IELTS Speaking: Cách Trả Lời Chủ Đề “Describe A Hobby You Find Relaxing” – Bài Mẫu Band 6-9

Mở bài

Chủ đề “Describe A Hobby You Find Relaxing” là một trong những đề bài phổ biến và thân thiện nhất trong IELTS Speaking, đặc biệt ở Part 2. Đây là câu hỏi về sở thích thư giãn – một chủ đề gần gũi với cuộc sống hàng ngày và dễ dàng chia sẻ kinh nghiệm cá nhân. Từ góc độ của một examiner với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm, tôi nhận thấy đây là cơ hội tuyệt vời để thí sinh thể hiện khả năng ngôn ngữ tự nhiên, vì bạn đang nói về điều mình thực sự yêu thích.

Chủ đề này xuất hiện với tần suất cao trong các kỳ thi IELTS từ năm 2020 đến nay, đặc biệt là các biến thể về hobbies, relaxation, và leisure activities. Dự đoán khả năng xuất hiện trong tương lai vẫn ở mức cao, vì IELTS luôn ưu tiên những chủ đề liên quan đến đời sống cá nhân và cảm xúc.

Trong bài viết này, bạn sẽ học được cách trả lời chủ đề này qua cả 3 Part của IELTS Speaking với bài mẫu chi tiết từ Band 6-7 đến Band 8.5-9. Bạn cũng sẽ nắm vững từ vựng ăn điểm, cấu trúc ngữ pháp nâng cao, và những chiến lược trả lời hiệu quả từ góc nhìn của examiner. Đặc biệt, tôi sẽ chỉ ra những lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam và cách khắc phục để đạt band điểm cao nhất.

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, sở thích, công việc, học tập. Đặc điểm của Part 1 là câu hỏi đơn giản, trực tiếp, và yêu cầu câu trả lời tự nhiên như khi trò chuyện thông thường.

Chiến lược hiệu quả nhất là trả lời trực tiếp câu hỏi trong 1-2 câu đầu, sau đó mở rộng bằng lý do, ví dụ hoặc chi tiết cá nhân. Mỗi câu trả lời nên dài 2-3 câu, tối đa 4 câu để giữ nhịp độ tự nhiên.

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn chỉ có Yes/No hoặc một câu duy nhất
• Sử dụng từ vựng quá đơn giản như “good”, “nice”, “interesting”
• Thiếu ví dụ cụ thể từ kinh nghiệm bản thân
• Nói quá nhanh hoặc quá chậm, thiếu tự nhiên
• Không duy trì eye contact với examiner

Các Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp

Question 1: Do you have any hobbies?

Question 2: What do you usually do in your free time?

Question 3: Do you prefer relaxing at home or going out?

Question 4: Have your hobbies changed since you were a child?

Question 5: Is it important to have hobbies? Why?

Question 6: What hobbies are popular in your country?

Question 7: Do you think people have enough free time nowadays?

Question 8: Would you like to try any new hobbies in the future?

Phân Tích và Gợi Ý Trả Lời Chi Tiết

Question: Do you have any hobbies?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Trả lời trực tiếp Yes/No
• Nêu tên 1-2 hobbies cụ thể
• Giải thích ngắn gọn tại sao bạn thích hoặc khi nào bạn làm

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I do. I enjoy reading books and listening to music. These activities help me relax after a long day at work. I usually do them in the evening before going to bed.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Trả lời trực tiếp, nêu được 2 hobbies, có thêm thông tin về thời gian thực hiện.
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng đơn giản (enjoy, help, relax), thiếu chi tiết cụ thể về loại sách/nhạc, không có cảm xúc cá nhân sâu sắc.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Câu trả lời adequate và clear nhưng chưa có sophisticated vocabulary hay extended answer với details thú vị.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Yes, absolutely. I’m quite passionate about photography, particularly landscape photography. I find it incredibly therapeutic to spend weekends exploring scenic spots around the city, capturing the interplay of light and shadow. Apart from that, I’m also an avid reader of historical fiction, which allows me to unwind while broadening my perspective on different cultures and time periods.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Từ vựng tinh tế (passionate about, therapeutic, capturing the interplay, avid reader, unwind, broadening perspective), chi tiết cụ thể (landscape photography, historical fiction), câu trả lời dài và tự nhiên, thể hiện cảm xúc cá nhân rõ ràng.
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Câu dài, liền mạch, không hesitation
  • Vocabulary: Collocations mạnh (passionate about, avid reader), topic-specific words (landscape, therapeutic)
  • Grammar: Phức tạp với relative clause, gerunds, và parallel structure
  • Pronunciation: Từ vựng đa âm tiết thể hiện khả năng phát âm tốt

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• passionate about: say mê, nhiệt huyết về điều gì
• therapeutic: có tác dụng chữa lành, thư giãn tinh thần
• capturing the interplay of light and shadow: chụp lại sự giao thoa của ánh sáng và bóng tối
• an avid reader: người đọc sách nhiệt thành
• unwind: thư giãn, xả stress
• broaden one’s perspective: mở rộng góc nhìn

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Question: What do you usually do in your free time?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• Mô tả 2-3 hoạt động cụ thể
• Giải thích lý do hoặc cảm nhận
• Có thể đề cập tần suất thực hiện

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

In my free time, I usually watch movies or hang out with friends. Sometimes I also play sports like badminton. These activities are fun and help me reduce stress from work.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Liệt kê được nhiều hoạt động, có lý do (reduce stress).
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng basic (fun, hang out, reduce stress), thiếu details về loại phim/bạn bè/thể thao, cấu trúc câu đơn giản.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicative và clear nhưng thiếu sophistication trong ngôn ngữ.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Well, it really depends on my mood and energy levels. When I’m feeling quite drained after a hectic week, I tend to indulge in binge-watching Korean dramas, which is my guilty pleasure. However, when I have more energy, I prefer something more physically engaging like going for a jog in the park or hitting the gym. I find that striking a balance between passive and active leisure activities is crucial for my overall well-being.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Flexible answer (depends on mood), sophisticated vocabulary (drained, indulge in, guilty pleasure, physically engaging), thể hiện khả năng sử dụng discourse markers (Well, However), có suy nghĩ về balance.
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Natural flow với discourse markers
  • Vocabulary: Idiomatic expressions (guilty pleasure, hitting the gym), precise words (drained, hectic)
  • Grammar: Complex sentences với dependent clauses
  • Ideas: Thể hiện sự mature trong cách suy nghĩ về balance

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• drained: kiệt sức, mệt mỏi
• indulge in: đắm chìm vào, tận hưởng điều gì
• guilty pleasure: sở thích tội lỗi (thích nhưng hơi ngại ngùng thừa nhận)
• physically engaging: đòi hỏi hoạt động thể chất
• hitting the gym: đi tập gym
• strike a balance: tìm sự cân bằng
• crucial for: quan trọng cho

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Question: Have your hobbies changed since you were a child?

🎯 Cách tiếp cận:

• So sánh hobbies quá khứ và hiện tại
• Giải thích lý do thay đổi (tuổi tác, trách nhiệm, sở thích)
• Sử dụng thì quá khứ đơn và hiện tại hoàn thành

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, they have changed a lot. When I was a child, I liked playing video games and collecting toys. But now I prefer reading books and doing exercise because I think they are more useful for my health and knowledge.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Có so sánh rõ ràng giữa past và present, đưa ra lý do thay đổi.
• Hạn chế: Từ vựng simple (liked, prefer, useful), lý do hơi generic, thiếu emotional connection.
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Adequate answer với basic comparison nhưng thiếu depth và sophistication.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8-9:

Absolutely, they’ve evolved quite dramatically. As a child, I was totally obsessed with building Lego sets and playing computer games – typical activities for someone that age. However, as I’ve matured, my interests have shifted towards more introspective and contemplative pursuits like meditation and journaling. I suppose this transition reflects my growing appreciation for mental well-being and self-reflection, which I didn’t really grasp the importance of when I was younger. That said, I do occasionally indulge in a bit of gaming for nostalgia’s sake.

Phân tích:

• Điểm mạnh: Sophisticated vocabulary (evolved dramatically, obsessed with, introspective, contemplative), clear contrast giữa past và present, giải thích thoughtful về psychological development, có nuance cuối câu (nostalgia).
• Tại sao Band 8-9:
  • Fluency: Long, complex answer với natural connectors
  • Vocabulary: Precise adjectives (introspective, contemplative), advanced phrases (grasp the importance of, for nostalgia’s sake)
  • Grammar: Perfect tenses, passive voice, relative clauses
  • Ideas: Mature reflection về personal growth

💡 Key Vocabulary & Expressions:

• evolved dramatically: thay đổi đáng kể
• totally obsessed with: hoàn toàn bị ám ảnh bởi
• matured: trưởng thành
• shifted towards: chuyển hướng sang
• introspective and contemplative: hướng nội và chiêm nghiệm
• transition: sự chuyển đổi
• growing appreciation for: sự trân trọng ngày càng tăng đối với
• grasp the importance of: nắm bắt tầm quan trọng của
• for nostalgia’s sake: vì lý do hoài niệm

Nếu bạn muốn tìm hiểu thêm về cách mô tả một kỹ năng mới học được và cách nó giúp bạn phát triển, hãy tham khảo describe a skill you recently acquired để có thêm ý tưởng về việc kết nối sở thích với sự phát triển cá nhân.

Học viên đang trả lời câu hỏi IELTS Speaking Part 1 về sở thích thư giãn với giám khảo

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Tổng Quan Về Part 2

Part 2 là phần độc thoại trong 2-3 phút về một chủ đề cụ thể. Bạn có 1 phút chuẩn bị và được cung cấp giấy nháp và bút. Đây là phần quan trọng nhất để thể hiện khả năng nói dài, mạch lạc và sử dụng ngôn ngữ đa dạng.

Thời gian chuẩn bị 1 phút cần được tận dụng tối đa để ghi chú keywords, không viết câu hoàn chỉnh. Khi nói, bạn cần duy trì ít nhất 1.5 phút và tối đa 2-3 phút. Examiner sẽ không ngắt lời bạn cho đến khi hết thời gian.

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Ghi chú theo bullet points trên cue card
• Lên outline: WHO/WHAT/WHEN/WHERE/WHY/HOW
• Bắt đầu bằng câu mở đầu general trước khi đi vào chi tiết
• Sử dụng thì động từ phù hợp (thường là quá khứ cho experiences)
• Mở rộng phần “explain” vì đây là phần ghi điểm cao nhất
• Duy trì eye contact và intonation tự nhiên

Lỗi thường gặp:

• Không sử dụng đủ 1 phút chuẩn bị, ghi chú không có cấu trúc
• Nói dưới 1.5 phút hoặc dừng giữa chừng
• Bỏ sót một hoặc nhiều bullet points
• Không phát triển đủ phần “explain”
• Lặp lại từ vựng quá nhiều
• Đọc thuộc lòng template nghe giống robot

Cue Card

Describe a hobby you find relaxing

You should say:

• What the hobby is
• How you started doing it
• How often you do it
• And explain why you find it relaxing

Phân Tích Đề Bài

Dạng câu hỏi: Describe an activity/hobby – thuộc nhóm đề “Describe something you do”

Thì động từ: Chủ yếu là Hiện tại đơn và Hiện tại hoàn thành (vì đây là hobby đang duy trì), có thể dùng Quá khứ đơn khi kể về cách bắt đầu.

Bullet points phải cover:

• What: Tên hobby cụ thể, mô tả ngắn gọn về nó
• How you started: Kể câu chuyện về nguồn gốc, ai giới thiệu, hoàn cảnh bắt đầu
• How often: Tần suất thực hiện (daily, weekly, whenever possible)
• Why relaxing: Phần QUAN TRỌNG nhất – giải thích cảm giác, lợi ích, tác động tâm lý

Câu “explain” quan trọng: Đây là phần chiếm 40-50% thời gian nói của bạn. Bạn cần phân tích sâu về feelings, emotions, psychological benefits, physical effects. Đây là nơi bạn thể hiện vocabulary về emotions và abstract ideas.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7

Thời lượng: Khoảng 1.5-2 phút

I’d like to talk about gardening, which is a hobby I find very relaxing. I started this hobby about two years ago when I moved to a new house with a small garden.

At first, I didn’t know much about gardening. My neighbor saw me looking at my empty garden one day and she gave me some advice. She also gave me some seeds and plants to start with. I was grateful for her help because I was quite new to this activity.

Now I do gardening almost every weekend, usually on Sunday mornings. I spend about two or three hours taking care of my plants, watering them, and sometimes planting new flowers or vegetables. I have different kinds of plants in my garden, including roses, tomatoes, and some herbs like mint and basil.

The reason I find gardening relaxing is that it helps me forget about my work stress. When I’m in the garden, I don’t think about deadlines or problems at the office. I just focus on the plants and enjoy being outside in the fresh air. Also, I feel happy when I see my plants growing well. It gives me a sense of achievement. Taking care of living things and watching them grow is very satisfying. Gardening also gives me some exercise, which is good for my health. Overall, it’s a hobby that makes me feel peaceful and content.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	6-7	Câu chuyện có cấu trúc rõ ràng, theo thứ tự logic. Có sử dụng linking words cơ bản (at first, now, also, overall). Tuy nhiên, chưa có variety trong discourse markers.
Lexical Resource	6-7	Từ vựng adequate và relevant (taking care of, sense of achievement, satisfying). Có một số collocations tốt nhưng chưa sophisticated (work stress, fresh air, feel peaceful). Lặp lại “I” và “relaxing” nhiều lần.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	6-7	Có sử dụng nhiều thì khác nhau chính xác (past simple, present simple, present continuous). Có một số complex sentences với relative clauses. Tuy nhiên, phần lớn là simple và compound sentences.
Pronunciation	6-7	Giả định rằng pronunciation rõ ràng với một số mispronunciation nhỏ không ảnh hưởng hiểu nghĩa.

Điểm mạnh:

• ✅ Cover đầy đủ tất cả bullet points theo thứ tự
• ✅ Có câu chuyện cụ thể về cách bắt đầu (neighbor’s help)
• ✅ Giải thích rõ ràng tại sao relaxing với multiple reasons
• ✅ Độ dài phù hợp (khoảng 250 từ ~ 2 phút)
• ✅ Cấu trúc mạch lạc, dễ follow

Hạn chế:

• ⚠️ Từ vựng chưa impressive, nhiều từ basic (very, quite, good, happy)
• ⚠️ Thiếu idiomatic expressions và advanced vocabulary
• ⚠️ Grammar structures chưa đa dạng, chủ yếu là simple sentences
• ⚠️ Thiếu vivid descriptions về feelings và sensory details

📝 Sample Answer – Band 7.5-8

Thời lượng: Khoảng 2-2.5 phút

I’d like to describe my hobby of watercolor painting, which I find incredibly soothing and therapeutic. This has become my go-to activity whenever I need to decompress after a demanding week.

My journey into watercolors began about three years ago quite serendipitously. I was browsing through an art supply store looking for a gift for a friend when I stumbled upon a beginner’s watercolor set. The vibrant colors and the delicate brushes immediately caught my eye, and I decided to give it a try myself. I watched some online tutorials by a renowned artist on YouTube, and I was hooked from the very first brushstroke. There was something mesmerizing about watching the colors blend and flow on the paper.

These days, I try to paint at least twice a week, typically on weekday evenings or Sunday afternoons when I have a decent chunk of time to fully immerse myself in the process. I usually spend around two to three hours per session, painting everything from tranquil landscapes to abstract patterns. I’ve set up a small corner in my apartment as my art space, complete with an easel and proper lighting.

What makes watercolor painting so relaxing for me is multifaceted. Firstly, it requires complete focus and concentration, which means my mind can’t wander to work-related worries or daily stresses – it’s like a form of active meditation. The repetitive motions of mixing colors and applying brushstrokes have an almost meditative quality that calms my nervous system. Additionally, there’s something inherently calming about working with water and watching how it interacts with the pigments – it’s unpredictable yet beautiful. I also find great satisfaction in the creative process itself, seeing a blank page transform into something visually appealing. Unlike my regular job which involves constant deadlines and pressure, painting has no rules or expectations – I’m free to experiment and even embrace mistakes. This sense of creative freedom is incredibly liberating and helps me maintain my mental balance.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	7.5-8	Rất smooth và natural với minimal hesitation. Sử dụng đa dạng discourse markers (Firstly, Additionally, Unlike). Ideas được organize logic và có progression tốt.
Lexical Resource	7.5-8	Sophisticated vocabulary với nhiều collocations mạnh (go-to activity, stumbled upon, hooked from the first brushstroke, immerse myself, tranquil landscapes, active meditation). Có idiomatic expressions. Less common vocabulary được sử dụng chính xác (serendipitously, mesmerizing, multifaceted, liberating).
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	7.5-8	Wide range of complex structures: relative clauses, participle clauses (watching colors blend), passives, gerunds. Có variety trong sentence patterns. Minimal errors.
Pronunciation	7.5-8	Giả định pronunciation clear với good stress, intonation, và sentence rhythm.

So Sánh Với Band 6-7

Khía cạnh	Band 6-7	Band 7.5-8
Vocabulary	“very relaxing”, “gives me a sense of achievement”, “feel happy”	“incredibly soothing and therapeutic”, “sense of creative freedom”, “liberating”
Grammar	“I was grateful for her help because I was quite new”	“There was something mesmerizing about watching the colors blend and flow”
Ideas	Basic explanation (forget stress, see plants grow)	Deep analysis (active meditation, unpredictable beauty, mental balance)

Người học có thể kết hợp sở thích với việc đọc sách để tăng thêm chiều sâu cho câu trả lời, đặc biệt là khi nhắc đến cách tìm inspiration. Bạn có thể tham khảo describe a book you want to read in the future để học cách mô tả sự kết nối giữa đọc và các hoạt động sáng tạo khác.

📝 Sample Answer – Band 8.5-9

Thời lượng: 2.5-3 phút đầy đủ

I’d like to talk about my passion for night photography, which has become my ultimate form of escapism and the most restorative activity I engage in. This hobby involves capturing long-exposure shots of urban landscapes and celestial phenomena during nighttime, and it’s something I find profoundly calming.

My foray into night photography began approximately four years ago under rather fortuitous circumstances. I was attending a friend’s rooftop party when I happened to witness an absolutely breathtaking meteor shower. Armed with nothing but my smartphone, I attempted to capture the moment but was thoroughly disappointed by the results. That experience sparked an intense curiosity about astrophotography, and I subsequently invested in a decent DSLR camera and immersed myself in learning the technical aspects – understanding exposure triangles, mastering manual settings, and grasping the intricacies of light behavior. I joined an online community of night photographers where I received invaluable mentorship from experienced practitioners, and gradually, I honed my craft through countless hours of trial and error.

Nowadays, I try to dedicate at least one or two nights per week to this pursuit, weather permitting. I typically venture out after midnight when the city lights dim down and light pollution is at its minimum. My sessions usually last anywhere from three to five hours, as I often need to wait patiently for the optimal lighting conditions or for clouds to clear. I’ve explored various locations around the city – from abandoned industrial areas to scenic hilltops that offer unobstructed views of the night sky. Each location presents unique challenges and opportunities for creative expression.

What renders night photography so therapeutic for me operates on multiple levels. On a practical level, it necessitates complete disconnection from the digital world – I deliberately leave my phone on airplane mode and surrender myself entirely to the present moment. The very nature of long-exposure photography demands patience and stillness, qualities that are increasingly rare in our fast-paced modern existence. There’s something inherently meditative about standing in solitude under the stars, watching the world move in slow motion through my camera lens while I remain perfectly still. This enforced mindfulness has had transformative effects on my stress levels and overall mental clarity.

Moreover, night photography taps into my innate sense of wonder about the universe. When I’m framing a shot of the Milky Way or capturing the ethereal glow of city lights, I’m reminded of my infinitesimal place in the cosmos, which paradoxically makes my daily worries seem rather trivial. This shift in perspective is incredibly grounding and helps me maintain emotional equilibrium. Additionally, the unpredictability inherent in this hobby – never quite knowing how your shots will turn out due to variables like atmospheric conditions – has taught me to embrace uncertainty and relinquish control, skills that have translated beautifully into other aspects of my life. The post-processing phase, where I fine-tune my images, also provides a form of controlled creativity that I find deeply satisfying. Unlike my high-stakes professional work, night photography is an endeavor where there are no wrong answers, no disappointed stakeholders – just pure artistic expression and personal fulfillment.

Phân Tích Band Điểm

Tiêu chí	Band	Nhận xét
Fluency & Coherence	8.5-9	Exceptionally fluent và coherent. Sophisticated use of discourse markers (Moreover, Additionally, Unlike). Ideas flow seamlessly với clear progression from concrete details đến abstract concepts. No hesitation.
Lexical Resource	8.5-9	Extensive sophisticated vocabulary: less common words (fortuitous, foray, celestial phenomena, infinitesimal, ethereal, paradoxically). Precise collocations (sparked intense curiosity, hone one’s craft, embrace uncertainty, relinquish control). Natural idiomatic language (ultimate form of escapism, taps into). Skillful use of paraphrasing.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	8.5-9	Full range of structures: complex sentences, embedded clauses, inversion (rarely do I…), perfect infinitives, participle constructions. Sentences are long but grammatically correct và natural. Uses passive skillfully for variety.
Pronunciation	8.5-9	Giả định pronunciation native-like với excellent intonation, stress patterns, và connected speech.

Tại Sao Bài Này Xuất Sắc

🎯 Fluency Hoàn Hảo:
Bài nói dài (khoảng 320 từ) nhưng vẫn duy trì coherence tuyệt đối. Không có awkward pauses hay repetitions. Thí sinh thể hiện khả năng develop ideas deeply với clear internal logic: introduction → origin story → current practice → multiple layers of explanation.

📚 Vocabulary Tinh Vi:
Ví dụ: “renders night photography so therapeutic operates on multiple levels” – sử dụng “render” thay vì “make”, “operates on multiple levels” thay vì “has many reasons”. Hay “paradoxically makes my daily worries seem rather trivial” – sử dụng abstract vocabulary để express complex ideas. Collocation “infinitesimal place in the cosmos” thể hiện precise và evocative language.

📝 Grammar Đa Dạng:
Ví dụ: “There’s something inherently meditative about standing in solitude under the stars, watching the world move in slow motion through my camera lens while I remain perfectly still” – câu này chứa: existential there, gerunds as subjects, present participle clause, subordinate time clause. Hay “The very nature of long-exposure photography demands patience and stillness, qualities that are increasingly rare” – sử dụng relative clause để add information elegantly.

💡 Ideas Sâu Sắc:
Không chỉ nói “it helps me relax” mà đi sâu vào philosophical reflection: shift in perspective về vũ trụ, mindfulness trong kỷ nguyên digital, embracing uncertainty như life skill. Kết nối hobby với personal growth và life philosophy cho thấy mature thinking.

Ví dụ về bài trả lời IELTS Speaking Part 2 đạt band điểm cao với cue card về sở thích thư giãn

Follow-up Questions (Rounding Off Questions)

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

Question 1: Do you think you’ll continue this hobby in the future?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, definitely. I really enjoy it and I think I will keep doing it for a long time. Maybe I’ll get better at it with more practice.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, I can’t imagine giving it up. If anything, I’d love to take it to the next level by perhaps exhibiting my work or conducting workshops for beginners. It’s become such an integral part of my identity that I see it as a lifelong pursuit rather than just a passing interest.

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Question 2: Have you influenced anyone else to take up this hobby?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I have. My younger sister saw my photos and became interested. Now she sometimes joins me when I go out to take pictures.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Actually, yes. I’ve inadvertently inspired a few colleagues who’ve seen my work. One of them has even embraced it with remarkable enthusiasm and we now occasionally embark on photo expeditions together. There’s something uniquely rewarding about sharing your passion with others and watching them discover that same sense of tranquility you experience.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Tổng Quan Về Part 3

Part 3 kéo dài 4-5 phút và là phần thảo luận hai chiều giữa bạn và examiner về các vấn đề trừu tượng, rộng hơn liên quan đến chủ đề Part 2. Đây là phần khó nhất vì yêu cầu bạn phân tích, so sánh, đánh giá, và đưa ra quan điểm có lý lẽ về các social issues, trends, hoặc abstract concepts.

Yêu cầu cụ thể:

• Phân tích cause-effect relationships
• So sánh past-present-future
• Đánh giá advantages-disadvantages
• Đưa ra personal opinion với supporting reasons
• Xem xét nhiều góc độ (individuals, society, government)
• Acknowledge complexity và different perspectives

Chiến lược hiệu quả:

• Mở rộng câu trả lời 3-5 câu minimum
• Sử dụng discourse markers tự nhiên (Well, Actually, From my perspective)
• Đưa ra examples từ society, statistics, trends – không chỉ personal experience
• Thừa nhận các viewpoints khác trước khi state your opinion
• Sử dụng tentative language (I would say, It seems to me, To some extent)
• Structure câu trả lời: Direct answer → Reason 1 + example → Reason 2 + example → Conclusion/Nuance

Lỗi thường gặp của học viên Việt Nam:

• Trả lời quá ngắn, chỉ 1-2 câu
• Không phân tích sâu, chỉ state opinion mà không có reasoning
• Thiếu từ vựng trừu tượng (abstract nouns)
• Không đưa ra societal examples
• Sử dụng personal experience quá nhiều
• Speaking style quá informal hoặc quá academic
• Không show awareness về complexity của issues

Các Câu Hỏi Thảo Luận Sâu

Theme 1: Benefits and Importance of Hobbies

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Question 1: Why do you think it’s important for people to have hobbies?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Explanation (tại sao important)
• Key words: important, people, hobbies
• Cách tiếp cận: State importance → Give 2-3 reasons (mental health, work-life balance, personal development) → Examples từ society → Conclude

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

I think hobbies are very important for everyone. First, they help people relax and reduce stress from work or study. When people do something they enjoy, they feel happier and more energetic. Second, hobbies can help people develop new skills. For example, if someone likes photography, they will learn about cameras and editing. Also, hobbies can help people make new friends with similar interests. So overall, hobbies are necessary for a healthy and balanced life.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có structure rõ ràng với First, Second, Also, So
• Vocabulary: Basic và repetitive (important, help, people). Thiếu sophisticated words
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Communicative với clear ideas nhưng lacking in sophistication. Ideas đúng nhưng development chưa deep.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

Well, I’d say hobbies play a crucial role in maintaining both our mental equilibrium and overall quality of life. On the most fundamental level, they serve as an essential counterbalance to the pressures of modern work culture. In today’s high-stress environment where people are constantly tethered to their devices and expected to be available around the clock, having a hobby provides a much-needed sanctuary where individuals can disconnect and recharge.

Beyond stress relief, hobbies facilitate personal growth in ways that formal education or professional development often cannot. They allow people to explore facets of their personality and cultivate skills outside their usual domains, which I believe is instrumental in maintaining a well-rounded identity. For instance, someone working in finance might discover their creative side through painting or writing, which adds richness and dimension to their sense of self.

Furthermore, hobbies foster social connections based on genuine shared interests rather than obligation or proximity. The communities that form around hobbies tend to be remarkably supportive and inclusive, offering a sense of belonging that’s increasingly elusive in our fragmented modern society. So in essence, hobbies aren’t merely recreational luxuries – they’re fundamental components of psychological well-being and social cohesion.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Well-organized với clear progression: fundamental benefit → personal growth → social aspect → conclusion
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (mental equilibrium, counterbalance, tethered to devices, sanctuary, instrumental in, elusive, fragmented society, recreational luxuries)
• Grammar: Complex structures với embedded clauses, relative clauses, gerunds, parallel structure
• Critical Thinking: Shows deep understanding với multiple dimensions, acknowledges modern context, uses abstract concepts

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: Well, Beyond…, Furthermore, So in essence
• Tentative language: I’d say, I believe, tend to be
• Abstract nouns: equilibrium, sanctuary, cohesion, dimension, richness
• Strong collocations: crucial role, essential counterbalance, facilitate personal growth, foster connections

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Question 2: Do you think people today have less time for hobbies than in the past?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Compare (past vs present) + Opinion
• Key words: today, less time, past
• Cách tiếp cận: State opinion → Analyze reasons for change → Give counter-perspective → Balanced conclusion

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think people today are busier than before. In the past, people had more free time because technology was not so advanced and work was simpler. Now, people work longer hours and use their free time on smartphones and social media. Also, students have more homework and extra classes than before. However, some people still manage to have hobbies if they organize their time well. So it depends on each person’s priorities and time management.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có so sánh past-present, có counter-point (however)
• Vocabulary: Simple (busier, more free time, longer hours, manage)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear comparison nhưng lack depth in analysis. Reasons given đơn giản và generic.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8-9:

That’s an interesting question, and I’d say it’s a nuanced issue. On the surface, it certainly appears that way. The advent of the digital age has fundamentally blurred the boundaries between work and personal time. With smartphones and constant connectivity, many professionals find themselves perpetually on call, responding to emails at all hours and struggling to carve out genuine leisure time. The concept of the 9-to-5 workday has become increasingly obsolete, replaced by what some call the “always-on” culture.

Additionally, economic pressures have intensified, with many people juggling multiple jobs or taking on side hustles just to make ends meet, leaving precious little room for recreational pursuits. The rising cost of living in urban areas means that leisure has become, ironically, more of a luxury than a standard part of life.

However, I’d argue there’s another dimension to consider. While our time may be more fragmented, we also have unprecedented access to diverse hobbies through online platforms. Someone can learn virtually any skill through YouTube tutorials or online communities without geographical or financial barriers. Moreover, past generations faced their own time constraints – many worked in labor-intensive jobs with little work-life balance by today’s standards.

So perhaps what’s changed isn’t so much the quantity of time but rather how we perceive and prioritize it. The real challenge might be psychological – overcoming the guilt associated with “unproductive” leisure in an achievement-oriented society.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Sophisticated với on the surface → deeper analysis → counter-perspective → conclusion with new insight
• Vocabulary: Advanced (nuanced issue, advent of, carve out, obsolete, juggling multiple jobs, fragmented, unprecedented access)
• Grammar: Full range including passive, perfect infinitives, inversion structures
• Critical Thinking: Shows balanced view, acknowledges complexity, introduces psychological dimension, avoids simplistic conclusion

💡 Key Language Features:

• Discourse markers: On the surface, Additionally, However, Moreover, So perhaps
• Tentative language: it appears, I’d argue, might be
• Abstract concepts: boundaries, economic pressures, psychological challenge, achievement-oriented society

Để tìm hiểu thêm về mối liên hệ giữa văn học và sở thích, đặc biệt là cách đọc sách có thể trở thành một hoạt động thư giãn tuyệt vời, bạn có thể xem describe a famous writer you enjoy reading để khám phá cách kết hợp đọc với phát triển cá nhân.

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Theme 2: Hobbies and Technology

Question 3: How has technology changed the way people pursue hobbies?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Analyze change (how technology impacts)
• Key words: technology, changed, pursue hobbies
• Cách tiếp cận: Identify main changes → Analyze positive impacts → Analyze negative impacts → Overall evaluation

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Technology has changed hobbies a lot. Now people can learn new hobbies easily through the internet. For example, if you want to learn cooking, you can watch videos on YouTube. Also, social media helps people share their hobbies with others. However, technology can also make people spend too much time on screens and not do real activities. Some people just watch videos about hobbies but don’t actually do them. So technology has both good and bad effects on hobbies.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Có positive và negative sides
• Vocabulary: Basic (a lot, easily, good and bad)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Clear answer với relevant examples nhưng lack sophistication và depth.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

Technology has revolutionized hobby pursuit in ways that are both profoundly enabling and potentially problematic.

On the positive side, the internet has democratized access to virtually every hobby imaginable. What once required expensive classes, specialized instructors, or membership in exclusive clubs can now be learned freely through online tutorials, forums, and communities. This democratization has been particularly transformative for people in remote areas or those with limited mobility who previously had severely restricted options. For instance, someone interested in niche pursuits like bookbinding or astrophotography can now connect with like-minded enthusiasts globally and access expert guidance that would have been impossible to find locally.

Furthermore, technology has facilitated the documentation and sharing of hobby-related achievements through platforms like Instagram or YouTube, which can be incredibly motivating. This public dimension creates accountability and fosters community, turning what might have been solitary activities into socially enriching experiences.

However, there’s a darker side to this technological transformation. The gamification and commodification of hobbies through apps and platforms can sometimes strip away the intrinsic enjoyment that hobbies should provide. When people are focused on garnering likes or building followings rather than engaging in the activity for its own sake, the therapeutic essence of the hobby can be compromised. There’s also what I’d call the “tutorial trap” – people who endlessly consume content about a hobby without ever actually engaging in it, experiencing a sort of vicarious participation that provides none of the real benefits.

Moreover, the constant connectivity means that even our hobbies can become sources of stress rather than relief. The pressure to document and share every experience, to respond to comments, to maintain an online presence – these can transform a relaxing pursuit into yet another form of work.

So while technology has undoubtedly expanded the landscape of hobby possibilities, I think the challenge lies in leveraging these tools while resisting their more pernicious effects – using technology as a facilitator rather than an end in itself.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly sophisticated với clear positive analysis → detailed negative analysis → nuanced conclusion
• Vocabulary: Exceptional (revolutionized, democratized, niche pursuits, like-minded enthusiasts, gamification, intrinsic enjoyment, vicarious participation, pernicious effects)
• Grammar: Full range with nominalizations, complex embedding, parallel structures
• Critical Thinking: Introduces original concepts (tutorial trap, vicarious participation), balanced perspective, insightful conclusion

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic style: democratization, gamification, commodification
• Metaphors: darker side, landscape of possibilities, tutorial trap
• Contrasts: enabling vs problematic, facilitator vs end in itself

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Theme 3: Cultural and Social Aspects

Question 4: Do you think hobbies differ between cultures? Why?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Opinion + Compare cultures + Explanation
• Key words: differ, cultures, why
• Cách tiếp cận: State opinion → Give reasons (geography, values, resources) → Examples from different cultures → Conclusion about globalization impact

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Yes, I think hobbies are different in different countries. This is because of the weather, culture, and what resources are available. For example, in cold countries like Canada, people enjoy skiing and ice skating. But in hot countries like Thailand, people prefer swimming or beach activities. Also, traditional culture affects hobbies. In Japan, people practice traditional arts like calligraphy and tea ceremony. In Western countries, people might do different things. But now with globalization, people in different countries can try hobbies from other cultures too.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Clear với reasons và examples
• Vocabulary: Adequate nhưng basic (different, enjoy, prefer)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Relevant content với examples nhưng analysis không deep, vocabulary thiếu sophistication.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

Absolutely, and I find this cultural variation absolutely fascinating. Hobbies are deeply intertwined with a society’s geographical conditions, historical heritage, and underlying value systems.

Take geography first – it’s rather obvious that climate and landscape profoundly shape recreational possibilities. Nordic countries naturally gravitate toward winter sports and activities like cross-country skiing or ice fishing, which are deeply embedded in their cultural identity. Conversely, tropical nations tend to have hobby cultures revolving around water-based activities and outdoor pursuits year-round. But it goes beyond just what’s physically possible – these environmental factors become woven into the cultural fabric over generations.

Cultural values play an equally pivotal role. In collectivist societies, particularly in East Asia, you’ll find more hobbies with social and communal dimensions – group hiking, team-oriented sports, or activities like choral singing. There’s often an emphasis on hobbies that cultivate discipline and mastery over time, reflected in the popularity of martial arts, traditional instruments, or meticulous crafts like origami or pottery. In contrast, individualistic Western cultures might place greater value on hobbies that emphasize personal achievement and self-expression, such as extreme sports or creative arts pursued individually.

Economic factors also can’t be overlooked. Resource-intensive hobbies like equestrian sports or sailing are naturally more prevalent in affluent societies, while communities with fewer resources often develop hobbies around more accessible materials – think of the vibrant street art scenes in Latin America or improvisational music traditions in various African cultures.

That said, globalization is certainly blurring these distinctions. The internet has created a global hobby culture where someone in Vietnam might be as passionate about Scottish highland dancing as someone in Edinburgh. This cross-pollination is enriching but also raises questions about cultural homogenization. I’d argue we’re moving toward a world where hobby choices reflect personal identity more than cultural origin, which has both exciting and concerning implications for cultural preservation.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Exceptionally organized với systematic analysis of multiple factors → examples for each → conclusion addressing modern context
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated và precise (intertwined with, embedded in, pivotal role, collectivist societies, resource-intensive, cross-pollination, homogenization)
• Grammar: Complex with extensive use of participles, relative clauses, nominalizations
• Critical Thinking: Multi-dimensional analysis, introduces cultural theory concepts, addresses contemporary issues, balanced conclusion with implications

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic vocabulary: cultural variation, underlying value systems, collectivist vs individualistic
• Sophisticated connectors: Conversely, In contrast, That said
• Nominalizations: preservation, homogenization, cross-pollination

Phân tích chi tiết các dạng câu hỏi IELTS Speaking Part 3 về chủ đề sở thích

Question 5: In what ways can hobbies benefit society as a whole?

🎯 Phân tích câu hỏi:

• Dạng: Analyze benefits at societal level (not individual)
• Key words: benefit, society as a whole
• Cách tiếp cận: Think broadly about social benefits → Community building → Economic impact → Cultural preservation → Health systems

📝 Sample Answer – Band 6-7:

Hobbies can help society in many ways. First, when people do hobbies together, they build communities and friendships. This makes society stronger. Also, some hobbies create jobs. For example, if many people like sports, there will be jobs for coaches and equipment sellers. Hobbies can also preserve culture, like traditional dance or music. Finally, when people have hobbies, they are healthier and happier, which reduces healthcare costs for the government. So hobbies are good for both individuals and society.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Multiple points được mention
• Vocabulary: Basic (help, many ways, build, stronger, good for)
• Tại sao Band 6-7: Coverage of multiple angles nhưng each point underdeveloped, lacking sophisticated vocabulary và deep analysis.

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📝 Câu trả lời mẫu – Band 8.5-9:

This is a thought-provoking question that often gets overlooked in discussions about leisure. Hobbies yield substantial societal benefits that extend far beyond individual enjoyment.

Perhaps most significantly, hobbies serve as powerful engines of social cohesion. In an era where traditional community structures are eroding – people no longer know their neighbors, civic participation is declining, and social isolation is reaching epidemic proportions – hobby-based communities provide vital connective tissue. Whether it’s a local running club, a community garden, or an amateur theater group, these voluntary associations create bonds between people who might otherwise never interact. They bridge socioeconomic divides, bring together different generations, and foster a sense of shared purpose that’s increasingly rare in modern society. This social capital has tangible benefits: communities with robust hobby cultures tend to exhibit lower crime rates, greater civic engagement, and stronger support networks during crises.

From an economic perspective, the hobby industry is actually a significant contributor to GDP in many countries. We’re talking about a multi-billion dollar sector encompassing everything from manufacturing and retail to instruction and tourism. Craft fairs, sports tournaments, music festivals – these hobby-centered events inject considerable revenue into local economies and create employment opportunities. Moreover, hobbies often serve as incubators for innovation and entrepreneurship. Many successful businesses began as passionate hobbyists commercializing their interests.

There’s also an underappreciated public health dimension. When populations engage in hobbies, particularly physical ones, we see measurable reductions in lifestyle-related diseases, mental health issues, and dependency on healthcare systems. This alleviates enormous pressure on public health infrastructure while improving quality of life. Some forward-thinking healthcare systems are actually beginning to prescribe hobbies – what’s called “social prescribing” – as preventative medicine.

Additionally, hobbies play a crucial role in cultural preservation and transmission. Traditional crafts, folk music, indigenous games – these cultural treasures survive primarily through hobby practitioners who keep these traditions alive, passing them to new generations. Without this grassroots cultural stewardship, much of our intangible cultural heritage would vanish.

So in essence, hobbies shouldn’t be dismissed as frivolous pastimes – they’re actually integral to societal health, economic vitality, and cultural continuity.

Phân tích:

• Structure: Highly sophisticated với systematic coverage of four major domains (social, economic, health, cultural) each fully developed with examples and implications
• Vocabulary: Exceptional range (overlooked, eroding, epidemic proportions, vital connective tissue, robust hobby cultures, incubators for innovation, grassroots stewardship, intangible heritage)
• Grammar: Complex throughout with nominalizations, passive constructions, conditionals
• Critical Thinking: Addresses question at macro level with societal analysis, introduces concepts like social capital and social prescribing, connects multiple domains, challenges assumptions (shouldn’t be dismissed as)

💡 Key Language Features:

• Academic register: yield substantial benefits, tangible benefits, measurable reductions, alleviates pressure
• Policy language: forward-thinking healthcare systems, preventative medicine, social prescribing
• Sophisticated structure: Perhaps most significantly…, From an economic perspective…, There’s also…, Additionally…

Một cách tuyệt vời để thể hiện sự kết nối giữa sở thích và ký ức là nói về món ăn yêu thích từ thời thơ ấu. Nếu bạn quan tâm đến cách tích hợp yếu tố cảm xúc vào câu trả lời, hãy xem describe a food that brings back childhood memories để học cách kể chuyện có chiều sâu cảm xúc.

Từ vựng và cụm từ quan trọng

Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Từ vựng/Cụm từ	Loại từ	Phiên âm	Nghĩa tiếng Việt	Ví dụ	Collocation
therapeutic	adj	/ˌθerəˈpjuːtɪk/	có tác dụng chữa lành, thư giãn	I find gardening incredibly therapeutic after stressful days.	therapeutic effects, therapeutic benefits, therapeutic activity, therapeutic value
unwind	v	/ʌnˈwaɪnd/	thư giãn, xả stress	I usually unwind by reading novels in the evening.	unwind after work, help someone unwind, need to unwind, unwind and relax
immerse oneself in	phrase	/ɪˈmɜːrs/	đắm mình vào, chìm đắm trong	When I paint, I completely immerse myself in the creative process.	immerse in an activity, become immersed, fully immerse, deeply immersed
go-to activity	phrase	/ɡəʊ tuː/	hoạt động ưa thích nhất, lựa chọn đầu tiên	Photography is my go-to activity whenever I need a mental break.	go-to hobby, go-to pastime, go-to relaxation method
decompress	v	/ˌdiːkəmˈpres/	giải tỏa căng thẳng, xả hơi	I need a hobby to decompress after long working hours.	decompress after stress, help decompress, need to decompress, decompress mentally
meditative quality	phrase	/ˈmedɪteɪtɪv/	tính chất thiền định, yên tĩnh	Knitting has a meditative quality that calms my mind.	meditative practice, meditative state, meditative activity, have a meditative quality
restorative	adj	/rɪˈstɔːrətɪv/	có tác dụng phục hồi sức khỏe/tinh thần	Spending time in nature is deeply restorative for me.	restorative activity, restorative power, restorative effects, restorative practice
pursue a hobby	phrase	/pəˈsjuː/	theo đuổi một sở thích	I’ve been pursuing this hobby for about five years now.	actively pursue, passionately pursue, pursue a passion, continue to pursue
cultivate a hobby	phrase	/ˈkʌltɪveɪt/	trau dồi, phát triển một sở thích	It takes time to cultivate a meaningful hobby.	cultivate interests, carefully cultivate, cultivate a passion, help cultivate
mental clarity	phrase	/ˈmentl ˈklærəti/	sự minh mẫn, sáng suốt trong tư duy	Yoga gives me mental clarity to handle challenges.	achieve mental clarity, provide mental clarity, enhance mental clarity, restore mental clarity
sense of fulfillment	phrase	/sens əv fʊlˈfɪlmənt/	cảm giác được thỏa mãn, trọn vẹn	Completing a painting gives me a profound sense of fulfillment.	provide fulfillment, sense of achievement, deep fulfillment, personal fulfillment
leisure pursuit	phrase	/ˈleʒə pəˈsjuːt/	hoạt động giải trí	Reading is one of my favorite leisure pursuits.	leisure activities, recreational pursuits, enjoyable pursuit, preferred pursuit
recharge one’s batteries	idiom	/riːˈtʃɑːdʒ/	nạp lại năng lượng	A weekend hiking trip helps me recharge my batteries.	need to recharge, help recharge, chance to recharge, recharge mentally
escapism	n	/ɪˈskeɪpɪzəm/	sự trốn tránh thực tại	For me, reading fantasy novels offers healthy escapism.	provide escapism, form of escapism, harmless escapism, need for escapism
hands-on activity	phrase	/hændz ɒn/	hoạt động thực hành, làm bằng tay	I prefer hands-on activities like woodworking to digital hobbies.	hands-on hobby, hands-on experience, hands-on work, enjoy hands-on activities

Idiomatic Expressions & Advanced Phrases

Cụm từ	Nghĩa	Ví dụ sử dụng	Band điểm
lose track of time	quên mất thời gian (vì quá mải mê)	When I’m painting, I completely lose track of time.	7.5-8
take my mind off things	giúp tôi quên đi những lo lắng	Gardening really takes my mind off work pressures.	7-7.5
hit the reset button	khởi động lại, làm mới	A weekend spent hiking helps me hit the reset button.	7.5-8
put things in perspective	nhìn mọi thứ đúng góc độ	My hobby helps me put things in perspective when life gets stressful.	8-8.5
strike a balance	tìm được sự cân bằng	I try to strike a balance between active and passive hobbies.	7.5-8
disconnect from the digital world	ngắt kết nối khỏi thế giới số	Photography forces me to disconnect from the digital world.	7.5-8
feed one’s creative soul	nuôi dưỡng tâm hồn sáng tạo	Watercolor painting really feeds my creative soul.	8-8.5
carve out time	dành/tìm ra thời gian	I try to carve out at least two hours each weekend for my hobby.	7.5-8
hone one’s craft	mài giũa kỹ năng	I’ve been honing my craft through consistent practice.	8-8.5
broaden one’s horizons	mở rộng tầm nhìn	Traveling as a hobby has really broadened my horizons.	7-7.5
tap into one’s creativity	khai thác khả năng sáng tạo	Cooking allows me to tap into my creativity in unexpected ways.	8-8.5
give oneself permission to	cho phép bản thân làm gì	My hobby gives me permission to be imperfect and experimental.	8.5-9

Discourse Markers (Từ Nối Ý Trong Speaking)

Để bắt đầu câu trả lời:

• 📝 Well,… – Dùng khi cần một chút thời gian suy nghĩ: “Well, that’s an interesting question…”
• 📝 Actually,… – Khi đưa ra góc nhìn bất ngờ hoặc correct một assumption: “Actually, I think it’s more complicated than that…”
• 📝 To be honest,… – Khi nói thật về opinion cá nhân: “To be honest, I’ve always found that hobby rather challenging…”
• 📝 I’d say that… – Cách diplomatic để đưa ra quan điểm: “I’d say that hobbies are essential for mental health…”
• 📝 From my perspective,… – Nhấn mạnh đây là personal viewpoint: “From my perspective, technology has changed hobbies dramatically…”

Để bổ sung ý:

• 📝 On top of that,… – Thêm vào đó: “On top of that, hobbies help build social connections…”
• 📝 What’s more,… – Hơn nữa: “What’s more, they provide a sense of accomplishment…”
• 📝 Not to mention… – Chưa kể đến: “Not to mention the health benefits they bring…”
• 📝 Beyond that,… – Vượt ra ngoài đó: “Beyond that, there’s a cultural dimension to consider…”
• 📝 Additionally,… / Furthermore,… – Thêm vào đó (formal hơn)

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 ta cũng cần xem xét…
• 📝 That said,… – Tuy nhiên (dùng sau khi đã nói một ý để introduce contrasting view)
• 📝 Having said that,… – Nói như vậy nhưng… (introduce exception hoặc qualification)

Để kết luận:

• 📝 All in all,… – Tóm lại: “All in all, I believe hobbies are essential…”
• 📝 At the end of the day,… – Cuối cùng thì: “At the end of the day, it’s about personal enjoyment…”
• 📝 So in essence,… – Vậy về bản chất: “So in essence, hobbies benefit both individuals and society…”
• 📝 In a nutshell,… – Tóm gọn lại: “In a nutshell, relaxing hobbies improve quality of life…”

Grammatical Structures Ấn Tượng

1. Conditional Sentences (Câu điều kiện):

Mixed conditional:

• Formula: If + past perfect, … would/could + bare infinitive (hiện tại)
• Ví dụ: “If I hadn’t discovered photography years ago, I would be much more stressed now.”

Inversion (đảo ngữ):

• Formula: Had I + past participle…, … would have…
• Ví dụ: “Had I known how therapeutic painting could be, I would have started much earlier.”
• Ví dụ: “Rarely do I feel as relaxed as when I’m gardening.”

2. Relative Clauses (Mệnh đề quan hệ):

Non-defining relative clauses:

• Formula: …, which/who + clause,…
• Ví dụ: “Watercolor painting, which I started three years ago, has become my primary stress reliever.”
• Ví dụ: “My photography hobby, which requires patience and attention to detail, has taught me mindfulness.”

3. Passive Voice (Câu bị động) – Formal expressions:

Impersonal passive:

• Formula: It is thought/believed/said that…
• Ví dụ: “It is widely believed that hobbies improve mental health significantly.”
• Ví dụ: “It has been suggested that creative hobbies enhance cognitive function.”

4. Cleft Sentences (Câu chẻ) – Nhấn mạnh:

What-cleft:

• Formula: What I find most + adjective + is…
• Ví dụ: “What I find most relaxing about gardening is the connection with nature.”
• Ví dụ: “What makes this hobby so therapeutic is the mindful focus it requires.”

Thing-cleft:

• Formula: The thing that… is…
• Ví dụ: “The thing that attracts me to photography is capturing fleeting moments.”

5. Gerund Phrases (Cụm danh động từ):

• Ví dụ: “Spending time in nature has proven benefits for mental health.”
• Ví dụ: “Engaging in creative activities allows people to express themselves.”

6. Participle Clauses (Mệnh đề phân từ):

• Ví dụ: “Feeling stressed after work, I often turn to painting for relief.”
• Ví dụ: “Yoga, being both physical and meditative, offers comprehensive benefits.”

Nếu bạn đang tìm cách mô tả một địa điểm ngoài trời yêu thích nơi bạn thường thực hiện sở thích của mình, hãy tham khảo describe a place where you enjoy spending time outdoors để học cách kết hợp mô tả địa điểm với hoạt động thư giãn.

Chiến Lược Tổng Thể Để Đạt Band 8+

1. Fluency & Coherence

Làm thế nào để cải thiện:

• Practice speaking continuously: Ghi âm bản thân nói 2 phút không dừng về bất kỳ topic nào
• Use discourse markers naturally: Đừng học thuộc lòng mà hãy internalize chúng qua việc nghe native speakers
• Tell stories: Kể câu chuyện có beginning-middle-end thay vì liệt kê facts
• Develop ideas logically: Mỗi ý nên có supporting details và examples

Red flags cần tránh:

• ❌ Long pauses hoặc frequent hesitations
• ❌ Repetition của từ hoặc ideas vì không biết nói gì tiếp
• ❌ Jumping between ideas không có connection
• ❌ Self-correction quá nhiều

2. Lexical Resource

Làm thế nào để build vocabulary:

• Learn collocations, not isolated words: “make a decision” không phải “do a decision”
• Study topic-specific vocabulary: Mỗi topic cần 20-30 từ/phrases chuyên biệt
• Use paraphrasing: Đừng lặp lại từ trong câu hỏi, hãy paraphrase
• Balance formal and informal: Speaking không phải writing, đừng quá academic

Levels of vocabulary:

• Band 6-7: important, good, help, nice, interesting
• Band 7.5-8: significant, beneficial, facilitate, appealing, captivating
• Band 8.5-9: pivotal, therapeutic, conducive to, alluring, mesmerizing

3. Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Must-have structures for high bands:

• Complex sentences với multiple clauses
• Perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect)
• Passive voice cho variety
• Conditionals (especially mixed và third)
• Relative clauses (defining và non-defining)
• Participle phrases

Common grammar mistakes của học viên Việt Nam:

• ❌ Article errors: “I like the nature” → “I like nature”
• ❌ Countable/uncountable: “informations”, “advices” → “information”, “advice”
• ❌ Subject-verb agreement: “People is” → “People are”
• ❌ Tense consistency issues

4. Pronunciation

Key areas to focus:

• Word stress: PHOtograph vs phoTOgraphy vs photoGRAPHic
• Sentence stress: Nhấn vào content words, giảm function words
• Intonation: Rising cho yes/no questions, falling cho wh-questions và statements
• Connected speech: “want to” → “wanna” trong natural speech
• Clear articulation: Đặc biệt với ending sounds (/t/, /d/, /s/)

Practice tips:

• Shadow native speakers (nghe và lặp lại ngay lập tức)
• Record và compare với native audio
• Focus on chunks và phrases, không phải individual words
• Slow down when needed – clarity quan trọng hơn speed

Lộ Trình Chuẩn Bị Hiệu Quả

Phase 1: Foundation (Tuần 1-2)

• Học vocabulary theo topics (20-30 từ/topic)
• Practice basic fluency: nói 1-2 phút về familiar topics
• Hiểu rõ format và tiêu chí chấm điểm của IELTS Speaking
• Nghe native speakers speak về various topics

Phase 2: Development (Tuần 3-4)

• Develop ideas với examples và reasons
• Practice Part 2 với timer (1 phút prep, 2 phút speak)
• Learn advanced grammar structures
• Work on pronunciation patterns

Phase 3: Refinement (Tuần 5-6)

• Mock tests với feedback
• Paraphrasing practice
• Improve coherence với better linking
• Address specific weaknesses identified

Phase 4: Polish (Tuần 7-8)

• Full mock tests trong điều kiện thi thật
• Fine-tune timing và pacing
• Build confidence through repeated practice
• Review và internalize best sample answers

Lời Khuyên Từ Examiner

Những điều examiners muốn thấy:
✅ Authenticity: Nói về experiences và opinions thật của bạn, đừng fake
✅ Engagement: Eye contact, natural body language, enthusiasm
✅ Risk-taking: Thử dùng advanced vocabulary/grammar ngay cả khi không 100% chắc chắn
✅ Development: Đi sâu vào ideas thay vì stay surface-level
✅ Natural communication: Sounds like real conversation, không phải recited speech

Những điều làm examiners reduce marks:
❌ Memorized answers: Nghe giống robot, không có personal touch
❌ Template abuse: “It’s a controversial issue…”, “Coin has two sides…” (quá overused)
❌ Lack of specificity: Nói chung chung không có examples cụ thể
❌ Inappropriate formality: Quá academic hoặc quá casual
❌ Giving up: Nói “I don’t know” và dừng lại thay vì trying to say something

Trong phòng thi:

• Treat examiner như a friendly conversation partner, không phải judge
• Smile và show positive attitude
• If you don’t understand question, hỏi lại: “Could you repeat that, please?”
• Don’t panic về mistakes – tự correct naturally và move on
• Use your 1-minute prep time wisely trong Part 2

Kết Luận

Chủ đề “describe a hobby you find relaxing” là một cơ hội tuyệt vời để showcase khả năng ngôn ngữ của bạn trong IELTS Speaking. Với đầy đủ sample answers từ Band 6-7 đến Band 8.5-9 và vocabulary phong phú được phân tích trong bài viết này, bạn đã có một toolkit hoàn chỉnh để chuẩn bị.

Điều quan trọng nhất là đừng học thuộc lòng các bài mẫu. Thay vào đó, hãy internalize structures, vocabulary, và ideas, sau đó personalize chúng với experiences thật của bạn. Examiners có thể nhận ra ngay khi bạn đang recite memorized answer, và điều này sẽ impact negatively đến band score.

Practice consistently, record yourself, get feedback, và đừng ngại mắc lỗi trong quá trình học. Mỗi lần practice là một cơ hội để improve. Với dedication và proper preparation, band điểm cao trong IELTS Speaking hoàn toàn đạt được.

Chúc bạn thành công trong kỳ thi IELTS Speaking và đạt được band điểm mong muốn!