in contemporary society lack the work ethic of previous generations. This may be attributed to various factors, including increased access to entertainment and technology. Additionally, when parents provide excessive financial support, young individuals may fail to develop an understanding of financial responsibility and the value of earned income.”

✅ ĐÚNG (Speaking – natural):

“I think it’s not entirely fair to say all young people are lazy. Some might seem less motivated than previous generations, but they also face different challenges. Sure, technology and entertainment are more accessible now, but young people today also deal with more competition and pressure. When parents give too much financial support, it might prevent them from learning about money management, but I wouldn’t generalize this to all young people.”

Giải thích:

Học viên Việt Nam thường dịch trực tiếp cách nói tiếng Việt, dẫn đến:

• Overgeneralization không nuanced
• Informal vocabulary trong contexts cần formal
• Thiếu hedging language (may, might, some, could)
• Absolute statements không academic

Lưu ý:

Trong Writing: Tránh generalizations, dùng hedging language, maintain academic tone
Trong Speaking: Vẫn cần nuanced, balanced views, nhưng có thể dùng informal vocabulary tự nhiên

Infographic 5 lỗi thường gặp khi sử dụng ngôn ngữ informal trong IELTS

Bài Tập Thực Hành

Bài Tập 1: Nhận Diện Informal Elements

Đọc đoạn văn sau và gạch chân tất cả informal elements:

“I’m really interested in technology, and I’ve been using computers since I was a kid. Basically, I think technology has changed our lives in tons of ways. We can easily keep in touch with friends, find out information really quickly, and do loads of stuff online. Honestly, I can’t imagine life without the internet now. Some people say we’re too dependent on technology, but I’d say the benefits are pretty obvious. Sure, there are some downsides, like people spending too much time on social media and not hanging out in person, but overall, I believe technology has been a really positive thing.”

Yêu cầu: Xác định:

• Contractions
• Informal vocabulary
• Discourse markers
• Phrasal verbs
• Colloquial expressions

Bài Tập 2: Chuyển Đổi Informal → Formal (Writing)

Viết lại các câu sau theo formal academic style phù hợp cho IELTS Writing Task 2:

1. “Lots of kids nowadays don’t get enough exercise because they’re always on their phones.”

2. “I think the government should really do something about pollution because it’s getting pretty bad.”

3. “Students can’t afford to go to university because it’s way too expensive.”

4. “People are giving up on their dreams because they don’t have enough support.”

5. “Basically, we need to figure out how to deal with climate change before it’s too late.”

6. “There’s loads of evidence that shows social media is bad for teenagers’ mental health.”

7. “Parents shouldn’t let their kids spend tons of time playing video games.”

8. “It’s obvious that online learning has lots of advantages and disadvantages.”

9. “Young people nowadays are really stressed out because of academic pressure.”

10. “The company has come up with a new product that could be pretty successful.”

Bài Tập 3: Thêm Informal Elements Vào Speaking Response

Viết lại các câu trả lời Speaking sau để nghe tự nhiên hơn (thêm contractions và appropriate informal elements):

1. Part 1 Question: “Do you like your hometown?”

Formal version (too stiff):
“Yes, I like my hometown very much. I have lived there for my entire life. It is a peaceful place with friendly people. There are many beautiful parks and historical sites. I would not want to live anywhere else.”

Your natural version:

---

2. Part 2 Topic: “Describe a hobby you enjoy”

Formal version:
“I would like to describe photography, which I have been pursuing for approximately three years. I became interested in it after I attended an exhibition. Initially, I did not know how to use a camera, but gradually I learned through practice. It is a hobby that brings me great satisfaction.”

Your natural version:

---

3. Part 3 Question: “How has technology changed education?”

Too informal:
“Well, technology has totally changed education in loads of ways. Kids can now learn stuff online instead of just sitting in boring classrooms. It’s pretty cool because they can watch videos and do interactive things. Teachers can also share loads of materials really easily.”

Your improved version (appropriate formality):

---

Bài Tập 4: Tìm và Sửa Lỗi Trong Writing

Các đoạn văn sau chứa nhiều informal elements không phù hợp cho IELTS Writing Task 2. Tìm và sửa tất cả lỗi:

Paragraph 1:
“Nowadays, lots of people think that money is the most important thing in life. I’ve seen lots of examples of people who’ve given up their dreams just to get a high-paying job. Basically, they’re not happy because they’re doing something they don’t really like. Honestly, I believe that job satisfaction is way more important than money. People shouldn’t just focus on getting rich – they need to figure out what makes them happy and go for it.”

Tìm và liệt kê các lỗi:

1. ---

2. ---

3. ---

   [Continue listing all errors]

Your corrected version:

---

Paragraph 2:
“There’s been a big increase in online shopping over the past few years. Loads of people are buying stuff online because it’s pretty convenient. They don’t have to go to actual stores and can just order things from home. This has really affected traditional shops – lots of them have had to close down because they can’t keep up with online retailers. It’s kind of sad for small business owners, but I guess that’s just how things are nowadays.”

Your corrected version:

---

Bài Tập 5: Speaking Practice – Register Shifting

Trả lời cùng một câu hỏi với 3 mức độ formality khác nhau:

Topic: “The impact of social media on society”

Version 1 – Too informal (inappropriate even for Speaking):
Write an answer that’s too casual…

Version 2 – Appropriate for Speaking Part 2 (balanced):
Write a natural, conversational answer…

Version 3 – Appropriate for Writing Task 2 (formal):
Write a formal academic response…

Bài Tập 6: Paraphrasing Practice

Chuyển các informal expressions sau sang formal equivalents phù hợp cho Writing:

1. hang out with friends → _____
2. figure out a solution → _____
3. give up smoking → _____
4. kids these days → _____
5. a lot of money → _____
6. really important → _____
7. pretty difficult → _____
8. stuff like that → _____
9. get better results → _____
10. find out the truth → _____
11. come up with ideas → _____
12. put up with problems → _____
13. loads of evidence → _____
14. go on learning → _____
15. set up a business → _____

Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Đáp Án Bài Tập 1: Nhận Diện Informal Elements

Contractions:

• I’m
• I’ve
• We can’t
• I’d
• we’re

Informal vocabulary:

• kid (→ child)
• tons of (→ numerous/many)
• really (→ particularly/extremely)
• loads of (→ numerous/many)
• stuff (→ activities/things)
• pretty (→ quite/rather)
• Sure (→ Certainly/Admittedly)

Discourse markers:

• Basically
• Honestly
• Sure

Phrasal verbs:

• keep in touch with (→ maintain contact with)
• find out (→ discover/obtain)
• hanging out (→ socializing/meeting)

Colloquial expressions:

• “I can’t imagine” (acceptable in Speaking, but could be “It is difficult to envision” in Writing)
• “the benefits are pretty obvious” (→ “the benefits are evident”)

Tổng số informal elements: 20+

Lưu ý: Đoạn văn này HOÀN TOÀN phù hợp cho Speaking Part 1-2, nhưng KHÔNG phù hợp cho Writing Task 2.

Đáp Án Bài Tập 2: Chuyển Đổi Informal → Formal

1. Original: “Lots of kids nowadays don’t get enough exercise because they’re always on their phones.”

Formal: “A significant number of children in contemporary society fail to obtain adequate physical exercise due to excessive mobile device usage.”

Phân tích: Lots of→A significant number of; kids→children; nowadays→in contemporary society; don’t→fail to; because they’re→due to

2. Original: “I think the government should really do something about pollution because it’s getting pretty bad.”

Formal: “It can be argued that governmental authorities should implement measures to address pollution, as environmental degradation is becoming increasingly severe.”

Phân tích: I think→It can be argued that; should really do something→should implement measures; about→to address; it’s getting→is becoming; pretty bad→increasingly severe

3. Original: “Students can’t afford to go to university because it’s way too expensive.”

Formal: “Many students are unable to pursue higher education owing to prohibitive tuition costs.”

Phân tích: can’t afford→are unable to; go to university→pursue higher education; because it’s→owing to; way too expensive→prohibitive costs

4. Original: “People are giving up on their dreams because they don’t have enough support.”

Formal: “Individuals abandon their aspirations due to insufficient support systems.”

Phân tích: giving up on→abandon; dreams→aspirations; don’t have→insufficient

5. Original: “Basically, we need to figure out how to deal with climate change before it’s too late.”

Formal: “Essentially, it is imperative to determine effective strategies to address climate change before irreversible damage occurs.”

Phân tích: Basically→Essentially; we need to→it is imperative to; figure out→determine; deal with→address; it’s too late→irreversible damage occurs

6. Original: “There’s loads of evidence that shows social media is bad for teenagers’ mental health.”

Formal: “Substantial evidence demonstrates that social media platforms have detrimental effects on adolescent mental health.”

Phân tích: There’s→(removed); loads of→Substantial; shows→demonstrates; is bad for→have detrimental effects on; teenagers’→adolescent

7. Original: “Parents shouldn’t let their kids spend tons of time playing video games.”

Formal: “Parents should restrict the amount of time their children allocate to gaming activities.”

Phân tích: shouldn’t let→should restrict; kids→children; tons of time→the amount of time; spend→allocate

8. Original: “It’s obvious that online learning has lots of advantages and disadvantages.”

Formal: “It is evident that distance education presents both merits and drawbacks.”

Phán tích: It’s→It is; obvious→evident; online learning→distance education; has lots of→presents; advantages and disadvantages→merits and drawbacks

9. Original: “Young people nowadays are really stressed out because of academic pressure.”

Formal: “Contemporary youth experience significant psychological stress attributable to academic demands.”

Phân tích: Young people nowadays→Contemporary youth; are really stressed out→experience significant psychological stress; because of→attributable to; pressure→demands

10. Original: “The company has come up with a new product that could be pretty successful.”

Formal: “The organization has developed a new product that demonstrates considerable potential for success.”

Phân tích: come up with→developed; could be pretty successful→demonstrates considerable potential for success

Đáp Án Bài Tập 3: Thêm Informal Elements

1. Natural Speaking version:

“Yeah, I really love my hometown! I’ve lived there my whole life, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else, to be honest. It’s quite peaceful, and the people are really friendly. There are loads of beautiful parks and some interesting historical sites to visit. I’d definitely say it’s a great place to grow up.”

Phân tích: Added contractions (I’ve, can’t, It’s, I’d), informal discourse markers (Yeah, to be honest), colloquial vocabulary (really, loads of, quite), natural flow.

2. Natural Speaking version:

“I’d like to talk about photography, which I’ve been really into for about three years now. I actually got interested after I went to this amazing photo exhibition. At first, I didn’t have a clue how to use a camera properly – I couldn’t even figure out the basic settings! But I gradually learned through practice and watching online tutorials. It’s become something I’m genuinely passionate about, and it brings me loads of satisfaction.”

Phân tích: Contractions throughout, informal expressions (really into, didn’t have a clue, figure out, loads of), natural narrative flow with discourse markers (actually).

3. Appropriate formal Speaking Part 3 version:

“I’d say technology has transformed education in numerous significant ways. Students can now access online resources and educational platforms rather than relying solely on traditional classroom instruction. This has made learning more flexible and personalized. However, it’s worth noting that technology also presents certain challenges – for instance, students may become overly reliant on digital devices, which could affect their critical thinking skills. Teachers can now share materials more efficiently, but they also need to adapt their teaching methods to incorporate these new tools effectively.”

Phân tích: Balanced – maintains some contractions (I’d, it’s, they’re) for naturalness, but uses formal vocabulary (transformed, numerous, solely, overly reliant, efficiently), academic structures (for instance, however, it’s worth noting), and sophisticated ideas.

Đáp Án Bài Tập 4: Tìm và Sửa Lỗi

Paragraph 1 – Lỗi:

1. “Nowadays” → “In contemporary society”
2. “lots of people” → “many individuals”
3. “I’ve” → Remove personal opinion or use “Evidence suggests”
4. “lots of examples” → “numerous examples”
5. “who’ve” → “who have” (if keeping the structure) or restructure
6. “Basically, they’re” → “Essentially, such individuals are”
7. “they’re doing” → “they are pursuing”
8. “don’t really like” → “do not find fulfilling”
9. “Honestly, I believe” → “It can be argued”
10. “way more important” → “significantly more important”
11. “shouldn’t” → “should not”
12. “getting rich” → “accumulating wealth”
13. “figure out” → “determine”
14. “go for it” → “pursue those objectives”

Corrected version:

“In contemporary society, many individuals believe that financial success is paramount. Numerous examples demonstrate people who have abandoned their aspirations to pursue high-paying careers. Essentially, such individuals often experience dissatisfaction because they are engaged in work they do not find fulfilling. It can be argued that job satisfaction is significantly more important than monetary compensation. Individuals should not focus exclusively on accumulating wealth; rather, they must determine what contributes to their well-being and pursue those objectives.”

Paragraph 2 – Corrected version:

“There has been a substantial increase in online retail activity over recent years. A considerable number of consumers purchase products through digital platforms due to the convenience they offer. These individuals are not required to visit physical stores and can order items from their residences. This trend has significantly impacted traditional retail establishments – numerous shops have been forced to cease operations because they cannot compete effectively with online retailers. While this situation may be regrettable for small business proprietors, it reflects contemporary commercial realities.”

Đáp Án Bài Tập 6: Paraphrasing

1. hang out with friends → socialize with peers / spend time with companions
2. figure out a solution → determine a solution / devise a resolution
3. give up smoking → discontinue smoking / abandon the smoking habit
4. kids these days → contemporary children / young people in modern society
5. a lot of money → substantial financial resources / considerable funds
6. really important → particularly significant / extremely crucial
7. pretty difficult → rather challenging / quite demanding
8. stuff like that → matters of this nature / similar issues
9. get better results → achieve improved outcomes / obtain superior results
10. find out the truth → discover the truth / ascertain the facts
11. come up with ideas → develop concepts / generate proposals
12. put up with problems → tolerate difficulties / endure challenges
13. loads of evidence → substantial evidence / considerable research
14. go on learning → continue learning / persist in educational pursuits
15. set up a business → establish an enterprise / found a company

Chiến Lược Sử Dụng Informal Language Hiệu Quả

For Speaking Success

Mục tiêu: Sound natural như native speaker nhưng vẫn demonstrate good English

Part 1 Strategy:

✅ Always use contractions – Đây là cách người bản ngữ nói thực tế

✅ Use 1-2 mild discourse markers per answer – “actually”, “to be honest”, “basically” (nhưng không lạm dụng)

✅ Include common phrasal verbs naturally – “hang out”, “catch up”, “figure out”

✅ Use colloquial vocabulary moderately – “really”, “quite”, “pretty” để tạo naturalness

❌ Avoid excessive fillers – “you know”, “like”, “um” should be minimal

❌ Don’t use slang – “gonna”, “wanna”, “yeah” should be limited

Part 2 Strategy:

✅ Maintain conversational tone with contractions

✅ Use informal elements in narrative – storytelling allows more casual language

✅ Balance with descriptive vocabulary – show vocabulary range

✅ Natural discourse markers to structure your talk

Part 3 Strategy:

⚠️ Shift to semi-formal – Part 3 discusses abstract topics

✅ Limit informal vocabulary – use more academic terms

✅ Keep some contractions for naturalness

✅ Use sophisticated structures to demonstrate language range

For Writing Success

Mục tiêu: Maintain formal academic tone throughout

Absolute Rules:

❌ ZERO contractions – Write everything in full

❌ NO informal discourse markers – “basically” → “essentially”

❌ NO phrasal verbs (except semi-formal ones like “carry out”)

❌ NO colloquial vocabulary – every word must be formal

❌ NO personal pronouns (minimize “I think”, use “It can be argued”)

✅ Use formal equivalents for everything

✅ Academic vocabulary and structures

✅ Passive voice where appropriate

✅ Complex sentence structures

Quick Check Before Submitting Writing:

1. Scan for contractions → Expand all
2. Look for “kids”, “stuff”, “lots of”, “really”, “get” → Replace with formal alternatives
3. Check for phrasal verbs → Use single-word formal verbs
4. Remove “I think” / “I believe” → Use objective language
5. Ensure no casual expressions remain

Sơ đồ chiến lược sử dụng ngôn ngữ informal trong Speaking và formal trong Writing

Kết Luận

Hiểu rõ “basically informal core” và biết cách kiểm soát register (văn phong) là kỹ năng thiết yếu để đạt Band 7+ trong IELTS. Điểm mấu chốt là:

Speaking: Hãy tự nhiên! Sử dụng contractions, phrasal verbs phổ biến, và discourse markers một cách có chọn lọc sẽ giúp bạn nghe như người bản ngữ. Tuy nhiên, cần biết shift towards semi-formal register trong Part 3 khi thảo luận các chủ đề abstract.

Writing: Nghiêm ngặt formal! Mọi informal elements đều phải được loại bỏ hoàn toàn. Sử dụng academic vocabulary, formal structures, và maintain objective tone xuyên suốt bài viết.

Listening & Reading: Nhận biết informal language giúp bạn hiểu chính xác ý nghĩa, đặc biệt trong Listening Section 1-2 và một số passages trong Reading.

Lỗi phổ biến nhất của học viên Việt Nam là:

• Viết Writing quá informal (Band 6 maximum)
• Nói Speaking quá formal (nghe không tự nhiên)
• Không biết shift register giữa Speaking Parts
• Lạm dụng fillers và discourse markers

Để thành thạo kỹ năng này, bạn cần:

1. Practice transformation: Luyện chuyển đổi giữa informal và formal daily
2. Record yourself speaking: Kiểm tra xem bạn có dùng contractions tự nhiên không
3. Review model answers: Phân tích register trong Cambridge IELTS materials
4. Build formal vocabulary: Học formal equivalents cho mọi informal words bạn biết
5. Get feedback: Nhờ giáo viên hoặc bạn bè check writing và speaking của bạn

Đề Luyện Tập

Speaking Topics – Practice Natural Informal Usage:

1. Part 1: Talk about your daily routine (use contractions and phrasal verbs naturally)
2. Part 2: Describe a memorable trip (balance informal narrative with descriptive vocabulary)
3. Part 3: Discuss the impact of tourism on local communities (shift to semi-formal register)

Writing Topics – Practice Formal Academic Style:

1. Task 2: Some people believe that children should start learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

   Challenge: Write 250+ words with ZERO informal elements

2. Task 2: The increase in online shopping has led to the closure of many small businesses. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

   Challenge: Transform any informal thoughts into formal academic prose

3. Task 1: The chart shows changes in the percentage of households with internet access from 2000 to 2020.

   Challenge: Describe data formally without any informal vocabulary

Transformation Exercise:

Take any news article in informal English → Rewrite in formal academic style → Compare with your original version

Yêu cầu: Mỗi bài luyện cần demonstrate clear understanding of appropriate register for each section.

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