IELTS Speaking: Cách Miêu Tả Nhân Vật Lịch Sử Nổi Tiếng – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Chủ đề “Describe A Famous Historical Figure In Your Country” là một trong những đề bài kinh điển và có tần suất xuất hiện cao trong IELTS Speaking, đặc biệt ở Part 2. Theo thống kê từ các kỳ thi thực tế từ 2020 đến 2024, chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất trung bình đến cao, đặc biệt tại các trung tâm thi ở châu Á. Khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai được đánh giá là cao, vì đây là chủ đề liên quan đến văn hóa, lịch sử – những yếu tố quan trọng trong việc đánh giá khả năng giao tiếp của thí sinh.

Chủ đề này thường được hỏi từ nhiều góc độ: nhân vật lịch sử, lãnh đạo chính trị, nghệ sĩ nổi tiếng, nhà khoa học, hay người có ảnh hưởng đến xã hội. Điều này đòi hỏi bạn phải chuẩn bị linh hoạt và hiểu rõ cách mở rộng câu trả lời để phù hợp với từng Part.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được:

• 12 câu hỏi thường gặp nhất trong cả 3 Part về chủ đề nhân vật nổi tiếng
• Bài mẫu chi tiết theo 3 mức band điểm (6-7, 7.5-8, 8.5-9) với phân tích sâu
• Hơn 50 từ vựng và cụm từ ăn điểm kèm phiên âm và cách dùng
• Chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn examiner với 20 năm kinh nghiệm
• Những lỗi phổ biến của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục
• Các discourse markers và grammatical structures giúp đạt band 8+

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IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction and Interview

Tổng Quan Về Part 1

Part 1 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi ngắn về cuộc sống hàng ngày và sở thích cá nhân. Đặc điểm chính là câu hỏi đơn giản, dễ hiểu, nhưng đòi hỏi bạn phải trả lời tự nhiên và mở rộng ý. Chiến lược tốt nhất là trả lời trong 2-3 câu: câu đầu trả lời trực tiếp, câu sau giải thích lý do hoặc đưa ví dụ cụ thể.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn chỉ với “Yes” hoặc “No”
• Sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “nice”, “interesting”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Ngập ngừng quá nhiều vì chưa quen với việc nói tự nhiên

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you know any famous people in your country?

Question 2: Are there any historical figures that you learned about in school?

Question 3: Do young people in your country know much about history?

Question 4: Who is the most famous person in your country’s history?

Question 5: Do you think it’s important to learn about historical figures?

Question 6: Have you ever visited any museums about famous people?

Question 7: Do people in your country respect historical figures?

Question 8: Would you like to meet a famous historical figure if you could?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

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Question: Do you know any famous people in your country?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời có/không trực tiếp
• Nêu tên một hoặc hai nhân vật cụ thể
• Giải thích ngắn gọn tại sao họ nổi tiếng

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I know some famous people in Vietnam. For example, Uncle Ho is very famous because he was our leader. Also, many people know about Vo Nguyen Giap, who was a general. They are important in our history.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời đúng trọng tâm, có ví dụ cụ thể với hai nhân vật
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (famous, important), cấu trúc câu cơ bản, thiếu chi tiết
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Đủ để giao tiếp nhưng chưa impressive, thiếu collocations và advanced vocabulary

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Absolutely! Vietnam has a wealth of historical figures that most people are familiar with. Off the top of my head, I’d say Ho Chi Minh is probably the most iconic figure in Vietnamese history – he’s widely regarded as the founding father of modern Vietnam. Another prominent figure would be General Vo Nguyen Giap, who’s celebrated for his military genius during the resistance wars. These individuals left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Sử dụng discourse marker tự nhiên “Absolutely!”, “Off the top of my head”
  • Vocabulary tinh vi: “a wealth of”, “iconic figure”, “widely regarded as”, “left an indelible mark on”
  • Cấu trúc đa dạng với relative clause và passive voice
  • Đưa ra 2 ví dụ cụ thể với giải thích ngắn gọn
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Fluent, natural expressions, sophisticated vocabulary, grammatically accurate với complex structures, ideas được phát triển tốt

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• a wealth of something: có rất nhiều cái gì đó
• off the top of my head: nghĩ ngay ra, không cần suy nghĩ nhiều
• iconic figure: nhân vật biểu tượng
• widely regarded as: được công nhận rộng rãi là
• prominent figure: nhân vật nổi bật
• celebrated for: được tôn vinh vì
• left an indelible mark on: để lại dấu ấn không thể xóa nhòa

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Question: Do you think it’s important to learn about historical figures?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Đưa ra quan điểm rõ ràng (có/không)
• Giải thích lý do với ít nhất 2 points
• Có thể thêm ví dụ ngắn để minh họa

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think it’s important. First, we can learn from their experience and avoid mistakes. Second, historical figures teach us good values like being brave and working hard. This knowledge helps us become better people.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có cấu trúc rõ ràng với “First” và “Second”, đưa ra 2 lý do
• Hạn chế: Vocabulary cơ bản (good values, brave, working hard), ý tưởng chưa sâu sắc
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate communication nhưng thiếu sophistication trong cách diễn đạt

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Definitely, I believe studying historical figures is invaluable for several reasons. First and foremost, they serve as role models who embody qualities like resilience, courage and vision – traits that remain relevant regardless of the era. Moreover, understanding their triumphs and failures provides us with valuable insights into decision-making and leadership. On a broader scale, learning about these individuals helps us appreciate the sacrifices made by previous generations and fosters a sense of national identity. It’s really about connecting with our roots while drawing lessons for the future.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Opening mạnh mẽ với “Definitely” và “invaluable”
  • Discourse markers tự nhiên: “First and foremost”, “Moreover”, “On a broader scale”
  • Abstract nouns: resilience, courage, vision, triumphs, failures, insights
  • Phrases nâng cao: “embody qualities”, “remain relevant”, “appreciate the sacrifices”, “fosters a sense of national identity”
  • Kết thúc ấn tượng với metaphor “connecting with our roots”
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Excellent fluency với natural discourse markers, wide range of sophisticated vocabulary, complex ideas được express clearly, demonstrates critical thinking

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• invaluable: vô cùng quý giá, không thể định giá được
• first and foremost: trước hết và quan trọng nhất
• embody qualities: thể hiện/hiện thân những phẩm chất
• remain relevant: vẫn có ý nghĩa, phù hợp
• triumphs and failures: thành công và thất bại
• valuable insights: những hiểu biết sâu sắc có giá trị
• appreciate the sacrifices: trân trọng sự hy sinh
• fosters a sense of national identity: nuôi dưỡng ý thức bản sắc dân tộc
• connecting with our roots: kết nối với cội nguồn

Học sinh Việt Nam nghiên cứu về nhân vật lịch sử nổi tiếng trong lớp học IELTS Speaking

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Question: Have you ever visited any museums about famous people?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời có/không dựa trên kinh nghiệm thật
• Nếu có: mô tả ngắn gọn trải nghiệm
• Nếu chưa: giải thích lý do và có thể nói về kế hoạch tương lai

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I visited Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi last year. It was interesting because I saw many things about his life. There were photos and documents. I learned a lot about Vietnamese history there.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có thông tin cụ thể (địa điểm, thời gian), mô tả những gì thấy
• Hạn chế: Thiếu cảm xúc cá nhân, vocabulary hạn chế, câu ngắn và đơn giản
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicative nhưng thiếu depth và advanced language

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Actually, yes! I had the privilege of visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum complex in Hanoi about a year ago, and it was quite an eye-opening experience. What struck me most was the meticulous curation of his personal belongings – everything from his modest living quarters to handwritten letters. The museum does an excellent job of chronicling his journey from a young revolutionary to the nation’s leader. I found it particularly moving to see artifacts that humanized such an iconic figure. It really brought history to life in a way that textbooks never could.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh:
  • Natural opening với “Actually, yes!”
  • Descriptive phrases: “quite an eye-opening experience”, “struck me most”, “meticulous curation”
  • Personal reflection: “particularly moving”, “brought history to life”
  • Sophisticated vocabulary: privilege, modest living quarters, chronicling, artifacts, humanized
  • Comparison về cuối để add depth: “in a way that textbooks never could”
• Tại sao Band 8-9: Highly fluent với personal engagement, wide lexical range với precise word choice, complex grammar structures, shows reflective thinking

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• have the privilege of doing something: có vinh dự/cơ hội được làm gì
• eye-opening experience: trải nghiệm mở mang tầm mắt
• struck me most: ấn tượng với tôi nhất
• meticulous curation: sự tuyển chọn/trưng bày tỉ mỉ
• modest living quarters: nơi ở khiêm tốn
• chronicle something: ghi chép/kể lại diễn biến của cái gì
• particularly moving: đặc biệt cảm động
• artifacts that humanized: hiện vật giúp nhân cách hóa
• brought history to life: làm lịch sử trở nên sống động

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IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại kéo dài 2-3 phút sau 1 phút chuẩn bị. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để thể hiện khả năng nói liên tục và phát triển ý tưởng. Chiến lược hiệu quả là sử dụng hết 1 phút để ghi chú keywords (không viết câu hoàn chỉnh), đảm bảo nói đủ 2 phút và trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points. Khi kể về nhân vật lịch sử, bạn cần sử dụng thì quá khứ chủ yếu.

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Không sử dụng hết thời gian chuẩn bị, vội vàng bắt đầu
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút vì thiếu ý hoặc không biết cách mở rộng
• Bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points
• Kể quá nhiều chi tiết về tiểu sử mà quên phần “explain” – phần quan trọng nhất

Cue Card

Describe a famous historical figure in your country

You should say:

• Who this person is
• What he/she did
• When he/she lived
• And explain why this person is important in your country’s history

Phân Tích Đề Bài

• Dạng câu hỏi: Describe a person (historical figure)

• Thì động từ: Chủ yếu là quá khứ (past simple, past continuous) vì nói về nhân vật lịch sử

• Bullet points phải cover:

  • Who: Giới thiệu nhân vật (tên, vai trò)
  • What he/she did: Thành tựu, đóng góp chính
  • When: Thời kỳ hoạt động
  • Why important: Ý nghĩa/ảnh hưởng đến lịch sử đất nước (phần này quan trọng nhất)

• Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất vì đòi hỏi critical thinking và ability to analyze. Bạn cần giải thích impact, legacy, và tại sao người đó được nhớ đến cho đến hôn nay.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I would like to talk about Ho Chi Minh, who is the most famous historical figure in Vietnam. He was born in 1890 in Nghe An province and he died in 1969.

Ho Chi Minh was a revolutionary leader who fought for Vietnam’s independence from French colonialism. He traveled to many countries when he was young to learn about different political systems. When he came back to Vietnam, he started the independence movement. He became the first president of North Vietnam in 1945 and he led the country through many difficult wars.

What he did was very important because he helped Vietnam become an independent country. He wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1945, which was very important for Vietnamese people. He also focused on education and wanted all Vietnamese people to learn how to read and write.

I think Ho Chi Minh is important in Vietnamese history because he dedicated his whole life to the country. He lived a very simple life and always thought about the people. Many Vietnamese people respect him and see him as a national hero. His ideas about independence and freedom still influence Vietnamese people today. That’s why we call him “Uncle Ho” with love and respect.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Có cấu trúc rõ ràng theo bullet points, sử dụng basic linking words (because, and, also), nhưng thiếu sophisticated connectors
Lexical Resource	6-7	Từ vựng adequate: historical figure, revolutionary leader, independence movement, national hero, nhưng có repetition (important x3) và thiếu variety
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Sử dụng past simple correctly, có một số complex sentences với relative clauses, nhưng chủ yếu là simple và compound sentences
Pronunciation	6-7	Assumed rõ ràng, có thể có một số lỗi nhỏ nhưng không ảnh hưởng communication

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Trả lời đầy đủ tất cả bullet points theo đúng thứ tự
• ✅ Thông tin factual chính xác và relevant
• ✅ Có personal opinion ở phần explain
• ✅ Đủ length (khoảng 200 từ)

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Vocabulary khá basic với nhiều từ lặp lại
• ⚠️ Thiếu idiomatic expressions và collocations nâng cao
• ⚠️ Grammar structures không đa dạng lắm
• ⚠️ Phần explain chưa thực sự sâu sắc, chưa analyze impact đầy đủ

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to tell you about Ho Chi Minh, who is undoubtedly the most revered figure in Vietnamese history. He was born Nguyen Sinh Cung in 1890 in a small village in Nghe An province, and passed away in 1969, just before Vietnam achieved reunification.

Ho Chi Minh was a revolutionary leader and visionary who dedicated his entire life to Vietnam’s struggle for independence. What’s particularly fascinating about him is his journey – as a young man, he traveled extensively across Europe, America, and Asia, working various jobs while absorbing different political ideologies. This exposure to international perspectives shaped his understanding of colonialism and nationalism. Upon returning to Vietnam, he founded the Vietnamese Communist Party and spearheaded the independence movement against French colonial rule. In 1945, he declared Vietnam’s independence and became the first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, navigating the country through decades of conflict.

What makes Ho Chi Minh truly exceptional is not just his political achievements but his personal integrity and unwavering commitment to his people. Despite holding the highest office, he lived an remarkably austere life in a modest house on stilts, refusing any privileges. He was deeply invested in social issues, particularly education and literacy, believing that an educated populace was essential for the nation’s development. He’s affectionately called “Uncle Ho” by Vietnamese people, which reflects the warmth and respect he commanded.

In terms of his historical significance, Ho Chi Minh is important because he not only liberated Vietnam from colonial rule but also shaped the nation’s identity. His legacy extends beyond politics – his values of simplicity, patriotism, and selflessness continue to resonate with Vietnamese people today. He’s seen as the embodiment of Vietnamese resilience and determination, and his image remains omnipresent in Vietnamese society, from currency to street names.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Fluent và coherent, có clear progression, sử dụng sophisticated linking devices (What’s particularly fascinating, In terms of), minor hesitation có thể có
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Wide range với collocations tốt (revered figure, spearheaded, unwavering commitment, austere life), một số less common vocabulary (omnipresent, embodiment), flexible và precise
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Đa dạng structures: relative clauses, participial phrases, despite + -ing, passive voice; majority error-free với occasional minor slips
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Clear pronunciation với appropriate intonation, stress patterns chính xác

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“revolutionary leader”, “dedicated his whole life”	“revolutionary leader and visionary”, “dedicated his entire life to”, “unwavering commitment”
Grammar	“He traveled to many countries when he was young”	“As a young man, he traveled extensively across Europe, America, and Asia, working various jobs while absorbing different political ideologies”
Ideas	“He lived a very simple life”	“Despite holding the highest office, he lived an remarkably austere life in a modest house on stilts, refusing any privileges”

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📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to talk about Ho Chi Minh, arguably the most iconic and transformative figure in Vietnamese history. Born Nguyen Sinh Cung in 1890 in the humble surroundings of Kim Lien village in Nghe An province, he would later become the architect of modern Vietnam, passing away in 1969, mere months before witnessing the culmination of his life’s work – the reunification of Vietnam.

What sets Ho Chi Minh apart from other historical leaders is the sheer breadth of his experiences and the profound impact he had on Vietnam’s trajectory. In his youth, driven by an insatiable curiosity about the world and a burning desire to find solutions to his country’s subjugation, he embarked on an extraordinary odyssey that took him across three continents. Working as a pastry chef in London, a photo retoucher in Paris, and various other occupations, he wasn’t merely traveling – he was systematically absorbing political philosophies, from Marxism-Leninism to democratic ideals. This cosmopolitan education proved instrumental in shaping his unique brand of nationalism that blended international socialism with Vietnamese cultural values.

Upon his return, he didn’t just join the independence movement – he essentially galvanized it, founding the Indochinese Communist Party and orchestrating what would become one of the 20th century’s most remarkable anti-colonial struggles. When he read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square in 1945, borrowing eloquently from both the American Declaration and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man, he was making a powerful statement about universal human rights while asserting Vietnam’s sovereignty. As the leader of North Vietnam, he demonstrated exceptional strategic acumen, navigating his small nation through conflicts with formidable adversaries – first France, then the United States.

However, what truly elevates Ho Chi Minh to legendary status is not merely his political or military achievements, but the moral authority he commanded through leading by example. In stark contrast to many leaders who succumb to the trappings of power, he lived in deliberate simplicity – residing in a two-room house on stilts with no modern amenities, wearing simple clothes, and subsisting on a basic diet. This wasn’t performative humility but a genuine embodiment of his philosophy that leaders should serve the people, not the other way around. He was profoundly committed to social equality, championing literacy campaigns and women’s rights at a time when such ideas were revolutionary in Asian society.

The enduring significance of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnamese history is multi-faceted. On one level, he’s the founding father who wrested Vietnam from colonial domination and laid the groundwork for a unified, independent nation. On another, he represents an ideological touchstone – his writings and speeches continue to be studied, and his emphasis on patriotism, self-reliance, and collective welfare remains deeply ingrained in Vietnamese consciousness. Perhaps most importantly, he transcended politics to become a cultural symbol of Vietnamese resilience and identity. The affectionate title “Uncle Ho” speaks volumes about the unique bond Vietnamese people feel with him – he’s not a distant historical figure but an ever-present moral compass. His image permeates Vietnamese society, and his mausoleum in Hanoi remains one of the most visited sites, testament to the indelible mark he left on the nation’s psyche.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Highly fluent và coherent, develops topics fully, sophisticated use của cohesive devices, speaks at length without noticeable effort
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Wide và sophisticated range, idiomatic và colloquial language, rare minor errors, precise meaning với nuanced vocabulary (galvanized, formidable adversaries, performative humility, transcended)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures với full flexibility và accuracy, rare minor errors, complex sentences với multiple clauses
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Full range of pronunciation features, sustained flexibility, precise articulation

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:

• Speaks continuously cho 3 phút full mà không có noticeable hesitation, tự nhiên như native speaker đang share thoughts
• Sophisticated discourse markers giúp ideas flow naturally: “What sets him apart”, “In stark contrast to”, “Perhaps most importantly”

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:

• Ví dụ: “the architect of modern Vietnam” – metaphor mạnh mẽ hơn “founder”
• Ví dụ: “wrested Vietnam from colonial domination” – verb choice precise và powerful hơn “freed” hay “liberated”
• Ví dụ: “performative humility” – sophisticated phrase showing deep understanding của psychology
• Ví dụ: “an indelible mark” – idiomatic expression mạnh hơn “big impact”

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:

• Ví dụ: “Born Nguyen Sinh Cung in 1890…, he would later become…” – Reduced relative clause + modal in past cho sophistication
• Ví dụ: “Working as a pastry chef…, he wasn’t merely traveling – he was systematically absorbing…” – Participial phrase + past continuous với emphasis structure
• Ví dụ: “In stark contrast to many leaders who succumb to the trappings of power, he lived…” – Complex sentence với relative clause và contrast
• Ví dụ: “This wasn’t performative humility but a genuine embodiment of…” – Negative structure + parallel structure

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:

• Không chỉ kể lịch sử factual mà analyze motivation: “driven by an insatiable curiosity”
• Shows critical thinking: phân biệt giữa “performative humility” và “genuine embodiment”
• Multi-dimensional analysis: “The enduring significance… is multi-faceted. On one level… On another… Perhaps most importantly…”
• Personal reflection về cultural significance: “he transcended politics to become a cultural symbol”

Bài mẫu IELTS Speaking miêu tả nhân vật lịch sử nổi tiếng Việt Nam với từ vựng nâng cao

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Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

Examiner có thể hỏi thêm 1-2 câu ngắn sau Part 2 để transition sang Part 3:

Question 1: Do many young people in Vietnam know about Ho Chi Minh?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, most young people know about him because we learn about him in school. His story is in our history textbooks and we visit his museum too.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, he’s virtually omnipresent in Vietnamese education and culture. From primary school onwards, students learn about his life and contributions extensively, and his image is ubiquitous – on currency, in public spaces, and even in daily conversations. I’d say he’s woven into the fabric of Vietnamese identity, so familiarity with his legacy is pretty much universal among young Vietnamese.

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Question 2: Would you like to learn more about other historical figures?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I would. I think other historical figures also did important things for Vietnam. It would be interesting to learn about them.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Definitely, I’m particularly keen on learning about lesser-known but equally influential figures in Vietnamese history. While Ho Chi Minh is deservedly celebrated, there are countless others – from military strategists to cultural reformers – whose contributions deserve greater recognition. I think broadening our historical perspective helps us appreciate the complexity of how nations evolve.

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IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút với các câu hỏi thảo luận sâu và trừu tượng hơn về chủ đề Part 2. Khác với Part 1 và 2, Part 3 yêu cầu bạn phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá và đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân có lý lẽ. Bạn cần xem xét nhiều góc độ của vấn đề thay vì chỉ nói về kinh nghiệm cá nhân.

Chiến lược:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời thành 3-5 câu với structure rõ ràng
• Sử dụng discourse markers để organize ideas (Well, Actually, To be honest…)
• Đưa ra examples từ society, không chỉ personal experience
• Thừa nhận complexity của issues (show balanced view)
• Không sợ pause để think – natural pausing cho thấy thoughtful consideration

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn như Part 1, thiếu phân tích deep
• Không đưa ra lý lẽ rõ ràng support cho opinion
• Thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng để discuss abstract concepts
• Chỉ nhìn một góc độ, không acknowledge different perspectives

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Role of Historical Figures in Society

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Question 1: Why do you think some historical figures are more famous than others?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Cause and Effect (giải thích nguyên nhân)
• Key words: “why”, “more famous” – cần so sánh và explain factors
• Cách tiếp cận: Đưa ra 2-3 factors với explanations và examples

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think some historical figures become more famous because they did bigger things. For example, leaders who won important wars or made big changes are remembered more. Also, if someone’s story is interesting or dramatic, people remember them better. Another reason is education – if we learn about them in school, they become more famous. Some people are also famous because they have holidays or monuments named after them.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có several reasons được list ra
• Vocabulary: Basic (bigger things, important wars, interesting)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates ideas nhưng thiếu sophistication và depth of analysis

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Well, I think the prominence of certain historical figures over others can be attributed to several interconnected factors. First and foremost, there’s the magnitude of their impact – individuals who fundamentally altered the course of history through revolutionary actions or ideas naturally garner more attention. For instance, nation-builders like Ho Chi Minh or George Washington occupy a special place in collective memory because they shaped the very identity of their countries.

Beyond that, there’s the element of narrative appeal. History, at its core, is storytelling, and figures with compelling personal narratives – perhaps overcoming adversity or demonstrating exceptional courage – tend to resonate more deeply with people. This is compounded by how their stories are taught and perpetuated through education systems and popular culture. If someone’s legacy is actively cultivated through monuments, holidays, and curricula, they remain in the public consciousness.

That said, I think we should acknowledge that fame is also somewhat arbitrary – it often reflects the biases of those who write history. Marginalized groups or behind-the-scenes contributors may have made equally significant contributions but lack the visibility simply because their stories weren’t deemed worthy of preservation by the dominant narrative.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized với clear main ideas: magnitude of impact → narrative appeal → critical reflection on bias
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated – “attributed to”, “garner attention”, “perpetuated through”, “deemed worthy of”
• Grammar: Complex structures: passive voice, relative clauses, conditional
• Critical Thinking: Shows nuanced understanding, acknowledges multiple perspectives, raises important point về historical bias

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “Well”, “First and foremost”, “Beyond that”, “That said”
• Tentative language: “I think”, “can be attributed to”, “somewhat arbitrary”
• Abstract nouns: prominence, magnitude, adversity, legacy, consciousness, biases, visibility

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Question 2: How has the way we remember historical figures changed in recent years?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Change/Development (nói về sự thay đổi theo thời gian)
• Key words: “how”, “changed”, “recent years”
• Cách tiếp cận: Compare past vs present, explain reasons for change

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think it has changed a lot. In the past, people only learned about historical figures from books and schools. Now, with the internet, we can find information easily. Also, people are more critical now – they want to know both good and bad things about historical figures, not just the positive stories. Social media also helps people discuss and share opinions about these figures.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có comparison past/present
• Ideas: Valid points nhưng chưa developed fully
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate response nhưng thiếu examples cụ thể và sophisticated vocabulary

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Actually, there’s been a quite dramatic shift in how societies engage with historical figures in recent decades. Perhaps the most significant change is the move toward a more nuanced and critical examination of these individuals. Whereas in the past, historical figures were often presented in a rather hagiographic manner – essentially as flawless heroes – contemporary discourse tends to be far more balanced, acknowledging both their achievements and their moral failings or controversial actions.

This shift has been facilitated by several factors. For one, the democratization of information through the internet means that multiple perspectives on historical events are now readily accessible, challenging the single narratives that previously dominated textbooks. Moreover, there’s a growing awareness of how history has traditionally marginalized certain voices – women, minorities, colonized peoples – leading to efforts to reexamine historical narratives through more inclusive lenses.

A concrete example of this is how statues of controversial figures have become flashpoints for debate in many Western countries. Take, for instance, the reevaluation of colonial-era figures – people who were once celebrated unquestioningly are now being scrutinized for their roles in oppression. This doesn’t necessarily mean erasing them from history, but rather contextualizing their legacies more honestly.

I’d also argue that social media has fundamentally altered how historical memory is constructed. It’s no longer just the domain of historians and educators – ordinary citizens can now contribute to shaping collective memory, which makes the process more democratic but also more contentious.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Extremely well-organized: Main change → Factors driving change → Concrete example → Additional dimension
• Vocabulary: Highly sophisticated – “hagiographic manner”, “moral failings”, “democratization of information”, “flashpoints for debate”, “contextualizing their legacies”
• Grammar: Wide range – cleft sentences (“What’s interesting is…”), inversion, complex subordination
• Critical Thinking: Shows deep understanding of sociological and technological changes, provides specific example (statue debates), acknowledges complexity (“more democratic but also more contentious”)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “Actually”, “Perhaps the most significant”, “For one”, “Moreover”, “A concrete example of this”, “I’d also argue that”
• Contrast structures: “Whereas… tends to”, “no longer just… now”
• Hedging: “tends to be”, “I’d argue”, “rather”

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Theme 2: Historical Education

Question 3: Should history classes focus more on recent events or distant historical periods?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion with comparison
• Key words: “should”, “focus more”, “recent vs distant”
• Cách tiếp cận: Present balanced view với arguments cho both sides, rồi state personal preference

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think both are important. Recent events help students understand the modern world and current problems. But distant history is also necessary because it shows us how societies developed. Maybe schools should teach both – recent history for practical knowledge and old history for cultural understanding. This way, students get a complete picture of history.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Attempts balanced view
• Ideas: Reasonable nhưng general
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Safe answer nhưng lacks sophistication và specific reasoning

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

This is quite a nuanced question, and I’d argue that an effective history curriculum needs to strike a balance between the two, though the optimal ratio might vary depending on educational objectives.

On the one hand, there’s a compelling case for emphasizing recent history. Events from the past century have direct bearing on the political, social, and economic structures we navigate today. Understanding, say, the origins of current geopolitical tensions or the development of modern institutions equips students with context for making sense of contemporary issues. In practical terms, this knowledge is immediately applicable – it can inform their civic engagement and critical consumption of news media.

Conversely, there’s inherent value in studying distant historical periods that shouldn’t be understated. Ancient and medieval history, for example, provides insights into fundamental patterns of human civilization – how societies organize themselves, how power dynamics operate, how cultural values evolve. The Roman Empire’s rise and fall, for instance, offers timeless lessons about governance, military strategy, and the cyclical nature of civilizations. Moreover, distant history helps students develop a sense of historical continuity and understand that many “modern” problems have deep roots.

From my perspective, the ideal approach would be a spiral curriculum that revisits both recent and distant periods at increasing levels of sophistication as students mature. What’s crucial is not so much the temporal distance of events studied, but rather the cultivation of historical thinking skills – the ability to analyze sources, understand causation, and appreciate multiple perspectives. Whether students are examining ancient empires or 20th-century conflicts, these analytical frameworks are what truly matter for their intellectual development.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated structure với clear signposting: acknowledges complexity → argues for recent history → argues for distant history → personal synthesis
• Vocabulary: Academic và precise – “compelling case for”, “direct bearing on”, “inherent value”, “shouldn’t be understated”, “cyclical nature of”
• Grammar: Full range với perfect control – complex conditionals, relative clauses, cleft sentences
• Critical Thinking: Highly analytical, considers different stakeholders, proposes sophisticated solution (spiral curriculum), focuses on skills over content

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “On the one hand”, “Conversely”, “From my perspective”, “What’s crucial”
• Hedging: “I’d argue that”, “the optimal ratio might vary”, “somewhat”
• Academic phrases: “strike a balance”, “direct bearing on”, “equips students with”, “shouldn’t be understated”

Giáo viên đang dạy về nhân vật lịch sử nổi tiếng Việt Nam trong lớp học IELTS Speaking

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Theme 3: Historical Legacy and Modern Society

Question 4: Do you think historical figures can still influence people’s behavior today?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion (Yes/No) with reasoning
• Key words: “can”, “still influence”, “behavior today”
• Cách tiếp cận: Take clear position, explain how/why với concrete examples

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think historical figures still influence people today. Many people try to follow the good examples of these figures. For instance, some leaders use quotes from historical figures in their speeches. Also, parents tell their children stories about heroes to teach them good values. Historical figures inspire people to be brave and work hard for their goals.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear position với some supporting points
• Examples: Present but general
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate communication nhưng analysis is shallow

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Absolutely, I firmly believe that historical figures continue to exert considerable influence on contemporary behavior, though the mechanisms through which this happens are more subtle than one might initially assume.

At the most direct level, historical figures serve as role models and sources of inspiration. Take, for example, how Nelson Mandela’s legacy of reconciliation and forgiveness has shaped conflict resolution approaches worldwide, or how Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent resistance has been invoked in countless social justice movements. These aren’t just abstract ideals – they translate into specific behavioral choices people make when confronting injustice.

More broadly, historical figures shape collective values and national identity, which in turn influences individual behavior. In Vietnam, for instance, Ho Chi Minh’s emphasis on simplicity and service to others has become embedded in cultural expectations around leadership and civic duty. While not everyone consciously thinks “What would Uncle Ho do?” in daily life, his values have been internalized to such an extent that they inform social norms and expectations.

That said, I think we should acknowledge that the influence isn’t always straightforward or positive. Historical figures can be selectively appropriated to justify very different, sometimes contradictory, agendas. Their legacies are constantly being reinterpreted through contemporary lenses, which means the “influence” we perceive might be more about present needs than historical accuracy.

Interestingly, with the rise of social media and digital communication, I’ve noticed historical figures being invoked in new ways – their quotes become memes, their stories are distilled into bite-sized inspirational content. This democratizes access to their legacies but also risks oversimplification. Nevertheless, the very fact that we keep returning to these figures across generations testifies to their enduring relevance.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Masterfully organized: Direct answer → Direct mechanisms with examples → Broader cultural influence → Critical caveat → Contemporary dimension
• Vocabulary: Exceptionally sophisticated – “exert considerable influence”, “mechanisms through which”, “invoked”, “embedded in”, “selectively appropriated”, “democratizes access to”
• Grammar: Full grammatical range với perfect accuracy – complex conditionals, passive structures, cleft sentences
• Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis, acknowledges complexity and contradictions, provides specific cross-cultural examples, reflects on modern technology’s role

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “Absolutely”, “At the most direct level”, “More broadly”, “That said”, “Interestingly”, “Nevertheless”
• Tentative language: “I firmly believe that”, “one might initially assume”, “I think we should acknowledge”
• Cause-effect structures: “which in turn influences”, “testifies to”, “translate into”
• Abstract vocabulary: mechanisms, appropriated, internalized, democratizes, oversimplification

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Question 5: Some people say we should remove statues of controversial historical figures. What’s your opinion?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Controversial opinion – cần balanced approach
• Key words: “should remove”, “controversial figures”
• Cách tiếp cận: Acknowledge both perspectives, provide reasoned personal opinion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

This is a difficult question. I think it depends on what the person did. If they did something very bad, maybe we should remove their statues because they shouldn’t be celebrated. But we should also remember history, even the bad parts. Maybe instead of removing statues completely, we could add information to explain what the person really did. This way, people can learn the full story.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Attempts balanced view
• Vocabulary: Simple và repetitive (bad, good, remove)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Shows some reasoning nhưng lacks sophistication và fails to fully explore complexity

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

This is an extremely contentious issue, and I think my position is somewhat nuanced rather than falling firmly on one side or the other.

On the one hand, I can certainly appreciate the argument for removal. Statues, by their very nature, are celebratory – they occupy prominent public spaces and confer honor upon their subjects. When these figures are associated with slavery, colonialism, genocide, or other atrocities, maintaining their monuments can feel like a tacit endorsement of those actions, which is deeply offensive to communities who were victimized. To put it bluntly, asking descendants of enslaved people to walk past statues honoring slave traders constitutes a form of ongoing trauma and sends a troubling message about what society values.

Conversely, the argument for preservation often centers on not “erasing history.” However, I find this reasoning somewhat disingenuous. Statues aren’t neutral historical records – they’re deliberate acts of commemoration, often erected long after the individual’s death to advance particular political narratives. Removing them from public spaces doesn’t erase history; it simply stops actively glorifying problematic figures. The historical record remains in books, archives, and museums – venues more appropriate for nuanced, contextualized discussion.

That being said, I don’t think all removals are equally justified, and context matters immensely. There’s a difference between figures whose primary legacy is oppression versus complex individuals who made significant contributions despite having views we now consider abhorrent. For the latter category – and I’m thinking of, say, Founding Fathers who were slaveholders – perhaps the solution is not outright removal but rather adding context through plaques, counter-monuments, or museum-ification of the space.

What I’d advocate for is a democratic process involving affected communities, historians, and civic leaders to make these decisions on a case-by-case basis. The key principle should be that public spaces should reflect contemporary values while still facilitating honest reckoning with history. In some cases, that might mean relocation to museums where full historical context can be provided; in others, it might mean adding counter-narratives or memorials to victims nearby. The worst outcome would be to do nothing under the guise of “preserving history” when what’s really being preserved is a sanitized, incomplete version of the past.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally sophisticated: Acknowledges controversy → Argues for removal → Counters common objection → Introduces nuance → Proposes solution
• Vocabulary: Highly academic và precise – “confer honor”, “tacit endorsement”, “disingenuous”, “museum-ification”, “facilitating honest reckoning with”
• Grammar: Full range perfectly deployed – complex conditionals, subordination, cleft sentences, inversion
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates exceptional analytical ability, distinguishes between different scenarios, acknowledges complexity, proposes nuanced solution, shows ethical reasoning

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: “On the one hand”, “Conversely”, “That being said”, “What I’d advocate for”, “The key principle should be”
• Hedging and certainty: “I think my position is somewhat nuanced”, “I can certainly appreciate”, “I find this reasoning somewhat disingenuous”, “context matters immensely”
• Hypothetical structures: “asking descendants of… constitutes”, “what’s really being preserved is”
• Academic collocations: “falls firmly on one side”, “centers on”, “advances particular narratives”, “case-by-case basis”

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Question 6: How do you think future generations will remember the leaders of today?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Speculation about future (prediction)
• Key words: “future generations”, “remember”, “leaders of today”
• Cách tiếp cận: Speculate based on trends, consider factors that affect historical memory

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think future generations will judge today’s leaders based on how they handle important problems like climate change and technology. Leaders who make good decisions about these issues will be remembered positively. Also, because of social media, future people will know more about leaders’ personal lives, not just their official actions. This might change how they are remembered compared to historical figures from the past.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Has main ideas
• Speculation: Limited depth
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicates basic ideas nhưng lacks sophistication in reasoning

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

That’s a fascinating question to ponder, and I suspect the answer depends on which leaders we’re discussing and how they navigate the defining challenges of our era.

If I had to make a prediction, I think future historians will evaluate contemporary leaders primarily through the lens of how they responded to what I’d call “existential challenges” – particularly climate change, technological disruption, and growing inequality. Leaders who demonstrated foresight and courage in addressing these issues, even at political cost, will likely be vindicated by history, while those who prioritized short-term gains or denied scientific consensus will probably be judged harshly. We’re already seeing this with how different countries’ leaders are being assessed for their pandemic responses.

What makes this era unique, however, is the unprecedented level of documentation. Unlike historical figures whose personal lives were largely private, today’s leaders exist in a digital panopticon – every tweet, every unguarded moment, potentially preserved forever. This could cut both ways. On one level, it means future generations will have a far more complete and unvarnished picture of these leaders, making it harder to mythologize them as was done with past figures. On another, the sheer volume of information might actually make coherent assessment more difficult – how do you judge someone when there’s overwhelming evidence of both their virtues and flaws?

I’m also curious about how the globalized nature of modern leadership will affect historical memory. Unlike past leaders whose impact was primarily national or regional, today’s leaders – especially those of major powers – have global ramifications. A decision made in Washington, Beijing, or Brussels reverberates worldwide. Future historians might therefore assess them not just by national metrics but by their global impact, particularly regarding transnational challenges.

One more thing to consider is that the very mechanisms of historical memory are changing. In the past, historical consensus was largely shaped by academic historians and official narratives. Now, with decentralized media and the democratization of storytelling, many competing narratives will likely persist simultaneously. This could mean that rather than arriving at a singular historical judgment, future generations might have multiple, contested memories of today’s leaders, depending on political and cultural perspectives.

All things considered, I’d wager that future generations will look back on this era as a critical juncture where humanity either rose to unprecedented challenges or failed catastrophically to do so, and leaders will be remembered primarily by which side of that divide they positioned themselves on.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally well-organized: Frames question → Main prediction with criteria → Unique factor (digital documentation) → Additional dimension (globalization) → Meta-reflection on historical process → Concluding synthesis
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated throughout – “existential challenges”, “vindicated by history”, “digital panopticon”, “unvarnished picture”, “transnational challenges”, “critical juncture”
• Grammar: Full mastery – hypothetical future, complex conditionals, relative clauses with “which” referring to whole clauses
• Critical Thinking: Multi-layered analysis considering multiple factors, shows metacognitive awareness about historical process itself, acknowledges uncertainty appropriately

💡 Key Language Features:

• Speculative language: “I suspect”, “If I had to make a prediction”, “will likely be”, “probably”, “might”, “I’d wager that”
• Discourse markers: “What makes this era unique”, “This could cut both ways”, “On one level… On another”, “I’m also curious about”, “One more thing to consider”, “All things considered”
• Conditional structures: “If I had to make…”, “This could mean that…”
• Future forms variety: “will evaluate”, “will be judged”, “might make”, “will look back”

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Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
iconic figure	noun phrase	/aɪˈkɒnɪk ˈfɪɡə(r)/	nhân vật biểu tượng	Ho Chi Minh is an iconic figure in Vietnamese history.	the most iconic figure, become an iconic figure, remain an iconic figure
revolutionary leader	noun phrase	/ˌrevəˈluːʃənəri ˈliːdə(r)/	lãnh tụ cách mạng	He was a revolutionary leader who changed the nation’s destiny.	prominent revolutionary leader, inspiring revolutionary leader
revered	adjective	/rɪˈvɪəd/	được tôn kính, được kính trọng	He remains one of the most revered figures in the country.	highly revered, widely revered, deeply revered
spearheaded	verb	/ˈspɪəhedɪd/	dẫn đầu, đi tiên phong	She spearheaded the independence movement.	spearheaded a campaign, spearheaded reforms, spearheaded the effort
unwavering commitment	noun phrase	/ʌnˈweɪvərɪŋ kəˈmɪtmənt/	sự cam kết không lay chuyển	His unwavering commitment to the cause inspired millions.	demonstrate unwavering commitment, show unwavering commitment
austere life	noun phrase	/ɔːˈstɪə(r) laɪf/	cuộc sống khắc khổ, giản dị	Despite his position, he lived an austere life.	lead an austere life, live an austere life
galvanized	verb	/ˈɡælvənaɪzd/	thúc đẩy mạnh mẽ, khuấy động	His speeches galvanized the nation into action.	galvanized support, galvanized the movement, galvanized public opinion
formidable adversary	noun phrase	/ˈfɔːmɪdəbl ˈædvəsəri/	đối thủ đáng gờm	They faced formidable adversaries during the war.	prove a formidable adversary, become formidable adversaries
moral authority	noun phrase	/ˈmɒrəl ɔːˈθɒrəti/	uy tín đạo đức	He commanded moral authority through leading by example.	command moral authority, possess moral authority, establish moral authority
founding father	noun phrase	/ˈfaʊndɪŋ ˈfɑːðə(r)/	cha đẻ, người sáng lập	He’s regarded as the founding father of the nation.	the founding fathers, one of the founding fathers
indelible mark	noun phrase	/ɪnˈdeləbl mɑːk/	dấu ấn không thể xóa nhòa	His legacy left an indelible mark on society.	leave an indelible mark, make an indelible mark
legacy	noun	/ˈleɡəsi/	di sản, tài sản tinh thần để lại	His legacy continues to influence modern politics.	lasting legacy, enduring legacy, political legacy, cultural legacy
embodiment of	noun phrase	/ɪmˈbɒdimənt əv/	hiện thân của, biểu tượng của	She was the embodiment of courage and determination.	the perfect embodiment of, living embodiment of
commemorated	verb	/kəˈmeməreɪtɪd/	được tưởng nhớ, kỷ niệm	His contributions are commemorated annually.	commemorated by, widely commemorated, officially commemorated
triumphs and failures	noun phrase	/ˈtraɪəmfs ənd ˈfeɪljə(r)z/	thành công và thất bại	History should examine both triumphs and failures.	learn from triumphs and failures
visionary	noun/adjective	/ˈvɪʒəneri/	người có tầm nhìn xa / có tầm nhìn xa	He was a visionary who foresaw future challenges.	visionary leader, visionary thinker, true visionary
resilience	noun	/rɪˈzɪliəns/	sức bền, khả năng phục hồi	The leader’s resilience inspired the nation during hardship.	demonstrate resilience, show resilience, remarkable resilience
cultivated	verb	/ˈkʌltɪveɪtɪd/	trau dồi, phát triển	He cultivated strong relationships with allies.	carefully cultivated, actively cultivated, successfully cultivated
prominence	noun	/ˈprɒmɪnəns/	sự nổi bật, danh tiếng	She rose to prominence through her diplomatic skills.	gain prominence, achieve prominence, rise to prominence
chronicles	verb	/ˈkrɒnɪklz/	ghi chép lại	The museum chronicles his journey from youth to leadership.	chronicles the life of, carefully chronicles

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
left an indelible mark on	để lại dấu ấn sâu đậm, không thể xóa nhòa	Ho Chi Minh left an indelible mark on Vietnamese history.	8-9
the architect of	kiến trúc sư của, người tạo nên	He was the architect of modern Vietnam’s independence.	8-9
wrested from	giành lại từ (qua đấu tranh)	They wrested independence from colonial powers.	8-9
a wealth of	rất nhiều, phong phú	Vietnam has a wealth of historical figures to learn from.	7.5-8
off the top of my head	nghĩ ngay ra, không cần suy nghĩ kỹ	Off the top of my head, I’d say he’s the most influential.	7.5-8
struck me most	ấn tượng với tôi nhất	What struck me most was his humility despite his power.	7.5-8
brought history to life	làm lịch sử trở nên sống động	The museum exhibits brought history to life.	7-8
stands the test of time	trường tồn với thời gian	His philosophy stands the test of time.	7.5-8
rose to prominence	nổi lên, trở nên nổi tiếng	She rose to prominence during the reform period.	7-8
at the forefront of	đi đầu trong	He was at the forefront of the independence movement.	7.5-8
paved the way for	mở đường cho	His reforms paved the way for future development.	7-8
held in high regard	được kính trọng cao	Historical leaders are held in high regard in our culture.	7-8
embodied the spirit of	hiện thân tinh thần của	She embodied the spirit of resistance and courage.	7.5-8
remains deeply ingrained in	vẫn còn ăn sâu vào	His values remain deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture.	8-9
struck a chord with	chạm đến, gây tiếng vang với	His message struck a chord with ordinary people.	7.5-8
set a precedent for	tạo tiền lệ cho	Her leadership set a precedent for future generations.	7.5-8

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn hơi khác hoặc surprising information
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi muốn nói thật, thường với opinion mạnh
• 📝 I’d say that… – Khi đưa ra judgment hoặc assessment
• 📝 That’s an interesting question… – Để buy time và show engagement

Để bổ sung ý:

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

Để đưa ra quan điểm cân bằng:

• 📝 On the one hand,… On the other hand,… – Một mặt… mặt khác…
• 📝 While it’s true that…, we also need to consider… – Mặc dù đúng là… nhưng cũng cần xem xét…
• 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên (để introduce contrasting point)
• 📝 Having said that,… – Nói như vậy thì (để qualify previous statement)

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại, nhìn chung
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì, về cơ bản
• 📝 All things considered,… – Xét mọi mặt thì
• 📝 To sum up,… – Tóm lại (formal)

Để thể hiện opinion mạnh:

• 📝 I firmly believe that… – Tôi tin chắc rằng
• 📝 I’m absolutely convinced that… – Tôi hoàn toàn tin rằng
• 📝 There’s no doubt in my mind that… – Không nghi ngờ gì rằng

Để hedging (giảm độ chắc chắn):

• 📝 I would say that… – Tôi có thể nói rằng
• 📝 It seems to me that… – Có vẻ như với tôi
• 📝 To some extent,… – Ở một mức độ nào đó
• 📝 I suppose… / I guess… – Tôi cho là

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

• Mixed conditional:

  • Formula: If + past perfect, would + base verb (hiện tại)
  • Ví dụ: “If Ho Chi Minh hadn’t traveled abroad, he wouldn’t be the visionary leader we know today.”

• Inversion (đảo ngữ):

  • Formula: Had/Were/Should + subject + verb…
  • Ví dụ: “Had he not shown such resilience, the independence movement might have failed.”
  • Ví dụ: “Were it not for his diplomatic skills, the country wouldn’t have gained international support.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

• Non-defining relative clauses:

  • Formula: …, which/who + verb…
  • Ví dụ: “Ho Chi Minh, who traveled extensively in his youth, developed a global perspective.”
  • Ví dụ: “His philosophy of self-reliance, which still influences policy today, was shaped by his experiences.”

• Relative clause referring to whole sentence:

  • Ví dụ: “He lived in extreme simplicity, which earned him tremendous respect from ordinary people.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động):

• Impersonal passive:

  • Formula: It is thought/believed/said/considered that…
  • Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that his leadership was crucial to the nation’s independence.”
  • Ví dụ: “It is said that he could speak multiple languages fluently.”

• Advanced passive structures:

  • Ví dụ: “His contributions are commemorated through national holidays.”
  • Ví dụ: “The values he embodied have been internalized by successive generations.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ):

• What-cleft:

  • Formula: What + clause + is/was…
  • Ví dụ: “What I find most impressive is his unwavering commitment to his principles.”
  • Ví dụ: “What struck me most about his legacy is how it transcends politics.”

• It-cleft:

  • Formula: It + is/was + focus + that/who…
  • Ví dụ: “It was his moral authority that allowed him to unite diverse groups.”
  • Ví dụ: “It’s not just his achievements that matter, but how he achieved them.”

5. Participial Phrases:

• Ví dụ: “Having traveled extensively, he developed a cosmopolitan worldview.”
• Ví dụ: “Born into humble circumstances, he never forgot his roots.”

6. Emphatic Structures:

• Ví dụ: “Not only did he lead the independence movement, but he also reformed education.”
• Ví dụ: “Rarely do we encounter such selfless leadership.”

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Việc nắm vững chủ đề “describe a famous historical figure in your country” không chỉ giúp bạn tự tin trong phòng thi IELTS Speaking mà còn phát triển khả năng diễn đạt về lịch sử và văn hóa của đất nước mình bằng tiếng Anh. Tương tự như describe a famous personality in your country, chủ đề này đòi hỏi sự kết hợp khéo léo giữa kiến thức lịch sử và kỹ năng ngôn ngữ.

Hãy nhớ rằng, điểm cao trong IELTS Speaking không đến từ việc học thuộc mẫu câu mà từ khả năng suy nghĩ độc lập, diễn đạt tự nhiên và sử dụng ngôn ngữ đa dạng, chính xác. Bạn cần thực hành thường xuyên với các chủ đề liên quan, chẳng hạn như describe a person who inspires you để mở rộng vocabulary và làm quen với nhiều góc độ khác nhau khi nói về con người.

Đừng quên rằng examiner đánh giá cao những thí sinh có critical thinking, thể hiện qua việc phân tích nhiều khía cạnh của vấn đề, đưa ra ví dụ cụ thể, và thừa nhận sự phức tạp của những chủ đề xã hội. Khi chuẩn bị, hãy kết hợp việc học từ vựng với việc đọc về các nhân vật lịch sử khác nhau, xem tài liệu về describe a famous writer you enjoy reading để có thêm góc nhìn về cách miêu tả những người có ảnh hưởng.

Cuối cùng, hãy luôn nhớ rằng IELTS Speaking là một cuộc trò chuyện, không phải bài kiểm tra kiến thức lịch sử. Sự tự nhiên, tự tin và khả năng giao tiếp hiệu quả mới là yếu tố quyết định. Chúc bạn thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS!