IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời Chủ Đề “Describe A Competition You Participated In” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề “Describe A Competition You Participated In” là một trong những đề tài phổ biến và thú vị trong IELTS Speaking, đặc biệt ở Part 2. Với vai trò là một examiner có hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm chấm thi IELTS, tôi nhận thấy đây là chủ đề xuất hiện với tần suất khá cao – khoảng 15-20% trong các kỳ thi từ năm 2020 đến nay. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao do tính ứng dụng rộng rãi của chủ đề này.

Điều đặc biệt về chủ đề này là nó cho phép thí sinh kể về nhiều loại cuộc thi khác nhau: từ học thuật (academic competitions), thể thao (sports competitions), nghệ thuật (art contests), đến các cuộc thi online hoặc workplace competitions. Tính linh hoạt này giúp mọi thí sinh đều có thể tìm được một trải nghiệm phù hợp để chia sẻ.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• 12 câu hỏi thường gặp trong Part 1 liên quan đến competitions và contests
• Phân tích chi tiết cue card với 3 bài mẫu theo các band điểm 6-7, 7.5-8, và 8.5-9
• 8 câu hỏi thảo luận sâu trong Part 3 với sample answers chất lượng cao
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm chuyên biệt cho chủ đề
• Chiến lược trả lời từ góc nhìn của examiner
• Những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 của IELTS Speaking kéo dài 4-5 phút với những câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày và sở thích cá nhân. Khi nói về competitions, examiner thường hỏi về thái độ, kinh nghiệm chung và quan điểm của bạn về các cuộc thi.

Chiến lược quan trọng nhất là mở rộng câu trả lời của bạn thành 2-3 câu, bao gồm: câu trả lời trực tiếp, lý do hoặc giải thích, và một ví dụ cụ thể nếu có thể.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam trong Part 1:

• Trả lời quá ngắn gọn như “Yes, I do” hoặc “No, I don’t” mà không mở rộng
• Sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản, lặp đi lặp lại các từ như “good”, “interesting”, “nice”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm cá nhân
• Không tự tin khi nói về những chủ đề không quen thuộc

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you like competitions?

Question 2: Are you a competitive person?

Question 3: What kinds of competitions do people often take part in?

Question 4: Did you participate in any competitions when you were younger?

Question 5: Why do you think some people enjoy competitions?

Question 6: Have you ever won a prize in a competition?

Question 7: What is the most popular competition in your country?

Question 8: Do you prefer team competitions or individual competitions?

Question 9: Do you watch any competitions on TV?

Question 10: What makes a competition exciting to watch?

Question 11: Have competitions changed compared to the past?

Question 12: Would you like to participate in more competitions in the future?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

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Question: Do you like competitions?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp Yes/No với mức độ (quite, really, not particularly)
• Giải thích lý do tại sao thích hoặc không thích
• Đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể về loại cuộc thi bạn thích/không thích

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I like competitions. They are exciting and make me try harder. I often join competitions at school and sometimes I win prizes. Competitions help me improve my skills.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, có đề cập đến benefit của competitions
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (exciting, try harder), thiếu chi tiết cụ thể về loại cuộc thi, câu văn ngắn và đơn giản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Vocabulary adequate nhưng không sophisticated, grammar đơn giản nhưng accurate, ý tưởng cơ bản đủ để trả lời câu hỏi

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Well, I’d say I’m quite drawn to competitions, especially ones that challenge my intellectual abilities rather than physical ones. What I find appealing is that they push me out of my comfort zone and help me discover capabilities I didn’t know I had. For instance, I recently participated in a public speaking contest at university, and though I was nervous initially, the experience was incredibly rewarding as it helped me overcome my fear of speaking in front of large audiences.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Sử dụng discourse marker tự nhiên “Well, I’d say”
  • Từ vựng sophisticated: “drawn to”, “intellectual abilities”, “push me out of my comfort zone”, “incredibly rewarding”
  • Grammar đa dạng: mệnh đề quan hệ “that challenge…”, though clause, “didn’t know I had”
  • Ví dụ cụ thể và detailed về public speaking contest
  • Có personal reflection về benefit của competition
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency cao với linking natural
  • Vocabulary precise và idiomatic (“drawn to”, “comfort zone”)
  • Grammatical range impressive với complex structures
  • Ideas well-developed với personal example

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• be drawn to something: bị thu hút bởi điều gì đó
• push someone out of their comfort zone: đẩy ai đó ra khỏi vùng an toàn
• intellectual abilities: khả năng trí tuệ
• incredibly rewarding: vô cùng bổ ích, đáng giá

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Question: Are you a competitive person?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Tự đánh giá mức độ cạnh tranh của bản thân (very/quite/not really/not at all)
• Đưa ra evidence hoặc example để support
• Có thể mention trong context nào bạn competitive và context nào thì không

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think I am competitive. When I play sports or do exams, I always want to win or get high scores. But I am not competitive with my friends because friendship is more important than winning.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có contrast giữa competitive trong học tập/thể thao và không competitive với bạn bè, showing some nuance
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary basic (want to win, get high scores, more important), structure đơn giản, thiếu depth trong analysis
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response với basic vocabulary và simple sentences, có attempt để show different contexts nhưng chưa fully developed

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

I’d say I have a moderately competitive streak, but it really depends on the context. In professional settings or when it comes to personal development goals, I’m definitely driven to excel and set high standards for myself. However, I try not to let this spill over into my personal relationships because I believe healthy competition should motivate rather than damage connections. For example, at work, I’m always striving to outperform my previous results, but when playing games with friends, I focus more on enjoying the moment than on winning at all costs.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Nuanced answer với “moderately competitive streak” – không absolute
  • Clear distinction giữa professional và personal contexts
  • Sophisticated vocabulary: “driven to excel”, “spill over into”, “striving to outperform”
  • Complex grammar: conditional structures, relative clauses
  • Balanced viewpoint với personal philosophy về healthy competition
  • Specific example minh họa cho cả hai contexts
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency with natural discourse markers “I’d say”, “However”
  • Precise vocabulary choices showing subtle distinctions
  • Complex grammatical structures used accurately
  • Well-developed ideas với depth of thinking

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• competitive streak: tính cách thích cạnh tranh
• driven to excel: có động lực để vượt trội
• spill over into: lan sang, ảnh hưởng đến
• striving to outperform: cố gắng để vượt qua (thành tích trước)
• at all costs: bằng mọi giá

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Question: What kinds of competitions do people often take part in?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• List ra 2-3 loại competition phổ biến
• Có thể categorize theo age groups hoặc interests
• Đưa ra brief explanation tại sao popular

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

People join many types of competitions. Young people like sports competitions like football or running. Students often take part in academic competitions like math or science contests. There are also singing and dancing competitions on TV that many people watch.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có categorization theo age (young people, students), mention nhiều types
• Hạn chế: List-like answer thiếu cohesion, vocabulary repetitive (competitions/contests), no depth explanation
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate range of vocabulary, simple sentences, covers the question nhưng lacking sophistication

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Well, it really varies across different demographics. Among young people, athletic competitions like marathons or football tournaments are hugely popular, probably because they offer both physical challenges and social bonding opportunities. In the academic realm, students frequently engage in quiz bowls, debate competitions, or science fairs, which can boost their college applications. Tương tự như describe a time when you felt very proud of yourself, these competitive experiences often become defining moments that shape personal growth. Increasingly, we’re also seeing a rise in digital competitions, such as e-sports tournaments or online coding challenges, which reflect the growing influence of technology in our lives.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Sophisticated opening “varies across different demographics”
  • Well-organized theo categories: sports, academic, digital
  • Explanations cho each type với reasons for popularity
  • Advanced vocabulary: “athletic competitions”, “engage in”, “boost applications”, “reflect the growing influence”
  • Complex structures: which clauses, such as examples
  • Current trends mentioned (digital competitions, e-sports)
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluent delivery với logical flow
  • Precise lexical choices
  • Range of grammatical structures
  • Insightful analysis không chỉ list

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• varies across different demographics: khác nhau tùy nhóm người
• athletic competitions: các cuộc thi thể thao
• engage in: tham gia vào
• boost someone’s applications: nâng cao hồ sơ của ai đó
• reflect the growing influence: phản ánh ảnh hưởng ngày càng tăng

Các loại cuộc thi phổ biến hiện nay mà mọi người thường tham gia từ thể thao đến học thuật và công nghệ

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IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút, trong đó bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị để ghi chú. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để demonstrate khả năng nói dài và duy trì fluency của bạn.

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Sử dụng đầy đủ 1 phút chuẩn bị để outline câu chuyện của bạn
• Chỉ ghi keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh
• Ensure bạn cover tất cả bullet points trong cue card
• Nói ít nhất 1 phút 45 giây, lý tưởng là 2-2.5 phút
• Sử dụng past tenses chủ yếu vì đây là describe a past event
• Add feelings và personal reflections để make it engaging

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Không sử dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị hoặc viết quá nhiều
• Nói quá ngắn (dưới 1.5 phút)
• Bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points
• Kể chuyện theo kiểu chronological mà quên explain feelings/significance
• Sử dụng vocabulary quá academic không phù hợp với speaking

Cue Card

Describe a competition you participated in

You should say:

• What the competition was
• When and where it took place
• What you had to do
• And explain how you felt about participating in this competition

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience/event – một trải nghiệm trong quá khứ
• Thì động từ: Past tenses (past simple, past continuous, past perfect) vì nói về sự kiện đã xảy ra
• Bullet points phải cover:
  1. What the competition was – loại cuộc thi gì (academic, sports, arts, etc.)
  2. When and where – thời gian và địa điểm cụ thể
  3. What you had to do – nhiệm vụ/hoạt động trong cuộc thi
  4. Feelings – cảm xúc và suy nghĩ về trải nghiệm này
• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất – cần show reflection, personal growth, lessons learned. Không chỉ describe feelings mà explain WHY you felt that way và impact của competition đó đến bạn.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1 phút 45 giây

I would like to talk about a singing competition that I joined when I was in high school. It happened about three years ago at my school’s annual festival in December.

The competition was organized by the student union and many students from different classes participated. I had to prepare a song and perform it on stage in front of about 200 people including students and teachers. I chose a popular Vietnamese song because I liked it very much.

Before the competition, I practiced singing every day for two weeks. I also asked my music teacher to help me improve my voice. On the day of the competition, I was very nervous because it was my first time performing in front of so many people. My hands were shaking and my heart was beating very fast.

When I finished singing, everyone clapped and some of my friends cheered for me. I felt very happy and proud of myself. Although I didn’t win the first prize, I got the third prize which was still good. This competition was a memorable experience for me because it helped me become more confident. I learned that I should try new things even when I feel scared.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có flow tương đối smooth, sử dụng basic linking words (before, when, although). Có một số hesitation nhỏ. Structure logic theo chronological order.
Lexical Resource	6-7	Từ vựng adequate: “annual festival”, “beating very fast”, “proud of myself”, “memorable experience”. Có một số collocations đúng nhưng chưa sophisticated. Some repetition (very, competition).
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Mix của simple và complex sentences. Sử dụng đúng past tenses. Có relative clause “which was still good”. Một số complex structures nhưng limited range.
Pronunciation	6-7	Clear pronunciation, có thể có slight accent nhưng không ảnh hưởng understanding. Intonation tương đối natural.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
• ✅ Có clear structure: introduction → preparation → event → feelings → reflection
• ✅ Đủ length (khoảng 1:45)
• ✅ Grammar accuracy cao, ít errors

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary chưa impressive, nhiều từ basic
• ⚠️ Thiếu variety trong sentence structures
• ⚠️ Feelings chưa được elaborate deeply
• ⚠️ Lacks vivid details để make story engaging

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2 phút 15 giây

I’d like to tell you about a public speaking competition I participated in during my final year at university, which turned out to be one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.

The competition took place in May 2022 at the city’s convention center. It was actually a regional debate tournament organized by several universities, and participants came from all over the southern provinces. The scale of the event was quite impressive – there were around 50 contestants and hundreds of audience members.

What made this competition particularly demanding was the format. We had to deliver a five-minute speech on a topic that was only revealed 30 minutes before our turn. My topic was about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, which was both relevant and complex. During those 30 minutes, I had to quickly brainstorm ideas, structure my arguments, and rehearse mentally. The pressure was immense because there were judges from various universities evaluating us on content, delivery, and persuasiveness.

When I stepped onto the stage, I felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. My heart was pounding, but I tried to channel that energy into my performance. Điều này có điểm tương đồng với describe a memorable day at school khi những cảm xúc mạnh mẽ tạo nên những kỷ niệm khó quên. As I spoke, I could see people in the audience nodding in agreement, which boosted my confidence. I managed to deliver my speech smoothly without major mistakes.

Looking back, I have mixed feelings about the experience. On one hand, I was disappointed that I only made it to the semi-finals rather than the finals. On the other hand, I felt incredibly proud of myself for pushing beyond my comfort zone. This competition taught me valuable lessons about quick thinking, staying composed under pressure, and the importance of thorough preparation. It was definitely a turning point in my personal development journey.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Smooth flow với minimal hesitation. Wide range của discourse markers (actually, particularly, looking back). Clear progression từ background → event → feelings → reflection.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range: “challenging yet rewarding”, “scale of the event”, “immense pressure”, “channel that energy”, “mixed feelings”. Good collocations: “deliver a speech”, “boost confidence”. Some idiomatic expressions.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Complex structures: relative clauses, passive voice, what-clause. Various tenses used appropriately. Occasional errors nhưng don’t impede communication.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear pronunciation với good intonation patterns. Stress và rhythm natural. Easy to understand throughout.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“very nervous”, “memorable experience”	“mixture of nervousness and excitement”, “challenging yet rewarding experiences”, “turning point”
Grammar	“When I finished singing, everyone clapped”	“What made this competition particularly demanding was…”, “As I spoke, I could see people nodding”
Ideas	Basic description of events và simple feelings	Detailed analysis của preparation process, psychological states, và personal growth

Thí sinh tham gia cuộc thi hùng biện thể hiện sự tự tin và kỹ năng giao tiếp trước đám đông

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2 phút 30 giây

I’d like to share my experience of participating in a national-level entrepreneurship competition that I took part in roughly two years ago – an experience that proved to be genuinely transformative in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

The competition, called “Innovate Vietnam,” was held in Hanoi in November 2021, and it attracted aspiring entrepreneurs from across the country. What set this competition apart was its comprehensive format – it wasn’t just about pitching a business idea; we had to develop a complete business proposal, create financial projections, and ultimately pitch to a panel of seasoned investors and successful entrepreneurs.

My team and I proposed a social enterprise focused on upcycling plastic waste into affordable furniture for low-income communities. The preparation phase was nothing short of grueling – we spent three months conducting market research, refining our business model, and perfecting our pitch deck. We’d often burn the midnight oil, debating every aspect of our proposal and anticipating potential questions from the judges. The workload was intense, but there was also something exhilarating about bringing our vision to life.

The actual competition day was a whirlwind of emotions. Standing in front of those accomplished individuals, I felt a potent cocktail of terror and excitement. My mind was racing, but I’d rehearsed so thoroughly that my presentation flowed almost automatically. The judges grilled us with challenging questions – everything from scalability concerns to sustainability metrics – but our preparation paid off handsomely. Để hiểu rõ hơn về describe a person who motivates you to stay active, one of our judges became that inspiring figure for me, constantly pushing us to think bigger and more systematically.

We ultimately secured second place, which came with both funding and mentorship opportunities. However, the true value I derived from this experience transcended the tangible rewards. It fundamentally shifted my understanding of entrepreneurial thinking and taught me that innovation thrives at the intersection of preparation, resilience, and receptiveness to feedback. The competition also forged incredibly strong bonds within our team – those late-night brainstorming sessions created friendships built on mutual respect and shared ambition.

In retrospect, this competition was a watershed moment in my personal and professional development. It instilled in me a deeper appreciation for systematic problem-solving and the courage to pursue ambitious goals despite uncertainty. The skills I honed – from public speaking to strategic thinking – continue to serve me well in various aspects of my life. More importantly, it taught me that the journey of pushing yourself is often more valuable than the destination itself.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Completely fluent với natural delivery. Sophisticated use của cohesive devices. Clear, logical progression với excellent paragraph organization. No noticeable hesitation.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Wide range of sophisticated vocabulary: “genuinely transformative”, “nothing short of grueling”, “potent cocktail of terror”, “paid off handsomely”, “transcended”. Natural idiomatic expressions: “burn the midnight oil”, “grilled us”, “watershed moment”. Precise lexical choices throughout.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range của structures: complex nominalizations, participle clauses, inversion, cleft sentences. Perfect use của various tenses. Virtually error-free.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Effortless to understand với native-like pronunciation features. Excellent stress, rhythm, và intonation. Uses features như pausing và emphasis effectively.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:

• Natural discourse markers tạo smooth transitions: “What set this apart was…”, “In retrospect”, “More importantly”
• No awkward pauses hay fillers
• Perfect pacing với appropriate length

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• Sophisticated expressions: “nothing short of grueling” (extremely challenging), “paid off handsomely” (was very worthwhile)
• Idiomatic language: “burn the midnight oil”, “grilled us with questions”
• Precise word choices: “aspiring entrepreneurs”, “scalability concerns”, “watershed moment”
• Academic vocabulary used naturally: “comprehensive format”, “financial projections”, “sustainability metrics”

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Complex nominalizations: “The true value I derived from this experience transcended…”
• Participle clauses: “Standing in front of those accomplished individuals”
• What-cleft sentences: “What set this competition apart was…”
• Perfect aspect: “I hadn’t anticipated”, “I’d rehearsed so thoroughly”
• Relative clauses: “which came with both funding and mentorship”

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

• Goes beyond simple description to analyze impact: “fundamentally shifted my understanding”
• Shows sophisticated reflection: “the journey of pushing yourself is often more valuable than the destination”
• Demonstrates personal growth: từ nervous participant đến someone with deeper appreciation for problem-solving
• Balances tangible outcomes (second place, funding) với intangible benefits (skills, friendships, mindset)

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Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Sau khi bạn hoàn thành bài nói 2 phút, examiner thường hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn liên quan trực tiếp đến câu chuyện bạn vừa kể. Đây là cơ hội để clarify hoặc elaborate một điểm nào đó.

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Question 1: Would you participate in a similar competition again?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I would definitely join again. I learned many things from this competition and it was fun. Next time I will prepare better and maybe I can win a higher prize.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, I’d jump at the chance to participate again. Having gone through it once, I now have a much clearer understanding of what it takes to compete at that level, and I’d love to put my refined skills to the test. Plus, the networking opportunities and learning experience were invaluable – these are things that far outweigh any nervousness about competing.

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Question 2: What did you learn from this experience?

Band 6-7 Answer:
I learned that practice is very important. I also learned to be more confident when speaking in front of people. The competition taught me not to give up easily.

Band 8-9 Answer:
The competition taught me several crucial lessons. First and foremost, I discovered that thorough preparation is the cornerstone of confidence – the more prepared I was, the less anxious I felt. Beyond that, I learned the importance of resilience – not everything went perfectly during the competition, but adapting on the fly was key. Perhaps most significantly, it showed me that stepping outside my comfort zone, while initially uncomfortable, is where real growth happens.

Học viên nghiêm túc luyện tập và chuẩn bị kỹ lưỡng cho cuộc thi quan trọng

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IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 là phần thảo luận chuyên sâu kéo dài 4-5 phút, trong đó examiner sẽ hỏi những câu hỏi trừu tượng và phức tạp hơn liên quan đến chủ đề của Part 2. Đây là phần khó nhất và cũng là phần giúp phân biệt thí sinh band 7 với band 8-9.

Yêu cầu chính:

• Phân tích các vấn đề từ nhiều góc độ khác nhau
• So sánh và đối chiếu (compare and contrast)
• Đưa ra opinions có reasoning rõ ràng
• Discuss implications và consequences
• Xem xét both sides của một issue

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Structure câu trả lời: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/Balanced view
• Sử dụng tentative language để show sophistication: “I would argue that…”, “It seems to me that…”, “To some extent…”
• Acknowledge complexity: “It’s a complex issue, but…”, “There are multiple factors at play…”
• Provide societal examples, không chỉ personal anecdotes
• Show critical thinking bằng cách consider counterarguments

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn (1-2 câu) cho câu hỏi phức tạp
• Lack of reasoning – chỉ state opinion mà không explain why
• Thiếu examples để support arguments
• Không có depth trong analysis
• Vocabulary không đủ abstract để discuss complex issues

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Dưới đây là các câu hỏi thường gặp được phân loại theo themes:

Theme 1: Benefits and Drawbacks of Competitions

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Question 1: What are the benefits of competitions for young people?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Benefits question (yêu cầu list và explain advantages)
• Key words: benefits, competitions, young people (cần focus vào age group này)
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify 2-3 main benefits, explain each với reasoning và examples. Consider both immediate và long-term benefits.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Competitions have many benefits for young people. First, they help students learn new skills and become better at things they like. For example, if students join a math competition, they will practice math more and improve. Second, competitions teach young people to work hard and not give up when things are difficult. This is important for their future. Finally, competitions give students chances to meet other people who have the same interests.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear với “First, Second, Finally” nhưng predictable
• Vocabulary: Basic (learn new skills, work hard, not give up, same interests)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response với relevant points nhưng lacking depth. Examples too general. Limited vocabulary range.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Well, I believe competitions offer multifaceted benefits for young people’s development. First and foremost, they cultivate a growth mindset – when young people participate in competitions, they learn that improvement comes through effort and practice rather than innate talent alone. This realization can be profoundly empowering.

Beyond skill development, competitions foster resilience and emotional maturity. Young participants learn to handle both victory and defeat gracefully, which is a crucial life skill that serves them well in various contexts later. For instance, a student who learns to bounce back from losing a debate competition is likely to be better equipped to handle professional setbacks in their career.

Moreover, competitions provide valuable networking opportunities and help young people step out of their echo chambers. They get to meet peers with similar passions from different backgrounds, which can broaden their perspectives and even spark lifelong friendships. That said, it’s important that the competitive element doesn’t overshadow the learning process itself – the focus should remain on personal growth rather than just winning.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized với clear progression: main benefit → secondary benefit → social benefit → balanced conclusion. Uses sophisticated discourse markers.
• Vocabulary: Advanced và precise: “multifaceted benefits”, “cultivate a growth mindset”, “profoundly empowering”, “foster resilience”, “bounce back from”, “echo chambers”
• Grammar: Wide range: relative clauses (“which is a crucial life skill”), passive constructions, cleft sentences (“it’s important that…”)
• Critical Thinking: Shows nuanced understanding với balanced view (“That said…”). Considers both immediate effects và long-term implications.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “First and foremost”, “Beyond…”, “Moreover”, “That said”
• Tentative language: “I believe”, “can be”, “is likely to”
• Abstract nouns: “resilience”, “maturity”, “perspectives”, “networking opportunities”
• Advanced collocations: “cultivate a mindset”, “foster resilience”, “bounce back from”, “spark friendships”

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Question 2: Do you think competitions can have negative effects on children?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Negative effects (cần balanced approach)
• Key words: negative effects, children (younger than “young people”)
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge that yes, có potential negative effects, explain những effects đó, nhưng add nuance về conditions hay how to mitigate.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think competitions can be bad for children sometimes. When children lose, they may feel very sad and think they are not good enough. Some children feel too much stress because they want to win. Parents sometimes push their children too hard to win competitions, which makes children unhappy. However, if competitions are organized well, they can still be good for children.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Direct answer → problems → brief counter-view
• Vocabulary: Simple (bad, very sad, not good enough, too much stress)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses the question với relevant points nhưng analysis lacks depth. Vocabulary too basic và repetitive.

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

To some extent, yes – competitions can indeed have detrimental effects on children if not approached thoughtfully. One major concern is that excessive competition at a young age can breed unhealthy perfectionism and erode self-esteem, particularly when children internalize failure as a reflection of their personal worth rather than simply a learning opportunity. This can lead to anxiety and fear of taking risks later in life.

Another potential pitfall is that competitions can exacerbate social inequality. Children from privileged backgrounds often have access to better coaching, resources, and preparation opportunities, which gives them an unfair advantage. This can demoralize children from less fortunate circumstances and reinforce existing social divides.

Furthermore, overly competitive environments can undermine intrinsic motivation – children might start pursuing activities solely for external validation like trophies or recognition rather than genuine interest, which defeats the purpose of learning. Một ví dụ chi tiết về Describe a time when you were part of a change effort cho thấy rằng động lực nội tại mới là chìa khóa của sự thay đổi bền vững.

Having said that, I don’t think competitions are inherently harmful – it really boils down to how they’re structured and the values adults instill in children around competition. If the emphasis is placed on effort, improvement, and sportsmanship rather than winning at all costs, competitions can remain a positive force.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Nuanced với acknowledge multiple negative effects, then balanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated: “detrimental effects”, “breed unhealthy perfectionism”, “erode self-esteem”, “exacerbate inequality”, “undermine intrinsic motivation”
• Grammar: Complex structures throughout: conditional “if not approached”, passive “if the emphasis is placed on”
• Critical Thinking: Shows deep analysis về psychological effects (self-esteem, anxiety), social effects (inequality), và motivational effects. Ends với balanced, mature view.

💡 Key Language Features:

• Hedging language: “To some extent”, “can indeed”, “might start”
• Discourse markers: “One major concern”, “Another potential pitfall”, “Furthermore”, “Having said that”
• Academic vocabulary: “detrimental”, “internalize”, “exacerbate”, “demoralize”, “intrinsic motivation”
• Phrasal verbs: “boils down to”, “instill in”

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Theme 2: Competition in Society and Education

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Question 3: How has competition in education changed compared to the past?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare past and present (requires past knowledge + current trends)
• Key words: changed, education, past
• Cách tiếp cận: Structure: Past situation → Current situation → Reasons for change → Implications

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

In the past, education was less competitive. Students studied hard but there were fewer competitions and exams. Now, education is much more competitive because there are more students and limited places at good universities. Students have to take many exams and join competitions to show they are good. Technology also makes competition stronger because students can compare themselves with others easily.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Simple past → present comparison
• Vocabulary: Basic comparative structures, general statements
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Makes relevant comparison nhưng lacks specific examples và detailed analysis

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

The nature of educational competition has undergone dramatic transformation over recent decades. A generation ago, competition in education was relatively localized – students mainly competed with peers in their immediate vicinity for places at local institutions. The metrics of success were also more straightforward: good grades and perhaps proficiency in a few extracurricular activities.

In stark contrast, today’s educational landscape is intensely globalized and multidimensional. Students aren’t just competing locally anymore – they’re up against a global pool of applicants for university spots and scholarships. The bar has been raised considerably: simply having good grades is now seen as merely the baseline. Students are expected to demonstrate a diverse portfolio including leadership experience, community service, special talents, and sometimes even research publications or entrepreneurial ventures.

What’s driving this shift is a combination of factors. Firstly, increased access to information through the internet has made opportunities more visible but also intensified competition for them. Secondly, the perception that academic credentials are crucial for social mobility has heightened parental anxiety, leading to the proliferation of cram schools and private tutoring. Thirdly, universities themselves have become more selective and holistic in their admissions, requiring students to excel in multiple domains simultaneously.

The implications are mixed. While this pushes students to develop well-rounded capabilities, it also generates tremendous pressure and can contribute to burnout. There’s also a concern that this arms race mentality in education favors privileged students who can afford additional support and opportunities. Đối với những ai quan tâm đến describe an international news event that caught your attention, global education trends often become major news stories reflecting these societal changes.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly sophisticated với clear temporal comparison, analysis của causes, và evaluation của implications
• Vocabulary: Precise và varied: “undergone dramatic transformation”, “localized”, “metrics of success”, “global pool”, “proliferation of”, “arms race mentality”
• Grammar: Complex structures: passive voice, relative clauses, participle clauses, cleft sentences
• Critical Thinking: Deep analysis with specific examples, considers multiple stakeholders (students, parents, universities), và evaluates both positive và negative implications

💡 Key Language Features:

• Temporal markers: “A generation ago”, “In stark contrast”, “today’s landscape”
• Cause-effect language: “What’s driving this shift”, “leading to”, “contribute to”
• Contrast markers: “In stark contrast”, “While…also”
• Academic expressions: “undergone transformation”, “intensified competition”, “perception that”, “implications are mixed”

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Theme 3: Competitions vs. Cooperation

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Question 4: Some people think schools should focus more on cooperation rather than competition. What is your opinion?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion question với implicit comparison (cooperation vs competition)
• Key words: focus more on, cooperation, rather than
• Cách tiếp cận: Present balanced view: acknowledge merits của cả hai, explain context where each is valuable, conclude với sophisticated stance

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think both cooperation and competition are important in schools. Competition helps students work harder and do better in studies. But cooperation teaches students how to work in teams, which is important for jobs later. Schools should have both activities – some competitions for students who like competing, and some group projects for practicing teamwork. This way, students can learn different skills.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Simple balanced view với basic reasoning
• Vocabulary: Limited range (work harder, do better, work in teams)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response với relevant points nhưng lacks sophistication và depth. Examples too general.

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

I’d argue that this isn’t really an either-or situation – both cooperation and competition have their place in education, and the key lies in striking the right balance rather than prioritizing one at the expense of the other.

On the one hand, cooperation skills are absolutely essential in today’s world. The reality is that most significant achievements in modern society – whether in science, business, or social change – come from collaborative efforts rather than individual heroics. Students who learn to work effectively in diverse teams, leverage different perspectives, and resolve conflicts constructively are far better equipped for the modern workplace. Moreover, excessive competition can breed a zero-sum mentality where one person’s gain is seen as another’s loss, which is counterproductive in many real-world scenarios.

That being said, competition also serves important developmental purposes. It motivates students to push their boundaries, provides clear benchmarks for progress, and teaches resilience in the face of setbacks. Competition can also be exhilarating and engaging in ways that purely collaborative activities might not be. The sense of achievement from earning something through individual effort is a powerful motivator that shouldn’t be dismissed.

The optimal approach, in my view, is to integrate both elements strategically. Schools could design activities that combine competitive and cooperative elements – for instance, team-based competitions where groups work together internally while competing with other teams. This mirrors real-world situations where organizations cooperate internally but compete in the marketplace. Furthermore, educators should explicitly teach that these aren’t opposing values – healthy competition can coexist with mutual support and collaborative learning.

Ultimately, what matters is the underlying values we attach to these activities. Competition doesn’t have to be cutthroat or individualistic if we frame it around personal growth rather than defeating others. Similarly, cooperation is most effective when combined with individual accountability. It’s the balance and integration of both that truly prepares students for the complexity of adult life.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-organized: thesis → cooperation benefits → competition benefits → synthesis solution → philosophical conclusion
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated: “striking the right balance”, “zero-sum mentality”, “counterproductive”, “resilience in the face of setbacks”, “cutthroat”, “individual accountability”
• Grammar: Full range của advanced structures: conditional sentences, relative clauses, cleft sentences, passive constructions
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates nuanced thinking bằng cách reject false dichotomy, provide real-world parallels, và offer sophisticated synthesis rather than simple choice

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “On the one hand”, “That being said”, “Furthermore”, “Ultimately”
• Hedging: “I’d argue that”, “in my view”, “The optimal approach”
• Advanced expressions: “at the expense of”, “breed a mentality”, “push their boundaries”, “shouldn’t be dismissed”, “mirrors real-world situations”
• Abstract concepts: “zero-sum mentality”, “underlying values”, “individual accountability”

Học sinh vừa hợp tác trong nhóm vừa tham gia các hoạt động cạnh tranh lành mạnh tại trường

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Theme 4: Competition in Modern Society

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Question 5: Do you think society today is more competitive than in the past?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare past và present + Opinion
• Key words: society today, more competitive, than in the past
• Cách tiếp cận: Take clear stance → provide evidence/examples → explain causes → discuss implications

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think society is much more competitive now. In the past, people had more stable jobs and didn’t need to compete so much. Now, because of technology and globalization, there are more people competing for the same jobs. Also, social media makes people compare themselves with others all the time, which increases competition. This makes people feel more stress but also motivates them to work harder.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear stance với some supporting points
• Vocabulary: Adequate (stable jobs, compete, globalization, compare themselves)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question với relevant points nhưng analysis lacks depth và specific examples

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Without a doubt, contemporary society is significantly more competitive across virtually every domain compared to previous generations, and this intensification stems from several interconnected factors.

Economically, the shift from industrial to knowledge-based economies has fundamentally altered the nature of competition. In the past, there was greater employment security – someone could join a company and reasonably expect to build a career there over decades. Today’s labor market fluidity means workers constantly need to prove their worth and stay ahead of both human competitors and increasingly, automation. The gig economy has further amplified this precariousness, with people perpetually hustling for the next opportunity.

Technologically, the internet has been a double-edged sword. While it’s democratized access to information and opportunities, it’s also exponentially expanded the competitive field. A talented individual in Vietnam now competes not just locally but globally for remote positions. Social media has exacerbated this by creating an omnipresent culture of comparison where people constantly measure themselves against carefully curated highlight reels of others’ lives. This breeds a sense of inadequacy and perpetuates competitive anxiety.

Culturally, there’s been a shift toward meritocratic ideologies that, while seemingly fair, can intensify competitive pressures. The narrative that “you can achieve anything if you work hard enough” places enormous responsibility on individuals and pathologizes failure. This differs markedly from past societies where social mobility was more limited but also where failure wasn’t viewed as a personal deficiency to the same extent.

The ramifications are profound. On one hand, this competition drives innovation and raises standards across fields. On the other, it contributes to widespread burnout, mental health challenges, and erosion of work-life balance. There’s also a risk that this hyper-competitive ethos undermines social cohesion and mutual support structures that societies need to function healthily.

In essence, while competition has always existed, its scope, intensity, and psychological impact have reached unprecedented levels in contemporary society, necessitating thoughtful reflection on how we can preserve healthy competition while mitigating its destructive potential.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly sophisticated với multi-dimensional analysis: economic → technological → cultural → implications → synthesis
• Vocabulary: Exceptionally precise và varied: “intensification”, “interconnected factors”, “labor market fluidity”, “perpetually hustling”, “double-edged sword”, “omnipresent culture”, “meritocratic ideologies”, “pathologizes failure”, “ramifications”, “hyper-competitive ethos”
• Grammar: Full mastery: complex nominalization, passive constructions, relative clauses, conditional structures, participial phrases
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates exceptional analytical depth bằng cách examine multiple dimensions (economic, technological, cultural), consider both positives và negatives, và provide historical context

💡 Key Language Features:

• Emphatic language: “Without a doubt”, “significantly more”, “fundamentally altered”
• Academic discourse: “stems from”, “interconnected factors”, “ramifications are profound”, “necessitating thoughtful reflection”
• Contrast language: “While…also”, “On one hand…On the other”
• Sophisticated expressions: “double-edged sword”, “breeds a sense of”, “differs markedly from”, “hyper-competitive ethos”

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Question 6: How do competitions affect people’s mental health?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause-effect analysis (competitions → mental health)
• Key words: affect, mental health
• Cách tiếp cận: Balanced analysis: both positive và negative effects, với conditions/moderating factors

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Competitions can affect mental health in both good and bad ways. Some people feel stressed and worried when they join competitions, especially if they think they must win. This stress can make them feel unhappy and anxious. But competitions can also make people feel happy when they win or do well. They feel proud and confident. I think it depends on the person’s personality and how they think about competitions.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Simple two-sided approach
• Vocabulary: Basic (stressed, worried, unhappy, anxious, happy, proud)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Covers both sides nhưng lacks psychological depth và specific terminology

📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

The relationship between competitions and mental health is decidedly complex and highly context-dependent, with competitions capable of being both psychologically beneficial and potentially harmful depending on various factors.

On the positive side, competitions can enhance mental well-being when approached healthily. They provide structured goals that give people a sense of purpose and direction, which is fundamentally important for psychological health. The experience of setting challenging objectives and working systematically toward them can foster a sense of agency and combat feelings of helplessness. When people succeed in competitions, even partially, it boosts self-efficacy – the belief in one’s ability to accomplish tasks – which research consistently links to better mental health outcomes. Moreover, competitions create opportunities for flow states – those moments of complete absorption in challenging activities that psychologists associate with happiness and fulfillment.

However, competitions can also exact a significant psychological toll, particularly when several risk factors converge. Excessive pressure to perform – whether self-imposed or from external sources like parents or coaches – can trigger anxiety disorders and chronic stress. The fear of failure can become paralyzing, leading some individuals to avoid challenges altogether in what psychologists call “self-handicapping.” When competitions become tied to self-worth – where losing is internalized as being a loser rather than simply an unsuccessful attempt – they can severely damage self-esteem and even contribute to depression.

The key moderating factors include someone’s pre-existing psychological vulnerabilities, the stakes attached to the competition, the social support available, and crucially, the attributional style – how people interpret success and failure. Individuals with a growth mindset who view competitions as learning opportunities tend to be psychologically resilient, whereas those with fixed mindsets who see outcomes as referendums on their abilities are more susceptible to psychological distress.

From a broader societal perspective, when competition becomes the dominant mode of interaction across too many life domains – academics, career, relationships, social media engagement – it can create pervasive anxiety at a population level. There’s growing evidence that hyper-competitive societies experience higher rates of stress-related disorders, suggesting the need for cultural balance between competitive and cooperative values.

In summation, competitions are psychological tools – they can sharpen abilities and confidence when used judiciously, but become harmful when applied indiscriminately or excessively. The impact ultimately depends less on the competitions themselves and more on the ecosystem surrounding them: the messages we send about winning and losing, the support structures available, and whether competition complements rather than dominates people’s lives.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-developed: positive effects → negative effects → moderating factors → societal perspective → nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated psychological terminology: “self-efficacy”, “flow states”, “self-handicapping”, “attributional style”, “growth mindset vs fixed mindset”, “psychological vulnerabilities”, “pervasive anxiety”
• Grammar: Advanced structures throughout with perfect accuracy
• Critical Thinking: Shows expert-level analysis bằng cách incorporate psychological research concepts, distinguish between different types của mental health impacts, identify moderating variables, và consider both individual và societal levels

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic hedging: “decidedly complex”, “highly context-dependent”, “potentially harmful”
• Cause-effect language: “trigger”, “contribute to”, “foster”, “boost”, “exact a toll”
• Technical vocabulary: “self-efficacy”, “flow states”, “self-handicapping”, “attributional style”, “psychological vulnerabilities”
• Advanced expressions: “exact a significant toll”, “risk factors converge”, “tied to self-worth”, “referendum on their abilities”

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Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
contestant	n	/kənˈtestənt/	người tham gia cuộc thi	All contestants must register by Friday.	fellow contestant, lead contestant, winning contestant
competitor	n	/kəmˈpetɪtər/	đối thủ cạnh tranh	She faced tough competitors in the finals.	fierce competitor, strong competitor, main competitor
rivalry	n	/ˈraɪvəlri/	sự cạnh tranh gay gắt	There was intense rivalry between the two teams.	intense rivalry, friendly rivalry, fierce rivalry, sibling rivalry
participate in	v phrase	/pɑːˈtɪsɪpeɪt ɪn/	tham gia vào	I decided to participate in the debate competition.	actively participate, willingly participate, participate enthusiastically
compete against/with	v phrase	/kəmˈpiːt/	cạnh tranh với	We competed against students from other provinces.	compete fiercely, compete directly, compete successfully
contender	n	/kənˈtendər/	ứng viên tiềm năng	She emerged as a serious contender for the top prize.	strong contender, leading contender, potential contender
tournament	n	/ˈtʊənəmənt/	giải đấu	The chess tournament lasted three days.	international tournament, regional tournament, knockout tournament
pitch	v/n	/pɪtʃ/	thuyết trình (ý tưởng kinh doanh)	We had to pitch our business idea to investors.	elevator pitch, sales pitch, pitch a proposal, deliver a pitch
preliminary round	n phrase	/prɪˈlɪmɪnəri raʊnd/	vòng loại	I passed the preliminary round easily.	advance through preliminaries, win preliminaries
semi-finals	n	/ˌsemiˈfaɪnlz/	vòng bán kết	Our team made it to the semi-finals.	reach semi-finals, advance to semi-finals
nail-biting	adj	/ˈneɪl baɪtɪŋ/	hồi hộp đến nỗi cắn móng tay	It was a nail-biting finish.	nail-biting competition, nail-biting match, nail-biting finish
fierce competition	n phrase	/fɪəs ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃən/	sự cạnh tranh khốc liệt	There was fierce competition for the scholarship.	face fierce competition, fierce competition exists
cut-throat	adj	/ˈkʌt θrəʊt/	cạnh tranh không khoan nhượng	The business world can be cut-throat.	cut-throat competition, cut-throat environment, cut-throat tactics
underdog	n	/ˈʌndədɒɡ/	người/đội được đánh giá thấp	Everyone loves an underdog story.	support the underdog, root for the underdog
front-runner	n	/ˈfrʌnt rʌnər/	người dẫn đầu	She was the front-runner from the start.	clear front-runner, emerge as front-runner
level playing field	n phrase	/ˈlevəl ˈpleɪɪŋ fiːld/	sân chơi công bằng	We need to create a level playing field for all students.	ensure level playing field, provide level playing field
push boundaries	v phrase	/pʊʃ ˈbaʊndəriz/	vượt qua giới hạn	Competitions push athletes to push their boundaries.	constantly push boundaries, push physical boundaries
raise the bar	v phrase	/reɪz ðə bɑː/	nâng cao tiêu chuẩn	Each winner raised the bar for future competitors.	continue to raise the bar, significantly raise the bar
outperform	v	/ˌaʊtpəˈfɔːm/	vượt trội hơn	She outperformed all other candidates.	consistently outperform, significantly outperform
benchmark	n	/ˈbentʃmɑːk/	điểm chuẩn, mốc so sánh	This competition sets the benchmark for excellence.	establish benchmark, meet benchmark, exceed benchmark

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
be in the running	còn cơ hội chiến thắng	After the preliminary round, I was still in the running for first place.	7.5-8
go head-to-head	đối đầu trực tiếp	In the finals, we went head-to-head with the defending champions.	7-7.5
bring your A-game	thể hiện tốt nhất có thể	You need to bring your A-game to compete at this level.	7.5-8
up the ante	tăng mức độ cạnh tranh	Each round upped the ante with more difficult challenges.	8-8.5
neck and neck	ngang tài ngang sức	The two finalists were neck and neck until the very end.	7-7.5
rise to the occasion	vượt qua thử thách	I was nervous but managed to rise to the occasion.	7.5-8
give it one’s all	cố gắng hết sức	I gave it my all but didn’t win.	6.5-7
steal the show	thu hút sự chú ý nhất	Her performance stole the show at the talent competition.	7.5-8
a tough act to follow	khó vượt qua	The previous winner was a tough act to follow.	7.5-8
come out on top	giành chiến thắng	Despite the challenges, our team came out on top.	7-7.5
fall short	không đạt được mục tiêu	I fell short of making it to the finals by just one point.	7-7.5
be a close call	suýt soát, sát nút	It was a close call, but I managed to advance to the next round.	7-7.5
push oneself to the limit	nỗ lực đến mức tối đa	Competitions push you to the limit both mentally and physically.	7.5-8
have what it takes	có đủ khả năng cần thiết	She definitely has what it takes to be a champion.	7-7.5
make the cut	vượt qua vòng loại	Only 20 participants made the cut for the finals.	7-7.5
burn the midnight oil	thức khuya làm việc/học	I burned the midnight oil preparing for the competition.	7.5-8
a baptism of fire	trải nghiệm khó khăn đầu tiên	My first major competition was a baptism of fire.	8-8.5
leave no stone unturned	không bỏ sót chi tiết nào	In preparation, we left no stone unturned.	7.5-8

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ, tạo tính tự nhiên
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi muốn đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc thông tin bất ngờ
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn thể hiện sự chân thành
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách lịch sự để đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân
• 📝 From my perspective,… – Nhấn mạnh đây là quan điểm riêng
• 📝 In my experience,… – Dẫn dắt vào personal example

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó (informal nhưng natural)
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến
• 📝 Furthermore,… – Hơn nữa (formal hơn)
• 📝 Additionally,… – Thêm vào đó
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Ngoài điều đó ra

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Trong khi đúng là… chúng ta cũng cần xem xét
• 📝 That being said,… – Dù vậy thì
• 📝 Having said that,… – Đã nói như vậy nhưng
• 📝 Conversely,… – Ngược lại

Để làm rõ hoặc elaborate:

• 📝 What I mean is… – Ý tôi là
• 📝 In other words,… – Nói cách khác
• 📝 To put it another way,… – Nói theo cách khác
• 📝 More specifically,… – Cụ thể hơn

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì
• 📝 In the final analysis,… – Phân tích cuối cùng
• 📝 Ultimately,… – Rốt cuộc thì
• 📝 To sum up,… – Để tóm tắt

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

• Formula: If + past perfect, … would/could + base verb
• Ví dụ: “If I had prepared more thoroughly, I would be more confident now.”
• Ví dụ: “If the competition hadn’t been so intense, I wouldn’t have learned so much about my capabilities.”

Inversion (Đảo ngữ):

• Formula: Had + subject + past participle, … would have…
• Ví dụ: “Had I known the competition would be this challenging, I would have started preparing earlier.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:

• Formula: …, which/who + verb…
• Ví dụ: “The competition, which took place in Hanoi, attracted participants from across the country.”
• Ví dụ: “My coach, who had competed professionally before, gave me invaluable advice.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

Impersonal passive structures:

• It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that competitions foster resilience in young people.”
• Subject + is thought/believed/said to + infinitive
• Ví dụ: “Competitions are thought to enhance critical thinking skills.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

What-cleft:

• Formula: What + subject + verb + is/was…
• Ví dụ: “What I found most challenging was maintaining composure under pressure.”
• Ví dụ: “What the competition taught me was the importance of preparation.”

It-cleft:

• Formula: It + is/was + noun/phrase + that/who…
• Ví dụ: “It was the intense preparation phase that really pushed me to grow.”

5. Participle Clauses:

Present participle (-ing):

• Ví dụ: “Feeling nervous, I took a deep breath before stepping onto the stage.”
• Ví dụ: “Having competed several times before, I knew what to expect.”

Past participle:

• Ví dụ: “Encouraged by my mentors, I decided to participate despite my initial doubts.”

6. Nominalization (Danh từ hóa):

Thay vì dùng verb clauses, sử dụng noun forms:

• Instead of: “I discovered that I could perform well under pressure”
• Better: “My discovery of my ability to perform under pressure was empowering”
• Instead of: “People compete more now than before”
• Better: “The intensification of competition in modern society is undeniable”

7. Inversion for Emphasis:

Not only… but also:

• Ví dụ: “Not only did the competition test my skills, but it also challenged my mental resilience.”

Seldom/Rarely/Never:

• Ví dụ: “Rarely have I felt so nervous before a performance.”
• Ví dụ: “Seldom does one get such valuable feedback from industry experts.”

Việc áp dụng những cấu trúc ngữ pháp này một cách tự nhiên trong câu trả lời của bạn sẽ significantly nâng cao band điểm Grammar & Accuracy. Tuy nhiên, điều quan trọng là không overuse chúng một cách forced – chỉ sử dụng khi chúng phù hợp với context và bạn có thể dùng correctly. Quality luôn quan trọng hơn quantity trong IELTS Speaking.

Với tư cách là một examiner, tôi khuyên các bạn nên practice những structures này trong context của các chủ đề khác nhau, không chỉ competitions. Sự tự nhiên và accuracy là chìa khóa để đạt band 8-9 trong IELTS Speaking.