Chủ đề về giấc mơ là một trong những đề tài thú vị và khá phổ biến trong IELTS Speaking, đặc biệt ở Part 2. Khi được yêu cầu “Describe A Dream You Remember Vividly”, nhiều thí sinh Việt Nam thường gặp khó khăn vì không biết cách diễn đạt những hình ảnh và cảm xúc trừu tượng trong giấc mơ bằng tiếng Anh. Đây là cơ hội tuyệt vời để bạn thể hiện khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ miêu tả, từ vựng về cảm xúc và các cấu trúc ngữ pháp phức tạp.
Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế, chủ đề về dreams xuất hiện với tần suất trung bình cao trong giai đoạn 2022-2024, thường đi kèm với các chủ đề liên quan như memory, imagination, hoặc unusual experiences. Khả năng xuất hiện trong các kỳ thi sắp tới được đánh giá ở mức cao, đặc biệt khi IELTS ngày càng chú trọng đến những chủ đề khai thác sự sáng tạo và cảm xúc cá nhân của thí sinh.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được cách trả lời hiệu quả các câu hỏi về dreams qua cả 3 Part của IELTS Speaking. Bạn sẽ có trong tay các bài mẫu chi tiết từ Band 6-7 đến Band 8.5-9, cùng với phân tích sâu về lý do tại sao mỗi câu trả lời đạt được band điểm đó. Ngoài ra, bài viết cung cấp kho từ vựng phong phú về giấc mơ, cảm xúc, và các cụm từ idiom ăn điểm. Quan trọng hơn, với tư cách một IELTS Examiner, tôi sẽ chia sẻ những chiến lược thực chiến và lỗi thường gặp mà học viên Việt Nam cần tránh để tối đa hóa band điểm của mình.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Tổng Quan Về Part 1
Part 1 của IELTS Speaking kéo dài khoảng 4-5 phút, trong đó giám khảo sẽ hỏi các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày, sở thích, công việc hoặc học tập của bạn. Đối với chủ đề dreams, các câu hỏi thường xoay quanh thói quen ngủ, khả năng nhớ giấc mơ, và quan điểm cá nhân về ý nghĩa của giấc mơ.
Chiến lược quan trọng nhất ở Part 1 là trả lời tự nhiên, mở rộng câu trả lời thành 2-3 câu thay vì chỉ Yes/No, và cố gắng thêm một ví dụ cụ thể hoặc lý do để câu trả lời thêm phần thuyết phục.
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam bao gồm việc trả lời quá ngắn gọn, sử dụng từ vựng đơn điệu lặp đi lặp lại, và không cung cấp ví dụ từ trải nghiệm bản thân. Nhiều bạn cũng có xu hướng dừng lại sau khi trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi mà không elaboration, khiến giám khảo phải tiếp tục hỏi thêm.
Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp
Question 1: Do you often remember your dreams?
Question 2: Do you think dreams have special meanings?
Question 3: What was the last dream you can remember?
Question 4: Do you like hearing about other people’s dreams?
Question 5: Have you ever had a recurring dream?
Question 6: Do you usually have good dreams or nightmares?
Question 7: Do your dreams ever affect your mood when you wake up?
Question 8: Do you think it’s possible to control your dreams?
Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết
Question: Do you often remember your dreams?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời trực tiếp có hay không
- Giải thích tần suất hoặc điều kiện
- Đưa ra ví dụ hoặc lý do
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Not really. I usually forget my dreams right after I wake up. Sometimes I remember small parts but they disappear quickly during the day.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi, có giải thích về thời điểm quên giấc mơ
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (forget, small parts, disappear), thiếu chi tiết cụ thể
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời đủ dài và mạch lạc nhưng chưa có từ vựng nâng cao hay cấu trúc ngữ pháp phức tạp
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Not particularly, to be honest. Most of my dreams tend to fade away within minutes of waking up, which is quite frustrating because sometimes I get these incredibly vivid dreams that I’d love to recall. However, if something emotionally significant happens in a dream, like seeing a deceased relative, I can usually retain fragments of it throughout the day.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Sử dụng discourse marker tự nhiên (Not particularly, to be honest), từ vựng tinh tế (fade away, incredibly vivid, emotionally significant, retain fragments), cấu trúc phức tạp với mệnh đề quan hệ (which is quite frustrating because…)
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Thể hiện khả năng diễn đạt sắc thái cảm xúc (frustrating), sử dụng collocation tự nhiên (fade away, retain fragments), và đưa ra điều kiện cụ thể (if something emotionally significant happens)
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- fade away: biến mất dần, phai nhạt
- incredibly vivid: cực kỳ sống động, rõ nét
- emotionally significant: có ý nghĩa về mặt cảm xúc
- retain fragments: giữ lại những mảnh, phần nhỏ
Question: Do you think dreams have special meanings?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân rõ ràng
- Giải thích lý do cho quan điểm
- Có thể đề cập đến các quan điểm khác nhau
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I’m not sure about this. Some people say dreams show our feelings or worries. But I think dreams are just random thoughts from our brain when we sleep. Maybe scientists know the answer.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Có cố gắng đưa ra quan điểm và đề cập đến nhiều góc nhìn
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng cơ bản (random thoughts, feelings, worries), câu trả lời hơi do dự (I’m not sure, Maybe), thiếu ví dụ minh họa
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Ý tưởng đủ nhưng cách diễn đạt chưa thuyết phục, thiếu độ chắc chắn trong quan điểm
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“I’d say it’s a contentious topic, really. While I’m somewhat skeptical about the idea that dreams are prophetic or symbolic, I do believe they can reflect our subconscious concerns. For instance, when I’m stressed about exams, I often have dreams about being late or unprepared. So in that sense, they might serve as a psychological mirror rather than having any mystical meaning.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Quan điểm rõ ràng nhưng nuanced (somewhat skeptical), từ vựng sophisticated (contentious topic, prophetic, subconscious concerns, psychological mirror), có ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm cá nhân, cấu trúc “While… I do believe…” thể hiện balanced view
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Thể hiện critical thinking, sử dụng tentative language phù hợp (I’d say, somewhat), collocation tự nhiên (reflect our concerns, serve as a mirror), và có ví dụ minh họa quan điểm
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- contentious topic: chủ đề gây tranh cãi
- prophetic or symbolic: có tính tiên tri hoặc mang tính biểu tượng
- reflect our subconscious concerns: phản ánh những lo lắng tiềm thức
- psychological mirror: tấm gương tâm lý
Question: Have you ever had a recurring dream?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời có hoặc không
- Nếu có, mô tả ngắn gọn giấc mơ đó
- Giải thích cảm xúc hoặc suy nghĩ về nó
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I have. When I was younger, I often dreamed about falling from a high place. It was scary and I always woke up suddenly. I don’t have this dream anymore.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp, có mô tả cơ bản về giấc mơ và cảm xúc
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (scary, high place, woke up suddenly), câu văn ngắn và đơn giản, thiếu chi tiết về tần suất và thời điểm
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Đủ information nhưng thiếu depth và variety trong cấu trúc câu
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Actually, yes. Throughout my childhood, I used to have this recurring nightmare about being chased through an endless maze. What made it particularly unnerving was the sense of impending danger without ever seeing what was pursuing me. Interestingly enough, these dreams gradually faded as I grew older and more confident, which makes me think they were probably linked to childhood anxieties about the unknown.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Discourse marker natural (Actually, yes), từ vựng precise (recurring nightmare, unnerving, impending danger, pursuing), complex sentence với relative clause (which makes me think…), thể hiện reflection và analysis về meaning của giấc mơ
- Tại sao Band 8-9: Vocabulary range rộng với collocations (recurring nightmare, impending danger, gradually faded), grammar đa dạng (used to have, without ever seeing), và có personal insight về psychological aspect
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- recurring nightmare: cơn ác mộng lặp đi lặp lại
- unnerving: làm bồn chồn, lo lắng
- impending danger: mối nguy hiểm sắp xảy ra
- gradually faded: dần dần biến mất
Cách miêu tả giấc mơ lặp lại trong bài thi IELTS Speaking với từ vựng và cụm từ ấn tượng
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Tổng Quan Về Part 2
Part 2 là phần thử thách nhất trong IELTS Speaking với thời gian chuẩn bị chỉ 1 phút và yêu cầu độc thoại trong 2-3 phút không bị gián đoạn. Đây là lúc bạn cần thể hiện khả năng tổ chức ý tưởng, duy trì độ trôi chảy, và sử dụng ngôn ngữ đa dạng.
Chiến lược quan trọng nhất là sử dụng hết 1 phút chuẩn bị để ghi chú các keywords (không viết câu hoàn chỉnh) cho mỗi bullet point. Bạn cần nói đủ 2 phút, tốt nhất là 2.5 phút, và đảm bảo trả lời đầy đủ tất cả các yêu cầu trong đề bài. Đối với chủ đề về giấc mơ, hãy sử dụng thì quá khứ khi kể về giấc mơ cụ thể.
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam là không tận dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị, dẫn đến nói thiếu 2 phút hoặc bị blank giữa chừng. Nhiều bạn cũng có xu hướng bỏ sót bullet point cuối cùng (phần explain feelings/opinions), trong khi đây lại là phần quan trọng nhất để ghi điểm cao. Một lỗi khác là miêu tả giấc mơ quá vắn tắt mà không elaborate details, khiến bài nói thiếu substance.
Cue Card
Describe a dream you remember vividly
You should say:
- When you had this dream
- What happened in the dream
- Why you remember it so clearly
- And explain how this dream made you feel
Phân Tích Đề Bài
- Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an experience – kể về một trải nghiệm cụ thể (giấc mơ)
- Thì động từ: Quá khứ đơn và quá khứ tiếp diễn (vì kể về một giấc mơ đã xảy ra trong quá khứ)
- Bullet points phải cover:
- Thời điểm có giấc mơ (có thể là khoảng thời gian gần đúng)
- Diễn biến trong giấc mơ (cần miêu tả chi tiết, có thể chia thành nhiều scenes)
- Lý do nhớ rõ (có thể do unusual, emotional, hoặc tác động sau khi thức dậy)
- Câu “explain” quan trọng: Phần này là cơ hội để thể hiện vocabulary về emotions và ability to reflect. Đừng chỉ nói “I felt happy” mà hãy elaborate: “It left me with a profound sense of…” hoặc “I experienced a mixture of emotions including…”
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7
Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút
“I’d like to talk about a dream I had about six months ago. It was really clear and I still remember it well.
In the dream, I was flying over my hometown. I could see all the streets and buildings below me. The weather was beautiful with blue sky. I was flying very high and fast, and I felt very free. Then I flew to my old school and saw my friends from primary school. They were playing in the playground, and I wanted to join them, but I couldn’t land. I just kept flying above them.
After that, the dream changed. Suddenly I was in a big library with thousands of books. The library was very quiet and peaceful. I was looking for a specific book but I couldn’t find it. I asked someone for help but they disappeared.
I remember this dream clearly because it was very different from my normal dreams. The colors were very bright and everything looked real. Also, the feeling of flying was amazing – I had never experienced anything like it before.
This dream made me feel happy and free. When I woke up, I felt relaxed and in a good mood for the whole day. Sometimes I wish I could have that dream again because flying felt wonderful. It reminded me of my childhood when everything seemed possible.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 6-7 | Có sử dụng linking words cơ bản (then, after that, also), câu chuyện có mạch nhưng chưa sophisticated. Một số chỗ còn simple sequencing |
| Lexical Resource | 6-7 | Từ vựng adequate (flying, playground, peaceful) nhưng lặp lại (very beautiful, very clear, very different). Thiếu collocations nâng cao |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 6-7 | Sử dụng đúng past simple và past continuous. Có một số complex sentences nhưng chủ yếu là simple và compound sentences |
| Pronunciation | 6-7 | Giả định pronunciation rõ ràng, có thể có một số lỗi nhỏ nhưng không ảnh hưởng comprehension |
Điểm mạnh:
- ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points
- ✅ Có cấu trúc rõ ràng với introduction và conclusion
- ✅ Sử dụng đúng thì quá khứ
- ✅ Có miêu tả cảm xúc ở phần cuối
Hạn chế:
- ⚠️ Từ vựng repetitive và thiếu sophistication
- ⚠️ Thiếu idiomatic expressions
- ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng (ít relative clauses, conditionals)
- ⚠️ Chưa có personal reflection sâu sắc
📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8
Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút
“I’d like to describe a particularly vivid dream I had roughly three months ago, which has stayed with me ever since.
In this dream, I found myself soaring above my hometown at dawn. What made it so surreal was the incredible level of detail – I could make out individual trees, the intricate patterns of streets, and even people going about their morning routines. The sensation of flying was absolutely exhilarating. I wasn’t using wings or any device; I was simply gliding effortlessly through the air, propelled by thought alone.
As the dream progressed, I flew toward my old primary school. There, I encountered my childhood friends, who appeared exactly as they did fifteen years ago. They were engaged in what seemed like an endless game in the playground. I felt this overwhelming desire to join them, to recapture that carefree time, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t descend. I remained suspended above them, a silent observer.
The scene then shifted dramatically. I found myself standing in an enormous library with towering bookshelves that seemed to stretch infinitely. The atmosphere was eerily quiet, almost reverent. I was searching for a particular book – though I couldn’t identify what it was – and despite asking a librarian for assistance, they vanished into thin air before helping me.
What makes this dream so memorable is partly its unusual clarity. Most of my dreams are fragmented and hazy, but this one had the quality of a film, with vivid colors and coherent sequences. Additionally, the emotional impact was significant – that feeling of flying and the bittersweet nostalgia when seeing my old friends created a lasting impression.
Emotionally, this dream evoked quite complex feelings. The flying sequence filled me with pure joy and liberation, as if I’d broken free from everyday constraints. However, the inability to reach my friends introduced a subtle melancholy, perhaps reflecting my awareness that childhood is irretrievable. The library scene left me with a sense of incompleteness, as though there’s knowledge I’m seeking but can’t quite access. When I woke up, I felt contemplative rather than simply happy – it prompted me to reflect on my current life direction and what might be missing.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 7.5-8 | Excellent flow với sophisticated linking (As the dream progressed, The scene then shifted). Coherent narrative với clear progression. Minimal hesitation |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5-8 | Wide range of vocabulary (soaring, surreal, exhilarating, gliding effortlessly, bittersweet nostalgia). Good use of collocations (vivid dream, overwhelming desire, towering bookshelves) |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 7.5-8 | Variety of complex structures (relative clauses, participle phrases, conditionals). Accurate use of past tenses including past perfect |
| Pronunciation | 7.5-8 | Giả định intonation natural, word stress chính xác, clear articulation |
So Sánh Với Band 6-7
| Khía cạnh | Band 6-7 | Band 7.5-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | “very beautiful”, “very clear” | “vivid dream”, “surreal”, “exhilarating”, “bittersweet nostalgia” |
| Grammar | Simple past: “I was flying”, “I felt happy” | Complex structures: “which has stayed with me”, “as if I’d broken free”, “perhaps reflecting my awareness” |
| Ideas | Surface description: “It made me happy” | Deeper analysis: “introduced a subtle melancholy, perhaps reflecting my awareness that childhood is irretrievable” |
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9
Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ
“I’d like to recount an extraordinarily vivid and haunting dream I experienced approximately two months ago – one that has, quite frankly, lingered in my consciousness far longer than any dream I can recall.
The dream began with me suspended in mid-air above my hometown at the break of dawn. What distinguished this from typical flying dreams was the astonishing level of sensory detail. I wasn’t merely observing from above; I could feel the cool morning breeze against my skin, hear the distant sounds of the city awakening, and even smell what seemed like freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery. The physical sensation of flight was profoundly liberating – I was gliding effortlessly through the air with nothing more than intention, defying gravity as naturally as one might walk.
As I soared over familiar landmarks, I was drawn toward my former primary school. There, in the playground, were my childhood friends, frozen in time at around eight or nine years old, engaged in what appeared to be a timeless game of tag. The scene stirred up incredibly poignant feelings of nostalgia. I desperately wanted to descend and immerse myself in that moment of unburdened joy, but despite my efforts, I remained frustratingly suspended above, reduced to the role of a wistful observer. There was something almost achingly beautiful about watching this scene unfold – a tableau of innocence that I could see but never truly re-enter.
The dream then underwent a jarring transition. I found myself materializing inside a labyrinthine library of almost cathedral-like proportions. Bookshelves spiraled upward seemingly without end, disappearing into darkness above. The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by the soft echo of my footsteps. I was seized by an urgent need to locate a particular book, though its title or content remained tantalizingly out of reach of my understanding. When I approached what appeared to be a librarian for guidance, they dissolved before my eyes like morning mist, leaving me alone with my fruitless search.
What renders this dream so indelibly etched in my memory is multifaceted. Firstly, unlike my typically disjointed and ephemeral dreams that dissipate upon waking, this one possessed a cinematic quality with remarkable continuity and crystalline clarity. Every detail – from the texture of clouds I flew through to the musty scent of old books – felt startlingly authentic. Secondly, the dream’s symbolic richness has given me considerable food for thought. The inability to rejoin my childhood friends, for instance, seems to speak to a universal human experience: our inability to truly return to the past, no matter how much we might long to.
Emotionally, this dream evoked a complex tapestry of feelings that have been quite thought-provoking. The flying sequence generated an almost euphoric sense of liberation – that rare feeling of being utterly unencumbered by physical or psychological constraints. However, this was tempered by the bittersweet ache of nostalgia during the school scene, which I interpret as my subconscious grappling with the passage of time and the irretrievability of childhood innocence. The library scene introduced yet another layer – a sense of existential incompleteness, as if there’s crucial knowledge or understanding that perpetually eludes my grasp, no matter how hard I search.
Upon waking, rather than feeling merely refreshed or disturbed, I was left in a profoundly contemplative state. The dream served as an unexpected catalyst for introspection, prompting me to examine whether I’m living authentically in the present or clinging too tightly to the past. It’s remarkable how a nocturnal vision can hold up a mirror to our waking preoccupations and unacknowledged yearnings.”
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 8.5-9 | Exceptional fluency với sophisticated discourse markers. Perfectly coherent with seamless transitions. Complex ideas expressed effortlessly |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5-9 | Sophisticated lexical choices (indelibly etched, tantalizingly out of reach, existential incompleteness). Natural idioms (hold up a mirror, food for thought). Precise collocations |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 8.5-9 | Full range of structures used accurately and appropriately. Complex sentences with multiple clauses. Perfect control of narrative tenses |
| Pronunciation | 8.5-9 | Giả định pronunciation is effortless, với natural rhythm và intonation patterns của native/near-native speaker |
Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc
🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Không có hesitation, mạch văn trôi chảy từ đầu đến cuối với transitions natural như “As I soared over familiar landmarks”, “The dream then underwent a jarring transition”, “Upon waking, rather than feeling…”
📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
- “lingered in my consciousness” thay vì “I still remember” – thể hiện sự tinh tế trong cách diễn đạt
- “indelibly etched in my memory” – idiom formal và literary
- “existential incompleteness” – abstract noun phrase thể hiện sophisticated thinking
- “perpetually eludes my grasp” – vivid metaphorical language
📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
- Participle phrases: “suspended in mid-air”, “frozen in time”, “broken only by”
- Complex relative clauses: “one that has lingered”, “a tableau of innocence that I could see but never truly re-enter”
- Conditional với inversion: “no matter how much we might long to”
- Advanced structures: “as if there’s crucial knowledge”, “whether I’m living authentically”
💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Không chỉ miêu tả giấc mơ mà còn phân tích symbolic meaning (the inability to return to the past, existential incompleteness), thể hiện critical thinking và introspection ở level cao.
Phân tích chi tiết cách miêu tả giấc mơ sống động trong IELTS Speaking Part 2 với các band điểm khác nhau
Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)
Sau khi bạn hoàn thành Part 2, giám khảo có thể hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn để chuyển tiếp sang Part 3. Đây là các câu hỏi đơn giản và không đòi hỏi câu trả lời dài.
Question 1: Do you often have dreams like this?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“No, not really. This dream was special. My normal dreams are not so clear and I usually forget them quickly.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Not at all, actually. This one was quite exceptional in its clarity and emotional resonance. Typically, my dreams are far more fragmented and fleeting, which is what made this particular one so noteworthy.”
Question 2: Would you like to have this dream again?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“Yes, I would. The flying part was really enjoyable and made me feel free. It would be nice to experience that feeling again.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“That’s an interesting question. Part of me would love to relive the sheer exhilaration of flying, but I’m not sure I’d want to experience that bittersweet nostalgia again. Sometimes the power of a dream lies in its singularity – having it once makes it more precious than if it became commonplace.”
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Tổng Quan Về Part 3
Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần thử thách tư duy nhất trong IELTS Speaking. Khác với Part 1 và 2, các câu hỏi ở Part 3 mang tính trừu tượng và đòi hỏi bạn phải phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá các vấn đề xã hội rộng hơn liên quan đến chủ đề dreams.
Yêu cầu quan trọng ở Part 3 là bạn phải đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ rõ ràng, xem xét nhiều góc độ của vấn đề, và sử dụng ví dụ từ xã hội chứ không chỉ kinh nghiệm cá nhân. Câu trả lời cần dài hơn Part 1, khoảng 3-5 câu với các discourse markers để tổ chức ý.
Chiến lược hiệu quả là bắt đầu bằng direct answer, sau đó elaborate với reasons và examples, cuối cùng có thể acknowledge complexity hoặc alternative viewpoint. Sử dụng tentative language (I would say, It seems to me, To some extent) để thể hiện critical thinking.
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam là trả lời quá ngắn gọn như Part 1, không phân tích sâu, thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng, và không đưa ra examples từ society. Nhiều bạn cũng có xu hướng chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì discuss broader implications.
Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu
Theme 1: Psychological and Scientific Aspects
Question 1: Why do you think some people remember their dreams more clearly than others?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Cause-Effect / Explanation
- Key words: remember dreams, more clearly, differences between people
- Cách tiếp cận: Đưa ra multiple reasons (biological, psychological, lifestyle factors), support với examples hoặc research findings
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think there are several reasons for this. First, some people sleep more lightly than others, so they wake up more easily during dreams and can remember them. Second, maybe people who are more creative or imaginative pay more attention to their dreams. Also, if someone is stressed, they might have more memorable dreams because they are worried about something.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Có list several reasons nhưng chưa develop deeply
- Vocabulary: Basic (sleep lightly, creative, stressed) thiếu terminology
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate ideas nhưng thiếu sophisticated language và in-depth analysis
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Well, this is quite a fascinating question that scientists have been researching for years. I’d say there are several interrelated factors at play here.
Firstly, it likely comes down to individual differences in sleep patterns. People who experience frequent awakenings during REM sleep – which is when most vivid dreaming occurs – are more likely to retain dream memories simply because they’re catching themselves in the act, so to speak. On the other hand, those who sleep more soundly tend to transition through sleep stages without these momentary interruptions, which means dreams dissipate before being transferred to long-term memory.
Additionally, I believe there’s a psychological component involved. Individuals who are naturally introspective or who place value on their inner mental life might pay more attention to their dreams upon waking and even actively try to recall them, which reinforces the memory. This is in stark contrast to people who simply dismiss dreams as meaningless and don’t make any effort to remember them.
There’s also emerging research suggesting that certain neurological factors and even genetic predispositions might influence dream recall ability. Some people may simply be hardwired to remember dreams more effectively than others, though this is still an area requiring further investigation.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Well-organized với clear topic sentences (Firstly, Additionally, There’s also), direct answer → multiple reasons với explanations → acknowledge scientific complexity
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated and precise (interrelated factors, frequent awakenings, introspective, neurological factors, genetic predispositions, hardwired)
- Grammar: Complex structures (People who experience…, which is when…, which means…), passive voice (dreams are dismissed), cleft sentence (it likely comes down to)
- Critical Thinking: Shows awareness of multiple perspectives (biological, psychological, genetic), acknowledges ongoing research
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: Well, Firstly, Additionally, On the other hand
- Tentative language: I’d say, likely, I believe, might influence, suggesting
- Abstract nouns: factors, component, predispositions, investigation
- Academic phrases: at play, comes down to, in stark contrast to, emerging research
Question 2: Do you think dreams can predict the future?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion với yes/no, nhưng nên present balanced view
- Key words: predict the future, scientific validity
- Cách tiếp cận: State position clearly, acknowledge popular beliefs, explain rational perspective, allow for nuance
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Personally, I don’t think dreams can predict the future. I think this is just superstition. Sometimes dreams seem to come true, but this is probably just coincidence. Many people believe dreams have meanings, but I think they are just random thoughts. Scientists say dreams are just our brain processing information from the day.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear opinion nhưng hơi abrupt, thiếu nuance
- Vocabulary: Basic (superstition, coincidence, random thoughts) thiếu sophisticated alternatives
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Opinion rõ ràng nhưng argument chưa sophisticated, thiếu acknowledgment của complexity
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“This is quite a controversial topic, isn’t it? I’d say I’m firmly in the skeptical camp when it comes to the idea of prophetic dreams, though I think it’s worth examining why this belief persists so strongly across cultures.
From a scientific standpoint, there’s simply no credible evidence to support the notion that dreams can genuinely foretell future events. What often happens is a cognitive bias called selective memory – we tend to remember the rare occasions when a dream coincidentally aligns with subsequent reality, while conveniently forgetting the countless dreams that bore no relation to actual events. This creates an illusion of predictive power where none actually exists.
That said, I wouldn’t completely dismiss the idea that dreams might appear prophetic in certain circumstances. If someone is subconsciously processing information about a situation – say, picking up on subtle cues about a relationship’s problems – their dream might reflect these unacknowledged concerns, and when the relationship actually ends, it might seem as though the dream predicted it. But this is more about intuition bubbling up during sleep rather than any supernatural foresight.
At the end of the day, I think dreams are far more valuable as tools for understanding our current psychological state rather than windows into the future. They’re fascinating insights into our subconscious minds, even if they can’t actually tell us what’s coming next.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Complex organization: Direct position → Scientific explanation → Nuanced concession → Conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated (controversial topic, prophetic dreams, cognitive bias, selective memory, intuition bubbling up, supernatural foresight)
- Grammar: Wide range – question tags (isn’t it?), conditionals (If someone is subconsciously processing…), cleft sentences (What often happens is…)
- Critical Thinking: Balanced view acknowledging popular belief while maintaining rational position, explains psychological mechanisms behind the illusion
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: From a scientific standpoint, That said, At the end of the day
- Tentative language: I’d say, I think it’s worth examining, might appear
- Hedging: quite controversial, firmly in the skeptical camp, wouldn’t completely dismiss
- Academic collocations: credible evidence, cognitive bias, subsequent reality, psychological state
Theme 2: Cultural and Social Perspectives
Question 3: How important are dreams in different cultures?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Compare and Explain cultural differences
- Key words: importance, different cultures, variations
- Cách tiếp cận: Compare Western vs Eastern/Indigenous cultures, explain different belief systems, give examples
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Dreams are important in many cultures but in different ways. In some Asian cultures, people think dreams can show the future or give messages from ancestors. In Western countries, people might think dreams are less important and just psychological. Some traditional cultures have special people who interpret dreams for the community.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Covers comparison nhưng chưa detailed
- Vocabulary: General terms (Asian cultures, Western countries, traditional cultures) thiếu specificity
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Basic comparison nhưng thiếu depth và concrete examples
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“The cultural significance attached to dreams varies tremendously across different societies, which I find absolutely fascinating.
In many Indigenous cultures, dreams are accorded profound spiritual importance. For instance, among certain Native American tribes, dreams are viewed as sacred communications from the spirit world or ancestors, and dream interpretation is often the responsibility of respected elders or shamans. Similarly, in some Australian Aboriginal cultures, the concept of Dreamtime represents not just individual dreams but an entire metaphysical framework for understanding creation and existence.
By contrast, in predominantly Western, scientifically-oriented societies, dreams tend to be regarded more skeptically or at least viewed through a psychological rather than spiritual lens. Following Freud and Jung’s work, many Westerners might see dreams as windows into the subconscious or manifestations of suppressed emotions rather than divine messages.
However, it’s worth noting that even within so-called Western culture, there’s considerable diversity. Mediterranean cultures, for example, have traditionally placed greater stock in dream interpretation than, say, Northern European cultures. And with globalization and the cross-pollination of ideas, we’re seeing more Westerners embrace concepts like lucid dreaming and mindful approaches to dream work that were once confined to Eastern spiritual traditions.
What this really underscores is that our relationship with dreams is deeply intertwined with our broader worldview – whether we see the universe as fundamentally materialistic or spiritual, individual-focused or community-oriented. Dreams become a kind of cultural litmus test for how societies understand consciousness itself.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Sophisticated organization: Indigenous cultures → Western contrast → Nuance within West → Broader conclusion
- Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (metaphysical framework, predominantly, cross-pollination, litmus test, intertwined with)
- Grammar: Complex structures including passive voice (are accorded, are viewed), relative clauses, comparative structures
- Critical Thinking: Shows cultural awareness, acknowledges diversity within categories, draws broader philosophical conclusions
💡 Key Language Features:
- Contrast markers: By contrast, However, rather than
- Examples: For instance, Similarly, for example
- Academic phrases: it’s worth noting, what this really underscores, tend to be regarded
- Cultural terminology: Indigenous cultures, metaphysical framework, predominantly Western
So sánh quan điểm văn hóa về giấc mơ trong IELTS Speaking Part 3 với từ vựng học thuật
Theme 3: Modern Life and Technology
Question 4: How do you think modern lifestyle affects people’s dreams?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Cause-Effect về impact của modern life
- Key words: modern lifestyle, affects, dreams
- Cách tiếp cận: Identify modern factors (stress, technology, sleep patterns), explain mechanisms, consider both negative and positive aspects
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think modern life affects our dreams in many ways. People are very busy and stressed now, which can cause bad dreams or nightmares. Also, many people use phones and computers before bed, and the blue light can affect sleep quality. This might make dreams less clear. Modern people also sleep less than before because of work, so they might not dream as much.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Lists factors nhưng chưa elaborate deeply
- Vocabulary: Adequate (busy, stressed, blue light, sleep quality) nhưng chưa sophisticated
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Covers main ideas nhưng thiếu detailed explanation và nuanced perspective
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“Modern lifestyle has had quite a profound impact on our dreaming experiences, and I’d argue not entirely for the better.
One of the most significant factors is our chronic exposure to screens, particularly before bedtime. The blue light emitted by smartphones and laptops disrupts our circadian rhythms and suppresses melatonin production, which doesn’t just make it harder to fall asleep – it also affects the quality of REM sleep, which is when most vivid dreaming occurs. So many people today are essentially depriving themselves of the deep, restorative sleep necessary for meaningful dream experiences.
Moreover, the relentless pace and information overload of contemporary life means our minds are perpetually overstimulated. When we finally do sleep, our brains may be too overwhelmed to produce the kind of coherent, narrative dreams that people in less hectic eras might have experienced. Instead, we might have more fragmented, anxious dreams that reflect the cognitive chaos of our waking hours. There’s actually emerging research suggesting that heightened stress levels in modern society correlate with increased frequency of nightmares and disturbed sleep.
On a more positive note, though, increased awareness of sleep hygiene and mental health means some people are actually becoming more intentional about their sleep and dream life. Practices like dream journaling and even lucid dreaming techniques are gaining traction, which could mean future generations might have a richer relationship with their dreams despite the challenges of modern living.
All in all, while modern lifestyle poses serious threats to dream quality, growing awareness might eventually help us strike a better balance between technological convenience and the fundamental human need for quality sleep and meaningful dreams.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Highly organized: Main negative impacts (screens, stress) → Supporting details → Positive counterpoint → Balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated (chronic exposure, circadian rhythms, relentless pace, cognitive chaos, sleep hygiene, gaining traction)
- Grammar: Complex structures (not entirely for the better, not just… but also, doesn’t just make it… it also affects), participle phrases (suggesting that, emerging research)
- Critical Thinking: Balanced view acknowledging both negative and positive aspects, supported by research references, considers future implications
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: Moreover, On a more positive note, All in all
- Tentative language: I’d argue, might have, could mean, might eventually
- Academic collocations: profound impact, emerging research, correlate with, strike a balance
- Cause-effect language: disrupts, affects, means, correlate with, poses threats to
Question 5: Do you think people will be able to control or record their dreams in the future?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Future prediction / Speculation
- Key words: future technology, control, record dreams
- Cách tiếp cận: Discuss current technology trends, speculate about possibilities, consider ethical implications
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I think this might be possible in the future because technology is developing very fast. Scientists are already studying the brain and how dreams work. Maybe in 20 or 30 years, we will have machines that can record dreams like videos. This could be interesting but also a bit scary because dreams are very personal and private.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Basic prediction với brief reason và concern
- Vocabulary: Simple (developing fast, studying, interesting, scary, personal)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question nhưng thiếu sophistication và detailed analysis
📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:
“That’s a fascinating question that really ventures into the realm of science fiction, though it’s becoming increasingly grounded in reality.
From what I understand, we’re already making significant strides in this direction. Neuroscientists have made breakthroughs in brain imaging technology that can decode visual patterns from brain activity, and there have been preliminary experiments where researchers could roughly reconstruct simple images that people were seeing in their minds. Extrapolating from this progress, it doesn’t seem entirely far-fetched to imagine that within a few decades, we might develop technology capable of capturing dream imagery in some form.
As for controlling dreams – lucid dreaming, where people become consciously aware they’re dreaming and can exert some influence over the dream narrative, is already a well-documented phenomenon. With advances in neurostimulation and potentially targeted brain interfaces, we might see technology that facilitates entering and maintaining lucid states more reliably. Some researchers are even exploring whether specific sound frequencies or subtle electrical stimulation during REM sleep might enhance this capability.
However, I think we need to approach this prospect with considerable caution. There are profound ethical questions at stake here. Dreams represent perhaps the last truly private space in human experience – a sanctuary where our minds can roam freely without external surveillance or judgment. If dreams become recordable or shareable, we’d need robust safeguards to prevent misuse. Could dream recordings be used as evidence in legal proceedings? Could employers demand access to employees’ dreams? These are thorny issues that society would need to grapple with.
Additionally, there’s a philosophical question about whether we’d actually want this capability. Part of dreams’ mystique and value lies in their ephemeral nature – their resistance to complete understanding. If we could perfectly record and analyze every dream, would we lose something essential about what makes dreams meaningful?”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptional organization: Current state → Future possibilities for recording → Possibilities for control → Ethical concerns → Philosophical reflection
- Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (ventures into, grounded in reality, extrapolating from, well-documented phenomenon, ephemeral nature, resistance to understanding)
- Grammar: Full range including conditionals (If dreams become recordable), questions for rhetorical effect, complex noun phrases
- Critical Thinking: Considers technological possibilities, ethical implications, philosophical dimensions, shows awareness of complexity
💡 Key Language Features:
- Speculation language: it doesn’t seem entirely far-fetched, might develop, might see, could potentially
- Discourse markers: From what I understand, As for, However, Additionally
- Academic phrases: making significant strides, approach with caution, at stake, grapple with
- Rhetorical questions: Could dream recordings be used…? Could employers demand…? Would we lose something essential?
Từ Vựng và Cụm Từ Quan Trọng
Topic-Specific Vocabulary
| Từ vựng/Cụm từ | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vivid dream | n | /ˈvɪvɪd driːm/ | giấc mơ sống động, rõ nét | I had an incredibly vivid dream last night about flying. | have/experience a vivid dream, remarkably vivid, unusually vivid |
| recurring nightmare | n | /rɪˈkɜːrɪŋ ˈnaɪtmeə/ | cơn ác mộng lặp lại | As a child, I suffered from a recurring nightmare about being lost. | have/suffer from a recurring nightmare, plagued by recurring nightmares |
| fade away | v | /feɪd əˈweɪ/ | mờ dần, biến mất dần | Most dreams fade away within minutes of waking up. | gradually fade away, quickly fade away, memories fade away |
| retain fragments | v | /rɪˈteɪn ˈfræɡmənts/ | giữ lại những mảnh vỡ, phần nhỏ | I can only retain fragments of my dreams. | retain fragments of memory, retain only fragments |
| subconscious mind | n | /ˌsʌbˈkɒnʃəs maɪnd/ | tâm trí tiềm thức | Dreams are windows into our subconscious mind. | tap into the subconscious mind, explore the subconscious mind |
| prophetic | adj | /prəˈfetɪk/ | mang tính tiên tri | Some cultures believe dreams can be prophetic. | prophetic vision, prophetic dreams, prophetic powers |
| symbolic | adj | /sɪmˈbɒlɪk/ | mang tính biểu tượng | Dream imagery is often highly symbolic. | symbolic meaning, symbolic representation, deeply symbolic |
| lucid dreaming | n | /ˈluːsɪd ˈdriːmɪŋ/ | giấc mơ tỉnh thức (biết mình đang mơ) | Lucid dreaming allows you to control your dreams. | practice lucid dreaming, achieve lucid dreaming, techniques for lucid dreaming |
| REM sleep | n | /rem sliːp/ | giấc ngủ REM (giai đoạn mắt chuyển động nhanh) | Most vivid dreams occur during REM sleep. | enter REM sleep, during REM sleep, REM sleep cycles |
| sleep deprivation | n | /sliːp ˌdeprɪˈveɪʃən/ | thiếu ngủ, mất ngủ | Sleep deprivation can affect dream quality. | suffer from sleep deprivation, effects of sleep deprivation, chronic sleep deprivation |
| cognitive bias | n | /ˈkɒɡnətɪv ˈbaɪəs/ | thành kiến nhận thức | Believing dreams predict the future is a cognitive bias. | cognitive bias affects, common cognitive bias, overcome cognitive bias |
| dissipate | v | /ˈdɪsɪpeɪt/ | tan biến, tiêu tan | Dream memories dissipate quickly upon waking. | gradually dissipate, dreams dissipate, memories dissipate |
| introspective | adj | /ˌɪntrəˈspektɪv/ | hướng nội, hay tự ngẫm | Introspective people tend to remember dreams better. | introspective nature, deeply introspective, introspective analysis |
| ephemeral | adj | /ɪˈfemərəl/ | phù du, chóng qua | Dreams are ephemeral by nature. | ephemeral nature, ephemeral experience, ephemeral beauty |
| circadian rhythm | n | /sɜːˈkeɪdiən ˈrɪðəm/ | nhịp sinh học ngày đêm | Blue light disrupts our circadian rhythm. | natural circadian rhythm, disrupt circadian rhythm, maintain circadian rhythm |
| melatonin | n | /ˌmeləˈtəʊnɪn/ | melatonin (hormone giúp ngủ) | Screen time suppresses melatonin production. | melatonin production, natural melatonin, melatonin levels |
| neural activity | n | /ˈnjʊərəl ækˈtɪvɪti/ | hoạt động thần kinh | Dreams reflect complex neural activity. | intense neural activity, monitor neural activity, patterns of neural activity |
| psychological mirror | n | /ˌsaɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈmɪrə/ | gương phản chiếu tâm lý | Dreams serve as a psychological mirror. | act as a psychological mirror, provide a psychological mirror |
Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases
| Cụm từ | Nghĩa | Ví dụ sử dụng | Band điểm |
|---|---|---|---|
| in the blink of an eye | trong chớp mắt, rất nhanh | The dream scene changed in the blink of an eye. | 7.5-8 |
| a flight of fancy | một ý tưởng hão huyền, viển vông | Some dismiss all dreams as mere flights of fancy. | 8-9 |
| food for thought | điều đáng suy ngẫm | My dream about the library gave me food for thought. | 7.5-8 |
| hold up a mirror to | phản chiếu, chiếu lại hình ảnh | Dreams hold up a mirror to our deepest fears. | 8-9 |
| strike a chord | chạm đến cảm xúc, gây xúc động | That recurring dream really struck a chord with me. | 7.5-8 |
| at the break of dawn | vào lúc rạng đông | My dream began at the break of dawn. | 7.5-8 |
| frozen in time | đóng băng trong thời gian, không thay đổi | In my dream, my childhood friends were frozen in time. | 8-9 |
| defying gravity | thách thức trọng lực | I was defying gravity as I soared through the sky. | 7.5-8 |
| grapple with | vật lộn với, cố gắng giải quyết | My subconscious was grappling with unresolved issues. | 8-9 |
| cling to | bám víu vào | The dream made me realize I was clinging to the past. | 7.5-8 |
| bubble up | nổi lên, trào lên | Repressed emotions can bubble up in dreams. | 8-9 |
| out of reach | ngoài tầm với | The meaning of the dream seemed tantalizingly out of reach. | 7.5-8 |
| at play | đang tác động, diễn ra | Many psychological factors are at play in dream formation. | 8-9 |
Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)
Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:
- 📝 Well,… – Khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ: “Well, that’s an interesting question…”
- 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn không mong đợi: “Actually, I rarely remember my dreams.”
- 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nói thật: “To be honest, I don’t think dreams have special meanings.”
- 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra quan điểm: “I’d say that dream interpretation is quite subjective.”
- 📝 From my perspective,… – Khi chia sẻ quan điểm cá nhân: “From my perspective, dreams reflect our daily concerns.”
Để bổ sung ý:
- 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó: “On top of that, stress can increase nightmare frequency.”
- 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa: “What’s more, cultural background influences dream interpretation.”
- 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến: “Not to mention the impact of what we watch before bed.”
- 📝 Moreover,… / Furthermore,… – Hơn nữa (formal hơn): “Moreover, modern technology disrupts our sleep patterns.”
Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:
- 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác: “On the one hand, dreams seem random. On the other hand, they often reflect our concerns.”
- 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Trong khi đúng là… chúng ta cũng cần xem xét: “While it’s true that dreams can be disturbing, we also need to consider their therapeutic value.”
- 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên: “That said, I wouldn’t completely dismiss traditional interpretations.”
- 📝 Having said that,… – Sau khi nói điều đó: “Having said that, scientific explanations are more convincing to me.”
Để đưa ra ví dụ:
- 📝 For instance,… / For example,… – Ví dụ: “For instance, I once dreamed about flying, which many interpret as freedom.”
- 📝 Take… for example – Lấy… làm ví dụ: “Take recurring dreams for example – they often indicate unresolved issues.”
- 📝 A case in point is… – Một ví dụ điển hình là: “A case in point is how stress dreams increase during exam periods.”
Để kết luận:
- 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại: “All in all, dreams remain a fascinating mystery.”
- 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì: “At the end of the day, dream interpretation is highly personal.”
- 📝 To sum up,… – Tóm lại: “To sum up, modern lifestyle significantly impacts dream quality.”
- 📝 In the final analysis,… – Xét cho cùng: “In the final analysis, dreams reflect our inner psychological landscape.”
Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng
1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):
-
Mixed conditional: If + past perfect, would + verb (diễn tả điều kiện trong quá khứ và kết quả ở hiện tại)
- “If I hadn’t been so stressed last month, I wouldn’t be having these nightmares now.”
- “If ancient cultures had understood neuroscience, they might not have viewed dreams as prophetic.”
-
Inversion: Had/Were/Should + subject (thay thế If để formal hơn)
- “Were I to have that dream again, I’d try to remain lucid and explore it consciously.”
- “Had scientists understood REM sleep earlier, dream research would have progressed faster.”
2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):
-
Non-defining: Thêm thông tin bổ sung, có dấu phẩy
- “Lucid dreaming, which allows dreamers to control their dreams, has gained popularity recently.”
- “My recurring nightmare, which haunted me for years, finally stopped when I addressed my anxieties.”
-
Reduced relative clauses:
- “Dreams occurring during REM sleep tend to be more vivid.” (= Dreams which occur…)
- “People suffering from sleep deprivation often report fragmented dreams.” (= People who suffer…)
3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):
-
It is thought/believed/said that… – Được cho là, người ta tin rằng
- “It is widely believed that dreams reflect our subconscious concerns.”
- “It has been suggested that dream recall ability may be genetic.”
-
Dreams are said to… / Dreams are thought to…
- “Dreams are thought to help process emotional experiences.”
- “Nightmares are believed to be linked to trauma or stress.”
4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):
-
What I find most… is… – Điều tôi thấy… nhất là
- “What I find most fascinating about dreams is their symbolic nature.”
- “What makes this dream memorable is its extraordinary vividness.”
-
The thing that… is… – Điều mà… là
- “The thing that intrigues me about recurring dreams is their persistence.”
- “The thing that distinguishes vivid dreams is their emotional resonance.”
-
It is/was… that/who… – Chính là… mà
- “It was the flying sensation that made the dream so exhilarating.”
- “It’s the inability to control nightmares that makes them so distressing.”
5. Participle Phrases (Cụm phân từ):
-
Present participle (-ing):
- “Flying effortlessly through the clouds, I experienced pure liberation.”
- “Not knowing what was chasing me, I felt intense anxiety throughout the dream.”
-
Past participle (-ed):
- “Frozen in time, my childhood friends played endlessly in the dream.”
- “Overwhelmed by the imagery, I struggled to describe the dream upon waking.”
6. Inversion for Emphasis:
-
Not only… but also…
- “Not only do dreams reflect our emotions, but they also help process memories.”
-
Rarely/Seldom/Never + auxiliary + subject
- “Rarely do I remember dreams with such clarity.”
- “Never have I experienced such a vivid nightmare.”
7. Subjunctive Mood:
- It’s important/essential/crucial that + subject + bare infinitive
- “It’s essential that we understand the psychological function of dreams.”
- “It’s important that dream research continue despite its challenges.”
Chiến Lược Học Tập và Luyện Tập
Cách Chuẩn Bị Hiệu Quả Cho Chủ Đề Dreams
Bước 1: Xây Dựng Ngân Hàng Ý Tưởng
Trước khi học từ vựng, hãy brainstorm các khía cạnh của dreams bằng tiếng Việt trước. Liệt kê ra các giấc mơ bạn đã có, cảm xúc khi thức dậy, và suy nghĩ của bạn về ý nghĩa giấc mơ. Điều này giúp bạn có content để nói, chứ không chỉ học vẹt từ vựng.
Bước 2: Học Từ Vựng Theo Ngữ Cảnh
Đừng học từ vựng đơn lẻ. Tương tự như cách bạn có thể tìm hiểu thêm về describe a book that had a major impact on your life để mở rộng vốn từ trong các chủ đề khác, hãy học collocations và expressions trong câu hoàn chỉnh. Ví dụ, thay vì chỉ học “vivid”, hãy học cả cụm “incredibly vivid dream” và tạo câu: “I had an incredibly vivid dream about flying last night.”
Bước 3: Luyện Nói Theo Cấu Trúc
Với Part 2, hãy thực hành cấu trúc 3-part structure:
- Introduction (10-15 giây): “I’d like to describe a dream I had…”
- Main Content (1.5-2 phút): Develop các bullet points với details
- Conclusion (15-20 giây): Summarize feelings và impact
Bước 4: Ghi Âm và Tự Đánh Giá
Record câu trả lời của bạn và listen lại. Đánh giá bản thân theo 4 tiêu chí:
- Fluency: Có hesitation nhiều không? Có lặp từ không cần thiết không?
- Vocabulary: Có dùng từ vựng đa dạng không? Có collocations không?
- Grammar: Có variety trong cấu trúc câu không? Có lỗi ngữ pháp nào?
- Pronunciation: Phát âm rõ ràng không? Word stress đúng không?
Lỗi Thường Gặp Cần Tránh
❌ Lỗi 1: Sử Dụng “Very” Quá Nhiều
Thay vì nói “very clear dream”, hãy dùng “vivid dream” hoặc “crystal-clear dream”. Thay vì “very scary”, dùng “terrifying” hoặc “unnerving”.
❌ Lỗi 2: Trả Lời Quá Ngắn Ở Part 3
Part 3 yêu cầu analysis, không chỉ description. Luôn explain WHY và give examples:
- ❌ “Yes, I think dreams are important.”
- ✅ “Yes, I believe dreams serve an important psychological function. They might help us process emotions and experiences from our waking life. For instance, research suggests that dreaming about stressful situations can help us cope with them better.”
❌ Lỗi 3: Học Thuộc Template
Giám khảo IELTS được training để nhận ra templates. Thay vì học thuộc, hãy học flexible phrases và adapt theo câu hỏi cụ thể.
❌ Lỗi 4: Không Sử Dụng Tentative Language Ở Part 3
Khi discuss abstract topics, đừng nói quá chắc chắn. Sử dụng:
- “I would say that…”
- “It seems to me that…”
- “From what I understand…”
- “There’s some evidence suggesting that…”
❌ Lỗi 5: Bỏ Sót Phần “Explain How You Felt”
Đây là phần quan trọng nhất của Part 2 về dreams. Đừng chỉ miêu tả giấc mơ mà quên nói về emotions và reflections của bạn.
Lộ Trình 4 Tuần Luyện Tập
Tuần 1: Foundation
- Ngày 1-2: Học vocabulary cơ bản và intermediate về dreams
- Ngày 3-4: Practice Part 1 questions (6-7 câu)
- Ngày 5-6: Brainstorm ideas cho Part 2, viết outline
- Ngày 7: Review và consolidate
Tuần 2: Development
- Ngày 1-2: Học advanced vocabulary và idioms
- Ngày 3-4: Practice full Part 2 answer, ghi âm và tự đánh giá
- Ngày 5-6: Practice Part 3 questions (4-5 câu)
- Ngày 7: Mock test Part 1+2+3
Tuần 3: Refinement
- Ngày 1-3: Focus vào pronunciation và fluency
- Ngày 4-5: Practice với đề thi thực tế từ các kỳ thi gần đây
- Ngày 6-7: Work on weak areas identified từ recordings
Tuần 4: Consolidation
- Ngày 1-2: Review tất cả vocabulary và expressions
- Ngày 3-4: Full mock tests với timing chính xác
- Ngày 5-6: Fine-tune câu trả lời, improve sophistication
- Ngày 7: Rest và mental preparation
Lộ trình 4 tuần luyện tập IELTS Speaking chủ đề dreams với các mốc quan trọng và kỹ năng cần phát triển
Tips Từ Góc Nhìn Examiner
✅ Điều Giám Khảo Muốn Thấy:
- Naturalness: Bạn nói như đang conversation thật sự, không như đang recite
- Elaboration: Bạn mở rộng ý tưởng, không chỉ trả lời ngắn gọn
- Relevance: Câu trả lời của bạn relevant và address đúng câu hỏi
- Complexity: Bạn có thể handle abstract ideas và express nuanced opinions
- Authenticity: Câu trả lời reflect suy nghĩ thật của bạn, có personality
✅ Điều Giám Khảo Không Quan Tâm:
- Perfect accent: Bạn không cần có British hay American accent
- Sophisticated vocabulary mọi lúc: Vocabulary phải appropriate, không nhất thiết phải “cao siêu”
- Complex sentences trong mọi câu: Balance là quan trọng, không phải mọi câu đều phải phức tạp
- Totally original ideas: Ideas không cần unique, cách express mới quan trọng
✅ Red Flags Khiến Giám Khảo Nghi Ngờ:
- Sudden shift từ simple language sang overly complex language
- Using vocabulary hoàn toàn không phù hợp với context
- Answer nghe giống hệt template từ sách
- Inappropriate formality (quá formal như đang viết essay)
Mẹo Tâm Lý Trong Phòng Thi
Khi Gặp Câu Hỏi Khó:
Đừng panic. Sử dụng fillers natural như “Well, that’s an interesting question…” hoặc “Let me think about that for a moment…” để có thời gian organize thoughts. Giám khảo hiểu rằng một số câu hỏi challenging.
Khi Blank Giữa Chừng:
Nếu bị blank ở Part 2, đừng dừng hẳn. Paraphrase điều bạn vừa nói bằng cách khác, hoặc add personal reflection: “Looking back, I realize that…” hoặc “What’s interesting about this is…”
Khi Không Hiểu Câu Hỏi:
Hoàn toàn okay để xin giám khảo repeat hoặc clarify. Tốt hơn là hỏi thay vì answer sai direction. Nói: “Sorry, could you repeat that?” hoặc “Do you mean…?”
Maintaining Eye Contact:
Nhìn vào giám khảo naturally, không cần stare liên tục. Treat giám khảo như một người bạn bạn đang kể chuyện, không phải như một judge.
Kết Luận
Chủ đề “describe a dream you remember vividly” là một cơ hội tuyệt vời để thể hiện khả năng sử dụng ngôn ngữ miêu tả, từ vựng về cảm xúc, và tư duy phân tích của bạn trong IELTS Speaking. Như đã phân tích chi tiết trong bài viết này, để đạt band điểm cao, bạn không chỉ cần vocabulary phong phú mà còn phải demonstrate ability to organize ideas logically, express complex thoughts clearly, và maintain fluency throughout.
Hãy nhớ rằng sự khác biệt giữa Band 6-7 và Band 8-9 không chỉ nằm ở từ vựng mà còn ở depth of analysis, sophistication of expression, và ability to reflect critically. Với lộ trình luyện tập có hệ thống trong 4 tuần như đã outline, cùng với việc tránh những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam, bạn hoàn toàn có thể tự tin chinh phục chủ đề này.
Cuối cùng, hãy luôn nhớ rằng IELTS Speaking không phải là bài kiểm tra thuộc lòng mà là đánh giá khả năng communication thực tế của bạn. Giám khảo muốn thấy một người có thể express themselves naturally và effectively, không phải một người đang recite prepared scripts. Hãy practice regularly, record yourself, learn from mistakes, và quan trọng nhất là develop genuine confidence trong việc sử dụng tiếng Anh.
Chúc các bạn học viên preparation hiệu quả và đạt được band điểm mong muốn trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking sắp tới. Sweet dreams and even sweeter IELTS results!
