Clearly Obvious Trong IELTS - Cách Dùng Collocation Này Để Đạt Band 7+ » IELTS.NET

“Clearly Obvious” là một collocation (cụm từ kết hợp) thường gặp trong tiếng Anh, tuy nhiên việc sử dụng nó trong bài thi IELTS lại gây ra nhiều tranh cãi. Cụm từ này xuất hiện trong cả Speaking và Writing, nhưng các giám khảo IELTS có quan điểm khác nhau về tính chính xác và sự phù hợp của nó. Hiểu rõ bản chất ngữ pháp và ngữ nghĩa của “clearly obvious” sẽ giúp bạn quyết định khi nào nên dùng và – quan trọng hơn – khi nào nên tránh để đạt điểm cao.

Mục lục nội dung

Theo phân tích từ Cambridge IELTS và các báo cáo của giám khảo, “clearly obvious” được xem là một trường hợp đặc biệt vì nó kết hợp hai từ có ý nghĩa tương đồng (redundancy). Tuy nhiên, trong một số ngữ cảnh nhất định, cụm từ này vẫn được chấp nhận để nhấn mạnh. Điều quan trọng là bạn phải biết cách sử dụng thay thế hiệu quả hơn.

Ví dụ vận dụng trong IELTS:

Speaking Part 2 (Describe a change):
“It was clearly obvious that technology had transformed the way we communicate.”
→ Phân tích: Clearly (trạng từ) + obvious (tính từ) – Nhấn mạnh tính hiển nhiên của thay đổi

Writing Task 2 (Opinion essay):
“While some argue otherwise, it is clearly obvious that education plays a crucial role in social development.”
→ Phân tích: Sử dụng cấu trúc It + be + clearly obvious + that-clause

Speaking Part 3 (Discussing trends):
“The benefits of renewable energy are clearly obvious when we consider environmental issues.”
→ Phân tích: Subject + be + clearly obvious + when-clause (điều kiện)

Writing Task 2 (Problem essay):
“It has become clearly obvious that urban pollution requires immediate action.”
→ Phân tích: Present Perfect + clearly obvious – Diễn tả vấn đề đã trở nên rõ ràng theo thời gian

Speaking Part 3 (Giving examples):
“In countries like Singapore, it’s clearly obvious how effective public transportation can be.”
→ Phân tích: Sử dụng how-clause để bổ sung cho clearly obvious

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học:
✅ Phân tích ngữ pháp chi tiết của “clearly obvious”
✅ Tại sao cụm từ này gây tranh cãi trong IELTS
✅ Cách vận dụng hợp lý vào 4 kỹ năng
✅ 25+ câu ví dụ Band 7-9 với các cấu trúc thay thế
✅ Các phương án tốt hơn để đạt Band 8+
✅ Lỗi thường gặp khi dùng redundant expressions
✅ Bài tập thực hành với answer key chi tiết

“Clearly Obvious” Là Gì?

Định Nghĩa

“Clearly obvious” là một cụm từ kết hợp giữa trạng từ “clearly” (rõ ràng) và tính từ “obvious” (hiển nhiên), được sử dụng để nhấn mạnh tính dễ nhận thấy hoặc dễ hiểu của một điều gì đó. Về mặt ngữ pháp, đây là trường hợp “pleonasm” hay “redundancy” – sử dụng hai từ có nghĩa tương tự để tạo hiệu quả nhấn mạnh.

Cấu trúc ngữ pháp:

Clearly: Adverb of manner (trạng từ cách thức)
Obvious: Adjective (tính từ)
Kết hợp: Adverb + Adjective (cấu trúc bổ nghĩa tiêu chuẩn)

Chức năng chính:

Nhấn mạnh tính hiển nhiên của một sự việc, ý kiến hoặc nhận định
Thể hiện sự chắc chắn tuyệt đối của người nói/viết
Tạo hiệu quả tu từ trong một số ngữ cảnh trang trọng

Khi nào dùng trong IELTS:

Speaking: Khi muốn nhấn mạnh quan điểm cá nhân trong Part 3
Writing: Trong các câu topic sentence hoặc thesis statement (nhưng cần cẩn trọng)
Tuy nhiên: Nên ưu tiên các cụm từ thay thế tinh tế hơn để tránh redundancy

Tần Suất Xuất Hiện Trong IELTS

Theo phân tích từ Cambridge IELTS 10-19:

Speaking:

Part 1: Hiếm khi cần thiết – Các câu hỏi đơn giản không yêu cầu nhấn mạnh mạnh mẽ
Part 2: Thỉnh thoảng xuất hiện (5-10%) – Khi mô tả những thay đổi hoặc nhận thức rõ ràng
Part 3: Xuất hiện nhiều hơn (15-20%) – Khi thảo luận các xu hướng xã hội, vấn đề toàn cầu

Writing:

Task 1: Không khuyến khích – Dữ liệu nên được trình bày khách quan
Task 2: Xuất hiện trong khoảng 10% bài viết band 7+, nhưng thường bị thay thế bởi các cụm từ tinh tế hơn

Listening/Reading:

Xuất hiện trong các bài học thuật (academic lectures) và discussions
Cần nhận diện để hiểu thái độ và mức độ chắc chắn của người nói

Band Score Impact:

Band 6: Có thể sử dụng nhưng thiếu nhận thức về redundancy
Band 7: Hiểu được vấn đề redundancy và sử dụng có chọn lọc
Band 8-9: Thường thay thế bằng các cụm từ tinh tế hơn như “evidently clear”, “patently obvious”, hoặc đơn giản chỉ dùng một từ

Phân Tích Ngữ Pháp Chi Tiết

Cấu Trúc Cơ Bản

📌 CÔNG THỨC CHÍNH:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ It + be + clearly obvious + that-clause             │
│ Subject + be + clearly obvious                       │
│ Clearly obvious + noun phrase                        │
│                                                      │
│ Ví dụ: It is clearly obvious that we need change.  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Thành phần câu:

Clearly (Trạng từ): Bổ nghĩa cho tính từ “obvious”, tạo cường độ nhấn mạnh cao hơn
Obvious (Tính từ): Diễn tả tính chất hiển nhiên, dễ nhận thấy
That-clause: Mệnh đề danh ngữ (noun clause) giới thiệu nội dung hiển nhiên

Ví dụ phân tích chi tiết:

Câu 1: “It is clearly obvious that climate change poses serious threats.”

Phân tích:

It: Formal subject (chủ ngữ hình thức)
is: Linking verb (động từ nối)
clearly: Adverb (trạng từ nhấn mạnh)
obvious: Predicative adjective (tính từ vị ngữ)
that climate change poses serious threats: That-clause – Real subject (chủ ngữ thực)

Câu 2: “The advantages of this approach are clearly obvious.”

Phân tích:

The advantages of this approach: Subject (chủ ngữ – cụm danh từ)
are: Linking verb (động từ nối, số nhiều)
clearly obvious: Subject complement (bổ ngữ chủ ngữ)

Các Dạng Cấu Trúc

Dạng 1: It-clause structure (Phổ biến nhất)

Formula: It + be + clearly obvious + that + Subject + Verb

“It was clearly obvious that the policy had failed.”
“It has become clearly obvious that remote work is here to stay.”
“It will be clearly obvious to everyone that we need reform.”

Dạng 2: Subject + be + clearly obvious

Formula: Subject + be + clearly obvious (+ to somebody/when/if…)

“The solution is clearly obvious to anyone with experience.”
“Her talent was clearly obvious from the first performance.”
“The problem becomes clearly obvious when we examine the data.”

Dạng 3: Clearly obvious + Noun

Formula: Clearly obvious + Noun (ít phổ biến, formal)

“This is a clearly obvious mistake that should have been avoided.”
“There was a clearly obvious difference between the two approaches.”

Dạng phủ định:

Formula: It + be + not + clearly obvious / hardly clearly obvious

“It is not clearly obvious what the best solution is.”
“It was hardly clearly obvious that this would succeed.”

(Lưu ý: Dạng phủ định rất ít gặp vì mâu thuẫn logic)

Dạng nghi vấn:

Formula: Be + it + clearly obvious + that…? / Is + Subject + clearly obvious?

“Is it clearly obvious that we need more research?”
“Was it clearly obvious to you what they meant?”

Signal Phrases & Context Markers

Các cụm từ thường đi kèm “clearly obvious”:

Cụm từ	Ý nghĩa	Ví dụ
from the start	từ ban đầu	“It was clearly obvious from the start that the project would fail.”
to everyone	với mọi người	“The benefits are clearly obvious to everyone involved.”
when you consider	khi bạn xem xét	“It becomes clearly obvious when you consider the evidence.”
in retrospect	khi nhìn lại	“In retrospect, it’s clearly obvious we should have acted sooner.”
upon reflection	khi suy ngẫm	“Upon reflection, it seems clearly obvious that we made mistakes.”

Vấn Đề Redundancy – Tại Sao Nên Cẩn Trọng

Khái Niệm Redundancy Trong IELTS

Redundancy (thừa từ) xảy ra khi hai từ trong cùng một cụm có nghĩa tương tự nhau, làm cho câu văn dài dòng không cần thiết. Trong IELTS, đặc biệt ở band 7+, giám khảo đánh giá cao “lexical precision” (tính chính xác từ vựng) và “economy of expression” (sự súc tích trong diễn đạt).

Phân tích “clearly obvious”:

“Clearly” = in a clear manner, obviously, evidently
“Obvious” = easily perceived, clear, evident

Cả hai từ đều mang nghĩa “rõ ràng, dễ nhận thấy”, do đó khi kết hợp tạo ra hiện tượng semantic overlap (chồng chéo nghĩa).

Quan điểm của các chuyên gia IELTS:

Theo giám khảo IELTS Simon: “While ‘clearly obvious’ isn’t grammatically wrong, it’s redundant. Good writers choose one strong word instead of two similar ones.”

Theo Cambridge Assessment: “For band 8+, candidates should demonstrate precise vocabulary choices without unnecessary repetition of meaning.”

Khi nào được chấp nhận:

Trong văn nói tự nhiên (Speaking) để tạo nhấn mạnh
Khi muốn thể hiện sự chắc chắn tuyệt đối về một điều hiển nhiên
Trong một số văn cảnh trang trọng, mang tính tu từ

Khi nào nên tránh:

Writing Task 1 (academic reports – cần súc tích)
Writing Task 2 formal essays (nên dùng từ chính xác hơn)
Khi đã sử dụng quá nhiều cụm từ nhấn mạnh khác

Hướng dẫn sử dụng clearly obvious trong IELTS Writing Task 2 và các cụm từ thay thế hiệu quả

Các Cụm Từ Thay Thế Tốt Hơn

Single Word Alternatives (Band 7-8)

Thay vì dùng “clearly obvious”, hãy chọn một từ mạnh mẽ, chính xác:

Evident (hiển nhiên – formal)
“It is evident that technology has transformed education.”
→ Professional, academic tone

Apparent (rõ ràng – formal/neutral)
“The benefits of exercise are apparent to everyone.”
→ Slightly less strong than “evident”

Obvious (hiển nhiên – neutral)
“The solution is obvious when you analyze the problem.”
→ Direct, clear, no redundancy

Clear (rõ ràng – neutral)
“It is clear that we need to change our approach.”
→ Simple, effective, widely accepted

Patent (hiển nhiên – very formal)
“The advantages are patent to any informed observer.”
→ Band 8+ vocabulary, sophisticated

Manifest (rõ rệt – formal)
“The improvements are manifest in the latest data.”
→ Academic style, strong word

Self-evident (tự hiển nhiên – formal)
“The truth of this statement is self-evident.”
→ Philosophical tone, powerful

Plain (rõ ràng – informal to neutral)
“It’s plain that the current system isn’t working.”
→ Speaking style, natural

Two-Word Combinations (Band 8-9)

Nếu muốn nhấn mạnh, hãy dùng các cụm KHÔNG redundant:

Abundantly clear (cực kỳ rõ ràng)
“It is abundantly clear that immediate action is required.”
→ Different words, strong emphasis, no redundancy

Patently obvious (hiển nhiên rõ ràng)
“The flaws in this argument are patently obvious.”
→ While still emphatic, “patently” adds legal/formal connotation

Glaringly obvious (hiển nhiên một cách chói lọi)
“The inequality was glaringly obvious in the statistics.”
→ Strong visual metaphor, appropriate emphasis

Strikingly apparent (rõ ràng nổi bật)
“The contrast between the two approaches is strikingly apparent.”
→ Sophisticated, no redundancy

Readily apparent (dễ dàng nhận thấy)
“The benefits became readily apparent after implementation.”
→ Professional, precise meaning

Self-evidently clear (tự thân rõ ràng)
“The need for reform is self-evidently clear.”
→ Philosophical, suitable for abstract discussions

Perfectly clear (hoàn toàn rõ ràng)
“It is perfectly clear that this approach has merit.”
→ Emphatic without redundancy

Phrase Alternatives (Band 7-9)

“There is no doubt that…” (Không còn nghi ngờ gì rằng…)
“There is no doubt that climate change requires urgent attention.”

“It goes without saying that…” (Không cần phải nói rằng…)
“It goes without saying that education is fundamental to development.”

“No one can deny that…” (Không ai có thể phủ nhận rằng…)
“No one can deny that technology has revolutionized communication.”

“It stands to reason that…” (Điều hợp lý là…)
“It stands to reason that investment in infrastructure yields benefits.”

“Any objective observer would agree that…” (Bất kỳ người quan sát khách quan nào cũng đồng ý rằng…)
“Any objective observer would agree that the policy has succeeded.”

Vận Dụng Vào IELTS Speaking

Part 1 – Introduction & Interview

Topic: Hometown

Examiner: “Has your hometown changed much?”

❌ Weak answer: “Yes, it’s clearly obvious that my hometown has changed.”

✅ Better answer: “Yes, the changes are quite evident. Over the past decade, numerous shopping centers have been built, and the public transportation system has expanded significantly.”
→ Phân tích: Dùng “evident” thay vì “clearly obvious”, sau đó cung cấp specific examples

✅ Band 8 answer: “Absolutely. The transformation is striking when you compare it to ten years ago. The skyline has changed dramatically with new high-rise buildings, and there’s been a noticeable shift towards a more modern, urbanized environment.”
→ Phân tích: “striking” (mạnh mẽ hơn), followed by detailed description

Topic: Technology

Examiner: “Do you think technology is important?”

❌ Weak: “Yes, it’s clearly obvious that technology is important.”

✅ Good: “Without question. Technology’s importance is apparent in virtually every aspect of modern life, from communication to healthcare to education.”
→ “apparent” + specific domains = stronger response

Part 2 – Long Turn

Cue Card: Describe a problem that was solved

Sample topic: “Describe an environmental problem that has been solved in your area.”

Band 7 Response:
“I’d like to talk about the air pollution problem in my city, which has been addressed over the last five years. The severity of the issue was evident to everyone – you could barely see across the street on some days. The local government implemented strict emission controls for vehicles and factories. The improvement is now clear when you compare air quality data from then and now. Visibility has increased dramatically, and respiratory illnesses have decreased according to hospital records.”

→ Phân tích:

“evident to everyone” thay vì “clearly obvious to everyone”
“clear” đứng độc lập
Focus on specific evidence

Band 8-9 Response:
“I’d like to discuss the significant improvement in air quality in my hometown, Hanoi, which has been a remarkable environmental success story. Five years ago, the pollution was so severe that it was glaringly obvious something had to change – PM2.5 levels regularly exceeded WHO guidelines by 300%. The turning point came when authorities introduced comprehensive measures: mandatory emission standards for vehicles, relocation of heavy industries, and expansion of green spaces. The transformation has been striking. Recent data shows a 40% reduction in particulate matter, and this is readily apparent in daily life – blue skies are now common rather than exceptional. What’s particularly encouraging is that this improvement has been sustained, demonstrating that well-planned environmental policies can yield tangible results.”

→ Phân tích Band 8-9 features:

“glaringly obvious” used appropriately for dramatic effect
“striking” and “readily apparent” as sophisticated alternatives
Specific data (300%, 40%) demonstrates precision
Extended discourse with cause-effect relationships
Varied vocabulary and complex structures

Part 3 – Discussion

Question: “What are the main environmental problems facing cities today?”

❌ Band 6 response: “There are many problems. It’s clearly obvious that pollution is a big problem. Traffic is clearly obvious too.”
→ Vấn đề: Repetitive, redundant, lack of development

✅ Band 7 response: “Urban areas face several pressing environmental challenges. Air pollution is perhaps the most evident, particularly in rapidly industrializing cities. Additionally, waste management poses significant difficulties – many cities lack adequate recycling infrastructure. Water scarcity is also becoming apparent as urban populations grow.”
→ Features: “evident” and “apparent” used naturally, specific examples

✅ Band 8-9 response: “Contemporary cities grapple with a complex web of environmental challenges. Air quality degradation stands out as particularly acute – in many Asian megacities, the health impacts are patently obvious through increased respiratory disease rates. However, I’d argue that less visible issues like groundwater depletion and soil contamination are equally concerning. The interconnected nature of these problems is becoming increasingly apparent as we understand urban ecosystems better. What’s self-evident is that piecemeal solutions won’t suffice; cities need integrated environmental strategies that address multiple issues simultaneously.”

→ Analysis of sophisticated usage:

“patently obvious” used once for specific, strong claim
“apparent” for emerging understanding
“self-evident” for logical conclusion
Varied vocabulary avoids repetition
Abstract and specific examples balanced

Question: “How has technology changed the way people work?”

✅ Band 8 response: “Technology’s impact on work practices has been profound and multifaceted. The shift toward remote work, accelerated by the pandemic, has made certain realities abundantly clear – namely, that many jobs don’t require physical presence in an office. This has been a revelation for both employers and employees. Moreover, automation’s influence is readily apparent in manufacturing and even service sectors. However, what’s becoming increasingly evident is that technology creates as many jobs as it displaces, though often requiring different skill sets. The challenge, which any economist would recognize, is managing this transition period.”

→ Advanced features:

“abundantly clear” for strong emphasis
“readily apparent” for observable facts
“increasingly evident” for emerging trends
Avoids “clearly obvious” entirely
Complex ideas with supporting logic

Vận Dụng Vào IELTS Writing

Writing Task 2 – Opinion Essays

Topic: “Some people believe that university education should be free. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

Band 6-7 Introduction (uses “clearly obvious”):
“Education is an important topic in modern society. It is clearly obvious that university education is expensive. Some people think it should be free, while others disagree. This essay will discuss both views.”

→ Vấn đề: Generic, “clearly obvious” adds no value, weak thesis

Band 7-8 Introduction (better alternatives):
“The question of who should bear the cost of tertiary education remains contentious. While the benefits of an educated populace are evident, the financial burden of providing free university education is substantial. This essay will argue that while governments should subsidize higher education, a cost-sharing model is more sustainable than completely free provision.”

→ Improvements: “evident” used once, clear position, specific argument

Band 8-9 Introduction (sophisticated):
“The escalating cost of higher education has sparked debate about whether universities should be publicly funded. While the societal benefits of accessible education are self-evident, the question of financial sustainability is equally pressing. This essay contends that targeted subsidies for disadvantaged students represent a more equitable and economically viable solution than blanket free education.”

→ Features: “self-evident” (sophisticated), clear argument, nuanced position

Body Paragraph – Band 7:
“One clear advantage of free university education is increased access. It is evident that many talented students cannot afford higher education currently. If universities were free, these students could develop their potential. Countries like Germany have demonstrated that this model can work. The benefits to society are obvious when more people receive advanced education.”

→ Analysis: “evident” and “obvious” used separately, not redundant, but could be more sophisticated

Body Paragraph – Band 8-9:
“Proponents of free tertiary education advance a compelling equity argument. The correlation between family income and university attendance is well-documented, suggesting that financial barriers prevent capable students from accessing higher education. Germany’s tuition-free model demonstrates that such systems are viable in developed economies. However, what becomes apparent upon closer examination is that “free” education merely shifts costs from individuals to taxpayers. The sustainability of this approach depends on robust tax revenues and political will – factors that vary considerably across nations.”

→ Advanced features:

“apparent upon closer examination” (sophisticated phrase)
One carefully chosen word instead of “clearly obvious”
Critical analysis with nuance
Evidence-based reasoning

Writing Task 2 – Problem/Solution Essays

Topic: “Traffic congestion is becoming a serious problem in many cities. What are the causes and what solutions can you suggest?”

Band 7 Body Paragraph:
“The causes of traffic congestion are evident in most urban areas. Rapid urbanization has led to more vehicles on roads that were not designed for current volumes. Additionally, inadequate public transportation makes car ownership appealing. The solution is clear: cities must invest in mass transit systems. Cities like Singapore show that efficient public transport reduces road congestion.”

→ Uses “evident” and “clear” appropriately but simply

Band 8-9 Body Paragraph:
“The roots of urban traffic congestion are multifaceted but identifiable. Primary among these is the mismatch between infrastructure capacity and vehicle numbers – a problem glaringly obvious in rapidly developing cities where road construction lags behind car ownership growth. Furthermore, the failure to provide viable alternatives becomes readily apparent when examining commuter behavior: people choose cars not from preference but necessity. Addressing this requires a two-pronged approach: expanding mass transit while simultaneously implementing congestion pricing. Singapore’s experience demonstrates that this combination can reduce traffic by up to 45%, a testament to the efficacy of integrated transport policy.”

→ Sophisticated features:

“glaringly obvious” for dramatic, specific point
“readily apparent” for analytical observation
Specific data (45%)
Complex cause-effect analysis
Avoids simple “clearly obvious”

Cách viết IELTS Writing Task 2 tránh lỗi redundancy với clearly obvious và các lỗi thừa từ phổ biến

Writing Task 1 – Describing Data

Important note: “Clearly obvious” should be AVOIDED in Task 1 as it’s subjective. Task 1 requires objective data description.

❌ Poor example:
“It is clearly obvious that sales increased dramatically.”

✅ Better:
“Sales increased dramatically, rising from $2 million to $8 million.”
→ Objective, data-focused, no unnecessary emphasis

✅ Best:
“The data reveals a fourfold increase in sales, from $2 million in 2020 to $8 million in 2024.”
→ Precise, quantified, professional

However, when making comparisons, you can use:
“The contrast between the two cities is striking/apparent/marked.”
“A clear trend emerges when examining the period from 2010 to 2020.”
“The disparity between male and female employment is evident throughout the period.”

Lỗi Thường Gặp & Cách Sửa

Lỗi 1: Overuse – Lạm dụng cụm từ này

❌ SAI:
“It is clearly obvious that technology is important. The benefits are clearly obvious to everyone. It’s clearly obvious we need to adapt.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“Technology’s importance is evident in modern life. The benefits are apparent to all stakeholders. Clearly, adaptation is necessary.”

Giải thích:
Sử dụng cùng một cụm từ nhiều lần trong một đoạn văn ngắn tạo ra sự lặp lại nhàm chán. Giám khảo IELTS đánh giá cao “lexical resource” (vốn từ vựng) – khả năng sử dụng nhiều từ vựng khác nhau. Thay đổi giữa “evident,” “apparent,” “clear,” hoặc sử dụng các cấu trúc khác hoàn toàn.

Lưu ý:
Trong một bài Writing Task 2 (250 từ), không nên dùng “clearly obvious” hoặc bất kỳ cụm nhấn mạnh nào quá 1-2 lần.

Lỗi 2: Using in Task 1 – Dùng trong Writing Task 1

❌ SAI:
“The graph shows data about population growth. It is clearly obvious that the population increased significantly between 2000 and 2020.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“The graph illustrates population growth trends. The data shows a significant increase between 2000 and 2020, with the population rising from 50 million to 75 million.”

Giải thích:
Writing Task 1 yêu cầu objective description (mô tả khách quan) của data. Cụm từ “clearly obvious” mang tính subjective (chủ quan) – thể hiện ý kiến cá nhân. Thay vào đó, hãy:

Trình bày data trực tiếp với số liệu cụ thể
Dùng “the data shows/indicates/reveals”
Tập trung vào trends, comparisons, và significant features

Lưu ý:
Nếu muốn nhấn mạnh một đặc điểm nổi bật, dùng: “notably,” “particularly,” “most significantly,” “the most striking feature is…”

Lỗi 3: Double Redundancy – Thêm từ thừa khác vào cụm đã redundant

❌ SAI:
“It is very clearly obvious that…”
“It is quite clearly obvious that…”
“It is extremely clearly obvious that…”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“It is abundantly clear that…”
“It is patently obvious that…”
“It is perfectly evident that…”

Giải thích:
Nếu “clearly obvious” đã là redundant (hai từ nghĩa tương tự), việc thêm “very,” “quite,” “extremely” vào làm cho câu văn càng dài dòng và thiếu precision (tính chính xác). Các intensifiers (từ tăng cường) nên được dùng với một từ mạnh, không phải với cụm đã redundant.

Nguyên tắc:

Strong adjective + NO intensifier: “It is obvious/evident/apparent”
Intensifier + adjective: “It is abundantly clear” / “perfectly evident”
NEVER: Intensifier + redundant phrase

Lưu ý:
Band 8-9 candidates demonstrate “less is more” – chọn một từ mạnh thay vì nhiều từ yếu.

Lỗi 4: Wrong Grammatical Structure – Sai cấu trúc ngữ pháp

❌ SAI:
“The clearly obvious problem is pollution.”
“This is clearly obvious wrong.”
“They clearly obvious didn’t understand.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“The obvious problem is pollution.” / “The problem is clearly obvious.”
“This is clearly wrong.” / “It is obvious that this is wrong.”
“They clearly didn’t understand.” / “It is obvious they didn’t understand.”

Giải thích:

“Clearly obvious” chỉ có thể được dùng sau linking verbs (be, become, seem, appear) hoặc trong it-clause
“Clearly” không thể bổ nghĩa cho “obvious” khi “obvious” đứng trước danh từ (attributive position)
Khi bổ nghĩa cho động từ, chỉ dùng “clearly,” không dùng “clearly obvious”

Quy tắc:

✅ Subject + BE + clearly obvious (predicative)
✅ It is clearly obvious that… (it-clause)
❌ The clearly obvious + noun (attributive)
✅ The obvious + noun / The clearly + adjective + noun

Lỗi 5: Using When Inappropriate – Dùng trong ngữ cảnh không phù hợp

❌ SAI (quá mạnh cho điều không chắc chắn):
“It is clearly obvious that life exists on other planets.”
“The solution is clearly obvious – we should ban all cars.”

✅ ĐÚNG:
“It is possible/likely/probable that life exists on other planets.”
“One potential solution would be to restrict vehicle access in city centers.”

Giải thích:
“Clearly obvious” thể hiện certainty (sự chắc chắn) tuyệt đối. Không nên dùng cho:

Speculation (suy đoán) về tương lai hoặc điều chưa xác nhận
Personal opinions presented as absolute facts
Controversial statements that others might disagree with
Predictions or hypotheses

Khi nào dùng:

Facts that are universally accepted: “It is obvious that water is essential for life.”
Clear evidence from data: “The data makes it evident that…”
Situations where reasonable people wouldn’t disagree

Lưu ý cho IELTS:
Trong Writing Task 2, ngay cả khi bạn có quan điểm mạnh mẽ, hãy thể hiện bằng cách:

Sử dụng evidence và reasoning
Acknowledge counterarguments
Dùng hedging language khi appropriate: “It appears that…” “Evidence suggests…” “It can be argued that…”

Bài Tập Thực Hành

Bài Tập 1: Chọn Từ Thay Thế Phù Hợp

Hãy thay thế “clearly obvious” trong các câu sau bằng một từ hoặc cụm từ phù hợp hơn:

It is clearly obvious that education is important.
→ It is _____ that education is important.
The benefits of exercise are clearly obvious to everyone.
→ The benefits of exercise are _____ to everyone.
It was clearly obvious from the start that the plan would fail.
→ It was _____ from the start that the plan would fail.
The difference between the two systems is clearly obvious.
→ The difference between the two systems is _____.
It has become clearly obvious that climate change requires action.
→ It has become _____ that climate change requires action.
The solution is clearly obvious when you analyze the problem.
→ The solution is _____ when you analyze the problem.
It’s clearly obvious that technology has changed communication.
→ It’s _____ that technology has changed communication.
The advantages of this approach are clearly obvious.
→ The advantages of this approach are _____.

Bài Tập 2: Tìm Và Sửa Lỗi

Tìm lỗi sai trong các câu sau và sửa lại:

The graph shows that population increased. It is clearly obvious from the data that the growth was rapid. ❌
It is very clearly obvious that education plays an important role in development. ❌
The clearly obvious solution is to invest more in public transport. ❌
It’s clearly obvious that life exists on Mars because scientists found water. ❌
The problem is clearly obvious: we need more funding. ✅ or ❌?
They clearly obvious made a mistake in their calculations. ❌
It is clearly obvious, it is evident, and it is apparent that we need reform. ❌
The benefits are clearly obvious to anyone who examines the evidence carefully. ✅ or ❌?

Bài Tập 3: Viết Lại Câu

Viết lại các câu sau để phù hợp với IELTS Writing standard, tránh redundancy:

It is clearly obvious that technology is important in modern society and everyone can see this clearly.
→ Your answer: _____
The very clearly obvious problem that is extremely obvious is pollution.
→ Your answer: _____
It’s clearly obvious that students need support and this is clearly obvious in the research.
→ Your answer: _____
The clearly obvious advantages are clearly obvious when we look at the data which clearly shows the benefits are obvious.
→ Your answer: _____
In conclusion, it is clearly obvious that education is clearly obviously important.
→ Your answer: _____

Bài Tập 4: Viết Câu IELTS

Sử dụng các từ cho sẵn để viết câu hoàn chỉnh cho IELTS Writing Task 2. KHÔNG sử dụng “clearly obvious”, hãy chọn alternatives phù hợp:

(technology / transform / education / past decade)
→ Your answer: _____
(benefits / renewable energy / when / consider / environmental impact)
→ Your answer: _____
(inequality / become / serious problem / many countries)
→ Your answer: _____
(solution / require / government / investment / infrastructure)
→ Your answer: _____
(no doubt / climate change / urgent action)
→ Your answer: _____

Đáp Án Chi Tiết

Đáp Án Bài Tập 1:

evident / clear / obvious / apparent (chọn một)
- Giải thích: Tất cả đều phù hợp, “evident” là formal nhất, “obvious” là neutral
apparent / evident / clear
- Giải thích: “to everyone” đi tốt với “apparent” hoặc “evident”
evident / apparent / clear
- Giải thích: “from the start” làm rõ thời điểm, không cần nhấn mạnh “clearly obvious”
striking / marked / apparent / clear
- Giải thích: “striking” hoặc “marked” là sophisticated choices cho comparisons
increasingly evident / increasingly apparent / increasingly clear
- Giải thích: “increasingly” + adjective thể hiện progressive realization
clear / apparent / straightforward
- Giải thích: “when you analyze” đã cung cấp context, không cần over-emphasize
evident / apparent / undeniable
- Giải thích: “undeniable” là strong alternative, “evident” là safe choice
apparent / evident / clear / manifest
- Giải thích: “manifest” là Band 8+ vocabulary, “evident” là standard good choice

Đáp Án Bài Tập 2:

❌ SAI – Task 1 không nên dùng “clearly obvious”
- ✅ Sửa: “The graph shows that population increased rapidly, rising from X to Y over the period.”
- Giải thích: Task 1 cần objective description với số liệu cụ thể
❌ SAI – “very clearly obvious” là double redundancy
- ✅ Sửa: “It is evident that education plays an important role in development.” hoặc “Education’s role in development is abundantly clear.”
- Giải thích: Loại bỏ “very” và chọn một từ mạnh
❌ SAI – “clearly obvious” không thể đứng trước noun
- ✅ Sửa: “The obvious solution is to invest more in public transport.” hoặc “The solution is clear: invest more in public transport.”
- Giải thích: Attributive position chỉ dùng một từ
❌ SAI – Quá chắc chắn cho một claim chưa được chứng minh
- ✅ Sửa: “It is possible that life exists on Mars, given that scientists have found evidence of water.”
- Giải thích: Speculation cần hedging language
✅ ĐÚNG nhưng có thể improve
- Better: “The problem is clear: we need more funding.” hoặc “The need for additional funding is evident.”
- Giải thích: Mặc dù grammatically correct, single word là concise hơn
❌ SAI – Sai ngữ pháp hoàn toàn
- ✅ Sửa: “They clearly made a mistake in their calculations.” hoặc “It is obvious they made a mistake.”
- Giải thích: “clearly obvious” không thể modify verb trực tiếp
❌ SAI – Lặp lại quá nhiều cụm đồng nghĩa
- ✅ Sửa: “It is evident that we need reform.” (chọn một từ mạnh nhất)
- Giải thích: Redundancy trên quy mô câu – avoid repetition
✅ ĐÚNG về mặt ngữ pháp, nhưng có thể more concise
- Better: “The benefits are evident to any careful observer.” hoặc “Careful examination reveals clear benefits.”
- Giải thích: Band 8+ prefers economy of expression

Đáp Án Bài Tập 3:

Original: “It is clearly obvious that technology is important in modern society and everyone can see this clearly.”

✅ Rewritten (Band 7):
“Technology’s importance in modern society is evident and widely recognized.”

✅ Rewritten (Band 8-9):
“Technology has become indispensable to modern society, a fact that requires little elaboration.”

Giải thích: Loại bỏ redundancy, combine ideas, add sophistication
Original: “The very clearly obvious problem that is extremely obvious is pollution.”

✅ Rewritten (Band 7):
“Pollution represents a clear and pressing problem.”

✅ Rewritten (Band 8-9):
“Pollution stands out as the most pressing environmental challenge.”

Giải thích: Eliminate all redundancy, use stronger verbs
Original: “It’s clearly obvious that students need support and this is clearly obvious in the research.”

✅ Rewritten (Band 7):
“Research clearly demonstrates that students need support.”

✅ Rewritten (Band 8-9):
“The need for student support is well-documented in academic literature.”

Giải thích: Remove repetition, make research the subject for authority
Original: “The clearly obvious advantages are clearly obvious when we look at the data which clearly shows the benefits are obvious.”

✅ Rewritten (Band 7):
“The advantages become apparent when examining the data.”

✅ Rewritten (Band 8-9):
“Data analysis reveals substantial advantages that merit serious consideration.”

Giải thích: Catastrophic redundancy reduced to concise, professional statement
Original: “In conclusion, it is clearly obvious that education is clearly obviously important.”

✅ Rewritten (Band 7):
“In conclusion, education’s importance is undeniable.”

✅ Rewritten (Band 8-9):
“In conclusion, education remains fundamental to individual and societal development.”

Giải thích: Conclusion should restate thesis with sophistication, not obvious statements

Đáp Án Bài Tập 4:

Suggested answers:

Band 7:
“Technology has transformed education significantly over the past decade.”

Band 8:
“The past decade has witnessed a technological transformation of education.”

Band 9:
“Education has undergone a profound technological transformation over the past decade, fundamentally altering pedagogical approaches and learning outcomes.”
Suggested answers:

Band 7:
“The benefits of renewable energy are clear when we consider its environmental impact.”

Band 8:
“The environmental benefits of renewable energy become apparent upon examination.”

Band 9:
“Renewable energy’s environmental advantages are self-evident, particularly when contrasted with the carbon footprint of fossil fuels.”
Suggested answers:

Band 7:
“Inequality has become a serious problem in many countries.”

Band 8:
“Economic inequality has emerged as an increasingly serious issue across numerous nations.”

Band 9:
“Socioeconomic inequality has intensified in many countries, manifesting in widening wealth gaps and reduced social mobility.”
Suggested answers:

Band 7:
“The solution requires government investment in infrastructure.”

Band 8:
“Addressing this issue necessitates substantial government investment in infrastructure.”

Band 9:
“Effective solutions demand comprehensive government investment in infrastructure, coupled with strategic planning and public-private partnerships.”
Suggested answers:

Band 7:
“There is no doubt that climate change requires urgent action.”

Band 8:
“Climate change undeniably demands immediate and decisive action.”

Band 9:
“The exigency of climate change is beyond dispute, necessitating coordinated international action and transformative policy interventions.”

Tổng Kết & Khuyến Nghị

Key Takeaways

Về “Clearly Obvious”:

Grammatically correct nhưng redundant (thừa từ)
Có thể dùng trong Speaking để nhấn mạnh, nhưng không nên lạm dụng
Nên tránh trong Writing, đặc biệt Task 1
Band 8-9 candidates thường chọn alternatives tinh tế hơn

Alternatives to Remember:

Single words (Band 7-8):

evident, apparent, clear, obvious, manifest, patent

Sophisticated phrases (Band 8-9):

abundantly clear
patently obvious
glaringly obvious
strikingly apparent
readily apparent
self-evident

Complete phrases:

There is no doubt that…
It goes without saying that…
No one can deny that…
It stands to reason that…

Chiến Lược Sử Dụng Trong IELTS