Món ăn truyền thống luôn là chủ đề được yêu thích trong các kỳ thi IELTS Speaking, đặc biệt với câu hỏi yêu cầu thí sinh “Describe A Famous Dish In Your Country”. Chủ đề này không chỉ cho phép bạn thể hiện kiến thức văn hóa mà còn là cơ hội tuyệt vời để sử dụng từ vựng phong phú về ẩm thực, miêu tả chi tiết và chia sẻ trải nghiệm cá nhân.
Theo thống kê từ các đề thi thực tế, chủ đề về đồ ăn và ẩm thực xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ 2020 đến 2024, đặc biệt là ở Part 2 và Part 3. Khả năng chủ đề này tiếp tục xuất hiện trong tương lai được đánh giá ở mức rất cao do tính phổ biến và khả năng đánh giá toàn diện năng lực ngôn ngữ của thí sinh.
Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được cách trả lời hiệu quả các câu hỏi về món ăn truyền thống qua cả 3 Part của IELTS Speaking. Bạn sẽ được cung cấp các câu hỏi thường gặp, bài mẫu chi tiết theo nhiều band điểm từ 6-7, 7.5-8 đến 8.5-9, cùng với phân tích chuyên sâu từ góc nhìn của Examiner. Đặc biệt, bài viết sẽ chia sẻ kho từ vựng ăn điểm, các cấu trúc ngữ pháp nâng cao và chiến lược giúp bạn tự tin đạt điểm cao.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Tổng Quan Về Part 1
Part 1 của IELTS Speaking kéo dài khoảng 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày. Đây là phần “làm quen” giúp bạn thư giãn trước khi vào các phần khó hơn. Examiner sẽ hỏi về những chủ đề quen thuộc như sở thích, công việc, học tập, và tất nhiên – đồ ăn.
Chiến lược hiệu quả: Trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi trong câu đầu tiên, sau đó mở rộng thêm 1-2 câu với lý do hoặc ví dụ cụ thể. Tránh trả lời quá ngắn gọn chỉ “Yes” hay “No” vì điều này không cho examiner thấy được khả năng ngôn ngữ của bạn.
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn, thiếu elaboration
- Dùng từ vựng đơn giản, lặp đi lặp lại
- Không đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể từ trải nghiệm bản thân
- Nói quá nhanh do lo lắng
Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp
Question 1: Do you like cooking?
Question 2: What kind of food do you prefer?
Question 3: Do you enjoy trying new dishes?
Question 4: What is the most popular food in your country?
Question 5: Did you learn to cook when you were younger?
Question 6: Do you prefer home-cooked food or restaurant food?
Question 7: What is your favorite traditional dish?
Question 8: How often do you eat traditional food?
Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết
Question: What is the most popular food in your country?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Nêu tên món ăn ngay từ câu đầu tiên
- Giải thích tại sao món này phổ biến
- Thêm chi tiết về thành phần hoặc cách chế biến
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think pho is the most popular food in Vietnam. It’s a noodle soup that Vietnamese people eat for breakfast. Many people like it because it’s delicious and healthy. You can find pho shops everywhere in Vietnam.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp, có lý do cơ bản, dễ hiểu
- Hạn chế: Từ vựng khá đơn giản (delicious, healthy), thiếu chi tiết sinh động, cấu trúc câu chưa đa dạng
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Vocabulary adequate nhưng basic, grammar đúng nhưng simple, ý tưởng chưa developed đầy đủ
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“I’d say pho is undoubtedly the most iconic dish in Vietnam. It’s a fragrant noodle soup that’s deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture. What makes it so popular is its versatility – you can have it for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. The broth is slow-cooked for hours with beef bones and spices, giving it an incredibly rich and aromatic flavor. You’ll find pho vendors on virtually every street corner, which really shows how beloved this dish is.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Từ vựng sophisticated (iconic, fragrant, ingrained, versatility, beloved), sử dụng passive voice (is slow-cooked), discourse marker tự nhiên (I’d say), chi tiết cụ thể về cách nấu và hương vị
- Tại sao Band 8-9:
- Fluency: Trôi chảy, tự nhiên với discourse marker
- Vocabulary: Wide range với collocations chính xác (deeply ingrained, incredibly rich, aromatic flavor)
- Grammar: Mix simple và complex structures, passive voice
- Ideas: Developed tốt với nhiều góc độ (văn hóa, tính linh hoạt, phổ biến)
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- iconic dish: món ăn mang tính biểu tượng
- fragrant: thơm ngát
- ingrained in culture: ăn sâu vào văn hóa
- versatility: tính linh hoạt, đa dụng
- slow-cooked: nấu chậm, ninh kỹ
- aromatic flavor: hương vị thơm nồng
- beloved: được yêu mến
Question: Do you enjoy trying new dishes?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Trả lời Yes/No rõ ràng
- Giải thích lý do với personality trait
- Đưa ra ví dụ gần đây nếu có
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I like trying new dishes. I think it’s interesting to taste different foods from other countries. Last month, I tried Korean food for the first time and it was very spicy but good.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Có câu trả lời trực tiếp, có ví dụ cụ thể
- Hạn chế: Vocabulary limited (interesting, very spicy, good), thiếu elaboration về feelings hoặc impact
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Đáp ứng yêu cầu cơ bản nhưng chưa impressive về language use
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Absolutely! I’m quite adventurous when it comes to food. I believe that trying new cuisines is a wonderful way to broaden your horizons and understand different cultures better. Just recently, I ventured into trying authentic Ethiopian food, and I was blown away by the unique flavors and the traditional way of eating with injera bread. It’s these kind of culinary adventures that make life more exciting, don’t you think?”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Enthusiastic tone (Absolutely!)
- Idiomatic expressions (adventurous when it comes to, broaden horizons, blown away by)
- Specific example với chi tiết (Ethiopian food, injera bread)
- Engaging với examiner (don’t you think?)
- Tại sao Band 8-9:
- Fluency: Natural flow với appropriate enthusiasm
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated expressions (venture into, culinary adventures)
- Grammar: Present perfect (have ventured), relative clause
- Interaction: Rhetorical question tạo natural conversation
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- adventurous when it comes to: thích phiêu lưu, dám thử khi nói về
- broaden your horizons: mở rộng tầm nhìn
- venture into: mạo hiểm thử
- blown away by: bị ấn tượng sâu sắc bởi
- culinary adventures: những cuộc phiêu lưu ẩm thực
Question: Do you prefer home-cooked food or restaurant food?
🎯 Cách tiếp cận:
- Có thể chọn một trong hai hoặc nói “it depends”
- Đưa ra reasons cụ thể cho preference
- So sánh briefly giữa hai lựa chọn
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I prefer home-cooked food because it’s healthier and cheaper. My mother cooks very well, so I enjoy eating her food. Restaurant food is good sometimes, but it can be expensive.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh: Clear preference, có reasons cơ bản
- Hạn chế: Very simple vocabulary (healthier, cheaper, good), không có comparison sophistication
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates ideas nhưng lacks complexity
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Well, it really depends on the situation. I have a soft spot for home-cooked meals because there’s something comforting and authentic about them – you know exactly what ingredients are going into your food. Plus, my mom’s cooking has a nostalgic quality that no restaurant can replicate. That said, I do appreciate the convenience and variety that restaurants offer, especially when I’m craving something exotic or don’t have time to prepare a meal. So I’d say I enjoy striking a balance between both.”
Phân tích:
- Điểm mạnh:
- Nuanced answer (it depends)
- Emotional connection (nostalgic quality, comforting)
- Balanced view với both sides
- Natural expressions (soft spot for, craving something)
- Sophisticated conclusion (striking a balance)
- Tại sao Band 8-9:
- Fluency: Coherent với logical flow
- Vocabulary: Colloquial yet appropriate (soft spot, craving)
- Grammar: Complex sentences với clauses
- Ideas: Thoughtful, showing critical thinking
💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:
- depends on the situation: tùy vào tình huống
- have a soft spot for: có thiện cảm đặc biệt với
- comforting and authentic: ấm cúng và chân thực
- nostalgic quality: nét hoài niệm
- appreciate the convenience: đánh giá cao sự tiện lợi
- craving something exotic: thèm một thứ gì đó kỳ lạ, mới lạ
- striking a balance between: cân bằng giữa
Học viên đang luyện tập IELTS Speaking về chủ đề món ăn truyền thống Việt Nam với giáo viên
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn – Cue Card
Tổng Quan Về Part 2
Part 2 là phần độc thoại quan trọng nhất, kéo dài 3-4 phút (bao gồm 1 phút chuẩn bị và 2-3 phút nói). Đây là cơ hội để bạn showcase khả năng nói liên tục về một chủ đề cụ thể mà không bị ngắt quãng.
Thời gian chuẩn bị: 1 phút
- Đọc kỹ đề và tất cả bullet points
- Ghi chú keywords, KHÔNG viết câu đầy đủ
- Nghĩ về cấu trúc: Introduction → Body (theo bullet points) → Conclusion
Thời gian nói: 2-3 phút
- Tối thiểu 1.5 phút (nếu dưới 1.5 phút sẽ bị trừ điểm)
- Lý tưởng: 2-2.5 phút
- Examiner sẽ stop bạn sau 3 phút nếu vẫn còn nói
Chiến lược:
- Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points theo thứ tự
- Sử dụng past tense nếu miêu tả trải nghiệm đã qua
- Thêm chi tiết cụ thể: where, when, who, what, why, how
- Kết thúc với câu explain cuối cùng (thường là phần quan trọng nhất)
Lỗi thường gặp:
- Không sử dụng đủ 1 phút chuẩn bị (vội vàng bắt đầu)
- Nói dưới 1.5 phút (quá ngắn)
- Bỏ sót bullet points
- Nói quá general, thiếu specific details
- Học thuộc template nghe không natural
Cue Card
Describe a traditional dish in your country that you like
You should say:
- What the dish is
- What ingredients it has
- When and where people usually eat it
- And explain why you like this dish
Phân Tích Đề Bài
-
Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an object/food – yêu cầu miêu tả chi tiết về món ăn
-
Thì động từ chủ yếu: Present simple (vì đây là món ăn vẫn tồn tại, không phải trải nghiệm một lần)
-
Bullet points phải cover:
- What the dish is: Tên món ăn, giới thiệu ngắn gọn
- What ingredients it has: Liệt kê nguyên liệu chính, có thể miêu tả cách chế biến
- When and where people eat it: Context sử dụng, occasions
- Explain why you like it: Đây là phần quan trọng nhất – feelings, memories, personal connection
-
Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đừng chỉ nói “because it’s delicious” – hãy đi sâu vào emotional connection, memories, cultural significance. Đây là nơi bạn showcase depth of thinking.
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7
Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút
I’d like to talk about pho, which is a very famous dish in Vietnam. It’s a type of noodle soup that many Vietnamese people eat every day.
Pho has several main ingredients. The most important part is the broth, which is made from beef or chicken bones. Then we have rice noodles, which are white and soft. We also add meat, usually beef or chicken, and some vegetables like spring onions and herbs. The dish is served with bean sprouts, lime, and chili on the side.
Vietnamese people usually eat pho for breakfast, but actually, you can eat it at any time of the day. You can find pho shops everywhere in Vietnam, from big cities to small towns. Some shops are very busy in the morning because many people stop there before going to work or school. There are also street vendors who sell pho on the sidewalks.
I like this dish for several reasons. First, it tastes very good. The broth is hot and flavorful, and the noodles are smooth. Second, it’s a healthy meal because it has vegetables and meat, so it gives you energy. Third, pho reminds me of my childhood because my grandmother used to take me to a pho shop near her house every weekend. Those are special memories for me. That’s why pho is my favorite traditional Vietnamese dish.
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 6-7 | Nói khá rõ ràng, có cấu trúc logic theo bullet points. Sử dụng some linking words (First, Second, Third). Tuy nhiên còn một số pauses nhỏ và transitions chưa smooth lắm. |
| Lexical Resource | 6-7 | Từ vựng adequate cho topic (broth, noodles, bean sprouts, herbs, vendors). Có attempt paraphrase (very famous = my favorite). Tuy nhiên vocabulary còn quite basic, thiếu sophisticated expressions. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 6-7 | Mix của simple và some complex sentences. Sử dụng đúng thì (present simple cho facts, past simple cho memories). Có relative clauses đơn giản. Một số structures còn repetitive. |
| Pronunciation | 6-7 | Generally clear và understandable. Có thể có một số mispronunciations nhỏ nhưng không ảnh hưởng communication. |
Điểm mạnh:
- ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points theo thứ tự
- ✅ Có personal connection (grandmother memory)
- ✅ Cấu trúc rõ ràng, dễ follow
- ✅ Length phù hợp (khoảng 1.5-2 phút)
Hạn chế:
- ⚠️ Vocabulary khá basic (very good, tastes good, healthy meal)
- ⚠️ Thiếu descriptive language cho taste và aroma
- ⚠️ Phần explain chưa đủ emotional depth
- ⚠️ Một số expressions lặp lại (pho, Vietnamese people)
📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8
Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút
I’d like to talk about pho, which is arguably the most iconic dish in Vietnamese cuisine. It’s a fragrant noodle soup that has become synonymous with Vietnamese food culture worldwide.
The dish consists of several key components. The foundation is the broth, which is painstakingly prepared by simmering beef or chicken bones for hours with aromatic spices like star anise, cinnamon, and ginger. This creates an incredibly rich and flavorful base. The noodles are made from rice flour – they’re flat, smooth, and delicate. Then we have thinly sliced meat, typically beef or chicken, which is added raw and cooks instantly when the hot broth is poured over it. The dish is garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro and Thai basil, spring onions, and a squeeze of lime. It’s always served with a side plate of crispy bean sprouts, chili slices, and extra herbs so you can customize it to your taste.
Traditionally, pho is a breakfast staple in Vietnam. You’ll find bustling pho shops opening as early as 5 or 6 AM, packed with locals grabbing a bowl before starting their day. However, it’s become so beloved that many places now serve it throughout the day. It’s particularly popular on cold, rainy mornings when people crave something warm and comforting. You can find it everywhere – from humble street-side stalls to upscale restaurants.
What I love most about pho is the complexity of flavors in such a seemingly simple dish. The broth has layers of taste that develop from hours of cooking, and there’s something deeply satisfying about the combination of hot soup, tender noodles, and fresh herbs. Beyond the taste, pho holds sentimental value for me. It reminds me of weekend mornings with my family, sitting around a steaming bowl at our neighborhood pho shop, chatting and enjoying each other’s company. There’s a certain sense of belonging and comfort that comes with this dish – it’s not just food, it’s a cultural experience that connects me to my roots. That’s why pho will always be my favorite Vietnamese dish.
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 7.5-8 | Speaks fluently với very few hesitations. Well-organized với clear progression. Effective use của cohesive devices (However, Beyond the taste, That’s why). Natural transitions giữa các ý. |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5-8 | Wide range của vocabulary (iconic, synonymous, painstakingly, garnished with). Good use của collocations (bustling shops, humble stalls, sentimental value). Paraphrasing effective (famous → iconic → beloved). |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 7.5-8 | Wide range của structures: passive voice (is prepared, is garnished), relative clauses, present perfect. Generally accurate với occasional minor errors không ảnh hưởng communication. |
| Pronunciation | 7.5-8 | Clear và effective. Good control của intonation và stress. Easy to understand với natural rhythm. |
So Sánh Với Band 6-7
| Khía cạnh | Band 6-7 | Band 7.5-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | “very famous”, “tastes very good”, “healthy meal” | “iconic”, “synonymous with”, “painstakingly prepared”, “sentimental value” |
| Grammar | “it tastes very good”, “gives you energy” | “which has become synonymous with”, “that develop from hours of cooking” |
| Ideas | “reminds me of childhood”, “special memories” | “cultural experience that connects me to my roots”, “sense of belonging and comfort” |
| Description | “hot and flavorful”, “smooth noodles” | “incredibly rich and flavorful base”, “layers of taste”, “deeply satisfying combination” |
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9
Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ
I’d love to talk about pho, which is not just a dish but truly the culinary embodiment of Vietnamese culture. It’s a delicately balanced noodle soup that has transcended national borders to become globally recognized as one of the world’s great comfort foods.
The beauty of pho lies in its deceptive simplicity – while it appears straightforward, creating an authentic bowl is actually an art form that takes years to master. The cornerstone is the broth, which requires meticulous preparation. Beef or chicken bones are charred over an open flame first to impart a subtle smokiness, then simmered for anywhere between 12 to 24 hours with a carefully curated selection of spices – star anise, cinnamon bark, coriander seeds, and ginger being the essentials. This slow-cooking process extracts every ounce of flavor, resulting in a broth that’s at once rich yet surprisingly light, with multiple layers of complexity that unfold on your palate. The noodles, made from pure rice flour, should be silky and tender with just the right amount of bite. The meat – whether it’s rare beef that cooks in the broth or well-done brisket – is sliced paper-thin for optimal texture. What elevates the dish further is the accompaniment of fresh aromatics: Thai basil, cilantro, sawtooth coriander, and vibrant lime wedges that add brightness and dimension to each spoonful.
Pho occupies a unique place in Vietnamese daily life. Traditionally, it’s the quintessential breakfast dish, and you’ll witness a fascinating morning ritual across Vietnam where bleary-eyed workers and students alike gather at their favorite pho haunt, often perched on tiny plastic stools at makeshift street-side eateries. There’s something beautifully democratic about pho – it’s enjoyed by everyone regardless of social status, from construction workers to business executives. While mornings are peak time, the dish has become so ingrained in Vietnamese eating habits that many establishments now operate around the clock. It’s particularly sought after on cool, drizzly days when people instinctively crave its warming embrace.
What makes pho profoundly special to me goes far beyond its exquisite taste. Yes, the harmonious interplay of savory broth, tender noodles, and pungent herbs is absolutely divine, but pho represents something much more meaningful. It’s intrinsically linked to my earliest childhood memories – those precious Sunday mornings when my grandfather would take me to his beloved hole-in-the-wall pho shop that had been run by the same family for three generations. I can still vividly recall the intoxicating aroma that would envelop us as we approached, the rhythmic clinking of spoons against bowls, the animated chatter of regular customers. My grandfather taught me the proper way to appreciate pho – to taste the broth first before adding condiments, to appreciate how each ingredient contributes to the whole. Those moments weren’t just about eating; they were about connection, tradition, and the passing down of cultural knowledge. Now, whenever I have pho, there’s this overwhelming sense of nostalgia and belonging. It’s a sensory portal that transports me back to those simpler times. For me, pho is the edible essence of Vietnamese identity – it’s humble yet sophisticated, simple yet complex, and it represents the resilience and warmth of Vietnamese people. That’s why it’s not merely my favorite dish; it’s a fundamental part of who I am.
Phân Tích Band Điểm
| Tiêu chí | Band | Nhận xét |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | 9 | Speaks fluently và effortlessly với natural pace. Exceptionally well-organized với sophisticated cohesive devices. Ideas flow seamlessly với varied discourse markers. Demonstrates ability để speak at length without noticeable effort. |
| Lexical Resource | 9 | Sophisticated vocabulary được used naturally (culinary embodiment, deceptive simplicity, transcended borders, meticulous preparation). Wide range của idiomatic language (hole-in-the-wall, bleary-eyed, paper-thin). Precise collocations (unfold on your palate, impart smokiness, intoxicating aroma). Paraphrasing là effortless và varied. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 9 | Full range của structures used accurately và appropriately. Complex sentences với multiple clauses. Sophisticated use của relative clauses, passives, conditionals, participle clauses. Virtually error-free. |
| Pronunciation | 9 | Pronunciation là clear và natural với appropriate use của intonation patterns. Excellent control của word/sentence stress. Easy to understand với no noticeable L1 influence. |
Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc
🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
- Nói liên tục 2.5-3 phút không hesitation
- Natural pacing với appropriate pauses for emphasis
- Sophisticated discourse markers tạo cohesion
📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
- “culinary embodiment” thay vì “represents” – shows abstract thinking
- “deceptive simplicity” – oxymoron tạo intrigue
- “unfold on your palate” – poetic description
- “intoxicating aroma” – sensory language
- “sensory portal that transports me back” – metaphorical language
📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
- Relative clauses: “pho shop that had been run by the same family”
- Participle clauses: “resulting in a broth that’s…”
- Passive constructions: “is sliced paper-thin”, “is enjoyed by everyone”
- Complex conditionals và multiple embeddings
💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
- Không chỉ describe món ăn mà analyze its cultural significance
- Personal narrative với vivid sensory details
- Philosophical reflection về food as cultural identity
- Emotional depth với grandfather’s teaching về tradition
- Elevates từ simple food description thành cultural commentary
Tô phở Việt Nam truyền thống với đầy đủ nguyên liệu tươi ngon và nước dùng thơm nồng
Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)
Examiner thường hỏi 1-2 câu ngắn sau khi bạn finish Part 2 để transition sang Part 3:
Question 1: Do you cook this dish yourself?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“No, I don’t cook pho at home because it’s quite difficult to make. The broth takes many hours to prepare. I usually go to restaurants to eat it.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“I’ve attempted it a few times, but I have to admit that achieving that authentic flavor is incredibly challenging. The broth alone requires hours of patient simmering and a delicate balance of spices that I haven’t quite mastered yet. So I typically leave it to the experts and enjoy it at my favorite local pho shop where they’ve perfected the recipe over decades.”
Question 2: Is this dish expensive?
Band 6-7 Answer:
“No, pho is not expensive in Vietnam. A bowl usually costs about 30,000 to 50,000 VND, which is quite cheap. That’s why many people can afford to eat it regularly.”
Band 8-9 Answer:
“Interestingly, pho is remarkably affordable in Vietnam – you can get a satisfying bowl for around 30,000 to 50,000 VND, which is roughly 1.5 to 2 USD. This accessibility is actually part of what makes it such a beloved staple – it’s nutritious, delicious, and won’t break the bank. That said, there are upscale establishments that charge considerably more for premium ingredients like imported Australian beef, but the humble street-side versions are where you’ll find the most authentic flavors at unbeatable prices.”
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Tổng Quan Về Part 3
Part 3 là phần thách thức nhất trong IELTS Speaking, kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi trừu tượng và analytical. Khác với Part 1 (personal) và Part 2 (descriptive), Part 3 yêu cầu bạn discuss broader issues liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2.
Yêu cầu:
- Analyze và evaluate different perspectives
- Compare past và present situations
- Speculate về future trends
- Discuss causes và effects
- Consider advantages và disadvantages
Chiến lược:
- Mở rộng câu trả lời (3-5 câu minimum)
- Structure: Direct answer → Reason/Explanation → Example → Further thoughts
- Sử dụng discourse markers (Well, Actually, In my opinion…)
- Show critical thinking bằng cách acknowledge complexity
- Đưa ra examples từ society, không chỉ personal experience
Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:
- Trả lời quá ngắn, không develop ideas
- Chỉ nói về personal experience thay vì societal perspective
- Thiếu từ vựng academic/abstract
- Không structure câu trả lời rõ ràng
- Sợ disagree hoặc show different opinions
Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu
Theme 1: Changes in Eating Habits
Question 1: How have people’s eating habits changed in your country over the past few decades?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Compare and contrast (Past vs Present)
- Key words: eating habits, changed, past few decades
- Cách tiếp cận:
- Acknowledge the change
- Describe past habits
- Describe current trends
- Explain reasons for changes
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I think eating habits have changed a lot in Vietnam. In the past, people usually cooked at home and ate traditional Vietnamese food. They ate more rice and vegetables. Now, many people eat fast food and Western food like pizza and burgers. Young people especially like these foods. Also, people are busier now, so they eat out more often or order food delivery. This is because of economic development and Western influence.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear comparison between past and present
- Vocabulary: Basic words (a lot, usually, busier) nhưng adequate
- Ideas: Mentions key changes nhưng lack depth
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates main points nhưng vocabulary và development limited
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Well, there’s been a dramatic transformation in Vietnamese eating patterns over the last 20-30 years. Traditionally, Vietnamese cuisine was heavily centered around home-cooked meals with an emphasis on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and multi-generational family dining. People would typically have three square meals a day, predominantly featuring rice, vegetables, and modest portions of protein, which was both economically sensible and culturally ingrained.
However, we’ve witnessed a seismic shift in recent years. The rapid urbanization and integration into the global economy have brought about profound changes. Firstly, there’s been an influx of international fast-food chains and Western dining concepts, which have become particularly popular among younger demographics who view them as modern and aspirational. Secondly, the proliferation of food delivery apps has fundamentally altered meal patterns – people are now accustomed to ordering in rather than cooking, which was almost unheard of a generation ago. Additionally, there’s a growing awareness of diverse cuisines – Japanese, Korean, and Thai restaurants are flourishing in major cities.
I’d say the underlying drivers are multifaceted. Economic prosperity has given people more disposable income to spend on dining out. The hectic pace of modern life, with longer working hours and commutes, has made convenience a priority over tradition. There’s also a generational shift in values – younger Vietnamese are more globally oriented and experimental in their tastes. While this diversification is exciting, it does raise concerns about the potential erosion of traditional food culture and the health implications of increased processed food consumption.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Well-organized với clear past → present → reasons → implications
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated (seismic shift, proliferation, multifaceted, erosion, disposable income)
- Grammar: Complex structures (which was almost unheard of, has given people)
- Critical Thinking: Balanced view với both positive changes và concerns
- Cohesive devices: Firstly, Secondly, Additionally, While
💡 Key Language Features:
- Discourse markers: “Well”, “However”, “I’d say”
- Tentative language: “there’s been”, “I’d say the underlying drivers”
- Abstract nouns: transformation, urbanization, proliferation, awareness, prosperity
- Academic phrases: “dramatic transformation”, “seismic shift”, “underlying drivers”, “multifaceted”
Question 2: Why do you think traditional food is important for a country?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion with reasons (Why)
- Key words: traditional food, important, country
- Cách tiếp cận:
- State your opinion clearly
- Provide multiple reasons (cultural, social, economic)
- Give examples to support
- Consider counter-argument nếu có
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I believe traditional food is very important for every country. First, it represents the culture and history of that country. For example, pho represents Vietnam. Second, traditional food helps people remember their roots, especially when they live abroad. Third, it’s good for tourism because many tourists want to try local food when they visit a new country. So traditional food helps preserve culture and also helps the economy.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear opinion với multiple reasons
- Vocabulary: Simple but adequate (represents, preserve, roots)
- Examples: Basic example given
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question adequately nhưng lacks sophistication
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“I’d argue that traditional cuisine is absolutely fundamental to a nation’s identity and should be preserved and celebrated. Let me explain why from several perspectives.
From a cultural standpoint, traditional dishes serve as tangible links to our heritage. They embody centuries of culinary wisdom, passed down through generations, and represent a nation’s unique history, geography, and values. Take pho, for instance – it’s not just noodle soup; it encapsulates Vietnam’s agricultural traditions, French colonial influences, and the Vietnamese philosophy of balance and harmony. When we lose traditional food knowledge, we’re severing connections to our ancestors and eroding cultural continuity.
There’s also a strong social dimension. Traditional foods often bring people together – they’re central to festivals, family gatherings, and community bonds. They provide a sense of belonging and shared identity that’s increasingly important in our globalized world where many young people feel culturally displaced. Moreover, for diaspora communities, traditional cuisine becomes a powerful anchor to their homeland and a way to transmit cultural values to younger generations born abroad.
From an economic perspective, traditional food represents significant commercial potential. Culinary tourism is a booming industry, with travelers increasingly seeking authentic gastronomic experiences. Countries that successfully brand and promote their traditional cuisines – think Thailand with Thai food or Italy with Italian cuisine – enjoy substantial soft power and economic benefits. Additionally, traditional food industries support local farmers, preserve agricultural biodiversity, and sustain rural livelihoods.
That said, I think it’s important to find a balance. We shouldn’t be rigidly resistant to culinary evolution – cuisines have always adapted and evolved. The key is to maintain the essence and authenticity while allowing for natural innovation. What concerns me is the homogenization driven by global fast-food chains that threatens to make every city’s food scene indistinguishable.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptionally well-organized với multiple angles (cultural, social, economic) + balanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated (tangible links, encapsulates, severing connections, diaspora, culinary tourism, homogenization)
- Grammar: Complex sentences với embedded clauses, passives, relative clauses
- Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis, acknowledges complexity, provides nuanced conclusion
- Examples: Specific và relevant (pho, Thailand, Italy)
- Cohesive devices: “From a cultural standpoint”, “There’s also”, “Moreover”, “That said”
💡 Key Language Features:
- Academic collocations: “tangible links”, “cultural continuity”, “social dimension”, “soft power”, “agricultural biodiversity”
- Tentative expressions: “I’d argue”, “I think”, “What concerns me”
- Abstract concepts: heritage, identity, homogenization, globalization
Theme 2: Food and Health
Question 3: Do you think modern eating habits are healthier than traditional ones?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion + Compare (Modern vs Traditional)
- Key words: modern eating habits, healthier, traditional
- Cách tiếp cận:
- Take a stance (or say “it depends”)
- Compare both sides
- Provide evidence/examples
- Acknowledge complexity
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“I don’t think modern eating habits are healthier than traditional ones. Traditional Vietnamese food is quite healthy because it uses fresh vegetables and less oil. Modern fast food has a lot of fat and salt, which can cause health problems like obesity. However, some modern foods like salads and organic food are healthy. So it depends on what modern food you choose. Overall, I think traditional eating is better for health.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear position with comparison
- Vocabulary: Basic health-related terms (healthy, fat, salt, obesity)
- Ideas: Relevant but not deeply explored
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response but lacks depth and sophisticated language
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Actually, I don’t think we can make a blanket statement either way – it’s far more nuanced than that. Traditional and modern eating habits both have their merits and drawbacks.
On one hand, traditional Vietnamese cuisine has a lot going for it from a nutritional standpoint. It’s typically plant-forward, rich in vegetables and herbs, uses healthier cooking methods like steaming and boiling rather than deep-frying, and emphasizes fresh, minimally processed ingredients. The traditional Vietnamese diet is also naturally portion-controlled and features fermented foods like fish sauce and pickles, which we now know are beneficial for gut health. This might explain why diet-related chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease were historically much less prevalent in Vietnam.
However, I wouldn’t romanticize traditional eating habits entirely. In the past, food insecurity and limited variety meant many people didn’t get adequate nutrition, particularly protein. Moreover, some traditional practices, like the excessive use of salt in preservation and the consumption of unsafe street food, posed health risks that we shouldn’t overlook.
As for modern eating habits, there’s definitely a dark side – the proliferation of ultra-processed foods, sugary beverages, and portion distortion at restaurants have contributed to a worrying rise in obesity and metabolic disorders, especially among urban Vietnamese youth. The sedentary lifestyle that often accompanies modern eating patterns compounds these problems.
But modern food culture isn’t uniformly negative. We now have greater access to diverse, nutrient-rich foods year-round, better food safety standards, more knowledge about nutritional science, and the ability to make informed choices. The health food movement, emphasizing organic produce, superfoods, and balanced macronutrients, represents a positive evolution.
In my view, the healthiest approach would be to take the best of both worlds – maintaining the wisdom of traditional eating (fresh ingredients, vegetables, balanced meals) while leveraging modern nutritional knowledge and food safety standards. The problem arises when people wholesale abandon traditional diets for convenience-driven, processed alternatives without critical consideration.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Highly sophisticated với multiple perspectives + nuanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Advanced health and nutrition terms (plant-forward, fermented, gut health, metabolic disorders, macronutrients)
- Grammar: Complex structures throughout
- Critical Thinking: Refuses simple answer, examines both positive and negative aspects of both
- Balance: Acknowledges complexity and provides thoughtful synthesis
💡 Key Language Features:
- Hedging: “I don’t think we can make a blanket statement”, “far more nuanced”
- Discourse markers: “On one hand”, “However”, “As for”, “But”, “In my view”
- Academic phrases: “from a nutritional standpoint”, “diet-related chronic diseases”, “compounds these problems”
Question 4: What can governments do to encourage people to eat more healthily?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Problem-Solution / Suggestions
- Key words: governments, encourage, eat more healthily
- Cách tiếp cận:
- Provide multiple solutions
- Explain how each would work
- Give examples from other countries if possible
- Consider challenges/limitations
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Governments can do several things to help people eat better. First, they can teach people about healthy eating in schools. Children need to learn about nutrition from a young age. Second, governments can make healthy food cheaper by reducing taxes on vegetables and fruits. They can also make unhealthy food more expensive. Third, they can control advertising of junk food, especially to children. These actions can help people make better food choices.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear with multiple suggestions
- Vocabulary: Basic but adequate (teach, cheaper, control advertising)
- Ideas: Relevant suggestions but not elaborated deeply
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses the question satisfactorily but lacks sophistication
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Well, this is a complex challenge that requires a multi-pronged approach. Governments have several levers they can pull, though none of them are silver bullets on their own.
Firstly, fiscal policies can be quite effective. We’ve seen this work in various contexts – for instance, sugar taxes on sweetened beverages have been implemented in countries like Mexico and the UK with some success in reducing consumption. Similarly, governments could provide subsidies for fresh produce to make healthy options more economically accessible, particularly for lower-income families who often face the biggest barriers to healthy eating. The key is making the cost differential between healthy and unhealthy options more favorable.
Secondly, education and public awareness campaigns are crucial, but they need to go beyond just disseminating information. People often know what’s healthy but don’t act on it, so campaigns need to address behavioral barriers. In schools, we should integrate practical nutrition education and cooking skills into the curriculum so children develop both knowledge and capability. I think Japan’s school lunch program is a great model – it exposes children to diverse, balanced meals and teaches them about food culture and nutrition simultaneously.
Thirdly, regulatory measures around food labeling, advertising, and formulation can shape the food environment. Mandatory front-of-package labeling systems, like the traffic light system used in some European countries, help consumers make informed choices at a glance. Restricting junk food advertising targeted at children, particularly during prime-time TV, could reduce children’s persistent pestering for unhealthy products. Some governments have also partnered with food manufacturers to reformulate products to reduce salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Finally, urban planning and infrastructure play an underappreciated role. Creating farmers’ markets, ensuring equitable distribution of grocery stores rather than food deserts, and even designing walkable neighborhoods that encourage physical activity all contribute to healthier populations.
That said, we need to acknowledge the challenges. There’s often pushback from the food industry when regulations are proposed. There’s also the tension between public health and personal freedom – some people view government intervention in food choices as overreach. Finding the right balance between promoting public health and respecting individual autonomy is tricky but necessary.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptionally organized với 4 main policy areas + consideration of challenges
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated policy and health terminology (multi-pronged, fiscal policies, subsidies, disseminating, formulation, equitable distribution)
- Grammar: Complex structures với varied sentence types
- Critical Thinking: Provides specific examples (Mexico, UK, Japan), acknowledges limitations and challenges
- Real-world knowledge: References actual policies and international examples
💡 Key Language Features:
- Policy language: “multi-pronged approach”, “levers they can pull”, “fiscal policies”, “regulatory measures”
- Hedging: “can be quite effective”, “could reduce”, “I think”
- Examples: Mexico, UK, Japan – shows breadth of knowledge
- Balanced view: Acknowledges challenges and counter-arguments
Nhóm người đang thảo luận về thay đổi thói quen ăn uống và xu hướng ẩm thực hiện đại
Theme 3: Globalization and Food Culture
Question 5: How has globalization affected traditional cuisine in your country?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Cause and Effect / Impact analysis
- Key words: globalization, affected, traditional cuisine
- Cách tiếp cận:
- Explain what globalization means in food context
- Discuss both positive and negative impacts
- Provide specific examples
- Consider future implications
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Globalization has affected Vietnamese food in both good and bad ways. On the positive side, Vietnamese food has become famous around the world. Many foreigners know about pho and banh mi now. Vietnamese restaurants have opened in many countries. On the negative side, young Vietnamese people now prefer Western fast food over traditional food. Many international food chains like KFC and McDonald’s have come to Vietnam. This might make people forget about traditional dishes. So globalization brings both opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese cuisine.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear two-sided discussion
- Vocabulary: Basic words but communicates ideas (famous, prefer, forget)
- Examples: Relevant mentions (pho, KFC, McDonald’s)
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Covers both sides but lacks depth and sophisticated analysis
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Globalization has had profound and multifaceted impacts on Vietnamese traditional cuisine, creating what I’d call a double-edged sword situation.
On the positive side, there’s been an unprecedented international recognition of Vietnamese food. Dishes like pho, banh mi, and spring rolls have achieved almost cult status globally – you can find Vietnamese restaurants in virtually every major city worldwide. This culinary diplomacy has been tremendous for national branding and has created lucrative opportunities for Vietnamese restaurants abroad. Moreover, the fusion movement has led to creative innovations – Vietnamese-French fusion, for example, pays homage to both culinary traditions while creating something novel. There’s also been a positive feedback loop where international acclaim has actually reignited domestic pride in traditional cuisine among younger Vietnamese who previously might have dismissed it as old-fashioned.
However, the flip side is concerning. The influx of international fast-food chains and Western dining concepts has fundamentally altered eating patterns, particularly among urban youth. There’s what I’d call a cultural cringe phenomenon where some young people view foreign cuisines as inherently superior or more prestigious, leading to a devaluation of traditional food culture. Small, family-run traditional restaurants are increasingly struggling to compete with well-capitalized international chains that offer standardized, marketed experiences. There’s also homogenization happening – in tourist areas, even traditional dishes are being modified to suit foreign palates, sometimes compromising authenticity in the process.
What’s particularly interesting is the parallel trend of gourmet-ization. Some traditional Vietnamese dishes are being elevated and reinterpreted in high-end restaurants, which on one hand brings prestige and innovation, but on the other hand risks making traditional food less accessible to ordinary people and transforming it into something unrecognizable from its street-food roots.
Looking ahead, I think we’re at a critical juncture. The key is finding a balance between embracing global influences and preserving culinary authenticity. We need to avoid both rigid traditionalism that rejects all change and uncritical acceptance of globalization that erodes our food heritage. What gives me hope is the emerging movement of young Vietnamese chefs who are consciously working to modernize traditional cuisine while maintaining its soul and integrity.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Sophisticated with positive impacts → negative impacts → interesting nuances → future outlook
- Vocabulary: Highly advanced (unprecedented, culinary diplomacy, pays homage to, cultural cringe, gourmet-ization, critical juncture)
- Grammar: Complex throughout with multiple embedded clauses
- Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis showing deep understanding of socio-cultural dynamics
- Cohesive devices: “On the positive side”, “However, the flip side”, “What’s particularly interesting”, “Looking ahead”
- Real insight: Shows genuine analytical thinking about the phenomenon
💡 Key Language Features:
- Metaphors: “double-edged sword”, “positive feedback loop”, “critical juncture”
- Academic collocations: “profound impacts”, “unprecedented recognition”, “cultural cringe”, “homogenization”
- Nuanced language: “what I’d call”, “I think we’re at”
- Balanced analysis: Acknowledges both opportunities and threats
Question 6: Do you think countries should try to protect their traditional food culture?
🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:
- Dạng: Opinion + Justification (Should)
- Key words: countries, protect, traditional food culture
- Cách tiếp cận:
- State clear opinion
- Explain why (multiple reasons)
- Address potential counter-arguments
- Suggest how to protect
📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:
“Yes, I definitely think countries should protect their traditional food culture. Traditional food is part of a country’s identity and history. If we lose it, we lose something important about who we are. Also, traditional food knowledge includes healthy recipes that are good for people. Governments can protect it by teaching cooking in schools and supporting traditional restaurants. However, we should also be open to new foods because cultures naturally change over time.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Clear opinion with reasons
- Vocabulary: Basic but sufficient
- Counter-argument: Brief acknowledgment of change
- Tại sao Band 6-7: Addresses question adequately but limited development
📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:
“Absolutely, though I think the approach needs to be thoughtful and nuanced rather than heavy-handed or protectionist. Let me explain my reasoning.
First, from a cultural preservation standpoint, traditional food culture is irreplaceable heritage. It represents accumulated wisdom spanning generations – time-tested recipes, sustainable agricultural practices, and deep knowledge of local ingredients and seasons. Once this knowledge is lost, it’s virtually impossible to fully recover it. We’re already seeing this with certain rare traditional dishes and cooking techniques that are dying out because younger generations never learned them. This isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about maintaining cultural diversity in an increasingly homogenized world.
Second, there’s a compelling public health argument. Many traditional diets evolved over centuries to be optimally suited to local populations and environments. The Mediterranean diet, for instance, is now scientifically validated as one of the healthiest eating patterns. Traditional Vietnamese cuisine, with its emphasis on vegetables, herbs, and balanced flavors, similarly offers health benefits that are being eroded as Western fast-food culture takes hold. We’re seeing soaring rates of obesity and metabolic diseases in Asian countries that have rapidly adopted Western eating habits.
Third, traditional food culture has significant economic value through culinary tourism and cultural exports. Countries that have successfully branded and protected their cuisines – France with its AOC designations, Italy with its slow food movement, Japan with its washoku UNESCO recognition – have reaped substantial economic benefits.
However, I want to emphasize that “protection” shouldn’t mean rigid preservation or resistance to evolution. Cuisines have always adapted and evolved – that’s natural and healthy. What I’m advocating for is conscious, intentional evolution rather than passive erosion through neglect or unchecked commercial forces. We should protect the knowledge, techniques, and spirit of traditional cuisine while allowing for creative innovation and contemporary interpretation.
Practically speaking, countries can take several approaches: documenting traditional recipes and techniques before they’re lost, integrating culinary education into school curricula, supporting small-scale traditional food producers through grants or favorable policies, promoting food literacy through public campaigns, and perhaps even seeking UNESCO recognition for particularly significant culinary traditions, as Vietnam did for Quang noodles in Quang Nam province.
What worries me is the asymmetric power dynamics in global food culture. Western fast-food chains have enormous marketing budgets and aggressive expansion strategies, while traditional food culture often lacks institutional support or modern marketing savvy. Without deliberate protective measures, market forces alone will inevitably lead to cultural homogenization.
So yes, protection is necessary, but it must be balanced, forward-looking, and respectful of both heritage and innovation.”
Phân tích:
- Structure: Exceptionally sophisticated với multiple well-developed arguments + practical suggestions + nuanced conclusion
- Vocabulary: Highly advanced academic and policy language (irreplaceable heritage, asymmetric power dynamics, institutional support, homogenization)
- Grammar: Full range of complex structures used naturally
- Critical Thinking: Multi-layered analysis considering cultural, health, economic, and practical dimensions
- Real-world knowledge: References to Mediterranean diet, AOC, UNESCO, specific Vietnamese examples
- Balanced perspective: Acknowledges need for evolution while arguing for protection
💡 Key Language Features:
- Strong opinion markers: “Absolutely”, “I’m advocating for”, “What worries me”
- Academic hedging: “I think the approach needs to be”, “shouldn’t mean”
- Policy language: “protective measures”, “institutional support”, “favorable policies”
- Abstract concepts: cultural diversity, homogenization, asymmetric power dynamics
- Cohesive devices: “First”, “Second”, “Third”, “However”, “Practically speaking”, “So”
Từ Vựng và Cụm Từ Quan Trọng
Topic-Specific Vocabulary
| Từ vựng/Cụm từ | Loại từ | Phiên âm | Nghĩa tiếng Việt | Ví dụ | Collocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iconic dish | noun phrase | /aɪˈkɒnɪk dɪʃ/ | món ăn mang tính biểu tượng | Pho is an iconic dish of Vietnam. | iconic Vietnamese dish, most iconic dish, truly iconic |
| culinary tradition | noun phrase | /ˈkʌlɪnəri trəˈdɪʃən/ | truyền thống ẩm thực | Our culinary tradition dates back centuries. | rich culinary tradition, preserve culinary tradition, culinary traditions and practices |
| aromatic | adj | /ærəˈmætɪk/ | thơm nồng, có mùi thơm | The broth has an aromatic quality. | aromatic spices, aromatic herbs, incredibly aromatic |
| fragrant | adj | /ˈfreɪɡrənt/ | thơm ngát | The fragrant steam rises from the bowl. | fragrant broth, fragrant noodles, deliciously fragrant |
| delicacy | noun | /ˈdelɪkəsi/ | món ăn ngon, đặc sản | This is considered a local delicacy. | regional delicacy, rare delicacy, prized delicacy |
| staple food | noun phrase | /ˈsteɪpl fuːd/ | thực phẩm chính, món ăn chủ yếu | Rice is a staple food in Asia. | daily staple, dietary staple, staple of the diet |
| garnish | verb/noun | /ˈɡɑːnɪʃ/ | trang trí món ăn, đồ trang trí | The dish is garnished with fresh herbs. | garnish with, beautifully garnished, simple garnish |
| savory | adj | /ˈseɪvəri/ | mặn, có vị đậm đà | I prefer savory dishes to sweet ones. | savory flavor, rich and savory, perfectly savory |
| palate | noun | /ˈpælət/ | vị giác, khẩu vị | This dish suits the Vietnamese palate. | sophisticated palate, refine your palate, appeal to the palate |
| simmer | verb | /ˈsɪmə(r)/ | ninh nhỏ lửa | Simmer the broth for several hours. | simmer gently, simmer for hours, slow-simmered |
| marinate | verb | /ˈmærɪneɪt/ | ướp (thịt) | Marinate the meat overnight. | marinate in, well-marinated, marinate for hours |
| tender | adj | /ˈtendə(r)/ | mềm, dễ nhai | The meat is incredibly tender. | melt-in-your-mouth tender, perfectly tender, fall-apart tender |
| succulent | adj | /ˈsʌkjələnt/ | mọng nước, ngon ngọt | The succulent pieces of meat. | succulent and flavorful, succulent texture |
| wholesome | adj | /ˈhəʊlsəm/ | bổ dưỡng, lành mạnh | It’s a wholesome and nutritious meal. | wholesome ingredients, wholesome meal, wholesome and hearty |
| comfort food | noun phrase | /ˈkʌmfət fuːd/ | món ăn mang lại cảm giác thoải mái | Pho is the ultimate comfort food. | classic comfort food, nostalgic comfort food |
| street food | noun phrase | /striːt fuːd/ | đồ ăn đường phố | Vietnam is famous for its street food culture. | vibrant street food, authentic street food, street food vendors |
| culinary heritage | noun phrase | /ˈkʌlɪnəri ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ | di sản ẩm thực | We must preserve our culinary heritage. | rich culinary heritage, protect culinary heritage, culinary heritage and traditions |
| acquired taste | noun phrase | /əˈkwaɪəd teɪst/ | món ăn phải làm quen mới thích | Fermented fish is an acquired taste. | definitely an acquired taste, somewhat of an acquired taste |
Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases
| Cụm từ | Nghĩa | Ví dụ sử dụng | Band điểm |
|---|---|---|---|
| melt in your mouth | tan chảy trong miệng, mềm tuyệt | The beef was so tender it would melt in your mouth. | 7.5-9 |
| a feast for the senses | một bữa tiệc cho các giác quan | Vietnamese cuisine is truly a feast for the senses. | 7.5-9 |
| food for thought | điều đáng suy nghĩ | The documentary on food waste gave me food for thought. | 7-8 |
| whet your appetite | kích thích sự thèm ăn | The aroma really whets your appetite. | 7.5-8.5 |
| have a sweet tooth | thích đồ ngọt | I don’t have a sweet tooth, I prefer savory dishes. | 6.5-7.5 |
| bite off more than you can chew | tham nhiều quá sức | When cooking for 20 people, I bit off more than I could chew. | 7-8.5 |
| food coma | tình trạng buồn ngủ sau khi ăn no | After that huge meal, I was in a complete food coma. | 7-8 |
| guilty pleasure | niềm vui tội lỗi | Instant noodles are my guilty pleasure. | 7-8 |
| dining experience | trải nghiệm ẩm thực | It was more than just a meal; it was a complete dining experience. | 7-8.5 |
| culinary adventure | cuộc phiêu lưu ẩm thực | Trying Ethiopian food was quite the culinary adventure. | 7.5-8.5 |
| flavor profile | đặc điểm hương vị | Vietnamese cuisine has a complex flavor profile. | 8-9 |
| brings back memories | gợi lại kỷ niệm | The taste of pho always brings back memories of my childhood. | 7-8 |
Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)
Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:
- Well,… – Dùng khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ hoặc khi câu trả lời phức tạp
- Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn khác hoặc thông tin bất ngờ
- To be honest,… – Khi bạn muốn thể hiện sự thành thật, chân thành
- I’d say that… – Cách lịch sự để đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân
- In my view/opinion,… – Thể hiện rõ đây là ý kiến của bạn
Để bổ sung ý:
- On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó, ngoài ra
- What’s more,… – Hơn nữa, quan trọng hơn
- Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến, không nói đến
- Additionally/Furthermore,… – Thêm vào đó (formal)
- Besides that,… – Bên cạnh đó
Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:
- On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác
- While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Mặc dù đúng là… nhưng chúng ta cũng cần xem xét
- That said,… – Tuy nhiên, mặc dù vậy
- Having said that,… – Tuy đã nói như vậy, nhưng
Để kết luận:
- All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung
- At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, xét cho cùng
- In conclusion,… – Kết luận lại (formal)
- To sum up,… – Tóm lại
Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng
1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):
Mixed conditional:
- Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb (mixing time frames)
- Ví dụ: “If my grandmother hadn’t taught me traditional recipes, I wouldn’t appreciate Vietnamese cuisine as much as I do now.”
Inversion (đảo ngữ):
- Formula: Had/Were/Should + subject + verb…
- Ví dụ: “Had I known how time-consuming it was, I would have started preparing earlier.”
- “Were I to open a restaurant, I would focus on traditional dishes.”
2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):
Non-defining relative clauses:
- Formula: …, which/who/where + clause, …
- Ví dụ: “Pho, which is Vietnam’s national dish, has become popular worldwide.”
- “My grandfather, who was an excellent cook, taught me the importance of patience.”
3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):
It is thought/believed/said that…
- Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that pho originated in Northern Vietnam.”
- “It is said that authentic pho requires at least 12 hours of simmering.”
4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):
What I find most…, is…
- Ví dụ: “What I find most appealing about Vietnamese food is the balance of flavors.”
- “What makes pho special is not just the taste but the cultural experience.”
The thing that…, is…
- Ví dụ: “The thing that distinguishes Vietnamese cuisine is its emphasis on fresh herbs.”
5. Inversion for emphasis:
- Ví dụ: “Not only is pho delicious, but it’s also incredibly nutritious.”
- “Rarely have I tasted anything as authentic as that street-food pho.”
Gia đình Việt Nam đang cùng nhau thưởng thức bát phở truyền thống trong bữa sáng ấm cúng
Chiến Lược Đạt Band Cao Từ Góc Nhìn Của Examiner
4 Tiêu Chí Chấm Điểm IELTS Speaking
1. Fluency and Coherence (25%)
Band 6-7:
- Speaks at length but may have some hesitations and pauses
- Uses a range of connectives and discourse markers but not always appropriately
- Generally maintains flow of speech but may need to self-correct or repeat
Band 8-9:
- Speaks fluently with only rare repetition or self-correction
- Any hesitation is content-related rather than language-related
- Develops topics coherently and appropriately
- Uses a full range of cohesive devices with flexibility
Cách cải thiện:
- ✅ Luyện nói hàng ngày về nhiều chủ đề trong 2-3 phút không ngừng
- ✅ Ghi âm và nghe lại để identify pauses và hesitations
- ✅ Sử dụng discourse markers tự nhiên không giống template (Well, Actually, I mean)
- ✅ Luyện tập với timing – đảm bảo Part 2 kéo dài ít nhất 1.5-2 phút
- ✅ Đọc to bài văn để develop rhythm và fluency
- ❌ Không học thuộc lòng – examiners nhận ra ngay và bạn sẽ bị trừ điểm nghiêm trọng
- ❌ Không dùng fillers quá nhiều (um, ah, you know) – một chút là okay, quá nhiều thì mất điểm
Insider tip từ Examiner: Thí sinh nào nói tự nhiên như đang chat với bạn (nhưng vẫn formal phù hợp) thường score cao hơn người nói “perfect” nhưng mechanical. Một vài hesitations content-related (suy nghĩ về ý tưởng) hoàn toàn okay và natural hơn là nói như robot.
2. Lexical Resource (25%)
Band 6-7:
- Has a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length
- Uses some less common and idiomatic items but with some inaccuracy
- Generally paraphrases successfully
- Makes some errors in spelling and/or word formation but they don’t impede communication
Band 8-9:
- Uses vocabulary with full flexibility and precision in all topics
- Uses idiomatic language naturally and accurately
- Makes rare errors in word choice
- Can produce rare or “sophisticated” words when appropriate to context
Cách cải thiện:
- ✅ Học vocabulary theo chủ đề (topic clusters) thay vì học từ riêng lẻ
- ✅ Học collocations – cách từ đi với nhau naturally (make a decision, not do a decision)
- ✅ Practice paraphrasing – nói cùng ý bằng nhiều cách khác nhau
- ✅ Đọc authentic materials – articles, blogs về food, culture để absorb natural language
- ✅ Ghi chú và review từ vựng học được từ real context
- ❌ Không dùng từ quá phức tạp nếu không chắc nghĩa và cách dùng – sai context bị trừ điểm
- ❌ Không overuse cùng một từ – hãy paraphrase
- ❌ Tránh memorized phrases nghe unnatural – “There is no denying that…”, “Last but not least…”
Insider tip từ Examiner: Thí sinh đạt Band 8-9 không phải người dùng từ “fancy” nhất mà là người dùng từ CHÍNH XÁC và NATURAL nhất. Một collocation đúng như “rich aroma” tốt hơn một từ academic sai context. Examiners cũng chú ý ability to paraphrase – nếu bạn có thể nói “traditional dish”, “iconic food”, “culinary heritage” cho cùng một concept, đó là Lexical Resource tốt.
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)
Band 6-7:
- Uses a mix of simple and complex structures
- Makes some errors but they rarely reduce communication
- Has good control of grammar and punctuation but may make a few errors
Band 8-9:
- Uses a full range of structures naturally and appropriately
- Produces rare errors that are “slips” rather than systematic errors
- May make mistakes only in attempting complex language
Cách cải thiện:
- ✅ Đa dạng thì động từ – không chỉ present simple, sử dụng present perfect, past perfect, future perfect khi appropriate
- ✅ Mix simple và complex sentences – không phải câu nào cũng phải phức tạp
- ✅ Master các cấu trúc quan trọng:
- Conditional sentences (Type 1, 2, 3, mixed)
- Relative clauses (defining and non-defining)
- Passive voice
- Reported speech
- Cleft sentences
- ✅ Tự sửa lỗi ngay nếu phát hiện – shows language awareness (điểm cộng!)
- ✅ Practice complex structures trong speaking, không chỉ writing
- ❌ Không sacrifice accuracy cho complexity – câu đơn giản đúng tốt hơn câu phức tạp sai
- ❌ Không overuse một structure – vary your grammar
Insider tip từ Examiner: Examiners không đếm lỗi, họ đánh giá overall impression của grammar. Một vài “slips” (lỗi nhỏ không systematic) trong attempt complex language hoàn toàn acceptable ở Band 8-9. Những gì làm mất điểm là repeated basic errors (he go, she like) hoặc không vary structures. Self-correction shows awareness và không bị phạt – đây là dấu hiệu của proficient speaker.
4. Pronunciation (25%)
Band 6-7:
- Uses a range of pronunciation features with mixed control
- Shows some effective use of features but control is not sustained
- Can generally be understood throughout, though mispronunciation may occasionally reduce clarity
Band 8-9:
- Uses a full range of pronunciation features with precision and subtlety
- Sustains flexible use of features throughout
- Is effortless to understand
Cách cải thiện:
- ✅ Focus on word stress – Vietnamese speakers thường miss this (REcord vs reCORD)
- ✅ Practice sentence stress – nhấn vào content words, nhẹ function words
- ✅ Work on intonation – rising/falling tones express meaning
- ✅ Nghe native speakers – podcasts, TED talks, movies và imitate
- ✅ Shadowing technique – nghe và lặp lại ngay sau native speaker
- ✅ Record yourself và compare với native pronunciation
- ✅ Slow down nếu cần – clarity quan trọng hơn speed
- ❌ Không cần native accent – clear intelligibility là đủ
- ❌ Don’t mumble – articulate clearly
- ❌ Avoid speaking too fast – many Vietnamese students rush
Insider tip từ Examiner: Pronunciation là tiêu chí bị misunderstood nhất. Bạn KHÔNG cần British hay American accent để đạt Band 9. Examiners đánh giá INTELLIGIBILITY (dễ hiểu), NATURAL RHYTHM, và USE OF INTONATION. Một Vietnamese accent hoàn toàn okay nếu bạn clear, use appropriate stress và intonation. Lỗi phát âm cá biệt (/th/ sound, /r/ vs /l/) ít ảnh hưởng hơn bạn nghĩ, miễn overall communication không bị impede.
Những Điều Examiner Muốn Thấy
✅ DO – Nên làm:
-
Trả lời trực tiếp trước, mở rộng sau
- Đừng lan man, answer the question directly trong câu đầu tiên
- Sau đó develop với reasons, examples, personal experience
-
Đưa ra examples cụ thể
- Thay vì “I like traditional food”, nói “I particularly love pho because the combination of aromatic broth and fresh herbs reminds me of weekend mornings with my family”
- Specific details make your answer memorable và authentic
-
Show your personality
- Be yourself, đừng cố tạo persona khác
- Opinions cá nhân, even if controversial, tốt hơn generic safe answers
- Enthusiasm và genuine interest trong topic giúp fluency
-
Maintain eye contact với examiner
- Đây là conversation, không phải presentation
- Eye contact shows confidence và engagement
-
Tự sửa lỗi nếu catch được
- “Yesterday I go… I mean, I went to a restaurant”
- Shows monitoring và language awareness
-
Ask for clarification nếu không hiểu
- “Could you repeat that, please?” hoặc “Do you mean…?”
- Better than misunderstanding và answering wrong question
-
Speak at natural pace
- Not too fast (shows nervousness), not too slow (unnatural)
- Pauses for thinking về content là okay
-
Use a variety of sentence structures
- Mix short punchy sentences với longer complex ones
- Sounds more natural than all complex or all simple
❌ DON’T – Không nên:
-
Học thuộc template hay answer cố định
- Examiners trained để nhận ra memorized responses
- Bạn sẽ bị marked down nghiêm trọng và có thể face follow-up questions để test authenticity
- Memorized answers thường nghe robotic và không answer exactly câu hỏi
-
Sử dụng overly formal hay academic language không phù hợp
- Speaking khác Writing – don’t say “Moreover, in addition to, nonetheless” mọi lúc
- Sound natural, conversational (nhưng vẫn appropriate formality)
-
Trả lời quá ngắn
- One-word hay one-sentence answers không demonstrate language ability
- Aim for 2-4 câu minimum cho Part 1, 4-6 câu cho Part 3
-
Nói quá nhanh vì nervous
- Rushed speech often leads to mistakes và reduced clarity
- Take your time, breathe
-
Im lặng quá lâu (hơn 3-4 giây)
- Nếu cần time to think, use fillers naturally: “That’s an interesting question, let me think… Well, I’d say…”
- Long silence làm giảm điểm Fluency
-
Fabricate stories quá elaborate
- Okay to embellish slightly, but don’t create complicated fake stories
- Examiner có thể follow-up với detailed questions và inconsistencies sẽ exposed
-
Apologize quá nhiều cho mistakes
- “Sorry, my English is bad” – NEVER say this!
- Shows lack of confidence và doesn’t earn sympathy points
- Examiners assess language ability, không phải judge you as person
-
Focus quá nhiều on grammar trong real-time
- Overthinking grammar while speaking kills fluency
- Better to speak naturally và make minor mistakes than hesitate constantly
-
Give yes/no answers without elaboration
- “Do you like cooking?” – “Yes.” ❌
- “Yes, I really enjoy it because…” ✅
Insider tip từ Examiner về red flags:
🚩 Immediate red flags cho memorized answers:
- Bắt đầu với “There is no denying that…”
- Sử dụng “Last but not least” trong speaking
- Mechanical transition phrases: “Moving on to the next point…”
- Perfect grammar nhưng zero personality
- Answers quá polished, thiếu natural hesitations
Những gì impresses examiners:
- Natural conversation flow
- Genuine enthusiasm về topic
- Ability to think critically và express complex ideas
- Appropriate use của informal expressions (“you know”, “I mean”, “kind of”) mixed với sophisticated vocabulary
- Personal anecdotes với specific details
- Ability to self-correct naturally
- Good listening skills – actually responding to the question asked
Common misconceptions:
- ❌ “I need perfect grammar for Band 9” → Sai! Band 9 allows rare slips
- ❌ “I need to use big words” → Sai! Natural, precise language beats unnecessarily complex words
- ❌ “I need British/American accent” → Sai! Intelligibility matters, not accent
- ❌ “Longer answers are better” → Sai! Relevant, well-developed answers beat long rambling ones
- ❌ “I should agree with examiner” → Sai! Có opinions riêng shows critical thinking
Lộ Trình Học Tập Hiệu Quả
4-6 Tuần Trước Thi
Tuần 1-2: Foundation Building
- Nghiên cứu format và band descriptors kỹ
- Record mình trả lời sample questions, tự đánh giá
- Identify weaknesses (vocabulary, fluency, grammar?)
- Xây dựng vocabulary notebook theo topics
- Practice Part 1 questions hàng ngày (10-15 phút)
Tuần 3-4: Intensive Practice
- Practice Part 2 với timing chính xác (1 phút chuẩn bị, 2 phút nói)
- Focus on developing complex ideas cho Part 3
- Record và analyze pronunciation issues
- Work on specific grammar structures
- Find speaking partner hoặc tutor cho feedback
Tuần 5-6: Fine-tuning
- Full mock tests với realistic conditions
- Work on time management
- Polish pronunciation và intonation
- Review common topics và prepare flexible ideas (không memorize!)
- Build confidence – visualize success
Ngày Thi:
- Arrive early, stay calm
- Warm up voice trước khi vào
- Remember: Examiner muốn bạn succeed!
- Be yourself, show personality
- Listen carefully to questions
Tài Nguyên Học Tập:
- IELTS-Simon.com – Realistic advice
- BBC Learning English – Pronunciation practice
- TED Talks – Natural English exposure
- IELTS Liz – Comprehensive tips
- Real IELTS Speaking tests on YouTube – để familiar với format
Chủ đề “describe a famous dish in your country” là cơ hội tuyệt vời để bạn showcase không chỉ khả năng ngôn ngữ mà còn kiến thức văn hóa và khả năng kể chuyện. Hãy nhớ rằng examiners không đánh giá kiến thức ẩm thực của bạn, mà đánh giá cách bạn express ideas bằng tiếng Anh. Với preparation đúng cách, sử dụng strategies và vocabulary trong bài viết này, bạn hoàn toàn có thể tự tin đạt band điểm mục tiêu. Good luck!
